
A gentle carriage ride brings Daisy back to the familiar sights of Melbourne House, where the rolling countryside and familiar cottages stir memories of home. As the wheels turn, she watches fields of golden grain and grazing cattle, feeling the warmth of a long‑awaited return. The journey is a quiet blend of nostalgia and anticipation, setting the stage for her reunion with family and friends.
Inside the drawing‑room, loved ones gather around the young girl, offering kisses, laughter, and curious remarks about the mysterious time she spent away. The atmosphere is warm yet tinged with an undercurrent of intrigue, hinted at by whispered talk of an “old black witch” and strange incantations. This opening invites listeners into a world where everyday affection meets a hint of the uncanny, promising a tale that balances tender family moments with the promise of hidden mysteries yet to unfold.
Language
en
Duration
~8 hours (484K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2004-07-20
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1819–1885
Best known for the hugely popular novel The Wide, Wide World, this 19th-century American writer brought religious feeling and everyday emotion together in stories that reached a wide audience. Writing under the name Elizabeth Wetherell, she became one of the notable bestselling authors of her era.
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