
A bright‑eyed newcomer arrives at the grand, castle‑like Warwick Hall, a boarding school that feels more like a manor than a classroom. Mary, a shy freshman, steps off the bus and is instantly overwhelmed by towering curtains, polished stone corridors, and a parade of proud peacocks perched on the terrace. The curious butler watches her hesitation, wondering how long it will take for the nervous girl to summon the courage to knock on the massive door.
Inside, the school buzzes with the whispered excitement of teachers returning and older students preparing for the upcoming fall term. Mary’s first days are a mix of awe and uncertainty as she navigates unfamiliar customs, makes tentative friendships, and discovers the hidden rhythms of life at Warwick Hall. Listeners will feel the flutter of anticipation that comes with any new beginning, sharing Mary’s wonder as she learns to find her place in this elegant, slightly eccentric world.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (361K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Emmy and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. (www.pgdp.net)
Release date
2005-05-20
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1863–1931
Best known for creating the much-loved Little Colonel books, this American writer built a wide readership with warm, lively stories for young readers. Her work remained popular well into the early 20th century and helped make her one of Kentucky’s best-known authors of children’s fiction.
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