
A vivid portrait of life at a British public school, this collection captures the rites of passage that shape boys into men. Through the eyes of a hopeful pupil, listeners hear the hum of classrooms, the echo of dormitory chatter, and the fierce pride that comes from belonging to a tight‑knit community. The stories blend humor, rivalry, and the quiet moments that define adolescence in a world of tradition and expectation.
The opening tale follows a young student’s long‑awaited debut on the football field, a moment he has imagined since his first steps at Parkhurst. As the captain summons him to the “first fifteen,” the narrative swells with the nervous excitement of a boy poised on the brink of glory, eager to prove himself under the watchful eyes of his peers. The scene is set for a dramatic match that will test his resolve, camaraderie, and the lessons he’s learned about keeping cool and watching the ball.
Language
en
Duration
~9 hours (565K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
Release date
2007-04-18
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1852–1893
Best known for lively school stories and adventures for young readers, this Victorian writer helped shape the tone of late 19th-century boys’ fiction. He also worked in his family’s printing business, bringing an insider’s feel for publishing to his writing.
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