St. Nicholas Magazine for Boys and Girls, Vol. 5, No. 06, April 1878

Kitty is a bright five‑year‑old with a habit of wandering off at the slightest open door. When her family sails from New York to Egypt, the bustling ports of Alexandria and the exotic streets of Cairo become a wonderland of camels, silken veils, and noisy bazaars that spark her imagination. The story captures the sights, sounds, and smells of a 19th‑century Middle‑Eastern market through the eyes of a child whose curiosity knows no bounds.

One bright November afternoon, Kitty slips away from her nurse’s side, drawn toward the glittering stalls and the chatter of merchants. The lively market quickly turns into a maze, and the adults scramble to locate the small, laughing girl whose dimpled cheeks have vanished among the crowd. As the search unfolds, the narrative balances the thrill of adventure with the gentle concern of a family far from home.