
In the opening of this gentle tale, Hildegarde finds herself pacing a small hospital waiting room, her nerves on edge as she watches a shy little dog tucked in the corner. When the doctor and her mother finally appear, relief floods the scene, and Hildegarde learns that a dear friend has just emerged from a delicate operation. The physician’s warm reassurance and the promise of “beef tea, chicken broth, fresh air and exercise” set the stage for a hopeful recovery, while Hildegarde’s own determination shines through as she vows to help her friend regain strength.
The narrative captures the everyday courage of a young girl navigating the worries of illness, the comfort of family, and the simple joys of caring for those she loves. With vivid illustrations and a light, hopeful tone, the story invites listeners to share in Hildegarde’s compassionate spirit and the small adventures that begin when a loved one begins to heal.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (296K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Suzanne Shell, Emmy and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2008-03-13
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1850–1943
A prolific American writer, she brought warmth, wit, and imagination to children's books, poems, and biographies. Her long career produced dozens of works and helped make her a familiar literary voice in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
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