
A warm, breezy afternoon on the back porch introduces Edna and her mischievous cousin Ben, whose rambling chatter about woods, dog‑wood bark, and whimsical riddles fills the air with playful curiosity. Their banter, peppered with nonsense and affectionate teasing, captures the carefree spirit of childhood while hinting at the everyday chores and small adventures that shape their world.
The story gently shifts to the rhythm of the school year, as Edna prepares for the last week of daily trips into town before the schedule changes with the coming winter. Through her eyes we meet a lively circle of friends—Dorothy, Agnes, and the determined Margaret—each navigating school life, family moves, and the subtle pressures of growing up in a close‑knit community.
With vivid, nostalgic detail and a lighthearted tone, the opening paints a picture of a rural childhood on the brink of change, inviting listeners to share in the simple joys, whispered plans, and the quiet anticipation of days ahead.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (191K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Emanuela Piasentini and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2009-05-25
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1856–1926
Known for warm, lively stories for young readers, this American author wrote dozens of novels, poems, and tales that stayed popular well into the Project Gutenberg era. Her work often follows girls and families through everyday adventures, travel, school life, and historical settings.
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