
A bright, breezy tale opens with a lively schoolyard where children’s shouts echo through the fields, and a young heroine—comfortably anchored by both a mother and a father—finds herself caught up in the everyday dramas of lessons, friendships, and the anticipation of a big school performance. The narrative weaves her ordinary school life with the surrounding countryside, hinting at secret glades, a mysterious wishing‑rock, and the promise of adventures that lie just beyond the classroom walls.
Parallel to the school’s bustle, the story follows John Westley, a middle‑aged man who, feeling stifled by routine, slips away on an impromptu hike up Kettle Mountain. His wandering leads him into an unexpected valley where nature’s quiet grandeur meets a strange, upright figure on a stone, setting the stage for a gentle mystery that intertwines the lives of the townsfolk and the hidden magic of the high country.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (353K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2009-08-30
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects
1881–1968
Best known for warm, lively stories that often centered on girls and family life, this American novelist moved from children's fiction into adult novels over a long career. Her books carry an easy charm, shaped by a childhood near the Great Lakes and a storyteller's eye for home, friendship, and change.
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