
A lively portrait of a bustling Victorian household, this tale opens on a sunny afternoon in the Hervey home, where a gaggle of rambunctious boys fills every corner with mischief and laughter. From the oldest to the youngest, the brothers tumble, argue, and chase each other in a playroom that seems to multiply their limbs, while a shy little girl in a grey bonnet watches in awe, whispering, “Oh, what a lot of boys.” Aunt Mattie, the patient matriarch, steps in to shepherd the chaos, introducing the newest visitor and trying to restore order amid overturned chairs and playful scuffles.
The narrator’s warm, witty observations capture the timeless spirit of childhood—its boundless energy, its innocent rivalries, and the gentle affection that ties the chaotic troupe together. Through vivid scenes of button‑clad outfits, improvised games, and the occasional “pickles” mishap, listeners are invited into a world where the simple joys of play and family reverberate with both humor and heart.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (217K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Annie McGuire. This book was produced from scanned images of public domain material from the Google Print project.
Release date
2010-01-14
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1839–1921
A beloved Victorian writer for children, she filled her stories with everyday magic, family feeling, and the quiet adventures of nursery life. Her books helped shape generations of young readers, especially through classics like The Cuckoo Clock and The Tapestry Room.
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