
A brisk September rain has turned the school’s tennis lawns into soggy marshland, and eleven‑year‑old Sylvia finds herself stuck inside the cosy morning‑room, lost in the world of Ivanhoe. With her mother’s sudden arrival and a promised party that now seems impossible, Sylvia’s mood swings between wistful daydreams and the yearning for a simple gathering with friends. Her hazel‑grey eyes and quiet determination hint at a bright imagination that turns even the gloomiest weather into an adventure of its own.
Through Sylvia’s eyes, listeners are introduced to the lively atmosphere of Miss Kaye’s school, where friendships are tested, secrets whispered in hallway corners, and every rainy day brings a chance for unexpected camaraderie. The story captures the charm of early school life, the small dramas of a third‑class class, and the heartfelt yearning of a young girl eager to belong while navigating the delightful chaos of childhood.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (358K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Suzanne Shell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2010-07-26
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1869–1947
A hugely popular writer of school stories, she helped shape the modern girls’ boarding-school novel with lively plots, friendships, pranks, and a stronger sense of independence than earlier books in the genre. Her stories were beloved by young readers in the early 20th century and remained widely read for years afterward.
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