Harper's Young People, November 14, 1882

A tender, rhyming portrait opens the collection, giving voice to a restless child who watches the world’s promises of summer, dolls, and growth drift by. The simple dialogue with parents and caretakers captures the universal tug between impatience and the quiet wisdom of waiting, while the child’s imagination turns a stairwell into a stage for daring rebellion. The poem’s gentle cadence invites listeners to linger in the quiet moments of childhood wonder.

The second piece shifts to the bustling heat of the Suez Canal, where a British lieutenant and his shipmates encounter a lively mix of locals, steamers, and unexpected challenges. A playful rivalry erupts when a daring Egyptian swimmer dares to race an English sailor across the canal’s shimmering waters, turning a routine passage into a spirited contest. With vivid descriptions of the landscape and a dash of humor, the story offers a glimpse into the adventurous spirit of 19th‑century travel without revealing how the race or the stranded steamer will resolve.