
In a remote Kentucky valley, the everyday rhythm of spinning wool and courtroom gossip is upended when a group of strangers—referred to as the “quare women”—drifts in from the Bluegrass region and sets up a modest cloth shop on the hill above the courthouse. Aunt Ailsie, ever‑curious and eager for excitement, hears the news from her granddaughter‑in‑law and sends her grandson Fult to fetch apples for the newcomers, hoping to learn more about these mysterious newcomers who are already the talk of the town.
The arrival sparks lively conversation among the mountain families, who wonder whether the women are performers, outsiders, or perhaps something entirely unexpected. Their presence promises a blend of charm and intrigue that could reshape the close‑knit community’s view of the world beyond its hills, all while the ordinary chores of mountain life continue in the background.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (274K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
Boston: The Atlantic Monthly Press, 1923.
Credits
hekula03, Graeme Mackreth and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from images made available by the HathiTrust Digital Library.)
Release date
2023-12-04
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1869–1958
Known for vivid stories set in Appalachian Kentucky, this early 20th-century writer helped shape what would later be called Appalachian literature. She also brought a strong sense of compassion to her work as an animal welfare activist.
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