
In a quiet village of the late 1800s, a young bank clerk begins his day with the same punctual walk to work, his plain clothes belying a bright, hopeful spirit. One blustery March morning he spots a tiny girl struggling against a fierce wind, her umbrella and books scattering in the gusts. He rushes to steady her, and an unexpected conversation unfolds, revealing her fierce determination to learn, earn, and become a governess despite the hardships around her.
Their brief encounter sets the tone for a tale of modest lives intersecting under the whims of the wind. As the clerk and the child share stories of schooling, family, and perseverance, the narrative hints at deeper challenges that will test their resolve. Through gentle humor and earnest dialogue, the story invites listeners to reflect on the quiet courage found in everyday encounters.
Language
en
Duration
~50 minutes (48K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1899.
Release date
2023-12-19
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

d. 1929
Best remembered for lively children's stories with a strong Christian message, this late Victorian and Edwardian writer produced a long stream of popular books that stayed in print for decades. Her fiction often blends adventure, family life, and gentle moral lessons in a way that still feels warm and readable.
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