That Girl Next Door!

[pete9012S]

[Kate Mary]

Thanks for posting that story Pete, it’s not one I’ve ever read before. I do wonder though, why not use a boat instead of the scullery table for future trips on the river?

[GloomyGraham]

Was it reprinted in the Foxglove story book?

Nice, little story. I guess unlike mothers, father's couldn't teach children manners back then.

[Anita Bensoussane]

It's strange that Dick, Nellie and Robert's parents haven't taught their children to swim, despite living right by the river and having a boat!

A dramatic story, beautifully told. A touch predictable, perhaps, but very enjoyable. Lovely to see the Dorothy Hall illustrations as we were discussing her in another thread recently.

[Julie2owlsdene]

What a lovely story. So typical of the year it was written, with the children's mother wanting to teach Tessa how to speak properly and how to learn to sew and behave.

But Enid shows the girl had spirit and a big heart with a caring nature.

[Anita Bensoussane]

Yes, "spirit and a big heart" sums her up perfectly, Julie!

The story reminds me of Those Dreadful Children in some ways - except that there's no suggestion of either side being "dreadful". Tessa is loud and wild and daring like the Taggertys, while the other three are quieter and tidier and more decorous like the Carltons.