COPYBOOK NOVEL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12720, 15 August 1919, Page 5

COPYBOOK NOVEL.

REMARKABLE STORY BY A CHILD OF NINE. "THE YOUNG VISITERS." When "Peter Pan" first appeared, Barrie, by a clever trick, .avoided an appearance before the footlights at the demand of the audience by 'making Liaa " the author of the play.*' It is therefore curious, to say the least of it, that he, though obviously the bnly person for the task, should have written the preface to " The Young Yisi'ters," a " Society" novel, by Daisy Ashford, a little girl of nine, which is published. s Daisy Ashford is now grown up, we are told in the foreword, in which Sir James gives us the only other information regarding her.. "The owner of the conyrighV' he tells us, " guarantees that ' The Young Visiters' is the j unaided effort of an authoress of nine ; years." He adds: j The manuscript is in pencil in a stout i little note-book (two pence), and there it has lain for years, for though the authoress was nine when she wrote it, sho is now a grown woman. . . All I can learn or her now is that she was one of a small family who lived in the country, invented their own games, dodged the governess, and let the rest of the world go hang. Much of the plot of the story deals with the efforts of Mr Salteena ("1 am not quite a gentleman, hut you would hardly notice it") to get into Society: Mr Salteena was an elderly man of forty-two, and was fond of asking people to stay, with him. He had quite a young girl staying with him of seventeen named Ethel Monticu. Mr Salteena. had dark short hair and moustache and whiskers which were very black and twisty. He was middle-sized and he had very pale blue eyes. He had i a pale brown suit, but on Sundays he had j a black one, and he had a topper every day, as he thought it moro becoming. Ethel Monticu had. fair hair done on the top and ' blue eyes. She had a blue velvet frock i which had grown rather short in the sleeves. I She had » black straw hat and kid gloves. | Mr Salteena 19 invited to " come for n. stop " by Bernard Clark, a friend, who, in his letter, asks him tb " bring one of your young ladies, whichever is the prettiest in the face-" Ethel is chosen, of course; Bernard welcomes them warmly. Then they have dinner: Well, said Mr Salteena, lapping up his turtle soup, you have a. very sumpshous house, Bernard. His friend gave a weary smile and swol- ! Jowecl e, few drops of sherry wine. It ie fairly decent he replied with a bashful s?lauce at Ethel after our repast I will show you over, the premisis. Many thanks said Mr Salteena getting rarthor flustered with his forks. You ought to give a ball remarked Ethel you have such large compartments. Yes there io room enough sighed Bernard we micrht try a few steps and rneanwhilo I might get to know a few pcaplo. So you might responded Ethel giving him a speaking look. After dinner Mr Salteena decided that he must go to bed: , I -have given the best spare room to Miss Manticue, said Bernard, with a (gallant bow, and yours (turning to Mr Salteena), opens out of it, eo you will be nice and friendly, both the rooms have big windows and a handsome view. . . My room is nest the bathroom it is decorated dark red as I have somber tastes. The bathroom has got a • tip-top bason- and e. hose thing icr washing your head. A good notion said Mr Salteena. The evening ends with prayers, including " a Decad of the Bosary ": Bernard always had s. few prayers in the ihall and some whisky afterwards as he was rather pious but Mr Salteena was not very adicted to prayers so he marched up to bed. . Ethel stayed as she thought it would be a good thing. Next morning arrangements are made by -which Mr Salteena is to be taken to Court. He is to go to the Crystal Palace, where "several people, Earls,, and even Dukes, have pnvite compartments," and get Bernard's friend, the Earl of Clincham. to take liim.to a "levie" at Buckingham Pal.acp.' -There meet the Prince of; Wales "in -a lovely ermine cloak and u small' hut costly crown ": And ho<& is the dear Queen Clinchamsaid revertlntly. Not up to much said his Highness she feels the heat poor soul and he waved to a placard which eaid in large letters The Queen is indisposed. The Prince asks Clincham and Salteena to a private room: The Prince tapped on the table and instantly two menials in red tunics appeared. Bring three glasses of champalgne commanded the Prince and some ices he added majestically. It upsets me said the Prince lapping up his strawbery ice all I want is peace and quiut and a, little fun and here I am tied down to tbiß life he said taking off his crown being royal has many painful drawbacks. Alfred finally secures tie job of equerry from tired royalty? Ethel and Bernard afterwards go up to town and stay together at tha Gaierty Hotel" (no thought of the conventions). Here Bernard falls in love and decides to propose: I love the girl he said to hirneelf and she must be mine. I will fey my suit at her feet and he waved his arms wildly at the gaj- thought. Then he sprang from bed and gave a rat-tat at Ethel's door. Are you up my dear he called. I 1,.a, T0 11 pan to spend a day near Windsor Castle. Oh Hurrah shouted Ethel I shall soon ne ready as I had my bath last night so wont wash very much now. Bernard and Ethel are eventually T rr i e 3 in Westminster Abbey, ana the following is a list of the wedding presents; • Bernard gave Ethel a very huge tar a .mado of rubies and diamonds also two rich and Ethel gave him a bran new tn, ■°l shlny 2 l6€n leather. The enrl bIJP affn™, f charming gift of eome *nT* iw d W 8 lged with real lac ° ana & photo of himself in a striking attitude. Mr Salteena sent Ethel a bible with * lew pious words of advice and regret and stool. Ethels parent* were too poor to come so far but her Mother sent her a sold watch winch did not go but had been *ome years m the family "and her fatter Provided » cheque for «2 and vromi^ b^ readr. * ****** mU baby «" *hl!r I TT Bl and % raard returned from their Hcmymcon," says Daisy. « w itha son and Lair a nice fat baby called Ignatius Bernard."