The Young Visiters | Page 3

how to become a gentleman, with which triumphant adventure the
book is largely concerned.
To many the most instructive part of the story will be the chapter
entitled "Bernard's Idear." Bernard's "idear" (warmly acclaimed by
Ethel) is that she and he should go up to London "for a few weeks
gaierty." Something of the kind has often been done in fiction and in
guide-books, but never probably in such a hearty way as here. Arrived
at the "Gaierty" Hotel Bernard pokes his head into the "window of the
pay desk. Have you a couple of bedrooms for self and young lady he
enquired in a lordly way." He is told that they have two beauties.
"Thank you said Bernard we will go up if you have no objection. None
whatever sir said the genial lady the beds are well aired and the view

quite pleasant. Come along Ethel cried Bernard this sounds alright eh.
Oh quite said Ethel with a beaming smile." He decides gallantly [Pg xiv]
that the larger room shall be hers. "I shall be quite lost in that large
bed," Ethel says. "Yes I expect you will said Bernard and now what
about a little table d'ote followed by a theatre?"
Bernard's proposal should be carried in the pocket of all future swains.
He decides "whilst imbibing his morning tea beneath the pink silken
quilt," that to propose in London would not be the "correct idear." He
springs out of bed and knocks at Ethel's door. "Are you up my dear? he
called. Well not quite said Ethel hastily jumping from her downy nest."
He explains his "idear." "Oh hurrah shouted Ethel I shall soon be ready
as I had my bath last night so won't wash very much now."
They go up the river in a boat, and after they had eaten and "drunk
deeply of the charming viands ending up with merangs and
chocklates," Bernard says "in a passionate voice Let us now bask under
the spreading trees. Oh yes lets said Ethel." "Ethel he murmered in a
trembly voice. [Pg xv] Oh what is it said Ethel." What it was (as well
she knew) was love eternal. Ethel accepts him, faints and is brought
back to life by a clever "idear" of Bernard's, who pours water on her.
"She soon came to and looked up with a sickly smile. Take me back to
the 'Gaierty' Hotel she whispered faintly. With pleasure my darling said
Bernard I will just pack up our viands ere I unloose the boat. Ethel felt
better after a few drops of champaigne and began to tidy her hair while
Bernard packed the remains of the food. Then arm in arm they tottered
to the boat, I trust you have not got an illness my darling murmured
Bernard as he helped her in, Oh no I am very strong said Ethel I fainted
from joy she added to explain matters. Oh I see said Bernard handing
her a cushion well some people do he added kindly."
"So I will end my chapter," the authoress says; and we can picture her
doing it complacently, and slowly pulling in her tongue.
Ethel was married in the Abbey. Her [Pg xvi] wedding dress was "a
rich satin with a humped pattern of gold on the pure white and it had a
long train edged with Airum lillies." "You will indeed be a charming
spectacle my darling gasped Bernard as they left the shop," and I have

no doubt she was. She got many delightful presents, the nicest of all
being from her father, who "provided a cheque for £2 and promised to
send her a darling little baby calf when ready." This is perhaps the
prettiest touch in the story and should make us all take off our hats to
the innocent wondering mind that thought of it.
Poor Mr Salteena. He was at the wedding, dressed in black and crying
into his handkerchief. However he recovered to an extent and married
Another and had ten children, "five of each," none of them of course
equal to Ethel's children, of whom in a remarkably short time there
were seven, which the authoress evidently considers to be the right
"idear."
It seems to me to be a remarkable work [Pg xviii] for a child,
remarkable even in its length and completeness, for when children turn
author they usually stop in the middle, like the kitten when it jumps.
The pencilled MS. has been accurately reproduced, not a word added or
cut out. Each chapter being in one long paragraph, however, this has
been subdivided for the reader's comfort. J. M. BARRIE.

[Pg xix] CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
1 Quite a Young Girl 23
2 Starting Gaily 27
3 The First Evening 36
4 Mr. Salteenas Plan 41