What Luck! A Study in Opposites & Surprise House

by Abbie Farwell Brown

Overview

Excerpt: "Side by side on the crowded waiting bench of the Infirmary sat two women, each with a child at her elbow, who had been eyeing one another furtively. They were silently criticizing in different languages. "Her mourning must have cost much money!" thought Mrs. Rogazrovitch, enviously, looking down at her own painful saffron coat. "Cielo! What a terrible hat!" mused the other woman, considering the purple velvet creation that crowned the frowzy locks of her neighbor. "She can have no care to hold the love of her husband!" And she wiped a tear with her black-bordered handkerchief. The eyes of little Stephanie, who stood at the knee of Mrs. Rogazrovitch, were red and swollen; but not with weeping. Even the subdued light of the waiting-room made her squint horribly, and she kept her eyes turned from the window. This brought in direct line her neighbor, the pale, emaciated little boy at the other woman's side. Stephanie was five; the boy seemed older. He hung his head and never looked up. Stephanie was ready to make friends, for she had grown tired of the long wait, but Paolo's mother was in the way. She was continually bending over the boy, smoothing his hair or kissing his forehead, in what seemed to Stephanie a very silly fashion. Stephanie's mother never kissed her at all. Gradually Stephanie edged nearer. "Hello!" she said in a stage whisper suited to the solemn occasion. "Is your eyes sick, too?" The boy stared, gave a blinking glance from big, brown eyes, and nodded."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783988260871
Publisher:	Otbebookpublishing
Publication date:	02/09/2023
Series:	Classics To Go
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	105
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Abbie Farwell Brown (1871-1927) was an American author whose enchanting tales and lyrical poetry captured the imaginations of both children and adults during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Brown was deeply influenced by the rich literary heritage of her hometown, which was a hub for American intellectual and cultural life.Brown's literary career was marked by her fascination with folklore and mythology, themes that permeated much of her work. She was particularly known for her ability to weave traditional narratives into fresh, engaging stories that resonated with contemporary readers. Her collection "The Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts" (1900) stands out as a testament to her skill in blending historical lore with accessible storytelling.A graduate of Radcliffe College, Brown was part of a pioneering generation of women who sought higher education and professional careers in literature. Her involvement with the Boston Authors Club and the Poetry Society of America placed her at the heart of the literary community, where she mingled with other notable writers and thinkers of her time.Brown's influence extended beyond her own writing; she was a mentor to younger authors and an advocate for the preservation of folklore. Her work contributed to the burgeoning field of children's literature, helping to elevate it to a respected genre.Despite her relatively quiet personal life, Brown's legacy is marked by her dedication to the literary arts and her role in shaping American storytelling. Her ability to infuse traditional tales with new life continues to inspire readers and writers alike, making her a significant figure in the annals of American literature.
Abbie Farwell Brown (August 21, 1871 – March 5, 1927) was an American author. Brown was born in Boston, Massachusetts, the first of two daughters of Benjamin F. Brown, a descendant of Isaac Allerton, and Clara Neal Brown, who contributed to The Youth's Companion.