I have taken the opportunity kindly offered me by the publishers to revise the text of this little story, which was written more than five years ago, and published by them in a series of tales for children.
I had forgotten Childie, and the old bookseller, and the bird-fancier with the red nose, and Mrs. White with the terrifying bonnet, and James the footman with the stiff neck. But now, reading the little book once more, memories of my old friends come back to me; and I fancy I can see Childie,—as I often saw her,—standing at the door of the second-hand book-shop, and looking out anxiously for customers, or waving her handkerchief to Mr. Jones, or smiling at some bit of fun which she and the bird-fancier had in common.
But the little narrow street has been pulled down, and the bird-shop and the book-shop have given place to more stately buildings. So that land my readers would search in vain for the queer old dwelling where the parrot was taught to say: 'Things will take a turn!'
Did you find this review helpful?