MISS CLARE REMEMBERS
By
Miss Read"" writes again of English country life at the turn of the century in these recollections of Dolly Clare, who spent her long life as a country school teacher. Now in her seventies, Dolly reflects on the vast changes which have taken place in her beloved village since she was a little girl. Her life was not exceptional though she had her share of difficulties -- and that is really the point of the story. Her father had a trade as a thatcher but his family was never well off; her older sister, Ada, far outshone solemn Dolly; her only brother died as a child; and when she thought she would have a family of her own, her fiance was killed in the Great War. She never married but devoted her life to her school children and busied herself, cheerfully, in small ordinary tasks and so brought cheer to others. ""Miss Read's"" stories are unconcerned with great events. Her heroes are the good, the uncomplicated, and those who do the unsung work of the world. It's a warm, comfortable, part of the picture.