Fifty-five heads turned as if by clockwork, and fifty-five pairs of eyes were levelled at the small girl in the white apron who meekly followed Mrs Gurley down the length of the dining-room. Laura crimsoned under the unexpected ordeal, and tried to fix her attention on the flouncing of Mrs Gurley’s dress. The room seemed hundreds of feet long, and not a single person at the tea-tables but took stock of her.
First published in 1910, The Getting of Wisdom is a classic tale. Twelve year old Laura Tweedle Rambotham is sent away to a boarding school for young ladies to get a good education. Whilst the other young ladies at the school come from privileged backgrounds, Laura’s own family is not wealthy. Her father has died, and her mother must work for a living. The naive Laura finds it difficult to fit in at school , getting in trouble with classmates and teachers alike, but as the time passes begins to compromise her ideals in order to fit in.
First published in 1910,and having seen many subsequent editions, this new edition is part of the Popular Penguin series. This budget format makes the title available to people who might not otherwise sample these classics, as well as those who would like to revisit old favourites. Front of book biographical material about the author, as well as information about the book’s history will be of interest to lovers of literature.
The Getting of Wisdom, by Henry Handel Richardson
This edition Penguin Books, 2009