The Young Visiters or, Mr. Salteena's Plan
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
5 The Crystal Palace 45
6 High Life 59
7 Bernards Idear 74
8 A Gay Call 79
9 A Proposale 88
10 Preparing for the Fray 95
11 The Wedding 99
12 How It Ended 102
THE YOUNG VISITERS
[Pg 23]
The Young Visiters
CHAPTER 1
QUITE A YOUNG GIRL
Mr Salteena was an elderly man of 42 and was fond of asking peaple to
stay with him. He had quite a young girl staying with him of 17 named
Ethel Monticue. Mr Salteena had dark short hair and mustache and
wiskers which were very black and twisty. He was middle sized and he
had very pale blue eyes. He had a pale brown suit but on Sundays he
had a black one and he had a topper every day as he thorght it more
becoming. Ethel Monticue had fair hair done on the top and blue eyes.
She had a blue velvit frock which had grown rarther short in the
sleeves. She had a black straw hat and kid gloves.
[Pg 24]
One morning Mr Salteena came down to brekfast and found Ethel had come
down first which was strange. Is the tea made Ethel he said rubbing
his hands. Yes said Ethel and such a quear shaped parcel has come for
you Yes indeed it was a quear shape parcel it was a hat box tied down
very tight and a letter stuffed between the string. Well well said Mr
Salteena parcels do turn quear I will read the letter first and so
saying he tore open the letter and this is what it said
My dear Alfred.
I want you to come for a stop with me so I have sent you a top hat
wraped up in tishu paper inside the box. Will you wear it staying
with me because it is very uncommon. Please bring one of your young
ladies whichever is the prettiest in the face.
I remain Yours truely
Bernard Clark.
[Pg 25]
Well said Mr Salteena I shall take you to stay Ethel and fancy him
sending me a top hat. Then Mr S. opened the box and there lay the most
splendid top hat of a lovly rich tone rarther like grapes with a
ribbon round compleat.
Well said Mr Salteena peevishly I dont know if I shall like it the bow
of the ribbon is too flighty for my age. Then he sat down and eat the
egg which Ethel had so kindly laid for him. After he had finished his
meal he got down and began to write to Bernard Clark he ran up stairs
on his fat legs and took out his blotter with a loud sniff and this is
what he wrote
My dear Bernard
Certinly I shall come and stay with you next Monday I will bring
Ethel Monticue commonly called Miss M. She is very active and
pretty. I do hope I shall enjoy myself with you. I am fond of
digging in the garden and I am parshial to ladies if [Pg 26] they
are nice I suppose it is my nature. I am not quite a gentleman but
you would hardly notice it but cant be helped anyhow. We will come
by the 3-15.
Your old and valud friend
Alfred Salteena.
Perhaps my readers will be wondering why Bernard Clark had asked Mr
Salteena to stay with him. He was a lonely man in a remote spot and he
liked peaple and partys but he did not know many. What rot muttered
Bernard Clark as he read Mr Salteenas letter. He was rarther a
presumshious man.
[Pg 27]
CHAPTER 2
STARTING GAILY
When the great morning came Mr Salteena did not have an egg for his
brekfast in case he should be sick on the jorney.
What top hat will you wear asked Ethel.
I shall wear my best black and my white alpacka coat to keep off the
dust and flies replied Mr Salteena.
I shall put some red ruge on my face said Ethel because I am very pale
owing to the drains in this house.
You will look very silly said Mr Salteena with a dry laugh.
Well so will you said Ethel in a snappy tone and she ran out of the
room with a very superier run throwing out her legs behind and her
arms swinging in rithum.
[Pg 28]
Well said the owner of the house she has a most idiotick run.
Presently Ethel came back in her best hat and a lovly velvit coat of
royal blue. Do I look nice in my get up she asked.
Mr Salteena survayed her. You look rarther rash my dear your colors
dont quite match your face but never mind I am just going up to say
goodbye to Rosalind the housemaid.
Well dont be long said Ethel. Mr S. skipped upstairs to Rosalinds
room. Goodbye Rosalind he said I shall be back soon and I hope I shall
enjoy myself.
I make no doubt of that sir said Rosalind with a blush as Mr Salteena
silently put 2/6 on the dirty toilet cover.
Take care of your bronkitis said Mr S. rarther bashfully and he
hastilly left the room waving his hand carelessly to the housemaid.
Come along cried Ethel powdering her nose in the hall let us get into
the cab. Mr [Pg 29] Salteena did not care for powder but he was an
unselfish man so he dashed into the cab. Sit down said Ethel as the
cabman waved his whip you are standing on my luggage. Well I am paying
for the cab said Mr S. so I might be allowed to put my feet were I like.
They traveled 2nd class in the train and Ethel was longing to go first
but thought perhaps least said soonest mended. Mr Salteena got very
excited in the train about his visit. Ethel was calm but she felt
excited inside. Bernard has a big house said Mr. S. gazing at Ethel he
is inclined to be rich.
Oh indeed said Ethel looking at some cows flashing past the window.
Mr. S. felt rarther disheartened so he read the paper till the train
stopped and the porters shouted Rickamere station. We had better
collect our traps said Mr Salteena and just then a very exalted
footman in a cocked hat and olive green uniform put his head in [Pg 30]
at the window. Are you for Rickamere Hall he said in impressive tones.
Well yes I am said Mr Salteena and so is this lady.
Very good sir said the noble footman if you will alight I will see to
your luggage there is a convayance awaiting you.
Oh thankyou thankyou said Mr. S. and he and Ethel stepped along the
platform. Outside they found a lovely cariage lined with olive green
cushons to match the footman and the horses had green bridles and bows
on their manes and tails. They got gingerly in. Will he bring our
luggage asked Ethel nervously.
I expect so said Mr Salteena lighting a very long cigar.
Do we tip him asked Ethel quietly.
Well no I dont think so not yet we had better just thank him
perlitely.
Just then the footman staggered out with the bagage. Ethel bowed
gracefully over the door of the cariage and Mr S. waved his [Pg 31] hand
as each bit of luggage was hoisted up to make sure it was all there.
Then he said thankyou my good fellow very politely. Not at all sir said
the footman and touching his cocked hat he jumped actively to the box.
I was right not to tip him whispered Mr Salteena the thing to do is to
leave 2/6 on your dressing table when your stay is over.
Does he find it asked Ethel who did not really know at all how to go
on at a visit. I beleeve so replied Mr Salteena anyhow it is quite the
custom and we cant help it if he does not. Now my dear what do you
think of the sceenery
Very nice said Ethel gazing at the rich fur rug on her knees. Just
then the cariage rolled into a beautifull drive with tall trees and
big red flowers growing amid shiny dark leaves. Presently the haughty
coachman pulled up with a great clatter at a huge front door with tall
pillers each side a big iron bell and two very clean scrapers. The
doors flung open as if by majic causing [Pg 32] Ethel to jump and a portly
butler appeared on the scene with a very shiny shirt front and a huge
pale face. Welcome sir he exclaimed good naturedly as Mr Salteena
alighted rarther quickly from the viacle and please to step inside.
Mr Salteena stepped in as bid followed by Ethel. The footman again
struggled with the luggage and the butler Francis Minnit by name
kindly lent a hand. The hall was very big and hung round with guns and
mate and ancesters giving it a gloomy but a grand air. The butler then
showed them down a winding corridoor till he came to a door which he
flung open shouting Mr Salteena and a lady sir.
A tall man of 29 rose from the sofa. He was rarther bent in the middle
with very nice long legs fairish hair and blue eyes. Hullo Alf old boy
he cried so you have got here all safe and no limbs broken.
None thankyou Bernard replied Mr Salteena shaking hands and let me
introduce [Pg 33] Miss Monticue she is very pleased to come for this
visit. Oh yes gasped Ethel blushing through her red ruge. Bernard looked
at her keenly and turned a dark red. I am glad to see you he said I hope
you will enjoy it but I have not arranged any partys yet as I dont
know anybody.
Dont worry murmered Ethel I dont mix much in Socierty and she gave him
a dainty smile.
I expect you would like some tea said Bernard I will ring.
Yes indeed we should said Mr Salteena egerly. Bernard pealed on the
bell and the butler came in with a stately walk.
Tea please Minnit crid Bernard Clark. With pleshure sir replied Minnit
with a deep bow. A glorious tea then came in on a gold tray two kinds
of bread and butter a lovly jam role and lots of sugar cakes. Ethels
eyes began to sparkle and she made several remarks during the meal. I
expect [Pg 34] you would now like to unpack said Bernard when it was over.
Well yes that is rarther an idear said Mr Salteena.
I have given the best spare room to Miss Monticue said Bernard with a
gallant bow and yours turning to Mr Salteena opens out of it so you
will be nice and friendly both the rooms have big windows and a
handsome view.
How charming said Ethel. Yes well let us go up replied Bernard and he
led the way up many a winding stairway till they came to an oak door
with some lovly swans and bull rushes painted on it. Here we are he
cried gaily. Ethels room was indeed a handsome compartment with purple
silk curtains and a 4 post bed draped with the same shade. The toilit
set was white and mouve and there were some violets in a costly varse.
Oh I say cried Ethel in supprise. I am glad you like it said Bernard
and here we have yours Alf. He opened [Pg 35] the dividing doors and
portrayed a smaller but dainty room all in pale yellow and wild
primroses. My own room is next the bath room said Bernard it is
decerated dark red as I have somber tastes. The bath room has got a
tip up bason and a hose thing for washing your head.
A good notion said Mr Salteena who was secretly getting jellus.
Here we will leave our friends to unpack and end this Chapter.
[Pg 36]
CHAPTER 3
THE FIRST EVENING