“No,” said Mr. Abbott again.
Mr. Spicer rushed upon his fate. “I’ll tell you what to do,” he said cheerfully, “buy her a new pen—a nice fat one—and a big sheaf of nice white paper, and see what that does. If that doesn’t do the trick—”
“You mind your own business,” snapped Mr. Abbott, “you leave my wife alone. There aren’t going to be anymore John Smiths. My wife isn’t going to write anymore—why should she?”
“But, land-sakes!” cried Spicer, in surprise and consternation, “John Smith is a bestseller. Surely you’re not going to stop her writing. Think of the waste,” cried Spicer, almost wringing his hands, “think of the waste. Here are two books, the funniest—bar none—I’ve ever read—real satire—and you say there aren’t going to be anymore. She must go on writing—she’s got a public. She’s a genius—and you marry her, and shut her up in your kitchen, and tell her to get on with the cooking.”
This last was a joke, of course, but Mr. Abbott was in no mood for jokes. He beat on the table with his clenched fist.
“She’s not cooking, you fool!” he cried, “she’s enjoying herself—dinner parties, bridge—”
“My God!” said Mr. Spicer reverently. He got down off the table and went away.
Mr. Abbott mopped his brow—this is ghastly, he thought, this is ghastly. I never felt like this before—never. What on earth’s the matter with me? It’s all these damned dinners, and late nights. I’m too old to stand the racket. (Too old at forty-three—it was a sad thought, a frightful thought, really. It didn’t comfort Mr. Abbott at all.)
About the Author
D. E. Stevenson (1892–1973) had an enormously successful writing career: between 1923 and 1970, four million copies of her books were sold in Britain and three million in the States. Her books include Miss Buncle’s Book, Miss Buncle Married, The Young Clementina, The Listening Valley, The Two Mrs. Abbotts, and The Four Graces. D. E. Stevenson was born in Edinburgh in 1892; she lived in Scotland all her life. She wrote her first book in 1923, but her second did not appear for nine years. She published The Young Clementina in 1938.
Miss Buncle’s Book
D. E. Stevenson
Who knew one book could cause so much chaos?
Barbara Buncle is in a bind. Times are harsh, and Barbara’s bank account has seen better days. Maybe she could sell a novel…if she knew any stories. Stumped for ideas, Barbara draws inspiration from her fellow residents of Silverstream, the little English village she knows inside and out.
To her surprise, the novel is a smash. It’s a good thing she wrote under a pseudonym, because the folks of Silverstream are in an uproar. But what really turns Miss Buncle’s world around is this: what happens to the characters in her book starts happening to their real-life counterparts. Does life really imitate art?
A beloved author who has sold more than seven million books, D. E. Stevenson is at her best with Miss Buncle’s Book, crafting a highly original and charming tale about what happens when people see themselves through someone else’s eyes.
Praise for Miss Buncle’s Book:
“Love it, love it, love it! There are no vampires, no faeries, no weird creatures, just a sweet story about real people living in a world I’ve always dream of.” —Reader Review
For more D. E. Stevenson books, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
Miss Buncle Married
D. E. Stevenson
A marriage and a sudden move to a new town won’t slow this mischievous writer down!
Barbara Buncle: bestselling novelist, new wife…new neighbor? In this charming follow-up to Miss Buncle’s Book, the intrepid writer moves to a new town filled with fascinating folks…who don’t even know they might become the subjects of her next bestselling book.
Miss Buncle may have settled down, but she has already discovered that married life can’t do a thing to prevent her from getting into humorous mix-ups and hilarious hijinks.
A beloved author who has sold more than seven million books, D. E. Stevenson is at her best with the stories of Miss Buncle.
Praise for Miss Buncle Married:
“Completely charming and funny, in a way that’s intelligent without being difficult, and cozy without turning sticky-sweet.” —Reader Review
For more D. E. Stevenson books, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
The Young Clementina Page 30