Clematis

"Clematis" by Bertha B. (Bertha Browning) Cobb, is an early 20th-century children's novel that centers around a young girl discovered alone and lost in a large city. The story follows Clematis as she is brought to a Children's Home, where she discovers friendship, responsibility, and the meaning of care. The narrative opens with Clematis sitting on a city sidewalk, dressed in worn-out clothes, before a kind policeman discovers her. She learns she has no home or family and is taken to the Children's Home. Here, Clematis is introduced to the strict rules and routines of her new life, working to learn how to live with others while also finding comfort in her beloved kitten, Deborah. As she navigates her new life, she dreams of the countryside, filled with animals and beautiful flowers. The opening sets a tone of resilience and innocence, showcasing Clematis's challenges and journey toward finding somewhere where she belongs.