Ladies-In-Waiting

"Ladies-In-Waiting" by Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the central character, Thomasina Tucker, affectionately known as "Tommy," who embarks on a journey from America to England with dreams of a singing career. The novel explores themes of independence, ambition, and the complexities of relationships, particularly through Tommy's interactions with her friends and fellow artists. At the start of the novel, readers are introduced to Tommy as she prepares to leave her friends behind on a voyage to London. The scene captures the excitement and mixed emotions of farewells, revealing insights into Tommy's character—her spunky and determined nature contrasted against her self-doubt as she aims to establish herself in the music world. The narrative shifts to Fergus Appleton, who notices Tommy from a distance and reflects on his own indifference toward life, which begins to change as he becomes intrigued by her talent and spirit. This opening sets the stage for the evolving dynamics between Tommy and Fergus, promising a heartfelt exploration of love, aspiration, and the pursuit of dreams in art and life. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Kate Douglas Wiggin was an American educator, author and composer. She wrote children's stories, most notably the classic children's novel Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, and composed collections of children's songs. She started the first free kindergarten in San Francisco in 1878. With her sister during the 1880s, she also established a training school for kindergarten teachers. Kate Wiggin devoted her adult life to the welfare of children in an era when children were commonly thought of as cheap labor.