Bébée

Or, Two Little Wooden Shoes

by Ouida

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Pages: 157

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About this book

On her sixteenth birthday, Bébée greets the birds and bells around her little home in Brabant with delight at being grown up. Raised by Antoine Mäes and his wife after he found her floating among water lilies, she has learned to grow flowers and sell them in Brussels. Antoine's death leaves her with a hut, a garden and his wish that she care for the plants and animals. Neighbours soon offer arrangements for her future, including proposals that would give others use of her garden.

Ouida sets this novel among market stalls, flowering lanes and the hardships of a poor household. In the later excerpt, richly dressed women awaken Bébée's envy, while visits from a man who brings her books and walks beside her fill her days with happiness. Her responses give readers a close view of youthful affection, religious conscience and the painful appeal of wealth.

About the author

Ouida

Maria Louise Ramé, going by the name Marie Louise de la Ramée and known by the pseudonym Ouida, was an English novelist. Ouida wrote more than 40 novels, as well as short stories, children's books and essays. Moderately successful, she lived a life of luxury, entertaining many of the literary figures of the day.