Dorothy at Oak Knowe

A railway platform in Toronto leaves Dorothy Calvert frightened and unsure how to reach her new school. The girl from Baltimore had expected someone to meet her, but help comes from John Gilpin, an old farmer with an ox cart. Their slow ride toward Oak Knowe gives Dorothy time to recover her spirits, discuss her family and compare her experiences with those of her new acquaintance. Evelyn Raymond makes the awkward arrival a lively introduction to an American girl's schooling in Canada.

School life takes shape through rules, entertainments and the people who tend the pupils. Dorothy's careful housekeeping reflects her affection for Dawkins, an aging maid. Elsewhere, the staff talk about a boot boy who draws pictures and resents his lowly position. After Halloween festivities, an untouched bed troubles Dawkins. These glimpses of work, ambition and concern give readers of children's school stories more than classroom incidents to follow.