The Slowcoach

The Avory children—Janet, Robert, Hester, and Gregory—live with their mother in a house called The Gables in Chiswick. Their quiet summer plans are upended when a mysterious benefactor gifts them a brightly painted caravan, complete with beds, a stove, and even a hidden box of sovereigns. With old gardener Kink as driver and a retriever for protection, they set off on a journey through the English countryside. Along the way, they encounter runaway ponies, a lost baby, and other adventures, discovering the joys and challenges of traveling by slow, horse-drawn home. The story captures the delight of exploration and the warmth of family bonds during a time before the motorcar ruled the roads.

A public-domain text edition with newly prepared typography and a typographic cover. Original printed illustrations are not reproduced.