Left To Themselves

Left to Themselves is a thoughtful juvenile adventure about courage, character, and the seriousness of young lives. From the start, it insists that children's fiction should do more than amuse: it should respect a boy's intelligence, feelings, and ideals. That spirit shapes the story of Philip Touchtone and Gerald Saxton, whose friendship begins in danger when a shabby tramp tries to rob Gerald by a brook and Philip drives him off just in time. What follows is a vivid bond between two very different boys: Gerald, summering at the Ossokosee House while his father is away, and Philip, resourceful, self-possessed, and burdened by responsibilities after his mother's death. Their talk reveals loneliness, hidden history, and unexpected depth, even as Philip's many talents keep surprising Gerald. But the novel soon turns to high suspense when the boys are caught in fog, exhaustion, and fear on the open sea. As dawn finally breaks, they glimpse an island farm and the promise of rescue, only to be led into yet another uncertain "unknown." This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design.