Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-07-11
NEW BOOKS
AT RANDOM
MARGARET CERMOND.

Just as Mr.. Vincent, editor Of the
Mowbray Guardian, was putting on his
coat to leave for . train which would
transport him from the scene of his
daily grind to Hardingham in time to
permit him to spend the evening at the
Repertory Theater in that city there
came an imperative knock at his ONCE
door. Before he could even call come
in" his visitor-a very small. very white
and very attractive bit Of humanity
called Ribby-had entered.
What do you want now, Ribby?
Have you brought me . message from
Miss Vigil?"
mo message, Mr.. Vincent, no, no
message. Mr.. Vincent, please, Is there
any time in this ONCE when there isn't
anybody here?"
THE only time I'm not here, Ribby,
Is when I'm at the Repertory Theater
at Hardingham, and on Saturday after
Moons"
II came to ask you II you'd be so
very kind as to let me come here when
it Is all shut up and read the news
papers. These are the papers I want
to read"
Mr.. Vincent felt rather breathless
| when Ribby produced the list of what
she wanted to read. He could furnish
all OF them, but suggested that If it was
necessary for her to see them that she
make use of the reading room in the
Guildhall.
well, yes, I hadn't thought Of the
reading room, but it would be SO nice
and quiet and lonely here. And, of
course, I want to be quiet, because ]
expect shall find them q bit difficult
just to start with"
The kindly editor decided to miss
his train and his evening at the the
alter and invited Ribby to sit down and
tell him why she had so suddenly de-
cided that she must read the news
papers. Warming Immediately to the
kindliness and interest of Mr.. Vincent
this totally unsophisticated and un-
materially straight thinking girl I'M
folded the story Of her ignorance. She
confessed that in sums she knew moth
ing beyond compound long division
that In geography she knew only the
British possessions and the capitals
and that in history she knew only a
few silly things about the English
kings 1T isn't enough, is 1t. Mr.. Vim
cent? 1t isn't enough even for me.
While he was bordering these confes-
sions, Ribby broke forth again:
II forgot though-there's two things
I do know everything about"
What are they, Ribby-housework
and laundrying?"
"Oh, well they're my trade-every-
body knows everything about theiI
trade. don't they? No, wasn't think
ing of those The two things I know
everything about are God and Nature. u
Such an astounding claim of knowl-
edge on the part Of anybody would be
likely to leave the nearer tongue-tieo
and mind-tied as well. But not the
generous hearted editor Of the Mowbray
Guardian, whose contacts with all va
rieties of human nature had instilleo
into his being sense OF understanding
and of sympathy attained by all toe
few mortals Ribby was not person
She was too deadly In earnest in hei
thirst for knowledge Of the things be-
yond the range of God and Nature. Mr.
Vincent represented, to her mind. the
fountain Of all knowledge and wisdom
From his point Of view, Ribby needed
his guidance and to the limit OF his
ability he pledged himself to give it.:
The story does not open with this
impetuous rush Of Ribby to the source
of learning but with quarrel between
Ribby and Giles over the treatment she
has been forced by him to inflict upon
q neighbor who has called at the mouse
to invite its mistress, Lavinia Vigil. to
dinner. Ribby has been ordered to open
the door, shout Damn you" to the visi-
tor, and slam the door. Being the maid
She has had to obey orders, but the
use Of such words is contrary to her
convictions and to her nature. in both
of which characteristics she is as strong
and as unshakable as the Rock Of Gil
braltar.
Giles is the adopted son Of Miss La
vinia Vigil, granddaughter of England
greatest teacher Of the Gospel Of Christ
Grounded in religion as broad in its
concept Of the weaknesses and frailties
of human nature as it is intense IN its
practical, everyday application, Lavinia
has lived the twenty-eight years OF her
life in usefulness and in more happiness
than the average individual who Is early
orphaned has the capacity to find. She
is successfully occupying an editorial
position when she receives the nforma-
ton that after many years Of effort q
sufficient sum Of money has been COL
! lected from some of the numerous
debtors Of her illustrious grandfather
to enable her to retire to her Mowbray
home. Occupation and responsibility
being as much Of q necessity to her as
her hands or her eyes, plus an innate
desire for companionship, she adopts
ten-year- old Giles, advertised in the
Mowbray Guardian as in need Of good
home. The seemingly sensible protest
Of the never-failing Mr.. Vincent only
results in the imposition upon him OF
the duties Of an uncle to the newly &C.
quired son.
tween these four, Lavinia, Giles, Ribby
and Mr.. Vincent is one which defieS an
adequate definition in SO many words
Lavinia is the tower of strength and the
idol of the three. Giles turns poetic
and loses his head and his heart in the
shades Of antiquity. Ribby remains the
same from the opening page to the last
loyal, God-fearing, upright in thought
and straight to the point In speech
Mr.. Vincent Is godfather, god-mother
father-confessor. counsel, guide and
friend all rolled into one, and he Is
much too fine and too lovable not to
have been blessed with q beautiful ro-
nance of his own.
Then there is the Bishop, a large
black cat wearing q cross Of white fur
on his broad chest, whose place in the
story is dignified and as important as
his name and hts appearance would in
dicate
The freshness and the beauty Of 1.-THE
Little Virgin" is comparable to spark
ling, dancing brook. Every chapter offers
something delightfully."- new in thought
and in the definition of its intent and
purpose. The volume Is almost entirely
conversational. and In every exchange
Of words between these clearly drawn
delicately handled characters there is
stimulation, amusement and pure en-.
joyment.
Philosophy Of the most profound and
the most enduring quality frequently
comes from the lips Of children. RibbJ
Is not q child in either years or in ex-
perience within the limited range Of hel
life up to the time she begins her edu.