The Clock on the Stairs. By Alice Weber. (Griffith, Farran,
and Co.)—This is a thoroughly ingenious and enjoyable bit of farce. The nurse at No. 14 Windermere Gardens, South Ken- sington, unnecessarily warns the group of interesting but too self-conscious children, whose guardian she is, of their father's intention to give them a stepmother. Fortunately, they are on the eve of departing to Scotland to visit a grandfather and uncle. They have, therefore, no opportunity of rebelling against her, but, on the contrary, take into their confidence an agreeable young woman who arrives opportunely, and whom they constitute their " fairy trouble-taker." It is, perhaps, unnecessary to say that this " fairy trouble-taker " is neither more nor less than the children's stepmother—she has also been their mother's personal friend—in disguise. In Scot- land, and in the country-house of which they have dreamed so much, the children learn various lessons, chiefly in the way of self-discipline, with the help of their grandfather, their uncle, and a marvellous clock on the stairs, which is made to do duty as a post-office. Pamela, who is the leader of this little band, is an excellent sketch of a girl who has caprices, and who " thinks,"— perhaps, a trifle too much. In all respects, this is a delightful story. The illustrations, it should be added, are exceptionally good, and have a positively photographic look.
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