The Little Gray Lady
The novel follows the story of a young girl named Mary, who is orphaned and sent to live with her aunt and uncle in a small New England town. Mary is a shy and timid girl, and she is often teased and bullied by the other children in the town. One day, Mary discovers a mysterious old house in the woods near her home. She soon discovers that the house is inhabited by a mysterious old woman, who calls herself the Little Gray Lady. The Little Gray Lady tells Mary stories of her past, and the two become close friends. The Little Gray Lady helps Mary to find her courage and strength, and Mary soon finds the courage to stand up to her bullies. She also discovers the truth about her past, and learns to accept her new life. The Little Gray Lady is a heartwarming story of friendship, courage, and self-discovery. It is a timeless classic that will delight readers of all ages.
By Francis Hopkinson Smith · First published 1909 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Adventure · 4 chapters · 6,028 words
First lines
Once in a while there come to me out of the long ago the fragments of a story I have not thought of for years -- one that has been hidden in the dim lumber-room of my brain where I store my by-gone memories.
These fragments thrust themselves out of the past as do the cuffs of an old-fashioned coat, the flutings of a flounce, or the lacings of a bodice from out a quickly opened bureau drawer. Only when you follow the cuff along the sleeve to the broad shoulder; smooth out the crushed frill that swayed about her form, and trace the silken thread to the waist it tightened, can you determine the fashion of the day in which they were worn.
What this Textopian page supports
The Little Gray Lady is listed on Textopian as a novel by Francis Hopkinson Smith, dated 1909 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Francis Hopkinson Smith
- Date: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Adventure, Literary Fiction
- Length: 6,028 words
- Structure: 4 chapters, 117 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Little Gray Lady by Francis Hopkinson Smith
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Little Gray Lady?
- How does this novel by Francis Hopkinson Smith fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The Little Gray Lady is set in the late 19th century and follows the story of a young woman who is determined to make her own way in the world.
- Romance — The Little Gray Lady follows the romantic journey of the protagonist as she navigates her relationships with the people around her.
- Adventure — The Little Gray Lady follows the protagonist's adventures as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and exploration.
- Literary Fiction — The Little Gray Lady is written in a lyrical and poetic style, making it a work of literary fiction.
Tags
Fiction · Love stories · Man-woman relationships · Short stories · annie · back · candle · christmas · come · could · cousin · door
Contents
- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4