The Gap in the Fence
"The Gap in the Fence" by Frederica J. Turle is a children's novel written in the early 20th century. The story is centered around the lives of the Carew children and their interactions with their new neighbor, a little girl named Una from a foreign family moving into the long-empty Haver Grange. As the narrative unfolds, themes of childhood curiosity, friendship, and the contrast between the carefree lives of the Carew children and the more complicated existence of Una are explored. At the start of the tale, the Carew children are introduced enjoying their summer holidays, eagerly discussing the arrival of their new neighbor at Haver Grange, who is described as a mysterious foreign gentleman. As they anticipate his family's arrival, they reflect on their past adventures in the garden. When the children eventually catch a glimpse of Una, they find her intriguing and different, marking the beginning of a friendship that brings her deeper into their cheerful world filled with the simplicity of childhood imagination and play. The opening chapters set the stage for the unfolding relationships and the blend of ordinary and extraordinary experiences that lie ahead in Una's story.