Joanna H. (Joanna Hooe) Mathews
Lily Norris' Enemy
"Lily Norris' Enemy" by Joanna H. Mathews is a children's novel likely written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around the central character, Lily Norris, a young girl struggling with her tendency to procrastinate and her interactions with her friends. The narrative explores themes of responsibility, punctuality, and the consequences of one's actions, all wrapped in a light-hearted and educational tone. The opening portion introduces Lily's friends, Maggie and Bessie, who express their frustrations about Lily's habit of being late and putting things off, especially when it comes to important events like a party. As Lily finally arrives late to join her friends, the group discusses the implications of her behavior and reflects on the notion of punctuality through stories and playful banter. This portion establishes Lily as a somewhat carefree and lighthearted character who is unaware of the impact of her procrastination on others, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of her personal growth and the lessons she will learn throughout the story.