Frank R. Stockton
The Squirrel Inn
"The Squirrel Inn" by Frank R. Stockton is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around Walter Lodloe, a literary man who unexpectedly takes charge of a baby while embarking on a journey to the quiet Squirrel Inn. As the narrative unfolds, themes of identity, social class, and the humorous entanglements of character relationships emerge, particularly as Lodloe navigates his newfound role and his interactions with Mrs. Cristie, the baby's mother. At the start of the book, the scene is set on the steamboat "Manasquan", where Lodloe witnesses various activities as passengers board. He encounters a young woman, Mrs. Robert Cristie, who is desperately searching for her missing nursemaid. When she leaves her baby in Lodloe's care momentarily, he humorously embraces the situation, intending to keep the child for himself if the mother doesn't return. The opening chapters sketch Lodloe's quirky personality and underscore a series of comical misunderstandings, paving the way for his deeper involvement with the mother and the happenings at the Squirrel Inn, where social dynamics and character connections will continue to develop.