Amusing book that I quit reading halfway through after learning that E. Nesbit was racist and anti-Semitic. She's a decent enough writer, but not so brilliant that I wanted to stick with it after learning the truth. ( )

It's wonderful how bacon clears the mind.

Actual quote from early on in this book.
I think that sums up the whimsical, fun feeling of the story, but I'll add a few more details.
This is about Jane and Lucilla, two girls in their late teens who have every expectation of inheriting a comfortable amount of money some day. But while they are at school they receive unexpected news from their trustee. He has been unsuccessful in his investments and lost the money. He's leaving the country, and giving them the deed to a house and a small sum of money in hopes that they can somehow get by.

Jane immediately decides that the only way to handle the situation is to treat it as "A Lark" and not worry too much about the potential disaster it could be. They cast about for ways to support themselves and finally decide to sell flowers. How they go about making a success of it, networking with neighbors, expanding their business, and each falling in love make up a thoroughly charming story. There's a young Mr. Rochester, so yes, there's a Jane and Mr. Rochester (insert begrudging chuckle here), but far from being Gothic and broody, he's helpful and an all-around great guy.

I will leave you with some more perfect quotes from this very fun book:

John Rochester was young, and, I am sorry to say, handsome. Sorry, because handsome men are, as a rule, very stupid and so very vain.
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What man could walk out of a clump of rhododendrons at midnight into a magic circle of little green lamps and say, in cold blood, to a group of schoolgirls: "I am the Greek god to whom this lady has referred?"
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"Very well," said Lucilla with an air of finality, coming down the steps; "we have told you not to in at least seven different ways, because it was our duty, but if you really mean to--well, do then!"
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"Forgive me," said Rochester, "for interrupting you, but don't you think that what you really want--what we all want--is tea?"
Amen. ( )