Mistress Pat facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Lucy Maud Montgomery |
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| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | McClelland & Stewart |
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Publication date
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1935 |
| Media type | Print (Paperback, Hardcover) |
| Preceded by | Pat of Silver Bush |
Mistress Pat is a novel written by L. M. Montgomery. It was published in 1935. This book is a follow-up to Pat of Silver Bush. It tells the story of Patricia Gardiner's life when she is in her twenties and early thirties. She stays unmarried and takes care of her beloved home, Silver Bush, on Prince Edward Island.
At twenty years old, Pat still dislikes change. Silver Bush feels like a safe place for her. But changes happen anyway. Over eleven years, new people come and go. These include new helpers, new neighbors, and new friends.
Contents
Life at Silver Bush
Pat's older brother, Sid, suddenly marries May Binnie. May is loud and has strong opinions. The Gardiner family didn't think May was a good match for them. Pat and May had always argued since they were kids.
Family Changes
May and Sid live with the family at Silver Bush. May's family often visits without warning. They even make plans to take over Silver Bush. Sid and May's marriage was difficult. May often caused problems with her new family.
Pat's younger sister, Rachel, used to be called Cuddles. She asks everyone to call her Rae now. Rae leaves home to go to college. Life at Silver Bush is not as happy as it used to be. But Pat holds onto her love for her home.
Pat's Choices
Pat often wonders if anything, like marriage or children, is worth leaving Silver Bush for. Joe Gardiner returns for a short time. He finally marries his longtime girlfriend. Rae also gets married and moves to China.
Donald Holmes asks Pat to marry him, but she says no. A former boyfriend from Pat's teenage years also asks her to marry him. He is now a widower, but Pat still refuses.
Pat decides to visit the old home of her late friend, Bets Wilcox. There, she meets new neighbors, David and Suzanne Kirk. They are a brother and sister. Pat enjoys their friendship. She becomes interested in David, who is older and a widower. When he asks her to marry him, she agrees. She is happy thinking she can still watch over Silver Bush.
A Surprising Turn
Pat doesn't know that Rae has been writing letters to Pat's childhood friend, Hilary. Rae makes up stories about Pat's romantic life. She hopes to make Hilary jealous enough to come back. Hilary had a crush on Pat when they were younger. But this plan doesn't work. Hilary stops writing to Pat.
Years pass, and Pat feels comfortable about marrying David. Then, Hilary returns for a short visit to Silver Bush. After Hilary leaves, David breaks off the engagement. He tells Pat that Hilary Gordon is the reason he can't marry her. Hilary has been away for ten years studying architecture. The Gardiner family is disappointed. They had thought Pat might never marry.
New Beginnings
Mrs. Gardiner's health starts to get better after many years. But Judy Plum, the family's housekeeper, is getting old. One night, Judy goes out to milk the cows. She has a heart attack and is found unconscious the next day. A month later, Judy Plum dies. Pat feels very alone.
The Fire at Silver Bush
Later, Silver Bush accidentally burns down because of something May did. Pat has to accept living somewhere else. May is happy to have a new house built where Silver Bush once stood. She doesn't hide her joy.
The Gardiner family slowly starts a new life at Bay Shore. This property was inherited from Mrs. Gardiner's elderly aunt. But Pat feels very sad and empty. One night, Pat is looking at the burned remains of Silver Bush. Hilary finally returns to the Island. He kisses Pat. He tells her that Judy wrote to him about Pat's broken engagement. Judy had told him to try again. Hilary, now the happy lover, tells Pat about the house he has built for her. It is in Vancouver, BC.
Main Characters
Patricia (Pat) Gardiner: She is the main character of the story. Pat is loyal and loving. She is very sensitive about her home, Silver Bush. She believes nothing can take her away from it. She also thinks she is not meant for love.
Sid Gardiner: Pat's older brother. He marries May Binnie, who Pat has never liked. This makes his family upset.
Rachel Gardiner (called "Cuddles" and later "Rae"): Pat's youngest sister. She goes to college to become a teacher. She shares Pat's room at Silver Bush until she marries Brook Hamilton. She and Pat are very close.
May Binnie: A local girl Pat never liked. She marries Sid and moves into Silver Bush.
Long Alec Gardiner: The father of all the Gardiner children.
Mrs. Gardiner: The mother of all the Gardiner children. Her health gets better after an operation.
Judy Plum: The family's old housekeeper who lives with them. She has been at Silver Bush for many years.
Josiah Tillytuck: The family's new hired man. He fits in well at Silver Bush. He plays the fiddle and tells amazing stories. Judy Plum finds him annoying sometimes, but she still likes him. She even makes him his favorite treats.
David Kirk: A widower, older than Pat. He buys the Long House, which was Pat's best friend Bets Wilcox's old home. He moves there with his sister Suzanne. He and Pat become good friends. Pat enjoys his company. They even get engaged, but he later breaks it off.
Suzanne Kirk: She moves into the Long House to take care of her brother David's home. She and Pat become close friends.
Hilary "Jingle" Gordon: Pat's childhood friend. For most of the book, he is studying architecture in college and overseas. He loves Pat. But Pat always says she feels he is like a brother to her. At the end of the book, Pat realizes her true feelings for him. They become engaged.
