Storytime for Grownups – "A Little Princess: Chapters 4-5"
Host: Faith Moore
Date: November 13, 2025
Overview
In this episode, host Faith Moore continues her cozy Christmas read-along of A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett, covering chapters 4 and 5. True to the podcast’s format, Faith weaves in contextual notes, answers listener questions, and draws insightful character sketches—bringing the world of Victorian boarding schools and Burnett’s beloved characters to life for adult (and family) listeners. Along the way, she explores themes of kindness, imagination, social class, and the formative power of storytelling.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Community Updates & Announcements ([00:02]-[12:50])
- Prize Drawing: The winner of the first Christmas drawing is Victoria Sofianos, who receives a ‘house guest’ level membership in the podcast’s online Drawing Room community.
- To claim, Victoria is asked to contact Faith via the website or show notes link.
- Book Sales Gratitude: Faith expresses heartfelt thanks for listener support of her novel "Christmas Carol."
- “This book means so much to me and it means so much to me that would go out there and buy it.” ([03:17])
- Each purchase can be entered into future drawings and comes with a free personalized bookplate.
- Christmas Card Exchange: Listeners can participate through the Drawing Room community; deadline to mail cards is November 30.
- Tea Time Gathering: Next monthly voice chat, “Tea Time,” will be December 2 at 8pm Eastern—exclusive to ‘landed gentry’ community members.
Recap of Last Episode ([12:51]-[15:50])
- Sara’s first days at Miss Minchin’s Select Seminary:
- Sara’s grace and intelligence intimidate some (like Lavinia), while others are drawn to her (notably Ermengarde).
- Her fluency in French surprises both Miss Minchin and the French teacher, providing comic relief.
- Sara’s compassion is highlighted, especially in her new friendship with the struggling Ermengarde.
Listener Letters and Sara as a Character ([15:51]-[20:16])
- David Axley, a veteran, shares how Sara’s longing for her father resonates with his own experience:
- “I find myself really liking Sara. I can't get over how she seems so much more mature and compassionate than her age. Sara's revelation… almost brought a tear to my eye.” ([16:05])
- Anna Caitlyn, age 13, writes in with a question about the age range of pupils at Miss Minchin’s school—prompting a detailed contextual digression.
- Faith celebrates multi-generational listeners and family storytime:
“Hello to all the kids out there listening with grandmas and grandpas and aunts and uncles and parents… Thank you for gathering together to make this show a part of your lives.” ([19:40])
Victorian School System Explained ([20:17]-[27:45])
- What does ‘Select Seminary’ mean?
- A private, not-mixed, fee-paying school for girls from affluent families.
- Typical School Age & Progression:
- Entry around age 7; oldest in Sara’s class is almost 13.
- Wealthy girls often attended finishing school later to learn ‘accomplishments’ like singing or embroidery; less privileged might stay longer or be home-educated.
- Daily Structure:
- Mixed-age classes, grouped by ability rather than strictly by age.
- During unsupervised breaks, older girls are expected to keep order.
- Meals and Sunday church attended collectively.
- Faith’s Observations:
- Highlights differences between Victorian and modern schooling, and paints a vivid picture of Sara’s school life.
Sara’s Character: Old Soul, Compassion, and Justice ([27:46]-[34:40])
- Sara’s innate decency shines through, despite privilege:
- “If you have everything you want and everyone is kind to you, how can you help but be good tempered?...” (quoted from Sara, [32:20])
- She treats servants with dignity—“Sara treats her like a person and not like an object or a slave…” ([31:10])—and Faith draws parallels to modern life:
“I personally think you can tell a lot about a person from the way that they treat people who do things for them…” ([31:30]) - Sara’s sense of fairness and “fighting for the underdog” reflected in her bond with Ermengarde; Faith notes the mutual strengths in their friendship.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On dealing with missing her father:
Sara: “I promised him I would bear it and I will. You have to bear things. Think what soldiers bear. Papa is a soldier… He would never say a word, not one word.” ([29:45]) - On kindness to those who serve:
Faith: “People who are kind to those people tend to be good, kind people. And people who aren't kind… tend to be sort of entitled or spoiled sorts of people. So it's the same here.” ([31:30]) - On just requirements of friendship:
Faith: “…on the surface it looks like it's better for Ermengarde than it is for Sara. But… this friendship… might actually be mutually beneficial.” ([34:10]) - On family and togetherness:
Faith: “I hope that you'll make us—all the Storytime for Grownups listeners out there and me—part of your family this Christmas season.” ([19:42])
Reading and Commentary: Chapters 4 & 5
[34:41–1:18:16]
Faith reads Chapters 4 ("Lottie") and 5 ("Becky"), pausing for definitions and occasional notes.
Key Story Developments
Chapter 4: "Lottie" ([34:41–52:10])
- Sara’s Social Grace & Popularity:
- Though lavished with praise and special privileges, Sara’s humility prevents arrogance.
- She recognizes her advantages as “accidents” of birth and circumstance.
- Her Relationships:
- Lavinia, previously the leader, bristles with jealousy, but Sara’s unforced generosity captivates the younger girls.
- Faith reads: “She was a motherly young person, and when people fell down and scraped their knees she ran and helped them up and patted them…” ([44:29])
- Sara’s playful logic with Lavinia over age draws laughter and respect.
- Lavinia, previously the leader, bristles with jealousy, but Sara’s unforced generosity captivates the younger girls.
- Sara Comforts Lottie:
- Lottie, an orphaned, much-spoiled four-year-old, has epic tantrums.
- Sara connects through empathy:
- “Neither have I [a mother],” she tells Lottie ([47:39]), then soothes her with imaginative storytelling about mothers in heaven.
- Sara “adopts” Lottie, promising:
- “I will be your mama... and Emily shall be your sister.” ([50:45])
- Faith notes Sara’s maternal instincts and emotional intelligence.
Chapter 5: "Becky" ([52:11–1:18:16])
- Sara’s Storytelling ‘Power’:
- Her greatest gift: enchanting storytelling that enthralls both peers and the new lowly scullery maid, Becky.
- Faith points out:
- “Anyone who has been at school with a teller of stories knows what the wonder means, how he or she is followed about and besought in a whisper to relate romances…” ([52:40])
- Meeting Becky:
- Becky, overworked and underfed, is caught listening to Sara’s stories. Lavinia snitches, but Sara defends Becky’s right to dream.
- “Why shouldn't she?” Sara asks. ([1:01:50])
- Sara’s compassion shines as she gives Becky cake, talks with her as an equal, and promises future stories.
- Memorable exchange:
- Becky (awed): “Ain’t you angry, Miss? Ain’t you going to tell the missus?”
- Sara: “No, of course I’m not… Why, we are just the same. I am only a little girl like you. It’s just an accident that I am not you and you are not me.” ([1:10:10])
- Sara shares her storytelling as a form of largesse:
- “If I was a princess, a real princess, I could scatter largesse to the populace. But even if I am only a pretend princess, I can invent little things to do for people…” ([1:17:30])
Important Timestamps
- Announcements & Community: [00:02]–[12:50]
- Recap & Listener Letters: [12:51]–[20:16]
- Victorian Schoolroom Context: [20:17]–[27:45]
- Character Exploration: Sara & Ermengarde: [27:46]–[34:40]
- Chapter 4 Reading: “Lottie”: [34:41]–[52:10]
- Chapter 5 Reading: “Becky”: [52:11]–[1:18:16]
- Key Scene – Sara soothes Lottie: [47:39]–[50:45]
- Key Scene – Sara befriends Becky: [1:09:50]–[1:17:30]
Tone & Style
Faith’s narration is warm, conversational, and gently didactic. She mixes Victorian history, personal reflections, and literary commentary to make classic literature relevant and emotionally resonant for modern listeners across ages.
Takeaways for New Listeners
- Burnett’s world is vividly evoked, with Faith acting as both reader and guide.
- Sara’s character—her wisdom, kindness, and power of imagination—serves as an inspiring model.
- Victorian school life is explored in depth, giving context to the social and emotional dynamics of the story.
- Listener engagement is celebrated, with multi-generational participation and thoughtful correspondence woven into each episode.
Notable Quotes
"If you have everything you want and everyone is kind to you, how can you help but be good tempered?... I don't know... how I shall ever find out whether I am really a nice child or a horrid one. Perhaps I am a hideous child and no one will ever know just because I never have any trials."
— Sara (quoted by Faith, [32:20])
"Why, we are just the same. I am only a little girl like you. It’s just an accident that I am not you and you are not me."
— Sara to Becky ([1:10:10])
"I'll pretend that to do things people like is scattering largesse. I've scattered largesse."
— Sara ([1:17:30])
Closing
Faith invites listener questions and reflections for future episodes, and reminds listeners to check show notes for links to her book, community, and other engagement opportunities.
Ideal for: Fans of classic literature, family listeners, those seeking a gentle, in-depth approach to beloved books and their historical context.