Maezli

High above a Swiss village, the silent castle of Wildenstein stirs children's imaginations and feeds a tangle of rumors, ghost stories, and daring plans. In the lively Bergmann household, however, everyday life is just as compelling: affectionate mothering, sibling quarrels, mischievous impulses, and the steady effort to guide spirited children toward kindness and judgment. Kurt is drawn most fiercely to the castle mystery, while cautious Mea, impulsive Mäzli, and sensible Lippo reveal different temperaments within the family's warm, humorous world. Their mother repeatedly counters superstition with reason, even as village gossip grows louder and old acquaintance Mrs. Apollonie worries over her dreamy granddaughter Loneli, whose independence and imagination make her seem both admirable and alarming. A school appeal for clothing after a devastating fire brings out the children's generosity, though Mäzli's eagerness soon creates comic disorder. Meanwhile, Bruno returns furious after the cruel Knippel boys humiliate Loneli, deepening the novel's concern with fairness, pride, and compassion. As the mystery unravels, Kurt learns that the "ghost" is no supernatural terror, but a human ruse tied to Mr. Trius and Loneli's quiet cleverness. Relief, forgiveness, and domestic bustle follow, enlivened by Uncle Philip's harmonica and by a family conversation that hints at deeper troubles ahead. This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design.