No person at all familiar with English novels is in the least likely to envy the lot of the English governess. The difficulties and hardships of her life have been dwelt upon often, and in many different ways. Nevertheless, [in "Shepherdess of Sheep,"] Noel Streatfeild has found a comparatively fresh angle from which to view the fortunes of her heroine….

Noel Streatfeild has that not too common ability, the power of making ordinary, everyday things interesting. Her people are human beings, her children real flesh and blood little mortals, neither imps nor angels. Mrs. Lane, the mother, is an invalid, and the effect upon her of her illness is well done…. But real as these other people become to us, it is Sarah whom we love best….

An English novel, the book of course deals with conditions and relationships different from those existing in the United States. Charles...