Cut and Come Again

H.E. Bates''s fifth collection is a sparkling body of work full of stories of childhood. Geoffrey West observed the collection overall as "bright with life, with individuals alive and interacting, and with the sweeping beauties of broad country backgrounds."

Often cited as one of Bates''s best stories, ''The Mill'' relates the misfortune of a young girl in service. Bates was inspired by the daughte...