The Lark Shall Sing // The Singing Heart — Elizabeth Cadell

The six Waynes, with no parents to guide them, are six violent individualists ranging in age from nine to twenty-four. Head of the household is Lucille, red-headed and forceful, who had mothered them all since she was sixteen. There was no money, and she is determined to make this family a going concern.

As a year's experiment, Lucille parcels everyone out, while she herself takes a job as companion to an old lady. The gentle and whimsical Roselle is making a muddle of being a secretary, and Nicholas is finishing off his army service. Ten-year-old Julie is popped into convent school. Eleven-year-old Simon and nine-year-old Dominic go to an aunt and uncle.

With her family scattered, Lucille, decided married. So the empy familiar house must be sold; Lucille knew that was the only sensible things to do, but her family had other ideas. When news from Lucille throws all the other Waynes into an uproar and precipitates a sensational family reunion.

Home they came by whatever way they could, by bus, bike and foot, penniless and bedraggled but with certain new-found friends who were to help them to upset Lucille's plans -- all her plans for a calm, settled and sensible life.

Converging on Lucille , they proceed to shatter one of her dreams and help her to start another. Young and unexpected loves paves some of the way; an Italian Fuller Brush man and a retired school matron add a bit; and the indomitable small-fry clean up what's left.