Deep in the shadowy Maine woods, a young girl named Sylvia makes a choice that will echo through the rest of her life. When an elegant bird hunter offers her riches in exchange for the nest of a rare white heron, Sylvia must decide between the lure of the world and the wild freedom she holds sacred. This quiet, luminous tale of innocence and conscience is the heart of Sarah Orne Jewett’s classic collection, now retold in fresh, vivid language for today’s readers. Alongside Sylvia’s story, you’ll meet a cast of unforgettable characters — spinsters, farmers, hermits, and sea captains — all wrestling with love, loss, and the silent strength of the natural world. Faithful to the original’s spirit and setting, this retelling preserves every glint of sunlight through pine needles and every flutter of a heron’s wing. Part of Timeless Classics.