Posted by William Dashfield on August 29, 1998 at 02:43:58:
In Reply to: Re: More AR nodding posted by Patrick Fox on August 27, 1998 at 22:32:32:
I'd guess it was named at the start of Chapter IV, just after Titty notices it, and shortly after they'd named Goblin Creek on the map.
The younger four would have time to discuss it then. I wouldn't be at all suprised if AR hadn't omitted it on purpose, to keep the pace up with '"They're landing," cried Bridget.'
John was rowing the parents ashore then, and so wouldn't hear, which fits in with Roger explaining the name later when John is there.
Be interesting to know if AR's drafts and notes still exist - does anyone live near enough to the various museums to look?
There are also small differences between the editions. It was reset in 1947 and revised and reset in 1984. There are some changes between the last two - e.g. 'forgotten' replaces 'forgot' and I guess it is possible, though unlikely that they lost a sentence in 1947.
There are a few sentences that stike the ear strangely e.g. "All six boats were closed together." (on page 247 or 248 depending on edition) I'd expect 'close together', and I wonder if that crept in 1947.
All fairly trivial, but with AR books now being classics, it would be good to know they were correct.
More annoying is the loss of quality in the illustrations in later editions. The '47 edition has much finer lines and more detail - the map (in it's various versions) is much easier to read, and as it is the whole focus it's a pity the publishers didn't do a better job.
regards
William
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