The story, colloquially known as “ the girl with the green ribbon,” is a tentpole of Millennial folklore, passed from friend to friend at sleepovers and in schoolyards throughout the late 1980s and beyond. Though it’s often misremembered as an entry in Alvin Schwartz’s Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, it’s actually from a different collection by the same author: In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Stories, published in 1984 and meant for younger readers. (Technically, the title is just “ The Green Ribbon,” and the girl is named Jenny.) Lovely quality ribbon in a stunning colour that I have used to hang Christmas baubles from a garland. Looks great!

Laurie arrived and hailed them on his way to dress. At the sight of him Laura remembered the accident again. She wanted to tell him. If Laurie agreed with the others, then it was bound to be all right. And she followed him into the hall. Mrs. Sheridan’s voice floated down the stairs. “Tell her to wear that sweet hat she had on last Sunday.”The two works, published in the midst of the second wave of feminism, deal with themes germane to the time period: consent, bodily autonomy, and the danger of an angry man—even a husband—who won’t take no for an answer. There’s plenty of sociopolitical subtext in the stories set during the French Revolution, too; you could, for example, read them as cautionary tales against letting an idealism that only exists in the imagination obscure real-world atrocities. Godber's has come," announced Sadie, issuing out of the pantry. She had seen the man pass the window. Thanks." Mr. Sheridan took a bite and the sandwich was gone. He took another. "I suppose you didn't hear of a beastly accident that happened to-day?" he said.

And she pointed to the lily-lawn with the hand that didn’t hold the bread-and-butter. They turned, they stared in the direction. A little fat chap thrust out his under-lip, and the tall fellow frowned.My dear child, it's no use asking me. I'm determined to leave everything to you children this year. Forget I am your mother. Treat me as an honoured guest."