The Light That Failed — Rudyard Kipling

Description

Rudyard Kipling's first novel: the story of Dick Heldar, a war artist blinded by a saber wound sustained while covering the campaign in the Sudan, and his struggle to complete one last masterpiece before losing his sight forever. A haunting tale of art, love, and mortality from the author of Kim and The Jungle Book.

Excerpt

So we settled it all when the storm was done
   As comf'y as comf'y could be;
And I was to wait in the barn, my dears,
   Because I was only three;
And Teddy would run to the rainbow's foot,
   Because he was five and a man;
And that's how it all began, my dears,
   And that's how it all began.
— Big Barn Stories

"What do you think she'd do if she caught us? We oughtn't to have it, you know," said Maisie.
"Beat me, and lock you up in your bedroom," Dick answered, without hesitation. "Have you got the cartridges?"