But the story of the Merryweathers must end here, for Maria and Robin never quarrel, so their ten children will have to go out into the world and marry other people.

You have succeeded in making this book sound so strange that I will have to re-read it, because I bounced so strongly off it as a child that I've never tried again, despite loving The Valley of Song and liking Linnets and Valerians. From everything you say, I doubt that I will love The Little White Horse, but I want to see what on earth for myself.