Four young people — Mary, Cecil, Tom, and Nancy — share a close domestic bond, gathering regularly in a warm, welcoming room that serves as the heart of their companionship. Mary, the eldest and most spiritually mature of the group, acts as a quiet guide and example to the others. When she returns to their circle after two days confined to bed with a cold, her absence has noticeably dimmed the atmosphere, revealing how central she is to their lives. She brings back with her a hymn she has committed to memory during her illness, speaking earnestly about the spiritual practice of learning scripture and verse by heart, not merely as an exercise, but as a living resource to draw upon in times of trouble, illness, or fear. The hymn, centered on the praise of Jesus Christ, becomes the first of many reflections the group shares together. The narrative proceeds as a series of intimate conversations among the four, often sparked by Mary's gentle observations or by small incidents in their daily lives. These discussions range across themes of faith, character, service, generosity, patience, and the quiet virtues that shape a life well lived. Mary consistently points her companions toward a Christianity that is practical and relational rather than merely doctrinal — one that expresses itself in kindness to neighbors, honesty in small matters, cheerfulness under difficulty, and attentiveness to the needs of those around them. Cecil, thoughtful and sometimes prone to self-doubt, grapples with questions about how to live with integrity and purpose. Tom, warmer and more instinctive in his goodness, tends toward action and loyalty. Nancy, the youngest, absorbs the conversations with an open and earnest spirit, often asking the questions that allow the deeper ideas to be drawn out. Together they form a small community of mutual influence, each growing through the others. Throughout their conversations, Mary draws on parables, anecdotes, and real-life examples to illustrate the points she raises. Stories are told of people who have demonstrated extraordinary faithfulness in ordinary circumstances — servants who worked with dignity, individuals who bore suffering without bitterness, those who chose honesty or generosity at personal cost. These accounts are not idealized abstractions but practical illustrations meant to show that virtue is achievable in everyday life. A recurring theme is the question of what makes a life truly worthwhile. The group explores this not in grand or abstract terms, but through the texture of daily choices — whether to speak a kind word, whether to resist a selfish impulse, whether to trust God in circumstances that feel discouraging or unclear. Mary's position is consistent: a life ordered around genuine love for God and neighbor, expressed in humble and faithful service, is the only life that carries lasting meaning and satisfaction. The Christian faith is presented throughout as both demanding and deeply sustaining. Prayer, scripture, and the practice of praise are not peripheral habits but central disciplines that shape perception and strengthen character. The sixth verse of the hymn Mary learned — describing how night becomes day when praise rises from the heart — captures the work's essential conviction: that an inward orientation toward Christ transforms outward experience, making endurance possible and joy accessible even in difficulty. The relationships among the four deepen as the narrative progresses. Their conversations build on one another across time, creating a sense of genuine development rather than a series of isolated lessons. Mary's influence is never heavy-handed; she listens as much as she speaks, and the others contribute insights that sharpen and extend the shared reflection. The tone throughout is warm, unaffected, and sincere, aimed at readers seeking encouragement in the practice of an active, thoughtful Christian life. The cumulative effect is a portrait of community rooted in shared faith, mutual accountability, and the small but significant effort to become, day by day, more fully what one is called to be. The title's central question — what is worth while — is answered not with a single declaration but through the accumulation of these conversations, examples, and quiet resolutions, suggesting that worth is found not in greatness of circumstance but in faithfulness of spirit.
By Catharine Shaw · First published 1981 · Genre: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Crime Fiction