The story revolves around a young girl named Mary Cabot who loses her brother in the American Civil War. The novel explores Mary's emotional struggle to come to terms with her loss and find solace in her faith. Through her journey, the author critiques the traditional Christian beliefs of the time, which emphasized the glory of dying for one's country, and instead presents a more compassionate and personal understanding of grief and spirituality.
By Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward · First published 1868 · Genre: Religious Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Sentimental Fiction · 16 chapters