Finished at Christmas by Ruth Lamb
"Finished at Christmas" by Ruth Lamb is a love story centered around the Manning family, particularly focusing on the romantic developments of Mrs. Manning's daughters, Elsie and Katie. The narrative explores themes of love, societal expectations, and familial bonds. Mrs. Manning, a widow, is initially concerned about her daughters marrying well, both in terms of character and financial stability. The story unfolds with Elsie and Katie navigating their feelings and relationships, particularly with Douglass Gilmour, a young clergyman, and Mr. Mitchelson, a wealthy landowner. Elsie, initially misinterpreting Douglass Gilmour's intentions, believes he is interested in her sister Katie, leading to a period of self-doubt and emotional turmoil. Meanwhile, Katie becomes engaged to Mr. Mitchelson, who is drawn to her character and kindness. The misunderstandings and societal pressures are exacerbated by the meddling of Miss Chatterton, a local gossip, who misinterprets and spreads rumors about the relationships. As the story progresses, the characters confront their feelings and misunderstandings. Douglass Gilmour and Elsie eventually reconcile, realizing their mutual affection. The narrative culminates in a double wedding, with both sisters finding happiness with their respective partners. The story emphasizes the importance of communication, trust, and the enduring nature of true love, concluding with the promise of new beginnings as the characters embark on their married lives.
By Ruth Lamb · First published 1890 · Genre: Erotic Romance, Holiday Romance, Contemporary Romance · 6 chapters · 14,235 words
First lines
A LITTLE love story! This is what I am going to tell.
I hope no one who reads this plain statement of my intentions will be shocked thereat, and close the book as though the subject ought to be tabooed in these pages.
What this Textopian page supports
Finished at Christmas is listed on Textopian as a novella by Ruth Lamb, dated 1890 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Ruth Lamb
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Erotic Romance, Holiday Romance, Contemporary Romance, Humor
- Length: 14,235 words
- Structure: 6 chapters, 245 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Finished at Christmas by Ruth Lamb
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Similar titles
- Worth His While by Amy Ella Blanchard
- The Christmas Earnings by Lucy Ellen Guernsey
- Spoken For by William Morrison
- Heaven Is The People You Love by Mette Ivie Harrison
- Protection A Christmas Story by Valerie Bryusov
- Holiday Romance by Charles Dickens
Genres
- Erotic Romance — The narrative focuses on explicit sexual relationships intertwined with deep emotional connections.
- Holiday Romance — The Christmas setting plays a pivotal role in the plot and character development.
- Contemporary Romance — The story is set in modern times, dealing with current relationship dynamics and societal themes.
- Humor — Witty dialogue and situational comedy are used to enhance the narrative and lighten the mature themes.
Tags
romance · holiday romance · Christmas · festive · contemporary · emotional · heartwarming · passion · sensual · new beginnings · family · reunion