
CHAPTER I. - UPTON RECTORY
CHAPTER II. - ANN HOLLAND
CHAPTER III. - WHAT WAS HER DUTY?
CHAPTER IV. - A BABY'S GRAVE
CHAPTER V. - TOWN'S TALK
CHAPTER VI. - THE RECTOR'S RETURN
CHAPTER VII. - WORSE THAN DEAD
CHAPTER VIII. - HUSBAND AND WIFE
CHAPTER IX. - SAD DAYS
CHAPTER X. - A SIN AND A SHAME
In a sleepy market town framed by misty autumn mornings and ancient stone cottages, life moves at a measured pace that feels far removed from the bustle of London. The story opens with a vivid portrait of Upton’s tight‑knit community—tradespeople, retired city folk, and a host of religious sects whose rivalries shape daily conversation. Central to this portrait is the revered Norman church and its rectory, a tranquil haven whose blooming vines and solemn graveyard draw townspeople together in quiet reverence.
Against this backdrop, the arrival of a new family at the rectory begins to stir subtle currents beneath the surface of Upton’s orderly world. As neighbours observe the newcomers’ habits and the rector’s generous yet unifying presence, long‑held expectations and whispered judgments start to surface. Listeners will find themselves drawn into the rhythms of village life, where every carriage at the church door and every shared charity reveal the delicate balance between tradition and change.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (169K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Garcia, Tiffany Vergon, Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks, and the Online Distributed Proofreaders Team
Release date
2005-01-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1832–1911
A hugely popular Victorian writer, she brought the struggles of poor and homeless children into stories that reached an enormous readership. Her best-known book, Jessica's First Prayer, became an international success and helped define a whole strand of children's fiction.
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