The Flag-Raising

In a modest New England village, the everyday rhythm of chores, church, and tight‑knit families is quietly disrupted by the arrival of a new child—Rebecca—who may be sent to stay with the Sawyer household. Miranda, practical and diligent, worries whether she can shape the youngster’s habits, while her sister Jane, more formally educated, sees a chance for the girl to find a steadier path. Their conversations reveal a world where generosity and duty clash with the realities of poverty and makeshift clothing, painting a vivid portrait of community life on the brink of change.

Meanwhile, the looming war pulls at the heart of the story. Jane’s fiancé, Tom Carter, is called to battle, and his injury sends her rushing southward, confronting love, grief, and a fierce new sense of purpose. As the war’s shadows stretch over the farm, the women must navigate personal loss while holding onto hope that the simple acts of caring and sacrifice will stitch their lives back together.