
In the grand halls of Hastings’ Hall, the newest heir, Pliny, celebrates his first birthday amid silk, pearls, and a parade of eager relatives. The infant’s boundless curiosity leads him to topple a wine glass and, in a flash of panic, wound his tiny finger, turning a joyous commemoration into a chaotic scramble. This bright‑spirited mishap hints at deeper undercurrents beneath the glittering façade of wealth.
Just a mile away, a modest household tends to its own quiet celebration, cradling a sleepy baby named Bennie in a simple rocking chair. The gentle routine of the family, marked by whispered blessings and humble gifts, stands in stark contrast to the opulence next door. As the two worlds brush past each other, the stage is set for three distinct lives to intersect in ways that will test both affection and ambition.
Language
en
Duration
~8 hours (469K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Emmy and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2007-03-13
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1841–1930
A bestselling American writer of Christian fiction, she published more than 100 books and became widely known under the pen name “Pansy.” Her stories often blended everyday family life with moral questions in a way that made them especially popular with young readers and church audiences.
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