
The story opens amid a lively holiday week that threatens to overwhelm the ever‑busy Mr. Linden. He is pulled in every direction—tea parties, dinners, skating outings, and endless gatherings—while trying to stay present for the boys who constantly seek his company. In the midst of this bustling season, Faith Derrick, bright and modest, wakes to a snowy Christmas morning that glitters like a sapphire sky and a pearl‑white world below.
A mysterious parcel arrives in her basket, wrapped in familiar brown paper and tied with a simple cord. Inside, Faith discovers a delicate red‑leather portfolio filled with exquisite photographs of Italian towns and Alpine vistas, a treasure that fills her with a sudden, almost intoxicating sense of wealth. As she shares a festive breakfast with Mr. Linden and her family, the unexpected gift hints at adventures and choices that will test her heart and curiosity, setting the stage for a season of wonder and gentle dilemmas.
Language
en
Duration
~18 hours (1075K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2009-04-08
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1824–1915
Best known for writing the words to the beloved hymn "Jesus Loves Me," this 19th-century American author also wrote novels, stories, and religious works that reached generations of readers.
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1819–1885
Best known for the hugely popular novel The Wide, Wide World, this 19th-century American writer brought religious feeling and everyday emotion together in stories that reached a wide audience. Writing under the name Elizabeth Wetherell, she became one of the notable bestselling authors of her era.
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