Dora's Mistake

A lively family quarrel opens Dora's Mistake with all the energy of the Temple household on display: bored children, a knife-marked desk, and a mother determined to turn mischief into meaning. When whooping-cough keeps several children idle, Mrs. Temple leads them toward a grander idea—a model Tabernacle for their aunt's Ragged School, a project that will require patience, cooperation, and real self-command. As the children learn the dimensions, furnishings, and sacred purpose of the Tabernacle, their enthusiasm is tested by the scale of the task and by jealousies of skill and status. Lucius embraces carpentry, Amy takes to sewing, and Dora's embroidery becomes entangled with pride and conscience. Mrs. Temple uses every detail to teach that outward splendor means little without humility, and that the Tabernacle's holiness points beyond itself to the heart. The family's Bible studies deepen into the meanings of the Holy of Holies, the Day of Atonement, the brazen serpent, and Christ's saving sacrifice. Dora, burdened by Sabbath-breaking and deceit, confronts the difference between dead faith and living faith, while the children are taught that true belief must confess sin, trust God's mercy, and strive to forsake evil. This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design.