The Brother's Return

These linked tales turn everyday family moments into sharp, memorable lessons about pride, gratitude, and the quiet strength of Christian virtue. In one moving story, Ralph Daines returns to England after more than twenty years, hoping to reconcile with the brother he abandoned in anger, only to learn at the churchyard that John and his wife are already dead; crushed by the loss of a chance to make amends, he resolves to honor his brother by raising little Mary with tenderness, forgiveness, and faith. Other scenes follow Mary as a mother, teaching her grumbling son Jemmy to trade complaints for thankfulness, and a blunt exchange between Steenie Steers and Farmer Macalpine, who uses a faithful shepherd's dog and a pampered puppy to expose vanity, ingratitude, and the cost of being cared for without giving love in return. The book also delights in playful moral comparisons: children choose birds that reflect their temperaments, with Annie's humble eider-duck answer earning praise for valuing usefulness over display, while a debate about heroism contrasts showy greatness with the deeper courage of Agnes Jones, whose childhood bravery grows into lifelong service to the poor and sick. Together, these stories celebrate selflessness, steadfast duty, and the blessings of a thankful heart. This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design.