CHAPTER I.
LITTLE AGNES.
Page The cross baby brother—The patient sister—The novel-reading
mamma—The broken work-box—Undeserved punishment—The lock of
papa’s hair—Old Mammy—The cold north room—“Never
alone”—Aunt Wharton—Lewie sick—A pleasant change for
the little prisoner
CHAPTER II.
BROOK FARM.
Bridget’s rage—Mammy’s story—The runaway
match—The dead father—The cheerful home at Brook Farm—Cousin
Emily—The ice palace—Christmas secrets—The mother’s
agony—Life from the dead
CHAPTER III.
CHRISTMAS TIME.
Preparations for Christmas—The needle-book—Santa Claus himself
expected -Old Cousin Betty—Loads of presents—Christmas
Eve—Appearance of Santa Claus—“Who can he
be?”—Cousin Tom—Poor Emily’s grief
CHAPTER IV.
COUSIN BETTY.
Cousin Betty—Absence of mind and body—A habit of dying—The
shadow on the wall—Cousin Betty’s ride on Prancer—Training
day—Cousin Betty a captain of militia—Cousin Betty’s stories
CHAPTER V.
HOME AGAIN.
Agnes and Mr. Wharton on their way to the Hemlocks—The novel-reading
mamma again—Lewie better—Agnes must stay—A lay sermon to Mrs.
Elwyn—The needle-case—The bitter disappointment
CHAPTER VI.
THE TABLEAUX.
Lewie roving the woods and fields again—Capricious and fretful
still—The birth-day party at Mr. Wharton’s—Preparations for
tableaux—Another disappointment for Agnes—The sweetest tableaux of
all
CHAPTER VII.
THE GOVERNESS.
The lady who came for wool—The home in New-England—Midnight
studies—Miss Edwards engaged as governess—A universal
genius—A letter from the long-lost brother—The journey—The
old Virginia church—The ghost no ghost at all—The old
log-house—Horrible murder!—of pigs
CHAPTER VIII.
BITTER DISAPPOINTMENTS.
No news from Miss Edwards—The letter from the strange physician—The
manuscript—The brother found, and where—The
engagement—Desertion—The country house—The “crazy
room”—The Eastern Asylum—Rest at last in the quiet nook
CHAPTER IX.
EMILY’S TRIALS.
Lewie’s education—Mr. Malcolm tutor at the Hemlocks—Frequent
calls at Brook Farm—Emily’s sufferings—The
disclosure—Strength for time of trial
CHAPTER X.
THE TUTOR AND THE PUPIL.
Lewie’s insubordination—Passion and tears—The mother’s
anxiety—Mr. Malcolm’s firmness—No dinner for
Lewie—Sulking—Brought to terms at last—The tutor dismissed
CHAPTER XI.
RUTH GLENN.
Leaving for boarding-school—Mrs. Arlington and her daughters—The
third story room—The new strange girl—Nocturnal
disturbances—Ruth Glenn’s expostulations—Imminent
danger—The physician consulted—Morning walks—Sad partings
CHAPTER XII.
LEWIE AT SCHOOL.
The dictator in the play-ground—Strife and contention—The
tormentor—Lewie’s mortification—The sore spot—The
attack upon Colton—The removal from school—Mrs. Elwyn’s
failing health—Agnes summoned—A death bed—Changes proposed to
Agnes—Her departure for Wilston
CHAPTER XIII.
NEW SCENES FOR AGNES.
The two Miss Fairlands—The step-mother—Arrival at
Wilston—Unpromising pupils—Poor Tiney—Dreadful scene at the
tea-table—Tiney’s suffering—The effect of music
CHAPTER XIV.
THE SCHOOL IN THE WEST WING.
A hard task—The children’s toilettes—Bible
teachings—Practical applications—Sunday at Mr.
Fairland’s—The children’s singing—The father’s
tears—A visit to Brook Farm—A visit from Lewie
CHAPTER XV.
THE STRANGERS IN THE ROOKERY.
An arrival—The Rookery—Mrs. Danby and Bella—A sudden
accident—The rescue—The strangers—An old friend—A row
on the lake—Music on the water—Shrieking in the house—A new
method of laying spirits—Mortifying disclosures by Frank
CHAPTER XVI.
DEATH AND THE FUGITIVE.
Music on the lawn—The midnight interview—The horrid truth
disclosed—Lewie a fugitive from justice—Jealousy of Calista and
Evelina—Poor Tiney’s death bed—The search—The arrest
CHAPTER XVII.
THE JAIL.
Return to Brook Farm—The visit to the jail—The involuntary and the
voluntary prisoner—A talk about the future—Mr. Malcolm’s
visits—The lawyer—The evening before the trial
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE TRIAL.
The Court-room—Mr. W.—The testimony—Speeches—Mr.
G.’s agitation—Charge to the jury
CHAPTER XIX.
THE SEALED PAPER.
A night of fearful suspense—The
verdict—Insensibility—Delirium—Meeting between the brother
and sister—Lewie’s illness—Longings for freedom—A
journey to the capital—Ruth Glenn again—The governor—A
sister’s pleadings—Her reward
CHAPTER XX.
TWICE FREE.
Freedom for the captive—Removal to Brook Farm—Decline—Changes
of temper and heart—A final release—The quiet
nook—Resignation —Cheerfulness—The unexpected visitor
CHAPTER XXI.
THE WINDING UP.
Repairs at the Rookery—Calista and Evelina on the qui
vive—Mr. Harrington and his bride—Another Christmas
gathering—Farewell, and kind wishes