Mostly Mary

The catholic answer to the Elsie Dinsmore series. Golden haired, Mary is beloved by her parents, adoring Uncle frank, and a bevy of stereotyped faithful household retainers (their dialogue is appalling..."da yo' is, honey! But yo' ole mammy is 'fraud it am to hebby fo'yo," chuckled Aunt Mandy..."Sic Dedicated it the Blesed Virgin Mary at birth, Mary is dressed by her mother only in dainty white with blue accents like ribbons. Joey reigns when twin baby sisters arrive to complete her perfect world. Mary immediately gives all her toys to the babies. (You get an idea from the frontispiece accompanying this description). Drama ensues when she is struck down by measles. At death door for days, she is saved by prayer and Uncle frank and his devoted nurse (appropriately elderly)! Sister Julia. Slowly recovering, she continues to bravely lighten the lives of all. But the, this frail child is laid low once again..pneumonia..even more deadly back in those days. Tension rises as we readers keep vigil with the family and the servants. Once more at death's door, she survives on a wing and a prayer. But, dear reader, don't relax too soon. Father's business requires him to spend a year in sunny Italy. Of course ever the good wife, mother, must accompany him so he doesn't have to live alone in a hotel. LAlas uncle frank direly warns a sea voyage would kill Mary. Bravely and prayfully she offers this separation up. Sister Julia and good servant, Eliza, (unfortunately played as superstitious and ignorant) help her understand she must be strong for poor uncle frank who is despairing at Mary's mourning her family' absence. We leave uncle and niece musing in front of a roaring fire. Sister Julia in the wings ready to tuck Mary in. Hints of drama and trauma to come in the next book.l I absolutely loved these books as a child. Strange since Mary is a sanctimonious little goody goody, close to a prig. The opposite I found them in my grandma's attic. Treacly and sentimental with very heavy doses of catholic dogma and women's proper subservient roles of the time. I can still quote a dramatic passage or two, but my literary tastes quickly moved to the more realistic adventures of Betsy, Tacy and Tib.