Dickensians! discussion
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Pears' centenary edition of Charles Dickens' Christmas books
Novellas and Collaborative Works
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The Battle of Life (hosted by Petra)
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Part the Third Summary 5:Clemency looked quickly at the stranger, who was looking out the window. She quickly gestured to Britain, pointing to the announcement and mouthing a phrase to him with great energy. Britain didn’t understand what her actions meant at all and was dumbfounded. He couldn’t make out what she was trying to say.
She gave up, moved her chair a bit closer to the stranger, looked down at the ground and often glanced towards the stranger, waiting for him to speak, which he soon did, asking about news of Marion since her departure.
Clemency says that a few letters had arrived for Grace stating that Marion is happy and well, as well as very pleased that Grace has married Alfred. Also, there’s a belief that the Doctor knows more than he lets on. However, there is a mystery about her life and what she is doing. Only one person would know how her life is going now and that would be Michael Warden, and that he, the stranger, was him.
Clemency recognized him from when she’d seen him in the garden that night. She wants to send Britain to fetch Grace or Alfred. Michael stops her, asking what she means to accomplish by bringing someone in. Clemency feels he could tell the family about Marion and how she is doing, from his own lips. Perhaps he could give them hope that Marion is not lost to the family and may come home one day to see them and to see her.
Clemency clutches Michael’s cloak and asks whether Marion might be here already. She begs Michael to let her see Marion, to talk with her. She tells him that Marion doesn’t know how truly she is forgiven and loved. Her return would bring joy to the household and perhaps she’s unaware of that.
Michael states that Marion is not back. This comment, with his mourning clothes, makes Clemency realize that Marion is dead. Michael doesn’t contradict her. Clemency sits at the table and cries.
A grey-haired man runs into the shop. It is Mr. Snitchey asking Michael why he had returned. Michael had wandered into The Nutmeg-Grinder because it was a new establishment to him since his departure. He had been curious about the place. He had wanted to go see Mr. Snitchey before going to see the Doctor. If it hadn’t been for Snitchey’s conservative ways, his fortunes would have been returned years ago. Snitchey objects. He and Mr. Craggs (deceased) had not been able to interfere. Michael says that he had vowed silence until his return. Snitchey states that it is their vow too to stay silent and that he (Snitchey) hadn’t been aware of the truth until only six months hence.
Clemency Catches Mr. Watson's Cloak by Charles Green, 1912
Petra wrote: "Part the Third Summary 5:Clemency looked quickly at the stranger, who was looking out the window. She quickly gestured to Britain, pointing to the announcement and mouthing a phrase to him with g..."
While the humor came back, today's reading was not full of joy. Dickens is juggling two different moods.
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Bionic Jean wrote: "As he was in his real life ..."So accurately said!! I hadn't thought of that till you just mentioned it.
Add to that knowledge of his feelings over the loss of Mary Hogarth and the writing seems quite appropiate.
Mod
Yes, although that was 7 years earlier (but always in his mind, as we know). I was remembering his frame of mind when he was writing this, and how he kept nearly giving up ... see the second half of my comment LINK HERE
Bionic Jean wrote: "Sam wrote: "Add to that knowledge of his feelings over the loss of Mary Hogarth an..."Yes, although that was 7 years earlier (but always in his mind, as we know). I was remembering his frame of m..."
Thanks Jean
What a sad reading today! I wasn't expecting Marion's death. But one thing this passage did for me was show a different side of Michael Warden. He appears to have matured into a thoughtful, empathetic man who truly did love Marion and is grieving her, too. However she died, it would appear that Marion enjoyed a happy marriage with Warden. I think that would bring comfort to her family and friends.I also was not expecting Craggs' demise. Apparently the partners were older than I thought, because even Snitchey is described as being a "grey-headed old gentleman." Quite a few changes have occurred in this idyllic setting in six years' time! As the story of the Jeddlers occurred 100 years before the "present" time, I wonder what other alterations we will see before the story is finished. I am really enjoying this story! It seems so simple, but I think it's quite complex.
Shirley (stampartiste) wrote: "What a sad reading today! I wasn't expecting Marion's death."I wasn't expecting that either, Shirley. I'm so sad she is gone.
Michael Warden seems more mysterious than ever to me. Mr. Snitchey seems quite shocked and unhappy that Mr. Warden is visiting with Clemency. It sounded like Snitchey came running to The Inn as soon as he heard Mr. Warden was there.
Sam wrote: "While the humor came back, today's reading was not full of joy. Dickens is juggling two different moods..."This story is quite somber. I wonder where Dickens is going to take us.
Marion is dead! That's a surprise. I'm glad she sent a few letters to Grace during these years away. It was nice to hear that she was in contact with the family.
It was nice, too, to hear that the Doctor has opened contact with his sister again. It may be a sign that he's getting over his pessimistic philosophy.
Michael is on his way to see the Doctor. That's going to be a sad visit when they find out about Marion's death.
Snitchey's appearance seems sudden, too. Plus, the firm seems to have not gotten Michaels affairs in a good state.
Poor Mr. Craggs! He's passed in these last few years.
Other than the Doctor being in contact with his sister again, most of this news is on the melancholy, sad side.
Shirley (stampartiste) wrote: "What a sad reading today! I wasn't expecting Marion's death. But one thing this passage did for me was show a different side of Michael Warden. He appears to have matured into a thoughtful, empathe..."Shirley, nice observations!
I also think that Michael is grieving the loss of Marion. He was on his way to personally tell the Doctor this sad news when he stopped at the Inn. Perhaps he needed a short rest or break to gather his strength before giving the Family this bad news.
Yes, poor Cragg. I suppose Life moves on but I didn't expect to hear of a death.
Bridget wrote: "Michael Warden seems more mysterious than ever to me. Mr. Snitchey seems quite shocked and unhappy that Mr. Warden is visiting with Clemency. It sounded like Snitchey came running to The Inn as soon as he heard Mr. Warden was there...."Bridge, I suspect that Michael's grief caused him to pause a few moments. This welcoming Inn must have looked like an oasis of peace, even if just for a few minutes, before going on to give the Doctor the bad news.
Snitchey's arrival is a bit more surprising since Michael was on his way to see him shortly. Michael seems upset that the firm hasn't handled his estate to give higher returns.
I'm not familiar with the business end of things in Dickens' times. Michael was bankrupt but his estate could still be salvaged somehow and his fortunes returned. That seems to have happened to a point but instead of being happy to no longer be bankrupt, Michael is concerned (upset?) about not having better returns than he's gotten.
Part the Third Summary 6:It was Dr. Jeddler who had told Snitchey the truth. Dr. Jeddler had known the truth for many years but had kept his silence until the day he told Snitchey. The truth would be told to Grace that very next day, on her anniversary.
Michael is to stay with Mr. Snitchey in his home, but his return must be kept secret. They will dine at the Inn, the building which belongs to him, then go to Snitchey’s home after dark.
They speak of Mr. Craggs. Snitchey is still sorrowed at the loss of his friend, who left life too soon. Mr. Cragg was a true friend and partner and was very missed. He’d left his half of the business to his wife, so the name still continued and Snitchey sometimes pretends that Craggs is still alive because of this.
Michael watches Clemency and whispers something into Snitchey’s ear. Snitchey states that Clemency was always very loyal and fond to Marion. Snitchey tells Clemency to cheer up, after all she’s married now. At this Clemency sighs and Snitchey kindly tells her to wait for tomorrow, but Clemency says that no day will bring back the dead and begins to cry. Snitchey agrees but says that it could bring comfort.
Mr. Snitchey and Michael remove themselves to a room upstairs where they had a conversation in such low tones that not a word was overheard by anyone.
The next day was bright and cheerful. Dr. Jeddler’s orchard looked lovely in brilliant Autumn colours. Shadows played on the grass, the honeysuckle was green. The orchard was serene and lovely but Marion’s lack of presence was felt.
Life had gone on. Marion’s presence in the house would now be as strange as the house had been in the time after her flight. Grace sat in her usual place. Her heart had never forgotten Marion. Grace was unchanged. She was youthful, full of hope and affection. Beside her was a beloved young daughter.
Grace and Alfred were sitting in the orchard on their anniversary, which was also Marion & Alfred’s birthdays.
Alfred was a good doctor with a good heart. He hadn’t grown rich. He had remembered his friends, he visited the homes of poor men to aid their illnesses, he was gentle, he was appreciative of goodness and beauty. He lived a life of goodness and peace, much content. He was happy in life with Grace, his wife.
They were speaking of Marion this bright morning. Six years had passed. Six years they had sat in the orchard on this day and remembered that night she left and spoken of the happy times that would occur after she returns. How much longer must they wait?
Alfred, Grace and their little Daughter in the Orchard by Charles Green, 1912
Nice description of kitchen business during this period. I presume the jack mentioed is a roasting jack of some kind? See link:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roastin...
The story of Alfred's past few years had some wonderful ideas but I found Dickens' prose getting progressively clunkier in the paragraph. I marked the lines in bold and they remind me of Hardy, not Dickens though this predates Hardy's writing. I have two questions, Does anyone have an idea of who Dickens is using as a source for this style? Second, does anyone have a thought as to why Dickens is choosing this style? He uses a variety of prose styles in the story and some are very up to date and clever. This seems out of date, convoluted, and I thought Dickens might be suggesting something in its use that I haven't realized.
He had not become a great man; he had not grown rich; he had not forgotten the scenes and friends of his youth; he had not fulfilled any one of the Doctor’s old predictions. But, in his useful, patient, unknown visiting of poor men’s homes; and in his watching of sick beds; and in his daily knowledge of the gentleness and goodness flowering the by-paths of this world, not to be trodden down beneath the heavy foot of poverty, but springing up, elastic, in its track, and making its way beautiful; he had better learned and proved, in each succeeding year, the truth of his old faith. The manner of his life, though quiet and remote, had shown him how often men still entertained angels, unawares, as in the olden time; and how the most unlikely forms—even some that were mean and ugly to the view, and poorly clad—became irradiated by the couch of sorrow, want, and pain, and changed to ministering spirits with a glory round their heads.
Sam, I do not have the answers to your questions. Perhaps Jean or someone else does. I also had to read these sentences a couple of times to absorb all that it said. Perhaps it is a convuluted and thorough way of saying that Alfred hasn't changed his philosophy through these years and that Life's challenges and battles have not changed him. He has remained true to his beliefs.
In the beginning of the story, Alfred's philosophy was to enjoy each day, to see the beauty in Life, to appreciate the good. He believed that there are angels amongst us that help us in our darkest times. He also believed that people lived their lives bravely and as best they could within their circumstances. All of this led him to believe that the World is good and to appreciate that good around him.
These long sentences seems to bolster that. Alfred has not changed his philosophy or outlook on Life, despite all the challenges and battles he's had to face. He's been able to continue to see the beauty of each day, the goodness of the people, especially the poor, who always give their best to help others. He sees and believes in the courage of living each day looking for the goodness that is hidden just off to the side of the hardest, darkest times.
Alfred is a man who will always see goodness and beauty, while also seeing the difficult battles that all go through. He looks for and sees the light at the end of the tunnel.
I'm curious about what this "truth" is that Snitchey and the Doctor know about. Why are they waiting until Grace's anniversary to tell her the truth and why has it had to wait for so many years to be told? Why is Grace being protected and from what? Why is Michael's return to be kept secret? What is he hiding from?
I felt for Mr. Snitchey. He's mourning the loss of his good friend and missing his presence. Dickens has written these two lawyers to be good people. They care and feel the pain. They aren't hardened.
When Snitchey says he pretends that his friend is still with him because his name is still on the business, I felt for him. A person that one loves never leaves us, even in death. They always live in our hearts and remain with us.
In time the sadness leaves us and the good memories & smiles return. I hope Snitchey reaches that stage soon. His pain is still on the surface.
Sam, I agree with you that suddenly Dickens disappoints. To me this last section reads as though someone is standing outside Mr Dickens den, saying “ Charles, please hurry. We are going to be late.” (view spoiler)And the Battle of Life started with such profundity! What has happened here?
Lee wrote: "Sam, I agree with you that suddenly Dickens disappoints. To me this last section reads as though someone is standing outside Mr Dickens den, saying “ Charles, please hurry. We are going to be late...."I don't want to say disappoints! I am actually fascinated by this writing. I can see reasons for criticism but I am interested in why writer's choose to do what they do and there are some very interesting choices here. Rather than condemn, I am just going with it and puzzling over some of the choices, wondering if there might be motivation I am missing. There is an overall world-weariness, sadness, to some of the writing in this and also some exciting, stimulating writing as well. Jean pointed out issues Dickens was having and I have some more thoughts to state when we end. But some of my favorite reads are books that have flaws or may not have fully succeeded.
I agree with Sam. I have my criticisms of this work but I see, I think, what Dickens is trying to convey. This story has it's flaws but it's also an interesting tale that has me thinking and interested. It will be interesting to see how Dickens ends this story. It doesn't have a clear path....it hasn't had a clear path throughout this work.
Of course, I adore Charles Dickens! So I should have said he is disappointing ME and no one else. And I wouldn’t have missed this story for the world just for the first few chapters alone and the incredible illustrations that this story inspired.But I have to ask honest questions. 🥹🥲
Lee, I'm glad that the disappointments are being discussed. It's important to see the flaws as well as the good writing. I'm looking forward to the discussion of our thoughts of all the aspects of this story at the end, when we know where Dickens is taking us. So far, I'm at a loss of how he's going to tie up all the loose ends and give us a decent finish.
I adore Dickens, too. His writing is spectacular, and timeless. His stories resonate today as much as they did in his day. But there's bound to be a clunker in the mix somewhere. I wouldn't miss this story for anything. It's important (to me) to read all the stories in order to get a good feel for the person and writer that Dickens was.
Petra wrote: "I adore Dickens, too. His writing is spectacular, and timeless. His stories resonate today as much as they did in his day. But there's bound to be a clunker in the mix somewhere."I spoke too hastily, Petra and I apologize. This has been a very enjoyable read with appealing characters, theme and setting, and I have tried to follow along every day. I need to give Dickens a chance to finish the story!
I apologized in another book club today for my impulsivity. I know Dickens prioritized the New Testament over the Old, but the following verse is certainly pertinent for me here.
"The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered." Proverbs 17:27 (NIV)
We always give Dickens the chance to finish. LOL....I did not know that Dickens preferred the Old Testament to the New. I like the old stories in the Old Testament. They have a mystique about them.
Petra - Dickens preferred the New Testament, not the Old. In fact, he pretty much disregarded the Old Testament with its harsh representation of God. He tried to follow the teachings of Jesus, though it is not clear that he was a Christian in the traditional sense. And you will see the themes of compassion for the poor, the ill and the disabled in his novels, following the teachings of Jesus. Forgiveness and living with a desire to be kind and compassionate to your fellow men and women were all teachings of Christ. And those themes recur very and over in his novels.I would like to read the book he wrote for his children to teach them about Christianity before I could understand his faith. I don’t recall his dwelling on the idea of salvation, but he certainly came down hard on the selfish and the greedy and also the wealthy, just as Christ did.
Ahh, thank you, Lee. I just reread your other message and, sure enough, I read it backwards. LOL!
Part the Third Summary 7:Alfred reminds her of Marion’s farewell letter, which stated that many years much pass before they can see each other again. That when they met again, all would be explained. This was repeated in every letter that arrived since…. Except, said Grace, in the last letter of a few months ago, which mentioned Alfred, what he knew and what Grace would learn that very night of Marion’s birthday, at sunset.
Grace continues that the original letter contained something that she had never told Alfred that she felt she needed to tell him now. In the letter Marion give Grace the sacred trust of Alfred to Grace. She asked Grace to not reject Alfred’s love when it transferred to her after the wound of Marion’s leaving has healed.
Alfred states that he’s a very happy man and thanks God for the richness of his life that her love and presence in it has given him. Grace cries with happiness. Alfred looks at his child playing with flowers and directs her to look at the beautiful red sunset that was occurring in the orchard.
Grace jumps up. She’s to know the full story of Marion’s history before the sun sets on this very day and the sun was setting quickly. Alfred tells her that the story will not come from him but from another person’s lips. The messenger is at the gate. Was she ready? She was frightened and buried her face in his shoulder. He encourages her to have courage. She raises her head and tells him she’s ready.
As Alfred goes to get the messenger at the gate, Grace picks up her daughter, whose name is Marion, and hugs her close. The girl runs after her father when Grace puts her down. She was alone with her thoughts. She wasn’t sure why she was afraid or what she hoped to learn and she waited anxiously for their visitor.
Astonished she watches the figure coming towards her. Dressed in white, rustling garments, the head upon Dr. Jeddler’s breast…..it was Marion! No dream, no vision, but Marion in the flesh! Beautiful and happy, with love radiating out of her face.
I have to say that I'm a bit annoyed at Dickens for keeping Grace, Clemency and us out of a secret that everyone else seems to know. Why would Snitchey, Alfred and the Doctor have a secret that has to be kept from Grace? Even Marion's last letter to Grace stated that Alfred knew something but wasn't telling her until the very evening in our summary. Grace has lived for the past few months knowing that Alfred knows something that she doesn't know. She's a patient woman. Marion has made a dramatic entrance. So much secrecy about her return.
I don't like the illustration by Harry Furniss very much. It makes Marion look older than she is and quite Greek Goddess like. She looks too antiquated and "not of this world"-ish to be the "radiating with love", happy person she's portrayed as in the story, I think.
The twists and turns are wearing me out a bit. It shows that Dickens was having problems with it. It is possible he was trying to force the story to go where it wouldn't fit or perhaps he had too many ideas and couldn't limit himself. But mainly, IMO, the story feels like it needed more time. The deadline may have been the issue here.
Me, too, Sam. Just as we start to get the feeling for the lay of the land, the land changes.It's difficult to condense what John Forster has to say about this work. His words are spread out over numerous chapters. It does seem that Dickens was excited about this story and unsure of it as well. There were also elements of his surroundings that he tried to incorporate into the themes (see the quote in Post 11, especially the one about the "revolution" Dickens witnessed in Geneva.
Petra, I agree with your assessment of Furniss' illustration of Marion. I think he missed the mark this time. He portrays Marion as a much older woman who does not match Dickens' description of her as "so beautiful, so happy,... so exalted in her loveliness."With all its twists and turns, as Sam pointed out, reading this story is like riding a roller coaster. There is just no way to anticipate what's coming next. And yes, Petra, I also can't see why Marion's return would have been hidden from Grace, knowing how much she still grieved over the disappearance of her sister. It just seemed a little cruel to me. I can't wait to find out where she has been all this time.
Shirley, I'm curious, too, about where she's been.....and why Michael is wearing mourning clothes when she's still alive! Dickens is keeping us guessing right to the end.
"You are to know the truth of Marion's history" says Alfred to Grace. What could they be hiding from Grace for so very long? Also, I am intrigued by the white garments Marion is wearing. Dickens is very clear in her description as she came out of the dim shadows: "That figure, with its white garments rustling in the evening air . . . " He creates a lot of mystery with this image.
Did nuns wear all white? I think of Miss Havisham in Great Expectations. (view spoiler) White typically symbolizes purity. I read that Celtic priests and druids were always dressed in white.
To confuse us further, white in Victorian days was the color of Queen Victoria's wedding gown.
Lee, yes, "the truth".....the one that everyone seems to know, except Grace. Why is she being treated like a special snowflake? The gown is intriguing. Perhaps that's why Furniss drew Marion in such a Greek goddess way? White does (usually) depict purity. I think Dickens was over-emphasizing Marion's purity and goodness. However, I had not thought of white being a colour that nun's wear! That's an interesting idea, Lee, and could put a different light on Marion's dress colour.
Wasn't it because of Queen Victoria's white wedding dress that the custom of white wedding dresses started? I seem to recall hearing that somewhere.
Part the Third Summary 8:The two sisters clung together. Then Marion starts her story:
When she had lived in the house before, she had loved Alfred with all her heart. She would do anything for him. She loved him completely when he left for his studies and loved him just as completely on the night she left the house.
However, she saw that Grace was in love with him and had loved him before Marion’s young heart was able to love. Grace loved Marion so much that she hid her love for Alfred and kept it a secret from everyone. But Marion could see into her sister’s heart and knew of her love for Alfred. While Grace would have happily sacrificed her happiness for Marion’s, Marion was aware of the depth of the sacrifice and struggle.
She recalled Alfred’s words on the day he left for his studies in which he said that there are victories gained every day in struggling hearts and she knew that she could endure such a struggle and leave Alfred to Grace. God knew that in her heart she was only happy. She held no grief in her heart. She resolved to not marry Alfred and to allow his love for Grace to blossom.
During the three years that Alfred was away, Marion had at first tried to be indifferent to Alfred but Grace was always the advocate of the couple. Marion tried to tell Grace of her resolution, but Grace wouldn’t listen. As the time came for his return, she knew she must act before he arrived.
She wrote to their Aunt Martha, told her part of the story. Aunt Martha agreed to let Marion stay with her. At that time, Michael Warden came to stay at the house for awhile and they became friends. At the time of her departure, Michael was secretly leaving the area. He had written to ask her hand in marriage. Marion wanted Grace to believe that she and Alfred could never be, ever, and that their days as a couple were at an end. With that in mind, she told Michael the entire story, a trust that he has kept all these years.
Grace breaks in to say that Marion sacrificed herself to marry Michael for her own happiness. Marion explains that she has never given her heart or hand to anyone. That her happiness comes from seeing Grace and Alfred so happy. She is still unmarried. Grace cried in relief. Her head fell to Marion’s shoulder and she cried and cried.
Marion's Return to her Home and Grace by Charles Green, 1912
Sam wrote: "The twists and turns are wearing me out a bit. It shows that Dickens was having problems with it. It is possible he was trying to force the story to go where it wouldn't fit or perhaps he had too m..."I've been thinking along these lines too, Sam. It's as if Dickens' ideas were too big for a novella - the format seems to be bulging at the seams. It's an ambitous project. A narrative arc that extends over an extended period of time, plus a kind of trompe l'eoil effect, together with Dickens' trade-mark lavish (baroque?) descriptions and wonderful lists: that's a lot to squeeze into a short form.
I've really enjoyed trying to work out what he's up to - Jane Austen keeps springing to mind. I'm wary of saying more about this though - how do I flag up Austen spoilers?
Mod
Yes, it's in our threads! 😂
I agree with MN's view that Dickens' ideas were too big for a story of this length. I don't think he was capable of reining them in, and really, would we have wanted him to? :-)My quibbles are more about the characterization. When Alfred came back, before learning of Marion's leaving, he was idolizing his past with Marion, and it was hard for me to believe. It was so clear in the beginning that Grace was the special one to him, that I never believed he really loved Marion. So that made this resolution fall a little flat for me. I'm glad to see it though! Now Marion gets to be the selfless one, so it equals out the sisters a little.
Mod
and he admitted this himself LINK HERE
Perhaps now we can see why!
Bionic Jean wrote: "Kathleen wrote: "I agree with MN's view that Dickens' ideas were too big for a story of this length..."and he admitted this himself LINK HERE
Perhaps now we can see why!"
I love this, Jean:
Anyway, when it was published, reviews were generally hostile but nevertheless it sold 23,000 copies on the first day!
Even when Dickens does things that can be criticized, we still love reading him!
Mod
I agree with you all. When I read this section and Marion said her peace, it became clear that Dickens was thinking bigger than this novella can contain. This novella has a lot going for it. Too much for it's length but the ideas contained are expanded in future novels, I think. There are two novels that I can see within this novella. Dickens had big ideas here but they weren't, perhaps, yet developed quite enough to write down yet. However, his enthusiasm for the ideas contained here made him pen this novella.
This may not be one of Dickens' most rivetting stories but I'm enjoying it, for all the frustrations I'm also feeling.
As Kathleen says, we still love reading him.
Kathleen wrote: "I agree with MN's view that Dickens' ideas were too big for a story of this length. I don't think he was capable of reining them in, and really, would we have wanted him to? :-)My quibbles are more about the characterization...."
Kathleen, I'm glad Dickens wrote this story, too. I think it shows the beginning of a few larger ideas that his mind is developing. It's a wonderful process to see.
We can see it from our position here in Dickens' future but the first readers of this story couldn't (of course).
I have quibbles with some decisions and characterizations, too. There's the one you mention, the reasons for the secret kept from Grace, the big gaps in Time where things sort themselves out (another theme, perhaps?),
Like you, I'd like to know more about how Alfred's affections went from Grace to Marion and stayed there.
That said, I am enjoying the writing, the way the ancient battle was the hub of battles that our characters fought within themselves to find their way to what they think is right.
Dickensians!
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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I find myself having lots of sympathy for Marion. I feel like her family had all these expectations of her, and never stopped to really "see" her, or ask her what she wanted. They just assumed. They did it with love, but still how awful to feel unseen by the people who love you most. Like you are just a beloved doll or something. She had to do something drastic - like runaway with Warden - because no one listened to her. I hope her life isn't in shambles now...."
Bridget, well put. Marion was in a bit of a pickle. I also hope she's well and happy. I do wonder what's become of her. It's been six years. That's a long time to be missing.