Hesba Stretton

The Christmas Child Hesba Stretton

This short-story is about a well-off spinster lady, Miss Priscilla, who lives in South Wales and who adopted a niece, Rhoda, as an infant. When Rhoda was 18, Miss Priscilla had no choice but to adopt the child of another niece. This child was named Joan. Rhoda and Joan were inseparable until, against Miss Priscilla's plans, wishes, and knowledge, Rhoda ran off, married, had a child, and was deserted by her husband. The rest of the story concerns what happens to Rhoda and her child, and whether she will ever be accepted by Miss Priscilla again.