Stephen Grattan's Faith

John Morely hopes to rebuild his life in Canada, but his struggle with drink brings hardship to his wife, Alice, and their children. After moves to Montreal and Littleton, the family faces further uncertainty when John must leave to find work. Stephen Grattan meets him with words of encouragement and promises to look after those he leaves behind.

Margaret M. Robertson gives practical help a central place in this story for younger readers. Stephen and his wife, Dolly, care for John through another period of distress while worrying about their own livelihood and competition from cheap shoe shops. Their patience draws on Stephen's recovery from drinking and Dolly's memories of its cost. Conversations about prayer and trust in God sit alongside household concerns, making faith a matter of daily conduct. Readers interested in moral fiction will find a story concerned with the effort required to keep helping someone through repeated setbacks.