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Aunt Crete's Emancipation
Lucretia's nephew, Donald Grant, is upset by the way she is treated by her unappreciative niece and sister, and resolves to use his wealth to make Lucretia happy
125 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1911
91 people are currently reading
258 people want to read
About the author
Grace Livingston Hill
595 books572 followersalso wrote under the pseudonym Marcia MacDonald
also published under the name Grace Livingston Hill Lutz
A popular author of her day, she wrote over 100 novels and numerous short stories of religious and Christian fiction. Her characters were most often young female ingénues, frequently strong Christian women or those who become so within the confines of the story.
niece to Isabella MacDonald Alden
also published under the name Grace Livingston Hill Lutz
A popular author of her day, she wrote over 100 novels and numerous short stories of religious and Christian fiction. Her characters were most often young female ingénues, frequently strong Christian women or those who become so within the confines of the story.
niece to Isabella MacDonald Alden
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
February 23, 2016
This was a delightful little gem!! A sweet story of redemption, the law of the harvest, and a twist on a Cinderella story-from rags to riches-but most importantly the riches of love and appreciation. I highly recommend this short story. Well worth the time.
September 8, 2020
This is the best book in the world, today.
There is no character development.
There are no twists.
There is a lot of descriptions of how to dress the stout and elderly in Edwardian fashion.
There is utter and supreme satisfaction.
It is Cinderella, but simpler, and instead of a beautiful young girl it's a sweet old maiden aunt who is mistreated by her sister and niece. They are jerks, see, no need to explore their characters. Totally selfish and horrid. They get a letter that a distant cousin is coming. They think he's going to be a boring turd and ditch.
Crete (the sweet little auntie) stays and is kind and loving. The cousin is reminded of his dear dead mother, also he's actually quite handsome. Also he's going to start teaching at University after his jaunt to Europe. Also he struck gold in the Klondike and is ridiculously rich. That's all we learn through the book. And that's all fine by me!!
So they follow the bratty pair, watch them make fools of themselves through their arrogance, while he showers Aunt Crete with love and luxury. Then happy ending. THE END.
I LOVED IT. Today is the first day of (distance learning) school and it teachers were crying. Also there are so many fires in my state the air stayed orange as hellfire ALL DAY. Also it's 2020.
I am tired of complexity. Tired of weighing people's views. Compassion fatigued. 2020 fatigued.
This sweet simple story was utter balm. Nice people get nice things and bad people have to peel their OWN potatoes, dammit. For three hours, life was fair and very pretty.
There is no character development.
There are no twists.
There is a lot of descriptions of how to dress the stout and elderly in Edwardian fashion.
There is utter and supreme satisfaction.
It is Cinderella, but simpler, and instead of a beautiful young girl it's a sweet old maiden aunt who is mistreated by her sister and niece. They are jerks, see, no need to explore their characters. Totally selfish and horrid. They get a letter that a distant cousin is coming. They think he's going to be a boring turd and ditch.
Crete (the sweet little auntie) stays and is kind and loving. The cousin is reminded of his dear dead mother, also he's actually quite handsome. Also he's going to start teaching at University after his jaunt to Europe. Also he struck gold in the Klondike and is ridiculously rich. That's all we learn through the book. And that's all fine by me!!
So they follow the bratty pair, watch them make fools of themselves through their arrogance, while he showers Aunt Crete with love and luxury. Then happy ending. THE END.
I LOVED IT. Today is the first day of (distance learning) school and it teachers were crying. Also there are so many fires in my state the air stayed orange as hellfire ALL DAY. Also it's 2020.
I am tired of complexity. Tired of weighing people's views. Compassion fatigued. 2020 fatigued.
This sweet simple story was utter balm. Nice people get nice things and bad people have to peel their OWN potatoes, dammit. For three hours, life was fair and very pretty.
September 21, 2023
This is a sweet Cindrella-like story that has been among my top 5-favorite GHL books since I was very young.
I highly recommend it.
I highly recommend it.
February 2, 2026
Grace Livingston Hill’s Aunt Crete’s Emancipation reminded me of Miss Lavinia’s Call which was also written by GLH. Both stories speak of appreciating others, doing kindnesses to others verses selfishness and mockery. The contrasts of heart and character are very illuminating!
Anne Hancock did a wonderful job narrating GLH’s Aunt Crete’s Emancipation. Aunt Crete was delightful! Cousin Donald a truly thoughtful nephew. A wonderful audiobook!
Anne Hancock did a wonderful job narrating GLH’s Aunt Crete’s Emancipation. Aunt Crete was delightful! Cousin Donald a truly thoughtful nephew. A wonderful audiobook!
October 27, 2022
Originally published in 1911. A short, sweet Cinderella story about a poor, overlooked older lady. Not great literature—a bit cut-and-dry—but the main characters are endearing, and the annoying ones get what's coming to them. I listened to the Librivox recording, which was very well done. (https://librivox.org/aunt-cretes-eman...)
March 4, 2016
Now THIS is a Cinderella story that I can really get behind. I loved this story. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Good and bad are clear and everyone gets what they deserve. I really needed that right now, even though I have to get up in just four hours, I am glad that I stayed up to finish this one as I worked on other stuff. A few quotes to give you a taste:
"Somehow it always seemed that she was in the wrong. Would she be understood in heaven? she wondered."
"She never dreamed, dear soul, that she had been dying all her life that others might live, and that it is to such that the reward is promised."
"I suppose she's gone to reading again. I do wish I'd remembered to lock up the bookcase. She's crazy for novels."
"Somehow it always seemed that she was in the wrong. Would she be understood in heaven? she wondered."
"She never dreamed, dear soul, that she had been dying all her life that others might live, and that it is to such that the reward is promised."
"I suppose she's gone to reading again. I do wish I'd remembered to lock up the bookcase. She's crazy for novels."
April 25, 2022
I love this book so much, it's so sweet!!
May 6, 2021
One of my absolute favorite GLH books. With a similar story to A Cloudy Jewel, this book offers the best of GLH's rich writing and deeper stories. Always an encouragement.
July 20, 2019
Although I think of Grace Livingston Hill as a romance writer, this is the second book in a row I've read of hers that was not a romance. (The other was "The War Romance of the Salvation Army," which although it had the word romance in the title did not mean the usual meaning of the word, but romanticized or idealistic.)
However, I thoroughly enjoyed this little whimsical piece, maybe because I've run across an Aunt Crete or two in my own life, who has worked hard making a home for someone, with never a vacation or a rest. Although she's not an aunt of mine, my real life "Aunt Crete" did get her beach vacation, too, to visit when a relative moved to the beach... and she came back glowing with happiness. I enjoyed this book because I enjoyed seeing my real-life friend so happy. And because I know while her nephew Donald's attentions may have been over-the-top, good things really do happen to good people sometimes.
The only downside to this book was the old hymn that GLH took out of context to mean exactly the opposite of what it meant! I could hardly believe it of her, since she seemed so careful in so many of her writings. If I hadn't already known the hymn or the context, I wouldn't have known.
It was Isaac Watts' "Am I a Soldier of the Cross?" and the "On flowery beds of ease" was not meant as a good thing, but a shame in contrast to those who were working, serving, and suffering for Jesus. In fact, the lyrics (not included in this book) continue in asking the Lord to increase his courage for the struggles ahead.
"Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?
"Sure I must fight if I would reign,
Increase my courage, Lord;
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word."
I don't have any problem with Aunt Crete's well-earned rest, but it seemed like GLH could've chosen a more apt hymn to explain it. And perhaps she could find a small way to continue to bless others while resting? Like Abraham, we are blessed in order to be a blessing to someone else.
One of the other reviewers thought this book was an analogy of how Jesus cares for His people. Maybe so, and maybe in heaven. But here we've got work to do.
The hymn itself is a somewhat dated one in that we are less likely today to think of our daily struggles and service as a form of warfare, but there is scriptural backing for it, "For we do not wrestle with flesh and blood [not people], but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." - Ephesians 6:12
Issac Watts' hymn almost made it sound like he thought he had to earn his way to heaven, but I think (?) that he knew better than that.
I know that my mom doesn't like when GLH's characters are too good or too evil, but in this case, I thought they were just funny.
The book is a good reminder to cherish those around us.
I am rating this a 5-star because I thoroughly enjoyed it, I'd recommend it, and I'd even re-read it.
Favorite quote:
"I suppose she's gone to reading again. I do wish I'd remembered to lock up the bookcase. She's crazy for novels."
However, I thoroughly enjoyed this little whimsical piece, maybe because I've run across an Aunt Crete or two in my own life, who has worked hard making a home for someone, with never a vacation or a rest. Although she's not an aunt of mine, my real life "Aunt Crete" did get her beach vacation, too, to visit when a relative moved to the beach... and she came back glowing with happiness. I enjoyed this book because I enjoyed seeing my real-life friend so happy. And because I know while her nephew Donald's attentions may have been over-the-top, good things really do happen to good people sometimes.
The only downside to this book was the old hymn that GLH took out of context to mean exactly the opposite of what it meant! I could hardly believe it of her, since she seemed so careful in so many of her writings. If I hadn't already known the hymn or the context, I wouldn't have known.
It was Isaac Watts' "Am I a Soldier of the Cross?" and the "On flowery beds of ease" was not meant as a good thing, but a shame in contrast to those who were working, serving, and suffering for Jesus. In fact, the lyrics (not included in this book) continue in asking the Lord to increase his courage for the struggles ahead.
"Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?
"Sure I must fight if I would reign,
Increase my courage, Lord;
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word."
I don't have any problem with Aunt Crete's well-earned rest, but it seemed like GLH could've chosen a more apt hymn to explain it. And perhaps she could find a small way to continue to bless others while resting? Like Abraham, we are blessed in order to be a blessing to someone else.
One of the other reviewers thought this book was an analogy of how Jesus cares for His people. Maybe so, and maybe in heaven. But here we've got work to do.
The hymn itself is a somewhat dated one in that we are less likely today to think of our daily struggles and service as a form of warfare, but there is scriptural backing for it, "For we do not wrestle with flesh and blood [not people], but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." - Ephesians 6:12
Issac Watts' hymn almost made it sound like he thought he had to earn his way to heaven, but I think (?) that he knew better than that.
I know that my mom doesn't like when GLH's characters are too good or too evil, but in this case, I thought they were just funny.
The book is a good reminder to cherish those around us.
I am rating this a 5-star because I thoroughly enjoyed it, I'd recommend it, and I'd even re-read it.
Favorite quote:
"I suppose she's gone to reading again. I do wish I'd remembered to lock up the bookcase. She's crazy for novels."
June 4, 2015
Loved this story of a hard-working woman who gets to leave her life of drudgery, for one of ease. I especially loved how her selfish relatives get their comeuppance. It reminded me of Cinderella.
June 24, 2016
Oh this is such a wonderful story that I dearly LOVED. Two quotes from two friends: a real gem and a true Cinderella story! I loved it!
September 26, 2022
This was by no means great literature, but I don't care—I loved every satisfying moment of it. An elderly Cinderella spinster is whisked off to the ball by her Prince Charming of a fairy godnephew and experiences being cherished for the first time in dull, beleaguered life. Her sister and niece play the roll of the wicked stepmother/stepsisters.
GLH is my new DES, even though LibriVox appears to be the only source for audio editions.
GLH is my new DES, even though LibriVox appears to be the only source for audio editions.
November 6, 2024
A highly improbable story about false pride. Crete is cute, Luella and her mother are horrible, and all of the characters are a little overdone. More of a melodrama than a realistic story. Still enjoyable.
2024 re-read: This time through I felt sorry for Luella, I don't think she was ever brought up to know right from wrong. Crete is too much of a doormat and her mother only considers what looks right in the eyes of society, never even considering that there could be a higher law, and she seems never to have had the benefit of a father figure. Poor Luella!
2024 re-read: This time through I felt sorry for Luella, I don't think she was ever brought up to know right from wrong. Crete is too much of a doormat and her mother only considers what looks right in the eyes of society, never even considering that there could be a higher law, and she seems never to have had the benefit of a father figure. Poor Luella!
January 23, 2016
If you want something old (1911), heartwarming, short, and sweet...this is a good listen on librivox by the excellent narrator, Cori Samuel. It's a spin on Cinderella with an elderly aunt turned servant of the spoiled family and is rescued by a rich nephew.
January 1, 2012
I dunno why, but I tend to adore Hill's patient little old ladies. Aunt Crete was the first of this type I met, so this is an old favorite.
August 1, 2016
Lovely little old-fashioned curiosity. A Cinderella story turned on its head.
The Librivox audio recording is a gem:
https://librivox.org/aunt-cretes-eman...
The Librivox audio recording is a gem:
https://librivox.org/aunt-cretes-eman...
August 6, 2020
What? Another adorable story about the most precious characters? Oh, it's just another Grace Livingston Hill book, except this time it's not a romance. It's just a short story (probably novella-length) that demonstrates God's promise to reward faithfulness.
Setting: Somewhere in the east, near the "shore", and in the Traymore hotel. I assume the year is contemporaneous to the publication date, which is 1911. The era is expressed mainly in many descriptions of the clothing style of the era and place; I imagine this would be a good book to pick up for research purposes, if one wishes to learn about early 1900's ladies' styles.
Characters: There were basically four characters in the entire story: Aunt Crete (good), Donald (good), Luella (bad), and Aunt Carrie/Mrs. Burton (bad). Gotta love how Hill makes everything so cut and dry. When I say Donald is good, I mean he's the most precious person ever, and his respectful attitude toward his elders should be replicated in every young man. And when I say Luella is bad, I mean she's a hideous witch, and though she makes her mother look good, her selfish disposition does reflect quite poorly on her mother's child rearing.
Plot: As I said, it's a story that plainly demonstrates God's promise of reward to those who are faithful in doing the work of God. Aunt Crete's posture of humility and servitude--traits that got her trampled by her own family--isn't developed much before Donald arrives on the scene, but it is evident during the whole story. Therefore, the reward (the "emancipation") she experiences draws straight from biblical equity. To some readers it might seem cheesy, overly simplistic, and unrealistic. But, I would disagree--because who are we to deem biblical cause-and-effects "unrealistic"?
Recommended for any G.L. Hill lovers, even those who mainly enjoy her romances.
Setting: Somewhere in the east, near the "shore", and in the Traymore hotel. I assume the year is contemporaneous to the publication date, which is 1911. The era is expressed mainly in many descriptions of the clothing style of the era and place; I imagine this would be a good book to pick up for research purposes, if one wishes to learn about early 1900's ladies' styles.
Characters: There were basically four characters in the entire story: Aunt Crete (good), Donald (good), Luella (bad), and Aunt Carrie/Mrs. Burton (bad). Gotta love how Hill makes everything so cut and dry. When I say Donald is good, I mean he's the most precious person ever, and his respectful attitude toward his elders should be replicated in every young man. And when I say Luella is bad, I mean she's a hideous witch, and though she makes her mother look good, her selfish disposition does reflect quite poorly on her mother's child rearing.
Plot: As I said, it's a story that plainly demonstrates God's promise of reward to those who are faithful in doing the work of God. Aunt Crete's posture of humility and servitude--traits that got her trampled by her own family--isn't developed much before Donald arrives on the scene, but it is evident during the whole story. Therefore, the reward (the "emancipation") she experiences draws straight from biblical equity. To some readers it might seem cheesy, overly simplistic, and unrealistic. But, I would disagree--because who are we to deem biblical cause-and-effects "unrealistic"?
Recommended for any G.L. Hill lovers, even those who mainly enjoy her romances.
June 28, 2022
A fun book and a fast read. Gave me hope. Bullies get their comeuppance in this delightful story written in 1910. Aunt Crete cowering even when thinking about her unkind sister and niece and fearful to enjoy being treated well rings a bell about the damage bullies do-and it is on purpose.
October 26, 2018
Good...but not up to this author's standard.
October 10, 2021
What a fun and adorable novella. Really enjoyed this one!
July 15, 2025
Delightful!
Book - 4.5 stars
Narration by Anne Hancock- 4.5 stars
Book - 4.5 stars
Narration by Anne Hancock- 4.5 stars
September 13, 2020
Loved this. Caught me by surprise and took me back to my lonely early days when I discovered other lives in books.
April 13, 2020
What a sweet little book! Recommended for all ages. :)
October 25, 2023
Grace Livingston Hill's "Aunt Crete's Emancipation" is an adorable story about an older maiden lady that finally has attention paid to her. Religious only in a kind of parable about treatment of family members. The Christian way to treat a relative no matter what circumstances is the right way.
Story in short- Aunt Crete awaits her nephew from the Western USA, while her sister and niece escape seeing their "backwoods" relative.
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“Upon my word! Aunt Crete, you look as if it were something to be glad about, instead of a downright calamity.” “Glad; of course I’m glad, Luella. Wouldn’t you be glad to see your oldest sister’s child? Hannah was always very dear to me. I can see her now the way she looked when she went away, so tall and slim and pretty ——”
❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌spoiler alert
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“Aunt Crete! The idea! He’s nothing to me. You know he’s lived away out in the wild West all his life. He
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probably never had much schooling, and doesn’t know how to dress or behave in polite society. I heard he went away off up in the Klondike somewhere, and worked in a mine. You can imagine just what a wild, ignorant creature he will be. If Clarence Grandon should see him, he might imagine my family were all like that; and then where would I be?”
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Never in all her maiden existence had she had this pleasure before. She might use the best china, and have three kinds of pie at once, yes, and plum-cake if she chose. Boys like pie and cake. Donald would be a big, nice boy. What did it matter to her if he was awkward and from the West? He was in a large sense her own. Hannah was gone, and there was no one else to take a closer place. Who but his mother’s sister should have the right to mother him for a while? He would be her own
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as Luella never had been, because there was always Luella’s mother to take the first place. Besides, Luella had been a disappointing baby. Even in her infancy she had developed an independence that scorned kissing and cuddling.
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Luella and her mother had little time to waste, for the tickets were barely bought and the trunks
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checked before the train thundered up. It was a through vestibuled train; and, as Luella struggled up the steps of one car with her heavy suitcase, a tall young man with dark, handsome eyes and a distinguished manner swung himself down the steps of the next car. “Hello, Luella!” called a voice from a pony-cart by the platform. “You’re not going away today, are you? Thought you said you weren’t going till next week.”
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“Circumstances made it necessary,” called Luella from the top step of the car while the porter held up the suitcase for her to take. “I’m running away from a backwoods cousin that’s coming to visit. I’ll write and tell you all about it. Good-by. Sorry I can’t be at your house tomorrow night, but it couldn’t be helped.” Then Luella turned another gaze upon the handsome stranger, who was standing on the platform just below her, looking about interestedly. She thought he had looked at her more than casually; and, as
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she settled herself in the seat, she glanced down at her pongee travelling-suit consciously, feeling that he could but have thought she looked well.
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“They ought to have taken you along, Aunt Crete,” said the young man. “I do hope I didn’t keep you at home to entertain me.” “O, no, bless your heart,” said the aunt, “I wasn’t going. I never go anywhere. Why, what kind of a figure would I cut there? It would spoil all Luella’s good time to have me
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around, I’m so short-waisted. She always wants me to wear a coat when I go anywhere with her, so people won’t see how short-waisted I am.” “Nonsense,” said Donald. “I think you are lovely, Aunt Crete. You’ve got such pretty white hair, all wavy like mother’s; and you’ve got a fine face. Luella ought to be proud to have you.”
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In a daze of happiness Aunt Crete washed the dishes while Donald wiped them, and then despite her protests he made her go up-stairs and lie down. When had she ever taken a nap in the daytime before? Not since she was a little girl and fell from the second-story window. The family had rushed around her frightened, and put her to bed in the daytime; and for one whole day she had been waited upon and cared for tenderly. Then she had been able to get up; and the hard, careless, toilsome world had rushed on again for her. But the memory of that blessed day of rest, touched by gentleness, had lingered forever a bright spot in her memory. She had always been the one that did the hard things in her family, even when she was quite young.
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“Now, what in the world could possibly happen to the house that you could prevent by staying in it? Be reasonable, dear aunt. You know the house won’t run away while you are gone, and, if it does, I’ll get you another one. You don’t mean to tell me you never go off on a vacation. Then it’s high time you went, and you’ll have to stay the longer to make up for lost time. Besides, I want your company. I’ve never seen the Eastern coast, and expect to enjoy it hugely; but I need somebody to enjoy it with me. I can’t half take
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things in alone. I want somebody my very own to go with me. That’s what I came here for. I had thought of inviting you all to go down for a little trip; but, as the others are down there, why, we can join them.” Aunt Crete’s face clouded. What would Luella say at having them appear on her horizon? The young man was all right, apparently, but there was no telling how angry Luella might be if her aunt came. She knew that Luella preferred to keep her in the background.
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“Never mind that, Aunt Crete; this is my layout, and I’m paying for it. We’ll go shopping tomorrow morning. I’ve got some money in my pocket I’m just aching to spend. The fact is, Aunt Crete, I struck gold up there in the Klondike, and I’ve got more money than I know what to do with.”
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Her dear old conscience had a moment of sighing that Luella could not have been there to have enjoyed it too, and then her heart bounded in wicked gleefulness that Luella was not there to stop her nice time.
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Donald discovered a few moments later, when he went down to the office to investigate, that Luella and his aunt occupied a single room on the fourth floor back, overlooking the kitchen court. It was not where he would have placed them, had they chosen to await his coming and be taken down to the shore in style. But now that they had run away from him, and were too evidently ashamed of him, perhaps it was as well to let them remain where they were, he reflected.
Aunt Crete lives with her sister Carrie and niece Luella. Aunt Crete is always doing for others and with no income never goes on vacations and her clothing is second hand. Her niece is stocky like her and blames her aunt for her looks. When Donald, their nephew sends a telegram to say he is in town, so Carrie and her daughter want to leave early on vacation, so they are not embarrassed by Crete. Donald arrives and hears Luella complain to her friend about a cousin coming to visit, they have never met. Donald arrives at their home welcomed by Aunt Crete who tells him about his mother, who has been dead ten years. Donald soon sees and hears how Crete is treated by his other aunt and niece. Donald is reminded of his mother through his aunt and buys her new clothes and looks to surprise and make a lesson of his aunt Carrie and his cousin. Luella tells her mother that rich gentleman likes her and going down to the expensive hotel to follow him which she has been deluding herself and is mad when Aunt Crete tells her niece that the gentleman is engaged to a girl out West. Luella is told by her mother after finding that Luella is chasing something impossible, so she decides to marry a plumber who likes her but before that she is put in her place, but that lesson is not learned of her terrible treatment to her aunt. She sees that her cousin had known all her bad behavior and he is rich enough to take his Aunt Crete to Europe on vacation until he settles as a professor in a University. His aunt will help taking care of his home and lead a life where she is taken care of not being abused. Donald and Crete send some money to a complaining Carrie, who misses her working and selfless sister.
Story in short- Aunt Crete awaits her nephew from the Western USA, while her sister and niece escape seeing their "backwoods" relative.
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“Upon my word! Aunt Crete, you look as if it were something to be glad about, instead of a downright calamity.” “Glad; of course I’m glad, Luella. Wouldn’t you be glad to see your oldest sister’s child? Hannah was always very dear to me. I can see her now the way she looked when she went away, so tall and slim and pretty ——”
❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌spoiler alert
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“Aunt Crete! The idea! He’s nothing to me. You know he’s lived away out in the wild West all his life. He
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probably never had much schooling, and doesn’t know how to dress or behave in polite society. I heard he went away off up in the Klondike somewhere, and worked in a mine. You can imagine just what a wild, ignorant creature he will be. If Clarence Grandon should see him, he might imagine my family were all like that; and then where would I be?”
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Never in all her maiden existence had she had this pleasure before. She might use the best china, and have three kinds of pie at once, yes, and plum-cake if she chose. Boys like pie and cake. Donald would be a big, nice boy. What did it matter to her if he was awkward and from the West? He was in a large sense her own. Hannah was gone, and there was no one else to take a closer place. Who but his mother’s sister should have the right to mother him for a while? He would be her own
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as Luella never had been, because there was always Luella’s mother to take the first place. Besides, Luella had been a disappointing baby. Even in her infancy she had developed an independence that scorned kissing and cuddling.
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 20570
Luella and her mother had little time to waste, for the tickets were barely bought and the trunks
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 20570
checked before the train thundered up. It was a through vestibuled train; and, as Luella struggled up the steps of one car with her heavy suitcase, a tall young man with dark, handsome eyes and a distinguished manner swung himself down the steps of the next car. “Hello, Luella!” called a voice from a pony-cart by the platform. “You’re not going away today, are you? Thought you said you weren’t going till next week.”
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“Circumstances made it necessary,” called Luella from the top step of the car while the porter held up the suitcase for her to take. “I’m running away from a backwoods cousin that’s coming to visit. I’ll write and tell you all about it. Good-by. Sorry I can’t be at your house tomorrow night, but it couldn’t be helped.” Then Luella turned another gaze upon the handsome stranger, who was standing on the platform just below her, looking about interestedly. She thought he had looked at her more than casually; and, as
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she settled herself in the seat, she glanced down at her pongee travelling-suit consciously, feeling that he could but have thought she looked well.
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“They ought to have taken you along, Aunt Crete,” said the young man. “I do hope I didn’t keep you at home to entertain me.” “O, no, bless your heart,” said the aunt, “I wasn’t going. I never go anywhere. Why, what kind of a figure would I cut there? It would spoil all Luella’s good time to have me
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around, I’m so short-waisted. She always wants me to wear a coat when I go anywhere with her, so people won’t see how short-waisted I am.” “Nonsense,” said Donald. “I think you are lovely, Aunt Crete. You’ve got such pretty white hair, all wavy like mother’s; and you’ve got a fine face. Luella ought to be proud to have you.”
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In a daze of happiness Aunt Crete washed the dishes while Donald wiped them, and then despite her protests he made her go up-stairs and lie down. When had she ever taken a nap in the daytime before? Not since she was a little girl and fell from the second-story window. The family had rushed around her frightened, and put her to bed in the daytime; and for one whole day she had been waited upon and cared for tenderly. Then she had been able to get up; and the hard, careless, toilsome world had rushed on again for her. But the memory of that blessed day of rest, touched by gentleness, had lingered forever a bright spot in her memory. She had always been the one that did the hard things in her family, even when she was quite young.
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“Now, what in the world could possibly happen to the house that you could prevent by staying in it? Be reasonable, dear aunt. You know the house won’t run away while you are gone, and, if it does, I’ll get you another one. You don’t mean to tell me you never go off on a vacation. Then it’s high time you went, and you’ll have to stay the longer to make up for lost time. Besides, I want your company. I’ve never seen the Eastern coast, and expect to enjoy it hugely; but I need somebody to enjoy it with me. I can’t half take
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things in alone. I want somebody my very own to go with me. That’s what I came here for. I had thought of inviting you all to go down for a little trip; but, as the others are down there, why, we can join them.” Aunt Crete’s face clouded. What would Luella say at having them appear on her horizon? The young man was all right, apparently, but there was no telling how angry Luella might be if her aunt came. She knew that Luella preferred to keep her in the background.
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“Never mind that, Aunt Crete; this is my layout, and I’m paying for it. We’ll go shopping tomorrow morning. I’ve got some money in my pocket I’m just aching to spend. The fact is, Aunt Crete, I struck gold up there in the Klondike, and I’ve got more money than I know what to do with.”
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Her dear old conscience had a moment of sighing that Luella could not have been there to have enjoyed it too, and then her heart bounded in wicked gleefulness that Luella was not there to stop her nice time.
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Donald discovered a few moments later, when he went down to the office to investigate, that Luella and his aunt occupied a single room on the fourth floor back, overlooking the kitchen court. It was not where he would have placed them, had they chosen to await his coming and be taken down to the shore in style. But now that they had run away from him, and were too evidently ashamed of him, perhaps it was as well to let them remain where they were, he reflected.
Aunt Crete lives with her sister Carrie and niece Luella. Aunt Crete is always doing for others and with no income never goes on vacations and her clothing is second hand. Her niece is stocky like her and blames her aunt for her looks. When Donald, their nephew sends a telegram to say he is in town, so Carrie and her daughter want to leave early on vacation, so they are not embarrassed by Crete. Donald arrives and hears Luella complain to her friend about a cousin coming to visit, they have never met. Donald arrives at their home welcomed by Aunt Crete who tells him about his mother, who has been dead ten years. Donald soon sees and hears how Crete is treated by his other aunt and niece. Donald is reminded of his mother through his aunt and buys her new clothes and looks to surprise and make a lesson of his aunt Carrie and his cousin. Luella tells her mother that rich gentleman likes her and going down to the expensive hotel to follow him which she has been deluding herself and is mad when Aunt Crete tells her niece that the gentleman is engaged to a girl out West. Luella is told by her mother after finding that Luella is chasing something impossible, so she decides to marry a plumber who likes her but before that she is put in her place, but that lesson is not learned of her terrible treatment to her aunt. She sees that her cousin had known all her bad behavior and he is rich enough to take his Aunt Crete to Europe on vacation until he settles as a professor in a University. His aunt will help taking care of his home and lead a life where she is taken care of not being abused. Donald and Crete send some money to a complaining Carrie, who misses her working and selfless sister.
November 1, 2024
I loved this sweet little story. Be kind and don’t take advantage of people.
December 18, 2023
5 stars for the audiobook narrated by Anne Hancock.
A Cinderella type story wraps around loving, bullied and taken for granted, Aunt Crete. The ugly charactered Luella and Carrie get their comeuppance in true ‘step-sister’s’ style. An enjoyable easy, yester-year listen.
A Cinderella type story wraps around loving, bullied and taken for granted, Aunt Crete. The ugly charactered Luella and Carrie get their comeuppance in true ‘step-sister’s’ style. An enjoyable easy, yester-year listen.
February 8, 2014
"There's something real familiar about the set of her shoulders....my land! I believe she reminds me of your Aunt Crete!"
Overworked and under appreciated, Aunt Crete works for her living for a sister and niece who take her for granted and work her to the bone. When nephew Donald, who has lived elsewhere his whole life and has never met these relatives, announces a surprise visit, Aunt Crete is left home alone to greet this unwelcome guest; the others escape the city heat with a trip to the shore. The remainder of the story tells of the heart-warming rescue of poor Aunt Crete.
In her familiar happily-ever-after style of story telling, Grace Livingstone Hill once again allows the reader to empathize with the heroine. This is one of my favorite books, and I read it several times a year. This 90 page novella is an easy but fun read. Though first published in 1911, the theme is still relevant.
Overworked and under appreciated, Aunt Crete works for her living for a sister and niece who take her for granted and work her to the bone. When nephew Donald, who has lived elsewhere his whole life and has never met these relatives, announces a surprise visit, Aunt Crete is left home alone to greet this unwelcome guest; the others escape the city heat with a trip to the shore. The remainder of the story tells of the heart-warming rescue of poor Aunt Crete.
In her familiar happily-ever-after style of story telling, Grace Livingstone Hill once again allows the reader to empathize with the heroine. This is one of my favorite books, and I read it several times a year. This 90 page novella is an easy but fun read. Though first published in 1911, the theme is still relevant.
September 17, 2011
Grace Livingston HIll writes a simple story in which we want to emulate the 'good' characters and not be like the 'bad' characters.
I chose a GLH novel to read after being reminded on a blog how she always shows women doing traditional 'women's work' (sewing, knitting, baking pies, making jam...) with great skill and great enjoyment. I feel like making jam and sewing some button holes!
It is also interesting that she is considered one of the first Christian authors writing modern novels for women, but in this story, the only overt reference to spiritual things is a hymn. It is somehow implied that the character is displaying friut of the Spirit, but I haven't figured out exactly how she implies this. I will pay more attention on the next novel (there are three short novels in one book).
I chose a GLH novel to read after being reminded on a blog how she always shows women doing traditional 'women's work' (sewing, knitting, baking pies, making jam...) with great skill and great enjoyment. I feel like making jam and sewing some button holes!
It is also interesting that she is considered one of the first Christian authors writing modern novels for women, but in this story, the only overt reference to spiritual things is a hymn. It is somehow implied that the character is displaying friut of the Spirit, but I haven't figured out exactly how she implies this. I will pay more attention on the next novel (there are three short novels in one book).
February 5, 2012
Christian classic, lightweight feel-good novella for the female reader: in this retelling of the Cinderella story, "Aunt Crete," an elderly spinster, is whisked away by a rich nephew from over-bearing relatives and a life of drudgery, to experience the joy of a more fulfilling life. Implications are that Christ would do the same for meek souls who are strong in faith. For the most part, this is only implied, but the author does overtly state some moral proverbs, which can be disconcerting. It could be more subtle, but is still a nice story. Interestingly, this book had the makings of a great light short story, O. Henry style, but finally lacked the precision and sophistication of that genre. It is worthy of further exploration for Christians, and should appeal to fans of Grace Livingston Hill.
September 17, 2019
This is a Cinderella story with a twist. Aunt Crete is a penniless elderly maid who suffers the demands of her sister, and her equally spoiled young daughter. But entering the scene is the young nephew of her other deceased sister who is rich and proceeds to lavish luxuries on her and insists that they follow her sister and daughter who had hurriedly departed for the shore vacation ahead of schedule in order to avoid receiving Donald whom they thought was a country bumpkin from out west.
Donald, having overheard their plans unbeknownst to the daughter, decided to teach them a lesson and contrived to let them glimpse Aunt Crete in her new finery without his aunt's being aware. It works out to his satisfaction and in the end announces he is taking his aunt to live with him in luxury and she won't be their slave anymore. Payback is sweet.
Donald, having overheard their plans unbeknownst to the daughter, decided to teach them a lesson and contrived to let them glimpse Aunt Crete in her new finery without his aunt's being aware. It works out to his satisfaction and in the end announces he is taking his aunt to live with him in luxury and she won't be their slave anymore. Payback is sweet.
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