Shadows and sunbeams: Being a second series of Fern leaves from Fanny's portfolio

"Shadows and Sunbeams: Being a Second Series of Fern Leaves from Fanny's Portfolio" is a collection of writings that explores the ups and downs of life in the 1800s. The book uses both funny and sad stories to look at normal life, how society worked, and what people felt. It starts with Hetty, a young woman who feels stuck and relies on others while living with mean relatives; she remembers her happy childhood with her dad and deals with feeling thankful but also resentful as she’s forced to work for her keep. Hetty longs for love and a sense of belonging, with the arrival of Mr. Grey, a mysterious schoolteacher, offering a glimpse of hope in her otherwise difficult life.