Old comrades

"Old Comrades" by Agnes Giberne is a story set in the late 1800s, and it follows the life of Dorothea Tracy as she comes home from school and tries to make a place for herself with her father, Colonel Tracy. The book looks at what it means to be lonely, how families can be complicated, and making new friends in a world full of rules. When the story begins, Dorothea and her dad are living in London, but it is not a very happy home. The Colonel is used to being alone and likes things a certain way, which makes Dorothea feel like she does not belong, and she really wants someone to be close to. The story shows how patient Dorothea is with her dad, even though he is hard to get along with, and it shows how much she wants a real connection, especially during a Christmas Eve that feels cold and sad. A Christmas card brings up memories of old friends and disagreements, which hints that the story will be about making up and the importance of having people in your life.