Hester's Counterpart: A Story of Boarding School Life

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26973

Title

Hester's Counterpart: A Story of Boarding School Life

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in a boarding school, this story follows Hester Palmer Alden, a foster child raised by her devoted aunt, Debby. When Hester is selected for the first basketball team, her friend Helen Loraine initially suspects Hester of stealing a lost pin. The narrative explores themes of friendship, racial prejudice, and the power of faith, culminating in Helen's realization of Hester's innocence and her own capacity for love.

Summary up to 500 words

In Jean K. Baird's *Hester's Counterpart: A Story of Boarding School Life*, the narrative centers on Hester Palmer Alden, a gentle and proud waif raised by her loving aunt, Debby. Debby, haunted by the memory of Hester's mother and fearing Hester might inherit traits from her mother's race, sends the twelve-year-old girl to Dickinson Seminary to ensure a proper upbringing. Despite Debby's anxieties, Hester is deeply proud of her adopted name and her connection to the Alden family. Her school life changes dramatically when she is selected as a substitute for the school basketball team, an honor she hopes will reflect credit on her family. Her selection sparks jealousy among peers but earns the support of her roommate, Helen Loraine, who recommends Hester to the coach. Before a crucial game against the formidable Exeter Hall team, Helen discovers a missing pin in Hester's belongings. Suspecting theft, Helen distances herself from Hester, creating significant tension. However, Hester remains kind and forgiving. Through shared experiences and conversations, Helen learns to look beyond appearances. The misunderstanding is resolved when Helen finds the missing pin in her own laundry, clearing Hester's name. Helen apologizes for her unjust suspicion, acknowledging that true friendship requires faith without proof. The novel concludes with Hester leaving for college to become a novelist and Helen deciding to work among the poor, highlighting their divergent paths and shared nobility. The story emphasizes that kindness can overcome prejudice and that genuine friendship is built on trust rather than evidence.

LLM editorial rating

4.0/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26973.epub.noimages

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data/epubs/pg26973.epub

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Categories

• Fiction
• Boarding schools