Vein of Iron
Vein of Iron,novel by Ellen Glasgow, published in 1935.
Ada Fincastle is reared in Shut-In Valley, in the Virginia mountains, where her ancestors have been ministers and leaders since colonial days. Her father, John, repudiated by his congregation for his unorthodox ideas, has become a schoolteacher, and Ada is accustomed to the pinch of poverty. The Fincastles nevertheless retain the respect of the community through the activities of John's proud old mother, his devoted wife Mary Evelyn, who works herself to an early death, his homely, pious sister Meggie, and the black servant Aunt Abigail Geddy. Willful, inquisitive, and passionate, Ada is jealous of Janet Rowan, a petulant beauty who marries her father's brilliant student, Ralph McBride. Ralph gives up the law to sell automobiles, and, tormented by his loveless marriage, grows morose and longs for escape. Six years afterward, Janet seeks a divorce to marry a wealthy lover, and Ralph enlists...
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