Mary Freeman

I think Mary Freeman lived in a difficult time in history.  The civil war would be a tough time to live in much less be a writer in.  I like the way her writing is very detailed and descriptive.  The New England Nun starts out with Louisa maybe in the kitchen looking out the window, waiting for Joe to come back so they can finally get married after she waited 15 years on him.  She seems like she only has one speed of doing things no matter what or who is coming over because that is the lifestyle she is used to.  It also seems like she had been alone for a long time other than having her dog around whose name is Caesar but has to be chained up because it bit someone 14 years ago when it was a puppy.   I think it is odd to be engaged to someone for so long, but she is waiting on Joe Dagget to return from Australia where he has been trying to make his fortune.  I think Louisa has got used to her way of life without Joe and when he returns she doesn’t want to change it because when he comes to her house she is worried about what he is messing up more than seeing him.  It seems like the only reason she wants to marry Joe is because she told him that fifteen years ago.  When Louisa finds out that Joe is in love with Lily Dyer the women who had been taking care of his mom, I think she get some sort of relief because she has been by herself so long she doesn’t want to change that.  Also I think that since she was set on her ways because of their separation they endured over the years, and she didn’t want Joe to be lonely after he returned.