LIFE AND MARY ANN
By
Geordie-loo, it's Mary Ann, the imp of Tyneside again; she's seventeen now and daft with the sweets on gangling Corney, who's gone to seek a fortune in America. That's just what Mary Ann's elderly patron Mr. Lord wanted because he hopes she'll marry his nephew, young Tony. But there's a snarl of misery for just about everyone--Miss Mary Ann Fixit's specialty. A nice neighbor, with whom Tony will fall in love, is a battered wife, and her unmarried daughter is pregnant; Mr. Lord is about to chuck Tony out; and brother Michael's intended is crippled with polio. But, by Christmas Eve, Mary Ann has nipped and tucked all worriers into happiness except herself--until who should walk in on Christmas morning. . . . And interminably flows the Tyne.