If you will gaze closely in the direction of the near counter, you will note the petite form of Miss Mary Marston, our central character (or, heroine, if you will), partially hidden by the stock which is ever overflowing her counter, performing that duty for which she was born into this world—serving her fellow man, or woman, as the case may be. Mary is not unique in her birthright, but quite singular in the twin facts that she is well aware of why she has been granted the gift of life and reaps her greatest pleasure and satisfaction from that which she is given to do.

Unconcerned with wealth, fame, and the various social divisions and imperatives that comprise Testbridge and the surrounding countryside (as well as the world in general), Mary derives tremendous peace and joy from that which the majority of mankind would deem at their kindest—utterly boring and uninteresting. Mary is dedicated to a life of service, for she well-knows that to such a life is each child of God truly born.

You are no doubt thinking that such a tale as this must be, at best, a sleep-inducing tonic, but such is far from the case. If you will but walk aside Mary and her heavenly Father as they travel the foot-worn path that leads across heath as well as through copse and wood from Testbridge to the outlying estates, you will discover that much lies hidden—not only by nature in her innocence, but, more particularly, by human nature in its deceit and deception.

You will make the acquaintance of a diverse cast of characters with whom Mary is directed to interact; characters whose natures and personalities will undoubtedly bring to mind names and faces with whom you have a more familiar and personal knowledge. Plots and subplots will emerge as they twist, turn, and finally make straight for one of two possible final destinations.

I invite you to join Miss Mary Marston as she endeavors to make known He, who has called her to this life of service, to all with whom she has contact. Between here and there will lie many mysteries as well as birth and death, love and loss, trust and betrayal, heroism and cowardice; the full panoply of human emotions and passions unbridled for your consideration and edification.

If you are not desirous of treading quite so near dear Mary as she leads what you may consider a life beneath one of your station, then I pray that you will stand aside so as not to impede her journey. You may yet note, even from that great distance, that she is ever gazing heavenward through the eyes of they whom she strives to serve. You see, Mary has discovered that it is only by so doing that one may glimpse the face of God..--(Dr. David J. Thomas)--