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The Life of Nancy (1895) is a collection of eleven short stories by Sarah Orne Jewett. Following in the tradition of "local color" fiction, Jewett's stories are defined by their detailed descriptions of all aspects of everyday life in the country locales and fishing-towns in which the stories are set.
Plot Summary: The first section of the story is centered on the relationship between Nancy Gale and Tom Aldus throughout their lives. It begins in Boston several months after Tom spent time with Nancy's family in East Rodney, Maine. Tom was forced to spend time on the island as his friend sprained his ankle and could no longer travel.
Tom and Nancy share a deep connection, which hints at romance but is never explicitly stated (Tom spends much time emphasizing Nancy's great beauty). This is Nancy's first visit to Boston (she is staying with her Aunt and Uncle Ezra four miles outside of the city). Tom gets permission from Ezra to spend the day with Nancy in the city.
He is beguiled by her excitement at the city and helps her purchase gifts for several of her family members back home. She then attends a dance class with Tom's aunt, a woman she finds extremely elegant and poised. Nancy informs Tom that a young woman whom he was involved with in East Rodney the previous summer is now seeing another suitor.
As the two say good-bye, Tom hopes they will see each other soon. The second section of the story begins 15 years after their day together in Boston. The two have not spoken this entire time. Tom is now married with children.
Tom laments his desire to have written to Nancy many times, once during his engagement and another when he left the US for Europe for an extended period of time. He did, however, send her many books. Tom is traveling to East Rodney to survey land purchased by his father. When he arrives he is excited to see Nancy.
He attends a ball and is greeted by Nancy's father who informs him that she has been ill with a serious form of rheumatoid arthritis for q
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