Eight Cousins is the story of Rose Campbell, a sickly orphan, who comes to live with her great aunts after she is orphaned. The aunts are the matriarchs of her wealthy Boston family. With the help of her Uncle Alec, who returns from abroad to become her guardian, Rose becomes healthy and happy, finding her place in a rambunctious family with seven boy cousins. The story also highlights an important friendship that Rose develops with her aunt's housemaid Phebe. A friendship that helps Rose to understand and value her own fortunate position in life.
The illustration is the frontispiece from the first edition.
Chapter 8 - And what came of it
Chapter 12 - "The Other Fellows"
Chapter 16 - Bread and Button-Holes
Chapter 18 - Fashion and Physiology
Chapter 20 - Under The Mistletoe