The book is set in New England in the early 20th century in an old established community where times are rapidly changing but nonetheless the rules of a hierarchical society still hold good. Thor, a rich doctor from an old family, in trying to help Rosie, the poor woman he truly loves, offers her money so that his brother Claude can marry her and have the things they will need in life. Things unravel in the close-knit community with an intriguing mixture of philosophy and romance as the younger generation learns to be free in their pursuit of love and life. The approach of the older generation to the different ways of the younger and the church all add to the involvement. - Summary by Simon Evers