About this story
He jilts you for a title; Bell weds her doctor; the Squire's sickroom fever rewrites his will; Johnny Eames asks his better question at the gate. Sixty chapters carry a level no and a legacy tied to no marriage, to the Small House kept and the gate unlocked.
How it opens
The Small House stood close to the village road, modest beneath the shadow of its grander neighbour.
Behind it, however, a level green lawn opened between yews, roses, and the old churchyard wall.
The Great House may keep its portraits; nobody can play croquet on its tufts.
Mrs DaleSay that more softly, dear, unless you mean your uncle to hear it across the hedge.
Choose
Our grass wins, though our uncle owns the gardener.
Auntly diplomacy requires me to praise both lawns.