In a prestigious New York apartment building, two women, Miss Letitia Prall and Mrs. Everett, engage in a long-standing feud that has persisted for over twenty years. Their rivalry, marked by subtle hostilities and social maneuvering, reflects their strong personalities and stubbornness. Sir Herbert Binney, an Englishman and the new resident, is in America to establish a branch of his family's bakery, "Binney's Buns." He hopes to involve his ambitious nephew, Richard Bates, in the business. However, Richard, an inventor with dreams of aeronautics, resists his uncle's plans, leading to tension between them. Miss Prall, fiercely protective of her nephew, disapproves of the bun business, believing it distracts him from his true potential. The narrative explores themes of ambition, familial loyalty, and the absurdity of social rivalries, as the characters navigate their relationships and aspirations. The setting, a once-grand apartment building, serves as a backdrop for the unfolding drama, highlighting the contrast between past prestige and present struggles. As the feud continues and business pressures mount, the characters must confront their desires and the consequences of their choices, leading to a potential reckoning in their intertwined lives.
By Carolyn Wells · First published 1920 · Genre: Mystery, Crime, Detective Fiction · 18 chapters