Summary

Chapter 1 "Breakfast Rolls" - Chapter 1 opens by describing a sleepy morning day in the English village of Silverstream, which is nestled in a valley in the country. The sun is personified as it looks down upon the village and observes the people who live there, including the cows at Twelve-Tree Farm, and the baker, Mrs. Goldsmith. Mrs. Goldsmith worries that her new delivery boy, Tommy, will be late. She thinks about her customers in Silverstream and how their morning rituals differ. For example, Colonel Weatherhead eats his breakfast early while Mrs. Greensleeves is rumored to lounge in bed until ten o'clock. Tommy does show up and mocks Mrs. Goldsmith for her lack of faith in him.

The narrative then shifts to Tanglewood Cottage, the residence of Miss Barbara Buncle. Mrs. Dorcas, or "Dorcas" as everyone calls...