Survival of the Fittest

To defy those who have the power is to court danger, no matter how seemingly civilized your actions may appear.

If Florence Green had sought the permission and patronage of Violet Gamart before she bought the Old House and converted it into a bookshop, or if she had agreed to move to other premises once she was told Mrs. Gamart had other plans for the Old House, she may have been allowed to make a success of her business. The bookshop relied on the support of one powerful. Upper-class figure, against the attacks of another.

The people of Hardborough find it hard to categorize Florence Green's place in their society. She had been invited to The Stead, where many respected citizens had not. She had been invited to tea with Mr. Brundish, an event even Mrs. Gamart was unable to achieve. Yet, she maintains friendly...