Summary

As the story opens in Chapter One, Frances Wray is awaiting the arrival of Leonard and Lilian Barber. Frances and her mother own a large house and the Barbers are planning to rent a suite of rooms. The house is located in a neighborhood called Champion Hill, a couple of miles from London. The neighborhood is generally very quiet. Frances expects them to arrive in a cart but they are in a van driven by Leonard's best friend, Charles Wismuth.

Frances struggles with how to act toward the Barbers. She can't bring herself to be happy about the situation but knows there is no other option open to her if she wants to keep paying the household bills. Frances insists on helping the Barbers with their things and carries in a “hideous” stand ashtray. Frances' mother, Mrs. Wray, greets them in the hall...