Mr. and Mrs. Garstone were murdered in their home, and everyone is talking about it. There is an increase in politically motivated violence around the country, and the Garstones are the first European settlers to be killed.

Mrs. Hill is a white settler, a widow, with a large house far from any neighbors. Her husband died of malaria while visiting Uganda. Her son and daughter are at school in England, which the settlers simply call "Home." Mrs. Hill owns a large and sprawling tea plantation, and though everyone respects her, they do not all like her because of her attitude to the "natives." She is too liberal.

Mrs. Smiles and Mrs. Hardy come to Mrs. Hill's house to talk about the murder. They are sad because two Europeans were killed and triumphant because this event has proven them right. The natives can't possibly be civilized...