Bramton Wick

She wondered how Lady Masters got her old parlour maid to carry the coffee right across the lawn. But of course Lady Masters got things simply by always having had them and by taking it for granted that she always would have them.In Bramton Wick the setting of Elizabeth Fairs cheerful debut novel tensions and resentments--not to mention romance--roil beneath the polite interactions of its charming and eccentric residents.Theres upper crust Lady Masters taking the good things for granted but thoroughly cowed by her gardener. Theres Gillian Cole a war widow and her sister Laura for whom romance may (or may not) be in the offing. Theres Miss Selbourne and Tiger Garrett who met driving ambulances during the war (the first one though Miss Garrett does get them confused). Theres Major Worthy who is quite energetic for an invalid. And theres the three Misses Cleeve who are all remarkably like toads and who have a casual relationship with the truth.Furrowed Middlebrow is delighted to make available for the first time in over half a century all six of Elizabeth Fairs irresistible comedies of domestic life. These new editions all feature an introduction by Elizabeth Crawford.Miss Fairs understanding is deeper than Mrs. Thirkells and her humour is untouched by snobbishness; she is much nearer to Trollope grand master in these matters.--Stevie SmithMiss Fairs first novel is not one of promise but of accomplishment. Good luck to her!--John BetjemanDeliciously malicious humour abounds.--Vanity Fair