Summary

The inhabitants of Turnham Malpas are happily celebrating Stocks Day on the village green when the reappearance of Bryn Fields, after several years' absence, causes surprise and dismay.

The inhabitants of Turnham Malpas are happily celebrating Stocks Day on the village green when the reappearance of Bryn Fields, after several years' absence, causes surprise and dismay. It is difficult to believe that he dares to show his face in the village after running off with the barmaid and leaving his wife to run The Royal Oak alone. Bryn plans to use the village as a key attraction for visiting Americans, and this causes very real dilemmas for the villagers. But for the rector and his wife there is a dilemma of a more serious and personal nature...