Barsetshire in the latter years of the Second World War is a peaceful
and gossipy place, but there has been one lively change. A girls'
school, evacuated from London, has taken over Harefield Park. Miss
Sparling seems to be the perfect headmistress: she dresses as a
headmistress should and is an easy and erudite conversationalist. Her
new neighbours like her and her pupils respect her, but there is
something missing from her life; something which - though she never
dreamt it when she arrived - perhaps Barsetshire can provide...