Mr. Crewes Career

The story centers on Hilary Vane, a proud man of sixty-five who has never held an office, living in a historic family home in Ripton. Following the death of his wife, Sarah Austen, thirty years ago, he leads a solitary life, cared for by the sharp-tongued housekeeper Euphrasia Cotton. Their long, white-painted house reflects their frugal lifestyle, with Hilary occupying one end and Euphrasia the other. Despite their age, both characters maintain a respectable reputation in their village, setting the stage for a tale of quiet lives and underlying complexities.