Toppleton's Client; Or, A Spirit in Exile

Hopkins Toppleton is the heir to a legendary legal dynasty, a young man whose family name alone can halt lawsuits and coax settlements. Though he enjoys a comfortable income and a privileged lifestyle, his actual knowledge of the law is scant. When his father’s sudden death leaves the firm’s reputation hanging by a thread, the senior partners scramble to decide how to preserve the Toppleton brand that has become their greatest asset.

The partners argue over whether to thrust the carefree “Hoppy” into the partnership, despite his penchant for baseball pools and a casual rapport with clerks. Some propose a nominal special partnership that would let him travel abroad under the pretense of health, while others fear his informal ways would demoralize the staff. As the firm’s future hangs in the balance, Hopkins finds himself caught between the expectations of a powerful name and his own desire for a quieter life, hinting at a restless spirit yearning for a place of its own.