The Trees of Pride

A whimsical portrait of an English squire whose mind is forever stuck in boyhood, the story follows Squire Vane as he wanders his Cornish estate, intent on meeting a guest arriving by yacht. His habit of mixing lofty rationalism with a mischievous streak leads him into a series of amusing confrontations with the local folk, who cling to old legends of witches, ghosts, and the mysterious “peacock trees” that dominate his garden.

Along a winding path he meets a stubborn gardener and a grieving woodcutter, each eager to convince the squire that his foreign shrubs are nothing but trouble. Their banter reveals a clash between Vane’s confident modernity and the deep‑rooted superstitions of the countryside, setting the stage for a lively exploration of pride, tradition, and the unexpected wisdom that can arise from folly.