An Autumn Sowing

In a modest parish of early‑twentieth‑century England, the Keeling family gathers for Sunday worship, each member carrying their own quiet burdens. The stern sermon of Dr. Inglis, with its warnings of “wailing and gnashing of teeth,” becomes a mirror for Mr. Keeling’s rigid sense of duty, revealing how his personal code of honesty and industry has come to shape his very faith. As the preacher’s voice cuts through the varnished pews, the listener is drawn into the subtle tensions that ripple through the rows of seats.

The narrative follows the restless seventeen‑year‑old John, his melodious sister Alice, and their newly engaged brother‑in‑law Hugh, each wrestling with the expectations of their community and the pull of their private desires. Their interactions, framed by the echo of hymns and the weight of family obligations, sketch a vivid portrait of a household where religion, reputation, and youthful longing intersect, inviting listeners to contemplate the delicate balance between belief and lived experience.