
A weary landlord named Mr. Petersen rides to a crumbling farm, intent on negotiating rent with an indomitable old woman who treats him with a mix of regal disdain and stubborn practicality. The house itself is a portrait of decay—splintered mahogany, sagging springs, and faded curtains—yet the tenant’s pride keeps him from simply walking away. As he prepares to face another futile conversation, the atmosphere shifts the moment a young, freckled woman named Minnie steps into the parlour.
Minnie’s bright smile and confident bearing catch the landlord off guard, hinting at a force far beyond her modest appearance. Though she seems friendly at first, there’s an unmistakable edge that suggests she could turn the whole situation on its head. The stage is set for a clash of wills, where humor, stubbornness, and unexpected bravery will collide in the dusty corridors of the old farm.
Language
en
Duration
~8 hours (467K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
United States: George H. Doran, 1920.
Credits
Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images available at The Internet Archive)
Release date
2022-08-21
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1889–1955
Best known for bringing a sharp psychological edge to mystery fiction, this American novelist moved from writing popular romantic novels in the 1920s to suspense and crime stories after the 1929 market crash. Her work is often remembered for ordinary people under pressure and for a cool, observant style that helped shape domestic suspense.
View all books