Mrs. Hallam's companion; and The Spring Farm, and other tales

Mrs. Hallam is a newly married woman eager to trade her modest New England upbringing for the glitter of European society. Determined to make a name among the “four hundred,” she embarks on a therapeutic visit to the famed spa town of Aix‑les‑Bains, hoping the waters will trim her waist and the circles will boost her status. Along the way she encounters a charming, resourceful companion whose presence both steadies her ambitions and stirs unexpected questions about loyalty and identity.

Back in America, the narrative shifts to the tranquil Spring Farm, where the Hallams’ country home becomes a backdrop for youthful hopes, hidden romances, and the practical challenges of managing a growing estate. As guests arrive and old friendships are tested, the story weaves together humor, sentiment, and the bittersweet tension between social aspiration and simple, honest work. Listeners will find a lively portrait of late‑Victorian life, filled with memorable characters and the timeless pull between ambition and contentment.