The Horse-Dealer's Daughter (Annotated Edition)

Mabel Pervin is 27 years old and unmarried. Her father made a living dealing horses, but shortly before his death the business started to take a dive. Upon his demise, Mabel and her three brothers--Joe, Fred Henry, and Malcolm--learned that their family was deeply in debt. So severe was the debt that Oldmeadow, the family's home, had to be put on the market. The four siblings and the horses were likewise expected to leave. While the last of the horses are bring sold off, Fred Henry suggests that Mabel should move in with another sibling, their sister Lucy. Joe advises Mabel on the wisdom of seeking employment as a servent. Mabel grows increasingly more despondent as the brothers discuss their futures. Eventually, the despondency manages to turn into an utter lack of interest in the conversation. Mabel begins to clear the dining table when the young Dr. Jack Ferguson shows up. She lets him know that she is most assuredly not going to impose upon Lucy, and Fred Henry makes it known that he will meet up with Jack later at a local pub.