He that will not when he may; vol. I

"He that will not when he may; vol. I" by Mrs. Oliphant is a story set in the late 1800s that follows the Markham family at their home, Markham Chase, as they move from a period of social gatherings to a more private and routine life. The main characters include Lady Markham, her son Paul, and Mr. Spears, an unexpected guest whose views clash with the family's social status and way of life. The story starts with a look at the peaceful life at Markham Chase, mainly through scenes of Lady Markham and her children, but this peacefulness is disturbed by Paul's return with Spears, a man whose presence creates conflict because of his ideas about equality and society. These interactions suggest disagreements and upcoming social issues that could disturb the family's comfortable life, setting the scene for debates about class and beliefs that will likely grow as the story continues.