Halfway House: A Comedy of Degrees

"Halfway House: A Comedy of Degrees" by Maurice Hewlett is a charming tale set in early 1900s England and spins a funny and romantic yarn about Mr. John Germain, a respected, older widower, whose life takes a surprising turn when he finds himself drawn to Mary Middleham, a youthful and unpretentious governess. The story looks at the issues of social class, love, and how people related to each other in the English countryside. The book begins with a Sunday-school feast, thrown by Mr. Germain’s sister-in-law, where he first sees Mary watching over the children. The book shows Mr. Germain's growing fondness for her, especially as he thinks about the differences in their ages and places in society. Their interactions bring a sense of who they are and what their relationships are, setting the stage for the fun and loving moments to come.