The Berkeleys and their neighbors

"The Berkeleys and Their Neighbors" by Molly Elliot Seawell is a story that occurs in Virginia after the Civil War, showing groups trying to live as they once did. In a changed world, Colonel Berkeley and his daughter, Olivia, try to restore their old community connections. The story begins at a local racetrack where the Berkeleys meet the Hibbs family and others, revealing the customs of their society. Colonel Berkeley clings to his traditional ways as he deals with others, while Olivia returns from living in another country. The presence of characters like Miles Pembroke adds weight to the story, highlighting the social classes, effects of the war, and difficult connections between the players within their evolving lives.