The narrator introduces Mrs. Poulteney, a dowager in Lyme Regis society, who runs a very strict household managed by Mrs. Fairley, the only person on the domestic staff who has managed to stay in Mrs. Poulteney's despotic employ. Mrs. Poulteney's influence extends past her own home, and the entire town cowers at her countenance.
One of the most obsequious people who visits Mrs. Poulteney is the vicar of Lyme, who tries to counsel Mrs. Poulteney on her almost guaranteed entrance into heaven, in spite of her parsimonious ways. As Mrs. Poulteney ages, she realizes that she may need to accelerate some spiritually driven acts and asks the vicar to recommend a needy person whom she could hire as an assistant and, at the same time, secure heavenly approval.
The vicar suggests the.....
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