Summary

Chapter 17 "Inspiration" - Barbara Buncle races home from the meeting bursting with inspiration for her sequel to "Disturber of the Peace." She initially refuses Dorcas' offer to have something to eat but then relents if Dorcas will bring it to her. Dorcas considers how her mistress has changed and how she does not think it has been for the better that Barbara has become a successful author. Barbara eats the food and then sends Dorcas away with instructions to bring her a strong cup of coffee at eleven-o-clock.

The next morning Dorcas suggests that they start a hen farm to make money so Barbara could give up writing, but Barbara, astonished, remarks that she could never give it up now, that she truly enjoys it and she is financially successful doing it. Barbara tries to give her clothes...