This book follows Susan Proudleigh, a young woman of dark brown complexion who lives in Kingston, Jamaica. Susan is engaged to a young man named Tom. Mother Smith, a particularly objectionable old woman who lives down the lane, wants Tom for her daughter Maria. Mother Smith and her daughter begin to harass Susan, with Maria throwing words at her as she passes by, and Mother Smith publicly humiliating her. One night, Maria and Susan have a heated altercation in the street under a gas lamp and end up fighting. The local policeman arrives and threatens to arrest them both. Susan decides to bring Maria to court for assault and abusive language. Despite her belief that she has a strong case, Susan’s version of events is challenged by Maria's lawyer, who produces a witness who testifies that Susan assaulted Maria first. In the end, Maria is fined for provoking Susan to a breach of the peace and Susan loses the case. This book provides insight into Jamaican culture, courtship practices in the early 20th century, and the types of social issues faced by young women during that era.

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