John does not quite understand his father, Daniel Caldigate, Squire of Folking. His mother and two sisters have died, very recently while John was in his first year at Harrow; and when he returns to Folking for the holiday his father hides whatever grief he feels and discourses on subjects of small interest to a boy who, at fifteen, is forming his own views of the world: Liberal politics, and the antiquated ways of the Church -- how can he pay heed, when there are partridges to hunt? It is an easy matter to spend more time at Uncle Babington's house, where there is to be found riding, hunting, fishing . . . and lively girl-cousins who dote on him.

The Squire hopes to instill the youth with knowledge that politics is better than hunting rats in the cornfield, and hates the idea of John whiling away his time with that Humphrey Babington -- who has not an idea in his head -- and those hearty, mindless daughters of his! Uncle Babington, meanwhile, takes a kindly interest in the boy.

So the rupture begins, fueled by confrontations and unkind words -- and by Daniel Caldigate's discovery of a nephew who seems much more akin to him than his own son . . . and who might make a more fitting heir to Folking than would John, who has become strangely interested in gold-mining -- in Australia!