The subject here is a very rare one in novels - a happy marriage. Joe, a young man who in 1939 was sleeping with his girl but avoiding marrying her, is now in 1949 (and not so young) is still unmarried and his knowing friends have written him off as a permanent bachelor. Has he missed the boat? A third of the way into the book he triumphantly catches it, with a lovely school teacher called Elspeth. His most knowing friend, a lady psychologist says: 'It's easier to get married, than to be married.' Joe is now a temporary civil servant and a novelist, in the London of men's clubs, government offices and suburban houses but his career problem - like his non-siderish temperament - persists. Will he manage to keep his job and get his next small masterpiece published? A story written with comic incidents and serious purpose. https://rsliterature.org/fellow/william-cooper/