The narrative follows a Virginia family and their neighbors as they navigate the social and financial aftermath of a recent war, resuming old amusements while confronting changed circumstances. Scenes depict county gatherings, race meetings, and genteel rituals that reveal attachment to tradition and a casual approach to debt. Characters such as an old-fashioned colonel, his daughter, and long-associated retainers embody generational manners and local prejudices, and their interactions mix humor and pathos. The book combines episodic social scenes, character sketches, and domestic incidents to explore continuity and adaptation in a community preserving its identity amid social upheaval.