Facts in Afterward

Mullions are divisions between a window or door and are used for architectural support and for decoration. They are common in older architecture. The “downs” here refers to the South Downs, a range of chalk hills that extends across the southeastern coastal counties of England. The Boynes enjoy sitting in their new house next to the fireplace while the sun sets and night falls across the downs.

Dorsetshire is the archaic term for Dorset, a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. Lyng is the name given to the house. The colloquial idiom “You can get it for a song” means that something can be purchased very cheaply. Discerning readers will pause here to wonder why exactly this house is so inexpensive, as perhaps there is more to this house than meets the eye.

Pangbourne is a large village on the river Thames in England, United Kingdom. Here, Alida Stair’s house is named Pangbourne, presumably after its location.