Kim was employed at Merton Hall to help the elderly Mrs. Faber write her memoirs. She was delighted with the job, but came up against an overbearing son - Gideon Faber - who went out of his way to create difficulties. Faber was, in particular, suspicious of Kim's relationship with the estate bailiff, and that with her long-time friend Dr. Ralph Maltravers. He did not seem to believe Kim should have a private life that didn't involve him, yet he already had one of his own in the person of Mrs. Monica Fleming!