下宿人

A novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the struggles of the Bunting couple, Robert and Ellen, who have fallen into financial hardship and are attempting to turn their home into a boarding house to regain some stability in their lives. As they navigate their precarious situation, an intriguing new tenant arrives, which adds an unexpected twist to their story. At the start of the narrative, we find the Bunting couple in a diminished state, grappling with anxiety over their financial situation and the loss of their previous respectable lives. The couple's past as domestic servants is highlighted, as is their hope for recovery by taking in boarders. The opening chapters detail their interactions, their emotions regarding their plight, and their first encounter with a new potential tenant—a peculiar gentleman named Mr. Sleuth—who seems like an enigma but offers a glimmer of hope for their dreary existence. This moment introduces a pivotal change in their fortunes, mixing elements of desperation and the potential for renewed purpose as they open their home to guests.