The Dashwoods: a sequel to "On an Australian farm"

"The Dashwoods" by Steele Rudd is a humorous novel written in the early 20th century. It follows the farm-based Dashwood family on a spirited visit to the city, centering on the genial but stubborn patriarch John Dashwood as he navigates urban snobbery, a slippery business acquaintance, and the antics of Robert Staunton’s wayward son Will. The likely focus is comic, episodic scrapes that pit country sense against city swagger, with lively family byplay and satire of courts, officials, and manners.

The opening of The Dashwoods shows the family a week into their city stay: most are dazzled, though Mrs. Dashwood pines for home and Maria grumbles about managing her baby. John meets his old friend Robert Staunton, debates land and politics, and agrees to test Robert’s idle son Will for farm work—only for Will to mock him and his daughters until John explodes and reveals himself. The quarrel spills into a farcical office chase, and later the family’s crowded theatre outing turns chaotic with Granny’s loud asides, a crying baby, and a wildly comic bush melodrama that drives Mrs. Dashwood out. Next day John is mistakenly “arrested” by a bailiff as a debtor, rescued by a clerk who knows him, and accidentally blunders up the judges’ staircase, causing courtroom alarm before the sheriff smooths it over; that night he returns late to the hotel and is introduced to a celebrated barrister, setting up more city encounters.