The way of all earth

The way of all earth by Edith Barnard Delano is a novel written in the early 20th century. It follows Brice and Anne Denison, a suburban couple whose marriage is strained by social ambition, financial risk, and moral compromise amid a circle of wealthier friends and tempters. The story probes class aspiration, gambling—both at cards and in stocks—and the pull between steadiness and the glitter of fast success.

The opening of the novel tracks Brice’s weary commute home and his pride in their modest house, set against Anne’s growing hunger for status and her flirtatious rapport with the affluent Ranney Copeland. A quarrel flares when Brice refuses moneyed bridge games and social climbing, while Anne argues that “the right people” and bolder risks will advance his career; talk of a pending office promotion sharpens the divide. Pressed by Ranney, Anne secretly withdraws $4,000 from their joint account to speculate, and when Brice discovers it, their fight turns explosive as she hints she could choose Ranney. Fleeing to house-sit for her well-off friends, Anne returns to find Brice still absent; after anxious calls she visits his office and learns he abruptly resigned when asked to buy company stock for a promotion and confessed to having no savings, leaving her shocked and seeking help from her friend Veronica.