because of the lockwoods

Because of the Lockwoods by Dorothy Whipple (Macmillan, 1949)

Delightfully readable novel of life in a provincial English city and two families, one rich and evil and the other poor and good.  Schematic and obvious, but cleverly plotted.  Thea Hunter, a young woman of ambition and pride, is an engaging and sympathetic heroine, and the snobby Lockwoods — especially Mrs. and the awful twins — are deliciously hateful.