This lively and entertaining romp through England and Africa. The Vacillations of Poppy Carew opens with two key events: the departure of Poppy’s thoroughly detestable lover, Edmund, for a richer woman, and the death of her father who, to the irritation of the nursing staff, dies in the midst of raucous laughter.

          Poppy follows her father’s dying wish and organizes a "fun" funeral complete with black-plumed horses and a suspicious number of glamorous women. Present at the funeral are three men who are determined to become her suitors. However, the treacherous Edmund shows up as well and, discovering that Poppy is now heiress to a fortune, abandons his new love interest and whisks Poppy off to Africa, where she embarks on a series of chaotic adventures.

          Will she escape Edmund’s clutches? If so, with whom of her three suitors will she escape?