Laughing Last

In Short

Jane Abbott’s 1924 novel Laughing Last follows Sidney Romley, the youngest of four orphaned sisters living in a rambling, down-at-the-heels family home. When the older girls scatter for their own summer pursuits, Sidney lands at Cape Cod with her quiet, hard-working relative Aunt Achsa and Achsa's sensitive, self-conscious son, Lavender. Sidney finds an unexpectedly rich life among the dunes, old sailors, and local teens, but a mystery surrounding hidden diamonds and an offshore storm soon test her courage. It survives as a warm, authentic portrait of adolescent independence, practical work, and seaside life.

The Story

The Romley sisters live under the well-meaning oversight of literary trustees who honor their late father’s memory while keeping the family on a tight leash. Fifteen-year-old Sidney, tired of being dismissed by her elder sisters Victoria, Isolde, and Trude, demands her share of the family income—dubbed "the Egg"—to claim her own identity. When an upcoming summer convention threatens to overrun their home, the older sisters make separate travel plans. Left without a chaperone after their housekeeper backs out, Sidney embraces the chance to travel alone to Cape Cod to stay with her little-known relative, Aunt Achsa, on Sunset Lane.

Upon arriving, Sidney discovers a world vastly different from her family's genteel, shabby-genteel routine. Aunt Achsa leads a modest life, and her son, Lavender, hides away from the world due to his physical differences and fear of pity. With the guidance of Mr. Dugald, an artist boarding nearby, Sidney learns to look beyond appearances. She quickly adjust to the salt-air rhythms of the Cape, becoming close with local girl Martie Calkins, exploring the harbor, and joining Lavender aboard the Arabella, a grounded old schooner converted into a private playhouse and study retreat.

As the summer progresses, Sidney’s hunger for romantic mystery finds a real outlet. Local whispers, suspicious characters near the shore, and stories from old Cap'n Davies point toward missing diamonds and a large posted reward. Sidney and Lavender piece together clues, suspecting that local figure Jed Starrow and his associates are up to something far darker than routine smuggling.

The adventure peaks when a sudden, violent ocean storm strikes the coast while Sidney and her companions are caught out on the water aboard the old vessel. The Arabella breaks free from its moorings in the tempest. Lavender risks his life, swimming through dangerous surf to reach the shore and summon help. The community rallies, sending rescue boats out into the gale to save the stranded youths.

In the aftermath of the storm, the mystery unravels fully, confirming the hidden treasure and exposing the culprits. Trude arrives at the Cape, reuniting with Sidney and resolving a past romantic misunderstanding with Mr. Dugald. Lavender's bravery earns him the respect of the town, shifting his outlook on his future. Sidney realizes that her restless desire to grow up fast has given way to a deep appreciation for family, honest friendship, and belonging.

How It Unfolds

Demanding a turn Sidney confronts her older sisters in their sunlit window seat, insisting that at fifteen she deserves her equal portion of "the Egg"—the family's shared allowance. Her demand sets off a chain of events that frees the sisters to pursue separate plans for the summer.

Arrival at Sunset Lane Traveling alone to Cape Cod, Sidney reaches Aunt Achsa’s home, where she initially struggles with disappointment over her modest surroundings. The morning sun, salt breezes, and an encouraging chat with the boarder, Mr. Dugald, quickly change her perspective.

Life on the Arabella Sidney bonds with Aunt Achsa's son, Lavender, as he introduces her to his grounded schooner and his secret treehouse retreat, Top Notch. She adapts to local life, making friends with the hardworking Martie Calkins and listening to sea tales from old Cap'n Davies.

Uncovering the secret Lavender overhears a suspicious conversation near the breakwall regarding a hidden cargo on the ship Puritan. Combining this with Cap'n Davies' news of a five-thousand-dollar reward, Sidney and Lavender realize that local shore-dwellers are involved in diamond smuggling.

Rescue in the tempest A furious gale breaks the Arabella from its anchors while the young people are aboard, threatening total destruction. Lavender swims through the churning seas to bring word to the mainland, prompting Mr. Dugald and local sailors to launch a perilous nighttime rescue.

The final reckoning With everyone safely ashore, the truth about the missing diamonds comes to light, and Lavender receives praise for his heroism. Trude arrives to reconcile with Mr. Dugald, leaving Sidney content to end her summer surrounded by loved ones.

The People

• Sidney Romley: A dramatic, ambitious fifteen-year-old who craves romance, independence, and respect from her older sisters. Her summer at the Cape teaches her to look past superficial charm, value genuine effort, and appreciate the security of family.
• Lavender Green: Aunt Achsa’s son, a sensitive, self-educated boy who isolates himself from town life because he fears people's pity or stares regarding his physical shape. He dreams of becoming a medical research scientist, and his brave action during the ocean storm reveals his deep inner strength.
• Aunt Achsa: A gentle, compassionate mother-woman living on Sunset Lane who tends her bright garden and provides a loving home for Lavender and Dugald. She welcomes Sidney into her home without pretense.
• Dugald Allan (Mr. Dugald): A wealthy, grounded artist who shuns high-society expectations to paint near the shore. He builds retreats for Lavender, guides Sidney through her missteps, and clears up a painful past misunderstanding with Sidney's sister Trude.
• Martie Calkins: Sidney's practical, un-self-conscious neighbor who handles heavy chores without complaint. Her quiet strength and contentment challenge Sidney's notions of social status.
• Cap'n Davies: An old seafaring veteran whose cupola room is filled with global mementoes. His sharp eyes and knowledge of local waters help spark the investigation into the missing diamonds.

In Its Own Voice

"Each one of you has had the Egg twice and I've never had a cent of it--" Sidney defends her right to a share of the family income before her older sisters.

"It was very hazardous climbing on to the Arabella for it wiggled so but at last we were on and then!--Oh! Do you know, it was like a pirate's ship." Sidney describes her first impression of Lavender's grounded schooner in a letter to a friend.

"There's too much in this, Jed, to take any chances." Lavender overhears two men plotting near the breakwall under the cover of night.

What It's Really About

Beneath its seaside adventure, Laughing Last explores the transition from adolescent self-absorption to genuine empathy. Sidney begins the novel fixated on equal shares, social standing, and imaginary romance. Her time on Sunset Lane forces her to compare her comfortable vanity with the real-world burdens of people like Martie and Lavender. The book asks what truly makes a person "different" and highlights how isolation feeds on the fear of judgment. It argues that true independence is not running away from home or putting on adult airs, but recognizing the dignity in hard work, offering unselfish loyalty, and accepting help from those who love you.

Why Read It Today

Laughing Last offers a charming, immersive visit to a 1920s Cape Cod fishing community, free of modern nostalgia or exaggerated drama. Readers who enjoy classic coming-of-age stories like Anne of Green Gables or The Boxcar Children will appreciate Sidney’s energetic voice and Abbott’s warm portrayal of coastal life. The writing captures the sensory details of the shore—the smell of salt and pine, the clatter of shell paths, and the cozy interiors of weathered homes.

The book’s age shows in a few period conventions: the plot relies on classic tropes like secret inheritances, posted rewards, and dramatic sea rescues, while the characters speak in somewhat formal, traditional phrasing. Lavender’s physical differences and his intense self-consciousness are handled with early-twentieth-century sentimentality rather than modern clinical vocabulary. However, these elements do not diminish the story's core appeal. Its clear depiction of teenage growth, coupled with a genuine atmosphere of ocean adventure, makes it a rewarding read for fans of historical juvenile fiction.