Sir George Maxon, a wealthy Englishman, sends his ne'er-do-well son to Australia with a shipload of women who have been procured from jails and workhouses. The knight puts his heir entirely in charge of the whole unusual project. His son is to oversee the auctioning of the women to the male Australian colonists. Primarily, however, the father thinks this experience will guide his wastrel son toward a life pattern of maturity, acceptance of responsibility, and faithfulness to commitments. In his heart, Sir George knows the money gained means nothing. On board Expectant, so named by the waggish...

Sir George Maxon, a wealthy Englishman, sends his ne'er-do-well son to Australia with a shipload of women who have been procured from jails and workhouses. The knight puts his heir entirely in charge of the whole unusual project. His son is to oversee the auctioning of the women to the male Australian colonists. Primarily, however, the father thinks this experience will guide his wastrel son toward a life pattern of maturity, acceptance of responsibility, and faithfulness to commitments. In his heart, Sir George knows the money gained means nothing. On board Expectant, so named by the waggish...