Summary

As the sun rose on Crescent Bay, an old shepherd was leading his flock of sheep across the bay. After they passed, one of the residents of the bay, Stanley Burnell, left his bungalow in his bathing suit to go for a swim. He rushed to the water, celebrating because he thought he was the first one to arrive. However, he then noticed another resident, Jonathan Trout, in the water in front of him. Stanley was frustrated, partly because of his disdain for Jonathan, so Stanley cut their conversation short and ended his swim, rushing back home.

After Stanley returned home and cleaned himself up, he entered the living room, where Beryl, his sister-in-law, was sitting. He commanded Beryl to check on the porridge, and he became suspicious when she did not demonstrate total subservience to him. After this exchange, Mrs. Fairfield, Stanley...