The following version of this story was used to create the guide: Fitzgerald, F. Scott. "The Baby Party." All the Sad Young Men. Kismet Publishing, 2018.

In F. Scott Fitzgerald's third person short story, "The Baby Party," John Andros's life changed when his daughter, Ede, was born. When he was feeling old, John took comfort in Ede's youthful innocence and energy. However, Ede was also a constant source of disruption. Not only had she interrupted his passionate love affair with his wife, Edith, but her birth had inspired their move far away from his job to an expensive country home. Ede's boisterousness was also a source of irritation to John. She frequently broke and lost things, which caused John to lose his temper. Though he felt guilty for his frustrations, he had trouble balancing his feelings towards the child.

One afternoon, Edith and Ede called John on his office phone. Edith announced that Ede would be attending a baby party at their neighbor's house, the Markeys. Edith requested that John make an appearance after he finished work. For the rest of the day, John felt increasingly excited by the idea of the baby party. He was in a good mood, and the affair would be amusing. All through the day, his train ride home, and his walk to the Markeys' from the station, John imagined the humorous dynamic between the mothers and their babies. When he arrived at the Markeys' door, however, he heard yelling coming from inside. He recognized one of the voices as his wife's. He pushed open the door.

Though the party was supposed to start at 30 minutes after four, Edith decided she and Ede would show up shortly after five. Her daughter's new dress would look crisp and perfect compared to the other children's already rumpled outfits. When they arrived, they did indeed make an impression. Everyone stopped what they were doing to admire little Ede. Edith felt proud, and encouraged her daughter to join the other children. While they played, Edith exchanged niceties with Mrs. Markey, the birthday boy, Billy's mother. Though Mrs. Markey's husband, Joe, and Edith's husband, John, were friends, Edith and Mrs. Markey did not like each other. They never vocalized their feelings, but made a show of feigning approval for and interest in one another. Feeling annoyed by something Mrs. Markey said about Ede's size, Edith broke away and joined two other ladies' conversation.

After cake and refreshments, people started to leave. Edith was annoyed her husband still had not shown up. She lingered at the Markeys', hoping John might still arrive in time to see how dignified and good and cute their daughter was. Then, at the last moment, Ede became jealous of Billy's teddy-bear. She approached the boy, yanked his toy away from him, and pushed him to the ground. Because Billy was not injured, Joe dismissed the affair with good humor. However, when Ede pushed Billy again, this time so forcefully he whacked his head on the hard floor, Joe and Mrs. Markey became upset. Ede's sudden outburst of laughter further shocked everyone. Unable to control herself, Edith burst out laughing too. Mrs. Markey insisted they leave at once if they could not be quiet and respectful. Her words angered Edith. She burst out crying and began insulting Mrs. Markey. Joe did not approve of this behavior, and told Edith to calm down. This angered Edith even more, and she repeated her insults. The Markeys insisted she leave. Then John arrived.

At first, he tried understanding what had happened, and encouraged his wife to remain calm. However, when he heard what Joe and his wife had said about Edith and Ede, John became angry. He told his friend he had acted disrespectfully, and that they were leaving. Outside, Edith took the baby home. John turned around on the Markeys' sidewalk to see Joe following him outside. The men threw off their coats and began fighting on the lawn. The ground was covered in snow and ice, and so the men fell between punches. Though they knew the fight was senseless, and were tired by it, they did not stop until they heard a man walking on the street. After he passed, John and Joe decided they had had enough. They shook hands, made amends, and said goodnight.

Back at home, John took a bath with his wife's help. They remarked over the odd evening, and decided this could not happen again. Afterwards, they peeked in on their sleeping daughter. Then the maid interrupted them. The Markeys were downstairs, and Mrs. Markey wanted an apology from Edith. Edith resisted. John insisted she go down, promising to follow shortly thereafter. After Edith descended, John closed himself in little Ede's room, took her from the bed, and rocked her in the rocking chair. Suddenly he realized she was the reason he had fought his friend so vehemently.