Summary

In Chapter 1, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Button decided to have their baby in the hospital. It was a September morning in 1860, and Mr. Button excitedly rushed to the Maryland Private Hospital for Ladies and Gentlemen, hoping the baby "would be a boy" (3). He saw Doctor Keene on his way in. Doctor Keene was nervous and evasive when Roger asked about his newborn child. He acted as if something awful had happened. Inside, the nurse behaved similarly.

Finally, another nurse directed Roger to the nursery, where she pointed out his baby. In the crib sat an old man no younger than 70. Roger was furious, believing the hospital was playing "some ghastly...joke" (6).

The old man talked to Roger, asking if he was his father. Roger was distraught. His reputation would be ruined if he introduced this old man as his infant. The old man...