Summary

While Mr. Arthur Peebles sleeps uneasily on his sofa, Mrs. Emma Peebles invites her sister, Dr. Joan R. Bascom, to accompany her to the Ellsworth Ladies' Home Club, but Joan insists she would rather stay at home as she is currently staying with her sister and brother-in-law while trying to build a practice in their town. Once Emma leaves, Dr. Joan peruses a book while watching Arthur sleep. At the age of 50, Arthur is a slave of duty, his duty being carrying women. He supported his mother as soon as he was old enough until she died when he was 30 years old. Then, after marrying Emma, he also cared for his sister and two daughters until they married. Though he has grown tougher with age, he does not complain. Since he likes Joan, he would gladly add her to the list of...