The story takes place in the fictional town of Huntersburg, Illinois, in June 1908. After learning from her father, Doctor Lester Cochran, on the evening before that he is suffering from a heart disease and might die at any moment, 18-year-old Mary Cochran takes a walk around the small town, thinking about her future.

The story is about the strained relationship between  father and daughter, the main reason for which is the lack of communication and feelings.