Carlsson's Convalescent Home is a boarding house for old women to live out the rest of their days in peace, and the newest addition to their ranks is Fru Holm. She is unlike the other old women in the Home: Fru Holm is not preoccupied with the problems of her age and instead prefers to eat by herself and go on frequent walks. The maid, Annalise, who is disliked by the residents because of her impropriety, quickly takes to Fru Holm and begins to respect the woman. She sees Fru Holm reading a book that prepares one for death, and realizes that the older woman is truly scared of dying, even though she seems so vital and strong. Then Annalise accidentally walks in on Fru Holm in the bathroom and sees her naked - the wrinkles and folds of an aged body express the truth that a firm face cannot. She sees herself in the future looking as aged as Fru Holm does, and she begins to fear the inevitability of death. As the days pass, Fru Holm's daughter, Fru Magnusson, visits less and less. Fru Holm was looking forward to spending the week before Christmas with her grandchildren, but she finds her hopes dashed by a last-minute cancellation. Fru Holm realizes that her family is ignoring her wishes and treating her as if she is already dead. She begs her daughter to let her come and stay at home and sleep in the maid's room, but Fru Magnusson makes endless excuses. Fru Holm begins to eat less and does not go out at all. The doctor says nothing is wrong with her, but the last straw is when she receives a letter announcing the engagement of her eldest granddaughter and realizes that she is one of the last people to know. That night, Fru Holm suffers a stroke and dies. Her family comes to pay their respects, but at the end of the funeral, Annalise is approached by Fru Magnusson and offered a job and the very room that Fru Holm had so desperately wanted. She refuses and spits an obscene word at Fru Magnusson.