On one autumn day, in front of Helen Scanlan’s house, Dan squares off with Dick Buford. Since Dan is a relatively new resident of the neighborhood, he knows he can’t afford to let Dick beat him in a fight, lest the other neighborhood kids learn they can pick on him, too. Hoping to deter his heavier opponent from throwing punches, Dan exchanges Dick’s jeers and taunts. He envisions himself fighting Dick and winning, imagining all the praise he’d receive from the other kids in the neighborhood and the attention he’d gain from Helen. Not too long ago, they had been very close. However, Dan has since lost her favor, and now he just wants to spend time alone at the park thinking about Helen. Unfortunately, Dick—one of the best fighters in the neighborhood—is preventing him from doing so right in front of Helen’s window.             Last summer, Dan spent all the money he earned on Helen. They rode together, holding hands, in the back of a grocery wagon through the streets and alleys of the town. Dan even bought candy and sodas for them and told himself he loved Helen. When Dan returned home that afternoon, his family berated him so harshly that he sat on the front steps and cried. When a few neighborhood kids came around to talk and play, they mentioned that Helen was coming too. So deep in his sadness, Dan responded he didn’t care if it was her. Afterwards, Helen didn’t pay attention to him anymore. Now, as Dan and Dick continue firing insults at one another, Dan fantasizes about beating Dick to show his strength to Helen and remembers the many romantic moments they shared together. Eventually, Dick leaves, and Dan sits on the fence in front of Helen’s house, hoping she’ll come by. When she doesn’t, Dan walks in the dreary weather to the park. Alone, he thinks again of how Helen would beg for him to get together with her if he beat Dick. He even imagines a kidnapper running off with Helen, then sees himself knocking the kidnapper over with a rock and rescuing her. She would profess her love for him and hail him a hero. As the day fades into night, Dan decides to head home, thinking of how much he loves Helen.