Miss Belamy, an 82-year old woman who never married, reflects on her life, particularly with her father, as she goes through the items in her hope chest. She remembers the day before, when there was a soft knocking at her door when she was home alone. She calls out to the visitor, saying that if they want to be let in they will have to knock for real. As the soft knocking continues, Miss Belamy gets up and opens the door, and finds a young boy. The young boy, Ernest, asks Miss Belamy if she will buy a wreath from him. She invites Ernest in, but does not promise to buy his wreath. The two barter about the price of the wreath, and finally Miss Belamy agrees to buy it if the boy gives her a kiss. When Belle, her maid, returns, Miss Belamy plays a joke on her, blaming her for the ugly wreath, and then revealing that she was in fact the one who bought it. The story ends with Miss Belmay thinking about Ernest and his kiss on her cheek.