Mr. and Mrs. Fairbanks stroll along the park path in the afternoon. They have been married for a year. Mrs. Fairbanks is shorter than Mr. Fairbanks, who describes her as being soft, plump, and glowing. Mrs. Fairbanks walks along and asks her husband why he seems to be so enthusiastic and happy. She explains that she is afraid to grow old and her husband assures her that she'll get more accustomed to married life soon. He also explains that all women go through this fear and eventually grow old. Mrs. Fairbanks tells her husband that she is still scared and that she considers herself a coward. She is afraid that everything they have will change and eventually disappear. She holds onto her husbands arm tighter as they walk through the park. They see an old man on a bench nearby and she comments that he looks tired so she offers the old man money. The old man opens his eyes and turns away from her. Mrs. Fairbanks immediately feels bad about the interaction because she assumed he was poor. Mrs. Fairbanks expresses her concern and embarrassment to Mr. Fairbanks. Mr. Fairbanks tells her that she couldn't have known and it isn't as big of a deal as she thinks. They argue about the interaction. Mrs. Fairbanks tells her husband that he doesn't seem to have many emotions and this is something she's noticed throughout their relationship. Her husband tries to calm her down, but Mrs. Fairbanks pulls away in frustration. She begins to become more self-conscious of her appearance and tells her husband that she doesn't want to have children because it will make her look ugly. Mr. Fairbanks tells her that it won't make her ugly and that he is starting to get impatient with her unreasonable comments. Mrs. Fairbanks finds some joy in seeing his reaction change and tells him she wants to go home. As they turn around on their path, Mrs. Fairbanks feels as if she wants to cry and she notices that her husband seems more upset now. She misses his smile. When they pass by the old man again, Mrs. Fairbanks initially doesn't look in embarrassment, but then turns to see the old man smiling at them. This reaction causes her to feel better about her relationship because the old man has probably seen many couples before. She slows her pace and her husband follows. The two continue to walk slowly through the park with their argument unspoken but resolved.