One afternoon, Roy and Emmy Whidden hear commotion from the street below and the voices of two newsvendors shouting “Extra! Extra!”. They sense that something terrible has happened, based on the ominous and loud shouts of the men. Emmy suggests Roy go downstairs and buy the newspaper, but he feels like it is not worth getting. The newsvendors continue shouting, and Emmy tells Roy that he is just lazy and doesn’t take the trouble to find out when issues are happening. Emmy argues that he expects her to go downstairs and get the paper, despite all the things she has been needing to do at home. Roy feels that their marriage is coming to an end because of similar incidents consistently happening for over seven years. He goes to their baby Conrad’s room and takes a look at him. Then he says he will get the paper. Twelve years later, Emmy is living in a suburban home. She is sewing with a woman named Mrs. Lent. Emmy tells her that she wasted seven years being Roy's wife. She says she is worried about their son Conrad because he believes his father is dead since Emmy thought that was for the best. Conrad is reading a book by the entrance of the house in deep concentration. Emmy tells him to go outside and play, but he says he is enjoying his book, and Emmy is reminded of Roy's love for reading. Eventually, Conrad goes outside, and Roy appears in front of the yard, asking him for Emmy. Conrad notices he looks like he's from the lower class. Roy says he's just come from Marseilles during his time when he served at sea. Conrad mentions to Roy a book that takes place in Marseilles, and Roy remarks that Conrad is named after the author. Emmy comes outside and shoos Conrad away for talking to strangers. The former couple talks and Emmy tells Roy she knew he would never get anywhere. She asks him why he left, and he just says he heard a fog horn that night and impulsively left. He says his ship leaves at six PM that day, and he just wanted to see Conrad. Out of curiosity, Emmy asks him what the extra was about, from the newspaper that memorable night years ago. Roy remembers it was celebrating that the Red Sox won.