During Christmas time in an early-twentieth-century Southern town, a boy named Sill Lancaster attempts to find a doctor. His sister is having a child and needs prompt medical attention. Milt, Sill's father, pulls their horse carriage in front of a store, and Sill walks discreetly inside, where a group of men huddle by a warm stove. Sill reveals to them that he is looking for a doctor because his sister is due soon. When one of the men says that the women in his family always give birth young, Sill clarifies that his sister is older and from his mother’s side. The big man tells Sill that a doctor named Small lives up the road, and gives Sill several sticks of candy as he leaves. Sill heads to the doctor's building. Small leads Sill to his horse carriage, and they depart for Sill's house together. As they pass several worn-down buildings, Sill reveals that his father works in agriculture but is paid poorly. He says they are leaving that year. As Sill insults his dad's boss, Small says that he is sure his boss has "got something to say on his side." Small offers Sill a cigarette, and he rolls and smokes it professionally. They arrive at Sill's log house, situated in a very rural area. Sill gives a stick of his candy to the doctor.