Timothy Walton suffers from spinal meningitis, and has recently undergone surgery. In his dream, he is being led past dragons by a lady that he does not know, who is leading him towards the 'eyes' on the horizon. He is running a fever, and the doctor is sure he will not survive. Timothy's father, Mr. Walton, is waiting outside to hear news of his son. The doctor tells him to come back in the evening. Mr. Walton walks out of the hospital and sits on a stone bench, thinking about his son. Death is a terrible reality that he feels is drawing closer and closer; in this moment he is painfully aware of how young his son is, and how unfair it is to have him 'ruined' by death before he could grow up. A few girls are playing beside him, and he desperately tries to make conversation with them - but they are suspicious of this strange man and they flee. The hours pass by as Mr. Walton prays to God to save the life of his son, and begins to think of God as a friendly companion rather than the fearsome 'other.' He is sure that his prayers will be heard, but his confidence drains away when he enters the hospital. Little Timothy is still dreaming; the lady is gone, and now he sees his father dressed up as a policeman telling him to go home in time for supper. At first he does not listen, but at length he gets on his tricycle and goes home, telling himself that this dream is the kind of dream that occurs just before one wakes up: where the mind is given a chance to make everything as it is supposed to be. Timothy chooses to make it so that when he wakes up, he is at home.