A man referred to only as the Deserter is sitting at the kitchen table eating a sandwich. The woman whose house he is in informs him that he is only able to stay for two days. The reasons she states are that most guests get tired of her after two days, her husband (who is away during this time) is unsympathetic to American exiles in Canada, and her son may be returning home any day. She tells him that her husband has had a hard life. The woman then suggests the man visit a place named the Hall where many American exiles stay, and asks him to mow the lawn while she is out running errands. The woman visits the supermarket, bank, and liquor store. When she returns home she notices that the lawn has been cut. She then cuts some flowers to create a dinner table bouquet.  When she goes inside, the man has a black duffle bag and informs her that he is leaving. She reminds him that he is allowed to stay another day, but he insists on making his departure. He says that he is going to Ontario. As he is walking down the driveway, the woman offers the deserter a ride to the Queen E, but he declines. The woman then walks through all the rooms of her house and sits next to the pool in her backyard with a feeling of guilt.