[1] Paul Wanning, a New York City lawyer, has been told he is terminally ill. His wife tries to belittle the news, and seems more interested in settling their daughters, who take dance lessons.
Paul visits his son who lives in Washington Square and tells him he would like to see him get married before he dies.
He then visits his friends by Astor Place, who suggest introducing him to their doctors, but they soon lose interest.
In his office, he decides to write a letter to an old friend of his, and his copyist Annie Wooley types it for him.
The girl's father tells him he hopes her daughter is not misbehaving, and he explains she is only bringing him kindness in this distressful time.