Adela is delighted with the story. The Bloomfields like the story, though Mrs. Bloomfield felt the humor was more distracting than helpful. The Curate, who is called Ralph by his wife, heartily approves of the story, as does his brother, the doctor, Henry Armstrong. Mrs. Cathcart tries to moralize the whole story, while Percy lies asleep on a couch, away from the rest of the company.

The Colonel invites everyone to return the following evening for dinner and more stories. The clergyman, Mr. Ralph Armstrong, agrees to tell the next story. He suggests, however, that they gather after dinner so as not to overtax the Colonel's cook.

Meanwhile the doctor, Henry, says to Adela that he thinks she has caught a cold, and asks if he could take her pulse. He listens for awhile and prescribes some medicine.