The young couple in the ancient Dutch farming village (in New England) who are the major living characters in "Dream Children" are the McNairs. The outward placidity that the pleasant and personable Mrs. McNair displays in her daily goings about among the villagers gives the impression that nothing bad or disturbing has taken place in her life. Yet the reckless manner in which she rides her stallion through the fields causes wonderment among some of the locals, such as Mrs. DePuy and her husband, who own the old Patroon farm near the McNairs' land. They sense that something is amiss somewhere in her life; is she making up for an unfulfilled need such as children, is she so free of fear that she doesn't care anymore what happens to her?

At the end of the story Mr. DePuy, watching her heedless horsewomanship, is filled with aggression and hostility...