Summary

The first-person narrator, Fletcher, arrived at a village. When traveling in the past, he used to stay sharp and alert. In recent years, he became more disoriented more easily.

Nothing in the village was recognizable. The streets were "narrow" and "badly lit" (2). He stumbled around in search of the town center, or a villager who might help him orient to where he was.

Soon he grew tired. He chose "a cottage at random," hoping to find someone who remembered him and would let him in (2). He heard "voices and laughter" inside (2). He began pounding on the door. Suddenly a voice greeted him from behind.

A young woman in worn clothing said she had tried to get his attention earlier, but he had not responded. He had not heard her. She recognized him, and greeted him by name. He was surprised and "somewhat flattered...