Part 1, Chapter 1 Summary

Judge McKelva, his daughter, Laurel McKelva Hand, and his wife, Fay have been escorted into the office of Dr. Courtland. They had come to New Orleans from Mississippi to see the doctor because the judge had experienced some difficulties with his vision. The judge has known the doctor and his family for years; however, the doctor had never met Fay, who had been married to the judge for only a year and a half.

The judge explained how he noticed that something was wrong. He had been outside pruning the roses and was standing on the porch for a few minutes when he saw the fig tree giving off flashes. Since that time, he had noticed a little dimness but no more flashes. He called Laurel the night before and told her he was going to New Orleans to see the...