The third-person narrator explains that an army post in peacetime is a monotonous place trapped in dull patterns. However, unique events do sometimes happen, and at a Southern army base a few years ago, there was a murder: “The participants of this tragedy were: two officers, a soldier, two women, a Filipino, and a horse” (309).

The soldier is Private Ellgee Williams, and his demeanor and appearance are at once childlike and stealthy. He keeps to himself and has very few discernable emotions or vices. His eyes are “a curious blend of amber and brown” (309).

Private Williams is assigned to clear out some of the woods behind Captain Penderton’s quarters, which are near the quarters of Major Morris Langdon, Penderton’s only other close neighbor; he is also supposed to care for Captain Penderton’s wife’s horse. A year and a half ago, Private Williams accidentally spilled coffee on the Captain’s trousers while serving him refreshments, but when the Captain comes out of his house to give Private Williams instructions, he doesn’t seem to remember the Private. As the Private clears brush and branches, Mrs. Leonora Penderton arrives and tells the Private that Firebird, her horse, has been kicked at the stable.