- We're apparently somewhere in the countryside. A train comes around the corner, heading toward the colliery, and a woman carrying her basket has to pause to wait for it.
- The engine stops at a small house. A woman comes out with a little boy named John. She is the engine-driver's daughter, and John is her son (and the engine-driver's grandson—you're smart, so you probably didn't need that spelled out, huh?).
- The woman brings tea out to her father, and they have a weird conversation about some kind of news he has. He says something about marrying again. We have to assume that's the news, but no one ever really connects all the dots for us. Whatever the full story is, the woman doesn't seem overly enthused about her father's plans.
- Then they talk a little bit about the woman's husband. Apparently, according to the engine-driver, he's been bragging about using a bunch of money to go on a bender. The woman is neither thrilled nor surprised.
- The little boy and the woman go back inside. At this point, we learn that the woman's name is Elizabeth Bates.
- Once back inside, Elizabeth continues with dinner prep. She goes outside to strain some potatoes. All the while, she is wondering where her hubby is.
- She goes back inside. Then, "a little girl" comes in. Wait, some random girl? What an odd way to put it.
- Oh, seems this girl is part of the family—she's Elizabeth's daughter and John's sister.
- Elizabeth is a little peeved that the girl, Annie, is home late. She asks if Annie has seen her father. She hasn't.
- Around this time, we also learn in passing that Elizabeth is preggers.
- The man of the house hasn't shown up by dinnertime, so they eat without him. Apparently the assumption is that he's out boozing and will have to be carried home later. Elizabeth is not happy.
- Afterwards, the children play and Elizabeth sews. She puts them to bed, and the father, Walter, is still not home.