The narrator tells the audience that there are many obstacles in life, and that it is important to overcome them. He tells the story of Miss Shirley, who has overcome her past and is now calmer. He asks her to give him a test to see if she can see past her past. Miss Shirley's lips are heavy, and she cannot speak. She is unable to see clearly who is coming to save her, but she does not know what to do. The narrator asks him to stop interrupting her, and he does so. The test is done, and Miss Shirley is able to see that she has a dead heart. She lives without hope and does not want to live in the world. She has been slandered and splashed with dirty water by her adoptive parents, and people blame her for being "a homewrecker" and for being a "homewrecker's wife." The narrator says that they will hypnotize Miss Shirley to face her past memories and overcome them