Sheila Joyce, a young widow whose aunt by marriage insisted she needed the soothing influence of Nature to heal her spirit, was on her way to visit that worthy lady at the seaside resort of Pensaquoit Point. Sheila did not look forward to the visit, being neither physically debilitated nor desirous of spending her vacation with a group of inherited relatives. These included Aunt Cora's pamper young son, who was considering marrying his boss's daughter; a highly ambitious candidate for the State Legislature; and an overpoweringly efficient clubwoman with a timid little henpecked husband.

Considering their diverse natures, they reacted with surprising unanimity and violence to Sheila's casual use of the word "Murder" her firs evening at the Sea Shell. Before many hours had passed, it was clear her slip of the tongue had been an almost fatal if innocent error, and was causing one of Sheila's beloved family to measure her for a coffin.