The character of Bill Benty is developed fully so that his sister Molly Wells can act as a dramatic foil to him.
Bill Benty, the paternal grandfather, orchestrates the plan to manage the differences among the relatives and friends who will attend the baptism of his son's daughter so that there will be no unpleasantness before or after the ceremony at their home where a reception is to be held. Benty is the consummate manager, who advises his wife that the biggest concern when the two sides of families get together is the "blood-letting issues." This "unbeatable, humane, wise, experienced administrator" feels that the issues that concern each side need to be aired prior to the big occasion. Therefore, he invites his son and his son's wife, along with their baby, to dinner the week before in order to discuss the baptismal ceremony and what will happen afterwards at the reception in their home. He tells his wife,
"If the issues can be solved to anyone's satisfaction, just solve them. But if they can't be solved at all, have the big fight about them a week ahead. Then everybody is sick of fighting by the time you have the occasion itself."
In addition to this plan, Bill advises his son, "Look for the pleasant moments, son. Whenever you can." As a further insurance, Bill informs his daughter-in-law's father, Mr. Oppeldahl, that he will have a bottle of Scotch especially for him, so the man will be content at the party after the baptism as he drinks his "life-restoring glasses" of the liquor.
All seems to be going smoothly as the guests enjoy lobster and champagne and chat amicably. However, Mr. Oppeldahl drinks more Scotch than he should and loses all inhibition. When a guest asks Ms. Wells, who is a godparent, why she cried at the baptism when she has never attended church, Bill tries to intervene, but Oppeldahl loudly encourages Molly Wells to tell her "long story" as she has called it, saying he will tell one is she does not. Bill goes for what he thinks is "the pleasant moment" and encourages Molly, rather than Oppeldahl, to speak.
Molly Wells surprises everyone with revelations of her past life with her husband Jamie. She describes how they lived in the Blue Ridge Mountains and were very close with the freshness of nature surrounding them. She felt safe with Jamie in this simple life, but he became very ill with cancer and died. After he died in the hospital, Molly refused to leave his bedside and witnessed his hand moving as the muscles drew up in death. This movement, she remarks, was the first that he ever made without her.
"I told you about this because I was so surprised to find how my life was not simple at all: it was all tied up in the flesh, this or that about the flesh. And how is flesh ever safe? So when you took that palm oil," she finished, glancing across at Father Geoffrey, "and pronounced little Molly here safe—safe!—in our Lord Jesus Christ forever.... Well, I simply began to cry!"
Molly's story is so unexpected, so unplanned, so raw and candid, that it completely shatters all of her foil's, Bill Benty's, careful designs to have everything run smoothly. Certainly, Molly brings more to the reception than any other person because, as she has commented regarding Jamie, "no one in my family could ever observe and think that clearly." Indeed, she enlightens the group. The guests are stunned and sit silently. Normally, the narrator injects, this kind of story would bring everyone to his or her feet as departure from an uncomfortable situation would be desired. But, unexpectedly, the rain begins to fall.
Then the rain continued so strongly it cleaned the air and made the whole family and their friends feel quiet and tolerant. They felt the classic old refreshment we always hope for in water.
The party have been baptized and cleansed of their sins of pettiness as they have received redemption through empathy.
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