The historic old city of Boston was cold and bleak under the lash of a rain-soaked midwinter storm. On a narrow side street, not far from the common, a swinging wooden sign announced that the small shop beneath it belonged to Wilbur Afton Esquire - Silversmith and Engraver. The shop itself was dark, but the living quarters above it glowed with soft lamplight, and before the open fireplace, Wilbur and his younger sister sit, along with the doctor, who has just advised him that he will not survive unless he moves permanently to a warmer climate...