Lily Dale

When his mother invites him to visit her and his teenage sister, Lily, in Houston, Horace eagerly accepts, hoping to resettle and find more promising employment

Once in Houston, Horace is confronted by his gruff, surly stepfather, who dotes on his spoiled sister, Lily, but dislikes Horace intensely - and shortly orders him to leave

Horace's departure, however, is delayed by a sudden bout of illness, which forces him to stay on for several weeks as an invalid. This gives him the chance to reestablish his relationship with his sister, whose memories of their late father are as bitter as Horace's are forgiving

In the end Horace returns to Harrison, convinced that during his brief stay the demons of the family's past have been exorcised and that he, as well as his mother and sister, can now face the future with a renewed strength of spirit