Plot Summary:Ma Hornby is worried about the fact that her six month old son, Sammy Hornby, has yet no teeth. Ma's worry makes Pa Hornby worry that Sammy will never have teeth. Their concerns change when, away shopping for the day, Ma hears from Sammy's nursemaids that Sammy is a little feverish, which they expect means his first tooth will soon be cutting through. Based on a recent story Ma read, they are afraid that Sammy will go into convulsions, which would endanger Sammy's life. As Ma and Pa stand vigil over Sammy, others around them can't quite understand the fuss, these others including both Sammy's grandfathers, Sammy's nursemaids and Sammy's doctor.