Robert is pursuing research in electrotherapy, and receives the enthusiastic backing of an octogenarian member of his club, who not only wants to finance the experiments, but also to be a subject of them. While canvassing the East London slums looking for tuberculosis cases, Eleanor comes across a Bertie Armstrong, a costermonger living with a pregnant woman, Annie, whom Eleanor assumes is his wife. Bertie refuses treatment, though he is obviously very ill. Eventually Eleanor discovers that he is a member of a distinguished military family, the Stuart-Armstrongs. When Bertie collapses at the Thrift, Eleanor takes him to his brother, Andrew, who has not seen him for six years, and seems pleased and relieved to have him home again. Andrew also introduces Eleanor to Sylvia Stuart-Armstrong, Bertie's wife of eight years. When Bertie continues to act beligerantly, and demands to ""go home"" to Annie, Eleanor must make some difficult decisions.
