The Doctor, using the name John, has been staying at Connie Bryde's house, in exchange for labour. He is sympathetic to Connie, whom the village blames for her husband's death. When her husband was ill last Christmas, she refused to take down the church's Christmas decorations by Candlemas, as tradition required. They finally dragged her to the church and she took down the decorations, but by the time she returned home her husband had died. John now has to leave, despite Connie's protests. She removes John's Christmas decorations from the cowshed, intending to put them in her house.