Because of his effeminacy, Percival and Mildred are humiliated wherever they go. After some very distressing incidents in a restaurant, on the boardwalk and on the beach, she becomes thoroughly disgusted, and breaks off the engagement, saying she wants to marry a real man. Percival is almost heartbroken and confides his troubles to a friend, who suggests he make a hero of himself by fighting "Young Hickey," a pugilist.