The author (an elderly Englishman) and his wife reluctantly accept their young Viennese friend's invitation to join him on a week's holiday in Sicily. There, they decline his offer to chauffeur them round the island, preferring to spend the time quietly, in a way more befitting their age. During their sojourn in Sicily the author reminisces, recalling many events of his, his friend's and other people's lives, some of them amusing, others sad and even strange, if not inexplicable.