Aunt Molly is a sweet-natured, cheerful woman whose
sole interest in life is her home. After being widowed,
she becomes less cheerful, and concentrates her time
and energy on bringing up her twin sons, Winston and
Clement. The narrator, cousin Rufus, observes the
changes in her. As the twins grow into teenagers, they
become restless with the household routine, and decide
to organise something exciting for their mother’s 39th
birthday: a visit to a television studio to see one of
her favourite shows live. The twins organise a trip to
see Maxwell Marvel, an expert hypnotist. Aunt Molly
goes along with the idea to please her sons.
At the end of the show, Marvel asks for a final
volunteer. The twins propose their mother, and ask
Marvel to make her more decisive and self-confident.
She is hypnotised easily, but no sooner has Maxwell
finished than he collapses on stage. Aunt Molly
confidently organises medical aid. Back home, the
change in Aunt Molly is marked. She develops
a whole range of new interests, reads avidly and
paints. The twins and Rufus find the new Aunt Molly
very different but very likeable. Finally Aunt Molly
announces she is leaving for a holiday in Greece with
a professor. Meanwhile, Grandpa has received a letter
with a tape recording from the now deceased Marvel,
which would undo the hypnotic suggestion. With their
Aunt now departed to Greece, the twins and Rufus are
left with the dilemma — whether to tell Aunt Molly or
not.