In 1775, a couple walks toward their colonial house. The man, William Franklin, son of Benjamin Franklin, expresses dread over the coming visit of his son and father. William has not seen his son in years and is nervous that Little Billy, now fifteen, will be different. William is also nervous to speak with his father, whose support for American independence makes him a terrorist in William’s eyes. The woman makes William promise not to discuss politics at the visit. From behind a tree in the foreground, two small children yell “Bastard!” at William (120). They flee as William yells, calling them “Ruffians!” while the woman wonders what is happening to the world (125). The tree the children hide behind is large, and over the course of three pages, panels show it growing from a sapling in 1564 to a young tree in 1579. Benjamin Franklin and William’s son arrive at the house in a carriage. Benjamin assures the nervous Little Billy that William is excited to see him. Benjamin is emotional at returning to this town, which he has not seen since he was young, and promises Little Billy that he will not argue with William over politics.