On Borrowed Time

Mr. Brink, Death in human form, has his sights set on many in the Northrup family. He does take Dr. James and Mrs. Susan Northrup as scheduled, leaving their orphaned adolescent son Pud under the care of James' aged parents, Julian and Nellie Northrup. While Pud loves both his grandparents, he has a special bond with his grandfather. And despite their love for each other, Nellie believes Julian isn't the best influence on Pud in the differences between husband and wife: she is God fearing while he doesn't attend church; she doesn't like that he teaches Pud to curse; and she believes in their aged state that they aren't the best people to be Pud's guardians, while he doesn't think there is anybody else better suited in their love for him. Nellie is partially correct in that Mr. Brink has his sights set on both of them as well. She believes the person who should care for Pud is Susan's sister, sanctimonious Demetria Riffle, who cares nothing for Pud, that is until she learns that his parents left him a sizable trust. While Nellie is prepared to go into her next life, Julian isn't, especially if it means Pud ends up with Demetria. When Julian discovers what Mr. Brink is, the two get into a battle of wits and wills with each other, which is affected by the power Julian has over the apple tree in his yard unaware of the consequences of his plan to neutralize Mr. Brink in this situation.