This story expands on the theme of masculinity to examine male-male and malefemale relationships.

The interaction between Nick's father and Dick reveals the

importance of pride in male-male relationships. Even though everyone knows
what the doctor is doing with the logs, the doctor cannot simply give in to Dick's
tormenting. Dick and the other men also understand the doctor's reaction. He
could not take such abuse from Dick. However, in the doctor's relationship with
his wife, such understanding does not exist. Nick's father does not want to
answer her questions, and, when he does, he lies to her. He seems to assume
that she will not understand his reasoning. Plus, the doctor's wife's religious
insistence that he not lose his temper shows that she does not want him to be
stereotypically male: aggressive and territorial. Further, her religion, Christian
Science, does not believe in medicine, which means that she has no respect for
his chosen profession. Nick's father decides to go hunting, where he can express
his masculinity. When Nick decides to go with him, then, Nick too is showing an
interest in male-male interaction over male-female interaction.