Elder Mr. Birch only lasted a week in the hospital before he decided he couldn’t take it anymore. He said hospitals were crawling with germs, and with his granddaughter being pregnant and coming to see him every day, it wasn’t good for her health. So, he insisted on being discharged, refusing to stay even a single day longer.

The doctors suggested they go along with Elder Mr. Birch’s wishes. Jasper Birch had no choice but to make the necessary arrangements, and with the ...