JULIA (_comprehending the situation, restores the wreath to its
box_). Why did you bring it here, Martha?
MARTHA (_miserably)._ I don't know. I just clung on to it. I suppose
it was on my mind to look after it, and see it wasn't damaged. So I found
I'd brought it with me.... I believe, now I think of it, I've brought some
sandwiches, too. (_She routs in a small hand-bag.)_ Yes, I have.
Well, I can have them for supper.... Emily made those too.
JULIA. Then I think you'd better let Hannah have them--for the sake of
peace.
MARTHA (_woefully)._ I thought I _was_ going to have peace here.
JULIA. It will be all right, Martha--presently.
MARTHA. Well, I don't want to be uncharitable; but I do wish--I must say
it--I do wish Laura had been cremated.
(_This is the nearest she can do for wishing her sister in the place to
which she thinks she belongs. But the uncremated Mrs. James now re-enters
in widow's cap_.)
LAURA. Julia, have you ever seen Papa, since you came here?
JULIA (_frigidly)._ No, I have not.
LAURA. Has our Mother seen him?
JULIA. I haven't--(_About to say the forbidden thing, she checks
herself_.) Mamma has _not_ seen him: nor does she know his
whereabouts.
LAURA. Does nobody know?
JULIA. Nobody that I know of.
LAURA. Well, but he must be somewhere. Is there no way of finding him?
JULIA. Perhaps you can devise one. I suppose, if we chose, we could go to
him; but I'm not sure--as he doesn't come to us.
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