HANNAH.  Well, Ma’am, you see, you hadn’t told me before.

JULIA.  I couldn’t.  One cannot always be sure. (This mysteriously.) But something tells me now that she is to be with us.  I have been expecting her over four days.

HANNAH (picking her phrases a little, as though on doubtful ground).  It must be a long way, Ma’am.  Did she make a comfortable start, Ma’am?

JULIA.  Very quietly, I’m told.  No pain.

HANNAH.  I wonder what she’ll be able to eat now, Ma’am.  She was always very particular.

TULIA.  I daresay you will be told soon enough. (Thus in veiled words she conveys that Hannah knows something of Mrs. James’s character.)

HANNAH (resignedly).  Yes, M’m.

JULIA.  I don’t think I’ll wait any longer.  If you’ll bring in tea now.  Make enough for two, in case:  pour it off into another pot, and have it under the tea-cosy.

HANNAH.  Yes, Ma’am.

(Left alone, the dear lady enjoys the sense of herself and the small world of her own thoughts in solitude.  Then she sighs indulgently.)

JULIA.  Yes, I suppose I would rather it had been Martha.  Poor Laura! (She puts out her hand for her crochet, when it is arrested by the sound of a knock, rather rapacious in character.) Ah, that’s Laura all over!

(Seated quite composedly and fondling her well-kept hands, she awaits the moment of arrival.  Very soon the door opens, and the over-expected Mrs. James—­a luxuriant garden of widow’s weeds, enters.  She is a lady more strongly and sharply featured than her sister, but there is nothing thin-lipped about her; with resolute eye and mouth a little grim, yet pleased at so finding herself, she steps into this chamber of old memories and cherished possessions, which translation to another and a better world has made hers again.  For a moment she sees the desire of her eyes and is satisfied; but for a moment only.  The apparition of another already in possession takes her aback.)

JULIA (with soft effusiveness).  Well, Laura!

LAURA (startled).  Julia!

JULIA. Here you are!

LAURA.  Whoever thought of finding you?

JULIA (sweetly).  Didn’t you?

(They have managed to embrace:  but Laura continues to have her grievance.)

LAURA.  No! not for a moment.  I really think they might have told me.  What brought you?

JULIA.  Our old home, Laura.  It was a natural choice, I think:  as one was allowed to choose.  I suppose you were?

LAURA (her character showing.) I didn’t ask anyone’s leave to come.

JULIA.  And how are you?

LAURA.  I don’t know; I want my tea.

JULIA.  Hannah is just bringing it.

LAURA.  Who’s Hannah?

JULIA. Our Hannah:  our old servant.  Didn’t she open the door to you?