LAURA.  Lor’, Julia!  Suppose he should be——­

JULIA (deprecatingly).  Oh, Laura!

LAURA.  But, Julia, it’s very awkward, not to know where one’s own father is.  Don’t people ever ask?

JULIA.  Never, I’m thankful to say.

LAURA.  Why not?

JULIA.  Perhaps they know better.

LAURA (after a pause).  I’m afraid he didn’t lead a good life.

MARTHA.  Oh, why can’t you let the thing be?  If you don’t remember him, I do.  I was fond of him.  He was always very kind to us as children; and if he did run away with the governess it was a good riddance—­so far as she was concerned.  We hated her.

LAURA.  I wonder whether they are together still.  You haven’t inquired after her, I suppose?

JULIA (luxuriating in her weariness).  I—­have—­not, Laura!

LAURA.  Don’t you think it’s our solemn duty to inquire?  I shall ask our
Mother.

JULIA.  I hope you will do nothing of the sort.

LAURA.  But we ought to know:  otherwise we don’t know how to think of him, whether with mercy and pardon for his sins, or with reprobation.

MARTHA (angrily).  Why need you think?  Why can’t you leave him alone?

LAURA.  An immortal soul, Martha.  It’s no good leaving him alone:  that won’t alter facts.

JULIA.  I don’t think this is quite a nice subject for discussion.

LAURA.  Nice?  Was it ever intended to be nice?  Eternal punishment wasn’t provided as a consolation prize for anybody, so far as I know.

MARTHA.  I think it’s very horrible—­for us to be sitting here—­by the fire, and—­(But theology is not Martha’s strong point).  Oh! why can’t you leave it?

LAURA.  Because it’s got to be faced; and I mean to face it.  Now, Martha, don’t try to get out of it.  We have got to find our Father.

JULIA.  I think, before doing anything, we ought to consult Mamma.

LAURA.  Very well; call her and consult her!  You were against it just now.

JULIA.  I am against it still.  It’s all so unnecessary.

MARTHA.  Lor’, there is Mamma!

(Old Mrs. Robinson is once more in her place.  Martha makes a move toward her.)

JULIA.  Don’t, Martha.  She doesn’t like to be—–­

MRS. R. I’ve heard what you’ve been talking about.  No, I haven’t seen him.  I’ve tried to get him to come to me, but he didn’t seem to want.  Martha, my dear, how are you?

MARTHA.  Oh, I’m—­much as usual.  And you, Mother?

MRS. R. Well, what about your Father?  Who wants him?

LAURA.  I want him, Mother.

MRS. R. What for?

LAURA.  First we want to know what sort of a life he is leading.  Then we want to ask him about his will.

JULIA.  Oh, Laura!

MARTHA. I don’t.  I don’t care if he made a dozen.