Summary

Stage directions sum up the appearance of the house and imply that a particular attitude on the part of its owners has led to its current appearance. More detailed stage directions describe the location and relationship of the plentiful rooms and their rather dated contents.

In his study, Beverly speaks with housekeeper Johnna, who is described as being an American Indian. In what amounts to a virtual monologue, Beverly quotes poet T.S. Eliot who describes life as “very long”; commenting on how other poets might have experienced life differently; and on how he can’t relate to Eliot who, after enduring years of his wife’s emotional difficulties, packed her off into an asylum. As Beverly continues, he and Johnna hear his wife muttering in another part of the house, the intellectual and thoughtful Beverly commenting on how the pills she’s taking...