Act 2, Scene 2, Later That Night Summary

Tobias, Agnes and Julia are back in the living room after dinner. Julia announces that it was the ugliest dinner she has ever survived, as her parents having essentially taken on the role of drill sergeants. Agnes very resolutely announces that she will keep the family intact and if being a drill sergeant is what it takes, then that is what she will be. If she has to shout over Julia's sulking, she'll do that too. She feels that she is the only one in the family who can see a situation objectively while involved in it, and there is a delicate balance to seeing the facts and their implications at the same time.

Julia launches into her petulance again about losing her room to Harry and Edna. Claire appears in the room wearing an...