Summary

“Wales” begins with a scene setting: a farmhouse and three children, including a now eight-year-old Edward (Eddie) and his two cousins, Babs and Claire. The description of the farmhouse feels like notes for a set builder and the character description like actor’s notes, complete with stage directions. For instance, the text here reads, “Babs, dark and unsmiling, stood picking at her fingernails, stage left. Pink little Claire sat on the wall, wagging her feet, down stage right” (37).

The children were “spaced out well away from each other” (36). Auntie May, packing up the house, though it odd, when “you would expect them to draw together” (37). Auntie May referred internally to some kind tragedy, though it is never named or described. A motor car arrived at the house, carrying someone named only Sir, who we understand is the headmaster of...