Lauretta nodded back at her, but vaguely, as if what they had been talking about was suddenly boring to her. She walked to the fireplace and looked up at the portrait that hung over the mantel. “Why, it’s you!” she exclaimed, and turned to Sarah. Then looking back at the portrait, she studied it closely, with growing surprise. “Sarah!” she said, more as if she thought aloud than as if she were speaking to the woman beside her. “You were beautiful, my dear. Whatever happened?”

10

Otis was dispatched with a wagon to fetch Lauretta’s trunks from the depot in Highboro. Sarah led her sister to the room she would occupy during her stay and left her there to rest, Lauretta having declared that she would like a little time to collect herself before seeing the others. Downstairs, Sarah asked Clarice to have one of the kitchen girls carry hot water to the new guest in an hour’s time; and then she went out onto the front porch where family and friends had begun to come together again. Quickly, she acquainted them with news of Lauretta’s arrival.

Alone, Lauretta lay down on top of the bed without bothering to undress. Having by then fully registered Sarah’s exhortation to “cease dramatizing” she gave herself a consideration of what her immediate tactics might be. Late in the afternoon Sarah knocked at the door; Lauretta invited her to enter; Sarah did so and said, “Are you ready to join us?”

Lauretta allowed that she was. She had changed into a simple frock with no adornment, and she had removed all traces of “little helpers” from her face, so that she appeared now to be the wan one. She had brushed her hair and caught it in a bun at the back of her neck, and she had removed her rings.

Together they went downstairs and found the others on the porch, waiting. Excepting Edna, the company rose, as if on command. Penelope kissed her, but briefly, dutifully, without warmth. Nell and Edna nodded only, observing her through narrowed eyes. Bruce, James, and Adam bowed formally. Leon shook her hand, flushing and telling her that she was welcome again at Beulah Land. Doreen made a quick, awkward, bobbing gesture; and then, seeming to realize that it was childish, shook hands. Rachel met her eyes calmly, although Sarah could see curiosity behind the reserved manner, and then shook her hand.

Lauretta seemed to hesitate, then quickly darted her head forward and kissed Rachel’s cheek. “I must do more,” she said, “than shake hands with my—sister’s child.”

Selma stepped up and bowed like a man. When Lauretta turned to her with a gentle look, Selma said, “Sarah has told us that you married after my husband was murdered, but that is all over too. How are you now known and what are we to call you, ma’am?”