The Dead

           Lily,thecaretaker’sdaughter,wasliterallyrunoffherfeet.Hardlyhadshebroughtonegentlemanintothelittlepantrybehindtheofficeonthegroundfloorandhelpedhimoffwithhisovercoatthanthewheezyhall-doorbellclangedagainandshehadtoscamperalongthebarehallwaytoletinanotherguest.Itwaswellforhershehadnottoattendtotheladiesalso.ButMissKateandMissJuliahadthoughtofthatandhadconvertedthebathroomupstairsintoaladies’dressing-room.MissKateandMissJuliawerethere,gossipingandlaughingandfussing,walkingaftereachothertotheheadofthestairs,peeringdownoverthebanistersandcallingdowntoLilytoaskherwhohadcome.

           Itwasalwaysagreataffair,theMissesMorkan’sannualdance.Everybodywhoknewthemcametoit,membersofthefamily,oldfriendsofthefamily,themembersofJulia’schoir,anyofKate’spupilsthatweregrownupenough,andevensomeofMaryJane’spupilstoo.Neveroncehaditfallenflat.Foryearsandyearsithadgoneoffinsplendidstyle,aslongasanyonecouldremember;eversinceKateandJulia,afterthedeathoftheirbrotherPat,hadleftthehouseinStoneyBatterandtakenMaryJane,theironlyniece,tolivewiththeminthedark,gaunthouseonUsher’sIsland,theupperpartofwhichtheyhadrentedfromMr.Fulham,thecorn-factoronthegroundfloor.Thatwasagoodthirtyyearsagoifitwasaday.