MARTHA. Oh, why can't you let the thing be? If you don't remember him, I do. I was fond of him. He was always very kind to us as children; and if he did run away with the governess it was a good riddance—so far as she was concerned. We hated her.
LAURA. I wonder whether they are together still. You haven't inquired after her, I suppose?
JULIA (luxuriating in her weariness). I—have—not, Laura!
LAURA. Don't you think it's our solemn duty to inquire? I shall ask our
Mother.
JULIA. I hope you will do nothing of the sort.
LAURA. But we ought to know: otherwise we don't know how to think of him, whether with mercy and pardon for his sins, or with reprobation.
MARTHA (angrily). Why need you think? Why can't you leave him alone?
LAURA. An immortal soul, Martha. It's no good leaving him alone: that won't alter facts.
JULIA. I don't think this is quite a nice subject for discussion.
LAURA. Nice? Was it ever intended to be nice? Eternal punishment wasn't provided as a consolation prize for anybody, so far as I know.