MARTHA. You didn't tell me you were dying.
LAURA. Do people tell each other when they are dying? They don't know. I told you I wasn't well.
MARTHA. You always told me that, just when I'd settled down somewhere else…. Of course I'd have come if I'd known! (testily).
JULIA. Oh, surely we needn't go into these matters now! Isn't it better to accept things?
LAURA. I like to have my wishes attended to. What was going to be done about the furniture? (This to Martha.) You know, I suppose, that I left it to the two of you—you and Edwin?
MARTHA. We were going to give it to Bella, to set up house with.
LAURA. That's not what I intended. I meant you to keep on the house and live there. Why couldn't you?
MARTHA (with growing annoyance). Well, that's settled now!
LAURA. It wasn't for Arabella. Arabella was never a favourite of mine. Why should Arabella have my furniture?
MARTHA. Well, you'd better send word, and have it stored up for you till doomsday! Edwin doesn't want it; he's got enough of his own.