mrs. r. Yes—that is—yes, Thomas.
thomas. I should not have known it. They all look so much older.
laura. Than when you left us? Naturally!
thomas. Than me, I meant. But you all seem flourishing.
laura. Because we lived longer. Papa, when did you die?
julia. Oh! Laura!
thomas. I don't know, child.
laura. Don't know? How don't you know?
thomas. Because in prisons, and other lunatic asylums, one isn't allowed to know anything.
mrs. r. A lunatic asylum! Oh, Thomas, what brought you there?