(Enter Hannah with the tea-tray.)

laura (with a sort of grim jocosity). How d'ye do, Hannah?

hannah. Nicely, thank you, Ma'am. How are you, Ma'am?

(Hannah, as she puts down the tray, is prepared to have her hand shaken: for it is a long time (thirty years or so in earthly measure) since they met. But Mrs. James is not so cordial as all that.)

    laura. I'm very tired.

julia. You've come a long way.

(But Laura's sharp attention has gone elsewhere.)

laura. Hannah, what have you got my best tray for? You know that is not to be used every day.

julia. It's all right, Laura. You don't understand.

laura. What don't I understand?