Mrs. Ransome. It certainly is a great comfort havin’ you here, Mr. Tanner. I feel so upset I don’t know what to say.
Tanner. Bear up, Mrs. Ransome. You are not the greatest sufferer. Let me say a few words to your daughter. (He rises, goes to Janet, and places his hand on her shoulder, but she takes no notice of him.) Miss Ransome, you must try to bear up, too. I know how hard it is, but you must remember it’s something that must come to all of us.
Mrs. Ransome. She takes it so bad, Mr. Tanner, that the Lord should have took him on their weddin’ mornin’.
Tanner (Returning to his chair). We must not question, Mrs. Ransome, we must not question. The Almighty has thought fit to gather him back to the fold, and we must submit to His will. In such moments as these we feel helpless. We feel the need of a Higher Being to cling to—to find consolation. Time is the great healer.
Mrs. Ransome. But to expect a weddin’ (Sobs) and find it’s a funeral—it’s awful; (Sobs) and besides—Mr. Tanner, you’ve always been good to us. We’re in other trouble, too. Worse—worse even than this.
Mrs. Ransome. Yes, much worse. I just can’t bear to think about it.
Tanner. Your husband’s business?
Mrs. Ransome. No, sir. It’s—I don’t know how to say it. It’s her and him.
Tanner. Her and him?