Chapter 6 Summary

When Colin leaves to dress, the two women make tense small talk about Mary's children, her relationship with Colin, and, finally, her career. Caroline seems partly puzzled, and even partly scandalized, about the idea of an all-women's theatre group, which is where Mary used to work. With only women, Caroline believes, nothing dramatic could take place onstage. Mary offers up the example of two women seated on a balcony, talking - as they are - but Caroline dismisses that, saying they're probably only waiting for a man. When he arrives, something can happen.

Caroline has been laughing at the idea of a play with only women and now she is clearly in great pain, admitting that it hurts when she laughs. Her pain and her injuries, whatever they are, are very pervasive, though Mary says nothing. Ironically, her silence only throws Caroline's suffering...