Summary

After their father's funeral, Josephine and Constantia go into his room with the intention of cleaning out his possessions. They are both nervous and uncomfortable. The room seems unfamiliar to them, and Josephine begins to feel as though their father is hiding in his chest of drawers. Constantia tells Josephine that it is okay to be weak, and she locks the wardrobe before ushering her sister out of the room with her. the sisters go to the dining room, where they agonize over whether to ask Kate for two cups of hot water.

While eating, the sisters discuss which possession of their father's to send to their brother Benny in Ceylon. They are worried about sending anything valuable as they do not trust the postal service there. Both sisters imagine a black man running with a package, presided over by their brother...