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Mrs. Sheridan is the matriarch of the Sheridan family. She has three daughters, Laura, Jose, and Meg, and one son, Laurie. She wants to give her daughters some independence by having them plan their annual summer party. She likes the idea of being the party’s honored guest. However, she does not entirely relinquish control. She instructs Laura to supervise the workmen constructing the marquee, orders an excessive number of lilies for the party, and even directs Laura’s friend Kitty on what hat to wear to the party. Readers can safely assume that the party’s extravagances are hers, including the perfectly manicured yard, the temporary marquee, the hired band, and fifteen types of sandwiches and famous cream puffs.
Mrs. Sheridan expresses shock at the news of the fatal accident not because of concern for the deceased but for how his death might affect their party. To her, the man’s death is only a problem because they have heard about it. She gives Laura a new, extravagant hat, avoiding discussion of the matter. After the party, Mrs. Sheridan has the “brilliant idea” to send a basket of leftover food to the Scott home, not considering the insult to the poor family’s dignity that scraps from their party would create. She thinks the food will be a treat for the orphaned children and wants to impress their poorer neighbors. Mrs. Sheridan’s attention to appearances and insensitivity to her working-class neighbors exemplifies the superficiality and indifference of the privileged class.
