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Laura and Jose attempt to leave for the garden, but their way is blocked by Godber’s man and other household servants. Cook informs the girls that there has been a fatal accident in the street nearby. The deceased, Mr. Scott, was a cart driver who lived down the hill from the Sheridan home in the poorer section of their neighborhood. The little cottages at the bottom of the hill are described as “eyesores,” too close for comfort to the Sheridan home. Laura and her siblings are forbidden to go there, but Laura and Laurie had sneaked down there in the past and had found it repulsive and wretched. Mr. Scott leaves behind a wife and five young children. Godber’s man seems to delight in telling the story, but the servants and Laura are appalled.
Laura believes they should call off the party, but Jose thinks that the very idea is absurd, and that Laura is being overly dramatic. Laura worries what the grieving widow would think if she were to hear the festive sounds of the party. While Jose claims to be sympathetic, she is not. She declares that Laura cannot hold up life every time a tragedy strikes their poor neighbors. She accuses Mr. Scott of being drunk at the time of the accident.
Frustrated with Jose’s callousness, Laura retreats into the house seeking her mother’s support. She finds Mrs. Sheridan in her dressing room trying on a new hat. At first, her mother is frightened by the news, but she appears relieved to hear that the accident did not happen in their garden. Mrs. Sheridan behaves like Jose, but with the addition of an air of amusement. She believes the tragedy is only a problem because they have heard of it.
Mrs. Sheridan turns the conversation to her new hat, which she has decided to give to Laura. Laura takes the hat but refuses to look at herself in her mother’s mirror. She leaves her mother and withdraws to her own bedroom, where, by chance, she catches a glimpse of herself in her mirror. She admires how she looks in the hat. She becomes uncertain of how to feel about the death.
After lunch, the party band arrives in their green coats. Kitty mocks them for resembling frogs. Laurie reappears, home from work. Laura looks to him for support. He notices her distress but instead of asking what is wrong, he compliments her hat. She decides not to ask his opinion on canceling the party.
Next, the party begins. The happy guests compliment Laura on her appearance, including her new hat. Laura is caught up in the excitement of the party. She plays the perfect hostess and gives no further thought to the death.
After the party, the family gathers in the marquee. As they relax, Mr. Sheridan casually asks if the rest had heard of Mr. Scott’s accident. Mrs. Sheridan responds that they had heard and that it had nearly ruined their party. She thinks it tacky that Mr. Sheridan even mentions it. However, she decides to send a basket of leftover food to Mr. Scott’s widow and children. Although Laura questions the gesture’s appropriateness, she agrees to undertake the delivery.
