The kitchen in the now abandoned farmhouse of John Wright, a gloomy kitchen, and left withouthaving been put in order—unwashed pans under the sink, a loaf of bread outside the breadbox, a dishtowel on the table—other signs of uncompleted work.
This scene description is important because it describes to us the setting so we really get of feel of where the characters are. The way things are described here creates a feeling of isolation and a emptiness almost like a horror movie.
I asked.” “No,” saysshe, unconcerned. “Who did this, Mrs. Wright?” said Harry. He said it business-like—and she stoppedpleatin’ of her apron. “I don’t know,” she says. “You don’t know?” says Harry. “No,” says she, “Weren’tyou sleepin’ in the bed with him?”
This further highlights the detachment from reality almost seeing that she is mentally ill.
HALE. Why, I don’t think she minded—one way or other. She didn’t pay much attention. I said, “How do,Mrs. Wright, it’s cold, ain’t it?” And she said, “Is it?"—and went on kind of pleating at her apron. Well, Iwas surprised; she didn’t ask me to come up to the stove, or to set down, but just sat there, not even lookingat me, so I said, “I want to see John.” And then she—laughed. I guess you would call it a laugh. I thoughtof Harry and the team outside, so I said a little sharp. “Can’t I see John?” “No,” she says, kind o’ dull like.“Ain’t he home?” says I. “Yes,” says she, “he’s home.” “Then why can’t I see him?” I asked her, out ofpatience. “’Cause he’s dead,” says she. “Dead?” says I. She just nodded her head, not getting a bit excited,but rockin’ back and forth. “Why—where is he?” says I, not knowing what to say. She just pointed upstairs—like that (himself pointing to the room above). I got up, with the idea of going up there. I talked fromthere to here—then I says, “Why, what did he die of?” “He died of a rope around his neck,” says she, andjust went on pleatin’ at her apron. Well, I went out and called Harry. I thought I might—need help. We wentupstairs, and there he was lying’
In this part it shows when hale is recalling the conversation with mrs wright and you can feel the unease and almost emotional withdrawal. Mrs wright seems to calm and is behaving unnaturally during a situation like this. This part of the story implies mrs wright had a deep seperation from reality . it dives a little more into who the character ay be. This scene also builds suspense in the story.
This feels good. Come up to the fire, ladies.
This does not feel like a suggestion more like a demand!