I missed my brother, I told Matthew. And I missed Mother, in my own way. And there was shopping to do for Christmas! I explained that to him most exuberantly. I wished to lavish my baby daughter with gifts that could not be had here in Haverton. Oh! How girlishly bubbly I made my needs appear. Matthew had business to attend to in New Haven, so it worked out well for us all to travel and lodge with Mother together. There would be plenty of shopping time in which I could claim to have been searching for just the right doll or dress for Martha, to no avail. When, in fact, I’d be searching for a man named Price. It is difficult for me now to remember if I felt any guilt for my deception. I suppose I was too determined—and perhaps too desperate—to feel guilt. The travel with Matthew went smoothly as Martha slept most of the way. I recall Matthew kissing my hand as we came close to the city. Mother served us a stew of beef and potatoes, and perhaps the heaviness and familiarity of it helped me to sleep despite my apprehensions.
What do You think about The Evening Spider (2015)?
