A Visit to the Holloway House

Mrs. Regina Thompkins has gone to Mr. Edward Holloway's estate every third Sunday to enjoy tea with her sister, and Mr. Holloway's wife, Agatha Holloway. She is accompanied by the Thompkins butler, Barry Cunningham, on a horse drawn carriage. The Holloway's butler, Arthur Wilson is at the gates to welcome the missus.

"Mr. Cunningham, always a pleasure to see you again," Arthur said shaking Barry's hand.

"And you as well Mr. Wilson," Barry said.

Barry opened the carriage door while Arthur helped Mrs. Thompkins out of the carriage.

"Why Arthur, you certainly look unwell, I do hope you've been taking care of yourself," Mrs. Thompkins said putting her hand to her forehead. Vultures circled overhead and some sat perched on the roof of the house.

"Oh, you need not worry Mrs. Thompkins, I have just been terribly busy as of late, Duke Wesley's birds escaped recently and have been giving the staff nothing but trouble by picking at our refuse," Arthur said, leading Mrs. Thompkins toward the front entrance.

Their house was a rather small mansion. It stood at only two stories tall, but its peaked brick roof gave the house a larger appearance. The old stone foundations were patchy but well maintained. Along the border of the house's foundation and the fence of their property were rows of cranberry bushes.

"Oh, but your cranberries are still the talk of the town I hear," she said.

"Yes Madam, they are the pride of the house," he said.

"Lady Agatha always was fond of cranberries, even as a young girl. How is my sister?" she asked.

"I fear she is unwell Madam; she hasn't left her room in a month. I've brought her food every day, but she hasn't said a word to me since. I was hoping you could snap her out of her doldrum Mrs. Thompkins." Arthur opened the front door into the Holloway estate's foyer.

"That sounds dreadful Arthur, I'm sure she will cheer up when I join her." she said. "What of Mr. Holloway?"

"He'll be home soon Madam, hopefully you'll see him before you leave," he said.

"I hope so too," she said.

"Here we are Madam," Arthur said in front of Agatha Holloway's door, "I'll go fetch the tea." Arthur bowed to Mrs. Holloway then turned away.

"Oh, don't bother with the tea just yet Arthur, but perhaps a bowl of cranberries for my sister," Mrs. Thompkins said. "It seems you have a bird problem that is in need of your attention. I'm sure Barry will be glad to help if you asked."

"Yes Madam," he said as Mrs. Thompkins opened to the Mrs. Holloway's room.

Mrs. Holloway lay in bed in the center of the room. It was dark, lit only by the closed window with its curtains drawn. A thick layer of dust covered everything from the bedspread to the wardrobe. A vulture perched at the windowsill stared at Mrs. Thompkins as she entered. Mrs. Thompkins approached he window, frightening the vulture into flight. "Oh Agatha, you'll do yourself no wonders if you stay in the dark room all the time." Mrs. Thompkins said. "Let's let some air in," She opened the window letting the scent of the cranberries below billow in. "Ah, that's more like it." She said moving to her sister's side.

Mrs. Holloway lay facing the ceiling, her once golden hair has turned to a grayish auburn and was scattered across the pillows. Her face had wrinkled in on itself and her lips were dry and chapped. She smelled of cheap perfume and rotten eggs.