More and more people were arriving.

Mrs. Boote arrived a little later; she found a seat and looked up, only to realize that Laura still needed to arrive.

She unconsciously hooked a contemptuous smile and said to Lily beside her, "Laura is probably too scared to come."

Lily still needs to answer. Instead, Henry, sitting behind her, picked up the conversation, "Yes, Lily. Laura is too scared to come!"

Two o'clock in the afternoon.

The old-fashioned wall clock in the hall made a long, striking sound. Under the watchful eyes of many, Laura arrived as promised.

Only just settled in front of the stage, Mrs. Wilson, impatient to take it...