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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 June 2025
Act 4 Scene 4
Three hours later. The business meeting was followed by a light lunch of soup and a sandwich. Guests are gathered in the sunshine outside the Johnson on the lawn that gently slopes to the lake. A few people have already donned life jackets and are carrying kayaks to the dock.
Rivka: [in the middle of a conversation with Anna] I don't mind in the least if you want to go with the younger folk out on the lake. I’ll be fine. There's a lovely little pagoda a short walk in the woods near a delightful pond. It's one of my happy places.
Anna: I don't want to abandon you! Besides, I think all the kayaks are already taken. I can go out later before we head for home. I’d really like to finish the conversation we started earlier with Jack and Clayton speaking of which […]
Clayton and Jack amble over to them, Clayton rolling up the sleeves of his plaid hiking shirt.
Clayton: What a beautiful day! [looking around as if seeing the surroundings for the first time] I hadn't realized being indoors all morning.
Rivka: [shielding her eyes in the bright sunlight] I was just saying to Anna that I wouldn't mind if you all wanted to do something outdoors. I’m going to wander over to the pagoda. There's a heron rookery by the pond, just a short walk farther on. I’d be glad to show you.
Clayton: I’ve never seen one of those! If it's no trouble I’d like to tag along.
Jack: Me too!
Anna: That's settled then! The pagoda and rookery it is.
The four friends walk in single file along a narrow and winding pathway the fifty yards to the subtly hidden pagoda.
Clayton: I’m surprised we are not seeing more mosquitos. Don't you have them up here?
Anna: Oh yes! Mosquitos aplenty in the summer months. This is just a little early. Mind you, watch out for the ticks. The last few years we’ve seen a larger infestation than usual. I’m forever pulling ticks off the dog when she's been out in the woods.
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