Dear Departed - Summary

The story of the play begins with Mrs Slater telling her ten years old daughter, Victoria, to go upstairs and put on her white frock. Her husband Henry Slater comes home after sending a telegram to his sister-in-law, Elizabeth, and her husband Jordan to come to talk over Grandpa’s affairs who is presumed dead. Henry wonders if they would come because Elizabeth has said she would never set foot in their house again. But Mrs Slater tells her husband to wear Grandpa’s new slippers and proposes Henry to replace their untidy box of drawers with the valuable desks of Grandpa. After some hesitation, he agrees. Mrs Slater fastens the front door and they carry the old chest of drawers upstairs. Mrs Slater tells her daughter not to open the door till they come down. Victoria ushers in Ben and Mrs Jordan. Sisters kiss each other and men shake hands. Mrs Jordan says that he has gone at last and asks her sister whether she had sent for the doctor. Mrs Slater says that she sent Henry at once for Dr Pingle but he was out. Mrs Jordan says that she should have sent for another doctor because many persons have resorted to life after they were thought to be gone. Then they talk about his paying the premium. They consider the announcement in the papers and think of some appropriate verses. Then they say that they will look through his things and make a list of them. Mrs Slater tells Victoria to run upstairs and fetch the bunch of keys on her Grandpa’s dressing table. She is afraid to go but goes. Victoria returns very scared and tells that Grandpa is getting up. They are transfixed with amazement. The door open and Grandfather, Abel Merryweather comes in. They cannot believe their eyes. He comes forward to shake hand with his son-in-law, Mr Ben Jordan. He retreats with Mr Ben Jordan to a safe distance. Mrs Slater pokes him with her hand to see if he is solid. Only Victoria is glad that he is not dead. Mrs Slater snatches the slippers from her husband and gives them to Grandpa. Abel Merryweather asks them why they are in mourning. Mrs Slater invents an excuse and tells that Ben’s brother has died and they are going to his funeral. Grandfather says, perhaps, they have been waiting for him. Then he tells them to sit down and take tea. He says there is nothing serious. Due to over-drinking, he had become unconscious. Then he asks Mrs Slater and Henry what they had been doing with his bureau. Elizabeth blames her sister for stealing. The two sisters start quarrelling. Their integrity is exposed. Grandpa comes to know the reality. He tells them that he would change his will. He would give his money and things to the one with whom he lives. Both the sisters try to persuade him to do stay with them, but he says that it is a bit late. He declares that he will do three things on Monday next. He will go to the lawyer and change the will, pay the premium and get married to Mrs John Shorrocks who keeps the Ring-o-Bells at St. Philips’ Church. He invites all of them to attend the ceremony.