 It s an ordinary day below stairs, but the war has everyone edgy. Mrs. Bridges is  as cross as two sticks,  but Rose takes it in her stride. The post arrives and Rose opens a letter from Gregory s company commander. She falls over in shock and Hudson and Mrs. Bridges are alarmed. Hudson reads the contents of the sad missive aloud: Sgt. Wilmont has been killed in the line of duty. He died peacefully and his effects will be forwarded to her in due course. Rose is inconsolable and Mrs. Bridges is beside herself. Hazel feels great sorrow when she s told of Rose s terrible news, but receives word that James will be home on leave. Days pass and a disconsolate Rose visits a celebrated medium, a commonplace practice through which the many bereft seek solace. Rose bolts out of there and returns to Eaton Place in absolute hysteria. Hazel hears the commotion, but has just learned of Lt. Jack Dyson s death, which is front page news. She bucks up and asks to speak to Rose. One grief-stricken woman urges another to be strong and to seek comfort in prayer, Ultimately, Hazel tells Rose and herself that time will help accommodate bereavement and loss. A ruminative and disillusioned James returns and it s clear that he s devastated by the recent Battle of the Somme. There is no conflict, he tells Hazel, that cannot be resolved without humans resorting to the untold barbarism he has witnessed and that, in his view, good and very brave men have died for nothing. He no longer believes in this senseless war. Hazel instinctively runs to his side and he hands her a compilation of his written thoughts for posterity. He asks her to keep them safely and to promise to have them published, if he is killed. Sullen at the specter, she nods and promises to fulfill her husband s request. James offers his condolences to a weary and defeated Rose, who says she doesn t understand the war, but he perpetuates the same lies he s come to loathe. Hazel reads James  writing and realizes he s been transformed by his experience. In the end, James senses his wife s preoccupation and suggests lunch and a lovely walk in the park as a respite. If any good can be extrapolated from the traumatic and dramatic events of these last weeks at Eaton Place, James  and Hazel s bond, commitment, indeed their entire marriage, is fortified despite, or because of, the relentless adversity they ve endured away from each other.