Mrs. Dalloway's Release
Hard to believe it had been a whole year; the party seemed just yesterday and yet, so long ago; she was new person since then; well, not so very different; only in some ways, of course; she was less dependant than she had been, more easy with only herself to consult; when she woke in the morning the day didn't loom quite so dangerously. She did miss him, despite all the space he had given her, much more than she imagined possible; oh, she had cried at first, of course, the initial shock was so jarring and it was all so unexpected. He was fine the night before at the party, but the next day he declared himself indisposed; how was she to know it was something serious? Sensible Richard, always so careful of his health, always so moderate in all his habits; so dull and pleasant; who would dream it could happen? Every year there were heart attacks, of course, like Mrs. Chandler down the block when Clarissa was a child-left with two children to raise alone, and her husband only 38. All the women in the neighborhood had nagged for more life insurance, she remembered that. At first, she wanted not to think about what had happened; the whole thing told over and over again hadn't helped at all; how she had gone for a long walk downt
Wasn't it amazing how life goes on; the routine of her days remained so much the same, except that now Richard didn't come home; the obligatory mourning period rather a relief not to socialize; one day when she awoke she thought I'm all right, I really am all right; and wonder of wonders, she looked good in black; and no older at all; she continued to wear it after the mourning was over; and oddly, began to feel herself fill the room again when she came downstairs and gave instructions to the servants. Afterwards, Elizabeth came (alone, thank God) and stayed through the whole ghastly three days standing in front of the open casket; receiving people; endlessly thanking people for their sympathy and condolences; allowing Milicent Bruton, openly weeping, to kiss her and Lady Bexborough to brush her cheek; saying to herself over and over again, "Richard is dead. He's dead;" as though to make it real; and Elizabeth, her darling Elizabeth, oddly serene and beside her the whole time like an angel. Elizabeth wanted her to pray, and finally she had consented--just to end the dreary argument-still she did not believe for a moment in God. Afterwards, the ordeal of solicitors and understanding her financial situation, which really wasn't all that bad; Richard had sensibly provided for her; dear Richard. Tonight a small party; something suitable and appropriate for a new widow; just a few close friends; Peter Walsh was coming; she'd seen him only once sin
Some common words found in the essay are:
Sensible Richard, Peter Walsh, Richard Wasn't, , Lady Bexborough, Sally Seton, Peter I'll, Afterwards Elizabeth, God Afterwards, Milicent Bruton,
Approximate Word count = 987
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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