It is now early afternoon, and Edmund is trying to read in an armchair when Cathleen enters with bourbon and water. Cathleen jokes with Edmund about his father and brother, implying that all three men drink a lot of alcohol. Edmund asks Cathleen to call the family in, and Cathleen notes that Mary has been napping in the spare room. When Cathleen goes to call Tyrone and Jamie in, Edmund pours himself a drink, but he puts it down when he hears Jamie approaching. Jamie jokes with Edmund about sneaking a drink before the family gathers, and Jamie takes a drink as well, after making sure his father is a distance away. Jamie pours some water in the bottle of bourbon to hide the two drinks that they have taken and comments that Tyrone always performs for passing townsfolk when they work in the front of the house. Jamie cautions Edmund about drinking too much when he is sick, and Edmund predicts that the doctor will arrive later with bad news. Jamie agrees, Edmund gets defensive, and Jamie deflects the conversation to their mother.

Jamie is irritated with Edmund that he did not tell Jamie and Tyrone that Mary was going to take a nap.