Neither Seen Nor Heard

They've been here two days. I've been spending a lot of time in my shop. When I am around they still treat me as if I don't exist. Altogether they seem much more somber than usual. I think that in their mind, this trip is the last time they will see their daughter. I have on occasion, overheard Rebecca trying to talk Abigail out of going. As for Rufus, he spends much of his time smoking his pipe on the porch, staring out towards the horizon, as if he is waiting for something that will never arrive.