'The Garden Party' by Katherine Mansfield

Laura thought that Mr. Scott seemed more handsome in death than he had been in life. She was almost envious of the look contentment on his face, as if garden parties, baskets, and all of life’s particularities were behind him. While the band played, and they had all laughed and socialized at the party, this man laid like “a marvel,” she thought, just a road away. He seemed so happy and yet the situation was so grave that Laura felt she had to say something. “Forgive my hat” (51) she mumbled and ran out the door.