Katherine opened the oven to check on the roast, hmming. "Just a bit more to go, and this should be ready... ... so what are you doing about this, if there are crazy diseased people in the woods? I mean... are the police looking into this, or..."

She was interrupted by Chester, who poked his head in and rather pointedly commented, "Katherine, the table isn't even set yet, and we certainly didn't plan on having guests over for dinner. Whatever girl gossip you need to do can be taken care of during the daytime, can't it?"

Without glancing back, she chided, "Chester, these are friends and neighbors and we are being hospitable, and you'll get what you want later. Just please leave them be, it's been a rough day for them."

"I've had a rough day, and I'm your husband," Chester groused, "and I don't need to listen to women's chatter when I should be enjoying my evening."