Chapter 3The light faded along with the dwindling afternoon before they could reach Act Two with the appearance of Oberon, to Matthew’s heartfelt relief. Abigail and Mrs. Robinson were deep in discussion about costumes, which gave him another twinge of alarm at what fanciful creation he would be expected to wear. Mr. Hetherington, seeing his daughter was momentarily distracted, had departed with the excuse of organising the card tables in the main drawing room for the evening, with his young neighbour playing Lysander offering his assistance.
Mr. Grace, the vicar, was talking to Mrs. Bolton who was nursing her young son. The cleric was kindly trying to distract her from the lively flirtation between her husband and Hermia in a corner of the room. Matthew left with the majority of the cast
