"The Daughters of the Late Colonel"

THe late Colonel was angry and emotionally distant from his daughters. Although he dies before the story begins, he is still the most influential character in the story because he was such a tyrant in the raising of his girls. His last contact with them was not a hug or a kind word, but a glare. It is evident in their actions that their entire lives have revolved around keeping him placated and not making him angry.