Dead Man's Shoes

Victor, Ruth, Helena and Lionel gathered together for Violet's (mother of Helena and Lionel) birthday. Victor gives Violet a brass coal scuttle, which Helena had hoped to give to her mother. There is thus some tension when Violet shows a great deal of liking for the object. In the meantime, Violet's maid, Ettie, is worried when she finds leftover coal in the scuttle for there's a belief that it is unlucky. It seems to mean that the previous owner died before they could finish the coal.