Bill doesn't answer. Gretchen sends Kimberly and Sydney into the kitchen for the relish plate, and serving spoons. Sydney, eyeing the olives, wonders if Kimberly will laugh when she puts some on the ends of her fingers. Kimberly's approval would be worth a reprimand from her mother. (Kimberly will laugh, and then, to her own mother's disgust, she'll put two olives up her nose. At bedtime Sydney will pray devoutly to be just like Kimberly when she grows up.)
By the time dinner is on the table Bill has led Grandpa out. He's not far--in the car, likely--because Bill isn't gone long. But he's not in the house anymore.
"Who's going to say grace?" asks Diane when they're all seated, trying to salve Bill's pride, likely.
Gretchen opens her mouth to answer, but "Grace!" say Kimberly and Sydney together, and Sydney giggles.
Gretchen says amen.