oman who has fallen on hard times, but she is also given the role of keeper of the flame, evident as she gives out a prize once a year at the high school, a prize named for her sister. Her attitude toward this prize seems ambivalent. the prize itself was created by the interfering Winifred, but it is Iris who gives the prize to the winner:
Her sister Mrs. Iris Griffen of the Chase family which contributed so much to our town in earlier days, has graciously consented to present the Prize to the lucky winner. . . (31).
(Note that the Chase family is described as having contributed greatly once--Iris is seen as a relic of the past, given respect but not much affection, while the dead Laura is more alive to the people of the town and
...