Final answer:
The reactions of women to their husbands' absences in different texts range from concern to emotional upheaval, with actions including questioning behavior, feeling relief in witnessing a child's fortitude, worrying over a daughter's health, and seeking solitude in grief.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reactions of the various characters to the disappearances or absences of their husbands vary significantly in the provided texts. The women exhibit a range of emotions, such as confusion, worry, and dismay.
One example is Editha's mother who questions her husband's laughter amid what she perceives as an oddity in Mr. Gearson's behavior. In contrast, another character, Amy, experiences relief seeing her child stand up for themselves despite a conflict involving a delayed telegram and her husband's anger.
There's a mother who stands at the door with a doubtful expression, worriedly observing her daughter's health as her wedding day approaches. And in a deeply emotional reaction, a sister weeps wildly upon receiving distressing news, choosing solitude to deal with her grief.
All these scenarios portray women's varied responses to the complications and challenges arising from the men's actions or their absence in their lives.