Answer:
Inside the home, the light was extremely low, and due to the closed blinds, they could hardly make out one another;
Her father stood apart decorously, holding his hat on his forearm, much like at a funeral; a woman reclined in a deep armchair, while another female who had admitted the guests remained stationed behind it.
Editha, written by William Dean Howells, is a narrative against war from 1905. Its characters are individuals who highly regard traditions and rituals, even when such norms may be inconvenient or socially awkward for them.
The two lines selected reflect this character attribute. The first sentence describes the house with drawn blinds, customary for homes where a family has recently suffered a loss. This practice is upheld, even though it limits their visibility of one another.
The second sentence illustrates a similar trend, as Edith's father stands at a distance, hat in hand, adhering to the expected manner at funerals, aligning with both the previous sentence and exhibiting the character's distinctive traits.