Q1

a) The mother would laugh upon looking at the photograph and urge others to take a look at Betty and Dolly. The photograph was a reminder of a happy time. 

b) Betty and Dolly are the mother's cousins.

c)The beach holiday took place thirty years back.

4) 'Laboured ease of loss' refers to that ease which comes with bearing one's pain for so long that one has gotten used to carrying around that heavy burden. It's still heavy but one does not take notice of it after having borne it for so long.