By Maura Campbell
233 Crescent Road,
Burlington, VT 05401
802/660-7906; ibsen3000@yahoo.com
Fiona Pember, 20 year old
bride originally from Boston (Same
actress has two short scenes as an ANGELIC CREATURE.)
William Pember, FionaÕs husband, early thirties, a country doctor in Vermont
Mrs. Pember, WilliamÕs
mother
Clayton Pember, WilliamÕs
brother, a little older, married into money, lives in New York
Helen OÕGrady, a thirteen
year old girl from Ireland, works for William and Fiona
Tom Butterfield, HelenÕs
brother-in-law, also works for William and Fiona
Rebecca Peake, former
resident of William and FionaÕs home.
A convicted murderess who died
in 1833.
EIGHT MEN from South
Randolph, VT.
William and FionaÕs home,
rural Vermont, 1850Õs.
A fiddler and tenor exist somewhere. Music frames the scenes.
Set includes a parlor, more
or less center stage, behind it an entry hall, stage right of it a mud
room. Behind the entry hall,
offstage, is the kitchen and dining Š these ŅroomsÓ are suggested by the action
and dialogue that sometimes takes place offstage. Upstage right is a bedroom, cutaway so that the audience see
the inside at all times. It has a
stairway four feet up from the entry hall. Stage right in front of the bedroom is an area for REBECCA.
Music,
the TENOR sings Wild Rover, then
it fades. A young Irish maid,
HELEN OÕGRADY, polishes the parlor furniture. Then the piano.
Interested, she sits and plays a few notes. Suddenly, MRS. PEMBER enters, a sixtieth matron.
MRS.
PEMBER
Helen! What do you think youÕre doing!
HELEN gets to her feet.
HELEN
Oh, sorry, Mrs. Pember. I was working.
MRS.
PEMBER
Not likely in that position!
HELEN
ItÕs just I want everything
nice for the new Mrs. Pember.
SheÕs coming today? I was
just finishing my work and I wanted to look at the room like she would see it. Sitting down, that is. To see if I
missed any dust bunnies. WouldnÕt
that be a travesty, Mrs. Pember, if the new Mrs. Pember saw a dust bunny on her
first day in her new home?
MRS.
PEMBER
Now, you see here. We hired you as a favor to your
brother-in-law. You want to stay in this country, Helen, is that right?
HELEN
Yes, maÕam.
MRS.
PEMBER
Then youÕll mind your
mouth. And your manners. I may not
live here, but I know what goes on here.
You know what IÕm talking about, Helen.
HELEN
Afraid I donÕt, Mrs. Pember.
MRS. PEMBER
The missing whaleÕs tooth.
That belonged to my husband. His
grandfather was a whaler.
HELEN
He fished for whales, then?
Those mighty creatures?
MRS.
PEMBER
It has been missing since
your first day!
HELEN
DidnÕt Dr. Pember interview
Missy Fredericks and Sarah Brandon that day? CouldnÕt they have nipped the tooth? What would I want with
a whaleÕs tooth,
anyway? IÕve got all me own.
MRS.
PEMBER slaps HELEN.
MRS.
PEMBER
YouÕre to be dismissed. I will tell William. Finish your days
work. And donÕt steal anything
else. We thought hiring you was a good deed, but no good deed goes
unpunished. I want that tooth or
thereÕll be trouble, do you understand me?
HELEN
But I donÕt-
MRS.
PEMBER
No more lies. And no trouble for Dr. Pember when he
arrives. And youÕll be paid your
wages when we get that tooth back.
I can have the sheriff
arrest you.
HELEN bursts into tears.
TOM
BUTTERFIELD (OFFSTAGE LEFT)
Helen! Helen, theyÕve
come! Helen!
MRS.
PEMBER
SheÕs in here, Tom.
TOM, late twenties, laborer, enters.
TOM
Well, excuse me, Mrs.
Pember, I didnÕt see your wagon.
MRS.
PEMBER
Mr. Hebard brought me. IÕm staying a few days to see Mrs. Pember settled in.
TOM
I see Dr. Pember coming
yonder. In a few minutesÉ
He looks at HELEN.
What trouble have you
brought on now?
MRS.
PEMBER
SheÕs been stealing,
Tom. I know sheÕs your wifeÕs sister, but sheÕs been stealing
and we canÕt have it.
TOM turns on HELEN, terrifies her.
MRS.
PEMBER(CONT.)
Stop that, Tom! Not in front of Mrs. Pember. We must put on a good face for
her. LordÕs sake, sheÕll think all
Vermonters act like Irishmen.
TOM
Thieving? Wait until I get you home!
MRS.
PEMBER
Calm down, Tom.
TOM
YouÕre on the next ship back
to Ireland if you donÕt drown yourself first!
MRS.
PEMBER
You will not talk like that
in front of me!
TOM
Sorry, Mrs. Pember.
MRS.
PEMBER
Go get your things together
and stay out of the way. I donÕt
want Mrs. Pember to see you.
HELEN escapes.
MRS.
PEMBER(CONT.)
Tom, have you fixed the
steps? Last thing we need is Mrs.
Pember falling when she goes out to cut roses.
TOM
IÕm working on them, Mrs.
Pember, and I donÕt know how to-
MRS. PEMBER
ItÕs not your fault. ItÕs the way she was raised. Best you
can do is not let her
influence your own children,
when you have some. Now go on.
TheyÕre here.
TOM
exits. MRS. PEMBER dusts and
straightens unnecessarily. A moment later FIONA PEMBER, lovely, barely twenty,
enters with a case.
FIONA
Oh, you must be Helen!
MRS.
PEMBER
I beg your pardon. IÕm your mother-in-law.
FIONA
Oh! IÕm sorry. I didnÕt realize-
WILLIAM PEMBER, thirtyish, enters.
WILLIAM
Mother! I didnÕt see your carriage.
MRS.
PEMBER
Zach dropped me. IÕm staying a few days. Surprise!
WILLIAM
But whoÕs with Father?
MRS.
PEMBER
Mrs. Beebe is staying with
him. HeÕs had a stroke, dear.
FIONA
William told me.
An awkward silence.
MRS.
PEMBER
William, where are your
manners?
WILLIAM
Oh! IÕm sorry. I seem to be struck dumb by theÉ surprise and joy of your
arrival. Mother, this is my wife,
Fiona. Fiona, my mother, Charlotte-
MRS. PEMBER
YouÕll call me Mother, wonÕt
you?
FIONA
Of course.
MRS.
PEMBER
I always wanted a
daughter. Instead I got two boys.
Sit down, dear; William, this girl must be exhausted. You must have some tea.
WILLIAM
WhereÕs Helen?
MRS.
PEMBER
Indisposed. IÕm so sorry about your poor father,
Fiona.
FIONA
Thank you-
MRS.
PEMBER
William said he was sitting
there at breakfast and keeled over in his eggs. How horrid. And
you motherless besides. When my
husband has his shock we thought weÕd lost him for sure. Paralyzed on one side, canÕt even feed
himself.
IÕve always been a great
reader, thank the heavens, and I suspect thatÕs his only
comfort now.
WILLIAM
Mother has been reading
aloud to Father.
MRS.
PEMBER
Four hours a day, weÕve only
another fifty pages of PilgrimÕs Progress. I think then weÕll have another go at the Old Testament.
FIONA
IÕm sure he must be
grateful.
MRS.
PEMBER
You know my husband never
shed a tear during our marriage?
And now he sobs the moment I sit down with a book. God works in mysterious ways.
WILLIAM
About that tea, Mother-
MRS.
PEMBER
How I go on. Milk or lemon, Fiona?
FIONA
Oh. Lemon. But IÕll help.
MRS.
PEMBER
Nonsense. You rest. Well, William, sheÕs a beauty just like you said. And just the right age. You know, none of the girls in Randolph
seemed to suit William. Then one
week in Boston and he finds you.
What is your secret,
Fiona?
WILLIAM
She doesnÕt have one. ThatÕs her secret.
MRS.
PEMBER
Love, love. WhoÕs to know? Now for that tea.
MRS. PEMBER exits. A pause and then-
WILLIAM
DonÕt say it.
FIONA
What?
WILLIAM
How precious she is.
FIONA
SheÕs very, very-
WILLIAM
Dreadful. I know. My fatherÕs stroke is a complete ruse, I suspect.
FIONA
William, sheÕs your mother!
WILLIAM
I know! Do you know why I never married? No one would have me. No one! Handsome, rich, jovialÉI once mailed for a bride in China,
but they
already had word of her!
FIONA
So why didnÕt I know, can
you explain that?
WILLIAM
Oh, come now, itÕs only
because you were desperate. I
mean, with that face? I canÕt be sure who is doing who the greater favor.
FIONA
YouÕre the worst man I ever
met.
WILLIAM
Well, youÕve met my mother.
They roar.
MRS. PEMBER enters.
MRS.
PEMBER
ThereÕs not a grain of sugar
in the house. IÕll have to send Tom for supplies.
WILLIAM
Nonsense. Helen stocked up before I went to
Boston.
MRS.
PEMBER
Then sheÕs cleaned you out,
William.
WILLIAM
What in the world are you
talking about-?
FION
WhatÕs that?
MRS.
PEMBER
I mean that girl has been
stealing, thatÕs what I-
FIONA
Is it a mouse?
MRS.
PEMBER
Mouse? Did you say mouse?
WILLIAM
Where?
FIONA
Behind the drapes. Behind the table and the drapes.
MRS. PEMBER gets up on a chair.
WILLIAM
ItÕs that time of year, a
little nip in the air, they
all come inside.
FIONA
You wonÕt kill it, William?
MRS.
PEMBER
Get Tom. HeÕll kill it.
WILLIAM
Of course IÕll kill it. What else do you do with a mouse in the
house?
FIONA
Catch it. Get a box and put some bread in it and
catch it.
MRS.
PEMBER
Take my shoe, William, beat
it!
WILLIAM,
now on his hands and knees, looks curiously at the area in question.
WILLIAM
IÕll catch him with my bare
hands!
FIONA
If you harm that creature,
IÕllÉ
WILLIAM leaps with a wild cry and grabs it.
MRS.
PEMBER
Aaah!
FIONA
Will!
WILLIAM
holds it close to his chest. He
turns around slowly and reveals-
WILLIAM
My whaleÕs tooth!
FIONA
Your- what?
MRS.
PEMBER
Good heavens!
She begins to climb down.
WILLIAM
It must have fallen. I wonder if I knocked it down. I did knock that table over recently
and now that I think of it-
MRS. PEMBER falls.
MRS.
PEMBER
Oh! Oh, no, oh dear!
WILLIAM
Great Scott, Mother, look
what youÕve done!
MRS.
PEMBER
My head! Oh, dear!
FIONA
Do you have any ice?
MRS.
PEMBER
I canÕt stand the cold!
WILLIAM
WeÕll have to get her to
bed. Fiona, call Tom.
FIONA flees.
MRS.
PEMBER
Oh, if only your father were
here!
WILLIAM
There, there.
FIONA
reenters.
In the barn.
FIONA
exits.
MRS.
PEMBER
I need to know something,
William. If you had caught that mouse,
you would have killed it. WouldnÕt
you?
WILLIAM
I donÕt see how that matters
now, Mother.
MRS.
PEMBER
You listen to me now. Do not let the whims of a bride dictate
how you run your house. Take her in hand, William. Or thereÕll be trouble.
WILLIAM
I assume that is the advice
my father received.
MRS.
PEMBER
DonÕt be impertinent!
TOM runs in, followed by FIONA.
TOM
Lord help us, what have you
done to yourself, Mrs. Pember?
WILLIAM
WeÕll have to get her to
bed, Tom. Can you help me carry
her? Where is Helen? SheÕll have to be your nurse.
MRS.
PEMBER
What- why, IÉ then the
tooth, William, the tooth-
WILLIAM
The tooth is fine,
Mother. YouÕll be fine, too.
Fiona, see if you can find Helen.
We have to get the guest bedroom ready.
MRS.
PEMBER
No! What I mean is, I want to go home. Tom, weÕll have to take WilliamÕs
carriage. DonÕt try to talk me out
of it, IÕve had a fall. IÕm not as
young as I was. I tried my best to
make a welcome for you, Fiona, but the fates have
interfered.
WILLIAM
ItÕs just that we hate to
see you go, Mother.
FIONA
WonÕt you reconsider?
WILLIAM gives FIONA a poke.
MRS.
PEMBER
Tom, youÕre hurting me
there. Get, get, get-
She bats everyoneÕs helping hands away.
MRS.
PEMBER(cont.)
IÕll walk unaided.
She
is a little unsteady, but proceeds with courage. She turns.
MRS.
PEMBER(cont.)
If Helen knew how to clean
properly this would never have happened! Fiona, IÕm sorry about your
father.
TOM and MRS. PEMBER exit.
WILLIAM
Are you all right, darling?
FIONA
Why in the world do you have
a whaleÕs tooth?
WILLIAM
ItÕs a souvenir. See the engraving? That was done in London. ItÕs a London scene.
FIONA
Poor whale.
WILLIAM
Look, itÕs a hundred years
old. Why, the whale would be dead
by now, anyway.
WILLIAM
hears something in the hallway. He puts the tooth in FIONAÕS hands.
WILLIAM(cont.)
Excuse me.
She
looks for a place to put the tooth.
She sets it here, then there.
No place suits her, it is so offensive. Finally, she puts it back behind the drape.
WILLIAM
enters with HELEN. She has been
crying and wears her shawl.
WILLIAM
Fiona, IÕd like you to meet
Helen OÕGrady. SheÕs our housekeeper.
FIONA
So young! And are you, are you well?
HELEN curtsies.
HELEN
IÕm well and strong, Mrs.
Pember.
WILLIAM
Helen, why are you wearing
your shawl?
HELEN
Mrs. Pember, that is, the
old Mrs. Pember Š begging your
pardon Š said I stole the whaleÕs tooth-
FIONA
That dreadful thing? I never want to see it again.
WILLIAM
It does seem to carry
trouble. Where is it?
FIONA
I thought you had it.
WILLIAM
No, I gave it to you when
I-É Hm. Well. That seems to be that, then. Helen,
take off your coat. IÕm surprised
at you. Leaving early on Mrs.
Pember Š the young Mrs. PemberÕs first day.
FIONA
My motherÕs mother came from
Ireland.
HELEN
From Dublin?
FIONA
Near there.
HELEN is full of happiness.
HELEN
Would you like some tea,
then, after your long journey?
WILLIAM
Mother said thereÕs no
sugar.
HELEN
Oh, sure thereÕs sugar and a
mountain of it. But I keep it in a special place. You know thereÕs a special place for everything!
FIONA
IÕd love some tea.
HELEN throws her arms around FIONA.
HELEN
Beg forgiveness, maÕam,
youÕre just so sweet.
She curtsies again.
HELEN(cont.)
YouÕll never have tea like
IÕll make for you, maÕam. And biscuits, those IÕm making now, IÕve got the oven
hot, it wonÕt take a minute.
She kisses FIONAÕS hands and exits.
WILLIAM
I think she likes you.
FIONA
How old is she?
WILLIAM
IÕm not sure.
FIONA
William, she canÕt be
thirteen.
WILLIAM
And sheÕs lucky to have a
job. Fiona, her family was
starving in Ireland. Tom sent for her and her sister.
FIONA
That was nice of Tom.
WILLIAM
YouÕll hear all about the
families that live in this town soon enough. Not everyone has pure motives.
FIONA
I only care about yours.
WILLIAM
I loved you the first minute
I saw you.
FIONA
Why?
WILLIAM
I donÕt know. I hope someday youÕll be able to tell
me.
He
kisses her hands. He puts his arms
around her and kisses her mouth.
HELEN enters with the tea tray, then fluidly exits. Music as lights go down.
HELEN
polishes the candlesticks. FIONA
enters.
FIONA
Oh, Helen, there you are.
Feeling better?
HELEN
Sorry about the two
days. I was so poorly I couldnÕt
get out of bed.
FIONA
I just hope youÕre well
enough to work. If you need more
time-
HELEN
No! Um, Mrs. Pember, I was thinking that it
was time to do a thorough cleaning what with winter coming.
FIONA
Winter is not for months.
HELEN
You canÕt start soon enough,
thatÕs what my mam used to say, better get the mites before they take over.
FIONA
Mites? We have mites?
HELEN
Oh, you canÕt see them. But you can hear them. We call them
fairy mites at home. So I was
thinking that I might work extra, stay till after suppertime then make my way to Tom and my sisterÕs
place. Not for more pay, mind you,
just to get ahead of it.
FIONA
It sounds like we need more
help-
HELEN
No, I can manage. Just wanted to get ahead, thatÕs all.
FIONA
IÕll speak to Dr. Pember
when he returns from his sick call-
HELEN
I was thinking that maybe
IÕd start on it today. Wait!
Listen!
FIONA
What is it?
HELEN
Sh!
They both listen.
FIONA
I canÕt-
HELEN
Sh! ItÕs as I said. The fairy mites. Must be ten wagonfulls
in just this room.
FIONA
Well, if youÕre sure.
HELEN
ThereÕs more, Mrs. Pember.
FIONA
More-
HELEN
I mean, I must say
more. About the room youÕre
sleeping in. ItÕs got a ghost.
FIONA
A ghost? Really, Helen-
HELEN
I know about ghosts. Dreadful creatures. We have them in
Ireland, too. This one, upstairs,
itÕs particularly vile. I wouldnÕt
sleep there if I was you. You ever
scrap with a ghost, Mrs. Pember?
FIONA
I donÕt believe in ghosts, Helen.
HELEN
ThatÕs the worst thing you
could say. Promise me, promise me
you wonÕt say that where the ghost can hear.
FIONA
Why should there be a ghost
in the house?
HELEN
Death. Murder, most likely.
FIONA
A murder? Here?
HELEN
Sure as men are born,
thereÕs been a murder in the house.
But I know what to do about it. I could sleep in there. I saw what the
priests did in my grandÕs house. We have to get holy water. Could probably find some in the brook,
but thereÕs no priest to
bless it. I know! The daft man,
Willy Eldridge that lives down the way.
Father Clarence said that God speaks through the babes and idiots. We
could ask him.
FIONA
Helen, I donÕt know what to
say. When Dr. Pember returns IÕll
tell him what you said about the ghost-
HELEN
If you could just tell Tom I
have to stay here, Mrs. Pember.
That you need me.
FIONA
But your sister, isnÕt sheÉ
HELEN
Expecting. Yes. She doesnÕt like me there. So I thought if I could take care
of the ghost I could stay here. YouÕll never know it, IÕll be so quiet. And you can keep my wages, I wonÕt eat
any extra, look IÕm strong, I can help in the yard when TomÕs away, and when
you have bairns IÕll walk them and get up at night, I had seven little brothers
and one sister and I know how to care for-
FIONA
Seven- But, Helen, you must miss them.
HELEN
doesnÕt answer.
FIONA (cont.)
Are theyÉ still in Ireland?
HELEN
In heaven. ThatÕs where I would be if Tom hadnÕt
sent for Colleen. Me mam
and da, too.
FIONA
I guess I could speak to
Tom.
HELEN
DonÕt say nothing about
Colleen, that would just make him sore.
If you could
just say you need me.
FIONA
All right. I can see that you feel itÕs necessary.
HELEN
HeÕs out there. In the barn. Shoeing the mare. If you could just tell him.
FIONA
I will.
HELEN
IÕm making hash and a good
gravy for dinner. And biscuits and
a pudding.
Will Dr. Pember be back
before dark?
FIONA
I expect him any time.
HELEN
Thanks ever so much, Mrs.
Pember. YouÕre like an angel, and
beautiful
and kind. Your mother when
she bore you, why, she must have
thought she was seeing the
face of God. YouÕll have angel
babes, too, but
youÕll have to sleep in Dr.
PemberÕs room to get them. Good
afternoon
and IÕll watch for your
husband and holler.
HELEN
exits. FIONA is rather stunned by
all this. She sits a moment,
thinking, then gets up abruptly and goes outside.
FIONA
Tom? Tom? Oh, there, Tom?
Tom?
TOM enters.
TOM
Afternoon, Mrs. Pember.
FIONA
Yes, Tom, I need to speak to
you about Helen.
TOM
WhatÕs she done now, Mrs.
Pember?
FIONA
Oh, sheÕs done nothing. That is, she does everything. She is truly a wonderful girl,
Tom. I am so grateful that you
brought her to this country. Thank you, Tom.
TOM
Is there anything else, Mrs.
Pember?
FIONA
Oh, yes. Well. I was thinking, hoping, that Helen might stay
here.
To help me.
TOM
Was she going somewhere,
Mrs. Pember?
FIONA
I mean, at night. To live here. ThereÕs a room upstairs-
TOM
IÕm afraid her sister
wouldnÕt have it, Mrs. Pember.
After losing so much
family back in Ireland, well, it would probably kill my wife.
And the baby coming, Ōscuse
me for mentioning it, but, well, ColleenÕs
not feeling too well. Doctor Pember says itÕs to be a
difficult confinement
and the worst may happen.
No, we need her at home. SheÕs
like a daughter to me, Mrs.
Pember. I couldnÕt settle in my own chair
not knowing she was home and
safe.
FIONA
But surely you know she
would be safe here-
TOM
ItÕs a fatherly thing, Mrs.
Pember. CanÕt quite explain it any better. SheÕs
like one of my own.
FIONA
I see.
TOM
Will there be anything
else? IÕve got a horse missing a
shoe.
FIONA
No. ThatÕs all I had on my mind.
TOM
I have an Aunt Mary. SheÕs missing a hand, but still gets
wood in.
For the nights.
FIONA
No, thank you. IÕm sure I can manage.
TOM
I appreciate the work you
give Helen. The wages help.
FIONA
She earns them.
TOM
Holler if you need anything.
TOM
exits. FIONA goes inside. She calls for HELEN. No answer. She goes into her bedroom.
REBECCA
PEAKE, a ghost, is lying on the bed.
FIONA looks around the room as if seeing it for the first time.
She
sits on the bed, a little weary and confused. Then she lies down.
REBECCA immediately sits up and stares at FIONA. Music as lights go down.
Lights
are down. WILLIAM enters. He lights a small lantern and goes to
FIONAÕS room.
WILLIAM
Darling?
He touches her gently. She wakes.
FIONA
William? Heavens, what, what time is it?
WILLIAM
Just nine oÕclock. IÕm sorry IÕm late.
FIONA
I wasÉ IÕve been sleeping
for hours. What in the world made
me do that?
WILLIAM
YouÕre bored and you miss
me.
FIONA
Have you had dinner?
WILLIAM
Is everything all right?
FIONA
What? Why?
WILLIAM
It looks as if Helen was in
the midst of cooking and then left.
ThereÕs a big pile
of flour on the table-
FIONA
She was making hash-
WILLIAM
Ah. ThatÕs the stench. I thought someone
had died.
FIONA
Please! No jokes. SomethingÕs wrong, I can sense it. Helen asked
me if she could live
here. She said something about a
ghost
in the house and that her
sister didnÕt like her and-
WILLIAM
Wait, wait, wait. She wants to live here?
FIONA
I think somethingÕs wrong
between her and her sister. Why
would she want to live here?
WILLIAM
WhatÕs this about a ghost?
FIONA
Oh, a story she made
up. She said there was a ghost in
this room
and she could get rid of it
with holy water, something about a Father
Clarence. She was going to get it out of the
brook and have Willy
Eldridge bless it.
WILLIAM
YouÕve been in the cider
barrel again.
FIONA
Stop! William, I know sheÕs fanciful. But I do think somethingÕs wrong.
WILLIAM
She may be right about the
ghost.
FIONA
What do you mean?
WILLIAM
IÕve heard things.
FIONA
Like what?
WILLIAM
Oh, you know. Walking. Crying.
FIONA
You donÕt believe in ghosts!
WILLIAM
Wooo-
FIONA
Stop. What nonsense.
WILLIAM
There was a murder here.
FIONA
William-
WILLIAM
IÕm serious. Ephraim Peake. His stepmother poisoned him with
arsenic.
Put it in the hash.
Happened, oh, twenty years ago, I guess.
FIONA
How horrid! Poor child!
WILLIAM
Oh, he wasnÕt a child. Thirty five, something like that.
FIONA
But why would she kill him?
WILLIAM
Well, she Š something about
the farm. He bought it from his
father. And she didnÕt want to
live with him. So she killed him.
FIONA
What happened to her?
WILLIAM
She was sentenced to hang.
FIONA
My God!
WILLIAM
She didnÕt though.
FIONA
She didnÕt?
WILLIAM
ThatÕs enough ghost stories
for one night.
FIONA
You must tell me!
WILLIAM
What, and spoil your
appetite for hash?
FIONA
I want to know!
WILLIAM
Tomorrow. IÕll tell you tomorrow.
FIONA
But-
WILLIAM
Sh. I shouldnÕt have told you. No more tonight. Would you join me in a
little supper?
FIONA
Yes, of course.
FIONA
gets up; WILLIAM attempts to take her in his arms. She pulls away.
ItÕs just, IÕm notÉ
WILLIAM
IÕm sorry.
FIONA
I just need a little time.
WILLIAM
I want us to have children.
FIONA
I know. I know. I pray every night.
WILLIAM
How could you be so perfect?
FIONA
Please donÕt say that,
please donÕt say that.
WILLIAM
takes her hands and very slowly puts them to his lips.
WILLIAM
I havenÕt eaten since
morning.
FIONA
ThereÕs johnny cake. And syrup. And an egg.
They begin to exit.
Is thisÉ where it happened?
WILLIAM
Oh, no. This was RebeccaÕs room.
They
exit. Lights go down.
VOICE
OVER RECORDING OF THE JURY SELECTION SCENE AND THE JUDGE.
HEBARD
State
you name, occupation and town of residence.
RIFORD
Lazarus
Riford, I'm a farmer from Vershire.
HEBARD
And
are you acquainted with the facts of this case, Mr. Riford?
RIFORD
I
heard about it. Guess there's not
a soul in Vermont that hasn't.
HEBARD
And
have you formed an opinion as to the guilt or innocence of Mrs. Peake?
RIFORD
Formed
an opinion?
HEBARD
Have
you thought about it, Mr. Riford?
RIFORD
Well,
when I hear something I usually think something.
HEBARD
And
in this case, what have you thought of?
RIFORD
Well,
I expect I thought of lots of things.
HEBARD
Such
as?
RIFORD
I
can't rightly recall, sir.
HEBARD
Well,
what are you thinking right now?
RIFORD
I'm
thinking how hot it is in here.
HEBARD
I
mean, what are you thinking about the case?
RIFORD
Oh, I
think I'd like to sit on the jury.
HEBARD
And
why is that?
RIFORD
Well,
snow on the ground, not much to do in the fields. Warmer in here than it is in the cow barn! I reckon I could do as good a job as
anybody.
HEBARD(Pause)
I
reckon you're right.
Lights up on REBECCA stage right.
REBECCA*
My lawyer, Mr. Peck, said it's not recommended that
the accused speak in her behalf, but since the case is so... desperate, I guess
it can't do any harm. I'm Mrs.
Rebecca Peake and I've lived the last twenty-five years on the Peake farm in
South Randolph. We've got...
there's three hundred and fifty acres, best sheep farm in the valley. Before that I come from
Massachusetts. Jonathan Peake
brought me up here after his wife died.
She left him with nine children, she did. I raised them best I could and two of my own, Susan and
George. I ain't seen none of them
since I come here before the sheriff arrested me. That includes my husband. I reckon they're shamed to have a mother in jail, but I'm
still someone. (Pause.) I'm still someone.
He was going to put me out, you know. Ephraim. After he married Lucy Paige, which he never
got to do. Said when they built
the asylum down in Brattleboro it was going to be my new home. (Laughs, but then gets serious.) Said
they'd chain me up when I went out of my head, said that's what he was going to do next time I took a turn. (Defensive.) I just
get headaches, that's all. My ma
got them, too. Doctor tried
bleeding me and that worked for a while.
Then it stopped. You ever
have a sick head? Huh? First it's
kind of a cold creeping thing slithering up your neck. Then I see this little patch out of the
corner of my right eye but when I turn (she turns), it sidles just enough so I can't see it square. I think that's how I get the sick
head. I just keep trying to see
that blasted thing.
Anyways, I know about asylums. My ma was in one when she died. Then there was my brother what ended
badly and now me. All on account
of our sick heads. That's why I
didn't think nothing of Ephraim getting sick. We was all sick.
That's the way it works in families, don't it?
She
pulls her shawl tighter.
It's cold in here, cold as a grave.
Music as lights go down.
ACT ONE, SCENE FIVE
Laughter offstage. WILLIAM and his brother, CLAYTON,
enter the parlor. A large wrapped
box with a bow sits on a table.
REBECCA is upstairs in the bedroom, sitting in the chair.
WILLIAM
IÕll place five glasses of brandy around the room,
hidden, you see. And every time
you start to tell a story, you get up, go on and on, weÕll get bored in no
time, yawn, then, when weÕre not looking-
Mimics
downing a quick drink.
Mother wonÕt suspect a thing.
CLAYTON
How do you manage it?
WILLIAM
WhatÕs that?
CLAYTON
The most insidious insults imaginable.
WILLIAM
Insidious?
CLAYTON
Yes.
WILLIAM
Well.
YouÕve met my mother.
MRS.
PEMBER enters leaning on a cane.
MRS.
PEMBER
That wife of yours insists on cleaning up. SheÕll
burn the house down if sheÕs not more careful. Will, youÕve got to get some
decent help in this house. That-
girl-
WILLIAM
Helen, Mother.
MRS.
PEMBER
She hasnÕt got the capacity for service. Clayton,
surely you can find someone in the entire state of New York to work for your
brother? We seem to have exhausted
our resources in Vermont.
CLAYTON
I thought it was a fine meal, Will. And the pear
tart.
MRS.
PEMBER
A little rich, perhaps. But then, Fiona wasnÕt raised to be a cook. SheÕs looking pale, is everything all
right?
WILLIAM
Pale? I
think itÕs the light, Mother.
Everything is fine.
MRS.
PEMBER
She has dark circles under her eyes, William.
CLAYTON
How is your practice doing, Will?
WILLIAM
Growing.
Fourteen families have settled here in the last year. I may have to call you back to help me.
CLAYTON
What, and abandon the flesh pots of New York? No,
thank you.
Do you really think itÕs fair to take a beautiful
girl like Fiona out
of Boston and hide her in the woods?
WILLIAM
Fiona likes the woods. She doesnÕt like me much, but she likes the woods.
HELEN
enters with tea for MRS. PEMBER.
MRS.
PEMBER
You wear me out, the two of you. Fiona was lucky to find a man
like your brother. HeÕs a family man, Clayton. I donÕt know what your
father and I would haveÉ
WILLIAM
Fiona is doing fine.
MRS.
PEMBER
Your poor father!
FIONA
enters.
CLAYTON
Ah, the toiling wench. Pour us a brandy, then off to bed with you.
FIONA notices the wrapped box. She cannot take her eyes off it.
MRS.
PEMBER
William does not drink brandy. A doctor must keep his wits about
him.
You never know when thereÕs to be a crisis. Of course, you can afford
to indulge, Clayton. When one has money, in this case marries money,
oneÕs time is oneÕs own to do as one wishes.
CLAYTON
YouÕre right.
One brandy, please, Helen!
I must apologize again for my wife not being able to make the trip. But she did send a present and I
promised to give it to you after supper.
FIONA
I love presents!
MRS.
PEMBER
Well, what is it?
FIONA
unwraps it.
FIONA
ItÕs a music box. How lovely.
CLAYTON
Elizabeth thought you would like it.
FIONA
And I do.
She
winds it up and it plays a melody.
REBECCA
hears it. She stands up,
listening.
FIONA(cont.)
I shall treasure it always. And it will make me think of the sister I have
yet to meet and whom I know I shall love.
HELEN
exits to kitchen.
CLAYTON
You donÕt deserve her, Will.
WILLIAM
I know.
MRS.
PEMBER
ItÕs rather large. CouldnÕt you have found a smaller one?
FIONA
I think itÕs perfect.
She closes the lid and the music stops. REBECCA reacts. She
goes down the stairs and into the kitchen.
CLAYTON
Fiona, IÕm sorry about your father.
FIONA
Thank you.
He was in failing health, but somehow it was still a shock.
IsnÕt that what everyone says? And itÕs true.
A loud crash from the kitchen. HELEN runs out.. FIONA goes to her Š they whisper, HELEN
explaining that and HELEN leaves
the house. WILLIAM follows. An awkward pause in the parlor Š MRS.
PEMBER rolls her yes. FIONA and
WILLIAM return.
CLAYTON
And no other family?
FIONA
I expect you already were told about my mother. She
died when I was
born. My
uncle, actually, he was my fatherÕs solicitor and a dear family
friend, said my father never recovered.
WILLIAM
But he was a great professor. My professor and so it seems I owe
him everything. I was in Boston for a conference and
went to see him.
ThatÕs how I met Fiona. I met her, I came home, I
waited a day, and
then I went back to Boston to ask for her hand in
marriage.
CLAYTON
And he said yes!
FIONA
My father died the morning before William arrived.
But he would have been glad. I
wanted to bury him in Vermont, but it didnÕt seem right to separate him from my
mother when they had been so cruelly separated in life.
CLAYTON(overcome)
My- dear!
MRS.
PEMBER
There are other kinds of separation. Equally cruel.
WILLIAM
So tell us, Clayton, about the high life youÕre
living in New York.
Do you go to the opera?
CLAYTON
When I need a good evening nap.
FIONA
Mrs. Pember, IÕve wanted to ask, did you know the
family that lived here? The
Peakes?
REBECCA
goes back upstairs.
CLAYTON
You must have told her about Rebecca!
MRS.
PEMBER
ThatÕs not an appropriate topic, Fiona. Will, you shouldnÕt have told her.
WILLIAM
But Helen says there is a ghost in the house.
MRS.
PEMBER
Really!
That coarse girl! Putting
fancies like that in our FionaÕs head!
FIONA
But did you know her, Mrs. Pember?
MRS.
PEMBER
Only by sight.
We never spoke. She was peculiar. And a Baptist.
CLAYTON
Father knew her.
MRS.
PEMBER
Clayton!
CLAYTON
Well, he did.
He was her doctor.
EphraimÕs, too.
WILLIAM
I had forgotten that.
CLAYTON
You were away at school. He testified at the trial.
FIONA
The poor woman!
MRS.
PEMBER
Poor woman!
Murdered Ephraim Peake in his bed. Fed him poisoned
hash and then when he begged for a sip of water, she
poisoned that,
too! I was at that trial, we all were. Lucretia Murch hid under RebeccaÕs
bed and heard her confess the whole business to
Reverend Washburn,
God rest his soul.
CLAYTON
pours himself another brandy.
MRS.
PEMBER(cont.)
Clayton, youÕve had quite enough!
CLAYTON
Sorry, Mother.
All this talk about poison and confessions. Makes me
forget myself.
MRS.
PEMBER
Your father never raised a glass! William, IÕm surprised at you keeping
it in the house.
FIONA
It was a gift.
From Mr. Hastings, my fatherÕs solicitor. Did they also call
her Sally?
MRS.
PEMBER
Sally was Jonathan PeakeÕs first wife.
FIONA
There is a small graveyard near the road on the north
side. One of the
Graves says Sally and the others are unmarked.
CLAYTON
TheyÕre probably infants. IÕm quite sure Jonathan Peake didnÕt bury his second wife
next to his first.
FIONA
IÕve looked, sheÕs not in the town cemetery.
CLAYTON
Oh, probably the medical school bought her. They got in trouble back in the
thirties for grave digging Š paid a five hundred dollar fine.
FIONA
Why would a-
WILLIAM
Clayton, how long are you home for?
CLAYTON
A week.
IÕm sleeping in my old room.
Makes me remember my boyhood.
Except you arenÕt there, Will.
Remember the tree we climbed on from the window at night? I canÕt reach it anymore. Damned it I can understand it.
WILLIAM
What, you tried to climb out the window?
CLAYTON
CouldnÕt resist. Nearly killed myself in the process.
MRS.
PEMBER
WeÕve got to get home to your father. William, help me up. Fiona, that
was a nice roast you made. If I had my health, IÕd teach you how to
make a proper pie, but I canÕt stand long enough
anymore.
FIONA
IÕll keep working on it, Mrs. Pember.
MRS.
PEMBER
YouÕre to call me Mother. And IÕm looking forward to having grandchildren.
IÕm not getting any younger.
CLAYTON
YouÕve got three grandchildren already.
MRS.
PEMBER
In New York.
What good can they do me here?
Clayton, I hope youÕre not too drunk to control the team. Good night.
FIONA
Good night!
MRS. PEMBER exits out of sight. CLAYTON, WILLIAM and FIONA exit to
dooryard.
CLAYTON
Fiona, it was wonderful to meet you. I hope you and Will can come to New
York before winter.
FIONA
I hope so, too.
WILLIAM
A week, huh?
God help you.
CLAYTON
Keep a key under the step for me, just in case.
MRS.
PEMBER(OFFSTAGE)
Clayton, IÕm growing roots out here!
CLAYTON exits.
WILLIAM and FIONA enter the parlor. WILLIAM gets a brandy glass.
WILLIAM
You donÕt mind?
FIONA
No, of course not.
FIONA watches WILLIAM Š he is next to the piano.
FIONA(CONT.)
Do you play?
WILLIAM
What?
FIONA
The piano.
WILLIAM
Oh, that. A gift from my Aunt Lacy. I was her favorite.
A
pause.
WILLIAM(CONT.)
Sorry about Mother.
FIONA
It must be difficult with your father so ill.
WILLIAM
HeÕs waiting to die. It canÕt be long.
FIONA
Sometimes I feel this terrible sadness, like IÕm
under the water and
I can see the sky and I put my arms up, but it only
takes me further
and further from away.
WILLIAM
Fiona!
FIONA
Is everyone like that? Do you feed sad, too, sometimes?
WILLIAM
Sometimes, sure. But just a little blue, or sometimes I feel frustrated, or
angry like when I have too much work to do, or someone that IÕm trying to help
dies.
FIONA
You donÕt just feel sad for no reason sometimes?
WILLIAM
No. But
itÕs to be expected. You just lost
your father, you moved from
everything you knewÉ
FIONA
But IÕve always felt like this. Ever since I can remember. Not all the time, just sometimes. And I never know when, sometimes I wake
up in the morning and I feel so heavy-
WILLIAM
Have you felt like this since our marriage?
FIONA
Yes.
Once or twice. A little bit
today.
WILLIAM
You must tell me. IÕm a doctor. I
can help you. ThereÕs medicine for
these moods. Now, you sit
here. IÕm going to give you a
little brandy. DonÕt argue. Just a few sips. ItÕll relax you, help you to sleep.
He gives her a glass. She takes a little sip. He opens the top of the music box. FIONA jumps to her feet and drops the glass.
FIONA
Oh! Oh,
you frightened me!
WILLIAM
Fiona.
Are you all right?
FIONA
Yes, IÕm sorry.
Look, I made such a mess.
You know, IÕm exhausted. I
was so excited to meet your brother, I think IÕve overdone it.
WILLIAM
He has that general effect on everybody.
FIONA
But I like him, Will. I really do.
Your mother is too hard on him.
Sorry
to criticize.
But heÕs funny and charming.
WILLIAM
Are you afraid you married the wrong brother?
FIONA
He reminds me of you. I wish he and his family didnÕt live so far away.
WILLIAM
HeÕs rich and lazy. Not a great combination for country living. What you
need are some friends.
FIONA
I have made friends. I joined a sewing circle. WeÕre making woolen
socks for runaway slaves. We take turns hosting a luncheon. My turn
is in two Saturdays.
WILLIAM
Well, well, well. What about me?
What about my feet?
FIONA
You have a big drawer of socks, I saw them. IÕm going to straighten
up the kitchen a little more. I donÕt want to overwhelm Helen in the
morning.
WILLIAM sits down in a chair and picks up a
book. FIONA enters again.
FIONA
Will?
WILLIAM
What is it?
What is it?
FIONA
Did youÉ The breakfast dishes are laid out. I donÕt remember laying them out.
WILLIAM
Perhaps I did it. You know, weÕve only been married a month. I did manage
before you.
FIONA
I know I didnÕt lay them out. And the roast. ItÕs covered and moved to the pantry.
WILLIAM
ThatÕs enough!
YouÕre tired. Go up to bed.
No arguments. Tomorrow is Sunday,
after church weÕre invited to the HebardÕs for dinner.
FIONA
Oh. IÕd
forgotten.
WILLIAM
See?
YouÕre forgetting everything.
FIONA
Maybe youÕre right.
WILLIAM
IÕll see you in the morning.
He kisses her.
She exits and enters the bedroom.
WILLIAM picks a book back up.
She gets undressed, drops her dress on REBECCAÕS lap, washes her face
and hands, then gets into bed.
REBECCA waits a moment and stands up. She smoothes the dress and lays it at the foot of the bed. She exits.
WILLIAM looks at the music box, he gets up and picks
up the lid. No sound. He sits back
down with his book. After a
moment, he slams it shut and exits.
REBECCA returns downstairs and sits in the
parlor. The music box begins to play.
BLACK OUT.
Lights come up in the parlor. FIONA is adding knickknacks or her own
to the room, and a vase of autumn flowers. HELEN runs into the house
frantically.
HELEN
Mrs. Pember!
God save us, Mrs. Pember!
FIONA
Helen?
Helen, what is it?
HELEN
The babies canÕt get born! SheÕs screaming, weÕve got to help!
FIONA
But Dr. Pember said it would be at least another
week!
HELEN
And TomÕs in the village for supplies- WeÕve got to
help her, Mrs. Pember,
you and me!
FIONA
Helen, I donÕt know anything about babies-
HELEN
I do. And this is a bad case, Mrs. Pember. YouÕll have to stroke her head and sing
to her while I pull them out.
FIONA
But, Helen, I canÕt!
HELEN
Then sheÕs to die, Mrs. Pember. Oh! Can you hear her even in here!
Please, please help me, we canÕt let her suffer!
FIONA
Helen, donÕt do this! William is sure to be back in a couple hours, he
was just
checking on Solomon FlintÕs shoulder-
HELEN
We donÕt have any time!
HELEN looks at FIONA, then decisively runs out of the
house and exits through the dooryard.
FIONA looks at her through the window, clearly
agitated. She starts to exit the
parlor, comes back in, sits in a chair, gets up and goes to the window, walks
outside and stands in the dooryard-
FIONA comes back in and goes in the direction of the
kitchen. She sits in another chair
and picks up some knitting. She
throws it down and exits. After a
moment she exits to the dooryard wearing an apron and gloves. She runs offstage.
LIGHT COMES UP ON REBECCA. The SOUND OF RECORDED TESTIMONY Š words by the
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY.
VOICE OVER
Thank you, your
honor. Gentlemen of the jury, I
shall prove to you by witnesses on the part of the Government, that the prisoner did willfully and
with malice aforethought murder the deceased, Ephraim Peake who, through his
own industry, amassed the sum of fifteen hundred dollars to buy the family farm
and in exchange agreed to care for his father and stepmother for the remainder
of their lives. You will hear testimony that proves the prisoner was greatly
displeased that Ephraim had come home, that she made many threatening
observations to the neighbors; that she said, that if the deceased came home to
live they would not live long together; that the house would be too hot for
him. It will be proved that the prisoner mingled arsenic with the hash at
dinner on August the twelfth. Witnesses will testify that furthermore she gave
poisoned drinks to Ephraim while he lay sick in his chamber and that he
continued worse until he died on Thursday, August 20. Only a criminal of the vilest and most reprehensible
character would attack and murder a member of her own family, a man she was
entrusted to care for and nurture after the death of his own mother. Gentlemen of the jury, you see before
you a woman who has violated the most sacred trust that God bestows; that of
the care and protection of her own family.
FADE
OUT Š then FIDDLE MUSIC. REBECCA
is in a spot. She speaks to the
FIDDLER.
REBECCA*
I like music.
When I was a girl I got to go to a dance once. Emma took me.
She was sixteen and pretty like our mother had been. I didnÕt know how to dance, so Emma
showed me. In case anyone
asked. There was a boy. Ben. Charlie BarrettÕs cousin, come to visit for a funeral. He was from Concord. The city! And he wasnÕt much to look at, but you could see he was
powerful smart. And when he asked
me Š I about died! Emma was nodding
to me, and I was too ashamed to say no, even if I wanted to, which I
didnÕt.
I stepped all over myself at first, but then I kind
of got the idea and I know I was impressing him because he laughed and
laughed. And Emma, her face was
just shining. Then we got tired
and went outside. I drank some
cider with him and then he wanted to show me something and- you know what he
did?... Well. Emma come on us in the bushes and
dragged me home. I never saw him
again. But it was the best
night. ItÕs good to have a place
to remember. I think that must be
what heaven is like. The sound of
a good fiddle, a man smiling down at you.
The
music stops.
Ephraim took my music box. Said he was going to give it to Lucy Paige. Said it belonged to him now, like the
land and the house. I worked this
land! My children have as much
right to it as anyone! MustnÕt
start, Becky, mustnÕt start.
You just need some medicine, thatÕs what Doctor
Pember says, when it starts.
I take a little arsenic for my head from time to
time. Arsenic, thatÕs good
medicine.
BLACK
on REBECCA. MUSIC. Melody to Hey,
ho, nobody homeÉ
CLAYTON
enters the house. He looks
around. Satisfied that no one is
there, he sings a little to himself.
ŅHey, ho, nobody homeÉÓ He looks around the parlor Š perhaps he
is thinking that this could have been his life. He pours himself a brandy. He sits, bored.
Sees FIONAÕS knitting and takes that up. His hands begin to remember something that his mother taught
him a long, long time ago.
WILLIAM
enters carrying his medical bag.
WILLIAM
Fiona?
He
searches the house. He puts his
bag down. Finally, he comes in the
room.
WILLIAM
Help yourself.
WILLIAM goes into the kitchen.
WILLIAM(cont.)
Fiona?
CLAYTON
Your little bird has flown,
Will. I told you she would.
WILLIAM(OFFSTAGE)
She must have gone for a
walk.
He
goes back out the door for wood from the woodpile. Then into kitchen.
CLAYTON
Brandy?
WILLIAM(OFFSTAGE)
No, thanks.
CLAYTON
God, if I had your
profession, IÕd be drunk every night.
WILLIAM(OFFSTAGE)
YouÕre drunk anyway, whatÕs
the difference?
CLAYTON
When youÕre right, youÕre
right.
WILLIAM(ENTERS
Š WITH A SNACK)
I canÕt find Helen
either. And TomÕs not on the
place.
CLAYTON
You donÕt suppose RebeccaÕs
poisoned them?
WILLIAM
How is Mother holding up?
CLAYTON
Question is, how is Father
holding up? YouÕre the doctor, what do you say?
WILLIAM
It canÕt be long now. A week, maybe two. Hopefully heÕll go
before-
CLAYTON
Before the ground
freezes. Yes.
WILLIAM
I remember when Father was
still practicing. The worst
deaths, he always said, were the ones that came in winter. When you had to store the body.
CLAYTON
A funeral pyre. Now, thatÕs the end I want. IÕm not
joking. Burn me and
scatter me to the wind. ThereÕs
not a church that would take me,
anyway.
WILLIAM
ItÕs good of you to stay on,
Clayton. Until the end.
CLAYTON
Hey, itÕs Father, right?
Poor devil. At least sheÕs given up reading to him.
WILLIAM
You can always stay
here. If it gets too much with
Mother.
CLAYTON
And intrude upon the bride
and groom? Not likely. YouÕll just
have to bring Fiona to New York when the crisis is over.
WILLIAM
You know, I donÕt see how we
can get to New York this year. Ten
babies are coming before Christmas, and we had that cholera outbreak just last
month.
CLAYTON
ThatÕs why I invited
you. I knew you wouldnÕt come.
WILLIAM
YouÕre a friendly fellow.
CLAYTON
Elizabeth hates me, you
know.
WILLIAM
Hates you?
CLAYTON
ThatÕs the trouble with
marrying someone with money. After a time they come to resent the fact that you
havenÕt got any.
WILLIAM
She knew that when she
married you.
CLAYTON
ItÕs my good looks. They put a spell on women. Well, temporarily anyway. You think IÕm joking. IÕve got Šwhatever that thing is women
want. You see the men canÕt stand
me, either. We go to these parties
and they stand around boasting and scheming and dealing. Bores me to tears. The children still
like me, at least. You know, Harry
is a lot like you.
WILLIAM
HeÕs the older one.
CLAYTON
HeÕs the younger one. Only acts like the older one. HeÕs dutiful, makes his bed in the
morning, makes polite conversation with the servants, and read! HarryÕs read all of Christopher Marlowe
and Shakespeare, now heÕs onto Lord Byron. Percy takes after me, IÕm
afraid. Sixteen years old and
already one of the maids had to move out.
WILLIAM
And what about the baby,
what about Meredith? WhatÕs she
like?
CLAYTON
Oh, she has a very busy schedule. She studies dance, piano, elocution,
even took a class on flower arranging and proper table setting. Elizabeth is setting her up very nicely
to take her place.
WILLIAM
And she was seven her last
birthday?
CLAYTON
Six. What about you, brother? When are you going to make me an uncle?
WILLIAM
Oh, you know. WeÕve only been married a little
while. Still on our honeymoon.
CLAYTON
Uh huh.
WILLIAM
Of course Fiona is still in
mourning. For her father. Better to take these things slow.
CLAYTON
What things?
WILLIAM
Children.
CLAYTON
I seem to remember they take
about nine months, Dr. Pember.
WILLIAM
You know what I mean.
CLAYTON
No, I donÕt.
WILLIAM
I wonder where FionaÕs got
to?
CLAYTON
You mean youÕre notÉ
WILLIAM
No, weÕre not.
CLAYTON
Not evenÉ a little?É Well,
IÕll be damned.
WILLIAM
IÕm not sure sheÉ knows
about it.
CLAYTON
Of course she doesnÕt know
about it, you havenÕt told her!
WILLIAM
What am I supposed to say?
CLAYTON
YouÕre supposed to show her!
WILLIAM
You donÕt think IÕve tried?
CLAYTON
Will, for GodÕs sake, itÕs
just not that hard!
WILLIAM
This is no joke!
CLAYTON
Well, what are you going to
do?
WILLIAM
IÕmÉ trying!
CLAYTON
CanÕt you just, you know.
WILLIAM
What?
CLAYTON
Insist.
WILLIAM
What are you suggesting?
CLAYTON
SheÕs your wife.
WILLIAM
You mean force myself.
CLAYTON
I wouldnÕt put it that way.
WILLIAM
You arenÕt listening. I donÕt think she has the faintest idea
what goes on between men and women.
She had no mother, she was educated at home.
CLAYTON
Someone must have talked to
her, an aunt-
WILLIAM
No family. Just her father.
CLAYTON
Bloody hell. Well, Mother will have to do it.
WILLIAM
Mother? Good God!
CLAYTON
Have you got a better idea?
WILLIAM
IÕll tell her.
CLAYTON
Bravo.
WILLIAM
What do I say?
CLAYTON
Something about a seed.
WILLIAM
Right! A seed.
CLAYTON
God plants a little seed
inside a womanÉ
WILLIAM
Yes, yes.
CLAYTON
And youÕre to water it.
WILLIAM
Right! And how do I do that?
CLAYTON
Must I explain this to you,
as well?
WILLIAM
No, no, I meanÉ How do I
tell her?
CLAYTON
Well, youÉ For GodÕs sake,
Will, you just have to take this matter in
hand. SheÕs your wife, sheÕs not a child,
show her youÕre a
man! No more of this nonsense.
WILLIAM
pours a brandy and pours it down his throat.
WILLIAM
YouÕre right!
FIONA
and HELEN rush into the parlor.
They are covered in blood and dirt.
FIONA
Oh, Will! Will! ItÕs the most blessed, blessed thing!
WILLIAM
Fiona, for heavenÕs sake!
FIONA
Two of the babies died, but
Will, there are ten sweet little darlings and Helen
and I delivered them!
HELEN
You should have seen Mrs.
Pember! She was so brave and kind,
she
knew just what to do to help
poor Daisy!
CLAYTON
Who in GodÕs name is Daisy!
WILLIAM
Daisy had her piglets!
FIONA
IsnÕt it wonderful,
Will? And so sad about the two
babies!
FIONA
kisses WILLIAM.
FIONA(CONT.)
Oh, Will! What a glorious day!
FIONA
and HELEN exit. WILLIAM and
CLAYTON look at each other.
WILLIAM/CLAYTON
Helen!
They toast and drink.
WILLIAM
Shall we meet the new
family?
CLAYTON
Delighted.
They
exit. CLAYTON runs back in and
grabs the brandy bottle and exits again.
REBECCA
comes in carrying something very small wrapped in a blanket. She sit in a chair cuddles it and
begins to hum a lullaby.
Music
as lights go down. END OF ACT ONE.
TENOR
SINGS Š My Lovely Rose of Clare. Lights
come up. MRS. PEMBER plays the
piano and sings Polly Wolly Doodle
with great feeling. CLAYTON and FIONA endure it with the greatest humor. Finally, CLAYTON induces his mother to
refrain and she sits, a little breathlessly.
MRS.
PEMBER
A
most advanced idea for dinner, what did you call it?
FIONA
Coq au vin.
CLAYTON
ItÕs
French, Mother.
MRS.
PEMBER
I
know itÕs French, IÕm not an idiot.
FIONA
I
found the recipe in a book that Mrs. Caldwell loaned to me. It wasnÕt too-
strong
tasting?
MRS.
PEMBER
Nothing
that I wonÕt recover from. I do wish, Fiona, that you would consent to stay
with me until William returns.
FIONA
Oh,
but thereÕs so much to do here, and the babies-
CLAYTON
She
means the piglets, Mother.
FIONA
Just
last week Daisy had ten babies, well, twelve, but Helen and I couldnÕt
save
two. Would you care to see them?
MRS.
PEMBER
I
most certainly-
CLAYTON
When
is Will returning, Fiona?
FIONA
Tomorrow,
if all goes well, he said.
MRS.
PEMBER
I
hate that trip to Boston, might as well go to England.
CLAYTON
YouÕd
have to go to Boston to get to England, Mother.
MRS.
PEMBER
DonÕt
be impertinent. And thereÕs a
storm coming besides. I hope itÕs
moving north.
MRS.
PEMBER(cont.)
When
is that girl bringing the tea?
FIONA
SheÕs
probably still with Daisy, why, IÕve never seen anyone
more
devoted to anything.
CLAYTON
IÕve
brought you a present, Fiona.
FIONA
Another
present?