Belle Moral by Ann-Marie Macdonald

Author:Ann-Marie Macdonald [Macdonald, Ann-Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Performing Arts, Theater, Scotland, Drama, American, Country homes
ISBN: 9780307397249
Google: sIOFmAEACAAJ
Amazon: 0307397246
Publisher: Vintage Canada
Published: 2008-05-12T16:00:00+00:00

ACT II

Scene 1 Pearl’s Study

That night. Moonlight. The door swings open. A FIGURE enters, crouched, a worn tartan shawl draped about its head and shoulders. Audible breathing – almost a panting – as though an effort were being made to control fear and maintain silence. Sniff-sniff. Silence. The FIGURE explores the room, dropping to crawl on all fours, pausing here and there. It arrives at PEARL’S desk and is stopped by the sight of the jar. Reaches for it. Fumbles with it. FLORA appears in the doorway with an oil lamp. The FIGURE looks up and drops the jar.

FLORA. There you are. Thank God. [Firm but gentle.] Come, now. Come.

The FIGURE rises and starts toward FLORA’S outstretched hand.

Here now. Give them to me.

The FIGURE reaches out and hands FLORA her ring of keys.

Scene 2 Pearl’s Study

Next morning. PEARL enters and spots something on the floor. She takes tweezers from her desk, bends and carefully picks up the ear.

PEARL [bellowing to off]. Wee Farleigh!

WEE FARLEIGH enters with a frilly tray.

Where is that slavering cur?

WEE FARLEIGH. Out frolicking, Miss.

PEARL. Well find it and beat it. No. Put it in a sack and drown it. What’s that?

WEE FARLEIGH [formal, well-mannered, yet somehow seductive]. Breakfast, Miss. Earl Gray tea. Coddled eggs. Brioche –

PEARL. What?

WEE FARLEIGH. A bun. Only better.

PEARL. Oh. [a beat] Well, take it away, I’m … [wave of nausea].

WEE FARLEIGH. Feeling poorly, Miss?

PEARL. Do as I say.

He goes to exit with the tray. PEARL catches sight of something else, bends and retrieves the lid and the empty jar, perfectly intact.

Wee Farleigh. You needn’t drown it, just … give him away to anyone who wants him.

WEE FARLEIGH. Ay, Miss.

Scene 3 Hallway / The Attic Stairs

FLORA and DR REID enter, heading for the attic stairs. WEE FARLEIGH enters with a pot of coffee. FLORA and DR REID step back out of sight, allowing WEE FARLEIGH to cross before they mount the stairs, resuming their conversation:

FLORA. I was wushin’ the poor creature in the tub–

DR REID. The tub?

FLORA. In the old nursery – not to worry, it’s quite out of the way – I’d doffed ma dress, if ye maun know, down to ma linens so’s not to drench mis-sel, and scarce had I turned my back when she lifted ma keys. [A touch of admiration.] For a’ that she’s meek, she’s clever.

DR REID [admonishing]. She’s cunning. What if she’d –?

FLORA. There was no harm done.

DR REID. Next time get Wee Farleigh to help you with the bathing.

FLORA. Wee Farleigh? That’s hardly decent.

DR REID. And in future, confine her ablutions to the attic. Use a basin. Do not lavish upon her, luxuries to which she is insensible.

FLORA. Ach, I was anerly tryin to make the poor lamb presentable.

DR REID. For whom?

FLORA. Why, for Pearl.

A beat.

It’s this morning I’ll be telling her. You’ll help me, won’t you, Seamus? I fear to tell her on my own.

DR REID. Need you tell her at all?

FLORA. She’ll have to know now she’s mistress here.

DR REID. Not necessarily. Not if I am master.

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