Act II, Scene VII

Question 1

It is not Mamma, Lizzy, it’s- SOMEONE ELSE SAYS: OH! Mary.

Answer 1

You’re back. She locked me in a closet.

Question 2

[She-?]

Answer 2

Lydia. When she ran off with Wickham. I was there at least an hour. But I am recovering nicely.
Pause.
What, Jane? I am not sad Lydia is gone! She’s always running off and leaving me behind-like you two. Like everyone; I am never wanted in your games, am I?
cough
Besides-shocking as the event is, we may draw from it a useful lesson about PERFECTION.

Question 3

Perfection?

Answer 3

Purity. Flawlessness. An ideal that we must fulfill. For one false step condemns a person-a female person-to ruin; one slip pollutes her forever. We also learn from poor stupid Lydia that loss of virtue is irretrievable; that reputation is no less brittle than it is beautiful; and that a lady can never be too irreproachable in her behavior. PERFECTION.

Question 4

Lydia appears

Answer 4

LOCKED ME IN A CLOSET.

Question 5

What were you thinking, Lydia? To expose this family to such-

Answer 5

YOU LOCKED ME IN A CLOSET.

Question 6

I-

Answer 6

J’ACCUSE!

Question 7

Darcy would pay off all Wickham’s debts and give him an annuity to keep us out of trouble!

Answer 7

So a man had to be PAID to marry you.

Question 8

No-

Answer 8

Yes-

Question 9

NO

Answer 9

YES-

Question 10

But this is my home.

Answer 10

WAS your home.

Question 11

…Mary?

Answer 11

You locked me in a closet.