Scene 14 Flashcards
LADY COOKE: Maria.
Thank you for seeing me, Lady Cooke.
LADY COOKE: It’s about the five pounds that has gone missing?
Yes.
Peter sends a cheque for Henry every three months. I take it to the bank in Hadleigh.
LADY COOKE: I went to the bank - the cheque was cashed as usual.
What? But I didn’t.
LADY COOKE: I know.
Who did, then?
LADY COOKE: How is your relationship with William Corder going?
We are going to be married.
LADY COOKE: Good. I’m pleased to hear it. In that case there is no problem with your five pounds, though why he didn’t tell you, I have no idea.
Tell me what?
LADY COOKE: It’s very strange that he didn’t mention it to you.
Um - well - he did. I just, I forgot.
LADY COOKE: Maria? -
I ask him straight out when I see him. I need to understand why he told me to ask for my money, when he had it all along. He simply says: ‘I didn’t.’
I’m so confused: he did. He did. Then he shouts at me for an hour. Sometimes his face is so close to mine. I’m exhausted, but he’s standing in front of the door, so I can’t leave. He tells me to get out of his sight. I find myself wishing I could walk away and never come back.
But my body has already told me that I am late. Far too late.
LUCY: I’ve just been sacked.
Why?
LUCY: Mrs. Corder found out about you two, and that I knew and didn’t tell her. She says I’m disloyal.
Oh, no - that’s awful - she can’t do it! I’ll speak to William -
LUCY: Did you ever stop to think what this would be like for me? Being told by him that one day you could be my mistress? Or is that what you wanted? For me to call you Madam, and curtsy to you and keep my eyes respectfully lowered while you are speaking?
Lucy…
LUCY: I dreaded it, hearing about your engagement. I thought, I do not know how I can be the servant of someone I used to think was my friend. Well now, I won’t have to.
The thing is - I can’t leave him - I think I’m in trouble -
LUCY: So what? Do you ever stop to think about the trouble you’re causing?
In his presence I become a shadow, trying to take up less and less space. Perhaps, If I can pluck up the courage to tell him, he will be who he was again - fatherhood can change a man. He stays for supper, he’s charming to Ann and Father, and it’s just like the old times. Just before we drift off to sleep he murmurs in my ear, ‘just no babies Maria’ ‘I’m trusting you on this’.
