HELEN What smells! (Helen picks flow...

HELEN What smells!

(Helen picks flowers from every color around into a bouquet.)

HELEN What smells! What smells! Everything is so divine, and the smells are so wonderful! Something curated with a steady hand and turn in a world of such beauty and --

(Helen stumbles out of the brush and bumps into Joan who is picking a set of white flowers. She’s not excited to see Helen as she is. Joan continues with her work.)

HELEN Oh. Hi. I didn’t see you there.

No response.

HELEN I was just walking around the manor and I stumble onto this garden. It is amazing,

(No Response.)

HELEN It complements the house so well. It’s like a collage of colors and such wonderful smells.

(No Response. Joan just keeps her head down and continues to hoe the soil in front of her.)

HELEN Theodore does such a great job. What an artist.

(Joan loses all patience and grabs her stuff.)

HELEN Wait! Don’t go.

JOAN I have work to do.

HELEN I thought you were going to read.

JOAN What?

HELEN I see you here in every afternoon and reading.

JOAN How observant of you.

HELEN I understand. This is a grand place to relax. Where did Theodore learn to do all of this.

JOAN Theodore does not maintain this garden. It is my garden to tame.

HELEN It is? I knew there was something magical about you. How did you learn how to do all of this?

JOAN Years of practice... My father.

HELEN Your father was a gardener?

JOAN More or less.

HELEN More or less?

JOAN I guess you can say. He coined the title of a scientist. He was a botanist -- Can I help you with something.

HELEN I was just marveling at the wonderful flowers.

JOAN You sure do like to pick them too.

HELEN Sorry about that.

JOAN Excuse me.

HELEN What are those? They are so white and pretty.

JOAN These? They’re called Valerians.

HELEN Valerians! They would look so pretty in your hair.

JOAN I’m not going to put them in my hair.

HELEN Oh, they would look great in the house also --

JOAN I’m not going to put them in the house.

HELEN What are you going to do with them then?

JOAN I’m going to chop them up, grind them, strain them through some hot water.

HELEN Why?

JOAN I use them as a tea. A cup helps me relax. Two cups help me sleep.

HELEN How?

JOAN They are a sedative agent.

HELEN A sedative agent --

JOAN I have to go.

HELEN Please don’t. I thought you were going to read.

JOAN I am. I’ll just read inside --

HELEN I see you read that book all the time. Is it a good one?

JOAN That is the Holy Bible.

HELEN Oh.

JOAN The word of God.

HELEN Yes, I heard of it.

JOAN You heard of it? But have you ever read it?

HELEN Oh no, I can’t read.

JOAN You can’t read?

HELEN No.

JOAN Your parents never taught you how to read.

HELEN My parents died when I was very young. I don’t even remember the way they look anymore.

JOAN Who watched over you? What family are you of?

HELEN I don’t know. I don’t really have any family.

JOAN You mean you are not of royalty?

HELEN Me? Oh, no. This is the closest I’ve come to royalty.

JOAN But your apprenticeship with Sir Franklin --

HELEN That was just something Peter made up. I just worked in Master Fields’ hog house.

JOAN That’s how you met Peter?

HELEN He’s a frequent guest of Master Fields’ home. He took quite a fancy to me.

JOAN You have no family?

HELEN No, I did have an older brother. He used to take care of me when we lived in London. Some years ago, he got into some trouble and was sent to Bridewell. I haven’t heard from him since.

JOAN How old are you?

HELEN I don’t know.

JOAN Just what I suspected. You don’t know?

HELEN I haven’t kept track of the years.

JOAN Is your name even Helen?!

HELEN Of course, At least that’s what my brother called me.

JOAN You have no family, you don’t know how to read, you don’t even know how old you are -- you’re just some...peasant girl from the village. What are you doing here?

HELEN Peter loves me.

JOAN He told you that?

HELEN Yes, and other things.

JOAN I wouldn't put it pass him.

HELEN What is that supposed to mean?

JOAN He says a lot of things. He’s a man and men have egos. Because of that, he’s a man of mysteries.

HELEN So why are you here then?

JOAN Because I took an oath before God, to love, honor and obey him despite his inadequacies.

HELEN And me?

JOAN Peter’s selfishness has plagued him, but I won’t let it destroy me. Whatever you and he have it has nothing to do with me. So, believe me, despite my reluctance I will be cordial and continue my duty as a wife but don’t carry on as if we are friends. Here is an unholiness that runs amok around this house and I won’t be a part of it. So please, I have to catch up on my reading.

HELEN Could you teach me? To read?

JOAN No!

HELEN Why?

JOAN Are you daft or just plain stupid?

(Meredith ENTERS)

MEREDITH Madam Ridley, your dinner is served.

JOAN So early?

MEREDITH Yes, I am to go into town to see my son.

JOAN Right. Well, I’ll have it right away.

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