Jassy Page #3

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Jassy, what's the matter with you?

It's my father, I'll tell you on the way.

Jassy, be calm what's happening?

It's my father, Mum, he is

in danger, deadly danger.

- How do you know?

- I do know, I see him.

- See him?

- Don't do nothing, Barney, please.

- Jassy, stay here a moment.

- Where are you going?

I'm going to saddle the mare.

I said get off my land.

Drunken swine is not good talking to him.

You are right we'll come back

another day, Mr Helmar.

When your are not so drunk, come on.

Look at him, your Lord and Master,

the man you sweat your gut out for.

For ten shillings a week.

If you don't get off my steps

I'll set the dogs on him.

Steady.

Oh, Negus.

- Jassy, what's the matter?

- What's happened?

Father.

Father

I'm ready Jassy.

It's too late now.

Jassy.

He's dead.

What do you mean?

They killed him.

I shall always remember you

were willing to come.

He run up the steps and cried out,

I didn't hear what he said.

The dogs left at him and the gun went off.

Don't, Jassy, you dreamt it all

I'm going to stay with you

until he comes home.

He's coming home now.

- When did it happen?

- Eight, just clock was struck.

Mum

I'm sorry Jassy, but I've made up my mind.

It's not my work, Mum.

No, it's not your work.

Then what is it, Mum?

I'd really rather not discuss it but

it's only fair you should know.

It's Mr Barney.

Does he want me to go?

No, but he's at an impressionable age

and you are an attractive girl

it isn't good he should

see so much of you.

You think he might fall in love with me.

You like him already don't you?

No not like I love him.

I shall never love anyone else.

You must see what an

impossible situation it is.

That's why you must go.

Will that make any difference?

Maybe not, would you be willing

to go as far off as Beldon?

I must go anywhere I can find work.

There is a Mistress Bell there who keeps

a finishing school for young ladies

I'll give you a letter to her.

Mrs Hatton speaks very well of you.

I see your father is dead

and your mother is a..

Gypsy.

Is your mother a gypsy?

Yes, Mum.

Honest, respectful, clean

show me your hand?

Nails?

Well, I'll give you a trial.

Ring that bell.

I don't know how much you

had to do at Mrs Hattons

I expect my servants to work hard.

It seems the Hatton they

do six pounds a year.

- Six pounds?

- Yes, Mum.

Five will be enough.

Mrs Whiting, this is Jassy Woodroofe,

our new between maid.

- Very good, Madam.

- Mrs Whiting is our house keeper.

Follow her and do everything she tells you.

- Have you finished the stairs?

- Oh, yes. Mum.

- Brought in the coal?

- Yes, Mum.

- Chopped the kindlings? Swept up?

- Yes. Mum.

Then you can go to bed.

Thank you, Mum.

You'll get up at a quarter to six.

You'll sweep the floor,

you lay the fire, you light it.

You fill that big kettle with

water and put it on the fire.

Yes, Mum.

You fill the coal-scuttle

and then you collect all the shoes from

the outside the dormitory doors.

Anything else?

Yes you'll start cleaning the shoes.

I saw that Heather's locked out,

who bolted the window?

I did, Miss.

Don't it's never bolted.

Oh.

Who are you?

I'm the new tweeny, Miss.

The last tweeny was a sport.

- Are you?

- Oh, yes, Miss.

Do you know who I am?

Yes, you're Miss Helmar of Moderlaine

I'm Dilys, say it.

Dilys.

You won't bolt that window again, will you?

No, Miss.

- You won't tell?

- No, Miss.

Good Night - Good Night.

- What's your name?

- Jassy.

Good Night, Jassy.

Good Night, Miss.

Jassy.

Come on.

This is Jassy, Edwina, Maude, Cecily.

She's not a real gypsy.

- Of course, she is, look at her eyes?

- Look at her hair?

Do you eat toads and hedgehogs, and things?

- Can you tell fortunes?

- Of course she can..

All gypsies can.

Do tell mine?

Don't be silly, Cecily,

when you go already.

Please come to our room tonight, Jassy.

Mrs Whiting says I mustn't

go upstairs at night.

Of course she won't know.

It's perfectly safe, Jassy do!

Well, I'll see, Miss

I'm doubting how many husbands I'll have.

No one will ever marry you.

They won't have to, Cecily never says no.

Oh that's a lie and I think I owe to men.

There's the bell.

Please, try and come, Jassy.

What are you doing?

Well

I'm sorry, Mum.

I didn't mean it.

- I haven't dirtied it.

- I'm sure you haven't

I'll do the room now then.

No I'll be in here you can come back later.

Oh a moment you're Jassy aren't you?

Yes, Mum.

You know who I am?

Yes, Mum, you're Miss Twisdale's

partner, Miss Hamilton.

That's right.

Where did you learn to read, Jassy?

My father taught me, Mum.

What have you read?

Only from the Bible.

But this is poetry, it's lovely.

What are you reading, show me?

I can say it.

Can you?

Well, go on then.

If I could write the beauty of your eyes

and in fresh numbers number all your graces

the age to come would say

this poet lies

such heavenly touches

near touch earthly faces

I'll do the room when you ring, Mum.

My goodness.

And in the morning they found her

dead - How awful?

I shan't sleep a wink

tonight, tell us another, Jassy.

No.

Tell our fortunes, tell mine.

No, I can't see into the future

and I won't pretend I can.

But you said you could see things.

Only sometimes and only things

that are happening now.

Even if they're miles away?

Sometimes.

Hardly she can't.

You show me your hands.

Come and sit here.

You are sad

someone you love very

much has been ill.

Her mother's ill, we all know

that, she's heard us talking.

You needn't be sad anymore.

She's better.

I can see her walking by

the sea in the moonlight

with a short dark man

with a kind face.

Is your father like that Maude?

Yes, but he can't be

with my mother by the sea.

Why not?

Because we live in Northampton

miles from the sea

I told you she was a swindle.

Perhaps your mother run away

with another short dark man.

My mother wouldn't run away with anyone.

You made that up and it's cruel of you.

My mother is very ill

I have to go home tonight

because she is so ill.

She is going to die, I know she is.

Jassy.

Edwina has something to say to you

I'm sorry, Jassy, please forgive me.

It was true what you said.

Every word of it.

Maude heard from her mother

I had a letter this morning

she is much better and

she's gone to Brighton.

She says she goes for a walk with

my father along the front every night.

Before going to bed

I'm going to write to tell her about you.

All right you can go.

Don't you be rude to Jassy again

I'm so happy to know she's better.

So am I, but I was happy last night.

Who is that?

Dilys.

Where are you going?

Charles's regiment has been ordered

to York and I'm going with him.

But tonight!

I left a note, and she would

find it in the morning.

They'll fetch you back.

Of course they won't Charles

won't let them and I'm late.

Oh Dilys, don't go, you'll

be sorry, I know you will.

It's no use, Jassy, I can't

be without Charles I'm dying.

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