Jassy Page #5

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Yes.

You got very fine.

- Who's is that?

- This is Miss Helmar.

Is Mr Barney at home?

No, he's not been home since early morning.

He went out to plough the 12 acres.

Well then we'll wait, sit down, Dilys.

Oh, no, fine ladies like you wait in

the parlour not in the hall.

Oh, there is Barney now,

I recognize his steps

Barney have you forgotten me?

No, no, of course not, only

you've changed, Jassy.

Have I changed too, Barney?

No you haven't changed, Dilys.

I'm glad - Well that's settled.

Let's all go into the parlour.

Oh it's just I remembered it.

Look, Dilys, there is a desk

my father made for Barney.

- This came from Moderlaine, didn't it?

- Yes it did.

Please sit down will you.

The clock still says 20 to three.

Barney - Yes.

Why don't you come and see us?

You know that's impossible.

Because of that silly old quarrel

I don't call it a silly quarrel.

Something that happened over the

card table when father was drunk.

He wasn't too drunk to

hold my father to his bet.

And cheat me out of my house

I didn't steal it from you, Barney.

So you won't come and see us?

I shall never set foot in

Moderlaine again until it's mine

I think you better change

the subject, Jassy

I'll wash the glasses.

Oh, ask Meggie to do it.

She won't find that very easy,

she still has her fingers crossed.

Close the door, close the door.

You still have that same look in your

eyes when you talk about Moderlaine.

And I still like it

I mean to get it back one day.

And I expect you will.

- I'm not joking.

- I can see that.

You know what I've been

remembering all the afternoon?

That last ball at Moderlaine.

When we slipped away into the garden.

I thought of that moment I saw you.

Happy? That's why I'm here.

Seems years ago.

We were very young.

My Barney.

You know what you're doing?

Yes I do.

Jassy will be back.

When can I see you again?

I don't know it's rather difficult.

Please, Barney.

Saint's Spinney, Wednesday at six.

Oh, Barney.

- Where is Dilys?

- She's gone to see the Fennells.

Didn't think she had that much sense.

Listen young lady, I'm bored and lonely.

- Do you play backgammon?

- No.

- Cards?

- No.

- Dice?

- No.

- Chess?

- Yes, I can play chess.

Very well we'll play chess oh..

If you'd be kind enough to

honour me with your company.

Where's? Where's Emelia?

In the kitchen where she belongs

I suppose chess isn't her game.

Happy?

Did you have much difficulty getting away?

Oh no, I said I was going

over to the Fennells.

- What for?

- To see Stephen.

- Why Stephen?

- He wants me to marry him.

You tell Nick that you're going

to marry nobody but me.

No, Barney, he mustn't know yet.

I want it to be our secret.

- Oh, I want everybody to know.

- Not yet.

I like this to go on for ever.

So long as I live I'll love you

Barney

I've never loved anyone

as much as I love you.

- Who taught you to play chess?

- My father

I've never met a girl who

played chess before.

Perhaps you've never asked them.

I can handle my own men,

thank you Mr Helmar.

I see they taught you something at school.

They didn't teach me anything.

But I learned a lot.

Check - Mate.

Come in come in don't stand there.

Very nimble but I can't pay

you I haven't a a penny in the world.

Debts of honour must be paid

I know.

Chess was the only game we both

knew Mr Helmar would gamble.

You're late? Who brought you home?

Stephen.

Did you get him to propose to you?

No.

Well, the sooner you do,

the better I'd be pleased.

Your last bet five shillings.

We call it even.

You've made the only drinkable cup

of coffee I've had in a long time.

Good Night - Good Night.

Good Night.

Well he went to bed sober anyway.

Can't one of you see that

there's something fit to eat.

Blasted parasites feeling

doing nothing all day long.

Don't stand there grinning like a cat.

Take this muck away.

Bring me fish and cheese.

No, I'll see what can be done.

Tell that fat pig in the

kitchen, she is sacked.

They are all sacked.

Fill my glass, blasted.

When is your precious friend leaving us?

She has no where to go.

She can stay then.

She's is worth dozen of you any day.

Yes.

There's no need to be

mealy-mouthed about it.

That's your mother all over again.

Sweet, sweet and rotten.

Sweet as honey and full of poison.

Are you listening?

There Mr Helmar is that

more to your liking?

Well I'll be this looks good.

It is good, it is your servant's supper.

What? You told them they were sacked?

Yes.

Listen young woman I've

got a proposal to make.

How much would you want to run this house?

Twenty pounds a year, paid quarterly.

Agreed.

In advance, I want a free

hand with the servants.

There is no argument about that.

And Emilia?

You can start on Emilia

I'll do it.

Good.

There's your first quarter.

And there's your five shillings.

Debts of honour must be paid.

- Is that all I get after five years serve.

- It's all your entitled to.

If you add it to what you've

stolen you won't starve.

I don't know why I'm going

I never done nothing.

That's why.

Well, you are very welcome to my leaving.

Now you.

I dare say I'm a fool not

to sack the lot of you.

But I can always change my mind.

Without them you won't have

so many distractions.

If your work is good you'll stay.

If not you'll follow them quickly.

That's all.

Jaynie - Yes, Miss

I was a kitchen maid once and I

don't believe I was any better than you.

You, Miss?

You're a parlour maid now

and your wages are doubled.

Oh, thank you Miss.

In future you do your fair share of

the work and no more, I'll see to that.

- I beg you pardon, Miss Jassy.

- Come in Mrs Wicks.

Now get about your business.

I brought the washing, Miss, Lindy.

Oh Mrs Wick that's too heavy for her.

She's very strong you should be surprised.

Strong in the arm weak in

the head as the saying is

Lindy.

Well, look at that now.

There's only one other I've

ever seen her do that before.

And that was you dear father, God Rest him.

- Yes he was very fond of her.

- And a fine man he was too.

I can remember him converting

Wicks as it was yesterday.

It's a pity he didn't do it before

Wicks struck my poor girl down.

How is she?

She won't never be ordered.

Don't work her too hard.

She has got to work.

She ought to be out in service

like I was at her age.

But who'd take her?

Mrs Wicks would you let her come here?

Oh Miss Jassy if she could do that?

I can't tell you what I waited

to be off my mind.

She's a good worker, she all

want to do, and she'll do it.

You can have her cheap.

All she wants is a corner to sleep in.

Any scraps of food that's left over.

And she is clean like a new pin.

- Show the lady your hands?

- No.

No, never mind

Lindy would you like to

come and work for me?

That's settled then, Mrs Wicks,

I'll look after her.

Oh Stephen.

Oh Stephen

I'll never love anyone as

much as I love you.

Never.

There is nobody to see us, come on.

Well, isn't this better, darling?

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