The Woman in Black Page #2

tomorrow we die.

Beloved, God has a purpose for us all

in this life, to which He has sent us.

Sometimes we may find that

purpose hard to discern,

whether in others or

in ourselves.

But the test of our faith in Him is this,

that we should believe that

He will reveal His purpose

in His own good time, whether

in this world or the next,

which is His alone.

So it is not for us, mere mortals,

to seek to fathom the unfathomable,

to know the unknowable.

Only to trust that God in His wisdom

must have a purpose for every

human life that He creates,

or be very sure... that He

that He would not have created it.

So it is with out departed

sister, Alice Drablow.

Forasmuch as it hath pleased

Almighty God, of His great mercy,

to take unto Himself the soul of

our dear sister, here departed,

we therefore commit her

body to the ground.

Earth to earth, ashes to

ashes, dust to dust.

In the sure and certain hope of

the resurrection to eternal life

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

who shall change the body of

our low estate

that it may be like unto His glorious

body, according to the mighty working

whereby He is able to subdue

all things to Himself.

Amen.

Well, she had one mourner, anyway.

I saw no one.

Oh, she was inside the church,

and then waiting outside.

I thought she looked unwell,

but But she's there now.

Perhaps somebody ought to

go and have a word with her.

No one. No.

Go away! Quick! Quick!

Get away from here!

Mr Pepperell, what's wrong?

They...

shouldn't shouldn't watch

like that must not be allowed

- It's morbid curiosity.

- Are you all right?

I... I... I have a mind to speak

to the school teacher.

Look, you frightened that

poor woman away.

- What?

- She's gone.

My office is here.

How do you feel now?

Better, thank you.

Perhaps you should have

a drink of something.

Mr Kidd, I have views on liquour.

- Oh, I'm sorry.

- Take a seat.

So. Eel Marsh House.

- Willed to Mrs Drablow for her lifetime.

- Correct.

And now it's to be offered for sale?

Oh, I can deal with that.

But as for her personal possessions

That's what I am here for. I'll sort out

all her papers and make an inventory.

Will you come over with me and show

me where I can find all

No. I can't spare the time. I have

some auctions coming up.

Ah... If... if you've got a clerk I

could borrow for a day or two

I'm on my own.

I am not in a big way of business,

not like you City of London firms.

Now, here are the keys.

I've arranged for a man to

drive you at one o'clock.

His name's Keckwick. He

is quite dependable.

Can't I walk?

There's no road, Mr Kidd.

-Then how - There's just a kind of

causeway across the marsh,

you can use it only at low tide.

- Otherwise it's under water.

- I see.

Now, Keckwick knows the tides. You must

respect them, Mr Kidd. They come in fast.

You could get swept away.

Some people have been.

Thank you.

I'll have two yards,

how much will that be?

I've hit the blasted corner.

Check the whole deck.

Seems right enough, far as I can tell.

He's gonna buy a big bunch of my

flowers, make his lady a present.

- Aren't you, dear?

- No, thank you.

All fast up here?

Make sure now. The upside, where

we hit. Take a look.

Keep out of it, you. You are not

gonna buy, so clear off.

Oi, you little devil, come back

here! Stop her!

- Has he looked down here?

- No mistake now. Cast them ropes.

They're shifting!

Get the tarpaulin!

I can't hold her, I can't hold her!

- Get back!

- My Lord! Oh my Lord!

I can't hold her!

She all right? I'm sorry!

The rope must have snapped

on the corner.

Mr Sweetman wouldn't approve.

You did well, lad.

Well, I had to. Nobody else was

That log could have killed you.

Yes.

Now, come on. You need a drink.

How was the funeral?

Well it's over, anyway.

Oh, by the way, you were

slightly wrong.

What about?

You said there'd be no mourners.

Well, there was one. Just one.

Who was he?

It was a woman.

A woman?

She was a mourner.

I mean, all dressed in black.

Are you going to the house?

This afternoon.

- Can I get you another?

- Oh no, thank you, lad.

I've got to keep a clear head.

Got the deals to settle.

Now, remember what I

said. Anything you need.

Thank you, Bill.

Excuse me.

Is this place taken?

Sit you down, boy.

- Been a bit of trouble out there?

- More bread, lads?

An accident.

- You heard about it?

- Yes.

Bum gypsy kid nearly got mashed up.

A fellow pulled her out of it.

- So I believe.

- Should have left well alone.

Too many gypsies around here.

Market day brings 'em in.

- You know him, do you? Sam Toovey?

- A bit.

He's had a good day.

Bought a lot of beasts.

Look at him, that pleased with hisself.

You don't like him, either?

Can't match his offers.

- You're not from 'round here?

- No.

Let me guess. Buying and

selling land, maybe?

Big Sam's your man. Greedy for it.

- They say he'll buy half the county.

- Just a house.

Where?

On the marshes.

Eel Marsh House?

Yes.

You'll not sell that.

Nobody will have to do with it,

not Big Sam or nobody else.

Why?

Pass the salt.

Ah. You Mr Kidd?

Yes. You're

Keckwick. Up here with you then.

Go on.

Is it far?

A mile or so. To the causeway.

How long is the causeway?

That depends.

On what?

If there is any.

The tide's in, it ain't there at all.

I kept her going, you know.

The old woman.

Twice a week regular, I've gone out.

Sometimes more.

If there be special needs.

- Is this it? The causeway?

- Yes.

It's got a name.

Nine Lives Causeway they call it.

That's what a cat's got.

It's what you need out here.

Quiet, boy.

What a fret.

Sea mist.

That's a foreigner's name.

It's so quick.

That it is.

You go wrong here, and

you're in the marsh.

Then you're done for.

Have many been lost?

Oh aye.

It needs help, always.

This was her room.

This was her chair.

It was me that found her.

When she died. And

I found her dead.

Last week that was.

She was just sitting there.

I thought she'd say

'Good morning, Mr Keckwick'.

But she didn't.

Is that really electric light?

Come. I'll show you.

Here.

Her husband, he must have been

keen on new-fangled things.

But he died out foreign.

Mostly she was just a widow.

- There. Now you got electric light.

- Thank you.

I'll be back before the tide.

Three o'clock, no later.

This is Arthur Kidd speaking.

I'm in Eel Marsh House among

all Mrs Drablow's rubbish.

This is Arthur Kidd speaking.

I'm in Eel Marsh House among

all Mrs Drablow's rubbish.

and I must remember to ask Keckwick

to bring more of that yellow soap,

so useful for washing the floor.

Last night she did not come until

four in the morning.

Then it was bad. A bad night.

Last night she did not come until

four in the morning.

Then it was bad. A bad night.

Keckwick!

Keckwick!

I'm here on the path, I was

coming to meet you.

Keckwick!

Keckwick!

Keckwick, I can't see you!

Where are you?

No! No! No!

Mummy! Mummy! Mummy!

Keckwick!

Bit slowed up by the fret.

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