Scene 5

March 25, 1891

Scene: Horsham, Sussex, 9 Anna Lodge, the scene is the dining room, similar to that for scene 2, except the furnishing touches are all funereal. The table is set for 6. The three women are sat at the table. The Ghost cast are all standing around behind the table.

Extra Cast members:

Eliza Sharp: aged 78 (Ann’s daughter-in-law), dressed in black.

Eliza Sharp, aged 38, unmarried daughter, also dressed in black.

Ann Sharp, aged 43, unmarried daughter, also dressed in black.

Eliza senior: Let us bow our heads and pray. Dear Lord, we wish to speak tonight, on this, the anniversary of our dear son and brother James’ death, for the repose of his soul. May he rest in peace. And dear God, please let his other brother, Charles return to us. I know that his brother’s death hit him hard, but for him to throw in the business, and for him to go off and none of to know where he is, that is too much.

Eliza Junior: At least we know where William is, and I’m sure tonight he will be thinking of James too.

Ann: He could have come. He said he had business to attend to, but he knew how important this was for mother, to have this special meal together in memory of James who died 10 years ago tonight. He was so young, only 31. (she sobs a bit)

Eliza senior: I think it was Marianne, his wife, who told him to stay away tonight. She doesn’t like me. She knows that I am waiting and waiting for her to produce a grandchild for me, and she will not do it. She keeps wanting to help William in his job, and she is too selfish to make the effort to have children. I would like to see a grandchild before I die.

Ann: Oh, mother, stop talking like that. You are not going to die for a long time yet. You are a picture of health.

Eliza senior: And what of you, my daughters. When I am gone, who will look after you? Charles, if he had stayed, could have kept up the milling business. We were making a good living out of that. And William, well, don’t expect him to invite you to live with him. She will have something to say about that I am sure.

Eliza: We could get jobs if we needed to, Mother. We could support ourselves, but let’s not talk of such things tonight. Let’s have our meal, and remember our beloved James, gone to his rest, this day in 1881. May he rest in peace.

Curtain closes.