All language subtitles for Miss.Austen.S01E01.1080p.AMZN.WEB-DL.DD+5.1.H.264-playWEB_track3_[eng]

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No, Miss Betty,

that is Miss Harriet's
breakfast.

Where are your manners?

A letter for you, Miss Austen,
from Kintbury.

Kintbury?

My dear Cassandra,

I am writing to inform you
that my father, Fulwar,

has only a short time
left with us.

It's the Reverend Fowle.
He's dying.

I know this sad news
will concern you deeply,

but he is in the best of hands

and there is no need
to inconvenience yourself

with thoughts
of coming to Kintbury.

Nancy.

My trunk.

Where are you going, ma'am?

To Kintbury, of course.

My late mother,
Eliza, spoke so fondly

of the happy times you
and your sister Jane spent here.

I am sure you will wish
to be of assistance now,

but, please, I must implore you,

do not vex yourself
by making the long

and arduous journey to Kintbury.

I don't like
the look of this sky, ma'am.

Maybe you should wait.

Out of the question, Nancy,

I have urgent business
to attend to at Kintbury.

There are certain items there

of a personal nature
that belong here.

Now, look after the goats.
Don't overfeed them.

I will
of course write again

when the sad time comes.

Ring again!
Someone will answer eventually.

Keep ringing!

Ma'am,
you'll catch your death.

I shall be fine. Ah, at last!

What is all the commotion?
There's a man dying in here.

Please forgive
the lateness of my arrival.

I am here to assist
Miss Isabella Fowle.

Cassandra?

Did you not get my letter?

Yes, of course.
That's why I'm here.

We weren't
expecting you... at all.

Please forgive me, Isabella.
Time is our enemy.

Your poor father.

This is my... my last duty
to your dear mother.

Oh, come inside.
It's wild out there.

What about her trunk?

Oh,
leave it here in the hall.

We'll take care of it.

- Where will she stay, Miss?
- I don't know, Dinah.

We'll put her in the blue room.

God save us, Miss, as if we
don't have enough on our plate.

Come along then, my dear.

We must take you
out of these wet clothes.

Aah!

Thank you, thank you, my dear.

I know my demeanour
may not suggest it,

but I... I hope that I am still
capable of untying a ribbon.

If you will forgive me, I really
must get back to my father.

Dinah will see you to your room.

If you don't mind, I would
like to see Fulwar now,

if I may.

Very well.
You may look in on him.

Briefly.

Mr Lidderdale, our surgeon,

will not want my father
disturbed for long.

Mr Lidderdale.
We have a visitor.

Miss Cassandra Austen,
a dear family friend.

She will not linger long.

Mr Lidderdale.

Miss Austen.

How is he?

Much the same, Miss Fowle.

He's been in and out of sleep.

I've given him
something for the pain.

He should rest better now.

Fulwar.

It's Cassandra.

Cassandra Austen.

Cassy.

Yes.

Oh, my apologies.

I cannot greet you
as befits you.

Worry not.

Isabella has served you well.

And I am here now to assist her.

Good.

- Isabella.
- Papa.

Send the surgeon away.

I have no more need of him.

Then I shall take
my leave, for now.

Try to rest, Reverend Fowle.

"Rest?"

Where I'm going
I'll get plenty of rest.

I will show you out,
Mr Lidderdale.

- There is no need, Miss Fowle.
- I insist.

Cassy.

Now you're here
you must do something for me.

Promise me.

What?

Isabella...

must live with her sisters.

You promise me?

Worry not.

There is no greater comfort
in this world than a sister.

Come now, miss.

Master needs rest.
I'll show you to your room.

I'll return tomorrow,
Miss Fowle.

But if your father
worsens in the night,

you must send for me.

I will. Thank you.

How long...

until...

Death, like birth,
dictates its own course.

But it should not be
much longer, Isabella.

Miss Fowle.

'Til tomorrow, Mr Lidderdale.

If you'd let Miss Isabella know
you were coming, ma'am,

we'd have prepared
a more welcoming room.

My weary bones will rest
wherever they are put, Dinah.

Shh!

Can I help you, ma'am?

Oh, Dinah.

I... I... I'm sorry.

I quite lost my bearings
for a moment.

Were you looking for something
in particular, ma'am?

Do you know, I can't remember

why I came out
in the first place.

That must be tiredness, ma'am.

Best get back to bed.

You're down
at the other end, remember?

Oh, Isabella...

I am so sorry.

The end was peaceful...

at least.

If you'll excuse me,
I have the arrangements to make.

Of course.

If there's anything I can do...

I am surprised your sisters
could not stay longer.

Surely it would have been
the ideal opportunity

for the three of you
to converse, would it not?

Mr Lidderdale, thank you.

Isabella?

Of course.
Your sister...

It appears my sister Beth

has more important
business elsewhere.

Aah

I for one am grateful
we women were not allowed

to stand by the graveside,

our grief
laid bare for all to witness.

Er, Miss Fowle,
my heartfelt condolences.

Thank you, Mr Dundas.

Er, may I introduce
my aunt, Mary Austen,

and our dear friend,
Miss Cassandra Austen.

Mr Dundas is to be
Kintbury's new vicar.

A position I am
deeply honoured to fill.

Austen? Are you
perhaps some relation

to Miss Jane Austen,
the great lady novelist?

I am delighted to say I am.

She's... was my sister.

And my sister-in-law.

I...
I am her greatest admirer.

You cannot imagine my despair

when she was taken
from us so early.

Then allow me
to say how sorry I am

for your great personal loss.

Most kind, most kind.

I've read all her works.

What is the one
with the clergyman...?

They all have--

Mansfield House!
That's the one.

It's my favourite of all.

The thing about your sister,
Miss Austen,

and sadly so few people
seem to grasp this,

is that her understanding
of people of a certain milieu

was so profound
as to be almost unique.

That is indeed true.

Strikes me as
a great shame there's not been

more public acknowledgement
of her genius.

In my view she warrants
a substantial biography,

one, perhaps, where we might
discover the real Jane Austen.

Everything one needs to know
about Jane Austen

is to be found
within the pages of her novels.

There is nothing more.

Oh, come, Cassandra.

You know that is
most certainly not true.

My sister-in-law
exaggerates somewhat.

There is nothing more to learn.

If you say so, my dear.

If you'll excuse me, I must
prepare my father's study

for the reading of his will.

Er, before you go, Miss Fowle...

I wish to inform you
that my wife and I

will be taking up residence
in the vicarage in a fortnight.

A fortnight?

I trust it will be
more than enough time

to make arrangements
for the removals?

No. It... that's too soon.

The retiring family
are always granted

two months, Mr Dundas.

That's the custom,
as old as the church.

That would be appropriate

in the case of a family,
Miss Austen,

but there's no family
in this instance, only my own,

and my wife is due to give birth

to our fourth child
within the month.

It's only right
she should be settled first.

Besides, I'm keen to get on

and do my best for the parish.

I fear Isabella will need
some assistance,

with the removals.

She will be completely at sea
if left to her own devices.

Well, I am happy to stay
for as long as she needs me.

Oh, that is a weight
from my mind.

I mean, I could supervise,
of course, but, erm,

I have other family commitments,

which take up
a great deal of my time.

You, on the other hand...

Do not.

Oh, that Mr Dundas...

is quite insufferable.

His remarks did make me ponder.

Perhaps...

there is a biography
to be written.

About Jane?

Not just Jane,

but my late husband,
James Austen, too.

He was a gifted writer himself,
as well you know.

Jane's writing would be
a part of it, of course.

But who would pen
this great opus, Mary?

Now that both the Austen writers
have departed this earth.

My son, James Edward,
springs to mind.

He seems to have inherited
his father's great gift.

I must instruct Isabella

not to remove any of my sister's
private correspondence.

I will take care of that.

There are sure to be letters
in Eliza's room

that will cast up
all manner of treasure.

After all, Jane and Eliza
corresponded vigorously.

As did you and Eliza,
if I recall.

Surely you don't intend
to do this now, my dear.

After all, the day
has been trying enough.

That is true. That is true.

Yes, it's been
something of an ordeal.

I will return refreshed

and tackle Eliza's
correspondence tomorrow.

How is Miss Isabella now, Dinah?

She's gone for a walk, ma'am.

Says the fresh air
will do her good.

She did not attend
her father's will reading, then?

That's men's business, ma'am,
or so they say.

Where are Jane's letters?

Molly, get that dog
out of the master's bedroom...

"Jane."

My dearest Eliza,

we will be with you
in Kintbury shortly.

You and Fulwar
should prepare yourselves

for a houseful of Austens.

- Cassy!
- Eliza!

Mother and Father
will journey with us.

Cassy!

Crossing the border
from Hampshire into Berkshire

can be most treacherous,
as you know.

As ever,

Cassy is the calm
at the heart of us all,

but I know she cannot wait
to see Fulwar's brother Tom.

You look radiant, Cassy.

Here he comes.

Hush, Jane.

My dear, Cassy.

May I beg your indulgence

and request
to speak alone with you?

"Alone", Tom Fowle?

What conversation
could be so important

it requires
a private assignation?

- Well...
- Pay my sister no heed, Tom.

She sees drama
in every encounter.

My... my dear, Cassy.

You... you know
what I'm about to say.

Do I?

You must.

Well, even so, I'd dearly love
to hear you say it.

I will do my utmost
to... find the words.

Cassandra Austen,

I have loved you... since...

...since... well, I...

I... I cannot
quite remember, but...

But you are the only woman
I... I could...

I can ever, erm...

contemplate...
sharing my life with.

- So--
- Yes.

Yes, yes, yes!

Finally! I told you he would.

You did.

I'm always correct
in these matters.

You are.

Well, you said yes, of course?

I said yes.

As much as I delight
in your rejoicing,

I cannot breathe!

- Oh!
- Cassy!

You are abandoning me
to our parents.

You, my own sister.
What is to become of me?

I'm hardly going far.

I'll be here in Berkshire

and you'll be
in the next-door county.

You'll see just as much of me.

You say that now, but wait 'til
you have a husband and children.

- No, Jane.
- She's teasing you, dearest.

We'll be sisters.

- The three of us.
- Four.

Eliza, how can you forget
your own sister Mary?

Yes, how could you
forget Mary, Eliza?

Come now, dear sisters,
let us go and demonstrate

how canasta should be played,
and won.

Jane.

We cannot play cards
without you.

Is Miss Isabella
back yet, Dinah?

Not yet, ma'am,
but she won't be much longer.

You'll be off soon, then?

There's nothing left
for you here now.

Not so, Dinah.

If Miss Isabella is to vacate
the vicarage within a fortnight,

I'm needed here more than ever.

I am resolved to ensure
she is settled with her sisters.

I believe that
the interests of our landowners

must be protected at all times.

I am sure you are right.

Thank you, dear Eliza,
I have been waiting for that.

The rule of the King
must be defended,

even if it means
taking up arms...

Tom seems rather subdued,
considering your news.

Perhaps it's because
he's with his brother

and can't get a word in.

...as a naval man.

You have a fine pair
of sea legs, young Frank Austen.

I'm sure you'll make your family
exceedingly proud.

Though I do believe you're soon
to have some competition

in your seafaring adventures.

Is this not so, Tom?

Please, Fulwar,
I'd rather you did not.

Dear friends
and family.

I have some
glad tidings to impart.

My brother Tom has found himself

the most suitable wife,
our dear Cassy here.

They are to be married,

and we Fowles
could not be more delighted.

Not only is Cassy
an accomplished

and gifted young woman,

she is our dearest friend.

A toast, to Tom and Cassy.

May their union be a happy one.

To Tom and Cassy.

But the celebrations
do not end there,

for Tom has also
secured himself a patron.

It is the most esteemed
Lord Craven.

His Lordship has asked
our very own curate

to accompany him
on a great adventure.

An expedition
to the Windward Islands...

Aah.

...in the West Indies,
no less.

So another toast

to Tom and
all his seafaring adventures.

- To Tom.
- To Tom.

You're shivering.

Here.

My dear Cassy,
I know it will be hard,

for both of us.

I... I am doing this for us,

for our future.

Lord Craven has promised me
my own parish on our return.

My own parish, Cassy.

Our very own vicarage.

It has long been our dream,
so what harm is one more year?

A year?

We could not be married
for at least a year.

Besides, he's offered
to pay me handsomely...

beyond anything
I could make here.

We shall be set, my love.

For life.

Just one year.

Did you not think
to discuss this with me first?

Well, he... he pressed me.

And I knew you would agree.

As we agree on all things.

My ship leaves
from Portsmouth in a fortnight.

We have 'til then.

Oh, Jane.

I was happy
with my home-loving curate.

I do not crave
a swashbuckling hero.

You and I have read
enough novels to know

that entitled lords,
no matter how personable,

cannot always be trusted.

Then we must hope this lord
is a man of his word.

Tom is only doing this to secure
your future, my dearest.

You are marrying for love,
and that is a joy.

Love comes at a price.

Neither of you has a fortune,
so he must make one.

All will be well.

I know it.

The year will be over
before we know it.

You must visit Kintbury often
while I'm away.

This is your home now.

I can make myself useful,
helping Eliza with the children.

It will be good preparation
for when we have our own.

How many children shall we have?

Four. No, five.

No, six.
It cannot be an odd number.

And what shall we call them?

Jane, if our firstborn
is a girl.

- Fulwar, if it's a boy.
- Really?

Seems an awfully serious name
for a little boy.

Well, he will be a man one day.

My darling,

you know I will be happy
whatever they are called.

Well...

There are things I must
say to you before I leave.

In case I do not return.

No.

You will come back.

- Let us not discuss this.
- Cassy, we must.

I have made a will,

and left you
the bulk of my money.

- Do not say it.
- I want you to have it.

You have pledged yourself to me,

therefore you should be
cared for if I...

if I do not...

No.

We are betrothed.
That is my choice.

It will give you
a little security.

But Cassy,
I want you to promise me

that this bequest will not
make you beholden to my memory.

If you cannot marry me,

you must feel free
to marry another.

I promise you, Tom,

faithfully, here before God,

that I will never marry
any other man but you.

Today has been more difficult
than I could ever have imagined.

To first lose
your dearest mother,

and now your father, too,

and I'm sure Mr Dundas'

sudden announcement today
did not help.

It was quite unexpected.

Well, at least now

your father's will
has been read,

and [inhales] you can proceed
with the removals.

It would appear so.

We Fowles have
lived in this house

for three generations,

handed down from father to son.

Now I must leave
the only home I've ever known.

I will be on my own

for the first time ever.

No, Isabella,
you will not be on your own.

You will be with your sisters.

That is not fully decided yet.

Your father wanted you
to live with them.

He was very clear
about his wishes.

I know what his wishes were.

His feelings were very strong
on the matter,

but his feelings
were strong on all matters.

I have never once
done anything to displease him,

but... what of my own feelings?

What of those?

Oh, they are your sisters.

There is no closer bond.

For this you should be grateful.

- Grateful?
- Yes.

And your comfort
will be enhanced

in the knowledge
that you are living

according to
your father's dying wish.

I find myself
strangely tired now.

Quite ready for bed.

My dear Eliza,
you must find it in your heart

to forgive the tardiness
of my reply to your letter.

- Aren't these pretty, Jane?
- Yes, Mama.

We have arrived
back at Steventon,

but the truth is,
our once peaceful rectory

has been consumed
by such a riot of celebration

that it's hard to find
a quiet place in which to write.

There is so much joy
and delight about

as to make me feel
quite sick and wicked.

Mama?

I cannot quite remember
how we passed our time

in the days before
my sister's engagement.

Jane? Oh, what do you think?

Beautiful,
both Cassy and the veil.

I can only hope
it is still in fashion

by the time
she walks down the aisle.

Come along, Mama.
Let us leave Jane in peace.

Of course, we always knew

they were
the most perfect match.

We just didn't know if Tom
would ever get round to asking.

He's a man of caution, Mama.

I wouldn't have him
any other way.

Well, he'd never find
a better peach to pick than you.

Such an accomplished young lady

as my eldest daughter
would be an asset to any man.

But poor Jane.

We're not sure
what's going to become of her.

Mama! Jane is in the room.

Dear, I'm...
I'm merely saying that

while you have
a surfeit of competence,

my dear Cassandra,

your dear sister here is...
is less...

Useful? I think that is the word
you are searching for, Mama.

Come, come, Mrs Austen,

we are blessed
with two brilliant daughters.

Even if that brilliance
manifests itself

differently in each.

Any man would be lucky
to have either.

Thank you for that
glowing testimonial, Papa,

but Mama is right.
Cassy is the peach.

And Tom Fowle
is the luckiest man alive.

Now, husband,
I wish to show you something.

Lead on, Mrs Austen.

If there is one drawback
to this perfect arrangement,

it is that I will somehow
have to live without her.

I am not ready
to let my beloved sister go.

She's finished.

This silk is perfect, Cassy.

Perhaps you
should store it away, Mama,

to prevent it spoiling
before Cassy wears it.

I am of the firm belief, Jane,

that it is better
to be prepared than not.

Mama is right, Jane.
I want everything to be ready.

So, Anna,
who shall we make first?

The bride.

- Ooh, will it be me?
- No.

- Well, who then?
- Father's bride.

Would you like my son
to marry again, Anna?

Then it shall be so.

Why have one wedding
when we can have two?

Yes!

Your aunts and I
will find him someone.

That's a splendid idea.

Cassy...

Why not? I want everyone
to be as happy as I am.

Even you, my darling Jane.

I refuse to be involved
with your matrimonial schemings.

What about
Eliza's sister, Mary Lloyd?

For brother James? Mother!

I can't think of anyone better.
Can you, Cassy?

No-one. She would be perfect.

It shall be done.

We must make
two brides now, Anna.

You must ask your Aunt Jane
for more paper.

Yes, Eliza,
my mother is up to

her old
matchmaking tricks again.

Thank you.

She's intent to match

our brother James
with your sister Mary.

What do you think of this, Anna?

From my mother

this kind of plotting
is to be expected,

but it is Cassy's part in it
that's far more surprising.

I can only put that down

to her elevated status
as an engaged woman.

Luckily, no attempts
have been made to match me,

so I can happily pursue
my fated role

as an irascible spinster...

if Cassy will allow it.

Honestly, Cassy,

you and mother
are like women possessed.

What's come over you?

Where is my sister?

Nothing has come over me.

I'm Cassy Austen,
soon to be Cassy Fowle,

the happiest woman in the world,
and if I'm to be this happy

then I want everyone around me
to be happy, too.

Happiness isn't like a cold.
You can't just pass it on.

- Are you cross with me?
- Not cross.

Surprised.

Mary Lloyd and James?

Even you must
have doubts on that count.

His eyes follow her everywhere
when he's in her company.

- That's not love.
- What is it then?

Polite curiosity.

You're supposed
to be the romantic one.

Though the only problem
we might have...

Not "we"!

...is that brother James
is not without his admirers.

- Miss Harrison, for one.
- Well, that's a mystery, too.

How can a widower

of such indifferent humour
have so much choice?

Because he's a man.

I'm sorry
if you disapprove, Jane,

but whatever happens,
James must marry again.

That poor child needs a mother.

Mary, though?

Are you sure
Miss Harrison will not be there?

You know how your brother
admires her, Cassy.

Nonsense. She towers over him.

No man wants a wife
that is taller than he is.

Besides, I've heard
that she's out of the country.

Dear sister, he will have eyes
for you and you alone.

Isn't that so, Jane?

The county ball
is to be the setting

for the advancement
of this romantic plot.

I must admit,

I have something
approaching sympathy

for the single man.

I wonder how
my brother James would feel

to know he is the object
of such lively speculation,

and how closely
the feminine eyes of Basingstoke

are soon to be trained upon him.

I knew it. Your brother
has not looked at me once.

Not since the moment we arrived.

He is simply
talking with friends.

It is not entirely unreasonable
of him to be sociable.

It is, after all,
a social event.

I should never
have got my hopes up.

Why would a man like
James Austen look at me?

Cassy, I wish
I was elegant as you are.

I have never seen
you look as elegant

as you do tonight, Mary.

In fact, I would go so far

as to say that
you are positively glowing.

Dear sister, that pale blue
does become you so.

I wish I could find
a colour that suited

my complexion so well.

You can wear any colour,
my dearest Eliza, not just blue.

I for one do not intend
to spend the whole evening

staring at my brother's back.

Come along, Cassy.

Let's take a turn
around the room.

Oh, no!
Miss Harrison has come.

Cassy, you said
she was out of the country.

- I'm sunk.
- Nonsense.

We shall make sure
my brother knows

- that you are here.
- No!

Cassy, why don't you and I
sit here for a moment?

Do you think this is wise?

James is perfectly content
to dance with Miss Harrison.

He might seem it,

but he does not know
how much more contented

he might be
if he danced with Mary.

You are sounding suspiciously

like Mama.

Would it not be better to allow
James to decide his own fate?

That he will do,

with a helping hand
from his beloved sisters.

But I am not convinced
Mary Lloyd is his ideal match.

The Lloyd sisters
are our dearest friends.

Eliza, yes, but not Mary.

Why must you always
be so critical of her?

Mary lacks confidence.
Once married she will bloom.

Oh, this is a disaster.

Come along.

Beautiful.

Ca...

Miss Harrison.

Brother.

An enjoyable evening, is it not?

Yes, seems to be a success.

I saw you dancing.
You really are rather good.

- Do you think so?
- Yes.

Miss Mary Lloyd and I were
remarking on that very fact.

It might be polite of you
to pay her some attention.

Especially as she
admires you so.

Ah!

Miss Lloyd.

Mr Austen.

Would you care
to have this next dance?

Of course,
I wish Mary and James

the greatest happiness, Eliza,

but I cannot help but worry
that our dear niece Anna

might be forgotten
in all this plotting.

Plotting?

Wha-- I wasn't plotting!

I was thinking only of Anna.

I know
Mary is your sister, Eliza,

but I do find it
difficult to imagine

her embracing motherhood.

Perhaps,
she will surprise us all.

Cassy, would you like
to hear the latest chapter?

It's finished.

- Is it the ball?
- Mmm-hmm.

Oh, at last!

Does Mary Bennett
has to be called Mary?

She's so perfectly dreadful.
It will not go down well

when our sister-in-law Mary
discovers it.

She won't discover it.

She has rather limited
literary taste.

If it wasn't written by James
then it cannot be any good.

It is a delight to see
my Cassy in such high spirits.

She has waited one whole year
for her beloved to come home.

Who are you writing to?

Eliza. She must be as excited
to see Tom as we are.

I have such butterflies.

I will admit to some
butterflies of my own, Eliza,

for it is at this point
Cassy and I must separate,

and I will take up the position
of solitary daughter.

I cannot welcome it,

but I suppose I must bear it.

Jane.

You and I
will always be sisters,

even when I'm Mrs Fowle.

You are saddled with me forever.

It will be strange at first,

but...

it is something that

most sisters must go through.

"Most sisters?"

Is that how you think of us?

I mistakenly assumed myself
of greater significance.

Jane, you know--

Of course I know.

We are not most sisters.

Mmm.

We were not most sisters.

Oh.

Excuse me, ma'am. I...
I was just setting the grate.

No rest for the wicked.

Leave it. It's...
it's fine for now.

I have started clearing
Mrs Fowle's room.

There's so little time now.

If you say so, ma'am.

Oh,

Mrs Mary Austen
is expected soon, ma'am.

"Mary."

My dear Eliza...

we left for Steventon
as soon as your letter arrived.

Though I did not relish
the task before me,

I felt compelled to undertake it
with forbearance.

In truth, I felt equal to it,

for I am a married woman now,
with a husband by my side,

and I am family, an Austen, too.

When we were in the hall

I could hear Cassy
and Jane upstairs laughing.

They were to be
found where they always are

alone, together,

a secret sisterhood of two,

their door shut
on the rest of the world.

"And even Lydia
was too much fatigued to utter

"more than
the occasional exclamation of

"'Lord, how tired I am',
accompanied

"by a violent yawn."

They do seem
to laugh an unusual amount.

What can be so amusing
so much of the time?

I used to not mind it,

but lately I have found it
a source of great irritation.

Mama never knocks.

As soon as Cassy saw my face

she knew the purpose
of my visit.

I judged it best
to speak with her alone,

without her sister.

Jane, could you leave us?

No, I'm going nowhere.

Please, Jane.

Cassandra--

We have bad tidings
to impart, Cassy.

You must prepare yourself.

They came straight to the point.

Tom was dead of yellow fever,

and these past two months
had lain buried at sea.

Cassy, my dear,

there is something else
that we must tell you.

Something you must know.

You must not blame Lord Craven
for taking Tom from you.

He had no knowledge
of your engagement.

Tom had kept it from him,

knowing full well
he would never have taken

a betrothed man abroad.

His desire to go
was of such intensity--

Cassy, do not believe her.

It is true. Tell her, James.

It was Tom's own decision.

Cassandra's
reaction was quite desperate.

She fell to the floor
in a fit of the hysterics.

I have never heard
wailing like it.

She was inconsolable.

What?

She could not speak a word.

I'm sure that must have been
very hard for you both,

so, thank you.

How dull and sordid
is this business of grief.

Is it always to be my lot
to have to deal

with the dramas
of my new sisters?

It is not a position I relish,

but when bad things happen
the truth must be told.

You lied.