Far From the Madding Crowd

CAINY Dead?

MAN Drowned while bathing in Lulwind Cove.

GABRIEL Bathsheba.

BATHSHEBA (Waking up) I don’t believe it.

GABRIEL Are you sure?

MAN There’s no doubt. They saw him swimming out – and he never came back.

BATHSHEBA But do they know for certain? Is there a body?

MAN No, but –

BATHSHEBA Then he may well be alive; he must be alive.

MAN Ma’am, they saw him carried by the current out of the mouth of the cove, beyond the ridge, into the open sea. No-one could survive that. And his clothes were found where he left them. And all his belongings. His purse, everything. I am sorry.

16b. Time Passes

Time moves forward a year. We watch the passing of time through the farm routine; Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer. Perhaps a lamb is born and grows into a sheep, who then gives birth to a lamb.

17. The Return of Spring

BOLDWOOD is watching the workers lambing when MARY-ANN arrives. He approaches her.

BOLDWOOD Mary-Ann.

MARY-ANN Mr. Boldwood.

BOLDWOOD How are you?

MARY-ANN How am I? How unusual for you to take an interest in my health. I’m very well, thank you. (Pause) What do you want?

BOLDWOOD Want? Nothing. I just –

MARY-ANN You just…

BOLDWOOD I just – I thought-I merely came to enquire after Mrs. Troy’s health.

MARY-ANN Oh, Mrs. Troy’s health.

BOLDWOOD I heard she has returned. How is she? Is she much recovered?

MARY-ANN She’s well.

BOLDWOOD And – cheerful?

MARY-ANN Somewhat.

BOLDWOOD She tells you her affairs, does she?

MARY-ANN Sir! Whatever makes you think that women talk?

BOLDWOOD If I was her, I’m sure I’d put my confidence in a good woman like you.

MARY-ANN Would you indeed; how very convenient. I suppose I have been with her all through it all, through her marriage, through his going, and I dare say if she married again I’d bide with her then to.

BOLDWOOD Marry again? Did she mention it?

MARY-ANN No.

BOLDWOOD She alluded to it, perhaps?

MARY-ANN Nope.

BOLDWOOD Has she ever spoken of it?

MARY-ANN Never. Why?

BOLDWOOD No reason.

MARY-ANN You know a widow cannot marry until seven years have passed.

BOLDWOOD Well that’s six years from now.

MARY-ANN I suppose.

BOLDWOOD And six is quite reasonable, whatever the lawyers say to the contrary.

MARY-ANN You been to ask them, have you?

BOLDWOOD No! (He laughs awkwardly) Please, will you give her my best regards.

MARY-ANN If I remember. Though you could just tell her yourself.

BOLDWOOD How so?

MARY-ANN She’s behind you.

BOLDWOOD turns around – and sure enough, there’s

BATHSHEBA.

BATHSHEBA What might you tell me, Mr. Boldwood?

BOLDWOOD Mrs. Troy, you are returned. And glowing.

BATHSHEBA I’m well rested. I confess I hadn’t considered the benefits of time away, but I do feel remarkably better for it.

BOLDWOOD I am glad you are recovered. We were all terribly worried.

BATHSHEBA I feel better. And it’s a great comfort to return to find the farm in such good order.

BOLDWOOD Gabriel has quite a talent. I am grateful to you for allowing him to work for us both.

BATHSHEBA I’m sure there are mutual benefits.

BOLDWOOD Indeed. Your sheep were much admired at the fair.

BATHSHEBA So I heard. And next time, I may go myself. I’d like to see past Weatherbury a little more often.

BOLDWOOD Well, as luck would have it, I had been contemplating a visit to the seaside.

BATHSHEBA The seaside? I hadn’t thought you the type to have an interest in buckets and spades.

BOLDWOOD A man can change, if there is reason enough to. It would be an honour, if you’d like to accompany me.

BATHSHEBA Thank you. I’m sure Liddy and I would be grateful for the excursion.

BOLDWOOD Liddy? Well, excellent!

BATHSHEBA I must get back. (Going)

BOLDWOOD Of course. Mrs. Troy! There is a subject upon which – forgive me for enquiring, but I cannot help but ask. Might you – one day – marry again?

BATHSHEBA I really hadn’t thought on it.

BOLDWOOD I understand; what with the sergeant dead only a year –

BATHSHEBA It never was proved.

BOLDWOOD But proof enough, surely?

BATHSHEBA Yes. It’s odd; for a time I was certain he couldn’t have perished. But though I’m quite sure now he has, it hardly seems appropriate to think of another.

BOLDWOOD Not yet, perhaps, but one day?

BATHSHEBA Perhaps.

BOLDWOOD I hope that, before him, I meant something to you.

BATHSHEBA You did.

BOLDWOOD Do I now? (Pause) How do you feel – about me?

BATHSHEBA I don’t know. How does a woman express her feelings in a language designed by men to demonstrate theirs? I do wish I could make you amends.

BOLDWOOD You could.

BATHSHEBA Mr. Boldwood –

BOLDWOOD In six years, when the legal bond is broke –

BATHSHEBA Six years?! Who knows where we may be then!

BOLDWOOD Bathsheba, please, promise me.

BATHSHEBA But I have told you, I could never love you as a woman ought to love her husband.

BOLDWOOD And I accept that.

BATHSHEBA (Taken aback) And my promise alone could bring you such happiness?

BOLDWOOD More than you can know. Please –

BATHSHEBA This is too hasty!

BOLDWOOD Too hasty! It has been years in the making! By Christmas –

BATHSHEBA Christmas?

BOLDWOOD By the Christmas supper. Will you give me an answer then?

BATHSHEBA I will.

BOLDWOOD (Kissing her hand) Well! Then I will not mention it’til then, though it will fill my every thought.

GABRIEL approaches.

GABRIEL Ma’am? Apologies for disturbing, only we need your instruction on the fallow fields.

BOLDWOOD I have detained your mistress long enough. Dear lady, good day. Gabriel. (Goes)

GABRIEL I had no wish to interrupt.

BATHSHEBA I’m glad you did.

GABRIEL Ma’am, the fields.

BATHSHEBA Oh you decide; I cannot think.

GABRIEL You all right, ma’am?

BATHSHEBA May I confide in you?

GABRIEL Course.

BATHSHEBA He’s never forgotten me. Never… and now I find myself agreeing to consider him again, but for the most mournful reason.

GABRIEL Can it be mournful, if its sum is the union of two who are alone?

BATHSHEBA It’s only – and I’ve never admitted this to a soul before – but I fear he may lose his mind if I don’t promise.

GABRIEL You want my opinion?

BATHSHEBA Please.

GABRIEL You won’t dismiss me for it?

BATHSHEBA (Warmly) Gabriel.

GABRIEL I think his life is blank without hoping for you. Why don’t you give the conditional promise?

GABRIEL Tisn’t wrong – unless you cannot love him at all.

BATHSHEBA Love is a worn-out thing with me, and I’ve told him so. And if this is what it takes to pay my debt to him, the only question is whether it’s lawful.

GABRIEL Well that depends on whether you believe, as we all do, that your husband is dead.

BATHSHEBA I do.

GABRIEL Well, then, you’re as free as any widow. The only sin, in my mind, is in marrying a man you don’t love.

BATHSHEBA That’s as may be. I merely asked of the law.

GABRIEL Well then, perhaps take your advice from Mr. Thirdly.

BATHSHEBA Oh no. When I want a proper opinion, I never go to a professional. I like the parson’s thoughts on law, the lawyer’s on doctoring, the doctor’s on business, and my baily’s on morals.

GABRIEL And on love?

BATHSHEBA My own.

GABRIEL Well then, there’s a hitch in that argument.

BATHSHEBA (Pause) Good day, Gabriel. Let me know your decision on the fallow fields.

18. Christmas Eve

Music, mistletoe, holly and ivy. Farmer BOLDWOOD’s house has been decorated to the nines.

MARY-ANN Fancy having a party here that’s not a wake!

JOSEPH It’s C-C-Christmas, Mary Ann!

JOSEPH brings out a piece of mistletoe to offer MARYANN a kiss, but she dosen’t notice. CAINY has caught her attention.

MARY-ANN Cainy Ball, what’s that in your hand?

CAINY (Lying) A mouse. A marble?

MARY-ANN Cainy!

CAINY (Relenting) A mince pie.

MARY-ANN Been told you could take one, have you?

CAINY Yes?

MARY-ANN Put it back this minute, afore we lock you in the coal house.

Meanwhile, in his study, BOLDWOOD is trying to tie his cravat. GABRIEL knocks and enters.

GABRIEL You asked to see me, Sir?

BOLDWOOD What do you think? My decorations?

GABRIEL They’re the finest I’ve seen, Sir.

BOLDWOOD I do hope she’ll like them.

GABRIEL You wanted to see me?

BOLDWOOD Of course. Mr Oak, I’m terminating your position as Baily.

GABRIEL Sir! You cannot.

BOLDWOOD Gabriel –

GABRIEL I work as hard for you as I do for she, and late into the night –

BOLDWOOD Farmer Oak –

GABRIEL I am the first in the field in the morning –

BOLDWOOD I’d like to make you a partner.

GABRIEL And I – (Pause) Partner? In the management?

BOLDWOOD Yes.

GABRIEL Oh. Sir, I don’t know what to say.

BOLDWOOD Yes would do.

GABRIEL Yes? Yes! But, it is too generous.

BOLDWOOD Well, I hope to retire soon. Then, when I am married –

GABRIEL Wait – pardon me for saying, but you cannot know that yet, before she’s answered.

BOLDWOOD I understand. But my decision’s on account of my regard for you as a man. I know your interest in Bathsheba extends far past your duties. But you’ve behaved like a gentleman, when I’ve almost been your rival. I’m sure it hasn’t been easy. So I’d like to extend the hand of friendship.

GABRIEL Thank you, Sir.

BOLDWOOD You will accept?

GABRIEL I will indeed.

BOLDWOOD Excellent. Now. That’s one proposal out of the way –

GABRIEL Sir –

BOLDWOOD (Holding his cravat) Would you tie this for me? My hands are a little shaky. Is there any knot particularly in fashion, Oak?