THE TRIAL OF MRS. REBECCA PEAKE
A full length drama based
on the document, "The Trial of Mrs. Rebecca Peake published by E.F.
Walton, Montpelier, VT, 1836
Maura
Campbell
233
Crescent Road,
802/660-7906;
ibsen3000@yahoo.com
CAST
REBECCA
PEAKE, sixty year old woman, accused of murder
LUCIUS
PECK, Rebecca’s defense attorney
FIONA
PECK, wife of Lucius Peck
JUDGE
WILLIAMS, trial judge
ADELAIDE
WILLIAMS, his wife, acquaintance of FIONA
CHARITY
STOKES, acquaintance of FIONA
JESSICA
UPHAM, acquaintance of FIONA
WILLIAM
HEBARD, prosecuting attorney
SUSAN
BANNISTER, Rebecca’s daughter
DOCTOR
EMERSON, Rebecca’s doctor in jail
DR.
PEMBER, expert witness
REV.
WASHBURN, Rebecca’s minister
LUCRETIA MURCH,
witness for the prosecution
LAURA
PERRIN, witness for the prosecution
SARAH
PERRIN, REBECCA’S daughter-in-law, witness for the prosecution
DANIEL
PERRIN, Rebecca’s son-in-law, married to Sarah Perrin
JOSEPH
HUTCHING(Head Juror)
WILDER
DEARBORN(Juror)
LAZARUS
RIFORD(Juror)
NINE OTHER
JURORS
The stage
is set in three sections. Center stage
is a jail cell with a cot, a small table with a water jug and cup, another
small table and a two small wooden chairs.
Stage
right is reserved for the ladies of Montpelier.
A braided rug on the floor and three chairs will suffice.
Stage left
is LUCIUS and FIONA PECK'S living room.
Two comfortable chairs, a small bookcase, a table for tea. A big basket
with woman's work on the floor. Various legal
papers next to LUCIUS' chair and on the floor.
ACT ONE
SCENE 1
A
spotlight on JOSEPH HUTCHINS, seated in a wooden chair downstage center. WILLIAM HEBARD, prosecuting attorney, stands
beside him.
HEBARD
State your name, occupation and town of
residence, please.
HUTCHINS
Joseph Hutchins, I'm a farmer living in
Williamstown.
HEBARD
Are you acquainted with the case, Mr.
Hutchins?
HUTCHINS
Well, I know about it, if that's what you
mean.
HEBARD
And how did you become aware of the case?
HUTCHINS
Tom Brownell read it to us from the newspaper after church one
Sunday.
HEBARD
And have you discussed this case so to have formed an opinion, Mr.
Hutchins?
HUTCHINS
What kind of an opinion?
HEBARD
As to the guilt or innocence of Mrs.
Peake?
HUTCHINS
Well, I dunno.
HEBARD
You don't know whether you've formed an
opinion?
HUTCHINS
I guess not.
HEBARD
The prosecution accepts the juror, your
honor.
The lights
go down and come up on the jail cell, center stage. REBECCA PEAKE is hidden behind the bed on the
floor. LUCIUS PECK enters.
SCENE 2
LUCIUS
What the- (He turns to leave and spots REBECCA.) Oh, I... didn't
see you. Mrs. Peake? How do you do, Mrs. Peake. I'm Lucius Peck from Montpelier. I'm going to defend you.
REBECCA
Listen!
LUCIUS
What-
REBECCA
Can you hear it?
LUCIUS
Hear what?
REBECCA
Sh! (She runs forward, lays down and puts
her ear to the floor.)
LUCIUS
Mrs. Peake, I don't know-
REBECCA(Getting up on her knees)
He likes to put the devil in me. Can you hear it? He's out there.
Banging on the house with a stick.
Outside my window so I can't sleep.
LUCIUS
Who's outside?
REBECCA
I'll set fire to this place if he don't stop! A woman's got to have some peace! I'll fix
him! (She tries to open the door; when it doesn't open, she bangs on it.) Stop
it! Do you hear me? Stop it!
If I could just see a doctor...
LUCIUS
Maybe I should come back another time.
REBECCA(Eyeing LUCIUS suspiciously):
You keep your hands off my things!
LUCIUS
Mrs. Peake, I have no intention of-
REBECCA
I've seen your kind before.
Thinking you own what you see.
You don't own me!
LUCIUS
Mrs. Peake-
REBECCA(Abruptly)
What do you want from me?
LUCIUS
'Scuse me?
REBECCA
You must want something. What is it?
LUCIUS
I...
I've been hired by the state to defend you.
REBECCA
I'm not going to hang.
LUCIUS
Mrs. Peake, let's not think of that now.
REBECCA
You hear me on this. I won't hang.
No matter what.
LUCIUS
You're in God's hands, Mrs. Peake.
REBECCA(Laughs)
He's washed His hands of me, mister.
LUCIUS
You mustn't lose hope, Mrs. Peake.
REBECCA
How long have I been in here? Do you know?
LUCIUS
Um, six weeks, I believe.
REBECCA
You're the first one to see me.
I asked Mr. Hebard to come before the sheriff arrested me.
LUCIUS
Mr. Hebard?
REBECCA
Lawyer from Randolph.
LUCIUS
I know Mr. Hebard.
REBECCA
I talked to him last winter about my troubles. When Ephraim come home to take the farm away.
LUCIUS
Mrs. Peake, I'm afraid Mr. Hebard won't be able to help you. You see, he's the prosecuting attorney. (She looks at him blankly.) The state of Vermont has hired him to present
evidence to prove your guilt. I've been
hired by the state to try and prove your innocence.
REBECCA
Why would... Mr. Hebard do that?
LUCIUS
He's the State's Attorney. It's his first case. (Pause.) He's going to want to win.
REBECCA
Oh.
LUCIUS
I want to build a case for you, Mrs. Peake. I want to help you. You've had a hard life, I can see that. We can use that to help you in court. The judge will understand some of these
things. He's a Christian man, Mrs.
Peake. Now, I can't make any
promises. But it will help me to see the
whole picture, so to speak. That is, it will
help you. Help me to help you.
REBECCA
You want to know about Ephraim?
LUCIUS
Let's go back to the beginning, Mrs. Peake. Let's go back to the very beginning, if you
can.
REBECCA
I can't.
LUCIUS
You can't or you won't?
REBECCA
I don't know where it begins.
LUCIUS
It begins at the beginning.
At the first point. First light,
so to speak. Before anything else has
happened. When the slate is clean.
REBECCA
In the beginning...
LUCIUS
Yes?
REBECCA
I think it had something to do with sheep.
LUCIUS
Sheep?
REBECCA
Did you ever shear a sheep, Mr. Peck?
LUCIUS
I never did.
REBECCA
You see, they don't like it any.
The sheep. It's against their
nature. You have to hold them down and
do it quick. Ephraim learned how to do
that when he was a boy.
LUCIUS
How to shear a sheep?
REBECCA
How to hold them down.
LUCIUS
Did you love him, Mrs. Peak? (Pause.) Did you feel a mother's love
for Ephraim?
REBECCA
I feel...
LUCIUS
Because we'll have to convince a jury that you loved him. And therefore could not have killed him. A woman is made to nurture and protect. God made you that way, Mrs. Peake. He made you what you are.
REBECCA
He did that?
LUCIUS
Eve said to Adam, "What thou biddest, unargued I obey; so God
ordains: God is thy law, thou mine; to know no more is woman's happiest
knowledge and her praise." (REBECCA looks at him blankly.) That's, um, a poem.
REBECCA
What's a poem?
LUCIUS
Mrs. Peake, can you give me the names of some friends? People who would speak in your behalf?
REBECCA
There's... Lucretia Murch.
She helped me through the crisis. Dr. Pember and his wife, Essie. I've called on Dr. Pember for years. I have a sick head.
LUCIUS(Writing)
Lucretia Murch, Dr. Pember...
REBECCA
notices LUCIUS write the names. She
kneels on her chair and peers closely.
REBECCA
Can you write my name?
LUCIUS
What?
REBECCA
looks at him hopefully. He writes her name and shows it to her.
LUCIUS
Anyone else?
REBECCA(Reluctantly looking away)
Lucy Paine helps me when I have to stay in bed. Sarah Blodgett. I brought her Gracie into the
world one Christmas when they couldn't get the doctor.
LUCIUS
You think they'll speak for you?
REBECCA
There's my daughter, Susan.
She's expecting her first child, my... grandchild. (Pause.) I have sisters in Roxbury and
Middlesex. My brother is in the
asylum. That's all.
LUCIUS(Walks toward her)
Parents dead?
REBECCA
Pa hanged himself. I didn't know my ma.
LUCIUS
I see.
What about your stepchildren?
REBECCA'S
face turns hard.
LUCIUS
Mrs. Peake?
REBECCA
Only ones around are Dan and Sarah
Perrin.
LUCIUS
Sarah is your husband's daughter?
REBECCA
I run the rest out of South Randolph. Ran Ephraim out, too,
ten years ago but he come back.
He took a bullwhip to me last winter when I tried to go with him to Mr.
Hebard's.
LUCIUS
Ephraim whipped you?
REBECCA
Not bad.
I outrun him. I wanted my thirds,
is all, my widow's thirds!
LUCIUS
Mrs. Peake, you're not a widow.
REBECCA
I worked that land for twenty-five years! Do you think I raised those Peake's just so
they could throw me off?
LUCIUS
What about Ephraim, Mrs. Peake?
REBECCA
Ask Dan Perrin about Ephraim.
LUCIUS
Dan-
REBECCA
Sarah's Dan. He was brother-in-law to Ephraim. Ask Dan Perrin.
(She wraps herself tighter in her
shawl.) It's cold in here cold as a...
LUCIUS
Cold as a what, Mrs. Peake?
REBECCA
Can you see about a doctor? I get these headaches.
LUCIUS
Doctor will cost money, Mrs. Peake. Normally the family takes care of expenses like
food and medicine. Since your husband
has released his claim on you, we'll have to appeal to the state for
funds.
REBECCA
If I could just have my things.
LUCIUS
I'm wondering why someone would think you'd want to kill your
family, Mrs. Peake.
REBECCA
I didn't kill nobody!
LUCIUS
But Ephraim's dead.
REBECCA
So are Abraham and Moses but I didn't kill
them neither!
LUCIUS
Mrs. Peake, I don't see how I can help you
if-
REBECCA
(Meaningfully)
My head's going funny again.
LUCIUS
(Alarmed)
Oh! We don't want that!
Lights go
down on them and up stage right. FIONA
PECK, early twenties and very pretty, enters stage right with ADELINE WILLIAMS,
a judge's wife. Seated are CHARITY
STOKES and JESSICA UPHAM, a married and unmarried sister, respectively, in
their mid-thirties.
SCENE 3
ADELINE
Fiona, you've met Charity Stokes and Jessica Upham at church,
haven't you?
FIONA
Yes.
How do you do today, ladies?
CHARITY
We're so glad to have you as a member,
Fiona. I told Adeline we should invite
you the moment you moved to town.
ADELINE
We didn't want to overwhelm you, dear. After all, you're still barely a bride,
aren't you?
CHARITY
(To JESSICA)
Sister, won't you get us some tea while you're resting? I'm sure Fiona must be dry.
JESSICA
hurries offstage.
ADELINE
Fiona, that's an... unusual name, isn't
it?
FIONA
I'm named for my grandmother.
ADELINE
Oh, yes, so nice to have a namesake, don't I always say that,
Charity? I'm named after my great-grandmother,
Adeline Washington. She was cousin to
our first president. I don't usually
mention it, of course.
CHARITY
My mother named me for the Christian virtue, not much to boast
about, I suppose, but I try and wear the name humbly.
ADELINE
You do an outstanding job of it, Charity.
CHARITY
Thank you.
ADELINE
Fiona, my dear, as President of the Women's Christian Aid Society,
I try and get an idea of the talents of our new members so they are best able
to serve the community. Can you tell us
a little bit about yourself?
FIONA
Well, I... I'm not sure what to say.
JESSICA
enters with a tea tray.
CHARITY
For example, Jessica here is known for her button holes, aren't
you, dear? Can't knit a decent stitch, but
wait until you see what she does with a shirt.
ADELINE
Her tea is superior, too, Charity.
FIONA
I'm afraid I don't have much to recommend myself. I do have two years of college.
CHARITY
How about the piano-forte, do you play?
FIONA
Yes, I do, but I was two years at Oberlin.
ADELINE
How interesting. And what did you do there?
FIONA
I planned to be a doctor but we... well... my father died and
there wasn't enough money to continue. I
returned to Boston and there I met Lucius.
JESSICA
How terrible about your father.
FIONA
I miss my family in Boston, but I'm happy
here with Lucius.
ADELINE
An educated woman, how refreshing!
Charity, the children could use another teacher in their Bible classes,
don't you think?
FIONA
I brought my medical books with me.
CHARITY
Grace would certainly appreciate the help.
FIONA
I was thinking of teaching anatomy. It was my favorite subject.
CHARITY
Anatomy?
FIONA
It's a branch of biology that deals with structure of living organisms. Parts of the body, for example, and their
relationships to each other.
JESSICA
Oh, I'd be interested in that!
FIONA
And then there's the digestive system-
ADELINE
Fiona! The city of
Montpelier pays several teachers to educate our children.
FIONA
Of course, I was just thinking that since-
ADELINE
(Cutting her off)
Our business in the Women's Christian Aid Society is the moral and
spiritual salvation of our congregation.
I don't see how biology, as you call it, can possibly be of any use to
anyone.
FIONA
You asked me what my talents were.
ADELINE
And I am still eager to find out what they
are.
There is
an awkward pause.
FIONA
I would be delighted to help with the
children's Bible classes.
CHARITY
Oh, wonderful, Fiona, and you said you
played the piano-forte?
FIONA
Yes.
CHARITY
Not too vigorously, I pray?
FIONA
No.
CHARITY
The children enjoy singing hymns after classes and it's nice to
have an accompanist.
ADELINE
I'm glad we have this all settled. Some more tea, Fiona?
FIONA
No, I've barely-
ADELINE
Charity, these cakes are a bit dry, don't
you think?
CHARITY
Jessica made them this morning, didn't you
dear?
ADELINE
The tea washes them down nicely. Then what does it matter if they are
a little hard to swallow?
Lights go
down on them and up center stage. WILDER
DEARBORN enters quickly and sits in a chair.
WILLIAM HEBARD enters with him.
SCENE 4
HEBARD
State your name, occupation and town of
residence.
DEARBORN
Wilder Dearborn, I'm a farmer from Orange.
HEBARD
Are you acquainted with the case, Mr.
Dearborn?
DEARBORN
Everybody is, I guess.
HEBARD
And how did you first become aware of the charges against Mrs.
Peake?
DEARBORN
My sister heard about it from her brother-in-law what lives in
Randolph. But she didn't have the facts
straight. I thought the whole family had
been done in.
HEBARD
And have you formed an opinion as to the innocence or guilt of the
prisoner?
DEARBORN
Do I think she done it?
HEBARD
Yes, Mr. Dearborn.
DEARBORN
Well, that's what the trial is for, ain't
it?
HEBARD
You haven't answered my question, Mr.
Dearborn.
DEARBORN
The newspaper said it was vile what she
done.
HEBARD
Mr. Dearborn...
DEARBORN
I was wondering... do we get paid by the
day or after the trial?
HEBARD
The prosecution does not accept this
juror, your Honor.
Lights go
down on them and up stage left. LUCIUS
PECK, a lawyer in his early thirties, is sitting in his living room going over
some briefs. He sips brandy, his wife
FIONA sits and knits.
SCENE 5
FIONA
(Struggling with her knitting)
Oh, blast it!
LUCIUS
looks up, shocked.
FIONA
Oh, I'm sorry, Lucius. I'm not very talented, I'm afraid.
LUCIUS
Not talented, whatever do you mean? It's just practice, my dear. Every evening if you sit a few hours and work
on it, why, you could be famous for you knitting!
FIONA
I don't want to be famous, I just want to
be useful.
LUCIUS
You are useful. To me. (He comes over to her.) Every night when I come home and see your
face I realize I'm the happiest man in the world.
FIONA
(Smiling)
Mother says after five years of marriage, you'll hardly know I'm
in the room.
LUCIUS
I suppose she's right.
FIONA
Lucius!
LUCIUS
I may not be able to see you for the abundance of children in the
room.
FIONA
(More shocked)
Lucius!
A knock is
heard at the door. FIONA goes to answer
the door. As she runs out, LUCIUS grabs
at her waist, playfully.
FIONA
(Over her shoulder)
I'll tell whoever's at the door what
you're about!
A moment
later, FIONA enters with JUDGE WILLIAMS, a formidable looking gentleman,
husband of ADELINE.
FIONA
Lucius, Judge Williams has called to see
you.
LUCIUS
(Hastily getting to his feet)
Evening, Judge. (They shake
hands.) I didn't expect to see you this evening.
WILLIAMS
I know it's late, I hope you'll forgive
me.
LUCIUS
Please, sit down. Brandy?
WILLIAMS
I never imbibe, you know that.
LUCIUS
Tea, perhaps?
WILLIAMS
Thank you.
FIONA
remains standing in the room; she looks at them with interest.
LUCIUS
Fiona? Dear? Would you mind bringing the Judge some tea?
FIONA
Oh, shall I get that?
LUCIUS
gives her a look.
FIONA
I'll just be a moment.
FIONA
exits. WILLIAMS looks after her a
moment.
WILLIAMS
Beautiful girl, Lucius. How
long have you been married? She can't be
more than twenty.
LUCIUS
Two years.
WILLIAMS
What's that?
LUCIUS
We've been married two years.
WILLIAMS
Ah, that explains it. Take
a little advice from an old goat.
Discipline her now and you'll both be happier later.
LUCIUS
Discipline her, Judge?
WILLIAMS
You've spoiled her. You may
not know it yet, but you've spoiled her.
How do you expect her to bring up your children when she doesn't respect
you?
LUCIUS
We don't have any children, Judge.
WILLIAMS
Ah, but you will. God
provides, Lucius. I've got ten at home,
only lost three in their infancies. I assemble
them every morning, Adeline included, and read from the Old Testament. Last thing before bedtime I read from the
New. Sets the right tone in the family. You might try that with Mrs. Peck.
FIONA has
entered with a tea tray on his last words. The men get to their feet.
FIONA
Try what, Lucius?
LUCIUS
Oh, nothing, dear, we were just having a
little...
WILLIAMS
Man to man, Mrs. Peck. A little man to man.
FIONA
That's odd, I thought I heard my name mentioned. Seems like I ought to have a part in a
conversation of which I am the topic. (She sets the tray down.)
LUCIUS
(Hastily)
Do you take cream, Judge?
WILLIAMS
Black, Lucius.
A tense
pause.
LUCIUS
Thank you, Fiona.
She withdraws
without a word. LUCIUS hands the JUDGE his tea.
LUCIUS
May I ask how I may be of service to you,
Judge?
WILLIAMS
Very well. I've just come
from a meeting of the American Anti-Slavery Society.
LUCIUS
I know of it.
WILLIAMS
You should know of it, I sent you an
invitation.
LUCIUS
I was unable to attend.
WILLIAMS
More pressing business?
LUCIUS
Sounds like a sort of exercise room for politicians. I'm afraid I don't have any aspirations of
that nature.
WILLIAMS
See here, Lucius, are you an abolitionist
or not?
LUCIUS
Every Vermonter is an abolitionist, Judge. What I am not is a politician.
WILLIAMS
You're a good speaker, Lucius.
People like you. I'm planning to
run for Governor in a few years. This
anti-slavery platform is just what I need to stir things up. And I need every good man in Montpelier on my
side.
LUCIUS
My law practice keeps me as busy as I want
to be, Judge.
WILLIAMS
All I'm asking is for you to sign the charter. Attend a few meetings. It's not as if I'm asking you to take an
oath. But blast it, Lucius, we're going
to get some attention with this thing.
And I need you behind me.
FIONA
reenters.
FIONA
More tea, gentlemen?
WILLIAMS
Not for me. I was just
leaving. Promise me you'll think about
it, Lucius. I'd like to work with you.
FIONA
Oh, please, Judge, my husband has enough
work already!
WILLIAMS
(Condescendingly)
Perhaps you can persuade your husband, Mrs. Peck, to address the causes of slavery and oppression
in this country.
FIONA
Are you for it yourself, Judge, or against
it?
WILLIAMS
(With a snort)
I'll see you at church, Lucius, Mrs. Peck. (To LUCIUS.) Remember what we talked
about. (Nodding toward FIONA.) All of it.
WILLIAMS
exits. FIONA smiles at LUCIUS.
LUCIUS
You were almost rude.
FIONA
Almost?
Then I'm not trying hard enough.
LUCIUS
The Judge says I spoil you.
FIONA
(Gives him a hard look)
And what do you say?
LUCIUS
I'd say he's right. And I'd
say I'm stuck. (He puts his arms around her waist.) It's late. (He kisses her
lightly.) I've got to go to Chelsea tomorrow.
FIONA
Chelsea?
LUCIUS
I have a client from there. In the county jail.
FIONA
Is this the woman that murdered her whole
family?
LUCIUS
Just her stepson.
FIONA
Oh, Lucius, do you have to represent her? I can't bear the thought of it!
LUCIUS
You're too pretty to think of such things.
FIONA
Stop that! I don't mean
that! What must have driven her to such
a deed? For a woman to kill...
LUCIUS
It's rare.
Thank God.
FIONA
It's just not natural!
LUCIUS
Sh.
No more.
FIONA
(Pause)
Are you going to join the abolition
society?
LUCIUS
Like I told Judge Williams, it's an exercise room for politicians,
Fiona. A way to get their names in the
paper and stir up some interest for elections.
FIONA
But surely their society must do some
good?
LUCIUS
Some, I suppose. But you're
talking about change, Fiona. Real change
only happens in people's hearts. It's got
to start in the churches. In homes.
FIONA
How does that happen?
LUCIUS
Slowly. But I'd say our
best chance for moral change is with the women in our country. Look at the Temperance Movement. That was practically started by women. Women are in the best position to effect
change because they are bringing up sons.
FIONA
I never thought of it like that. So are you going to join ?
LUCIUS
Like I said. (Exiting.)
I'll leave the real work to the women.
The lights
come up on REBECCA, sitting miserably in her chair. DR. EMERSON enters.
SCENE 6
EMERSON
Mrs. Peake, how do? Doctor Emerson. Your lawyer sent for me.
(She doesn't answer.) Mrs.
Peake? Understand you've been poorly.
(He begins to open up his case.)
She looks
at him a moment and then suddenly realizes who he is and why he is there.
REBECCA
Doctor?
You're a doctor?
EMERSON
Doctor Emerson, Mrs. Peake. Mr. Peck asked me to look in on you.
REBECCA
(Frantically)
It's my head, Doctor. I get these headaches.
EMERSON
Uh, huh.
REBECCA
For days sometimes! You
can't know the pain, Doctor! I can't
sleep, I can't eat... And I can feel it coming right now. I see a little patch of light next to my
right eye. I turn my head to catch it
and it moves away! If I could just look
at it straight on!
EMERSON
We might try a mustard plaster.
Course I could always bleed you.
REBECCA
And the pounding! Sometimes
I think there's a devil inside my head with a hatchet! Always in the same spot... it's like this
(REBECCA slams her palm with her fist, getting more and more agitated.)
EMERSON
Mrs. Peake, Mrs. Peake, calm yourself...
REBECCA
Doctor, please, you've got to help me! (She puts her arms around him and sobs. He is clearly uncomfortable and immediately
attempts to extricate himself.)
EMERSON
See here, you can't go on like this.
REBECCA
(She is all over him)
You don't know what they've done to me, Doctor! I've been down here for weeks now. They won't let my family come! They've all turned against me! Nobody will listen! You've got to help me, can you help me,
Doctor, can you?
EMERSON
See here, I only came because your lawyer asked me. I've nothing to do with any of your problems.
REBECCA
(Pulling at his sleeve)
I've
got to get home! Jonathan's there! He can't manage!
EMERSON
throws her down and turns to pack up his things.
EMERSON
If you can't control yourself, Mrs. Peake,
I'm leaving.
REBECCA(On her knees)
Please, don't do that. Please.
EMERSON
Unhand me.
REBECCA
Please, Doctor.
EMERSON
I said let me go.
There is a
tense moment where REBECCA makes a superhuman effort to let go of the doctor;
she succeeds.
EMERSON
I don't care to be touched, Mrs. Peake. Now, I told Mr. Peck I would look in on
you. But no nonsense. Is your head giving you trouble right now?
REBECCA
It's just... I can feel it starting.
EMERSON
Might as well bleed you.
See how that works. (He takes out
instruments and starts to roll up her sleeve.)
REBECCA
Doctor Pember used to bleed me. (Pause.)
It never helped.
EMERSON
Well, now, he probably didn't let it drain long enough. I'll give you a powder of opium to help you
sleep after. My guess is that you'll
miss this bout all together.
REBECCA
I would like that... to sleep.
EMERSON
looks at her arm
EMERSON
Hm, you've been bled before, all right.
He cuts
her arm and holds a small container under her arm to hold the blood. She cries out softly.
EMERSON
You should start feeling better in a minute. Poisons build up in the blood, especially in
women. Sin is the cause, I reckon. Nothing you can do about it. The Lord's work is mysterious. All goes back to the Garden of Eden. If Eve hadn't picked that fruit, women would
have less trouble today, that's for sure.
The wages of sin is death, I guess we all have to pay that sooner or
later.
The lights
go down on them and up on FIONA. She
walks to center stage and a spot light is on her. She addresses the audience. She has a few
sheets of paper in her hands which she fumbles and drops when she starts. She is uncertain and somewhat embarrassed but
gains in confidence as she goes along.
SCENE 7
FIONA
Good afternoon, ladies. I
want to thank Mrs. Williams for allowing me to take a few minutes of your time
and talk about something which I consider to be of vital importance. When I joined the Women's Christian Aid
Society, I was told that our mission was to relieve suffering and offer a
helping hand whenever and wherever we found need. I do know that charity starts at home, but at
the same time God calls us all differently.
I understand that Judge Williams has recently formed a new chapter
of the American Anti-Slavery Society and I want to propose that we join. In the words of my husband, Lucius Peck, it
is not enough to influence the politicians in Washington, but that the cry of
outrage against slavery must come from the homes where women are the moral
guardians Can we not better serve this
cause by raising our voices with our husbands?
She pauses
to see what effect her words have had.
She perceives that her audience is cold and unfriendly to her. She begins again.
Ladies... I'm suggesting
that it is not enough to consider and care only for the neighbors in our
villages. But we must extend our hands to places where our
eyes and ears may not reach. This
knowledge leaves us in a condition which cannot be ignored. It leaves us in a condition of
responsibility. I ask that we consider
this responsibility to be a cause and the cause to be a crusade. Thank you.
She looks
at the audience hopefully but realizes that her words are unwelcome. She looks frightened for a moment and then
resolute. She marches offstage. Lights go down.
LAZARUS
RIFORD enters with a chair and sits center stage. WILLIAM HEBARD enters with him.
SCENE 8
HEBARD
State you name, occupation and town of
residence.
RIFORD
Lazarus Riford, I'm a farmer from
Vershire.
HEBARD
And are you acquainted with the facts of this
case, Mr. Riford?
RIFORD
I heard about it. Guess there's not a soul in Vermont that
hasn't.
HEBARD
And have you formed an opinion as to the guilt or innocence of
Mrs. Peake?
RIFORD
Formed an opinion?
HEBARD
Have you thought about it, Mr. Riford?
RIFORD
Well, when I hear something I usually
think something.
HEBARD
And in this case, what have you thought
of?
RIFORD
Well, I expect I thought of lots of
things.
HEBARD
Such as?
RIFORD
I can't rightly recall, sir.
HEBARD
Well, what are you thinking right now?
RIFORD
I'm thinking how hot it is in here.
HEBARD
I mean, what are you thinking about the
case?
RIFORD
Oh, I think I'd like to sit on the jury.
HEBARD
And why is that?
RIFORD
Well, snow on the ground, not much to do in the fields. Warmer in here than it is in the cow
barn! I reckon I could do as good a job
as anybody.
HEBARD(Pause)
I reckon you're right.
The lights
go down on them and up stage left on FIONA and LUCIUS.
SCENE 9
FIONA
I'm sorry I'm late. I was giving Jessica Stokes an anatomy
lesson.
LUCIUS
(Pause)
I spoke to Judge Williams this afternoon.
FIONA
Oh?
LUCIUS
Seems his wife told him about a speech you made today.
FIONA
I was planning to surprise you.
LUCIUS
Whatever possessed you to get up in front of those women and say
those things!
FIONA
I am trying to be helpful! It was your idea, anyway.
LUCIUS
My idea?
FIONA
You said that the abolition movement was the work of women, that any
real changes have to start in the church and at home, you said the Temperance
Movement-
LUCIUS
I did not suggest that my wife go out and make a horse's ass out
of herself!
FIONA
How dare you say that to me!
LUCIUS
And how dare you get up in front of our friends and propose such a
scheme! What are you planning next, a
tent meeting?
FIONA
As a matter of fact, I am!
I read in the paper that Mr.
William Lloyd Garrison is coming to Braintree and I plan to meet him.
LUCIUS
You'll do no such thing!
FIONA
I will if I want!
LUCIUS
I won't let you have the carriage!
FIONA
I'll walk.
LUCIUS
If you want to be of some service, then you may try and provide a
harmonious home, a haven for me at the end of my day!
FIONA
And have I failed in this?
LUCIUS
You have better things to think about that the condition of people
thousands of miles away! Have you made
enough food baskets for the poor? Does every widow in Montpelier have a wood
supply and every orphan a warm scarf?
FIONA
I cannot help everybody in Vermont!
LUCIUS
Perhaps you'd like to extend some of your charity to a prisoner in
the dungeon of Chelsea Jail. A
friendless, pathetic old woman who hasn't had a visitor since the day she was
tied and hauled off in the sheriff's wagon!
Perhaps your Woman's Christian Aid Society would like to take on her
case! (He chokes up and cannot speak any further.)
FIONA
Why, Lucius!
LUCIUS
She doesn't even have a warm coat, for God's sake, and you're worrying
about the Negroes!
FIONA
But my dear, I had no idea you were so troubled about this! Why
haven't you said anything before?
LUCIUS
I'm trying to build a case for Mrs. Peake and I don't have one.
Public opinion is out of control, I'm surprised she wasn't lynched before she
even got to Chelsea.
FIONA
Oh, no!
LUCIUS
I need to be able to come home and forget my day sometimes. That's
all.
FIONA
And you shall. You'll never
have another moment to worry about me. I'll help you all I can. I've been selfish.
LUCIUS
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to go on like
this.
FIONA
And that woman. Mrs. Peake?
I'll go to see her and take her a coat.
LUCIUS
You mustn't think of going there, Fiona,
it's no place for a woman.
FIONA
Please! Lucius, let me make
this up to you! You said she was friendless, has she no supporters?
LUCIUS
None.
FIONA
But surely she has some family-?
LUCIUS
I called on her husband and he refused to see me. I sat in his dooryard four hours one day
until he gave in! And do you know what
he said?
FIONA
What?
LUCIUS
What's done is done. I
can't call Ephraim back from the grave.
That's all.
FIONA
But you can't make him talk to you?
LUCIUS
A husband is not compelled to take the stand. If it's any consolation,
he won't talk to the prosecutor either.
FIONA
Does she have any children?
LUCIUS
A daughter so terrified she can hardly speak. Eight stepchildren who'd like to put the rope around her neck.
FIONA
But what does she say? Does she admit it?
LUCIUS
Some days she's sensible and some days she's not. I shouldn't burden you with this, it's not
fair.
FIONA
I'm your wife! Who else
should share your trials? Lucius, what
is the evidence against her?
LUCIUS
Apparently she bought arsenic two months before he died. Several neighbors have said she confessed to
putting it in the family meal.
FIONA
How horrid!
LUCIUS
I don't think she's in her right mind! And yet there's something sweet about
her. She's like a child, somehow.
FIONA
You say nobody visits her? Nobody?
LUCIUS
I've appealed to a local women's group in
Chelsea. So far...
FIONA
I'll apologize to Mrs. Williams.
And ask the Society if they would endorse my visit to Mrs. Peake.
LUCIUS
You may just shock them again!
FIONA
I'll take that chance. Now, let me fix your supper.
LUCIUS
I'm not sure I can eat anything.
FIONA
I'll bring you some soup and hot tea. You must take something in your stomach. (She
gets up and kisses him on the forehead.)
FIONA
exits and comes back after a moment. She
touches LUCIUS softly.
FIONA
I've got a better idea.
LUCIUS
looks at her dumbly a moment and jumps to his feet.
The lights
go down and come up stage right. The women
are making little dolls for orphan girls.
SCENE 10
CHARITY
I think this pattern was just the right
thing, don't you Adeline?
ADELINE
The Judge personally approved it.
Don't the little darlings look just like Christians?
CHARITY
I'm sure these dolls will be an inspiration to the little
dears. Of course, some would say that
dolls are frivolous. After all, one must
be practical when dealing with orphans.
JESSICA
Couldn't we put smiles on their little faces? I know I like my dolls to smile.
CHARITY
Now, Jessica, a smiling face would be shameful. Why, you don't know what it is to be
wanting. What might look like a smile of
joy to you would be construed as a look of scorn to another.
JESSICA
Oh.
ADELINE
I must say I appreciate you ladies giving up your Saturday
afternoon to get these finished. How
many members of the Women's Christian Aid Society do we have Charity?
CHARITY
Thirty-five.
ADELINE
And only two showed up.
CHARITY
Well, three counting Jessica.
ADELINE
Thank you for helping today, Jessica. Charity, we'll have to find her a
husband. Isn't there a nice widower or
two at church?
CHARITY
Jessica is devoted to caring for our
father.
ADELINE
Oh well, than.
CHARITY
I'm surprised Fiona Peck hasn't
appeared. She's usually so faithful.
ADELINE
You haven't heard?
CHARITY
I've been in Boston for the last month. For heaven's sake, what's the problem?
ADELINE
She approached the executive committee with a request. I thought poor
old Mrs. Jennings was going to suffer a shock right then and there. You know there was a great fuss over Fiona
after that speech she made.
CHARITY
You mean the one about abolition--
ADELINE
This time it's even worse.
She wanted us to sponsor donations to some woman in Chelsea jail that
killed her whole family! Wanted us to take up a collection of money and
clothes! Can you imagine? Of course, I went to the Judge and told
him. He's going to sit on the case. They wanted to get someone who wouldn't be
tempted by the devil.
CHARITY
Heaven's Adeline, is she a witch?
ADELINE
It was the devil made her do it,
I'm afraid that's what she said.
The Judge asked me not to repeat any of this, but some things have to be
made known.
JESSICA
Well, what about Fiona?
ADELINE
We've asked for her resignation.
To think that she could harbor such ideas! To help a murderess!
JESSICA
But surely, Fiona meant well!
This... this woman in the jail... she must be in such need! And are we Christians?
CHARITY
Jessica, didn't you understand your own ears? This woman is a
consort of the devil! She may have Fiona
under a spell!
ADELINE
I was never in favor of her membership in the first place. Fiona, that's an Irish name, after all.
JESSICA
We're Irish, aren't we Sister? On our mother's side.
CHARITY
All the Irish blood went to you, Jessica. Besides, it's one thing to be Irish. Another thing to act it.
ADELINE
There's nothing Irish about the Women's
Christian Aid Society.
Lights go
down, then up on the jail cell. REBECCA
sits in her chair. LUCIUS and FIONA
enter.
SCENE 11
LUCIUS
Mrs. Peake? (She turns and
looks at them.) I want you to meet someone, Mrs. Peake. This is my wife, Mrs. Peake. Peck, Peake, isn't that something? How are you Mrs. Peck? I mean, Mrs. Peake?
FIONA
I've brought you some things you might
need, Mrs. Peake.
REBECCA
turns her head away from them and studies some unknown spot in front of her.
LUCIUS
(To FIONA)
Some days she's like this.
Mrs. Peake, I thought you'd like some company. Mrs. Peck brought you some things you
need. (To FIONA.) Show her the music
box, dear, that might bring her around.
Have you been outside today, Mrs. Peake?
Warm for December. Here, Mrs.
Peake, listen to this.
He winds
up the music box and it plays; LUCIUS and FIONA look at REBECCA expectantly.
LUCIUS
Give her a scone, I'll bet she'd love to
eat one of those.
FIONA
(Helplessly)
Lucius?
LUCIUS
(To Fiona)
I've got to be upstairs in court. (Squeezes her hand.) I'll have
someone bring you up in about twenty minutes.
FIONA
(Desperately)
Lucius!
LUCIUS
(Kissing her on the head)
You'll be all right, dear.
He gets up
and goes to the door and knocks; it is unlocked from the outside; LUCIUS leaves
and the door is once again locked.
FIONA(Motioning to the music box)
I bought this in Boston last time I was there. It's from London. England, that is. (Pause.) Do you like... music? I... I brought a dress, I think it will fit
you. And a warm coat. I supposed you have a Bible here but I
brought one just in case. (Pause.) Mrs.
Peake? Would you like me to read to you?
(She gets the Bible out of the case.) Do you have a favorite passage? No? Then I'll just read one of mine. (She opens up the Bible.) I'm especially partial to John. Of course, he wrote Revelation, and who can
understand that? Something of comfort
today. "In the beginning was the
word and the word was with God and the word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were made through him. Nothing was
made without him In him there was life
and that life was light for the people of the world.(REBECCA begins to rock
back and forth.) I like that part. About
the light, don't you?
REBECCA
looks frightened as soon as FIONA starts reading. Finally, REBECCA, moaning, runs and hides
behind the bed.
FIONA
Mrs. Peake? What's the
matter, Mrs. Peake? Please, stop
this! Please! (REBECCA gets hysterical.)
What can I do for you? Please, talk to
me! (She runs to the door and begins to
pound on it; REBECCA'S wails get louder.) Open the door! Please, open the door! Is there anybody there? Lucius? Somebody, help me! For God's sake!
FIONA
gives up on the door and turns back to REBECCA.
The wailing continues.
FIONA
All right, I won't read any more!
But, stop it. Stop it right
now. Please! What's the matter with you? Can't you talk? Please!
Stop it! What can I do for
you? Mrs. Peake, you mustn't keep on,
you'll hurt yourself! For heaven's sake,
Mrs. Peake, control yourself! What in the world is wrong with you? (Back at the door.) Lucius?
Lucius? Lucius, help me, for God's sake won't anybody help me!
The lights
go down. When the lights come up again,
REBECCA is asleep on her cot; FIONA is sitting in a chair with her head down on
a table. The sound can be heard of the
door being unlocked. DOCTOR EMERSON enters. FIONA wakes after a moment. EMERSON is drunk. He walks up to FIONA.
EMERSON
Afternoon, Mrs. Peake. Say,
you're not Mrs. Peake. (He looks around
and sees REBECCA.) You're awful pretty to be in here.
FIONA
I have been calling for over an hour for someone to come! Where have you been?
EMERSON
Say, honey, I just got here.
Come to see the old lady. Now, if I'd have known you was locked in here
too, why,...
REBECCA
rouses and sits up in bed.
FIONA
I am not a prisoner!
EMERSON
You're on the wrong side of the door,
little lady.
FIONA
I'll thank you to call my husband, Mr. Peck. He's a lawyer. Upstairs in the court. I was only supposed to be down here for
twenty minutes.
REBECCA is
on her feet, interested. She picks up
the music box.
EMERSON
(Grabs her wrist)
Lookie here, Miss. I don't
know who you are or what you done. But I
sure would like to get to know you.
FIONA
slaps EMERSON across the face. There is
a stunned silence and then EMERSON hits FIONA in the face, as well. REBECCA brings the music box down on
EMERSON'S head.
EMERSON
(Howling with pain)
Why, you...
He grabs
REBECCA and begins to shake her. FIONA
gets up and jumps on his back, wrapping her feet around his lets. They all fall to the floor, yelling, cursing
and crying. REBECCA and then FIONA are on
their feet, kicking EMERSON. He crawls
under REBECCA'S bed. The two women,
exhausted, look at each other. FIONA
breaks down. REBECCA looks away, vague
and uninterested again.
FIONA
Who is that terrible man?
REBECCA
My doctor.
FIONA
That... that monster is a doctor?
REBECCA
He's not so bad. I've seen worse.
FIONA
I want to go home! Why
doesn't someone come? (She runs to the
door again and begins banging on it.)
Please! Help me! There's a man in here! Please!
(Turns to REBECCA.) How could my husband leave me with you! (REBECCA
stars at her impassively.) You're crazy!
You're not right in the head! (She moves as far left as she can
go.) Stay away from me! Don't come near
me! Do you understand? Just keep to your side!
REBECCA
I'm not hankering to sit on you.
FIONA
And don't speak to me! Don't say a word until my husband comes!
And don't start that terrible noise you were making either!
REBECCA
You're making all the noise.
FIONA
I should never have come here!
REBECCA
I reckon you're right about that.
REBECCA
sits down at the small table. FIONA sits
miserably on the floor, facing away from REBECCA. After a moment, REBECCA picks up the music
box and winds it up. It plays a
lullaby. REBECCA hums along a
little. Then REBECCA opens the doctor's
case and removes a vial.
FIONA
That's Bach.
REBECCA
continues to hum.
FIONA
Still works. (Pause.) I...
thank you... Mrs. Peake. For stopping that... Doctor... from accosting me. I don't know what I would have done. I'm sorry for speaking to you the way I
did. Are you... all right now?
REBECCA
continues to hum. FIONA walks over to
the table and sits down.
FIONA
I wanted to come and offer some comfort to you. My husband tells me... you don't have many
visitors. (She looks behind them at the
bed.) Do you suppose that man will come out?
REBECCA
Hm?
He'll sleep a few hours, anyway.
FIONA
Has be ever hurt you before?
REBECCA
Only doctors me.
FIONA
Mrs. Peake, you can't be treated this way. A man like that... I don't know what to
say. I must talk to my husband. He can't be let in here again.
REBECCA
But he's my doctor!
FIONA
There must be somebody else who can attend
you.
REBECCA
Mr. Peck brought him to me! No one else would come!
FIONA
My husband will see to it that another
doctor attends you.
REBECCA
Please, Missus, don't say nothing about
the doctor-
FIONA
I just want to help you, that's all. You must trust me, Mrs. Peake. These things can be arranged.
REBECCA
(Softly, but grows frantic)
No, no, no, no, no, no, no...
FIONA
Mrs. Peake...
REBECCA
(Hysterical)
No, no, no, no, no, no, no...
FIONA
All right. (FIONA wraps her arms around REBECCA. Both are stunned and silent. REBECCA'S arms almost embrace FIONA, but not
quite.) I said all right. I won't say anything. Please, don't worry. Calm yourself. (Pulls away, still holding REBECCA'S hands.) Shall I read to you some more?
REBECCA
You won't say nothing?
FIONA
I won't.
REBECCA
I get these headaches from time to time. (FIONA helps REBECCA sit down.) The doctor
brings me medicine.
FIONA
What kind of medicine?
REBECCA
Sleep.
I want to sleep.
DR.
EMERSON crawls out from under the bed and lays down on top of it.
FIONA
(Carefully)
Mrs. Peake, is there anything I can do for
you?
REBECCA
Kill me.
Suddenly,
the door is unlocked and LUCIUS comes bouncing in. FIONA looks up at him.
LUCIUS
I see you ladies have gotten on all right. Sorry about the time, Fiona. I meant to have
Jacob come for you and I was in such a hurry I forgot. (Notices
EMERSON on the bed.) What
the...? Who in the world...? Fiona!
The women
continue to look at each other. Black
out.
ACT 2
The stage
is set for the trial. The lights are
down except for a low light downstage center where REBECCA sits in her chair.
LUCIUS and FIONA stand over her.
FIONA
Mrs. Peake? (She touches
her gently. REBECCA rouses and looks at
her, but then hangs her head again. FIONA looks at JACOB.) Is she sick?
LUCIUS
The doctor was here this morning.
He bled her. Thought that would
keep her from getting too excited at the trial.
FIONA
Mrs. Peake? (Looks at her husband helplessly.)
LUCIUS
Mrs. Peake, we have to be in court this morning. That is, we're going to the church
instead. It's a bit of a walk.
REBECCA
I'm going to church?
LUCIUS
The trial is to be held there.
Do you think you can walk or should I order a wagon?
REBECCA
I can't go to church.
LUCIUS
There isn't room enough in the court for everyone.
REBECCA(To Fiona)
Will you... come with me?
FIONA
That's why I'm here.
REBECCA
You won't go?
FIONA
I promise. I'll be right
next to you the whole time.
LUCIUS
Can you stand, Mrs. Peake? Try to stand.
REBECCA stands
with difficulty, but dignity. The lights fade out as they exit.
The trial
set consists of an alter chair for the judge, stage left. Witnesses are seated, one by one, center
stage in another chair. REBECCA, LUCIUS
and FIONA sit stage right in a church pew.
WILLIAM HEBARD is seated in
another pew, also stage right. A clerk
enters, stage right and addresses the audience.
The witnesses, if possible, are seated in the audience and enter the
stage from there.
The light
on the screen comes up and remains up for the duration of the trial. It reveals a shining Christian cross. The CLERK enters.
SCENE 1
CLERK
All rise. (Pause.) This court is called to order on the 23rd day
of December, 1835, in the county of Orange in the First Congregational Church
in Chelsea, Vermont, the Honorable Charles K. Williams presiding.
JUDGE
enters and sits in his chair.
WILLIAMS
This court will now come to order.
Are the counsel for the defense and the prosecution ready?
HEBARD AND LUCIUS
We are, your honor.
WILLIAMS
Has the clerk sworn in the witnesses?
CLERK
Yes, your honor.
WILLIAMS
Mrs. Rebecca Peake, you are charged on this 23rd day of December
1835, with the murder of Ephraim Peake of South Randolph, Vermont. How does the prisoner plead?
LUCIUS
Not guilty, your honor.
WILLIAMS
This court will hear the testimony for the
prosecution.
HEBARD
Thank you, your honor.
Gentlemen of the jury, I shall prove to you by witnesses on the part of
the Government, that the prisoner did
willfully and with malice aforethought murder the deceased, Ephraim Peake who,
through his own industry, amassed the sum of fifteen hundred dollars to buy the
family farm and in exchange agreed to care for his father and stepmother for
the remainder of their lives. You will
hear testimony that proves the prisoner was greatly displeased that Ephraim had
come home, that she made many threatening observations to the neighbors; that
she said, that if the deceased came home to live they would not live long together;
that the house would be too hot for him. It will be proved that the prisoner
mingled arsenic with the hash at dinner on August the twelfth. Witnesses will
testify that furthermore she gave poisoned drinks to Ephraim while he lay sick
in his chamber and that he continued worse until he died on Thursday, August
20. Only a criminal of the vilest and
most reprehensible character would attack and murder a member of her own
family, a man she was entrusted to care for and nurture after the death of his own
mother. Gentlemen of the jury, you see
before you a woman who has violated the most sacred trust that God bestows;
that of the care and protection of her own family. The prosecution calls as its first witness
Doctor Jacob Pember.
DOCTOR
PEMBER enters and sits.
HEBARD
State your name, occupation and town of
residence.
PEMBER
I'm Doctor Jacob Pember from South
Randolph.
HEBARD
And do you recognize the prisoner, Dr.
Pember?
PEMBER
That's Mrs. Peake. We're neighbors.
HEBARD
And how long have you been practicing as a
physician, Dr. Pember?
PEMBER
Well, I brought you into the world, Mr.
Hebard.
HEBARD
Thirty years then? Forty?
PEMBER
Closer to forty, Mr. Hebard.
HEBARD
There's probably not much you haven't seen in the way of sickness
and tragedy, is there, Doctor?
PEMBER
I've seen my share.
HEBARD
Tell the court, if you would, Doctor, the facts surrounding the
sickness which overcame Ephraim on August 12, 1835.
PEMBER
Well, it was Rebecca that came and got me. The symptoms were such that usually attend
the commencement of a fever. That was on
Wednesday. By Friday he was feeling
better, but come Monday Ephraim was down with it again. His symptoms were similar to those he first
had, but much aggravated. He complained
of pain and burning in his stomach and bowels.
During his sickness there was a restlessness and prostration of strength. His skin was very dry and hot, afterwards it
became moist. His tongue was unusually
coated and swollen; his eyes were red and in the last of his sickness his limbs
were somewhat swollen and he complained of numbness. Ephraim was troubled to breathe and his pulse
was frequent and somewhat hard. All
these symptoms suggest a great derangement of the system.
HEBARD
And was a post-mortem conducted?
PEMBER
Yes, on the day after his death.
Appearances indicated a high state of inflammation in the stomach and
bowels; color of the stomach was a dark red, approaching gangrene; the heart
was somewhat enlarged and the pericardium contained a fluid of several
ounces. The liver and lungs were
inflamed. The appearances of the stomach
and so forth were such as denoted a high state of inflammation which might be
occasioned by poison.
HEBARD
How did the prisoner appear to you during these visits to the
home? Was she attending Ephraim?
PEMBER
She seemed to be doing everything she could to make him
comfortable the first time I went. I
didn't see much of her when he took his bad turn, to be quite honest. I understood she remained in her room.
HEBARD
Are you of the opinion, Doctor, that Ephraim Peake died as a
result of arsenic poisoning?
LUCIUS
Objection, your honor. The prosecution is leading the witness.
WILLIAMS
Sustained.
HEBARD
I'll rephrase the question, your honor. Doctor Pember, do the symptoms of arsenic
poisoning resemble the symptoms from which Ephraim Peake suffered?
PEMBER
Well, it could of been arsenic, there's no doubt of that. Arsenic would produce all the symptoms. And it did come on after a meal where the
poison could have been administered.
HEBARD
No further questions at this time, your
honor.
WILLIAMS
Defense may cross examine.
LUCIUS
Thank you, your honor.
Doctor Pember, can one detect the taste of arsenic in food?
PEMBER
No, it has no flavor.
LUCIUS
I see. And have you ever
attended a case of arsenic poisoning before?
PEMBER
No, I have not.
LUCIUS
May I ask, then, how you came to the opinion that arsenic may have
been administered to Ephraim Peake?
PEMBER
Well, at first I thought it might have
been cholera.
LUCIUS
And what is the difference between cholera and arsenic poisoning,
Doctor?
PEMBER
Classically, there is almost no difference. All of the symptoms suffered by Ephraim could
have been brought on by cholera.
LUCIUS
How, then, does one prove arsenic
poisoning?
PEMBER
The only way to conclusively prove it is
by reducing the contents of the stomach to its metallic state after death.
LUCIUS
And was such a test administered?
PEMBER
No.
LUCIUS
Did anyone suggest that such a test might
clear up the question?
PEMBER
Mrs. Perrin did give me a vial of powder on Sunday to take to a
laboratory. She said it came from a cup
she found in Ephraim's room.
LUCIUS
Did a laboratory analyze the contents of
the vial?
PEMBER
I took it with me; I intended to have it analyzed. (Pause.) But my horse threw me on the way home and I
lost it.
LUCIUS
And Mrs. Perrin couldn't produce any more
of this powder?
HEBARD
Objection!
WILLIAMS
Sustained.
LUCIUS
Doctor Pember, based on the medical evidence available, can you state
with confidence that Ephraim Peake died as a result of arsenic poisoning?
PEMBER
No, I cannot.
LUCIUS
Does arsenic have any medicinal uses?
PEMBER
It is sometimes prescribed for migraine
headaches.
LUCIUS
And did you ever prescribe arsenic for
Mrs. Peake?
PEMBER
Um, yes, I did. She suffers something terrible.
LUCIUS
No further questions, your honor.
WILLIAMS
The witness may step down.
The prosecution may call his next witness.
HEBARD
The prosecution calls Sarah Perrin.
SARAH enters.
HEBARD
Please state your name and place of
residence.
SARAH
I'm Mrs. Sarah Perrin and I live in South Randolph. I'm married to
Daniel Perrin; we have a farm adjoining my father and stepmother's place.
HEBARD
Mrs. Perrin, how did you first learn of the sickness that assailed
your family in August of this year?
SARAH
Mrs. Wakefield came for me.
She had been to Father's for some eggs because hers weren't laying. She told me they were all sick and that I'd
better get down there.
HEBARD
And what day was this?
SARAH
Sunday!
Four days my brother had been suffering!
HEBARD
Did you feel you should have been sent for
sooner?
SARAH
Of course! They were all to
bed, Father and Ephraim. My stepmother was
in bed too, of course, with one of her headaches. The poor doctor had done what he could but
they were still in distress.
HEBARD
And what did you do upon arriving, Mrs.
Perrin?
SARAH
I could see that Ephraim was by far the worst. I stayed right with him until- (she breaks
off and sobs in her throat).
HEBARD
Tell us, if you can, what your impressions
were about his illness?
SARAH
I thought it was strange, that's what! Ephraim had never been sick a day in his
life. It was obvious he had been struck
by a powerful force! It was unnatural!
If you could have seen his color!
Why, he was positively green !
HEBARD
The doctor testified that Ephraim's symptoms could have been
brought on by an attack of cholera. Did
you share in this opinion?
LUCIUS
Objection.
The witness is not a physician.
HEBARD
I'm only trying to ascertain her state of mind while viewing her
sick brother.
WILLIAMS
Overruled.
You may answer the question, Mrs. Perrin.
SARAH
It wasn't no cholera. My stepmother
brought a drink to Ephraim which he refused to touch. He told me she had
brought him other such drinks that had the flavor of the hash. He suspected poison himself!
HEBARD
And did you confront your stepmother with
your suspicions?
SARAH
Dan cautioned against it.
HEBARD
And who is Dan?
SARAH
Why, you know Dan, Will!
HEBARD
Just answer the question, please.
SARAH
My husband, Dan Perrin. He
said it would alert her. But she
confessed anyway! The day Ephraim died I
asked her if she realized she was the means of Ephraim's death and she said she
was!
HEBARD
Did anyone else hear the prisoner make
this confession?
SARAH
I think Lucretia Murch was there and Mrs. Bebe. The next day she confessed to Reverend
Washburn and-
LUCIUS
Objection!
WILLIAMS
Sustained.
HEBARD
Mrs. Perrin, just tell us what you
personally heard.
HEBARD
She said it was the devil in her made her do it! She's got a devil all right! She's been a devil ever since she came to us-
LUCIUS
Objection!
HEBARD
No more questions.
WILLIAMS
You may cross-examine, Mr. Peck.
LUCIUS
Mrs. Perrin, you say that when you first arrived during the family
sickness, that your stepmother was in bed with a headache.
SARAH
She was always having them.
LUCIUS
Can you tell us what the headaches were
like?
SARAH
She'd stay in bed moaning for a few days. The doctor would come and bleed her. Least