̨´Ê£º 

           ELINOR

                         Margaret, are you there? Please come 

                         down. John and Fanny will be here 

                         soon.

               A pause. ELINOR is about to leave when a disembodied and 

               truculent young voice stops her.

                                     MARGARET (V.O.)

                         Why are they coming to live at 

                         Norland? They already have a house 

                         in London.

                                     ELINOR

                         Because houses go from father to 

                         son, dearest not from father to 

                         daughter. It is the law.

               Silence. ELINOR tries another tack.

                                     ELINOR

                         If you come inside, we could play 

                         with your atlas.

¡ª--------------------------------------

           MARIANNE

                         Fanny wishes to know where the key 

                         for the silver cabinet is kept.

                                     ELINOR

                         Betsy has it, I think. What does 

                         Fanny want with the silver?

                                     MARIANNE

                         I can only presume she wants to count 

                         it. What are you doing?

                                     ELINOR

                         Presents for the servants. Have you 

                         seen Margaret? I am worried about 

                         her. She has taken to hiding in the 

                         oddest places.

                                     MARIANNE

                         Fortunate girl. At least she can 

                         escape Fanny, which is more than any 

                         of us is able.

                                     ELINOR

                         You do your best. You have not said 

                         a word to her for a week.

                                     MARIANNE

                              (truculently)

                         I have! I have said 'yes' and 'no'.