I Hope You Like It Here
(Limmeridge House the morning room
Light and
Summery marian Halcombe is there she is
In her 30's - dark, vivacious and attractive
Although not conventionally pretty
Hartright enters
Tired after the night's exertions
Marian shakes his hand)
You must be Miss Halcombe, I am so sorry
Thank God you have arrived!
You're fated to become my drawing teacher
You poor, poor creature!
Our village is as dull
As it may first appear
A city mouse in Limmeridge House
I hope you like it here
You're less than half the age
That we thought you might be
You'll feed our hunger for someone younger
So please unpack your bags
And please be of good cheer
I'm sure you'll like where you reside
But with respect, I must confide
I can't abide the Countryside
I hope you like it here!
I'm sure I shall
You will be the drawing master
To my sister and to me
Though she learns a little faster
A disaster I will be
We're the product of one mother
But we come from diff'rent fathers
I think mine, for design
Was completely talent free
Very soon, you'll meet my sister
Well, she's technically my half
But she's my whole world, my sister
Is the wheat, and I'm the chaff
She's kind and generous and fun
Much younger, and the pretty one
My father was quite poor
Her father's wealth was vast
So she'll inherit and gladly share it
We're close as two can get
Between us not one tear
Perpetually in harmony
I hope you like it here
Pretty soon you'll meet my uncle
Whose prognosis is quite grim
He will tell you that his chances
Of recovery are slim
With his bed pan and his hanky
He is terminally cranky
(Though no doctor around's
Found a thing that's wrong with him)
But how I do go on! I try to keep it short
Then lose the battle and simply prattle
My welcome is sincere
We're thrilled, that's indisputable
I hope your rooms are suitable
Your sentence is commutable
I hope you'll like it here!
(Mr fairlie sit's beside a
Portrait of his brother
Philip Fairlie mr fairlie is
In his fifties but looks older he
Is frail, morose, pale, crabby
Wheelchair-bound)
Mr walter Hartright
Mr fairlie!
(Mr fairlie looks Hartright up and down)
You're younger than I thought
The young are mostly fools
The good time ceases when with my nieces
Yes, I just met
Just go about your task and try to disappear
(To the servant)
Don't lurk about, you oafish lout!
(To Hartright)
I trust you'll like it here
(He gestures to the portrait)
That's a portrait of my brother
Was the picture of good health
Now he's dead, and I am dying
While I'm living on his wealth
Up until he left for Hades
He was catnip to the ladies
But at least the deceased
Had a modicum of stealth
Well, enough about my family
(To servant)
Would you please adjust my chair?
(to Hartright)
I should send you back to ripen
Like a proper Camembert
Though I should find some other chap
I'd much prefer to take a nap
(To servant who reappears)
I told you to get out! I simply can't go on!
My nerves are fraying
What was I saying?
Oh - mostly I desire a quiet atmosphere
As silent as a sepulchre
No utterance above a purr
May I just
Just nod your head if you concur
I trust you'll like it here
(Limmeridge House the conservatory later the
Same morning laura is sitting
Playing the piano she is
Twenty-one, exquisitely beautiful, fair
And she bears a striking resemblance
To the woman in white)
(Hartright enters he looks at Laura)
(softly) my God
(Laura is startled and stops playing)
You must be Miss Fairlie?
I am Walter Hartright
Forgive me if I scared you
Not at all! Welcome!
You're a very nice surprise!
(They look at each other
They smile marian enters)
