The Letters Hetty Feather

-A woman's place is in service.

-Unless she has money, of course.

I don't want to be a servant like you,

I want to travel the world and I want to tell stories!

When you leave here, there will be a place for you in my household.

I want to see the world, but not as a soldier.

My place is here, with you.

I suddenly... I'm afraid I don't feel very hungry.

You know, you're an absolute marvel.

And so we came to a perilous land of swamps, crocodiles,

and devilish creatures, lurking at every step to pounce and devour.

Hetty, there's work to be done.

And though we felt some heaviness of heart that we had lost our way,

still we pressed on.

Right, left, right, left, right. Use your arms as well.

Use those arms. Knees up! Come along, boys.

But I'm not a traveller. Except in these pages. And in my dreams.

So, what am I? A writer?

Or just a foundling girl who will never be what she wants to be?

BIRD SQUAWKS

Mathias, we are supposed to be gardening not admiring the view.

You should be good that by now.

BIRD SQUAWKS

Missing something?

How? How did you...

You're not the only one around here who can't sleep.

-Please...

-Please what?

Please give them back.

It's nothing really.

If it's nothing why do you want it so much?

-Because, I just write stuff in them.

-Do you write about me?

-No, of course not.

-Then what do you write about?

-Dreams, things I make up. It doesn't matter.

-I suppose not.

Because when you get out of this place the only writing you'll

be doing is recipes or shopping lists.

Stuff like that gets us into trouble.

Your secret place. It's not so secret any more.

-You should've been more careful.

-We know how to find it.

And when we do, we're making it ours. Empire!

Empire!

Yes, that's the spirit.

You're lying! You don't know where it is. How could you?

Boys, the wheelbarrow needs emptying. Any volunteers?

-Sir, me and Judd.

-Very well. Round to the waste heap. Straight back.

How do they know?

It doesn't matter, we have to stop them.

Sir!

-Sir, can I get a new trowel?

-Quickly.

Blanche found my journals. I'm afraid she'll tell Matron.

I have to hide them in the tower before she finds them.

-What, now? Too risky.

-Please.

-Water needs changing.

Nurse Macclesfield?

Off you go.

Vince, what's up there?

Vince!

-What?

-Have you seen any...

-What?

-Spiders.

-Come on.

-I'm coming up.

Are we nearly there, do you think? Oh! We should get back.

Not until we get what we came for. We go back as conquerors.

Nothing less.

HE GROANS

What are you doing here? This place ain't for girls.

Well is it isn't for idiots either, but here you are.

-What's this?

-None of your business!

Give it back! Now!

Oi! Cranbourne's looking for you everywhere.

He says you're in big trouble.

-You'd better go.

-What, and he's not looking for you?

I've got friends. They're covering for me.

I'll be back.

Blanche found out where I hide my journals and

I thought they'd be safe here but what am I going to do now?

They won't come back. We'll make sure of it.

Could you take a message to Harriet?

Yes, what do you want to say?

No, I mean write something. Like a letter.

Things I wanted to tell her when I saw her, but couldn't.

It won't take long.

Well?

Dear Harriet?

-No. Then I'd have to say...

-Love Mathias!

Well, we'll keep it mysterious,

and then she'll have to guess who it's from.

-What if she doesn't?

-She will!

-I don't know!

-Like a hawk, I long to soar the open skies with you.

You mean like seeing the world together?

I am sure you will find the books in good order.

-Well, they usually are.

-Good morning, Colonel. Matron.

Oh, good morning, Nurse.

You can leave those outside my office, Nurse.

It is the age of the book-keeper now. Ledgers, inventories, audits.

Oh, if you can't count it means nothing.

They say the Empire wasn't built on arms alone, but on rules,

procedures and administration. Well let me tell you,

the occasional round of cannon fire never went amiss.

Shall we?

...Therefore, wear this upon your person as a sign that you have

heard, that you understand, and that your sentiments are not dissimilar.

-Meaning?

-If she wears this, she likes you too.

Now, let's go.

Hetty! You're late for class.

Well, if I stand here talking, I'll be even later, won't I?

-Where've you been?

-Privy!

BELL RINGS

Nice and quiet please, girls.

Come along.

-Harriet!

-I had to tell nurse Macclesfield you'd

spilled the bucket over your dress.

-What did she say?

-Typical!

-It's not funny.

-I've got a letter for you, from Matthias.

I helped him write it.

Oh, no. I must have dropped it.

Leave it, you can tell me what it said.

-No, if Matron finds it...

-She won't know it was from you.

She will, you know what she's like!

-Come on girls!

-The privy? Again?

Of course, Colonel Brigwell. If I can be of any assistance?

No thank you, I've yet to be defeated by the slings

and arrows of the annual Treasury review.

But thanks all the same. Thank you.

Of course, it does mean that I'm going to be camped in here

quite a lot over the next few days.

I hope that won't be entirely disagreeable.

Oh, no, no, no. Your expertise is much appreciated, Colonel.

If not my charms. Oh, Mr Cranbourne.

Yes, yes. Put them there, please. How are you at book-keeping?

-Only the classics I'm afraid.

-Ha-ha! An educated man.

You see, I'm just an old soldier. But I can count if needs be.

Now, I'm not sure we've got enough terrain to deploy that lot.

Perhaps you would be more comfortable in the Governor's room.

Excellent strategy. Audit HQ!

I shall regroup there immediately.

No, no, no, I will have those sent through.

You are too kind. Come on, Nurse. Chop Chop!

Bye, Matron. Mr Cranbourne.

-Much to do?

-Indeed.

Of course, I would be more than happy to help if you...

I think the Colonel is more than able to conduct the annual review.

Yes, yes.

Just the fellow.

Matron, I was wondering, you see, well, I rather miss our suppers.

They were most agreeable.

As you say Mr Cranbourne, much to do.

Indeed.

As you wish.

Hey, look!

The feather! Is she wearing it?

-She must be.

-I can't see.

Gideon! Mathias! Come along!

You could at least make an effort.

That's not clever.

Clever enough to know which side to stand on.

Matron won't stop until she finds out who it was,

and when she does, she'll take everything.

-Still, I wish I'd seen the letter. What was it?

-Like a hawk.

What was like a hawk?

-You. You're always hovering about.

-That's funny.

Because if I was, I wouldn't hover round here.

-Colonel Brigwell.

-Ah, I thought I'd stretch my legs a little.

-Ah.

Good to see them so busy.

Hetty, the feather!

BRIGWELL: Reminds me of my desert days...dust everywhere.

I say, that's very decorative.

Oh, what? This? Well...

-It's a feather of the Harris hawk if I'm not mistaken.

-Ah!

...Renowned for its grace as well as its tenacity.

It's a hunter, you know. Therefore beautiful and dangerous.

Rather suits you.

Oh, oh thank you Colonel. Tea?

Oh, yes, why not?

All right, I know about your books and I've said nothing.

I'm not saying I want us to be friends.

I just want to know what's going on.

You are so lucky,

I can't believe you got away with it.

It wasn't just lucky. It was brilliant.

So, maybe Matron thinks he's hanging around because he likes her?

"Why, thank you Colonel. Such a gentleman."

Your writing isn't nothing. And I'm sorry if I ever said it was.

You made Matron wear a feather. You can make her do anything.

But you won't, will you, Hetty?

-My dear...

-Gertrude.

As I entreated, you wore the feather of the most beautiful bird.

Now, do something for me.

-Wear something...

-bright.

For, you are a spring flower.

"A spring flower in the quiet of a woodland glade.

"A touch of joy for this ancient heart that has spent too many

"days and nights alone."

Hurry up, girls!

We haven't got all day! Come on!

What are you girls gawping at?

Move along!

You heard what matron said, now move!

14, 15, 16, 17...

KNOCK AT DOOR

Yes, come!

-Oh, what a welcome sight, please do come in.

-Shall I pour?

No, it is all right, thank you very much.

Perhaps, Matron, you'd care to join me.

-Will the Colonel be staying for lunch?

-As my guest?

That would be my great pleasure.

Aida, perhaps you can arrange for some of the girls to help.

You are if I may say so, looking especially...

Resplendent this morning, Matron.

You are too kind.

Colonel, I thought as we seem to be getting to know each other

a little better lately, you may wish to call me Gertrude.

Yes. Yes, of course. Gertrude.

And you, you... You may call me Rupert.

-Listen to this. Like a hawk you have seized my heart.

-What are you doing?

-I'm writing to Matron.

-We've had our fun. That's enough.

-No, just listen.

No, YOU listen. Harriet's right. It was a laugh but, that's it.

If Matron finds out, we're in big trouble.

It's all right, because she'll think it's from the Colonel.

-See for yourself.

-What does it say?

-Just stupid things.

-Stupid things? What sort of stupid things?

All of it! The whole thing's stupid.

-Oh, you can't read can you?

-Of course I can!

Go on, then, read it!

You think you're so clever! Send it then!

-See what happens.

-If you want to write something, write to Mathias.

Tell him I didn't get the letter, tell him I'll meet him somewhere...

-Harriet!

-If I can... Will you?

-And forget about that.

-Harriet!

Like a flower you have delighted me.

And now, as I have declared my affections,

I ask you to take my hand and make a

lonely man happy by declaring yours.

Oh, Gideon. In the pantry!

What are we lugging here?

For tomorrow night, Matron's exhibition. Over there.

Is Matthias here?

No. I don't think he wants to see you. He feels a fool.

-The feather?

-Harriet didn't get the letter.

-Matron did.

-What?

-But Harriet still wants to see him,

so, could you tell him.

-Here?

-After lunch if he can.

-I'll tell him.

Mathias wants to see you. He'll try to get to the kitchen after lunch.

-Do you miss the regiment?

-Oh, the people, certainly.

Good sorts, by and large.

But actually, what I miss most is the travelling.

I didn't think I'd be so restless.

I have ventured so very little.

Oh, you should try it. There are great wonders out there,

-let me tell you.

-A lady cannot travel with ease alone.

Well, even as a gentleman travelling alone can be,

well, it can be very lonely.

Then let me be your companion. And we will travel together wherever the

journey takes us. You and I, oh Rupert. I was... It was unexpected,

-I have to say. But you have touched my heart.

-Your...What?

-What have I done?

-Oh, the letters!

-Letters?

Well...the open skies, the spring flower?

No, I'm sorry, I really...I really don't know what your talking about.

Except that it sounds more than a little bit presumptuous.

I think perhaps I should take my leave

as you've clearly taken leave of your senses.

But, Rupert, the feather!

No, I shall put it down to fatigue brought on by the administrative

burdens of the annual review.

Good day to you, Gertrude. Matron.

Oh, no.

Nurse Macclesfield!

-What's wrong?

-I've done something awful.

Girls. Stay exactly where you are. Sheila.

Come here, turn out your pockets. We're searching all the children.

-All the dormitories. Every hiding place.

-What for?

-Writing materials.

Pens, inks, paper.

Somebody has written vile and malicious letters to Matron

and we will find the culprit. Stand there. Hands.

Your journals are safe aren't they?

-Not if they look in the tower.

-Harriet! Here!

Quickly! Hurry up girl!

Pockets. Hands, show me your hands. Hetty, over here.

I said, "over here!"

Stand there. Pockets.

Stand over there.

Move!

I want every inch searched. Behind cabinets, under mattresses!

What are you doing? Look properly! Lift it!

I know these girls!

THEY THINK THEY ARE CLEVER, THEY ARE NOT!

I will find whoever did this.

And they will pay.

-Come on.

-They'll be looking everywhere.

-But they don't know about the tower.

-Not yet.

If they finished searching in the dorms I'll hide my journals there.

-I can't cover for you.

-I know.

Pockets. Pockets. Pockets. Pockets...

Sir, what are you looking for?

Well, considering the items suggest an ability to read and write,

I'm probably looking in the wrong place.

Pockets...

I won't ask. Pockets!

-I was hungry.

-Pockets, pockets. Pockets...

Harriet'll be waiting for me. I can't just not turn up.

Mathias, I don't think this is the time.

Pockets, pockets...

-I know who you're looking for.

-Tell me.

-I'm certain.

Feather?

Harriet too, but mostly Feather.

Get in line. Where's Feather?

-She was just there.

-Find her.

-You. You're coming with me.

-I haven't done anything!

That's not what I've heard.

It's no more than she deserves.

Get me Feather!

Yes, Matron.

Get that boy to the dormitory. Oh, you dry your eyes girl.

You'll find no pity here.

Mathias, move along! This way.

There's no sign of her.

Somebody knows where she is.

Where is Feather?

I'm here.

Get in!

Oh, and you won't see Harriet again.

After tomorrow, she'll be gone.

'I know now that writing is a gift. Words are powerful.

'We can get lost in words.

'We can bring joy, we can bring pain,

'we can hurt people when we don't mean to.

'Writing IS a gift, my gift. I know who I am, I am Hetty Feather.

'And I write.'

I declare this art fair open for business.

-Harriet will never know what I wanted to tell her.

-Sneak out.

-Escape.

-Anyone who gets Feather

put in the 'tench has to be on our side.

Just think, I can get through this. I am Hetty Feather.

It won't always be like this.

You snitched! Again.

You need to know that I'm not your friend.

I'm not anyone's friend.