Marian: Is she not the way that I described her? We're as unalike as black and white Laura: Still we are insep'rable Marian: Joined as day to night, Very clearly of a diff'rent feather- We're an odd but merry pair of birds! She'd say I'm verbose and garrulous- Laura: But in fewer words! Marian: Laura! Laura (to Hartright): I fear your journey here was tedious? Hartright: My journey was filled with drama! First I met the local Signal Man- a strange and Unearthly man. He told me he'd had a vision that I Would come and that I would bring tragedy in my wake. Laura: Heavens! Hartright: Indeed! But he said: "You'll mark my words! When a year to this day The dead lie on the tracks! The dead lie on the tracks!" Marian: How strange! Hartright: What happened next was stranger still A woman breathless and afraid Appeared out of the night! Completely dressed in white She had a secret she would tell Of one who had mistreated her. Her face and frightened gaze My mind cannot erase… But then she ran from view. (to Laura) She looked so much like you. Laura: Perhaps you saw a ghost? Hartright: Ghost or not, she haunts me still. She looked so much like you… Marian: We must clear up this mystery! Hartright: But first, ladies, we must take Advantage of this wonderful light! (A beautiful summer's day for their first drawing lesson. They are outside in the formal gardens of Limmeridge House with a couple of servants, all three before their easels, drawing. We hear both what they express openly and their inner thoughts) Marian: Nothing's duller than my watercoloring I've next to no technique at all Laura: My pen and ink are passable Marian: My pen and ink appall. All my sketching soon will have you retching. I'm a notch below a chimpanzee. Laura: But we're highly trainable. Marian: We shall wait and see. Hartright: You can capture shade and light Best of all perspective Marian: All I ever do is tright Hartright: Beauty is subjective You'll develop your own style Marian: He has such a winning smile Hartright: You will know when it feels right Laura: I could trust him at first sight Hartright: Be observant, be a humble servant Solely dedicated to your art Laura: I can hardly concentrate Marian: What a shaky start. Hartright: Don't conceal the things you think and feel Get your emotion flowing through your brush Marian: If I follow your advice You would surely blush Laura: If I practiced what you preach I'd be more effective Hartright (gazing at Laura): She's so clearly out of reach Seen from my perspective Marian: He's a breath of summer air Hartright: See the sunlight in her hair Laura: I must disregard his charms Laura and Marian: And his manly rugged arms Marian: Give me people not a tree or steeple Not a slice of apple and a knife Still life's not as int'resting As a slice of life Hartright (looking at Marian's drawing): You're improving, this is very moving, That's a cocker spaniel clear and true. Marian: Thank you for the compliment I was sketching you! All Three: What's the reason I am here? What is my objective? What a stirring atmosphere! But where is my perspective? Can you get a dizzy thrill? While the world is standing still? Yet the summer's drifting by While these golden moments fly.