Yellow Wallpaper: 1. A Haunted House, 1910

John and Jane walk in

How often do you think mere ordinary people get an ancestral halls for the summer? A colonial mansion.

It was very reasonable.

A hereditary estate. I would say a haunted house, but that would be asking too much of fate!

The place has been empty for years. Some legal trouble with the heirs.

Oh. Well, that spoils my ghostliness a bit, I’m afraid, but I don’t care. There’s something strange about the house—I can feel it.

What you’re feeling, my dear, is a draft.

Oh no, leave it open, won’t you?

Anyhow, you’re the one who’s mad for fresh air.

Your exercise depends on your strength, my dear, and food somewhat on your appetite—

“But air you can absorb all the time”

You know that’s the reason we came here.

I know. And I’m grateful. It’s beautiful here. The gardens, the old greenhouses. Even though they’re broken, I like them.

You have perfect rest. That’s what you need to get better.

So decrease the good doctor John.

So decrease you’re devoted husband.

I’m so glad to go to the country, darling. It’s just… do you think… there was also the room downstairs. I love the roses on the window.

There’s only one window and there isn’t another free room close by. How am I supposed to keep an eye on you?

All right. It’s just a bit… Not funny but… Strange, that the baby should be sleeping downstairs and I am up here in the nursery.

I suppose

What ravages these children have made. Look at the scratches! They must’ve hated that hideous wallpaper.

I really wish you wouldn’t be so childish. The nurse made can only raise one of you.

I’d better finish unpacking

What have I said now?

You can’t think— you know I want to be with the baby.

You know, you never used to be so sensitive.

I— I’m sorry. I think, it’s only sense, I’ve had.— nervous condition…

No, none of that. If you think of it like that, you’ll completely neglect proper self-control. It’s a temporary nerves case. A slight tendency to hysteria, that’s all.

You’re right, you’re right. I’m sorry.

No, you have to listen to me. Listen to the doctor, all right? You’ll take phosphates, you’ll have perfect rest, and I absolutely forbid you to work on your writing until you are well again.

No writing at all?

Jeremiah agrees with me

You wrote to my brother

I’ve got to take care of you, darling, I wanted a second opinion from another position. And we agreed you would exhaust yourself. The very worst thing you can do is think about your condition.

It does— it does make me feel bad, to think about it

So there you have it

Shall I get the bags?