The Bad Seed

Miss Fern's lines

CHRISTINE. Yes. Come in, Miss Fern. We're nearly ready, I think.

MISS FERN. I'm a bit ahead of time, as usual.

RHODA, Yes, of course I will (she curtsies to Miss Fern.) Good morning, Miss Fern.

MISS FERN. (Crosses below sofa to R. end of sofa.) That's a perfect curtsey, Rhoda.

CHRISTINE. She does such things well?

MISS FERN. She does everything well. As you must know better than I.

CHRISTINE. And, as a person, does she fit in well-at the school?

MISS FERN. Let me think- in what way, Mrs. Penmark?

CHRISTINE. Well, Rhoda has been- I don't quite know how to say it. There's a mature quality about her that's disturbing in a child.

MISS FERN. Yes-yes, I know what you mean. In some ways, in many ways, Rhoda is the most satisfactory pupil the school has ever had. If you had dealt with as many children as I have. You'd realize what a remarkable record that is. And she has many good qualities.

CHRISTINE. Then-do the other children like her? Is she popular?

MISS FERN. The other children. Well, I (Miss Fern hesitates, trying to think of something to say, and is saved from having to answer by the re-entry at front door of Monica and Rhoda, carrying two small packed baskets.)

MONICA. Here we are!

MISS FERN. Then I suppose we should go, for my sisters and the others will be waiting. Good-bye, Mrs. Penmark.

CHRISTINE. Good-bye! May it be everything a picnic should be!

MISS FERN. Thank you. Come, Rhoda.

(A few days later, Rhoda can be seen practicing "Au Clair de la Lune" on the piano. The doorbell chimes. On the second chime, Christine comes out of kitchen and opens front door)

MISS FERN. May I come in, Mrs. Penmark?

CHRISTINE. Yes, of course, Miss Fern. I meant to come and see you.

MISS FERN. I've just come from seeing Mrs. Daigle. I have seen her several times, and each time she has asked me to find out from you if you had any possible clue to where the penmanship medal might be. (Piano stops.)

CHRISTINE. Was it lost?

MISS FERN. Yes, it wasn't found with the body and has completely disappeared.

RHODA. (Curtseying.) Good morning, Miss Fern.

MISS FERN. Good morning, Rhoda.

RHODA. Good-bye, Miss Fern.

MISS FERN. It did occur to me that—that Rhoda might have told you a detail or two which she hadn't remembered when she talked with me. You see, she was the last to see the little Daigle boy alive —

CHRISTINE. Are you sure of that?

MISS FERN. About an hour after we arrived at the estate the boy was upset and crying, and Rhoda was standing in front of him, blocking his path. One of our older kids was among the trees, and neither child saw her. She was just about to intervene when Rhoda shoved the boy and snatched at his medal, but he broke away and ran down the beach in the direction of the old wharf where he was later found. Rhoda followed him, not running, just walking along, taking her time, the older girl said.

CHRISTINE. And this was the last time Claude was seen?

MISS FERN. Yes. A little later one of the guards saw Rhoda coming off the wharf. He shouted a warning, but by then she was on the beach again and he decided to forget the matter. The guard didn't identify the girl by name, but she was wearing a red dress, he said, and Rhoda was the only girl who wore a dress that day.

CHRISTINE. Yes. But this is very serious—if Rhoda was on the wharf-

MISS FERN. Not serious, really, Suppose Rhoda did follow the Daigle child onto the wharf-so many things could have happened quite innocently. Later on, when it was too late to do anything, she was afraid to admit what had happened.

CHRISTINE. You make excuses for Rhoda. Does this mean that in your mind, and the minds of your sisters, there is some connection between the Daigle boy's death and Rhoda’s presence on the wharf? This is a terrible tragedy for Mrs. Daigle, as you say. She has lost her only child. But if there were any shadow over Rhoda she would not be happy in your school next year.

MISS FERN. And since she would not, it would be as well to make up our minds now that she will not be there.

CHRISTINE. You have already decided not to invite her back?

MISS FERN. Yes. We have made that decision.

CHRISTINE. But you're not saying that Rhoda had anything to do with the Daigle boy's death.

MISS FERN. Of course not! Such a possibility never entered our minds!

CHRISTINE. I'd better answer. (Doorbell chimes)

MISS FERN. Of course, my dear.

CHRISTINE. Oh, the poor woman!

MISS FERN. I know.- I'll be getting back. Thank you for bearing with her, and with me.

CHRISTINE. I'll talk to Rhoda. I'll do what I can.

MISS FERN. We both have to do what we can. Good-bye, Mrs. Penmark