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Virginia: Why?

Ghost: Because that’s what I have been doing for many, many years.

Virginia: You don’t have to.

Ghost: That’s none of your business.

Virginia: I will leave you alone, then.

Ghost: No, please, don’t leave me. I’m so lonely, and you are the only nice person in this
family.

Virginia: Who are you?

Ghost: I am Sir Simon de Canterville.
Virginia: Why do you haunt this castle?

Ghost: Because I did something terrible to my wife. I really would like to sleep for a while,

but I can’t.
Virginia: Why not? All you have to do is lie down on the bed and blow out the candle.

Ghost: I haven’t slept for three hundred years, and I am so tired.

Virginia: Oh, poor you! Isn’t there a place where you could sleep?

Ghost: Yes, there’s a place on the hill… a little garden.

Virginia: Are you talking about the Garden of Death?

Ghost: Yes, silence is the only thing you can listen in that place. Can you help me rest in
peace?

Virginia: How can I help you?

Ghost: Only love and forgiveness can open the doors of the garden. Have you read the old
prophecy on the library window?

Virginia: Oh, yes I have! When a golden girl can win a prayer from out of the lips of sin,
when the barren almond bears, and a little child gives away its tears, then shall all the
house be still, and peace come to Canterville.

Ghost: That means that you should cry with me, because I have no tears. Do you
understand? Your tears will set me free! You should also pray for my soul, because I don’t

have faith. Then I will rest in peace. Are you afraid?
Virginia: No, I am not, I will pray for your soul.

Ghost: Take my hand, and come with me to the Garden of Death. Over there, we will pray

together until you see me fade away.
(They walk together to the garden.)

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