The Silent Companions

Anne gives the Romani boy, Merripen, a job in the stables, and Hetta is very happy. Anne’s silent companions are delivered, and the family enjoys hiding them all over the house and scaring one another.

Anne’s sons, James, Henry, and Charles, have been living with other genteel families but return home for the royal visit. Two days before the visit, they talk about practicing their parts for the masque, and Hetta gestures to ask what her part will be. Josiah announces that Hetta will not participate in the masque. The brothers cruelly suggest that Hetta could be in the antimasque, an exploitative sideshow, or that she could play a nymph or demon. Hetta doesn’t react but only stares into the fireplace and refuses to leave at bedtime.

During the royal visit, Anne loses herself in the extravagance of all the feasting and merrymaking. However, she feels guilty knowing Hetta is missing out on all the fun. Watching the antimasque, full of what she calls “unnatural” individuals, disturbs her, and the thought of Hetta being exploited in that way repulses her. Anne had hoped that Hetta would be a female friend to her since she lost Mary, but she fears Hetta is now being punished for Anne’s interference with God’s plans.