MIRIAM
Then no one knew with whom I associated, master.
JOHN
Who art thou? Tell me about thyself. Who is thy father?
MIRIAM
I have no father--and no mother. The country is full of orphans like me. There are far too many. I have never asked anyone why.
JOHN
And why didst thou go to the Palace as serving maid?
MIRIAM
They say that I once sat and played with pebbles on the threshold. And when evening came, they took me in. Since then I have belonged to the Palace, and know no better.