The Road to Northborough

A gentle, subtle play, with an historical background telling of the struggle faced by Martha Clare to bring up her children in the absence of her poet husband, John, who is confined to an asylum. Only her frequesnt visits to market to sell off her personal belongings keep them from starving. When Lady Brampton arrives wishing to buy John's poems, Martha sells all but a few love poems, including "First Love". She later confides that on her last journey to market she gave a ride to her husband, who had quit the asylum. He did not recognise her and was making for the house of his first love - Mary - but Martha knows he will return eventually.