"You love me, don't you, Jonnie?" The Industrial Revolution blackens the countryside. Women and children hack at coal underground and drag loaded tubs like animals. "You'd better love me." Rattle is a dirty, pipe-smoking, swearing collier-wench who dresses and swaggers like a boy. She's in love with Jonathan Turner, a young farmer and a prim, God-fearing Methodist. "I love you, Jonnie. I'll never let you go." Rattle is determined to have Jonathan. But he's already married. To a vengeful ghost. "I love you to death."