Original subtitles

The guardians of the child shall resign to the committee that controls the management

of the child, together with authority to place the child out to trade or service.

Guardians shall be allowed to visit children only if they come clean in person

and dress, conduct themselves in an orderly manner and do not under any

circumstances give the children any kind of eatables.

Mrs. Barrowclough, you asked to see my husband.

I'm afraid he's in choir practice at the moment.

I'm matron.

Can I help you?

It's me grandson, Sam.

Sam Wilson.

Yes, I've sent for Sam.

You know that we break up tomorrow for the holidays.

That's what I've come for.

We've had diphtheria in the village.

Oh, it seems as if it's over now, but Dr. White were round for me husband

last night and he said Sam should stop another week to be on safe side,

if that's all right.

Stay here you mean?

If it's not putting on you.

Well, we do have boys staying.

Some of them have got nowhere they can go.

My husband's taking a party of 12 to London for the week tomorrow, as a matter of fact.

It's a founder's bequest holiday.

It need only be for the week, the doctor said.

Well, I think we can manage that.

I'll be here.

I'm one of the musters to stay with the other boys.

Has your husband had diphtheria?

No, no we've not had it on the roll.

He's gone down with pneumonia.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Have you come far?

It's two hours or so on the train.

My son would have come but he said I should go for change.

I'm not used to trains.

You know the time you train back?

An hour they said.

Oh, well it's only two minutes walk to the station.

I can arrange a cup of tea for you in the kitchen if you'd like.

I'll be glad of that.

Well, I'll see to it.

You sit there and wait for Sam.

There you are my love.

Hey, let's have a look at you.

Is that a new jacket?

I knew I'd taste it after we come back.

Goodness me, but you're smart.

A bit short on a sleeve perhaps, is it?

We change after holidays.

Have you come to fetch me, Gran?

Change?

Change clothes so soon?

We go besides.

We all move at one.

I'm moving to David Bradbury's stuff.

He's mucky.

He spills his dinner down him and he wets himself.

You didn't tell me you change clothes like that.

Have you come to fetch me early, Gran?

Your grandad's poorly and there's diphtheria in skeleton.

We want you to stop another week.

Oh.

You wouldn't want to catch diphtheria, would you?

I want to come home.

Just a week more.

Well, there'll be other lads here.

You can wait one more week, can't you?

Five whole weeks you'll have then.

I want to come home.

Some of the lads can't go home at all, can they?

Some of them don't have homes to go to, do they?

Like young Tad Dawson.

Will I be able to see him before I go?

You'll have to ask matron.

It'll help brighten things for him to see somebody he knows.

I were at school with his mother.

She'd want me to see him.

She's dead.

What difference does that make?

You said she'd want you to see him.

Well, so she would if she were here.

He's got nobody else, you know.

Not like you.

Don't you like it here?

No.

Well, you said you did at Easter and Christmas before.

I didn't mean it.

Why did you say so then?

I don't know.

Well, there's nothing your gran can do about it, love.

Just a week.

Give me a smile.

Hey, turn the corners up and let the sun shine through.

You wouldn't want your gran to worry about you all the way back on train, would you?

Because I do worry about you, you know.

I'll stop another week.

You're a good lad.

Your grandad got you something before he went poorly.

I'm not supposed to tell you.

He's looking after him till you come home.

Pigeons?

Aye, pigeons.

Bet he eats them before he get home.

I bet he doesn't.

Not had his teeth in for a week.

Will you tell him I don't like it here?

Will you?

Can't you try and like it?

I've tried and I can't.

And I never will.

Dad?

Are you awake?

Aye, I've been awake for the last hour, which is more than I can say for thee.

Did I nod?

I can put up with him nodding.

It's the grunting that gets on my nerves.

Don't get mad at me, it's bad for thee.

Doctor's due soon.

No, I'm not in the worst yet.

Aye, that's past worst.

I wasn't born yesterday, you ducky.

I had no pneumonia.

I helped nurse thee through it, didn't I?

Aye, I know.

I remember a firelight on the ceiling.

Only time I remember a fire in a bedroom.

When's your mum due back?

Quarter of an hour or so.

Ethel's gone to the station to meet her.

Rub some of that liquid paraffin on my lips.

Shall I put some in me hand?

They can do it this end then.

Did you feed them pigeons?

Aye, I did.

Remember when I first gave thee pigeons?

I would eat me seventh heaven with them.

I've done what I could for thee over the years.

If I've rated thee from time to time, thou hast deserved it.

Happen I have.

I want them pigeons in good fettle for when lad comes home.

I shall see to him.

I shall watch out for him.

Who's upstairs with him?

George.

I brought some chicken broth.

Got a fowl from Eileen's dad yesterday.

Thanks, me.

I'll put it in pantry till mum gets home.

I thought you were on holiday.

Only time you can really sort things out, holidays.

They're sorted out regardless of anything you can do.

How many of these lads will not go down pit?

The ones that'll be disappointed.

The lads I teach have had a chance at a scholarship, if you can call it a chance.

They want to be men and earn a wage now.

Why do you bother then?

You think I shouldn't?

Just puts ideas into their heads, that's all.

I suppose you get paid for it.

Aye, I get paid for it.

Me, I'm sorry.

Me, it's Lassie's crying again.

Nay, Lassie'll do a lot more crying before he's grown.

Calm yourself, I'll see to it.

What's wrong with him?

I don't know.

I never do know.

It's like May says, I flop around like a fuddle ducker every time he cries.

Fine mother I'd make.

They reckon it's easier when it's your own.

Do they?

You're better with him than I am.

Happen it's because he's got your Dora's blood.

Is that what counts?

Rubbish.

It's who looks after him that counts, who cares for him.

Caring's easy, it's the doing that's hard.

I'd be lost without me.

Where's his dad now?

We don't know.

Last letter we had was from Southampton.

Money keeps coming but sometimes you can't read postmark.

And Alan only puts in a letter every now and then.

He'll turn up one day.

Aye, one day.

I'm going to Rialto on Saturday.

Ronald Coleman and the Prisoner of Zenda.

Why don't you come?

Can't afford.

And you're not paying for me again?

Why shouldn't I if I enjoy it more?

With me?

Well I, with you.

Most things are better shared aren't they?

You want me to?

You're not just being sorry for me because I never go anywhere.

I never go anywhere much myself.

Sorry for myself would be more like it.

You live inside yourself you do.

Do I?

Don't need me for company.

Don't I?

And how do you know what I need?

Well I just know, that's all.

I wouldn't have asked you if I didn't want you to come.

Yes you would.

Well will you come?

Aye, I'll come.

If that's what you want.

I put it on the table here.

I know, I saw it.

Then where the hell is it now?

Why don't you ask Maggie?

I'm asking you.

Davis, I didn't touch your book.

I'm going to ask matron if I can have one of these chairs upstairs.

I think we should separate.

You make it sound like an unhappy marriage.

If you'd really prefer to be on your own, I'd be happy with a chair in my room.

I prefer it naturally.

I've asked once as it happens and apparently it isn't convenient.

Well then, we shall just have to learn to live together then, shan't we?

I'm sorry if I irritate you.

Hang on, there's somebody at the door.

Yes Wilson?

Matron sent me.

What is it Wilson?

She sent me to see Mr Hanson.

You're in my class Wilson.

It's about the holidays.

No.

Well?

Matron said to tell you that I'd be the only one in dormitory A after tonight.

You're not going on holiday then?

No, I'll stay here at home.

Maybe we can move you into B with young Dawson.

No, there's no need for that.

All right then, run along.

Why can't he move into B?

Dawson will be on his own in there.

I've had to slip with that boy at least a dozen times this term.

He's insolent.

Best kept apart.

I'd be obliged if you'd leave him where he is.

Safe and sound?

Aye, safe and sound.

My goodness me, what a journey it was.

All of two hours.

Yeah, and we went near Skipton, near where your dad was born.

And a tunnel that long, I thought we were going down mine.

Ethel's gone in back home.

I told you they'd enjoy it.

I did?

People that kind, when I had to ask them something on the way.

Must be grand to travel, see new places.

I wouldn't like to stop away a night though.

Why not?

I don't like boarding houses and such.

I'd worry about this place.

How is he?

I was up a few minutes back, he was asleep.

Doctor been?

Not since this morning.

Perhaps he'll come tomorrow, it's getting a bit late now.

He'll come.

Twice a day, he said, till the crisis is over.

He'll come.

He's that sort of chap.

He'd be worth a fortune if he ever got paid what's owed him.

What's this crisis?

Comes with pneumonia.

Comes within a week or two.

It's how they get better, no worse.

He was mumbling a bit in his sleep.

It's a fever.

It's a temperature.

Your grandad was like that when he had it.

Right back in the past he was.

On a day out with the Rachabites.

With me mum and she'd been dead ten years.

Was Sam all right?

Disappointed, poor lad.

Aye.

Big place it is.

Oh, of course, you saw it when you took him first off.

They made me a cup of tea.

I should think they did too.

They didn't seem to mind keeping him on for a week.

There'll be a few there with no one to go to.

You'll rarely see the outside of it.

Didn't you like it when you went?

Not much.

If I'd have been his age, I'd have turned and bolted.

That's not what you told me.

I could have been wrong.

I didn't want you worrying.

After I'd left him, I nearly went back and fetched him out.

Has it done him any good, do you think?

Not as far as I can see.

You've said no to your dad?

What's the point, mum?

You'd only think I was faulting it because I didn't agree with it in the first place.

The way you saw it, it was the answer.

Who's going to convince him otherwise?

Not me.

It could have been right.

They were clutching at straws.

Any way out but Toby.

There was a letter from Toby today.

I put it in that drawer.

From Toby?

What about?

I didn't open it.

It's addressed to Dan.

I suppose it can wait.

It'll have to.

I thought I might call round there tomorrow.

Ask if it's urgent.

You're back then?

Aye, I'm back, me.

All goes well.

As well as can be expected, I suppose.

Me.

Oh, darling.

Has the doctor been?

Not yet, me, no.

He'll come though.

Have you asked him to come down to our house?

What is it?

It's young Les.

I don't know what I've not to go by but his sound.

It's more than discomfort.

He seems a bit feverish.

It's more than discomfort.

We'll ask him to call round.

Don't tell Eileen.

She'll go into bloody mourning.

You'd think he was hers instead of your daughter's.

You know what I mean?

Aye, I know what you mean.

Sam, Duva says you're stopping.

Aye.

Not going home?

Not for a week.

I'm on me own tomorrow night.

Aye, I'm in here.

Shall I come next to you?

Hanson's on.

After he's put Liza out, you mean?

Shall I ask him?

Yeah, we were going to put us together but Davis said not.

He's off on holiday, Davis.

Can I come, Sam?

I'll not be a bother.

Can I?

Can I come?

Don't be a babby.

I don't like it in here on me own.

I'm here on holiday, apart from a week at camp.

Can I come?

Shut up.

We'll chance it.

You're coming with me.

It's not like Bas and Me and Co, is it?

What?

You know, them comics you used to read about that boarding school.

They had a tuck shop, didn't they?

What about it?

I get hungry all the time.

If we had a tuck shop, we'd be out of good then, wouldn't we?

Where would we get money from?

Out and it'd be free.

No, it's free.

No.

I've just been at Molly Tufton's.

She wouldn't let me into her scullery to wash my

hands because her man was naked at the slopstone.

Drops his trousers twice a year for me in the surgery, being a regular malingerer.

Can you imagine such modesty?

They're all like that.

Men acting like girls.

And how was Jack during the night?

Slept a lot.

Talked a lot in his sleep.

Oh, you're writing it all down to hold an evidence, Polly.

Nay, there's nothing I don't know about Jack that could concern me.

Will he be right, Doctor?

I can see no reason why not.

And young Les that you sent to Fever Hospital last night?

Your grandson.

Well, he's a chip off that block upstairs, isn't he?

So it should be in his favour.

I thought we'd done with diphtheria.

I thought we'd done with scarlet fever the year before last.

But it went out the village one road and came in another.

Young Sam's expecting to come home next week and that's a week overdue.

I'd leave him there if it's at all possible,

Polly, especially with such a close contact.

Is it the way we live, Doctor?

What are you on about?

Can't we keep ourselves clean enough?

Now, who could keep themselves cleaner than you keep this?

No, sometimes it's milk and other times it's a carrier.

So I'm to keep the lad away at school then?

I'd say it's advisable.

I'm going to have to send Mrs. Deakin into hospital.

May?

I took a swab last night.

Seems it was positive.

Have you seen Davis?

He was in the dining room when the lads have been given their instructions.

He doesn't go away for another two or three days.

I thought I'd ask him to take over your duty for a couple of nights.

I'm not all that bothered.

Well, I'll ask him.

Oh, and there's been a telephone call from Wilson's uncle.

He's to stay indefinitely.

Dip theory has broken out again.

Shall I tell him or will you?

I'll tell him.

Perhaps he could take a couple of weeks in term.

I know it's against the rules and he'd miss a few lessons, but...

Would it matter all that much if he did miss lessons?

What would he miss?

What subjects is Davis qualified to teach in?

We didn't appoint him, Bill.

The board did.

It was one of the economies when the donations started to fall off.

You'd have fought it.

Well, Malcolm did.

I'm sure he did.

What it must be to have a loyal wife.

Is that your ambition in life?

Davis shouldn't be here.

Ideally, neither should I.

Oh, I could go on.

It's not my place to talk myself out of a job.

They wanted him because he's supposed to know about poultry.

I know Davis's speciality.

He teaches them their place in life.

We try to go on better.

I said try and we don't succeed.

It's pretty obvious when you read this.

Placing's out in the year.

Poultry boy, Lord Martin's estate.

Poultry boy, poultry boy.

Underfootman at Ennington Hall.

Hall boy at Ennington Hall.

House boy at Ranson Hall.

Assistant valet at Ranson Hall.

I come here because I've had the misfortune to lose one or both of their parents.

And nobody else can afford to keep them.

We sell them out to service in the name of charity.

Is there no sign at ambulance?

No.

I've been sat here packed with me bits for an hour now.

How do you feel?

Not up to much.

I'm not flushed.

A bit.

I feel flushed.

It come on quick, didn't it?

Aye.

It does.

I couldn't say I felt warm though.

Yeah.

Let me put this shawl round your shoulders.

You keep your distance.

We don't want you down as well.

Chuck it at me.

Have I got a squint?

No.

Our angel had a squint when she had it.

None of the squint matters much in my time of life.

Ronald Coleman's not going to knock on my door.

Not this time, round any road.

You'll watch out for Eileen.

Course I will.

And young Les when he gets out.

He'll be out before he is, likely as not.

Happen.

Aye.

Happen I will.

Poor little bugger.

Laying there wondering what's happened to us lot.

Will they let me see him, do you think?

I dare say they will.

I wish our Alan were here.

We've not even an address.

All this time away.

He should have come to see you.

He sent the money.

Most of what he earns, I should think.

I told him we could manage on Les.

But he took no notice.

He'll come home one day.

Aye.

Then he'll be reminded of your Dora.

And you'll be off again.

Not there's much left to remind him though.

Apart from young Les.

Walls can remind you.

Aye.

Aye, that's true.

We've seen some life of these four walls.

We might not be the cream of society.

But we've scratted what we can from life.

They'll pull it all down one day, I suppose.

And there'll be nought left of us.

Happen Alan will stop when he does come.

It's home for him.

There's nothing for him now, Polly.

He never were a pit man at heart.

He wanted things that aren't given to such as us.

Now where he got such feelings from I don't know.

Our Frank went down pit today for the first time.

Him and another teacher from Cuddy.

I never grudged his daddy's ale.

Not after he'd been down that black hole.

Not really.

I wouldn't have grudged it to our Alan if it had been that he'd wanted.

But I did grudge him your Dora.

You're talking too much.

Well, I felt the need.

I'll shut up now.

Ambulances come.

I'll take you back.

No, you won't.

You open the door.

Don't stand back, both of you.

And when I've gone, you top and bottom this place with the car, Bollick.

Understand?

What do you take the lice out for?

Ask the lettuces.

He comes round after.

Get him there.

In here.

Aye.

Yes, Sam.

Keep your feet clean.

I bet they'll be mucky and they'll know.

Yes, Sam.

You can have your pickled cabbage for supper tomorrow if you want.

I don't like pickled cabbage.

You shouldn't be stuffing bread and milk with it.

I always do.

I swap it with raccoons for his meat at dinner.

I've never been here before.

I went to JT and B when my mum died and they brought me.

It's fish when you're little mother.

Don't we have different in holidays?

Yeah, Sam.

Only we get a bit more sometimes if Hanson's on.

Can you see the street from in here?

No, it's the warehouse wall.

You come from me, you can see the end house of the terrace.

It's swanky.

Chucky's lived here.

You can see him having his supper.

He went to eat, but the light's on.

I'm off to sleep now.

Yes, Sam.

Night, Sam.

Night, Dad.

Make your bed first thing.

Yes, Sam.

You were lucky to find us in.

We used to go round to the shop the nose, Thursdays after we closed.

Come through, Frank.

It is this Frank, isn't it?

I have somebody waiting for me.

I don't know.

I never seem to get you Barracloughs to the side of your encounter.

Ask him in.

She?

She's calling on relatives in Dickinson Street.

Only I said I wouldn't be long, you know.

I brought you this letter.

It's the one I sent your dad, isn't it?

He's down with pneumonia.

I'll not be able to give it to him for a week or two.

I thought you ought to know.

I see.

Well, it's nothing urgent.

Though it could have been, I suppose.

How is he?

Holy.

Ah, well, I'll keep it then.

I'll write again in a fortnight or so.

It were something I wanted his opinion about, that's all.

Well, I might as well know.

Harry wants young Sam sent to him in Canada.

He's got work.

It seems he's given up the idea of coming back.

You wanted Dad's opinion?

Well, I'm bound to seek it, aren't I, in circumstances?

The lad's in his care.

You must know what he'd say to that.

Aye.

That might feel the same as Sam.

Why bother asking then, Mr Wilson?

I can't seem to make your Dad see.

I've the lad's best interests at heart.

I can see the drawback of him going to Canada.

I've got my doubts about Harry, same as what he has.

Well, your Dad should respect me for that.

Let me take a part in his life.

You know his reasons, I'm sure.

I know what he thinks.

I happen to think he's wrong.

What's your opinion?

I'm not sure.

I can see both sides of the argument.

Your Dad doesn't see both sides of the argument.

They're a stubborn lot, these Coleyers.

They need to be.

They're shoved into the ground in more ways than one, Mr Wilson.

I went down pit today for the first time.

To see what my lads at school would be going to.

I felt like a lad among men.

I was in terror.

It was all I could do not to show it.

They don't see it, same as thee.

They're born to it.

They saw their Dads go down as I saw mine.

Played on Staxer's lad.

I was born to it too.

Aye.

Bet you had enough sense to keep out, didn't you?

Sense?

No, not sense, luck.

Just luck.

I'll always want coal.

Someone...

Someone will have to do it.

I don't know, maybe not.

Things are happening in the world.

Maybe one day they'll be able to leave it there where it is.

Aye, well what will they do then for work?

It'll be something.

It'll breed a different generation.

But what'll we lose from what we gain?

Aye, it's a man's world, right enough.

Aye, it's that.

Dawson.

Dawson.

Wake up, boy.

Who told you we're coming here?

Answer me, boy.

Nobody, sir.

Was it Wilson who put you up to it?

Was it?

No, sir.

Get out the pair of you and stand at the end of your beds.

At the double.

Now.

At the double, Wilson, you heard me.

You heard me say to Mr. Hanson you were not to move into dormitory B, didn't you?

Answer me, boy.

Yes.

Yes, yes what?

Yes, I did.

Well then?

I'm not in B, it's A, this.

Don't be insolent.

You allowed this boy to come in here.

It's not up to me.

You encouraged him, didn't you?

Did this boy encourage you?

Answer me, Dawson.

You filthy, disgusting little devil.

Go to the mop room and get a cloth.

Now, come back.

Where are your slippers?

Get them.

Give them to me.

Over the bed.

Not a bread there, ma'am.

Aye.

I bake the same as I usually do.

I bet your dad isn't eating.

I bet, I suppose.

You'll have some on your hands, there.

Aye, I suppose I will.

She doesn't get the same crust as you, doesn't Ethel.

I don't know why.

It's a bad oven, that of yours.

It's somewhat different.

I said to her after we was wed, what's the

difference, I said, between this and me mam's?

She'd like you for that.

Nay, she said the same.

What kind of crust is that?

She couldn't deny it.

Haven't you eaten today?

Aye, I've eaten.

Sort of.

Because you've only to ask, you know, if you want.

I'll have the end of that.

Can't you wait till it cools?

Oh, I like it from oven.

Dripping melts into it.

Well, here's a knife.

Drippings in scullery.

Same place as it always was when you used to dip your fingers in it.

Aren't you going up to see your dad?

Frank's with him.

He doesn't want me up there.

Take a cup of tea up for Frank.

Nay, I'd as soon not.

I should be off home to bed when I've had this.

Think of her, Ethel, coming back.

You don't like to see him poorly, do you?

It's not like him, is it?

It's as though life had gone out of him.

You mustn't always take his manner for what he feels, George.

About you, I mean.

Yeah, I don't measure up to what he wanted of me.

I know I don't.

He thinks more of you than you know.

Same as Ethel does.

Ethel?

It's life as we have to live it that makes them hold back their feelings.

Not that they aren't there.

Where you been?

In assembly hall back at Hogan.

Davies thinks you've gone out.

I didn't tell Matron.

I'm going.

Where?

Home, I think.

Me gran's.

It's miles.

I know.

I've got a book of stamps.

They might take them for a ticket at the station.

I haven't got a lot of rest.

You can come if you want.

I've nowhere to go when I get there.

They'll only fetch me back.

They'll fetch me back like there's none.

What you going for then?

I'm going, that's all.

Are you coming?

I daresay.

I could have gone to the antennas.

Only they went off.

And nobody knows me.

They aren't room any road.

Ask me again if you can come on holiday with us.

Honest.

All right, I'll ask her.

I'm off now.

I'll get changed at the wash house and I'll go through the wash house window.

Tell Fred I'll see him.

All right, I will.

I'll see you, Sam.

Hi.

I'll see you later.

How is he?

He's hardly stopped sleeping.

He seems more rested.

He hasn't coughed for ages.

You taken his temperature?

About an hour ago.

I wrote it down like Doctor said.

He's dropping.

I thought he seemed less flushed.

It's the crisis coming on.

He looks so much better.

It's the way nature goes about it.

Same with any other sort of trouble with your dad.

He always liked a straight choice.

Horse muck.

You what?

These fags.

That bloody horse muck.

You'd better go and look at me dad.

He's asleep.

He's hardly done anything else since the crisis.

Only come in here to get out of the way.

She keeps looking at Babby and saying she's flushed when she's now took kind.

Place stinks of carbolic.

Wash your hands she says.

Every five minutes.

Think I were a bloody germ.

Do I look like a germ to thee?

Aye.

What are you reading?

It's called Russia in Transition.

Told me out they didn't know already.

Aye, they pay income tax.

I always thought they had a car on an acre of land like Lloyd George promised us.

They didn't stop for me though.

It's not all that inspiring.

You don't think young Sam headed for Toby's?

I went round there again last night.

He'll bring him round here if he does turn up.

Four days he's been gone from the old place.

What's he eating?

Grass?

Made a book of stamps from home, sent him.

Trade him the memes.

I didn't mean eat him.

It'd be too much sense for that place.

Me dad sent him there so he'll not go back on it.

We shall have to try and get him back there before

me dad gets well and finds he's done a flit.

Doctor's car's down at Grice's.

He'll be next call, I should think.

Everything all right?

Aye.

I sponged his face for him.

They offered me May's clothes up at Fever Hospital.

They'd been fumigated, they said.

But I said no.

Burn them.

She weren't my size any road.

No news of Sam?

No.

When are they bringing May home?

Tonight, in an hour or two.

I've just been to Undertaker's with Eileen.

Briley's in Cuddy.

She were paid up on Coffin Club, so there'll be no worry.

How's young Les?

He's right, they say.

His throat worst.

Eileen's gone in to see Ethel.

She'll be stopping at your house till funeral on Friday.

He's knocking, isn't he?

He couldn't have done that this time last week.

He's on the mend.

I'll go up to him.

May's left her with Sumiton, Eileen Brady, young Les to look after.

He was Dora's lad.

He's our responsibility, not hers.

Alan Dakin's his dad, it's his look-out he rides.

What happened about that SOS they were going to put up for him on wireless?

They cancelled it when May died.

Seems they only do it for the living.

Young Les is living, what about him?

Alan will write when he gets an address again.

Happen.

What do you mean, happen?

Does they think we shall ever see him again?

Better.

Aye.

Come and sit with me.

If you promise not to talk too much.

Will I be right?

If you do as you're told, you will.

Got me where they want me, eh?

Nay.

Like a babby I am.

Quiet.

I've not just been laying here, you know.

My mind's been running on.

Aye.

Where's the lad?

We'd... we'd to stop him from coming.

Diphtheria's still with us.

He's... he's at the school.

George, looking after them pigeons.

Aye, he is.

Rest now.

Aye.

Sir?

Yes, Dawson?

Have they found Wilson yet, sir?

No, not yet, no.

He was going home, sir.

You told me, Trin, you didn't know where he was going.

Why?

I didn't think you'd want me to tell.

Well, why are you telling me now?

I thought he might be lost.

Yes.

Well, as a matter of fact, we assumed he'd be going home.

His relatives know all about it.

They're looking out for him.

Come from the same place, don't you?

Yes, sir.

Skeleton, sir.

What's it like there?

It's mucky, sir.

Didn't you like it there?

Yes, sir.

You like mucky places, do you?

We lived here.

Yes, that's right.

You lived there.

You know relatives there now?

No, sir.

Anywhere?

Yes, sir.

Where?

I don't know where, sir.

You can move into the dormitory of the big boys if you like.

There are four of them in there.

No, sir.

Why not?

They'll plague me.

Well, it won't if I ask them not to.

I'd sooner stop here, sir.

All right.

Good night, Dawson.

Good night, sir.

Sir?

Yes?

How long holidays for, sir?

Five weeks.

They'll soon pass.

Is there anything else I should do?

No, they'll sit at rest.

Last time she were here, she were alive.

Best not to think about it.

Why?

If it worries you, if it makes you unhappy.

I know about unhappiness, you know.

Never seen anyone dead before.

Only once I saw somebody dead.

Me grandad.

He put a white bandage round his jaw to keep his mouth shut.

I was 80 years old.

I didn't want to go in, but me Aunt Jane, he made me.

Say goodbye to him, she said.

So in I went with her, pushing me from behind.

He wasn't there.

I'd seen him the week before and he'd kissed me goodnight and his whiskers prickled.

And he'd tickled me through me nightgown and said I was too skinny.

He wasn't there, just something on a bed with a bandage round its jaw.

What am I going to do?

After?

Stay here if you want to.

I don't think I could manage it.

The rent and all.

You get money from Alan.

That's sent to me.

It's sent to you now.

How could I take it?

It's for the lad, isn't it?

I'll take him for me now.

Who will?

Your mum, dad, them.

They've got enough on the plates.

What do you want to do?

Care for him.

For his sake or Alan's?

For his sake.

For both.

You think I'm daft, don't you?

No.

Did you never feel like that about anyone?

Once.

When I was 14 at school.

Sorry, I didn't mean it was a childish thing to feel.

But it is.

Part of it anyway.

14 and never been kissed.

And wanting to be.

I've had the cure too.

The cure?

Laying with him on the rug in front of the fire.

Long before you adore her.

And after she took him away, I used to see how it all passes, I get older.

Because after all, you'd expect me to have more sense at my age.

Wouldn't you?

It'll pass, I used to say.

Only it didn't.

It just gets further away.

Cured nothing laying on that rug.

You shouldn't tell me things like this.

I'm sorry I've embarrassed you.

That's part of it, you see, wanting to tell.

You live off it.

You bottle it up and live off it.

In a dream most of the while.

I've nothing to put in its place, you see.

Take that away and I've nothing.

May said...

she said if they took such feelings from us, we'd

have an out and they could do what they liked with us.

I'm sorry, I'll shut up now.

And when he comes back?

I'll offer myself, I suppose.

What else?

I like that.

I wish Eileen would come.

We'll be late.

Nine o'clock Wednesday morning, they said.

It's only to make arrangements.

Where are we going?

Top Church.

It's embarrassing.

I could wriggle.

Because May was an atheist?

Because I'm chapel and that's church.

She wasn't what you just said, anyway.

An agnostic, then?

She was a good woman that were christened C of E.

That's how she started and that's how she'll end up.

I've asked Ethel to listen out for Jack.

Must be hope she stops her sleep, then.

She's got more sense than to upset him while he's ill.

I'll make sure back door's not fastened.

There's been a letter from Alan.

An address?

Care of the GPO.

He's gone as a seaman to Australia.

Look, I'll be back, then.

I've run off.

We know.

We heard.

Did they not think they'd tell us?

I didn't think it'd take me more than a day.

How'd they come?

I walked.

It's 50-odd miles.

I know.

I walked it.

Has it eaten anything?

A bit.

I had a book of stamps.

My grandad'll send me back, won't he?

They'll need feeding up, won't they?

He will, won't he?

He's all right for a bit.

He's been poorly.

He's been a death doer.

He don't like me, my grandad.

He does.

He doesn't.

Letting them have their own way isn't liking, is it?

Not altogether.

Who bought them, these pigeons?

My grandad.

Well, then.

Only so he could eat them.

He doesn't eat pigeon no more.

He's gone off pigeon.

Bet he hasn't.

I bet he has.

I bet they could eat a pigeon, too, from look of you.

When you're as hungry as we was, you'll eat out, won't you?

I'd not eat pigeon.

You'll not have to.

Go and find the Aunt Ethel.

Tell her you're starved.

She'll fix the oar.

If she's not in home, she'll be round at your gran's.

And tell her you're sorry for worrying everybody, eh?

Aren't you coming with me?

They'd best do last lap on their own.

Gran?

Aunt Ethel?

Sam?

Grandad?

Come back, have you?

Yes, grandad.

Come and sit by me.

Speak up, I can't hear so well.

Grandad?

You should be at the school, shouldn't you?

Yes, grandad.

Well, then?

I've left.

Left?

I've left.

Why?

It's a bad school.

Who says it's a bad school?

I do.

What do you know about it?

I've been.

And I haven't, eh?

I'm not going back.

Well, that's not for you to say, is it?

No, grandad.

Can I stop here, grandad?

Aye, well, that's more like it.

Can I?

A nice, clean town like that, you want to come back to this mucky hole?

Yes.

Well, there's no canting for taste.

Can I?

You've got your mother's eyes.

Aye, you can stay.