Original subtitles

(Gasps for breath)

No fire? Where's that blackguard Smike?

I warned him what he'd get if he lay in.

- He'll be ailing again, lazy, lying dog. - He'll be ailing when I've done.

- What are you gonna do to him, Father? - Have him for breakfast.

- Wackford, lay a fire and light it. - Well, I can't.

- What? - I've never lighted a fire before.

Well, now's the time to learn, my son.

You can take it out of Smike's hide when you catch him.

Your sister'll give you a hand,

if she can bring her thoughts down from the clouds where they are these days.

- She's in love with Mr Nicklebum. - What?

- No, I'm not! - I heard you telling Tilda Price.

You little beast. You horrible little beast!

What's all this, then? In love with Nickleby, are you?

- No. - Don't you lie to me.

- All I said was he was a gentleman. - Oh, a gentleman, is he?

- And your pa ain't a gentleman, eh? - No, Pa. I never said that.

You brought that stuck-up peacock here.

I knew he was one for the women the minute I set eyes on him.

- Oh, what's he done to you? - Made advances to you, has he?

- Have you given in to his passion? - He hasn't even spoken to me, not yet.

- You'd best be telling me the truth. - It is the truth, honest, Pa.

Now, you listen to me, my pretty one.

I will not have you smirching the good name of Squeers.

I don't mind you talking to Nickleby, but let it be no more than talking.

You keep your slate clean. You know what I mean.

Keep your slate clean or I'll break it over your head.

Now go and help Wackford light the fire. Go on.

Here, what's on your mind?

Nickleby's uncle is a rich man. He has money and property.

When it comes to handling shares,

there's not a sharper hand in the City, I'm told.

Now, if it was to come to nuptials between his nephew and our Fanny...

Oh, Squeery, you ask too much.

If you think I'm gonna flatter and flannel that upstart Nickleby...

- Upstart he is, my love. - I hate him worse than poison.

Go on hating him. Let him see it.

Bite him, kick him, scratch him, if you will.

It'll show the true colour of his feelings for our dear little beauty.

What are you talking about?

If you don't put him off, if he still pays attention to her,

it'll prove that it's not just a passing fancy but true love that he's smitten with.

That could be to our advantage.

He'll eat less.

He might even work for nothing.

Well, some men will do anything when they're smitten with true love.

Besides, they're bent more easily.

Now, to find that devil Smike.

'Oh! 'Oh!

(Bell)

Now, then, you lazy hounds! You going to sleep all day?

- The boys'll be up directly. - They'd better be.

Or I'll be down on 'em in less.

Smike! Where's that scoundrel who didn't light the fires this morning?

- Smike! - Well, he's not here, sir.

Don't you lie to me. He is. Smike!

Come on, Knuckleboy. Where have you hid him?

- I've seen nothing of him. - Where is he?

- In the nearest pond, for all I know. - Damn you, what do you mean by that?

Please, sir, I think he's run away, sir.

Who said that? You, Graymarsh. You think he's run away, do you, sir?

Yes, please, sir.

And what, sir, what reason would you have to suppose that any boy

would want to run away from this establishment?

There. Now, if any other boy thinks that Smike has run away,

I shall be very glad to have a talk with him.

- You think he's run away? - I think it extremely likely.

I do, too, and where's the wonder,

when you get proud-stomached teachers that set the young dogs rebelling?

What else can you look for?

Now, then, young man, take yourself off to the schoolroom,

and the boys with you, before you and I fall out

in a way that'll spoil your beauty, handsome as you think yourself.

- Indeed. - Yes, indeed.

And indeed again, Mr Jackanapes.

I wouldn't have such as you in the house another hour if I had my way.

Nor would you if I had mine. Boys.

Boys. Follow your leader, boys. And take pattern by Smike if you dare.

See what he'll get for himself when he's brought back.

If I catch him, I'll only stop short of flaying him alive.

If you catch him? You're sure to.

You can't help it if you go the right way to work.

Here me. The cow-house and stable are kept locked, so he couldn't be there.

He must have gone York way, and by a public road.

- Why must he? - Stupid.

- He hadn't any money, had he? - Smike? Never had a penny in his life.

So he must beg his way, and he could do that nowhere but on a public road.

- That's true. - You take the chaise and go one way.

I'll borrow Swallow's chaise and go the other.

What with keeping our eyes open and asking questions, one of us...

ls sure to lay our hands on him. Ha-ha!

SQUEERS: Get up! Come on, get up!

(Horse neighs)

- He's gone after Smike. NICKLEBY: Boys, back to your places.

- Miss Squeers. - Mr Nickleby.

- Yes, Miss Squeers? - Pray, forgive me for interrupting you.

I hardly know how to ask. What will you think of me?

Is there something that you require, Miss Squeers?

(Boys giggle)

Yes?

My very dearest and closest friend, Miss Matilda Price,

is coming to take tea with me today,

in company with a gentleman to whom she's affianced.

(Boys giggle)

- Yes, Miss Squeers? - We...

That is, I wondered if you would...

if we might have the pleasure of your company also. There, it is said.

- I'm obliged, but I... - You can't refuse.

- You cannot have an engagement. - Most kind, but...

Then it is arranged.

I do not know howl managed to overcome my shyness.

Mother says it is my greatest failing.

So, we shall see you when it is teatime.

(Boys laugh)

(Boys giggle)

(Boys laugh)

Now, boys.

MR MANTALINI: If you will be odiously, demnebly, outrigeously jealous, my soul,

you'll be very miserable, horrid miserable, demnition miserable.

MADAME: I am miserable!

Then you are an ungrateful, unworthy, unthankful little fairy.

MADAME: You were flirting with her during the whole night.

- No, no, my life! - You were, you were!

I had my eye upon you all the time.

Bless the little winking, twinkling eye.

Was it on me all the time? Oh, demmit!

It's very easy to talk.

Not so easy when one is eating an egg, for the yolk runs down the waistcoat,

and yolk of egg does not match any waistcoat but a yellow one.

- Demmit. - I say once again...

you ought not to waltz with anybody but your own wife.

I will not bear it, Mantalini, if I take poison first.

She will not take poison, will she? And have horrid pains?

She will not take poison because she has a demd fine husband,

who might have married two countesses and a dowager.

Two? You told me only one.

Two.

And why didn't you?

Why?

Had I not seen at a morning concert

the very demdest little fascinator in all the world?

And what about the cash, my existence's jewel?

- How much have we in hand? - Very little indeed.

My life and soul, there is a horse for sale at Scrubs,

which it would be a sin and a crime to lose, going for nothing.

- Nothing? I'm glad of that. - 100 guineas.

I will ride him in the park

before the very chariots of the rejected countesses.

They will hate each other demnebly and wish you dead and buried.

Demmit.

I will see what my desk contains.

- Madame Mantalini. - Oh! Dear me, child! How came you here?

- I've been here for some time. - Your name is...?

Miss Nickleby. My uncle brought...

Ah, yes. I'll hand you over to Miss Knag.

Miss Knag, please.

Did you inform the footman of your arrival?

He must have forgotten to let you know.

You must see to that man. He forgets everything.

I'll twist his demd nose off his countenance

for leaving such a pretty creature all alone by herself.

Mantalini, you forget yourself.

I don't forget you, my soul. I never shall and never can.

Take...

Take the papers you require from my desk.

And take only those papers we spoke of...

and no more than those.

My heart's jewel.

My soul's idol.

Where's Miss Knag?

Ah, Miss Knag. This is the young person I spoke to you about.

It will be better for Miss Nickleby to stay here with you in the showroom

and try things on for people.

She will not be of much use in any other way and her appearance will...

MISS KNAG: Will suit very well with mine, Madame Mantalini.

You have so much taste in all these matters

that I really don't know how, when, or where

you could have acquired all that you know.

Miss Nickleby and I are quite a pair,

only I am a little darker than Miss Nickleby and...

(Clears throat)

I think my foot may be a little smaller.

My family were always celebrated for small feet.

My uncle, who lived in Cheltenham,

had such small feet that they were no bigger than those

that are usually fitted to wooden legs.

They must have given something of the appearance of club feet, Miss Knag.

Oh, that is so like you. Of club feet! Oh, very good.

As I often remark to the young ladies,

Madame Mantalini's ready humour

is so gentle, so sarcastic, yet so good-natured

that how or when or in what manner she acquired it is a mystery to me indeed.

(Coughs)

Take care that Miss Nickleby understands her hours.

And so I'll leave her with you. You'll not forget my directions, Miss Knag?

Forget? To forget anything Madame directs would be a moral impossibility.

Oh, charming creature, isn't she, Miss Nickleby?

I've seen very little of her. I hardly know yet.

Have you seen Mr Mantalini?

Isn't he a charming creature?

He certainly does not strike me as being so.

No, my dear? Why, goodness gracious mercy, where is your taste?

Oh, such a fine, tall, fully whiskered dashing gentlemanly man,

such teeth and hair...

Well, now, you do astonish me.

Does he not drive very beautiful horses?

I dare say he may, but I never saw them.

You never saw them? Ah, well, there it is at once.

How can you possibly pronounce an opinion on a gentleman...

(Clears throat)

...if you don't see him as he turns out altogether?

This way, Miss Nickleby.

Good morning, Mr Mantalini.

Morning, morning...demmit.

So, what did he say to you?

Don't ask me what he said, dearest Tilda.

If you had only seen his looks and his smiles.

I was never so overcome in all my life.

Did he look in this way?

Very like that, only more genteel.

Then he means something. Depend on it.

(Knocking)

- There he is. Oh, Tilda... - Hush. Say, "Come in."

Come in!

- Miss Squeers. - Mr Nickleby.

We had quite given you up.

Miss Matilda Price, Mr Nickleby.

Mr Nickleby, Mr John Browdie.

- Your servant, sir. - Yours to command, sir.

- Shall we make a beginning? - Aye.

Tilda, you sit there.

Mr Nickleby.

- The old woman's away, then? - And Pa also.

- They've gone after the boy, Smike. JOHN: Ah.

You don't get bread and butter every night.

John.

They don't put much into them as stays here.

Stay here long enough, you'll be nowt but skin and bone!

(Chuckles) - You are facetious, sir.

Aye. T'other teacher, he were a lean one.

A walking beanstalk, he were.

I don't know whether you understand

that your remarks are offensive to Miss Squeers.

Kindly have the goodness...

More bread and butter, Mr Nickleby?

Thank you, Miss Price.

(Clears throat)

Haven't you anything to say to Fanny?

- To Miss Squeers? - Have you not noticed her appearance?

- Miss Squeers' appearance? - Mr Nickleby, for shame.

There she sits dressed so beautiful

and looking so, well, really almost handsome.

- I am ashamed of you. - Miss Squeers looks most agreeable.

There, Fanny. There's a compliment for you.

- Hush, Tilda. I shall die. - Fanny looks much more than agreeable.

And you must take the blame, Mr Nickleby.

I? My dear girl, what has Miss Squeers' appearance to do with me?

You mustn't call me a dear girl or Fanny will be jealous and say it's my fault.

Jealous?

You should have heard how she has spoken of you.

- And how was that, Miss Price? - I forbid you to say another word!

She told me how you look at her.

Howl look?

Tilda, you are neglecting John most dreadfully.

- Forgive me, but... - Yes, Mr Nickleby?

This is an awkward thing to say. The very mention of it must seem impudent.

May I ask if Miss Squeers is under the impression that...well, that...

that I am in love with her?

- Answer for me, dear. - Does she think so?

- Why, of course she does. - I see.

If Mr Nickleby has doubted that, Tilda, he may set his mind at rest.

- His sentiments are... - Miss Squeers, pray, hear me.

Though I scarcely know what to say. There's been some kind of wild mistake.

- Mistake? - I must speak plainly.

I have not one thought, wish or hope connected with Miss Squeers,

unless it be - and I say this not to hurt her feelings,

but to impress on her the real state of my own -

the desire that one day I shall be able to turn my back on this accursed place,

never to set foot in it again!

Forgive me, Miss Squeers. Miss Price, Mr Browdie.

- How dare he! - There's a thing.

- I shall faint! - What rudeness.

- Oh, my poor, dear friend. - I'll tell my father.

And I'll tell my mother against him even more. See if I don't.

Oh, the shame! To be refused by a common teacher found by advertisement.

- At only five pounds a year! - Try not to think about it.

- It's all your fault. - Mine?

You provoked him on purpose. I hate you.

- And that's my thanks! - You false friend.

Howl despise you. Do you hear me? Despise you.

You needn't take the trouble to make yourself plainer than you are,

but you'll cry your eyes out when I'm gone, you know you will.

- I scorn your words, minx! - Minx!

John, do you hear what she calls me?

Aye, and what I see is this.

Damn my bones and body if I stand this screeching another moment!

Put on tha bonnet and come home.

Tell that young whipster to look out for a broken head

the next time he comes under my hand.

Come home, or I'll not be answerable.

Ooh!

Two plus two?

Bemng?

Wackford, please tell us. Two plus two?

Well?

- Has Mrs Squeers returned? - No, sir.

Oh! Then there's still hope.

But if she don't hunt him down, if Smike escapes us,

I'll have consolation out of someone, I give you warning.

It's not in my powers to console you, sir. It's nothing to me.

- Isn't it? Well, we shall see. - We shall.

Here's the pony run off his legs

and me obliged to come home on a hack cob that cost 15 shillings.

Who's to pay for that, do you hear? I'll have it out of someone, I tell you.

None of your whining vapourings here, Mr Puppy.

You get back to your kennel. Come, get out!

I'll see to these scoundrels.

Did you hear what I said? I said get out!

(Horses' hooves)

Now, what was that?

No boy shall leave his place!

Boys, attend to your books.

(Squeers laughs)

(Squeers laughs)

Well, Smike, you thought you'd run off, eh?

- I found him cringing in a ditch. - Oh, I'll make him cringe.

Is every boy here?

Nickleby, to your desk, sir.

Well, Smike, what have you got to say for yourself, eh?

Stand a little further off, Mrs Squeers, my dear.

I've hardly got room enough. Come here!

- Spare me, sir, please! - Oh, yes. Yes, I...l will spare you.

I'll flog you within an inch of your life and I'll spare you that.

- That's a good 'un. - Please, sir. I were driven to it, sir.

Oh, it wasn't your fault, eh? I suppose it was mine.

Nasty, ungrateful, sneaking dog. What does he mean by that?

Stand aside, my dear. We'll find out.

NICKLEBYI Stop!

This must not go on.

- Must not go on? - Shall not.

You've made this boy's life a hell on earth, so don't blame me for this interference.

- You brought it on yourself. - Sit down, beggar.

- Put down that cane. - Get down!

Stop!

(Boys shouting)

Well, we meet again, Mr Nickleby.

Yes. We parted on no very good terms the last time we met.

It was my fault, I believe. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you.

I was sorry for it afterwards. Will you shake hands?

Shake hands?

Aye, that I will.

What be the matter with thee face, man? It be all broken, like.

It's a blow. But I returned it to the giver, with good interest, too.

Did you, though? Well done. I like you for that.

The fact is, I've been ill-treated by that man Squeers.

I've beaten him soundly and in consequence I'm leaving this place.

What? Beaten the school master?

(John laughs)

Beaten the school master?

Whoever heard of a thing like that, now?

Give us thee hand, youngster. Beaten the school master?

Dang it, I love thee for it.

But where be thee going now?

I'm going back to London.

London? Going to London afoot?

Yes, and I should be further on my way by now, so I'll bid you goodbye.

Wait. How much cash has thee gotten?

Not very much, but I can make it on the way. I can work for it.

Here. This'll be enough to carry thee home.

Go on. Don't be afeard, man. You'll pay me back one day, I'll warrant.

Thank you.

Aye, and take this as well.

It'll help thee on thee way.

Keep a good heart, lad, and God be with thee.

(John chuckles)

Beaten the school master.

That be the best thing I've heard this year!

Come on.

(Sobbing and whimpering)

He'll pay for this. Oh, my God, he will.

Oh, Squeery. My Squeery.

We thought you was murdered.

I know how to cook that young gentleman's goose and I will.

He'll rue the day he struck Wackford Squeers.

- That he will. - Aye, that he will.

(Birdsong)

Smike!

What are you doing here?

- I want to go with you. - With me?

Anywhere. To the world's end.

Let me.

Take me with you.

- How did you find me? - I followed you.

All the way from school. I never lost sight of you.

Let me go with you.

I'll be your servant.

You'll have a master nearly as poor and as helpless as yourself.

Very well, then, Smike. Let the world deal with you as it does by me.

Where will we go?

There is a place I know of.

Come. Let's get started.

We've a long journey ahead of us,

and only God knows what is at the end of it.

(Toot of whistle)

Yes, madame?

Of course, madame.

At once.

Miss Nickleby, his lordship is here with his intended.

Will you bring them bonnets that were set to one side?

Yes, Miss Knag.

(Woman giggles)

I think my lord will be delighted by what we have to offer.

We pride ourselves on our nuptial bonnets.

Then we are well-matched, madame,

for I pride myself on having found a fine young woman.

Ooh! My lord!

If ma'am would do me the favour of trying on one or two of our very latest.

- Miss Knag. - At once, madame.

- Ah. - Is it becoming?

A most elegant appearance.

I never saw anything so exquisite in all my life.

I must go and have a look!

And what is my lord's opinion?

I'll take a closer look.

Of course, we have several other bonnets, equally attractive.

- (Whispers) Miss Knag! - If ma'am would care to... Oh.

Oh. So sorry, I'm sure.

What impertinence. I hardly think this bonnet suits. I should like...

Oh. Madame Mantalini, might I be waited upon by this pretty young creature?

Most certainly.

Of all the things in the world, I can't stand to be waited upon

by frights or elderly persons.

Let me always have this young creature whenever I might come.

By all means, the lovely young creature, by all means.

Not merely for my own sake, but my lord is such a great admirer of beauty.

Miss Nickleby is universally admired.

That will be all, Miss Knag. You needn't return.

I beg your pardon? What did you say?

You needn't return, Miss Knag. Now, Miss Nickleby.

That's good.

- Exquisite. - My, how you colour, child.

Miss Nickleby is not quite so accustomed to her business as she will be soon.

I'm afraid you've been giving her some of your wicked looks, my lord.

No, no, no, no. I'm going to get married and lead a new life.

(He coughs)

Just as well. The old life isn't likely to last him much longer.

How he gets into a carriage without thinking of a hearse, I can't think.

(Woman giggles)

For 15 years, for 15 years have I been the credit and ornament of this room.

And the one downstairs.

Have I lived this day to be called a fright?

Do I deserve to be called an elderly person?

Why, Miss Knag, what is the matter?

Matter? Matter?

Fie upon you, you nasty creature!

- Gracious! Have I offended you? - You offended me?

You, a child, a chit, an upstart nobody?

Look at her. The belle, ladies. The beauty.

Oh, you bold-faced thing!

Never before have I been exposed to the ans, the vile ans,

of a creature who disgraces us all with her proceedings

and makes proper people blush.

- But, Miss Knag... - Never let her speak to me again.

Never let anybody who is a friend of mine speak to her again.

A slut, an hussy!

An impudent, artful hussy!

(Horse's hooves)

Calm your fears, lad. They won't come searching for us this far south.

- Smike, do you want a rest? - No. No.

- I'm still fresh. - Well, we haven't got so far to go now.

It's a good house, ma'am, none the worse for want of paint and plaster.

I'm sure that Kate and I are most grateful, brother-in-law.

You have call to be grateful, ma'am.

Why, if I had a mind to do so, I could let this house ten times over.

Instead, I give it freely to my brother's widow and child.

No-one could have been more generous.

Then it is not unreasonable for me to request a small favour in return.

A favour, Mr Nickleby? Why, Kate will be quite speechless with pleasure.

It'll be in the nature of a treat. It is she who is to receive the favour.

Nonetheless, ma'am...

Uncle.

My dear, we were at this moment talking about you.

Oh, indeed?

Upon my word, I could not have believed it possible that such a...

Kate, my dear, you are to dine with your uncle at half past six tomorrow.

There's a nice surprise for you.

Your black silk frock would be quite dress enough,

with that pretty little scarf and a pair of black silk stockings...

Dear, dear. if I had but those unfortunate amethysts of mine.

You recollect them, Kate, my love?

But your papa, your poor dear papa...

Oh, there was never anything as cruelly sacrificed as those jewels were, never.

I don't want them indeed, Mama.

- Forget you ever had them. - Forget? How like a child you talk.

Four and twenty silver teaspoons, two gravies, four salts and the amethysts,

all made away with, and I on my bended knees saying,

"Mr Nickleby, why don't you make some arrangement?"

Ma'am, let us return to the point from which we strayed.

I have a little party of gentlemen, with whom I am connected in business,

who are coming to dine with me tomorrow.

Your mother promised that you shall keep house.

I am not much used to parties, but this is one of business

and such fooleries are important sometimes.

- You don't mind obliging me? - Mind? My dear Kate...

- I spoke to my niece. - I should be very glad, of course.

But you'll find me rather awkward and embarrassed.

Oh, no, no, no. Well, that is settled, then.

Come when you like. Take a hackney coach.

I'll pay for it.

Good night, and...

(Clears throat)

...God bless you.

What a strongly marked countenance your uncle has.

I don't see the slightest resemblance to his poor brother.

Mama. To think of such a thing!

No, there certainly is not.

But it's a very honest face.

(Knocking)

(Knocking continues)

- Who's there? - It's Nicholas Nickleby, Mr Noggs.

Forgive me. There was no other place we could go.

- You once told me... - Come in, come in.

You told me if I ever found myself in need of shelter, I could come here.

True.

I feel I have never needed a friend as much as I do now.

- I know. - You know?

Forgive me. This is my friend Smike. This is Mr Noggs.

Mr Smike comes from Dotheboys Hall, I think, hm?

- You seem very well-informed, Mr Noggs. - Sit down, Mr Smike.

Is there any news of my mother and sister?

- Well. Both well. - And they're living in the city still?

They are.

Is my sister still engaged in the business

she wrote to tell me that she should like so much?

- She is. - My first thoughts were to see them.

But then I thought it might not be wise.

I should know first what my uncle's heard from Yorkshire.

Well, what has he heard'? Nothing good, I'm sure, but I am prepared for that.

Tell me.

- Tomorrow. Hear it tomorrow. - What purpose would that serve?

- You would sleep the better. - I would sleep the worse.

My dear young man, you must not give way...

This son of thing will never do, you know.

As to getting on in the world, if you take everybody's pan who's ill-treated...

Damn it, proud to hear of it. Would have done the same thing myself.

Then my uncle has heard.

This evening a letter came to your uncle's office. He'd already gone.

He dines, I'm told, with some gentlemen with whom he does business.

But the letter...

He will see it tomorrow.

I took a hasty copy before leaving the office.

- Let me see it. - Very well.

But only after you and your friend have taken food.

There will be time enough then. Bread and cheese.

(Men chat and laugh)

Come, my dear.

Uncle, are there no other ladies present?

No, I don't know any. Come. Dinner will be announced directly.

(Clears throat)

Gentlemen. Lord Frederick Verisopht, my niece, Miss Nickleby.

- What the devil? - My niece, my lord.

Oh. Then my ears did not deceive me.

And it's not a waxwork. How do you do?

I'm very happy-

- Introduce me, Nickleby. - Sir Mulberry Hawk.

Otherwise the most knowing card in the pack, Miss Nickleby.

Devilish pretty.

- Don't leave me out, Nickleby. - Mr Pyke.

- Nor me, Nickleby. - Mr Pluck.

The honourable Mr Snobb. Colonel Chowser.

- An unexpected pleasure, Nickleby. - Designed to surprise you.

Oh. Not a bad idea.

And one that would almost warrant the addition of an extra two and a half per cent.

Take the hint. Tack it on to the other five and twenty per cent,

and give me half for the advice.

- Dinner is served, sir. - Ah. Shall we go in?

- Miss Nickleby, allow me. - Damn it, Verisopht. Fair play.

Miss Nickleby and I settled the matter with our eyes hardly a minute ago.

- Good, very good. - I say, Hawk, look here...

Will you sit there, my dear?

Be seated, gentlemen.

Gentlemen.

- You're in our neighbourhood? - Of course. How can you ask me?

You attend to your dinner and don't mind Miss Nickleby and me.

We shall prove very indifferent company.

- I wish you'd interfere here, Nickleby. - Serve the wine.

- What's the matter, my lord? - Hawk is monopolising your niece.

He has a tolerable share of everything you lay claim to, my lord.

Gad, so he has. Devil take me if I know which is master in my house, he or I.

I know.

I think I shall cut him off with a shilling.

No. When you come to the shilling, the last shilling, I'll cut you fast enough.

Till then, I'll never leave you, you can take your oath of it.

(Laughter)

Well, if this is to be a discounting dinner, all I can say is,

devil take me if it wouldn't be a good plan to have discount every day.

You'll have plenty in your time. Nickleby'll tell you that.

What do you say, Nickleby? Am I to be a good customer?

It depends entirely on circumstances, my lord.

On his lordship's circumstances, you mean.

(Laughter)

But we forget ourselves. Here's Miss Nickleby,

wondering why the deuce somebody doesn't make love to her.

- No, indeed. - I'll hold any man...fifly pounds

that she can't look at me in the face and say she wasn't thinking so.

Done, and within two minutes.

- Done. - Snobb.

Pray, do not make me the subject of any bets. Uncle, I cannot...

Why not, my dear? It's done in a moment. And if the gentlemen insist on it...

I don't insist on it. That is, I by no means insist

upon Miss Nickleby making the denial, for if she does, I lose.

But I shall be glad to see her bright eyes,

especially as she favours the mahogany so much.

And so she does. And it's too bad of you, Miss Nickleby.

PYKE: Quite cruel. PLUCK: Horrid cruel.

(Laughter)

I don't care if I do lose, for one look at Miss Nickleby's eyes

is worth...double the money.

- More. - Far more.

(Laughter)

- How goes the enemy, Snobb? - More than a minute gone.

Won't you make one effort for me, Miss Nickleby?

You needn't trouble yourself to inquire, my buck.

Miss Nickleby and I understand each other.

She declares on my side and shows her taste.

You don't stand a chance, old fellow.

Only look him in the face, Miss Nickleby.

- Time, Snobb? - It lacks but 15 seconds.

Get your money ready. You'll soon hand it over.

(Laughter)

I... l...

Capital! Fifty pounds, my lord.

Kate?

You know, she's a girl of spirit. We could do worse than drink her health.

- Miss Nickleby. - Miss Nickleby.

Mr Noggs, I am grateful for the food and shelter.

We're both grateful.

I should be even more in your debt if I might see the letter that you spoke of.

It's from Miss Fanny Squeers, addressed to your uncle.

Miss Squeers states that you assaulted her father.

- So I did. - In my defence, sir.

May I see it, please?

"My pa requests me to write to you.

The doctors consider it doubtful he will ever recover the use of his legs,

which prevents his holding a pen.

He is one mask of bruises so bad

we were compelled to bring him to the kitchen where he now lays.

Your nephew that you recommended for a teacher has done this to my pa

and jumped upon his body.

He then dashed my mother to the earth with dreadful violence.

Me and my brother were also victims of his fury

since which we have suffered very much...

The monster, having satiated his thirst for blood, ran away,

taking with him a boy of desperate character...

...and a garnet ring belonging to my ma."

- But this is a lie. - You didn't take the ring?

- Of course I didn't. - Is that all the letter says?

No. There's another paragraph.

"If your nephew gives up the ring to you,

you are to let him go, my pa says, because he will only be transported.

But if he is let go, he is sure to be hung before long,

which will save us trouble and be much more satisfactory."

My uncle can't believe this story.

Unless it might suit his purpose or gratify his hatred of me

to pretend to believe it.

- He's not seen this letter? - He will tomorrow.

I must seek out my mother and sister now.

- Patience. - Well, I must.

If my uncle should see them and tell them these lies...

Make no effort to see them unless it be in his presence.

I know the man. Do not seem to have been tampering with anybody.

He could turn that against you and me.

Tomorrow, when he has read the letter, I will let you know what he intends.

If he means to call on your mother and your sister,

that will be the time for you to be present.

Be patient.

Trust me.

What a delightful studiousness.

Is it real, now, or just to display the eyelashes?

Why did I speak and destroy such a pretty picture?

- Do me the favour to leave, sir. - Upon my life, no.

I'm such a devoted slave of yours, Miss Nickleby, it's a...

it's a shame to treat me so harshly.

I want you to understand, sir, that your behaviour offends me.

If you have any gentlemanly feelings, you will return to your friends.

Why do you keep up this pretence, my sweet creature?

Be more...natural.

My dear, Miss Nickleby, be more natural, do.

- Let me go, sir, do you hear? - Stay. I want to talk with you.

Let me go, I said, this instant!

Let you go? Not for the world!

- Oh, no! Let me go! Please, let me go! NICKLEBY: What is this?

It is this, sir, that here,

where I should most have found protection, I have been exposed to insult.

- Let me leave. - Be calm now. Come.

You shall go home directly. Wait here.

(She sobs)

- Your way lies there, sir. - What do you mean by that'?

You are no longer my guest.

Don't you know me, you old madman?

Hm. Well.

Ah.

I begin to see. You wanted Lord Frederick.

Yes. And damn me, I was in the way.

Who was it who brought him to you first, eh?

And how, without me, could you have wound him into your net, as you have?

The net is a large one and rather full.

Take care that it chokes nobody in its meshes.

Your own niece? You'd sell your flesh and blood for money?

Or do you mean your pretty niece was not brought here

as a decoy for that drunken fool inside?

I will tell you nothing, except that you are no longer welcome in my house.

Do you deny it?

If Lord Frederick had found his way in here instead of me,

you wouldn't have been a little more deaf and blind

and a little less pious than you've been?

- Answer me. - I will tell you this.

- If I brought her here for business... - That's the word.

...because she'd make an impression on that silly youth you are trying to ruin,

if I brought her here for that reason, I knew he would respect her feelings,

unless he offended merely by puppyism and emptiness.

I did not think of subjecting her to the brutality of so old a hand as you!

I think we now understand each other.

What you mean is you didn't subject her to my brutality

'cause you knew there was nothing to be got by it.

Exactly that.

Hush, my dear. Don't mind it now. Don't think of it.

Uncle, for pity's sake,

let me leave this place and go home.

Yes, you shall, but you must compose yourself and dry your eyes first.

I do not know what wrong I have done you that I should be brought here to be insulted.

I didn't know that it would be so. It was impossible for me to foresee it.

I did what I could.

Come, now. Let us walk about.

You are faint from the closeness of the room and the heat of the fire.

You will be better if you make the slightest effort.

All I want is to go home.

Yes, you shall, but you must get your own looks back and...

nobody must know about this, Kate, but you and I.

Do you understand, Kate? Nobody.

- Yes. - Yes.

Already you are beginning to look better.

I will have a hackney coach sent for.

Uncle...l pray that I shall never have to set eyes on that man again.

Set eyes on him? Why should you see him again?

No, Kate, you shall not. I promise you. You have my word.

(Footsteps)

- Smike, where on earth have you been? - I...

Do you not know how dangerous it is to be seen out of doors?

- I'd thought to run away. - Where to?

- I... - Smike, what is it?

I know you're unhappy.

I know you got into great trouble, bringing me away from school.

- I ought to have stayed behind. - Stayed? In that place? Oh, Smike.

I think all the time of how I'm a burden to you.

Today I thought I would run away.

But the streets, the people, they frighten me.

I'm too much a coward. I'm always a coward.

Ever since that day I...

- What day? - I was a child.

I was taken to the school.

Do you remember being taken to Dotheboys?

I...

We won't talk about it now.

We'll forget about the past and think only of the future.

Yours and mine are bound together. We are not to be separated, you understand?

- Yes. - You will not attempt to run away?

- No. - Do I have your word on it?

Good. Now, I have some good news for you.

Mr Noggs has found me a position. I'm to be a teacher.

Not in a school this time, my friend.

I am to teach French to the children of Mr and Mrs Kenwigs,

who live in the apartments below these.

Four of them. One shilling each per week.

An extra shilling for the baby, until it is of an age to take it out in grammar.

- Isn't that good news? - Yes.

You know, I believe our luck is changing.

Young fool!

I recommended him and he pays me back by brawling and thieving.

He must be taught a lesson, must Master Nicholas.