Original subtitles

St. Paul's Cathedral, London.

That's right.

Happily still standing after so much that has taken place in recent years.

And to many of us, it's a symbol of something that will surely survive any

trials that may yet be in store.

This may be the reason why a number of people banded themselves together to

this picture possible.

In the order of their appearance, these are the players who took part.

Many others offered their services but could not eventually appear through no

fault of their own.

The main point was the eagerness of everyone to take part in a job of real

teamwork.

Of course, it takes more than actors to make a picture, and we were fortunate in

being able to make use of many offers of assistance, among them these writers.

Also, these directors and producers contributed their time and skill.

We have called the picture Forever

and a Day was finally made possible only through the cordial cooperation of all

the Hollywood studios and the technical branches of the industry.

May we hope that this truly cooperative effort may symbolize the common effort

of ourselves and our allies to make secure the ideals for which this picture

stands. We are going to this air

raid shelter every night. It is a nuisance.

Well, I don't know. Before it all started, I hadn't been out with my

years. Hello, dearie.

I guess you've been eating this again.

Thanks, Mr. Pomfret. Sorry you're leaving it, sir.

Well, so am I, in a way. Well, so long. Good luck. Oh, Mr. Pomfret.

I wanted to wish you a pleasant crossing, but you're leaving rather

aren't you? I could be at the airport if my plane comes in. You've got to be on

hand to catch me. The early bird and all that kind of thing.

I suppose you're looking forward to getting back to New York. Why not?

From now on, I can be found anywhere on 52nd Street between 5th and 6th, any

night after 11.

You meet seven days a week, sugar and a coffee.

All that and Broadway, too.

Yes, it sounds very nice, sir. Yeah, doesn't it?

Frankly, I never did go much with this shark and shell stuff.

If I'm going to collect shrapnel, I'll do it on my own country's time.

Well, goodbye. Goodbye, sir. Oh, Mr. Pomfrey. A cable for you, sir.

Bad news, I hope, sir.

Oh, not exactly.

Where's, uh, where's Pomfret Street?

Pomfret Street?

Oh, that's on the other side of the park, about four miles.

Thanks. Well, so long again. Goodbye, love.

Uh, give me a sugar, will you?

I mean a pen.

Oh, here. Yes.

We hate to see you go, sir.

Thank you, Farron.

Be in the near future, I hope. I hope so, sir.

I'm up with these jerries coming over every night, sir. It's a case of maybe

will or maybe you won't, sir. You know what I mean. Take it easy, Sparman.

It's a hundred to one you'll be cursing our cabbies long after this is over.

Hey, cabbie. On the theory that them as is born to be hanged very seldom gets

taken off by a bomb. Aye, sir?

See?

Excuse me, sir. Yes, Sparman? But if it isn't asking you too much, sir.

When you're writing your story for the newspaper over in America...

Could you sort of mention me like, sir?

I'll see what I can do about it, sir. Thank you, sir. And if it isn't asking

too much, sir, the first name is Archibald. And if it isn't asking too

sir, where to?

We have to go to Pomper Street first. Number 6 and step on it.

Did you hear what he said?

Number 6, Pomper Street.

A blinking elocutionist. Is that what you got your medals for?

One of these days I'll kick you.

Yes, thanks. I hope so, too.

Well... As I was saying, way back in 17, me and Porky was on our way back from

the game when Porky says to me, Hello?

The jury's a bit late tonight, ain't they?

On the contrary, I think they're a little early. You know, you can't trust

Germans. No.

Well, as a matter of fact, what did he say?

What did who say?

Your friend, Mr.

Porky. Who's Porky?

Oh, no.

Here they come.

They're over the east end. They won't be coming this way.

How do you know?

You don't know about Kelly, son?

Oh, do hurry, honey. They've started the concert already.

Thank you, darling. Here we

are, sir. Number six, Pomfret Street.

Can I take cover, sir? Yes, thank you.

Take the bags and duck into the shelter. I've got a call to make.

Thank you, my friends. And particularly you, Mr. Higgins. You sang that song

with much more feeling than I ever heard you sing in church.

Now, the next on the program will be...

The next on the program will be... Charlie.

And now I know you're all in the mood and we'll all join together in singing

that lovely little ballad entitled I'd Love to Live in Loveland with a Girl

You.

Just a minute. I, uh... I wanted to say... Thoughtful gesture serving tea

an air raid. An idea of yours or Miss Trimble's?

Oh, mine and Miss Trimble's. Well, then that would make her about as nice as

you, wouldn't it?

Would it?

What I mean to say is, uh... Shall we find some quiet corner and talk about

for a while?

You sit in the corner. I have to go upstairs.

Oh, then I'll run along with you.

No, you won't. But I've got business with Miss Trimble.

Miss Trimble doesn't see agents at night.

If you have something to sell, drop her out in the morning.

But... But I started to say...

You wouldn't get a little crack on the noggin to stop you,

would you, Governor?

Eustace Trimble built this house and wishes well to all who shelter here.

First old Trimble thinks up a nice sentiment, then he cracks you over the

with it.

Want me to come with you, Governor? You wait here. Yes.

And now, my friends, we all have a heavy day ahead of us tomorrow.

Sleep's essential.

Shall we?

Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord.

And by thy great mercy, defend us from all petals and dangers of this night.

For the love of thy only Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Yes? I'd like to see Miss Leslie Trimble.

I'm Miss Trimble. What is it? Well, it's about the house. This house.

You wrote you'd like to buy it.

Oh, yes.

Won't you come in? Thank you.

Just a moment. I have a candle here.

Oh. Oh, you're not Mr. Augustus Pomfret.

No, I'm... Wait a minute. You seem alarmed at the thought that I might be.

got something against the old boy? No, except... Imagine.

I've got a cigarette lighter.

Thank you.

I'm sorry you can't go for old Pumper, but I understand young Gates. His son is

quite a lad, a great personality, and something of a blade. I can imagine. A

dull one.

Oh, it's you.

Well, hello.

So you're Miss Trimble.

You know, in the shell of the apron.

Well, naturally, I thought.

Not that it makes any difference. With or without it, you're... Miss Trimble.

You're an American, aren't you?

What's your name?

Born Gates Trimble Pumper.

But we don't go much with the double -barreled names back home, so it's Gates

Pumper. I see.

You know, we must be related some way down the line.

Sort of brings us closer together, doesn't it?

Does it?

Do you intend to light the candle?

The candle?

Of course, I know you've reasoned not to like us.

In fact, you wanted to buy the house so long and we wouldn't sell. What made you

change your mind?

It's a good time to sell a house, don't you think? When any minute is likely to

be bombed out of existence.

And if I bought it, I'd be something of what you Americans call a sap, wouldn't

I?

Because you don't look the part.

I'm wondering why you want to buy.

I hardly think you'd understand.

Shall we go into the drawing?

Sure.

Weird old heap had something in common with a pile of bones, hasn't it? Is it

haunted? Every old house's character has its ghosts.

That so?

Where do you keep them?

The ghosts.

Oh, ghosts.

I thought you said goats.

Oh, well, just a gag.

Americans haven't much feeling for old houses, have they? Oh, we like them.

Up to ten years.

Oh, thank you.

After that, of course, being a generous people, we turn them over to the

termites.

Yes.

Now that you've agreed to sell, what do you want for the property?

Well, uh... I wouldn't want to quote a figure that might embarrass you.

Would 2 .10 be too much?

You may find it something to joke about, Mr. Pomfret, but amazing as it may seem

to you, I do want to buy.

Would you consider selling for 2 ,000 pounds?

2 ,000?

Is there oil on the land?

There's nothing on the property except an old house and a few memories.

Oh, yes, the memories. I forgot about them.

Well, let's see now.

Good memory in first -class shape is worth a little something. The worn -out

ones you can pick up at cause.

Well, speaking of memories... So that's the masterpiece.

That happens to be a portrait of Admiral Trimble, who built this house.

What do you take for it?

Would 2 .10 be too much?

Would you take this?

I should.

Now, if you don't mind, I prefer to transact any further business through my

solicitor. The door in the hallway leads down into the shelter. Good night, Mr.

Pumperin.

Yeah, but about the house.

The portrait.

Miss Trimble.

I want to take back all I said and apologize.

Please don't. I want to. I barge in here like a halfwit trying to be funny

without any thought of what I might be doing to your feelings, and I'm sorry.

You didn't know.

Besides, there's no reason why you should feel as I do about things.

It's merely that I'm rather fond of this house and everything in it.

Born here, weren't you?

My mother and I restored it to what it was originally, nearly as we could.

It was a boarding house when we leased it from your family.

Point against us, huh?

Well, it could have been kept in repair and left to some decent family. But for

what good reason?

It's just a house, and a very old one at that.

Besides, look at the neighborhood.

A glue factory, gas works.

I'm not referring to the surroundings, but to the people who lived here.

The people who lived? You mean the Trimbles and Pomfords?

What did they ever do that was so wonderful?

Nothing much.

Few contributed to the history of Britain.

Others were dull and uninteresting, of course.

But somehow, they were all people I'd like to have known.

I predict carries 36 guns.

A Dutchman with a 74.

I knew he was a Dutchman by the bluff of his bow.

Go on then, boys. Go on. Whoop, whoop.

Now there.

There's the land, Admiral.

Find his site this side of London.

Oh, take a good look at it, Admiral.

You can almost feel the spring of the turf under your feet.

I'm not buying spring. Five fertile acres, Admiral.

Five miles from the city so you would never be built over.

How much do you want for it? Twenty pound an acre, sir.

Hundred pounds a lot.

It's a gift, a sacrifice.

Half the price. Many of the property around here.

Half the price.

What's wrong with it?

Nothing, sir.

Nothing at all.

Why, what's this?

Oh, that's it.

The highwayman.

By thunder!

I haven't seen a swinging corpse since my West Indian days. You don't mind it,

sir? I don't mind it. Why, the Admiral used to have one hanging from the

every day. And a brace on Monday. Oh, fit, fit, fit. Well, every other Monday.

Mr. Stubbs, I'll buy you land.

And the highwayman, too.

What's that?

That, sir, now that's a bit of history.

Ah, a bit of real history.

That ditch and that mound used to be a fortification. A fortification? Yes,

Hundreds of years ago, in the year 40 to be exact.

A man named Caractacus built a fort there to defend himself against the

invasion. Did he, Picard?

And he picked a fine spot, too.

Hey, Fitz.

Strategic.

Look at the field of fire he got for his catapults. And that's the way the

invaders came. Over the downs and up the valley.

And that's the way they'll come this time if our parliament doesn't stir

You think there's any danger of invasion, Admiral? Danger? That little

Corsican Bonaparte's been walking up and down there for three years, eyeing the

cliffs of Dover.

He even got plans for a balloon.

Thinks he can fly over.

Does the government know about that, sir? Government?

Ah, filing clocks and fuss budgets.

I'm not relying on them.

I'll build my house in the middle of that fort, and I'll defend it myself.

And let them come with their balloons and their barges.

And instead of a pinch -backed highwayman, I'll have a general flying

masthead. Aye, aye, sir.

I built this house not for myself, but for you and for the others that are

coming afterwards.

Here, come here. See that cherry tree?

That's a nice place for the young lovers to sit, eh?

It's public, don't you think? Oh, no. Much more comfortable here.

Ah, but lovers must have a place to sit outside as well as in.

Hello. When did you sit for that?

Sit with Bro.

I stood for three weeks.

Must have been very dry work.

Good idea, young fella. Go down below decks.

Well, there's more to a house with bricks and mortar. Something that no

can put into it. Something he can't take out.

It isn't here, it isn't there. You just can't put your fingers on it.

Hello? What's this?

That's a fine signal to fly from your ship, father.

Aye, aye.

It might be snug and secure, too.

Well, a good seller's part of the foundations.

Look here, Billy.

I took this myself from a French privateer. Friendly?

Good stuff, too.

Lost the family for years.

Used on occasions.

And this is one, eh, Billy?

Well, here's to our Navy, Admiral.

Trust me, Billy, I don't know what's got into our Navy.

Well, they put men like me and Nelson on half pay.

Well, Nelson's been recalled. He's at sea now.

God help the French if he ever catches up with them. Well, what about me?

Did the Admiralty forget the Lord Rodney ordered my ship, the Zebra,

rechristened the Undaunted in honor of her commander?

Eustace!

Oh, come in, my dear. Just another quick one, Billy.

Eustace!

Coming, my dear.

Oh, hit me.

Grab that low arch. I've been meaning to get it altered.

There's a storm coming up.

Fine house, Ethel.

Fine house.

I'll be a downside shaper if you protect the right flank.

Now, if you'd allow me to dig a trench through your graveyard... No, no, no,

I couldn't do that. Well, why not, Brad?

Well, for spiritual reasons. Well, will your spiritual reasons get you when the

invaders are sitting on your tombstones eating frogs, eh? Don't forget, Father,

there is the British Navy protecting your right flank, so why not take it

now the house is completed?

Completed? The house hasn't begun yet.

When they've been waiting...

And children playing on the stairs.

Just a moment, Father. Whose wedding and children are you speaking about? Oh,

you know very well what I mean.

Yes, I know very well what you mean. You probably have my wife already picked

out. Someone substantial to go with the house.

Poplowick, this house is built to last.

She'll ride out many a gale like this one.

And before she comes into her own, she'll see lots of people.

Good and bad.

Aye, and strange happenings too, no doubt.

When a house begins to live... What's that?

What's what?

Don't obstruct the keel.

Who can she be? Time enough to worry about that and we'll get her out of

wet things and into bed.

Bill, take her upstairs.

Yes.

I'm useless.

Bring the warming pan immediately.

Aye, aye.

What do you make of it, Admiral? A devil of a lot.

Saving your present vicar. A storm that'll blow out all your sticks. A

girl left unconscious in my doorstep.

You stay with her, Bill, while I get some dry clothes and a hot drink.

Who's there?

William Barstow, Squire of Fenton. Are you the householder?

No, I'm William Trimble, his son.

We're looking for a Miss Trenchard.

She was observed from the inn running in here.

That's quite right.

Now, if we might trouble you to bring us the young lady, we'll take her back.

Back to Mr. Ambrose Pomford, her guardian.

Doubtless she's given you some cock -and -bull sorry about being mistreated, but

I think I'm the best judge of what's good for her. I happen to be the man

she's going to marry.

It's worse than I thought.

Now, look here, sir. Are you going to hand over Miss Trenchard?

No, Mr.

Barstow, I'm not.

Look here, sir.

We're within our rights.

Habeas corpus. Deliver the body you know.

Good night, gentlemen.

I thought I'd shoot.

Ulysses!

They're here.

Mr. Hudson himself will settle this in the morning. I can hardly wait.

One shot, mother. We're ahead.

Hey, hey, be careful with that other one.

Leave Bonaparte to me.

It's all right, father. It's all right. It's just a local skirmish. Oh.

I didn't know it would go off.

But I must have been pointing rather low.

I wish it had been Bonaparte's backside.

And that, and then that, and the last I finished

with the... I suppose all this time Master Bill was just looking on

his thumbs, eh?

Oh.

I'm a... Isn't it all romantic?

Just like a fairy tale.

Yes, she looks a nice little thing in a way. And I really pity her having to go

back to that old bastard.

Guardian or not, he can't force you to marry a man like that.

These are modern times, 1804.

I know, Mr. Trimble, but perhaps I am too modern.

After all, a woman rebelling against man's authority is a dangerous

Dear, what am I to do now? Well, I would suggest that you remain here with us.

Mr. Pomfret.

Well, now, don't you worry.

I've been looking forward to this.

You will be careful.

Hmm? Careful?

Oh, yes, I shall be most careful.

Mr.

Trimble, I believe I owe you an apology for my ward's somewhat traumatic

behavior.

I think you owe the apology to Miss Trenchard.

And I must congratulate your mother on her marksmanship.

Mr. Barstow won't be able to sit his horse for quite some time.

Yes, you're all very good shots here, Mr. Pomfret.

Come, my dear. We are both grateful to Mr. Trimble for his hospitality, but we

must go now.

Miss Trenchard is staying here.

As a lawyer, let me call your attention to Mr. Pomfret's rights in this matter.

He has complete control over Miss Trenchard until he relinquishes that

guardianship on the day of her marriage. I'm sure Miss Trenchard is quite well

aware of that, too.

That is why I'm staying here.

Mr. Trimble and I are going to be married immediately.

Is this true, Mr. Trimble, that you are marrying Miriam?

Are you in the habit of doubting Miriam's word?

My apologies, Mr. Trimble.

And may I offer my congratulations?

You have an attractive house here.

Come trip. Good day, sir. Good day.

And as you do not appear to know it, sir, your fiancée's Christian name is

Susan, not Miriam.

Irritating family.

Yes. Not the first time they've annoyed me. He knows.

Pity.

Someday they'll have to learn that I can be irritating, too.

He'll be back. You don't know him.

He did not believe that story of our marriage.

Then we shall have to invite him to the wedding.

Wedding?

Why, yes. You proposed to me, you know.

I... I proposed... Yes, not five minutes ago. On those steps over there, you

said... Oh, that was just to get rid of Mr. Pomfret. Oh, was it?

Now, don't get rid of me, Mom. You've compromised me.

I've compromised you?

You most certainly have.

You've announced our marriage before practically the entire county.

I insist that you make an honest man of me.

Sitting in this garden war scene seems so far away.

Our gardens are worth fighting for.

I do wish Eustace would think of his throat.

I know he'll have one of my stockings around him tonight.

Eustace!

Eustace! All right, my dear, I'll keep it low, I'll keep it low.

I do wish we women weren't such cowards.

Cowards? We're as brave as men.

Braver? We don't need drums and uniforms to do our duties, thank goodness.

Well, I'd rather have a baby than go into battle.

You haven't had the baby yet.

Is she still about?

Yes, poor dear.

But any minute now.

Well, I'm glad Master Bill's out of the way chasing them Frenchies. He does keep

his mind off it.

Yes, but I wouldn't say the Admiral was exactly laughing his head off.

Vicar, why do women have to have babies?

Why can't they lay eggs like penguins?

I'm afraid it's an ancient order, Admiral.

You don't have babies, do you?

Hello.

They're kicking up an infernal din with your bells, Vicar.

What the devil?

What's going on?

What's wrong, Fitch? Listen to the bells, bonfires, people shouting.

What do you mean? It's a victory, a great victory at Trafalgar. How's that?

are you saying? They say that Lord Nelson has destroyed Bonaparte's entire

fleet. Hooray! That's wonderful, wonderful.

Picture the great fella. Fitch, do you know what this means?

It means we're free from invasion forever.

Ah, but they say Lord Nelson... They put him on the half -baked list. Hey, this

is a great occasion, Fitch.

Pop off to the cellar and draw me some of that special brandy. Get some for

yourself. Don't cut me now. Go and get the brandy.

Aye, aye, sir.

Lucy, where's Lucy?

Lucy!

Lucy!

I see no occasion to better like an elephant when Susan's lying there. Be

woman. Do you know what's happened?

Nelson's done it again. He's destroyed the French fleet.

England is safe.

Three cheers for Nelson. God save the king. Hooray!

Is it?

Eustace. A grandson?

Yes, Eustace. And he's saying in his own way, God save the king.

My grandson.

Where is he? Let me see him. In a few minutes, Eustace.

Bill's boy.

Born on the day of one of England's great victories, eh?

It would even have been a greater victory, my dear, if you'd been there.

Ah, bless you.

What did I tell you, Doctor?

There's nothing wrong with that, maybe, eh?

It's a great day for my grandson to be born, Doctor.

It's a great day, Eustace.

Bill's son.

Another Trimble.

And he's going to live in a free country.

Admiral Trimble?

What is it that young fellow said? That young poet they're all talking about.

Wordsworth.

We must be free or die.

Who speak the tongue that Shakespeare speak.

And we are free.

And Bill has helped to make us free. Ah, bless him.

What is it, Eustace?

Bill?

Eustace, you can come up now.

Thank you.

Don't be sad, Mother.

I'm not sad, darling. It's just that this has been our home for so long. Ever

since before I was born.

And that's a terribly long time ago.

Yes, darling, a terribly long time ago.

Well, now that only you and I left is much too big for us, isn't it?

My dear Susan, I should have known you at once.

Almost as beautiful as ever.

Why have you come here?

That is a very curious question, Susan.

I've come to live here.

It was I who bought this house.

Oh, naturally, I didn't choose my own name.

You were never, shall we say, very fond of me.

And I thought you might make difficulties.

Besides, I thought it might be more amusing to buy out your creditors

you detecting my fine Italian hand.

Oh, it was you, Solas. I should have known.

You and the Trimbles once did me a disservice.

Now I think the account is clear.

Goodbye, Susan.

Goodbye, Master Trimble.

Do you think you will be happy in this house?

I am certain of it.

You think you will be happy in a house that loved the people who built it?

In a house that will hate your presence every moment you are in it?

A house doesn't love or hate. A house is bricks and mortar.

No, a house is more than bricks and mortar. It is all the people who have

in it.

It is their lives, their joys and their sorrows.

It is love, friendship, decency, all the things you have never known.

That's why this house doesn't want you.

Spoken like a trimble, my dear.

Oh, Gus, was he? I mean, he wasn't one of those you would have liked to have

known, was he?

Hardly. Yet I bet he lived to a ripe old age and died lamented by all.

No, Susan Trimble was right.

He never spent a happy moment in this house.

He always had the feeling that it was never his, but still the admiral.

What's the matter with you?

Is something wrong?

No, sir.

What are you doing here?

I was only noticing that you had rearranged the furniture.

My furniture, isn't it?

Yes, sir.

And it's my house, isn't it?

Yes, sir.

Cherry tree in the garden.

Yes, sir.

Cut it down.

I beg your pardon, sir.

Cut it down.

Take it away.

I don't want to see it.

Yes, sir.

see it.

Or you.

Or anything to do with you.

Stop staring at me.

Stop staring at me.

Stop staring at me, do you hear?

It's no good, Pumfret.

This is not your house.

And nothing you can do will make it yours.

It is the Trimble's house.

And it will always be the Trimble's house.

Irving's found him the next morning.

Quite dead.

Quite dead.

Oh, no, no, wait a minute. You're not trying to tell me that the old

Well, that's as good an explanation as any, I guess.

No one knows, of course, but I prefer to imagine it happened like that.

I see.

Yeah, but look, all the Pomfretts could have been bad. There must have been a

decent one somewhere along the line because, well, a Trimble must have

Pomfret for there to have been a Trimble Pomfret.

Right?

Yes.

I think we'd better go down to the shelter.

One never knows.

But what about that good Pomfret?

Are you interested in butterflies?

Butterflies? Who, me?

I was only wondering if it might have been hereditary.

There was an ancestor of yours, a Dexter Pomfret, who was rather partial to

them. He was also interested in those dedicated agents. In the case of

versus Snodwhistle, it wasn't so.

But in the case of Pumperduke versus Gooch, it was so.

Then again, in the case of schlops versus still water, it wasn't so.

You mean, no?

No.

Nevertheless, Mr. Simpson, I've travelled 5 ,000 miles to get that

the old Admiral, and I don't intend to return to India without it. I think that

President O 'Neill will have something to say about that.

His name is Dexter Pumfett. Well, what of it? What of it?

My dear Miss Trimble, he's the son of the Pumfret with whom your gallant

grandfather had a blazing row back in 1804.

Oh, good heavens. Surely he can't have a grudge against me because of a stuffy

family squabble nearly half a century ago.

That shows you how little you know of the Pumfret family.

Say, Attica.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

That portrait has been in possession of the Pumfrets a great many years now.

Corbladder. Oh, I'm so sorry.

And possession is nine points of the law, you know.

That's exactly what I was thinking.

Good day, Mr. Simpson.

Good day.

What sort of a man is Dexter Pomfret?

Oh, quite young.

Owns an ironworks.

The Pomfret reciprocating engine's quite famous. Also collects butterflies and

birds, I believe.

Birds? Butterflies?

Reciprocating engines and quite young?

Well, thank you, Mr. Simpson.

Please thank Mr. Weatherby.

And Mr. O'Donnell, too.

They're dead.

Yes, sir?

Pardon? Is Mr. Dexter Pomfret at home?

Maybe he is and maybe he isn't. What name shall I say?

Tell him it's a young lady.

What is the nature of your business?

Butterflies.

Indeed.

Reciprocating butterflies.

I will inform Mr. Pomfret of your arrival.

Bellamy, I have lost my Serra Silas Monteiro, the one with the charming

waistline. I left it among my Papilio Xenocles.

Pardon me, sir, I took the liberty of putting it among your Papilio

Aristogaiton, with which it is entomologically more akin, sir. Ah,

little fellow.

Exquisite cuddling.

Ah, look, wonderful waistline.

Well, what do you want? What are you waiting for?

Sir, there is a young lady downstairs to see you, sir. A young lady?

I don't know any young ladies.

She said she wanted to see you about reciprocating butterflies.

Ah, you've been drinking again.

Oh, shh. A likely tale indeed. A young lady coming to my house on a night like

this. Now get out, Bellamy. You're preposterous.

Yes, sir.

She got the portrait, but it never left the house.

Dexter Pomfret had a certain charm.

She married him.

I cannot agree, Dexter.

I really cannot agree.

Mildred, I hear on the very best authority that in private matters, our

and gracious queen bends to the authority of her husband, setting a

example to the young matrons of today.

But surely, Dexter, carrying water upstairs for a bath is so old

No.

You idiot, careful with that trunk. It's not made of iron.

Maybe it should be, dear.

Now, that's an idea.

Iron trunks. Don't be silly.

Isn't that what you're going away for?

To look for new business?

You know, you can't get new business without new ideas.

My dear, allow me to know my own business affairs best.

Then allow me to know my own household affairs best.

And I like the idea of having a bath with taps for the water to come out.

Hot or cold, whichever you want.

You know, they say you can actually lie down in them.

Disgusting.

Besides, you can have a bath as often as you like.

My dear, are you suggesting that I don't know when I need a bath? Of course not,

dear. You almost know.

Then let's hear no more about it.

And let me tell you furthermore that ancient Rome lost its greatness when its

citizens were enervated by excessive warm bathing.

Oh, darling, you keep still. Sorry, dear.

My dear, since this is our first separation, let me assure you that I

very highly.

In spite of the obstinacy which is characteristic of your, um... Sextant?

no. Gender.

Goodbye, dear.

Goodbye, darling.

Madam?

Yes, Bellamy?

Mr. Dabb is in the back of the house.

Very well.

Good morning, ma 'am. Good morning.

Now, this is our very latest model.

We call it the Windsor, on account of Her Majesty having installed one in the

castle of the same name. And I understand Her Majesty's taken a very

to it. Indeed.

Now, this model is equipped with every device known to modern science, both for

the horizontal or reclining position or for the vertical position.

Well, for myself, I prefer the reclining position, but it's a matter of taste,

no doubt.

Hand me the cold chisel.

The water's coming through.

Oh, Bellamy, the master's coming home sooner than I expected.

I hope the master won't be very angry.

I pray he won't.

Do you think my prayers will be heard?

Not with this noise going on, madam.

Ah, there you are, ma 'am.

Finished. Oh, but it's so big, I... I never dreamed of a bath this size.

Ah, I knew you'd be impressed, ma 'am.

And that can thing up there.

Not fair. Well, that's the very latest thing, ma 'am. So late, it's hardly out

yet. It's known as a shower. An invention of the firm of dabs.

Very refreshing, ma 'am. Very refreshing.

Refreshing?

I don't understand.

Well, all you have to do is to climb these here steps. Here, show the lady.

Climb these here steps.

Step into the bath.

Then you fill the reticule with hot water. It steps underneath and soaks up

their brush, which is one of our most interesting and up -to -date appliances.

You stand here, put this here funnel on your head to protect your hair, and

pull.

But surely it will wet my clothes.

Oh, Lord bless you, ma 'am, you don't wear no clothes.

Oh, the whole thing's impossible.

And I never ordered it anyway.

You've no right to do... Don't worry, ma 'am, don't worry. A gift from the House

of Deb. A shower free with every bath.

The child had to plan to increase business.

I'm pretty out of just a fine these days.

Don't you have a fine business, ma 'am?

My husband.

Oh, my husband.

You can't please nobody nowadays.

Oh, Bellamy, how am I to break into the master? You'll have to make up your mind

quick, madam. He's just arrived.

Mildred!

My dear Mildred. Oh, my sweet. No, darling, don't come up.

Why not? I have to change.

Sir John Bunn's coming to luncheon and... How nice of you, but... Well, and

play my cards, well, it may mean a partnership with him.

Yes, yes, he's waiting.

Tea? Tea at this time of the day? Well, would you like a little light

refreshment? No, no, dear, excuse me. Oh, darling, to please me.

Your manner's pretty odd. What's the matter?

Is that paint I smell? Paint? No. What's that noise?

Oh, that drunken Bellamy.

Excuse me. I'll not have that man my king. If I'm in my bed, I'm going to

accounts with him once and for all.

Bellamy, you scoundrel.

What's this?

A bath?

Take it out. I gave strict orders against this. Sir, we thought it would

pleasant surprise for you. Take it out, I say.

And this. And this. And this. And this. And this.

less happy experiments in house planning.

Excuse me, I'll have it stopped.

See, he's upset now.

But you wanted the bath taken out.

A little more brandy, Sir John.

Just to take your mind off your troubles.

With three iron foundries idle, I'm afraid it would take more than a little

brandy to do that.

Of course, I'm only a woman. You wouldn't be interested.

There must be some new uses for iron.

What makes you think so?

Oh, no, I can't tell you my idea.

It's probably too silly.

Oh, come on, I beg you.

Well, if you want more things made of iron, what about baths?

Baths?

What for?

You may laugh, Sir John, but I'm a woman.

And I know that in a few years' time, every house in this country will own a

bath. A million homes, each with an iron bath.

A Sir John Bunbath.

Baths? And you really think there's a future in baths? Indeed I do. You know,

the Queen has already installed one at Windsor. The Queen?

A bath?

Since when? Oh, quite a while, Sir John.

Baths. I'm baths.

Well, good mum, I think you've hit upon a very good idea.

Oh, it's not my idea, Sir John.

It's my husband's.

He's out of it?

Certainly. You know, we have one here.

All the latest fittings. My husband insists.

Even one of those latest devices called a shower.

You'll laugh, of course, but, you know, I always thought your husband as a

businessman was a complete nincompoop.

Oh, Sir John.

So you put in the bath and the shower, too, eh? Oh, no, no, sir. That was my

wife. Oh, darling, don't be so modest. I've told Sir John everything. I don't

care whose idea it is. That's grand.

It's white. Let me see it. Certainly, Sir John. But wouldn't you like to

your brandy first? Not while I can see an iron bath and a shower, too. Come

along.

What's all this?

We're taking it out, sir. Taking it out? What for?

Well, Mr.

Pomfret doesn't like it. Oh, you see, it isn't big enough.

Not big enough? Why, it's big enough for a horse.

Oh, well, Sir John, I...

I know I shouldn't talk about such things, but since it's all for the good

the iron trade, well, the bigger the family,

the bigger the bath.

My boy!

For 50 years, the Climble Pomfretts were like most any other family.

With their gallant women, I solemnly pledge myself before God to pass my

life in purity, to practice my profession faithfully, and to devote

wholly to the welfare of those committed to my care.

Seeing you at this moment, Elizabeth, brings me the deep conviction that the

proudest words an Englishman can say will be...

My sister is serving with Florence Nightingale.

Cornelia Trimple Pomfret was not the only bride to grace the hallway stairs.

They had their quarrels.

Bitter ones.

You will do as I say.

What was good enough for me shall be good enough for myself. I'm sorry, sir.

disagree with you. Times have changed. Silence, sir!

You will either do as I say or get out of this house and stay out!

One was even knighted.

To our charming host and hostess, Sir Anthony and Lady Trimble Pumfret, long

life and happiness. Here, here.

Pete! Pete! Pete!

Pete! Pete! Pete! Pete! I am, of course, grattered and flatified.

Dear, dear, dear. Flattered and gratified.

By the very signal honour Her Majesty has done us.

I mean the title.

I can't think why.

Well,

I mean, we don't deserve it. Oh, yes.

A hundred times over. We shall at least try to keep it clean.

That's right, Sir Anthony.

Give us a bath every Saturday night in the Pomfrey Jubilee Tub.

them big legs of yours.

Oh, so it's you, eh?

No, it's my twin sister now. Go on, win them.

Go on.

What's happening?

Oh, a lot of Germans on horses.

They're kind of stuck up, they do.

Here, why don't you come outside?

I can't. The front door's jammed.

What's going on now?

Oh, a lot of Indian princes and such like.

Oh, what do they look like?

They look like they've been in the sun, they do.

Oh, dear, I think I'll lose my mind in a minute.

It's all over.

Right, so, Jenny.

Look, my children, there's our Jenny.

I don't seem to remember giving her permission to come out this morning.

really quite pretty, you know.

She appears to have washed her face for the occasion. It's too bad we can't have

a jubilee every day of the week. Will you stop that? She's a particularly

girl. Personally, I detest that socialistic kind of beauty. Augustus,

times you make me feel a little ill. Oh, for part. Yes.

Why, look, there's that awful Jim Trimble. Ma, I don't think you should

like that of cousin Jim.

Edith, he's not our cousin.

At least only three times removed, and that hardly counts.

Here.

How much longer are you going to be staying in the Trimble Pomfret Palace?

Now, look here.

I'll thank you to speak respectful about my employer's residence.

Seeing as how my great -grand -uncle both built and lived in the place, I

I've got a right to refer to the old home as I please.

Oh, no, you haven't, not by any means.

When your great -grand -uncle lived here, there was no west wing, was there?

Nor no electric light, nor no gas ovens, nor no telephone, nor no horseless

carriage. Well, what's the idea of having a motor if you don't know how to

it? And who did the trimble pump for its core when the old bus falls to pieces

every second Tuesday?

Why, Jim Trimble, of course.

Oh, Mr. Trimble, we're having a little trouble with our motor.

I wonder if you'd mind... Oh, you're just jealous because you haven't got a

horseless carriage yourself.

I should think your great -granduncle would spin like a top in his grave if he

could see you driving around in that smart coal cart of yours.

Oh, no, he wouldn't. Why, to make him only too happy to think there was one

member of the family what could use his hands. And I don't mind telling you...

What?

Well, never you mind.

I've got plans, Miss Jenny Jones.

Big plans.

Aren't we mysterious?

You're going to get quite a surprise one of these days.

Might take your breath away, I shouldn't wonder.

Well, break it to me gently, won't you? You know, my heart's weak.

Well, I... Will I see you Sunday?

Oh, I don't know.

I suppose so.

Well, if you've got anything better to do, of course, it's quite all right with

me. Now, don't get me wrong, Mr. Trimble. I'm quite excited about the

already. Don't get too excited, will you?

That weak art of yours won't stand it.

Jim. Yes?

Nice seeing you.

Nice seeing you, Jenny.

this motor car?

Why not, dear?

Makes me feel rather foolish.

Well, Gapar, you wouldn't feel foolish if you bought the more expensive model I

suggested. Justice, you must never speak to the steerer of a motor car, dear.

Oh, careful, there's someone coming.

Speed, lady, I have no doubt.

to drive a horse at that speed.

And I don't like to see Jenny making an exhibition of herself in that way.

Was that Jenny?

Well, I hope this horse will dissolve its shoes at once.

Don't get excited.

Be calm.

Why'd you run away?

Now, careful, everybody, careful. Not too near, not too near.

Don't ask me questions at a time like this.

Whoa.

Whoa.

Why? It's Jim Trimble.

Looks like you've had a bit of trouble, sir.

Cool. You might have all been blown sky high.

Jenny, what on earth are you doing here?

Well, your ladyship, it was my afternoon off, and Jim...

I mean, Mr. Trimble suggested we might take a nice little jaunt into the

country. I'm afraid she's smashed up pretty bad, sir. Well, I've learned my

lesson. You may take this thing away at your earliest convenience, Trimble.

Yes, sir.

Where's your ticket, sir? I don't care where you take it. I just hope never to

see the confounded thing again, ever.

But, Papa, surely you're not going to throw it away. I'm sure it can be

repaired. Augustus, this is the last time that you or any member of my family

ever steps into one of these motors again.

Even if they could get the confounded things to work, I see no reason why

anybody should want to race through the country at 14, 15, 16 miles an hour.

Well, I never.

Why, Jim, it's as good as new.

Better. Did more than 12 mile an hour between here and the yard. No.

Yes, why, the bobby at the corner of Nuggly Street spoke quite sharp about

Well, more haste, less speed, they say.

I'll draft that bill. I'll be back in a minute.

Here, wait.

I'm going away, Jenny.

Going away?

Where, when?

Soon as I've unloaded them tin sacks of coal.

Then it's down to the sea and ships for me.

What do you mean, Jim?

You're taking one of them day trips to market? Oh, it's a bit further than

Jenny. I'm off to America.

Now? Yes.

I've been saving for this for years, and now I've got enough.

More than enough, in fact.

Oh. What are you going to do when you get there?

Make a fortune. That's what I'm going to do.

Oh, fancy that.

Well, send me back a gold nugget or two for old time's sake, won't you?

Oh, don't you fool yourself, Jenny.

No man what can work with his hands is going to starve there.

I can mend motor cars, maybe even build them.

I tell you, Jenny, in three more years we'll be in the 20th century and big

things will be happening.

And America's the place where most of them is going to happen.

Oh, but Jim, it's so far away.

and all those red Indians and everything.

Oh, there's that bell again.

Ah, you wouldn't have to answer no more bells. Yes.

If you was to come with me.

What, me, Jim?

I've never been further than the Isle of Wight. Oh, what's the Isle of Wight got

to do with it?

Now, come on, Jenny.

What's your answer?

Now, don't rush me, Jim.

After all, I don't get asked to America every day of the week.

I'm not used to it.

It's your big chance, Jenny.

Why, most of the girls I know would jump at it.

Oh, would they?

I suppose you've been trying it out on some of them. Now, there's no need to

turn nasty.

Oh, I'm not turning nasty.

Only, I don't want no pistol put at my head.

Besides, well, besides, it don't seem right somehow.

Oh, don't it?

All right, Miss Oity Toity.

You've had your chance and you've missed it.

I'll empty those ten sacks and I'm off.

Oh, you can empty a hundred sacks for all I care. Yes, and you can answer a

hundred bells for all I care. You ain't got no ambition. That's what's wrong

with you. Well, you can take this and think yourself lucky.

Oh, haven't you got a nerve?

Jenny! Jenny!

Oh, I hate you.

Pray don't hurry. There's all the time in the world.

Your face!

Well, it wouldn't be my Aunt Mabel's fault.

Come on, get out of the way.

Someone seems to have left their letters at home. Oh, you... Your face!

Get one like it yourself, dear. It wouldn't do you any harm.

Come into the garden, Maud, for the black bat's night has flown.

You did ring Miss Edith, didn't you? Oh, no. We were tolling the bell because we

thought you were dead. Edith. Witty as well as pretty. That's Miss Edith.

I wish you'd try to be a little more prompt, Jenny.

Remember, punctuality is the politeness of kings.

Yes. What have you been doing to your face?

You look like a hottentot.

Oh.

Oh, my goodness.

Oh, dear.

What?

Oh, I beg your pardon, Miss Edith.

Or just run downstairs and clean up. No, Jenny, you can do that later.

Will you pour the tea, please?

Yes, Miss Jenny.

And try and remember, Jenny, that cleanliness is akin to gardeniness.

Yes, Miss.

Come into the garden, Maud, for the black bat's night has flown.

Come into the garden, Maud.

Two. No, only one lump, please, Jenny.

I'm here, at the gate, alone.

And the woodbine spices are wafted abroad, and the musk of the rose is

Oh, kiss.

Sentimental drivel. You have no soul, Augustus.

Jimmy, did you take leave of your sentence? I asked for a cup of tea, not

of syrup.

And how many times have you told me not to talk like that to the servant? Oh,

kiss and touch.

Oh, I'm sorry, Miss Edith. I'll make you another one. Thank you.

a bicycle ride and so i am but i'm not in the mood yet tush jenny will you get

me my yellow dress please yes that wretched jim pimple doesn't have to

make all that noise and he only does it to annoy us too

jenny good gracious

he's got our motor down there he's put it together again oh what a man

Jenny! Oh, I'm sorry, Miss Julie.

I don't feel very well. Do you mind if I go?

Oh, you poor child.

You'd better lie down for a little while. Oh, no, really, I'll be all

me what's going on in this house. Where are you going?

America!

To Charles Bravin, in appreciation of his devoted

services as butler of this household, 100 pounds.

The sum of 20 pounds to each of the other servants.

Excuse me, Lady Trimble Pumperidge, but this dust... Mr. Shanks, this room has

not been touched since my husband's death.

I intended to do nothing until I was fully acquainted of his wishes.

Please proceed, Mr. Sheppard. To conclude, the rest of my property, both

and personal, I leave to my poor wife.

Poor?

The poorer.

By reason of his death, I've no doubt laid a trimple bumperish.

Oh.

Oh.

Please proceed, Mr. Sheppard.

Especially this house, which has been our home and refuge for so many happy

years. This little nest... in which our dear children first saw the light of

day. Dear, indeed.

Augustus in America and the two girls in the south of France. They didn't even

come home for the funeral.

Ah, yes.

In the unhappy event of my wife's death, I will and bequeath the said property

to my dear son Augustus, and the long line of trimble -pumperits he will, I

trust, beget.

Do you understand that it was Sir Antony's wish that I should continue to

in this house?

I don't see that any other interpretation is possible.

What shall we do with this news?

Oh, put it in the attic with the rest of the junk.

Aunt Caroline, couldn't we jelly -grap these menus instead of me typing each

by hand? It would be so much quicker.

It might be quicker, but it wouldn't have the class.

That's what makes the difference between a hotel and a boarding house. Little

things like that. And having the menus in French. I don't see that it matters

long as we feed them.

Love couples.

Calling them croquettes de noisette doesn't make them any better. I get

Mr. Fulcher? Oh, Mrs. Ismay. Is there something that you want, Mr. Fulcher?

Well, no, not exactly. That is, my wife... Yes, your wife, Mr. Fulcher?

wife asked me to speak to you about one or two little items which seem to her to

be amiss.

There's the bath water.

It's not quite as hot as she could wish.

Oh, and then there's a little question of soup.

It seems, well, my wife thinks it might be a little more plentiful. You mean she

wants more soup? That's right.

Oh, I beg your pardon. It's S -O -A -P, soap. Mr. Fulcher, perhaps Mrs. Fulcher

doesn't realize there happens to be a war on. I'll remind her.

Major Garrow's bill.

Oh, thank you.

I'll see that you get it.

Good evening, Fulcher.

Good evening, Major.

Good evening, Major.

Major, please.

Major, I was going through the accounts today and I find that yours is a little

overdue. Why don't you worry your pretty little head about that?

This news is far more interesting than any account.

These Americans are coming over in droves. By the way, have you killed the

fatted calf?

Fatted calf?

The conquering hero. Isn't he coming home tonight?

Oh, Captain Barringer. Yes, yes. He's got his picture in the evening paper.

he is. Fine boy. Now listen to this.

In accordance with the new plan of the government for extended leave to our

heroes of the air, the first of these will be Captain Archibald J. Barringer,

.C. D .S .O .M .C., who arrives in London this evening.

Handsome young buck, eh? Yes, very. He's like his mother, isn't he? Like his

mother, well, that's what I mean to say. V -C -D -S -O -M -C.

The fellow's only been out there eight months and gave every possible medal he

can get. I spent 20 years of my life in India and all I got was a medal for the

Durbar. This young fellow's the most talked -of young fellow in the whole of

England. We've got to give him a rousing welcome.

How about a little aeroplane made of sugar for the dining room table?

Sugar? In wartime? Oh, then we can eat it later on.

Oh, no, I don't think so.

I don't think Mr. and Mrs. Barringer would want any fuss made, nor would he.

No, no, no fuss at all. But after all, everybody's dying to meet him, aren't

you? Of course.

All the girls will be after him. All the pretty girls. Not that there are many

left, except you.

And, of course, Madam Gabby.

Gabi, Madame Gabi. Still Gabi to me.

Oh, hello there.

How are you?

Young man's getting pretty frisky. He's getting out of hand.

Captain, here's a letter for you.

Letter? Oh, good.

I know that scent.

It's Madame Gabi.

Bonsoir, Capitaine. Bonsoir, Madame.

Who's it from?

It's from your mother. Mother?

Of course not.

Good evening, my dear. Good evening, Mrs. Banger. You have no idea how

everyone is?

Well, we're a little bit excited ourselves, aren't we, Henry?

Well, it wouldn't be too much to say that we were mildly excited.

I'm going to put these on the table. Oh, let me. No, no, I'll do it.

There's you, Henry.

Marge, you have arranged well. I hope you haven't been working too hard. Don't

be tired. Is your head aching? Oh, no, I... Look, Mr.

Barrington. Chief.

What?

Oh, I see, Edam.

Of course, Archie loves it. I know he does, but how did you know? Aha, I told

her, Sidney.

Look, they've all got flags. Oh, look, Henry, they've all got flags.

Oh, look here.

Burgundy. Yes, it's from the cellar. Very precious. Almost the last. There he

is.

He's the anonymous.

He's the Captain Ralph.

Oh, he's a jolly good fellow.

Oh, he's a jolly good fellow.

Oh, he's a jolly good fellow. No, no, no. It's not Barringer.

It's not your boy. It's someone else.

Oh, it isn't him, Henry. Oh, well, he'll be here. Well, if it isn't Barringer,

who is it?

I don't know.

Looks like an American soldier.

Is that you, Marjorie? Yes, it's Marjorie. I want to meet Berenger. You

won't you? Of course. Come along. We're in the way here.

Oh, yes. I'm so sorry.

Uh, Trimble Hall? Yes, sir.

You're an American, aren't you?

Oh, yes, sir. How do you do? My name's Garrow, Major Garrow. Very, very glad to

have you fellas over here.

Thank you, sir.

How are you?

Fine.

Have you got a room with a bath for tonight?

Well, we have a room and we have a bath, but... As a matter of fact, we have two

bathrooms.

But did you want a private bath?

Well, it doesn't matter. I just want to stay here for tonight.

Oh, excuse me. Will you register, please?

Trimble? Yes.

I'll show you to your room.

Mr. and Mrs. Barringer, Mr. Trimble.

How do you do? I'm glad to know you. How do you do?

Oh, and there's Mr. Pulcher.

How do you do? How do you do?

Now, how will this do?

Oh, this is fine, fine. It's just swell.

It's great.

Good as that.

Oh, you don't understand. You see, I've heard all about this place, and it's...

Well, it's a real bit of old England. What?

What?

I didn't say anything. I just said, what?

You know, like Englishmen always say when they finish saying something. What?

Or don't they?

Only when they're asking a question.

Oh.

How did your name happen to be Trimble?

Well, it's a long story.

You see, my mother used to live in this house.

Oh, and that's how your name happened to be Trimble? Uh -huh. Well, sort of. She

was a housemaid here, and Dad was a Trimble, see?

Oh.

A romance in the eloped.

A romance, uh -huh.

You know, if you don't mind my saying so, I've always heard that English

are awful cold.

But you're not.

What do you mean?

Well, I mean the way you welcome people. Gosh, the welcome I got downstairs,

I've never seen anything like it. Everybody was standing at the door and

singing, and then they cut off suddenly.

That wasn't for you. That was for Captain Barringer.

Oh, and all the time I thought, Captain Barringer?

Yes. You don't mean Captain Barringer the flyer? Yes. You met his mother and

father downstairs just now.

Gosh, and he's coming here?

Yes, fancy you knowing about him. Knowing about him? Well, every kid in

knows Archie Barringer.

Golly. Maybe I can buy him a drink.

Maybe. Well, say, maybe I can buy him a couple of drinks.

Collie, I feel wonderful.

Must be the English air.

I'm very glad.

Oh, wait a minute.

Could you put a bottle of champagne on ice?

I rather doubt the ice.

You're not going to doubt the champagne, are you?

Oh, what time's dinner? Can I write a letter home before I... Oh, yes, sir. On

account of... Because dinner's been put off half an hour, sir.

Captain Barringer hasn't come yet, Miss Marjorie.

Captain Barringer hasn't arrived yet. Yes, I said... I heard you.

I'll see you later.

Could I do anything for you, sir? What?

Could I do anything for you, sir? Me?

Since the war.

Things have been very quiet at this time of the year.

The American soldier.

Oh.

Mamie. Mamie.

Mr.

Trimble.

How do you do? How do you do?

You come with me.

I'm so sorry. All the single tables are gone.

That's all right. Where's the champagne?

Are you alone?

Sure. You're not going to drink all that, are you? We shall have to carry

out.

Say, where's Captain Berringer? Oh, he hasn't arrived yet, sir.

We're expecting him at any minute.

Oh. Um, what is this, uh... Coquette's the, uh...

Noisettes. Oh, nut cutlets.

Nut cutlets? Yes, today's a meatless day. Oh, they taste all right, but no,

don't stay with you. Leave a sort of hollow feeling.

And then the fish.

Oh, here?

Yes. Soul bon femme.

Codfish.

Oh. I've got a sister -in -law in America.

You have a what? I've got a sister -in -law in America.

You have?

Yes. Lives in Chicago.

In Chicago?

Perhaps you haven't run into her. Her name's Smith.

Smith. Lily Smith.

Red hair.

Natural. At least it used to be. I haven't seen her for a long time. I

should touch it to that now.

Excuse us.

Intrusion, please.

Oh, yes. My name's Barrington. We met out there. Yes, I remember.

My wife and I saw that you were all alone here, and we wondered if you

join us.

Well, that's very nice of you, sir. You're expecting your son, are you not?

sure I'd be very happy to meet a brother -in -arms, shall we say.

Well... Thanks.

Can I bring the giggle water?

You met my wife. Oh, yes. How do you... Another

place, Mr. Perrington?

Archie should be here, but traveling in England is so uncertain these days.

I guess so. Oh, don't hold up your dinner on account of me, please. No, no,

We're waiting for Archie anyway.

They're keeping his hot. Oh, good.

I guess you people don't realize what it means to me to be in London and...

The very first night to meet, well, the parents of a great guy like Archie

Berringer. Seems so funny to think of Archie as a great guy.

He isn't really.

No more than any of the others.

He's only 21, you know.

21, is that so? You see, to us, he's just Archie.

Our Archie, isn't he, Henry? Yes, that's about what he is.

Seems only yesterday he was riding his bicycle and playing with his carpentry

sets. He was always very mechanical, you know.

He's the sort of boy who can make anything work, you know.

I never could make anything work.

Not even the simplest thing.

Always on his birthday, we used to ask him what he wanted. It was always a

mechanical set.

He used to make model... aeroplanes.

Is that Archie, dear?

No, Henry.

Of course, then we never thought anything like this war would happen. Or

he'd be killing people.

He was so unlike Archie, he...

He was always such a gentle boy.

Is that Archie?

No, dear. Oh.

You must be very, very proud of him.

What's going on out here?

Is it Russ? Yes.

Is he coming?

No.

Never.

Let me call Mr. Ballinger.

Oh, don't do that.

It was one Christmas when my wife had made a cake and put it into a lot of

little jars.

You know, it was definitely bitten and stumbled and a lucky horseshoe.

Oh, very silly, I expect.

But my son got the lucky horseshoe. He bit onto it. Broke his tooth, as much as

possible. Oh, too bad. But he always kept it. The horseshoe, I mean.

I often wonder if he still has it.

I have felt...

Quite seriously, of course, but I felt that perhaps it was that that brought

luck and kept him safe all this time.

Do you think so, my dear?

What's the matter?

Now, excuse me.

Doing. My head.

I'm cold.

Would you like to lie down for a while?

No, Henry.

No, I don't want to lie down.

Would you like a drop of brandy?

No, thank you, Henry.

I don't want any brandy.

How about a cup of tea?

Yes. A cup of tea would be very nice.

And Henry, go back to the young man.

You want to be alone, don't you?

Where did it happen?

When did it happen?

Of course, there are no particulars yet.

Oh, it's bad luck.

Poor old Barringer.

Mrs. Barringer told me he was only 21.

Just a baby.

Just a baby, I'd say. He shot down 21 planes, didn't he? It was 21 planes he

shot down, wasn't it? I should have met Barringer.

Trimble, come on, let's finish our dinner.

Marjorie, bring him in, will you? I want to speak to Barringer. I want to speak

to Barringer.

Sir, bad luck, sir.

Some of us got off too darn well.

Shall I go up to Mrs. Berenger? No, she... She would like to be alone, I

Would you join us at the table, dear?

Very good of you to bring this.

Wine.

Shall I open it?

What? Oh, um... Of course, yes.

How long is your leave?

24 hours. Oh, is that all?

You must... I mean... I'm afraid this isn't a very cheerful sort of thing.

We must arrange a theatre or something, Marjorie.

24 hours from when?

This afternoon, Winchester.

Well, let's see. There's... There's the zoo.

And the... The Tower of London.

And what else is La Marjorie?

Westminster Abbey.

Yes. Yes.

It's a very beautiful city, I think.

Thank you, Mindy.

Let me do it for you.

Here we go.

To America and England.

If you don't mind, sir, I'd like to drink to Archie Barrett.

You're very kind.

It's after 11, you know.

Yeah, I know. Well, we've seen the kitchen and her bedroom, and I promised

Mother I'd take a look at the whole house, so if you don't mind.

It's so dirty and damp, Heather. Mother, you say they were ghosted. What's the

matter? I've dropped my clothes. Careful you don't tread on them. Oh, I'm sorry.

I'll help you. Oh.

Oh.

That did it.

Oh, I'm awfully sorry. They're broken, right?

Don't think about it. Terribly sorry.

You have another pair of them, do you?

No, as a matter of fact, I haven't.

Well, say, you look much better without them.

This is the cellar you wanted to see.

Much better.

Oh, yes.

Oh, look out. You don't bang your head. Everyone does.

Oh, thanks.

Well, I'm seeing a ghost down here.

The ghost is frightening me. It's the Black Beetles. What?

Black Beetles.

There's one right there.

They seem afraid of beetles.

More than air raid.

It's funny. You're the first English girl I ever ran into.

Am I?

Would you write to me?

Would you? Because it takes an awful long time to get a letter from home.

Haven't you got a girl at home who writes, dear?

Oh, well, I've got my mother, so... You've got a fellow that writes to you,

haven't you?

I've got my brothers.

No one at all?

They're all I've got.

How long have they been in France now?

Since the beginning.

They're well and safe.

I say a prayer for them every night.

Gee, that's swell.

Would you say one more?

One more?

Well, sort of a... Well, a prayer for a stranger.

I will.

Well, you've... You've seen the cellar.

What's this?

Eustace Trimble built this house and wishes well to all who shelter here.

A .D.

1804.

Gee, that's swell.

It really is swell, you know.

So you leave in the morning?

Yeah, in the morning.

Bright and early.

Well, early anyway.

I don't want the coat. Englishmen go without their coats. Billy, I don't want

your coat.

Why? You'll be late. You'd better hurry. No, I won't.

I'll get it.

Don't you know that there's a war on?

I heard about it.

Come say goodbye.

I am saying goodbye.

No, I mean at the train.

I work here, remember?

And in one little hour you'll be back here, honest.

Yes, I'll be back and I'll have no job.

I can fix that.

How?

Come to depot and I'll tell you.

I can't. Go on.

All right, that's what you think about. The war can wait.

Goodbye, sir.

Come back.

Thanks.

You sure you don't want to hear what it is we can do if you lose your job?

Don't you want to hear? Oi! If you don't stop hanging about, you will make no

Victoria Station and there'll be no 1220.

Do you hear that?

Yeah, I heard.

Please, Marjorie.

Get going, Bob.

He

has

as yet made little progress towards his goal.

We owe this to the determined fighting and self -sacrifice of our troops.

Words fail me to express the admiration which I feel for the splendid resistance

offered by all ranks of our army under the most trying circumstances.

Many amongst us now are tired.

To those I would say that victory will belong to the side which holds out the

longest. Yes, sir. How long?

Ah, the Major is right.

Yes, sir.

Good morning, Major.

Not such a very good morning, Mrs. Granger.

You've seen the news, of course.

Not good?

Very bad.

What? What did the Major say?

What's bad?

What's the news? Nothing.

Good morning, Major.

The sun's out.

Oh, really?

Yes.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Morning, lady.

Enjoying breakfast, I hope?

Yes,

Dr. Martin.

Hello, my boy.

Hello, Skipper. How are you? Fine, thanks.

Just as pretty as ever, eh? Eh, didn't you? Yes, yes.

Hello, sweetheart.

Oh, stop it.

Where's your husband?

He's got him.

Really? It's a jolly good day for him, isn't it?

Oh, oh.

Mrs. Esme.

It's as though you found a marble and broke a window.

Oh, it's the news, Captain. Haven't you seen the papers?

Of course I've seen the papers.

And there's a jolly good article in them, too.

One here signed by a chap who calls himself Non -Doubter.

Sir. If, as Sir Douglas Haig says, our backs are to the wall, could it be

possible that there is forming in our midst a new light brigade?

A light brigade of doubters, defeatists, and amateur strategists?

A light brigade who, at the brave words, our backs are to the wall, permit

themselves the morbid ecstasy of resignation to blackness and defeat?

And will that light brigade turn back the pages of their warped memory, if

can?

To the other light brigade of bella clava the brigade that inspired the poet

Tennyson to cry out in pride America yes letter from his mother he's written and

told her about it Ned has written to me about you and I'm sending you our

greetings and a hug and a kiss for my daughter -in -law Charming when the war

over and we can all be together again. I'm coming to England to pay you a visit

I'm so happy

The beautiful Mrs. Ismay. May I have the pleasure?

Oh, I quite understand.

Shortly after that, the hotel failed.

Mother never could bring herself to leave here.

She took over the lease, restored the house with the money my father left her.

And now, there's only you.

You know, it's funny.

It all seems part of some prearranged plan.

I mean, the way the Trimbles and Pomforts manage to get together every

again.

Doesn't it?

Each generation does seem to find its way here somehow.

Is it a close one?

Are you scared?

No, I don't think so.

It's strange. I'm usually frightened out of my wits.

That helps.

How do you mean?

I'm sorry. I just took hold and it was hard to let go.

I see.

You were saying... You wanted to buy the portrait of Admiral Trimble.

You understand now I'd rather not sell it? Oh, that's all right.

It should remain where it is, in the family.

There should be a family.

That one didn't have her name on it, did it, sir?

No.

I'm afraid.

Don't be afraid, children.

Don't be afraid.

Ah, Miss Trimble, this lovely old house is a shame. Yes, isn't it? Go on, sir,

we can use you.

Sure.

You all right in here?

All hale and heart, dear friend, thank you.

There goes the all -clear.

It was only Jerry unloading on his way home.

Now we can go home, eh?

Even the Jerrys couldn't budge him, could they?

No.

But I'll have to.

Why?

Can't very well leave him up there.

Out in the open.

Instead of moving him, why don't we build up around him?

Build again?

What for?

This?

I understand how you feel.

You loved an old house.

Now it's gone.

But the memories you treasured, they're not destroyed.

So let's build again.

He would, wouldn't he?

Yes, he would.

He'd build for shelter, happiness, decency,

dignity.

Everything that a home should stand for.

So much of earth.

So much of heaven.

Oh, but he'd want to make sure first that this would never happen again.

You bet he would. And that's our job.

Yours and mine.

Don't you think he'd like that?

I'm sure he would.