Original subtitles

Ah, just a minute, Doctor.

The men have taken the hat around,

and we think we've got just about enough to pay you.

No, no, you keep it.

You'll need something for the funeral. - It weren't your fault.

There is, um, one thing you could do for me though.

What's that, Doctor?

You wouldn't have a bottle lying around, would you?

I could do with a drink.

In your saddle bag. It's three-quarters full.

What do you think? What was wrong with the other one?

Uh, this one's English, from Bond Street. They're both nice.

Uncle Jack, there's a feed bill here that goes back eight months!

We-we have to get things sorted out before father arrives!

Sally, Alex won't give a damn about feed bills.

Perhaps you should wear the other tie, Uncle Jack.

I-I know this one's Bond Street and all that, but--

- It's a bit worn. And the jacket-- What?

Let's get Violet to give it a press.

Anyone seen Vi? Oh, Sally dear,

you haven't seen the latest copy of Throne and Country anywhere, have you?

Didn't you lend it to Wally?

- Yes, but I gave it back, Mrs. Dickens. - I'm sure as eggs, certain.

You see,

there's a most important question I want to put to Alexander as soon as he arrives.

It's about Princess Mary Louise, but I've forgotten what it is.

Holy Moses, mother.

Alex is a writer, an esteemed London critic, not a society gossip.

He won't know about bloody Princess Mary Louise!

Don't swear, Jack.

Alexander won't like it any more than I do. Ah!

Thank you, dear.

Can you imagine! A man on first-name terms with George Bernard Shaw,

and coming home to live under our roof! - Vi!

At last, someone in the district with civilized values!

-- But what about Dr. Askey? He's very civilized.

- Well, yes, there's Max.

Of course, a medical man, mind you. Not quite the same thing as Alex.

But a true, true friend.

I mean, who's going to meet the train on his one day off?

The train's due in 15 minutes!

Oh, God.

Hmm. You sure that works?

It works for onions. It ought to work for whiskey.

Just keep eating it.

Come on.

I'm so nervous.

What if I don't recognize father? 'Course you will.

But I've never seen him! Not since I was a tiny baby.

- What about his new wife? - Do you think she'll like me?

Getting more to the point, let's hope you like her.

- Auntie Joyce! Auntie Joyce! - Hello, Mum.

Hi! How are you? - Harry.

- There he is! - Hello, son.

John. Johnny!

Peter? Peter, over here.

David! Good to have you back. How are you, man?

G'day, Doctor. Not too bad. Thanks. - Good.

This way, son.

Someone should tell them the war's over.

♪

Go on.

Mother?

- Father? - Sally.

Can it be?

- Yes, of course it is. - How are you, my child?

I say, do be careful of that little brown bag.

There's a good fellow.

The contents are extremely fragile! Now, where have you put it?

Poor Alexander.

We stupidly left his medicine case in the luggage van,

and he's been in such desperate need of his drops.

- You must be Deborah. - Sally.

I've been so looking forward to meeting you.

Dr. Askey?

Oh, dear, dear, dear.

This is our good friend, Dr. Askey. He's come to help with the luggage.

- How do you do? - Mrs. Voysey.

How do you do?

Say, I think-- Your--

- My husband? - Yes. Your husband.

It looks as if, maybe, we should lend a hand.

Nine, ten, eleven bags.

Hatbox, three trunks...

and my medicine case.

Just coming for the weekend, are we?

Father, this is Dr. Askey. He's come to help with the luggage.

Oh, how kind. How do you do?

Oh, so many things.

We poor nomads must travel with all our goods on our back, so to speak.

Is this it then?

- Ah, my books! - But where's the other crate?

Sally, I think we're going to need a little extra transport.

I'll scout around town, see what I can find.

Oh.

They're coming. They're coming!

They're coming!

- They're coming, mother. - I know. I know, dear.

And that question wasn't about Princess Mary Louise at all. It was about--

-- Later. - Later, mother, later. - Where's Hannah? Violet!

- Yes, sir? - Where's my jacket?

Get that out of sight!

Violet!

Ah, Hannah. Afternoon tea, please. They'll be parched.

- My lovely lunch has gone to waste, you know. - Stone cold.

They're here, Jack.

- Ah, late for lunch. - Scamps!

My dear, Maud,

I'm afraid I can't answer you. - Oh.

That question to someone of a more elevated station

than a mere scribe. Oh. He's coming.

Alex. How are you?

-Welcome home to Canterbury. - A pilgrim's return.

And nothing has changed it would seem.

Except us, of course, eh, Jack?

I used to be in perfect health, and you were once so dapper.

- But I haven't introduced you. - My wife, Deborah.

Yes, my dear, we used to call young Jack the dandy of the district.

- How do you do? - How do you do?

And, uh, th-this is Wally Wells, who lives with us.

How do you do?

Please, come inside.

Wally the lodger, that's me.

Where's your tie?

You've all missed lunch, I'm afraid,

but Hannah will provide a substantial afternoon tea.

- Ah. - How very kind, Jack.

But if you don't mind-- Wh-where's he gone?

- I've no idea. - Sit down, everybody.

Thank you, Hannah.

Oh, Hannah, I'm sure you remember my famous son-in-law, don't you?

Indeed I do. What, 25 years is it, Hannah?

You've gone gray.

- And this is Mrs. Voysey. - How do you do?

You've missed lunch, you two, but I'm not going to waste it.

You'll be having it for supper.

Ah, Hannah's brought in the tea, I see.

I'm afraid, Jack, I shall have to forgo what indeed appears to be a substantial repast.

But my sinus trouble has been playing up on the journey,

and there's nothing for it but my drops and to lie down...

- with the curtains drawn. - Oh, dear, I'm sorry.

- No, no, no, no, no. - An irritating affliction, as much to others,

I'm sure, as to myself. - Vi, show father his room.

Is there anything we can get you? - Not a thing.

Well, perhaps, Sally, just a cup of tea in my room...

in ten minutes time, if it's not too much trouble.

- Uh, no milk. - Sugar, two lumps.

Uh, oh, so sorry.

Father, I'm sure you didn't leave it on the platform.

I distinctly remember you had it with you outside the station.

Well, where is it then? I'm absolutely done for without those drops.

How can I possibly replace them out here in the bush?

If they are lost, I'm sure Dr. Askey could replace them.

- Dr. Askey? - Uh, where do you want these?

Father-- Sorry, miss.

Those drops were prescribed by Billington,

one of the top ear, nose, and throat men in Harley Street.

Merry Christmas.

Come on, Cockie. Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

It's no good, ol' chap. He's just not in the mood.

Still, he was a lovely Christmas present, Wally.

I kept him hidden in the woolshed for months. Taught him to say "Merry Christmas" myself.

Jack, pass the rock cakes. Hmm?

- Rock cake? - Delicious, but one was more than enough.

Come on, Max, someone's got to eat these things.

Hannah's in a bad enough mood as it is.

Oh. Got a mallet?

They're like coconuts, lovely once you get inside.

- Can be said of a lot of things.

Jack! Oh.

Uh, please, sir, Mr. Voysey wants to know if anyone's seen his medicine case?

He's real upset. Hmm?

Isn't this it? Hmm? Hmm?

Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas.

Violet, you clever, clever girl!

I'm indebted to you forever. Oh, father, what a relief!

We'll get these blinds down, Hannah.

Do you remember this room, father?

Uncle Jack tells me that it was yours and mother's when you were first married.

It was indeed, though memory plays such odd tricks.

I was certain that it was larger, airier.

It's the best bedroom in the house.

My dear, it's a delightful room. It will make an ideal study.

- Now, uh, where will Deborah sleep? - Well... we thought--

There's this big, double bed here. Ah, yes, but you see, my work.

This will do very nicely for me, but I frequently write late into the night.

And I'm not so selfish as to expect Deborah to stay awake with me until dawn.

I see.

Tell you what, my bedroom is right across the corridor.

I'll clear my things out before dinner-- You'll do what?

- You'll do nothing of the sort! - You've had that room since you were a baby.

-A tiny baby! - Shh, Hannah.

- When you went off to London and left her! - Hannah!

After her poor mother died! - Hannah!

There are ten bedrooms in this house!

- Most of them are empty! - Uncle Jack moved out of his room.

- I can perfectly well move out of mine! - And you and Violet can help me.

It might help, you know? It always does with my headaches.

Maybe not this afternoon, Jack.

Well, Deborah said he's fond of music, very fond of music.

Oh, extremely fond. - See?

- He won't hear it up there,will he? - Well, it'll be distant,

but that's all to the good, soothing.

Just six drops. No more, no less.

Six drops in one nostril. Six drops in the other.

- One. - Hmm. ♪

They're not eye drops, my dear! - You moved.

It's no wonder. What in God's name is that racket?

It's Uncle Jack's Gramophone.

He has the finest collection of recordings of good music in the district.

- And is this an example? - It's historic.

Well, surely, you recognize it. ♪

Alex'll recognize this.

A poor recording, of course, by today's standards, but what an occasion!

Melba's Massenet concert in the Royal Albert Hall in 1903,

recorded on the very night!

♪

Sir? Mr. Voysey!

Mr. Voysey, sir! What?

Mr. Voysey!

♪ What's this about Mr. Voysey?

Sir, Mr. Voysey asked if Mrs. Voysey could go and give him his nose drops?

- Miss Sally isn't doing it right.

People often ask me if we're related to the novelist Charles Dickens,

and I have to say, "Oh, dear me, no. No connection whatever."

We're the Gloucestershire Dickens. Hmm.

Good lord, mother, I should think you'd be proud to include a great writer in the family.

- Though, hopefully, a less sentimental one. - I so agree, Alexander.

Alex?

Oh, heavens, no. I had more than enough before dinner.

I'm sure our friends down the table won't decline a shot.

- I wouldn't say no, Jack. - You're right.

Friends, I have an announcement to make.

Your new arrivals, Deborah and myself, would like to make a gift to the household.

What would you say to some French wine from Sydney?

Oh.

Alex, that's very decent of you!

Well, I seem to remember in your father's day,

this house had the best cellar in the district.

The best of everything before the crash.

Uh, to begin with, I would suggest at least a dozen cases of good claret.

Chateau Margaux happens to be my favorite, but some of you may prefer a Pauillac.

- And a dozen cases of white burgundy. - I'll order it tomorrow.

- Oh. Do you hear that, Sally? French wine.

You'll find Canterbury has a lot to offer you, Alex.

Peace and quiet for your work, a good library, Wally brings us the London magazines.

Oh, and, uh, don't forget my mouth organ, Jack.

♪

♪ Give me your answer do ♪

- Thanks, Wal.

There's just one, small request...

I'd like to ask in return.

- Tonight we dined at 7:00. - Five to, to be precise.

Could I put in a plea to have dinner served at the more civilized hour of 8:00?

Or even 8:30?

We have dinner at 7:00, father, because we have to get up early to run the property.

Ah. Uh, no, Sally.

- Alex is right. Let's not be set in our ways. Hannah won't like it.

Oh, good God! Hannah will do as she's told. We don't run the house for the servants!

Four, five, six, uh-- Now the other one. Ah.

Come in.

I just want to say good night,

and make sure that Deborah's room is all right.

Violet and I have moved some of the furniture around.

I hope you don't mind.

- Oh, no, no, no, of course not. - It's your room now.

I've left mother's picture behind.

-Do you mind if I get it? - Oh, please.

You can have it if you like,

but it's hopelessly out of date.

- When I was little, I was just like them. - I never missed a killing.

Now I hate it.

Go on, you kids!

Miss Sally? We slaughter once a week, so I hope you like meat.

- Oh, I love lamb. - No, mutton. Miss Sally?

Miss Sally, Mr. Dickens wants to see you. Says it's real urgent!

What about? Don't know. It's real urgent he says.

- Hello, Vi. - Hello, Billy.

Oh, sorry, missus.

Max is a nice enough cove, but everywhere he goes, he leaves a trail of bloody abos!

The natives get sick just like everyone else, Uncle Jack.

Yes, but what are Alex and Deborah gonna think? This place isn't a bloody mission!

Oh, they'll be gone soon enough.

Look, you amuse father. I'll do what I can with Deborah.

Yes, Wally is giving me a ride into town.

- Who-who is this Mr. Wells? - Is he a member of the family?

No, no, no, just a friend.

A couple of years ago, his wife ran off with the local dentist.

Well, Jack was worried he'd do himself some mischief,

so he took him under his wing. - Oh.

Wait for me!

Good grief!

It's nothing short of a tragedy.

Well, the famous Rose Arbor needed a lot of attention.

And, first the crash, then the war; we didn't have the men.

- The finest English garden in the district. - Now look at it!

A wasteland.

Do you remember the tree house, Alex?

- When we were kids, Ann and I used to sit up there, pretending we were sailing...

all the way to England. - And the hollyhocks--

I distinctly remember a riot of color over there.

You're the one who got there, Alex.

Twenty-two years as drama critic on the London Sentinel.

What a wonderful life you've had. - Huh.

- G'day, Fred. Good news about Billy. - Yeah.

I reckon his new leg'll be ready by Friday.

You met Billy, Fred's youngest. Lost a leg in the war.

Fred, we ought to do something about organizing that birthday party of yours.

Do right. I reckon I'm about due for a party.

Fred's forgotten how old he is.

I used to know.

I had a birthday regular 'til I was 14.

Then I started knockin' about the country, drivin' fence and shearing and all that.

Well, I forgot all about it.

Well, I'd start with your 15th birthday,

and then I'd have a party every month until you catch up.

Good-bye, all. Sally, I'll see you at the wildlife lecture...

- on Wednesday, a week. - Mmm, you know I'll be there.

And if it's of any interest to her, perhaps...

Mrs. Voysey might like to come.

Mmm. And father?

Oh, yes, of course. M-Mrs. Voysey and... Mr. Voysey.

Giddyap there.

- Delphiniums. - I seem to remember delphiniums.

This book you're working on at the moment, Alex-

- How could I have forgotten this heat? - Oh, yes! I'm sorry.

Sit-sit down.

This book you're writing though, Alex, what's it about?

What? Oh, a specialist affair, Jack.

I doubt if you'd find it in the least to your taste.

But those years in London, Alex. The people you've met.

The intellectuals and the, the pretty, young actresses too. Eh, old chap?

- Well, yes, I must admit, there've been one or two of those.

Morning tea?

- Lunch. - At noon?

- Grilled mutton chops. - Three each.

With mashed swede and boiled potatoes.

Braised mutton chops.

Make sure you eat 'em up.

- Cold mutton with Indian chutney. - Perfect for this weather.

Don't let those flies settle.

Boiled fowl.

With carrots, fresh from the garden.

- It's the truth. - Fred dug 'em up this morning.

This is what happens when you cut down all the trees and overstock.

And it's not only the small properties.

I noticed that Mr. Pettinger,

the manager of Legaland Imperial Pastoral Holdings, is with us tonight.

It's good to see you, Mr. Pettinger.

You might be interested to see what's happening over on the northeast boundary...

of your 30,000 acres.

Now some of you already know that I have a thousand acres just west of Legal and Imperial.

And on that property I've tried to recreate the land as it used to be 50 years ago.

There are 11 sorts of eucalyptus on this slope,

and under those gums there's grazing for kangaroos and wallabies.

In my opinion, Dr. Askey, a sad waste of good grazing land.

Legal and Imperial are always prepared to offer you a very fair price for your holding...

anytime you come to your senses.

And if the aborigines-- the few that are left--

want to camp on my property, they are free to do so.

Oh, why? So they can climb my fences and eat my sheep?

Exactly! It gives me no pleasure to say this, but aborigines are pests!

No less than the rabbits and the foxes!

Weren't the rabbits and the foxes brought over from Britain, Mr. Pettinger?

Ah, you'll find no sympathy for your anti-British,

antiwar sentiments here, Dr. Askey. That's right.

- The war's over, Mr. Pettinger. - Yes! And we won it!

Go on there, Ken! Heigh-ho! Well said!

Well, I wonder if we did. I wonder if we did, Mr. Pettinger.

We're saddled with a war debt that, ten years from now, is going to bankrupt this country.

Bolshevik! [ Man #2 ] Fuck, yeah, Bolshevik!

I lost my son in the war, Doctor. I know you did, Mr. Wilson,

and no one was sorrier than I was.

I sat with Dick for four nights, getting him through meningitis.

- Do you remember that? - And are you saying his death was pointless?

Nothing is pointless, if we can learn from it.

And what exactly have we learned from it, Dr. Askey?

Well, I hope that we've learned...

never to send the finest of our young men...

12,000 miles to fight a war that isn't about politics,

but is about British trade!

But we're all British! That's right! Yeah!

And I'd like an explanation why wh-when...

- British troops had casualties of 40 percent, Australian--- ♪ God save our gracious queen

- You have to stand. It's the law. ♪

...under a British high command had-had...

casualties of over 60 percent! Bolshevik!

♪ Bolshevik! Bolshevik! Bolshevik! Bolshevik!

Bolshevik! Bolshevik!

Well, I'm glad to see you got the use of your arm back, David.

Too right.

I'll have to ask you to go now, Dr. Askey.

We can't run the risk of more trouble.

Quite understand, Vicar.

Thanks for the use of the hall.

Well, Mrs. Voysey, not quite what you expected, eh?

- No. - Me neither. My apologies.

Lucky father's sinuses were playing up.

- But those awful men! - What are you going to do?

Well, Mrs. Voysey, one of the few advantages...

of being the only doctor in the district is that, eventually,

if you wait long enough, all the people that say that they hate you,

turn up on your doorstep with kidney stones or an anal abscess...

or something that's giving them terrible bother.

They never seem to want to talk about Bolshevism then.

- Come on, girl. Good girl. Step on it. - Come around there, Bluey.

- Come around! Come on! - You know that doctor fella's got me thinking.

- What's that, Fred? - Well, look at it this way.

If I haven't had a birthday since I was a kiddie,

and let's say I'm 65 now,

that's close on 50 birthdays I've got coming to me.

Now the boss gives himself a day off on his birthday.

So I reckon I'm owed about seven weeks holiday.

It's only justice.

Oh, I don't think Uncle Jack could do without you...

- for seven weeks, Fred. - No?

No. Why not tell him you got a 21st coming up, and settle for a week.

Oh!

Come on. Oh!

Hey, Miss Sally, don't get them woolies wet. They'll shrink!

That looks unpleasant work, Jack. Should you be doing that?

- Well, someone's got to do it. - We don't want the entire mobfly-blown.

Ah, Jack, how I envy you.

- I never had a practical side. - Yeah, well--

Uh, there's something I-I've been meaning to discuss with you, Jack.

- Is this a good moment? - It's as good as any.

This, uh, this Wally fellow-- He's been living at Canterbury how long?

- Two years this winter. - And he has this job in town?

At the post office, two days a week. - Ah.

And does he, uh, pay rent? - No.

- Well, it's just that, as you know better than I,

though the family is quite comfortably off,

we can't really afford, you know, to carry passengers.

Twice a week, Wally brings us mail and provisions from town.

Every month he gives me a haircut because he knows...

I can't stand tripping off to that bloody barbershop!

Wally's not only a good friend, but he's a useful one!

- All right, Jack. - Don't get excited.

You've explained it, and I understand, perfectly.

- Good heavens! - Hannah will never forgive me.

Afternoon tea.

Fetch my manuscript, will you?

You're nearer. Fetch it yourself.

You know very well I'm trying to rest my leg.

-Try exercising it. - Oh, dear. Stupid of me to forget...

that the young haven't the least comprehension of what it's like to be old.

You're not old.

Hardly the bloom of youth I would have thought.

-And I'm not young. - Sixty-two.

What's inside-- Oh, all right! You're as old as the hills!

Don't worry. In a few year's time, I'll be old myself.

Frankly, I can't wait!

I'll fetch your manuscript. No, leave it.

- Leave it!

Don't trouble yourself.

And in a few year's time, I'll be dead. Then we'll both be happy.

Shh.

Good Lord, Sally! What have you been doing?

You look positively filthy.

Any tea left?

Cold. Violet?

-- I'm parched. - Sit down. You must be exhausted.

Oh, I'll sit over here, thanks. I'm sopping.

- Oh, what have you two been doing? - Nothing.

- Absolutely nothing. - We're bored to death.

Do something then. Find something to do.

Here? Good heavens, what?

I have my work, of course. There's the garden.

If you really want to make yourself useful,

there's the station hand's children to teach.

Half of them can't even read or write.

- I'd be no good at that. - Sometimes I think...

I'm the only person in this house who actually enjoys life.

You'd learn. Look at me.

I only started working on the property when the men went off to war. Now I love it.

You really expect me to just drop everything...

and become school teacher to some dirty children?

- You said you were bored. - I'm not as bored as that.

All right.

-Uh, not having any tea, miss? - I think I'll have a bath.

Right.

Uh, is-is that, uh, fresh tea, Violet?

Just made, yes, sir. No milk, two lumps.

Exactement. But first, be a dear...

and pass that folder to me, will you?

- Here you are, sir. - What would I do without you, Vi?

My little handmaiden. [ Chuckling ] Ah, sir.

Come on, beauty. Come on. There.

Come on, beauty. There's a good boy. There's a good boy.

There's a good boy. There's a good boy.

There's a beauty.

Oh. I'm all right, I'm all right.

I'm... just being silly.

It's all right, Jack. Please, just leave me alone.

Just leave me alone!

My dear, great news!

Our wine has arrived!

Fred's got all that liquor stowed in the cellar.

Wine, Hannah.

And he wants to know if he can have a bottle for himself.

This is his preference.

Chateauneuf du Pape, 1911. Why this one?

- He likes the label. - Oh, very well.

He tells me that four bottles of this same stuff got broke, you know.

In the unpacking.

You've got a key to that cellar door, Hannah.

Over 500 bottles. It's a disgrace.

You're gonna drink yourself to death, you know.

♪ Oh, Danny boy

♪ The pipes, the pipes are calling ♪

♪ From glen to glen

♪ And down the mountainside

♪ The summer's gone

♪ And

♪ All the roses dying

But the Chateauneuf du Pape, of all things!

I've already told you, Alex, it won't happen again. ♪

A sampling case containing only half a dozen bottles, of which one remains!

How can one possibly build up a cellar if this goes on?

Father, let's try and enjoy the wine we're drinking.

- You were telling us about it. - This is a burgundy?

- Quite delicious! - Don't you agree, Mr. Wells?

Oh, slips down very nicely. It should be colder, of course.

And I believe would be tasted to better advantage...

accompanying a dish other than Hannah's Tuesday pea soup!

♪ Yes, this is a white burgundy.

A little more, please, before it warms up.

♪ Oh, Danny boy Hannah, do you think we should?

Heavens, girl! There are hundreds and hundreds of bottles down there below.

This is an odd one. Sure they won't even notice it's gone.

Ah, drink up! Strengthens the blood, this does.

- Chateauneuf du Pape. - Mm-hmm.

Ah, that'll be them,

wanting their chops.

This is a straight forward claret. Nothing special.

A reliable cru bourgeois from the Haut-Medoc.

Color? Mmm.

Nose? Interesting.

I hope all that wine you're drinking's not going to ruin me chops.

- On the contrary, Hannah, - I think it will undoubtedly improve them.

♪ In sunshine Hannah, would you go to the woodshed...

♪ Or in shadow and tell Fred to stop singing?

It's making the dogs howl. You're asking the impossible.

The man is as drunk as a lord. Try anyhow.

♪ When summer's on the meadow

♪ And all the valley's hushed

♪ And white with snow ♪ Fred! Fred Livingstone, do you hear me?

Will you stop that unholy racket this instant?

What do you mean "racket"? I'm singing!

Aw, be off with you...

before the boss comes hunting you with his rifle.

Bugger off, you stupid old cow.

And bugger off the boss!

And bugger off the bloody lot of yous!

Fred... sweetheart.

Let's be friends. Come over here.

I've got something for you.

It's the last one left.

Not some more of that there Chateauneuf du Pape stuff?

Aha, that would be telling.

Come on here...

and see for yourself.

Jesus, bloody, Christ!

Ya dirty, dilapidated old Irish whore!

You know that du Pape stuff?

You can shove it up your big, fat, Irish ass!

You big, fuckin' trollop.

You could've given a man fuckin' pneumonia, you know!

Right, everybody, I'd like you to...

charge your glasses with some more of this...

reliable, straightforward claret, courtesy of Alex.

- No more for me, Uncle Jack. - Debbie? - Debbie, yes, of course.

Really, this Australian insistence on diminutives.

My wife's name, good people, is Deborah.

My name is Alexander. Maud's name is Maud.

- And Walter's name is Wally. - Too right.

They only called me Walter, as a kid, when I was due for a thrashing.

Alexander is quite right. Abbreviations are vulgar.

-Deborah now is a lovely name. - It is indeed...

a lovely, lovely name. Please don't drink any more, Uncle Jack.

And I'd like you to charge your glass. You know you'll regret it. - I'd like you...

to charge your glasses...

and drink to that lovely name.

And to the lovely person who's called by that lovely name.

- Just sit down, Uncle Jack.

So, I'd like you to toast, not Debbie, not Mrs. Voysey,

but lovely Deborah.

Everybody, lovely Deborah.

Lovely Deborah.

Uncle Jack, you're embarrassing her.

Am I? I'm terribly sorry.

And not another word, except to say...

except to say...

Deborah, you are too lovely...

to be sad.

- I'm sorry, everyone. - I have a most terrible headache.

- Wh-what have I done? - Just sit down, Uncle Jack.

It is true. She has been off-color today. - Poor child.

Perhaps I should just, uh-- If you'll all excuse me.

Uh, Sally...

would you ask Violet to bring me coffee upstairs?

Uh, I shall be working late.

What's the use of me explaining it to you? You wouldn't understand.

How can I possibly understand if you won't explain to me what the matter is?

Oh, just go away! Go away, all of you!

Impossible, impossible, impossible! Leave me alone!

Leave me alone!

Violet?

♪

- It's Mr. Voysey's room. - Merciful Jesus! At 2:00 in the morning!

He's having the old stuff, heated up. Hmm.

And you're not giving him any biscuits either!

Fancy waking us all up in the black middle of the night!

- Over here, over here. - And close the door, my dear.

You're a very pretty girl. Do you know that, Vi?

Yes, sir.

- These are very pretty buttons. - What are they? Velvet?

Are they made of velvet?

What have we here, eh?

- Something very nice, - I'm sure.

Sugar and spice and all things nice.

That's what little Vi is made of.

All right, Violet, you may go.

- Sir? - Off to bed with you!

Vi?

Our little secret, eh?

Sleep well, my child.

You'll enjoy it when you get there, Alex.

You always do.

- Don't be hard on Fred, Uncle Jack. He's very contrite.

And so he bloody should be. - At least he's dressed.

Later, Vi, later.

Ahh.

No, please, all of you, leave this hopelessly impractical man behind...

and go off and enjoy yourselves.

But, father, we can't leave you here with just Fred.

Sally, you've forced me to say it. My leg, as Deborah knows--

My left leg is causing me considerable pain!

No, I-I would prefer to stay here.

So you want me to stay here with you, Alexander, is that it?

But, father, that's unfair! Debbie has never even seen a kangaroo!

For heaven's sake, go! Everyone, go, go, go!

- Shall I stay? - What?

I'll stay.

Go off, you two.

Go on.

Sure?

Go on.

Chablis?

Oh, look out.

I've got a pebble in my shoe.

Here.

Hadn't we better be getting back?

Yes.

- Back? - Please.

Uncle Jack!

We're home!

And you saw the kangaroos? Yes. Yes, we did.

Aren't they adorable?

Hopping about,were they, dear?

Yes, yes. - Hopping about. - Oh!

Tea?

Sally? Sal?

Good heavens, Jack!

Still in your pajamas?

- I'm sorry, Sally. The man may be your father, but he's a fraud.

-A total, bloody fraud! - Uncle Jack, he'll hear you.

Three hundred and twenty-one pages...

in which there isn't a single sentence worth reading.

- Just listen to this. I'll give you an example. No, it's all right.

-- I'll put it back. He won't even notice. - Listen to this.

"Miss Gwendolyn Ashley, she of the twinkling toes,

"has lost none of her vivacious charm since she won all hearts...

as Odette in Parisienne, and I was but one of the multitude to salute her return."

It isn't even a book!

It's just a collection of his rotten, old press cuttings!

He never pretended to be anything other than a critic.

Is this what our work's been about all these years?

During the war when you and I had to run the property practically on our own?

Is this why, on the fifth of the month every month for 25 years,

I've sent that check to England?

So that this humbug of a man could write about "Miss Gwendolyn Ashley,

she of the twinkling toes"?

I've wasted my entire life!

He'll hear you, Uncle Jack.

- And you, Sally. - What about you?

He didn't think twice about you when your mother died. No!

The gifted member of the family;

he had to run off to London to pursue his important career!

Worse things have happened, Uncle Jack.

- What about poor Billy?

Come in!

I'll be attending to your midnight needs from now on.

Holy smoke, Jack. Three bull's-eyes in a row!

Always said you were the best shot in the district.

Hey, Max, take a look at this.

The best shot in the district. - What are you killing now?

- Parrots. - Why?

They eat the apples on the apple trees.

- I don't see any apples, Jack. - Well, there will be.

They may as well learn now.

God.

- How's the patient? - Well, they wouldn't let me see him.

I come all this way, now I'm told he's having a little lie down after lunch...

and is not to be disturbed.

Him and his wife.

Separate rooms, if it's any consolation.

That so?

How did he get her in the first place, Max?

Beautiful, vibrant, young woman like that.

Is she faithful to him, do you think?

Unfortunately, yes.

Hey, hey, hey, hey. Now then, you coves.

You shouldn't go talking about women like that.

Immorality is no joke.

As I know better than most.

- When I think of the success that man's had with women, I tell you, I'm astounded.

First my sister. And what a lovely girl she was.

What a lovely person.

And now this latest one.

The most beautiful of the lot!

How about these birds for beauty, Jack?

They'll be more beautiful when there's less of 'em!

Gout? - Gout.

But good heavens, man, I drink port once in a blue moon.

Wine? Well, yes, wine. Of course.

-I don't consider a meal civilized without it. - How much do you drink?

Well, at dinner we'd open a bottle of Chablis.

And then, it goes without saying, red wine with the meat.

Two bottles a day? What?

You drink two bottles a day? Well, yes.

Well, it's gout, I'm afraid.

If you want that pain in your leg to get better, you'll have to cut down...

to two glasses a day, in a month's time, maybe three.

Uh, Dr. Askey, uh, there's one small matter I'd like to discuss with you.

But, first, be so kind as to close the door.

Yes, thank you.

Uh, this is a rather delicate matter.

I'm not sure quite how best to put it.

- Um... as you know, I have a young wife,

uh, to whom I owe certain duties.

Do you follow me?

To whom I have certain marital obligations.

- Ah. Yes. - Well, lately--

well, some months now, actually--

I've been having difficulty fulfilling those obligations,

and, uh, I was wondering if there was something you could suggest.

Hmm. Well, physiologically, I doubt there's much wrong,

for a man of your age that is. - Hmm.

I'm sure when you cut down on the drinks, things will... pick up.

Well, I was thinking more along the lines of some sort of medicine,

some sort of a pill?

There's nothing that springs to mind.

Dr. Askey, uh, that side of life,

it really is quite important to me.

Uh, you must understand that at one time I was c--

This is really too embarrassing.

Yes, well, I'm afraid it's rather a case of the Lord giveth...

and the Lord taketh away.

But I'm sure when you cut down on the drink--

Good God! You're supposed to be a medical man!

There must be something you can suggest!

Well, you could try dried kangaroo dung.

Aborigines swear by it.

He's a cranky old goat, your father, isn't he?

Then it's nothing serious?

The pain in his leg is gout. He drinks too much.

He's not the only one.

Uncle Jack hasn't done a day's work in weeks.

- Well, 20 miles here, 20 miles back. Another day gone.

- I must be off. - You said you were staying to dinner.

- Too much to do. - Hannah has cooked a fowl especially--

Max, I'm so sorry. Have I delayed you?

No, not really. Only it's this heat.

I simply can't keep going without a lie down after lunch.

I'd love a lie down after lunch. So, are you staying to dinner?

- No, Dr. Askey has to get back to town. He's got patients to attend to.

Well, then you can leave first thing in the morning and be in town by 9:00.

You haven't asked about your husband.

Alexander? Oh, he drinks too much.

All his doctors have told him, but he never listens.

Now, are you staying?

All right. I suppose it's pointless rushing away now.

There's a man arrived at the door, Miss Sally. He says it's important.

- That's nice perfume you've got on. - It's French.

I smell of carbolic.

That's nice too.

Dr. Askey, you're required at once!

A man's been seriously injured at the railway station.

Oh, dear.

And I want to see more of your silly, old gum trees and the kangaroo.

"Hopping about."

Yes, "hopping about."

So when shall we see you again?

Well, as soon as your husband contracts his next fatal illness, I suppose.

Then in no time at all.

- Didn't you get my message? - I did indeed, Wal.

But I got more than one patient, and some of them are actually sick.

- Yeah, but Mrs. Voysey says it's real bad this time. Look, she sent you this note.

Like the smell, Wal?

My wife had a soap once smelled like this.

No soap ever smelled like that. - Can you come?

All right, Wal, you win.

- Two more patients first though. I'll meet you outside the post office in an hour.

- Yeah, well, don't be too long! We'll miss dinner!

- No, no, no! - I will not see your Dr. Askey!

The man has the sensibilities of a vet!

Let him minister to the barnyard animals, not to me!

But you haven't slept a wink. None of us have.

At least take some medicine for the pain.

It won't do any good.

Oh, very well.

- I'm doing it! - Here, take two of these it says.

- Oh, not these. The drops, the drops! - But what are these?

- Horse pills. Horse pills from the vet. Useless.

- Here. - Medicine for the doctor.

Medicinal purposes.

You're not the only one he won't see, old chap.

- Barely spoken a word to me in a fortnight. - Huh?

- Ha! - Well, that suits me!

Ah, the waste of it, Max.

A ravishing, delectable creature like that.

Jack.

Dr. Askey, father says he's sorry, but he'll see you in the morning.

Are you sure he said he's sorry?

Hmph!

Would you help me with these bottles, Doctor?

I get the nose drops and the ear drops confused, and father gets so angry.

All right.

Confounded vet! Please, Alexander.

Sit down, try to rest and just be quiet. "Just be quiet"?

It's funny, you know.

There used to be a time when people actually found my conversation amusing.

Now it's, "Be quiet, Alexander." "Go to sleep, Alexander."

-Even that retched little Violet avoids me. - No one's avoiding you.

To be so completely misunderstood.

It's hilarious, really. Stop it, Alexander! You've worn me out!

Just stop it! I might as well be in Zululand.

- Worn out? - I'm the one who's worn out.

Old and ill and worn out.

-- And disgusting to my wife. - Isn't that so? Don't I disgust you?

Please, please, Alexander.

- When was the last time you called me "Boo-Boo," eh? When?

When? Really, father.

- Throwing away those pills like that. - It's a childish thing to do.

- Disgusting. - You see? "Disgusting."

- First my wife, now my daughter. - Anyone else?

Where's the doctor?

In the kitchen drying off.

I have to apologize.

Good evening.

What are you laughing at?

I think I'm going out of my mind!

What is it? "What is it?" This household!

What's the matter with us all?

- It's up to you, you know. - You, you're half drunk all the time.

What's up to me?

To change your life! To escape!

It's all over for me, but you-- You're young. Men love you.

- Oh, don't talk rubbish, Jack. - I love you.

- There, I've said it. You're the loveliest woman I've ever known.

You're drunk! Let go of me!

The thought of you is the only thing that keeps me going.

God! Is there nowhere in this house I can go?

Caught with your pants down, eh, Max? Not the first time, I reckon.

Button up, Wally, and put some wood on the fire.

Ah!

♪

- You just missed her. - Who's that?

- Well, who do you think? That "ravishing, delectable creature," of course.

That was confidential!

- What's going on? - That's what I want to know.

Heard any tiptoeing around the house late at night?

- Have you, Wally? Any creaking bed springs?

That's a bloody offensive remark, and I'll ask you to take that back!

- Oh, no luck yet, eh? - Well, don't give up, Jack.

- Persistence is what counts with women. - My oath.

That bloody dentist here was never out of the house.

And it was my house!

Yeah, and it was your wife. - Too right.

Oh, come on, Jack. Cheer up.

Where's that other bottle you were talking about?

In the dining room.

Well, what are we waiting here for?

Come on, Wally. Give us a song.

♪ Tavern in the town, in the town ♪

♪ Where my true love sits her down, sits her down ♪

♪ And drinks her wine as merry as can be ♪

♪ And never, never thinks of me, thinks of me ♪

♪ Fare-thee-well for I must leave thee ♪ Uncle Jack!

♪ Please do not let this party grieve me ♪ Dr. Askey!

Father is trying to sleep!

Now, either go back to the kitchen or go to bed!

Dr. Askey, can I have a word with you, please?

Alone, if you don't mind.

Look, drink as much as you like,

but please don't encourage Uncle Jack.

He gets depressed, and I can't get him out of bed in the mornings.

No, you're right. I'm sorry.

Well, I better turn in myself. - No, no, no.

- Finish your whiskey. - Here, look, have something to eat.

Hannah's laid out bread and cheese especially.

I bet you haven't eaten all day.

You're quite right. I haven't. I forget.

Jove, I am hungry.

♪ Hmm.

I love midnight feasts.

When I can't sleep, I creep downstairs and raid Hannah's larder.

♪

Why do you drink?

Why?

Hmm. That's a big question.

To improve things, I suppose.

Well, for a few hours at least. - How do you mean?

Oh, well, how long have I been in the district now? Eleven years?

I go on talking my head off, the country's still rotting away.

Aborigines still dying off. - Oh!

And imagine how much worse it would be if you didn't talk your head off.

"Crank." "Ratbag." That's what they call me.

And maybe that's the truth. Maybe I go on rocking the boat just to...

just to prove to myself that I'm different.

That's not true.

Uh, you're sincere. You really care.

Do I?

Sometimes I wonder if I give a damn about any of it.

What you need is someone to look after you.

- Please don't, Dr. Askey. - Give me one good reason why not.

Because you're not that sort of man.

Everyone else drinks and gambles and fritters away their life,

but you really are different.

Please don't do it, Dr. Askey.

All right, that's it. It's settled.

Find me a Bible. I will take the pledge.

- Do you mean it? - Cross my heart and hope to die.

Dr. Askey, can I ask you something?

Anything.

Suppose I knew of someone--

a girlfriend or someone's sister--

who, well, I knew she was very fond of you.

In love with you even.

How would you respond?

- Matchmaking, are we? - No. Tell me.

Hannah says I'm losing my looks.

Don't joke. Tell me.

I'd tell her she could do better.

Well, early to bed, early to rise,

Makes a man healthy, wealthy...

and wise.

Rain has stopped.

At least it's cleared the air.

- Where's the doctor? - Shh. He's gone to bed.

He has to be away first thing.

- So I won't see him then. - No, not unless you get up when I do.

Sally. What?

- It's so silly being enemies. - Can't we call it off?

I've wanted to. I-- I didn't know how.

Well, then let's.

Oh! What a relief!

I was wondering if we'd ever talk to each other again.

- What's all this? - Oh, I made the doctor eat something.

Why don't we drink it? To our friendship.

Yes, let's!

From the same glass.

- So... friends? - Friends, Debbie.

Isn't it horrible?

Why do men drink it?

What is it? What's the matter? Why are you crying?

Oh, Sally. Oh, oh, there, there.

You silly-

Now you've got me crying too.

Can I ask you something?

And will you tell me honestly, as a friend?

- What? - Are you happy?

♪

No.

I didn't think so.

Can I ask you something else?

Anything.

Don't you ever wish you were married to someone younger?

Good heavens, of course I do.

And, you know, I once was.

When?

Remember that hat?

The one with the flowers?

I wore that during the summer I became engaged.

War broke out in August,

and by the end of November he was killed.

-My husband. Oh, Debbie, how terrible.

Oh, it was worse later on, I think,

when all his friends started getting killed.

After the Somme, it was as if the whole world was dying.

I became so...

scared.

- And then I met Alexander, and-- Oh, he was charming then. He really was.

And he knew all these interesting people, and...

he was safe.

Yes, that above all, I suppose.

Oh, I wish you'd told me all this before.

We've never really talked, have we?

Then you'd agree with Dr. Askey about the war?

Oh, yes! Of course, I do.

He's a remarkable man. That sort of vision.

It takes great courage, great persistence.

Tell me, it's my turn now, do you like the doctor?

Yes.

Yes, I do, very much.

I thought you did.

Is it that obvious?

Oh, it's no good. I can't hide it.

He's just gone to bed, but I can still hear his voice.

I can still see him.

Am I being silly?

But I'm so happy.

And I'm so unhappy.

We make a good pair.

Here you are, you old rascal.

A lovely cup of cocoa help you get to sleep.

To sleep? With that racket going on?

Dawn and dusk, like an alarm clock.

There, there, now. You stop your frettin'.

When I was young, Hannah, I used to lie in bed...

and listen to the magpies and swear I'd get away.

Well, I got away.

Now I'm back!

How did it happen?

I think of Ireland sometimes.

But it's God's will we're here.

Don't be too sure, Hannah.

Don't be too sure.

Come on.

What's going on? I told you!

Alexander wants us to meet under the tree house at 12:00.

Why, for God sake? Ask him!

You can't make lemon barley water at a moment's notice.

We'll all help, Hannah. Just do your best.

There, you young scamp. Never here when you're needed.

Garden. What can I do?

Nothing. Sit down and read a book. Go back to bed.

Oh, all right. Take this into the garden.

Wonderful! Your husband says, "Jump,"

and the entire household's in turmoil.

Is this how you're going to spend the rest of your life?

Running around, looking for an old man's slippers?

Oh, shh!

For God sake, get out now while you can.

Be cruel if you like, but don't be mediocre!

Oh! Sorry!

Sorry!

Oh, it's so hot.

February is going to be worse.

How will we ever get through the summer?

I thought he'd gone.

Oh, I let him sleep in. Then some sick aborigines turned up.

- Where is he now? - At the stables.

Look, I made him sandwiches for the journey into town.

I always do. He never notices. I'm sure he does.

If I was beautiful, he'd notice. Oh, but you are.

You have beautiful hair.

That's what people always say when you're plain.

"She has such beautiful hair"...

or "She has such beautiful eyes."

Oh, Debbie, I love him so much.

I just want to talk about him all the time,

like now, to anybody who'll listen!

I'm hopeless.

I have no pride.

Even Violet and Hannah gossip about it.

How long have you felt this way about the doctor?

Almost six years.

Oh, but that's ridiculous!

You can't spend your life just hoping.

Look, I have an idea.

Why don't I talk to him?

Don't be embarrassed.

Nothing direct. Just a hint or two to see how he feels.

Hmm? Yes?

Debbie? Yes?

Wouldn't it be better if I didn't know?

The truth is always best. That's what the doctor says.

Dr. Askey?

Dr. Askey? Looking for someone?

Oh! You gave me such a shock.

What can I do for you?

You just off?

Yes, in a minute. I'm just, uh, feeding the horse.

Dr. Askey-- I used to be Max.

Max, I was wondering if we could have a little talk?

Of course. Fire away.

I-It's a rather private matter.

Hmm. Well, um... it would be private in here.

I couldn't possibly climb over there.

Of course you could.

This is madness.

Everyone has to take a risk once in a while.

So people keep telling me.

I feel quite frightened.

Well, nothing to be frightened of here.

Look.

Aren't they adorable?

Sit down.

Oh, dear. I don't know how to begin.

I'm going to ask you some questions,

and when I've asked them, will you forget I ever brought the subject up?

Mm-hmm.

I'll get straight to the point.

It's about a certain young woman you know very well.

- You? - Don't be silly.

My stepdaughter, Sally.

Do you like her?

Yes, I do. She's a marvelous girl.

Do you like her... as a woman?

Am I attracted to her? Is that what you mean? - Yes.

No. Not in the least?

No. Oh, dear.

Have you noticed that she likes you a great deal?

I doubt that very much. Oh, I assure you, she does!

Oh, heavens. What an embarrassing conversation.

Just one more thing.

How can I-- How can I put it?

I think that, in the circumstances,

it would be kinder if, for the time being,

you stopped coming here to visit her.

To visit her?

Yes. Well, lately, you seem to have been here almost every other day.

And you know very well why I come here every other day.

It's not to visit Sally.

Do you know what you are? A fox.

A beautiful, sleek English fox.

And we're the poor, bloody native wildlife.

What on earth are you talking about?

Look at my practice; gone completely to hell.

And Jack-- poor, old Jack.

He wouldn't know if the sheep were grazing in the dining room.

You've gobbled us all up.

You obviously think I'm contemptible. I'll go.

Oh, no. I think you're beautiful.

The thought about you shimmers and glows for me.

What lovely wrists.

Oh, please, let me go.

I will, I will. I'll do as you say.

I'll leave today. I'll never come back.

Oh. But listen to me. Listen.

This may be the only time you and I ever get to spend some time alone together.

Nobody knows we're here. No one can find us.

Never.

Oh, God, your smell.

These little hairs on the back of your neck.

Max, you mustn't. Don't be afraid.

Don't be frightened. Don't run away.

You'll only regret it later.

Don't be frightened. Sit now.

We can't! Yes, we can. Yes, we can.

We can. It's so easy.

It's so easy.

Yes.

Mrs. Voysey!

Mrs. Voysey.

Mrs. Voysey. Miss Sally says Mr. Voysey says you're wanted under the tree house

in the garden!

Deborah. Shh.

Stay just for a few minutes. No.

How could it make any difference?

No.

It's a hot drink they'll be gettin', and it's more than they deserve.

Me with a whole lunch still to get ready. Go on.

Oh, Mrs. Voysey. Miss Sally said Mr. Voysey says you're wanted--

Yes, thank you, Vi. I heard you.

Uh, Miss Voysey, you've got hay on the back of your dress.

Allow me.

I-I-I brought you these for your bedroom.

Isn't your husband waiting for us in the garden?

Under the tree house.

Is no one punctual in the country?

Dear, oh, dear. Here they come, father.

Good heavens, at last. Three cheers.

It's bad news, isn't it? I can tell from your face.

Let's talk later.

No. The truth is best, you said.

He won't be coming here any more, will he?

All right, everyone, find yourselves a seat.

Make yourselves comfortable.

Sit down, my dear.

Sally! Oh, dear, she's not listening.

Sal?

And Wally.

Well, now, strictly speaking, this meeting is meant to be just family.

You're not actually needed, but since you're here, stay, stay.

I'm not actually needed, am I?

My dear Jack, you're the one person we quite emphatically...

-cannot do without. - Since when?

Do as Alexander says. Sit down, Jack!

My dear family, look about you.

Remember the well-tended lawn?

Remember the famous Rose Arbor?

Remember the garden in which one could almost believe one's self to be...

in some tranquil corner of Sussex or Kent?

"There is some corner of a foreign field--"

"That is forever England." Exactly, Maud.

Though no longer, alas, in this particular case.

Now, I'm not a practical person.

My world has been the world of the theater and the mind!

But even I can see, and no one regrets it more, that Canterbury...

is not the place it used to be.

For heaven's sake, Hannah, couldn't you serve drinks...

either before or after I've spoken?

The sooner it's poured, the sooner it'll cool down.

Merry Christmas.

To resume... something has occurred to me.

A little plan, if you like, which may just be...

in the very best interests of the entire family.

Now, at the moment, this property gives a return of a miserable...

two percent of its capital value,

as opposed to the six or even seven percent that a prudent investment might yield.

Now, I have been talking-- quite informally, of course--

to our neighbors and friends, Legal and Imperial Pastoral Holdings.

Indeed, I suggested to their Mr. Pettinger that he pay us a visit later this morning.

And I am the bearer of some quite remarkable tidings.

Legal and Imperial are prepared, should we ever wish to sell,

to offer us a very fair price, not only for our better grazing land,

but for the whole caboodle, lock, stock and barrel!

Ha! Including, would you believe it, this dilapidated old house.

Well, just imagine! We would then be in a position to acquire...

a pleasant villa in, say, one of the better parts of Melbourne...

and be considerably better off.

Hold on, hold on. What was-- what was that again?

With what was left over, we'd be considerably better off.

No, no, just before that. What-- what were you saying about Legal and Imperial?

They'd be prepared to offer us a very fair price.

That's it! The whole caboodle! Lock, stock and barrel!

Does that include me and my old mother?

Do we go at a knock down price with the furniture?

For heaven's sake, Jack, I never suggested any such thing.

For 25 years I've run this property! Nobody could have worked harder!

And for 25 years you've had my sister's share out of it, regular as clockwork,

while the rest of us scraped by on a pittance!

I don't really see the point of any of this.

Oh, don't you? Well, allow me to explain.

In my humble opinion,

you are a shallow, parasitic, totally self-centered humbug...

with about as much talent as that cockatoo!

And you've made fools of the lot of us! Keep quiet, Jack!

I absolutely insist you hold your tongue. I will not hold my tongue!

That man is my worst enemy! That man has robbed me of my life!

I could have been the one to go to London!

I could have been the one to write books and sleep with beautiful women!

Oh, God! I'm talking balls.

Jack, please! Alexander knows best.

Hello, everyone.

Does he?

Well, we'll see about that!

We'll see about that!

The man's mad. Obviously dotty.

Ha! I feel sorry for him. Oh, poor Uncle Jack.

The least we can offer you, my dear Pettinger, after coming all this way.

We can't just stand out here in the open indefinitely, Alex.

For God's sake, go in and try and calm him down.

Yes, father, go and speak to him. Try to see it from his point of view.

Oh, very well, very well!

If Mr. Pettinger will excuse me, very well.

Have a little drink first. Is my tie straight?

Mr. Voysey! Mr. Voysey, you all right?

Damn!

Oh, my God, Alexander!

Jack! Jack! Don't shoot again!

Don't be such a fool! Don't, Jack!

Don't, Jack!

Missed! Two chances and bloody missed!

Uncle Jack! Uncle Jack!

Where has the silly bugger got to?

Jack mustn't blame himself. It was that old rifle of his.

It needs a good clean.

Well, he's still the best shot in the district.

Please, please, Uncle Jack!

He must be hiding. Anyone looked under the house?

No, he wouldn't be there. He's scared of spiders.

All right, Jack. I want it back.

At once, please.

I mean it.

What's he got?

Pinched a bottle of morphia out of my bags.

Now, look, if you're really so keen on doing away with yourself, old man,

stop taking pot shots at other people...

and go up to the wool shed and bloody well blow your own brains out,

but give me back my morphia!

Come on. Hand it over.

Give it back, Uncle Jack.

We all have to keep going.

That's the stuff. Now I can be on my way.

Yes.

My best suit, ruined. Oh, nonsense, Boo-Boo.

Violet gave it a thorough sponge. That's what's ruined it.

What time's the motorcar picking us up, did you say?

In about an hour.

Oh. We'll go straight to the station...

and catch the 9:00 sleeper for Sydney. But my things, all my books.

They can follow us to Perth later.

My nephew has quite a large house, I believe.

Western Australia's most up-and-coming barrister.

Everything will be safe here in the meantime.

I suppose we'll have to leave the wine behind.

Of course.

It's just the thought that they won't have the least idea what they're drinking.

And, Boo-Boo, we mustn't leave without first making it up with Jack.

It's quite important, isn't it? Yes, yes, yes.

Of course it is. I'm not stupid.

Now, ring for Violet, and let's start packing.

Perth.

Ah, that'll be them, wantin' their packin' done.

You better go up to them. Good riddance, if you ask me.

Now we can go back to proper hours and decent food.

But, Mr. Wells, are you sure that's the best thing to do?

Safe as houses, Mrs. Dickens.

It will prove to Jack we still have faith in him.

He loves that old rifle.

You're quite sure you've hidden all the bullets?

All right, everybody, clear off. Sally and I have got work to do.

Right back where she was, Jack.

Ready for action. Hmm.

Uncle Jack wants to catch up on all the back paperwork.

The motorcar has arrived.

We're just leaving.

Let's go together, Uncle Jack, and say good-bye.

We mustn't part on bad terms.

Come on. Come and be friends.

We're just leaving. Good-bye.

This is rather sudden.

Are you really that scared?

Yes, I am. I wish I wasn't, but I am.

Don't be. Change your mind and stay. What's to be afraid of?

See, sooner or later, your feelings will get the better of you.

So why not here? At least it's beautiful country.

You won't even notice the sunsets where you're going.

Sydney, is it? Perth.

Three thousand miles away. Can we just shake hands and part friends?

You must be scared. You do respect me a little?

We probably won't meet again, so I can say it. I do like you.

I think I've liked you from the moment that we met,

and... I wish I wasn't scared.

Oh, probably this way is best.

Isn't life odd though?

We've been close and suddenly, for no very good reason,

we'll probably never see each other again.

One final kiss on the cheek here?

Come on in here before Jack shoots us.

First W.C. in the district, according to Jack.

These tiles were imported from Naples.

Oh!

Oh, dear.

A souvenir.

No, no, no, no, Jack.

What's past is past. Over. Let's just get on with life.

Each to his respective labors. All aboard!

Good-bye, everyone. Good-bye, good-bye.

And you'll be getting the usual on the fifth of every month, the same as always.

My dear, fellow, let's not even mention it.

Good-bye, Maud, my dear.

Dear Alexander, we shall all miss you so much.

And Wally.

Think of us all sometimes, out here in the bush.

Oh, Hannah, Violet.

Ah, goodness me, yes.

Uh...

Good-bye. Perth, is it?

Sorry if I've been a nuisance or anything.

Jack.

Good-bye.

Come along, my dear.

Coming.

Bye-bye, dear! Good-bye, sonny!

Good-bye! Good-bye! Good-bye, Debbie!

You're not waving good-bye? Go to hell!

Besides, I've got work to do.

They've gone. They've gone.

I hope they're going to be all right.

What about these accounts, Uncle Jack?

Let's get down to it. Yes, yes, let's get down to it.

It's ages since we sat at this desk together.

The ink's dried up. They've gone.

Dinner tonight will be at 7:00 sharp. You'll be staying, Doctor.

No, no. I must be off. It's mutton fricassee.

A great temptation, Hannah, but, no. I'm late as it is.

Oh, well, come out here then. I've got something for you.

Well, my friends.

Be winter there now. Can you imagine that?

Log fires and real snow.

I don't think I'd care for it.

When will we see you again?

Well, probably not for some time what with the flu epidemic reaching town and so forth.

Not for some months. Thanks for everything.

I've been practically living here, haven't I?

Like Wally. So--

You've got your sandwiches.

Hannah will have packed them. She never forgets.

Here.

Don't let them know.

I've topped it up from the decanter on the sideboard.

You're a sly one. Come on, give us a kiss.

You keep your hanky-panky for others.

♪

That's it, Wal. Give us a song.

Uh, can't think just what though.

Something to match that sunset.

He's gone.

Eight-- eight nines. What-what-what are eight nines?

What? ♪

Oh, yes. Yes, he's gone.

This bloody country!

Alex was right. Look at this garden.

It's a bloody wasteland.

We could always plant another garden, Uncle Jack.

This Rose Arbor took father years and years.

And a lot of good it did him.

We don't need to have roses.

What about native flowers? Look, Kangaroo Paw.

That's a weed. No, it's not.

Not when you look at it.

It's beautiful.

Listen, Uncle Jack.

The magpies!

Isn't that the most beautiful sound in the world?