Original subtitles

[ Sound of wind blowing and crows cawing outside ]

[ Loud cawing of crows ]

[ Salvation Army Band playing "Onward, Christian Soldiers" ]

[ Sound of typewriter clicking; band music outside ]

[ Opens door ] Edward.

[ Closes door ] Edward!

- Oh, in heh? I got Miss hoity toity's skates like I promised her.

Thank you.

Oh, thank you Mr. Richardson. Thank you, sir.

[ Clatter of meal utensils ]

[ Chair scrapes floor ]

May I leave the table?

It's usual to wait until everybody's finished breakfast.

I want to go down and collect my skates.

But, nobody goes skating on a Sunday.

- Why not?

A bit... They just don't.

[ Church bells and typewriter clicking and coughing outside ]

- Good morning.

[ Slaps stove ] Christ! As cold as charity.

Oh, it didn't seem worth lighting it.

Economy or masochism, I ask myself.

But then today is the day of unanswered riddles.

I'm on my way to the club, when, from the should-be empty office

I hear the urgent, albeit intermittent, clack of the typewriter.

And when I come to investigate...

What brings you into the office on a Sunday, Clutterhead?

- I... - Not some local divertissement, surely.

Tragedy at sea, perhaps?

Or, could it, perish the thought, mean war?

I just thought I'd come and do the Aspen piece.

This is too much.

For a man who eschews laboring six days a week to come in on the seventh?

Sprained wrist and all?

- Verily, verily I say unto you, there shall be more rejoicing

- over one sinner that repenteth...

- Let's have a look? - No.

The trouble with you is you're too damn shy.

That's what you gotta conquer, yourself!

It just needs some work, that's all.

Prune and polish, prune and polish, admirable.

We might make a reporter out of you yet, Clutterhead.

Thank you.

You're chapel, aren't you?

Huh?

Yes, why?

Cause you can come along and see what you can make of your

Byzantine firebrand's address, that's why.

Dr. Reed is liable to shake some life into you chapel girls.

- Aw, but, I...I've got to... - But me no buts.

The future of the fourth estate in Evansford is hereby invested in you.

Make a good job of it, and you can have 200 words

and your first byline.

[ Door slams ]

[ Auntie calls ] - Lydia!

Oh, damn!

[ Slams door ]

[ Church bells ring still ]

Lydia!

[ Telephone rings ]

[ Opens and closes door ]

[ On the way to church ]

[ Car doors slams ]

[ Church organ heard ]

[ Door slams ]

[ Ladies entering the church ]

[ Edward entering the chapel ]

- Only grace can unloose what yet we call the seventh seal

With which ignorance, pride and belief, enmity, self-will,

Lust and covetousness bind the sinner's heart.

- But how does one make way for grace

- to enter into a CHILD! That is the question of

- Top of directory during my ministry [ This in the chapel ]

- We, we only have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight

- That thou might speak justified when thou speaks

- And be clear when thou judges

- Behold, I will shaken in iniquity and in sin

Did my mother conceive me? [ This in church ]

[ Chapel ] Women, most mercifully, are spared the lusts of the flesh

It is the phallus that is the sign of Satan

- That is what we must fight in our children

- In our towns from the day that they are born

- But, how, again I can only answer you in the words of John...

[ Church ] # [ Unknown hymn ] #

- [ Chapel ] Great there will be times - "Praise him!"

Before they can run alone Before they can speak plain

- Before they can speak at all - "Praise him!"

[ Pastor and congregation become more emotional ]

[ Preacher/pastor continues inside ]

[ Organ music is heard ]

[ They see each other ]

[ Car door slams ]

[ Door slams ]

[ Daimler motor starts ]

- Aww. - Come on, Alex! - Go away.

[ Slap ]

Come on!

Mother, as much as I love you, would you please go away.

[ Tickling ]

Good Lord.

Is that anyway to greet your friends of a Sunday morning?

Look, if I'm too early, I can always call back.

You do that.

- Nonsense.

- Oh! Emma.

Enough of your cheek.

Are you gonna slam me or you gonna help, old ma'am.

He's awake at least.

You get him up and dressed by lunch time, and I'll give you a prize.

Oh. [ Door slams ]

[ Laugh ] You'd be half enough fool without me.

Thanks.

Ohh, give it back, give it back.

Oh, (century one).

[ Gasp ]

Oh, that's better.

You pooled it?

- Not as far as I know, why? - Well, huh.

What else is there to do in Evansford on a Sunday?

I invariably stay in bed until lunchtime.

Quite often the entire day. Got a light?

Sorry, no.

- Of course, you don't, do you? - I'm afraid not.

Never mind.

Now, if you'd pass the gin. [ Snort, snort ]

Well, it's in the back of the wardrobe.

[ Opens door ]

You must have more clothes here than the Prince of Wales.

I doubt it. Though one tries.

It's amongst the shoes somewhere.

- That's it.

Yes, I'm not given to keeping gin in my shoes.

Huh, huh. Mother's bent on reforming me just now.

[ Glasses clink ] And this way, heh, heh, everybody's happy. Cheers.

You're deplorably lacking in vices, aren't you?

You drink too much.

- Can be bought. - But don't you be patronizing!

I say why don't you calm down and tell me the problem.

It's the Aspens.

Now, don't tell me you haven't been up there yet?

Yes, I went when you said, "drinks time Friday".

I got a drink.

I even got my interview,

after a fashion.

It's just...amazing that... the two old girls and Captain Aspen.

- I've just never met anyone like them. - Uh, snobby. - Oh, no.

No, well, not with me.

I didn't like him much, but... the two old sisters, they

fire questions at you all the time, and

[ Sigh ] they don't pretend to listen to the answers.

[ Sigh ]

They finished up by asking me to teach Lydia to skate.

Lydia?

The niece.

My dear fellow, you're a made man.

Ah, no, I shouldn't think so.

She wasn't too keen. Why, she hardly uttered the whole afternoon.

It seems too odd then you must have arised her.

Naw, I thought she was stuck-up.

And when her skates broke, she threw a terrible tantrum.

No, to tell you the truth, I was quite glad to see the back of her.

When was this?

Yesterday.

And now?

Well.

- Thinking about it. - Uh huh.

- Oh, I don't know.

Well, there's something about her.

In a way, I...I wouldn't mind seeing her again.

What's up, then?

- [ Rollo ] What's that fellow doing here again?

- [ Auntie 1 ] He's come to see if Lydia would care to go skating.

- [ Auntie 2 ] On a Sunday!

- [ Auntie 1 ] What's wrong with skating on a Sunday?

Nothing in itself, it's just... well, it's something people don't do.

Oh really?

We don't want Lydia to grow up a stick-in-the-mud like us, do we?

Oh, that's as may be, we don't want her

gadding about with persons of no-account from the town.

- Least of all on Sunday.

- Bearing get a bad name.

Oh, nonsense.

Juliana, go and fetch her. Bring her down.

Hm.

Very well.

I say, it's an awful way to carry on, if you ask my opinion.

I wasn't aware that anyone had.

Remember her mother.

(Edward), don't!

- Don't blame me if she turns out the same way

with you two pandering to her all the time.

[ Opens and closes door ]

[ Door opens and closes ]

- This is uncommonly good of you, Mr. Richardson.

You must find Lydia very young for her age.

Oh, I...I don't know.

I blame her father...my brother.

He didn't seem to realize the needs for the child, a motherless girl.

He was very good with horses.

[ Whisper ] Oh?

But, uh...this is between ourselves you understand.

Oh, of course.

Actually, I was appalled.

It seems that for years her sole companions

were a governess and the gardener's daughter

with the result that you see now.

But have a care, Mr. Richardson.

- I'll do my best. - No, no, no.

I mean it. She's lamentably backward

and more shy, if possible, huh, than you are yourself.

But, underneath, I fancy, all kinds of things seethe.

See who's here.

Mr. Richardson.

You remember Mr. Richardson?

- Hello. - Yeah.

Mr. Richardson has called to ask you to go skating.

Haven't you?

Yes.

- You'd like to go skating, Lydia, wouldn't you? - Yes.

Well, then you'd best be off, hadn't you?

Yes, indeed, you won't have much time as it is.

Why, pray?

Well, if she's to be back in time to change for the evening service.

Well, if she's to do that it's hardly worthwhile her going at all.

But the family always goes to evening service, Bertie.

Thank you, Juliana, I think I know my duty.

We'll call by for you with the car.

But what about her clothes?

One doesn't go to church in skating clothes.

- It's not often the Lord sends such a frost.

- So we have to put up with her appearance

and be satisfied with her presence at evening service.

- You ought to be going! You ought to be down there

enjoying yourselves.

- Heh, heh.

The door, Mr. Richardson.

Young men don't seem to be very well trained these days.

- Uh? - Goodbye.

[ Sounds of voices ]

I'm glad you came back.

I wasn't sure you wanted to come out again.

[ Screams and hollering ]

[ Dog barking ]

- Careful!

That's the river.

First time it's frozen over in I don't know how many years.

Shall we go on it?

It's 18 feet deep there.

So? I dare you!

No.

But I can put my foot on it. It draws.

Come away!

Did I scare you?

Did you think I meant it?

No.

Oh, I believe you did.

I wouldn't have insisted it the way you stood there.

If it freezes...will you,... dare you, come on it?

We'll see.

I shall make you.

[ Daimler horn honking ]

Not yet. Show you!

Leave your skates please.

I'll take care of those.

Shall you pick me up tomorrow?

Yes,...unless Bretherton has a need for me.

Well, if he does, you'll just have to do it quickly won't you?

- Or not do it at all.

Here.

Then we'll meet here tomorrow.

Yes.

Same time?

All right.

Good.

[ Daimler drives away ]

- What's this?

- A late lunch or a very early night?

I just thought I'd go and do the rounds.

Rounds?

What rounds?

Could you speak plain English?

Could you bear to make yourself intelligible?

Uh, the police station, fire station, hospital, you know.

Well, you said the reporter had to get out and find the news.

Where's your piece about the firebrand minister?

Doctor Reed, it's over there on your desk, 200 words exactly

- not counting my byline. - And the Aspen story?

That's there, too.

Clutterhead, the shock may prove too much for me.

What's got into you?

Must be the weather, huh.

- Can I go now? - Yes, yes indeed, yes.

Never let it be said that I stood in the way of this

- sudden excess of zeal. - Thank you. [ Door slams ]

Richardson!

Well you got here, then?

Yes.

[ Crowd noises ]

I pulled the skates.

Good.

[ Laughing ]

[ Screams and laughter ]

And how did you escape Mr. Bretherton today?

Easy. I didn't go into the office at all.

There's one thing I don't understand about you.

Only one?

You're being paid to do what you want to do

and yet you hate it.

Well, I want to write

what I want to write.

Don't you see?

Hmm, not altogether.

From inside. Not to order.

Then again, I suppose I ought to be out and about.

In the world, I mean.

Other places. Other people.

New experiences. Raw material.

I'm learning nothing. I'm feeling nothing.

I'm observing nothing.

It's just...

It's all the same.

Well why don't you?

- Why don't I what?

Get out. Pack a bag and go.

'Millwoods Cemetary, 5.00pm, be there!'

[ Sound of crumpling paper ]

[ Door opens and closes ]

[ Crowd hollering and laughing ]

Would you rather not?

What?

Just something Miss Bertie said.

Oh, yeah. No, I had a bad fall when I was a child.

Now it's past. Scared by a pig.

Anyway he sold the pony, and he employed a governess.

She was called Miss Crunch.

- [ Laughing ] - She wasn't exactly stimulating

as a teacher, but she did see that my hair was kept in pigtails.

Shall I take you somewhere else?

Don't you dare!

I want to go everywhere.

See everything.

Know everyone.

Like you.

You really like Evansford?

Don't you?

I grew up here.

I know it too well.

There's nothing I want in it.

To me it's ugly and I'm locked in.

Thank you.

I was in a... a sort of a prison, too.

In Leicestershire?

Father hunted pretty well nonstop.

Sometimes I didn't see him for days together.

You must have been very lonely.

Are you?

Yes.

Well I, I wouldn't have thought it, I mean

with both your parents and knowing everyone in a place of this size.

Well, that's just the trouble.

Father never seemed to grasp that I might need company.

And yet, on my birthdays and at Christmas times

and yet, and he'd fill the house with all the children he could get hold of.

With so many I couldn't... I couldn't cope at all

I'd just break down and howl.

I think he wanted a son.

Oh...perhaps it was that Mother...

I can't really remember her at all, just...

just a scent sometimes...

a feeling of a... of a warm prescence, that's all.

Oh, Father and I... well, we lived in the same house.

We saw each other every day. Took most of our meals together,

except on hunting days.

But...we never really made contact, until...

It was July.

I was seventeen.

I'd been sent up to my room,

like a child, to rest.

It was too hot to sleep, so

so I sat at the open window.

Father came riding out of the (heedays).

He was with a woman.

She was wearing a... a soft white silk riding skirt.

I knew her.

I knew she was married, too.

He dismounted first...and tethered his horse under the cedar tree.

And she just sat there.

He came back to her.

He held up his arms.

She smiled.

She slipped slowly down the flank of her horse, and...

Well, it...I'd actually never seen two grown-up people

kissing each other before except to say hello.

I heard her laughing

as Father ruffled her hair and kissed her again.

I saw her...brushing his face with her lips.

Teasing him and... waiting to be kissed again.

Must have been quite a shock.

Oh, no.

Or rather... yes, it was a shock.

Bit it was like waking up, too.

What did you do?

Oh, I...I went for long walks with the gardener's daughter.

Sometimes we took food.

On hot days we...we'd lie under dark spruce boughs

talking of love

and how you did it.

And what it did to you.

Oh, come, let's have some fish and chips.

Ah, not in there.

But, why?

Why, it looks fun in there.

I don't think it's quite the place for you.

You sound just like my governess.

Well, I'm not taking you.

What is good enough for all those people is good enough for us, isn't it?

No.

That's because you're really an awful snob.

You're too uppish to be seen in there.

It's not myself, it's you.

Are you going to take me in or aren't you?

No, I'm not.

Lydia, wait!

All right, I'll take you.

- How are your folks, then?

- Well enough, thanks for asking. - That's the idea.

[ Cash register ring ]

I couldn't tell you what it's like to be out of that house.

Your aunts are rather splendid.

Oh, they're dear.

There's one that's expired. [ Cash register ring ]

I don't know that I'd go quite that far.

But he is.

And then that (fokkership) standing up doing the dishes.

Not as sponger.

(And they're hepuset, too.)

This is fun.

- [ Laughs ] - Seems like it's better than dishes.

Just cherries.

It's better to do the things that I want to do.

Well, one of these days I shall refuse.

Not if you know what's good for you.

[ Opens door ]

- Well, if it isn't greykin suit.

[ Closes door ]

- Be you'd best step inside. - Naw, I won't keep you.

- Ohh-ah.

It's about the boy?

Yeah, I'm afraid so, yes.

Well?

He didn't come in last afternoon.

Not for more than five minutes the day before.

Today, he hasn't graced us with his presence at all.

- His father know's he's not been here.

Yeah, that's what I want to find out.

You see, I know he'd rather write for himself than for me.

And I'm not a man to want to spoil anyone's fun.

But the paper can't.

No paper can carry passengers.

That's fair.

What are we to do?

Don't worry, I'll roast his ears, now I know the score.

Yeah, it's all right. Best you sort it out between yourselves.

It may be, I can talk to him myself...later.

Yeah.

Leave it to me.

- That was... - I heard.

[ A night of skating ]

[ Laughing ]

[ A night of fish and chips ]

I suppose some...well, I mean really, it's my job to know.

Do you mind if I ask you how your father died?

Oh, it was a hunting accident.

Oh.

- Couldn't have made vaguest of difference. I hardly knew him, I told you.

Shall we come tomorrow?

Oh, well, that depends on Bretherton.

Who cares about Bretherton?

If you don't like him, just walk out.

It's not that easy.

Of course it is.

There's a lot of unemployment in Evansford at the moment.

You're too serious about things.

What about the river. Shall we try the river tomorrow?

Well, that depends on whether the ice will bear us.

It depends on Bretherton. It depends on the ice.

You keep saying, "It depends."

If we want to do it, we just do it. Don't we?

All right.

If the snow stops.

There you go again. It's got to stop.

And I shall hate you if you're late.

You won't be late, will you?

No.

- [ Laughing ] - Snowing awfully hard,

so I'll walk up to the house with you.

No...No, I'll run. I'll run to the end of the avenue

and then shout.

You answer, say "Goodbye."

All right. [ Gate creaks open and shut ]

Shout hard and then I'll hear you and be all right.

You will, won't you?

Yes.

[ Wind howling; running footsteps heard ]

- Goodbye! [ Dog barks ] Goodbye.

Goodbye.

[ Softly ] Goodbye.

[ Shovels scraping snow ]

[ Coughing; door opens ]

[ Hacking, then spits ]

- Good afternoon.

Good bloody night, more like.

[ Spits ]

Would you...?

Could you spare me your attention for a moment?

Oh, very good of you.

Would it be too much to ask you to approach

so that I don't have to raise my voice to talk to you?

[ Outside show shoveling still heard ]

Thank you, because you see I do need to talk to you

in fact the occasion seems somewhat overdue.

What about?

Among other things, Clutterhead, what might be charitably described

as your inexactitudes.

Sir?

For instance.

In the matter of the late Charles Elliott Aspen, this, uh,

long-nurtured essay of yours.

Sixty, you say he was?

How did that get in?

What inspired that particular perpetration?

You guessed it, didn't you?

Those old virals is up at the house are seventy, if they are a day,

and he was the eldest, you blithering fool!

'It is understood, that Mrs. Aspen predeceased her husband by some years.'

Predeceased for Christ's sake. Who told you that?

- Well, I was given to understand... - She's alive!

She lives in London.

We then come to a further masterpiece.

'It is understood that the deceased, after a sudden collapse,

died of heart failure.'

Understood, understood!

Every bloody thing in this piece is understood!

Didn't you know that he fell from a blasted horse?

- I do know. - Yes! Well in future

dont' try to understand things. Just get the facts!

Where were you yesterday?

Skating.

And the day before that?

Skating.

And I suppose you're planning to go skating again today, are you?

Well, you're not going to have it!

I won't stand for you wandering around the

countryside during working hours inventing this...palpable dribble!

In future stay in this office, do you hear?

Sit by that telephone.

Wear your sensitive ass out until something comes to you.

[ Exhales ]

Give me strength.

Stay in this office! Do you hear?

I've left the job.

But why?

Well, you always wanted me to make something of myself, didn't you?

It's not a good time to be looking for work.

Well, I just thought I'd tell you, that's all.

[ Fork clatters down on plate; opens door and closes it ]

Sometimes I just don't know what to make of him.

I put the thought in his head. Perhaps it's my fault.

But, to leave his job with nothing to go to.

He's not been happy there for a long time.

Being happy in your work isn't everything.

It is when you're his age.

What are we to do?

Is Miss Lydia in?

Why Mr. Richardson she just went down to your office

to look for you.

On, thank you.

Where have you been?

What's going on?

The river's frozen over.

- Is it safe enough to skate on Saffer's house?

(Well, just pick up where they say.)

I've quit the job.

Hurray!

- You really have a chance to show us what you can do today.

- On my own!

We don't seem to see a lot of you Ricky.

No.

Mother keeps saying it's a long time since you've

been to the farm for tea.

Yes.

Well, the truth is old Bretherton's been keeping my nose to the grindstone.

Is she your girl?

Oh, good Lord, no.

(Not a seat to serve by.)

Why did you lie to her, then?

I wanted us to be alone.

Lydia!

Lydia!

[ Laughing ]

Be careful of the river!

Lydia, no!

Lydia!

[ Sound of wind blowing ]

[ Softly ] Lydia.

Lydia.

For God's sake.

Did you think I'd gone?

Did you think I'd run away?

No, not yet, my darling.