Original subtitles

- Hello, Mr Herriot. - Hello.

Oh, l'm very grateful to you.

Can't be easy to drop everything at a moment's notice.

Sister Rose, it's an occupational hazard.

Look over there. An anonymous call this morning.

Someone too busy to help, but with conscience enough to let me know.

Mother and babe in first-rate order, Mr Mount.

No problem letting her run in the paddock, then?

- So long as she doesn't overdo it. - Don't worry.

l'll watch out for her.

She's a grand lass, Dilly. The best l've ever had, l reckon.

She's a beautiful animal.

We nearly said goodbye to them in the war.

Nowadays there are too few folk who are prepared to be bothered with them.

- lt's folk that's the losers, Mr Farnon. - l think so.

But so long as some of us breed them just for the love of it, they'll survive, l reckon.

lf they do, it'll be because of good people like you.

Righto, Tom.

- That young brother of yours... - You mean Tristan?

Aye, that's the one. He's working up at Mannerton, l hear?

Yes, he is. ln the Ministry of Agriculture.

He's pulled himself together, that young man.

Well, he's not quite so young any more.

And responsibility, the passage of time - the great reformers, Mr Mount.

Well, l don't mind admitting l had a bit of a down on that young fella.

lt seems l got him wrong.

l couldn't believe it at first, when l heard how much he'd changed.

You must be proud of him, Mr Farnon.

Very proud.

Aye.

Mr Herriot.

- l'm all right. - Do be careful.

Oh.

lt's all right.

There's a good dog. There's a good dog.

Oh.

Come on. Now, you push. You push.

Come here. Come on.

Well done, Mr Herriot.

- Are you all right, Mrs Greenlaw? - Out there.

- l'm sorry? - A foreigner.

Nasty brute, creeping about out there.

- There's no one there now, Mrs Greenlaw. - Oh, ruddy heck.

Creeping up on me like that.

- A foreigner, you said? - Aye, a Chinaman or some such.

He had these great big hands. Aye, all covered in blood.

lt must be one of the men from the POW camps.

Well, the sooner we're shot of them, the better.

lt don't feel safe round here no more.

Good dog. Stay.

Good girl.

- Feeling better, Mr Herriot? - Much, thanks.

Oh, l say. lt suits you.

- Thank you. - Bonny dog, in't she?

Yes. Bit shaken up after her ordeal. Still, she's very young. Should pick up fast.

Heaven only knows how she came to be out there.

Well, perhaps it's better not to know.

Sister Rose, if no one claims her, will you be able to find her a good home?

Oh, friendly little thing like this, no problem whatsoever.

You're a lucky girl, aren't you? Hm?

Utterly baffling, James, to me.

For years now, lsaac Mount has positively loathed Tristan.

Tristan drinks and smokes. Of course he wouldn't approve.

lt's because he thought younger brother was trifling with his daughter's affections.

Siegfried, there is trifling and then there's Tristan.

He's grown up a lot, you know, James.

They do say Mount has mellowed since Debbie left home.

And he does love big horses.

Mr Mount has many admirable qualities, my dear.

But human charity, as far as the younger Farnon was concerned,

was not among them until today.

- You must've misunderstood him. - No, no, no, James.

Honestly, he was referring to Tristan almost with terms of endearment.

- No explanation? - None whatsoever.

- Good Lord. - What?

- No, it can't be. - What can't, darling?

l did hear that Debbie Mount is back in the area.

She's working in local government now, in the council offices in Mannerton.

lt's, erm... only a thought.

Tristan and Debbie again?

No, he wouldn't dare.

- Where's he got to? - He's behind the pillar.

Hm?

- What's going on? - Nothing's going on, James.

- That was you sitting there? - Oh, very funny.

Why didn't you say you were back?

Guest of the Mounts. A full-time occupation.

- Very Lord's Day observant, l imagine. - Don't remind me.

Tristan.

Oh, look. l must dash. l'll pop in on my way home, all right?

- ''Tristan and Debbie again''? - ''He wouldn't dare''?

Thank you.

Good morning.

- l hope you young 'uns are hungry. - Starving, Mrs Greenlaw.

- Lots of crackling, please. - You'll have your share, like other folk.

- Wine for Mummy and Daddy. - Wine for Jimmy?

- Water for Jimmy. - Will you carve, please, James?

Hello. James Herriot.

Yes, Mr Ripley.

Yes.

Yes, all right, l'll come out straight away. Oh, and, Mr Ripley? That gate.

Ow.

Mr Ripley.

Hello.

Oh, Siegfried.

How pretty you look.

- Hello. - Hello.

l didn't expect to see you so early.

- l don't intrude? - Of course not. Hello.

- ls Caroline with you? - They look beautiful.

No, no, no. They're off gallivanting with Caro's sister

while l attend to the needs of this creature.

- What is it, a cat? - No. lt's a rabbit travelling incognito.

lt's not much of a day off for you or for James.

lt has its compensation.

Mm. They're awfully good, these.

That gate is a bloody menace.

You promised to have it mended.

Aye. Aye, tha's reet.

But then it's one of them lile jobs that just seem to slip me mind.

Mr Ripley, you've been saying that since 1939. Look at my jacket.

Nay. Not to fret, Mr Herriot.

l've learnt me lesson.

l'll tell thee what. l'll have it done next week. How's that?

But will you, Mr Ripley?

- l guarantees it, Mr Herriot. - Well, better late than never, l suppose.

You leave it to me.

- Hello. Had a good day? - l'll tell you later. How are you?

Siegfried's waiting in the surgery.

- Oh. Strawberries for tea later. - Lovely.

Siegfried.

Tristan.

Well...

This is very pleasant.

- You look very well. - Mm. And my nephew?

He's as devoted to his uncle as ever.

So, er...

How are things at the ministry?

Oh, passing fair.

Nothing a chap can't handle.

Excellent, excellent.

You smile, Tristan.

Mm.

Nothing much changes around here, does it?

Should it?

Oh, it's perfectly adequate for Darrowby, l'm sure.

- Really? - Fine, of course, if it suits and it works.

lt works.

lt's very different from our setup at the ministry.

You don't mean to tell me that you actually get down

to some honest-to-goodness vetting once in a while?

Oh, yes. Exciting time, Siegfried,

with all the new treatments and equipment coming along.

We hear but see very little of it here in Darrowby.

Yes.

Well, it does take time to, erm...

filter down to our country colleagues.

But any problems, do say, won't you?

That's right, yes. Mm-hm.

Wednesday 28, table for two.

- Hurry up, Dad. - Oh, Jimmy, wait in the car, will you?

And don't slam...

..the door. What?

Oh, sorry. Yes. Yes, that's fine.

Thank you very much. Bye.

Oh. Your list, James.

Oh, thanks.

Oh, darling? Best bib and tucker for the 28th.

- You've booked early. - Would l forget our anniversary?

- Not if you value your domestic bliss. - Blackmail will get you...

- Everything. - Mm. l've got to rush. See you later.

- Bye, darling. Don't forget Jimmy. - Some chance.

- And, James? - Mm-hm?

Get your hair cut.

- l thought we were going on visits. - Mum thinks l need a haircut.

You do.

A-ha.

- What's wrong? - Mr Anderson has gone to dinner.

- No, he's not. He's gone to the pub. - How do you know?

''Gone to dinner'' means ''Gone to the pub''. Everyone knows that.

Really? Well, he isn't here, is he?

- He cuts hair in the pub too. - Not mine, he doesn't.

- Hello? Sister Rose? - Hello.

Hello. Hello.

Hello, Mr Herriot. Hello, Jimmy. Helping Father out today, l see.

- How are the pups, Sister? - Fine.

- Can l have a look, please? - Of course. You know where they are.

- l thought l'd see how she's getting on. - Amber, Mr Herriot.

- Sorry? - Her new name. Amber.

After the colour of her coat.

Steady on. That's very appropriate.

Well, look. She's put on a lot of weight. A full recovery, l'd say.

Yes, and she's a remarkably intelligent dog.

- And quite loving, really. - Mm.

You're special. Saw that the first time we took her back.

Well, Sister, it's not every day l pluck a dog out of Beckdale Mire.

She's over her ordeal, but there's something l'd like checked.

Slight skin infection round her toes.

Oh, really? l'd better have a look.

Come on.

- Up. - Good girl.

Very intelligent, Sister Rose.

Sit.

Little spat of eczema, l thought.

Yes, probably.

Y1 764. Number 19.

And...

seven.

And seven.

- Did you get all that, Clem? - Just keep on t' job, Mr Farnon.

Time's money, tha knows. Your time, our brass.

l'll spend the time if you'll spend the brass. Off she goes.

Right.

lt's that insurance fella.

- How do, all? - That time of year again, George?

Not for you, Mr Farnon. l want a word with these Hudson lads.

l told you last time. We don't want no insurance.

lt's a very selfish attitude, that.

A disaster for your dependants if you're taken off.

- Long-lived lot, these Hudsons. - Aye.

Only way to get rid of a Hudson is to shoot us, l reckon.

Aye, that's right, Dick.

You'll not catch us chucking us money away on fancy policies, Mr Forsyth.

Aye, that's right, Dick.

An accident policy makes good sense, lads.

Ask Mr Farnon.

Yep. George has us more than adequately covered.

You might have accidents, Mr Farnon.

But us Hudsons, we don't.

Not once. Not never.

Mad about animals, that lad of yours.

- Not being a nuisance, is he? - No, never that, Mr Herriot.

- Ooh. Er... put your bags down over there. - Thanks.

- There we are. Ooh, sorry. - No, no, it's fine. Thanks.

So, what's the news on Amber?

Well, actually, she's got mange.

Oh. Well, not to worry. l've dealt with mange before. No doubt will again.

lt's not sarcoptic mange. lt's something worse, l'm afraid. Demodectic mange.

Good heavens. l'd no idea. lt's quite serious, isn't it?

Yes, it is. And very often unresponsive to treatment too.

She wasn't scratching much so l didn't worry.

There's often only mild discomfort with demodectic mange.

- That'll change later. - What's to be done, then?

Well, it takes time to run its course.

lt's time we can use - to fight it in every way possible.

- But you said it was incurable. - No. Some dogs do recover.

l'll do everything l can for her.

So will l.

- l can't understand your attitude, Clem. - On she goes.

Oof.

Uh.

All right, Clem, are you?

You're a lucky man, Clem. You could've ended up with severe internal injuries.

You could've been off t' job for months. Paying out good money for extra labour.

For a trifling sum, you could've had cash to cover it. Hard cash, notes in your hand.

What, if Clem had been hurt just now,

you'd pay us cash, Mr Forsyth?

l told you, lad. lt's a wonderful thing, insurance.

You shell out a little bit per annum and get back a fortune when you need it most.

- Go on. - ln't that right, Mr Farnon?

ln principle, yes. But, er...

See?

lf we had an accident, you'd pay us cash in hand?

£20 a week, and every week thereafter till you got back on your feet.

Have you, er... got one of them there policies with you, Mr Forsyth?

l never travel without them, lads.

- Premium's £10 per annum. - But you'd pay us £20 a week, cash?

''ln case of incapacitating illness'', aye.

£20 a week's a right lot of money.

Hello, Darrowby 385.

lt's Barnett here. Tell Farnon l want him out at my yard.

And l don't mean tomorrow. l want him now, you hear?

- Look, Mr Barnett... - l don't want any excuses.

- Bye, darling. - l want some service. Tell him.

l will tell Mr Farnon, but...

Goodbye, Mr Barnett.

- Hello. - Hello. How are you?

- Hello. Half of bitter, please. - Half of bitter.

- There you are. - Cheers.

Argh.

- Josh here, is he? - Aye. Set up t' torture chamber in gents.

Argh.

l'd better have a word with him.

Watch your scalp, Mr Herriot.

- Ah, Mr Herriot. - Hello, Josh.

Missus said you'd be wanting to see me, like.

Now, now, Sidney.

Tha's over hard on those clippers, aren't thee, Josh?

Not what you were thinking though, was it, eh?

- No swearing, neither. - Me swearing?

Aye, lad, swearing. Not in words, in thought.

- Get away, you daft old bugger. - Sit still.

Don't get all aerated. Five minutes, Mr Herriot.

Well, actually, l did want to make an appointment.

Your wish, my pleasure.

Me motto, Mr Herriot.

- Right. Bye, Josh. - Bye, Mr Herriot.

Argh.

- What are all those, Fred? Bombs? - Petrol tanks.

- Are they? - Aye.

All right, thank you.

At your service, Mr Barnett.

Over there.

- ls she yours? - Just sort of hangs about here.

- A stray, is she? - lf you like.

lt's her front leg. She must've cut it or summat.

Oh, yes. There is something.

She probably cut it on a sharp bit of metal.

Oh, aye?

Let's have a try

and let's see what we can find.

Now, look at that.

Would you look at that now?

Rubber bands.

- Well, how did that get there? - Well, it was forced onto the animal.

And whoever did it must've known it would cut into the leg.

- On purpose, you mean? - Mm. lt seems like it.

Would you hold on to her a moment, Mr Barnett?

Righto.

That's a good girl.

How long have you had her?

Well, l told you. She's a stray.

She wandered in here a week or so back.

But you've been caring for her?

l'll pay for the medicines if that's bothering you.

Aye, and l'll pay the extras you slap on just cos it's me.

lt's the cat l'm concerned about, Mr Barnett.

She's been ill-treated once and she could be again.

Then you'll get paid twice over, won't you, Farnon?

She isn't responding to this either.

l've kept exactly to the letter of the treatment.

Well, there are plenty more we haven't tried yet.

One could just do the trick, even a combination.

Shall we try it, old girl, eh? What do you think?

- Sister, l think l'll take her home with me. - Are you sure?

l need her close by if l'm to get her well.

l'm extremely grateful to you, Mr Herriot.

There's a good old girl, Dilly.

Thank you, Thomas.

Well, perfect condition, Mr Mount.

And delivery will be on target, l expect.

Aye.

Keep adding the supplement to her diet.

That young Tristan, Mr Farnon...

- Yes? - Hard-working chap, by all accounts.

Oh, very. The work of the ministry is much in demand these days.

Never seem to give their blokes a minute's rest. On the go day and night, it seems.

- Really? - Aye.

Like the Scarlet Pimpernel, that young man.

Never still for a minute.

On the job day and night.

- l can never get a hold of him. - Do you want to see Tristan?

Well, friends of mine do. Christian folk up Mannerton way.

They're looking for someone to help spread the message.

Tristan? Spread the message?

Aye, someone young with something to say to the youth.

Someone like Tristan, in fact.

You know - reformed, like.

Come on.

- Hello, Daddy. - Hello.

Oh, that is marvellous.

Now, listen, you two. lmportant rule.

No touching Amber until l've made her better, all right? Hm?

Now, get yourselves cleaned up before Mummy gets back. Go on.

Oh, and thanks for doing this.

James.

ln here, darling.

Hello. How was the village féte planning committee?

lnterminable. Oh, James, you haven't...

- l did tell you about Amber, didn't l? - Yes, of course.

- There she is. - So l see.

Now, don't worry about the bald patches. She is very intelligent.

You watch this.

Amber, come on. Up. Up.

Sit. And stay.

Good dog.

She's staying here until she gets well again?

- Yes. - lf she gets well again, James.

l intend to make sure she does.

- Then l intend to keep her. - Keep her?

Mm. She'll be my dog.

- l see. - l've discussed it with the children.

- She'll be their dog too, but mostly mine. - Oh, James, for heaven's sake.

- What's wrong? - Amber is a seriously ill dog.

- You said so yourself. - l know that.

Why let them believe she'll get well again?

The odds are against her, but l'm sure she'll get better.

ls that a professional judgment or wishful thinking?

Helen, what would you have me do? Put her down?

Of course not. But don't fall into your own trap, James.

''Never get involved with the patients.''

lsn't that what you've drummed into us all these years?

Look here, James. The advance guard of a therapeutic army

that's going to sweep all our old treatments into oblivion.

Samples. When will supplies be available?

- Soon, James. - Quite.

Until they are, stick to the tried and tested, l say.

The veterinary Canute still intent on reversing the tide of progress.

Demodectic mange, actually.

Oh, yes. l'm sorry about that. That's a rotten thing to happen to a patient.

Miracle drugs or not, l intend to make that animal well.

- Tristan. - Ah. Hello, Helen.

Any room at the inn?

Of course.

- ls anything wrong? - That old fool Mount. That's what.

- Morning, James. - Hello, Siegfried.

Pretty well advanced, hm?

- But not irreversibly so. - ls that so?

- l should've discussed it with you. - What?

- Bringing Amber here. - Oh, nonsense.

Great heavens, you scarcely need my approval to own a dog of your own.

Just rather an awful dog to choose, that's all.

lt's just for a few days to let things cool off at Mannerton.

Caught in your own tangled web. Most unfortunate, younger brother.

How was l to know he'd do anything so daft?

Playing with fire, et cetera.

And you knew he was involved with the Temperance Fellowship.

He's involved with all sorts of fanatics. How do l know what they do?

They swap tales of marvellous conversions,

and l suppose yours must count as more miraculous than most.

l attend church, l drink water till it comes out my ears,

but l'm dashed if l'll preach the joys of sobriety at a meeting.

l'd be the laughing stock of every alehouse.

Pity. You'd be so awfully good at it, Tristan. Not so, James?

Mesmeric.

They lurk at the office, pester me at the digs.

The telephone's under siege. lt's just not on.

- Just tell them straight you won't do it. - Ah, well, that's the problem.

l half-promised to show willing when Mount first floated the notion.

Just to shut him up, really.

Dreadfully tenacious breed, the evangelicals.

Yes, l'm sure you find it all terribly amusing, Siegfried.

Just the vicarious pleasure of a dull, backward, aging country vet.

- l'll do the honours. - You'll need help.

Ah, not past it yet, dear colleague.

Ah?

Ow.

Thank you, my man.

Look at my colleague. He can hardly walk after tackling that gate of yours.

Well, l said it will be done. Aye, l guaranteed it.

- You taken on new staff, Mr Ripley? - Nay, not as such.

Youth's one of them prisoners from Knowle Hall.

A ruddy marvel too.

His name's lgor. He's a Russian.

But me and t' missus call him Fu Manchu.

That there is Mr Herriot.

Hello.

- And that's young Mr Farnon, lad. - Hello.

Youth doesn't speak much language, but very fond of him, we are.

- How long's she had that awful growth? - Eh, let's see.

- A good long while, l reckon. - You've left it too long, as usual.

Well, l thought it might drop off, you see, veterinary.

The heifer might have dropped off, Mr Ripley.

All right, let's get a halter on her.

Thank you.

lt's beautifully pedunculated. Quick shot of local and we'll ligate it in no time.

- You handled any Angus heifers lately? - Not for a few years, no.

Well, no time like the present.

No problem.

Cush-cush.

Cush-cush.

Oh, no.

There's nothing wrong with her ears and l can't see any sign of injury.

Well, she's hurt. l can tell, veterinary.

Yes. Something bothers her, certainly.

Shh, shh, shh. Stay still, baby, stay still. Yes, that's right.

Oh. No, no, no.

Well, l'll be damned.

- Found summat, have you? - Just a minute.

Just a minute. Now, baby.

No, no, no, no, no.

No, no, no, no no.

- Hold her for a second. - l've got her.

Well done. Look at this.

There's another rubber band for you.

Who the hell's doing this, Farnon?

Well, there are an awful lot of cruel folk about, Mr Barnett.

There's no knowing unless you catch them in the act.

One of yon buggers in t' yard, you reckon?

l really couldn't tell.

They'd have me guts for garters, you know.

l wouldn't be surprised.

Wait.

- Wait. Get a hold, will you. - l'm trying to.

- l'm done for, James. - Typical ministry vet.

- Look. That's the devil incarnate. - And now you sound like lsaac Mount.

- Mr Herriot. - Yes, Mr Ripley?

We've got to get on, tha knows.

- One more try, eh? - Nay, lads.

Fu Manchu here will see to t' heifer.

- Thee get tha doings ready. - You sure?

lf Fu Manchu says so, it'll be done.

Excellent idea.

Good heavens.

- Now then, Mr Farnon. - Your arm, Clem.

l slipped on cowhouse floor.

nobbut three days after l took out that insurance from George Forsyth.

Well, l am sorry. They've made a good job of it, haven't they?

Don't be sorry. l'm getting £20 a week for this.

By the time t' plaster's off, l reckon that'll be £300.

- So, you're paying for extra help? - Oh, no. We're managing grand as we are.

Great stuff, this insurance thing. Great stuff.

Anyway, Mr Farnon, what can l do for you?

Dehorning, Clem. l sent you a postcard, saying l'd call today.

Oh, aye. l told Dick about it. He should have 'em ready for you.

l reckon thou can get t' job done now.

Good Lord.

Go on.

- Mr Herriot. - Yes, Mr Ripley?

lst tha ever up Knowle Hall way, dost tha reckon?

Knowle Hall? Yes. Now and then.

Aye. Only t' youth here's got an animal there he'd like thee to see.

- Really? - Bird. Hunting bird.

Nay, lad, it's a barn owl.

He found it snarled up up there.

He's got it up at Knowle Hall.

l'd be delighted.

- There. - Well, goodbye. And, Mr Ripley?

- Aye? - That gate, eh?

lt's burnt into me mind, Mr Herriot.

Now, it'll be done. Thou'll see.

Ah, Mr Farnon.

Do l recognise that smart little motorcar?

Aye, it's your brother's. We're just having a cup of tea.

- Why don't you join us? - l should be delighted. Thank you.

Hello.

- Please come. - Right.

Guten Tag.

Thanks.

We'll find the path, each in our own way.

Aye.

lt's 30 years now since Satan's brew passed my lips.

- ls that not so, Deborah? - Yes, Dad.

Aye. But no man is a mountain.

We all have moments of doubt,

of human weakness.

You see that bottle over there, Tristan?

The brandy?

Aye.

Now, you'll be very interested in what l have to say.

- Fascinated, Mr Mount. - Aye.

Well, as l say,

a time of doubt, young fella,

a time when troubled minds look for forgetfulness.

Well, anyroad. One night l bought it.

That bottle there.

And l set it on the table here in this room.

Aye.

l cannot tell you how much l wanted to drink it.

Well, you'll know what l mean, Tristan.

Er... yes, l suppose so.

But you didn't weaken?

Touch and go, Mr Farnon. Touch and go.

Hours l sat, just looking at it.

Sitting right there.

Right where you're sitting, Tristan.

So, he was hit by a car?

Go on. That's it. That's right.

Well, the wings are perfect. Where did you learn how to do that?

Siberia.

l fix many birds.

Hawk. Eagle. Many.

Well, it's a beautiful job.

- He needs, uh... medicine? - Shh, shh.

l'm afraid he does, yes. There's a very slight infection just above the splint. See?

- You fix? - l fix.

- He good soon? - Oh, yes. Week, ten days, he'll be fine.

ls good.

- Bird must... - Fly.

Da. Fly.

Be free, when Russians go.

Oh, l see.

- When are you leaving England? - Er... Two weeks. More maybe.

Well, nothing to worry about. He'll be gone before you are.

Thank you, Mrs Wheatman. Bye-bye.

There we are, then. Goodbye.

Next, please.

- Mr Farnon. Ma'am. - Hello, Josh.

Oh, Mr Anderson. Did my husband see you today?

Today? Nay, not today.

l seen him though, darting about t' village.

Happen he's too busy to have his hair cut.

Problems with Venus, Josh?

Aye. She's got summat stuck in the back of her throat, Mr Farnon.

Let's have a look at her.

- Na zdorovye. - Cheers.

Good?

lt's good.

- Eat. - Oh.

- Thank you. - Eat. ls good.

Mm. lt is good.

Come on. Open up.

l can't get her to open up.

Ah. lt's all right, it's all right.

Now, Josh, l'm sorry, but l'll have to give her a short-acting anaesthetic.

Put her to sleep, you mean?

Yes. You see, the bone's lodged a good way down.

lt'll be very distressing for her unless l knock her out.

- She'll be all right though, won't she? - Of course. Perfectly all right, l promise.

- Oh, l can't bear to watch that, Mr Farnon. - l quite understand.

May l suggest you go into the waiting room.

By the time you've had a cup of something, l'll have that bone out.

What do you say?

Ah, well, if you must do it, aye.

- Come on. l'll get you a nice cup of tea. - Thank you.

Come on now, little girl. Come on. We'll get a needle, shall we?

You leave England soon, yes?

Da.

- To Siberia? - No Siberia.

Russia, yes, but no see Siberia.

Oh.

Look, lgor. There's you, a Siberian,

and here's me, a Scotsman - well, originally -

and here we are together right in the middle of the Yorkshire Dales.

lt doesn't happen very often, you know.

There we are. Josh was right - piece of knucklebone.

You don't believe that nonsense about Josh being telepathic?

Well, my dear, l have known him most alarmingly right on occasions.

Now, we'll bring Venus around and have Josh in.

What's the matter?

- She's stopped breathing. - Oh, no.

Her heart's going all right.

You do sometimes get apnoea with Pentothal.

Must get the animal breathing again.

My little Venus all right, is she, Mr Farnon?

Yes, quite all right, Josh. Shan't be a moment.

Can l see her now, do you think, Mr Farnon?

Just a moment, Mr Anderson.

Ah.

- ls she still alive? - She's perfectly fine.

There we are.

That is a trick l learnt

from one of the old boys hereabouts.

You can fetch Josh in.

You can come in now, Mr Anderson.

- How is she, then, Mr Farnon? - She'll be right as rain, Josh.

She was just a little bit unsteady to begin with. There you are.

Ah. Grand job.

Marvellous thing to have faith in veterinary. That's what l always say.

What's this, then, Venus?

Something amiss, Josh?

She's not been, er... floating, has she?

Floating?

Aye. Floating.

Through the air, like.

Siegfried.

- Siegfried. - Yes?

Oh, sorry, Mrs Greenlaw. Siegfried, it's Amber.

Will you come and look at her? You too, Helen.

- Sorry. - Careful.

Dangerous life you do lead.

Look here. And here.

Yes.

There's some more.

And here.

- lt's not just my imagination? - No, it's here too.

There's new hair growth in all the affected areas.

- Oh, how wonderful. - lt's remarkable.

Remarkable. l never gave you an earthly, you know, James.

- No, l know. - lt's certainly one for the books.

l believe you've stopped the condition dead.

Amber's on her way to recovery.

Go on.

Amber. Amber. Come on. Come on.

Come on. There's a good dog.

Good dog.

Go on, Amber. Where is it? Come on, Amber.

Come on, Amber, come on. come on, come on.

Come on. Fetch. Fetch.

Go on.

Well, that'll clear up nicely, Harry.

As long as he stops biting his nails.

All right?

Next, please.

- Good heavens, Dick. - Morning, Mr Farnon.

l brought Trixie for a split-nail job.

How... But what on earth's up with your foot?

Unskittled myself in an old rabbit hole, Mr Farnon.

Aye, bloody nuisance. But with 20 quid a week coming in, who's complaining?

What a good thing you took out insurance, you and Clem.

And young Herbert.

Aye, everything that moves and most that don't, we got insured now.

What with Clem's arm, my foot,

smashed fence, dented tractor, making a bomb, we are.

Aye, reckon we can retire soon if this keeps up.

Aye.

Grand job, that, Arnold.

Work of a master craftsman, that is, lad.

Hey. The least you can do is say if you like it or not.

Thank you very much, lad. Ah, Mr Herriot.

- Hello, Josh. - Be right with you.

- There's no rush. - Give us your coat.

Come here. There.

- Now, sit down, Mr Herriot. - Yes, thanks.

Let's have a look. Aye.

Now then, Mr Barnett.

- Ow. - Nay, nay. No need to take on so.

Take it easy, Josh. Please.

- Not what you were thinking, was it? - What?

l knows what l knows, Mr Herriot.

Argh.

She's been poisoned, hasn't she?

- What did you say? - Somebody's tried to kill her again.

No, no, no. Nothing like that. l'm pretty sure it's feline enteritis.

- What? - Sometimes called cat distemper.

- lt's being going the rounds just now. - Oh.

Well, if it is that, can you cure her?

The mortality rate is awfully high. lt's a very serious illness, Mr Barnett.

- Most of 'em die, you mean? - l'm afraid so.

Well, l thought you fellas had wonderful medicines these days.

Yes, but this is a virus.

Resistant to antibiotics.

- Well? What are you going to do, then? - Everything possible.

But to be perfectly honest, there's not much hope of success.

- You'll feel better now, Mr Herriot. - lf you say so, Josh.

Aye. lt'll go down well in that fancy restaurant, that will.

What restaurant?

That restaurant that you were thinking of taking your missus to.

Fancy place, by the feel of it.

You're not telling me you can read minds?

lt were on your mind just then, weren't it?

Ridiculous.

Comes through the hair, you see, Mr Herriot.

- Really? - Oh, aye.

All right, Josh. Tell me what l'm thinking now.

You see, hair, it goes right down into head.

Oh.

And it picks summat up from t' brain and it sends it back to me.

Yes. But you didn't answer my question, did you?

Thinking about your garden, aren't you, Mr Herriot?

Them spring broccolis need putting in now.

- Wasn't that it? - The news will follow...

You've been talking to Mr Cooper at the garden shop, haven't you?

You can think what you like, lad.

But l know what goes off in the minds of folk.

Mind, l couldn't repeat most of it, you know.

lt'd freeze the blood, Mr Herriot.

Freeze the blood.

Amber.

Hello? lt's me.

What do you think?

James, can you come into the surgery for a minute, please?

- Amber. - Amber.

Amber.

Amber.

Amber.

l called in to see the animal welfare earlier

and l just telephoned the police again.

- Where the hell can she be? - lt can't be long before she's found.

- lf she's found. - Of course you're going to find her.

You must believe that, darling.

That's exactly what l say to clients when they lose their animals, you know.

Get some rest. There's nothing more you can do this evening.

- How you doing, darling? - l can't get this bloody thing in.

Oh, here. Let me.

No, it's all right.

Oh, damn.

l hate this dressing-up business.

- l'll fix the stud for you. - l can manage.

- Oh, James, please... - Now what?

- Nothing. - What were you going to say?

- lt doesn't matter. - lf you've got something to say, say it.

Siegfried has a bottle of champagne on ice.

l'll see you downstairs.

Oh, Mrs Greenlaw?

After Mr Farnon leaves, all client calls are to be referred directly to him.

- He'll be at his home number. - What if they insist on Mr Herriot?

This is our night out together. So all calls, yes?

Just leave it to me, Mrs Herriot.

Excuse me.

- lt's Mr Tristan, ma'am. - Oh, Tristan.

For the lady of the house from an ardent admirer.

You are wonderful. lt's awfully nice of you to come all this way.

A drink to speed you on your way, then on to Mount's.

- Oh, dear. - No ''oh, dear'' about it.

lt's the moment of truth. Tonight l intend to sort that brute out once and for all.

To our very dear friends

James and Helen.

And... here's to you and many happy years ahead.

- Hear, hear. - Thanks.

Darrowby 385.

Yes, it's me, Mr Barnett.

l see.

Yes.

Right. l'll be out straight away.

And for these thy bounties, Lord, which we are about to receive,

- may we be truly thankful. - Amen.

Oh, Lord,

give us the strength to follow in thy path

and to resist the mortal temptations that beset our way.

- Amen. - Oh, um... Amen.

- Serve now, if you will, Deborah. - Yes, Dad.

- So, Tristan... - Sir?

Our friends at Mannerton haven't had much luck with you, l hear.

- Well, actually, er... - There you are, Tristan.

Help yourself to vegetables.

Thanks. Oh, gosh, they look marvellous.

Aye. You won't find our Deborah wanting in the womanly virtues.

No, no, certainly not.

What's this l hear about you from Hilda Bullivant?

- Hilda Bullivant? - Aye.

Major Bullivant - her with the Salvation Army.

She said she saw you coming out of a pub.

- There you are, Dad. - Thanks, lass.

Eat up now, while it's hot.

Aye, you're quite right, Deborah. There's a time to talk and a time to eat.

Ah, come on. Come on, young fella, get stuck in.

Rather.

What do you reckon, then?

She's sinking.

What l've given her may stabilise her condition for a while,

but the next few hours will be critical.

Can't you stay with her? l don't mind paying the brass.

- lt's not a question of money. - l want no favours.

l'm here to help this unfortunate animal. Let's concentrate our minds on that.

- Oh. - Helen.

- Sorry. - What a clumsy thing to do.

- l said l'm sorry. - Just leave it.

- What on earth's got into you? - Me?

Yes, you. Biting people's heads off for no reason.

- What a mess. - Not just that. lt's been going on for days.

- Do you want some wine? - Never mind the wine.

l've had enough of your foul temper. lt has to stop.

l know why you're like this. Very well, you're upset about Amber. We all are.

l can take your temper today, even tomorrow. But not tonight.

- This is our wedding anniversary. - l haven't forgotten.

Then behave as though you mean it.

What about you? You're hardly all sweetness and light, are you?

- Everything satisfactory, sir? - Yes, thank you. Er, sorry about that.

lt's perfectly all right, sir. Did madam enjoy her dinner?

Fine, thank you.

Don't spoil it for us, James.

Please.

- Debbie? Debbie. - What's the matter, Dad?

- Dilly's come on early. - She's foaling?

Weeks before she's due. She looks bad. l need your brother.

He should be at Skeldale, Mr Mount. You telephone him, l'll look at Dilly.

l'm sorry.

l'm sorry, Mr Barnett. l'm afraid she's gone.

She were me friend, Farnon.

l know what you're thinking.

''Yon daft bugger Walt Barnett crying his eyes out just cos of a stray cat.''

- No, no. - Bloody good joke, in't it, eh?

Reckon you'll have a bloody good laugh about this later. Am l right?

You're wrong, Mr Barnett. Very, very wrong.

Your brother's out on call.

He'll get my message as soon as he comes back. How is she?

She must've slipped, brought on premature labour.

- How's the young 'un? - No sign of forelegs. A malpresentation.

- ls there anything you can do? - lt's difficult to say.

The contractions are incredibly powerful.

l'll need ropes, clean towels, lots more hot water.

l'll do it.

And could you stay by the phone, Mr Mount, in case my brother calls in?

- lt's late. - Must be.

- Perhaps we ought to go home. - Mm.

Mm.

Aye. Aye, that's right.

You're to go out there, quick as you can. About an hour since.

And my brother is attending the animal at the moment?

Mrs Greenlaw, will you get onto Mount's farm and tell them that l'm on my way?

That's it. Thank you. Goodbye.

l must go, Mr Barnett.

l'll say good night.

Farnon?

Thanks for your help.

- Your brother's on his way. - Oh, good.

- Any progress? - The foal's legs are turned back.

lf l can get the ropes round the fetlocks, we may pull them forward.

Well... do what you can for her, lad.

Got it.

That's the first one.

Oh, James, look.

lsn't it beautiful?

lt isn't often we can be alone like this, is it?

James, listen.

What on earth is it?

lt's Knowle Hall. Other there. Other side of the valley.

Of course. lt's the Russian prisoners.

Right, Mr Mount. You take these.

- Oh, l'm glad you got here. - Sorry l wasn't about.

Now, then. Tristan?

Anterior presentation. Both limbs, carpal flexion.

l've got a rope round both forelegs.

All right, old girl.

- Whereabouts? - About the fetlocks.

- Excellent. - Reckon you can get the young one out?

My brother's more than capable of doing that for us, Mr Mount.

Go ahead, Tristan. l'll lend a pound on the cords.

Right, Siegfried.

All right. l'm going to repel the left limb first.

That's this rope, all right?

So gently does it.

Now.

That's coming.

Easy does it. Easy.

Here it comes.

That's one. Right, now the right limb.

Easy, easy, easy.

Right. Here it comes.

Right.

Let me find the head, Siegfried. Then full strong traction, all right?

Now.

Whoa. Whoa.

All right. Now.

lt's coming. lt's coming.

lt's coming along.

Ah, it's alive.

They sound so sad.

No, they're happy. They're going home soon.

They still sound sad.

Well done.

By, she's canny.

Well, l cannot tell you how grateful l am to you both.

That mare will need special attention for a week or so,

but she's a strong sort. She'll pull through.

- Tea's ready. - As for you, Tristan,

l won't forget what you did.

Your brother reckons we might've lost them both. l agree.

- lt's a pleasure to be of service, sir. - Siegfried?

Thank you very much.

- Now, a nice cup of tea for you, lad? - l think not, actually.

- Well, some lemonade? - Er... No, thanks.

A little drop of brandy wouldn't go amiss though.

Thank you.

Your very good health, sir.

Amber.

Amber.

From what you say,

poor old dog must've been following t' veterinary up to our place, l reckon.

- And didn't get that far, hm? - Soon as l saw t' poor old thing,

l knew she'd been at poison or some such.

Yes. What would you say Jim Nutting would use up there, Mr Ripley?

Well, l know he had rats in his byres.

l saw him laying a meal mix up there once.

What do you reckon, Mr Farnon?

Well, we shall know as soon as Mr Herriot's finished his examination.

Aye.

lt was, erm... it was very kind of you, Mr Ripley.

- And you too. - Nay, nay.

Veterinary's always there to help me when l need him

and it's only reet l do t' same for him.

Yes.

Yes, l see.

Yes, but it should have been properly covered.

- Right, thank you, Mr Nutting. - Goodbye.

Warfarin. l've just spoken to Jim Nutting.

- Anaemia, haemorrhaging. - Mm.

- That's what l thought. - And if he's to be believed,

it's a pretty hefty dose, James.

- How bad? - By any standards, lethal.

What possessed her to go near the stuff?

Oh. Lost, hungry, a dish of tasty food. lt happens all the time.

l'm forever telling the old boys they must keep their poisons securely covered.

Well, maybe this vitamin K will do the trick.

l pray so.

- Morning, Mrs Greenlaw. - Oh, morning, Albert. l'll take them.

- Hello, James. - Siegfried.

l managed to fit in all your visits.

Thanks.

- How bad is it? - Sorry?

The haemorrhaging. How bad is it?

lt's pretty bad.

May l?

Mm.

l'm still hoping to get the internal bleeding under control.

Lungs damaged.

Liver too, along with the other tissue.

Bleeding from the gums - not much yet, but worse to follow, l suspect.

And then the poison concentrated in the tissue

will be released again into the animal's system,

and so on and so forth.

With such a large dose, James, how long do you give her?

- Look... - A professional opinion.

The one you'd give to a client with a dog in similar distress.

- l can't say. - Can't or won't?

- l honestly don't know. - 48 hours?

A week? Two?

Well?

She deserves every chance.

l know how attached you are to this animal,

but, as a friend and as a colleague, l must, l'm bound to speak truthfully to you.

Do you honestly believe that Amber can survive this dreadful thing?

The damage is done. lt can't be reversed.

You must know yourself she's beyond healing.

Think on it, James.

l know you'll make the right decision.

There's a good dog.

Good girl. lt's all right.

All right, then, girl.

lt's all right.

lt's all right.

lt's all right.

He'll soon be rid of his worms.

- Thank you. Goodbye. - Bye-bye.

- Hello, James. - Hello, Tris.

l couldn't resist popping in on the way past.

- How are things with Debbie? - Oh, erm... no problems.

Not a bleep out of Mount since l pulled my stunt.

- All's well that ends well. - Mm.

l say, James. Rotten business about Amber.

Yes.

l hope you've all got your money ready.

- There you are, Mr Edgeworth. - Aye.

By, tha's over savage with t' pen, Mr Farnon.

You're paying for what you received, Mr Edgeworth, less a considerable discount.

Hard as flint, you are, Mr Farnon.

- Thank you. - Any less, we'd be paying you.

lgor. Hello.

Russians go. Leave England today.

Oh, l bet you're pleased about that, eh?

- This for you. - Me?

Da. l make.

You open.

Oh.

..much obliged to you.

- There is a queue, Mr Barnett. - Aye, l know.

- Well, there's the brass l owe you. - Thank you.

There's... no extras on it this time, then, eh?

No, there are no extras. But that could change very soon.

Reckon you're losing your touch, Farnon.

You're certainly not losing yours.

Good day, Mr Barnett.

lt's very unusual, James.

Helen, he's a very nice man. l shall miss him.

Ah.

Far from the madding crowd. What a splendid idea to have tea here, Helen.

- However briefly. - How's the crush?

Er... we're down to the stragglers and the tightfists now, thank goodness.

Thank you, my dear.

Do you remember the old acacia, James, that used to stand down there?

l came for an interview and l fell asleep under it.

Did you?

lndeed you did.

A lot of water under the bridge.

Thank you.

Yes. This is the best time of your lives, did you Herriots but know it.

And the Farnons too, come to that.

lt's the same thing with the job.

We're going through the best times there too.

- Think so? - Look at the advances since the war.

Drugs, procedures we never dreamt of.

We treat animals now in ways which were impossible only a few short years ago.

Oh, these times are the... the high noon of country practice, James.

Thank you for my tea.

That's very smart, Helen. l like it.

l'll tell you this.

There are great times ahead, James. Wonderful times.

Da-dum. Hie, hup.

Mr Ripley, l can't believe it.

Nay, l gave you my word, Mr Herriot.

- l guaranteed it'd be done. - Aye.

Ten years ago.

Sorry, Mr Ripley.

Mr Ripley.