Original subtitles

I got the first part,all right.

You're in love with fleur.

Yes.

I'm sorry.

I can understand that.

Does fleur know?

Yes.

She doesn't know

that I'm telling you,

she wouldn't let me,

but you've nothing

against her. Yet.

No.

Then aren't you

going to clear out?

At first, I intended to.

I told fleur

that I would.

Well, now it seems

that there may be

a chance for me.

Does it, by god?

I'd say a faint chance,

but while it exists,

I shan't give up.

Michael, I'm desperate.

I'd have to be

to do this to you,

but there it is.

I can't help myself.

I will take her

from you if I can.

I always say there's nothing

to beat friendship.

Oh, yes, rub it in,

but I tell you,

when I think of you

going home to fleur,

and then think of myself,

well, I advise you

not to rub it in.

Well, horse whips

are out, aren't they?

And since this isn't

a dostoevsky novel,

there's no point in going

on and on about it.

There's no more

to be said. Push off.

You realize, of course,

that I have probably

dished myself by warning you.

Still, I haven't bombed

without declaring war.

No.

That's very decent

of you.

You can push my books off

onto another publisher.

Sorry for being so...primitive.

Hello, michael. You're late.

I've just been writing a letter

to bart.

Lunch tomorrow week,

gerdin minnow.

Alison's coming,

but who else, do you think?

Nothing jazzy.

Of course not,

but it must be

someone intriguing.

Oh, bother.

Sometimes I think

it isn't worth it.

Don't worry.

You'll snare

all the right cuckoos.

The chinese ambassador

would be perfect.

I'll ask bart

to try for me.

Oh, by the way,father's here for the night.

He's got a board meeting

tomorrow.

Oh, where is he?

Upstairs.

Is anything wrong, michael?

You look glum.

Yes.

Fleur?

Hmm?

Wilfrid's been

telling me.

How do you mean, telling you?

Just that he's

in love with you.

Nothing more.

There's nothing more

to tell, is there?

Of course there's nothing more.

If wilfrid chooses

to be so silly...

chooses?

Fleur, it's not quite

as simple as that.

I know what the poor devil

feels like.

I da

but what's the good

of telling people?

That's not going to

help him or anybody.

So is that the end

of wilfrid?

The end?

Well, michael, I don't know.

Fleur, you know what I'm like

about people.

If I'm fond of them,

I can't suddenly hate them.

Freedom's the thing,

as far as possible,

and a contract's

only valid

as long as both sides

want to keep it.

Don't forget, will you,

I love you awfully.

Am I likely to?

Oh, don't look solemn,

michael.

I rely

on your cheerfulness.

Besides, it doesn't suit

the shape of your ears.

Come in.

Ah.

Have you got everything

you want, dad?

Oh, yes.

Yes, yes, yes.

Most comfortable.

Michael home yet?

I don't suppose

he'll be very late.

I expect he only went

so that you and i

could have a good

gossip together.

Yes, he's

a thoughtful chap,

but this labor party

rally he's gone to,

or whatever it is,

what's he want to waste

his time on that for?

Michael's got

a social conscience.

Much good that'll do him.

Is he a socialist?

In theory, yes.

This chap

he's gone to hear,

what's his name?

Bradfield.

Bolshevik, they tell

me,

one of those

red demagogues.

No, no,

on the contrary.

You're thinking

of bradford.

Oh, we've met this one...

grammar school.

Oxford scholarship.

And the london school

of economics.

A party intellectual.

Brilliant, of course,

but he's on the wrong tack.

In what way?

Well, he's as dry as a bone

himself, no juice.

So people to him are ciphers,

numbers on a graph.

Utopia will come

when men and women stop wanting

more than their fair share,

but that won't wash,

will it, dad?

I doubt it.

Still, michael

will see through him.

Michael's got

a sense of proportion

and a sense of humor,

thank heaven.

Oh, that.

I've never seen

the use of it.

My cousin george...

I remember him.

Did he come to our wedding?

He looked at me

as though I wasn't wearing

any clothes to speak of.

Yes, well,

he's always been considered

the wit of the family,

never saw it myself,

but that's all over now.

Oh?

Yes, he died

this evening.

His man telephoned me.

Two hours after

i left him.

He was no age at all,

younger than me even.

Hmm...

well, he never

looked after himself,

rackety chap.

Still, if he enjoyed

the life he chose,

isn't that all that matters?

That's a point of view.

Oh, I'm not

criticizing him.

Are you criticizing me?

Now, my dear child...

I don't know.

I thought it was

there somewhere

in your tone.

You're quite mistaken,

but I might be concerned.

For what?

Your happiness.

Well, you've been married

for two years now.

Isn't it about time

you started thinking

about the future?

You mean children?

Mm.

There's a lot of nonsense

talked, of course,

but the whole thing's

a great deal more simple

these days.

I hope you feel that.

Of course, dad,

s no hurry.

Well, I don't know.

The french and the royal family

have a very sound habit

of getting these things

over with early.

There is many a slip.

Anyway, it keeps them

out of mischief.

I'm not sure I understand.

You're very attractive.

I don't want to see you

take too much

to these gadabout ways,

because you've got

all sorts of friends.

I suppose I have.

You and michael

get on all right,

don't you?

Yes, of course we do.

Well, then, why wait?

I mean, after all,

you must remember

that your son will be

a whatchamacallit,

a baronet, hmm?

It mightn't be a son.

Well...

that's easily remedied

at your age.

Oh, dad,

I don't want a lot.

One, perhaps, or two.

You know, I'd almost

prefer a daughter.

Something...

something like you.

Oh, I don't know.

It's such...well,

it's such a tie,

like digging

your own grave.

Well, I wouldn't have

put it as high as that.

No man would.

Oh, well,

I just thought

i'd mention it.

I have your happiness

at heart.

I know, darling.

I'm a selfish pig.

I'll think about it.

In fact,

I have thought about it.

That's good.

You've got a good head

on your shoulders and that's a great comfort to me.

Good night, my dear.

Good night.

Michael, where on earth did you get that?

I just found it sitting there

stuck between the railings as I was coming in.

You are a baby, michael. I believe you bought it.

Not a bit.

It obviously fell from heaven

and came to rest in south square.

How did the rally go?

Was bradfield amusing?

Oh, not really.

Full of wind,

just like this thing,

and not nearly so colorful.

You know, fleur,

it's hell being in love.

You think so?

I know so.

That's not true

tonight, michael.

Fleur...

baise away, my darling.

Look at the time.

Have another slice, tony.

There's a love.

We've got plenty of marge.

Not for me.

I've had heaps.

Besides, it'll make me

late for the office.

Mustn't keep

me secretary waiting.

How you can laugh

about it?

Oh, here.

Let me have that

when you come home, love.

I'll try and put

a stitch in it for you.

All righty-O.

You want to watch it,

Can't afford

to be too smart,

not in my profession.

Tony, you don't have to.

Oh, cheer up, vic.

You going after

that job today?

I went...

yesterday.

Well, you didn't say.

What happened?

They were full up.

What's the matter

with this bleeding world?

Don't worry, love.

It'll be all right.

Yeah, well, I'm away.

Tony?

Yeah?

Do you think if you

went back to danby's...

not a chance.

If you went to see

mr. Mont again...

you said

he was a real gent.

No. That job's off.

See you later, love.

And mind you get something to eat dinnertime, eh?

Oh, tony,here you are.

Ta.

Ta-ra.

Well, mr. Forsyte,

there are the figures.

Are you satisfied?

I will agree to this year's dividend

on condition that we drop this foreign business in future

,lock, stock and barrel.

Mr. Forsyte's attitude

to insist on such a condition

does seem to me to savor

somewhat of panic.

After all,

the foreign business

is responsible

for a good third of our profit

this year.

There is nothing in the foreign situation

at the moment,mr. Forsyte,

which gives particular cause for alarm.

Oh, I admit we should watch it carefully.

You can'T.

Well, here we are,

four years

from the arm

and we know no more now where

we stand than we did then.

If I'd known the extent

to which we were committed

to this foreign policy,

I wouldn't have come

on the board.

We must drop it.

Rather an extreme view,

and hardly a matter

we can decide

in a moment.

Very well.

Unless you can

give me an assurance

that you will tell

the shareholders in the report

that we are dropping

this foreign business,

you drop me.

I must be free

to raise the question

at the general meeting.

You are holding a pistol

to our heads.

I have a responsibility

to the shareholders

and I hope I shall

do my duty by them.

So have we all, mr. Forsyte,

and I hope we shall all

do our duty.

Why not confine

the foreign business

to the small countries?

Their currency

is safe enough.

No. We must go back

to safety.

Splendid isolation,

forsyte?

Meddling was all

very well in wartime,

but in peacetime,

politics or business,

this half-and-half

interference

is not good enough.

We can't control

the foreign situation.

I should be glad of a word,

if I may, mr. Chairman?

Certainly.

This policy

was of my

and I think I may claim

that it has been

of substantial benefit

to the society so far.

Agreed.

However, when a member

of the board

makes so strong a stand

against it's continuance,

I certainly don't press

the board to continue.

The times are uncertain

and a risk is,

of course, involved,

no matter how conservative

our estimates.

That's very handsome

of you, elderson.

Mr. Chairman,

I think we can say

that's very handsome

of our manager,

but, gentlemen,

this is a very serious

point of policy,

and as your chairman

has said,

I don't see how

we can decide it

in a moment.

If I am to endorse

the report,

it must be decided today.

Well, I've made up my mind,

but please yourselves.

I can't say I go the whole way

with you, forsyte,

but I've had a few thoughts

since we met last week.

I think there may be

dangers ahead,

as our manager

has just pointed out.

Some risk is inseparable

from our present policy.

You can't conduct business

without risk,

but with foresight,

you can reduce it.

Is that what you're saying,

mr. Forsyte?

A compromise seems to me

both obvious and desirable.

We are on a serious point,

I grant you,

but our function

is to reach decisions.

A compromise, mont?

What have you in mind?

Forsyte named it.

Pay this year's dividend,

cut our european commitments,

so long as things

look unsettled over there.

Ah. Very well.

Can we agree, gentlemen,

that the report shall contain

the announcement

that we are abandoning

all foreign risks

during the present

continental uncertainty?

Aye.

Is there any other

business, elderson?

Not as far as I know,

but perhaps mr. Forsyte...?

Well, in that case,

if you'll forgive me,

gentlemen,

I'll get back to work.

Thank you, gentlemen.

My dear fellow,

you certainly are not one

for mincing words.

No, never was.

I don't see

the point of it.

Your friend elderson

puzzles me.

I don't see why.

You forced an issue.

For once,

I was inclined to agree

with old

dosey cosey mothergill.

Elderson conceded

very handsomely.

I never expect him to be exactly biddable.

Precisely.

It was out of character.

What is it, miss perren?

Someone to see you,

mr. Mont.

Oh? Who?

A young lady,

a miss manuelli.

I've never heard of her.

What does she want?

It's about the manuscript

of a novel.

She says she sent it to you

two months ago,

and not having had

an acknowledgement,

she thought she'd call in.

We can't have

received it.

We acknowledge everything

automatically.

Do you know anything

about it?

There's nothing

on our files.

I'm sure I'd remember,

mr. Mont.

Yes, I'm sure you would,

miss perren.

Oh, well, all right.

I'd better see her.

Miss manuelli.

Hello.

Come and sit down.

Smoke?

No, thank you.

Well, about this manuscript,

miss manuelli...

not manuelli.

The name's bicket.

Good lord.

My husband

used to work here.

I'm sorry about the trick,

mr. Mont.

I didn't think

they'd let me see you

if I said

who I really was.

Oh, that's all right.

Well, I'm relieved

we haven't lost

a priceless manuscript.

What can I do for you?

It's about tony, sir.

He often spoke of you.

Well, he hasn't got

any work

and I wondered if you

could find room for him?

He just sells balloons

on the street now.

Well, there's no money in it.

I know he's nervy

and he gets on wrong

with people,

but if you could take him back...

well, we couldn't

do that, I'm afraid. It'S...

well, there's no place

for him here now.

Are you all right again?

Oh, yes, except I can't seem

to find work again, either.

Well, bad luck.

I say...you have got a face,

haven't you?

El greco with just a touch of the mona lisa.

Remarkable.

Oh, I'm sorry.

It's just a dispassionate

judgment, mrs. Bicket.

But as far

as I'm concerned,

you take the golden apple

every time.

If I can't

help your husband,

think I might be able to find work for you.

What kind of work, sir?

Have you ever heard of aubrey greene?

No.

Well, he's a painter,

an old friend of mine,

but pretty good.

In fact, very good

in a decadent sort of way.

Would you mind

sitting for him?

Sitting?

Well, that's

the usual term for it.

It's rather silly,

since you're just as likely

to find yourself

standing, kneeling,

or lying down for him.

I mean posing

as an artist's model.

Oh, I see.

Oh, I don't mind,

mr. Mont.

I don't mind what I do

to save some money.

Splendid.

Well, I'll tell you

what I'll do.

I'll write him a note

and you can take it

round to him.

But he'll only need to take

one look at you

and he'll use you.

I promise you.

Oh, there is one thing.

Mm?

I'd rather my husband

didn't know...

well, I mean,

that I came to see you.

Well, if you don't tell him,

mrs. Bicket, nobody else will.

By the way,

whereabouts does he...?

Gresham passage

near st. Paul'S.

Right.

Well, I'll bump into him

accidentally...

but there's nothing

for him here, I'm afraid.

Anyway, he couldn't

make ends meet in this job,

so he told me.

Oh, that was when

i was ill, sir.

Well, of course. That does

make a difference.

There.

Thank you.

Well, good luck,

mrs. Bicket.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you ever so.

Bye-bye.

Well, some type, eh?

Oh, don't frown,

miss perren.

She didn't touch me

for a shilling.

She wasn't an authoress,

was she?

Far from it.

Well, I hope she got

what she wanted.

Oh, miss perren,

you think I'm a fool,

don't you?

No, just soft-hearted.

Well, would it

surprise you to know

that I've done

a stroke of business?

Yes, mr. Mont.

Oh, well,

I shan't tell you about it in that case.

That girl...unusual, eh?

Good figure too.

She stands up straight.

Tell me, miss perren,

why do modern girls

walk in a curve

with their heads poked forward?

They can't all

be built like that, surely.

Well, there is a reason, but...

ooh, I'm sorry.

Should I ask my wife?

No, no.

It's just that, we,

girls aren't supposed to have...

well, they an't supposed

to have anything behind,

and of course they have,

so they have to sortf

pull their chests in

in order to get

the right effect.

It's the fashion, you see?

Yes. Oh, yes, I see.

Well, thanks awfully,

miss perren.

A bit weird,

don't you think?

I don't hold

with it myself.

No. Quite.

Will you do

those letters now?

Ah...no. After lunch.

I've got to go and see a man.

Very well, mr. Mont.

hello, bicket.

Is this your new stunt?

Hello, mr. Mont.

Nice to see you again.

Same here.

Come and have some lunch.

Really, sir?

There's a fish place

just around the corner.

Oh, well...

any money in this?

Well, fletcher's off sick, sir.

Sick, eh? What's the matter with him?

No idea, sir.

Old age and boredom,I shouldn't wonder.

Now, where did I leave those papers?

Ah, there we are.

How'd you like to spend

the rest of your days

filling ink pots?

I don't intend to, sir.

Oh, ambitious, eh?

Well, I want to get on.

Don't we all?

Let me give you

a tip, my boy.

Never do other people's

work for them.

That is the surest way

to become

a general dogsbody.

U mark my words.

Shall I t it, sir?

Yes, please,

butterfield.

Unless, of course,

you'd like me

to do it for you.

Hello.

Butterfield speaking.

Yes, he is.

Yes. Right, miss carter.

I'll tell him.

It's your secretary, sir.

Mr. Smith is waiting

for you in the office.

Thank you.

He's on his way down.

Ah, that's right.

Now, then,

two good soles,

grill to follow,

and a bottle

of the chablis.

Thank you.

Oh, my god!

Dig in, bicket.

Yes, it's a funny world.

That's a fact.

This lot'll cost you

a quid at least.

The best I can take

in a week is 25 bob.

And there you touch a raw spot.

Eh?

I eat my conscience every day.

Oh, no, sir.

If you've got the money,

spend it. I would.

Be happy if you can, I say.

There ain't too many what are.

Ah...

what a performance.

If it were corked, you wouldn't

serve it, would you?

Look, just dish

the stuff out.

There's a good chap.

Ah. Your health, bicket.

And to you, sir.

But like I was saying,

that's where them socialists

make an error.

Really?

Yeah.

Divide all the money equally,

what would we all get, eh?

Five quid a week?

Not good enough.

I'd rather have less

with the hope of more.

Take away the gamble

and life's a frost.

Here's luck.

Almost thou persuadest me

to be a capitalist, bicket.

No, sir, no.

I don't want a world

where you can't

draw prizes.

Take my wife, for instance.

If it was all

according to merit,

I'd never have got her, see?

Yes, I do see.

You have a point.

Of course I have.

It's human nature.

Good old human nat

by the way, if some spare

clothes are of any use,

you'll let me have your address?

That's very kind, sir.

I could do with them.

Um...

I suppose mrs. Mont

wouldn't have a few old things?

Yes, I expect

we'll send them along.

Oh, you're a gent, sir.

Straight up.

Yeah, how's mr. Desert?

All right, I think.

I wish you'd tell him

it was an accident,

my pitching on his books,

I mean.

I was sorry after.

Well, isn't it always

an accident

when we steal

other people's goo

i mean, we never want to.

Something makes us do it.

Hunger...

the needs of those

dependent on us,

passion...

come on,

let me fill your glass.

At least today,

we'll live a little.

I'm so sorry.

Do sit down.

Will you sit for anything?

Yes, sir.

Would you mind

taking your hat off?

Ah...

I wonder...

go over to the dais,

will you?

This is your first shot, then?

Yes, sir.

All the better.

Cold?

A bit, sir.

This will warm you.

What is it?

Grand marnier.

Good luck.

Cigarette?

Take one.

You draw it in.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Where were you born?

Putney, sir.

Ah, that's very interesting.

I should have thought somewhere

more exotic than putney.

My father was italian.

Ah. That explains it.

Tell me, miss...?

Manuelli, sir.

Victorine manuelli.

Are you at large,

miss manuelli,

or have you

any other occupation?

Not at the present, sir.

I'm married.

Nothing else.

I pay five shillings

for an hour and a half.

Does that suit you?

Oh, yes.

Would you sitfor the altogether,miss manuelli?

The altogether what, sir?

In the nude.

Do you mean like that, sir?

Yes.

Would it mean more money, sir?

Yes. Half as much again.

More perhaps.

But I don't want you to if you'd rather not.

You can think it over

and let me know next time.

Thank you, sir.

Right. Only please

don't "sir" me.

By george!

When you smile...

can you keep smiling?

What makes you smile?

Can't you think of anything comic?

I suppose you're not in love with your husband,for instance?

Oh, yes.

Well, try that.

No, that won't do.

Well, never mind.

It doesn't matter now.

We may discover a way later.

Did you ever see I'apres-midi d'une faune?

No.

I'm getting an idea.

L'apres-midi d'une dryad."

It would mean the nude,

but you needn't

worry about that.

It's quite impersonal.

Think of art.

And five shillings an hour.

Shads of nijinsky!

I'm beginning to see

the whole thing.

Five bob an hour.

For three hours.

Maybe more.

That's 15 bob.

At five days a week.

Why, that's

more than four quid.

I only came because you promised to be good.

I don't know what

you're talking about.

I don't know

what you expect.

Please, let me go.

It can't go on, fleur.

If only you weren't so...

well, so physical.

Yes, I know.

Let me not to the marriage

of true minds admit impediment.

That won't wash,

at least not with me.

Well then, let's talk

of something sensible.

What have you been writing?

You won't like it.

It's frightfully bitter.

It's frightfully true.

Does michael ever ask you if you've seen me?

Never.

Why?

I don't know.

What would you answer if he did?

Yes, that's your attitude,isn't it, fleur?

Well, I tell you,it won't last.

Wilfrid, I'm sorry,

truly, I am, but...

stay where you are.

He's down there,

in the street.

Michael,

but how could he have known?

You don't know him

at all, do you?

Do you suppose

he'd have come

if he thought

you were here?

Then why should he have come?

Perhaps he wanted

to talk to me.

He's dithering about,

can't make up his mind.

Don't get the wind up.

He won't be allowed in.

Has he seen you?

No.

But you realize, don't you,

that I only have

to open that window

and shout, "michael!"

And he'll be up here like a shot.

And you'd really be in the soup.

But you couldn't...

you wouldn't do that.

Wouldn't I?

Where is he now?

He's going down the street.

Shall I call him back?

I'm a blackguard,

but not quite to that point,worse luck.

He's gone.

No, wilfrid!

But it is odd, isn't it?

I mean, why should

he choose today?

You don't suppose

he's easy in his mind, do you?

You're sneering at me because I don't love you.

Perhaps.

And perhaps a little

because you don't love michael.

You're unjust.

I can love. I have.

I wish I'd never

come here,

and I'll never come again.

A sensible decision.

You think I'm a heartless beast.

Well, so I am now.

Goodbye.

Final! Final!

France occupies ruhr!

Paper, sir?

Thank you, sir!

Balloons, sir?

It's you, sir.

Have a magenta one.

Magenta one?

Balloons! Lovely balloons!

Who'll buy my balloons?

Balloons, all colors!

Have I missed a marvelous experience,

my ting-a-ling?

Or just got myself

out of a bad scrape?

You don't care either way,

do you?

Oh. Mrs. Mont speaking.

Who?

Oh, yes.

Yes, of course, I do.

I see you, you monster.

What?

Yes, I'm expecting my father

any minute.

Is it...?

Oh, I see.

Well, if it's really important,

I'll tell him.

Yes. Thank you. Goodbye.

They don't know

what goes on inside

do they, ting-a-ling?

Hello, dad.

What's happened?

Happened?

I just thought...

from your face.

France has gone into the ruhr.

Pretty kettle of fish.

The mark's

falling like a stone,

and all they talk

at the club is golf.

Oh, old mr. Gradman's

just telephoned.

What did he want?

To come around here.

He says it's extremely

urgent and confidential,

so I said he could, all right?

Yes, I suppose so.

I've bought you

a picture.

Chinese.

Chinese! But how jolly!

No, it's not.

It's a monkey eating fruit.

But that's perfect.

Where is it?

In the hall.

Funny little chap, this.

He seems to know me.

Two wise ancients together.

But, duckie,it's a masterpiece.

Frightfully good period,

shouldn't you think?

I don't know i shall have to look up the chinese.

I don't think

you ought to give it to me.

It must be worth any amount.

I prefer you to have it.

It ought to be in your collection.

It'll be safer here.

Of course it will be safe.

Mr. Greene, ma'am.

Aubrey. How nice!

That's what i've come about.

Ting, stop it!

He will lick the copper, aubrey.

But how perfectly chinese.

They do everything we don't.

Dad, this is aubrey greene,the painter.

How do you?

By jove!

E did you get this, fleur?

It belonged to a cousin of mine,

a racing chap,

who died the other day.

I bought it out of the estate.

300 guineas.

Is that all?

Yes.

It was the only picture he had.

Good for him!

He must have had taste.

No, no.

What he liked

about it

was that it made you

feel uncomfortable.

Isn't it terrific, fleur?

I don't know where I've seen

a more pungent satire on human life.

I don't follow you.

The perfect allegory, sir.

Don't you agree, fleur?

Eat the fruits of life,

scatter the rinds,

and get copped doing it.

I think that describes it

beautifully.

Allegory?

All I see is flawless

technique. That's enough for me.

It's not enough. Forgive, sir,

but I can't agree.

A painter

has to communicate

as much as a writer

or composer.

And monkeys!

Have you ever looked at them

in the zoo?

I mean really looked at them?

That's where

our chinaman's succeeded.

By god!

He's brought it off completely.

This poor old ape thinks

there's something beyond life,

and he's sad or angry

because he can't get at it.

That picture ought to be

in the british museum

with the label,

civilization, caught out.

Well, it won't be.

It'll be here,

labeled the white monkey.

Same thing.

Cynicism gets you nowhere.

If you'd said

modernity caught out...

I do, sir.

But why be narrow?

You don't seriously suppose

this age is worse

than any other?

Oh, don't I?

In my view, the world reached

its high point in the '80s,

and will never

reach it again.

I say, that's

most frightfully interesting.

I was too young to remember,

but I suppose

you all believed in god

and drove about in diligence?

Diligence?

We drove out

in a barouche

or a victorian

or a hansom.

Now I'll tell you something

about those days...

when I was a youngster

in switzerland, with my family,

my sister winifred

ate some black cherries.

She'd only eaten a few

when she discovered

they were full of maggots.

A young enh climber

out there,

seeing that

she was upset,

he ate the whole lot,

about two pounds.

Maggots, stones and all,

just to show her.

That was the sort of chaps

they were.

Golly!

He must have been completely

gone on your sister.

Not particularly.

She never saw him again.

His name was powley.

He wore red side-whiskers.

You invented him, dad,

whiskers and all.

I never invent anything.

Shades of ouida and G.A. Henty!

Fleur, I must skidaddle.

But look, can I borrow

your peke tomorrow afternoon,

just for an hour or two?

Yes, of course. Why?

I've found a topping little model,

at least michael has.

He sent her to me.

Michael did?

Yes, but she can't smile.

Well, she can,

and when she does,

it's like sunlight

on an italian valley.

But if you ask her to,

she can'T.

I thought ting might help.

May I come and see?

Please do.

Bring him along tomorrow

afternoon about 3:00.

So long, sir.

Thrilled to meet you.

Thrilled?

Fellow's a mountebank.

No, dad,

a very serious p

then what does he want

to talk like that for?

Everybody talks

like that nowadays.

I don'T.

No, thank goodness.

Look, would you mind

if we leave you after dinner?

We accepted for a party.

Fancy dress.

We've all got to go dressed as butterflies.

Ridiculous, really.

Don't you ever want to grow up?

It's the craze.

Marjorie ferrar gave a party with everyone dressed as babies.

It was killing!

Mr. Gradman

is here, ma'am.

Ah, thanks, coaker.

To see mr. Forsyte.

Ask him to come in.

I'll leave you to it.

See you later.

Hello, mr. Gradman.

Nice to see you.

Thank you, miss fleur.

Good evening, gradman.

Won't you sit down?

Thanks, mr. Soames.

This french news,

it's not nice, is it?

No, far from it.

They're a hasty lot.

I remember your father coming in the office

... lady Clare... franco prussian war

hardly more than 60,I'd say.

Fifty-nine..

yes, I recall his very words.

"There," he said,

"I told them how it would be."

That's what he said.

And here they are,

at it again.

As you say...

the fact is,

they're cat and dog.

Always were,

always will be.

Quite. Now, what did you

want to see me for?

I took the liberty

of telephoning, mr. Soames,

because I felt somehow

you'd want to see the young man for yourself.

What young man?

Name of butterfield,

from the P.P.R.S.

He called around at the office to see you.

Wouldn't tell me his business.

"Confidential," he said.

Had to talk to you privately.

Well, I nearly

sent him packing,

but there was something

about him.

I felt

it might be urgent,

so I've brought him along.

Here?

Yes. He's waiting

in the hall.

Is it as important as all that?

I don't know, mr. Soames,

but he seems

a nice, clean young fellow.

I was favorably impressed.

So it appears.

Very well, I'll see him.

But don't you go, gradman.

I shall want you to hear

what he says.

Yes, yes, very good, sir.

Will you come this way,young man?

This is mr. Butterfield.

Mr. Forsyte.

How do you do, sir?

I understand you want to see me?

Yes, sir.

Alone, if I might, sir.

It's all right.

Mr. Gradman here

is my right-hand man.

You can state your business

in front of him.

You work at the P.P.R.S.?

Yes, sir. I'm in the office.

The fact is, sir,

that an accident has put

some information in my hands,

and I'm not easy in my mind.

Knowing you to be a solicitor,

I preferred to come to you,

rather go straight to the chairman.

As a lawyer, would you tell me,

is my first duty to the society, being in their employ?

Certainly.

I don't like this, sir,

and I hope you'll understand

that I'm not here

for any personal motive.

It's just that I felt I ought to.

What's it all about,butterfield?

It's the insurance

of our german business, sir.

Oh?

It's a very serious matter,

and I don't know

how it will affect me,

but the fact of the matter is,

this morning,I overheard a private conversation.

Oh?

I quite understand your tone,

but the very first words did it.

After hearing them, I simply

couldn't make myself known.

I hope you'll agree, sir.

Yes, I hope so too.

Who were the speakers?

Mr. Elderson, sir.

And a man called smith.

Though by his accent I fancy

his name's a bit more foreign.

He's done most of the agenting

for the german business.

What were the words?

Well, sir,

the manager was speaking,

and then this man smith said,

"quite so, mr. Elderson,

"but we haven't paid you

a commission

"on this business for nothing.

"If the mark goes

absolutely phut,

"you'll have to see

that your society

makes it good for us."

Well!

Yes, it was a knockout.

Where were you?

I was in the lobby, sir,

between the manager's office and the boardroom.

I'd just come from the boardroom,

having sorted some papers out,

and the manager's door was open an inch or so.

Of course,I know the voices well.

What then?

Well, sir,

mr. Elderson said,

"shh! Don't talk like that!"

And I slipped back into the boardroom

i'd had more than enough by then, I can promise you, sir.

Be very careful

what you say. This is serious.

Yes, I know, sir.

and if I'd have consulted my own interest,

I wouldn't have come

i'm not a sneak.

Ever had any trouble at the office before?

No, sir. You can make enquiries.

Mr. Elderson has nothing against me and I've nothing against him.

You realize, of course,that that can be checked.

Yes, sir.

Do you think it's possible they became aware that you were there?

I don't think so, sir.

You don't think so?

I'm sure of it.

Very well.

Are you prepared to repeat this

if necessary, to the board?

Well, sir, I'd much rather have held my tongue,

but if you decide it's got to be taken up,

yes, I suppose i must go through with it now.

The trouble is, it...

yes?

Well, it may not be true.

Only, if it isn't,

why didn't mr. Elderson say,

"you ruddy liar!?"

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