Original subtitles

(Theme music playing)

(Train chugging)

Uh, wait a moment.

If you would care to sit here, Mr. Dombey,

I'll find your carriage.

Follow me.

I shall assure myself that your carriage is comfortable, Paul.

Come, Lucretia.

(Humming softly)

Beg your pardon, sir.

I hope as you're doing pretty well, sir.

It's Toodle, sir.

Oh... excuse the liberty, Mr. Dombey,

but... it were my Polly--

as were called Richards in your family.

She wants money, I suppose.

Oh no, thank you, sir. I can't say that she does.

No more don't I, thank ye.

No, we're doing pretty well now, sir.

We've had four more since then, but we rubs on.

Ain't got no cause to complain in the worldly way.

Though we, uh, did lose one baby. There's no denying that.

Lately?

Upward of three year ago, sir.

All the rest is hearty.

Oh, them boys of mine learned me things, after all.

Made a very tolerable scholar of me, them boys have.

I wouldn't have troubled you, sir,

except in the way of getting in the name of my eldest--

Biler? Christened Robin.

Him as you was good enough as to make a charitable grinder of.

Well, man, what about him?

Well, sir-- I'm forced to say, sir, that he has gone wrong.

Has he?

Fell into bad company, you see, gentlemen.

Got into bad ways.

God send he may come to again, but he's on the wrong track now.

Polly is dreadful down with it.

A son of this man whom I caused to be educated.

- The usual return. - Take my advice, sir:

Never educate that sort of people. It always fails.

They were there after him, chaffed at school, and flogged,

and badged, and taught like a blessed parrot

by a brute with no more fitness for his job than a bloodhound.

(Train whistle blows)

We should board, Major.

I shall have the honor of stoking you down this morning, gentlemen.

- Good day. - Towlinson: This way, sir.

- The usual return. - Never does.

Excuse me, sir.

Have a good journey, gentlemen.

Don't be thoughtful, Dombey.

It's a bad habit.

Old Joe, sir, wouldn't be as tough as you see him now

if he had ever encouraged it.

You are too great a man, Dombey, to be thoughtful.

In your position, sir, you're above that sort of thing.

Charming woman, Miss Tox.

A very good sort of person.

Old Joe, sir, used to be a bit of a favorite

in that quarter once, but he's had his day.

I should have supposed the lady's day for favorites was over.

Or perhaps you are jesting, Major?

I tell you what, Dombey,

that woman, sir, aspires matrimonially.

She aspires sky-high.

Then I am sorry for her.

She has been a frequent visitor

in your house, I believe?

She has been so obliging

as to render many little services in my house,

such as caring for the plants in my conservatory.

Trifling and insignificant services perhaps,

but not to be disparaged on that account.

And, of course, Major, I am indebted to Miss Tox

for the pleasure of your acquaintance.

No, sir, Joe Bagstock can never permit

such an assertion to go uncontradicted.

Your knowledge of old Joe, sir, such as it is,

and his knowledge of you had its origin

in a noble creature, sir.

We met through your boy.

(Whistle blows)

I condole with you, sir.

I suppose our friend there did have remote connection

with our meeting.

But old Joe has lived in the world, sir,

with his eyes open and his ears cocked.

And Joe tells you, sir,

- that's a devilish artful and ambitious woman. - (Whistle blows)

(Birds chirping)

(Quartet playing classical music)

Good day to you, ma'am, sir.

(Chuckles) Pleasure.

Look, Dombey. Magnificent trout.

- (Music stops) - (Distant applause)

Well, what the devil have we here?

My dearest Edith, it's Major Bagstock.

Stop, Withers.

Does she not bear an exact resemblance, Dombey,

to the Princess reclining on her barge?

Princess?

Be mute, wicked one.

Cleopatra commands,

and Joey b. Obeys.

Ladies, I am a proud and happy man

for the rest of my days.

False creature, I can't bear you.

Permit old Joe to introduce a friend, ma'am,

as a reason for being tolerated.

Mr. Dombey, Mrs. Skewton.

Mr. Dombey, Mrs. Granger.

Mrs. Skewton, Dombey, has made havoc

in the heart of poor Josh.

(Laughs) Oh, you perfidious goblin,

have done.

And how long have you been here, bad man?

Three days.

And can you be three days,

or even three minutes in this garden of, um...

- What's its name? - Eden?

Edith, you know I am wholly dependent on you

for these odious names.

I can never remember them. Edith.

If you mean paradise, mama, you had better say so.

Seclusion and contemplation

are my paradise, Mr. Dombey.

Nature intended me for an arcadian.

I am thrown away on society.

Cows are my passion.

What I have ever sighed for

has been to retreat to a Swiss farm

and live entirely surrounded by cows

and China.

I want nature everywhere.

It would be extremely charming.

Nature is waiting for us now, if you are ready.

Mr. Dombey is devoted to nature, I trust?

My friend Dombey, ma'am,

may be devoted to nature in secret,

but a man who is Paramount

in the greatest city of the universe--

no one can be a stranger

to Mr. Dombey's immense influence.

And where are you staying,

abomination?

The royal.

Mr. Dombey: You reside here, madam?

No. We have been to a great many places--

harrogate, scarborough, Devonshire--

resting here and there.

Mama likes change.

Edith, of course, does not.

I have not noticed that there is any change

in such places.

- (Music stops) - (Distant applause)

You may come and visit us

any evening when you are good.

If Mr. Dombey would honor us,

we should be happy.

Push, Withers.

Edith?

Push, Withers! Push! Edith!

(Laughing)

(Clock chiming)

(Hoofbeats)

(Knock at door)

(Classical music playing on piano)

(Children shouting in street)

(Door closes)

(Hoofbeats)

(Woman shrieks)

- A visitor, Miss Floy. - A visitor for me?

And it is a wonder, isn't it?

And you'll be all the better for more visitors is my opinion.

You may not wish to live in crowds, Miss Floy, but you're not a oyster.

- Who is it? - Says his name is Toots.

Toots. Oh, Susan, show him in.

- (Suppressed laughter) - Why are you laughing?

Soon as I saw that innocent standing in the hall, I couldn't help myself.

Miss Floy, I think he tried to kiss me.

Surely not. You must be mistaken.

It was such a lunge he made as he came to the door, I couldn't help screaming.

Hush. He'll hear us. Compose yourself.

- Show him in. - Yes, Miss Floy.

How do you do, Miss Dombey?

Oh, how lovely. Mr. Toots, it is so kind of you to call.

(Chuckles)

- Thank you. - H-How do you do, Miss Dombey?

How are you? I'm very well, thank you.

- I don't remember that I was ever better. - Won't you sit down?

Put these in water, Susan.

I'm so glad to see you, Mr. Toots.

I'm very well.

Very well, indeed, thank you.

- Warm, ain't it? - It is mild for this time of year.

It agrees with me.

I don't think I ever was as well as I find myself at present.

You must have left Dr. Blimber's school?

- I should hope so. - (Chuckles)

Well...

Good morning, Miss Dombey.

Are you going so soon?

Um... no, not just at present.

Don't be afraid to speak to me, Mr. Toots.

I should be very glad if you would talk about my brother.

You were very kind to Paul in Brighton.

- There's another friend he took to. - Is there?

- I could have had him stolen for 10 shillings. - Good gracious.

And I would have too, but Dr. Blimber were glad to get rid of him.

- (Laughs) Whatever can you mean? - Brought him with me.

Thought you'd like to have him as a sort of keepsake.

Dombey was fond of him. He's at the door.

- Diogenes. - (Diogenes barks)

Oh, Mr. Toots.

He ain't a lady's dog, you know, but you won't mind that, will you?

Dear diogenes.

- (Barks) - Make friends with me.

You couldn't have brought me a nicer gift, Mr. Toots.

Thank you.

He shall be dearer to me than the most beautiful

and valuable of his kind.

We shall love each other, di, forever and ever.

Ah.

Ah!

- Warwick castle? - I beg your pardon?

Before noon.

And then perhaps tea with Mrs. Skewton?

(Chuckles) I tell you, Dombey,

if Joey Bagstock were a younger man,

there isn't a woman in the world he'd prefer for Mrs. Bagstock.

By George, sir, she's superb.

You mean the daughter?

Is Joey b. A turnip that he should mean the mother?

You were complimentary to the mother.

I humored her.

She impressed me as being perfectly genteel.

Genteel?

The honorable Mrs. Skewton, sir,

is sister to the late lord feenix

and aunt to the present lord.

Really?

You referred to the daughter, I believe, as Mrs. Granger.

Edith married a colonel Granger

when she was a slip of a girl.

Devilish handsome fellow,

died in the second year of the marriage.

Was there any family?

A boy, drowned.

Indeed.

If tough old Joey b. Were a little younger

and a little richer,

then the name of that immortal paragon

would be Bagstock not Granger.

Always supposing the lady had no objection.

(Knock at door)

(Knock at door)

Come in.

Would you please to be engaged, sir?

- Who wants me? - Mr. Gills has looked in, sir,

about the little matter of money he owes Mr. Dombey, he said.

I mentioned to him, sir, that you was engaged several deep.

Anybody else?

Well, sir, I wouldn't of me own self

take the liberty of mentioning it, sir,

but that young lad what was here yesterday and last week

has been hanging about the place again, sir.

- What does he want? - A situation, sir.

Says his mother used to nurse young master Dombey.

He hopes the firm will give him a chance on that account.

Master Dombey, eh?

Mightn't it be best, sir, if I tell him that if he's seen

hanging around here again, he'll be taken into custody?

No. Perch, bring him in. Let me see him.

Ask Mr. Gills to wait.

Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

Begging your pardon, sir,

but he's dreadful rough in appearance.

Well, never mind. Bring him in.

(Knock at door)

- Perch: Here you go, lad. - (Biler sniffles)

Come here.

(Sniffles)

Look at me.

I thought as much.

You have been following me for days.

Here. (Chokes)

You let me go. What do you think you're doing?

You dog, I'll strangle you.

What'd you do that for? I haven't done nothing to you.

You young scoundrel. Why have you been watching me?

What do you mean by daring to come here?

I didn't mean no harm.

I only wanted work. I won't come here again.

Work? You, the idlest vagabond in London, a thief?

- No, sir. - Yes, sir.

I never did such a thing as thieve.

What a nice young gentleman you are.

Ain't my fault. All began by wagging, it was.

- By what? Speak up! - Wagging from school.

Do you mean pretending to go there, and then not going?

Chivied through the streets when I went there,

pounded something dreadful when I got there.

I wagged and hid meself. That's what started it. (Sniffles)

And now you want a position in this firm?

- Tell Mr. Gills to come in. - Yes, sir.

Get up.

Stand over there.

How do you do, Mr. Gills?

You continue to enjoy your health, I hope.

Nothing ails me in body but old age.

Thank you. As punctual and as exact as ever.

25.

I beg your pardon, Mr. Carker,

but I find from the list outside

that my nephew's ship has not been mentioned.

There seems to have been tempestuous weather, Mr. Gills.

The ship is safe, I trust in heaven?

Oh, yes yes. She has probably just been driven out of her course.

Your receipt. (Blows)

You must miss your nephew very much.

Very much.

Would it not be company for you

to have a young lad in your shop just now?

It would be obliging me, Mr. Gills,

if you would give that one house-room just for the present.

I understand you may not have much business in your shop,

but you could make him clean the place out and Polish instruments, could you not?

Make him drudge, Mr. Gills. Will you do that for me?

Of course I'm always glad of any opportunity

however slight to oblige you, Mr. Carker.

Splendid. I shall send him around first thing tomorrow morning.

And as I consider myself responsible for him,

I shall be glad if you will look after him sharply

and report his behavior to me.

Very well.

Goodbye, Mr. Gills.

Not you!

Now, you dog,

you will come here to me tomorrow morning,

and you will be shown where that old gentleman lives.

Do you understand?

I have a great interest in that old gentleman.

And in serving him, you serve me.

I want to know all about him, everything,

especially who comes there to see him.

Yes, I see you understand.

There is a young lady who may perhaps come to visit him

to inquire after his nephew.

I want particularly to know about her.

What is your name, dog?

Toodle, sir.

Rob Toodle, known as Biler.

Well, Rob Toodle...

Take care.

You talk of this to nobody. Do you understand?

If I find that you have deceived me, or played tricks,

Rob Toodle,

you had better drown yourself.

Now, Miss Floy,

shouldn't you go and stay with them old Skettleses?

Even a visit to Fulham would be better than staying here all alone.

But I'm not alone. I've got Diogenes. (Giggles)

Clumsy, bullet-headed creature.

Oh. Sit.

How long it seems since we've had any news of Walter.

I have heard talk, Miss Floy.

Talk?

Mr. Towlinson,

he's friendly with that wet, curl-paper Perch from your pa's office.

And what does he say?

Just there's beginning to be talk in the city about the ship.

Captain's wife was making inquiries yesterday, Mr. Towlinson says.

Seems they never had a ship on that voyage half so long unheard of.

We must go and see Walter's uncle at once.

No, Miss Floy!

He ain't in.

Well, where is he then?

Who is this?

Mrs. Richards' eldest, miss, and the worry of her life.

Fetch Mr. Gills home. Tell him my own lady's here.

I don't know where he's gone.

- Did Mr. Gills say when he should be home? - No, miss.

He ain't indoors, miss. Not a quarter of an hour together

these last two days.

Can't seem to sit in one place five minutes, he can't.

(Bell clangs)

Captain Cuttle.

Miss Florence, Susan.

Captain Cuttle, I could not rest without coming to ask Mr. Gills

what he thinks about dear Walter, but it seems he's out.

Aye, treasure. He'll have gone to the city again to ask after the ship.

Come in. Come in, my dears. Come in.

Thank you.

Keep the shop, you.

Oh, dearie, dearie.

Have you any fears for Walter's safety?

No,

heart's delight,

I ain't afeared.

Come and sit down.

Sit ye down.

Now, Walter's a lad

as'll go through a deal of hard weather.

There's no denying there's been most uncommon bad weather in them latitudes.

But that ship's a good ship,

and the lad's a good lad.

And 'tain't easy, thank the lord,

to break up hearts of oak,

be they in brigs nor bosoms, no.

I ain't afeared as yet.

Florence: As yet?

Oh, I ain't afeared at all.

And afore I begins to be,

heart's delight,

Walter'll have wrote back from the island,

or from some port or another,

and made everything shipshape.

(Chuckles)

What cheer, Sol Gills?

So-so, Ned.

Still no sign of Wally's ship.

Stand by, old friend.

Stand by.

Oh!

I tell you what, Sol,

you come along with me and have a meal somewheres or another.

Oh, no, not tonight, Ned.

I couldn't eat.

I have so much to do.

I must be alone, and turn my mind to many things.

Tomorrow then.

Yes. Yes, tomorrow.

Think of me tomorrow, Ned.

I shall call for you early, mind.

Yes yes, first thing.

Now, goodbye, Ned, and god bless you.

Goodbye?

But-- but, Sol...

Goodbye, Ned.

Sol.

(Theme music playing)