Original subtitles

Phyllis!

Come on!

Go away.

Get off.

Peter.

Sorry.

Peter.

Oh, please!It's her birthday!

No, wait for Bobbie.

Can I open this one first?

Yes, you can. Go on.

I think I know what it is.

Oh, it's really heavy.

It must be a rock.

Oh, hello.

Oh, thank you.

It's wonderful!

Good choice.

Well done.

Is there anything to go with it?

Oh, don't be so ungrateful.

Under the bed.

Here.

Open mine!

It's pencils!

If you don't like them, I'll have them.

Come on.

You can help.

Oh, thank you!

Come on.

Let's get it going.

Let's see how it works.

Kids, Not too much lemonade, OK?

Aha!

Now I've got you.

What do you think you're doing?

All right.

Which child exploded?

Is there no hope?

Hope?

Oh, yes.

A little bit of soda, a new valve perhaps.

Yes, we'll have this goingagain in next to no time.

You can all help.

Can girls help mend engines?

They can do anything boyscan do, can't they, daddy?

Yes, of course they can.

Two gentlemen to see you, sir.

I've shown them into the library.

Remind me to install a moatand a drawbridge, would you?

So that nobody can disturb us.

The twins soon saw

that he could run there faster.

So they climbed the spreading chestnut tree.

The baker, his face the color of raspberries,

stood at the foot of the tree and wondered where

the insolent twins had gone.

A conker dropped of his headout of the tree, whereupon

his face turned from raspberryto the darkest beetroot.

--at the highest possible level.

Nevertheless--

I wish we did have a moat and drawbridge.

Please, ma'am, the master would like

to you to step into the study.

I think he's had bad news.

My guess is it's a death in thefamily or the bank busted or--

That will do, Ruth.

You can go.

I'm afraid father's been called away.

But why--

Darling, go to bed.

Mommy, it wasn't bad news, was it?

I can't tell youanything tonight, my pet.

To bed, now.

Ruth, why has mother gone to town?

Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies.

You'll know soon enough.

Peter, you mustn't ask.

Why not?

Mother will tell useverything we need to know.

Goody-goody.

Bobbie's right, and you're a twit.

Oh, don't.

I'm sure there's been some calamity.

Let's not make things worseby being horrid to each other.

I know from what I hear from the others

that he is in this house this very

blessed minute, and there--

My darlings, I want to tell you something.

The men that came last nightdid bring very bad news,

and father will be away for some time.

But, they--

Promise you won't ask me oranyone else about this trouble.

It's about business, andyou know how hard business

is to understand, don't you?

Is it something to do with daddy's

work for the government?

Yes.

Now it's time for bed.

Don't you worry, my darlings.

It will all come right in the end.

I've asked Aunt Emma to come and stay.

I can hear somebody'sshoes dragging on the ground.

I know what you're doing, Peter.

Charles II?

1660 to 1685.

Edward IV?

Oh, I don't know.

I'm not sure it really matters.

Of course it does.

1461 to 1483.

Thank you.

You'll come to a bad end,you horrible little child!

If you don't bend your ways, you'll go to where

your precious father's gone!

Now, my little loves, everything is settled.

We're going to leave this houseand go and live in the country.

I know you'll love it.

Is Aunt Emma coming with us?

No, it'll just be us.

We're only taking a few things from here,

just the useful ones.

Why?

Because we've got to playat being poor for a bit.

Yep, got it.

I knowthings shouldn't matter, but--

well, you get used to them, don't you?

Oh, why'd they have to take that?

You know what mother said.

Well, I think a rockinghorse would be very useful.

Wait a sec.

Over there then.

Yeah, another one coming up.

I like moving house.

We should do it every month.

Do you mind if we don't?

Wake up, loves.

We're here.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Oh, Phyl.

Why is it always you?

Come on.

Let's catch them up, OK?

All right.

MRS. WATERBURY: There's the house.

I wonder where Mrs. Viney is.

Who?

The woman Iemployed to clean the place

and leave supper for us.

She's, uh, probably gone home.

Your train was out late.

So what are we expected to do now?

Yes, well, it's--

it's a tricky one.

We can, uh-- we can usethe key under the doormat.

That's what we do around here.

Nobody ever gets brokeninto, unless they deserve it.

Come on.

What a horrid woman.

Just walked off with the money and not left us

anything to eat at all.

I'm going to have to open of our own cases.

What's that?

That'll be rats.

You have any luck, they'll be big rats.

Yes.

Right.

Well, I bid you good night.

Good night.

Oh, dear.

Oh, that's better.

The great thing is to be cheerful.

Nobody can be cheerful in thedark, except owls and bats.

I wish father was here.

He'd get that bag andcase open just like that.

What are you kicking me for, Bobbie?

I wasn't.

It's very cold for this time of year.

Stop trying to be so grown up.

Peter.

Well, you've often wantedsomething to happen,

and now it has.

I'm sure there aren't really any rats.

No.

No.

No.

Wake up.

Wake up.

It's a mouse.

There are no servants or anything.

We have to do everything ourselves.

I don't know how to do anything.

We must let mommy sleep.

Oh, that'sjust the dining room.

Father's chair.

Another room!

The ladydid leave a meal after all.

It just goes to show, you should never--

Phyl!

Come on, Phyl!

Oh, it's cold.

Maybe not.

Cowards.

Peter!

Come on, Bobbie!

What are we going to live on?

Mommy's going to writestories and try to sell them.

We could help by buying some.

No.

We must make sure she isn't interrupted

when she's upstairs writing.

Yes, except to bring hertea or streak her hair.

I might want to.

What if mommy doesn't sell any stories?

Perhaps daddy could still get money.

I don't think so, or we wouldn't have needed

to sell off the nice furniture.

I think it's good that we sold it.

More room to run around now.

A train!

Peter!

Gosh.

How do you do?

How do you do?

You didn't get chewed todeath by rats last night, no?

No.

Mother says it's probably just one mouse.

Ah, bachelor, is he?

Lives alone.

Just ignore me.

Half of everything I say is, more or less,

complete nonsense.

The trick is trying to guess which half.

Oh, Mrs. Ransome, off somewherenice or to your sister's?

The carriage was dusty last time.

Oh, was it?

I'm sorry.

Although, I have to say, the chief cause

of dust on the trains isactually dusty passengers.

Oh, um, thank you forcarrying our things last night.

Oh, heavens.

There's no need to thank me.

It's my job.

We've come from London.

Oh, London.

How is London these days?

We had to sell some of our furniture.

Oh.

What was wrong with it?

Don't listen.

She just, um, says things.

Excuse me.

You getting on the train?

Nope.

We're stuck here for the time being.

Well, go and sit somewhere,if you'd be so kind.

You're impeding free movement.

You ask.

No. You ask.

You're the one who said you were cold.

Well, I am. I'm freezing.

So you ask.

No.

Will you ask?

Hello?

Um, we were wonderingif we could light a fire.

No, loves.

Cold is so dear.

If you're cold, dress up more warmly.

I hate being cold.

I hate being able to only havejam or butter at tea time.

Don't go on, Phyl.

I mean, you're supposed to have them together.

It's like steak and kidney.

I'm going on a lone adventure.

What?

I can't tell you what itis, because it may be wrong

and I don't want to drag you into it.

Can I be the damson in distress next time?

I'm always a savage.

Damsel.

A damson is a type of plum.

Oh, Peter, don't do it if it's wrong.

We should all do it together.

No.

You can't come.

It's a lone adventure.

Get off!

- You little thief. - I'm not a thief.

I'm a coal miner!- Tell that to the Marines.

Come on to the station.

No, no!

Not the police station!

You're that boy fromThree Chimneys, aren't you?

Is there anyone else in your gang?

No! Honestly, I promise!

Only us.

Right.

Look at you, so nicely dressed and all.

Haven't you been to church?

Don't you know it's wrong to steal?

I didn't think it was stealing.

I only took it from the middle of the heap

so it counts as mining.

It'll take you thousands of years

to burn off all that coal.

Not quite.

Poorer folks scrimp and save for coal.

You lot can afford it.

But you think it's yours by right.

No.

At our other house, we always used

to have fires when it was cold.

Now mother says we're toopoor to have a fire now.

Peter, don't.

They-- they actually had tosell all their furniture.

Thank you for your contribution, Mr. Perks.

Highly welcome.

Well, perhaps I was a bit harsh.

But remember, stealing isstealing, why ever you do it.

I'll look over it this time.

Now, get along off.

Thank you.

Thank you.

You're a darling.

That's all right.

Peter--

Don't speak to me.

You're spies and traitors.

I'm not even sure actuallythat mining is a crime.

The Green Dragon's 3 and 1/4 minutes late.

I wish it could take our love to father.

I wonder why he doesn't write to us.

Hmm--

I really miss him.

Me, too.

I'm afraid he'll forget about us.

He won't, Phyl.

He's probably terribly busy.

That's why it's called being away on business.

Is that true?

Let's all wave at theGreen Dragon as it goes by.

It might understand and takeour love to him in London.

Yes.

Why not?

Why don'twe go to the station anymore?

Because wemight meet the station master.

I'm notscared of the station master.

Tell that to the Marines.

At last, a sensible editor.

He's taken my story.

Oh, well done, mother.

Well, we could do with themoney, and that's the truth.

Oh, let's buy a big--

something!

Does this mean we canafford to go back to London?

No.

Better than that, we cancelebrate with buns for tea.

That'll do.

Morning.

Good morning.

Excuse me.

I'd rather you weren't polite to me.

Beg your pardon?

I think you're being polite to me

because you don't remember thatit was me who took the coal,

and it was.

I'm sorry.

Oh, don't you worry about that.

Let bygones be bygones.

What you got there?

Buns.

Oh, I thought you were all so poor.

Mother sold a story.

We're going to have buns every time

she sells a poem or a story.

Oh, poems and stories, is it?

Well, you ought to be proudto have such a clever mother.

Yes.

Although we preferred it whenshe didn't have to be clever

and she could play with us.

Well, you should look into thestation whenever you fancy it.

Yes, we might well do that.

Thank you.

Stop!

My bootlace is undone again!

That's actually the sign for the emergency

cord on the train.

Will stop it dead on.

Two farthings 10 shillingsfine for improper use.

Well, what counts as proper use?

Them not being bothered, more or less.

Oh.

You know, there was this old woman once

and somebody kidded around thatthe emergency cord was actually

a refreshment room bell.

So she got up, she pulled the cord,

the train stopped, the guard rushed in,

and she said, oh, there ya are.

I'll have a glass of stoutand a pork pie, please.

Morning, children.

Why do all the trains have numbers in front?

Oh, so you'll know which one's which.

I actually knew a young gent once that took down

all the numbers of all the trains he ever saw,

and he wrote them in a notebook.

- Why did you do that? - Nobody knows.

So the old lady pulled the little

handle thing and said to thetrain driver or the guard

or whoever the man was--

oh, I've missed out a bit.

Anyway, it was very funny.

I've been meaning to ask you, when

you go down to the station,you won't walk on the line,

will you?

Well, didn't you everwalk on the railway lines

when you were a little?

Yes.

Very well then.

But be careful.

Imagine how I'd feel if you got hurt.

You know how much I love you all.

Come and get me, Peter!

How long can you remembersomeone you really love,

even if you're desperate or if you don't

see them or hear their voice?

Forever, my love.

Forever.

What's going to happen to us?

Your mother has influenza.

I'm sure she'll be all right,but we're going to have

to look after her carefully.

You look rather solemn.

I think you should be head nurse.

Yes.

I'll send down some meds soon.

Keep up a good fire.

Have some strong beef teamade when her fever goes down.

She can have grapes now and beef essence,

soda water and milk, and abottle of the best brandy.

I'll write it down.

I can't afford all this rubbish.

But, mother, you need all these things.

Ask Mrs. Viney to boil up a scrag end of mutton

for your supper tomorrow night.

I'll have the broth.

Well, you got the shilling for the mutton.

We don't need that.

All we need is bread and water.

People have lived on less than this.

That's true.

So Mrs. Viney could spend theshilling on mother's brandy

and beef tea.

How are we going tobuy all the other things?

I don't know.

Well, we've got to get mother better.

Come on.

I'll do it.

I'm so sorry to disturb you on your train,

but we feel we know you alittle from waving so often.

Please, take this. - Thank you, my dear.

Dear Mr.We Do Not Know Your Name,

mother is ill and the doctorsays to give her the things

at the end of this letter.

But she says we can't affordit, and to get mutton for us

and she will have the broth.

We do not know anybody herebut you because father is away

and we do not know the address.

Father will pay you, or if he has

lost all his money or anything, Peter

will pay you when he is a man.

Old gentlemen asked me tofetch this up right away.

Oh.

Thank you very much, Mr. Perks.

Oh, I've carried a few handfuls in my day,

especially during the hamper season.

The worst thing I ever had to carry

was a fish tank with the water still in it.

If anybody ever ask you to carry a fish

tank with the water still init, just say to them-- say--

well, you can say anything you like

because nobody's listening.

I'm very sorry, but I don'thave tuppence to give you

like father does.

Just drop that right now, young man.

I just wanted to say I was sorry to hear

your mother wasn't well and--

and to bring her some sweet berry

because it smells so nice.

I wasn't looking for any tuppences.

I beg your pardon.

All right.

Well, no offense.

Tuppence from kiddywinks, indeed.

DearRoberta and Phyllis and Peter,

here the things you want.

Your mother will want toknow where they came from.

Two chickens.

Tell her that they were sent by a friend

who heard she was ill.

When she is well again, you musttell her about it of course.

E-oh de colog-knee.

Eau de cologne, silly.

It's for dabbing on in placed you think

you're going to be kissed.

You must never, never, never ask

strangers to give us things.

Is that clear?

It's not right to go tellingeveryone about our affairs.

Why?

There are lots of bills coming in, you said.

I know there's a doctor.

I know we're poor, butwe've got enough to live on.

I'm going to write your old gentleman, thanking him,

but telling him I don't approve of what you did.

I still think we were rightto ask, because otherwise--

No, Peter.

There are some things thatpeople like us just don't do,

no matter what.

Now, we won't talk about it anymore.

Because it can strike at any moment, illness.

That's the frightening thing.

One minute you're standingup, the next minute

you're lying down. - Mrs Viney--

From standing up to lyingdown in as little as a minute.

Another doctor, he'll be expensive.

I should know.

I've been under him several times.

Very warm hands.

You're throwing it all wonky.

You do it then.

I can't bat and ball.

Oh.

I want a brother!

So--

Nobody's ill. - No.

Good.

Makes a change.

I get a lot of illness.

Let it all out then.

What's the trouble?

It's rather hard to just blurt it out

because of what mother said.

What did mother say?

That I wasn't to go tellingeveryone we were poor.

But you're not everyone, are you?

Not at all.

Well--

I know from Mrs. Vineythat doctors are expensive,

and you're a good doctor, soyou must be very expensive.

You might think so, mightn't you?

So-- so I asked herhow she could afford you.

Because I know she's much poorer than we are,

I've been in her house.

Ah.

She said her doctor onlycost her tuppence a week

because she belonged to a club.

And I don't want mother to be anxious,

and I thought I'd ask you,can we be in the club, too?

You're not cross with me, are you?

You're probably not very wealthy either.

How could I be cross?

You're very sensible.

I'll make it all right with your mother.

Now, don't you worry oryou'll make yourself ill.

Then I'll have to send you a bill as long

as that railway line.

Shall wewave at the people in the boat,

like we wave at the old gentleman?

The problem is, we'd wave,

and we'd still all bethere, watching each other.

You reallythink you'll catch something?

Yeah.

Youhaven't even got a hook, Phyl.

Well, I don't want to hurt the fish.

Come on, we should go andmeet mother off the train.

Hello.

Excuse me.

What's the time?

I dropped my watch in the water, and it--

Mind your own business, posh bloody kids.

Stuck up.

Hey!

Why did you say that?

That's horrible.

We're just normal children.

We're not posh.

I've repaired this dress 100 times.

And even if we were posh,we'd still care about you

and not despise you justbecause you are poorer than us.

Right.

Next time, they'll be sorry.

Perhaps weshould stick to the railway.

Tickets, please.

Can you see mother yet?

No.

It's not her train.

Something's happening.

No, lad. Step aside.

I'll attend to this, if you please.

Well, what's the trouble?

Nope, don't understand a word.

Mother knows languages.

She'll be on the next train from Maybridge.

This way, if you please.

Well, he's got no ticket andno visible means of support.

I'm not sure I shouldn't send for the police.

No!

Are you well?

Look, we show him these foreign stamps,

and he can tell us if he recognizes his country.

Norwegian-- that's a nice one.

No, no.

He's not Norwegian.

He'd be wearing one of them thick jumpers

if he was Norwegian.

Oh, he's Russian.

You can stay at our house.

Oh, uh-- bon voyage.

He's worn out, body and soul.

He should go straight tobed and must be kept warm.

Thank you.

That means hello in Russian.

Or perhaps good bye.

I think he might need to join your club.

He's got nothing.

I saw him crying.

Please, don't.

You wouldn't smile if you'd seen him.

I've never seen a man cry before.

I'm sorry.

We must find you some clothes.

Mother, why hasn't

father taken his clothes?

Daddy isn't-- he isn't dead, is he?

Oh, darling Bobbie.

No, no, of course not.

Daddy's quite, quite wellwhen I heard from him last,

and he'll come back to us someday.

Tell me about the Russian man.

He's a writer.

He wrote about how to make conditions better

for the poor in his country.

The czar sent him away toa cruel and harsh prison

for life.

How'd he get away?

He escaped.

He heard that his wife and family had

fled and come to this country.

Does he know where?

No.

He has to find them.

My love, when you say your prayers,

ask God to take pity onall prisoners and captives.

Prisoners and captives.

But if you have your cake,

of course you can eat it.

Yes, but thepoint is, once you've had it,

you can't eat it again.

I know.

So it should be.

You can't eat your cake and still have it.

Unless you only eat half.

I hate Mr. Chapinsky havingto wear daddy's clothes.

Yes, so does mother.

I can see it in her eyes.

What's that noise?

It's that tree over there.

It's moving.

It's magic.

I don't like anymore.

Let's go home.

That'll take some clearing up.

It's right across the line.

1129 Down hasn't gone by yet.

We must let them know at the station

or there will be a terrible accident.

Run.

Wait.

Come back.

There's no time.

We should wave at the train to stop it.

They'll just think it'sus waving as we usually do.

We need something red.

Yes, take them off.

- Now. - You're not going to tear them.

Shut up.

It doesn't matter, Phyl.

If we can't stop the train, there

will be a real accident withpeople smashed up and killed.

Sticks-- we need sticks to put the flags on.

Stand firm and wave like mad!

When the train gets around the corner,

step back, but keep on waving.

They can't see us!

It won't work!

It's no good!

Keep off the line!

Stop!

Stop!

Please, stop!

Wake up, Bobbie.

Bobbie?

Speak to me, Bobbie.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Did you sleep?

Yes, thank you.

Like a log.

Um, I, um--

this black berry.

Thank you.

Be better.

Thank you.

Listen!

We got a letter!

A small presentation will be made

to you on behalf of the GreatNorthern and Southern Railway--

In commemoration of yourprompt and courageous action in

warning the train, thus aver--

Averting what must, humanly speaking,

had been a terrible accident.

Does this mean we get a present?

Not that it's important.

And so today, we pay tributeto Roberta, Peter, and Phyllis

for displaying great braveryand presence of mind.

Here, here.

Make a speech and thank everyone.

Begin, ladies andgentlemen, nice and loud now.

You can't be too loud.

Ladies and gentlemen--

Too loud.

This is awfully good of you.

We don't deserve the watches because what

we did wasn't anything, really.

It's just-- I mean, it was terribly exciting.

So thank you, all, very, very, very much.

We meet properly, at last.

Yes.

As a director of the railway,permit me to say, bravo.

Thank you.

Would you think it terribly rude if I--

if I have a favor to ask?

Excuse me, sir, um--

photographs?

Of course.

Afternoon tea.

Very handsome.

Oh.

Well, this is very thoughtful of you.

I had an accident with the lemonade.

A cup and a plate might be nice.

Perks always drinks it out of the can.

Yes, um-- mm.

Well, in a minute, I wantto hear all about you.

But what was that favor you wanted?

Um-- do you know anything about Russia?

Russia?

Anybody want to know the time?

No, thank you.

3:18.

This is a bit like the VictoriaCross, really, isn't it?

When I'm very old, I shallshow it to my grandchildren.

You have to be married to have grandchildren.

I suppose I'll have to get married someday.

I'd like to marry a lady who had trances and only

woke up once or twice a year.

When I get married, I wanthim to be awake all the time

to tell me how nice I am.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

Thank you, Mr. Perks.

Don't mention it.

Always a pleasure to carrya director of the railway,

if that doesn't sound too oily.

No, no, no.

Most-- most gracious.

Good news.

You found Mr. Chapinsky'swife and children.

And I couldn't resist the pleasure

of coming to tell him myself.

Oh.

Well, on-- on second thought, you--

you run ahead and tell him him.

These two will look after me.- Come with us.

Thank you.

Well, I must say, I--

I think everything hasworked out very well happily.

Come on, Perky, you must come, too.

Don't call me Perky.

Sorry.

Oh, it's all right.

You weren't to know.

Who were you waving to theother day on the train?

This isanother one of the letters

that I wrote--

We know where your wife and children are!

I don't know how tothank you for everything.

It's been a real pleasure to meet you.

I'm afraid we live rathersimply in reduced circumstances.

I'm so sorry.

I-- I can't ask you to come and see us again.

Oh, I consider myselffortunate indeed to have been

received once at your house.

I'm sorry, I must seem so surly and ungrateful.

You could never seem anythingbut most gracious and charming.

Perks!

Thank you.

Thank you and goodbye.

Please, please, please, no.

No-- no, the wife can get very jealous.

It can actually turn quite ugly, you know.

Walk on.

Bye.

- Bye. - Bye.

Bye.

Bye.

I wonder if daddy will be that excited

when he comes home to us.

You looked tired, mommy.

Lean on me.

No, it's my place to give mother my arm.

Now that father's not here,I'm the head of the family.

Our darling Roberta, no sorrow

shall hurt her if we canprevent it her whole lift long.

Her birth is our fate day.

We'll make it a great day,and give her our presence

and sing her a song.

Happy birthday, darling.

Thank you.

This is my present.

It's pencils again.

Thank you, Phyl.

This is my present.

Oh, Peter.

Not your own dear engine that you're so fond of.

That is so kind and generous.

No.

Not the engine, just the sweets.

Oh, of course.

That's what I thought you meant.

I'll go halves on the engine if you like.

Peter, thank you.

It's a splendid present. - Then it's broken.

Come on now. What's wrong?

- You're going to be late again. - Yeah.

Well, we'll start running on time

when you stop rotten lagging.

You've got it all wrong.

Get that kettle out of here.

It's going!

If you please, Mr. Engineer.

What the bloomy?

What are you doing here?

Come on.

- Ah! - Sit there.

Come on.

What's it all about?

I did call out, and you didn't hear me.

Don't be cross, please.

We ain't cross as much as interested.

I only thought you could mend this

because you're an engineer.

Well, I'm glad.

I felt guilty because mybrother Peter gave it to me

and didn't really mean it.

So I wanted to make amends by repairing it.

We drive the engine, we don't mend her.

And how are we going to get you

back to your sorrowing friends and relations?

Well-- if you put medown next time you stop it,

lend me the fair for a third class ticket,

I'll pay you back.

I'm not some trickster, honestly.

Heya, now.

Ain't you got a pal whocan use a soldering iron?

Yeah, I have.

That's what father said it needed!

Gosh.

Who did you get to do it?

Not the fireman's secondcousins wife's brother.

Very good, chap.

Very good, chap, indeed.

Oh, it's like having my birthday all over again.

Thank you, Bobbie.

When's your birthday, Mr. Perks?

The 15th of this month,if you really want to know.

But I gave up keeping birthdays years ago,

before you were born.

Why?

Well-- I'm too busy, looking after--

looking after the missus and the bills.

His wife and children.

I know.

Perky!

Pete, Phyl, porridge!

Good news.

I sold another story.

You know something, I'm getting good at this.

Buns for tea.

Mother, would you mind if we didn't

have our buns for tea tonight,but on the 15th, next Thursday?

No, of course not.

But why?

It's Mr. Perks's birthday.

He's been really friendly to us, and we

wanted to give him our buns.

Certainly.

Come on, we must think.

We could just give him the buns.

No.

I know.

Perks is so nice to everybody.

There must be lots of people inthe village who'd like to help

give him a good birthday.

Let's go around and ask everybody.

Mother said we weren'tto ask people for things.

For ourselves, she meant, not for other people.

We should ask her first.

What's the point in botheringmother for everything?

Given from Mrs. Ransome,

half a pound of tea fromthe grocer, woolen scarf,

slightly faded from theDrapers, a stuffed squirrel

from the doctor.

Promised a piece

of honeycomb and six bootlaces from the cobbler, an iron

shovel from the blacksmith.

Anything else?

A slabof meat from the butcher.

Ah, yes.

We can pick that up on the way.

What's that?

Phyl.

What are they doing?

Where are they going?

Mother's changing herself.

Down in a minute!

She'll be down in a minute.

Can you put him in the cart?

Hello, hello.

I'm a bit late, um, changing because I've

done an extra clean up, it being-- well,

it being Perks's birthday.

We knew it was his birthday, so we

brought him some presents.

What's the matter?

Don't you like them?

Like them?

Of course I do.

You're so kind.

Perks has never had a birthday like it,

not even when he was a boy.

I mean, look at it all.

Well, it's fit for a prince.

Not that he's a prince.

Oh, bless us, he's early.

Let's hide in the washroom.

You tell him about it. - Yes.

And then we'll all come inand shout many happy returns.

Right-o.

Hello.

Oh, here's a pretty spread.

It's your birthday tea, Bert.

Where's the children?

I couldn't say.

Well, then,give us a big, sloppy one.

What's that pram doingthere and all these things?

Well--

Oh, no.

I hope he doesn't think it's all come from us

and that we're trying to be grand.

I-- I don't care who it's from.

I'm not going to start these charity

goings on at my time of life.

Hush, please, for goodness sake.

They're in the washroom.

They can hear everything you're saying.

Well, I'll give them something to listen to.

Come out.

Come out.

Come out here and tell mewhat-- what you mean by this.

Have I ever complained about being short enough

as to need charity?

We thought you'd be pleased.

I'll never be kind toanyone as long as I live.

We didn't mean any harm.

It's not what you mean,young man, it's what you do.

Oh, don't.

We thought you'd love it.

We always have things on our birthdays.

From your relatives.

That's different.

Look at it all, look at it.

It's far too much.

It's not all from us.

We forgot to put the labels on.

It's from all sorts of people in the village.

Bert, please.

Have you been goingaround telling the neighbors

we can't make ends meet?

Well, you can take back this whole bag of tricks

to where it came from.

And I would rather not beacquainted with you any longer,

if it's all the same to you.

Look, we'll go if you like, and you

needn't be friends with usanymore if you don't want to.

We'll always be friends with you,

however nasty you are to us.

Shh.

But before we go, let us show you the labels

we meant to put on things.

I don't want to see any labels.

I see enough labels at work on luggage.

We wrote down what everyone said

when they gave us the things.

Don't you upset yourself.

I know you meant itkindly, even if he doesn't.

Mother's label first.

It says, "Little clothesfor Mrs. Perks's children.

I can't do much because we're poor ourselves,

but I'd like to do something because he's

so friendly to you."

Well, that's different.

Your mother's a born lady.

We'll keep the frocks and what not now.

The pram is from Mrs. Ransome.

"It was bought for my daughter'sfirst, but sadly he died

and she never had another.

It would be a help forMrs. Perks's little girl."

I'm not sending the pramback, Bert, so don't ask me.

I'm not asking you anything.

Mr. James made the shovel for you himself.

"You tell Mr. Perks, it's a pleasure

to make something for a manwho is so much respected."

I thought you'd love to knowhow fond people are of you.

I've never been so unhappy in my life.

Goodbye.

All right.

All right.

I take it all back, everythingI said that you don't like.

Nell, put the kettle on.

Arthur, stop picking your nose!

I knew you'd like themonce you really understood.

I'm not unhappy about the presents.

I mean, well, one collection.

I'm just-- I'm just pleased having the kind

respect of our neighbors.

You are the most aggravating man.

A man must respect himself.

Otherwise, no one else will do it for him.

So staying to tea?

Very well.

Goodbye.

Goodbye!

Goodbye, Albert!

Phyl.

Peter, wait!

Bobbie, dear.

Parting from father was terrible, much worse

than anything you can think of.

But it'd be much moreterrible if your children

were to forget him.

You aren't, are you?

No.

Why?

You never speak of him now.

Well, I--

I thought you were so unhappyabout daddy not being here.

It made it worse when wetalked about him, so I stopped,

we all did.

I promised myself I'd never ask you questions,

and I never have, have I?

But the trouble, it--

it won't last forever, will it?

No.

What's this?

A pretty, young girl on a swing?

I've, uh-- I've brought you somemagazines by way of a thank you

for my birthday presents.

Don't read them all at oncenow, they'll rot your brain.

Thank you very much, Mr. Perks.

Oh, don't thank me.

People leave them on the trains.

I wish they'd leave somethinga bit more useful, like cakes.

Oh, well, would you likea cup of tea, Mr. Perks?

Uh, no, no, no, I'd best not.

No offense, but I hear your house

has a wee bit of a rat problem.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Brilliant!

Yeah, that's it.

Oh, daddy, it's not true,you never did it, never.

Oh, Bobbie,you don't believe it--

you don't believe daddy did it.

Of course not, mother.

They've shut him up in prison,

but he's done nothing wrong.

He's good and honorable, and wemust be proud of him and wait.

Why didn't you tell me?

Are you going to tell the others?

No.

Well--

It's so wrong.

How can this happen?

Don't be angry with me, my love.

But you didn't do anything.

You just brought us down here.

We should have stood outside Buckingham

Palace in the rain and thecold until they let him out!

Tell me about it.

I want to understand.

I'll tell you, my love.

But then we won't speak of it anymore.

We must bear it and be brave.

My dear friend,

you see what is in this paper.

It is not true.

Father is not a spy or a traitor.

Mother says the man under himwas jealous, and put the stone

and papers in father's desk.

Nobody listens to a word mother says,

but you are good and clever and you

quickly found out about theRussian gentleman's wife.

Can't you find out about who did the treason?

Because father is a true Englishman and incapable

of doing such things.

It is dreadful.

Mother is getting so thin.

Please, help me.

There is just mother and me whoknow, and we can't do anything.

With love, your affectionatefriend, Roberta.

I like watching people work.

No, Phyllis.

Look!

Leave him alone.

Oh, yes.

It's the boys from MaybridgeSchool doing a paper chase.

Oh, that's really exciting.

What's a paper chase?

That first boy, he's got the head,

and he has to leave a trail ofpaper for the hounds to follow.

Go on, you hounds!

Let's cross across the top and we can watch

them coming out the other end.- But won't they beat us?

No, we'll be running on grass,they'll be running in the dark.

This way!

Follow me!

My bootlace is undone.

Phyllis.

Can you see them yet?

No.

Crouch down.

We must've missed them.

No, I don't think so.

Never mind.

We've never seen a train from up here before.

Oh, look out.

Here he comes.

There.

No.

They aren't the last.

There's the one in the red jersey to come yet.

I've got a pain in myfront from being so hungry.

Come on.

The one in the red jersey must've

been mixed in with the others.

No, I don't think so.

Let's go down.

I'll die if I don't have a sandwich.

Oh, give her a silly sandwich.

I think the boy in the redjersey has had an accident.

As we speak, he's probably lyingwith his head on the metals

and unresisting to any--

Oh, stop talking like a book.

Come on, Phyl, keep close behind me.

If a train comes, standflat against the tunnel wall

and hold your petticoat to you.

I will if you give me a sandwich.

I'm going first.

It was my idea.

I don't like it.

I want to go back.

A train.

Stand back.

Quick, in here.

So if the boy in the red jersey

was in the way of the train--

Look!

Is that blood?

Is all killed?

No.

He's fainted.

What should we do?

Can we move him?

I don't think so.

He's big.

- Hello. - Come on.

- Wake up. - Speak to us.

Wake up.

Well, I think he's dead.

Stop that.

I knew he wasn't.

I'm all right.

I believe I've broken my leg.

I-- I tripped on one of those silly wires.

Who are you?

Your rescue party.

Do you think you could move if we helped you?

I could try.

Come on.

Look, I'll stay with him.

You go and get help.

Come on, quickly!

Hello again.

What's your name?

Jim.

Mine's Bobbie.

Weren't there more of you just now?

Yes, Peter and Phyl, my brother and sister.

They've gone to getsomeone to carry you out.

Funny names, they're all boys.

Yes.

Mine's Roberta, really.

I wish I was a boy.

I think you're all right as you are.

I'm never going in a tunnel

again, as long as I live, even if there

was 600 boys all insidewith all their legs broken.

There's never a grownuparound when you need one.

Hello!

Help!

Oh, hi.

Oh, it's you.

So sister still mendingthat old dress over and over?

Look--

Where do you live?

I go to boarding school in Maybridge.

I suppose I've got to get back there somehow.

We could bring him to our house.

I'll go ahead and tell mother.

Hey, what will your ma say about you

bringing home a sick stranger?

That'll be fine.

They've done it before with a Russian.

Night-night, Peter.

Mother, as Jim's parent'slive in Northumberland.

Couldn't we keep him here andnot say anything to his parents

till he's better.

It would be such a surprise for them.

Yes, it would.

Now that father's away, there's no other man

in the house apart from me.

That's why I want Jim to stay much.

Do you miss your father very much?

Yes, of course I do.

Couldn't you nurse Jim?

Well, I can't do that in right.

I've telegraphed his school and his parents.

Don't worry, he'll stay withus till he's long better.

Oh, hello, my dear.

Hello.

I got your letter.

But it wasn't needed.

I had my doubts about your father's

case when I first read aboutit in the papers at the time.

And ever since, I've known who you were.

I've been trying to find out things.

All I can tell you is I havehopes, my dear, I have hopes.

Oh.

But I-- I think we shouldhang on to our secret

a little longer.

It wouldn't do to upset yourmother about a false hope,

would it?

You don't think father did it, do you?

Say you don't.

I'm perfectly certain he didn't.

Whoa!

Ready?

Brilliant!

I'm gonna get you!

No, you're not!

I'll, uh, be off then.

Yes.

Excuse me.

Have you packed your, um, things?

My things-- yes, they're all packed.

If you leave anything, we could probably--

Send it on in a parcel?

Yes.

So, um-- goodbye.

Goodbye.

- That's my address. - Lovely.

Let's write.

Yes, let's.

Hey.

I wonder if the railway misses us.

We never go to see it now.

We've had Jim to play with.

What I don't like isour not waving at the 9:15

and sending our love to father by it.

All right.

Let's start doing it again.

Hurry up!

When you get married,

your bootlaces will comeundone going up the aisle,

and the groom will fallover it and smash his nose,

and he won't marry you, andyou'll have to be an old maid.

What on earth does that mean?

I don't know.

Let's go and tell mother.

Mother, guess what happened!

Hundreds and hundreds of people waved to--

No, about 50.

About 50 then.

And it started off from the old gentleman--

No, it didn't.It started off from the driver.

No, it didn't.

Yes, it did.

OK.

It started from the driver,and it spread like wildfire.

Don't you feel well, my sweetheart?

I don't know.

Mother, would you mind if Iwalked down to the station?

No, of course not.

Morning, miss.

Good morning.

Good morning to you, miss, and many of them.

God bless you, dear.

The 11:57 is right on time, miss.

Here you are.

You know, I don't think I'veever been so glad of anything.

One thing I must do on aday like today, no offense.

You're not offended, are you?

I haven't taken too great a liberty.

No, of course not, dear Mr. Perks.

But on a day like what?

Oh, my daddy.

My daddy!

And they caught him, yes, they did.

And everyone now knowsthat it wasn't your daddy.

I always knew.

I thought you did.

Why don't you go in and tell my mother quietly

that everything's all right.