All language subtitles for 2.1 August 1844

Now. Is there anyone under the bed?

I am very much afraid
we may have burglars.

We must ascertain that we are safe!

(LAUGHS)

(CLOCK CHIMING)

(GASPS) Twelve noon!

We must make haste and change our caps.
Calling hours have commenced.

MATTY: Now come along, Tilly,
we must bid farewell to Dr Morgan.

Miss Matty, you don’t have to
take her with you.

My dear, she will be fractious
within the hour,

and you are occupied enough.

-Say goodbye to your mama.
-TILLY: Mama. Mama. Mama.

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

MATTY: Look, Mrs Forester and Bessie.
MRS FORESTER: Miss Matty.

Good day to you.

(BABBLES DELIGHTEDLY)

-Good day.
-Good day.

Good day to you.

Afternoon, Miss Matty.

MATTY: Oh! I spy Mrs Jamieson!

You can show her your new pinafore.

Why must you play nursemaid
to your servant’s child?

By the time that girl is grown

she will not know if her place is
in the kitchen or in the parlour!

At present, Tilly’s place is
with the person least employed.

Dear Martha and I are busy turn by turn.

You are scarcely occupied at all,
now you have closed your tea shop.

You have done Cranford
an abominable disfavour.

johnson’s prices are
already on the rise!

(MEN GRUNTING)

MR JOHNSON: Align it further back.

-Good afternoon, Miss Matty.
-Mr Johnson.

(CHUCKLES)

(MAN EXCLAIMS)

(DOG BARKING)

Hey.

Miss Matty!

Miss Matty! Miss Matty!

Halt the baby-cart,
and proceed no further.

But I am on my way to Dr Morgan’s house.
To bid farewell to him and his wife.

I find myself charged
with vile and pressing news.

The navvies were
at the George last night.

The navvies came into town?

There was an altercation
regarding the price of ale.

I am very much afraid
we must speak with Captain Brown.

This is Cranford!

Are the culprits still at large?

No! They have gone skulking back
to the railway works,

whilst leaving a great pool of

effluvia hard by the taproom door.

You must not wheel the child near there.

We must forewarn Miss Tomkinson.
She appears charged with the twins.

Butcher’s offspring are all
the same, Miss Tomkinson.

They are fed on too much kidney
and it makes their black bile rise.

I’m not their parent.

They are my sister’s stepchildren,
and I must feed them as directed.

Does dear Caroline
continue in good health?

Her silhouette is advancing rapidly.

I felt obliged to write
to Dr Harrison at Bury.

He advised rest,

and a bandage on the abdomen.

(MEN CHATTERING)

Captain Brown. Apprentice is
almost done fixing the sign.

And I don’t doubt
he has made a splendid job of it, Jem.

That can wait, sir.
I can bill you all of a piece,

when we’ve built the luggage shed.

Take it now,
it’s best that we are straight.

The company has cancelled plans
for supernumerary buildings.

It’s not likely that
they will be required,

now that the line must end
a full five miles from town.

You encouraged me to be hopeful.

I’ve taken on another lad,
bought a bigger wagon.

The railway company has done its utmost.

But Lady Ludlow insists that
she will keep her land intact.

You used to say you could skirt
around her boundaries.

Forge another route
into Cranford altogether.

Oh, we had hopes of a bridge
crossing Missenden Moss.

But we’ve today had word
from our surveying engineer.

Brunel himself could not bridge
such a tranche of swamp.

MATTY: Oh, Peter, dear.

I hope you will write to me
when you are safely arrived.

Miss Pole has heard
unsavoury reports of Liverpool.

Especially the docks,
where you must go to greet the ship.

Fear not, little Matty.
No blackguard shall steal my purse,

nor, sister, shall I be press-ganged.

I have a pistol in my carpet bag,

wrapped in the nightcap
you supplied in case of cold.

Oh, it relieves me
that you are prepared.

And it would be novel to see
your Indian goods brought home.

The tiger skin rug will look
quite splendid in the parlour.

I shall pose it as though poised
to nip our toes.

(LAUGHING)

I do agree it was wise to close my shop.

We now require the income
less than we need the space.

It was a jolly enterprise
while it had its day.

And the fact you made a profit
takes my fancy very much.

I put away every penny.
I should not like to see it squandered.

And I thought you’d purchase a pink
bonnet and run off to Droitwich Spa.

Do not linger long in Liverpool.

It sounds a dreadful place.

(DOG BARKING)

(YELPING)

(CHURCH BELL RINGING)

MRS BELL: I feel the burden of his loss
so very much on Sundays.

For after I weep here,
I must rise and go into church,

and worship the God
who has arranged our fortunes so.

Mother, people are looking at us.

Let us lay down our tribute
to your father.

The man has been buried 1 4 months!
Why is she not wearing mauve?

Mr Johnson’s bombazines
are very keenly priced.

Perhaps she does not care
to be thought brisk.

(MRS BELL SOBBING)

There is nothing brisk
in demonstrating fortitude.

(SIGHS) We are many of us widowed.

MATTY: It is Peggy
I feel so very sorry for.

She is of an age to be in company,
yet we see her only at church.

I fear she has no friends.

ALL: # Time, like an ever rolling stream

# Bears all its sons away

# They fly, forgotten, as a dream

# Dies at the opening day

# O God, our help in ages past

# Our hope for years to come

# Be Thou our guard while troubles last

# And our eternal home #

It was but two yards distant
from the altar.

And the altar cloth!

Which was worked in crewel stitch
by Miss Matty’s mother!

Ammoniac stains are utterly intractable.

An apothecary would have had
to be consulted.

I am so sorry to interrupt you, ladies.
And, sir.

Master William Buxton!

Although I think we should not
call him master now,

he is so much broader
than when we saw him last.

My dog escaped the house
almost an hour ago,

and I’ve been searching for him
ever since.

I cannot vouch for his whereabouts now,

I can, however,
reveal where he has been.

Miss Matty,
look who has come back to us!

-William, my dear!
-Miss Matty.

We had so hoped to see you
return to Cranford.

We did hear tidings of your dear mother,
and were sincerely grieved.

Father has been longing for our home,

and I came ahead of him
to open up the house.

(DOG BARKING)

Napoleon! Say, Napoleon!

How can it be expected to behave
with such a name.

WILLIAM: Napoleon, you are out of order.
Bad dog.

Stay!

(MRS BELL EXCLAIMS)

Bad dog. Bad dog.

-I’m so sorry.
-It doesn’t matter.

-The vase is still intact.
-But the flowers are spoiled.

He is a dog. It was not deliberate.

Peggy should have refused
the Rector’s offer of fresh blooms.

Lord knows we have little,
but our garden is replete with roses.

It was a friendly act, Mother,
not a charitable one.

I am glad we agreed to it.

I had no intention of dragging
my carcass all the way home

and then going back again
just to fill that vase.

Besides, I must finish
a bookkeeping exercise,

and I need a cup of tea.
I shall be in my room.

The water in the pail
had a brackish taste this morning.

You might go to the spring
and draw some fresh.

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

MR BUXTON: My dear Miss Matty!

I could not be more delighted
by your presence.

Unless that is,
you had called upon us sooner.

Do you not recollect
our custom, Mr Buxton?

In Cranford, we do not make calls
until the third day!

MR BUXTON: William!

(SHOUTING) William!

Oh, Miss Matty! I did not know
we were expecting guests!

Put that animal outside,
where I ordered it to be restrained,

and get upstairs
and attend to your linen.

Sir. Miss Matty.

Come on.

You must forgive me.

Since my wife passed away,
I find myself quite short of temper.

Mrs Buxton is much missed, I’m certain.

And William, too,
is doubtless shaken by her loss.

You comprehend the cross I bear,
I think.

How long is it
since Miss Deborah left us?

It is two years, and several days.

You must come into the drawing room,
I shall arrange for some tea.

Tea? I should adore a cup of tea.

Erminia, it is past noon.

Oh. I thought it was later.
I shall go into the morning room,

then it will not matter
that my hair’s not dressed.

Ah! You recollect Erminia Whyte?

My wife was her godmother,
she loved her very well.

She was always a very attractive child.

She became my ward
after her parents passed away.

She has been at school in Brussels.
Being turned into a lady.

Oh!

(WALTZ MUSIC PLAYING)

I do believe that it is a waltz.

Have you heard about waltzing?

It is not a form of dance
we have experienced in Cranford.

We had hoped the seaside air
might restore my wife to health.

But it could not do so.

Afterwards, William thumbed his nose
at Plato,

and abandoned Cambridge
without matriculation.

Now he says he will be
an engineer or nothing.

-An engineer?
-I will not allow it.

The railway has not proved
to be of worth.

It has made no mark on our town,
Mr Buxton.

Good.

Perhaps William might care
to assist you at the salt mine.

He’s never shown the slightest interest
in the salt mine.

And I cannot berate him for it,
for it has never attracted me.

I have decided William
shall go into politics.

-Politics!
-He will have to forge new connections.

He and Erminia are excellent companions,
but, well, we are all inclined to mope,

and they lack society in Cranford.

Each already speaks of leaving,
seeking pastures new.

Would you permit me to suggest a remedy?

But we do not know the Buxtons,
they were away when we arrived.

Are they respectable people?

There are none more so
in all Cranford.

Mr Buxton grew up expecting
to plough his own fields,

and there is no disgrace whatever
in simple honest toil.

But a seam of salt was found
upon his acreage,

and by the age of 30
he had bought The Glebe,

and married a silversmith’s daughter
from Wrexham.

Dear Mrs Buxton was so very charming.

A most vivacious hostess,
and a fine mother to her son.

We are acquainted with the son.
We met him at the churchyard.

William Buxton was schooled at Eton,
they drill their dogs differently there.

Mrs Bell, you must not fear
a raucous entertainment.

Mr Buxton has lived very quietly
since he lost his wife,

and the luncheon will be
a restrained affair.

Never heard of anybody
asking guests for luncheon.

What is luncheon?

Peggy, we will have less interjection
and more replenishing of cups.

Luncheon is cooked repast
in the middle of the day.

Anyway, Mother,
if Mr Buxton owns that saltworks,

Lord knows how much he’s worth.

And if he wants to entertain us,

I don’t intend to throw his kindness
in his face.

I wonder how we must attire ourselves?

Ought I to retrieve my lace
out of its tissue?

I have a very neat piece of needlepoint.
It was made by hand.

But I do not care to expose it
to the light.

I was relieved to be excused
an invitation to the Buxton’s.

The harvest has been abundant.
It is a relief to me.

There were frosts in April,

and it was feared
the buds might be spoiled.

-MAN: My lady. Sir Charles.
-Thank you.

The flavour is extremely fine.

I think we had this variety
in my own orchards.

Before they were razed to make way
for the railway.

I think, my lady,
we should send for your carriage.

You have stood
a sufficient length of time.

Please see that a crateful is delivered
to the almshouse.

MAN: My lady.

MISS TOMKINSON:
"On the 21 st of the month,

"Signor Brunoni,
grand magician of Arabia,

"and wizard to the king of Delhi."

I always wished to see a magic show.

There is no such thing as magic,

it is all just slipknots
and a looking glass.

But they will gnash their teeth
at this in Missenden.

They who have had the acrobats
and the prodigious bull.

Do you suppose he will be
of dusky aspect?

He is depicted in a turban.

Perhaps we should seek
to attire ourselves likewise?

It is a recital, not a costume party.

We should still make an effort
with our toilette.

It is a compliment, that one who has
played before the Lama of Tibet

cares to appear on a platform
in the courtyard of the George.

The Lama of Tibet!

What a creature that must be.

MR JOHNSON: I took the liberty of
ordering young sir’s tails from London.

He must not start school with the aura
of the provinces about him.

There is a new cut in vogue,
with the lapel pared back

to show the waistcoat to advantage.

We have a wide selection of the latter,
including worsted, paisley and brocade.

It’s Mr Carter’s money.

I keep thinking,
"What would Mr Carter do?"

Mr Carter was your benefactor.

He would say
that you should have the best.

Forgive me, Mr and Mrs Johnson, but
I knew the gentleman of whom you speak.

And I can assure you he would not
sanction paisley, or brocade.

We will fare quite well enough
with two, plain-cut, and in the twill.

(TICKING)

My guests may be shown in.

(DOOR OPENING)

My lady.

Well, Master Gregson,

the time has come for you
to commence at school.

I hope there are tucks
in those fine new clothes,

so they may be adjusted as you grow.

Miss Galindo saw to that.

And how have you fared
in your study of the Classics?

Has the Rector prepared you well?

(SPEAKING LATIN)

"Even if strength fails,
boldness at least will merit praise."

-LADY LUDLOW: Do sit, my dear.
-Your clock’s wrong.

Oh, it is a trifle sent by my son,
Lord Septimus, from Naples.

Every once in a while
the ticking skips a beat,

but it was a gift,
and so it pleases me.

HARRY: Is it her heart that’s ailing?

Her heart could go on
for another 1 00 years.

The malignancy is in her bones.

You must write to her son.
You must tell him to come home.

I have tried, but he has not responded.

I shall try again.

What a good little gardener.

(GASPS)

The flowers become so very thirsty
standing in the dry soil all day.

There, my dear. That was very well done.

Wait and see how bright they’ll grow.

I shouldn’t have put money
in the business.

I should have used it
to get us our home.

If you had,
would we be happier than this?

You shouldn’t want so much.

You’re flying in the face of God.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Come in.

Miss Matty, I’ve brought you the
quarter’s payment, for our lodging.

Of course, dear.

You must put it on Deborah’s desk,
as usual.

I’m sorry, Miss Matty.
But the money’s not complete.

I’m owed a guinea for a funeral
and 1 4 shillings by a weaver.

I mended his hand loom,
but he cannot pay me.

There is so little weaving done
in Cranford now.

The town’s begun to wither at the root.
It’s not what we pictured.

Let us not tell Martha.
She has a deal to occupy her mind.

We will all make shift together,
until your fortunes turn.

HARRY: She isn’t here.
She said they’d come!

I should have slept the night at home.
I’ve got to give her the money!

Come now, you mustn’t delay the coach.

Mum! Where are the others?

The stove went out.

I left them at home
with the bellows and the tinder box.

Here’s your rent for this quarter.

Well, we got you a present.

MAN:Are we ready?

It’s a pen wiper. For your pens.

I couldn’t work your initials,
so I put an XX.

That means kisses,
when you put it in a letter.

-Good bye.
-Good bye, son. Good luck.

You should feel very proud of him.

I’ve never had one fly the nest before.
But that’s a mother’s lot.

Push them along the branch a little bit,
and then they’re gone.

MRS BELL: Peggy, you must sit
as upright as you can.

I will cough, thus...

(COUGHS)

If I see your posture lapsing.

In fact, I will cough each time
you do anything amiss.

I hope there’s wine.

There should be a decent Madeira,
at least.

Those four cottages belong to Mr Buxton.

They must bring in a pretty penny
each quarter.

Peggy, do you pay me
any attention at all?

I was looking at the wall.
There are so many shades of grey.

MRS BELL: Shades of grey?

Lady Ludlow.

You will excuse me if I do not rise.

I suffered
an unsatisfactory night’s repose.

There are tidings in this letter

that will refresh you
better than a week of sleep.

Septimus has been in London
conferring with his tailor,

and is already on the road to Cheshire.

(EXHALES)

He wrote to you?

I imagine he thought to surprise me.

I am glad he did not.

(GRUNTS)

(SNIFFLES)

I will have my powder brought.
And the irons to curl my hair.

Mother wanted me to take on Holy Orders,
like my father.

But surely the training is
very long and tedious?

And all for a curacy worth £70 a year!
I should much rather be an attorney.

There are hundreds
if not thousands to be made,

and it’s all done in office hours,
for very little trouble.

The law of England
is a splendid course of study.

That, or the Classics,
are the only things worthwhile.

I believe there is a bridge
into the future,

and it’s not made of dead men’s words,
but of iron, coal and steel.

I have thought I might write
to Mr Brunel,

and see if he will let me
assist him in his work.

Has this man not got
a fine contempt for money?

He is not impressed by it,
if that is what you mean.

I never find
the slightest joy in figures.

For all I know the saltworks made me,
what, seven pence last year.

(ALL LAUGHING)

(COUGHS)

You should engage an agent, sir.
I have studied for just such a role.

Where did you go to school?

He was tutored at home by his father.

And then took lessons
through a correspondence college.

I am sure that that is
just the thing to do,

now that the post is so efficient.

-Won’t you have some fruit?
-I’m very fond of oranges.

(STUTTERING) But, perhaps,
I’ll have some grapes.

Shuttlecock, shuttlecock, tell me true,

how many years
do I have to live through?

One, two, three, four...

Oh, dear. I shall be dead
before I’m three and twenty.

Still, better than 50 years in Cranford!

WILLIAM: Erminia, we agreed
we would play battledore!

Come along. If we do not,
they will think themselves the victors.

Signor Brunoni has performed
before a Rajah,

which is quite the same
as a Bishop overseas.

I do not consider magic
a wholesome entertainment.

I shan’t give Peggy
permission to attend.

Oh, my dear Mrs Bell,
permit the young to be diverted.

If they step beyond their bounds,
I shall supply Miss Matty with a stick

and send her to suppress them.

Life at Eton rendered William
very savage.

(GRUNTING)

(EXCLAIMS)

You two are not playing
like the fair sex should.

Peggy in particular
is striving far too hard!

She is naturally quick.
As, might I add, am I.

Must we feign incompetence
just to spare your pride?

Oh, look, Peggy! It’s landed in a bush.

How shall we manage
without a man to fetch it for us?

(LAUGHING)

Go on, Edward, get it.

You had best fetch it, I think,
lest you inflame her further.

We will see who gets
the greater sport from this.

Mine! Send that one back to me.

(PEGGY EXCLAIMING)

Oh, my dear Peggy!

WILLIAM: Miss Bell. Miss Bell.

-I fear she is injured!
-She is only winded, I believe.

-Let me hand you up, Miss Bell.
-I am well.

I have not broken any bones.

Oh, your poor silk! Never mind.
At least it is not a new one.

It is her best!
It must be stitched forthwith

before the seams fray further!

I do not think that I have
any thread in brown.

I have thread of every shade at home.
You can walk with me to my house.

(CLOCK TICKING)

Lady Ludlow.

Lady Ludlow, it would be a small matter
for a chair to be brought down.

(QUAVERING)

I think not.

I will stand until my son arrives.

TILLY: Mama.

This dress was my mother’s
before it was mine.

The cut is very out of date.

I do not think it necessary at all
to chase the fashion.

I do not like to be noticed.

I’m more likely to stand out
in a shabby gown

than I am in a neat one.

(DOOR OPENING)

MISS POLE: Do not stir yourself, Martha,
I am assured of my way.

(PANTING)

Miss Matty...

Peggy Bell, you are
displaying your stays!

She has torn her dress,
and it required fine stitching.

Well, you will rend
every garment you possess

when I give you this intelligence.

Lady Ludlow is at the last.

(GASPS)

That is lamentable news.

Reverend Hutton is alerted
and has harnessed up his trap.

It is already poised
by the rectory gate,

and the pony eating oats
out of a nosebag.

You will be glad
you did not buy a turban now.

Already they are saying
the magician will be cancelled.

(BREATHES DEEPLY)

Cranford must prepare
for a most melancholy chapter.

MARTHA: Miss Matty? Miss Matty!
Can you come to the kitchen, please?

(EXHALING FORCEFULLY)

I’ve just started the kneading.

The baking will be
a right performance now.

Oh, my dear.
I ought to have foreseen it!

Peggy, make yourself decent,
hasten to my house

and tell Bertha to come here.
She will require her Holland apron,

and a pair of kitchen sleeves.

I advise the preparation
of a warming pan.

How fortunate it is that you came by.

Before the day is out,
jem will need his undertaker’s coat.

MARTHA: It’s here.

MISS POLE: For he will be summoned
to Hanbury Hall.

I’ll take it to his workshop.

And tell him I don’t want him home
until I’m done.

Don’t fret.
It’s a day’s work, that’s all.

(TICKING)

My dear.

I think if you offer me your hand,

I should like to hold it.

And next we shall make a leopard,

which is a big, bold beast...

(MARTHA GROANING)

With spots upon him,
like your Sunday muslin.

(GRUNTS)

(MARTHA GROANING)

(GASPING)

Miss Matty, you are not
to come any further.

Do you hear me?

Oh, my dear.

I think, Miss Matty,
if you can fetch a doctor,

that would be the proper thing to do.

(MARTHA GASPING)

(GASPS)

Yes, my dear. I’ll go directly.

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(GRUNTING)

(MARTHA SCREAMING)

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

She is ready.

(SIGHS)

We did all that we could.

But there is not a doctor now
within 1 0 miles of Cranford.

We sent for the barber-surgeon
from the railway works,

but his talent was all
for the letting of blood.

She was so very white and quiet.

She did not complain of pain.

I held her hands in mine to warm them,

but they were already as cold as glass.

Miss Matty, I think we should take care
that Tilly eats some breakfast.

(SIGHS)

That cannot be the time.

I say that several times a day
when the twins are in my care,

but children thrive where
a regular pattern is maintained.

(SNIFFING)

Martha was wary
of feeding her the crust.

She used to butter her
the soft part of the crumb.

(MAN EXCLAIMS)

(RETCHING)

Giacomo, I’m getting dreadfully bored
of all this vomiting.

It is the springs of that carriage!

I had no choice of conveyance.

Had my mother arranged
for my collection,

all would have been ease and comfort.

Get back in.
You have detained us long enough.

Not even a dog to greet us.

I have never in my whole life
known this house to sleep.

No.

Oh, no.

(EXHALES)

The coiffeur is very finely wrought.
Is that your doing, Laurentia?

No.

It is the work of her maid, Whitlow.

My mother has been served well.

Better perhaps by her retainers
than she has been by her son.

We used to play in here
with a hoop and stick.

I could bowl it from
one end of the hall to the other.

My mother saw me once and clapped,

and then it slammed
into the pillar and broke.

-Do you remember that?
-Yes, I do. It was my hoop and stick.

I confess it touches me
to see my home unaltered.

It is as though no hopes were dashed,
no errors ever made.

And from the carriage window,
Cheshire looked so very green.

(CHURCH BELL TOLLING)

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

(HORSE TROTTING)

Good day to you, Miss Bell!
I come charged with an errand.

(HORSE NEIGHING)

We are in want of company
this teatime.

I brought along a second horse
to speed the journey back.

Oh, what a thoughtful gesture!

Peggy, run upstairs
and fetch your brother his top boots.

Have you brought another crop?

I am afraid you will not be comfortable
unless you wear a skirt.

Miss Bell, Erminia longed to see you,

and asked that her pony
be saddled to suit.

Mr Bell.

Father thought
you might enjoy the Chronicle.

My father liked your brother very much.

I am glad of that.

And you’ve quite captured
Erminia’s fancy.

I think she plans to talk to you
of frocks and waltzing.

I’ve heard of waltzing.

My mother says it is
a most indecent thing.

Forgive me. I fear you are distracted.

Please do not think me rude
if I do not chatter.

Oh, I don’t expect you to chatter,

but I am concerned
that you do not like the horse.

It is not the horse.
It is how I am seated.

(GRUNTS)

When I was growing up,
we never had a side-saddle.

We had no neighbours either
and no fear that I might be seen.

You are bolder than I took you for.

We must change the saddle back
before we get to town.

So I can make a decent entry
into Cranford.

Dare you to try and catch us.

Septimus, you will
not be thought precipitate,

if you agree to proceed.

Time is of the essence
if you wish to name your price.

I used to marvel at her
in the Blenheim sapphires.

They brought out the glow of her gaze.

SIR CHARLES: I sold my land
to the railway company.

I don’t apologise for it.

I am richer than I was before,
and England better served.

And I will serve my country
by cherishing its customs.

I will go to church, and hunt the fox,
and tend my orchards and my roses.

And every August,
I will give a garden party.

Septimus, have you read
your mother’s will?

You’re her executor,
can’t you tell it me from memory?

I cannot be poring over documents,

I have promised Giacomo
a stroll along the ha-ha.

You are aware, I am sure,

that Lady Ludlow’s devotion
to her duty was extreme.

I intend to erect a statue
in her memory.

I shall not spare a penny of expense.

Two years ago,
she was driven to take out a mortgage

-on the Hanbury estate.
-A mortgage?

Why in the name of God
should she take out a mortgage?

You needed money
for your house at Lake Lugano.

The farms were doing badly and she
lacked the means to make payments.

Her then land agent, Mr Carter,
advised against it.

But she proceeded, nonetheless.

Mr Carter died most unexpectedly.

He willed his private fortune
to a boy, Harry Gregson,

on condition that Master Gregson
lend the money to your mother

for the duration of her lifetime,
for the express purpose

of paying the mortgage in full.

Well, I shall put up a statue
to Mr Carter, too.

What do you mean,
I have to pay it back?

MISS GALINDO: Mr Carter’s wishes
are legally binding.

I know every detail of that will.
I was clerk and witness to it.

SEPTIMUS: You can dispense
with your milliner’s shop,

you will be setting up
in Doctors’ Commons.

Septimus, much of Lady Ludlow’s income
was consumed by your need

to make your home in Italy.

It was not some geographic fancy.

My health was frail,
and dependant on the heat.

I seek only to suggest
that you might rent out your villa

-in order to meet payments.
-The villa is not finished.

I am waiting on funds
to have the roof remade.

(SIGHS)

(BOTH LAUGHING)

Pay attention, Miss Bell.

Erminia will put you
through your paces next.

But I cannot play.
I have never had a lesson.

Oh, go on.
This piano expects rough treatment.

These two have been
tormenting it for years.

Take a leaf from William’s book.

Learn a single tune,
and provided you vary your tempo,

you may trot it out
at every social gathering,

wringing tears or smiles
from your audience in turn.

Oh, bravo!

When I was a young man I only
knew one song, Barbara Allen.

# In Scarlet town where I was born

# There lived a fair maid dwelling #

Oh, I sang it so fearfully badly
nobody ever requested an encore.

(CHUCKLES)

Come along, Peggy.

(PEGGY CLEARS THROAT)

Now.

Perfection! You have a rival, Billy-boy.

She will be playing before
all Cranford by this Christmas.

Perhaps you could teach her
Barbara Allen.

Then we might perform a duet.

(ALL CHUCKLING)

(PIANO PLAYING)

(TRUMPET SOUNDING)

(MAN EXCLAIMING)

My dear sister, I present to you,
most humbly, the trophies of a lifetime.

(GASPS)

I did not think
they would be so numerous.

Oh, this is but a fraction
of the goods I had shipped home.

The dancing damsels
I left beside the quay.

Make haste, I smell rain.

MATTY: I’m not seeking to obstruct,

only to ascertain
there will be no risk to Tilly.

Surrender the carpet beater.
I am no stranger to the snake.

I have twice seen vipers in the wild
and I did not wince or flinch.

Miss Pole, you are a template to us all.

MRS FORRESTER:
Pray do not bring it down so hard.

They’re such poor dumb creatures,

and I have heard it said
they are blind and deaf.

I am certain
any serpent is dislodged by now.

It is the notion of spiders
that perturbs me.

They are so inclined to hide
and curl up small.

Spiders? Spiders are not, I think,
a creature from the Indies!

In Delhi, I saw specimens
bigger than my fist.

My wrist is weary.
You do yourself no credit, sir,

leaving all investigation
to the fair sex.

Oh!

(BIRD SQUAWKING)

MATTY: Peter, dear.

I am very much afraid
that I must speak with you.

Do not tread upon the tiger!

Oh!

Peter!

The bird has dropped lime
on Deborah’s armchair.

I have cushions aplenty,

they can be deployed
to conceal the staining.

It has been our custom
to leave that seat quite empty.

You chide me, Matty.

I would never chide you.
This is your home.

But there is no room here
for a savage winged creature

when we have an infant in our care.

Its deposits are unsavoury.

It may corrode her health.

I determined some while since

that once my goods
were restored to me,

it would be my particular pleasure
to bestow a gift

upon each of my favourite neighbours.

You are quite without thought
for yourself, Mr Jenkyns.

This is the perfect environment
for Poll.

(CLUCKING)

I will visit often.

(SQUAWKS)

Mrs Forrester, reach for the Chronicle
and spread it on the floor.

There is a piece about
the Princess Royal on the topmost sheet.

We should not want to see that soiled.

Then turn it about.
Mr Peel is on the reverse,

we care not what falls on him.

You have not been overlooked,
Mrs Forrester.

I hope that you will accept this
with my compliments.

He was a jaunty beast in life.

Tell me you will love him.

(INHALES) I am very fond
of all dumb creatures.

MISS POLE: Hold fast to the broom,
you foolish girl.

And keep it confined to the kitchen.

(POLL SCREECHING)

I swear that parrot
is the equal of a man.

Then you should treat him as such,

and not permit him to wander
without bounds.

It is an unkindness,
he will not know his place.

You cannot trounce me as an aviarist.

I kept a linnet as a child
and it lived a twelvemonth.

(GASPS) Good afternoon, Erminia.
What are you about?

I have new shoes, in glace kid,
and they are not broken in at all.

I must trudge about
until they cease to pain me.

Then you must trudge
to Johnson’s with us.

-We are to order a cage.
-Oh, La Cage!

But you cannot get any cage
worth purchasing in Johnsons.

You must write to Paris.

They have all the most
superior models there.

(SPEAKING FRENCH)

I want it delivered to my door.

And kindly instruct them
that I do not care for wicker.

It is apt to split
when it is nipped or teased.

La Cage in France are always
made from brass or steel.

They are designed to be robust.

I am relieved to hear it.

Mr Jenkyns desires great care
taken of his treasure.

Oh! Mary! My dear.

-Miss Matty.
-Oh, I’ve so longed to see you.

Did you travel on the mail coach?

My stepmother could not
spare her carriage.

I could not wait another hour.
I was so distressed to hear of Martha.

You must need help with Tilly.

MATTY: The poor child
is asleep upstairs.

(SIGHS)

There has been some alteration,
since you were with us last.

My own situation
has not remained unchanged.

I have news that I fancy
will please you.

Oh, Mary dear,
you are engaged to be married?

I am, Miss Matty.

Oh, it is such very joyful news to hear.

And after your disappointment
in the Spring.

That is no matter.

We can both be glad that I have found
such happiness with Mr Turnbull.

Mr Turnbull?

Is that the gentleman
of whom you wrote last month?

Yes, it is.

His family owns a soap manufactory,
in Manchester.

Oh! He sounds the best
and steadiest of gentleman.

Mmm.

I will have the boy brought here.

We will send a carriage from the stable.

We will have some cold beef
and a cake put on the seat.

The school will have starved his belly
as surely as it stuffs his head.

I don’t recall my mother
ever thought of that.

Oh, good afternoon, Bertha.

Miss Pole’s lending me
to Miss Matty, 1 2:00 till 3:30,

six days a week and an hour on Sundays.

Miss Matty says Miss Pole
is being very generous.

Miss Smith, do you truly not want these?

I have never cared much for clothes.

And now I am engaged,
I am to have a whole new trousseau.

They are too fine for me.

They are not fine, only pretty.

And you are a very pretty girl.

(MAN EXCLAIMS)

MATTY: My dear,
you look quite delightful.

This trim is in a shade
that would suit you.

It will bring out
the colour of your eyes.

Every young girl has
her own most pleasing feature.

Mrs Forrester’s hair
was the palest shade of gold,

something like the petals of a jonquil.

And Miss Pole had a figure
that provoked no little comment.

What was yours?

I was told it was my complexion.

Who is that?

His name was Mr Holbrook.

I met him at a dance
in the assembly rooms.

They are closed down now.

And you did not marry?

Love without marriage
is still a sacred thing.

And unlike wedlock,
it is not dissolved by death.

Come now. Let us try you in the green.

I’ve learned Mr Carter’s will
by heart, sir.

I know the education
he wanted me to have,

and the school he intended me to found.

And when I come of age
I’ll do it to the letter.

If I reimburse you at once,

the money will rot in the bank
for seven years.

Meanwhile, you are ensconced
at a peerless seat of learning

whilst the youth of Cranford
remain illiterate.

I will change that one day.

I put it to you
that you can change it now.

Provided you abandon this claim
to the £20,000.

I have claimed nothing, sir.
Mr Carter chose to name me in his will.

The law in England is not
a prescription but a process.

It can be challenged and changed
to suit the shifting of a course.

This is a banker’s draft.

Five thousand pounds?

Yours, with immediate effect.

Enough first to build a schoolhouse,

and then pay the wages of the teachers
in perpetuity.

I see.

I hope so.

Harry, if you insist I pay you
all that is asked,

I will be obliged
to sell the whole estate.

Every servant, every groundsman
will have to be dismissed.

Every tenant farmer, every ploughman,
every cowherd.

All will lose their homes
and livelihood.

The knowledge would torture my mother.

And I believe
it would torture Mr Carter, too.

Because it can all be stopped.

If you accept this
in full and final settlement.

Our bond would be a gentleman’s bond.

We need only shake each other’s hand.

Am I a gentleman now?

You are a gentleman
if you do what is correct.

HARRY: You’re all right. I’ll walk.

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

Which hand is it in?

MALACHI: Mum, it’s Harry!

Harry. Harry. Mum!

I never thought we’d be seeing you.
Are you on your holidays?

Sort of. And I’m not going back
to school until I have to.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Captain Brown?

I called at the yard
and found it all shut up.

I am glad to see you
tending to such tasks.

When a man is made a widower,

a child can be the rope
that saves him drowning in his grief.

Your daughter’s gone to India.
You must miss her.

She is her husband’s companion now.

And in the evenings,
Charles Dickens is my friend.

jem,

I have a job that would suit you well
if you can execute it straightaway.

Cranford’s fortunes are on the rise.

There’s been news of great import.

And Mr Johnson and I
are planning a presentation.

(DOORBELL TINKLING)

Your boy is very busy
with the whitewash.

Is there to be an alteration of display?

Indeed there is, Miss Pole.

We will close for two days
whilst we attend to it.

Two days?

Very well. I require
a piece of cuttlefish.

Powdered, ground, or dried whole bone?

A whole bone, please.
It is for my Polly, to sharpen his beak.

We are entirely out of cuttlefish.

I recommend you order some from Paris.

Which quite reminds me.
This was misdelivered.

It’s from Galerie Ortalon,
Rue de la Pays.

And there was a postal charge.

(INDISTINCT CHATTERS)

(POLL SQUAWKS)

Are you sure
we’ve affixed the bands correctly?

If we have, it is not
to the credit of the pamphlet.

A most insequential set of diagrams.
Doubtless put together by a man.

But it has no bottom to it.
Where is he to rest his claws?

Once he is accustomed to the novelty,

he will hop up and down
this succession of hoops

and make a very fetching sight.

Your carpet will not be
a fetching sight,

embellished all over
with feathers and worse.

Bertha!

-I require a yard of calico.
-Johnson’s is shut.

Then go to Miss Galindo
and throw yourself upon her mercy.

MRS FORRESTER: It is impertinence,

despatching an article
that is not complete.

(SCOFFS)

It’s all of a piece with French women
and French wine.

Not to be trusted.

Out to stretch the nerves.

I am not dismayed by continental goods.

I once had a French roll in Chester.

It was not pleasant,
but I swallowed every crumb.

Please, Miss Pole.
I think you might be making a mistake.

My cousin’s a ladies maid in Leeds.
And she says that her mistress...

(SCOFFS) Leeds? I care not
what happens in the provinces.

This cage was imported from Paris.

I’m only out to tell you
what’s been said to me.

Mindless tattle is a very arrant fault.

Pins, Mrs Forrester.

(SIGHS)

News of your engagement
has brought such pleasure.

You’ve been sent compliments and flowers
by the whole of our acquaintance.

I suppose you are writing
to dear Mr Turnbull?

I did that this morning.

He had me pledge
that I would do so every day.

I am working on something else entirely.

You do not object
that I must light a second candle?

Oh, no. Not in the least.

I am sure there is not sufficient light
in one for you to pen your letter

and for Peter to look at his engravings.

jem went to the yard today
and brought work home with him.

I know not what it is.

It is good that the man
is freshly occupied.

I daresay he has lit a candle, too.

jEM: What’s this then?
Do you know whose house this is?

(TILLY BABBLING)

Yes, you do. It’s your home.

It’s where Tilly lives in Cranford.

(TILLY COOING)

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

(DOG BARKING)

MISS POLE: Impress it well into
the wood, so that it is secure.

(PANTING)

And now, Mrs Forrester, the cage!

(BOTH LAUGH)

Here, hang it upon the hook.

Oh, hurry up, you foolish girl!

(SQUAWKING)

(GASPS IN DELIGHT)

I still think you’ll regret this.
I don’t care if I’m whipped.

(CLICKING TONGUE)

-My dear Miss Pole.
-Mr Jenkyns.

It is a commodious article, is it not?

It would seem Polly-Cockatoo
has taken to it splendidly.

Good afternoon, Miss Pole.

Is that your purchase
from Galerie Ortalon?

Indeed it is, Mrs Johnson.
I sent to Paris for it.

You could have ordered it through us.
We’ve just got the pattern book.

Unless I am mistaken,
that’s the Montpellier marron sous-jupe.

Brass finish, in petite.

Sous-jupe?

If you will excuse me, Mr Jenkyns.

It’s Francaise. For underskirt.

(QUAVERING)

MISS POLE: Bertha!

(SQUAWKS) Bertha!

(CLICKING TONGUE)

WILLIAM: Miss Bell!

(GASPS) Oh!

Erminia sent me with the trap

to spare you the walk
to the meeting at Johnson’s.

-Edward said I’d find you by the spring.
-It is my private place.

It is not secret. But neither he
nor Mother ever come here.

This brook must run all the way
to Missenden Moss.

I suspect it feeds the swamp there.

Is it true that it’s the Moss
that stops the railway’s way?

(SCOFFS) That and the barricade
of old money.

I suppose you mean the Hanbury estate.

As I sometimes wonder
what will become of England.

When it’s not confounded by geography,
it’s imprisoned by its old ways.

But why should that be?

There are people enough
who wish to see things changed.

Oh, I count myself among them.

But if I follow the path
that my father has laid down,

it’ll be years
before I’ll have the power to act.

I may be more than 30.

And by then,
I might be as hidebound as he.

(CHUCKLES) No, you won’t.

-I wish I were so certain.
-You have energy and education.

They are not gifts that spoil,

just because you are obliged
to bide your time.

(CHUCKLES) Come,

put on your bonnet and let us go.

It is new to me and the ribbons
keep slipping my fingers.

(BOTH CHUCKLE)

I think you should strive
for a double knot first.

And then draw the bow a little
to one side.

-That is just how Erminia does it.
-Mmm.

(LIVELY VIOLIN MUSIC PLAYING)

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

Gather around! Please, gather around.

(SOFTLY) Oh, Miss Pole.
What do you think can be intended?

Ladies and gentlemen,

you’re all, I think,
aware that the railway work

at Hanbury Halt has been completed.

There was no fanfare at its opening,

for it is not the railway
that we wished for.

It stops a full five miles away

because it was not possible
to bring it into town.

-WOMAN: Good.
-And we are extremely glad of it!

But there have been
pleasing developments of late,

and Captain Brown is here
to apprise you of the details.

(CLEARS THROAT)

We have not been insensible
to public concern about the railway.

Innovation can provoke unease.

Nevertheless,
when Lord Ludlow assumed his seat,

he saw the merits of the railway scheme.

He has now agreed
to sell Hanbury Park...

(WOMAN GASPS)

...the house and all its land,
boldly delineated on this map,

to the Grand Junction Railway Company.

(PEOPLE APPLAUDING)

(INDISTINCT WHISPERING)

Work will commence
before the month is out.

The course that the railway line
will take is clearly marked in red.

Leaving Hanbury Halt,

it will cut directly across
the pasture lands at Home Farm

and Tinden Edge,
skirting Tinden Woods across the river,

and here...

(ALL EXCLAIMING)

...directly into Cranford itself.

Now you can see the route progress
to a new and splendid station,

at the head of King Street,

just 1 00 yards
from the entrance to this shop.

(WHISPERING FRANTICALLY)

And the tannery will have to be
pulled down,

and these four cottages at Tinden Edge.

Otherwise,
little demolition will be required.

For example, here we have
Princess Street, quite untouched.

And you will recognise
Miss Matty Jenkyns’ house.

(EXHALES)

Beautifully rendered by Mr Jem Hearne.

MR BUXTON: Sir! Excuse me.

Sir, you are guilty of an oversight.

Your plans do not account
for those nine acres at Tinden Edge.

They do indeed fall in the bounds
of Hanbury Park,

but their history is complex.

They are mine,
as are the cottages that stand on them.

I will not see them tumbled.

(PEOPLE CHEERING)

I will not betray my tenants,
or the good people of this town.

Without my cooperation,
the railway’s plans are void.

(PEOPLE APPLAUDING)

Cranford exists in perfect balance.
There is no need for alteration.

There is every need for alteration.
Now consider your own business.

You cannot match modern standards
of speed or efficiency.

You are still transporting salt
by barge,

when you could have it winging
all over the North of England,

playing its part
in chemical manufacture.

The railway is just a mania.

(SIGHS)

We have secured our fortune.
It regulates itself.

There is no need for interference.

Progress is not interference, Father.

You are fossiled in your ways.
You are like salt itself.

Locked in a seam,
so it would take a pick to move you!

(DOOR CLOSES)

Had you proceeded with this, Harry,

you would have been robbed
of £1 5,000!

Lord Septimus said I only had
to shake hands,

and that would make
a gentleman’s agreement.

And I did.

-You shook hands?
-I thought people would be helped.

But he sold the estate.
He lied, Miss Galindo.

And I never thought
a gentleman would do that.

-When did you decide to sell?
-We are returning to Italy.

Giacomo’s health
has entirely broken down.

You wear a very truculent expression.

I know it from childhood,
you seek to unsettle me.

I only seek to ensure
that a dead man is respected.

And that the boy he cared for
is respected, too.

When did you decide to sell?

As soon as I saw the ledgers
for the farms.

Before you asked Harry
to give you his share?

That is correct. Though I signed nothing
until after Harry’s visit.

Captain Brown brought the documents
later on that day.

I am surprised
you gave your signature at all.

Would not a gentleman’s agreement
have sufficed?

Oh, for pity’s sake!
I fancied I’d pay him a compliment.

Acknowledge the station
to which he has been raised.

Harry is a boy of 1 4. I will see
that he is furnished with a lawyer.

If you drive this into court,
it will cost you every penny you have.

Your handshake had no meaning
and never will have worth.

Your handshake is a bastard thing
for you are not a gentleman!

Do I have to go back?
Can I not stay here awhile?

Your schooling
is Mr Carter’s gift to you.

It means as much and more
than any quantity of money.

And you should relish every day of it.

I know that. And I do try to.

Now come, you must go back
to your studies.

You can write to me
and tell me all your news.

(KNOCKING)

jEM: Miss Matty,

I was wondering if I might beg a word.

Of course, my dear. You must come in
and warm yourself beside the fire.

I am almost cast off.

I’ve been knitting a new cover
for Tilly’s India rubber ball.

We wore the last one to a thread.
We played with it so much.

Miss Matty, I’m sorry,
but I’m going to have to pack up.

-Pack up what, dear?
-All I have.

That is to say, all I have left.

Please tell me
that I mistake your meaning.

If the railway’s not coming
then I can’t stay.

I’m a joiner, a maker of things.

I need a place that’s going to flourish,
so that I can flourish, too.

You will always be employed.
Cranford will always need your skills.

It’ll need its coffins making.

jem, you are undone by your distress.
You must consider Tilly.

Miss Matty, I’ve got family in Bolton.

My sister can take care of her
while I set up. Find us both a home.

I beg you, Jem, do not act in haste
when your bereavement is so fresh.

I can see my future clearly
as if it were laid out on a table.

And if I stay here,
there’s nothing there.

MATTY: I’ve given your papa
the strictest of instructions.

The seeds are to be dried
and wrapped in paper for the winter.

And you shall have
a fine sunny row of them

by the time the year comes round.

Miss Matty, Jem is ready now.

(TILLY BABBLES)

jEM: Come here.

Keep her warm.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

I’ve brought you a little hot milk.
There is some honey in the spoon.

I suppose we must go back
to the setting of trays

and getting out the silver tongs,

now that we do not have a child
to stretch us.

You did wonderfully well
to keep your composure before her.

Oh, Mary,

I thought it should be a good thing
if the railway did not come.

Deborah’s views on the subject
were quite implacable.

I am sure she would lament
jem Hearne’s departure.

She took pride in the town

and would be vexed to see
a splendid craftsman lost.

You sound so very certain.

It pains me to own it,

but I do not hear her voice
as clearly as I did.

Do you consider me foolish,
Captain Brown,

to be so changed
in my opinion of the railway?

No. Only wise to perceive
that there is a different way.

That is, I think, a response
that dear Deborah would appreciate.

I made an oversight, Miss Matty.

And now much hangs in the balance.

Let us try to set it straight.

If we do not, Cranford will know
darker days than this.

MATTY: I think I have a notion
as to how I should commence.

My sister was fond
of a maxim from the bible.

"Examine all things.
Hold fast to what is good. "

Deborah was a woman
of quite vigorous opinion,

and set the pattern
for our small society.

Her abhorrence of the railway
was very widely known,

and we all supposed
that it was nothing but a menace.

However, change or its refusal
is not within our gift.

The young grow apace
about us all the time.

They desire progress.
They are turned to face the sun.

(WILLIAM GRUNTING)

And if we stunt them,
they will seek a richer soil.

For whom then will we be
preserving our traditions?

Captain Brown and I have arranged
a short private excursion.

You’re all invited
and I urge you to accept.

In facing our fears,
we may concede we are mistaken.

Equally, we may stand fast.

I only beg
that we should ascertain the facts,

that we should examine all things.

Oh, Mary. Do I do the proper thing?

MATTY: I fear my plea has failed.
There is no sign of my friends.

CAPTAIN BROWN: Nor indeed of Mr Buxton.

(TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING)

But are we all to go in First Class?

It cannot be exclusive
if it is so very full.

Well, the third class carriage
is really quite commodious.

I care not where I ride,
but when I am in a carriage,

I must not sit with my back
against the horse.

(WOMEN CHATTERING)

There is no sign of Mr Buxton.
At what time must we depart?

Captain Brown, is it correct
that the scenery moves at speed?

At 30 miles an hour, there is indeed
the impression of some shifting.

We have heard we must not look,
lest we fray the optic nerve.

(EXHALES)

If anyone feels unwell, Mrs Jamieson
has brought the smelling bottle.

MRS JAMIESON: It is only for emergency.

Room for two more in first class.

There will be a multitude of smuts.
Erminia, come sit by me.

There have been boots on this floor!

(GROANS) One more.

I suppose, sir, that that should be me.

-Ladies.
-Mr Buxton.

WILLIAM: Miss Bell.

(MAN BLOWS WHISTLE)

(TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING)

MAN: Move on.

(ALL EXCLAIMING)

(GASPING)

(WOMEN EXCLAIMING)

(GRUNTS)

(LAUGHS)

(RETCHING)

(GASPING)

(LAUGHING)

(EXCLAIMS)

(BOTH CHUCKLING)

(EXCLAIMS)

Mrs Jamieson,
have you the smelling salts?

How faint does she feel?
They are in my reticule,

and cannot be deployed
unless the phial is crushed.

Do not go to any trouble, I beg you.

I am quite myself,
now that the motion is concluding.

(TRAIN WHEELS SQUEALING)

(EXCLAIM)

(SIGHS IN RELIEF)

Is there no opportunity
to reprise the ride?

-Peggy Bell.
-Yes.

I love you. Will you please be my wife?

How have the travellers fared?

MRS FORRESTER: (EXCLAIMING) Splendid!

It appears that none of us
has died of fright,

or is maimed
by the violence of the motion.

Pray do not think
you must make a swift response.

My dear Miss Matty,

it seems to me that
your instigation of this venture

took considerable courage,

and that I should strive
to match your vigour with my own.

I will agree to the purchase of my land.

I cannot permit my prejudice
to stand in the way of the railway.

Thank you.

Come, sir. Let’s attend to business.

Mr Buxton. Captain Brown.

(SIGHS)

-And so it appears our fate is sealed.
-Yes.

And now they slink off
to the seclusion of some office,

assuming all the while
that every vestige of power

is invested in their own sex!

Why, do you believe it is not?

Men might have built the railway.

Men might have schemed
and manipulated maps,

but it was we who were brave enough
to test its mettle.

Mmm. The advent of the railway
is a triumph of female fortitude.

Though we needed Miss Matty
to urge us to be bold.

(ALL MUMBLING IN AGREEMENT)

Oh, no, no. Please.

Let us take credit for this
all together.

-Yes.
-Yes.

(SIGHS)