Original subtitles

It never occurred to me

that Mr William would take any interest in one such as you.

You have no charm.

And he has at least £4,000 a year.

(SIGHS)

Father, I sat up waiting for you last night.

-There is something I must say. -I didn’t get home till after 2:00.

Captain Brown took me to dine with Sir Charles Maulver.

He had a seat in Parliament before the Whigs got in.

-But, Father... -And was full of advice

as to how you might proceed.

PEGGY: Are you sure it’s all right to call? We’ve not been invited.

MRS BELL: We may call when we wish.

-We need no invitations. -PEGGY: Mother!

EDWARD: Of course, he’s your fiance. Now our families are one.

MRS BELL: We are to be related. Different etiquette applies.

We might even visit quite outside the usual hours

and still be met with open arms.

Though we ought to take pains to look gracious.

When Peggy is mistress, that house will be our home.

I should think we are getting the silver from the sideboard.

They certainly have a deal of it.

Hallmarks on everything, even the salts and peppers.

Peggy will forget what pewter is.

MR BUXTON: I am an old dog.

New tricks grind my bones, send me slinking to my basket.

I didn’t see the value of the railway,

but Sir Charles says many men in power have exploited its development.

My passion is for engineering, Father. I have no interest in politics.

And that is your error.

You’re a gentleman, just like Sir Charles.

If you play your cards correctly, you may yet end up a baronet.

Mrs Bell, Miss Bell, and Mr Bell, sir.

Oh!

Sir. We have cause to shake each other’s hands, it seems.

The developments please you?

EDWARD: I surmised what would happen from the off.

Yes, the pace has been rapid. That is the modern way.

Though they have already faced me with a shocking lot of paperwork.

My dear Peggy! You have a hint of the high day about your trimmings.

You must be destined for somewhere very pleasant.

But I will not quiz you on it, lest I make you blush.

EDWARD: You should employ an agent, sir. I advised you of that once before.

MR BUXTON: You were correct.

I have lawyers in Manchester, but they’re out to confound me.

If you will deal with them for me, we shall see how we both fare.

Sir. I shall give you my best.

What say you to that, Mrs Bell?

I bless the day Miss Matty arranged for us to meet.

We must make her guest of honour at the wedding.

I’ve been told nothing of a wedding.

Swansdown. One gust from the funnel, and it would be off!

Miss Galindo. You will be obliged to reconfigure all your patterns.

Now the railway is upon us,

we require altogether more robust forms of millinery.

(MISS GALINDO SIGHS)

Giuseppe will have milk brought in a saucer

with a Savoie biscuit mixed well in.

We left the house before he had his second breakfast.

Whatever provoked such haste?

A letter, Miss Galindo, from my sister-in-law.

She plans a journey from her home in Scotland.

From Friday of this week, I shall be hostess to Lady Glenmire!

I have a delightful array of caps. They are newly in from Nottingham.

Caps? You have not had a new bonnet in an age.

Miss Galindo, if you could hand me that hat with the chartreuse ribbon.

It looks so very delicate next to Miss Pole’s face.

MATTY: I am almost afraid to post this letter.

jem will scarcely have arrived at Bolton.

And to hear that the railway will come may distress him.

jem has made his decision, Miss Matty.

And you have helped set Cranford on its future path.

You must not look back, lest the perspective makes no sense.

I am not accustomed to behaving so decisively.

I for one have been inspired by your actions.

I have had this wrapped and stamped for days

and lacked the courage to put it in the post,

but your gesture yesterday has tempered my resolve.

Mary dear, whatever are you about?

I have completed an article of writing

and am sending it out in the hope of publication.

That’s remarkable! An article of writing. Is it a recipe?

No, Miss Matty, it is not.

MATTY: Oh!

And a letter for your fiance. You are wonderfully diligent. There.

(HORSE NEIGHING)

(TRUMPET PLAYING)

MISS POLE: You will regret that you let the mail coach go

-when you hear what I must say! -We are in receipt of news!

-Is it about the railway? -The railway is not news.

WILLIAM: But you like Peggy. She has often been our guest!

Oh, she’s good for a cup of tea in Cranford.

But you need a cultivated wife.

You have money and now connections through the railway.

You should befriend the nobility and dine in houses of high standing.

That is how England is governed.

I have no desire to involve myself in government.

Which frees me to marry where my heart leads.

Have you never thought of Erminia?

-Erminia? -She is a most superior girl.

-I have long cherished hope... -Father...

It seems to me, Uncle, that you took as many liberties in planning my future

as you did with that of your son.

You don’t want to marry me, do you, Erminia?

No, I do not. I was orphaned young and went to school in Brussels.

I think that I have been unfortunate enough.

Oh!

I fancy you fashioned a scheme for my fortune

just as you did for my person.

But I shall spend my money and my youth as my parents hoped,

in pursuit of my own contentment.

Meanwhile, William means to do the same and cares not what grief he causes.

I do not exist only to thwart or please you.

I proposed to Peggy Bell because I love her.

You loved where you wished! And for that reason and no other,

if my mother were here, she would give us her blessing!

(DOOR SLAMS)

MRS FORRESTER: I am not an admirer of the Scotch,

but in circumstances such as these, I might venture a tartan ribbon.

Her ladyship would deem that a compliment, I’m sure.

We have some splendid plaids in stock, dress lengths and curtain widths.

Now that Her Majesty has visited the Highlands,

I understand she entertains no other pattern.

-Have you any turbans? -Not in tartan.

You are not still in pursuit of a turban?

I think it’s a most attractive form of headdress.

You should invest in fresh mittens.

It’s your hands she will look at when we are all at cards.

Cards! Cards. You say it as though it is all so simple.

How are we to converse across the baize?

She is the widow of a baron. How must she be addressed?

When Mrs Johnson and I were at Harrogate,

we made the acquaintance of a baroness.

Our intercourse was exceedingly civil.

And she said we might address her as Lady Jephson or your ladyship.

Once accustomed to such company,

one finds the cordialities trip lightly off the tongue.

I have sent for my trunk,

and have written to my friend Maria at Bridgnorth.

If she will have me, I will go there,

before I’m made as vexed and fractious as everybody else.

He will not be my master, Erminia.

If you want his respect, you must earn it.

And if you want freedom, you must earn that, too.

Peggy merits his regard.

I’ve never been so moved by anyone as I am by her.

So you must demonstrate her value.

Walk away from his money and labour for your own.

That is easily said by one with charge of her own purse.

And if it is not easily done, does that mean it must not be attempted?

I’m sorry. I’m not used to being crossed.

No, you are not. But I am glad that you are tried.

Your path has been too smooth,

and you were on your way to being quite imperious.

(SOFT CHUCKLE)

I didn’t take you for a matchmaker, Miss Matty.

But it would appear you are as effective as you are discreet.

-A matchmaker? -My son and Peggy Bell.

Engaged to be married and united in their insolence.

He won’t renege on it in spite of my displeasure.

If it weren’t for your meddling, they would never have met.

And my son would stand a chance of something better.

Do you suggest that Peggy is not good enough for William? I beg you...

You are in no position to beg for anything except my forgiveness.

You did a fine day’s work yesterday, Miss Matty.

I shall leave you to reflect upon your actions.

But Mr Buxton, if they love each other...

Love?

What do you know of love?

To offer it up as if it is the final word.

(PEOPLE CLAMOURING)

Engineering is a fierce new animal.

It grows and sprawls beyond our grasp.

It’s not like Eton or Cambridge.

I cannot stand before a blackboard and lecture in a gown.

I would rather learn through observation, sir.

If you put me with the workers,

I would gladly set my shoulder to the wheel.

I can only offer you only the rudest apprenticeship, Mr Buxton.

As a supernumerary with my surveying team,

you’ll need a keen eye and a thick greatcoat.

I fear, sir, that I may need board and lodging also.

PEGGY: My mother’s great concern is for Edward.

I must not enrage Mr Buxton any further, lest he withdraws his help.

So she forbids me to see William, and I must not write to him.

-Do you intend to remain engaged? -Yes, we do.

We could not meet with ease, even if it was allowed.

He must work now. His hours are not his own.

So I have hidden a lunch pail in the gorse bush,

and it must do duty as our letterbox. See?

(MATTY CHUCKLES)

There was a saying in my youth.

"When gorse is out of blossom, then kissing is out of fashion."

Well, it is out of fashion now. There is not one bud to be seen,

nor will there be for many, many months.

My Uncle Pole once spent several nights at Edinburgh, and he informs me

that the most appropriate beverage for her ladyship is whisky.

Whisky?

Mary, you are very gauche. It is not illegal any more.

Meanwhile, I am planning an evening entertainment.

I thought perhaps cutlets

and cold brawn moulded to resemble a roast boar.

(GASPS)

You should put an orange in his mouth.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Is there still no proper maid?

We will be rattling the latch and shouting "Coo-ee" soon,

like callers at a cottage.

(MRS JAMIESON SIGHS)

Now. I am come to say

I should not like you to feel the least anxiety

about the forthcoming visit of Lady Glenmire.

Indeed, it may sooth you to hear that calls are not expected.

Such a thing could not be countenanced before three days have passed.

She will feel very frail after travelling from Scotland.

I fear you mistake my meaning.

It would be preferable if you did not call at all.

I anticipate approaches from all the county families

and expect that we shall dine at Arley Hall.

But Cranford wishes to welcome her.

Surely there will be an opportunity for cards?

Lady Glenmire is accustomed to the best of company.

She must not be misled and believe that I am not.

I shall not incommode you further.

Well!

It is fitting she left in that shifty, precipitate manner,

for I am sure I was about to say something quite sharp and sarcastic.

(SNORTS)

I always thought that we had been the best of company.

To one another, at the very least.

She will have cause to rue this day.

As will Mr Johnson when I take the whisky back.

A purchase in a shop can be undone,

but an unjust slight is not so easily reversed.

It seems to me that we must protect ourselves from any further hurt.

And that is best done

if we do not acknowledge Lady Glenmire in any way.

# Every passion blending

# Pleasure that can never cloy

# Thus provided, pardoned, guided

# Nothing can our peace destroy

# Amen #

(WHISPERING) Bertha! Mount these hassocks.

What does her ladyship have on?

MRS JAMIESON: My sister in-law.

A plaid shawl. And a black silk.

She looks like Mrs Deekes from down the Coach and Horses.

(MATTY SNIGGERS)

Lady Glenmire professes herself to be quite enchanted with the countryside.

(CHURCH BELL TOLLING)

Mrs Jamieson. You have a guest this day.

My sister-in-law, Lady Glenmire. Captain Brown.

That is a Campbell tartan, is it not, my lady?

Why, yes, sir. My husband’s family were members of that clan.

Mary, is that not your step-mamma’s carriage?

Yes, Miss Matty. I’m afraid it is.

MRS CLARA SMITH: A broken engagement!

Oh, Mary! Mary.

Thank you, Miss Matty, for your evident distress.

For Mary is clearly quite indifferent to the anguish she has caused.

My error was in agreeing to marry Mr Turnbull.

Now I have found the courage to admit it,

I must confess I feel quite calm.

Calm! When she has spurned a man who has just patented his soap flakes!

Mary, dear, surely you care for Mr Turnbull.

I do care for Mr Turnbull.

I do not care for him enough.

Oh, spare me the fancies of the schoolroom.

You, who purport to be so mature and perspicacious.

You even had your poor papa convinced of it,

posturing about in your spectacles and that checked dress,

and wasting his money on ink and paper all the while.

Writing is the only skill I have.

It is not a convenient gift for a woman. It requires solitude and application.

Marriage would deprive me of the chance of both.

Now I can retain my independence,

and at least discover if my work is worth pursuing.

You are not independent.

Your father pays you a most generous allowance.

It is my share of my own mother’s fortune.

If I marry, it will all become my husband’s.

It is a dreadful thing, Mary, to withdraw a promise.

You inspired me to do this.

I did as you suggested when you urged your friends to travel on the railway.

I examined all things.

EDWARD: I have arranged for the transfer of the Tinden Cottage deeds

as soon as Mr Buxton has been paid.

Notice to quit will be given today,

so demolition may proceed within four weeks.

You are effectual. I shall grant you that.

I undertook to move swiftly. If I have achieved that, I am glad.

£1 60 for Mr Buxton, as agreed.

WILLIAM: Soil sample, sir. CAPTAIN BROWN: Oh, thank you.

Edward. There looks to be a seam of chalk running through Tinden Edge.

It might be a limestone deposit. This isn’t sufficient to tell.

You shall have to go back with your shovel.

WILLIAM: Sir.

BELLA: What does it say?

What does it say?

-Are we to be evicted? -Yes, in 28 days.

Harry chose us that house, it’s his name on the rent book.

-Will you write to him? -Most certainly.

In the meanwhile, can you get word to your husband?

I could send him a message by carrier’s cart.

(BABY CRIES)

(BELLA SIGHS)

You may count it at your leisure. Have you the deeds to hand?

I do. On the bureau. I put them there in readiness.

Sign your name here, please, a little above mine.

MR BUXTON: My tenants will be re-housed?

EDWARD: It is all in hand, sir.

The senior partner has entrusted me with all the documents.

He thinks well of you, doesn’t he?

He did suggest that if I could fund my way,

he might invite me to serve my articles.

And is that a very costly thing to do?

Mother! Mother!

Take these glasses. They were your father’s.

The cut of the crystal is good.

Peggy, fetch a cloth to wrap them in.

Once you revealed your marriage plans,

I did not think I’d keep old Buxton’s favour long.

But instead, he showers me with benevolence.

It’ll cost a pretty pound to put me through my articles.

I think it is not so much a mark of his fondness for you,

but of his anger with William.

Yes. Well, that is your fault and your fiance’s folly.

CAPTAIN BROWN: I’ll need the chart by noon tomorrow.

We’ve been losing time.

(LADY GLENMIRE GROANS)

Madam? Is something amiss?

Giuseppe’s legs have given way beneath him.

I have been here this quarter of an hour

and I cannot raise him from the ground.

He does not snarl at me. It’s a most alarming sign.

(MAN SHOUTING ORDERS)

(SIGHS) I persuaded Mrs Jamieson a stroll would aid his health.

He has become so portly even a circuit of the parlour makes him wheeze.

He refuses to respond.

He may fear that recovery means a resumption of his walk.

(SNIFFING)

Captain Brown. That is wonderfully done!

(LADY GLENMIRE CHUCKLES)

MATTY: I wish you would remain.

If you are not to be welcome in Manchester,

I would so very much like you to consider this your home.

Cranford has been my haven. But my intention is to write.

I must seek new places and a wide society.

But to live in a lodging house in London!

Breaking my engagement took a deal of courage,

and now, not even London has the power to terrify.

Whoa.

I would rather see you to your door,

but we should not let Mrs Jamieson guess at Giuseppe’s adventures.

I must say, it has been a lively afternoon.

Until today, I’ve been very dull.

I did hope for society with the ladies of the town,

for I had a cloistered time of it whilst my husband ailed.

But no one has called, and we have received no invitations.

The ladies of Cranford are most welcoming to strangers.

Something’s surely gone awry.

Or been put so, perhaps, by your hostess.

And so we find ourselves invited to a Halloween gathering,

written in Lady Glenmire’s own hand.

"To honour the anniversary of Mrs Jamieson’s marriage."

I think we are all agreed on how we should proceed.

If you bring your knitting across that evening,

we can decline in unison with the excuse that we are previously engaged.

-You don’t intend to go? -Mrs Jamieson injured all of us.

So we agreed to ignore her guest.

I cannot deny that I was very vexed,

but we ought not invest them with the power to upset us for a fortnight.

Miss Matty has not mentioned it, but she has a cold.

She sneezed twice just prior to your arrival.

In which case, Miss Matty, we will hire you the sedan.

(CLOCK TICKING)

(MRS JAMIESON CHUCKLES)

And has her ladyship been recently at court?

(LAUGHS) Bless you, Miss Pole. I never went there in my life.

I was one of five daughters, and my father lacked the means.

Then I married a baron and found him positioned likewise.

Besides, I have heard indifferent reports of it.

Cards are never played, and there is no refreshment offered.

That will be Prince Albert’s doing.

He is said to be proud of his Spartan inclinations.

Mrs Jamieson, did I see Mulliner take off with the blackberry wine?

It was a gift from Mrs Forrester.

Mr Jamieson abhorred strong drink.

Well, Mr Jamieson is not here to compromise our pleasure.

Mulliner must fetch it in

and my plum cake, too, that he took into his pantry.

(BELL RINGING)

(WOMEN LAUGHING)

MRS FORRESTER: I have left a jack-o’-lantern to fend off witches!

Oh, Halloween.

I think it foolish superstition and a woeful waste of turnip.

Splendidly said, Lady Glenmire.

There is no such thing as evil spirits, and thus no need to fend them off.

But one hears such tales of ghosts and faeries.

The curtain lifts between the worlds tonight.

Here comes Mulliner. He cares not for All Souls Eve.

Last year, he was in the lane attending to Giuseppe’s dainty needs

when he saw a young mother in the shadow by the greensward.

She carried an infant wrapped in a shawl.

As he passed her, she stepped forth,

holding up the babe as if for his inspection.

In the blanket lay a severed head.

(WOMEN GASPING)

When he looked up,

there was naught above the mother’s neck but sinew, roughly hewn.

(WOMEN SHUDDERING)

MISS POLE: The barometer did not foretell of fog!

And the absence of moonlight is to be deplored.

Perhaps it is good that the mist is so thick.

I am sure we do not wish to see anything disagreeable.

(OWL SQUEALING)

-It is but bats, I am quite certain! -MATTY: Bats?

They are just diabolically large!

We cannot match your vigour!

(WOMEN SHRIEKING)

Please! I must insist you do not jolt Miss Matty so!

Resume a walking speed, and we will furnish you an extra shilling!

WILLIAM: "My beloved Peggy.

"I write with ink I begged from the cartographer,

"and dry my boots by coals filched from the engine yard.

"I steal these moments from my work.

"The first charts are completed, but I have so much still to learn.

"Land can be measured. The love I have for you cannot.

"It is unchartered country and the map that I must live by. ’"

MRS BELL: Peggy?

WILLIAM: "Meanwhile our wedding day hangs far off,

"like a bright flag suspended in the fog.

"I’ve fixed my eyes to it,

"but there are days when its distance seems beyond my calculation.

"And I miss you more than any words can say. ’"

Peggy?

How indulgent we are in the middle of the day.

This is a very fine liqueur.

And to think the Scots manufacture it from grain.

MISS TOMKINSON: I find it is as medicinal as brandy.

It is such a pleasure, too, to have Mr Jenkyns as company.

What does happen to all the gentlemen in Cranford?

No sooner does a man settle here

than he finds business takes him all the week to Manchester.

Or there are those such as I,

who are so enamoured of the town that they must wander all England,

fervently seeking replication of its charms.

LADY GLENMIRE: Spadille!

(SIGHS)

I concede there is little here to jollify the stouter sex.

Or, indeed, any diversion for the young!

Is there no public room for dancing

or a place where an orchestra might play?

Lady Glenmire. Cranford is not lacking in facilities.

We will show you the Assembly Rooms.

(BIRD COOING)

(MRS FORRESTER SIGHS)

(CHUCKLES) Matches were made in this chamber once.

PETER: Hearts were torn asunder, too,

and great larks were had as a result of it.

We should clear the dust by dancing the cotillion,

as we were wont to do in youth

Mr Jenkyns was the most diligent of partners.

(GASPS) Do look at this. I believe it’s a dance card.

To whom does it belong? Can you make out the owner?

The pencil is very faded,

but whoever she was, she was partnered in the quadrille with a Mr Whisset.

I see she danced with a Mr Buxton, too.

Oh!

And for the Roger de Coverley, and the lancers, and the pavane,

she was engaged by a...

Mr Holbrook.

That is my name sketched in across the top.

(SIGHS)

It is very faint now.

LADY GLENMIRE: But though it is a charming chamber,

I fear its glories are beyond retrieval.

(MATTY GASPS)

I do not remember such a mottled patina.

They are the specks of age.

I fear they cannot be erased.

Candlelight was always kind.

It polished the glass and the faces captured there.

PEGGY: I try so hard to encourage him when I write in reply.

If he abandons the struggle, I fear I will be abandoned, too.

You are the very reason he chose this path.

I know it. That is why I am afraid.

And although he writes, we have not met in these four weeks.

MATTY: One day you will cherish every word of these.

They will be evidence of what you have endured.

Take them back and put them in a place of safety.

There is no place of safety, Miss Matty. At least, not in my home.

My husband sent word that he’s set up grinding knives.

He wants us to go to him, and I’ve found us a drover who will take us.

The grinding machine’s mounted on a wagon.

We’ll be passing through Cranford once in a while.

Mrs Gregson, make no move in haste.

I wrote to Harry of your plight, but clearly my letter has been delayed.

I was wrong to ask you to do that.

I do not wish to be a charge upon my child.

People must look at me and think me wretched.

But I do not wish I’d made another choice.

And that is why I must leave and go where I am bid.

jEM: "We are going on quite well. My sister has cropped Tilly’s hair.

"The curls were too long for the bristles of the brush.

"I’ve sent a lock to you.

"It is quite the colour that Martha’s was. ’"

(SIGHS)

Mrs Forrester?

I am correct. Your posture seemed forlorn.

I had hoped my distress was not apparent.

Bessie is like a child to me.

If she saw my tears, she would surely weep herself.

But what has occurred to make you so unhappy?

(SOBBING) Oh, Miss Matty!

Bessie has been turned out of her field.

(COW BELLOWS)

It’s in the way of the railway,

and I must take her to graze on common land.

(HORSE SNORTING)

-Good morning, sir. -You’re even more than punctual today.

I confess I am relieved to see you.

(WOMEN MURMURING)

(WHISPERING) Ginger snaps!

They are dear Lady Glenmire’s favourite.

(DOOR OPENS)

Are we not to see your relative today?

Lady Glenmire has made her own arrangements.

I know not what they are. I had no notion she was so sociable.

She has enlivened us all, and surely we are glad of it.

And now even Captain Brown intends to entertain. This Saturday evening.

I see you, too, have received a card of invitation.

We have had one apiece.

Well, he may wear a beaver hat to church,

in truth he is little better than a navvy.

(PEOPLE MURMURING OUTSIDE)

What’s happening?

Oh! I spy a wedding cart.

A wedding!

MISS POLE: There has been no news of such a thing.

MRS FORRESTER: Who can it be?

CAPTAIN BROWN: Whoa!

If this is some species of sport...

(LADY GLENMIRE SHRIEKS PLAYFULLY)

..it is utterly repugnant.

(CAPTAIN BROWN CHUCKLING)

Two people our own age, married!

Oh, it is coming very near.

She might have thought herself safe in Cranford.

(WOMEN GASPING)

(DOOR OPENS)

I was inspired to interview the owner of the hire cart.

They were married this morning at Missenden Church.

No banns were called, and a special licence was applied for.

Mr William Buxton was a witness.

Lady Glenmire’s new tippet, in teal blue, came from Johnson’s.

It was a fringed Flemish velvet,

and I helped her to select it on the Tuesday of last week.

What did she say it was for?

(QUIVERING) Church.

(GASPS)

It is an insult to all Cranford to be so devious.

Asking us to an evening party

with no intimation whatever of its purpose.

It is the custom of Cranford to call upon a bride.

It is not the custom to call upon a traitor.

Who has been betrayed?

The Baron Glenmire’s memory has been betrayed.

If my sister-in-law must dash her pedigree against the stones

and set up home in a hovel that fronts the street,

she cannot expect any sanction from me.

I will not condone this marriage.

And I shall bar my door to everyone who chooses to acknowledge it.

But Lady Glenmire is Mrs Jamieson’s relative.

And she and Captain Brown are both our friends.

And transparency held no sway in either case.

Why should we oblige them with our blessing?

Because they have found affection in each other.

If they care not for their unequal station,

there is every likelihood that they will thrive.

Do not imagine their happiness concerns me.

They may suffer marriage as they courted.

In isolation, and behind closed doors.

Miss Galindo!

Whoa. Whoa.

I must ask you a question about Harry and phrase it very plainly.

Have you had any word whatever from him?

Not for these three weeks or possibly nearer four.

I am on my way to post a letter to him.

You may spare yourself the cost of postage.

I have heard from his headmaster. Harry has run away from school.

(MEN SHOUTING)

(ALL LAUGHING)

(MEN CHATTERING)

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

(MISS TOMKINSON GASPS)

I think the navvies have been paid today!

I saw extra barrels being rolled into the George.

I brought butter as a wedding gift, paddled in a shape that marks the day.

But it’s been crushed by a boy who bussed me

and was not in any way sincere.

I wrote to Mrs Jamieson asking her to join us.

But I fear she stands firm. There has been no word.

We rang Miss Pole’s door, and the bell remained unanswered.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

(ALL EXCLAIMING)

WILLIAM: Miss Matty?

MATTY: Oh. William.

The bride and groom have despatched me to escort you to their home.

(WOMEN SIGHS IN RELIEF)

(MEN CHATTERING LOUDLY)

-I spy the sedan! -WILLIAM: This must be Mrs Jamieson.

MATTY: Do assist her, William.

just as I had hoped.

MRS FORRESTER: Surely they are mostly air...

PEGGY: My mother pines for my brother now he works in Manchester.

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

It was Miss Matty who secured my invitation.

Edward sometimes comes home on a Saturday.

I think she knew my mother would not come.

I had feared that our trials might thin your cheeks or fade you.

But your eyes shine brighter than they ever did before.

It is all the walking to our letterbox. And so many candles are lit tonight.

CAPTAIN BROWN: Oh.

Is it harder than you thought?

I think perhaps it is harder than you thought.

I did not know what work was. Now I do.

And I know what it is to want a thing that you must wait for.

Your poor hand.

It is only a blister from my calculating wheel.

I have its twin. I did it with the smoothing iron.

See? We are equals at last.

We have always been equals.

Love makes people so.

"In came the musician and tuned like 50 stomach aches.

"In came Mrs Fezziwig, one vast substantial smile.

"In came the three Miss Fezziwigs, and then singly and in pairs,

"the six young men whose hearts they had broken.

"In they came, one after the other, and away they all danced.

"Then there were games, and there was cake,

"and there was a great Cold Roast,

"and there were mince pies and plenty of beer."

(PEGGY LAUGHS)

I have vowed to read a passage to Mrs Brown each night when we retire.

(PIANO PLAYING)

# As I was a-walking one morning by chance

# I heard a maid making her moan

# I asked why she sighed and she sadly replied

# "Alas, I must live all alone, alone

# "Alas! I must live all alone"

# I said, "My fair maid, whence pray have you strayed

# "And are you some distance from home?’"

# "My home", replied she, "Is a burden to me

# "For there I must live all alone, alone

# "For there I must live all alone. ’"

# Oh come back from sea, my dear one to me

#And make me a bride of your own

# Or else for your sake, my poor heart it will break

#And here I shall lie all alone, alone

#And here I shall lie all alone #

What’s that, sir?

I am very much afraid it is a radish

carved by my spouse into an ornamental form.

I am putting things in order for next Monday’s demolition.

The Tinden End cottages?

Yes. Now, you advanced the money to Edward Bell,

and he was to fetch and deliver the deeds.

But he has not done so, so we cannot knock them down.

CAPTAIN BROWN: Mr Buxton. Did you sign the deeds?

And did you give them to Edward Bell?

I did both things. In exchange for the money from the railway company.

-So you did receive our payment? -Of course.

It was proffered in sovereigns. A full 1 00 of them.

Less two I gave to pay the cook.

I being late for Michaelmas Day.

£1 00?

The price charged to our company was 60 more than that.

I suggest you tread with care.

If you proceed with this line of suspicion,

you besmirch the name of a promising young man.

Hello? Mum?

Malachi?

Mum!

(GASPS)

Well, Master Gregson.

Perhaps I should not be surprised you walk in here so bold and smiling.

For all the anxiety has been felt by others.

I’ve got nowhere else to go.

I thought that you at least would be a little glad to see me.

I’m shaking, Edward. And so are you.

Why aren’t you in Manchester?

(EDWARD CRYING)

You must help me, Peggy.

HUTTON: I am not an ogre, Harry. But I am extremely dismayed.

Your headmaster was alarmed by your departure,

and wrote of your behaviour in a very angry tone.

That sounds like him.

You have been unpunctual and ill-disciplined,

and fallen behind in your studies.

It’s not like when I used to learn with you.

The teachers write on a board and only want that you copy.

There is a very fine system in place at Shrewsbury,

which is why Mr Carter wanted you to go there.

He wanted me to go there because it was near my home!

Which is not a home any more, now it’s got nobody in it.

All the more reason for you to return to school.

Despite your eventual wealth, you have a hard route through the world.

I like that. "Eventual wealth."

That is sufficient, Harry!

Harry. You know your money is to be held in trust until you are 21 .

That was Mr Carter’s particular intent.

Mr Carter is dead! And I hate him being so.

Not because I miss him, but because I cannot make him change his mind!

Harry!

Harry! Harry! You will cease this abominable display!

Leave me alone! You’ll only do what he tells you!

Harry.

What has been done to you?

Hot milk won’t warm me. I need brandy.

How much money is missed, and when did your superiors perceive it?

Peggy, do not try him with your questions.

See how he trembles. I’m sure they are mistaken,

you are adept with all the modern ways of keeping books.

You must go to Mr Buxton.

He has been your benefactor and should not hear of this from others.

But he must bathe first, and ply his razor.

(HORSE NEIGHING)

There is no time. It is Mr Buxton, and Captain Brown is with him.

(EDWARD SHUDDERING)

MR BUXTON: Edward cannot be located, Mrs Bell.

Was he not to be found at his place of work or lodgings?

No, he has disappeared entirely. As well he might,

for it transpires he took the cottage deeds

and handed them to strangers to guarantee a debt.

But we have never been in debt.

It is clear to me that yours is an honest and frugal home.

Your son chose a different path

and squandered money at the gaming tables.

(GASPS)

(MRS BELL SOBBING)

If Edward is caught, he will be convicted.

The sentence will be transportation, at the very least.

If you would be kind enough to wait outside, Captain Brown,

I might conclude by speaking to Miss Bell in private.

Sit down, Peggy.

(SIGHS) I can help Edward.

Whether he is found or not, I can clear his way.

It cannot be up to you. You are not his only victim.

His crimes are entirely financial, I have the means to set them straight.

Besides, I charged him with too much, supervised him idly.

How can you still care so much for him?

He is a young man.

He deserves a chance to meet the world unhindered.

Sever your connection to my son,

and I will restore your brother’s reputation.

You have given thought to this.

How else could you say it all so calmly?

It would be wrong of me to offer such a thing in haste.

And just as wrong of me to answer without thinking.

I must ask you to leave now.

I will come to you tomorrow.

(DOOR CLOSING)

MISS GALINDO: Several cigar burns have festered and you will be scarred.

This will have to be reported.

You can’t report prefects.

How was their behaviour so malicious?

They thought I was poor.

Then when Lord Ludlow sent his coach to fetch me, they found out that I was not.

(HARRY GASPS)

They won’t hang you, Edward, it’s not a capital offence.

Do you want me to end up rotting in some prison ship?

Do you want me dead of maltreatment or disease?

Do not think that you could forgive yourself.

Because your heart would tear in two!

Do not even think to talk to me about my heart!

And if I go to gaol, your name will be tainted,

and so will your precious William’s, too.

It’ll be hard enough for him to make his way

without relationship by marriage to a felon such as I.

(SIGHS)

Mr Buxton assures me he has the case in hand.

I felt I could not press him for particulars,

but our discourse was quite neighbourly.

Neighbourly? The problem with you, Brown, is you’ve gone native.

People do it in the colonies, it ends badly every time.

Sir Charles, Cranford is a small town.

I’ve found good relations with its folk to be invaluable.

The railway is not a small town matter.

It cannot be treated in this amiable, rustic manner.

I’m calling out the constables from Missenden.

They will deal with this in the proper, legal way.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

I will not give up William, sir.

But I will write to him and tell him of all that has passed.

-Will you make a villain of me? -No.

Because I believe you love him just as much as I.

If he should choose to give me up, I shall accept it.

And trust that you may still do something for my brother.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

(DOG BARKING)

(DOOR OPENING)

The constables are at the door, sir.

(DOOR CLOSES)

(PEOPLE CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY)

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

(DOOR OPENING)

A copy of the warrant for your brother’s arrest.

Signed by Sir Charles Maulver.

I cannot countermand it now. The law must take its course.

He will have to leave Cheshire. And somehow start afresh.

Peggy, the magistrates will seek him out.

No, for his own safety, he will have to go abroad.

Abroad?

But he does not have good judgement, Mr Buxton.

He cannot be trusted to find wise friends or sound employment.

He’s already made ill by greed and his own weakness.

He would be at risk of even greater harm abroad.

And if I do not help him,

I will be as much the author of his fate as he.

What will you do?

Go with him.

Out of England.

Try and set him on a decent path.

-You are not his keeper, Peggy. -I am his only hope.

There will be a list in here, telling of the ships that sail from Liverpool.

And what of your engagement to my son?

We are tested already, sir. And we have not wavered.

I do not relish dragging you into our sad affairs, Miss Matty.

I made a pact to act in secret. William must not know.

But when I’m gone, if you can see that he receives this,

I will thank you for eternity.

You were gone a long time. I thought you’d be hungry.

That was very thoughtful, Harry.

Reverend Hutton wrote to your headmaster in uncompromising terms.

He has since been assured that the violence towards you will cease,

and has therefore arranged for your return to school tomorrow.

You’ve made it worse! I’m not going back.

You do not have a choice, Harry.

You must acquire an education.

If you do not, you cannot build a school in Cranford.

And that was Mr Carter’s particular desire.

He promised me my liberty. And now he is my gaoler.

MRS BELL: Canada? Canada?

You said you had a scheme to help him!

What is the difference between this and transportation?

He will not travel in shackles,

nor be indentured to labour in a desert without pay!

And he will have me with him.

I cannot credit that you would leave me here alone!

Mother, you must try to match me. You must strive to bear this.

(HORSE NEIGHING)

It is Mr Buxton. We must hurry.

MISS GALINDO: This shirt is almost ruined.

The seam is very frayed.

I am not sure my repair is neat enough for school.

I have to have six shirts, the matron says so.

I’ll go back to Johnson’s.

They’ll have a stock of plain white lawn.

(DOOR OPENING)

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

Gentlemen. I do not like to disturb you, but I am in search of Mr William Buxton.

Good lass, Bessie, you’re a good lass.

(MEN SHOUTING)

(DOGS BARKING)

(MEN CHATTERING)

MR BUXTON: Peggy.

When you get to the docks, go directly to the Red Star offices.

You have my letterhead. Here are the funds.

I thought little of you once.

I wonder now whether you’re not braver and better than I took you for.

GUARD: Boarding!

MR BUXTON: Go. GUARD: Boarding!

MATTY: You must make haste if you wish to intercept the train.

I am in your debt, Miss Matty.

(TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING)

-Where have you concealed the purse? -I’m not telling you.

I wonder if there’s enough money for us to go first class on the boat?

GUARD: Ready to depart!

No one in steerage would be of any use to us.

(TRAIN ENGINE HISSING)

I took warm gruel to Bessie on the Common,

but she has slipped her tether, she was not there.

Miss Pole!

She isn’t in.

Pray do not cut us. Captain Brown is at his work.

MRS FORRESTER: (SOBBING) We need your aid!

My poor Bessie is in peril!

(PEOPLE CLAMOURING)

CAPTAIN BROWN: Whoa!

Miss Matty? Whatever are you about?

(HORSE NEIGHING)

No!

(LOUD BANGING)

(PEOPLE SCREAMING)

(MAN GROANS LOUDLY)

WILLIAM: Peggy!

Peggy!

MAN: Are you all right? Come on.

WILLIAM: Peggy!

(WOMAN SHOUTING)

Edward! Is Peggy with you?

(MAN GROANING)

Out of my way!

Peggy? Peggy!

Peggy, can you hear me?

William?

Take my hand!

Quickly!

Reach for me!

I have you!

(WHIMPERS)

-My hand... -Listen to me, Peggy...

I fear it has been cut.

I shall ease you to the ground as best I can.

Then you must make haste, away from the wreckage.

I will come and find you, but for now, I must help the others.

CAPTAIN BROWN: Harness the water wagons! We need ropes!

CAPTAIN BROWN: Make haste, make haste!

Men’s lives may be at stake!

MAN: Bring those shovels!

EDWARD: Let me take charge of the purse.

Edward! What are you doing?

Edward!

Edward!

(WOMEN GASPING)

CAPTAIN BROWN: Go directly to the town barn!

The injured can be tended there!

These are serious matters. Please remain calm!

-Allow us to assist those most in need! -Mr Johnson.

I thank you for attending, sir. I fear there’s work for you to do.

-I came as soon as I heard. -MISS GALINDO: Reverend Hutton!

Harry made off again this evening!

I cannot know where he went, or by what means he left the district.

Captain Brown? Are all your passengers accounted for?

There was a list made, and it has been checked. No one is missing.

I was told my son was near the blast.

He is here, sir.

-Does he survive? -Yes.

William.

But my brother does not.

(GASPS) What have I brought about?

Sir. Your place is with your son. Other offices you may leave to me.

Miss Matty. Oh. You are chilled to the bone.

-Let me sit you by my fire. -Thank you, my dear.

But I will stay with Mr Buxton. I must make whatever amends I can.

LADY GLENMIRE: Miss Galindo? Will you assist me?

I do not know what I might uncover...

You are fortunate, Peggy. The bleeding is already staunched.

I must bind it afresh, and you must drink some brandy.

Peggy, where did you find this shirt?

Harry?

Harry!

Harry!

Harry! Harry!

Reverend Hutton! We are come too late.

The rider has left for Manchester.

We hope the surgeon will be here by dawn.

Peggy broke her promise to me.

It was not Peggy who alerted William.

It was I.

You once said I should beg for your forgiveness. And now I do.

(SIGHS DEEPLY)

It’s my son who lies shattered, Matty.

And mine are the hands that bear most blood.

He should not have died alone.

(SNIFFLING) And should not have lived believing himself to be so.

No. It is unjust.

It is worse than unjust. It is against the laws of nature.

Do you recollect, Peter,

how hard our father tried to make you learn the classics?

I recall more of his frustration than I do of the classics themselves.

Please sit down, Matty. You are overtaxed.

I did my utmost to assist you.

I spent hour after hour hearing you repeat your lessons.

It cannot matter now.

There was one tale that lingered in my mind.

To this day I retain some fragmentary portion.

It concerned a girl

who dwelt in a place where no discord had ever been experienced.

She was given charge of a capacious casket.

And she was told on no account must she remove the lid.

(SOBBING) But her better judgement failed her,

and she unfastened its catch,

and all the furies of the universe came pouring out, like flies.

I think you speak of the legend of Pandora.

I do not recall her name.

But I am acquainted with her face.

I might see it any time I wish to, in the looking-glass.

(MISS GALINDO SOBBING)

The snow melts on his lashes as if they were still warm.

A mirror. Have you a mirror?

(SIGHS) No.

There is breath in him!

-Harry! We must get him back to town. -He is not lost!

MISS GALINDO: Harry! Do you hear us now? You are not alone!

We will not let you die!

(DOOR OPENING)

You have not slept.

I have slept enough.

I know that the railway will still come.

It cannot be turned back.

I wanted it brought because of things that I had lost.

I desired that others might be spared distress.

And I unleashed griefs as pernicious as the beasts inside that box.

I will hear no more of this, dear Matty.

I’m afraid you must.

For in the darkness of the small hours,

I recollected the conclusion of the tale.

After the anguish, there was one winged creature found secreted in a corner.

It was very small,

and could relieve the sting of wounds.

They named it Hope.

I have a sum of money here.

It is the profit from my shop. It came from the people of Cranford.

I shall spend it in a way that will draw us all together.

(SIGHS)

-Mr Buxton’s not at home. -Is William at home?

I’m not permitted to say.

This is for him.

My dear.

Is the enquiry into the accident completed?

The Board of Trade ruled no one was to blame.

That is a good outcome, is it not?

It’s good for the company, our recovery will be swift.

I am not sure that I can say the same for Cranford.

Did Mr Carter ever come here?

Did he ever sit and watch you sewing?

Once.

And it was then that I saw what a splendid man he was.

There were only two people I ever saw him smile at.

One was me.

And the other one was you.

It is less besmirched than I imagined

I think it will clean quite well.

I am sure it can be revived by Christmas.

Nevertheless, we have set ourselves quite a task.

The walls were the colour of salmon once,

though it cannot be discerned under this horrid dirt.

Oughtn’t the ceiling to be plastered over first?

You know the task with which you are charged, dear.

I have appointed you Master of Revels!

(PETER CHUCKLES)

Paint, pink.

Considerable quantity.

The paint was not pink, it was umber over buff!

You will not fare well without my assistance.

Indeed. There’s a deal of work to do.

(BELL TOLLING)

And now I suppose we must endeavour to be helpmeets.

(WOMEN CHATTERING)

PETER: "Christmas Eve, Signor Brunoni, Magician to the King of Delhi,

"the Rajah of Oude, and the Great Lama of Tibet!"

And for every continent evoked, another half-sovereign is added to his bill.

Pray speak not of the cost.

It seems little to pay to bring us all beneath one roof.

I could perform an almanac of tricks and I should not charge a farthing.

It is all in here, under "C", for Conjuring.

Four more cards have been sent in acceptance.

The cup is A, the ball is B, B is placed under A

and does not disappear but is instead transferred into the sleeve,

which is labelled here as C.

It is not magic. It is mere rearrangement of the alphabet.

And Mrs Jamieson has declined. In extremely acid terms.

MRS JAMIESON: I cannot sanction that marriage,

nor disport myself where its existence is accepted.

Long mourning has been your portion.

It must cost you dear to see Lady Glenmire remarry in such haste.

It is as though now Captain Brown has brought us the locomotive engine,

everything must move at the pace of a stampede.

-Mmm. -It shows a lack of solidarity

with others who are widowed.

Ours is a fond little town.

You might bring me news of it from time to time.

I am too torpid to venture out now.

You need only company, I wager.

I can arrange for that.

Mr Buxton?

I did not restore him just to break him down.

William never wavered in his love for you.

It’s time to build.

PEGGY: Erminia!

I came home to help nurse the invalid.

But I was not required. My uncle was a most meticulous attendant.

Come. I will take you to him.

William?

(SIGHS)

-Have you seen the gorse? -There was not a flower to be had.

I should not have plucked it otherwise.

The poor twigs look so stark.

Miss Matty once told me that there was a saying.

"When gorse is out of blossom then kissing is out of fashion."

This room is so warm

that they mistake the month for spring.

And one of them bears a single golden bud.

-Madam. -Signor Brunoni!

You have mislaid your way, perhaps?

Not in the least.

I am surprised you leave your properties on view,

you will betray all the tricks of your trade.

Fancy. I was in search of my glove,

and there it was in my hand all the meanwhile.

If Madam will permit.

I suppose that is merely a development of the classical trick

with the cup and the ball. The glove being A

and the dove being B?

No. It is magic.

I daresay there is a pocket hidden in your coat-tail.

Look in your reticule.

In your reticule.

Faith.

It is the key to all things.

(DOOR OPENING)

I have seen Signor Brunoni from the distance of a hair’s breadth!

I think it proper sunburn,

had it been walnut juice I was close enough to smell it.

Look.

Mary sent me a Christmas gift from a milliner’s in London.

It is a turban, in sea-green silk.

She knows how long I have wanted such a thing.

There was further novelty to be found concealed inside the box.

She has had a story published, in the Fireside Sketch.

Story? What on earth...

"Miss M. Smith!"

How very imposing it looks in print.

And to think she is practically from Cranford.

Still, the subject matter looks exceedingly domestic.

She should write a romance,

about a conjuror.

There will not be another post today.

I had so hoped to hear from Jem and baby Tilly.

This was a different house last year.

Harry. We have a Christmas gift for you.

Do not look for something wrapped in paper and a ribbon.

-You will not go back to that school. -But what about my education?

We have made enquiries at the Grammar School in Manchester.

The boys there are as varied and interesting as you.

And you could study and live at home.

Sir, I have no home.

I was left a small stipend, by Lady Ludlow.

If we join our means together,

we might take a house hard by your classrooms.

And I would be there when you return each night.

They are not the arrangements that Mr Carter made.

Mr Carter would approve of them, because they will allow you to flourish.

And that was all he ever had in mind.

(WOMEN CHATTERING)

Merry Christmas, Mrs Forrester. This is for you.

(SNIFFLES)

MRS FORRESTER: She’s so beautiful!

(PEOPLE CHATTERING)

Shall I sit there?

SIR CHARLES: Good Evening, Mr Buxton.

MR BUXTON: Sir Charles.

MRS FORRESTER: What?

MISS TOMKINSON: She came!

Mrs Jamieson. May I have the pleasure of presenting Mrs Brown?

CAPTAIN BROWN: Merry Christmas, Mrs Jamieson.

And a one,

two,

and a three, and a four!

(EXCLAIMS)

(SIGNOR BRUNONI THANKING IN ITALIAN)

(EXCLAIMS)

(AUDIENCE GASP)

(SIGNOR BRUNONI EXCLAIMS)

(AUDIENCE GASP)

-You are right. It is surely all a ruse? -Shh.

SIGNOR BRUNONI: Abracadabra!

(AUDIENCE GASP)

SIGNOR BRUNONI: Hey! The key!

-Come. -No...

-Come. -No...

Come!

Madam!

(MISS POLE GASPS)

The celestial box!

(SIGNOR BRUNONI SNIFFING)

WOMAN: Oh no, don’t go into it!

MISS POLE: No, I don’t think I should...

(WOMEN GASPING)

(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)

If you please, dear madam.

Pray to come and join me here.

Dear Miss Matty.

Allow me to escort you to the stage.

(TAPPING)

Madam.

Please, to extend your hand.

And now,

a moment of light.

As it was when the world began.

(AUDIENCE GASPING)

Try the lock, and all will be revealed.

(GASPS)

Oh, my love!

My little love! My Tilly!

Who brought you here?

We’ve come home, Miss Matty.

Home? For Christmas?

Home for good.

CAPTAIN BROWN: What’s happened to Miss Pole?

SIGNOR BRUNONI: Patience!

Ta-da!

(SIGNOR BRUNONI CHUCKLES)

(BAND PLAYING)

(MR BUXTON SIGHS)

I do believe, Mr Buxton, we have danced a waltz. In Cranford.

How can a town survive so much?

Love, Mr Buxton.

It is the final word.