Original subtitles

Ha'penny gobstoppers, please, Mr. gryphon.

Where's the ha'penny?

Here.

Here we are.

Thank you.

And don't choke yourself.

Oh, I won't.

Hello, where you up to?

Oh, miss rider, I'm sorry.

Awe look.

Oh nevermind, come along, we'll buy another one.

Oh good morning, miss rider.

Good morning, Mr. gryphon.

We had a tragedy with a lollipop outside.

Here you are.

Oh thank you, miss rider.

Two eight me gobstoppers, please, Mr. gryphon.

Here we are.

Thank you, miss rider.

Morning, miss rider.

You spoil those children.

Good morning, Mrs. gryphon.

Nice day, Mrs. scaife.

Miss Reynolds.

Here's my list, Mrs. gryphon.

And a farthin' change.

Now don't you go booking all the dances

afore I get there, huh.

First come, first served, Mr. gryphon.

Three dozen eggs, custard powder, sugar.

My husband will be up to the vicarage

with them this afternoon.

My brother's so grateful for your offer

to look after the buffet tonight.

It's a pleasure, miss.

Anything to oblige you and the vicar.

Thank you, see you tonight.

Oh Mary, my dear.

You're coming tonight, Sandra, aren't you?

But of course.

Oh I'm so glad.

Church dances aren't the same

without the squire and his lady.

My dear, we wouldn't miss it for anything.

Well badham, see you tonight at the dance.

Yes, right beyond the door, sir.

Sold all your tickets?

Yes sir, everyone, sir.

Good.

There you are, Mrs. suggs.

Thirsty weather, hey Josh?

What weather ain't?

Going to the dance, Josh?

All right, will you save one for me?

And me.

What you, Mr. d?

Surely.

Why I be only 87.

And as spry as a Colt.

Don't be silly, Peter.

Why silly?

Because the answer's always no

and I hate having to say it.

Then why not say yes for a change?

You know perfectly well.

David's in Australia, the other side of the world.

People do come back from Australia, you know.

I don't believe that absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Don't you?

Suppose he doesn't come back?

He will.

In just one year.

That's what he says.

I bet...

Oh I shouldn't, you'll lose.

May I have the next dance, father?

If it's a waltz, my dear.

If it's a waltz, mother, shall us?

If it's a waltz, Peter, your mother's booked.

- Thank you, my dear. - Good for you, dad.

Don't be so damned patronising, my boy.

Let me tell you, your mother and I once

won a prize for dancing in this very hall.

Yes, but it was a spot prize, my dear.

Well anyway, I danced with your mother

before you were born.

I hope so, father.

Sounds as though you're enjoying yourselves.

No, I'm not, Anne's turned me down again.

Why I've no sympathy for you, Peter.

Ann's far too young to think of getting married.

Awe Mary, I don't believe you'll every let me grow up.

Come on, daddy.

Ah, but it isn't a waltz.

Ann dear, I promised Mrs. gryphon

you'd help at the buffet. - Yes.

And Peter, a little friend of mine

hasn't had a dance all evening.

Why, certainly.

Why don't you two dance?

What, me dance?

Why that would be a good one.

I only come here to oblige the vicar.

And me, my dear.

And so as you could show off that there wedding dress

of yourn again.

It's wearing nicely.

You made it so well.

You ought to be dressmaking up in London.

You'll be content to stay were you are, my dear.

Here Mr. cashelton wants to dance with you, Connie.

- Good evening, miss fateley. - Good evening, sir.

Hello, Sam. Sucal.

Mr. cashelton hopes you're going

to save him a dance, sucal.

My missus don't dance with anyone, except for me.

I'm afraid I don't know how.

Oh yeah.

Getting on all right these days?

Not too badly for a foreigner.

A foreigner?

Most villages are the same, Mr. Peter.

If you're not born locally, you're a foreigner

and you've got to live it down.

That's funny, I never thought of that.

These modern dance is much too slow, much too slow.

Table looks nice, Mrs. scaife.

You think there'll be enough to go around, miss?

Well, I think there's enough

for our next dance as well.

Oh, look at that for a cake.

And it'll eat as good as it looks.

You must give me the recipe for your icing.

It always looks so delicious.

Oh dear, she's brought the baby.

I suppose she had nowhere to leave it.

Her poor soul.

We must see what we can do.

I wonder why miss rider never married.

If she'd wanted to marry, she would have.

She's not the marrying kind.

We've all had our chances.

This is her life, the village

and looking after the vicar and miss Ann.

Sorry, miss rider, but we didn't want to miss it.

No, of course not, you have a good time.

I'll take the baby.

Thank you, miss.

Thank you, miss rider.

Oh, Mrs. gryphon, has your husband brought the fruit yet?

Not yet, miss rider, he'll be along

when he's made up his orders at the shop.

That's apples, oranges, and bananas, good.

If I don't buck up, I'll be late.

Better luck to some poor girl's feet.

That's enough from you, young man.

You boys are all right for dancing with,

when it comes to sitting out, it's experience that counts.

I don't doubt they prefer sitting out.

All right, all right, I'm coming.

Yes, hilldale.

Two, three, one, four, five, from Australia.

Australia?

Here, wait a minute, London.

Hey, len, len!

There's someone here calling miss Ann from Australia.

Australia, from Australia?

Can you hear 'em?

You gowk.

Oh jiminy.

Yes, London?

Uh-huh.

Run and tell miss Ann, I'll put it through to the vicarage.

Yes, London, I'll ring you

when miss rider is available. Wait till I tell the missus

about this, and miss Reynolds, and Mrs. scaife and...

And miss Ann.

Hello, David, darling.

Just a moment, miss.

Oh, sorry.

Miss rider waiting.

Mm-hmm.

Yes?

Hold on a moment.

Can you hear them talking?

Hey, what's all this, can't you see what's on the door?

Tell them, they wouldn't believe me.

Oh no, it's against regulations.

There, I knew it was a have.

Oh, is it?

Well, I never.

Shh, they'll hear you.

Itis.

That's Mr. David's voice.

Well, that's summat my old man never said to me.

That's enough.

He's coming here.

They're going to be married.

Oh Mary, oh Mary.

Ann dear, whatever is it?

Oh darling, I'm so happy, it's David.

- David? - Yes, David,

he got special leave, he's coming home.

He telephoned me on his way to the boat,

he couldn't wait to cable it

and he wants us to get married the moment he arrives.

Oh dear, dear, you young people,

always in such a terrible hurry.

You remember the old proverb, don't you?

Marry in haste, and...

And think yourself jolly lucky.

Oh, I'm so happy.

Of course, dear.

Let's go and find daddy.

Wait till you see his face when I tell him.

Daddy, daddy!

What's the excitement?

Oh Pete...

Father, David wants to know if you'll marry us

when he arrives in six weeks time.

What's this, marry you in six weeks, but why?

Well, will you?

Of course, my dear.

Whatever you like, but good heavens.

Congratulations, Ann.

Thank you.

Well I.

Thank you.

So I'm sacked, am 17?

But I'm still having this dance.

He spins you like a tea totem.

A lovely dress, but I looked at her face

and thought why take all the trouble.

She gave me three dances.

And vicar danced the waltz.

All the way from Australia.

Proposing on telephones, it ain't natural.

Gertie married a foreigner and look at her.

Only married six weeks

and she's stopped his fist five times.

I wonder how that Peter cashelton will take it?

Ah, that'll be his nose out of joint.

And I can't say I'm sorry at that!

I never quite knew whether I like like that young man.

Miss Reynolds.

Your len enjoyed hisself at the dance, Mrs. gryphon.

Len's the one with the girls, he is.

Dancing with sucal hurrin too.

Sam hurrin never let sucal dance surely?

Oh, he wouldn't mind me.

Not if it's dancing

he objects to, I daresay.

I put up a bit of show with him anyway.

Yes, you did, len.

Is the post here yet, Mrs. gryphon?

Of course.

What funny writing, for the vicarage, too.

One for you, miss.

Catalogue, it looks like.

Thank you, harboard, you can clear.

- Two for you, miss Ann. - Thank you.

- And two for you, sir. - Thank you.

Oh, it's from David.

Bill and a catalogue.

Why is it I never have any money when the sales are on?

Just think, when David wrote this,

he never dreamt he'd be on the way home when I got it.

I think I'll read it later.

Daddy!

What is it?

It's this.

Something about David.

It's awful.

Anonymous.

Whoever could do a thing like that?

How horrible.

Well, you mustn't take any notice of it, dear.

No, of course not, but I...

The proper place for things like this is...

There, that's that.

If you're wise, my dear, you won't give it another thought.

No, daddy.

But it's disgraceful.

Don't you think we ought to tell the police?

No, no, we don't want a scandal.

But it must have been someone who knew

about David and me, someone in the village.

But everyone's so fond of you, dear.

Do you think that one of the villagers...

Quick, the postmark!

Oh nevermind, auntie.

Did it hurt very much?

Shall I get some butter?

Oh nonsense, it doesn't hurt a bit.

Tally ho, tally ho.

Tally ho, tally ho.

Go for your ride, my dear

and let's forget that horrible thing.

Come on, Anne.

After all, the only harm it's done

has been to the poor misguided soul who wrote it.

Hello Peter.

I know what you've been doing.

What?

I can tell by that worried expression on your face,

you've been reckoning up exactly how many minutes

there are in six weeks.

Come on.

Yep, come on.

John, you're worried.

Yes, I am.

Is it about that letter?

Don't worry about it any more, John.

It's all over now.

But is it?

Why, what do you mean?

Mary, the person who wrote that letter

to Ann isn't normal.

Can't be.

Not mad, perhaps, but a borderline case, as it were.

- Yes. - I'm frightened, Mary,

frightened to think what a mind like that

could do to the peace and happiness

of our little village, with no other weapon

than a pen, a pen dipped in poison.

Why, you don't mean there might be more letters?

No.

I pray not, but I am worried.

Why don't you burn the letter?

Like you promised.

What have I done for you to think such things?

The whole village will be whispering what you done.

It's lies, lies and you know it.

If it be lies, why be it writ down here?

"Tis mischief.

"Tis mischief if they don't give his name.

But I'll find him.

- Sam! - And when I do,

I'll tear him limb from limb

because of the evil of your doing.

Sam!

Sam, don't!

Far be it for me to poke my nose

where it ain't wanted, but how can I advise you

if I haven't read it?

Oh, all right.

Read it.

Oh, well I never.

Oh my goodness, did you?

Of course not.

How could you suggest such a thing, florrie Reynolds?

I only saw him twice, once on market day

and once last Thursday when me husband

was over to taunton with the dart team and he came in.

For a cup of tea?

Nothing happened.

Of course not.

You won't say nothing, florrie.

As if I would.

What if you did have Mr. Diamond up to your house

when your husband was out?

And the children was there, if they was asleep.

Yes, that's right.

Morning, sucal.

Morning, Polly.

It would difficult to explain

to your husband if he found out, though.

I'm that afraid he gets hold of one of these

before I do.

Who do you suppose is writing 'em?

I know who's writing them now.

Who?

That foreigner, Connie fateley.

That wouldn't surprise me.

How did you find out?

Because on the night Mr. diamond

came in for his cup of tea,

who should call with the frock

she was shortening for young Alice, but 'er.

As if she couldn't have called in daylight

like any other respectable body.

Oh it's Mrs. Warren.

And Mrs. Jenkins.

How 'bout this, sucal?

Morning, ladies.

- Morning. - Good morning, sucal.

Oh, isn't it soft, Mr. gryphon?

Ah, it's a nice line, this,

but it's threepence a yard more than the other.

Threepence?

I tell you what I'll do.

You take this now and Sam can pay me

when he's in work again, hey.

Oh, but Mr. gryphon, I...

Not another word now.

You will see.

Good morning.

Four, three, eight pennies, please Mrs. gryphon.

Thank you. - Thank you.

Going to write some letters?

Why shouldn't 1?

Oh why shouldn't you?

I just wanted to know.

What did I tell you?

She's the one.

What?

Who writes the poison letters.

What?

Mrs. scaife, I'm surprised at you.

Well you needn't be.

You haven't had one of them nasty, dirty lines scrawled

that turns your stomach sick when you read it.

And makes you afraid to look your neighbours in the face.

I have.

My husband got one.

He hit me.

There.

I got one.

Just to say your house was dirty.

That's nothing, your old man's used to that.

Well I...

Look at poor sucal, look at what they done to her.

No, no, don't I...

Why blame it onto Connie?

It's plain enough to anyone with eyes,

sewing that she does for well nigh

everybody in the village, getting into all our houses.

That's right, she does, too.

I've seen the way she sits, stitching,

never saying nothing.

That's so she won't miss nothing.

Have you ever noticed how she never breaths a word

about anybody, not an honest bit of scandal,

month in and month out.

That's her cunning.

Ah, she's cunning.

But we can be, too, can't we?

What did I tell you?

We'll catch her red-handed.

Quick, let's get the others.

We'll show Connie fakeley.

They be certain it's Connie, miss.

But that's absurd.

Not the way they tell it.

Oh stop her, miss, stop her.

Now listen, sucal, I don't for one moment

believe Connie's at the bottom of this,

but I'll speak to the vicar.

In the meantime, you must make Sam

see how foolish his suspicions of you are.

He won't listen to me, miss.

He will.

You must tell him about the baby.

You should have done so before.

He's been so terrible, miss, I couldn't.

We must try and get him some work.

He's got nothing to occupy his mind

so he just sits and broods.

You be right there, miss.

And the more frightened he sees you are,

the more he'll think you've something to be frightened of.

It's worth a fight, isn't it?

Oh yes, miss.

It's up to you, then.

And if any more letters come,

tell him not to read them, but burn them.

You and Sam should be the happiest pair in the village.

You were, you know.

We were that, miss.

And will be again.

Good night, sucal.

- Good night. - And I'll the vicar.

There's too much trouble caused

by this stupid village gossip,

and he'll put a stop to this Connie fateley business.

God bless him, miss Mary.

I suppose she is coming.

This is the one she uses.

My Alice has watched her.

It's nearest to her house.

She can sneak here without being seen.

Shh.

Mother, mother, she's gone to the high street box!

The cunning little sneak.

Quickly, and just do it.

What I say is the police did ought to be told.

If Connie fateley's been writing them lies,

she should be put behind bars.

I'm hoping they is lies, Albert.

There you are, 15 years we been happily married,

well married anyway,

and now you go believing lies writ by someone anomalous.

I don't believe nothing I don't see with my own eyes.

That don't say I shan't be watching.

What, me carrying on with me own barmaid?

Why, she's got a face like a horse.

Oh, have 1?

Well let me tell you, Albert suggs,

looks ain't everything to some people.

That's something he ought to be grateful for.

Ah, what I say is, there's no smoke without fire.

Good night, Josh.

- Night, John. - Good night.

Got you to fix this road.

Wonder if we're in time.

What's all this, a mother's meeting?

Bit early aren't you, Mr. price?

Am I?

Let's have a look.

Aye, wants a minute yet.

Maybe someone'll along wanting to catch the post.

Well I ain't stopping 'em.

Good evening.

Let me go!

Here, here, here, what are you doing?

It's them letters.

We want to see them.

But it's only one to me uncle.

That's what she said.

There, open that box, Mr. price.

Who's giving me orders?

Time for collection, Josh price.

But it's to me uncle, I tell you.

Me uncle in Cardiff.

Was to my uncle, I tell you.

My uncle in Cardiff, asking him

to take me away from here, that's all.

What's up, going on?

She wrote the poison letters.

She did?

No, it's not true!

You're lying.

No, you'll find it on the top.

David Evans, it's addressed to.

You'll see!

Aye, we'll see.

It or them'll be on top, Mr. price.

There'll be several of 'em on top.

Come on, Josh, let's see.

Now we can see now.

Mr. David Evans, she be right.

Wait a minute.

Oh, it's them.

It's the writing.

But it's not my writing.

I never put them in that box, I never did!

Who did then, us?

We know what to do with her, duck her.

Stop that, stop it at once!

Run, get my husband.

Yes, Mrs. gryphon.

You ought to be ashamed of yourselves.

It's all very well for you.

You haven't been written to.

Who's to say she won't?

Listen, listen!

They've caught Connie fateley at the pillar box,

posting some of the them letters.

What's that?

Mr. gryphon, your missus says come and help her,

they'll murder her!

Help her, why?

Come on, what are we waiting?

Put her in the pond over there.

No, no.

Hurry.

Hey, that's enough of that!

Kill her!

That's enough of that!

You call yourselves men and women?

Why you're nothing but a pack of wolves!

Go on, get home.

Oh leave the girl alone.

She hasn't done any harm.

She wrote those letters.

Show him, Josh price, show him!

We don't wanna see the dirty things.

Josh price, what are you gonna do with them letters?

They be the property of the person

or persons to who they be addressed.

Regulations.

But you're not going to deliver them?

What?

Yes, you'll get yours in the morning.

But what you want the vicar to do?

He must do something.

And as a justice of the peace,

as well as the church warden,

I've got to see that he does.

Yes, dear.

This anonymous letter business is spreading like a plague.

It's contagious, everybody's getting 'em.

I haven't had one yet.

Well I have.

You may be interested to know

that I'm accused of having amatorial relations

with my own gardener's daughter.

Really, darling, which one?

I'm not saying it's true, mind you,

but I've heard some funny tales about him.

The colonel?

What?

Him and his gardener's daughter.

Military gentlemen is partial to them sort,

like 'em blonde and bouncy.

Look.

Connie fateley.

Please, please.

So last night wasn't enough for you, little jezebel.

Do you realise that next Sunday

David will actually be here.

This is my last Sunday alone.

Alone?

Oh, you know what I mean, darling.

Look at those vicious harpies.

They're going to hear something from me

they'll never hear in church.

I didn't.

Wait till we get you away from here after the service.

You'll... - Mrs. scaife.

Miss Reynolds and the rest of you,

you're a lot of nasty, narrow,

psalm-singing once a week christians.

No one has a right to call me...

Everyone has a right to call you exactly what you are!

When you maliciously attack a harmless girl

with no more justification

than you would have in attacking me.

Aunt Mary, why not let father do...

Because they're my own sex and I know them.

It's common knowledge that...

Common knowledge!

Common gossip and idle talk.

Come along, Connie, we're going to church.

I'm in agreement

with every word you say, colonel.

I intend speaking to them about it during the sermon.

Do, do and don't mince matters.

We better go in, dear.

Come along, Peter.

No, I'll hang around for Ann.

We'll see you at lunch.

Yes, yes, of course.

Wait here.

John, you really must assert yourself

about Connie fateley.

Those women are driving the poor little soul insane.

I've just given them a good piece of my mind.

Mary, my dear.

Just a minute, badham, please.

Oh, very good, sir.

I've already determined to speak to them.

I'm taking thou shalt not bear false witness as my text.

Love thy neighbour as thyself.

Couldn't you find something a little stronger, John?

They deserve it.

It's lucky for them you're not allowed to preach, Mary.

It's a great pity, John.

Where's Connie now?

Well she's out there.

You speak to her, I'll leave you.

Come in, Connie.

What's this?

It's an altar cloth I've worked for you.

Oh, thank you, my dear.

With all the sewing you have to do,

it's nice of you to find time

to do something for the church.

Thank you.

Now, you come along inside.

Mr. rider, I can't go in.

Wherever I go, they're waiting for me.

I hardly dare go out. - Connie.

I never wrote them, I swear it.

How can I prove it?

Time will prove it.

And how long is that going to be?

What can I do, what can I do?

Yes?

Sam hurrin wants to see you terrible bad, sir.

I'll see him after service.

I told him to wait, sir,

but he looks that there turbulent,

just as if he'd seen the old shocker himself.

Well very well.

Now you go quietly into church, the service will help you.

How can it help when all the time

I'll be thinking afterwards, afterwards!

Afterwards you'll walk home with my sister and me.

She's coming in.

She's coming in.

She's about to come in.

- Well, Sam? - Morning, sir.

Well, what is it?

Here.

Look ye here, sir.

Is it another of those letters?

Ah it be that.

When did you get it?

Last night, last post.

Just as my missus made me believe there was nothing

in all this talk about her and that...

Why did you open it?

Why, about her and that...

At whom?

That's what I didn't know.

But now, you read that.

Len gryphon.

Sam, you shouldn't take any notice.

Well that been so easy.

But don't you see you're playing to the writer hands

by believing these lies?

You shouldn't read them, you should burn them.

And leave her to make a fool of me behind my back.

Don't be so ridiculous.

Len Griffin's a decent, honest tradesman.

He's old enough to be sucal's father.

Yeah, well that bear no hindrance,

not to them so minded.

I'm afraid you're a very stupid fellow, Sam.

Badham.

Ask Mr. gryphon to come here, will you?

Yes, sir.

You better hold the two minute bell until I tell you.

Very good, sir.

Oh, and badham, ask Mr. price

to play a voluntary until I'm ready.

I am going to teach you not to slander people.

"Tis len gryphon, sir.

In you go, but don't be keeping him.

Gryphon, I've asked you here to tell you

that one of those horrible letters

has been received accusing you

of paying attentions to sucal hurrin.

Me, sir?

Me and sucal?

Why the thing's laughable, sir.

She'd soon jump in the pond as look at me.

I've been a bit spry in me time, sir,

but not with married 'uns.

Sucal hurrin.

Why Sam would kill a bloke for looking at her.

Thank you, gryphon.

I'm glad to hear from your own lips

what I already knew to be true.

Me and sucal, , that's a good 'un, sir.

Gryphon, I want you to forget this little interview.

Oh, yes, sir.

By the way, take this with you.

I'd like you to act as extra sidesman for me this morning.

Oh, thank you, sir.

Mrs. gryphon will be proper tickled

when she sees me with this, sir.

Well, Sam?

It do appear to be a mistake, sir.

A mistake in some poor creature's disordered mind.

I'd like to lay my hands on 'em, just once though.

And then you'd be in trouble.

Now Sam, go back to sucal and let your wife see

that you believe in her as you always did.

I will that and I be proper glad I came, sir.

Thank you.

Sir, it's getting very late, sir.

All right, badham, I'm coming.

Who be ringing that bell?

Connie.

Sir, it's Connie fateley,

she's hanged herself in the belfry.

Call Dr. Sloan quickly.

Connie.

Connie!

No.

There be nothing we can do, sir.

All right, vicar.

Will you please all be seated.

Before we humble ourselves

in the presence of god's everlasting pity,

I have to tell you some tragic news.

In this church, our sister, Connie fateley

has just taken her life,

driven to despair by evil and scandalous tongues.

I pray that those whose consciences convict them

will repent and ask god's pardon for this dreadful crime.

As your parish priest it is my duty

to hold you responsible for the death

of this innocent soul,

and as for a penance for her death,

I beg you to stamp out this evil,

resolving neither to speak scandal, nor listen to it.

When the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness

which he hath committed and doeth that

which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.

Let us pray.

Almighty and most merciful father.

Almighty and most merciful father.

We have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep.

It's horrible the way the newspapers

have taken it up.

If this goes on the whole place

will be in the news with reporters on everybody's step.

How do you mean, if this goes on?

Surely after poor Connie's death,

whoever it is...

I'm afraid whoever it is,

is probably gloating over the sensation they've caused.

But there have been no more letters.

It wasn't Connie, of that I'm certain.

Mary, there's someone amongst us

with the cunning of a fiend.

Oh, do come on, aunt Mary.

There's plenty of time, dear.

But suppose the car broke down,

what would David think if we weren't there to meet him?

Ann dear, the car won't break down

and we will be there in time.

Got David's old room ready?

Of course.

- Goodbye, daddy. - Goodbye, dear.

Here it is.

You see, we nearly did miss it.

Well, I hope David didn't.

David.

Oh, you haven't changed a bit.

Let me look at you.

You have.

Oh David.

You're prettier.

Let me help you.

Is your father happy about us?

Of course.

And Mary?

Everybody.

Why David.

Hello.

Welcome home.

Thanks.

- Do you want a Porter? - Oh no, I can manage.

Well we've got the car outside.

Hello, David.

Good morning.

Oh good morning, Ann.

What a lovely day.

Should we go for a ride before breakfast?

Yes, I'd love to.

Well then, hurry up and get dressed.

All right, darling.

Your tea, Mr. David.

Oh yes, come in, harboard.

Thanks.

It's a lovely morning, isn't it?

Going to be rain soon.

Uh-huh.

Yes, by this morning's post.

Yes, my dear cashelton, like everyone else, I opened it.

Mm-hmm.

Oh, entirely about my scandalous conduct

of parochial affairs.

Yes, I quite agree.

It'll mean a lot more publicity,

calling in the police, but we've got to do it now

that the letters have started again,

if only in justice to poor Connie fateley.

All right.

Get onto them right away.

Thank you, goodbye.

Morning, sir.

Morning, David.

Well, nothing wrong, I hope.

I'm afraid there is.

I didn't tell you before.

I hoped it was all over, but this village of ours

is well, there's someone sending anonymous letters and I...

So that's what it is.

I got one myself this morning.

Now where did I put it?

Anyway it was full of the most advanced language,

very naughty indeed.

All about Ann's goings-on with Peter cashelton.

Oh here it is.

I thought it was some kind of a practical joke.

I only wish it were, David,

but it's becoming a tragedy.

There's already been a suicide in the village.

But surely nobody pays any attention

to illiterate scrawils like this?

Unfortunately, they do.

Mud has a nasty habit of sticking.

May I have that letter?

What's the idea behind it all, it seems so senseless?

Inhibitions and repressions,

two words which cover a multitude of sins.

A sort of advanced form

of drawing on walls, I suppose?

Something like that.

Morning, John.

Morning, David, sleep well?

Yes, thanks.

Mary, they started again.

David and I both had one this morning.

David's is about Ann and Peter.

Cashelton's getting on to the police.

I think that's wise.

You see, David, the devilish part of these letters

is the knowledge behind them.

There's nearly always a grain of truth

in whatever is written.

So people swallow the whole story.

You're not suggesting there's any

in what I got this morning, are you?

Don't you see what I mean,

Peter has been here a great deal.

That's only natural, Ann's a very attractive girl.

Yes, of course.

He's very fond of her, no doubt,

as well as we all are, but...

David.

Come on, me and the horses are fed up

with waiting for you.

- Sorry, dear. - Don't be late

for breakfast.

No fear.

Oh that was fun.

Happy?

We ought to go back now, darling.

All right.

Hello!

It's Peter.

Hello there.

Hello, David. Nice to see you, Peter.

Returned from the backwoods to claim your bride, eh?

That's right.

I thought you'd ditch me this morning, Ann.

Well I do...

Oh come on, Ann, I'm hungry.

I'll be dropping in to the vicarage

sometime tomorrow to say goodbye.

Well come now, Peter, and have some breakfast.

Thank you very much, I will.

Come on, acorn.

Come on.

Here she is, miss.

Well, Mrs. kemp?

Oh, miss rider, miss, I do hope

you'll not think I'm making a nuisance of myself,

but I'm that worried.

Why, what is it?

Well, it's kind of awkward, miss,

I, that is to say, I am...

Yes, go on.

It's Mr. kemp, miss.

He's always been a good husband to me,

I mean to say, well, you know, miss,

but lately he's been somewhat different, you know, miss.

I don't think I quite understand.

Well, miss, he's started sleeping

down the other end of the bed.

Well, I think that's very easily remedied.

Why don't you sew a cable stitch across the foot

right through to the mattress?

Cut it when you want to change the sheets,

and sew it up again.

That'd be worser, miss.

Like as not, Bert'd go and sleep on the floor.

Oh yes, of course.

I think I'd better ask the vicar

to have a talk to master Bert.

Oh no, miss, he'd only have it out on me.

Well, I don't see...

Was that all you wanted to say?

No, miss, it ain't.

I'm that worried, I am.

The police is after him.

The police?

Oh, he ain't done nothing wrong, miss.

It's about these here letters.

Not those dreadful poison things?

They was up at the house tea time.

But what would they want with your husband?

What possibly?

They asked him, he'd just got back to his tea,

they says what's in them letters

that you've been posting lately, they says,

and my Bert says, what letters?

And I could see he was took off his feet like.

And they says, it's no use you saying

you haven't posted none, you been seen.

Who was that one to, you posted on your way

to work this morning?

Oh come, don't cry.

Oh, miss rider.

Tell me what happened.

My Bert's been going with another woman.

Oh my dear girl, how do you know?

He had to tell 'em, it all came out.

Whatever shall I do, whatever shall I do?

There, there, now, who is the creature?

Her name's Ella, she's dairying at Mrs. tregowan's

over at mapledene.

Mrs. tregowan, well that's all right.

I can easily get her to have the little hussy moved.

Oh, thank you, miss rider.

That's all right, I'll help you all I can.

Is that all the police wanted to know?

Seems they're watching people and questioning them.

But what with one thing and another,

I was took so bad I didn't hardly know

what was going on.

Oh, miss rider, I'd be terribly a feared

I'll be put in the same fix as poor sucal hurrin.

Why, what do you mean?

Her Sam's getting more and more letters

about her and gryphon and now he says

he won't have anything more to do with her.

So it seems you've been doing a bit

of letter writing to, kemp.

Well.

Have you seen that black-haired bit

over at mapledene lately, hey, Bert?

Give us a pint.

Haven't seen much of you lately, Sam.

What were you all laughing at when I come in?

And what made it stop so sudden?

We was talking about Bert kemp's fancy bit

over at mapledene.

Len gryphon does say it be the talk of the place.

Len gryphon has no cause to talk.

What do you know about len gryphon?

Nothing, Sam.

Come on, out with it.

Why don't he say what be common talk?

Been it said that len gryphon be carrying on

with my missus, well been it said so?

No, Sam, no!

Now, Sam, there's no need behavin' like that.

Go on, fill 'er up!

But Ann.

I can't leave at a moment's notice.

You must be reasonable, you must understand.

But you promised me we'd marry

as soon as I returned.

Yes, and I meant it.

I still do, only you see how things are here.

Well that's why I want you to leave now.

No, David, aunt Mary and father need me.

But if we were married you'd have to leave.

But we're not.

And I do think we ought to wait.

I suppose there isn't any other reason?

Any other reason?

What do you mean?

I suppose you do feel the same as you did?

You know I do, how can you ask?

Because I simply can not understand

why you insist on both remaining here

and not getting married.

Is it something else?

Do you mean Peter?

Is that what you're getting at?

I never even mentioned his name.

Then it is Peter.

That's what you're trying to say.

Well, I'm not the only one.

You mean you've heard things?

It's not a matter of hearing things.

I'm asking you why you insist on remaining here

when it's so simple to leave this dreadful place

and go to London.

David, you're keeping something from me.

They've been writing to you too.

You've had a letter.

Have you?

You have.

All right then, I have.

So this is how you trust me.

Why didn't you tell me?

Well, I thought nothing of it.

You thought nothing of it?

You soaked it up like blotting paper!

Hello, you two.

Anything wrong?

No, nothing.

David's been trying to persuade me to walk out

on you and father and I've refused, that's all.

I must say we should feel it very badly just now, David.

I quite understand how you feel,

but you must see how we feel it too.

Is everything arranged for the dinner tonight?

Heavens, what an evening it's going to be.

The Scotland yard people are coming,

the inspector and that funny little handwriting expert,

and the casheltons, of course.

You'll be amused, David.

Well, I'm afraid I must ask you to excuse me.

You see, I've got some rather important papers

to go through, which can't wait.

I'll get some food down in the village.

Why, of course, if you're busy,

I'll make your excuses to the vicar.

Oh, by the way, aunt Mary, you might explain

the casheltons does not include Peter.

Really good intelligence.

I hadn't thought of that.

That's a very good idea.

Oh, thank you.

Daddy.

Thank you, darling.

But give me a good honest murder any day.

I thought the police were suppose

to have no imagination.

Don't you believe it, ma'am.

A policeman's affected by whatever job he's on

like any other artist.

How do you think I felt last night

watching the pillar box up on high Tor.

In all that rain?

Soaked to the underpants.

Oh, I beg your pardon, miss, I'm so sorry I...

That's all right, inspector,

I know what underpants are.

Why watch a pillar box in such an exposed position?

Just the sort of box the women'd use.

Why do you say the women?

That's where I come in.

Handwriting.

We've established the fact that it is a woman.

Well, I'm glad something's being discovered.

I'd say she was fortyish, well educated,

unhappily married or a widow.

I'd be interested to know

how you arrived at these conclusions.

Age, on account of the character of the handwriting,

although she sometimes writes left-handed.

Yes, but the characteristics are always there.

That's something nobody ever loses.

A dot over the I, a cross onthe t,

it's like a criminal his name tattooed on his forehead.

And the unhappily married?

Because of the things, well, shall I say

the subject matter of the letters.

Will all that help you to catch her?

This isn't my first experience of anonymous letters.

Sometimes they drop it

when they get to know the police are interested,

but when it gets to be a mania, as it has in this case,

the person invariably ends up in a prison or the asylum.

Yes, yes, quite.

You see, people of this type

imagining themselves immune from disaster,

a state of thought that breeds carelessness,

a tendency to overlook details.

And the woman in this case is no exception.

In what way?

The poor creature goes to extraordinary lengths

to disguise her handwriting, change her note paper,

but she always use the same type of nib,

dates her letters with Roman numerals,

uses a foreign way of writing figure.

For example, she always makes a cross seven.

And so, sooner or later, we shall get her.

I can't understand what pleasure

she gets out of it, she must know perfectly well

she'll get a crushing sentence when we catch her

and we shall.

I'd give her life, with Connie fateley's photograph

hung up on all four walls of her cell.

I must see the vicar and miss rider, where are they?

They got company.

Oh, but I must.

Oh, but you mustn't go in there.

Miss rider and Mr. rider, oh please help me, do something.

What's wrong?

It's Sam hurrin, he's out to murder my len.

- Murder? - What's happened?

He's just left the lion, mad drunk,

swears he'll get his gun and kill len.

Oh, Mr. rider.

You're late, Sam.

What are you doing?

Give me the gun, give it to me!

No, Sam, no!

Think, we've a baby coming.

And whose baby be it?

Sam.

I know he meant it, I know he did.

Here, what's all this about Sam hurrin, eh?

Fred, don't let him get me,

I haven't done nothing, he's mad,

and he'll kill me and I haven't done nothing.

Well, don't take on, he won't do nothing now I'm by.

Why Sam'll be home sleeping it off by this time.

He'd had enough, all right.

Fair staggering he was.

Let me take you home, len.

There's nothing to worry about.

That be good advice, len.

He won't come here no more.

You got nothing to worry about, len.

Len gryphon.

Len!

Len!

Speak to me, len.

Len, speak to me.

Don't leave me, my dear, don't leave me.

I didn't do anything wrong, Meg.

No.

Still alone?

Yes, nobody back yet.

You've been quick.

Yes, I only took Mrs. Cashelton to her door.

She wanted me to stop but I said

I must get back to you.

That was nice of you, Ann.

Just you and I together, as we've always been.

Why isn't father back?

Do you think something has happened?

How awful if Mrs. gryphon were right.

Just an hysterical woman.

I do hope John took his coat.

Just think, only a little while ago

this village was so happy.

People's only concern their little everyday worries,

and simple problems, and now all this.

When I think of the hell that woman must live in

with the weight of that bell rope plumbing her conscience.

God, I could almost pity her.

How do you know she needs pity?

Perhaps she's a different sort of woman,

strong minded, ruthless, even a little mad.

Instead of thinking of pity

perhaps she's rejoicing in her own secret way.

And those letters may be the beginning

of something worse for someone,

some one person that she hates or loves.

It's father.

Daddy.

We were too late.

Is gryphon?

I'm afraid there's very little hope.

And Sam hurrin?

Arrested.

Where are you going?

To see what I can do for those poor women.

Father.

This afternoon David asked me to go away,

to leave this place, but I refused.

I think I was wrong.

Perhaps you were, Ann.

Perhaps that would be for the best.

David.

Forgive me.

Take me away.

Oh, take me away.

I pray that something may be done

to remove this scourge from our village.

These post boxes are to be watched night and day.

Anyone posting a letter in any of these boxes

is to be listed and their letters checked up on.

Quite clear?

Quite clear.

Good, that's all.

Just a formality, colonel.

Of course.

Now let me see, I did post some letters,

two, I think, ah yes, two.

And the addresses?

The club, one, and Hendrick stuyvant,

bulb merchant, the other.

Right, thank you.

And you, Mrs. cashelton?

Me?

Oh no, inspector, none.

I think you're mistaken.

There's still one letter to be accounted for

from the manor box.

But I wrote none, so it wasn't mine.

Now, ma'am, you were seen to visit the box.

Caught you out, have they?

Maybe you posted a letter for somebody else.

Oh yes, yes, of course, how silly of me.

Miss rider asked me to post one for her.

I see.

Mr. James ponder, 7 Belgrade square, London?

I'm afraid I didn't look at the address.

Thank you, Mrs. cashelton.

I must apologise for troubling you,

but we have got to check up on everyone.

So you started on us.

You never can tell, you know.

Our next call is the vicarage.

Thank you, colonel.

Goodbye.

Goodbye, Mrs. cashelton.

Thank you so much for all your help.

Not at all.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

Goodbye, daddy.

Goodbye, darling.

Write as soon as you arrive.

Your aunt knows what train you're getting?

Yes, sir, she'll be at the station to meet us.

I'll take good care of her, sir.

Try and make aunt Mary understand why we're going, daddy.

Don't worry, dear, she's a bit upset now,

but she'll be at the wedding all right.

Goodbye, daddy, darling.

Goodbye, sir.

Bye children.

They've gone?

Yes.

Two rather unhappy people, I'm afraid.

I do think you might have seen them off.

It was very inconsiderate of David.

He knows how fond I am of Ann and,

to whisk her off like that.

Well, I hope you'll change your mind

about going to the wedding anyway.

Hello?

What's that?

Oh, yes.

It's for me, it's Mrs. cashelton.

Yes.

Yes.

The inspector had a list,

and that little handwriting creature was with him.

Look here, Mary, I know it'll sound rather terrible to you,

but I'm in an awful hole.

Yes.

Yes, it's about a man, a man I knew rather well years ago.

I met him again in town some months back.

Uh-huh.

You see, and since then we've been corresponding.

His name is on the inspector's list.

Oh Mary, I didn't dare own to it

in front of my husband and so I said that...

Yes?

No, of course, I don't mind.

I better take the address.

Yes.

7 belgrave square.

Yes, I've got it.

Yes.

No, of course, I won't.

Goodbye, dear.

Oh harboard, I think we must expect a call

from the police this evening.

There now, and they'll stay to supper,

I'll be bound. - No, no, no.

It'll be a purely official visit.

They'll probably ask questions.

Ask questions, miss, what about?

Posting letters.

Now, those I gave you to post, who were they to?

I don't know, miss, I never looked.

Now, harboard, think.

But I didn't think to look, miss.

Come, harboard, you're not blind.

You must remember the one to Australia?

1, I, yes, miss.

And one to Nottingham and one to Norwich?

One to Australia, one to Nottingham and...

And one to Norwich.

Australia, Nottingham, and Norwich.

That's right.

Oh, I'm that glad

you told me, miss.

I'd looked a proper thickhead standing there

and not remembering.

That sounds like them now.

- Shall I go? - I don't intend

to see them, harboard.

I simply will not be bothered with their nonsense.

- I see, miss. - Tell them I'm out.

Oh harboard, say I've gone over to mapledene

about the charity fete and that I may stop the night.

I'll tell 'em, miss, and I'll tell 'em

to be off with their silly bother.

No, harboard, don't be rude whatever you do.

No, miss.

Mr. rider, please.

He's in the church, choir practise.

Go and tell Mr. rider, with my compliments,

I'd like to see him at once.

But I mustn't do that.

I'm sorry, I'm afraid I must insist.

Oh, yes, sir.

Come this way.

Will you wait in here, sir?

Thank you.

Lovely old room, this.

A real collector's piece.

Look at that writing desk.

No, you have a look.

Worth something this is.

A beautiful piece of carving.

Colclough, come here!

I've seen her writing desk before.

Come her, man.

What you make of that?

Looks like a capital f.

Now what do you make of it?

A crossed seven.

Wait a minute.

Not the same nib, though.

They're all new.

They've been changed recently.

Look here.

Good evening, inspector.

Mr. rees.

Good evening, sir.

This is an unexpected pleasure.

May I offer you some refreshments?

No, thank you, sir, I'm afraid we are here on business.

Oh, well then, won't you sit down?

Thank you.

Let me see now, one to my insurance company.

That's right there.

The lord bishop.

And my solicitor.

Mr. glenister, Lincoln's infield.

And one other, sir.

Uh, oh yes, yes, of course, my brother.

Thank you.

And now may I see miss rider?

Why, certainly, inspector.

Lovely room you got here, sir.

I'm a great admirer of jacobean stuff myself.

Nice old desk there too.

Harboard, ask miss Mary to come in, will you?

Miss Mary ain't at home, sir.

Where is she then?

Gone over to mapledene about the charity fete.

She said nothing to me about...

My sister's on the committee.

I'm afraid you'll have to call again.

If he wants to know about miss Mary's letters, sir,

I can tell him.

How did you know that we...

Go on, then, tell the inspector.

Australia, Nottingham, and Norwich.

You seem to have got that off pretty pat.

All right, harboard, that'll do nicely.

Satisfied, inspector?

There were letters to Australia and Nottingham,

but none to Norwich, sir.

Poor harboard's getting old.

You'll have to come back tomorrow.

Very good, sir.

I'll be here at nine o'clock.

Do come to breakfast.

Oh by the way, sir, I wonder if I could have

a specimen of your sister's handwriting?

My sister's handwriting, what on earth for?

Just routine, sir.

Oh, I see.

Well, I don't know if there's any

of her writing about, perhaps tomorrow.

I think this belongs to your sister.

May I have it?

I'm afraid you can't, inspector.

That's my sister's housekeeping book.

It's in continual use.

Nevertheless, I should like to have it, sir,

if you please.

I can't allow you to have it.

I'm sorry, inspector.

You must get my sister's permission.

Very well, sir.

That'll be all for the present.

Good night.

See you tomorrow morning, sir.

Yes.

- Good night, sir. - Night.

You rang me, sir?

Harboard, when did miss Mary go out?

Miss Mary told me to...

When did miss Mary go out?

She didn't go out, sir.

Didn't?

Were you told to say that she was out?

Yes, sir.

Ask miss Mary to come to me, please.

You want me, John?

Well?

Why didn't you see inspector colclough?

I don't like him.

And why should he poke his nose into my affairs?

But Mary, they're doing it to everyone,

they're checking up on all letters.

I told harboard to tell them-

- yes, yes, I know.

Whom do you know in Norwich, Mary?

Perhaps the police know, they're so clever.

Where's your housekeeping book?

It was on this desk.

I've no idea.

But he put it here, I saw it myself.

What have you done with it?

I burnt it.

Burnt?

But why?

It was full.

It wasn't half full.

Mary, I implore you.

You frighten me.

Tell me what was in that letter to Norwich

and who it was you wrote it to.

No.

Mary, what's happened to you?

You've never been like this before.

I don't understand you.

No.

You don't understand.

None of you do.

You're all so silly.

Mary, what is it?

All my life I've lived with you in this village.

I've been a good sister to you,

helped you, haven't I, John?

Yes, you have, indeed.

So helpful, so patient,

watching over other people, helping them to live.

So much in the background always

that they hardly notice me.

Every house in this village,

I know every backyard even.

And I help the women and look after their children,

year after year, year after year,

but they're never mine.

They're never mine!

They grow up and I've lost them.

I don't master them any more.

I never really did because they were never mine!

I've nothing to care for.

I've never had a child of my own

to love and look after.

Never.

Never will have.

Always this aching emptiness.

Emptiness.

Mary, my poor dear, I never thought that...

Great god.

Stop dragging in your god, god this and god that,

I'm sick of it, sick.

Spending my life taking slops to senile old fools.

Dropping piles, driven to dotage,

year in, year out in this purgatory.

Making other people messy little lives worth living.

Yes, I wrote the letters, I wrote them.

But why did you do that, why?

Because of Ann.

Ann was all I had.

I couldn't give her up, could 17?

You must see how I couldn't give her up.

She was my child.

I thought and thought how I could keep her.

I thought all day and all night sometimes.

At last, it came to me.

The letters.

Ah, but I was clever.

You'd have suspected if I'd only written to Ann.

And then I knew so much, so much about the others.

And then that lovely feeling of power.

I wasn't in the background any longer,

though they didn't know it.

I was ordering and disordering their lives, just as I liked.

And so I wrote more, and more, and more.

Connie fakeley.

And then gryphon.

You murdered them.

Murdered them?

Me?

No.

No!

Don't look at me like that.

I've not murdered anyone, I tell you.

Leave me alone.

Leave me alone!

Mary.

Oh Mr. rider, sir, they're waiting

for you for evensong.

All right.

I'll be over in a minute.

Yes, sir.

I'll tell them.

I thought I heard the bells, sir.

Yes, I answered it myself.

You're late for service, ain't you, sir?

Harboard, see that miss Mary doesn't go out

before I come back.

Yes, sir, I will.

And on that evidence, sir,

I ask for a warrant for her arrest.

Inspector, this is ghastly.

Couldn't some other jp sign the warrant?

I'm their friend.

Sorry, sir, I'm afraid not.

J lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace j

j according to thy word j

j for mine eyes have seen thy salvation j

j which thou has prepared j

j before the face of all people j

don't tell anyone, I tell you.

No.

Leave me alone.

Leave me alone.

I'll go away from here.

I didn't write her a letter.

It was those women.

It was those women.

God sit with me.

Father.

No.

Leave me alone.

Leave me alone.

Leave me alone!

Leave me alone!

Miss Mary rider.

She's in her room, sir.

Where's her room?

Oh, I can't tell you.

I have a warrant for her arrest.

Open this door!

Open in the name of the law!

J amen j

Unto god's gracious mercy

and protection we commit you.

The lord bless you and keep you.

The lord make his face to shine upon you

and be gracious unto you.

The lord lift up the light of his countenance

upon you and give you peace.

Now and forevermore.

J amen j

j amen j