An Old Fashioned Christmas (2010) - full transcript

[Indistinct chatter]

woman: my dear gad,

as lord byron wrote,

"there is no instinct
like that of the heart."

My heart brims with joy
over our arrival in dublin,

where instinct tells me

this is going to be
a christmas like no other.

My grandmother is introducing me
to the earl of shannon,

ireland's poet laureate,

part of her grand plan
to make me a published author.

I have my own reasons
for being here,



and i can't tell her
as you well know.

Secrets are human nature,

and i sequester mine
to our cherished letters.

To quote lord byron,

"if i don't write to empty
my mind, i go mad."

Here we are.

Shannon castle.

Aah! Ha ha!

Decorum, tilly.
Decorum.

But it's so beautiful.

The earl of shannon.
My goodness.

It's like meeting lord byron.

It's been years
since the earl and i

waltzed around
the ballroom.



He had quite
the crush on me.

He was so handsome
and a flirt.

Then there's his wife.

So what did the earl say when you asked him to be my mentor?

Tilly, there
are some questions

that are better
asked in person.

No servants?

My, this is odd.

Should we...
well, knock?

I'm not sure.

I've never had to knock
at a castle door.

Driver, do you know--

driver?

Maybe you should knock harder.

Are you the americans?

Yes. And you are?

Cameron shannon.

The one and only.
Ah! The earl's son.

And if i only bothered to try,
i could be just as brilliant.

Ah, but laziness
is a heavy burden.

Indeed.

I am isabella caldwell.

And this is my granddaughter
mathilda bassett.

Tilly. Nice to meet you.

Is it? You don't even
know me.

Ha ha!

Ah, there it is--

the unapologetic
yankee laugh.

It brings to mind
the, um...

foghorn.

What is it
about the new world

that makes you all so strangely naive and innocent?

Hope and faith.

The opposite of what makes people like you in the old world

so cynical and useless.

Ahh! Now, there's a tone
that could clip a hedge.

It must come in useful for someone who married for money.

Just how much liquor has brought you to this sorry state?

A mere thimbleful.

It's the first drop
that destroys,

but there's no harm at all
in the last.

Are there no servants
to collect our bags?

[Laughs]

isabella!

Lady shannon.

It's ann, please.

And this must be
mathilda. Yes.

Oh, yes.

As pretty
as i had imagined,

and such a lovely dress.

Velvet.

Yes. From paris.
Thank you.

It's an honor to meet you,
lady shannon.

Oh, so sorry
about the servants.

It's the christmas
holiday.

Christmas is in 8 days.

Come in. Come in.
The chill.

My son cameron will
take care of your bags.

Such a dear that one.

I'm so glad you're here.

Nothing better than sharing christmas with friends and family.

I thought we could do
the decorating together.

Is this the earl of shannon?

Indeed.

He's in the study.

Shall we?

Darling,
it's isabella caldwell

and her lovely granddaughter.

Oh, won't she make someone
a wonderful wife?

He had a stroke.

He can't walk.

He doesn't talk much.
It's too tiring for him.

It happened a year ago.

I--i'm sorry.

Hello, isabella.

I am so glad
to see you again.

My granddaughter
is also a writer.

A brilliant one,
i might add.

Hi. I'm tilly.

I love your poetry.

I think it's odd
that lady shannon

never mentioned his stroke in her letters.

Will he ever get better?

Well, who knows?
It's sad.

Such a great man.

Then there's his son.
Oh, my.

Takes after his mother,
clearly.

But he's rather
handsome, though.

Please.
He looks like a toad.

[Laughs]

it's cold.
Don't you feel cold?

Castles are rather chilly.

Shouldn't someone
light a fire?

I think i know
why lady shannon

was so eager
to have us come here.

When do you think they'll
figure out we're flat broke?

You keep quiet
about that.

Try to be charming.
And sober.

No one wants a drunkard
for a husband.

But i don't want
to marry.

This isn't about
what you want.

Be responsible.
You can't be the playboy forever.

Soon enough, you'll be
the earl of shannon,

and if we do this right,
we'll be giving that homely girl

the title of lady shannon.

Only in exchange
for her grandmother's money.

It's rather cynical,
isn't it?

It is what it is.

Play your part.

It shouldn't be
too difficult.

You know how
to make a girl swoon.

Am i disturbing you?

"Thy light from my soul,

"thy love from my heart...

[continues indistinct]

"with the high king of heaven

"after victory won,

"may i reach heaven's joys,

"o bright heaven's sun.

"Heart of my own heart,

"whatever befall,

still be my vision,
o ruler of all."

It's beautiful.

You inspire me.

You, shakespeare,

and lord byron.

Such esteemed company.

My grandmother has
all these plans.

But i want you to know
that for me,

just meeting you
is an honor.

Ahem.

Oh. You.

Oh, a true society woman would shield her disappointment.

I can't imagine you associate much with such women.

Ouch!

A poison-tipped arrow.

But, it's true.
I do prefer

barmaids and
chambermaids.

And as for you,

why, my mother says
you're homely.

Oh, but don't fret.
There is hope.

An awkward colt

can sometimes become
a beautiful horse.

In america,
i'd be giving his backside a good kick right now.

[Chuckling]

i'd like to propose
a toast.

To isabella and mathilda.

It's tilly, please.

Tilly. Welcome to our family.

What a joyous christmas
this will be.

[Glasses clink]

you know, earlier this year,

the u.s. government made
christmas a federal holiday.

Regulating christmas?

Cameron:
that's so american.

So, tell us, what's
an american christmas like?

Full of gaudy tinsel
and senseless gifts?

No. Well, not in our house.

We have a lot of snow
at this time.

And a week before christmas,

my siblings and i go out
and cut down a tree.

You cut it down yourselves?

Yes. And carry it home.

Don't you have people
to do that?

She means servants.

Oh. No, we live
very modestly.

Do you not provide for your granddaughter and her family?

My mother has refused
her help.

But why?

Her pride.

I took tilly
under my wing

hoping to confer
upon her

all the freedom
and independence,

for which i've had
to fight so hard.

How noble.

Of course,
you will be providing for her once you're gone?

Well, i'm not gone yet.

My goodness.

One of my favorite christmas things to do back home

is to make
a plum pudding.

We believe that a wish made while stirring the pudding

always comes true.

So everyone in the family
takes a turn

at stirring the pudding.
The family stir-about.

Well, what we like to do
is sing carols.

My son sings beautifully.

So does my fiance.

Did you just say...

isabella: fiance.

Mr. Gideon hopkins.

Gad. He's back in
new hampshire.

But you've been traveling
the world with your grandmother

for 2 years now.

How can you be sure that--

oh, i'm very sure.
You see,

gad and i are devoted
to each other.

Isabella, you never mentioned a fiance in your letters.

Well, he's not
my fiance, is he?

[Shannon chuckling]

all right.
So it is going to be a trifle more of a challenge.

A trifle? She's engaged.

But he's not here,
is he?

You must win her over.
You can. You will.

♪ Fall on your knees ♪

♪ o hear the angel voices ♪

♪ o night divine ♪

♪ o night when he was born ♪

♪ o night divine ♪

♪ o night, o night divine ♪

cameron, darling,
why don't you take mathilda for a nice stroll?

I think maybe she's tired
from our travels.

Oh? She doesn't look tired.

She's exhausted.

Maybe my grandmother
is tired.

I'd love some fresh air.

Shall we?

Do you miss america?

Mm, it feels odd

to be facing another
christmas without snow.

I'll see what i can do
about that.

In our travels,
i have been reading the papers

as much as i can, to learn
what's going on back home.

Last month,
they created something called the weather bureau.

A bureau for the weather.

To predict the weather.

Only in america.

I'm very sorry
about your father.

It must be hard on you.

Having lady shannon as a mother is even harder.

You don't take anything
seriously.

A light heart
lives longest.

Irish proverb.

You know,
for such a rebel spirit,

you don't stand up
to your mother very much.

No one stands up
to lady shannon.

Not even about
your own marriage?

I know what's going on.

Your mother wants to
marry us off for money.

Ah, yes, that is true.

You don't seem
at all embarrassed.

I'm not.

It's her agenda,
it's not mine.

What is yours?

To live in the moment,
always.

If you want
to make god laugh,

then try making plans.

Another irish proverb?

Oh, no.
Something a jewish tailor once said to me.

Yesterday is no more.

The future
is not yet upon us.

All that matters today
is the here and now.

You want to ride bareback
with me right now?

[Laughs]

in this dress?

Well, there are plenty or riding britches in the stables.

Any other excuses?

I dare you.

Awoooo!

Woo! Woo!

What do you call that?

Howling at the moon,
obviously.

You try it.

It's not very ladylike.

Nor is riding bareback.

Awoo...

[laughing]

that was pitiful.
Try again.

Awooooo!

Bravo.

Now you're irish.

Well, i am part irish.

My late father was from right here in dublin county.

Ellis bassett.

I don't know any bassetts.

Different social circles.

So, what's your agenda?

Why would you think
i have one?

You were desperate to come out here with me for a reason.

I'm listening.

Ellis bassett was my
grandmother's stable boy

in new york city.

He swept her only child
mary off her feet.

Yes.
Your mother.

I trust mrs. Caldwell
did not approve.

That is an understatement.

So what happened?

Mary ran off with him,

got married,

lost all contact
with her mother.

Until i wrote my grandmother a dramatic letter.

Quite dramatic, i'm sure.

Now, here i am,

traveling the world
with her.

She's wonderful and all,

taking me under her wing

and teaching me so much.

But... she wouldn't want me to meet my father's family.

Though that's the only reason i'm here in ireland.

Hmm.

The thing is,

i have no idea
where they are exactly.

Or who they are
exactly.

I would call that
a problem.

Indeed.

Will you help me
find them?

And just what do i get
in return?

That's rather cold
and harsh.

Life is a negotiation.

Fine.

Here's what you get
in return.

My promise not to tell
your mother

you ruined her grand scheme

by divulging it all to me
out here tonight.

Whoa! Now, that
is cold and harsh.

Do we have an agreement?

Yes.

You know something?

In this moonlight,

you look incredibly pretty.

But in daylight
i'm homely?

Did i say that?

Good night, mr. Shannon.

[Knock on door]

i do hope i'm not
disturbing you.

Of course not.

To this journal,

i do believe
she's a natural.

But of course i could be a little biased.

If you think
she has talent...

you may not realize it's not easy for a woman.

I came to ask you to help tilly get published.

But i will not trade
in marriage.

I hope you understand.

I want for her to be
a famous writer.

You can help her
do that.

Can't you...

still?

Sorry, isabella.

It's--it's getting
rather late.

I am sorry
to have troubled you.

Tilly: dear mother,

i hope this letter
finds you well.

How's my sister
and my brother?

We're in dublin.

I feel father's
presence here,

in its rolling hills,

its castles,

in the musical
irish lilt.

And did you know
that irish toads

have their own distinct charm?

Isabella, my goodness.

You didn't have to
prepare breakfast.

Lady shannon,
i just wanted to help.

Please, it's ann.

Ann.
It's quite the tree.

It must have cost
a pretty penny.

We don't talk
about such things.

Do we, darling?

[Footsteps approaching]

[yawns]

tea!

You look awful.
Bad night's sleep?

It's called a hangover.

I'm assuming you know
how to pour.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning, my dear.

It'll be such fun today
decorating the tree.

A shannon tradition.

Ahh, tradition.

You know, one day, tilly,

my son will be
the earl of shannon.

It's called
an accident of birth.

[Laughs]

my, wouldn't it be lovely

for americans to have titles?

Actually, we do.

We all share
the same title.

American.

Ah.

Now, this is
a direct descendent

of the witch ball.

The witch ball?

Our ancestors would hang something like this in the window

to fend off evil spirits.

To irish do have
their rituals.

Indeed.
On christmas eve,

we put a candle
in the window

in honor of mary
and joseph seeking shelter.

Oh, i like that.

Then there's
the laden table.

After the christmas eve
meal, the table is set again

with a loaf of bread,
a pitcher of milk,

and a candle.

We leave the door unlatched

so that mary and joseph
or any stranger

can avail of its welcome.

In america we do something similar with cookies and milk.

So maybe we're
not so different.

Maybe we're not.

Cameron, darling,

why don't you pour tilly
a glass of claret?

She doesn't like wine.

Well, maybe a tad.

Want to meet
your grandfather?

His name is sean.

Widower, farmer.

Lives with
one of his sons.

If you want
to learn something,

i always say
ask a barmaid.

That's who i met
at the pub last night

after you so rudely
rode off.

Rude. Me.

You called me homely.

My mother did.

I recall using the word
"pretty."

A good writer knows there's a meaning behind a word.

Is that it?
Is that the place?

It's not quite
shannon castle, is it?

[Sheep bleats]

[chickens clucking]

can i help you?

Suddenly i'm so nervous.

I've... dreamed
about this moment.

Well, get on with it.

My name is mathilda.

Tilly.

Bassett.

Tilly?

My ellis' tilly?

Yes.

From new hampshire.

Thank you,
lord god in heaven.

[Chuckling]

[laughing]

you have your father's eyes.

And gumption.
What are you doing here?

I'm staying
at shannon castle.

This is cameron.
Oh, i know this one.

What on earth are you doing
staying there?

I'm with my grandmother.

The witch?

Someone finally
agrees with me.

You don't really
know her.

I most certainly do.

I know the vile things
that witch called my ellis.

My grandmother
has changed.

A witch is a witch
is a witch.

But she brought me to ireland expressly to meet you.

Shouldn't that prove
she's changed?

A letter just arrived
for tilly,

from gideon hopkins.

Oh.

You--you lied
to mr. Bassett.

Ah. There are
good lies and bad lies.

[Laughs]

and, you know, beneath
that bad boy act of yours,

you're actually
a good person.

Shh! Don't tell anyone.
You'll ruin my reputation.

Well, i am most
grateful to you.

Can i tell you
something?

After i saw you
reading to my father,

it did something to me.

For the first time,
i was wondering

whether i might try
writing.

I have you to thank
for that, tilly bassett.

Now, about you
and this fiance.

His name is gad.

I'm just curious.

After your grandmother has had you sail the danube,

shown you the pyramids
in egypt,

are you quite sure that settling down with gad in new hampshire

is going to satisfy you?

Later, would you like to go for a stroll down by the lake?

Oh, and then we could do
some caroling.

Can you sing?
Or are you tone deaf?

♪ On the first day
of christmas ♪

♪ my true love gave to me ♪

♪ a partridge in a pear tree ♪

ouch!

You are tone deaf.

Tilly! Tilly,
a letter from gad.

Oh.

I took the liberty
of opening it.

I'm sure
you don't mind.

Says he can't bear
to be without you.

He plans
to go to england--

manchester--to stay
with relatives.

He has invited us to join him there for christmas.

Well?

Start packing.

We're leaving tomorrow.

♪ On the first day
of christmas ♪

♪ my true love sent to me ♪

♪ a partridge in a pear tree ♪

dear gad,

i've been kidnapped
by pirates

and find myself
on a remote island.

Dear gad...

i can't leave dublin yet.

I've just met
my grandfather.

[Light knock
on door]

tilly, what's going on?

You haven't started
packing.

Gad's letter, it seems,
took a long time to get here,

but this telegram
arrived moments ago.

He's in manchester already.

He arrived yesterday.

It's so exciting.

Well, we can't go.

Not yet.

Why not?

It would be rather rude
on our part.

They invited us here
for christmas,

and we accepted.

Is this because
of that rogue?

Rogue?

Cameron shannon.
Who else?

I seem to recall you said he looked like a toad.

And i seem to recall it was you who taught me how to flirt.

Yes. In paris,

with that painter.

You were terrible at it.

You still are.

This is not
about flirting, tilly.

This charade of theirs
is the only reason

cameron is lavishing
attention on you.

Don't you see?

I have some unfinished
business here.

Today...

i did something.

Did what?

Tilly, i did not bring you
across an ocean

to sully your reputation.

Or mine.

It's always about you,
isn't it?

Tilly.

Why are you so angry?

What makes you think
i'm angry?

Tilly, you're an open book.

Am i?

And what about you?

Well, indeed,
but a slim volume.

What is it
that's troubling you?

A hint is sufficient
for the wise.

Are you wise?

Well, i've been
called worse.

Gad is in manchester.
He wants me to join him there for christmas.

I see.

And what do you want?

I don't know.

I've been putting everyone ahead of myself for so long.

My mother, my siblings,
my grandmother.

Mrs. Caldwell needs
looking after?

Not that she'd ever
admit to it.

Don't let others
run your life.

This from someone who can't stand up to his own mother?

See? I speak
from experience.

Can i ask you something?

Do you really think
i'm pretty?

Well, i may cheat
and i may carouse...

but i never ever lie
about beauty.

Don't go to manchester.

Stay here.

You deserve to have some fun,
to be a little selfish.

Selfish.

Mm. I just happen to be
an expert on the subject,

and trust me...

it can be intoxicating.

I need to go
for a walk.

Alone.

Hmm.

[Whistling "god rest ye
merry gentlemen"]

now, today we'll put up
the nativity scene,

which i always feel is--

tilly and i
are leaving today.

Aren't we, tilly?

No, we're not.

Tilly,
we are leaving today.

We are not.

My sincere apologies,

but we must go
to manchester

to meet mr. Hopkins,
tilly's fiance.

He has invited us there
for christmas.

I shall go and pack
tilly's bags.

Why not invite mr.
Hopkins here for christmas?

Excuse me?

What?

Here?

I mean, wouldn't that
be special,

all of us together
for christmas?

That would be
very special.

Well, it's settled.

Now, no one
has to leave early.

That would have surely
broken our hearts.

Well, i'll go into town and send mr.
Hopkins a telegram promptly.

I--i need some air.

You have until mr.
Hopkins' arrival to win her.

Well, get to it.

You are shameless.

One day, you will
thank me for this.

Please don't send
that telegram.

We will meet gad
in manchester. We will.

But just not yet.

Don't you trust me?

I do. But can you
trust your heart

in the midst of
all this sensorial fog.

Sensorial fog.

Are you falling for cameron?
Is that what this is?

No.

That's precisely where
this is heading.

Look what happened
with your mother.

Yes, she got away from you.
Good for her.

I can see that dressing
you like a lady

doesn't quite
make you one.

I met my grandfather.

That is why i want to stay,

not because of
anything scandalous.

His name is sean bassett.

He's a farmer.

He wants to meet you.

I highly doubt that.

I needed to meet him to make him part of my family.

Our family.

Keeping secrets
from me tilly, i...

i'm very
disappointed in you.

We all have secrets.

Will you come with me
tomorrow to meet him?

I am asking you
to do this for me.

For my father.

And for my mother,
your daughter.

All right,
i will go with you.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

We will meet gad in manchester.

I give you my word.
So please don't send the telegram.

Promise?

Yes. Yes, i promise.

♪ ...where they lay ♪

♪ in fields where they ♪

♪ lay keeping their sheep ♪

♪ on a cold winter's night ♪

♪ that was so deep ♪

♪ noel, noel ♪

♪ noel, noel ♪

♪ born is the king of israel ♪

a telegram for mr.
Gideon hopkins in manchester.

Why wait
for christmas? Stop.

Why not join us here
immediately in dublin. Stop.

Tilly can't wait to see you.

Stop.

Dear mother,
it may surprise you to know

that your mother,
the indomitable isabella caldwell,

he's turning out
to be a dear friend.

Behind that persnickety
mask of decorum

lies a heart of gold.

In paris, i saw myself
walking within a painting,

a masterpiece by pissarro.

It was there i grasped
the genius of art

is in its simplicity.

A broom sweeping the street.

An old woman selling bread.

Art isn't just around us,

it is us.

Can't sleep?

A cup of warm milk
usually helps.

Care to go for a ride?

It's too late.

Says who?

You off to the pub?

Only if i'm to be alone.

Am i to be alone?

You won't be alone
at the pub.

[Laughs] oh, come now.

Let's go for a ride.

Save me from meself.

You make being selfish
an art form.

Ouch.

America is a model of force, freedom,
and moderation

with all the coarseness
and rudeness of its people.

You know who wrote that?

Lord byron.

Good night, cameron.

My hangover tomorrow morning,

it rests squarely
on your shoulders.

I daresay your son
is of an age

when he should be
thinking of marriage.

Maybe he is.

I don't like
to meddle.

No, no, of course not.

But i am so pleased
that tilly has met someone

who is a perfect gentleman.

There are standards.

Indeed.

Does it concern you

that cameron so often
consorts with barmaids?

I don't see why
it should concern you.

I understand
from my husband

that tilly
is quite the writer.

He read her journal?

Apparently you asked him to.

I am so pleased he thinks
she has talent.

I'm sure you realize that
in his current condition,

it is me who deals
with his publisher.

Oh.

I love a good story.

As my husband
is fond of saying,

the heroine rarely
gets what she wants,

but she always gets
what she needs.

Oh. Ha ha.

Bit of a headache,
mr. Shannon?

You're a little quiet
this morning.

Such a beautiful day, isn't it?

I was thinking tilly and i
could take a ride to the--

actually,
we have plans for today.

We ladies shall sit down
together

and knit some christmas
stockings.

Something my mother
and i used to do.

Such fun.

What a splendid idea.

Just the thing that
brings people together.

I think i could be quite good at knitting.
Shall i give it a go?

My son is adventurous.

It's all in the fingers.

The fastest fingers in dublin.

Now, why does that
not surprise me?

And then when gad came back
from new york city,

he brought me the most
beautiful bust of lord byron.

I treasure that gift.

And she treasures mr.
Hopkins. Such a kind man.

Never one to consort
with barmaids and such.

Mr. Hopkins sounds
so nice, tilly,

but it must be difficult,
after 2 years,

to keep that flame alive.

You know, if you hold your needles like this,
it's much easier.

Like how?

Why don't you show me?

Like... this.

Ah.

See?

1...

2...

3...

4.

Oh, tilly.

I can't do this.

My arthritis.

You don't
have arthritis.

Of course i do.

I'm somewhat of a martyr,
i must say.

I suffer in silence.

It's old age, dear.

Maybe making christmas
cookies would help,

kneading dough and all that.

Of course.

Tilly likes making cookies.

Not really.
But i suffer in silence.

[Laughs]

mr. Shannon.

I doubt making christmas cookies would be of much interest to you.

Well, as they say
in paris,

au contraire, madame.

Excuse me?

It means "to the contrary."

I know what it means,
tilly.

I am the one
who taught you french.

My son has many
hidden talents.

And whenever
i make biscuits,

he so enjoys
licking the spoon.

I know what
you're trying to do.

I will not let you
manipulate my granddaughter.

Oh, now, there's the pot
calling the kettle black.

You say you want her
to have freedom

and you're constantly
trying to control her.

True freedom,
mrs. Caldwell,

is about the chance
to make mistakes

and learn from them.

Tilly!

Tilly!

We're going to visit
your grandfather.

Tilly has
a grandfather here?

It's a long story.

Tilly!

Nice to see you again.

[Laughing]

this is your uncle patrick,
my eldest.

Works the farm with me.

Patrick.

You look so much
like your father.

This is my grandmother
isabella caldwell.

Well, you don't look
like a witch.

Excuse me?

It's a compliment.

I see. Well, thank you.

The only reason i'm here

is because tilly tells me
that you wanted to see me.

That's funny.
Tilly said you were the one that wanted to see me.

That is funny,
isn't it?

You lied to me, tilly.

And to me.

For good reason.

Here we are, finally,
together as a family.

Couldn't we all just...
get along?

It's christmas.

I've got some pigs to feed.
It was a pleasure to meet you.

I can't say the same
for you, mrs. Caldwell.

You made my brother's
life miserable.

When he worked for you,
he said you were cheap.

When he fell in love
with your daughter,

he said you turned
into the devil.

I was not cheap.

So you admit
to being the devil.

I was protecting
my daughter.

I wanted her to have
a good life.

So you cut her off
and and ran them both off.

That was her choice.

Pride got in her way.

And not in yours?

Look, i'm not going to stand here and have some old goat

judge my actions
from years ago.

Old goat? I'll wager
you're older than me.

How dare you!

Grandmother.
Grandfather, please?

You brought us here.

She's right, tilly.
This is all your doing.

As for you, you may not
look like a witch,

but a witch is a witch
is a witch,

and no man is his right mind
would ever go near one.

And who said i wanted
a man to come near me.

Some things that need not
be said but are well understood.

And it's clear that one hasn't been within a mile of you for decades.

Huh.

Your rude behavior and
thorough inhospitality

brings shame
to the irish people.

Goodbye, mr. Bassett.

Goodbye... witch.

Oh, you're repeating
yourself, old goat.

Well, that didn't go
as planned.

Shame on you,
mathilda bassett.

Such deception
and manipulation.

Sorry.

Would it help
if i groveled?

Well, it might be
a good beginning.

His farm was much bigger
than i expected.

15 acres.

He's what's known here
as a progressive farmer.

Not just potatoes,
but cattle, pigs, and chickens.

He owns the land.
Not many irish farmers do.

Hmm.

My, aren't you
well informed.

He is family.

Someone's arriving?

I wonder who that might be.

Tilly.

Gad.

I came as soon as i could.

And we are so glad
you did.

Well, mr. Hopkins,
you just keep

getting better
and better-looking.

I could say the same
for you.

And as for you...

i have missed you
so much.

2 years.

2 long years.

Ahem.

Mr. Hopkins.

Allow me to introduce

lady shannon
and her son cameron.

This is tilly's fiance,

mr. Gideon hopkins.

Lady shannon.

Mr. Hopkins,
welcome to our home.

Thank you so much
for having me.

Uh, there weren't any
servants to grab my bags.

Of course not.
It's christmas.

Tilly's told us
so much about you.

Well, only good things,
i hope.

Pray tell,
what are the bad?

Well, we should let you
get settled and unpack.

We'll take the horses
back to the stables.

Won't we, grandmother?

You promised me you would not send that telegram.

That was before i grasped
just how deeply

you're in over your head,
young lady.

You're so impossibly
overbearing.

I sent that telegram
to protect you.

Now, moving right along,
i have some news.

The earl liked your writing.

What?

Your journal.
He read it.

How could you?

I couldn't help myself.

Now, don't play the innocent.
You want to be published.

When i am ready.

Oh! You've known all along

that this was my plan
coming here.

The man
has had a stroke.

Well, i'm looking out
for you.

Who said i wanted you to?

I can't ask
for even a simple--

you don't want gratitude.
You want obedience.

Subservience.
How about some common sense?

I did what i thought
was right.

You know what i think?
You brought me on this world tour

because you're lonely
and scared of being alone.

Tilly!

How can you say such things?

Mr. Hopkins, if i may.

Tilly has been going through
an emotional time,

meeting her grandfather
and then--

be quiet.

Tilly.

What's wrong?

Things not go well
with your grandfather?

Not when i introduced him
to my witch of a grandmother.

I'm sorry to hear that.

I know how important
that meeting was for you.

And then what?
And then--

i wanted to meet you
in manchester.

The telegram said that--

that was my
grandmother's doing.

You don't want me here?

That's not what i said.

Well, that's what i heard.

I'm sorry.

I'm behaving dreadfully.

There's just so much
going on in my head right now.

I am glad to see you.

Thrilled.

I have missed you so much.

And i will apologize
to my grandmother.

Your mother and siblings
say hello.

I miss them, too.

[Sighs]

i can feel your heart beating.

Tilly, while you were away,
your letters were my lifeline.

But now that i'm here
with you...

the beating of your heart

is what sustains me.

Mr. Bassett?

Anyone here?

May i come in?

A wish made while
stirring plum pudding

always comes true.

Tilly does the same thing.

She learned it
from her father.

I came here to tell you...

i came here to apologize
for how i treated your son.

I am very sorry.

Ellis was a far better father than i ever was as a mother.

The proof is in tilly,
don't you think?

I said horrible things
to your son

and about your son,

because i felt that i lost my daughter to him.

But the loss
was my own doing.

And i am trying to make up for that with tilly.

Why don't you make a wish.

Go on. Stir it.

Well, put some elbow
into it.

Now...

make a wish.

Well, don't take all day.
I've a sick cow needs watching.

[Exhales sharply]

there's a saying
in america.

The test of good manners

is to be patient
with bad ones.

I like that.

And i've been patient
with you, haven't i?

I came here to apologize,
and i did.

Now you can apologize
to me.

For what?
For calling you a witch?

Well, yes.

Mrs. Caldwell,
i can't take something back

if it's a fact.

It is not a fact.

I am not a witch.

Well, you certainly
behaved like one.

And i apologized.

Now you need
to forgive me.

No.

You need to forgive yourself.

Oh, you are an oafish,
ill-mannered ingrate. And i just can't--

i was just about to say that you're much nicer than i thought you'd be

what?
And that i might like you.

But since i'm an oafish,
ill-mannered ingrate,

i'm not going to say
anything like that.

Instead, i'm telling you
to get out of my house.

Get out!
You like me?

Now!

So, mr. Hopkins,

are you intent on being a writer like tilly here?

Uh, no, actually.

My goal is
to take care of her

so that she may have
the freedom to write.

Ah. How sweet.

Yes. Well,
gad is a gentleman.

Do you write,
mr. Shannon?

When i'm inspired.

What is it
that inspires you?

Challenge.

Do you fence,
mr. Hopkins?

No.

Tilly...

well? Mr. Hopkins,
do you?

Actually, i haven't
in a while, but--

you fancy a match?
No, he does not.

Tilly!

Does she make all your decisions for you,
mr. Hopkins?

Gad, you do not
have to do this.

But i want to.

[Grunting]

bravo.
Good.

[Applause]

come on, gad.

Uhh!

Unh!

[Grunting]

[grunting and chatter]

cameron!
Gad!

Stop it! You're both
acting like idiots!

Tilly: dear mother,

the trip isn't going
quite as i had hoped.

There are times when i wonder what it is about men behaving badly

that strikes such a chord
in us women.

Do you know? Does anyone?

[Knock on door]

are you all right?

Better now, thank you.

Well, that was all
rather dramatic.

I had to do something.

I hate to think
they were fighting over me.

You know,
this is all your fault.

Mine?

Well, you wanted me
to be a woman of the world.

Heh.

You're still
a work in progress.

I love gad. I do.

But then i look at
cameron shannon, and i melt.

How is that possible?
It just is.

Trust me.

Are you going to
break gad's heart?

I wish i knew
how to answer that.

I wonder if lord byron
ever felt such...

what's the word for this?
Conundrum?

Selfishness.

I know you're angry with me.
You have every right to be.

I'm sorry for
those awful things i said.

I am sorry...

about the telegram
and not telling you.

I've been just--
i've been--

pushy?

I would have used
another word, but yes.

I know you meant well,
but please understand.

I do not wish to be
a famous writer.

I want to be a good one.

I'll get published
when i get published.

Tilly, i went to see
mr. Bassett today

to make my peace.

Wonderful. See?

You're not a witch.

Thank you.

There are those who said
i married for money.

I did not.

I loved my husband.

When he was sick,
i cared for him.

When he died, part of me
just went with him.

I miss him.

I miss--

having someone in your life?

What can i do?

Be kind.

[Knock on door]

oh. You.

You don't seem pleased.

That match went too far.

Oh, you think?
I thought it was fun.

I think you should be
thanking me for saving your--

my what? My pride?

My dear, i would have won.
Cameron shannon always wins.

Come on.

Let's go
howl at the moon.

Not tonight.

So, you're sending me back
to the barmaid?

You need to take responsibility for your own decisions.

And you need
to make a decision.

Excuse me?

[Whistling "jingle bells"]

[knocks]

tilly.

Gad--

i'm sorry about earlier.

I guess
i just got carried away.

You know, you could be
one of the 3 musketeers.

Is this what you
wear to bed here?

No.

[Chuckles] you want
to go for a ride?

Isn't it a bit late?
Says who?

Awooooo!

What do you call that?

Howling at the moon,
obviously.

You try.

Awoo!

Oh, my.

That sounded like
a yelping dog.

All right.
I'm not very good at howling at the moon.

Awoooo!

Thank you for
the demonstration.

You're most welcome.

So, you and i are gonna compete at everything now.

That's a question you may want to ask your fiancee.

He likes you, obviously.

That doesn't bother you?

Of course not. He'd be
a blind fool if he didn't.

He may still be
a bit of a fool.

Mathilda bassett,

i have crossed an ocean
to be with you.

Fools be damned.

I love you
unconditionally.

Unconditionally.
Even when you burp.

What? [Chuckles]
i never burp.

[Both laughing]

well. Hello, there.

Hello.

Everyone at the castle
is napping after lunch.

I thought we could
spend some time together.

Maybe i can help
with the farm work?

Oh, in that
beautiful dress?

Oh, it's just a dress.
I'm my father's daughter.

[Both chuckle]

well, patrick's away
to the market.

And i was just
about to collect eggs.

Well, let's get to it.

You were the apple of
your father's eye.

That's for sure.

He was a war hero,
you know.

Civil war--he saved
many people's lives.

Your mother told me
in her letters.

My father loved you
very much.

He used to talk
about you all the time.

I am glad to be here.

But so much has happened
in just one week.

The girl who came to ireland
was so sure of everything.

Now she's not sure
of anything.

Ah, sometimes,
the best place to be

is at a fork in the road.

Why?

It brings clarity,
eventually.

Well, i look forward
to clarity.

Thank you.

Mathilda...

tilly...

how do i thank you for coming into my life, huh?

You already have.

Mr. Hopkins,
aside from fencing,

what do you yankee boys
do for fun?

For fun?
You know, like hunting,

fishing,
going to the pub?

The latter is mr. Shannon's
favorite activity,

when he's not knitting.

I've never actually
been to a pub.

Really?
Mr. Shannon,

i know what you're thinking,
and i cannot allow it.

Allow? Oh, my, my.
You're beginning to sound a little bit

like mrs. Caldwell.

Mr. Hopkins, may i offer you
my humble services

as your guide to the wonderful world that is the irish pub?

I'm coming
with him.

Tilly, you are not
going to a pub.

But--
i agree with your grandmother.

That would be thoroughly unbecoming
for a young woman of your stature.

What about a young man
of mr. Hopkins' stature?

Things are different for a man.
They shouldn't be.

Well, unfortunately,
they are.

If mr. Hopkins wishes to go
with my son to a pub, let him.

What on earth could go wrong?

We ladies shall stay here
and continue with our knitting.

Heh. Such fun.

What about
your arthritis?

Doesn't seem to be bothering me right now, tilly.
Thank you.

Men:
♪ let earth receive her king ♪

♪ let every heart
prepare him room ♪

ahh.
♪ And heaven and nature sing... ♪

heh. You surprise
me, mr. Hopkins.

You can hold
your own in a pub.

Well, perhaps there is a bit of irish in me after all.

Oh, i doubt that.

But you're smarter
than i thought,

for an american.
Thank you.

You know, i was expecting you
to be a leprechaun.

Heh heh heh!
That's very funny.

That was very true.

[Accordion playing "hark!
The herald angels sing"]

mmm. Ahh.
[Burps]

my mother wants me
to marry tilly.

[Both chuckle]

i know--me marrying
an american.

I didn't think i could
do it, either,

even for the money.

Then i met tilly.

And she didn't seem
to want me.

Clearly. She has taste.

[Chuckles] i decided
to win her over.

Hmm.
I was doing a pretty good job of it, too,

until you came along.

Ah, that's because
tilly and i are soul mates.

Hmm.

We've known each other
all our lives.

You can't compete
with that, mr. Shannon.

Oh, friendship isn't
the same thing as passion.

Tilly, she's drawn to me,

mr. Hopkins.
Well, you must realize that.

Unless, of course,
you're stupid.

Tilly is engaged to me,
mr. Shannon.

You must realize that.

Unless, of course,
you are stupid.

Ahh.

Well, even if you do manage to keep her,
you still lose.

Lose?
Mmm.

How do you figure that?
I will forever

have something that you will have lost.
Hmm?

Tilly's heart.

[Pouring drink]

i...

think i'm getting drunk.

It's been called worse.

[Grunting]
gad.

Mr. Hopkins.

[Chuckles]

[grunts]

tilly: mother,
you must excuse me

if this letter changes
direction so often,

but i must confess
that changing direction

is what this trip to ireland
seems to be all about.

[Knock on door]

gad?

Oh. You.

You never seem pleased
to see me.

I've been worried.
Gad's not like you.

He doesn't drink.
Where is he?

Sleeping, like a baby.

What did you do to him?

Nothing, but the busty barmaid is in love with him.

Or is it lust?

What?

Nothing happened.

Truth is,

it would have been much more fun to have you at the pub there with me.

Oh?

I've been having a wonderful time with you,
tilly bassett.

Have you been having
a wonderful time with me?

Yes.

On occasion,
when you're not being a bore,

as much as part of me
hates to admit it.

What's the other part of you
gonna do about that?

I'm engaged to be married.

But you want me.

Don't you?

I want to kiss you.

You want to kiss me.

So, why don't we
just do it?

Get it over with.

There.

We got it over with.

Sweet dreams, mr. Shannon.

Tilly: oh, mother,
lord byron once wrote that

"truth is always strange,
stranger than fiction."

I see that now.

I find myself feeling like the heroine of some scandalous novel,

being pulled
in 2 directions.

But i have no desire
to be scandalous.

Today, i will make
my decision.

Good morning, everyone.

Did you gentlemen have
a good time last night?

Indeed.

Where's gad?

The last time i checked,
he was, well, uh,

vomiting for the third time,
i believe?

Or was it the fourth?

What did you do to him?
Me?

We all make our own decisions,
and we must live by them.

Thirst is a shameless disease,
so here's to a shameful cure.

You find
gad's predicament amusing.

As a wise busty barmaid
once said to me,

"it's all part
of becoming a man."

Well, that depends on what kind of man one wishes to become.

And what kind of man one wishes to have in one's life.

Now, let's talk about
christmas eve dinner. Shall we?

Lady shannon,
with your permission,

i'd like to invite my grandfather and my uncle for christmas eve dinner.

A farmer?

Farmer?

Yes, my grandfather is a farmer.
Is that a problem?

Oh, tilly,
i thought it would be a lark to introduce you to him, but--

a lark?
Yes, but i didn't think

you'd consider
inviting those people here.

Heh. Those people?

Tilly, darling, what my son
really means is--

i know exactly
what he means.

You can't take everything
he says seriously.

Oh, but i do,
lady shannon,

because words must be
taken seriously.

Wouldn't you agree, sir?
Absolutely.

How can you demean
my grandfather like that?

When station in life does not define one's character?

How can you even
think that way?

Before i say or do
something i may regret,

i'm gonna go out for a while and be on my own.

Please excuse me.

Cameron: brushing a horse helps calm me, too.

Very therapeutic.

I'm very sorry, tilly.

Sometimes my lips move before my brain gives them permission.

Mathilda bassett,
i can't bear to have you angry with me.

Well, i am.

Want me to grovel
on my knees? Hmm?

I am a cad.

I behaved badly
with mr. Hopkins,

and i beg
your forgiveness.

And as for
your grandfather...

i offer you
my humblest apologies.

We will welcome him
into our home.

There's no class system in america.
It's not the case here.

Clearly, we have a lot
to learn from you yankees.

As lord byron himself
once wrote,

"i would rather have
a nod from an american--"

"than a snuff-box
from an emperor."

Indeed.

So, my american...

will you nod for me?
Please?

Pretty please?

May i have a moment alone with my fiancee?

Fair mr. Hopkins.

Do not say a word.

I'm trying really hard to be a gentleman right now.

I just wanted to say that--

oh!

I told you
not to say a word.

My nose is bleeding.

Do you want your lip
to bleed as well?

No.

Gad, it's not
what you think.

Well, it doesn't really
matter what i think.

It does.
[Sighs]

well, i think
you should write.

I think you should be free
to make your own choices.

But what matters to me most
is how you feel.

How do you feel?

You should listen
to your heart.

If it's telling you
to be with mr. Shannon,

then that's where
you should be.

I won't stand in your way.

For me, your happiness
is paramount.

You have
a beautiful heart.

Listen to it.

Good-bye, tilly.

I'm so sorry, tilly.

Mr. Hopkins is
such a sweet young man,

but i have to say that i never thought that--

do you never
stop talking?

I beg your pardon?

I know all about
your scheme.

Scheme?

You can stop
play acting.

You want your son to marry me because you're flat broke.

You have some nerve.

I do. I got it
from my father,

who got it from his father,
the farmer,

a person with more dignity and integrity

than you
will ever have.

Bravo.

Bravo, tilly.

Say something,
idiot!

Tilly. Tilly.

I love you, for real.

And the way you just stood up to my insidious mother--

insidious?
Shut up.

Makes me love you
even more.

Cameron, stand up.
You're embarrassing yourself.

I don't care.

Don't think about
my mother

or your grandmother.

Marry me.

Become the next
lady shannon.

Tilly, you make me feel good.

You make me want to be responsible for once in my life.

You make me want
to write. [Chuckles]

marry me,
and be my muse.

No.

No?

Why not?

Cameron,
what you just said,

it was all about
how i make you feel.

What about me?

Tilly,
those were just words.

Words are paramount.

I don't want
to be your muse.

I want to write.

I must confess, i--

i thought
i was falling for you,

really and truly.

But i have to listen
to my heart,

and it's telling me no.

I'll start again.
What if i say--

no. Life is not
a negotiation.

[Grunts]

[both gasp]

you really
don't love me.

You're
turning me down.

Saying no to me.

The next
earl of shannon.

Precisely.

This...
[sniffles]

this is all your fault,
you--you--

you watch yourself,
young man.

No.
You watch yourself.

I'm not afraid to stand up to you anymore.

I have tilly
to thank for that.

You have pushed, and you've pushed,
and you've pushed.

Just like you've spent and you've spent and you've spent.

No wonder
we ended up penniless.

No wonder
my father had a stroke.

Shame on you.

Cameron,
my darling, listen--

oh, what? I suppose
you're going to say

you did it all for us.

Well, yes.
[Scoffs]

the charade is over.

This has always been
about you.

You've thrust me into
this embarrassing situation

and humiliated me in front of these americans.

I'm off
to find solace

in the arms
of some beautiful barmaid,

and i don't know when i'll be back,
if ever.

Good-bye.

I want the two of you
to leave.

That is what
we want as well.

Good. Get out.

Good riddance!

There are no rooms
at any of the inns.

How is that possible?

Tomorrow is
christmas eve.

Oh, yes.

[Sighs]

there was one room available,
but gad took it.

Gad.

How could i have been
such an idiot?

Go on. Say it.

"I told you so."

I'm not going
to say that.

All right.
Censorial fog.

Let's just agree that i have the grace not to say anything right now.

[Sighs] well,
we can't stay here.

What are we going
to do?

I have an idea.

Sir...

i know my grandmother forced my writing onto you,

and i must sincerely
apologize for that.

No.

You have talent.

Coming from you,

that means
so much to me.

Maybe one day,
i'll be a great writer.

You already are, tilly.

Just believe
in yourself,

and your words will take you
wherever you wish to go.

[Sniffles]

well,
this is a surprise.

Prepare
for a bigger surprise.

We need
a place to stay.

What, they kick you
out of the castle?

Yes.

Scallywags.

It was not the earl.

It was lady shannon.
Besides,

we don't wish to stay there another moment.

Can we say here,
please?

Yes. You're family.

Both of you.

May i ask
what happened?

I see.

Could you please get
the bags into the house?

Thank you.

We don't
put on airs here.

Having good manners
and decorum

does not mean
i'm putting on airs.

You are
so full of yourself.

I'm only doing this
for tilly.

As am i.

You cross me,
and you're out. Deal?

Deal.

[Door opens]

are you going to stay
in here all day?

I just want to crawl
into a hole.

I'm so cross
with myself.

I wish
i'd never been born.

Oh. That's dramatic.

Well, i am a basset.

That you are,

which means that you're a fighter,
like your father.

Tilly,
you'll have to find

the fight inside
yourself again,

find the strength to
examine your heart.

My heart...

is turning into a useless piece of black coal.

Look,
if this mr. Hopkins--

please don't mention
his name.

I crushed his heart.

I'm lost in some...

wretched censorial fog.

In what?

My grandmother
will explain.

I was shameful.

All that silliness
with cameron shannon.

Well, you'll never plow a field

by turning it over
in your mind.

Excuse me?

Stop all this blathering
and take action.

Do something.

If this mr. Hopkins is
the love of your life,

then there's no shame in going to him and apologizing,

even begging
for another chance.

But i--

i have my pride.

If you let pride get in the way of your true happiness,

that would be
a real shame.

It's too late.

I'm a fallen woman.

How is she?

Too much pride.

Gets that from you.

Wallowing in self-pity comes from your side of the family,
no doubt.

What exactly is
a censorial fog?

You've been away from a woman for too long.

Tomorrow's
christmas eve.

What are we going
to do about that?

You leave that to me.

I'll do some shopping
in the morning.

I don't need
your charity.

What was it
you were just saying

about too much pride?

I'll be in the barn.

Cows are easy
to understand.

No drama.

[Door shuts]

[door opens]

i made you some soup.

Sit up, tilly.

That's an order.

[Sighs]

so, what about gad?

It's over.
Finished.

And so am i.

How can he ever
forgive me?

"The beginning
of atonement is

the sense of its necessity."
Lord byron.

Oh, god.

He would be so ashamed
of me right now.

I can't ever
quote him again.

[Sighs]

you can take the girl
off the farm,

but you can't take the farm out of the girl.

What makes you so sure
i grew up on a farm?

Well, your uppity ways can't hide the fact that it's in your blood.

Mr.
Basset, if it is your intent to insult me at every turn...

mrs. Caldwell,

calling you uppity isn't an insult.
It's a fact.

Fine.
Here's a fact for you.

You're
an ill-mannered boor.

And if anyone here is
full of himself, it's you.

[Chuckles]

[laughs]
patrick,

it's going to be a wonderful christmas.

[Laughs]
[cattle lowing]

[laughs]

[all laughing]

[fiddle playing]

[distant laughter]

[indistinct talking]

that's it.

Come here and
i'll get a hold of you.

[Indistinct talking
and laughter]

ooh! [Laughs]

whoo!

What are you doing?

I'm looking to see what we need for dinner tomorrow night.

Plum pudding is done.

Your cupboards are
rather sparse.

We need a turkey.

Well,
i do have chickens.

Right.

I'll make some punch,

and we could use a tree
and some decorations.

[Laughs]

what?

You're right.

I have been away from a woman for far too long.

Mrs. Caldwell...

mr. Bassett.

It's never too late,
is it?

No.

But you see,

tilly and i are planning
to go to venice, and...

well, maybe it's best not to start something we can't finish.

Well, maybe it's best
to leave things open

so we can resume them
after venice.

That, mr. Basset,
is the doorway

to censorial fog.

I've always liked fog.

Good night,
mrs. Caldwell.

Good night, sean.

From this day forward,

i will no longer be quoting
lord byron.

No more using
other people's words.

I must make better use
of my own.

I am the architect
of my own destiny.

How am i to know if gad
can ever forgive me

if i don't ask him
myself?

Can you spare me
a moment?

It is christmas eve,
after all.

I don't have
a lot of time.

My ship is leaving.
Going back to america.

What do you want?

I want us.
Didn't think there was an us.

There's always been
an us

in my heart and,
i believe, in yours.

I took your advice.

I listened to my heart.

It told me to come,

to explain, apologize.

Even grovel.

Just be a moment.

I'm listening.

Gad, i'm sorry.

It's too late.

Nothing happened
with cameron.

You have
to know that.

Does it matter?
Yes.

Look,
i was a silly fool.

I've learned i'm not as grown up as i like to think i am.

All this did get me
thinking, though.

About?

What i want,

what i truly want,
and how i feel for you.

For me, home is
where the heart is,

and that is with you.

And i think my folly with cameron underlined that.

Please,
forgive me, gad.

If you don't,
i shall wear black for the rest of my life

like some widow
wandering around

with a dark cloud
over my head,

the object
of pity and scorn.

Will you please stop?

Can't have you moping about in black for the rest of your life.

You are forgiven.

[Weeps]
thank you.

My grandmother and i are planning to go to venice after new year's.

Would you come with us?

I would like that
very much.

[Laughs]
good. So would i.

Merry christmas,
fiance.

Merry christmas,
fiancee.

Guess i'm going
to miss my boat.

[Chuckles]
i guess so.

I love you, gad.

I love you, too.

After venice,

let's go back home
and get married.

Big wedding?

Oh, i don't need
a big wedding.

Oh, i hear
a "but" coming.

But it shouldn't be too small a wedding, either.

Should we go cut ourselves a christmas tree?

Yes.
[Laughs]

all:
♪ silent night ♪

♪ holy night ♪

♪ all is calm ♪

♪ all is bright ♪

♪ round yon virgin ♪

♪ mother and child ♪

♪ holy infant ♪

♪ so tender and mild ♪

♪ sleep in
heavenly peace ♪

♪ sleep... ♪

i just want to welcome all of you into our home.

Christmas is a time
of rebirth, renewal.

You've breathed life into this house again,

and we are grateful.

Yes. You have brought
the season into our hearts.

As you have brought
family into ours.

Merry christmas,
sean.

Merry christmas,
isabella.

Who's going
to say grace?

May i?

By all means.

Shall we hold hands?

Dear lord,

we thank you
for all your blessings,

and for the gifts
of friendship, family;

for gad hopkins'
huge heart,

his wonderful smile
and his love,

and for my uncle patrick's
generosity of spirit;

for the opportunity
to meet the earl of shannon,

and for lord byron,
may he rest in peace;

for my grandmother
isabella caldwell

for just being
who she is,

for my grandfather
sean bassett

for being who he is,

and for the two of them
meeting like this;

for all of us
here together,

and for this beautiful,
beautiful christmas in ireland,

amen.

Amen.
Amen.