All Creatures Great and Small (1978–1990): Season 7, Episode 9 - A Grand Memory for Forgetting - full transcript

(plays harmonica)

(hums a tune)

(continues humming)

He gets so tired out. It's not that he
doesn't want to come for walks - he does.

He's getting on a bit, I know,
but he still doesn't seem right.

In the past,
we've always kept each other fit.

- Arnie, is he eating properly?
- Never better. Like a horse.

- Getting thinner, though, isn't he?
- Aye. That's what puzzles me.

- Drinking a lot?
- Aye, he is. He could drink a well dry.

- Very lethargic?
- That would be the word, aye.

That takes me back to 1925, the year
Jack Hobbs passed Doctor Grace

in the number of centuries he scored -
he got his 127th.

Arnie, I think
Bouncer might have diabetes.

- Oh. Is that bad?
- Yes, I'm afraid it is.

But… he won't die, will he?

Diabetes is a potential killer,
but we can do a lot these days.

Oh, 'eck.

I mustn't lose him.

- Can you start straightaway?
- Yes, straightaway.

Have to be sure, though. Have to eliminate
a few things, like kidney trouble.

Look, I want you to get a urine sample.

If you hold a nice clean bowl under him
next time he cocks his leg,

then put it into this bottle
and bring it this evening with Bouncer.

Aye, I'll do that.
But it can't be that bad, Mr Herriot.

Come on, Bouncer! Show us
how you take a catch in thy teeth!

- Hup! Hup!
- (dog whines)

Hup! Come on, lad!

Come on!

Ooh, 'eck.

Coughing -
that's what drew my attention to it.

Been off her feed an' all.

- (cow coughs)
- There it is again.

I don't like the sound of that.

Well, as coughs go,
I don't mind it too much.

We'll see, we'll see.

Her temperature will tell us something.

Could I be right, Mr Farnon,
in my suspicions?

- And what suspicions are those?
- Husk.

And if it is, it'll be us with it too.

We'll see.

You know, there were definitely
more than half a dozen cattle

in that little end pasture
of yours, Mr Hartley.

You must be seeing double. But if there's
time, I'll send my new man to take a look.

- New man?
- Yeah, in a manner of speaking.

He's a chap back from the war in Korea.
He's lost an arm.

You're a good soul, Mr Hartley.

He's not a charity case.
He's as tough as they come.

Just doing odd jobs, though,
just to pay his way.

He'll have some tales to tell, I dare say.

I should think he must have. Although
he's not much of a one for talking.

And you've not spotted any other of your
beasts with a condition similar to this?

- Not as yet, but…
- All right, let's have a look.

Well, she is running…
a slight temperature.

Am I right? Husk, is it?

All my years of experience suggest to me

that this is a case of mild bronchitis,
Mr Hartley.

The cough
is not typically husky, you see.

There's no real difficulty in breathing.

No painful extension of the neck.

There is a slight nasal discharge.

No, I would suggest…

it's mild pneumonia.

Unless you wish to take issue
with that observation as well.

No, no, no, Mr Farnon.

Now, you know no one has a higher
respect for your scientific skills than me.

But when it comes to counting cows,
you'd win no prizes there, would you?

I can still count, Mr Hartley.

It is a well-known fact that you men
of science are just a little forgetful.

- Well, now…
- That time with the Hardwickes,

you forgot where you'd put your car keys
and had to get a lift home…

No, no, no, no.
That's not what happened at all.

The fact is - and it's much stranger -
what actually happened was

that my little bitch locked herself
in the car with the keys still inside.

That's why I so seldom
bring her out with me now.

(Hartley scoffs) Now,
that's a tall one, is that.

- I was there and you were not.
- The Hardwickes are neighbours of mine.

- That's got nothing to do with it.
- Oh, no, no. Owt you like. Owt you like.

- (cow coughs)
- Now, what about my beast?

Good morning! Can I help you?

- You'll be the vet.
- I am a vet, yes.

Jacob Pearson.
Mr Hartley said you'd be passing.

Would you take a look at my dog?

- Well…
- (dog wheezes)

- Of course. Is he unwell?
- Maybe.

(dog rasps and coughs)

We do have a surgery, you know.

He said you'd be passing.

Right, let's have a look anyway.

Might be some kind of influenza.

I don't know.

You've got a runny nose, haven't you?

- General condition good?
- Yeah.

I don't think it's a bad infection.

- How long have you had him?
- A couple of months.

- Bought him in Bristol.
- Bristol?

- You're the soldier from the Glosters.
- That's right.

Long way from home, Bristol.

Korea's even further, though.

How was it?

It was… cold.

The winter was cold.

Hm.

- What's this? What you got here?
- (growling)

Well, I'm blowed.

All right, lovey.

A shotgun pellet.

Do you shoot, Mr Pearson?

No.

You see, a stray pellet could quite easily
have entered the sinus, and that would…

Well.

It's very odd.

Anyway, there's not much to worry
about his general wellbeing

and I expect this condition
to clear up of itself.

That's good.

Well, it's been pleasant to meet you,
Mr Pearson.

- What can I give you?
- Oh, nothing.

Next time, perhaps - though
we ought to hope there isn't a next time.

Well, thank you. I'm grateful.

Not at all.

My name's Farnon, by the way.

Yeah, I know.

Bye, Mr Farnon.

Bye.

Come on, boy. Come on, then.

Come on, boy.
Let's go, let's go.

Come along, Mr Herriot.

- Time is money, you know.
- Ah.

- Now, when did I telephone?
- Uh… Iunchtime, Dennis.

And what time is it now?

- Past two o'clock.
- We do have other clients, you know.

But I'm one of your regulars, aren't I?

I'm always using your services, aren't I?

So… I feel I'm entitled to a few privileges,
if you know what I mean. Hm?

(chuckles)

A bit of priority.

I did come as soon as I could, Dennis.

Thank you.

- So, you can't get her up?
- No. We've tried but…

- So how did it happen?
- Oh…

She just went over.
You know the way.

Legs splayed out.

She looked right comical at the time.

- When's she due?
- It's about four weeks off.

(cow lows)

- Well, her pelvis seems OK.
- (cow moos)

Nerve paralysis.

- That's not good news.
- A downer cow? It never is.

The big problem is
she's not due for another four weeks.

Right now she needs to be moved
to a decent bed.

Somewhere where she can't slip.

Yes. Yes, this'll do.

She might just get back onto her feet.
Keep trying, anyway.

Isn't there something you can give her?

- Not to get her back upright again, no.
- (Dennis grumbles)

- Don't give up hope, Dennis.
- Oh, I'm never short on hope, Mr Herriot.

But what I'm gonna lose here is money,
ain't it?

You might just lose the calf.
But she'll recover all right.

It's not just the animal.

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong,

but you'll be charging me
for this call, won't you?

Afraid so.

Dennis, a reminder.

The account has been building up a bit
over the last few months.

Right you are, Mr Herriot.

We would appreciate a little something
on account, actually, please.

Have you… been having trouble
with post, Mr Herriot?

- No, I don't think so.
- I think there's some problem round here.

I sent off for a new chequebook…
ooh, three weeks ago.

Can't you go to the bank?

And I wrote the last of my old cheques
two days ago.

So, you see, I've had to pay
for everything in cash. And so…

You haven't got anything with you
right now.

You came on the wrong day, see.

Yes. Yes, I did, didn't I?

But I swear to you, the top cheque on
that new book is yours and Mr Farnon's.

I can't say fairer than that, can I?

- Say what you like. We need some action.
- Aye! So that very first cheque is yours!

Oh, there's plenty'd be pleased
to have that.

I don't doubt it.

Well, not so much unspoiled
as unchanged, I'd say.

There's a difference,
if you see what I mean.

Oh, yes.

I…

I'd never move.

No.

- Oh, I'm sorry.
- Come on, James! The more the merrier!

Hello, Arnie.
What wind blows you hither?

It's confirmed, Siegfried.
Bouncer has diabetes.

- I thought we might give Arnie a drink.
- You poor old thing! Sorry to hear that.

Yes, of course. Good idea.

James.

This is James Herriot, my partner.
Captain Crawford.

- Ex-RN. How do you do?
- How do you do?

This is Arnold Braithwaite.

- Good evening.
- Good evening, Captain.

- Whisky, Arnie?
- That'd be grand.

Captain Crawford's become a dalesman
for the summer.

I wouldn't say that, quite.
It's for the boy, really.

- Your son, you mean?
- Yes.

- It's marvellous up here for children.
- He's 20.

Ah.

Arnie, you're a well-travelled man.

How would you say the Dales compare
with the rest of the British lsles?

There's nowt to beat 'em.

There you are. We all agree you've come
to exactly the right part of the world.

- Arnie, my prescription for you.
- Thanks.

- Soda?
- Oh, no, no, no.

A traveller?

- What, uh….
- Well, I follow sport.

Any sport, anywhere.

Oh, I see.

Would your Christian name be John?

- Yes!
- John Crawford. Aye.

I saw your innings against
Yorkshire Seconds in 1921 . 48 not out.

It were a dogged knock.

Oxford blue, weren't you?

How very amazing!

- Quite true.
- Awkward stance, but never a bad player.

- Arnie, you are extraordinary.
- It's only memory. We've all got one.

Yes, but not like yours, Arnie.
It's positively elephantine!

Yes. Most extraordinary. I…

I'd better get back.

- Good to…
- Extremely good to meet you.

Uh… I'll be up to see your man
in the morning, if that's convenient.

Oh, yes, yes. I'm…

I'm there.

Right.

- Goodbye, Mr…
- Ah. Captain.

And…

Here's a little something
for the memory man.

Amazing.

Amazing gift of recollection.

Good, good. Tomorrow, then.

Yes.

Goodbye.

What am I supposed to do with this?
He can have it back!

I'll deal with it, Arnie.

- Uh… Captain!
- Goodbye again!

I'd never have mentioned it if I thought
he were gonna carry on like that.

- Of course you wouldn't.
- Sorry about that, Arnie.

- He is the oddest fellow, isn't he?
- Why was he here, Siegfried?

Well, you see,
he's taken the Halkin place.

There is a tenuous connection in that
he vaguely knows my cousin Ralph.

Look, Arnie, I tell you what.
I'll keep the ten bob.

I've got something to do with his mare

and I'll just knock it off his bill,
all right?

But don't worry about it.

Just hold him steady a moment longer,
if you would.

All right, all right, boy.

There you go.

That's him.

So, you enjoying yourself up here,
are you?

Most people do.

How do you occupy your time?

Riding.

Riding. Yes, of course.
And?

This and that.

Well, it's a pity he went into himself
like that and gave himself a knock.

Does he overreach a lot?

- Probably. His action's very poor.
- That's a pity.

Can he jump?

Only when you make him.
He's a little too placid for me.

I wanted something with a little more life.

Oh, I don't know.
There's a lot to be said for good nature.

Really?

Yeah. Well, he'll be just fine.

But no more riding for a week or so.
He's pretty sore.

Well!

- All well?
- Yes, yes. He will be.

I was just telling Hugh
he'll have to rest him for a few days.

What's the point of a horse
if you can't ride it?

You take him. I'm going shooting.

Well…
The boy's disappointed.

- A keen rider.
- Perhaps he is.

But he's not what I'd call a horseman.

You don't think so?

Oh.

Talking about doing
a bit of point-to-pointing.

He's got the ability, I was told.

That's, uh…
That's why I got the horse.

Then he'll just have to be patient
for a while.

Sherry.

Glass of sherry wine before you go.

Oh, well…
Perhaps the smallest of small ones.

Thanks very much.
I'll collect all this on the way out.

Thanks so much.

I see your lad uses an over-and-under.
Is that your preference?

- Are you a clay man?
- Sorry?

- Clay pigeons.
- (gunshot)

Oh, I see. I don't know.

Job lot. Got 'em at an auction.

Guns aren't really my…

field.

Except for the 15-inch variety, or
whatever it is they have on cruisers, eh?

- Yes.
- (gunshot)

No, it's…

Well, now we're in the country.

Good shot, is he, Hugh?

- I keep him under strict supervision.
- (gunshot)

Look, Farnon, what do we owe?

Oh, Lord! Nothing at all.

I'm bound to come back and look at the
gelding, so we'll fix up something then.

Very well.
Mustn't keep you, I know.

Ah, well, it's a fact
I am rather hard-pressed today.

Well, every day, in fact.

Still not stabilised, Arnie. Let's hope
we have more luck with this one.

It's just… he looks worse to me,
no better at all.

It takes time. Not looking so good
yourself. Are you eating properly?

I've got some tins. I'll be all right.

Now, you listen to the vet, Mr Braithwaite.

You've got to look after yourself too.
That means doing the shopping as usual.

I know, Mrs Herriot. I'm not much use
to Bouncer if I'm not me sen.

No, I'll do my shopping, don't worry.

Good. I want to see you both tomorrow
and one of you looking more cheerful.

I'll be here, Mr Herriot,
but I can't promise to smile.

I think we'll win with this one, Arnie.

We'll soon be home.

Aye. Well…
I know you're doing your best.

- Bye-bye, Arnie.
- Bye.

Thanks, Arnie.

See you in the morning.

- Here, darling.
- Thanks.

- Do you think you will win?
- Hope so.

James, you really must do something
about Dennis Pratt. If he doesn't pay soon,

- this practice will collapse.
- I tried him only yesterday.

What about
a few of Siegfried's PNS letters?

Dennis has collections of polite nasties,
and the solicitors just make him laugh.

I think I'll start a new series anyway.
It's worth a try.

Siegfried said he might look in
this afternoon if he could.

Looks a bit crowded, doesn't it?
There's Hardwicke's and five other visits.

Don't worry, darling.
We'll get Dennis in the end.

(pig squealing)

Come here!

You flippin' thing! Come here!

- Come here!
- (squeals)

Let's have you. Come on.
You're all right.

- Sorry about that, veterinary.
- That's all right, Mr Hardwicke.

Now, let's have a look.

Yes. I think what we have here
is quite a nasty case of…

keratitis

that needs attention.

Now, will you hold onto him this time?
Would you be good enough?

I know what I meant to ask you,
Mr Hardwicke.

Have you noticed an unusual number of
cattle in Mr Hartley's end pasture lately?

No, I don't think so.

Mind, I don't take much notice.

There's plenty to do
lookin' after our own stock.

(Siegfried) Yes, of course.

Well, you should notice improvement
pretty quickly with this.

But I'll call back to see him
and I'll leave some stuff with you.

Well, why not? I mean, you always do
leave summat, don't you, Mr Farnon?

Aye, that's true. If it's not his instruments,
it's his wallet. Always leaves something.

Very occasionally, surely.

- Right! He's done.
- Thanks very much.

Go on. Go on, then.

- Cup of tea, Mr Farnon?
- Thank you, I haven't time.

There was that time
when you walked off with my spectacles!

- Do you remember?
- Really? Did I?

- Perhaps it wasn't him.
- Oh, I do remember.

A natural mistake. Your spectacle case
looks exactly like my thermometer case.

- Oh, yes?
- Yes!

Now, the car keys.

- Mrs A, I'm off now.
- Right you are, Mrs Herriot.

And Mr Farnon called to see if we'd got
a spare set of keys to the Rover.

I found them
and put them on the hall table.

- Lost his, has he?
- I don't know. He didn't say.

- Bye.
- Bye, Mrs Herriot.

Get off!

They're definitely not in t'car?

No, they wouldn't be.
I tend to keep them on me after…

After last time, you mean?

Yes.

It's very good of everyone
to turn out like this,

but I'm afraid it's a lost cause, so…

You'll be wanting a lift, then, Mr Farnon.

I really don't want to put you out
more than I have to, but…

I'll get the car out.
Ben, we'll be giving Mr Farnon a lift.

Righto, Arthur.

- Children, come on.
- No need for everyone to come.

Not like last time.

See, if I come,
then Ben'll want to come, won't he?

And if Ben comes,
well, his missus'll want to come.

And if his missus comes,
you know what it's like…

Yes. Yes, I remember.

(gears scrape)

Hey! There's Bill Hartley!
Slow down, Arthur.

No!

I mean, I really am in rather a hurry.

(Arthur) Ah, we'll stop for a word.

Now then, Bill.

- Now, Arthur, what's this? An outing?
- Summat like that, yes.

- How have you been keeping?
- Oh, pretty fair, Ben, pretty fair.

Afternoon, Mrs Hardwicke.

Well, would you ever!

What's Mr Farnon doing in there?

Well, he were looking at one of our pigs
and he lost his car keys.

What a commotion!

Well, best be on our way, then.

Aye, get Mr Farnon back to Darrowby
before he forgets where the surgery is.

- See you. Bye.
- Ta-da, Bill.

- Morning.
- Oh, thank goodness.

- What's the matter?
- In here.

A man brought it in an hour ago.
A Mr Pearson.

- (James) Oh, my God.
- Said he found it like that.

- At least it's still alive.
- I just kept it warm.

You did the right thing, Mrs Alton.

"Just do your best," he said, and
he wouldn't be surprised if it didn't work.

(hums)

- Morning to you, James.
- Come and look at this.

What's that?

Penetration's not all that deep.

Thankfully,
otherwise he wouldn't still be with us.

It's a curiously close pattern.
Do you see? Like a…

Like a clay gun, I mean.

- Must have a remarkable constitution.
- Yes, he's still got a chance, I think.

How is he?

Weaker.

Critical?

Yes.

Well, I'll just have to leave the leg
to its own devices.

Of course you realise we may save his life
only to have to put him down, James.

Not much of a life, really, for a dog.

One eye, half deaf,
almost certainly lame as well.

We won't have to put him down, Siegfried.

- Is he gone?
- Yes.

Damn.

Well…

Well, um… Would you put him
back in his box for me, James?

Pearson won't want him, will he?

No, but I will.

(gunshot)

Hugh! Hugh!

Hugh!

Hugh!

Dammit all, Hugh!
I've told you a thousand times!

Must've slipped my mind.

You can't go firing that thing off
like a toy!

Fine! You have it, then.
It's your toy anyway.

I've got my own, haven't l!
I'm going for my ride.

I've saddled Tess for you.
Farnon said you weren't to ride Trojan.

Who cares what he says?

It's not as though
he was my father, anyway.

(carapproaches)

Can I have a word with your son, Captain?

I'm sorry?

Oh, you're worried about his horse.
He's getting on very well.

Would you care to take a look in the boot
of my car? I'll hold your mare for you.

Now where's your son, Captain?

I don't believe it's any of your business.

(horse whinnies)

That dog died of gunshot wounds.

Have you any explanation?

Come back! Hugh!

I'm going to ask you
to leave my property.

I'm going to ask you
for the loan of your mare.

Farnon…

Farnon!

(sighs)

Steady. Whoa!

(sobbing) Whoa!

Come on, my fella. There we go.
Come on, now.

That horse has suffered in consequence.

I hate… I hate everything!

Mostly me.

My mother was killed in a car smash,
just after the war.

I was with her.

Father was at sea.

When he came home,

the great hero,

that the Navy's got no use for now,

do you know what he said?

He said, "Never mind, old boy."

And that was it.

Now he gives me money.

And I wish I hadn't shot that dog.

Why am I bothering to talk to you?

Because I'm a stranger.

I won't use the gun again.

I hope I haven't hurt Trojan.

The only one that's hurt, Hugh,
is yourself.

That doesn't matter, does it?

The owner…

will you tell him?

No.

I think you have
problems enough as it is.

Well, I suppose I shall tell Mr Pearson
roughly what I'm saying to you now.

That I wish there were something
I could do to help, but there isn't.

And I'm sorry.

Here.

There you are. Bye, Mrs Bowser.
Thank you.

- Who's next?
- It's thee, Arnie.

Hello, Arnie. Come in.

Feel better?

Now then, Mr Farnon.

Now then, Mr Pratt.

I've had a hell of a day, and we've got
serious business to discuss.

Aye. Me downer cow.

Before I attend to your cow, I want
the air cleared between you and me.

Oh. Seems clear enough for me.

Or, to put it another way,
before I look at your cow,

I shall require a down payment
in settlement of your bill.

Nay! You're never going to charge me
before you've even seen the animal?

Oh, that can't be right.

But this bill is for outstanding services,
Dennis, not for current…

But… I've paid you.

Have you?

I sent you a cheque in t'post
just two days ago.

But, as I told Mr Herriot, we've been
having trouble with t'post round here.

Aye, that'll be it. It's in t'post!

Unless, of course,
they've lost it, that is.

- How can we know?
- Aye. Aye, it's a tricky one, that.

But I tell you what.
If it hasn't arrived in the next day or so,

well, you can just make me out
another bill.

- Now, how about that?
- Then we'd be back to where we started!

You send me a bill and I'll pay it.
That's the way to do business.

Now, are you going to see
my suffering beast, or aren't you?

- And she's not due for four weeks?
- Aye.

She'd stand a better chance if she didn't
have the weight of the calf inside her.

- I mean, if I were to abort her.
- Yeah, I thought it might come to that.

- When?
- I could inject her now.

Aye, well.

I've got some decent stirks
going to mart before too long.

I need a good trade to make up for this.

Fortunately,
it's a very simple process nowadays.

Aye. And on top of everything else,
I've got to give you money for this an' all.

Don't you worry about it, Dennis.

If the past is anything to go by, it won't
be worth a lot by the time we get it.

Oh, that's a corker.

That's a funny one.

You've got a rare sense of humour,
Mr Farnon.

- Ah, James.
- Siegfried.

- How did it go with Pearson?
- Oh… It wasn't pleasant.

He's something of a stoic
is our Jacob Pearson.

I also saw Dennis Pratt.

Any luck?

That man's pockets
reach right down to his ankles.

- Deeper than that.
- (laughs ruefully)

Ah.

I had to abort his cow too.

Oh, that's a pity.

Oh, yes. Captain Crawford
would appreciate a visit.

In your official capacity.

- Tonight?
- Mm. He has a bitch he wants you to see.

- Can you go, James?
- Oh, he wants the head man, Siegfried.

My old school tie
doesn't have the right pattern.

(Crawford) It's almost as though
she'd got some form of dropsy.

I only noticed it this afternoon.

What is it, old girl, eh?
Not feeling quite the ticket, hm?

She seems to have adopted
this room as her own.

So l, uh…

Look, Farnon…

About this morning.

That old mongrel.

Do you mean Mr Pearson's Bedlington?

I would take it
as an act of friendship between…

between men
of a similar social standing

if you could find it in yourself
to forget about the whole thing.

Captain Crawford, I have a reputation
for an exceedingly bad memory,

but that is not why
I neglected to tell Mr Pearson

that I know exactly who shot his dog.

As far as I'm concerned,
there the matter rests.

- Thank you.
- But…

being a man of some social standing,

you may wish
to take some further action yourself.

I see.

You know, Captain, it's not the easiest
thing in the world to adapt to country life.

But there's nothing at all wrong
with your bitch.

It's just that she's about to whelp.

- Just handed him over to you, like that?
- Yep.

I must say, it's very much
the captain's style, isn't it?

It's a kind thought, but in actual fact

this little chap would've been better off
for several more weeks with his mother.

Well, he was moving on.

Yes.

How are you getting on
with the bottle feeding?

I've done what you told me to do.
No problem there.

Well, I think we can pass this one
fit for duty.

These little things are very susceptible
to cold now, so have a care.

This place ain't what you might call cosy.

But I've stopped all the draughts.
It's coming along.

Yes. You're doing a grand job.
And with the little fella.

I'm gonna train up this one proper,
get a bit of order into his life.

They like to know where they are, dogs.

Well, I mustn't keep you.

- If you need us, you know where we are.
- Yeah.

Oh…

Thanks for stopping by.

Oh, well…

Tell me…

Jacob, I'm curious.

What did Captain Crawford actually say
when he came up here with the puppy?

To tell you the truth, Mr Farnon,
he didn't say much at all.

But I think we understood each other.

- Goodbye.
- Bye, now.

All right.
Stabilised at last.

- He's really better?
- Yes. Same as any other dog.

Now it's up to you.
A shot of insulin every day for life.

- What, me? Me inject him?
- That's right.

Every day after the first meal.
It'll soon become part of the routine.

James! By George, I've got it!

- What?
- We've got him!

- Hello, Arnie. Sorry.
- Don't mind me, Mr Farnon.

- Bouncer is stabilised, Siegfried.
- Marvellous!

- Got whom?
- Well… Never mind. You'll see.

We're going to the auction mart tomorrow.

Stabilised, eh? Well, that is wonderful.
Well done, James.

That's wonderful!

Well, he's in a good mood.

Yes. Yes, he is, isn't he?

Ladies and gentlemen, your last chance
at Dennis's draught cattle here.

- Two right grand heifers…
- Come on. They're a lovely pair!

These'll do well wherever they go.

35 bid. 35… 38… 40 pound.

- I wish you'd tell me what you were up to.
- Patience. You'll see.

50 pound. 50 pound bid,
another if you like.

52… 54… 56…

56 bid. They're worth more…

Well-bred and well-fed.

58 bid, 58 pound.

(auctioneerbangs gavel)

(auctioneer) Ladies and gentlemen,
another two grand heifers here…

(auctioneer continues)

Come on, quick!

- 104, 105.
- Sign there, please.

Come on, James.

Just look there, James.

Yes, there he is.

No, no, not him.
He's over there - Hartley!

O frabjous day! Come on.

- Just tell me…
- Follow my lead, James. Come on.

Dennis!

Well met!

- How do?
- Hello, Dennis.

Buying or selling, are you?

- We'd have a problem buying, Dennis.
- We certainly would.

- We're a bit short of cash.
- Oh! I know the feeling.

- But you did good trade with your stirks.
- Fair, fair.

You must tell us your secret - how
you turn 'em out so well. It's a great gift.

There's no secret. It's just
good green grass, and plenty of it.

But I could have done with more
for those stirks. In fact, quite a bit more.

Oh, really?

Mr Hartley! Good morning!

- Hello, Mr Farnon. Mr Herriot.
- Mr Hartley.

- And how's life for you, Dennis?
- He just made a fortune with his heifers.

- Oh, yes?
- Yes.

He tells me
there's nothing to producing fine animals

but a diet of good green grass, and plenty
of it. Do you agree, Mr Hartley?

Oh, yes. It's very important, of course.
That's why I'm so careful about my fields.

I never let them get overgrazed.

Yes, I imagine that's the practice
you like to follow, Dennis.

- You don't like your fields overgrazed?
- Oh, no. No.

No.

So you would never share yours with
another farmer, Mr Hartley? Your grass?

Oh, no. I never share my pastures -
it's well known.

Isn't that interesting, James?

Just good green grass,

wherever you can get it.

D'you know Dennis has done so well with
his young cows, he's gonna pay our bill?

- Aren't you, Dennis?
- What?

- Are you really, Dennis?
- I've got it with me.

As much as that?

(Dennis sighs)

You shouldn't let it
build up like this, you know.

I've told you about that before.

Owt off for luck?