Cranford (2007–2010): Season 1, Episode 1 - June 1842 - full transcript

Open the windows, Matilda,

while I remove the dust-sheets
from the furniture.

The poor girl will have been
so shaken up in the coach.

It is 12 miles from Manchester.

Ought we to light the fire,
do you suppose?

A fire? In the morning?

Our guest gave us a deal of
information in her letter, but
I saw no mention of her being ill.

We said there was always a room
for her in Cranford.

We told her there was nothing we
liked more than having visitors.

What are you doing, Matilda?

Well, only putting some cologne
on a handkerchief.



I fear her head might ache.

She wrote in such distress.

There were exclamation marks!

There's a coach pulling up -
it's her.

Miss Deborah. Miss Matty.

Miss Mary Smith. It is a pleasure
to see you in Cranford once again.

You did receive my letter?
Asking if I might stay?

It was delivered but an hour ago.

Mary, dear.

You are so grown.

And so very like your dear mamma.

Are you sure my coming
is not a trouble to you? A trouble?

It is a joy to us that your
stepmother can spare you,

now that there are so many
little Smiths at home.
Four already. Five. Five.



The eldest barely seven.

My father, he sent you these.
Oranges.

They came to Manchester by railway,
just last night.

By railway?

Indeed.

Do you want them washed?

I saw this in bloom in the garden.

I thought it might look nice
beside your bed.

You are so kind...

Poor Mary.

You must miss your home.

I must.

Which is something of a nonsense,
after all that was said
before I left to come here.

And I cannot even tell you
what was said, because it will
only confirm all my faults.

I am quite sure you
can have no faults.

I am indiscreet, Miss Matty.
And incautious.

And I do not appreciate
my stepmother's attempts
to marry me off.

You don't wish to marry?

No.

At least not yet.

I am quite sure no malice
is intended.

This is the room
you slept in as a child.

I've always remembered
my visits with my mother.

We've always liked receiving
your letters - you have such
a sprightly turn of phrase.

I have loved hearing news
from Cranford in my turn.

I've relished
everything Miss Deborah wrote.

She models her tone
on that of Dr Johnson.

Did she recount to you the death
of the parish bull? She did.

It was more compelling than a novel.

And now it is you who will
send the news to Manchester.

There will be a great deal
to occupy your pen.

Though I regret you missed
the incident last week.

A wagon of bricks
had cause to drive down King Street,

and became lodged with a pig cart,
headed the opposite way.

Were people hurt? No, no, no.

But there was talk of summoning
the Constable.

The time. Make haste.

You must gird your loins,
it is all go in Cranford.

Calling hours are between
twelve noon and three.

No-one will stay for more
than a quarter of an hour,

just as you will not linger
when you pay calls in return.

How will I know when
quarter of an hour has passed?

Am I to keep looking at the clock?
No, that would be
extremely impolite.

You must keep thinking
about the time,

and not allow yourself to forget it
in the pleasure of conversation.

But nobody will call today.

They will content themselves in
sending compliments, and allow you
time to recover from your journey.

Do you like to read, Mary?
Oh, very much.

I consider reading a most
worthwhile occupation.

After dinner,
and when there are no guests.

But we are liberal
with our candles here.

We light two each evening.

Dr Morgan's at the door.
Dr Morgan is at the door, Madam.

Dr Morgan? But we are not ill.

'Ave you changed your caps?

Observe the clock, Martha.

Calling hours have commenced.

I have, over many years in practice,

acquired more patients
than I fear I am able to serve well.

Ladies, it is time for a change.

A change?

Do you plan to retire from practice?

I do not, Miss Matty.

But my cousin's son, Dr Harrison,
is to join me here in Cranford.

Your cousin's son?

He is not, I take it,
a gentleman of mature years?

He has only recently concluded
his training at Guy's Hospital.

In London. London.

He studied beneath
Sir Astley Paston Cooper,
one of our most eminent surgeons.

But you are of course both assured
of my continued attention, madam.

Well, have you the leisure to speak
to all of your patients in person?

Before the new young
gentleman arrives?

I'm afraid I have not, but I have
had occasion to inform Miss Pole.

Miss Pole? I shall repair
to my consulting room
to write to all the rest.

They will know the news
by teatime.

Or sooner, Dr Morgan.

This is Cranford.

Mrs Forrester.

Mrs Forrester.

Mrs Forrester.

From Paris. Mrs Forrester.

Something has to be said.

I am a woman of mild opinion,
but I am sure we do not wish
to be dressed as revolutionaries.

Mr Johnson has had very wild ideas,
since he was made Mayor.

You don't know the meaning of
novelty, until you hear me speak.

I have been asked by Dr Morgan
for the loan of my maid Bertha.

And not for his own ends.

He requests her because
a new, young doctor is coming
to live in our midst.

Dr Morgan has arranged a house for
him, and it will be kept by a widow
who will not arrive for a fortnight,

was married to another doctor, and
knows all about disease and surgery.
So what do you think to all of that?

That there is not
sufficient sickness here
to keep them entertained.

Cranford is not deficient
in invalids, Mrs Forrester.

In fact those of frail health
may soon choose it as their home.

This young man was assistant
to Sir Astley Paston Cooper.

Dr Morgan told me so.

And Sir Astley Paston Cooper
is physician to the Queen.

Oh. Mrs Jamieson approaches.
Tell the men to halt the chair.

What is all this agitation?
Are the summer gloves come in?

We have had news of
some significance... Sister?
Has something occurred?

I think it likely.
Miss Pole is gesticulating.

...he comes recommended
by the highest in the land.

I have never heard him mentioned.

And I dine at Arley Hall.

Dr Morgan fancies he is getting old.

And so he seeks to present
his patients with a bachelor.

A bachelor? I am sure I should
recoil from his attentions.
Her Majesty the Queen did not,

when she summoned him to Windsor,
and gave him charge of
her state of health.

Windsor, indeed?

We will see how he does
in Cranford.

You are most welcome.

However late. I'm sorry.

My horse cast a shoe. We limped five
miles before we found a blacksmith.

That's an eye-catching coat.

It is a cutaway, is it not?
A runaway, in fact.

I had it made in London.

I thought as much.

In Cranford,
all the holders of houses
above a certain rent are women.

You will attract curiosity.

You must bear it nobly.

Carpenter says he's come
about some doors.

Dr Harrison, this is Jem Hearne.

Doctor reckons you'll want
some folding panels here.

As soon as it's convenient. I can do
them quick, or I can do 'em proper.

I'm mithered off my feet.

Rough fencing, fine joining,

even people wanting trees lopped
on the grounds they're made of wood.

Not this week, then. We'll see.

Unless somebody dies.

Then I'll have to drop the lot
to go and make the coffin.

I would prefer it
if I did not enjoy oranges.

Consuming them is a most
incommodious business.

There is not such a lot of juice,
Deborah dear.

Only when they are sliced
with a knife.

At home we make a little hole
in our oranges and we suck them.

That is the way
I like to take them best.

But Deborah says it is vulgar,

and altogether too redolent
of a ritual undertaken by...

By little babies.

My sister does not care for
the expression "suck".

We will repair to our rooms,
and consume our fruit in solitude.

Excuse me, Dr Harrison, sir.
But the Misses Jenkyns
send their compliments,

and hope you are not too fatigued
from your journey.

And the Honourable Mrs Jamieson and
Mrs Forrester have done the same.

And the Misses Tompkinson
have heard you're come,

and they send word that they hope
you are not missing the great met...
metrol...

Metropolis? That's him.

I really am quite touched
by everyone's kindness.
Oh, they always do it, Dr Harrison.

It's not particular to you.

I will introduce you
to the townsfolk gently.

They are quiet and retiring folk,
in the main...

Good morning, Dr Morgan,
we're doing the door today.

Bessie's in bed with a hot brick
to her knee. He knows, Helen.
That's why he's come.

The sitting room is to your right.

...And this one is a kicking 'k".

It has a leg stuck out in front
of it, as though it is going
to kick open a gate, and...

Good morning.
Good morning. I'm sorry.

Have you come to see my father?

No. I came to see the maid. With Dr
Morgan. Oh. Are you the new doctor?

Frank Harrison.

You must forgive me. We are all
at odds today, with Bessie in bed.

This is a delightful room,
Miss Hutton. Oh.

I worry it
is looking a little faded now.

Our mother chose the furnishings,
before she passed away.

Ask him does he want some cherries.

I'll get the rake.

Do cherries grow underground
in Cranford?

It is the only way to get them down.

May I?

Hooray.

Papa.

Why aren't you working at your lessons,
Walter? Sophy made me work all morning.

Go back inside, and I'll come
and listen to you reading.

Good morning, sir.

Might I give you some advice?

I would be grateful for it, sir.

Buy a black coat.

It need not be costly,
you can order one through Johnson's,

but black
is the colour of our profession.

I wear black,
the patients trust black.

I don't doubt they think Hippocrates
wore black and a powdered half-wig.

Now, have you any questions?

Might I be excused the wig?

I don't reckon that branch is going
to take my weight, Miss Tomkinson.

Happen I ought to go, ey?
Come back with a lad.

You will carry out the task I have engaged
you for, and at the price we have agreed.

Oh, my Lord. This is what happens
when you do not take sufficient care.

Oh, Augusta.

I can see a bone protruding. For
pity's sake, Mr Hearne, do not move.

We will fetch cloths,
and make a compress...

Oh, you must come indoors.

I am going back to the yard.

I warned him that branch was weak.
I'm going home.

Brown trout?

Tuppence apiece. Brown trout?

Lovely fried. No.

Brown trout? Brown trout?
Brown trout? No, lad.

Brown trout. Tuppence apiece.
Lovely fried.

Brown trout? Trout? Trout?

And whose stream did you
poach these from, pray?

Mr Carter. Mr Carter, I tell you,

this child is half gypsy,
and whole villain.

What's your name? Harry Gregson.

Dear God.

Move out of our path.

We have an injured man.
Clear the way, please. Thank you.

We've already rung the bell
at Dr Morgan's but he was not in.

Show me the patient.
Bring him inside. At once.

And you - don't you dare move.

Is it known how far he fell?

I should think not ten feet.

Perhaps twelve. I've seen
accidents, but nothing like that.

It's a compound fracture...

Now Jem, I'm going to give you
sugar and water

to stop you shaking and a dram of
brandy to try to ease the pain.

I'm a carpenter, sir.

If I lose my arm,
I lose the thing I am.

Now will I lose it?

No.

I'm newly arrived. Is there
an ice-house in the district?

Yes, at Hanbury Court. I am
Lady Ludlow's estate manager.

Can a basketful be spared? It
might buy me time, and save his arm.

You. Come with me.

What about the trout?
The trout can wait.

So how come the ice doesn't melt,
if it's been here since winter?

Because the temperature
is always lower underground.

What's "temperature" mean?
Whether it's hot or cold.

You don't go to school, do you?

There is no school.
Only the one where they teach girls
how to do ironing.

Any road, I wouldn't go if there was.

No. I don't suppose you would.

Right
straight to the doctor's, as quick as you can.

And if you're caught poaching one more time,
I'll hand you over to the magistrates.
Sorry, sir.

Go on. Run.

You packed the wound in ice?
To keep it cold.

It's a new technique I heard of from
the battlefield, and it should mean
the surgery can be delayed.

But I must ride to Manchester immediately.

I need curved needles, and I brought
none with me. "Heard of,
from the battlefield. Heard of".

The surgery is not untried.

I have seen it carried out...
Seen it carried out? Three times.

And how many of these procedures
were successful? Two.

There is but one safe course
of action and you know it.

He's a working man.
If I amputate, he'll starve.

If you do not, lock jaw will kill him
in a fortnight. Or gangrene
will finish him in five days.

He is your first patient
in this town. If he dies,
your reputation will be ruined.

If he lives on maimed,
so will my self-respect.

I am going to Manchester.

Frank,
I will not support you in this.

Amputation will save his life
and secure your reputation.

You will take his arm off
at the elbow.

If Jem Hearne's arm is broken, it is as
well he has no wife, and no dependents.

He came to Cranford as a journeyman,
he has no-one in the town.

He may be forced on the mercy
of the workhouse.

Deborah, the candle is shorter
than the other.

Then attend to it, quickly.

Elegant economy,
as we say in Cranford.

Candles are a dreadful price.

I thought they would be cheaper,
when the tax on them was stopped.

But they get dearer
every twelvemonth.

A visitor? A visitor.
At this hour of the night.

It's Miss Pole.

"It's Miss Pole, madam".

Oh, how bright it is in here.

You all look very lively.

Oh, we've been reading,
and sewing and...

You will cast it all aside
when you hear what I must say.

There is to be...

an amputation.

It will be severed at the elbow.

With a silver saw.

Dr Harrison is wonderfully quick, he
gave exhibitions at Guy's hospital.

I am only surprised we were
not informed of it direct,

given that the catastrophe occurred
in our own garden. You may yet be
called upon to settle the bill.

I must take him a jelly,
or some other soothing thing.

But we do not know
where Dr Harrison has gone.

He rode out of town
and has not come back.

Caroline meant the jelly
for the patient.

Perhaps he went for tar.

He will need to seal the stump.

This is the last of your tea.

Bertha, I need to prepare
to operate on Jem.

Can you gather all the candles
that we have, and bring them here?

We've only got the two.

This one and that one.

Mr Johnson.
I thought we might be seeing you.

Sir, I...
It came from Halifax this afternoon.

It'll be five guineas,
my wife will send you the bill.

Sir, I need candles.

The cut looks well.

You should purchase a second
in a summer weight worsted. Sir,
it is an emergency - I need candles.

Tallow or beeswax,
straight or plaited wick?

White wax. I need bright light,
for a medical procedure.

Forgive me, we appear to be sold out.
You must be able to get me candles.

Johnson's Universal Stores
can get you anything.

My wife will write to Manchester,
and they'll be here by Friday.

Are you quite certain?

I just this minute
saw him in the street.

And his head was down,
and he was not wearing the runaway.

He has changed, into a black coat.

He is in mourning for his patient.

What was his precise demeanour?

As it always is,
distinguished and capable,

and with the curls coming
forward here, just at the temples.

It's Miss Pole. She's got news.

Dr Harrison went to Manchester.

What care we where he went?
It would appear Jem Hearne is dead.

Martha, take that jelly from Miss
Caroline, and put it in the kitchen.

His first case in Cranford.

Fate has dealt him a most shocking
hand of cards. That is a most
unfortunate turn of phrase.

Miss Pole, have pity -
the poor girl is distraught.

And well might we all be,
with Jem Hearne dead,
and the town without a carpenter.

Speculation is the enemy of calm.

The doctor is walking past
the house.

She is right.

Dr Harrison?

I am Miss Jenkyns.

Is Jem Hearne alive, or is he dead?

But if amputation is the better
thing, Dr Harrison?

If Doctor Morgan advocates it...

I've seen just such setting
and stitching done at Guy's,

performed by
Sir Astley Paston Cooper.

The limb was saved more often
than it was not. The life, too.

It is not so much
that it is revolutionary
to carry out this operation,

more that it would be backward not to.

I do not think that we would
like to be called backward here.
Do you, Miss Jenkyns?

Had I been able to operate tonight, I had every
hope that I might effect a cure. But now...

Now I must wait until morning,
and with every hour
the wound is left open,

the chance of infection increases.

Why can you not proceed forthwith?
Madam, a surgeon must have light,

And I find myself
entirely without candles.

I have but two small stubs
at home and Johnson's Stores
can offer me nothing.

And you must need
half a dozen or more.

I suppose the work is delicate,
like all stitching.

It is.

In which case,
you must take these, Dr Harrison.

Caroline, run home, and
see what might be spared.

Miss Pole, I am certain you
would wish to do the same.

Nothing like this
is ever done in London.

You are not in London, Dr Harrison.

You are in Cranford, now.

I must proceed at once.

But I will need one other,
to assist.

She must be sensible,

and have a steady hand.

I will do it, if you will accept me.

You are a privileged man, Jem.

There are poets scouring chinatown
for opium of that quality.

I will need you to bring the
light a little closer, Miss Smith.

I will set the break first, Jem.

There. The bone is back in place
and out of view.

Now, I can begin to close the wound.

I have done my utmost.
Time must be your doctor now.

Later, I will escort you home,
where you will rest, and wait,

and take all the broths the
ladies of the town can bring you.

We must set a date for my
garden party, Mr Carter.

I would suggest we do not leave it
late - the park is always
loveliest before the roses fade.

First my lady, might I raise the
matter of the bills Lord Septimus
has charged to the estate?

They have recently increased
in size and number...

every month.

My son must be neither
troubled nor questioned
with regard to his expenditure.

He is at Lake Como for his health.

And thanks to your generosity,
he is already in receipt
of a considerable income.

With these expenses added, the
Hanbury coffers feel the strain.

Lord Septimus was my seventh child,
Mr Carter,

and now the last surviving one.

Would you force him back to a climate
that would undermine his strength?

No, my lady, I would not, but...

For the past four years he hasn't even
been able to come home for my garden party.

And no-one relished Hanbury en fete
as much as he.

No, my lady.

Perhaps it will be mild this August.

If it is, he may travel yet.

Let us mount a festival
that will make it worth his while.

Jem Hearne has had nothing but
jelly and egg wine for a week.

If the bones are to knit,
some solid food is needed.

Does rice pudding
count as solid food?

Martha made this -
it could be eaten with a fork.

Shall I take it to
his lodgings, madam? No.

Mary and I will go together,
and inspect her patient's progress.

Dr Harrison was full of praise for you

He said you were the equal of a man.

Did he? Yes.

And I corrected him.

No woman is the equal of a man.

She is his superior,
in every single case. Sister.

Sister... The house across
the way is opened up at last.

No-one in Cranford
forewarned of their coming.

They must be strangers in the town.

Strangers. Yet more news for
you to send to Manchester.

That's a very small piano.

Indeed I think it a spinet,
that has been made over.

We did see a long-case clock
going in...

And that is a hired fly.

They clearly are not carriage people.

My dear girl,
we'll soon have you inside.

An invalid! And in a house
that has been shut up.

We must send lavender,
for burning in the rooms.

I came with The Chronicle.
They have printed a new remedy
for blanching yellowed lace...

What an excellent perspective
you have upon the scene.

It seems to be two young ladies,
and their father.

Oh, poor wretches.

A man is so in the way in a house.

It is Sir Charles Maulver!

Sir.
It is a fine day for a house move.

I see all is as you'd wished it?

You have done me a very great
kindness, sir. I am in your debt.

Captain Brown,
I should not be here at all
had it not been for your bravery.

I've had my medal.
Let us say no more of that.

So will you be comfortable here?

I could always find a house on
the estate itself, if you think it
would suit Miss Brown the better.

I'm too used to living
in garrison towns.

I should feel lost,
if I wasn't on the street.

When we were fighting men,
I used to dream of coming home.

I thought my land was all I wanted,
yet I tired of cows and yields
and hay within in a year.

With respect, sir, I did wonder
if you would settle.

I'm not ready to be
put out to pasture.

Still, I've not been idle,
and nor did I entice you here
without a motive.

Captain Brown, are you free to
oblige me in a matter of business?

The men have been
quite wonderfully efficient.

The kettle was the first thing
they removed from the pantechnicon.

If you will excuse me, Sir Charles,
I must attend to my sister.

Of course. Though I may say,
Miss Jessie, what a pleasure it is
to see you looking so unaltered.

Dear God, she's lost her bloom.

Did she never marry?

No-one ever asked.

I don't know if I can interest you
in this enterprise...

You're in luck.

The ladies find themselves
distracted.

They've never guessed.

I've never let them know.

Are you ashamed of me?
I'm not permitted followers.

If they find out, I'd lose my place.

I know.

Will it be all right?

Will it be mended,
when they take stitches out?

Come here.

We'll see.

My daughters were very grateful
for the lavender.

They cannot pay calls themselves.

The elder is too ill,
and the younger one must nurse her.

At present,
I must represent our family alone.

You need not have troubled
to return our call
until the third day, Captain Brown.

That is the custom in our town.

Is it?
I prefer to do things promptly.

May we ask what drew you
to Cranford, Captain Brown?

My poor girl's health required
a move to a milder clime.

Broadstairs was put to us
as the ideal, but I'm retired,
and on half-pay.

And the expense was quite beyond us.

And Cheshire is so much cheaper.

That's a fierce little shovel.
Iron is such a racket against coals.

We have often joked how fine
it would be to have a wooden one.

Except that such a thing
is never manufactured.

I wonder, have any of the ladies
present read The Pickwick Papers?

How it makes me laugh. Out loud,
on occasion, even when I read it
in a coach, or on the street.

I am an admirer of Dr Johnson,
Captain Brown.

He's tolerable enough,
for an essay or a letter.

But I'm inclined to think that he's
had his day. Now Mr Dickens, now.

He's got the skill to tell a tale.

A small token of my gratitude.

For the lavender.

The Pickwick Papers.

I defy you not to roar.

Thank you, Martha.

Oh, Deborah, he did not stay
a second over 15 minutes.

I found him most over-frank
with regard to his means.

And his taste in books
is sadly popular.

My fancy inclines towards this hat.

The Duchess of Kent is known
to favour something similar.

Do you think my son
will approve of it?

Last time he came home from Italy
he was faintly disparaging
about my mode of dress.

I always say
a cap that satisfies its wearer
need appeal to no-one else.

A most admirable philosophy.

I wish you would let me
make a gift of it to you.

Laurentia, my dear,
I insist you charge me
as you would any other customer.

You are not a milliner
for the love of it.

But I am in your debt
for your sanction of my enterprise.

When a lady doesn't marry
and lacks independent means,

I think it best she is blessed
with an independent spirit.

Now.

I am to interview a girl Mr Carter
thinks will make an indoor maid.

Will you look at her with me?

Margaret Gidman?

Yes, my lady.

Are you well shod?

My parents keep me well shod.

And what is your father's occupation?

He is a cooper, madam. I have been
accustomed to helping him.

To make his barrels?

No, to cast up his accounts.

And I have taught myself to read,
and write a bold clear hand.

I can... Enough.

Margaret, your parents have served
you ill, by not stopping you
from meddling in this manner.

If you can read and write, I cannot
possibly take you into my employ.

You are fit only for trade.

Mr Carter, did you know that she
was equipped beyond her station?

It is becoming common for the
lowest class to have some education.

The more common it becomes,
the less I can condone it.

Dissatisfaction will result
as it did in France

and the proper order of the world
will be undone.

You do not, recall, I think,
the Reign of Terror, Mr Carter.

I had cousins in Paris,
and the knowledge of their fate
will haunt me all my days.

Margaret Gidman is not blessed
with a great deal of advantage.

I am most concerned with the lot
of those less fortunate.

At my charitable school
the girls are taught to serve,
and to know their prayers.

That is all that is necessary
to fit them for the world.

Please, look there for my servants
in the future.

I see Mrs Gregson
has been to the bakehouse.

It is so nice for the children
to have a hot dinner on a Sunday.

I am surprised her husband
does not come to carry it for her.

Unfortunately, Mary, I am not.

Job Gregson is a vagabond,
as idle as he is wild.

My dear madam.

Mam!

I was that terrified
I'd spill the dinner.

Oh, it's only a bit of gravy.
Dog'll lick it off.

Come now, you take my arm
and I'll see you home.

I'll be grand. Thank you.

I can take that, sir.

You see your mother safely home now.

And you enjoy your dinner.

I don't object to his helping her up.

It was an act of Christian kindness.

But to take her arm,
and offer to escort her home,

it shows a revolting want of decorum.

Perhaps Captain Brown
has been reading too much Dickens.

I think it altogether likely.

Vulgar sentiment is so contagious.

Miss Jenkyns.

I'm afraid I must beg to make a call
upon your kindness. Father...

Sir Charles has engaged me to attend
to some business near Preston

and I must leave without delay,
and not be back for almost a week.

I will come to no harm.
Now we have the maid,
I am not so very stretched...

I would not leave my girls at all,
but my poverty is such that
I cannot refuse employment.

There is no need to reference
your circumstances, Captain.

Should anything remiss occur,
might my Jessie come to you?

We are near neighbours, sir.

To assist one another is appropriate.

Where's Dada? Gone.

Mrs Forrester!

I am at your service.

Mrs Forrester,
with what do you nourish that girl?

Only ordinary meat, cooked plain.

You've fed her till she is fit
to pull a plough.

And this is a dainty house.

Now. The buttermilk, if you please.

Is this from your Alderney?

I went to her at dawn today, and she
was even more than usually obliging.

That cow is like a daughter to me.

Now. Oh, I can see why you
treasure it, Mrs Forrester.

This is the sort of lace
that generally belongs
to ladies of great rank.

It is from abroad,
and was worked by nuns.

An order where they do not speak,
and so concentrate
so much the better.

Now, have you a shallow dish
to hand?

The collar must be completely
immersed and laid flat,

so that the shade will be revived
in a uniform manner.

Now, we leave the buttermilk
to do its work.

Oh, I'm sorry to say it, but
her proportions are quite vulgar.

You must go to the charity school,
and get a different one.

The school cannot account for
the size of a foundling's parents.

Agnes seemed slight
when she was 12.

Mrs Forrester! The lace!

He's choking. He's choking.

He deserves to choke.

If the collar were not so very old,
I could not take such measures.

Stop!

At once! Turn yourselves about.

There are some ladies running.

Make haste, make haste.

Faster! Faster!

Mrs Forrester. Whatever has occurred?

It's my lace, Mrs Jamieson.

My best lace.

Which was made by nuns,
last century,

and you cannot get its like
for love nor money any more.

Even though they have emancipated
the Catholics.

What's happened to it?
It's in the basket.

In Puss's inside.

We are on our way
to purchase a compound.

I fear, you think
I have not begun well, sir.

You have begun extremely badly,
Frank.

Your work has been the cause
of talk, and of... of... frisson.

Cranford has been disturbed by you.

I take the bandages off
Jem's arm this afternoon.

All will be well, once that is done.
Oh, will it?

Dr Morgan. I swore an oath to do my
best by those who came into my care.

If the well-being of the patient
has in this case

run counter to the fabric of the
town, I regret it, but I stand fast.

Look, Frank.

This is Cranford.

Everything unchanging, perpetual.

A society that knows itself,

a place at peace.

Out of our way!

We are in the throes
of an exceptional emergency.

Is there someone in need
of medical attention?
This is no occasion for sport.

There is lace at stake!

Get on!

Get on! Faster!

It is the Major's top-boot.

It was the Major's mother's lace.

And there is no need to be shod
where he has gone.

I am resolved.

Pray do not use it ill.
It fought at Waterloo.

There.

I think that all looks very well.

I am so pleased you accepted
this position, Mrs Rose.

And I am grateful for the loan
of so much furniture.

It will be a long while
before I can afford any of my own.

This way, my husband watches over you
in spirit.

I assisted him for 20 years.

Answered the bell for him,
mixed up the pills for him.

And I hope a like regard
will bloom between us...

Though not of course conjugal,

but rather more like that
of a mother and son.

I hope for that too.

What says your father, in his letter?

That my step-mother
has quite reconciled herself

to my having helped Dr Harrison
when he performed the operation.

Why is that? She has discovered
that he is not married.

Miss Jessie Brown's in the hall.

Miss Jessie Brown's in the hall,
Madam. Please come.

She's breaking her heart.

My sister is dead.

And I am alone in the house.

And I do not know when
my father will come back,

and all I can think
about is his face...

I thought I would be stronger the
next time the good Lord had his way

but now it has happened I find
I cannot manage it any better
this time than I did the last.

And now I have come unto you,

my sister is left untended.

We shall escort you home,

and make a bowl of arrowroot.

Mary. The compress.

If I don't hear from Father
by nightfall,

I shall arrange
for my sister's burial myself.

I think that would be sensible.

And if he cannot come home in time,

I will walk behind
her coffin on my own.

Oh, that will not do at all.

Ladies never attend funerals.

But I can't send her
to her grave alone.

It would break our father's heart,
if I were to tell him
it was done so.

Shall we just do it, sir?

I wondered
if you might require assistance.

Move your fingers for me, Jem.

Take hold of this piece of paper.

Dr Harrison. I hope you will let me
shake your hand.

He'll have to shake mine first.

That will take time and time
is an indulgence we do not have.

I think she will sleep now.

I said that I would write
and tell her father.

But Captain Brown was last heard of
gone to Lancashire.

How do we know when a letter
can find him?

That man has put me in
a most invidious position.

I am made responsible
for his daughter in his absence,

and if I allow her
to do as she would wish

she will be in contravention
of all polite codes.

What will people think of her?

And worse, what will be said?

Miss Deborah...

Sometimes ladies do go to funerals
in Manchester.

It is becoming the custom now.

It is not the custom in Cranford.

Come in.

Mary and I are about to go to bed.

Shall we tell Martha
to bank down the fire?

I shall not come to back
to the parlour tonight.

I have a deal to think about.

And I must pray.

Jessie needs guidance and so do I.

Very well, sister.

I am so afraid my sister
will regret her actions.

What can they be thinking of?

But if Miss Deborah concedes to it,
it cannot be amiss.

You were all alone.

No, Father.

I was not.

Sorry you had to wait, sir.

Fiddly work is this.

Need two arms...

Yes.

Are you concerned with it?

I'm more than contented.

Dr. Harrison.

We are leaving, dr. Harrison
Go on.

Cherries.

Sophy was able to pick them this afternoon.

We were amiss.

We should have given you some
the day you've came to call.

They are the last for the sommer.

Thank you.

Move on.

There will be more next year.

Oh, Captain Brown.

This is highly individual.

It's a coal shovel.

Manufactured from oak.

By myself.

Oh, sister.

I think we have wished for
for an age.

Miss Deborah, I hope you will accept it.

A token of my gratitude.

I assure you, sir.
No such token is required.

We're no longer merely neighbours.

We are friends.