Lark Rise to Candleford (2008–2011): Season 1, Episode 10 - Episode #1.10 - full transcript

Having spent the night in the pouring rain searching for Edmund Timmins, Twister Turrill finds his health in serious decline. He decides to distribute some of his personal effects to friends in Lark Rise. Knowing that her love for Sir Timothy can never lead to anything, Dorcas Lane announces that she is selling the postal outlet and will be traveling abroad. Philip the gamekeeper tells Sir Timothy that Robert Timmins knows who is poaching on the estate but Robert won't reveal the name and soon finds himself out of work. Laura and Philip subsequently argue. Caroline Arless is determined not to have her baby until her seaman husband returns home but goes into labor in the post office. Zillah prepares for her "surprise" birthday party.

Edmund's sitting up
and drinking a little soup.

- And Mr Turrill?
- He still has quite a fever.

Twister's a hardy old soul.
He's got plenty of life in him yet.

Old Farmer Morris left these

for the Church Society tea party.

Oh, shall we have meringues, then,
for the Church Society tea party?

Well, I think the Church Society

would prefer to have
Queen Cake, Miss Lane.

My recipe has 18 eggs in one cake.

Queen Cake would be ideal, then,
for the Church Society.

Ma'am, what is
the Church Society tea party?



There is no such thing.
It's Zillah's birthday.

Every year we throw
a surprise party for her.

She prefers it that way,
can't bear the idea of a fuss.

18 eggs in one cake, ha-ha!

Sir...

I hear that Edmund is recovering?

That's right.

Twister ain't so good, though.

- I am truly sorry, sir.
- So you said.

You go poaching, lad,
that's your business.

You start boasting about it
to my son, enticing him on,

then it's my business.

There ain't nothing I can do now
except say how I regret what I done

and tell you it won't happen again.



I'd appreciate you leaving me to my
supper

without having to listen to you
scratching at your conscience.

Can you get a few days off
at the end of the month?

In fact, you must.
Had a letter from my sister.

My mum says to bring you home.

- We'll go Saturday to Monday.
- Phillip, I'm not sure that I can.

- What do you mean?
- There's just so much going on.

Let's not talk here.

It's your pa, isn't it?
He's turned you against me.

I respect what my pa tells me,
of course I do,

- cos more often than not he's right.
- I knew it.

- I have my own mind.
- I don't believe you!

Well, perhaps I don't
need you to believe me.

I don't need the respect of a man,
a boy,

who can't accept that a girl
can make her own decisions in life.

I am glad I found out what kind of
girl you are before I took you home.

Oh, yes, Phillip.

But I would not care to be a
disappointment to a boy's ma.

Is everything all right, Laura?

Very impressive,
if I am allowed to say so.

Emma, I... I wanted to ask you.
I don't mean to pry.

It's none of my business.
But how did you and Robert meet?

Well, you know that, Miss Margaret.

He was engaged by a firm of builders

restoring the churches here
in the countryside.

By the time the work was finished,
we had two children.

What I mean is,

how did your friendship become, well,

more than a friendship?

A man needs a little bit
of encouragement, Miss Margaret.

How does a woman do that?

Well...

you hold him in a long,

milk-eyed look. Like this...

Oh, dear.

- That is very...
- You try.

- Me?
- Go on! You can do it.

That's it.

And your hands
should brush accidentally,

so that the touch excites.

- And perhaps a sigh or two...
- A sigh?

Miss Margaret,
I have every reason to believe

you will be marriedby Christmas!

I could have put a note
into your private post bag,

but since it is such a delicate
matter I thought I might call on you.

And the delicate matter is...?

Zillah's birthday.

Zillah's birthday celebrations have been
many things, but never delicate.

I would be grateful if you...
did not attend.

I know that Zillah loves you

to turn up co-incidentally at the
last minute, but this year...

There will always be reasons why

you and I should be
in one another's company,

and I feel that we have
to be strong in our resistance.

Yes. I understand.

But then I've always
understood we must

do things exactly at your bidding.

I will explain to Zillah that
you were unable to join us.

It was at your bidding
that we live like this.

- Timothy, please...
- Tell me why, Dorcas.

We've been like this for years, we
meet and we chat and we smile and...

We're on our guard
to be decent and polite,

- we never say anything that matters.
- Timothy, this is all past and gone

and we should leave it well alone.

I don't believe what you told me then,
that you don't love me.

I live my life bound
by duty and obligation.

I didn't want any of this.
All I ever really wanted was you.

Tell me why you refused me.

Tell me the truth.

It was my father.

He told me it could never work.

"Love never crosses

- the great divide of social class."
- Those were his words.

Then your father was a bigoted,
small-minded fool of a man.

Thank you.

At last something real between us.

You've no idea how much
I've longed for this moment.

I ought to be in my bed.

I ain't letting you waste away up there.

Oh, Emma!

I know he likes to speak
in a strangled voice,

likes to earn a bit of pity
where he can,

he can't help himself,
it's always been his way.

But there's a real
fever got hold of him.

Look, Twister's had
plenty of sickness, Queenie.

He always picks himself up.

Well, it in't the fever
that scares me so much

- as them shadows in his eyes.
- Queenie!

I've looked at them tea leaves
four and five times a day,

and they keep telling me
the same story...

Stop that now. That's superstition.
It means nothing.

We're gonna get Twister
back on his feet

and put no store by what's
in the bottom of a tea cup.

Twister,

we're gonna have you up
and putting a few bits by

for when Banbury Fair
comes around in the spring.

Ma,

tell her I should be in my bed
and not sat here shivering.

I ain't your ma, Twister.

I'm, I'm Emma.

Emma Timmins, your neighbour.

I know you in't my ma.
Do you think I'm a half-wit?

My ma's gone.

I'm just foxin' with you, that's all.

You wouldn't be shivering
if you kept that blanket round you.

If you were my ma,
and I ain't saying you are,

but... suppose you were...

trying to trick me?

Now why would I wanna trick you?

To take me with you!

- Miss Lane, has something happened?
- Everything and nothing.

You take your break now,
I'll mind the shop.

Miss Lane, we have the most
terrible crisis on our hands.

We have been delivered the wrong lace

for the christening gown
for Lady Adelaide's little one.

We must procure the finest lace
if we are to secure the commission.

Miss Lane, you look unwell.

I am fine, ladies.

Miss Lane,
you are self-evidently not fine.

Ladies, if you'd like
to give me your message,

I'll pass the telegram on at once.

Er, Miss,

er... Miss Ellison...

- Oh...
- Yes?

- Miss Ellison...
- Yes?

- On Saturday...
- Yes.

Since it is Zillah's birthday,
which no-one must mention,

I wondered...

Something the matter, Miss Ellison?
You seem rather distraught.

You look like you might faint.
I'll fetch you a glass of water.

Oh, yes... Zillah's birthday.
You are invited.

You will tell me. I am the Underkeeper
and you must respect my position.

I respect the man, not his title.

What is the problem here?

Sir, there's been poaching on the estate

and I've good reason to believe
that Mr Timmins' son

was on the grounds at night.

Edmund was on the grounds, sir,
but he took no game.

If Mr Timmins says his son
has not been poaching,

- then that is good enough for me.
- Your Lordship, the lad knows,

Mr Timmins knows who the thief is.

Mr Timmins is not employed
as my gamekeeper,

it is not for him to keep an eye
on who is poaching.

Sir, if you let this pass then
every poacher in the county

will believe
the estate is easy pickings.

Timmins, do you know
who's been stealing my birds?

Sir, I am grateful for the work
you have given me...

Say what you have to say, man!

I have no problem with who you are
or what you are, sir.

But a bird in a wood has been
welcome food for poor families

long before there was
such a thing as a squire.

Collect up your tools.
I will have you paid off.

Oh, Alfie! Can't you play a catchy tune?

In't you got no "Pa's Coming Home All
The Bills Will Be Paid" kind of melody?

Oh, I named you right, didn't I?

'Alf a smile, 'Alf a job, 'Alf a tune...

You might notice once in a while that
the world doesn't turn around you, Ma.

Other people have feelings, too.

I've started!

No, I mustn't. I've got to hold on.

- What do you mean, hold on?
- For your pa, of course! Oh! Ah!

Oh, it's subsiding. Oh...

I'm determined

to pass this babe into his arms
the minute it's born,

just to see the look on his face.

There it is again.

Do you suppose that Queenie would
have a remedy to extend my time?

Ma, what are you talking about?

Ah! There it's going away,
it's going away.

False alarm.

I'm fine.

Oh, I'm fine.
That's a blessed relief.

I'm thinking

that if your pa goes
all dewy-eyed over his child,

it might keep him here

and have him leave off the sea
as a way of life.

So I must hold on.

I got to cross my legs and pray,

and I in't never been much good
at neither of them!

Ooh, fetch your ma a drink, Alfie.

What feelings?

You said other people's feelings,

what feelings?

Robert Timmins won't even
have me in his company.

Well, Emma told me
that Edmund's on the mend.

And Twister will be
on his feet in no time.

He's fond of a bit of play-acting.

Give it a couple of days
and all will be forgotten.

Perhaps not so easily forgiven.

You're home early.

You can feed the pig and fetch the water
before you pick up that newspaper.

Today in't pay day.

Job's done.

But you said you had
more'n a month work.

Now there in't.

Robert Timmins,
are you gonna tell me what's going on?

The Squire has decided I am
no longer the man for the task.

With a little help from his Underkeeper.

This is about Edmund
and the poaching, isn't it?

I have a right to know, Robert.

Then I'll tell you, though I know
it will only make things worse.

I refused to give him
the name of the poacher.

Oh, Robert.

I don't blame him. He was in a position
where he had to act or look a fool.

- You were so proud of that work.
- Would you prefer I gave Alf's name?

It's our only income.

Not a word of this to Alf,
you understand?

Emma!

Can you spare a crust of bread
till morning?

- Can't you provide for yourself once?!
- Don't fret.

Any day now, my Walter will be home.
And the bills will be paid,

and the Arless household will
be enjoying the best of times.

There is no denying

what I saw.

I cannot know

what you truly feel now.
I can only know

what I feel.

And to me,

what I have to give

seems to be enough to fill a man's life.

And I am past being angry,

or jealous.

Or fearful.

I just want to know
what we are going to do

about this situation.

Laura...

I came to apologise.

We both spoke hastily.

No. I mean about your pa.

His work at the Manor.

I shouldn't have made such an issue
of the poaching with Sir Timothy,

making it all about him
knowing the culprit.

What happened?

Your pa has been dismissed
from his work at the Manor.

Phillip White,
I wish I'd never met you.

I wish I'd never
laid my eyes on you.

My pa has longed for that kind of work,

and he has struggled in ways that
you cannot imagine to get a place.

I don't even know
why I'm talking to you.

I can't even bear to look at you.

There are days

when I stand here, girl,

and it's Miss Lane

I can see and hear before me.

Like the years

didn't go racing past,

after all!

You're looking better, Twister.

Come closer.

When I close my eyes,

I can feel my ma taking my hand,

leading me over to the other side.

Don't say such things.

You just need a bit
of building up, is all.

Queenie'll soon have you on your feet.

Twister,

I brought our Edmund
to offer his thanks himself.

Marvellous.

Since I have

strong young men here...

perhaps you could
help me over to the window?

I just want to see my garden,

for one last time.

I have something for you,

Edmund.

You will notice a handsome
chain of beads,

that's seen me through
many a good year.

It's your turn now.

I can't let him take
that off you, Twister.

And here's
my old belt for you, Robert.

That'll keep more than
your trousers in place.

And Alfie...

Here...

A fine old hat

is the makings of a man.

There.

Now

I'm at peace with my
little corner of the world,

if you just sit me down...

again,

I'll rest my eyes...

for a minute or two...

It's good to see you
improving so quickly, Edmund.

It's time to get you home, it's enough.

Go easy on him, Robert.

Alfie's a good lad.

I know what kind of a lad he is.

It's not my old hat he needs,

more like your respect.

Sometimes we must go through the
worst in order to reach the best.

When Alf learned that Pa
had lost his position,

he knew what he must do
to win back my father's respect.

Adelaide saw us together.

- Oh, Timothy, the damage we have done!
- Yes, and go on doing.

I look at Laura and the way
she deals with her affairs, and...

I sometimes think that she
is more mature than I.

- If we try not to see one another...
- It's past that now.

Dorcas...

I came here to tell you
that I love my wife.

And to mean it.

To face you and to tell you that...

I want to be happy with Adelaide.

I have looked at you for so long

and have seen
the young man you once were.

My young man.

But you are not him any more, are you?

Miss Lane knew that she had made
Lady Adelaide's life intolerable.

She must have decided in the
night that something must change.

Something must be done

and she must be the one to do it.

Oh, Miss Lane,

I-I think we may need some more sherry

for the Church Society's tea party.

Yes, I do believe the Church Society
requires plenty of sweet wine.

I'll order some today, Ma'am.

Now that we are all together,

I have something I have to tell you.

Something that concerns you all.

I wish I could find a

less... brutal way to deliver this news.

But I can't see how.

I am selling the Post Office

and the Forge.

I have received an offer
from a good and respectable buyer,

Mr Blakestone,
the Postmaster in Ingleston,

which I found unable to refuse.

I will ensure that

your positions are secure,

those of you who wish to stay on.

But, Ma'am, what will you do?

I intend to travel abroad.

I have always had
a taste for the exotic.

I realise this comes as a...

tremendous shock to you.

But I know in my heart this is

the right time for me to do this.

If any of you wish to ask any

questions, or voice any...
any anxieties...

Thomas?

I have no such anxieties, Ma'am,

for I do not believe
it will come to pass.

I would appreciate it if you did not
bury your head in the ground,

and accept that my decision
has been made.

Your will is one thing, Ma'am.

The Lord's will is what we live by.

Matthew?

- Zillah? Do you have anything to say?
- I do!

I say it's about time!

Ma'am, this doesn't seem right,
so suddenly.

Why?

I have given you my answer, Laura.

I want to travel.

I ask that you accept it.

Alf! Alf, stop. I won't let you
do such a foolish thing.

You've lost your work at the Manor.
I can tell Sir Timothy

what he wants to know and then
he has no quarrel with you.

Alfie, there's a dozen ways
of looking at this.

I don't have enough fingers
to point at the ones to blame.

I want to be able to look you
in the eye again, sir.

You've done enough for that.
You've stood up,

you've offered to take responsibility.
Your ma is just out of prison.

Do you want your brothers and
sisters see you go the same way?

Would you do that to them?

They look up to you. Would you
throw that back in their faces?

Enough harm has been done.

Now I have a bag of tools.
I have skill will get me work.

I always find work.

Come home, son.

Let's put this behind us.

More...

feminine?

Yes.

Please.

I am not sure about style and

everyone says about such things,
"You must ask the Miss Pratts."

We can give advice, of course...

Might I suggest

the approach best suited
might be one of...

transformation?

Thank you!

Perhaps we could take
one small step at a time?

Shall we begin, Ruby?

What on earth...?

Miss Ellison,
why might a reverend's daughter

suddenly feel the need
to make herself appear more...

well-favoured?

Simply...

How sad it is Miss Lane
has decided to leave us.

Leave?!

Old Blakestone might think

he's finally got his hands
on the Candleford Post Office, but

I shan't lose
a minute of sleep worrying.

Thomas, is this not the first time

that Mr Blakestone's made an offer
for the Post Office?

Once a year these past seven years.

She's no more interest in selling
to him than she would

in feeding her foot to a hungry dog.

Then why has she accepted his offer?

That's where you're falling short,
young Laura.

This is a mere aberration.

Miss Lane will not sell. No.

Miss Lane is this Post Office
and this Post Office is Miss Lane.

There the matter begins and ends.

Miss Ellison...

You, er, you are not yourself.

I bought a new dress.

It does seem to
be a different sort of dress.

Yes.

It's a wonder more than one person
can work in this

sorting office,
it's so small and cramped and small.

Is that Miss Lane calling me there?

Well, I'm all done with Phillip.

Seems that everyone has a price
to pay for this bit of poaching.

I hope those birds tasted good.

I was already decided.

Phillip's not right for me.

And I don't want to be thinking
of things so soon, so young.

I just want my life to stay as it is.

If you want to persuade Miss Lane
to change her mind,

don't plead with her
and don't rail against her.

Just lay out a good cause before
her as to why she should reconsider.

Don't force your point, just make it
clearly and leave it with her.

Well, that's all good
advice, Robert Timmins.

Will you be taking some of it yourself?

Ma'am, it may not be my place
to intrude in your affairs...

Oh, dear.

I hope I haven't been teaching you
in the dark arts of meddling, Laura.

I just can't help wondering
if you've properly considered

your staff and your customers,

and how much we all want you to remain.

That is sweet of you.

But I have given a good
many years to selling postal orders,

now I have a fancy for something
a little more stimulating.

But you love it so, Ma'am.
You've said so yourself.

When your father died,

all the customers with their
foibles and their secrets,

bringing their affairs
into the post office.

I can see I will have to be a little
more careful what I say to you, Laura.

Are you writing it all down
in that journal of yours?

I will not deny I said those things.

But attitudes change. I change.

- Now I want something different.
- Because your decision is so sudden.

Perhaps you should take more time
to consider...

I appreciate your concern.

You have made your point clearly
and forcefully. Now...

No! Ma'am...

Please, listen.

There must be a reason...
It's the baby!

It's Lady Adelaide and her baby.

I know it.

And it's not right.

You cannot let this happen
because of Sir...

Laura, that will do.

You have no right to suppose that
you know my motives better than I do.

You are a child.

You know nothing. Nothing!

I know that I cannot let you
do this, Ma'am.

You cannot stop me.

You will make no more mention
of this to myself nor anyone else.

Do you understand?

Yes, Ma'am.

How many more times
will I bring you your

hot milk before bedtime, Ma'am?

Not many.

You enjoy your foreign travels.

Thank you, Zillah.

I will be sure to send you a postcard.

Oh, no need to do that, Ma'am.

When you're gone,

I'll be dead
and in the ground within a week.

Nonsense!

- You'll outlive us all, you know it.
- Oh!

I had to speak to someone.

And there was only one person who
I believed could reverse the situation.

Perhaps it was a streak of
defiance in the Timmins' blood.

Perhaps I could not bear the thought

of what Miss Lane was planning.

She can cry out there just as well
as she can cry in here.

It's not the crying that
put this mood on you, is it?

I've walked just about every mile
in this county in search of work.

They all heard how the Squire
dismissed me,

and they do love
their Squire around here.

I offered prices for
fixing crumbling gateposts

they would have snapped my hand off
for a few days ago.

Well, that just means that for a time,

your choices have been taken away
about the kind of work you do.

Robert...

it will pass.

I will not have my reputation taken away

at the whim of a man never done
a day's labour in his life.

It makes no sense, Dorcas.

The way I see things,
it makes absolute sense.

I can find no other way
out of this predicament.

You and I have put Adelaide
in an intolerable position.

Timothy, I can't let you blame my father
for what happened between us.

I lied to you.

I told you I didn't love you when I did.

We spent all of our young life together,

but when it came to marrying you...

I thought that if you married
a girl from the post office,

it would be the ruin of you.

I don't want you to sign this contract.

You will regret it if you do.
This agreement is binding.

If you put your signature to this,
the post office will no longer be yours.

- I understand.
- Do you?

Tell me you will at least give it
some proper consideration,

a few days, perhaps a week,
before you sign.

Thomas, can you put this
in the mailbag for collection?

Yes, Ma'am.

It is not my job I want back, sir,

it is my reputation.

And how may I do that?

Write me a testimonial

to say you are contented with the
work I have done at the Manor.

And with the character of the
man who performed the work.

Very well.

A word of advice, Mr Timmins.

You could have kept your position

if you'd had the good sense
to hold your tongue.

I understand, sir.

I know people who've survived their
whole lives by holding their tongues.

I have seen what it's made of them.

I've often envied you, you know.

Yes.

You have certain liberties
that I could only dream of.

To be true to yourself,
and not just your position.

I know what you think of me,
and what I stand for.

But I also know that all you see
before you are the clothes,

the privilege and the history.

And yet you fail to see,
you refuse to see the man, Mr Lane.

I'm sorry. I meant, Mr Timmins.

That is what I heard you say, sir.
Mr Timmins.

- So suddenly?
- So secretly.

We have every right
to be concerned about your

mental circumstances.

Wouldn't you agree?

Well,

I admit I have arrived
at my decision, shall we say,

boldly.

- Sudden decisions...
- Have sudden causes.

It might seem.

If we are to assume that your
condition is not economical...

and your haste is not due
to something...

medical...

then we are left to presume
that your condition...

is emotional.

Ladies...

why should you take an interest
in whether my motives are...

economical,

medical or emotional?

We have so much in common, Dorcas.

Unattached women of some standing.

We comprehend

your plight, whatever it might be.

And might offer some fellow feeling.

Guidance.

If you would share with us

the nature of your predicament...

Ladies...

I shall miss you.

We'll go.

You and I, just go.
We'll live in London.

- But how can you leave the...?
- All will be well here.

You know I have brothers who would like
nothing better than to take my place.

You'll do that for me?

It is what I want, Adelaide.

That can go against the wall,
Matthew, as we did last year.

Oh, you have excelled yourself this
year, Zillah.

Thank you.

Let's hope the Church Society
bring a healthy appetite with them.

Thomas, if this is the effect Miss
Ellison has upon you,

I'm beginning to wish
I hadn't encouraged her.

What are you standing there like
that, like a sail in the wind?

If you think I'm doing
all this work myself...

I ain't having it!

Caroline!

Mrs Arless, you should be
at home and resting.

I was, but as much as I'm sitting
around and my body is still,

my mind is running around.

I'm desperate to know if
there's any word from my Walter

and when I can expect him home.

We haven't received
anything yet, I'm afraid.

My problem is I have no patience.

- And neither does this one.
- Mrs Arless, are you started?

Oh, ain't nothing to worry about.
It's no more than anxiety.

Twice a day I have a false alarm.

We must arrange a ride
back to Lark Rise for you.

No! I shall... Oooh! go as I came.

In the back of a... Aaah!

- milk cart.
- Are you sure it's a false alarm?

I'm certain of it.

Definite.

I am holding on till my husband's
return or my eyes in't blue.

Oh, my eyes in't blue! Oh! Oh...!

Laura, fetch Dr Ingrams!

- We must get you to bed at once.
- No, no. I'm holding on.

I in't having no baby till I'm ready.

I suspect this baby
may have other ideas.

I think I will go up now, my dear.

No!

You stay there
where I can keep my eye on you.

Queenie...

I don't wish to defy you,
but the time has come.

I'm not afraid.

I'm ready.

If you will help me up the stairs,

I will lay me down just one last time.

You be of good cheer, my girl.

Perhaps a bit of an old tune
to carry us up the stairs...

I know.

# I stood amongst the #

# gold corn #

# Alas! No more, I knew

# To gather gleaner's #

# measure #

# Of the love #

# that fell from you... #

Ma'am! Dr Ingrams
has been called out to Ingleston.

He's not due back until nightfall.

That's all right, Laura.
We have no urgent need of him now.

Zillah and I managed just fine.

A girl.

My darling?

Twister?

Tom?

Alf!

Alf, your ma has a child!

A girl!
She was born in the post office!

- Laura, we haven't fallen out, have we?
- Why would we fall out?

I've been such a fool.
Caused all sorts of trouble.

You'll always be my Alfie.

My dear friend.

She's adorable.

Zillah had her best frock,

pressed and ready to welcome the guests
to her surprise birthday party.

Bees,

your master's dead and now
you must work for your missus.

Bees,

bees,

your master's dead and now
you must work for your missus.

I was pulling on my trousers

and I fell over.

D'you know, my dear, the fever's gone

and I feel more agreeable
than I have in years!

Something upset you, my dear?

Kind friends!

As you can see,

the way of things with me
is much improved.

I was wondering if I could
ask of you to consider...

that which was handed over
in good faith...?

I am restored to life!

You old duffer!

- In't she the beautiful one?
- What will you call her, Caroline?

Patience.

Patience!

Miss... Ellison...

- Miss Margaret...
- Ah!

Margaret...

your eyes are poetry.

Thomas Brown, you surprise me.

I... I don't wish
to be overly forthright.

I feel I might be...

- In love?
- Yes.

The signs,

wonders that the unbeliever
might never understand.

- Dorcas, I've come to say goodbye.
- Well, it's a little early...

No. I'm leaving.

Adelaide and I are going to London.

I want to live the life I have,
not the life that slipped out of reach.

If I go to London, if...

if I give myself to this for a year,
perhaps more,

then I believe I can convince
Adelaide that I mean it.

Yes,

I believe you can.

And you can remain
here at the post office.

Yes.

Yes, I can.

You go now.

Emma...

- I am in an impossible bind.
- You don't want to leave.

I signed the contract. I posted it.

Everyone warned me not to.

Can you not reason with Mr Blakestone?

He's been coveting the post office
for many years.

If I may be so bold, Ma'am...

The situation's

not so beyond recovery
as it might appear.

A contract is only binding if it is
in the possession of both parties.

I took the liberty of withdrawing
it from the collection bag.

- Why on earth did you do that?
- It was my belief this is God's will.

I hope you'll forgive me.

Forgive you?

Thomas Brown, I could kiss you!

If you're to continue to be my employer,
Ma'am, that might not be advisable.

Well, Laura...

it looks as if
my travels will have to wait.

And everything will return
to exactly as it was.

Ma'am, I think Zillah is drunk.

I'm afraid, Laura,

Zillah is not drunk.

It takes time and sorrow

and experience to teach us the worth
of the things that truly matter.

The deepest joys of life are here.

Right here.

Walter!