Lark Rise to Candleford (2008–2011): Season 2, Episode 3 - Episode #2.3 - full transcript

# For all you young men
that are going to wed

# Don't be caught like a bird
with a small piece of bread... #

'A woman...

'a man.'

#..Be careful in choosing a wife. #

'Someone once told me that they
can find anything to fight over.

'A piece of land.

'A slip of the tongue, a jealous heart.

'Every year field
workers came to Lark Rise.

'Lily Spicer amongst them.

'But this year was different.'



You are all well aware of
my fondness for talking,

but making speeches is not
something that comes naturally to me.

So I shall keep this brief.

I have always wanted a tree
here outside of the Post Office.

It was a kind of wish.

And now that it is here,

it feels so right, I can't understand
why I have taken so long to do it.

We have a new Post Office.

But we will try to continue
with the same old service.

Thank you.

Mr Dowland, I hope
you will agree that now

when you look down the street
you have a picture of loveliness.

Yes, and a rather
pleasing Post Office, too.

You are a little too forward
with your compliments, sir.



Please do not take it personally.

I am a little too
forward with everything.

Miss Lane, I should pay you the
courtesy of informing you that I am

standing in the forthcoming
Parish Council elections.

But how can you?

You have hardly been amongst
us more than a blink of an eye.

On the contrary, I consider
myself to be an ideal candidate.

I was raised amongst Lark Rise poverty,

and live now as a
Candleford businessman.

It still doesn't seem right.

But I suppose it is your prerogative
to stand if that is what you choose.

I do.

Choose.

'Every day it gets closer to
the election, and I'm wondering'

why we haven't had the pleasure of
seeing you on your expounding plank!

If there are things
going on in our community

require a man to speak out,

no amount of pecking from
his wife will prevent him.

Robert, what are you looking for?

Perhaps one of your old love letters,

something to pull out and
read over my morning papers.

Now, I know a deceitful
kiss when I taste one.

Now I am certain you're
concealing something from me.

Woman, if we're to have an
inquisition, I'll never finish

Mr Reppington's limestone arch

and then you'll have something
worthwhile to chide me over.

Men!

Women!

Call yourselves men?

Not one of you got a muscle
more than a sparrow's ankle.

Couldn't lift a skirt between you.

Never flinch, that's what I say.

Never flinch.

# For women are
deceitful and very unkind

# It would puzzle a lawyer
to know their own mind... #

Whatever is it, ma'am?

It is the future, Minnie.

Help me to unwrap it.

If I may be so bold, ma'am,

it is a modernisation too far.

You cannot expect me to take out
my delivery on one of those things.

I do not expect you to, Thomas.

This bicycle is not for you.

It is for me.

SHE RINGS BELL

A child's reading book.

You've proved yourself man
enough to the whole hamlet, Alf,

the way you've been like a father
to your brothers and sisters.

Ever since I've known you,
you've done for others.

What about doing
something for yourself now?

One thing to chase around
the world like your Pa does,

but a man who can read,
the world comes to him.

Now, I can teach you, Alf,
and we can start tonight.

I never could get hold
of my reading, sir.

Ignorance is a curse, Alfie.

It takes a bit of courage
to do something about it.

Just show willing, lad, that's all.

Now, what's this word?

"Wind...mill."

That's what's called syllables.

I never knew you had
your letters, Twister.

I taught myself with a candle
and a Bible. But you don't want

to let the world know that you're
more educated than you seem.

Why? I decided on that so
long ago, I forgot why now.

SHE WHISTLES A TUNE

I'll have a half.

Lil, the Wagon and Horses

is a place where the men are
supposed to get some peace

from the women. Ah, now,
I'll agree with that.

A pipe and a beer'd be ruined
with all that petticoat chatter.

Was that you doing your letters
I saw when I came in, Alfie?

I have my letters.

Most of 'em. Syllables and the like.

Oh! Oh! Syllables!

And what syllables would they be, hmm?

Weak-ling and
panty-waist?

Lil, leave the lad alone.

I'm only joshing. I look forward
all year long to coming in here

so I can take our elbows to each other!

Hey! LAUGHTER

The spinney is Parish Council land,
so isn't your desire to build there

in conflict with you seeking a post
on the council? I see no conflict.

I see only mutual benefit.

Miss Lane, if I may, you seem not
to appreciate a local boy's desire

to bring prosperity and
growth to our community.

You can go now, Minnie.

Mr Dowland, let me ask you outright,
is your ambition to build villas

on Goldstone Spinney the reason
you are standing for election?

Yes.

That is the reason.

I have nothing to hide.

I see no need to apologise. Think of it.

New homes. How could anybody
possibly object to that?

You are very persuasive.

But you are not persuaded.

I would like to consider
the whole business.

Yes. Do.

As you say, consider.

And I hope that you
shall see that I am right.

But if you don't, there is
nothing you can do to stop me.

It don't make her one of us, do it?

She'll be gone in a few weeks,
just put up with her till then.

What're you men grumbling about now?

Lily Spicer coming in
the Wagon and Horses.

Women barred from the ale house!

It's an old-fashioned notion, anyway.

We wives would all like to get
out of the house if we didn't have

little 'uns to tie us to
the stove and the wash tub.

A man must have his half
pint without a nagging,

that's what civilisation is for!

Everything that's wrong with
this world is standing before me.

Three men with rheumatism of the brain!

Men and women are different, Queenie.

Knitting, cooking and having babies
in't what men were born to do.

God made us fit for the ale house.

That's true enough. Everybody
knows that a woman rules the house.

Her job is to let a man THINK he does!

You believe that?

Well, in't that right, Queenie?

I've lived my whole life by it.

It's as well you never
let on before, woman.

You think you can say that
in front of my neighbours

and get away with it? Come
on, lads, I need another drink.

That goes for me, an' all!

Caroline...Caroline. Are you home?

Caroline?

Where you got to, then?

Oh...!

Mm! My poor bones!

COCK CROWS

SNORING

SNORING CONTINUES

Oh! Argh! Oh...!

Oh...!

Queenie there's someone in Caroline's
cottage, sleeping in her bed!

CHILDREN ALL SPEAK AT ONCE

Lily!

Why, Lily! I was only resting

my bones for half a minute.
I must have slept like a babe.

That'll do your soul good to
rest in a bed for a change.

- You have some tea, Lil. -
No-one can say I ever flinch.

Not Lil. But tea do sound nice.

Oh, Laura! Ain't you turned into
the little lady while I was away.

Laura works in the Post Office now, Lil.

She's one of that lot over there! Ma!

You'll have to come by my tent,

tell me the tales of all them
Candleford boys chasing after you.

There in't nothing to tell.

Plenty of time for
boys when I get older.

Ain't you never thought
of settling down, Lil?

Enjoy some home comforts
like the rest of us?

The road and the field is
the life for Lily Spicer.

The field and the road.

You know, it ain't so bad.

What about when you get older?

It's hard enough for the likes of ME.

Old bones do feel the
cold, and the wind do bite.

There in't no shame in
admitting it's true, Lil.

We all have it in our nature
to want to build a little nest.

Now, I will confess...

When I saw Caroline's
bed, I did feel a yearning.

And when I lay down, my whole
sorry carcass said a thank-you.

MAN: Ladies and
gentlemen of Lark Rise...

What's that hullabaloo?

..If I was you, I'd be asking myself
why should I vote for James Dowland?

I am standing because I
want to give something back.

This is a time of great change.

You can say that again.

Change and progress.

Queenie here has been taking
in all of her married life.

She took me in, and many others like me.

Her home is full to bursting.

Now, why should the kindness
of good souls like Queenie

be put upon, year after year,
when there is a better way to go?

I want to instigate a programme
of building homes. New villas.

Every one with its own
garden and a door knocker.

And who is it, sir, that
will build these villas?

Who is it that will profit from
their sale and from their rent?

I make no attempt to conceal my
role as builder and contractor.

And are you working for the
good of the community, sir,

or the good of your own pocket?

I see no reason why
it cannot be for both.

Not one man standing here
before you can afford to live

in these homes with door knockers.

Any man here who wants it can
have work building these homes

for good wages. Including you, Mr
Timmins. What else are we to do?

Be the kind of man that never truly
tries to escape his own poverty?

I never said we should
remain in poverty.

I never said we should
remain in poverty.

All I ask is that you
put your faith in a man

who has shown you what is possible.

You did look handsome
on your expounding plank.

That man wants to pull
our parish up by the roots

and all my wife can say is "handsome".

There's a woman's thinking for you.

Why is everyone so at war, Ma?

These are changing times, Laura.

Changing times.

Miss Lane. Mr Dowland.

It's a fine morning.

Yes. I am going out for a jaunt.

Well, you have the weather for it.

I am the proud owner of the first
low safety bicycle in Candleford.

So I see. Our neighbours
are looking at you, ma'am.

It does seem rather unwomanly
to be astride such a thing.

Nonsense, Thomas. In no time,
everyone will have one of these.

How will it stay standing
up? It's only got two wheels.

In't it dangerous? It is
perfectly safe, thank you, Minnie.

Miss Lane, I would not care
to think that our conversation

yesterday evening had led you to believe

I do not value your moral opinion.

My moral opinion is you should
not be standing for election.

But I ask that you show
respect for my position.

And what exactly is your position?

A man's role is to conquer the world.

Oh? And what is a woman's
role? To love him for it.

Thank you.

Mr Dowland, I should pay you
the courtesy of telling you that,

since I hear your opponent, Mr Judd,

has come down with a
bad case of the gout,

I intend to put myself forward
as a candidate for our parish.

You? Stand for election?

Do you suppose I am not up to it?

Miss Lane, in the short while
I have been in Candleford

it has become evident to me that
you are the hub of this community.

People look up to you,
come to you for advice,

trust you with their troubles.

Why would you want to put all that
at risk in a political dogfight?

Oh, I think it might be worth it.

It is such a good cause.

Good day to you, sir.

Robert Timmins will tell you to
learn your letters for the betterment

of yourself. And he's right.

But I say there's something
better than betterment to be had.

It's just... the
marvelousness of it. Alf!

What are you hiding from me, Alf Arless?

Nothin'. In't nothin'.

I saw you hiding something.

It in't none of your
business, that's what.

That's a love note from his girl.

Oh.

Who is she?

She in't from nearby.

But prettier than a penny
to a poor man's eyes.

Does she have a name?
As lovely as her face.

Rose. Twister... stop this.

That's all right, Alf.

It's my own fault for supposing I
have a right to know your affairs.

I'm glad for you.

Truly. I hope I can
meet Rose sometime soon.

Oh, you will.

I always said Alfie would catch
hisself a beauty, and now he has.

I best be getting on with my round.

Why'd you have to tell her that?

Girls need to be kept on their toes.

Make 'em fear they're
missing out on something.

But I don't feel that
way no more about Laura.

Did you see the look on her face?

She don't like the sound
of lovely Rose now, do she?

Twister, you have me lying to Laura.

What am I supposed to say
if she asks me about Rose?

Tell her Rose gives
you a lock of her hair.

Tell her Rose can't
sleep for pining for you.

Tell her Rose is more beautiful
each time you set eyes on her.

Old Twister knows.

The best way to outfox a
woman is with another woman.

Rose!

Old Postie Jasper over in Inglestone

happened to say how a postman
can earn another shilling a week

for taking out his delivery
on a bicycle. That is correct.

A shilling would be worth putting
by, there's no denying that.

Then you can have it, Thomas.

But, ma'am, you seemed so excited
about the bicycle's arrival, and you

had that outfit made especially.
Did Mr Dowland upset you, ma'am?

He did not. Not about
the bicycle, anyway.

I only thought that him catching you
like that seems to have upset you.

I would have quite enjoyed it.

Did he catch you, ma'am? Not
catch. No. Assist. He assisted me.

As I saw it, he assisted
her into his arms.

Minnie, I want you out of my sight!

Am I correct in thinking that is
an extra shilling EVERY week, ma'am?

If the bicycle speeds
up the delivery, yes.

Then I shall take the thing out.

A man cannot resist progress.

God's creatures weren't meant
to live forever in the caves.

I have some news for the both of you.

Ma'am?

I shall be standing in
the Parish elections.

You?

Ma'am.

Suffer not a woman to teach, nor
to usurp authority over the man,

but to be in silence. For Adam
was first formed, then Eve.

I might have hoped for a little
more enthusiasm from my own staff.

Robert, wouldn't it be better if
you and I made some peace between us?

We ought at least to be some
kind of example to the children.

I'll agree with that.

We'll let it lie.

I only meant that a man and a woman...

each has their role in the household.

I am a man worn out by
a week's long labour.

And trying to teach his
children their numbers.

You can show me respect
by not pecking at me.

And do you suppose I live the easy life?

You sip tea well enough with
your neighbours. Women all.

Talking about nothing the day long.

Oh, Lord! And you're hardly
through the door most nights

and picking up the newspaper.

You seem to forget too easily I
go out before dawn every morning

to earn what little money keeps
this family going. Is that so?

Well, I shall do you the favour
of telling you the truth for once.

This tongue that you say
only ever pecks at you

has saved you many times
from your own hot temper...

..kept you in work with a
bit of female persuasion.

Love letters you wrote to me.

I am fool enough to
pick these out sometimes

when I'm sat down here alone
at night, to sit and read them.

Ethel. Frank. Out to play. Go.

How did this become a wife

wanting to make her husband
a dupe in his own home?

Robert, you make too much
of everything. Too much?

I saw it in your eyes, woman.

You meant it.

My father used to tell me that
it's not a man a woman wants,

it is children.

And she'll use all her wiles to
snare him into providing for them.

I thought he was no more
than a bitter old fool.

You make me think it was ME who
was the fool. Robert, stop this.

You can have your
words back. All of them.

I have no use for them any more.

How dare you?

Have you no heart?

I wrote those letters.

Oh...my poor bones.

Mr Dowland,

you seem not to be campaigning.

I am merely enjoying
a glass of champagne.

Perhaps you would be
kind enough to join me.

My neighbours tell me that you
seem to have stopped canvassing

since I announced my candidacy.

Yes. Are you planning to withdraw?

It would be disrespectful
to the parish to announce

that I am standing and then
on a whim abandon the cause.

Then I don't understand. Why
don't you take up the fight?

Because I seem to be gaining more
by observing my opponent at work.

That is not the true reason. I feel it.

You object to the very
fact that I am standing.

Perhaps you are not suited. Suited?

I can argue, Mr Dowland.

It is my most cherished attribute.

One of them. I cannot help but believe

that what you take exception
to is that I am a woman.

It does seem such a shame. A shame?

That your loveliness is wasted
on the cut and thrust of politics.

My loveliness, as you choose to call
it, is nothing more than appearance.

I mean, clothes... Not at all.

Your loveliness is in
every ounce of your being.

Every word that you speak.

The way you josh and needle your
neighbours with such delight.

It is a living, breathing spirit,

the like of which I
have never seen before.

Yes.

Well, you are entitled to your opinion.

Mr Dowland, I can only
assume that you do not realise

the offence you cause, nor the
antiquated nature of your thinking.

A woman I may be, but I
am your political opponent

and I demand that you show me
the respect of a proper fight.

But if I do that, I will win.

Your arrogance is only outdone by
the dullness of your imagination.

You CAN lose. I CAN defeat you.

I will outwit you.

I will outmanoeuvre you.

I will show you what the true
nature of politics is, Miss Lane.

Please show me the regard of
allowing me to prove you wrong.

How can I refuse a lady as...?

I want no more of your flattery.

I accept. Until the fight is done.

If you will agree...

that, when the results are declared,

the winner shall buy supper
to console the defeated?

Surely we value nothing more
than harmony in Candleford?

Agreed.

I've seen Rose.

You've seen her.

What we want now is for
some other soul to see her.

How are we gonna do that? Thomas Brown,

might I ask you, did you see
a girl going down the lane?

I've seen plenty of them. Always
do. Which one are you looking for?

This one's pretty, and her hair is...

Long with curls?

That's her. And she's one of those girls

shaped rather pleasingly
in that way that is...

Shapely, not too tall.

And you saw her?

Well, that's Alfie's girl.

Rose. How far up the road was she?

About three mile, I'd say.

I expect you'll see her
tomorrow then, Alfie.

Rose.

Pretty Rose.

Is that YOUR bicycle?

Her Majesty's.

Miss Lane,

we heard the most absurd rumour

that you are to stand
in the parish elections.

It is no rumour, ladies.

In fact, I came in to see you
today not just to pay my account,

but...to ask you for your support.

But this must mean you
will be opposing Mr Dowland.

It is the reason I am putting myself up.

You are indeed "putting
yourself up", Miss Lane.

As long-standing good neighbours,

and since I am the first woman
to ever stand in our district...

I hoped you might show
a little fellow-feeling.

It is rather thrilling.

A woman in politic...

You are correct, both of you.

We should not pass over
opportunities such as these.

Women...banding together,

in sisterhood.

That's pretty enough.

And that's kindly of
you, what you've done.

But I shan't be pulling
that thing over MY bones.

You are a woman, Lily.

As much a woman as any of
us, with every right to go

out in the world in a comely dress.

I can make five bob
a week in the fields.

Mind, I earns every penny of it.
No-one can ever say Lil flinched.

Not I! I never asked nobody
for nothing and I never shall.

I'm a field worker.

I have to be.

I can't do that if I'm no more
than a weakling girl in dresses.

You do want to get
yourself a man, don't you?

How can a girl go her whole life
without knowing the taste of a kiss?

It's only a dress, Lil.
It's only us here together.

Where's the harm in trying it on?

In't you just a bit
curious how you might look?

Ladies!

I wonder if I might prevail
upon your good nature and ask you

to display one of my
posters in your window?

Unfortunately, Mr Dowland, as Miss
Lane is your opponent, and since she

is a sister in arms, so to speak,
your request is not something...

My sister has her loyalties spoken for.

Let me take the poster.

I will ensure that it
finds a place of prominence.

I would not wish to cause a rift
between the most devoted of sisters.

Not at all. We are a democratic family.

My little sister is
free to make her choices,

and I am free to make mine.
That's very kind of you.

And may I say, Candleford has
never had so dashing a candidate.

I am sure you will sweep
us all off our feet.

Those that aren't
already swept, that is.

Thomas, I can't help noticing
that since you've been taking out

the bicycle, your round is
taking you longer than ever.

I am becoming acquainted with it, ma'am.

Have you actually mounted the thing yet?

It is a dangerous machine and
must be approached with caution.

I can attest to that.

Wariness is understandable.

But I must point out that
until you actually ride it,

there can be no extra
shilling in your wage packet.

Yes, ma'am.

Dorcas, hello. Hello!

Emma. Mrs Turrill.

Forgive me dropping in on you,

but I was hoping I might encourage
you to use a little female persuasion

to convince your husbands to
vote for me in the election.

I wouldn't lay your hopes
in that direction, Miss Lane.

Marital relations are
still frosty around here.

FOOTSTEPS ON STAIRS

Why, Lily, you look a picture!

Didn't we say as much?

It don't seem to fit right.

Of course it does. Every bit
of you is shown off perfect.

No, I mean,

I don't feel right.

The way you look in that thing,

you'll have the men standing in a
line just for one of your smiles.

Find yourself the right man, you
could settle here in Lark Rise!

What if I don't want
to do that to some man?

What if I don't want
to do that to myself?

It is hard to be always on the road.

Yes, I am tired

and I would like nothing
better than to settle.

But why do I have to make myself
look like a bunch of posies

just to have a home? It
ain't me and I shan't do it!

Ain't you never liked dressing up, Lily?

When I was your age, young Laura,

there was a boy took my fancy,

and I made myself a dress
pretty as any that ever was.

I caught his eye,

then I caught his heart.

Least I thought I did until...

another frock caught his eye
even better and he was gone.

Good pair of boots won't ever go off
and leave you, that's for certain.

My whole life I have lived in one home,

with all the comforts I could wish for.

And I love it.

I can't imagine what it must be like

to pack up your belongings constantly.

It must be so tiring.

There has to come a time when
you feel that you've had enough.

Lily, I heard that you'd been
sleeping in Caroline's cottage?

Well, I only had a
little lie down, is all.

It is such a wonderful place to point
your eyes at the world, isn't it?

If you could stay here, Lil,

stay right here in your own home,

would you do it?

I weren't very good with
my numbers, Miss Lane,

but even I knows

the wages a woman can earn
ain't gonna pay no rent.

The field and the road.

The road and the field.

No-one can ever say they ever
saw Lil Spicer flinch. Not I!

No sign of Lil tonight.

I thought my ale was tasting better

without no elbows sticking in my sides.

Let's admit it, lads, what we like
most about an hour or two in here

is that we can let ourselves
imagine a world without women.

DOOR OPENS

Gentlemen, please forgive us for
intruding on your beer-supping,

but the landlord has kindly given
me permission to address you.

As you may know, I am standing
in our parish elections

and I hope that our past associations

will tell you the kind of woman I am
and the principles for which I stand.

It seems to me that this
election has hit upon

a most important local issue.

Homes. New homes.

What I promise is, that
if you should you elect me,

I will do my utmost to ensure
that the rents are affordable

for any working man -

indeed any working woman
- who wished to build a settled life here.

Miss Lane,

can you tell us,

after a man has waited all
his life for the right to vote,

why should he give it to a woman?

Because I am sure your superior male
intelligence will make clear to you

that you must vote on policies alone.

Miss Lane,

we get bossed enough by women at home.

Why would we want to be bossed
by them in the Town Hall?

I doubt that anyone has
ever bossed YOU, Mr Timmins.

Not even your boss.

I will leave you to enjoy
your leisure, gentlemen.

If any of you should
wish to speak with me,

you can find me in the Post Office.

Miss Lane...

does it not occur to you

that you standing might damage
the cause you wish to support?

I know the minds of the men round here,

and it's the men who pay the rates.

The men have the votes.

Are you saying that men I
have known all of my life

might vote against me
simply because of my gender?

We all respect you, Miss
Lane, and we like you enough.

But put these men in a booth
and ask them to put their cross

against a woman's name?

I don't think they'll wear it.

Then we must go about
changing their minds.

If I was standing and you...

believed a working man
had no chance of winning,

would you encourage me to fight or
would you advise me to stand down

in favour of a man in
a suit who might win?

Laura.

Good to see my daughter taking
an active interest in politics.

My sister would join us but I'm afraid

her headache still
has the better of her.

Then she must have her rest.

Pearl can rejoin us at any time.

Here it is.

Only last year a woman was elected
to the parish council in Devon.

Only one woman in the whole country?

It's a beginning and
it does give us hope.

How is it some women can vote
and some women can't vote?

Because some ladies, like Miss
Pratt, are property owners,

rate payers. But others, like
my ma, well, they're just women.

Now I see.

And what is a vote?

I am grateful for your
help, my friends, but...

I have come to the conclusion
that Mr Dowland is right.

Our community does need new homes.
But he is wrong, because the people

who need them most won't
be able to afford them.

I can't help that my own personal
antagonism towards the man

has clouded my vision.

I am not the best opponent.

You are too hard on yourself, Dorcas.

I am convinced you would make the
most wonderful parish councillor.

Ma'am, if I may, I think
you would like it a lot,

because then you could tell off
the whole town like you tell off me!

Dear Minnie,

I think you may have hit on the
problem rather than the solution.

Mr Timmins is right. I cannot win.

It was naive of me to think that the men

are ready for such a heady notion as
voting for a woman to rule over them.

But, ma'am, what will you do?

Perhaps there is someone
better suited to take him on.

I'm always the one to
fix things between us.

Why?

Because I'm a woman, that's why.

But not this time.

No.

I shall let you sulk
and boil all you like.

You are the one

who can turn the mere slip
of the tongue into a quarrel.

You are the one puffs out your chest

like you know you are
always in the right.

You are the one insists
that everyone else

live by your principles.

Have you any idea...

..what it's like living with
a man like Robert Timmins?

How many times

have I forgiven you for
speaking out of turn?

You know a thousand ways to hurt me,

but every time I let you back in.

I am human.

I make mistakes.

But by God in heaven,
Robert Timmins, I don't make

half as many as you do!

I am done apologising to you.

I am done living my life to make
you feel good about yourself.

You're right.

Perhaps a little unfair
about puffing out my chest...

..but I do know what it's like
to live with Robert Timmins.

I've had to put up with him all my life.

Oh, Robert...

I've always wanted children,

a wife,

a home.

How can a man get trapped

into something he longs for more
than anything else in this world?

It was cruel of me

to say such a thing.

A woman rules the house.

I thought you were all done apologising?

Don't you pick at everything
I do and don't say!

Good morning, Mr Dowland.

I wonder if I might have
a few minutes of your time?

Be careful what you say, Miss Lane.

I reserve the right to introduce
anything you might tell me

into the combat.

Are you saying you would
attack me personally?

If it were to further my case to
bring to light matters which I think

the voters should know about,

I consider it my
political duty to do so.

Very well.

I see more clearly now
what you are capable of.

You have seen nothing yet, Miss Lane.

Mr Dowland, on the
matter of the villas...

You are too late. I have
already ordered the materials.

I have signed the
contracts with the builders.

But it is parish council land.

And when I am elected, I will
push through permission to build.

You are so certain you will win?

Only because I have the moral argument.

It is only fair that I should win.

If I am wrong, why don't you
put my argument to the test?

Challenge everything I say in public?

A debate.

A debate?

You and I? It is in the great
tradition of British politics.

You would not shy away from
tradition, would you, Miss Lane?

I would relish such an opportunity.

Thomas...are you all right?

I am certain that if I move one inch,

this thing will crash to the ground.

Let me help you off it. Steady.

Truth is, Laura, I don't believe
there's a reason why this thing

should balance whilst I am upon it.

Motion, Thomas. Forward motion.

Like life itself. Nope.

What makes this thing go is faith.

And I cannot place my faith
in two wheels and a handlebar.

Well, what are we gonna
do with the bicycle?

We could send it back, I suppose.

Why can't Laura have it? Minnie!

What do you think, Laura? Could you
cope with this ungodly instrument?

I could try, ma'am.
She's been looking at it

with wanting eyes all week.
That will do, Minnie. Yes, ma'am.

I must pop out on an errand.

I will be gone for an hour or
so. What kind of errand, ma'am?

The kind of errand, Minnie, that has
nothing whatsoever to do with you.

Yes, ma'am.

"And the dog bit the cat..."

Alf!

THEY LAUGH

I didn't think Thomas Brown
would ever get on with a cycle.

Well, in't that the cleverest thing?!

Poor old horse, I say.

The poor old horse might get a rest now!

Thomas said how he met Rose on the lane.

How pretty she was.

Rose give me a lock of her hair.

She can't sleep at night for pining.

Rose...is more beautiful
each time I see her.

Can I?

Whoa! THEY LAUGH

Why, this is my reading book

from when I was no
more than six or seven!

What's this doing here?

That's my own childish writing in it.

Your pa loaned it to me.

That's a good idea, Alf.

I'm keeping you from your round.

Yes.

I should get on.

CHILDREN LAUGH AND CHATTER

She in't talking to me.

Least I think she in't.

Or perhaps I in't talking to HER.

I can't remember.

You've got your hotels in London.

Why did you come back, James? You
wouldn't believe me if I told you.

Perhaps I should decide what I believe.

Three hotels... 103 hotels...

I realised it was never enough.

What I want, Queenie,

is something you taught me.

Family.

Whatever shape it comes in.

What is it? Chocolate. Put
it away, say no more about it.

Still the same little James.

But perhaps not QUITE the same.

Queenie, it would be a great help
to me if you were to encourage

the other hamlet folk to come over
to Candleford for the debate. I might.

Pulling me up on the cart,

telling half the parish about
my taking in like that...

It made me feel uncomfortable, James.

Perhaps a bit imposed upon.

I'm sorry.

I shouldn't have done that.

I push too hard sometimes.

I've had to.

I learned that's how a man survives.

James, you were a boy
when you left here.

A boy, with nothing. You
learn how to fight, Queenie.

And then you learn
how to enjoy the fight.

Miss Lane.

I thought perhaps we
might toss a coin to decide

which of us should speak first.

I cannot object to that.

You call. Tails.

Heads.

I shall speak first.

It should be to your advantage to
be the second speaker. Good luck.

And to you.

APPLAUSE

Thank you.

Fellow parishioners,

a debate like this should be
about policies, not personalities.

But we have thrashed out
the issues on the hustings,

and I cannot let tonight pass

without saying a few
words concerning Miss Lane.

My opponent has conducted herself
with the utmost courtesy and grace.

I would expect nothing else

from a woman of such
standing in our community.

She has rare integrity.

We would be blessed indeed to have
such a woman on our parish council.

Why am I singing a hymn
of praise to this lady?

Because if I stood before you

and said that this woman was not

a remarkable example of the gentle sex,

then you would know I
was a fool and a liar.

(Why does he have to keep saying
"woman", "lady" and "gentle sex"?

(Oh, I think we know why.)

..to know what is best for the
poorest families in the parish

and all the womanly know-how
to keep good relations

with the gentry, and
all the feminine guile

to handle herself in those
smoke-filled council meetings.

At this rate, I shall
be voting for her myself!

THEY LAUGH You must be
asking yourselves then,

why should we choose Mr James Dowland?

Well, in the spirit of fair exchange,

I will let Miss Lane tell you that.

Miss Lane.

APPLAUSE

Thank you, Mr Dowland. That
was most considered of you.

Mr Dowland seems to think
you should vote against me

simply because I am a woman.

I wonder why he would do such a thing?

Might he wish to draw your attention
away from what really matters?

Since he has only been back

amongst us for such a little time,
we might think Mr JD is a foreigner.

I could play the
mysterious outsider status.

HER VOICE FADES

"It's true.

"A woman does set out to catch a man.

"And I set out to catch you,

"sitting up all night making dresses,

"buying ribbons I couldn't afford.

"But I would have been a fool not to.

"I loved you the first time
you spoke to me on that lane.

"I wanted to marry you
when we sat under that tree

"and talked about nothing.

"And I love you now.

"More, if that's possible.

"I know what it's like to
live with Robert Timmins

"and I hope I do so for
the rest of my life."

I see you have everything ready.

You clearly expected to win.

I like to be prepared
for all eventualities.

It might do me good to face
such public humiliation.

Dorcas, defeat is not humiliation.

Defeat is a spur.

When you have your eyes on a goal,

each set-back merely
intensifies the desire to win.

I didn't really object to
the idea of a woman standing.

I just said that to rile you.

An opponent disturbed
is an opponent weakened.

But...

..I am glad that I have won.

Evidently.

Glad for both of us, I mean.

Most of all for you.

If I am wrong, I will accept it.

If I am right, perhaps you will do
me the favour of acknowledging it?

You did not really want to win.

Not in your heart.

The formalities and obligations of
office would take away your freedom

to be Dorcas Lane, postmistress
and chief trouble maker. Am I right?

You are right.

I did not, in my heart,
want to be a councillor.

But you are wrong.

I suspect I wanted too much to win.

I wanted to defeat you.

But in the end,

none of that really matters.

How can it be that none
of that really matters

when you have put up such a fight?

Perhaps because an
election is only one way

to resolve a battle like this one.

At the first council meeting,
I shall carry the vote

to grant permission to build.
I am sure of it. It is done.

I don't doubt it.

But you have played your
hand too early, Mr Dowland.

When I knew that you were
to hinge your campaign

on the fact that I was a woman,

I realised I could not win.

Win the election, that is.

The issue is an altogether
different matter.

I took the liberty of visiting

the last sitting of
the old parish council.

They let me address
them. The outcome of which

is that they have fixed the rents

of any property to be
built on Goldstone Spinney

at a shilling a month for
the next 20 years. It is law.

It is done. But I have signed
the contract for them to be built!

I have ordered the materials.
Mr Dowland... James...

Yes?

May we eat now?

All this electioneering
has made me famished.

And, as everybody knows,

food is my one weakness.

CHEERING AND LAUGHTER

Lil. Shilling a month. And
my name is top of the list.

Where's your girl tonight, Alfie?

Heard all about your Rose from Twister.

He's afraid to bring her, in
case all the boys chase after her.

I know I would, that's for certain.
Hey, how about a song then, boys?

# At night when I'm home
Sadly tired from my work

# When I opens the door
she lets fly like a Turk

# Take that young squalling
wean and get it to sleep

# For all the day long
no peace shall I keep

# In the morning he finds
that he's cold at the hip

# Another day's waking
to the lash of her lip

# If this is the
comfort of a married life

# I wish in my heart
I ne'er had a wife! #

'A woman... A man.'

You did look handsome
on your expounding plank!

'They will always find
something to fight over.

'But it seems that the greatest
trouble starts when eyes meet.

'And what is begun cannot be halted.'

I in't never met anyone who
don't believe in God before.

George Ellison is a reprobate,
and he broke my father's heart.

A good Christian woman has
been brought low with grief,

plunged into the depths of despair
by the wicked nature of this man.

Well! A pious man like Thomas Brown
being made to lodge with a Catholic!

Got something living down there.

She will have to find a
position in another parish.

No. No, she cannot.

I could not bear that, ma'am.