Lark Rise to Candleford (2008–2011): Season 3, Episode 9 - Episode #3.9 - full transcript

LAURA: There was a saying in our family

that my mother often repeated...

..you can't have have everything.

Matilda Annie Higgs came to Lark
Rise fresh from training college

with all the latest educational ideas.

Keen on reform,

wanting to be a friend as well
as a teacher to her charges.

But they scented weakness and
regularly reduced her to tears.

She had no idea there were such
children like this anywhere.

Miss Higgs, is that a wig?

To her they were little savages.



MISS HIGGS SCREAMS

Miss Higgs was carried
home, never to be seen again.

So, a crisis at the school meant
the class were in need of a teacher.

That poor young woman.

Her only wish was to educate you,
and look what you have done to her.

The rector will be on
his way to reprimand you.

And then you will
shudder, as you deserve to.

When I sat where you are,

we were glad to have an education.

There weren't always a
school here, you know.

Children given learning.

Can't you see how marvellous that is?

Numbers...and letters... and stories...

These things are precious.



- Tell us one of your stories, Ma.
- I ain't here to tell you stories.

I'm here to tell you
how you have behaved,

and what you have done to Miss Higgs.

Please, Ma?

Please, Mrs Timmins.

CHILDREN PLEAD

Could they not simply
send it to me, ma'am?

We are, after all, a postal service.

When Head Office issues a summons,
Thomas, we must all answer the call.

But I have no need of
a new uniform, ma'am,

which will be the
same as my old uniform,

which, in fact, is perfectly adequate

since it has been properly cared for.

You are required to attend
and sign for your new garments.

But, Oxford, ma'am! Too big.

It could be good for you to go.

You might return with a renewed
appreciation of how fortunate we are

to live in the wilderness,
out of harm's way.

As ever, I must defer
to your greater wisdom.

Laura,

I am decided to be beautiful.

I am glad to hear that being beautiful

is something a girl
can decide for herself.

What I mean is, I am to make
an effort in the mirror, like...

So that I can be as delicious
as Miss Lane is. Nearly.

You make me sound like
a sponge cake, Minnie.

Will you help me,
Laura? Will you, please?

Course I will. But you are
lovely as you are, Minnie.

I want to put powders on my face
and tangle my hair just so...

Be careful every boy isn't
chasing you up the street.

Oh, I don't want every boy.

You may borrow some of my
powders, girls...for an experiment.

I will be delicious!

And then one cold winter night,

the doctor, an old man of 80,

stopped his dogcart at the inn gate

and came in for hot brandy
and with a tale to tell.

He told how he had been over Lady
Bridge many times at midnight,

but this night,

his horse would not
cross without urging.

And then, there she was -

the lady,

dressed in white and
riding a white horse.

It looked like it was made of smoke.

When I was your age,
I used to ask myself,

what is a story?

Well, ain't it like a magic spell,
taking us away someplace else?

Where do stories come from?

Why do we tell them to each other?

Because they're strange?

Perhaps. Sometimes.

I always did like ghost stories.

But don't we tell stories

because they help us to
understand each other?

I just like the adventure of them.

So do I, Frank!

Well, never mind all my talking.

What you want to know is what happened.

Thomas Brown.

I ain't never seen you in
here before on a Wednesday.

On my way back from Oxford.

Thought I might pause for
a beverage and some rest.

How was the big city?

Oh...

there's something about city folk -
those men, postmen - that is pompous.

If you're in the mood for saying
why, I'm in the mood for listening.

They laughed at me.

- What cause have they to laugh
at you? - My working conditions.

Primitive, they called it. Exploited.

No more than a lapdog of my mistress.

Do they not know that I am
a servant of Her Majesty?

A man's working conditions are
a measure of his self-respect,

what he feels he is worth.

Those Oxford postmen,
they know their rights.

I know you for what you are,
Robert Timmins. A radical.

Thomas Paine, workers' rights.

You would have us all living
in the manor, and our squire

on the lane with a begging bowl.

They seem to have gotten
under your skin, Thomas.

Everyone knows you are a
man who honours the old ways

but perhaps that bothers you
more than you care to admit.

Too disturbed to go home?

Too rattled to even discuss the matter?

The day I need your opinion on my
working affairs, political beliefs

or duty to the crown,

will be a sorry day in
the life of Thomas Brown.

Those children, Robert
- you could have heard a pin drop.

I liked Matilda Higgs well enough.

She seemed to have
progressive ideas on education.

The reason they bring these
teachers in from outside

is because they're qualified.
They hung on every word I said.

I felt so...

cherished.

The idea of one of our own taking
on the instruction of our young uns

is something well worth considering.

I thought perhaps...
tomorrow I might teach them

that beautiful antique
way of handwriting

that was taught to me by Miss Lowe.

You're thinking of going
back into the school?

There won't be no replacement
teacher for some days.

It is only temporary.

Why not?

Robert, you are forever telling
me how it feels when you work.

That sense of purpose, that belonging.

I know what you mean now.

Em, you go and have your...
few days of being cherished.

Thomas!

KNOCKING < Thomas!

KNOCKING CONTINUES < Thomas!

< Telegram to deliver.

HE SIGHS

Hurry along, little lapdog.

You alone must work
while the world sleeps.

Oh, Thomas, can you man the counter
whilst I take my morning ride?

Laura is not back yet.

Of course. Of course.

Is everything all right, Thomas?

Splendid, ma'am. Yes, it was
splendid at six o'clock this morning

when I took delivery
of the mail from Oxford.

It will be splendid the day
long until the hour this evening

when I get home in time for supper.

And doubtless it will be splendid
when the knock comes on my door

in the middle of the night.

Do I perceive a hint of
dissatisfaction, Thomas?

The letter-carriers in Oxford
have an eight-hour day, fixed.

And every man has a
half-day's rest every week.

I'm sure they do, but
we have our own ways.

When I told them we worked
Saturday evenings, they laughed.

We are used to being laughed at
by our superior city brethren.

Minnie, I think perhaps powders
and curls might be more appropriate

in the evenings.

Yes, ma'am.

BELL RINGS

Oh, Margaret. We have had
a telegram for the rector.

Has he spoken to you about it?

The rector? No.

Miss Higgs was carried away
with nervousness and turmoil.

- They ain't got a teacher at the school.
- Minnie!

Goodness!

- I had not heard.
Thomas, did you know? - No.

Why, I must go.

In my father's day, we
were responsible, he and I.

Goodness!

Ma'am, if I am only allowed
to wear powders in the evening,

then no-one will see me,
only you and Laura and Sydney.

But, as I expressly explained, Minnie,

this is only girlish practice for you.

The world is not yet prepared
for beauty such as yours.

Yes, ma'am.

Slave hours, those Oxford
postmen called our work days.

Slave hours indeed!

Am I some feudal lady who
keeps you tied to the wheel?

Did I not personally ensure that
you were excused working on Sundays?

Do I not take out the mail myself
sometimes on the Sabbath day?

Thomas.

I have always understood that we
have the most cordial of relations.

We do, Miss Lane.

Though I feel compelled to say,
cordial entirely on your terms.

Thomas Brown, one day in Oxford
and you have had your head turned!

It is my own head to turn.

Longer.

Go on, you can do it.

This way of writing has been
handed down through generations.

Oh, Emma! You are here. Splendid.

I hurried over as soon
as I heard I was needed.

I didn't realise you
were needed, Margaret.

As the rector's daughter, it
has always been my pastoral duty

to take care of the school
children at such times.

But your pa is no longer the rector...

since he passed away some while ago.

I do not mind.

Indeed, I consider it a
true pleasure to provide

such a service to my community.

My role here has been handed
down across generations.

Duty does not wither with
the passing of my father.

I didn't mean to question your
willingness, Mrs Brown, only...

And I am free and
able to take the class.

I am sure you have so many
family responsibilities

calling on your every hour.

Let me relieve you, Emma.

- Children, I want you to show
your appreciation to Mrs Timmins

for looking after the
class until I arrived.

Margaret...

I don't think it is...

BABY GRIZZLES

Your little girl needs
you to take her home, Emma.

BABY BABBLES

Miss Lowe's antique method
- I know it well.

A little more colour to show off
those lovely cheekbones of yours.

Look at how I look!

I do like being resistible.

Irresistible, Minnie.

Oh... Ain't there a dance
soon that I can go to?

There is the school bazaar.

I shall go. I shall go!

Oh...but in the evenings.

I think we might make an
exception in allowing you to wear

a little face powder on
this occasion, Minnie.

School bazaar! Oh, I
shall be irresistible!

Oooh!

Minnie.

Thomas.

Ah. Evening.

You're becoming quite a regular in here.

You'll have your own tankard next.

May we speak in confidence?

Of course.

If a man were to wish his
circumstances of employment

to be modified to be
more in accord with...

What I mean to say is...

Those men in Oxford,

they enjoy...they are not compelled
to work every hour that God gives us.

Did you ever hear of
the Eight Hour League?

Tom Mann?

Things are moving, Thomas.

Miss Lane is a fair employer,
I have no doubt of that.

And make no mistake, whatever I
say to you, I am not encouraging you

to go into conflict with
such a decent postmistress.

But the benefits you might enjoy
are in her gift. Not by rights.

She may be generous and good-natured,

but her whim rules.

You have put into words what
I have been feeling of late.

Did you know, Thomas,
that in your profession,

those men who first banded together

to improve their situation,
they had to meet in secret.

They called themselves a confederacy,

protesting against low
wages and extra duties.

They had the support of some
societies, journalists...

and clergymen.

Men of the cloth?

It is a great Christian endeavour

to seek humane treatment
for working people.

Men were sacked for
taking on their employers,

but in the end they triumphed.

They won those rights that
your Oxford postmen boasted of.

I simply want to know what to do,

how I might approach gaining
a Saturday evening at home.

Same thing.

Same problem.

Same answer.

And that is?

Organise.

It must hurt terribly.

It will be worse by the morning.

Now I am resistible.

Oh.

I see that you are occupied.

I feel full of vivacity,
I have no thought of sleep.

I can hardly wait for tomorrow

so that I might return to the classroom.

How marvellous for you, Margaret.

Don't let me interrupt.

BABY CRIES

Patience, child. You must
sleep because I must sleep.

Hey, shh, shh. Come on, come on.

BABY CRIES LOUDLY Hey,
hey, hey. Shh, shh.

Thomas...

I wanted to apologise for
my harsh words yesterday.

It was inconsiderate of me to
take such a high-handed attitude.

You have every right to
question me as your employer.

Thank you, ma'am.

I did not mean to trivialise
your legitimate concerns.

I hope we can put it behind us now.

Perhaps this Saturday evening
we might have a meat pie

with lashings of gravy.

I am afraid we cannot,
ma'am, put it behind us.

The history of the working man's destiny

is a catalogue of legitimate
concerns cast asunder.

Minnie, what are you doing?

I ain't such a pretty sight for our
customers to look at today, ma'am.

I am sure they may be concerned for
you, Minnie, but I doubt very much

whether they would find the
sight of you displeasing.

Yes, ma'am.

Thomas, only a few days ago

you proudly declared yourself
to be a servant of Her Majesty.

Indeed, ma'am. But which Her Majesty?

The one I chose to serve sits on
the throne at Buckingham Palace.

Let us stop this before we
fall into another emotional row.

Thomas, I sense that something
is deeply troubling you.

I genuinely want to discuss
any grievances you might have.

These matters can only be resolved
through the good offices of CaPOLCA.

Capolca?

What kind of word is that?

The Candleford Post Office Letter
Carriers Association, ma'am.

- I had no idea such a body
existed. - It soon will.

It would not be appropriate for
us to further discuss matters

in this informal manner.

CaPOLCA will be in touch, ma'am.

Thomas, please...

I must press on.

Heaven forbid I was late
taking out the second delivery.

Minnie, will you stop this darting
to and fro? It is most distracting.

What is it that is bothering you?

Nothing, ma'am. Honestly.

Then stay at your chores and stop
this frantic scampering around.

I surely will, ma'am.

BELL RINGS, MINNIE SQUEALS

Alfie!

Why must I spend my
last coppers on a stamp,

for all the good it'll do?

That is not like you, Alfie.

You usually bring in
such a sunny disposition.

If you think my face is full of wasps,

- you ought to see what's
in the letter. - Oh, Alf,

are you sure you want to send such
tidings to your mother in prison?

It ain't my job to cheer her.

Ain't my job to raise
her children neither,

but I must.

The Slave's Dream by
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

CLEARS THROAT

"Beside the ungathered rice
he lay His sickle in his hand

"His breast was bare His matted hair

Was buried in the sand..."

SHE COUGHS

"Again, in the mist and shadow of sleep

"He saw his Native Land..." COUGHING

"Wide through the
landscape of his dreams..."

CHILDREN COUGH AND GIGGLE

Children, please show
some consideration.

This is a most delicate poem.

"The lordly Niger flowed

"Beneath the palm-trees
on the plain..."

RISING HUBBUB

"Once more a king he strode

"And heard the tinkling
caravans Descend the mountain..."

Children, please.

I want us to be friends.

Silence!

Sit down!

Is this any way for you
to behave towards Mrs Brown

after what happened to Miss Higgs?

Emma, how kind of you to pop by

and to dispense a little
Lark Rise governance

to the slightly wayward children.

I was just about to...tell them...

I have not simply popped by, Mrs Brown.

I have come to see you.

To say to you, if I may...

..I so enjoyed my time
here with the class,

that I thought, until such
time as a new teacher arrives,

I would like...

..I have decided

to continue.

But you are not...

- You are...
- I am a housewife...

from a hamlet.

But I know my learning.

And I seem to have a gift

for passing it on.

The children seem to respond to it.

Oh.

And since the school
bazaar is so close at hand,

and there is much to do,

I am sure the school will need
as much help as it can get.

Yes, well... Of course. Yes.

School bazaar.

Are you considering helping
the girls with their sewing?

No.

I have rather more
grand plans than that.

Laura.

We must band together...to assert
our claims against capitalism.

Thomas, why are you whispering?

Such radical matters
must be spoken in secret.

Laura, you must join

the Candleford Post Office Letter
Carriers Association, CaPOLCA.

It is our only hope to voice
our workers' grievances.

I have no grievances.

I love my work.

I am well paid. I am
fond of the Post Office.

Can you not see, Laura?

We are at a historical moment.

The first workers'
organisation in Candleford.

It is a Christian mission

to care for the needs
of the lowly wage-earner

Lift up your eyes, Laura.

Future generations will
consider us...pioneers.

I do not wish to be a pioneer.

You are a Timmins. You discuss
politics with your father.

You are not some empty-headed girl.

Can I join, Thomas?

I ain't never joined anything before.

You, Minnie, are a maid.

I did once take out a round.

Part of a round. And I might again.

You are correct.

It is CaPOLCA's responsibility
to care for your welfare.

You may come to our meeting.

Laura, at least join us at our first
gathering, to hear the case. Please.

Since you enjoyed our
ghost story so much,

I decided we might make some puppets

to present our story
at the school bazaar.

What an amusing notion, Emma.

I am sure we would like to do just that,

in addition to
making the pin-a-sight

which I had planned for the bazaar.

It has long been the tradition
of our school that each generation

makes a
pin-a-sight.

We shall pick some flowers,
children, and press them

and then present them
inside of a magical box.

Ain't it marvellous how
those oldest ideas endure?

Perhaps you might make puppets with
the boys and I could lead the girls

in pin-a-sight
making?

Come outside, boys. We will
start by making the white horse.

Into the garden, girls.

When I was a student,
Miss Lowe often told me

I would make a wonderful teacher.

And since the replacement tutor
will only be a temporary measure,

I thought I might
approach the governors.

I imagine I might be
the ideal candidate.

Local, connected to
the school, qualified.

And I have no children of my own to
prevent me from taking up the post.

Do be careful, Margaret.

Look what became of Matilda Higgs.

You are very like her in many ways.

Whereas you are made of
the strongest mettle, Emma.

You have a post already
as Sydney's governess.

Isn't that more suited
to your delicate nature?

And you have everything a
woman could wish for, Emma.

A family to give you
fulfilment, contentment.

Do you know what we have overlooked?

The school prize!

The children's
presentations must be judged,

and the winner awarded the Honour Cup.

Perhaps Miss Lane might
be judge this year?

Miss Lane.

I see that you are checking on me...

in my own home.

Does my timekeeping meet
with your satisfaction?

Thomas, I came to make peace.

I have so little time to
be a man in my own family.

I see that you must
intrude and rob me of that.

Thomas!

How can you be so rude?

You are one of Miss Lane's
oldest, dearest friends.

I am, first and foremost,
an employee of Miss Lane.

And since this is my
home and my free time,

I beg that you respect my privacy.

I only wanted to convey to you...

there is no need for CaPOLCA.

Do you refuse your staff
the right to representation?

If you insist on being childish,

if you demand to relate to
me only as your employer,

then I can play that game too.

Good evening, Margaret.

I shan't go.

But Miss Lane is to
judge the school prize.

There will be a puppet
show and a pin-a-sight.

I ain't never seen a puppet show.

But how can I go, looking like this?

If you are worried about
Alfie seeing your black eye,

then he has greater
concerns to occupy him.

Patience won't let him sleep

when those sisters of his
are running him ragged.

Ain't how you look that
matters to Alfie, Minnie,

but how you might help and comfort him.

She competes with me,

as if to show me I am no
more than a hamlet wife.

Margaret, compete?

She has the gentlest
nature of anyone I know.

She resents me being there.

Treats me like an
intruder in her back yard.

Em, can't you see?

Margaret is childless.

Still.

As time goes by, the more
she feels the panic of that.

This is a position that would suit her.

And wouldn't it suit me?

What if I was to say
I wanted to stay on?

- That's not possible.
- Why is it?

You have children. Annie.

What happened to one of our own

taking on our young uns' instruction?

What about you telling me I ought
to enjoy my sense of purpose?

"Go and be cherished!"

For a few days, I said.

That's how it is.

I need your permission to go
and be cherished for a few days.

Life is built like this.

You are a mother.

You have a home to look
after, a husband to care for.

Yes, you are right.

Margaret needs understanding, Emma.

Welcome to the inaugural
meeting of CaPOLCA,

the Candleford Post Office
Letter Carriers Association,

and what an auspicious day this is.

It is beholden upon me
to open the proceedings

by inviting the association
to nominate a leader.

Every public body needs someone
at the helm who is lion-hearted,

inspirational and steadfast,
to champion its cause.

I believe the procedure is that

someone from the floor must propose
a candidate and then we vote.

So...

if anyone would like
to propose...anyone...

I'm not sure I should suggest anyone

as I don't really want
to join an association.

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

Miss Lane, forgive me, this is
a private meeting of CaPOLCA,

open only to members.

I would like to become a member.

I work here in the post office,
and I feel rather left out.

I propose Miss Lane for our leader,
as she is already our leader,

and if she weren't to be our other
leader then she might be upset.

Miss Lane is our employer, Minnie,

and therefore cannot
be our representative

in matters which relate to
dealing with our employer.

If I were a member, I
would propose Thomas Brown.

He has all of the qualities required
- tenacity, integrity,

fair-mindedness, intelligence

and humility.

I propose Laura, as
everybody likes Laura.

The older of Farmer Morris's
boys said only today,

- "Where is that fine
young woman?" - Did he?

I prefer the youngest Morris boy
as he is more handsome and gentle

and has such attractive teeth.

Ladies, please.

We have before us

the considerable matter of
anointing...appointing our leader.

Someone must propose one of us.

Since you seem to know best
on these matters, Thomas...

Yes?

..and since you are the
one as gathered us here...

Yes?

..who would you propose?

I propose Thomas Brown.

Well...

then let us put it to the vote.

All those in favour of Thomas Brown,

raise your hands.

Miss Lane, I am afraid you
are not qualified to vote.

Then since you have no opponent and
since you have a landslide victory,

am I qualified to offer a
piece of cake in celebration

of your consecration...

Excuse me, your appointment?

Miss Lane, cake in the post office
is not the same as the rights of man.

But it is lemon gingerbread!

Let us put an abundance of flowers in.

We want radiance!

Girls, we must do everything
we can to show those boys

that it is not extravagance
that wins the day, but beauty.

Which boy would like
to present the horse?

ALL CLAMOUR

James, you can be the horse.

And who would like to be the doctor?

ALL CLAMOUR

Lawrence, you be the doctor.

GLASS SMASHES

Oh, Lizzie!

It's all right. We can mend it.

Don't look so fearful.

But you said we must win, Mrs Brown.

We will, girls.

I have every faith in you.

Oh, but those marionettes are
quite magnificent, aren't they?

Ah...

I've never known you to
leave mail unsorted, Thomas.

We have reached the hour at
which my hired labour is ended.

I will sort them myself.

Our neighbours will be waiting for
their post from their loved ones

first thing tomorrow.

I'll help you, ma'am.

Laura, think hard.

Capitalism will sometimes
cajole us with the lash

and at other times with charm and
a call to our sympathetic nature.

Thomas, I am tired of being
presented as the evil slave-driver.

I am the same Dorcas Lane I
have been all of these years.

What on earth is the matter with you?

You seem to have left

all trace of your charitable
disposition in Oxford.

You appear to have lost all
sense of joy in your work.

Mine eyes have been opened,
Miss Lane, that is all.

During my meal break today,
most certainly not on your time,

I happened to browse through the
book of Post Office regulations.

The clock has struck.

It tells me that, for the last two
minutes, I have been my own man.

I am no longer your chattel, Miss Lane.

Thomas... I fear this battle
between you and Miss Lane

will get worse unless you...

Thomas,

you look so sad.

What is it? CHILDREN LAUGH AND CHATTER

Laura...

this town will grow...

..stores will multiply.

We already have a hotel, a town clock.

The Post Office will doubtless expand.

What are we to pass on
to future generations,

those who come after us?

We will give them...

CaPOLCA!

I don't want her to be our teacher.

I want her to be our ma.

It ain't them resisting, it's you.

I've seen it coming.

You want me here, in the home,

baking, washing
- a wife and no more.

I am telling you what
our children told me.

Does that not matter to you?

Frank thinks you are favouring
other boys over him and it hurts him.

Can't you see that that matters?

It is an awkward situation,
you being in the school.

Only because it is new.

That kind of mishap...

I will get better at it, that's all.

Em, you can't imagine being the teacher.

You are a mother, you
have chosen this life.

Did I?

No-one imprisoned you. I
did not know I had a choice.

I am a poor girl from a hamlet family.

Our Laura is allowed to fly, but not me.

In my time, I was a maid, a
nurse to other people's children.

I followed it all like clockwork,
but I knew I was capable of more.

I did not know there
was some other life.

If you follow this it will torment you.

All you will see is what you are denied.

- Why should I be denied?
- You are not qualified for the post.

And Margaret Brown is?

I have seen her with the children.

They mock her and
play upon her weakness,

and yet they hang on every word I say.

How can that be right?

- Em...
- No.

Em, the times in which we live...

the circumstances under
which we are born...

we have to struggle against, and
nobody knows that more than I.

Our children will not vanish

because you suddenly feel
like spreading your wings.

Last week, your face was full of joy

until this thing at
the school came along.

Where's it gone?

Yes, let us advance
ourselves, but not like this.

Not recklessly.

When a man wants to take on the world,

it is called self-respect.

When a woman tries...

it is reckless.

You were born before your time...

..that's all.

That's all.

Well, I shall not give in.

I shall try.

The school bazaar will
show them I am capable.

That do take a lot of
cooking, don't it, ma'am?

Calves' foot jelly, Minnie, has
been a favourite of this post office

for more years than I have been alive.

Thomas loves this dish
more than any other.

Ah!

Thomas!

Your apron is here.

I know how much you relish it

when the moment arrives for
you to pour out the juice.

Oh.

But how would it fit with
those rules and regulations

for a senior postman to put on an
apron and take up cooking chores?

I'm not sure CaPOLCA would approve.

Do you think you ought to
consult your brethren in Oxford?

In fact, you may not even be
allowed to eat it when it is ready.

I would not care to compromise
your rights with a savoury jelly.

DOOR OPENS

The poor girl wept in my arms.

A mother in prison.

A father away at sea.

She has suffered the loss of a brother.

And the family is held together by Alf.

Thomas, I realised why it matters
so much to me, being in the school.

Because...

it feels as if...

since we married, I have
been holding my breath,

waiting.

The teaching has helped
me to breathe again.

Thomas, perhaps the time
has come for us to let go.

To accept...

I... I don't understand.

What are you saying?

My dear, I have been composing a letter

to the governors of the school.

An application...to teach...

So you have decided...

alone...

..to abandon our...life?

This is our life.

This.

You and I.

This can be enough, if...

- There are children out there...
- I see those children.

Happy ones, suffering
ones, those mistreated.

I cannot accept that it
is not intended for us.

We...

I mean...

But people, couples, have no
God-given right to have children.

Perhaps our calling is to reach out
to those children who might need...

You comfort an Arless child,

suddenly our hopes...

are to be deserted?

SLAMS BOOK ON TABLE

I have kept these since I was a boy.

What am I to do with them now
if we follow your latest fancy?

Shall I throw them away?

If we continue as we are...

month after month I have
to bring you the bad news...

..it will come between us.

How long, Thomas?

When we married...

..your greatest wish,
regularly expressed,

was to bring our child into this world.

And my calling

was to overcome my feelings of
hesitance in order to oblige.

So I have given myself
to this hope, for us,

with all of my heart.

And now you ask me to
imagine my life denied?

It cannot be possible never to
look into the eyes of my own child.

I will not accept that.

I cannot bear to deny you.

But when the school governors come
to the bazaar, it is my opportunity.

I want them to see that I am
willing and able to take on the post.

Thank you. Miss Lane.

Robert, I wonder if I might trouble you

for some advice on a
rather sensitive matter?

I seem to be everybody's
wise uncle at the moment.

Well, almost everyone.

I am in such a tangled
dispute with Thomas Brown,

and I am behaving like a
naughty school girl towards him.

I bait him.

I tease him.

He only wants me to
accommodate some concerns he has

about his working conditions, yet
I cannot seem to take it seriously.

Perhaps that tells you something
about what this means to you.

Yes. I do not want to
formalise our relationship.

- I cannot bear the thought.
- But he wants you to respect his position.

And I want him to see that there are
benefits in the way that we operate.

I am sure you are a fair employer...

but you are an employer,

and you have to take
on that responsibility.

Forgive me if I tread too hard,

but you are happy to dish
out your commands, Dorcas.

And now that someone is
making a few demands on you,

how will you meet that challenge?

You are a man who champions
modern working conditions,

and you have at times
taken on apprentices.

Perhaps you could see both sides.

A third voice in this.

Then Thomas might see that it is
not me he is beholden to, but reason.

Arbitrate?

Would you?

Yes.

But if I do and I find that Thomas
has a case and you must adapt,

- will you agree to be bound by that?
- I will try.

That is not good enough.

Then I will.

My puppet, it's gone. I can't
find it, miss. It's gone.

The puppets are gone.

They will be here somewhere, Emma.

- I will help you look. Come on, girls.
- They can't just vanish.

They have been taken.

Taken? But why?

In order that the pin-a-sight
might win the Honour Cup.

Oh. But surely...

Emma, you cannot believe
that I would instigate...

- I ain't saying that...
- or condone or...or wish to benefit?

But you will benefit.

FOOTSTEPS

My sisters wish to returns these.

They will tell you why they took them

and they will offer their apologies.

Well?

- I'm really sorry.
- Really sorry.

I am the one who must apologise.

I pressed the girls.

We must win, we must triumph.

I am sorry, girls.

Perhaps it is best if we
abandon the competition.

But the children have worked so hard,

made such beautiful things.

Then if we were to enter into this
with mutual respect and support...

Yes.

Mutual respect.

Thomas...

Perhaps you would like to
spell out your grievances.

I work long days.

Dawn till dusk and beyond.

I am on call, should a telegram
need delivering out of hours.

I have no half-day's rest,
as other letter-carriers do.

- Those city postmen do not...
- Miss Lane, please.

Let Thomas talk uninterrupted.
You will have your turn.

I am expected to undertake extra duties.

Saturday evenings, I am required
to be here in the post office,

when there is not a shop in
the town, not an employer.

- The inn, the constable, the hotel.
- Miss Lane, please.

Thomas, what is it that you want?

An eight-hour day.

Recognition that I and my fellow workers

are not at Miss Lane's beck and call

when she chooses to say we
are available and must work.

Miss Lane,

would you like to respond
to Thomas's grievances?

I would.

For me, the Post Office
is not a job, it is a life.

Your life, Miss Lane,
into which we must all...

Thomas! It is time for
you to hold your tongue.

We work in such a leisurely fashion
that every day is a half-day.

Friends and family visit us here and
we all stop to enjoy their company.

It is not hard labour I demand of
my staff, but to enjoy each day.

Yes, Thomas is here
on Saturday evenings,

but we enjoy a grand meal
and much conviviality.

The reason we are here is to allow
the Irish labourers the opportunity

to send off news and
money to their families.

They have no other opportunity
to do this, as they are expected

to work the fields constantly
throughout the rest of the week.

Yes, I can be as stern as
a school ma'am at times,

but I also include my staff
in my life as true friends.

Thomas...

..do you want to say anything
else before we conclude?

I do.

When work must be all of a man's life...

..I feel it is such a great injustice...

that I cannot accept.

It cannot be possible.

Perhaps I could have a
few minutes to consider.

Thomas.

I am sorry about the calves' foot jelly.

And I regret my clock-watching.

Laura was right. I...

I love my work.

I look forward to every
day setting out on my round.

I have never seen you so disaffected.

What is it that is disturbing you?

Margaret...has decided...

that we should give up our hopes of...

She said that?

Give up?

"Accept" was the word she used.

I wonder if what she means is...

when couples find themselves
in this predicament,

they put so much pressure on themselves.

You cannot change
things by wishing it so,

nor by demanding it to be different.

I feel that if I accept...

..then it is done.

My life will be only work.

But you cannot know what tomorrow holds.

Perhaps accepting it...

..just for today...

..might ease some of your burden.

I am ready.

Miss Lane...

..you wish to keep relations
on an informal understanding.

Thomas, you would like
time with your family.

Perhaps, when you want time off, Thomas,

you simply ask for it

and expect your employer
to be...obliging.

Would you both agree to that?

Thomas, you have an employer who
has a inclination towards joshing...

and, well, cooking.

Can you accommodate...

pickled herrings and the
occasional dig in the ribs?

Yes.

Now for my most controversial proposal.

Miss Lane, you claim that
a relaxed approach is vital,

and you, Thomas,

you want respect.

My proposition is that, once a week...

..you take a half-day off...

Dorcas...

And that will leave you in
charge, Senior Postman Brown.

You will see life on the other
side of the fence, and you, ma'am,

will pay Mr Brown the
regard he deserves.

- Agreed?
- Agreed.

Agreed.

Then we are done.

Oh!

Perhaps a drink to seal the settlement.

I think CaPOLCA might
permit such a gesture.

Mine is a cordial.

Of course.

Ma'am, I shall go to the bazaar!

And I shan't hide from Alfie.

I will tell him I am
here...there to help and comfort.

BABY CRIES

I'm coming, my darling.
Just let me find the lantern.

CRASH!, ALF GROANS

And so, every night at midnight,

the lady in white came
back to the bridge,

until the hamlet folk realised that
she was searching for her lost child

who fell from the bridge
a hundred years before.

And so they had to help her.

- One cold winter night,

- the doctor, an old man of 80,

- stopped his dogcart at the inn gate...

Alfie, when you look at me,

try to think I have only
come here to help and comfort.

Alfie, any time you like, I shall
take care of Patience all day long,

and I shall teach her
to sleep like a babe.

- She is a babe.
- I know.

APPLAUSE

How shall I ever decide?

The pin-a-sight was the
best I have ever seen,

and I have looked upon and made many.

The puppet show was a rare
treat and had us all gripped.

Boys, you have excelled yourselves.

Girls, you should be
proud of your efforts.

I have made up my mind.

The winner is...

the marionette show!

Boys are my one weakness.

There were things that
could not be mended,

not in our time, at least.

But there were matters
that could be restored.

Within days, a replacement
teacher arrived.

Miss Holmes came to stay.

We had an old saying that
we still lived by then -

you can't have everything.

He's a charmer. He's charmed you.
Same as he's charmed all the girls!

Did you do this to my
daughter? Mrs Mullins...

Answer me! Is it your child?

SOBBING

Money? I saw him give it Emily.
It seems we have no choice

but to accept that Daniel
has a charge to answer.

I'm asking you to accept
that I am honourable in this.

If you were the father, you
would not dare look me in the eye.

I am in such a confusion
of feelings. Fisher Bloom?

When? He is on his way.