Lark Rise to Candleford (2008–2011): Season 4, Episode 2 - Episode #4.2 - full transcript

LAURA: When words are written down,

they can be the finest expression
of the human soul.

But the summer
when poetry fever struck Candleford,

it was not quite so enriching.

Who would have imagined

that neighbour might turn
so fiercely against neighbour

over rhymes and pentameters?

Once words are marked down on paper,
they cannot be taken back.

They are in the world,

for good or for ill.

They wither or they endure.



Words can be dangerous things.

They might find expression
when we least expect it.

Or they can desert us altogether.

And the winner will receive
a prize and a trophy

- and their poem will be published.
- Oh!

I always thought you were shy of
showing anyone your writing, our Laura.

But if there is to be a competition
and I'm to call myself a writer,

wouldn't it be quite something if I won?

The Chronicle is read
right across the county now.

That does sound fine, my dear.

You have so many poems
in that journal of yours.

Oh, but I must write a new one.

For I am to be at my very best
if I am to win.

Just be careful
it ain't too good, my girl.



How can it be too good, Ma?

That's the third time
I've seen him there.

What's he up to?

PEARL: You have caused
quite a sensation, dear boy.

Half the county is talking about
Candleford's poetry extravaganza.

The response is
more than I dared hope for.

- Will you be entering, Miss Pearl?
- Moi? Poesie?

- Do you really think so?
- You have such a way with words.

(GIGGLES) Oh, Daniel! Tartine?

I am here. I do exist.
I am capable of conversation.

How rude of me, Miss Ruby.
Do you like poetry?

Oh, I love verse, which is why
I believe a poetry contest

to be the lowest form of vulgarity
ever visited upon Candleford.

Ruby!

Let me ask you, Mr Parish.

Why are you conducting
this battle of the rhymes?

Is it to advance
an appreciation of verse?

Or might it be to sell
a few more copies of your dreadful rag?

Ruby! What has possessed you?

There is some truth
in what you say, Miss Ruby.

But now that the competition
is underway,

I will endeavour to use it
to enrich our community.

Oh, dear Daniel.

Confiture?

Oh!

Consideration abounds, Laura.

Our neighbours east, west,
north and south

have given plentifully for our cause.

Poetry! Just when a writer
might need inspiration.

- Can I borrow these, Thomas?
- You may purchase them, Laura.

And in so doing, your conscience
will rest appeased in the knowledge

that you have directed
those far-off godless savages

on their way to civilisation.

One penny should suffice.

Thomas, did you send
Minnie out with a parcel?

Well, she was at her most restive,
ma'am,

I thought the trek would tire her out.

But she is absent when I need her
to bring in the washing.

Not being blessed with the gift of
foresight, Miss Lane,

I was not to know that.

In future, kindly do not take it
upon yourself to instruct my staff.

Yes, ma'am.

- One penny.
- Thank you.

How was the fair, Queenie?

Fair?

You've brought your lace back with you.

I put myself down in the wrong spot.

There weren't so many folk
at Banbury Fair this year.

You be sure and soak your hands tonight,
my dear.

Queenie, I know when you are trying
to turn the conversation away.

Is this the same book as ever it was?

The Bible don't change.

Then where have the words gone?

Why, they're there on the page,
you old duffer.

I see the letters well enough.

But the "F"s are tumbling over the "H"s.

The "L"s are in the way of the "O"s.

Twister! Them tricks your mind
plays on you sometimes.

I taught myself to read.

With a candle and the Good Book.

Now my reading is gone.

That will be all we hear of now.

How Twister Turrill lost his reading.

I know those books.
The new owners of the Fellwick Foundry

cannot be as fond of poetry
as my wife was.

Oh.

Gabriel, if they are yours
then you must have them back.

No. They are the past.

Their presence would only torment me.

You enjoy them, Laura.

Thank you.

Gabriel, I have your wages.

I would be grateful if you'd keep it.

I don't understand.

If I am to regain my position,

I will not do that with wages,
however generous they are.

I have food and a roof over my head.

In place of wages,

what I ask is that you permit me
to use the forge,

outside of my working hours,
for my own purposes.

I see no harm in that.

Though it might depend upon
what those purposes are?

A man can only rise above the crowd

if he puts something of value
into the world.

Now you have my curiosity fizzing.

As a boy,
I was fascinated with machines.

Now I intend to make one.

- A machine? In my forge?
- Mmm-hmm.

I am still more intrigued.

A patent can be the making of a man,
only if it is unique and original.

I'm afraid I must work
in the utmost secrecy.

Heavens! Such intrigue.

And to think that up till now

we managed on shoeing horses
and fixing gates.

Forgive me, Gabriel.

A woman must be allowed a little teasing

when a man is about to
conquer the world.

I am glad to see your spirits
so speedily restored.

Oh, dear. Minnie is still not back yet.

I sent her on an errand with Sydney
to fetch some nails. Do you mind?

No, not at all.

It will be a splendid experience
for them both.

I, uh, couldn't help but notice

that the washing line remains
unfortunately neglected.

How can a man's reading just vanish?

Perhaps I am being punished.

Punished? What for?

Something I've done.
Or something I ain't done.

One or the other.

That's a mystery if ever there was one.

MINNIE: Alfie!

Alfie! You must write a poem

for the poetry competition
at the Candleford Chronicle.

I ain't never writ a poem before.

Well, you wrote a song, didn't you?

But a poem ain't the same as a song.

Why ain't it?

A song's sung.

A poem ain't.

What if you wrote a song
but didn't sing it?

Would that be a poem?

It might be.

I could write a love song.

About me? Oh, I ain't never had
a love song written for me before!

What rhymes with Minnie?

(MOUTHING)

What rhymes with Winifred?

I have to go.

- Go? You've only just got here.
- I know.

What, you came all this way
just to go again?

Make your song full of kisses!

Empty head!

That rhymes with Winifred.

What a poetry competition
sadly reveals to us

is that Candleford
is bereft of true substance.

Intellectual substance.

Who is there who might produce
a verse of genuine meaningfulness?

- Laura writes such pleasing...
- Laura is a girl.

She lacks experience.

Great poetry aspires to so much more
than trite little love ditties.

Surely the winning verse must tap

the throbbing underswell
of the human condition.

It occurs to me, if I were to...

Should an apt subject come forth,
I might pick up my pen.

(LAUGHS MOCKINGLY)

Ladies, I venture forth once more
to deliver missives to the masses.

"A humble postman
This land does traverse

"He ventures forth
Brave as Odysseus"

My poor dear deluded sister

imagines she might actually
win the silly competition.

Alfie's writing a song that ain't
a song and it's gonna be about me.

Everyone knows Laura Timmins
will walk away with the prize.

Of course she will.

Laura is a fine writer.

Well, I ain't never seen her writing
but I expect she is

because she fixes her hair
so marvellous.

Laura will not triumph because
of her gifts with the pen, Minnie.

Why will she?

Why?

Because she's romantically intended
for the judge of the contest.

Minnie...

You must tell no one
the outcome is already decided.

It is agreed between Laura
and Mr Parish.

I happened to overhear them arrange it.

You must not disclose this
to a single soul.

Oh, ain't that nice, ma'am?

If Daniel loves Laura so much
he wants her to win?

No, it is cheating.
Minnie, you must not make mention

of this skulduggery
of Mr Parish's to anyone.

If Laura is going to win,
I expect there will be celebrations.

- I might have a new ribbon!
- Minnie, look at me.

It is crookedness and corruption
and you must tell no one.

Well, is it a secret?

Oh, I ain't so good with secrets.

Off you go, child. Quickly.

Oh, Miss Pratt.

I have brought the lace you ordered.

And should you need it
or should you wish it,

I have a little extra.

I do believe this is the most

delicate point ground lace

ever to come off my bobbins.

There's times when I look at them
little webs and weaves

and I don't know where it comes from.

It's like I ain't made it.

There's an enchantment about it
that is beyond me.

Oh, we shan't be needing your lace
henceforth, Mrs Turrill.

My sister was persuaded
by a commercial gentleman

that bobbin lace is antiquated.

(STAMMERS) I understand.

Let me pay you
for the work you have done.

Thank you, ma'am. I'm most grateful.

(CASH-TILL RINGS)

(COINS CLINKING)

Might I sit a while, sir?
My legs ain't what they used to be.

Thank you.

Don't sit too long

or the locals might think I'm trying
to steal you away from your husband.

Are you flirting with me, Mr Cochrane?

A woman who grows more beautiful
as she grows older,

that's a thing for any man to treasure.

(BOTH LAUGH)

I must come and sit by here more often.

You've cheered me up
when I most need it.

What's the cause of your sorrow,
Mrs Turrill?

Every year, I go to Banbury Fair
to sell my lace.

This year, there was
stall after stall selling loom lace.

Now I come by the stores
and there it is.

- Machines are coming.
- Mmm.

Soon there won't be much need
for the most of us working folk.

But some machines help us, don't they?

When labour is so hard
it might break a man.

Will you lose your income?
How will you manage?

Food will always be found.

There's money put aside for the rent.

What has taken the wind out of me is...

There's such beauty possible
by human hand,

passed down by mothers
to their daughters,

and now the world
don't want it any more.

Oh, sir, you're listening to an old fool

who wishes to hold onto the past

when the world is intent
on moving and turning.

It isn't foolish to love your own craft

or to yearn for what is lost.

Don't stop making your lace.

That would be the real loss.

Have faith.

Laura!

And how is the day with you?

It is addressed to Terence Jolliffe.

One of the Brackley Jolliffe boys?

Poor Gabriel.

How awful.

What should we do with it, ma'am?

He talks of his wife
as if she were a faultless angel.

I will keep this safe.

"Little bird in the tree

"Cannot fly

"Cannot see

"Little bird in the sky

"Cannot see

"Cannot fly"

(WHISPERS) That is it?

My theme is new life and the infinite
possibilities of the universe

and how nature so cruelly
casts us against fate.

For we are all like

the little bird.

But, uh,

Pearl...

If the little bird

cannot see,

and cannot fly,

how is he in the sky?

(CLICKS TONGUE)

A poem is not meant to be an accurate
depiction of humdrum life.

It is intended to make the spirit soar.

I am in the realms of the metaphysical.

(STAMMERS) It does rhyme.

Hmm.

(SIGHS)

"And now, like amorous birds of prey

"Rather at once our time devour

"Than languish in his slow-chapt power

"Let us roll all our strength and all
Our sweetness up into one ball

"And tear our pleasures
with rough strife

"Through the iron gates of life

"Thus, though we cannot make our sun

"Stand still, yet we will make him run"

Andrew Marvell

One of his better known ones.

Mmm.

Laura, does Alfie rhyme
with post office?

Alfie rhymes with...

Post office rhymes with...

- Yes, Minnie, it does.
- You're so clever, Laura.

Miss Lane and everyone will be
so joyful when you win the competition.

We can't suppose it'll be so easy.

Daniel says almost every girl
in the county is writing feverishly.

Oh, but they ain't romantically intended
for Daniel, is they?

Minnie, what do you mean by that?

Well, you're going to win
because Daniel loves you.

What a thing to say!

Well, I ain't saying it.
You was heard agreeing it with Daniel.

Who would claim such a thing?

Well, I can't tell you that for I fear
Miss Ruby would be cross with me

and she said to tell no one.

# There once was a girl...

(GIRLS LAUGHING)

Can I have some peace?

# I once loved a girl

# And her name was... #

(PLAYS FALSE NOTE)

(SIGHS)

(SIGHING) Gabriel may send Minnie
on an errand without rebuke.

How many years have I served?
"Know your place, Postman Brown."

My dear, isn't it time you came to bed?

How can I possibly rest my head
when my muse is so insatiable?

Margaret, you know I can't sleep
until we have

shared our Bible reading.

Oh, I must forego
Bible reading tonight, Thomas.

I have no choice but to write.

(EXCLAIMING) What is it?
Oh! Twister, are you ill?

I was trying to outfox my own thinking.

I thought if I peered at the page
when my mind weren't looking,

them words might be there.

- (SIGHS)
- They ain't.

My own wit is too quick for me.

Twister, what if the words are gone
and ain't to be had back?

Woman, they've always been there
and always will be.

God takes things away from us
for his own good reasons.

Our task is to seek the purpose.

Time you spend on the Holy Word

might be spent tending others.

There's folks have their torments,
their losses.

Well, what would be the point of that?

It might take your mind
from your own woes.

It wouldn't.

(SIGHS)

LIZA: "My darling Terence.

"I don't know if I will ever find
the courage to post this letter.

"I so want you to know how sorry I am.

"Sorry that I abandoned you.

"So ashamed that I married
Gabriel Cochrane.

"I never loved him.

"I have always loved you alone.

"I only ever wanted the comforts
that Gabriel could buy for me.

"I have been a fool and now
I must live this lonely life.

"I wake every day to pretend that
I care for him."

Thank you so much.

LAURA: Miss Pratt, I must ask you.

Did you say to Minnie that
Daniel and I had spoken secretly

in order to arrange the outcome of
the poetry competition?

(CHUCKLING NERVOUSLY)
Minnie is such a light-headed girl.

But one cannot help but delight in her.

Please answer my question!

Are you spreading this malicious
and untrue gossip about me?

I may have said that,
if you win the competition,

that some people might suppose

it was because of
your relations with Mr Parish.

How can you believe that Daniel
would allow his newspaper

to perpetrate such a scandal?

Newspapers and scandal, Laura,
they are one and the same thing.

Miss Pratt, you know me.

You cannot believe that I would...

Can you?

I believe

that people

might believe Mr Parish
will use his position

in his own best interest.

Gabriel, it is coming up
to the time of year

when I put on the annual
post office garden party.

I don't recall us ever having an annual
garden party before, Miss Lane.

Yes. Well, we used to call it
Zillah's birthday party.

Anyway, I was thinking that
this year we might roast a young lamb

and I might ask you
to make us a spit, Gabriel.

I would be glad to, Dorcas.

We can invite our neighbours in
and make an occasion of it.

I ain't never seen you
wear flowers in your hair.

Nonsense! I sometimes like to...

My garden has so many
lovely roses this year,

I thought I ought to make use of them.

(GASPS)

"The gardens of Albion
he passed by each morn

"The scent of roses
on the air was borne"

It looks most attractive, Dorcas.

Well, I ain't never seen roses
in your hair.

Especially at breakfast.

Go and clear up the attic, Minnie.

- Oh, ma'am, not the attic!
- DORCAS: Minnie, the attic. Now.

And so, every entry must be
submitted anonymously,

with an accompanying sealed envelope

bearing the name of the poem
on the outside,

and the name of the poet on the inside.

Furthermore, for fear that those of
suspicious minds might claim that

certain writers have
such a recognisable style

that the judge might identify
and favour them,

I have decided to stand down
as adjudicator of this contest.

Then who will preside
over the determination?

The identity of that person shall
remain a secret,

so that no influence might be
brought to bear.

And so, the conditions of this contest

could not be more visibly just
and incorruptible.

- Any questions?
- Daniel!

If the judge is not known and
the writer of the poem is not known,

well, how will a person write a poem
if they do not know they are writing it?

All will be revealed, Minnie. Thank you.

Do you have the love song, Alfie?

The tune is ready.

- Nearly. And some of the words.
- Is it marvellous?

I just need a verse or two more,
that's all.

I have told everyone
that I am to have my own song

with my own name in it
and it will be the best love song ever,

and it will be mine.

(QUEENIE SINGING SOFTLY)

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Whoever knocks at my door?
Come in, for heaven sakes!

- Mrs Turrill?
- Oh.

You left without collecting
your money, so I thought...

Oh, uh...

Also, I wanted to apologise

for my insensitivity.

I was rather absorbed in another matter.

Oh, it is such a long time since
I actually saw bobbins in operation.

How beguiling they are.

I was brought up to the pillow,

sat here when I was no more than
eight years old

and taught to fling these here bobbins
with the best of them.

All the women would gather
in one cottage and work the day long,

gossiping and telling old tales
and singing songs

till it was time to run home
and put on the pots

for the men's suppers.

It sounds wonderful.

And it was!

Each fine pattern would grow longer
until the piece was completed,

and then it would be
wrapped in blue paper

and stored away to wait the great day

when the year's work was taken
to Banbury Fair and sold.

As a seamstress,
I find what you're doing so fascinating.

Then you must sit down here
and have a try.

Oh, I couldn't. I mean...

I don't think I'd be able to.

Come on, sit down there.

Now, take that on your lap.

That's right. Now, put this on here,
nice and careful.

I'll sit with you
and hold your hands and guide you on.

Now...

This here is the whole stitch.

So, one, and take these two over...

Two, and one.

- And that's a stitch.
- I see.

When I was a girl,
all I saw was the purpose of it.

Now, there ain't no purpose.

So, all I see

is the beauty of it.

I am so grateful.

Mothers would pass this on
to their daughters, one to the next.

I never had any daughters.

Miss Lane.

Yes?

You will notice that I address you as
"Miss Lane", since you are my employer

and that is how an employee ought
to correspond with his superior,

is it not, ma'am?

What is your point, Thomas?

Lack of regard and respect, ma'am.

A breakdown
in the proper order of things.

Certain of your staff have been noticed
indulging in uncalled-for intimacies.

In all of these years have you ever
heard me say, "Dorcas"?

I see.

Most especially, ma'am,
because, Miss Lane,

there might be those of
our neighbours, ma'am,

who, where your staff are concerned,
might think it suggestive

if a male member
were to address you thus.

I will deal with it, Thomas.

Yes, Miss Lane.

"Come little infant, love me now
While thine unsuspected years

"Clear thine aged father's brow
from cold jealousy and fears"

Come little child,

sit with me now

While thine unsuspected years...

While your youthful

years

Clear your aged mother's brow

From cold jealousy and fears...

From hot worries

and fears

(CHUCKLES)

Hmm.

Dorcas.

I came out to ready the ground
for the spit.

And now I see you are admiring my roses.

More than admiring I am picking them.

I hope you don't mind.
You said there was an over-abundance.

I thought I might take some
to my wife's grave after work today.

I have seen you going off.

Do you go there every day?

Do you consider me sentimental?

Devoted.

You are a mystery to me, Dorcas.

I am?

You are angry at me. Is it the flowers?

Did I overstep my position,
taking the roses?

It has been pointed out to me
that it is inappropriate

for a forge hand to
address me as Dorcas.

I'm sorry.

I do not wish to cause you any
discomfort. It won't happen again.

Of course, no one would ever imagine
that there could be any...

The whole world knows
how dedicated you are to your wife.

Please enjoy the flowers.

A white rose.

There is no greater symbol of innocence.

Daniel, creme bavaroise?

Ooh, delightful.

Now, Miss Ruby,
while your sister is gone,

I wonder if I might
speak with you privately?

I feel I must ask your pardon.

I have been so captivated
by your sister's kindness to me

that I have been blind
to my own selfishness.

Oh, I see.

I realise that you have come home
after a difficult time.

And you have every right
to want your home to yourself,

and every right
to have your sister to yourself.

When the competition is over,

I shall tell Pearl that I wish
to take on a home of my own.

I do hope I have aerated
the cream sufficiently.

# There once was a maid

# And her name was Minnie

Alfie, I have a question for you.

Who is a man who can't read?

The friend of a man who can't write.

Reading can't just vanish.
So, where is it?

Twister, can you see?

If you're sitting there, then I can.

Can you hear?

If you spoke just now,
I suppose that's hearing.

Can you think?

There's noises chases round between
my ears which I calls thinking.

Can you sing and play the banjo?

And do them both at once?

Then you have a lot to be thankful for.

Why should reading
be the greatest of losses?

Thankful?

I come to my neighbours for help!

Some folk come out
and say what their griefs are.

Others like to be asked.

And what would be the point of that?

The point, Twister Turrill,
is that it seems to me,

it ain't the size of the loss
that matters round here,

but the size of the complaining!

There's a reason
God gave man so much tolerance.

Because he is born to live with a woman.

Miss Lane, since your fondness for jam
is well known,

I thought you might appreciate
a little of my own recipe damson.

Posies. I happened to notice them
and thought of you.

Oh, ladies. Such kindness.

What can I have done to deserve
your consideration?

It is a mere expression
of fondness, Dorcas,

and of course,
my faith in your sense of fair play.

Fair play?

A mother's love is a theme that I know
will be close to your own heart.

Your sensibility, Miss Lane,
marks you out as a soul capable of

appreciating literary epics,
such as Homer, Virgil, Alexander Pope...

Ladies, forgive me.

You do not imagine
that I have been appointed

to judge the poetry competition?

I can assure you, I have not.

Come, come, Miss Lane,
your denial only confirms your election.

I do hope no more of my neighbours
believe that I am to judge them.

If not you, Miss Lane, then who
on earth is to be the adjudicator?

Please excuse me, ladies.

Thomas will be with you shortly.

Gabriel?

You look so distracted.

May I confide in you, Miss Lane?

I can promise you complete discretion.

When I visited the cemetery last night,

as I approached my wife's grave,
there was a man standing over it.

When he saw me, he ran off.

I imagine it was a passer-by who...

I asked the graveyard keeper,
who told me that the same man

attends my wife's grave at night
two or three times every week.

Perhaps it is some relative of hers
who wishes to grieve privately. Hmm?

But why did he run?

I have decided I must discover
who this man is.

I will conceal myself each night
in the graveyard until he returns.

Gabriel, is this wise?
Skulking in the shadows at night?

I will begin tonight.

If the grave-keeper is true,
he will soon reappear.

It is called A Mother's Love.

It is best if all matters
concerning the entries

are kept in strictest confidence,
Miss Pearl.

Oh, of course, dear boy.

But this is you and I, after all.
Who is to be the judge?

Well, that I cannot divulge.

No matter. Let me tell you, Daniel,
I am infused with confidence.

I feel my work has the firm hand
of professionalism about it.

I don't know how I found such qualities.

Perhaps you might persuade your sister

that the competition has
brought out the best in all of us.

Yes. Yes. My thoughts exactly.

It's so cruelly unfair.
I have done nothing wrong.

I can't even write.

I was hoping to write such a piece.

I don't expect the world will stop
turning for the want of a verse.

You used to write rhymes, Ma.

You used to read them to me
when I was a girl.

No more than airy confections.

I had time for such things in the days
before worldly regard took over.

(CHUCKLES)

I was so excited about the thought
of the presentation, the award.

Because of one spiteful woman,

even if I do win,
it will feel tarnished and spoiled.

Have you said your piece?

I can see how you feel robbed,
our Laura,

but you have a think about
what it is you're being robbed of.

A moment of glory.
A shining trophy. Applause.

All I have heard you talking of
this past week is winning.

Where is the innocence in that?

You seem determined to be seen
to be better than your neighbours.

Where is the poetry in that?

If I seem to speak sharply
it is so that you hear me.

Is it decorations you want, Laura,
or to be a writer?

I thought I heard voices... Oh!

I'm sorry to wake you, Miss Pratt.

I needed to speak with Daniel.

Sadly, Laura has decided
she can't enter the competition.

(JOYFULLY) Oh!
(WITH FAKE SADNESS) Oh, sad, indeed.

Oh! Quite a convergence.

Ruby, poor dear Laura
has decided she is unable

to write a poem of sufficient quality
to enter the fray.

I will say good night
and apologise for disturbing you.

What have you there, dear boy?

A special edition.

I thought I might print a poetry-only
issue of the Chronicle.

Inspiring works by great writers
that might comfort

and delight and enlighten.

"Young Love."

It is a little-known
Andrew Marvell poem.

One of my favourites.
Laura taught it to me.

"Come little infant, love me now
While thine unsuspected years

"Clear thine aged father's brow
from cold jealousy and fears"

Isn't it wondrous?

It is certainly enlightening.

Go and check again, Minnie.

All quiet on the street, ma'am.

Oh, wait, it's him!

Oh, no, it ain't. (CHUCKLES)

It was a dog, ma'am.

(GIGGLES)

Ma'am, why are we
waiting up for Mr Cochrane?

He has taken a late stroll

and I simply want to be sure
he gets home safely.

The man is a bankrupt.

He foists himself into
Miss Lane's employ,

and in no time it's,
"Dorcas, Dorcas, Dorcas,"

and now he goes off
prowling into the night.

Entries close tomorrow, and I haven't
even begun my historical passage yet.

There is something untoward
about that man.

And I intend to unravel him.

"A night prowler stalks
the streets of dark,

"Our Odysseus keeps watch
and calls out, 'Hark'!

"'Hark! Hark!"'

(OWL HOOTS)

(DOOR OPENS)

Gabriel.

I woke early this morning
and decided to have some tea.

Would you care to have some?

I waited all night
but he did not appear.

Perhaps that is to the good.

It tells you that there is nothing
for you to agitate your mind about.

I think not, Miss Lane.

I appreciate your efforts to appease me,
but I shall return again tonight.

You cannot forego your sleep.

As I crouched there in the dark,

my mind turned back to when I met Liza.

She came into the foundry
looking for work.

It all happened so quickly.
Like a fever.

We were married within weeks.

You must have been utterly smitten
to propose to her so quickly.

It was her suggestion.

We hardly had time to put up the banns.

Gabriel. I...

(DOOR OPENS)

You are with us
very early this morning, Thomas.

I see that I am not alone
in being about before the larks.

You have the look, sir,
of a man who has not slept.

I appreciate your concern, Thomas.

An errand took me from town last night.

Oh, Mr Cochrane! You are home!
Miss Lane was...

Minnie, go and tidy the attic.

Excuse me.

I must get started.

This bunch here was given to me
by my grandmother

the day my first baby was born.

Every bunch has its own story.

This black bead here,
this was found, after she was dead,

in the work-box belonging to
a local woman reputed to be a witch.

Why was she thought to be a witch?

Oh, she was no more than a gossiper
and trouble-maker.

Full of spite and bile, she was.

A sour way of turning one neighbour
against another.

Oh? Why would she do that?

Why do any of us ever?

Her own sorry soul.

She herself suffered the worst for it.

Oh, my dear.
What have I done to upset you?

Perhaps they'll find a black bead
in my work-box when I'm gone.

What can make you say such a thing?

I am full of wickedness
and unforgivable cruelty.

There ain't much in this world
that is beyond forgiveness.

I have deliberately maligned
the reputation of Daniel Parish.

Have you now? And why is that?

My sister dotes upon him
and she ignores me.

I have been consumed with
the idea of destroying him.

Well, I am, I'm full of spite and bile.

What wrong is done must be undone,

or it will be your own self
that will suffer.

I see you're settled
well enough hereabouts, sir.

I consider myself fortunate indeed,
Mr Turrell.

I'm visiting Miss Lane,

as she's fabled to be the
fount of wisdom about these parts.

I've come to ask her to help me
to get my reading back.

I'm sorry to hear it has gone.

It was there last Tuesday,
Wednesday it was taken.

I'm to seek her advice
on how I might find it.

Isn't that obvious?

You have my ears, sir.

You must start over.

Learn again what
you taught yourself before.

That's too much work for a man closer
to the grave than the cradle, sir.

But surely the effort itself
is what is most pleasing.

Have you any notion
how many hours it took me

under the candlelight trying
to unravel the mystery of words?

How is your wife
recovering from her own loss?

Loss?

Her loss? What loss might that be?

The fair. The stalls.
She didn't tell you?

She cannot sell her own lace.

But I saw her at her bobbins
this morning!

There is no market
for bobbin lace any more.

She told me herself.

Can I see?

No, I can't.

Can I hear?

Not at all.

I know now why God
has taken my reading away.

That I might look about me.

My own grandpa used to tell me,
"Before a man can know,

"he has to be willing to know."

I have tried to dissuade him,

but he is determined
to return to the graveyard.

It doesn't bear imagining
what might happen

if he confronts this man Jolliffe.

Gabriel is such a man of great passion,

if he were to force Jolliffe
to tell him the truth,

I fear how he might react.

I am beginning to think that the
least painful course for Gabriel

is to see the letter,

so we must put the letter into
his possession

in such a way that chance or fate
placed it there.

Laura, bring back those poetry books.

Laura...

I wanted to say,
it would be a great injustice

and a sorrowful loss if you were not
to take part in the poetry event,

an occasion, if I may say, Mr Parish,

which has brought
great enrichment to our town.

I realise that I am the cause
of your withdrawal, Laura.

I would like to reassure you that only
someone with a truly poisoned mind

might suggest that anything
but your considerable talents

would lead to you winning the contest.

Thank you, Miss Ruby.

And so, I have come to plead with you
to reconsider your decision.

Will you?

Perhaps them machines
will bring better times.

Life will likely be easier
for working folk.

I'm so glad
you changed your mind, Laura.

Good luck.

Did you know, Daniel,
that Homer's poetry

was recited by law in Athens
at the Panathenaic festival?

Perhaps a verse or two of your cycle
might suffice, Mrs Brown?

I don't think we will need Constable
Patterson to enforce it.

Oh!

Daniel! I must withdraw my entry
from the contest.

But why, Miss Pearl?
You were so pleased with your effort.

I realised I have put a pyrrhic foot
in the wrong place and I must remove it.

Entries close in an hour, so be sure to
return your corrections without delay.

- Miss Lane!
- Yes?

The spit is completed,
if you'd care to take a look.

I will be with you in just a minute.
Can you wait there, please?

Ah! Mr Cochrane, sir.

If I may take this opportunity,
if I may be so bold,

if you are to settle here in Candleford,
you would be best served, sir,

if I may pass on to you some insight,
some knowledge of the way of things.

Conform, sir.

There is a proper order to things,
and the man who resists that

is the man who falls.

Knowledge, sir, will save us.

Oh, it's you.

Pearl...

Since I have returned,
I have wanted to...

- I have foolishly...
- Oh, Ruby, will you please...

...hold me?

"And then, the moon wrapped in clouds

"As the thunder sounds

"Zeus hurls rain and hail
from the heavens down

"But Thomas forges forward
on his postal rounds.

"His sallies take him from Brackley

"Like a sailor under blackening skies

"Never daunted, ever redoubtable

"He reaches the shores of Lark Rise..."

Thank you, Mrs Brown.
You certainly have given us an epic.

(ALL APPLAUDING)

Mr Parish.

Daniel.

Concerning our earlier conversation,

it would mean a great deal to me
if you consider remaining with us.

My sister...

We both so enjoy your company.

No song?

The words just weren't there to be had.

But it was going to have our love in it!

Minnie, love ain't something
you can put into a competition.

So, you didn't write a love song
because you love me?

My dear, your saga was enrapturing.

I wonder, would you
read the rest of it to me?

Kind friends, the time has come for
our judge to reveal to us the winner

of The Annual Candleford
Poetry Competition.

Please welcome Gabriel Cochrane.

Oh!

I am grateful for this opportunity.

I consider this your way
of offering me the hand of welcome.

I hope I have served you well
in my adjudication.

I am no literary expert, so I will
not pretend to have measured

the host of wonderful poems
submitted, by any means,

other than my own personal taste.

Poetry, you have taught me,

is a way into the human soul.

It is a way of connecting
with the world around us.

It is a means of seeing into yourself.

The poem I have chosen
does all of these things, and more.

I feel like the writer knows me
better than I know myself.

It is called Gossamer Threads.

No, it can't be!

It is written by Emma Timmins.

I... But I... I didn't enter a poem.

I took the poem from your chest, Ma.

Mrs Timmins, would you be so kind

as to come up here and read
some of your verse to us?

Why did you do that, our Laura?

Go and read the poem, and you will know.

Go on!

"As I went on my way

"Gossamer threads spun from
bush to bush like barricades

"As I broke through one after another

"I was taken by a childish fear

"They are trying to bind
and keep me here

"But as I grew
From girl to woman, I knew

"The threads that bind me
were more enduring than gossamer

"They were spun of kinship and love

"Given so freely

"That it could never
be taken away from me"