North and South, Book I (1985): Season 1, Episode 3 - Episode #1.3 - full transcript

My father back?

He's inside.

George, listen. You still
don't understand this.

I don't want to.

I'd rather keep your friendship.

- Priam is my father's property.
- No.

I don't understand that.

I have to leave in
the morning, Orry.

All right. I'll take
you to the train.

This will stop the train.

Is that it?



No. That's the Charleston freight.

It goes by here every other
day about this time.

The passenger local will be
here in about 20 minutes.

Priam.

Stop.

Orry, no.

This has nothing to
do with you, George.

Please, Mr Orry.

For God's sake.

If I take him back,
he'll wish he was dead.

You don't know what
they'll do to him.

Then let him go.

I told you. He belongs
to my father.

Please.



If not for Priam,
then do it for me.

That's not fair. You're taking
advantage of our friendship.

Yes, I am.

All right, Priam. All right. Run.

Run before I change my mind. Run.

A life for a life,
George. You saved mine.

And I will still stand up
with you, if you want me.

But you have to get
it through your head.

Our lives down here are
different. They have to be.

Don't ever interfere
with us again...

or ask me to go
against my own kind.

I, Constance, take thee,
George, for my lawful husband.

I, Constance, take thee,
George, for my lawful husband.

To have and to hold
from this day forward.

To have and to hold
from this day forward.

For better, for worse.

For richer, for poorer.

In sickness and in health.

For better, for worse.

For richer, for poorer.

In sickness and in health.

Until death do us part.

Until death do us part.

To think I'd ever
be forced to attend

a Catholic ceremony.
It's a disgrace.

Be quiet, Isabel.

At least they had the good
sense to keep it private.

As if anyone would
have come, anyway.

Please be quiet, Isabel.

May I have the ring, please?

By the authority vested in me...

by the Holy Mother Church and the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania...

I now pronounce you man and wife.

You may kiss the bride.

- Here you are.
- Thank you.

Does it go on forever?

It's not everyday your big
brother gets married, Billy.

I know.

I just wish I were somewhere else.

Where would you like to be?

You think they'd take
me at West Point?

Want to be a soldier?

I really envied you
and George when

you were fighting down in Mexico.

There were some hard
times down there.

You don't envy me
this leg, do you?

No.

I'd just like to be a
soldier, that's all.

Maybe some day you will.

Constance, my dear. If
my William had lived...

I know that he would've been proud

to welcome you to
our family today.

Thank you.

Everyone has been so kind.

We're all so fond of you already.

George, there's something
very important

I want to say to you
and your brother.

And I'd like you and
Isabel to hear it as well.

You're being mysterious, Mother.

Not really.

This is something
I've wanted to do

for quite a while. So come along.

Miss Hazard.

Mr Main.

I thought Constance made
a very beautiful bride.

Yes, she did.

Do you admire beauty?

As a matter of fact, I do.

What about a woman's mind?
Do you admire that also?

I just heard that Southern men...

aren't concerned about
what women think.

I can't speak for all Southern
men, but for myself...

I admire a woman for all that she
is, and that includes her ideas.

Is that so?

Perhaps you'd like to
hear a few more of mine.

It's a great joy to have
my children near me now.

Since George is home for good,
married and settled at last...

I feel that it is
time for a change

in the management of Hazard Iron.

A change, Mother?

Yes, dear.

I've decided George and Stanley...

should have equal
responsibility of the foundry.

What?

I thought it was understood...

that I, as the oldest son,
would run Hazard Iron.

As the oldest, you will retain
financial control, of course.

But George will have an equal
voice in all other matters.

I feel that George has
earned this, Stanley.

And I believe that it
is fair to both of you.

Of course, Mother.

George, I'm so happy for you.

And now, I think we should
all return to our guests.

So what have you done with
yourself the last few years?

I've been working very hard
for the antislavery society.

I'm giving my first address a week
from tonight in Philadelphia.

Really?

I was told that you will
be in that city then.

Yes.

On your way back to Dixie?

That's right.

Since you're so enamoured
with women and their ideas...

perhaps you would enjoy listening
to one who actually has some.

The meeting is public and
you're certainly welcome.

Believe it or not, Miss Hazard...

since your brother and
I became friends...

I have taken a serious interest
in the Northern point of view.

I would consider it a
pleasure to hear you speak.

Orry, here you are.

We have something
we'd like to ask you.

It's an invitation, really, for
you and all your family...

to join us here at Belvedere next
summer for a nice long visit.

Our lake is really very
lovely that time of year.

That sounds delightful, madam.

On behalf of all the Mains,
I accept with pleasure.

Mother.

We need to notify
the architects...

so we can set up slave
quarters in the back.

Virgilia.

I'm so sorry.

Mother, we all know that
the best thing to do...

when Virgilia gets like
this is to ignore her.

I think this is an
excellent opportunity...

for the best man to propose a
toast to the bride and groom.

It would be my very
great pleasure.

♪ Roll it along roll it along ♪

♪ Roll it along thro' the nation
Freedom's car, Emancipation ♪

♪ Roll it along roll it along ♪

♪ Roll it along thro' the nation
Freedom's car, Emancipation ♪

♪ Men of various predilections ♪

♪ Frightened, run
in all directions ♪

♪ Merchants, editors, physicians ♪

♪ Lawyers, priests
and politicians ♪

♪ Get out of the way
get out of the way ♪

Good evening. Representative
Sam Greene, Pennsylvania.

One of the leading lights of
our movement, Mr Gerrit Smith.

George Hazard. This is my wife,

Constance. And our
friend, Orry Main.

- Hazard of Hazard Iron?
- That's right.

Then you must be related
to Miss Virgilia.

My sister. You gentlemen
are acquainted with her?

Why, she's the reason that we're

here. You must be
very proud of her.

Proud?

Why, yes.

She's done wonders for our cause.

A hard worker, with
enormous energy

to match her remarkable beauty.

If she can manage to put into
words in a public forum...

what she feels so
deeply in her heart...

then the days of slavery are
numbered as from this night.

Ladies and gentlemen,
welcome and good evening.

I have the honour to
introduce to you...

a man whose personal
sufferings and trials...

symbolise and personify...

the wicked and diabolical
institution of slavery...

which nature and all
decent men abhor.

A man free at last by
the grace of God...

who has literally
suffered the cruelties

and tortures of the damned...

at the hands of human monsters
who held him in bondage.

Mr Frederick Douglass.

Thank you, my friends.

I am very glad to be here.

I am very glad...

to mingle my voice with those
with whom I have laboured...

for the purpose of undoing the
burdens of my brethren...

and hastening the day
of their emancipation.

My friends, slavery
must be abolished.

And the only way
that can be done...

is by enforcing the great
principles of justice.

Vainly you talk about
voting it down.

When you have cast your
millions of ballots...

you will not have
reached the evil.

It has fastened its root deep
into the heart of the nation...

and nothing but God's truth and
love can cleanse the land.

I ask you...

No, I beg you...

to look at the practical
operation of the slave trade...

the American slave trade...

sustained by American politics
and American religion.

There you will see men and women
reared like swine for the market.

Driven so that they crowd
the highways of the nation.

Driven by men armed with
pistol, whip, and bowie knife.

See you the young girl of
13 weeping. Yes, weeping...

as she thinks of the mother from
whom she has just been torn.

Attend the slave auction and
see men examined like horses.

And women rudely and
shockingly exposed...

to the gaze of
American slave buyers.

And never forget the sobs
that arise from this group...

as they are sold...

and separated forever.

Tell me, dear citizens.
Where under God's sun...

can you find a spectacle more
fiendish and shocking than this?

Bravo.

It is now my singular
pleasure to introduce...

a new and tireless member
of our organisation...

who has fearlessly chosen
the path of God's work.

May I present Miss
Virgilia Hazard.

My friends...

there is one aspect
of slavery so foul...

so utterly depraved, that
even we on this platform...

have been loath to
raise its spectre.

I must admit to you my shame...

to stand before you with
rising indignation.

A decent Christian
woman addressing

an audience of her own kind.

Forced to address
publicly a sin...

so vile, so vicious
and degenerate.

The South's hateful system...

depends on the perpetuation
of its free labour force.

So where, ladies and gentlemen,
do these new slaves come from...

when the aged and infirm
are worked to death?

Beaten to death.

Why, they come from
slavery itself.

For the true crop of a
Southern plantation...

is a human crop.

Yes, my friends.

The plantations of the
South are nothing more...

than black breeding farms.

She's an offence to all the women
in the abolitionist movement.

Giant bordellos, owned
and operated...

by a degenerate aristocracy.

Men, who in their lust...

force their animal passions...

on the defenceless
bodies of the women

and children they hold prisoner.

God in his heaven cries out
against these crazed satyrs...

and every upright human heart
cries out in moral outrage.

No.

Orry, you know she doesn't
speak for all of us.

Not for you, but for
everyone else here she does.

You mustn't leave while
Miss Hazard is speaking.

I'm afraid, sir, I
have a train to catch.

To South Carolina. I have
some blacks to breed.

Pardon me.

Dear lady.

You were magnificent. You
were beyond description.

Thank you, Mr Greene. I only
spoke what was in my heart.

You said things that
have not been said...

that cried out for the saying.
The passion of your address...

your physical presentation,
stirred me deeply.

You do me an honour to say so.

You've done us the honour.

I wonder, might we
share a late supper...

to further discuss my reaction?

I've taken the liberty of
requesting a small repast.

I'm most grateful for
your approval, sir.

But I seem to remember that
you are a married man.

My marital status should
present no obstacle...

to the cause of freedom.

Nor does it, Mr Greene.

But freedom must ever be
coupled with responsibility...

as our Founding Fathers
so aptly put it.

Perhaps another time...

when you yourself are free.

Madeline.

Don't you answer when I call you?

I'm sorry, Justin. I was
taking a nap. I didn't hear.

You hear well enough when your
slave women holler, don't you?

I heard about your
latest errand of mercy.

I just do what I can to help.

You have quite a
reputation around here.

Madeline, the merciful.

Madeline, the pregnant
niggers' angel.

Justin, please.

Damn it.

I don't want my wife
spending all her

time playing midwife to my slaves.

Perhaps you'd rather risk
losing the children.

You're worried about the
children, are you, my dear?

I'm worried about
children, too. My own.

The ones you're not giving me.

I want a son.

I want a boy of my
own, that's all.

Damn it, woman. Look at me
when I'm talking to you.

Until you give me
the son I want...

you stay away from those black
sluts, you understand me?

You better.

I'll be watching you.

Remember that.

I've ridden by 100 times
hoping you would be here.

I tried to stay away,
too, but I couldn't.

There hasn't been a day I
haven't thought about you.

Madeline, leave Justin.
We could run away.

- I can't bear to be...
- We can't.

I will not let him stop us.

You don't know him. He'd
hunt us like slaves.

We'd be fugitives, with no legal
or moral right on our side...

I don't care about
right, I care about you.

Divorce him, Madeline.

I can't. If I even
suggest it, I think...

In my heart...

I'm married to you.

And I always will be.

Get away from the building.

Get those men over there. Set
up a stretcher for the wounded.

Come on.

Mr Hazard, there's
men in there dying.

I'll go in and get them.
Take care of that man.

Mr Hazard, you can't go in
there. It's an inferno.

Help me. Help. I'm over here.

Are you all right?

Run to town and get the doctor.

Get all three of them,
and get back here fast.

Yes, sir. I already sent
Hawkins, but I'll go myself.

You sure you're not hurt?

Wiley, why did it blow?

Pressure, sir.

The wrought iron bands,
the reinforcement bands.

I ordered them installed.

Yes, sir, but Mr Stanley
cancelled the order.

Why did you cancel
my order, Stanley?

The shipments were off.
We couldn't afford it.

Couldn't afford it? You think we
can afford those dead workmen?

They have families that have
depended on us, Stanley.

Families who are now without
husbands or fathers.

The bands will go on immediately.
I'll reissue the order.

You can't. You don't
have the authority.

The hell I haven't.

The only place your name takes
precedence over mine...

is on the bank drafts.

We'll reinforce those
bands immediately,

and we'll pay $5,000
compensation...

miserable comfort though it is...

to the families of the men
who died at Hazard Iron.

That's insane. I won't do it.

It's not insane. It's the
only decent thing to do...

and you will do it, Stanley.

You will sign those bank drafts...

or I'll come down here
with 100 mill workers...

and let them convince you.

I've just come from the foundry.

I was shocked by what I saw there.

I know.

This new system simply
is not going to work.

We can't have this
division of authority.

I know that, Stanley, and I'm
going to do something about it.

I've learnt a great deal about

Hazard Iron since
your father died.

Not particularly
because I wanted to...

but because I was
compelled to learn

by my responsibility
for the foundry.

That's an embarrassment
to me, Mother.

As if you didn't have
confidence in my ability.

I'm sorry if it seems so, dear.

Mother...

By giving you financial
control of Hazard Iron...

I've let you prevent George...

time and again, from
making improvements.

You refused to burn coal
instead of charcoal...

even after George proved
coal was more efficient.

You refused to buy new
equipment, or repair the old...

and now this horrible explosion.

Dear God.

That was not my fault.

I'm going to have to
try a change, Stanley.

I'm going to give George
control of the money...

and see how things progress.

Mother, you can't take
that away from me, too.

You and George will still have
equal say in everything else.

My decision is made,
Stanley. I don't

want to hear another
word about it.

I just don't understand you. Why
weren't you stronger with her?

What could I do? Her
mind was made up.

You could have made a stand.

Instead you let your brother
George walk all over you.

Mother says we're equal.

Mother says we're equal.

Except that George
now has the money,

which means he really
has the power.

- What can we do?
- Nothing.

Except wait.

And watch for a time when
we can get our own back.

That could take years.

Yes, Stanley. All because
you weren't man enough now.

We'll have our chance.

We'll get back everything your
brother George has stolen from us.

Him and that Irish slut of his.

We're going to make them sorry.

Very sorry indeed.

My dear friends...

as we commit Tillet Main
to God's care today...

we must remember these words:

"In my father's house
are many mansions:

"If it were not so, I
would have told you.

"I go to prepare a place for you."

And I know that the
Lord has prepared

a special place for Tillet Main.

His family must not grieve.

His loving daughters,
Brett and Ashton...

must all remember him
in their hearts...

and rejoice that this fine man...

this loving father and husband...

is now with our Lord and
saviour for all eternity.

Amen.

Mother, you ought to sleep.

I will, Orry.

Father would've wanted you
to take care of yourself.

I can't believe he's gone.

He loved you very much.

I know.

I'm afraid he didn't always
know how to show it.

Lord, I'm going to miss him so.

They do care about you.

They don't care about me. They
treat me like I'm a stranger.

Hell, if it wasn't
for my last name,

they wouldn't have me here at all.

I am a stranger. I know that.

But blood is blood.

You think they'd honour that.

A cousin's a cousin...

even if his parents were poor.

They done made a
home for you here.

Some home.

Old Clarissa, she treats
me like I'm a child.

Orry, the big master, he's
as distant as a king.

I guess that's what
he thinks he is.

He pays me no mind at all.

I'm no more family to
them than you are.

Just like another one of their
slaves, or might as well be.

Maybe you don't like
the way that feels.

No, I don't.

You're the only one who
understands, Semiramis.

Sure, I understand.

I've been a slave my whole life.

That don't mean that I liked it.

I'm sorry it has to be that way.

You best be getting back.

It's getting late.

Mr Orry, sir. You're out doing
early enough this morning.

Best to take care of hard business

early, and that's
what I'm here to do.

Is that so?

I'm releasing you from
your employ at Mont Royal.

You have a month's
pay and your choice

of a horse from the
working stable.

Why?

I never liked you, nor the
way you did your job.

Is that right?

And how is that,
sir? I always did my

best. Your father never
complained of me.

My father and I are different men.

Now that he's gone, I got to
do what seems best to me.

Take a man's place that's
worked like a nigger...

Anger will not serve
you, Mr Jones.

No.

What hard work won't do,
talk will never help.

But you hear me.

The day may come
when you'll regret

having thrown me out like this.

I promise you that.

I think not.

Good day to you.

Semiramis, get back here.

Barkeep, make us
another round here.

What have we here? What a
sorry nest of drunkards.

Three more to swell the
company, by the looks of you.

Never mind. You'll take our money.

Three Barbados, the full measure.

Can't find a way to get
away from that tribe.

What's that you say, Salem?

None of your business, boy. Keep

your ugly Main nose
in your own ale.

You insult my family.

Your family? Is that
what you call them?

That ain't what they call you.

So happens I'm not
in love with the

Mont Royal branch of the family...

but I've talked to some of the
slaves about you, Mr Jones.

Fact is, I defend you.

They said you weren't
fit to sleep with pigs.

But I said you were.

Look out, he's got a gun.

Hold it.

You three.

Out of here.

Move smartly, now. Come
on, Salem, you heard me.

The constable will be paying you
a visit to account for all this.

Good lord, Charles. Brawling in a

tavern like a common
cotton chopper.

What does it matter?

Don't you have any pride
in yourself, if not in us?

In fairness to the boy, sir, it
was Jones that went for him first.

That's all well and good,
sir, but a gentleman...

does not lower himself to a
fistfight with a lout like Jones.

You're a disgrace, Charles.

You're not my father.

You don't care about
me, none of you

do. And I don't care what you say.

Breathe in.

That has to be tight
enough, Ashton.

What would you know about it,
anyway? You're still a baby.

No amount of lacing would make you

look one bit better
than a pine board.

Now pull.

Do you always have to
say things like that?

It's true.

Besides, babies are sweet...

and you have sweet baby skin...

and sweet baby bloomers...

and you'll probably still
be just baby-sweet...

when you're a sweet old maid.

Cousin Charles. He's
just getting in.

Been out all night again.

You kind of fancy him, don't you?

I just let on like
I do, you know...

to make the poor orphan
boy feel accepted.

I was real nice to him once, and
do you know what he said...

what he had the
nerve to say to me?

What?

He said, "Keep your
distance, cousin dear...

"I'm wise to you."

What do I care? He'll
be dead soon enough.

Dead? What are you saying?

Where do you suppose
he's been all night?

Off sparking Sue Marie Smith.

But she's engaged to
her cousin, Whitney.

Of course she is, dummy.

And her cousin Whitney will
just kill Charles for it.

Though he ought to kill Sue Marie.

The men say her britches are
like a basket of coals.

Of course, you wouldn't know
what that means, but I do.

Now, what is it exactly
you want, Mr Huntoon?

Sir, I seek the approval
of your bountiful heart.

In short, sir, I beg
your kind permission

to pay formal court
to your daughter.

My daughter?

No, sir. Damn, I misspoke myself.

Your sister, Miss Ashton, sir.

Are you sure you know what
you're doing, Huntoon?

My love leads me on, sir.

I worship the very
ground she walks on.

Did I say something that I
should not have said, sir?

I guess that's all in
the point of view, sir.

There, I'm already tight
as a drum inside.

When are you and James Huntoon
announcing your engagement?

Whatever makes you think we will?

If not, then why is he downstairs
asking Orry's permission...

to come courting, if you
have no intention...

He's got all the
intentions, child.

What do I know what
an old man thinks?

He's more than 20.

Here's how I feel about him.

Don't laugh. It's true.

I can't stand his
puffy old face...

his squinty little eyes...

and his slippery old kisses.

Kisses?

You let him kiss you already?

Just a little old taste of honey,
you baby, to sweeten him up.

But if you don't even like him...

how could you?

What's like got to
do with anything?

Everybody says James is going
to be real important some day.

A gal can't have
too many important

men courting her, now can she?

Ashton, can't you ever be serious?

But I am serious.

Lord, I might even marry
slobbery old James.

That is, if I can find
some advantage in it.

In short, sir, I make bold to
consider myself qualified...

perhaps even highly qualified, to
offer myself as a candidate...

for your sister's fair hand.

"Offer yourself" is a
good choice of words.

Perhaps you already discount
me, for some reason?

No, James, I don't
discount you at all.

I would hope not, sir.

As you know, sir, I am South

Carolina's youngest
attorney-at-law.

I am a champion of
states' rights...

and a follower of the
noble John C. Calhoun.

Since his passing, I have begun to
aspire to high political office...

so that I may continue
his great work.

And there are those who feel that
my goal is not an impossible one.

Excuse me.

Orry, I need to speak
with you right away.

If you'll excuse us.

I may, then, consider my suit...

as not entirely unwelcome
to Mont Royal?

You may, and God speed and guide
you. You're going to need it.

Thank you, sir. I'll
find my own way.

This time he's
really done it. Your

cousin Charles is
in serious trouble.

You must come.

Please state your business, sir.

My name is Mr Smith Dawkins...

and I am representative and
relative of Mr Whitney Smith...

who last evening came upon Mr...

Charles Main, of
this plantation...

in dalliance with his fiancée...

Miss Sue Marie Smith.

The gentlemen exchanged words,

whereupon Mr Main
struck Mr Smith...

a severe blow.

Whereupon Mr Smith...

demanded satisfaction.

In consequence of which, I'm
here to make arrangements.

Will you be acting
as Mr Main's second?

I will not.

Mr Main is too young
to be fighting

duels. Besides, they're
against the law.

He is old enough to have given
offence in a totally adult way.

And as you very well know,
sir, the Code Duello...

is in common practise
despite South Carolina law.

Now if you will kindly direct
me to Mr Main's second...

or better still, to
Mr Main himself.

I'd be delighted to, but I
don't know where he is.

You are determined to go through
with this farce, aren't you?

Mr Whitney Smith does not
consider it a farce, sir.

- And neither will your kinsman.
- To hell with it, then.

I'll stand as second.

We promise absolute
discretion, sir.

No witnesses other than family.

In the case of the Smith family,
that could run into the hundreds.

We will keep our number
to no more than 12...

and you must give
similar assurance.

The site will be the
clearing at Six Oaks.

The time, Tuesday
morning, sunrise.

The weapons...

conventional duelling pistols.

Assuming, of course,
these arrangements

are agreeable to you, sir.

They are not. None of it is.

But I accept.

Good day, sir.

Did you put a stop
to this insanity?

Where is that lunatic?

One, two, three, four...

five, six, seven...

eight, nine, ten.

You're now dead.

All I need is practise.

That and some sense of
what you're practising.

Smith Dawkins just
left. You got until

Tuesday morning to save your life.

What's that to you?

I don't want to be
further disgraced...

so I have just become your second.

Why you?

This is my affair, and I'm not
afraid of that lily-white...

You should be.

He will undoubtedly kill you,
as unprepared as you are.

He's killed men before.

- I can handle him.
- But you can't.

This is not just another one of
your country brawls, Charles.

This is a duel, theoretically
between gentlemen.

It will be fought with
rules, strict rules.

You are a Main,
Charles. You hear me?

You are a Main.

And I can't have you dying on me
and sullying the family name.

If there's one reason on earth...

I wouldn't want to get my
brains blown out, that's it.

I'm going to teach you how
to shoot and how to win.

72 hours is all we got.

We'll get you some proper pistols
first. Come on, get on your horse.

Four, five, six...

seven, eight, nine, ten.

No.

You're rushing your aim, and
you're still jerking the trigger.

Fear will push you into haste, and

haste will push you
into the grave.

Deliberate. Be deliberate. Again.

Perfect. Now, again...

exactly the same as before,
until it's second nature.

We may save your life yet.

Thanks for saying "we."

Don't get sentimental on me.
It's a bit early for that.

I know that you're scared, but
that's to your advantage.

That peacock over there...

he's too stupid to be scared yet.

Look at him. He's
keeping his coat on.

Appearances mean more to
the fool than his life.

And since he isn't worried, he
might not take sufficient care.

You will.

Now remember, take your time...

be calm, deliberate,
and you will drop him.

You are a Main.

March.

Fire.

You must...

You must stand, Whitney.

Stand.

Acknowledge their tribute.
It's you they're applauding.

- Me? But that's his family.
- The man proved himself a coward.

They're showing their
admiration for your courage...

and for your generosity in
spirit in not killing him.

You have shown every attribute...

of a Carolina gentleman today.
I'm proud of you, Charles.

Here's to life.

Thanks to you.

I owe you mine.

All the time, all the
care you took with me.

Without you, he'd have
killed me certain.

Probably.

But what you did, you did.

Always before, when I'd
fight, everyone disapproved.

What made it so different?

The rules, Charles.

There's a strict and definite
code of honour among gentlemen...

that must be observed...

even in a fight.
Especially in a fight.

Orry, I want that.

To be a man of honour.

Like you.

Do you think... Is
there a chance...

that I could go to West Point?

You'd never pass the
entrance exams, not now.

You have the intelligence, but
you don't have the education.

But if you're serious...

we could have you tutored.

I've never been more serious
about anything in my life.

They're simply exquisite.

And these are my Pride
of Pennsylvanias.

It took me years to
get them started.

They're Mother's
special favourites.

I believe this is the most
beautiful garden I've ever seen.

It should be. Mother
worked on it like a slave.

Over here are my climbing roses.

I've been trying to
train them to patterns.

Virgilia, why don't you run and
see if Cook has tea ready?

The minister's cat
is an active cat.

The minister's cat
is an angry cat.

The minister's cat
is an awful cat.

The minister's cat
is an artful cat.

The minister's cat
is a beautiful cat.

The minister's cat
is a bashful cat.

The minister's cat
is a bumbling cat.

The minister's cat
is a babbling cat.

You're not still upset
about South Carolina...

trying to secede earlier
this year, are you?

You're damn right
I am. Aren't you?

I don't think they'll
try it again.

And even if they do, it won't be
like we're two separate countries.

That's exactly what
it will be like.

I've got some neighbours up
here who just don't argue...

about slavery and states'
rights any more.

They're beginning to
hate Southerners.

Yeah, I hear talk in
South Carolina, too.

Some of my neighbours are
none too fond of Yankees.

George, it's not the
majority, it's the fanatics.

I hope you're right.

Because if South
Carolina does secede,

a lot of other states will follow.

And we'll all have
to choose sides.

Quite a young man, your Charles.

Already the picture of
a Southern gentleman.

Next fall, he and Billy
go off to the Point.

Plebes together,
just like we were.

What about when they
get out, though?

At least you and I could
fight on the same side.

Hardly seems possible.

Turn this boat over,
you're going in, too.

There may be hope for the
North and South, after all.

At least, for those two.

And he just stepped right over
my feet when we were dancing.

Ashton, I just have to say it.

I think he is so handsome.

Billy?

He'll do.

Of course, alongside Charles,
most anybody would look good.

She's about the most exciting
thing I ever laid my eyes on.

And 100-proof trouble.

Take my word and give
her a wide berth.

Brett's the one you want.
Take another look at her.

Billy, you come here
this minute. I need you.

Coming.

- What are you doing?
- Billy, I'm right here...

and I'm waiting for you.

That's how the wind sets?

Never mind, pretty girl.

He'll get enough of her games
sooner than you think.

Let's take a walk, you and I.

The Fugitive Slave Law should
be repealed altogether.

Changing it is just another
scheme to appease the South.

Dear me, I feel so lost when
the talk turns to such things.

Then you should inform yourself.

Lord knows we won't get the
truth from our menfolk.

It was such a pleasant
afternoon, Virgilia.

The law as changed, Mrs Main,
would take fugitive slave cases...

away from individual states...

and it would put it into the
hands of the Federal government.

Doesn't that benefit the runaways?

It would seem to, and
that's the evil of it.

In reality, the law
gives slave catchers

the right to enter free states...

to capture escaped slaves...

even when those states guarantee
slaves their freedom.

It's far worse than before.

Our representatives are only
trying to preserve the Union.

Our representatives are only
catering to Southern gentlemen.

That will be enough, Virgilia.

We are here to enjoy ourselves.

If you don't like Southerners, why

in the world did you
invite us here?

- Ashton, sit down and be a lady.
- No, I'll answer the child.

I didn't want you here,
but I wasn't consulted.

But since you are here, you
might take the time...

to listen and to learn the truth.

The truth, Miss Virgilia?

What is that? The same truth you

told in Philadelphia?
What was it...

- degenerate Southern satyrs?
- Deny it, if you dare.

I'll shout it from the housetop.

Slave owners are nothing
more than whoremasters.

I'm sorry, George, but I believe
it's time we were leaving.

No, please.

Virgilia.

You'll apologise to
our friends now.

Your friends, George.

I find their way of life
repellent and wrong.

You can tell your friends
they needn't leave.

I'll be happy to stay in my room
for the rest of their visit...

so I don't have to
look at their faces

or hear their damn
Southern voices.

Orry, all of you...

please do not let what
Virgilia says or does...

ruin our first summer together.

Please stay with us.

Mother?

All right, George, we'll stay.

Thank you, George.

I've been thinking
about something.

Remember the first
time I was here...

and we visited Hazard Iron and
we talked about a cotton mill?

Yes, and you made me show you
every part we ever made...

for a textile mill.

George, I still think it's a good
idea, maybe better than ever.

How do you figure that?

Right now every ounce of cotton...

has to be shipped
North or to England.

Imagine having a mill
right in South Carolina.

Imagine. Can you imagine...

being able to manufacture the
cotton right where it's grown?

I can imagine that...

if you and I were
equal partners in it.

Wait, George. I was only
asking for advice, not money.

I know that, but remember the
last time we talked about this?

I told you then that Hazard Iron

should manufacture
the parts for it.

But I can do better than that now.

I've got some money
tucked away. It

sounds like an
excellent investment.

I don't know what to say. It's
so much better than I hoped.

I've got one condition, though.

No slave labour.

Agreed.

Main and Hazard.

It's got a nice ring
to it, doesn't it?

Almost as nice as Hazard and Main.

Are you absolutely certain
that's what George said?

A cotton mill in South Carolina?

I told him it was a foolish
idea, but it is his money.

And it is our salvation.

Imagine George being stupid
enough to invest in the South.

I don't understand. How
does that help us?

Think about it, Stanley.

George is investing
in a region that's

beginning to think of itself...

as a rival country.

Why, he is going
to lose everything

in this silly mill venture.

What better way to
prove to your mother

that she made a
terrible mistake...

and that you should be
running Hazard Iron?

They're so ripe, Billy.
Just look at them.

They look delicious.

- I saved them just for you.
- You did?

Let me give you one.

Was it good, Billy?
Do you want more?

I'll give you more
if you want me to.

Yes.

Why don't you take it
all? Take everything.

Ashton, no.

We can't.

- I mean, your brother.
- Forget about them.

- No one will know.
- Ashton, no.

I want to, but no.

I can't, all right?

Forget it, then. I'm going home.

Don't be angry, please.

I care about you.

You care about me?

If you cared about me, Billy, you
wouldn't be such a damn gentleman.

But I can manage myself,
thank you very much.

I hope you're not mad at me.

No, you don't. I'm angry with you.

Didn't mean to offend you.

It's been a wonderful summer.
I can't thank you enough.

On the contrary.

We should be thanking
you for having come.

Orry and I want to have you
all come down to Carolina...

just as soon as you find the
time. We insist upon it.

She's very determined when
she makes up her mind.

So you must say yes.

Very well. On behalf
of all of us...

I accept your kind invitation.

Mont Royal will await you.
Again, our deepest thanks.

- Main and Hazard?
- Hazard and Main.

Take care, old friend.

And you, until we meet again.

- Bye, Orry.
- Bye.

Spying slut.

How dare you follow me here?

Maybe you're jealous because she
can give me what you can't.

Maybe I should drag
you in there and

show you how I can
get a man child...

on any slut on this
plantation but you.

You are disgusting.

You can just lie there
and rot, for all I care.

Thisbee?

Madeline.

You're gonna be all right.

Easy.

I'll kill him.

Dear God help me, I
will kill him now.

Don't say that. Don't
even think that.

I can't let you go
back to him then.

Please let me send you away.
I'll join you as soon as I can.

You can see how dangerous he is.

He'd find me.

He'd kill me.

He'd kill us both.

But if you stay...

Things must stay the way they are.

He still knows nothing about us.

And he must never know.

Please.

Then this is the safest place for
us. He'll never come back here.

This will change nothing
that's between us.

Nothing.

You know that room that I
mentioned to you before?

The one that used to be the
saddle-maker's workshop?

As I said, it's yours
if you want it.

George, you need to know
what it's to be used for.

You mustn't be angry with me.

And you must deny me
if you don't approve.

- You're opening a brothel.
- Be serious, George.

Listen...

I want Belvedere to be a link
on the Underground Railway.

If free Negroes can help,
George, so can we.

You want to shelter
escaped slaves?

Yes.

It's dangerous, Con.

You'd be breaking the
Fugitive Slave Law.

If you're caught, it means
federal prison at least.

I know that. Believe me, I've
thought about the risks.

But, George...

Come with me. I want
to show you something.

The abuse was constant, George.
There was no provocation.

Then it became more than he
could bear, so Abner ran away.

And made his way here through
houses and friends in the network.

All the way from Raleigh.

You're safe here with us.
I want you to know that.

Thank you.

I admire what you're doing, Joel.

No one can know but
Mother. Virgilia

cannot be trusted, and Billy...

Is too young. I know.

We can't let anyone find out,
ever, or we're finished.

- I'll stand by you, though.
- Thank you. I knew you would...

- once you saw.
- You've always known me too well.

It's Orry, isn't it?

That's what you're thinking about?

Here we are, partners
in a business.

And I'm helping people that
he considers criminals.

But they're not criminals, George.
And someone has to help them.

Orry's ideas are part
of his heritage.

It'll take generations
to change them.

When we all go down to Mont
Royal in a couple of weeks...

we're gonna see how he was brought
up, the things he believes in.

It's going to come
as quite a shock

to some of the people
in our family.

Thank God Virgilia is
not going to be there.

George, she told me
she wanted to go.

In fact, she begged me to
speak to you about it.

You can tell her
the answer was no.

You can't forbid her.

After what she did the time
the Mains were here...

I most certainly can.

But she seems so honestly
sorry about that.

Besides, the whole
family was invited, and

Virgilia says that
includes her, too.

It was assumed she wouldn't go.

Virgilia knows that. Orry's too
polite to make conditions.

Think of it this way, George.

Maybe Stanley and Isabel won't go
to Mont Royal if Virgilia does.

Now wouldn't that
be a dreadful loss?

George, do I get to go?

What I don't understand is why
you want to go, Virgilia.

You hate the South
and all Southerners,

or so you've endlessly claimed...

But you're always preaching that
all hate is based on ignorance.

I'm willing to admit that
I may have been wrong.

But I'll never find out
unless I see it first-hand.

Taking you into South
Carolina is like

taking a torch into
a powder magazine.

I'll be good as gold, I promise.

That man is my best
friend on this earth.

No talk about abolition,
or free soil,

or anything else that
might offend him.

Word of honour.

I'll swear to it on a
Bible if you want me to.

You've given me your word of
honour, I have to accept that.

You can go.

- Wonderful. I'll finish packing.
- Wait just a minute.

Come here.

The Bible's in there.