- yesterday
Dear Octopus
It’s 1938. Charles and Dora Randolph are celebrating their Golden Wedding. It’s a chance for four generations of the same family to be together – sparking all the problems and surprises that such a gathering inevitably causes..
Charles Randolph .... Michael Denison
Dora Randolph .... Dulcie Gray
Belle .... Mary Wimbush
Margery .... Annette Badland
Edna .... Frances Jeater
Nanny .... Dora Bryan
Cynthia .... Penny Downie
Laurel .... Trevyn McDowell
Hilda .... Joanna David
Nicholas .... Nicholas Gecks
Fenny .... Charlotte Attenborough
Hugh .... Joshua Towb
Kenneth .... Michael Tudor Barnes
Bill .... Mark Burrows
Scrap .... Sara-Jane Derrick
Flouncy .... Bernadette Windsor
Gertrude .... Becky Hindley
Written by Dodie Smith
Producer: Glyn Dearman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1995
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It’s 1938. Charles and Dora Randolph are celebrating their Golden Wedding. It’s a chance for four generations of the same family to be together – sparking all the problems and surprises that such a gathering inevitably causes..
Charles Randolph .... Michael Denison
Dora Randolph .... Dulcie Gray
Belle .... Mary Wimbush
Margery .... Annette Badland
Edna .... Frances Jeater
Nanny .... Dora Bryan
Cynthia .... Penny Downie
Laurel .... Trevyn McDowell
Hilda .... Joanna David
Nicholas .... Nicholas Gecks
Fenny .... Charlotte Attenborough
Hugh .... Joshua Towb
Kenneth .... Michael Tudor Barnes
Bill .... Mark Burrows
Scrap .... Sara-Jane Derrick
Flouncy .... Bernadette Windsor
Gertrude .... Becky Hindley
Written by Dodie Smith
Producer: Glyn Dearman
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1995
Do you enjoy the variety on Oldtuberadio?
Like, Share and Subscribe to be notified of our new shows
#radio #crime #thriller #drama
To Support this channel please visit
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/oldtuberadio
https://ko-fi.com/oldtuberadio98
https://www.patreon.com/oldtuberadio
https://locals.com/Oldtuberadio
Category
😹
FunTranscript
00:00:00Dear Octopus by Dodie Smith
00:00:20With Michael Denison as Charles Randolph
00:00:23Dulcie Gray as Dora
00:00:25Charlotte Attenborough as Fenny
00:00:27Nicholas Gex as Nicholas
00:00:29Penny Downey as Cynthia
00:00:31Mary Wimbush as Belle
00:00:33Joanna David as Hilda
00:00:35Annette Badland as Marjorie
00:00:37Francis Jeter as Edna
00:00:39And Dora Bryan as Nanny
00:00:42The action of the play takes place in the hall, the nursery and the dining room
00:00:52of the Randolph's Country House in North Essex
00:00:54The year is 1938
00:00:59Dear Octopus
00:01:01I say, Riffle, what a marvellous fire!
00:01:22Oh, I want jolly hearted it!
00:01:24Oh, goodness!
00:01:26What a time they're being over dinner!
00:01:28I wish they'd come out, the maids will never get done!
00:01:30A Gertrude is something about like anything!
00:01:32Why didn't you come to dinner?
00:01:34On a night like this!
00:01:36We've never had the house so full since I came here!
00:01:38Do you like being Granny's companion?
00:01:40Very much indeed!
00:01:42I wouldn't!
00:01:43I'd rather be a maid!
00:01:44Maids have nights out!
00:01:46I could have nights out if I wanted them!
00:01:48Here, have some chocolate!
00:01:50No, thank you!
00:01:51I'll have some sandwiches when Cynthia and Great Aunt Belle arrive!
00:01:54I've never seen Great Aunt Belle!
00:01:56I bet she's a gorgon solo!
00:01:58Oh!
00:01:59Hello!
00:02:00Feeling better, Scrab?
00:02:01I wasn't ill!
00:02:02I just didn't want any dinner!
00:02:04Hasn't Aunty Cynthia come yet?
00:02:06Not yet, but the cow's gone to meet her!
00:02:08Did you see the telegram that came from your father?
00:02:10Yes!
00:02:11I'd rather like to see it again!
00:02:13It's here!
00:02:15Congratulations on your golden wedding!
00:02:18Love to scrap, David Kenton!
00:02:20Would you like to have it?
00:02:21Wouldn't Granny mind?
00:02:22Of course not!
00:02:23Then I think I would!
00:02:25Fancy it coming all the way from Singapore!
00:02:28Not really!
00:02:29They just write them at the post office!
00:02:32I know that perfectly well!
00:02:34I don't think I'll have it, thank you!
00:02:36It's the thought that matters, you know!
00:02:38They don't do that at the post office!
00:02:39But I can remember the thought without a bit of paper, I expect!
00:02:42I'd like to know when Aunt Cynthia comes!
00:02:44You are a blighter, Belle!
00:02:46Well, she's so jolly soft!
00:02:48She's still missing her mother!
00:02:50It's two years since Aunt Nora died!
00:02:52I believe she thinks Aunt Cynthia's going to be like her because they were twins!
00:02:56Is she?
00:02:57Like Nora?
00:02:58Not in the least!
00:03:00Oh, poor scrap!
00:03:02I wish we didn't have any dead people in the family!
00:03:05It sort of spoils the party!
00:03:08Oh, glory!
00:03:09Glory!
00:03:10Uncle Nick!
00:03:11Hello, Bill!
00:03:12Fenny, my dear!
00:03:13Hard at it, I suppose!
00:03:15Things are a bit hectic!
00:03:17Where is everyone?
00:03:18Still at dinner!
00:03:19I didn't leave the office till after eight!
00:03:21We've just landed the contract for all the gusto publicity!
00:03:24What awkward beastly sauce stuff!
00:03:26The sauce may be beastly, but the advertisements are grand!
00:03:29Here, what are you doing with my suitcase?
00:03:31Looking for my present!
00:03:32It isn't Christmas!
00:03:33I bet there is one, though!
00:03:35Is this it?
00:03:36No, that's flounces!
00:03:38And that's for scrap!
00:03:39I say, what's scrap like?
00:03:41Pretty sickening!
00:03:42We have to be very gentle with her!
00:03:45Yeah, look out!
00:03:46That's my dress shirt!
00:03:47There you are, you loathsome boy!
00:03:51And that's for you, Fenny!
00:03:53Why should I get anything?
00:03:55Well, I just thought you'd like it!
00:03:57Oh, a flower posy!
00:03:59It's charming!
00:04:00Thank you!
00:04:02You are a generous person!
00:04:04Nonsense!
00:04:06I do hear your hands are rough!
00:04:08Have you been doing a lot of dirty work?
00:04:10Oh, odds and ends!
00:04:11We've been a bit rushed!
00:04:13Well, I must buy you some nice smelly glycerine and whatnot!
00:04:16We advertise some stuff called lily hands, but it's really rather lousy!
00:04:20I'm not allowed to say lousy!
00:04:22I am!
00:04:23It just shows how unfair life is!
00:04:25Good evening, Gertrude!
00:04:26Good evening, Mr Nicholas!
00:04:28Can't you get them out of the dining room, miss?
00:04:30Try not to upset yourself, Gertrude!
00:04:32I'll help you with the washing out!
00:04:33No, you won't, miss!
00:04:34You can't do it, Mr Nicholas!
00:04:36Turning two in family into fourteen in family with only a couple of girls from the village to help!
00:04:41Gertrude, you're not your son yourself!
00:04:43No, I am not, sir!
00:04:44And if we feel like this now, how are we going to feel by Monday?
00:04:47A dance tomorrow, if you please!
00:04:49Thirty people coming!
00:04:50Gertrude's been so splendid!
00:04:52It's just this sitting late over dinner!
00:04:54Well, here, I'll route them out!
00:04:55No, leave it to me!
00:04:56Run along and unpack!
00:04:57Cheer up, Gertrude!
00:04:59Think how slim you'll get!
00:05:01Your fire's all right!
00:05:03I'll have a look!
00:05:04Good!
00:05:05Come and help me to unpack!
00:05:06Fires in every room!
00:05:07I know, they're a curse!
00:05:09But the house is so cold!
00:05:11And I'm sure we both want everything to be lovely this weekend!
00:05:14Yes, of course, miss!
00:05:15They've been looking forward to it, so...
00:05:17Every living child under their roof!
00:05:19And Miss Cynthia hasn't been home for seven years!
00:05:21Only they did ought to come out of that dining room!
00:05:24Wait!
00:05:25They're coming now!
00:05:26Round you go!
00:05:27I'll be along in a minute to help!
00:05:28Yes, miss!
00:05:29And Gertrude!
00:05:30Have you got any hand lotion?
00:05:31I was washing the nursery paint this morning!
00:05:33I've some cream of lotus buds!
00:05:35I'll lend you some!
00:05:36Annie!
00:05:37They're coming out!
00:05:38Let's go everywhere!
00:05:39Here's your name, Penny!
00:05:40Is Gertrude ruffled?
00:05:41It's quite all right, Mrs Randolph!
00:05:43I'm just going to give her a hand!
00:05:44Thank you, dear!
00:05:45Shall we sit here in the hall?
00:05:47Or in the drawing room?
00:05:48There's a splendid fire here, Mrs Randolph!
00:05:50Very well, Edna!
00:05:51Just tidy the hearth, will you?
00:05:53Oh, yes, of course!
00:05:54We shall need some more chairs!
00:05:55Can we cut some from the drawing room for you, Mr Randolph?
00:05:58Oh, thank you, Laurel!
00:05:59Let me see now!
00:06:00One, two...
00:06:01Don't come fancy, because she's going to bed!
00:06:02Oh, Mummy, I can't!
00:06:03I'm terribly full!
00:06:04The child's quite right, Marjorie!
00:06:06She oughtn't to sleep on top of that heavy meal!
00:06:08She'd better go for a brisk walk round the garden!
00:06:10I don't want to go for a brisk walk!
00:06:12I just want to sit still!
00:06:14Sitting still won't digest your dinner!
00:06:16Well, run along now!
00:06:17You go with her, Hilda!
00:06:18I've got a telephone, Mother!
00:06:20Who too, dear?
00:06:21My secretary!
00:06:22Write her a postcard!
00:06:23The telephone is so expensive!
00:06:24I'll pay for the call myself, Mother!
00:06:26It's an extremely important business matter!
00:06:28I'll take you, Flancy!
00:06:30I can do with a bit of exercise!
00:06:31Go with your father, child!
00:06:33And put your galoshes on!
00:06:35I don't like galoshes, Granny!
00:06:36They make your feet look awful!
00:06:38Come along, Queen of Sheena!
00:06:41That child's getting conceited!
00:06:43She'll grow out of it!
00:06:44I was terribly conceited at her age!
00:06:46And still are ugly!
00:06:48It's a pity you two are so plain!
00:06:50It doesn't give that baby of yours much chance in life!
00:06:53How do you like being a grandmother, Edna?
00:06:56I find it comparatively painless, thank you, Mrs Randolph!
00:06:59Nanny and I think the baby's got a look of Peter!
00:07:02A father?
00:07:03I wish I could remember him!
00:07:05Funny to think Peter would have been a grandfather!
00:07:08Oh!
00:07:09My mother, dear!
00:07:11It's nothing!
00:07:12I was just wishing he could be here!
00:07:14And Nora, too!
00:07:15I'm quite all right now!
00:07:17Now, what about these chairs?
00:07:19I've got to telephone, Mother!
00:07:20Then telephone, dear, and get it over!
00:07:22You'll find it very draughty!
00:07:24Don't I know it!
00:07:25And don't go on talking after the pip-pip-pip!
00:07:28Because they charge you at once!
00:07:31Hilda's business can't be very well run if it won't take care of itself for a weekend!
00:07:35She's quite a big pot, really, Granny!
00:07:37I read an article on her the other day in a Pioneer Woman series!
00:07:40Oh!
00:07:41What does she do?
00:07:42She's an estate agent!
00:07:43It's a surprise to me that Hilda knows the back of her house from the front!
00:07:46It's after ten!
00:07:48Fanny?
00:07:49Yes, Mrs Randolph?
00:07:50Have the Tupkin girls gone back to the village yet?
00:07:52No, Mrs Randolph!
00:07:53They're still here!
00:07:54I promised their mother!
00:07:56Hugh!
00:07:57I wonder if you'd run them back in your car!
00:07:58Of course, Granny!
00:07:59Such a long, dark road!
00:08:01And they really aren't quite right in the head!
00:08:03Tell them to get ready, Fanny!
00:08:05Yes, Mrs Randolph!
00:08:06Is their name really Tupkins?
00:08:08Yes, dear!
00:08:09At least it's their mother's name!
00:08:10I'm afraid they're illegitimate twins!
00:08:12Really?
00:08:13Well, dear!
00:08:14Villages are like that!
00:08:15We've been a little better since we had the cinema!
00:08:18Coming, Laurel!
00:08:19Right-o!
00:08:20Edna, dear!
00:08:21I wonder if you'd mind having one last look round the bedroom fires!
00:08:24Particularly Aunt Beverly's!
00:08:26I'm afraid the journey will have tired her!
00:08:28They'll be here any minute now!
00:08:30Yes, of course, Mrs Randolph!
00:08:32Marjorie, dear!
00:08:33Just run along to the kitchen and see if you can do anything!
00:08:36It's really time the sandwiches came in!
00:08:38Very well, Mother!
00:08:39Oh, and just see if Hilda's still telephoning!
00:08:42I don't think she really understands about the pip pip pip!
00:08:44Pip pip pip!
00:08:45Yes, Mother!
00:08:46Oh!
00:08:47And tell her it's elevenpence every time it pips!
00:08:49Yes, Mother!
00:08:50Were you saying something about chairs, Charles?
00:08:54I was, my love!
00:08:55But as you've successfully found little jobs for everyone,
00:08:59we've really far more chairs than we need!
00:09:01So we have!
00:09:03Well, I shall be glad of a little breathing space before the others arrive!
00:09:08Oh, I do hope everything goes off well!
00:09:11All our children live such busy lives!
00:09:14I should like this weekend to be a real restful!
00:09:17Yes, dear!
00:09:18Is there anything you'd like me to do before I sit down?
00:09:21No, I don't think so!
00:09:23Ah!
00:09:24Ah!
00:09:25Just put another log on, will you?
00:09:26Oh, yes, of course, dear!
00:09:29Charles?
00:09:31Yes, Mother?
00:09:32I can't help feeling we ought to have gone to meet Cynthia!
00:09:35Now, you know, we decided...
00:09:37Oh, I agree we mustn't appear to be rushing at her!
00:09:40But just the car and the chauffeur!
00:09:42So cold!
00:09:43So unwelcoming!
00:09:45After seven years!
00:09:47If only I knew the reason!
00:09:49Haven't we agreed to accept the reason she's given?
00:09:52She's been busy, it hasn't been convenient, and Paris is a long way!
00:09:56Oh, stuff and nonsense!
00:09:58I'd have popped over to see her long ago if I hadn't been frightened of what I should find!
00:10:03You know, I'm really very much touched that Belle should want to come down to us this weekend!
00:10:09Well, I dare say she's very glad to!
00:10:11She's probably pretty much at a loose end in England!
00:10:13Oh, I can't imagine Belle at a loose end anywhere!
00:10:16You must be prepared for a pretty big change in her!
00:10:19Oh, I suppose so!
00:10:20Twenty-five years in America!
00:10:22Twenty-five years anywhere!
00:10:24Charles, how old is Belle?
00:10:28I'm blessed if I know!
00:10:30She married your brother William in 89!
00:10:33I'm sure she's older than I am!
00:10:35She must be seventy-one!
00:10:38I think she's older!
00:10:40How strange!
00:10:42What?
00:10:43To think of Belle as old!
00:10:45All that red-gold hair!
00:10:47That'll be gone anyhow!
00:10:49I wonder if she'll be white like me!
00:10:51Or just streaky!
00:10:52So many women go streaky!
00:10:54I expect we shall get a bit of a shock!
00:10:57What at?
00:10:58Her looks!
00:11:01Poor Belle!
00:11:02She'd have never taken William if she could have got you!
00:11:04Oh, nonsense!
00:11:06I wonder what her American husband was like!
00:11:09He certainly left her very well off!
00:11:12That's the guard!
00:11:14Now, keep calm, dear!
00:11:15Now, Dora, don't excite yourself!
00:11:22It's only Belle!
00:11:24Cynthia isn't there!
00:11:25Oh, Charles!
00:11:26No, don't fret!
00:11:27There are two more trains tonight!
00:11:28She's not coming!
00:11:30Oh, she'll never come!
00:11:34Charles!
00:11:35Belle!
00:11:36Oh, isn't this splendid!
00:11:38Belle, my dear!
00:11:40Oh, Dora!
00:11:41You're as pretty as ever!
00:11:43Oh, isn't this just too exciting!
00:11:47Let me take your coat and hair!
00:11:48Thank you!
00:11:51There we are!
00:11:53Belle!
00:11:55What have I changed so much?
00:11:57You haven't changed at all!
00:11:59Oh, if that isn't the nicest thing I've heard since I landed!
00:12:02It hasn't gone grey at all!
00:12:04And my hair!
00:12:05Maybe sea green for all I know!
00:12:07It's a good twenty years since I saw its natural colour!
00:12:09Do you mean it's dyed?
00:12:11Well, it's, um, helped!
00:12:14Now, don't go looking at me through a microscope because I can't stand up to it!
00:12:18You want to get a quick general impression!
00:12:20My dearest Belle, you've defeated age!
00:12:23It's extraordinary!
00:12:25We were just saying...
00:12:27How old are you, Belle?
00:12:29What, you don't know?
00:12:30And nobody knows!
00:12:31Not one soul in the world!
00:12:32Isn't that fine?
00:12:33Aren't you going to tell us?
00:12:34I am not!
00:12:35Just as you wish, of course!
00:12:37But it seems a bit silly when one gets to our time of life!
00:12:40Oh, it's all a question of one's attitude to life!
00:12:42I don't like old age, and I'm not giving it any sort of helping hand!
00:12:47Oh, my, it's fun to be back in this room!
00:12:51I don't think you've changed a thing!
00:12:54Oh, where am I sleeping?
00:12:56In Little Spare!
00:12:57You always like that!
00:12:58Is Moses still in the bulrushes?
00:12:59Certainly!
00:13:00It's a very fine engraving!
00:13:02Yeah, I slept there the first time I stayed here, when Will and I were engaged!
00:13:06Hello!
00:13:07Who's here?
00:13:08I'm Belle!
00:13:09Marjorie's youngest!
00:13:11She knows!
00:13:12She sends us presents every Christmas!
00:13:15I expect I'm a bit older than you imagined!
00:13:18You certainly are!
00:13:19She sent me a woolly rabbit last year!
00:13:22And I do apologise!
00:13:23No, it's quite alright!
00:13:24The dog liked it!
00:13:26I suppose you're at school!
00:13:28Not just a present!
00:13:29I was expelled!
00:13:31Whatever for?
00:13:32For using bad language!
00:13:34Would you like to know what I said?
00:13:35I certainly would!
00:13:37We'll make a date for tomorrow!
00:13:39Oh, no!
00:13:40Don't encourage him!
00:13:41Go to bed, Bill!
00:13:42Hello, everybody!
00:13:44Cynthia!
00:13:45Oh, my dear!
00:13:48My dear, dear Cynthia!
00:13:51Mother, darling!
00:13:53Hello, Father!
00:13:55My dear!
00:13:57Goodness!
00:13:58Is it Aunt Belle?
00:13:59It certainly is!
00:14:00How did you get here?
00:14:01By the bus!
00:14:02My suitcase is down at the Green Man!
00:14:04Tell Thompson to go for it at once!
00:14:06Right-o, Granny!
00:14:07I'm Bill!
00:14:08Hello, Bill!
00:14:09Hello, Bill!
00:14:10I'll be back!
00:14:12I can't think why you wanted to come on the bus!
00:14:14I thought I'd like to drive through the villages!
00:14:17Things haven't changed much, except for those hideous bungalows!
00:14:20And the council houses!
00:14:22Still, this part's pretty unspoiled!
00:14:24No electric light yet?
00:14:26It's coming to the village next year, but we shan't have it!
00:14:29I never did fancy having the house wired!
00:14:31Cynthia!
00:14:32Cynthia!
00:14:33You're not in mourning!
00:14:34Heavens no, Mother!
00:14:35Everyone wears black and pious!
00:14:37And that looks remarkably like Raquel!
00:14:39It is!
00:14:40I work for her!
00:14:41Oh!
00:14:42Out of money, can I?
00:14:43Nothing so glamorous!
00:14:44Just a sort of receptionist and general odd jobber!
00:14:46Oh!
00:14:47You're looking thin, my darling!
00:14:48Well, thank God for that!
00:14:49I used to be terribly buxom!
00:14:51You two haven't changed a bit!
00:14:53Oh, I'm afraid we have!
00:14:54It's seven years since...
00:14:55Yes!
00:14:57This room shrunk!
00:14:59I suppose rooms always do!
00:15:01Where's Fenny?
00:15:02Where's everyone?
00:15:03They're about somewhere!
00:15:05Oh!
00:15:06Hello!
00:15:07This is Scrap, Aunt Cynthia!
00:15:10She particularly wanted to see you!
00:15:13This is our very first meeting, isn't it?
00:15:16Yes!
00:15:17How do you do?
00:15:19I hope you had a pleasant journey!
00:15:22And here's your great-aunt Belle, Scrap!
00:15:25Such a lot of new relations!
00:15:27I always thought your name was Kathleen!
00:15:29It is!
00:15:30It is!
00:15:31But Mummy always...
00:15:32I've always been called Scrap!
00:15:34Granny, would it be alright if I went to bed now?
00:15:37You ought to be in bed already, darling!
00:15:39Run along!
00:15:40Good night!
00:15:41Good night, Scrap!
00:15:42Night!
00:15:43Good night!
00:15:44I didn't exactly make a hit!
00:15:46I think she was expecting you to be like her mother!
00:15:49Like Nora!
00:15:50Oh!
00:15:51Poor little devil!
00:15:53I'm very worried about her!
00:15:55I don't at all like the sound of a school she's at!
00:15:58I must write to her father!
00:16:00Bill, go to bed!
00:16:02Alright, Granny!
00:16:03But it's no good!
00:16:05The house is so restless!
00:16:07Why don't you show me my room?
00:16:09And maybe we'll find some candies!
00:16:11For a while!
00:16:12I think I'll go up too, Mother!
00:16:13I want to wash!
00:16:14Am I in my own room?
00:16:16Of course!
00:16:17Don't be long!
00:16:21Charles!
00:16:22I knew it!
00:16:23There is something wrong with Cynthia!
00:16:25That hard, cold manner!
00:16:26Now, Donna!
00:16:27We've let it go on too long!
00:16:28We've lost her, Charles!
00:16:29Do try to keep calm, my dear!
00:16:31Our one chance of making contact is to be absolutely natural and casual!
00:16:36How can I be casual when I've only got one weekend?
00:16:39My poor Cynthia!
00:16:40Anyone can see she's not happy!
00:16:42She was always your favourite!
00:16:44I never had favourites!
00:16:45I loved them all equally!
00:16:47And I always liked Cynthia best!
00:16:49We were such friends!
00:16:50Hello!
00:16:52Nicholas!
00:16:53Why did no one tell me you were here?
00:16:55Hello, Mother Darling!
00:16:56How are you, Father?
00:16:57Glad to see you, my boy!
00:16:59And congratulations to you both!
00:17:00Just see if Fanny's getting the sandwiches, will you, dear?
00:17:03Right!
00:17:04I'll give her a hand!
00:17:06Well, what do you think of Belle?
00:17:09Astonishing!
00:17:10Not a day older!
00:17:11Puff!
00:17:12One soon sees!
00:17:13Oh, I can't say I did!
00:17:15Of course, she's always had a magnificent complexion!
00:17:17Belle never had a complexion at all!
00:17:19She just had a skin!
00:17:21And I shouldn't think she's seen that for years!
00:17:23Dora, really?
00:17:25It must be very worrying to take a face like that out in the rain!
00:17:29I do love you when you're being catty!
00:17:31I'm not being catty at all!
00:17:33I think she's in a magnificent state of preservation!
00:17:36By the way, I've worked it out!
00:17:38She's seventy-three!
00:17:39Nonsense!
00:17:40She's still in her sexties!
00:17:41Now you're being simple!
00:17:42She's seventy-three at the least!
00:17:44And I'm not at all sure she couldn't be seventy-five!
00:17:47I shall wear my silver tomorrow!
00:17:49Not my black!
00:17:50Whatever you wear, you'll cut her out!
00:17:53I was being catty!
00:17:55You were, my love!
00:17:56You were!
00:17:57You two having words?
00:17:59Certainly not!
00:18:00I don't believe you!
00:18:01During my entire life, the slightest disagreement between you has been settled by father kissing
00:18:05you on top of the head!
00:18:06I sometimes kiss your mother on the top of the head when we've not had a disagreement!
00:18:10Well, one way or another, it's remarkable she has her hair left!
00:18:13Sandwiches on this table?
00:18:14That's right, dear!
00:18:15Where would you like the whisky, mother?
00:18:17Ah, Marjorie!
00:18:18Whisky on the table over there, please!
00:18:20How are things in the kitchen, Nicholas?
00:18:22Oh, it looks like a battlefield!
00:18:24Gertrude, Annie and Cook are doing a sort of juggling act with the washing up!
00:18:27Ah!
00:18:28I won't offer you a sandwich, Marjorie, because it wouldn't be kind!
00:18:31Do you really think I'm heavier?
00:18:33Not more than a couple of stones!
00:18:35You don't take enough exercise!
00:18:36When you were a child, you were always curled up in a chair!
00:18:39Couldn't curl up in a chair now, could you, dear?
00:18:41Ah, well, what's broad in the bean comes out in the bust!
00:18:43Nicholas!
00:18:44Go on, you know you want one!
00:18:46Well, just one!
00:18:49Come on in, Fenny!
00:18:50You must be famished!
00:18:51I am rather hungry!
00:18:52Cynthia!
00:18:53Hello!
00:18:54Hello, Marge!
00:18:55I say, you put on a bit!
00:18:56You beast!
00:18:57You're slimmer than ever!
00:18:59Oh, well!
00:19:00You haven't had two children!
00:19:01No, I haven't done that!
00:19:02How are you, Fenny?
00:19:03Hello, Nicholas!
00:19:04Hello, Cynthia!
00:19:05How are you, Edna?
00:19:06Can you manage Friday, Nicholas?
00:19:07I've got the seats!
00:19:08Friday?
00:19:09Yes, that's all right!
00:19:10How nice it is to have a brother-in-law to take you out, Edna!
00:19:12Especially now that Hugh is married!
00:19:14I took Edna out long before Hugh married!
00:19:16Or rather, she took me!
00:19:19Ah, Belle, dear!
00:19:20Now, let me see!
00:19:22My daughter-in-law, Edna!
00:19:23Oh, we met upstairs!
00:19:24I'm Marjorie!
00:19:25Save as you were the little skinny one!
00:19:28I'm having a loathsome evening!
00:19:30Aunt Belle, you look marvelous!
00:19:32Let me press a very sardini kiss on your cheek!
00:19:34Oh, Nicholas!
00:19:35And not married or anything?
00:19:37I don't know what you mean by all anything!
00:19:39You're a born bachelor, Nicholas!
00:19:41Oh, and is this another daughter-in-law?
00:19:43Oh, this is our very dear Grace Fetty!
00:19:45Oh, Fetty!
00:19:46My companion!
00:19:47Oh, don't call her that mother!
00:19:48Such a dreary name!
00:19:49Won't you have some sandwiches?
00:19:51Oh, thank you!
00:19:52Hilda!
00:19:53Where on earth have you been?
00:19:55I told you, Mother, telephoning!
00:19:57Aunt Belle!
00:19:58Hilda!
00:19:59How very nice!
00:20:00Cynthia!
00:20:01What an age it is!
00:20:02You weren't really telephoning all that time, Hilda!
00:20:05Yes, Mother!
00:20:06Really?
00:20:07Do you know what that costs?
00:20:08Yes, Mother!
00:20:09The exchange!
00:20:10Six and five months!
00:20:11Here it is!
00:20:12I shouldn't dream of taking your money!
00:20:13But really, I never heard anything so extravagant!
00:20:16Put it away, dear!
00:20:18Oh, very well!
00:20:19Where are you going now?
00:20:21I want to make sure I put the receiver on!
00:20:23And before dinner, it was the bathroom taps!
00:20:25She went all the way upstairs to see if she'd turn them off!
00:20:28Really!
00:20:29I don't think she's quite sane!
00:20:30She's sane enough to make a damn good income!
00:20:32Well?
00:20:33Was it on?
00:20:34Yes!
00:20:35Quite sure?
00:20:36Oh, Mother, don't!
00:20:38Hilda, if you go back again, I'll have you certified!
00:20:42Really, I think it's about time we all made a move!
00:20:45Now, we can manage two hot baths tonight and three tomorrow morning!
00:20:49Will you have yours now, Bill?
00:20:51Well, if it'll make things easier!
00:20:53I suppose I'd better say goodnight, then!
00:20:55Oh, don't bother, Aunty!
00:20:56We shall go on bumping into each other on landings for hours, yes?
00:20:59I'll say a provisional one, then!
00:21:01Goodnight!
00:21:02Finish your dress for the dance, Fanny!
00:21:04I've still got the hem to turn up!
00:21:06Oh, slip it on and I'll do it for you!
00:21:08Would you really?
00:21:09But there's the glass to put away!
00:21:11Edna, dear, you'll do the glass, won't you?
00:21:13Very well, Mrs Randolph!
00:21:15I'll go down the back way into the same room!
00:21:17I don't believe Edna knows where the glasses belong!
00:21:20Give us a hand with a trace, Marjorie!
00:21:22Help to get your weight down!
00:21:23Oh!
00:21:24Here you go!
00:21:25And watch your dinner off, Flouncy!
00:21:28I wish you wouldn't call me Flouncy, Grandpa!
00:21:31I must try to remember your name's Gwen!
00:21:34I don't like Gwen much better!
00:21:36I think I should like you to call me Guinevere!
00:21:38Will you stop being such a vain little peacock?
00:21:41And perhaps we'll stop calling you Flouncy!
00:21:43I'm not vain!
00:21:45If Granny sends me any galoshes, I shan't wear them!
00:21:48Well, you hop off to bed!
00:21:50Come on!
00:21:51I'll take you upstairs!
00:21:52Yes, Edna!
00:21:53On the very top shelf!
00:21:56Oh, precious!
00:21:57Where is everyone?
00:21:59People just slide away!
00:22:01Marjorie!
00:22:02I wanted to-
00:22:03No!
00:22:04Not tonight, dear!
00:22:05You'll be worn out!
00:22:06Just come along to bed!
00:22:07Perhaps I will!
00:22:08I do want to be fresh for her tomorrow!
00:22:10Did you notice how stiff she was?
00:22:13Who?
00:22:14Bill, of course!
00:22:15Those stairs took on all our time!
00:22:17You can have your face lifted, but you've still got to lift your own legs!
00:22:22You can lock up!
00:22:23I'll come down later!
00:22:24Hugh and Laurel are still out!
00:22:26I'm thankful to say that stairs have never been any trouble to me!
00:22:30I believe she's seventy-seven!
00:22:32Oh, hush, Dora!
00:22:33She'll hear!
00:22:34I'm not at all sure that she's not!
00:22:36Seventy-eight!
00:22:44Hello?
00:22:45Have they all gone to bed?
00:22:47Quite probably!
00:22:48Rather a good job!
00:22:49You must find them a bit overpowering!
00:22:51Your family?
00:22:52I adore them!
00:22:53I wish I had ancestors!
00:22:55Well, of course you have!
00:22:56People who are born in flats don't have ancestors!
00:22:59Were you born here?
00:23:00Yes!
00:23:01And your father, and your grandfather, and your great-grandfather, and his father!
00:23:06Not him!
00:23:07He built it!
00:23:08Who'll it come to eventually?
00:23:09No one, I should think!
00:23:10It'll just be sold!
00:23:11But that's not right!
00:23:12Your father was the eldest son!
00:23:13Why isn't it entailed?
00:23:14Good Lord!
00:23:15It isn't one of the stately homes of England!
00:23:16Can't think of a worse fate than having to live in it!
00:23:17But don't you see how romantic it is?
00:23:19Think!
00:23:20Baby's great-great-great-grandfather!
00:23:21Was a draper in Colchester!
00:23:22Do you get much of a kick out of that?
00:23:23Was your grandfather a draper, too?
00:23:24I believe he kept an eye on the business when he and Granny were first married, but he retired
00:23:26before he was forty!
00:23:27Do you mean he hasn't done anything at all for all these years?
00:23:28I expect Granny found him a few little jobs!
00:23:29What are you looking at?
00:23:30What are you looking at?
00:23:31What are you looking at?
00:23:32What are you looking at?
00:23:33What are you looking at?
00:23:34What are you looking at?
00:23:35What are you looking at?
00:23:36What are you looking at?
00:23:37What are you looking at?
00:23:51Your father's picture.
00:23:52He was exactly your age when he was killed...
00:23:58Darling!
00:23:59What?
00:24:00Sometimes I wish we were quite middle-aged...
00:24:03Good Lord!
00:24:04Why?
00:24:05So that you wouldn't have to go if there's another war.
00:24:08It'll take a damn good cause to get me to war.
00:24:10Oh, you all say that.
00:24:12Oh, come on face. Don't get mopey.
00:24:15Ready for bed?
00:24:16I suppose so.
00:24:18We must have a look at baby.
00:24:21Oh, Hugh, isn't it thrilling to think he's sleeping in your father's nursery
00:24:26with your father's old nurse to look after him?
00:24:28It's a jolly sight more thrilling to think it won't be us.
00:24:31He'll wake up in the middle of the night.
00:24:35Oh, hello.
00:24:42Where have you been?
00:24:43Putting the car away.
00:24:46Is that the dress?
00:24:47Cynthia's going to sew it for me tomorrow.
00:24:49I don't ever remember you in evening dress.
00:24:52You've seen me in one every Christmas.
00:24:54They've mostly been black.
00:24:56Do you know what I remember you in best?
00:24:58A grey fannel suit and a hat like a little pork pie.
00:25:02You wore it the first day you came here.
00:25:03I fancy you remembering.
00:25:05You stood there in the doorway clutching a sort of Gladstone bag,
00:25:08looking exactly like little orphan Annie.
00:25:10I felt a bit like her.
00:25:13You were all at tea.
00:25:15I thought you were the most superb family I had ever seen.
00:25:19Hmm.
00:25:20And what do you think of us after, well, how long?
00:25:22Seven?
00:25:23Eight?
00:25:24Ten years.
00:25:25Oh, you're not so bad.
00:25:28Sit down a minute.
00:25:29I feel like talking.
00:25:33I was walking around the garden just now,
00:25:35looking at all the bedroom windows lit up.
00:25:39Something rather heartbreaking about family gatherings.
00:25:42How do you mean?
00:25:44I don't know exactly.
00:25:46I suppose they make you realise the shortness of life.
00:25:49Old age simply rushing at one.
00:25:52We used to be such a nice-looking lot of kids.
00:25:55Look at us now.
00:25:57Marjorie, fat as a barrel.
00:25:59Hilda getting completely desiccated.
00:26:01And Cynthia sitting about registering the woman with a past.
00:26:04I don't see any of them like that.
00:26:06And look at your father and mother.
00:26:08Haven't they grown old beautifully?
00:26:09Nothing grows old beautifully.
00:26:13Well, Aunt Belle's a scream, isn't she?
00:26:15Just held together with sticking plaster.
00:26:18You are the most extraordinary person.
00:26:22I've never known anyone who's so kind-hearted and yet so malicious.
00:26:27Am I often malicious?
00:26:29Quite a bit.
00:26:31I wonder if you could be cruel.
00:26:33I expect so.
00:26:35How clever of you to find me out.
00:26:37I always take a vow on the threshold to be the sunny boy of the party.
00:26:41You usually are, do you?
00:26:43Oh, the family.
00:26:45I'm never quite sure if I love it or loathe it.
00:26:48I believe I'd rather give 50 pounds than come to these gatherings of a clan.
00:26:52Rubbish.
00:26:52You like them, really.
00:26:54Well, they've got some sort of horrible fascination.
00:26:57Even if they do start me thinking of death and worms.
00:27:00I say, why do you let me drivel on like this?
00:27:03Edna would have given me a kick in the pants long ago.
00:27:06Would she?
00:27:08Oh, Edna's very good to me.
00:27:11I wonder if old Peter will look down on our grand family dinner on Sunday.
00:27:14My God, I've got a nerve to sentimentalise about the tragedy of growing old.
00:27:21Do you know, I only miss the wall by inches.
00:27:23Hey, you pop off to bed.
00:27:30You're a very sweet person, Fenny.
00:27:34You look about 14 sitting there in your dressing gown.
00:27:38I'm 29.
00:27:39Crikey, are you?
00:27:41Don't you ever grudge the years you've spent with this dreary family?
00:27:44Not one of them.
00:27:46And it's not dreary.
00:27:47I'm sorry I said you were malicious.
00:27:51My dear, it's perfectly true.
00:27:55But I don't think I could ever be malicious about you.
00:28:00It's a poor hand.
00:28:02It's just like a nutmeg grater.
00:28:05Dear Fenny.
00:28:08Oh!
00:28:09Ah, hello, Edna.
00:28:11Come and get warm.
00:28:13No, thanks.
00:28:14You go along to bed, Fenny.
00:28:15You'll be dog-tired in the morning.
00:28:17Hup-see-daisy!
00:28:19Legs tired?
00:28:20A bit.
00:28:21Shall I carry you?
00:28:22Oh, of course not.
00:28:24Good night, Edna.
00:28:25Good night.
00:28:26Good night, my dear.
00:28:29Nicholas, I call that the limit sitting holding Fenny's hand.
00:28:32Have you gone out of your senses?
00:28:33Oh, I know it's your thoughtlessness.
00:28:35Unless...
00:28:36I suppose you don't happen to be in love with her?
00:28:39Good God, no.
00:28:40Then you might have a little more imagination.
00:28:41Will you lock up, Nicholas?
00:28:43All right, Father.
00:28:44And see you to the fire.
00:28:46I will.
00:28:49What do you mean, Edna?
00:28:50If you really don't know...
00:28:54Perhaps I was just being officious.
00:28:56Good night.
00:28:58Good night.
00:29:01Good King, whence us last looked out...
00:29:04Quiet, Bill!
00:29:06Sorry, Grandpa.
00:29:08Thought it was Christmas.
00:29:13I like mugs.
00:29:38But they always have mugs in this nursery.
00:29:40Always, Miss Scrapp.
00:29:42This is the very same mug that Mummy had, isn't it, Annie?
00:29:45Which mug did my Mummy have?
00:29:47Let me see now.
00:29:49Of course, some of them got broken.
00:29:51Oh, yes.
00:29:52Your mother had a bluebird mug.
00:29:54Do you mean it might have been this very one?
00:29:56Should have been.
00:29:58Oh.
00:29:58Now, don't you go thinking about it.
00:30:01Your mother wouldn't want you to brew.
00:30:02But I like thinking about it.
00:30:04That's enough, dear.
00:30:05Finish your milk, Miss Lancey.
00:30:07I've told you to call me.
00:30:08Oh, hurry up.
00:30:10I want to paint.
00:30:11No, you don't, Master Bill.
00:30:13We say grace in this nursery.
00:30:15For what we have received, may the Lord make us truly thankful.
00:30:18Amen.
00:30:19I'm selfridges.
00:30:20Why did you say that?
00:30:22I always do.
00:30:22He's a very naughty boy.
00:30:24Come on, let's clear the table.
00:30:26You too, Guinevere.
00:30:29Careful of that lift now.
00:30:30Good morning, cook.
00:30:38The dishes are coming down.
00:30:52Fill the cup with water, Scrapper, and then we can start.
00:30:55You won't get long for your painting.
00:30:57We'll be going out walking in no time.
00:30:59I'll be back for your children in a quarter of an hour.
00:31:03I may be going out with great-aunt Belle.
00:31:06She wants to know what I said at school.
00:31:08What did you say at school?
00:31:10He said, damn blast devil hell and strike me pink.
00:31:13You beast, Flouncey.
00:31:15It's my language.
00:31:16I tell it.
00:31:17I said, swelp me too.
00:31:19Swelp you?
00:31:20What does that mean?
00:31:22Something frightful.
00:31:23I don't think much of it.
00:31:24I know a worse word than any of those.
00:31:27You don't.
00:31:28What is it?
00:31:28I couldn't tell you.
00:31:29It's too awful.
00:31:30Oh, go on, Scrapper.
00:31:32She's just pretending.
00:31:33I'm not pretending.
00:31:35It's the most terrible word there is.
00:31:38It's district nurse.
00:31:39District nurse?
00:31:41But they put that on gates.
00:31:43You silly baby.
00:31:44Everyone knows what district nurse means.
00:31:47It might have a double meaning, Flouncey.
00:31:49Of course it hasn't.
00:31:50I'm afraid you've got it wrong, Scrapper.
00:31:53But I'll find out.
00:31:56I say, Flouncey, you've made this water filthy.
00:32:00Why do you want to paint everyone in black?
00:32:02It's fashionable.
00:32:03You can use any colours you like, Scrapper.
00:32:06Except the cobalt blue.
00:32:09That's my special colour.
00:32:10I'm painting horses and they're very seldom blue.
00:32:13I don't want your beastly cobalt.
00:32:16And it is an awful word.
00:32:17All right, all right.
00:32:19I told you I'd find out.
00:32:20Isn't Maddie taking you for a walk?
00:32:22Presently.
00:32:24We're just using my new paint box.
00:32:26Oh, I say, that is a beauty.
00:32:28She does scrap, Uncle Nicholas.
00:32:29I looked in on her last night.
00:32:31Careful, Bill.
00:32:31You're running your trees into your sky.
00:32:33Give me the brush.
00:32:35There.
00:32:36Just saved it.
00:32:37Oh, you can't have everything in black, Flouncey.
00:32:40Give them some red buttons and red heels to their shoes.
00:32:44Here, budge up a bit.
00:32:45Why don't you make that one a zebra, Scrapper?
00:32:47Because it's a horse.
00:32:49Yes, but you could make it a zebra with some white stripes.
00:32:51Look, we'll use the Chinese white, like this.
00:32:55I've given him a jolly old red hat.
00:32:58Why don't you have a red hat, Marjorie?
00:33:00Half a minute, Ken.
00:33:01This is quite difficult.
00:33:03I used to be awfully good at painting.
00:33:05Adjust a second, Scrapp, while I do under his stomach.
00:33:09I often think I ought to have gone in for art.
00:33:12There.
00:33:13Oh, I don't think that's too bad.
00:33:15We'll make it a herd of zebras.
00:33:17Oh, wouldn't you like to play the piano, Mummy?
00:33:20No, thank you, Bill.
00:33:24Oh, darling, you smudged it.
00:33:27Oh, you are a clumsy old cow.
00:33:30Bill, never let me hear you use that word again.
00:33:33What word?
00:33:34Clumsy?
00:33:34No, cow.
00:33:36You must not call me a cow.
00:33:38But you don't mind me calling you a donkey.
00:33:40I'm not really keen on it.
00:33:42And anyhow, cow's different.
00:33:43You must never call anyone a cow.
00:33:45Can't I call a cow a cow?
00:33:47You can call a cow a cow, but you must never call a lady a cow.
00:33:52Now go and get ready for your walk.
00:33:53You'll understand when you're older, old chap.
00:33:55It's a sort of double meaning.
00:33:57Golly, a nice little word like cow.
00:34:00Perhaps you'll write Scrapp.
00:34:01District nurse.
00:34:06District nurse.
00:34:07What about the district nurse?
00:34:09Don't you mind me saying it?
00:34:11Not if it gives you any pleasure.
00:34:12It's very silly, of course.
00:34:14I told you so, Scrapp.
00:34:16Run along, all of you.
00:34:17You'll keep nanny waiting.
00:34:18Yes, Aunt Marjorie.
00:34:19Very well.
00:34:20How heavy are you breathing?
00:34:27I've given the whole bally lot of them red hats.
00:34:31Marjorie!
00:34:32Is that mother calling?
00:34:34I'm afraid so.
00:34:35She wants extra eggs from Walting's farm.
00:34:37No, I'm damned if I'll go.
00:34:40There's no car road and it's in a sea of mud.
00:34:42Oh, come on, Ken.
00:34:43We'll slip down the back stairs and hide in the greenhouse.
00:34:45Oh, yeah, but if your mother wants...
00:34:47Hilda can jolly well go.
00:34:48Oh, don't give us away, Fenny.
00:34:49Come on, Ken.
00:34:51Good old Marjorie.
00:34:53She always was the champion job evader.
00:34:57I feel very well disposed towards the world.
00:35:01Do you?
00:35:02Hmm.
00:35:03Wakened up feeling absolutely sunny.
00:35:06Good.
00:35:07You were a bit on the morbid side last night.
00:35:09Hmm.
00:35:10Well, that's all gone.
00:35:12I lay awake this morning smelling coffee and bacon being cooked
00:35:14and felt that things were exactly as they should be.
00:35:19Yes.
00:35:19I feel positively glowing with human kindness.
00:35:24I wonder why.
00:35:26What are you looking for?
00:35:28Some French chalk to make the drawing room floor slippery.
00:35:32Oh, I say, don't overdo it.
00:35:33It's horsework keeping those vicarage girls on their feet.
00:35:35Why will Mother give these dances?
00:35:40Does she still insist on dance programs?
00:35:42She does.
00:35:43They've got wedding bells on them.
00:35:45Then I shall bag six dances and we'll sit out on the back stairs.
00:35:49Last time I sat on the back stairs, I got kissed on the ear.
00:35:52Fenny!
00:35:54Who by?
00:35:55The curate with the wig.
00:35:56I knew you had a past.
00:35:58Has this curate with the wig left you with any inhibitions about being kissed on the ear?
00:36:05I don't know.
00:36:08Then you should find out.
00:36:10On the back stairs.
00:36:11Remember, it's an assignation.
00:36:14Anything you want from the village, miss?
00:36:16Yes, Nanny.
00:36:17Try to get some French chalk.
00:36:18Let's go in the woods, Nanny.
00:36:20And me with a perambulator.
00:36:22Get along with you.
00:36:23Come on, you three.
00:36:25Take us in the woods, Uncle Meg.
00:36:26Will you come, Fenny?
00:36:28I'm up to my eyes in jobs.
00:36:29Oh, can I help?
00:36:31No, you go with him.
00:36:32All right.
00:36:34Back soon.
00:36:34Come on, we'll give the others a sip.
00:36:37Let's go on out.
00:36:37All right.
00:36:45Now, don't be a fool.
00:36:47Have you seen Nicholas?
00:36:49He's gone with the children, Edna.
00:36:50Do come and look at the zebra he's been painting.
00:36:54Are you all right, Fenny?
00:36:55You look flushed.
00:36:57Never felt better in my life.
00:36:59He's put bows on their tails.
00:37:02Oh, my dear.
00:37:04What?
00:37:05Fenny, please don't think I mean to be officious,
00:37:07but I know how you feel about Nicholas.
00:37:10We all know.
00:37:12What do you know?
00:37:14My dear, don't look like that.
00:37:16There's nothing whatever to be ashamed of.
00:37:18But he's so thoughtless, and well,
00:37:21I'm not going to stand by and let you make a fool of yourself.
00:37:24How dare you?
00:37:27Who?
00:37:27How dare you?
00:37:29How dare you?
00:37:30Don't speak to me like that.
00:37:31I'm terribly sorry I spoke.
00:37:34I've done it clumsily.
00:37:35Yes, you have.
00:37:39Oh, how can everyone know?
00:37:42I've never told anyone.
00:37:44Does he know?
00:37:46No.
00:37:47You see, my dear, if he knew you cared for him,
00:37:50he'd be on his guard.
00:37:52I know him so well, Fenny.
00:37:54He's got such easy, affectionate manners.
00:37:57Any unsophisticated woman might think...
00:37:58Please go away, Edna.
00:38:01I wish I'd spoken earlier.
00:38:03All these wasted years slaving in this house.
00:38:07How dense men are.
00:38:09I saw in a flash last night that you were getting the wrong impression.
00:38:12I'm desperately sorry for you.
00:38:16I'll do anything to help.
00:38:19Will you let me pay for some training for you?
00:38:21No.
00:38:23You'll stop on here.
00:38:25I don't know what I shall do.
00:38:27I ought to get on with my work.
00:38:29Mrs Randolph will be wanting...
00:38:30Stay here a bit.
00:38:31I'll go and dance attendance on her.
00:38:33My dear, I am so sorry.
00:38:35That's all right.
00:38:36I've been a fool.
00:38:38It was kindest to tell me.
00:38:40You keep quiet till you feel a little better.
00:38:50Oh, where's the little scrap child?
00:38:53They're all out walking.
00:38:54Ah, I got some hot caves from Cork.
00:38:56You like one?
00:38:57No, thank you.
00:39:01What's the matter?
00:39:02Nothing.
00:39:03Has Mother been overworking you?
00:39:05No, it is not.
00:39:07Oh, Fanny, darling.
00:39:08Whatever is it?
00:39:10Oh, she said everyone knew.
00:39:14Knew what?
00:39:15Fanny, Mother wants you to...
00:39:16Then she'll just have to want.
00:39:18Fanny's upset.
00:39:19Fanny, dear?
00:39:20What is the matter?
00:39:23Is it Nicholas?
00:39:24He doesn't mean to be unkind.
00:39:25Oh, you did know.
00:39:27That you're fond of him?
00:39:29There's no harm in that, is there?
00:39:31You didn't know, did you, Cynthia?
00:39:32You couldn't, you haven't been home for years.
00:39:35Well, I used to think you were a bit smitten with him.
00:39:38Has it been going on all this time?
00:39:41Lord, how unhappy you must have been.
00:39:42Oh, I've never been unhappy.
00:39:45I've loved my life here.
00:39:46People have been so good to me.
00:39:48And he's always been so kind.
00:39:51But only kind?
00:39:53Yes, I suppose so.
00:39:55But just lately, last night, this morning, he seemed different somehow.
00:40:01I thought, oh, but I'm what Edna calls an unsophisticated woman.
00:40:08I've just made a fool of myself.
00:40:10Do you mean Edna actually had the cheek?
00:40:13Oh, perhaps Nicholas has known all this time, and he's just pitying me.
00:40:18She said he doesn't, but I expect she'll tell him.
00:40:21Oh, no, she won't.
00:40:22We'll take care of that.
00:40:23Oh, I'm sorry.
00:40:24I'm making such an ass of myself.
00:40:27Lord, I haven't cried for years.
00:40:30I'd better do something with my face, and there are dozens of jobs waiting for me.
00:40:34I'll be all right.
00:40:36Oh, if only she'd waited till after this weekend.
00:40:40Fenny?
00:40:40What's up with her?
00:40:42Come in a minute and shut the door.
00:40:46Mother wants the bells on the dance programme's painted gold.
00:40:48It's a nice, peaceful job, and I'm going to take a long time over it.
00:40:52Did you know Fenny was in love with Nicholas?
00:40:53Yes, of course.
00:40:55Has she gone violent or something?
00:40:56It's Edna.
00:40:57As far as I can make out, she's been warning Fenny off.
00:41:00Oh, damn cheap.
00:41:01Is there anything between Nicholas and Edna?
00:41:03Good Lord, no.
00:41:04She's years older than he is.
00:41:06Besides, Edna's an iceberg.
00:41:08I always think she had Hugh by correspondence course.
00:41:11She's managed to scare other women out of Nicholas's life pretty effectively.
00:41:15It's jolly convenient to have a good-looking young man to trot you round London.
00:41:20I often wish I had one.
00:41:22Not a romance, you know, just a presentable escort.
00:41:26We must get her away from here.
00:41:27What would Mother do without her?
00:41:29I tell you, she was absolutely heartbroken.
00:41:31Why now more than always?
00:41:34Because the whole thing's come out into the open.
00:41:36And she's terrified that Nicholas knows any girl with any pride.
00:41:40Of course, I never had any pride.
00:41:42I just twined myself round Kenneth.
00:41:45He says he liked it.
00:41:46Well, if Nicholas does guess, she must show him he's wrong.
00:41:49Tell her to flirt with the lads of the village tonight.
00:41:52Tell you what, I'll enter Kenneth.
00:41:54He rather admires her.
00:41:56Do you mean you'd put him wise?
00:41:57There isn't any need.
00:41:58Ken will carry on with anyone who crooks their little finger at him.
00:42:01Don't you mind?
00:42:02Not in the least.
00:42:03It's a safety valve.
00:42:04I know what happens to the husbands that don't carry on.
00:42:07You see nature in the roar at our golf club.
00:42:09I wonder if she could carry us off.
00:42:11Of course she can.
00:42:12She's got quite a bit of spirit.
00:42:14Won't really take Nicholas in if he has spotted her.
00:42:16But she'll think it will.
00:42:18Then she can settle down to another ten years of patient adoration.
00:42:21Oh, damn that blasted Edna!
00:42:27Oh, hello Scrap.
00:42:44Come and sit by the fire.
00:42:46I'm not cold, thank you.
00:42:48Are you going to wear that dress tonight?
00:42:50No, it's Vennie's.
00:42:51Why?
00:42:52I just thought it looked a nice sort of dress.
00:42:55It's a bit like what Mummy used to wear.
00:42:57She always likes soft, pretty dresses.
00:42:59Yes.
00:43:01Auntie Cynthia?
00:43:02Yes, Scrap?
00:43:04There was a photograph of her and you in dresses made exactly alike.
00:43:07With lots of frills on.
00:43:09Oh, I remember.
00:43:10It was taken on our 21st birthday.
00:43:14We looked quite a bit alike in that photograph.
00:43:17Yes, I thought you did.
00:43:20But I suppose it was only the dresses.
00:43:23You look a bit like her, really.
00:43:25It's funny, isn't it?
00:43:26I thought twins were always alike.
00:43:28We were very much alike in our thoughts.
00:43:31I missed her terribly when she married.
00:43:33Went to Singapore.
00:43:35Do you still miss her?
00:43:37Or perhaps you'd rather not talk about it?
00:43:38I think I would like to talk about it.
00:43:41Everybody seems to be frightened of mentioning her.
00:43:43They don't want to upset you.
00:43:45But it doesn't upset me.
00:43:47It brings her back a bit.
00:43:49That's why I wanted to come to this house to see the things she used to see.
00:43:53I thought perhaps it would help me to keep her a bit longer.
00:43:56Scrap, darling, I'm sure that isn't right.
00:43:58You must try to get over it.
00:43:59But I have got over it.
00:44:01And I don't like being over it.
00:44:04I don't feel miserable anymore, you know.
00:44:06But, well, I don't feel anything anymore.
00:44:10And that's rather dull, isn't it?
00:44:13Is it a sort of empty feeling?
00:44:16Yes, it's exactly that.
00:44:18Just meals and lessons and nothing hurting anymore.
00:44:23I don't like it.
00:44:26I suppose I sound silly.
00:44:27Not to me.
00:44:29I believe I'm in exactly the same place as you are.
00:44:32Sort of...
00:44:32Oh, limbo of the mind.
00:44:36Oh, that was stupid of me.
00:44:37You couldn't understand.
00:44:38But I do know about limbo.
00:44:40It's in between heaven and hell.
00:44:42People there aren't happy and they aren't miserable.
00:44:45They just aren't...
00:44:46anything.
00:44:48Why, of course I see that's it.
00:44:50You're very intelligent.
00:44:52I am in bits.
00:44:53Well, why are you in limbo, Aunty Cynthia?
00:44:57I'm talking a lot of nonsense.
00:44:59Scrap, dear.
00:45:00Oh, there's your granny calling.
00:45:02She does seem to call people rather a lot, doesn't she?
00:45:05Scrap.
00:45:06Aunty Cynthia?
00:45:07Hmm?
00:45:09Will we ever get out of limbo?
00:45:11You will, Scrap.
00:45:13I promise you by everything that ever was.
00:45:16Then I promise you, too.
00:45:18Scrap, dear.
00:45:19Your granny wants you.
00:45:20Yes, I'm going.
00:45:21Well, I've had a word with Edna.
00:45:25What did she say?
00:45:26All done with the highest motives.
00:45:28Felt it her duty.
00:45:29Deeply upset.
00:45:31However, she says Nicholas doesn't know, which is something.
00:45:34I must tell Fennish.
00:45:35I told her.
00:45:35Was she terribly relieved?
00:45:36Well, of course.
00:45:37But she's still pretty nervous.
00:45:39She'll do anything on earth to put him off the scent.
00:45:41I offered her Kenneth and she was very much obliged.
00:45:44And apparently there's a man in the village who's rather keen on her who's coming tonight.
00:45:47A sort of gentleman chicken farmer.
00:45:49Oh.
00:45:49Hello, Fennie.
00:45:51You look better.
00:45:52I've put a little rouge on.
00:45:54And I do feel a little better.
00:45:56Here's the dress.
00:45:56That'll help.
00:45:57I thought I'd wear my old black.
00:45:59Oh, you can't flirt with my husband in your old black.
00:46:02Mind you, put rouge on again tonight.
00:46:03It suits you.
00:46:04And I'll give you one of Raquel's new lipsticks.
00:46:07You're both being angels.
00:46:09If I can just get through this weekend, he won't be home again until Christmas.
00:46:12The whole thing will have blown over by then.
00:46:14Fennie!
00:46:15Pull yourself together now.
00:46:16It's no different from when you saw him last.
00:46:18Oh, there you are.
00:46:19I've brought you some hand lotion.
00:46:21Oh, thanks.
00:46:23As a matter of fact, I borrowed some of Gertrude's.
00:46:26But thanks all the same.
00:46:29Well, there's gratitude for you.
00:46:30She thanked you, didn't she?
00:46:32What do you expect for a toppenny, hapenny bottle of hand lotion?
00:46:34I expect she's overworked.
00:46:37She looked a bit flushed.
00:46:49D.
00:46:51And that's all that remains of my musical education.
00:46:58What are you all doing?
00:46:59Nothing, whatever.
00:47:01Enjoying a few moments' well-earned peace.
00:47:05In this house?
00:47:06I don't believe it.
00:47:08There used to be peace here.
00:47:10I remember hours of it on this windowsill.
00:47:14Will anybody please explain to me why time goes so much faster nowadays?
00:47:21Is it something to do with the world in general?
00:47:23Or is it just a sign of middle age?
00:47:26Strange.
00:47:26I was talking about that to Fennie last night.
00:47:29There seemed to be hours and hours to spare when we were kids.
00:47:32We were probably very bored.
00:47:34I wasn't.
00:47:35I was always so blooming hopeful.
00:47:37Oh, this nursery's rather a harrowing place, really.
00:47:40I wish I hadn't such an abominably good memory.
00:47:43Why?
00:47:43You had a happy childhood.
00:47:44That's why, you goof.
00:47:47Why didn't you come home sooner, Cynthia?
00:47:49Of course, I've always imagined you were up to something very peculiar in Paris,
00:47:52but I've never known what.
00:47:55If you really want to know, Hilda,
00:47:56I've been living with a married man who couldn't get a divorce.
00:48:00I lived with him for six years, and I am not living with him anymore.
00:48:04Is that all?
00:48:05I imagine far worse.
00:48:07I really don't see why that kept you from coming home for seven years.
00:48:10Neither do I.
00:48:11You know how Mother feels about that sort of thing.
00:48:13You remember how she talked to us when we grew up.
00:48:15Didn't she say she'd rather see our coffins lowered down the stairs?
00:48:18That was Grandma.
00:48:20She had a perfect lust for seeing coffins lowered down the stairs.
00:48:24Mother's not as bad as that.
00:48:25Still, she would have minded.
00:48:26I happen to be very fond of her.
00:48:30Well, you know your own business best.
00:48:33Has it bust up for good?
00:48:35It has, and I'd rather not talk about it.
00:48:37I often think I should like to live with a man myself,
00:48:41just so that he could shut the front door for me at night.
00:48:44I sometimes go back ten times to see if it's really closed.
00:48:48Hilda, this neurotic business of yours is getting past a joke.
00:48:52Are you doing anything about it?
00:48:53I'm really too busy.
00:48:55If I had time, I'd be psychoanalyzed.
00:48:58It's getting dark.
00:49:02I don't like the autumn anymore.
00:49:05I wonder if the rest of you mind growing old as much as I do.
00:49:09You were always so conscious of ages.
00:49:12Yes, Sin.
00:49:14You used to say they had colours.
00:49:15The teens were green, the twenties yellow, the thirties blue,
00:49:22and the forties a horrible, horrible brown.
00:49:25I don't really mind being forty.
00:49:27Oh, I shall.
00:49:28On my fortieth birthday, I shall look in the glass and say,
00:49:31it's true.
00:49:32It's happened to you.
00:49:34Middle age.
00:49:35And so will old age, and so will death.
00:49:40Only I shan't believe a word of it.
00:49:43What do you think about it all, Marge?
00:49:45What all?
00:49:46Oh, just life, time, change, love, and what have you.
00:49:50Well, I'm tolerably happy.
00:49:54Sorry.
00:49:56I don't seem to remember you being quite so bovine, Marge.
00:50:00Funny how unalike we three are.
00:50:03I wish to God Nora hadn't died.
00:50:06I dreamed of Peter last night.
00:50:08He was in uniform, looking as young as Hugh.
00:50:11Well, we may be getting into the seer and yellow,
00:50:14but at least we are here.
00:50:16Which is more than Peter and Nora are.
00:50:18How do you know?
00:50:19Cynthia don't.
00:50:22Not that I mind, really.
00:50:25Oh, here you all are.
00:50:28Hello, Aunt Belle.
00:50:30I remember coming to tea in this nursery when I was ten on your father's birthday.
00:50:35Your ghosts must be quite different from our ghosts.
00:50:38Come and tell us the secret of age without tears.
00:50:41Oh, you should ask your mother that.
00:50:42I haven't discovered it.
00:50:44I remember once asking a very old lady about old age, and she said,
00:50:48Well, my dear, there are always muffins for tea.
00:50:53If one likes muffins.
00:50:55Oh, you will.
00:50:57You'll be surprised what a taste you'll develop for mental muffins.
00:51:00Yes, even I am.
00:51:02All in the dark.
00:51:09Lights and lamps, Nicholas.
00:51:11Yes, Mother.
00:51:12We've been to the village.
00:51:13Just put my hat and coat away for me, will you, Hilda?
00:51:15Yes, Mother.
00:51:16Come and get warm, Charles.
00:51:18It's so and quite chilly.
00:51:19Oh, there ought to be a good fire in the hall.
00:51:23There ought always to be a good fire in the hall.
00:51:25I cannot think why, with the house crammed full of people,
00:51:28no one has time to keep that fire in.
00:51:30Yes, dear, but everyone's been very busy.
00:51:32Really, I think we might have tea up here as the drawing room's cleared for dancing.
00:51:36Oh, nursery tea.
00:51:37That sounds delightful.
00:51:39We must count up.
00:51:40Hugh and Laurel are at the vicarage.
00:51:43Edna's lying down.
00:51:45Ken's gone for a tramp.
00:51:46Then we're ten.
00:51:47Tell cook, will you, Marjorie?
00:51:48I think we might have muffins.
00:51:49I'll tell her.
00:51:53Tea in the nursery, please.
00:51:55And muffins for ten.
00:51:57Yes, that's right.
00:51:58She was surprised.
00:52:00Not, of course, that there will be muffins.
00:52:02One always says muffins and means crumpets.
00:52:04Come and get warm, Scrap dear.
00:52:06Yes, Granny.
00:52:07Oh, how cold your hands are.
00:52:11Cynthia, you're right out of everything sitting on the piano stool.
00:52:14I'm quite happy, Mother.
00:52:16Play something, dear.
00:52:17Oh, do you still sing, Dora?
00:52:19Do you remember the Carrie dance?
00:52:21What a memory you have, Aunt Belle.
00:52:23I don't believe you've sung that for twenty years, Dora.
00:52:25Oh, yes, I have.
00:52:27I sang it right through only last week.
00:52:29Just to please myself.
00:52:30Sing it now, Granny.
00:52:31I couldn't.
00:52:32I've no voice left.
00:52:34Can you play it, Cynthia?
00:52:35No, Mother.
00:52:36I'm sure I can't.
00:52:37Oh, go on, Sen.
00:52:39You can play anything.
00:52:40Just try it, dear.
00:52:42That's it?
00:52:51You always had such a pretty voice.
00:52:54Oh, Mummy used to sing this.
00:52:56Did she, darling?
00:52:57We used to sing it together.
00:52:58And you would sing it with me and help me out with the high notes.
00:53:02You mustn't, any of you, expect too much.
00:53:05Come by the piano, Scrap dear.
00:53:06Isn't it a bit high, Cynthia?
00:53:10It's in the usual key, Mother.
00:53:11Yes, I suppose it is.
00:53:16Carried on sing over in all the high-pice jewels.
00:53:22Oh, for one of those hours of gladness
00:53:25gone the last like I used to do.
00:53:29When the boys began together
00:53:33in that normal summer night,
00:53:36and the Cary Piper's tuning
00:53:39made us warm with wild delight.
00:53:44Oh, to think of it, oh, to dream of it
00:53:47fills my heart with tears.
00:53:51Oh, the days of the Cary dancing,
00:53:54oh, the ring of the Piper's tune,
00:53:57oh, for one of those hours of gladness
00:54:00gone the last like our youth.
00:54:06I'm sorry.
00:54:08I can't remember it.
00:54:09Oh, go on, sin!
00:54:10No, I can't.
00:54:11Oh, come on.
00:54:12I won't, Cynthia, my dear.
00:54:15What if you're ashamed of yourself
00:54:16upsetting a mother like this?
00:54:18Do you suppose you've got a monopoly
00:54:19of sensitive feelings?
00:54:21A woman of your age ought to have more control, Cynthia.
00:54:23Oh, God!
00:54:24How could you speak to her like that, Uncle Nicholas?
00:54:27Poor Auntie Cynthia!
00:54:28You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Nicholas.
00:54:31Oh, shut up, Flousey!
00:54:33Here, come!
00:54:34Oh, good Lord!
00:54:37Laura, dear, please don't distress yourself.
00:54:40Ah, I oughtn't to have sung.
00:54:42It upset them.
00:54:43Oh, it's nothing, Dora.
00:54:45It just got worked up.
00:54:47You sang beautifully, Granny.
00:54:49No, dear.
00:54:50I was the conceited old woman to try.
00:54:53I couldn't manage the high notes at all.
00:54:55But you've put in lots of expression.
00:54:57Thank you, Bill.
00:54:58Tell your Aunt Hilda we're all...
00:55:00Well, some of us are having tea here in the nursery.
00:55:04Yes, Granny.
00:55:06I do apologise.
00:55:08But why, Dora?
00:55:10They're all so upset.
00:55:11They'll be all right, my dear aunt.
00:55:14Oh, Master Bill told me muffins for ten.
00:55:17Our plans have changed, little Gertrude.
00:55:20That'll be all.
00:55:21Thanks.
00:55:22Thank you, ma'am.
00:55:24Nursery tea.
00:55:26Muffins?
00:55:26Bell?
00:55:28Thank you, Charles.
00:55:30I think I will.
00:55:50Oh, shut up, will you?
00:56:08You'll wake the baby.
00:56:09Sorry, Sam.
00:56:12I've been reading to the kids.
00:56:14It's hopeless to expect them to sleep at the dance in the house.
00:56:16Half the village seems to be here.
00:56:19I say, did you notice Fanny?
00:56:20I thought she looked very pretty.
00:56:22Well, she always looks quite pretty.
00:56:24Good Lord, I think she must have gone a bit dotty tonight.
00:56:27She danced six times running with that frightful chicken farmer.
00:56:30There's no law against it.
00:56:31Yes, but you should have seen her giggling and flirting.
00:56:34Just now with Kenneth.
00:56:35She doesn't get many parties.
00:56:37I don't blame her for enjoying herself.
00:56:39Yes, but...
00:56:41Oh, well, I suppose the poor little devil doesn't know any better.
00:56:44Nicholas, do you like Fanny?
00:56:48Of course I like her.
00:56:49Don't we all like her?
00:56:50She's a family institution.
00:56:52Yes, I see.
00:56:56I say, Cynthia.
00:56:58Sorry about this afternoon.
00:57:00My fault.
00:57:01Served me right.
00:57:03But I just couldn't stand it.
00:57:04That song and Mother's voice breaking.
00:57:07Oh, poor Nora's child.
00:57:09You felt the same, didn't you?
00:57:11Yes.
00:57:12That's why I barked at you.
00:57:14Between the two of us, we've upset Mother pretty badly.
00:57:17Well, my dear, she's completely recovered half an hour after when I apologise.
00:57:21Mother has an invincible happiness.
00:57:23Lord, I wish I'd never come.
00:57:26Her eyes follow me about asking questions.
00:57:29Why are you young things in here, in the nursery, instead of dancing?
00:57:34Feeling rather mature, aren't you?
00:57:36Oh, nonsense.
00:57:37We had it here ourselves, didn't we, Charles?
00:57:40And now we're going to indulge in a little sitting out.
00:57:44Oh, Arthur.
00:57:46Do you remember the dancing class, then?
00:57:48Fan, mittens, and bronze sandals, and you boys skulking in the corner.
00:57:52Well, come on.
00:57:53Let's show them.
00:57:54All right.
00:57:55They played it at our dancing class, too.
00:57:58And at the dance your mother gave for us bridesmaids, the night of your wedding.
00:58:01I missed that.
00:58:04I rather think I was on the English Channel, thanking God I'd married a good sailor.
00:58:08And that was the night I accepted William.
00:58:11There doesn't seem to be any point in going on refusing him.
00:58:16Did you know about me, then, Charles?
00:58:19Or not till afterwards?
00:58:21I think I always knew.
00:58:22You know, there's something rather luxurious in being able to sit back and tell a man you've been in love with him for 50 years.
00:58:32I guess I'm entitled to some sort of golden anniversary myself.
00:58:36My dear Belle.
00:58:38And you've never written your book, Charles?
00:58:40Or gone into Parliament?
00:58:41All the things you planned as a boy?
00:58:43I've never done any of them.
00:58:45You would have done if you'd married me.
00:58:47I wonder.
00:58:48You women are much too fond of thinking you can make geniuses of men.
00:58:52And anyway, there are far too many books written.
00:58:55And far, far too many people in Parliament.
00:58:57You had great gifts, Charles.
00:59:00Not really, Belle.
00:59:02I might have had a shot at politics, but there were so many far more important things to do.
00:59:07What things?
00:59:08Well, you've realized that any house that contains Dora also contains a number of little jobs.
00:59:14You would be surprised, for instance, what a very large number of shelves I have put up and an almost equally large number I've taken down.
00:59:22Then there have been children to play with, dogs to take walks, gardens to plan, neighbours to visit.
00:59:28And you call these things important?
00:59:30I do, indeed.
00:59:31I call the sum total of any man's happiness important.
00:59:37Have you been happy, Charles?
00:59:39So happy that I'm sometimes tempted to erect a statue to myself.
00:59:42I should like people to be reminded that happiness isn't quite obsolete.
00:59:48Have you been happy, Belle?
00:59:51That's rather a cruel question.
00:59:53Oh, nonsense.
00:59:54Confess now, you haven't given me a thought for years.
00:59:57I have thought of you every day of my life.
01:00:00I'm not ashamed to own it.
01:00:01You never did have a proper sense of shame.
01:00:04You were a baggage at seven and you're a baggage at seventy.
01:00:07Do you really think that?
01:00:09Did you think it thirty years ago, after William died?
01:00:14Well, certainly every calls to.
01:00:16You came very near to breaking up this happy home, you know.
01:00:19No, no, never that.
01:00:20Then shall we say to putting rather a blot on the escutcheon?
01:00:25But I didn't manage it.
01:00:26No, you didn't manage it.
01:00:28Well, don't gloat so.
01:00:31You were always cruel to me.
01:00:32Because you were a challenge and a menace and always will be.
01:00:37Why, my dear, I was teasing you.
01:00:40I was never too old to be hurt.
01:00:44That's the first time I've ever seen you cry.
01:00:46And it'll be the last.
01:00:48God bless my soul, you preposterous woman.
01:00:51Two husbands, Lord knows how many sidelines.
01:00:53And just because one poor country light managed to resist you?
01:00:56No, no, I won't sentimentalise with you.
01:00:59What you need's a stiff whisky.
01:01:01Oh, here you are.
01:01:03Why, Belle, dear.
01:01:05We've been talking over old times.
01:01:07Poor William, you know.
01:01:09Of course.
01:01:10Poor William.
01:01:12And your American husband.
01:01:14What was his name?
01:01:16Elmer.
01:01:17Poor Elmer.
01:01:19How I wish they could both be here.
01:01:21I suppose that wouldn't be quite practicable.
01:01:23Get her a good, strong drink, Charles.
01:01:25No, I was just suggesting it.
01:01:27Lead me to it, Charles.
01:01:29I'll be delighted to.
01:01:30Oh, good evening, Nanny.
01:01:32Good evening, sir, madam.
01:01:34Oh.
01:01:35They all asleep, Nanny?
01:01:36Miss Scrappy's, the other two are beyond human control.
01:01:40They've gone down to get some more supper out of cook.
01:01:43Good gracious.
01:01:44Well, it's a very special occasion.
01:01:48Not finding it too much for you, are you?
01:01:50Indeed, no, Mum.
01:01:52It's a great pleasure.
01:01:53It's been like old times here in the nursery.
01:01:56How long have you been with us, Nanny?
01:01:5947 years.
01:02:00I came as nursemaid when Mr. Peter was six months.
01:02:05My dear Peter.
01:02:07We shall see him again, Mum.
01:02:09Of course we shall.
01:02:11I've been thinking of him a lot this evening.
01:02:13And I keep on remembering you in that blue dressing gown with the little white bows,
01:02:21whisking in and out like you used to at night when any of them were ill,
01:02:25with your pretty fair hair down your back.
01:02:29Fancy you're remembering that.
01:02:31What a long time we've been friends, Nanny.
01:02:34And now you must go to bed, because baby will wake you early.
01:02:38Good night, Mum.
01:02:39Good night, Nanny.
01:02:41And thank you for all these years.
01:02:45Sleep well.
01:02:47Thank you, Mum.
01:02:54Is she all right now?
01:02:56She's doing up her face.
01:02:58Poor Belle.
01:03:00She's as much in love with you as ever.
01:03:02At her age.
01:03:03Aren't you in love with me?
01:03:05I hope I don't make eyes at you.
01:03:09This must be the last dance.
01:03:12I tell them to play those old horses at the end.
01:03:14People like them.
01:03:16You notice Fanny tonight?
01:03:18Mark my words.
01:03:20That chicken farmer is going to propose.
01:03:22Good Lord, she wouldn't accept it.
01:03:23Well, every woman likes to marry.
01:03:27Charles, I still haven't spoken to Cynthia.
01:03:30A whole day gone.
01:03:32I must tackle it tomorrow.
01:03:35It's tomorrow now.
01:03:37Our golden wedding day.
01:03:39Many, many congratulations, my dear.
01:03:45And to you, my love.
01:03:48Now we must go down.
01:03:49They'll be playing Sir Roger at the end.
01:03:51No, no hurry.
01:03:52We shall hear it when it starts.
01:03:54Our golden wedding.
01:03:57What do we have next?
01:03:58Diamond wedding?
01:03:59What?
01:03:59I'm sure we shall both live to be very old.
01:04:04Charles.
01:04:05Yes, darling?
01:04:07It isn't really the right moment now, but something Nanny was saying.
01:04:12Yes, my dear.
01:04:13It's something we haven't discussed for years.
01:04:17Has religion ever got any clearer to you?
01:04:23No, my dear.
01:04:24I don't think it has.
01:04:25I was afraid not.
01:04:27I did so hope that if I prayed about it and didn't worry you, but just took you to church
01:04:31every Sunday that...
01:04:33Don't you believe that there's anything after life?
01:04:37No, my dear.
01:04:38I'm just as I always was.
01:04:40No.
01:04:41No, that's not quite true.
01:04:42I used to be sure there was nothing, and now, well, I'm not quite sure of anything.
01:04:48Oh, but that's a very definite improvement.
01:04:50You used to be an atheist, and now you're an agnostic.
01:04:54I think that's splendid.
01:04:56You are an extraordinary woman.
01:04:58Why?
01:04:58You're so matter-of-fact.
01:05:00I used to be afraid that God might punish you.
01:05:03But I see now that with such a good man, it could only be a question of his explaining to you.
01:05:09Of course, I do wish you believed, because you'd feel so much more comfortable if you went on, wouldn't you?
01:05:15Yes, Dora, I'd like to go on.
01:05:18You will, my dear.
01:05:19You see, the fact that you don't believe in heaven can't make it not there, can it?
01:05:24There are some very good modern books about religion.
01:05:26Shall I send for some?
01:05:28Are you quite sure about heaven, Dora?
01:05:31Utterly and completely sure, Charles.
01:05:34I find that more convincing than all the books that were ever written.
01:05:37You see, my dear, in all our discussions for the last 50 years, you have invariably been right.
01:05:43They're playing, Sir Roger.
01:05:46We must go down.
01:05:47It's been a good party, I think.
01:05:49Nothing spectacular, but very pleasant.
01:05:52Very pleasant indeed.
01:05:55Well, now it's over.
01:06:00Not quite, my love.
01:06:02Careful with these, Cynthia.
01:06:21Do we need large glasses?
01:06:23Oh, I do know playing the table.
01:06:26Gertrude could do it in half the time.
01:06:27We always have laid the table for family parties.
01:06:30It's a sort of right.
01:06:32Why don't we go on strike?
01:06:33One doesn't go on strike against Mother.
01:06:36I can't say you're doing an awful lot, Edna.
01:06:38I'm so cold.
01:06:40This dining room is freezing.
01:06:41That's the lot, Marge.
01:06:43Oh, thank goodness for that.
01:06:43I don't think I shall come down at Christmas.
01:06:46I don't know why you ever come.
01:06:48You know you loathe our family parties.
01:06:50Well, I think I shall cry off.
01:06:52And Nicholas ought to, too.
01:06:54Why?
01:06:55From Fanny's account.
01:06:56He'd better come away with me.
01:06:59Well, I'm damned.
01:07:00The way you put Nicholas in your pocket is absolutely sickening.
01:07:04I quite agree.
01:07:05We know he won't marry Fanny, but the way you got your claws into him, he'll never marry anyone.
01:07:09How dare you speak to me like that?
01:07:11This is a conspiracy.
01:07:12It certainly will be if you try to keep Nicholas away from home.
01:07:15It would break Mother's heart.
01:07:16You haven't been very fussy about Mother's heart.
01:07:18You haven't been home for seven years.
01:07:19How dare you?
01:07:20I don't absolutely...
01:07:21Excuse me.
01:07:23There's the napkins.
01:07:24And the mistress says, will you please make them into water, Lillies?
01:07:28Thank you, Gertrude.
01:07:30I really...
01:07:31You will apologise for that last remark to Cynthia.
01:07:34I shall apologise for nothing.
01:07:35Oh, chuck it, Hilda.
01:07:39You're perfectly right, Edna.
01:07:41I have not been home for seven years.
01:07:42And as you make a point of knowing everyone's business, you probably know why.
01:07:46It was most graceful and charming of you to bring the matter up.
01:07:49I oughtn't to have said it.
01:07:53I'm sorry, Cynthia.
01:07:55That's all right, Edna.
01:07:56Well, it's not all right for me.
01:07:59Before this argument closes, there's something I should like you to know, Edna.
01:08:02I didn't like you when Peter married you.
01:08:05I haven't liked you during 25 years.
01:08:07And I don't like you now.
01:08:09Where are the crewets?
01:08:10Are those your sentiments too, Marjorie?
01:08:12Of course not.
01:08:13And they're not Hilda's, really.
01:08:14Do you want to walk out with dignity?
01:08:16Or could you bring yourself to put out the salted almonds?
01:08:18I'm much too upset.
01:08:20I've done nothing whatever to warrant this attack.
01:08:22I've said I was sorry to Cynthia,
01:08:24and you all know I was perfectly sincere in my attitude to Fanny.
01:08:28And if you wanted to hurt me, Hilda, you've certainly succeeded.
01:08:33You'll have to apologise.
01:08:35I shall not.
01:08:37Oh, for goodness sake, let's get the table finished.
01:08:39These flowers aren't up to much.
01:08:42Oh!
01:08:43Come on in, Aunty.
01:08:44Give us a hand.
01:08:45Well, this is a great occasion.
01:08:48I came here to your great-grandfather's golden wedding when I was a girl.
01:08:53Did you, Aunty?
01:08:53Such an enormous meal, and the speeches.
01:08:57Will you come down at Christmas?
01:08:59No, my dear.
01:09:01I won't come here again.
01:09:03You can't play ostriches with time in this house.
01:09:08You just must not remember things.
01:09:11You take that to heart, all of you.
01:09:14Ah, now for a bit of extra war, Paige.
01:09:17Oh, excuse me.
01:09:19Where are you going, Hilda?
01:09:20To make it up with Edna.
01:09:22I don't seem to have any capacity for sustained rage these days.
01:09:27Still, it was good while it lasted.
01:09:30Oh, there are the children.
01:09:35Did you have a nice time?
01:09:36Oh, lovely, Mummy.
01:09:38Nanny showed us the secret passage, and Bill crawls right inside.
01:09:41Oh, shut up, floutsy.
01:09:43I did it, I tell it.
01:09:45Her ladyship sent these flowers from the hothouses.
01:09:48Oh, corn in Egypt.
01:09:50Look, Sin.
01:09:51Oh, I can't do these flowers all over again.
01:09:54How do they look?
01:09:55Jolly funny, Aunty Sin.
01:09:57They aren't meant to look funny.
01:09:58I think they look splendid.
01:10:01Thank you, Scrap.
01:10:02Now run along and get dressed, and don't give Nanny a lot of trouble.
01:10:06I'll be up to give them a last look over, Nanny.
01:10:08Will you come and give me a last look over, Aunt Cynthia?
01:10:10I will, darling.
01:10:12Not dressed yet?
01:10:13Look what Lady Ridgewells sent.
01:10:15Oh, how very nice of her.
01:10:17Good gracious, Cynthia.
01:10:19What are you doing with those dreadful old flowers?
01:10:22Oh, Mother, and I've been simply wrestling with them.
01:10:25Throw them away, dear, and we'll have Lady Ridgewells instead.
01:10:29Granny!
01:10:30Bill cut on the pony, and he rode right round the paddock, and then...
01:10:33Hey, you've done it again, floutsy.
01:10:35I rode it, I tell it.
01:10:37Next time you do it, I'll lamb you.
01:10:39Hush, dear, that is no way to speak.
01:10:42Now off you go, all of you, to dress.
01:10:44Come along, I tell you.
01:10:45Just one minute, Bill.
01:10:48Marjorie, can you absolutely guarantee that when your father says Grace tonight, this child
01:10:53will not say Selfridges?
01:10:55What about it, Bill?
01:10:56I'll do my very best, Granny.
01:10:58But it sort of comes over me.
01:11:00Come along.
01:11:01Oh, really?
01:11:05One oughtn't to laugh at him.
01:11:08I don't think there's much more I can do.
01:11:10The napkins, dear.
01:11:11I never could do water lilies.
01:11:12Then I'll do them, and you shall sit and talk to me.
01:11:15I ought to be dressing.
01:11:16Cynthia, please.
01:11:18I've been trying to talk to you all this weekend.
01:11:20You're not happy.
01:11:23Yes, I am, Mother.
01:11:25Perfectly happy.
01:11:25But anyone can see you're not.
01:11:27Of course, your father and I have realised for years that there are things in your life
01:11:31you don't want us to know about, and we should never dream of trying to force your confidence.
01:11:35But don't stay away another seven years, because it really isn't necessary.
01:11:42Did Edna tell you?
01:11:43I should never dream of gossiping about you with Edna.
01:11:47But I do know that no woman of your temperament who doesn't marry could have spent all these
01:11:51years in Paris in, well, shall we say, a strictly conventional manner.
01:11:57Don't you mind?
01:11:59I can't think of anything that you could do quite terrible enough to make me want to lose
01:12:05touch with you.
01:12:06It wasn't very terrible.
01:12:08We would have been married if we could have been.
01:12:11Was he French?
01:12:12No, English.
01:12:14His wife is French.
01:12:17She won't divorce him?
01:12:18No.
01:12:19Oh, it's over, Mother.
01:12:20He went back to her.
01:12:21I expect he got tired of me.
01:12:23My dearest child.
01:12:24Oh, I'm all right.
01:12:27It knocked me out for a bit, but I'm over it now.
01:12:31And is this all that's kept you away from us for seven years?
01:12:36I suppose so.
01:12:38Oh, Mother, how you've changed.
01:12:40You used to be so strict in your ideas.
01:12:43I had four young daughters to bring up, but I have changed.
01:12:48There wouldn't be much point in living to be 70 if one didn't.
01:12:50I always did like you better than any woman I'd ever met.
01:12:54My dear.
01:12:56Must you go back to Paris?
01:12:58I've finished with Paris.
01:13:00I can go to Raquel's London House if I like.
01:13:03Why not come home for a little while?
01:13:05You mean just stay on?
01:13:07Only for a short time, of course.
01:13:09We never try to keep you.
01:13:10But just for a little holiday.
01:13:12You used to be so fond of the autumn.
01:13:15And we could slip up to town for some theatres and concerts.
01:13:18Do you remember our little jaunts?
01:13:20And if you could stay till spring.
01:13:21It's so very beautiful here.
01:13:25Very well, my dear.
01:13:27I won't press it, of course.
01:13:28Just thought you might like it.
01:13:30I think I'd like it more than anything in the world.
01:13:34You mean you'll stay?
01:13:35If you really fancy an elderly prodigal daughter.
01:13:41Oh, darling.
01:13:42You're trembling.
01:13:44And you sounded so calm.
01:13:46I was just a little nervous.
01:13:50Oh, Mother.
01:13:51No.
01:13:52Good gracious.
01:13:53Don't start to cry.
01:13:54Or you'll simply wreck your face.
01:13:56Now, hurry up.
01:13:58And dress.
01:13:59Yes, Mother.
01:13:59Oh, I'm sorry.
01:14:01That's all right, Fenny.
01:14:02I'll come with you and get you a glass of sherry, Cynthia.
01:14:06Fenny, would you do the water lilies?
01:14:08I'm afraid I wasn't quite concentrating on them.
01:14:11Yes, of course, Mrs Randolph.
01:14:14Fenny?
01:14:17In the dining room.
01:14:20Oh, there you are.
01:14:21I took a telephone message for you about half an hour ago.
01:14:25Your charming chicken farming friend wants you to take tea with him tomorrow at 4.30
01:14:29at his delightful bungalow so appropriately called The Nest.
01:14:35Shall you go?
01:14:36Yes, I think I shall.
01:14:38Oh, what fun!
01:14:39You have such good taste in men.
01:14:41Is that meant to be rude?
01:14:42Yes, I think it is.
01:14:44Good Lord, what's the matter with you, Fenny?
01:14:46What do you mean?
01:14:46We're encouraging this poor wretched man.
01:14:48Before you know where you are, he'll be proposing to you.
01:14:51It's none of your business.
01:14:52It's the business of the whole family.
01:14:54We've known him like you for ten years.
01:14:56The man's a common little bounder.
01:14:57I don't think so.
01:14:58Well, I suppose you were playing Kenneth off against him last night to bring him up to scratch.
01:15:03Good Lord.
01:15:04I couldn't have believed you'd make yourself so cheap.
01:15:07Please go away.
01:15:08Dressing yourself up and giggling and flirting.
01:15:11And if you're going to use rouge, you'd better learn how to use it properly.
01:15:15I'm not using rouge.
01:15:16You were last night.
01:15:18And if you want to know, you looked like an elderly schoolgirl.
01:15:21What a damnable thing to say.
01:15:26I'm sorry, Fenny.
01:15:27That's all right.
01:15:29It wasn't true, anyhow.
01:15:31You looked very pretty.
01:15:35I've hurt you, haven't I?
01:15:38Do you remember wondering if I could be cruel?
01:15:42You said you never could be to me.
01:15:45Listen, my dear, there must be something behind this that I don't understand.
01:15:50Are you thinking of marriage as a safeguard for the future?
01:15:52It's got nothing to do with that.
01:15:54Then what the devil is it?
01:15:55Good Lord.
01:15:58I believe Edna was right.
01:15:59What do you mean?
01:16:01She said once that most women would rather marry anyone than no one.
01:16:06I haven't made up my mind to marry her.
01:16:07Well, I can't conceive how you could even let him propose.
01:16:11Oh, Lord, let's chuck it or I shall hurt you again.
01:16:14But somehow the very thought of it makes my blood boil.
01:16:19I'm sorry I've been so insulting.
01:16:22That's all right.
01:16:25Are you going to do grand toast tonight?
01:16:27I suppose so.
01:16:30Never felt less like it.
01:16:32I'd better walk around the garden and try to mug something up.
01:16:36Well, you're making an awful mess of those napkins.
01:16:39You've been a little distracting.
01:16:42Oh, poor old Fenny.
01:16:43Well, you will marry him, of course.
01:16:46Otherwise, you'd never have led him on.
01:16:50Well, you must see something in him.
01:16:53God!
01:16:54I couldn't be more disappointed in anyone.
01:17:04Fenny?
01:17:05Fenny?
01:17:06Fenny?
01:17:07Got a headache, my dear?
01:17:09Just a bit.
01:17:10It'll go.
01:17:11What is it, Fenny?
01:17:14Oh, I can't bear it any longer.
01:17:19How could he?
01:17:20How could he?
01:17:22Nicholas, of course.
01:17:23Oh, everyone knows.
01:17:25He certainly doesn't.
01:17:26No.
01:17:27That's the one bit of comfort there is.
01:17:31Mr Randolph,
01:17:32please tell me,
01:17:34was I vulgar and silly last night?
01:17:37You were a little skittish.
01:17:41He was so cruel.
01:17:43Cruel?
01:17:44But it's not his fault.
01:17:46Don't you see?
01:17:47He was so disappointed in me.
01:17:50And now I've got to go on pretending to be what he thinks I am.
01:17:54Never to let him see.
01:17:56Why?
01:17:57Oh, pride, I suppose.
01:18:00Oh, I see.
01:18:02Is pride worth all their trouble?
01:18:03Well, I never had any of myself, of course.
01:18:08Was Nicholas really unkind?
01:18:10Terribly.
01:18:12And he's always been so sweet to me.
01:18:15Yes, I know.
01:18:18Do you think I could marry Mr Jones?
01:18:21Mr Jones?
01:18:22You know, at the chicken farm.
01:18:24Good gracious.
01:18:25I should hardly have said so.
01:18:28I don't think so either.
01:18:29I don't even like hens.
01:18:33Hmm.
01:18:37Oh, there you are, Charles.
01:18:38My dear, it's all right.
01:18:40What is?
01:18:41Cynthia.
01:18:41I had it out with her.
01:18:42And really, it's nothing terrible.
01:18:44Well, of course it is, but times change.
01:18:46Anyhow, it's over.
01:18:47And she's staying on indefinitely.
01:18:49And she'll be able to help me with scrap.
01:18:51With scrap?
01:18:52Yes.
01:18:52I had a letter from her father yesterday.
01:18:54I told you, didn't I?
01:18:55Well, I meant to.
01:18:56He wants us to take sole charge of scrap for the time being
01:18:59because he's marrying again.
01:19:01And she's taken a tremendous fancy to Cynthia.
01:19:03Oh, dear.
01:19:04What?
01:19:05I was thinking how terribly shocked my dear mother would have been about Cynthia.
01:19:08She had such rigid principles.
01:19:11But it's better to lose a principal than lose a daughter.
01:19:14I've had three glasses of sherry.
01:19:16Dora!
01:19:17With Cynthia, just to cheer her up.
01:19:19Well, that's splendid.
01:19:21Have you seen Nicholas?
01:19:22I'd like a word with him.
01:19:23He's probably in the garden, planning his speech.
01:19:26Ring the warning gong, will you, Charles?
01:19:28Ah, yes, sir.
01:19:31Really, just look at these napkins.
01:19:34Here are the lamps for the hot plate, madam.
01:19:35Good.
01:19:36And bring some more napkins, Gertrude.
01:19:38More napkins, madam?
01:19:40Certainly.
01:19:41Something has occurred to these.
01:19:43Ladies and gentlemen, if one may so address one's family.
01:20:08Oh, shame.
01:20:09Hear, hear.
01:20:10No, we are an abstemious family, both in drink and speeches.
01:20:15We make one speech and drink one family toast, at Christmas, at New Year, and at all our family gatherings.
01:20:22So we have always done right back, I believe, into Great Grandfather's Day.
01:20:25Right, right.
01:20:26But tonight, wondering what I should say to you, it seemed to me another toast was called for.
01:20:33None of my generation remembers a golden wedding in this house.
01:20:37Yes, and indeed, I think they are rarer throughout the world in these days of later marriage and earlier divorce.
01:20:43Yes.
01:20:45No, it is a great occasion for us all, and one, I felt, which could well warrant a break with our tradition.
01:20:52And so I planned another toast for father and mother on their golden wedding day.
01:20:59But then I knew this could not be, for they are the family, and never for any occasion shall they be separated from it in our thoughts.
01:21:12We have already given them our presents, good wishes, and our love, which indeed is always theirs.
01:21:19And now, this golden wedding is no longer theirs alone, but ours to share with them.
01:21:26And so, once more, I shall propose grand toast to all our family.
01:21:33Right, right.
01:21:33Yes.
01:21:34Now, wandering round the garden just now, I was trying to remember when I first proposed this toast.
01:21:39The year your father had laryngitis, dear?
01:21:421919.
01:21:43Oh, no, Hilda.
01:21:44It was...
01:21:44I quiet you two.
01:21:46Now, whatever the year, I know I felt very young and nervous.
01:21:50And I'd mugged up three quotations and two funny stories, which I meant to tell with exquisite point,
01:21:53and when the moment came, I didn't use any of them.
01:21:57Well, perhaps the patron saint of family gatherings came to my aid.
01:22:00Well, if so, I hope he may come again tonight.
01:22:04For again, nothing I planned seems quite right.
01:22:08We grumble at our families.
01:22:11We treat them as a bad joke.
01:22:13We hear on every hand that family ties are slackening.
01:22:15And yet, we pack the trains at Christmas going home.
01:22:19A sense of duty only?
01:22:21Well, I wonder.
01:22:25Now, we are an ordinary family.
01:22:28We own no crests, no heirlooms, and our few ancestors are very badly painted.
01:22:34Now, I wonder what they would think of us, great-grandfather with his twinkle, and grandmama.
01:22:39Well, it wasn't quite as fierce as her portrait would make out, but she was a little fierce.
01:22:45And I think she might shake her head and say, the family isn't what it was.
01:22:49And there, most honoured grandmama, lies its strength.
01:22:55It is, like nearly every British institution, adaptable.
01:22:59It bends.
01:23:00It stretches.
01:23:01But it never breaks.
01:23:04And so, I give you our toast.
01:23:11From that young man upstairs, who has had the impudence to make me a great-uncle,
01:23:15to mother and father, on their golden wedding,
01:23:22through four generations of us.
01:23:27And to those who have gone,
01:23:31and those who are yet to come,
01:23:34to the family,
01:23:37that dear octopus from whose tentacles we never quite escape,
01:23:41nor, in our inmost hearts,
01:23:44ever quite wish to.
01:23:45Ladies and gentlemen,
01:23:51grand toast.
01:23:54Grand toast.
01:23:57Bravo.
01:23:58Well, bravo.
01:23:59Very good indeed, my boy.
01:24:01I never heard you so emotional, Nicholas.
01:24:03Well, we liked it, didn't we, Scrap?
01:24:05I'd rather query one of your similes.
01:24:08Discuss it in the drawing room, will you, dear?
01:24:10Gertrude will be on the rampage.
01:24:12Oh, gracious.
01:24:13We never said after dinner, Grace.
01:24:15Charles, dear.
01:24:16Yes, my love.
01:24:18For these and all thy blessings,
01:24:20we thank you, Lord.
01:24:23You need to pitch me, Mummy.
01:24:25I wasn't going to.
01:24:26Get the mage started, Fanny.
01:24:27Yes, of course.
01:24:28The only one to do now, old man,
01:24:30is to start a family for yourself.
01:24:32I think you should have replied, Charlie.
01:24:35No, no, one speech is enough.
01:24:38You rang, miss.
01:24:39Coffee in the drawing room, please, Gertrude.
01:24:41Annie had better help you.
01:24:42I'll pack things up here for you.
01:24:43Oh, don't you bother, miss.
01:24:44You go along in.
01:24:45No, I'd like to.
01:24:47Tell Cook everything was splendid.
01:24:48I won't be long with a coffee.
01:24:55Oh.
01:24:57Oh, hello.
01:24:59Father forgot his glasses.
01:25:01Er, they're there.
01:25:05Still angry with me?
01:25:09You were the angry one.
01:25:13Shall we make it up?
01:25:14If you like.
01:25:16It doesn't matter, anyhow.
01:25:17Well, it matters to me.
01:25:20Friends?
01:25:21Of course.
01:25:22You know, don't you?
01:25:29Yes, my dear.
01:25:31Did Edna tell you?
01:25:32No.
01:25:34Who did, then?
01:25:36Oh, I know your father.
01:25:39Yes.
01:25:41He said pride wasn't important.
01:25:45Yes, he was right.
01:25:46I think I'm rather glad, you know.
01:25:49Oh, queer.
01:25:52I used to think it would be the end of the world.
01:25:55It needn't worry you or embarrass you.
01:25:57After tonight, we'll never refer to it again.
01:25:59Will you marry me, Fanny?
01:26:02No.
01:26:04Oh, how could you?
01:26:06I can't help loving you.
01:26:09I'm not ashamed of it.
01:26:11It's been my secret happiness for years.
01:26:13I expect you men to be kind, but pity is very humiliating.
01:26:18Don't be a juggins, dear.
01:26:20Men don't propose out of pity.
01:26:23I love you, Fanny.
01:26:26Don't you believe me?
01:26:27I don't know.
01:26:32You are a truthful person.
01:26:36But surely you couldn't find out suddenly, just because your father told you.
01:26:40Listen, I believe I've been in love with you for years and never realized it.
01:26:45And then after we'd been sitting by the fire the other night,
01:26:47something Edna said, quite inadvertently,
01:26:50made me see you as a different person.
01:26:54Do you remember our talk in the nursery, Fanny?
01:26:57Yes.
01:26:58Well, I think I almost knew I loved you then.
01:27:02But last night, you and your goings-on with Kenneth and that wretched chicken farmer.
01:27:06Well, I could cheerfully have killed a lot of you.
01:27:10I'm very much ashamed of myself.
01:27:11I suppose I was just plain jealous.
01:27:16Oh, how glorious.
01:27:20You'll never see a worse side of me than you've seen this weekend.
01:27:24The teething stage of love is very confusing.
01:27:27Well, that speech I made just now was not only to the family,
01:27:34but to our future, dear Fanny.
01:27:38Oh, swell me!
01:27:47Bill!
01:27:48Fanny's going to marry me!
01:27:49Crikey, I am, please!
01:27:51That beastly flouncey's not going to tell this one.
01:27:54No, wait!
01:27:55Not yet!
01:27:55My dear, you'll never muzzle him.
01:27:58Listen, listen, everyone!
01:27:59Nicholas and Fanny are engaged!
01:28:01Are you ready?
01:28:05Come on!
01:28:07In Dear Octopus, by Dodie Smith, Michael Denison played Charles, Dulcie Gray, Dora, Charlotte Attenborough, Fanny,
01:28:16Nicholas Gex, Nicholas, Penny Downey, Cynthia,
01:28:33Mary Wimbush Bell, Joanna David Hilder, Annette Badland, Marjorie, Francis Jeter, Edna.
01:28:41Trevin McDowell was Laurel, Joshua Taub, Hugh, Michael Tudor Barnes, Kenneth, Mark Burrows, Bill,
01:28:49Sarah Jane Derrick, Scrap, Bernadette Windsor, Flouncey, Becky Hindley, Gertrude, and Dora Bryan, Nanny.
01:28:57The piano was played by Terence Albright.
01:29:03Dear Octopus was adapted for radio and directed by Glyn Dearman.
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