- 3 months ago
Political unrest grows in Segget as Chris dreams of having another child. As Robert finds it hard to exact any change in the town, the return of the Laird helps little.
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00:26. . .
00:55Not long after we'd moved into the new manse, there came the day of the Segett show.
01:00The show was held in a park loaned to the town by our neighbour, DL of Meiklebogs, and folk came from far and about.
01:17Early on the Saturday, Segett awoke to the rattle of farm carts up through the tomb, past the manse, and so to the park.
01:25Carts loaded with kale and cakes and hens and ducks in their clean straw wreaths, and burns of bannocks and scones.
01:33And the Lord knows what that folk wouldn't bring to try for a prize at the Segett show.
01:38How are you?
01:43Afternoon, yes.
01:45Oh, my God.
02:15Oh, my God.
02:45All right, son.
02:49These damn spinners.
02:51Not one of them paid to get in.
02:53Your son should have arrested them, so he should.
02:55I ain't you've got to admit that he looked at them, Gaystern.
02:58Come on, you and lad.
02:59We'll fix the dancing board.
03:00I'm going to ask to report to the W.R.I.
03:02I promise.
03:04You've got a fine day for the show.
03:05Ah, we hope that, Mr. Lovett.
03:07Do you mind my son, Ellick?
03:09He's staying with us for Edinburgh.
03:10Have you seen the minister about?
03:12Faith, I thought you spent most of your time trying to avoid him.
03:15Oh, usually, but we're judging the baking.
03:19Oh, aye, there he is.
03:21Come on.
03:23I'm surprised that he's even talking to Cahoon
03:25after him saying that the hogs were descended from monkeys.
03:29Aye.
03:29It was another thing to have said to the provost.
03:32Fair monkey-like though the creature is.
03:35Damn it.
03:36I want stuff set out playing and decent,
03:39not pushed under my nose when I'm judging.
03:47Me and the other ladies are fair anxious for you to join the W.R.I., Mrs. Cahoon.
03:51It's the sort of thing the minister's wife should take a lead in.
03:55Well, I don't know that I've got the time just at the moment.
03:59We've hardly got the man straight.
04:00What I always say is the people of Seggett need something to take them out of themselves.
04:05Only last week we had a most interesting lantern lecture
04:08on how to climb the Alps.
04:10If you took a look at the drains in the West White...
04:12Aye, Minister, aye, I'll think...
04:15When?
04:16I always get a first.
04:25Great, Mr. Boone, to be honest,
04:27your leg horns are looking then, Sir Wheel.
04:28Oh, I think you must be putting out much lime in the field.
04:32Nothing of the kind.
04:33They've won first prize for years.
04:36No, Mr. Leslie.
04:37It was the minister did this out of spite.
04:40I was afraid of the way my prayer meetings
04:42are drawing folk away from his kirk.
04:44Have either of you seen young Ewan?
04:46Oh, young Cahoon?
04:47Aye, he was helping take all of them
04:49with sort of a dancing board a few months ago.
04:52Right now, one, Pops.
04:54The Hummer's drawing will come in shortly.
04:56End the ring.
04:57For Minidus, please give their names to all Melvin.
05:09So there you are.
05:11Your mother thought you'd got lost.
05:13Help me, Mr. Oogle, for you.
05:15And that's a fact.
05:16I'd never have managed without him.
05:17Well, you'd just have to.
05:19Mrs. Cahoon's very worried.
05:20Oh, it's all finished now.
05:23Did I get to dance with you else for all my hard work?
05:26Maybe, if nobody else asks me.
05:29Here's me to know all this hard work for never a penny in new fans.
05:32And so well you might.
05:34For it's seldom you work at all.
05:37It's the truth.
05:38And you can't.
05:40I'm pretty can hardly get near your joiners shop
05:42for the clutter of things half made or half broken.
05:45It seems fair queer to me that a man like you kind of down to mucking money
05:50and you're the only joiner life in the place.
05:52Oh, I've got more important things to think about
05:55than making money and fixing broken milk churns.
05:57Oh, you're old bits of poetry.
06:00You're thinking yourself maybe a second rabbit burnt.
06:02God forbid.
06:03I'm better than he ever was.
06:05And for bye.
06:05Fun want to be related to here I home.
06:07You're just jealous of real folk that write like Annie a swan.
06:14Here, now just you hold on a minute, Els,
06:16and I'll read you a poem I wrote only yesterday.
06:18I don't want to hear it.
06:20I do.
06:21Well, you won't.
06:23It's coarse dirt that's vulgar.
06:29Now, we've got a wee lassie from Stenhaven here
06:32in the announcer's desk.
06:34Maggie Duncan's her name.
06:36And she's lost her mother.
06:38It's all right, my dear.
06:50So there you are.
06:51And where have you been?
06:52Help me make Ogervie, he says.
06:55Mum, the hammer throwing's just about to start
06:58and Charlie's entered for it.
06:59Then we'll go and give him a cheer.
07:02Go on, then.
07:07You that's always boasting.
07:09Oh, well, I will.
07:10Just give me a chance to get my jacket off.
07:12Oh, well, I'll do this.
07:12Yes.
07:21All right.
07:22All right.
07:23All right.
07:23All right.
07:25All right.
07:25Oh, my God!
07:55That's the stuff.
07:57You sure the country clowns sound a dead joke?
08:09Well done, Jack.
08:10You didn't have Boston Galaties either, eh?
08:12Ha-ha.
08:13Aye.
08:14For a field course, Lordy, spinners.
08:17They're a type of wretches.
08:19Aye.
08:20And the worst of the breeders that joke's running.
08:22They're a spinner by nature.
08:24If it does work, I'll put her.
08:26On you go.
08:27Go on.
08:28Ha-ha-ha.
08:32The minister?
08:33Maybe that's well-intended on.
08:40Oh!
08:41Oh!
08:54Oh!
08:55Oh!
08:56Oh!
08:57Oh!
08:59Oh!
09:00Oh!
09:01Oh!
09:03Oh!
09:12Oh!
09:13Yeah!
09:14Come on, Joe, you're looking at that bloody picture, bitchy, hell yeah.
09:29Seems to be between the two of us, Joe.
09:31I think so.
09:32Well, let me show you a good socialist role.
09:44Faith, mistress, the minister will not beat that.
10:10I don't think he really intends to try, else.
10:13No.
10:14Likely, he thinks it wouldn't be decent for a minister to win.
10:28Ah, lads, looks like Jesus is getting a wee bitty soft in the gut.
10:33That's what I'm going to do, guys, that's what I'm going to do.
11:03Oh, it's nothing.
11:13Gassed lungs, I suppose.
11:15Serves me right for trying to show off.
11:17Oh, you did not.
11:18I thought you were fine.
11:20Oh, I'm afraid not.
11:22Only a fool.
11:22There, I'm all right.
11:28Don't worry.
11:30Come on, we have to watch you in running his race.
11:32Mr. Newlands, we need you at the man's time.
11:43Mr. Newlands, please.
11:46Bring your fiddle.
11:47Well done.
11:56Well, this is one of the prizes.
11:58What will we do next?
12:00Dancing started.
12:01Come on, now.
12:11Come on, folks.
12:12Will you dance?
12:14No, I'll no dance.
12:16Thank God, it was worth coming just to see that band.
12:18You're Jock Cronin, aren't you?
12:22Oh, I'm that.
12:22That was a fine throw you made with a hammer.
12:25Oh, fine enough.
12:26Who met you be?
12:27Oh, I'm a school teacher.
12:29My name's Ginny Grant.
12:30Come on, folk.
12:32Will you need dance?
12:35Well, Ginny Grant, will you?
12:38All right.
12:39Well, you're dancers.
12:46Can you?
12:47Oh, aye, right well.
12:53May I have the pleasure?
13:09Oh, aye, right well.
13:39Oh, aye, right well.
14:09Oh, aye.
14:11Oh, aye, right well.
14:36MUSIC
15:00Just infernal the way that Joe Cronin carries on.
15:03I've seen him dancing with Jeanie Grunt, the school teacher.
15:06For him, he's the quarter, and I think the daughter...
15:08I ain't a socialist for by.
15:10Always only about who folks should vote for Labour.
15:12God knows we get enough Labour without having to vote for it.
15:15It's infernal. Socialists with quines like us.
15:18Well, we know what to do with quines.
15:20Of course, groups think that marriage is daft,
15:22and they lock their bearings up in their poor houses.
15:25Fair makes me wild to read about a thing like that.
15:27Which course about marriage I'd like to know.
15:30I have nae time for socialists.
15:32I've joined the fascists myself.
15:34The fascists? What are they?
15:35Oh, they're fine.
15:36A bit like the Conservatives, but a lot more.
15:39More what?
15:40Well, they aim to make Britain the same as Italy.
15:43Italy?
15:44Each section ain't going to leave you a fine job, are you?
15:46Take up the selling of ice creams.
15:48Father, please don't be so silly.
15:50Yes, less of your lip.
15:51What would a man think but that you were set,
15:53you and your fancy bricks and your fascists and all,
15:55would be in a damned ice creamer yourself?
15:57The fascists have nothing to do with ice cream.
15:59Oh, eat yourself, meekle bogs.
16:01Oh, you drink.
16:02Oh, aye, aye one.
16:04If you drink any of your waistcoat,
16:06you'll be able to show us up the munch quite fine, eh?
16:08The fat bit of the spinners, eh?
16:13They've done a damn luck with our union and all.
16:16Now, you listen.
16:17I sit down to eat good meat and the dirt are starving.
16:21Are you just watching your calling dirt?
16:22Now, what the hell has your union done for you, eh?
16:25I'll tell you.
16:26No, I'll tell you.
16:27I could show you right now.
16:29Right now.
16:30A five, a ten, and a twenty prune note.
16:35Come on.
16:36Come on, show us.
16:38Aye, well, I could if I wanted.
16:42Could you so?
16:43Could you show me five shillings?
16:45Aye.
16:46Don't let you poke it.
16:47Try and see if you get five shillings.
16:49Oh!
16:50Oh!
16:51Oh!
16:52Oh!
16:53Oh!
16:54Oh!
16:55Oh!
16:56Oh!
16:57Oh!
16:58Oh!
16:59Oh!
17:00Oh!
17:01Oh!
17:02Oh!
17:03Oh!
17:04Are you sorry it's over?
17:05Not at all.
17:06Did you do any dancing?
17:08No.
17:09Oh, I know about it.
17:10Did you?
17:11Oh, I know.
17:12We won all the prizes.
17:25Are you in a hurry?
17:26No, not a very great hurry.
17:28Well, let's gand down the Meiklebog's corn
17:30and came through the moor onto the Seggot Road.
17:35You're Miss Queen, aren't you?
17:36Oh, aye.
17:37So I've heard.
17:39You're Alec, the son of old Harry Hod, the provost.
17:43Aye.
17:44So my mother says.
17:45Faith, that's not right.
17:48A man shouldn't make jokes about his own mother.
17:51Perhaps I could have the pleasure of seeing you home later.
17:55No.
17:57I'm already spoken for.
17:59Ta-ta.
18:04It's near eight o'clock, Mum.
18:05Will I take your new home?
18:06No, I'll do that, Els.
18:08You dance while you're young.
18:10But don't be too late, eh?
18:11I won't, Mum.
18:12And don't you eat any more chocolate.
18:14You've had enough to make a dog sick.
18:16I won't.
18:17Ta-ta, Els.
18:18Ta-ta.
18:19Ta-ta.
18:20Ta-ta.
18:21Members of the show committee, who are not already in the beer tent, are asked to assemble there for a short meeting.
18:30To the beer tent, gentlemen.
18:32Let's go.
18:33Let's go.
18:35At the beer tent, what's been happening?
18:41Oh, I'd of it arguments with all tink spinners.
18:45Have you seen Charlie anyway?
18:47Oh, he's all home, so off to ten to his bosch face and mend his broken gullieses.
18:52Gone home? Aye.
18:54He was supposed to see me home.
18:56Well, I wouldn't mind a slow bit stroll up to Sig,
19:00it mights myself, can you?
19:05Aye, George.
19:07Been a bit fresh to see.
19:10Best to get your bruises seen to, eh?
19:13Aye, you'd better in, eh?
19:16Connect to you else.
19:22Aye, then.
19:24I'm gonna see you home else, lass.
19:29You may, since you've feared off all the rest.
19:36Your sister broom from McDougal's shop, ain't she?
19:39Yes.
19:41I've seen you before.
19:43And Dodd Cronin, Jock's brother.
19:46I'm sorry about what happened at the square
19:48and your father's prayer meeting,
19:50but we're just in a bit of fun.
19:52Yeah.
20:00You work up at the mill, don't you?
20:01In the weaving shed.
20:03Could you tell by the jute smell?
20:05It never leaves us.
20:06No.
20:07Not with your hands when you helped me over the gate.
20:10They're rough.
20:11Aye.
20:13It's the spindles does that.
20:16And so the folk went home from the Saget show in their pairs.
20:29Even the youngest and the daftest of them.
20:32A lad and a lass.
20:34So, home.
20:37Before them, but still far off.
20:43Would you like to come burn the way for some tea?
20:46No, I wouldn't then.
20:47Do you know what the hour is?
20:49Oh, aye.
20:50Thought maybe you'd like to slocken up after the dancing about.
20:56Is there anyone else at McDougal's?
20:58No, just me.
20:59Aye.
21:00Had you without a housekeeper now.
21:01Hmm.
21:02So I've heard.
21:03Aye.
21:04But have you heard?
21:06That the last two housekeepers left with a bern to come.
21:10A bit present for yourself, like.
21:14You can how folk like to tell lies.
21:18Even if it isn't lies.
21:20I'd like to see the crater alive that'll take advantage of me.
21:24Aye.
21:30All right.
21:31I'll come for a cup.
21:34Grand.
21:53Do you help your father in the shop?
21:55No, I'm at the college.
21:57Aye.
21:59Can I kiss you?
22:01Can I kiss you?
22:03There's a sitown else, will ye?
22:04sit down else will ye? I'll blow up the fire.
22:34Hey, it's well seen there hasn't been a woman about the place. I don't need one. I'll do more
22:58cooking. Must be guy fond of Lord Kitchener. God, he's a doer-looking chill.
23:10Maybe so. But I like it up there. I got that from a cousin over in Barkery. Barking the
23:18war years that was. Well, the old devil's been in a puck of the queer places but I'm thinking
23:24this is the queerest it's ever been in.
23:26You get down two cups from up there will you?
23:38Faith, I don't need saucers. I'm not gentry like. Oh, why aren't you? Well, I aren't.
24:00What are you?
24:14evening with warm water.
24:16Wow.
24:18Just like this.
24:20I'm so excited to get into my kitchen.
24:24Let's make sure it's easy to get started.
24:30Yours is pretty good and it's better to be ready to take you.
24:38So, I'm taking a drink.
24:43I don't know.
25:13Let go!
25:25Let go!
25:27Let go!
25:29Let go!
25:31Let go of me, you cuss of filth!
25:43You tell him I'm wrong!
25:47Well, Elsa, we'll just have to take the bit thing off!
25:58Sticky and worn from the second show.
26:00I thought I'd have a bath ere I went to bed.
26:13I saw myself, tall, taller than of old, lithe and slim still.
26:25And I saw my face, quiet and still with the mask of the years.
26:32But fair enough, I supposed.
26:37Yes, I would think that if I were a man.
26:42It was then I thought of the thing I would do.
26:46Yes, I would do it that very night.
26:51I would set myself to conceive a child, a bairn fathered by Robert.
27:12Oh!
27:14Oh, Robert!
27:16I've got no clothes on.
27:18I have suspected that.
27:22I'll go down and get supper ready.
27:25Yes, I would.
27:26Yes, I would.
27:27And this very night I would.
27:30In spite of what he told me and taught me.
27:37Supper in the kitchen or shall we be grand?
27:40The kitchen's grand enough for me.
27:43Sit down and smoke your pipe.
27:51I can set the table.
27:53Leave it.
27:54It's fine to work in my own kitchen untrammeled.
28:03Good though else is.
28:09If it wasn't the manses so big, we could have done well without a maid.
28:13Yes, I know.
28:14I feel that way myself.
28:15For tonight.
28:17There's something in the night.
28:33What is it in you?
28:41Funny to think that was once monkey hair.
28:47Well...
28:49It was never anything of the sort.
28:52Whatever your ancestors might have been, mine were decent.
28:57Like hairy hogs.
29:02Ah, Chris, my fine sermon.
29:04Its only result so far has been to drop a blot on the provost's discussion.
29:10Hopeless.
29:12The provost and most of the others besides.
29:14Did you have another word with the schoolmaster?
29:17I did.
29:18Said he might come to a meeting.
29:21He's mislaid his guts, Geddes.
29:24Poor chap.
29:27Still, I'll start my seg at league yet.
29:29I've written to Stephen Mowat.
29:30Just wait till he comes home.
29:33When's the layout expected?
29:34I don't know exactly.
29:36Very soon, I think.
29:37Funny.
29:58There really is something about.
30:01Maybe.
30:04No.
30:06I know there is.
30:10It's as though I could turn our seg at myself into Augustine's city of gold.
30:14Something in the night that's making us like this.
30:29Why, Chris?
30:32You look different.
30:36Silly.
30:38Maybe it's because I've just had a bath.
30:44An unusual bath.
30:46A mental one.
30:48They're uncommon in Segert.
30:52That's the first time I've ever heard you bitter.
30:57I don't feel bitter.
31:01I feel fine.
31:03It must be the monkey hair that's electric.
31:12There, that's ready.
31:16Let's go for a stroll in the garden.
31:32Let's go.
31:34Let's go.
31:38Choosing a place for your coffin.
31:41Just that.
31:43But don't plant me deep.
31:46Lord God, how I'd hate to be planted myself.
31:50If I die before you, Chris, make sure I'm set for burning in a crematorium.
31:55I'd hate to be remembered once undead.
31:58I can see how Segert would take to that.
32:01They'd say most likely that I'd poisoned you, Robert.
32:04And was trying to get rid of the evidence, you know.
32:07So they would.
32:09My God.
32:11Were there ever a folk like the Scots?
32:13Not only them down there in Segert.
32:15You and I are as bad.
32:17Murderous gossip passed on as sheer gospel.
32:20Though liars and listeners both know it's a lie.
32:23Lairds, ladies, just plain John much at the manes.
32:27They'd gossip the heart from Christ if he came.
32:30And impute a dodge for popularizing timber if he was crucified again on his cross.
32:37That's true.
32:41And yet it's not.
32:44They would feed Christ hungry and attend to his hurts
32:47with no thought of reward their attendance might bring.
32:52Kind.
32:55They're so kind.
32:59And the lies they would tell about how he came by those hurts of his.
33:03And yet you don't believe in a God.
33:11I've never asked you.
33:14But do you, Chris?
33:20No.
33:22You will sometime.
33:24However you find him.
33:26What's the time?
33:33Must have been near midnight.
33:34Good night.
33:55I'm not sleepy at all.
33:56You look very sweet tonight.
33:58Christine.
34:00Did you know?
34:02You look very sweet tonight.
34:04Christine.
34:06Did you know?
34:08Did you know?
34:27Why, Christine.
34:46Turn it out after all, Christine.
34:51Just a bit.
34:57Not too tired, Robert.
34:59Not too tired, Robert.
35:09I'd set myself to conceive a child.
35:13For the next war that came,
35:16to be torn like that,
35:18made blood and pulp as they'd made of Ewan.
35:23Oh, Ewan.
35:25Ewan.
35:27That was once my lad.
35:30That lay where this stranger's lying the night.
35:35I haven't forgotten.
35:38I haven't forgotten.
35:41You've a Chris that lies with you there in France.
35:45And she shan't bring to birth from her womb
35:48any bern to die as you for a madman's gab.
35:52Quiet.
35:55Oh, quiet.
35:59Greet soft lest you wake.
36:03With November of that year came Armistice Day.
36:05Robert had badgered folk to close up their shops.
36:09And he'd gotten the mills to close down as well.
36:12Aye.
36:14He's a right go-ahead bully the minister.
36:16The last word never bothered to hold any service at all.
36:18I do have much sense in to waste his time catching cold in the square.
36:23Nere like Cajun and his damned interfering.
36:26Aye, you're right there, provost.
36:28He's got nearly the Hale Kirk session against them.
36:30Not doing, consul.
36:31Him and these daft reforms and questions.
36:35Why don't we light the streets at night?
36:37Why are the drains bad?
36:39How often do the mills get inspected?
36:41I'm fair badgered out my wits with him.
36:43Fess, aye.
36:44The next thing he'll want the cams shifted for a seat in his backyard.
36:47If the creature goes on like this, he'll soon have the whole a second in his hands for a fight.
36:51He will, that.
36:52Still.
36:54I must say, he's fairly got an impressive gathering.
36:57Nere are, but he's here.
36:59Aye, I'll accept the tink spinners.
37:01Not one of them to be seen.
37:03Uh, were you intending to say a few words, provost?
37:06Oh, I thought I might quote a few lines from Burns.
37:09Ha ha! You're illustrious ancestor.
37:12Far better. Burns was a real petrate, Ogilpie.
37:15They're ready to shed bleed for the land.
37:17Aye, slew a fair lot of the French with his mouth.
37:20That's a fool's slander.
37:21You're better at raping a servant quine than facing the enemy with a musket.
37:25You're just mad with jealousy, because the dirt you write yourself is worse than dirt compared with a bard.
37:29I'd rather be just plain dirt than sluch on a dung heap disguised as a flower.
37:33Don't you talk about my ancestor, look at.
37:35By God, provost.
37:37It's the minister knows about your ancestors.
37:39Can't you leave my father alone?
37:41Leave him alone?
37:43I never touch dung except with a fork, but it's none of your lip or I'll break my rule.
37:46Try it.
37:48Here they come.
37:51Here, Lord.
37:52Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
37:54our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth Jesus said greater
38:15love hath no man than this than that a man should lay down his life for his
38:21friends let us pray Almighty God who at our refuge and our strength we humble
38:31ourselves in thy presence I watched as the wind fluttered his robes as he prayed
38:36his thin white face down bent his prayer just said in an ordinary voice then he
38:43asked the mercy of God on a world unawakened yet from a night that was
38:48passed God has made neither night nor day in human history he has left it in
38:54the hands of man to make both God also died in the Holocaust in the fields of
39:01France but the spirit that is God but God Rosa knew he said man Rosa knew he was
39:11as undying as God was undying I knew that after a bit they would all stop listening
39:17forces of nature that we see around us a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of
39:25fire by night set there by God for the standards of man clouds and shining
39:34standards of rain the hosts of heaven for our standard by night a trumpet has cried and
39:43unsealed our ears will it need lightning to unseal our eyes
39:49it is now 11 o'clock the hour when the guns fell silent this day three years ago we will observe
40:04the fire of one minute silence for those who died
40:23even here another bitch in a flannel shift what the devil was that old guy like young
40:31mow it we will now sing hymn number five one three oh God our help in ages past oh
40:46O God our help in ages past our hope for years to come our shelter from the storm in last and our eternal home
41:09people's flag is deepest red we shall be sure the market's head
41:16and the wind's good stiff and cold and as the fire is every cold
41:22and the river will never lose your tricks
41:25we'll get into shape we'll never die
41:28you're causing a disturbance
41:30the other man shall shake the sneer
41:32we'll keep the red flag flying here
41:35well feet what's up
41:37didn't you hear me say you were causing a disturbance
41:39oh I heard you you said it right fine
41:41I lent the words for a book on how Bobby should speak
41:44aren't you black ashamed of yourselves to break in on the war memorial service
41:48no we're not
41:50you see feet we all had a taste of the war for ourselves
41:53just take a kick out of our chest now feet my lad
41:56and see if there's anything on it the like of on ours
41:59oh well I wasn't in the war myself because because they wouldn't let me go
42:04they wouldn't let you go over feet like that in case you blocked up the trenches
42:08just the same I'll not have its memory insulted by a pack of tin brutes who didn't even wear collars
42:14talk to you
42:16comrades
42:20not only mill folk
42:22burners as well I see down there
42:24we went to war
42:26we knew where it was
42:28we went to dirt
42:30lice and damnation
42:32and what have we got at the end of it all
42:35starvation wages
42:37no homes for heroes
42:39the capital is fast on our necks as before
42:43they're sacking men at the mills just now
42:47and leaving them in a brew to starve
42:50that's our reward
42:52and maybe it's yours
42:54that's the thing we must mind today
42:57not to come here and remember the dead
43:00they've a place that's theirs
43:02and we'll share it sometime
43:04and they're maybe better off compared with some of the people living here in Saget
43:09worse fed than beasts
43:11it's the living that's our concern
43:14you people
43:15now come over and join us
43:17the labour party
43:19you first Mr Cajun
43:22you were out there
43:24you've since
43:25you've since
43:38I think we'll go home Chris
43:40oh aye Cronin
43:46and far the hell did you serve in the war
43:49up in the front my lad
43:51no scrounging behind with the royal engineers
43:53no you hadna the brains for them you poor fool
43:57don't be too upset Robert
44:10now the good folk of Saget will say I ran away from the spellers
44:13there was nothing else you could do
44:15oh my god I'll need to run
44:17why
44:18well the school folk are coming for lunch and I've left the chicken in the oven
44:21I was just in time
44:29oh
44:30oh you're a blessing health
44:32I must have a face as red as that flag the spinners were carrying
44:35did you ever see such nasty brutes
44:38oh well I didn't think much of their manners but
44:40but what mum
44:42oh I don't know
44:44it reminded me of someone I knew in my younger days
44:47though I've never seen men with that flag before
44:49or heard them singing that song about it
44:51it caught me somehow else
44:54there was something in it I knew was half true
44:57it reminded me of Che Strachan
44:59who is he mum?
45:01the man who used to farm in Kinraddy
45:04he used to say that the mission of the common folk was to die
45:07and give life with their deaths forever
45:09he was killed in the war
45:20thank you
45:22thanks
45:25thank you
45:28well now I think we all know the purpose of this meeting
45:31it isn't simply social
45:33pleasant though that is
45:34no I would hope to see it mark the formation of the Segett League
45:38for the improvement of the community in which we live
45:41the people flag is deepest red
45:46we're lifting trains are marked today
45:49you
45:52why are you singing that song?
45:53I like it mother
45:54I think it's a bloody fine song don't you?
45:57and where did you learn language like that?
46:00from Charlie Corrin at school
46:02well
46:04don't
46:05you learn
46:13sorry about that
46:14oh don't blame yourself Mrs Cahoon
46:16it's these dreadful dreadful spinners
46:19corrupting even the children
46:21don't you think the authorities ought to take steps to putting it down
46:27what's it?
46:28would I stop to singing the red flag do you mean?
46:30yes
46:31that for one thing
46:32there are plenty of others
46:34the ongoings in general of these paid agitators
46:38oh I'm an agitator but I get no pay
46:40where do the others get theirs?
46:42I'd like to apply
46:49you've finished your sherry Miss Grant
46:51let me fill your glass
46:52oh thanks
47:00just a drop Cahoon
47:03thank you
47:05not for me thank you
47:07the spinners behaved just as I would expect such cattle to do
47:12they're neither better nor worse than other Scotch folk
47:15how do you mean Mr Geddes?
47:17oh the Scots are all the same
47:19the beastliest race ever let loose on the earth
47:23bitter remark surely?
47:25bitter?
47:26oh no
47:27I'm not bitter
47:28I've got over that
47:30I've got over living amongst them even
47:32their vicious gossip that's
47:35fouler than the seepings of a drain
47:38there is hardly a soul in a place like Seged
47:41that is not a murderer ten times over
47:44in word
47:46they haven't the courage to be one indeed
47:49the spinners are no worse than the rest
47:51or not much
47:54well perhaps we may be able to improve minds and manners
47:58with our Seged League
47:59you won't be having any of the mill folk in it all
48:02well yes there's one or two come to the kirk
48:04don't think I want to get involved with red agitators Mr Cahoon
48:10I can assure you Mrs Geddes the committee will be non-political
48:13I uh
48:15always vote Tory myself
48:18and I doubt if your league would remain non-political for long
48:23take my advice Cahoon
48:25leave the lot alone
48:26if there's anything a hog hates
48:29it's cleaning its dye
48:31I'm disappointed to hear you say that
48:35what do you think Miss Ferguson?
48:38oh well
48:40I don't really know
48:44of course I agree with the headmaster and Miss McCaskill
48:47and Miss McCaskill
48:48I mean
48:50these spinners
48:52their children are a disgrace
48:54the boys especially
48:56they'll get a girl in the playground and tease her unmercifully
49:00and sometimes do worse than that
49:02oh come now
49:03it's not only the spinners children that do that
49:06after all it's only natural
49:08do you see even minister sons get up to the same sort of thing
49:12well I
49:14I don't like to think of you and doing anything like that but
49:17I suppose
49:18didn't it happen when you were at school?
49:20yes
49:21oh I didn't mind much
49:23I was always able to look after myself
49:25well then
49:27why make a fuss?
49:28of course what's really wrong with the whole of Seget and not just the spinners
49:31is a refusal to cooperate in fellowship
49:34now the Women's Rural Institute which I am a member
49:39was founded to combat just that
49:42I don't really think Mr Cahoon's league is needed
49:46but what I had in mind was something rather different
49:48you've no idea the useful work we do
49:51organising socials
49:53teaching the mothers all sorts of fresh things
49:56basket work now
49:58have you tried basket work Mrs Cahoon?
50:01it's really most interesting
50:02I don't see anything your league can do minister
50:05but the Labour Party can
50:07here in Seget
50:09if only we could make our brand strong enough
50:11I don't think we're here to discuss that Miss Grant
50:14I think Mrs Geddes is right
50:17are you fond of social work Mrs Cahoon?
50:21not much
50:23if by social work you mean going round and visiting the Kirk congregation
50:26oh
50:28very disappointed to hear you say that
50:30I was hoping you'd help with the work of the WRI
50:34why don't you like visiting?
50:37well you see
50:39I wasn't always a minister's wife
50:42I was brought up on a croft and married on one
50:46and I mind what a nuisance we thought some folk
50:49visiting and prying and blethering about socials
50:52doing everything to help us
50:54or so they thought
50:55except to get out and let us get on with the work
50:58and get off your backs you might surely have added
51:01you're a socialist the same as I am you know
51:04oh no
51:06I don't know anything about that
51:08ah
51:10that's Els telling us that lunch is ready
51:12if you'll just come this way
51:13I'm sorry Robert I spoiled it for you
51:32yes by telling the truth
51:35oh you've surely made an enemy there in Mrs Geddes
51:37oh
51:39I hate her sort
51:41they're just servant quines after all
51:43with a little more education and a little less sense
51:46hmm
51:48so
51:50do you still think they can help you save Saget?
51:53oh I'm not optimistic
51:55what will you do now with your league and your plans?
51:59I'll wait for a young Stephen Mowat to come home
52:02you put a lot of faith in Laird's
52:04what's this? has Miss Jeanne Grant converted you to her socialism already?
52:08no
52:10I've no interest in politics
52:12though I liked her well enough
52:14I like her confidence
52:16and I pity her blindness
52:20there were two surprises when I went in to help in the kitchen
52:22the first was Meikle Boggs
52:25though he'd taken to visiting Els at the manse
52:27and because I couldn't thole him at all
52:30he made me want to go and change my vest
52:32I smiled at him
52:34and was extra polite
52:37you'll stay to tea with Els, Mr DL
52:40aww, if you like
52:42though I just stopped in to tell her young Mowat's bark
52:45is that not exciting, ma'am?
52:47oh
52:49well, it'll be fine for Saget, no doubt
52:50I thought I'd best make some cakes for tea
52:53just in case he called
52:57I finished at university six months ago
53:00so I thought I'd jolly well come back here
53:02look after the mills, Saget in general
53:04and the estate and all that
53:06so you'll be taking up residence at Saget House
53:08most definitely, yes, increase the stuff immediately
53:10bring back the good old days to the town
53:12what?
53:13well that is good news isn't it, Chris?
53:15yes
53:17yes
53:18very good news
53:20now if you'll just excuse me
53:22I'll go and see how Els is getting on with the tea
53:24are the cakes ready, Els?
53:25just made, ma'am
53:26ah
53:27then you can serve when the tea's ready
53:32is the curry tap foreign?
53:33Mr Mowat
53:34you may well ask
53:36and all it needs, Mr Mowat is for people like us to band together into some form of league and we can improve matters beyond recognition
53:55I'm afraid I don't agree
53:58oh you don't
53:59no
54:00the trouble doesn't lie in social conditions or unrest or such like
54:04the curse of the age is its absentee landlords
54:07that's why I came back
54:09I'm jolly well sure I could buck up the place no end
54:12would you approve of that, Mrs Cahoon?
54:14I don't know
54:15oh, and I'd want your approval ever so much
54:17I'll wait to see what the bucking consists of
54:20my father was a crofter
54:22and he used to say that you should trust a lair just as far as you can throw him
54:25Riley
54:26I think your father sounds rather jolly
54:29oh, thanks Els
54:30would you put the tray down over there?
54:37do try one of these cakes, Mr Mowat
54:40they're homemade
54:41oh, thanks
54:42how jolly
54:49I say
54:50how jolly
54:51what's that?
54:54you devil
54:56I've a good mind to muck up to the laird
54:59what would you do then, eh?
55:02what would you say?
55:04eh
55:06I'd manage
55:07I wonder
55:08that I ever allowed a coarse old brute like you to come near me
55:21since I wept in your bed that night of the show
55:24oh, aye
55:26well, you've been there since
55:28and I haven't seen you weeping
55:29I'm still in a daze at finding you as coarse as they said you were
55:30I have been down to Italy in the last few months and I've seen things that are really amazing
55:42the country awakening, gaining its soul, its old leaders back with a new one or so
55:46but yes, it's discipline, hierarchy, order, all that
55:50I was talking about Segged, not Italy
55:53why only Italy? why not Scotland?
55:55I've met other men down from vast dear blade
55:57they're all doing the same as I am going back to their estates
56:00it's Scotland as a nation, Mr Cahoon
56:03that's the goal
56:04and what's going to happen when you and your kind rule us again as of old, Mr Mowat?
56:09I'm sorry?
56:11was there ever the kind of Scotland you preach?
56:14happy, at ease
56:16the folk in the land well fed
56:18the folk in the pulpits well feared
56:20the gentry doing great deeds
56:22well, according to history
56:24it's all a gab and a tale, no more
56:27I haven't read history since I was at school
56:30but I mind well enough what Scotland was
56:32I've been to Donotter Castle
56:35and I've seen the ways that the gentry like to keep order there
56:38if it came to the push between you and the spinners
56:41I think I would give the spinners my vote
56:44oh really?
56:55I'm afraid my wife and I think the same
56:58as all folk worth their salt in Scotland
57:02must think
57:04there are changes coming
57:06they are imminent on us
57:08and I once thought the folk of some teaching would help
57:12well, it seems they won't
57:14the middle-class folk
57:16and the upper-class folk
57:17and all the poor devils that hang by their tails
57:20they think we can last as we are
57:22or go back
57:23they know all the while they're thinking a lie
57:25but God doesn't wait
57:28or his instruments
57:30and if in Saget these are the folk of the mills
57:32then whatever their creed
57:34I'm on their side
57:38oh really?
57:39I left Robert up in his study at work
57:47with young Mowat gone
57:49and walked up to the Caynes that Remembrance Day
57:52it might be an age era came there again
57:58too busied with living to stand looking at life
58:02with Ewan at school
58:04and the campaign of Robert to conquer Saget for God and his dream
58:08his dream
58:14a pillar of cloud by day
58:17and a pillar of fire by night
58:20Robert
58:22so kind
58:25and so dear
58:27but I'd never have a bairn of his to be mocked by memorials
58:32when they that remained at home
58:34went out to praise the dead
58:36on Armistice Day
58:45Cloud Howe continues next here on BBC4
58:48watch the whole of a Scot Square trilogy at any time on BBC iPlayer
59:06p.com
59:09the first time in the middle of a
59:11нoo
59:13cat
59:15the very things is always coming up
59:17in the middle of a rest of the pe alte
59:19i am the only one to the one to make the that move
59:22healthy
59:24i am the only one to know
59:26and so I want to go a little bit
59:27and so I want to do this
59:29I want to go a little bit
59:31through the moon
59:33You
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