- 2 days ago
Part 1 of 5 of the 1979 period drama. England 1913. Vera Brittain lives in a prosperous middle class enviroment with her parents and older brother Edward, but finds herself increasingly frustrated by it's trappings and limited opportunity for women. She wishes to go to Somerville University in Oxford, but is constantly thwarted by her father until a chance encounter with Mr Marriott at a lecture in the town offers hope for Vera. And when Edward brings home a friend at his university in the shape of Roland Leighton, there awakens a chance of romance for the headstrong Vera. Little do they realize the storm clouds that are gathering on the world front that is about to change their lives forever...
Starring Cheryl Campbell, Rupert Fraser, Emrys James and Jane Wenham, this was based on the novel by Vera Brittain of her own real life experiences from 1913 to 1925 and one I thought was apt to post for the upcoming anniversary of the end of World War One and Remembrance Day. This is from my own collection, and it has to be said that the first episode is a little slow to get going. But it picks up beautifully in the next episode and all things going well episode 2 and 3 will follow tomorrow. Enjoy.
Starring Cheryl Campbell, Rupert Fraser, Emrys James and Jane Wenham, this was based on the novel by Vera Brittain of her own real life experiences from 1913 to 1925 and one I thought was apt to post for the upcoming anniversary of the end of World War One and Remembrance Day. This is from my own collection, and it has to be said that the first episode is a little slow to get going. But it picks up beautifully in the next episode and all things going well episode 2 and 3 will follow tomorrow. Enjoy.
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02:27evermore, be of good cheer, dear heart, asleep on a distant shore,
02:44will bound thy love, walk hand in the hand, ever and evermore.
03:14Well done! Well done indeed!
03:30Now now Vera, how do you know the ladies and gentlemen don't want an encore?
03:36I don't think they do father.
03:38Not a bad tone on that instrument Britain.
03:41What you give for it?
03:43215.
03:44You could have got one for less than that.
03:46The genuine Rosewood Inn lay there you know.
03:49If you've got children with talent it's your duty to encourage it.
03:52That's my view of the matter.
03:54Vera come and talk to us.
03:56I'm sure Mrs Moore would like to hear all about the Hurt Ball.
04:00Vera's last programme was full up with names.
04:03I was quite surprised to see how popular she was.
04:07Tea.
04:08Did any of the names come from Little Molden?
04:12Now we're hearing things aren't we?
04:14Now it's all coming out.
04:16Who are you talking about?
04:17Nobody.
04:18Who's this from Little Molden?
04:20It's nothing father.
04:21I just happened to go over there for the Sunday service.
04:24That's all.
04:25It'll be the curate.
04:26Oh?
04:27The quicker you put a damper on that Edith the better for everybody.
04:30I just happened to find that Mr Williams' sermons
04:33are not only a lot less repetitive than our own vicars
04:36but occasionally they even have some intellectual content.
04:40Oh stuff!
04:41No girl walks three miles there and back just for a change of text.
04:45He's a young Mountiebank.
04:47Big rolly eyes and a ginger quiff.
04:49Oh!
04:50There now!
04:55Vera!
04:56Sarah!
04:59Sarah!
05:00Yes ma'am.
05:01You've forgotten the Garibaldis.
05:03I'm sorry ma'am.
05:04I'll fetch them.
05:05Thank you Sarah.
05:09I think it must be this dreadful weather we've been having.
05:12It's been upsetting us.
05:14Vera!
05:17Yes father.
05:18I'm waiting to hear what was the meaning of that little exhibition.
05:27Exhibition?
05:28Turning your back on everyone like that.
05:30Totally uncalled for.
05:31Insulting to our guests.
05:33And humiliating to your mother and myself.
05:35I was the one who was being humiliated.
05:37Humiliate?
05:38Upon the soul Vera sometimes I think there's something wrong with your head.
05:44They listened to your play.
05:45They applauded.
05:46They pledged a nice little compliment about your compass.
05:49Oh!
05:50Vera!
05:54Father.
05:55I'm sorry if I was rude.
05:58No.
05:59That's more like my little girl.
06:01But I have tried to tell you.
06:03And I can never seem to make you understand.
06:06All right.
06:07Come on.
06:08What is it?
06:09What is this?
06:10I can't understand.
06:11I know it's meant to be some sort of compliment to pretend that all a girl thinks about is getting admirers.
06:15How...
06:21However dull and stupid and conceited and boring they are.
06:30Listen Vera.
06:31We don't want to influence your choice.
06:38But I must point out a curate doesn't earn a...
06:42Please father.
06:43Please try very hard to believe.
06:47I don't want to marry the curate.
06:50He had some new ideas that's all.
06:52I wish he was 57 with a wife and eight children.
06:55Then I could listen to his ideas without being misunderstood.
06:59Hmm.
07:04About the piano.
07:05Well?
07:10It's beautiful.
07:12But my hands are too small to span an octave properly.
07:15And besides Edward is the musical one not me.
07:17But I bought it for you not for Edward.
07:19I thought you were supposed to love music.
07:21I do.
07:22I do.
07:23But I can't help thinking that the money you spent on that and my music lessons would have
07:27been enough to pay for my fees in a university father.
07:29Oh.
07:30We're back to that old Tommy Rot are we?
07:32Why is it Tommy Rot?
07:33Why?
07:34You just had your head stuffed full of silly ideas but one or two dried up spinsters from set monikers.
07:39You'll soon grow out of those when you grow up.
07:42And the right man comes along.
07:44Father when will you realise that I am grown up?
07:46I am 18.
07:47I am not a little girl.
07:49I am 18.
07:50I am a woman.
08:10I am 18.
08:12And the clubs can go in his room as well.
08:18He's here.
08:19He actually got an area check.
08:23And Ellen don't forget the boulder and up his car.
08:26Edward you're home.
08:32You're staying with us the whole time.
08:34You're not going off to stay with that...
08:35What's his name?
08:36That head boy?
08:37Layton no no not this time.
08:38this time. oh it's so good to have you home. I can't imagine how horrible it's
08:42been here lately. why what is it this time? oh just the same old things. that's the
08:47whole dreariness of it. nothing changes. this year next year forever and ever.
08:54stupid dancers with fatuous young men helping Mama run sewing circles for the
08:59mother's union and do good works for the deserving poor. now me. I know I must be
09:05full of original sin. are you asking me to believe that? oh yes. I was writing up my
09:09diary last night. there on the first page was a list of my aims and ideals that I
09:14wrote when I was at school. to relieve suffering. that was one of them. I'm still
09:18not convinced. sometimes I wish we could take things to the undeserving poor.
09:22perhaps they wouldn't be so depressing. oh well never mind about me. what have you
09:27been doing? have you won any more prizes lately? no. no? you used to get dozens of
09:32them. I've been learning to play the viola. and the organ you said. that's right.
09:37what's this? you've been writing music too. no look V that's not finished yet. there are some others.
09:44Sterndell Bennett liked them. you shouldn't have stopped playing just because I came in.
09:47I know but I thought it was father and you know how he detests that violin especially when I'm practicing.
09:52Mama! why does father get so angry about Edward's violin? do you think he actually hates music?
10:00oh dear. in fact he quite enjoys some of the old ballads. that's how we first met you know.
10:05oh you remember I told you. he used to come to my father for singing lessons.
10:10now what I think he feels about Edward is perhaps that music isn't a really manly occupation.
10:15rubbish! well isn't it rubbish? your father does not talk rubbish.
10:19V have you written any more stories lately? no. how can I write when everything is dust and ashes?
10:26have they been rows again? every week.
10:28dear child it's not necessary to turn everything into a battle.
10:32then why do all of us have to do everything his way?
10:36I tell you Edward I can put up with what happens to me
10:39but if you let him put you in that paper mill I shall never forgive you never.
10:43he won't do that. he can see I'd be no good at it.
10:46I think he'd be satisfied if he went into the Indian civil service Edward.
10:50two of his friends in the chamber of commonsafsons have done that.
10:53Indian civil service Edward?
10:55well let's see that would mean reading greats at Oxford.
10:58he seems quite determined on my going to Oxford.
11:01very well I'll read greats. I'll read music as well. we'll see how it turns out.
11:06Sarah!
11:16excuse me ma'am but the master'd like a word were you about the privet.
11:20oh dear. uh thank you Sarah.
11:30I believe that's why you've stopped winning prizes.
11:34you're going to show him you'll never be any good at anything but music.
11:36you'll fail the Indian civil service exam won't you?
11:40time will tell.
11:42you don't need to fight him.
11:43you'll get your own way in the end.
11:45men seem to have so much choice.
11:48it won't always be like this Vee.
11:50I don't see why not.
11:52you can keep me here until it's too late.
11:54until the only way out is into some other man's house.
11:57where I'll be no freer than I am now.
12:00maybe less.
12:01maybe a lot less.
12:04I've had offers you know.
12:05oh.
12:06wouldn't mind if they weren't all such fools.
12:11what is it you're after Vee?
12:13is it really to stretch your mind or just to get away from Buxton?
12:16both.
12:18well if you can't get to an actual university what about these extension lectures in the town hall?
12:24have you seen who goes to them?
12:25now Vera that's not the point.
12:28there's something about it in the paper.
12:30no sorry.
12:33what's wrong?
12:34yes here we are.
12:34anything on the novel or poetry?
12:37no but look here.
12:40mr. j.a.
12:41Marriott continues his course on the problems of wealth and poverty which lectures on the
12:45industrial revolution and the history of trade unionism.
12:48sounds very tedious.
12:50maybe they had something on shelley or swinburne.
12:53you told me last year that miss heath jones had talked to you about current affairs and you got
12:57quite interested.
12:58well she even took you to a meeting once didn't she?
13:00well that was women's suffrage edward.
13:01naturally that was interesting.
13:02ah.
13:04is there something funny?
13:05no but dear girl it won't encourage people to put women into parliament if the only thing
13:09they know or care about is simply getting there.
13:12well don't you think men have to work at tedious things too?
13:17all right.
13:19apply to the secretary mrs. s harding.
13:25i suppose i better tell father.
13:26i better say them now before i change my mind.
13:28a v. mightn't it be better if i told him.
13:31perhaps i could catch him at a good moment.
13:40oh well done sir.
13:42splendid.
13:42not bad.
13:44not bad indeed.
13:46but you should have been here last week edward.
13:48now what day when it went?
13:49no sir.
13:58what sort of funeral are all of it?
14:06the secretary is a mrs.
14:08harding.
14:09married to an architect i believe.
14:10oh that'll be jacob harding.
14:12brother to harding the accountant.
14:13very old books and family.
14:14highly respected.
14:15that's right.
14:17what time will she be getting home from these lectures?
14:20oh not late.
14:21i've got the cutting here somewhere.
14:24yes.
14:28anything the matter?
14:31industrial revolution trade unionism.
14:33it's perfectly all right sir.
14:34he's a tory.
14:35what?
14:36a conservative father.
14:37true blue.
14:38very loyal.
14:39in fact there's been some talk of selecting him as a candidate.
14:43no.
14:45that does put a different complexion on the matter.
14:51no.
14:51that was a complete fallacy.
14:53as it turned out
14:54the new machinery led to a tremendous expansion in employment.
14:58by smashing the looms they were acting against their own best interests.
15:02and there in a nutshell you have the most powerful argument for the spread of further education.
15:09many of the most disastrous events in history can be attributed to ignorance rather than malice.
15:18are there any other questions?
15:22come along.
15:23i know we're rather depleted in numbers tonight.
15:26but has no one any other questions?
15:30or any further points they'd like to make?
15:32well i must say buxton has never struck me as a particularly inquisitive place.
15:44however
15:44for your weekly essay
15:47i would like you to write on either the rise of the textile industry.
15:53or why the ideas of adam smith appealed particularly to the north of england.
16:00there are only three contributions to return.
16:06this is harding as usual.
16:08mr burns.
16:10here you are mr burns.
16:13mrs harding.
16:14and here's one.
16:17and here's one.
16:17oh it's just initials.
16:19vb.
16:21who's vb?
16:27really?
16:28are you vb?
16:30vb?
16:30very good.
16:38very promising.
16:42you certainly know how to handle words.
16:46next week ladies and gentlemen we should be discussing the corn laws.
16:49meanwhile thank you for your attention and good night.
16:53may i have your attention please just for one moment.
16:56mr marriott who comes quite a long way to give us these lectures.
17:02normally stays overnight with our treasurer mr green.
17:05who is unable to be here tonight as they're preparing to remove to london.
17:11unfortunately i can't offer him hospitality either next wednesday.
17:17if you know of anyone with a spare bedroom who'd be willing to step into the breach
17:23i'd be most grateful.
17:28i must say this mr marriott's not at all what i expected.
17:31when mrs jones went to his class that's mrs alderman jones.
17:36she said that he looked down his nose at buxton people.
17:39but i must speak as i find.
17:41i saw no signs of side at all.
17:43of course with the real gentry you don't.
17:49if you're catering for the quality market and my firm always has
17:53you can't afford shoddy workmanship.
17:56precisely. no thank you.
17:57now at this point mr marriott you may be asking yourself
18:01ah but how does he avoid shoddy workmanship?
18:04what is the secret?
18:06well i'll tell you it lies in three things.
18:08the best and most up-to-date plant of machinery.
18:11personal attention to detail and good relations with my workmen.
18:16look upon me as a father mr marriott.
18:19i'm sure they do.
18:20and how is the course of lectures going on mr marriott?
18:22i hear it's been very successful.
18:25no i'd hardly call it that mrs brittenden.
18:28her attendance has been low this year.
18:31mr marriott's very pleased with vera though my dear.
18:33says she's the best in the class that's so isn't it?
18:36indeed.
18:38quite an honor you know coming from an oxford man.
18:41oh yes my brother's boys are up at oxford.
18:45doing very well i understand.
18:47lottie was saying she's finding it quite a drain having the two up there at the same time.
18:51not that she's counting the cost of course.
18:53but you're lucky you only have the one.
18:56two surely?
18:57no mr marriott just the one edward.
18:59oh i do wish you could have met him.
19:00he's at upingham.
19:02they think so highly of him there.
19:04but with your daughter here surely that makes two.
19:07ah i thought we were talking about higher education.
19:10yes exactly.
19:16please mr marriott
19:18what would be the procedure for a girl wanting to go to oxford?
19:21don't show yourself up dear.
19:22here we go she's off again.
19:26which college did you have in mind?
19:32i don't know i hadn't got as far as that.
19:36what colleges are there?
19:38well let me see.
19:39if i were you i'd be thinking in terms of lady margaret hall.
19:42that's because of the somerville entrance examination.
19:45she'd find that a very stiff hurdle.
19:47yes yes that's very true.
19:49excuse me mr marriott but are you really serious?
19:53beg your pardon?
19:54well we all know that vera's talked of as being brainy.
19:57which is all very well in its way.
20:00but surely the time has come when she must decide to settle down.
20:05well of course mrs smith these decisions have to be made but
20:09don't you agree that if they are to be wisely made they do require a certain degree of maturity?
20:14oh miss britton is very young after oxford these options would still be open to her
20:20and her decision would certainly be a better informed one.
20:24there's something in that i suppose.
20:27well you must have run into some of these women up in oxford mr marriott now
20:30don't you think that all this learning makes them well how shall i put it mannish then?
20:38we wouldn't want it to spoil a chance as you see mr marriott.
20:41i give you my word mrs britton that all the lmh students that i have encountered have been
20:46every bit as modest charming and delightful as any ladies anywhere.
20:51but please what should i do?
20:55who should i see? where should i write to? how do i start?
20:59what subject did you have in mind? english.
21:01oh she's always been scribbling little stories.
21:03her father used to bring home wastehands of paper from the mill and her governess used to have to
21:07fold them into little books for her.
21:10do you know any latin?
21:12small latin and less greek. in fact no greek at all.
21:15well you'd really have greek for responsions.
21:17still you could sit the oxford senior local.
21:19that doesn't call for greek and would exempt you from responsions.
21:23can i? would it? oh that'd be wonderful.
21:26what are responsions?
21:28look why don't you come down to oxford for the summer school then you could arrange to see
21:32one of the principals and talk over your problem.
21:34then all that would be needed would be a great deal of hard work.
21:38oh i'll work. i'll work.
21:40in that case i see no problem.
21:42do you hear father?
21:44yeah.
21:45are you really thinking of going along with this mr britain?
21:49well i didn't say i wouldn't think about it.
21:51i've never been a man to dismiss something out of hand.
21:54you mustn't give mr marriott the impression that we're a lot of country bumpkins you know.
21:59we know how to move with the times up here mr marriott.
22:02make no mistake about that.
22:03i'm sure you do.
22:05and of course we'd have edward there. keep an eye on her.
22:08and if lotty can afford to have two up there at the same time i don't know why
22:11you should imagine that we can't afford it too.
22:13i like the little tux.
22:20you know vera i've been thinking if your father doesn't ask what you'll be wearing at the summer
22:26school there'll be no need for the subject to come up at all.
22:30well that's the trouble with ready-made if only you'd grow a few more inches.
22:37well what do you think sarah?
22:39i suppose the hem could come up a bit but it doesn't sit right does it?
22:43it's wrong here.
22:44oh that's nothing. it's just because the bodice is too long.
22:49if we shorten it from the waist as well as from the bottom.
22:55there.
22:55oh that's better.
22:56yes that's right that's better.
22:58well i'll just put the pins in for you.
23:02well what's in this other box?
23:04oh it's an evening dress and it's apple.
23:05yeah you don't need to.
23:07i know mum i said the cream one would do
23:09but then i thought i'd be seeing the principal of summerville in the morning.
23:11i had no idea she'd arrange it for eight o'clock in the evening.
23:14but if it's an interview Vera you sure she'll expect you to wear evening clothes for an interview?
23:18well of course she will at that hour.
23:20won't she?
23:21well it's no use asking me.
23:23i still only come across one person who's even visited such a place.
23:27all she remembered was a lot of brainy females queuing up for bristly mutton and stewed thrones.
23:32and they have to light their own fires as well.
23:35you've just had a brilliant idea.
23:38when i'm working for the exam i can use this room.
23:39i can put my books there on the cutting out table.
23:44and i can when the winter comes i can have a fire and get up early and work and not disturb anybody.
23:48it'll be ideal.
23:50well why don't you say something?
23:51uh thank you sarah.
23:54that'll be very nice to you.
23:56yes ma'am.
24:02well?
24:02you can use the room for your studies if you wish.
24:06though with three living rooms in use i really don't see the need but you can't have a father.
24:10why not?
24:11to make extra work for the servants that's why not.
24:14mama don't you realize this exam is going to decide my whole future?
24:19child rich.
24:20surely with three maids and a garden boy one of them can find the time.
24:23well i don't intend to ask them Vera and that's an end on it.
24:27well i think that's most unfair.
24:29i'm sure if edward needed it for his career you'd find a way.
24:32dear that's quite different if you know it.
24:34there's little enough to ask heaven knows that just because i'm a girl i can never have anything
24:39i think it's very hard i really do.
24:43she was trying to revive the question of making the quarterly available to the jcr.
24:48waste of time hardy perennial.
24:50i told her if we provided that we'd be asked for 20 others quite invidious.
24:59oh bless my soul what have we here?
25:02are you expecting anyone?
25:04well not of this ilk.
25:06when as in silks my julia goes.
25:10is it a student?
25:12hopes to be.
25:14poor child.
25:16oh well they soon assimilate.
25:18i'll leave you then miss penrose.
25:19yes.
25:22miss Vera britain miss penrose.
25:25how do you do miss britain?
25:28good evening.
25:29take a seat.
25:38so you want to come to oxford?
25:41yes very much indeed.
25:43why somerville?
25:45any particular reason?
25:48yes.
25:49good.
25:50let's hear.
25:53well...
25:53well go on.
25:59when i first inquired i was advised not to apply for somerville.
26:02not to apply.
26:04yes because...
26:05that's a strange reason.
26:06ask advice and do the direct opposite.
26:08but they only told me not to apply because the somerville entrance examination is the hardest.
26:13they didn't think i was up to it.
26:15and you think you are?
26:17not yet but i could be.
26:20good.
26:21don't fiddle with your shoe.
26:31put it on.
26:35the heel got stuck.
26:38i thought we'd be indoors.
26:41clearly.
26:43anyway it's of no importance.
26:44now you'll need that.
26:46that's general.
26:48what did you thought of reading?
26:52reading?
26:52subject.
26:54oh english please.
26:58english language and literature.
27:04do you know the difference between university responsions and the college entrance examination?
27:09no i'm afraid not.
27:10right.
27:11well the college entrance exam is held here in march.
27:14in fact there's an entrance exam and a scholarship exam.
27:17but in your case i should ignore the scholarship.
27:19just concentrate on the entrance exam.
27:22well why stick at the potty little entrance exam.
27:46try for the scholarship.
27:48principal told me not to.
27:50don't have to listen to her.
27:51you've got far more brains than most girls.
27:53how do you know i have?
27:54oh i'm sure you have.
27:56i've met some of the chap's sisters.
27:58most of them are idiots.
28:00besides old marriott wouldn't have made all that up about your essays.
28:04i was talking to leighton about it and that's what he said.
28:07i was talking to leighton about it and that's what he said.
28:11who's coming to leighton about it and that's what he said.
28:15who's coming to leighton about it and that's what he said.
28:17and that's what he said.
28:19and that's what he said.
28:20and that's what he said.
28:22and that's what he said.
28:24and that's what he said.
28:26and that's what he said.
28:28very popular and just all-round brilliant.
28:30if you've been to the old boys last summer you'd have seen him.
28:33but you saw him.
28:35i don't remember.
28:36did you introduce him?
28:37no i wouldn't have had the cheap then.
28:39but he's really been quite friendly lately.
28:44decent of him.
28:46what have you done to deserve that?
28:47well for one thing we'll both be going up to oxford in the autumn.
28:50he's won an open scholarship to merton.
28:52classics.
28:54when i said who is he edward i wasn't asking for a school report.
28:57what i meant was where did he come from?
28:59who are his people?
29:00his father's a writer.
29:02writes stories for boys.
29:03used to do reviews for the daily mail.
29:05his mother's a writer.
29:06oh she said i don't know how many stories published.
29:09leighton writes too poetry mainly.
29:11they used to live in st john's wood and knew heaps of famous writers and so on.
29:15but now they've moved to lower stock.
29:18when we were in newcastle your father used to know um oh what was that boy's name?
29:22thomas i always forgets it.
29:23arnold bennett.
29:24yes well now he's turned into a writer.
29:27but they were ordinary people for all that.
29:29well leighton's not ordinary.
29:31he sounds absolutely insufferable.
29:35thank you.
29:42thank you sarah.
29:43better for miss vera.
29:47it's from oxford.
29:53well open it.
29:55i daren't.
29:56well let me then.
30:00better get it over with.
30:01an exhibition.
30:12what?
30:13oh i thought it would be about you.
30:14exhibition of what?
30:15yes but it is it is here.
30:17yes she's what an exhibition.
30:19for me.
30:20i don't understand.
30:21what do you mean?
30:24conditional on her passing the oxford senior.
30:26come on.
30:26let me out.
30:27let me out.
30:27pass it over.
30:30what's this about money?
30:31is that what they charge?
30:33that's what they're awarding her.
30:35minipayla?
30:36yes.
30:37actual card.
30:37yes.
30:38bypass the oxford senior in july.
30:41oh i can't believe it.
30:42i thought i made such a mess of my essay.
30:44let me read it properly.
30:45oh just wait till i tell them this.
30:47well so she did it.
30:49yes very well i think we won't wait any longer.
31:04oh some wine mr layton.
31:05thank you very much.
31:19this is roland layton my sister vera.
31:21how do you do?
31:22how do you do?
31:23do sit down.
31:26i hope you had a pleasant journey mr layton.
31:34did they keep you late at the newspaper vera?
31:36newspaper?
31:38oh just a little assignment for the local rag.
31:41they do care on me from time to time.
31:43yes she went to see the editor last month.
31:45to ask him if he'd let her write little pieces for him.
31:48it's a very shrewd move if i may say so.
31:50well nothing carries more weight in fleet street nowadays than a bit of practical
31:54experience in the provincials.
31:56oh really?
31:56oh indeed.
31:57well northcliffe in particular makes a real fetish of it.
32:00he won't even look at a graduate.
32:02well not unless he started on the ground floor as you're doing.
32:06i thought at least it would be an experience.
32:08quite right.
32:10tell me sir what would be the rates per column inch in a paper of that kind?
32:14or doesn't your firm make use of the press for advertising?
32:16hmm very little and very little.
32:20to my mind once you've built up a business established your context there's nothing to
32:23beat the personal touch.
32:24now my sales department is running on essentially the same lines as when we first came up here
32:29what 14 15 years ago.
32:31really?
32:31you see once you establish that the product you are selling is a product which will reach...
32:40come in.
32:40i bear a message from your brother.
32:48what is it?
32:49well when he's finished practicing we're going into town.
32:51he asked me to say that if your piece will be ready by then we could take it in for you.
32:55i gather it's today they go to press.
32:57yes it's not quite finished yet.
33:00what are you covering?
33:01oh just some amateur theatricals.
33:03they only want 800 words.
33:25oh may i read it?
33:26it'll be out on saturday.
33:29you mean it'll look better in print?
33:30no but you see the market i'm aiming at it'll be in context.
33:35it's not one of those times leaders like trouble in the balkans or serbian archdukes and all that.
33:40well i'd hardly mistake it for one of your major efforts would i?
33:43i've just been hearing about your exhibition.
33:45oh that.
33:47i must have been lucky with the essay.
33:50can't you come with us or are you too busy?
33:53no i'll come.
33:59what did you write about?
34:02hard to say i got quite carried away.
34:05oh truth beauty life art death and thereafter.
34:12i felt sure i wouldn't pass so it didn't matter what i said.
34:14oh yes that can be quite releasing sometimes.
34:16that's right.
34:23tell me about the hereafter.
34:26i can't.
34:27there isn't any.
34:29well how could you write about it?
34:31i wrote about there not being any.
34:33and how this could be made bearable.
34:36and the enhancing effect it has or ought to have on the span of life that is given to us.
34:43that sort of thing.
34:43well if that were true i should find it very hard to believe in the giver.
34:47if it all just ends breaks off short.
34:50isn't that a very parsimonious kind of gift?
34:55i don't know.
34:57depends on us partly.
34:59how much we make of it why we've got it.
35:02it is arbitrary yes but so much of the universe is arbitrary.
35:07you mean you conceive of a creator who would actually destroy.
35:10no when i said given to us that was a metaphor.
35:15i see.
35:18all right then you tell me more about the hereafter.
35:21how can you say that?
35:38you've never read any of my poems.
35:40i read a long word last christmas when everybody was sending it to music.
35:43i don't count that.
35:44that was a bespoke effort for the school magazine.
35:47who's your favorite poet?
35:48shelley.
35:49and prose which novelists?
35:52uh george elliott.
35:55meredith.
35:57emily bronte.
35:58that's interesting two out of three are women.
36:01what's wrong with that?
36:02nothing.
36:04when you said interesting you meant odd.
36:06odd that women should feature at the top of any list.
36:08no i don't think that was what i meant.
36:11wait there a minute.
36:13if you want prose i'll read you a piece of prose.
36:15i had to copy it out because the book was only loaned to me.
36:22now then.
36:22on the first page.
36:23yes.
36:25we take all labor as our province.
36:27we.
36:28women.
36:31from the judge's seat to the legislator's chair.
36:34from the statesman's closet to the merchant's office.
36:36from the chemist's laboratory to the astronomer's tower.
36:39and there is no closed door we do not intend to force open.
36:43and there is no fruit in the garden of knowledge.
36:45it is not our determination to eat.
36:50that's olive schreiner.
36:52don't you think that's wonderful writing?
36:55up to a point.
36:58when you disagree with somebody i think it would show more respect to say so and
37:01explain why.
37:02instead of being so superior and condescending.
37:05superior is that how i strike you?
37:07well i suppose you can't help it.
37:08you seem to have been dealt all the aces in the pack from the time you were born.
37:11but you could try harder to conceal it.
37:13well what aces?
37:16intelligence.
37:17good looks.
37:18a cultural background.
37:18no i meant what have i said that sounded superior?
37:21nothing.
37:22but you ask questions and look smug when they're answered.
37:25as if to you everything was so tediously predictable.
37:27surely but naturally.
37:28george yillett one could have foretold it.
37:30but that's extreme.
37:30when you disagree with somebody you don't raise your voice like anybody normal.
37:34you just let it go all quiet.
37:36up to a point meaning i think she's wrong of course.
37:38i think shriner's rubbish but i'm not gonna waste my time explaining why.
37:41now you're being deliberately unfair.
37:43i don't understand why simply because i don't happen to agree.
37:47well who's looking smug now?
37:50well nice if there's something you don't understand.
37:53well i don't for a moment think that shriner is rubbish.
37:56i just happen to prefer her when she's in a less strident mood.
38:00and i was wondering why you hadn't numbered her among your favorite novelist.
38:03i didn't know she'd written any novels.
38:06the story of an african farm. you must have read that one.
38:23down the long white road we walked together.
38:26down between the gray hills and the heather where the tawny crested plover cries.
38:32you seemed all brown and soft just like a linnet.
38:37your errant hair had shadowed sunbeams in it
38:40and there shone all april in your eyes.
38:43so please.
38:59lay yourself in david sir.
39:01Bring yourself in, David, sir.
39:03He's a very good wicket-keeper. Hard luck.
39:06If it was my fault, I should have settled to the one.
39:09Jolly good bit of fielding there.
39:11Young Anderson seems to be shaping up nicely.
39:13He's gonna make a final round in next season.
39:16It's strange to think of it all going on,
39:18and we won't be here to see it.
39:21Yes. Reminds me of that Houseman piece.
39:24Here's my team ploughing that I was used to drive
39:27and hear the harness jingle when I was man alive.
39:30Thanks.
39:32It's not quite like that, though, is it?
39:35Oh, maybe not.
39:37Well, I hope not, anyway.
39:39Things aren't looking too good, though, are they?
39:41Well, the way I see it is if it's coming, the sooner the better.
39:45Why should it be coming, though?
39:47I honestly don't see what Serbia's got to do with us.
39:51That's not the point.
39:52The point is the boss is building up his strength all the time.
39:55They're only waiting for an excuse,
39:57and the longer we put it off, the worse it'll be.
40:00The man was taking a pretty sober view of it in chapel yesterday.
40:03If a man can't be useful to his country, then he is better dead.
40:07Well, I agree with him.
40:09We all agree with him, Victor.
40:12So I should hope.
40:14Yes, well, I should have thought that goes without saying.
40:18Oh, well played.
40:19Good shot.
40:25Vera, you came.
40:27Yes.
40:28I told Mama we couldn't miss Edward's last speech day.
40:31Quite right.
40:32Is she with you?
40:33Yes.
40:34Over there.
40:35Talking to the house master.
40:36They're staying at Waterworks' cottage.
40:38How long for?
40:39Till Sunday night.
40:40Oh, that's splendid.
40:41Edward?
40:42Coming.
40:45Well, I'll see you tomorrow then, Vera.
40:47Yes.
40:48After OTC.
40:52After what did you say?
40:53OTC.
40:54Officers' Training Corps.
40:56That's the first item tomorrow.
40:57The parade.
40:58Then the service.
40:59Then after lunch, there's the prize giving,
41:01then the concert,
41:02and then the garden party.
41:04The weather looks good for it.
41:07It's going to be a lovely, lovely day.
41:12Battalion!
41:14Present!
41:16Arms!
41:21Battalion!
41:24Slope!
41:25Arms!
41:29Battalion!
41:31Battalion!
41:32Past Galsome!
41:33Come down!
41:35Garanto!
41:37Mans!
41:43Stat
41:50You're the best.
41:51Far-f himself!
41:53I'm very glad!
41:55Garanto.
41:56Eek!
41:57Oh, I'm so glad to go ahΓ!
41:58And theγγ€ proxy.
41:59Let's go.
42:29Let's go.
42:59Let's go.
43:29Let's go.
43:59Let's go.
44:01And this of course is Victor.
44:03I think we've heard Edward speak of you.
44:05Of course. You're the third of the so-called three musketeers.
44:09Let's go.
44:11Enter.
44:13Yes.
44:15The program's for Monseigneur.
44:20Which of you I wonder would be Monseigneur?
44:23I believe you are.
44:25Really? Yours I believe my lord.
44:27Now you can't ask me to take the blame for that.
44:29One doesn't select one's own nickname.
44:31Their needs must love the highest.
44:33Yes thank you very much.
44:35Are you going to Oxford too?
44:36No I've applied for Cambridge.
44:37Queens.
44:38When are you sitting the Oxford senior must be quite soon now.
44:40Don't.
44:41Next week.
44:42No don't stutter on that Edward.
44:43We've had nothing but that exam for the last month.
44:45It's bad enough when she bores us with it without boring your friends into the bargain.
44:49Here are the programs for this afternoon.
44:51Oh good.
44:52Did you win anything this time Edward?
44:54Oh he came second in quite a number of things Mr. Griffin.
44:56And he's doing the solo violin in the concert.
45:00Not that is it dear.
45:02Nettleship prize winners really.
45:04It's hardly worth printing.
45:06The Nettleship prize for English essay.
45:08R.A. Later.
45:11Greek pose.
45:12Composition of R.A. Later.
45:14Latin hexameters.
45:16R.A. Later.
45:17Diambics.
45:18R.P. Garrett.
45:19Where did he come in?
45:21Greek epigrams.
45:22R.A. Later.
45:23Enough.
45:24Enough.
45:25I shall look out for every atom of conceit.
45:27If I see the least symptom I shall squash it flat.
45:30Your mother must be immensely proud of you.
45:33I don't know.
45:34She seems to take it in her stride.
45:36She seems to feel that from any son of hers it's the very least that could be expected.
45:39What number is she now?
45:40Lowest Doctor.
45:41You mean she's not here?
45:42No she's too busy.
45:43She had a book to finish.
45:45I told her I'd need at least one supporter to raise a little applause.
45:48Oh there now.
45:49I think we can manage a couple.
45:50Oh yes two or three isn't it?
45:52No.
45:53No.
45:54No.
45:55No.
45:56No.
45:57No.
45:58No.
45:59No.
46:00No.
46:01No.
46:02No.
46:03No.
46:04No.
46:05No.
46:06No.
46:07No.
46:08No.
46:09No.
46:10No.
46:11No.
46:12No.
46:13No.
46:14No.
46:15No.
46:16No.
46:17No.
46:18No.
46:19No.
46:20No.
46:21No.
46:22No.
46:23No.
46:54I've done it.
47:16I'm through.
47:17Reach the required standard.
47:19Mama, I've got the Oxford senior.
47:21Thank heaven for that, dear.
47:22Now perhaps we can have some peace.
47:24Did you hear that, Father?
47:26It was the last hurdle.
47:27I can go to Oxford.
47:29What then?
47:30Oxford, Father.
47:33Yes, well, you can forget about that for a start.
47:37What do you mean?
47:40What do you mean?
47:41What do I mean?
47:42Don't you know there's a war, huh?
47:48The war?
47:49How can that affect us?
47:50Edward's too young to fight.
47:52I'm not talking about Edward.
47:53What are you talking about?
47:55How can it possibly affect me?
47:57God in heaven.
47:58Why are women always for this?
48:02You sit there.
48:04You seem to think nothing's happened.
48:05I'm talking about the firm.
48:09Don't you realise how this is going to affect everything?
48:12Trade, investment, taxes, supplies.
48:15Why should it?
48:16Good heavens, we've had wars before.
48:18You said that in the Boer War, trade actually got better.
48:21This is not like the Boer War.
48:23This is in Europe, you silly girl.
48:25It can disrupt everything.
48:26It can drag on for months.
48:27Where's that going to leave us?
48:28In the workhouse, that's where.
48:30And if you think that I can pour out money
48:32on your blue stocking fads and fancies
48:34while the firm's going down the drain
48:36while you're living in a food's paradise, Vera,
48:38that's all I can say.
48:42Are you saying that you can't afford for either of us to go?
48:44Is that what you're saying?
48:44No.
48:45I'm saying only one of you can go.
48:47And don't ask which one.
48:48You may as well start getting used to the idea straight away.
48:50I'm having no argument about it.
49:20Well, haven't you got anything to say?
49:31There's no point.
49:32Not until he's cooled down a bit.
49:34And then what will you say?
49:36If I can't go, you won't go either?
49:38I was told for a fact that it would all be over by Christmas.
49:46If there had to be a war,
49:48why did it have to come now?
49:51Just at the most inconvenient time.
49:55This is really going to mess things up for me.
49:58Now God be thanked who has matched us with his hour
50:08and caught our youth and wakened us from sleeping
50:11with handmade shore, clear eye, and sharpened power
50:16to turn as swimmers into cleanness leaping,
50:20glad from a world grown old and cold and weary.
50:24Leave the sick hearts that honour could not move
50:28and half men and their dirty songs and dreary
50:32and all the little emptiness of love.
50:35responders, let's see if he needs to poco
50:55and look at him.
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