Original subtitles

Attention.

I have an announcement to make.

The provincial results are in. I have them here.

And I am proud to report that this year, your marks in general are well

above average, with one or two exceptions. And I am happy to say

that...

One student in particular has distinguished herself.

Felicity King has been awarded one of the highest grades in the province.

See, that's wonderful.

Settle down quietly, there is more good news.

Kingsport Ladies College in Nova Scotia has invited Felicity to

apply for a full scholarship there.

The finest school in the whole country.

Only the best girls go there.

Felicity, I'm so proud of you.

I can't believe it.

I can't believe it.

Kingsport Ladies College. You deserve this scholarship, Felicity. How soon do

you leave? Felix.

Congratulations, Felicity.

Thank you, Gus. You're so lucky, Felicity.

Imagine, Nova Scotia. Felicity, you're bound to meet the best.

people. I know, I know. It's so exciting.

You'll never want to come back here. You'll be in real society.

What's the matter, Gus?

Nothing.

Nothing.

I have to know everything that there is to know about polite society.

Felicity, it's just a school.

Oh, well, it's just the most prestigious ladies' college in the Maritime.

And I've high hopes of you attending one day, Sarah.

What are you looking for?

I have to be prepared, don't I? For what?

For my interview.

Kingsport Ladies' College will expect that I have knowledge in the appropriate

skill. Skills? What skill?

You know perfectly well what I'm talking about, Sarah Stanley.

You've been schooled privately all your life.

Now, the least you can do, as my cousin and as my friend, is tell me the things

that I'll need to know to make a good impression.

It's an outrage, that's what.

What's an outrage?

Percy Methley's hired a new chef.

A foreigner.

He's not a foreigner, Rachel. He's from Quebec.

What did I tell you?

His name is Pierre Jean Lapierre. Pierre?

I'm moving the foreign missions luncheon to the Carmody Tea Room.

Now, Rachel, Percy Metley can hire any fool he chooses.

Though, playing good English fare is the mainstay of the White Sands Hotel, so

he's not likely to change that.

I like to identify what I'm eating, that's what.

Did you hear that, Sarah?

French chef.

What?

How fortunate.

My souffle.

I need more tea right there, and the lady's at number nine. One more.

I'm real sorry, Pierre.

I didn't even see you there.

I'll clean everything right up.

I do not tolerate incompetence.

You are here on probation.

Remember.

Keep an eye on you.

Oh, Sarah, I haven't a single thing to wear.

All my clothes are so shabby.

There's this one. It's a little too big for me. Beautiful.

Nanny Louisa sent it. Oh, I've never seen a more perfect dress.

Well, you can borrow it if you like.

Oh, it looks simply ravishing.

The color suits you wonderfully.

Someday I'll have my own dresses from Paris and a beautiful house with

to do my bidding.

Slow down, Felicity. You haven't even been accepted yet. I will be.

What do you think of this one?

I've always liked it.

Well, I can't go with just one nice dress.

I'm going to be there for at least four days.

All right, then.

We can take down the hands on some of these.

Oh, I knew you'd understand.

How else will I make a good impression or make the acquaintance of the right

sort of people?

Very important to high academic standings.

What?

Sarah, you've been lucky.

You've had all these sort of advantages.

This is the most important step I've ever taken in my whole life.

You should be helping me.

You're right, Felicity.

I'll give you a few hints.

They never tell you about the real qualifications.

What do you mean?

What qualifications?

Well, Sarah, you must tell me.

The other girls will all have been born and bred to formal dinners with French

service. They'll all ride, shoot, skate, sing opera, travel widely.

You'll have to do a lot of studying to want to impress them.

Sarah, quickly. I need a pencil and paper.

We must be logical about this.

Organized. Oh, there's so much to do.

You'll need expert advice.

But this is Avonlea.

I know.

We last... The new chef.

He'll be an expert.

He's French.

Natalie, can you help me with some of these?

What's all this?

I borrowed some clothes from Sarah for the interview.

Well, I was very thoughtful of Sarah.

Well, what's wrong with your own clothes?

They're hardly suitable for Kingsport, Father.

I'm not happy about this, Janet.

Well, she's just excited. She wants to make a good impression.

That's impossible.

Felix.

I don't know.

Maybe this private school was the wrong idea.

Oh, well, I think we should let Felicity decide that, Alec.

It's a wonderful opportunity, and it's important to her.

Now, I have a list of things that I must find out about before I leave for

Kingsport tomorrow.

So I would like to be excused for my chores this afternoon.

If that's all right with you, Mother.

Certainly, dear.

What sort of things?

Posture, etiquette, formal dining, Italian opera.

Oh, well, Felicity, I'm... I'm sure they'll be happy with you just the way

are. I want to be the best possible me.

That's why I've made up my little list.

I've noted my accomplishments on one side and the areas in which I need

improvement on the other.

Well, you better let me see it, just in case you lost something out.

There are children in my kitchen.

Get them out.

Shoo! Shoo!

Mr. Lapierre, I am Felicity King, and I am desperate to know information that

only you can give me.

Really? Yes, but you see, the trouble is I haven't much time, and old cuisine is

so very important to a thorough education.

Oh, you're interested in fine food.

Yes, and since it's your specialty, I thought you might like to help me.

I only need to know enough to get through my interview.

And I leave tomorrow.

What? What?

You expect to learn in one afternoon what it takes to the greatest of chefs

discover over a lifetime?

Well, it can't be that hard. After all, it's only food.

Is there a problem?

Oh!

Come on, Felix, let's go.

What are you doing?

Felix, I'm sorry.

It just smelled so good and I was sort of hungry.

I just thought I'd sample it.

It's good. What is it?

Onion de veau.

You like it?

Oh, yes.

What is it?

Kidneys.

And this?

great.

Hey, sir, try this.

No, thank you. I've never much cared for cow's brains.

Long or sleep.

Delicious.

Maybe I overreacted to your friend.

I am very sorry.

A Frenchman tried to kill me, and Sarah and Felix are still inside.

Well, he ain't too friendly, but a warrant ain't exactly a

killer.

Now I'll be the only girl at Kingsport without any knowledge of how to cuisine.

Well, I figure Kingsport ain't quite as far as Paris.

Probably the same as we do.

Being a real lady, it's important to you, ain't it? Good breeding and polite

manners are very important.

How else can one improve one's position in life?

When are you going?

I leave tomorrow.

Felicity?

I'll be pulling for you.

Thank you, God.

Bye, Felicity.

was that again?

Eggs Benedict.

Pierre.

Pierre, this is the best darn egg I've ever tasted in my life.

Emotional, isn't he?

Phoenix, you are the only civilized person in all of Avonlea, all of Prince

Edward Island.

He wants you to go over there.

Need to talk to you.

What is it, Gus?

Some of us are trying to create magic ici, Monsieur Pike.

Merci.

I need to learn manners, quick.

Telly day.

The wrist, Felix.

Manners? Yeah, I need the best there is.

What for?

Well, if good breeding and manners is important, then I'm going to get them.

Manners? are for the guests, monsieur, who are awaiting your services.

You're going to have to take something out. I can't, Sarah. Everything is

essential. How many dresses do you have in there? Six.

You're only going for four days.

Four and a half.

Besides, I can't wear the same thing every day. What will they think?

Felicity, dear.

Tie up. Your father's waiting.

Felix, come on. We've already tried, Daniel.

Felix and Sarah, come on.

There.

He's almost got it.

Here we go.

There's no need to be nervous.

I'm not.

But I do want you to be careful while you're in Nova Scotia. I mean, it's not

like I don't want to leave you.

Yes, Father.

Now, someone's going to meet you at Kingsport.

Yes. But I'm going to give you a couple of extra dollars, just in case.

I'll be fine, Father.

I've been in a boat before.

I know. I know.

Father. Mm -hmm?

You and Mother really want me to go, don't you?

Well, we want what's best for you.

I know.

I'll make you very proud of me.

I'm sure you'll adore KLC, Miss King.

Yes, I'm sure.

May I call you Felicity? Of course.

You must call me Agnes.

I can tell we'll become quite the best of friends.

I'm sure we'll get along swimmingly.

Oh, yes.

Swimmingly.

Where are you from, Felicity?

Avonlea, Prince Edward Island.

I'm afraid I don't know it.

I was born in Tangiers.

Father and mother dragged us to England early on, and then on to the continent,

before returning to Ottawa.

So I guess you might say I'm not really from anywhere.

Really, King, the boy will sit here begs.

Look.

That must be her.

Look at her coat.

Hello. Emily Everett Smythe from Charlottetown. Margaret Fieldcrest from

Tavistock. Felicity King from Avonlea. Where are your roommates?

I guess we're in competition for the scholarship.

Avonlea. That's near the North Shore, isn't it? Little farms with cows and

Charming. Here, let me take your coat, Felicity. Thank you.

Your dress.

It's smashing.

Why, thank you.

It's from Paris.

All my clothes are from Paris.

Come along, girls.

Single file, please.

You girls come with me.

Good afternoon, girls.

For the benefit of our guests, who may become one of us one day, my name is

Cavendish, and I am principal of Kingsport Ladies College.

Kingsport Ladies College enjoys a prestigious reputation which is well

preparing young women to take their places in a civilized and polite

from the ballroom to the stateroom.

We expect that our girls will live up to the honor of being a Kingsport lady.

Lovely evening, isn't it?

No, it ain't. Cold enough to freeze my nose hair stuff.

Gus, it's an expression.

An introduction.

I don't mean it.

Well, if you don't mean it, why'd you say it?

That's a good question.

I don't know why people say it. They just do.

They say a lot of things they don't mean.

It's too confusing.

I'll never get it right.

How could I ever go to that college and ask for Felicity unless it was a

gentleman?

One more goal.

All right.

We'll start with compliments.

Now, you have to compliment everything.

What I'm wearing, my hair, the way I laugh.

Got it.

Compliment everything.

Right.

My goodness, Sarah Stanley.

But that's a right pretty dress you're wearing. And right pretty shoes and

stockings and... I guess that's about it.

That's sort of the idea.

Well, that weren't too hard.

What's next?

Table manners.

Right.

No, no, no.

If it's the best manners that you want, they'll have to be French.

It's big stuff now.

Do you intend to continue working here, Mr. Pike?

Better get going, Sarah.

Took Mr. King three days to talk to Mr. Matheline to give me my job back, and I

don't intend on losing it because of some puffed -up old galley cook.

with a capital R, quite distinguished from Romance, with a small r,

and yet again from the Romantics, with a capital R,

which has nothing whatever to do with the Romantics, lowercase.

Miss Peggy, see you at Harrods. See you, Felicity. Have you ever been to London?

Yes. Yes, please. Black or white?

White, please. Aren't you afraid for your weight? Where did you stay while

there?

Sugar? Yes, please.

Stay? Well, father always stays at the Grosvenor in Belgravia.

Lemon?

Yes, please.

The Grosvenor? Yes.

Jam or marmalade?

Jam, please.

No any jam anymore.

Your dress.

My father's in shipping.

He spends most of his time in Toronto, New York, and Montreal.

Margaret and I have been going to school together for the past five years.

And your father's a senator, isn't he? Well, so he claims.

Personally, I think he spends most of his time chercher la femme.

They're all so beautiful.

So Parisian.

Yes. I shop on the Rue de Faubourg every year.

You've been to Paris?

Many times.

I used to stroll down the Champs -Élysées in the springtime when the

all in bloom.

Really? I thought you farm people planted crops in the spring.

Courtesy of Daddy's humidor.

I wouldn't really know.

I'm not really a farm person.

But I heard Miss... Cavendish telling Miss Wright that your parents are

people. My parents?

Oh, those people in Avonlea aren't really my parents.

What do you mean?

My real parents lived in Montreal.

But my mother died when I was just a baby.

That's terrible.

My father used to take me with him on all his trips to Europe.

Until he died tragically.

It was at his warehouse.

He was crushed.

Oh, my.

I was staying with my aunt and uncle grieving.

Until I was kidnapped.

Kidnapped? And held for ransom by a crazy woman from a circus named Isis.

My uncle, at risk to his own life, rescued me.

I owe him everything.

You've had such a romantic life.

I could tell right away that you weren't raised on a farm.

My nanny Louisa sends me all the latest fashions.

She remains our devoted family retainer at my estate in Montreal.

Must be terrible for you to be stuck in the country.

Well, they're not very wealthy or sophisticated, but they're very kind to

What's the matter,

Pierre?

They only eat grease.

Eggs, fried. Bacon, fried.

Bread, fried. It makes my stomach turn.

Ventimals, boiled hummus.

Potatoes, like chalk.

Meat,

roasted to shoe leather.

Gravy? Wallpaper paste.

It's cruel.

It's inhuman.

It's inedible.

Problem is, that's always used to.

But it is impossible to educate their palate.

You want over Felix there.

Absolutely. Felix is a boy of exceptional taste.

He eats anything.

All you got to do is make it seem familiar.

But how?

God, you're brilliant.

Him? Brilliant?

Just give your special plain English names.

These eggs, for example.

My, uh, Florentine?

Yeah, them.

Just call them Eggs Avonlea style.

Well, that's right.

Give it a try, Pierre.

Hey, Gus Spike.

Why didn't you speak up sooner?

Save me all this aggravation.

I

heard

that a KLC girl has to have a broad cultural background.

That puts you at a disadvantage, I should think, Felicity.

Isolated in the country.

No concerts or plays or culture of any kind.

But I've been to the Milan Opera hundreds of times.

A father had a box there.

Friend of the Italian ambassador.

They're ready for you, Felicity.

Good morning, Miss King.

Good morning.

Sit down.

We're all very impressed by your academic standing, Miss King. Thank you.

A KLC girl will have more than academic excellence.

She is poised, graceful, with well -rounded interest and accomplishment.

Miss King, are you a young woman who would profit under our tutelage?

You want our girls to be la creme de la creme. I see that you're accomplished in

piano.

Oh, yes.

I can play nearly every hymn in the book.

Hymns?

Our girls are usually classically trained musicians, Miss King.

Bach, Beethoven, Mozart.

Oh, well, of course.

Bach. I play Bach, of course.

What about sport?

Kingsport is renowned for its riding academy.

Well, we have two horses at home.

I've ridden all my life.

I would like to know more about your family.

I understand Mr.

and Mrs. King are not your real parents.

I heard the girls talking about it.

They're just like real parents.

They're wonderful people. I owe everything to them.

Your gratitude and obvious love for them do you credit?

Yes. Indeed.

And you've overcome disadvantages.

I like that.

Fish fork, fish knife, pallet fork,

sorbet spoon, entree fork, knife, spoon,

cake spoon, fruit service, teaspoon.

This is not a bin.

I want to thank you for coming to visit us.

It's clear that each of you has something special to offer Kingsport.

And I expect it's clear how Kingsport could help prepare you for your foray

the world.

And although only one of you will be selected for this year's scholarship,

I want to assure each of you that that decision will be very

difficult.

As you all display attributes of a KLC girl.

We will inform you of our decision as soon as possible.

It's been a pleasure meeting you, Felicity. You really must come to

Charlottetown for us. I wish we could all attend KLC together.

We would have fun, wouldn't we?

Here she is.

Felicity!

Felicity King!

Glad you're back, Felicity.

How was it?

These your friends?

Anybody like a lift?

Felicity. Sarah, dear.

Gus, you can get my bag.

Your father said me and Sarah could come and get you. Your father? I thought he

was dead, Felicity.

Uh, they like me to call them that. Don't they, Sarah?

This is my sister, Sarah.

What? My classmates, Emily and Marcus.

Pleased to make your acquaintance.

I asked you to get my bag.

Pathetic, really. This country boy has a mad crush on me.

It's very irritating.

Come on, Felicity, let's go.

But then don't speak. But you're being very childish. We're being childish.

You're not the ones made up stories.

Stupid lies to impress people. I had to.

I will never win a scholarship coming from such a common family.

There ain't nothing wrong with common people.

You're just jealous.

Jealous of who?

I know those sort of girls.

They're cultured, sophisticated young women.

And when I attend Kingsport, I intend to become just like them.

Then for your own psycho sticking, I hope you don't get in.

I'll remember that, Sarah.

I can manage it myself.

You needn't bother yourself with me any longer.

Sorry, Gus.

I know she'll regret it.

That's what manners does to a person.

I don't want them.

Miss Lee, I'm absolutely dying to hear all about King... Oh, Aunt Olivia, it

wonderful. I trust you conducted yourself with all the dignity and

befits a king, did you? Of course, Aunt Hattie. I would never do anything to

tarnish our family name.

You should have seen the grounds. They were magnificent.

They have a stable full of horses, and they teach equestrian riding and

dressage. Oh, and they have an enormous greenhouse filled with exotic flowers

that are in bloom all year round.

Exotic flowers?

Whatever for?

Botany class.

All the girls are ever so friendly. They come from the wealthiest and best

families in the country.

I'm going to meet some very important and useful liaisons that will help me

the rest of my life.

Why, they embraced me as one of their own.

Voila! Oh, my match.

I, uh, everyone.

Um, Felix made this himself.

Oh, well.

No.

Oh, Felicity.

Tell us all about the...

Howard went swimmingly.

Did I tell you I met a senator's daughter?

Agnes Forbes.

And Emily Everett Smythe. Her father's in shipping and they spend much of their

time in New York.

They are very wealthy.

We can certainly see what impresses you.

You promised me, Sarah.

Oh, my, my, Felix.

This looks interesting.

Looks like one of Jasper's experiments.

Oh.

What is it?

I call it escargot felix.

Really? And what exactly is escargot felix?

It's snails in a garlic and butter sauce.

Good.

Oh,

Felicity. I took the liberty.

It's from Kingsport.

Kingsport Ladies College is pleased to inform you that you have passed the

initial interview.

You and your parents are scheduled for... Well, Felicity.

She's overly excited.

Here, it says that...

You and Alec are to accompany Felicity to Kingsport this Saturday.

Oh, the committee wishes to speak with the parents as well as the candidates.

Oh, my goodness.

An interview.

But, Hattie, what'll I do?

What'll I say? What'll I wear?

Oh, it's just a say, very little, Janet. You don't want to spoil Felicity's

greatest opportunity, do you?

Felicity, are you all right?

Oh, I'm fine.

It's just nerves.

A little nervous myself.

I want so much for you to be happy.

Your father and I are so proud of you.

We've always known you were clever and special.

You have?

No, Felicity, dear.

No one could ask for a smarter, lovelier daughter.

Sarah, what am I going to do?

They want to talk to my parents. Your parents love you and care for you.

How could you do this to them?

It just happened. It wasn't my fault.

What am I going to say now?

I think you've said enough.

You just had to impress everyone, didn't you?

Sarah, you have to help me.

You started it.

You loaned me your dresses.

I'm not getting out of this one, Felicity King.

There's only one thing to do when you know what that is.

Alec, all my clothing is inappropriate.

Whatever you wear, it'll be fine.

Well, I can't help thinking what those other girls' mothers will be wearing. I

suppose I'll need my best shirt, huh?

Oh, what's the use? We look like a pair of farmers.

We are farmers.

The vegetables are mush.

And the roast is like a piece of leather.

And the gravy is like the consistency of wallpaper paste.

This is cruel.

This is inhuman.

This is inedible.

Felicity, what is it?

Dear, you look unwell. Come here.

I do feel sick.

Oh, it's the scholarship business. You'll be fine.

No, I won't.

Oh, Felicity.

Mother.

Father. I've decided.

I don't want to go to Kingsport.

What?

What brought this about?

I don't blame you if you hate me for the rest of your lives.

Or if you banish me forever.

Will you just tell us what's happened?

I'm the worst daughter in the whole world.

I just felt so inferior to all those other girls.

And there I was in all of Sarah's dresses.

And they thought that I was one of them.

And so I said that I was.

I pretended to be Sarah.

And I told them... I told them that you weren't my parents.

You what?

I know that you'll never forgive me, and I don't blame you.

I'll take any punishment. I deserve the worst.

I'm so sorry.

Here, use this.

Oh, Alec.

Are we really so dreadful that she had to pretend we weren't her parents?

It isn't about you.

You know Felicity.

She always has to be the best.

The other girls intimidated her.

daughter to disowning me.

Well, we'd better write to Mrs.

Cavendish and have to withdraw her name. We'll do nothing of the sort.

Felicity, well, she's created this mess.

She's going to have to pay the piper.

Felicity?

Mother. Mother will never speak to me again.

Well, I can't condone what you did.

But I just don't understand how the bright, pretty,

self -assured girl I know could ever feel that intimidated or inferior.

They just all knew so much more than me.

They had been so many places.

Well, as your Aunt Eddie likes to say, talk is cheap.

Education is what makes the man or woman.

Well, your whole life is an education in who you are, who you will become.

And for you to be ashamed of us is to be ashamed of yourself.

And I don't want you to ever feel like that.

Oh, Father, I'm truly sorry.

I know, dear.

I think you should make amends.

How do you mean?

Well, you'll go to Kingsport to do that interview.

And they will meet the real Felicity King.

I want to begin by telling you what a genuine pleasure it is to meet you.

Felicity has told us how kind you've been to her.

We've heard that there's a great deal that Felicity has told you.

Yes.

I disgraced myself before the committee.

And do not deserve the scholarship to Kingsport Ladies College.

Whatever are you talking about, Felicity?

The dresses I wore to the school belonged to my cousin, Sarah.

I've never been to Paris.

I've lived in Avonlea all my life.

On the King farm.

With my parents.

Miss King, I never heard the like.

Why, Felicity?

I wanted the scholarship.

I thought I had to be as good as all the other girls.

They all came from wealthy families, private schools.

And all those questions about piano lessons and figure skating, English

schools and orchids from South America.

I see.

I would like to withdraw my application.

I am not worthy to be a KLC girl.

Miss King.

What you did was very wrong.

But I see we owe you an apology as well.

Whatever for?

As you were speaking, I realized that our criteria have become too narrow.

Beyond the grasp of most girls.

We may have lost our true aim, academic excellence.

I had never heard of dressage or organs until I came here.

You're obviously a fine girl, Miss King, and we will accept your withdrawal from

next year's class.

But please, when you are ready to leave Avonlea, we would be happy to consider

your application.

Yes, Mr. Cavendish.

What happened to you?

None of those clothes were mine.

And I've never even been to Paris.

Or anywhere else, for that matter.

I live on a farm.

And I attend a one -room schoolhouse taught by my Aunt Hetty.

But I still beat both of you in academic standing.

Felicity, are you ready?

Ready, Father.

Good day, ladies.

Well, I never.

Her mark's really better than yours, Emily.

Look, there she is. What a snob. She just found her own parents.

I'd like to do that sometimes.

Hello, Felicity.

How was Kingsport?

I hear things went swimmingly.

It was an education.

Going to Paris anytime soon? Talk is cheap, Sally Potts.

And so are you.

That's my girl.

I don't want to talk to that Chef Pierre.

He's from Trois -Rivières.

Come on. He's a chef extraordinaire.

Come on, Ruthie. He's really very nice.

Three orders of flank steak, Pierre.

Flank. Ah, buffet party.

Right away.

Bienvenue, les amis.

Miss Kang?

I don't blame you for being angry with me, Gus.

May I show you to your table?

I behaved so badly, Gus.

I know what you tried to do.

I'm sorry about the scholarship, Felicity.

I know it meant a lot to you.

I discovered it didn't mean as much as I thought.

Here. Too much Dijon in the mingarette.

Phoenix, what would I do without you?