Original subtitles

Hey, you!

No school today, Mr Leigh?

Half time.

A quarter of bull's eyes!

All in good time, son.

I bet you could do with a rest from some of the little beggars, eh?

Yes.

Now then, junior.

A quarter of bull's eyes.

That's rather a lot of money you've got there.

It's my money, mister.

Where'd you get this?

I... I said, it's my money, and I want my sweets.

Sure, you're a millionaire.

What's your name?

Drop dead.

Get out, you little...

Hey, you forgot your sweets.

That's not too tight?

Well, no bones broken anyway.

But you could do with a wash.

Some are born to wash, some have washing thrust upon them,

and some just don't.

Oh, you.

Can I go now?

I'll take you home in a minute.

Will you get back in time to eat dinner?

Unless you bring me any more twisted ankles or Mrs Quentin

has another of her terms. She's about due for one.

A change to have you home for once.

Well, I'll see what I can do.

Ouch!

Now what did you want to do that for?

- Let me go. - Oh, no, no, no, no.

I said I'd take you home.

And no nonsense.

I want to go home!

Hello, Dr Leigh speaking.

Who?

Oh, Mr.s Quentin.

Yes.

Well now, where do you live?

The roundabout, over the garage.

Oh, yes.

I know.

Say, Mr?

Mm-hmm?

You're a teacher at the posh school, aren't ya?

Yes.

Well, I don't go much for school.

Oh, why not?

Well, take that Miss Maddux that teachers our class, she's awful.

Well, last week... well, she said she'd tell my mother,

and she knows ready well I never had no mother, only people

like that Gretel and Annette.

Well...

Well, how about telling me your name now?

OK, if you like.

It's Tod.

Tod?

Thomas Oliver Dawson, or Tod for short-like.

Yes, I see.

Oh... have one?

Thank you.

Yes.

Um, about... about... about the five-pound note.

Oh, you don't have to worry about that, Mister.

Mike's got a million of them.

Mike?

Oh, my old man.

He's on the horse.

Well, seems to me it was worth it, digging

you up in this unlikely spot.

It took me six months, you know?

Little Annette doesn't like being run out on.

Who ran out?

What do you call this, then?

Convenient.

I bet.

Had to find a school for the kid.

This one seemed to suit him.

Oh, you're still trailing around the brat, then?

Cut that out.

I've told you before.

OK.

OK.

I guess I'm just jealous.

Just leave the kid out of it, that's all.

All those months, eating my heart up.

Still at the same place?

Are you kidding?

When you went, you left one or two bills to pay, including the rent.

Broke?

Life's not easy for a girl on her own, you know?

I've been having a bit of a thin time myself.

All I want is us together, like the old times.

What's the matter?

You been at my wallet?

What do you mean?

Have you been up at wallet?

If you think I came here for your stinking money...

All right, all right.

Keep your hair on.

I had a fiver in here.

I don't care what you had in there!

You're not getting away with this sort of treatment.

Annette.

Not by a long shot, Mr Ruddy Dawson!

Say!

Is she back?

Hello, what's the matter with you?

Oh, I fell running.

He twisted his ankle.

My wife's a doctor, so we fixed him up.

Oh, thanks.

He's always doing something.

My name's Stephen Leigh.

Oh, he's a teacher at the posh school.

- I'm Dawson. - How do you do?

Come on in.

Oh, any grub? I'm hungry.

You know where it is.

You'll have to excuse the place, no woman about the house.

Oh, no.

Head cook and bottle washer, that's me.

Well, he'll be all right now.

I must be getting back.

Well, won't you have a drink?

After coping with this lot, you'll need one.

Well, no thanks.

Perhaps some other time.

See you again, Tod.

Sure.

Any time, professor.

Nice to have met you. Thanks again.

Not at all.

Bye Mr.

Bye bye.

Digger.

Hey Digger, want some?

That's a good dog.

What's he after?

Oh, he's on the level.

And that Annette, is she back again?

No.

Oh, I don't like her much.

Well anyway, don't suppose we'll be around much longer.

Why?

There's a bloke says he can fix a tour of South America.

But we only just came to this place!

So what?

Can we take Digger?

No, 'fraid not.

We'll have to get rid of him.

But you said I could keep him!

It's no use arguing.

Well, why can't you fix a job here?

'Cuz there ain't non going, clever.

And anyway, it suits me to blow for a bit.

Which reminds me, what about handing over that fiver you lifted?

I don't know what you mean.

I didn't lift no fiver.

I never saw no fiver.

Come on, give.

Honest, I didn't.

I said, give.

OK.

Uh-huh.

Now, look here, son.

Lift a fiver from somebody else, that's business.

Lift it from me, that's stealing.

OK?

And you told a barefaced lie, didn't you?

Well, that's for not sticking to it.

And that's for nearly getting away with it.

That dog of yours has got more sense.

Hey, Digger!

Aw, he'll find his way home.

Yeah, but what do you want to go in there for?

I told ya, to find Mister.

What, him again?

Are you yella?

Who's yella?

Well, come on then.

Hey, hey, hey!

Boys, now, come along. Break it up.

Break it up. You've been told about this before.

Sir.

We're only doing the Battle of Hastings, sir.

- 1066. - Yes.

I suppose you're William the Conqueror.

Please, sir.

He said the Normans had a secret weapon,

and that's why they beat the Saxons.

That isn't right, is it, sir?

Depends on what you mean by secret weapon, I think.

Now, come on, boys. We all want our tea.

Yes, quite right.

Off you go, boys.

We'll discuss it tomorrow.

And boys... boys, wait until you get outside to fight

the Battle of Hastings, will you?

Yes, sir.

If you're not careful, they'll be enjoying school next.

Colbrooke?

Yes, I thought it was.

Colbrooke, how's your Latin?

All right, sir.

All right, is it?

Well, translate sursum corda.

I don't know, sir.

No, I didn't think you would.

Well, it means keep your tail up.

Sursum corda.

Please, sir.

We just call him Fat Seat, sir.

Do you?

So much for trying to teach them a language of dignity and poetry...

Fat Seat.

Oh, Mr Leigh...

One moment, will you, please?

Ow!

Who did that?

It's out of the question.

How do you think that boy would fit into this school?

I mean, look at his council school record, that's bad enough.

Of course.

Look, headmaster, I know Tod's background is unsatisfactory.

- How can you expect anything else? - Well, I don't expect...

The boy has been dragged all over the world ever since he was a baby.

He's just come back from running practically

wild in Australia for four years.

He came up before the juvenile court some months ago.

Yes, but... I mean, if every boy who pinches a couple of apples is...

That's how it starts.

And you want me to have him here?

Yes, I do.

I think we have a duty to boys like Tod.

Who's going to pay his fees?

Dawson?

You know what he does for a living?

Um, yes.

He's a sort of musical artist.

Fifth-rate.

And out of work more often than in.

What else he gets up to is his own affair.

I certainly wouldn't trust him to pay up.

But is it all that important?

Well, we're not a charitable institution.

No, I suppose not.

But what's going to happen to the boy?

I've got to know him.

He's not fundamentally bad.

But unless someone takes him at hand, he's going to grow up bad.

We're really arguing a purely academic matter, aren't we?

No, I don't think so.

Even suppose I agreed with you, you know as well as I do,

we have a waiting list.

I can't justify anyone jumping it.

And certainly not a boy like Tod.

That's all there is to it.

All the same, you don't agree with me, do you?

Well, let's say I've got a whole school to think of.

I wouldn't take it too seriously if I were you.

That boy's kind have a pernicious habit of survival.

You can depend on that.

If you want to keep an eye on him personally... oh!

What the blazes?!

If I get my hands on the blighter who did that...

Well, you must admit, it was a pretty good shot, sir.

Perhaps it's something to do with the Battle of Hastings.

- The Battle of Hastings? - Well, it was something that I...

Well, I'll have to institute a search for illicit weapons.

See you tomorrow.

Yes, sir.

Hey, Mister.

Mister!

Tod!

Get in, keep down, and be quiet.

Why do you have to do these things?

Because I like seeing people yelp.

When I grow up, I'm going to bash...

You'll get bashed yourself if you don't get out of sight.

I don't want to bash you.

Well, that's something.

All right, you can come up now.

Thanks.

You know, I'm going to miss you.

Miss me?

We're going away tomorrow.

South America.

I thought the trip was off.

Oh.

Well, it's on again.

So suddenly?

Are you telling me the truth, Tod?

Cross my heart.

We always leave everywhere sudden.

Well, when are you coming back?

I guess we don't come back.

We never do.

See, Mike says we can't take my dog Digger.

So will you have him, Mister?

That's what I came to ask.

Will you, hey?

What?

Oh!

Yes, of course, boy.

Yes, of course.

We'll look after him.

You had any tea, yet?

Fish and chips dinner time.

I think perhaps you better come back and have some with us.

OK.

Hi, ya, Geezer.

I told you before, none of your lip.

Why you want to bring his sort of rubbish into the house,

I don't know.

I agree with you, Perry.

You always feed him pretty well, all the same.

He's too skinny.

I can't abide skinny boys.

I think perhaps you ought to stop calling her Geezer.

Her name's Mrs Perryman.

Hey, Mister, I kind of like this.

See, it sort of looks...

Real.

Yes, I see what you mean.

Tod, would you like to keep it and take it with you?

You mean, the book for keeps?

Mm-hmm.

Oh, Mister, would you please write my name

on it so everyone knows it's mine?

Yes, of course.

See, I never had no one give me a book before.

Now... now, look, how do you think I can write

with your great head in the way?

Mister!

Gosh, Mister!

To my friend Thomas Oliver Dawson, from Stephen Lawton Leigh.

Hello, Love.

Hello, Darling.

Hello, Tod.

What have you got there?

Let's have a look.

He give it to me.

Oh... look at it.

Uh, I think I'd better go now.

I'll bring Digger over in the morning.

Well, you haven't had any tea.

I've got to pack.

Thanks, Mister.

Hey, hey!

Bye, Doc.

Bye, bye.

Now then, you young devil, what are you up to this time?

Nothing!

Hello, Margery.

That boy, he's becoming a menace.

Time something was done about him. If his father can't keep him out...

Oh, I agree. What do you suggest?

If he tries any more nonsense with me,

he'll find himself in the hands of the police.

Down Friends League... I brought your box.

You'll find the receipt on the back.

You didn't get very much, did you?

I'm sorry, Margery.

I think you ought to find somebody who can spend more time collecting.

Nonsense.

You have hundreds of people in that surgery

of yours every day of the week.

If they get their medical treatment free,

they can jolly well afford to spend their money on a good cause.

- Margery, would you like some tea? - No, no.

No thanks.

I mustn't waste your time, or mine.

Don't you stand any nonsense from that Dawson boy.

He'll spit in your eye as soon as look at you.

I know his sort.

Dear heaven, make me good enough to meet Margery Blundell

without wanting to crown her.

Amen.

Well, she's your friend.

Oh, Steve... hardly my friend.

Nice to see you home early, for once.

Yes.

That boy's becoming quite a regular visitor.

Well, I just asked him in for tea.

You don't mind, do you?

Mind?

I thought you had enough of the little horrors all day.

Bar, do you ever wonder what sort of a chance

a boy like that's got of becoming a decent human being?

I suppose world is full of waifs and strays.

But I just haven't your patience.

No... what I... what I mean is...

I am going to have a drink.

Would you like one?

No, thank you.

Anyway, they're going away tomorrow.

He and his father. I have agreed to look after his dog.

Do you mind?

His dog?

Digger?

Digger?

Digger?

Digger?

Digger?

No!

Dad, you can't!

No, no!

You can't.

Let me in!

Mister!

Mister!

Hey, Mister, come quick!

He's drowning Digger.

He's drowning Digger!

What's this all about?

He's drowning Digger in the bath!

He's drowning Digger!

Tod, Tod, Tod!

He's drowning Digger.

Bar, take him and keep him here.

Shh, shh.

I wish I was dead.

I wish I was dead.

You drink this.

Come on.

Go to hell!

Hello, Professor.

Warm work, digging.

Tod! Tod!

There's nothing you to see, boy.

Now, you...

The dirty swine!

- The dirty... - Yeah, that's enough of that.

Time you were in bed anyway.

We've got to make an early start in the morning.

Jump to it.

Hey!

Stephen, what...

Hysteria!

And...

- Dawson's just done... - Who are you?

What do you want?

Excuse me barging in.

Door was open.

Where's the professor?

It's...

Ah, Professor.

Just like to collect my kid, if you don't mind?

You killed Digger!

You killed Digger!

- You dirty, old... - Now, now.

- That's enough. - You killed Digger!

Cut it out.

Shut up!

Fiendish temper.

Only way to deal with it.

- Come on, we're going home. - I won't go.

- Barbara, take him upstairs. - You'll do as I tell you.

Barbara!

What is all this?

Whose kid is he, anyway?

I'll kill you.

When I'm bigger, I'll kill you!

There's a boy.

Let's get your jacket off.

That's it.

Oh!

That's it.

I'll give him a sedative.

Cover him up, would you?

There, love.

Now, look, Mr Leigh, I like to be civil.

But don't you think you're being a bit high-handed?

Perhaps I am.

But you've just done something so brutal...

What?

What, a tap on the head?

Tod's had worse than that and live through it.

Look, I'm not talking about that.

I mean his dog.

Good heavens, is that all this fuss is about?

Now, look, Professor, let's be reasonable, shall we?

Reasonable?

We're sailing tomorrow.

I can't trail dogs about with me.

I had to get rid of it.

In a way that'll haunt a child like Tod for years?

Have you got any kids.

Not of my own.

No.

No, I thought not.

Easy to see you don't know much about it.

Mr Dawson, I haven't...

Tod'll have forgotten all about this in the morning.

I'm afraid he won't.

Professor, I know my son.

He's not a bad kid, but he wants mastering.

He's a bit of a handful, you know... taking

him about, all over the place.

Then why do you?

Because I'm his father.

Well, why don't you board him out at the school?

Oh, I've tried that time and again.

Good schools too when I could afford it.

What does he do?

Runs away.

When you fetch back again...

He runs away again.

Exactly.

Well, once, he even bit the warden.

Temper, I'm telling you.

Half a tonne of explosive with a split second flashpoint.

Well, you saw it just now.

Only one way to deal with a hysterical kid

is to knock it out of him, hard.

I wouldn't have believed that anybody

could be so blatantly ignorant.

Ignorant, is it?

Listen, if you think you can talk to me like that, just because...

Do you want it straight?

I don't think you're fit to be his father.

I ought to knock you right through the wall.

How is he?

I've given him a pretty strong sedative.

I'll give him a sedative.

Just to fetch him down here.

Mr Dawson, I am a doctor.

And I'm telling you, that boy is sick.

Sick?

Sick with temper, that's all it is.

He's suffering from a form of shock.

It's something you don't fool about with.

He'll be all right in a few days.

In a few days?

We're leaving in the country tomorrow!

You'll have to postpone your departure, I'm afraid.

I can't do that.

We've got to leave tomorrow, or else I'll lose my booking.

Well, you can get a refund.

I don't mean the tickets.

I've got a job, see.

Six weeks tour of South America.

Best dates I've had for years.

That child, I'm afraid, is in no state to travel.

He'll have to, won't he?

Nothing else for it.

Why... why don't you leave the boy with us?

We've got a spare room.

We'd be glad to take care of him.

He's my kid.

Well, yes, of course.

But it's a solution, isn't it?

Is he really sick?

Well, suppose we have a drink and see if we can work something out?

Oh, I never say no to a drink.

I mean, it's not just like...

Well, taking in the dog, is it?

No.

You do a thing like that on the spur of the moment

without even asking.

Barbara, I'm not asking you to cope with a boy.

Finished?

Yes.

Anyway, it won't be for very long.

How do you know that?

Well, he said six weeks.

He said.

A man like that comes and goes.

I don't trust him!

At least you might have given me a chance to say

what I feel before involving us.

Yes, I should have done that.

I'm sorry.

We've been married six years now...

This is most unfair, Steve.

I know what you're going to say.

But you remember what we agreed when we got married.

Yes, yes.

No children until we've made a start in both of our careers.

- We made a bargain. - I know.

But how long does it take to...

Steve, I've only been in practise for a year.

I couldn't drop everything straight away.

You never wanted me to.

Yeah.

Only, how long should we wait, Barb?

Hello, Tod.

Hello.

You, uh... you didn't have any breakfast this morning.

I wasn't hungry.

You're sulking you know.

This won't do.

Don't you think you ought to get along to school?

Why?

Well, you don't want to get me into trouble, do you?

Guess not.

Where did you learn this?

Oh, I picked it up somewhere.

You're not bad.

I tell you what, you get along school,

and when you get home tonight we'll have a go together, huh?

You're not bad!

How'd you like to try it on a real set of drums?

Gee, Mister!

We had quite a sessions together.

Gee, Mister, that was quite something.

Very good, Tod.

But you've got to keep at it, boy.

Practise.

You ain't heard nothing yet.

It'll drive me mad, you know?

Only another five minutes.

I wish you'd never thought of those drums.

Well, you're not at home all that much.

Oh, don't lose my place.

I want to sit down.

Darling, I had 36 patients in surgery this evening.

I've got to get through this.

You must have nerves of steel.

Barbara, look at the change in him.

He's found something he can do...

A positive way of using his energy, instead of breaking things.

I think that's important.

It's a very noisy form of occupational therapy, all the same.

I wish you'd get a bit closer to him...

Try and show that you like him.

But I do.

Tod, time you were up.

Tod?

Tod!

Be careful!

Now, stop fooling about, and come in here at once.

A bloke in Australia taught me.

He had a wire act.

Well, don't you think it's a little bit dangerous, hmm?

He said if you put a plank on the floor you'd walk it.

Why worry because there's a bit of air underneath.

Hey, aren't you forgetting something?

What?

You haven't washed this morning, have you?

I washed before I went to sleep!

You can't get dirty just lying in bed.

Nevertheless, it is quite usual to wash again in the morning.

All this washing, it's such a waste of time.

Mike never used to fuss so.

And it's sissy!

Catch.

Oh.

Tell you what we'll do, forget the washing, see,

and I'll brush me teeth.

Misters says it's always important to brush your teeth.

Well, you'd better not be late for school, anyway.

Hi, Tod.

Hi, Eddie.

What you doing?

Going to school.

Ha, ha.

What you mean, ha, ha?

Just, ha, ha.

Don't see you around much these days.

Being good?

Lay off.

I promised Mister.

Ha, ha, ha, ha!

See you later if you like.

Teacher's pet.

I said, lay off!

He isn't my teacher anyway.

So what?

You've gone soft.

Who you calling soft?

You.

You've gone soft.

Say that again.

You've gone soft.

Look, a fight!

Go on!

Give him one!

Pound him!

Get him!

Go on!

Go on!

Come on!

Come on!

Go on!

Gee, that was quite some fight.

They'll give us trouble over that wont'cha.

Aw, I'll get the geezer to mend it.

Hey, you need a raw steak for that eye or something.

Oh, it ain't nothing.

You know to say ain't.

I didn't?

Why not?

Cause it ain...

Isn't proper.

Ain't it?

Well, anyway, who's the geezer?

The housekeeper.

Cor... housekeeper and all.

Been with a couple of months now, ain't ya?

What's it like?

Oh, OK, I guess.

Mister's OK.

He got me set of drums.

And he's not half bad at the piano.

What about his misses?

Oh, she ain't the same.

She's crazy about washing and all that stuff.

I get along though.

Suppose I ought to get off to school.

What?

Listen, I know where there's a smashing robin's nest.

What say we go and take a look?

Oh, I don't know.

Oh, come on!

What about some grub first?

Where?

Oh, I got an idea?

Real steak and all.

Come on!

Here, what are you up to?

Come here... Come here at once.

You've been fighting again.

Now, how many times have you been told not to?

There were six of them, honest.

And I'm the Queen of Sheba.

Just look at yourself.

Any elevenses?

Biscuits in the cupboard and milk in the fridge.

Better tidy yourself up first, though.

Wait a minute.

What are you doing here, anyway?

You should be at school.

Sure.

I'll go after.

What do you mean, "you'll go after?"

Look, there's geography this morning,

and I've been to more places than that Miss Maddux ever likely to go.

Well, I'm going to see to it that you'll go right now.

Oh, be a sport, geezer.

Do you want me to tell Mr Leigh?

No, please!

Come here.

No, let me go!

Oh, no you don't.

Let me go!

You're going to pay for this, my boy.

I'm going to have your drums taken away for a start.

Oh, not my drums!

Please, geezer!

I'll...

I'll geezer you.

Tod!

Stop it!

But why did he do it?

It's that temper of his.

I thought he got over it.

And then, for no reason at all...

He's been out there ever since.

He won't even answer me.

I see.

A stay-out strike, huh?

Well, haven't you got anything to say for yourself?

She sneaked on me.

She's a sneak!

All right, that's enough.

Now, you come in and apologise.

No.

All right.

Well, I'm going to shut this window.

And when you're ready to come in and apologise in a civilised manner,

I'll open it, and not before.

I don't care.

Well, you wait and see how you feel when it gets dark

and you begin to get hungry.

Where are going for your holidays...

Don't you think it's about time...

Do go on.

Well, I was only going to say, it's 10 o'clock.

- We ought to be going. - Quite right.

We're all working girls and boys.

I must say, Barbara, for a career girl,

you can knock up a jolly good meal.

Too good for me.

I shall suffer for it tomorrow.

You mean your boys will suffer for it.

Night cap, Tony?

No thanks, it'll give me heartburn.

Milk of magnesia is the only thing.

Sorry, my dear, but I'm treading on your professional toes.

Not at all.

I've been known to prescribe it myself.

By the way, Stephen, how's the little horror getting along.

Tod?

Oh, he's very well, thank you.

No difficulties?

Why should there be?

Well, I suppose if you keep him firmly under control

and don't trust him further than you can throw him.

Rubbish!

That's the sort of attitude that makes juvenile delinquents up

- not cures them. - I'm sorry.

I was only voicing an opinion.

Uh, I'll... get your coat for you, Margery.

Thank you.

Six of the best for you, my lad.

Lovely evening, my dear.

Come have a session with us next time.

- Yes, I'd love that. - Good night, Barbara.

A very pleasant evening.

Goodbye, Tony.

Bye.

That was unpardonably rude of you.

Oh, for heaven's sake, I know.

On top of behaving like a bear with a sore head, all evening.

Oh, that woman gets my goat.

Why do we have to have her here?

Once in a blue moon, that's all.

Oh, Steve, we've had all this out before.

You know she's been a very good friend to mother...

Yes, and I have to suffer for it.

Well, I'm not mad about her either.

At least I remember my manners.

And I don't, I suppose.

Oh, don't be childish.

Are you going to let that boy in now,

or are you going to wait until he catches his death of cold?

I wish sometimes you'd forget to be a doctor.

Perhaps you'd get on better with him then.

Well, at least I don't treat him like a China doll one minute made

and behave like Captain Bligh the next?

Well, why do you think he continues to have these outbursts?

Because I tell him to wash and put on clean underpants, I suppose.

Is that it?

Well, if you want to put it like that?

Yes, partly.

In other words, I'm spoiling your experiment.

Experiment?

That's what it, hmm?

Well, isn't that what it is, if you're honest?

You forced that boy into this house, turning our lives upside down.

I just wanted to do something for him.

Oh, no, you didn't.

You were trying to prove what a good father you'd make.

Oh really.

You are so sure that you are the only one

capable of dealing with the boy.

Well, I haven't had much help from you.

But you haven't wanted any help.

Ever since he came here, you've made him your property.

Barbara, it really isn't my fault that you can't get on with Tod.

Oh, no!

It isn't your fault, is it?

It's nobody's fault!

I don't understand you.

What is it you're accusing me of?

Of being deaf and blind.

You're not the only one who wants a child, you know?

But just because it suits you now, because it suits you to throw

the bargain that we made... both of us,

remember... to throw it into my face.

To twist it so that it is all my fault. So that I...

I...

Barbara, Barbra, Barbara!

What are we talking about?

Isn't it time we stopped pretending to each other?

The real trouble is between us two...

Between you and me.

It's not what we feel about Tod.

You've forgotten that I'm your wife and not the would-be mother

of a strange child.

Perhaps you forgot that a long time ago and I've only just realised it.

Yes.

Perhaps it's just as well to realise how thin a marriage

can wear before it's too late.

Well?

I guess I'm sorry.

And do you reckon I'm civilised now?

Yes, I reckon you are.

Come on in.

Gee, Mister, I didn't mean it.

I just sort of got mad.

I'll tell the geezer I'm sorry.

And I'll chop some wood for her.

She hates chopping wood.

And I'll pick some fruit if she likes...

Yes, yes, yes. All right.

All right.

We'll discuss it in the morning.

Now, you get yourself ready for bed.

I'll fetch you some food.

And boy, next time you get all hot and bothered,

suppose you wait and talk to me about it first.

Is that a deal?

Sure.

Tod?

Anything wrong?

No, Half day today.

Oh.

Uh, these are for you.

Well, that... that's very nice of you.

Go on.

I don't want 'em.

Oh, thank you.

Well... I'd better be off.

Tod, would you, um...

Oh.

Would you like an ice cream or something?

Oh, I don't mind.

Do you like it?

Mm.

Well, I liked the flowers.

Oh, that was Mister's idea.

But I bought them with me own money.

You still don't like me very much, Tod, do you?

Why?

Well, let's face it, you didn't like me much either, do you?

You never wanted me around.

Oh, now, that's quite untrue.

Well, it never seemed as if you did.

I mean, you don't talk to me like Mister does.

Well, if I...

If I didn't like you, why would I have you living with us?

Well, to please Mister, I suppose.

Must you call him by that ridiculous name?

Call him Stephen, or Steve, or something.

You didn't call me Misses, do you?

Oh, I could, if you like.

Oh, well.

I think this is done now.

All right, let's have it then.

Careful now!

We don't want this lots to end up on the floor too.

What do you take me for, with me birthday tomorrow?

Anyway, I'm a reformed character.

Ouch!

Greedy.

My finger sort of slopped.

I bet!

Well, anyway, it's me own cake.

Not 'til tomorrow, it isn't.

- Psst. - Hi, Eddie!

Hi, Eddie!

Come on in!

Come on in, Eddie!

Who's this?

Another helper?

This is Eddie.

How are you, Eddie?

OK, thanks.

I suppose he wants tea.

Oh, can we have tea later?

Don't See Eddie and me...

Eddie and I want to slip off to the library.

There's a book I want to get.

I thought you were helping me.

Oh, have a heart, geezer.

See, the library will be closed in half an hour.

We'll help you later.

I don't mind.

All right, get along with you.

I can get on much faster without you.

Thanks, geezer.

Come on, Eddie boy!

That's him.

He's about the tops in jazz drummers.

Mister told me about him.

When are you going to show me your drums?

See, diagrams and things.

Don't mean nothing to me.

Drums just banging, ain't it?

Oh, that's all you know.

I'll show you when I get back.

Come on.

The reason.

Look at the Leighs, darling... intelligent couple.

He's supposed to be good with boys.

But what in the name of haven induced him

to take that little horror, Tod.

Mark my words, it will come to no good.

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday, dear Tod!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday, boy.

Gee, I never had a birthday like this before.

Thanks, Misses.

And thanks for the cake, geezer.

That's all right.

I wish Mike could see me now.

Let's see now if you have the strength

- to blow out all the candles. - Well, I bet he hasn't.

Bet I can!

Come on, then...

1, 2, 3, blow!

Well, now, look what you've done.

I told you to switch the points.

You should have come up the other side!

Yes, but if I'd done that, there... There would have been a collision.

Yes.

Well, what do you think has happened now?

Oh, a couple of kids.

Shall I break it up?

Your train.

Here I come!

I'm Billy the Kid!

I'm the champ!

I'm Superman!

Assault and battery.

Six months without the option.

Tod!

I'm too old for this...

sort of thing!

I bet it's Eddie!

Oh!

I hope it is.

Hi, Eddie!

Well... oh, I'm sorry if I'm intruding.

It's all right. You should come in.

Its Tod's birthday.

- Yes. - Would you like some birthday cake?

There's some left.

Oh, there's plenty.

I'm afraid I'm bringing some rather regrettable news.

And I'd like that young man to stay, if you please.

Oh, um... well, won't you sit down?

Sorry about the mess.

Oh, thank you.

Oh, well, it's getting late.

So if you'll excuse me...

Please don't go on my account.

Unfortunately, what I have to say may not

remain a private matter, anyway.

Oh, very well.

Oh?

Last night my house was burgled.

Nothing of any real value was taken... a few bits and pieces.

But the drawing room was left in the most disgraceful mess.

I am sorry.

Earlier in the day, I saw a boy,

Eddie, hanging around the house.

In fact, we had to turn him out of the garden.

He has a bad reputation.

And so I put two and two together.

And?

I've just been to see his father.

After questioning, the boy broke down.

And in his own words, gleaned, I imagine,

from the American films, me and my buddy bust up the joint

and knocked them off clean.

Well, I... I'm sorry, Margery.

Do go on.

He then disclose the name of that buddy.

It was Tod.

Have you any proof of this, apart from what the boy said?

Eddie returned everything he's taken, except for the lid

of a kind of glass bowl I have.

It seems that Tod took a fancy to that,

and he's hidden it in some special box he has.

Tod, will you please go up to your room and bring down your box?

Very touching.

Quite obviously, that box will be empty.

Margery, whether Tod took the lid to your bowl or not,

I think I can assure you that he'll bring down

his box with the contents intact.

Nonsense.

You've given a perfect opportunity to dispose of the evidence.

Come in.

Now, put the box on the table.

All right.

Take everything out of it.

Did you take this from Mrs Blundell's house?

Yes, Mister.

How did you get in?

Eddie forced a lock with my penknife.

Why did you do it?

Tod... come here.

We're right here.

Tod, if we were alone, would you tell me why you did this?

Yes, Mister.

But you see, if we were alone, people

might think that we were cooking up a good story, mightn't they?

See, it was what she said at the library.

Mm-hmm.

And what was that?

See, Ed and I heard her talking to some other old lady.

That little horror, she said, meaning me.

Oh... really.

If one can't pass a casual remark.

Go on, boy.

She went on about how she couldn't understand you having me.

Mister, I was mad.

I was all hot.

And then Ed said...

Must I?

Yes, please.

He said, I've got it in for the old bag, too.

Let's do her.

Thank you, Tod.

Now, why didn't you tell me about this before?

I was going to tell you tonight.

Yes.

But why wait a whole day before saying anything?

Because I never had a party before,

and I don't see why she bloody well spoilt it.

Tod, that's enough.

Now, go to your room and wait there.

It isn't hurt.

I wouldn't have broken anything so nice.

And it isn't very clean.

If you washed it in soapy water, polished it with a bit of leather,

all those stones would shine like jewels.

I rather wish you hadn't asked me to stay.

I think I'd better take my leave now.

I regard it as a matter of public concern.

I'm afraid I don't altogether agree,

and I don't think I'd make a very good witness.

I'll see you out.

Thank you.

Well, there you are, Stephen.

What are you going to do about it?

Well, it... it was a rather unfortunate thing

for you to have said, wasn't it?

Oh, so you approve of what he did?

Oh, of course I don't.

But I do see what happened.

He hurt you because you hurt him.

His sense of values was mixed.

Quite.

All he needs to be taught is the plain difference

- between right and wrong. - Very well.

And what do you want me to do?

In ordinary circumstances, I would have gone to the police.

Margery, if Tod comes up before the court again,

it will probably mean an approved school.

Quite so.

And I don't wish to cause unnecessary trouble.

If you will agree to give him, here and now,

a sound and proper thrashing, we'll let the matter drop.

I'm sorry, but that's out of the question.

But Tod's been thrashed before.

Not by me.

Then it'll be all the more effective.

Margery, when we took Tod, nearly a year ago, he'd been kicked

and thrashed into a tough little boy.

What he needed above all was someone he could trust.

He's come to trust us.

And if I now do what you ask, I destroy that trust.

He'd become bitter and resentful.

He'd revert to type.

Is that what you want?

Rubbish.

I brought up three boys without them resenting

a thrashing when they deserved it.

And two of them are doing extremely well.

Look, I'm not campaigning against corporal punishment.

All I'm saying is that, in this case...

In this case, I'm giving you the opportunity

to keep the boy out of court.

Margery, please don't force me into this.

I'm afraid you've no alternative... have you?

Has she gone?

Come here, Tod.

What are you going to do?

I said, come here.

You said, if I tell the truth...

You said, always to tell the truth.

That'll do.

You're going to beat me.

Yes.

I'd better see what that was.

I think, perhaps, I'd like you to go now.

Certainly.

And I'm glad you made the right decision.

That's not the way I'd put it.

I'm afraid Stephen will never see eye-to-eye with me over this.

I don't suppose he will.

Pity.

Good bye.

Good bye.

Tod?

Tod!

Hello, professor.

Long time no see.

Dawson.

Meet the wife.

Hi.

Well, um... well, what do you want?

How do you like that, honey.

What do you want, the man says.

I've come to fetch Tod.

Now then, Tod, you heard the police Constable.

Do you agree that you broke those windows

and that everything happened as he described it?

I guess so.

You've kept out of trouble for over a year.

Mr Leigh has been very kind to you and looked after you.

And you've been happy with him, haven't you?

And then you go and do a thing like this.

I want to say I'm sorry.

Well, that's something.

No doubt.

But you can't just go and fly off the handle like that, can you?

I won't do it again.

Very well.

Suppose we gave you another chance, Tod.

Suppose we allowed you to go home with your father.

Would you promise to behave yourself in future?

Yes, sir.

Thank you, sir.

Very well.

Tod, would you wait outside for a moment?

Mr Dawson.

I think I can promise you, sir, if you let me handle Tod,

there'll be no more trouble.

That's all very well, Mr Dawson.

But it isn't quite as straightforward as that.

Your record for looking after Tod is not encouraging.

You've just been away for a long time, leaving him with Mr Leigh

without a word from you.

When I went away, sir, I knew Tod was in good hands.

Things were tough with me for a bit.

Yes, but you could at least have written to your son.

What?

To say I was out cold...

No money, no prospects.

Is that anything to write home about?

Very well.

What makes you confident that you're more capable of giving

the boy a stable background now?

Well, for one thing I got married.

And the boy will have a mother about the house.

Secondly, I've had a bit of luck and retired from the halls.

I'm going to buy a pub, settle down for good.

And finally, with respect, sir, I am the boy's father.

And grateful though I am to Mr Leigh for looking after him for me,

I would like to point out he's never tried to run away from me.

Hello, Tod.

Hi.

So you're going back to your father, huh?

See what he's brought me all the States?

Smashing, isn't it?

Yes.

We're going to miss you, Barbara and I. You'll come and see us,

won't you?

Why should I?

You don't like me much, do you?

- At least Mike likes me. - Tod.

And there's lots more things he brought me back... a whole

space outfit... atom ray proof.

Boy... boy, listen to me.

That night you ran away, I never had the chance to explain.

Forget it.

I acted like a kid.

I've learned my lesson now.

Yes.

So... what I wanted to say was that...

Come on, son.

OK.

We'll soon be going home.

Good bye, Mister.

Good bye, boy.

Oh, Stephen.

You wanted to see me.

Yes, sir.

I am... I've come to offer my resignation.

I shan't be returning next term.

My dear fellow, that's very serious news.

Now, I'd know why not.

Well, I should have thought it was fairly obvious.

You've heard about Tod Dawson?

Oh, yes.

I hear he's been put on probation.

But how does that affect your position here?

Well, I hardly think it sheds very good light on someone who

is supposed to bring up children.

My dear fellow, no one's going to question your capabilities here.

No, perhaps not, sir.

But it would save a lot of embarrassment all the way around.

I really can't see the connection.

In any case, the boy is no longer with you, is he?

No, he's with his father.

But he... he was with me when he got into trouble.

Forgive me if I speak frankly, but aren't you taking on this a bit

too personally?

Am I?

But you're losing your sense of proportion about the whole thing.

All Dawson had to do was to flash a couple of toys under his nose.

Do you really believe that?

Hasn't it occurred to you that ultimately he was

going back to his father anyway?

Steve, you've got dozens of boys under your care at the school.

It's the job you're good at.

It's what you want to do in life.

You're telling me you'd give all that up just because you

made a mistake with one child?

But he ignored me.

He wouldn't even let me explain.

Oh, darling.

Stop feeling sorry for yourself.

Look, I said the effect of beating him would be disastrous.

And I was right.

Maybe.

It was more than that, wasn't it?

Do you remember what you said that night

about our marriage wearing thin?

You wanted from Tod the trust, the love that was missing in our lives.

That's why I resented him.

I suppose... I suppose we were losing sight of each other.

Tod made us see that.

Yet he was the one who suffered.

Yes.

It's a bit of a mess, isn't it?

Yes.

So we'll have to put it right, won't we?

All right, that's enough.

Cut the row.

The kid's in the groove!

I said, cut the row!

Hey.

What do you want to do that for?

When I say shut up, I mean shut up.

Yes, but yesterday you said you liked me to Practise.

Yesterday I didn't have a headache.

Yes, but you said...

Listen, are you arguing?

Because if you are, it won't take me a minute to burn that rubbish.

Quit bellyaching.

I asked him in.

Well, you can ask him right out again!

Go on, get lost.

Take that stuff with you.

See you later, Tod.

OK.

...like a beehive.

That's no reason to take it out on the kid, is it?

You know so much about kids, I suppose.

Just because you've got a hangover...

My business, isn't it?

Yeah.

And I'm fed up with you getting sozzled every night

and behaving like this every morning.

Oh, you are, are you?

Well, I've got news for you, you're not the only one that's fed up.

And you can do what you like about it.

Ha.

That's a laugh.

I can do what I like?

Remember that guff you handed me about how we'd all settle down...

You, me, and the kid?

A nice, little, quiet little place in the country, you said.

Well, if you're so keen on remembering, what about the mess

I got you away from?

That's right, throw that in my face.

If it hadn't been for my dough and my lawyer,

you'd be sitting in gaol now.

I'd have had a quiet life there.

Oh, lay off, will ya?

Is it my fault it's not my kind of life, sticking to one place?

And to one woman.

OK, you said it.

Not me.

Well, I'm sticking, aren't I?

Only, don't ask me to stick it sober.

Just don't take it out on the kid. That's all.

Good evening.

Good evening, Mrs Dawson.

Can I get you something?

Uh, gin and tonic, thank you.

Gin and tonic, and a scotch and soda, please.

Here we are.

Oh, it's the other way around.

Gin is for my wife.

Nice to see you again.

Do you think perhaps we could have a word with your husband?

Yes.

Well... he's...

Well, well, well, the professor and the Mrs This is a pleasure.

So what do you think of the place?

Not bad, eh?

You should come more often.

Yes, well... we... we really came to ask how Tod was.

Oh, he's fine.

Just fine.

Isn't he, honey?

Goes to school regular too.

I'm glad to hear that.

Do you think, perhaps, we could see him some time?

Why not? No ill feelings.

He'll be tickled to death.

Couldn't see him now, I suppose?

Well, now... growing kids need a lot of sleep, don't they?

He's in bed?

What do you think?

Oh, yes.

Of course.

- Have another, one on the house. - Oh, no thank you.

- We only popped in for a minute. - Come on, Doc.

You persuade him.

No, I'm afraid we really must be going.

- Thank you. - Well, nice to see you anyway.

Come in again.

Yes, we'll do that. Good night.

Oh, thank you very much. Good night, Mrs Dawson.

Good night.

Oh, Mrs Leigh...

- Give our love to Tod. - ...don't worry about the kid.

He's really OK.

Darling, I don't believe that child is in bed.

He's lying.

Look!

Hey, Tod!

Hey, barmen, how about some service.

Yeah, how 'bout some service.

We'll have to complain to the management.

He's drinking his own liquor too.

- What about one on the house, eh? - Yeah, come on.

How about it?

Dry up!

What do you know, junior's got a voice.

Lay off!

Come on, Tod. You shouldn't be in here.

- Off to bed. - Well, what the heck.

Junior's only learning his trade.

Aren't you?

I come to get a drink.

I'll take you up.

Nighty night.

I don't like that mob.

It's a living.

Have anything to eat?

Hello, there.

Oh, we're having fun?

I'm taking him to bed.

Sure.

Where all good little boys should be, eh?

Well, what's all the hurry?

I'm frightened.

I was asleep, and...

Stop it!

My son, frightened of a nightmare?

I'm not!

I'm not!

You're drunk.

Dutch courage, boy.

That's what you want.

Have a drop of Dutch courage, son.

Mike!

Why, you little...

Leave him alone!

Beat it, Tod!

Quick!

Stop it!

Stop it!

Let me go!

Leave that kid alone!

I'll teach you, you little...

No!

Tod, what is it?

Here, give me hand, will you?

Get him onto the sofa. Get a rug.

Yes. Right.

I've got him.

I've got him.

Boy, what is it?

He... he's...

What is it?

What's happened?

Is he...

Can't you tell me?

All right.

Well, you don't... you don't have to talk if you don't want to.

It will be all right.

- What's the matter? - Cover him up, would you?

What happened?

Ah, the poor child.

That's it.

Come on, boy.

Now, drink this.

No!

No!

What's the matter? It'll do you good.

- Come on. - No!

Darling, don't force him.

All right.

But I... I don't understand it.

Why can't you tell us what's wrong, Tod?

I think we'd better get him to bed.

All right.

Come on then, boy.

Up you go. That's it.

Up.

Dr Leigh?

Yes?

I'm sorry to trouble you so late.

I'm Inspector Birch.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Do come in.

Thanks.

I was wondering if you've seen anything of young Tod Dawson?

Well, I must say, it's a bit much to send the police after him.

What is it?

Dawson has sent the police to look for Tod.

I don't care if they've sent the chief constable.

Just a minute, sir.

The boy is here?

Yes, he is.

And I should like to hear the explanation of the state

that he's in.

Mrs Dawson will be here in a few minutes.

I'm afraid Mr Dawson is not in a position to do much explaining.

You see, he's dead.

Now, there's absolutely nothing to be scared about, Tod.

But we must know what happened this evening.

Please, won't you tell us about it?

Boy... Boy, won't you tell me what's happened?

Mike's dead.

Yes.

How did you know?

You told me.

Did you know before I told you?

Mike's dead.

Look, Tod, if you really think it's too bad to talk about,

would you like to have my notebook and write

it down in your own words?

Inspector, must we go on like this?

Why can't you say what's happened and be done with it?

Very well, I'm sorry about this, but it's a serious matter.

There's only one thing to do.

- Simpson? - Sir?

Both come up, will you?

Mrs Dawson.

Won't you sit down?

Now, Mrs Dawson, you've been extremely cooperative so far.

I wonder if you'd mind repeating what you've told me just now.

Why again?

Why again?

I told you!

Now, Mrs Dawson, please.

Believe me, I'm sorry to have to take you all through this again,

but especially if Dalton was brutal.

If?

Humph.

How do you think I got this?

Playing kiss in the ring?

That's how Tod... that's why.

Tod came into the bedroom.

Mike was drunk and jeered at him.

I tried to stop him, but he...

As I understand it, the boy tried to escape

down the stairs and Dawson caught up with him at the bottom.

You followed.

Is that right, Mrs Dawson?

I tried again to stop Mike and he hit me.

Tod grabbed an ashtray and he...

He...

Go on, Mrs Dawson.

He smashed it down on the back of Mike's head.

I don't believe it.

Mr Leigh!

Mike fell at the bottom of the stairs and Tod ran out of the door.

I did what I could for Mike.

But I could see there wasn't anything to be done.

That's all.

Tod, is this correct?

Exactly as it happened?

Tod.

He was on the ground.

Mike hurt her face.

I got all hot.

I hit him, and I wasn't hot anymore.

I was cold, like I was ice.

You'd better get him ready, Dr Leigh.

Surely, not tonight.

But you can't take him away... a child.

Don't worry.

I'm all right.

Tod.

It'll be all right, boy.

We'll straighten it out.

It wasn't your fault.

All my life, I'll know I killed my father.

You're lucky, aren't you?

Being married to a man like Mr Leigh.

Yes, I am.

What's the worst they can do to a kid like that?

I mean...

He'll... he'll receive every consideration.

All the same...

I keep seeing it all over again.

The way he clutched me as he fell down the stairs.

I'll go and hurry the coffee up.

Mrs Dawson, what do you mean?

How could your husband fall down the stairs if Tod

struck him at the foot of them?

Ha...

Is there something else?

Something you haven't told me?

Because I think you ought to tell the police what you've just said.

What did I say?

I was standing at the bottom of the stairs, and I felt Mike clutch me.

Yes, that's right.

He was going to hit me, and Tod hit him.

And I felt him clutch me as he fell...

That's what I said, and it's the truth.

If you know anything which will help Tod, you've got to speak out.

You've got to.

In any case, if you're lying, you're bound trip again.

I haven't tripped.

But thanks for the warning.

I'll make sure I don't give any more false impressions.

Haven't you any feeling for Tod?

You've just said he'll get every consideration.

And anyway, he'll have forgotten in a month or so.

Forgotten!?

Did you hear what that child just said?

All my life, I'll know I killed my father!

That knowledge is bad enough in an adult.

What do you think it's going to do to a child?

Stop it.

Mrs Dawson, if you were in any way

responsible for your husband's death...

Don't say that!

If it was self-defence, believe me,

there isn't a jury that would convict you.

But you can't let that little boy go through life thinking...

Why can't you leave me alone?

What's it to you anyway?

He's not your kid!

Why should you care?

Go and put your shores on, Tod.

Go on, boy.

I'm sorry Mike hurt your face.

I hope it'll be better soon.

Wait.

I guess I was scared.

I have a record in the states...

Homicide.

I got off.

But once you have a record, I guess you're scared.

There's nothing to be scared of, is there?

I'll tell you what happened.

It was an accident.

Mike was only stunned by the ashtray.

Mike!

Here.

Let me look at you.

Come here.

Why you...

Tod didn't kill his father.

He was alive when the kid ran out of the house.

Well, where's Tod?

Ah, there he is.

Eyes, dirty hands.

He's a man, he understands.

But when all's said and done, he is still a mother's son.

Just a kid in the rain, who has had his share of pain.

Lonely, sad, little guy, but his pride will not let him cry.

In his heart, sick and sore, it is love that he hungers for.

Life is hard for the boy no one calls their pride and joy.

Though a scamp, he may be, he belongs to you and me.