Original subtitles

Early 19th century, along came an English painter called John Constable,

painted in a manner that had not been seen before.

Above all, he was not frightened of his paint, and in many of his landscapes he

would lay it onto the canvas with a freedom and radiance that had an

influence upon the Impressionists who followed after him.

In order properly to savour the story you're going to see now, you should be

aware of the fact... that the discovery of a hitherto unknown painting by

Constable is a great event.

His work fetches huge sums on the market.

Mother! There isn't such a thing as one clean shirt.

I've been busy.

It's about time you got somebody else to do your ironing. Come chance of that

when I'm working 40 acres single -handed.

Anyway, what do you want a clean shirt for this time of day? I'm going into

town. Oh, good.

Then you won't mind calling in at Webster's and seeing if my orders come.

Yes, all right.

Oh, what a fuss about one little parcel. Your one little parcel means waiting

half an hour in a queue.

You can ask for the manager. No buttons.

Thanks.

I'll be back at four for feeding.

And maybe you can feed me for a change.

Out of a Thor fan instead of a pin.

Can I help you?

I'm sorry. I was hoping there'd be somebody at home.

Good afternoon, madam.

My name's Pottinger.

I was just wondering if you've got any old stuff you wanted clearing. You know,

any old bits and pieces you'd like me to take off your hands.

Furniture, oil lamps, china, glass.

We've nothing here that would interest you, Mr Pottinger.

You'd be surprised. The old lady at the farm down the road said exactly the same

thing. I looked in the garage. She got a ringer. I gave her a five before it.

She thought it was Christmas.

I'm sure you could find me one or two bits. I'm interested in anything.

Old sewing machine, string box, toffee tins, rag rugs, patchwork, tea caddy.

I've... Who old irons I found in the barn?

The flat sort.

No, box kind, I think.

Are you sure?

Almost certain.

I'll give you a tenner for the pair so I can see.

Why, he sounds a bit fierce.

He's quite harmless.

He's chained up.

I'm glad to hear it. The cat's done the damn thing. I should get danger money

calling on farms, you know. You come round the corner of a barn, somebody's

always checking a pot shut at the rat or a rabbit.

The other day, I got two bullets straight through the windscreen of my

Smashed a porcelain vase I'd just paid £40 for.

Come in, Mr Potlow.

Very good.

Well, it's a lovely place you've got here.

A bit chubby.

But I'm not like some women.

In a state of permanent interior decoration.

Hey,

I could give you 15 for this if you're interested.

Come in, Andy, have you got kids to work like I have?

Oh, I've got a son.

He's grown up now.

How old is he, dear?

He works the farm.

He's gone into town.

He'll be back for feeding.

He's what I call a moaner.

Always grumbling about the weather, the land, the rotten stock we've got.

He wants to get out.

I'm not budging.

They'll have to carry me out of here, Pete, first, as they say.

Those are irons you mentioned.

I'll get them for you.

I was born in Singapore.

Never at one school for more than a year.

my husband in the consular service.

Same thing all over again.

Now,

there we go.

I was never able to Put down any root.

Well, this time I'm rooted.

Rather like a gnarled old oak tree.

Here are the items.

Sir.

They're not quite what I had in mind, but I'll keep my word. I'll still give

a five. I think you said ten.

Did I? My mistake.

Still no problem.

Oh, well, you were quite right to come and see me. I acted as your father's

solicitor for 20 years.

This is something he'd have wanted me to handle.

So you'll help me?

Well, if I can.

But it's going to be a bit difficult dealing with your mother.

Well, perhaps if you asked her to come and see you on some other matter.

Yes, yes, that might be possible.

Because it is important.

I must get it settled as soon as possible.

Whatever she says.

Yes, all right.

My son would kill me. He loved these old things.

After I've gone, they'll remind him of home.

Not that there was ever much to remember.

And then poor old Teddy, my husband, he always had this dream of

retiring to a Suffolk farmhouse.

He was born in Suffolk.

Owning a little bit of England, as he called it.

Of course, it was too much for him at his age.

Too much for Andrew at his age.

The doctor's told him that he wouldn't live.

Well?

Guy.

None to him.

Everyone has their problems, I suppose.

Well, I've got them coming out of me ear holes. I mean, my partner. If I pay 40

for something and he knows it's a snippy, he said, why don't you get it

He can't help it. It's his nature, I suppose. Money's the root of all evil. A

love of money is the root of all evil, Mr. Pottinger.

That's what the Bible says.

Love is money.

Oh, stand corrected.

Come on, Miss Cotation.

Like a cover.

That's really kind of you, but you see, I've...

You're

absolutely sure of what you've told me? Dead sure.

It's a serious matter.

I know.

I'm very worried.

Your mother.

Right.

Well, she won't listen to anything I say.

That's why I had to act independently in coming to you.

I didn't like to go behind her back.

I didn't have any choice.

Anything you want, you must ask my son.

We know your thought only too well around here.

What do you call it?

Knuckles? Any old lamps?

Any rubbish you want cleared?

Andrew says anything I want to sell, I must ask for a free valuation from the

auctioneers at Ipswich.

It shouldn't be long now.

Nice little picture.

Framed it for about 30.

Really? I didn't know.

I found it in the attic.

Has it, er, like been in the family long?

No, not our family.

It belonged to the people we bought the farmhouse from. They, er, just left it.

Look, I won't mess you about. I'll give you 30 for the frame and 100 for the

picture. 100?

Well, the law's a bit complicated on this one.

It depends on what is said and, of course, whether there's a witness.

Lucy. Hello.

Hi. Hi. You know my niece?

We met.

Some awful charity dance.

Yes, I'm sorry. I have a lousy dance.

You're not that bad.

In my day, of course, one had to learn the steps.

Oh, slow, slow.

Quick, quick, slow.

You can scoff. I was considered to be quite a good dancer.

I've danced with your aunts, Lucy, and probably with yours, too.

Horses and tangos.

Yes, well, I can see I must be going.

Give my love to your parents, Lucy.

I'll be in touch, Andrew.

I'm sorry, did I interrupt a business conversation?

Or was it pleasure? Oh, pleasure every time.

I don't believe you.

You're not in a particular hurry?

I came past your farm the other day.

It's a sham.

I like it.

There are some houses that make you wonder what goes on inside.

99 % of the time, nothing goes on.

The trouble.

What about the other 1 %?

Cheers.

To tell you the truth, I'd give the farm up if I could do anything else.

What about your mother?

Well, I'm fond of her, but... Oh, she's a bit eccentric.

I thought perhaps she was.

Never mind. My whole family is stark gravy mad.

Oh, well, I can't waste any more time.

I've got a living to earn.

I'll tell you what.

I'll give you 275.

I'd like to give you some more, but I don't deal direct. I mean, my partner

to have his cuts. Then there's the middleman before the customer even sees

All right, my partner will think I've gone stark rave in there, but I tell you

what, I'll give you the 300.

I hope it will go to someone who will appreciate it.

Don't worry about that.

We'll find a good one for it.

Right.

Hello?

Right. It's nice talking to you. Ta -ta.

Mr. Fartinger?

Uh -huh.

Oh, yeah.

Don't forget me yet if it wasn't for very long. Ta -ta.

Excuse me.

What do you want? Can I have a word?

What about?

I know what you've got.

Here's your money back.

You've got more chance of being struck by lightning. Yeah, but you don't

understand. I understand all right. Look, I've done a deal. A deal's a deal.

That's all I'm bothered about.

I don't understand.

There now. You can't grumble. All of your shirts are ironed. Though why you

can't have drip dry like everyone else does?

Mother, I'm acting in your interest.

I'm trying to help you.

Then help me by letting me be as I am.

It's my only pleasure.

my mother.

We must all make the most of our problems and our sons.