Original subtitles

What's happened?

I don't know what's happening. I was nearly thrown out of my bed.

Look at all the lights moving in the valley.

Where in the valley?

Down at the bottom of the valley. Down by Zion.

It's the whole miners' street.

Many are gone and dead.

And they're all down to digging them. And Dr Davis and Mr Pryse.

And Mrs Dorman.

Screaming like a pig until the doctor's got her safe and ..

Thomas!

Try and answer my question.

Now listen to me, carefully.

You say the old Vaughan workings have collapsed? ─ Yes.

Has the whole road gone? ─ Yes.

How many cottages in Zion street? ─ They've all gone.

Mrs Griffiths's and the Bevans's and old Daddy Walters

You can see his rocking chair stuck on Mrs Robert's chimney.

They all slide down together.

Lord, have mercy.

We must go and get dressed.

Dr Davies, Dr Davies.

Is it broke bad, doctor?

Well, it's not broke good, Mrs Fareham.

Dr Davies, quick man.

Leave me alone now. Go on, you.

Go on you! There is someone hurt proper.

And the chest of drawers on top of him.

He was swearing and cursing.

Jack Richards.

Jack Richards.

He's got his pipe still in his mouth.

There, there, boyo.

We'll find Mam soon.

Mam won't leave you. No.

And how are you this terrible night, Mrs Lewis?

Oh, I'm okay, Miss Gertrude.

Mrs Bevan has broke her arm and they can't find Olwyn Harris.

She's buried.

So this is one of your acts of God, Mr Pryse?

He moves in mysterious ways. His wonders to perform. I will say that.

It is all part of the pattern.

Why did the workings cave in, you ask.

We do not know.

Only God knows.

Why did the cottages crumble and tumble in thunderclouds of dust?

And little bits of old brick.

We do not understand.

Only God understands.

He understands everything.

Well, he didn't understand Jack Richards.

Old Jack .. wanted to live.

Why, he'd just done his pools, man.

It is not for us to say who shall be called, Mabli Hughes

And mind your spade, man.

"Ours not to reason why", I suppose.

Well, I am reasoning, see.

I say the gallery should have been filled in before the Vaughan pit was abandoned.

You can't blame God for these ruins. These aren't his murders.

All you can blame is the criminal negligence of profit-makers.

Who don't care for people who make their profits for them.

It's the Morgan-Vaughans and all their sort who ..

Smash this street and left old Jack Richards ..

To die all mucked-up in his blood.

Ours but to do or die.

Aye, die for the Morgan-Vaughans.

Doctor Davis.

Doctor Davis.

She'll do. She'll be alright.

There, there. What did I tell you, boyo?

Mam's home now.

That's Mr Pryse.

How many souls have we lost, Mr Pryse?

Only two.

It is a miracle, Miss Morgan-Vaughan.

We have much to be thankful for.

Perhaps more for the help and guidance you give us.

Than for anything else.

My sisters and I will, of course, take total responsibility for the rehousing.

The old workings of the Vaughan mine are the cause of the disaster.

Naturally, we must see justice done.

I'm sorry, Miss Morgan-Vaughan.

But you do understand that your account can't even begin meet this liability.

We have securities.

Your overdraft is already slightly in excess of the value of your securities.

In that case.

Our brother Owen, as head of the family, will undoubtedly honour the obligation.

The rebuilding of these cottages is our responsibility.

Will you please speak to him on the telephone.

If you wish it, Miss Vaughan.

Yes .. I do.

Listen, Williams.

If you let the old harpies think they're going to get another penny out of me ..

I'll take every vestige of my business out of your hands.

Prentiss!

I don't care who's idea it was.

Your duty is to say "no".

And go on saying "no".

Yes, of course I understand the position.

As far as I'm concerned, the whole village can fall in the mine.

She's there with you now, isn't she?

Alright.

You tell her here and now that I'll come down this afternoon to stop this ..

Head-of-the-family nonsense once and for all.

Good day.

We're going down to Cwmglas after lunch.

We go by car.

"We", Mr Morgan-Vaughan?

You mean you want me to come? ─ That's what I said.

I've had enough of coping with my sisters by myself.

Oh, but I can't be of much use. I don't know them.

Exactly.

It's a business interview. As my secretary ..

You know as much about my business as I know.

You'll be able to support my statement that ..

I can't afford to throw away another penny on this .. philanthropic nonsense.

Alright.

Ring up the garage and get the car sent round.

How do you pronounce it? ─ Glasgow.

I find it all rather sinister.

No, no. It's just derelict.

Dead as mutton.

Nothing sinister about it.

Except my grandfather's statue.

Look, William.

The gentleman is bleeding.

Wineglass.

What's been thrown? An apple? ─ No. It's a little stone, man.

It looked like an apple.

I don't care what it was. I want to know who tried to kill me.

I seen it all.

I was standing outside the Morning Star.

And I seen him lift up a stone.

Who?

He lifts it up .. ─ Who did?

It was Dav ..

Who was it, Daddy Waldo?

You did not see his face. You couldn't have seen his face. He was too far off.

No, I didn't see who it was.

Mr Owen Vaughan.

What do you think of us?

There is never such a thing happened in Damocles before.

In the middle of the afternoon, too.

Thank heaven you're not hurt proper, Mr Morgan-Vaughan.

Oh, Mr Morgan-Vaughan. What will you think of us, Mr Morgan-Vaughan?

Emperor of Cwmglas.

Shall we kiss it better for you, Mr Morgan-Vaughan?

Mabli Hughes.

Can you tell me where to get a doctor, please?

Yes, the house up at the corner there. Dr David Davis.

Thank you very much.

But why shouldn't I say what I seen, Polly Probart?

Daddy listen, I tell you.

I tell you I saw Thomas throw that stone clear as clear.

You want to make trouble for him, Daddy?

He's stupid. He don't know what he's doing.

But I seen him! ─ Come on, you old tickpot, you.

It should heal in a day or two. You may have a headache for a bit, though.

I would make him rest as much as you can, Miss Prentiss.

I'll do my best.

Is this the normal way of greeting visitors in Cwmglas?

They've always been very nice to me.

Well, maybe they didn't like my face.

It's my face they throw stones at.

Come along, for heaven's sake. ─ Sure you're alright? ─ Yes.

Thank you very much, doctor. ─ Have you paid him?

That will the road that collapsed and brought down the cottages.

A pity it wasn't the whole village.

You don't look too good, Mr Vaughan. Why don't you lie down for a minute or two?

Of course I'm not going to lie down.

You know that young cub of a doctor can't even tie a bandage properly.

Here .. I'll fix it.

I trust I'm not intruding.

Mr Vaughan has had an accident.

This is Isobel, Claire. My sister.

She has a genius for putting an unpleasant interpretation on things.

Still your old delightful self, Owen

May I ask who this young person is?

I'm Mr Vaughan's secretary, Claire Prentiss.

How do you do, Miss Prentiss. Please sit down.

My sisters will join us in a minute.

How did this accident occur, Owen?

Well, the committee of welcome threw a stone at the car.

Oh Owen .. how dreadful

They wouldn't do such a thing. They couldn't have known who it was.

I don't care whether they knew or not. I've had my head cut open.

What?

I've had my head cut open.

Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't know we had a visitor.

This is my sister, Maude.

Miss Prentiss - Owen's secretary.

Oh, how charming.

And when am I to congratulate you?

I don't understand.

She doesn't understand.

I'm afraid you must mouth your words, Miss Prentiss. My sister is stone deaf.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

There is no need for sympathy, Miss Prentiss.

We're quite content to have mastered our afflictions ..

Sufficiently to lead busy and useful lives.

Perhaps Miss Prentiss would like to wash after her journey?

Oh, cut the social stuff. I'm here on business.

Claire, where's my despatch case? You had it last.

It's in the hall. ─ It's no good there, is it.

No.

Who are you?

I'm Claire Prentiss, Mr Morgan-Vaughan's secretary.

I'm sorry if I startled you, you see .. ─ I can't see.

I'm blind.

Miss Prentiss tells me that she's your secretary, Owen.

Very interesting.

Does she always travel with you?

Certainly. When I'm on business.

Are you on business .. in this house?

What else do you think I came for? I'm just waiting for you. That's all.

Oh, I see.

You have come to discuss family affairs?

I've come to stop the indiscriminate pledging of my credit.

I may be old-fashioned.

But I always thought family affairs were discussed only among the family.

You've put me in a very embarrassing position, Miss Morgan-Vaughan.

You must blame my brother for that.

It was wrong of him to imagine we can discuss our private affairs before ..

You'll forgive me.

Any stranger.

You'll break your neck on that high horse of yours one day, Gertrude.

Owen .. please.

Maud!

Yes?

Will you take Miss Prentiss into the library. ─ Very well.

I'm sure she won't mind.

You won't think me very discourteous.

But we are a very old and proud family.

I'm sure you will understand.

You've made it only too clear. You wish me to leave, Mr Vaughan?

Yes, I ..

I suppose it is better.

Yes.

And get out the Morgan-Vaughan account while you're waiting, will you.

Mr Williams told me you were regrettably rude to him on the telephone, Owen.

Now look here, Gertrude. I can see through these tactics of yours.

I'm the small boy again, eh?

You are the big sister telling my I'm uncouth.

I've had a different mother. What can we expect from the son of a cook?

If you insist on behaving like the son of a cook, what treatment do you expect?

Isobel, please.

Since you came of age.

We've always regarded you as head of the family, Owen.

That's right .. the golden goose.

Maybe it's my common blood that's made me a good businessman.

I've made money, which is more than the old man ever did.

He lost his hand over fist. Well, I'm not throwing good money after bad.

Not for the doubtful compliment of being called head of the family. ─ Owen.

Don't try and stop me. I've been wanting to say this for years.

Head of the family?

Head of what family? The Morgan-Vaughan's?

Owners of a derelict mine and a sycophantic peasantry.

Owen .. I warn you.

I'm ready for a showdown.

A charming phraseology.

That's what's wrong with you. All three of you. You're antiquated.

You're living in the feudal system.

Particularly you Gertrude, with your beastly owls hooting all over the place.

They ought to be shot for a start.

I'm fed up with the lot of you. Ladies of the manor?

Bravely conquering your infirmities with the lick-spittle of some down-and-outs.

You beast. You low beast!

Coming here to insult us with your fancy lady.

Maud.

Control yourself.

Maud is right, Gertrude. That horrible, painted young woman.

The charitable Morgan-Vaughans.

Poor little Claire.

Still, it's an idea.

You're all behaving like very unpleasant children.

Abuse achieves nothing.

Owen .. you came here to discuss business.

The question of these cottages on the Morgan-Vaughan responsibility.

I tell you there is nothing doing.

We've given our word the cottages shall be rebuilt.

And nothing will induce us to go back on that word.

You'll have to find another golden goose, Gertrude.

You've had upwards of 20,000 off me in the last five years.

What are you doing here?

I'm Thomas.

My mother told me to bring in the coal.

Who is your mother?

Beattie.

She looks after the ladies.

You mean .. you live here?

They let me.

They're good.

If you think that.

Why did you thrown that stone at Mr Morgan-Vaughan?

Tell me, Thomas. Why did you throw the stone?

Mr Owen isn't going to give money to all the people that have lost their homes.

He's bad.

Miss Maud says he isn't fit to live.

Miss Maud is good to me, so I didn't want him to live, so I threw the stone.

How did you know Mr Owen wouldn't give the money?

My mother heard the ladies talking after they see Mr Williams, the bank.

Mr Owen hit me when I was little.

He hit me on the face.

Thomas.

Go back to the kitchen.

Yes.

Tea is served in the drawing-room.

Hello. I've come to fetch you to tea.

Well, you never know who you're going to meet in this house.

I'm practically one of the family.

Well.

I should never have thought that.

Perhaps I've given the wrong impression.

What I meant was, the Morgan-Vaughan's have done so much for me that I ..

Feel this is my real home.

I see.

My father was a miner in the Vaughan pit. He was killed.

The Morgan-Vaughan's paid for my college and looked after me until I qualified.

Oh yes. Thomas has told me how good they are.

Now I think I'd like some tea. ─ I'm so sorry.

I'm sure you must be ready for your tea, Miss Prentiss. ─ Thank you.

I'm ready for anything.

Sorry.

How is your head? ─ Terrible.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

I do hope you haven't got any more business to do.

No, no. That's settled.

Your tea.

Thank you. ─ Sugar?

No thanks .. yes, please.

It looks as though you must let me drive you back.

My brother will not be leaving tonight, Miss Prentiss.

Dr Davis is insistent he should have a night's rest after the blow on the head.

I see.

When can I get a train?

You can't get out of this godforsaken place at this time of day without a car.

Maybe Dr Davis will drive me to the station?

Well, I'd love to, but ..

Dr Davis has patients to see at 5 o'clock.

It seems that you will be forced to accept our hospitality, Miss Prentiss.

Oh.

Thank you. It's a little awkward, you see. I have no night things with me.

We can discuss those matters later.

Of course you will stay, Claire.

You'll look fascinating in white flannel.

You will excuse me, but as Miss Isobel says, I have patients to see at five.

I must change that dressing before you leave in the morning, Mr Morgan-Vaughan.

And you'd better stay the night, too. Let's have a party.

I leave here at 6 o'clock in the morning.

We're perfectly capable of changing a dressing. You should know that, David.

The Morgan-Vaughan sisters are almost qualified doctors, Miss Prentiss.

Dr Davis exaggerates of course.

But we learned a great deal of medicine when we helped him with his studies.

If anyone is going to fiddle about with my bandage, Claire can do it.

She's a genuine trained nurse.

You're a nurse?

Yes. Part time during the war. Does that surprise you?

No, I don't think so, really.

I think you could do anything you wanted to.

Maybe now you want to see your room?

I'm sure you'd like to freshen up.

Very thoughtful.

Goodbye, Dr Davis.

It's been a most interesting experience meeting you.

Au revoir, please.

Has that clock always been like that?

No. That happened at the time of the subsidence.

Although it looks dangerous, they assure us it's totally safe for the time being.

It will need a structural alteration to put it into position again.

And we don't feel justified in using the labour.

There are so many people who need a roof to their heads.

Would you mind going first, Miss Prentiss?

It takes me a little time.

The first door on the right past the chest of drawers, Miss Prentiss.

I'll be with you in a moment.

Here is the nightdress, Miss Prentiss.

Not flannel.

You must be on very intimate terms with my brother ..

To allow him to discuss such things in mixed company.

I resent that remark, Miss Morgan-Vaughan.

I am Mr Vaughan's secretary. No more and no less.

I'm afraid we have had no previous experience of the duties of secretaries.

All I can say is, you must have very unpleasant minds.

Oh, I'm sorry, Miss Vaughan.

After all, I'm your guest. But you know, you're not making things easy for me.

Mr Vaughan is your brother. You must know as well as I do that he ..

Says whatever comes into his head.

And he usually regrets it afterwards.

I'm glad you realize that trait in him, Miss Prentiss.

Since you're concerned with him in business ..

You must know how generous he's always been to his old sisters.

And because he thinks generosity is unmanly ..

He puts himself in the worst possible light.

Sometimes he makes us feel like the daughters of the horse-leech.

But we understand him, and appreciate him.

I'm glad.

He has an unswerving loyalty to the family.

Nothing can shake that.

Nothing?

I hope not.

We should be most distressed.

Dinner is at 7 o'clock, Miss Prentiss.

I said I'd made up my mind.

Now, clear out both of you and leave me alone.

Must you shout, Owen?

Now don't you start. I tell you I want to be left alone. My head is splitting.

But you are still determined to leave at daybreak, Owen?

There are two things I have never been more determined of in my life.

One is, that I'm leaving at daybreak.

The other is, that I've said my last word about money.

Not another penny do you nag out of me. Any one of you.

I can't make it any plainer, so now clear out and leave me alone.

As you wish.

Dinner will be served at seven.

Is there anything else you require?

Your secretary, for instance?

You wicked old bag.

Miss Maud.

Miss Gertrude would like to see you in her room.

There. That's better.

Yes.

Why did you do that?

One has got to lock doors if one wants to be alone in this house.

And .. why do you want to be alone?

Because I've got to talk to you.

I suppose you know why I brought you here.

It is becoming more obvious.

I've brought you here because I haven't got the guts to face those women alone.

You know me as a hard businessman, don't you.

Well, I had to appear hard to get forward.

Really, I'm like a crab. I'm soft inside.

You've seen this house. You've seen them.

Oh, they're the genuine article alright. High born mother and all.

But I'm the son of their father and his cook.

Legitimate, but ..

Beyond the pale.

Gertrude was seventeen when I was born.

She spent the next seventeen years impressing on me that ..

The only way to wipe out the stain was to follow in father's footsteps.

Not down the kitchen stairs, of course, but ..

Up the steps to heaven.

Gertrude's heaven, mind you.

The place where one, gives all to the poor.

And thanks God one was born a Morgan-Vaughan and able to do it.

What happened to your mother?

She did what was only fitting. She died when I was born.

As I say, I stuck it out for seventeen years and then I cleared out.

But it was too late.

Why?

Because they got their grips on me.

They got me so tied up I didn't the difference between duty and ..

Oh .. feeble-mindedness.

Well you know now. You stuck it out this time.

Do you think they'll let it go at that?

Oh no.

They'll go on and on and on until they've convinced me I'm wrong.

What do you want me to do?

Stand by me. You see you're normal. You're ..

You're part of the outside world.

Just stick around and let me look at you sometimes ..

And remember that there is an outside world.

Will you?

Of course.

Who is it?

What do you want?

I thought you were locked in here, Owen.

Gertrude wants you to take a glass of sherry wine before dinner.

She's asked Miss Prentiss to join us.

She's in there with you, isn't she?

Take no notice of her.

You will come, won't you?

You promised, didn't you?

I promised.

Come in, Miss Prentiss.

Come and sit down by me, won't you.

I'm afraid I've been very neglectful in my duties as hostess today.

You must excuse me. Let me try to make amends.

Isobel, will you get the sherry please.

I'll serve Miss Prentiss first, Owen. ─ Let me take the tray for you.

No. You're our guest. You sit down. Let me wait on you.

I've nowhere to sit.

I'm sure you'll appreciate this wine, Owen.

It's the last bottle of father's Amontillado.

I feel very honoured.

I hope you'll always be honoured in this house, Owen.

Oh. Aren't you having one?

As much as I wish to drink your health, Owen.

One can't play tricks with rheumatoid arthritis.

Oh, can't you? Oh well ..

Hmm .. tastes corked to me.

That's sacrilege, Mr Vaughan. It's wonderful sherry.

I've never met a self-styled connoisseur of wine who hasn't some fault to find.

To prove a sensitive palate, I presume.

Do you know Wales, Miss Prentiss?

No, not very well. I don't know the south at all.

It has a curious and arresting quality all its own.

We very much hope .. that Owen will allow himself ..

And you.

To stay with us for at least a couple of days so you may see something of it.

Can I have another glass, Isobel?

I'm afraid not, Owen. There is hardly time.

Oh.

Its late for you, Miss Gertrude.

Yes, it is Beattie.

We'll have our reading now. ─ I'm going to bed.

I've had enough for one day.

I've been driving for hours and hours.

Slag heaps and pit heads, and vile black hills.

How vile was my valley.

I'm sick of all this Celtic claptrap about Wales.

"My Wales .. Land of my fathers."

As far as I'm concerned my fathers can keep it.

"You can tell he's a Welshman by the lilt in his voice."

Little, black, back-biting hypocrites, all gab and whine.

Black beetles with tenor voices ..

And a sense of sin like a cripple's hump.

Cwmglas.

Full of senile morons and vicious dwarfs.

Whole troops of women ..

Clacking at you like blowsy hens.

Self-righteous little humbugs with the Hoyle.

Old men with beards in their noses cackling at you.

Blue gums and clackers.

Oh the mystical Welsh! Ha!

About as mystical as slugs.

You must forgive my brother, Miss Prentiss.

He sees in Cwmglas so many of his own endearing qualities.

He looks just like his mother.

I don't know who's got the dirtiest mind, Maude.

You, or the Devil.

He's religious, too.

This is a nightmare, Claire.

Only one never wakes up from it.

Have you finished all you want to say, Owen?

Yes, Gertrude.

Then please sit down.

Shall I read a passage from the psalms, Thomas?

Yes.

"The Lord shall destroy thee."

"He shall take thee."

"And pluck thee."

"Out of thy dwelling."

"Thou shalt cry."

"But there shall be none to help thee."

"Yae."

"Even unto the Lord, shalt thou cry."

"But he shall not .."

"Hear."

Please remain where you are.

That's all for the night, Beattie.

You can go now.

Goodnight.

Goodnight, Miss Gertrude.

What is it, Mr Vaughan?

Please clear the couch. Mr Vaughan's very ill.

Miss Vaughan, I want blankets and hot water bottles and I want them at once.

Miss Prentiss asks for blankets and hot-water bottles.

Will you fetch them, please.

What's the doctor's phone number?

Are you really a trained nurse, Miss Prentiss?

Tell me the number, otherwise I shall ask the exchange.

Cwmglas 3.

Cwmglas 3, Please.

Will you bring me a glass of water and some rock salt?

Don't argue, Miss Vaughan. Please do as I say.

Dr Davis? This is Claire Prentiss.

Can you come over right away? Mister Morgan-Vaughan has been take very ill.

Hmm?

Oh no, it's nothing to do with his head. Now please listen to me.

It is an urgent case with violent convulsions and stomach pain.

I suggest you bring a hypodermic and strychnine.

What?

Must I lift up my hand against my brother?

I am beset with doubts.

Acquainted with darkness.

There is none that careth.

No, not one.

Good evening, Beattie. Where is Mr Morgan-Vaughan?

Are you feeling better now? ─ I'm alive if that's what you mean.

My stomach is full of hyenas

Good evening, Miss Prentiss.

How is the patient, now? ─ Oh, he's much easier.

Oh he's fine, he's dandy. He can breathe.

He's in agony and he wishes you all dead.

Am I ticking?

I think you'll be alright now. ─ Alright?

I have vomited like a hippo. ─ What have you been eating?

Brimstone. White ants. Ground glass. Rat poison. What does it matter?

You must take it quietly for a day or so, you know.

Hanky-panky. Hocus-pocus, professional soft soap and treacle.

And Gertrude, looming there like a cheated vulture.

I'm clearing out in the morning.

I'm glad you're feeling more yourself, Owen.

Suppose we get you up to bed now, Mr Vaughan?

Feeling strong enough? ─ I'm staying here.

I'm quite comfortable. I'm tired and I'm sleepy.

So, if you all just clear out and leave me alone.

Alright, Mr Vaughan. We'll leave you alone.

You sure there is nothing you want?

Peace .. sleep ..

No sisters .. no doctors .. and ..

No Wales.

I'll be around if you want me.

Listen, Claire.

We clear out tomorrow whatever happens.

Yes, of course .. now try and sleep.

Remember, I'm here.

You're not really going to allow him to leave in the morning?

No. But it was no use arguing.

He'll find out soon enough that he's no fit state to stand up, let alone travel.

If you don't mind, Miss Vaughan.

I'd like to stay here tonight to be on hand just in case he does try to leave.

That's very kind if you, David.

I'll tell Beattie to make a bed for you. ─ Thank you.

I've got to make a phone-call, then I'd like a word with you.

Will you wait for me in the library?

Miss Prentiss!

How is Owen? We're so worried about him.

He's much better, thank you. Dr Davis is with him now.

I thought he was going to die.

When his mother died .. she was the cook, you know.

She screamed.

Oh David, how is Owen really?

I think he'll be perfectly alright now.

You mustn't let him go in the morning.

He will, if we don't stop him.

He's a strong-minded man.

Did Miss Prentiss go into the library?

Miss Prentiss is in the library. She likes books.

I want to ask her a few questions about this attack of Mr Vaughan's.

Extreme stomach convulsions.

And he said his throat is burning, too.

What time did the attack start?

It was when Gertrude said ..

"Yea, even unto the Lord, shalt thou cry."

About 9 o'clock.

What did he have for dinner?

We all had the same. Boiled mutton ..

It would be boiled mutton.

And suet pudding.

Earlier in the day? ─ We both had sandwiches.

Did he have anything to drink?

Yes, just before dinner. We all had a sherry. All except Isobel.

Yes, I remember.

He said it had a funny taste.

You asked me to bring a hypodermic and a strychnine injection.

I know.

Thank you, Thomas.

But it was wrong of you to throw that stone at Mr Owen.

Just as it was wrong for him to hit you when you were a little boy.

Very wrong.

I know you don't forget that.

Are you listening, Thomas? ─ Hmm.

You know the two roads that lead out of this village?

You're a clever boy.

A very clever boy.

One is straight and clean and leads to a busy, happy place.

The place your mother takes you when you're good.

The other is dark, dangerous.

Full of great holes. And leads to death.

I hear someone has set up a board, warning against this road.

Have they, Thomas? ─ Hmm.

Supposing someone were to ..

Remove that board.

Anyone might be misled.

But if they were good.

The Lord would lead them along the straight, safe way ..

Even though the board had been removed.

But if they were not good.

They would take the road .. that leads ..

To death.

I've described the two roads to you.

To make it easier for you to understand.

It's getting late.

You must be up early.

So that you can help Mr Owen and Miss Prentiss along the road they must take.

You must go to bed now.

In the morning.

I'll be up early in the morning.

Clever boy.

A very clever boy.

Mr Vaughan. Mr Vaughan!

It's half past five. You wanted to leave by six, remember?

You wanted to leave by six.

I want to live.

Yes, yes. What time is it? ─ Half past five.

Oh.

Oh, my mouth tastes horrid.

Like a dog's basket.

I'd like some champagne.

I'd like some brandy.

I'd like some brandy in the champagne.

I'd like vodka in the brandy. I'd like Schnapps and I'd like ..

Hmm.

Make me a weak cup of tea, will you. ─ Where is the kitchen?

Down the stairs.

Alright. You get dressed while I make the tea and then I'll get the car round.

What are you wanting in my kitchen?

Is Thomas here? I want to see him.

He don't want to see you.

Nobody wants to see you here.

Good morning, Mr Owen.

You'd like a cup of tea, wouldn't you? ─ Yes, but don't wake the whole house up.

Don't let the three furies know.

So you are going?

Mr Vaughan is going. I'm going with him.

Did you bring the car round?

Where's my tea?

I'm not going to wait anyhow.

Look out!

Sorry about that. Are you alright? Come and sit down.

I'm not sitting anywhere. I want to go home.

Stoned, poisoned, hit with clocks ..

What is it? What's happened?

Miss Maud lent on the clock.

Miss Prentiss warned her, but she took no notice.

I think you forget she's stone deaf.

Are you questioning that statement, Miss Prentiss?

Are you ready to go, Mr Vaughan? ─ Yes.

Owen.

You have a doctor and a nurse here.

They both know that you ought not to go.

That you're not fit to go.

Please ..

Don't go.

Balderdash!

I'd better come with you.

No thank you, Dr Davis. You see, I don't trust you, either.

Where are we now?

Hell or Wales?

I think we're on the wrong road.

Are you alright?

Yes, I think so.

Can you open the roof?

I'll try.

Have you got a car?

I left it at the fork.

You're on the wrong road. I tried to warn you.

But it wasn't the wrong road. The other owner said ..

No road.

Let's get him to hospital. ─ There is no hospital.

There is only that house.

Blind, deaf and ..

And warped.

Owen was right. He said it was a nightmare.

But the nightmare is worse because you don't understand.

Thomas threw the stone at that car. She told him to do it.

The three sisters told him to do it. I know they did.

They wanted to kill him and Thomas couldn't kill him.

Do you know what they did, Dr Davis?

They tried to poison him.

The blind one put the poison in.

The one with the claws. Have you see her hands?

The one with the claws gave it to him and the deaf one ..

Wanted to hear him scream.

Who pushed the clock, Dr Davis?

I wish you'd never come here.

Don't misunderstand me.

I know you're charming, cool, clever, efficient, cultivated, but you are ..

You are stupid, Miss Prentiss. ─ The sisters are evil.

But you're wrong.

You're wrong.

I now you're wrong.

And I know .. I know they are not going to let him get out of that house alive.

Of that .. house?

Alive.

Now, Miss Prentiss.

Take the stone what Thomas chucked.

There is sane people.

And there is insane people.

Well, you couldn't rightly call Thomas either.

And he hates mister Owen.

Take the sherry what he drunk.

You've seen Cwmglas.

It's a little place.

There isn't room for two doctors in it.

One doctor.

One policeman.

And we accept each other's expert opinion.

Stomach-ache, says Dr Davis.

Stomach-ache, agrees Sergeant Flower.

But any doctor will tell you without a proper analysis it's nearly impossible ..

To tell arsenical poisoning from a stomach ache.

Take the clock what fell.

Who was leaning on it?

Miss Maud.

Miss Maud is what?

Miss Maud is deaf.

She didn't hear you when you shouted.

And last of all, take this morning.

Take the road barrier what was moved.

And you say you suspect Thomas?

But you have no proof.

There is no proof for any of your accusations.

No proof and no motive against the Miss Morgan-Vaughans.

No motive?

They can't go back on their word. That's their motive.

They promised to provide the money to rebuild Zion street.

But they haven't got the money. Owen has got it.

Do you know where Mabli Hughes lives? ─ Yes, number 29. ─ Thank you.

Does Mabli Hughes live here?

He's over at the colliery.

You look a fly bit, too.

The social system gentlemen, is iniquitous.

It stinks .. to heaven.

Consider from the depths of your not inconsiderable intellects.

The position of Cwmglas.

Here in Cwmglas all social evils.

Are condensed and crystallised.

This one village may be regarded as the hub ..

The nucleus of a microcosm.

Of all pluto-democratic inevitable inequality. You see my point?

Where is .. injustice?

Cwmglas, man.

Where does social chauvinism flourish?

Cwmglas man

Where do hate and hunger lope like wolves through the nasty streets?

Cwmglas.

Who is to blame?

I ask you, gentlemen.

You gentlemen with tails .. ─ Mr Hughes.

I must speak to you at once.

You don't know me. I'm Claire Prentiss, Owen Morgan-Vaughan's secretary.

I saw you in the street the day we came.

The day Thomas tried to kill him.

I know you, madam.

Nice weather we're having.

Nobody listens to me. Nobody believes me.

The doctor, the policeman. Anybody in the village. They're all the same.

The Morgan-Vaughan's can do no wrong.

They can only try to murder their brother.

Plenty of sky about.

Then I remembered you.

I remembered the way you looked at the other people.

You don't believe the Morgan-Vaughans are God. You know that ..

You confuse madam, my dialectic approach to ..

The rudimentary errors of the capitalist system with my own personality.

There is clouds like ..

The Semolina. ─ Won't you please listen to me?

It is fundamental, deep-rooted schism.

I hate the relevance of the Vaughan fraternity to the body politic.

But they're okey-doke.

I abominate the principles that motivate their charity, but they're nice.

The fruition, my dear young lady, of the seeds that socially implanted in the ..

In their bosoms, if you'll pardon my expression.

Go on, girl.

You are always where you're not wanted.

Tell me Dr Davis, have they killed your patient yet?

I've only got two serious patients. You and Mr Owen.

How is Owen?

Oh, he's the kind of man who needs a Vet.

But if you're not careful, you're going to have a nervous breakdown.

You cheap little country doctor!

Fawning and toadying to those three old witches.

Oh, I know they found you.

They dug you up, they sent you to school, made you a doctor.

They made you into a little snivelling provincial snob.

They made you blind, too.

Blind to poverty and filth and dirt and ugliness and ..

And murder.

People often come down to the mining valleys. Just like you.

They see it's bare and ugly.

Look where they live. Isn't it grim and grey and horrible.

They can't understand how they can put up with it.

I can.

You can be honourable, Miss Prentiss ..

From London.

Even when you're scratching like a rat in the guts of the earth.

The old men are scared and twisted.

But they haven't lost ..

I don't care what you call it: love or dignity or anything else.

But when a man works hard for himself. And for other men.

It's the truth.

And it isn't the truth of the chapels.

Or the Morgan-Vaughans.

Or the trippers. ─ I know.

It's true.

David.

You mustn't hate me too much.

But it's not true of this place. Not here.

This place is .. dead.

No, we're not very well, thank you.

We're not looking on the bright side and not feeling very chirpy this morning.

And we hate the sight of your nice, hygienic faces.

We're poorly.

He's improving.

I think you both need a good, sound sleep.

I'll bring you some .. ─ Bring me an axe!

You need some food, young lady.

May I call you "young lady"?

You can call her duck-face as far as I'm concerned.

I would like to eat. You couldn't bring something up, could you, David?

I can't face those sisters.

I ought to stay with old sunshine, too.

How is he? ─ Oh, he's much better.

I was just going to get some food for Miss Prentiss, if I may.

Can't she come down here herself?

Well, I think I'd rather she stayed with Mr Vaughan.

I want him to sleep again.

You mean she can't trust him out of her sight?

So she's turned you round her little finger, too.

I'm disappointed in you, David.

Please, Miss Isobel.

But Miss Gertrude said if they were good ..

God would lead them on the straight, safe road even if the sign was changed.

She shouldn't have said it then.

Oh, Beattie.

Yes, Mr David?

Would you take some food up to Miss Prentiss.

I want her to stay with Mr Owen for a while.

And don't do that, Thomas!

Is that you, David? ─ Yes.

Mr Vaughan is more comfortable now. He should be asleep again soon.

We have no intention of disturbing him.

You see I want him to be as quiet and see as few people as possible.

You have made your wishes perfectly apparent.

Morning, Evans. ─ Morning, doctor.

I hear Mr Morgan-Vaughan had an accident this morning.

Is he hurt bad? ─ No.

A couple of ribs broken. That's all.

He had a very lucky escape though. Any messages?

Yes. Mrs Roberts again.

At her age, too.

Put me out 25 one-grain Luminol tablets would you.

And check through this bag. I'll be back as soon as I've seen Mrs Roberts.

Very good, Dr Davis.

Claire!

Claire, come quickly! ─ What's the matter?

I've had a nightmare.

And I've been thinking, too.

You see.

If they don't get any money when I die.

There is no point in their killing me.

So I ..

It came to me in a flash.

I'm going to leave all my money to you.

Go and ring up that solicitor of mine. What's his name?

Emlyn Blaggard. No, no, no.

Binyon. Binyon. That's it. Tell him, tell him it's urgent.

Tell him to stop what he's doing and come over here.

I don't care who he's chiselling.

This is a matter of life and death.

Mrs Roberts will be another couple of hours at least.

I've time to take that Luminol over to the Vaughans.

Have you got it ready?

By the way.

Did you use strychnine last night?

No.

There were seven tablets left in the bottle. I know because I checked them.

There are only six left now.

Are you perfectly certain of that? ─ Of course.

I thought you ought to know.

They are dangerous things to leave lying about.

Mr Binyon? Mr Emlyn Binyon?

Oh, I'm so glad to have got hold of you.

I am speaking for Owen Morgan-Vaughan. He's just met with a serious accident.

He's at his sister's house in Cwmglas. Do you know it?

Oh good. Because he'd like you to come over here right away.

He wants to make a new Will.

Yes. Yes, I'm afraid it is most urgent. When can we expect you?

This afternoon?

Thank you very much, Mr Binyon. Goodbye.

If Owen is awake and

And able to make a new Will.

I'm going to see for myself how ill he really is.

That's against David's orders. ─ David's?

Against Doctor David's orders.

I accept no orders from anyone in my own house.

Isobel.

We're being shut out.

Why are we being shut out?

I'm not going to die. I'm not going to die!

That's why I'm making a new Will. I've planned it.

If anything happens to me.

Everything goes to Claire.

I'm making her my sole heiress.

When did he wake? ─ Just now.

He shouldn't have visitors, Miss Vaughan.

The quieter he keeps, the quicker those ribs are going to mend.

Feel sleepy? ─ No. Fed up.

Get me a glass of water, please.

Oh ..

Perhaps I'd better leave these with you.

Give him two now and two more tonight.

Miss Vaughan.

I think we'd better leave him now.

Doctor Davis.

I'm not at all pleased with your behaviour.

Will you wait for me downstairs?

Miss Prentiss.

I'd like a word with you in my room.

Miss Prentiss.

We came in here Gertrude, in case you wanted us.

Quite right.

What I have to ask Miss Prentiss concerns us all.

Am I to understand, Miss Prentiss ..

That my brother has sent for his solicitor in order to make a new Will?

And that under the terms of this Will ..

You are to be sole heiress to the Morgan-Vaughan property?

Yes.

Do you think that we are going to allow this?

Do you think that we will allow it?

Do you?

Do you?

Are you cold?

Yes.

Could she have a hot-water bottle, Miss Vaughan?

Of course.

The Luminol. What happened to it?

I don't know. I had the box in my hand.

I will find it.

David.

She's mad. Please don't leave me alone.

I'm not going to. Not until you're safely asleep.

Not while I'm asleep either. Please not.

I am so frightened.

But there is no need to be, my dear.

David, you must listen.

Oh, I do hope you're better, Miss Prentiss.

We were so surprised when you fainted.

I liked you when you fainted.

Did you find the pills Miss Prentiss had in her hand?

Yes, I've got them.

Could I have a glass of water, please?

Take these.

Shall I take those? ─ No.

We'll leave Miss Prentiss now.

I want her to get some sleep.

You're wanted on the phone, Dr David.

It's the surgery. ─ Thank you, Beattie.

Yes?

Oh. Tell them I'm coming right away.

No. I've got my bag with me.

Yes, I think I've found it.

Right. Goodbye.

Oh, Miss Vaughan. I'm called away on a case.

I'm afraid I shan't be back until this evening.

They should sleep for some time.

I shan't disturb them.

It's cold and dank upstairs.

I told Thomas to put on the heating.

Thanks.

You have the strychnine tablets? ─ Yes, do you want them?

Glad you found it?

Yes.

I'd like to see the last prescription I gave Mrs Isobel Morgan-Vaughan.

The arsenic for her rheumatoid arthritis?

Yes.

I .. want to check the strength we're giving her at the moment.

How is she responding to the treatment?

Oh, fairly well.

Thanks.

I'll be up at the Vaughan house if I'm wanted.

Very good, doctor.

The ladies are at the Institute, Dr David.

It is their afternoon.

I think Mr Owen and Miss Prentiss are still sleeping.

I was told not to disturb them.

What is it, Dr David?

What has happened?

These two rooms are full of fumes from the heating. Make some strong tea quick.

Why are you burning coke?

Miss Gertrude told me to. She said it would heat quicker.

Who's been playing around with this stove?

What?

Beattie. Someone's been playing tricks with the heating. Dangerous tricks.

Coke fumes were flowing directly through to Mr Owen's and Miss Claire's rooms.

They were asleep, under a sleeping draught. Both of them.

If I hadn't come back when I did, they'd have been dead in an hour.

Who did it, Beattie?

I mean to know.

Was it Thomas?

Thomas, who through the stone at Mr Owen?

Thomas who moved the barrier this morning?

You're going to tell me. One of you.

I am cursed by them.

You think because I am tied to this house with a son who is simple ..

That I am one of them.

Poor Beattie.

That nobody will take in because of him.

Miss Gertrude went down to the stove.

Beattie. May I have a cup of tea, please?

Yes, Miss.

I'll bring it in to you.

Do you believe in her now?

Beattie?

No. David.

Oh, you're back much sooner than you expected.

Yes. A good deal sooner than any of us expected.

You've managed to persuade Miss Prentiss to leave her sick bed.

That was clever of you.

Now we can all have tea together.

Do you mind if I sit down?

There is a nasty shock it must have been.

All of us in the village were so distressed to hear of the accident.

We've bled for you.

Owen Morgan-Vaughan.

You cannot understand how beloved the Morgan-Vaughans are.

Our steady salvation.

I think I'd better lie down on a bed.

Beattie was just going to bring tea.

She can take it up to her.

As you wish.

David, we're trapped.

I can't stand it. ─ No, we're not.

As soon as I've taken you upstairs.

I'm going out.

I can't telephone from here.

But I've got to get an ambulance for Mr Vaughan.

You must look after him while I'm away.

But ..?

Pryse will go on talking in there for hours. I know him.

And they can't do anything to either of you while he's still here.

Remember that.

Thank you, Gertrude.

I've seen the borough council.

And sat through interminable meetings.

They flatly refuse to rebuild the cottages.

Gertrude went for a walk this morning all by herself right down to the gate.

Ah, yes.

And .. what was their attitude?

They say the village is finished now that the mine is worked out.

They say it's dead.

It's not a place to live in at all. It's only for old people to die in.

Therefore, it's not worthwhile rebuilding.

They will find accommodation for the victims in another parish.

So the old are to be deprived of their last privilege.

They're not to be allowed to spend their declining years in their own valley.

[ Doorbell ]

I'm afraid he is far too ill.

But he can't be too ill to see me, Miss Morgan-Vaughan.

He wanted me to alter his Will.

It is going to cost him something, too.

Mr Binyon?

I'm Claire Prentiss. I spoke to you this morning.

I recognise that very charming voice. Soprano.

Mr Vaughan wants to see you right away.

Soprano like a madam.

Not dying, is he?

No, no. We hope.

Now, about witnesses.

This is Evan Evans, Miss Prentiss. One of my clerks.

I took the precaution of bringing him along to act in that very capacity.

Usually too, in a case of this kind.

A client's last Will and testament made in the bosom of his family ..

Are apt to be awkward.

You understand me?

You're an outsider aren't you, Miss Prentiss?

We'll use you as second witness. ─ I'm afraid not.

You'll soon understand why.

Beneficiary?

That's one of the reasons why I've been trying to prevent you ..

From seeing my brother in his present condition.

Owing to his accident.

I'm afraid he's not quite "normal".

You mean he's not in his right mind?

I think .. that is so.

Where is the doctor? ─ He'll be back any time now.

Excellent.

If I have any doubts as to his mental condition, I can expect the doctor ..?

Yes.

Who is that fellow?

Oh that's Mr Pryse, the Baptist minister.

Baptist? Well, well.

Mr Pryse.

Would you be so accommodating as to accompany me upstairs?

Mr Owen Morgan-Vaughan is making a new Will. ─ No!

Who said I'm not in my right mind?

You, you forensic ferret?

It is a point, Mr Vaughan. The Will might be contested on those grounds.

I for one, contest your decision now, Mr Owen.

I beg you to take thought before you make this Will.

Your sisters will be left destitute.

You can't ..

Have you ever known Mr Vaughan refuse his sisters any reasonable request?

Has he ever left them destitute?

Has it never occurred to you that in making this Will ..

They are still his foremost charge?

You know nothing about his business affairs.

Suppose he were in disastrous financial circumstances ..

And this was the only way of saving his sisters from becoming involved?

I am disappointed in you, Mr Pryse.

You're the last person I would suspect of harbouring uncharitable thoughts.

And a Baptist minister, too.

I .. apologise .. Mr Owen.

Hmm.

Is it alright?

No. It can't be here before tomorrow morning. We'll have to stay the night.

Oh David, I'm so glad you've come.

We're desperately worried about Owen.

You said he was too ill to see us.

Yet Miss Prentiss has sent three men into his room to talk business with him.

Go and send them away at once. It's your responsibility.

I must ask you gentlemen to leave this room at once. Mr Vaughan is a sick man.

We are just leaving, doctor.

Good day, Mr Morgan-Vaughan.

Good day, Mr Owen.

You don't obey my instructions, Mr Vaughan.

No.

But I've saved my life.

We'll give you a lift to the village, Pryse.

We will excuse you for leaving us, Mr Pryse.

I am quite aware it must be very embarrassing for you.

I hope you found where your duty lay.

I did, Miss Gertrude.

I am convinced your brother is acting ..

For the best.

Goodnight, Miss Gertrude.

Now, Miss Prentiss.

I'm going to take you to your room.

You must be worn out.

Come with me.

I suggest you take off your clothes and get straight into bed.

No.

I only want to rest for an hour or so.

I'll be alright. ─ As you wish.

I'll see you're left undisturbed.

But I couldn't get any sense out of any of them.

What were you all doing in Mr Owen's room?

Well, Mr Owen was making a new Will.

I was one of the witnesses.

I must admit I had some serious misgivings at first.

Only it seemed strange he should wish to leave all his money to his secretary.

Miss Prentiss? ─ Yes.

So that's what he meant when he said he'd saved his life.

He's made himself safe at her expense. It's her life that's in danger now.

She mustn't be left up there alone.

Miss Prentiss.

Miss Prentiss.

Miss Prentiss.

Yes? ─ Come here.

It's Owen.

Claire!

Owen .. Owen, what's happened?

[ Female screams! ]

Owen .. Owen .. no!

No .. no .. no! You must ..

[ Female screams! ]

And we are gathered here on this most mournful occasion.

To pay our last respects to the departed.

For the sins they have committed.

And none of us is free from sin, my people.

We can only pray for their forgiveness.

But let us never in Cwmglas forget.

The dignity.

The great dignity.

The great love.

The genial warmth.

And the profound humänity of those dear ladies.

Gertrude, Isobel and Maude.

Now with us .. ño more.

** Stevie D **