Original subtitles

You oughtn't to be exciting your mother like that, Miss Jones.

And will you please get off that bed and let your mother be ill in comfort?

Oh, for goodness sake, nurse, shut up and don't bother.

I've spent my life bringing these children into the world.

If you don't take that wretched little squalor outside, I'll throw it out of

the window.

Miss Jones!

I don't disturb you, do I, mother?

No, my darling.

But I'm sorry you're not pleased about her, Joan.

I had hoped you would have loved a sister.

I had the boys, and you?

It says you're feverish and ought to rest.

Try to get better, Mother.

We miss you so much.

Watch her there. One point for me. Look at that one. Come on, boys. Tea.

Here's what we'll do after tea.

I'll raise you to the summer house. I'll beat you every time.

Oh, Huey, I do wish you wouldn't try to do two things at once.

Why, naughty boy.

I thought I told you to get washed before tea.

Naughty boy.

And look at that toast.

Have you seen Mother?

Yes, I just left her.

Why isn't Nurse Nutcracker at tea?

Because she's with Mother.

Anyway, there's that squalling little infant upstairs.

Doesn't Nurse Nutcracker say it's the loveliest baby she's ever nursed?

What did I call her? I don't know. What's more, I don't care.

Yes, Father.

Come on, boy.

The doctor's coming over at once.

Oh, Mother!

Mother! It's just a spasm of the heart.

She's better now.

Joan.

Joan, take her hand.

Be good to her, for my sake.

for the kid.

Yes. Why don't you fetch her down sometimes?

We've got to get used to her.

Would you really like to see her? Yes.

Very well then.

I'll bring her down.

pretty. What are you going to call her, Jo? You two are always together, so we

better call her Darby.

Darby isn't a woman's name.

Call her Darby if you like.

It's as good a name as any other.

She's a wonderfully quiet baby.

Do you see how steadily she stares?

Her eyes never seem to move or blink.

We'll switch on the light.

Babies always like to look at a light.

Is there anything wrong with them?

What do you mean?

Get a candle.

Be quick, Tanny.

Look! She doesn't blink.

Nurse! Nurse Cotty!

Nurse! Nurse!

Look at her eyes. There's something wrong.

Oh, blessed little night.

Yes. She was born blind.

We didn't like to tell you.

Your father was too broken-hearted, and I hadn't got the blood.

But can nothing be done?

No. I'm afraid not.

The doctor says there's no hope.

That's right. Go on.

Straight ahead. Go on, quickly.

Go on, straight ahead.

Go on, quickly.

That's it. You've got just a few more.

Hooray! Hooray! Merry Christmas to you.

Thank you, Joe.

And a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.

Thank you, darling. Thank you.

Look, here's one for Danny. Look.

This one's for me. Thank you, Hillary.

There you are. There's another one for me.

Oh, and that's another one for me.

Nice pot, this.

Glad you like it.

Done any shooting lately?

Might air off. I don't get much chance.

Writing takes up most of my time these days.

Oh, we must go out one day.

I should be delighted.

Writing must be a pretty whole-time job, Mr. Templeton.

You've been hard at it ever since we arrived.

A week doesn't go very far when you're writing a book.

Good heavens, have we been back a week, York?

Yes, Uncle, we have.

Let me give you some more wine. Oh, thank you. What say we go out and see

Joan and the kids?

Yes, all right.

Oh, Dad, will you be coming up?

Yes, Teddy.

Sir Ralph and I will be with you in a few months. Excuse us, will you?

Certainly.

I've parked the reindeers and shaved off my beard, and here's your presents.

Come on, lads, come and get them. That's for you, Toddy, and that's for you. Here

we are. Thank you.

Hello. Now, the last present I gave you was five years ago, before I went away.

I still got it. It had kitten three weeks ago.

And the last time we met, Nettie, I think you were brunette.

Give us a head up.

Head catch.

Oh, boys, what have you done now?

It's Christmas time. Forget it. We'll fix it.

Hey, what's the idea?

Hey, oh, cool.

Steady on. Hey, what about my coal now?

Oh, it's a dome.

What's it look like?

Oh, it's beautiful, darling, like you.

Oh. Thank you, Mr. York.

Oh, a diary. How nice.

Ever kept one?

No. Oh, then don't you start until you've got something important to write

about. All ready for Snapdragon?

Oh, yes, please. We always have Snapdragon every Christmas.

Come along, Darby.

Oh, come on, Templeton, we're in this.

My dear Chep, I hate to think it.

Oh,

here she goes.

Do you know who this is?

Yes, Uncle Ralph.

Shall I give you one, darling? Here's one for you.

Have you ever played this before? No, but I'm enjoying it.

Yes.

I hadn't forgotten you. Well, that's very nice of you.

You must have a lot of fun together.

Yes, I suppose we do.

You're lucky. I don't get any. Why not?

Your uncle seems very jolly.

So much fun living with a fellow so much older than yourself.

Is he so much older?

He doesn't look old to me.

I dare say. But you can't be much of a judge.

You've lived in this place all your life.

I suppose you're quite a good man.

Well, I've traveled about a good deal.

Your brother tells me that you'd like to travel.

My brother seems to have told you a great deal about me.

Perhaps I asked him. Why should you interest yourself in me all of a sudden?

Because all of a sudden, you've grown into a very attractive woman.

I spent last Christmas on a waterless desert and dined off a tin of sardines,

which I shared with a wild dog.

Must be a great change for you to be back home again.

Yes, I've been a wanderer for so many years, I doubt if I'll be able to come

to roost even here.

Oh, but this is such a lovely place.

You know, there's only one thing missing.

What's that?

You shall have a lady presiding at your table.

I never thought of it. I must give the matter my serious consideration.

Then you'll have to start travelling again, Sir Ralph. The choice in this

district is strictly limited.

I'm afraid I don't agree with you.

Oh, by the way, I brought back some rather fine heads.

They're unpacked up in the picture gallery. I'd like you to see them.

Joan.

Not the picture gallery.

If looks are anything to go by, we've no reason to be proud of our ancestors.

You don't seem on very good terms with your uncle.

Oh, he's better looking than he is amiable.

I shall be lonely tomorrow.

The boys are going back to school.

I suppose you're fond of your family.

Very.

Has the little kid always been blind?

Yes. Why do you call her Darby?

Oh, it's just a nickname. She and I are always together, so they coupled as

Darby and Joan, that's all.

Cramps your style a bit, doesn't it?

You're not going to sacrifice your life for her, are you?

Sacrifice when you love someone.

Well, while the boy's away, do you think we might cheer each other up?

How do you know we could?

Well, we might try.

Perhaps we might.

Don't forget your football boots, honey.

This one next, please.

Teddy, I want your trunk. It isn't done yet. Well, get it done then. Would you

take that one?

Yes.

All right.

Next time a porter carries anything for me, I'll give him a tip.

See my hockey stick, Jo? Last time I tried it, it was under the bar.

Can't be his. He never goes in the bathroom.

I washed the pot well.

Bye-bye, fiddle. You'll break it. Oh, rats.

No respect for art at all.

Hey.

Leave that fiddle alone. It's valuable.

That's all right, sir. I'll play the ukulele myself.

How's it going, sis?

When the Templetons are finally evacuated, is there any chance of having

a word on our own?

Well, I don't know. There's all the clearing up... Oh, I didn't mean to push

myself. I merely thought you might be dull.

I'm that anyway. I don't think you could also.

Oh. Could anyone?

Oh, now, let me see.

There's your uncle.

He's very interesting.

Good. Better go and send him along.

Thanks. Oh, I think I'll get up before I'm frozen into the winter.

Everything ready, Jo? Almost, Father. I wish they weren't going.

You'll look after the boys, probably, Teddy, won't you? Oh, sure, Dad. I'll

see they all catch cold and do everything you don't want them to. My

boots! Have you seen the time? There's only five minutes to catch the train.

Come along, let's go and wish them goodbye. Come along, come along, you

little... Oh, thank heavens they're gone.

Gee, Settler.

Where's my fiddle?

You vent!

Time to feed Danny, Miss Darby. May I go, please?

I always feed the pony you gave me, Uncle Ralph.

If I'd given her a bicycle, it would have saved me a lot of hard work.

It's nice of you to take such an interest in us. I have no family of my

own. What about your nephew?

I'm afraid York and I don't get on quite as well as we might.

You see, I was reported dead, and for a time he thought the estates were his.

Then I turned up again, and naturally he feels a bit resentful.

Then there's the difference in our ages.

Oh, I'm sure you're mistaken.

I don't see how he could help liking you.

Do you really mean that anyone young would like an old man like me?

You don't give me the impression that you feel old. I don't.

Yet I've seen a good deal, and I've done a good deal.

And with it all...

I've just missed one thing.

What's that?

Affection. Oh, there's plenty of time to repair that, love.

Not a bit too old to get married.

Marriage is always a risk, more or less.

And I'm old-fashioned enough to think that love is an essential part of it.

Uncle Ralph!

Danny, this Lord has sugar on devil's nurse's property. We've had some lovely

fun. We'll make a groom of you yet, nurse.

You won't.

I don't know when I'll enter the ocean there, till he bites me.

Oh, Danny's a very discerning creature.

Now I know why my brother transferred from the cavalry to the tank corps.

May I come to tea again, please?

Can he, Joe?

If it isn't a waste of your time.

Thank you. Goodbye.

Goodbye. Goodbye, darling.

Goodbye.

I hope you haven't got an elephant you want to get rid of.

He's nice.

Yes. Do you like him better than York?

Bedtime.

Enjoying yourself, darling?

Yes, very much. But why can't we run?

Well, only three things against it. A blister, a bunion, and a bone in my

courses. We're getting time for lunch.

Oh, not just yet.

Well, five minutes, then, miss.

Hello. Well, you are a stranger.

Where have you been hiding?

Oh, I should have thought you'd have been too busy to have missed me.

Busy? I've only been doing my usual odd job.

Do you know what they are? Which lately includes a guest at tea every day.

Every day?

How touchy you are.

Why didn't you come along, too? Oh, no, thank you, no.

I see enough of my uncle at home.

Well, from all accounts, you've not been lonely.

What do you mean?

I hear that you and Nettie have been improving your game of golf every day.

Oh, did Uncle tell you that?

He wanted to make you jealous.

Jealous? Why should I be jealous?

No, that's true.

It's only fools like me who suffer from that complaint.

I don't believe you've given me a thought all the week.

Oh, yes, I did. A great many.

Your uncle and I spoke about you a lot.

Thanks, for nothing.

Why are you so bitter against him?

Because he's come between me and... my friends.

Well, that's not true. He's made no difference. The boys are just the same.

Boys? Who's talking about boys?

I mean us.

You.

Me?

I'm in love with you, Joan. You must be crazy if you haven't noticed it.

Covered it up pretty well.

I had to.

How can I compete against my uncle?

He's got everything.

I've got nothing.

York.

What difference does that make?

That clock's striking again.

Time just flies when we're together.

Together. I love to hear you say that.

Joan, I shall have to start to get busy, earn my own living.

I can't expect Uncle to go on keeping me.

No.

Does that mean you'll be going away?

We want to get married as soon as possible, don't we?

Of course.

There's no future in the country.

What had you thought of doing?

Law.

If I work hard enough, I should have been my feet in two or three years.

Two or three years?

It'll soon pass, darling.

And I'll come for you as soon as I can.

And Darby?

And Darby.

Promise me you won't have my uncle here anymore.

Why, he only thinks of me as a child.

I'm sure he'd love you if you gave him the least encouragement.

How could I?

Now.

By to me every day?

Tell me all the news?

It'll be worse for me.

I can only sit here, waiting.

Darling, I give you a toast.

Take love where you find it and leave them where you love them.

Why aren't you drinking?

There was no need to say that.

Oh, don't be silly, Connie. I didn't mean anything. That's exactly why I'm

not drinking to it.

I know what's on your mind.

Good.

Better than I know it.

You don't understand women very well, do you, York?

You don't take much understanding.

Neither do you.

You leave nothing to the imagination.

That's why we get on so well. We only do that because I make allowances for your

conceit. Now look here, Connie, there's no reason to say that.

I've given up everything for you. You've given up nothing.

I've done all the giving, and I'm beginning to wish I hadn't.

Well, you know what to do.

You're a heel, York.

You want everything to work out just your way.

You've called the tune and I've danced to it, when you've never given me a sign

that it's meant anything to you.

What about Lake Comer?

You'll let me down on that, too.

You've given me a swell sales talk about taking me there.

Being together near the Italian skies. But it was only talk.

Aren't you taking your hurdles before you come to them?

York, there's one barrier between us.

I haven't noticed it. Well, I have.

What about these?

Explain them if you can.

Joan Templeton. Of all people.

She was my best friend.

We used to say at school that nothing would come between us.

Where did you get these?

I kept you from seeing them.

I had to find out what was keeping you from me.

But I was crazy to think that I could hold on to you like that.

Well, I'm going to quit now.

No, don't do that, Connie. These netters mean nothing to me.

I don't believe it.

You'd lie your way out of anything.

But this is one time you can't. Think so?

Waiter.

Open it and see.

York, this is wonderful.

Lake Como together.

I'm so sorry.

Forget it.

I think we can safely say that the crisis is over now.

Doctor, are you sure there's no further danger?

Well, she will still need great care and attention.

I need hardly tell you how very serious a relapse would be.

Yes.

Is she in danger?

She's a fragile little thing.

We must hope for the best.

But there is one thing certain. She must spend the winter out of England.

There's no other course?

I'm afraid not.

She must have sunshine.

Good night.

Good night.

Good evening, sir. Good evening, Doctor. Very good.

Yes, very good.

Oh, Doctor.

What time will you come tomorrow morning? Very early. Now, you must ease

up yourself, or I shall have another patient on my hands.

Oh, I'm as strong as a horse.

Even horses need sleep.

Hello, Templeton. My dear fellow, I'm glad to see you.

Take off your coat. Sit down. Have something to drink.

How is Darby?

She's not well.

I've just been told she's spent the winter abroad.

Well, why not take her to the south of France?

Utterly impossible.

I've had some serious financial losses.

I've been dabbling on the stock markets, and I don't know much about them.

You never had much of a head for business, had you, Templeton?

No, I'm afraid not.

Well, why not let me look into things for you?

I've had a lot more experience than you, you know.

My dear fellow, I wish you would.

I get so muddled.

It seems I always buy when I ought to sell, and vice versa. Well, you give me

the name of your brokers, and I'll get busy.

Things may not be as bad as they seem.

Oh, there's Joan.

I'd like to have a word with her, if I may.

Do. She wants all the cheering up she can get.

Joan.

It's such a long time since I saw you.

I haven't had a moment.

You're doing too much.

I wish you'd let me help you.

Ah, now this won't do.

She's not so very ill.

Yes, she is.

Very ill.

But she'll get better.

Of course she'll get better.

May I see her?

If she's not asleep.

Is that Uncle Ralph?

Now, look here.

You've got to hurry up and get well, you know.

Your making us all very anxious.

Mr. Anxious?

Tell her to go to bed.

You stop here.

Yes, certainly I will.

Do go and lie down for an hour or two, Joan. You look absolutely worn out.

The nights are her worst time. She's so feverish, she can't sleep.

I couldn't think of turning you into a nurse.

I should enjoy the change.

I've got heaps of stories to tell her.

Do you mind, darling, not if Uncle Ralph stays?

Oh, thank you.

What shall we talk about, eh?

The summertime, when the sun makes the little bugs into beautiful flowers,

and all the tiny furry animals come out from their winter sleep.

You see, in the winter, when it's very cold, they burrow deep down into the

earth, and they go sound asleep.

Be asleep for hours.

Wonderful.

How tired you must be.

Did you sleep well? All night. I shall never forget your kindness.

May I?

It's a woman's province to make tea.

If you had a wife or daughter, you'd get quite used to it.

It's a very commonplace sight. Is it?

I shall never think so.

Now.

And so the poor little mermaid went back to her lonely cabin at the bottom of the

sea. Shona, are you so sorry for her?

Yes, darling.

Think how she loved the princess.

Then in the end it was all for nothing.

She married the princess.

Why didn't she tell him she loved him? And all about the fish's tail?

Because, darling, no woman will tell a man she loves him until he asks her.

You've been standing there. Just long enough to hear the mermaid's tragic end.

Hello, Darby.

A young woman, what does this mean?

I thought you told me you were going to get better.

How would you like to go to a place where there's no cold and damp?

Only blue skies, beautiful flowers, and bright sunshine all day. Where you'll

get strong and well, like the doctors say.

We'll summon the fairy godmother, eh, Darby?

We'll have carriages and horses and all the rest of it.

And we'll whisk you off before you've time to think of it.

And Joe?

Will Joe come?

And you?

Yes, certainly Joe will be there.

And I too, if I'm permitted.

Father's affairs are not as bad as he thought. No, no, much better.

And we can go to the South Fund? Yes, as soon as you please.

Oh, how wonderful!

Is York well?

He wasn't in town.

Where'd he gone?

I don't know. He left rather hurriedly. There was some sort of scandal.

Oh, please tell me.

I'd rather not.

But you must, really.

The young idiot got out of hand, ran up a pile of debts and went off to the

continent with some woman.

A woman?

I shouldn't tell you, brother.

We're such friends.

No.

No, we won't even think about it.

Last pour, mademoiselle.

Yes?

Common or garden ice cream.

Oh, it's always lovely.

Wait till you see it from the mountain.

It's so nice to be here with you, John.

My life's been such a lonely one.

I can't understand that.

I'm not very good at making friends or winning love.

Darby loves you.

Yes, I think she does.

Your father thinks the world of you, and I...

And you, Joan, what do you feel for me?

I'm terribly grateful for all your kindness.

Oh, I don't want gratitude.

I'm not much of a hand at making pretty speeches, but... I love you, Joan.

You've been a friend.

A real friend.

Friend?

No man could love a woman more devotedly than I love you, Joan.

Will you marry me?

I'm sorry.

Don't think anymore about it.

You're not angry with me?

Angry?

My dear, how little you know me.

Miss Jones.

Mr. Templeton's just arrived.

He'll be here in a moment.

Okay.

Time for your walk.

Not just yet, Mel. Sit down just for a few minutes.

Tell me what you look like.

Me? I'm no oil painting.

Did you ever have a sweetheart to take your bath? You know, like Uncle Ralph.

Yes? What?

He took me to the pictures.

I paid for the seats.

We held hands.

And then?

He married the girl who sat next to us.

Time for your walk.

Joan, my darling.

Oh, Father, how nice to see you.

What sort of a time have you had? Wonderful.

Darling, so much better you'll hardly know her. I'm so glad.

It's been a trying time for all of us. May we stay here a little longer? It

would make all the difference to her.

I'm not quite sure.

If you could just manage it.

It doesn't depend upon me, my dear.

It depends entirely upon Ralph.

Ralph? You've no idea what a good fellow he's proved himself to be.

You remember he promised to look into my affairs for me.

And the goodness of his heart... ...seed me as to my position.

Told me that things were not nearly as black as I thought.

I found out that he paid for us to come out here.

I'm as much his guest as you are.

Well, Father, you ought to have told me.

He's done all this for us.

Save Darby's life.

I... I... Yes, my dear?

I've hurt you terribly.

It is you, Daddy.

Yes, my precious.

It's all been so lovely here. How long we've stayed.

The sunshine here is beautiful, Daddy. It makes me feel so happy and warm. Not

like it is at home.

I'd love to sit in the pit and listen to the sea.

Please. Hello, Miss June.

Uncle Ralph says we must stay for the big carnival next week.

There'll be such wonderful things to see.

And he's going to tell me all about them as they go by.

We may stay, may we?

Oh, hello, Joan.

Perfect night, isn't it?

Yes, the nights are always beautiful here.

Ralph.

Yes? There's something I want to say to you, and I... I don't quite know how to

begin. About this afternoon?

You understand things so well.

Do I?

Yes, you're so... so quiet and restless.

Actually, I'm quite selfish.

I enjoy doing things for you.

I didn't mean to hurt you.

I was swayed by an impulse, and then... I was sorry.

Were you?

Yes, I was.

You must be quite sure of that, Joan.

It means everything to me.

Ralph, I am quite sure.

You mean that?

I'd sooner lose you now than find out later we've made a mistake.

There can be no question of that.

You love me, don't you?

Yes, but can you love me?

If I were not sure of that, I would never marry you.

I believe you, Joan.

Remember that.

Joan, how will this look?

But isn't this rather an extravagant way to start married life? No, of course

not.

You know, I've been thinking about York.

Yes? I can't find him.

The bankers say he still draws his allowance, but they don't know where he

is.

Oh, yes, that's very nice.

What do you want him for?

Well, to tell him about us.

See, our marriage makes a big difference to him.

He's no longer heir to the estate.

But it can still go to him.

My dear Joan, you're talking absolute nonsense.

But I could never be happy if I thought I was wronging him.

Well, think of me.

Not of my nephew.

Tell me, are you happy?

Of course.

You'd make anyone, then.

Doesn't she look happy in it?

Yes, the letter.

Bonsoir, madame. Je peux prendre l'ordre pour le dîner, madame? I have my letter,

thank you.

Consommé? Saut de frites?

Fouillé rôti avec une salade russe? I suppose you haven't got sausage and

mash. Sausage and smash, madame?

Oui, yes, you know.

Prends de terre.

Get a saucepan and put in the milk and the butter. I think perhaps a little

soup with some fish and some fresh fruit and cream would be better.

Merci, madame. Now I'll have the same waiter and in addition a nice juicy

steak.

Why don't you speak to him, Joan?

Come along, Darby.

We'll hurry up the waiter.

Did you know I was staying here?

No. I saw you from the seafront and rushed straight up.

Why didn't you answer my letters?

What letters?

I haven't received any for months.

I waited and waited to hear from you.

A line to say you hadn't forgotten.

But I didn't forget.

There's something odd about this. I can't understand it.

I can.

You're not telling the truth.

Why did you go away with that woman?

Oh, I felt lonely and away from home. Have you married her?

Good heavens, no.

When I didn't hear from you, I felt miserable and depressed. I went to her

for sympathy.

But that didn't stop me from loving you.

Nothing could do that.

Did she know I was writing to you?

Yes, we had quarrels about it. She was very jealous.

Do you think she intercepted my letters?

Oh, never mind.

All I know is that I've found you again.

Oh, Joan.

Look at me as you used to. Say you still love me. That you forgive me.

It's too late.

What do you mean?

I'm married.

Where on earth have you sprung from?

Oh, I came with a friend for a little mountaineering.

Well, didn't you get my letter?

No. I wrote telling you I was married.

Let me introduce you to your aunt.

No introduction is necessary.

Except for the mountaineering.

Well, what have you been doing all this time?

Oh, I have a lot to tell you. I've been travelling a great deal since I saw you

last. Munich, Vienna.

You'd better dine with us.

Yes, of course.

Thanks.

Look at this lovely view.

Isn't it wonderful?

How long will it take us to get up there?

Oh, not very long.

Come and look from here, Joan.

Makes me feel dizzy as though I was going to fall over.

Impressive, isn't it?

Very.

It makes you feel that all the things you considered important were purely and

ineffectual. Conventions, for instance.

They're futile compared with something really powerful, like the sea.

Even the sea is dark as I know it.

But it breaks in a moment's anger. Love is like that.

It requires just one gale of emotion to stir it into a raging fury.

What a ridiculous position, Joan.

It might be ridiculous if we were to do something foolish.

Let ourselves go.

But we're not going to do that, York.

We can't go on as we are.

Can you see them yet? No, but they'll wait for us. Are you tired?

Yes, a bit.

Well, give me your other hand.

I'll keep coming up.

There.

Now jump.

Up today. There we go.

Why don't you go away?

Because life means nothing to me without you.

Then why did you give me up so easily?

If you had believed in me, you'd have waited.

Why did you marry him?

He was good to me.

He saved Darby's life.

But you don't love him.

What a mess you've made of things.

I could never hurt him.

We shall have to go on like this.

It's best for both of us. You must see them.

From your point of view, yes.

Joan, I've been offered a job in South America. I'm going to take it. Come with

me.

We're both living a lie. You're offering something which is not yours to give.

I couldn't. But this is our chance.

We've got the rest of our lives to think of. You owe him nothing. Haven't I the

prior right to you?

But I have no right to listen.

But you are listening, Joan.

And I know what your answer will be.

Hello.

I say, isn't it magnificent up here?

Yes, we've just been admiring it. Actually, it depresses me.

Well, may we go back tomorrow?

I'm rather anxious to start running my new home.

Of course, darling, if you wish it.

Look down there, Joan.

We must be at least 600 feet above sea level.

They're all people.

Nobody else but.

Man, he only did.

When we finished school, I went to Hollywood. Then a year or two on the

continent. After that, London.

Oh, I often remember our days at school. They were good times.

Too good for me. I was always getting into trouble.

You mean getting me into trouble.

When I heard you were Lady Ferris, you could have knocked me down with a

feather. By the way, do you ever hear from York?

You were so fond of him once.

Yes. Which Romeo?

Boy and girl flirtation.

He was the Romeo over the garden wall.

He's in South America now.

Must seem strange being an aunt to a fellow who used to pull your hair.

Are you happy, Joe?

Very.

Ralph's a dear.

He gives me everything I want. Then York's a closed book.

What if he popped into circulation again?

You found him sitting on the garden wall.

He might come back.

He won't come back.

Connie Windsor.

Of course. How are you? Never better.

You're looking fine.

Oh, marriage agrees with me.

I just had a letter from York.

He arrives on Thursday.

This is unusual, Joan.

Being a dutiful nephew, I send my love to Auntie.

I hope she can find a corner for me at Ferris Hall.

Is that you, Darby?

No. It's your little nephew.

Look! In person.

How's everybody?

Fine, and you?

Oh, glad to be back.

You're just in time for tea.

It'll be like the old days in the schoolroom, won't it?

You've been away a long time.

Yes. You've changed, Joan.

You seem harder, as though you have more poise.

I know, like a racehorse.

I've never met anyone who could insult people more charmingly than you do,

York. That, my dear aunt, is one of the benefits of foreign travel.

Then it would have been much better if you'd stayed at home.

Having seen you again, I think I quite agree with you.

It's true that travel is supposed to destroy one's illusions.

You know, the glamour of the East and so forth.

Yes, I think it does.

Then it seems that your travel hasn't done you as much good as it might have.

Oh, I haven't any illusions.

They're your property.

I'll admit I was once blinded by a lot of silly schoolgirl fancies.

But although I haven't had the benefit of travel, they've all disappeared.

Am I to take it that I'm an illusion?

You were.

Oh. And my uncle? Is he one too?

No.

He's an illusion which has become a reality.

In other words, you're in love with him.

Old-fashioned witness he is.

I am.

In one of your thoughtful moods, Joan?

No, dear, just tired.

What were you thinking about?

Why were you watching me so closely at dinner tonight?

You were so brilliant.

Was I?

Yes, so was yours.

I felt quite out of it.

Still, it was grand to see you so happy.

You're very good to me, Ralph. Well, isn't that my job?

Yours hasn't been a very happy life, has it, Joan?

It might have been if I'd been a little wiser.

That seems an odd thing to say. You often say odd things.

Well, what is it about me that makes you love me so much?

Your beauty, your charm.

In fact, you're everything I want.

My ideal.

At first, I thought I'd no right to marry you.

Don't think that.

If I was not sure of my love for you then, I am now.

Sometimes I wonder...

If you'd be very pitiless if anything destroyed your ideal.

You can be very stern, you know, for all your gentlemen.

One of the things I've always admired about you, Joan, is your absolute

frankness.

It's lack of confidence that wrecks most marriages.

Love and trust go together.

I can't give one and withhold the other.

Ralph, if one were lost, if you ceased to trust... Why talk about things that

can't happen?

Why chase vague shadows when we've just assured each other that we're happy?

York, you shouldn't.

Ralph saw you. He must have.

He's only holding my aunt's hand.

There's no harm in that.

Joan, you're acting.

You've set yourself apart to play and you're playing it, but it's only acting.

You had no right to come back here.

I wanted to know what the years had done to you.

I'm as mad about you, Joan, as I ever was.

Don't talk like that. It isn't what I'm saying, it's what I feel.

Being so near to you and yet knowing you're so far away, it's driving me

insane. You're irresistible.

Can't you understand the position it puts me in?

Every action, every look only makes things more intolerable.

It can't, Joan.

I know it can't.

I feel like ending the whole thing.

What do you mean?

I'm getting the true perspective of life.

And I'm not a bit impressed with it.

Doctor, you frighten me.

I can't stand this. You living with another man when I know in your heart

you're in love with me.

Joan! No, please!

Joan, Darby's asking for you. She wants her tea.

Will you join us?

I'm sorry, I have some accounts to look into.

Very well.

Ralph, I have news.

I think it will please him. What is it?

York has proposed to Connie.

Proposed? Are you surprised?

Very.

But you always hoped he would marry her. Now what? I don't think he's in love

with her.

What makes you think that?

Observation.

Are you pleased about it?

Why, of course.

There's always something delightful to a woman in a friend's marriage.

I don't understand you, Joan.

You don't seem to take your own marriage very seriously.

I don't see why you should think that. I think I have every reason.

Do you regret it? Regret?

I believed you, Joan.

I never thought you'd be dishonest with me.

And I never thought you would misjudge. Had you been honest with me, I would

never have married you. At least I've done my duty to you.

If you suspected all this, why did you throw us together?

Why do you blame me? Why didn't you speak to York?

Well, I could hardly accuse your lover without the proofs you've managed to

hide so cleverly.

If you really believe that.

There's nothing more to be said.

Hello, going out?

I'm going to London.

Come and have a drink?

No, thanks.

And it wouldn't hurt you to cut it down a bit.

Oh, heavens, you're not going to give me a lecture on the evils of drinking, are

you? No, but there's one thing I am going to tell you.

Oh, what's that?

I've about reached the end of my patient shock.

I've stood a lot from you.

Oh, are you still harping on the fact that I haven't become a lawyer? You know

quite well what I'm talking about.

Oh, I see.

Now, you've added mind reading to your already long list of accomplishments.

How proud your wife must be. Leave Joan out of this.

Oh, this is good.

Oh, pistols for two, coffee for one, death strikes at dawn.

Very funny.

It seems to be the curse of your generation that you're unable to live

without adopting some ridiculous pose.

You hate my generation.

Why choose a wife from it? I don't wish to discuss my mistakes with you.

Mistakes, eh? Oh, and you have found out. Yes. And believe me, I'm not going

to submit without a struggle. And the first thing I'm going to do is to throw

you out of this house.

Why not be brave and throw Joan out after me?

I don't mind the crumbs on the rich man's table.

What do you mean?

If you can't see for yourself.

What do you mean?

Exactly what I say. Get out of this house. Now look here. Get out.

Not in bed yet, Darby?

No, I'm waiting for Joan.

Uncle Ralph went to London.

When? Oh, not very long ago.

This looks like it's going to be a hen party. I'm going to bed.

Good night, Darby. Good night, Joan.

Bye-bye.

Bjork left a letter.

It's on the desk.

This is the last time we're going to meet like this.

What do you want to say to me?

Many things, but you put them out of my head when you look at me like that.

Uncle has found out about you and me.

Doesn't that mean anything to you?

A great deal.

It makes it so much easier for us now. We can take up our lives together again.

I am to leave Ralph, and you are to break with Connie. Is that your program?

I only turned to her when I was tortured by your coldness.

I thought it would hurt you, and I meant it to.

It's better that we should understand each other.

I did love you, York.

But it could only have been my ideal of you.

What you've just said has destroyed even that.

You don't mean it.

You can't mean it. I do.

I love Ralph.

I'm sorry for you.

Don't pity me.

I just want to know if there's one atom of feeling that there used to be.

Anything that gives me the slightest hold over you.

I must go back now.

To what?

A fine life you'll have with Ralph now that he knows?

It won't be easy at first, but in time, with you out of the way.

Me out of the way?

Oh, that's quite all right.

Even now, I can't believe you mean it.

If you send me away, I shall never come back.

I don't want you to come back.

Well, no... Nothing makes you understand.

Won't you say goodbye more kindly?

Can't you even say goodbye?

What happened?

Yeah, there, my dear. Calm yourself.

We found you in a faint.

Has there been an accident?

Well, in a way. Tell me, is it you?

Shh, my dear.

Everything will be all right.

Where is he?

Darby! Uncle told me not to say anything.

Uncle?

When did he come back?

About nine o'clock.

I was listening into the radio.

Did he ask where I was?

Yes, but I told him I didn't know.

It seemed as if he was reading something.

Then he told me to go to bed.

Tell me.

I must know.

Is York dead?

Oh, don't ask me. Please.

Tell Uncle to come here at once.

Yes, Jones.

I don't want you.

Don't worry me now, dear.

He says you must come.

Something dreadful's happened.

I want to know what it is.

York has shot himself.

he found?

Near the sundial.

Who found him?

I did.

Why don't you go on?

Why'd you make me drag it from you?

There's very little more to say, except that you've wrecked two lives and cost

one.

I forbade York the house, and you met him.

I went to say goodbye.

Tell him to go away.

I don't think so.

I found his letter.

Why did you come back when you said you were going away?

I don't think we can do any good by talking.

You're very tired.

The inquest is tomorrow.

I'm afraid they'll need your evidence.

Mine? Why mine?

I can tell them nothing.

I was in the house when the shot was fired.

What about this?

Will you please, Danny?

At 10.22 on the evening of July the 27th, the body of York William Ferris

was discovered in the grounds of Ferris Hall.

A shotgun was found near the body. The right-hand barrel had been discharged.

Death was due to a gunshot wound from a charge which entered the body beneath

the heart.

There were signs of a struggle, pointing to the fact that a second person was

present. We are here to determine the cause of death and if that person was in

any way responsible.

Dr. McKenzie, please.

In my opinion, the wound could not have been self-inflicted.

I drove Sir Ralph to the station to catch the 847 train to London.

I left him there.

Then I spent the rest of the evening in the Crown Hotel.

Where were you on the night of July the 27th? In the house.

Did anything strike you as being unusual?

Sir Ralph and Mr. York had a quarrel.

Did you hear anything?

I heard Sir Ralph say, I'm going to throw you out of this house.

What happened then?

Then there was an awful crash.

I didn't wait for any more. I've been in more than one family quarrel.

Yes, sir.

Why, I've cleaned that air gun a hundred times.

He's one of a pair belonging Sir Ralph.

May I go now, sir?

Yes.

Angela Crotty.

Where were you when you heard the shot fired?

Must I answer that question?

Yes. In me bath.

Did you notice the time?

It was exactly 22 minutes past three.

Yes. The evidence says the shot was fired at 10.15.

I know.

Your watch had stopped.

And after you heard the shot, what did you do then?

I dried myself.

I never dressed damp.

Thank you.

That'll do.

Glad to have been of help to you.

Constance Windsor.

I came into the house with Lady Ferris and went to bed.

I knew nothing until a maid awakened me and told me of the tragedy.

Were you friendly with the deceased?

I was engaged to marry him.

Is that all?

Yes, thank you.

Lady Ferris, please.

I was in the house when I heard the shot.

I remember no more.

Were you on good terms with the deceased?

Yes. Your relationship, was that of aunt and nephew?

Yes. Nothing more?

No.

Was this letter addressed to York Ferris in your handwriting?

Yes. It was found on the person of the deceased.

Yes, that will do.

I don't think this letter should be produced at this point in the

proceedings.

Sir Ralph Ferris.

I was sitting in my room reading.

Suddenly I heard a shot.

I hurried downstairs into the grounds.

I found my nephew's body and I immediately telephoned the police.

Why didn't you take the 847 train to London as you declared your intention of

doing? I changed my mind.

Then why didn't you return in your car?

I'd already dismissed it.

Has there been ever any jealousy between your nephew and you?

No.

You've heard the evidence of Nellie Anderson.

Yes.

Do you agree that you and your nephew had a quarrel?

Yes, I do.

Why?

I didn't like his manner towards me.

He was insolent.

What did you do?

I turned him out of the house.

Did you strike him?

Yes, I did.

Were there any other reasons for your action?

I don't think so.

Did you by any chance suspect anything between your nephew and your wife?

No. Then how can you account for the fact that your wife wrote to Ferris

saying the situation is becoming unbearable?

Ralph suspects you.

I don't know.

Do they think Uncle did it?

Hush, dear.

But he didn't do it. I know he didn't. Quiet, please.

Am I to take it that you're accusing me of... I'm not accusing.

Uncle didn't kill him. It's wicked of you. You must sit still and keep quiet.

Uncle did not... After it, I know.

Let the child be sworn.

I know because Uncle Ralph was in his bedroom when the gun went off. Then I

heard footsteps running downstairs.

It was Uncle's. Then after a bit, I heard other footsteps.

Not Uncle's. Running upstairs.

Then all that you heard were footsteps.

Yes. Uncle's footsteps first, then somebody else's.

We cannot accept this evidence. You must disregard it.

That will be all, my dear.

Joe, tell them I can't see, but my ears, I can hear.

I know, dear.

Come now.

Do you recognize this pencil?

Yes, it's mine. It was found trampled in the grass beside the body.

It must have fallen out of my pocket when I was kneeling beside it. This gun

has been identified as belonging to you.

I don't deny it.

Returning to the question of jealousy... Am I to understand that I'm on trial

here? No, but I advise you to reply carefully and without heat.

What will they do to him? Will they kill him? Darling, you must be quiet.

Before arriving at your verdict...

Just a moment, Miss. Bring that person in.

I saw them meet.

I overheard what they said.

She didn't love him, but I did.

He only asked me to marry him so that it would hurt her.

Then they parted.

He went into the summer house. I followed to confront him.

He had a gun in his hand.

He meant to kill himself.

I tried to snatch it from him. In the struggle, it went off.

I was terrified and ran away.

That's all I know.

Oh, Connie.

How did...

You'll find everything written in here.

Please read it.

All of it.