Original subtitles

Larry.

Oh, now what is it?

You know.

Well, what I told you about on Thursday.

Another time.

I've got to get over to Hartford today and quick.

Brother Kearley's up in front of the beaks at the juvenile court.

Yes, I forgot about him. Do you think he'll be all right? Sure, you don't need

to sweat. First offence.

But I really must have a talk to you sometime, Larry.

Perhaps when you get back from court. Come on, and make it quick.

Check.

Come on!

Come on!

So naturally, as you've only been in this locality a matter of weeks, this

bench is only too ready to remand the case for you.

To make further inquiries about the boy's family and background.

It's very good of you, sir. I would like to tell you one thing, though, Mr.

Phillips. In our experience, and of course that isn't inconsiderable, these

acts of juvenile violence, well, they're not always a matter of environment and

upbringing. And it's not always the fault of the parents.

Oh, no.

A lot of the trouble lies with the lad himself.

I wouldn't argue with you there, sir.

But I've had quite a few years' experience with the Parachute Battalion.

And we used to take in a lot of young fellows of very much this age and type.

And I do know that if we didn't give them a fair chance, well, a great deal

more than a fair chance, we'd never turn them into normal, average, decent

soldiers.

And I'd have thought the same thing held true of civilians.

Well, if you wish, now, will seven days be sufficient?

Oh, yes, and thank you very much. The probation officer will make arrangements

for you. Thanks.

Shall I push off now? Yes, I'll see you.

Oh, by the way...

Good luck for Saturday. It's Manchester United, isn't it?

No, we're playing the Robbers.

Oh, well, as long as you bait them.

This, uh, Juve.

Juve and I are the linkbox of yours.

You sure you want him back in circulation?

Yes.

Once I've started something, I'd like to go through with it.

Well, there'll be a couple of papers for you to sign. I'll drop them in at the

vicarage for you tonight. Yeah, all right, do that. Well, come in and have a

drink. Only, dumb belated, I've got the youth club.

Thanks, I'd like to.

Bye. Goodbye.

Oh, ma'am.

Yes? They told me to see you.

Oh, yes, that's right. We're writing you a letter. You'll get it in a few days.

Man, is she for real?

A proper hot shot. And get there.

A bunch of squares from Squaresville England.

You know something?

They make me sick, Dick.

Oh, hi, Kelly. Hi.

Oh, hello there.

Man, get her, I'm flying.

Come on, what did the square do to you?

Come on, Curly, tell us what happened.

What happened?

Nothing happened.

A lot of crummy, hairy talk from four old geezers sitting up at a table. Just

like, what's my line?

And then, old oldie Joe from over the... I'm not here.

Larry's bike.

I saw it outside.

Yes, he lent it to me.

Well, tell him I asked for him, will you?

Thanks, Curly. I'd do the same for you sometime.

Mary's a nice kid. Why'd you have to? I know, I know. But you don't want someone

in your hair all the time, do you?

Or do you?

Can I have a bag of cigarettes, please?

Yes, my dear.

Ma'am, do you want us to buy her that for Christmas?

Chineer? French kids. Words across the vicarage.

Thank you. You've changed.

Oh, yes.

Think you'll remember me next time you see me?

Take it easy, Larry. Take it easy.

Oh-ho.

So this is a great light, Thompson.

Quite a boy, they tell me.

And it's on.

You're sharp.

Real sharp.

You're about my speed, too.

We got a date tonight?

Yes, serving out here at the youth club.

Over there?

Churchill?

Yes, it's not so bad.

The vicar's got some pretty good new discs.

You can rock if you want to. Ma'am, we're gonna rock, rock, rock around the

church tonight.

Sure, we'll get a great charge out of that.

Do you have to be there?

Mm-hmm.

But I tell you this, Mr. Phillips is all right.

He's different from the others, you know, with the collar. None of them

reverends are different.

We'll see if we can cross there later.

Jazz it up for a bit, maybe.

Now, no trouble.

No, no trouble. I want to thank the reverend anyway.

Spoke up pretty well for me today, he did. Hear what Curly says? No trouble.

No bicycle chains, no knives.

I must go now.

What do you say?

Any guess?

Crocodile.

Man, she's for real.

Hello, Tommy. Good evening, Jim. Hello, Vicar.

No, I think if you could get away from that little beast of a brother of his,

it'd be perfectly all right.

Big brother's a nasty piece of work, I take it.

Oh, Larry Thompson's a real shocker.

He really qualifies for that word of yours. What was it? A juve. Thanks.

Now, that was naughty of me.

Potential juvenile delinquent. That's a correct term for your young man.

I don't know why he's mine all of a sudden. I've only met him twice.

Well, good night, Padre. Thank you very much for showing me around.

And thank you for the strong drink.

Oh, incidentally, would you like a lift next week when I call for your young

Master Curley?

Thank you very much, if it's not too much trouble.

Well, she's rather small. Do you think you'll be able to fit in?

Anything you can do, I can do. Yes, I must admit, I asked for that one. Yeah,

all right, coming.

Good night, Padre. Good night.

Oh, hello, Miss Peters.

Hello, Miss Peters.

Have them.

Has the vicar arrived? Oh yes, he's arrived. And we think he's here to stay.

He's dreaming.

Too good a target. Get your shoulder on sideways.

That's it. That's better. Come on now.

All right.

Yes. Good. Good. Yes.

Much better. Get on balance.

Good.

Good. Good. Good. Yeah, but use your knuckles. Don't hit with that open

knuckle. All right. All right. Good.

Good. Good. Good boy. Good.

Come on. All you've got. That's it. Harder. Harder. Harder.

Come on. All right. Now get it. Come on, Wally.

Now you two. Don't forget. Not all this.

Educate straight left. You've got a right as well, huh?

Right, go on. No black eyes. Hey!

It looks as if you need this. Hello, Miss Peters. Missed you.

Well, I've been trying to get the parish magazine up because it should be at the

Princess by tomorrow. Now, watch his right, Wally.

Watch it.

Oh. I said watch it, not sample it.

I'm sorry, the magazine.

Well, it's just as it should be at the Princess by tomorrow. Now, that was

lousy. Close your glove.

I'm sorry. I'm with you, with you. Well, it's just that I was planning a new

layout along the lines you suggested.

Yeah, well, I think it's time we lighten things up a bit.

Yes, I suppose Father and I did get a bit stuck in our ways. Hello, Vicar.

Hello, John.

Yeah, well, we'll talk about it later, shall we? All right, fine.

Pass me Mrs. O.

Excuse me.

Something?

Why, you're doing all right.

Hi, Victor. How's tricks?

Oh, fine.

Nice of you to come over. Enjoy yourselves.

Michelle, when you've time, would you run over to the vicarage to say I shan't

be in for dinner?

Yes, sir, certainly.

That's your darling? Uh-huh.

Hey.

Hey, young man.

It's all fixed for Monday. Thank you, Victor, and thank you for today, too.

All right, it's all part of the service.

But I'd like you to come and see me tomorrow.

No, it's all right. I shan't preach to you and make you pray. I just want to

sort out some of the facts. Thank you.

Okay.

Come on, Wally!

Come on!

Keep your elbows in.

Go on, tuck it in.

in the shack of a meany jacuzzi theater. What a reason to respect.

Not so happy to respect.

It's getting a bit wild. Let's quieten down a bit. And, Michelle, will you take

that message for me right now, please?

Yes, sir. What's the matter?

A bit of action never did anybody any harm. And look, Vicar, if you're going

to rock, then you've got to rock.

It's all right. I've nothing against rocking. Only take it easy, that's all.

Ah, let's get out of here.

This churchy stuff.

Square with a round collar.

They're a bunch of creeps and sissies anyway.

Who are you calling names, then?

Easy, Buster.

Unless you want to play rough.

Now you stay where you are if you don't want your little friend's arm broken.

It's better.

Now listen to me.

Officially, I'm the man of peace.

But if you bunch don't throw down those ornaments of yours on the table there

right now, I'm going to give myself the great pleasure of throwing you one by

one through that window.

And believe me, it's quite a drop.

We were just going in here. Yeah, sure you were going, but not carrying any of

that cutlery to help you settle scores in a dark alley on the way home.

How about it, fellas? Come and do what he said.

Whose side are you on anyway? On yours, only you don't seem to know it.

And so the rest it seemed.

That's fine.

Come on, up you get.

Oh, come on, let's get out of this smashing nightclub anyway before it's

rated. Just a minute, you've forgotten something.

Come on, pick it up.

No contribution to put on the table?

I wasn't carrying anything.

Straight I wasn't.

Good.

I'd hate to start something on your behalf and then not want to finish it.

Good night, Victor.

Good night.

Well, there you are. What did I tell you?

Come to the church hall and see life.

Shall I? Oh, do. Anything is better than this silence.

Or is it?

Gotta get out of that.

Larry,

Larry, where are you going? Ah, the show's over, so we're taking you with

us, doll.

They're dead.

Strictly Deadville, England.

Well, all right. I'm free for the rest of the evening. So we're waiting for.

Let's take a hike, Mike.

Come on, let's go to the pool.

No, not for me.

So long.

Oh, here. Let me help. You know,

I love this room.

Of course, it's very different from when we lived here.

You've made it very charming. So artistic, if you know what I mean. Well,

Howard has a fair amount of taste. I'll give him naps. The way he gets it from,

the Lord only knows.

His father and I were just a couple of Philistines.

Oh, really, Mrs. Phillips? You do say the most surprising things.

You mean because I don't behave like a clergyman's mother?

Well, thank goodness I don't, my child.

I suppose, Howard, the vicar told you what happened at the church hall earlier

this evening.

He raced in and out.

Besides, he knows better than to discuss his work with me.

To start with, I'm not the ministering angel type.

And I'm terribly likely to say what I think of the wrong moment to the wrong

person. And before you know what's happened, I've put back religion a

thousand years.

Cigarette? I don't.

Aren't you lucky?

Ghastly habit.

At any rate, it's high time he got married.

Most figures have a house full of screaming, half-starved children by the

time they're 30. Yes, I suppose they do.

No, I'm not a possessive mother.

I don't believe in them.

I suppose you don't know of any eligible females... Oh,

more coffee?

No, thank you.

No peace to the wicked.

The vicarage?

Oh, yes, Howard.

Oh, no, of course you can't. I quite understand.

We are still waiting.

Well, come as soon as you can.

Goodbye.

Howard's sorry, but he's been delayed.

His girlfriend keeps him so late.

Girlfriend?

Let all bitterness and wrath...

and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you with all

malice.

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted,

forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ's sake,

hath forgiven you.

so soon, Vicar?

His own Mrs. White fell asleep on me again.

Oh, dear.

She never did that with old Mr. Peters.

Oh, there you are. Obviously, I happen the right way with women. Good night,

Matthew. Good night, Vicar. Thank you for coming.

But, Vicar, keep on trying.

The old folk need you just as much as those young ruffians, you know.

Nice of you to say so. I'll keep trying. Good night.

Too much noise.

All right, Jess. Come on, quick.

Are you sure you won't have a drink? Quite sure.

Mrs. Phillips, do you... like me?

Of course, Miss Peters, I... Oh, please call me Heston. Don't say of course like

that. Because I like you very much.

I admire you tremendously and envy you.

Envy me?

Your whole outlook on life.

The way you think.

Oh, I know you must feel I'm... How old do you think I am, for a start?

Oh, well, really, Hester. Well, go on. Tell me honestly.

No, I will not.

I've always found that whenever I've been asked to guess people's ages, I'm

so terrified of saying the wrong thing that I go to the other extreme and say

something quite ridiculous.

I'm 30.

Oh.

What's wrong with that?

Oh, let me do that.

You thought I was more.

I really hadn't even begun to think about it. Oh, but you had.

Everyone does.

But I suppose 30 is quite old, really, for a girl still not to be married.

Oh, I'm sure some nice young man will come along at any time and pop the

question. One.

Oh, one did, once.

Ten years ago.

It was very romantic.

We were up by Longwood. Of course, that was before they built that awful new

town. And you didn't accept him?

Oh, yes.

Yes, I accepted him.

My father didn't.

You mean Mr. Peters didn't find him suitable?

You see, my father expected such a lot of me. When my mother died, he made me

take such an active part in parish affairs, and then... It's funny.

I know exactly what Bellington thinks of me.

The old vicar's daughter.

The local do-gooder.

Sunday school teacher without a sex life.

They're quite right, of course.

But it needn't have been like that.

If my father hadn't been so ill, I... I'd have gone away years ago.

Years and years ago.

Oh, I'd have gone away all right.

Hester, 30 really isn't old, you know.

It is when you feel as I do.

You don't know how I dread the feeling of becoming a dried-up old spinster.

Full of frustrations and loneliness.

You see, I really despise that sort of person.

Oh, that's him now.

Excuse me, Hester.

Hello, darling.

Still hitting the bottle, I see.

You look awfully tired, young man. A bit.

I've told Michelle she can go out for the rest of the evening. But she's left

everything in the kitchen.

Oh, just a cup of coffee, please, darling.

I'll make you some fresh. It won't take a moment.

By the way, Hester's still waiting.

Oh.

Can't you see I'm tired? I had to crawl upstairs to bed.

Oh, all right. I suppose she's not a bad sort, really.

You could see the smug look on your face.

Martha about to be thrown to the lions.

Strictly out of Quo Vadis.

You're quite wrong. That's my expression on Easter Day when I'm counting the

collection.

Coffee won't make it hot.

Hester. Miss Peters?

Hello. Hello.

Terribly sorry to have kept you waiting. I hope you haven't been too bored. Well,

of course not. Your mother's an awfully sweet woman. Oh, my mother's sweet.

She's mad. Mad as a hatter.

We usually lock her up first Sunday in Advent and let her out till Christmas.

Sit down.

Well, let's see what you've cooked up for me.

Unsuspecting burgers of Bellington.

Nice, nice.

Of course, I could put the acknowledgments on another page and the

list of advertisers to the back.

You know, what I really ought to do is to read through what you've written

before we discuss layout, isn't it? Well, that would be a help. And I wonder

if we could get in something about youth club activities, such as they are.

You mean Vicar Quill's teenage gang riot, fire hoses and tear gas to be

installed in the church hall?

I'm so sorry. Does this worry you? No, of course not.

I love the smell of tobacco.

It's such a man-about-the-house sort of smell.

Yes, I suppose it is.

Tell me, Miss Peters, I want to know what you think. What do you make of

young Thompson?

Larry Thompson?

Hmm.

Howard, I think that boy is evil.

Really evil.

Oh, steady on.

Likes to show off. He's a bit of a troublemaker, but I wouldn't say evil.

Throwing Michelle around with her legs like that, it was really indecent.

Oh, come on. Go up to the swimming pool. You'll see plenty more legs than that.

Oh, you know, that's quite different.

Anyhow, I hope you won't let him go to the club anymore.

I thought the object of youth clubs was to attract the Larry Thompsons of this

world, not keep them away.

You forget I've known him since he was a child. And I tell you, Howard, if you

treat these people like that, they'll just laugh in your face.

I think I'll survive that.

You see, I think that this boy and the others like him, I think they need help.

All the help I can give them.

It's as simple as that.

Hey, keep it quiet.

Here, look at me. I'm here.

Look at that one. Look at that one there, darling.

It's good.

Thank you, darling. Larry, do you think you ought to? Yeah, sure. Why not?

Give me one, please.

Ask him not to make so much noise, will you?

Shh.

Goodness, how fast this place is growing.

The job would have been too much for my father, even if he hadn't got sick.

You're said to get to have your hands full, coping with all this.

Yes, but only if I can manage to make some sort of sense with the youngsters.

If we don't get hold of them, in 20 years from now, you can shut all the

churches and people like me will be out of a job.

Oh, I think it'll make sense, all right. I hope so.

You see, these lads of 17 and 18 today, they almost earn a man's wage, and they

want to prove that they're men.

But they don't know how to, except through violence and showing off. Yes, I

know. The trouble is that they'd resent all advice from anybody over 30.

How can anybody that old possibly understand what they feel?

You think of us that way, Hester, you and me.

Just a couple of crummy middle-aged squares.

I may be, but you're not.

I've seen the way they look at you.

In a funny way, they...

Respect you.

Just as I do.

Only, of course, not in a funny way.

I respect them too.

In fact, you know something? It's a regular mutual admiration society.

Murder.

Larry, can I have a towel?

Scram, thank you Tell me yes, how come I haven't run into you before Because I've

not been here very long Straight from Sexville aren't you?

Why you have to use up funny American talk all the time. I mean what's funny

about it the gang like it Well, I think it's silly You're a nice boy.

You shouldn't go around like you do.

How do you mean?

Well always making troubles like you did tonight

My father is very strict on anything like that.

You don't know what having a father is till you've had a load of mine.

He's a ruddy terror.

When he's on the warpath and reaches for that belt of his, then I'm halfway down

the road.

Larry, you speak so funny things and so quickly.

I don't understand. You mean your father hits you with a belt?

No, not anymore, he don't.

Our Larry's learned how to keep out of his way.

Curly, poor Curly. He didn't even dare come here tonight.

Went straight home.

He hits girl with belt.

You little brother.

You're quite something, Michelle.

I'm quite something. What?

You're for real. You're... You're beautiful.

Oh, you speak so very nice sometimes.

Me?

So very, very nice.

There's been no one in Bellingham worth speaking like that to before.

No one worth bothering about.

And now...

Go sit back in the morning. Oh, that's all right. I can walk over.

Would you like a drink? I think there's something in the house. No, no, thank

you. I must be getting back.

Well, good night, then. Good night.

Esther, it is you, I hope.

Oh, hello, Father.

Oh, dear, I do hope I didn't wake you up. No, no, I was reading. You were much

later than usual. I was a little worried, that's all.

Oh, Father, I...

I've never spoken to you about this before, and, well, it's nine and a half

years ago now, but Peter Burton, you remember?

Well, when you said that I shouldn't marry him, I always felt a certain

bitterness inside me, even... Esther, my dear... Oh, but it doesn't matter now.

It's all over.

You see, I've suddenly realized that, well, there was a reason for it all.

And all these years that I've been helping you to run the parish, there was

a reason for that, too.

So that I could help someone else someday to do the same thing and be a

part of their life, too. You mean Howard Phillips?

Yes.

He's not married, thank heaven.

And, well, Rebecca does need a wife.

And I certainly do think he likes me.

Well, anyway, there's no one else who knows the place or the people as well as

I do.

It's way past your bedtime.

Go on.

Upstairs.

Sleeping.

Oh, Hester, I do hope everything's going to be all right.

Why shouldn't it be?

Good morning.

The early one.

Good morning.

I suppose she got you to give her a lift back.

That's right.

Did she attack you? She won't. Not that you would have known if she did. You're

hopeless. I don't know what you're talking about.

Hester's a very nice girl and I quite like her.

And thank you for owning those. No, no, no, no, no.

I'll get paint on them. I'll have to pack them in the bag.

I suppose you realize she's after you.

After me? She wouldn't repeat everything I say.

Hester is in love with you.

Pardon, madame.

Madame, this Swap Flackers.

Which Swap?

Where do I find him?

Oh.

You just ask Mr. Price, the grocer. He'll give them to you. Yes.

Soap, please.

Thank you, madame.

Sweet.

Don't you think she dresses somewhat racially for a girl who's just going out

shopping? You have an evil mind.

Mrs. Browning from the agency says she comes from a very nice family.

I wish I did.

Come from a nice family, I mean. Brute.

Now, Hester.

Oh, Hester.

Yes.

I think it's rather sad.

Thirty and very frustrated, sex rearing its ugly head.

Madam, have you no respect for my class?

Not a drop.

You ought to know the facts of life as well as I do, and if you don't, then you

ought to go around a bit without that dog collar of yours and learn all about

them. What's all this in a dog?

Chuck me that rag, would you?

Has it ever occurred to you that Hester might imagine she'd make an ideal

vicar's wife?

Yes, I'm sure she would, so long as it wasn't mine.

How?

If it ever comes to telling her that, be careful.

Oh, be so careful how you do it.

Hester, the woman, scorned.

Hell hath no fury.

Though hell sounds more like your territory.

Forgive me, Trespassy.

And if I don't see you before I go, make lots of gold. To hear is to obey.

And remember, Hester, if it did happen, it wouldn't be all her fault.

Number nine, that's hard, Phillips. Just a little bit more quietly, Hester,

please. Yes, Father. It's unusual these days to find one in a professional

football team.

Who's the match between?

Well, his team is the one with white shirts. I don't know about the other.

Admirable.

Concentrating on only one of the sides must make it so much easier to follow.

Now, a neat pass down the line and Farmer has moved over to take it. Looks

dangerous for Rovers.

No splendid interception by centre-half Williams.

Now Rovers attack.

And Peters is beaten in the air. And Mervyn makes a wonderful save.

Corner to Rovers.

Well cleared by United.

Right away upfield to Webb. Two Rovers defenders in a tangle.

Outside right Smith to Brown. He shoots. And Phillips diverts it into the net.

He's scored. He's gone.

Yes, Phillips has scored after two minutes.

I thought for a moment that he might have been offside right at the start of

that movement.

But didn't you hear? He just scored the first two minutes. What do you make of

that? I make it that in 90 minutes' play, he should score exactly 45 goals.

Oh, father, stop it.

Oh,

it's gone wrong.

Good morning, Vicar.

I was watching out for you. Wanted to save you having to get out of the car.

Well, that was thoughtful of you. Getting in is the problem, though.

Good game on Saturday.

It's not bad.

I thought you were offside, of course.

Yes, so did about four million other people on the telly. Shall I tell you

something? So did I.

What?

I know what you're thinking.

No, no.

Men drivers, women drivers, it's all the same to me.

Liar.

All right, I'm a liar.

I didn't realize you were the soccer star.

The crowd didn't seem to think so in the second half.

No, but it's useful in your job.

Especially with the youngsters.

You should cash in on it.

Where... Shorts and football boots in church instead of a surplus in cassock.

A smashing idea.

No, but seriously.

Children worship athletic heroes. You're useful.

A lot more useful if I could swivel my hips and out like a broken down hound

dog.

Oh, that's a passing phase.

Won't last.

Not even five years. Maybe. Still, I sometimes wonder if we're doing any

good.

Well, we're not doing any harm, surely.

That's my unfinished business, that one.

Come on, curl him!

Well, we can always find out.

Police evidence proves that this lad was a member of a gang who were involved in

an orgy of this window smashing.

I know we didn't catch any of the others, but there's very excellent

reasons why this lad should be sent to an approved school if it's only to act

as a warning.

And I maintain, sir, with deference to your great experience, that if he is

sent to a borstal, this boy is on the way to becoming a proper criminal.

I don't know him well, but I would say he's well worth his extra chance.

I know many of them aren't, but I would say this one is.

It's a very difficult position.

We're anxious to try to help.

Now then, if you can...

If you could persuade within ten days the shopkeepers who were involved to

withdraw the charges, and if you would personally act as surety for this lad's

behavior in the future, then this court may be able to quash the charge.

Well, thank you very much, sir.

Thank you, all of you, if that's an order. Well, it's not, but no matter.

Next case.

Oh, Mr.

Phillips.

Nothing to do with this case, of course, but Saturday...

Work, eh?

Offside.

Hello. Hello.

Oh, let me take that.

Thank you, dear.

It's astonishing the amount of rubbish one takes with one, even if you're only

going away for a week.

Well, you'd better leave that, Michelle.

We can manage.

Voila. Well, you better run off if you want to catch that bus of yours. Thank

you, madame. I'll take that, Michel.

What were you at? Bye-bye.

Well, that hair.

Don't you think it dresses a bit?

Oh, well, it's her day off. She can wear what she likes. Within reason.

Well, but Howard won't stay alone in the house with her, will he?

Well, rarely, Hest.

But Howard will be alone tonight. What will he do about food? He'll manage.

Rustle up something for himself, I expect.

But I could pop over and cook him a meal. Oh, good gracious. I wouldn't hear

of it.

As a matter of fact, Howard rather likes foraging for himself.

Have a good time.

Goodbye, Hester. Take care of yourself.

No, no, this'll do splendidly. I've an enormous shopping list, and I'd better

get on with it. Goodbye. See you before next week. All right. Goodbye, Miss

Lacton. Thank you so much.

How's it going?

Hello, sir. How's your day?

Everything all right, too?

Yes, thanks. Can't complain, except about the size of the congregations.

They'll grow with time, sir. I hear you had a spot of bother at the church hall

the other night. Those Thompson lads, I imagine.

Oh, they're all right.

Wasn't really much bother.

You saw them off nice and proper.

Commander Sissy, was he?

Well, paratroopers, actually. I was only a pageant, remember.

Well, they make them jump just like all the others, don't they? Don't fancy it

myself. Well, nice to see you, Vicar. Anything I can do to help. All right,

son. Goodbye.

Bye, Joe.

Hello, Mary.

I'll have, uh, oh, two pounds for those apples, please. And, uh, give me half a

dozen of those oranges. They're nice.

Hello, what's the matter?

It's nothing, Vicar.

nothing at all must be something pretty girl like you doesn't cry for nothing at

all it's nothing really would you like to tell me something about it i can't

i might be able to help you know i i'm much cleverer than i look i can't

can't tell anyone well you know where i live and if you'd like to come along

anytime you're very welcome

Hello, Mary, it's you.

Come on in.

Oh, what a horrible night.

Go on in. There's a fire in there.

There's no one in here. Go on in.

Come on, that's it. There's nobody here.

Take your coat off and then sit by the fire. Goodbye.

What about a cup of tea, eh?

Here's some more.

Yes.

No? Do you mind if I do?

Come on, go and sit down.

Well, it's a long way from where you live.

And you wouldn't have come all this way unless you had something very important

to tell me, would you?

Hmm?

If you won't talk, I'll have to.

It's obvious that you're in some kind of serious trouble, so let's get to the

bottom of it.

Have you killed anyone?

No.

That's a relief. All those tears. I thought it must be at least that.

Have you robbed a bank?

Of course not.

Oh, we're getting on. You haven't killed anyone, you haven't robbed a bank. It's

probably something quite simple, then.

You gonna have a baby?

Yes. Is that going to happen to me?

Well, good heavens.

Is it as tragic as all that?

You've seen a doctor, I suppose?

I went into Carsford.

I didn't want anyone here to know.

Does the young man who's responsible know about it?

I've tried to tell him.

Somehow I can't.

He doesn't see me anymore.

Perhaps I could tell him.

Who is it?

I can't.

Do your parents know about it?

I couldn't face Dad alone.

He's always been quick-tempered.

I don't know what he'd do.

He could even kill Larry.

Is it Larry Thompson?

Mary, you've got to tell me now.

Is it Larry Thompson?

If Larry knew I told you, he hates you.

Says horrible things about you. No, let's not worry about what Larry

Thompson says or thinks about me. It's you we've got to worry about. You. You

and your baby.

I don't know.

I don't know what to do. Take it easy. We'll work out what to do. I would do

better for everybody if I was dead. Mary, I'm not going to have you talking

like that. Mary, stop it. I don't want to go on living. I would better off if I

was dead. Mary, stop it. Stop.

Stop it. Stop it. I was dead.

You can face it and you will. I can't face it. Yes, you can face it. Let me

tell you, I don't know what to do.

If you do anything to yourself now, you'll be taking another life as well.

Do you understand that?

Do you understand?

I suppose so.

All right, then.

Now, you're going to swear to me. You're going to swear to me before God to put

all thoughts of death out of your mind.

Now, you swear that.

around to your home after supper.

Will that do?

Well, Dad goes to the pub at 9.30.

I'll be there at 9.

Okay?

Thank you.

Now you leave it to me.

I'll have a talk to your father, and then you'll have to do the same.

I don't want anyone to see me like this.

All right, come on.

You follow me.

Thank you, Victor. Thank you. God bless you.

Hello, Esther.

Hello, Howard.

What on earth are you doing here?

Oh, my, you look worried.

No, I'm all right.

I brought you some food, some eggs and things.

I thought I'd get you something to eat. Oh, that's very good of you. You

shouldn't have troubled.

Oh, well, I'm quite sure you haven't bothered to get yourself anything. Yes,

it's all right, Hester, really.

I've had a snack. No, Father. I told your mother I'd be over later in the

day.

Really? I wish you wouldn't.

Here, just as I thought.

Well, it'll have to be an omelette. It's most thoughtful of you, but I've got an

appointment. Oh, not your old Mrs. White again.

Go on, sit down. It'll only take a minute. No, really, I mustn't be late.

Well, I'm sure whoever it is won't mind waiting.

No, Hester, I wish you wouldn't get... Sit down.

You know something?

If I were your wife, I'd see that you were properly looked after and not left

alone like this.

Hester, I... Oh, Howard.

Hester.

Oh,

my dear girl.

I'm so sorry.

I don't know what to say.

I think you'd better go, Hester.

Go?

You want me to go?

By which...

By that door.

The one that your last caller left by.

Evening, Mary.

Mary dead.

But I was just on my way to see her.

Larry did everything.

The doctor, the ambulance. Now, wait a minute. What do you mean?

Larry?

Do you mean Larry Thompson?

Yes, Larry Thompson. What's he got to do with it?

Well, we were on the sea together.

You know.

And Mary came across and there was the accident.

You and Larry were together.

And Mary saw you, is that what you say?

All right, go on then.

Well done, Mrs. Williams. You did splendidly.

Just splendidly.

I'll try and come in and see you later this afternoon.

Thank you, Vicar. Goodbye, Vicar. Come on, love.

Sad business, Vicar?

Yes.

Funny how Mr. Thompson can manage to give Larry a hand.

You can never find the time when young Curley's in trouble.

I wouldn't have said that young Larry was in any trouble this time.

Besides, the whole world knows who's the apple of Bill Thompson's eye.

Still no accounting for taste.

Come along, Michelle.

Goodbye, Sardinus.

You know where to find me if you want me. Right. Move along there.

Got to do my best to please her, and just cause she's a living dog.

Such a roving eye, and that is why she satisfies my soul.

Got the one and only walking, talking, living dog.

Take a look at her hair.

Larry! Larry, the vicar's outside. He wants to see you. Well, what's old early

Joe want? I don't know.

Here, take it.

What's it all about?

He didn't say.

I've got a date, you know. You may not want to keep it.

Come on, go and sit down.

Do you mind if I smell?

Quite a place you've got here.

What's the matter, Vicar?

Staring at me like I was dirt.

Just looking at you, wondering what makes you tick.

What you're thinking about after that inquest this afternoon?

Now listen, I've wasted enough of my time on that blimmin' inquest already.

I'm getting fed up with all this natter.

Yes, the inquest was quite a strain, wasn't it?

Oh, I don't know. I didn't mind, not really.

It'd take more than a flippin' coroner to scare me.

I was gonna hand it to you. You're the hell of a fellow, aren't you?

Well, the same. I don't think you told them quite all you know.

I told them what I saw.

That's all they wanted to know.

What else could I have told them?

You might have told them that you were responsible for the girl's death.

Say that again.

I said you could have told them that you were responsible for Mary's death.

All right, we'll have witnesses to this.

Michelle!

Michelle! You're wasting your breath. Michelle's out.

All right, your mother then. I'm not going to let you get away with this.

There's no one in the house.

If you want to have witnesses, get your little friends over from the coffee

barn.

I see.

No.

I don't need any witnesses.

I always could take care of myself.

Was there shock to you this afternoon when you heard that Mary was pregnant?

I get it.

No, you're trying to say I'd been mucking about with Mary.

You've got it in one, my friend.

That's exactly what I'm saying.

Now, listen to me. Sit down.

Mary told me that she was going to have a baby, and your name slipped out.

She'd say any name. But she said yours, and I believe her.

You've got no evidence.

So if you were Sir Blastie Shaw yourself, why didn't you speak up today?

Mary was dead.

If it's cruel enough, it had to be mentioned at all that she was going to

have a baby.

You saw what he did to her father and mother?

You saw that, didn't you?

Yes.

But I just want you to know that you killed her as surely as if you'd stuck a

knife in her back.

That's a bloody lie. She was frightened and she ran in the road.

Ah, no.

It wasn't fright that sent her running out into the road.

It was seeing you, the father of her unborn child, with another girl in your

arms. You're enjoying this, aren't you?

I know why you've got it in for me.

Because I'm not one of your little fan club.

Stupid bunch of kids who think you're great because you kick a football about

on a Saturday afternoon.

Well, not this one.

So long, Vicar. I haven't finished with you yet. There's another thing. You're

going to stay away from Michelle. I suppose you want her for yourself.

Oh, you're lucky for you. You're not big enough to hit.

Now, look here, mister. You can't stop me seeing her if I want to. I think I

can. What could you do? Tell her the whole story. I'm the police.

It doesn't frighten me. No? I think I know something it does. What about your

father?

Yes. Yes, I fancy he's the one to deal with you.

Now get out.

So that's how it's gonna be, eh?

What's the hurry?

I told you to get out.

You frightened of someone catching me with you alone in the vicarage, is that

it? Then you stay if you want to hear me talk to your father.

People might think things might, don't they?

Especially when I tell them how you got me here when you knew there was no one

else in the house.

It'll be your word against mine.

Only I'm going to get some real evidence.

You wait till people hear about this.

Come here, you damn little... What do you think you're doing?

Take your hands off me, you filthy swine. What do you think you're playing

at? Leave me alone.

Oh, Miss Peters.

Larry, what on earth's the matter?

He tried to... Larry, what happened? I've got to know. I can't tell you.

You've got to.

He tried to... He tried to interfere with me.

Lying.

I'm not... Hester! Oh, let me get out of here! Hester, for God's sake, listen to

me. The boy's lying.

Oh, no, he's not, Howard.

Yeah, Hester, what?

Hester, will you listen to me?

Hester!

Would you go?

And if it's Mr. Phillips, would you tell him that I'm not well?

I can't possibly see him.

Good evening, Mr. Peters. I'm sorry to disturb you at this time of night. I

wonder if I could have a word with Hester. I'm afraid my daughter's not

feeling very well.

I shan't keep her a few minutes. I'm sorry, Phillips. It's not possible. She

doesn't want to see anyone. I can't let you in.

You may as well tell me.

You see, Hester's a fine woman. All her energies have been directed to the

parish, to the community, to myself.

So much so that perhaps it's been to her own disadvantage.

But I can't tell you how upset I am about this, this difference that has

arisen between you.

My daughter stubbornly refuses to confide in me. Phillips, Phillips, I do

beg of you to tell me what the trouble has been.

Oh, dear.

All I can say, sir, is that I'm not a married man, which makes me a

fair target for anybody.

I see.

Yes.

I think I know another way of putting it.

Someone was very much alive to the fact that the vicar was a single man.

What do you mean, Father?

Well, you pretty well told me that you wanted to marry.

Yes, but there was more to it than that.

I think I understand you, my dear.

You offered yourself to him.

The unfortunate thing was that he refused you.

Who told you that?

I've just been to see him.

And he said that?

Not exactly in those words, my dear.

In fact, he was most reluctant to discuss the matter.

He was very tactful, but I... But I think I understood his implications.

Oh, Father, you'd never understand. Never.

Do you think I'd resign from all my parish duties?

From the Sunday school? From the youth club?

From all that I've made a part of?

Or rather, that you've made a part of my life?

Just because a man turned me down in marriage.

My dear child.

Of course, you're quite right.

Howard did turn me down.

But after the little scene I saw, I know he turned down any woman alive.

What she said, isn't it?

And isn't the word of your own daughter good enough for you, Mr. Peters? Yes, of

course.

I've always been taught to keep my mouth shut about that sort of thing. Yes, I

appreciate your silence, Larry, but this is a most serious charge. And for a man

in Mr. Phillips' position, the implications are most disturbing, to put

it mildly.

Thank goodness I can take care of myself. That's all I can say. I mean,

some other young fellow, well, stands to reason. I've read the Sunday papers.

If you know what I mean.

Are you trying to tell me we've got one of them down at the vicarage?

And he tried his tricks on you.

Dad, will it be all right if I... Get out, Curly. This is no place for you.

I said get out. Go on.

You didn't mention a word about all this to me.

I told you, Dad.

I didn't want to make any trouble. The lad's motives were quite correct, Mr

Thompson. Nobody wants to make trouble, but sometimes it can't be avoided.

Yeah, you're right. Well, you mean the police?

You wouldn't do that, Dad, would you?

I've got to.

But if I had my own way... Take it easy, Bill. Take it easy.

Before you get all steamed up, have you seen the vicar? Have you asked him

yourself? Now, do you want to know that, Bill?

Look, as a friend, I'll walk over with you and we'll try and sort things out.

All right?

Yes, yes, part of what you say is true. I did have a struggle here with Mr

Thompson's son.

And Miss Peters did come in and see the end of it.

Only she didn't see that the boy deliberately staged the whole thing.

Yes, deliberately wrecked the room.

The whole thing was a frame-up.

And Miss Peters fell for it.

She made the perfect witness.

Aye, the only witness, sir. And a reliable one at that.

You'll forgive me for saying so, sir, but you knew to us.

And we've already had certain talk about this girl, this French maid here.

Oh, now look here, Sergeant.

First is the boy, then is the girl. Have you got anything else?

Oh.

Miss Peters, now. We know her.

We think she'd tell us the truth.

And I mightn't, eh?

You see, it's my word against one of the most respected women in Bellington, is

that it?

That's how it looks, sir.

And what do you want me to do? Get up on my hind legs in the pulpit and shout out

to all Bellington that it's a lie?

What did you mean, dragging my son over here in the first place? Yes, Vito, you

must have had a reason.

Oh, yes, yes, I had a reason, all right.

And I'd hope to keep it to myself.

All right, if you want it.

Your son, Mr. Thompson, was responsible for Mary Williams' pregnancy.

Sit down!

Sit down!

How do you know this, sir?

Because Mary came here herself the night she was killed and she told me. Did

anyone else know? No.

Pity. Pity? Why?

Well, sir, she comes to see you the night she was killed.

You're alone in the house.

Can you prove it, that's all?

Prove it?

Do I have to prove every action in life?

Yes, you do. No, no, no, sir.

After all, this wasn't the first time this sort of thing had happened.

What sort of thing? Now, come on now, Sergeant. What sort of thing?

Well, you say this, you say that, sir.

No one else seems to know about it.

But it must have meant it's rather strange that you didn't say anything

about it until Bill here came to see me. That's right.

Mary spoke to me in confidence as a priest. I couldn't tell anyone.

And after she was dead, it was better left unsaid.

Could only have made trouble between her family and Mr. Thompson's here. It may

well be, sir. Now look here, Sergeant.

Will you listen to me a minute?

The coroner's inquest decided how Mary died, not why.

And I knew.

And I accused your son, Mr. Thompson, right here in this room of having put

her in the family way.

Now, did you or didn't you?

I didn't. Dead honest, I didn't. And why does that vicar say you did? He had to

say something. The first thing that came into his head. The first thing that

what? He had to cover himself.

What else could he do?

And why should a priest cook up a story like that? He had to. What's the matter?

Mum, tell him.

Dad got him up against the wall.

And lying was his only way out. Tell him, Mum. It's you that's lying, you

little... You know the taste of this.

You know what I said if I ever caught you lying again.

You know, don't you? I'm not telling no lies, Dad.

I didn't say anything. I didn't start no trouble.

It's a terrible thing when you can't take the word of your own son.

What about her, then?

What about the Peters woman?

Do you think she'd lie for me? Do you?

Ask her, Dad. Go on, ask her. Before you start taking it out on me.

All right, then.

That's all I need to know.

No, Thompson, wait.

Now, Hester, are you sure you're not mistaken?

Howard Phillips' entire reputation lies in your hands. If this goes any further,

his whole life is ruined, wasted.

Now, I ask you, before God...

Put all personal issues out of your mind.

Are you sure you're not mistaken?

I can only tell you, Father, what I saw with my own eyes.

Right. No, wait, Thompson, wait!

And, uh, oh, I'd better have a pack of those kippers, please.

And, uh, get your boy to deliver them before lunch, will you?

I'll drop them in myself, sir.

It's all right.

I'll collect them as I come back.

Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning, sir. Sleep well?

Probably something you had to eat, sir.

It very often happens like that.

Maybe your tummy's upset, no?

It's getting cold.

Oh, you take it away.

But, sir... Oh, take it away. It'll probably make me sick.

I'm sorry, Michelle. Forgive me. I... I don't feel well.

Sir, do you want me to call for the doctor?

What makes you think he'd come?

I'll give it a rest. We've made the gesture anyway.

I'll be glad when the regular barrel pullers come back again.

I don't know when that'll be.

I'm surprised to see you here.

Well, I've paid for the job, Donald.

Come on.

We'll hold the service anyway.

At least no one can cough during the summer.

Liquor?

Liquor?

First time the old lady's been here in years.

We've been late.

Mrs.

White, what are you... I'm sorry we are so late.

There was a mix-up over the taxi. Mrs. White, what are you doing? You oughtn't

to be here at all. You ought to be tucked up in bed.

Matron, how could you let her come?

She insisted upon coming.

Insisted.

And you?

Oh, I'm quite good at insisting, too.

Hester!

Miss Peters!

Please, Miss Peters, I must speak to you.

Please, Hester, I've got to talk to you. Not out here. Somewhere we can talk

privately. Now, please, you've got to do this.

You're making me very conspicuous, Mr. Phillips, and yourself even more so, if

that were possible.

Come here, Tommy. You mustn't do that.

Come here.

I'm very sorry, sir.

Michelle?

Michelle?

Oh, Vicar, good evening.

I've come to take Michelle away.

She's upstairs packing.

I'm sorry about this, but my agency is responsible to the parents.

and seeing how things are.

So you see...

Got the one and only walking, walking, living dog.

Take a look at her hair.

It's surreal. You don't believe what I say, just me. Lock her up in a trunk so

no big hunk can steal her away from me. Got myself a crying dog and a sleeping

walking, living dog.

Got to do my best to please her just because she's a living dog.

Such a roving eye and that is why she satisfies my soul Got the one and only

walking dog, living dog Yeah!

Goodnight Charlie

Can I have a word with you, Mr. Thompson?

Well, I haven't had a vicarage of yours.

Somewhere we can talk quietly.

I've got nothing to say to you.

Nothing you'd like anyway.

I appreciate your feelings, Mr. Thompson. Then keep the hell out of my

way. I just want to talk this matter over sensibly.

If you weren't hiding behind that dog collar, I know the sensible thing I'd

do.

Take you outside and give you the sort of hiding that might do you some good. I

don't think that I don't think that to do any good to anybody but I want to

talk to outside just the same go on show him bill All right Now

listen, I just wanted to talk to you

alone And in any case, I've no intention of starting a fight with you.

I knew it. What'd I say?

Look, can't we go somewhere without this stupid mob?

You know, I can't hit a person hiding behind a black shirt.

That's a pretty cheap remark, Mr. Thompson.

I know you didn't mean it.

No, you're right.

I didn't.

No, wait a minute. Take it easy. I was just trying to... You are great, mister.

I keep trying to explain to you that someone's going to get hurt.

Only people never will.

Now, anyone else want to go?

All right.

Well, you'd better take care of your friend.

How do you... Hello, Mother.

Anyway, you're here.

And I'm very glad to be back with you.

There's no need to look at me like that.

Sorry, darling.

I suppose you've heard about it all.

So you've got one of those.

Anonymous, that's what they called it.

They didn't spare the juicy details.

Bet they didn't.

Huh?

It's my turn to write the details.

Who to?

The bishop.

Why? Why? Because I've no alternative.

Because I've made a fool of myself. Let myself get involved in a cheap brawl.

What's worse, I enjoyed it.

If I could, I'd have...

I've bitten the daylights out of the whole grinning stupid lot of them.

Hell of a fine clergyman that makes me, doesn't he?

Wonderful, gentle, tolerant example I set around the place.

Worse than the bunch of hoodlums I'm trying to clean up.

Perhaps I ought to carry a bicycle chain, be like every well-dressed

clergyman, carry a clerical cosh.

And after that long speech, tell me, did you... did you win?

It didn't matter who won.

Did you?

Oh, I knocked him cold, but I wouldn't call that winning.

What else would you call it?

Don't laugh at my mother.

Don't laugh, but what I'd call winning is something a devil of a sight harder.

Something they tell you in all the Sunday school books.

Just turning the other cheek.

That's what a clergyman preaches. It's what a clergyman's supposed to do.

Only, I'm not very good at turning the other cheek.

Which means that I'm not a very good clergyman.

Which means that I never will be.

So it says, well, I found it out right now.

Listen to me now, Howard.

And listen carefully.

I'm not a church girl, as you know.

Perhaps not even a Christian in the accepted sense of the word.

But I like to think I understand what my son represents.

Whatever people say or think, however much a story is distorted beyond

recognition, however much the Larry Thompsons of this world are allowed to

poison other people's minds, however much you judge your own limitations,

let's face it, you're inexperienced.

At least I know your God understands the hurt you've suffered.

If he doesn't, you must be a very narrow-minded God.

You're still going to write that letter?

I must.

If the bishop receives it, he'll only have one alternative.

I'm in his hands.

I don't understand.

What I can't believe is why Bellington should accept such a story.

Oh, didn't you know?

Larry Thompson had a very reliable witness. Her reputation's beyond

reproach.

A woman?

Hester.

Oh, may I come in?

Well... Oh, I do hope I'm not disturbing Mr. Peters.

No, my father's in hospital. He's had to have some more treatment for his

arthritis. Well, Esther dear, things have certainly been humming since I went

away.

Oh, I suppose it was inevitable.

The only thing I blame you for is the clumsy way you did everything.

I don't think I quite understand it. Yes, it really was clumsy.

If you'd handled everything better, not hurried everything so much, you might

even have pulled it off.

Mrs. Phillips, it's quite useless for you to stay. Now do let's sit down,

Hester. You're talking to another woman, not to one of those helpless males who

can't discuss anything important or private without staring out of a window

or looking confused.

I don't wish to be rude. Oh, you can, my dear, because I'm going to be extremely

rude to you.

You see, you don't fool me a bit, not one little bit.

But why should I want to fool you or anyone?

For one very obvious reason.

You see, I know you had your eye on Howard.

And if you're as honest with me as I know you are with yourself, you'll admit

that it wasn't because you wanted to be able to carry on with all your good

work.

In fact, far from it.

You simply wanted Howard to make love to you.

Don't you think you'd better go, Mrs. Phillips?

There's no good that can come from all this. I don't agree.

Anything would be better than the way things are.

No, you wanted to go to bed with Howard, and I don't see anything wrong in that.

But when he grew scared, poor dear, and behaved not in the way you wanted him

to, you know the details better than I, you turned against him and did

everything in your power to do him harm.

Oh, Mrs. Phillips, this you must believe because it's true.

I never wished to do him any harm.

And yet you've hurt him as much as it's possible to hurt any man. How could I

possibly want to hurt Howard? He's everything in the world that I admire.

He's everything in my life that I want.

Oh, yes, Mrs. Phillips.

I love him.

Why?

Why allow this hideous slander to be believed?

It's the last thing on earth I want.

I know I did wrong to give it a meaning, but...

How could I possibly know that, well, that a little bitter remark made here in

the privacy of this house would grow and grow until the whole of Bellington used

it in judgment against Howard?

I think I understand.

For I'm sure you've suffered too.

But, Hester, are you going to let it go at that?

It's you they all believe, not Larry Thompson.

Oh, they believe what they want to believe. Neither Larry nor me. No,

Hester. You are the only person who can really help now.

And I think Howard's worth helping.

You say you love him.

Is this what you call love?

All right, Mrs. Phillips.

All right.

But you'll have to tell me the details.

The exact details of what really happened that night.

Hello, Larry.

Come on in. Evening, miss.

Take your coat off.

Everybody out?

Yes. Barber's away until tomorrow. Here, I'll take this.

What's all this about?

I'm sorry I had to ring you at the coffee bar. I hope it didn't embarrass

you, but I had to see you tonight.

That's all right.

Barber's dead anyway.

Bunch of creeps, if you ask me.

Help yourself to a drink.

No, thanks.

Can I fix you one?

Yes, I'll have one.

What'll you have?

Same as you.

Sherry?

Fine.

Just tell me.

What gives?

Why did you get me here tonight?

Well, this business at the vicarage, I... I'm afraid it's going to end up in

court.

Is that it?

I just wanted to make sure that we've got our story straight.

Mine's straight enough.

What's your trouble?

Well, I didn't really want to say anything. Just tell the truth.

Can it ever go wrong if you tell the truth?

Yes, but I... Oh, I get it. I think I dig you now.

You mean you might possibly understand one of my problems? Sure.

You got yourself all steamed up about this figure, but it didn't work out.

I could have told you were chewing concrete.

Anyway, you played your cards too fast.

All from the top of the pack.

You seem to know an awful lot about cards.

I know a lot about lots of things.

Lots of things people don't know about in Bellington.

Believe you me.

Yes.

You're quite a boy.

Sure.

Tell me.

I was just thinking of that bunch of kids back at the espresso.

Oh, what about them?

They could see me now.

Oh, but surely you wouldn't want them to.

I mean, if someone else came in here, someone who knew you, you wouldn't want

to be seen alone here with me, would you?

Why not?

Why do you know?

It's just that things have a way of looking strangely different when

somebody suddenly charges in, don't they?

I don't get your number.

No.

But you did get somebody else's, didn't you, a little while back?

And in the same way, if I really wanted to, I could make things look pretty bad

for you too, couldn't I? Have you gone crazy?

Oh, no, not really.

This is a perfectly innocent meeting.

There's nothing wrong with you being here alone with me.

Unless, of course... What the hell?

That's how it started, wasn't it?

Oh, yes, and then I believe the flowers came next.

I get it. I get your little game.

You're quick at catching on, aren't you?

That's the way you framed Howard Phillips, isn't it? And you think you

can fix me?

Do you think anybody's going to believe all this? They believed it before,

didn't they? Oh, no, you don't get me that easy.

Come, let me finish.

This came next, I think.

Aren't I right?

Why, you bitch!

Keep away from me!

I may not... Larry, take your hands off me! I may not want to now!

You wouldn't dare. Oh, wouldn't I?

You started this, didn't you? You thought you'd get away with that corny

old trick a second time.

When I finish, you won't want to tell anybody.

Because... Because what?

Because what, Larry?

Oh, all right, I'll go.

Unless that's Peter's, will you say I'm busy? I don't want to see anybody.

Oh.

Well, the vicar's not seeing anyone.

But I suppose the law's different.

Well, I'm here unofficial like that. Well, how am I to know that? Come in,

Mr. Thompson.

Go into the sitting room and I'll tell the vicar.

Howard!

You're wanted what is it Peters?

No the law sergeant Harrison nothing I could do about it I

Haven't done those plates. I'm afraid darling you have to

Morning

Well, whatever you've come for I hope you'll make it short have a lot to do

We hope that how you wouldn't mind if we came up to see you server sort of

apologizing I Don't mind anyone at all coming to apologize anything else No,

I've no odd feelings. I figure as far as you're concerned none at all Your car

outside all right you may not be leaving us after also take it quite wrong

sergeant I'm leaving as soon as I can get things arranged Howard

Sorry, I was late. Phillips had a puncture in my tire.

Quite an epidemic around here lately.

Well, if you don't mind, I have a few private and professional matters I want

to talk over with Mr. Peters.

You're sure, Vicar, there's nothing... Absolutely sure, thank you, but I'm

grateful to you for coming, Mr. Thompson. Goodbye to you.

Goodbye, Sergeant.

Mr. Peters, I want to know if you'd do me a favor.

If I can, naturally.

I...

I'd like you to take over the vicarage, if you would.

Act as my locum till the bishop sends a replacement.

It'll be a matter of a few weeks at the most.

My boy, you mustn't make such a hasty decision.

I was learning hastily.

I've had plenty of time to myself, you know, these last few days, to think in.

You see, the people in this town have asked me to... They

want me to tell you that they're deeply distressed about this business.

They want you to forgive and... forget what's happened.

To forget?

If you can.

You mean they actually want me to stay?

Oh, yes. They want you here, my boy. Believe me, they want you very badly.

They do?

Well, unfortunately, I don't want them.

People who'd stoop to the cheap tricks that they've done.

Who'd write the filthy, obscene letters that they've written, and never the guts

to show their face or sign their name. Oh, no, sir.

I don't want them.

Let someone else take on this flock, and he'd better watch out or his sheep will

tear him to pieces.

Excuse me, I've got some packing to do.

My boy, you must believe me. I know you've suffered, but... Oh, not as much

as you'd think, probably. But you must learn to forgive.

You must learn... You must learn to forgive these stupid, blundering people,

like myself, for instance.

That's just it. I can't forgive.

I don't want to either.

That's why I've got to get away from here. And before I say or do something,

it'll...

Make a farce of the cloth we both wear I still say you should come and talk

quietly to me before you take such a look I know you're trying to help me and

I appreciate it believe me, but at the moment I I Can't be helped At the

moment. I've lost all faith in myself as a priest. I have nothing but contempt

for these people here so how can I stay in this place and Preach what I can't

even begin to practice That God is love

Naturally, I'll act as locum for you. But won't you give the bishop and

yourself a month to see if you change your mind? It'll only be postponing the

issue.

Goodbye.

Bye.

Howard. Eh? What is it?

You haven't finished yet.

What's it now?

Hester.

Hester? How did you get in here?

I smuggled her in. Well, you smuggle her right out again. No, you don't, young

man. If only to go in and say thank you very much for having sorted things out.

It was quite something she did for you.

Almost a fate worse than death.

I expect she thoroughly enjoyed it. And you can tell her from me she ought to do

it more often.

It suits her. Looking very pretty this morning.

what you said to father.

So the speech I'd prepared isn't of much use any longer.

Except to say that I'm sorry.

Really, truly, deeply sorry.

And I hope you can forgive me.

I'm sorry too.

I realize I must have hurt you also.

You did.

Only I asked for it.

I said I heard what you said to my father.

Would it help?

Do you think you might change your mind if I offered to clear out instead?

Oh, yes.

You've lived here all your life.

Where would you go?

That's not the problem.

Neither is your staying here. Look, it's not the question that I can't take it

here any longer.

I'm afraid of being an Aunt Sally all over again.

It's simply that I'm...

I'm not cut out for this sort of life. I'm not the right sort to be a vicar.

How do you know?

You haven't given yourself much of a chance to prove it, have you?

No, I'd be better off in the army as a ponderer. I can always go back there.

Well, how about all the kids in the youth club?

How about all the others you were going to drag in from off the streets and out

at the coffee bars?

What about them?

Those boyish illusions. I've lost them.

I tell you, those kids need you.

No, they don't need me. They need someone like me that anybody could do

it. Your father, for instance.

Well, he's my own father, so I'm the only one who can say it.

But considering the way the people around here have behaved these past few

weeks, and that goes for me, too, his own daughter, I'm not sure that he

really did such a wonderful job after all.

It's too late for me to change my mind, but...

It's a terrible pity we didn't get to know each other earlier.

I agree.

But then, shyness is a terrible affliction.

Oh, good heavens, that probation officer.

You will get him. Well, I can't. We've got a little time.

Look, we're terribly late already.

Oh, I see. Look, will you explain? Tell her we're leaving.

But he can't. She says you can't. You've a very important meeting at the juvenile

court.

Ask her to come in. I can tell her what to do.

Howard!

What is it?

It's no use. She says she's stuck. She can't get out of the car.

Pop in, Vicar. We've just got time.

I've got your unfinished business in the back.

If I do come, will you promise to bring me straight back?

Yes, but we are late, you know.

Well, you get on with the packing.

Here.

Lucky she turned up when she did.

Tipped the scales.

One man against three women. He never had a chance.

You leave those kisses alone.

Nothing's changed. Nothing.

All right, dear. All right.

Pay no attention.

Put them where you like.

All right.

Here, let me take those books.

You know there's nothing wrong about that young man of mine that a good woman

won't cure.

But from what I've heard of your recent carrying this on, you no longer qualify.

Well, I could always reform.

Not too much, my dear.

much.

goes berserk. Why?

It was the beginning of the trouble, serious

trouble, from which arose a serious charge.

Oh, Miss Peters.

Larry, what on earth's the matter?

I tried to... Hester, will you listen to me?

But if you bunch don't throw down those ornaments of yours on the table there

right now, I'm going to give myself the great pressure of throwing you one by

one through that window.

These

are

the people involved in a serious charge.

What is the reason behind it?

And what is the truth?

The whole truth behind the damning accusation.

You are... Anthony Quayle, target for hideous slander and scandal.

Sarah Churchill as Hester. Put all personal issues out of your mind.

Are you sure you're not mistaken?

I can only tell you, father, what I saw with my own eyes.

Irene Brown as the mother, shocked by her son's dilemma.

I know you had your eye on Howard.

And if you're as honest with me as I know you are with yourself, you'll admit

you simply wanted Howard to make love to you.

Lovely young French star Lillian Bruce as Michelle, the pretty, provocative

maid at the vicarage.

Andrew Ray as Larry Thompson, fast with a flick knife, flash with a girl.

Got myself a cryin', talkin', sleepin', walkin', livin' dog.

Got to do my best to please her, just cause she's a livin' dog.

Got the one and only walkin', talkin', livin' dog.

Yeah.