Original subtitles

l'm so sorry, Tris.

You know, Frank, it's always the men with the shoddiest farms

who complain about being too busy.

You have one of the best-kept places and you've got time for a hobby like this.

l've had a good season, too. Been to France, Spain and Holland.

Six winners and only lost two birds.

Somewhere along the line, they've picked up red mite.

Not to worry, l'll give you sulphur powder to rub onto the feathers. That'll fix it.

l'm sorry to bring you out just to look at pigeons. lt's not much of a job.

Compared to some visits, coming here's a pleasure.

- Mind you, l did mistime it a bit. - Eh?

Well, if it had been lunchtime, we could have sneaked a pint at the Black Horse.

- This is the girl, is it? - Aye.

Do any of your cattle know which of your two sons they belong to nowadays?

Poor beasts don't know where they are.

For years they've come through that top door for milking,

and gone out through the bottom.

Now Jonathan's have to come in and go out through this door, and David's t'other.

lt's a right shambles, Mr Farnon.

lt's a crying shame when a good farm has to be split up like this.

This is one of Jonathan's. At least, that's what the lawyers say.

But l still think of them as all my old William's.

Would you mind holding her up, Mrs Bradley, while l look into her mouth?

Come on, girl. Come on.

(cow moos)

- Morning, Mr Farnon. - Good morning, Jonathan.

This beast of yours has wooden tongue.

- How did she come by that, then? - Well, it's an infection.

Actinobacillosis - l've treated for it up here many a time in your father's day.

lt's difficult to get rid of once it takes hold in a farm.

l'm inclined to say to you that she's a trifle unsettled.

She's a bit confused with all these changes in her routine.

Cattle never thrive under those conditions. lt makes them vulnerable to infection.

- l'm pleased to see thee, Mr Farnon. - Good morning to you, David.

l was just about to have a word with your brother Jonathan on the subject of this...

- division in the byre. - Oh, aye?

lt's ugly, isn't it? lt's an outward, visible sign of the rift between the pair of you.

- Oh, aye. - lt'll be the ruin of this farm, you know.

Aye. Well, thy visit here's got nowt to do with me.

Right, l'll see thee when tha comes back. l've work to do, tha knows.

lf it weren't for the respect l have for your mother,

and for the memory of your late father, l wouldn't come back at all.

You brought a few rosettes back from the show?

We didn't do so badly.

No surprise.

- They're a credit to you, Frank. - Just glad to see them doing well.

- Your geese look as fit as ever. - Aye.

lf you're taking Christmas orders, last year's was delicious.

l can't believe it comes up on us so quickly, though.

What time did Tristan actually leave for Grimsdale's?

Mrs Alton said he was on the road by eight. lt's all yours.

- What? - lt's our card for Calum and Deirdre.

- lt's the last day for surface mail. - Oh, yes!

Ah, bless her.

Thank you.

Good morning, everybody.

- Ah, Joe, it's just you? - Yes, Mr Farnon.

Er... We'll be with you in a moment.

Very well, Mr Farnon.

So that's Clancy's successor, is it?

Yes. Yes, it is.

l really am rather pushed this morning.

Yes, but you don't have to be at Colonel Merrick's till ten.

lt isn't just a question of getting there, Helen, it's getting thoroughly prepared.

How long's it take him to do a simple cleansing?

l do know James has gone to see Frank Gillard.

Maybe he and Tris have organised lunch at the Black Horse?

Lunch? My dear girl, do you realise that it is now nine o'clock in the morning?

(car outside, door closes)

- Tristan! - Sorry l'm late.

Don't give it another thought. There's only one client waiting.

- Couldn't you have dealt with them? - No, l've saved him specially for you.

- (dog growls) - My God.

That sounds like Clancy.

No, it can't be.

No, it isn't.

But it is Clancy the Second.

An entirely different temperament.

Oh? Then why didn't you examine him?

Tristan, l know that sometimes you think my opinion of your professional ability

- suffers from fraternal prejudice... - l am sorry to interrupt,

but there is someone at the door.

Thank you, Helen. Don't you realise you are now the expert in Mulligan's eyes?

After all, you breathed the air of his and Clancy's native heath.

He wants you to do a complete examination.

l suggest you start with the near forepaw.

(dog growls)

l only wish it were a suit of armour.

Hello, Joe. So sorry to keep you waiting.

So this is the new Clancy?

Yes. Yes, that he is.

- He's not a well dog - womiting. - You do surprise me.

What about the bismuth mag-car mixture? That always used to do the trick.

Mr Siegfried wants you to give him a thorough going-over.

Right.

Well, if you just hold his head steady, Joe,

l'll listen to his chest.

Oh, yes. That sounds fine. Fine.

Well, l'd better have a look in his mouth.

- Clancy! Clancy... - Just...

- What on earth are you doing? - Who's at the door?

Second-hand car salesman peddling his wares.

Mr Pendlebury? You're quite right, Siegfried, entirely different temperament.

l was about to embark on some vigorous palpation of the abdomen.

Perhaps you'd like to carry on while l...

Yes, thought you'd be rather taken, sir.

Mr Pendlebury, it's magnificent!

Excuse me, young man.

She must be, without doubt, the finest example of this famous mark in the world.

l don't doubt it for an instant, but l rather doubt my ability to meet the asking price.

Think of it as an investment.

A young man with years of lucrative professional practice ahead.

This, l assure you, will command that respect from your clients,

which is no more than your due.

Little spin?

Tris, you can't afford this.

Siegfried's always had a soft spot for the Daimler.

l feel very confident he'll advance me pretty generous credit terms for this.

Yes, well, l've got a rather good card up my sleeve.

l'd be very grateful if you'd leave me alone to play it without undue distraction.

- What? Push off, you mean? - lsaac Cranford's very anxious for a visit.

l've already got Biggins this afternoon.

Well, the alternative is treating Clancy's successor.

- Oh, my God. What's he like? - Siegfried will tell you,

but he has an entirely different temperament.

Oh, right. Well, l'll see you later, if you haven't lost your head.

How can he even consider...

Siegfried, l do think Mr Mulligan would like to be on his way.

Ah, yes, of course. Well, Joe, it looks as if my brother is in for a pretty long session.

And since professional etiquette prohibits me from interfering with a new patient

in mid-examination, you see,

it might be best if l suggest that you come back on Monday morning.

And l'm sure that Tristan will be available to give Clancy his undivided attention.

Meanwhile, let's offer him what relief we can with the old remedy

so tried and trusted by his predecessor.

l don't know why you don't get a dog you can cope with - an lrish Terrier.

lt could never pull me up the hill, sir.

Think about it, Joe.

Right.

Good heavens, Siegfried. Your eyes have gone quite green.

But it must be above my limit, surely?

Well, just a smidgen, sir.

But you told me yourself Hammond had grossly underestimated

- the proceeds of selling the Sunbeam. - Er, yes, but not that much.

lt's a very good price, Mr Farnon.

A rare opportunity.

l can think of others who'd jump at the chance.

All right, l'll just go and... phone my bank.

Ah, Siegfried, l see you've finished with Clancy.

l was hoping to be able to take him off your hands but, as ever,

l've underestimated the facility with which you can dispatch

even the most intractable of cases.

How much?

Have you seen her, Siegfried? lt was love at first sight.

Absolute symbiosis, guaranteed to keep me out of other sorts of trouble.

50?

100?

- Two? - lt's an absolute bargain, Siegfried.

lt's an absolute white elephant of an automobile.

You'd do as well to buy yourself a hole in your pocket.

All right. l thought you were offering.

- Until when? - Just until the Sunbeam is sold.

Well, l wish you luck in that direction,

otherwise l shall find myself the owner of a rather smart Daimler.

Thanks, Siegfried.

See what we pay for these days.

All done with blooming needles.

The wonders of modern science, Mr Cranford.

Of course, l could always leave you some of that old boar's ointment to rub in.

- l always knew tha did that on purpose. - No, it was a genuine mistake.

You got the faeces sample and the lab got the ointment.

Very impressed with our mixture they were, too.

Well, l had summat else to say about working cow shit

into my prize boar's backside with my fingers.

Yes. Yes, l do remember.

Still, better with needles, eh?

What about this foot-and-mouth?

lt's in Lincolnshire now, tha knows.

Needles will do nowt against that, will they?

Well, foot-and-mouth is a virus that is very infectious.

The boffins are working day and night, you know.

But you're quite right. So far, there is no effective vaccination.

Well, l want none of it among my beasts. And l shall hold thee responsible if l do.

Well, l shouldn't worry unduly.

We have no cases of it in Yorkshire yet.

And, please God, we never will.

- Two and a half litres, eh? - That's the famous Daimler philosophy.

Large capacity and low revs, speed with reliability.

Er...

Let the little blighters wait.

Just trying the brakes. First class.

You'll need them if you do that every time a pretty woman hoves into view.

By Jove, what a beauty.

She certainly is, Mr Farnon. A racing thoroughbred.

- Hello. - Ah, James.

l need...

to have a word with you on a rather delicate matter.

- Nothing wrong, is there? - No, no, no.

Tell me, has Tristan, by any chance, been touching you for money lately?

- Er, well... - How much?

Do you know, l've absolutely no idea.

l leave it to Tris to do the reckoning up.

- Oh, James. - No, he's selling your Sunbeam.

And he's promised to discharge all his debts from the proceeds.

Now, l have reason to believe that sale may be imminent.

lf you have any regard for my financial perspicuity, my advice to you is

call in those debts without a moment's delay.

- Really? - lt's entirely for his own good, James.

l promise you that.

- Wooden tongue? - Yes, one of the Bradleys' heifers.

l suppose l should say Jonathan's heifer.

- Hello. l believe you know Mr Pendlebury. - How do you do?

He wants to make me an offer for the Sunbeam.

That's easier said than done, Mr Farnon.

- ls there a problem? - Needed more than a tune-up, she did.

You're a hard-driving man, Mr Farnon.

You've driven yon Sunbeam into t'ground. lt'll cost forever to put right.

She's away having the work done now.

l don't reckon you'll see owt from $80.

But you said it was worth 100.

When l'm finished with her, she will be.

Ah.

l can see, Mr Farnon, that you would be the kind of man

to take great care with a beautiful woman.

Well, a fine motorcar needs to be cosseted a little, too.

She needs to be wined and dined on a regular basis.

She needs fine oils to keep her running sweet

and help her deliver her peak performance.

And just occasionally, Mr Farnon,

her bodywork could do with the touch of a fine chamois.

Don't make the same mistake again.

l stand justly rebuked.

l've laid out a fair bit putting t'car to rights, Mr Farnon.

l can't afford to wait till the end of the month.

l'll still give you a fair price, Mr Farnon, when l see the work has been done.

l'm not going to see $100 in cash by tonight, though, am l?

Hello, Mr Biggins.

So you require veterinary service of a mysteriously unspecified nature?

Gillard's pigeons - he races them from France.

- l know he does. - They're diseased.

l heard it on the wireless.

What?

ln France, this foot-and-mouth disease is endemic.

Endemic.

Those pigeons are transported there and released to race home.

- l know they are. - And they bring back

the disease that infects my beasts.

No, they don't. That's stuff and nonsense.

Well, l was hoping that you were going to be my witness, veterinary.

lt's an old wives' tale, Mr Biggins.

lf my beasts have to be destroyed,

the Ministry can't afford the compensation that l want, so l shall sue Gillard.

You're getting in a state over nothing.

As far as l know, there is no scientific evidence

to suggest racing pigeons bring foot-and-mouth to this country.

And, as a matter of further interest, those pigeons are wood pigeons.

- Then l can shoot 'em. - You don't need to shoot them.

l don't know that l can take that risk, veterinary.

Wait, please. Wait till l check it out with the Ministry.

- Ministry knows nowt! - Mr Big...

(horn blares)

Now l shall sue thee and all!

Hell's bells!

Look at this.

The gate was blocked by a thresher.

Now, if that was put there deliberately to cause an obstruction,

the person responsible's going to have to answer to me.

That'll be yon blackguard brother of mine.

You say he left it there on purpose, to be bloody-minded?

Summat of that, Mr Farnon.

Well, l'm telling you now, if this sort of thing goes on,

you'll have to look elsewhere in the future for the veterinary care of your animals.

Don't you worry, Mr Farnon, it won't happen again.

Ever!

l don't know, Mr Farnon,

they were always such loving brothers when their father was alive.

His solicitor has the cheek to tell me

l haven't the right to walk up the lane l've walked up all my life.

Hold on a minute, Davy, there's Tristan Farnon.

He must have had more solicitors' letters than all the rest of us, isn't that right?

Well, l may walk a little on the wild side, but always, l hope, within the law.

See? He's gone to the law and tells me l cannot use my lane.

No, David, what his lawyer says is you can only use the east side of the lane.

Oh, well, that means l can only get half a tractor up at a time, doesn't it?

- That would seem to be the case, yes. - What darn use is that to a man?

Am l supposed to work my farm on a bicycle?

Do excuse me, but l have a little business to attend to. Pint, Sam.

Bert. Good news, l hope. Hi, Growler.

- Had a bad day, have you, Bert? - As it happens, we did very nicely.

Which is more than l can say for you.

Well, what about Sun Chariot in the 1 :30? lt was 7-2.

Unplaced, l'm afraid, Mr Farnon.

- lt was a sure-fire winner. - Not today it wasn't.

Well, in the two o'clock l had Fleet Wind.

You did, but you backed him to win. He only managed third.

Damn!

Surely Hot Foot came good in the three o'clock? lt was firm favourite.

- Don't tell me it was nobbled. - A most remarkable race for outsiders.

Charmed Life, first at 33-1 .

Gum Tree second at 25. High Hopes third at 18.

Somebody made a lot of money out of that race, Mr Farnon.

But it wasn't you.

Well, l'd like to buy you a drink, Bert, but, you know.

No. l've had all the drink l need for today, lad.

But l'd like the account settled by the end of the week.

Seven pound... 12 shillings...

and sixpence.

Cheers.

Afternoon, Jonathan. l wonder if l can have a quick word?

- Not now. l've got something to do. - Don't you think you're taking this too far?

lt's not a veterinary matter, Mr Herriot, so l'd thank you to mind your own business!

Actually, he does look a bit peaky, don't you think, Bert?

Oh, yes, definitely a bit off-colour.

Why don't you bring him into the surgery and l'll give him a thorough checkup?

Maybe we could come to some arrangement.

There's nowt wrong. He's just doing what he's trained for.

- And what's that? - Sniffing out bad debtors

to make sure they pay if they know what's good for them.

He'll be as right as rain as soon as you come across with the cash.

(men shouting)

- l want a word with thee! - Just think about this!

Hang on a minute! lf there is going to be a contest, at least let's keep it civilised.

That's no weapons, jackets off and bare fists,

and rules according to the good old marquis.

- For God's sake, Tris! - l've got to place a bet.

Jonathan's bigger, but l fancy David to get under his guard.

Don't encourage them! lt's disgraceful.

l'll be disgraced if l can't clear my debts. Hang on.

What will you give me? 10-1 on the little fella?

Little fella? Even the little fella's a big fella.

Oh, come on. Be a sport. Double or quits on what l owe you.

- Gentlemen, please. - Out of the way, l've a score to settle!

- l've got him. - Come on, Bert!

- Nowt doing. Not when you're owing. - But when the fight's over, l'll be rich!

You're on a winning streak, it's your lucky day. You said so yourself!

- That's right. Quit when you're ahead. - But l'm not!

Let me be charitable, save you money.

- You'll regret this. - We'll see.

Come here! Come on!

(men shout and cheer)

(James) This is no way to settle your differences!

Stop! Stop it!

You! Right, l'm having you now! Come on!

Tristan! You'll regret this, you know!

James, you don't have to stop this.

Just make sure it's done right and proper. Let nature take its course.

Bert, if you're ready to open the book, the contestants are ready for the off.

- lt's double or quits on Davy. - lt's Goole! PC Goole!

Break it up! What's going on here?

Hello, Constable. Just a bit of sport.

Don't stop me now. Take me once l've mashed the beggar!

Take no notice, Officer. Just part of the fun.

Up you come.

Right, Mr Herriot, you look sober,

so l'll thank you for an explanation as to what's going on.

Yes, of course. Well...

Right!

l'm nicking both of you for breach of the peace.

Here we are, lads. This is as far as we go, l'm afraid, because of the blocked lane.

Very grateful, Mr Herriot.

l'm sorry for all the trouble l've caused.

Very kind of you, Mr Herriot. And l'm sorry for all the trouble he's caused.

All right, all right! Out of the car now!

Do you see what l mean, Mr Herriot?

You realise you'll probably both get five years?

- Five years? - Not prison? Will we?

Unquestionably. l shall speak to the magistrate myself.

lt'll do you both good. Give you a long, long time to think.

You see, it's all right for you, James. You're married. You're settled, secure.

Look at me. l'm single. All alone. l need more disposable income.

You have no responsibilities, not a care in the world.

l'm browbeaten and badgered in my own home.

You're positively pampered.

You get your shirts ironed for you, shoes cleaned, bed made.

Very comfortably, as it happens. All you have to do is lie in it.

Which you do with dedication.

Now you're being unfair. You simply don't understand.

Mrs A's been appointed by my brother to wage a moral crusade on my pleasures.

Mrs A dotes on you.

l can't take any more of this self-pity. l'll get you another one.

- Sam, two more of the same, please. - Right you are, Mr Herriot.

- Thanks a lot. - James, l've got to keep my end up.

l'm still in the hunt. l've got to keep the hook well baited.

ls it any wonder l'm living beyond my means?

Bert Grimes is awaiting payment at the end of the week.

- You've always been a good customer. - As far as bookies are concerned,

a good customer pays up - the moment you can't,

you're a bad debtor and it's out with the frighteners.

That's a bit dramatic. No, Bert would never do anything.

lt's not Bert, it's Siegfried. l've got to pay him back by tonight.

l shall have to sell the Daimler.

Helen thinks that Siegfried's interested in it himself, actually.

Well, you'll get a good price for it.

Never!

You've got a right shiner there, veterinary.

l had to stop that old beggar killing pigeons today.

Why on earth...

He's got some stupid idea they carry foot-and-mouth from France. Exactly.

Mr Farnon.

- You're not after any money, are you? - No, just some of your time.

My name's Barry Stokes. l've recently moved here,

and l've take over as captain of the bell-ringers.

l understand from Mr Biggins you used to be quite an active member of the team.

Well, more active on the outings than the actual ringing, actually.

Thank you. By the way, this is my partner, James Herriot.

- How do you do, Mr Herriot? - How do you do?

- Are you a lapsed ringer too? - Absolutely not.

Pity. Still, l hope l can persuade you to take up the exercise again, Mr Farnon.

Just that the recast tenor bell is coming back from Whitechapel for Christmas,

and l hope to mark the occasion with a full peal.

- That will be splendid, won't it? - We're having a practice tonight.

l wondered if you might like to join us.

l find that work takes up pretty much all my time at the moment.

You don't need money to ring bells, Tris. And it's a service to the community.

He couldn't ring a peal to save his life.

- To tell you the truth, Mr Stokes... - Barry, please.

..my life's just too hectic at the moment.

The invitation stands, and we'd be delighted to see you

anytime you felt like changing your mind.

l must be off, l'm afraid. l must pick up Miss Marston and then open up the tower.

l'll see you later, Mr Biggins. Bye.

Bye.

Miss Marston?

She is the new schoolteacher.

l don't hold with women ringing bells.

l think you might be right, James. l think it's time l did my bit for the community.

Don't overreach yourself, veterinary.

There's not but six places for the Christmas peal, you know.

l think l'll pop in later and have a word with... Barry?

Mm.

Oops. Sorry.

Rounds, everyone.

And stand.

Hello. l'm Tristan Farnon. We haven't been introduced.

But we did meet memorably on the road this afternoon.

Linda Marston.

Hello again. Glad you decided to give it a go.

Tristan here is a stalwart of the old team. We met in the pub.

Oh, l see.

He were no blooming use, though. He never could get the hang of grandsire.

Beyond hunting treble, that is.

What Mr Biggins doesn't realise is that during my time in lreland,

- l was scarcely out of the belfry. - Well, would you like to take a turn?

Er... Well, l would be dreadfully out of practice.

Actually, l'd be very happy just to watch.

You've got to make a start sometime.

You take the No.2 and just follow Linda until you find your feet again.

- Right. Yes, of course. - Good man.

All right, everybody. Let's go again.

Sorry about the eye. Just a temporary disfigurement.

Battle scars collected in the line of duty.

Would you care to take the fifth, Mr Biggins?

No, thank you very much, lad. l shall be sitting this one out.

l want to watch the fun.

Everybody ready, then?

Here we go.

She'll not take much more of that, lad.

Whoa!

- (Barry) Let go of the rope! - Argh!

Oh, dear, l am sorry. Any damage?

Just turned my ankle. Would someone like to check if there are any broken bones?

That's it for tonight, l'm afraid.

(Biggins) So it's back to the Drovers then and Mr Farnon will pay for all the drinks.

l think that's unnecessarily harsh.

Well, it's traditional. The man who breaks the stay pays for the drinks.

But first time out? l think he's excused.

Go and have a drink on me, and we'll join you when the first aid's done.

- l don't think anything's broken. - Are you sure? lt does hurt rather.

Yes, if you'll excuse me, l'll just check on the damage upstairs.

There's always a slight danger the broken stay might land on one of the clock wires.

Look, l've made the most terrible fool of myself.

And you've been so kind. l really don't deserve it.

Barry shouldn't have encouraged you to ring when you've had so much to drink.

- Were you celebrating something? - No.

Er... well, yes.

ln a way, l think it's been my lucky day.

Really? With a black eye and now a sprained ankle?

Well, l've met you.

l'd like to make it up to the rest of the team by repairing the damage.

l don't suppose you could give me a bit of secret help?

Well, it would certainly be nice to have it repaired before next week's practice.

Wednesday is games afternoon. l have some free time then.

Wednesday's my day off.

(Frank) Came in morning post. ls it true?

- lt's impossible. - Are you sure?

lf there's any doubt, l'll do away with them now.

l like my birds, but if they're a threat to my cows or anyone else's, no question.

- When were they last in France? - Well, season ends in July.

That's four months.

The longest they've found the virus active is 91 hours after the infection.

You put the birds in baskets on the train and release them just before the race.

And they don't set foot again until they're back in the loft.

Well, how on earth could they have picked something up, eh?

You're right, but l've never had a poisoned pen letter.

l'm damn sure you won't get another one.

- How are they anyway? - The mites cleared up nicely, but...

Don't even think about it. lf the boffins change their minds about racing pigeons,

you'll be the first to know.

Do you like my birthday present?

She's beautiful. What are you going to call her?

- Elizabeth. - Yes.

Well, she is a regal-looking beast, isn't she?

- Hello, Angela. - Morning, James.

- Many happy returns. - Thank you.

- Will you look after her if she gets sick? - Yes.

With the help of a good nurse, of course.

l know nowt about any letter, veterinary!

Yes, maybe. But l bet you've been free with the gossip at the Drovers.

Foot-and-mouth is bad enough without you spreading rumours

which are entirely without foundation, scientific or otherwise.

l heard it on t'wireless, but l never wrote any letter.

Look, just you leave me to settle this in my own way.

Mr Biggins! l hope this never happens to you.

Right, Joe. lf you just hold his head very firmly, l'll take his temperature.

lt's all right, Clancy. lt's all right.

- You all right, Joe? - Aye, fine. He often throws me around.

The problem here, Joe, is that l really had intended

to get to the bottom of the womiting... vomiting thing today.

Record the pulse and respiratory rate.

Auscultate the chest, thoroughly palpate the abdomen,

obviously check inside the mouth, teeth, gums, pharynx.

Check the condition of the skin, catheterise him and examine the urine.

l don't think he'd like that at all, sir.

No.

Dope, Joe, dope. That's the answer.

Tell you what, why don't you bring him back on Wednesday,

and l'll make sure there's sufficient help.

Biggins is a scoundrel, James, but he may well be right about the letter.

Foot-and-mouth rumour is rife.

Well, probably. He's much too mean to pay the postage.

Unlike this army of poor tradesmen pleading with my brother to pay his bills.

(dog growls)

(whispers) He's been avoiding me ever since he defaulted on my loan

for the Daimler.

ln fact, l'd be grateful for your assistance in a pincer movement. You pop in there.

- Hello, Mr Mulligan. - Ah, Mr Herriot.

lf Mr Herriot gave us a hand, we could set to now, sir.

Actually, l can't stop. l just popped in to... lt's a bit of an emergency, l'm afraid.

l know, why don't you try Clancy on... here we are ..old faithful?

l've a pantry full of that stuff at home.

lt was only last Friday Mr Siegfried gave me another bottle.

Did he really? Yes, well, let's stick to the original plan, Joe. See you on Wednesday.

- Bye, Mr Mulligan. - Bye-bye.

- l say, Siegfried's a bit late back, isn't he? - ls he?

Look, James, l do have hundreds of urgent calls to make.

You wouldn't mind taking over here? There's no one out there at the moment.

- l've got to go and see the Whitbys. - Well, l'll do them.

- Will you really? All right, thanks. - Thanks, James.

Tris.

As ever, James.

$200 in cash, if you please.

l've been meaning to speak to you.

- Have you? - Yes. l was going to request,

as we're approaching the season of goodwill, you might look upon my plight

with a measure of Christmas spirit.

You owe money to me, to James, to Mrs Alton's suppliers, to Bert Grimes,

and to heaven knows how many other unfortunate hoodwinked creditors. Bill.

l will be the first to admit that l do have a temporary cash-flow crisis.

You give the impression, my dear brother, of suffering from terminal insolvency.

- Bill. - But...

Bill.

Goodness, does nobody write to you without asking for money? Bill.

Siegfried, l...

You will settle all your debts in full by Christmas morning,

or l, as principal creditor, will claim the Daimler as my own.

- Are you offering me a deal? - Grace it with what euphemism you wish.

But James is here to bear witness to a binding contract.

- Absolutely. - Thank you, James.

Thank you, Siegfried.

Now, tell me, how did you progress with Clancy this morning?

Well, unfortunately, Joe Mulligan himself

was in no fit state to assist with the examination and...

Bill.

..although Clancy the Second has an entirely different temperament,

l thought the best approach was to dope him, a two-man job,

so l asked him back on Wednesday.

Wednesday? My surgery, is it not?

And what better man for the job? Since you've built up such a good relationship.

- Wednesday's your day off, isn't it, Tris? - As it happens, yes, James.

But l thought you could give Siegfried the benefit of your invaluable experience.

This is interesting. Jonathan Bradley's been summoned to appear

before Broughton Magistrates' Court on a charge of breach of the peace.

And his solicitors have written to me to ask me to be a character witness.

Oh.

This coming Wednesday.

Yes, indeed.

Good heavens.

Messrs Alnutt, Farquhar & Grove solicitors,

acting on behalf of Mr David Bradley,

requesting me to appear at the same time on behalf of their client.

- The same Wednesday, James? - Yes.

lt's our bound duty to respond to these summonses.

lndeed it is, and we'll need someone to look after the surgery.

- Oh, yes, indeed. - No. No, it's impossible.

l've already made personal arrangements. Absolutely unbreakable.

''T Farnon Esq, from Messrs Hammond & Sons Motor Engineers.''

''lnvoice for the overhaul and service of Sunbeam Talbot coupé.''

84 pounds, 16 shillings and eightpence?

Well, l suppose you may have the eightpence.

My dear brother, you won't have cash in hand for days off for months to come.

ln any case, you do too much gallivanting about in that thirsty vehicle of yours.

And l have a strong suspicion Hammond is poised

to cut off your credit in the very near future.

- But Siegfried... - We'll have to leave Clancy to your care.

Sometimes l have a great understanding for how the Bradley brothers feel.

Morning, Joe. Come in.

- Where's Clancy? - l just wanted to let you know he's fine.

For sure, you've picked up the gift of healing from across the water.

Well, l'm delighted to hear it, Joe. And thanks very much for telling me.

Must dash.

Good heavens, you're not going up in the belfry dressed like that, are you?

Linda, it's lovely to see you. You look wonderful.

l thought we might have some lunch first.

Let's see how the work goes, shall we?

We haven't got as much time as l thought.

They've arranged a staff meeting after lunch.

- l have brought the car, actually. - You can leave that here.

lt's only a couple of minutes' walk down the road. Come on.

l would like to give you an example of just how close these brothers were.

l recall David telling me once that he had a feeling

that his brother was in difficulty with a premature calving.

Well, that phrase had a very authentic ring.

l shall be the judge of its authenticity, Mr Herriot.

Go on.

Well, David was as sure of this feeling as if his brother had actually telephoned him.

l knew l could be setting off on an arduous trek

which could prove to be a complete waste of time.

But David was right.

l followed him up to Gill Fell, where we did indeed find Jonathan in trouble.

A very touching tale, Mr Herriot.

Can we believe a word of it?

- Have you been in the belfry before? - Er, yes.

So you do know how dirty we're going to get?

lt really doesn't matter at all. lt's just wonderful to be here with you.

Oh, l love this old clock. Nearly 200 years old and still going strong.

Think of all the merely human winders who've been and gone.

Makes you realise, Linda, how little time we do have.

- ''Time's wingéd chariot'' and all that? - Exactly.

''Had we but world enough, and time, This coyness, lady, were no crime.''

Now, there's a poem with a lot to answer for.

You do look wonderful in this light.

Come on, we've got work to do.

l hope we're not going to have any veterinary fairy tales from you, Mr Farnon.

Not at all, Your Worship. But if l may have Your Worship's permission,

l should like to quote a few words from the Good Book

on the subject of the loves of David and Jonathan,

after whom these two brothers were so aptly named.

Now, as everybody knows, David slew the giant Goliath with a single pebble,

thus single-handedly saving lsrael and putting the Philistine army to flight.

And in so doing, he earned the undying brotherly love of Jonathan.

And in the 18th chapter of l Samuel we learn:

''And it came to pass that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David

and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.''

You are standing in the witness box of my court, Mr Farnon.

Not at the church lectern.

Yes, indeed, Your Worship, but it also came to pass

that the undying brotherly loves of David and Jonathan Bradley

became a byword in our Darrowby community.

And it was their father's earnest wish that upon his death

these loving brothers should divide their inheritance,

but, unfortunately, they fell prey to certain predatory vultures

of the otherwise unimpeachable legal profession.

Just as surely as the biblical David and Jonathan

fell prey to the jealousies of the king of lsrael.

Well, we are not here to judge the late king of lsrael, Mr Farnon.

But your sentiments are appreciated.

You're terribly good at all this.

l wouldn't know where to start.

Well, it's good of you to make the effort.

l felt such a fool the other night.

You were a fool the other night.

But l rather liked you for it.

You didn't just take pity on me?

No.

Let me give you a hand.

Oh, Lord, are you...

all right?

Oh, good morning.

What an oblique approach.

Falling back on holy writ, however, made a welcome change for the bench.

My friend and partner, James Herriot. Major Wakeman.

- How do you do, Herriot? - Major.

God knows why they ever made you a magistrate. You're beyond the law.

That's the point. They couldn't face the consequences

of hauling me up before the bench, so they made me sit on it.

- Well, l'm delighted. - Yes, indeed, Hereward. Thank you.

Afternoon, Edge. Con.

This is Miss Marston, the new schoolteacher.

Oh, aye?

This is Edge Pickles and Con Fenton.

- How do you do? - What can l do for you, then, Mr Farnon?

Well, l was hoping you could cut me a new stay for one of the bells.

- l rather overdid it on Friday night. - l know. l heard it go. Bloody racket.

Happen we'll get a bit of peace of a Sunday morning now, eh?

Well, l was hoping you could do it right away, Edge.

You see, the team are practising for the Christmas peal

and l've rather set them back with this accident.

Look, l know you've been a bit upset by the bells in the past,

but with new talent like Miss Marston in the team, they'll be a joy to hear.

Not in my house, they won't.

l could always take it to Broughton. l thought you'd like the business.

The sleep l'd lose, hardly worth my while.

Besides, l've got these shoes to make for Con's mare.

Well, l think l could make it worth your while.

Has tha money to burn then, lad?

Make it a quid. With two bottles of stout for me,

and two more for Con there, for him having to wait for his shoes.

Primogeniture - the first-born takes the inheritance.

- That's the natural order of things. - Couldn't disagree with you more.

The natural order says the strongest should take all.

ln my opinion, the brothers were on the right track preparing to slug it out.

Just a pity that fool of a constable had to intervene.

- That's the law of the jungle. - Any objections?

Yes, yes, Hereward. l'm afraid l agree with James.

The first-born inherits not only the goods, but also the responsibility.

That's why l regard it as my solemn duty

to see that my younger brother is well provided for.

- 100 guineas tha's cost me! - lt's 100 tha's cost me.

lf thou'd done what father's will said without running for a bloody lawyer...!

- lt were thee as went first! - Silence in court!

- Do you want to go to prison? - You want me to go for perjuring myself?

Do you want me to go to prison for telling a pack of lies about your good character?

There'll be no more of this from either of you, do you see?

These bills represent a very small fraction of what your quarrel would have cost you.

You invited lawyers who are little better than robbers to plunder as they pleased.

Of course there's a price to pay!

You can start by buying a drink for this good magistrate here who let you off.

And then drinks, if you please, for your two principal witnesses.

Do you have to attend this wretched staff meeting?

Yes, l must. And you must take surgery.

(engine fails)

- l suppose we've run out of petrol? - Yes, as a matter of fact we have.

Look, l've got a great idea.

Why don't we just try and keep warm until help arrives?

Help, Tristan, is half a mile down the road at Hammond's garage.

l, for one, can walk there from here.

Linda!

Yes, Mr Grimsdale. Between 10 and 1 1 tomorrow.

l'm sorry, l've got to go. l've got an emergency here.

(drunken singing)

- Hello, Helen. - Had a successful day, l see?

- Hello, darling. - Hello, Mrs Alton.

Mrs Alton, coffee. Hot and strong, please.

Just a moment, Linda.

Mr Farnon has had the misfortune to run out of petrol, Mr Hammond.

- Would you be so kind as to... - Can't do it, miss.

- Why ever not? - You know l'm under strict orders.

- But surely... - (Linda) Excuse me, gentlemen.

l'll have to leave you to settle this between yourselves. l have a staff meeting.

Grand lass is that. Teaches my nippers. Think the world of her, they do.

Any time one of the clients wants a character reference, you'll oblige?

Reputation will demand it.

The Bradley brothers bought you one or two drinks by way of celebration?

Well, it would have been churlish to refuse.

Absolutely, James. l had to persuade him, though, Helen.

He spent the entire day feeling desperately guilty

about the amount of work we'd left for poor Tristan.

Well, evidently, it has got the best of him, because the waiting room is crowded

with clients hoping for the appearance of a veterinary surgeon.

- l knew it. - Preferably one that can stand.

As a matter of fact, where is he? lt's nearly five o'clock.

He's been unavoidably detained.

When is that brother of mine going to learn a sense of responsibility?

Before you say something you might regret, Mr Farnon,

can l just say that, while you and Mr Herriot

have been carousing in Broughton alehouses,

Mr Tristan's been engaged in the services of the Lord.

What?

He's been fixing a new stay to one of the church bells.

Tristan?

ln the belfry? He wouldn't know where to begin.

Well, l expect he had some assistance.

Who from? Edge Pickles wouldn't touch the job.

Apparently, that new schoolteacher is a person of resource and skill.

- She's a woman. - Naturally.

Oh, good grief.

- You have a lot to answer for. - Me?

Have you any idea what l have been through today?

After an ungodly early start to fit in the ludicrous number of visits

which you and James maliciously arranged for what was my day off,

after fearlessly dealing with Clancy in the surgery this morning,

and after spending my lunch hour in the quite voluntary service of the church,

l have had the misfortune, whilst going about my legitimate duties

in the back of beyond, to run out of petrol.

How l am supposed to function as a partner in this practice without petrol,

particularly today, when l'm the only functioning partner,

l simply cannot imagine.

As it is, l'm sure poor Helen and the valiant Mrs Alton

have spent most of the afternoon fielding enquiries from unattended clients,

while you clearly have been pickling yourselves

- in open defiance of the licensing laws. - Tris...

l'm sure that you were an unwilling partner

to this litany, debauchery and dereliction of duty.

However, l shall require you to bear witness to the shameful transgression

of the natural laws of brotherhood when we return to it

in the cold light and sobriety of the morning.

ln the meantime, l shall leave you to the ministrations of Mrs Alton's coffee,

while l attend to our long-suffering clients in the surgery.

Well, l can only hope that your courting has been as successful as ours.

(James laughs)

Oh, dear man.

And wonderful coffee, Mrs A. Thank you so very much.

- l've never seen him like that, James. - (Helen) Shh!

(man on radio) The outbreak of foot-and-mouth is spreading northwards.

Fresh outbreaks were reported today in the county of Yorkshire,

including the first in the North Riding.

l heard about it on t'wireless.

You thought the wooden tongue might be foot-and-mouth?

Aye, that's right.

lf it does turn out to be the case, your entire stock will have to be destroyed.

Aye, that's what we're afraid of.

You'd both better understand this.

lt won't matter if you spend the last penny you have on the most expensive lawyers

to determine where your blessed boundaries should be drawn.

Foot-and-mouth won't take notice. lt's the most contagious disease known to man.

And if either of your legally separated herds should be infected,

then both will have to be destroyed.

Right. Let's take a look.

Right, my pretty.

Come on.

These are not vesicular lesions.

lt's just as l thought. lt's wooden tongue.

lt'll take some time to clear after the injection.

- Now, then, David, where's your beast? - Up the top end, Mr Farnon.

Get me a bucket of water, soap and a towel, if you please.

- ls this the one? - Aye, that's the one there, Mr Farnon.

- When do you reckon she's due? - l have her down for 20 December.

Make a right nice Christmas present will that, Mr Farnon, eh?

Yes, you'd be about right, l think.

She's got a touch of mastitis.

l'll leave you something for that.

Your father was well advised to move over into Friesians, wasn't he?

Oh, aye. They're good milkers and they do the job well.

That's why we keep 'em.

l'm surprised they haven't taught you to see more clearly,

to tell the difference between black and white.

Now, then, so far in this epidemic, there have been 61 1 outbreaks,

with 85,000 animals slaughtered.

Nothing on vaccinations?

The problem is there are three main types of virus - A, O and C.

Vaccination against one type doesn't necessarily immunise against the others.

lmmunity only lasts from four to eight months,

so with a national population of cattle, sheep and pigs of 35 million,

you're looking at that many vaccinations each year. lt's not feasible.

- (phone rings) - l'll get it.

Thank you for keeping us up to date.

Keep her away from the others. l'll be with you in 20 minutes. Right.

- Sorry, Frank, there's no doubt about it. - How did she get it?

lf we knew that, we'd be able to eliminate it.

One thing you can put out of your mind is pigeons.

- l can hardly bear to look at 'em. - You just leave them be.

So l have to lose the lot, then?

Without stamping it out, the whole herd will just go down and down.

The milk yield will fall off, continual lameness, stillbirths, abortions.

- lmagine that on a nationwide scale. - Yeah, but why?

All l do know is we've got to get rid of the lot now and then start afresh.

- There's 15 years of work in these. - l do know that, Frank.

What am l going to tell Angie? And Mary? Her Elizabeth?

l know. l can't think of anyone who deserves this less than you.

No one deserves this, James. No one.

l just can't take it in.

Hello, love.

May l go and play with Sally? We've arranged it at school.

Of course you can.

Bad news, love.

There's the telephone, James.

l'm ever so sorry. Frank did really well to spot it so soon.

We've lived in dread of this.

- Mummy, what's wrong? - Come on, let's get you off to High Top.

l know it might seem best for Mary to be out of the way,

but l have to insist that no one leaves the farm till this is all cleared up.

Mummy, what's the matter?

Mr Herriot's got to make a very important telephone call,

so we'll go next door and give him some peace.

Yes, thanks.

ls that the Ministry? The chief veterinary officer, please.

Oh, really? Right, well, would you say that it's James Herriot from Darrowby.

l'm ringing from Low Scar Farm.

Low Scar. That's right.

l want to report a suspected outbreak of foot-and-mouth.

There's no doubt about it.

Thank you for your quick notification, Herriot.

l'll just have a word with Gillard.

- You've explained the procedure? - He just wants to get it over quickly.

lf we start now, we can get it done before dark.

Yes. Right.

Mr Roberts is on the phone from the Yorkshire Examiner.

Someone's tried to sell him a story about Frank's cows being infected by pigeons.

- Who? - l don't know. He wouldn't say.

Let me speak to him.

- He's taking it well. - He's taking it hard.

He just doesn't let it show.

He's a good farmer, one of the best.

One thing you can say for the foot-and-mouth virus,

it's no respecter of quality.

- You've done the best thing you could. - Digging my own grave?

lt's like doing your own surgery.

You cut out the infected area, clean the wound, wait for it to heal, then start again.

l don't think l'll stay around for the bonfire.

- You've done well, Frank. - You do what you've got to do, don't you?

- How soon before it's safe to restock? - Four to six weeks.

Depends on the condition of the farm.

A place like this, once it's been thoroughly disinfected, about a month.

Well, we can rely on Frank not to leave it like this.

He'll get through every drain and ditch.

Last year l saw several farmers just give up.

- ls it all over now, Daddy? - Yeah. Yeah. l suppose so.

When will l be able to get another calf?

Frank.

Frank.

You'll get started again. l know you will.

Ah, James.

- What are you drinking? - l'm not yet, but l'll certainly join you.

l found out who was responsible for the poisoned pen letter.

Mr Biggins?

lsaac Cranford.

Right.

What are you doing here? l've heard about Gillard's

and l don't want thee spreading infection.

For 16 years, l've put up with your meanness,

but l couldn't believe you'd ever do anything as malicious as this.

- l don't know what tha's talking about. - That letter you wrote to Frank Gillard!

- l've writ no letter, veterinary. - My God!

You wouldn't know honesty if it kicked you up...

That letter was vile and it was malicious, but most important, it was wrong.

Gillard's herd was infected. Not by his pigeons, which are harmless.

But by a bit of paternal generosity you couldn't begin to understand.

Last week, he bought a calf for his daughter for her birthday.

Tragically, that calf was infected.

Now he's lost the entire stock.

Well, in times like these, he should have been more careful.

l wouldn't wish what happened to Gillard on anyone, not even you.

Now, as much as l hate to admit it, l need your help.

l'm calling on you as representative of the National Farmers' Union,

and l want you to gather your members and impress upon them

the necessity of observing the disinfection routines

and restrictions on movement of stock and vehicles which have been imposed.

- Hello, Mary. - Tristan.

Excuse me.

lt's quite an occasion.

l suppose you've been rushed off your feet with this foot-and-mouth.

Fortunately, it seems to be abating after the initial shock to Frank Gillard.

We've been very lucky.

She seems brighter.

She's beginning to talk about having a new calf.

Will you have more time to take up the bells again?

Everyone was very pleased with the new stay.

Oh, really?

Barry's trying to pick the best team to attempt the peal on Christmas morning.

With a bit of practice, l'm sure you'd qualify.

- l say... - lf young Mr Farnon's in the team,

that peal will fail, take it from me.

Oh, l'm sure he can do it, Mr Biggins.

What? With a lass like you to take his mind off t'job?

Quite a mischief-maker.

Well, there may be something in what he says.

Look, Linda, could we have a chat about the peal over lunch sometime?

Or maybe even dinner?

Doesn't that depend, Tristan, on whether your petrol difficulties are resolved?

Mr Farnon. Mr Farnon.

lt's the Daimler, my dear boy.

The Daimler is at the bottom of your financial malaise.

lt's a fantasy you could never begin to afford.

But, come Christmas morning, l will relieve you of that burden.

About Christmas, l'd like to make family plans,

so if we could settle who's on duty on Christmas Day?

Ah, yes, of course. The traditional drawing of lots.

l thought we might avoid that. l've been landed with it for the past three years.

James, tradition has always been the basis of our present strength.

You yourself will prepare the lots and we'll all take it like men.

Ah, the gods justly taking care of the senior partner. Come on, Tristan.

We all know the gods look kindly on you whenever there's a game of chance.

Yes! My luck has changed for Christmas! l'll be able to pay you back yet, Siegfried.

- l'm left with the short one again. - There you are.

The gods don't decide these weighty matters on a mere whim.

- What do you say, Tristan? - As ever, James.

(both) lt couldn't happen to a nicer chap.

- Hello, James. - By heck, Frank, this is marvellous.

Well, Ministry vet said four to six weeks.

lt'll be six weeks come Christmas and l want him to see we're ready.

l say you're ready now. You've been working hard.

lt's only when you don't have stock you realise how much time they take.

Well, they look healthy enough.

l've been glad of their company.

Place has been like a desert without cattle.

- You're going to restock with Friesians? - Aye.

After old Jack Bradley, we were next to try 'em. Always done well too.

You've worked wonders, Frank. You're an example to us all.

l hope t'DVO get t'same idea. l could do with some cows on it.

Just remind me which farm this cow belongs to, will you?

lt's Gilthorpe Farm again now, Mr Farnon.

Like it used to be.

l'm delighted to hear it.

You'll be delighted to hear you're still in line for a good Christmas present.

- Doing well, is she? - You can never be sure till the calfs born,

but l've got a pretty good idea.

Your mother must be relieved.

Oh, aye. We're getting on famous again.

Only we still get letters from t'lawyers asking for money, though.

- You mean to say you haven't paid up? - 200 guineas? For what they did to us?

l'd pay the bill and forget all about it.

Or send them something on account, so they don't sue you.

Trouble is, since our misunderstanding, we haven't been doing too well just lately.

You thought of selling some stock?

Oh, aye, but we're just building up.

- You could do me a favour. - We'd like to do that, Mr Farnon.

Well, then, if l can find someone who'd pay the right price, would you sell her?

(dog growls)

Bert.

He knows you're still not in the clear, Mr Farnon.

- You've not come to settle up, have you? - No, not exactly.

But l have come to suggest a step in the right direction.

Seven pounds, 12 shillings and sixpence, by Christmas.

lndeed, yes. Absolutely. Of course.

But l want to know what odds you'll offer on the ringing of the Christmas peal.

- You want to bet on the bell-ringing? - There's a lot in it from your point of view.

Six good men set their wits against the challenge of ringing 5,040 changes

without fault or interruption over three hours. Got to be worth a flutter.

Depends on the six ringers, doesn't it?

l've heard one of them's that new schoolmarm.

You reckon she can stay the distance?

Oh, yes, she'll be the best of the lot.

Old Biggins, is he still in the team?

Who's in the team on the day depends on the captain,

but the chances of myself being preferred to Mr Biggins are rather good.

You? lf you're gonna be in the team, there's no point running a book.

They don't stand a chance.

l think you might all be in for a rather big surprise.

(dog growls)

(Bert) Go on! Get him!

(Gillard) l never thought l'd see a cow at Low Scar again.

- l never had much doubt about it. - l know, and that helped me through it.

l never thought there'd come a time that l'd see those two help each other again.

- Hello, Siegfried. - Good morning, Frank.

- This is a very happy occasion. - lt is indeed, Mr Farnon.

- David, Jonathan, l'm grateful for this. - Least we could do, Frank.

Could have happened to us and tha'd have done t'same.

- Come on, lass. Come on. Come on. - Come on.

- Come on. Come on. - Come on.

- Young Mary's well out of the way? - She's taking presents up to High Top.

- The Daimler's going to have to go, Helen. - l am so sorry, Tris.

What we need is a suburban gold mine, like Granville Bennett's.

All posh pets and poodles. Look at us. We haven't got two sous to rub together.

Except silver-pocket Siegfried, of course.

Maybe it's time for a gentle reminder that money isn't everything.

(knock at door)

Miss Marston to see you, Mr Tristan.

- Hello, Tristan. - Linda, how lovely to see you.

- Hello, Mrs Herriot. - Hello, Linda.

Looking forward to the Christmas holiday?

Exactly. How about a bit of Christmas spirit?

Nothing strong for me right now, thank you.

Well, why don't l make us a nice cup of tea, then?

- Do sit down. - Thank you.

Just get these out of the way.

- Here. - Tristan, l have something to tell you.

Oh?

An announcement, in fact.

Go on.

Barry Stokes and l...

are engaged to be married.

Well, congratulations.

l must say, l'm... absolutely delighted.

Oh, Tristan, you are wonderful. Thank you.

l don't know about you, but l'm certainly going to have that drink.

Here's to your future bliss.

l have some more news.

l've persuaded Barry to include you in the team for the Christmas peal.

That's awfully kind of you, Linda - and Barry -

- but, really, l wouldn't hear of it. - Oh, Tristan, please.

Er... Dear Linda,

l don't know if l could bear to be in such close proximity to you for three hours,

knowing you're promised to another.

But you will think about it and let us know?

Merry Christmas, Tristan.

And do apologise to Mrs Herriot for me.

Oh, l'm sure she'll understand.

Happy Christmas.

Bye-bye.

Mr Biggins!

Anyone about?

What does thou want?

Mr Biggins, l've been thinking about this peal.

Tha'll never do it.

Yes, well, that's just what l was thinking.

l know well you believe my place in the team

to be the result of undue influence with the team captain.

Aye.

And l know that you think l can't ring grandsire triples to save my life.

Aye.

l was thinking, it being Christmas and the first peal with a new bell,

that the team should be composed of men and women with proven talent.

Look here, young man, what exactly are you trying to get at?

Well, in short, Mr Biggins, l've come here, even at this 1 1th hour,

to offer you my place in the team.

Have you spoken to the bell captain about this?

Well, l think it's best if we keep this between ourselves, don't you?

lt's the best job that you've ever done, Mr Farnon.

Now, how would you like a nice little nip of whisky alongside of me?

Seeing that it's Christmas.

Thank you, Mr Biggins. l don't mind if l do.

(bells ring)

Hear those bells? l am missing seeing my kids open their Christmas stockings.

l know.

l used to count myself lucky if l had two hours to spend with Mary

before t'beasts needed milking again.

Pull! Come on!

Yes! Come on!

Yes!

Yes.

My God, that's a wonderful sight to me, though, James.

l couldn't have wished for a better Christmas present.

(Mrs Alton) l thought you were doing the peal.

Well, with great reluctance, Mrs Alton,

l gave up my place in the team to a more accomplished ringer.

After all, what is my own personal satisfaction

when compared to the success of the whole enterprise?

Well, l'm sure the Lord'll appreciate the sacrifice.

l do hope he does.

Mrs Alton, what a wonderful breakfast!

And a very happy Christmas to you.

- Take a stirrup cup with us, James. - Thanks.

l'm not sure we'd have carried on without you. Happy Christmas to you.

l wouldn't have missed it for the world, you know. Here's to all of you.

- Merry Christmas, James. - Thank you.

Happy Christmas, Mr Herriot.

Ah, Tristan. They also serve, who only kneel and pray.

- l beg your pardon, Vicar? - You hoped to be a team member too?

Yes, l did.

Being unable to participate in the actual ringing of the peal,

you found another part to play - with prayer for its success.

- Er, yes. - How very commendable.

Do excuse me, Vicar, but they're just over the three hours,

so the situation is rather critical.

lndeed, please pardon my interruption.

My God!

They've done it!

They've done it!

Fantastic! You've done it! Absolutely incredible! Congratulations!

Well done, Mr Biggins. l couldn't have done it without you.

- l don't know what you mean. - Tristan, just what have you done?

Saved my car. Paid off my debts.

Old Grimes gave me 50-1 on failure, thinking l would be in the team!

You brought my Christmas present.

A little large for my stocking, but highly acceptable.

Bert!

Sorry to do this to you on Christmas morning, but...

- Thank you. - lt's all right, it's all there.

Happy Christmas, my dear brother.

- My dear boy. - Didn't l say l was a man of my word?

Good grief. l don't believe it.

Here we are.

- ls that it? - That's it.

l really don't know what to say. Thank you. Well done.

- Happy Christmas. - Happy Christmas, Mrs Bradley.

David, Jonathan.

My goodness me, it's nice to see a little brotherly love again, don't you think?

lt's what it's all about, isn't it?

Yes, you know, l'm only ever cruel to be kind.

Don't you see that the stringent financial disciplines l enforced upon you

encouraged the entrepreneurial enterprise

that has given rise to this splendid outcome?

- Happy Christmas, Siegfried. - Happy Christmas, my dear.

Merry Christmas, Helen. Merry Christmas, James.

Excuse me, Mr Farnon, he's got it real bad this time.

l think it's time to give him that internal examination.

The mixture seems to have lost all its power and l can't stop him womiting.

l think we can leave this matter in Tristan's capable hands, don't you?

Oh, absolutely, Siegfried. Merry Christmas, Mr Mulligan.

Merry Christmas to you, Mr Mulligan.

Tris, haven't you overlooked something?

Thanks a lot, Tris. l expect you're feeling very relieved, aren't you?

Merry Christmas.

- There you are. - Thank you. How lovely.

Generous to a fault, Siegfried.

lt's turning into quite a financial Christmas.

l think that my brother should feel...