All language subtitles for The Mudlark (Jean Negulesco, 1950).eng

- Subtitles -
Lu�s Filipe Bernardes

Christ!

Give me that it's mine!

Hey, don't go there, that's mine!

- I'll give you thruppence for it.
- I don't want...

- Six pence.
- No, sir.

- Nine pence.
- I don't want to sell it.

I'll give you one last chance,
Master Wheeler,

take it or leave it. I'll give you
one shilling flat.

I don't want to sell it for anything, sir.
I want to keep it for meself.

Then take it away with you,
you filthy little sloth.

You're a dirty selfish little guttersnipe,

and I don't want to see your ugly mug
around here again, do you understand?

- Yes, sir.
- Run along with you then! Get away!

Hop it!

And me what's been like
a father to him.

I say, would you give me
a shilling for it?

Why, do you think
you can get it?

You watch.

He sleeps around here somewheres.

Give it to me, or I'll grab it from you.

I've got it!
It's in his pocket here.

Here it is. I've got it, come on!

Please, Sparrow!
Please don't take it!

Please, Herbert!

Please, Sparrow. Please, Herbert.

Sparrow! Herbert!

Please, Herbert!

- Again with your wizardries, eh?
- I haven't done, guvnor, honest I ain't!

- They robbed me picture!
- I never took your picture!

Hey, shut it up, will you?
Or I'll chuck the lot of you in the river!

Now, then? What's it all about, eh?

He swiped me... he swiped my picture
while I was asleep.

What picture? Where is it?

Here.

No!

Hey, boy!

Please, sir!

Come out of there right at once,
you hear me?

I can't swim, sir.

Can't swim?

You're a strange lad.
Do you really think so much of her?

Yes, sir. I suppose so.

Well, there ain't many as likes
her these days, you know?

Shutting herself up like a nun,
as you might say,

in that blinking blooming castle.

What's the good of it doing
England now, they say.

What's the matter with her anyway?

Mourning a dead husband
for fifteen years.

- Is she done in?
- Is she?

No, no, matey. It's just that
she's an old lady, that's all.

An old lady with a crown
of sorrow on her head.

And her heart, well, her heart
just ain't anything no more.

You know what they called her,
don't you?

- What?
- The mother of England.

That's what. The mother of all England.
As if we was all her children, see?

Millions and millions of blinking blooming
kids for her to worry herself about.

Poor old girl.

She looks like a mother.

After nine babies it ain't surprising.
Or did you mean your own mother?

No, I ain't got no mother.

- Who looks after you, your dad?
- No, I haven't got no dad either.

- Who have got?
- Nobody.

Well, if you ask me, the likes of you is
about the first thing she'd worry about.

That is, is she's worrying about
anything at all, you know.

- Who is she, sir?
- Who is who?

- This lady.
- The one with the picture?

- Yes, sir.
- Well, Victoria, of course.

Who else do you think
we've been talking about?

Yes, sir, but who is Victoria?

Are you asking me who is Victoria,
the queen of your own country?

I've never heard of her before, sir.

- Never even heard her name?
- Not that I can recollect, sir.

Strike me dead if I ever I heard the like
of that before in the whole of me life.

- Did you ever hear of England?
- Yes, sir, I've heard of England.

- What is it?
- It's a place, sir, ain't it?

- A place where?
- In London, sir.

No, no, no, mate,
you've got it all backwards.

London's in England, not England in London.

London's just this old city
what we're sitting in now.

It's the whole blinking blooming place.

And that lady, as you call her, she's
the queen of the whole blasted business.

- I'm afraid I don't know very much, sir.
- Oh, I can see that.

I'm so busy finding things that I don't have
much time to keep up with what's going on.

- Can't you read?
- No, sir.

Well that's who the lady is, see?

Here, half a minute, matey.

If you never heard of Her Majesty,

how is it you risked your blinking blooming
life in a watery grave for her picture, eh?

I liked your face, sir.

- Her face?
- Yes, sir.

She looks like what you said, sir,
a mother.

I thought you said you didn't
have no mother.

I mean anybody's mother.
Like mine, if I had one.

There's not much chance in that now, matey.
Not with her shut up in that blasted castle.

- What castle is it, sir?
- Windsor.

And you don't know Windsor
neither, I'll wager.

No sir, I don't.

Now let's see what you do know.
So as we can get a start anyway.

How about the Thames?
Do you know what that is?

- Oh yes, sir, the river.
- Yes.

- That's where I work, in the mud, sir.
- Yes, that's right, matey, that's right!

Well, Windsor's straight up the Thames,
about twenty miles or more.

And right there, sitting on the bank
is this blasted big castle.

A castle so old that nobody really
knows who started it or when.

But the Conqueror lived there once,
and so did Richard the Lionhearted.

King after king, and queen after queen.

Like Henry VIII, Charles I, and poor
old George III when he went potty.

All in all it's a good part of the history
of England it is, the Castle of Windsor.

But I must say, I've seen cheerfuler
places for a widow to retire to.

Off with you.

You heard him. Off with you.

- Halt! Who goes there?
- The Prime Minister, Mr. Disraeli.

- Yes?
- Brown is here to see you, sir.

Mr. Brown, the Highlander?

There can scarcely be any
question of that, sir.

I'll be there directly.

The Prime Minister will be here
directly. Will you be seated?

I will not.

How do you do, Mr. Brown,
I'm happy to see you again.

- Are you presentable to see her now?
- What do you think?

I was thinking it's a good job the Prime
Ministers don't have to wear the kilt.

I agree with you, Mr. Brown.

My business here is much too serious
for that sort of comedy.

How is Her Majesty and what is
her humor this week?

The same as it's been for years.

Does he show no inclination whatever to come
out of this rather unhealthy seclusion?

- Is that what you're here for?
- The subject may arrise.

Then you're wasting your time.

In some things she's as sensible
as you could ask,

but with that she's as stubborn
as an old mule.

May I remind you, sir, that you're speaking
of Her Majesty the Queen?

- If you're ready, we'll go now, sir.
- After you, sir.

- Mr. Disraeli.
- Yes?

- Oh, yes.
- That man is drunk, sir!

Only moderately.

How could he dare go into His Majesty's
presence in that condition?

The condition being more or less permanent,
I don't see how else he could manage it.

How can she tolerates it?

Mr. Brown, Hammond is a legacy
from the dead.

He was Prince Albert's friend
as well as servant.

His widow not only tolerates, she cherishes
such legacies, however thirsty they may be.

- Are you coming?
- Lead on, sir.

There have never been practical
difficulty in dealing with such cases...

and no person self-respecting person
has ever felt aggrieved...

...because he was debarred from
accepting foreign orders.

Mr. Disraeli, Ma'am.

Always so good to see you, Mr. Disraeli.

God save our gracious Queen.

- You've not been quite well, I'm told.
- No one is quite well, ma'am.

How dreadful for you.
Brown, a chair for Mr. Disraeli.

It's most kind of Your Majesty,

but for the moment may I be allowed
to stand there and warm myself?

But of course.

That's how the dear Prince
used to like to stand,

rising on his toes now and then,
toasting himself comfortably.

And with what dignity, too.

In the smallest details of life, Ma'am,
His Royal Highness...

...was an example to us all.

Everyone came to appreciate him...
finally, didn't they?

Well, let us attend to the business first,

then we can enjoy the rest
of the evening.

- What is it this time?
- Business, Ma'am?

Now, now, Mr. Disraeli,

I know very well you haven't come all the
way down here just to see an old woman.

Indeed I haven't, Ma'am,

I've come to see the most
fascinating woman in England,

in her enchanted tower.

But I will admit I did prepare
some slight excuse.

You are amusing, Mr. Disraeli,
you really are.

Now what is the excuse this time?

I wish to tell you myself, Ma'am, the
disturbances are now all under control...

and there is no further immediate danger.

I can see you're going to be devious again.
What disturbances?

They begin, I believe, as debates...

...about Your Majesty's the regrettably
protracted absence from London.

Yes, I know, I know.

But of late they've taken
a more serious turn.

There were several thousand in the
demonstration before Buckingham Palace...

the other night after someone had posted
a "to let" sign on the gate.

To let?

The implication, by your leave, Ma'am,
was that the tenant had moved out for good.

Oh.

May I pursue the subject further?

- If you think you must.
- I do, Ma'am.

There's no one in the world who has more
sympathized with Your Majesty and her sorrow

than Your Majesty's true friend
and most loyal subject,

or been in a better position
to understand her need for solitude.

But I do believe the time's come for
Your Majesty to reflect again on its wisdom.

- Please be careful, Mr. Disraeli.
- I intend to be, Ma'am.

As careful as the circumstances
will permit.

But there are matters of importance
at stake here.

And it may be that some boldness
will be necessary.

For example, the government's
reform program.

A matter which I know to be very
close to Your Majesty's heart.

I cannot see the connection between
my personal grief...

...and a proposal to better
the conditions of the people.

If Your Majesty will allow me
to trace this connection.

The odds against the passage of the program
are now being quoted at 5 to 1.

Such proposals such as slum clearance,
public housing,

educational facilities for the poor,
are all wise and worthy measures...

...and consequently will be
opposed vigorously.

The British are a proud and
independent people, Ma'am,

and will not yield to improvement
without a stout struggle.

I only of but one power in the country...

...capable of turning this almost
certain defeat.

But I thought I made it quite clear
that I approve of these matters.

Words won't be enough to win
this victory, Ma'am.

Not even yours.

I ask you to be careful,
Mr. Disraeli.

I believe I must take the risk, Ma'am.

The truth is the country has
discovered a certain inconsistency...

...between Your Majesty's words
and Your Majesty's practice.

In your words they have found only love,
sympathy and understanding.

In Your Majesty's long seclusion, I regret
to report they can find nothing of the kind.

They remember, you see, how pleasantly
you once moved about your realm.

Like a lamp that brightened not only
England, but the world itself.

In those days, Ma'am, you were
Britannia in person.

Bringing hope and happiness
to your people.

You were a holiday in Liverpool
and a celebration in Bristol.

You were like drums and trumpets
wherever you went.

Men, and women, and children clamored
to see you pass by in the streets.

But I'd be lying, Ma'am, to pretend
that this was so today.

Talk of your abdication is common.

Republicanism, which used to hide
in corners, is now almost fashionable.

It's even benn argued in
the House of Commons.

And in the House of Lords, a peer, Ma'am,
has gone so far as to ask...

what England is getting in return
for the hundreds of thousands of pounds...

that it pays annually for the
royal establishment...

...now that its ceremonial functions
have lapsed.

How can they say such a thing?

When I'm so unhappy.

So alone.

Allow me contradict you for once, Ma'am.

You are not alone, not even near it.

You have thirty million friends
in England...

who ask only the opportunity to tell
you again, face to face, that they love you.

What do you propose?

This is an invitation, Ma'am,

from the governors of the
Lambeth Foundling Hospital,

begging the honor of Her Majesty's
presence at the celebration...

of its one-hundredth anniversary.

The occasion itself is without
specific importance,

but it would be impossible to exaggerate
the good that would come of it...

...should Your Majesty
see fit to accept it.

That's what I was afraid of.

I only ask Your Majesty to consider
the circumstances carefully.

Why do they insist on such
purely ornamental duties?

In a sense, Ma'am, the flag
is also purely ornamental.

I don't enjoy my unhappiness,
Mr. Disraeli.

Surely you know that better
than anyone else in the world.

But what can I do? I'm alone
and often I'm frightened.

I admit it.

But in here, among things
that are familiar to me,

or in Balmoral, which he loved
even more,

I have a certain strength and courage.

I get it, I believe, from him,
from the memories he's left me.

- Can you understand that?
I can indeed, Ma'am.

We spent so much of our time in
this room, you know? It was his favorite.

I can still see him rolling this pen
between his fingers...

...as he studied some paper that I must
understand and sign.

He insisted one night that I must read
this book that he had enjoyed.

We discussed that picture one evening.

Whether it was a fair likeness
of the children or not.

He sat in this chair.

We read under that lamp.

He stirred the fire with that poker.

We went into dinner from here.

He held my arm in the hall.

We smiled at each other across
the table because...

Because we thought of the same
thing at the same time.

and as long as I have them around me,
I feel I'm able to go on.

But not, I'm afraid, otherwise.
Do you see what I mean?

I see it very clearly, Ma'am.

I suppose you will say this is
a sad way to live.

Like a prisoner. And of course it is.

But I'm afraid it's the only
way left for me.

If you'll forgive me, Ma'am,

but I'd be greatly surprised if these
memories of His Royal Highness...

...didn't remind you also that you are
still Britain's sovereign.

I don't see how I can face it,
Mr. Disraeli, I really don't.

The very thought of going
out again fills me with terror.

But if you really consider it
of such great importance,

I'll try to find the courage to do it.

Thank you, my most gracious Queen.

Now if you'll excuse me.

Right! Right, guards!

# Come into the garden, Maud #

# Come into the garden, Maud #

# I am here at the gate alone #

Charles, you shouldn't be here.
What do you want?

- Did you know your mother was here.
- No, when did she get here?

Just a few moments ago, to see Queen.
Have you said anything about us?

No, why?

I know I should have told you before. I've
been hoping for a chance to talk to you.

The truth is I... I wrote a letter
to your father.

Someone's coming.
I'll see you later.

- Yes?
- She wants to see you now.

- This minute?
- Ay, this very minute.

- Is my mother with Her Majesty?
- Ay, she is, mum.

Now, we haven't much time before dinner,
Emily, so please, answer simply.

Who is this Lieutenant McHatten?

- Why, um...
- You do know him, don't you?

Yes, Your Majesty.
He's in the guards here.

Have you been having rendezvous
with him?

Oh, no indeed, Ma'am, believe me.

We've met of course, but only under
circumstances of the greatest propriety.

And we've never discussed any
but the most impersonal of subjects.

Could you give us an example?

- Poetry.
- Poetry, how interesting.

Whose?

Mr. Tennyson.

This is perfectly charming, Margaret.

- Does he quote it for you too?
- Yes ma'am.

I've never heard anything
so delightful.

A guardsman and dear Mr. Tennyson.

When did this recital take place,
my dear?

During the day or in the evening?

It was in the evening, Ma'am,
but quite early.

Indoors or under the stars?

Under the... it was out of doors, Ma'am.

How appropriate.

Do you recall the poem you thought
he did most effectively?

I'm afraid I can't at the moment, Ma'am.

The second best?

I can't remember that either.

The third?

Oh, well, such idle moments
do slip the minds so easily.

But if that's all it is,
you couldn't possible have given him...

...the right to ask for your hand
in marriage.

My hand? But he didn't.
He couldn't have. I know him so slightly.

- May I, Your Majesty?
- By all means, Margaret.

Emily, my dear, this is
an impossible situation.

You are the daughter of a peer.

You are a maid of honor
in Her Majesty's household.

You have the opportunity yes, and the
obligation to make a marriage of distinction.

You cannot throw these considerations
away on an utter nobody.

- He is not a nobody.
- He's less than a nobody.

He's clergyman's son.

In a situation like this, Emily,
there can be but one solution.

Whatever the young man's
suitability or lack of it,

your mother always knows
what's best.

So, for her sake and for your own good,
I'm going to forbid your seeing him again.

Forbid? But that's not fair,
Your Majesty.

- Emily!
- Emily's upset, I fear.

I beg Your Majesty's pardon.

The obvious solution of course is
to remove him, send him away at once.

Send him away where, Ma'am?

Out of England, anyway.
To India, perhaps.

But that's not fair either!
Punishing him on my account!

- Emily, you must control yourself.
- But it's not fair, Your Majesty.

I don't want to be rude, but it's not
a crime to ask for my hand in marriage.

This is not the Middle Ages and Your
Majesty is not an absolute monarch.

I am, believe me, Ma'am, your loyal subject,
but I am also a free-born adult.

and I shall marry as I wish
and not as I'm told.

Go to your room, miss,
and remain there.

- I beg Your Majesty's pardon.
- And pray to God to forgive you!

I can't find words, Your Majesty.

Please. Please, Margaret.

Not for a few minutes yet.

Candle grease on the carpet.
Remove it.

- Yes, sir.
- Pure carelessness on somebody's part.

Yes, sir.

- Who moved this?
- I'm sure I don't know, sir.

Some day I may write a book on what
I have to go through in my position.

Yes, sir.

- What's you doing here?
- I ain't doing no wrong.

Come here!

Are you daft?
Do you want to run into the guards?

I ain't done nothing. Honest I ain't.

What are you, a mischievous boy?

Yes, mum.

Well, if you ain't the bold one,
getting yourself into her dining room.

A dirty little urchin like you.

But it may be possible
to get you out of here.

Sergeant.

Bring that bowl up.

Right. That's all.
Off you go.

What about you, girl?
Haven't you finished yet?

Another moment, sir.
I won't be a moment.

Well, you can't stay here all night,
you know.

Blooming big armors, aren't you?

Aha, Miss Noonan!

You're advancing. I haven't seen you
in this room before.

Aha, yourself, Mr. Slattery!

And may I ask what it's got to do with you
whether I'm advancing or not?

You're not particularly sociable
this evening.

Not while I'm about me duties.

Under other circumstances maybe?

I told you I can't talk to you now.

It'll have to be soon, mind.
For I have great plans.

- I may not be with you much longer.
- Oh, such an important man he is.

You doubt me courage?

Then just cast your eye in this
direction for a moment, me girl.

Slattery! Do you mean
to burn us all alive?

I was only practicing to show
you how easy it would be.

Practicing? Oh well, the saints preserve us!

- And is it mad the looney is entirely?
- Mad?

To burn down Windsor Castle?

No, no, girl, but a job that would warm
many a cold heart in Ireland this night.

Those words are hanging words
you uttered.

And how do you think you'd look with
your long neck stretched by a rope?

Would I be the first to risk his neck
in an English coup for Ireland's sake?

Oh, no, Slattery, not you, me lad.

You'd burn down no castle
in a hundred years.

Oh, no?

Then perhaps you didn't know
how simple it would be.

Just a little bit here.

And a little bit over here.

And a little bit under here.

And a bit here.

Flaming Patrick, what is it?
Oh, no you don't, me bucko!

Don't hurt him, Slattery, please!

I ain't done nothing, guvnor,
honest I ain't.

Ah, so it's nothing, is it, to be hiding
under Her Majesty's own table?

- Leave him alone, he's only a baby.
- What do you mean?

A snake under her own dining
table and you taking his part?

Is it your own brat then?

Miss Noonan, if you please!

That did it, me girl,
that did it completely!

Now we'll see what Mr. Naseby
has to say about the matter.

Well, if I were you,
Mr. Burn-Me-Down Castle,

I'd think twice before carrying
tears to Mr. Naseby about this lad.

And him after taking in every hanging
word that came out of your mouth...

...not a moment since.

He didn't!

Did you?

Yes.

Mercy, heavens preserve me.

What the deuce are you still doing here?
Quickly, out that way.

- Please, sir.
- Go along, girl, go along!

Go along, girl, They'll be here
any second now!

Of course His Royal Highness
was always so fond of traveling.

I suppose they were right when they
described dear Albert as restless,

for he did like to go out
and see my people, but...

as much as he loved London, I do believe
he came to love the Highlands even more.

He loved their dress, their customs,
even their bagpipes.

I remember once at Balmoral when...

What's troubling you, Mum?

I thought I heard a rather odd noise.
Did anyone else hear it?

- No, Ma'am.
- I don't think so.

Listen.

Oh, it's nothing but your fancy.
Go on with your dinner.

They do play so often, you know.

First about breakfast time,
then during the morning,

again at luncheon,
now and then in the afternoon,

before dinner, or during dinner.

Then after dinner, then you have...

You didn't hear it then?

- No, Ma'am.
- I didn't hear anything.

What did it sound like?

Like heavy breathing.

Naseby, have you got the asthma?

Either heavy breathing or,
though it seems quite impossible, snoring.

Listen!

There is someone else in this room!

Will you see the ladies out, sir?

In there.

- Come here!
- There it is!

I have got him, sirs, I have got him!

- He's only a wee bairn.
- What are you doing here, boy?

- Good heavens, he reeks!
- He does indeed, sir.

Well, get him out of here,
he's fouling up the whole room.

Yes, sir. I'll have it washed immediately.

I don't want to be washed!
Let go of me, you big fat pig!

You ain't got no right to wash me!
I don't want to be washed!

- Let go of me, do you hear?
- Shut up, you little fleabag!

Let me go, I ain't done nothing, guvnor!

How old?

- Not yet ten, I should say, Ma'am.
- You mean it was only a child?

- Only a wee tot the size of my thumb.
- How strange.

I'm investigating him now to see if he's not
the head of some vast and dreadful plot.

Oh, is that what they think?

They have their responsibilities
too, of course.

I don't know, maybe he's
armed with a pea shooter.

In other words, there are still flaws
in the beautiful picture...

...of universal love you painted
for me this evening.

What's the matter with you, woman, did your
own bairns never get into mischief?

Mischief indeed! Who knows what
the boy's intentions were?

And I for one cannot forget...

...there have already been
six attempts on her dear Majesty's life.

I'm under no delusions that my
popularity is or ever was unanimous.

But the older I grow, the less concern
I have for the emotions of a crowd.

It no longer matters a rat to me whether
those demonstrations you mentioned...

...were out of affection or the
purest hatred.

They were not out of affection, perhaps,
but certainly not out of hatred, Ma'am.

At worst it was resentment.

The resentment of a people deprived
of someone they loved.

Have you ever found reason to complain of
the way I perform my duties, Mr. Disraeli?

I haven't, Ma'am.

Am I neglectful of them
in any way whatever?

No ma'am.

Do you or one of the other ministers
find me difficult to reach...

- ...when there are matters to be discussed?
- Never, Ma'am.

Then I see no reason why should
alter my present way of life.

I don't believe I understand
Your Majesty correctly.

Surely you can't mean you'd
allow your judgment...

...to be influenced by the antics
of a scrubby little guttersnipe.

No use arguing.
My mind is quite made up.

I support the program
any other way you suggest,

with letters or statements,
but not by opening bazaars...

...or waving at crowds or any
other such nonsense.

I considered long and carefully before
bringing this appeal to Your Majesty...

and I decided to do so only when I could
think of no other force powerful enough...

...to offer us even a slight
hope of success.

If I fail to convince Your Majesty
of this necessity,

the heavy burden of defeat
will fall not on us, Madam,

but on the poorest and weakest
of your people.

I urge Your Majesty not to lose sight
of this harsh consequence.

I'm sorry, but I can't think what else
there is to be said about it.

I shall continue to perform
my official duties here,

and I shall continue to be at the disposal
of the government within these walls.

That will be the way for the rest
of my life.

And if this arrangement should ever prove
unsatisfactory to the people of Britain,

I assure you, sir, I'll not for one second
stand in the way of a successor.

Now if you'll forgive me,
I think I'll retire.

- All this clatter over a wee bit of a laddie!
- Oh, bugger your wee bit of a laddie.

I'm not concerned about him,
I'm thinking of myself. Goodnight.

Good night, Your Majesty.
I trust you will sleep well.

I do believe I will, in spite of everything.

I find I feel rather better than I should
have expected after such an evening.

The tea, probably. It was unusually
good this evening, Brown.

The best, I believe, I've ever tasted.

So it should have been, Mum, There was
a good half munchkin of whiskey in it.

There you are. What did I tell you?
Stubborn as an old mule.

Ah, Mr. Brown, what power of expression
there is in a limited vocabulary.

- The face, Thompkins.
- Yes, sir.

- Hopkins.
- Yes, sir?

- The disinfectant.
- Yes, sir.

Be careful... it's hurting!

Hold him immovable.

Now then, you dirty little beggar,
what are you doing in this castle?

Nothing, guvnor, honest I ain't.
I just wanted to see...

Don't lie to me, boy!
Don't even try to lie to me.

Honest, guvnor, you can ask the man.
He'll tell you I weren't doing nothing.

What man?

The man who was going
to burn down Windsor Castle.

- Burn down the castle?
- On my dying word, guvnor.

What man's going to burn down
the castle?

I don't know his name, guvnor.

You lying little gutter rat!

Sorry sir.

If you don't tell the truth, boy, I'll
have you flogged within an inch of your life.

- Naseby, you're a sumph.
- I beg your pardon?

I said you're a sumph.
Now, would you kindly move to one side?

Just a moment, Mr. Brown.

Boy, you smell like a hospital.

You have no authority whatsoever
in this part of the castle.

You're a sumph, I'm telling you.

How can you get anything out of this lad
with him scared out of his wits?

Now then, you listen to me,
you young skellum.

How would you like to be hanged?

Please, sir, I don't want
to be hanged.

- Then shut up.
- Yes, sir.

What do you mean "sumph"?

Now then, some man sent you into
this castle, some man bent on mischief.

- Who was it, your father?
- I ain't got one.

- Who brought you here?
- Nobody. I walked.

- From London?
- Yes, sir.

Who smuggled you into the castle?

- I... I sneaked in.
- Oh, you sneaked in, did you?

And who put you up to it, eh?
Who put you up to it?

I sneaked in and then...
then I fall down in a hole.

- You fall down what hole?
- I don't know, sir.

Dang it, will you stop your sniveling?

You'd frighten thew daylights
out of a bear with your wild roaring.

- Mind your place, girl!
- But look at him for yourself!

Can't you see he's half dead
with starvation?

Hold your tongue!

He does look hungry at that.

What kind of a man are you anyway?

Even in prison they get a man's
belly full before they hang him.

Are you going to do less for this lad?
Go away and get him something to eat.

Come on.

Now sit in there.

Or perhaps you'd sooner explain the
situation to the officer of the guard.

- Away with you, man, you're bothering me.
- Here you are, sir.

There you are, laddie,
help yourself.

Go on, eat it!

Hey, bide away, bide away, son. They don't
even do that way in the Highlands.

What's the matter with your fork?

You never seen a fork before?

Here. Look here.

You see? Like that.
Now you try it yourself.

That's it. Now stick it in your gout.

What are you doing with all that meat
in your mouth? Can you not swallow?

Ah, that's it.
Now try it again.

No, no, no, it's not a fish
you're gaffing with your tongue.

Keep your tongue in entirely to the root
until you get the stuff in your mouth.

Look, I'll show you once again.
Now watch me well.

See?

All he needs now is a wee bit of practice and
he'll be as good at it as a belted arrow.

Now go on, try it again.

- Mr. McHatten!
- Not now, please.

But you're the officer of the day,
aren't you, sir?

- No, I'm not, I'm off duty now.
- Please come, sir.

Her Majesty's life may still
be in danger.

- In danger?
- Yes, sir.

We have the assassin in the
servants' hall now.

- Good heavens, man, lead on!
- Yes, sir.

Charles?

Charles?

Well, where is it?

- Where is he, woman?
- They took him away, sir.

- Took him where?
- I don't know, sir.

I asked him but he gave me
such an old-fashioned look...

I didn't like to question the matter
further, sir.

What the deuce is this?
Who took him away?

The Gilly, sir, John Brown.

He's been most officious
throughout the entire affair, sir.

Why should he take him away, he hasn't any
more authority here than any other servant.

Go and find him, man!
Don't just stand there blabbering!

If we lose another beggar,
the fat will be in the fire.

But I scarcely know how to...

You have troops here.
Send them out to look for him.

Yes, sir. What a good idea!

Attention everybody!

Brown and the boy are somewhere
in the castle.

They must be found immediately.

I order you to disperse
and seek them out.

Forward!

- Yes, sir.
- And look lively about it too.

Yes, sir.

- The Scotts done that!
- Yes, sir. Indeed, sir.

It was somewheres about here, sir.

I was beginning to believe you, laddie,
but you're lying now.

I know this yard like the back of my hand,
and there's nothing like a hole in it.

I warn you, sir.

Mr. Brown, sir!

Go on.

And then I just walked about
the hall, sir.

Go on, I'm listening.

Only they ate so ate so long,
I falls asleep.

Where's that picture?

Here, sir.

Ay, that's her all right.

And here's mine.

Note the writing in her own hand.

"To our loyal good servant and friend,
John Brown. Victoria, R."

Done fifteen year ago at Osborne
and given to me by herself personally.

I suppese if I hadn't fallen asleep,
I would have seen her too.

Oh, maybe it's not too late yet, laddie.

- What do you mean, sir?
- Just wait.

I'll see what sort of a mood
I'll be in presently.

- Would you really like to see her?
- Oh, yes, sir.

But I wouldn't like to get into
any more trouble, sir.

How would you like to meet her
face to face...

...and tell your story in your
own simple words, eh?

I don't know, now, sir.
May I'll be too scared.

Scared? What's there to be scared of?
She's just a wee old woman.

And a very nice old woman at that.

Besides, you're with me, laddie.

Are you sure it's alright, sir?

What?

- You're a bit sozzled, ain't you, sir?
- Sozzled?

Yes, sir. You've been
in the bottle a bit, you know?

Only enough to keep off
infection, laddie.

Come on. She'll be most
happy to see us.

It's a rule of life you may very well
remember yourself, laddie.

Never neglect your health.
Come on.

You know, laddie,

there's not a question of state that
she decides without consulting me first.

- Did you see him yourself?
- Yes, Your Majesty.

- What did he look like to you?
- Very bold, Your Majesty, very bold indeed.

Some say that he's not a boy at all.
They say he's a midget.

- A small midget claiming to be a boy.
- Did he look like a midget to you?

I don't know, mum.
I see so few midgets.

- Will that be all, Mum?
- That's all.

- Good night, Ross.
- Good night, Your Majesty.

Thank you, Ross.

Ay, it's a grand castle, laddie.

Would you like to see a bit more
before we wake her up?

If you think it's safe, sir.

- I have an idea.
- What, sir?

We'll have a look at
the throne first, eh?

Come on.

This is where we keep all the relics
of the famous victories we won.

This is where kings and emperors
and tha nabobs of India...

...wait till we're ready to see them.

Come on.

Blimey!

Ivory and gold.

Rubies and emeralds and moonstones
from all the treasure houses of India.

To Our Majesty, laddie.

What's on your mind, laddie?

Sir?

Would you... would you like
to sit on it?

- Do you think I would dare?
- Why not?

All them daft page boys as I sit in it when
there's nobody there to watch them.

Climb up, laddie, climb up.

But mind you, don't dirty
the cushions with your feet.

Come on.

How's it, laddie?
Do you feel like a king now?

Yes, sir.

It's a rare feeling, sir.

A rare feeling.

Maybe that's it.
Maybe that's what it is.

A young king.

A boy king conferring the honor of knighthood
on the grandest captain of his whole army.

Home from the war with
news of victory.

Good blimey, Captain!

Get down from there,
you filthy little beggar.

Halt!
Who goes there?

Stand aside, Brown, I want that boy.

Oh, you do, do you?

Oh, she'll give you a medal for this
no doubt!

- I tell you to stand aside, Brown!
- I tell you...

Is the whole Castle to come
down on us now?

I warned you, Brown.

What's that I see in the distance?
The troop of cavalry?

Come down here, boy!

Stay where you are, boy.
You don1t come down till I tell you.

- He's drunk.
- Drunk as a lord.

Yeah? And shame on you for it.

Shame on the Queen's soldier that goes
about his duties sozzled to the gill.

- Shame on the uniform...
- For the third and last time, Brown,

I order you to stand aside.

And I accept the challenge,
me toy hero.

- I stand like a rock...
- Come down from there, Mr. Brown.

Who's that?

Come down from there and hand over
the boy to the lieutenant.

I won't go, I'm staying with Mr. Brown.
You can't make me go with him!

Get him!

I won't go! Take your hooves off me...

Just one moment!

Let me go, I ain't done nothing!
Let me go, I ain't done no harm!

He's all right... He's only a little lad.

He ain't done nobody any harm,
I tell you...

He hasn't done anything at all.
He's just a wee lad...

Just a kid...

The Times' reports, of course, are more
restrained than the others.

Who told of all that nonsense?

It's difficult to say where
they got some of it, Ma'am.

Where is the boy now?

The police removed him to London
last night, Ma'am.

And Brown?

Brown was reported to be somewhat
seedy this morning, Ma'am.

Has Mr. Disraeli gone yet?

No Ma'am. He's waiting now
to see Your Majesty.

- Ask him to come in.
- Yes, Your Majesty.

- Mr. Disraeli.
- Thank you, General.

Your Majesty.

- Have you seen the Times?
- I have, Ma'am.

I could wring that wretched
boy's neck.

As I have already suggested, Ma'am,

I believe you're taking this incident
much too seriously.

I won't argue the point.

But if this case isn't handled
with the greatest care,

I see in it nothing but the most foolish
embarrassment for everyone.

No matter what the boy's purposes were,
he's still a child.

That will be enough to arouse
any amount of multiple emotions.

As soon as I reach London, Ma'am,
I shall issue a brief statement on the facts

that will at least put an end
to these absurd rumors.

That's exactly what you mustn't do!

There'd be no surer way
of giving it importance...

...for a member of the government
to recognize it in any way, shape or form.

The thing to be done is to get it over
as quickly as possible and no comment.

But if the question is raised
officially, Ma'am... say in the Commons,

as well it might be in such
an atmosphere of mystery,

does Your Majesty intend I shall
still be bound by this discussion?

I can't think what's happened
to you, Mr. Disraeli.

I've never known you to be
so contemptuous.

Won't you be guided just
this once by my wishes?

Thank you.

Is there anything else?

I had hoped that after a night's reflection,

Your Majesty might be prepared
to reconsider...

Oh, yes, yes.

Would you be good enough to express
my regrets to the hospital gentlemen?

Yes, Your Majesty.

I hope you have a very
pleasant journey home.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

# Silent night, holy night #

# Star in skies, beaming bright #

# Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child #

# Holy Infant so tender and mild #

# Sleep in heavenly peace #

- Merry Christmas, Wheeler.
- Thank you, sir, the same to you.

During these examinations,

you mentioned the following persons
as being friends and acquaintances...

who could vouch for your character
and testify to your good behavior.

Ben Fox, torcher.

Mrs. Feeny, hurdy-gurdy woman,
Trafalgar Square.

Iron George, swag-barrel man,

two muglarks named Sparrow and Herbert.

Hooker Morgan, dredger.

- And Mrs. Dawkins, housewife.
- Yes, sir.

Come with me.

Your friends and business associates,
I believe.

- Hello, Sparrow!
- Look at his new duds!

- Shut your trap!
- Do you know this boy?

- I never seen him before in me life, guvnor!
- But Sparrow, I'm Wheeler.

- What?
- You know me.

Go on, you're lying!

This boy says he knows you people
and that you know him.

What about you?

Never clapped me blinkers on him
before, so help me.

Never heard of him.

It's the first time I've seen him, guvnor.

- I never seen him!
- Nor I.

- You're certain now?
- Yes, of course!

But I'm Wheeler!

Wheeler? Who's Wheeler?

Never heard of Wheeler.

That's all. Take them away.

- Sparrow!
- Come along there.

Move along, come on.

But Sparrow is me friend.

What did he say that for?

Go and catch him. Ask him again.

Sparrow! Sparrow!

Come on, mate, come on.

What did you say that for, Sparrow?

What do you want to put
the coppers on me for?

I didn't do it, Sparrow,
on my dying oath.

- Why they got you for?
- I sneaked into Windsor Castle.

Windsor Castle?

Ask the cops, they'll tell you.

I sat on the throne too.

- What did you do that for?
- Because I wanted to see the queen.

But she's killed.

- Who's killed?
- The queen, that's who.

- Who says she's killed?
- The murderers, I tell you.

- They done her in.
- When?

- Yesterday, I heard.
- What did they do her in for?

What do you think?
Because she's rich, ain't she?

Hooker Morgan said they got
sixty bob off her, and jewels too.

- How'd they do it?
- Bashed her head in.

What?

You're a liar. I ain't seen you
before in my life!

Fine lot of friends.

Do you want to tell me the truth now?

Have you seen this, sir?

- Such rot!
- Are you certain, sir?

Not a trace of Irish in it
as far as I can see.

Then if I were you, sir, I'd avoid the Commons
as much as possible for the next few days.

Why?

If they're innocent, the Irish members
are bound to bring it up, sir,

and demand an explanation
from the government.

They should, of course.

It can't fail sir, there's too much feeling
about it, too much speculation in the press.

The moment you set foot in the House,
they'll be after you like terriers.

- Oh, dear, dear, dear.
- If only her Majesty hadn't been right.

What is it, sir?

Poor weak old Dizzy, so loyal,
so conscientious, so devious.

Do you have a idea, sir?

What was the name of that young
guards officer in the throne room?

- McHatten I believe you said, sir.
- I should like to have a word with him.

- Do you think you can arrange it?
- I'll see to it myself, sir.

- Mr. McHatten?
- Yes?

- Are you on duty now?
- No I'm not!

- Then will you come with me, sir?
- No, sir. I have a very important engagement...

The Prime Minister wishes to see you.

- The Prime Minister?
- Yes.

- Where is he?
- In London.

If you'll come with me,
I have a carriage ready.

- Won't you sit down?
- No, thank you, sir.

Mr. McHatten, you were present
at the first...

...police investigation of young Wheeler,
weren't you?

- I was, sir.
- What did you make of it?

I think you'd do better
if you asked the police about that.

I don't believe so.

I'm afraid the police intelligence...

...is much too fair and honest to cope
with the mind of a child.

It's the same with the guards, sir.

They gave five battle honors to this boy
who was 20 years old and 3 feet tall.

Mr. McHatten, I should like to know
everything you saw,

everything you heard, everything
you thought about the boy that night.

- I'll try, sir.
- Take this down, every word of it.

Yes, sir.

Well, sir, the question of...

Where on earth did you catch
such a cold?

There was a draft in my room, Ma'am.

You poor child.

Thank you. I've been worried
about you, my dear.

I've ordered your young man
transferred to India,

but with promotion, a captain, you see,
so least his army career won't suffer.

But I must confess I don't feel
at all happy about it.

If he's gone, Ma'am, there's
nothing else to be said.

But I trust you understand I'm unable
to treat the matter lightly.

But I promise Your Majesty I shall never
die of a broken heart.

Your private opinion of course
being I'm a meddlesome old woman...

...who should keep her nose
out of young people's affairs.

Oh, please, Your Majesty,
I beg you not to think such a thing.

I thought that once about
my own mother.

I was in love with a young soldier too.

Very much in love indeed.

But I was a queen, and not allowed
to be in love with a young officer.

I was not expected to love
anyone but a prince.

And I remember thinking that nowhere
in the world could there be...

...a prince as fine and handsome
as that young officer.

I have no idea now where he is
or what he's doing.

But it did seem then that my heart
would surely break.

And who knows that it wouldn't have...

...if at precisely that time
I hadn't met my cousin Albert?

I forgot that young soldier completely.
Not only did my heart never break,

but a month later I couldn't even
remember exactly what he looked like.

Do you think it will be like that
with me, Ma'am?

I don't know, I can't say.

In spite of my manner at times,
being queen doesn't make me omniscient.

But perhaps another young man
will come along for you some day,

one even more attractive
than this one.

And then you'll remember him only
as I remember mine, vaguely.

Perhaps, ma'am.

Besides, I know you wouldn't want
to distress your mother.

No indeed, Ma'am.

On the other hand,

Margaret is an uncommonly
insensitive woman.

- Is she, Ma'am?
- Oh, quite.

And also...

I can't believe you're ever likely
to find another like my dear Albert.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Not at all, my dear.

Emily!

... it cannot but be disastrous
to the economy of this country.

Hear! Hear!

- Mr. Devoy.
- Mr. Speaker.

The honorable member's concern
for the economic welfare of England,

reminds me that I would like to express...

the regret of the people of Ireland...

Order, order!

The regret of the people of Ireland...

for the distress suffered by
Her Majesty the English Queen...

...in the case ofd the boy Wheeler
as reported in the public press.

But it has come to my almost
incredulous ears...

that certain rogues, vagabonds
and scoundrels...

...have circulated a report
that this same boy Wheeler,

was in the pay of Irishmen,

whose purpose was the murder
of the lady.

Order! Order! Order!

Therefore, I call upon the Queen's
First Minister...

to put this case in all its truth
before the House,

and furthermore to stipulate...

...that no Irishman had anything
to do with this in any way whatever.

Aye! Aye!

The honorable member for
West Dublin is out of order.

The question raised is irrelevant
to the subject under debate,

which is the domestic policy as proposed
by the government's recommendations.

With all due defference to your ruling,
Mr. Speaker,

I venture to submit that the truth
in the Wheeler case...

...is so bound up with the
government's proposal,

that it would hardly be changing
the subject to discuss it.

So if the honorable members wish,
and with the Speaker's permisssion,

Hear Hear!
Hear Hear!

Mr. Disraeli.

First, Her Majesty's Government deprecates
any suspicion of an Irish conspiracy...

...against His Majesty. No grounds have been
uncovered for any such assumption.

In fact, so far as can be ascertained,
Wheeler was quite alone in his action,

and alone must bear the entire
censure and punishment.

Perhaps the Commons may be a strange
place to discuss the conduct of a mudlark,

but it is perhaps the best
of all places...

to examine certain aspects
of this particular mudlark's conduct.

For here they are placed not only
before the honorable members,

but also before the entire nation.

Now, I confess I'm as puzzled
as anyone.

By some of the mystery
of young Wheeler.

How, for one thing, did this child
escape us?

How did he manage to reach
the age of ten...

...in the face of all that we did
to prevent it?

I ask you to think how hard
society tried to kill him.

It laid an ambush for him at his birth,
surrounding his cradle with rats and vermin,

sent off gases from foul drains
to pollute the air he breathed,

and tried to poison his mother's milk
through her drinking water,

but only succeeded in poisoning
his mother.

She died of typhus before he could walk
according to police investigation.

And as there's no record of a father,
this government was spared the necessity...

of a second murder in the same family.

So now that he was an orphan,
alone, defenseless,

and entirely at the mercy of his country,
it went further.

It attacked his spirit and his soul.

It taught him nothing,
it withheld word of God from him,

and in the end it sent him
into the Thames to be a mudlark,

barefoot and clothed in the merest rags.

Subject daily to cold, and damp
and fever.

And in the warrens and lanes
of the waterfront,

it exposed him to the worst influences...

...of immorality, and evil,
and most final of all,

it denied him hope.

Now, as a result of this indifference
and cruelty,

there seems to have developed in this small
boy an unnatural attitude toward England.

Unnatural because in spite of all that
it has done to him,

he seems to love it.

So one day he raised
his head from the river,

looked about him,

and walked out of the mud
and went to see his Queen.

Someone had told him Her Majesty
was the mother of England.

We've all heard this expression,
of course we do not take it literally.

But this unenlightened little orphan did.

But where could he see her?

Passing through the streets of London
as once she showed herself to her people?

In the Green Park where older boys could
just remember having seen her?

In any public place whatever
where once her loyal subjects...

...gathered to shout their respect
and affection for their sovereign?

No longer.

Never now in many empty years.

So he must go where
her grief keeps her.

Ah, Windsor's walls are high.

But they were no barrier to Wheeler.

Her Majesty's footguard I'm told is
one of the finest soldiers in England,

but he passed them as though
they'd not been there.

Then one evening he arrived,
trailing mud into throne room itself,

and only by the merest,
the most touching of mischances...

did he fail of his ultimate goal.

At the very moment of triumph,
the child fell asleep.

Other questions remain
which you can answer for yourselves.

For example, has this small Briton
been brought to our consideration...

for himself alone, or for the consideration
of all British children who are as he is?

There's a singularly rough and robust
doctrine held by some in this House.

Though the country is overpopulated
in relation to its food supply,

the correction of the unfortunate
situation...

must be safely left to the law
of the survival of the fittest.

Though, if you will pardon me,
I've never heard...

...overpopulation complained of
in time of war.

I can't remember having heard, for instance,
that there were too many Britons at Waterloo.

But this I have no doubt is
a comforting doctrine...

...by which those who hold it
may sleep well at night,

secure in the knowledge
that a natural law of the jungle...

...will presently simplify their
problems in arithmetic.

But under this doctrine,
Wheeler shouldn't even be alive,

much less sitting on the throne
of England.

Is there then a flaw
in this concept?

And has Wheeler the right to be alive...

...in open defiance of the patriotic
obligation to be dead?

Has he no consideration for
the mathematicians,

whose calculations may be
muddled and confused,

...by his stubborn failure to expire
according to plan?

For myself, of course, I prefer
another solution...

...based on the sensible Englishman's
concern for his animals.

We see the results of it all around
our countryside.

In our dogs, our cattle,
our sheep, our horses.

Unfortunately the fact is Wheeler
isn't a horse.

For when it comes to horses, Britons
and sportsmen...

...would never permit such outrageous
handicapping.

And do we go too far then proposing to apply
the principles of ths art to human beings?

Are we rash to the point of madness...

...to try to equalize the conditions
of the struggle for existence?

But the House must not suppose
that I rose here to defend Wheeler.

There are however those of us who believe

That the true wealth of Britain
is British character.

And by drawing attention to certain
evidences of that character,

as they seem to shine through
the deeds Wheeler has done,

I have sought only to advance the cause
of British children,

among whom Wheeler is but
a halfpenny bit,

of our great capital investment
in the future.

Nothing I have said can alter
the fact that Wheeler...

...has broken the law
and must be punished.

And nor must it be supposed...

...that the government commends him
to his country's mercy.

Indeed were I defending him,

I could not have said any of this.

In his defense I would have been reduced
to one single argument.

That if in this case the conspiracy
existed as is charged,

then that conspiracy was not
against the Queen,

but against the boy.

And I should not have appealed
to his country for mercy...

but for justice.

Hear Hear!
Hear Hear!

The members' response to this was,
I believe, overwhelming.

Inform Mr. Disraeli that I should like to
see him at his very earliest convenience.

Yes, Your Majesty.

There was an old woman
that lived in a shoe.

He spoke as if she were personally
responsible for the boy's position.

- They're all your children, are they not?
- You forget yourself at times, Brown.

That's a small thing to forget, Mum,

when you think of all the wee ones
that nobody ever remembers.

The poor laddie working in the coalpit,

wee chimney sweep choking in the dark.

- The starving mudlark without a home.
- That will do, Brown!

- But they're all your brood, Mum.
- I said that will do, Brown!

Ay, mum.

Well, Master Wheeler,

It is not to say that you didn't do wrong,
but there were,

we realize, mitigating circumstances.

We have made these arrangements
for your care and schooling...

to compensate for the way
we have neglected you in the past...

and also as a form of thanks
for the part you have played...

in our efforts to bring certain
matters to the country's attention.

- Now, if you'll go along with Mister...
- Broom, sir.

- Broom and Mister...
- Didbit, sir.

Mr. Didbit.

I'm sure that you'll find life a pleasanter
experience than it has been in the past.

- We'll take very good care of him, sir.
- He'll love it in Devonshire, sir.

Goodbye, Master Wheeler,
and good luck to you.

You're a lively lad,

I shouldn't be at all surprised if England
heard from you again some day.

- I just wanted to see her, sir, that's all.
- I know, my boy, I'm very sorry.

Now, now, you can't have
everything, you know.

You're a very lucky lad as it is.
Come along.

It's come, sir.

- From Windsor?
- Yes, sir.

Her Majesty wishes to see
you immediately.

But the fact remains that you've
deliberately ministered...

...a public rebuke to the Queen.

I beg your pardon, Ma'am, it may have
been a reproach, but it was not a rebuke.

No one must forget, Ma'am,
that I spoke for the people...

with a right to cry out for their Queen.

When children beg for their mother,
is that a rebuke?

When they know she's ill
and they complain to strangers,

it is worse than a rebuke,
it's disloyalty.

have you no recollection that I forbade
any mention of this case by the government?

But the opportunity to strike a blow for
the program was more than I could resist.

I had hoped Your Majesty
would find some justification...

...for this disobedience in the effect of
my remarks on the members of the House.

Is that all that counts with you, Mr. Disraeli?
Another success? Another victory?

Unless my recollection is even more
imperfect than Your Majesty implies,

Your Majesty asked for a program
of national reform,

not for a dignified failure.

I asked for nothing at the price of
public embarrassment and humiliation.

Not one week ago I took you
into my deepest confidence.

I laid my most secret fears
and feelings before you.

Holding back nothing.

Who could dream you would
use them in a public statement?

And the violation so callous
and painful I can still hardly believe it.

I cannot imagine a more
unfortunate misinterpretation...

...of my every word and thought.

But what else was there to understand...

when you rose before the whole country...

and used my grief as coldly
and deliberately...

as you were using that boy's
poverty and wretchedness?

To win sympathy for him,
which you happened to need at that moment,

you pointed out to all England
my solitude and retreat,

and offered them as excuse
for whatever he may have done.

You not only justified him,
you did it at my expense.

Whatever you intend to say, Mr. Disraeli,
that's what you did say.

I won't even try to answer that, Ma'am.

I will only repeat that I was entrusted
with a program of measures...

...for the benefit of Your Majesty's people.

When I encounter opposition
in such a case,

I conceive it to be my duty
to destroy that opposition...

through any means available
short of the actually dishonorable.

If I do not always observe the strictest
Marquess of Queensberry rules...

...in such a fight, it is because
I have been in politics a long time,

and know that nothing can be won
with a minuet.

However, I did it.

I have now brought Your Majesty's
program to clear sight of victory,

when a week ago there were few
willing to wager a farthing on it's chances.

Now, to paraphrase one far wiser
than myself,

if the method of this accomplishment
is not held to be satisfactory,

I assure Your Majesty I'll not stand
for one second in the way of a successor.

I was not prepared
for such an ultimatum.

But, of course, if you find our principles
of loyalty too greatly in conflict,

I don't see how you can avoid
considering such a decision.

- That's not a decision to be made, Mum.
- Please, Brown.

Your man's dead, Mum.
Dead and in his grave for fifteen years.

The boy's alive.

That is the decision that's to be made,
not by him, but by you.

Who are you to serve,
the living or the dead?

- Leave the room, Brown.
- Not yet, Mum.

I knew your man well and he wouldn't
have liked it, I tell you.

Think how he worked for the living.
They weren't even his, they were yours.

But they were never out of his mind for
one moment. He knew they needed help.

You're an ignorant man, Brown.
You don't know what you're talking about.

Remember the dead in your heart, Mum.

But keep your hand and your smile for
the bairns that are living...

...and begging for their mother.

I can't, I can't.

They don't like it.

That's not the point, Mum. It doesn't
matter whether they like you or not.

You're a queen, woman.

And there's only one rule
for a queen to remember.

One question from the Second Book
of Kings,

"Is it well with the child?"

You're still Britannia, Mum,
and they're all your brood.

- What was that?
- Might have been a candle.

Wheeler!

How do you do it, lad?
Are you a wee mousie?

- The same one again?
- For once, Ma'am, I'm completely at a loss.

- Get him out of here at once!
- Now, wait a wee, Mum.

Take him away, I tell you.

Can you not see that he's only
a harmless wee tot?

I don't care how harmless he is,
take him away from here.

Very well, Mum.

If Your Majesty could bring
herself to overlook...

...a certain simple directness of this
young man's approach,

I believe that a word or two with him
will reassure Your Majesty...

...of the devotion of at least
one of her subjects.

Bring him here.

Wheeler, is it?

Yes, mum.

What is that, your first
or your last name?

Just Wheeler, mum, that's all.

- You're a very naughty boy, Wheeler.
- Yes, mum.

Now she looks like her picture.

What was that?

Like your picture, Mum.
Have you got it on you?

May I see it?

Go on, give it to her.
She'll give it to you back.

May I ask where Mr. Broom
and Mr. Whatshisname are?

Hunting for me in Paddington Station, sir.

Where did you get this?

It's mine, I found it.

He got it off a sailor, Mum.
But it's all right, the man was dead.

- Oh, really?
- Master Wheeler's an orphan, Ma'am.

It seems that he found in
Your Majesty's countenance...

...the comfort and the pleasure
that were otherwise denied him in life.

Ay, he's got nobody, Mum.
Nobody but himself alone.

I'm very sorry, Wheeler.

Oh, that's alright, you don't have
to worry yourself about it.

You've caused us a great
deal of trouble, you know.

I didn't mean no harm, mum.

Why did you do it?

I don't know, mum.

Now, Wheeler, why did you do it?

I just wanted to see you, ma'am.

You're a little Jack of Knaves,
I'm afraid.

But in a brood as large as mine,

I suppose that's only to be expected
now and then.

I'm sorry, mum.

That's all right.
I'm not cross with you now.

Thank you, Mum.

Thank you, Wheeler.

Is that all, Mum?

I suppose so.

Come on, son.

What do you think they'll do
to me this time?

- Brown.
- Yes, Mum?

Take care of him.

I will that, Mum.

Goodbye, mum.

Goodbye, Wheeler.

Have you answered the hospital
gentlemen yet?

Not yet, Ma'am.

Most understanding of all sovereigns.

- Subtitles -
Lu�s Filipe Bernardes