Trio (1950) Movie Script

1
Somerset Maugham once told us
he has never pretended to be
anything but a story teller.
It has amused him to tell stories
and he has told a great many.
Now those of us to help
these three into a film
are happy once again to
pay tribute to a great writer.
Here he is to introduce Trio.
Well, ladies and gentlemen
if you see me facing you once again
in this unaccustomed role for me
you only have yourselves to blame.
If you hadn't liked the four
stories we showed you in Quartet
you shouldn't have been encouraged
to show you three more.
Of course we know it is a
risk to try to repeat a success.
And we have to leave to you to
judge if we've been well advised or not.
The Verger.
On an afternoon in May 1924
there was to be a christening
at St. Peter's, Neville Square
a church much favoured by
the fashionable for these ceremonies
the verger Albert Foreman was ironing
his second best gown for the occasion
during his seventeen years of service,
he had a succession of these gowns
but he had never been
able to throw them away
and so they lay wrapped in brown
paper in a bottom drawer in his bedroom.
I'd thought you were going to clear out
that drawer this morning, Mr Foreman.
So I would.
How much longer are you
going to keep putting it off?
I don't know
I just haven't got the heart to
get rid of them somewhere.
What you can possibly won't
with lot of old gowns cluttering
up the place, so beats me.
All right, I'll do it tomorrow.
Better had, if you don't want
to see them turned into dusters.
That was six, won't it?
Can't say.
With old Ferguson, you always knew where
you were, thirty five minutes to the dot.
But with this new chap
anything might happen
I'll have your tea for you at six anyway.
Right you are, Mrs Brown.
Thank you.
What a charming..
Thank you my dear, very nice service.
Thank you very much, Sir.
Five bobs and in the tenth,
an irritable foolish face
I don't know what the
aristocracy is coming to.
Took his time, didn't he?
Believes in doing it
proper while he is at it.
What are you waiting for?
The vicar wants to see me about them bells
Ferguson always left them to me
what's it he want to
bother himself with them for?
Because he is a sort that
logs his finger in every pie.
If you ask me it will take
a bit of getting used to.
Foreman, will you come
into the vestry a minute?
I've something to say to you.
Very good, Sir.
A very nice christening, I thought Sir.
Funny how the baby stopped
crying the moment you took him
I've noticed they very often do.
After all I've had a good deal
of practice with them.
Good Afternoon, My Lord.
Good Afternoon, Foreman.
Good Afternoon, Sir, didn't
expect to find you here today.
Didn't myself as a matter of fact.
The Vicar here wanted a talk, so here we are.
We got something rather
unpleasant to say to you, Foreman.
You've been here a great many years
I think His Lordship and
the General agree with me
that you always fulfilled
the duties of your office
to the satisfaction of everybody concerned.
Admirably, admirably.
Thank you, Sir.
But a most extraordinary circumstance
came to my knowledge the other day.
I felt it might due to impart
it to church wardens.
I discovered to my astonishment
that you can neither read nor write.
The last vicar knew that, Sir.
He said it didn't make no difference.
He always said there was a great deal too
much education in the world for its taste.
It's the most amazing thing I ever heard
do you mean to say that you've been
verger of this church for seventeen years
and never learned to read or write?
I went into service when I was twelve, Sir.
The cook at the my first place
tried to teach me once, but
I didn't seem to have the knack for it
and then what with one thing and
another I never seemed to have the time.
But don't you ever want to write a letter?
The lady I lodge with
is quite a scholar, Sir
and if I want to write
a letter, she writes it for me.
It's not as if I was a betting man.
Well, I've talked the matter over
with these gentlemen, Foreman
and they agree with me that
the situation is quite impossible.
At a church like St. Peter's Neville Square
we cannot have a verger
who can neither read nor write.
No, Sir?
Please understand that I have
no complaint against you.
You always do your work
quite satisfactorily
I have the highest opinion both of your
character and of your capacity
but we haven't the right to take the risk
of some accident which might happen
owing to your lamentable ignorance
I see, Sir.
It's a matter of prudence
as well as of principle.
I never took to him, not from the first
they made a great mistake
ever giving him St Peter's.
Didn't they all are same I think?
No, he chucked him into it,
but I can see he didn't like him.
So I should hope.
He named him into it, that what it is.
You're going to let yourself be put
upon without making a fuss?
I don't know, Mrs Brown, I've my
pride, even if I can't read or write.
What are you going to do?
Sleep on it.
Decide to morrow.
Good Afternoon, Foreman.
Good afternoon, Sir
I've some good news for you
I met Miss Fitzwilliam just now, she'd
had the new altar clock ready by Friday.
About time too, Sir, she has
promised ever since Christmas.
Now we shall have it ready for Easter.
We must be thankful for small mercies.
Yes, Sir.
Well, now, Foreman, have you
thought over our little talk yesterday?
Yes, Sir.
Well?
I'm very sorry, Sir, I'm afraid it is no good.
Oh, come now, Foreman,
that's not the right spirit.
I'm too old a dog to learn new tricks, Sir
I've lived a good many years without
knowing how to read or write
and without wishing to praise myself
I think I may say I've done
my duty in that state of life
in which it has pleased a
merciful providence to place me
and if I could learn now I
don't know as I would want to.
You have quite made up your mind?
Quite, Sir.
In that case, Foreman,
I'm afraid you have to go.
Yes, I quite understand, I should
be happy to hand in my resignation
as soon as you found
someone to take my place.
Albert has never been troubled
with such questions before.
The vergers of St.Peters likes
the Popes in Rome were there for life.
He'd saved a tidy sum but not enough
to live on without doing something.
It occurred to him now that a cigarette
would comfort him but his packet was empty.
He decided no to take his usual way home
but wandered into the street
in search of a tobacconist.
It was a long street but he couldn't
find a shop that sell cigarettes.
There was no doubt about it,
he had to go home without one.
What's going on?
Glad! Glad she is engaged.
Fancy that, who is the lucky fellow?
Ted, of course.
So you caught him at last, have you?
I'd never thought he had much of a chance.
Well, I liked that, he had been
after me for months.
That's right, and we are celebrating,
have a glass of beer, Mr Foreman.
No, I don't think I will, thank you.
Come on
I'll just go up to my room,
I'll join you presently.
Come in.
I'm sorry, Mr Foreman, I knew the minute
you came in, it's that vicar, isn't it?
Giving me the sack he has,
after seventeen years.
Whatever are you going to do now?
I don't know exactly.
I got an idea on my way home.
A funny thing happened,
I wanted a packet of fags.
And I had to walk all around for
a mile before I found a tobacconist.
What's so funny about that?
I can't be the only chap that walks
on them streets who wants a fag.
I should wonder what a fellow might
do very well somewhere round there.
Tobacco and sweets you know?
I've got a bit of money saved up
I'd go half a mile to buy up a
little shop and see what happens.
You do have ideas,
I must say, Mr Foreman.
That is not the only one, I've got another.
What's going to happen to you,
now Glad's getting married?
Ted will come and live here, of course.
Glad got her own room and it only
means buying her a double bed.
That'll make trouble, that will,
young fellow like Ted
he doesn't want his mother
in law living in the house
I'll tell you what you ought to do.
You ought to marry again, Mrs Brown.
Don't want to marry an old woman like me.
I would.
Don't talk silly, an old bachelor like you
and me a widow all these years,
you are out of your mind.
Don't you believe it?
I'll run the tobacco side of the
business and you run the sweets, see?
I don't know if I am standing
on my head or my heels.
Make up your mind, Mrs Brown.
My name is Emma, Mr Foreman.
That's good enough for me.
How about a kiss?
I've been kissed like that since
my poor husband passed away.
Not many widows can
say that, all right, come along
let us tell the others and tomorrow
we'll go looking for a shop.
What a row they are making down
there, what are they up to?
Stop the music
I've got an announcement to make
I've offered my hand and heart to Mrs Brown
I want to Mrs Brown say, she said OK.
The next day Albert and Emma
went along a street
and by good luck found a little shop to
let that looked as it would exactly suit
24 hours later they've
taken it and within a month
Albert Foreman was set up in
business as tobacconist and newsagent.
A very nice, too.
All we want now is a few customers.
Give them time, Emma, can't expect
much business the first day we open.
Look, there is a man at the window.
Just one of them, window shoppers.
I told you so.
I am as nervous as the day
we were married, Mr Foreman.
Not to mention Mr Foreman,
we've been married a month now
besides time you started calling me by
my first name, and that's Albert.
Ah, no, the fact is I called
you Mr Foreman for eleven years
I can't get out of the habit now
I'll expect I call you Mr Foreman
till the day I bury you.
All right, have it your own way.
All I can say it would sound a bit funny
if somebody heard you saying
to me in the middle of the night.
"Keep to your own side of the bed, Mr
Foreman, you'll have me on the floor next"
I don't anticipate
anyone being in my bedroom in
the middle of the night, Mr Foreman.
And I shouldn't have thought you did either.
Penny for sucker, please.
Got a penny?
Of course I have
Emma, get a penny for the
sucker for the gentleman.
Thank you.
Here you are.
Here is a tenner, boy -For me?
What for?
For nothing, because
you are our first customer
run along and tell all your friends.
That's a nice way to make money, I must say.
Give us that penny.
You think this is just a penny, don't you?
Well, it isn't.
Where is the hammer?
Whatever are you going to do now?
I'm going to nail this penny to the counter.
And when we have made our first thousand.
I shall have it mounted, for
you to wear as a brooch.
And I thought I was marrying
a quiet, respectable man.
They are late.
Who is late?
Glad and Ted, I told you they
were coming to supper.
That's them
I'll go to the door.
Hello, Glad, Good Morning Ted.
Hello, dear.
Hello, Mum.
Good Evening, Ted.
Good Evening, Mum.
We can all sit down to table,
supper is just ready.
For what we are about to receive,
may the Lord make us truly thankful.
But I must say that things are
more thankful for than cold mutton.
His Lordship is getting
quite fancy in his old age.
Now, what's the matter, Glad,
you look as you've been crying.
So you do, Glad
Ted been knocking you about?
That I haven't.
What's trouble then?
She is expecting.
I know that, that's nothing to cry about.
Tell him, Ted
I've got the sack.
Oh, Ted.
There is me expecting
and no money coming in
I don't know what we are going to do.
Stop crying, Glad, and just listen to me.
We haven't done so badly
since we opened the shop.
In fact we've made a nice little profit.
If we could make a success out of one shop
there is no reason why we shouldn't
make a success out of another.
You can't do a thing like that,
you are out of your mind.
No I am not, I'll get another shop
and put Ted and Glad into manage it.
Dad, you wouldn't do that.
Now, I'll tell you another thing
when the baby is born, we'll have a slap up
christening at St Peters, Neville Square.
Take care of this child, be brought
to the Bishop and be confirmed by him
so as soon as he can say the creed of
Lord's prayer and the Ten Commandments
and be further instructed in the church
catechism set forth for that purpose.
I want the parents and the
Godfathers come and see me, please.
With all our worth in.
Thank you.
It is Foreman, isn't it?
Yes, Sir
I thought it must be,
I hardly recognized you.
Well, when I do a thing,
I like to do it in style, Sir.
Getting on all right?
I don't complain, Sir.
Seeing this as an occasion, Sir
I thought you perhaps wouldn't mind
if I was to give something for the
poor and needy in this parish.
Of course I wouldn't mind.
Thank you, Sir.
Fifty pounds, Sir.
Albert's second shop, like the
first, had been a success.
It now occurred to him if he could
run two, he could run half a dozen.
So he and Emma began walking about London.
Whenever they found a long street and
no tobacconist and shop to let, they took it.
In the course of ten years he
acquired no less than ten shops.
He was making money hand over fist.
He went round to all
of them himself every Monday
collected the week's takings
and took them to the bank.
One day he was making his usual call.
Good Morning, Mr Foreman,
regular as a clock work, you are.
That's right, I've got no
patience with them fellows
who keep saving money under
the bed, asking for trouble, I call it.
The manager would like
to see you before you go
he asked me to let you know,
when you looked in.
What's the matter?
Nothing wrong, is it?
No, no, of course not, he only wants
a word or two with you, that's all.
Banks do go bust, don't they?
Not this one, Mr Foreman.
I think he is free now, I just go and see.
Mr Foreman, will you come in, please.
Good Morning, Mr Foreman, I was expecting you.
Regular as a clockwork, aren't you?
That what the fellow outside said.
Won't you sit down?
Thank you, Sir.
You'll have a cigarette?
No, thanks, I don't smoke
them now, I sell them.
And from what I know make
a very good thing out of it.
I am not complaining.
Now, Mr Foreman, I wanted
to have a talk with you
about the money you've
got on deposit with us.
Do you know exactly how much it is?
Not within a pound or two,
but I've got a pretty rough idea.
Apart from what you paying in this morning
it's something over thirty thousand pounds.
It's a very large sum of money, Mr Foreman
I should have thought you'd
do better to invest it.
I wouldn't want to take no risks.
Quite right, too.
We'll make you out a list of
perfectly safe securities, sound industrials.
They'll bring you in a
higher rate of interest
than we can possibly afford to give you
I've never had anything to
do with stocks and shares.
We attempt to do everything.
All you have to do is just
to sign the transfers.
Yes, but how would I know
what I was signing?
You could read, I suppose.
Well, it's just it, I can't.
I know it sounds funny, but there it is
I can't read or write, only my name.
That's the most extraordinary
thing I ever heard.
You see it's like this, Sir
I never had the opportunity
until it was too late
and then somehow I wouldn't.
I got obstinate-like.
And do you mean to tell me that you've been
able to built up this important business
and amassed a fortune of
over thirty thousand pounds
without being able to read or write?
Good Heavens, man, what would you
be today if you had been able to?
I can tell you that, Sir, I'd be
verger of St. Peter's, Neville Square.
"Mr. Know-All" I believe is
a story of my own invention.
But I shouldn't like to have
to go into the witness box
in the Court of Law and take my oath on it.
I think I might venture to make
use of a phrase of Dr Johnson's
and say if a story is good
it is unlikely to be new and if it
is new it is unlikely to be good.
The fact is, we story tellers
like the hero of a celebrated poem
have come too late into a world too old.
"Mr.Know-all."
I was prepared to dislike Max Kelada
even before I knew him.
The war had just finished
and passenger traffic in the
ocean-going liners was heavy.
Accommodation was very hard to get
and you had to put up with whatever
the agents chose to offer you.
I'm sorry, Mr Gray, there is only
a single berth in cabin for two.
That's all right, my boy, thank you very
much for all the trouble you've taken
I know how difficult it is.
- Well, look forward to seeing you tomorrow.
- Good Bye.
Good Bye -Next, me
I think I am next.
That's right, you are next after me.
My name is Kelada, K E I A D A.
You've got a berth reserved
for me on Queen of the Indies.
My name is Ramsay.
One at a time, please.
Kelada, British subject
I was before this gentleman.
Is that right?
Gentleman, after such a compliment, I can
only say yes, fellow, the floor is all yours.
My name is Ramsay, you had a
message about me from the Colonial Office.
Oh, yes, Mr Ramsay, you are
going to Aden, aren't you?
That's right, with Mrs Ramsay.
- Excuse me, I'll get your ticket.
- Thank you.
- VIP I suppose?
- No, just a civil servant.
You are taking your wife to Aden?
- Why not?
- That climate.
My wife had two years
alone in London already.
OK, for this is your wife.
Here we are, Sir.
Mr and Mrs Ramsay Cabin 102 Deck A.
Thank you.
- Good Morning.
- Good Morning, see you aboard.
My name is Kelada, you've got
a berth reserved for me
on the Queen of Indies
stopping off at Port Said
I've just seen your name on the list, Sir.
You like a cigar?
I don't smoke.
You don't know what you are missing
I get them made special, same for the
ones they make for Agha Khan
I'm afraid, Mr Kelada, we can't get
you on the Queen of the Indies.
Yes, you can
I'm afraid not, Sir.
You see we have one cancelled berth
and seven ahead of you on the waiting list.
No, where is your boss, Sir?
He can't see you at the moment, Sir.
Can't he? Where is his office, over there?
- He is rather busy, at the moment.
- So am I
I'll spare him five minutes.
You look after me.
I'll look after you.
Thank you very much indeed, Sir.
Whom I sharing with?
Mr Kelada, Sir.
A foreigner, eh?
No, Sir, English, at least
that what he says he is.
Thank you, Steward -Thank you, Sir.
Good Heavens.
Will all visitors, please leave the ship.
The gangways are to be locked in a moment.
Nice day.
Hello, hello, hello I am Kelada, I
saw you yesterday at the Agent.
We are sharing a cabin, I believe.
Yes, with luck, I am all for us English
sticking together when we travel abroad.
Are you English too?
British to the back bone I was born
in the heart of our great Empire
Buckingham Palace?
No, but quite near, a stone throw away
they used to have a change of guards
on tiptoes so as not to wake me up.
I was a very delicate child.
- What's your racket?
- I beg you pardon
I am in precious stones
and jewellery business
and I don't mind telling you
there is no one in the trade knows
more about it that I do myself.
Three on the four.
What did you say your racket was?
I didn't say it but if you particular
want to know I am in the Civil Service.
Ground nuts?
No, I happen to be in the colonies.
I hear that the finances in
Hong Kong are not too good
I suppose you are going out to..
How do you know I was going to Hong Kong?
There isn't much I don't know.
I must go to the dining room
and get a seat at table.
Wait a minute, it's all been
fixed, I've got you a seat
I thought as we were sharing the same
cabin, we ought to consider the same table.
- How about a drink?
- No, not now, thank you very much
I promised to have one with somebody else.
We'll have one whilst waiting, Steward.
Here they are.
Hello, Ramsay -See you later.
Not that old chap.
Hello, Ramsay, remember me? Kelada.
- We met yesterday at the Agency.
- No.I'm sorry I don't remember you.
Don't be silly, of course you
do, Mrs Ramsay I presume.
How do you do.
Have a drink, Mrs Ramsay.
We have asked Mr Gray to have one with us.
You can have the one with me
and you can buy the next round,
sit down Mrs Ramsay, please.
Steward, we have a long trip ahead of us
and the sooner we get to know
each other the better.
How you like the ship, Mrs Ramsay?
Could be worse?
Seems to be quite comfortable.
Not a bad crowd on-board
for this time of the year.
We haven't really met anybody yet.
If there is anyone you want to meet
just let me know and I'll fix it up in a jiffy
I don't think we need trouble you.
You are going to Aden, aren't you?
I don't think you would like it,
it is very hot, I know it very well.
There is very little Mr
Kelada doesn't know well.
That's right Steward!
Hello.
Good Morning, how is your friend Kelada?
I think I probably have to murder
him before the trip is out.
He is awful.
Here he comes, come on darling.
Browning up?
Having a fresh air?
I got your ticket for the day sweeps.
Don't really want one, you know.
Love your sport? You never
know, besides, you might win
I want a couple of bucks
from you for them ball.
Couple of what?
Ten shillings, I got it all organised.
Would you believe it?
They didn't want to have a fancy dress
ball but I soon talked them into it.
Oh, Billy, I got you down
for the ships concert.
Yes, but I shall have to
try my songs for the pianist.
Of course, of course, he is a
singer, can you play the piano?
As a matter of fact I can a bit.
- Will you play for him?
- No.
Oh, but England expects
everyone on board will do his duty.
I aim to do card tricks.
You know there is nothing
I dislike more than card tricks.
Wait till you see mine, I can do anything
out of pack of cards to do anything I want.
As a matter of fact I'd
better give up gambling
it wasn't fair on the other players,
I knew too much about cards.
Mr.Know-all?
It's funny that name's been around.
But I ask you, what sort of
a ship would it be without me?
You certainly are the life
and soul of the party
I know I am, I am not conceited
but I am the most popular man on
this ship but I can't help knowing it.
How about a drink before lunch, ah?
Very well, here is a couple of bucks.
Steward!
You think I am clever, you haven't
seen anything yet.
And now, Ladies and Gentlemen,
for the grand finale
I'm to show you a trick that
only four men in the world can do
and I taught the other three.
Now for this trick I should need the
assistance of two members of the audience
and to show you I don't mind who they are
I'm going to pick them out myself.
Mrs Ramsay would you be good
enough to lend me your services?
And you Mr Fellowes.
No, Mr Kelada.
No, come along, don't be shy
is there something to be shy
about? I am not shy, am I.
Now, give them a big hand,
ladies and gentlemen.
I wonder where you went.
It's so hot in there, I thought I come
out here for a breath of fresh air.
Me too.
Let's go to the boat deck.
Why?
It's cooler up there, it's quiet,
we can have a little talk.
I'm quite happy down here, thank you.
That's a nice stone you
have got in that ring.
Yes it's my engagement ring.
Oh.let me see it.
It wouldn't interest you
it's a star sapphire, but I happen
to be rather fond of it
I've got some many pretty sapphires
in my cabin, you like to see them?
I'm afraid they wouldn't interest me.
How do you know till you seen them?
I've got a star sapphire I think you like.
I haven't any money to spend
on things I don't want, Mr Kelada
I don't want you to buy that
you like, I'll give it to you.
Are you trying to make a pass at me?
Of course, you don't blame me, do you?
I mean you are the best look
I've seen in donkey's years.
Kelada, my husband is a very jealous man,
if I told him about this he will probably..
In anyway he wouldn't like it very much.
He wouldn't do that, you are
too much of a lady.
Would you please go away
I haven't offended you, have I?
- Yes you have, very much.
- I can't think, why would I do?
If a fellow falls, well,
he can't help it, can he?
Not at all, it's very flattering for a
fellow to fall for you, you can't deny that?
Depends on the fellow
I suppose I'm just not your type.
Well, you can't blame me for trying, can you?
But most people I like, like me liking.
So you do have your clients.
No counting for tastes.
No ill feelings?
Not on my part, of course not,
why should there be?
Bless this minute, Good Night.
Good Night -God Bless.
Tie my tie will you for me darling.
Stand still, silly
I can't help it.
So wonderful to have you again after
two whole years away from you.
During which time I expect
you were consistently unfaithful to me
I was not, you are the only
girl in the world for me.
And well you know it.
- You do know, don't you?
- Yes, of course.
Here you are, I shall be ready in a minute.
You did miss me, sometimes, didn't you?
Yes, of course, all the time.
It was hell for me, I was terrified you'd
meet somebody you liked better.
If I had, what would you have done?
Killed him, and you.
Oh dear, I better watch my steps, have I?
Certainly had.
They are new, aren't they?
Yes, you like them?
They look very expensive.
Don't know how you do it, on what I give you.
They didn't cost much, eight
pounds as a matter of fact.
Really?
Yes, I got them in one of those
places in Oxford Street.
Nobody would ever know.
That's a relief anyway.
Come on, we are late enough already.
Hold.
- And Gray?
- I got one already.
Mr and Mrs Ramsay.
Glad to see you.
You know everybody, don't you?
Do sit down.
Hello, Ramsay.
What do you have?
I like a dry martini, please -Me too.
What time do you expect to dock, Captain?
Eleven in the morning.
Not much to see, but if you want to go
ashore there will be plenty of time.
We shan't sail until five.
As a matter of fact, Mr and
Mrs Ramsay and myself
were thinking anything like lunch at
Grand then Kelada asked to join us.
We couldn't think how to get out of it
so I think we decided to stay
on board, haven't we?
Yeah -Well he is landing, isn't he?
I bet you won't be sorry
for getting rid of him
I certainly shan't.
Right.
You know, he has got his good points.
Those prices for the fancy dress
dance he bought himself.
Chief Steward said it
must have cost a fortune.
Generous enough, you have to
fight him to let you pay for a drink.
Yet he has managed to make himself
the most unpopular man on this ship.
He really is terrible, and you
know you can't snub him.
You could kick him out of the house
slam the door in his face, and it would
never occur to him that he wasn't welcome
I suppose that this is the evening
I should really have asked him
into cocktail this evening
I simply couldn't bring myself
to it, he is quite impossible.
Mr Kelada.
Hello, there, not barging in, am I?
Your fool of steward didn't
give me your invitation, cigar?
Thank you, I'm smoking.
Anyone?
Glad to see you, what do you have?
Scotch and soda, I always stick
to my liquor of my native land.
Hello.
Hello.
Hello, they weren't pleased.
So you are leaving us tomorrow, Mr Kelada?
Best of friends must part, you know
I am going to Cairo to look
at the pearl necklace
the one of these Pasha
fellows may be willing to sell
providing he gets a good price.
Aren't you afraid these cultured pearls
will put your fellows out of business?
They'll never do that, they'll never
affect the market for real ones.
As a matter of fact I'm going to Japan
to look into this cultured pearl racket.
They are darned clever
these Japs, they tell me
not even an expert can distinguish
between real and cultured.
That's they always tell you, an expert
can tell at once, and I am an expert.
You believe in blowing your
own trumpet, don't you?
What else are trumpets for?
I am in the trade and what I don't
know about pearls isn't worth knowing.
They never get a cultured pearl
that an expert like me can't
tell with half an eye.
Take my word for it Mrs Ramsay
that collar you're wearing will never
be worth a penny less than it is today.
It is nice, isn't it?
Nice, I saw it the moment I came in
I said to myself those pearls are the goods.
Well, I didn't buy it myself
but I would be interested to know
how much you think it cost.
In the trade round about 1500
but it was bought in Bond Street I
shouldn't be surprised they asked 3000
3000 pounds, eh?
That's right, and worth every pence.
You'll be surprised to know
that my wife bought it in Oxford
street for eight pounds.
Don't make me laugh.
They are not only real, and they
are fine in size as any I've ever seen.
Will you bet on it?
Bet?
A tenner, it's imitation.
Done
Dan, you can't bet on certainty.
Why not?
If I get a chance to making
easy money like this
I should be a fool not to take it.
How can you prove it, after all it is
only my word against Mr Kelada's.
Show me your pearls, lady,
I tell you if it is an imitation
I can afford to lose a tenner.
Take them off darling and
let the expert examine them
I can't get undo them.
Here you are.
I was mistaken, fair imitation.
If they hadn't been I should
have a serious talk with my wife.
Perhaps that'll teach you not to be
so cocksure another time, Mr Know All.
Never mind, we all make mistakes.
What's that?
It's for you -For me?
The pearls were real then?
If you had an attractive
wife like Mrs Ramsay
would you let her spend two years
alone in London while you were in Aden?
Mr Know All -Call me Max.
The Sanatorium is a story
founded on my own experiences.
And if you like to take the
character of Ashenden
as a flattering portrait of the old
party who stands before you.
You are perfectly at liberty to do so.
"Sanatorium."
Ashenden had contracted
tuberculosis of the lungs
and since at the time there were
reasons that it made it difficult for him
to travel to Switzerland, the specialist
he saw in London
had sent him to a sanatorium
in the north of Scotland.
Is this the first time
you've been here, Sir?
Yes
I though I had never seen you before.
You say that as most of
them come back again.
There is quite a few that don't
Scotland is a grand place, got
the best climate in the world.
This is the best climate in Scotland.
Your heart is in the Highlands
from all I can see.
That's it, Sir.
I was in America once,
but I had to come away.
Terrible weather they have in that country
I was in one place where they hadn't
a drop of rain for six months.
That's it, Sir, up there on the hill,
yonder behind the spruce.
A big place.
That's a real house, all right.
Good Afternoon -Good Afternoon.
- You're Mr Ashenden, I expect?
- Yes.
I'm Miss Harding, the matron.
Dr Lennox is waiting for you -Good.
This way, Mr Ashenden.
He is quite handsome, isn't he?
I'm sure he can't be forty.
He is forty on the 9th of September
I didn't get time to read all his
papers but I am certain of that.
Dr Lennox shouldn't leave his patient
papers about, I don't think it is nice.
He doesn't as a rule
just happened that he was called
away from his room for a minute
when I dropped in to see him this morning.
And there was Mr Ashenden's
papers spread out on his desk.
X-rays, photos, and everything.
And what was your impression of his lungs?
I think it is only in his left one but
I didn't wear my proper glasses.
Excellent, excellent.
Some of the best I've seen.
My lungs?
No, no this second batch of X-rays,
I must ask who did them, first rate.
Dr Lennox
I don't know your methods here but there
is one or two things I like to ask you.
Fire away.
What are my chances, and
don't be gentle with me.
No, I won't, there is no need to be,
you are taking it in good time.
You mean you can do something about it?
We can't guarantee anything, of
course, it depends so much on yourself.
But if you cooperate and do as we tell you
there is no reason why you should
not be completely cured.
Now, how long will it take?
Impossible to say, might be six months
might be a year, every case is different.
If you'd asked me I should
say he was sound as the bell
he didn't look like an ordinary consumptive.
No, but he isn't.
It isn't hereditary.
His grandfather died
of heart at eighty three.
And his father had a rhomboid.
- A rhomboid?
- Yes.
But a rhomboid is a thing they
use in drawing lessons.
Well, that what his father died of.
Unless it was my wrong glasses.
I'll show you to your room, you'd
better go to bed right away.
Bed? But I haven't had a day in bed
since I had measles when I was nine.
Then you are going to make
up for it by having six weeks.
Six weeks?
Not a day less.
What am I supposed to do all day?
Eat, sleep and read -Is that all?
Isn't it enough?
Oh, I shall want a lot more books.
We've got a grand new library here
I'll get you a few to be going on with.
That's very good of you.
Not a bit I worked through the story of
yours that changed my whole life.
Who is that playing?
That will be Mr Campbell, he is your
next door neighbour.
So I hear.
- Don't you like music?
- In moderation.
They do say that Mr Campbell only plays
to annoy Mr McLeod up above in number 26.
Apparently he succeeds.
They are a pair those two, but you
will get used to them, we all have.
Cheerio.
Just because you are up for the first time
don't think you can do everything at once.
Take it easy for a day or two,
don't exert yourself.
Not even for a walk?
Not even for a walk, I'll tell you when
you are going to attempt that.
You can go as far as the veranda,
but that's all, come along now.
And meet your fellow prisoners.
You'll find them much as
same as everyone else.
Except for a bit more light and darkness
in them, if you know what I mean.
In what way?
The illness seems to bring out
the best or worst in people
sharpen their awareness of
their strength and weakness.
Take those two playing chess for instance.
They are our oldest inhabitants
the one on the right, McLeod has
been here seventeen years.
The other one is Campbell, he has
been here over sixteen.
They hate each other like poison.
Fight like dog and cat.
But they are never out of each other sight
I don't think they could live
without one and other.
Before you make the next move
I like to introduce Mr Ashenden,
he is down for the first time today.
Mr McLeod, Mr Campbell.
How do you do.
Always glad to see a new face, been
looking at that one for sixteen years.
Don't let me disturb your game.
Oh, that's all right, I've
got him beaten anyway.
With a couple of moves oh.
Check!
What are you talking about?
I said check.
Where did that bishop come from?
Here.
It wasn't there ten seconds
ago, when I looked away.
- Are you accusing me of cheating?
- Yes.
He is always like that when he loses.
- You play?
- Not much.
Pity.
Mr Ashenden is down, I see.
Yes, that is one worry off
their shoulder at last.
-The books he got through,
-You've been a librarian too long
you should let someone else
have the job for a change.
No, I enjoy it too much, in the normal way
but his reading capacity was
quite extraordinary
I believe he is sending to London
now for some most peculiar books.
How do you know?
Matron told me, oh I nearly forgot.
We've new man coming this
morning, a Major Templeton
Templeton?
Not George Templeton?
Why, do you know him?
I wonder if it is the same one
I don't know if his name's George,
but he was in the Guards.
It must be George.
Is he a relation of yours?
Good Gracious no, nobody in our family
will behave like George Templeton.
He.
He once got a niece of mine into
the most awful trouble.
- No?
- Yes
I'll tell you about it one day.
Now I must see Dr Lennox and
find out if it is really he or not.
I shall make a point of
keeping him in bed.
Where is your room?
First floor, number fifteen.
It's small I know every room in the place.
Mine is number twenty six.
That makes Campbell angry.
Why?
It's the best room in the
house, he wants it for himself.
He keeps badgering the doctor
for him, but I won't budge
not for a fellow like that besides I
came here six months before he did.
Seventeen years is a long while.
Time passes quickly and I like it here.
Care for me to show you around?
Thanks.
If I went back back to ordinary
life now, I'd hate it.
All my old pals will have
gone their own ways
I wouldn't have anything in
common with them any more.
Allow me.
After this the world is
just a silly, noisy rush.
Well, what do you
do with yourself all day?
Do?
TB is a whole time job, my boy.
There is my temperature to
take, then I weigh myself.
I don't hurry with my dressing.
I have my breakfast, read
the papers and go for a walk.
Then I have my rest, my lunch, play bridge
I have another rest and dine, I play
a bit more bridge and go to bed.
Doesn't it become a little monotonous?
No, no, it's quite a decent library here.
We got all the new books but I
haven't much time for reading
I like to talk to people, meet all
sorts here, they come and they go.
Sometimes they go
because they think they are cured,
but a lot of them come back again.
Sometimes they go because they die
I've seen a lot of people out
and I expect to see a lot more.
Mr McLeod is also looking on
the bright side of the things.
I with a smile on my lips
and tear in the eye, Burns.
That's Scott.
Oh, but it was one of them anyway.
Miss Bishop, this is Mr Ashenden.
How do you do -How do you do.
She is English but she can't help that.
How long have you been here?
Only two years, Dr Lennox says that I
will be all right in a few months time
and then I can go home.
Don't be silly, stay where you
are well off, that's what I say.
Good Morning -Good Morning.
- Major Templeton?
- That's right.
Will you come along in?
Doctor Lennox I've been looking
for you everywhere.
Is there something wrong?
I'm not sure until I asked you something.
Something private.
- Perhaps you'd better come inside.
- Thank you.
- Please don't think me inquisitive.
- Won't you sit down?
No, no, thank you.
But I really must know
if the Major Templeton expected
today is George Templeton?
Yes, I think so.
Why?
He is the most disreputable man.
He is a rake and a libertine.
He was correspondent in my poor niece's
divorce case and he wouldn't marry her.
They wouldn't have been happy of course
but they would have been respectable.
They really don't think you
ought to let him come here.
Mrs Whitbread, Major Templeton
morals are no concern of mine
nor of anyone else in this sanatorium.
As long as he is under this roof
he is my patient and I shall do my
utmost to bring him back to health.
Come in.
Major Templeton, Doctor.
Come in.
Who is that old girl?
I seem to know the face.
She is one of our patients, sit down.
Thank you.
I always wants to get in before the rush.
Where does one sit?
Do we have regular places?
Oh yes, yes, of course, you can't
expect to get the best table yet
that's a matter of time
I expect you got a pretty good one by now.
I with Campbell.
With Campbell?
It's easier that way.
He's got a filthy temper and I am the
only one who can deal with him.
Mr Ashenden I'll put you over
here next to Miss Bishop.
You'll be all right now.
This is Mr Ashenden -We've met.
Mr and Mrs Chester -How do you do.
Did you have a good walk?
I am not allowed anything as
daring as that for a day or two
but it looks lovely country.
It is beautiful, isn't it?
Henry and I got right down to the
road this morning, didn't we, dear?
Yes.
Mrs Chester isn't a patient,
she is our guest for the day.
So you are staying here?
No, in the village, I come up once
a month from London for the weekend.
That's a long way, isn't it?
Yes, but it is worth it to see Henry.
Every time I come, he seems so much better.
Don't you think so, Miss Bishop?
Oh, yes, much better.
Hello, you are Templeton, aren't you?
That's right -I'm pleased to meet you
I'm Campbell, do you like music?
Yes, very much -Good.
Not many here do, would you
care to her me play a little?
I don't pretend to be great
artist but I am not bad, really
I've told Dr Lennox I'd be
ready from three o'clock.
That's all right, they'll find you, come on.
- Sit down, will you, have that chair.
- Thanks
I'll play a weeping some
from my own composition.
Go directly, if it bores you, won't you?
He disregards it.
You want to stop that row, won't you?
I'll tell the doctor, if you don't.
You know perfectly well I am allowed to
play in this time of the day and this hour.
If it is to play, yes, but not
that infernal squealing.
And you, I don't know who you are,
but you sit there encouraging him.
- Begging him on.
- Oh, come, I think he plays rather well.
Oh you do, do you? I wonder if you said that
if you heard the same blasted tune
for fifteen years, year and year out.
What? You don't know one tune
from another, you never did.
Ignorant, if you don't like it, you
can lump it or change the room.
You see, that's why he does it
he's trying to drag me out of my
room, because it is the best in the place
and he wants it for himself.
Ah, there you are Major Templeton
I wondered where you got to,
Doctor Lennox is waiting for you
I'm coming, Matron.
Not so fast, Helen, I am not
as strong as you are.
Sorry, dear, would you like to rest a bit?
We got all day -You got all your life.
Presently we only got the weekend.
Don't let spoil it all by quarrelling again.
I don't know why do you want to waste
the money, we really can't afford it.
I'm glad you mentioned money.
That's what I really wanted
to talk to you about.
I thought it was a catch in it.
Oh, Henry, please
I'm sorry, dear, what is it.
Sit down, dear.
Do you remember the Austins?
They went to India three years ago.
Yes, why?
They are back and they can't
find anywhere to live.
It's only the two of them
I thought it might be a good
idea to let them have half of the house.
They'll pay a decent rent and you
wouldn't have to let Tom help us.
And I know how that worries you.
Well, dear, what do you think?
Why ask me?
I thought we'd talk it over.
After all our home always
meant so much to us.
Our home is nothing to do with me any more.
Yes, Henry, it's as much
yours now as ever it was.
All your things are there just as you left.
Well, throw them away, give them
away, I'll never use them again.
Don't, Henry.
You are right to think about your
future and plan for it but leave me out.
You just seem enjoy hurting me.
Well, you shouldn't grudge
me that little pleasure, my dear
I shall be dead soon
and you can go on living for years
and years, and have a good time.
That's not fair, Henry.
Everything humanely possibly
is being done for you here.
Then why do they do not
take more notice of me
why don't they bother when
my temperature goes up?
Because they've giving it up it's
a waste of time, they know I'm foiled.
There is no need to torture
yourself like this.
Why should this happen to me? Why?
It is cruel and unjust
I could understand it
if I had led a wild life
played around with women,
kept late hours, I had to deserve it then
I haven't done anything of these things.
It's monstrously cruel.
Lots of people here are worse
than you are, Henry, much worse.
Come on, it's not like you
to be so full of self pity.
You are just like all
the rest of them, come on
jolly them up, pretend it
is not as bad as it is.
Well I know what the truth
is, it's not fooling me.
Look, Henry.
Shall I let the Austins
have the house or not?
I don't care what you let them
have as long as you leave me in peace
I only want to be left alone.
Strange how the Chesters quarrel.
I hear he looks forward to her visits
so eagerly it's almost pathetic.
And now that she is here.
Anticlimax probably.
Cigarette?
No thanks, strictly forbidden,
doctor's orders.
Same here, Lennox tells me if I
don't give them up, he'll give me up.
Well, one could live forever and I
have had a thundering good time.
In the army?
No, you are, aren't you?
I was.
Retired three years ago, cramped my
style, I have had a lot of fun since then.
What sort of fun?
You know, racing, hunting, shooting.
South of France in the summer,
the great place for the girls.
So I always heard
I like the pretty, it's one of my weaknesses.
Are you married?
No
I am not either, and I don't intend to be.
I like my freedom.
Good afternoon, Mr Ashenden -Hello.
- Who is that?
- A Miss Bishop.
Easy on the eye
I wouldn't try anything there if I were you.
Why?
She knows her way around, she is
not as unsophisticated as she looks.
How did you find that out?
I had a talk with her after lunch.
She's been in one sanatorium or
another for the last eight years, poor kid.
I wonder if she likes someone to hold
her hand, and be a big brother to her.
I wonder.
Mr Ashenden.
Yes, Matron.
Seven o'clock, bed time.
So early?
So late, you mean, you should have
in bed at seven, not just going.
Btw has anybody seen Major Templeton?
He went to the library about half
an hour ago, I haven't seen him since.
Thank you.
Would you advice me to read?
I don't know what your tastes are.
What about Jane Austen?
I never heard of her.
Hasn't your education
been rather neglected?
Dreadfully.
What about undertaking it?
I can think of much better
ways of occupying my time.
Such as?
Minding my business for instance.
There is a Sherlock Holmes,
why don't you take that?
Putting an end to the conversation.
Could be the idea.
Seven o'clock, Major Templeton.
What about it?
Your bedtime.
Bedtime?
But I'm in the middle of the most
intriguing conversation with Miss Bishop.
Maybe, but we can't have you burning
the candle at both ends, come long now.
All right.
Look I am to be allowed out
for my first stroll in the morning.
Will you come with me?
- Well, I..
- I'm not very strong.
If you put it like that I don't
see quite how I could refuse.
That was a kind lady.
Hello.
You are going down to the village?
Just to get my bags and then
I have to catch my train.
Can I come with you as far as the gate?
- I'm not allowed any further yet.
- Please do.
How long have you been
coming up here like this?
Two years.
It's over two years now
Henry got wet one evening trying
to finish some digging before the winter.
We just bought the next part of
land to make a little currant garden.
He caught a cold and, well, it turned to this.
He is getting on all right now.
You really think so?
I'm so terribly worried.
You mustn't be too unhappy
about him, it's a long slow business.
I know I shouldn't talk about it.
I can't help it, I love Henry
I'll do anything in the world for him
I want to have him to get well but
he says such hard cruel things to me.
He nearly breaks my heart.
I think you are very patient
with him, it must be very hard.
But I'm sure it's only because he is ill.
Thank you.
We used to be so happy together we
things to talk about all
there in London, now.
Well there is only one weekend a month.
Everything I say makes
him angry and impatient.
Look, when he is well again.
How can he get well when
he is so terribly unhappy?
You see, his home was everything to him.
Here he is nothing, he doesn't
read or play cards.
The people here are really not his kind.
He just broods over his illness.
You won't think any the worse
of him for what I told you?
No, of course I won't.
He is such a good man, really.
Until his illness
I don't think an unkind or ungenerous
thought ever entered his head.
I'm sure it will come all right.
This is as far as I can go.
When shall we be seeing you again?
I'll be up just before Christmas,
Friday the 23rd
I shall look forward to seeing you.
If you could have a chat with Henry
occasionally, I'd feel so much happier.
Of course I will, don't you worry.
Thank you.
- Good Bye till Christmas then.
- Till Christmas.
I am sorry Mrs Hammond
won't be here this evening.
She was always so keen on a tree.
Still it's good to know she enjoyed
it in her own home this time.
Hello, Mr Ashenden -Hello.
I hear you had a quite a long
time with the doctor today.
Nothing bad I hope?
Oh no, no, just my monthly
check up, that's all.
- Satisfactory?
- Quite.
If all goes well I should be
out here by the spring.
We shall be sorry to lose you, Mr Ashenden.
We were only saying just now, the
Sanatorium isn't nearly what it used to be.
It's gone down most dreadfully.
Really, in what way?
There was a time when Dr Lennox
would ask people to leave directly
he saw certain things beginning to happen.
Why he should turn the blind eye
on this present case, goodness knows.
Nobody minds a little innocent
flirtation when it is innocent.
When there is nice young people,
who are going to get well.
If you mean Miss Bishop and Major Templeton
I don't think there is anything
to worry about
I happen to know a little more about
Major Templeton than most people do.
Did you know he was practically
thrown out of the Army
for carrying on with the Colonel's wife?
Really?
He took my poor niece to Goodwood
lost a hundred pounds on one race
and then borrowed half a crown for
to tip the taxi driver.
He is a terrible man, he is not fit
to be in the sanatorium at all.
And the way he carrying on with that
poor innocent Miss Bishop it's horrible.
You know the more I look
at you, the more I like you.
You are a very pretty girl -Thank you.
I suppose lot of fellows have told you that.
A certain number but it
hasn't got them any further.
That's not very encouraging.
It wasn't meant to be.
You know, I've been in and around
sanatoriums for the past eight years.
And I developed quite a technique
for dealing with predatory males.
And you think I'm a predatory male?
You have all the ear marks.
You are frank if nothing else.
The chances are that we should
be here for a good long time
and I think it is just as well that we
come to an understanding right away.
Flirting bores me.
All right.
There is no reason why we
shouldn't be good friends, isn't it?
None.
You don't dislike me?
Not positively
I improve on acquaintance.
That, of course, remains to be seen.
And you don't mind if I say,
I like you very much?
I can't imagine why.
You know I've never met anyone like you.
Would it be inquisitive if I ask how
many women you have said that to?
Dozens.
That's better, you know I think we
are going to get on very well together.
That's the first kind word you said to me.
I think you are bad, thoroughly bad.
A lot of women rather like that in a man.
Which is rather attractive I
wouldn't deny that for a moment.
I suppose you wouldn't let me kiss you?
I can't think of anything I'd like less.
Well, let's change the subject and
talk about something else.
Yes, yes.
Hello, Happy Christmas.
Mr Ashenden, are you meeting somebody?
I'm meeting you -Me?
My husband always comes, he isn't worse?
No, he is all right
he is just a little tired, he is waiting on
the seat at the bottom of the path.
Let me take your bag.
Thank you. You gave me quite
a terrible.., he really is all right?
Oh, yes, he is all right, it's just
this last bit that tires him.
May I take your basket?
No, I'll carry it, thank you.
What have you got there?
Something he likes.
A bottle of black currant from
the bushes he planted himself.
Sounds delicious.
Yes, you must have some
I'm very worried when I was doing them.
Tried a different kind
of jar with a new cap.
It was the most successful
bottling I ever had
Henry, would be so pleased.
I'm sure he will, all right coachman.
Hello my dear -Hello, Henry dear.
Was it a nice journey?
Lovely, quite the best I had,
I got a corner seat all the way.
How are you, dear?
You look much better,
doesn't he, Mr Ashenden?
Oh yes he is all right, I'll take that.
You might as well have it now as later.
My best wishes, Henry,
for a very happy Christmas.
What is it?
The black currant from the garden, of course.
Don't you remember I promised
a bottle this summer?
Are you mad bringing those up here?
Haven't I enough to bear
without you doing this to me?
I'm sorry, Henry.
What have I ever done to you to
make you come torturing and tormenting me?
I'm sorry, I didn't think.
You didn't think.
This time you did think.
Stop that clattering will you
I can't hear myself think.
Campbell! Will you stop that filthy row?
Do you hear me! Stop it!
That fiddling Campbell is enough
to drive a buddy mad.
No, what has he done now?
Oh, Mrs Chester said she liked
that tune of his because it's Christmas
so he has played it every blessed
day for the last six weeks
I want pass out with TB, I'll go of
my rocker and it will be his fault.
Hello, glad to see you down again.
It was only a little bit
of a cold, I'm all right now.
What about that walk?
Only as far as the wood
I'm afraid, doctor's orders.
Never mind, it's better than nothing.
Mr McLeod will you mind
finishing the game for me?
I've nearly beaten him.
I wonder if there is anything
between these two?
They do say he was a bit of a
devil with the girls before he got ill.
I think that little girl can
take care of herself.
You never can tell, I've seen
some wrong things in my day.
She's been awful fool to get stuck on him.
She's got a chance of getting well.
Hasn't he?
No, when I look at a fellow
I'll make up my mind at once, whether
he gets well or whether he won't.
If he won't I can make a pretty
shrewd guess how long he lasts
I'll give Templeton about two years.
You needn't worry, you'll be all right
I wouldn't mention it if I hadn't
been perfectly sure of that.
I don't want Lennox to hoof me
out for scaring his patients.
You are not tired, are you?
I'm never tired when I am with you, Evie.
You know when they told
me I got to come up here
I'd never thought I could stick it
I'll be bored stiff.
You made it for me, Evie.
You can never been as happy before.
Now you're here I am
prepared to stay forever.
Don't talk such rubbish, it's only
because you are feeling so much better.
No, it isn't only that.
I suppose it hasn't escaped your
notice that I've fallen in love with you.
Will you take my advice?
Always.
Then fall out of it.
Ask me to buy you a pearl necklace
or jump over the moon,
and by George, I'll do it.
But don't ask me to fall
out of love with you.
In the first place, I can't, and in
the second place I don't want to.
Bad business isn't it?
I suppose you are not in
the least in love with me.
What a fool I should be if I were.
You once told me you had a technique
for dealing with predatory males.
Yes.
How many of them tried to make love to you?
Dozens.
I'd like to wring the necks
of everyone of them.
Do you know I very nearly
called you darling then?
Why didn't you?
Wouldn't have meant anything anyway.
Hard as nails that's what you are.
Yes I've got a beastly character.
That's a lie, you are the sweetest,
kindest and prettiest girl in the world.
There is the afternoon mess bells.
Curse the afternoon mess bell.
You are getting into trouble with Dr Lennox.
Don't you think the time has
arrived when you might let me kiss you?
I haven't given the matter much thought
but if you think it will give you
any pleasure, just once and just there.
Just once and just there.
Hello there -Good Afternoon.
Did you se the guilty way they let
go of one and another hands?
And her hair, all rattled up.
- Might have been the wind.
- There isn't any wind.
- Good afternoon, Ladies.
- Good Afternoon Mr McLeod.
May I sit down?
Oh, do please.
Am I right in supposing
that both you ladies
have the good name of the
sanatorium at heart?
We certainly have.
Then you'll agree with me
that time has come for the senior
residents to take a strong stand
to decide once and for all
whether this is to be a high class
sanatorium or a monkey house.
Indeed, we do, I'm very glad you
are taking the lead, Mr McLeod
I dislike intensive the necessity of
interfering with other people's pleasure.
Pleasure, you call it?
I can think of a very different name.
So could I, but let us be
charitable and call it pleasure.
We must force Doctor Lennox
to take drastic measures.
Shall we get up a deputation?
No, I've a better idea, a petition, a petition
to be signed by all the senior residents.
Won't it be a little difficult to put
a complaint like this into words?
But why? It's perfectly simple
and straight forward
I've got it here, already
I've gone straight to the point
without mincing matters.
We, the undersigned, being residents patients
of long standing in your sanatorium
hereby demand that you shall
fore with restrain Percival Campbell
from slowly driving us mad by the
incessant playing of his violin.
We further demand
that if he is caught playing within
a radius of one mile of this sanatorium
he shall be requested to leave immediately.
Now, if you two ladies will just sign it.
But.
What has Mr Campbell's violin
go to do with it?
Do with it? That is it.
But we thought you were talking about
Miss Bishop and Major Templeton.
But why should I? They don't play violins.
But you must have noticed the
disgraceful way they are carrying on?
What does that matter?
Doesn't keep you awake.
I wouldn't dream of interfering as
long as they do it in silence.
And I wouldn't dream of stopping
poor Mr Campbell from playing his violin
I like it, but those other
two, do you realize?
They spent the entire afternoon
in the woods together.
If you and Campbell spent a few
afternoons in the woods together
you'd both be better occupied.
Let me give you a cup of tea, dear
31st tomorrow I must
remember to write to mother.
Why?
Her birthday.
Mr Chester
your wife will be coming up soon,
that'll be something to look forward to.
She is not coming this month.
I am sorry, why not?
Dr Lennox thinks it is better
for me, that she shouldn't.
That's a bit tough, why don't you tell
Lennox to go and jump in the lake.
He must know best.
Never mind, perhaps next month.
I'm terribly sorry.
You'll miss her visit dreadfully.
I asked Lennox to write to her to not go.
But why?
Because I can't stick it any more
I spend the whole month looking
forward to her coming and when she is here.
I hate her.
Oh, come now.
I do resent so awfully having this beastly
disease, when she is strong and well.
Maddens me to see the pain in her eyes.
What it matters to her really.
I'm sure it matters a great deal.
They pretend to care but they are
jolly glad that it is you and not them.
Don't you think you are making
her unhappy by not letting her come?
She'll have to put up with that
I've got enough of my own
unhappiness without bothering of hers.
That's a bit hard on her, surely.
It's all very well for you to be so unselfish
you are going to live, I am going to
die and I don't want to die.
Why should I?
It's not fair.
You know I'm sorry for Chester
he doesn't seem to be able to stand
up to things like the others.
That's because he is sorry for himself.
You know they say suffering
ennobles but it is not true.
As a general rule it makes men
petty, querulous and selfish
I haven't noticed that much here.
Oh, yeah, the one suffering in sanatorium
is like fever that goes with TB,
excites rather then depresses you.
Anyway, when I am due for another check up?
Come along in tomorrow,
I'll make it till afternoon.
Don't worry, you're all right.
I'm hanged if I am.
What's the matter?
I didn't have a bait for two hours.
Now this is the one taken the day you came.
You see the band patch, here.
This is last week's, you see.
It's completely healed up.
Good.
When are you going to throw me out?
Give us another month
and then you can go home.
Unless you are thinking
of settling down here
over the next seventeen years
like our friends Campbell and McLeod.
You know I owe a lot to those two fellows.
They've done more for my
cure than your treatment.
They are the best comic term
we have had here for years.
Come on, come on.
Give me time to think.
Think, but you'll think all night if I let you.
You know you have no more clubs.
Leave it on the table, you have played it
I've not played it, it's covered.
You picked it up when you saw my king.
It's my trick.
It's game all and McLeod called
the grand slam doubled.
Three doubled, I'll redouble them.
Don't get excited, McLeod, take it easy.
Take it easy? Say? Take it easy?
I wanted a grand slam all
my life, and now I've got it.
A grand slam, doubled and redoubled,
play that off on your blasted fiddle.
You're a bad loser and a worse winner
but then of course you are McLeod.
I don't mind your silly slights now.
All my life I've wanted this and thank
heaven it's a Campbell have done it on.
All right, Templeton, I've got him,
give me a hand Ashenden, will you.
Hello
I've brought you a few flowers.
That's sweet of you, how on earth
did you get them up here?
Had them sent up from London.
How very wrong and extravagant of you.
They do smell sweet
Evie, would it surprise you,
if I asked you to marry me?
No, I've been expecting you to do
that for the last three months.
You might have told me and I
wouldn't have waited so long.
Will you?
Of course not, the idea is
perfectly ridiculous.
Why?
We are both patients in a sanatorium
we've come here to get well,
not to get married.
Does that mean that you
think I am too great of crock?
Of course not.
I am very much in love with you
I fell in love with you
the first day I saw you.
Do you remember the day you
were so beastly to me?
That clinched it.
Why haven't you been married before?
That's an easy one
because till I met you I've never
met anyone I wanted to marry.
It's absurd
it would be perfect madness for a pair
of crocks like us to get married.
But.
I wonder by any chance
I am in love with you.
It would be nice for me if you were.
You see I don't know how
it feels like being in love.
Is it like being a bit tight?
Much nicer.
I wouldn't know I've never been tight.
If it is being all over dither when
a particular person comes into a room.
Then I suppose I am in love with you.
My sweet.
I've been so lonely all these years.
Me too, I was too much of a fool to know it.
Come in.
Hello, Campbell.
You don't look very happy.
I am not.
What's the trouble?
I thought all your worries were over,
you got McLeod's room now.
I
It was about that I wanted to see you.
I have been up there all
the morning but there I..
All right.
I'd like to go back to my
old room, if you don't mind.
Good heavens, man, you pestered me
for years to let you have McLeod's room
you pestered me to get him
out of it, so you could have it
and now George you come here
saying you don't want it
I know, I know, I know.
My dear.
Look, Campbell, you are a funny chap.
Why don't you ever play your violin now?
I haven't heard you play
it since McLeod died.
It's no fun any more.
I used to have a kick out of playing
because it made the poor chap angry but
now nobody cares whether I play or not
I'll never play again.
No, nonsense, you used to say
you couldn't live if you didn't play.
What a day.
Grand, isn't it?
Spring is here at last.
Yes there are snowdrops
out there in the woods.
You are off I hear?
Yes, a couple of weeks.
I am off too, quite soon.
No, really?
Surprised?
No, not at all, why should I be.
You will, when I tell you why
I have asked Evie Bishop to marry me.
What did she say?
She said it was the most ridiculous
thing, she'd ever heard in her life
I was crazy of thinking of such a thing.
You must admit that she was right.
Quite.
She is going to marry me just the same.
Now you are looking at me
like those two old ladies.
Has Lennox passed you as fit?
I don't need a doctor to tell me I am fit.
I have never felt better in my life.
Fresh air, quiet life and Evie.
What more could a man want
to put him on his feet again.
Are you really in love with her?
It is a rum thing at my time of life,
falling in love with a decent girl.
It's the last thing I ever
expected of myself.
You know, I always thought girls,
decent girls I mean, shocking bores.
But she isn't.
No, she is charming.
Pretty too, and clever as paint.
That wasn't that billed me over.
You know what it is?
It's ridiculous when you come
to think of it, an old rip like me.
Virtue.
The last thing I ever wanted in a woman.
Surprises you I suppose.
No, not at all, you are not the first
rake that has fallen for innocence.
It's just middle aged sentimentality.
Dirty dog.
What does Lennox say about it?
I don't know yet
Evie thought it was a good plan to
have a check up and I did the same.
Made a lot of tests and took some X-rays
he is to tell us about it at
four o'clock this afternoon.
When are they seeing the doctor?
At four o'clock, I think they said.
The most scandalous thing I ever heard of.
It's worse than scandalous
it is criminal, somebody ought to write to
their relations about it and get it stopped.
Dr Lennox will stop it, you see.
Put that away.
Have some more tea.
No thank you.
Yes, yes I will.
Major Templeton, Dr Lennox is free now.
Good Luck.
- Not nervous are you?
- No, not a bit.
Liar.
I am nowhere as nervous as you are
I've got good reason to be,
means all the world to me.
Don't say such things like
that, you make me cry.
Hang it or I can't help it, if I am so much
in love with you I can't think straight.
Will you kiss me?
Come in.
When?
Let me see.
Yes, I can do that.
Yes, yes, I'd love to.
Oh, it was very good of you to ask me.
Come along, sit down, I won't be for a minute.
Yes, yes, I can easily get away for a
couple of days, my assistant is first rate.
Yes
I am looking forward to it
very much, all right, good bye.
Chap I know just asked me
over for a couple of days fishing.
He has got the best salmon in Scotland.
I have got the whole story here,
results of tests, X-rays and everything.
Would you care for me
to go over them in detail?
No, there is no need for that,
you understand them better than we do.
All we want to know is whether
we can get married.
I am afraid it would be very unwise.
How unwise?
I'll tell you the facts and then
you must decide for yourselves.
I don't think Miss Bishop will ever be
strong enough to lead a normal life.
But if she goes on living as she has
done for the past eight years.
In a sanatorium?
Yes, then there is no reason
why you shouldn't live comfortably
with not to ripe old age, at least as
long as any sensible person wants to live.
The disease is quiescent.
If you marry, if you are tempt
to lead an ordinary life.
The infection might
quite well flare up again
what the result of that might
be no one can foretell.
How about me?
Your case is different.
I wouldn't be as brutal as this,
if I could avoid it, Templeton.
But since you asked me, I must tell you.
If you marry you will be dead in six months.
And if I don't?
Don't worry, you can tell me the truth.
Two years, three perhaps.
Thanks.
It's all we wanted to know.
It as I said, Dr Lennox has stopped it.
If he hadn't they'd come
down told us long ago.
Poor things.
I wonder where they are.
They are in the little library
upstairs, I went in for a book.
They were alone so of course I came
right after them and left them.
Was she crying?
No, she was smiling.
Here they are.
What's the matter with you two,
you are looking as pleased as punch.
Or having very much, we are
just going to be married.
- You are not?
- But we are.
When is it to be?
As soon as we get the licences.
We want to be married here.
In the village church?
Yes, my family would disapprove
so we are not going to tell
them until it is all over
I should ask Dr Lennox to give me away.
Mr Chester
I would so much like your wife to come
to the wedding, do you think she would?
- Well I..
- Do please ask her.
It's kind of you to want her here.
I'll write today -Thank you.
I've been unkind to you, my dear,
I want you to forgive me.
I knew you didn't mean it.
But I did mean it, I wanted you to
suffer, because I was suffering.
But not any more.
You don't have to say
anything dear, I understand
I must say it.
I want you to live and be happy,
I won't resent anything any more.
Because I do love you.
Oh, Henry