Cranford (2007) s01e01 Episode Script

Open the windows, Matilda, while I remove the dust-sheets from the furniture.
The poor girl will have been so shaken up in the coach.
It is 12 miles from Manchester.
Ought we to light the fire, do you suppose? A fire? In the morning? Our guest gave us a deal of information in her letter, but I saw no mention of her being ill.
We said there was always a room for her in Cranford.
We told her there was nothing we liked more than having visitors.
What are you doing, Matilda? Well, only putting some cologne on a handkerchief.
I fear her head might ache.
She wrote in such distress.
There were exclamation marks! There's a coach pulling up - it's her.
Miss Deborah.
Miss Matty.
Miss Mary Smith.
It is a pleasure to see you in Cranford once again.
You did receive my letter? Asking if I might stay? It was delivered but an hour ago.
Mary, dear.
You are so grown.
And so very like your dear mamma.
Are you sure my coming is not a trouble to you? A trouble? It is a joy to us that your stepmother can spare you, now that there are so many little Smiths at home.
Four already.
Five.
Five.
The eldest barely seven.
My father, he sent you these.
Oranges.
They came to Manchester by railway, just last night.
By railway? Indeed.
Do you want them washed? I saw this in bloom in the garden.
I thought it might look nice beside your bed.
You are so kind Poor Mary.
You must miss your home.
I must.
Which is something of a nonsense, after all that was said before I left to come here.
And I cannot even tell you what was said, because it will only confirm all my faults.
I am quite sure you can have no faults.
I am indiscreet, Miss Matty.
And incautious.
And I do not appreciate my stepmother's attempts to marry me off.
You don't wish to marry? No.
At least not yet.
I am quite sure no malice is intended.
This is the room you slept in as a child.
I've always remembered my visits with my mother.
We've always liked receiving your letters - you have such a sprightly turn of phrase.
I have loved hearing news from Cranford in my turn.
I've relished everything Miss Deborah wrote.
She models her tone on that of Dr Johnson.
Did she recount to you the death of the parish bull? She did.
It was more compelling than a novel.
And now it is you who will send the news to Manchester.
There will be a great deal to occupy your pen.
Though I regret you missed the incident last week.
A wagon of bricks had cause to drive down King Street, and became lodged with a pig cart, headed the opposite way.
Were people hurt? No, no, no.
But there was talk of summoning the Constable.
The time.
Make haste.
You must gird your loins, it is all go in Cranford.
Calling hours are between twelve noon and three.
No-one will stay for more than a quarter of an hour, just as you will not linger when you pay calls in return.
How will I know when quarter of an hour has passed? Am I to keep looking at the clock? No, that would be extremely impolite.
You must keep thinking about the time, and not allow yourself to forget it in the pleasure of conversation.
But nobody will call today.
They will content themselves in sending compliments, and allow you time to recover from your journey.
Do you like to read, Mary? Oh, very much.
I consider reading a most worthwhile occupation.
After dinner, and when there are no guests.
But we are liberal with our candles here.
We light two each evening.
Dr Morgan's at the door.
Dr Morgan is at the door, Madam.
Dr Morgan? But we are not ill.
'Ave you changed your caps? Observe the clock, Martha.
Calling hours have commenced.
I have, over many years in practice, acquired more patients than I fear I am able to serve well.
Ladies, it is time for a change.
A change? Do you plan to retire from practice? I do not, Miss Matty.
But my cousin's son, Dr Harrison, is to join me here in Cranford.
Your cousin's son? He is not, I take it, a gentleman of mature years? He has only recently concluded his training at Guy's Hospital.
In London.
London.
He studied beneath Sir Astley Paston Cooper, one of our most eminent surgeons.
But you are of course both assured of my continued attention, madam.
Well, have you the leisure to speak to all of your patients in person? Before the new young gentleman arrives? I'm afraid I have not, but I have had occasion to inform Miss Pole.
Miss Pole? I shall repair to my consulting room to write to all the rest.
They will know the news by teatime.
Or sooner, Dr Morgan.
This is Cranford.
Mrs Forrester.
Mrs Forrester.
Mrs Forrester.
From Paris.
Mrs Forrester.
Something has to be said.
I am a woman of mild opinion, but I am sure we do not wish to be dressed as revolutionaries.
Mr Johnson has had very wild ideas, since he was made Mayor.
You don't know the meaning of novelty, until you hear me speak.
I have been asked by Dr Morgan for the loan of my maid Bertha.
And not for his own ends.
He requests her because a new, young doctor is coming to live in our midst.
Dr Morgan has arranged a house for him, and it will be kept by a widow who will not arrive for a fortnight, was married to another doctor, and knows all about disease and surgery.
So what do you think to all of that? That there is not sufficient sickness here to keep them entertained.
Cranford is not deficient in invalids, Mrs Forrester.
In fact those of frail health may soon choose it as their home.
This young man was assistant to Sir Astley Paston Cooper.
Dr Morgan told me so.
And Sir Astley Paston Cooper is physician to the Queen.
Oh.
Mrs Jamieson approaches.
Tell the men to halt the chair.
What is all this agitation? Are the summer gloves come in? We have had news of some significance Sister? Has something occurred? I think it likely.
Miss Pole is gesticulating.
he comes recommended by the highest in the land.
I have never heard him mentioned.
And I dine at Arley Hall.
Dr Morgan fancies he is getting old.
And so he seeks to present his patients with a bachelor.
A bachelor? I am sure I should recoil from his attentions.
Her Majesty the Queen did not, when she summoned him to Windsor, and gave him charge of her state of health.
Windsor, indeed? We will see how he does in Cranford.
You are most welcome.
However late.
I'm sorry.
My horse cast a shoe.
We limped five miles before we found a blacksmith.
That's an eye-catching coat.
It is a cutaway, is it not? A runaway, in fact.
I had it made in London.
I thought as much.
In Cranford, all the holders of houses above a certain rent are women.
You will attract curiosity.
You must bear it nobly.
Carpenter says he's come about some doors.
Dr Harrison, this is Jem Hearne.
Doctor reckons you'll want some folding panels here.
As soon as it's convenient.
I can do them quick, or I can do 'em proper.
I'm mithered off my feet.
Rough fencing, fine joining, even people wanting trees lopped on the grounds they're made of wood.
Not this week, then.
We'll see.
Unless somebody dies.
Then I'll have to drop the lot to go and make the coffin.
I would prefer it if I did not enjoy oranges.
Consuming them is a most incommodious business.
There is not such a lot of juice, Deborah dear.
Only when they are sliced with a knife.
At home we make a little hole in our oranges and we suck them.
That is the way I like to take them best.
But Deborah says it is vulgar, and altogether too redolent of a ritual undertaken by By little babies.
My sister does not care for the expression "suck".
We will repair to our rooms, and consume our fruit in solitude.
Excuse me, Dr Harrison, sir.
But the Misses Jenkyns send their compliments, and hope you are not too fatigued from your journey.
And the Honourable Mrs Jamieson and Mrs Forrester have done the same.
And the Misses Tompkinson have heard you're come, and they send word that they hope you are not missing the great met metrol Metropolis? That's him.
I really am quite touched by everyone's kindness.
Oh, they always do it, Dr Harrison.
It's not particular to you.
I will introduce you to the townsfolk gently.
They are quiet and retiring folk, in the main Good morning, Dr Morgan, we're doing the door today.
Bessie's in bed with a hot brick to her knee.
He knows, Helen.
That's why he's come.
The sitting room is to your right.
And this one is a kicking 'k".
It has a leg stuck out in front of it, as though it is going to kick open a gate, and Good morning.
Good morning.
I'm sorry.
Have you come to see my father? No.
I came to see the maid.
With Dr Morgan.
Oh.
Are you the new doctor? Frank Harrison.
You must forgive me.
We are all at odds today, with Bessie in bed.
This is a delightful room, Miss Hutton.
Oh.
I worry it is looking a little faded now.
Our mother chose the furnishings, before she passed away.
Ask him does he want some cherries.
I'll get the rake.
Do cherries grow underground in Cranford? It is the only way to get them down.
May I? Hooray.
Papa.
Why aren't you working at your lessons, Walter? Sophy made me work all morning.
Go back inside, and I'll come and listen to you reading.
Good morning, sir.
Might I give you some advice? I would be grateful for it, sir.
Buy a black coat.
It need not be costly, you can order one through Johnson's, but black is the colour of our profession.
I wear black, the patients trust black.
I don't doubt they think Hippocrates wore black and a powdered half-wig.
Now, have you any questions? Might I be excused the wig? I don't reckon that branch is going to take my weight, Miss Tomkinson.
Happen I ought to go, ey? Come back with a lad.
You will carry out the task I have engaged you for, and at the price we have agreed.
Oh, my Lord.
This is what happens when you do not take sufficient care.
Oh, Augusta.
I can see a bone protruding.
For pity's sake, Mr Hearne, do not move.
We will fetch cloths, and make a compress Oh, you must come indoors.
I am going back to the yard.
I warned him that branch was weak.
I'm going home.
Brown trout? Tuppence apiece.
Brown trout? Lovely fried.
No.
Brown trout? Brown trout? Brown trout? No, lad.
Brown trout.
Tuppence apiece.
Lovely fried.
Brown trout? Trout? Trout? And whose stream did you poach these from, pray? Mr Carter.
Mr Carter, I tell you, this child is half gypsy, and whole villain.
What's your name? Harry Gregson.
Dear God.
Move out of our path.
We have an injured man.
Clear the way, please.
Thank you.
We've already rung the bell at Dr Morgan's but he was not in.
Show me the patient.
Bring him inside.
At once.
And you - don't you dare move.
Is it known how far he fell? I should think not ten feet.
Perhaps twelve.
I've seen accidents, but nothing like that.
It's a compound fracture Now Jem, I'm going to give you sugar and water to stop you shaking and a dram of brandy to try to ease the pain.
I'm a carpenter, sir.
If I lose my arm, I lose the thing I am.
Now will I lose it? No.
I'm newly arrived.
Is there an ice-house in the district? Yes, at Hanbury Court.
I am Lady Ludlow's estate manager.
Can a basketful be spared? It might buy me time, and save his arm.
You.
Come with me.
What about the trout? The trout can wait.
So how come the ice doesn't melt, if it's been here since winter? Because the temperature is always lower underground.
What's "temperature" mean? Whether it's hot or cold.
You don't go to school, do you? There is no school.
Only the one where they teach girls how to do ironing.
Any road, I wouldn't go if there was.
No.
I don't suppose you would.
Right straight to the doctor's, as quick as you can.
And if you're caught poaching one more time, I'll hand you over to the magistrates.
Sorry, sir.
Go on.
Run.
You packed the wound in ice? To keep it cold.
It's a new technique I heard of from the battlefield, and it should mean the surgery can be delayed.
But I must ride to Manchester immediately.
I need curved needles, and I brought none with me.
"Heard of, from the battlefield.
Heard of".
The surgery is not untried.
I have seen it carried out Seen it carried out? Three times.
And how many of these procedures were successful? Two.
There is but one safe course of action and you know it.
He's a working man.
If I amputate, he'll starve.
If you do not, lock jaw will kill him in a fortnight.
Or gangrene will finish him in five days.
He is your first patient in this town.
If he dies, your reputation will be ruined.
If he lives on maimed, so will my self-respect.
I am going to Manchester.
Frank, I will not support you in this.
Amputation will save his life and secure your reputation.
You will take his arm off at the elbow.
If Jem Hearne's arm is broken, it is as well he has no wife, and no dependents.
He came to Cranford as a journeyman, he has no-one in the town.
He may be forced on the mercy of the workhouse.
Deborah, the candle is shorter than the other.
Then attend to it, quickly.
Elegant economy, as we say in Cranford.
Candles are a dreadful price.
I thought they would be cheaper, when the tax on them was stopped.
But they get dearer every twelvemonth.
A visitor? A visitor.
At this hour of the night.
It's Miss Pole.
"It's Miss Pole, madam".
Oh, how bright it is in here.
You all look very lively.
Oh, we've been reading, and sewing and You will cast it all aside when you hear what I must say.
There is to be an amputation.
It will be severed at the elbow.
With a silver saw.
Dr Harrison is wonderfully quick, he gave exhibitions at Guy's hospital.
I am only surprised we were not informed of it direct, given that the catastrophe occurred in our own garden.
You may yet be called upon to settle the bill.
I must take him a jelly, or some other soothing thing.
But we do not know where Dr Harrison has gone.
He rode out of town and has not come back.
Caroline meant the jelly for the patient.
Perhaps he went for tar.
He will need to seal the stump.
This is the last of your tea.
Bertha, I need to prepare to operate on Jem.
Can you gather all the candles that we have, and bring them here? We've only got the two.
This one and that one.
Mr Johnson.
I thought we might be seeing you.
Sir, I It came from Halifax this afternoon.
It'll be five guineas, my wife will send you the bill.
Sir, I need candles.
The cut looks well.
You should purchase a second in a summer weight worsted.
Sir, it is an emergency - I need candles.
Tallow or beeswax, straight or plaited wick? White wax.
I need bright light, for a medical procedure.
Forgive me, we appear to be sold out.
You must be able to get me candles.
Johnson's Universal Stores can get you anything.
My wife will write to Manchester, and they'll be here by Friday.
Are you quite certain? I just this minute saw him in the street.
And his head was down, and he was not wearing the runaway.
He has changed, into a black coat.
He is in mourning for his patient.
What was his precise demeanour? As it always is, distinguished and capable, and with the curls coming forward here, just at the temples.
It's Miss Pole.
She's got news.
Dr Harrison went to Manchester.
What care we where he went? It would appear Jem Hearne is dead.
Martha, take that jelly from Miss Caroline, and put it in the kitchen.
His first case in Cranford.
Fate has dealt him a most shocking hand of cards.
That is a most unfortunate turn of phrase.
Miss Pole, have pity - the poor girl is distraught.
And well might we all be, with Jem Hearne dead, and the town without a carpenter.
Speculation is the enemy of calm.
The doctor is walking past the house.
She is right.
Dr Harrison? I am Miss Jenkyns.
Is Jem Hearne alive, or is he dead? But if amputation is the better thing, Dr Harrison? If Doctor Morgan advocates it I've seen just such setting and stitching done at Guy's, performed by Sir Astley Paston Cooper.
The limb was saved more often than it was not.
The life, too.
It is not so much that it is revolutionary to carry out this operation, more that it would be backward not to.
I do not think that we would like to be called backward here.
Do you, Miss Jenkyns? Had I been able to operate tonight, I had every hope that I might effect a cure.
But now Now I must wait until morning, and with every hour the wound is left open, the chance of infection increases.
Why can you not proceed forthwith? Madam, a surgeon must have light, And I find myself entirely without candles.
I have but two small stubs at home and Johnson's Stores can offer me nothing.
And you must need half a dozen or more.
I suppose the work is delicate, like all stitching.
It is.
In which case, you must take these, Dr Harrison.
Caroline, run home, and see what might be spared.
Miss Pole, I am certain you would wish to do the same.
Nothing like this is ever done in London.
You are not in London, Dr Harrison.
You are in Cranford, now.
I must proceed at once.
But I will need one other, to assist.
She must be sensible, and have a steady hand.
I will do it, if you will accept me.
You are a privileged man, Jem.
There are poets scouring chinatown for opium of that quality.
I will need you to bring the light a little closer, Miss Smith.
I will set the break first, Jem.
There.
The bone is back in place and out of view.
Now, I can begin to close the wound.
I have done my utmost.
Time must be your doctor now.
Later, I will escort you home, where you will rest, and wait, and take all the broths the ladies of the town can bring you.
We must set a date for my garden party, Mr Carter.
I would suggest we do not leave it late - the park is always loveliest before the roses fade.
First my lady, might I raise the matter of the bills Lord Septimus has charged to the estate? They have recently increased in size and number every month.
My son must be neither troubled nor questioned with regard to his expenditure.
He is at Lake Como for his health.
And thanks to your generosity, he is already in receipt of a considerable income.
With these expenses added, the Hanbury coffers feel the strain.
Lord Septimus was my seventh child, Mr Carter, and now the last surviving one.
Would you force him back to a climate that would undermine his strength? No, my lady, I would not, but For the past four years he hasn't even been able to come home for my garden party.
And no-one relished Hanbury en fete as much as he.
No, my lady.
Perhaps it will be mild this August.
If it is, he may travel yet.
Let us mount a festival that will make it worth his while.
Jem Hearne has had nothing but jelly and egg wine for a week.
If the bones are to knit, some solid food is needed.
Does rice pudding count as solid food? Martha made this - it could be eaten with a fork.
Shall I take it to his lodgings, madam? No.
Mary and I will go together, and inspect her patient's progress.
Dr Harrison was full of praise for you He said you were the equal of a man.
Did he? Yes.
And I corrected him.
No woman is the equal of a man.
She is his superior, in every single case.
Sister.
Sister The house across the way is opened up at last.
No-one in Cranford forewarned of their coming.
They must be strangers in the town.
Strangers.
Yet more news for you to send to Manchester.
That's a very small piano.
Indeed I think it a spinet, that has been made over.
We did see a long-case clock going in And that is a hired fly.
They clearly are not carriage people.
My dear girl, we'll soon have you inside.
An invalid! And in a house that has been shut up.
We must send lavender, for burning in the rooms.
I came with The Chronicle.
They have printed a new remedy for blanching yellowed lace What an excellent perspective you have upon the scene.
It seems to be two young ladies, and their father.
Oh, poor wretches.
A man is so in the way in a house.
It is Sir Charles Maulver! Sir.
It is a fine day for a house move.
I see all is as you'd wished it? You have done me a very great kindness, sir.
I am in your debt.
Captain Brown, I should not be here at all had it not been for your bravery.
I've had my medal.
Let us say no more of that.
So will you be comfortable here? I could always find a house on the estate itself, if you think it would suit Miss Brown the better.
I'm too used to living in garrison towns.
I should feel lost, if I wasn't on the street.
When we were fighting men, I used to dream of coming home.
I thought my land was all I wanted, yet I tired of cows and yields and hay within in a year.
With respect, sir, I did wonder if you would settle.
I'm not ready to be put out to pasture.
Still, I've not been idle, and nor did I entice you here without a motive.
Captain Brown, are you free to oblige me in a matter of business? The men have been quite wonderfully efficient.
The kettle was the first thing they removed from the pantechnicon.
If you will excuse me, Sir Charles, I must attend to my sister.
Of course.
Though I may say, Miss Jessie, what a pleasure it is to see you looking so unaltered.
Dear God, she's lost her bloom.
Did she never marry? No-one ever asked.
I don't know if I can interest you in this enterprise You're in luck.
The ladies find themselves distracted.
They've never guessed.
I've never let them know.
Are you ashamed of me? I'm not permitted followers.
If they find out, I'd lose my place.
I know.
Will it be all right? Will it be mended, when they take stitches out? Come here.
We'll see.
My daughters were very grateful for the lavender.
They cannot pay calls themselves.
The elder is too ill, and the younger one must nurse her.
At present, I must represent our family alone.
You need not have troubled to return our call until the third day, Captain Brown.
That is the custom in our town.
Is it? I prefer to do things promptly.
May we ask what drew you to Cranford, Captain Brown? My poor girl's health required a move to a milder clime.
Broadstairs was put to us as the ideal, but I'm retired, and on half-pay.
And the expense was quite beyond us.
And Cheshire is so much cheaper.
That's a fierce little shovel.
Iron is such a racket against coals.
We have often joked how fine it would be to have a wooden one.
Except that such a thing is never manufactured.
I wonder, have any of the ladies present read The Pickwick Papers? How it makes me laugh.
Out loud, on occasion, even when I read it in a coach, or on the street.
I am an admirer of Dr Johnson, Captain Brown.
He's tolerable enough, for an essay or a letter.
But I'm inclined to think that he's had his day.
Now Mr Dickens, now.
He's got the skill to tell a tale.
A small token of my gratitude.
For the lavender.
The Pickwick Papers.
I defy you not to roar.
Thank you, Martha.
Oh, Deborah, he did not stay a second over 15 minutes.
I found him most over-frank with regard to his means.
And his taste in books is sadly popular.
My fancy inclines towards this hat.
The Duchess of Kent is known to favour something similar.
Do you think my son will approve of it? Last time he came home from Italy he was faintly disparaging about my mode of dress.
I always say a cap that satisfies its wearer need appeal to no-one else.
A most admirable philosophy.
I wish you would let me make a gift of it to you.
Laurentia, my dear, I insist you charge me as you would any other customer.
You are not a milliner for the love of it.
But I am in your debt for your sanction of my enterprise.
When a lady doesn't marry and lacks independent means, I think it best she is blessed with an independent spirit.
Now.
I am to interview a girl Mr Carter thinks will make an indoor maid.
Will you look at her with me? Margaret Gidman? Yes, my lady.
Are you well shod? My parents keep me well shod.
And what is your father's occupation? He is a cooper, madam.
I have been accustomed to helping him.
To make his barrels? No, to cast up his accounts.
And I have taught myself to read, and write a bold clear hand.
I can Enough.
Margaret, your parents have served you ill, by not stopping you from meddling in this manner.
If you can read and write, I cannot possibly take you into my employ.
You are fit only for trade.
Mr Carter, did you know that she was equipped beyond her station? It is becoming common for the lowest class to have some education.
The more common it becomes, the less I can condone it.
Dissatisfaction will result as it did in France and the proper order of the world will be undone.
You do not, recall, I think, the Reign of Terror, Mr Carter.
I had cousins in Paris, and the knowledge of their fate will haunt me all my days.
Margaret Gidman is not blessed with a great deal of advantage.
I am most concerned with the lot of those less fortunate.
At my charitable school the girls are taught to serve, and to know their prayers.
That is all that is necessary to fit them for the world.
Please, look there for my servants in the future.
I see Mrs Gregson has been to the bakehouse.
It is so nice for the children to have a hot dinner on a Sunday.
I am surprised her husband does not come to carry it for her.
Unfortunately, Mary, I am not.
Job Gregson is a vagabond, as idle as he is wild.
My dear madam.
Mam! I was that terrified I'd spill the dinner.
Oh, it's only a bit of gravy.
Dog'll lick it off.
Come now, you take my arm and I'll see you home.
I'll be grand.
Thank you.
I can take that, sir.
You see your mother safely home now.
And you enjoy your dinner.
I don't object to his helping her up.
It was an act of Christian kindness.
But to take her arm, and offer to escort her home, it shows a revolting want of decorum.
Perhaps Captain Brown has been reading too much Dickens.
I think it altogether likely.
Vulgar sentiment is so contagious.
Miss Jenkyns.
I'm afraid I must beg to make a call upon your kindness.
Father Sir Charles has engaged me to attend to some business near Preston and I must leave without delay, and not be back for almost a week.
I will come to no harm.
Now we have the maid, I am not so very stretched I would not leave my girls at all, but my poverty is such that I cannot refuse employment.
There is no need to reference your circumstances, Captain.
Should anything remiss occur, might my Jessie come to you? We are near neighbours, sir.
To assist one another is appropriate.
Where's Dada? Gone.
Mrs Forrester! I am at your service.
Mrs Forrester, with what do you nourish that girl? Only ordinary meat, cooked plain.
You've fed her till she is fit to pull a plough.
And this is a dainty house.
Now.
The buttermilk, if you please.
Is this from your Alderney? I went to her at dawn today, and she was even more than usually obliging.
That cow is like a daughter to me.
Now.
Oh, I can see why you treasure it, Mrs Forrester.
This is the sort of lace that generally belongs to ladies of great rank.
It is from abroad, and was worked by nuns.
An order where they do not speak, and so concentrate so much the better.
Now, have you a shallow dish to hand? The collar must be completely immersed and laid flat, so that the shade will be revived in a uniform manner.
Now, we leave the buttermilk to do its work.
Oh, I'm sorry to say it, but her proportions are quite vulgar.
You must go to the charity school, and get a different one.
The school cannot account for the size of a foundling's parents.
Agnes seemed slight when she was 12.
Mrs Forrester! The lace! He's choking.
He's choking.
He deserves to choke.
If the collar were not so very old, I could not take such measures.
Stop! At once! Turn yourselves about.
There are some ladies running.
Make haste, make haste.
Faster! Faster! Mrs Forrester.
Whatever has occurred? It's my lace, Mrs Jamieson.
My best lace.
Which was made by nuns, last century, and you cannot get its like for love nor money any more.
Even though they have emancipated the Catholics.
What's happened to it? It's in the basket.
In Puss's inside.
We are on our way to purchase a compound.
I fear, you think I have not begun well, sir.
You have begun extremely badly, Frank.
Your work has been the cause of talk, and of of frisson.
Cranford has been disturbed by you.
I take the bandages off Jem's arm this afternoon.
All will be well, once that is done.
Oh, will it? Dr Morgan.
I swore an oath to do my best by those who came into my care.
If the well-being of the patient has in this case run counter to the fabric of the town, I regret it, but I stand fast.
Look, Frank.
This is Cranford.
Everything unchanging, perpetual.
A society that knows itself, a place at peace.
Out of our way! We are in the throes of an exceptional emergency.
Is there someone in need of medical attention? This is no occasion for sport.
There is lace at stake! Get on! Get on! Faster! It is the Major's top-boot.
It was the Major's mother's lace.
And there is no need to be shod where he has gone.
I am resolved.
Pray do not use it ill.
It fought at Waterloo.
There.
I think that all looks very well.
I am so pleased you accepted this position, Mrs Rose.
And I am grateful for the loan of so much furniture.
It will be a long while before I can afford any of my own.
This way, my husband watches over you in spirit.
I assisted him for 20 years.
Answered the bell for him, mixed up the pills for him.
And I hope a like regard will bloom between us Though not of course conjugal, but rather more like that of a mother and son.
I hope for that too.
What says your father, in his letter? That my step-mother has quite reconciled herself to my having helped Dr Harrison when he performed the operation.
Why is that? She has discovered that he is not married.
Miss Jessie Brown's in the hall.
Miss Jessie Brown's in the hall, Madam.
Please come.
She's breaking her heart.
My sister is dead.
And I am alone in the house.
And I do not know when my father will come back, and all I can think about is his face I thought I would be stronger the next time the good Lord had his way but now it has happened I find I cannot manage it any better this time than I did the last.
And now I have come unto you, my sister is left untended.
We shall escort you home, and make a bowl of arrowroot.
Mary.
The compress.
If I don't hear from Father by nightfall, I shall arrange for my sister's burial myself.
I think that would be sensible.
And if he cannot come home in time, I will walk behind her coffin on my own.
Oh, that will not do at all.
Ladies never attend funerals.
But I can't send her to her grave alone.
It would break our father's heart, if I were to tell him it was done so.
Shall we just do it, sir? I wondered if you might require assistance.
Move your fingers for me, Jem.
Take hold of this piece of paper.
Dr Harrison.
I hope you will let me shake your hand.
He'll have to shake mine first.
That will take time and time is an indulgence we do not have.
I think she will sleep now.
I said that I would write and tell her father.
But Captain Brown was last heard of gone to Lancashire.
How do we know when a letter can find him? That man has put me in a most invidious position.
I am made responsible for his daughter in his absence, and if I allow her to do as she would wish she will be in contravention of all polite codes.
What will people think of her? And worse, what will be said? Miss Deborah Sometimes ladies do go to funerals in Manchester.
It is becoming the custom now.
It is not the custom in Cranford.
Come in.
Mary and I are about to go to bed.
Shall we tell Martha to bank down the fire? I shall not come to back to the parlour tonight.
I have a deal to think about.
And I must pray.
Jessie needs guidance and so do I.
Very well, sister.
I am so afraid my sister will regret her actions.
What can they be thinking of? But if Miss Deborah concedes to it, it cannot be amiss.
You were all alone.
No, Father.
I was not.
Sorry you had to wait, sir.
Fiddly work is this.
Need two arms Yes.
Are you concerned with it? I'm more than contented.
Dr.
Harrison.
We are leaving, dr.
Harrison Go on.
Cherries.
Sophy was able to pick them this afternoon.
We were amiss.
We should have given you some the day you've came to call.
They are the last for the sommer.
Thank you.
Move on.
There will be more next year.
Oh, Captain Brown.
This is highly individual.
It's a coal shovel.
Manufactured from oak.
By myself.
Oh, sister.
I think we have wished for for an age.
Miss Deborah, I hope you will accept it.
A token of my gratitude.
I assure you, sir.
No such token is required.
We're no longer merely neighbours.
We are friends.