Our Mutual Friend (1998) s01e03 Episode Script

Something's gone down in the fog, Miss Abby! See that the boiler's full.
Hang some blankets to the fire.
Come on.
Have your senses about you.
Anyone know what happened? - It's a steamboat.
- It's always a steamboat.
It's a local craft, Miss Abby, run down by a foreign steamboat.
- How many in the craft? - One man, Miss Abby.
Good God, it's Rogue Riderhood! Oh, God Father! Poor Father! What a change there is in him.
To think that I once wished him to be more at ease in this company.
Money has made him comfortable.
Father, you were run down on the river but you're safe now.
Your friends have given you shelter.
- A steamboat, was it? - Yes, Father.
Damn them to hell.
I'll have the law onto her and them that runs her! You seem a little pensive tonight, my dear.
My dear, I believe No, I will not.
If you believe me to be in love, you are mistaken.
No, indeed.
It cannot be so very easy to find a man worthy of your attractions.
The question is not to find a man, but an establishment.
My love, your prudence amazes me.
Where did you learn to study life so well? You're right, of course.
You must I don't mind telling you, Mrs.
Lammle Sophronia, my dear.
I don't mind telling you, Sophronia that I am convinced I have no heart.
And as for seeking to please myself, - well, I don't.
- But you can't help pleasing, Bella dear.
You'll have many admirers to shun, don't worry.
Ah, my dear.
You must tell.
You do not mean Mr.
Lightwood has proposed? No, indeed not.
In terms of establishments, there are others even less worthy than Mr.
Lightwood.
- I cannot believe you! - What would you say to our secretary? My dear, the hermit secretary who creeps up and down the back stairs? The man must be mad! He appeared to be in his full senses.
I told him my opinion of his declaration and dismissed it.
Of course it was very inconvenient and disagreeable.
It's remained a secret, however, and I hope I can count on you never mentioning the matter.
You may count on me.
Absolutely.
Of course you remember, Mortimer.
It was in this very room that you told us the romantic story of John Harmon.
And over there, sitting very comfortably, are your golden dustmen.
And what is that the golden dustmen have told me? There is another disappearance.
Tell it, Mortimer, or they're sure to make you.
The reference is to the following.
The young woman Lizzie Hexam, daughter of the late Jesse, otherwise Gaffer, who you will remember was accused of the murder of John Harmon.
Mr.
Boffin, my client, was, of course, anxious to be in communication with Lizzie Hexam, as she lives alone and may need assistance.
He referred the task to me, and I have tried my hardest to find Miss Hexam.
I even have some special means.
But I have failed because she has vanished.
Vanished? You mean kidnapped? Oh, not murdered? No, he does not mean that.
He What he means is she has vanished voluntarily, but she HAS vanished.
Completely.
I trust you had a satisfactory morning shopping? Ah, more "Lives of Misers", I see.
That's all right with you, is it? For those that have, this is the required reading.
For those with a fortune to protect.
- Will you be joining us this afternoon? - Join us? Join us! Rokesmith has my business to attend to.
Come.
Come, Bella.
Oh, you cheeky scamp, go on! Go! They're all the same.
Now Johnny Johnny Johnny, my dear.
Are you better now, Mother? - Have I been ill, then? - You've been a little faint.
Oh.
Yes, it's the numbness.
It comes over me sometimes.
It's gone now.
- Are there any folks nearby belonging to you? - Oh, yes, to be sure.
Don't you worry about me, my dears.
Send for a doctor to look after her.
No, I do not need help! I have enough! I have friends in London.
Now, Rokesmith.
Where were we? Sir, you considered the time had come for fixing my salary.
Oh, don't be above calling it wages, man.
I never talked of salary when I was in service.
My wages.
Now, regarding these wages, I have looked into the matter, and I say 200 a year.
- What do you think? - Thank you, sir.
It's a fair proposal.
You see, Rokesmith, a man like me has to consider the market price.
I've got acquainted with the duties of property.
A sheep is worth so much in the market, and I ought to give it that price and no more.
Likewise, a secretary.
You are too kind, Mr.
Boffin.
I want to keep you in attendance.
I want you ready at all times.
I'll have a bell hung from this room to yours.
When I want you, I'lltouch it.
I don't call to mind that I have anything more to say to you.
- Noddy, dear? - Yes, my dear? Excuse me putting it to you, but but don't you think you've been a little strict with Mr.
Rokesmith? Don't you think you've been a little bit not quite your old self? Why, old lady, it's the same with Rokesmith as with the footmen.
You must either scrunch them, or they'll scrunch you! Now, this isn't entertaining, Miss Bella, now, is it? Now, Bella, for her age, is remarkably well up on what to go in for.
You're right, my love.
Go in for money.
Make a profit from good looks and from the money me and Mrs.
Boffin will have the pleasure of settling on you, for we are very fond of you, my dear.
A golden ball of opportunity lies at your feet, Bella, my dear! He's looking for something.
What's he doing? He's got a shovel.
He knows how to use it.
He knows these mounds like his own garden.
He could bury us up here without a trace, if we give him reason.
Come.
Come.
What's the matter, Wegg? You're pale as a candle.
Physic yourselfto be in order for tomorrow's reading of "The Misers".
"Merryweather's Comprehensive Guide to the Misers".
A lot to be learnt.
(WEGG) This is a friend.
Mr.
Venus.
Of Clerkenwell? I've heard of you.
You knew the old man.
Did he tell you of any hoardings of monies or even better? Oh, by the by, I've decided to sell off the mounds, Wegg.
- What? - Got to lose the mounds.
They are to be carted off and that's the end of it.
Good night.
No.
I know the way out.
Did you hear him?! He's going to cheat me! Cheat us! Before we can find anything! Let me get at him! May I lift you and wet your lips a little? Have I been long dead? I don't understand you.
May I wet your lips a little? Am I not dead, then? I was returning home from work when I found you lying here.
- What work? - I work at the paper mill nearby.
Dare I lift you a little? This paper, am I to read it? I know these names.
Do you want me to return this to the writer? Is that your wish? Bless you.
You will not give it up to anyone but them.
Not to the parish.
Most solemnly.
Don't let the parish even touch or look at me.
No.
Faithfully.
What is your name? My name is Lizzie Hexam.
Are you afraid to kiss me? Bless you.
Now lift me, my dear.
Been walking and lost my way.
Been looking out for someone I used to know.
- I feel she may have passed this spot.
- She? - The lady travels alone? - Yes.
At least, I believe so.
You've not seen a man, have you? A city man? A man of law? - His name is Wrayburn.
- Wrayburn.
Oh, I'd know him if I saw him.
You are acquainted with this man? I am indeed.
Along with that Lightwood fellow.
When I was cheated at the time of Hexam's death.
You are Riderhood.
What's it to you? This river's drowned me once.
I mean to get the better of it.
I'm thinking of taking a job upriver, more respectable.
What do you think? You know Hexam's daughter? None better.
Have you seen her? Not since the day of Gaffer's death.
And him.
Wrayburn.
Did you Did you ever see them together? Certainly I have.
And did he make a show of being kind to her? Oh, yeah.
That was very definite.
Suppose I was to offer you five shillings? Well, I'd take it.
What's this for? I don't know.
I don't know Look, do you know where she is? No, I don't.
If you have any intelligence of her, or of him, would you be willing to part with it? Look, you can trust me.
I'm a schoolteacher.
- I don't know where to find you.
- I know where to find YOU.
The five shillings, I don't know what I want for it, remember? No, I don't know If anything.
So, Miss Wren, can I persuade you to dress me up a doll? No.
If you want one, go and buy one at the shop! So my poor little goddaughter in Hertfordshire will not profit from my private acquaintance with the superior dolls' dressmaker.
Herelittle Jenny.
Jenny Please give me five shillings for your old man.
Oh, you disgraceful thing! Pay five shillings for you.
Indeed! Do you know how long it takes me to earn five shillings? Don't carry on like that, or I'll give the dustman five shillings to carry you off in his dust cart! He's enough to break his mother's heart, is this boy.
A muddling and a swipey old child.
Don't! Don't! - Don't! - I can't bear to look at you! Go and get my bonnet and coat.
Make yourself useful! Now, I'm off to the Italian opera to sketch the ladies, and I'll see you gone, Mr.
Wrayburn.
Let me tell you once and for all.
It's no use you should pay me these visits.
You won't get what you want from me.
So obstinate for a doll's dress for my goddaughter? You don't want a dress.
You want an address.
Get back to your corner this minute! - I'll see you out, Mr.
Wrayburn.
- No, no, please.
You bad old boy! Get back to your corner, you useless old thing! Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts.
Shut not Thy merciful ears to our prayer, but spare us, Lord most holy, God most mighty.
O holy and merciful Saviour, Thou most worthy judge eternal, suffer us not at our last hour for any pains of death, to fall from Thee.
I've took it into my head that I sometimes could have turned the mangle a little harder for her, and it cuts me deep to think of it now.
We all feel we could have done a little better.
Not her! She went through every duty she had to do.
Oh, Mrs.
Higden, you was a woman and a mother and a mangler in a million million God will understand, my son.
It's not a poor grave with that good fellow beside it.
I have to get back to work now, but I can meet you later if you could stay a few hours.
You think well of her, Mr.
Rokesmith? I think highly of her.
I'm so glad of that.
There is something refined in her beauty, is there not? She is very striking.
Yet there is a shade of sadness upon her.
I'm not setting up my own opinion here.
Mr.
Rokesmith I'm asking your opinion.
I noticed that sadness.
I hope it may not be as a result of the false accusation against her father.
Mr.
Rokesmith! Please don't be so hard on me.
Don't be so stern.
I wish to talk to you on equal terms.
I was forcing myself to be constrained as required by our agreement.
But there.
It's gone.
Thank you.
In her letter to Mrs.
Boffin, Lizzie stated her name and residence must be kept strictly secret.
I was hoping you might be able to try and find out why.
Of course.
I'd be glad to help if I can.
Mr.
Rokesmith, it seems so long since we've spoken to each other naturally, I'm embarrassed to bring up another subject.
It's Mr.
Boffin.
You know that I'm not only grateful to him, but I have a true respect for him.
Unquestionably.
And that you are his favourite companion.
That makes it difficult.
Mr.
Rokesmith, do you think he treats you well? - You see how he treats me.
- Yes, I see it clearly.
You see, I've been watching Mr.
Boffin these past few weeks.
You? Watching? Surely not! I have to admit I've been watching him.
And though, at my first meeting with Mr.
Boffin, I found him gruff and dark and somewhat dirty, I'm ashamed to confess, I've grown to find him kindly and unspoilt by his good fortune.
Now Now? Now I have to admit, reluctantly, that fortune is spoiling Mr.
Boffin.
And I've seen the way he treats you and it gives me pain, because I cannot bear it to be thought that I approve of it.
Miss Wilfer, if you could know with what delight I see that fortune is not spoiling you.
This treatment Well, I sometimes think that it must lower you in your own estimation.
I have very strong reason for bearing with the drawbacks of my current position.
Well, I sometimes think you .
.
repress yourself.
You force yourself to act passively.
You're right.
I force myself to act a certain part to appear to be something else to those who might be watching.
But I have a settled purpose.
And a good one, I hope.
And a good one, I hope.
It's new to me to be visited by a lady so near my own age, and one so pretty as you.
It's a pleasure for me to look at you.
You were asking whether the accusations against my father in the John Harmon murder had anything to do with my wish to remain quite secret here.
No.
You live much alone.
I spent many hours alone even when my father was alive.
I have a brother, but he's not friendly with me.
I wish you could make a friend of me, Lizzie.
I have no more character than a canary bird, but but I know I'm trustworthy.
So, tell me.
Why do you live like this? - You must have many lovers.
- Me? No, not one.
Not one? Well, perhaps one.
I did have one.
Perhaps half of one.
There is a certain man, a passionate and angry man, who says he loves me, and I must believe does love me.
He's a friend of my brother.
Are you hiding here because you are afraid of him? I'm not timid generally, but I'm always afraid of him.
Afraid to read the newspaper or hear of events in London in case he's done some violence.
But you're not afraid of him for yourself? Then, you must excuse me but it must be that there is someone else? His words are always in my ears, and the blow he struck when he said them is always in my mind.
"I hope I may never kill him.
" Kill him! Is this man so jealous? Of another, of a gentleman.
I hardly know how to tell you.
Of a gentleman so far above me and my way of life.
He has shown an interest in me since my father's death.
Does he love you? Does he admire you? - Is it through his influence you're here? - No.
He must not know where to find me! I see.
Of course I see.
I live here peacefully and among friends.
And I hope you may forget both these men, the violent one and the one not worthy of you.
Oh, no, I do not want to forget about him.
But wouldn't it be better not to live in hiding? Where's the gain, my dear? Does a woman's heart seek to gain anything? If I were to forget him, I should lose lose my belief that if I had been his equal and he had loved me, then I would have tried with everything I have to make him better and happier.
I should lose the value I put upon the little learning I have, which is all owing to him.
I have no more dreamt of the possibility of my being his wife than he ever has.
And yet I love him.
I love him so much and so dearly.
When I think my life may be weary, I am proud of it and glad of it to suffer something for him.
I may never see him again.
His eyes may never look at me again but I would not have the light of them taken out of my life for anything my life can give me.
There.
I've told you everything.
I didn't mean to but I don't believe anyone could refuse you any confidence if you were of a mind to ask for it.
I only wish I deserved it more.
We will meet the train if we walk swiftly.
You look rather serious, Miss Wilfer.
I feel rather serious.
Would you believe, Mr.
Rokesmith, I feel that .
.
that I've passed whole years today.
- You are overtired.
- No.
I'm not at all tired.
I feel that much has happened to myself, you know? For the good, I hope? You're cold.
You're trembling.
What a beautiful sky.
What a glorious evening! My dear Mortimer, you are the express picture of contented industry, reposing after the virtues of the day.
And you, my dear Eugene, are the express picture of discontented idleness.
Where have you been? I've been about town.
And now I am about consulting my eminently respected solicitor about the state of my affairs.
Your highly intelligent and respected solicitor is of the opinion that your affairs are in a bad way, Eugene.
How could they be other when you spend your entire day wandering the streets in search of? But you can say, at least, that I don't gamble or party or speculate or invest.
Or any other greedy activity that may eat up my non-existent income.
Eugene.
You know you do not really care for her.
I don't know that.
I must ask you not to say that, as if we both took it for granted.
But if you do care for her, you should leave her alone.
I don't know that, either.
But, tell me, did you ever see me take so much trouble about anything? My dear Eugene, I wish I had.
If my taking so much trouble to recover her does not mean I cared for her, what does it mean? You must consider the consequences.
You know I am incapable of that.
I'm on duty tonight.
Now, this interesting gentleman is the son of an acquaintance of mine.
My dear Mortimer, may I present Mr.
Dolls? I believe Mr.
Dolls endeavours to make a communication to me, but it may be necessary to wind him up before any sense may be got out of him.
Brandy, Mr.
Dolls? Three penn'orth of rum.
Mr.
Dolls' nerves are considerably unstrung.
And I think it, on the whole, expedient to fumigate Mr.
Dolls.
Bless my soul, Eugene.
What a mad fellow you are! Why is this creature here? - Mr.
Wrayburn.
This Mr.
Wrayburn? - Of course it is.
What do you want? Three penn'orth of rum.
Would you do me the favour, my dear Mortimer? Wind him up.
I'm occupied.
You want directions, don't you? - You want to know where she is.
- I do.
- I'm your man.
- Have you got the address? - Three penn'orth of rum.
- Wind him up, Mortimer.
- Wind him up.
- Eugene Eugene, you cannot stoop to this.
I said I would find her by any means, fair or foul.
These are foul, I will take them.
Can you get the direction? If that's why you've come, tell me what you want! - Ten shillings, three penn'orth of rum.
- You shall have it.
15 shillings, three penn'orth of rum? She treats me as a mere child, sir.
I'm not! Letters pass betwixt.
Postman's letters.
Easy to get direction.
Get it.
Bring it to me.
And you shall have all the three penn'orths of rum you can drink.
Drink yourself to death, for all I care.
It seems to me that you have had no money at all since we've been married.
What seems to you to be the case may possibly be the case.
In any case, we're soon to be bankrupt if we do nothing about the case.
We find ourselves in a corner.
What do we do? - There's nothing to sell? - Nothing.
So we must borrow.
Then I suppose it is natural to think, in an emergency, of the richest people we know, and the simplest.
The Boffins? They are too well guarded.
Supposing if we could be of inestimable service to Mr.
Boffin.
He has grown very suspicious of late, remember? And simultaneously rid him of his secretary.
Think about it this way.
I give our Mr.
Dolls useful employment, keep him off the streets, pay him exorbitantly You can make almost anything amusing, Eugene, but not this.
Yes, I am rather ashamed of it myself, so let's change the subject.
It's so deplorably underhand of you, so unworthy, setting up this pathetic spy! Ah.
Now you have suggested a new subject.
Isn't it amusing I never can go out after dark but I find myself attended always by one spy, sometimes by two? Are you sure? Eugene, have you some debt I don't know about? Observe the legal mind! Respected solicitor, it's not that.
The schoolmaster's abroad.
- The schoolmaster? - Yes.
Sometimes the schoolmaster and the pupil are both abroad.
Don't you believe me? A fine night for the chase.
Which way for the scent? East or west? East.
Now, when we get to St.
Paul's churchyard, we shall loiter heartfully, and I shall point out our prey.
Get your wind, for we'll be crossing the city tonight! Eugene, how long has this been going on? Oh, ever since a certain person went off.
Watch him, Mortimer.
Watch him.
See how I reduce him.
I lead him.
I grind him.
I expose him as a figure of fun.
Thank you, sir.
This is what happens, night after night.
I tempt him all over the city.
One night westward, another north.
Sometimes walking, sometimes riding.
I plan my routes during the day and execute them at night.
I pass him by and refuse to even acknowledge his existence.
As you see, he's undergoing grinding torments.
I goad him into madness.
Eugene - Don't you think you're? - Mortimer, listen.
Listen.
Lizzie's gone.
She's gone! And these night chases are my only solace.
They give me an expressful pleasure.
What's the matter, Mortimer? Nothing.
What the devil are you doing sleepwalking, then? I'm horribly awake.
Eugene, I cannot lose sight of that fellow's face.
Which fellow? Mr.
Boffin? Oh, good morning, Mrs Lammle.
I hope you are well.
Not so well, dear Mr.
Boffin.
I'm uneasy and anxious.
I've been waiting for you for some time.
May I speak with you? Of course.
Join me in my home where I can offer you refreshments.
I'd rather not, Mr.
Boffin.
The matter I have to speak to you of is It's very delicate.
- Do you think this strange? - No, madam, of course not.
It is difficult to speak but it is my duty.
Would you mind stepping into the carriage? Damn! Now! We are all here.
Come in, Bella, my dear.
Do not be alarmed, Bella, my dear.
We are here to see you righted.
See me righted? Sir? Now, sir.
Consider this young lady.
I do so.
How dare you tamper with this young lady?! How dare you come out of your station to pester this young lady with your impudent proposals? This lady was far above you.
This young woman was looking about the market for a good bid! She wasn't about to be snapped up by fellows that had no money to buy with.
- Mrs.
Boffin? - My dear, I can't let Old lady, you hold your tongue! Now, Bella, don't you be put out.
- I'll right you.
- But you don't.
You don't right me, you wrong me! This lady did herself tell you of your presumption, did she not?! - Did I, Mr.
Rokesmith? Did I? - Do not be distressed, Miss Wilfer.
But I've asked him to forgive me since and would again now if it would spare him! Old lady, stop that noise! Now, what have you got to say for yourself? My interest in Miss Wilfer began the moment I saw her, even before.
This is a longer scheme than I thought.
He gets to know about me and my property and about Bella and the part she played in poor John Harmon's story, and he says to himself, "I'll get in with Boffin and my ship will come well and truly in.
" But he didn't know who he was dealing with, did he, Bella, my dear? He thought to squeeze money out of us.
And he's DONE for himself instead! I have borne my position here that I might not be separated from Miss Wilfer.
And since she rejected me, I have not urged my suit with one syllable or look.
But my devotion to her has not changed, except that now it is deeper and better founded.
My feeling for Miss Wilfer is not one to be ashamed of.
I love her.
And when I leave her and this house, I go into a blank life.
Let me assist you to that blank life! I dare say you can stoop to pick it up after what you've stooped to here! I have stooped for nothing but this! And it is mine, for I have earned it by the hardest of labours! You're a pretty quick packer, I hope.
You shall have no fear of my lingering.
One thing before you go! You pretend to have a mighty affection for this young lady, but what is due to this young lady is money and she knows that very well! Why, for you to say to this young lady that she should consider you! Why, I say it is as if, "Miaow," says the cat, "Quack," says the duck, "BOW WOW WOW," says the dog! GRRR! This young lady only wants money, and that's the end of it! - You slander the young lady! - You slander her! It's money she makes a bid for.
Money, money, money! Mrs.
Boffin, for your delicate and unwavering kindness, I thank you.
Miss Wilfer, goodbye.
Oh, God, make me poor again! Someone, I beg, or my heart will break! Don't give me money, Mr Boffin.
I don't want money! - Oh, God help me! - There, there, my dear.
You're righted now, so it's all right.
- I hate you! - Hello? I've heard you with shame for myself and for you.
I am afraid that you have become a monster! Mr.
Rokesmith, I'm deeply sorry for the reproaches you've borne on my account.
I earnestly and truly beg your pardon.
The only fault you should admit to is that you laid yourself open to be slighted by a worldly, shallow girl whose head was turned and was quite unable to rise to what you offered.
Oh, Mrs.
Boffin! Oh, there, there, there.
- You vicious old thing! - Don't be rash.
Think well what you do.
- Yes, you think well of it.
- Your money has turned you to marble.
You are a hard-hearted miser, wholly undeserving the man you have just lost.
What? You'd set Rokesmith against me? He is worth a million of you! Ah, yes, I'm sure.
Now, listen, I'm not angry - No! I must go home for good! - ¡No! Now, don't do what you can't undo.
Stay where you are, and all's well.
Go away, and you can never come back.
If you leave us like this, you can't expect me to settle any money on you.
Be careful, Bella.
Not one brass farthing! Of course you may have your own room back, my dear.
I'm sure your sister will make way.
My dear girl! My gallant, courageous and noble Bella.
You are my love.
I suppose I am, if you think me worth taking.
Mr.
Wrayburn, sir? 15 shillings.
Should you need any further assistance? To lose the ward and the secretary in one afternoon, that is extremely imprudent of Mr.
Boffin.
What is worse, Miss Bella Wilfer and the Rokesmith fellow have run off together! Oh, really, Mortimer, when you know the man needs counsel! I hardly see how I can be to blame.
When two people are inclined to run off together, a lawyer is the last person to prevent it.
I said no good would come of settling so much money on a dustman.
How will he protect himself from the jackals now? The man is a mere novice in the ways of the world.
So have you found anything? Do not attempt to conceal anything from me.
Well, man and brother and partner in feelings, equally with undertakings and actions, I have found a cash box on the dust heap.
On the outside was a parchment label saying, "My will, John Harmon, temporarily deposited here.
" We must know its contents.
That was my feeling exactly, comrade, so I broke the box open.
- Without coming to see me first? - Exactly so.
I was bent on surprising you, sir, before we were surprised by that rogue Boffin.
I examined the document, regularly executed, regularly witnessed.
In short, he, John Harmon, leaves to Nicodemus Boffin the little mound which is quite enough for him.
and he leaves the whole rest and residue of his property to the Crown! The date of the will must be proved.
It may be later than the one generally accepted.
Exactly my thinking, comrade.
I paid a shilling, mind, I did not ask you for sixpence, to look up that will.
It is dated months after the generally accepted one.
I would have thought you would have consulted your partner earlier as to a course of action.
But, sir, think of the surprise! Let's see this document, at last.
Am I correct in its content, partner? Partner, you are.
We'll extract a hefty payment from Boffin to keep this secret.
What if he's honest? And gives up all, according to what is written legally? Him? Prove honest? He's grown too fond of money for that.
The question is, who is going to take care of this will? - Do you know who is going to take care of it? - I am.
Oh, dear, no.
That's a mistake.
I am.
Now, I don't want to have any words with you, and still less do I want to have any anatomical pursuits with you.
What do you mean? What I mean is I'm on my own ground.
And I'm surrounded by the trophies of my art, and my tools is very handy.
I presume, having had the advantage of time, you have formed a view of how we should proceed? Yes, comrade.
I propose that we wait while Boffin clears the mounds to see if we can profit equally.
And then we can use this to make him pay in money and in humiliation.
Lock ho! Mr.
Eugene Wrayburn.
T'other governor.
What exercises you on the river today? Oh, it's you, is it? Honest friend.
Yes, I'm the keeper here.
No thanks to you for it or Lawyer Lightwood.
We shall save our recommendation for the next candidate, the one who offers himself when you are transported or hanged.
Don't be long about disappointing him, will you? Oyez! Lock ho! Mr.
Schoolteacher, if I'm not mistaken.
Lock ho! Well, bless me, t'otherest, if you haven't taken to imitating me.
Never thought myself so good-looking before.
These are my holidays.
Your working days must be stiff 'uns if these is your holidays.
Don't worry.
He takes it easy, that one.
But you know you could have out-walked him.
Would you say I'm following him? I know you're following him.
Yes, well, I am.
- He may land - Be easy.
He'll leave his boat behind as a marker, won't he? He can't carry it ashore under his arm.
- What did he say to you? - Cheek.
Spite.
- Affronts.
Said I'd be better hanged.
- Damn him! Let him get ready for his fate when that comes about.
Oh, then, I make out, t'otherest, that he is going to see her.
He left London yesterday.
I have little doubt he's going to see her.
- You're that sure? - As sure as if it were written here! But you have been disappointed before.
It has told upon you.
I have followed him day and night now, through the summer holidays.
And I won't leave him until I've seen him with her.
And then? I'll come back to you.
Now II must go.
Though he'd have to make himself invisible before he could shake me off.
You'll put up at the lock on your way back? Now, why did you copy my clothes, schoolmaster? What is your plan? Now If I see him in a similar, I'll know it's not by accident.
He's put up for the night.
He goes on early in the morning.
I'm back for a few hours.
- You need them.
- I don't want them.
But if he won't lead, I can't follow.
This would be a bad pit for a man to be flung into with his hands tied.
The gates would suck him down afore he'd have a chance of climbing out.
Yet you run about over six inches of rotten wood.
No wonder you don't fear being drowned.
I used to, but I can't be drowned now.
- You can't be drowned? - Nah.
It's well known.
I've been brought back out of drowning, and I can't be drowned again.
You should better come along and take your rest.
Honest, he's grown too fond of money for that.
What wouldn't you give me for my box? Look out for a fall, my lady dustwoman.
I'm gonna have your Boffin.
I'm gonna turn him upside down and grind himdown.
Hello, Lizzie.
What a pleasant surprise.
I was out for a day on the river.
Actually, I was on business and who should I find? Mr.
Wrayburn, you must leave this place instantly.
I will.
If you will grant me an interview, a private interview.
Then I will leave.
I promise.
I give you my word.
You've seen him? - With her? - I have.
Where? Upstream.
His journey's end.
I saw him wait for her and meet her! What did you do? Nothing.
What are you going to do? I don't know how this happens.
I can't keep it back.
I taste, I smell it, I see it and then it chokes me.
You're like a ghost.
You asked me what I would do.
I don't know! What can a man do in this state?! Here.
Sleep now.
Sleep.
Smooth and round.
And when you wake, you'll know what you have to do.
Yes, you're stupid enough, I suppose.
But if you're clever enough to get through life tolerably, then you have the better of me.
I was saying to myself you were sure to come, even though late - as you always keep your word.
I had to linger through the village, Mr.
Wrayburn.
Are the villagers such scandalmongers? Will you walk beside me and not touch me? I'll try.
Lizzie, don't be unhappy.
Don't be reproachful.
Mr.
Wrayburn, you must leave this place.
Lizzie, you know I can't go away.
- Why not? - Because you won't let me.
I don't mean you design to keep me here, but you do it.
You do.
Mr.
Wrayburn, will you listen to me while I speak to you very seriously? When you said you were much surprised to see me, was it true? It was not in the least true.
I came here to find you.
Can you imagine why I left London, Mr.
Wrayburn? I'm afraid you left to get rid of me.
Not very flattering, but I'm afraid you did.
I did.
How could you be so cruel? Is there no cruelty in your being here now? Don't be distressed.
What else am I to be? You put me to shame! Oh, Lizzie I never thought there was a woman in the world who could affect me so much.
You don't know how you haunt me, you bewilder me.
You don't know how the carelessness that helps me at every other stage of my life cannot help me now.
You've struck it dead! Sometimes I wish you'd struck ME dead with it.
But you must think of what you're doing.
What am I to think of? Think of me! Tell me how NOT to think of you and you'll change me altogether.
Think of me as belonging to another world from you.
I have no protector, except in yourself.
Respect my good name.
If you have feeling for me as if I were a lady, then give me the full respect of a lady.
I'm a working girl.
If you were a true gentleman Have I injured you so much? If you don't leave me alone, consider what you'll drive me to.
What shall I drive you to? I live here peacefully and respected and well employed.
You'll force me to leave here as I left London, and by following me you'll force me onwards.
Are you so determined to run away from me? Answer me this.
If we had been on equal terms, would you make me leave? I don't know.
Please let me go.
I swear, you will go directly.
I will not follow you, but answer me.
Would you still have hated me? You know me better than that.
How can I think of you as being on equal terms? That first night I met you, when you looked at me so attentively, I had to draw away.
Having so looked up to you and wondered at you since that night, and at first thought you to be so good as to be at all mindful of me At first "so good"? But now "so bad"? Still so good.
So good! If you do feel for me the way you have said this evening, then there's nothing for us in this life but separation.
Heaven help you, and Heaven bless you! I promised I'd not follow you but shall I keep you in view, at least? It grows dark.
I amused to being alone at this hour.
Please do not.
I promise.
Lizzie, I can promise you no more tonight except I will try to do as you wish.
You will spare yourself and me if you leave this place tomorrow morning.
I will try.
Oh, Mortimer Who could believe this ridiculous position? And yet I've gained a wonderful power over her.
She loves me.
She is so earnest, she will be earnest in that passion.
We must both follow our natures.
And we must both pay for them.
Now, suppose I married her? Impossible.
And yet I should like to meet the fellow who could tell me I do not love her for her true beauty and warmth, and that, in spite of myself, I'd not be true to her.
I can hear you, Mortimer, your sorrowful "Eugene, Eugene, this is a bad business!" Yet I'd like to hear any fellow say a word against her.
Yet she begs me to go away.
I'll not go away.
I will try her again.
She will not resist me.
"Eugene, Eugene, this is a bad business!" Hello there, friend.
Are you blind? Out of the question to leave her.
Out of the question to marry her.
Oh, Mortimer, we've reached the crisis Father.
Father, help me now.
Father, help me make amends.
Help me restore this poor soul to someone who holds him dear!