Bleak House (2005) s01e05 Episode Script
Episode 5
That is the lady you saw, is it? Who wanted to know about Nemo, the law-writer? And gave you a sovereign? Yes, sir.
Take off your glove.
Well? What about that? I don't know, sir.
She had rings but she could have took 'em off since.
And do you remember the lady's voice? FRENCH ACCENT: Was it like this? No.
The veil.
It's not her.
Not a bit like.
I'm sorry, sir, it's not my fault.
Nobody said it was, Jo.
Did they, Inspector? Here, take this.
Take care how you spend it and don't get yourself into trouble.
Off with you now.
Are you satisfied, monsieur? Yes, thank you, mademoiselle.
I will give you no further trouble about this little wager.
You will remember, sir, that I am not at present employed.
Certainly.
You will confer upon me the favour of your distinguished recommendation? By all means.
A word from Mr Tulkinghorn is so powerful.
Goodnight, gentlemen.
All squared then, Mr Tulkinghorn.
There ain't a doubt.
It was the mistress with the maid's dress on.
All right, Mr Bucket.
Thank you, Mr Snagsby, for your help.
And for your discretion.
Yes, yes, indeed, Mr Tulkinghorn.
I'll see you on your way, sir.
Goodnight then, Officer.
And you will be discreet, Mr Snagsby, won't you? Won't speak to anyone, anyone at all, of what you've seen and heard tonight? Not a word, Inspector.
Oh, one more thing.
Are you familiar with a man called Gridley, Mr Snagsby? The man from Shropshire? Yes, yes.
for slandering Mr Tulkinghorn.
He's been keeping out me way.
If you was to see him or hear of where he was hiding himself, you'd let me know, I'm sure.
Certainly, certainly.
But upon my honour, I haven't the least idea of where he might be.
All right, Mr Snagsby.
I'll let you go now.
Goodnight to you.
Goodnight, Inspector.
Richard, we shouldn't.
Who's to say that? We promised Mr Jarndyce.
What? Only to postpone our engagement.
He must be brought to change his mind about that and understand that we can't bear not to belong to each other utterly.
And I intend to tell him so myself.
And the rest.
There.
I've missed you so much.
GIGGLING AND CHATTER Rick, this is a very pleasant surprise.
I trust Mr Kenge doesn't mind your taking a day or two of his time to visit us? Ah.
.
.
Mr Kenge and I have come to an agreement.
What agreement's that? That I'm not altogether suited to the law, sir.
Well, you mean you intend to abandon your studies? Didn't we agree there could be no more changes of mind? Yes, we did, but a man can make a mistake.
And if a mistake has been made, isn't it better to face up to it, admit one's been misled and choose a more suitable profession? And what profession have you settled upon this time? The army, sir.
I intend to purchase a commission in a good regiment.
Then, by living within my pay, I reckon I should be able to save up to £2, 000 in five years.
Enough to get married.
I've talked it all through with Ada.
Have you? I believe the law is not the best profession for Richard, Mr Jarndyce.
That may well be.
Then we're agreed.
And Ada and I want you to recognise our engagement.
We're not children, we know our minds and our hearts.
I'm sure you think you do.
Let us leave that a moment.
It's a rare officer who lives within his pay, but let us leave that, too.
You must understand, Rick, this plan to go into the army must be your final choice.
Every penny that you have of certainty, and more, will be spent by the time you've equipped yourself.
Of course, it's quite true that I've exhausted my present resources.
I haven't laid my money out very wisely, perhaps, but I can admit my mistakes and learn from them.
I think it's hard of you to remind me of my errors in front of others.
I must be sure you understand the situation.
Are you quite sure you understand MY situation? Every penny I have of certainty has been laid out but what I have of certainty is not all I have.
Rick.
Rick, for the love of God, don't found your hope on that wretched court case! Better to borrow, better to beg.
.
.
better to die! I know these are strong words, Ada, but I have seen how that case destroys men's lives.
How it drove my great uncle to blow out his own brains.
Now, as to your proposed engagement, when we spoke of it before, I advised you that you were too young to make such a commitment.
What has happened since then has strengthened me in that view.
It will be better for both of you if you remain cousins for the foreseeable future.
Why don't you just say you have no confidence in me and advise Ada not to have any either! Because I don't mean that.
But you think I've begun badly! Rick, you've hardly begun at all.
When you've something to offer Ada, that'll be the time to think of an engagement.
You're very hard with us, sir.
Well.
.
.
.
you have the remedy in your own hands.
Come, Rick, you know it's time to knuckle down and make something of yourself.
Let's shake hands on it.
DOOR SLAMS KNOCK ON DOOR Mr Krook? It is not convenient.
I am in deshabille.
Please go away.
Whatever it is will wait until morning.
Mr.
.
.
Mr Krook, I.
.
.
Mr Gridley! A thousand apologies, Miss Flite.
I didn't know where else to go.
They've done for me.
That monster Tulkinghorn's got a warrant on me for slander.
HE COUGHS I spent last night at Tom All Alone's.
Mr Gridley, dear old friend, much as I sympathise, I couldn't offer you shelter here.
Please understand, Mr Gridley, it wouldn't be proper.
I.
.
.
I'm an unmarried lady.
Of course.
Quite right.
Thousand apologies.
I couldn't think of anyone else.
General George! General George, Mr Gridley.
He will help you.
He has accommodation of a rough sort and a heart of gold.
The flowers in the drawing room are looking rather tired.
I'll see to it at once, m'Lady.
Oh, Mrs Rouncewell? Yes, m'Lady.
What do you know of that girl in Mr Jarndyce's care? Miss Clare, m'Lady? The ward in Jarndyce? No, the other.
Her companion.
Summerbee.
.
.
Summerfield.
Miss Summerson, begging your pardon, m'Lady.
Well? No-one knows anything about her in the village.
Except she seemed a very pleasant young lady.
No airs and graces.
But where she comes from, nobody knows, as they say.
All right, Mrs Rouncewell.
MR GEORGE: And come again, Mr Carstone, sir.
Steady.
Watch the eyes, not the blade.
Watch the eyes, not the blade.
And come again, sir.
Hold hard, Mr Carstone, sir.
Let's not run before we can walk.
Yes.
All right.
Thank you, Mr George.
And come again.
I have to go now.
Court, you know.
Thank you, Mr George.
Good day to you.
See you this afternoon, sir? He ain't a stayer, that one, Mr George.
He may be yet, Phil.
In too much of a hurry.
Oh, what's that? GUNSHO There, that's for the Chancellor.
And that's for Tulkinghorn.
Hang on, Mr G.
I don't think you're up to this work, not just now.
You come along with Phil.
Thank you, Phil.
Yes? The man called Nemo, Mr Tulkinghorn.
I've been sniffing around like you asked.
He pawned some medals the day he died.
And? One of them was inscribed with the name of Captain Hawdon.
Do we know of him, Clamb? Smallweed, the moneylender, had been advertising a little while ago for the whereabouts of Captain Hawdon.
Seems the gentleman had defaulted on his debts and gone missing.
I wonder if Smallweed had any success in finding him? Perhaps we should have a word with Mr Smallweed.
Very good, Mr Tulkinghorn.
Don't you know me, Miss? It's Charley.
Charley Neckett.
Oh, yes, of course.
And what can we do for you, Charley? If you please, Miss, I'm to be your maid.
I'm a present to you from Mr Jarndyce.
No, don't embarrass me with thanks.
I saw how things were and how they could be and it gave me pleasure to arrange it all.
I wish you had consulted me first.
You don't think she's suitable? I'm sure she'll do very well.
But is it kind to separate her from her brother and sister? And what am I to do with a lady's maid? Maids are for the likes of Lady Dedlock, not the likes of me.
I never asked for a lady's maid, and nor would I feel myself comfortable with one.
Esther, in my mind at least, you're quite as much of a lady as my Lady Dedlock.
And perhaps it's time for you to begin to think of yourself as such.
Look, will you keep Charley on? Just to humour me? And if I can arrange it so that she can see Tom and Emma more than once a month.
.
.
You wouldn't send her away now, would you? No.
You must think me very ungrateful.
And believe me, I'm not.
But your kindness is almost.
.
.
.
overwhelming.
Forgive me? MR SMALLWEED: If you're round me, you'll know it.
Have a care there, you maniac! I'll have your throats cut, I will! Oh, my Lord, I'm shaken.
In here! Go on, get in there! Oh, you clumsy oaf! You'll put me in me grave! Mr Smallweed, good of you to trouble yourself.
Honoured, Mr Tulkinghorn.
Privileged, deeply gratified.
Set me down gently.
Gently! Off! Off, out.
Go on, wait outside.
Savages.
I'm half killed.
If you'd be so kind as to ask your man to shake me up a bit, Mr Tulkinghorn? BONES CRACK Oh.
.
.
Much obliged.
Deeply honoured.
Very nice.
Very smart.
Now, how can I be of service? Some time ago you were interested in tracing a Captain Hawdon.
Hawdon? Yes, I was.
A welsher.
A bilker.
A defalcator.
Owes me hundreds of pounds and gone to ground.
Bad debt! Bad debt! I hate 'em ! You didn't find him then? He'd know about it if I did.
I'd squeeze him.
Did anybody come in answer to your advertisement? Only one, and he was no good to me.
His old sergeant from his army days, Mr George.
He owes me money too, but he pays the interest.
But he clammed up when he heard what the matter was.
This Sergeant George.
.
.
close companion of Captain Hawdon, would you say? I would.
Close as blood, I'd say.
But he wouldn't give him up, no matter what.
Mr Smallweed, I believe you can do me a service.
You know where Sergeant George is to be found? I do.
Oh, mind my bones, you brimstone black people! Smash me to pieces, will ya! 'Ere! Oh, give 'em tuppence, Judy, it's more than they're worth.
I think this has killed me.
Mr George! Mr George, over here! Mr Smallweed.
Oh, dear.
That sword looks awful gleaming and sharp.
It might cut someone, by accident.
We don't go in for accidents here, Mr Smallweed.
And if you could tell your workman not to wave his firearm so.
.
.
Oh, Lord.
It's me granddaughter, Judy.
Shake me up, Judy.
Nice little business you got here, Mr George.
Worth a bit, I'd say.
Come to turn me out of it, have you? No, not yet, George.
Not unless my friend in the city insists on it.
You're a bit behind on your payments.
HE CHUCKLES Oh, dear, quite a bit behind.
Never was much of a money man, was you, Mr George? Oh, yes, reminds me.
Young gentleman who comes here, name of Carstone, I was thinking of buying some of his debts cheap.
What do you think? They say he has good friends and a chance in a lawsuit.
Might be worth a flutter, at a price, you know.
But to pass from the ensign to the captain, I've come to do you a favour, George.
You remember Captain Hawdon, your gallant comrade in arms? You remember I advertised, you came to me? You tricked me.
You said he would hear something to his advantage.
But you were pursuing him for debts.
And why should I not? I bought 'em up thinking he was an honourable man with friends to rally round.
He turned into a scoundrel and a blackguard, a gyper and a sneak! You won't speak of him like that.
Not here.
He was a gallant officer, and the best friend a man ever had.
And bloodsuckers like you feasted on him when he was down.
Oh, Judy, he's killing me.
You won't speak of him like that.
And you won't find him either.
He's dead.
Oh, dear.
Shake me up, Judy.
There's a lawyer, a very eminent lawyer, wants a sample of his handwriting.
He'll pay.
He'll pay well.
Enough to end all your troubles, I dare say.
So if you happen to have any letters in his hand, my dear old friend.
.
.
I wouldn't give you the sight of 'em.
I wouldn't want it! It's for my friend, the eminent lawyer.
He's keen.
He's keen as mustard for 'em.
He's got enough to end all your money troubles, George.
And if the Captain's dead, where's the 'arm in it? If you're in it, there's bound to be harm in it.
Not a bit of it, my dear old friend.
Stands to reason I'd like to see you straight.
Will you see the gentleman, George? I'll think about it.
What's his name? Tulkinghorn.
Jarndyce and Jarndyce.
Application for costs.
Yes, very well, very well.
Mr Tangle.
Always costs, costs, costs, and nothing is done.
Patience, dear friend.
We shall all be served on the Day of Judgement.
Miss Flite.
Good to see you in court, Mr Carstone, but there really is no need for you to trouble yourself.
How else am I to find out about my affairs? It seems to me that you lawyers conspire to prolong proceedings week after week and no progress is made.
It would seem so to the untutored eye, indeed, but I can assure you.
.
.
You forget that I have studied law, sir.
Oh, yes.
Several weeks.
And now we are to congratulate you on your commission in the army.
I trust you'll find it more.
.
.
in your line.
Mr Jarndyce is coming up to town, I believe? Yes, he is, sir.
To satisfy himself I'm keeping my nose to Mr George's grindstone.
And the other ward in Jarndyce, Miss Clare, and her companion Miss Summerson? Yes, yes, they're coming too.
Oh! My very best respects to them.
And to you, Mr Carstone.
Good day.
Very well, Mr Tangle, the court decrees.
.
.
I suppose it's nothing to him if the case goes on forever.
I beg your pardon, Mr Carstone, but did I hear you mention Mr George? Yes, Miss Flite.
What of it? An old friend of mine is lodging there, incognito, and I should like to visit him, but it's not a neighbourhood I like to go to on my own.
My dear Miss Flite, it will be my pleasure to escort you there whenever you wish.
Oh, Mr Carstone.
I'm so obliged.
And as such must be paid by the plaintiff, and.
.
.
The Turveydrop Academy of Dance and Deportment, Cross Street, driver.
Sir.
We'll meet you at Mr George's shooting gallery.
You have the address? Yes.
Give Caddy my very best wishes, Esther.
I will.
Bye, my dear.
Walk on.
It's so good of you to come, Miss.
I'm very glad to see you both.
He's in such a state.
He swore he couldn't do it, and I said he must, and then he said, "Well, if Miss Summerson was standing by, I think I might bring it off.
" And so, today's the day.
Caddy, If you think I would be of help.
.
.
Prince does.
Then I'm very happy to.
Oh, Lord, here he comes.
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.
Father, you remember Miss Summerson? Charmed.
Enchanted.
Overjoyed.
Our little academy is made a paradise.
My dear son, you have four schools this afternoon.
I recommend a hasty sandwich.
Father.
.
.
I beg you prepare your mind for what I have to say.
Good heaven.
What is this? Father, I love this young lady, and we are engaged.
Engaged? ! An arrow launched at my brow by my own child.
It is well your sainted mother is spared this pang.
Strike home, sir, strike home.
Dear Father, don't say that.
Caddy and I don't forget our duty.
You will always be the head and master here.
Strike home.
Strike home.
You will have everything you had and more, Father.
You will have two to care for you instead of one.
And we shall devote ourselves to making your life agreeable.
Won't we, Caddy? Yes, Prince.
Father? My son, my children, I cannot resist your prayer.
Be happy.
And what did Mr and Mrs Jellyby have to say? I don't think Ma hardly noticed.
She'd only care about me if I was an African.
Pa's bankrupt and the bailiffs are in.
She don't care about that.
It'll be such a relief to be out of that house and with my darling Prince, even if we do have to put up with his Pa.
He's in court, you say? Yes, sir.
I believe he looks in there most days.
I think I feel a touch of the east wind, Ada.
And what kind of a swordsman d'you make of Mr Carstone? Pretty good, sir.
If Mr Carstone were to give his full mind to it, he would be very good.
Ah, here's the man of the moment.
Rick, my boy.
We've come to see how you're getting on.
That's very kind of you sir, I'm sure.
Cousin Ada.
And what have you found out, sir? How am I getting on? Oh, pretty well, according to Mr George.
I'm relieved to hear it.
I'm due to join my regiment next week to sail for Ireland.
Mr George.
I've come to visit a dear old friend of mine who you've been looking after.
We need not speak his name, a Chancery friend.
.
.
Mr George.
.
.
Says he's a doctor.
Called to see you know who.
Ah, very good.
Doctor? You're no doctor.
I know you.
You do, George.
And I know you as well.
My name is Bucket, for those who ain't aware of it.
And I've got a peace-warrant against a man named Gridley.
For slandering Mr Tulkinghorn.
Oh, dear.
And what makes you think he's here? Been keeping an eye on his old friend Miss Flite, in case she got the urge to pay him a call.
You kept him out the way a long time, George, and it does you credit.
But the game's up now.
You're a man of sense, you know, and you'll give him up quietly.
This way, then.
May we see our dear old friend first? Oh.
.
.
Well, you see.
.
.
here I am.
This is what it's come to.
I thought they'd never wear me out.
I thought they'd never break my heart, but they have.
Come, come, Gridley.
That's not your way.
We're all a little low now and then.
Hold up.
You'll lose your temper with the whole round of 'em again and again, you're not done yet.
Don't shake your head, nod it.
Look.
Here's Tulkinghorn's warrant.
Wouldn't you like to tear it with your teeth, him too? Let's have it out with him before the magistrates, eh? I made a fight of it, once upon a time.
But it's all done now.
All done? Never.
You're half the fun of the fair at Chancery, you are.
George, you lend him a hand, let's see if he won't be better up than down.
Come on, Mr Gridley.
HE WHEEZES No! Mr Gridley.
.
.
Not without my blessing.
Not.
.
.
not without my blessing.
Take off your glove.
Well? What about that? I don't know, sir.
She had rings but she could have took 'em off since.
And do you remember the lady's voice? FRENCH ACCENT: Was it like this? No.
The veil.
It's not her.
Not a bit like.
I'm sorry, sir, it's not my fault.
Nobody said it was, Jo.
Did they, Inspector? Here, take this.
Take care how you spend it and don't get yourself into trouble.
Off with you now.
Are you satisfied, monsieur? Yes, thank you, mademoiselle.
I will give you no further trouble about this little wager.
You will remember, sir, that I am not at present employed.
Certainly.
You will confer upon me the favour of your distinguished recommendation? By all means.
A word from Mr Tulkinghorn is so powerful.
Goodnight, gentlemen.
All squared then, Mr Tulkinghorn.
There ain't a doubt.
It was the mistress with the maid's dress on.
All right, Mr Bucket.
Thank you, Mr Snagsby, for your help.
And for your discretion.
Yes, yes, indeed, Mr Tulkinghorn.
I'll see you on your way, sir.
Goodnight then, Officer.
And you will be discreet, Mr Snagsby, won't you? Won't speak to anyone, anyone at all, of what you've seen and heard tonight? Not a word, Inspector.
Oh, one more thing.
Are you familiar with a man called Gridley, Mr Snagsby? The man from Shropshire? Yes, yes.
for slandering Mr Tulkinghorn.
He's been keeping out me way.
If you was to see him or hear of where he was hiding himself, you'd let me know, I'm sure.
Certainly, certainly.
But upon my honour, I haven't the least idea of where he might be.
All right, Mr Snagsby.
I'll let you go now.
Goodnight to you.
Goodnight, Inspector.
Richard, we shouldn't.
Who's to say that? We promised Mr Jarndyce.
What? Only to postpone our engagement.
He must be brought to change his mind about that and understand that we can't bear not to belong to each other utterly.
And I intend to tell him so myself.
And the rest.
There.
I've missed you so much.
GIGGLING AND CHATTER Rick, this is a very pleasant surprise.
I trust Mr Kenge doesn't mind your taking a day or two of his time to visit us? Ah.
.
.
Mr Kenge and I have come to an agreement.
What agreement's that? That I'm not altogether suited to the law, sir.
Well, you mean you intend to abandon your studies? Didn't we agree there could be no more changes of mind? Yes, we did, but a man can make a mistake.
And if a mistake has been made, isn't it better to face up to it, admit one's been misled and choose a more suitable profession? And what profession have you settled upon this time? The army, sir.
I intend to purchase a commission in a good regiment.
Then, by living within my pay, I reckon I should be able to save up to £2, 000 in five years.
Enough to get married.
I've talked it all through with Ada.
Have you? I believe the law is not the best profession for Richard, Mr Jarndyce.
That may well be.
Then we're agreed.
And Ada and I want you to recognise our engagement.
We're not children, we know our minds and our hearts.
I'm sure you think you do.
Let us leave that a moment.
It's a rare officer who lives within his pay, but let us leave that, too.
You must understand, Rick, this plan to go into the army must be your final choice.
Every penny that you have of certainty, and more, will be spent by the time you've equipped yourself.
Of course, it's quite true that I've exhausted my present resources.
I haven't laid my money out very wisely, perhaps, but I can admit my mistakes and learn from them.
I think it's hard of you to remind me of my errors in front of others.
I must be sure you understand the situation.
Are you quite sure you understand MY situation? Every penny I have of certainty has been laid out but what I have of certainty is not all I have.
Rick.
Rick, for the love of God, don't found your hope on that wretched court case! Better to borrow, better to beg.
.
.
better to die! I know these are strong words, Ada, but I have seen how that case destroys men's lives.
How it drove my great uncle to blow out his own brains.
Now, as to your proposed engagement, when we spoke of it before, I advised you that you were too young to make such a commitment.
What has happened since then has strengthened me in that view.
It will be better for both of you if you remain cousins for the foreseeable future.
Why don't you just say you have no confidence in me and advise Ada not to have any either! Because I don't mean that.
But you think I've begun badly! Rick, you've hardly begun at all.
When you've something to offer Ada, that'll be the time to think of an engagement.
You're very hard with us, sir.
Well.
.
.
.
you have the remedy in your own hands.
Come, Rick, you know it's time to knuckle down and make something of yourself.
Let's shake hands on it.
DOOR SLAMS KNOCK ON DOOR Mr Krook? It is not convenient.
I am in deshabille.
Please go away.
Whatever it is will wait until morning.
Mr.
.
.
Mr Krook, I.
.
.
Mr Gridley! A thousand apologies, Miss Flite.
I didn't know where else to go.
They've done for me.
That monster Tulkinghorn's got a warrant on me for slander.
HE COUGHS I spent last night at Tom All Alone's.
Mr Gridley, dear old friend, much as I sympathise, I couldn't offer you shelter here.
Please understand, Mr Gridley, it wouldn't be proper.
I.
.
.
I'm an unmarried lady.
Of course.
Quite right.
Thousand apologies.
I couldn't think of anyone else.
General George! General George, Mr Gridley.
He will help you.
He has accommodation of a rough sort and a heart of gold.
The flowers in the drawing room are looking rather tired.
I'll see to it at once, m'Lady.
Oh, Mrs Rouncewell? Yes, m'Lady.
What do you know of that girl in Mr Jarndyce's care? Miss Clare, m'Lady? The ward in Jarndyce? No, the other.
Her companion.
Summerbee.
.
.
Summerfield.
Miss Summerson, begging your pardon, m'Lady.
Well? No-one knows anything about her in the village.
Except she seemed a very pleasant young lady.
No airs and graces.
But where she comes from, nobody knows, as they say.
All right, Mrs Rouncewell.
MR GEORGE: And come again, Mr Carstone, sir.
Steady.
Watch the eyes, not the blade.
Watch the eyes, not the blade.
And come again, sir.
Hold hard, Mr Carstone, sir.
Let's not run before we can walk.
Yes.
All right.
Thank you, Mr George.
And come again.
I have to go now.
Court, you know.
Thank you, Mr George.
Good day to you.
See you this afternoon, sir? He ain't a stayer, that one, Mr George.
He may be yet, Phil.
In too much of a hurry.
Oh, what's that? GUNSHO There, that's for the Chancellor.
And that's for Tulkinghorn.
Hang on, Mr G.
I don't think you're up to this work, not just now.
You come along with Phil.
Thank you, Phil.
Yes? The man called Nemo, Mr Tulkinghorn.
I've been sniffing around like you asked.
He pawned some medals the day he died.
And? One of them was inscribed with the name of Captain Hawdon.
Do we know of him, Clamb? Smallweed, the moneylender, had been advertising a little while ago for the whereabouts of Captain Hawdon.
Seems the gentleman had defaulted on his debts and gone missing.
I wonder if Smallweed had any success in finding him? Perhaps we should have a word with Mr Smallweed.
Very good, Mr Tulkinghorn.
Don't you know me, Miss? It's Charley.
Charley Neckett.
Oh, yes, of course.
And what can we do for you, Charley? If you please, Miss, I'm to be your maid.
I'm a present to you from Mr Jarndyce.
No, don't embarrass me with thanks.
I saw how things were and how they could be and it gave me pleasure to arrange it all.
I wish you had consulted me first.
You don't think she's suitable? I'm sure she'll do very well.
But is it kind to separate her from her brother and sister? And what am I to do with a lady's maid? Maids are for the likes of Lady Dedlock, not the likes of me.
I never asked for a lady's maid, and nor would I feel myself comfortable with one.
Esther, in my mind at least, you're quite as much of a lady as my Lady Dedlock.
And perhaps it's time for you to begin to think of yourself as such.
Look, will you keep Charley on? Just to humour me? And if I can arrange it so that she can see Tom and Emma more than once a month.
.
.
You wouldn't send her away now, would you? No.
You must think me very ungrateful.
And believe me, I'm not.
But your kindness is almost.
.
.
.
overwhelming.
Forgive me? MR SMALLWEED: If you're round me, you'll know it.
Have a care there, you maniac! I'll have your throats cut, I will! Oh, my Lord, I'm shaken.
In here! Go on, get in there! Oh, you clumsy oaf! You'll put me in me grave! Mr Smallweed, good of you to trouble yourself.
Honoured, Mr Tulkinghorn.
Privileged, deeply gratified.
Set me down gently.
Gently! Off! Off, out.
Go on, wait outside.
Savages.
I'm half killed.
If you'd be so kind as to ask your man to shake me up a bit, Mr Tulkinghorn? BONES CRACK Oh.
.
.
Much obliged.
Deeply honoured.
Very nice.
Very smart.
Now, how can I be of service? Some time ago you were interested in tracing a Captain Hawdon.
Hawdon? Yes, I was.
A welsher.
A bilker.
A defalcator.
Owes me hundreds of pounds and gone to ground.
Bad debt! Bad debt! I hate 'em ! You didn't find him then? He'd know about it if I did.
I'd squeeze him.
Did anybody come in answer to your advertisement? Only one, and he was no good to me.
His old sergeant from his army days, Mr George.
He owes me money too, but he pays the interest.
But he clammed up when he heard what the matter was.
This Sergeant George.
.
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close companion of Captain Hawdon, would you say? I would.
Close as blood, I'd say.
But he wouldn't give him up, no matter what.
Mr Smallweed, I believe you can do me a service.
You know where Sergeant George is to be found? I do.
Oh, mind my bones, you brimstone black people! Smash me to pieces, will ya! 'Ere! Oh, give 'em tuppence, Judy, it's more than they're worth.
I think this has killed me.
Mr George! Mr George, over here! Mr Smallweed.
Oh, dear.
That sword looks awful gleaming and sharp.
It might cut someone, by accident.
We don't go in for accidents here, Mr Smallweed.
And if you could tell your workman not to wave his firearm so.
.
.
Oh, Lord.
It's me granddaughter, Judy.
Shake me up, Judy.
Nice little business you got here, Mr George.
Worth a bit, I'd say.
Come to turn me out of it, have you? No, not yet, George.
Not unless my friend in the city insists on it.
You're a bit behind on your payments.
HE CHUCKLES Oh, dear, quite a bit behind.
Never was much of a money man, was you, Mr George? Oh, yes, reminds me.
Young gentleman who comes here, name of Carstone, I was thinking of buying some of his debts cheap.
What do you think? They say he has good friends and a chance in a lawsuit.
Might be worth a flutter, at a price, you know.
But to pass from the ensign to the captain, I've come to do you a favour, George.
You remember Captain Hawdon, your gallant comrade in arms? You remember I advertised, you came to me? You tricked me.
You said he would hear something to his advantage.
But you were pursuing him for debts.
And why should I not? I bought 'em up thinking he was an honourable man with friends to rally round.
He turned into a scoundrel and a blackguard, a gyper and a sneak! You won't speak of him like that.
Not here.
He was a gallant officer, and the best friend a man ever had.
And bloodsuckers like you feasted on him when he was down.
Oh, Judy, he's killing me.
You won't speak of him like that.
And you won't find him either.
He's dead.
Oh, dear.
Shake me up, Judy.
There's a lawyer, a very eminent lawyer, wants a sample of his handwriting.
He'll pay.
He'll pay well.
Enough to end all your troubles, I dare say.
So if you happen to have any letters in his hand, my dear old friend.
.
.
I wouldn't give you the sight of 'em.
I wouldn't want it! It's for my friend, the eminent lawyer.
He's keen.
He's keen as mustard for 'em.
He's got enough to end all your money troubles, George.
And if the Captain's dead, where's the 'arm in it? If you're in it, there's bound to be harm in it.
Not a bit of it, my dear old friend.
Stands to reason I'd like to see you straight.
Will you see the gentleman, George? I'll think about it.
What's his name? Tulkinghorn.
Jarndyce and Jarndyce.
Application for costs.
Yes, very well, very well.
Mr Tangle.
Always costs, costs, costs, and nothing is done.
Patience, dear friend.
We shall all be served on the Day of Judgement.
Miss Flite.
Good to see you in court, Mr Carstone, but there really is no need for you to trouble yourself.
How else am I to find out about my affairs? It seems to me that you lawyers conspire to prolong proceedings week after week and no progress is made.
It would seem so to the untutored eye, indeed, but I can assure you.
.
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You forget that I have studied law, sir.
Oh, yes.
Several weeks.
And now we are to congratulate you on your commission in the army.
I trust you'll find it more.
.
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in your line.
Mr Jarndyce is coming up to town, I believe? Yes, he is, sir.
To satisfy himself I'm keeping my nose to Mr George's grindstone.
And the other ward in Jarndyce, Miss Clare, and her companion Miss Summerson? Yes, yes, they're coming too.
Oh! My very best respects to them.
And to you, Mr Carstone.
Good day.
Very well, Mr Tangle, the court decrees.
.
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I suppose it's nothing to him if the case goes on forever.
I beg your pardon, Mr Carstone, but did I hear you mention Mr George? Yes, Miss Flite.
What of it? An old friend of mine is lodging there, incognito, and I should like to visit him, but it's not a neighbourhood I like to go to on my own.
My dear Miss Flite, it will be my pleasure to escort you there whenever you wish.
Oh, Mr Carstone.
I'm so obliged.
And as such must be paid by the plaintiff, and.
.
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The Turveydrop Academy of Dance and Deportment, Cross Street, driver.
Sir.
We'll meet you at Mr George's shooting gallery.
You have the address? Yes.
Give Caddy my very best wishes, Esther.
I will.
Bye, my dear.
Walk on.
It's so good of you to come, Miss.
I'm very glad to see you both.
He's in such a state.
He swore he couldn't do it, and I said he must, and then he said, "Well, if Miss Summerson was standing by, I think I might bring it off.
" And so, today's the day.
Caddy, If you think I would be of help.
.
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Prince does.
Then I'm very happy to.
Oh, Lord, here he comes.
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.
Father, you remember Miss Summerson? Charmed.
Enchanted.
Overjoyed.
Our little academy is made a paradise.
My dear son, you have four schools this afternoon.
I recommend a hasty sandwich.
Father.
.
.
I beg you prepare your mind for what I have to say.
Good heaven.
What is this? Father, I love this young lady, and we are engaged.
Engaged? ! An arrow launched at my brow by my own child.
It is well your sainted mother is spared this pang.
Strike home, sir, strike home.
Dear Father, don't say that.
Caddy and I don't forget our duty.
You will always be the head and master here.
Strike home.
Strike home.
You will have everything you had and more, Father.
You will have two to care for you instead of one.
And we shall devote ourselves to making your life agreeable.
Won't we, Caddy? Yes, Prince.
Father? My son, my children, I cannot resist your prayer.
Be happy.
And what did Mr and Mrs Jellyby have to say? I don't think Ma hardly noticed.
She'd only care about me if I was an African.
Pa's bankrupt and the bailiffs are in.
She don't care about that.
It'll be such a relief to be out of that house and with my darling Prince, even if we do have to put up with his Pa.
He's in court, you say? Yes, sir.
I believe he looks in there most days.
I think I feel a touch of the east wind, Ada.
And what kind of a swordsman d'you make of Mr Carstone? Pretty good, sir.
If Mr Carstone were to give his full mind to it, he would be very good.
Ah, here's the man of the moment.
Rick, my boy.
We've come to see how you're getting on.
That's very kind of you sir, I'm sure.
Cousin Ada.
And what have you found out, sir? How am I getting on? Oh, pretty well, according to Mr George.
I'm relieved to hear it.
I'm due to join my regiment next week to sail for Ireland.
Mr George.
I've come to visit a dear old friend of mine who you've been looking after.
We need not speak his name, a Chancery friend.
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Mr George.
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Says he's a doctor.
Called to see you know who.
Ah, very good.
Doctor? You're no doctor.
I know you.
You do, George.
And I know you as well.
My name is Bucket, for those who ain't aware of it.
And I've got a peace-warrant against a man named Gridley.
For slandering Mr Tulkinghorn.
Oh, dear.
And what makes you think he's here? Been keeping an eye on his old friend Miss Flite, in case she got the urge to pay him a call.
You kept him out the way a long time, George, and it does you credit.
But the game's up now.
You're a man of sense, you know, and you'll give him up quietly.
This way, then.
May we see our dear old friend first? Oh.
.
.
Well, you see.
.
.
here I am.
This is what it's come to.
I thought they'd never wear me out.
I thought they'd never break my heart, but they have.
Come, come, Gridley.
That's not your way.
We're all a little low now and then.
Hold up.
You'll lose your temper with the whole round of 'em again and again, you're not done yet.
Don't shake your head, nod it.
Look.
Here's Tulkinghorn's warrant.
Wouldn't you like to tear it with your teeth, him too? Let's have it out with him before the magistrates, eh? I made a fight of it, once upon a time.
But it's all done now.
All done? Never.
You're half the fun of the fair at Chancery, you are.
George, you lend him a hand, let's see if he won't be better up than down.
Come on, Mr Gridley.
HE WHEEZES No! Mr Gridley.
.
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Not without my blessing.
Not.
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not without my blessing.