Gentleman Jack (2019) s02e03 Episode Script
Tripe All Over the Place, Presumably
1
- Hide.
- You said we were allowed in here.
- We shouldn't do this.
- With Anne Lister's wit and your cousin's money, she could run the whole of Halifax.
We shouldn't do that.
It's wrong.
- It's time you moved on.
- I'm happy here.
I belong.
I'm family.
A new will?! You did say to remind you, when we got back, - to write to your sister.
- First thing in the morning.
Asking about the division of the estate.
- How should I reply, then? - Don't yet.
I've asked her to come and live with me at Shibden.
Tell me about Mrs Lawton.
"A week ago, I passed within a hundred yards of Shibden.
"And for the first time, you knew it not.
"It is my duty to dote on you less.
" No! "Fahrenheit 51 degrees at 8:35.
"Read from page 347 to 362, Bakewell's Geology.
"Breakfast at 8:55, and reading the Morning Herald till 10:30.
"Prayers in half an hour at 12:15.
"Mr Sunderland came at one to see my aunt, then off to church "with Adney at 2:15.
There in 18 minutes.
"Mr Wilkinson did all the duty "and preached 29 minutes from Peter, verse 4, chapter 18.
"I beguiled the time by dozing.
"Home at 4:40.
"Dined in 40 minutes at five minutes past six, "having read to page 427 of Bakewell's Geology.
"25 minutes with my father and Marian, "then coffee upstairs and read aloud "to Adney the first two chapters, volume one, "Gutzlaff's A Sketch Of Chinese History.
"Then she, on the amorosa, "I happening to say I wished we were in bed, she said, "'Well, let's go and take our drawers off, ' "which she did, and in quarter of an hour "had a pretty good kiss.
"Then put on my pelisse again "and at 9:40 went to my aunt for 20 minutes.
"Fine day.
Fahrenheit 53 degrees.
" Good Lord, listen to this.
"The Leeds-Selby railway was opened yesterday "with neither ceremony nor incident.
" What do you think about that, Mr Washington? They're popping up everywhere.
- The country'll be riddled with them.
- Apparently, railways are unhealthy.
They cause headaches and biliousness, and a cow exploded.
Sorry? - Apparently.
- Good heavens! In Hereford.
They won't catch on.
Tell me about this cow.
It exploded.
In Hereford.
Or was it Hertford? - Hampshire? - One of them.
It roared past at 15 miles an hour and this cow must have, you know exploded.
How? Well, from fright.
Shock.
- Just the one? - Is that possible? - No.
- So there's a whole herd of them? I didn't say there was a whole herd of them.
And just the one explodes? It might have been the only cow present.
I don't know, I wasn't there! Well, if it was in a field on its own it's more likely to have been a bull, surely? Whatever the sex of the beast, however many were present, this one apparently exploded.
You're painting a very confused picture there, Marian.
It must have made a mess.
Do you think someone's been pulling your leg? No! I think it's the dizzying effect of a carriage with no horses pulling it, travelling past at such abominable speed.
Well, you'd better stay indoors, Marian.
We don't want you exploding.
Who was it who told you all this tripe? No-one.
Tripe all over the place, presumably.
What do you think of the railways, Mr? Was it Mr Abbott? Erm, he No, not I think the railways will revolutionise the country, ma'am.
The anxiety, of course, is that they'll ruin the canals, because it isn't only passengers they'll carry, it's goods, heavy goods, at a faster rate than the canals, and in bigger bulk, so at a cheaper price, too.
Mm.
Was there anything else? Just to say that Thomas Pearson and Joseph Stocks have both separately expressed an interest in the tenancy of the Stump Cross Inn, ma'am.
When the time comes, when the Staups purchase is signed and sealed.
Mm.
Thank you.
Ma'am.
Joseph Stocks is one of us, isn't he, Father? Mm? A good, staunch blue.
That's going to matter soon.
It's fairly certain we're heading towards an election at abominable speed.
Eugh, not another one.
Don't we have canal shares? We do, yes.
Well, shouldn't we be looking to get railway shares instead? Marian thinks they won't catch on.
Or someone she's been talking to does.
What are your plans today, Miss Walker? Oh, er, we're going out, Anne and I.
We're going to visit all my family.
All of them? All in one day? - Well - All of them.
Oh, and then we were in Vichy.
Vichy? Oui.
Well, by this time we were racing to get back to Paris and we were staying in this hotel.
What was it called? Monterrat.
Monterray.
Monterr It'll be in my journal.
Well, so, Anne had already had a spat the previous evening with the woman over the price to pay for us all to stay there They all try and take advantage of English people, especially if the weather's bad.
They're all hideously poor, of course, since the last uprising in 1831.
Wretched town, very sadly damaged.
So Miss Lister, she went to order the horses, but the woman said that there were none to be had, not until next week.
She went over to La Poste and they said the same thing You see, this is the thing with the radicals and their rhetoric.
If they saw the poverty in France since the troubles, they'd shut up.
So, what did Miss Lister do? She went out into the street and she raced after the first vehicle that passed us, which happened to be a sort of a hay wain, and she asked the man if she could hire his horses.
And, of course, he said yes.
I had to offer him a few extra sous.
I wasn't about to be held captive so the whole town could drain more money from us.
But it didn't stop there.
So, the next day he turned up, but he didn't have the four horses.
Do you own canal shares, Mr Rawson? Er, yes.
Yes, we do.
And do you believe that the railways will ruin the canals? You'd hope there'd be room for both, but everyone's nervous, so there's no new investment.
And then everyone has different ideas about the best way forward.
I think if we are to compete with the railways, we need to build lighter boats that can move faster.
But how can that work? Even if there was more money, the bigger boats - will always set the pace.
- Remove them.
- That's easier said than done.
- Our Joseph - Geo George.
- George.
And then you see others want to deepen the cut to allow even bigger ships, a ship canal.
But where's the money, either to construct it or to maintain it? The basin at Sowerby Bridge was cut too deep and now they can't maintain the sides.
What we need is a man of vision and energy who can unite us all in one achievable plan.
But - where is he? - She needed to find somewhere private to clean herself up, but there were no ladies' cabinets.
So she used the men's! Honestly, George didn't know where to look! There you are, my boy! Good lad! A whole sovereign! Oh, get down.
Get Get down.
From Miss Lister, I think her handwriting.
I just had another do.
You know, that giddiness in my head? I was out there, by the window.
I had to come in here and sit down.
Well, I don't know.
Send for a doctor.
Write to your brother about it.
I was thinking about inviting her over.
Charles? Anne.
I might invite her over.
Charles? - For a few nights, Charles.
- Hmm? Well, why not? Come on, boys! "My dear Mary, "I never suspected the possibility "of reproach from that quarter whence I least deserved it.
" Reproach? "But those of us who might be "supposed to know us best are not always "those who do us the most rigorous justice.
" Oh! "Had you believed me more often and known me better, "it would have saved us both much pain.
"But if Heaven has willed it otherwise, let us not complain.
"You trusted me too little for happiness.
"Confidence was too much shaken on both sides.
"The last blow on mine was too severe.
"Be comforted.
"Be assured that you have acted wisely for us both.
"You did right "not to call in at Shibden as you passed.
" - Anne! - "The reflections to which "any meeting between us would give rise "could only be painful.
"Mary, there has ever been a film across your eyes to me, "and you have feared where no fear was.
"You have doubted where no doubt ought to have been.
"And why seek farther for a reason of our present position "with regard to each other? "Our happiness together was become too difficult.
"With affectionate memories of times past, Anne Lister.
" Goodbye! We should travel to Selby and take a look at this railroad ourselves.
Eliza? Your mother says you and our Jane have been fighting.
It isn't like you, picking on the little ones.
I thought you were cleverer than that.
And then shouting at your mother.
I wasn't.
She were picking on me.
Our little Jane? So what was it about? I told her something, and then she starts making up rhymes about it, like it's funny.
So I had to clip her one, that's all.
And then I'm the one that gets shouted at.
- You made her cry! - And?! What do you think this is? Well, then, tell me what it was about.
'Ey, come on.
We're pals, you and me.
We can tell each other stuff, can't we? I don't like seeing you upset.
Henry's mother told him he hasn't to bother with me any more.
Little Henry Ha? Why? Why? Because she says I always get him into trouble, and I don't.
He's lucky I bother with him.
No-one else does, cos he can't run.
When have you been in trouble? We haven't.
I don't know what she's on about.
Lads are complicated.
Come on.
I told your mother I'd set t'table.
Six women in the house, and I'm the one setting t'table! Come on.
'Ey! Did you? - Did she apologise? - What was it about? Oi! I told her to apologise.
- Eliza! - Don't bother.
There was something else I needed to talk to you about.
- What? - Suzannah's been here.
All day.
Again.
She'd only just gone when you came back.
She She What? She asked if she could come back here.
I know! I told her.
I said, "You were warned.
"I begged you not to marry him.
" Not him, but them.
And we can't have her back, can we? I mean, what would it look like? No! No.
No, we can't.
But has summat else happened? Thomas said he'd tell his Uncle Ben to move on.
But he hasn't.
And he, er Oh, I don't know.
She'll just have to stick it out.
I've told her.
You should've put your foot down! Yes! Well, she was very persuasive, wasn't she? She says Ben, the uncle he says things.
And he touches her.
And? - Does Thomas know that? - Yes.
And he does nothing? That's what she says.
Oh.
She's here.
We can have us teas.
Where've you been? Helping me mother over at Crow Nest.
I did tell you.
One of you go shout your Uncle Ben.
Alf.
I don't know where he is.
Amy? Look, just go shout him, see.
Alf! I don't know where he is.
I've not seen him since this morning.
Happen he's gone.
Why would he? Well, I've been asking him to move on.
Happen he's finally got t'message.
Uncle Ben? Uncle Ben! - Do you think he has? - Yeah.
Yeah.
I wouldn't be surprised if he'd got bored of us and slung his 'ook.
Uncle Ben?! How've you got them cuts? And on your face? Dunno.
Suzannah, what's this word? Let's have a look.
Consequences.
You're our treat, Mrs Rawson.
We've been paying house calls all day, and we've saved you till last.
You know everyone's talking about you, don't you? Oh, they'll soon get bored of us when they realise there's very little to talk about.
You need to be careful, Miss Walker.
They're all worried you're going to learn to walk like Miss Lister.
And BE like her.
And according to my daughter, Mrs Waterhouse, one Miss Lister is quite enough to move in such an eccentric orbit, we don't need two.
You look very well, Mrs Rawson.
Oh, she's changing the subject.
- Very well indeed.
- Well, I was 81 yesterday.
Good heavens, you don't look a day above 50.
Oh, how we laughed.
We called in at Wellhead to see Mrs Waterhouse, but she wasn't in.
I was hoping to speak to Mr Waterhouse in his capacity as chairman of the Navigation Committee.
Oh, yes.
Well, he's another one with all his fingers in all the pies.
Oh, you really must come and see us up at Shibden Hall, Mrs Rawson.
Come and see how cosily set up Miss Walker and I are in our neat little upstairs wing.
I'm sure you'd be perfectly satisfied and even quite charmed by our arrangement.
Oh, I might.
But it's not me that matters, is it? Oh? You always matter.
If you're alluding to my aunt, Mrs Rawson, as I imagine you are Miss Walker did all she could for her aunt, and her reward seems to be nothing but petty-minded accusations of neglect.
Miss Lister believes people ought to hear both sides - of something - I can't hear her.
Yes, and really Miss Walker's aunt ought to be very happy for her.
Look at her, she's the picture of health and happiness since our tour of the Alps.
Mrs Edwards, her cousin at Pye Nest, was so pleased with her this morning and commented particularly on how well she looked, and made the observation, entirely unprompted, that people should not grow mouldy at home.
And I ask you, in all sincerity, could two unmarried ladies do better? You know all of this nonsense began because of a harmless incident that Mrs Priestley entirely misunderstood.
I was looking after Miss Walker at Crow Nest.
This is more than 18 months ago.
Oh, I heard Yes, and I know what you heard.
A fiction fuelled by, dare I say it, jealousy.
Mrs Priestley is deep, Mrs Rawson.
Deep.
But there we have it.
We rarely think of it.
Miss Walker and I have chosen to rise above it, and we have a thousand better things to expend our energies on.
I believe anything she tells me.
- I wish you visited me more often.
- Oh? Just looking at her makes me feel about, oh, a hundred years younger.
I hope Christopher isn't still irritating you.
I rarely think of him.
13 house calls?! You'll wear Miss Walker out.
Anne sometimes forgets that not everyone has her energy.
For you, my dear.
You've had some visitors as well, Miss Walker.
- Captain Sutherland.
- A Miss Horsfall.
And then a Mr James Ingham.
Oh, Mr Ingham? Of Blake Hall in Mirfield, yes.
Would you like a glass of Madeira before dinner? - Who's he? - He's, erm Yes, thank you.
His parents were friends of my parents.
We've all known one another since we were children.
You've never mentioned him.
Were you expecting him? No.
Was his wife with him? - No, he was on his own.
- Oh, he's not married.
- He said he'd call again.
- Did he? Possibly with his brother and his brother's wife.
"Elizabeth is delivered - "of a fine thumping boy.
" - Oh! "Mother and baby are both doing well.
" I'd forgotten she was pregnant.
He's to be christened John, after my brother.
Oh! No mention of the division of the estate.
It's been how many weeks since I wrote? - It's not even mentioned.
- Marian? Why don't you ask Matthew to go into the cellar and get one of the bottles of champagne we brought over from Crow Nest, and then we can drink to the baby's health at dinner.
And keep your eye on Matthew.
We don't want any more bottles disappearing into thin air.
Steady on.
It's been a long day.
Yes, and a good one.
Let's not spoil it.
You know how silly you got in the Alps with all that Roussillon wine.
It's not even alluded to.
I've just been ignored.
Well, then, you must write to them again.
Why do people think they can ignore me? Perhaps the request was too subtly hidden at the end of that third paragraph.
It's as if I'm invisible.
You are not invisible.
People need educating, that's all.
That's why today was a triumph.
Was one door shut in our face? The truth is what WE show people it is, not some bitter tittle-tattle from Mrs Priestley.
And if it becomes necessary, we shall employ Mr Parker.
They can't ignore a man of law, can they? Mm? I was I was worried you were ignoring me today.
- When? - In the carriage.
You were so animated in company, and then in the carriage, you barely spoke.
I'm sorry if I was like that.
I I wasn't aware.
"Dearest Fred.
"I do not think you understand "the misery of indecision I felt when I drove past Shibden.
"Now, whilst I do not yet feel able to meet your little friend, "although I hope in the fullness of time that will change" "I do regret very much "that I did not see you.
" "There are things between us that need to" "There are things still to say.
" "Some things are perhaps better left unsaid.
" "But at the same time" "Could Miss Walker spare you for one or two nights "to visit me at Lawton?" Hello? Hello? - Where is everyone? - Work.
Your mother told me about the conversation you had yesterday with her.
It's all sorted out.
What? He's gone.
Ben.
He's gone.
Has he? When? - Yesterday.
- Has he? Definitely? For good? - Who knows? - Right.
All right.
Well, if he comes back you come and see me.
All right? Yeah.
If Thomas can't deal with him I can.
Right.
Where's he gone? I don't know.
I don't care.
Nobody does.
He's just gone.
And not told anyone he was going? No.
Like Sam.
Yeah.
He comes back, you tell me.
Straight away.
Yep.
Hey! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! After you, Miss Lister.
Right.
Ah, Mr Waterhouse.
Father.
Miss Lister I bumped into your son at the library.
And I was saying I should like to speak to you in your capacity as chairman of the Navigation Committee.
I did explain that you'd be busy, but But that you'd probably be happy to To Yes, of course.
What can I do for you? Please.
I've heard certain concerns voiced lately about the management of the Navigation, and in light of the threat from the railways and as shareholder, I'm anxious to be as well informed in the matter as I can be.
Do you have a list of proprietors? I do, yes.
Can I see it? People might take a dim view of me sharing a list of the proprietors with you, Miss Lister.
- Why? - Well, it could be considered confidential information.
Is the number of shareholders confidential information? - Off the top of my head - Roughly.
- 637.
- And I assume, as shareholder, I am legally permitted to know the present sum total of Navigation stock? Just under £160,000.
So, if the dividends were due now, there'd barely be enough to pay the shareholders their 5%.
Well, that's I couldn't comment on that.
Why? Why not, Mr Waterhouse? You're the chairman of the sub-committee, so surely you know? We live in a volatile climate, Miss Lister.
What might be true one day isn't necessarily so the next.
Well, I'm keen to ascertain, in this volatile climate, that my money is being laid out judiciously.
It's always laid out judiciously.
It is true some people think too much was spent expanding upwards from Salter Hebble.
Others don't.
Is it true that the canals are going to be deepened for larger vessels? - It's one option.
- It's an expensive option.
Doing nothing is an expensive option in a competitive world, and deepening the channels to make way for bigger vessels would be very good for, well, anyone in coal, for instance.
The stuff could be shipped to London very cheaply.
Any dealing in bulk commodities could benefit from the introduction of bigger vessels.
- Is that your favoured option? - Yes.
When does the sub-committee meet to decide these things? This afternoon.
Oh.
Really? It's not law to make the concern public.
And, frankly, I believe it's prudent to keep it that way.
I believe it's in the best interests of shareholders, in the present climate, if the sub-committee reaches a good decision quickly about the best way forward.
As a friend, would you advise me to sell out? - No.
- Would you sell out? No! Good heavens, the extension to Halifax was only built six years ago.
What would it look like if I sold out? Mm.
Would you mind letting me know on what measures the sub-committee decide? I'm fascinated by all of this.
Would you mind sending a note? I'll Yes, I'm sure I can find time to do that.
Would it be possible to borrow a copy of the last Navigation Act? I assume you have copies for shareholders to look at? Yes, I Yes, I'll have a copy sent up - to Shibden Hall.
- Hmm.
Actually, Miss Lister, before you go, - I was just wondering whether - And then he detained me further, insisting that this new Selby-to-Leeds railway was a poor concern and that it would never pay for itself.
So what are you going to do with that? The Navigation Act? Read it, study it.
Here we are.
"My dear Miss Lister, "we had a committee meeting "this afternoon where, after ample discussion, "the committee coincided in opinion on to what extent "and upon what scale it would be prudent "and desirable to undertake the improvements projected.
" Is that it? It isn't even English.
"On to what extent.
" "I remain yours most truly, J Waterhouse.
" What does this tell me? Hmm? Nothing.
It tells me they had a meeting, and we knew that.
They're panicking.
He's panicking.
They've spent all this money and now they don't know how to protect their investment.
Our investment.
There's such a sad want of good leadership in this town.
And what if you'd damaged it? Mm? Oh, we're not still talking about that? It's all wear and tear.
I said no and I meant Yes, we are still talking about it.
It needs to be run in.
You've only been out in it twice since you got it.
It does not need to be run in.
It needs to be in that barn Coach house.
- We now call it a coach house.
- Where I can see it.
You shouldn't really have taken it, Anne.
Not after Father said he didn't She's never had any respect for people's property, even when she was tiny.
I was doing you a favour.
And it was your idea, Marian.
- What?! - I was testing it.
You said you were worried about how safe he was It was.
I meant with Father dri I mean, I didn't mean for you just to just go and take it.
Are you interested in hearing about these canal shares or not? So we're going to take Charles Howarth to Hull, Adney and I.
He's going to choose some good Riga oak logs from one of the wholesalers at the docks to replace all of our upstairs floorboards.
- Is he? - Yes.
- And then, we shall come back - Yet more banging.
And Yes, more banging.
And then we shall come back via Selby and take a good look at this railway ourselves, hmm? Oh, and there was a letter for you this afternoon from Mrs Lawton as well.
Did you see it? I put it on your desk.
She brought all of this on herself.
There are so many times she could've just had me.
Forever.
And Fuck it.
"Dear Mr Waterhouse, "I am obliged for your note "and the copy of the Navigation Act.
"I should be glad to take the most proper means "of gaining information respecting the nature "and extent of the improvements "which the committee will think it advisable to recommend.
" "It would have given me enormous pleasure "to derive such information from yourself, "but I have no doubt you have sufficient reason "for withholding it.
"Perhaps the committee will take into consideration "whether it may be proper to draw up some report "of your view of the subject "so that the general proprietors may not be called upon, "at the next general meeting, to come to a determination, "the reasons for which "they have had no previous opportunity of considering.
"Believe me very truly yours, "Anne Lister.
" You were quiet at dinner.
Are you going to tell me what's the matter? I This afternoon, I I sent for Washington.
I thought it would be a good idea.
I thought you'd be pleased with me, and I asked him to write to my sister about the division of the estate.
I thought it would be more formal than a letter from me, but less aggressive than a letter from a lawyer.
But he refused.
He said it was a family matter and he shouldn't like to get involved.
And then, after he'd gone, I thought Well, first of all, I thought, if you'd asked him to do something like that, - he wouldn't even question it.
- Well, that's not necessarily So that's one thing.
And then I remembered that when my brother died, Captain Sutherland became very efficient at sorting things out.
And, at the time, I was grateful.
We were in such turmoil And then there was all the trouble with John's widow, Fanny, which was awful.
But in the middle of it all, he became very friendly with Washington, Captain Sutherland did, and with Mr Parker too.
And that's why I just I just don't know if I could trust either of them to act in my best interests.
That's interesting.
I didn't know that Captain Sutherland - even knew Mr Parker.
Or Washington.
- Mm.
What happened with Fanny? Oh, well After she returned from Naples, where John died, she believed that she was pregnant.
And if she had been, the entire estate would've been the child's.
But there was no baby.
And then, because they'd been married so briefly and no heir, Captain Sutherland employed Mr Parker to expedite, based on the stipulations in my father's will, the estate coming to me and Elizabeth.
So Fanny was paid off, and that was that.
But, yes, Captain Sutherland and Washington and Mr Parker, they were as thick as thieves by the end.
I wouldn't worry about Washington.
Perhaps he has a point, he perhaps feels between a rock and a hard place.
But the legal thing Perhaps it would be better to use someone not local.
There's another lawyer I use from time to time in York, Mr Gray.
Why don't we go and speak to him and instruct him in the matter? Hmm.
You know, you're the only person I've ever really been able to trust, since John died, about anything.
How's Mrs Lawton? - Hmm? - Her letter.
Oh, the usual.
Feeling sorry for herself.
I see they've made a good job of the drift, ma'am.
I were up there this morning.
I'm thinking of calling it Walker Pit, after my In compliment to Miss Walker.
How are you? I'm well, ma'am.
Thank you.
And I thought you might be interested to know, I got wind yesterday of a tale that the Rawsons had been trying to do a deal over Samuel Hall's coal, other side of Lower Brea, which, if it happened, could have been catastrophic for you.
They could've had you surrounded, only it's all fallen through.
- How do you know this? - Well, they're all talking about it.
I mean, obviously it were behind closed doors for long enough, but now that the deal's off, tempers have got frayed and it's all out in the open.
Rawson found out the land was entailed.
And he asked Samuel Hall for a bond of indemnity, apparently, for £3,000.
Mr Hall said no, and that were it, all off.
It's good of you to come and tell me this, Holt.
Well, here's the thing.
I've spoken to Mr Hall, and whenever he's prepared to discuss his coal again, he'll come to me.
And I'll come to you.
Could you get me, does such a thing exist, a general coal plan for the whole neighbourhood? You and I should anticipate things like this.
Yeah, let me look into that.
Erm Y'know, er this is bad news for Mr Rawson.
Without it, short of continuing to pilfer, he has very few places left to go.
And I can't help but think that they haven't got much of their own coal left to get.
And now you've got Spiggs, ma'am, potentially, you are a bigger concern than they are.
Listen to this.
"Applications for railroads to be built from Sheffield "to Rotherham, Selby to Hull, Cambridge to London, "Great Yarmouth to Norwich, York to Selby and London to York "for the conveyance of goods, "passengers, bullion and public mail.
" And at Doncaster, "the London-to-York railroad would connect "with the West Riding of Yorkshire.
"Railroad travel is expected to increase threefold.
"After deducting expenses, "shareholders can expect a dividend of 10%.
" Confident, aren't they, these railway men? And they'll all want coal.
The railway charges six shillings and eight pence per ton from Leeds to Selby, whereas the dues on the Aire and Calder canal are seven shillings, and there's your freightage on top of that at another two and six per ton, so Oh, and the railway's just going to get faster.
I mean, in ten years' time, they're talking about speeds of up to 40 and 50 miles an hour.
I mean, just think, you could have breakfast at your hotel in Leeds and you could be at your hotel in London in time for your tea.
Imagine, capacity and speed.
- Do you work for the railways? - No.
Well not directly.
Edward Vickers, ma'am.
My family makes steel.
In Sheffield.
Ah.
I had some excellent surgical blades made in Sheffield in 1828.
Miss Lister dissected a baby once, in Paris.
It was dead.
Looking for something? What are you looking for? Nothing.
You won't find anything.
You'd better not have done anything to him.
He's gone.
All right? He's moved on.
And we're all better off without him, you included.
If I find out any different I'll tell her.
Suzannah.
See what she thinks of you then, eh? There's nothing to tell her.
And if there's one thing you should've learned by now, Mother, surely to God, it's to know when to keep your stupid mouth shut.
I saw Mr Washington this morning.
Up at Whiskham.
He was saying summat about how you'd told our Henry not to bother wi' their Eliza any more.
Is that right? Only he was saying she were upset about it.
Aye, well there's been a couple of incidents, hasn't there? So Has there? I don't know.
She's a She's a bugger, is Eliza.
I thought you liked her.
I did.
I liked the fact that she took him under her wing when he started at that school, but But what? They were up at Crow Nest.
Yeah.
Messing about.
All right.
She says that she could show him round.
In all t'nice rooms.
Well, you know they only live in t'kitchen and t'servants' quarters, they don't have run o' t'house.
- Right.
- But she says, "Oh, no, I'll show you round," like it's all, you know, allowed.
Anyway, they were in one room, a big room, with all curtains and painted wallpaper and gold furniture, and apparently they heard Miss Walker and Miss Lister Well, they must have arrived unexpectedly to look for things.
Well, I don't know.
And anyway, Eliza's suddenly telling him to hide, they're so clearly not supposed to be there at all.
So they got shut in this room with Miss Lister and Miss Walker, hiding behind a cupboard or a chest of drawers or summat and It's not funny.
It's not funny because he wet himself, he were that frightened.
All right? And what if he'd have got caught? What would they have thought of him? She'd have stopped paying for him to go to that school, for a start.
So that's why.
And What? What? What? They were kissing.
- What, Henry and Eliza?! - No.
No, no.
Miss Lister and Miss Walker, they were kissing.
In the room.
He described it.
And, well, that's what it sounded like.
- I don't know what else it can have been.
- What? Kissing? - Like? - Like married people kiss.
Oh, I don't know.
I don't want to know.
But it's bothered him, and it's bothered me.
Lord knows what they were doing, Lord knows what they saw.
But the point is, but for Eliza, he wouldn't have.
All right? - But do you think they? - I don't want it mentioned again.
I don't want anything to do with it.
I liked Mr Gray very much.
Sorry, I know I keep saying it, but I do appreciate all the things that you do for me, Anne.
I hope you know how much.
There was something I wondered if I could ask of you.
Of course.
It's delicate.
It's difficult.
And I've been trying to ignore it, but it won't go away.
I hate to think of any of my friends being wretched.
Mrs Lawton.
She really is very low.
This, you and me it's been quite a blow for her.
I don't think I appreciated quite how much till the last letter I got from her.
She's asking to see me.
She's asking me to go over and, erm I won't go if you don't want me to, but I do wonder, for my own peace of mind, for my own equilibrium.
I think she needs to see me.
To see I'm happy now.
And that that's it, for me and her.
So she can accept it.
Do you understand? Why did she not call in when you said she might? She couldn't face it.
She thought it better not to, and now she regrets it.
It'd be two nights at the most.
Dwell on it, hmm? And as I say if you don't want me to go, then I won't.
Miss Lister.
Mr Norris.
Mr Hodgson.
Mr Briggs.
Miss Lister.
Do you know Mr Bull, our technical adviser? Sorry, are you convening? Am I interrupting? No, ma'am, just finished.
You've come to look at the plans, Miss Lister? Yes, and to borrow a copy of Mr Palmer's report, if that's possible.
I was surprised to hear you'd settled for single locks.
Oh, nothing's settled, only proposed.
The thing must be decided by the majority at the general meeting.
I, personally, incline strongly towards the double locks.
It would increase the flow of traffic And cost another £11,000.
And, therefore, allow a greater volume of traffic.
In 20 years' time, the canals will be dead.
Nothing we do will halt the railways, so there's no point throwing money at it just to appease the shareholders.
The majority will decide.
They will.
So, if you'll excuse me Gentlemen.
Captain Lister.
A copy of Mr Palmer's report, yes Take mine, I've read it.
Do you favour single locks, Mr Bull? No, ma'am, and you'll see neither does Mr Palmer in his report.
And yet What has become apparent, Miss Lister, and I think I can say this amongst friends, is that it looks as though Mr Briggs and his father, who was at the previous meeting Which is why, at present, the single locks are on the plan.
I'm afraid, at the time, it was a case of the loudest voice in the room prevailing.
It looks as though they're determined to turn the whole thing into a political wrangle.
How? They've characterised our position as blue.
"Only the Tories would vote for double locks.
"The Tories will involve the shareholders in unnecessary expense.
" There are few depths that Rawdon Briggs won't sink to to push the yellows.
Yet anyone with sense can see that single locks are pointless.
In the present emergency, with double locks, we have a chance of keeping the Navigation costs competitive - for some time longer.
- Surely common sense will prevail.
And anyway, there must be more blue shareholders than there are yellow ones, if it comes to that tawdry way of doing business.
I'm afraid that's not something we can take for granted.
Not any more.
Not in Halifax.
You've been very civil.
Gentlemen.
I shall study the report and I can assure you that common sense will guide my decision, at least.
Between us, Miss Walker and I own significant shares.
And if necessary, I shall make sure my voice is heard at the meeting on both our behalves.
Miss Lister.
- Aunt? - Oh.
I'm just re-reading your letters from Copenhagen.
You had some adventures, didn't you? What did Mr Sunderland say? Oh, more laudanum, but it works.
- What's that? - Er Yes, that helps, - and it tastes better, too.
- Hmm.
Don't worry, I'm not going to get like like your mother.
- How was Mr Waterhouse? - Civil.
Listen, how would you feel And I've got to be back for this shareholders' meeting, but how would you feel if I were to go away for a few days, leave Miss Walker here? Where are you going? To see Mrs Lawton.
Oh.
Miss Walker's agreed.
And I've explained the situation as best I could.
Her only anxiety is how you'd feel about her being here without me.
Well, this is her home.
We don't want her to feel uncomfortable, whether you're here or not.
Why are you going to see Mrs Lawton? I think that would come under the heading "unfinished business".
She's struggling to come to terms with the way things are now despite the fact that it was all her own doing.
Well, don't make a fool of Miss Walker.
She thinks the world of you.
Aunt I don't think I've ever been less in love's danger, as far as Mariana's concerned.
I'm happy.
Miss Walker makes me happy.
I have everything I've ever wanted now, and it's all here.
Hmm? Mariana needs to understand that.
I think she needs to hear me say it, to her face.
I'll write a note to let you know I've arrived safely.
I'd like that.
I won't arrive much before nine o'clock this evening, but I'll get something in the postbag first thing.
Oh, chin up.
- Yes? - Your luggage, ma'am.
It's kind of you to let me go.
Should I send Mrs Lawton my regards? If you like.
And, erm, tell her I'd be pleased to see her here sometime.
That's kind.
Come back.
I love you.
In.
Hup! Mrs Lawton's upstairs, Miss Lister.
Where is she? She should know you've arrived, Miss Lister.
I'll make sure she got the message.
Hello, Freddy.
Mary.
Have you had some dinner? No.
Would you like some? A little something wouldn't be unwelcome.
Thank you.
How are you? I've kept telling you in my letters how I am.
But until now, it appears to have fallen on deaf ears.
I'm wretched.
I almost couldn't face coming to see you when they told me you'd arrived.
Well, that would've been poor after I'd travelled all this way and after my Miss Walker so kindly let me.
You've got no idea what you've done to me, have you? Between you.
You and your Miss Walker.
What I've done to you? You've destroyed me.
- Mariana - No.
You've misunderstood me on your way back from Hastings, after your skirmish with Miss Hobart, and you've used it as a stick to beat me with ever since.
And now this.
I can't eat, I can't sleep I mean, I've got these wretched dizzy spells.
I mean, Lord knows what that is.
You know, everything I'd ever pinned any happiness or hope on is gone.
And all because of some - insipid little - Steady on.
Heiress who you're not in love with.
I know it.
I can see it, I can hear it, I can read between the lines.
The way you write about her in your letters.
I know when you're in love, and this, isn't it.
So you've sacrificed everything, you've thrown everything away, you've destroyed me, and you're not even in love with her.
You're ridiculous.
- You said we were allowed in here.
- We shouldn't do this.
- With Anne Lister's wit and your cousin's money, she could run the whole of Halifax.
We shouldn't do that.
It's wrong.
- It's time you moved on.
- I'm happy here.
I belong.
I'm family.
A new will?! You did say to remind you, when we got back, - to write to your sister.
- First thing in the morning.
Asking about the division of the estate.
- How should I reply, then? - Don't yet.
I've asked her to come and live with me at Shibden.
Tell me about Mrs Lawton.
"A week ago, I passed within a hundred yards of Shibden.
"And for the first time, you knew it not.
"It is my duty to dote on you less.
" No! "Fahrenheit 51 degrees at 8:35.
"Read from page 347 to 362, Bakewell's Geology.
"Breakfast at 8:55, and reading the Morning Herald till 10:30.
"Prayers in half an hour at 12:15.
"Mr Sunderland came at one to see my aunt, then off to church "with Adney at 2:15.
There in 18 minutes.
"Mr Wilkinson did all the duty "and preached 29 minutes from Peter, verse 4, chapter 18.
"I beguiled the time by dozing.
"Home at 4:40.
"Dined in 40 minutes at five minutes past six, "having read to page 427 of Bakewell's Geology.
"25 minutes with my father and Marian, "then coffee upstairs and read aloud "to Adney the first two chapters, volume one, "Gutzlaff's A Sketch Of Chinese History.
"Then she, on the amorosa, "I happening to say I wished we were in bed, she said, "'Well, let's go and take our drawers off, ' "which she did, and in quarter of an hour "had a pretty good kiss.
"Then put on my pelisse again "and at 9:40 went to my aunt for 20 minutes.
"Fine day.
Fahrenheit 53 degrees.
" Good Lord, listen to this.
"The Leeds-Selby railway was opened yesterday "with neither ceremony nor incident.
" What do you think about that, Mr Washington? They're popping up everywhere.
- The country'll be riddled with them.
- Apparently, railways are unhealthy.
They cause headaches and biliousness, and a cow exploded.
Sorry? - Apparently.
- Good heavens! In Hereford.
They won't catch on.
Tell me about this cow.
It exploded.
In Hereford.
Or was it Hertford? - Hampshire? - One of them.
It roared past at 15 miles an hour and this cow must have, you know exploded.
How? Well, from fright.
Shock.
- Just the one? - Is that possible? - No.
- So there's a whole herd of them? I didn't say there was a whole herd of them.
And just the one explodes? It might have been the only cow present.
I don't know, I wasn't there! Well, if it was in a field on its own it's more likely to have been a bull, surely? Whatever the sex of the beast, however many were present, this one apparently exploded.
You're painting a very confused picture there, Marian.
It must have made a mess.
Do you think someone's been pulling your leg? No! I think it's the dizzying effect of a carriage with no horses pulling it, travelling past at such abominable speed.
Well, you'd better stay indoors, Marian.
We don't want you exploding.
Who was it who told you all this tripe? No-one.
Tripe all over the place, presumably.
What do you think of the railways, Mr? Was it Mr Abbott? Erm, he No, not I think the railways will revolutionise the country, ma'am.
The anxiety, of course, is that they'll ruin the canals, because it isn't only passengers they'll carry, it's goods, heavy goods, at a faster rate than the canals, and in bigger bulk, so at a cheaper price, too.
Mm.
Was there anything else? Just to say that Thomas Pearson and Joseph Stocks have both separately expressed an interest in the tenancy of the Stump Cross Inn, ma'am.
When the time comes, when the Staups purchase is signed and sealed.
Mm.
Thank you.
Ma'am.
Joseph Stocks is one of us, isn't he, Father? Mm? A good, staunch blue.
That's going to matter soon.
It's fairly certain we're heading towards an election at abominable speed.
Eugh, not another one.
Don't we have canal shares? We do, yes.
Well, shouldn't we be looking to get railway shares instead? Marian thinks they won't catch on.
Or someone she's been talking to does.
What are your plans today, Miss Walker? Oh, er, we're going out, Anne and I.
We're going to visit all my family.
All of them? All in one day? - Well - All of them.
Oh, and then we were in Vichy.
Vichy? Oui.
Well, by this time we were racing to get back to Paris and we were staying in this hotel.
What was it called? Monterrat.
Monterray.
Monterr It'll be in my journal.
Well, so, Anne had already had a spat the previous evening with the woman over the price to pay for us all to stay there They all try and take advantage of English people, especially if the weather's bad.
They're all hideously poor, of course, since the last uprising in 1831.
Wretched town, very sadly damaged.
So Miss Lister, she went to order the horses, but the woman said that there were none to be had, not until next week.
She went over to La Poste and they said the same thing You see, this is the thing with the radicals and their rhetoric.
If they saw the poverty in France since the troubles, they'd shut up.
So, what did Miss Lister do? She went out into the street and she raced after the first vehicle that passed us, which happened to be a sort of a hay wain, and she asked the man if she could hire his horses.
And, of course, he said yes.
I had to offer him a few extra sous.
I wasn't about to be held captive so the whole town could drain more money from us.
But it didn't stop there.
So, the next day he turned up, but he didn't have the four horses.
Do you own canal shares, Mr Rawson? Er, yes.
Yes, we do.
And do you believe that the railways will ruin the canals? You'd hope there'd be room for both, but everyone's nervous, so there's no new investment.
And then everyone has different ideas about the best way forward.
I think if we are to compete with the railways, we need to build lighter boats that can move faster.
But how can that work? Even if there was more money, the bigger boats - will always set the pace.
- Remove them.
- That's easier said than done.
- Our Joseph - Geo George.
- George.
And then you see others want to deepen the cut to allow even bigger ships, a ship canal.
But where's the money, either to construct it or to maintain it? The basin at Sowerby Bridge was cut too deep and now they can't maintain the sides.
What we need is a man of vision and energy who can unite us all in one achievable plan.
But - where is he? - She needed to find somewhere private to clean herself up, but there were no ladies' cabinets.
So she used the men's! Honestly, George didn't know where to look! There you are, my boy! Good lad! A whole sovereign! Oh, get down.
Get Get down.
From Miss Lister, I think her handwriting.
I just had another do.
You know, that giddiness in my head? I was out there, by the window.
I had to come in here and sit down.
Well, I don't know.
Send for a doctor.
Write to your brother about it.
I was thinking about inviting her over.
Charles? Anne.
I might invite her over.
Charles? - For a few nights, Charles.
- Hmm? Well, why not? Come on, boys! "My dear Mary, "I never suspected the possibility "of reproach from that quarter whence I least deserved it.
" Reproach? "But those of us who might be "supposed to know us best are not always "those who do us the most rigorous justice.
" Oh! "Had you believed me more often and known me better, "it would have saved us both much pain.
"But if Heaven has willed it otherwise, let us not complain.
"You trusted me too little for happiness.
"Confidence was too much shaken on both sides.
"The last blow on mine was too severe.
"Be comforted.
"Be assured that you have acted wisely for us both.
"You did right "not to call in at Shibden as you passed.
" - Anne! - "The reflections to which "any meeting between us would give rise "could only be painful.
"Mary, there has ever been a film across your eyes to me, "and you have feared where no fear was.
"You have doubted where no doubt ought to have been.
"And why seek farther for a reason of our present position "with regard to each other? "Our happiness together was become too difficult.
"With affectionate memories of times past, Anne Lister.
" Goodbye! We should travel to Selby and take a look at this railroad ourselves.
Eliza? Your mother says you and our Jane have been fighting.
It isn't like you, picking on the little ones.
I thought you were cleverer than that.
And then shouting at your mother.
I wasn't.
She were picking on me.
Our little Jane? So what was it about? I told her something, and then she starts making up rhymes about it, like it's funny.
So I had to clip her one, that's all.
And then I'm the one that gets shouted at.
- You made her cry! - And?! What do you think this is? Well, then, tell me what it was about.
'Ey, come on.
We're pals, you and me.
We can tell each other stuff, can't we? I don't like seeing you upset.
Henry's mother told him he hasn't to bother with me any more.
Little Henry Ha? Why? Why? Because she says I always get him into trouble, and I don't.
He's lucky I bother with him.
No-one else does, cos he can't run.
When have you been in trouble? We haven't.
I don't know what she's on about.
Lads are complicated.
Come on.
I told your mother I'd set t'table.
Six women in the house, and I'm the one setting t'table! Come on.
'Ey! Did you? - Did she apologise? - What was it about? Oi! I told her to apologise.
- Eliza! - Don't bother.
There was something else I needed to talk to you about.
- What? - Suzannah's been here.
All day.
Again.
She'd only just gone when you came back.
She She What? She asked if she could come back here.
I know! I told her.
I said, "You were warned.
"I begged you not to marry him.
" Not him, but them.
And we can't have her back, can we? I mean, what would it look like? No! No.
No, we can't.
But has summat else happened? Thomas said he'd tell his Uncle Ben to move on.
But he hasn't.
And he, er Oh, I don't know.
She'll just have to stick it out.
I've told her.
You should've put your foot down! Yes! Well, she was very persuasive, wasn't she? She says Ben, the uncle he says things.
And he touches her.
And? - Does Thomas know that? - Yes.
And he does nothing? That's what she says.
Oh.
She's here.
We can have us teas.
Where've you been? Helping me mother over at Crow Nest.
I did tell you.
One of you go shout your Uncle Ben.
Alf.
I don't know where he is.
Amy? Look, just go shout him, see.
Alf! I don't know where he is.
I've not seen him since this morning.
Happen he's gone.
Why would he? Well, I've been asking him to move on.
Happen he's finally got t'message.
Uncle Ben? Uncle Ben! - Do you think he has? - Yeah.
Yeah.
I wouldn't be surprised if he'd got bored of us and slung his 'ook.
Uncle Ben?! How've you got them cuts? And on your face? Dunno.
Suzannah, what's this word? Let's have a look.
Consequences.
You're our treat, Mrs Rawson.
We've been paying house calls all day, and we've saved you till last.
You know everyone's talking about you, don't you? Oh, they'll soon get bored of us when they realise there's very little to talk about.
You need to be careful, Miss Walker.
They're all worried you're going to learn to walk like Miss Lister.
And BE like her.
And according to my daughter, Mrs Waterhouse, one Miss Lister is quite enough to move in such an eccentric orbit, we don't need two.
You look very well, Mrs Rawson.
Oh, she's changing the subject.
- Very well indeed.
- Well, I was 81 yesterday.
Good heavens, you don't look a day above 50.
Oh, how we laughed.
We called in at Wellhead to see Mrs Waterhouse, but she wasn't in.
I was hoping to speak to Mr Waterhouse in his capacity as chairman of the Navigation Committee.
Oh, yes.
Well, he's another one with all his fingers in all the pies.
Oh, you really must come and see us up at Shibden Hall, Mrs Rawson.
Come and see how cosily set up Miss Walker and I are in our neat little upstairs wing.
I'm sure you'd be perfectly satisfied and even quite charmed by our arrangement.
Oh, I might.
But it's not me that matters, is it? Oh? You always matter.
If you're alluding to my aunt, Mrs Rawson, as I imagine you are Miss Walker did all she could for her aunt, and her reward seems to be nothing but petty-minded accusations of neglect.
Miss Lister believes people ought to hear both sides - of something - I can't hear her.
Yes, and really Miss Walker's aunt ought to be very happy for her.
Look at her, she's the picture of health and happiness since our tour of the Alps.
Mrs Edwards, her cousin at Pye Nest, was so pleased with her this morning and commented particularly on how well she looked, and made the observation, entirely unprompted, that people should not grow mouldy at home.
And I ask you, in all sincerity, could two unmarried ladies do better? You know all of this nonsense began because of a harmless incident that Mrs Priestley entirely misunderstood.
I was looking after Miss Walker at Crow Nest.
This is more than 18 months ago.
Oh, I heard Yes, and I know what you heard.
A fiction fuelled by, dare I say it, jealousy.
Mrs Priestley is deep, Mrs Rawson.
Deep.
But there we have it.
We rarely think of it.
Miss Walker and I have chosen to rise above it, and we have a thousand better things to expend our energies on.
I believe anything she tells me.
- I wish you visited me more often.
- Oh? Just looking at her makes me feel about, oh, a hundred years younger.
I hope Christopher isn't still irritating you.
I rarely think of him.
13 house calls?! You'll wear Miss Walker out.
Anne sometimes forgets that not everyone has her energy.
For you, my dear.
You've had some visitors as well, Miss Walker.
- Captain Sutherland.
- A Miss Horsfall.
And then a Mr James Ingham.
Oh, Mr Ingham? Of Blake Hall in Mirfield, yes.
Would you like a glass of Madeira before dinner? - Who's he? - He's, erm Yes, thank you.
His parents were friends of my parents.
We've all known one another since we were children.
You've never mentioned him.
Were you expecting him? No.
Was his wife with him? - No, he was on his own.
- Oh, he's not married.
- He said he'd call again.
- Did he? Possibly with his brother and his brother's wife.
"Elizabeth is delivered - "of a fine thumping boy.
" - Oh! "Mother and baby are both doing well.
" I'd forgotten she was pregnant.
He's to be christened John, after my brother.
Oh! No mention of the division of the estate.
It's been how many weeks since I wrote? - It's not even mentioned.
- Marian? Why don't you ask Matthew to go into the cellar and get one of the bottles of champagne we brought over from Crow Nest, and then we can drink to the baby's health at dinner.
And keep your eye on Matthew.
We don't want any more bottles disappearing into thin air.
Steady on.
It's been a long day.
Yes, and a good one.
Let's not spoil it.
You know how silly you got in the Alps with all that Roussillon wine.
It's not even alluded to.
I've just been ignored.
Well, then, you must write to them again.
Why do people think they can ignore me? Perhaps the request was too subtly hidden at the end of that third paragraph.
It's as if I'm invisible.
You are not invisible.
People need educating, that's all.
That's why today was a triumph.
Was one door shut in our face? The truth is what WE show people it is, not some bitter tittle-tattle from Mrs Priestley.
And if it becomes necessary, we shall employ Mr Parker.
They can't ignore a man of law, can they? Mm? I was I was worried you were ignoring me today.
- When? - In the carriage.
You were so animated in company, and then in the carriage, you barely spoke.
I'm sorry if I was like that.
I I wasn't aware.
"Dearest Fred.
"I do not think you understand "the misery of indecision I felt when I drove past Shibden.
"Now, whilst I do not yet feel able to meet your little friend, "although I hope in the fullness of time that will change" "I do regret very much "that I did not see you.
" "There are things between us that need to" "There are things still to say.
" "Some things are perhaps better left unsaid.
" "But at the same time" "Could Miss Walker spare you for one or two nights "to visit me at Lawton?" Hello? Hello? - Where is everyone? - Work.
Your mother told me about the conversation you had yesterday with her.
It's all sorted out.
What? He's gone.
Ben.
He's gone.
Has he? When? - Yesterday.
- Has he? Definitely? For good? - Who knows? - Right.
All right.
Well, if he comes back you come and see me.
All right? Yeah.
If Thomas can't deal with him I can.
Right.
Where's he gone? I don't know.
I don't care.
Nobody does.
He's just gone.
And not told anyone he was going? No.
Like Sam.
Yeah.
He comes back, you tell me.
Straight away.
Yep.
Hey! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! After you, Miss Lister.
Right.
Ah, Mr Waterhouse.
Father.
Miss Lister I bumped into your son at the library.
And I was saying I should like to speak to you in your capacity as chairman of the Navigation Committee.
I did explain that you'd be busy, but But that you'd probably be happy to To Yes, of course.
What can I do for you? Please.
I've heard certain concerns voiced lately about the management of the Navigation, and in light of the threat from the railways and as shareholder, I'm anxious to be as well informed in the matter as I can be.
Do you have a list of proprietors? I do, yes.
Can I see it? People might take a dim view of me sharing a list of the proprietors with you, Miss Lister.
- Why? - Well, it could be considered confidential information.
Is the number of shareholders confidential information? - Off the top of my head - Roughly.
- 637.
- And I assume, as shareholder, I am legally permitted to know the present sum total of Navigation stock? Just under £160,000.
So, if the dividends were due now, there'd barely be enough to pay the shareholders their 5%.
Well, that's I couldn't comment on that.
Why? Why not, Mr Waterhouse? You're the chairman of the sub-committee, so surely you know? We live in a volatile climate, Miss Lister.
What might be true one day isn't necessarily so the next.
Well, I'm keen to ascertain, in this volatile climate, that my money is being laid out judiciously.
It's always laid out judiciously.
It is true some people think too much was spent expanding upwards from Salter Hebble.
Others don't.
Is it true that the canals are going to be deepened for larger vessels? - It's one option.
- It's an expensive option.
Doing nothing is an expensive option in a competitive world, and deepening the channels to make way for bigger vessels would be very good for, well, anyone in coal, for instance.
The stuff could be shipped to London very cheaply.
Any dealing in bulk commodities could benefit from the introduction of bigger vessels.
- Is that your favoured option? - Yes.
When does the sub-committee meet to decide these things? This afternoon.
Oh.
Really? It's not law to make the concern public.
And, frankly, I believe it's prudent to keep it that way.
I believe it's in the best interests of shareholders, in the present climate, if the sub-committee reaches a good decision quickly about the best way forward.
As a friend, would you advise me to sell out? - No.
- Would you sell out? No! Good heavens, the extension to Halifax was only built six years ago.
What would it look like if I sold out? Mm.
Would you mind letting me know on what measures the sub-committee decide? I'm fascinated by all of this.
Would you mind sending a note? I'll Yes, I'm sure I can find time to do that.
Would it be possible to borrow a copy of the last Navigation Act? I assume you have copies for shareholders to look at? Yes, I Yes, I'll have a copy sent up - to Shibden Hall.
- Hmm.
Actually, Miss Lister, before you go, - I was just wondering whether - And then he detained me further, insisting that this new Selby-to-Leeds railway was a poor concern and that it would never pay for itself.
So what are you going to do with that? The Navigation Act? Read it, study it.
Here we are.
"My dear Miss Lister, "we had a committee meeting "this afternoon where, after ample discussion, "the committee coincided in opinion on to what extent "and upon what scale it would be prudent "and desirable to undertake the improvements projected.
" Is that it? It isn't even English.
"On to what extent.
" "I remain yours most truly, J Waterhouse.
" What does this tell me? Hmm? Nothing.
It tells me they had a meeting, and we knew that.
They're panicking.
He's panicking.
They've spent all this money and now they don't know how to protect their investment.
Our investment.
There's such a sad want of good leadership in this town.
And what if you'd damaged it? Mm? Oh, we're not still talking about that? It's all wear and tear.
I said no and I meant Yes, we are still talking about it.
It needs to be run in.
You've only been out in it twice since you got it.
It does not need to be run in.
It needs to be in that barn Coach house.
- We now call it a coach house.
- Where I can see it.
You shouldn't really have taken it, Anne.
Not after Father said he didn't She's never had any respect for people's property, even when she was tiny.
I was doing you a favour.
And it was your idea, Marian.
- What?! - I was testing it.
You said you were worried about how safe he was It was.
I meant with Father dri I mean, I didn't mean for you just to just go and take it.
Are you interested in hearing about these canal shares or not? So we're going to take Charles Howarth to Hull, Adney and I.
He's going to choose some good Riga oak logs from one of the wholesalers at the docks to replace all of our upstairs floorboards.
- Is he? - Yes.
- And then, we shall come back - Yet more banging.
And Yes, more banging.
And then we shall come back via Selby and take a good look at this railway ourselves, hmm? Oh, and there was a letter for you this afternoon from Mrs Lawton as well.
Did you see it? I put it on your desk.
She brought all of this on herself.
There are so many times she could've just had me.
Forever.
And Fuck it.
"Dear Mr Waterhouse, "I am obliged for your note "and the copy of the Navigation Act.
"I should be glad to take the most proper means "of gaining information respecting the nature "and extent of the improvements "which the committee will think it advisable to recommend.
" "It would have given me enormous pleasure "to derive such information from yourself, "but I have no doubt you have sufficient reason "for withholding it.
"Perhaps the committee will take into consideration "whether it may be proper to draw up some report "of your view of the subject "so that the general proprietors may not be called upon, "at the next general meeting, to come to a determination, "the reasons for which "they have had no previous opportunity of considering.
"Believe me very truly yours, "Anne Lister.
" You were quiet at dinner.
Are you going to tell me what's the matter? I This afternoon, I I sent for Washington.
I thought it would be a good idea.
I thought you'd be pleased with me, and I asked him to write to my sister about the division of the estate.
I thought it would be more formal than a letter from me, but less aggressive than a letter from a lawyer.
But he refused.
He said it was a family matter and he shouldn't like to get involved.
And then, after he'd gone, I thought Well, first of all, I thought, if you'd asked him to do something like that, - he wouldn't even question it.
- Well, that's not necessarily So that's one thing.
And then I remembered that when my brother died, Captain Sutherland became very efficient at sorting things out.
And, at the time, I was grateful.
We were in such turmoil And then there was all the trouble with John's widow, Fanny, which was awful.
But in the middle of it all, he became very friendly with Washington, Captain Sutherland did, and with Mr Parker too.
And that's why I just I just don't know if I could trust either of them to act in my best interests.
That's interesting.
I didn't know that Captain Sutherland - even knew Mr Parker.
Or Washington.
- Mm.
What happened with Fanny? Oh, well After she returned from Naples, where John died, she believed that she was pregnant.
And if she had been, the entire estate would've been the child's.
But there was no baby.
And then, because they'd been married so briefly and no heir, Captain Sutherland employed Mr Parker to expedite, based on the stipulations in my father's will, the estate coming to me and Elizabeth.
So Fanny was paid off, and that was that.
But, yes, Captain Sutherland and Washington and Mr Parker, they were as thick as thieves by the end.
I wouldn't worry about Washington.
Perhaps he has a point, he perhaps feels between a rock and a hard place.
But the legal thing Perhaps it would be better to use someone not local.
There's another lawyer I use from time to time in York, Mr Gray.
Why don't we go and speak to him and instruct him in the matter? Hmm.
You know, you're the only person I've ever really been able to trust, since John died, about anything.
How's Mrs Lawton? - Hmm? - Her letter.
Oh, the usual.
Feeling sorry for herself.
I see they've made a good job of the drift, ma'am.
I were up there this morning.
I'm thinking of calling it Walker Pit, after my In compliment to Miss Walker.
How are you? I'm well, ma'am.
Thank you.
And I thought you might be interested to know, I got wind yesterday of a tale that the Rawsons had been trying to do a deal over Samuel Hall's coal, other side of Lower Brea, which, if it happened, could have been catastrophic for you.
They could've had you surrounded, only it's all fallen through.
- How do you know this? - Well, they're all talking about it.
I mean, obviously it were behind closed doors for long enough, but now that the deal's off, tempers have got frayed and it's all out in the open.
Rawson found out the land was entailed.
And he asked Samuel Hall for a bond of indemnity, apparently, for £3,000.
Mr Hall said no, and that were it, all off.
It's good of you to come and tell me this, Holt.
Well, here's the thing.
I've spoken to Mr Hall, and whenever he's prepared to discuss his coal again, he'll come to me.
And I'll come to you.
Could you get me, does such a thing exist, a general coal plan for the whole neighbourhood? You and I should anticipate things like this.
Yeah, let me look into that.
Erm Y'know, er this is bad news for Mr Rawson.
Without it, short of continuing to pilfer, he has very few places left to go.
And I can't help but think that they haven't got much of their own coal left to get.
And now you've got Spiggs, ma'am, potentially, you are a bigger concern than they are.
Listen to this.
"Applications for railroads to be built from Sheffield "to Rotherham, Selby to Hull, Cambridge to London, "Great Yarmouth to Norwich, York to Selby and London to York "for the conveyance of goods, "passengers, bullion and public mail.
" And at Doncaster, "the London-to-York railroad would connect "with the West Riding of Yorkshire.
"Railroad travel is expected to increase threefold.
"After deducting expenses, "shareholders can expect a dividend of 10%.
" Confident, aren't they, these railway men? And they'll all want coal.
The railway charges six shillings and eight pence per ton from Leeds to Selby, whereas the dues on the Aire and Calder canal are seven shillings, and there's your freightage on top of that at another two and six per ton, so Oh, and the railway's just going to get faster.
I mean, in ten years' time, they're talking about speeds of up to 40 and 50 miles an hour.
I mean, just think, you could have breakfast at your hotel in Leeds and you could be at your hotel in London in time for your tea.
Imagine, capacity and speed.
- Do you work for the railways? - No.
Well not directly.
Edward Vickers, ma'am.
My family makes steel.
In Sheffield.
Ah.
I had some excellent surgical blades made in Sheffield in 1828.
Miss Lister dissected a baby once, in Paris.
It was dead.
Looking for something? What are you looking for? Nothing.
You won't find anything.
You'd better not have done anything to him.
He's gone.
All right? He's moved on.
And we're all better off without him, you included.
If I find out any different I'll tell her.
Suzannah.
See what she thinks of you then, eh? There's nothing to tell her.
And if there's one thing you should've learned by now, Mother, surely to God, it's to know when to keep your stupid mouth shut.
I saw Mr Washington this morning.
Up at Whiskham.
He was saying summat about how you'd told our Henry not to bother wi' their Eliza any more.
Is that right? Only he was saying she were upset about it.
Aye, well there's been a couple of incidents, hasn't there? So Has there? I don't know.
She's a She's a bugger, is Eliza.
I thought you liked her.
I did.
I liked the fact that she took him under her wing when he started at that school, but But what? They were up at Crow Nest.
Yeah.
Messing about.
All right.
She says that she could show him round.
In all t'nice rooms.
Well, you know they only live in t'kitchen and t'servants' quarters, they don't have run o' t'house.
- Right.
- But she says, "Oh, no, I'll show you round," like it's all, you know, allowed.
Anyway, they were in one room, a big room, with all curtains and painted wallpaper and gold furniture, and apparently they heard Miss Walker and Miss Lister Well, they must have arrived unexpectedly to look for things.
Well, I don't know.
And anyway, Eliza's suddenly telling him to hide, they're so clearly not supposed to be there at all.
So they got shut in this room with Miss Lister and Miss Walker, hiding behind a cupboard or a chest of drawers or summat and It's not funny.
It's not funny because he wet himself, he were that frightened.
All right? And what if he'd have got caught? What would they have thought of him? She'd have stopped paying for him to go to that school, for a start.
So that's why.
And What? What? What? They were kissing.
- What, Henry and Eliza?! - No.
No, no.
Miss Lister and Miss Walker, they were kissing.
In the room.
He described it.
And, well, that's what it sounded like.
- I don't know what else it can have been.
- What? Kissing? - Like? - Like married people kiss.
Oh, I don't know.
I don't want to know.
But it's bothered him, and it's bothered me.
Lord knows what they were doing, Lord knows what they saw.
But the point is, but for Eliza, he wouldn't have.
All right? - But do you think they? - I don't want it mentioned again.
I don't want anything to do with it.
I liked Mr Gray very much.
Sorry, I know I keep saying it, but I do appreciate all the things that you do for me, Anne.
I hope you know how much.
There was something I wondered if I could ask of you.
Of course.
It's delicate.
It's difficult.
And I've been trying to ignore it, but it won't go away.
I hate to think of any of my friends being wretched.
Mrs Lawton.
She really is very low.
This, you and me it's been quite a blow for her.
I don't think I appreciated quite how much till the last letter I got from her.
She's asking to see me.
She's asking me to go over and, erm I won't go if you don't want me to, but I do wonder, for my own peace of mind, for my own equilibrium.
I think she needs to see me.
To see I'm happy now.
And that that's it, for me and her.
So she can accept it.
Do you understand? Why did she not call in when you said she might? She couldn't face it.
She thought it better not to, and now she regrets it.
It'd be two nights at the most.
Dwell on it, hmm? And as I say if you don't want me to go, then I won't.
Miss Lister.
Mr Norris.
Mr Hodgson.
Mr Briggs.
Miss Lister.
Do you know Mr Bull, our technical adviser? Sorry, are you convening? Am I interrupting? No, ma'am, just finished.
You've come to look at the plans, Miss Lister? Yes, and to borrow a copy of Mr Palmer's report, if that's possible.
I was surprised to hear you'd settled for single locks.
Oh, nothing's settled, only proposed.
The thing must be decided by the majority at the general meeting.
I, personally, incline strongly towards the double locks.
It would increase the flow of traffic And cost another £11,000.
And, therefore, allow a greater volume of traffic.
In 20 years' time, the canals will be dead.
Nothing we do will halt the railways, so there's no point throwing money at it just to appease the shareholders.
The majority will decide.
They will.
So, if you'll excuse me Gentlemen.
Captain Lister.
A copy of Mr Palmer's report, yes Take mine, I've read it.
Do you favour single locks, Mr Bull? No, ma'am, and you'll see neither does Mr Palmer in his report.
And yet What has become apparent, Miss Lister, and I think I can say this amongst friends, is that it looks as though Mr Briggs and his father, who was at the previous meeting Which is why, at present, the single locks are on the plan.
I'm afraid, at the time, it was a case of the loudest voice in the room prevailing.
It looks as though they're determined to turn the whole thing into a political wrangle.
How? They've characterised our position as blue.
"Only the Tories would vote for double locks.
"The Tories will involve the shareholders in unnecessary expense.
" There are few depths that Rawdon Briggs won't sink to to push the yellows.
Yet anyone with sense can see that single locks are pointless.
In the present emergency, with double locks, we have a chance of keeping the Navigation costs competitive - for some time longer.
- Surely common sense will prevail.
And anyway, there must be more blue shareholders than there are yellow ones, if it comes to that tawdry way of doing business.
I'm afraid that's not something we can take for granted.
Not any more.
Not in Halifax.
You've been very civil.
Gentlemen.
I shall study the report and I can assure you that common sense will guide my decision, at least.
Between us, Miss Walker and I own significant shares.
And if necessary, I shall make sure my voice is heard at the meeting on both our behalves.
Miss Lister.
- Aunt? - Oh.
I'm just re-reading your letters from Copenhagen.
You had some adventures, didn't you? What did Mr Sunderland say? Oh, more laudanum, but it works.
- What's that? - Er Yes, that helps, - and it tastes better, too.
- Hmm.
Don't worry, I'm not going to get like like your mother.
- How was Mr Waterhouse? - Civil.
Listen, how would you feel And I've got to be back for this shareholders' meeting, but how would you feel if I were to go away for a few days, leave Miss Walker here? Where are you going? To see Mrs Lawton.
Oh.
Miss Walker's agreed.
And I've explained the situation as best I could.
Her only anxiety is how you'd feel about her being here without me.
Well, this is her home.
We don't want her to feel uncomfortable, whether you're here or not.
Why are you going to see Mrs Lawton? I think that would come under the heading "unfinished business".
She's struggling to come to terms with the way things are now despite the fact that it was all her own doing.
Well, don't make a fool of Miss Walker.
She thinks the world of you.
Aunt I don't think I've ever been less in love's danger, as far as Mariana's concerned.
I'm happy.
Miss Walker makes me happy.
I have everything I've ever wanted now, and it's all here.
Hmm? Mariana needs to understand that.
I think she needs to hear me say it, to her face.
I'll write a note to let you know I've arrived safely.
I'd like that.
I won't arrive much before nine o'clock this evening, but I'll get something in the postbag first thing.
Oh, chin up.
- Yes? - Your luggage, ma'am.
It's kind of you to let me go.
Should I send Mrs Lawton my regards? If you like.
And, erm, tell her I'd be pleased to see her here sometime.
That's kind.
Come back.
I love you.
In.
Hup! Mrs Lawton's upstairs, Miss Lister.
Where is she? She should know you've arrived, Miss Lister.
I'll make sure she got the message.
Hello, Freddy.
Mary.
Have you had some dinner? No.
Would you like some? A little something wouldn't be unwelcome.
Thank you.
How are you? I've kept telling you in my letters how I am.
But until now, it appears to have fallen on deaf ears.
I'm wretched.
I almost couldn't face coming to see you when they told me you'd arrived.
Well, that would've been poor after I'd travelled all this way and after my Miss Walker so kindly let me.
You've got no idea what you've done to me, have you? Between you.
You and your Miss Walker.
What I've done to you? You've destroyed me.
- Mariana - No.
You've misunderstood me on your way back from Hastings, after your skirmish with Miss Hobart, and you've used it as a stick to beat me with ever since.
And now this.
I can't eat, I can't sleep I mean, I've got these wretched dizzy spells.
I mean, Lord knows what that is.
You know, everything I'd ever pinned any happiness or hope on is gone.
And all because of some - insipid little - Steady on.
Heiress who you're not in love with.
I know it.
I can see it, I can hear it, I can read between the lines.
The way you write about her in your letters.
I know when you're in love, and this, isn't it.
So you've sacrificed everything, you've thrown everything away, you've destroyed me, and you're not even in love with her.
You're ridiculous.