Hello.
I say, I see they're cutting
down the trees in Longmeadow.
Are they? I say, Jill, I hardly
ever see you now. 'tis rotten.
Why are they cutting
down those trees?
Why... wants to build more cottages.
Wants every cottage he
can get for his workmen.
Always work.
They simply
spoil the place.
You going to take the same
attitude as your people?
What attitude?
Oh, this high and mighty
we've-owned-the-land- forever business.
It is rather snobbish,
you know.
Do you know your mother
hasn't even called our clan?
Mmm, I know.
I'm awfully sorry.
I know she ought
to call.
My brother Charlie
and she don't like it,
nor does my father,
I can tell you.
Mr. Hornblower never to have found
that land without those works.
Oh, that's rather
dog in the manger.
No. I like you,
but I don't like him,
and I don't like
his works.
You might realize that we've
been here since elizabeth
and rather naturally
love the place.
And can't bear to see
it being spoiled.
Well, you call it spoiling;
we call it progress.
My father's a very
clever man, you know.
He's just as human
as yours.
Since mother died, he's been
absolutely wrapped up in us.
All this getting on
is for us.
He thinks he's entitled to
a little influence here,
and you and the girls
try to stop him.
You ought to be just, Jill.
I am just,
and I want awfully
to be on good terms.
And...
he's so pushy.
You won't let it
come between us, will you?
I don't know.
I hate it, too,
but I don't know.
Oh, well, I must
be getting along.
Good-bye.
Good-bye.
See you soon, I hope.
Take them sheep out
of the road, will you?
Take them away!
Come down here, and I'll
tell you what I'll do to you
in about half...
I keep on telling you,
it's no good, sir.
I'm sorry,
but I want the cottages.
You'll have to clear out.
Mr. Hornblower, I'm sure mr. Hillcrist
would never have turned us out.
Oh,
mr. Hillcrist be damned.
Sir, mr. Hillcrist told us
when he sold the land to you
that it was on condition that we and
the others shouldn't be turned out.
Yes, well, I didn't think
I'd need the cottages then,
but now, I must have them
for my workmen.
I've got important
works, you know.
Well, look here now.
I don't want to be hard on you
I'll give you 5
to cover the whole thing.
We wouldn't
take 50.
Why, we've brought up 3
children here, and I've buried 2.
We're very attached
to it, you see, sir.
Yes, I... well,
look here, now.
I'll give you 10, eh?
Here, I'll send a wagon
to ship your things.
Here, here,
if that isn't fair, hmm?
Hmm?
Well, you better accept.
I shan't keep it open.
Won't take it.
Not a farthing.
Why, we come here
when we was married.
Well, I was
going to give you another week,
but now you'll go out
next saturday.
All right?
Now, take care
you're not late,
or your things will be
pulled out in the rain.
You're no gentleman.
Don't put temptation
in my way, that's all.
Yes, and you can tell your fine
friend Hillcrist what's happening
anyway, I'll soon
let him know.
Here's your hat.
We'll go right on up
and see the squire now.
When I sold Longmeadow and
the cottages to Hornblower,
it was on the distinct
understanding
that there was to be no
disturbance of tenancy.
He's no gentleman,
sir.
He put it so brisk.
We've been there 30 years.
So now we don't know
what to do.
I hope you'll excuse us
coming round, sir.
I should think so,
indeed.
I certainly would
never have sold
if I had known he was
going to do this.
They talk about his having
bought the centry, sir,
to put up
more chimneys there.
That's why he want
s the cottages.
Centry?
Impossible.
Yes, sir.
It's such a pretty spot.
It looks beautiful
from here.
Loveliest spot in all
deepwater, I always say.
And your father owned it
and his father before him.
I hope you're going to
stop it, sir.
It does put us about.
I said to Jackie,
mr. Hillcrist
will stand up for us,
I know.
You leave it to me, mrs. Jackman, will you?
Good morning.
Good morning,
Jackman.
Good morning, then
good morning, sir.
Good morning,
and thank you kindly.
Good morning.
Fellowes!
Is mrs. Hillcrist about,
fellowes?
She was in the garden
with mr. Dawker, sir,
but I think she's come in
since and gone in to the study.
Oh...
look, look, what a nice
coat he has.
Are you very busy
for a moment?
Is it anything
important?
All right, we'll leave the
question of showing for a moment.
I'll see you later
don't go, Dawker. This has
something to do with you.
The Jackmans have been turned out
of their cottage by Hornblower.
Oh!
You remember when I sold, I
stipulated they were not to be.
They've been there
I won't have it!
It's a breach of faith.
Do you suppose this Hornblower
would care 2 straws about that, Jack?
He must! When it's put to him
if he's any decent feeling.
He hadn't.
The Jackmans talk about
his having bought the centry
to put up more chimneys.
What?
Impossible.
It could ruin
the place utterly,
besides cutting us off
from the dukes.
Oh, no. Miss Mullins would
never sell behind our backs.
Well, I must see
that he...
I must stop his
turning these people out.
What do you think
about it, Dawker?
Smart man, Hornblower.
Never lets
the grass grow.
Smart!
Don't underrate
his ego, sir.
Cad,
I called him.
am.
That's right, ma'
with all
the advantages.
But miss Mullins would never sell
the centry, would she, Dawker?
I heard she wants to,
and Hornblower won't
stick at the price, sir.
What's
it worth, Dawker?
All depends what
you want it for, ma'am
he wants it
for spite.
We want it
for sentiment.
It's worth what
you'd like to get for it,
and he's a rich man.
You give me
your figure, sir.
I'll try the old lady
before he gets her.
Better let Dawker
make sure, Jack.
Jackman tells me this
Hornblower is coming to see me.
I'll put it to him.
Make him
all the keener, sir.
Better get in first.
Ape his methods?
Dawker. Go and see
miss Mullins now.
We leave it to you
to do the best you can.
Yes, ma'am.
Mr. Hornblower, sir.
Good morning.
Morning.
Morning.
A fine morning.
Lovely weather.
Haven't seen you for
a long time, Hillcrist.
Not since I sold you Longmeadow
and the cottages, I believe.
That's just what
I've come about.
Forgive me,
won't you sit down?
What have you got,
gout?
Oh,
that's unfortunate
I never get it.
I have no
disposition that way.
Had no ancestors,
you see.
Just me own drinking
to answer for.
You're lucky.
I wonder if mrs.
Hillcrist thinks that.
Am I lucky to have
no past, ma'am,
just the future?
You're quite sure you have
the future, mr. Hornblower?
Oh, yes, I've got
the future, all right.
I've had the Jackmans
here, mr. Hornblower.
Oh, man with the little
spitfire wife?
They're very excellent,
good people,
and they've lived quietly
in that cottage for 30 years.
Now you wanted me to
stir you up a bit.
You know, deepwater needs
a bit of gold put into it.
There's generally
some gold where I am.
I daresay you wish
there's been no...
We certainly like people to
keep their word, mr. Hornblower.
Amy.
Never mind, Hillcrist. Takes
more than that to upset me.
You promised me, you know,
not to disturb the tenancies.
Yes, well, I've come to
tell you that I've got to.
I wasn't expecting to have
the need when I bought.
I thought the duke would
sell me a bit down there,
but devil if he will.
And now I must have those
cottages for my workmen.
I've got important
works, you know.
The Jackmans have their
importance, too, sir.
Their heart's
in that cottage.
Well, if you think so
much of these Jackmans,
why not build them
a cottage yourselves?
You've got the space.
That's beside the point.
You promised me, and I sold
on that understanding.
I bought on the
understanding
I'd get some more
land from the dukes.
That's nothing
to do with me.
Ah, you'll find
that it has,
'cause I'm going
to have those cottages.
Well, I call it
simply...
now, now,
look here, Hillcrist.
You've not had occasion
to understand men like me.
I've got the guts, and I've got the money
and I don't
sit still on it.
I'm going ahead becaus
e I believe in meself.
I've no use for sentiment,
that sort of thing.
Why, 40 of your Jackmans
aren't worth me little finger.
Of all the blatant things
I ever heard said...
well, as we are
speaking plainly...
I've been thinking
you want the village run
your old-fashioned way,
and I want it
run mine.
I'll fancy there's not
room for the two of us here.
When are you going?
Oh, never fear.
I'm not going.
I'm told that you
wish to buy the centry
and put up some more
of your chimneys there,
regardless of the fact
that you'd utterly ruin
a house we've had
for generations
and all of our
pleasure here.
Oh ho!
Is it true
about the centry?
Gospel true.
Well, if you
want to know,
my son Charlie is buying
it this very minute.
Ah, he's with
the old lady.
She wants to sell.
And she'll get her
price, whatever it is.
If this isn't a skin game,
mr. Hornblower,
I don't know what is.
Oh!
Huh!
You've got a very
nice expression there.
Skin game.
Well, bad words
break no bones,
and they're wonderful
for hardening the heart.
If it wasn't for
a lady's presence,
I could give you
a specimen or two.
That needn't stop you,
I'm sure, mr. Hornblower.
Oh, and I don't know that it need.
You're an obstruction,
the likes of you.
You're in my path.
G. And anyone in my path
doesn't stay there lon
or if he does, he
stays there on my terms,
and my terms are chimneys in
the centry, where I need them.
It'll do you a power of good to
know that you're not almighty.
This is being neighborly?
And how have you tried
being neighborly to me?
Eh?
If I haven't a wife,
I've got a daughter-in-law
have you called
on her, ma'am?
No. No, I'm new,
and you're an old family.
You don't like me.
You think I'm
a pushy man.
I go to chapel,
and you don't like that.
I make things and I sell
them. You don't like that.
I buy land, and you
don't like that.
It threatens the view
from your windows.
Well, I don't like you,
and I don't want to put up
with your attitude.
You've had things
your own way too long,
and now you're not
gonna have them any longer.
That's a declaration
of war.
Oh ho ho!
Now, look here,
Hillcrist.
I don't object
to you personally.
You seem to me
a poor sort of creature
that's bound to get left with
your gout and your dignity.
But of course, you can make
yourself pretty disagreeable
before you're done.
Now I want to be
the moving spirit here.
I'm full of plans.
I'm gonna stand
for parliament.
I'm gonna make this
a prosperous place.
I'm a good-natured man if
you'll treat me as such.
Now, you take me on as a
neighbor... and all that,
and I'll manage withou
t chimneys in the centry.
Here, is it a bargain?
Not if you'd bought
the centry 10 times over.
Your ways are not mine.
I'll have nothing
to do with you.
Really?
Is that so?
Very well.
Now you are going
to learn some things,
and it's time you did.
Do you realize that I'm
very nearly around you?
Eh?
I'm at... up hill.
The works are here.
Here's Longmeadow.
Here's the centry,
that I've just bought.
So my goods will be running
right round you.
How will you like that
for a country place?
Eh?
That's not a bit sporting
of you, mr. Hornblower.
Well...
you should hear both sides
before you say that, missy.
There isn't anothe r side
to turning out the Jackmans
after you promised...
oh, dear me, yes. Why, they
don't matter a row of gingerbread
compared to the schemes I've got
for bettering this neighborhood.
I had been standing
up for you.
Now I won't.
Oh, dear, dear.
What'll become of me, eh?
I won't say anything
about the other thing,
because I think it's
beneath dignity to notice it,
but to turn poor people out
of their cottage is a shame.
Hoity me!
Jill!
Well, what's the good?
Life's too short
for rows.
Now, now, look here.
You'll just have to learn that a man
who's worked as I have, risen as I have,
and who knows the world is the proper
judge of what's right and wrong.
I'll answer to god for my
actions, not to you, young lady.
Poor god!
You blasphemous
young thing.
Jill, I wish you'd kindly not talk.
Oh.
I don't think I want to say
anything more to you, Hornblower.
Good morning.
All right.
We'll play what you call
a skin game, Hillcrist,
without gloves on.
We won't spare each other.
You look out for yourselves.
By god, after this morning,
I mean business.
Where's my hat?
Good-bye.
Say that I'm here,
will you?
Dawker, sir.
Well... Dawker?
Safe, for the moment.
The old lady will
put it up to auction.
Couldn't get her
to budge from that.
Said she didn't want
to be unneighborly.
Ask me, it's money
she smells.
Can I see you alone for
a moment, please, ma'am?
It's rather important.
In the study, Dawker.
I bet Dawker's
up to no good.
I can tell
by his expression.
I don't like Dawker,
father.
He's so common.
My dear, we can't all
be uncommon.
And he's got lots
of dough.
I bet they've got
some scheme on
that'll make you do things
you don't approve of
if you don't look out.
Mother's fearfully bitter
when she gets her knife in.
If old Hornblower'
s disgusting,
there's no reason
why we should be.
So you think
I'm capable?
That's nice, Jill.
No, no, darling.
But I want to
warn you solemnly
ir that mother would tell
you you're fighting fa
no matter what
she and Dawker do.
Jill, I never saw you
so serious.
Well...
hey!
Sorry.
I was just beginning
to enjoy myself,
now everything's going
to be bitter and beastly
with mother
in that mood.
That horrible old man.
Oh, daddy, I...
don't let them
make you horrid.
You're such a darling.
How's your gout,
ducky?
Better, a lot better.
There, you see?
That shows.
It's going to be half
interesting for you, not for us.
Look here, Jill, is
there anything between you
and this young
what's-his-name Rolf?
No, but...
now it's all spoiled.
You don't expect me
to regret that.
I don't mean any tosh
about love's young dream,
but I do like
being friends.
I want to enjoy things,
and you can't do that
when everybody's
on the hate.
You're going to
wallow in it.
So shall I.
Oh, I know I shall.
We shall all wallow
and think of nothing
but one for his nob.
Aren't you fond
of your home?
Of course.
I love it.
Well, you won't be abl e to live
here unless we stop that ruffian.
Imagine it.
Chimneys and smoke,
all the trees cut down,
piles of pots
all over the place.
You know,
I was born here
and my father
and his and his.
They loved those fields and the old trees.
Do you know I learned to
ride in the centry meadows?
Prettiest spring
meadows in the world.
You may go through life
and never find anything
so good and beautiful
as this old home,
and I'm not going to have
it spoiled without a fight.
I told you!
I knew perfectly well
what he told me...
Well, lad,
how are you?
Hey, dad!
Ah, love.
Not much, are they?
I'll just get the.
I say, do you see old
Hornblower and his son Charlie?
Oh, look.
There's Chloe.
You know, Charlie's
wife standing with Rolf.
I say, Rolf, just leave me
alone for a moment, would you?
What? All right.
What did that woman mean
by insulting you like that?
I'll make them
pay for it.
Wonderful improvement we're
having in the town, ma'am.
I did hear we're having
the electric lights soon.
Mrs. Hillcrist.
I beg your pardon?
Mrs. Hillcrist, I...
well?
I haven't done you
any harm.
Did I ever say you had?
No, but you act
as though I had.
I'm not aware
that I acted at all...
as yet.
You're nothing to me except
as one of your family.
It isn't as if I want
to spoil your home.
Stop them, then.
I see your husband out
there with his father.
I'll try.
I suppose such men pay no
attention to what women are.
I'm fond of my husband
I don't quite know
why you spoke to me.
I only thought you might like
to treat me as a human being.
Really, I... I'd rather
you left me alone just now,
if you don't mind.
Very well.
I'll move further up.
Excuse me.
Get up, Dawker.
In case I don't
see the squire,
would you ask him when I come to his limit,
blow his nose if he wants me to go on.
And when he blows
the second time,
I'll stop for good
what limit
did you settle?
6,000.
That's a fearful price.
From the ground...
from the ground, you see
that chap I told you about
come down from town.
He's a fellow who can tell
us all about young mrs. H.
Watch me cross over, you'll
see me stand beside him.
Hello.
Jack, I've just seen
Dawker.
He says if you want
to go about 6,000,
blow your nose once.
When you blow it
the second time,
he'll take it as a signal
to stop bidding altogether.
I see.
I say, look.
Jack, go and offer her
my smelling salts.
Thank god for human touch.
I say, have a sniff.
You look awfully white.
No, I'm all right.
Thank you.
No, no, do.
You must.
I'll get you
some water.
Now, you know,
I've only one property
to sell.
That very desirable
corn and stock-rearing
and parklike residential
land known as the, uh,
centry, deepwater.
Unique property.
An a-1 chance
to an a-1 audience.
Mister...
you won't mind listening to the conditions.
Mr. Brinker will
read them,
and they won't worry you,
I'm sure.
Very short.
Speak up!
Now, gentlemen,
it's not often a piece of land
like this comes into the market.
No better land
in deepwater.
No better land in deepwater.
That's right, mr. Spicer.
I know the village well,
and a charming place it is.
Perfect locality,
to be sure.
Well, I'm not gonna waste your time by
singing the praises of this property.
There it is, well-watered,
nicely timbered,
no reservation of timber.
Gentlemen, no tenancy
to hold you up,
free to do what you like
with it tomorrow.
And you've got a jewel
of a site there, too.
Perfect position
for a house.
Lies between the dukes
and squire Hillcrist's.
An emerald isle.
No allusion to our
ireland gentlemen.
Perfect peace
in the centry.
Nothing like it
in the county.
Carries the
mineral rights,
and as you know,
perhaps,
there's a very valuabl
e deepwater clay there.
Well, now...
What shall I start it at?
A gentleman site,
a gentlemen site.
You don't have that
given you every day.
I'm not particular.
Anything you'd like to give me
come on, you've got more time
than me, I expect. Come on.
grazing and corn land.
And a site for a residence
unequaled in the county.
Now, then. Now, then.
What shall I say?
Think of all the possibilities.
What shall I say?
hurt you, mr. Spiza.
Why, it's worth that
to overlook the duke.
For 2,000. for 2,000.
Mr. Sammy, don't scratch
your head over it.
desirable property.
Why, you'd think
it wasn't desirable.
gentlemen. A little spirit.
For 3,500.
May I say 4?
Take hundred?
I'm not particular.
I'll take hundreds. 3,600.
Uh, 700.
Come on, gentlemen,
I don't want to wait all day.
I don't want to wait all day.
Now we're beginning.
And one, and two.
And 3.
May I... and 4 and 5, and 6.
And 7. 8. 9, may I say? 9.
There's more spirit
in that, gentlemen.
More spirit. 5,000.
Dada, why can'
t I see the bids?
That last
was Hornblower.
Now, gentlemen,
I'm not going to give
this property away.
And one, and two, and 3.
And 5 did you say, sir?
Who was that,
dada?
Hornblower. It's the
duke agent in the center.
Yes, but...
shh. Shh.
Now, this chance may
never come again.
As the poet says, how we
regret it if we don't get it.
Now, may I say 5,600?
Well, we're getting on.
But we haven't reached
the value yet.
For 5,800. now,
come on, gentlemen.
Come along. We're not beaten.
For 6,000. the centry.
Finest spot in the county.
the low price of 6,000.
Come gentlemen,
we haven't dried up.
A little spirit.
For 6,000.
Very well. I'm selling.
We've got it!
And one, sir?
Blow your nose, Jack.
If it goes over 7,000,
I don't know if
we can't stand it.
And two, thank you.
For 6,000... and 3.
For 6,300.
And 4? For 6,400?
This coveted property.
For 6,400.
Why, it's giving
it away, gentlemen.
And 6. and 7. and 8.
For 6,800. for 6,800.
Once, twice.
For the last time,
this dominating site.
Thank you, mr. Hornblower.
For 6,900.
Don't blow your
nose again, Jack.
That's the signal
for Dawker to give in.
Don't do it yet.
once, twice...
and one. Thank you, sir.
What about you, sir?
Gentlemen, I have a bid
for $7,100 for the centry.
I'm instructed to take it
if I can't get more.
It's a fair price.
It's not a big price.
Sunken price.
Sunken price?
Well, you ought to know
about sunken, I admit.
Now, I suppose someone
will offer $7,200.
No one?
Well, I can't make you,
gentlemen.
Well, to mr. Hornblower,
for 7,100.
Once, twice...
Two!
And two. Thank you, sir.
May I have yours, sir?
And 3.
And 4.
And 5 and 6. 7,600.
and 3 and 4 and 5.
May I have yours sir? 8!
Once, twice...
for the third
and last time...
And 500.
For 9,500.
May I have yours, sir?
Was that the duke's agent
who made that last bid?
Thank god that stopped
Hornblower, anyway.
For 9,500. once more.
The centry, deepwater,
for 9,500.
Once, twice...
for the last time at 9,500.
Mr. Smalley.
Well, that's that!
No more today, gentlemen.
I say, do you see
Chloe sitting down?
She looks awfully queer.
I think it's something to do
with that man who was with Dawker.
Well, we'd better
get on.
There's someone
to look after her.
All right.
I say, Charles Hornblower
doesn't seem very upset.
Phew!
Well, ha ha.
You ran me up
a pretty price.
That's a bit very
good, Hillcrist.
But you didn't
quite get my million.
Ha ha.
It's just my 9,000
that you kept.
Thank god the centry's gone to a gentleman.
Ha! The duke! Nah.
The centry's not gone to
a gentleman, nor to a fool.
It's gone to me.
What?
I'm sorry for you.
You're not fit to
manage these things.
Well, it's
a monstrous price,
and I've had to pay it
because of your obstinacy.
I shan't forget that
when I come to bill.
You mean to say that
last bid was for you?
Well, of course I do.
I told you I was a bad
man to be up against.
Perhaps you believe me now.
A trick!
Trick?
You had an agent bid
for you.
I had an agent bid for me.
Only your agent bid
at the beginning,
and mine bid at the end.
What's the trick
in that, eh? Hmm.
What did you call it?
A skin game?
Remember, we're
playing a skin game.
If we were
younger men...
aw, it wouldn't look pretty
for us to be at fisticuffs.
We'll leave the fighting
for the young ones.
And as for you, missy,
you leave my boy alone.
Dada...
may I spit it his
eye or something?
You won this round, sir,
by a foul blow.
We'll see who can take
advantage of it.
I believe the law can stop
your ruining my property.
Mr. Hornblower? Will you
fight foul, so shall we.
We will not be foul played
towards you and yours.
You're outside
the pale.
Well, as we're
speaking out, ma'am,
it's your behavior
to my daughter-in-law,
who's as good as you and
better to my way of thinking,
that's more than half the reason
why I bought this property.
You fair got my dander up.
It's no use to bandy words.
Mr. Hornblower,
if you build...
you know, it's laughable.
You make me pay $9,500 for
a bit of land not worth 4,
and you think I'm not
going to get back on me?
Why, I'm going on with
as little consideration
as if you were a family
of black beetles.
Good afternoon.
All right, drive on.
No, stop!
There's something on?
That man and Dawker
know something about Chloe,
I'm sure of it.
And mother's
in the secret, too.
What did you
ask Dawker, dada?
Dawker!
What's this mystery about
young mrs. Hornblower?
No mystery, sir.
What is it?
Better not ask
in front of Jill.
Oh, nonsense.
It's not for
a girl to hear.
What load of rot!
I read the papers
every day.
No worse to see
in there anyway.
Do you want your daughter...
you think I was
mother at my age.
I was not so proud
of my knowledge.
No, but you had it.
Now, what is it?
What is it?
Come here a minute,
Dawker.
Well, whatever it is about
Chloe, I'm sorry for her.
How do you
know this?
My friend over there
is one of the agents, sir.
Shocking. I'm sorr
y I heard it.
I told you not to.
Tell your friend
to come here.
Are you sure
of what you said?
Perfectly. I remember
her quite well.
Her name then was...
I don't want to
know, thank you.
It's not to be
spoken of.
It will not be spoken of
that mr. Hornblower is wise.
He is not wise?
It must be spoken of.
I say no, Amy.
I won't have it.
To use a piece of knowledge about a woman?
It's repugnant.
I won't do it.
If you had a son tricked
into marrying such a woman,
would you wish to
remain ignorant of it?
I don't know.
I don't know.
You realize...
that an implication
of this kind
may be grounds for a criminal libel action.
Quite.
There's not
a shadow of doubt.
Not the faintest.
You saw her just now.
Yes. I did.
I don't like it.
I don't like it
at all.
Good day.
Chloe!
Chloe!
Chloe.
Oh, mr. Hornblower is
looking for you, madam.
Shall I tell...
I'll tell mr. Hornblow
er you're down.
How's the head
oh, beastly, thanks.
I say, let's go in
the study for a minute.
I've got Dawker waitin
g by the garage now.
He says he can only
stay a few minutes.
I say, are you sure
it's all right?
You don't want this quarrel with
Hillcrist to go on, do you, Rolf?
No, I hate it.
Well, I think perhaps
I can stop it.
That's why...
Hello.
What you doing
in here, eh?
How're you feeling
, Chloe?
Oh, awful head.
Have you?
Hey, I'm sorry.
Can you
tend a moment?
I've had a note
from that woman.
Well, what's the
meaning of it, eh?
Is it sheer impudence or lunacy or what?
I don't know.
G, oh, now, Chloe. If there's anythin
you better tell me.
Forewarned is
forearmed, you know.
There's nothing...
Sorry.
Unless it's that my
father was a bankrupt.
Ha! Well, many a man
has been that.
You've never told us
much about your family.
It's just...
I wasn't very
proud of them.
Hmm? What were you
going to say, Rolf?
Oh, nothing.
Oh. Well, you're n ot responsible
for your father, hmm? No.
No, if that's the
one, it's a relief
oh,
the bitter snobs.
I'll remember it in the
account I've got with them
don't say anything
to Charlie.
Do not worry him
for nothing.
Oh, no, no, no.
I'll not. Ha!
Why, if I went
bankrupt,
it'd upset Charlie
, I'd never doubt.
Now, there's nothi ng else
before I answer her, hmm?
You sure?
She might invent things,
of course.
Ah, but there's a such
thing as the laws of slander.
If they play pranks,
I'll have them up for it.
There's dinner.
Come on.
No, I don't think
I'll go in to dinner.
My head's terrible.
Is it? Aw.
I'll just go into the garden for
a bit and then have a liedown.
Why are you going
that way?
Oh, I'm all right.
Are you?
Are you sure?
Yeah? Shall we send you
something up from dinner?
No? All right.
Good night, Chloe.
Good night, dad.
I'll tell Charlie
where you are.
Well, ma'am, what
do want with me?
Wait a moment. I'll
stop that dog barking.
Here, lie down.
Lie down.
You're making
a mistake, you know.
No. I have a good
memory for faces.
If that's all, you needn't
have told me to come.
Oh, don't go.
You are playing
a game with me.
Aren't you ashamed?
What harm have I done you?
You call this cricket?
No, my girl. Business.
What have I to do
with this quarrel?
I couldn't help
their falling out.
It's your misfortune.
You're a rotter if you
can spoil anyone's life
who never did you
an ounce of harm.
Oh, so they don't know
about you, eh?
Well, that's all right.
now, look here, mrs. Chloe.
I serve my employer,
but I'm flesh
and blood, too.
And I give as good
as I get.
I hate this family
of yours.
There's no name
too bad for them
to call me this
last week,
no looks too bad
to give me.
I tell you frankly,
I hate them.
There's good in them,
same as in you.
Ah, there's no good Hornblower
but a dead Hornblower.
But I'm not one?
No, but you'll be the mother
of some, I shouldn't wonder.
Oh, leave me alone, do?
I'm happy here.
Be a sport.
Oh, be a sport.
You can't get round me
, so don't try to.
Oh, it's such a bad time
in the old days.
Oh, do. You might.
You've been fond of
some woman, I suppose.
Think of her.
Now, look here,
mrs. Chloe.
You're only a small
fry in this game,
u.
But I've got to use yo
look here.
Don't you make
an enemy of me.
I haven't been dragged
through hell for nothing.
Women like me can fight,
I can tell you.
Ah, that's better.
I'd rather have a woman
threaten than whine any day.
Go on, threaten away.
Look, there's some money.
It's all I've got.
Take it and drop me out,
won't you? Won't you?
You mistake your man,
missy.
Don't you try those
games on with me.
Oh, you're a beast.
A beast.
A cruel, cowardly beast.
And how dare you bribe
my man to spy on me.
Oh, yes, you do.
You know you do.
If you drove me mad,
you wouldn't care, you beast.
Don't carry on. It won
't get you anywhere.
I hope your mother
and your sisters
if you have any are going through
what I've been going through
ever since you got
on my track.
I hope they'll know
what fear means.
I hope they'll love and find
it's hanging on a thread.
Oh, you coward.
You bastard.
You coward.
Calling yourself a man.
Oh, you're quite
pretty like that.
You're a handsome woma
n when you're aroused.
Is there anything you'll
take not to mess up my life?
Now, look here,
mrs. Chloe.
I've got to go
through with this.
I don't want anything
you can give me,
but I'll let you down
as lightly as I can.
Chloe!
Hello, Chloe.
What are you doing here?
I've been looking for
you all over the place.
I thought I heard
someone talking.
No. I think I'll go to my
room now and have a liedown.
My head's splitting.
Aye, sure. It's damn cold
out here. Come on, love.
I say, what, uh...
what gives you
these heads? Hmm?
You've been having the
m for nearly a month now.
I don't know.
Except that I am going
to have a child, Charlie.
What?
Are you glad?
Of course. I mean,
I suppose I am.
It seems funny, somehow,
you would be having a kid.
The governor will be
mighty pleased, anyway.
Oh, don't tell him yet.
All right,
poor old girl.
I saw you not well.
Kiss, kiss.
You're like fire.
Are you all right?
Oh, not so bad.
Are you happy
with me, Charlie?
What do you think?
You wouldn't easily believe
things against me, would you?
Oh, you're thinking of
those Hillcrists again.
What the hell that woman means
by her attitude towards you, I...
when I saw her there today,
I had all my work out but
to give her a bit of my mind.
This quarrel's
getting on my nerves.
Yes, and we won't forget.
We'll make them pay for it.
Oh! I didn't mean that
can't you get your father
to stop it, Charlie?
Whatever for?
Now, look here, Chloe.
Here, do this.
What's behind all this?
What do you mean?
You're carrying on as
if you were really scared.
Here, come sit down.
I tell you, we've
got these people.
Why, they'll have them out
of deepwater in 6 months.
It's absolute ruination
to their beastly old house.
We'll put our chimneys on the
very edge, not 300 yards off.
And our smoke will be
drifting right over them.
Won't have this confounded,
stuck-up woman here much longer.
And then we can really go
ahead and take our proper place.
So long as she's here,
we shall never do that.
We've only got to drive
on now as fast as we can.
I see.
You know, if you go
on like this,
I shall begin
to think that...
Charlie!
There. You want a good
rest, that's all.
You haven't started your
dinner yet, have you?
You go down and I'll go
to bed quite soon.
Don't stop loving me,
Charlie.
Stop? Not much.
Seeing you yesterday at
the auction did seem rotten.
We didn't begin it.
No, but you don't
understand.
If you've made yoursel
f as father has...
I hope I should be sorry.
Now, that's not
like you.
He can't help thinking
he's a public benefactor.
And we can't help
thinking he's a pig.
Oh, sorry.
If the survival of
the fittest is right...
he may be the fitter, but
he isn't going to survive.
It looks like it though.
Is that all
you came to say?
No.
Couldn't... couldn't
we join together?
Couldn't we stop it?
I don't feel like joining.
Well, we did
shake hands.
You can't fight
and not grow bitter.
I don't feel bitter.
Oh, wait.
You will soon enough.
Why?
Oh, Chloe.
I do think your mother'
s manner to her is...
well?
Well, snobbish.
She may not be
in your class,
but that's just
why it's snobbish.
I think you better
shut up.
What my father
said was true.
Your mother's rudeness
to her yesterday
has made both he and
Charlie ever so much bitter.
Is this
a whistling matter?
No.
I suppose you
want me to go.
Yes.
All right. Aren't we ever
going to be friends again?
I don't expect so.
That's very horrible.
Lots of horrible
things in this world.
It's up to us to make
them pure, Jill.
And be immoral?
That's the last thing
I want to be.
I only want
to be friendly.
That would be
a real first.
Yes, but... but from
the big point of view...
there isn't any.
We're all out
for our own. And why not?
By jove, you have got...
cynical?
Each man for himself.
That's the winner,
hands down. Good-bye.
Jill. Jill.
? Should old acquaintance
be forgot for the...?
Oh.
All right, I'll go
and tell her.
Excuse me, madam.
Mr. Dawker's here...
now, this may come
into court, you know,
so if there's a weak
point in any way,
better administer
it at once.
You are absolutely
sure of the girl?
There's no
question of it.
Here's a cutting
of the actual case.
Hmm.
Come this way.
Morning, ma'am.
I brought my friend's
partner with me.
Is mr. Hornblower coming?
At 11:00.
But only after I had sent
up a second note to him.
Squire's not in?
L... I haven't
told him.
Well, I think our friends
might wait in there,
then we can use
them when we want to.
Will you make yourselves comfortable?
I've had this drawn
and engrossed.
Pretty smart work.
It conveys that centry added long
meadow to the squire for 4,500.
Now, mum, if Hornblower
puts his hand to that,
he'll have been done in the
eye and 6,000 out of pocket.
You will have a very
nasty neighbor there.
But we shall still have the power
to disclose that secret at any time?
Yeah, but things may happen
you can't bring home to him.
You can't trust
a man like that.
He isn't likely to
forgive me, I know.
But if he signs, we
couldn't honor that.
No, no, ma'am.
You couldn't.
I'm sure I don't want
to do that girl a hurt.
I only mention it
because of course,
you can't guarantee
that it won't get out.
Not absolutely,
I suppose.
That's his car.
It always seems to make
more noise than any other.
But you leave him
to us what you want.
And uh, I wouldn't
mention this.
The centry's no mortal good to
him if he can't put up works.
I reckon he'll be glad
to save what he can.
Mr. Hornblower
to see you, madam,
by appointment,
he says.
I've come to ask you
point blank
what you mean by
writing me these letters.
I will discuss it
in the presence of nobody,
if you please.
Mr. Dawker knows just as
much as I do, and more.
Does he? Very well.
Your second note says that my
daughter-in-law has lied to me.
Well, I've brought her.
,
and what you've got to say
if it's not just a trick
to see me again,
you will say to her face.
Mr. Hornblower,
you'd better decide that
after hearing what it is.
We shall be quite ready to
repeat it in her presence,
but... we want to do as
little harm as possible...
oh. You do, do you?
Well, what lies have
you been hearing, eh?
Or what have you made up?
You and mr. Dawker.
I suppose you know
there's such a thing
as the law of
libel and slander.
I'm not the man
to stoop at that.
Are you familiar with the law
of divorce, mr. Hornblower?
No, I'm not.
Well, in that case...
no misconduct
is required.
I suppose you've heard
that cases are arranged.
I know it's all very
shocking. What about it?
Some cases are arranged,
mr. Hornblower.
The man who is
to be divorced
often visits an hotel
with a strange woman.
I'm extremely sorry to have to
say that your daughter-in-law,
before her marriage,
was in the habit of being
employed as such a woman.
It's all
proved up to the hilt.
I don't believe
a word of it.
You're lying to
save your skins!
How dare you tell me
such monstrosities!
Dawker, I'll have you
in a criminal court!
Oh, rats. You saw the gentleman
that was with me yesterday?
Well, he's employed her.
A put up job, sir!
A conspiracy!
Go and fetch your
daughter-in-law.
It's a foul shame.
A lying slander.
And so it's easily
disproved.
Go and fetch her.
I will.
Now, then, let's have this
impudent story torn to rags.
What story?
You, my dear.
When a woman who...
oh, it's too shocking.
I don't know
how to tell you.
Go on.
When a woman that went with
men to get them their divorce.
Who says that?
That lady here.
And her bull terrier
there.
That's a charitabl e
thing to say, isn't it?
Is it true?
No!
Here, I'll have you
both on your knees to her.
How do you do, mrs. Vane?
I don't know you.
You've got a bad
memory, ma'am.
You knew me well
enough yesterday.
A day's not
a long time,
nor 3 years.
Who are you? I don't know you, I say.
Let me refresh
your memory, ma'am
just on 3 years ago,
"october 3, fee and expenses
mrs. Vane with mr. C.
"Hotel buli 20.
October 10, ditto.
20."
If you like to have
a look at the book, sir,
you'll see the entries
are quite genuine.
No.
It's lies,
a lot of lies.
Come, ma'am.
We wish you no harm.
Take me away. I won't be treated like this.
Lies!
Were you ever
called vane?
No, never!
There.
Don't tell Charlie
father.
I'm all at sea here.
Go out and wait
for me in the car.
What do you want for this... secret?
Nothing.
Indeed?
Wonderful the trouble
you've tak en for nothing.
If you harm us,
we shall harm you...
any use whatever
of the centry.
For which you made me
pay 9,500.
We'll buy it from you.
What price?
The centry at the price miss
Mullins was willing to take it first.
Longmeadow at the price
you gave up.
$4,500 in all.
A fine price!
And me 6,000
out of pocket.
No, no,
I'll keep it.
And hold it
over you.
You daren't tell the secret
so long as I've got it.
Well, then, you go your
own way, and we'll go ours.
There's no witness
to this conversation.
By heaven!
You're a clever woman.
Will you swear
by almighty god
that you
and your family
and that agent of yours
won't breathe a word of this
shocking thing to a mortal soul?
Yes... if you sell.
Where's Dawker?
Dawker.
Mr. Dawker!
I suppose you've got
your iniquity ready.
It's mighty near
conspiracy, miss.
Have you got
a testament?
My word will be enough...
you will pardon me.
I can't make it
solemn enough for you.
Very well.
I'll get the bible.
It's a short conveyanc e of
the centry and Longmeadow.
Site sale by miss
Mullins, the first.
John Hillcrist,
the second.
And whereas you agreed for
the sale to John Hillcrist
the said property
for the sum of 4,500,
in consideration
of said sum... ahem...
you hereby acknowledge that you do
convey all that and et cetera, et cetera.
Sign here. Eyewitness.
To that oath,
mr. Hornblower,
we shall add
the words,
"so long as the Hornblower
family do us no harm."
Take it in your hands,
both of you.
Together.
Swear.
Swear by almighty god...
I swear by
almighty god...
never to breathe
a word of what I know...
concerning...
Chloe Hornblower...
concerning
Chloe Hornblower...
to any living soul.
To any living soul.
So long as the Hornblower
family do us no harm.
Oh, dada,
she looked like
a lost soul.
What has she done?
She committed her real crime
when she married young Hornblower
without telling him she came
out of a certain world to do it.
Oh.
Is it very awful
in that world, dada?
I don't know, Jill
some can stand it,
I suppose.
Some can't.
One thing I'm...
I don't know which
sort she is.
One thing I'm sure of, she's
awfully fond of Charlie.
D. That's bad. That's very ba
and she's frightened
horribly.
I think she's desperate.
Oh, dada.
I'm not enjoying her
much tonight.
I never could hate
properly.
It's a confounded
nuisance.
Mother's fearfully
bucked,
and Dawker's simply
oozing triumph.
I don't trust him,
dodo.
He's too...
not puglistic, but the
other one with a "pug".
Pugnacious.
Hmm, he is, rather.
I'm sure he wouldn't care a
tuppence if Chloe committed suicide.
Nonsense, nonsense.
I wonder if mother would.
What's that?
I thought I heard...
is there
anyone out there?
Oh!
Oh, come in.
It's only us.
Good evening.
Won't you sit down?
Yes, do sit down.
You're all shaky.
Is there anything
I can do?
I couldn't bear it.
He's coming to ask you.
Who?
My husband.
I've got to be quick.
He keeps on asking.
He knows
there's something.
Make your mind easy.
We shan't tell him
oh, that's not enough.
Can't you tell
him something
to put him back to
thinking it's all right?
I've done him such a wrong
I didn't realize it
till after.
I thought meeting him was such
a wonderful piece of good luck
After all I'd been through
I'm not such a bad lot.
Not really.
You see, my father
went bankrupt,
and I was in a shop till...
oh, I never gave a man away or
did anything I was ashamed of,
at least, I mean...
I had to make my living
in all sorts of ways.
And then I met Charlie.
He thought I was
respectable,
and that was
such a relief,
you can't think.
So I let him...
well, after I married
him, you see,
I fell in love.
Oh, if I had of before,
perhaps I wouldn't have dared.
Only I don't know.
You don't know, do you?
When there's a straw going,
you catch it.
Yes, of course you do.
I've been on hot brick
s all these months,
ever since
the row started
and Dawker began to
spy on me.
I knew it was
in the wind.
What gets in the wind
never gets out.
Never.
Just blows
and then blows home.
Well, I paid
for being a fool.
It isn't fun, that sor
t of life, I can tell you.
Oh, I'm not ashamed
and repentant and all that.
If it wasn't for him.
I'm afraid he'll
never forgive me.
It's such a disgrace for him.
Being fond of him
I feel it worse
than anything I ever
felt before,
and that's saying
a good bit.
Tears.
Look here, dada.
He simply mustn't
find out.
Oh, that's it!
But he's bound to go on,
because he knows
there's something.
A man isn't going
to be satisfied
when there's something
he suspects about his wife.
Charlie wouldn't never.
He's clever,
and he's jealous,
and he's coming here.
Couldn't we say something to
put him clean off the scent?
Anything in reason.
Oh, you will.
You see, I don't know
what I'll do.
I've got soft
being looked after.
He does love me.
And if he throws me off, I
shall go under, that's all.
Have you
any suggestion?
The only thing is to tell him
something positive,
something he'll believe
that's not too bad.
Like my having been
a lady clerk
for those people who
came here this morning
and having been dismissed
on suspicion of taking money.
I'll get him to believe
that that wasn't true.
Yes, and it isn't.
Oh, that's splendid!
You would put
just conviction into it.
Don't you
think so, dada?
It's all
unspeakably sad.
Deceptions horribly
against the grain...
when I deceived him, I would deceive
god himself, I was so miserable!
You've never been
brought down in the mud.
You don't know
what I've been through
yes, yes, I daresay I
should have done the same.
I should be
the last to judge.
There, there,
cheer up.
There's somebody
at the door!
I must go.
Oh, I forgot.
It's locked.
Charles Hornblower.
Is my wife here?
No, sir.
Has she been here?
This morning,
I believe. Jill?
Yes, she came this morning.
I know that.
Now, I mean.
Now?
Tell me what was
said this morning.
I wasn't here
this morning.
Don't try and
put me off.
I know too much.
Shall I go, dad?
No, I will.
Won't you sit down?
No.
Well, it appears that
my agent, mr. Dawker...
that my agent happens
to know the firm
who in the old days
employed your wife.
I should greatly prefer
not to say anymore,
especially as we don't
believe the stories.
No, we don't.
What else?
Charlie, if I were you, I should
refuse to listen to anything
against my wife.
Go on, I tell you.
If you insist.
Well, they say there was
some question of the accounts,
that your wife
left under a cloud.
T. So I told you we don't believe I
liars!
What did you say?
We are, you know,
dada.
What did you
tell me that for?
When I've just had the
truth out of that little rat?
My wife has been here.
I know she put you
up to it,
liar that she is.
For years,
nothing but lies.
She hasn't the pluck
to come and tell me.
I've finished with her.
I wouldn't own a child
by a woman like that.
For god's sake, ma n,
think what you're saying.
She's in
great distress.
And what about me?
She loves you,
you know.
Fine love. That scoundrel Dawker told me...
told me that...
it's horrible.
I'm terribly sorry
that our quarrel
should have brought
this about.
Yes, you smashed
my life.
Would you have wished
to remain on in ignorance?
Oh, I don't know,
but you did it.
You shouldn't
have attacked us.
What did we do to you
compared with this?
All you could.
What can we do
to help you?
Tell me where
my wife is.
Then she was here.
Dada,
I'm awfully afraid
oughtn't we to
look for her?
I saw her there
listening.
One never knows
what may happen.
You go to the
gravel pit, Jill,
and I'll go to
the pond.
No, we'll go together.
Oh, fellowes,
I want somebody
to go down for mr. Dawker.
Mr. Dawker's here,
madam, waiting to see you.
Well, ask him to come in,
and fellowes, you can tell the Jackmans
that they can go back to that cottage.
Very good, madam.
What's all this about
Charles Hornblower?
He came to me, and I
told him I knew nothing.
He wouldn't take it
and went for me,
said he knew everything.
Then he started to threaten
me, and I lost my temper,
and I told him.
That's very seriou
s, Dawker...
after our promise.
My husband
is most upset.
It isn't my fault,
ma'am.
He shouldn't have threatened
me and goaded me on like that.
Besides, it's got out
as a scandal,
common talk in the village.
Oh, not the facts,
of course,
but quite enough
to cook their goose here.
They'll have to go.
Better have done with anyway
than have enemies at your door.
Well, perhaps.
Take charge of this,
Dawker.
These people
are desperate,
and I'm not sure of my husband
when his feelings are aroused.
You better wait.
He better not give me any of
his sauce. I've had enough.
Give me that deed.
You got it out of me by
false pretenses and treachery.
You swore that nothing
should be heard of this.
Why, me own servants know.
That's nothing to do
with us.
Your son wrenched
the knowledge from mr. Dawker
by abuse and tricks,
that's all.
You better behave yourself,
or I shall ask
that you be shown out.
Give me that deed...
you little ruffian,
I see it in your pocket.
Rolf! All of you, stop!
No!
Bring her in!
Get the brandy, quick!
No! Stand back,
young woman.
I want no help
from any of you.
Rolf, help Charlie.
Take her to the car.
Hillcrist...
you've got me beaten.
And disgraced
hereabouts.
You've ruined my son's
married life,
and you've killed...
my grandchild.
I'm not staying
in this cursed spot,
but if ever I can do you
or yours a hurt
I will.
Hornblower, in the presence
of what may be death,
with all my heart
I'm sorry.
You...
hypocrite!
Jackmans, madam.
Who?
What's this?
We're so glad we can
go along back, sir.
Ma'am... we wanted to
thank you, sir.
Thank you, sir.
Thank you kindly.
Good night, sir.
Good night, ma'am.
Good night, sir.
I'd forgotten
their existence.
What is it that gets loose
when you start a fight
and makes you
what you think you're not?
Begin as you may,
it ends in this skin game.
Skin game.
When we began this fight,
we had clean hands.
Are they clean now?
What's gentility worth
if it can't stand fire?