1
Hello.
Who are you?
- I'm Dr. Faraday.
- Oh.
I was expecting Granger.
Roderick Ayres.
It's one of your maids,
I understand?
One of our maids?
I like that.
Down the steps on your left.
My sister will fill you in.
Gyp. Gyp!
Sorry. Shh.
He thinks every stranger's
come to cut our throats
and make off
with the last silver spoon.
Dr. Faraday.
Dr. Granger's new partner.
Yeah. Caroline Ayres.
Betty's this way.
Hmm.
Have you been sick
at all, Betty?
And is it a stabbing pain
or a burning pain?
It's like...
a burning pain with stabs in it?
Right.
Let's have a look at you.
Just relax.
Ow. Ow! Ow!
Could you leave us alone for
a minute, please, Miss Ayres?
Yes, of course.
Come on, Gyp.
Well?
I did feel poorly.
I did.
And I just thought
if I was bad enough...
that they might send me home.
What is it?
Is the work too hard?
Are they unkind to you?
Then what is it?
Shh.
Nothing serious.
She'll be fine by tomorrow.
Ha.
Well, thank you.
There's one other thing.
It's a very big house.
Betty's alone down here
at night.
I was...
These silly girls.
You've lived here
all your life, Miss Ayres.
Perhaps you could
reassure Betty.
She's really awfully young.
Right.
Well, let's find Roderick.
You can tell him
how much we owe you.
Rod?
Roddie?
How did you find
the patient, Doctor?
Mrs. Ayres?
Uh, Mother,
this is Dr. Faraday.
He thinks we're brutes.
Little under the weather.
I imagine she'll be quite well
by tomorrow.
You'll observe
a change in Betty yet.
This house works on people.
Girls come here
like specks of grit.
Ten years later,
they leave as pearls.
I expect Dr. Faraday's thinking
Betty won't stick it out
for ten years.
Most girls would rather work
in factories these days,
and who can blame them?
As it happens,
I was thinking of my mother.
She was a maid here
before I was born.
Well...
I do hope she enjoyed her time.
Right. Roderick.
Come on, Gyp.
Wait here, please.
The first time
I saw Hundreds Hall
was July 1919...
an Empire Day fete the summer
after the Great War.
I had passed by its gates
often enough,
never imagining
they would open to me,
a common village boy.
There was bunting and cake
and all manner of games.
And at the heart of it,
the Ayres family.
So happy and handsome back then.
But it was the house itself,
still in its glory,
which somehow
impressed me terribly.
My mother had described
the place often.
But seeing it myself
for the first time,
nothing could have prepared me
for the spell it cast that day.
Aren't you smart?
Mummy.
Nice and still, please.
It won't be as bad as you think.
I sincerely hope
you aren't discussing supper.
The National Health Service.
Granger here will be all right.
People like to look up
to their doctors.
Last thing they want
is one of their own.
Rubbish. They want someone
who'll do the job.
Besides, turns out
you've friends in high places.
- Peter said you'd been out
to Hundreds. - Mm.
- Can't believe I missed
that call. -How was it?
The place is a mess.
I'd heard they were pigging it.
Can't get tradesmen,
too many unpaid bills.
Roderick handed me the shillings
as though they were his last.
Oh, poor boy.
One moment you're
an Air Force hero,
then captain of a sinking ship.
He's still in a good deal
of pain with his leg.
Night, Rod.
There was nervous trouble, too,
apparently, when he came back.
Hardly surprising.
You didn't treat him?
Family closed ranks.
Very hush-hush about it.
No, they brought
Caroline home to nurse him.
Rotten shame, really.
She was doing very well,
commission in the WAAF
or the Wrens.
Awfully brainy girl.
Gyp!
Gyp!
Come here. What on earth
do you think you're doing?
I'm terribly sorry... Oh.
Oh, it's you.
I'm sorry. I-I was racing
a horse and cart.
Well, no harm done, eh?
At least, uh,
he's alive and kicking.
Here.
I mean to pay my fare.
What's wrong with the patient
you're visiting?
Whooping cough.
Try to call in twice a day.
Goodness.
You must be rolling in it.
He's a club patient.
I treat the whole family
for a few shillings a year.
How's Betty?
Ah, well, Rod fixed her up
with a wireless.
Miracle cure.
Oh, look, I-I meant to say,
the day you came
we were ghastly, weren't we?
- Not at all.
- No, no, no, we were.
We've lost the trick of company.
Mother won't have guests
with the house so shabby.
Are your parents still
in the county?
My mother died some while ago,
Father just last year.
That's what brought me back,
in fact.
Come on, Gyp.
That's it.
You sure you won't come up?
That's kind, but...
Your patient.
Well, Rod will be awfully
jealous I had a ride.
He loves your car.
If you don't mind my saying,
I'm surprised the RAF
didn't make a better job
of patching him up.
Ah.
Well, I'm not sure he wanted
to be patched up.
Hmm.
Look, I know it's a cheek,
but could you talk to him?
I'm not a psychological doctor.
No, he might listen to you.
Sorry, shouldn't have asked.
The matter of his leg.
Might he be more open
to treatment for that?
Yes.
I'll ask him.
Thank you.
Right. Come on, Gyp.
That's it.
Caroline tells me
this is a favor.
Oh, no.
There's a mutual benefit.
You get the treatment
and I write it up.
See, the accepted wisdom
is that induction coils
are only good
for fresh injuries, but, uh,
I've got a hunch.
Good Lord, it's like something
out of Frankenstein.
It's not
as dramatic as it looks,
I promise you.
So you work and sleep
in here, then?
Yes. When I first came home
I couldn't be doing with stairs.
I actually prefer it now.
Helps me keep on top
of things, you know.
Difficult times for estates
like Hundreds.
With death duties at 75%?
I'll say. Labour government
won't be happy
until we're begging for
our lives on street corners.
Perhaps you feel the same way,
I don't know.
Why would I?
No.
Do you mind?
Anyway, I'm, uh,
selling some land
to the council.
Selling land?
Just some scrub
behind the sheep sheds.
Bring in some power and water
to the farm,
make a big difference
to milking.
Christ.
Sit down, please.
It's actually
a very gentle sensation.
It might take away a little
of your pain.
- Right.
- May I?
Yes.
I wouldn't bother, except I'm
just so slow about the place.
Can't keep up with the men.
Pretty foul, isn't it?
I've seen worse.
Not too bad, actually.
Sort of hotting up.
Huh.
You're a wizard, Dr. Faraday.
I really don't know how
to thank you.
Well, perhaps you'd consider
this an act of restitution.
A long time ago,
as a grubby-kneed boy,
I snuck up and stole something
from this house.
Really?
One of your plaster acorns.
Oh. Oh, but that's too funny.
I don't know what came over me.
I was such an obedient boy
as a rule.
Oh, no, but Roddie and I
have snapped off hundreds
of the silly, twiddly things.
They were just asking
to be vandalized.
I wasn't intending to vandalize.
I was overwhelmed by admiration.
Like a man stealing
a lock of hair
from the girl he's fallen
blindly in love with.
Mother almost died of shame
when she found out.
- Did she make you own up?
- Heavens, no.
She burned it in the grate.
We never spoke of it again,
but I don't think
she ever forgave me.
Well, you're forgiven now.
I forgive you.
It is queer, isn't it?
That you were here
before Rod and me.
There was a child here then.
Susan.
Susan died before I was born.
- Yes.
- Mummy.
I'm afraid I was
horribly jealous of her.
She seemed to have such
a charmed existence.
One can't see into the future.
Don't worry, Doctor.
We're all jealous of Suki,
not just you.
Swallow.
They should be gone by now.
Are you off back to Lidcote?
I have a patient in Edgworth,
another in Hawthend.
Why don't you cut across
and use the east gate?
It's much quicker.
Do you know the way?
I think so.
And, look, would it help
to use the park sometimes,
as a shortcut?
Thank you.
The treatment continued
to yield results over
the weeks that followed,
and a kind of relationship
developed with poor Rod.
I saw at close hand how
utterly overwhelmed he was
by the business
of running Hundreds.
I couldn't help feeling
the house deserved better.
And my heart went out
to Caroline,
in many ways so much more able,
forced to watch
its continued decline.
I resolved to help her
as much as I could.
Miss Ayres,
what brings you to town?
Oh, Doctor.
Well, uh, Rod and Mother
are seeing the solicitor
about the land sale.
Thought I'd come for the ride.
You never know when I'll get
another chance.
So, when she asked
if I would make up the numbers
at a small affair
- to welcome new neighbors...
- Oh, Caroline.
- They've been invited over.
- Can we manage?
Well, we'll have to, won't we?
Oh, Doctor, you'll come, too,
won't you?
It really did seem
the least I could do.
Hello?
Betty.
Um, I'm sorry, Doctor.
Let me help.
Everything's jumpy tonight.
Betty! Are you all right?
Oh, Doctor.
Welcome.
Forgive me. I rang, but...
Afraid I've been pinning
the house back together.
So I see.
My darling brother's
still in Lidcote,
arguing with the builder
about the land sale.
I do hope they're not drinking
to seal the deal.
Ah, speaking of which,
help yourself.
If there are any glasses left.
Pay no attention.
And I think
you look very smart, Betty.
Oh, I should warn you...
The acoustics
in this room are uncanny.
Every word carries.
You, Miss Ayres, look beautiful.
He hasn't touched
a drop yet, Gyp.
Pour for me, too, would you?
One would have hoped
the weather might have held off.
Sadly, no.
Mr. and Mrs. Rossiter
- and Miss...
- Dabney.
My dear.
- How are you?
- Quite well.
- Oh, Edith, you look wonderful.
- Nice to see you. Thank you.
- Oh, Caroline. -Hello, Edith,
how nice to see you.
Good evening. Nice to see you.
Perhaps you know
our Dr. Faraday.
- Good evening. -MR. ROSSITER:
Oh, I...
I hope no one's unwell.
Oh, no. The doctor is a guest.
Ah. One of us.
Will Roderick be joining us
this evening?
Gillian!
I hope no one minds.
Darling, it's only a dog.
This way, please.
Mr. and Mrs. Baker-Hyde
and Mr. Morley.
Now behave.
You're not supposed to be here.
- Good boy.
- Well, my mother grew up here,
so I knew the area well
as a child.
And, of course, my brother's
with us most weekends.
Perhaps he should move up here.
- If only I didn't have to work.
- Come back.
What is it you do, Mr. Morley?
I'm in the ad business.
An accountant?
No, advertising.
It's an American outfit.
Ah, America.
- Hmm.
- Gyp, come here.
Oh, gentlemen, please sit down.
- Oh, thank you.
- Mr. Morley.
Uh, uh, Dr. Faraday,
would you be a lamb and see
if Roderick will join us?
Of course.
Have you come far this evening,
Miss Dabney?
Roderick.
Roderick.
I'm not coming.
Tell Mother I'm sorry.
Look, Rod, put your drink down.
Just get dressed.
You're the man of the house.
I've told you...
I won't.
- For God's sake...
- I can't.
I've got a bad feeling, Faraday.
A very bad feeling.
- Christ, don't you?
- Stop.
Stop that nonsense.
Stop it at once.
Now get dressed.
Have you traveled much?
Well, I wanted to...
Gyp, wait! Why won't he come
and play with me?
He won't stay still.
Well, perhaps
you should stay still.
Gillian, darling.
Goodness. Is that allowed?
Well, I don't believe in rules
just for the sake of them.
Breeds all sorts of neuroses.
You don't want them getting
a complex.
- I never go to bed
before midnight. -Ah.
And I once smoked
a cigarette. -
I hardly think Dr.
Faraday would approve of that.
No. But then my mother
was very hot on rules.
And it hasn't done him any harm.
Gillian, look
at that beautiful piano.
It's a spinet, you philistine.
Actually,
it's a Flemish virginal.
Do play us something, Tony.
- Gyp. -As long as
it's not too old and fragile.
Come on.
- Let's see.
- See, we're friends now.
Gillian, dear, please leave
that poor dog alone.
Where is Roderick?
He'll be,
he'll be with us shortly.
He's rather overdone it
at the farm.
Mm.
What a lovely sound.
It is, isn't it?
It's very light.
Oh, that's it.
- Good boy. -MRS. AYRES:
Caroline used to love playing.
He does play awfully well.
Yes, he does.
Such a gentle dog.
I had no idea
the son was so bad.
That why they keep you on hand?
I'm a guest here, like you.
Oh, no, pal.
I'm just making up the numbers
while my wife and our hostess
try matchmaking.
I don't like their chances.
Tony may be a prize ass,
but he likes a pretty face.
Gillian.
What is it?
Gillian!
- Gyp, Gyp, come back.
- Gillian!
You can't mean
to treat her here!
It's nine miles
to the nearest hospital.
Open the door.
Open the door!
Clear the table.
It's all right.
- Please.
- Hold her still.
Betty, I need boiling water.
- Hold her still.
- Please.
Hold that there.
Hold that there.
Shh, darling.
- Shh. -Mrs. Baker-Hyde
might want to wait upstairs.
No, I'm staying!
Diana, do as he says.
Diana... come on.
Betty, make sure
they're getting blankets.
Bloody dog should be shot.
Shh.
The child will be
terribly marked, won't she?
I don't understand why
they had to bring her.
Surely they have a nurse
or a governess.
Probably think a governess
would give her a complex.
Well, she'll have
a complex now, won't she?
Oh, Caroline.
Good night.
I tried to tell you.
Didn't I?
Miss Caroline's downstairs.
Came as soon as you could, then.
We might have taken this
to court, you know.
I should have found
the money somehow.
With the child so injured,
it wouldn't be decent.
Take him.
Everything else has gone.
Why not take him, too?
Caroline.
Get away, you stupid dog.
God.
Shh.
Shh.
Good dog.
Walk away, Faraday.
Distance yourself
from the whole damn mess.
Eh, the leg treatment
must be almost finished.
Write up what you've
already done.
Surely that's enough.
Seriously.
People like the Ayres...
they'll run you bloody ragged
if you let them.
Yes.
The problem is your heart,
Mrs. Ravensdale.
It's not doing its job properly,
and that's causing
the shortness of breath
and the swelling.
Couldn't be something
I've eaten?
I'm afraid not.
John.
Mrs. Evans.
Come through, please.
Alfie, come on.
Leave it.
Leave it!
Go on!
Go on, I'll catch you up.
He's had enough, hasn't he?
Blasted thing.
Please sit down.
Thank you.
So...
Hmm.
I just signed a contract
with Babb, you see.
The land sale?
That is good news.
Yes.
Yes, we ought to hang out
the flags.
The men are cock-a-hoop,
of course.
How are the mighty fallen, hey?
Just think how much better
things will be now.
Hmm.
But they won't.
Come on, I'm sure they will.
Don't say that, Faraday.
You don't know what
you're talking about.
I should catch them up,
it's my round.
You'd be surprised how much
of my job is just listening
to people.
- Hell.
- Rod.
Why don't you tell me
what's going on?
I've been concerned about you.
You wouldn't believe me.
Of course I will.
And I'm a doctor.
Anything you tell me is
in the strictest confidence.
There's a thing in that house.
A thing?
It hates me.
It always has.
And ever since that awful night
with the girl...
Go on.
It wants me gone.
I'm telling you.
Dr. Faraday.
Oh.
Doctor.
- Were we expecting you?
- Forgive me.
I was visiting a patient
in the area.
We've had a leak
in the morning room.
Got in the cupboards.
Oh, my brothers.
Doctor, look.
Within six months of this,
the fighting had started
and they were lost.
Suki.
Like sweethearts, she and I.
You're right to be touched
by this scene, Doctor.
This was my little girl's
last happy day.
By night she was already
quite ill.
Mother.
I've boxed up some old books
to give to the Red Cross.
I wonder if Dr. Faraday
might take them
to Lidcote in his car.
Of course.
Betty.
I, uh...
- I feel awkward coming.
- No, don't.
I'm so glad you did.
I've just seen Rod in Lidcote.
Oh, God, is he in a bad way?
I'm concerned about
his state of mind.
You're not the only one.
Last night he came up
to my room so upset.
He said he could smell smoke,
and I couldn't smell anything.
It's like there's
a hoodoo on him.
It's nothing like that.
War shock.
We must keep it from Mother.
The land sale's already
too much to bear.
I'm inclined to agree.
God knows how she'll cope
when Babb knocks down the wall.
Why on earth would Babb need
to knock down a wall?
Well, they wouldn't take
the pasture.
Didn't Rod say?
They'd only take
the grass-snake field.
Surely you can't mean
to break up the park?
There must be some alternative.
- Believe me, he tried.
- The sale must be stopped.
- What?
- Rod's not of sound mind.
- This can be overturned.
- Ah!
Doctor.
What's he been telling you?
That I'm cracked?
No. Of course not, Roddie.
So much for confidentiality.
Rod. Rod. I hadn't understood
about the land sale.
Rod.
- This is terribly serious.
- Damn right.
The mob will be at our door
any moment.
Cutlasses between their teeth.
You ought not to worry, Doctor.
You are from pirate stock.
Rod.
Oh, yes.
There'll be tricks tonight.
For God's sake,
look at yourself.
You're afraid.
You can feel it.
Can't you?
I'm sorry.
Rod's in no fit state to be
making irrevocable decisions.
You can feel it now?
- You can feel it.
- I'm going to ask Dr. Granger
- for a second opinion.
- Goddamn.
Who the fucking hell are you?
This is my house,
and I'll do as I like
with the damn place!
And it isn't any business
of yours!
What are you doing here?
You're not part of this family.
You are no one.
- Now get out!
- Rod, please don't.
Get out of my house!
Please leave us.
What do you want?
I've tried to warn them,
I've tried.
They wouldn't listen to me,
please!
You've got to leave!
Just leave us, please!
Betty. Betty!
Roddie, open the door.
Roddie!
I should never have
left him here last night.
You placed your trust in me.
I let you down.
I shan't do so again.
Rod, Dr. Warren's here.
I'm sorry, Caroline.
It's too strong for me.
Rod.
A trip in a Humber...
What a treat.
That's good.
There.
Mrs. Ayres?
Oh.
I hope it's not too dry.
Looks perfect.
- Thank you.
- Caroline.
It does seem a shame
Betty isn't here.
But how nice for her father
to have her home for Christmas.
Mm.
Aren't you smart?
Thanks for coming today.
We'd have never survived
these last few months
without you and Betty.
Would have been a grim day
with Rod's chair empty.
Christmas is generally grim
for aging bachelors.
I was very glad of an invitation
- that didn't make me feel
like a charity case. -God, no.
We're the charity case.
You were looking
at the photograph?
Mm.
You know I'm in it?
No.
Oh, where?
Where? Can't see you.
That's the shoulder
of my jacket.
Oh. Ah.
Upstaged by Susan.
Just like the rest of us.
It was a grand day otherwise.
Shall we have tea to warm up?
Yes. And why don't I make it?
You stay there.
Doctor's orders.
Tom!
Come inside.
Sweetie.
The house itself was
out of bounds, of course.
- wander off, do what
you like. - Elizabeth!
But as luck would have it,
Mother still had friends
among the staff.
- How are you?
- And so,
miraculously, it came to pass.
I was admitted.
I'm afraid I was spoiled
thoroughly and given
the most fantastic treats.
It was any small boy's dream.
It made me feel,
just for that moment,
a part of the life of the house.
Perhaps that explains,
to some degree, at least,
what happened next.
My smart clothes that day
were all borrowed or begged,
but there, in that grand hall
filled with marvelous things...
I could not help imagining
that I belonged.
A proper little gentleman.
Course, I was no such thing.
What are you doing there?
Get over here!
What are you doing?
I left behind
all such ambitions that day.
I don't want to hear
a word out of you.
Come with me right now.
Funny. A small thing
so many years ago.
Yet the memory's quite fresh.
Sit up, please,
Alan.
Hmm?
Chin up.
Now let's see if there's been
any improvement.
Open if you can.
Open.
Can you see who it is, Alan?
Well, well, well.
How wonderful.
- Thank you.
- Good.
Good Lord.
24 houses in both fields,
most of them already spoken for.
- What a terrible shame.
- Oh.
I don't know.
- People have to live somewhere.
- Dr. Faraday?
- Ah.
- Mr. Babb.
I knew you'd be down,
Miss Ayres.
Every day like clockwork.
She puts my foreman to shame.
I've promised Dr. Faraday
the tour.
Right, well, come on, then.
So, uh... a lounge.
- Hmm.
- Fitted kitchen.
Gas stove, electric points.
Bathroom with a built-in tub.
Gosh. Think what a difference
this would make to people.
There'll be nothing
to beat these
in the way of air and drainage.
You're right about the houses.
My mother would have liked one.
She might be alive
and living in one
if she hadn't worked herself
into an early grave
to get me an education.
I'm sure
she was very proud of you.
Your father, too.
All I learned was
to be ashamed of them.
God, what an utter
wet blanket I'm being.
You must be wishing
I hadn't called by.
No, not at all.
I'm grateful.
It gets so lonely sometimes
without Roddie.
These short days don't help.
They just make me want
to get out.
- Out where?
- Yeah, well, I'm not fussy.
You know, just to be
where people are for a while.
When you say
you're not fussy...?
Right. I want all the scandal.
Who's killed the most patients,
which doctors are going
to bed with which nurses.
- Faraday.
- Ah, Bland.
You can't be thinking of taking
that down unadulterated.
Here.
Fresh from the test tube.
- No... -I don't...
- Ah.
Hmm.
Cheers.
Ah, Faraday,
well done
on that paper of yours.
Hope it goes down well
in London.
Thank you, Hewitt.
That's kind of you.
Goodness, you're quite
the somebody.
- London?
- Not at all.
And I haven't even accepted
the invitation yet.
Gosh, why wouldn't you?
Come on, let's find you
someone to dance with.
Oh, no, no, no, no.
No, no, no.
They'll all be longing
for a turn
with some pretty young nurse.
You and I can dance, can't we?
Mm-hmm.
I suddenly feel nervous.
Close your eyes.
- Oh, you dance very well.
- You, too.
My father taught me
when I was small.
Am I talking too much?
Talk all you like.
What are you grinning about?
- You look like a dancer
in a contest. -
Have they pinned a number
to your back?
Ooh, there's Dr. Seeley.
Look at his bow tie.
Whiz me around so you can
take a look.
Do you know
he's nicknamed The Octopus?
Always terribly keen
to give girls a lift home.
Hands everywhere.
Faraday!
Ah, Caroline,
you know, uh, David Granger.
- Oh, yes.
- Hello.
- And this is Anne Gra... yeah.
- Anne Granger.
- Caroline Ayres.
- Lovely to meet you.
- You, too. -Oh, let me
introduce our friend
- Bre...
- Brenda?
- Oh.
- I can't believe it.
Oh, gosh, Brenda and I knew
each other years ago.
Back in the war. How are you?
No introduction required.
Good to see Caroline
out and about.
She's a super girl.
Ladies and gentlemen,
please take the floor
for Paul Jones.
- Shall we?
- Now don't be shy.
- Here's your chance
to join her. Come on. -No.
- Come on, Faraday.
- No.
- In for a penny.
- All right.
Ladies on the outside.
- Oh.
- Gosh, hello.
This is murder!
Oh!
Oh.
Oh, it is.
Hello, Seeley. How are you?
- Looking as pretty
as a picture. -Thank you.
Here we go.
Hey! Hey!
Hey! Hey!
Nights like this, I feel my age.
Good dancer, Caroline Ayres.
She's got hips and she knows
what to do with them.
Pity she hasn't the looks
to match.
Don't let that stop you.
Girl like that needs an outlet.
Oh, come on.
Everyone knows how much time
you've been spending out there.
Do they indeed?
I'm telling you, Faraday,
make your move tonight before
that fool in the horn-rimmed
glasses makes his.
Valerie, darling.
- Seeley, I heard you were here.
- Have you been ignoring me?
Now, you promised me...
Shall I light you one?
- I can light my own.
- Oh, come on.
Let me...
like they do in the pictures.
No, no, no.
Hands on the wheel.
It's icy, remember?
There.
Don't much like Brenda.
I'd never have guessed.
Think she thought
you and I were at it.
You know.
Hope you put her swiftly right.
Did you?
I told her the truth.
A friend of the family
being kind.
God.
My feet are perished. Ugh.
Oh, gosh.
It's not long now.
I don't want to go home.
Take me somewhere else,
can't you?
- It's past 2:00.
- Care for a walk?
In dancing shoes?
Please, Faraday,
I don't want to go home yet.
Oh, my God.
- Mmm.
- Sorry. Sorry. Can't, can't.
No, can't! Can't! Can't!
God's sake.
I thought you wanted to.
So did I. I can't.
Wait.
Caroline, please,
Caroline, wait.
After approximately 15 minutes
of the current being applied
to the leg,
the patient's pulse rate rose,
as had been anticipated,
and there was a slight fall
in blood pressure.
There was no pain associated
with the procedure,
and afterwards a marked increase
in general mobility
of the joint was observed.
Positive effects diminished
over time.
Yes, we've got some really
interesting work here.
You should think
about staying on.
I'm flattered they asked, but...
Mmm. So, where did you train?
Up in Birmingham.
Stayed on there for a while.
Then got seconded
to a military hospital
in Plymouth
after we pulled out of Dieppe.
- Must have been busy.
- Hellish.
I'm at a practice
in Warwickshire now.
It's a backwater, really.
Cheers.
So, uh, are you
a family man, or...?
No.
Well, for heaven's sake,
move to London.
What's stopping you?
Charles, don't you think
Faraday should move to London?
I think it's a fine idea, yeah.
Yes?
Welcome back.
Is everything all right?
Absolutely. Just...
curious about how it went.
The bright lights, all that?
Yes. Interesting.
Sorry.
Rather a difficult
first day back.
13-year-old over in Illescote,
pregnant
till the father beat it out
of her.
Oh, God, grim.
Sorry, Faraday.
One feels so useless.
Rather wonder why
I bothered coming back.
Oh, don't say that.
I missed you.
And... Caroline called
a couple of days ago.
Mrs. Ayres had some kind of...
well... turn.
They weren't
awfully forthcoming about it.
I couldn't find much wrong
with her.
You went to Hundreds?
I did.
I tell you,
I couldn't leave fast enough.
I feel for Caroline,
stuck out there.
She's the best of the bunch
by a mile.
- Doctor, I want...
- Miss Ayres.
Can we please start again?
So tell me what happened.
Don't really know.
I feel silly now.
We don't come in here often.
You know, not anymore.
But we were checking for leaks
and we heard a...
It sounds stupid, but we heard
a sort of knocking sound.
Down there.
We found these marks.
You know, I thought
it must've been
that little girl at first.
But Betty cleaned up,
you know, after...
She would have noticed.
They won't come off.
Well, that's not all.
Mother was woken
by something in the night.
She thought a bird had got in.
She called Betty,
and they searched
her dressing room for it.
Well, I love this one.
That was my favorite
when I was your age.
Go on, try it.
Okay.
Oh, Dr. Faraday. Look at us.
Wait. Now.
Betty.
- Come on.
- Oh, madam, shall I?
The doctor disapproves
of our frivolity.
I'm happy
to see you looking so well.
Caroline told me
you'd been unsettled.
Ah, you mean after my discovery.
Might I see?
Suki.
After all this time,
I didn't suppose
there was much trace
of her left.
Your mother's heart rate's
a little elevated.
It's hardly surprising.
Otherwise,
- she's in perfect health.
- Oh, for God's sake, Faraday.
Right. Shall I explain
what happened?
Look... the marks downstairs
you found by accident, yes?
But they triggered
a buried memory
for your mother,
so she remembered the others.
And the new marks today?
They're not new.
Those marks, whilst disturbing...
Even I felt that...
They're nothing more
than they appear.
And what about
the knocking sound?
It's the heating pipes,
I imagine.
No, we haven't had
the heating on
- for months.
- Then the pipes contracting
in the cold.
Caroline, you mustn't let
this business get inside you.
It can all be explained.
Faraday...
I'm so glad you're here.
When I'm alone,
I can't tell anymore.
Whenever you go away,
something horrible happens.
Dear girl.
There's some talk
of my going back permanently.
To live in London?
I should have to think about
what I was leaving behind.
Not much.
Lidcote would seem like
a bad dream in no time.
I meant in terms of you and me.
Well, look, Faraday,
that time in the car, I...
I behaved like a fool.
- I was the fool.
- No.
Caroline, I've-I've missed you.
I've missed you like hell.
God.
What a bloody idiot
you've made of me.
I shouldn't have left you.
I won't do it again.
Look...
you perfect child.
Be no more
of this sort of thing,
you know, once we're married.
- You're not a skivvy.
- Faraday, what...?
Just say yes, Caroline.
Just say yes.
Hmm?
What this house needs is
a big dose of happiness.
Oh.
It's done.
Hmm.
We haven't
announced it formally yet
because Caroline's shy.
And there's the question
of Mrs. Ayres.
Have you told her?
We didn't want to worry her
before we'd clarified our plans.
Do you think she'll approve?
I think she'll be delighted.
Well, it's terrific news.
Congratulations.
What are you up to?
Writing to Roderick.
Have you told him about us?
Betty could come in any moment.
She'll have to get used
to catching us kissing.
She'll be bringing us
eggs and bacon in bed
in the mornings.
But if we were married,
we wouldn't be here.
You wouldn't rather live
above the surgery?
We can hardly abandon
your mother.
You can't think she'll
accept us living with her?
- In any case, what about London?
- London?
I turned down the position
to stay here with you.
You never said you did that.
I thought it was obvious. Look,
don't worry about your mother.
She'll come around.
- She won't.
- She will.
She'll have to.
Betty, what are you doing here?
Well, you rang for me, miss.
I did not.
It must have been Mother.
Well, Mrs. Ayres is upstairs.
It was this bell that rung.
Rang itself, did it?
Well, I don't know, but...
Go and see what she wants.
Oh, and by the way,
all the water's gone brown.
Babb must have hit a pipe.
You have it your way...
for now.
I'll go and check on Babb.
Told you.
Dining room. See?
Mother might have woken up.
Go and see
if she needs anything, hmm?
Betty?
That was Mother's bedroom.
Oh, damn it, come on.
Mice.
What's all this noise?
Mice.
There's some poison at the farm.
I'll run and get some.
Nursery.
It's just them mice, madam.
Come.
Come. Come listen.
What do you hear?
I don't know.
We must check upstairs.
Well, let's wait
for Miss Caroline.
Madam, wait.
Please, let's wait
for Miss Caroline.
You stay if you like.
What have I to fear
in a nursery?
Susan?
Susan?
Betty?
Betty?!
Betty!
Betty, unlock the door.
Betty, unlock...
the door!
Betty.
Caroline!
Rod was right.
There's something
in this house that hates us.
That's nonsense, Caroline.
No, we're so changed...
from even a year ago.
I knew this house
had summat bad.
We told you.
When did you tell him?
First time I felt it.
Mrs. Ayres believes me.
- You told Mrs. Ayres?
- She said it was a ghost
and not to worry.
It wouldn't do no harm.
No harm?
Does this look like no harm
to you, Betty?
No one's blaming you, Betty.
You've been very brave.
We failed her.
- Shh.
- My beautiful girl.
I wanted her so desperately.
But when she came...
I was afraid.
Mrs. Ayres,
your mind is playing tricks.
You need to rest.
- I'm not an invalid.
- I'm the doctor here.
You must allow me to decide
who the invalids are.
And you must remember
whose house this is.
Stop. Stop, please.
I'm so sorry, Mama.
What have you to be sorry for?
Difficult job?
Seeley.
Routine tonsillectomy.
I made a pig's ear of it.
Yes, well,
it's too many night calls.
I know the feeling.
Are you finished for the day?
I just feel
things are out of control.
This business seems
almost contagious.
I was medical officer
at a girls' school for a while.
One time there was
this fashion for fainting.
Girls going down like ninepins.
Eventually
their mistresses, too.
That's just it.
I don't know where it will end.
Caroline has begun to believe
there's something supernatural
involved.
- -Some malevolent
force in the house.
And it's madness, I know, but...
I'm beginning to wonder myself.
What exactly are you saying?
We all subscribe
to the general principle
of a conscious personality
with a sort
of dream self attached.
You're suggesting
this subconscious self
could somehow...?
Detach
under sufficient pressure.
Become mischievous or malign.
Acting out
all the nasty impulses
the conscious mind wants hidden?
Isn't that the old theory
of the poltergeist?
Oh, God.
Then there isn't an ounce
of science in it.
Oh, no, no. Not so fast.
- You might be on to something.
- Hmm?
What if science has yet to find
a way to measure such things?
Look at my fainting females.
It is generally women at the
root of this stuff, of course.
Don't they have
some young housemaid
stuck out at Hundreds,
no one to flirt with?
Betty's a child still.
Mmm, and children are capable
of the most intense desire.
Thank you for walking me.
I'm very much enjoying it.
You know I'm never left alone.
I suppose that's on your orders.
Hmm. No matter.
I have something I want to say
before Caroline gets back.
You must take her away
from here.
- I shall do no such thing.
- Yes.
Leave Susan and me
alone together.
Susan is a memory.
We've agreed that, haven't we?
How innocent you are.
She's with me all the time.
She's here with me now.
Please stop this.
She belongs here.
You do not.
Mrs. Ayres...
What is it?
How did you do this?
My little girl is upset.
Could you take this off, please?
Sit down.
The cords were cut.
Don't you remember?
When Susan was playing
such tricks on us.
What did you...?
Let me see.
Stop.
Stop that. Stop it. Stop it.
Stop it. Stop. Betty! Stop!
Stop!
I'm going to check on her.
Let her sleep.
She's still under the Veronal.
I'd like to bring in
a psychiatrist.
First Roddie, now her.
How long before it's my turn?
That's absurd.
My mother would rather die
than bring any more shame
upon this family.
I won't abandon her
to her delusions
for the sake of class pride.
No, Faraday.
Do you understand?
I forbid it.
Faraday!
Did you lock her in?
What?
Mother.
Mother, open the door.
Mrs. Ayres.
What have you done, Mama?
What have you done?
What have you done?
Like as a father pitieth
his own children,
even so is the Lord merciful
unto them that fear Him.
For He knoweth whereof
we are made.
He remembereth
that we are but dust.
We mean to ask Caroline to come
and stay with us.
Well, she can't be allowed
to remain all alone
in that unhappy house.
She isn't all alone.
She has me.
You've been very brave
today, Rod.
Get Caroline out.
She'll be next.
It's all right.
No, no, no,
I, I've lots to sort out,
but I'll be absolutely fine.
We had such fun here
in the old days.
I used to visit quite often,
but unfortunately
my health hasn't
allowed that lately.
I'm sorry to hear that.
I'm afraid I can't remember
your name, Doctor.
- Faraday.
- Ah.
No.
I don't believe my sister
ever mentioned you.
Uh...
I've been watching you.
That can't have been
terribly interesting.
It must be late.
You should go.
Not until you eat something.
Oh, I couldn't.
You must.
I will eat. I promise.
But later.
Thank you for today.
Caroline.
Tell me just one thing.
When may we be married?
Please, I'm so tired.
I want to be here.
With you.
I've been patient, haven't I?
But so soon
after Mother's death, I...
She'd want to know
you were being looked after.
A month is long enough
to sort everything out.
- But we have so much
to discuss. -I know.
You'll need bridesmaids,
something to wear.
No, I don't want a fuss.
I have plenty of dresses.
Six weeks.
From today.
Yes.
Yes, all right.
Yes?
Can you please
just let me sleep?
The last time I sat down
to eat at this table, Betty,
I was eight years old.
My mother was with me,
standing just over there.
That's a funny thought.
I never guessed
I'd be back here,
like this.
Wish she'd lived to see it.
My father, too.
My father wants me
to go back home.
He's on at me
something terrible.
You and I are all Miss Caroline
has left.
I need you
to help look after her.
Well, he thinks there's a curse
on the house after...
Madam.
I think we all feel
a little bit that way.
Miss Caroline says that
I should sleep upstairs now.
I think she's frightened
by herself.
What if I told you
that she wouldn't be by herself
much longer?
That Miss Caroline
was soon to be married?
Married?
Mm.
Oh, Doctor, when?
Very soon.
And I'm going to need your help.
I, uh,
brought something
for you to copy.
You say the lady's indisposed.
Will she be able to walk?
Yes.
It's nothing serious.
Ah.
Caroline.
Cooped up inside
on this lovely day?
You'll be absolutely kippered.
This is flying in the face
of convention,
I know, but, uh...
I had it made
to match one of your others.
Betty helped.
We've been quite
the secret agents.
There'll be something for your
head and hands, too, of course.
And, lastly...
This was my mother's.
Sorry, I can't do this.
Forgive me.
I've sprung it on you.
We'll look at these later
or in private
- if you prefer... -No,
I mean I can't do any of it.
I can't marry you.
Caroline...
I'm sorry.
I like you very much,
and I'm so grateful, but I-I...
Darling, you're confused.
No, I'm seeing very clearly.
Please, you... you're tired.
Stop saying that.
Sometimes I think
you want me to be tired.
You know I want you to be happy.
And I can't be happy
if I marry you.
We don't have to be husband
and wife right away,
if that's the problem.
God, can't you see?
This whole thing between us
has never been real.
I'm going away.
I've put the estate up for sale.
You can't.
It's not yours to sell.
Hepton's already drawn up
the papers.
I've had power of attorney
since Rod was first ill.
When he gets better,
he can join me.
Join you where?
I'll go up to London
as soon as I can.
Then... Canada or America.
Canada.
But I will go.
Before it's too late.
Anne, I'm sorry,
do you think David could take
my evening surgery?
No, it's rather a violent
stomach thing, I'm afraid.
I... I really would be
most grateful.
Thank you.
The next few days
were a sort of blur,
a bad dream
from which I was slow to wake.
Hundreds Hall was lost to me.
As was Caroline.
There was, no doubt,
fun at my expense in Lidcote.
That would teach me
to look outside my class.
I did, for a time,
consider leaving, but...
a man cannot outrun himself.
Doctor!
Dr. Faraday!
The call came
sometime around 3:00.
It was Betty.
In a dreadful state.
Wanting you, I suppose,
but the exchange
passed her to me.
House call in Edgworth.
It would have been instant.
There's nothing
you could have done.
The court
calls Miss Elizabeth Walker.
We went to bed early
that night, Miss Ayres and me.
We'd been cleaning all day;
we were tired.
And did Miss Ayres seem to you
to be in low spirits?
Not at all.
She was happy,
- looking forward to leaving.
- So you went to your room
and you heard
nothing more until...?
About half past 2:00.
Creak on the stairs.
At first I was frightened.
Frightened because...?
Big house, sir,
and-and sometimes...
well, it's lonely and dark.
Then I realized
the steps were Miss Ayres.
Her room was just opposite,
so I wasn't worried then.
- Except...
- Except...?
Except they were going up
to the second floor.
There's no reason
to go up there.
It's empty, it's locked up.
-
- And-and then I heard her stop.
Make a sound.
You.
You.
Caroline.
There's been an accident.
Miss Caroline.
Dr. Faraday?
Dr. Faraday?
Would you support
a verdict of suicide
whilst of unsound mind?
I believe, based on my dealings
with Miss Ayres
in the last weeks of her life,
that her mind
had become clouded.
Her death may indeed
have been a suicide.
Thank you, Dr. Faraday.
The first time
I saw Hundreds Hall
was July 1919.
I'd passed by its gates
often enough
but never imagined
they would open to me,
a common village boy.
Oh, the whole world
of Hundreds
impressed me terribly.
My mother
had described it often,
but nothing
could have prepared me
for the spell it cast that day.