Country Life

Ah, just a minute, Doctor.

The men have taken the hat around,

and we think we've got just about enough to pay you.

No, no, you keep it.

You'll need something for the funeral. - It weren't your fault.

There is, um, one thing you could do for me though.

What's that, Doctor?

You wouldn't have a bottle lying around, would you?

I could do with a drink.

In your saddle bag. It's three-quarters full.

What do you think? What was wrong with the other one?

Uh, this one's English, from Bond Street. They're both nice.

Uncle Jack, there's a feed bill here that goes back eight months!

We-we have to get things sorted out before father arrives!

Sally, Alex won't give a damn about feed bills.

Perhaps you should wear the other tie, Uncle Jack.

I-I know this one's Bond Street and all that, but--

- It's a bit worn. And the jacket-- What?

Let's get Violet to give it a press.

Anyone seen Vi? Oh, Sally dear,

you haven't seen the latest copy of Throne and Country anywhere, have you?

Didn't you lend it to Wally?

- Yes, but I gave it back, Mrs. Dickens. - I'm sure as eggs, certain.

You see,

there's a most important question I want to put to Alexander as soon as he arrives.

It's about Princess Mary Louise, but I've forgotten what it is.

Holy Moses, mother.

Alex is a writer, an esteemed London critic, not a society gossip.

He won't know about bloody Princess Mary Louise!

Don't swear, Jack.

Alexander won't like it any more than I do. Ah!

Thank you, dear.

Can you imagine! A man on first-name terms with George Bernard Shaw,

and coming home to live under our roof! - Vi!

At last, someone in the district with civilized values!

-- But what about Dr. Askey? He's very civilized.

Well, yes, there's Max.

Of course, a medical man, mind you. Not quite the same thing as Alex.

But a true, true friend.

I mean, who's going to meet the train on his one day off?

The train's due in 15 minutes!

Oh, God.

Hmm. You sure that works?

It works for onions. It ought to work for whiskey.

Just keep eating it.

Come on.

I'm so nervous.

What if I don't recognize father? 'Course you will.

But I've never seen him! Not since I was a tiny baby.

- What about his new wife? - Do you think she'll like me?

Getting more to the point, let's hope you like her.

- Auntie Joyce! Auntie Joyce! - Hello, Mum.

Hi! How are you? - Harry.

- There he is! - Hello, son.

John. Johnny!

Peter? Peter, over here.

David! Good to have you back. How are you, man?

G'day, Doctor. Not too bad. Thanks. - Good.

This way, son.

Someone should tell them the war's over.

Go on.

Mother?

- Father? - Sally.

Can it be?

- Yes, of course it is. - How are you, my child?

I say, do be careful of that little brown bag.

There's a good fellow.

The contents are extremely fragile! Now, where have you put it?

Poor Alexander.

We stupidly left his medicine case in the luggage van,

and he's been in such desperate need of his drops.

- You must be Deborah. - Sally.

I've been so looking forward to meeting you.

Dr. Askey?

Oh, dear, dear, dear.

This is our good friend, Dr. Askey. He's come to help with the luggage.

- How do you do? - Mrs. Voysey.

How do you do?

Say, I think-- Your--

- My husband? - Yes. Your husband.

It looks as if, maybe, we should lend a hand.

Nine, ten, eleven bags.

Hatbox, three trunks...

and my medicine case.

Just coming for the weekend, are we?

Father, this is Dr. Askey. He's come to help with the luggage.

Oh, how kind. How do you do?

Oh, so many things.

We poor nomads must travel with all our goods on our back, so to speak.

Is this it then?

- Ah, my books! - But where's the other crate?

Sally, I think we're going to need a little extra transport.

I'll scout around town, see what I can find.

Oh.

They're coming. They're coming!

They're coming!

- They're coming, mother. - I know. I know, dear.

And that question wasn't about Princess Mary Louise at all. It was about--

-- Later. - Later, mother, later. - Where's Hannah? Violet!

- Yes, sir? - Where's my jacket?

Get that out of sight!

Violet!

Ah, Hannah. Afternoon tea, please. They'll be parched.

- My lovely lunch has gone to waste, you know. - Stone cold.

They're here, Jack.

- Ah, late for lunch. - Scamps!

My dear, Maud,

I'm afraid I can't answer you. - Oh.

That question to someone of a more elevated station

than a mere scribe. Oh. He's coming.

Alex. How are you?

- Welcome home to Canterbury. - A pilgrim's return.

And nothing has changed it would seem.

Except us, of course, eh, Jack?

I used to be in perfect health, and you were once so dapper.

- But I haven't introduced you. - My wife, Deborah.

Yes, my dear, we used to call young Jack the dandy of the district.

- How do you do? - How do you do?

And, uh, th-this is Wally Wells, who lives with us.

How do you do?

Please, come inside.

Wally the lodger, that's me.

Where's your tie?

You've all missed lunch, I'm afraid,

but Hannah will provide a substantial afternoon tea.

- Ah. - How very kind, Jack.

But if you don't mind-- Wh-where's he gone?

- I've no idea. - Sit down, everybody.

Thank you, Hannah.

Oh, Hannah, I'm sure you remember my famous son-in-law, don't you?

Indeed I do. What, 25 years is it, Hannah?

You've gone gray.

- And this is Mrs. Voysey. - How do you do?

You've missed lunch, you two, but I'm not going to waste it.

You'll be having it for supper.

Ah, Hannah's brought in the tea, I see.

I'm afraid, Jack, I shall have to forgo what indeed appears to be a substantial repast.

But my sinus trouble has been playing up on the journey,

and there's nothing for it but my drops and to lie down...

- with the curtains drawn. - Oh, dear, I'm sorry.

- No, no, no, no, no. - An irritating affliction, as much to others,

I'm sure, as to myself. - Vi, show father his room.

Is there anything we can get you? - Not a thing.

Well, perhaps, Sally, just a cup of tea in my room...

in ten minutes time, if it's not too much trouble.

- Uh, no milk. - Sugar, two lumps.

Uh, oh, so sorry.

Father, I'm sure you didn't leave it on the platform.

I distinctly remember you had it with you outside the station.

Well, where is it then? I'm absolutely done for without those drops.

How can I possibly replace them out here in the bush?

If they are lost, I'm sure Dr. Askey could replace them.

- Dr. Askey? - Uh, where do you want these?

Father-- Sorry, miss.

Those drops were prescribed by Billington,

one of the top ear, nose, and throat men in Harley Street.

Merry Christmas.

Come on, Cockie. Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

It's no good, ol' chap. He's just not in the mood.

Still, he was a lovely Christmas present, Wally.

I kept him hidden in the woolshed for months. Taught him to say "Merry Christmas" myself.

Jack, pass the rock cakes. Hmm?

- Rock cake? - Delicious, but one was more than enough.

Come on, Max, someone's got to eat these things.

Hannah's in a bad enough mood as it is.

Oh. Got a mallet?

They're like coconuts, lovely once you get inside.

Can be said of a lot of things.

Jack! Oh.

Uh, please, sir, Mr. Voysey wants to know if anyone's seen his medicine case?

He's real upset. Hmm?

Isn't this it? Hmm? Hmm?

Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas.

Violet, you clever, clever girl!

I'm indebted to you forever. Oh, father, what a relief!

We'll get these blinds down, Hannah.

Do you remember this room, father?

Uncle Jack tells me that it was yours and mother's when you were first married.

It was indeed, though memory plays such odd tricks.

I was certain that it was larger, airier.

It's the best bedroom in the house.

My dear, it's a delightful room. It will make an ideal study.

- Now, uh, where will Deborah sleep? - Well... we thought--

There's this big, double bed here. Ah, yes, but you see, my work.

This will do very nicely for me, but I frequently write late into the night.

And I'm not so selfish as to expect Deborah to stay awake with me until dawn.

I see.

Tell you what, my bedroom is right across the corridor.

I'll clear my things out before dinner-- You'll do what?

- You'll do nothing of the sort! - You've had that room since you were a baby.

- A tiny baby! - Shh, Hannah.

- When you went off to London and left her! - Hannah!

After her poor mother died! - Hannah!

There are ten bedrooms in this house!

- Most of them are empty! - Uncle Jack moved out of his room.

- I can perfectly well move out of mine! - And you and Violet can help me.

It might help, you know? It always does with my headaches.

Maybe not this afternoon, Jack.

Well, Deborah said he's fond of music, very fond of music.