The Presence of Love

This program is rated G

and is suitable for general audiences.

Woman: "Behold her,

"single in the field.

"Yon solitary Highland lass,

"reaping and singing by herself.

"Stop here, or gently pass.

"Alone she cuts and binds the grain,

"and sings a melancholy strain.

"Oh listen, for the Vale profound

"is overflowing with the sound.

"No sweeter voice was ever heard

"in springtime from the cuckoo-bird.

"Breaking the silence of the seas

"among the furthest Hebrides.

"Will no one tell me what she sings?

"Perhaps the plaintive numbers flow

"for old unhappy far-off things and battles long ago.

"Whate'er the theme, the maiden sang

"as if her song could have no ending.

"I saw her singing at her work and o'er the sickle bending.

"The music in my heart I bore,

"long after it was heard no more."

It's crazy, I have read that poem a million times

and it's now only just coming to life.

Ah, well, that's Wordsworth for you.

This is what I meant about his connection

to the natural world.

He believed that poetry should be written to provide pleasure

through a rhythmic and powerful expression of emotion.

It's risky to say what we're feeling.

Scary, even.

Well, I have to admit, I was a little scared about

taking this class, but I've actually really enjoyed it.

Are you coming back next semester?

Dr. Tompkins will be back from sabbatical,

but I am-- I'm working on it.

Well, I hope so, you have been incredible.

Great example of hyperbole.

You've clearly been paying attention.

Oh, and as a thank you,

I got you some of that British chocolate that you love.

My friend brought it back from her studies abroad.

You're my favorite student.

I try.

See you later. Bye.

Next.

Dr. Lambert?

Dean Grant.

May I?

Uh, please.

Looks like you've made a lot of fans here

over the last three months.

Well, luckily I happen to be teaching my favorite subject.

Well, it shows, Joss.

Well, hopefully it will give me a better shot

at my interview next month.

I know that tenure track positions

are extremely competitive

so if there's anything else I can do to stand out...

Well, getting the interview in the first place

is half the battle.

But...

I just heard from the Literary Review.

They kicked your paper back.

You're kidding.

They're intrigued by your dissection of Wordsworth's work,

but they're not feeling like you're saying anything new.

Something is missing.

Also your lack of published work is a problem.

I've been published.

But it hasn't been cited or won any awards.

Department funding is vital for this.

Funding...

You know I'm on your side.

Yes, I'm sorry.

They're giving you two weeks to re-submit.

You know, when I was your age,

there were a lot of roadblocks, and I pushed through

and I worked hard.

Sometimes I thought I couldn't do it, but I did.

And I know you can too...

Joss?

Are you okay?

I'm fine.

Two weeks. Okay?

Okay. Okay.

I don't get it, you've taught at five different universities.

Sure, places that are smaller,

and where your teaching ability matters more

than how many books I haven't published.

Yes, but you served on the faculty committee at this one.

And you organized that week-long reading retreat last year,

which was incredible, by the way.

I wish that mattered, Gwen, but you know the saying.

It's publish or perish.

That mentality is too intense for me.

That's why I love being a librarian.

The most pressure I face is collecting late fees.

Which you are horrible at.

I know, I'm a real softy.

Ugh, I just wish I knew how to get out of my head about this.

Actually, um,

I've been carrying this around all week

just waiting for the right time to give it to you.

What's this?

It's a present. From your mom.

When was this?

About a year ago, when her health started taking a turn.

You know Carol, always putting everyone else first.

Open it.

She gave me specific instructions to give this to you

two weeks before your 35th birthday.

Cornwall...

It's my job to make sure you go.

This was the year I promised we would finally

go visit her family farm, the one that she grew up on.

She wanted to show me the literary festival.

She thought of everything. Airfare, taxi, train fare.

This ticket is for Monday.

Better start packing.

I can't just pick up and go to England.

What better place to write a paper about English poets

than England?

What do I tell the dean?

You could come up with a million reasons not to do this,

but you made her a promise.

You've barely done anything for yourself

since she passed away.

She wanted this for you.

What if something happens?

Like what? Killer sheep?

You know what I mean.

What if my anxiety gets really bad over there?

Then you use the techniques your doctor gave you.

In the meantime, eat right, exercise, and take your meds.

You can call me anytime you want.

In fact, you should call me often

so I can live vicariously through you.

Go, Joss.

You need this.

Tegan, love, I think the chickens have had

quite enough breakfast for the moment.

They're looking quite plump as it is, sweetheart.

Tegan?

Penny for your thoughts?

I just don't know why they're making us read our poems

at the festival.

Because you've been working hard on them,

and letting the kids read one of their poems at the festival

is a tradition.

We're not even done with them yet.

What if I don't finish? What if I mess up?

Hey.

That's the beauty of creative writing.

You can't go wrong, 'cause anything you say is original.

Okay?

Okay. Yeah?

Come one.

Oh.

There we go.

Right. Now nip inside, grab your backpack

before Gran realizes we haven't left yet, all right?

Oi! Forgetting something, are we?

Good girl, okay.

Thanks, Gran.

Glad I could be of service. You two should be long gone.

It's my fault, I was feeding the chickens.

It was my fault, I was stripping the bed in the guest cottage.

Just trying to keep on top of the bookings.

You're trying to drive me mad is what you're doing.

I already changed them.

Right, well then. Just making double sure.

I don't know why I bother.

If that next booking ever turns up, I'll be amazed.

They reserved it nearly a year ago and never confirmed.

At least they paid in full.

How you got me playing chambermaid, I shall never know.

I think it rather suits you.

Oh, I'm sure you're tickled pink.

Now it's your turn to play chauffeur

and get this little princess to school.

Right, come on, you. With pleasure.

Your grace.

Your lordship.

Good boy.

Hey!

You okay?

You were looking the wrong way.

Wish I could say it was the first time it's happened here.

You all right?

Yeah.

Can I have my arm back?

Of course, I'm sorry.

Uh...

Oh, I can help you with that.

Are you my driver?

Only if you're Jocelyn Lambert.

Everyone calls me Joss, but yes,

yes, that's me.