Father Brown

DISHES CLATTER - CHURCH BELL RINGS

Are you alright, dear?

Just a little nervous.

Now, you're sure you still want to go through with it?

Yes... it's what I want.

KNOCKING ON THE DOOR.

Open up, it's the police...

"Were there brought unto him little children

that he should put his hands on them and pray.

And the disciples rebuked them.

But Jesus said, suffer little children

and forbid them not to come unto me

for of such is the kingdom of Heaven

The Lord has made clear his love for all of us...

Maude? - Don't worry they haven't got any evidence.

On the contrary...

I've persuaded a couple of your victims to confess.

They're not victims. It's a woman's right what she does with her own body!

Well, it appears the thought of eternal damnation

is stronger than your left-wing propaganda.

You mean you've put the fear of God into them!

She could go down for years!

Back off! Back off!

Or I'll arrest you, as well.

Get off.

You're a dead man. Do you hear me?

Dead!

Morning Father, Mrs M.

Morning Bunty!

I'll be driving to the finishing school for the fundraiser later.

Would you like a lift?

Finishing school?

Yes!

I have some errands to attend to, I'll make my own way.

Oh, I'll see you there.

Apparently there's going to be lots of top totty

from the gentlemen's college attending.

Well, isn't that typical.

No wonder you didn't last long at your finishing school.

Well those places just teach you to be a subservient little debutante, anyway.

Isn't that right, Father?

Well, I think you could learn a thing or two from those nice, young ladies.

Isn't that so, Father?

Well from what I hear, one of "those nice young ladies"

has had a baby to a married man.

A married man?

The school's handyman... Jimbo.

Chm!

# What shall we have that killed the deer #

# His leather skin and horns to wear #

# Then sing him home, the rest shall bear #

# The rest shall bare his burden #

# Take thou no scorn to wear the horn #

# It was a crest ere thou wast born... #

Louder! And pronounce those vowels.

# The horn, the horn, the lusty horn #

# ls not a thing to laugh to scorn... #

# The horn, the horn, the lusty horn #

# ls not a thing to... # Cecilia!

That is not how a young lady conducts herself.

But Miss Rosewood...

you said that to stand out from other debutantes

we need to have a competitive spirit.

Yes, but when one is being competitive

one must do it with decorum.

Always with decorum.

Cecelia! I need to speak to you.

There's a surprise.

I'm very disappointed in you.

You've been reading those disgusting, ungodly novels again.

I found this in your room.

So, you've been rummaging through my drawers again?

Enough of your wise-cracks, young lady.

I'm trying to help you be a better person.

Perhaps I need to be disciplined.

At boarding school...

I was forever being put over someone's knee.

Sometimes...

physical pain is the only language sinful behaviour understands.

GIRLS CONTINUE SINGING IN THE BACKGROUND

You do know that Daddy is a high court judge?

# The horn, the horn, the lusty horn #

# ls not a thing to laugh to scorn... #

HE SNIFFS DEEPLY

HE GRUNTS

# What shall we have that killed the deer #

# His leather skin and horns to wear... #

Alright?

I should get banged up more often. Never seen you so passionate.

I can't believe they've let you out.

Let me look at you...

Take me home.

Thank you for coming, Father.

This is Mrs McCarthy.

Parish Secretary.

So, how is the little chap?

He's just perfect, Father. You should see him.

It's a wonder the poor mite was born at all.

Well, that's all in the past.

I'm sure Nell hasn't asked us here to be lectured to.

I know you don't approve of what I tried to do.

But, at the time, I didn't feel I had a choice.

No matter what, the taking of a child's life

can never be the answer.

Have you thought about dates for baptism?

That's not actually the reason I asked you here, Father.

I've been disowned by my family.

And Rosewood's won't take me back.

So you have nowhere to live?

No. And if I don't find somewhere before I'm discharged...

they'll take my baby away.

Well, there is always the mother and baby home.

No... No I've heard what happens in those places.

Children always end up being adopted.

And would that be such a bad thing?

You need to think about what is best for your child.

Father, please, help me.

BABIES CRY IN THE DISTANCE

I will talk to the bishop...

and contact some charitable institutions.

SHE SIGHS IN RELIEF

Thank you.

And what about the father?

Can he not be called on to help?

Exactly ten to a row.

Miss Rosewood, may I have a word about the girls?

How many more times, they are young ladies.

Indeed. As their religious instructor...

my concerns have been growing.

Please don't rake up Nell's pregnancy again.

That "pregnancy" has recently become a baby!

Fathered by one of our ex-employees.

An isolated incident.

But is it only a matter of time before it happens again?

Some of our girls-- - Ladies.

...seem a little obsessed by...

by... sexual matters.

And I think that is partly down to what is being taught.

How dare you! - For example...

that, uh, maypole song, "the lusty horn" -

it sounds rather obscene to me.

Reverend Willard, are you questioning the morality of the Bard?

Who the hell is the Bard?

It is a song from, "As You Like It" by William Shakespeare.

Nevertheless-- - Now, as an American

I don't expect you to know such things.

But what I do expect is for you to trust in my judgment.

Please don't take that tone.

As business partners, I hoped we'd have some kind of

special relationship by now...

If you'll excuse me. The guests will be arriving shortly.

I suggest you pray for some better weather.

Miss Rosewood!

For the welfare of the students, can't we at least try to be friends?

Reverend Willard...

I am very grateful to you

for your financial contribution to my school...

"Our" school.

But if it's friendship you want...

I suggest you buy a dog.

GIRLS LAUGH IN THE BACKGROUND

HE SIGHS

"The lusty horn..."

"Tis not a thing to laugh to scorn".

Filthy, little strumpet.

Forgive me.

Smite the offending hand, Lord.

HE GRUNTS IN PAIN

Smite the offending hand!

HE BREATHES ERRATICALLY

JIMBO AND MAUDE GIGGLE

Which is true, really. Absolutely.

Now you're free, I hope it's gonna be a new start?

What do you mean?

Well, you know what I'm talking about. - Jimbo...

I can't just abandon everything I believe in.

Women in this country are treated like cattle.

But they'll put you away again. - Then so be it.

So many have their lives ruined by unwanted pregnancies.

JIMBO GROANS - I'm not gonna stop.

Maude... - I thought you understood?

I do, but... - Then don't ask me to change.

I'm sorry...

Wait here. - What are you doing?

Bluebells. Your favourite.

Maude!

IMPACT THUD

No! - CAR CRASHES

LIQUID POURS - ICE CLINKS

Here at the Rosewood Finishing School

we focus on teaching social graces and cultural rites

as preparation for the entry into society

with Englishness and patriotism at the heart of everything we do.

Here, our young ladies demonstrate...

Oh, I'm so glad Father Brown can make it.

I was hoping he would give some spiritual guidance to my students.

Well, what about the Reverend?

Well, he does his best.

But he's no substitute for an English clergyman.

...demonstrations of cocktail making