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THUNDER RUMBLES
HORSE WHINNIES
Whoa! Whoa!
Whoa, whoa!
Silence in court!
Now we come, not for the first time, to Jarndyce and Jarndyce.
Yes, Mr Tangle?
As we know, m'lud, the problem with which we grapple in the case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce
is that there are several wills and fragments of wills,
all of them different, all of them conflicting.
Is there much more of this, Mr Tangle?
Afraid there is. . . a variety of points.
I feel it my duty to submit. . . Ludship.
Mr Brownlow, you appear for Lady Dedlock in this matter. Do you have any matters of urgency?
Er. . . No, m'lud. Ah.
I see that Mr Tulkinghorn has graced us with his presence this morning.
M'lud.
THUNDERCLAP
Is it still raining, my love?
Yes, my love. Remarkable.
And I am bored to death with it. Ah, well. . .
Bored to death with this place,
bored to death with my life,
(bored to death with myself. )
What was that, my love?
Nothing. . .
of consequence.
Mr Tulkinghorn will be coming soon.
Certain legal matters to discuss, he says.
Perhaps there's been a development in Jarndyce and Jarndyce.
Nothing ever happens with Jarndyce and Jarndyce. No, well. . .
JUDGE: Now, somewhat to my surprise,
something stirs in Jarndyce.
It appears that the two young people, the wards of court
who stand at the very centre of these proceedings,
are with us today.
My lord, you were to hear my case today! Gridley, my lord.
Silence in court! Gridley.
I have a right to be heard, my lord. I have waited long enough.
Quiet, sir, quiet. Keep it down.
An application has been made for them to reside with their cousin -
a Mr John Jarndyce.
Will your lordship allow me?
The two young people are here, my lord.
And there is a third young person, my lord. A third young person? Not another ward in court?
No, m'lud. Engaged as companion to this young lady, and seeking your lordship's approval.
Very well. Is she here, too?
On her way, m'lud.
Miss Barbary. . .
will you tell me, who am I, exactly?
Who are you?
You're nobody. You're nothing. You're worse than nothing.
It would have been far better if you'd never been born. Why?
Is it because of my mother?
Did she die because of me?
Your mother, Esther, is your disgrace. . .
.and you hers.
You're different from other children, Esther.
YOU are set apart.
THUNDER STRIKES, HORSE WHINNIES
MEN CRY OUT
Miss Esther Summerson? My name is Guppy, Miss, of Kenge and Carboys.
Allow me, Miss.
There. Here we are.
Bring down Miss Summerson's box and follow us, my man.
Now, will you take me arm, Miss?
We don't wanna lose ya, do we, Miss?
DOG BARKS, VOICES CRY OUT
Oh! Have a care there, sir. I do beg your pardon.
I beg your pardon.
Are you all right? Quite all right, thank you.
Then no harm done.
Good day to you.
Good day, sir.
Well, Jo, how are you?
You know me, sir. I never vary.
I've nothing to give you now, Jo,
but I'll look out for you on my way back.
You're very good, sir.
SHOP DOOR BELL RINGS
All in order, Mr Nemo.
Very elegantly done, if I may say so.
There'll be another parcel of documents to copy tomorrow if you want it.
Jarndyce and Jarndyce makes work for us all, eh?
Careful how you spend it now.
What's it to you how I spend it, Mr Snagsby? Nothing at all, I'm sure, Mr Nemo.
Good day to you.
DOOR CREAKS OPEN
Here we are, Miss Summerson.
This is Mr Kenge's room.
Er, take this armchair by the fire, if you will. Thank you.
Mr Kenge is in court now.
He left his compliments and would you partake of some refreshment, and look over the paper if you will.
Oh, thank you, Mr. . . Guppy.
Thank you, Mr Guppy. Oh, not at all, Miss, I'm sure.
You're going before the Chancellor, I hear.
A claimant in Jarndyce and Jarndyce, I dare say?
I don't know. I don't think so.
But Mr John Jarndyce. . . There. . . Mr John Jarndyce. You see?
He's right at the heart of the case, and it is a very great case, Miss Summerson.
The most famous case in Chancery.
Gone on for many years.
Some say it will never be settled, and a great deal of money depends on it, Miss Summerson.
Hundreds of thousands. Millions, some say.
I have heard of it, Mr Guppy, but I don't understand it at all.
It's about a will, Miss. Or a number of 'em.
A long time ago, a man named Jarndyce made a great fortune, but he seems to have made more than one will.
So, no-one knows who should get the money,
and it's been in dispute ever since.
There are lots of claimants, and the claims get passed down through the generations.
There's two young people appeared in court today and they are at the heart of it, like your Mr John Jarndyce.
They say one of 'em may get the lot, but you never know.
You may have a claim yourself, Miss Summerson, if Mr Jarndyce has sent for you.
And, may I say, I wish you the very best of good fortune, Miss Summerson.
Thank you, Mr Guppy.
Er, you see there's a looking-glass there on the wall?
Yes? In case you should want to look at yourself after the journey, as you're going before the Chancellor.
Er, not that it's requisite, I'm sure.
It's very much to the contrary, if I may say so.
Oh, no. Oh.
Mortifying.
(Mortifying. )
It's only an ink-stain, is it not, Mr Guppy?
That must be a regular hazard, I would have thought, in your line of business.
Don't upset yourself, I beg you.
You're very kind, Miss Summerson.
Kinder than I could have. . .
Miss Summerson.
Ah, Mr Kenge. Miss Summerson.
Shall we go before the Chancellor?
Mortifying.
Miss Clare? Miss Ada Clare?
Well, well. You are a ward of court, Miss Clare.
Do you know what that means? I'm not sure that I do, sir.
You and Mr Carstone, both being orphaned, you have been placed under the jurisdiction of the court.
As claimants in the case, as direct descendents of the original John Jarndyce
of Bleak House in Hertfordshire, now long deceased,
you may inherit a very great deal of money,
one or both of you, when this case is settled.
In the meantime, your cousin, also called John Jarndyce,
also residing at Bleak House, has undertaken to take care of you.
Are you willing to go to Bleak House, Miss Clare? Yes, sir.
It sounds dreary to me.
Not dreary at present, my lord.
Mr Richard Carstone? Yes, my lord.
Do you think that you will be happy under the roof of Mr John Jarndyce of Bleak House?
I'm sure I shall, my lord.
Though you have never met him?
Hmm.
Mr John Jarndyce is a man of good character, I suppose?
Of excellent character and high standing in the community, my lord.
He has the means to look after these two young people?
No matter what the outcome of the case, he is a man of considerable means.
Is he married?
He is not, my lord.
Hmm. If I might remind your lordship, Mr Jarndyce provides a suitable companion for Miss Clare.
This is the young lady, Miss Summerson.
I see.
Very well.
I shall make the order.
INDISTINCT CHATTER
Well, what a day this has been.
Only yesterday, on the old school bench construing Latin verses,
today I'm Mr Richard Carstone, heir to a fortune.
So where do we go next, Miss Summerson?
Don't YOU know? Not in the least.
We're like the babes in the wood.
Have you known each other very long? Not very long.
We met each other half an hour before we met you, Esther, but we're the best of friends already.
I'm sure all three of us shall be. Oh! The wards in Jarndyce.
Very happy, I'm sure, to have the honour.
It's a good omen for youth and hope and beauty
to find themselves in this place and not know what's to come of it.
I was a ward myself, you know.
Of course, my case was nothing like so grand as yours,
but I expect a judgement shortly, on the Day of Judgement.
Now don't be troublesome, Miss Flite, there's a good soul.
Ah, here's your cab. You're to lodge with Mrs Jellyby tonight.
A good soul, and a great philanthropist. Guppy will take you.
Ah, yes, indeed.
Well, Miss Clare and Mr Carstone.
Miss Summerson.
Up we go. We all in?
Off we go, driver.
Walk on.
Clamb?
Fetch the Jarndyce documents.
Going down to Chesney Wold, sir?
Mmm. A fine house, I understand, sir.
Very fine house, very great family.
A great privilege to serve Sir Leicester Dedlock, Clamb.
And Lady Dedlock, sir.
A great beauty in her day, sir.
Mmm, a beauty.
Not from a great family, but a beauty, as you say.
That's the world.
Fetch the papers, Clamb. Right you are, Mr Tulkinghorn.
CHILD CRIES
Mr Guppy, whatever's the matter?
Don't be frightened, Miss. One of the young Jellybys has got his head through the railings.
Oh, poor child. Oh, never fear.
I'll pull him out, Miss Summerson.
Oh. Move. 'Ere y'are.
CHILD WAILS
No go. I'll try again.
Mr Guppy! Mr Guppy. Would it not be better to push?
Where his head will go, the rest of him will follow.
Oh, excellent thought, Miss Summerson.
Gently, don't be frightened.
Er, wriggle your shoulder a little bit sideways.
CHILD CONTINUES TO WAIL
There, that's it. There, we got him!
DOOR OPENS
Ah, Miss Clare. Miss Summerson.
Mr Carstone. Do, please, come inside.
This way, my dears. You find me, as usual, very busy.
My Africa project employs my whole time.
THUD, FOLLOWED BY CHILD CRYING
We hope by this time next year to have 200 families
cultivating coffee, and educating the natives of Borrioboola-Gha.
Great work, great work.
My husband, Mr Jellyby, does not appear to be here.
But here is my eldest daughter Caddy, my amanuensis.
Do please sit while I, er. . .
Where were we, Caddy?
I'm sure YOUR thoughts have often turned to Africa, Miss Summerson.
The finest climate in the world. Caddy?
Mrs Jellyby presents her compliments to Mrs Swallow. . .
Ma. Now what is it?
No, Peepy, not on any account.
Mama is busy.
You, Mrs Swallow, I know, share my deeply held conviction
about Africa, the essential Brotherhood of Humanity,
and it is with this understanding. . .
I can't keep up, Ma. Go slower.
And. . .
it is with this understanding. . .
KNOCK AT DOOR
(May I come in for a minute? )
You've been working late.
No need to tell me that.
I wish Africa was dead.
Look at my fingers. It won't come off.
She's very pretty. Yes, she is.
She's an orphan, ain't she?
Yes. I wish I was an orphan.
Ma's a disgrace. I wish I was dead.
I wish we were all dead. It would be a great deal better for us.
Don't tell me it wouldn't, it would. Caddy, I'm sure. . .
I'm so angry with Ma. She makes such an ass of herself over Africa, and Pa does nothing at all.
Really, Caddy, I don't think you should speak of your parents like that.
I know I am a disgrace, Miss Summerson.
I wish I'd had you to teach me better manners, but I've got to make the best of myself as I am.
You're shocked, I dare say.
Well, so am I.
I wish. . . Well, never mind.
Goodnight.
Here we are, my beauties!
Hope. Joy.
Youth. Ah. . . SHE WHISTLES
Peace. Rest. Life.
Oooh, shh, shh, shh, shh. . .
Dust. Ashes. Waste.
Want. . .
Ruin, Despair.
Madness.
Death.
Cunning and Folly.
We shall all have a judgement on the Day of Judgement.
Plunder, Precedent, Jargon, Gammon and Spinach.
And then you shall sing to your heart's content, my little ones.
SHE WHISTLES
BIRDS TWITTER
Oh!
SHE HUMS A TUNE
# And we'll all come to judgement one day soon. #
Morning. Off to court then, Miss Flite?
As you see, Mr Krook. And your rent?
Very soon, Mr Krook, very soon.
On the Day of Judgement, yeah?
Oh, long before then, I'm sure.
LOUD HISS All right, Lady Jane?
She could tear a person to tatters if I set her on.
D'you know, she was sold to me for her skin.
It's a very fine one as you see.
Didn't have it in me heart to skin her.
Not like the Court of Chancery, eh?
Not as long as I get what I'm owed.
Mr Krook,
I have met the wards in Jarndyce.
Wards in Jarndyce, is it? Such beautiful creatures.
So full of youth and hope and beauty. Oh, and they won't have it long.
That Jarndyce and Jarndyce eats 'em all up.
It's like being ground to bits in a slow mill.
It's being drowned by drips and going mad by grains.
Look how poor Tom Jarndyce ended up. Mr Krook, don't speak of it.
Come in my shop, right where you stand, a pistol in his hand.
Please, Mr Krook. SHOP DOOR BELL CLANGS
Oh!
Mr Nemo.
Good morning, Miss Flite.
Mr Krook.
Er, forgive me but I'm rather pressed for time.
Rent, Mr Nemo. Six weeks.
As long as that?
Well, you shall have it.
Yeah, that's all very well, but when?
You will be paid, Mr Krook.
You have my word.
Now. . .
.excuse me.
Oh, he's such a gentleman.
A gentleman? That's no use to me.
Some people say that he sold his soul to the devil.
But if he has, I don't know what he done with the money!
My very best remembrances to my good friend Mr Jarndyce.
You won't forget me, will you, Miss Summerson?
Come, Caddy, we have work to do.
OK, driver.
Go on, move on.
We have a visitor.
Can you see who it is, my love?
Tulkinghorn. Ah.
Mr Tulkinghorn. Sir Leicester.
Good of you to come all this way.
My lady's case has been again before the Chancellor, has it? Yes.
It was on again yesterday, my lord.
My lady.
It would be useless to ask, no doubt, whether anything has been done.
Nothing that you would call anything has been done.
Nor ever will be. Mmm.
Well, a long Chancery suit is very much in the way of things, my dear.
Hardly be proper if it weren't.
Indeed, my lord. Now, as a few fresh affidavits have been put upon the file,
and as I proceed upon the principle that my client
should be fully possessed of all the new developments in the case. . .
All right, Mr Tulkinghorn.
I, er. . . I have the papers here, if I might. . .
Thank you.
In Chancery, between John Jarndyce. . . Mr Tulkinghorn, please.
Omit as many of the formal horrors as you can.
As your ladyship pleases.
Who copied that? Hmm? Whose handwriting is it?
I regret to say I have no idea, my lady.
Is this what you call law-hand?
Why do you ask?
Anything to vary this detestable monotony.
Oh, go on, do.
Very well. Er. . .
In the matter of the will, or wills, of the aforesaid John Jarndyce. . .
My lady? What's the matter?
My dear, what is it? What's the matter?
Lady Dedlock is ill, sir.
I'm just. . .faint. Help Lady Dedlock to her room.
Careful. Careful, gently now.
Heat of the fire, perhaps.
Far too much for her.
I mean it! Nemo, no more excuses!
The money by tomorrow or you're on the street!
COINS CLINK
Thank you, sir. Those papers I took down to Lady Dedlock at Chesney Wold, where were they copied?
That depends, Mr Tulkinghorn. They came from several of our regulars.
Well, that one, for instance.
I'll check, sir.
It may take a while. I have to compare the hand.
Thank you, Clamb.
Ada, my love. Esther, my dear.
You are welcome. I rejoice to see you. Come inside and get warm.
Rick, if I had a hand to spare at present, I'd give it to you.
Come in. Come in.
There. Now, make yourselves comfortable, warm yourselves.
Now, Rick, I have that hand at liberty.
A word in earnest is as good as a speech.
I am heartily glad to see you.
You are at home.
You're very kind, sir. We're much obliged to you.
Now, come and see your rooms.
I wish you'd come away from the window, my love.
You must take care for your health. We don't want you fainting again.
I am perfectly well.
You're still pale, I'm afraid. Is it any wonder?
We have not see the sun for months. Mmm.
I think I should take you away for a while.
Paris, now.
A change of scene that will lighten both our spirits.
What do you say?
You are too good to me. No, no.
No, no, no.
Not at all.
D'you think we shall be happy here, Esther?
I think we have been very fortunate.
Bleak House is not so bleak after all.
And do you like Mr Jarndyce?
I think he is a very singular man indeed.
Is that good? I hope so, we are here now for good or ill.
Esther, why do you think he's taken us into his care?
Well, perhaps it is nothing but kindness.
He has made it very difficult for us to ask, since he behaves as if we are all old friends.
It is strange.
But perhaps we shall be good friends.
Do you think we shall, Esther?
I am sure we shall, Ada.
KNOCK AT DOOR Yes?
Miss Summerson? For you, Miss, if you please. The housekeeping keys.
The master said to bring them to you,
then tomorrow morning I'm to show you the presses and the things they belong to.
For me?
Really?
Thank you. Er, and you are. . . ?
Harriet, Miss. Thank you, Harriet.
'You're nobody.'
You're nothing. You're worse than nothing.
It would have been far better if you'd never been born.
Esther, what is it? Nothing.
I'm surprised anyone should trust me so much, knowing me so little.
Shall we go down?
As far as worldly matters are concerned, I am but a child, a perfect child.
Ah, our little party is complete.
Ada, Esther. . . Allow me to introduce myself. Harold Skimpole.
A dear friend and house guest, for the present, of Mr Jarndyce.
Now, you ask my profession. No profession whatsoever.
I have no aptitude for worldly affairs, none at all.
There, that's Harold Skimpole for you.
How do you do, Mr Skimpole? Very well indeed. . .
thanks to my excellent friends, of whom John Jarndyce is one of the very best and kindest. Well. . .
Shall we go in? Miss Clare, would you do me the honour? Hmm?
THUNDER RUMBLES
THUNDER CRASHES
Will you wait there, please, sir?
I'll go and ask the housekeeper.
Mr Guppy? I've never heard of him.
M'lord and Lady Dedlock are away in Paris, sir.
They left this afternoon. The house is all shut up.
Ah, er, my principal, Mr Kenge, has letters of affidavit for Lady Dedlock's attention.
You can leave them with me, sir, I'll see she gets 'em. Ah, right.
Er, begging your pardon most profoundly for the unsociable lateness of the hour,
owing to my having got lost in very unfamiliar country,
I wonder, ma'am, if I might. . . throw myself upon your mercy.
You want to be allowed to stay the night? In a word, ma'am.
All right, Mr Guppy. So long as you don't mind sleeping with the boots.
Show him the way, Rosa.
I covet nothing.
Possessions are nothing to me. I live as innocently as a child.
Forgive me, sir, did you never. . . wish you had a house of your own,
and a wife and children of your own?
Why, bless you, my dear fellow. I have a wife, and children.
Well, half a dozen I should say, or more. And love them very dearly.
But how do you look after them? Look after them?
Well, how could I? You see, I have no aptitude for work of any kind.
None whatsoever. My friend Skimpole needs somebody to look after HIM.
Then how do your children live, sir?
Do you know, I've no idea.
But live, they do, somehow or other.
It's no use asking me how these things are done.
I am a child, a perfect child, in these matters.
I think your life must be a very pleasant one, Mr Skimpole.
Well, yes, you might think that.
PIANO MUSIC: Adagio from "Pathetique" by Beethoven
A lovely young creature like that.
We will not call her an orphan.
She. . . is a child of the universe.
The universe makes rather an indifferent parent, I'm afraid.
Oh, I don't know. I think I DO know.
Well, this is something, I should say.
The portrait is of Lady Dedlock as a young woman.
It's considered a perfect likeness, and the best work of the master.
Dear me! That's Lady Dedlock, is it?
Blest if I can ever have seen her. . .
yet I know her.
I'm dashed if I don't think. . .
I must have had a dream of that picture, you know?
KNOCK AT DOOR
If you please, Miss, Mr Carstone said would you come to the dining room.
Mr Skimpole's been took, Miss.
Took? Took, Miss. Sudden.
Oh. I understood you were. . .
You are not ill, Mr Skimpole?
Not in the least, Miss Summerson.
We thought you might be able to advise us, Esther.
This gentleman is Mr Neckett. NECKETT COUGHS
Mr Skimpole has been arrested for debt.
Are you arrested for much, sir?
My dear Miss Summerson, I don't know.
Er, some pounds, odd shillings and a ha'penny were mentioned, I think.
24 pound, 16 and sevenpence ha'penny, that's what it is.
What will happen if the money is not produced, sir? Jail. Or Coavinses.
Er, may I ask what is. . .
Coavinses, Miss? Halfway house for debtors, Miss.
I thought, you see, that Mr Carstone might,
or his beautiful young cousin, might sign some sort of a bond or pledge.
Not a bit of it. It's cash or Coavinses. Make your mind up.
One moment, please, Mr Neckett.
Why are WE drawn into this?
He feels a delicacy about applying to Mr Jarndyce. . .
Done it too many times before, no doubt. He has no right.
I know, but what are we going to do?
I think we must pay the man, if we can.
I have £10 Mr Kenge gave me. I must try what that will do.
I have £15 and a few shillings.
My life savings.
HE SIGHS Esther.
And this is the laundry room, Miss.
Thank you, Harriet.
Everything is just as it should be. Thank you, Miss. Esther?
Would you step in here a moment?
Sit down, my dear.
This, you know, is the Growlery.
When I'm out of humour, I come here and growl.
Then you must be here very seldom.
HE LAUGHS You don't know me.
When I'm deceived or disappointed, when the wind is in the east. . .
Er, now. . .
what is this I hear about Rick and yourself and Mr Skimpole last night?
Are you angry with us? No! You? No, bless you, no!
To get hold of the pair of you and squeeze you
like a couple of young oranges, that was very bad of him.
But there must be no more of it, Esther.
If I choose to support him, that's another thing altogether. 15, was it
Here you are.
And keep it safe. Safe from our friend Skimpole's inexperience. Hmm?
Thank you.
What is it, Esther?
I don't understand why you're so good to us.
Well. . .
that's easy.
In your case, I. . .
I hear of a young woman without a protector,
and I take it into my head to be that protector.
And Richard and Ada? They've gone into this dreadful thing through no fault of their own.
They need help to guide them through it. Through Chancery?
I wish I could guide them far away from it.
Jarndyce and Jarndyce has ruined better men than me.
The years go by, the claims are passed down generations,
and we can't get out of it, none of us, on any terms.
My great uncle, Tom Jarndyce, was brought to despair by it and. . .
blew his own brains out.
I was his heir. This was his home.
When I came here it was bleak indeed.
And when I brought. . .
what remained of him. . .
home here, I thought the brains of the house had been. . .
blown out too.
It was so shattered and ruined.
Then you must have made great changes, sir.
Yes, yes, and in myself, too, as far as I've been able to.
But I determined never to be drawn into this case,
with its false hopes and ruined expectations.
I am fortunate I have enough to live upon,
and to help others, too, without tormenting myself with dreams of. . .
HE KNOCKS ON TABLE
Well, I told you this was the Growlery,
and I think we may have done with it for one day.
I am very glad to have you here with me, Esther.
You and. . . Rick and Ada.
Do you think that you will all be happy here?
Yes, sir, I think so.
And is there anything I could do to make you more. . .sure of that?
I have been told that I was my mother's disgrace,
and she is mine.
Do you know what was meant?
I assume what was meant is that I was born out of wedlock.
But I should like to know who my mother was. . .
.and whether she still lives. Ah.
That I cannot tell you, Esther.
Your aunt chose not to tell you and her secret died with her.
It may be for the best.
Hmm.
Gallant conduct.
Bravery.
You don't see this one very often.
Your own, sir, are they?
How much? To pawn, or sell outright?
Sell outright.
Eight pound.
CLAMB CLEARS HIS THROAT
Those papers, Mr Tulkinghorn,
that you took to Lady Dedlock, the one you were interested in.
It was copied at Snagsby's.
You quite sure of that? Was there some complaint about them, sir?
None at all.
Quite the contrary. That's all, Clamb.
Mrs Pardiggle has threatened to call. I'm afraid she may insist on taking you on her rounds.
What rounds would those be, sir?
Charitable rounds, Rick.
Will you be embarking on this charitable expedition, Mr Skimpole?
I? Oh, no.
Well, I have nothing to give, but myself.
And Mrs Pardiggle I find a woman best admired, er, from a distance.
What's the cause we're engaged on, Mrs Pardiggle?
Visiting a poor family of brick makers.
The father is a very bad character,
but I believe I have made great strides with them already.
They love to see me, you know.
Come in, come in.
Well, my friends, I am here again.
There ain't any more of you, is there?
You won't put me off, good people.
I enjoy hard work, and the harder you make mine, the better I like it.
Now, did you read the little book I left with you?
No. I've been drunk for three days. BABY CRIES
If I had the money, I'd have been drunk four.
Have I been to church? No, I ain't.
How did my wife get that black eye?
Why, I gives it to 'er.
And if there's anyone else who wants one, you say the word.
Well, if that's the way, perhaps we should move on.
There are others more deserving of our attention.
BABY CONTINUES TO CRY
Is there anything we can do?
Would you like a doctor for the baby?
I think it's gone too late for that, Miss.
SHE GASPS
SHE SOBS
SHE KEENS
We can do no more for now, Esther.
MOTHER CONTINUES TO CRY
Damn you, boy!
Sorry, sir, I. . . Damn your sorry, you little blackguard. Leave it!
Or you will deal with me!
Well, Jo, how are you?
Not so bad, thanks, sir.
Here.
Take care of yourself, Jo.
Well, here you are. How did you like Mrs Pardiggle's charity?
Not at all, sir. Oh, Lord, I shouldn't have let you go.
You're distressed. Our distress is nothing. But theirs is. . .
Can nothing be done to help them? I think something must be done.
But now, Esther, if you feel up to it, you have a visitor. A visitor? For me?
A Mr Guppy. Mr Guppy?
Of Kenge and Carboys? Mmm.
Doesn't it concern us all? Miss Esther Summerson, on a personal and confidential matter, he said.
Miss Summerson.
Will you take some refreshment?
No, thank you.
I'll take a glass of wine.
HE CLEARS HIS THROAT
Miss Summerson. . .
Er. . .
What is it, Mr Guppy?
My present salary is two pound a week, and I expect a further rise of five shillings.
My mother has a little property, which takes the form of a small life annuity.
Mr Guppy, I don't understand. . . Er, Miss Summerson. . .
In the mildest language. . .
I ADORE you.
Now would you be so kind as to allow me to make a declaration. . .
To make an offer?
Get up, please, Mr Guppy.
I won't hear any more unless you do.
I will, Miss.
As I love and honour, so likewise I obey.
I'm sorry, Mr Guppy, but I can't marry you. It's out of the question.
I'm aware that, in a worldly point of view,
my offer may seem a poor one. . . No, it isn't that, Mr Guppy. . .
. but I have been brought up in a sharp school.
I've ferreted out evidence, and got up cases.
What means might I not find of advancing your fortunes,
if I had your confidence, and you was to set me on? Please stop, Mr Guppy. . .
I have walked up and down, of an evening, opposite Jellyby's,
only to look upon the bricks that once contained thee.
Miss Summerson,
have pity on me.
Mr Guppy, I don't want to disappoint you, or to cause you pain,
but you must understand that I don't. . .
.and couldn't. . .
love you.
I thank you for your good opinion of me.
And that is your final answer?
Yes.
Er, half a minute, Miss. . .
In case you should think better at any time,
for MY feelings can never alter. . .
. Mr William Guppy, 87 Penton Place, will suffice.
My card.
Without prejudice.
My angel.
SHOP DOOR BELL JANGLES
Bless my soul, sir. Mr Tulkinghorn.
I want half a word with you, Snagsby. Jarndyce and Jarndyce.
Everything's satisfactory, I hope, Mr Tulkinghorn?
You copied some affidavits in that cause for me lately. Yes, sir.
There was one of them, the handwriting of which is peculiar.
Who copied this? Ah.
We gave this out, sir. It'll be in the book.
Jarndyce. Here we are, sir.
This was given out to a writer who lodges just opposite. Name of Nemo.
Nemo? Nemo is Latin for "no-one".
He lodges just opposite? Above Krook's bottle shop.
Will I take you there? No trouble. No trouble at all, sir. No, Snagsby, that will not be necessary.
I was simply curious, that's all.
Good evening, Snagsby. Good evening, Mr Tulkinghorn. Much obliged to you.
SHOP DOOR BELL JANGLES, CAT HISSES All right, Lady Jane.
Mr Krook? That's me.
Is your lodger within?
Male or female? Male.
He's in.
Did you want to see him? Yes.
Then you'd best go up.
Second landing. End on the left.
Thank you.
HE KNOCKS ON DOOR
Mr Nemo?
Are you there?
Opium.
Mr Nemo?
Hello, my friend.
The man called Nemo, Mr Tulkinghorn.
He pawned some medals the day he died.
One of them was inscribed with the name of Captain Hawdon. Hawdon!
A welsher! A bilker! A defalcator!
Owes me hundreds of pounds, and gone to ground.
Bad debt. Bad debt. I hate 'em !
You, boy. Come here. Here!
I ain't done nothing, sir.
What do you do here? Let the boy go, Mr Tulkinghorn.
You're frightening him.
He is the very kindest of physicians in all the world.
He will have his reward on the Day of Judgement.
I shall never be a person of consequence.
No? Well, you'll have to allow me to disagree with you, then.
I think you like Mr Woodcourt a great deal, don't you? I did.
Oh, Ada, if only life could be like this all the time.
Well, it could, couldn't it? Perhaps.
I love him so much, Miss Summerson.
Oh, Lor', that's his dad.
Strike home, sir. Strike home.
Delighted to welcome you to the mysteries of our profession, Mr Carstone.
Richard Carstone, MRCS.
I suppose there is. . .
rather a lot of blood. But don't let me discourage you.
I've been thinking that the law
is the boy for me. The law?
Tell you the truth, I can't make head nor tail of it.
And, er, what profession have you settled upon this time?
The Army, sir.
All these costs, costs, costs and nothing is done.
Nothing is for nothing, as they say.
Might I ask, Miss Summerson, what YOUR family was?
I never knew my mother or my father, Mrs Woodcourt.
This is to be hushed up if it can be.
I am not sure that I could do that, Mr Tulkinghorn.
You must, Lady Dedlock.
For the sake of the family honour, you must.
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