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DOG BARKS
( Ada. . . Are you still awake? )
Ada?
Oh, Ada.
What's wrong?
Are you unwell?
No, not at all.
I'm very well. What? What is it?
I don't know what to say.
This evening, before he left,
Richard told me he's in love with me.
Oh, I could have told you that a while ago.
Really?
Was it so obvious? Mmm.
Perhaps I should have realised that's what it was. You see, I've never. . .
What do you feel, Ada?
Do you feel the same? Do you feel as he does?
Well, yes. Yes, I do.
He wants us to be engaged, Esther.
Has he spoken to Mr Jarndyce yet?
An engagement?
You're both very young.
You've hardly, as it were, become yourselves yet.
You're still growing and changing,
and your feelings for each other may well change, too. Mine never will.
I'm glad to hear you say it. But constancy in love is not enough.
As Ada's guardian, I have to assure myself you can be constant in other ways.
In your studies, in your profession. You have your way to make, Rick.
It's far too soon to be thinking of an engagement.
I-I-I'm not happy about it.
You must be able to support a wife, and that'll take time.
Yes, of course, sir. But. . .
if our case is settled soon. . .
Don't pin your hopes on that, Rick. Others have done that and come to grief. I don't pin my hopes on it,
but if it should be settled soon, we'll have all the money we could want. All I'm saying to you both. . .
. is be patient.
You'll be in London, Rick, studying and working to become a doctor.
Ada will be in Bleak House in my care.
You can love each other very well.
>From a distance.
I'm not absolutely forbidding an engagement,
but I am advising you both to wait.
But really, sir, I. . . I think that would be the best way, Richard.
Of course, we wouldn't go against your advice, sir.
Thank you, Rick.
Take a letter, Clamb.
Very good, Mr Tulkinghorn.
To Lady Dedlock.
No, better mention it in a postscript in passing.
To Sir Leicester Dedlock. Very good, sir.
Did I do right, Esther?
I think it is hard for them. . .
loving each other so much and having to be apart.
But it is for the best.
Perhaps what we want for ourselves, and what is the best for us. . .
.are not the same thing.
And you, Esther? What do you want for yourself?
Me?
I don't want anything.
FOOTSTEPS
If you please, sir, it's a visitor for Miss Summerson. . . Miss Jellyby.
Caddy! Don't look at me.
I know I'm a disgrace. But I made up my mind I must call, and here I am.
It all began with you coming to our house and making me feel so awkward,
I decided I must do something about it.
So I enrolled at Mr Turveydrop's Academy of Dance and Deportment in Newman Street. . .
Now you can dance and deport yourself? No. I mean, yes. Well, I hope I can. But that's not it.
What it is, well, I don't know how it came about but I am engaged. . .
to Mr Prince Turveydrop.
LIVELY PIANO MUSIC
Prince? This is my friend, Miss Summerson.
I'm very pleased to meet you, Mr Turveydrop.
And I am very happy to meet Miss Jellyby's friend.
Um. . .
Please, don't let us interrupt.
No, go on, Prince.
If you say so, my love.
I love him so much, Miss Summerson.
I'm very happy for you, Caddy. Oh, lor'.
That's his dad.
Look at him. Poor Prince does all the work and his Pa just preens about, showing off his deportment.
Does he teach deportment? Not him.
He don't do anything at all except preen about.
He thinks he's one of the aristocracy. Ah!
Woman. Lovely woman. What a sex you are.
Oh, I could bite him ! Caddy! I could. Why are we cursed with parents?
I'd never be like him or my ma, not in a million years.
But I am trying to be patient with them, for your sake, and for dear Prince's sake.
Come on. We won't get another two words with Prince.
He works so hard for that dreadful old man, and I promised I'd look in on Miss Flite.
MUSIC STOPS Very good.
More from Tulkinghorn.
Again? He's served a writ on that scoundrel Boythorn.
I don't see why you and Mr Boythorn shouldn't settle your differences and agree to be good neighbours.
I'll see the fellow in leg-irons before I'm done with him.
Ah, more about your law-writer.
Oh?
He says, "I have spoken to a crossing sweeper answering to the name of Jo,
"no other name given,
"who plies his trade near the Court of Chancery.
"He spoke at the inquest on the body of the dead man.
"I am convinced that he has more to tell and await her ladyship's further instructions. "
Is that a matter of concern to you?
Tell him I have no further interest in the subject.
As you will, my dear.
Just a brief look as we're passing, Ada.
Thank you. There you are. Thank you, sir.
God bless you, sir. Was that a shilling? What if it was? It's a pleasure to brighten up his day.
So shall we look in on the court sessions? See how the law grinds on?
We should - our future depends on it. Mr Jarndyce doesn't think so.
Mr Jarndyce is a dear, good man, but his aversion to the law and lawyers seems hardly rational.
The law is a splendid profession. I've been thinking of taking it up.
What about your medical studies? Plenty of time! A fellow can have more than one string to his bow!
So shall we pay a visit to Chancery? Would it be a lark?
All right, if you like.
Inasmuch as the party of the first part shall be known as the party of the first part,
notwithstanding the party of the second part shall be referred to as the respondent. . . Enough!
I beg your lordship's pardon?
Wednesday fortnight. All stand for the Lord High Chancellor of England! My Lord, I will be heard!
Who is that fellow? I seem to know his face. Mr Gridley, my lord.
Ah, yes, the man from Shropshire.
LAUGHTER
Yes, my lord. Gridley. When will my case get a hearing?
I've been dragged into this court, my estate has been sequestered, my farm is left to rot.
I can do nothing until I get a judgement. Mr Gridley. . . Give me justice, my lord!
Be silent, Mr Gridley! I cannot be silent any longer!
Do you want to be arrested for contempt of court? You might as well, my lord,
for it is you and all these villains that bring the law into contempt. . . Quiet! . .and ruin honest men!
He's the worst of them ! Tulkinghorn! I name him ! I see you're determined to make trouble for yourself.
I will have justice! No, no, it's not the way. I pray you, dear friend, hold back. Take him down! Oh. . .
Oh, have pity on him. DOOR SLAMS SHUT
SHE GASPS
Mr Gridley is becoming a nuisance, Clamb.
He's irascible. He's not polite.
No respect for the system, Mr Tulkinghorn.
Get a warrant sworn out for his arrest. Yes, sir.
Contempt of court. And slander.
Very good, sir.
Truly, it's nothing. I'm quite myself again, Mr Woodcourt.
But you must rest. No more court for you this week. Will you promise me?
I'm very sorry to give you trouble. Oh, no, no trouble at all.
He is the very kindest of physicians in all the world.
He will have his reward on the Day of Judgment.
Everyone's so kind.
D'you know, I was carried here by one of the wards in Jarndyce.
Such an excellent young man.
Yes, he is. Miss Jellyby?
Everyone's so kind. Everyone. . .
So very kind.
(How is the old bird?
(Thought she was a goner. )
She is making a good recovery, Mr Krook.
Ah. Is she? Good.
Don't want any more corpses. . . Get a reputation.
Good afternoon. Krook at your service.
You're all welcome at my house. And if you've got anything to sell, Krook's your man.
Hey.
Here's lovely hair.
I got three sacks of ladies' hair, and none of 'em as fine as this.
What colour, what texture. That'll do, my good friend.
You can admire as the rest of us do, without taking that liberty. Mr Carstone, right?
The ward of Jarndyce.
That'll all end in grief and misery. Ask him.
Ah.
So what, what do you call these little fellows, ma'am? Have. . . have they any names?
I'll tell you what they're called, Mr Jarndyce.
She don't like to tell 'em, even though she named 'em.
Their names are Hope, Joy,
Youth, Peace,
Rest, Life,
Dust, Ashes,
Waste, Want,
Ruin, Despair, Madness,
Death, Cunning, Folly, Words,
Wigs, Rags, Jargon, Gammon and Spinach!
This is a bitter wind.
And when my noble and learned friend gives his judgment, they'll all be set free.
That's right, isn't it, Flite?
Yes, indeed, Mr Krook.
And then, should that day come. . .
.all the other birds'll kill 'em !
If ever the wind was in the east, I think it's there today.
Well, we must be going.
Er, Mr Woodcourt, would you do us the honour of dining with us?
Our friend Mr Skimpole will be there, too.
Miss Flite.
Miss Flite seems to depend very much on you, Mr Woodcourt.
I have a great regard for her.
These old ladies pay very handsomely for your services, no doubt? I treat her gratis, Mr Skimpole.
You're a philanthropist, Mr Woodcourt? Yes, indeed.
Though it must be hard to make a living if you treat all your patients for nothing. Hmm?
Not quite that bad. Some do pay me but a lot can't afford to. And what am I to do, turn them away? Hmm.
If I could get a position at a hospital, I could make ends meet. But those jobs are hard to come by.
I nearly took one up in the North Country a few months ago,
but I'd be sorry to leave London if I can manage to make a go of it here. I hope you do. . .
Mr Woodcourt.
Thank you, Miss Summerson.
But I don't want to give Mr Carstone the wrong impression.
Medicine's a great profession, and I for one would have no other.
To medicine.
ALL: Medicine.
'Woodcourt. '
Mr Allan Woodcourt.
Physician!
Welsh.
What's he got that I haven't got?
I saw her first, you. . .
.you Welsh physician. . .
But I will wait, my angel.
Guppy will wait.
My friend Boythorn has invited us down to Lincolnshire. He's a neighbour of Sir Leicester Dedlock.
We shall see the great house, but only at a distance, I fear. Boythorn is in a quarrel with Sir Leicester.
Boythorn is such a boisterous man. I can't abide the fellow. He's invited you as well, Skimpole.
Ah, well, in, in that case. . . If I can bring pleasure to my friends, I will do anything required of me.
Except pay your dues. Hmm?
Do you remember the man who came to arrest, Miss Summerson, and I was saved by your good offices?
Mr Neckett, you mean? Yes, yes, I do.
You'll never guess what's happened to him. He has been arrested, too.
By the great bailiff himself!
He will harass poor innocents like me no more.
You mean Neckett is dead?
Yes. And leaves three children to fend for themselves. No-one, is likely to help them,
their father's profession being so unpopular. I don't like this. Hm? If we make men like Neckett necessary,
by our faults and follies, we should not take pleasure in their misfortunes. No, but what can one do?
Can you tell me where these wretched children can be found? Coavinses. Nothing easier.
Then we shall go there tomorrow.
Excellent idea, sir.
Well, not you, Rick. Why ever not?
You will be at your medical studies with Mr Bayham Badger. Ah, yes.
Of course.
To be sure.
Mr Carstone!
Yes, Mr Badger?
Is the mixture ground up yet?
Er. . .
.very nearly, Mr Badger.
Quick as you like, Mr Carstone.
Just popping out for a second, Mr Badger.
SHOP BELL RINGS, DOOR CLOSES
Will you wait a moment for me?
Miss Summerson.
Mr Guppy, this must stop.
I wouldn't want to cause you any distress.
Then stop. Please, Mr Guppy.
You are wasting your time.
If you say so.
You will see me no more. Thank you, Mr Guppy.
But my feelings won't change.
'Neckett's children? Next floor, sir. '
Turn left and it's the third door.
You'll need the key. Here you are, Miss.
This is most interesting, to visit the lair of my old adversary.
BABY CRIES
We're locked in. Mrs Blinder's got the key.
CRYING CONTINUES
It's all right. We haven't come to harm you.
Who's locked you up here? Charley.
Is Charley your brother? No, she's our sister.
And where is Charley now?
Out washing. Washing? Clothes.
To get money. So we can eat. My God. . .
What's the matter? Nothing's the matter, child.
We heard of your circumstances and we've come to see how you're getting along.
Very well, thank you, sir. We don't need no help from nobody. I take care of all of us.
By working as a washerwoman? That's it.
God help you, You're not tall enough to reach the tub. In pattens I am. I got a pair that belonged to mother.
And how often do you go out? Every day, sir.
The baby's safe. When it comes dark, the light from the court shines in.
And Tom's not afraid of the dark. Are you, Tom? Not me.
So you see, we're all right here.
There's no need to put us in an orphanage.
BABY WAILS
'And in the matter of the law-writer, her ladyship has asked me to pass on to you her gratitude
'for your patient investigations, but to inform you that she has no further interest in the matter. '
Well, well.
We'll see. Clamb!
Yes, sir. Are the court papers prepared for tomorrow? Yes, Mr Tulkinghorn.
And the arrest warrant for Mr Gridley? All is in hand, sir. Good. I'm going out.
Where shall I say you are if anyone enquires?
I'll tell them I don't know.
That's it, Clamb.
Evening, sir. Got any change?
No, I haven't!
Evening, sir. Got any change, sir?
Good day, sir.
Evening, sir. Got any change, sir?
Evening, miss. Got any change, miss?
Are you the boy they call Jo? I don't know nothing.
I ain't done nothing. Come here.
You have nothing to fear from me.
You knew the man who died, the man called Nemo.
What if I did?
What was he like?
He was very good to me, he was.
He give me money when he had some.
I will give you money. . . if you will show me where he lived,
and where he died, and where he was buried. Can you do that?
Yes, my lady. I'm not a lady.
I'm a servant.
Yes, miss.
Now go before me, then.
And don't turn around, and don't speak to me unless I speak to you.
And I will give you more money than you have ever had in your life.
Now lead on.
So, how did you get on with your studies, Richard? Oh, well enough.
Well, you know. . . It'll do as well as anything else, I suppose.
HE CLEARS HIS THROAT
Mr Badger?
My dear?
Mr Badger and I were wondering whether Mr Carstone had chosen his profession ill-advisedly.
He has not that positive interest in it which would make it his vocation.
Does Mr Badger think so, too?
We, um. . .
Well, to tell the truth, when I heard Mrs Badger put it in that light,
well, I. . . The conclusion at which I have arrived,
in short, is Mrs Badger's conclusion. Really?
Mmm. I had no idea!
The fact is, I've been coming to the same conclusion myself.
Yes, I have. I've been thinking that the law is the boy for me.
Who lives here?
Mr Snagsby. Him who gave him the writing to do, and give him money for it.
Lead on.
Down here. . .around this corner.
That's Krook's house.
That's where he lived, miss.
And that's where he died.
Which room?
Up at the top, miss.
At the back.
The law?
Yes. You see, if I went into Kenge's office, if I were placed under articles to Kenge,
I should be able to keep an eye on our case.
Look after Ada's interests as well. You mustn't be swayed by hopes of something that may never happen.
No, sir, I understand that. Absolutely.
I really am set upon the law. I believe I'm cut out for it as I wasn't cut out for medicine.
If you are quite sure? I am, sir.
We can retreat with honour, and we will.
But we must make certain, for your cousin's sake, Rick, we make no more such mistakes. Absolutely, sir.
No more mistakes. The law it is.
The law.
What is this place?
Why do you bring me here?
It's where they brought him, miss, to bury him. What? !
In this dreadful place?
Just there, miss. See there?
They didn't dig down very deep.
They was obliged to stamp upon it, to get it in.
Is this consecrated ground?
What's that?
Is it blessed? Blessed? Don't know.
Ain't done him much good if it is.
But I don't know nothing.
Here. . .
Take this.
Goodnight.
You seem troubled. Oh!
I hope you don't think the worse of Richard, for changing his mind. No.
He has time before him.
A whole lifetime.
But I wish he had your steadiness, Esther.
He has Ada's heart, you see.
He has her heart.
If you please, sir.
It's a Mr Woodcourt. Woodcourt!
This is a pleasant surprise.
Forgive the intrusion. I know you're leaving for Lincolnshire soon and I wanted to say goodbye. . .
as I am leaving myself very soon.
Not leaving poor Miss Flite in the lurch, I trust? I'm afraid so.
My financial situation has become acute.
An old debt has been called in and, to cut a long story short,
I have taken an appointment as a ship's surgeon.
The Navy is always in need of qualified men.
It's not what I wanted,
and I am very sorry to be parting from you all. . .
having just made your acquaintance.
Will you be away very long?
Many months.
Perhaps years.
Oh.
DOOR OPENS
Esther, look.
Very pretty.
Did you make it yourself?
No. It's from Mr Woodcourt.
That was thoughtful of him.
Esther, it's for you.
He told Harriet quite expressly, "for Miss Summerson".
Here.
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