(SIGHS)
(GRUNTS)
Gracious me, James! Aren't you ready yet?
Does it look like it Siegfried?
That wretched animal will have given birth by now.
Oh, if you're so keen, I really wouldn't mind if you went instead of me.
I wouldn't be in the least offended.
No, no, no, no, it's you Mr Blackburn wants to see,
I shall, uh, come and observe.
-You're not serious? -Of course I'm serious.
-It's a quarter to six. -I'm aware of the time, James. I do possess a watch.
(YAWNING) You could still be in bed. More to the point, so could I.
(LAUGHING) Such a waste! The mind is at its sharpest before breakfast.
Don't you agree? More ready for new experiences.
Frankly, I'm longing to see
Mr Blackburn's modern methods actually at work.
Well, I wish I shared your enthusiasm.
We must welcome change James! Rush to meet it!
Come on! Come one! Give me those!
We must not shelter
and shrink inside our cosy, traditional shell!
-Siegfried... -James, sometimes I suspect
you lack the true scientific spirit.
(MUSIC PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS)
Does it fill you with hope for the future?
It's easy to criticise James, but we must make the effort,
try and understand the thinking behind it.
I mean, the men who invented all this must have thought they were on to something.
It's our duty to find out what that, uh, was.
Well, it's efficient. You have to say that for it.
I wonder who suffers most,
the men or the animals?
SIEGFRIED: Yes, progress, James.
One still sometimes naively hopes
it might just improve the quality of life.
Foolishly romantic, I suppose.
Still, who do you suppose the patient is?
Oh, I don't know.
Ah, there's Mr Blackburn.
Mr Blackburn!
Anything in the newspaper?
No.
You sure?
Mmm.
What, nothing at all?
Page upon page of empty space.
Actually, I think there's going to be a war.
-At last. -You won't be glad, will you?
I shall be glad when we know one way or the other.
It's the waiting I can't bear.
I thought it was all going to blow over. I really did.
You and the rest down at the drovers'.
If anything happens,
you will be careful, won't you?
-Me? -All of you.
Oh, I should say so. I'll be extraordinarily careful.
I'm much too young to die.
Sorry.
It's going to be all right. Honestly.
I mean, there's no point in worrying anyway.
We're not the sort to go under, Helen, I know we're not.
Everybody thinks that.
It's true.
Look at it this way...
We can't come to any harm. It's not possible.
Not till I've passed my finals anyway.
Wouldn't be fair.
She should've calved last night. There must be something amiss.
Er, look we're behind with milking. If I can leave you to it?
Have you had a feel inside her Mr Blackburn?
Nay, how could I? We're all lifting churns to get ready for the milk man.
Now, if you'll excuse me.
Mr Blackburn?
-I haven't got time for chat. -I'm sure a few seconds.
You don't know milk men.
They'll have my guts for garters if we're not ready.
Would you please tell me where I can find
hot water, soap, and a towel?
Ask one of the men. I told you, I haven't got time!
Then neither have we. Good day to you.
-Come on, James. -Hey!
All right, all right!
But don't blame me if they leave you half the churns.
Just a little cooperation, Mr Blackburn.
Not something we have much time for round here.
She isn't pushing at all.
She's never gonna calve like this.
Her uterus has lost its tone.
Start of milk fever, don't you think James?
I think so.
-I'll get the calcium. -Uh-huh.
Hello, Herbie. What are you doing here?
Everybody's in a rush round here.
They certainly are.
Let me introduce you to Number 87.
-Eh? -That's what they call her.
Much better than "Snowdrop" or "Marigold." What do you think?
Dreadful, ain't it?
I don't know what the world's coming to.
Do you always get your milk here?
Aye, always have done.
You won't remember it afore this lot took over.
A right nice little farm it were then.
Me and my poor little horse and cart.
Must be an embarrassment even having them in the yard
against all these lorries.
I should've gone somewhere else.
But you know...
Stopping with what you know, like?
I suppose the milk tastes the same.
Wouldn't be too sure of that.
(COW MOOING)
Well, we've never noticed anything.
What you don't know, you don't miss.
What's this? Not complaining again are you Herbie?
Nay, nay.
You've got your health, don't you? That's the main thing.
And me work. Aye, you're right, Mr Farnon.
They can't take that away from me.
(LAUGHING)
Remarkable old boy. He's been delivering milk
since Mrs Hall was no higher than that.
Not that long, surely?
Come on James, let's get on with the job.
Mmm.
Shouldn't Herbie be thinking about retiring? He is getting on a bit.
Herbie, retire? Good lord, no. That'll kill him stone dead.
-Ready? -Mm-hmm.
Ah! My foot!
Concentrate on the job at hand, James.
I hope you don't want any more coffee. 'Cause there's no more milk.
Beg your pardon?
Surprised it's not off by the time we get it.
Mmm.
Are you planning to sit there all morning?
Oh, don't mind me Mrs Hall. So rare I get the chance
to read the newspaper. Not until it's weeks old anyway.
What are you reading then? Sports page?
World affairs. I like to keep in touch with the state of the world.
-Oh! First I've heard of it. -I beg your pardon?
Didn't know you were interested in that sort of thing.
I am part of the world. Why should I not be interested in it?
Look, I think it's time we cleared up this misapprehension
that Siegfried is the only one with any brains around.
Mr Tristan would you be kind enough to open the door for me?
As a matter of fact, I know just as much as him.
Oh, now this sounds interesting. What exactly do you know?
Don't be facetious, Helen.
I'll tell you one thing he doesn't know.
There's a lady been waiting in surgery for the last 15 minutes.
(CLICKS TONGUE)
She didn't tell me.
What on earth's the matter with you?
You look as if you'd just seen a ghost.
-It's worse than that. It's Miss Westerman. -Ah.
-And Hamish. -Oh, dear. Does he look all right?
I didn't stop to give him a thorough checkup, but I should say so, yes.
So he's not suffering from the after effects of you losing him?
-Probably not. -Well then...
But I should think she is.
Oh, Tris, go on! Don't be such a coward!
Why not? It'll be good practice for later.
I've got a good idea. You go in, tell her I'm ill.
-No! -That's not asking very much.
It is! I'm not in the habit of telling lies.
-It's quite easy. -No!
Anyway, it's not a lie.
I feel ill just thinking about what...
Ah.
Mr Farnon, I thought I heard you.
-Ah, Miss Westerman, I was just coming in. -Good.
-I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting. -Oh!
(GRUNTS)
Come on, old girl. Come on.
Couple of good shoves! Come on!
Come on, girl! That's the way!
(COW GRUNTS)
(GRUNTING)
Terribly inconvenient business, birth.
I'm sure they'll invent a more efficient method soon.
SIEGFRIED: Hold on, James.
I think you might have to take over in a couple of minutes Siegfried.
Come along, James, I have every confidence in you.
(PANTING)
All right, come on, old girl, let's go.
Come on.
Come!
Yes!
Come on, baby! Come on, baby!
Well done, James.
Well, if that isn't worth getting up in the morning early for.
Aye, that's grand.
Come and see your mother. Come and see your mother.
Up we go. Up we go.
Up we go. Come on, up.
There we go... There we go.
There you are. There's your baby.
If you'll call in the office when you've cleared up, I'll settle the account.
A most profitable morning, James, thank you.
We haven't done anything.
On the contrary. I've been given a privileged glimpse into the future.
I'm not at all sure I like what I see.
Yes, I'm afraid they're not ready to come out yet.
I hardly expected they would be.
Well then, what else can I do for you?
I've heard a rumour, Mr Farnon.
Ah. You shouldn't believe rumours.
A particularly distressing rumour.
Yes, but I'm sure there wasn't a word of truth in it.
People can say the cruelest things...
I'd prefer if you'd refrain from judging until you know what it is.
Yes, of course. I'm sorry.
I'm talking about the threat to our nearest and dearest,
and I want an honest answer.
Is it true that in the event of war,
they will have to be destroyed?
-(LAUGHS) I'd say that's a bit drastic. -That's what I thought.
But I've heard on the highest authority.
I'm sure that couldn't be true.
Because if he does go...
I shall go, too. I don't care what they say.
We've been through too much to be separated now.
I couldn't bear it.
Miss Westerman, let me assure you
that you and Hamish are in no danger of being parted.
You're not just saying that? 'Cause I've distinctly heard...
I give you my word.
Something I do not do lightly.
Now, you've probably read, as I have,
that several thousand animals have been destroyed in recent weeks.
Exactly. That's exactly what I've read!
Through sheer ignorance, Miss Westerman.
People just not bothering to find out the facts.
As a matter of fact, there was an interesting little piece
about it in The Times.
-You read The Times? -Yes, when I get a moment.
My point is, Miss Westerman,
that the only possible reason for having your pet destroyed
is if you're being evacuated and are unable to find a home for it.
We're very unlikely to be evacuated from a small town like Darrowby.
Ah! I can't tell you what a relief this is, Mr Farnon.
Well, we aim to please.
I must say, I've been extremely mistaken about you, young man.
There was I, thinking what an impossible nincompoop you are.
Oh, really?
You don't deny you mislaid poor Hamish?
Well, I wouldn't put it quite like that.
I realise the truth of the matter now.
Anyone who takes his job as serious as you do,
I could see that his mind must be on other more urgent matters.
Miss Westerman, you never spoke a truer word.
Have you ever thought of setting up a practice on your own?
Well, no, not just at the moment.
-I should. -You would?
Definitely. That is unless you're completely devoid of ambition.
No. Of course not.
It's crossed my mind, naturally.
-Good. -Actually, uh...
Between you and me, I do sometimes hanker
after the freedom and the independence.
The challenge of running a practice
precisely how one wants, you know?
Oh, believe me, it can be irksome
when one knows in one's own mind
exactly how things should be done, but...
But finds oneself hopelessly hamstrung by the caution
and the conservatism of others.
Then why don't you?
-Why don't I what? -Set up on your own?
Ah. Well, to be frank with you, Miss Westerman
I, uh...
Wouldn't like to leave my poor brother in the lurch.
What unselfishness.
So rare these days.
Goodbye, Mr Farnon. Good luck.
Goodbye, Miss Westerman.
SIEGFRIED: Hah! There's Herbie and Dolly flashing along the road.
JAMES: Poor old things. I'm surprised they've still got the strength.
SIEGFRIED: Appreciate them while you can, James. They're a dying breed.
I fear the future lies with your Mr Blackburn's.
JAMES: Nonsense. They'll never replace Herbie and the milk cart.
SIEGFRIED: Then we must make sure they don't.
JAMES: What are you doing?
Knock some sense into that dotty old camel!
Siegfried!
We have left Tristan in charge of the surgery, you know.
Well, where is it?
I don't know what you're talking about.
Yes, you do. I told you about it last week.
She should be wearing a webbing halter underneath her bridle!
-Piffle! -It's not piffle.
It's a government regulation.
And for once, it's an eminently practical one.
I've got it about me somewhere.
No need to bother on my account.
It's no bother at all.
SIEGFRIED: There you are.
The Times newspaper.
And it's, uh...
July the 11th.
So it's only a month ago.
"Air raid precautions for animals.
"General recommendations..."
Here we are! "Every horse
"working in the streets during an emergency
"should be provided with a webbing halter
"worn under the harness bridle as an additional control."
There. What do you say to that?
I say I'm sick of rules and regulations.
That's a philosophy with which I heartily agree.
Unfortunately, if you'll agree,
in this case, it makes perfect sense! Isn't that so, James?
What? Oh.
Yes.
I got through one war, I'll get through another.
I'm too old to change me ways.
What if she were to take fright at a sudden noise,
and bolt across in front of a motorcar?
What would happen then? What would you do without her?
Have you thought of that?
She wouldn't be so daft!
-Would she? -Why take the risk?
You've been together now, how long is it?
Seventeen years, nigh on.
Aye...
Happen you're right, Mr Farnon.
So, uh...
Where would I get one of these
halters?
And cheap, mind!
I never thought you were such a heartless man, Mr Herriot.
Mrs Beck, I am not being the least bit heartless, I assure you.
It's just that, um...
Well, I can't do a major operation on your cat for 10 shillings.
I should have thought you could have done it for a poor widow woman like me.
(SOBS)
Mrs Beck, please don't distress yourself.
You're quite right. We try to do jobs at reduced cost for people who can't afford it.
I should have thought you wanted to perform an operation like that Mr Herriot.
Especially at a time like this. I mean, it's a public service, isn't it?
I would be very happy to spay your cat at a cost of £1.00.
I can't afford that much!
Mrs Beck, I can't do it for less! You don't seem to realise the work involved.
-I'm sure Mr Farnon would. -I very much doubt it.
Oh, no. I've heard what a kindhearted sort of person he is.
James. Can I borrow a moment of your valuable time?
Ah, the very man.
Siegfried, would you tell Mrs Beck...
Oh, no, not him. T'other one.
-Tristan? -Aye.
What's he done now?
Miss Westerman was saying how helpful he was.
She was full of his praises.
My younger brother? That Tristan?
Aye, he sounds a very responsible,
serious-minded young man to me.
And bang up-to-date with modern developments.
-I'd take his word on it. -On what?
On how much it would cost to have my Georgina spayed.
Mrs Beck, I must say the implication of what you're saying is...
No, no, no, James!
Mrs Beck has every right to see whom she pleases.
SIEGFRIED: Tristan!
I'm afraid we may be wrenching him
from the arms of some abstruse medical term or other, but...
Never mind.
I'm not one of the dogs, you know. Oh, hello.
We need your expert advice.
Or Mrs Beck does.
-Oh, really? -Yes.
She would like to know what would be a fair price
to pay for having Georgina spayed?
Georgina?
Her cat. You're good with cats, aren't you?
Yes, I suppose I do have a skill...
Good. Well, be a kind fellow and answer the question.
How much would you charge a poor widow woman,
Mr Farnon, for a small operation like that?
For removing the uterus and the ovaries under general anesthetic.
No, no, James, you must not influence the issue.
-But the... -James...
Well... How about...
10 bob?
That would suit me grand!
I knew you'd treat me fair, Mr Farnon.
Mrs Beck, please remember to give Georgina no food after midday tomorrow.
She must have an empty stomach when you bring her in.
I can't bring her in, Mr Herriot.
I haven't got a car. You'll have to collect her.
But you live in Rayton, don't you?
Well, it's five miles away, I mean, that's no distance nowadays,
not if you've got a motorcar.
I expect you'll want her brought back again afterwards, won't you?
She'll be in no fit condition to go back on her own, will she?
Mrs Beck, you're asking us to collect her, operate,
and take her back, all for 10 shillings?
Aye. That's what we agreed.
Well, I'll see you gentlemen tomorrow then.
TRISTAN: What a pretty place.
JAMES: If she gets her gardener as cheaply as her vet,
I'm not surprised.
So nice to see you, gentlemen.
-JAMES: Mrs Beck. -I'm so glad you came.
Very nice to be here.
Mrs Beck, we need detain you no longer.
She's not in there, Mr Herriot. She's out in garden.
She always has a play in the afternoon.
Ah. Would you bring her in please? We've got an awful lot to get through.
-Follow me, gentlemen. -Thank you.
Poor old widow woman, my foot.
If you go straight through kitchen, you can't miss it.
Ah.
I think I'll make us all a nice cup of tea.
-Mmm. -Very nice.
Straight through. That's right.
Georgina.
Puss, puss, puss?
Pussy.
Puss, puss.
Pussy.
Puss, puss.
Georgina?
-Georgina... -Where are you, pussums?
(SIGHS)
If she thinks I'm gonna play hide-and-seek all afternoon...
Now don't be like that, James.
I have every right to be like that.
-James! -What?
There she goes. Head her off!
This is hopeless. We'll never get her down from there.
That's defeatist talk James.
I'll get it down for you.
No, Tris, put them down.
All right. I'll still get her down for you.
No, you won't.
I will.
I don't think that's a very good idea.
-Oh? Why not? -I just have this feeling.
What feeling?
A feeling you might strangle her if you get hold of her.
Nonsense.
Puss?
Puss, puss...
Come on, puss. Come on.
Puss, puss, puss.
Come on, puss.
Puss, puss...
-James? -What?
Would you like me to catch you when you fall?
Puss, puss, puss. Good puss.
-(CAT SNARLS) -Ow!
Why, you little...
Don't strangle her, Tris.
Mustn't let our feelings get the better of us.
-I can't watch! -JAMES: In we go.
MRS BECK: Poor little cat!
Don't be rough with her.
JAMES: That's it.
Her head in?
Hold tight, Tris.
(SIGHS)
How about that tea, Mrs Beck? I could really do with it now.
Oh, I'm sorry, Mr Herriot.
I clean forgot to make it in all the excitement.
But you won't want to be stopping now, will you?
Not with all that work you've got on.
TRISTAN: James, she's out. Little beast has got out!
JAMES: Get her back in again you fool!
TRISTAN: I'm trying to! What do you think I'm trying to do?
-JAMES: Get hold of her Tris, for heaven's sake! -I can't!
TRISTAN: Come here, you little beast!
Oh! Oh, no...
-JAMES: What? -Oh, James, no...
The filthy little...
It's all over the floor.
The smell. (GROANS)
TRISTAN: It's very well looking smug, Siegfried,
but it was lethal. Honestly.
My dear boy, if you're going to get squeamish at the first whiff
of an animal's natural bodily function...
There was nothing natural about what I smelled.
It does not augur well for the future, my dear brother!
You must see that yourself. Don't sit down!
How are you going to explain yourself to a board of examiners?
Men whose sole pleasure in life is to pounce on the least sign of ineptitude?
Tell me that.
Really, I'm not in the mood for this.
-Ah! Don't come near me! -Now who's getting squeamish?
There's a world of difference between what is acceptable in a farmyard
and what may be allowed in a sitting room.
If you don't realise that, I'm hardly surprised
that your social circle is so limited.
I gather your afternoon wasn't altogether a success, James.
You could say that. This is the hardest 10 shillings I've ever earned.
Never mind. It's good for the soul, my dear chap.
We're far too complacent, all of us, nowadays.
You're making rather a meal of that, aren't you?
Unfortunately I can't find the uterus.
Really?
Good lord, I'm not surprised. What an ocean of fat!
I do detest overfed cats.
Never mind.
I'm sure you'll find it, James, if you dig deep enough.
-Are you tired? -Very.
Well, stick with it. It's the only way.
Mmm.
Do you know, there's a threshold of exhaustion.
Once you break through it, you'll be perfectly all right again.
-You know I'd do anything for you, James. -Well, of course.
-Anything at all, except for one thing. -Oh.
-Huh? -I'm not going back in the car with that cat.
-Is she asleep? -For the moment.
(MEOWING)
My precious!
What has that nasty man done to you?
She'll be all right. Milk tonight, solids tomorrow, she'll be as right as rain.
Well, I hope so.
There.
Well,
now I suppose you'll want to rob a poor widow woman
of her last mite?
Well, not mites, Mrs Beck, shillings.
Ten shillings, please.
Oh, dear, I don't seem...
Oh, aye, I have.
What an expensive pussycat you are, Georgina
(LAUGHING)
-Thank you. -Just a minute.
You've got to take the stitches out, haven't you?
In about 10 days. It's very simple...
There will be plenty of time to pay you then.
When you come back to take stitches out.
You can have the money then.
I'd prefer it if I could talk to the other one.
My brother is unavailable.
He has a habit of being unavailable when he's most needed.
Oh! That's a pity. I've heard such good reports of him.
He sounds such a reassuring young man.
Might I inquire as to the source
of this information, Mrs Brevington?
-Oh, I... -It wouldn't be Miss Westerman by any chance?
As a matter of fact, yes.
At the risk of sounding impertinent...
Do you attend many coffee mornings given by Miss Westerman?
We have a rota system, actually.
We share the responsibility.
Delightful. Now, would you be kind enough
to tell Miss Westerman, at your next gathering,
not to recommend my brother for everything from canker to bubonic plague?
We are, after all, three of us in the practice.
Now, let's get back to poor Percy. What ails the little fellow?
There's one more thing, Mr Farnon.
Mmm-hmm.
Hello...
Can I take it then that there's no truth in the rumour?
-What rumour is that? -That's he's thinking
of setting up in practice on his own?
That is, when you feel able to cope without him?
-James? -Yes?
Have you seen Tristan?
No.
I'll find him for you.
Stout fellow.
-Hello, darling. -Hello.
-Gosh, you look tired. -I'm exhausted.
Seen Tristan?
Said he had some reading to do.
Ah!
James!
Cuttlefish, Mrs Brevington, it's the sovereign remedy for a blunted beak.
Thank you very much.
-Good day. See you. -Good day.
Well?
Studying.
Any ideas, James?
(CLEARS THROAT) I do think you might leave me alone with my work
for a few minutes.
-After you, James. -Thank you.
What is this?
We don't quite know how to put this, Tris.
I've got a pretty good idea.
-About what? -Don't think it's not appreciated...
The way you advise and help us whenever we have problems.
Oh, I don't do that much.
That's where you're wrong. We think you do an awful lot.
-If anything, too much. -Certainly too much.
Oh, no, really.
Take the last couple of days.
Well, I've had quite an easy time of it.
What about the way you reassured Miss Westerman?
Yes, there is that.
-And the way you helped me with Mrs Beck? -True.
To say nothing of fixing a fair price for the job?
No, we won't mention that.
Then there's all the bother of setting up your own practice.
My own practice?
You're becoming a very popular figure you know, Tristan?
Everybody's asking for you.
If I were you, I should cash in on that,
branch out on your own. You're only young once.
-But I'm not qualified. -That's a small problem, for one of your ability.
I shall, of course, be sorry to lose you,
blood being thicker than water.
Or so I've always supposed.
But since you've made up your mind, I shall be obliged...
If you make the necessary arrangements as soon as possible.
Siegfried, there must be some sort of misunderstanding.
I've never said, you know... Obviously.
No, I don't know at all.
Well, I mean... Perhaps in jest.
I think there was some mention, now that I come to think of it.
(STAMMERING) But it was nothing serious. You know how these things are.
You do not think loyalty's serious?
-That's enough, Siegfried... -Do you?
I never dreamt, you know.
I think James is right.
We'll say no more about it.
I don't know. How am I supposed to make a milk pudding without milk?
It does present a bit of a problem. Yes, Mrs Hall.
Daft old man. He gets later every day.
Thank you so much, Helen, my dear.
You're one in a million.
-Can I get you anything else? -No, no, no.
-Good morning. -Good morning.
-Can I pour you some coffee? -Oh, no, thank you.
Wonderful breakfast.
Mrs Hall excelled herself.
I'm sorry. I didn't feel up to it.
Tristan, I owe you an apology, a profound apology.
-No, you were perfectly right. -Please, don't interrupt.
Of course I wasn't right. I was pompous, rude, and churlish.
-No, I've been thinking... -Taking a lordly attitude,
I had absolutely no right at all.
What have you been thinking?
Well, perhaps if we're not hitting it off together...
Don't be absurd! There's no need to be dramatic.
It's perfectly simple. James and I arranged a little charade, you see.
-Oh, did you? -A simple little rag,
regrettably, it went too far. Entirely my fault.
I'm afraid I allowed my anxiety about our future together...
The fate of our
delightful little family here to...
Well, your small indiscretion proved the fatal spark
that set the whole tinderbox alight.
-Siegfried... -I know that's no excuse. My behaviour was unforgivable!
Will you forgive me?
You are the end, Siegfried.
It's, um, Mr Hinchcliffe. He'd like to have a word with you.
Ahh... God!
Come in, come in, my dear fellow. Come in.
You must have one of Mrs Hall's delicious cakes.
-No, thanks. -What can I do for you?
It's Dolly. I'd like...
You want me to see her new halter?
I shall be delighted. Come along. Come on.
Now then...
Capital.
You'll not regret that, mark my words.
A most sensible investment.
That were only partly it, Mr Farnon.
Oh, yes?
-Something the matter? -Naught important, but...
She's been limping the last day or so.
Taking me an age to do me round.
You should've called me in straightaway.
I'm not made of money.
Fancy halters one day, veterinary fees the next.
The longer you delay these things, you know.
Any road, I thought it would get better on its own.
It's got worse, though.
Which leg?
This 'un.
Nine times out of 10, trouble's in the foot.
(GRUNTS)
Well, something's perforated the sole.
Bad, is it?
I want you to take her straight home, and I'll be with you...
In 10 minutes.
But I've got me round to finish.
Can't do that in 10 minutes.
If you don't get that attended to,
you may not have a round to finish.
Ah, helping hand! Just what I need.
Come along! Punctured sole operation.
Herbie milkman's old nag.
-Did you say, Herbie? -Our gallant milkman? I did, indeed.
Where is he? He weren't out there five minutes ago.
Well, let's hope he'll be out there very soon. But not, I fear, today.
What about our milk? How will we manage?
Improvise, Mrs Hall. Use your initiative.
Come along, Tristan!
(SIGHS)
It won't hurt her, will it?
She'll make it perfectly clear if it does.
HERBIE: Steady on, old girl.
You'll be all right.
Can't do much good, can it?
Hacking bits out of her foot?
It's all dead tissue, Herbie.
Won't do her any harm. Honestly.
I don't like the look of it.
I'll tell you what, Herbie,
what about a cup of tea? I'm parched.
It's not time for tea.
I'll tell you what.
I'll get you a couple of beers.
Splendid, splendid.
How deep is it?
Deeper than I thought.
Take a look.
See? There's the source of your trouble,
right in there, that broken-off nail.
I didn't see it before.
Must have been a very long nail.
Yeah. Exactly.
All right. Let's go and find those beers.
Three months?
Possibly two. Certainly not less.
I can't be without Dolly.
Not all that time.
How the hell can I do me rounds without a horse?
Have you thought of that?
You must admit Herbie, she's done you pretty well.
You can't expect her to go on forever.
I don't expect her to go on forever, Mr Farnon.
Just as long as I do, that's all.
Face facts, Herbie. You see, I don't think you can expect
more than a couple of years out of her even if the operation is successful.
That'll do me.
You just get that extra couple of years for me, that'll see me out.
I can't even guarantee that. I wish I could.
You see...
If that nail has touched
the navicular bone, and I fear it may have done...
She will probably be permanently lame.
It all depends on how badly that little bone is damaged.
I see.
Then that'll be me finish.
I could never afford another horse.
You know that, don't you?
Surely Mr Blackburn might see his way...
That to Mr Blackburn!
I'd rather starve than accept favours of his sort.
I'll do everything in my power, Herbie.
If there's anything I can do, I'll do it.
Aye?
I believe you will.
Thank you, Mr Farnon.
Quite a collection you've got, Herbie.
This should keep us going for some time.
Not for me, thank you. We've got work to do.
It's bleeding, Mr Farnon!
Of course it's bleeding, it's living tissue. It's bound to bleed.
I've got a lot more to cut away yet,
so if you'd rather not watch...
Nay, it's my life at risk, isn't it?
Naught's going to drag me away from that.
It's not as savage as it looks.
The foot's anaesthetised, she doesn't feel a thing.
I'm simply trying to clear a route...
For the infected material to drain away.
Forceps, Tristan!
Oh. Good man.
There's the culprit...
Or what remains of it.
Must've been two inches long.
At least that.
(WHISPERS) It's gone right into the bone.
How much longer, darling? My arms are dropping off.
HELEN: Oh. Don't be such a big baby.
Only a few more minutes.
JAMES: You all right, Siegfried?
Fine.
That'll do.
Oh, that's better.
You're not still thinking about Herbie?
Kind of silly, isn't it?
Can't get it out of my head.
Oh, well!
Early night for me, I'm afraid.
It's not like you to get so involved, Siegfried.
I've rarely seen a worse case, my dear.
We have infinite faith in you.
Actually it's Herbie. He's so dependent on her.
-Like an old married couple. -What on earth do you mean by that?
It's worse than that. Dolly's not only his companion,
she's his livelihood. Take her away and what have you got?
A cart without a horse, a milkman without a round...
An old man without a job.
And no milk delivered at Skeldale house.
Oh, I've no doubts some enterprising entrepreneur
will soon rectify that. Shouldn't worry on that score.
I won't have my milk delivered by anybody but Herbie.
Yeah.
Well, we must all do what we can.
-Good night to both of you! -'Night, Siegfried.
Good night.
(DOG BARKING)
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
Good morning, Mrs Hall!
-Is it? -Why ever not?
I've just bicycled three miles to get milk!
I can't do that every day, not and run the house.
-I do see your problem. -When's it going to stop?
I'm as anxious as you are, Mrs Hall, that it should stop,
but my present preoccupation is with the lame pony, not the likes of us.
I daresay we'll survive a week or two, even without milk in our tea.
It's not tea I'm bothered about. It's my legs.
I should have thought you'd enjoy a little spin in the summer sunshine.
Just the thing at this time of year.
How many days since you saw her?
Three.
Should be seeing some change by now,
one way or the other.
How is she, then?
Sorry, Herbie, no change at all. Give it a few days more.
We'll put on a fresh dressing, of course, and...
I'm not blind.
Only old.
And even I can see it's worse than it were.
That swelling round her foot, for one thing.
Well, yes, there is a little change, but nothing definite.
Certainly nothing to draw any firm conclusions from.
Change for the worse, though.
Well, I said I'd rather not...
And I'd rather you did!
And it's my horse,
so tell me!
All right, Herbie.
It's for the worse...
As far as we can tell.
I thought perhaps I might...
I don't know.
There must be some way...
What would you do, James?
I don't know.
This is no time for false modesty.
You're less involved than I am, so tell me.
Well, the same as you, really.
Inspect her regularly,
clean the wound, change the dressings,
see if the discharge has become any cleaner.
There's no miracle cure, Siegfried.
Not that I know of.
It has got worse, hasn't it?
Much worse.
And the discharge has become thicker.
In a few days...
She'll hardly be able to walk.
So that's it, then?
Yes, that's it.
There's nothing more I can do.
-I'm sorry, Herbie. -Thank you for trying.
MRS HALL: Three men. Three trained men.
Well, two and a half, really.
-Sorry. -(PHONE RINGS)
I'll get it.
I'd have thought one of you could've done something.
The whole of Darrowby without a milkman!
Heaven knows when we'll get another.
And all she had was a nail in her foot.
Well, she's not dead yet, Mrs Hall.
Perhaps she'll make a miraculous recovery.
It would have to be miraculous, indeed.
-I'm sure everybody has done everything they can. -They certainly did.
Mrs Hall's quite right to complain.
If there is any blame, it lies entirely at my door.
-Nonsense. -I treated the mare, I failed to cure her.
I don't know.
It's not a question of blame Siegfried.
Of course it's not.
You're very kind, both of you.
That was Herbie. He's had Dolly put down.
Well, good. There's no earthly point in delaying these things.
He had the knackerman round this afternoon.
He thought you'd like to know. He sounded quite upset.
I wonder who Herbie blames, eh, James?
There we are, Miss Westerman. As good as new.
You have done a good job.
-Well, we do our best. -My poor boy.
He looks, if anything, better than ever.
Well, he would, wouldn't he?
No more nasty swelling behind his ear.
One of the many things that this age
is in danger of losing, Mr Herriot,
is the ability to accept compliments graciously.
-I didn't mean... -If you wish to learn exactly how it should be done,
I suggest you consult your junior partner.
-Who? -Mr Farnon.
I don't think he'd take very kindly to being called my junior partner.
-Mr Tristan Farnon! -Ah, yes, that junior partner.
Charming young man.
-Much maligned, I understand. -Hmm.
Now I must be going.
Ah!
Down...
There's a good dog.
Well, Miss Westerman, which house is it today?
I beg your pardon?
For coffee?
I understand you quite often...
Thank you, Mr Herriot!
Just one more thing, Miss Westerman.
A little matter of money.
Another vulgarity of this age, Mr Herriot.
I never pay by cash.
If you'll be so kind as to send me a bill,
I shall be pleased to consider it.
Let me show you out. Excuse me, Hamish.
Good day to you.
It's a pleasure doing business.
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
Oh, hello, Herbie. Come in.
-What can I do for you? -Is Mr Farnon in?
Afraid not, no. Why don't you go on through?
How have you been keeping, Herbie?
-Fine. -Oh, good.
I just wanted to see if he could get rid of this for me.
-What is it? -It's brand new, almost.
He knows horsey folk, don't he?
I thought he might know someone, get a decent price for it.
I'll take it then, shall I?
I got rid of the harness and most of the rest,
but it only fetched a few quid, the lot of 'em.
But this... This is different.
Took the best part of what I had to get this.
Your Mr Farnon's idea.
-Good investment, he said. -Mmm.
Good investment! It were the worst waste of money I ever come across!
None of us were to know what would happen, Herbie.
And we are all more sorry than we can say.
I bet you are.
But sorry doesn't pay the rent, does it?
We'll get rid of it for you, Herbie. You'll see.
And we'll get a good price for it.
Well...
I'll be off then.
You won't stay for a cup of tea Herbie?
Nay. Thanks all the same.
I've got my allotment to get going again.
As long as you're kept busy.
It's for vegetables, Mr Herriot!
Food to eat!
-Oh, I didn't think... -Good day to you.
Veterinary.
Poor, stubborn old man.
I thought I'd protected him so securely, him and Dolly.
Safe from bangs and sudden noises.
So you did. You can't guard against every nail in Darrowby.
Apparently not.
I was so pleased when I made him buy this.
I think I believed I'd given him the secret of eternal life.
Oh, goodness. He'll be around for a few years yet.
He's a tough old bird.
Let's hope so.
I don't like to intrude. There's a packed surgery out there.
I'll take it.
No, James, certainly not! I wouldn't dream of it!
Work!
"Apace, apace, apace, apace!
"Honest labour bears a lovely face." Don't you agree?
What? Oh, definitely, yes.
After all, we're the lucky ones.
Right, then!
(SHOUTING) Who's first?