(LAUGHS)
Up to here. What do you think?
There's plenty of room.
I'm sure it's fine, James.
(LIVELY MUSIC PLAYING ON GRAMOPHONE)
Aren't you going to help him?
JIMMY: You don't want us all doing that, Mum. Someone might see! (LAUGHS)
HELEN: Oh, I think we ought to show a bit of interest, don't you?
-Then we'll have to play tennis all summer. -Not quite.
HELEN: I don't think it'll get that far. (ROSIE LAUGHS)
Yes.
See? No problem with the space.
I'll soon have it sorted out with a bit of help from the cricket club.
I thought we were having a tennis court.
If we get the roller up here. Use the white liner for the court...
What a marvellous way to spend summer afternoons, eh?
-Seems straightforward. -Yeah, there's nothing to it.
Balls. That'll be the problem.
Still, have to put some netting up, stop them flying off at the end.
-Never find them in there, would we? -The vegetable plot?
Yes, well, that needs sorting out, too.
Something else for me to have to get down to.
-(PHONE RINGING) -Oh! Knew it was too good to last.
(HELEN CLEARS HER THROAT)
Does, uh, Susie Thornton play tennis?
What's that supposed to mean?
I don't suppose your summer afternoons will be up to much,
just playing with me, Mum and Dad.
Look, I don't think Susie's any of your business.
I just wondered how her ewe was.
(SOFT ROMANTIC MUSIC PLAYING ON GRAMOPHONE)
No, Mr Lawrence, of course not.
Look, don't worry, I'll come out straight away. Mmm-hmm. Bye.
-I've got to pop out to Barden farm. -Right.
That was Angie's dad. Pony's not too good.
What's the matter with him?
Examination first, diagnosis afterwards.
-Can I come? -Um, well, yes, if you like.
-See you later, darling. -Bye.
HELEN: Bye.
He's seemed a bit stiff the last few days.
You been riding him, Angela?
I've been away. I knew he wouldn't like me being away.
JAMES: Hmm.
It's the other way around. It were a holiday for the pony.
Do you know what it is?
Not absolutely certain.
Still, he does look stiff, doesn't he?
It's nothing serious, is it, Mr Herriot?
No. We'll get through it.
Won't we, Sinbad, eh?
-Rosie, get the penicillin from the car, would you? -Yes, Dad.
-Thanks. -I'll come with you.
-Is he eating? -Well, he's chewing but he's having difficulty swallowing.
Accidents? Any cuts, broken skin?
Not really.
Well, there was a bit of a graze a fortnight back, left foreleg.
Well, you can't see the scars.
Nevertheless...
You think it's tetanus, James?
I'm pretty sure it is.
But it is in the first stages. Let's see what a course of penicillin can do.
-She thinks the world of this horse. -Yes, I know.
Well, don't tell her. No need to worry her unduly.
Thanks. Angela, hold that, would you?
More exercise will do us all good. It'll be fun, too.
Especially for someone watching me play,
tennis not exactly being my strongest point.
I know, Dad.
Is Sinbad going to be all right?
-I hope so. -Is it tetanus?
That can be very bad, can't it?
-Especially in horses. -Yes.
I think the penicillin will deal with that.
You didn't say anything to Angela, did you?
No, I thought it would frighten her.
You should be asleep, young lady.
But it's Sunday tomorrow.
All right, just another five minutes, then lights out.
-Night, night. -Night.
(DOOR CLOSING)
(HELEN SIGHS)
-Tea. -Thank you.
Rosie's quite serious, you know, James.
-What? -She's been talking about being a vet for months now.
She's been talking about being a vet since she was four.
Yes, but I think this is a bit different.
She's 12! It's a bit soon to be thinking about a career.
That how you felt when Jimmy decided he wanted to be a vet?
-(JAMES LAUGHS) -James.
Just give her a bit of encouragement. It means a lot to her.
Well, she says she wants to come out on my rounds during the holidays.
If that doesn't put her off...
Look, I thought that I might send off for one of these cold-frame kits.
-Make a start on the vegetable plot. -Hmm.
Well, it's certainly a lot better than what's there now.
Well, they do seem very reasonable.
Think of all those early vegetables.
-We could save ourselves a few quid, too. -Yes.
There is a bit more to it, you know, than just plonking them down, James.
There's a lot of hard work involved.
I don't think you can ever accuse me of being afraid of hard work, Helen. (SCOFFS)
(JAMES LAUGHS)
We'll have her back to you this afternoon, Mrs Pettinger.
You do think it's best, Mr Farnon?
Oh, I do, indeed. Absolutely the thing.
I never did have Jemima, you know, done, but I couldn't cope now, though.
She's a spitting image of Jemima, this one, isn't she?
Yes, she is, isn't she? (LAUGHS)
When Jemima died, I thought I wouldn't have another one, but when I saw her...
-What's her name? -Prudence.
Well, you leave her here with us, Mrs Pettinger.
-She couldn't be in better hands. -Oh, I know that, Mr Farnon.
-Come on now, Patience. -Er, Prudence.
I beg your pardon. Prudence.
-Shall we say, this afternoon at 5:00? -That'll be fine.
-Goodbye. -Goodbye then. Goodbye.
Hello, Mr Venables. Shan't keep you a moment.
Come on now, Prudence or Patience, or whatever you're called. In you pop. Oops!
There you go.
That's a good cat.
Right then, Mr Venables. Bring him in.
Best breed of dog in the world, this.
Just a bit tricky to lift, aren't they, with that deep breast bone.
Up you come, laddie.
Now, we'll have a feel how that lump's going and then we'll give him his jab.
I'm very grateful, Tris. It's just the job. But the...
Yes. Let me get that address down.
Right, got that. Good.
Thanks a lot, Tris. Mmm. See you later. Bye.
Thank you. That'll be lovely.
That was Tris. Someone in Brawton's selling off some netting.
-For the tennis court! Mmm. -Oh, good! How much?
Well, I don't suppose it'll be very expensive.
Apparently, it's old fishing net.
-(SCOFFS) Not much use in Brawton. -Exactly.
Can I come out on the rounds today, Dad?
Yes. Good idea. I'll be glad of the company.
Got to be off in five minutes though.
-I won't be that long. -Good.
-Oh, thanks, darling. -Oh, thank you.
Mmm. Better get the car out.
Rosie, I'm running late already.
Thought Dad didn't want Rosie to be a vet.
What do you know about it?
Stands to reason, doesn't it? Daft idea, girls being vets.
(DOORBELL RINGS)
Morning, madam. Beautiful morning, too.
But then this a beautiful part of the world at any time.
-Yes. Can I help you? -Er, can I help you? That's the question.
And the answer is, very definitely, "Yes!"
You might wonder why I've got a rolled-up rug under me arm.
I haven't. What I'm holding, madam, is a work of art.
A work of art.
-If you're selling something... -I'm not selling, Mrs, er...
Heh, not selling. More like giving it away.
The quality of this magnificent rug is remarkable. One look will convince you.
And this is the last one I've got.
(PHONE RINGING)
MRS ALTON: Darrowby 385? BOWLING: Morning, sir. Beautiful morning.
I was just remarking to your good lady wife.
Yes, he is. Just a moment. Mr Farnon...
Uh, thank you, Mrs Alton.
Oh, er, Bowling's the name.
Hello?
-Now, madam, if I can just... -Out!
Er, once you see this Kasbah...
I've not asked you over the doorstep and I have no intention of doing so. Out!
Thank you for your time, madam.
(DOOR SLAMMING)
Well done, the missus.
(MEOWING)
Well, they'll run a temperature for 24 hours,
then it'll drop back to normal.
See?
Blood in the diarrhoea.
Necrotic enteritis mostly affects pigs between two and six months.
What causes it?
Well, there's some argument about that.
Still, I reckon the differences between Salmonella, Vibrio and E. coli
can wait for another time, don't you?
The root of the problem lies in bad management.
And if I've told Harry Arnold that once in the last 10 years I've told him 100 times!
-There is a treatment, though? -Yes.
Sulfadimidine. If we catch it in time.
Another dead one, Harry.
Mrs Alton? Oh.
I'm sorry, Mr Farnon. There's no sign.
Have you looked in the cellar?
Aye. I did think she might have got shut in the larder, but...
One simply does not lose a cat.
Prudence! Prudence!
Well...
-Any luck? -Definitely sans Prudence, Siegfried.
It's too preposterous.
I've searched the house high and low. Where the devil is she?
Well, in the face of the evidence I can only draw one conclusion, my dear Watson.
-And? -Well, if Prudence Kitten isn't in the house
or the garden,
she must be somewhere else.
That really is all I need.
She must've got out when that darn salesman was at the door.
We're not gonna find her by sitting out here.
SIEGFRIED: Ah, Mrs Alton. We're going to have to extend our search.
(SHEEP BLEATING)
(DOORBELL RINGS)
Ah, he's going to be a grumbling at this, Mr Herriot.
Right, Rosie.
Ring?
Thanks. That was the hard part.
-Whoa there, lad. -Shh, shh, shh!
-He don't like this, Mr Herriot. -He certainly doesn't, Fred.
I want to get the ring through the hole... There!
Shh! That's it. Whoa!
Thanks.
-Right, cup your hands underneath when I put it in. -Ah, cannot drop that.
Now, you drop this screw and you are in a lot of trouble.
And if I drop it, so am I!
JAMES: Now, the idea is to get it through the nasal septum.
You get it through the cartilage it's too high and it won't turn,
causes all sorts of problems.
Ready?
JAMES: Thank you.
Right, now move it around. See if it's free.
-I think it is. -Well done, lass.
JAMES: Good.
Better wash your hands.
FRED: Soap's next to the bucket.
-Thanks, Fred. -Ta, Mr Herriot.
-Do you think she could have found her way home? -No, no, no, no, no.
Mrs Pettinger would've telephoned.
-Damn it! She can't have gone far! -Far enough, it seems.
Oh, this is intolerable!
Always been very fond of her cats, Mrs Pettinger.
Yeah, but I think I'm going to get the car out and drive around a little.
Uh, Tristan, will you inquire up and down the High Street, please?
-What? -Well, someone may have seen her.
(FRUSTRATED) Someone must have seen her.
You want me to knock on every door on the High Street?
I honestly can't think of any other way. Now, come on. Let's find that cat!
I think this is what is known as collective responsibility.
Siegfried loses the cat, everyone else has to find her.
I knew I shouldn't have left that salesman on the doorstep.
Oh, I'm sure there were many times she could have got out.
She's bound to turn up.
In the meantime, any chance of a cup of tea?
SIEGFRIED: Tristan!
Well, at least put the kettle on, Mrs A. I won't be long.
Right.
(MEOWING)
Something simply has got to be done about this surgery, James.
We need better facilities for coping with animals,
pre and post-op, as they insist on saying.
-I've often said that myself actually, Siegfried. -I'm glad you agree, James.
I mean there simply is not enough space!
Sometimes the whole place is chaos, as you know yourself.
It's no wonder that sometimes, sometimes, something goes wrong.
Well, the surgery needs money spending on it, that's the problem.
Oh, well now, James, money isn't always the most important thing.
We simply do not lose animals in this practice.
We don't, no.
(KNOCKING AT DOOR)
Oh, Lord. There she is. Must be her.
Oh, hello. Do come in, Mrs Pettinger.
(STAMMERING) I tried to telephone you earlier.
Prudence is all right, isn't she?
Oh, yes. I'm sure she's all right. I'm quite certain of that.
It's just that my partner and I...
Ahem...
(KNOCKING AT DOOR)
-What is it tonight? -Necrotic enteritis.
The pigs.
I can't really understand it all.
Well, there's an awful lot of basic stuff you need
before you can start taking it all in.
It's quite complicated.
And it's quite late.
Jimmy doesn't think girls can be vets.
-Doesn't he? -You don't think that, though, do you, Dad?
I don't think it's the easiest thing for a girl to be.
Small animal practice, the sort of job that Granville Bennett does...
But it's not the same. Not like working on farms.
Look, if you're coming out with me tomorrow you better get some sleep, hmm?
Night, night.
Good afternoon, Mrs P.
Good afternoon, Mrs Pettinger.
Uh, is it Prudence?
No, no, I'm afraid not. No, I stopped because I thought... -Oh, no, no, I...
I put a bit of food out for her in case she finds her way back at night.
But...
Well, she's only little.
Something will have happened by now, I suppose.
Dad said he used to be a fisherman.
-You don't get fishermen in Brawton. -He said he used to be.
Well, sounds a bit fishy to me.
I think you'll have to do better than that with Susie.
-Was Mrs Pettinger very upset? -Afraid so.
Oh, well, there's nothing anyone can do.
Oh, keep asking. Keep looking. She's still a young kitten.
Don't know how she'll fare when it comes to finding her own food, though.
In my experience, if a cat can't find food it soon finds a human.
Well, let's hope so.
Siegfried is furious with himself.
Consequently, with everybody else.
-How did Rosie get on today? -Oh, she's fine. She had a really good time.
-You gave her some tough jobs? -Is that what she said?
No, that's just my interpretation of what she told me.
Well, I think she ought to see veterinary work
in a country practice for what it really is.
Yes, but James, there's no need to overdo it.
-Come out and see the nets. We've got one over the line. -Oh, smashing!
-Very reasonable for the quality of netting. -How much?
-Come on, then. -Yes, we're coming.
He's a retired fisherman from Grimsby. Honest as the day is long.
You could always smell the tar and the salt on him.
How much?
-£4. -£4!
This should do the trick, then, Dad.
Looks like a good buy.
-What about the others? -This is the best one.
Yeah, well.
-Soon patch it up. -(SNICKERS)
I'll use string or something.
It'll be fine.
I've written out some notices with a description of Prudence.
That's a good idea, Mrs Pettinger.
I thought I'd put them up in the post office, round the village.
We shan't stop looking.
The question is, where to look, that's the problem.
Do you think she'll find somewhere warm? Last night, I mean.
Oh, well, cats are very sensible, you know,
when it comes to finding shelter for themselves.
Oh, she's so tiny, though.
Hardly slept last night for thinking of her out there on her own.
-I wish there was something else I could say. -Oh.
I just popped in on the off-chance that Prudence might have...
Still, she's hardly likely to turn up here.
We shall go on looking and asking.
Oh, don't you worry yourself, Mr Farnon. It's not your fault, I'm sure.
-I'm very much afraid it is, Mrs Pettinger. -Oh, no. No.
I should never have had another cat after Jemima.
I knew it were a mistake.
-Well, I'd best be off, then. -Yes. Right.
MRS PETTINGER: I'll keep on trying to find her.
Ah, yes. You can go that way, Mrs Pettinger.
There you are, Sinbad.
He doesn't want to eat, Mr Herriot. But he's okay, isn't he?
Let's give the penicillin a chance, eh?
-Don't you think so, Rosie? -I think he looks a bit better.
All he wants to do is go for a ride, he's bored. So am I.
You keep him warm and comfortable.
And definitely...
No riding. I know.
(LAUGHS) Right!
-Well, tell your dad I'll come and see him again tomorrow. -All right, then. Bye.
Bye, Rosie.
Thanks, Mr Herriot. I know you'll make Sinbad better.
-See you tomorrow. -Bye.
He did look better, didn't he?
Oh, I don't know, Rosie. It's a bit early.
Penicillin can cure anything.
No, it's not quite as simple as that. It is a marvellous drug.
We'll have to keep a close eye on him.
I know you'll make him well.
(PATRONS TALKING INDISTINCTLY)
Obviously he hadn't used those nets for fishing for a very long time.
And the last time he did was probably when he went out of business.
So much for the honest old sea salt, eh?
Tris, anything I ever do for Rowan Garth always goes wrong.
Everything Helen does always goes right.
-Now why is that? -It's one of the immutable laws of the universe, James.
(SIGHS) She's a woman.
Ah.
We're really gonna have to do something about it, you know.
This business isn't going to do the reputation of the practice any good at all.
(SIGHS DEEPLY) Prudence, Mrs Pettinger's cat.
I was wondering about the outhouse.
No, Mrs A's looked in there, twice.
If we were to knock straight through from the surgery,
do a little simple construction work,
a bit of simple plastering,
and then fit it out with some decent cages,
so on, we'd have the absolutely ideal area for keeping animals.
Pre, post, overnight, observation, what you will!
-Well? -A good idea.
And if we use some of it for storage, we'd have more room in the surgery.
I mean, something along the lines of Granville's place would be tremendous!
Perhaps a bit more modest, eh?
James, there are many, many areas in which
a veterinary practice can make its economies.
Where we much never skimp is where it concerns the animals and the customers.
Never!
So, here's to the Prudence Kitten Wing.
You said you'd done all your homework.
-I'm writing about what I did with Dad today. -(JIMMY SCOFFS)
-You're not gonna be a country vet, Rosie. -Yes, I am.
-Dad doesn't want you to. -He does!
Of course he doesn't.
-It can't be that difficult. -Any instructions?
-Yes. -Make sense?
Uh...
I'll have a go at putting it up.
It'll be easier to see how it all goes together in the garden, eh?
-You don't think it's silly, do you? -No, of course not.
That's like saying women shouldn't be farmers.
There's plenty of women running farms round Darrowby to make a nonsense of that.
Plenty of men who'd still say it though.
Do you think Dad really doesn't want me to be a vet? A proper vet.
Don't let Granville Bennett hear you say that.
He's a proper vet, too, you know.
-You know what I mean! -Yes. Of course, I do.
I just wish Dad did. It doesn't feel like he wants to help me.
You've gone out with him often enough lately.
Yes, I know, but...
I'll take these upstairs.
Thank you.
How's it going?
(JAMES SIGHS)
Where does the glass go?
Oh, that just slides in here.
James.
Why don't they print the instructions in plain English?
-It's ridiculous! -It is.
It's absolutely... (LAUGHS)
Yes, all right, Helen, I know there's a funny side to it.
I'm sorry.
(PHONE RINGING)
Darrowby...
Oh, hello, Jack.
When's she due?
Uh-huh. What can you see now?
I'll be right out. Mmm-hmm.
Rosie?
Rosie. Rosie, wake up.
-What is it? -It's one of Jack Hucknall's cows.
You said wanted to come out on a night call.
Unless you'd rather turn around and go back to sleep?
I'm coming.
Can you be ready by the time I am?
Good girl.
The prolapsed cervix involves the vagina,
and in this case, the bladder, too.
It's not uncommon, but it's a messy business.
And if there are complications with...
I hope there's none here, Mr Herriot.
No, no, Jack. It's straightforward enough.
I'm just explaining to Rosie.
Not the sort of thing I'd expect a lass to be interested in.
I'd like to be a vet one day.
It's no life for a lass.
Not as lass could do it in the first place, eh. (LAUGHS)
See what I mean about farmers?
They don't like women vets.
-Morning. -Morning, James.
(YAWNS) Sorry.
-Night call? -Mmm.
-Prolapsed cervix. -Oh.
Still, I don't suppose Rosie will be up till lunchtime.
You took Rosie with you?
Yes. Yes, she's been coming out with me quite a bit.
Goodness!
She's deadly serious, you know, Siegfried.
Trouble is she's set her heart on large animals.
I've tried to show her that it's impossible.
Filthy, smelly, arduous. As well you know.
Indeed I do, James. I wouldn't wish any of it on a girl that I loved, either.
Hmm.
But perhaps, you know, love shouldn't only want to protect.
Bye, James.
(SIEGFRIED HUMMING)
(SIGHS)
Hello!
Helen, what's this?
Hello, love. Erm, a man came earlier.
It's, um, a genuine Kasbah.
A genuine what?
Er, it's Kasbah.
A very unusual type of oriental rug. From Afghanistan, I think.
It's certainly very unusual.
-Apparently, not many of them even get into India. -I'm not surprised.
It's the only one of its type. He got it on the border.
-Which border? -Normally they cost hundreds of pounds.
You haven't bought this, have you?
Mr Bowling's coming back later. I said you'd want to look at it, James.
But it's a bargain!
HELEN: Uh...
Not only a delight to have in your home, Mr Herriot, but an investment.
-The thing is... -That's because of its rarity.
You're already getting a magnificent rug at a fraction of its real value,
but that value can only increase.
Craftsmanship of this kind is dying out all over the world.
This offers you the tradition of centuries in your own home.
-Even so, Mr Bowling... -Of course, the very advantageous price
at which I bought the stock of Kasbahs from the ancient mountain village
and despite the fact that every one is completely unique,
that is to say, there's a bit of room for negotiation.
Mr Bowling, it's not a question of negotiation.
Er, James...
I know Mrs Herriot's very taken with the rug, so
I'll tell you what I'll do, I said £25...
I really don't want to pay £25 for this, er...
I'll be frank with you, Mr Herriot, I, er...
I bought this rug at such a competitive price
that I'm prepared to let you have it for £15.
Now, that's not a price I'd do for anyone.
Look, Mr Bowling, I don't care what price you're asking.
I think it's hideous.
-But as an investment... -No.
-10? -No.
-But your good lady wife... -No, Mr Bowling.
Now, shall I help you roll it up?
That's quite all right, thank you, Mr Herriot.
Helen, it was awful.
It was simply a matter of taste, James.
You shouldn't have to be quite so rude about it.
If that was made in Afghanistan, then I'm a Chinaman.
-Lunch ready yet? -A few minutes.
Listen, next time I bring home some netting that's full of holes
or a cold-frame that no one in the world could possibly ever erect,
I'd like you to say just one word to your mother,
"Kasbah"!
James!
(HELEN AND JAMES LAUGH)
Deteriorating rapidly.
The penicillin isn't working.
-There's no question it's tetanus? -There never was.
I really thought there was something I could do,
but there isn't.
I'm sorry, Keith.
-I know your dad's gonna get him back to normal. -Of course, he will.
You've been out with him a lot lately.
I don't know why you want to be a vet.
You have to wear some smelly clothes and do some horrible things.
I know, that's what my dad tries to show me.
I wouldn't want to do it.
Dad?
Come on, lass.
-Is Sinbad going to die? -Yes.
There must be something you can do.
All I can do is put him down.
-No! -(FIRMLY) Yes.
I've seen a horse that was left to die of tetanus.
I've never forgotten the suffering.
There is no other way, honestly.
It's not fair!
No, it isn't fair.
(CAR DOOR SLAMMING)
Oh, Mr Farnon. Mrs Pettinger phoned. Good news!
-Prudence? -She's been found.
(RELIEVED) Ah, that is wonderful news, Mrs Alton.
Oh, excellent!
Now, I really ought to look in on her, see how she is.
The least I can do in these circumstances. Right.
Oh, er, Mr Tristan was looking for you. He's in the garden.
Oh, is he?
Right you are.
Oh!
(BELL TOLLING)
-Uh, I got them. -Hmm?
I asked George Stapleton to pop over yesterday, have a look at the outhouse,
give us an estimate.
-You did what? -The Prudence Kitten Wing.
Actually, I think it's quite reasonable.
It's a big job, bigger than you'd think.
Breaking through from the surgery, RSJs, and all that.
Oh, and this is to give us an idea about what we should be thinking of
when we're, you know, fitting the place out.
Cages, storage, shelving.
I had a word with a firm they're in Leeds.
They specialise in this sort of thing.
In fact, they fitted out Granville's surgery.
Well, what do you think?
Tristan, I just don't know where you get the idea that the practice has money
to throw away on grandiose schemes of this kind.
It wasn't my idea, Siegfried.
Well, I'm perfectly sure it wasn't James'.
-No, it wasn't. -Well, there you are, then.
I mean, an idle conversation about the possibility of the practice spending
some of its hard-earned capital on a few new items of equipment
is one thing.
But constructing an entire new veterinary hospital is something else.
My dear boy. (LAUGHS)
Our customers are very rarely impressed with show and the animals never are.
Oh, by the by,
-Prudence Kitten has been found. -Good. (SIGHS)
-So she doesn't need a wing. -(FAINTLY) No.
I'm sure Dad didn't mean to upset you.
He doesn't want me to be a vet. He hasn't all along.
Jimmy was right.
-Dad actually said that? -Sort of.
He doesn't have to say it. It's the way he's been. All the things he's shown me.
I know it's very hard sometimes but it doesn't have to be all the time.
Hello.
Rosie?
She's best left.
(ROSIE'S DOOR SLAMMING)
-It's about Angela's pony. -It's a bit more than that, isn't it?
I hadn't really taken all this in. I thought you were encouraging her.
She needed to see what being a country vet is all about.
-I didn't want to upset her. -Well, you have!
I gather you've done everything you can to put Rosie off being a country vet.
Well, you know why.
It's a dirty and dangerous job and it always will be.
She looked to you for help and encouragement and she didn't get any, did she?
-That's unfair! -She's disappointed that you didn't take her seriously!
And so am I, James.
She set her mind on a country practice, large animals.
I don't believe a woman should do that sort of job.
(SCOFFS) A very old-fashioned way of looking at things.
With modern methods, modern equipment...
Spending her life being kicked and trampled on and covered in muck?
But that's not what being a vet's all about. You don't believe that.
It's as much about brute force as it is about veterinary science.
Come on. That's not true and you know it.
Do you really think that I haven't got Rosie's best interests at heart?
I think you don't really know what her best interests are.
James, there are some women in country practice.
Well, that doesn't...
Look, I don't want to see her disappointed later on.
And anyway, we're not talking about anyone, are we, a woman.
We're talking about our daughter, a young girl.
She won't be a young girl in 12 years' time.
It isn't about that either.
Isn't it? Only the other day you were talking about that time
-when Rosie was nearly hurt at Binn's farm... -She was nearly killed!
I know, James.
Are you sure that hasn't got something to do with the way you feel now?
Look, Helen, my objections are practical, straightforward ones.
I see.
Feelings don't come into it at all?
No, they don't.
Well,
I wish you'd made her feel that you were on her side.
I think you're wrong, James.
Very wrong.
(KNOCKING AT DOOR)
-You all right? -I'm back at school next week. I'm trying to catch up.
Good girl.
Look, I'm, uh...
I'm really sorry about this afternoon.
If I'd known, I wouldn't have taken you up to the farm.
I had to see what being a vet means.
That's what we've been doing all this time.
Well, don't work too long. Supper soon.
You didn't want me to be a vet at all, did you?
-It's not that simple, Rosie. -But you didn't!
Look, I really did believe that it was very important that you saw the work,
well,
the way it is.
It's not that I don't want you to be a vet.
Small animal practice is different.
If that's what interests you.
But it isn't. I wanted to work with large animals.
It's not for a woman.
I don't see how it ever can be.
And the more you think about it, well,
I'm sure you'll understand.
It's not the life for you, Rosie, believe me.
You must be right or I wouldn't have got so upset, would I?
I'm sure I don't want to be a vet at all now. So it doesn't really matter.
(ROSIE FIGHTS BACK SOBS)
(DOOR SLAMMING)
Ah, James?
-Sorry I'm late, Siegfried. -Oh, nothing to worry about, James.
Not a soul awaits you. You can put your feet up.
The wanderer has returned, James.
-What? -Prudence Kitten.
-And no harm done, apparently. -Oh.
That's good news.
-Anything I can help you with, James? -No, not really, Siegfried.
It's Rosie, actually.
Still not keen on being the next Granville Bennett?
Far from it.
She doesn't want to be a vet at all now.
Oh.
-Well, that's what you wanted, isn't it? -No, it isn't!
I just wanted to get her off the idea of large animals.
I had no idea she'd be so upset.
Perhaps you didn't take her seriously enough.
Do you know, when I think of some of the dreams I had as a young man,
and the obstacles that stood in their way, they seemed so enormous at the time.
But looking back, of course, they were all
surmountable.
I think people trod so heavily on my dreams, that I
can't allow myself to tread on anyone else's with anything but the softest of footfalls.
We spend a lot of our lives looking for the way home, James.
(SIGHS DEEPLY) The only thing is we don't have the aptitude for it that cats do.
SIEGFRIED: Bye. Tristan!
Tristan! Come on, man.
-Is Prudence all right? -Oh, yes. (LAUGHS)
-Oh, that is splendid news, Mrs Pettinger. -Yes, marvellous.
-Where is she? -Oh, she's not back from her adventures yet.
Do you know, it was so strange.
The phone rang and a man said that his daughter had found a kitten in their garage.
Of course, she'd got the name tag with my telephone number.
All that way, you know!
Oh, well, you know, cats will wander for miles if they've a mind to.
When are you expecting her back?
Oh, Mr Farnon, I was so glad to hear that Prudence was safe
I've not even given a thought yet as to how I'm gonna fetch her back.
Well, don't give it another thought, Mrs Pettinger.
Why don't I take you over, to wherever it is, tomorrow?
Oh, I couldn't ask you to do that, Mr Farnon.
You don't have to ask me, Mrs Pettinger.
It would be my pleasure, after all it was...
Well, anyway, everything's turned out happily in the end. That's all that matters.
I'm sure my brother can hold the fort at Skeldale
for an hour or so tomorrow, can't you?
Oh, absolutely.
Been a great help.
SIEGFRIED: Say no more.
-I'll be over to pick you up at 9:00. -That's very kind!
So where did the little rascal get to?
Do you know, it's hard to believe, but
she were found in Hull! (LAUGHING)
(SIEGFRIED LAUGHING NERVOUSLY)
I'm so sorry, I thought you said Hull.
It's remarkable, isn't it?
Hull?
It's a large seaport, Siegfried, close to the Humber Estuary.
I'd say, three hours there, three hours back. Maybe a bit more.
MRS PETTINGER: I'm ever so grateful. (LAUGHS)
Er, till tomorrow, then.
SIEGFRIED: Indeed so.
-Until tomorrow. -MRS PETTINGER: Yes!
That was a bit of bad luck, eh, Siegfried? (LAUGHS)
Well, you can look after my calls and surgery, can't you, Tristan?
It's a hell of a while since I was in Hull. Remarkable city.
I have some very fond
memories of that place.
But that was all an awful long while ago.