(Child) 'One potato, two potato, three potato, four...'
(Children sing)
(Woman) 'This is Mandy,
'otherwise Amanda Jane Garland.
'Aged two.
'Amanda is Latin for "one who deserves to be loved".
'I don't know about deserving love. She certainly gets it.
'She's our only child
'so Harry and I have plenty of chance to daydream
'about whether she'll be a businesswoman
'or some sort of an artist
'or just an ordinary housewife like me.
'And to fuss and worry about whether she's all right and developing properly.
'She seems intelligent enough.'
The more intelligent they are, the slower they start.
Don't you want this?
She isn't even beginning to speak.
Oh, darling, what are you fussing about?
Most kids don't start talking until much later than that.
It's Harry.
Darling...darling, Lily's here.
Lily? Hello, Lily. You're not going?
Yes, trains to catch. How are you, mister?
I'm fine. What, are you going North tonight? How's Jimmy?
Oh, he's wonderful. He's so good to me.
Sent a postcard suggesting I should stay away another week.
So you're rushing home to see who she is, hey?
You bet! Bye-bye, dears.
So nice to see a happy little family where the husband doesn't drink.
How's my little girl?
Been a good girl today, have you?
Been a good girl, have you? It's time you were in bed, you know.
What are you going to do with those pencils?
Ooh! Poor Daddy!
Bye-bye, darling.
Not too much of the anxious young mother stuff.
Come and see us soon. God bless.
Goodbye.
Bye- bye.
(Music on radio)
(Switches music off)
Squeaks toy)
What's up, Kit?
I'm frightened.
- Frightened? - Yes.
Remember what you were saying about Mandy the other day?
YES.
That she didn't seem to be frightened by noises.
- Yes. - She hasn't begun to talk at all.
Well, I believe it's because she can't...hear properly.
Oh, come!
I've tried calling to her and clapping and so on.
She doesn't seem to hear any of it.
Darling, she's bright enough. She doesn't miss a thing.
Not when she can see.
When she can't, she doesn't notice anything.
You try. You'll see.
(Door creaks)
There you are. Did you see her head come round?
She can't see us from there but she heard us all right.
YES.
You can hear fast enough, can't you, my beautiful?
Of course you can.
What do you want, a daughter who turns around every time someone whistles?
Honestly, Harry, I couldn't make her...
What people don't realise is that little girls don't want to turn around
every time somebody makes silly noises, do they, hey?
I never knew such a gaff, getting into a flap!
Good night, sweetie.
Harry!
- What? - Look.
She could see that, even if she couldn't hear you.
- Oh, darling, really! - No.
Harry, make her hear something where she couldn't possibly have seen it.
Mandy...
Mandy!
(Louder) Mandy!
(Shouts) Mandy!
Go on.
(Crashing)
If she's really deaf, stone-deaf, she'll be dumb, too.
In a child at this age it's difficult to tell
but there's no trace of any mental defect.
The actual physical structure of the ear is perfect
so there's no question of an operation, Mrs...er...?
Mrs Garland.
This is one of those interesting cases
when the auditory nerve has failed to develop during prenatal life.
And this is what we call a congenital condition.
(Mrs Garland) 'They all told us in the most reassuring way
'there was nothing to be done about it.
'Mandy would never hear.
'She would never be able to imagine what sound was like
'so, naturally, she would be dumb, too.
'To the doctors, it was an interesting case but not at all unusual.
'One child in every 16,000 is born like that.
'And they explained that all over the country
'we should find special schools.
'Day schools or residential.'
(Mr Garland) We couldn't send Mandy to a place like that.
- What was it like? - Well, the teachers seem kind.
I should think they do a good job.
The whole place gave me the shivers.
- What do we do now? - Well, she's got to be taught.
But privately. Here, at home, with us.
A private teacher?
Where would we put her? We have no room for her here.
No, I know.
That offer that your parents made...
You know, about having the top floor in their house...
Darling, I can't ask you to go there. You'd hate it.
- They're old now and... - We've got to do something for her.
Fred, they're here.
- Let me have her. - She's rather hefty, I'm afraid.
That's a good girl. What a good girl!
- Hello, my dear. - Dad, for you.
One of your chess games.
(Mrs Garland) Look at all these things.
If you can find any use for them, please do.
Oh, that's a very German move.
And there's a wardrobe for you in here. That's bound to come in useful.
Of course, it's never been used since it was Harry's nursery.
It really wants redecorating. It used to look lovely.
You don't think it will be too much for Mother?
My dear boy, it will make no difference to me.
I don't know what it will do to you and Christine
but of one thing you can be certain, your mother will have a wonderful time.
It will be nice to have a baby about again.
Are you sure you can bear to have us all here?
Bear it? My dear, it'll be like starting life again to have Harry here
and you and the little one.
(Mrs Garland) 'Mandy was to be one of the lucky ones.
'There were at least plenty of people who loved her
'and wanted to look after her and shelter her from the outside word.
'She spent the next five years being...sheltered.'
(Children shout and laugh)
(Horn)
Hey, you!
What do you think you're doing, running under my wheels like that?
You might have got yourself killed!
Dear me! Can't you keep that dog on a lead? You nearly...
(Sound muted)
Keep that mongrel on a lead, you understand, hey?
(Dog barks)
(Mandy sobs)
Darling! What is it? What's happened?
No, darling! You mustn't do that! Did she bite you or something?
All right, darling, all right. I won't go. Mummy's got you.
- There. - What is it, darling?
Oh, never mind. Better now.
I'll take her up, Mrs Garland.
Now come to tuckey, sweetheart. There's a girl!
What happened? Did the dog bite her or something?
I don't know. Something frightened her.
She couldn't tell me what.
Harry, I can't go on like this.
It was all right when she was a baby but now...you never know.
I don't know whether she's being naughty and playing me up
or whether there's something really the matter.
There's just no contact.
There must be something we can do.
(Teacher) 'C...A...T.'
C...A...T.
Cat.
C...
...A...T...T...
'Mandy? T...
'Watch, Mandy. Watch.'
(Mrs Garland) 'There must be something we could do.
'There must be someone who could help.'
- I don't want to go in, Lily. - Why not?
Harry saw this place. He told me about it.
Harry didn't see it! Not properly. I found that out later.
Harry saw a bit of it and then made excuses that he had to catch a train.
He didn't give the place a chance. He just ran away from it.
I don't blame him.
Dick Searle was probably rude to him, same as he is to everyone.
But I'm going to make you see him and talk to him at least.
Come on, Chris.
- Dick, this is Christine Garland. - How do you do?
- You already know about her little girl? - Oh...yes. Is she here?
Er, no. She...
Well, I can't say whether I'll take the child without seeing her, can I?
Nobody was asking you to take her, Mr Searle.
I just wanted to see if you had anything to offer that she isn't getting already.
Oh, I see. What is she getting already? And how old?
- Six. - At school?
- No. - Well, why not?
My husband and I have always felt that...
She needs care, gentleness, kindness and understanding
that can only be provided at home. Yes, I know.
- Does anybody teach her anything? - She has a nurse.
- Teaches her finger speech? - Yes.
I thought so. An old biddy of about 60.
Now listen, Dick Searle.
I've already told Christine that you've no manners
so there's no need to demonstrate!
I also told her you were good at your job which is probably an understatement
so get on with the business of showing her around
and take that chip off your shoulder.
I've got to get back to my own kids. I'll see you later.
(Door slams)
- Well, perhaps you'd like to walk around. - If you could spare the time.
(Children laugh)
Colin, you've got the dirtiest face in the school and that's saying something.
- What's your name? - Mic...
- Michael. - Michael.
- Good. And who is this? - Michael.
No, no, no. You're Michael. He's Colin.
So, he's only been here about ten weeks.
- And he's quite deaf'? - Oh, yes. No hearing at all.
He can't do very much yet
but when he first came here, he couldn't even lip-read.
MISS Lamer...
Who is that, Leonie? You better keep an eye on her.
She's better than she was this morning.
Yes, and better than she'll be this evening.
- Oh, this is Mrs Garland. Miss Larner. - How do you do?
Supposing you were starting with a six year old,
how long would it be before she could...speak?
Oh, it depends on the child. Depends on what you mean by speak.
I)
Ah, here you are. Oh, excuse me.
Dick, that girl is here for the interview, Miss Crocker.
Oh, right. Jane, this is Mrs Garland. Dr Ellis here founded this place.
She's supposed to have retired but she won't stay away
so we let her keep her room here.
She knows more about this job than I do or ever will.
Oh, please.
- You've been around the classrooms? - Yes.
Good. And have you seen everything that you want?
I've seen...a lot of things that I want.
She's rather young, but her references say that she's clever with children.
Hmm...that usually means clever at children.
- This is Mr Searle. Miss Crocker. - Oh, yes.
Miss Crocker, would you mind answering a purely personal question?
Just why do you want to take on a job like this?
Well, I... I didn't think it'd be so dull as teaching just ordinary children.
I see. You think children are dull unless they're deaf?
Well, of course not.
I see by your references, they say you're clever with children. Are you?
Well, I can...usually handle them all right.
(Jane) For sense of isolation, the deaf feel most.
A school of this kind has the advantage of giving children
companionship with others like themselves.
It gives them, I think, the confidence they need.
Yes, I noticed how generous they were with each other.
She's having a rather difficult time which used to end in tears.
Now she just comes here and sits quietly until she feels better.
There is one thing I'd like to ask.
How far can this be carried?
I mean, you can teach them to say a few words and...
But do they ever get to the stage where they can live a normal life?
Can they. . .?
Oh, I beg your pardon.
Yes, I'm one of them. You were asking me something?
This is a personal call for Mr Harry Garland. I'll hang on.
To steady the nerves.
The old girl is the one who's going to be hard to persuade.
- You keep out of this, my dear. - Mmm.
I shouldn't think that Harry will be all that enthusiastic either.
What are you going to tell him? I should say...
Shall I gag this woman?
I'm sure it's the right thing to do.
If only I could get him to come up and see the place again.
- Will he come? - He must.
Hello?
Hello, darling. Listen, you remember that school you came up here to see?
I've been there today.
But, Kit, darling, I can't rush up North just like that.
If it's going to help Mandy in any way, it's important
but it can't be all that urgent.
Oh...
Well, if that's the idea we will certainly discuss it.
Darling, we can't come to decisions like that in a few minutes.
I'm not turning it down.
I just think you ought to come home and we can talk about it here.
All right, darling.
YES.
What was that, Harry?
Oh, Lily Tabor took her over to that school up there.
- School? - Yes.
Surely she doesn't mean we ought to send Mandy away, does she?
No, Mother, don't start anything.
I'd never send Mandy away.
And if it came to the point, nor would Christine.
- Difficult? - Hmm...sort of.
Courage of your convictions, my sweet.
- Your convictions, do you mean? - Oh, shut up!
I know I'm right.
Anyhow, I've permitted myself now.
Fixed up with Searle to take Mandy.
Ooh, er...
- You didn't tell Harry that, did you? - No.
(BOY) Hey, you! Give us a ride!
- Give us a ride on your bike! - Go on, be a sport!
- Mingey blighter! - We won't hurt it! Be a sport!
Give us a ride!
- What's the matter? Lost your tongue? - Stingy, stingy, stingy!
(Mrs Garland) It's a free school. The authorities pay or something.
- What sort of children are they? - They're Mandy's sort. They're deaf.
Harry, if only you'd stay to see the rest of it. I know you'd feel differently.
Kit, there may be something in their methods
but you can't seriously suggest that we should pitchfork Mandy into a...
Into an institution.
Children can be very cruel to each other.
That's life. She's got to face up to that one day, whatever happens.
Yes, but not yet. She's not seven and she's backward.
In that school, I saw children younger than Mandy
and deaf like her that could speak.
They'll grow up to have some place in the world.
They'll get the chance to live like normal people.
Not shut up like Mandy is. What we are doing to Mandy is criminal!
- Christine! - Why do I have to fight both of you?
You had no right to tell them that we'd send Mandy there without consulting us.
What right had you to promise your mother not to consider my point of view?
Look, Kit, we couldn't send Mandy to a barracks like that,
if they could teach her to speak Chinese and jump through hoops!
She's staying here with us, where she belongs.
(Harry) Look, darling, why don't you come with me on this trip to Wales?
What is it, dear?
Do let her run about a bit. It's so dull for her if you don't.
We could take Mandy with us.
I'll see if I can find a cottage or get rooms or something.
That doesn't answer anything, does it?
I'd give all I have for the right answer, you know that.
Yet you won't give the school a trial.
Must we subject her to more misery in order to give ourselves
the satisfaction of knowing that we've tried everything once?
- (Christine) I don't think you've... - (Harry) Darling, I've been there...
(Dogs bark)
ls this yours?
Here 'YOU are.
Ask for it nicely. Say please.
Say please.
- Let's play Piggie in the Middle. - (Girl) All right!
Come on, Dot! Come on, Dot! To me!
Come on! Come and get it! Come on!
Oh, give it to her.
Dougie, don't be mean. Give it to her.
All right.
But not till she says please.
(Screams)
Stop it! Grab her!
Darling, control yourself!
Look at the child! She's insane!
She's not fit to be with other children!
Don't you see?
It's because she isn't used to them that this sort of thing happens.
She must learn to live with other children.
Kit, we've had this argument 50 times. We've all tried to explain...
All? You mean you and your family!
Your father who's so lazy he wouldn't lift a finger to help
and your mother who uses Mandy as something to gush about
and sentimentalise over, like a spinster with a lapdog!
And you are ashamed of Mandy, wanting to keep her out of sight.
You don't care a rap about her!
- Shut up! - All you care about is yourself!
You'd rather she remain dumb!
(Mrs Garland) 'It was that that made up my mind.
'1 knew what I had to do.'
Mr Chairman...
(Men chatter)
Chairman, I'm afraid I must ask for it to be recorded in the minutes
that I don't consider a case has been made out for the increase of staff.
You mean the trust won't put up the money?
I can't speak for my colleagues on the trust.
I can only put my views before them.
May the trust be told the views of the people who teach children?
I mean after all...after all we do know the facts of the case.
I find it best to remind Mr Searle, once again, that the teaching staff,
including himself are at the service of the board and not its masters.
Good morning.
I'm afraid Mr Searle may be delayed but he's been told you're here.
- Oh, thank you. - Hello, Mandy.
Shall we go in and see what's happening in your class this morning?
But we are faced with a great deal of expenditure.
The estimate for cleaning the front of the building and indoor painting alone
come to well over £1,000.
- It that really essential? - I certainly think it is.
When the Lord Mayor came around at Christmas, I was positively ashamed.
Oh, damn the Lord Mayor.
If I'm to be sworn at, Mr Chairman, then I have no more to say.
We can't spend money on making everything look pretty for visitors
and then say we can't afford the staff.
- Hear, hear! - The children are, after all, the point.
I've been a member of this board for the last 25 years.
I might have been lectured and overruled...
No, Mr Ackland.
The board hopes you will give us the money for the teachers and the paint.
Exactly.
Then we all agree the matter be left to the offices of Mr Ackland
to put up to the trust.
Now we come to the very generous offer of bulbs to go in the beds outside...
Mr Chairman, I wonder if the board will excuse me.
The other items don't concern me and I've got some people waiting.
Mr Chairman, before Mr Searle goes, I think he should make some apology
for the remark he made a short time ago.
- You mean, "Damn the Lord Mayor"? - Yes.
Mr Chairman, I certainly do withdraw the remark and apologise for it.
I've got nothing against the Lord Mayor. He's a nice man.
I'm not going to withdraw or apologise for saying that our job
is to teach deaf children and not impress important visitors.
(Doors shuts)
(Chairman) Does that satisfy you, Mr Ackland?
She'll be a bit shy at first but you'll be surprised how soon they settle down.
- Would you like to stay around for a bit? - No. No, I think I'll go.
- Goodbye. - Bye.
- Oh. Everything settled? - Yes, thank you.
Oh, she'll be all right. There's no need to worry.
I shall be at the Tabor's if you should want me.
You see, she's never been away from home before or been with other children.
- We'll have to see how it works out. - Thank you.
But surely as the child's father, I must have some say in the matter.
Yes. It's a pity, of course, that you struck her.
Striking a little woman is always a mistake.
We know they often ask for it but the courts take it in view.
That doesn't give her the right to take her to...this place.
You're the child's legal guardian.
In the matter of custody,
the court usually awards it to the mother, with a child that age.
And a girl.
After the statutory period of desertion,
you would presumably have grounds for divorce.
I don't want a divorce.
I simply want them both back.
You might refuse to provide for her if she stays up there.
Well, that wouldn't do any good.
She's already said she'd get a job and keep herself.
She will, too. She's not the sort of person that's easy to bully.
Well, frankly, I don't think that we can do anything, except for the school.
If we wrote and told them that they'd be taking the child
against its father's wishes, it might be a bit dodgy for them.
He means the school would be in an awkward position.
I've looked it up here, and there's a fellow called Ackland, the governor,
an honorary solicitor to add.
I think the thing to do is to write a nice, dignified letter
telling them that they're up the creek without a paddle.
A delicate situation.
(Subs)
(Mandy screams)
- It's that Crocker girl, indeed. - (Teacher) Now look here, child...
She got out of bed. I tried to put her back and she wouldn't go.
But she just sits there and sulks and then this happens!
- Horrible, ill-natured... - That'll do, Miss Crocker.
She's just like a wild animal.
You're speaking of a child of six who is deaf and dumb.
- You're here to help her. - I was trying to help her.
Look at me when you speak. I'm deaf, remember.
If you have any pity to spare, give it to the child.
Don't waste it on yourself.
I'm sorry.
What's wrong, Mandy?
Come on, now. Eat it.
(Mandy screams)
Mandy, which one is the donkey?
Joan, show me.
Donkey? That's right.
Donkey? Mandy, show me donkey.
Which one is the tiger? Tiger.
Colin, which one is the tiger?
That's right, tiger. Mandy, which one is the tiger?
Tiger. Come on, Mandy.
Tiger. Show me the tiger.
Tiger, Mandy. Which one is the tiger? Tiger...
(Mandy screams)
- How is it going with that one? - Not too good. She's a very tricky one.
- And how was it last night? - Not much better.
We'll give it another couple of days and we'll see.
Mandy, you mustn't get out of bed, dear. Now do try to go to sleep.
There's a good girl. Now come on. Come on, back to bed.
Back to bed.
Give the child time.
While she's upset about this night business,
we're getting nowhere with her during the day.
That's nobody's fault. Least of all yours, Dick.
- We failed, let's face it. - Huh?
Oh, I'm sorry. I said we failed.
No, not yet. She's just one of the difficult ones.
- We've had difficult ones before. - Not at her age.
She came to us late.
She was wholly dependent on the mother.
Never mixed with other children.
Meanwhile, we're losing out.
If you've made a bloomer, the best thing is to admit it.
You must do what you think best.
Most important, what you think best for the child.
I'll get on to the mother.
Darling!
Oh, let's wipe those tears away.
Come on, love. Smile, come on.
I'm driving up to town, if you want a lift to the Tabor's.
Thank you. Come on, love.
Look, this is no business of mine
but I gather your husband is against her going to a school.
He wants her at home.
Seems he was right.
So, if you take her back to London, even a day school is out.
It will be if we go back to the family.
Well, it's no good here while she's in that state.
If I found a room somewhere near the school, could you keep her?
- You mean, as a day-boarder? - Yes.
Well, what about your husband?
Presumably, that would mean leaving him in London.
I've already left him.
(Children mumble)
As the school's solicitor, what answer can I give to that?
You're obviously in the wrong.
The child is boarding here against her father's wishes.
I'd just tell them to get their facts right.
She's not boarding here, she's living in town with her mother.
- That is not my information. - Then your information is wrong.
Well, in that case, she has no right here at all.
It's against the rules of the school to take day pupils.
Except in special cases and under discretion of the headmaster.
This is a special case and I happen to be the headmaster.
The child needs my help. Her mother needs help.
I'm going to give it to them. That's what I'm here for.
Mr Searle, I'm going to ask you a blunt question.
Why is it that since you came here you've consistently opposed my wishes?
Opposed your wishes?
I'm too busy with these to wonder about opposing your wishes or not.
You talk as if you've invented children!
Let me tell you
that I was working for this school when you were still a boy!
- Its reputation is... - Mr Ackland.
The difference between you and me is that
you think a school is a lot of buildings and a balance sheet and a reputation.
I think it's just a lot of individual...
(Glass falls on the floor)
...kids.
About tomorrow, if I go and fetch her
at five in the evening, would that be all right?
Trouble?
I will not tolerate that man's rudeness and arrogance!
- Searle? - Mmm.
I thought you said you'd got him this time.
He's taken the child in without the father's consent
but not as a boarder. He's fixed that.
She's taking the time with her mother and coming in as a day pupil.
He's falling over himself to help the mother, isn't he?
What's she like? Good-looking?
I can't imagine.
When a man says a girl needs helping,
it's nearly always the same sort of help he means.
Is Searle married?
- Separated from his wife. - People get lonely.
If there were a slightest question of a scandal,
it would do the school a great deal of harm.
Yes. They'd throw him out of his job.
- Get Davey in. - Yes, Mr Ackland.
Get Mr Davey, please.
Send a letter to this fellow, whatshisname,
Garlands solicitor's, Woollard and Son.
Make the point that this girl is now... Just a minute, Davey.
Is now a day pupil and no longer under the school's jurisdiction.
But that I, as a governor, regard the whole position as very unsatisfactory
and that I intend making further enquiries,
which I shall be happy to acquaint them.
Now, Davey, I want you to...
(Girl) Baby.
Baby.
Baby. Baby.
Baby.
Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba. You try, Mandy.
Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba. Come on, now.
Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba. Feel the vibration. You try it.
Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba.
No, dear, you're not feeling it.
Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba...
(Screams)
Again! That's it, Mandy! Feel it!
Now again!
Good. That's it, Mandy. Feel your voice.
(Screams)
Keep it going. That's right, that's right.
Come on. You've got it. That's right.
Keep it going.
Now...feel it.
Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba.
Come on. Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba.
Ba...Ba...Ba...Ba...
- Ba... - That's it, Mandy.
Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba.
Nina, show me what you've written.
Ba...Ba...Ba...
- Mr Searle? - Yes?
There is something that I wanted to ask you.
YES.
- You know that I wanted to leave. - Yes.
Well...I wondered whether it would be possible for me to stay.
I thought you might be asking that. Yes, of course you can stay if you want.
- What does she say, dear? - Oh, loving as ever.
Very sorry for what she's done but proposes to go on doing it.
"Darling, I hate having made you hit me.
"It was my fault for saying those things and I'm sorry. Really I am.
"I know you'll have hated it, too, because it isn't like us."
Us?
Harry, don't you think you ought to go up there and talk to her?
Then I suppose if you did
she'd think it was weakness and become even more stubborn.
This is a nice little touch.
The post script.
(Mrs Garland) 'It was my fault for saying those things
'and I'm sorry. Really I am.
'I know you'll have hated it, too, because it isn't like us.
'You know you're the only person in the world I love except Mandy.
'And I'm very lonely, rather frightened
'and...missing you quite horribly.'
Hello, telegram?
(Children shout)
Daddy. Daddy.
Mummy. Mummy.
Me.
It's from Daddy.
He's coming to see us.
It's from Daddy.
Daddy.
(Train announcements)
Do you want to talk about things now?
You were quite right. It was too big a change for her.
Marmalade?
She hated it. We weren't getting anywhere.
Well, it was worth trying. It might have gone the other way.
Darling.
Anyhow, as soon as she started as a day girl she settled down beautifully.
You know...we've been a pair of asses.
We were both partly right and partly wrong.
I think we probably shall have to find a school for her.
Find a school?
- Yes, one she can go to from home. - Darling?
As soon as we get back, we'll start looking around.
We can't take her away from here now that she's doing so well.
Why not? What...?
What's so special about this school?
Well, she's got used to them. She trusts them.
We can't go through all that again.
Anyhow, darling, there's no doubt about it that Dick has an absolute genius for...
- Dick? - Dick Searle.
- You met him. - Yes?
The Tabors call him Dick so I do, too.
Of course.
Well, just wait until you see him with Mandy and then you'll understand.
See him with Mandy?
Yes, he's coming here this morning. I thought you'd want to talk to him.
Why should I?
Darling, let's face it.
We both love Mandy,
but here is somebody who can help her more than we can.
You mean more than I can? She needs you but...
All right, we'll play it that way.
As long as you don't expect me to stay and be enthusiastic about it.
Hello.
Good morning. I gather Mandy is doing well.
Oh, yes, she is fine.
Well, darling. I'm sorry I've got to rush back but...
- Must you? - I'm afraid so.
Bye, Mandy.
Goodbye. Write to me.
- Goodbye. - Goodbye.
Look up the London trains for me.
Isn't it rather...giving in to her, dear?
What else could I do,
when your wife tells you flat that you can't help your child
and somebody else can?
But doesn't the child's home and father mean anything to her?
Apparently not.
This... This teacher?
What sort of man is he?
Oh, it's the old witch-doctor thing.
Kit's always wanted to believe in miracles,
especially where Mandy is concerned.
He's told her that he's going to teach Mandy to talk and she believes him.
The only person in the world who can help Mandy is Searle.
I'm no good, you're no good, nobody else is any good.
Take the genuine witch-doctor medicine and refuse all substitutes.
If only I could prove to him, show him how well she was getting on.
Well, do you think he'd come round, then?
Of course.
Come here, I'll do that.
If you like, I could come in sometimes in the evenings and coach her.
That would speed things up a bit.
But have you got the time?
Well, I'll manage it somehow. I'll come in tomorrow evening.
That's awfully good of you.
It would help my husband and me a lot if...
Well, maybe, but the main thing is to get her on.
Then you can all sort it out how you like.
Bye, Mandy.
Mrs Garland?
- Garland? Yes, she's on the first floor. - Thank you.
(Dog barks)
Toller, maybe that was the name? Big woman, heavy built.
No, that's not her. This one's quite thin. Pretty.
She's the one that's got a kid that's a bit...
You know, can't speak, just makes noises.
Eyes.
Eye.
NOSE.
Ear.
NOSE.
(Laughs)
That's a good girl!
. Mme or orange? ' AWE.
Apple.
- Thank you. - Good.
Mandy. Come on.
Apple or orange?
Which do you want?
Where's the clock?
Where's the door?
(Mr Searle) Where's the fireplace?
Where's Sophie? Sophie?
Clever girl! Come and give me a great big kiss!
Then on his way home, he passed a bridge.
Michael, you be the little boy.
That's right.
And he wanted to put the basket under a tree.
Mandy, you be the tree.
That's right.
Put the basket under the tree, Michael.
Thank you. Climb on the bridge.
The little boy climbed on the bridge
and he took his fishing rod to catch a fish.
Brian, you be the fish.
- P. - P.
Flick at the front. T, T.
T, T.
Flick at the back. K, K.
K, K.
- Mmm. - Mmm.
- NR“. ' NR“.
- Ooo. - Ooo.
- SSS. - SSS.
Man.
D.
EGG.
Man-Gee.
M. M.
A. A.
You were there on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday night
for one hour and a half, two hours and two and a half hours, respectively.
Another week and you'll see the sun rise.
Please. Does the landlady have any information?
Nothing of a compromising nature, sir.
(Secretary) She can never give him a chance.
Quite, thank you. Carry on, will you?
When Searle was appointed, the board got a letter from his wife.
- Have we got it here? - I think the Chairman's still got it.
All right, thank you.
Ah, I know what that is. Train.
Train.
And that's a house.
HOUSE.
Tree. Tree.
Lady.
Miss Stockton?
Miss Larner?
(Mandy murmurs)
Mmm.
If you'll make this do for a minute, I'll have another look.
- Never mind. - I'll bring it up.
(Mr Searle) Christine! Here!
What is it?
(Mandy) Mmm. Mmm.
- Quickly! - What's the matter?
Mmm.
Mummy. Mummy.
Mummy.
Mummy. Mummy. Mummy.
Mummy.
- Yes, she's...done very well. - I'm sorry.
After two months that's not bad.
She spoke! It means that she can!
It means she has a chance.
Now, you mustn't expect too much because it will never be easy for her.
She has a chance.
Do you know, it's like seeing the door of a cage beginning to open.
I wish we could celebrate or something.
That might not be a bad idea for you. You ought to get out a bit more.
Look, why don't you get somebody to sit with her and take an evening off?
Hello, Jane. Do you want me?
Hello, Dick. Yes, nothing very important.
Just to tell you about the Pitcher Trust meeting.
You'll get your new teachers.
Ah, so Ackland's been overruled?
No, he climbed down of his own accord.
That's odd. Doesn't sound like our little pal.
NO.
I've got good news, too.
The Garland child got its first word out tonight.
You know I've been giving it extra tuition in the evenings.
Yes, I heard you were doing that.
It's good news because it means we can prove
we were justified over the trouble when she first came.
YES.
I wanted to ask you something about that, Dick.
I wanted to say something I hope you won't resent.
(Laughs) Resent? Why?
I think you should coach that child here at the school,
not at Mrs Garland's.
Why?
I think it would be...wiser.
Jane... Jane, don't beat about the bush.
Are you suggesting that I'm having an affair with Mrs Garland?
- No. - Then who is?
Nobody...yet.
But you must realise Mrs Garland is a very attractive woman.
There's bound to be a little gossip.
That's harmless enough,
unless it comes to the ears of someone who wants to make mischief.
Ackland.
When you were appointed,
your wife wrote to the board a very malicious letter.
I never knew that.
There was no point in telling you.
But today, Ackland asked the Chairman for a copy of that letter.
I see.
It may be nothing but I wanted to warn you.
YES.
I don't need to tell you, Dick,
that in work like this, you are very vulnerable.
You're dealing with mothers of children when they're in a very emotional state.
You're helping them.
They're relying upon you.
So, it wouldn't be surprising if...
You're quite right, of course.
You meet an attractive woman and she trusts you and is grateful to you.
It's flattering.
Before you know where you are, you think it's...
But you know it isn't.
Well, of course not.
All right, Jane. I'll deal with it.
(Door closes)
(Telephone rings)
Hello?
No, I'm afraid Mr Ackland's in court this morning.
This is his confidential secretary speaking.
Oh! Mr, Woollard, isn't it?
Yes, yes, we're very busy on that.
Our man brought in some more evidence yesterday.
Evidence?
Look, my sweet, are you sure we're on the same wavelength?
Garland, that's it.
It's just that they said Master Tykes made things a bit difficult
and Ackland said he'd go into it for us but if...
Yes?
Mr Davey? Who's he?
He's the little man who does our divorce stuff.
Divorce? Yes.
Oh, no, of course not. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to rush you.
Divorced. Did you know?
Yes. No, it's just that I was trying to find out how things were going.
I seem to be a bit out of touch. Goodbye.
What do you suppose those characters are up to?
It's most irregular.
Harry should have advised us if he's instructed this man.
YES.
If.
And get me Mr Garland, Harry Garland at his office.
I want you to wait. I shall only be five minutes.
Darling, what's the matter?
Oh, it's some nonsense up at the school. I've got to go and sort it out.
- Christine? - Yes, of course.
- Harry, what is it? - Nothing.
You wouldn't go dashing off like this if it were nothing.
I've got to catch a train. I'll tell you about it later.
- Fred? - Yes.
I don't know what's happened but Harry's back.
He's packing and rushing off and he won't tell me why.
Well, perhaps he doesn't want you to know.
Look, darling, do something for me.
Put a trunk call through to this chap, Ackland.
Tell him I want to see him tonight at his office. It's very important.
I shan't be there until seven but make him wait for me.
All right, dear.
What's all this, Harry?
Oh, well, if you must know, Woollard tells me that these solicitors up there
have...been spying on Kit.
- Spying on her? - Yes.
(Fred) Why?
I don't know.
They've pitched him some yarn about her playing around with a man.
What man?
They didn't say.
Mr Woollard was asking for information about Mr Garland.
How was I to know you wanted things kept back? I'm not a mind-reader.
No, you're a confidential secretary. You might behave like one occasionally.
On duty or oft?
Listen...
(Sighs)
We've no real facts on this case yet. We haven't even heard from Searle's wife.
(Knock on door)
There he is now.
See that Davey is standing by, will you?
Mr Garland.
Do come in. We've been expecting you.
How do you do?
How do you do? Oh, er...
Won't you sit down?
Now, I gather there's been some misunderstanding
between my secretary and Mr Woollard.
I hope so.
Good night, darling. Be a good girl.
I won't be very late, Mrs Jackson.
She'll be all right with me, don't you worry.
I'm ready.
Oh.
You say you were accosted by the landlady?
- She came over to the pub? - Yes, sir.
How did she know you were there?
- Had you talked to her before? - Yes, sir.
I've had enough of this dirt. Get this man out of here.
All right, Davey.
Mr Garland, your attitude does you great credit.
But in my profession,
I'm afraid if it weren't for the Daveys and the landladies,
honourable people would have no defence against those who are,
well, less honourable.
- What do you mean less honourable? - I was only generalising.
- I'm going to see my wife. - As a legal man I must tell you...
- You're not my legal man! - Consult your solicitors.
The only person I should consult is my wife.
(Laughter)
(Landlady) 'She does live here but she's out at the moment.'
(Harry) 'Where's the child?'
- (Landlady) 'Upstairs.' - (Harry) 'Alone?'
(Landlady) No, but you can't go up without Mrs Garland and she's gone out.
(Harry) 'I'm Mrs Garland's husband.'
Where's my daughter? ls she in there?
YES.
She's asleep.
(Laughter and music from above)
What time do you expect Mrs Garland back?
She said she didn't know.
I'm taking my child away. Where can I phone for a car?
The telephone's across the road.
You can't go taking her, not until her mother comes back.
I'm in charge of that child.
You may be her father but I don't know, do I?
Yes, you're quite right.
Look, I'll go and phone for a car then I'll come back and wait for Mrs Garland.
But who's been saying these things?
Can't I tell them...?
Tell them what?
That it's all nonsense.
Well, the trouble is it isn't quite all nonsense, is it?
I know, I know these people are wrong
because to them...loving somebody can only mean one thing.
The only thing that worries me is that...
I think they might try and get hold of Evelyn.
That's my wife. And spin her some kind of a yarn.
She's...
...a very unstable person and might make some unpleasantness.
You never told me you were married.
You think I should have told you?
NO.
No, of course not.
(Knock on door)
Would you mind waiting? I may be some time.
Yes, sir.
Hello, darling.
Come on.
Thanks for the dinner...
...and everything else.
Mrs Jackson says that Harry is upstairs.
Hello, darling. Why didn't you tell me you were coming?
Where have you been?
Out to dinner with Mr Searle.
What do you mean by leaving Mandy alone in a place like this?
Mr Garland...
I'd rather you kept out of this if you don't mind. I want to talk to my wife.
Yes, I dare say.
But I don't want you to get the idea
that your child is being neglected in any way.
I can assure you that Mrs Garland has never left her alone for a single hour
of a single evening until this evening.
Well, you should know, shouldn't you?
I understand you've been here practically every night.
- Darling! - Who told you that?
- Well, isn't it true? - Well, yes, but...
He's been coming here to coach Mandy.
Night after night.
When he's finished a day's work, he's been coming here to work with her.
So as to get her on quickly.
And tonight?
Tonight...we went out. For a very special reason.
Harry, it's beginning to work.
She's beginning to speak.
I didn't tell you before because I wanted it to be a surprise.
I've had my surprise, thanks.
Look, man, use your brains!
The child's making real progress.
- Doesn't that mean anything to you? - Harry, you can hear for yourself.
All right, then, show me! Let's hear what she can do.
_ Now? _ Yes: “Owl
- We'll do nothing of the kind! - What right have you to give orders?
Because that child is just beginning to speak.
If you drag her out of bed and put her on trial now, she may fail.
And if she does, it will put her back for weeks
and you'll be the one who makes her fail!
She won't forget that!
All right.
Go ahead if you want to.
I can't stop you but I won't be a party to it.
(Mrs Garland) Don't you realise that Dick
doesn't care about anything except the children?
Darling!
Who dressed her?
- I did. - Why?
Because we're catching the midnight train. All three of us.
- I won't have her here another hour. - Harry!
Mandy... Look, show Daddy how you can say words.
Who's this? Mummy.
Show Daddy what you can say. Who's this?
Mum-my.
Say mummy, darling.
Mummy. Mummy.
Mandy, you can say mummy. You said it yesterday.
Say mummy. Say mummy.
Mummy. Say mummy. Mummy.
(Subs)
Darling, mummy.
Mummy, please, darling.
Mummy. Mummy.
Stop it! Stop it!
I won't have it.
It's all right, darling, it's all right.
I shouldn't have done it. Dick told me not to.
- Now you don't believe me. - I don't know what to believe!
I've heard enough for one day. I'm sick to the stomach with it!
Did you and your boyfriend know they've set divorce detectives on you?
What do you think I feel when they bring your dirty, sneaky stories to me?
- What...? - That he's been here every night.
- But, darling I... - That you've been seen kissing him.
- Is it true? - ls what true?
Have you ever kissed him?
YES...
Harry...
(Subs)
Go to sleep, darling.
- Harry! - Mother.
- Where's Christine? - I...
I left her up there.
(Doorbell rings)
ls my husband in, Miss Cameron?
He's in there, Mrs Garland.
- Hello, Harry. - Hello, Christine.
Dick Searle's here.
I've got something I want to say to you. Will you listen to it?
What I want to say to you is this,
that in the whole of the dirty little scandal about your wife and me,
you're just being made a mug.
You're being taken in by a man named Ackland. Have you heard of him?
Yes, I thought so.
Well, Ackland doesn't like me and I don't like Ackland
and this whole business is something he's cooked up
to get me out of my job.
With your kind help and cooperation, it looks as though it's going to work.
So you've come here because your job may be in danger?
Yes, and I think that's important.
More important than any mess you and your wife are in.
I teach deaf children like Mandy. I'm a good teacher.
(Children laugh and shout)
P.
Fred, what's the matter?
Emily, I don't know what's been going on in this school and I don't care,
but I do know that Mandy's a different child from when she went away.
Harry had no right to take her away from Christine.
No, I know. I don't think Harry realised what he was doing.
Well, it's time he did.
- That child should go back. - To the school?
(Children shout and laugh)
- Hello, Christine. - Hello, Mother. Hello, Dad.
- Where's Harry? - In there.
No, no, you stay here.
This time I'll do the interfering and you do the keeping-out.
I'm glad you're back.
- Oh, Mr Searle, you're not going? - Dad, do you mind not butting in?
My dear boy, I don't want to butt in.
I just wondered what you'd decided on this question.
Has Mr Searle been making love to Christine
or has he been teaching Mandy?
Harry, sometimes I'm not quite certain just what you do believe.
I mean, if you believe that Christine has been unfaithful to you,
presumably you're going to do something about it.
Divorce her or something, is that the idea?
He doesn't believe it. He knows perfectly well...
Mr Searle, I'm talking to my son.
Whereas if you believe that it's all just a silly piece of gossip,
and that Christine and Mr Searle have merely been doing their best for Mandy,
and have indeed done a lot for her,
the question of his wife's faithfulness, Harry,
is one on which a man must make up his mind.
He may not make it up correctly but he must make it up.
No, I don't believe it.
Kit isn't like that.
I don't believe a word of it.
(Children shout)
I can't find her anywhere.
(Children shout)
There she is!
She's got a ball.
Hey, lend us your ball!
Your ball!
(Harry) Wait.
You can have it back.
Ta.
You want to join in?
What's your name?
Mandy.
(Boy) What?
Mandy.
Her name is Mandy. Mandy?
Right, get the bat! Come on, let's go!
(Boy) Come on, Mandy!