Woman in the Hall, The (1947)

[bunniefuu]

Is Baroness von Soll in?

There's a woman in the hall,My Lady

who says she must see you

she won't give a name

but it seems rather urgent

She says she knew Mr Lovett

A friend of poor Lionel?

She has a little girl with her My Lady

Let's go away mummy

The Baroness will see you,

what name shall I say?

Blake,Mrs Lorna Blake

Mrs Lorna Blake,My Lady

Baroness von Soll but of course

I recognize you from the

snapshot Lionel had of you

He carried it with him everywhere

How good of you to see me

Sit down,please

Thank you

This is my little girl

Come and shake hands,Molly

-I'm afraid a little bit shy

-You should be frightened of me?

No

So you knew Paul Lionel?

Yes and I remember him saying so often

That you were the most golden

hearted woman he'd ever known

And when I read about his death

Coming just at the crisis

of poor little Jay illness

Jay my younger daughter

Molly's baby sister

We even had her in hospital,

didn't we Molly?

You must forgive me,giving away like this

Night after night have been up


with my little girl for three whole weeks

Please,I understand

The doctor's bills such expensive treatment

Oh dear

To come here and worry you with my troubles

when a child's very life is at stake

Dear God,our pride must meet

our pockets if we have got children

And your husband? You


are alone in the word?

He died soon after Jay was born

Don't mummy,don't cry

It was right you come to me

These bills,you give me the

addresses I'll send them the money

What have I done

What have I done? You are so good


and kind how could I treat you like this

I've lied to you my name

isn't Blake it's Inglefield

Lorna Inglefield

Look this is my marriage certificate

My husband isn't dead

He left me abandoned me

with these two little children

-Mummy


-How could he do it?

What was Neil made out to turn aside

from a child like this

That's why I've used the name of Blake

to forget your cruel father

haven't we my pet?

But it was wrong of me

I've been too proud

too foolish and proud


to tell anyone this before

But you are so different you understand

If only I could get to Liverpool tonight

Neil sailing for America in the morning

If only I had the bare fare even

His parents are bound

to see him of,bound to

You see they were devoted to Neil

From the start they would


never acknowledge me

They wrecked our marriage

but if they could see Molly now just once

Surely they must soften

surely they will do something for her

if not for me

So you go to Liverpool maybe

everything comes out all right

Oh Baroness

Mummy,mummy,mummy

When could we afford taxi?

Since this afternoon

Mummy

Coming darling

You brought it off?

-How much?

-Shh,in front of

Darling run up and tell

Jay Mum is just coming

I'll tell you all about it

She didn't give me the money at first

She asked to see the doctor's bills

And now,whatever did you do

Funny I can't remember much about it

I found myself saying I wasn't Mrs Blake

But Mrs Neil Inglefield

Neil Inglefield used his name,why?

Reasons,besides I had already

a made marriage certificate hadn't I?

Anyhow something came over me suddenly

I felt inspired

-You?

-Well,here's the money

You know,I think I've

got a sort of gift for it

I worked it out I could make

two thousand a year if I tried

Think how lovely it would

be for the children

Yes that's what I am thinking

Lovely to have your mother doing time

Get back into bed you'll be ill again

I haven't been ill, k*lled isn't being ill

When's mummy coming up? She said

she'd tell me a story when she came back

Where have you been,

where did mummy take you?

Visiting

Like that?

-Who was it you visited?

-Oh just a lady

What lady? Do I know her?

What for? Did you get tea there?

-No,we got

-Sweets

Oh,leave me alone

That's right darling change

into something pretty

And how is my little gully wagger?

Have you been good and

stayed quietly in bed all day?

Oh,yes,Mummy,where have

you been,Molly won't tell me?

What about the story you promised me?

Story? You know mummy's no good at stories

You are,you know you are,you're

the best storyteller in the world

Go on,I've been waiting hours

and hours and hours

-Well, now let me see

-Mummy -I shall have to think

-very hard

-Mummy

-Yes darling?

-Aren't we going?

-Going? Where dear?

-To Liverpool,you said we were,aren't we?

Oh,Liverpool no not this time,pet

Go on with the story?

Well,once upon a time

there was a little girl she was the

prettiest little girl in the whole world

She hadn't got a daddy

And her mummy was oh so poor

So you see having been left

without a penny in the world

what else can I do

If only I could get to the south of France

if only I could get to Nice in time

to prevent this marriage

At least I could save Neil

from committing bigamy

And I can only tell you Mrs Jones,Williams

but as Jay and I set up

there at the back of the gallery

naturally we can only afford the gallery

No,no this isn't Jay this is Molly

You don't care for concerts,do you darling?

When your wonderful little

boy played the Devil's drill

Tears pour down our cheeks

Only if I could get to Brussels

if only catch Neil Sjoberg

Thank the lady Molly

Say thank you Molly

Thank

Thank

Thank you thank you very much

Thank you very much

How very kind you've been,Mrs Maddox

Oh what a beautiful child your Marigold is

Your little girl has such pretty hair

So quaint

But what lovely toys

I'm afraid my little bunnies have

to make do with homemade things

Marigold,darling you have

so many nice things

supposing you give your music box to

this poor little girl here oh

Oh,no,please,mummy

gives me lots of nice toys

But not lovely ones like these darling

Come on,Marigold, give your music

box to the little girl

I want it

No really

Nonsense

Marigold must learn to be

unselfish little rich girl

You must learn to be kind

to little poor girls,Marigold

Come on

Give it to the little girl

Your little girl,Marigold

got a present for you

Please please I don't want it please,Mummy

Jay,darling if Marigold is so generous

Marigold wants to give

it to you,little girl

She is not

-Marigold

-Take it then

How sweet

Now,Jay,darling,give Marigold a nice kiss

Please allow me

Do let me help you

Miss Gardiner

The honorable Mrs Maddox

has been so very kind

You were saying?

Don't you think she's in trouble

and she must get to Glasgow

because her husband has runaway

and is going to America

if she doesn't get the midnight

train with her little girl

I see

You do think we should

help her don't you?

I think it's a very good idea

that we give this Mrs. Inglefield

her fare to Glasgow

But I'm sure she has a great deal to do

The best thing is for me to buy the tickets

meet them at the the station

and put them on the train

But this is too good I never meant to give

-all this trouble

-But it's no trouble at all

I'll get the tickets and

meet you at the barrier

May I?

How very very kind

Haven't you better give this game up

Two or three bungles like this

and you'll have the police after us

I don't bungle

Have any of the people I

visited been a mistake?

Was that wretched governess coming in

Interfering old hag but

I'll get my own back

You know my dear Susan,

what kindheartedness most people have

if only you can get at them and

handle them the right way

But you must have faith from the very start

-Faith to move mountains

-Yes but you can't keep moving houses

It isn't fair on the children

But don't you understand

it's for them I'm doing it

A good mother must sacrifice

everything for her children

And then when they've grown up

I'll be able to get

You'll never give this

game up now Lorna Blake

You know the trouble with

you is,you are an artist

Yes

Jay

Jay are you awake?

Yes

Shall I come into bed with you?

Yes,please

Molly,are we beggars?

I think so

Was it awful today?

Horrible,Mummy cried

She always does

Gave me a kiss,right little girl

I always make my kisses wet

Molly are we Blake or Inglefield?

I don't know

Jay,we're going away tomorrow

Are we?

Isn't it wrong to take money and things?

Mummy says,not if it is for other people

Don't cry I'll always look after you

Look,it is my hair it's so long

keep getting in my mouth

It's all right,mummy will

have it cut for you

She said it a godsend

Dearest young ladies,Jay

Take your mother give us some tea

-Excuse me

-Yes,certainly

Well,darling have you packed your things?

Yes

What was the head saying about me?

She said,I don't think

we've taught Jay much

but she's certainly taught us something

Oh mummy this is Daffy,

and Chloe Carbury my friends

How do you do

I hope you were uplifted by

the speeches,Mrs Blake

Play the game girls, play the game

Poor Toby

Mummy,this is Toby their cousin

Don't stand there looking daft

Get another two cups

Five cups this time

I'll help

Five cups of tea,please

Five cups of tea please

Cigarette?

Please don't bother,please don't bother

Five cups of tea,please

Thanks

What are you going to

do now for an old girl?

Get a job I suppose

-I see there is a job going at our place

-Is it?

Five cups,please

We are Ship Rides Arms

Southampton Water

-Sounds rather fun

-Five cups

I'll tell you what

you could live with Daffy and Chloe

in my aunt's house in the New Forest

shall I speak to my dad?

What is the holdup?

-Neighbor's old horse five cups of tea

-What's you two arranging?

I just wondered whether Jay would

like a job at my father's office,Mrs Blake

Oh it's very kind of you,Toby

but I have other plans for her I'm afraid

Mummy,what are the plans you got for me

Don't let's talk about plans now darling

There's such a joy being together again

Tickets please

-These are third class,tickets Madam

-Oh,yes of course

How stupid of me

these booking-office

windows are so confusing

I'd better pay you the

difference,haven't I?

-Jay

-Hello,Molly

Susan

Your trunks come I'd take it upstairs

What have you got in it?

New? Pretty

Hello,Susan

Oh I fixed that address for you

14 George Street Poulton's paper shop

Oh,jasmine my flower

-From Mummy?

-No.-Susan?-No

You

Now then,stop that slopping

and get ready for your suppers

-Shouldn't I be helping?

-Yes

Not her first night at home

You're spoiled if you ask me

But we're not asking you

It's so lovely to be home

again let's celebrate somehow

Not tonight my pet

-Play something else on the piano

-Shall I? What would you like?

Anything,I like all your pieces

-She's got the Who's who out

-Oh yes I saw it

Today I fixed a phony address for letters

-Look

-Victim,eh

Who is Shirley Dennison woman of today

Sucker tomorrow

That was lovely

Where's mummy?

How typical

Put to test

Molly please let me stay

I've got my script

Hello

Hello Jay

Hello Jasmine

What did you say mommy?

I'm going out,darling,are you coming?

What have you got those things on for?

Why are you wearing that coat?

Mommy is going visiting of course

-But you're not still

-Yes,darling I am won't you come with me?

It'll be just like old times

No I can't

-I'm grown up now

-I didn't mean to upset you

You'll know that I love you but life

hasn't been too easy for me my pet

I've always known that my children would

make everything worthwhile

You don't know how lonely

it's been with you away at school

And I've looked forward to the day

when you'd come back home for good

But I've always hoped that somehow you

Perhaps help me in my work

But I see now that I'm wrong

You must make your own life without me

Don't say anymore mummy please,

I know you'll love me and I love you

I'll come with you,only don't

say any more please

You will?

Darling that's sweet of

you I knew you would

Well come along or we'll be late

She's not going with you

It's all right Molly I don't mind

There,you're not going

How could you,mother

Could? Could what? What do you mean?

It's humiliating at her age,it's revolting

You silly little thing

now that Jays back you're jealous

because she likes going with me because

How beastly

I don't care no I'm not

taking Jay visiting with you

You're never going to

take her with you again

You don't know what you're

saying you don't know the law

I can do what I like with my own child

No you can't

I know the law well enough if they knew

what you were doing with

Jay they take her away from you

and never let you see her again

Very well if Molly doesn't like

you going with me I'll go by myself

I'll be the last one to

cause any unhappiness

Fancy trying that off

Inglefield is your married name?

Yes my husband was Neil

Inglefield I married him when

Neil Inglefield?

Yes an old Norfolk family

I married him very young

-I was only 17

-Norfolk you said?

Yes,funnily enough if you care to see it

I think yes ,yes I actually got

my marriage certificate with me

Do go on

Well,the sun is a bit I

wonder if you'd mind if I

I am so sorry won't you smoke?

No thank you I'm afraid

I haven't many vices

Oh heavens

I think I have such a lot

Well,as I was saying my

marriage turned out very unhappily

Soon after my baby girl was born

My husband deserted me and for 18

years he left me to bring up my child

without contributing a penny

-And you didn't divorce him?

-That was my mistake

If only I'd realized what

Neil had in store for me

Do you mean your husband came back to you?

Yes he came back but only

to take my child away from me

And eventually he succeeded

And now they both gone

I don't know where

But how dreadful

He said he could do what he

liked with his own child

He said it was the law

I know well enough of the law

if they'd found out what he'd done

they'd taken her away from him

and never let him see her again

Then why don't you see

that they do find out

-Seems a very good idea

-That's what I thought

But I must have evidence if only I

had the means to employ a private detective

I could at least find out where they are

I don't keep much money in the house

but if this would help for the moment

Dennison I didn't come

here to ask for money

But only for your advice

But since you're so very very kind

Oh, Mrs Inglefield I'd rather

like to keep in touch with you

Oh yes indeed might I leave my address?

It's number 14 George Street

Perhaps you give it to my secretary

Words are poor things

Miss Dennison but if ever

Goodbye

Oh Katherine,I've got

those notes for my lectures

When you've got rid of that amiable lady

Get on to Mr Inglefield's home and find

out when he is expected back in England

Very well

Don't you want to know how I got on

-Well,how much

-Three pounds -Slipping

That's what you think,

hey Molly mummy's is home

What's more in a few days time I think

they start calling at

number 14 George Street

I think you'll find a cheque there

You stick to the begging letter line

I can go on with that too,can't I?

What's the matter with you

Where are the children?

Children?-Where are they?

-Jay's gone mother

-Gone? Gone where?

She's left the house

Jay

Jay

Susan

Where is she?

Now what is this?

I told you Jay is gone away

-Where?

-To the Carbury Southampton

-What?

-She's taking the job

-there and she's not coming back

-Not coming back? Are you mad?

I'll tell you she is coming back tomorrow

I'd put a call through to Mrs Carbury

Don't make a scene with

them it won't do you any good or Jay

I want trunk inquiries please

Don't you see mummy it

isn't good for Jay to be here

She's not an ordinary person

and she'll get worse and worse

more more dependent on you

She'll never grow up into a normal woman

You're bad for her

You little fool,what do you

know about good and bad

and what do you really know about Jay

If you think you can come

between us you're mistaken

I tell her she needs me and

I'm going to get her back even if

-Trunk inquiries

-Trunk inquiries

I want you to find

If you'll bring her back here

I shall go straight to the police

How dare you interfere like this

You think you'd be very clever,don't you?

But I'll show you I can

get Jay back again anytime

I like simply raising my little finger

All right let her stay

If anything happens to her,remember

Molly darling I'm so dreadfully sorry

I love you darling never think that I don't

-We must go we'll be late

-What's the hurry

Come along

Look

-How much are they?

-Six pence each,Miss

Here's one for you and

you and one for you

Come along you meanies pay them

You are expected when you're married

-When?

-No defeated them,please

Only three bob from you

Mary, you pay two last week

-So I did

-Ready?

Wait till Friday,duck.I'm bucked

-This is Friday

-I mean next Friday

Come off it

Late as usual where have you been?

-Perfume?

-Or boyfriend

I've had a heavenly time

Well I hate to bring you back to earth

But you owe me five shillings

Oh

I know,she's bought Kim a private present

You little

I want to pay my share in

the joint present too

Honey,you've got a heart of gold

And a purse I assume

Now girls hush hush and

back to work it's ten past two

-Yes,Miss Breece

-Yes,Miss Breece

I want five shillings from you Miss Breece

-Oh

-Do you?

-Here is Kim now

-Jay,the gaffer wants you

Me? What have I done now?

Well,you're not the best

of time keepers,Miss Blake

I hope you'll be very happy,Kim

-It isn't?

-Hm

Oh there's nothing I wanted more

Come in

Come in,Jay

Come on,don't be shy

Well,there's one thing about you

You're always cheerful

What I wanted to say was

-I take it you're happy here

-Oh,yes

Good, because you're doing well

You're not always the best

of timekeepers if I may say so

Now since Kim's leaving us might be a good

idea if you report to my son in her place

No harm on our keeping an eye on

you since you're friend of the family

All right a bit early to step you

up but we must see how it works

Make it work,eh? Good

Hello, come and sit down

No,Toby,you sit,please do

Thank you

Now,Miss Blake,what can I do for you

Your father says I'm to work for you

Does he? Good that suits me

It's not right you should have

chosen one of the senior girls

As a matter of fact I wasn't asked

-But if I had been

-Oh Toby

I don't want to get on through charity

I want to make my own way in the world

You're doing so

Jay,why didn't you stay

on at my aunt's house?

Weren't you happy

living with Daffy and Chloe?

No

So you prefer a dreary

bunch at the boarding house,do you?

I don't think they're dreary

I find them rather brave

They don't get much fun out of life

I see,you're the girl with the mission

You bring happiness

to others is that the idea?

Yes

You know I bet you have made

them happier since you went there

Perhaps I have I don't know

-Besides

-Besides what?

At your aunt's house they

all gave the whole time

-But I have nothing to give back

-You are a funny girl

Shouldn't the have's gift to the haven't?

Of course but what I'd like

is to be one of the givers

You think that's strange

Perhaps even conceited

-But it's how I am

-I like you as you are

Please don't ever change for you

What's the matter?

Nothing

My dear Alfred,don't say I

find you in the state of dubiety

This letter,Sir Halmar I think

perhaps you ought to see it

It's a begging letter but it's

got a sort of emanation

No,how much does this emanation

require and for what purposes

The specific amount is left to us

Looks like a woman,Dear Sir Halmar Barnard

If I cannot get some help by Friday next

you will read in the papers of

just another common place tragedy

forced on a lonely and desperate woman

It is a woman

But tell me,Alfred, is this

letter genuine or not

Oh,not

-Hmm

-Not ungenuine,I mean

Tell me the gist

Well, it's very nearly all gist

This Mrs Blake met a woman

in the hall of the South Kensington

Museum Tapestry Department

She ordered a set of embroidered

petit point coverings for chairs

from her to be sent be

sent to an address in Carlisle

Who ordered from whom?

She did,the woman

-from her

-she did the woman,go on

She trusted her bought the

materials at considerable outlay

-which she could ill afford

-did the work send it to Carlisle

Never heard another word

and is now on her beam-ends

A child in arms could have

detected the swindle

Of course yes,yes I'll

write a polite refusal

You'll do nothing of the sort

but you really must acquire

some humankind in this,Alfred

Give me my cheque-book

-How much do you think?

-She's got to go to Carlisle

Ten pounds might cover it

Ten pounds? No,you're not going

about this the right way at all,Alfred

No,Sir Halmar

We can't give this woman

money she'd be mortified

what she needs is practical help

-How about a private det..

-Private detective

from the tip of my tongue,that's it

Because they generally

want a large cash deposit

Money again why will you

keep sounding such a sordid note

My old friend Bob Henshaw Chief

Constable of Belcaster right in the area

And that is what I was going

to suggest it'll cost nothing

It isn't the cost,Alfred

Now we better tell this poor

woman what we propose first

Draft my reply to her

I'd say this is rather nicely expressed

You'll with that rare gifted imagination

like a stained-glass window through

which the rich light falls

I can just picture her

A poor little sniveling

whisper of a creature

with rusty black with pricked fingers and

then as she reads our message of hope

Well,you've done it this time

If this (?)writes to that

chief constable you are in the soup

-What did you sign it?

- Blake

Well,when do we move

-We don't move

-What then?

I'm going down to see him,of course

-She's in the hall

-Who?-That Mrs Blake

-Who in heaven's name

-Tapester's room

-Tapester

-Carlisle,petit point

-What?

-She isn't quite what we'd imagined

Impressions? I don't care what

she's like Alfred will you please tell her

Sir Halmar,please

You do understand,don't you?

I simply had to come I couldn't

rest until I put things right

Sir Halmar,I never wrote that letter

It's dreadful to think of, a begging letter

A letter as good as asking for money

Such a journey it's all that

woman she's done it before

and she'll do it again unless I

Why is life so difficult I must

explain this dreadful,dreadful mistake

Please,may I?

Alfred, I shan't want the car yet

Very good,Sir Halmar

Sit down there

Now,Mrs Blake

First of all may I see

the letter you received?

The letter? Yes,yes of course

-Excuse me,Alfred

-Yes,Sir Halmar

Bring the letter Mrs Blake wrote

-I mean didn't write

-Yes,Sir Halmar

Send in some sherry and biscuits

The same lies the same brazen

request for money at the end

And even imitating my handwriting

But anyway that can do no more harm

The woman who wrote

this letter,this governess

Miss Gardiner

Poor Gardiner

She's committed forgery you

should hand over her to the police

I couldn't do that my little

girl, she's devoted to Gardiner

-A little girl

-My Molly

Yes,of course

How stupid of me you

wouldn't need a governess

You've just one child?

Just the one

Excuse me

Alfred,I shan't want the

car until this afternoon

and Mrs Blake will be staying to lunch

You see the awful thing is

well we are are the hard up and

Gardiner really thinks she's helping us

I want you to promise me to

send this Miss Gardiner away

Right away out of your life

to South America for instance

Sir Halmar apart from my feelings the fare

-Fare? Well,I'll pay the fare

-Sir Halmar

Forgive my crudeness Mrs Blake

won't you let me do just that for you?

Please

Excuse me

Alfred I shan't want the car at all today

except to take Mrs Blake

to the station later

Very good,Sir Halmar

Anything for Blake

Inglefield

-Got a cold

-No,why?

Police they followed me

all the way from the shop

Look

I knew it around(?)mark(?) last

Pull yourself together Susan

answer the door and bring him to me

Mrs Inglefield

-Mrs Blake then?

-Out

-I'll wait

-It will be a long wait

I've got plenty of time

Can I do anything for you?

-I called to see see Mrs Blake

-I'm afraid she's out

So I understand I proposed

to wait,do you mind?

-May I see your authority?

-I don't follow

I suppose I can hardly

argue with a policeman

What?

-You are detective aren't you ?

-Are you expecting one?

Oh no I just thought you looked

Thank you,no,I'm not a policeman

I didn't mean to be rude

I'm so sorry,mother's out

Mother

Do you mind telling me who you are?

-My name is Neil Inglefield

-Neil Inglefield?

Oh do come and sit down

Here,this is the most comfortable chair

Can't I get you some tea?

Or would you like a drink?

Let me get you another cushion

Not decrepit and all that

-So you are the daughter are you?

-One of them

-Surely you haven't forgotten Jay?

-Jay?

I'm Molly

-And is this Jay like you?

-Not a bit

She doesn't look like mother either

I think I think she's got your mouth

Let's get this straight

Jay's got my mouth,good lord,

are you suggesting I'm your father?

-But you said you were Neil Inglefield

-So I am?

Oh I see so Lorna has been

handing out that sort of stuff to you too

Then

Molly

Why do you come here

what you'd have to do with us?

I think you ought to know the truth

My father married your

grandmother as his second wife

Your mother came to live with

us she was only about 17 at the time

She fell for my older brother Marcus

And tried to break up his engagement

-Did she marry him?

-No she didn't

Why are you telling me all this

you've no right to come here

No right, my dear girl

your mother's been going around for years

saying she's Mrs Neil Inglefield,my wife

out of a sort of revenge or something

spreading a pack of fantastic lies

about a heartless husband who

walked out and left her to starve

Molly listen don't cry

I'm sorry you've had

to hear the truth like this

I know what a life you must have had

You must see I didn't come here to hurt you

Goodbye Molly

Aren't you going to wait for my mother?

No,not now and don't tell her I came

Not yet

All right

Couldn't we see each other again sometime?

Not here I mean somewhere

else or would you rather not?

I'd like to

Fine,goodbye

-Can I come in?

-Of course

-Drink?

-Yes,please

I need one

Don't say Lorna put it across you

In a way,yes

You found her then?

I found where she lives

She's got a daughter

Who inherits her mother's

gift for narrative I presume

No that's just it

Did I ever hear you say

that once you found her

Nothing could save her

and you're just bought

I can't prosecute Lorna because

I can't do a thing to hurt this girl

And Lorna gets off on that

I'm afraid she does

Do you propose to see this girl again?

Not in her mother's house

You are not suggesting that I should

play fairy godmother by any chance?

That's a very good idea,yes

Look what I've got

Oh isn't the spitting image of our Jock

Are we Jock, this is a Pekingese

You won't be allowed to keep him,dear

Oh,yes I will

Dear Jay asked Mrs Bryan about

it before she gave him to me

-Did Miss gave it

-Shh

Isn't she lovely and I've always

so longed for a doggy of my own

Such a handsome present

He is rather pet

My dear child thank you,

thank you,thank you

I wanted you to have him

-I really must go I should be late

-I understand,hurry dear

-Jay

-Eh

Here,catch

-Oh,Toby it's sweet but

-What's the matter

-Don't you like it

-Yes of course but I

Sorry

Never could choose the right thing

I looked at the cigarette case but well

this was something you could wear

I wish I could

It's not that I don't like it

It's just that I simply can't take anything

-Sometimes you're ridiculous

-I'm not ridiculous

I'm a girl in your father's employment

Don't be so old fashioned

All right Jay,don't take

it if you don't want to

One day perhaps

Oh Toby you are sweet

Your future mother-in-law

When do you propose to

reveal our existence to her?

I don't know

Ironical isn't it? Instead

of shutting her up

I've got to ask her blessing

Hello darling

Excuse me,Sir,your table is ready

Oh,good heaven how I nearly really forgot

Don't look at it now my dear it's just

your honest Gardiner's pass to a new life

Absurdly generous

I made it enough for Australia

while I was about it

Poor Gardiner

No you're a sentimental creature

I've been asking you for months

to get rid of that woman

she's bad for your little girl

Could I have just a little more drink

You see a child is much more

impressionable when one thinks

Yes Halmar but you do realize,

don't you,that Molly is 20 next birthday

20? Your little girl

You can hardly expect me to believe that

Why not?

That absurd little bag you

carry you have a mirror I suppose

Halmar,BTW Halmar,if you meet

Molly,don't say anything about Gardiner

She's so fond of her and she doesn't know

Lorna, would I do anything

to upset you or yours

-Everything all right,Sir Halmar

-Oh yes excellent,thank you

And now I have a little confession to make

Molly's an actress at home actress

do you mind very much?

What I love about you

is your simple innocence

Lorna

You've make me the happiest man on earth

If you'd do me the honor

of becoming my wife

Halmar

Halmar,what a surprise here is Molly

Darling what a lovely surprise

We were just talking about you

This is Sir Halmar Barnard he's been

looking forward so much to meeting you

How do you do

Neil of all people but I've been

asked the name of one person

I've been dying to see

after all these years

I do believe you've forgotten who I am

Oh,no I haven't Lorna

Oh,my dear, I want you

to meet Neil Inglefield

Neil,this is Sir Halmar Barnard

Now,Halmar

why don't you and Molly get

to know each other a little better

take her away and dance with her while

Neil and I have a talk about old times

Shall we sit down

Cigarette?

Thanks

BTW it suddenly occurred to me

where did you meet my daughter

And how long have you known her?

Are you in love with her?

I know what you're thinking of me

Why doesn't he stop at his

dreary old house out in the country

Do you live in an old house in the country?

But a useful riding country too,

you should come down and sample it

Very kind of you I must

confess I don't ride

We'll soon put that to rest

I must confess,I expect to provide

you with a little white pony

A little white pony?

Have you known my mother long?

Long enough to know that she's

the most adorable attractive woman

So we're planning to become

a great film star,are we?

One can't plan to be a great

star it's isn't that

It is just we want to stand on our own feet

-We?

-Jay and I

Yes,that's very creditable,who is Jay

Halmar,you mustn't monopolize Molly

now there are new two young

things run off and enjoy yourselves

and don't bother about our sole fogy

-Thank you for our dance

-Not at all,I won't forget it

No pony full-sized hunter

Well,nearly full sized

No doubt we should be

seeing each other again,Neil

I am sure we shall

Come along,Molly

I think my new daughter no I mean

Your daughter and I are

going to get on famously

Yes,Halmar, you were sweet

Shall we go now? I'm a little tired

What you asked me a

little while ago,I would like

Don't say anymore now

Louis

I'll follow you shortly

Pencil

Lorna I would just like to introduce you to

to a very great friend of mine, Shirley

you heard me speak of Mrs Lorna Blake

Lorna this is Miss Tennyson

Mrs Lorna Blake,surely we've

met before somewhere

Have we?

I'm so sorry and I'm so bad about faces

You know, I never forget them or names

How lucky you are

My memory is simply appalling,do forgive me

-Then this time

-Who?

The police

They want your mother

I'm afraid my mother isn't down yet

Better ask her to come down,Miss

Mother,you must come down you're wanted

This is your precious Neil's doing

-Yes,Officer

-Can I have a word with you,Madam

Yes

I'm going in there

Don't fuss,dear,she'll be all right

We'll get it through somehow

Shall I go in?

Jay,it's Jay,they got Jay

-Jay,what do(?)got her

-I was a fool I should have known

Then she would have been saved

My poor little darling

-What happened?

-They say she'd been stealing money

-It's horrible

-Mother where is she?

She's been arrested the police

have got her at Southampton

She's coming up in court tomorrow

I don't believe it

We must go down,

we must go at once

No that's just it

We can't

Mother,of course we must

Poor Jay

Molly darling listen

You ought to know an experience for this

It's no good rushing at things you

must give me time to think things over

To decide what's best

You go along to your work,

darling and leave me

to handle it

I'm not going to leave you

to face this alone

Not when it's Jay,we'll both

go down together at once

It's quite impossible

You've got your work to do

and you can't let people down

Let people down?What about Jay?

Imagine her alone without anyone

Molly,darling listen,Sir Halmar

and I are getting married tomorrow

and we're going abroad for a while

-When we come back

-Abroad? Married?

But you can't not now,

you must put it off

Go just to Halmar and tell him about Jay

He's kind he can do things he can help us

He doesn't even know that Jay exists

I see ,you are afraid that

if the truth came out now

He wouldn't marry you

Dear child,is this the time to

tell him I've got two daughters?

I think you'd better tell him you got none

-Are you Jasmin Blake?

-Yes

Jasmine Blake you are charged with forgery

and (?) on the 26th day of June 1947

Make and forged available security

namely a check in the name of Mr Carbury

and Walker Ltd

to the value of 10 £ 5 Sh 9 p

Contrary to section 2 of

the Forgery Act 1913

And you are also charged with having

willfully with intent to defraud

falsified an account belonging

to Mr Carbury Walker Limited

in relation to an entry for

the sum of 10 £ 5 sh and 9 p

under section one of the falsification

Asked to wish to make a statement she said

Yes please I would like to

after being cautioned

she stated it is all right really I have

done no wrong I did not take the money

for myself it was for others

The girl was unusually intelligent

and did her work so conscientiously

that I had,well no hesitation in

putting her in a position of responsibility

We didn't think she bought

them out of her wages

but I don't think we

thought anything very much

Such a dear little doggy I was so

pleased to have him

but of course if I'd known

that was going to be all this

terrible trouble I would

never have accepted him

Call Tobias Walker,please

-Is this your cheque?

-Yes

Is this your signature to it?

No

-Then whose is it?

-A copy I suppose

Who had access to this

cheque book other than yourself?

Miss Blake

Miss Blake,have you anything to

say before we commit you for trial ?

You are not obliged to say

anything unless you desire to do so

Oh,yes please you all seem

to be making the same mistake

I didn't take the money from

anyone who would miss it

I didn't spend a penny of it on myself

It's not wrong really unless

you're doing it for yourself

These people were unhappy

and I changed it that's all

I'm glad I did it was right

mummy will tell you that

Mummy will explain everything

Where is she?

Bail is allowed in one

surety of a hundred pounds

Jasmine Blake,you are

committed to stand your trial at

the next assizes is to be held at

Salisbury on a date to be fixed

Of course I don't wish to

blow my own trumpet

but I have had considerable experience

and organizing this type of thing

If we have some nice

stalls with nice things

and some original sideshows

with some nice original things to do

such as well you know

the sort of thing I mean

there's so much one can do in

an English garden on a summer's day

if only the weather is nice

-Lady Cloy your car is here

- Yes, I really must be going

Now I think all that remains for me to do

is to propose a vote of

thanks to our Chairman

Lady Barnard for her kindness in

putting her house at our disposal

and for a really magnificent tea and

I'm sure the fete will be a great success

I second that

Thank you ladies I think you've all been

wonderful in fact we've covered so much

ground that there's hardly anything left

for me to do at all

I hope the meeting went well

Most successful,Lady Barnard

is a wonderful acquisition

She has a perfect genius for raising money

Goodbye

-Get this room cleared up at once

-Yes,My Lady

-Tired?

-A little

Better go upstairs and

rest a little,you owned it

We're dining at home tonight,aren't we?

-Well

-Yes,Halmar,at home and alone

Draw the curtains

-Oh dear,part of your flock

-No,no another triumph

-What have you got on?

-Don't you like it

-It's hardly new

-No,it's the new maid

Give me another cigarette

What is the matter with you?

Nothing

You know you started

all wrong in this place

Nothing but there's faith

hope and charity stuff

ever since we got you down here

Nobody got me here I got myself and

that doesn't make it any better

What a sight

Not heard from Molly I suppose

How did that Miss Dennison turning up

trumps and giving the girls a roof?

Why not own up to Sir Halmar

about Jay,go on your knees and cry a bit

You know how

For heaven's sake we've got to wait

and see how the trial goes,haven't we?

There you go putting it off again

if you asked me you'll never

get the kids back now

Won't I?

I've only got to go and see them and

Yes,yes I think I will

go to London tomorrow

Come on Jay make an effort

Go out and put your things on

No you go out I'll be alright

Please dear I'm not going without you

Leave me alone

Molly,I think Neil is still waiting for you

-Neil please come in

-No you come out here

I tried to get Jay to go out with us

but she won't come

Good,perhaps you'll come out

with me alone for once

Darling,we can't leave the

whole burden on Shirley

-Burden is right

-Neil

You go the wrong way about Jay

you treat her as a winged bird

and Shirley as a museum specimen

How would you handle the problem?

She isn't my problem,my problem

is when are we going to get married

I can't abandon Jay

You'd rather abandon me

-Lady Barnard,Mam,

-Lady Barnard?

How nice to see you again Miss Dennison,

do forgive me for dropping in so late

Yes,you're late by a few weeks

Possibly too late,Lady Barnard

Molly darling

Jay my own darling,baby,how I

wish I could take you home with me

and nurse you you've always said

there's no one like mummy when you're ill

I'm not ill, you weren't there

She thinks I've deserted

her she doesn't realize

that you were a free agent Miss Dennison

you were able to go to

the rescue at Southampton

You weren't there

If you'd cared you would have come

There's a lot in there to know

You seem to succeeded in pretty well

in alienating my daughter's affections

Please don't be melodramatic

If anyone's alienated your

daughter's affections you have

Neil thank heavens you're here

She's cruel she said things

to break my heart

she said I'd lost my babies love

Quite frankly I hope you have my dear Lorna

What ever have you done for your baby?

And for the other baby if it comes to that

Year after year you've

made their life a misery

You turn their whole

childhood into a nightmare

You never once stopped to think what

the permanent effect might be,did you?

Well,there's the result and

you talk about broken heart

Well,why don't you say something man

I'd have kept it from you,Sir

but I thought you ought to see it

You wanted me,Halmar

Yes my dear

Sit down

My darling

before I say another word

remember I love you

Thank you Halmar

If I appear stern and angry

it's because of the unspeakable

reptile who wrote this letter

-Anonymous,how degrading

-Read it

Dear sir

Look,you ought to know this,

your wife that you think is so grand

has a daughter going to prison embezzling

a thief is what decent people call it

Told you she had one daughter didn't she?

-Head for a mug from the start you were

-That'll do

Now darling

Local postmark I don't see how

anyone here could have known about Jay

Jay

Lorna

Yes,Halmar,it's quite true

I have got two daughters

Jay was arrested for forgery

just after we met I was afraid to tell you

I thought I might lose you

Lorna are you standing there

telling me that this dirty libel is true

Yes, quite true I'm sorry it

was my fault she was so young

-when she left home

-Never mind about that

We're not discussing how

she came to be a thief

But the fact that this is the first

I've heard of her very existence

I know,I've deceived you

You mean you have made a mug of me

No,Halmar,what was I to do?

A woman with two daughters to support

Woman,what sort of

woman do you think you are

What kind of a mother

You've deceived me from the start

you've lied to me every minute since we met

You're no wife you are no mother

You're a cheat, go away I

never want to see you again

Get out I say

Well it's goodbye Susan

since you won't come with me

Alfred silly enough to want to

marry me anyway it's time I settle down

I hope you'll be very happy

And Susan if you're not happy with

Alfred just write him an anonymous letter

I'm very sorry,Sir

That's all right Susan

You knew about Lady Barnard's

younger daughter all the time I suppose

Yes,Sir

-When does this case come on?

-Thursday,Salisbury

Thank you,Susan

You are Jay,aren't you?

Is my mother here,Lady Barnard?

Your mother's left here I

don't know where she's gone

What I got to do

Where shall I go?

I think you'd better come inside

So you see Jay

Nobody who's any good never runs away

Think of your kind friend Miss Dennison

who gave you a home pledge her word that

should be at the trial and backed with

100 pounds whole hundred pounds

unless you go back and

give yourself up she'll

lose all that money

I'm frightened

You're a brave girl,aren't you?

-You're feeling better now?

-Yes thank you Susan

We'll take care of you,won't we,Sir?

Naturally

Yes,yes,of course,Susan

Well,made up your mind?

-What are you going to do?

-Go back to Miss Dennison I think

And then?

Go to Salisbury and give myself up

That's what I wanted to hear

But only,could you please lend me my fare?

You don't have to worry

anymore about those things

I'm going to have a nice

long chat with your sister Molly

I want to get to the bottom of all this

Alfred get me Miss Dennison

on the line,will you

You heard what the prosecution

witnesses have had to say

and I think there can

be no doubt in your mind

as to the seriousness of the charges

you've been called upon to answer

now I propose to put to you immediately

a very frank but simple question

and I want you to think very

carefully before you answer

Don't forget I'm here to help you

I'm your counsel, counsel for the defense

and you've nothing at

all to be frightened of

Well I'm not at all frightened of you

in fact I'm not frightened of anything

or anybody in this court anymore

Well I'm glad to hear it

but it might be as well perhaps

if you treated your present situation

with a little less equanimity

The accused is very young Mr Carlton

We mustn't rely too much in case like this

of matters of form and their procedure

a little humanity,huh

Your tolerance is much appreciated, My Lord

Miss Blake,you were

trying to bring happiness

into the lives of your fellow creatures

and it was your intention

simply to borrow the money and

Oh,no it wouldn't

Wait for my question,please

Everyone knows I took the money

Why do we have to waste

time going over all this again

If we are wasting time,Miss Blake

it is because we're concerned

with your interests

Mr Carlton, am I to understand that the

accused wishes to change her plea to guilty

Well,My Lord,with respect

Please may I help

Mr Carlton,what is the meaning

of this interruption

My Lord, some indulgences call for

this is the girl's mother Lady Barnard

if your Lordship will allow me

My Lord,Lady Barnard thinks that if

she were permitted to question her daughter

Your Lordship and the

jury would be assisted by

a responsiveness from the prisoner

which I must confess I find

difficulty in eliciting

But I'm sure your lordship

would feel as I do

The proposal,so contrary to all

Contrary or not contrary Mr Carlton

but I want to get at in this

case as in every other case

of the same kind is why

seemingly decent well

brought up children do

wicked and criminal things

-You don't object Mr Benson?

-No,My Lord

Lady Barnard, you may ask

your daughter what you want

-Your Lordship is too good

-Thank you,My Lord

I know I can help you

If you don't I'm afraid I

shall have to stop you

Stand over there where I can see you both

Jay,darling,supposing we

were at home you and I

and I'd come up to say good night to

you and you were worried about something

and wanted to tell me

Oh,yes mother that's just it

I do want to tell you

We all know what you did

but not why you did it

Exactly

You knew,didn't you, there

was such a thing as honesty

and when doesn't steal money

Yes,I knew it was dishonest

but I thought it made a difference

if it was for other people

Do you still think that Jay?

No,I'm ashamed now

Darling, a lot of people would say

that was because you'd been found out

and were afraid of being punished

But mother I'm not afraid of

being punished ,honestly

It's all right darling

Honestly is a good word if you mean it

Honestly,I didn't choose

one penny of it on myself

and it was so lovely to see

the children when I gave them presents

and then the girls in the

office and poor old Miss Mounce

who did so want something to love

and if I hadn't taken,

I mean stolen the money

none of the people I gave

things to would have had them

they still wouldn't have them

Don't you see it,little goose

if it were as easy as that

to put the whole world right

Do you suppose the whole world

would have waited for Jasmine Blake

to come and do it

No,I see that now,Toby said I was

ridiculous always to want to give

I was worse,I feel wicked

Darling,excuses don't

rarely excuse anything

But sometimes they do help to explain

Have you any excuse for what you've done?

I did get so tired of always

having to say thank you

You know don't you dear? But I

am ready to blame for your being here

Oh no why you?

She's never going to tell the truth

Do you remember how we were left alone

you and Molly and I when you were a baby?

We had very little money

and nobody turn to for help

We didn't mind being poor

-We were happy then weren't we?

-Yes

And then you got ill

It was difficult on my small income

to give you all the special little things

that you needed to help

pull you through still

We would have managed

And then that dreadful old

Baroness woman started to interfere

don't you remember?

Yes I think I remember Molly telling me

And when I stood up to her she told all

her useless friends what a bad mother I was

And then they started to

take us up as they put it

In the end it got so bad

that we tried to escape them

by moving house several times we

moved always found out where we were

Lorna,how dare you these

outrageous lies this ingratitude

These people were your benefactors

you taught Jay to be a wrongdoer

For heavens name what

is this new interruption

Come forward,Sir

How are you,Sir? Sir Halmar Barnard,My Lord

-Lady Barnard's husband?

- Yes My Lord

The prisoner's stepfather

I see and what have you

got to say to explain this behavior?

Only this My Lord but this trial

has been shamefully treated

and that if as a result of further evidence

the court decides to exercise clemency

I wish to take her into my own

home and be responsible for her

My Lord,I have something further to say

Anything further you have to

say will be from the witness box

On oath

One moment,where are you going?

To the witness box,My Lord

Do you wish to call this witness?

Yes,My Lord

The accused can stand

down and return to the dock

Goodbye darling

You'll be alright now

Goodbye,mummy

Lady Barnard I must tell you that you are

not bound to say anything

that might incriminate you

Do you understand?

I understand My Lord

Take the Bible in your

right hand and swear the Oath

I swear by Almighty God that the

evidence I shall give before this Court

will be the truth the whole truth and

nothing but the truth