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Enjoy A House Full of Children (1954), a heartwarming vintage film from the golden age of classic cinema. Discover a nostalgic story filled with family life, childhood moments, and the timeless charm of 1950s filmmaking. Perfect for fans of classic movies, vintage cinema, and memorable films from the 1950s.
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00:02Now we have a comedy film for you, made in black and white, Children Galore.
00:31The End
01:07The End
01:48And so the Children's Seaside Outing is on Tuesday week.
01:53The Whist Drive, in aid of the Church Repairs Fund, will be held on Thursday, June the 15th, at half
02:00past seven.
02:01And the entries for the Mother's Sewing and Knitting Contest must be handed to Miss Prescott by the last day
02:08in September.
02:10That concludes the business on the agenda.
02:15And now I must tell you that this will be the last year in which I am able to serve
02:21on your committee.
02:22The government is taking over Red Scarf Hall in June.
02:26And Lord Red Scarf and I will be making our home in London.
02:30It will be a deep distress to us all, me lady.
02:32Oh, please.
02:33Let Lady Red Scarf finish.
02:36As many of you know, the Red Scarf family has been at the Hall for over 300 years.
02:43Lord Red Scarf and I feel we would like the name to remain in the village, even though we can
02:49no longer live here.
02:52We felt we would like to make a parting gift to the village.
02:56And at last, everything is settled and I can tell you about it.
03:02We have obtained permission to build a small cottage on the half-acre paddock at the corner of Snail Lane,
03:10which we shall call Red Scarf Cottage.
03:14We intend to give this cottage, when completed, to the married couple resident in Tussock, who have the greatest number
03:23of grandchildren.
03:25So that it can pass from father to son as long as England is England.
03:32Red Scarf Cottage will be ready for its occupants by the middle of next October, five months from now.
03:48Dear Ladyship, speaking on behalf of all here, I have the pleasure to reply.
03:54Tis a gracious and a generous gesture from a gracious and a generous lady.
04:00While speaking as the acknowledged grandfather of by far and away the greatest number of descendants,
04:06I would like to say thank you very much on behalf of the wife and myself.
04:12Did you hear that?
04:13Her Ladyship never said Zacky were to have the cottage.
04:16Don't you be speaking out of here.
04:18Turn, Zacky Jones.
04:19There ain't been a reckoning yet.
04:20Sit down.
04:21Thank you, Zacky.
04:23And thank you all.
04:25The meeting is now closed.
04:27We'd better get off before the arguments get out of hand.
04:38What noon is it?
04:39Not bad.
04:4011.
04:41Millie, you're looking fine.
04:42Taking a short rest, Miss Pinch.
04:44Ah, Miss Prescott.
04:45Not too busy to be here today.
04:46That's nice.
04:47I left my sister in charge of the post office.
04:49Nobody will be wanting anything important this half hour.
04:51They'll all be too busy arguing who's to have the cottage.
04:54Oh, I suppose there's no doubt that Zackary and Ada will get it.
04:56Well, they certainly brought up the largest family.
04:59They needed to.
05:00Their own little place should have been pulled down long since it had been anywhere else to
05:03put them.
05:04Although some malicious persons might not think Zackary are the most desirable choice.
05:08I'd like to see him in it.
05:09I know he poaches all my pheasants, but he also brings me Lord Passmore's best trout.
05:14There's some who push themselves forward and may live to look foolish.
05:17There's some that look foolish without going to so much trouble.
05:20And me and Zackary are the wonder of Tussock with 23 grandchildren, as everyone knows.
05:25Mr. and Mrs. Bunyan of 19 or 20.
05:28And so I fancy of you, Mrs. Arck.
05:30As I stand here, we have 21.
05:33And a spindle laid lot of starved things they are at that, poor night.
05:36Now, ladies, ladies.
05:37They're little legged, are they?
05:38I don't remember her ladyship saying anything about size or weight being a qualification.
05:44If it were, then all other families could retire and leave you in position like a pig in clover.
05:50Retire from what?
05:52This is no competition, surely?
05:54The cottage is ours.
05:56Lady Redscarf made that perfectly clear.
05:58There's many a slip between the cup and the lip.
06:01There's not much time for a slip between this and October.
06:03Some of us might be having grandchildren on the way already.
06:06And that be true for everyone, not just you, Mrs. Bunyan.
06:09Exactly, Mrs. Arck.
06:11Neither Providence nor Lady Redscarf will be intending to divert the course of nature.
06:15Tis nature will decide.
06:17Nature has decided.
06:19Come along, Zachariah.
06:21Good day, ladies.
06:22Come along, Patrick.
06:24Come along, Bert.
06:30Tis a hard thing her ladyship didn't give the place to one of the younger couples,
06:34instead of to us old folk who've had our time long since.
06:37Tis easy for you to talk, Emily Gedge, having no husband in the manner of speaking.
06:42You're out of the running, or you might not be so open-handed.
06:45Hurry up now, Harry.
06:46I want you home to write me a letter.
06:49Wonder of heaven!
06:50When a member of the Bunyan family can write.
06:53That's no light to be hiding under a bushel.
06:55Harry!
06:57Coming, Mother.
07:21Good day, Miss Prescott.
07:22Good day.
07:23Have you any callers for me?
07:24Nothing so far, Miss Finch.
07:25Have you brought anyone into the world today?
07:27That I have.
07:28As fine a boy as I ever see.
07:30Born to Bessie Brightwell over at Market Pinfold.
07:32Bessie Brightwell?
07:34Bessie Gedge, that was.
07:36That's right.
07:36That must be Emily Gedge's 22nd grandchild.
07:40Oh, the waste of it, and her with no husband handy to put her in running for the cottage.
07:44Has nothing ever heard of Simeon?
07:46Not since he went to America four years back.
07:48What was the cause of his going?
07:50There was never another woman, was there?
07:52That I couldn't say.
07:54Emily Gedge is a creety woman, not one to write on a postcard.
07:58Come on again.
08:00Good day, Harry.
08:03Can I have a stamp of Canada, please?
08:04Air mail or ordinary.
08:06I'll take the air mail, and three stamp postcards and a bottle of ink.
08:08Aye.
08:10Busy, Harry?
08:11Much as usual, Miss Finch.
08:13What shall I be?
08:14That'll be two and a penny together.
08:23That'll be Stephen, Mrs. Bunyan's writing, too.
08:25Him that went off to Canada three years last, Mickle, must...
08:28Did he marry?
08:28Not that I know of.
08:30Well, if you don't know, should.
08:32Certainly not his mother, but she can neither write nor read.
08:35Tis Harry will write the letter.
08:40Where's the last of the postcards, Mother?
08:42One to every member of the family living outside Tussock.
08:44What have you put?
08:45Oh, just two, Harry.
08:47A bit of chat about their children, ask if there are any more on the way.
08:49You want three more to tie with the Joneses.
08:52We only need two to beat the Arcs.
08:54What's beating the Arcs got to do with it?
08:56There's still Stephen in Canada to write to.
08:59Good Lord, we don't even know if he's married yet.
09:01Oh, we can guess.
09:02Stephen ain't the one to let the grass grow under his feet like our Harry.
09:06Our Harry's like me.
09:07He likes to make up his own mind.
09:09If I'd left you to make up your own mind, Dad, where would you be now?
09:13Ah, sometimes I wonder, Lizzie.
09:18Oh, why don't you take that job down to the potting shed you were so set on building?
09:22Ah, I will if you like, Lizzie.
09:24Look at all that mess you've made all over my floor.
09:28Come on, open this here door for me, will you, Annie?
09:29All right, Dad.
09:31I've got something else to do without cleaning up that mess after you.
09:34All right, thank you, boy.
09:46Mother, if we cut the cottage, who'd move in here?
09:50Earning his family, of course.
09:51He be eldest, boy.
09:53Yes.
09:54Yes, of course, I wasn't thinking.
10:01I'd better write to Stephen, and I can slip out to the post with them all.
10:23Is it still only 21?
10:25Oh, don't aggravate, Patrick.
10:27That'd be the total up to now.
10:29Millie, draw the curtains.
10:31People might look in.
10:32Oh, not yet, Mom.
10:34It's such a lovely night.
10:35Those Muslim curtains will only stand another couple of washings.
10:39We was to go into Red Scarf Cottage, we'd need new curtains for a start.
10:43We ain't going into any new cottage.
10:45Don't you be too sure.
10:47Let me see now.
10:49There's George's wife, had her fourth in February.
10:53Jerry's wife, five before Antwins last month.
10:57Louise, Louise left her husband to serve in a drapery in London.
11:01And Pheebe, Pheebe's been married almost a year.
11:05Pheebe weren't meaning to have no family yet a while.
11:08Not meaning to isn't the whole of not having a family.
11:12If you and Dad went to Red Scarf Cottage, this cottage would be empty, wouldn't it?
11:18Not for long, it wouldn't.
11:20Jerry and his wife have only two rooms in use of the pump.
11:23They'd have first claim.
11:25Oh, yes.
11:26Yes, of course.
11:28It would give them a real home.
11:30And us a chance to get away from the neighbours.
11:33What's wrong with our neighbours?
11:35I don't mean the people either side.
11:37It's they Bunyons at the back, beyond the fence.
11:42It's a high enough fence, Mother.
11:44We can't see them.
11:45But we can hear them.
11:46That Mrs. Bunyons got a squawk like a pig in a pony trap.
11:51No use reasoning with your mother about her strife with the Bunyons.
11:54It was going on before you was born.
11:56Millie, you stayed at Church Napton with Phebe and Horace for the best part of January.
12:02Are you sure you'd have noticed?
12:04Of course I'd have noticed, Mother.
12:05Mother's eye sometimes sees more than her sister's.
12:09It's time I paid a visit to Phebe.
12:12Why don't you write her a letter?
12:14I'll post it along with Dad's pools.
12:16There's more satisfaction in a visit.
12:18I wouldn't go until she asked you, Mum.
12:21She's only part-furnished yet.
12:24You wouldn't be comfortable, Annette, Satee.
12:25Wouldn't I?
12:26You weren't in a great hurry to come home.
12:30Who's sure you and Phebe aren't keeping something from me?
12:33Don't be silly, Mother.
12:34What could there be?
12:35What indeed?
12:37Well, I'll be taking the bus over to Church Napton next week to visit her.
12:41Maybe tomorrow.
12:44Santa, do you have to do a thing like that in here?
12:46After all the time and trouble you've spent building yourself that shed
12:49and fixing it up with a bench and lamp and all.
12:52Sorry, Euphemia.
12:53Perhaps I'd better move down there.
13:11Come on.
13:43Evening, Pat.
13:43Evening, Bert.
13:44I thought you wasn't going to get away.
13:46I waited till she sent me.
13:47It's always better.
13:49How'd be the end?
13:51Painful?
13:51Not now.
13:52Many very nice, thank you.
13:54Next time you go picking plums,
13:57you see the ladders fixed proper.
13:59Aha.
13:59Weren't falling out of the plum tree what did the arm.
14:02It was falling into the cucumber frame.
14:04Euphemia do believe I'd done it on purpose,
14:06so I can't hold her knitting wool.
14:09She'd be on about this here cottage business now, I suppose.
14:11Ah.
14:12So be mine.
14:14Anybody think we haven't got a roof over our heads?
14:16It is the honour of it they crave.
14:18They don't like to think of any other woman in the village
14:20being able to crow over them.
14:22I'm afraid he's got to make our two more bitter against each other.
14:25She don't suspect nothing about you and me and the potting shed.
14:27Oh, no.
14:29But she suspects everything else.
14:31Euphemia would never be coming down here after me.
14:33She'd always be shouting first.
14:36Ah, Liz ain't so quick at shouting,
14:38but I fancy when she do start, she can keep it up longer.
14:41All women's queer one way or the other.
14:44Ain't no prophet under the sun even trying to understand them.
14:49Come in, dear!
14:50Come in, dear!
14:55London Express.
14:57Don't take me unawares every time.
15:36Oh, Millie, darling.
15:38I couldn't come sooner.
15:39And I can't stop now or she'll be on at me to know what kept me.
15:42I've been waiting here for over half an hour.
15:48Supposing someone should see us?
15:50It would be the best thing could happen.
15:52Oh, no, Harry, I couldn't bear it.
15:53Goodness knows what my mum would say if she found out.
15:56No, let me go now, my darling.
15:59I'll try to be this way tomorrow evening.
16:26Oh, Miss Finch, how you did startle me.
16:28Oh, let's have a look.
16:30Oh, Miss Finch, how you did startle me.
16:31Oh, now, it is a sort of diagram to show the state of the parties.
16:35You know, it would look fine with some of those racehorses we have left over from the orphans party.
16:39I'll bring them in.
16:41Have you any messages for me today?
16:43Oh, why, yes.
16:43Mrs. Leverett said to tell you the safety pin came through of its own accord.
16:46That'll be a weight off her mind.
16:49I saw a female arc this morning over at Church Napton.
16:52She'd be visiting Phoebe.
16:54Married a 12-month and nothing to show for it.
16:56She'd be checking up on her.
16:58Wouldn't do any harm to turn her thoughts a little nearer home.
17:01What's in your mind, Miss Finch?
17:03It will be in everybody's mind before long.
17:05It's that Millie Arc.
17:07Not expecting?
17:08She is, if I'm any judge.
17:10If you aren't, who is?
17:12Millie Arc.
17:13Such a nice, quiet girl.
17:17Good afternoon, Mrs. Bunyan.
17:19What can I do for you?
17:20Nothing, thanks.
17:21We've got what I wanted.
17:24Good afternoon, Mrs. Gedge.
17:26Good afternoon, Miss Prescott.
17:29How much, please?
17:32To America, air mail.
17:34George Wetherill.
17:36That'll be your youngest brother, Mrs. Gedge.
17:38It is likely he's been seeing something as Simeon,
17:41seeing they're both in America.
17:42Like us not, no doubt.
17:46Why, good day to you, Mrs. Jones.
17:48Good day to you, Miss Prescott.
17:50Busy, I see.
17:51I want a withdrawal on my savings account of £1.17, please.
17:55You have any jollification, Mrs. Jones?
17:57No, I am not.
17:58But I feel that I owe it to Lady Redscarf to buy a new hat.
18:01Something more in keeping with my position.
18:03Excuse me.
18:05And what position might that be, Mrs. Jones?
18:08The position of occupant of the new cottage,
18:10as you well know, Miss Finch.
18:11Could anyone oblige me with a date?
18:14May 21st.
18:18There's no need to break your neck to get the hat.
18:20The cottage won't be ready till next October.
18:23The first sod was cut last Friday.
18:25The workmen have been levelling and measuring up ever since,
18:28ready for laying the foundation stone at the end of June.
18:31Mr. Jones and I don't want to disgrace Lord and Lady Redscarf
18:34on such an occasion.
18:36Does that mean you're planning to put a high glass on Zachy, too?
18:40Zachariah feels his position as much as I do.
18:43Does that mean he's given up poaching?
18:46I have my letter, please, Miss Prescott.
18:48Your letter?
18:49Why, here it is.
18:50But you'll not trouble to take it out to the box.
18:52I've the mailbag handy here.
18:54No need to bother you.
18:56Now, what harm did you think it would come to in the mailbag?
19:00Maybe she thought there was some.
19:01I'd like to read it.
19:02I don't need to read it.
19:04I know what's in it as well as if I had.
19:06It is to her brother in America to get him to try and find Simeon
19:09and ask him to come back to her.
19:12Her husband?
19:13She'd never have him back after what he'd done.
19:15Wouldn't she?
19:16It would give her a reasonable chance for winning the cottage.
19:18I brought her 22nd grandchild into the world last week.
19:22That's only one short of your own tally, Mrs. Jones.
19:25Well, if he comes back just for that, it would be an outrage.
19:28She doesn't know if he's alive.
19:30Even if he is, there's one thing might prove a hindrance.
19:33It is a rumour I heard no more
19:35that her eldest boy, Jeremy, the one with nine children,
19:39was born before she got Simeon to the altar.
19:42We'll take a look at the church register.
19:44Wouldn't help.
19:45Emily Gedge was born here at Wetherill
19:47and left to go away into service.
19:49And she came back here to live with her husband
19:51when the second boy was on the way.
19:54Mrs. Gedge has lived here many years, respected by all.
19:57It wouldn't do for any of us to be repeating that rumour.
20:00Indeed, it would not.
20:03No, indeed.
20:23Oh, good day to you, Harry.
20:26Oh, good day to you, Simeon.
20:28I think it'll keep up, Harry.
20:32Uh, that's a nice thickness of worry you have.
20:35Could you spare me a couple of twists?
20:36I hope you're, Simeon.
20:38I thought you'd given up poaching.
20:39Poaching?
20:40Now, what put poaching into your head?
20:42I ain't going to make a butterfly net.
20:43Oh, of course.
20:44Being a man of means like myself,
20:46you'd get a bit rusty if you hadn't got an occupation.
20:48An occupation?
20:50Why did you try work, you old rascal?
20:52Mrs. Bunyan,
20:54work is a beautiful and ennobling thing
20:56for those that have a call for it.
20:58For me, it is neither suitable nor necessary.
21:01Here we are tea, Harry.
21:03Thank you, Mother.
21:05Ah, good day to you, Mrs. Sarkman.
21:07Ah, Millie, aren't you the beautiful creature?
21:09I wish I was 40 years younger.
21:11Mrs. Sarky, Aide is waiting for you at the bus stop.
21:13You miss the bus if you don't look out.
21:14Ah, Lord, he earns women the queer things.
21:17She's set her heart on both of us been smart and dumb,
21:19having new hats of all things.
21:21Now, do you see anything wrong with us as we are?
21:23Nothing in this world, Sarky.
21:24You'll be a proper show-off.
21:26Give me your hat.
21:28Let that dance.
21:29Let that dance.
21:30Let that dance.
21:31Let that dance.
21:31Let that dance.
21:32Let that dance.
21:33Let that dance.
21:34Let that dance.
21:35Let that dance.
21:35Let that dance.
21:35Let that dance.
21:35Coming, Aide.
21:39She's a hard woman.
21:40Would wipe the grin off a Cheshire cat.
21:43Come on now, Millie.
21:44What are you standing there for?
21:46It's my shoe strap, Mom.
21:48What's the matter with it?
21:49Does it need new hope?
21:53I never thought to see you this afternoon, Mrs. Ark.
21:56I heard you was over the church, Napton.
21:58And what if I was?
22:00Twent a very long visit.
22:02A disappointment, maybe.
22:04Those who expect nothing are never disappointed.
22:06Maybe no, but they might be surprised.
22:09Tis whispered Millie might be my way of surprising everybody.
22:13What do you mean by that, Elizabeth Bunyan?
22:14Oh, come now.
22:15I'm sure a girl like Millie do tell her mother everything.
22:18And so she does.
22:20Don't you, Millie?
22:23No, Mom.
22:25No, Millie.
22:26If you're keeping something from me, you'd best start with it.
22:30No, Mother.
22:31Wait till we get home.
22:33Here and now.
22:35No, Mom.
22:36Not now.
22:38I'll not be shown up for a simpleton before my neighbors.
22:40You tell me the truth now, or I'll beat it out of you with my own two hands.
22:44Don't you, Mr. Hunter, her.
22:45Oh, oh, oh, oh, you're an empty dog.
22:47There he comes, young man.
22:47I might have known there'd be a Bunyan at the bottom of any trouble.
22:52You're the father, I suppose.
22:53Well, Mrs. Ark, I'm the husband, in a manner of speaking.
22:56Harry, it's a lie.
22:58Millie and me was married last January over at Church Napton.
23:01It was the time I was staying with Thebe, Mother.
23:04Harry did want to tell you Mrs. Bunyan, but I wouldn't let him tell anyone till we had a place
23:08of our own.
23:08Millie said it was bad enough the pair of you fighting every time you met in the street.
23:11She just couldn't face telling you when she was living in the same house with you.
23:14We never reckoned on the little one.
23:16Mother.
23:20Millie, is it true I'll see your lines the moment we get home?
23:24I have him with me now, Mother.
23:26Them and the ring.
23:27I carry him with me all the time for the comfort of it.
23:30There isn't much else I've had.
23:35Be it true there's a grandchild for me on the way.
23:37Oh, you!
23:39Never tell me my own daughter and maybe put her own mother out of the chance of winning Red Scarf
23:43Cottage.
23:43Oh, but your grandchild too, Mrs. Ark.
23:45It'll count for both the Arks and the Bunyons.
23:47Well, they won't put neither one of us up on the Joneses.
23:49No, but please, Evan, it'll put an end to this row that's been gone on ever since your grandfather threw
23:53my mum's grandfather in the pig trough.
23:55Maybe it's fallen to his great-great-grandchild to knit the two families together.
24:01Knit two, purl two, knit two together.
24:05You'll be right round the little eel already, Mrs. Ark.
24:08I never knew anyone could knit so fast.
24:11Mine's the pattern.
24:12Mine's simpler.
24:14That cobweaving of yours be uncommon complicated.
24:17Do you have it written down?
24:18No, I never could do nothing with book patterns after letting it all be art-like.
24:22Beats me how you'd keep it all in your head.
24:25Oh, do be a knack, I suppose.
24:29Shall I draw the curtains?
24:31Don't trouble yourself, Mrs. Ark.
24:33I've nothing to hide.
24:34Anyone can look in if they want to.
24:36Just as you think, of course.
24:38It's your house, not mine.
24:41You two men be awful silent.
24:44Make Mr. Ark a tombvert.
24:46Put him at his ease.
24:47He'll be at ease, all right.
24:48Weren't you, Mr. Ark?
24:50Yes, thank you, Mr. Bunyan.
24:51Well, he don't look it.
24:52Offer him another scone, Bert.
24:54Uh, no, thank you kindly.
24:56Take it, Pat.
24:57You don't have to eat it.
24:58But you owe it to Millie to try.
25:03Men don't seem to adapt themselves like women.
25:05There's no need for Mr. Ark to choke himself if he don't want a scone.
25:10Offer him a fill of tobacco for his pipe, Bert.
25:13What?
25:14His pipe, Lizzie?
25:15What, in here?
25:16Of course.
25:17And light up yourself.
25:18Oh, well, if you say so, Lizzie.
25:22That is, if you've got your pipe with you, Mr. Ark.
25:24Thank you very much, Mr. Bunyan.
25:27I'll fill it for you.
25:32Reckon your Harry be just about round our place by now.
25:35Reckon he be.
25:37Oh.
25:39Oh, Harry.
25:41Will you come in?
25:46Hello.
25:52Did Mom and Dad get round to your place?
25:55Yes.
25:57Yes, they did.
25:59Mother had brewed a pot of tea for them and made some scones.
26:03Did she?
26:04That'll be nice.
26:07Will you sit down?
26:09Yes.
26:10Yes, thanks.
26:12Over here?
26:14Oh, yes.
26:15Anywhere.
26:26Millie.
26:29I should have made a pot of tea for you.
26:31I never thought.
26:33I'll make it now.
26:35Never mind about the tea.
26:37Millie.
26:38The folks will maybe not stay away very long.
26:42No.
26:44No, maybe they won't.
26:49I'll take your cap.
26:50Thanks.
26:56It seems queer.
26:59Us in a house.
27:06Do you suppose it does?
27:08Do you suppose it does?
27:14We've never been alone together in a room before.
27:23Millie.
27:25Millie, don't worry.
27:30You're not wearing your ring, Millie.
27:32No reason not to wear it now, is there?
27:35I wanted you to put it down for me again.
27:39Like the first time.
27:40I'm sorry, I will, my darling.
27:43I'm sorry, Millie.
27:46I thought you'd turn against me.
27:52Oh, Millie.
27:55Millie, what's the matter?
27:57What have I done?
28:03Oh, I feel so terrible, shy.
28:09Shy?
28:10Is that all?
28:11So was I, for that matter.
28:13It's all so strange, not having to be secret anymore.
28:18Shut your eyes, my darling.
28:31Good morning, Mr. Aykroyd.
28:32It's time you had something for me.
28:34Yes, sir, I...
28:35Now, wait while I look.
28:37Albert Bunyan, Esquire.
28:38Leppercroft's double pools.
28:40Mrs. B. Bunyan.
28:43Snowflake, bumper, packet, soap, coupon, and slogan entry form.
28:45Oh, thanks.
28:46That's from Mrs. Gate.
28:48Nothing else for me.
28:49I'm sure there ain't something from Canada.
28:51That's all, my dear.
28:59Good morning, Mrs. Bunyan.
29:00Oh, nice lot of letters, I see.
29:02Only Bert's pools and a snowflake coupon.
29:05Yes, well, there's one for you too, Mrs. Jones.
29:07Oh.
29:13Needs no rinsing, needs no boils.
29:16Snowflake puts an end to toil.
29:19It's a wonder they don't find a way of washing that needs no water.
29:22It would be a rare help if it were true.
29:25Cleanliness isn't as easily come by as all that.
29:27You'll find no sheets on my line that are not rinsed and boiled.
29:45Postman just brought Mrs. Gedge a letter from America.
29:47If that should be from her, Simeon, and he be coming home to her, she'd be running you very close,
29:53Mrs. Jones.
29:54Twenty-two grandchildren, they have to be sure.
29:57Well, Mrs. Bunyan, if Mrs. Gedge is setting herself up to win the cottage, then right is right and truth
30:04will out.
30:04What truth be that, Mrs. Jones?
30:07Mrs. Gedge wasn't married here in the village.
30:10In fact, it is said that she wasn't married at all till after her first boy, Jeremy, was born.
30:14No.
30:14That means that none of Jeremy's nine children are her legal grandchildren.
30:21So it'll take more than an erring husband's return to put her in line for the cottage.
31:06Why, Mrs. Gedge, you're not going away, are you?
31:08What else can I do with all the tongues wagging against me?
31:11What could anyone say against you?
31:12Your kindness itself.
31:13Oh, plenty of lying scandals, but I'll not demean myself to repeat them.
31:18I'll be with me daughter in Wales this very night.
31:20I'll be sorry to see you gone.
31:23Couldn't you stay and face it out?
31:24I might, if I was your age and had me man's arm to lean on.
31:29God take care of you, me dear.
31:31You're a kind creature, to be sure.
31:50God take care of you.
31:52God take care of you, me dear.
31:57Oh, look!
31:58There they come!
32:20Tis the costum, is it not, to ask a man to lay a brick round the foundation of his own
32:23house? Thank you. A moment like this generates a terrible thirst in the one that performs the
32:42ceremony. Would you do me the honor, Aida Jones, of joining me for a celebration at the
32:47Rosencrantz? I will not, today or any other day. Well, the man could do worse than celebrate with
32:53his own soul. Well, that's the last I'll see of him, till closing time.
33:16They're not mushrooms, missus? I know what's mushrooms and what's not.
33:33Let's go.
34:29Mrs. Ada Jones has created an unusual situation.
34:31Who will now occupy Red Scarf Cottage?
34:34Mr. and Mrs. Ark of Mary Lee's are thought by many to have the best prospects.
34:38A photograph of Mr. and Mrs. Ark with her nine children and 21 grandchildren will be found on page five
34:43of this issue.
34:44Turn over, son.
34:50Here we are.
34:52Coo!
34:53She ain't wasted much time.
34:54She must have marched them all straight from poor Mrs. Jones's funeral to the photographer's without stopping to take off
35:00her gloves.
35:02I'd be ashamed to make an exhibition of myself in a paper like that.
35:05Oh, would you, Lizzie?
35:07No, but I never thought of it.
35:09Besides, our children are more scattered about.
35:12I could never have got them all together for the picture.
35:14They do give her an unfair advantage.
35:16If she's got the most grandchildren, it isn't unfair.
35:19If Stephen's wife in Ontario will be expecting, she won't have the greatest number of grandchildren.
35:23Stephen's kid ain't here yet.
35:25And one more only makes us level.
35:28One less had put us in the lead.
35:30One half less.
35:31That one.
35:32When she said our Barbara had a family of three, we all accepted it.
35:36But this has reminded me.
35:38The two little girls be barbalous, but the boy ain't.
35:41Barbara married a widower with one child.
35:45That's him.
35:46The one in the cowboy suit.
35:47Half hidden behind his Aunt Katie's furpiece.
35:50If Lady Redscarf have accepted him in the count, it must be all right.
35:54If her ladyship took Mrs. Ark's word on trust like the rest of us, it'd be our bounding duty to
35:58speak up.
35:58We could never forgive ourselves if the wrong couple went into Redscarf Cottage.
36:03I'm off to Redscarf Hall this minute.
36:18Poor Zachy.
36:19It was a terrible sudden end for Mrs. Jones.
36:22You're too soft-hearted, Millie Millow.
36:24He wasn't such a devoted husband, you need grief for him.
36:26Stayed out all hours.
36:27Just as well he did.
36:29If he'd been home to dinner that day, he'd have ate the mushrooms too.
36:32I've sensed in that.
36:34You know, Millie, I've been worrying.
36:37Now the Joneses aren't a couple anymore and they're out of the running for the cottage,
36:41our families are rivals again.
36:43I doubt our two mothers' newfound friendship will stand up to the strain.
36:46I've been worrying about that too.
36:48When her ladyship told my mum we couldn't count Percy,
36:51he being only my sister Barbara's stepchild,
36:54mum kept saying it was your mum's doing.
36:57She's not far wrong.
36:58There's worse to come.
36:59We've heard from our Stephen in Ontario that he's got a wife and she's expecting.
37:03Mother made us promise not to say anything.
37:04She's keeping the baby up her sleeve.
37:07Then I'll not tell my mum.
37:11She's already honoured us about our own baby too.
37:13How is she honoured you?
37:15Telling me that when it comes, I mustn't let your mum have a hand and raisin it.
37:20But after all, your mum raised you.
37:22And I only want for there to be another human being on this earth just like you.
37:28Maybe your mum's way of raisin be the best for all that.
37:31I'm not so much, Millie.
37:35You mustn't think I'm so much.
37:37I only want for you to be you and me to be me and the little one to be both
37:42of us.
37:43Just that and a room of our own.
37:46And a sink.
37:47Just us.
37:49And four walls.
37:50Just queer.
37:51In a world with television and electric pudding mixers and animals like minks trained to grow blue fur.
37:59That a room with a sink should be so hard to come by.
38:19There's one thing I won't mind leaving, Miranda.
38:21This sink.
38:22The new flat in London has a beauty.
38:24This one isn't clean.
38:25There's some people coming up the drive.
38:27Oh, dear, why do people always call on Jameson's half day?
38:30Oh, it's only the lad from the Smithy and little Millie Ark.
38:33She's Millie Bunyan now.
38:34They're husband and wife.
38:35Oh, yeah.
38:36Hello, Millie.
38:37Hello, Harry.
38:38Good day, dear ladyship.
38:40Your lordship.
38:41Hello, Harry.
38:42It's a terrible liberty.
38:43We're taken coming up to the hall.
38:44Of course not, Harry.
38:45Come along.
38:48Why, child, you look upset.
38:49What's the trouble?
38:50She's overcome with terror, milady, on account of coming up here.
38:53She'll only get worse if we try and hurry her out.
38:54Well, why not tell us yourself, Harry?
38:56Well, I'm overcome with terror myself in a manner of speaking, your lordship.
39:00Well, let's put the kettle on and have a cup of tea.
39:02I'm overcome with thirst.
39:04Let me help you do that.
39:05Thank you, Millie.
39:06Will you come to the water?
39:07And, Harry, will you get the teacups in that cupboard?
39:09Yes, indeed, milady.
39:11If I might make a guess at your mission,
39:14could it be that you two young people are thinking that you
39:16have more need of the cottage than any of the older people?
39:20I may tell you we've had lots of people up here with the same request.
39:25Oh, no, that's not why.
39:27It's got nothing to do with that, your lordship.
39:29This is how it is.
39:31There's been a bitter hatred between our two families,
39:33the Bunions and the Arcs, for nearly 50 years.
39:36But I thought your marriage to Harry had made a peaceful end to the feud.
39:39And so it had, milady, until Mrs. Jones was taken.
39:42But they're rivals now for the cottage and willing to cheat or lie
39:45or do any mortal thing for the honour and glory of beating the other one to it.
39:48Well, I must admit, we always intended the cottage for Zacky.
39:52I suppose...
39:53I suppose he couldn't have it still.
39:56Poor Zacky, he's so cast down.
39:59Well, we promised it to a married couple.
40:00We can't go back on that.
40:03A married couple with the most grandchildren.
40:06It was printed in the paper, milly.
40:09It wouldn't be right for our ladyship to break our word.
40:11It was wrong of us to ask, I see that now.
40:15You've both been so kind not reproaching us for suggesting it.
40:19Ah, but between you and me, milly,
40:21we'd have managed it differently if we'd known the trouble we should cause.
40:26You two aren't able to see much of each other, are you?
40:30Milly, you make that pot of tea and pour out for yourself and your husband.
40:33We've got some letters to write.
40:35Oh, have we?
40:36Oh, yes, I dare say, yes.
40:37I'll show you where the milk is kept.
40:39They'll find the milk, you go, come along.
40:48Never been inside the hall before.
40:52Shall I really make the tea?
40:56Our ladyship said so.
40:58I wonder, would it be out of place if I were to kiss you?
41:03Our ladyship never said not to, Harry.
41:13Through the pool, Harry.
41:33Let's see you in the afternoon.
41:46Oh, Miss Finch, you're not hurt.
41:48Ah, Zachy, head in the clouds, I see.
41:51Turn round and I'll brush your clothes.
41:53And me on me way to Mrs. Arx. Millie's baby's on the way.
41:56Ah, children will be born, no matter what, might be against them.
41:59Not without me, there, it won't. I'll be on me way.
42:01If there be time amid all else, give Millie my love. I'll be thinking about it.
42:05That's not a use, that'll do.
42:16Tell her to hold on, here I be.
42:18Take your time. It'll be an hour before we are ready.
42:21Might be any moment now, Miss Finch. Come along.
42:33Off you go.
42:44Hurry up with the ball, Mrs. Arx.
43:00Harry, Harry.
43:01Hello.
43:02Harry, tis a boy.
43:04How's Millie?
43:05Oh, Millie, will you be all right?
43:06Can I come up and see her?
43:07No, of course not.
43:10Harry.
43:12Are you going to let these women stand between you and your own?
43:15Want to do Millie any hurt, seeing me now?
43:17Nothing she'd like better, just for a minute.
43:19There's three women up there besides Millie.
43:21Aren't you a match for three women?
43:23You're a father.
43:27So I be.
43:45Congratulations, Harry.
43:46Thanks.
43:47They gave me the telegrams to send to get me out of the house.
43:49Well, if you've nothing to do, will you reach me over the address book from the shelf there
43:53and read me out Mrs. Gedge's address?
43:55You said?
43:55Yes, I've this parcel to forward to her from the Valley of the Golden Harps, California,
44:02and there's a great gold sun in the corner.
44:04It is a heavy parcel.
44:06Could it be peaches, you suppose?
44:08Looks like it.
44:09And three tins by the size of it.
44:11Must be from my brother George in America.
44:13Will you read it out to me?
44:15Care of Ermentrude Evans.
44:17Care of Ermentrude Evans.
44:21Mountain Glimps.
44:24Mountain Glimps.
44:27Landrin Dodd-Wells.
44:30Two elves.
44:33Will you join me in a drink, Jackie?
44:35Aren't you wanted at home?
44:36No, I'm not.
44:37Well, there'll be no harm in a point just to wet the new baby's head.
44:41Ah, the uselessness of a new-made father is a terrible strain to bear alone.
44:45I can buy you one back.
44:46Twenty-six are the best.
44:49Twenty-six shillings.
45:04Millie.
45:05Well, well, well, well.
45:07And your baby, too.
45:08It's nice to see you.
45:10And what are you doing here?
45:11I oughtn't to be here, I suppose.
45:13Why not?
45:14It doesn't belong to anyone yet.
45:16Sometimes I like to come and sit here, make believe it's mine.
45:20I got the rooms all planned and furnished in my mind.
45:23Ha, ha.
45:24We used to do that too, Millie.
45:28Harry and I were ever so sorry to hear about Ada, Jackie.
45:33Things aren't the same now, Millie, that she's gone.
45:36When a woman is a rough age to her tongue like Ada,
45:40the silence is uncanny after she's gone.
45:46There's never any silence in our house.
45:49Of course, it's nice of Mother to have us,
45:51but it's not the same as being on our own.
45:55You know, Maggie has to share our room.
45:57There's a curtain hung up, but it's awkward.
46:00Harry don't like it at all.
46:02It'd be a poor thing if he did.
46:04Now Harry and Mum are not so friendly.
46:06This is the only place we can come to sit.
46:08Here.
46:09Here?
46:10Yes.
46:11Once in a while, he brings his sandwiches.
46:13We make believe he's coming home to his dinner.
46:16Oh, I think I'd better be on me way.
46:19You'll do no such things, Jackie Jones.
46:20Hello, Harry.
46:21We've never had a visitor before.
46:25Couldn't we ask him to stay to dinner?
46:26I've got plenty of sandwiches.
46:27And I've got cake and a pasty.
46:30We'd be ever so glad if you'd stay, Jackie.
46:32Well, thank you kindly, if I wouldn't be in the way.
46:34Of course not.
46:35Sit down and make yourself comfortable.
46:37Harry, you've not wiped your boots.
46:39No more I have.
46:40I'm sorry, Mrs. Bunyan.
46:43Mrs. Harry Bunyan.
46:46Don't that sound wonderful?
46:52Tis a deadlock.
46:52That's what it is, Miss Prescott.
47:02Can you see who that is?
47:05No.
47:06A young woman carrying a baby.
47:08I can't see her face.
47:14Mrs. Ark's doorway.
47:17Tis her, Louise.
47:18She who left her husband come home with a baby.
47:20Ooh.
47:39Louise.
47:40Hello, Mom.
47:41You don't mind my coming in?
47:44Mrs. Philip, your new grandson.
47:48My grandson.
47:51Why, Ever, didn't you write?
47:53I thought you'd quarrel with Walter and run away.
47:56So I did, Mother.
47:57But, well, I wouldn't have done if I'd known that Philip was on the way.
48:00I was hoping that maybe he'd look after him while I go over to Appleford and make it up with
48:05him.
48:06I can be catching a bus now.
48:08Oh, you'll have some tea and stay the night, daughter.
48:12You could talk to Walter in the morning and then go on over when things are settled.
48:16Thank you, Mom.
48:17I'd be glad, too.
48:19I was so afraid you'd be angry with me.
48:21Angry?
48:22Where else should a daughter stay?
48:24Or a grandson, either.
48:26But under a mother's roof.
48:29I'll put the kettle on right now.
48:32Oh.
48:54That's too low for the sink.
48:56That's a matter of opinion, lady.
48:57That's where we're putting it.
48:58And who says?
49:00There's a pencil mark here on the wall.
49:02That's where Lord Redscarf said it should go.
49:03And what would Lord Redscarf know about the right height for a sink?
49:06Ah.
49:07Nobody knows the right height for a sink except the one who's going to use it, and I be that
49:11one.
49:11And I say an inch and a half higher off.
49:13It does sound reasonable, I suppose.
49:15I'll come.
49:16Come along, now.
49:17There's be no time for gossiping with all and sundry.
49:19This cottage has got to be finished by October the 15th.
49:22As will we know, lady, if you'll mind your business and let us get on with ours.
49:25This is my business as much as anyone's.
49:28Good thing I happened to come by just now.
49:30That sink be too high.
49:31I'll want it at least two inches lower.
49:33You let it go of my sink, Elizabeth Bunyan.
49:36Wait, you're sick.
49:37Everyone knows I've the right to decide.
49:39The Lord will decide and he ain't spoken yet.
49:42Oh, yes, he has.
49:42He's made a pencil mark on the wall.
49:45Billet broke.
49:46That's all you're doing, Elizabeth Bunyan.
49:49No, it's chipped.
49:49It's not cracked right through.
49:51Praise heaven for that.
49:52And no thanks to you, Mrs Bunyan.
49:54It's no thanks to either of you.
49:55And I'll trouble you both to get out of this place and stay out if you ever hope to see
49:58the job finished.
50:06I'll trouble you both to get out of this place and stay out of this place and stay out of
50:30this place.
50:43Good evening, Pat.
50:44Evening, Bert.
50:45I'm a fill.
50:47Seems more natural, don't it?
50:49Two women in full eruption like Vesuvius, nor during the Cold War when we was making free of each other's
50:54parlors.
50:55I wish it could have lasted.
50:57Terrible ordinary and milling with her mother's always at loggerheads.
51:00Oh, perhaps things will be better when it's settled one way or another about the cottage.
51:04It's this uncertainty, do fray their nerves.
51:06It do fray mine, too.
51:08I don't mind telling you, Pat, in confidence.
51:10I hope it don't come to us.
51:12You don't want to win the new cottage?
51:14No.
51:15No more do I, Bert Bunyan.
51:17Though I dursn't let your female Amy say so, I'd be content where I am.
51:22At the cottage we all knew paint, show the dirt terrible.
51:26And if a man happened to knock his pipe out against the mantle, well, he'd never hear the end of
51:29it.
51:30And take your boots off as soon as you get inside the door.
51:32No comfort anywhere.
51:34Sides, I've just got this garden to my liking.
51:37Been working it up for 20 years.
51:38I don't like to think of someone else making changes.
51:41When everything was against us, we'd got our little chats here in the potting shed,
51:45and no one any the wiser.
51:47Well, there'll be an end to that whichever way it goes.
51:50Change be for women, not for men.
51:52Sometimes.
51:53Not always.
51:54You know, Zaki had set his heart on moving in there.
51:57Yes, but Zaki had boasted so high it were hard for him to climb down.
52:01A man has his pride, and Zaki ain't no gardener.
52:05Sides, his own place was condemned.
52:07I haven't seen him about for days.
52:09Postman tells me he's gone and left no address.
52:12And the wife's brother tells us he's been seen in market pinfold.
52:14Ah, you've got a married daughter living there.
52:17She'd be looking after him.
52:19You can get into a terrible mess with women, Pat.
52:21And you can get into a terrible mess without them.
52:24Pat!
52:25Pat!
52:26Ah, the London Express.
52:28Pat!
52:29Pat!
52:32Pat!
52:35Pat!
52:36Pat!
52:39Pat!
52:40Pat!
52:41Pat!
52:41Pat!
52:41The telegram!
52:42Telegram!
52:43Oh!
52:51Boy and girl twins delivered safely this morning, love, Stephen.
52:56Twins!
52:57Twins!
52:57A boy and girl!
52:59Tis the voice of Providence!
53:00The cottage be ours!
53:01recommence.
53:13Well, good morning, lady Red Scarf.
53:14What can I do for you?
53:15Nothing, thank you, Harry.
53:17But I think I've got some news for you.
53:18Is it about our family winning the cottage?
53:20No, it's about you.
53:22What do you mean, my lady?
53:23You know that Whitesteps is school property.
53:25Mrs. Gedge's cottage, yeah?
53:26Well, the secretary of the board has heard from her
53:28that she won't be returning there.
53:30She asks, if possible, that you and Millie
53:32may be given the chance of having it.
53:33She asked that?
53:34You mean there's a chance I might get Whitesteps from Millie?
53:37You take her along and show it to her tomorrow.
53:38I think you may consider it settled.
53:40You're an angel out of heaven, Lady Red Scarf.
53:44All the glory of telling her.
53:51It can't be true, Harry.
53:55I don't dare believe it.
53:56It is true, Millie.
53:57It's true for certain.
53:59You come and see it.
54:02You wait here.
54:12I'm thinking you're the prettiest bride
54:14ever carried home to Whitesteps.
54:16And the happiest.
54:23A place of our own.
54:25And a front door of our own.
54:26A man and his wife be needing a door they can shut.
54:28And one they can open, too, to anyone.
54:30And say, will you come in and be welcome?
54:34We've never known that before.
54:36And there's rooms, too, Millie.
54:38Three.
54:39Or it might be four.
54:40And a kitchen and a garden
54:42for the children and the washing.
54:47It's no less than a palace.
55:04It's not Lady Red Scarf said no to make the presentation.
55:08I never envy anyone in the world.
55:39I never envy anyone in the world.
56:01My friends, it is now my pleasant duty
56:04to present the keys of this cottage
56:06to that family of Tussock
56:08who by their prowess
56:09and the prowess of their children
56:11have earned the right
56:13to live in it in peace
56:14to the end of their days.
56:16I have the privilege
56:18of calling upon...
56:32How are you, sir?
56:33Your lady, sir?
56:34Sir Gage?
56:35Mrs. Gage?
56:36Not Mrs. Gage anymore, my lord.
56:38Simeon died a year ago
56:40before I left here to stay with my daughter.
56:42Oh, I'm so sorry.
56:43I didn't know that.
56:44Oh, I didn't know meself
56:45till I had that parcel
56:46from my brother in California.
56:48Sort of a vase, it was,
56:50with Simeon's ashes in it.
56:51A parcel from the Valley of Golden Harps?
56:54Yes, that's where Simeon was cremated.
56:57Not Mrs. Gage anymore, my lord,
56:58but Mrs. Zachariah Jones.
57:00Emily here has 22 grandchildren.
57:02I have bar 23.
57:04That makes 45 between us.
57:06Congratulations, Zachy!
57:08Zachy, your own scoundrel,
57:09I shall never forget this.
57:10Thank you, sir.
57:11Mrs. Gage.
57:12And also, Mrs. Jones.
57:13Oh, of course, Mrs. Jones.
57:15Yes.
57:23Emily, will you open the door, all right?
57:25You, Zachy.
57:30Oh, Zachy!
57:31Oh, no!
57:32After you.
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