Becky Sharp

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Amelia!

Did you think we were going to forget you?

And not say good bye,

and see you go without a kiss?

Elizabeth!

Lines to Amelia upon leaving Miss Pinkerton's academy.

Farewell, farewell, sweet friend of childhood years.

Let sorrow not detain thee,

nor our tears.

Thy wings have grown, they seek another nest.

I can't... I can't... Oh, Amelia!

Our pretty, poor Amelia. Now she will never hear

the end of that tender poem.

Oh, well, there's too much bad poetry

in the world anyway.

But Becky, haven't you a single tear

for the years you've spent here?

No, my sweet, tears are not expected of charity pupils.

Oh, no, no tears. Humility.

Gratitude for an education not so very useful,

but, oh, so genteel.

And curtsies for the leftover food

of the second table.

And the lovely frocks that the other girls

will no longer wear.

Oh, no, Laura. No tears.

We orphans must learn that the luxury of emotion

is for our betters.

Miss Pinkerton herself.

Miss Sedley. As you now leave us to return

to the polished and refined bosom of your family...

you depart rich in those virtues and accomplishments

which characterize the young English gentlewoman.

In Music, Dancing and Orthography

you have realized our fondest hopes.

And in the principles of religion and morality

you have proved yourself worthy

of this establishment.

Receive then, dear child, this elegantly bound copy

of the illustrious Dr. Johnson's dictionary

as a token of my affection.

A dictionary!

It shall always rest under my pillow.

Miss Sharp!

The time has come...

Oui, oui, mademoiselle. je veux vous faire mes adieux.

Be good enough to respond in the English tongue.

Oh, dear, Miss Pinkerton, I'd quite forgotten

that you can't quite understand French.

For a moment I thought I was talking

to my dear dead mother, whose language it was.

But who could blame me or any of us

for thinking of you as a mother?

Miss Sharp, what I meant to say was

you are about to go forth into the world alone,

unaided, to exist by the fruits of your labor.

I hope you go with the feeling of gratitude

for the gift you have received within these walls.

Oh, mum, what other feeling is possible?

Not one of hatred, certainly.

Not one of wanting to leave this place.

Or a feeling that you took me because I was useful.

Mercy, wasn't it a joy teaching the younger girls

Music and French

and knowing how much money I saved for you?

Oh, it was, it was.

Goodbye, then.

Oh, this dictionary, for you.

Miss Pinkerton. Mr. Joseph Sedley, mum.

Enter, sir.

Joseph!

Ahhh!

Dearest Jos.

Bless my soul, it must be you, is it?

Now, Jos, how many sisters have you?

Monstruous clever of you to put it that way.

Monstruous clever.

Welcome to Chiswick Mall, sir.

Your servant, mum.

Your sister's belongings are ready.

Splendid! Meredith!

Fetch my sister's trunk.

And now let us kiss our little friends, Amy,

and then be on our way.

Adieu, dear friend.

Oh, my Becky, to think we must part now.

Yes, part.

Where will you go? What's going to happen to you?

Does it matter?

Thank Heaven you're safely cared for.

Becky, permit me, my brother Joseph.

Your servant, mum.

Who's coming to take you away, darling?

The dilligence?

Public conveyance?

It will have to do.

I have no gallant brother to claim me.

But my four horses claim you,

that are waiting outside.

Miss Sharp's travelling arrangements

have already been made.

What is your destination?

I have no destination.

Not until I find a home. Oh, a room, a garret,

any pillow to lay my head upon.

Amelia, is this true? Not a pillow to her name?

No, it isn't true. No longer.

Becky, you're coming home with me

until you find suitabele employment somewhere.

No, no, I mustn't burden you.

Oh, you angel.

Huzzah! I shout Huzzah!

My man will seek your trunk presently.

I feel it my duty to warn you.

I can't abandon her. She has nobody.

Nobody.

Goodbye, Miss Pinkerton. Goodbye!

Bye! Bye Amelia!

Goodbye, goodbye!

Miss Pinkerton! Words are but little thanks.

Yet let this speak volumes.

Back to your rooms!

For you, Becky.

I shall press this one too.

I've kept all of your dear flowers.

Becky, I don't know what to say to you.

By Jove, dare I call you my...

Your what, Joseph?

My bird?

Or something similar?

I wonder if your George Osborne in there

is calling Amelia something similar?

How I admire men who do not hesitate

to express their emotions.

I offer you my heart, my true affection.

I offer you love, Amelia, and a lifetime of devotion.

Now you've heard us both, the choice is yours, madam.

Why do you make it so difficult for me?

Two little boys I grew up with.

How am I to choose between them?

Am I to say no to you, William,

whom I've always respected?

Or to you, George, whom I've always...

Always...

Loved, Amelia, loved?

Admired.

Let him be your choice, then. Take George.

Oh, my dear.

I shall love you nonetheless, always.

Only I shall think of you as a sister.

A sister who is married to my best...

my oldest friend.

William Dobbin, no man had a truer friend.

By Jove, that scoundrel kissed my sister's hand.

I'll make him marry her.

Too late, Joseph.

The question has just been popped.

What? Why, I didn't realize it.

Why, that's beautiful.

What a handsome best man you'll make.

Only I'll not be there to see you.

I'll be gone by then.

Not if Joseph Sedley has anything to do with it.

How can Joseph Sedley keep me here?

By offering you the continued hospitality

of his father's home.

You're too noble. But if you were to keep me here any longer

I should never want to leave.

I'd dream that I could stay forever.

See you about me, receive your roses.

An idle dream, isn't it Joseph?

I... I...

A foolish unrealizable dream.

But I must face the world, look for employment,

Becky, Becky, don't,... I...

What is it, Joseph?

Do you care?

Do I care? Why I...

When I think of you without a home, I...

I'm completely a man... a man.

I... I...

Becky!

Becky, I've news to tell you, such wonderful news.

George...

Has asked for your hand and you accepted him.

Oh, my little blushing bride.

You are happy?

You'll never know how happy, you're not in love.

Perhaps I am.

Perhaps I too have given my heart.

And you never told me about it.

We wanted to surprise you.

Joseph is so shy, so timid.

Our Joseph?

Oh, Becky, you poor, poor girl.

Poor? Is Joseph so undesirable a match?

Oh, then it must be I.

Father would never approve.

I know him, he...

I understand.

I've reached above my station. I've no fine pedigree.

Stop, Becky. Father has ambitions for Joseph.

He plans to send him to India on government service.

Wise father. Don't weep precious.

I'll marry one of these days some worthy tradesman.

A draper, a greengrocer, someone humble

fit to my position.

Present my compliments to your father

and say that I'm leaving tonight.

And good luck to Joseph, the civil servant.

The government needs men of courage, decision,

men who are brave.

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