Dusty Ermine

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It's heaven. It's Wormwood Scrubs.

Same thing.

Two pillow cases.

And two of the Irish linen sheets.

There.

And, Goldie, you'd better get him

a hot water bottle.

Oh, yes, mum. It'll be a real dip for him

after what he's been used to.

You've laid a fire in his room, Goldie?

Yes, mum.

That's good, that's good.

And Goldie, this time do remember to screw

the top security on the hot water bottle.

Oh, yes, mum.

Hello, mum.

Hello, dear. Where have you been?

Shopping.

I hope you haven't been extravagant.

Darling, even a K.C. can afford muffins.

What?

Uncle Jim's favorite food, don't you remember?

Hello.

No, no, I can't possibly receive you here today.

No, my brother's coming home

after a long stay in...

abroad.

How much are the roses?

Six pence each coming up.

Lovely day, isn't it?

Not so nice as it was yesterday.

That's where you're wrong.

It's a much nicer day that yesterday

and nicer than the day before.

In fact, it's the nicest day in four years.

Hey, you gave me half a crown.

Oh!

What is it now?

They won't bring him back in a Black Maria,

will they?

Well, Emily!

What would the neighbors say?

Don't worry, mother.

The police are very thoughtful.

They're sure to deliver him in a plain van.

Oh, do you think so, dear?

There he is.

It isn't he at all. It's Gilbert.

Gilbert?

In a taxi.

Taxi? I'd take a bus.

I'd walk.

I'd stay at home.

Hello, everybody.

Gilbert, darling, where have you been?

I've been ringing up to your studio and getting no answer.

I've been quite worried, dear.

What do you mean by disappearing like this

without a word?

Hello, darling.

Hello.

I, er... I've been hard at work.

Work!

Painting isn't work.

Now let me tell you...

Will you lend me five bob, father?

What for?

The taxi, I've only got a pound.

Better change it.

As a matter of fact I haven't got a pound.

I'm broke.

Broke? Why you had a year's allowance

only three months ago.

Yes, I know. But it's very expensive in Paris.

Paris? What were you doing in Paris?

Improving my technique.

How's the Follies Bergre?

Not very folly, but still very bare.

How dare you joke about your expenses!

I'm not...

Now, dear, dear, please!

It's all very well to say that, but...

I'm sure you are both hungry,

come along...

What about my five bob?

Eh?

Oh, well, there.

There's four and six.

Come along, darling.

Excuse me, officer, but can you tell me

what bus will take me to Kensington?

27, 14 or 59, sir.

And they all go to Kensington, do they?

Yes, sir.

If I like, I can get on to one.

If I don't like, I don't have to, eh?

I beg your pardon?

If I like, I can go to... Richmond.

Or Edmond, or China.

If you like, you can go to...

Thank you, sergeant. Thank you a thousand times.

Bah!

If you hope to make a living by selling those things

it's fortune that brought you back.

Look Here, we may as well get one thing straight.

I'm not going into your office.

Gilbert!

I'd sooner starve, I'd sooner go to jail.

Gilbert!

Gilbert, darling, I wish

you'd keep off that subject.

And your uncle Jim's coming home today, too.

Not too late, my dear. I'm here.

Uncle Jim, darling, how lovely to see you.

Are you really tired, Jim?

Not when I see you, Emily.

Well, Jim, I hope you've had a pleasant er...

Oh, Jim, dear, I...

Yes, I'm out. Like the leprechauns.

You've grown.

What did you expect?

After all, you've been away...

Yes, four years.

Less six months for good conduct.

Dear, you must be starving.

Now come along. What will you start with?

I've been having quite regular meals.

Nonsense, I know what the food's like in those places.

Hm, how?

Oh, just skilly and okra and things...

Oh, Goldie!

Darling, was it very awful?

Are you thinking of taking up

the forgery business?

Whisky?

If it still tastes the same.

Thanks, darling.

Well, here's to the Kent family.

With my apologies.

What a lot, for heaven's sake.

Look at them.

One Lord Chief Justice, three landed judges,

and a handful of eminent K.C.s.

Ah, great-uncle Joseph.

I should hate to live with that face in the dark.

Believe me, I know what I'm talking about.

Well, you'll be able to forget all that now.

Well now, what's this?

Yours, Gilbert?

Yes, yes, they are.

What do you think of them?

Very good. But remember.

I deserted the law for Art.

And the law took its revenge.

Gilbert is coming to my chambers.

Gilbert's doing nothing of the sort.

Now, don't argue, Gilbert...

My dears, please, please, boys, boys.

Jim, dear, we've got your old room ready for you.

Will that do?

As long as it's got no number on it.

No.

Just the same.

Come and see it.

I'd love to.

Ah, same old place, eh?

You don't think we'd change it, do you?

You know that's a pretty good picture

if I may say so myself.

You never did care about your own work,

did you, Uncle Jim?

Shut up!

Do you remember when you were a kid?

How you used to come up here

and watch me draw for hours on end?

Yes...

And I used to get covered in ink.

And what your mother said to me.

My old friends.

You know, you got me into a lot of trouble.

Why think about it anymore?

It's all over now.

But I like to.

I enjoyed making those notes.

After all, you know, forgery is an art.

With no public for bad work either.

If an artist paints a bad picture,

he gets into the academy.

But try and get away with a bad forgery

and you get into Dartmore.

But you didn't need to pass them.

Unfortunately I did.

I was particularly hard up

just about that that time.

Hard up seems to be a part

of an artist's education.

Let me try.

The great thing is to keep the line unbroken.

Never hesitate.

Like that.

How's that?

I'm afraid you've no future.

Pity. I'm very ambitious.

Excuse me, sir.

There's someone to see you.

Not a copper, I hope.

Oh, no, sir. A lady.

That makes all the difference. Show her in.

Uncle Jim, I thought you'd reformed.

Come on, Gilbert.

Now be careful.

Don't let freedom go to your head.

It all depends.

I'm not giving any promises.

Oh, dear...

I promise.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon. Come in, won't you?

Thank you very much. I do hope

you'll forgive this intrusion, Mr. Kent.

But I was so anxious to see you at once.

Not at all. Sit down.

Thank you very much.

You know, my friends and myself have been...

have been patiently awaiting

the day of your release.

Excuse, me, but do you represent one of the

Prisoner's Aid Society?

Well, in a way, yes.

And then in a way, no, as one might say.

Oh?

My friends and I have thought so much about you.

And we were anxious to help you at once.

That's very kind of you, but I'm staying

with my brother just for the moment

and I really don't need any assistance.

You don't quite get my meaning, I see.

My friends are great admirers of your work.

My work?

You're such an artist.

And we feel that such lovely work

cannot be lost to the world.

Are you referring by any chance

to my skill with the pen?

Exactly.

What a beautiful thing, my skill with the pen.

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