Gaslight Page #2

I'm afraid, Mr Rough.

Why's that?

The remainder of the lease of No.14

is in the hands of Mr Mallen of No.12.

And he's already refused

three good offers.

Mr Mallen of Number 12?

Why won't he let?

Do you know,

I have often wondered.

A queer profession, mine,

Mr Rough.

So near to so many people's lives,

and yet...

always on the doorstep, as it were.

Yes. Yes, indeed.

A fascinating study,

human nature, Mr Rough.

Fascinating.

You don't think there's much chance

of that house being on the market?

If you want to make an offer,

do so, by all means.

I sometimes wonder

if it's the noise he's afraid of.

The wife's a delicate woman.

Just had a breakdown, I understand.

A charming creature.

I've seen her often walking in the

gardens of the square with her dog.

- Gardens? Sounds very pleasant.

- They're charming, they are.

I'm sorry.

Oh... I wonder

how that happened, eh?

Oh... Oh, dear!

- Oh, my dear lady!

- I'm all right, thank you.

- Where's my little dog?

- Little savages.

- I hope you're not hurt, ma'am?

- No, not a bit.

- You come and sit down over here.

- Oh... No, I'm all right.

Oh, you can't possibly tell if you're hurt

until you've had time to think it over.

It doesn't matter much when you've

soft bones like those little rascals.

- I should complain to their nurses.

- It wasn't their fault. It was...

- Oh, thank you. That is kind of you.

- Fond of children, I see.

- Got any of your own?

- No.

- I must go.

- You haven't counted all your bones yet.

Don't worry about me.

I'm old enough to be your father.

They're not what they used to be.

- Who aren't?

- Children.

I'd be ashamed if I couldn't

bowl a better hoop than that.

I never bothered about hoops.

I was brought up in the country.

- So was I. Whereabouts?

- Devonshire.

Devonshire? What part?

- I lived with some cousins near Exmouth.

- I know Exmouth very well.

- I wonder if I've met them.

- Their name was Ullswater.

Don't go yet.

I was just getting interested.

Stop it! Stop it, you rude little boys!

It's disgraceful!

How dare they!

Hmm... Poor little devils. I'd like

to give them a taste of Devonshire.

Yes, a grass bank to roll down

and some nice, clean mud.

Well, thank you for being so kind.

- Toy shop!

- I beg your pardon?

Something for those little objects

to play with.

There is a toy shop across the road.

Oh, what a lovely idea.

They do look so miserable.

Well, you'll have to come along, too.

I mean, that's the whole idea.

Must have a woman about

where brats are concerned, you know?

I mean, they'd run a mile

if I were to so much as call to them.

- I'd love to see them enjoy themselves...

- What's to stop you?

My husband is out

and he won't be back till teatime.

Then you'll be in time

to have it with him.

I don't want to be silly,

but I don't know you.

Oh, this is charity, ma'am.

That blows convention out of the window.

Hey!

I mean you children

out there in the street.

Come along. Don't be afraid.

I've got something for you.

Would you like some toys

to play with?

It is such a shame

you can't go into the square.

- This gentleman thought...

- There's a toy shop over there.

- Tops, if you like, or hoops.

- Do let's go across, shall we?

Good afternoon.

We've come to the wrong shop.

- Buns and ice cream are what they want.

- Do you think we should?

Nonsense! Make them all sick.

Do them a world of good.

You know what you want, don't you?

Come on in.

Here we are. Help yourselves.

- Blimey, look at them lovely tarts!

- There's plenty more.

Anything you like, in reason.

That's right.

- And what exactly can we do for you?

- Knock his block off.

You, who cannot control yourself

in your own home,

to risk such a thing

with a complete stranger!

- It was the children, Paul.

- A horde of noisy street urchins.

When you know the only hope for you

is rest and quiet.

Put the dog down.

You're not listening to me.

I am listening.

What are you going to do?

I've told you before. I can't stand

the dog in the drawing room.

- I'm very fond of her, Paul. - It's not

natural, the fuss you make over it.

Sometimes I wonder if you even

want to be like other people.

Why did you ever marry me, Paul?

When I married you, Bella,

you were a normal woman.

Or so I thought.

It's only since we came to this house

that I've changed.

I never wanted to come here.

Yet it was my money

that made it possible for you to buy it.

Is that why you married me, Paul?

You have changed, Bella.

What's made me change?

What's made you change, Paul?

Because you have,

in the way you treat me.

I believe

it's ever since that day when...

I found that old envelope

addressed to Louis Bauer.

That was the first time that

you were angry with me like this.

Bella, I told you

I had forgotten that incident.

My only anxiety has always been

to get you well.

I must get away from here.

I'll never be well

till I get away from this house.

Come outside, Judy. Come along.

Hello, Judy. How do you do?

Guess what?

Paul, I could.

My cousins, the Ullswaters.

It would be lovely

to smell Devonshire again.

Your cousin, Mr Vincent Ullswater, had

the effrontery to oppose our marriage.

Oh, but that's over and done with.

Vincent won't mind now.

But I mind. I have no desire

to reopen our acquaintance.

Besides, I don't care

to drag strangers into our troubles.

They're not strangers, they're my

own people. They're all I have.

I want to see them, I...

I will see them.

If you see anyone, it will be a doctor.

No. No, not a doctor, Paul, I...

I'm well. I'm better.

Please leave me alone, Paul.

- Whatever should I do?

- Be quiet.

- Oh, my poor head!

- That was very cruel.

But I don't see how I can take

the responsibility for you any longer.

Oh, Bella.

Don't cry.

You'll spoil your looks,

and I wanted you

to look very beautiful tonight.

Have you any objections

to being seen out with your husband?

Why?

Are you going to take me out?

There's a charity concert tonight

at Winterbourne House.

I could get tickets.

I know Lady Winterbourne.

- A concert, and you'd take me?

- I should enjoy it, my dear...

Oh, how wonderful!

...provided that you promise

to control yourself,

to behave as you know

I'd wish my wife to behave.

- I promise. What shall I wear?

- Whatever you look prettiest in, my dear.

Bella, wear the cameo brooch

I gave you when we got engaged.

I will.

My brooch, please, Nancy.

- The big cameo.

- Yes, ma'am.

- It's not here, ma'am.

- It must be. Look underneath.

Of course it's here. Let me look.

Perhaps I left it in another dress.

Bella!

- Time to start, Bella.

- Coming, Paul.

- Nancy, my cloak.

- Which one, ma'am?

- Which one do you think?

- Couldn't say, I'm sure, ma'am.

Oh.

This will do.

What a very lovely person!

Charming. But not my brooch?

I would've worn it.

You know how fond I am of it...

only it didn't go with this dress.

I wouldn't presume

to criticise your taste.

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