Mrs. Miniver Page #3

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...is a mere vassal, as it were--

- Now, Vin, please. Let Miss Beldon explain.

But, Mother, Miss Beldon

doesn't have to explain, not to me.

I'm aware of the influence

of the feudal system in this village.

These are orders from the manor.

Her ladyship must have no competition.

You must excuse my son.

He's just down from Oxford.

Don't apologize for me.

I mean everything I say.

Well, I'm glad to hear it,

but do you do anything about it?

Do? Why, what do you mean?

If you feel something is wrong,

what are you doing about it?

I've spent holidays the last few years doing

settlement work in the slums of London.

You wallow in luxury all the year...

- I don't wallow.

...and think a few weeks playing

Lady BountifuI--...

Come, Vin.

- It's not much, perhaps...

...but it's the only thing I know.

What have you been doing?

- I?

Well....

- I see. Just talk.

That's all right. It's easier.

- Listen, I didn't say--

Oh, don't apologize.

I know how comfortable it is to curl up

with a book full of big words...

...and think you're going to solve

the problems of the universe.

But you're not.

A bit of action is required now and then.

Action? If that's what you

and your class are asking for...

...maybe you'll get it one of these days.

- Maybe. But not from the talkers.

Vin. Remember, Miss Beldon is a guest.

If you have any manners at alI--

Manners? A humble working man

is denied the reward of his artistry...

...to gratify the vanity of an aristocrat--

- Quiet. This isn't your concern.

I beg to differ. I'm concerned

for a fellow man's dignity.

And the indignity that's heaped upon him.

You'll excuse me, I'm sure, Miss Beldon.

- Certainly.

I must apologize for Vin.

- Oh, no, please, it's all right.

And besides, he's rather nice, isn't he?

What?

- Well....

Really, you know, he's perfectly right.

I have not a leg to stand on

in this business.

I shouldn't have asked you.

I realized that before the words

were out of my mouth.

It's just that my grandmother's over 80

and takes such pride...

...in winning year after year.

- Of course.

But please forget I said anything about it.

Anyhow, I'm glad we met at last.

So am l. I hope we see more of each other.

- I hope so too.

You'll be at the sailing club dance tonight?

- Oh, yes.

Good. I'll see you there, then.

- Goodbye.

To hear people, you'd think

Mr. Ballard committed a crime.

I don't hold with people getting

ideas above their station.

Who's he to think he can

enter his rose in the show?

And who's to say he can't?

- Nobody's ever entered a rose...

...against Lady Beldon since she started 30

years ago, and keep a civil tongue...

...or I'll be doing my shopping

in Meekham after this.

My opinion has got nothing to do with the

quality of my merchandise, Mrs. Huggins.

If you'd called your rose a 'Lady Beldon,'

I'd have said quite right and proper.

But who's Mrs. Miniver?

- The nicest lady in the neighborhood...

...Mr. Huggins, that's who.

- Yeah, maybe, but a newcomer.

No, Mr. Ballard, you stick to the railway

and leave roses alone.

Why should I? Why should I?

They're my hobby, the roses are.

And the railway can go to--...

Doesn't she look lovely?

- And a sense of humor too.

I loved the way she handled Vin

this afternoon.

I think she's coming over.

Hello.

- Good evening, Miss Beldon.

Please, sit down.

- Sit down, won't you?

Thank you.

Enjoying it?

- Yes, such a wonderful band.

How about a cordial?

- No, thanks.

Cigarette?

- No, thanks.

I was rather looking for your son.

- I'm sorry, Vin's not here.

No, he's suffering

from an acute case of maturity.

Yes. But it'll pass.

We give it a week or two, at the outside.

I wanted to tell him I was sorry

about this afternoon.

I rather think he wanted to say

the same thing himself. It's a pity--

I beg your pardon.

For you, Miss Beldon.

Thank you.

May I?

- Of course.

Secret?

- Well, I suppose it is.

Do I scent romance?

- Well, it is intriguing.

Will you excuse me?

Please don't get up.

I'll see you later.

- Is it that big Navy lad from Dartmouth?

You'd be surprised.

Hello.

- Hello.

You got my note?

- As you see.

Yes, of course.

Miss Beldon, I don't want you to think

I'm going back on anything I said.

Of course not.

But I did express myself a bit emphatically.

I hope you'll excuse me.

My mode of expression, I mean.

There's really nothing to excuse.

Everyone's entitled to his

mode of expression.

Still, I had no right to lose my temper.

I'm usually quite detached.

- I was pretty snippy myself, wasn't I?

And quite in the wrong, anyway.

I'm sorry.

It's nice of you to say so.

Well....

I'd better be getting back.

I promised this tango.

Oh, you couldn't.

Well, I mean, just for a moment.

You see, I've got so much I want to say,

to explain about myself.

Of course, you want to dance.

- You don't dance?

Oh, yes. Yes, I do.

Matter of fact,

I'm considered a pretty good dancer.

But I've rather given up that sort of thing.

Well....

I mean, frankly...

...is this a time for frivolity?

Is this a time to lose one's sense of humor?

Did you say give him a week or two?

- Maybe an hour or two will be enough.

And I used to see you go by...

...and you used to ride in a little tub cart,

then you had a pony.

Oh, yes. he was a dear.

- He was very, very fat, and so were you.

I was not fat.

- You were, very fat.

Why, you had legs

like overstuffed sausages.

You see, I've really known you

for years and years.

I used to think about you a lot.

Well, don't you believe me?

Well, you know, you are a good talker.

- I wish I were.

I'd like to tell you just how I feel.

- You've told me a lot for one day.

One day. Why, one day's ridiculous.

What's one day out of all the vast....

Do you have any conception....

Can't we arrange to meet again

sometime soon?

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow I'm leaving for Scotland.

For long?

- Until the middle of September.

We always go, every year.

- But that's months.

May I write to you?

- Yes, Vin.

This has been a wonderful evening,

hasn't it?

Yes, Vin.

It's been a wonderful evening,

hasn't it?

Have I said that before?

- It's been a wonderful evening.

For you too?

- For me too, Vin.

Well, looks as though we've had

all that quarreling for nothing.

Don't look as if there'll be

a flower show after all.

What makes you say that?

Her ladyship's talking of postponing

the show on account of conditions.

Very right and proper.

They've marched into Poland,

haven't they?

That means war, if you ask me.

And if war comes...

...it's 'Goodbye, roses.'

- Don't talk silly.

You might as well say, 'Goodbye, England.'

There will always be roses.

She's come back. She wasn't

to have returned for another week.

Dearly beloved brethren,

the scripture moveth us in sundry places...

...to acknowledge and confess

our manifold sins and wickedness.

And that we not dissemble nor cloak them

before almighty God, our heavenly father.

But confess them with a humble, lowly....

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