Sunset Song Page #2

and was laid away forever.

You're to come to Auchterless

with your uncle and me.

So you would steal my own flesh from me?

Aye, John, just as you asked

when you wrote.

We've never a bairn of our own.

God knows it's not for want of trying.

Ill blood breeds ill.

Aye, but it'll be long

ere I'll have to kill myself

because my man

beds me like a breeding sow!

You dirty b*tch!

They won't go back to school!

Why won't you go back to school?

Why should they go back? I wouldn't!

Oh, aye?

And where do you wander off to

every night, hm?

They say:
Whose mother's a daftie?

Daftie

Daftie, they say.

Well, that's all past now.

You're to come and live at Auchterless

with your uncle and me.

Chris, dinnae let Father make

a damn slave of you as he'd like to.

We've our own lives to lead.

Well, what else can I do

but bide at home now?

If I saved long enough...

I could go to Canada.

A man is his own master there.

Oh, Will, would you send for me

as your housekeeper?

Aye, maybe.

But maybe it would hardly suit you.

I got it at Echt.

We can cut the crop quicker now.

I'd be the fool of Kinraddie

driving a thing like that.

If Kinraddie's laughter can make

as big a fool of you as nature has,

it'll be a miracle.

Don't worry, lad. I'll do the driving.

The Lord's my shepherd

I'll not want

He lays me down to lie

In pastures green, he leadeth me

To quiet waters by

He leadeth me

He leadeth me

To quiet waters by

Is there work?

Aye, maybe.

Let's see the work you have in you first.

Aye.

Fine, that.

I'll take you on for a day or so

if the weather holds.

Chris?

Go up to the house and see to the supper...

no idling, mind.

I won't have him in the kitchen.

He's full of lice.

He can have a shake-down in the barn.

You know, I'd have you eat in the house,

if it hadn't have been for Father.

I'm as little anxious for his company

as he is for mine.

Oh, that's such a sore waste...

of hot blood like yours.

A sore...

waste.

They'd started burning the whins

up Drumtochty way.

Then it was time for the threshing dinner.

And the whole of Kinraddie came.

Ay, Chris.

Be careful, it's hot.

Losh, man, she's fair the expert getting,

the daughter.

The kitchen's more her style

than the college, eh?

Education... most of it's a coarse thing.

Learning!

Just teaches your children

a lot of damned nonsense

that puts them above themselves

and they'd give you their lip

soon as look at you.

Damn it, man,

you're clear wrong to think that.

Education's the thing if a working man

wants to put him up level with the rich.

I thought a bit of balance in the bank

would do that.

The more education, the more sense.

Less kirks and ministers.

Well, well, we'll hear nothing coarse

of religion.

Well, Munro, we'll turn to

the mentally afflicted in general,

not just in particular.

How is that foreman of yours getting on?

Still keeping up his shorthand?

Hello, Chris. How have you gotten on?

Fine. How have you?

God, my back would feel a damned sight

easier if I'd spent the day in my bed.

Eh, Tavendale?

This is Ewan Tavendale, Chris.

The wind's up and a fine frost.

I'm away to do the milking.

Hello.

Is Will about?

No.

Drumlithie, I think.

I was hoping I could see him,

in case he should leave us sudden, like.

Leave?

Who said Will was leaving?

I heard he was off trying for a job

in Aberdeen.

Will you tell him I called?

Well, ta-ta.

Ta-ta.

I'm off to Aberdeen today.

The old fool thinks

he can frighten me still.

Chris...

Lord, I wish you could come as well.

What? Up to Aberdeen?

I'd like it fine but I can't.

Hurry and dress,

else you'll miss your train.

Are you having a sleep before you set out?

All right. I'll soon be down.

Well?

Will I do?

You look fair brave.

Oh, hell.

Why did she leave us?

Why did Jean leave us?

Happy New Year.

Am I the first?

Aye, you're fairly that.

Happy New Year.

God Almighty, Chae,

you cannae be sleeping there.

You big old lump.

I thought I was the first foot.

Farewell and adieu to you

fair Spanish ladies

Farewell and adieu to you ladies of Spain

For we've received orders

to come back to where we lay

From The Broch to Peterhead and back again

We'll rant and we'll roar

like true Scottish sailors

We'll rant and we'll roar

across the North Sea

For we've received orders

to come back to Blawearie

From The Broch to Peterhead and back again

Farewell and adieu

to you fair Spanish ladies

Farewell and adieu to you ladies of Spain

For we've received orders

to come back to Blawearie

From The Broch to Peterhead and back again

Ah, Jean.

All right, Jean, lass.

Get in the house, you white-faced b*tch!

Get away!

What's wrong with you now?

Nothing.

For you to find out.

What the hell...

are you getting... paid for?

Help me strip him, Chris.

It's a stroke, Chris.

Yes, Doctor.

He'll need a lot of looking after.

Will's married Mollie Douglas.

They've sailed from Southampton

to the Argentine.

Just blow the whistle if you need me.

You're my flesh and blood.

And I can do with you what I will.

Chris!

Chris!

Chris?

Chris, lass.

What's wrong?

Chae, my father's dead.

She was no longer afraid...

only sad for the father she never helped

and forgot to love.

Will you have a dram, Reverend?

Spirits?

Och, aye.

It's the custom, isn't it?

Yes, thank you, I'll have a drop.

Do you want to see him

before he's screwed down?

Now, kiss your father.

Goodbye, Father.

"I, John Guthrie of Blawearie,

being of sound mind and body,

do hereby leave and bequeath to my

daughter Christine all my possessions,

in silver and belongings, to

be hers without let or condition.

I also appoint Peter Semple

as my daughter's guardian

in such law matters as needs one.

But she is to control the goods and gear

as she may please.

The monies amounting to 300

I also bequeath to her.

Given under my hand etc, etc."

So, think it well over, Miss Guthrie.

Not a word for Will

or his two motherless boys?

Oh, for shame, Tam.

How can they be motherless

now that I've got them?

And you'll come up to live with us when

you've sold Blawearie's furnishings.

Aye, maybe.

Where are you going?

Oh, I'm away to Stonehaven

to see Mr Semple.

Can I bring you anything?

What are you jaunting there for?

I'll transact any business you have.

I'll transact my own business fine.

Ta-ta.

Come in.

Sit you down.

Well, well, it's Miss Guthrie come up.

You've been thinking about the will,

no doubt.

Yes, just that.

I'm going to live on at Blawearie a while

and not roup the gear at once.

Could you see to that with the factor?

But you cannae live there alone.

Oh, no, I've no such intention.

Could you get me some woman

to come live with me,

some old body who'd be glad of the work?

Oh, God, there are plenty of them.

Oh, it'll just be for a month or two,

just till I'm settled.

There's Mistress Melon.

I'll send her down in the morn.

Thank you.

Goodbye.

Goodbye, Miss Guthrie.

Are you up for the day?

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