Tess Page #2

- Yes. Well, there's no harm in that.

I would rather take it

from my own hand.

Don't be so coy, my pretty cousin.

There.

Come, this one too.

It's the perfect place.

Believe me.

You'll look a regular posy!

- What's the matter?

- A thorn.

Cousin, beauty has its price.

I'm not very hungry. Truly, I'm not.

Nonsense.

You must eat something

before you go.

It's no mean ride

from here to your village.

I shall see what I can do for you.

But listen, Tess, no more

of this d'Urberville nonsense.

Plain Durbeyfield, understand?

It's quite a different name.

I wish for no better, sir.

"In reference to your daughter

and further to her visit...

...we write to inform you

of our willingness...

...to consider engaging her services...

...in the managing of a poultry farm

of modern character.

Lf, after a suitable period,

your daughter...

...proves satisfactory,

we should guarantee her...

...comfortable accommodation

and a good wage.

Your earliest reply would be

greatly appreciated."

So you charmed them after all,

did you?

Let me see that letter.

- Who wrote it?

- Who?

Mrs. D'Urberville, of course.

Look at the signature.

Me? Manage a poultry farm?

- I truly don't think I should go.

- Poultry.

It is just her way of getting you there

without raising your hopes too much.

She's going to own you as kin.

Hey! The seal!

This is it!

It's the same as ours.

Look at it, lad.

A ramping, great, big lion

with a castle on top.

There's no denying it, girl.

Mrs. D'Urberville recognized

her own flesh and blood.

But she never even saw me.

Well, you couldn't expect her to throw

her arms round your neck...

...her being an invalid.

But her son made you welcome.

He called you "cousin," didn't he?

I'd rather bide here with you.

Goodbye, Father.

- You're off, then?

- Yes. Goodbye, Father.

Goodbye, girl.

You're a comely sight.

This young cousin of yours...

...tell him that, being so come down

in the world...

...l'll sell him the title.

Yes, I'll sell it, but a fair price.

Not less than

a thousand pounds, mind.

That's right, tell him

I'll take a thousand pounds.

Well, now I come to think on it...

...he can have it for a hundred.

I won't stand on trifles.

Fifty.

Twenty pounds, tell him,

and not a penny less.

- Family honor is family honor.

- Come, it's time to go.

I want to walk a little ways

with Tess.

So do I, now she's leaving

to marry our gentleman cousin.

I'll hear no more of that.

Mother, how could you have put

such nonsense into their heads?

She's going to work for a rich relation,

my dears...

...and help us earn enough money

to get a new horse.

Oh, Mother, I wish our Tess

hadn't gone to be a lady.

Don't hold my arm!

Grab me round the waist!

Ungrateful little minx. Why abandon

me as soon as you feel safe?

The danger came of your foolishness.

I say, what a temper.

When people are on top of a hill,

they have to get down somehow.

But not at a gallop, surely.

Fancy being asked that

by a brave little beauty like you.

I always go downhill at a gallop.

You can't beat it

for stirring the blood.

But perhaps you needn't

do so again.

Perhaps not.

It all depends.

One little kiss on those ruby lips

or even on that satin cheek...

...and I drive at a snail's pace,

word of honor.

But I don't want to be kissed, sir.

Stop, stop, I beg you!

Very well, do as you wish.

I don't mind.

But I thought you'd protect me,

being a kinsman.

Kinsman be hanged.

You're mighty sensitive

for a village lass.

- Oh, my hat!

- Whoa, boy.

You look even prettier without it!

- Come along, now. Up you get.

- No, sir.

- You won't ride with me?

- No, I shall walk.

It's four miles to Trantridge, at least.

I wouldn't care if it were 20.

You watch out for Dollop, the bailiff.

He's a devil.

Not Mr. Alec. Spends half

his time on horseback...

...and the rest of it chasing

the likes of us.

His mother's a queer old soul,

but no real trouble.

It is a mercy for us she's blind.

- Mrs. D'Urberville's blind?

- Stone-blind.

Their real name is Stoke.

How's that?

It were Mr. Alec's father

had the notion.

He bought the name

of an old extinguished family...

...to make himself important.

Whatever are you doing?

Missus is waiting for her birds.

Quick, it slipped my mind entirely.

Now, you catch hold

of Phena there...

...and that one.

That one there and the white one.

So you are the new young woman.

Well, how are my birds?

This is Strut.

He doesn't seem so lively today,

does he?

He's alarmed at being handled

by a stranger, I suppose.

And Phena?

Yes, yes.

They are a little frightened.

Aren't you, my poor dears?

Never mind.

They'll soon get used to you.

Can you whistle?

Whistle, ma'am?

Yes, whistle tunes.

A little.

Then you will have to practice

every day.

I think a lot of my fowls, but there are

also my bullfinches to consider.

I had a young lad who whistled

to them very well, but he left.

They've been neglected for days.

Master Alec whistled to them

this morning, ma'am.

Him.

Nor art nor nature ever created

a lovelier thing than you, Cousin Tess.

To see that pretty mouth

pouting and puffing away...

...without producing a single note.

- It is all a part of my work, sir.

- Never mind. I'll teach you.

I won't lay a finger on you.

See? I'll stay exactly where I am.

Now you watch me.

Don't screw up your lips too tight.

Do it like this.

Blow gently.

Gently.

Try.

No, no. Try again.

Again.

There. You'll manage splendidly

now I've started you off.

Tell me, Tess, don't you find

my mother a little odd?

I hardly know her, sir.

Well, I'm not in her good books

at the moment.

But you should find favor

if you treat her livestock well.

If you meet with any difficulties...

...don't go to Dollop...

...come to me.

What? Don't you fancy

a dance, then?

I'm mortal tired.

- When are you all going home?

- Soon enough, soon enough.

Well, my beauty.

What are you doing here

this time of night?

I'm waiting for the others, sir...

...not being acquainted

with the road home.

I only have a saddle horse.

Come to the inn with me.

I'll hire a trap for us both.

No, no. Thank you,

but I promised to wait for them.

Very well. Silly girl.

Please yourself.

What's that creeping

down your back?

Well, I declare!

It is treacle!

- You dare laugh at me, you hussy.

- I can't help it.

No more than the others.

You think you're the queen

of Trantridge...

...just because you're first favorite

with him.

She never said anything.

Leave her.

I'll show you. I'm worth two of your

sort for all your airs and graces.

If I'd known what sort you were...

...l'd never have lowered myself

by accepting your company.

- I'll show you.

- Hey there, workfolk.

What's all the row about?

Quickly, jump up beside me.

Out of the frying pan, into the fire.

- Where are we?

- Passing through The Chase.

The Chase?

It is out of our way, surely.

This forest is one of the oldest

and loveliest in England, Tess.

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