Tess Page #3

Don't you think it deserves

to be seen...

...on a glorious God-given

night like this?

Yes, but...

No buts. There's a good girl.

I'll be honest with you.

I'm happy.

I'm trying to prolong the moment.

You were shivering a while back.

Now I can feel your warmth

against me.

- Are you still cold?

- No, not now.

I'll let my animal

walk a little further.

He'll make better progress

once he's rested.

Tell me...

...what news of your parents' horse?

- They have no horse.

They have since Monday last.

- Did you...?

- Forgive me for mentioning it.

I thought they would have

written to you.

- I don't know what to say.

- It's nothing.

I knew how important it was

for your father to have a new horse.

Really.

It's you he should thank.

I'm grateful to you.

Truly I am.

But I almost wish

you hadn't done this.

Yes, I almost do.

- Is that a reproach?

- Oh, no.

It is very kind of you, I'm sure.

I've been in torment

ever since you came to us.

- Then I'll leave tomorrow, sir.

- That's absurd.

I don't want you to leave.

That's the last thing I want.

Is there no hope for me?

None at all?

Tess.

I'm dying for you.

Can't you see?

Forgive me.

Oh, please forgive me.

- Are you hurt?

- No, it's nothing. Nothing.

You're bleeding.

Oh, my God.

How ever could I have

done such a thing?

It's me.

Don't be so foolish.

Open the door.

You'll force me

to make a noise, Tess.

My mother has sharp ears.

She'll hear.

Enough of this nonsense, darling.

Open up.

Why sneak away...

...like a thief?

And at this hour in the morning?

Nobody would've prevented

you leaving.

At least let me drive you home.

Unless you'd care to come back.

I shan't come back.

- What are you crying for?

- I was only thinking...

...I was born over there.

Well, we all have

to be born somewhere.

L... I wish I'd never been born.

- There or anywhere else.

- You're absurdly melancholy, Tess.

You can hold your own for beauty

against any woman.

Queen or commoner.

I tell you that as a practical man

who wishes you well.

If you're wise, you'll let the world

get a clearer sight of that beauty...

...before it fades.

Why not make the most of life?

We didn't fare so badly

together, did we?

- I was blinded for a while, that's all.

- That's what all women say.

How dare you talk like that?

Has it never struck you what all

women say, some women may feel?

- All right. I was wrong, I admit it.

- Please, please stop.

I should like to get down here.

I'm a bad lot, I suppose.

A damn bad lot.

I was born bad,

and I warrant I'll die bad.

Listen, Tess...

...if circumstances should arise,

do you understand?

If you're ever in the least trouble,

the least difficulty...

...just send me one line, and you shall

have whatever you need by return.

You really won't come back?

Goodbye, my four months' cousin.

Goodbye.

Tess?

It is no use her pretending

she hates it...

...and wishes it in the churchyard

and herself beside it.

She loves that child of hers.

Poor little mite.

It don't look long for this world.

Good evening, Durbeyfield.

- What's your business?

- My business?

The child. I must baptize it before

the Lord gathers it to his bosom.

What child are you speaking of?

All my children are baptized.

You ought to know.

Durbeyfield, don't play games

with the Almighty.

I don't play, sir, I work!

I work! Like a beast of the field.

You can tell the Almighty that

from me.

- My baby's dying.

- You ought to have been more careful.

Like it or not, Jack,

that child was born.

It is here, under your own roof.

- Not true.

- Father, come to your senses.

For pity's sake, let the vicar in!

He shan't set foot inside this house.

Not over my dead body!

There's enough disgrace

on my name as it is.

O merciful God, take pity.

Take pity on him.

Send down your anger on me.

But have mercy on my child.

My child.

I should like to ask you

something, sir.

Well, speak, girl. I'm listening.

Each of us shares

in your sad affliction, my child.

We're all members

of the suffering body of Christ.

My son was baptized.

Baptized? By whom?

By me, last night.

What procedure did you follow?

I woke my little brothers

and sisters...

...and made them

kneel down to pray.

'Liza-Lu held the prayer book open.

I lit a candle.

And then?

Then I held my child like this

over the basin.

Yes.

I poured some water on his forehead,

and I said:

"I baptize thee...

...in the name of the Father,

Son and Holy Ghost."

- Did you make the sign of the cross?

- Yes, I did that too.

Will it be just the same

as if you'd baptized him?

In the sight of God, I mean.

Yes, my dear girl.

It will be the same.

Then you'll give him

a Christian burial?

That's another matter.

Another matter? Why?

Well, that would concern

the village as a whole.

Not just the two of us,

you understand.

Won't you do it, sir?

Just this once?

I'm sorry.

I beg you, please.

I told you.

It's out of the question.

Then I don't like you.

I shall never come

to your church again.

Never.

Never!

- Hey, Mr. Crick.

- Eh?

What, here already?

We didn't expect you afore tomorrow.

It is quite a step from here

to Weatherbury.

- Marlott, sir. I come from Marlott.

- Yes, Marlott.

Well, that's even further.

Quite sure you can stand it here?

It is comfortable enough

for rough folk...

...but we don't live

in a cowcumber frame.

I'm accustomed to that.

I used to know your part

of the county when I were a lad.

Good. Right you are.

Well, you'll want a rest

and a morsel of food.

I'd rather begin now,

to get my hand in.

Oh, come on.

You must be famished.

No, thank you.

A little milk will suffice.

Well, if you can swallow that,

so be it.

It is what I hain't touched for years.

It lies in my innards like lead.

To my thinking, the beasts

aren't giving all they should.

That's because there's

a new hand come amongst us.

I've known it happen afore.

They do say that the milk goes up

into their horns at such times.

Anyone would think we were

back in the Middle Ages.

I don't appear to be making

much progress.

Take it gentle, sir. Take it gentle.

Whoa, now.

- It is skill that does it, not strength.

- So my aching fingers tell me.

Mrs. Crick's too proud to come

milking with us, and that's a fact.

Still, there's little enough

to wherrit about.

And we do eat like gamecocks.

No, you'll like it here.

Mr. Crick, he's a very kindly man.

Just fancy. He has his own

family pew in church.

Dairyman Dick all the week

On Sundays, Mr. Richard Crick

Who's that playing?

Mr. Clare.

Mr. Clare.

Him that's learning to milk.

Angel Clare, he's called.

Angel.

It is no common name.

He never says much to us,

more's the pity.

Why?

Does he scorn common folk?

Quite the opposite.

He often makes mock of old families.

It is quite simple.

He's a parson's son

with a mind to be a farmer.

He's already tried his hand

at sheep farming.

Now he's learning dairy work

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