Tess Page #4

with Mr. Crick.

But what does he hold against

old families?

He says they're...

...worm-eaten.

That be your soul trying to escape.

It is bread, that's all.

No, it is when you sneeze,

you're like to blow your soul away.

As I see it, no soul can leave

its mortal shell afore a body dies.

What if a man falls down

in a faint, Master Crick?

Well, that's a different matter.

The spirit bides there inside you,

but you cannot feel it.

But we can sometimes make

our souls leave our bodies.

How's that, then, maidy?

Only have to lie

on the grass at night...

...and look straight up

at some bright star.

And stare at it with all your might.

And by and by, you'll feel

you're falling into the sky...

...miles and miles from your body...

...which you'll don't seem

to need at all.

Tess!

Why run away like that?

- Are you afraid?

- No, sir. Not of outdoor things. No.

- But you have your indoor fears, eh?

- Heavens, yes.

Of what?

I couldn't rightly say.

Of the milk turning sour?

No.

Fear of life, in general?

Yes, sir.

So have I. Very often.

Life's a puzzle. Don't you think?

Perhaps...

...now you put it that way.

It is no use. It won't take.

If this continues, I shall have

to call on Conjurer Trendle.

I don't say I believe in him, mind.

But if nothing else works,

I shall have to try it, shan't I?

Somebody here's in love, I'll be bound.

That can cause it, so I've heard.

Conjurer Fall,

to the side of Casterbridge.

He had the knack of it

when I was a lad.

It is a pity. He must be feeding

the worms by now.

My grandpa used to go to Conjurer

Mynterne out at Owlscombe.

But there's no folk

like him these days.

Somebody's in love, I tell you.

- What's the matter?

- The blasted butter won't come.

- Why is that?

- To my mind...

How warm it is today.

I think I'd be better out-of-doors.

They do say it happens

when people are in love.

I remember as a girl...

Don't push.

He looks so sad.

Whatever can he be thinking of?

Well, not of us.

You can rely on that.

You're a fine one to talk, lzz.

- I saw you.

- What did you see?

It was the other day.

I saw you kissing his shadow.

Here he comes again.

Dear eyes...

Dear face...

Dear Mr. Clare.

It is terrible to think he'll never wed

any one of us.

More likely, he'll ask us to milk

his cows for so much a year.

What are we going to do?

We shall have to take

the stone-bridge road.

We'll be late.

- Doesn't he go to church?

- No, never.

I wish he would.

You look like cats afraid of water.

Only on account

of our Sunday best, sir.

Very well. I'll carry you

just as you are.

No, no, I'm far too heavy.

Nonsense. I could carry

all four of you at once.

Hold on to me. That's it.

I should put my arms around

his neck and look into his eyes.

There's nothing in that.

There's a time for everything

under heaven.

A time to kiss and a time to cuddle.

Shame on you, lzz.

That's scripture.

I always heed the prettiest

verses in church.

If you helped me, perhaps I could

climb along the bank.

Tess.

I've gone to three-quarters of this

trouble for your sake alone.

She's angry. She doesn't understand.

She'll kick over the bucket.

Forgive me, my darling Tess.

I don't know what came over me.

There's only one excuse for it.

I love you.

Yes, I love you.

Angel?

Angel.

Hello, Mercy. Forgive me.

I didn't see you.

Forgive me.

Welcome home.

- How are you?

- Very well.

God be praised. You look radiant

with health, I see.

The open air, probably.

Have you come to spend

the holidays with your brothers?

Are they here? I had no idea.

No, I'm only paying my parents a brief

visit to settle some urgent business.

Then I won't detain you.

I have my Bible class

to take, in any case.

Au revoir, Angel.

- Angel!

- Angel! My boy.

I apologize, Father. I had no time

to warn you of my arrival.

Perhaps you've forgotten how

to write. With a pen, remember?

I brought you farmhouse delicacies.

Black puddings

and a bottle of mead.

Black puddings?

It's true your mother and I

have regretted...

...hearing so little of your news.

You must bear with him, Father.

Spending all his time

with sheep and cattle...

...takes one closer to nature

but further from Oxford.

I would remind you, Felix...

...that a university education

means nothing...

...unless it redounds

to the glory of God.

It can also redound

to the glory of man.

Only in the second place.

How far are you

in your apprenticeship?

It's drawing to a close.

What counts is spiritual cleanliness.

Isn't that so, Father?

The two go together, my boy.

Father tells us you intend

setting up on your own.

Yes.

- In what part of the world?

- I don't know yet.

The colonies perhaps.

Heaven preserve us.

It would suit the type of

farming I have in mind.

- What colony?

- The choice is wide.

Or I may settle in a foreign country.

Some places offer land to immigrants

on very favorable terms.

Brazil, for example.

Wonders will never cease.

Nothing's settled yet.

I came here to discuss it.

That among other things.

Shall we take a drop of good

Mrs. Crick's delicious mead?

Oh forgive me . I forgot.

Strong drink is the root of all evil.

Take us into your confidence.

Is it something serious?

Not serious, but something

important. The truth is

son't you think it's time

i considered marrying?

Yes indeed my boy, yes indeed.

Your mother and I have sometimes

debated the same question.

Really?

And what sort of wife would you favour

for a budding farmer like myself?

Truly christian, god-fearing woman.

One who will be of help and

a comfort to you in all things.

The rest matters little.

You musn't hesitate, dear son.

Why hesitate?

To marry your heart's desire.

Mercy Chant.

She may be fond of over-

decorating the church and

flipparies and flowers,

scraps of lacys and so forth but

It's merely a girl's fancies. It will pass.

Mercy's a pure and virtuous girl.

Oh yes I know she's pure and virtuous.

But honesty compels me to

inform you that I have other plans.

Other plans?

Very much sir.

Mercy Chant appeals more

to you than she does to me.

I'm not disputing her merits

I'm only speaking of my own inclinations.

My dearest boy.

Angel.Please remember that

you are addressing your parents.

I'm aware of that.

I already know the woman I intend to marry.

Her name is Teresa Durbeyfield.

Father, Mother. I respect you both.

I also respect Mercy Chant.

And have no doubt

she'll find worthier husband with or

without your help. As for me,

my mind is made up.

Oh it's you...

Tess, I want to ask you this now.

Will you be my wife?

I love you with all my heart and soul.

I can not be your wife.

Don't you love me?

Oh yes yes...

I'd rather belong to you

than anyone in the world.

Forgive me. I can't marry you.

It was the good lord who put

this nice young person's in your way.

You must believe that.

But with respects to your question,

I tell you quite private but

very strong. On no accounts,

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