The Go-Between Page #2

- Yes.

Is it the Black Death?

I have a headache and some spots.

Mama thinks it's the heat,

but the doctor's coming.

Bad luck.

Perhaps we shall all get it,

then we shan't be able

to have the cricket match.

Is there to be a cricket match?

We have it every year. It

helps keep the locals quiet.

We'll never be able to

lift our heads if we lose.

Ah, Leo.

Marcus will be in bed for a day or two.

The doctor doesn't think it's

measles, but better safe than sorry.

Can you amuse yourself,

somehow, without him?

Perhaps you'll spend

more time with Marian?

I might. If she wants.

I'm sure she does. She's very fond of you.

Soon you'll know all her

secrets, won't you, Leo?

I think it's a messy, dirty business,

and no-one can say otherwise.

But the thing is, once you're

in a war, you must win it.

You must use every

weapon you have. It's...

it's not about bravery, you see,

it's about being the last man standing.

Ah!

What the hell do you think you're doing?

I've a good mind to

give you a thrashing...

I saw you at the river, didn't I?

You're from the Hall.

We better do that up for you.

Come on.

Sit down here while I get

you something for that knee.

You're lucky you didn't

spoil that nice green suit.

Miss Marian gave it to me.

Miss Marian Maudsley.

I don't have much to do with the Hall.

Now, this might sting a bit.

Brave lad.

Some boys might have cried.

How old are you?

I shall be 13 on the 27th of this month.

I should have given you a bit less.

You're small for your age.

Good things come in small packages.

But won't you need that?

I've got plenty more. Do I

look as though I haven't?

You can throw it away when you're done.

Try walking.

Thank you, Mr Burgess.

Is there anything I can

do for you in return?

Perhaps there is.

Could you take a message for me?

Of course.

But can I trust you?

Can I really trust you

to keep your mouth shut?

Are you ever alone with Miss

Marian? Just the two of you?

Sometimes.

Near enough to give her a

letter without anyone seeing?

Easily near enough for that.

Wait here, then, while I write it.

Is it a secret?

It's more than that.

If anyone else gets hold of this...

it'll be a bad lookout for her,

perhaps for you, too.

I'll defend it with my life.

Is this Mr Burgess' handkerchief?

Yes. He said he didn't want it back.

You can throw it away.

Perhaps I'll wash it out.

It's quite a good one.

He asked me to give you this.

These dresses...!

Aren't you going to read it?

Later, perhaps.

Now, where's that bandage...?

You've already put it on.

So I have.

Your stocking, then.

You mustn't tell anyone about this letter.

Not even Marcus.

Of course not.

I'll be terribly angry with you if you do.

Oh... I won't be.

You see, Leo, it would get us all

into the most frightful trouble.

I won't say a word.

Mercury!

Just the man I was looking for.

Why did you call me Mercury?

Oh, well, Mercury was the

messenger of the Gods.

Can you take a message to Marian?

Tell her we need her to

make up a four at croquet.

You might have to search a bit.

We seem to have lost her.

Bring her in dead or alive.

What are you doing here?

Trimingham asked me to find you...

Why? What time is it?

Nearly seven o'clock.

Oh. We don't dine until 8:30.

He wants you to play croquet.

He said I was to bring

you in dead or alive.

Did he? Well, which am I?

What will you do to

amuse yourself tomorrow?

Well, I might do several things.

I might go for a walk...

Where might you walk to?

I might slide down a

strawstack at Farmer Burgess's.

Oh, really?

Well, if you do go that way...

will you give him a letter?

I was hoping you'd say that!

Why? Because you like him?

Because I like you.

That is very nice of you to say.

Tell her it's all right.

Tell her it's on.

You too, Trimingham.

I'm not much of an adornment.

Oh, do hurry up, Denys.

(Leo.)

Leo is so devoted to you, Marian.

He's like your little lamb.

- Hm.

- He follows you everywhere.

A little adult company goes

a long way at that age.

I thought I might pop into the

village later to visit Nanny Robson.

You know how she likes to see me.

Never mind Nanny.

You ought to pay more

attention to Trimingham.

Why?

You know why.

He's quite put out.

Has he said something?

No, of course he hasn't. But

don't think he hasn't noticed.

I don't know what you mean.

You're being deliberately obtuse.

Oh, Mama...

Leo!

I need you for a moment.

Will you take this to Mr

Burgess in the morning?

I can't go. Marcus is better now.

But still, will you try?

Ah... A love scene!

I heard Marian calling and

I hoped it might be for me.

Can I snatch her from you now?

I thought we might take a

little stroll on the terrace.

How's the postman?

I won't be able to bring

you any more letters.

Miss Marian counts on

getting those notes through.

She won't know what to

do. No more shall I.

You wouldn't want Miss Marian

to stop liking you, would you?

No...

What difference would it make to

you if she stopped liking you?

Where would you feel it?

Oh. So you do have a heart.

She counts on getting those

letters through, same as I do.

It's something we both look forward to.

They're not just ordinary letters.

I know.

She'll miss them.

She'd cry, perhaps.

Is that what you want?

You look hot.

You better come in.

'I thought I'd find you

out in the fields.'

I came back here to look after Smiler.

Is she ill?

In a way. She's going to have a foal.

Why is she having one,

if it makes her ill?

It's nature.

Between you and me, she

did a bit of spooning.

But spooning's so silly!

Spooning isn't silly.

That's just something spiteful

people say when it's...

well, when it's something

they want to do themselves.

They're envious, you see.

If you spoon with someone, does

it mean you have to marry them?

Generally speaking.

Could you spoon with someone

without marrying them?

I suppose so.

Right, that's enough

questions for one day.

But you haven't answered them.

You've hardly told me anything.

I'll make you a bargain.

I'll tell you all about

spooning, on one condition.

You go on being our postman.

Hello, Mercury.

Er, bad news, I'm afraid.

We couldn't get you in the

team... to play the village...

so you're going to be twelfth man.

Twelfth man! I never expected anything.

I'm glad you're pleased. Now, do

you feel like taking a message?

Ask Marian if she's going

to sing Home Sweet Home

at the concert after.

Tell him I'll sing it if he'll sing

She Wore A Wreath Of Yellow Roses.

But I don't sing.

Oh, it was only a joke.

Do you think so?

Just do your best, old boy.

No-one can do more than that.

- Ma'am. - Morning.

- Morning.

Ladies.

Hall team. You ready, chaps? Shall we?

Time to meet the enemy.

Good luck.

- Yes, good luck.

- Good game.

Mr Burgess, this is Leo

Colston, our twelfth man.

Master Colston and I

already know each other.

He comes to slide down my strawstack.

Ah, yes, of course, he told us.

But you should make him

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