The Rocking Horse Winner

- Are you looking for me?

- You're Basset, aren't you?

Suppose I am?

I know all about you. You're a handyman.

You're going to work for us.

You used to work for Uncle Oscar,

and you hurt your leg in the war.

- Can I come in?

- Come in.

I say, what's a batman?

Come in, come in.

I'm Paul. How do you do?

Please to meet you, Master Paul.

So you want to know all about me?

I'll tell you.

A batman is an Army officer's

personal servant.

During the war, I was your

Uncle Oscar's batman.

He was a fine man.

But you already know about me.

It's what I heard Mother telling Nanny.

She prayed to heaven you were alright.

It's great having someone new.

What's that?

- Is that you?

- It is.

- Did you win?

- I did.

Smashing!

The horse's name was Inky Boy.

He made me a champion.

I loved that horse.

- Did you win the Derby?

- Who me?

No. not me. I was just a stable boy.

I didn't ride in the races often.

But I had a fine time when I did.

I had trouble with my weight.

I grew too tall and ate too much.

I should have been your size, but

I couldn't resist plum duff.

- Do you like plum duff?

- I've never had it.

You've missed a great treat.

Well, with not being able to keep my

weight down

and the war starting, I had to give

up my racing plans.

And here I am now.

What did you call me?

Handyman and part-time gardener?

I'm thankful to have the job.

Are you interested in horses,

Master Paul?

I've been looking for you Paul.

Hello, Bassett, I hope he's not been

a nuisance.

Come, darling. You should already be

in bed.

I hope you will be comfortable here,

Bassett.

Are you sure you don't want to be in

the house? It's cold out here.

I'll get a fire going. I'll be warm.

If you're sure you prefer it...

- I wouldn't like it. Would you Paul?

- Yes!

- Goodnight, Bassett.

- Goodnight, ma'am and Master Paul.

So nice you could come before Christmas.

You've made it cozy. I hope you know

your way to the kitchen.

- Thank you, Mrs. Grahame.

- Goodnight, Bassett.

- Merry Christmas!

- Merry Christmas to you,children!

You look the most responsible.

Better have that.

- Oh. thank you sir.

- Good night all.

- I like Bassett, Mommy.

- Good.

Richard, shut the door. There's a

terrible draft.

How long have you been home?

Only about 5 minutes.

Where's Nanny?

I gave her the afternoon off.

She won't be back until late.

- Did you have any luck?

- About the job?

- Yes and no.

- Tell me. I want to know.

- Are we dressing?

- You can be infuriating. Of course we are.

If only we could afford the things that

usually go along with dressing up.

Wasn't my idea. They always

dress up.

Better hurry and put the children

to bed. We haven't much time.

Richard,

will you tell me how things went at the

office today?

When you come down, yes.

Come along. Get in bed and say

your prayers.

I'll brush my teeth.

Come along, Susie. You too.

Concentrate.

Gentle Jesus...

Tale off your dress.

Good night, darling.

Good night, Mommy.

Mother, please leave the door open so

I can see the fire in the nursery.

Do you still need a nightlight, Paul?

At your age?

I believe you really want to see

Father Christmas.

Well, that's done.

They're really no trouble.

Not with me, anyway.

I don't see what Nanny complains about.

She's gone.

- What are you looking for, Paul?

- To see if Bassett's light is still on.

- Who's Bassett?

- A friend of mine.

We're overdrawn at the bank again.

Badly.

It's Christmas time.

The manager was unpleasant.

How unseasonable of him.

What are we going to do?

Nothing. Nothing we can do.

Unless you get a better job.

You haven't got one, have you?

Or are you still not talking about it?

Tell me, Hester -

what difference will another job make?

More money!

Isn't what I earn enough?

Not for both of us, no.

Not with the children, and

and this house.

I know it.

I try to make it go as far as possible.

I can't work miracles.

We've got to have more money.

We've got to have more money, and

that's all there is to it.

Richard, did you get the job?

I don't know yet. I think they

were favorably impressed.

That's wonderful! It will make

all the difference!

Think what we can do with

that extra money!

We'll redo the dining room first...

I want a lot of new clothes...

and you need a new coat. That black

thing looks terrible.

We should get Matilda's teeth fixed also.

We've only got a chance. Don't go mad.

I'm back, madam.

- Nanny, did you get your shopping done?

- Yes, madam.

- Are the children alright?

- Wonderful. No trouble at all.

They're asleep. Quiet as mice.

I'm glad they were no trouble.

Good night, madam. Thank you.

I don't know why you have such

trouble with them, Nanny.

What have you got?

Bills, bills, bills.

You monkeys! What's going on here?

In bed! Hurry, come on!

Have you said your prayers?

Have you really?

- Yes, Nanny.

- Have you?

- No.

- Do it at once. Off you go monkeys!

Darling, it's quite wonderful!

Oh, they're lovely!

Can we move the rocking horse upstairs?

I mean now, right away.

Darling, stop jumping up and down.

No you can't. Bassett can

bring it up later.

Mommy, why not now?

Bassett's in the kitchen finishing his

pudding. I saw him.

Please let me ask him. He will do

it for me.

Please, Mommy. Please!

Alright.

Ask him nicely!

There was talk about you at the club

yesterday evening, Richard.

It was said that you had been most

thoroughly converted...

Converted?

to that modest faith that

disconcertingly insists,

"It is more blessed to give than

to receive."

- How much did you lose?

- Not a great deal.

I'm delighted to hear it.

- Richard, you didn't!

- Gambling's a deplorable vice.

Personally. I adore it.

- Come on, Basset!

- Darling, must you do that now?

- Happy Christmas, Bassett!

- Thank you, thank you!

Good afternoon, sir.

Get him out - that's right.

- Can you manage?

- Yes, Ma'am.

Bring some more logs in when you're done.

I wish I had the energy to enjoy

Christmas.

- Or the complacency for that matter.

- What are you talking about?

Tell her, Richard.

It might have waited.

Richard, what have you done?

What's this all about?

Nothing original. I lost a lot of

money playing cards.

I gave a check. It has to be honored

the day after tomorrow.

I told you about the bank manager.

Remember, he was "unseasonable".

You fool! How could you!

Hester, this is not the time for

amateur dramatics.

Relax!

You too, Richard.

The check will be honored. I've seen

to that.

No one needs to know except ourselves

and the bank manger.

- Have you ridden him yet?

- Not properly.

- Get up on him now.

- Now?

Why not? Here - grab hold of these.

No, Master Paul. That won't do at all.

You'll have to go a great deal

faster than that!

This isn't an ordinary horse.

No - this is a champion.

You could ride halfway to the moon and

back on this horse if you knew how.

Here, let me show you.

You're riding too long.

We will take these leathers up. Now,

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