The Rocking Horse Winner Page #3

What do you think?

I don't know anything about it.

Have a guess. You might be lucky!

I am lucky. I know I am!

I think you are! Good old boy!

What's it to be? Overseer or Safety Pin?

Don't say anything.

I'm imagining it.

Safety Pin.

Safety Pin it is then.

Now, we'll just hop down the road and

place my bet.

- I won't be gone long.

- Bassett -

- Yes, Master Paul?

- Lend me 5 shillings.

What do you want 5 shillings for?

I'll give it back next time I open

my money box.

- Will you?

- Well, I might...

- if you don't mind telling me...

- Put it on Safety Pin for me.

Will you, Bassett?

Look here, Master Paul...

I want to bet like you do.

I know I'm lucky! I want to prove it!

Please, please!

Alright then.

Only this once now.

Can't be any harm just this once.

But don't tell a soul, understand?

"See this wet, See this dry,

Cross my heart if I tell a lie"

"See this wet,

See this dry,

Cross my heart if I tell a lie"

Five it is then - on Safety Pin.

- To win?

- To win.

Good old boy!

Writs, Hester, writs!

How do you suppose to pay them?

A lost job Richard,

how will you get another?

I lied to get you that one.

Now comes this appalling news

from old Webb.

I've checked on it.

Let me tell you this:

you two have made such a mess,

it will be a miracle if the estate isn't

declared bankrupt.

Bankruptcy.

You have children, and something must

be done at once if only for them.

There it is - the facts.

Now, we only need to know one thing:

what are you going to do about it?

What exactly are you going to do?

Thank you, Oscar.

There's so much to thank you for.

Richard's done his best, but what can

I do?

How does one thank an elder brother

for being brotherly?

Or thank a trustee for being

a trustee?

After all, you've loaned us nothing

more than we must have.

Should we thank you for making

conditions, Oscar?

We do what you say because we must.

We will cut down and scrimp and save,

and do all the boring things you say,

but I don't think we can thank

you for it.

But I'll tell one thing we can thank

you for:

your unbearable superiority.

That made the necessity of begging

from you much easier.

You see Oscar, there's so much to

thank you for.

She doesn't mean that, Oscar.

Of course, she means it.

I'm delighted she does.

I would.

Go away, Oscar.

Good night, Hester.

This is the last time I'll lend you

money. Make the most of it.

Never, never again.

I'm not your private bank.

After this, there are no more funds.

Better go to work, my dear.

You may do better than Richard.

What can I do?

Heaven knows!

You have a talent for spending money

and that's about all.

- There must be something you can do.

- Goodbye, Oscar. Thanks again.

Safety Pin...what do you expect?

That's a stupid name for a horse anyhow.

Let this be a lesson to you:

keep away from the horses

and you can grow up to be a

happy man.

I lost the 5 shillings?

That's right.

- Uncle Oscar, can you lend me some money?

- Lend you some...

What do you want with money?

- I'd rather not say.

- Suppose I'd rather not lend?

It's a secret. You're lucky Uncle Oscar.

Something tells me your mother told

you that.

It isn't true, Paul.

However, here you are.

Don't spend it all at once.

Thanks, I do think you're lucky.

Goodnight, Paul.

- Goodnight, Bassett.

- Goodnight, sir.

This for me?

No!

What do you want me to do?

Bet another loser for you?

We might get a winner this time!

No you don't.

Remember, I said just the one time.

But Uncle Oscar's lucky!

I know he is!

You will bet it for me. I want you to.

I will, will I?

If it's not asking too much,

what will I bet it on?

I don't know yet.

Goodnight, Bassett.

- Do you want me, Nanny?

- If I could have a word with you.

What is it, Nanny.

- Good evening, sir.

-Good evening, Nanny.

It's Master Paul. I don't know what

to make of him.

What do you mean?

He's frightening his sisters to death.

How, Nanny?

It's the rocking horse. He's always

on it.

- That's not frightening.

- No, madam.

It's the way he rides it.

In a sort of frenzy.

It's very unnatural. Sort of unhealthy.

I don't like it, madam. He's

getting beyond me.

- I don't know what to do with him.

- Alright, I'll come up.

- Coming, Oscar.

- Yes.

Sounds fascinating.

It's no laughing matter.

Just you wait and see.

Now! Now take me where there's luck!

Well, I got there.

Where?

Where I wanted to go.

You're right, Paul. Never stop

until you get there.

You are up too late.

- What's his name?

- He hasn't got a name.

That's alright I suppose.

He has different names. Last week

he was called Sanderino.

Sanderino won at Ascot.

- How did you know?

- He talks about racing with Bassett.

Bassett should have told me.

- Come along. darling.

- What a shame.

That promised to be the most adult

conversation I've had in a long time.

- Good night.

- Good night, darling.

You shouldn't ride that silly horse

so much.

It worries Nanny and frightens

your sisters.

Good night, Uncle.

Good night, Mommy.

Don't encourage him. Nannie's right;

he's getting difficult.

He's alright. Fancy him knowing

about Sanderino.

He's such a strange boy.

I can't seem to get close to him.

Did you see him on that horse?

I'm not surprised that Nannie's upset.

- There's never getting cross with him.

- Isn't it time he was out of the nursery?

Give him a room of his own.

It may help.

- Are you encouraging me to spend money?

- You don't need encouragement.

It doesn't have to cost a penny

if you go about it the right way.

A room of his own?

He could have the old box room.

Its' attractive up there.

Since I'm staying the night,

how would you like for me to take him

to the country tomorrow?

He needs a change.

That's a wonderful idea. I must be

away from home tomorrow.

Well, you see, sir...

he comes and asks me, and

I feel I should tell him.

Has he asked you to put money

on a horse?

I wouldn't like to give him away.

He's a good sport and gets a

lot of fun out of it.

I wish you'd ask him yourself.

All ready, Uncle Oscar!

That's right. Throw it in the back.

Jump in.

It's a lovely day. We mustn't miss

a minute of it.

Paul, tell me something:

Do you ever bet?

I leave that to Bassett.

- I just get the winner.

- Do you?

Do you have the winner for this

afternoon?

At Goodwood.

- Really?

- Really.

Well then,

Daffodil!

Not much known about it.

Uncle,

you won't tell anyone, will you?

I promised Bassett.

- What's Bassett to do with it?

- We're pardners.

I promised it was only between

me and him.

- You won't tell anyone?

- I'll keep it to myself.

Daffodil.

How much is Bassett betting?

All except 20 pounds.

We keep that in reserve.

20 pounds in reserve?

How much is he betting?

It's just between you and me, isn't it?

It's between you and me,

don't you worry.

Just where is this 300?

Bassett keeps it. We're pardners.

300?

Pounds or pennies?

Pounds, I think.

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