The Skin Game

---

Hello.

I say, I see they're cutting

down the trees in Longmeadow.

Are they? I say, Jill, I hardly

ever see you now. 'tis rotten.

Why are they cutting

down those trees?

Why... wants to build more cottages.

Wants every cottage he

can get for his workmen.

Always work.

They simply

spoil the place.

You going to take the same

attitude as your people?

What attitude?

Oh, this high and mighty

we've-owned-the-land- forever business.

It is rather snobbish,

you know.

Do you know your mother

hasn't even called our clan?

Mmm, I know.

I'm awfully sorry.

I know she ought

to call.

My brother Charlie

and she don't like it,

nor does my father,

I can tell you.

Mr. Hornblower never to have found

that land without those works.

Oh, that's rather

dog in the manger.

No. I like you,

but I don't like him,

and I don't like

his works.

You might realize that we've

been here since elizabeth

and rather naturally

love the place.

And can't bear to see

it being spoiled.

Well, you call it spoiling;

we call it progress.

My father's a very

clever man, you know.

He's just as human

as yours.

Since mother died, he's been

absolutely wrapped up in us.

All this getting on

is for us.

He thinks he's entitled to

a little influence here,

and you and the girls

try to stop him.

You ought to be just, Jill.

I am just,

and I want awfully

to be on good terms.

And...

he's so pushy.

You won't let it

come between us, will you?

I don't know.

I hate it, too,

but I don't know.

Oh, well, I must

be getting along.

Good-bye.

Good-bye.

See you soon, I hope.

Take them sheep out

of the road, will you?

Take them away!

Come down here, and I'll

tell you what I'll do to you

in about half...

I keep on telling you,

it's no good, sir.

I'm sorry,

but I want the cottages.

You'll have to clear out.

Mr. Hornblower, I'm sure mr. Hillcrist

would never have turned us out.

Oh,

mr. Hillcrist be damned.

Sir, mr. Hillcrist told us

when he sold the land to you

that it was on condition that we and

the others shouldn't be turned out.

Yes, well, I didn't think

I'd need the cottages then,

but now, I must have them

for my workmen.

I've got important

works, you know.

Well, look here now.

I don't want to be hard on you

I'll give you 5

to cover the whole thing.

We wouldn't

take 50.

Why, we've brought up 3

children here, and I've buried 2.

We're very attached

to it, you see, sir.

Yes, I... well,

look here, now.

I'll give you 10, eh?

Here, I'll send a wagon

to ship your things.

Here, here,

if that isn't fair, hmm?

Hmm?

Well, you better accept.

I shan't keep it open.

Won't take it.

Not a farthing.

Why, we come here

when we was married.

Well, I was

going to give you another week,

but now you'll go out

next saturday.

All right?

Now, take care

you're not late,

or your things will be

pulled out in the rain.

You're no gentleman.

Don't put temptation

in my way, that's all.

Yes, and you can tell your fine

friend Hillcrist what's happening

anyway, I'll soon

let him know.

Here's your hat.

We'll go right on up

and see the squire now.

When I sold Longmeadow and

the cottages to Hornblower,

it was on the distinct

understanding

that there was to be no

disturbance of tenancy.

He's no gentleman,

sir.

He put it so brisk.

We've been there 30 years.

So now we don't know

what to do.

I hope you'll excuse us

coming round, sir.

I should think so,

indeed.

I certainly would

never have sold

if I had known he was

going to do this.

They talk about his having

bought the centry, sir,

to put up

more chimneys there.

That's why he want

s the cottages.

Centry?

Impossible.

Yes, sir.

It's such a pretty spot.

It looks beautiful

from here.

Loveliest spot in all

deepwater, I always say.

And your father owned it

and his father before him.

I hope you're going to

stop it, sir.

It does put us about.

I said to Jackie,

mr. Hillcrist

will stand up for us,

I know.

You leave it to me, mrs. Jackman, will you?

Good morning.

Good morning,

Jackman.

Good morning, then

good morning, sir.

Good morning,

and thank you kindly.

Good morning.

Fellowes!

Is mrs. Hillcrist about,

fellowes?

She was in the garden

with mr. Dawker, sir,

but I think she's come in

since and gone in to the study.

Oh...

look, look, what a nice

coat he has.

Are you very busy

for a moment?

Is it anything

important?

All right, we'll leave the

question of showing for a moment.

I'll see you later

don't go, Dawker. This has

something to do with you.

The Jackmans have been turned out

of their cottage by Hornblower.

Oh!

You remember when I sold, I

stipulated they were not to be.

They've been there

I won't have it!

It's a breach of faith.

Do you suppose this Hornblower

would care 2 straws about that, Jack?

He must! When it's put to him

if he's any decent feeling.

He hadn't.

The Jackmans talk about

his having bought the centry

to put up more chimneys.

What?

Impossible.

It could ruin

the place utterly,

besides cutting us off

from the dukes.

Oh, no. Miss Mullins would

never sell behind our backs.

Well, I must see

that he...

I must stop his

turning these people out.

What do you think

about it, Dawker?

Smart man, Hornblower.

Never lets

the grass grow.

Smart!

Don't underrate

his ego, sir.

Cad,

I called him.

am.

That's right, ma'

with all

the advantages.

But miss Mullins would never sell

the centry, would she, Dawker?

I heard she wants to,

and Hornblower won't

stick at the price, sir.

What's

it worth, Dawker?

All depends what

you want it for, ma'am

he wants it

for spite.

We want it

for sentiment.

It's worth what

you'd like to get for it,

and he's a rich man.

You give me

your figure, sir.

I'll try the old lady

before he gets her.

Better let Dawker

make sure, Jack.

Jackman tells me this

Hornblower is coming to see me.

I'll put it to him.

Make him

all the keener, sir.

Better get in first.

Ape his methods?

Dawker. Go and see

miss Mullins now.

We leave it to you

to do the best you can.

Yes, ma'am.

Mr. Hornblower, sir.

Good morning.

Morning.

Morning.

A fine morning.

Lovely weather.

Haven't seen you for

a long time, Hillcrist.

Not since I sold you Longmeadow

and the cottages, I believe.

That's just what

I've come about.

Forgive me,

won't you sit down?

What have you got,

gout?

Oh,

that's unfortunate

I never get it.

I have no

disposition that way.

Had no ancestors,

you see.

Just me own drinking

to answer for.

You're lucky.

I wonder if mrs.

Hillcrist thinks that.

Am I lucky to have

no past, ma'am,

just the future?

You're quite sure you have

the future, mr. Hornblower?

Oh, yes, I've got

the future, all right.

I've had the Jackmans

here, mr. Hornblower.

Oh, man with the little

spitfire wife?

They're very excellent,

good people,

and they've lived quietly

in that cottage for 30 years.

Now you wanted me to

stir you up a bit.

You know, deepwater needs

a bit of gold put into it.

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