The Winslow Boy

How do you do, sir?

-Lovely sermon this morning.

-How are you today?

Come on, Father.

He's a good man.

Sorry, Arthur?

Good man, good sermon.

Pharaoh's dream of the King of Egypt.

Seven fat years, seven lean years.

Good sermon.

-Exceptional sermon.

-I couldn't hear him.

-Can one be good and inaudible?

-A problem in ethics for you, Father.

-Not everything is ethics.

-And the seven fat cows...

...were devoured by the seven

lean and hungry cows.

I feel like those lean

and hungry cows.

My point precisely.

Lunch in about an hour, sir.

My, it's going to rain.

I could've told you that.

I feel it in my leg.

-Would you mind the gramophone?

-The centre of a well-regulated home.

It helps me concentrate.

Concentrate on what, pray? Catherine?

It's all right, Father.

-I wanted to see about--

-To study.

-To study.

-What did you say?

I said the gramophone, the music of

the gramophone helps me to study.

Study is not what you were involved

in when I came downstairs last night.

-Your friend and you.

-Edwina, Father.

Edwina had just stopped by to--

She stopped by on the way

from Graham's for a book.

And you are involved with her

in what? A sort of what?

Reading club?

I must say I believe I have a right

to a certain measure of autonomy.

Sorry, what were we discussing?

Edwina.

What a fast and flighty little--

I'm sorry. You're keen on her.

You would've had ample proof, Grace...

...if you'd seen their

attitude last night.

-We were practising the bunny hug.

-The what, dear?

-Is that what it's called?

-A new dance.

It's like the turkey trot,

only more dignified.

Good sermon, miss?

Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams.

More like the fox trot.

Fox trot or the kangaroo glide.

Whichever animal is responsible...

...for the posture I found you

and your friend in last night--

Or to make an end...

...l doubt...

...l doubt the gramophone aids you

in what you call your studies.

-I see. It all comes clear to me.

-Yes, it's raining.

May I see it?

It's not about the gramophone.

It's about Ronnie.

I wouldn't have thought it of you.

I certainly would not.

And at this festive season.

At this festive season, to throw

it up to me, to bring that up again.

-Nobody's bringing that up.

-They are.

Ronnie got into Osbourne, as I did not.

Why? As he applies himself.

And Ronnie--

Dickie, do you have a coin

to give the fellow?

No, sir, I have not.

And if I may, I'm going to my room.

I might suggest you take

that gramophone with you.

May I ask why?

Because it's out of place

in a civilized home.

We'll take up the matter after lunch.

I know.

I don't think I've ever

seen a nicer setting.

Yes, it was. Isn't it lovely?

Pelting down out there.

What, dear?

It's raining.

What are you reading?

Len Rogers' memoirs.

-Who was Len Rogers?

-He was a trades union leader.

Was he a radical?

Yes, I'd say so.

Does John know of your

political beliefs?

-And he still wants to marry you?

-Seems to.

I've asked John to come early for lunch.

-What?

-He's coming early for lunch.

You won't forbid the match, will you?

lf you do, I shall elope.

Never fear...

...l'm too delighted at the prospect

of getting you off our hands at last.

Does Desmond know, by the way?

I'm not sure I like that "at last."

Have you told Desmond yet?

Do you love him?

John? Yes, I do.

Do you? You don't behave

as if you're in love.

How does one behave

as if one is in love?

One doesn't read

The Social Evil and the Social Good.

One reads Lord Byron.

Is that so? I see.

I don't think you modern girls

have the feelings our generation did.

Very well. I love John in every

way a woman can love a man.

Does that satisfy you?

My, look at the rain.

I thought I saw someone in the garden.

Where?

Over there. Do you see?

Whoever it is

is getting terribly wet.

-Is that John?

-Sounded like it.

Quick, into the drawing room.

All right. Good. Here we go.

You forgot your bag.

What on earth's going on?

We'll leave you with John.

When finished, cough or something.

What do you mean, "or something"?

Knock three times with your stick,

and then we'll come in.

You don't think it'll look

a trifle coincidental?

Mr. Watherstone.

-How are you?

-Hello, sir.

Have you got a coin?

Here.

Thank Mr. Simms for

delivering on a Sunday, will you?

Glad you could come.

I see you have your tree.

Fellow just put it up for us.

-How are you, sir?

-Oh, fine.

This arthritis is troubling me a bit.

Catherine told me it was better.

Yes. It was better.

Now it's worse.

I understand you wish

to marry my daughter.

Yes, sir.

That is, I proposed to her

and she's accepted me.

I see.

I trust that your second statement

wasn't a denial of your first.

-You do really wish to marry her?

-Yes, of course, sir.

Why "of course"? There are plenty

who don't wish to marry her.

"Of course," because I proposed.

That too doesn't necessarily follow.

However, we don't need to quibble.

We'll take the sentimental

side for granted.

As to the practical side, I hope you

won't mind some personal questions.

No, sir. It's your duty.

Quite so.

Your income. Are you able

to live on it?

No, I'm in the regular army.

But my pay is supplemented

by an allowance.

So I understand.

-Your pay would be about L24 a month?

-That's right.

Your total income with your

subaltern's pay...

...plus the allowance from your father

would be about L420 a year?

Again, exactly the figure.

It seems perfectly satisfactory.

I needn't delay my congratulations.

Thank you, sir.

-Do you smoke?

-I do.

I propose to settle on my daughter

one-sixth of my total capital.

Which, to the final fraction, is

L833, six shillings and eight pence.

But let's deal in round figures,

shall we, and call it L850.

I call that very generous, sir.

It's not as generous as I'd have

liked, but if it seems agreeable...

...l don't think we have

any more to discuss.

-No, sir.

-Splendid.

Pretty rotten weather, isn't it, sir?

Yes, vile.

Cigarette?

No, thank you, sir.

I'm still smoking.

Well?

Well, what?

How was your little chat?

You weren't supposed to know

we were having a chat.

You're infuriating.

Is everything all right, John?

-I'm glad. I really am.

-Thank you, Mrs. Winslow.

-Can I kiss you?

-Yes.

Well, I'm practically your mother now.

I'm practically your father,

but if you'll forgive me....

He's gone and left

the garden gate open.

Could someone close

the garden gate for us?

I don't suppose you'd mind

if we left you alone?

I think we might allow ourselves

a modest celebration at lunch.

Would you get me the cellar key?

Violet, would you have someone

see to the gate, please?

Was it an ordeal?

-Scared to death.

-My poor darling.

I had a lot of neatly turned phrases,

but he wouldn't let me use them.

-I'm sure they were good.

-I thought they were.

Want to do your speech for me?

Love to. What is it?

Ronnie, what is it?

Where did Father go? ls he gone?

I'll go and get him.

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