The Winslow Boy Page #4

-On the whole, it was pretty fair.

-Good.

I'm glad you seem to be

settling down so well.

Yes, thank you, Father.

Do you know how long the train took?

1 23 miles in 2 hours and 52 minutes.

That's an average of 46.73 miles

an hour. I worked it out.

You worked it out well. You

better change for the photographer.

-Violet's out.

-Tell her I'm back?

Yes. Now you need to go and change.

I found a new citation

in the law library.

-Ronnie's back.

-What?

I said, Ronnie's back.

New frock?

Bless you, I've turned the cuffs.

-Turned the cuffs?

-What?

No, I said I like the frock.

-Like it?

-Yes, I do.

I hope John likes it.

What are you reading?

Admiralty law. New citation:

" Cadet's right to a first hearing."

Did John telephone?

Things are all right between you?

-Of course, everything's perfect.

-Good, good.

Couldn't be better.

Good.

Are we both mad, you and l?

Tell me.

Should we drop the whole thing?

I don't consider that

a serious question.

You realize your marriage

settlement will have to go?

Of course. I gave that up

for lost weeks ago.

It won't make any difference?

Good heavens, no.

All right.

Let us pin our faith

on the appearance of a champion.

You know what I think of Robert Morton.

Don't let's go into that again.

I want the best.

The best in this case is not Morton.

-Why does everyone say he is?

-Why does everyone vote for slavery?

He's the best if one happens to be a

large monopoly attacking a trade union.

Then he's your lad.

Yes, indeed he is.

-Did Mr. Watherstone telephone?

-I just stepped out.

To the best of my knowledge,

no one's phoned.

If his heart isn't in it,

he won't accept the brief.

He might. It depends

what's in it for him.

Luckily, there isn't much.

There's a substantial check.

He doesn't want money.

He must be very rich.

-What does he want?

-To advance his interests.

You're prejudiced because he

spoke against women's suffrage.

Is that a prejudice or a position?

You tell me.

It's a position. He's always

speaking against what is right.

Mr. Curry, miss.

Mr. Curry.

Hello, Desmond. Yes.

What? Wait.

What? Violet, did we receive

a letter from Mr. Curry?

Yes, I just--

Now? Yes, right.

Thank you. Yes.

What is it, my dear?

Violet, hail us a cab.

-Where's Ronnie?

-In the park.

We'll go without him. Desmond got

us an appointment with Sir Robert.

When?

Half an hour ago.

-We only have a few moments.

-We didn't get your note.

He has a most important

dinner engagement, sir.

Where's the boy?

He'll be along with my wife soon.

-He can only spare us very few moments.

-We're conscious of it.

You'd better go on ahead.

Explain why we're late.

Make our apologies. Go now.

It's straight through that doorway,

up the stairs and to your left.

Miss Catherine Winslow.

The Winslow case.

-We understood that--

-They're coming.

They're coming?

We didn't hear

of the appointment until--

Miss Catherine Winslow.

I beg your pardon.

I suppose you know the history

of this case, Sir Robert?

I believe I've seen most of

the relevant documents.

Yes, excellent.

Do you think we can bring the case

into court by a collusive action?

I really have no idea.

Curry and Curry seem to think

that might hold.

Do they? They are a very

reliable firm.

Robert Morton.

Catherine Winslow.

Mr. Michaels, if I could

have your attention.

Yes, sir.

You don't mind if l...?

What's more absurd than your asking

permission to smoke in your office?

-It's just the custom.

-I indulge, myself.

Indeed?

Some find that shocking.

Amazing how little it takes

to offend the world.

No, thank you.

My father and brother will be here.

What time are you dining?

Eight o'clock.

Far from here?

Devonshire House.

Then you mustn't be late.

I'm rather surprised that a case

of this sort should interest you.

Are you?

It seems such a trivial affair compared

to your great forensic triumphs.

I was in court when you prosecuted

the Trades Union Embezzlement case.

Really?

Magnificently done.

Thank you.

You heard that he committed

suicide a few months ago?

Yes, I had heard.

Many people believed

him innocent, you know.

So I understand. As it happens,

however, he was guilty.

Sir Robert, I am so sorry

to keep you waiting.

I'm so sorry.

We didn't get your note--

-Perfectly all right.

-Sir Robert is due at Devonshire House.

I know that you're pressed

for time, sir.

My son will be along at any moment.

I assume you'll want to examine him.

Just a few questions.

That is all I will have time for.

I'm sorry to hear it.

My son journeyed from school

hoping to be interviewed.

And I hoped, by the end of it...

...l should know definitely whether

you'd accept the brief.

You, of course, understand my anxiety?

Perhaps Sir Robert would consent to

finish his examination some other time.

It might be arranged.

Tomorrow?

Tomorrow is impossible. I'm in court

and in the House of Commons all day.

I see.

Curry says it's possible to

proceed by Petition of Right.

-Would you mind if I sat down, sir?

-Please.

What's a Petition of Right?

The assumption that the Admiralty,

as the Crown, can do no wrong--

That was the assumption

we refused to grant.

In law, I mean.

A subject can sue the Crown,

nevertheless, by Petition of Right.

Petition of Right, yes.

Redress being granted

as a matter of grace.

And the custom is for the attorney

general, on behalf of the Crown...

...to endorse the petition, allowing

the case to come to court.

It is interesting to note the exact

words he uses on such occasions are:

" Let right be done."

" Let right be done."

I like that phrase, sir.

It has a certain ring about it,

has it not?

" Let right be done."

This is Sir Robert. That's my wife.

This is Ronnie.

Sir Robert will ask you a few

questions, answer truthfully as always.

-I expect you'd like us to leave.

-No.

Provided, of course, you

don't interrupt.

Would you sit down, please?

Sorry we're late.

That's all right.

Nothing's happened at all.

Will you stand here facing me?

That's right.

Now, Ronald, how old are you?

Fourteen and two months.

You were then 1 3 and 1 0 months

old when you left Osbourne?

-Is that right?

-Yes, sir.

I would like to cast your mind back

to December 7th of last year.

Tell me in your own words exactly

what happened to you on that day.

It was half-holiday, so we didn't

have any work after dinner.

-Dinner at 1 :
00?

-Yes, at least until prep at 7:00.

Prep at 7:
00.

Just before dinner, I went to

the chief petty officer...

...and asked him for 1 5 and 6 out

of what I had in the school bank.

Why?

-I wanted to buy an air pistol.

-Which cost 1 5 and 6?

Yes, sir.

How much did you

have in the school bank?

-Two pounds, three shillings.

-What incentive could he--?

I must ask you to be good enough

not to interrupt me, sir.

After you had withdrawn the 1 5 and 6,

what did you do?

I had dinner.

Then what?

I went to the locker room and

put my money in my locker.

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