The Winslow Boy Page #8

Doesn't it say, " Let right be done"?

Then we must endeavour to see

that it is.

I've got The Beacon.

I've got the news!

Read the latest about the Winslow boy

right here in these pages!

Read it here!

-Here it is. Thank you.

-Thank you.

Latest on the Winslow boy!

You're thinner.

I like your new suit.

Off the peg at

three-and-a-half guineas.

Does that go on all the time outside?

-We're waiting for the verdict.

-Where's Cate?

Cate takes the morning session.

I go in the afternoon.

How's it all going?

I don't know.

I've been there all four days now

and hardly understood a word.

Will there be room for me?

Oh, yes. They reserve places

for the family.

How'd Ronnie get on

in the witness box?

Two days he was cross-examined.

Two whole days. Imagine!

Poor little pet.

He didn't seem to mind. He said

two days with the attorney general...

...wasn't as bad as two minutes

with Sir Robert.

Cate said he made a good impression.

How is Cate?

All right. You heard about John,

I suppose.

That's what I meant.

How has she taken it?

You can never tell. She never lets

you know what she's feeling.

We all think he behaved very badly.

Your father's on the terrace.

How are you, Dickie?

Very well, thank you, Father.

Mr. Lamb tells me you've joined

the Territorials.

I'm sorry, what?

Mr. Lamb tells me that you've enlisted

in the Territorials.

Why have you done that?

There's a chance of a scrap soon.

If there is, I want to get in on it.

If there is a "scrap," you'll do

far better to stay at the bank.

Too much conflict at the bank.

-Is that how it seems to you?

-Yes, makes the blood run cold.

How's Catherine?

She's late. She was in

at half-past yesterday.

Perhaps they're taking

the lunch interval later.

Lunch interval? This isn't

a cricket match, Grace.

Nor, may I say,

is it a matinee at the Gaiety.

Why are you wearing

that unsuitable getup?

Don't you like it, dear?

It's Madame Dupont's best.

Grace, your son is facing a charge

of theft and forgery.

It's so difficult. I can't wear

the same old dress day after day.

It's repetitious and depressing.

I'll tell you what.

I'll wear my black coat and skirt

tomorrow for the verdict.

Yes, that's what I'll do.

I'll wear it for the verdict.

-Did you say my lunch was ready?

-Yes, dear.

It's only cold. I made the salad

myself. Violet is at the trial.

Violet? She was under sentence

the last time I saw you.

We don't have

the courage to tell her.

-I have the courage.

-Funny that you don't, then.

See how these taunts of cowardice are

daily flung at my head?

Should I take them up?

I'm forbidden to move.

Such is the logic of women.

Will you take him away

after the verdict?

-He promised to go to a nursing home.

-Will he?

-How should I know?

-If he loses now, he's lost for good.

I can only hope that it's true.

Lord, the heat!

Mother, can't you get rid of

those reporters? Hello, Dickie.

-Hello.

-Come to be in at the death?

-Is that what it'll be?

-Looks like it.

-You're late, Catherine.

-I know. I'm sorry.

There was such a huge crowd.

I have to go and change.

A bigger crowd than yesterday?

Yes, Mother, far bigger.

So how did it go this morning?

Sir Robert finished his

cross-examination of the postmistress.

I thought he'd demolished her

completely.

She couldn't identify

Ronnie in the commander's office.

She couldn't be sure

of the time he came in.

She admitted being called to the phone

while he bought his postal order...

...and that all cadets looked

alike to her in their uniforms...

...so it might have been another

cadet who cashed the 5 shillings.

A brilliant cross-examination.

He didn't frighten her or bully her.

He simply coaxed her into tying

herself into knots.

Then the attorney general asked her

again whether she was positive...

...that the same boy that bought

the 1 5-and-6 postal order...

...also cashed the five-shilling one.

She said she was quite sure because

Ronnie was such a good-looking boy...

...that she'd specially noticed him.

She hadn't said that

in her examination-in-chief.

Ronnie, good-looking?

What utter rot.

If he was so good-looking why couldn't

she identify him the same evening?

Ask the attorney general. I'm sure he

has a beautifully reasonable answer.

Who else gave evidence

for the other side?

The commander...

...the chief petty officer

and a boy at the college.

-Anything damaging?

-Nothing that we didn't expect.

Did you see anyone interesting

in court?

Yes, Mother. John Watherstone.

John? You didn't speak to him,

I hope.

-Yes, of course I did.

-You didn't!

-What did he say?

-He wished us luck.

What impertinence.

Is that what it is?

I wonder if Violet will remember

to get onions.

I better get them myself

on the way back.

Yes, get them on the way back.

I'm so sorry, dear.

What for, Mother?

John. Being such a bad hat.

I never did like him very much.

No, I know.

You're looking well.

A trifle thinner, perhaps.

Hard work, Father.

-Or late hours?

-You can't keep late hours in Reading.

You could keep late hours anywhere.

I had quite a good report about you

from Mr. Lamb at the bank.

Good old Mr. Lamb.

I took him racing last Saturday.

Had the time of his life

and lost his shirt.

Did he? Did he, indeed?

Now, Dickie, when we get

to the front door...

...put your head down

and charge through them all.

Why don't you go through

the garden?

I can't risk this hat

going through the roses.

I always say, " I'm the maid

and I don't know nothing."

So don't be surprised.

Right-o, Mother.

Are we going to lose this case?

How's Sir Robert?

The papers said he told the judge

he felt ill...

...and might ask for an adjournment.

I trust he won't collapse.

He won't. It was another of those

brilliant tricks he boasts about.

It got him the sympathy of the court

and possibly....

No, I won't say that.

Say it.

Possibly provided him with an excuse

if he's beaten.

I see.

Come in, Desmond.

I trust you do not object to me

employing this furtive entry...

...but the crowds in front

are most alarming.

-Most alarming.

-Why have you left court?

My partner will be holding the fort.

He's perfectly competent.

I'm glad to hear it.

I wondered if I might see

Catherine alone.

I have a matter of some urgency

to communicate to her.

Do you wish to hear

this urgent matter, Cate?

Yes, Father.

I have to be back in court.

Perhaps you would give me

a moment of your time.

Yes, of course, Desmond.

It occurred to me during the lunch

recess that I had better see you today.

Yes?

I have a question to put

to you which...

...if I had postponed

until after the verdict...

...you might have thought had been

prompted by pity if we'd lost...

...or if we'd won, your reply might

have been influenced by gratitude.

And that, of course, wouldn't do.

Do you follow me, Cate?

Yes, Desmond. I think I do.

Then perhaps you have some inkling

of what the question is?

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