Under the Greenwood Tree Page #2

delighted to put down their fiddles

and join their wives and children in the pews.

Isn't that so, Mr Dewy?

You have no objection to the arrival

of a fine harmonium and Miss Day's playing of it?

Well, sir, the thing is,

not mincing up a man's words and all, but...

No, of course you don't.

You a man of music and all.

I'm sure Miss Day's playing

will make us known throughout the county.

When I've properly learnt to play it, sir.

Party.

I beg your pardon?

Party.

Er... what he's trying to say, sir,

is that you and Miss Day

would be most welcome

at our small Christmas celebration tonight.

Indeed, it would be an honour.

- Well, I...

- Thank you, Mr...

His name is Dick Dewy, miss.

I shall very much look forward to that, Mr Dewy.

Mr Maybold.

Miss.

(STAMMERING)

- As will I, Mr Dewy. Thank you.

- Sir.

Come in, Father. Come in. Sit by the fire.

Stop your fussing, Fancy. I'm fine. I'm fine.

I'm a man of the country, Fancy.

It's in my blood.

You wait until you're well again.

You and I both know that may never be.

Please don't talk like that.

Tell me about the party.

Mr Dewy has invited me

to his house tonight for some dancing.

Dewy? The carrier?

You should wait for a better offer

to make your first appearance in public.

A better offer?

Mellstock may only be a small place, Fancy,

and it's not what I wish for you.

I'm quite content.

How can you be?

You, an educated young woman,

ready to spread your wings,

stuck in a village school

to be near your ailing father.

But there are men of means

living in a place like this.

Mr Shinar, for instance.

Well, I believe Mr Shinar is going to the party.

Well, why didn't you say so, girl?

Mr Shinar is a man of considerable affluence.

You should be getting back, getting ready.

I've bought you a Christmas present.

The only present I want from you

is to see you married and married well.

There.

This could be my last Christmas.

Father.

But I won't go

until I see you embrace your destiny.

Fancy Day.

I promised your mother that

on her last day on earth.

You make me sound like some exotic butterfly.

That's exactly what you are.

You marry well, my child...

and let your father die a contented man.

(PLAYING LIVELY MUSIC)

ELIAS:
Wait for me!

- Elias!

- Oh, here he is.

- Miss Day.

- Mr Dewy.

I wondered if, in a manner of speaking,

I wondered if, perhaps later, if, perhaps...

I'd very much like to dance, Mr Dewy.

Your feet are more articulate

than your tongue, Mr Dewy.

I like to dance, Miss Day. 'Tis true.

It was unfortunate this morning in church.

I didn't intend to come here

and cause any trouble.

I'm sure we all know that.

So you'll still speak to me after the choir is gone?

I shall certainly consider it.

Some cider, sir?

Oh.

Thank you.

There's been a misunderstanding, sir.

About the choir and that thing

you are about to replace it with.

Change can be painful, I don't deny it.

But it is what I have decided

and let that be an end to it.

(ALL CHEERING AND CLAPPING)

May I get you some refreshment, Miss Day?

Some cordial, perhaps?

- What are you having, Mr Dewy?

- A drop of Father's best cider.

Then I shall have the same. Thank you.

A long way from the bright lights

of Exeter, Miss Day.

Yes.

They're simple people, but kind. And generous.

Well, I think we've put in an appearance,

which is the main thing.

- Shall I accompany you home, Miss Day?

- I...

- It's my dance, I believe, Miss Day.

- Mr Shinar.

I was just about to escort Miss Day home.

Nonsense. The night is young.

You get off, Maybold.

I'll escort the lady home.

I'd be happy to walk Miss Day home.

I said I'd do it, young Dewy, and I shall.

Come, Miss Day, and do try not to step on my feet.

Waste not, want not.

SHINAR:
So the farm next door to ours

came up for sale and I bought it.

Oh, everyone said I was mad to do it,

but I borrowed every last penny I could.

Then, two years later,

I bought the farm on t'other side.

They don't call me mad no more.

Leastways, not to my face.

You're obviously very good at business.

I am. If there's a man between

Melchester and Casterbridge

who can better me in business,

I've yet to meet him.

It's filled my every waking

and sleeping hour, Miss Day.

Thank you for walking me home, Mr Shinar.

I have everything a man could want.

A big house. The best food and wine.

More money than I can shake a stick at.

But there's a price you pay

for filling your days with business.

What's that, Mr Shinar?

A lack of wife.

Companionship. Children.

Some laughter in a big, old, empty house.

Go in, Miss Day, before you catch cold.

Forgive my ramblings.

- Good night, Mr Shinar.

- Good night...

Miss Day.

MAYBOLD:
One and two and three and four.

One and two and three and four.

And one and two and three and four and...

No, Miss Day. Follow the music as written.

I shall never be good enough to play in church.

Nonsense. You merely need

more discipline and less emotion.

You must feel the structure of the music.

Please.

One and two and three and four.

(CLEARING THROAT)

Place your hands on mine, Miss Day.

(PLAYING RIGIDLY)

Feel the structure. Beautiful structure.

Bellissima! Musica bellissima!

Bravo, Signorina Giorno.

I have been starved of good company, Miss Day.

You are an oasis in the desert.

- Thank you, Mr Maybold.

- Have you ever travelled, Miss Day?

No, no, not yet. But I shall.

I hope one day you get the chance.

I have only dipped my toe

in the water myself but...

I have visited France.

- You've been to France?

- I've been to France.

Est-ce que vous savez

jouer d'un instrument de musique?

Oui. Je joue l'harmonium.

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

Excuse me.

We've come to see you, sir,

man and man and no offence, I hope.

No, none at all.

I must get home.

You remember you're fetching my furniture

from my father's, Mr Dewy?

I hadn't forgotten, Miss Day.

- Mr Maybold.

- Miss Day.

What can I do for you, choir?

What we were thinking was

the choir ought to be given a bit more time,

and not be done away with until next Christmas.

Next Christmas?

If we fell glorious, with a bit of a flourish,

we would have a respectable end

and not dwindle away at some...

nameless, paltry,

second-Sunday-after such and such.

(DOG WHINING)

When we introduce the harmonium

into the church,

it will not be that fiddles were bad,

but that a harmonium was better.

- Next Christmas, then?

- No, no. That's far too late for me.

You will have a few weeks' grace before Miss Day

is ready and then the change will be made.

And that is an end to the matter.

Come on, boy.

SHINAR:
I'll lead you myself!

They ran, they ran there!

You should have seen their faces!

(LAUGHING HEARTILY)

You know my father, Geoffrey Day.

Welcome, Mr Dewy. Forgive me if I don't get up.

Mr Dewy, as I live and breathe.

Mr Shinar.

Well, sit down, sit down, Dick. I'll get you a plate.

Superb piece of lamb, Mr Shinar.

Very kind of you to share it with us.

One sheep less, Mr Day,

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