Under the Greenwood Tree Page #5

Just show your gratitude

in your behaviour towards him.

Sunday it is, Miss Day.

You will fill that old place with new music.

- Miss Day.

- Mr Dewy. You look very smart.

- How is your father?

- Mr Shinar has been most kind.

I don't know what would have happened

to my father without him.

I'm off to Budmouth to rustle up some

new business. No peace for an ambitious man.

Indeed.

So, Sunday is to be your coming out

on the harmonium, is it?

It is.

I trust that the ill-will towards Mr Maybold

and his plans to better the church has receded?

The turkeys won't cheer 'tis Christmas

if that's what you mean.

I hope it goes well. I'm only sorry I won't be there.

You won't be in church?

I have to see a man out at Longpuddle way

on new business.

It is the only day he can do.

- I thought you cared for me just a little.

- You know I do.

- I thought you were my friend.

- More than a friend, I'd hoped.

Well...

I shall go into the lion's den on my own.

Good day to you, Mr Dewy.

There'll be other occasions, Reuben.

But not in church.

It is what it were truly meant for.

Are you happy, Mary?

What sort of a question is that, Reuben Dewy?

I've never been an ambitious man, I know that.

You're all the man I've ever wanted.

He's a young man in love.

He says things he don't mean.

I've worked with the same carrier

for nigh on 20 years.

I'll not knock another man's work, sir.

'Tis not what I'm about.

If he says what he's going to do on time,

with good grace and a fine price...

Well, he has been a bit over-busy

this last year or so.

I've had to wait a few times for he to come free.

There's no waiting with Dewy and Sons, sir.

And that's a promise.

You came all this way on a Sunday

just to try for a bit of custom?

I did, sir.

I like a man with a bit of ambition about him.

(CHURCH BELL TOLLING)

Oh, you look beautiful.

Not too indecorous for church?

You do this old place the power of good, miss.

Not everyone would agree with you.

Mr Shinar would.

And Mr Maybold too, I suspect.

Susan, the things you say!

But it's true.

I've watched his eyes follow you

full of puppy love.

Stop it! I will not have Parson Maybold's name

taken in vain.

Sorry, miss.

The adoration of Miss Fancy Day.

(PLAYING ABIDE WITH ME)

[music] Abide with me

[music] Fast falls the eventide

[music] The darkness deepens

[music] Lord with me abide

[music] When other helpers

[music] Fail and comforts flee

[music] Help of the helpless

[music] Oh, abide with me [music]

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

What can I say? Beautiful.

Captivating.

You flatter me, sir.

I have sat in St Paul's Cathedral itself,

the sun was seeping through the stained glass

with a wonderful choir in full voice,

but never have I heard such music as played

by you today in our humble Dorset church.

Now I know you are teasing me, Mr Maybold.

You bewitch me, Miss Day.

Do I, Mr Maybold?

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

Excuse me, sir.

Mr Shinar.

You play a tasty melody, Fancy, and no mistake.

- Thank you, Mr Shinar.

- Mind if I come in?

- It is a damp day out here.

- Yes, of course.

I know I said I wouldn't press you, Fancy,

but seeing you play this morning...

Mr Maybold.

- I didn't see you there.

- Mr Shinar.

I just came to congratulate Miss Day

on her performance.

As did I.

Tea?

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

Excuse me.

Dick.

I just wondered how your playing went.

I was thinking of you all morning.

It went well, Dick, thank you.

I got us some new business.

Big farmer out over Longpuddle way.

That's excellent.

There's no limit to what can be achieved

for an ambitious man.

- And are you that ambitious man, Dick?

- I believe I am.

Though it took meeting you to make me see it.

It is a wet day and no mistake.

Forgive me, look at you standing there. You must

go home and change your things this minute.

It would be easier to come in

out of the rain, Fancy.

You can't.

You entertaining?

Yes. Yes.

Mr Maybold and Mr Shinar are taking tea with me.

I see.

Tea sounds very pleasant.

You can't come in looking like that, Dick.

What will they think?

'Tis water and mud. I'm sure they've seen both.

Go home and get yourself dry.

What are you doing, Dick Dewy?

- Is everything all right, Miss Day?

- Yes, thank you, Mr Maybold.

Just... I'll be there shortly.

Just the carrier's son all covered in muck.

And not fit to set before a parson and a rich man.

- Don't you dare make a scene here.

- I wouldn't dream of doing such a thing, Miss Day.

For a while I was blinded by your beauty,

but I now see you for what you are.

And what, pray, is that?

I would marry the lowliest maid in the county

if I loved her.

Nor money, nor learning, nor opinion of others

would force me from loving her.

- Dick, I...

- Goodbye, Miss Day.

I hope you find what you're looking for.

Come along. Hurry up here!

It is for this summer, not next.

(MAYBOLD EXCLAIMS HAPPILY)

Oh! It's beautiful, miss.

Wear it.

Me?

The very thought.

Why shouldn't you wear it?

You can't make a silk purse

out of a sow's ear, miss.

Nonsense, Susan. Put it on.

Think of all the dresses

you'll be able to afford next year, miss.

Whatever do you mean?

It is all over the village that Mr Shinar

will ask you to be his wife tonight.

And that you will say yes.

And does the village know

which dress I should wear?

- Ah. Parson Maybold.

- Fine evening, sir.

Miss Day. You came.

Of course I did, Mr Shinar.

Look at that.

I brought these fiddle players from Casterbridge.

No, leave it, Bessy.

It is a thing of curious beauty.

Blowed if I know what it do.

Go on. Tell him about the choir.

Some of the younger members have been talking

of not going quite so quietly, Reuben.

It is not for us to decide which way it goes.

I'll not have it said Mellstock choir

stood in the way of progress.

Father, it's a party, is it not?

- I believe that was the plan, son.

- Then we'll have dancing and singing of our own.

Let's strike up a tune, neighbours.

ALL:
Hooray!

May I have the honour of this dance, Miss Day?

The honour is all mine, Mr Shinar.

- May I have this dance, Anne?

- All I get is a hand, is it?

- A hand and a dance. It is all I have to give.

- For now.

(PLAYING LIVELY MUSIC)

ELIAS:
Wait for me!

You'll get hiccups, Mr Dewy.

Miss Day.

It's a lovely afternoon.

So I heard someone say.

So we'll not even be friends?

We could have been a lot more

if you'd had the courage.

Life is more complex than that.

Alas.

Not from where I stand.

No.

No, not from where you stand.

I must be getting back.

He's a very lucky man.

Good afternoon, Miss Day.

Goodbye, Dick.

Miss Day? Whatever is it?

I am such a miserable woman.

Oh! Now, you come to the kitchens, miss,

and we'll clean you up.

No.

No, there's something I have to do.

(DOOR OPENING)

Fancy? I hear you want to see me.

You asked me some time ago

if I would be your wife, Mr Shinar.

Just say the word, Fancy,

and you'll make me the happiest man

on this God's earth.

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