01x13 - Episode 13

[bunniefuu]

MAN: Rise.

[People standing]

[Organ playing]

Look ahead to a life
worth living

Full of hope, full of faith,
full of cheer

To a life that
is made for giving

Without stint,
without shame, without fear

Look ahead
to the One who leads us

To the Lord
who guides our ways

We shall follow,
follow, follow

We shall follow Him
all our days

Captioning made possible by
Acorn Media

[People singing]

For His mercies,
they endure

Ever faithful, ever sure

I would like
to draw your attention

to some coming events.

The Christmas production will be
"The Pirates of Penzance."

And Mr. Finchel would like to
hear from all aspiring pirates,

young ladies,
scene shifters,

and scene painters
without delay.

Mr. Molyneux
is preparing the program

for the junior
and senior concerts,

and Mr. Griffiths
is taking entries

for the 7 a side
knockout tournament.

It will not be easy for us

to surpass our magnificent
efforts of last year,

but I am sure that we will all
surprise ourselves again.

Thank you.

School.

MAN: Two negatives in English
destroy one another,

or are equivalent
to an affirmative,

as one might say,

"Nor were they
unacquainted with..."

MAN: Ah, Crispin.

DAVID:
Stealing sweets?

Are you sure
it was deliberate?

Oh, yes, the shopkeeper
caught him red-handed.

I took the liberty
of compensating him

and smoothing him down.

I don't think he really
wanted to make trouble.

It's the boy
I'm concerned about.

Crispin never struck me
as being the criminal type.

No, nor me.

Couldn't get a word of
explanation out of him.

Would you like me
to talk to him?

Oh, no, P.J.
I'll keep an eye on him.

Just felt
you ought to know.

[Howarth coughing]

Good morning.

Ah, good morning to you,
Mrs. Powlett-Jones.

You're looking
remarkably well.

Chris. You promised
to call me Chris.

My apologies.

I do try,
I assure you.

I think it must be
the awe I experience

before my headmaster
that prevents me.

You must try
to be patient.

David, the Gilbert
and Sullivan.

I was wondering,
could I help?

Oh, yes,
of course, Chris.

I didn't like to ask.

There's masses
of work to be done,

with the costumes
and makeup.

Costumes and makeup?

David, you know I can
hardly sew on a button.

Couldn't I help
with the production

or the stage management?

Well, I'm afraid that's
a bit politically difficult.

You see, old Algy Herries

likes to be asked
over to do that,

and the brunt of the work
falls onto Molyneux.

And between them both,

they've become a bit
possessive about it.

Oh. Well, it was just
a passing fancy.

I could do them a party
for the first night.

Yes, splendid.
Good idea.

Fine. Well, I won't
keep you, then.

I've got some shopping
in the village.

Oh, Chris?

Yes?

I was going to ask
if I might

call round for
a chat one morning?

A little problem
I think

you might be able
to help me with.

Yes, of course.

I'm free tomorrow
at 11:00.

Fine. I'll look
forward to it.

Thank you.

That was kind of you,
Howarth.

Kind of me?

Yes, I...
I think she did feel

a bit cut off
from everything at first.

Naturally enough,
I suppose.

But she's through
all that now.

And expecting the baby,
well, that's given her

a kind of focus that
she didn't have before.

Bamfylde's a strange place.

It seems to help people
get things into perspective.

David, I hope
you've known me

too long
to take offense.

At what?

Bamfylde worked
wonders for you

when you first came here

and after
Beth's accident,

but as a patent remedy,

it's not universally
effective.

Difficult sometimes
for those of us

who love the place
to admit to ourselves

that just a few
of the boys

and, dare I say it,
the masters

see their years here

as an exercise in
the endurance of misery.

Hmm?

I hope
you're not implying

that Chris feels
that way about it.

Oh, no, of course.

Because if you are,

and I'm sure
it's very kindly meant,

but you're completely wrong.

Oh, she's fitted in
more completely

than I could have
thought possible.

Well, you could see for
yourself how happy she is.

[Tapping pipe]

Anyway, um, how are you?

Oh, as well as
can be expected.

The quacks profess
themselves satisfied.

But I should advise you
not to include me

in any long-term plans.

That's in strict
confidence, of course.

Oh, don't make faces
at me, man.

I'm perfectly content
with my lot.

And if you could
possibly avoid

any expression
of sympathy,

I should be
inordinately grateful.

Yes, of course.

Thank you.

[Class bell rings]

Well, young Bennington
will be waiting

to read
his latest essay to me.

I do hope the dear chap
pulls off

his Cambridge
scholarship this term.

I don't think I could
stand many more

of his brilliant
insights.

Much more comfortable

not understanding
what makes people tick

when you're as old
as lam.

Crispin, what are
you doing here?

Private
study period, sir.

I trust you haven't
been ostracized?

Your fellow savages
in Lower 4

haven't sent you
to Coventry?

Hmm?

No.

Good.

Well, solitude is greatly
underrated, I agree.

I, too, find
my fellow human beings

very hard to bear
at times.

Sir.

Crispin,
that sweet shop business.

It's all over now.

Put it at the back
of your mind.

I know it won't
happen again,

and you can rely on me
to forget it.

One good thing about
old codgers like me:

we have
very bad memories.

You follow?

Yes, sir.

And, um, if there's
anything bothering you,

come and talk to me
about it.

I may not be able
to solve your problems,

but I'll listen.

And strangely enough,
that often seems to help.

And don't feel
you'll be a nuisance.

The housemaster's
miserable pittance

is paid for just
such things as that.

Promise?

Yes, sir.

Good.

Good.

Things will get better,
Crispin.

I know it's hard
to believe now,

but they will.

Well...

Yes.

BOY: Who is he?

SECOND BOY:
For heaven's sake,

stop asking
stupid questions!

Lucky you found him
there.

Yeah.

What's the matter
with him?

Covered boilers make
carbon monoxide fumes.

Look, if you really
want to be useful,

go and tell Mr. Howarth.

His name's Crispin,
isn't it?

Yes, it is.

[Coughing]

Fine. Except I have
so many things to do

that I end up
doing none of them.

Oh.

There you are.
How's that?

Gin at 11:00
in the morning?

Mrs. Powlett-Jones,

what sort of a man
do you take me for?

Well, somehow not a coffee
and fairy cakes man.

Anyway, I have
had so many

coffee parties
and tea parties

that I thought it was
time for a change.

I see you're not
joining me.

Unfortunately, no.

My interesting
condition, you know.

You heard about
what happened last night?

Yes, I did.

You don't think
he tried--

He was unconscious

when they dragged him
out of the coke hole.

If he hadn't been found
when he was,

he might be dead now.

Oh, everybody thought,
and I encouraged them to think,

that he'd gone down there
to get away from people

and hadn't been aware
of the danger.

Solemn warnings all round.
Everything's settled.

But you don't
really think so?

I'm not suggesting it was
a suicide plan, not exactly,

but it's possible
that he went down there

feeling no particular
need to stay alive.

Would you go
and speak to him?

I don't know
what I could do.

Well, maybe nothing,

but at least you start
with an advantage over me:

he doesn't see you
as a crusty old martinet

with a hacking cough
and a reputation

for short temper
and sarcasm.

Look, I don't
know anything

about schoolboys,

but isn't it just
possible

that he's a bit more
sensitive than most?

It might take him longer
to shake it off,

the feeling that people
think he's a thief?

I'm afraid it goes
deeper than that.

I think the stealing's
a symptom,

not the cause.

God knows why his life's
so desperately unhappy.

There hasn't been
any family tragedy?

Parents separated,
neither of them

seems to have
much time for him,

but then you could
say that

about quite a few
of the boys here

who seem to bear up
well enough.

No, it might be
that he simply

hasn't anything he feels
he can look forward to.

And he's surrounded
by well-meaning people

who keep telling him
how lucky he is.

He's young,
he's healthy,

he's got everything
to look forward to.

That just
makes things worse.

Yes, I will go
and see him, of course,

though God knows
what I'll say to him.

Thank you.

You see, I think
I know how he feels.

I don't know
the way out of it.

[Class bell rings]

Oh, dear,
I must be off.

[Coughing]

Sorry.

Thank you for coming.

Thank you for the gin.

Now I fear I must go
and breathe it

over the Lower Fifth remove.

[Door closes]

Good morning,
Mrs. Powlett-Jones.

What can we do
for you?

I've come to see Crispin,
if it's all right.

How is he?

Oh, Crispin's very well.
Aren't you, Crispin?

He's a scrimshanker.

But we'll keep him here
for one more night,

just to be
on the safe side.

Say "Good morning"

to Mrs. Powlett-Jones,
Crispin.

Good morning,
Mrs. Powlett-Jones.

Hello, Crispin.

I'll be in my office if
you want a word later.

Thank you, Matron.

All right if I sit here?

I brought you some books.

"Tarka the Otter."
All right?

Thank you.

Mr. Howarth told me
about your accident.

You had a lucky escape.

Anyway,
you're all right now.

Yes.

I expect you're wondering
whether Mr. Howarth told me

about that business
with the shop, aren't you?

Well, he did.

That's one reason
why I came.

I used to steal
things from shops

when I was a bit
younger than you.

Did you?

Mmm.

Had quite a phase of it.

Luckily for me,

the shopkeeper
didn't tell the school,

or I think
I'd have been expelled

so as not to contaminate
the other young ladies.

I'm trusting you
to keep that a secret, mind.

You're the only person here
who knows it, all right?

Yes.

I often wondered
why I did it.

My parents
were pretty well-off.

I didn't need the things.

It was as if
everything I had

came from my parents
or from the school.

I thought if I got
something myself,

it would be really mine.

My pen, my handkerchief.
Do you know?

I didn't use the things
or anything.

Just used to hide them.

Stupid, wasn't it?

Why did you stop?

Oh, the shopkeeper caught me.
I got frightened.

When I got over that,

there didn't seem
to be any point in it.

Have you stopped,
do you think?

Yes.

Why?

Because there isn't
any point in it.

Did you hide
the things, too?

No, gave them away
to people.

To make them like you?

And they didn't
like you?

No, they took
the things,

but it didn't
change anything.

They just
laughed at me.

It's what
they always do.

I'm no use
at anything.

You mean you're no use

at rugby or cricket
or singing, don't you?

They're not the only
things in the world,

despite what you hear
at Bamfylde.

Do you know, I wouldn't be
much use here, either.

Listen, can you think
of anything, anything at all,

that you can do better
than the next chap?

Nothing at all? No hobbies?
There must be something.

I can play
the handbells.

Handbells.

You know,
those little--

Yes, I know
what they are.

Have you got a set?

Yes, in the box room.

You never had them out?

No, people laugh at me
enough as it is.

There's nothing funny
about handbells.

You might not think so.

I think they'd be
just the thing

for the Christmas concert.
You could play carols

and amaze everyone
with your brilliance.

No?

No, you can't play
handbells on your own.

You've got
to have a team

and practice
and everything.

Wouldn't be any good.

Thank you for trying,
Mrs. Powlett-Jones.

[Handbells playing
"Good King Wenceslas"]

[Audience humming]

[Piano playing]

Ladies and gentlemen...

BOY: Hat, sir?

HOWARTH:
Oh, that's very kind.

CHRISTINE:
Good night, Gabriel.

Merry Christmas.

Good night, Taylor.

Looking forward
to seeing you soon.

Good night,
Mrs. Powlett-Jones.

Good night.
Uh, Bennington.

Bennington?

Yes?

Oh! Sorry.

Close the door,
Bennington.

Ha ha ha!

Ohh.

Oh, well,
that was nice.

But not too much mess,
either.

[Laughing]
What?

Come here.

Mmm.

Ohh!

Oh, hey, what's
all this, then?

Well, I just
wanted to say

thank you
for a wonderful year.

You've made
all the difference.

Have 1? I don't feel

as if I've done
anything at all.

Yes, you have.

I only hope
it's enough for you.

Do you miss politics?

No, it's strange.
I had a letter

from the executive
this morning.

I could hardly be
bothered to read it.

I ought to feel ashamed,
but I don't.

Ahh. He enjoyed himself
tonight, didn't he?

Who?

Crispin.

Oh, yes.
Yes, he did.

I think
he's come through it,

whatever it was.

[Laughs]

Handbells, isn't that
extraordinary?

Hey, don't look
so solemn.

Sorry.

This time next year,
there will be 3 of us.

Ugh!

Horrible day.

When's that
interview of yours?

[Sheezes]

A fortnight.

Mmm.

Let's see,
what could the examiners

think up in two weeks?

Which is your weakest paper,
do you think?

I think--

Oh.

Oh, come in.

Sorry.

Join the brains
trust.

No, it's all right.

I'm off out for a walk.

I thought you might be
free to come with me.

In this weather?

I won't go far.

Oh, all right.

Now, I have a feeling

that Anglo-Saxon chronicles
might come up.

They may well
spin that at you.

You'd do well to get in
a bit of extra study.

King Alfred's writing
his own propaganda here.

[Shouting]

Hold on, Bennington.

Chris?

Is that you, Chris?

Chris?

Oh, it hurts.

Oh, it's hurting me.

Don't try and move.

Can ldo
anything, sir?

Yes, ring Dr. Farrington.
Tell him it's urgent.

Try to relax.

I'm going to carry you
upstairs.

Ah! Ah!

Do you want
any help?

Yes, come here.

Come round
the other side.

Yes, of course.

Ah!

Sorry.

Gently.

[Door closes]

She's going to be
all right, P.J.

I'm afraid
she's lost the baby.

A boy.

There's nothing
I could do.

Had she had a fall
or anything?

She...she'd just
been for a walk.

A chance in 1,000.
Absolutely no reason

why anything should
have gone wrong.

I'm very sorry, P.J.

But what about her?

The baby meant
everything to her.

She's asleep now.

She's very weak
and exhausted.

But she knows
what's happened,

and she's taking it
quietly.

I expect the reaction
will come later.

I'll call in again tomorrow.

There's nothing much more
I can do here now.

Physically,
she's much the same

as she would have been
if she were recovering

from a normal birth.

Except there's no baby.

How she copes these
next few days, or weeks,

well, I'm afraid
that's rather up to you.

[Door closes]

We could go down
the Seine by boat,

if you like.
We've never done that.

Yes, lovely.

Or we could go
to Provence,

try to rent a cottage.

Yes, all right,
if you like.

Oh, Chris, you've got to
try and snap out of it.

You have! Not for me,
more for you.

Dr. Farrington says
there's no reason

why you shouldn't
have another child.

It's not you, Chris.

How long did it take you
to snap out of it?

Well, it's not the same
for a man,

I realize that.

I mean
when you lost Beth.

Yes, a hell
of a long time.

But this place
helped.

It can't help me,
David.

Chris, it can
if you let it.

[Class bell ringing]

That'll be
the end of prep.

I've invited
Algy Herries over

to take Evensong.

I've half promised
to be there.

Say if you'd rather
I didn't go.

They can manage

perfectly well
without me.

No, you go on.

You must be fed up
hanging around me.

Oh, Chris,
it's not that.

You know it.

[Chapel bell tolling]

I know. I'll be all right.
You go on.

Will you go
straight to bed,

or would you like
some company?

Shall I ask Matron to
come and sit with you?

Oh, God, no.

David, I said
I'll be all right.

Go on now, really.

[Door closes]

The story I'm going
to tell you now

happened a very long time ago
when I was a very young teacher

at Bamfylde School.

And Bamfylde...

Now, this story began
in a very peculiar way.

"Ah!" he said.
"Fortescue, is it not?

"If you see that see
that young fool Herries,

"will you remind him
that gowns are not

to be worn
on second landing?"

[Laughter]

Oh, absolutely
splendid, Algy.

I've never seen you
on better form.

Oh, no, mere senile
ramblings, my dear chap,

but still, thank you
just the same.

I really won't mind
if you stay for a drink.

Christine's in bed,

so we'll have to
keep it a bit quiet.

MAN: Sorry to
butt in, P.J.

One of the boys says
he saw Chris' car

drive out of the school
about 10 minutes ago.

I'd better go and check.

She's not here.

I'll take Molyneux's
motorbike and go after her.

She can't have gone far.

David, anything
we can do?

Yes. I'd like
one of you to stay here,

if you would, in case
she comes back or...

in case anyone phones.

We'll both stay.

Thanks.

[Coughing]

Chris?

Chris?

Chris?

Chris!

Oh, where is this place?
What's happened?

You all right?
Are you hurt?

No.

I drove off by myself.

Why did you...

Why did you go off?

You must have known

I'd have been scared
out of my wits.

I shouldn't have
left you.

It wasn't your fault.

Just wanted to drive,
you know.

Then I got tired.
I wanted to go to sleep.

Go on sleeping and not
wake up, like Crispin.

It's so quiet up here,
isn't it?

No bells.

Come on, Chris,
I'll take you back.

No, I'm not going
back there. Not yet.

Chris, we'll have
another child,

I promise you.

Not that.
That just made it worse.

Made what worse?

I feel so...
bloody useless.

I've got no purpose,
have 1?

Isn't being my wife
purpose enough?

No, it isn't.

You enjoy yourself
being headmaster

so much, don't you?

Going off to your
little meetings,

coaching your star
scholarship pupils.

And then you remember,
and you think,

"Oh, I better
spend half an hour

cheering up
poor old Chris."

This bloody patient look
comes over your face

when you ask me what
sort of day I've had.

You've been so patient.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I have tried.

Why didn't you
tell me?

I couldn't tell you,
not down there.

Chris...please
listen to me.

I should have been
able to see how--

how you were
feeling.

But because I've
been so happy

this last year
or so,

I thought I'd made
you happy, too. I--

I love you so much,
Chris, I--

I don't think I can
live without you now.

David, what are we
going to do?

Shh. Asleep.

Well, where do
we go from here?

Back into politics,
I suppose.

No, she won't
have it.

I do, in fact,
have a suggestion, P.J.

Go on.

Well, with all due respect,
it's always seemed to me

that the new prep department

hasn't got as far
as it should have done.

It's taking over.

It should be burgeoning.

Yes, perhaps, Howarth,

but I haven't got time
to think about that.

I think perhaps
you should.

You've never really
had the time to give it.

What it needs
is someone young,

energetic, imaginative,
with full responsibility

for the syllabus
and the recruiting

as well as a good deal
of the teaching.

If only she'd do it.

I think she might.

If I might offer
a tiny piece of advice...

Please do.

Wait a day or two
before broaching it with her.

Work out exactly what sort
of thing you're offering

and anticipate her objections.

You're still inclined
to go off at half c*ck

now and then, aren't you?

Endearingly Welsh, of course,

but less than wholly convenient
for the rest of us.

Yes.

Yes,
I'll try it.

When did you
think of it?

Ah. Oh, dear.

I was afraid you were
going to ask me that.

I, um...
didn't think of it.

He did.

Morning, boys.

BOYS: Good morning,
Mrs. Powlett-Jones.

Sit down.

Well, you all look
as nervous as I feel.

It's really not going to be
as bad as you think it is.

We're very lucky
to be at Bamfylde,

and we're going
to enjoy life here.

Now, the first thing
I want you to do

is write me an essay
entitled "Myself,"

'cause I want to find out
all about you.

Right, then.
Off you go.

WOMAN, READING: My dear David,
I'm sure you'll think

I'm just as scatty as
I ever was sending my son

across the Atlantic to you
when there seems to be trouble

stirring up in Europe.

But I can't think
of a better place for Charles

to continue
his education

or a better man
to look after him.

Anything
interesting, David?

DAVID: Yes.

We're about to get
our first American pupil.

Oh! Bamfylde's
reputation

has spread
worldwide, has it?

No, not really.

He is the son
of an old friend of mine,

Julia Darbyshire.

Well, Julia Sprockman now.

She married a rich Yank
and went to live in America.

Oh, I see.

I haven't thought
about her in years.

Are you sure she's an old friend
and not an old flame?

Well, a bit of both,
actually.

Ooh, bully for you.

JULIA, READING: There is
a particular reason, too,

why I'm sending him
over now.

But if things
work out right,

I'll never need
to tell you what it is.

He's very American,
of course,

but somehow I know
you'll take to each other.

Not quite what you're
used to in America,

I should think.

It's a very old school.

I think it's swell, sir.

And do you think you're going
to like it here, Charles?

I guess I will, sir.

Mom talked about
this place so much.

Well, I'm afraid that,
in one or two subjects,

we're going to have
to start you off

with the younger boys.
But in others,

you'll know quite enough
to teach us.

Captain of the junior
debating team, I hear.

Yes, sir. We won
the state trophy.

Your mother was never
at a loss for words, either.

No, sir. I guess
I get that from her.

Well, you can expect
a bit of ribbing at first

about accents and so on,

but I have a feeling

that that won't
bother you too much.

No, sir. I reckon I can
give as good as I get.

I'm sure you can.

Well, come along. Let's
see about settling you

into your new house

and meeting some
of your new friends, eh?

Ah.

Very good of you
to come, P.J.

This place
must have some...

less than happy
associations.

That's true.

I can't say I find it
altogether congenial, myself.

Point of fact,
I loathe the place.

How's Christine
and the baby?

Oh, fine.

We've called him
lan, after you.

Thank you.

Chris can't wait
to get back to work.

If I know her, she'll be
back in the classroom

in a couple of months.

I almost envy her,
you know.

Yes, well, I daresay
you'll be out of here

and back with us
before too long.

My dear chap, don't let us
pretend to each other.

You know I'm dying,
and sodol.

The quack seems to feel
it's none of my business.

Gauche young fellow.

I was forced to be
rather severe with him.

In 3 months, he thinks,
there's going to be a w*r.

I won't be here
to see it, thank God.

I'm sorry.

Oh, I'm not.

I think I've had...
quite enough.

I do, however,
have one favor to ask.

Anything you like.

Wait till you hear it,
impetuous fellow.

I have a sentimental notion

that I'd like to discharge
myself from hospital

and die at Bamfylde,

the only place
I feel comfortable.

You must tell me if you
find that too macabre.

No, of course
you must.

But will you
be able to manage?

Oh, I'll engage a nurse
if it should prove necessary.

Money, as you know,
is no problem for me.

I should like to die
at Bamfylde, David.

[Humming]

What's going on
today, Brutus?

Why isn't
anybody talking?

I don't know
what you mean, Caesar.

Now! k*ll him!

I thought you were
my friend, Brutus.

Unh!

[Applause]

All right, fine.

Very good concentration,
all of you.

Now, just have a word
with the person next to you,

any ideas about
what might happen next.

All right?

Like it?

I'm very impressed,
but what is it?

David, you are slow.
It's "Julius Caesar."

"Julius Caesar"
at 10 years old?

Not the actual play,
of course.

I tell them the plot,

they interpret it
in their own way,

then when they
come to read it,

it'll mean
something to them.

I hope you're
finding time

to bring up our son
in between classes.

He's very happy
with Mrs. Clark.

You know she adores him.

I have to fight to get
a look in sometimes.

Don't worry, David.
lan is very important to me.

So is my work.

And you certainly
impressed that LCC man.

They're going to take up


and they've agreed to
pay board and tuition.

That's marvelous.

We're going to fill
my school with c*ck.

Bright boys
with family problems.

That's not unusual
for Bamfylde.

And they will be bright.

They'll be there
in your scholarship class

in a few years' time.

I look forward to it.

All right.

You must have
some good ideas by now.

BOYS: Excuse me!

Not too hot for you?

By no means.

In my next incarnation,
I plan to be a lizard

and bask on a rock.

I seem to have spent
several lifetimes

in cold classrooms
and drafty corridors.

And how does it feel
to be a famous success?

I'm not
a famous success.

The Times'
educational supplement

describes your work
in glowing terms.

The way they sum it,

I should have thought
of pedagogic glory.

I thought so.

I thought so.

You mustn't eclipse
your husband.

Little danger of that.

No, I think not.

Look, I must go.

I've got some
new parents coming.

I'll come back
and collect you.

You must come for tea,
all right?

That would be
delightful.

Have you
everything you want?

Indeed I have.

Indeed I have.

Cricket is such
a magnificently boring game.

Hi!

Hello, Charles.

JULIA, READING: Well, David,
it happened the way

I thought it might.

I was in here just over
a year ago for cancer,

and they thought
they'd caught it in time,

but they were wrong.

I've arranged with my attorney
to notify you

as soon as it happens,

and I'm afraid
that you'll be saddled

with the job
of telling Charles.

Now for the hard part.

I've had a long debate
with myself

about whether
to tell you this.

You seem to have made
another happy marriage

after all,

and you don't owe Charles
anything in the material sense.

But the truth is,
of course...

he's your son.

Hi.

JULIA, READING:
In the final instance,

I leave it to you whether
to tell your wife or not.

But I think the best thing
would be perhaps to leave it

right where it is

and just, well,

keep a fatherly eye on him.

That's about it,

except to say good-bye
and good luck always.

My love to you both.

Julia.

Follow, follow, follow

We shall follow Him
all our days

DAVID: Once again,
on Founders Day,

I should like to welcome
a lot of new faces,

as well as those of you who have
made a very special effort

to be with us every year.

It is, naturally, a very
difficult time for us all,

and so I'm especially grateful
that you could be with us today.

I also notice that
some of our Old Boys

have discarded
their school uniforms

in favor of a different type
of uniform.

[Laughter]

When I first entered
these school grounds,

during the last w*r,

I also wore such a uniform.

We thought that was
the w*r to end all wars,

and now it is a matter

of great grief
and of great pride

that, in the last
few months,

Bamfylde men have again
given their lives.

One such man,
R.A.L. Dobson,

who was here
between 1914 and 1920,

was last week k*lled
in action in France.

He was one of the very
first boys I ever taught.

Let us remember his courage

as we pray for courage
and for wisdom.

[Organ playing]

Sir!

My goodness.
Boyer?

Sir.

I hardly
recognized you.

Well, it's a cruel world.
It changes us all.

You haven't met
Chad Boyer,

have you, Chris?
This is my wife.

Glad to meet you now.
Hello, Chad.

How do you do,
Mrs. Powlett-Jones?

This chap was

in the very first
lesson I taught.

God, I hoped
you'd forgotten that.

Oh, no, etched
on my memory.

One doesn't forget

an occasion
like that.

I'm sure he was
very well behaved.

No, he wasn't.
He was appalling.

He faked
an epileptic fit.

Ha ha!
Did you really?

My whole career
hung in the balance

for 5 minutes.

It didn't, you know.

He had me taped from
the very first moment.

I knew that it was a mistake
as soon as I started.

I was meaning to ask you...

Yes?

Do you think I might make
any sort of shot of teaching

when this is over?

Really?

I've thought it over
quite a bit, sir.

Yes.

Yes, I think you
might do very well.

Look, why don't you
come along

and have a drink
and a chat with us

later on.

Right. See you later, then.

Yes.

Mrs. Powlett-Jones.

Good-bye, Chad.

Hey! It's...

He called you "sir."

He can't be that much
younger than you.

He wants to come back
here and teach, Chris.

That makes me
feel very good.

If he does come back.

Yes. It would be
naive to suppose

that this w*r will be
any easier than the last.

This one's right,
isn't it?

I mean, we know
what we're fighting for.

And we will win,
won't we?

Yes.

And this place
will carry on.

You know, sometimes it's
quite extraordinary.

It's more than 20 years
since I first came here.

You'd have hardly
recognized me.

I was skinny as a rake,
shell-shocked,

had the shakes,

hardly able
to hold myself together.

If anyone had said then

I'd still be here


Well, you are here.

Are you happy?
Would you change it?

No.

No, I wouldn't
change it.