06x02 - Old Dog, New Tricks

[bunniefuu]

Dad! Dad! Dad!

Aw, thank you, Jimmy.

It wouldn't do to forget
Tricki's birthday.

Tell your mum and
Rosie I said bye.

CAR DOOR CLOSES, ENGINE STARTS

Oh, God.

What are you doing?

Bloody car wouldn't start.

Where've you left it?

Up at the Marshams'.

I thought Ronnie Marsham died?

Mrs Marsham was
hosting a bridge game.

Till this time in the morning?

An all-night bridge session is
nothing out of the ordinary.

Could you have not called
someone to pick you up?

I had to leave in
something of a hurry.

Where's your other shoe?

I mislaid it.

At a bridge game?

Get in.

Don't sit on Tricki's
birthday card!

Well, don't leave it
on the seat, then.

ENGINE STARTS

DOOR CLOSES Oh! Five miles done.

And not a bit of it between the
Drovers snug and the Drovers bar.

SHE LAUGHS

And all before you've
had your breakfast.

Could you not sleep?

Military training, Mrs H.
Disciplined body, disciplined mind.

Is that bacon?

Do you think you can make
it the rest of the way now?

I could've got here
quicker walking.

What've you done to yourself?
Why've you only got one shoe?

Bridge.

Nothing one of your restorative
breakfasts couldn't fix, Mrs Hall.

I've got to go, I'm late
for Mrs Pumphrey now.

Mrs Pumphrey? I've just had
Sister Rose on the telephone.

She reckons you're due
there half an hour ago.

Sister Rose? TRISTAN CHUCKLES

Nice knowing you, old chap.

I don't have an
appointment with her.

Worried about one
of her rescue dogs.

Said she called yesterday.

Who did she speak to?

Is there any more marmalade?

We can't afford to get on the
wrong side of Sister Rose.

Every time she re-homes a dog,

she tells the new
owners to bring it here.

We've lost enough
business lately.

Off you go to Sister Rose,
I'll deal with Tricki.

Yeah, but why do
I get Sister Rose?

It's not my fault if you
can't organise yourself.

That's my bacon. And
I'll need the Vauxhall.

Oh, sorry, excuse me.

Morning.

Don't mind me, Mr Herriot. You
turn up whenever you fancy [!]

I'm only late for my
shift. Sorry, Sister Rose.

And my dogs are used to being
abandoned, so why worry?

There was a mix-up with the
appointments, but I'm here now.

Shall we take a
look at this dog?

Ah, ah. You've heard of
"ladies first", haven't you?

Of course. Sorry.

After you.

Your poor, poor wife.

BARKING

Even one unwanted
dog is too many.

Hush now.

Clive. Clive!

Down! Do you think people want
to adopt a badly behaved boy?

BARKING

And I'll tell you
something else,

I have not received the
flea powder I requested.

Three years I've been with you.

I shouldn't have to chase it up.

Again, I can only apologise.

What seems to be the trouble?

It's Geoffrey here.

He hasn't been right
for the last few days.

Up all last night vomiting.

He does look weak.

Where did you find him?

Side of the road, on
my way to the hospital.

Curled up on a bit of muck.

Soon as I saw him, I
knew he was a Geoffrey.

You certainly have
a way with names.

I like my dogs to have
real ones, like people.

Do their new owners keep them?

Why would you ever change
a good name like Geoffrey?

No reason at all.

Can I have a look
at you, Geoffrey?

GEOFFREY BARKS All right.

All right. I know you've
learnt not to trust.

But Mr Herriot means no harm.

There could be a few
things causing it.

He might have gastritis.

We'll try stomach powders first.

What if it's not gastritis?

He might have
swallowed something.

I couldn't feel anything inside,

but I can't be absolutely sure.

You don't have a
X-ray machine yet?

There are other vets
I can go to, you know.

I've been... discussing it
with my business partner.

We're ironing out the details.

The hospital have
just got a new one.

The old one is for sale.

Er, well, I could
certainly take a look.

It's a X-ray machine.

What, you want it to
match your wallpaper?

No, no, not at all. Good.

When shall I say you'll
be picking it up?

BARKING

Here, here. Here, boy.

Tricki! Tricki! Come on!

Yes! Come on, come
on! KNOCK AT DOOR

Birthday boy!

Tricki, come... Oh, Tricki,
what on earth is the matter?

Morning, Mrs Pumphrey.

Oh, Uncle Farnon
is here at last.

Everything will be well. I
brought him a little present.

Bless you. Oh. SHE CHUCKLES

It's not in the diet plan,
but as it's his birthday...

Tricki. Birthday bacon!

Oh, yes, I see.

You'll come for Uncle Farnon.

It's me you've taken against.

This does not sound like the
happiest of birthday celebrations.

He refuses to follow
any of my instructions.

He won't come, he won't
sit, he won't roll over.

Oh? Why is he being like this?

Do you suppose I've said
something to offend him?

Surely not. Tricki?

He can drift into unsavoury
moods from time to time,

but this is
altogether different.

Tricki?

Well, perhaps he's
simply grown tired of me.

One does have to wonder if...

Oh!

Or perhaps he can't hear you.

What? Can't hear? Tricki!

I don't think he
can hear a thing.

He came because of the smell of the
bacon, not because I called him.

Oh, Tricki.

Uncle Farnon will
take care of it.

RAISED VOICE: Uncle Farnon
will take care of it.

Yes, they smell a bit infected.

Bring him in for a good
clean. Oh, sweet boy.

Oh.

I feel like I've been
hit by a tractor.

Oh, you'd have stood more
chance with a tractor.

SHE CHUCKLES

She has this way of making you do
things whether you want to or not.

"Walkies, James.
Good boy, James."

I think she sold me
an X-ray machine.

What?

I mean, I've agreed
to go and see it.

James!

Well, it's not like I hadn't
been thinking about it.

The benefits would be enormous.

And also, Sister Rose
told you to do it.

Sorry. She's my
new hero, though.

I bet she don't take any
messing about from her patients.

THEY CHUCKLE We've got to
think about the future.

I've worked in a modern
practice, the one in Glasgow.

That's how we
should be thinking.

But what will Siegfried say?

Siegfried may be happy to
let things slide. I'm not.

Well, I look forward
to his reaction.

Although, we'll probably
hear it from the farm.

He can say what he likes.

I can actually stand up
for myself, you know.

Have you got a bad
back or summat?

Me? Aye.

I was wondering if
that's what's stopped you

getting a brush and sweeping
up this mud you've walked in.

I've not walked it in.

Well, it's not me.

So unless bloody cows are wearing
size tens and treading it in,

it's you.

It's not my mud.

And it's not mine, neither.

I'll brush it. No, you'll not.

He will.

MUMBLING: Makes no sense...

You're a braver soul than me.

I've been putting this
off ever since I got back.

As I said, military discipline.
You learn to keep things organised.

You know, some of these are
no longer strictly legal.

Are you bored...

being on leave?

HE CHUCKLES

What, comfortable bed,
home-cooked meals?

Oh, yeah, dreadfully bored [!]

It's just you haven't sat
still for five minutes.

Wanting to be on
the go all the time.

When my Edward
came home injured,

he said the worst thing were not
having anything to distract him.

Distract him? Mm.

From...

remembering, I suppose.

Well, truth be told,
Mrs Hall, erm...

...while it is a relief

to see my brother making
someone else's life a misery,

I know what James
is going through.

I'm not gonna stand
around and do nothing.

I can see Siegfried's handwriting
hasn't got any better.

Boric acid. Ah, boric acid.

BELL RINGS

Hello, can I help...?

DOOR CLOSES

Mrs Hall, we seem to be
out of coffee. Do you...?

Is this yours?

One shoe looks rather
like another to me.

Well, what were that
lady doing with it?

And why's she throwing it at me?

If only she'd stayed,
we could have asked her.

Siegfried, remember
I was talking to you

about bringing in
some modern equipment?

What have I done
with the other one?

And we discussed X-ray
machines? Ah, yes.

Marvellous things. Well, an
opportunity has arisen...

Where on God's Earth is it?

...and I thought it too
good to refuse. Ah-ha!

I'll be having it
delivered this week.

Which one of you is the culprit?

So that's all good
with you, is it? What?

Yes! You don't need to trouble
me with every little thing.

X-ray machine? I bet
that's not cheap.

I didn't hear Siegfried argue.

Mm. And I'm sure he gave it his
full and careful consideration.

It's for the good of the practice,
whether he knows it or not.

It's here.

Is it supposed to be this big?

Are you ready, Tris?

Well, I mean, I know that
I'm made of muscle, Jim,

but even for me...

We can manage between
us, no bother.

OK.

MAN: Two bob they
can't budge it.

Right. No chance.

ONLOOKERS CHUCKLE

THEY STRAIN

THEY STRAIN

I think it's, er... it's
caught on something.

I don't suppose you'd
mind lending us a hand?

For a discount on your
next bill, obviously.

All right. All right. Yeah.

I mean, come on.

Right. You got it?

That's it, easy. Easy, lads.

That's...

Thank you so much.
Right you are.

We'll take it from
here. Okey-doke.

SIEGFRIED: What did I say?
Nothing to worry about.

HE STRAINS

Yes.

No, it's caught on
something again.

We'll see him again in a few
days... What the hell's that?

The X-ray machine.

Mrs Jenkins, would you mind
going out through the back way?

It's down here. Thank you.

I told you all about it.
You did no such thing.

You said they were "marvellous".

Even if I did, where in that
statement can you hear the words,

"Please go out and buy yourself
a bloody big X-ray machine?"

How much is it costing us?

It'll pay for itself
within six months.

We're still rationing, man.
Locals can't afford X-rays.

And in any case, it'll only
help with the small animals.

We're going to be seeing
a lot more of those

now we're coming out of the w*r.

People want their
companions again.

You know, like rats.

Our primary business
is agricultural,

always has been, always will be.

Modern equipment like
this is essential now.

Like it or not, domestic
pets are the future.

Not if they can't get in the
bloody door, they're not!

DOOR SLAMS

All right.

You have a lovely
day now. Thank you.

Morning. Just a lettuce, please.

Farnon account?
Yes. That's right.

Is... Is that the
best one you've got?

Give him my regards, won't you?

STRAINING

So sorry to have to
bring you the back way.

Lucky Tricki, not
having to hear this.

Yes, your other uncles
did forget your birthday.

Oh, I've a card somewhere.

Look, I-I think it's jammed now.

STRAINING OUTSIDE Just finish
this... finish this up.

Good boy, Tricki. You're
being such a good boy.

He can't hear you, Mrs Pumphrey.

Yes, as suspected.
It's an infection.

Not to worry, antibiotics
will clear it up.

Incredible things. Don't know
how we got by without them.

Do you hear that, Tricki?

Uncle Farnon will
make you... better.

SHE STUTTERS

How did this come to be?

It's quite common as dogs get
older. Just a symptom of his age.

Excuse Uncle Farnon, Tricki.

He can't hear you! Just as well.

Old age, indeed. Well,
we have to be realistic.

These infections will
become more frequent,

along with other ailments.

He may not be quite as
young as some other dogs,

but he's been far
better looked after.

None of us can escape
the inevitable.

GROANING, STRAINING OUTSIDE

Come on!

I'm absolutely done in, Jim.

Are those the words
of a fighting soldier?

We weren't fighting
X-ray machines out there.

One little nudge. Lucky
my dad's not seeing this.

We've almost got it.

He sent me to get that
ointment for the cows.

I told him I would
bring it home tonight!

Just... Sorry, come in.
Squeeze past if you can.

Thank you. Thank
you, Mrs Pumphrey.

Come along, Tricki,
dear. Mrs Pumphrey.

I'll go and get this card.

Right, come on, put
your back into it.

More likely putting it out.

Right, come on.

You are aware that
I'm on leave? Yep!

It's arrived, then.

Sister Rose!

Oh, Sister Rose. I've
heard so much about you.

I can well imagine.

Do you want to come through?

Here.

You don't own a tape measure?

It looks a lot bigger outside
of the hospital, Sister.

JENNY CHUCKLES Two educated men.

Are you any good at taking
out walls, Sister Rose?

I would just take
it out of the crate.

What with it being on wheels.

I'll get the crowbar.

SISTER ROSE LAUGHS

There we go.

What are we gonna
invent next, Jim, fire?

I came to collect my flea
powder. Just as well.

How's Geoffrey getting on? Well,
he seems an awful lot better.

Your medicine must
be doing its job.

That's good to hear. We could always
give him an X-ray, just to be sure.

If you mean will I show you
how to do it, I don't think so.

I have enough animals of
my own to house train.

I'll get you your flea
powder. On the house.

Thank you, Mr Herriot.

Clive's infested and sharing
it with the rest of the pack.

Maybe it's his goodbye
gift to our Carol.

She's found a home now.

That's wonderful news!

A couple on the other
side of Darrowby.

She'll be happy there,
I have no doubt.

It'll break the others
to lose her, though.

They've grown close.

It must be hard on you as well.

Oh, no.

They're all still
with me up here.

I know they're going to leave me
from the moment I take them in.

They depend on me for a while,

but sooner or later, they
have to stand on their own.

It's the natural
order of things.

Flea powder. Mm-hm.
Please and thanks.

Oh, dear.

Have you grown again lately?
You're nearly as tall as me.

HELEN: Audrey. Hello.

Do you want to play
marbles? I'd love to.

You go and set them up, I'll
be with you in two ticks.

You're just in time. I'm losing
an argument with a fruit loaf.

Oh, we can't have that. Just
wanted to use it all up.

I don't suppose rationing'll
end any time soon. Look.

Have you been shopping in
the village lately? Mm.

Has everyone been
all right with you?

Cos I've been feeling about as
welcome as a pig in a pantry.

You?

Well, nothing I could put
my finger on. I didn't...

It were like...

And it's happened
in a few places.

It were like I'd... done
something to offend.

I don't think it's you
that's offended anyone.

Oh.

Chances are Siegfried's either
sacked 'em, shouted at 'em

or done something to upset 'em.

Well, he is quite skilled
in that department.

HELEN CHUCKLES

I don't know how you
cope with him, honestly.

James has got all these big ideas,
and Siegfried don't wanna know.

Hello.

Are you ready? THEY LAUGH

Here you go. I think
you're winning. Thank you.

Maybe one more.

The thing with Mr Farnon is...

Come on! ..there's only
one way, and it's his way.

And the worst of it is,
he's not always wrong.

Come on, then.

MUSIC PLAYS ON RADIO

It's beautiful, Jim.

Aye.

Beautiful.

Come on, then, let's
give it a test run.

Make sure it's shipshape.

Er, all right. Put
your hand in, then.

What, this hand?
Either hand is fine.

Why not your hand?
I'll be operating it.

Well, I can operate
it. How hard can it be?

It's my machine. And
these are my hands.

Fighting hands. Hands that are
required to protect the free world.

But THESE hands are
paying for this thing.

Is it safe? One x-ray's
not gonna do much harm.

Get on with it.

CLICKING

MUSIC CONTINUES

MUSIC STOPS

SIEGFRIED: Herriot!

It could be the fuse.

Where on earth did you get
it? A little closer, please.

So, now we're broke, and so
is the machine. There we are.

Hey! Let there be li...

Oh.

I take it back. He's an
electrical wizard [!]

It's clearly too much
for a domestic circuit.

We'll have to
re-wire a new board.

Why don't we send out for someone
who knows what they're doing?

Oh, no, we've no money left.

Who knows what we have left,

since every invoice and receipt
gets stuffed into the nearest vase!

Which works perfectly
well, unlike that.

Again, you said they
were "marvellous things".

Oh, they are. But if
you asked me properly,

I might have suggested not
buying the first one you saw.

Nothing to see here, George.

Why are the electrics off?
Nothing to do with me.

And James walking out like that?

Is that nowt to do
with you either?

Did I stake the practice
on a defunct X-ray machine?

An X-ray machine?

Exciting. It's useless.

A blind mole-rat
would have more chance

of seeing through things.

Well, that's frustrating.

I imagine it could be of
great benefit to the practice.

I'm sure you told him so.
Mrs Hall, I have my ways.

I do them because they work.

You're very lucky to have someone
who puts up with your ways.

It's all very well, people coming
in and out, telling me what to do.

I'm here!

I'm the only one who
bloody well has been!

I know...

it's not been easy for you
these last few years...

...but it might be wise not to get on
the wrong side of everyone you meet.

I beg your pardon? Well,
talk about a blind mole-rat.

Digging his tunnel
in a temper...

...no idea it's
falling in behind him.

God help anyone who
happens to be in the way.

Did you just call me a mole-rat?

This is a village, and if you
go round upsetting people,

they can make it
difficult for you.

They can make things
difficult for me.

I don't know what you mean.
Mr Jubb, the greengrocer.

It's not so much
him as his sister.

Oh, good grief. No, it... She...

She's one of your... successors.

I gave her the
job in good faith,

but honestly, how many times do
you have to say "soft-boiled"?

There is a limit.

How long was she here?

Three and a half days.

I know you don't
mean to hurt anyone.

I know it'd upset you
to think that you had.

But you just don't realise.

If people misunderstand me, there's
very little I can do about it.

Mr Farnon, it's not the worst thing
in the world to admit you're wrong!

RICHARD: It's almost like
you've done it on purpose.

I'm not doing it at all.

What you should do is
get your own house.

That way, you can tread in
as much mud as you like.

Chuffed to bits I got
to meet Sister Rose.

They should've sent the nurses
out to fight the Germans.

w*r would've been
sewn up in no time.

So, you got your
X-ray machine, then?

Aye, and there were
some teething problems,

but it still doesn't justify
the way Siegfried spoke to me

in front of clients.

When you stood up
to him. Jenny, eggs.

She says you struggled to get
the thing through the door.

And then it blew the electrics.

Should count myself lucky it's
only mud you're treading in.

If it was his idea, it'd
be the best thing ever,

but when it comes from me...

Going out and buying a
whopping great machine

without discussing it is a
very Siegfried thing to do.

What do you mean by that?

I mean, one of him
is quite enough.

Right, get a broom.

Sweep it up!

It is rather a good
investment, you know.

I can't say, since I
can't see it in action.

Hm.

Maybe we could try it on
the inside of your head,

find out what actually
happens in there.

Ah, just in time. Observe.

What did you do?

The machine is now on a separate
circuit with its own fuse board.

You learn many different
skills in the Corps, you know.

Well done!

Don't know what you'll do
with all those lamps now.

HE CHEERS See?

HE CHUCKLES Mr
Herriot! Mr Herriot!

Mr Herriot.

It's Geoffrey. He
won't stop vomiting.

Bring him in.

You said the stomach
powders were clearing it.

He hasn't missed a single dose.

Perhaps Geoffrey doesn't
have gastritis after all.

Well, what else could it be?

Did you check for
any foreign bodies?

I couldn't feel one...

...but his abdomen
was very tense.

DOG WHIMPERS

What do you think?

SOFTLY: Hey, hey.

DOG CRIES

No, I can't feel
anything either.

Yeah, the muscles are very tense,
so he's guarding his abdomen.

It must be very painful.

He was getting better.
I'm sorry, Sister Rose.

That can happen while the object

makes its way though
the system to the bowel.

Helped by the stomach
powders, no doubt.

It's possible, yes.

The problem is, there are
other potential explanations.

Normally, we'd risk the
surgery if we weren't sure,

but Geoffrey is so frail.

He was clearly fending for himself
for some time before you found him.

But if you don't operate and
he has swallowed something...

We could lose him, I'm afraid.

TRISTAN SIGHS Thankfully,
we don't have to guess.

Tris.

DOG WHINES All right,
lad, all right.

SOFTLY: That's it.

All right, lad,
you're all right.

Bring it across, please.

All right, Geoffrey,
let's get you X-rayed.

Afternoon.

Mr Farnon.

I'd like to speak to
you about your sister.

It seems I...

Beryl! Oh, she's here?

How... How lucky for me [!]

Yes?

I wanted to apologise for
anything I may have said or done.

I'd not even heard some
of those words before.

The way you were treated
was wholly inappropriate,

and the blame was entirely mine.

Well.

At least you've had the
gumption to admit it.

Right, well, erm...

...good day to you both.

Your account's still
overdue, by the way.

SIEGFRIED EXHALES

So, I still can't say for sure
if there's a foreign body.

It's not a very good image.
I need better exposure.

Our facilities
are quite limited.

Take another X-ray. We can
develop it at the hospital.

I think that would be the
best course of action.

Like I say, I can't
operate on a poorly dog

if we're not absolutely certain.

May I?

Vomiting for 48 hours or so,
subsided after stomach powders,

vomiting again for several
hours earlier today.

And you examined him
thoroughly? Of course.

He had a very tense abdomen.

I say operate.

The dog is extremely weak.

He's being nursed back to
full health by Sister Rose

after living wild.

I'm not sure he'll
survive the surgery.

If he has swallowed something
and we wait for better X-rays,

he may not make it.

But, of course,
it's your decision.

James.

HE SIGHS He's just
vomited again.

Mr Herriot.

We operate.

There you go. A cup of tea.

Very kind, Mrs Hall.

Look at me.

You'd think I'd be used to
this kind of thing by now.

Oh, well, it's cos you care.

It's hard being
on the other side.

I'm not used to
feeling helpless.

I suppose as a nurse, you can't
let yourself get too close.

I try to be like that with the
dogs, to keep up a wall, you know,

but sometimes, they get by...

like that rascal.

He's cleared the wall.

And how did he manage that?

The state of the poor
creature when I found him.

He was at his lowest...

...but I could see
he had a good heart.

You know, I don't think many
people would see what you see.

And sometimes, he will
snap at people and growl...

...but he is only like
that because he was hurt.

Damaged.

He has to learn to trust again.

What if he can't?

I haven't found one
that can't, Mrs Hall.

They all want the same
thing - a home and love.

And also, they need to know
they are not the ones in charge.

CHUCKLING

Sister Rose, he'd
swallowed a pebble.

Oh, Geoffrey. We've
managed to remove it.

And how is he now?
He's doing well.

But he's been through the wars.

All we can do now is
hope for the best.

He seems comfortable.

I hope so. He's
had a rough time.

Course, if you'd thoroughly examined
the dog in the first place...

I told you, he was
guarding his abdomen.

There's no way anyone
could've known.

I might not have operated if you
hadn't given a second opinion.

Well, we always
need to take a view.

Maybe once we've ironed out the
problems with that new machine,

there'll be less
margin for error.

You can wipe that bloody
grin off your face.

I've never been against
new equipment or ideas.

I just want a say in
which ones and when.

Sorry.

Perhaps I should've
consulted you properly.

Perhaps I should have let you.

It is an expensive
piece of kit. I know.

But the w*r is almost over.

The world has changed. We
need to change with it.

I think we already have.

Get a broom.

This? Still?

Your problem is, you take
this place for bloody granted.

Not the only one either.

Jenny's finally applied
for nursing college.

When did this happen?
Sent the letter last week.

Think it were just the
w*r holding her back.

We'll have another Sister
Rose, eh? Don't tell anyone.

She don't want folk knowing
in case she don't get in.

Course she'll get in.

I've put that fence back.
Should hold for now, anyway.

What's wrong with you lot?

GIGGLING Dad, are
them your boots?

Grandad said it were the
boots make the farmer.

Oh, he did, did he?

I'll, erm...

...get the broom.

SOFT LAUGHTER

I think these are a bit
big for you yet, lad.

Ready? One, two, three.

And you should be in bed,
like your sister. Yes.

JENNY: Come on, Farmer
Jimmy. Good night.

SHE CHUCKLES "Farmer"!

Getting a bit ahead
of himself, in't he?

If I, erm...

...get ahead of
myself sometimes...

...it's because I want
you to be proud of me.

I want to give you
the best life I can.

I've got the best life.

Right now, in this moment.

Best life we could have.

Mr Farnon. Mrs Hall.

I trust you met less
unpleasantness in the village.

I did get a better
lettuce. I'm glad.

I hope I didn't say too much.

You said what needed to be said.

But if you ever compare me
to a blind mole-rat again,

we shall have words.

Oh, before you light up...

I'm afraid that were Mrs
Pumphrey on the telephone.

Oh, Lord.

She wants you to call
over. Urgent, apparently.

I told her it would
take time to heal.

Don't forget Jimmy's
card. Oh, yes.

James said if you're
going up there...

This'll put him back at the top of
the "favourite uncle" league table.

Set up the game, Mrs
Hall. I shan't be late.

As I said, the medicine
won't work overnight.

Oh, I understand. He's
getting better already.

No, it's not about
his ears. It's not?

No, perhaps you were right.

Tricki isn't as young as he was.

Time trickles through
one's fingers, doesn't it?

Time has a habit
of doing that, yes.

I always thought that Tricki
would be here long after me,

but perhaps I was wrong.

I couldn't bear to be left
alone. I don't follow.

Oh, I'd like to breed from him.

Breed from Tricki? SHE STAMMERS

Don't you be
offended, young man.

No, no-one can replace you,
not even your own offspring.

Mrs Pumphrey...

I don't want to waste
a moment longer.

You understand that any
owner would want to ensure

his dog's breeding partner
was in good health.

Tricki's fighting fit.

And where do you propose to
find this Pekingese partner?

I thought you could
help with that. Me?

Well, you're the only
uncle I would trust.

The only one who
remembered his birthday.

Oh, er, but I... I wasn't.

The delay was simply that, erm,

Jimmy wanted to do the
very best job he could.

Jimmy?

SHE EXCLAIMS Oh, look.

Isn't that beautiful?

Look, he's drawn
you a nice squirrel.

I think that's Tricki.

TRICKI GROWLS

I'm pleased to say he's
made an excellent recovery,

and more importantly, he
looks very stylish in this.

Mm, best way to stop him
getting at the stitches.

And, yes, it does
suit him. SHE CHUCKLES

He's lucky he ran
into you, you know.

Not at all.

Thank you for everything
you've done for him.

He deserves a happy home. I
hope you can find him one.

Perhaps I already have.

Someone's agreed to
take him? Well, no.

I may hold on to him just
a little while longer.

Who says you can't overturn
the natural order of things

once in a while?

If anyone can, Sister
Rose, it's you.

Don't you cheek me, young man.

SHE LAUGHS You're
so easy to kid.

LAUGHTER

You just make sure you don't
run into the same problem again.

Use the hospital darkroom.

I'll arrange it. No, I couldn't.

The difference between
your darkroom and ours

might save an animal's life.

I'll tell you what, then.

If you can arrange that, we'll waive
the cost of treating your dogs.

Mr Herriot, you have a deal.

Deal. HE CHUCKLES

Good boy. Good boy. Good.

James, it's ready!

Smells delicious, Mrs H.

I hope Helen isn't put
out, you eating here.

She's relieved. So am I.

Much deserved after
a hard day's work.

For most of us, anyway.

Ah, so I see Jim's turn in the
firing line is over, is it?

I just wish you'd
find something to do

that didn't involve
messing up my dispensary.

Our dispensary.

There were former staff in there
who didn't know the w*r was over.

The first w*r.

Besides, I was
thinking perhaps I...

might start going back
on calls while I'm here.

Are you volunteering for work?

Well, it's unfair, you
darting back and forth.

You'll be exhausted, man.

Next thing you know,

you'll be buying elaborate
machinery from our clients.

Well, only if you're certain.
I'd love to have you back.

Cheers.

Decent timing, as
a matter of fact.

James, I've got a new job for
you to get your teeth into.

Mrs Pumphrey would
like you to find

a suitable breeding
partner for Tricki.

LAUGHING: What?

Didn't you tell her
he's a bit past it?

I think the old dog's got a
few tricks left in him yet.

I'd have taken it on myself, but she
was won over by that beautiful card.

Ah, you dropped me in it.

If anyone can find
a pedigree Pekingese

that meets Mrs Pumphrey's
high standards, it's you.

I don't have the first clue.

Oh, well, when a boy dog likes
a girl dog very, very much...

Oi. You'll put him off his
cobbler. Yes, eat your cobbler.

It might be the last
decent meal we have

now we've bought
that bloody machine.

LAUGHTER

Ah, Mrs H. Come on, then.

I want 12 peas, please.