The Turn Of The Screw by Henry James

Oldtuberadio

An adaptation from 1993 of Henry James’ ghost story, a perennial Christmas favourite. When a woman takes up the position of governess to two children at a country house in Bly, she soon becomes convinced they have fallen under the influence of a supernatural force. Could she be seeing ghosts?  The Governess: Charlotte Attenborough Mrs. Grose: Rosemary Leach Miles: Sam Crane Flora: Sara Jane Derrick Master of Bly: Michael Tudor Barnes Coachman: John Church Storyteller: Jonathan Adams  Adapted by John Tydeman.  Music composed by Wilfredo Acosta.  Produced by Glyn Dearman.   Do you enjoy the variety on Oldtuberadio? Like, Share and Subscribe to be notified of our new shows #radio #crime #thriller #drama To Support this channel please visit https://www.buymeacoffee.com/oldtuberadio https://ko-fi.com/oldtuberadio98 https://www.patreon.com/oldtuberadio https://locals.com/Oldtuberadio

Transcript

00:00:00To be continued...

00:00:30And she wrote it down.

00:00:32She sent me the manuscript shortly before she died.

00:00:36That was twenty years ago.

00:00:38And until now, nobody but me has ever heard it.

00:00:42It is too horrible.

00:00:44And that is my second warning.

00:00:47Her tale is beyond everything.

00:00:49Nothing that I know, nothing at all, touches it for sheer dreadful...

00:00:54For dreadfulness.

00:00:56And who is this mysterious she who plays so large a part in her own story, you might ask?

00:01:04Well, she was ten years older than I.

00:01:07The most charming person.

00:01:09The most agreeable woman I've ever met in her position.

00:01:13She was my sister's governess.

00:01:15And when I came down from Trinity for my second summer...

00:01:18I found her installed at our place in the country.

00:01:22All my time was spent in her company.

00:01:24I liked her extremely.

00:01:27It was then that she told me her story.

00:01:30And she shall tell it again now.

00:01:33Her story...

00:01:34And the children's.

00:01:36Miles and Flora.

00:01:39Two children.

00:01:40And it's the fact that there are two...

00:01:43That gives the tale the effect of another...

00:01:46Turn of the Screw.

00:01:47The Turn of the Screw.

00:02:08By Henry James.

00:02:09Dramatized for radio by John Tideman.

00:02:27With Charlotte Attenborough as the governess...

00:02:30Rosemary Leach as Mrs. Gross...

00:02:32Sam Crane as Miles...

00:02:34And Sarah Jane Derrick as Flora.

00:02:36The Turn of the Screw.

00:02:55Therefore...

00:02:56In view of the excellence of your qualifications...

00:02:59Stated most charmingly and succinctly...

00:03:01In your letter of the 15th instant...

00:03:03In reply to my advertisement...

00:03:05In the personal column of the London Times...

00:03:07I would be grateful...

00:03:09If you could present yourself...

00:03:10At my address in Harley Street...

00:03:12So that we can discuss those details...

00:03:14Which I trust...

00:03:15Will terminate in my engaging you as governors...

00:03:18To the two children.

00:03:21Oh dear.

00:03:23I should never have come.

00:03:25Two children.

00:03:27And he.

00:03:28What will he be like?

00:03:30I am a bachelor, ma'am.

00:03:33I am a busy man...

00:03:34And I travel a great deal.

00:03:37The world has been kind to me...

00:03:38In the way of worldly riches...

00:03:40And I am prepared in some measure...

00:03:42To repay the world...

00:03:43By being kind to it.

00:03:45I offer you complete freedom...

00:03:48With the children.

00:03:48But on one thing I insist...

00:03:51I am not to be bothered.

00:03:54Do you understand?

00:03:56Yes, sir.

00:03:56Not to be troubled in any way.

00:03:58All responsibility will be yours.

00:04:01I know you have only recently passed 20 years...

00:04:04And that your life in a country parsonage...

00:04:06Has been a secluded one.

00:04:08And that this is the first time...

00:04:10You have sought service in the schoolroom.

00:04:12But you are a woman...

00:04:14Not a girl.

00:04:16And I think you have understanding.

00:04:18Thank you, sir.

00:04:20Now, my nephew and niece...

00:04:22Have been orphans for just over two years...

00:04:24And they are completely in my care.

00:04:27I feel sorry for the poor chicks...

00:04:29But they weigh heavy on my hands...

00:04:31And on my time.

00:04:33So I want you to relieve me.

00:04:35I will attempt to do my best, sir.

00:04:38Oh, good.

00:04:40I have made my country place...

00:04:42Bly over to them.

00:04:43It's a big house...

00:04:45But a friendly one.

00:04:46And I've partied with several of my own servants...

00:04:48To look after them.

00:04:49You'll find no shortage of labour...

00:04:51I assure you.

00:04:52There's an excellent woman...

00:04:54A Mrs. Gross...

00:04:55In charge of the establishment.

00:04:56And I'm sure you'll like her.

00:04:58Although she's very much...

00:05:00The below-stairs type of housekeeper...

00:05:02She's very fond of the children...

00:05:03Having none of her own...

00:05:05And they seem somehow to respond to her.

00:05:08But when you get down there...

00:05:10Naturally...

00:05:11You will be the supreme authority.

00:05:14I presume, of course...

00:05:16That you do intend to accept my offer.

00:05:18Oh, yes.

00:05:19Yes, of course.

00:05:21Of course.

00:05:23The boy, Miles, is away at school.

00:05:26But during the holidays...

00:05:27He, as well as my niece, Flora...

00:05:29Will be in your charge.

00:05:30I had to send him away, I'm afraid.

00:05:33It was the only thing to be done...

00:05:35Since the death of the children's last governess.

00:05:38The death?

00:05:39What did the children's former mistress die of?

00:05:42She...

00:05:42She just died.

00:05:45It was most unfortunate.

00:05:46But then...

00:05:48People do.

00:05:49Don't they?

00:05:50Even young people.

00:05:51Well...

00:05:52Yes, I suppose so.

00:05:53I hope you won't be lonely down at Bly.

00:05:59As I said, it's a friendly house.

00:06:01Full of friends.

00:06:02And you have convinced me that you are, in every sense...

00:06:05The right person for the children.

00:06:06I hope I have managed to convince you.

00:06:10Oh, you have.

00:06:12You have.

00:06:13For some applicants, my conditions have sounded prohibitive.

00:06:17Especially my main condition.

00:06:19Your main condition?

00:06:20That you should never trouble me.

00:06:22Never.

00:06:24You must neither appeal, nor complain, nor write about anything.

00:06:29You must meet all questions yourself, without any recourse to me.

00:06:33Money and all that will be dealt with by my solicitor, the rest.

00:06:37It's up to you.

00:06:39You do promise to leave me entirely alone.

00:06:42I promise.

00:06:44I realize what a sacrifice it is for a girl of your years to be making.

00:06:48Oh, sacrifice is usually rewarded.

00:06:51Or so my father taught me.

00:06:53And I'm sure your reward will come.

00:06:56I, for one, am most grateful.

00:06:58And I sense the children will welcome you.

00:07:01And, Bly, I know you will love the place.

00:07:05Now, since it is probable we will never meet again,

00:07:09take my hand and accept my offers of good fortune

00:07:12and what is possibly goodbye.

00:07:17Goodbye, sir.

00:07:18And from what you have said, I have no doubts

00:07:21but that I will be extremely happy,

00:07:24both with the children

00:07:25and with Bly.

00:07:27Here we are, ma'am.

00:07:52Bly, your new home.

00:07:55No hope you're going to like it here.

00:07:57Oh, I'm sure I will.

00:07:58Oh, it's beautiful.

00:08:13Far more beautiful than he ever described it as being.

00:08:16Ah, well, the marshal don't like the country, ma'am.

00:08:19And he's too busy on his foreign travels

00:08:21ever to come down here.

00:08:23But the children like it.

00:08:24They made it their own, they have.

00:08:26Two proper little angels they are.

00:08:29Very sad they've been left like that.

00:08:32The boy can't be here very often.

00:08:33Master Miles is back for the holidays.

00:08:35I have orders to meet him on Friday.

00:08:38A little gentleman he's grown to be.

00:08:40And as for Miss Flora,

00:08:42well, she's the most beautiful child you ever did see.

00:08:46I'm going to like it here, I know.

00:08:49Something in the atmosphere of the place tells me it's...

00:08:52It's...

00:08:53Well, good.

00:09:00Yes, ma'am.

00:09:01Ah, there's Mrs. Grose waiting for you on the steps.

00:09:04And is that Flora?

00:09:06Yes, ma'am.

00:09:07That's your new pupil.

00:09:08She is without a doubt the most beautiful child I've ever seen.

00:09:13To look at, Miss, yes.

00:09:15There she is, as I said, an angel.

00:09:17They'll fetch her luggage.

00:09:19Come on, then.

00:09:20What?

00:09:20So you are Mrs. Grose?

00:09:30Yes, Miss.

00:09:31I heard all about you in Harley Street.

00:09:33I hope you were prepared for my arrival.

00:09:35The solicitors told us when to expect you, Miss.

00:09:38The master never writes.

00:09:39And you are most welcome to Bly.

00:09:42We all hope you'll be very happy here.

00:09:44I feel at home already.

00:09:46This is Flora.

00:09:46Flora, she insisted on coming out to meet you, although really it's way past the time for her afternoon rest.

00:09:53Hello, Flora.

00:09:54I hope we are to be friends.

00:09:56Oh, so pretty.

00:09:57I know we will be friends.

00:10:00Now, I must go and have my rest, or Mrs. Grose will be cross.

00:10:02Oh, not with you, my pet.

00:10:05Never with you.

00:10:06After my rest, if you like, I'll show you the nursery and the schoolroom.

00:10:11And then I'll take you down to the lake and show you the view of the house from there.

00:10:14Oh, please.

00:10:15Now, if you'll excuse me.

00:10:16Oh, and I hope you will be happy with all of us at Bly.

00:10:23She's always shy and formal with strangers, but you'll soon get to know her.

00:10:28Oh, I'm sure I shall.

00:10:30And the little boy, Miles, does he look like his sister?

00:10:33Is he such an angel?

00:10:35Oh, Miss, if you think well of this one, you will be carried away by the gentleman.

00:10:40I'm afraid I'm rather easily carried away.

00:10:43Earlier this week, I was a little carried away in London.

00:10:46In Harley Street?

00:10:47In Harley Street.

00:10:49Well, Miss, you're not the first, and you won't be the last.

00:10:52Oh, I've no pretensions to being the only one.

00:10:55In any case, I have promised to have no contact with him.

00:10:58The master would have insisted on that.

00:11:00He always has.

00:11:01I imagine he explained my position here.

00:11:04Oh, yes.

00:11:06I am to have complete control of the children,

00:11:08whilst the running of the house and the staff is your affair.

00:11:10It's a big place to run, Miss.

00:11:13Well, it's no use our just standing here.

00:11:16I'm sure you want to see your room.

00:11:18How you are to share with little Flora, like the last governess did.

00:11:22Is that acceptable?

00:11:23Perfectly.

00:11:24It's only right.

00:11:25To watch, teach, and form Flora will make me happy and useful.

00:11:30And Master Miles?

00:11:32Well, his teachers are in charge of him, while he's at school, of course.

00:11:36But when he's here in the holidays, he'll be entirely in my care.

00:11:39Entirely?

00:11:40He will be back on Friday, and you will see for yourself what a little gentleman he is.

00:11:45And you will love him, Miss.

00:11:47I know you will.

00:11:49I don't understand.

00:12:14What's that, Miss?

00:12:16A letter from Miles's uncle with a sealed envelope inside.

00:12:20The enclosed is from the boy's headmaster, and the headmaster's an awful bore.

00:12:24Read his letter, deal with him, but don't report to me, not a word.

00:12:28I'm off.

00:12:30Yours, etc.

00:12:32You had better do as our employer says.

00:12:34Read the letter.

00:12:34Yes, of course.

00:12:45What does this mean?

00:12:47The child is being sent home.

00:12:50But aren't they all?

00:12:51Being sent home, yes, but only for the holidays.

00:12:54Miles may never go back.

00:12:56He's been expelled from school.

00:12:58But why?

00:12:59What has he done?

00:13:01Oh, here, read for yourself, Mrs. Groves.

00:13:03I'm afraid I can't.

00:13:05Oh, I'm sorry.

00:13:07Well, the headmaster doesn't go into particulars.

00:13:10He just says that they cannot possibly keep him on.

00:13:14Is he a bad boy, Mrs. Groves?

00:13:18Does the gentleman say so?

00:13:21He writes that he's an injury to others.

00:13:25Master Miles?

00:13:26An injury?

00:13:27Never.

00:13:28To his poor little innocent playmates, I suppose.

00:13:30He's scarcely ten years old.

00:13:33Oh, it's dreadful to say such a wicked, cruel thing about the child.

00:13:37Yes, it does seem incredible.

00:13:38When you see him, Miss, you'll know what they say can't be true.

00:13:43Well, you might just as well believe such a thing about Flora.

00:13:46Look at her, bless her.

00:13:47Yes, indeed.

00:13:49Then I take it you've never known Miles to be bad.

00:13:52Oh, I wouldn't say that.

00:13:54You have known him?

00:13:55Yes, indeed, Miss.

00:13:57Thank God.

00:13:58You mean that a boy who is never bad...

00:14:00Is no boy for me.

00:14:02You like children with spirit?

00:14:04Yes, Miss.

00:14:05And so do I, Mrs. Groves.

00:14:08But not to the degree to contaminate.

00:14:12Contaminate?

00:14:13Well, to corrupt.

00:14:15Oh, are you afraid Master Miles will corrupt you?

00:14:23Miss!

00:14:24No, no, of course not.

00:14:25It's just that...

00:14:27Tell me, Mrs. Groves, what was my predecessor like?

00:14:33Children's last governess?

00:14:35Well, she was young and pretty.

00:14:40Almost as young and pretty as you.

00:14:42He seems to like us pretty.

00:14:44Oh, he did.

00:14:45It was the way he liked everyone.

00:14:47Who?

00:14:48Why, it was the Master.

00:14:50I mean, that's his way.

00:14:52But of whom did you speak first?

00:14:54Of him.

00:14:55The Master.

00:14:57Of who else, Miss?

00:14:59Did my predecessor see anything in the boy that wasn't right?

00:15:04If she did, she never told me.

00:15:06Was she careful?

00:15:08Particular?

00:15:09About some things, yes.

00:15:11But not about all?

00:15:11She's gone, Miss.

00:15:14I won't tell tales.

00:15:16No, of course not.

00:15:17I shouldn't have asked.

00:15:20Did she die here?

00:15:21No.

00:15:22She went away.

00:15:24Went away to die?

00:15:26You mean she was taken ill and went home?

00:15:28No, she wasn't ill.

00:15:30At least, not in this house.

00:15:32Miss, she left for her home at the end of the year in order to take a short holiday.

00:15:38But she never came back.

00:15:40At the very moment I was expecting her, I heard from the Master that she was dead.

00:15:46What did she tell?

00:15:46Please don't ask, Miss.

00:15:47I don't know.

00:15:48He never told me.

00:15:50Now, if you'll excuse me, I must get on with my work.

00:15:53There's a lot to be done before Master Miles gets back.

00:15:56And I have quite neglected little Flora and her sums.

00:16:00But the Headmaster's letter...

00:16:01Miss!

00:16:02Yes, Mrs. Gross?

00:16:04That letter...

00:16:06Don't ask Master Miles about it.

00:16:09But why?

00:16:11When you see him, you'll understand.

00:16:14Once you've met the child, you won't be able to mention it.

00:16:19You'll want to forget you ever received such a cruel, wicked thing.

00:16:23We'll see, Mrs. Gross.

00:16:25We shall see you.

00:16:34Hello.

00:16:35I'm Miles.

00:16:36How do you do?

00:16:44Oh, but you were right, my dear good woman.

00:16:49He is an angel.

00:16:51I've never seen such innocence.

00:16:52There's almost something divine about the boy, as though he knows nothing in the world but love.

00:16:58You have fallen under his charms, Miss.

00:17:01Yes, yes.

00:17:02I am charmed.

00:17:04Utterly.

00:17:05Such purity.

00:17:07And his beauty.

00:17:08You have only to look at him.

00:17:10I do little else, Miss.

00:17:11I can assure you.

00:17:13And that cruel charge.

00:17:16It doesn't live an instant.

00:17:18It can't.

00:17:19Then what will you do?

00:17:21I have already done it.

00:17:23I have locked the letter away.

00:17:24It is forgotten.

00:17:25But what will you say?

00:17:28In answer to the letter, nothing.

00:17:30And to his uncle?

00:17:32Nothing.

00:17:34And to the boy?

00:17:36Nothing.

00:17:37Oh, Miss, thank you.

00:17:40I'll stand by you.

00:17:42And we will see it out.

00:17:43Yes, dear Mrs. Gross.

00:17:46We will see this out together.

00:17:56Oh, I was under a charm, as Mrs. Gross had said.

00:18:01That charmed and charming summer, I was in a trap.

00:18:06A trap to my imagination.

00:18:09To my delicacy.

00:18:10Perhaps to my vanity.

00:18:12To whatever in me was most excitable.

00:18:15The best way to picture it all is to say that I was off my guard.

00:18:21In those first weeks, the days were long and at their finest.

00:18:25I had accepted the situation of having to give Miles lessons as well as Flora.

00:18:29I was lifted aloft on a great wave of infatuation and pity.

00:18:35For the first time in my life, I knew space and air and freedom.

00:18:41All the music of summer and all the mystery of nature.

00:18:45I felt, too, that I was giving pleasure to him.

00:18:49To that person in Harley Street to whose pressure I had responded.

00:18:54Often on my solitary wanderings around the garden of an evening,

00:18:57I imagined that he would appear there at the turn of a path

00:19:00and would stand before me and smile and approve.

00:19:06The kind light in his handsome face would let me know his gratitude and his approbation.

00:19:12All this was a time of stillness.

00:19:17A time of hush.

00:19:19In which something gathers or crouches.

00:19:22But then it changed.

00:19:25And the change was like the spring of a beast.

00:19:31He stood there.

00:19:32It was as though my imagination had in a flash turned real.

00:19:36He did stand there.

00:19:38Not on a turn in a path,

00:19:40but high up on the battlements of a tower at the end of the house,

00:19:43clear in the twilight framed against the gold sky.

00:19:46But the man whose eyes met mine was not the person I had hastily supposed.

00:19:52It was not the image that I had seen in Harley Street,

00:19:55nor anywhere else in the world.

00:19:58The man was unknown to me.

00:20:00We were confronted for long enough for me to ask myself who he was.

00:20:04And although we were too far apart to call to each other,

00:20:08there was a moment at which some challenge,

00:20:10breaking the sudden intense silence,

00:20:12would have been the right result of our straight mutual stare.

00:20:16There was a touch of strange freedom

00:20:19in the sign of familiarity of his wearing no hat.

00:20:23And from his high position,

00:20:25he seemed to fix me with the very question which his presence provoked.

00:20:29He never took his eyes from me,

00:20:31and I returned his gaze, transfixed.

00:20:36Then slowly he turned away.

00:20:39And that was all I knew.

00:20:40There she is!

00:20:47There she is!

00:20:48What are you two doing down here?

00:20:49You should be upstairs in the nursery.

00:20:51We were waiting for you to tell us a story.

00:20:54I'm sorry, Miles.

00:20:55I'm too tired.

00:20:56But you promise...

00:20:58They've been looking all over the house for you, miss.

00:21:02They wouldn't leave me alone.

00:21:04And why did you go out without a hat on?

00:21:06You never let me go out without a hat.

00:21:09And your feet are all wet.

00:21:11I only went for a short walk.

00:21:13Now, Miles, take Flora upstairs.

00:21:15I'll be with you presently.

00:21:16Off you go.

00:21:16Very good.

00:21:18Come on, Flora.

00:21:19Give me your hand.

00:21:20Yes, Lyle.

00:21:20What's the matter, miss?

00:21:25Matter?

00:21:26You look quite pale.

00:21:27Do I?

00:21:29I must have walked further than I thought.

00:21:31Oh, and the hem of your dress is all wet.

00:21:34It's the dew...

00:21:35Miss Flora was right.

00:21:37You'd never allow the children to go out like that.

00:21:41You must take more care.

00:21:43For their sakes, yes.

00:21:45Yes, miss.

00:21:47Now, I'll go and get ready some hot chocolate.

00:21:51Oh, you'll worry me this evening.

00:21:53I hope you haven't taken a chill.

00:21:56Thank you, Mrs. Grose.

00:21:57Chocolate will be very welcome.

00:22:00Oh, my dear, too little innocence.

00:22:04What things in the world matter when you are around?

00:22:08The constant joy of you, my children,

00:22:11can sustain me through all my pains,

00:22:14through all my fears.

00:22:20Children!

00:22:33Children, hurry down or we'll be late for the service.

00:22:36Mrs. Grose, could you help Flora batting her coat?

00:22:38Of course.

00:22:39And, Miles, don't forget to bring down the prayer books.

00:22:42They're on the schoolroom table.

00:22:44Oh, thank heaven the rain stopped.

00:22:45It really would have been impossible to have gone this morning.

00:22:48Well, I'll take an umbrella, just in case.

00:22:51Now, where are Flora's hat and gloves?

00:22:54Gloves?

00:22:54That reminds me.

00:22:56I left mine on the table in the drawing room.

00:22:57I'll just get them.

00:22:58He was there, on the other side of the window, looking in,

00:23:07looking straight at me,

00:23:09nearer this time than before,

00:23:11a nearness that somehow represented a forward step in our intercourse

00:23:14that made me catch my breath and turn cold.

00:23:18He remained at the window but a few seconds,

00:23:21long enough to convince me he also saw and recognized.

00:23:24But it was as if I had been looking at him for years and years

00:23:28and had known him always.

00:23:31His stare into my face was as deep and hard as it had always been,

00:23:35but it quitted me for a moment

00:23:37and fixed successively on other things.

00:23:41Then suddenly, I was shocked by a certainty.

00:23:45It was not for me that he had come.

00:23:48He had come for someone else.

00:23:50The flash of this knowledge,

00:23:54for it was knowledge in the midst of dread,

00:23:56gave me a courage that propelled me out of doors,

00:23:59round the corner of the house and along the terrace.

00:24:02But my visitor had vanished.

00:24:05The terrace, the lawn and the garden beyond,

00:24:09all I could see of the park,

00:24:11were empty with a great emptiness.

00:24:13Then, instinctively,

00:24:17I went to the window and stood where he had stood.

00:24:20I applied my face to the windowpane

00:24:22and looked as he had looked into the room.

00:24:25Just then, Mrs. Gross came into the room

00:24:27and pulled up short as I had done,

00:24:30stared as I had done,

00:24:32and turned as white as I must have done.

00:24:35Then she left the room

00:24:36and traced my footsteps out onto the terrace where I stood.

00:24:39She was scared.

00:24:43But why?

00:24:45Why?

00:24:46What in the name of goodness is the matter?

00:24:48Do I look as if anything is the matter?

00:24:50You look awful.

00:24:51You're as white as a sheet.

00:24:52Oh, my dear, take my hand.

00:24:54Hold it.

00:24:56You came for me to go to church, of course.

00:24:58But I can't go now.

00:25:00Has anything happened?

00:25:01Yes.

00:25:03How did I look when you saw me through this window?

00:25:06Pretful.

00:25:07Oh, I've been frightened.

00:25:08When you saw me looking in,

00:25:10you were seeing the effect of my fright.

00:25:13But what I had seen just before was much worse.

00:25:16What was it?

00:25:17A man.

00:25:18An extraordinary man looking in.

00:25:22Where is he now?

00:25:24I don't know.

00:25:25Have you seen him before?

00:25:27Yes, once.

00:25:28On the old tower.

00:25:30Why didn't you tell me?

00:25:32There were reasons.

00:25:34And you've seen him nowhere but on the tower?

00:25:36Except just now.

00:25:37Was he a gentleman?

00:25:39Oh, no.

00:25:40Nobody from about the place?

00:25:41Nobody, I'm sure.

00:25:44And what is he?

00:25:46He's a horror.

00:25:49Oh, God help me if I know what he is.

00:25:53Well past time for church.

00:25:58I'm not fit for church.

00:25:59You're afraid?

00:26:01Yes, I'm afraid of him.

00:26:02How long is it since you first saw him?

00:26:07About the middle of the month.

00:26:09Around this time of evening.

00:26:11Although it was growing dark,

00:26:12I saw him as clearly as I see you now.

00:26:14He only watches?

00:26:15Yes.

00:26:17And I hope it will be confined to that.

00:26:19How long was he here?

00:26:21Until I came round to meet him.

00:26:22That was brave.

00:26:24I couldn't have come out.

00:26:26Neither could I, but I did.

00:26:27I have my duty.

00:26:29I fear for them.

00:26:31The children?

00:26:32Don't you fear for them?

00:26:34Tell me.

00:26:35What was he like?

00:26:37He has no hat.

00:26:39Red curling hair and a long pale face with good features.

00:26:44Red whiskers and dark eyebrows.

00:26:46His eyes are small and very sharp, very fixed.

00:26:51He has a wide mouth with thin lips, hard lips.

00:26:57Somehow he has all the appearance of an actor.

00:27:00An actor?

00:27:01Well, not that I've ever met an actor, but he's how I imagine them to be.

00:27:06But he's never a gentleman.

00:27:09Him a gentleman?

00:27:11You know him.

00:27:12But he is handsome.

00:27:13Remarkably.

00:27:14And dressed.

00:27:15I feel he wears someone else's clothes.

00:27:17The master's.

00:27:19Then you do know him.

00:27:21It's Quint.

00:27:22Quint?

00:27:23Peter Quint.

00:27:25The master's man.

00:27:27His valet when he was here.

00:27:30He never wore his hat, but, well, several waistcoats were missing.

00:27:38They were both here last year.

00:27:40Then the master went.

00:27:43And Quint was here alone.

00:27:44With the children?

00:27:46He was in charge.

00:27:47Well, what became of him?

00:27:49God knows.

00:27:51He died.

00:27:53Died?

00:27:55Yes, miss.

00:27:57Peter Quint is dead.

00:28:00Dead?

00:28:01When did he die?

00:28:04How?

00:28:05Some months before you came.

00:28:10A labourer found him early one morning,

00:28:13lying dead on the road from the village.

00:28:16There was a wound to his head.

00:28:19Such a wound as might have been caused by a slip in the dark

00:28:22after leaving the public house with too much liquor inside him.

00:28:24And that's what the inquest said.

00:28:29That there was a lot of chatter.

00:28:32And Quint's death raised lots of stories.

00:28:36Terrible things were said.

00:28:39Dark things.

00:28:41Vices and strange disorders.

00:28:43Unspeakable things.

00:28:47Things that...

00:28:48Well, I couldn't tell you.

00:28:52But why?

00:28:54Why should he come back?

00:28:57He was looking for Miles.

00:28:59I can see that now.

00:29:01How do you know?

00:29:02I just know.

00:29:04And what is more,

00:29:06you know too, my dear, don't you?

00:29:08But what if Master Miles should see him?

00:29:10That is what he wants, child.

00:29:12For the children to see him.

00:29:14Oh, I must protect them from him.

00:29:16It seems strange that they have never mentioned anything about him, ever.

00:29:20Little Flora's too young.

00:29:21She wouldn't remember.

00:29:22But Miles, Miles would know.

00:29:24Oh, don't try and miss.

00:29:27Oh, don't worry, I won't.

00:29:28But even so, it is odd.

00:29:31Oh, they were great friends.

00:29:34Yeah, but really it was all Quint's fancy.

00:29:38He used to play with the child.

00:29:40Spoil him.

00:29:42Quint was too free.

00:29:44Too free with my boy?

00:29:46Too free with everyone.

00:29:48Then it was well known that he was bad?

00:29:50Not well known.

00:29:51I knew it.

00:29:54But the Master didn't.

00:29:56And you never told him?

00:30:00He didn't like tale-telling.

00:30:04He hated complaints.

00:30:05He didn't like being bothered.

00:30:06I would have told him.

00:30:08I was afraid.

00:30:09Of what?

00:30:11Of things that man could do.

00:30:14How Quint was so clever.

00:30:16Deep.

00:30:17But weren't you afraid of his effect on the children?

00:30:19They weren't my responsibility.

00:30:22They were in his charge.

00:30:23And you could bear that?

00:30:24I couldn't.

00:30:25I couldn't.

00:30:26I couldn't.

00:30:27I couldn't.

00:30:28I couldn't.

00:30:29I couldn't.

00:30:30I couldn't.

00:30:32I couldn't.

00:30:33I couldn't.

00:30:35And I can't bear it now.

00:30:42But I must.

00:30:45I must bear it now and for as long as they need me.

00:30:48I must stand before them as a screen.

00:30:51It is my duty to protect them.

00:30:54And the more I see, the less will my little innocence be aware of this evil horror.

00:31:00But shortly, I was saved from this madness.

00:31:14From myself.

00:31:16My resolution was superseded by horrible proofs.

00:31:21Yes, I say proofs.

00:31:23And Flora was playing very hard.

00:31:53We were on the edge of the lake, which, because of something lately begun in geography,

00:31:59had become the Sea of Azov.

00:32:02Suddenly, I was aware that we were not alone.

00:32:06But on the other side of the Sea of Azov, there was an interested spectator watching us.

00:32:13A third person whose right of presence I immediately questioned.

00:32:16I knew it to be an apparition.

00:32:18My heart stood still with terror, and I wondered whether little Flora would see it too.

00:32:25I awaited some sudden, innocent sign of interest or alarm from her.

00:32:30But none came.

00:32:34Purposefully, she turned her back on the water and the awful figure.

00:32:39With firm conviction, she interested herself in two pieces of wood and began to play with them intently.

00:32:44I realized what she was doing, and turned my eyes to face what I had to face.

00:32:52They know.

00:33:03They know.

00:33:04It's too monstrous, Mrs. Gross.

00:33:06They do know.

00:33:07But what?

00:33:07They know all that we know, and heaven knows what else besides.

00:33:10But how?

00:33:11Two hours ago, in the garden, Flora saw.

00:33:15She has told you?

00:33:17That's the horror.

00:33:18She kept it to herself, not a word from the child.

00:33:22How can you be sure?

00:33:23I was there.

00:33:25I saw with my eyes.

00:33:26I saw that she was perfectly aware.

00:33:29Aware of him?

00:33:30No.

00:33:32Of her.

00:33:33What?

00:33:33A woman this time.

00:33:35But again, a figure of unmistakable horror and evil.

00:33:38She was dressed in black, pale, dreadful, on the other side of the lake.

00:33:45How did she come to be there?

00:33:47From wherever it is they come from.

00:33:50She just appeared and stood there.

00:33:53A long way off.

00:33:54Yes, but in feeling, she seemed as close to me as you are now.

00:33:57You've never seen her before?

00:34:00Never.

00:34:01But the child has.

00:34:03What?

00:34:04And yes, you have.

00:34:06It was my predecessor.

00:34:08The one who died.

00:34:11This Jessel?

00:34:12This Jessel, I know it.

00:34:14How can you be sure?

00:34:16Ask Flora, she knows.

00:34:17No, no, don't ask Flora, she'll lie.

00:34:20How can you say that?

00:34:21Because I am certain now that Flora doesn't want me to know.

00:34:24If that's the case, then it's only to spare you.

00:34:27Oh, no.

00:34:28It's because there are depths.

00:34:31Depths?

00:34:31The more I go over it, the more I see in it.

00:34:35And the more I see in it, the more I fear.

00:34:37I don't know what I don't see, what I don't fear.

00:34:40You mean you are afraid of seeing her again?

00:34:43No, I'm afraid of not seeing her.

00:34:45I don't understand.

00:34:46How don't you realize Flora will keep up this pretense?

00:34:51Perhaps Flora doesn't mind the apparition.

00:34:53Perhaps she likes it.

00:34:55How can a mere child like such things?

00:34:57Isn't that just a proof of her blessed innocence?

00:35:00Oh, let us hope so.

00:35:03For if it isn't, it's a proof of God alone knows what.

00:35:09For that woman's a horror of horrors, I'm certain of it.

00:35:13How do you know?

00:35:14By seeing her.

00:35:16By the way she looked.

00:35:17At you?

00:35:18Oh, no, she never looked at me.

00:35:20She only fixed the child with her awful eyes.

00:35:23With hate?

00:35:24Oh, God help us, no.

00:35:26With something much worse.

00:35:29With determination.

00:35:32With a kind of fury of intention.

00:35:35Intending what?

00:35:36To get hold of her.

00:35:39Possess her.

00:35:41And that's what Flora knows.

00:35:45She wore black, you say?

00:35:48Yes, as if in mourning.

00:35:51But she had a kind of extraordinary beauty.

00:35:54Beautiful, but infamous.

00:35:58Miss Jessel was infamous.

00:36:00They were both infamous.

00:36:02So there was something between her and Peter Quint?

00:36:07In spite of the difference of rank between them, yes.

00:36:10She was a lady, I saw that.

00:36:12And he so dreadfully below.

00:36:15Yet she did what he wished.

00:36:17With her?

00:36:19With all of them.

00:36:21But it must have been what she wished too.

00:36:23Poor woman.

00:36:25She paid for it.

00:36:26Then you do know what she died of.

00:36:28No.

00:36:29I know nothing.

00:36:30I...

00:36:31I wanted not to know.

00:36:34I was just glad that she was well out of this.

00:36:37Then you had your own idea about her reasons for leaving.

00:36:40She couldn't have stayed here.

00:36:42A governess.

00:36:44Afterwards, I imagined...

00:36:46And what I still imagine is too dreadful.

00:36:52Not as dreadful as mine.

00:36:57Oh, it's too much.

00:36:58Oh, there, there, my poor dear.

00:37:03I don't do it.

00:37:06I don't save them or shield them.

00:37:10It's far worse than I dreamed.

00:37:14They're already lost.

00:37:16Utterly lost.

00:37:30Their children are safely asleep, miss,

00:37:32and the rest of the servants have gone to their quarters.

00:37:35Good.

00:37:36Sit down there, Mrs. Gross.

00:37:37Thank you, miss.

00:37:41My mind has been racing.

00:37:44And there are things we must talk out.

00:37:47Of one thing, I must be sure.

00:37:49Yes, miss?

00:37:50You don't doubt me in any way.

00:37:53Don't doubt the truth of what I've seen.

00:37:55Well, lass, no.

00:37:57I recognize them both from your descriptions.

00:38:00But one thing I beg of you, miss.

00:38:04Yes?

00:38:04Forget all you've told me.

00:38:07Don't you think that I have any greater wish than to escape from these horrors?

00:38:12But they will appear again and again.

00:38:15Of that, I am sure.

00:38:16I must learn to accustom myself to their presence, despite their communion with these creatures.

00:38:26The children do give me a kind of strength.

00:38:29Their voices, their fragrant faces against my cheek, their pressure on my heart make all fall away except their helplessness and their beauty.

00:38:38I find it hard to believe that they are as cunning as Flora's behavior this afternoon leads me to suspect.

00:38:46It was Quint who taught the boy to be bad.

00:38:52For several months, they were together every hour of the day.

00:38:56Quint was like a tutor to him.

00:38:58But what about their governess, Miss Jessel?

00:39:01Oh, she didn't forbid him.

00:39:03You see, she had the little lady.

00:39:05Couldn't you have tried to separate Quint from the boy?

00:39:08I told Master Miles that I like to see young gentlemen remember their station.

00:39:14And he replied?

00:39:15He denied their relationship.

00:39:18I see.

00:39:19He lied.

00:39:21And what about Quint's relationship with Miss Jessel?

00:39:24Did Miles know what was going on between those two wretches?

00:39:27I don't know, Miss.

00:39:28I don't know.

00:39:29But you do, you dear thing.

00:39:31You must.

00:39:33Miles covered and concealed their relationship.

00:39:36Oh, what they have made of him.

00:39:38Well, he's different now.

00:39:39No wonder you were upset when you heard he had been expelled.

00:39:42You knew he was a fiend at school.

00:39:45But I always forgave him.

00:39:47Wouldn't you?

00:39:48Oh, yes.

00:39:49Yes, I would.

00:39:51However, I feel that I must now watch him very carefully.

00:39:54Surely you don't accuse him of hiding anything.

00:39:58I won't make any accusations until I have further evidence.

00:40:03And for that, I suppose, I must just wait.

00:40:06I waited and waited.

00:40:15And the days, as they elapsed, took something from my consternation.

00:40:20The children during this period were extravagantly fond of me.

00:40:24Truly lavish in their homage.

00:40:27They had never, I think, wanted to do so many things for their poor protectors.

00:40:30They had never played harder or more amusingly, and never had their lessons been better.

00:40:37I began to surrender again to their childish grace, and used to worry lest my little charges

00:40:43should guess that I thought strange things about them.

00:40:48During all this time that I was in their close company, and I was careful never to be out of it,

00:40:54I could follow no scent very far.

00:40:58We lived in a cloud of music, and love, and success, and private theatricals.

00:41:04And if the children were simply practicing diplomacy, it was without grossness.

00:41:10Then, after a lull, grossness did break out.

00:41:14One evening, with nothing to lead up to it, or prepare for it,

00:41:20I felt again the cold touch of the impression that had breathed upon me the night of my arrival.

00:41:26I had not gone to bed, but sat reading,

00:41:29Fielding's Amelia, I think it was,

00:41:32by the light of two candles in my room.

00:41:35The white curtain of Flora's little bed shrouded the perfection of childish rest close by me.

00:41:41Suddenly, my author's spell was shattered.

00:41:44I sensed there was something undefinably astir in the house.

00:41:48I looked hard at the door.

00:41:50I listened.

00:41:52A soft breath from the open window gently moved the half-drawn blind.

00:41:56Then, with deliberation, I put down my book,

00:42:00took up a candle, and went out of the room, locking the door behind me.

00:42:04Holding my candle high,

00:42:06I went along the landing,

00:42:09till I came within sight of the tall window

00:42:11that presided over the great turn of the staircase.

00:42:15My candle went out.

00:42:18And there, in the early morning light from the window, I saw him.

00:42:23Peter Quint.

00:42:24He was halfway up the staircase and right opposite me.

00:42:28He stopped,

00:42:29and fixed me with a stare,

00:42:30just as he had done from the tower and from the terrace.

00:42:32We faced each other in our common intensity.

00:42:36He knew me as I knew him.

00:42:39He was a living, detestable, dangerous presence.

00:42:43But I met him,

00:42:44and measured him,

00:42:45and was not afraid.

00:42:47And he knew I had no terror.

00:42:50We gazed in dead silence.

00:42:52It was as hideous and human as a real interview,

00:42:57and only unnatural in that we did not speak.

00:42:59If I had met a murderer at such an hour in such a place,

00:43:02at least we would have spoken.

00:43:04So long were we there that I began to doubt if I were in life.

00:43:10Then, still in silence,

00:43:13the figure turned,

00:43:15and went down the staircase into the darkness,

00:43:17and was gone.

00:43:20He had gone.

00:43:21Gone.

00:43:26Flora?

00:43:28Flora, my dear.

00:43:30She's gone.

00:43:31The bed's empty.

00:43:32Flora!

00:43:34Did you want me?

00:43:35You naughty, where have you been?

00:43:37Oh, Flora, what are you doing out of bed?

00:43:40Why were you hiding behind the curtains?

00:43:43Were you trying to frighten me?

00:43:45I woke up and you weren't there.

00:43:47Oh, my angel.

00:43:49Let me hold you.

00:43:50Flora, were you looking for me?

00:43:54Did you think I might be out walking in the grounds?

00:43:57Well, you know, I thought someone was.

00:43:59And did you see anyone?

00:44:01Tell me the truth.

00:44:03No one.

00:44:04Oh, my little darling.

00:44:06There was no one there.

00:44:07But you do see someone.

00:44:10You know that you do.

00:44:12And you suspect that I believe that you do.

00:44:15So why not confess it to me?

00:44:18So that we may at least live with it together

00:44:20and perhaps learn from the strangeness of our fate

00:44:23where we are and what it means.

00:44:26Ow!

00:44:27You're hurting me!

00:44:28Oh, my darling, why do you hide away?

00:44:32Why did you pull the curtain round?

00:44:34Because I don't like to frighten you.

00:44:36But if I had gone out as you thought.

00:44:38Oh, but I knew that you would come back.

00:44:40And you have come back.

00:44:42Yes, I have.

00:44:43Now into bed with you, Flora,

00:44:45or you will get cold.

00:44:47Yes, my dear.

00:44:48As you say.

00:44:49And never do that again, Flora.

00:44:52Because you did frighten me.

00:44:55And you know that you did, don't you?

00:45:03From that night on,

00:45:05I sat up awake until my roommate unmistakably slept.

00:45:09Then I would steal out

00:45:11and take noiseless turns on the landing.

00:45:14But I never met Quint there again.

00:45:17One night,

00:45:18I recognized the presence of the woman

00:45:21sitting on the stairs with her back to me,

00:45:25her body half bowed

00:45:26and her head in her hands in an attitude of woe.

00:45:30Then suddenly she vanished

00:45:32and was nowhere to be seen.

00:45:36On the eleventh night,

00:45:38after my third encounter with Peter Quint,

00:45:41Flora again got up from her bed whilst I was dozing

00:45:43and was again at the window peering out into the night.

00:45:47Hidden,

00:45:49protected,

00:45:50absorbed.

00:45:51She was face to face with the apparition we had met at the lake

00:45:54and could now communicate with it

00:45:57as she had then not been able to do.

00:46:00She had given herself up.

00:46:02I managed to get to the door and threw it without Flora hearing me.

00:46:08Opposite me was Miles' room.

00:46:10Was he at his window?

00:46:12No, he might be asleep.

00:46:14He might be innocent.

00:46:16And besides,

00:46:18the visitor prowling in the grounds

00:46:19was the one with whom Flora was engaged,

00:46:21not my boy.

00:46:22I resolved to look out

00:46:24and entering an empty room to the left

00:46:27went to the window.

00:46:28There was a strong moon that night

00:46:30and on the lawn,

00:46:33diminished by distance,

00:46:35I could discern a figure looking up at me

00:46:37or rather

00:46:39at something above me.

00:46:42There was another person above me

00:46:45on the tower

00:46:46and the presence on the lawn

00:46:49was not in the least

00:46:51what I had confidently conceived.

00:46:55It was poor little Miles himself.

00:47:04Get into bed, Miles.

00:47:06You have made me very angry.

00:47:09There.

00:47:11Now, Miles,

00:47:11you must tell me the truth.

00:47:13Why did you go out?

00:47:15What were you doing in the garden?

00:47:17If I tell you why,

00:47:19will you understand?

00:47:21Yes, Miles,

00:47:22I think I will.

00:47:23Well,

00:47:24so that you should do

00:47:25what you are doing.

00:47:26And what is that?

00:47:27Why,

00:47:28thinking that I really am bad

00:47:29for a change.

00:47:31Then you didn't undress at all?

00:47:33No,

00:47:34I sat up and read.

00:47:35And when did you go down to the terrace?

00:47:37At midnight,

00:47:38on the stroke.

00:47:40You see,

00:47:40when I'm bad,

00:47:41I'm very bad.

00:47:43But how could you be sure

00:47:44that I would know about it?

00:47:45Oh,

00:47:46I arranged that with Flora.

00:47:47What?

00:47:48She was to get up

00:47:49and look out of her window.

00:47:51Which she did.

00:47:52Then you would look out

00:47:52to see what she was looking at.

00:47:54And you would see me.

00:47:55Whilst you caught

00:47:56your death of cold

00:47:57out on the lawn

00:47:58in the night air.

00:47:59Well,

00:47:59how else,

00:48:00my dear,

00:48:01could I have been bad enough?

00:48:03Tell me that.

00:48:04it was a challenge,

00:48:18Mrs. Gross.

00:48:20And that's what he gave them

00:48:21a taste of at school.

00:48:23Lord,

00:48:23are you sure?

00:48:27I'm certain

00:48:28that the four of them

00:48:29are forever meeting.

00:48:30It's the children's

00:48:31systematic silence

00:48:32that makes me so sure.

00:48:34Never by the slip

00:48:35of a tongue

00:48:35have they so much

00:48:36as alluded to

00:48:37either of their old friends.

00:48:39Any more than Miles

00:48:40has alluded to his expulsion.

00:48:42And all we can do

00:48:44is sit here

00:48:46and look at them.

00:48:47Yes,

00:48:48look at them.

00:48:50The way he's reading

00:48:52to his little sister,

00:48:53they're like two angels.

00:48:56But even while they pretend

00:48:57to be lost in their fairy tale,

00:49:00they're steeped in their vision

00:49:01of the dead restored.

00:49:04He's not reading to her.

00:49:06They're talking of them.

00:49:08They're talking horrors.

00:49:09I know.

00:49:11What else do you know?

00:49:13I know that it's all a game.

00:49:15They're more than

00:49:16earthly beauty.

00:49:19They're unnatural goodness.

00:49:21It's all part of a contrived

00:49:22policy of fraud.

00:49:24You must admit

00:49:25they have been good.

00:49:26No.

00:49:28They've been absent.

00:49:30It's been easy

00:49:31to live with them

00:49:31because they're leading

00:49:32a life of their own.

00:49:34They're not mine.

00:49:36They're not ours.

00:49:37They're his and hers.

00:49:39Quinn's?

00:49:40And that woman's?

00:49:41Quinn's?

00:49:42And that woman's.

00:49:43They want to get

00:49:45our children.

00:49:46But for what?

00:49:48For the love

00:49:49of all the evil

00:49:50that in those dreadful days

00:49:51the pair put into them.

00:49:53To fill them with evil still.

00:49:55To keep up

00:49:56the work of demons.

00:49:57That's what brings

00:49:58the couple back.

00:50:00Yet

00:50:00what more can

00:50:03Quinn and Miss Jessel

00:50:04now do?

00:50:05Do?

00:50:07Don't they do enough?

00:50:09They can destroy

00:50:10destroy the children.

00:50:12They don't know how yet

00:50:13but they're trying hard.

00:50:16So far

00:50:16they're only seen

00:50:17at a distance

00:50:17but there is a deep design

00:50:19to shorten that distance.

00:50:21It's only a question

00:50:22of time.

00:50:24Before the children

00:50:25come to them

00:50:26and perish

00:50:28in the attempt.

00:50:30Unless we can

00:50:31prevent it.

00:50:33Their uncle

00:50:34must take them away.

00:50:35Who's to make him?

00:50:38You, miss.

00:50:40By writing to say

00:50:41that his house

00:50:42is poisoned

00:50:43and his nephew

00:50:43and he's mad?

00:50:45I?

00:50:46Who I'm supposed

00:50:47to give him

00:50:47no worry?

00:50:48Make him

00:50:49come to you.

00:50:51Him?

00:50:53To me?

00:50:54He ought to be here

00:50:55and he ought to help.

00:50:57Can you really see me

00:50:58asking him

00:50:59for a visit?

00:51:02No,

00:51:02it's out of the question

00:51:04and Mrs. Gross

00:51:04Yes, miss.

00:51:06If you should lose

00:51:07your head so far

00:51:08as to appeal

00:51:08to him for me

00:51:09I warn you

00:51:11I would leave you

00:51:11on the spot

00:51:12both him and you.

00:51:23The summer had turned.

00:51:25The summer had gone.

00:51:27The autumn had dropped

00:51:28upon Bly

00:51:29and blown out

00:51:30half our lights.

00:51:32The place

00:51:32with its grey sky

00:51:34and withered garlands

00:51:35was like a theatre

00:51:37after the performance

00:51:38all strewn

00:51:40with crumpled

00:51:40playbills.

00:51:42There were states

00:51:43of air

00:51:44conditions of sound

00:51:45and of stillness

00:51:46which brought back

00:51:48to me that first

00:51:49June meeting

00:51:50with Peter Quint.

00:51:52There was many

00:51:53a corner

00:51:53round which

00:51:54I expected

00:51:54to come upon him

00:51:55many a sinister

00:51:57situation

00:51:58which would have

00:51:58favoured

00:51:59Miss Jessel

00:51:59but I met

00:52:01neither of the

00:52:02infamous pair

00:52:03and we remained

00:52:04unmolested.

00:52:07With the children

00:52:08I had a tacit

00:52:09agreement

00:52:10never to mention

00:52:10the subject

00:52:11which so obsessed me.

00:52:13I longed to make

00:52:14a direct accusation

00:52:15but somehow

00:52:17they forced

00:52:18delicacy upon me

00:52:19and I entered

00:52:21into their game

00:52:22of silence.

00:52:22Even so

00:52:25I was unable

00:52:27to rid myself

00:52:27of the cruel

00:52:28idea

00:52:29that Miles

00:52:30and Flora

00:52:31saw even more

00:52:33than I knew.

00:52:35Terrible

00:52:35and unguessable

00:52:36things

00:52:37that sprang

00:52:38from their

00:52:38relationship

00:52:39in the past.

00:52:41However

00:52:42in spite

00:52:43of my tension

00:52:44and of their

00:52:45triumph

00:52:45I never

00:52:47lost patience

00:52:48with them.

00:52:50Then relief

00:52:51came

00:52:51the sort

00:52:53of relief

00:52:54that a snap

00:52:55brings to a strain

00:52:56or the burst

00:52:58of a thunderstorm

00:52:58to a day

00:52:59of suffocation

00:53:00and when

00:53:02the change

00:53:02came

00:53:03it came

00:53:04with a rush.

00:53:08We were

00:53:09walking to

00:53:10Sunday church

00:53:10one clear

00:53:11autumn morning.

00:53:13Flora

00:53:13was ahead

00:53:14with Mrs.

00:53:14Gross

00:53:15and Miles

00:53:16sprucely

00:53:17dressed by

00:53:18his uncle's

00:53:19tailor

00:53:19and with

00:53:20the grand

00:53:21air

00:53:21of one

00:53:22aware

00:53:22of the

00:53:22rights

00:53:23of his

00:53:23sex

00:53:23and situation

00:53:24was walking

00:53:25like a little

00:53:26gentleman

00:53:27silently

00:53:27at my side.

00:53:30We continued

00:53:30for some

00:53:31while in this

00:53:31way.

00:53:33Then when

00:53:33he spoke

00:53:34the curtain

00:53:35rose on the

00:53:36last act

00:53:37of my dreadful

00:53:38drama.

00:53:40Look here

00:53:41my dear

00:53:41when in the

00:53:43world

00:53:43please am I

00:53:44going back

00:53:44to school?

00:53:46What did

00:53:46you say

00:53:46Miles?

00:53:47When am I

00:53:48going back

00:53:48to school?

00:53:49I mean

00:53:50for a fellow

00:53:50to be with

00:53:51the lady

00:53:51always.

00:53:52And always

00:53:53the same

00:53:53lady?

00:53:54Well I

00:53:55know she's

00:53:55a jolly

00:53:56perfect lady

00:53:57but after

00:53:58all I'm a

00:53:59fellow that's

00:54:00well getting

00:54:01on you see.

00:54:02Oh yes

00:54:03you're getting

00:54:04on.

00:54:05I have been

00:54:05awfully good

00:54:06haven't I?

00:54:07No Miles

00:54:08I can't say

00:54:09that.

00:54:10Except for

00:54:11that one

00:54:11night.

00:54:12Which night

00:54:13would that

00:54:13be?

00:54:14Why when I

00:54:15went down

00:54:15went out

00:54:16of the

00:54:17house?

00:54:17Oh yes

00:54:18but I

00:54:20forget now

00:54:20what you

00:54:21did it

00:54:21for.

00:54:22Why?

00:54:22To show

00:54:23you that

00:54:23I could.

00:54:24Ah yes

00:54:25and you

00:54:26could.

00:54:27And I

00:54:28can again.

00:54:29But you

00:54:29won't.

00:54:30Will you

00:54:31Miles?

00:54:31Not that

00:54:32again.

00:54:33That was

00:54:33nothing.

00:54:34No

00:54:34nothing at

00:54:35all.

00:54:37You still

00:54:37haven't said

00:54:38when I'm

00:54:38going back

00:54:39to school?

00:54:40Were you

00:54:41very happy

00:54:41at school?

00:54:42I'm happy

00:54:42enough

00:54:43anyway.

00:54:43Then if

00:54:44you're happy

00:54:44here.

00:54:45Oh but

00:54:45I don't

00:54:46know as

00:54:46much as

00:54:46I want

00:54:47to.

00:54:48I want

00:54:48to see

00:54:49more

00:54:49life.

00:54:50I see.

00:54:51Well we're

00:54:53here now

00:54:53and must

00:54:53go in.

00:54:55We'll talk

00:54:55about it

00:54:55all later.

00:54:56I want

00:54:57my own

00:54:57sort.

00:54:58There are

00:54:58not many

00:54:59of your

00:54:59own sort

00:54:59Miles.

00:55:01Except

00:55:01perhaps

00:55:02dear little

00:55:02Flora.

00:55:03Would you

00:55:03compare me

00:55:04with a

00:55:04baby girl?

00:55:05Or don't

00:55:06you love

00:55:06your sweet

00:55:06sister?

00:55:07If I

00:55:08didn't.

00:55:09And you

00:55:09too.

00:55:10If I

00:55:11didn't.

00:55:12Yes

00:55:13Miles.

00:55:13If you

00:55:15didn't.

00:55:16Well you

00:55:17know what.

00:55:18Do

00:55:18what?

00:55:19Does my

00:55:20uncle think

00:55:20what you

00:55:21think?

00:55:22How do

00:55:22you know

00:55:22what I

00:55:23think?

00:55:24I mean

00:55:25does he

00:55:25know?

00:55:27Know what

00:55:28Miles?

00:55:29Why the

00:55:29way I'm

00:55:30going on?

00:55:30I don't

00:55:32think your

00:55:32uncle cares

00:55:33very much.

00:55:34Then don't

00:55:34you think

00:55:35he can be

00:55:35made to?

00:55:36In what

00:55:36way?

00:55:37By his

00:55:38coming down

00:55:38to Blark.

00:55:39Who will

00:55:40get him

00:55:40to come

00:55:41down?

00:55:42I will.

00:55:43I promise

00:55:43you I

00:55:44will.

00:55:45Now my

00:55:46dear, are

00:55:46you coming

00:55:47into church

00:55:47with me?

00:55:48But I

00:55:56didn't

00:55:56follow him.

00:55:57I just

00:55:58sat there

00:55:59on a

00:55:59tombstone

00:55:59until I

00:56:00had grasped

00:56:01the full

00:56:01implication

00:56:02of what

00:56:02my little

00:56:03friend had

00:56:03said.

00:56:04He had

00:56:05revealed to

00:56:06me both

00:56:07a consciousness

00:56:07and a

00:56:08plan.

00:56:10It was

00:56:10as if to

00:56:10say,

00:56:11either you

00:56:12clear up

00:56:12with my

00:56:13guardian the

00:56:13mystery of

00:56:14this

00:56:14interruption

00:56:14of my

00:56:15studies,

00:56:15or you

00:56:17ceased to

00:56:17expect me

00:56:17to lead

00:56:18with you

00:56:18a life

00:56:19that's so

00:56:19unnatural

00:56:19for a

00:56:20boy.

00:56:21He had

00:56:22gathered my

00:56:22feelings as

00:56:23far as his

00:56:24uncle was

00:56:24concerned and

00:56:26had used my

00:56:27fear of

00:56:28troubling that

00:56:28person to

00:56:29gain his

00:56:29own freedom.

00:56:31And there

00:56:32was only one

00:56:33end to my

00:56:33predicament.

00:56:35I must give

00:56:36the whole thing

00:56:36up.

00:56:38Now, whilst

00:56:39almost the

00:56:40entire household

00:56:40was at

00:56:41church, I

00:56:41must collect

00:56:42my things

00:56:42and go

00:56:43from Blark.

00:56:45Back at

00:56:46the house

00:56:47all was a

00:56:48Sunday

00:56:48stillness in

00:56:49which I

00:56:49met no

00:56:49one.

00:56:51My

00:56:51quickness

00:56:51would have

00:56:52to be

00:56:52remarkable

00:56:52if I

00:56:53were to

00:56:53catch a

00:56:53train,

00:56:54and the

00:56:54problem of

00:56:55a conveyance

00:56:55to the

00:56:56station had

00:56:56to be

00:56:56settled.

00:56:58Tormented

00:56:58by difficulties,

00:56:59I made

00:57:00my way to

00:57:00the school

00:57:01room, where

00:57:02there were

00:57:02objects belonging

00:57:03to me which

00:57:03I would have

00:57:03to take.

00:57:04I ascended

00:57:05the great

00:57:06staircase, went

00:57:06along the

00:57:07corridor, and

00:57:07opened the

00:57:08door.

00:57:10There,

00:57:11sitting at

00:57:12my school

00:57:12room table,

00:57:13was the

00:57:15spectre of

00:57:15that most

00:57:16horrible of

00:57:16women.

00:57:18Her arms

00:57:19were resting

00:57:19on the

00:57:20table, and

00:57:21her head

00:57:21was supported

00:57:22by her

00:57:22hands in

00:57:23an attitude

00:57:23of weariness.

00:57:25Dark as

00:57:26midnight in

00:57:27her black

00:57:27dress, her

00:57:29pale beauty

00:57:30haggard with

00:57:30unutterable

00:57:31woe, she

00:57:32was all

00:57:33before me,

00:57:35dishonored and

00:57:37tragic.

00:57:37as I stood

00:57:39there, she

00:57:41rose and

00:57:42looked at

00:57:42me long

00:57:42enough to

00:57:43indicate that

00:57:43I was the

00:57:44intruder, not

00:57:46her.

00:57:48I cried

00:57:48out, you

00:57:49terrible,

00:57:51miserable

00:57:51woman!

00:57:53I think she

00:57:54heard me.

00:57:56For the next

00:57:56moment, there

00:57:57was nothing in

00:57:58the room, but

00:58:00the sunshine, and

00:58:02a sense that I

00:58:03must stay.

00:58:04whatever

00:58:14happened to

00:58:15you, miss?

00:58:16Why didn't you

00:58:16come into church

00:58:17with Master

00:58:17Miles?

00:58:18Oh, I only

00:58:19went to church

00:58:19with you for

00:58:20the walk.

00:58:21Then I had to

00:58:21come back to

00:58:22meet a friend.

00:58:22A friend?

00:58:23Oh, yes, Mrs.

00:58:24Gross, I have

00:58:25a couple.

00:58:27Did the

00:58:27children say

00:58:28anything about

00:58:28my absence?

00:58:30They asked

00:58:31me not to

00:58:32mention it,

00:58:33because you

00:58:33would prefer

00:58:34it.

00:58:35But why?

00:58:36Master Miles

00:58:37said that we

00:58:37must all do

00:58:38nothing but

00:58:39what you like,

00:58:40and I agreed.

00:58:42That was

00:58:42sweet of him.

00:58:45Even so, all

00:58:46is now out

00:58:47between Miles

00:58:47and me.

00:58:48What is out?

00:58:49Everything.

00:58:50That's why I

00:58:51came back home

00:58:52for a talk

00:58:52with Miss

00:58:52Jessel.

00:58:53She spoke?

00:58:55It came to

00:58:55that.

00:58:56What did

00:58:57she say?

00:58:59That she

00:58:59suffers the

00:59:00torments of

00:59:00the damned,

00:59:02and that's why

00:59:03she wants

00:59:03little Flora

00:59:04to share

00:59:05them with

00:59:05her.

00:59:06Oh, no,

00:59:08miss!

00:59:09However, I'm

00:59:09not worried

00:59:10anymore.

00:59:11I've made

00:59:11up my mind.

00:59:13Yes?

00:59:14I have

00:59:14determined to

00:59:15send for

00:59:15their uncle.

00:59:16Oh, in

00:59:17pity, Miss

00:59:17Doom!

00:59:18I see now

00:59:19it's the only

00:59:19way.

00:59:20For little

00:59:20Miles thinks

00:59:21I'm afraid

00:59:21to, and I

00:59:22must show

00:59:22him that

00:59:23he's mistaken.

00:59:24If his

00:59:25uncle reproaches

00:59:26me for having

00:59:26done nothing

00:59:27more about

00:59:27the school,

00:59:28I'll tell

00:59:29him the awful

00:59:29reason.

00:59:30I'll do

00:59:31what I

00:59:31should have

00:59:32done long

00:59:32before.

00:59:33I'll show

00:59:34him the

00:59:34headmaster's

00:59:35letter.

00:59:35Oh, no,

00:59:35miss, don't!

00:59:37I'll tell

00:59:37him that I

00:59:37can't work

00:59:38out the

00:59:38problems of

00:59:38a child

00:59:39who's been

00:59:39expelled for

00:59:40wickedness.

00:59:40But we're

00:59:41not sure

00:59:41of that.

00:59:42What else

00:59:42is it for,

00:59:43then?

00:59:44Is he

00:59:44stupid?

00:59:45And

00:59:45tidy?

00:59:45Or sick?

00:59:47Is he

00:59:47ill-natured?

00:59:49No.

00:59:50He is

00:59:51exquisite.

00:59:53It can only

00:59:53be for

00:59:54wickedness.

00:59:55And it's

00:59:56his uncle's

00:59:57fault.

00:59:57He left

00:59:58the boy here

00:59:59with that

00:59:59couple.

00:59:59He didn't

01:00:00know them.

01:00:02I did.

01:00:03It's my

01:00:03fault,

01:00:03miss,

01:00:04mine.

01:00:04You

01:00:05shan't

01:00:05suffer,

01:00:05Mrs.

01:00:06Grace.

01:00:06The

01:00:06children

01:00:06shan't.

01:00:08Please,

01:00:09you needn't

01:00:10tell him,

01:00:11I'll tell

01:00:11him.

01:00:12But how?

01:00:14The

01:00:14bailiff.

01:00:15I'll tell

01:00:16him.

01:00:17He writes

01:00:18my letters

01:00:18for me.

01:00:19And should

01:00:20you really

01:00:20like him

01:00:21to write

01:00:21our story?

01:00:22Oh, no,

01:00:22miss.

01:00:23Oh, heavens,

01:00:23no.

01:00:24You write.

01:00:26Yes,

01:00:26I will.

01:00:28I'll write

01:00:28to their

01:00:29uncle

01:00:29tonight.

01:00:39That

01:00:40evening,

01:00:40the weather

01:00:41changed,

01:00:42and I sat

01:00:42beneath the

01:00:43lamp with a

01:00:44blank sheet of

01:00:44paper before

01:00:45me,

01:00:46listening to

01:00:46the elements.

01:00:48What in

01:00:49reality I was

01:00:50listening for

01:00:50was some

01:00:52betrayal of

01:00:52Miles not

01:00:53being at

01:00:53rest.

01:00:55My obsession

01:00:56finally led me

01:00:57to take

01:00:57up a

01:00:57candle and

01:00:58cross the

01:00:58passage to

01:00:59Miles's

01:00:59room.

01:01:01No sooner

01:01:01had I

01:01:02reached the

01:01:02outside of

01:01:03his door than

01:01:04a voice cried

01:01:05out.

01:01:06I say,

01:01:06you out there.

01:01:08What are you

01:01:08up to?

01:01:09Come in.

01:01:12Miles, how did

01:01:12you know I was

01:01:13out there?

01:01:14Do you think

01:01:14you made no

01:01:15noise?

01:01:16Then you

01:01:16weren't asleep.

01:01:17Not much.

01:01:18I lie awake and

01:01:19think.

01:01:20What do you

01:01:21think of?

01:01:21Of you, my

01:01:22dear, of

01:01:23course.

01:01:24As proud as

01:01:25I am of

01:01:25that, I

01:01:26would far

01:01:27rather you

01:01:27went to

01:01:27sleep.

01:01:28I also

01:01:28think about

01:01:29this strange

01:01:29business of

01:01:30ours.

01:01:32What strange

01:01:33business, Miles?

01:01:34Why?

01:01:34The way you

01:01:35bring me up.

01:01:36And all the

01:01:37rest.

01:01:38The rest?

01:01:38Oh, you

01:01:39know.

01:01:40If it's

01:01:41school that

01:01:41troubles you,

01:01:42Miles, of

01:01:42course you

01:01:42shall go

01:01:43back.

01:01:44Not to the

01:01:45old place, but

01:01:45to a new

01:01:46one, a

01:01:47better one.

01:01:48Do you

01:01:49know you've

01:01:49never said a

01:01:50word about

01:01:50your last

01:01:50school?

01:01:51Haven't I?

01:01:52No, not

01:01:53once since

01:01:54you came

01:01:54back.

01:01:55Nothing about

01:01:56your masters,

01:01:57your friends,

01:01:58what happened

01:01:59there.

01:02:00So I'm

01:02:00completely in

01:02:01the dark.

01:02:02In fact, you've

01:02:03never said

01:02:04anything about

01:02:04your previous

01:02:05life.

01:02:06You just

01:02:06seem to

01:02:07accept the

01:02:07present.

01:02:09Until you

01:02:09spoke to me

01:02:10on the way

01:02:10to church

01:02:11this morning,

01:02:11I naturally

01:02:12thought you

01:02:12wanted to

01:02:13go on as

01:02:13you are.

01:02:14I don't.

01:02:15I want to

01:02:15get away.

01:02:17You're tired

01:02:17of Bly?

01:02:18Oh, no.

01:02:19I like Bly.

01:02:20Well, then...

01:02:21you know

01:02:21what a

01:02:21boy wants.

01:02:23You want

01:02:24to go to

01:02:24your uncle?

01:02:25My uncle

01:02:26must come

01:02:26down, and

01:02:27you must

01:02:27settle things

01:02:28completely.

01:02:29If we do,

01:02:30you can be

01:02:31sure that you

01:02:31will have to

01:02:32go away.

01:02:33But that's

01:02:33just what I'm

01:02:34working for.

01:02:35Don't you

01:02:36understand?

01:02:37There's a

01:02:38tremendous lot

01:02:38you'll have to

01:02:39tell him.

01:02:39And how

01:02:41much will

01:02:41you tell

01:02:42him, Miles?

01:02:43There are

01:02:43things he'll

01:02:44ask you.

01:02:45Oh?

01:02:46What things?

01:02:47Why, the

01:02:48things you've

01:02:48never told me.

01:02:50He'll have to

01:02:51know them in

01:02:51order to make

01:02:52up his mind

01:02:52what to do

01:02:53with you.

01:02:53He can't

01:02:54send you

01:02:54back.

01:02:55Oh, I

01:02:55don't want

01:02:56to go

01:02:56back.

01:02:57I want

01:02:57something

01:02:57new.

01:02:59Dear, dear

01:03:00little Miles.

01:03:02Is there

01:03:03nothing?

01:03:04Nothing at

01:03:05all that you

01:03:05want to tell

01:03:06me?

01:03:06I told you

01:03:06this morning.

01:03:08But you

01:03:09just want

01:03:09me not

01:03:09to worry

01:03:10you?

01:03:10To let

01:03:10me alone.

01:03:12Tell me

01:03:12what happened

01:03:13before.

01:03:14Before what?

01:03:16Before you

01:03:17came back

01:03:17from school.

01:03:18And before

01:03:19you went

01:03:19away to

01:03:19school.

01:03:20What

01:03:20happened?

01:03:21Oh, Miles,

01:03:23if only you

01:03:23knew how I

01:03:24want to help

01:03:25you.

01:03:26But I'd

01:03:26rather die

01:03:27than give

01:03:27you pain

01:03:28or do

01:03:28you wrong.

01:03:29I'd rather

01:03:30die than

01:03:31hurt a hair

01:03:31of you.

01:03:32Oh, my

01:03:33dear little

01:03:34Miles, I

01:03:36just want

01:03:36you to

01:03:37help me

01:03:37to save

01:03:38you.

01:03:40The candle's

01:03:41gone out.

01:03:42It was I

01:03:42who blew

01:03:43it out,

01:03:43my dear.

01:03:45I blew

01:03:46it out.

01:04:02This is

01:04:02gross.

01:04:04This is

01:04:04gross.

01:04:05Did you

01:04:05write last

01:04:06night?

01:04:06Yes, the

01:04:07letters in

01:04:07my pocket.

01:04:08But what

01:04:09worries me at

01:04:09the moment

01:04:10is Flora.

01:04:10Flora?

01:04:11Yes, where

01:04:11is she?

01:04:12I was with

01:04:13Miles in the

01:04:13schoolroom.

01:04:14He was

01:04:14playing the

01:04:14piano.

01:04:15Oh, I

01:04:16see it now.

01:04:18He played

01:04:19like one

01:04:19enchanted.

01:04:20He charmed

01:04:21me.

01:04:22He played

01:04:22me to sleep

01:04:23and now

01:04:23she's gone.

01:04:24But she

01:04:24must be

01:04:25upstairs.

01:04:25No, I

01:04:26have a feeling

01:04:26she's at a

01:04:27distance.

01:04:28She's gone

01:04:28out without

01:04:29a hat?

01:04:30Isn't that

01:04:30woman always

01:04:31without one?

01:04:33You mean

01:04:33she's with

01:04:34Miss Jessel?

01:04:34Yes, she's

01:04:36with her.

01:04:37We must

01:04:38find them.

01:04:38But what

01:04:39about Miles?

01:04:40Oh, he's

01:04:41with Quint

01:04:42playing the

01:04:42piano.

01:04:43They've

01:04:43successfully

01:04:44worked their

01:04:45little plan.

01:04:46He found

01:04:47the most

01:04:47divine way

01:04:48to keep

01:04:48me quiet

01:04:49whilst his

01:04:49little sister

01:04:50went off.

01:04:50The divine

01:04:51way?

01:04:51The infernal

01:04:52way then.

01:04:53But you

01:04:54don't mind

01:04:54leaving him?

01:04:55With Quint?

01:04:56No, I

01:04:57don't mind

01:04:57that now.

01:04:58Because of

01:04:58your letter.

01:04:59Exactly.

01:05:00I shall

01:05:01leave it

01:05:01here on

01:05:01the hall

01:05:01table for

01:05:02Luke 12.

01:05:03We must

01:05:04go down

01:05:04to the

01:05:04lake.

01:05:05For that

01:05:06surely is

01:05:06where Flora

01:05:06and Miss

01:05:07Jessel are.

01:05:08But you

01:05:09can't go

01:05:09out like

01:05:10that,

01:05:10wearing

01:05:11nothing

01:05:11against

01:05:11the

01:05:11cold.

01:05:12What

01:05:12do I

01:05:13care

01:05:13when

01:05:13the

01:05:13child

01:05:13wears

01:05:14nothing?

01:05:15I

01:05:15can't

01:05:15wait

01:05:15to

01:05:15dress.

01:05:16If

01:05:17you

01:05:17want

01:05:17to,

01:05:17I'll

01:05:17have

01:05:18to

01:05:18leave

01:05:18you

01:05:18with

01:05:18a

01:05:18pair

01:05:18of

01:05:18them

01:05:19upstairs.

01:05:19Oh,

01:05:20no,

01:05:20not

01:05:21with

01:05:21them.

01:05:27Miss,

01:05:28you

01:05:28don't

01:05:28think

01:05:29she's

01:05:29in

01:05:29the

01:05:29lake.

01:05:30She

01:05:31may

01:05:31be,

01:05:31though

01:05:32it's

01:05:32nowhere

01:05:32very

01:05:32deep.

01:05:34But I

01:05:34think

01:05:34it

01:05:34more

01:05:34likely

01:05:35that

01:05:35she's

01:05:35across

01:05:36the

01:05:36lake,

01:05:36on

01:05:37the

01:05:37very

01:05:37spot

01:05:38where

01:05:38she

01:05:38and

01:05:38I

01:05:38saw

01:05:38the

01:05:39apparition

01:05:39the

01:05:39other

01:05:39day.

01:05:40When

01:05:40she

01:05:40pretended

01:05:41not

01:05:41to

01:05:41see.

01:05:42Yes.

01:05:43I've

01:05:44been

01:05:44sure

01:05:44all

01:05:45along

01:05:45that

01:05:45she

01:05:45wanted

01:05:45to

01:05:46go

01:05:46back

01:05:46there

01:05:46alone.

01:05:47And

01:05:48now

01:05:48her

01:05:48brother

01:05:49and

01:05:49his

01:05:49friend

01:05:49have

01:05:49managed

01:05:50it

01:05:50for

01:05:50them.

01:05:58would

01:05:59simply

01:05:59appall

01:06:00us.

01:06:01And

01:06:01if

01:06:02Flora

01:06:03is

01:06:03there

01:06:03then

01:06:05is

01:06:05Miss

01:06:05Jessel

01:06:05there

01:06:06as

01:06:06well?

01:06:06Oh,

01:06:07beyond

01:06:07any

01:06:07doubt.

01:06:09We

01:06:09shall

01:06:09see.

01:06:15She's

01:06:15not

01:06:16there.

01:06:16I

01:06:17can't

01:06:17see a

01:06:17trace

01:06:18of

01:06:18either

01:06:18of

01:06:18them.

01:06:19No,

01:06:20no,

01:06:20wait.

01:06:21What?

01:06:21The boat's

01:06:21gone from

01:06:22its

01:06:22mooring

01:06:22place.

01:06:23Flora

01:06:23has

01:06:24taken

01:06:24it.

01:06:24Then

01:06:25where

01:06:25is

01:06:25it?

01:06:26I'm

01:06:26not

01:06:26seeing

01:06:27it

01:06:27is

01:06:27the

01:06:27strongest

01:06:27proof.

01:06:28You'd

01:06:29see

01:06:29it

01:06:29if

01:06:29it

01:06:29had

01:06:29just

01:06:30drifted

01:06:30away.

01:06:31She's

01:06:32used

01:06:32it

01:06:32to

01:06:32cross

01:06:33to

01:06:33the

01:06:33other

01:06:33bank.

01:06:34And

01:06:34then

01:06:34she's

01:06:34managed

01:06:35to

01:06:35hide

01:06:35it.

01:06:35All

01:06:36alone?

01:06:37That

01:06:37child?

01:06:38She's

01:06:39not

01:06:39alone.

01:06:41And

01:06:41at

01:06:41such

01:06:41times

01:06:42she's

01:06:42not

01:06:42a

01:06:42child,

01:06:43Mrs.

01:06:43Gross.

01:06:44She's

01:06:44an

01:06:44old,

01:06:45old

01:06:45woman.

01:06:46Look.

01:06:47Huh?

01:06:48I'm

01:06:49sure I

01:06:49can

01:06:49just

01:06:49make

01:06:49out

01:06:49the

01:06:49shape

01:06:50of

01:06:50the

01:06:50boat

01:06:50concealed

01:06:51behind

01:06:51that

01:06:51clump

01:06:52of

01:06:52trees

01:06:52near

01:06:52the

01:06:52water's

01:06:53edge.

01:06:54But

01:06:54if

01:06:55the

01:06:55boat's

01:06:56there,

01:06:57where's

01:06:57Flora?

01:06:58That's

01:06:58what

01:06:58we must

01:06:59find out.

01:06:59By

01:07:00going

01:07:00all

01:07:00the

01:07:00way

01:07:01round?

01:07:01Of

01:07:01course,

01:07:01it

01:07:02won't

01:07:02take

01:07:02more

01:07:02than

01:07:02ten

01:07:02minutes.

01:07:04Even

01:07:04so,

01:07:04it's

01:07:04far

01:07:05enough

01:07:05for

01:07:05the

01:07:05child

01:07:06to

01:07:06prefer

01:07:06not

01:07:06to

01:07:06walk.

01:07:07She

01:07:07rode

01:07:07straight

01:07:08across.

01:07:09Come

01:07:09on.

01:07:15Stop.

01:07:16There

01:07:17she is.

01:07:18See?

01:07:19Oh,

01:07:20poor

01:07:21little

01:07:21thing.

01:07:22She's

01:07:22seen

01:07:22us,

01:07:23but

01:07:23she's

01:07:23pretending

01:07:24she

01:07:24hasn't.

01:07:25She's

01:07:26picking

01:07:26some

01:07:26ferns

01:07:27as though

01:07:27it

01:07:27were

01:07:27the

01:07:27most

01:07:27innocent

01:07:28thing

01:07:28in

01:07:28the

01:07:28world.

01:07:29Flora!

01:07:32Flora!

01:07:33Mrs.

01:07:34Gross,

01:07:34good afternoon.

01:07:36Oh,

01:07:36my little

01:07:37pet,

01:07:38my

01:07:38darling,

01:07:39we've

01:07:40found

01:07:40you.

01:07:41Oh,

01:07:42my

01:07:42poor

01:07:43little

01:07:43child,

01:07:44what are

01:07:45you doing

01:07:46out here?

01:07:47Just

01:07:48picking

01:07:48these

01:07:49for you.

01:07:49But

01:07:50what are

01:07:50you doing?

01:07:52Why aren't

01:07:52you both

01:07:52dressed for

01:07:53going out?

01:07:53Where are

01:07:53your things?

01:07:55Where

01:07:55yours are,

01:07:56Flora,

01:07:57back at

01:07:57the house.

01:07:58And

01:07:58where's

01:07:59Miles?

01:08:00I'll tell

01:08:00you that,

01:08:01my dear.

01:08:02If you

01:08:03tell me,

01:08:04where is

01:08:05Miss

01:08:06Jessel?

01:08:08She's

01:08:08there.

01:08:09She's

01:08:10there.

01:08:11Don't

01:08:12look at

01:08:12me,

01:08:12Flora.

01:08:13Don't

01:08:14look at

01:08:14me in

01:08:14the way

01:08:14she

01:08:14looks at

01:08:15me.

01:08:15Look

01:08:15at her,

01:08:16your

01:08:16friend.

01:08:18You

01:08:18little

01:08:18unhappy

01:08:19thing.

01:08:20She's

01:08:20there,

01:08:21there,

01:08:22there.

01:08:23And you

01:08:23can see

01:08:24her as

01:08:24well as

01:08:24you can

01:08:25see me.

01:08:25So

01:08:26look,

01:08:26look.

01:08:28Where?

01:08:29Miss,

01:08:30to be

01:08:30sure I

01:08:31can't

01:08:31see

01:08:32anything.

01:08:32She's

01:08:33there on

01:08:34the other

01:08:34side of

01:08:34the lake.

01:08:35in the

01:08:36very spot

01:08:37where you

01:08:37and I

01:08:37were standing

01:08:37about ten

01:08:38minutes

01:08:38ago.

01:08:39Well,

01:08:39I can't

01:08:40see her,

01:08:41and I

01:08:41think it's

01:08:42a dreadful

01:08:43turn to

01:08:43have in

01:08:44front of

01:08:44the child.

01:08:45You

01:08:45mean you

01:08:45can't

01:08:46see her

01:08:46as we

01:08:46do?

01:08:47You

01:08:48don't

01:08:48see her

01:08:48now?

01:08:50Why,

01:08:50she's as

01:08:50big as

01:08:51a flaming

01:08:52fire!

01:08:53Only

01:08:54look,

01:08:54dear

01:08:55woman,

01:08:55look!

01:08:56She

01:08:57isn't there,

01:08:58Flora,

01:08:58my sweet,

01:08:59nobody's there,

01:09:00and you

01:09:00never saw

01:09:01anything.

01:09:02How can

01:09:02you have

01:09:03seen Miss

01:09:03Jessel

01:09:04when poor

01:09:04Miss

01:09:04Jessel's

01:09:05dead and

01:09:05buried?

01:09:06We know,

01:09:07don't we,

01:09:08Fett?

01:09:09It was all

01:09:09a mistake,

01:09:10a joke,

01:09:11and we'll

01:09:11go home

01:09:12as fast

01:09:12as we

01:09:13can.

01:09:13Surely

01:09:14you can

01:09:14see her!

01:09:15I don't

01:09:16know what

01:09:16you mean.

01:09:18I see

01:09:18nobody.

01:09:19I see

01:09:20nothing.

01:09:20I never

01:09:20have.

01:09:21I think

01:09:22you're cruel,

01:09:23and I don't

01:09:23like you.

01:09:24I want

01:09:25Mrs.

01:09:25Grubb!

01:09:25Yes,

01:09:26my darling,

01:09:27my angel.

01:09:29Take me

01:09:29away!

01:09:30Take me

01:09:31away,

01:09:31or please

01:09:31take me

01:09:32away from

01:09:32her!

01:09:33From

01:09:33me?

01:09:34It's

01:09:34from you!

01:09:35From

01:09:36you!

01:09:36That's

01:09:37what she

01:09:37tells you

01:09:38to say,

01:09:38isn't it,

01:09:38Laura?

01:09:39That woman

01:09:40watching us

01:09:41on the

01:09:41other bank,

01:09:42that's what

01:09:43she wants,

01:09:44and that's

01:09:44what she

01:09:45shall have!

01:09:46I've lost

01:09:47you!

01:09:48I can see

01:09:48that now!

01:09:49I've

01:09:50interfered,

01:09:51and Miss

01:09:51Jessel has

01:09:51shown you

01:09:52how to

01:09:52meet it!

01:09:53I've

01:09:54done my

01:09:54best,

01:09:55but I've

01:09:56lost you!

01:09:57Oh,

01:09:57you miss!

01:09:58Mrs.

01:09:59Gross!

01:10:00Leave me!

01:10:01Go!

01:10:03Go!

01:10:04Come!

01:10:04Oh, Flora. Flora, come back.

01:10:22Miles, I want to help. I want to help.

01:10:25No, Mr. Fly. Oh, Miles. Miles, come back.

01:10:30Wake up. I brought you your morning tea.

01:10:34Oh, Mrs. Groves. There was no need for you to bring it.

01:10:38I'll put the tray on the table.

01:10:41Oh, I feel so cold. Mortally cold. I don't think I shall ever be warm again.

01:10:47I'll get a shawl, miss.

01:10:49No amount of clothes will make any difference.

01:10:53But thank you, Mrs. Groves.

01:10:54Yeah.

01:10:57You still haven't told me why you've come.

01:11:00It's Flora, miss.

01:11:01I'm so worried about her.

01:11:05I know she refused to see me yesterday when I got back from the lake.

01:11:08She says she'll never see you again.

01:11:11What do you mean?

01:11:11She says you are wicked and that she hates you.

01:11:14Why wicked? Not her former governess.

01:11:17She's very feverish, miss, and I fear that shortly she might become seriously ill.

01:11:21Oh, and even in her fever she did I see in Miss Jessel yesterday, or at any time.

01:11:28Oh, I was foolish yesterday, I know.

01:11:31And Flora resents my imputation on her truthfulness, as though she were some grand lady.

01:11:37She certainly has put on a grand manner.

01:11:40Apart from her denials, has she said anything at all about Miss Jessel?

01:11:43Not a word, miss.

01:11:45And I can't contradict her denying that she saw Miss Jessel by the lake.

01:11:48Oh, Flora's clever.

01:11:51And their two infamous friends have made both children still cleverer than nature did.

01:11:56Oh, they were easy material.

01:11:58Flora will work her grievance to the end.

01:12:01To what end?

01:12:02Why to get rid of me?

01:12:04She'll make out to her uncle that I'm the lowest creature in the world.

01:12:07But he thinks so well of you.

01:12:09He has a strange way of showing it.

01:12:12Look, Mrs. Gross, my leaving here will solve nothing.

01:12:15It won't do.

01:12:17So if Flora refuses to so much as look at me, she must go.

01:12:21You must take her away.

01:12:23Where to?

01:12:24Away from them.

01:12:26And most of all, away from me.

01:12:28You must take her straight to London to her uncle.

01:12:31But she'll tell him...

01:12:33I have an answer to that.

01:12:35Your loyalty and Miles's loyalty.

01:12:38Miles?

01:12:39Oh, I think so.

01:12:41If I am left alone with him, I think I can win him over.

01:12:45But one thing, Mrs. Gross.

01:12:46Yes, miss?

01:12:48Miles mustn't see Flora, not for an instant, before you take her away.

01:12:52They haven't met since yesterday, have they?

01:12:54Well, I can't be sure, miss.

01:12:56Yes, I have been with Flora most of the time, but on occasions I have left her with only one of the maids looking over her.

01:13:04I see.

01:13:05Tell me, miss, what makes you so sure of the little gentleman?

01:13:10Oh, I'm not sure of anyone but you, Mrs. Gross.

01:13:14But I think he wants to speak.

01:13:17Last evening he sat with me for two hours by the fire, and I felt certain he wanted to give me an opening.

01:13:23Did he say anything?

01:13:24No, but somehow in the silence I felt it coming, the truth.

01:13:29I just need a little more time.

01:13:31How much time?

01:13:33A day or two should bring it out.

01:13:35Then he'll be on my side.

01:13:38And if you don't succeed?

01:13:40If I fail, then I fail.

01:13:43And I hope you will have been of service to me in town with their uncle.

01:13:48That is, unless you want not to go.

01:13:49Oh, I'll go, miss.

01:13:50And I shall tell him all.

01:13:54I'll take Flora away this very morning.

01:13:57She mustn't stay in this place any longer than necessary.

01:14:00And...

01:14:01Yes?

01:14:03I can't stay here any longer either.

01:14:06Then you have seen...

01:14:08I have heard...

01:14:09I've heard...

01:14:12Horrors from that child.

01:14:15Shocking things for a child to know.

01:14:17And said in such language.

01:14:19Whenever she picked up such words...

01:14:21I can't bear it.

01:14:25If you can't bear it, how can you...

01:14:27Stop with her.

01:14:28Why, to get her away from here.

01:14:30From them.

01:14:30Then in spite of yesterday, you do believe...

01:14:34Oh, yes, miss.

01:14:35I believe.

01:14:36Oh, my dear good woman.

01:14:39I cannot tell you how relieved that makes me.

01:14:43We are together.

01:14:44Yes, miss.

01:14:47Now, my letter will have reached down before you get there.

01:14:50So when you see the master, you...

01:14:52Your letter never went, miss.

01:14:55What happened to it?

01:14:56Oh, my goodness knows, I...

01:14:59Master Miles was...

01:15:01He took it?

01:15:05When I came back from the lake with Miss Flora,

01:15:08the letter wasn't on the hall table,

01:15:10so I asked Luke if he had posted it.

01:15:13But he said there hadn't been a letter on the hall table.

01:15:17You see?

01:15:19I see.

01:15:20That if Miles took it,

01:15:23he would have read it and destroyed it.

01:15:25But don't you see anything else?

01:15:28Don't you see what he must have done at school?

01:15:30He stole.

01:15:32He stole letters.

01:15:34The one he stole yesterday won't give him much advantage.

01:15:37For in it, I only asked his uncle for an interview.

01:15:40But it was the shame of what he had done

01:15:42that prompted his need to confess to me last night.

01:15:44Oh, I pray that you get it out of him whilst I'm away.

01:15:48I'll get it out of him.

01:15:50Don't you worry, Mrs. Gross.

01:15:52He'll meet me.

01:15:53He'll confess.

01:15:55And if he confesses, he's saved.

01:15:59And if he's saved...

01:16:01Then you are.

01:16:02Then we shall all be saved.

01:16:05Now take Flora to town and leave Miles and I together.

01:16:09Goodbye, my dear Mrs. Gross.

01:16:12Goodbye, Miss.

01:16:13Have you had enough to eat, Miles?

01:16:28Yes, thank you.

01:16:29And thank you for letting me carve the mutton.

01:16:31It's what a man should do.

01:16:33And one day I will be as good at it as Luke.

01:16:36I'm sure you will, Miles.

01:16:37Now that Flora has gone, are you and I always to have meals together here in the dining room?

01:16:44It's more sensible than you having them on your own in the nursery, isn't it?

01:16:47Oh, yes.

01:16:48Yes.

01:16:49I say, my dear, is she really very awfully ill?

01:16:54Little Flora?

01:16:56Not so bad that she won't be better very shortly.

01:16:59London will set her up.

01:17:01You see, Bly had ceased to agree with her.

01:17:04Did Bly start to disagree with her all of a sudden?

01:17:07Not so suddenly as you might think.

01:17:10I had seen it coming on for some time.

01:17:12Then why didn't you get her away before?

01:17:14Before what?

01:17:15Before she became too ill to travel.

01:17:18She's not too ill to travel.

01:17:20Though she might have become so if she had stayed.

01:17:23I had Mrs. Gross take her away at precisely the right moment.

01:17:27I see.

01:17:28So now...

01:17:29we are alone?

01:17:31More or less.

01:17:33But not entirely.

01:17:36We shouldn't like that, should we?

01:17:38No, I suppose we shouldn't.

01:17:42Of course we have the others.

01:17:44We have the others, yes.

01:17:47But even though we do have them,

01:17:49they don't count for much, do they?

01:17:51It depends what you mean by much, doesn't it?

01:17:55Oh, yes.

01:17:57Everything depends.

01:17:59Can I please get down now, my dear?

01:18:01Yes, of course you can.

01:18:03He left the table and went to the great high window

01:18:06that looked out onto the terrace and out towards the grounds.

01:18:10It was that same window through which, that Sunday in June,

01:18:14I had seen Peter Quint for the second time.

01:18:18Miles rested his forehead against the glass and looked out,

01:18:21contemplating the stupid shrubs and the dull things of November.

01:18:24Suddenly, I received from the boy's embarrassed back the impression that I was no longer barred.

01:18:33Yet somehow he was barred.

01:18:35He was shut in or shut out.

01:18:37The frames and squares of the great window presented an image for him of a kind of failure.

01:18:46He seemed to be looking through the haunted pane for something he couldn't see,

01:18:50and he appeared anxious.

01:18:52For this was the first time in the whole business that he had ever known such a lapse.

01:18:57When he turned to speak to me,

01:19:00I felt that a part of his mask had dropped.

01:19:04Well, I think I'm glad Bly agrees with me.

01:19:07In these last 24 hours,

01:19:09you certainly seem to have seen a good deal more of it than you have for some time.

01:19:13I hope that you've been enjoying yourself.

01:19:15Oh yes, I've been ever so far.

01:19:18All round about.

01:19:20Miles and miles away.

01:19:21I've never been so free.

01:19:23Do you like that?

01:19:25Do you?

01:19:27We are alone together.

01:19:29I hope you don't mind particularly being alone with me.

01:19:32My dear Miles, how can I mind?

01:19:35Although I've renounced any claim to your company,

01:19:38I greatly enjoy it.

01:19:40Why else should I stay on?

01:19:42You stay on just for that?

01:19:44Of course.

01:19:46I stay on as your friend.

01:19:48And I shall take an interest in you until something can be done for you

01:19:52that may be more worth your while.

01:19:54Oh.

01:19:55There's no need to be surprised, Miles.

01:19:59Don't you remember my telling you the night of the storm,

01:20:01when I came into your room,

01:20:03that there was nothing in all the world that I wouldn't do for you?

01:20:07Oh yes, I remember.

01:20:10But I think that was really to get me to do something for you.

01:20:13Yes, it was partly to get you to do something.

01:20:17But you didn't do it, did you?

01:20:19You wanted me to tell you something.

01:20:22That's it.

01:20:23To tell me straight out what you have on your mind.

01:20:26Ah, so that is what you've stayed on for, is it?

01:20:30Well, yes.

01:20:32I might as well tell you the truth.

01:20:35It was precisely for that reason that I've stayed on at Bligh.

01:20:38Do you want me to tell you now?

01:20:42Here.

01:20:43There couldn't be a better time or place.

01:20:46I'll tell you everything.

01:20:47I mean, I'll tell you anything you like.

01:20:50You'll stay on with me and we shall both be all right.

01:20:53And I will tell you.

01:20:55I will.

01:20:57But not now.

01:20:59Why not now?

01:21:00I want awfully to go out.

01:21:02And I have to see Luke.

01:21:03Well, then go to Luke and I'll wait for what you promise.

01:21:08Only in return for that, I have one small request to make before you go.

01:21:14How small?

01:21:15Oh, a mere fraction of the whole.

01:21:17I want to know if yesterday afternoon you took a letter from the hall table.

01:21:26Peter Quint stood outside the window like a sentinel before a prison.

01:21:31He was close to the glass and glaring through it offered once more to the room his white face of damnation.

01:21:39I faced the horror outside so that the boy with his back to the window should remain unaware of that awful presence.

01:21:47With miles between us, it was like fighting with a demon for a human soul.

01:21:53There was a perfect dew of sweat on the boy's forehead, and his face, close to mine, was as white as the face against the glass.

01:22:03Presently, there came a sound that I drank like a waft of fragrance.

01:22:11Yes, I took the letter.

01:22:12Oh, my darling, darling boy.

01:22:21The glare of the face at the window was fixed, as if to watch and wait.

01:22:29It was the very confidence that I might defy him, as well as my now positive certainty of the child's unconsciousness that made me go on.

01:22:37What did you take it for?

01:22:40To see what you said about me.

01:22:42You opened the letter?

01:22:44Yes, I opened it.

01:22:46My eyes left the window for an instant and were on miles.

01:22:50All mockery was gone from him.

01:22:53He knew that he was in the presence, but he did not know of what.

01:22:57And he knew still less that I was also.

01:23:01And that I did know.

01:23:02When my eyes went back to the window, Quint had gone.

01:23:11I had triumphed.

01:23:13And you find nothing in the letter, Miles?

01:23:19Nothing.

01:23:20So what have you done with it?

01:23:21I've burnt it.

01:23:23Is that what you did at school?

01:23:24At school?

01:23:26Did you take letters?

01:23:27Or other things?

01:23:29What things?

01:23:29Did you steal?

01:23:31Is that why they wouldn't take you back?

01:23:33Did you know that?

01:23:34I know everything.

01:23:39I didn't steal.

01:23:40Then what did you do?

01:23:41I said things.

01:23:44Is that all?

01:23:45They thought it was enough.

01:23:46And that's why they expelled you?

01:23:48Well, I suppose I shouldn't have said the things I did.

01:23:52To whom did you say these things?

01:23:53I don't know.

01:23:54Was it to everyone?

01:23:56Oh no, it was only to...

01:23:58No, I can't remember their names.

01:24:01Were there so many then?

01:24:03No, only a few.

01:24:04Those I liked.

01:24:06Friends.

01:24:06And did they repeat what you said?

01:24:08Yes.

01:24:09To those they liked.

01:24:11Their friends.

01:24:12And these things then got round to the masters.

01:24:14Yes.

01:24:15But I didn't think they'd tell.

01:24:16They didn't.

01:24:18That's why I ask you.

01:24:20Yes.

01:24:22Oh, it was too bad.

01:24:24Too bad?

01:24:25The things I suppose I sometimes said.

01:24:28What were these things?

01:24:31Tell me, Miles.

01:24:33What were they?

01:24:34No more.

01:24:36No more.

01:24:38No more.

01:24:39No more.

01:24:40Miles.

01:24:41Don't look at the window.

01:24:42Look at me.

01:24:42At my eyes only.

01:24:44Don't look there, my darling.

01:24:45Oh, let me hold you down, my precious little innocent.

01:24:48Oh, so tightly.

01:24:50Is she here?

01:24:51She?

01:24:53Miss Jessel.

01:24:54Miss Jessel, of course.

01:24:55No, Miles.

01:24:56It's not Miss Jessel.

01:24:57But it's at the window right in front of me.

01:25:00It's there.

01:25:01Howard the Horry.

01:25:03It's there for the last time.

01:25:05It's he.

01:25:07Miles, tell me.

01:25:08Whom do you mean by he?

01:25:10Peter Quint, you devil.

01:25:12Where is he?

01:25:15Oh, what does it matter now, oh, my?

01:25:18Oh, what will he ever matter?

01:25:21I have you and he has lost you forever.

01:25:25Turn around.

01:25:26Look.

01:25:27There he is.

01:25:29There.

01:25:30There.

01:25:30He had turned and stared, and all little Miles had seen outside the window was the quiet

01:25:53day.

01:25:55I caught him as he fell and held him.

01:25:58But I knew at the end of a minute what it truly was that I held.

01:26:05We were alone with the quiet day, and his little heart, dispossessed, had stopped.

01:26:14In The Turn of the Screw by Henry James, Charlotte Attenborough played the governess, Rosemary

01:26:33Leach, Mrs. Gross, Sam Crane, Miles, Sarah Jane Derrick, Flora, Michael Tudor Barnes, the

01:26:40master of Bly, John Church, the coachman, and Jonathan Adams, the storyteller.

01:26:48The music was composed and realized by Wilfredo Acosta.

01:26:54The Turn of the Screw was dramatized for radio by John Tideman, and directed by Glyn Dearman.

01:27:00The Turn of The TL

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