( DUCKS QUACK )
( GUNSHOT )
I only winged it.
Oh, damn my eyes. They're getting worse.
( Yells ) Fetch!
(Duck quacks )
Peters? Yes, sir?
you'll wring its neck.
It seems a shame, really, sir.
If you'll allow me, sir, I think I know someone who might be interested in. . .
you do what you like, Peters.
Thank you, sir.
( Cocks gun )
( BIRDS FLUTTER ) Good shot, Father.
Bag it, my boy.
( Sighs )
Hello, Henrietta.
Is your grandfather at home?
He's in the attic. Can I help you?
(Duck quacks )
It's been hurt. I thought perhaps your grandfather might. . .
Is it in pain? No. It'll be alright.
would you like to keep it?
you mean I can have her?
No, it won't bite.
(Duck quacks )
Father!
Grandfather, come quickly! Look!
Be very carefuI.
It's hurt.
GRANDFATHER: She's a. . .a wild one, Henrietta.
She's mine.
( HOOFS CLOP ON PAVEMENT )
Hello, Henrietta. How's your duck today?
Completely recovered, thank you, Dr Roland.
Good morning, Gina. ( Softly ) Good morning.
( FAINT TAPPING IN BACKGROUND )
( Calls out ) Harold!
Harold!
(Duck quacks ) (Irritably ) What is it?!
If you're really going to meet that train, you should be off now.
( Sighs )
Do I have to do everything in this house?
you don't have to go, you know, if you don't want to.
No, it's not Gregory. I can't wait to see him.
It's these. . .endless household chores.
(Harold hammers )
GRANDFATHER: Well, that looks solid enough.
Oh. . . ( Sighs )
Wait! I'm coming with you.
Are you? you know you promised I could.
Did I?
you know you did.
Alright, princess. Come on.
Make sure the wild duck doesn't get Lost, won't you, Grandfather?
Oh, fuss, fuss, fuss.
Wild creatures know what it's all about, my girl.
How many times must I remind you, Gina?
The standing figure must be reversed and inclined.
(Harold sighs ) OK, I'm so sorry.
If you would. . .sit. . . and just incline in towards your. . .
That's very good. Very still.
Yes, it's the little details, Gina. It's the. . .the small things.
Come along, Henrietta! We'll be late!
( Softly ) How am I looking?
( DOOR CLOSES )
Now, that looks nice.
( STEAM HISSES )
There he is, Hetta.
Gregory.
It's good to see you. Harold.
My dear old friend. I was hoping you'd be here.
How long has it been? 17 years.
16.
( WHISTLE BLOWS, STEAM HISSES ) MAN: All aboard!
You haven't changed.
Who is this?
I hope you had a pleasant journey, Mr Wardle.
For me? Thank you.
This is. . . Henrietta. My daughter.
How do you do?
I didn't know you had a daughter.
My father wrote me you were married, but. . .
(Peters clears throat ) Shall I put the luggage in the car, Mr Wardle?
Oh, yes, thank you, Peters. Yes.
MAN: Thank you.
How's the duck? Good as new.
Married life seems to agree with you.
I have as good a wife as any man could wish for.
Not without education, either.
I'm sure she's not.
It's astonishing the knowledge that Gina's picked up from me.
And my friends.
No, Gregory, you wouldn't know Gina now.
I don't know her.
Gina who? you know - Gina.
Used to work at your. . .at your house.
Do you mean Gina Larsen? Who looked after my mother?
Yes.
I'm surprised your father didn't tell you. No, he didn't.
MAN: The sleeves are a bit short, but apart from that,
it's a perfect fit, my dear fellow.
Thank you for Iending it to us, Mr Mollison.
Think nothing of it, dear lady.
I'm more than happy to see it getting an airing.
you look very handsome.
Do you think it's alright? Oh, yes.
will you bring me back something?
Oh, don't badger your father, Hetta.
Sweets. I'll smuggle you out some sweets.
Ah.
Oh, I . . . I think not. No hat tonight, dear.
you're a lucky man, Harold. I wish I had two such devoted ladies.
And don't think I don't appreciate them.
( Sighs ) Dr Roland, don't sit there and make an aspersion of me.
(Dr Roland clears throat )
Just wait till the great invention comes out, Henrietta.
Uh, well, Mollison, my demonic friend. . .
..we must celebrate the airing of your tall coat by getting disgustingly drunk.
Ah!
you can stay out as long as you want to.
Enjoy yourself. Thank you, dear.
'Bye, Hetta.
Father? Uh, yes?
Oh, sweets! No, I shan't forget.
(Taps glass )
Ladies - or, rather, 'lady' -
and gentlemen.
Tonight we're assembled here to mark what is primarlly a family occasion,
for the guest of honour, on my right, is none other than my son Gregory.
As I was saying, my son Gregory.
And it is as a father that I welcome him back. . .
..after many years, far too many years, of absence.
( All murmur approval)
( ROWD Y CHATTER WITHIN )
Ah! ( Sighs )
(Dinner guests chatter, laugh, )
you shouldn't have invited me, Gregory.
Why ever not?
Well, I'm never invited here these days.
Oh, Harold, don't talk nonsense.
That was a pretty decent claret you gave us tonight. What was the year?
1 900. And one of the finest years in half a century, I'm told.
Do you find that claret varies much from year to year?
(Laughs ) Varies much?
Well, I can see good wine is wasted on you.
Photography - that's your line, isn't it?
Uh, yes.
The wine grape's like photography - needs sunlight.
Oh, I see.
And the older the vintage, the sweeter.
Eh, Mrs Summers?
would you care for a cigar, Mr Ackland?
Oh.
Come and get some air.
(Rings doorbell)
PETERS: Oh, for heaven's sake. What do you want at this hour?
Uh, I must get into the office, Peters. Very important.
The office was closed hours ago. you know that.
Yeah, I know that Gray is here.
Now, would you be a good chap and just let me through, please?
Let me through.
Make sure you go out the back way when you leave.
(Mutters ) Clod.
Works in the office, does he?
Just does odd copying now and then. Oh.
Proper toff he was in his time, though.
A major in the Sudan War, believe it or not.
(Laughs ) A major? Him?
Went into partnership with Mr Wardle, felling extra timber for the mill.
Things went wrong, the major copped the blame. Finished up inside.
Oh, in the clink, was he?
( Softly ) Carry 4, makes. . .
( Calls out ) Hetta, are you reading up there?
HENRIETTA: No, Mother.
What did we pay for the butter?
Sixpence. And don't forget the beer. (Duck quacks )
( Sighs )
It's shocking how much it all adds up to.
At least we got 8s 6d for photographs today.
you know, when we were in coliege, you were an inspiration to all of us.
I thought you. . .
you've heard about my invention?
No, I haven't. ( Sighs )
(Laughs ) What is it?
It's photographic. Mmm.
And it's. . . it's still in its early stages, but. . .
..it'll soon be ready.
And then. . .the name of Ackland. . .
( Sighs ) but, Harold, that's wonderfull.
Congratulations. Thank you, Gregory.
How did you. . . how did you. . .
..get started as a photographer?
Well, it was your father, really.
you see, Gina already had experience in retouching.
Mmm.
So he thought it was the obvious profession for me. Well, I agreed.
It was your father that set me up.
Was it? Oh, yes.
Well, that was. . .good of him.
We want them by Friday.
Aye.
I suppose you couldn't. . . let me have a little on account? Hmm?
you know that's not allowed. you know better than that, Major.
you can't stay out here, George. you run the risk of catching a chill.
( Calls out ) Come inside, you two! your coffee's getting cold.
Come.
What a dinner! A bit of a labour of Hercules, what?
Yes. (Laughs )
Coffee, sir?
(Dinner guests cease talking )
Uh. . .
I'm sorry, uh, for this intrusion, but. . .
..all the doors were Locked and, um. . .
..there was no way out, you see.
So, now, I'm. . .sorry.
but I have. . . (Mutters )
Peters, why did that idiot Gray let him come through here?
Uh, clumsy. I'm so clu. . . I'm sorry. So sorry.
Very sorry.
I'm sorry.
Sorry.
MAN: Who's the old tramp?
Just someone from the office.
( Softly ) Peters.
Make sure that Major Ackland has something to take home with him.
A bottle of brandy.
Was that your father? Yes.
but you ignored him!
I think I'll be going, Gregory.
I'll catch him up on the way home.
you're not going, Harold?
Yes. please give Gina my love.
And tell her I'll be calling in to see her very soon.
Thank you. I will.
Harold?
During all the years I was up at the mills, I've had a lot of time to think.
And I know one thing for certain.
The most important thing in life. . . is truth.
It's the only way to live.
Do you understand?
Yes.
Goodnight. Goodnight.
( GENTLE PIANO MUSIC )
(Mrs Summers sings )
In marbIe halls
With vassaIs and sIaves at my side. . .
Now, you listen to me.
Ackland drew up the map.
He included the government land, he felied the government timber.
It was his idea. I only put my name to it to help him out.
What about poor Ackland now? He's. . . Oh, come on. Come on.
There are some peoplewho dive to the bottom the moment they're winged
and they never come up again.
Believe me, I did all I could.
Short of laying myself open to suspicion.
I don't doubt that.
Well, you know, Ackland has his job in the office,
for which he is paid far more than the work is worth.
Why did you pay for Harold to learnphotography?
That family has cost me a pretty penny, one way or another.
Was it so that he could marry Gina Larsen?
I didn't realise that you were all that concerned
with former members of our domestic staff.
I wasn't. but someone in the house was. Now, you just watch your tongue.
Nothing's changed. you still can't face the truth.
Lies, lies and more lies, plied one on top of another,
like a. . .a crust covering the gangrene underneath!
Oh, yes, you're right in one respect. Nothing has changed.
All these years haven't meant a damn thing to you.
No, you're still the same moralistic preacher you were when you left.
Perhaps even worse.
Look at your guests. Look at them. Look at them!
( All laugh, chatter)
Well, what about them?!
They're playing blindman's buff! Don't you think you should join them?!
Oh, Mollison! Pardon me. Roland. Have you seen my father?
No. Oh, party over already?
Well, I've got to get home.
The Reverend Mollison's coat deserves better than that.
Just one for the road at the Laneway.
No, I have to get back. Goodnight. (Disappointedly ) Oh.
Oh.
( FOOTSTEPS APPROACH )
Father! Ah.
Hello, Hetta.
We thought you'd be gone for ages.
Oh, no. It was only a dinner party.
Everyone else was going.
Father home yet?
Oh, yes. He's in his room.
Did he say anything? No, nothing special.
He went to pick up some extra copying from Mr Wardle's bookkeeper.
Did you see him?
I'll just pop in and say goodnight. Oh, no.
Uh, he doesn't want to speak with anyone else. He's, uh. . . he's busy.
Ah.
I wish you'd stay the night, at least. For appearance's sake.
No.
I'll stay in town. At a hotel or something.
Gregory, my eyes are failing me. I am going blind.
I'm a very lonely man, Gregory.
Are you marrying Mrs Summers?
Well, suppose I were?
Oh, I don't mind. It's just. . .
I was wondering why you wanted me here, and now I know.
you wanted my approval.
Or at least. . . the appearance of my approval.
I should have spoken up when. . . you laid that trap for Harold's father.
I should have warned him.
Yes, you. . . you should have spoken up then.
I didn't. . .
..because I was afraid of you.
Well, it would appear that the fear has gone.
(Laughs ) And eventually, we got onto wine, of all things.
CIaret, as a matter of fact.
And do you know, the silly old fool had no idea that it all depends on the year?
(Laughs ) And sunlight, of course.
Just like in photography.
It all depends, you see, on how much sunshine the grapes have.
your father knows about everything.
It's wonderful to see you in a tall coat, Father.
Hmm.
It's not a bad fit, considering it wasn't made for me.
It's a bit tight across the shoulders, perhaps, but. . .
( Sighs )
Do you know, Hetta, I think tonight might be a night for my smoking jacket!
Thank you, Gina.
Now, don't forget, this has to go back to Mollison first thing in the morning.
Oh, I won't forget.
I'm coming, Hetta!
Oh, yes.
That's more like it, Hetta.
Ah! Free and easy.
Suits me better, don't you think?
Yes, Father. Mmm.
Now even more so.
MAJOR ACKLAND: Ah! Thought I heard your voice, Harold.
Didn't see me at Wardle's, did you?
No. They told me you'd been there.
So I thought I'd follow you home.
Well, that's very decent of you, old man.
All well in the attic? Oh, yes!
Everything. . .shipshape and in order.
The duck is back in her basket, good as gold.
I have to clean my pipe.
Excuse me.
(Major Ackland closes door)
Father. . . What?
you know very well.
No, I swear I don't. What are you talking about?
Oh, please stop pretending. Where did you hide them?
What? What you promised to bring me!
Oh! I forgot!
you're teasing, aren't you?
Oh, it went clean out of my head.
but, wait, I do have something. Pass me Mr Mollison's coat.
Now, then.
There.
but it's only a bit of paper.
It's a great deal more than that, I assure you.
Read that.
'Menu'.
And that's all you've brought me?
but the sweets were terribly sickly. Frightfully sticky.
I'll tell you what. you read that, and I'll tell you how everything tasted.
Hmm?
Not tonight.
(Henrietta closes door)
Heavens above!
The breadwinner just has to forget one little thing
and he gets sour looks from sulkyladies.
Here's to the forest.
Hmm.
( Calls out ) Don't forget the little improvements to the attic.
Harold!
Tomorrow, Father. First thing in the morning.
There's a lot of retouching to be done.
It's plied up a bit, I'm afraid. ( Groans )
Endless social portraits.
Are there any more bookings for this afternoon?
No.
Nothing can be achieved without effort, Gina.
What more can I do?
I've advertised as much as I can.
I suppose nobody's been to look at the room.
No. Not since your dinner last night.
That was only to be expected.
( Sighs ) I'm sorry if I seem unreasonable.
Now, I'm under considerable pressure.
( KNOCK AT DOOR )
Who's that?
(Knocks at door)
Oh. . .
Good morning, Mrs Ackland.
Perhaps you don't remember me. Why, yes, of course, Mr Gregory.
I remember you.
Gregory.
What a pleasure.
A pleasure. (Laughs )
Uh. . . um, here.
It's wet.
Well. . .come and make yourself comfortable.
Good morning.
Henrietta.
Uh, Gina.
So, this is your home, Harold?
Well, this is my studio.
We usually sit here because there's more space.
And then we have a spare room in the back, to let.
Do you take lodgers too?
Well, not as yet.
They are particularly difficult to find.
Tea, Gina? I'll do it, Father.
Is she your only child?
Our greatest happiness.
And our greatest worry.
What do you mean?
She's losing her sight.
Oh, how awful. I am sorry.
Well, it's only in the early stages, but. . .
..the doctor says it's inevitable.
Do you know what caused it?
Apparently it's hereditary.
Harold's mother had weak eyes too.
Poor child.
Does she know? Oh, no.
She hasn't the slightest idea.
but it's heartbreaking for me, Gregory.
How old is Henrietta now? She's nearly 13.
It's my birthday the day after tomorrow.
Is it? Goodness, you're tall for your age.
Isn't she?
So, you two have been married. . . what, it must be. . . ?
We've been married 14 years.
As long as that?
Yes, it is.
Yes. It must be almost.
Henrietta's going to look very like you.
By the way, you said you had a room to let.
Yes. Do you know anybody? Yes. could I have it?
Oh, no, Mr Gregory. It's not at all what you would like.
I would like to take it, if I may.
Oh, well, Gregory, it would be a pleasure.
Those two drunks downstairs make a lot of noise.
What drunks, Gina?
Well, one of them is a master of the arts. . .
..or something.
Really he's a defrocked priest. And the other one is a doctor.
They. . .they come home very late and they. . .they sing.
Well, that won't bother me.
( Sighs ) Well, I . . . I really think you should sleep on it.
you seem a bit. . . reluctant to have me.
Oh, my dear! No, you mustn't think that.
Then I'll move in this evening.
( Sighs ) Am. . .am I drunk?
Oh, not you. Mollison.
your other self. The demonic self.
Not made to steer an even course through life.
It must run amok now and again.
Oh. Thank you. . .good friend.
Not at all. (Laughs )
I'm supposed to be some kind of a doctor,
so I must pay attention to the sick folk around me.
Unfortunately, everybody's sick, one way or another.
( FOOTSTEPS BELOW )
Get out your bell, book and candle, Reverend Mollison.
Either I'm suffering from hallucinations
or we're in the presence of a truth-seeker!
(Mouths )
One against whom I have fought many a rearguard action.
It's a small world, Mr Wardle.
Good evening, Dr Roland.
It was Mr Wardle Jr here, Mollison,
who graciously entertained your coat yesterday evening.
you're drunk, Roland.
Not so drunk as to have forgotten the crazy notions you believe in
and thrust under everyone's noses!
May I?
Thank you. On your feet, Reverend.
This encounter calls for a little demonic exorcism.
(Intones solemnly ) From all prigs, busybodies and reformers. . .
BOTH: ..Good Lord deliver us!
Father. ( Clears throat )
Uh, we have a guest. Remember Gregory Wardle?
The son?
What does he want? Is something wrong?
No, I've just returned from the mill, Major Ackland.
Where you used to hunt. Up in the ranges.
Forest's. . .as fine as ever?
No, it's been a bit thinned since your day, I'm afraid.
Oh. Dangerous.
Forests. . .take revenge.
I spent a. . . lot of time in that part of the world.
but now your hunting days are over. ( Chuckles )
you'd be surprised. wouldn't he, Harold?
Oh, no, it's not as bad as all that. Shall we let him see?
Oh, no, not tonight.
What does he want to show me?
(Laughs ) It's. . . it's nothing. Nothing. (Mutters )
There's no light. We wouldn't see anything.
There's a moon, you duffer.
( Chuckles gleefully ) Oh, come on, Father. please!
Oh, alright.
What have they got up there?
Nothing to write home about, believe me.
( CHICKENS CLUCK )
This is strictly my father's department, you understand.
Are those really. . .chickens?
(Laughs ) you're damn right they are. Wha-choo! Whoa! Up!
( CHICKENS SQU AWK ) (Laughs )
Come on! Shh! Shh. Too fast.
Here.
Not a rabbit, surely? (Laughs ) you hear that, Harold?
Here. Come here. Come here.
Now. Now what do you see?
I see. . .a basket with a bird in it.
(Laughs ) ''A bird'', he says, eh?
It's a duck, isn't it? Ah.
but what sort of duck?
It's not just an ordinary duck.
Wardle, my boy. . .
..that is a Wild duck.
And she's mine.
How did you catch it, sir?
I didn't.
It was. . .winged by a. . . local gentleman
whose. . .eyesight was not very good.
It dived to the bottom.
but I thought. . .
..I thought Wild ducks never came up again.
No.
This, uh. . .gentleman. . . had a dog -
a very. . .clever dog.
And it dived in and, uh. . .
..brought it back.
Instead of wringing her neck, they gave her to me.
GREGORY: And how is she doing?
HAROLD: Well, look how fat she is.
She's adapted very well.
your father seems to be asleep. Mmm.
Don't worry about that.
Is this your father's?
Yes.
It has quite a history.
Has it?
When they came to arrest him. . .
..he tried to. . .
What, shoot himself?
Yes.
Only, he couldn't.
He was broken, you see.
Think what that means -
to be a soldier descended from two lieutenant colonels. . .
..and yet not to be able to pull the trigger.
( Sighs ) Can you understand that?
Yes, I can.
Very easlly.
I can't.
Well. . .
..I'll bid you goodnight.
I'll adapt too - you'll see.
Just like your Wild duck.
Although I'd rather be the clever dog that dived down and brought her up again.
What are you talking about?
I think he meant something else.
people don't always mean what they say. Do they?
( Snores )
( CLOCK TICKS )
(Reads quietly )
(Rabbit squeaks softly )
Oh, Gray.
I'd like you to find out where my son is.
Now, you might try the Acklands first.
but be discreet about it, right?
( Sighs )
I gather Mollison and, uh, Roland were out on the tiles again last night.
It might be rather kind to. . .
..invite them up for a. . . ( Clears throat ) ..little. . .
( Sighs ) So long as they don't come up before I'm finished.
Oh, no, no, no. Of course. Of course.
No, no. you just. . .get on as best you can.
Alright, then. And you can get some work done in the meantime.
(Tuts ) I am working!
(Mutters ) I'm working as hard as I can!
Ah! Are you busy, my boy?
(Tersely ) What does it look like?
Oh! Well, then, if you're so busy, then hmph!
Are you busy, Father?
( Shouts ) Well, if you're too busy, then I'm too busy too!
Alright.
I'm not as busy as all that, though.
Father, I thought you were doing your copying.
Oh, yes. Well, that fellow Gray, I mean, he can wait for a day or two.
It's not life or death, is it? Well, you're not a sIave, are you?
No.
Then there's, uh. . .that other job to do.
Ah.
would you like to go up there now?
Yes. Good idea.
Yes, well, it, uh. . . it would get it over and done with, wouldn't it?
Exactly. Yes.
Harold? Yes?
I will still like to move the water trough, after all.
but, Father, that's what I've been saying all along!
Yes? What is it?
I thought you were going to work with the photographs.
Dammit! I cannot do everything in this house at once!
Alright.
What do you want?
I just wanted to be with you.
Is there anything I can do? No. I shall do it all myself.
Just as long as my strength holds out.
Don't say that! I'll help you.
No, you'll hurt your eyes.
No, I won't.
Won't you?
Alright. Just a. . .a couple of minutes.
I will not be responsible if you hurt your eyes, Hetta.
you're a clever girl.
(Harold speaks indistinctly )
MAJOR ACKLAND: I have tried very hard. . .
(Harold and Major Ackland argue indistinctly )
your father's lucky, isn't he?
What do you mean?
Having you and your mother to help him.
Oh, I don't do much. They won't let me.
but mother takes pictures, prints and develops.
She does everything.
I think we should empty it, Father, before we. . .
It can be moved. It can be moved. It's very full, Father.
It's very full. It isn't!
So, it's really your mother who runs the business?
Well, Father can't be expected to take pictures of every Tom, Dick or Harry.
( DISTANT BANG )
(Both exclaim )
( DISTANT CLATTER )
( CHICKENS CLUCK )
Well, he must be somewhere.
I just wondered if you'd seen him, that's all.
I don't take much notice,
with all them coming in and out all day to see the doctor.
They was expecting company - I did know that.
( HORSES AND CARRIAGE PASS OUTSIDE )
you've no idea how much these little occasions mean to me, Gregory.
Isn't your father joining us?
Father likes a picnic on hunting days.
GREGORY: Hunting again? Only in the attic.
Some pork, Dr Roland?
Ahh.
This house boasts every facllity, you know, Wardle.
Hunting grounds in the attic,
a doctor and a clergyman downstairs.
Have some fat pork, Mollison?
(Retches )
( GUNSHOT )
Uh, did Mollison disturb you when I brought him home last night, Gina?
I wouldn't say so.
Ah.
Well, Father, that's a big one.
Fair sports day, gentlemen. (Laughs )
Excuse me. I can't. It's the, uh, rabbit.
Rabbit meat's very good stuff.
It's very tender.
Tastes like sugar.
Enjoy your luncheon anyway, gentlemen.
I-I believe I . . . Excuse me!
(Retches )
Drink some soda water, man.
Let's drink to the old huntsman.
Good health.
HAROLD: Good health, Father.
And to your indispensable wife, Gina, who makes everything so cosy. To Gina.
And to our little Wild duck mother.
I give you Henrietta.
( DOG BARKS IN DISTANCE )
Admit it, Mr Wardle.
Don't you find it pleasant, just for once,
to sit at a well-spread table in the bosom of a happy family?
Since you ask, Dr Roland, I confess. . .
..that I am never at ease in the presence of a smell.
What do you mean?
'Smell'?
Uh. . . I give this room a proper airing every day.
I'm not talking about something that can be cured by. . .opening windows.
Pardon my saying so, but couldn't you have brought this stench with you?
Stay out of this, Roland.
I have a strong suspicion, young Mr Wardle,
that that damned idealism of yours is still putrefying away
somewhere in one of your back pockets.
I carry that in my heart. I don't care where you keep it.
Just don't try and cash in on it here whlie I'm around,
or you'll go arse over tit downstairs. . .
HAROLD: No, no. . . Just try to throw me out.
Keep quiet, both of you. I don't want violence in my home.
And you learnto behave yourself if you want to live here.
Forgive me.
Harold, come for a walk. I want to talk to you in private.
C-can't it wait?
No, it can't.
I'll get my hat.
Don't go.
Doctor, Mr Gregory's mother, she was quite off her head in the end.
Believe me, he's mad.
The poor fellow is suffering from acute inflammation of the scruples. Always has.
Scruples? Is that a serious illness?
The worst.
Ohhh!
I suppose it's up to me to go and sort this out.
Oh, no. No. Don't go, Harold.
you stay with our guest, Gina.
I shan't be long.
please, don't go.
So long as we don't let the food get cold.
Gregory, I'm most dreadfully sorry.
(Both speak inaudibly )
Spying on me?
No, but I wanted to warn you not to meddIe.
I don't call exposing the truth 'meddllng'.
Yes, well, do you think he'll appreciate your efforts?
Yes, because knowing the truth, he can start afresh.
To bulld a future that's free of all these lies.
Oh, Gregory, stop flying off on these missions of yours
and come down to earth.
Now, you listen to me. I'm offering you a partnership in my firm.
A partnership?
Yes. I'm thinking of going up to the mills for health reasons.
I'd like you to take charge of the business down here in town.
I don't want any part of your business.
I have my own to attend to. I don't ask twice.
you won't need to. May God forgive you.
Forgive me? He is with me.
but he's never, never late for meals.
He always gets so hungry.
Maybe he and that chap had something to eat somewhere.
Speak of the devil.
Father?
Father!
We thought you'd got lost.
you've been gone for ages.
Aren't you hungry?
No, not really.
Are you feeling alright?
I'm just a little tired, Hetta.
you're not used to long walks, are you?
A man has to get used to many things in this life, Hetta.
you'll understand that when you're older.
Have you had your walk?
No.
Then run along.
but there are things to see to in the attic.
Oh, don't speak to me all that nonsense!
What do you mean? Things are going to change here, Hetta.
I'm never going to set foot in that attic again.
From tomorrow, I start my work in earnest.
but tomorrow's my birthday.
Well, from the day after tomorrow.
What about the Wild duck's water trough?
Damn the Wild duck! I'd like to wring its neck!
No. you mustn't.
She's mine.
I know, Hetta.
And that's why I haven't the heart.
but I ought to.
Anything that's been through that man's hands.
Oh. . .
Oh, no, no, don't be upset.
I've told you, I shan't harm a hair of its. . .
Well, I shan't hurt it, Hetta.
Oh, Hetta. you and I. (Kisses her)
Us two.
Now, go and have that walk.
I have things I have to do.
Off you go, Hetta.
( Quacks )
(Duck continues quacking )
Don't worry.
Nobody's going to hurt you again.
Has he gone and told you about me?
Is it true there was something between. . .
..you and his father. . .
..whlie you were in service there?
No. That is not true.
Not then.
He was after me, alright.
And Mrs Wardle suspected it.
She took it out on me. . .
..ending up by pulling my hair.
So I left and went back to my mother.
There were two sides to my mother, you know.
What does that mean?
By then Mr Wardle was a widower.
And very rich.
And she kept on at me.
To do what?
He wouldn't be satisfied before he got what he wanted.
So Gregory was right.
How could you be so deceitful?
All the years that we've. . .
If I'd known then the sort of woman you were. . .
( Shouts ) you're not worthy to be the mother of my child!
If I had told you. . . would you have married me?
Well, that's. . .
..that's obvious.
That's why. . . that's why I never dared to tell you.
To think that all this. . .
..everything that I call my home, I owe to that. . .
..Iecherous old. . .
..goat.
you can't just forget all the years we've had together.
Years of what?
Deceit.
I feel like a. . .
..a fly that's been caught in the web of your lies.
So you regret every hour of every day we have spent together?
Don't you?
I don't have time for regrets.
What I can't understand is your lack of. . .conscience.
The past has nothing to do with this.
I've always loved you, Harold.
We've always been happy together.
( Scoffs ) Happy?
Happy?!
( KNOCK AT DOOR )
May I come in?
Well, my friends.
God forgive you, Mr Gregory.
The truth is not easy to accept,
but it is the only possible basis for true happiness.
you must feel that, Harold. Perhaps.
but I have just swallowed a very bitter pill.
Don't expect miracles of me.
Ah. I thought I'd find you here. What the hell are you up to?
I'm trying to lay the foundations for a true marriage.
To help them start afresh.
If this madman doesn't clear out, he'll destroy you both.
GREGORY: It is not I, it is. . . it is. . .
How many ''true marriages'' have you seen in your life?
Hardly any. Neither have I.
Because they've been based on lies. Listen, the basis of my life has been. . .
Stop talking drivel. Now listen.
There's a child involved in this marriage, and she has to be protected.
What do you know about that, Dr Roland?
you mean Hetta's eyes?
No, it's nothing to do with her eyes.
She's at a very difficult age.
What do you mean - ''a difficult age''?
Adolescence.
Well. . .
..as long as I'm here. . .
..as long as I'm above ground, no-one will. . .
..no-one will harm her.
I hope to God you mean that.
MOLLISON: ''Whence it matters little whether our soul be judged
''at the first leaving the body or from the distance of many centuries.
''Since her love depends solely on the state in which she is found
''at the precise moment of her leaving this world. . .
''..this consideration should oblige every Christian
''to be always watchful over himself and to keep his conscience pure.''
ROLAND: Well, Mrs Summers. Come to see how the other half lives?
I'm just delivering a birthday present, my dear Roland.
Birthday present?
Can I give it to Henrietta?
Why you? She's in my room.
A bit down in the dumps today.
Nothing serious, I hope?
Professional secret. And you know I can keep a secret.
If only you took care of yourself half as well as you take care of others.
Goodbye, my dear Roland.
Goodbye, Bertha.
Bertha, I am so pleased for you.
GREGORY: May I wish you every happiness.
Thank you, Gregory. If you really mean it.
you say nothing, Harold.
I say take care. That's all.
We've taken considerable care, as a matter of fact.
I've told your father everything that anyone could truthfully say about me,
and, in return, he's been as equally honest with me.
He speaks to me as openly as a child,
which is why I know we shall be very happy together.
And as he will soon be helpless. . .
Let's not get into that now.
There's no point in trying to hide it, no matter how much he would like to.
He's going blind. I shall be his eyes from now on.
If there's anything you need, Harold,
Mr Wardle said would you please just ask Gray.
Thank you, Mrs Summers.
will you please give my compliments to your fiance,
and tell him that I intend to repay everything I owe him?
but we don't have the money to do that.
Tell him I am working tirelessly on my invention.
Everything I make from that will go into repaying the debt.
What's happened here?
Very well, then.
There were one or two things I wanted to talk to you about, Gina,
but they can wait for another day.
Goodbye.
I'd say my behaviour was correct, wouldn't you?
you're the man I took you for, Harold.
The thing that offends my sense of justice
is that your father should be able to found a true marriage, whereas I . . .
Still, he is going blind.
That's not absolutely certain, you know.
It'll be the finger of fate if he does.
Mother, Father, look! I've got a letter.
I've never had a letter before. It's for tomorrow.
It's got 'Miss' on it.
''Miss. . . Henrietta Ackland.'' Look!
Isn't that your father's writing?
Yes.
May I open it, Hetta?
Well. . . it was meant for tomorrow.
I'm sure it'll be something nice.
Yes.
Wh-what does it say?
It's a deed of gift.
What sort of gift?
but this is all about Grandfather.
What does it say?
Mr Wardle writes to Henrietta. . .
..that her old grandfather need no longer bother with any more copying
and that he may draw 5 ponds a month as long as he needs it.
Which, of course, means until. . . he dies.
That provides for the old man.
After which, the money is to go. . .
..to Henrietta.
To me? All that?
For the rest of her life.
Do you hear me, Gina?
Aren't you all glad?
GIad, yeah. . .
should we be glad, Gina?
but you can have the money, Father. I'll give it all to you and Mother.
Oh, yes. To you mother. Yes, that's as it should be.
you know what he's doing, don't you? ( Scoffs )
He's trying to buy me off again.
Mother, what does Father mean?
Go and take the tray to your grandfather.
Well, here is my answer to Mr Wardle.
And now, Gina. . . I want the truth.
Has your daughter any right. . . to live under my roof?
you ask me that?
I want a straight answer.
Is Henrietta mine or. . . ?
I don't know.
How would I?
In that case. . .
..there's no place for me here.
GREGORY: Harold, don't. . . do anything rash. you must. . .
The three of you must stay together if you're ever to achieve. . .
It's too late for that, Greg. Do you understand?
I have no child.
Father! Father!
Don't touch me.
No! please! please don't leave.
Look at her. Look at her!
Can't. . .don't. . .touch me.
please, Mother! Why is he doing this?!
Shh. Stop him!
He's not leaving you, Hetta. He's coming back.
Listen to me. He's coming back. What have I done to Father?
you haven't done a thing.
I must find him!
Henrietta! Hetta, come back!
Come back!
Father!
Henrietta, come back at once.
GREGORY: Henrietta!
Henrietta, come home.
Father doesn't want me anymore.
Oh, he does. He does.
Perhaps I don't really belong to Father.
Why do you say that?
I've read about things like that.
Mother might have found me and now Father's found out.
but you'd think he'd love me all the same.
More, even. Like I love the Wild duck.
After all, she was found.
Yes.
She was.
She's a real Wild bird, you see.
She's got no friends and no family.
And nobody knows where she comes from.
Poor Wild duck.
Father said he wanted to wring her neck.
Oh, he wouldn't do that.
He said he ought to.
but he told me he'd spare her for my sake.
Henrietta, what if. . .
..what if you were to sacrifice the Wild duck for his sake?
The thing you most value in the world?
you mean you think that would make him love me again?
I'm sure it would.
Trust me.
Think of me. . .as a brother.
Do it, Henrietta.
could I ask Grandfather to do it?
Yes. but don't tell your mother.
She wouldn't understand.
Can you do it?
Yes. In the morning.
Come on. Drink up.
What a gullible fool I've been.
( Scoffs ) Oh, we're all fools, man.
(Laughs )
HAROLD: Leave me alone.
Leave me alone! Come back, you fool!
(Mollison sings ) Marching as to war
Onward, Christian soldiers. . .
Leave me alone!
Marching as to war. . .
Get off me! Come on, Harold!
We need you.
We're going to finish your invention.
Christ, the royal master. . .
(Retches )
Leads against the foe
Onward into battle
See his banners go. . . (Vomits violently )
( Snores )
( KNOCK AT DOOR )
Come in.
I just wanted to make sure he was with you.
Mrs Ackland was worried.
He couldn't have gone home last night. He was too drunk.
( Coughs )
Drink makes pigs of us all.
(Harold mutters)
God, just listen to him.
Is he sick? Who isn't?
And that includes you.
What's your remedy?
The best pick-me-up of them all. The necessary lie.
Necessary lie?
self-deception, if you prefer.
Yes. self-deception is the stimulating principle of life.
Harold thinks he's an inventor, and I encourage him.
but old Major Ackland - he hit upon a cure himself.
He shoots rabbits and imagines they're bears.
The happiest huntsman in the world. And I encourage him too.
They may be lies, but without them they'd go under.
I'm afraid I can't agree with you.
Do you want to destroy what little happiness he's got?
HENRIETTA: How can we have a party without Father?
He'll come up soon.
Mother, why has he stopped loving me? What did I do to upset him?
you have done nothing wrong, Hetta.
I'm sure he'll have forgotten all about it when he comes up.
Do grown-ups love one day and not the next,
and love again the day after?
Sometimes.
Grown-ups are odd that way.
They promise to love forever and they seldom do.
Some even promise to die for the one they love.
It's not that they are liars, it's only that. . .
..well. . .they believe it when they say it, and. . .
..and then they forget.
Did you ever promise to die for someone?
No.
but if you had, would you have kept your promise?
I don't know.
I expect I'm no different from other grown-ups.
I would.
Don't be silly, Hetta.
you haven't done it, have you?
Done what?
Oh, you mean about the Wild duck. No.
you didn't have the courage.
Oh, I don't think it was that.
It's just that. . .
..it seemed such a beautiful idea last night,
but somehow, this morning. . .
He'd come back to you soon enough if you made that sacrifice.
He would.
(Duck quacks )
It's not much fun taking one's constitutional alone.
your father's late this morning.
Don't you feel like shooting, Grandfather?
No.
The weather's wrong.
It's overcast. you can't see your hand in front of your face.
(Duck quacks )
Don't you ever feel like shooting anything. . .
..besides rabbits?
And what's wrong with rabbits, I would like to know?
What about the Wild duck?
Oh, fuss, fuss, fuss. Don't worry. I would never do that.
Not on your life.
They say they're very hard to shoot.
Maybe you couldn't.
Oh. . . bless your heart.
Of course I could.
How, Grandfather?
Not my Wild duck, I mean. . . but another one.
Well, you shoot them in the breast. That is the proper way.
Against the lie of the feathers, you see. Never with the feathers. That is the trick.
Do they die then?
Oh, yes. They'll die if you do it properly.
Well. . . I have to, um. . .spruce up a bit.
A little. . .spit and polish for the birthday party, what?
Oh, you're back again.
I won't be troubling you for long. I'm not staying.
Oh, no. Of course not. you do look awful, you know.
you've come back for my birthday! Go away. Go away from me.
Keep her away from me, Gina.
There's plenty to do in the attic, dear.
Why?
Run along now. Wait till your father's had his breakfast.
I need my books. What books?
My scientific books. The journals for my invention.
Oh, you mean these, don't you?
Who on earth put them in there?
So you're really leaving us?
Well, I should have thought that was obvious.
Oh, well.
I can't stay here to be stabbed in the heart every minute of the day.
Oh, God forgive you for such thoughts.
Well, you proved to me that it's. . .
It's your accusations. you prove it.
( Snorts ) With a past like yours?
I don't know who you're laying that for,
because I'm not having another meal under this roof.
( Sighs ) Now.
Now. . .
I need my diagrams, I need the notes for my autobiography,
I need my journals.
I suppose they're in the attic. Tossed up there.
Get her out of there, Gina.
For heaven's sake. She has to be somewhere.
Come out!
For the last few minutes that I'm here, I'd like to be spared contact with strangers.
Does he mean me, Mother?
No. Go to your room. you haven't made your bed yet.
This will wear me out, this packing.
Why don't you let me do it? your tea will go cold.
( Sighs ) Oh. . .very well.
What are you looking for?
butter.
Oh. I'll go and get it.
No, it's alright. I'll eat dry bread.
I see you haven't thrown this letter away.
I'm so sorry. I'll do it right away.
It is Father's property, you know.
Do we have paste?
Oh, yes. I'll go and get it.
Might be as well.
Just to be on the safe side.
(Duck quacks )
No, that's at the bottom, Gina.
Stick a piece of that down the back.
( DOOR SHUTS )
Harold, I never expected to find you. . .
I was famished, Gregory.
I can't afford to lose my strength now.
Do you really have to leave?
I'm not made for unhappiness.
but, Harold, now you have the truth to bulld on.
And then. . .
..there's your invention.
Shut up about that. Everything's been invented already.
No, Gregory, that letter is just the beginning.
Mr Wardle could come at any time and take Henrietta away from me.
Oh, Harold, you don't really believe that?
Well, what could I do - a humble photographer -
when they say, ''Come to us. The world is yours''?
(Duck quacks )
What was that?
Oh. . .Grandfather in the attic.
( Sighs ) No, I've. . . I've been a fool.
To think that all these years I've worried about Henrietta's eyesight
and all the time it's been I that's been blind.
but supposing. . . Henrietta were to prove to you,
beyond a shadow of doubt, that she loves you, Harold?
No.
No, I've. . . had a growing suspicion.
I've suspected for some time. Henrietta's never really loved me.
( GUNSHOT )
There's your proof.
Leave us alone, Mr Wardle.
Go back to your house on the hill and your. . .
..your insane dreams.
No-one wll ever know how this appalling thing happened.
It was no accident.
There were powder burns on her dress, close to her heart.