Ewan?
Off you go.
Mr Peart, here's your culprit - grass seed.
- Oh... then it's nowt catching? - No, no.
Luckily. Contagious eye disease is the last thing you need.
Aye. I want nowt amiss afore tupping time.
- It's make-or-break year for me, this year. - Oh?
- I have to buy a new tup. - Oh!
- Who are you buying from? - Ben Lupton, if I can afford it.
You'll be all right there - his stock's sound.
Aye. You can never be sure, can you?
I mean, a tup's only ever as good as its performance.
You only find that out after you part wi' t'brass.
It wouldn't do Ben's reputation good to sell a dud 'un.
If I bought one, I'd be a ruddy laughing stock!
Listen, while we're on the subject, can you check him over for me?
- Before I decide, like? - Yes.
Yes, all right, Mr Peart.
I can check a ram's physical condition, but his ability to sire, well...
- You have to judge that for yourself. - Fair enough, Mr Herriot.
(tractorapproaching)
Brown boots! I ask you!
- What about the hat? - Lovely.
Bellbridge sale's today.
Someone will buy you. (chuckles)
- Come on in. - (bottles clinking)
Thank you. I thought I'd make a small detour and look in on you.
- Actually, I did telephone to warn you. - I'm sorry I wasn't here.
I've been... I've been seeing Silas Wenlow's mare through a bad foaling.
Had a problem or two. Ooh!
Oh, Lord. Up all night, were you?
Yeah, I haven't slept since Monday.
How long is that? I've lost touch.
- Oh, Ewan, that's too many hours. - Mm.
Uh... care to sample my fee?
It's not exactly VSOP, but Silas does have a way of combining sloes and whisky.
Oh, good God! Why not?
(chuckles)
Sloe whisky, baskets of vegetables on the doorstep, a brace of rabbits on a hook...
You still barter your services, do you, Ewan?
I like to keep things simple, Siegfried.
Oh, Ewan, Ewan, Ewan...
Those that can pay in cash, those that can't pay in kind.
You don't approve, I know, but... it suits me.
It's not that I disapprove exactly - to each his own.
Amen to that. Here's to a contented life, Siegfried.
And here's to the just reward for hard labour.
(spluttering)
- Ohhh! - Goes down well, doesn't it?
Ohhh! lf you like fruit-flavoured aviation spirit.
Aye, Silas swears it's the best thing he knows for shifting worms in pigs.
- I don't doubt it. - Another one?
No, thank you. Unlike you, my day's just beginning.
- I think perhaps a cup of tea... - Ah!
No, no, no, no, no, no, I'll do it.
So, Siegfried...
how goes it in Darrowby?
Don't you know, Ewan, we've never been busier.
And with the latest scientific advances working their way through the system,
the practice has never been more exciting.
Do you know, I don't think a day goes by without a new footstep being taken
over the threshold of knowledge.
That's it.
The days when vets like you and me
pounded exotic remedies in pestle and mortar...
are fast vanishing over the professional horizon.
Do you know, Ewan...
Ewan?
- Hello. Is your brother up and running? - He's much better.
- I'll tell him I saw you. - Please do.
Lead him round again, Jack.
(Yorkshire accent) Excuse me, sir, are you the owner of this animal?
- Siegfried! - Henry Clintock.
By all that's holy, when did they let you out?
You haven't changed a bit - and after all these years.
- What's your secret? - Good appetite and a clear conscience.
- You ought to try it. - Too late. I should have started years ago.
It's never too late to mend.
No need to ask you what brings you here.
(Henry) Meet Gravy Train, Siegfried.
(Siegfried) Handsome. Very handsome indeed. Who is the lucky owner?
After all those years training horses for other people,
I decided to take the plunge on my own account.
That's good to hear. High time too. I wish you every sort of success.
That rather depends on how he turns out - we've gone for broke on each other.
Bring him over here, Jack.
He's the white hope of the Clintocks.
- What about you? Still at Darrowby? - I certainly am.
Just as well you found me, then. If you hadn't, I would certainly have found you.
- I've taken over a place here. - That's wonderful! Where?
Barely an hour's drive from Darrowby. Nedderburn.
Nedderburn? I don't believe it!
Try and get him into the box again, Jack.
If we don't get him in soon, we'll have to ride him home.
Henry Clintock. Old university chum, eh?
Large as life. Wasn't it a bit of luck, running into him like that, James?
Memories of a misspent youth?
Dear, dead days, James, but not entirely beyond recall.
Mm. Well, his stables should be good for business.
I rather think Nedderburn's a touch beyond our patch.
(James) Mm?
No, what worries me is that he'll get taken over by one of those damn Bentley vets.
But, you know, he is just down the road from you-know-who.
- Who? - Ewan Ross, James.
- The best horseman north of the Humber. - North of anywhere.
- Present company excepted, of course. - Nobody excepted.
Well, yes, but, uh... Ewan?
Well, I know he's impossible. And since Ginny's death, he's let himself go.
Well, it just means that the approach will have to be...
subtle.
Mm.
- Cor, look at that! - A big 'un, innit?
- Maybe it's the queen's. Let's have a look. - Oi! Go on, out of it! And you!
(children laugh)
Oh, that dreadful Hodgekin.
He bumps and dents my beautiful car,
the garage has supplied a ghastly hearse while they repair it,
and now this!
I repeatedly asked him to mow the rough grass in the orchard, but no.
- Tricki is paying for his incompetence. - It's nearly finished, Mrs Pumphrey.
Whatever would he do without his Uncle Herriot?
- But there is the problem, Mr Farnon. - Problem, Mrs Pumphrey?
If I go to Le Touquet, it'll mean leaving Tricki.
- (Tricki snarls) - Tricki, I'm sorry.
Don't worry, darling, Mummy won't desert you.
He's convinced I'm going to abandon him.
I'm sure that he'd enjoy a few days in a boarding kennel.
Boarding kennel?!
Uh... well, yes. James and I come across some quite excellent ones nowadays.
The very name conjures up Dickensian pictures of squalor and cruelty!
The idea of Tricki imprisoned in such a place!
Well, of course, I realise that Tricki's needs are unique,
that he would require a good deal of special care and understanding.
Precisely. But where to find it? Who to trust?
So few live up to Tricki's demanding standards.
Don't you agree, Mr Farnon?
Oh, absolutely, Mrs Pumphrey.
There we are, Tricki, it's all done. Friends again?
(Mrs Pumphrey) Do look, Mr Farnon. A picture of devotion, don't you think?
Yes, quite charming.
I know who Tricki would wish to stay with, given the choice.
(Siegfried) Ah.. well, yes, of course.
- Then you agree? - Well...
You would wish to have Tricki stay here with you?
Well...
I must confess, the thought had occurred,
but Tricki would be the last to impose himself.
Well, the only trouble is...
Then you're quite sure - it is what you both want to do?
- (James) Well, Mrs Pumphrey... - Absolutely.
It would be an honour and a privilege. Wouldn't it, James?
'Ey-up, Harold!
What's this, then? A deputation?
Just me and Mr Herriot, Ben.
Hello, Mr Lupton.
- Mr Peart asked me to look at this tup. - Oh, aye?
- I know you won't mind, Ben. - Mind?
Nay, bring t'vicar and his wife to look at him if you've a mind.
I wanna know what I'm getting for my brass.
If I decide to buy him, that is.
Please tha sen, lad.
Aye. Aye, I will.
- On you go, Mr Herriot. - Right.
What's that, then? For counting his legs or summat?
Thank you very much. Go on, go on.
Come on. Come on.
(peacocks calling)
Siegfried!
Hello, Henry.
What on earth kept you?
A thousand apologies.
Where's Ross, that vet chum of yours?
- I'm afraid he was called out this morning. - I see.
He's so fearfully in demand these days that, much as he wanted to come,
- it was quite impossible today. - Perhaps another time.
I'll just get the gate.
I'm sorry you were delayed, too, Siegfried.
Apart from anything else, I wanted your opinion on Stackpool.
Stackpool?
He's the horse specialist used by most of the stables round here.
You must have seen him leave just now.
Oh, yes, I certainly did.
If his bills measure up to his wardrobe and that car of his, I'm in the wrong job.
You mustn't think of him as representative of the profession, Henry.
He can certainly knock it back, too.
Never saw anything walloped so fast as those '37 Margaux
I'd opened for our lunch.
- You've had lunch? - Had to, Siegfried.
I wouldn't see it spoiled and chucked out.
- Stackpool was here and, well... - Of course.
Not to worry. I'm sure we've got some cold cuts.
Look, you go on in. I'll just round up those damned peafowl.
Can't tell you how marvellous it is to have you here, Siegfried!
Well, Veterinary? Satisfied?
- Well, Mr Lupton... - Mr Herriot.
Mr Herriot.
Thank you.
- This is between you and me, Mr Herriot. - Oh?
Now...
So, uh... what's the verdict?
- He's magnificent. - I know that.
- What I wanna know is, is he sound? - No abnormalities.
- Teeth? - Fine.
- Feet? - No problems.
- How about his tackle? - His what?
Can he do his job, like?
He is a perfectly endowed specimen, Mr Peart.
- Nowt wrong wi' him at all? - Not that I can see.
- What a facer. - How do you mean?
I need summat to beat Ben Lupton down on t'price.
Well, that's between you and him, I'm afraid.
In my opinion, that tup is in first-class condition.
- Yeah, well, if you're sure... - I am.
(donkey braying)
- And what's your problem, then? - (loud braying)
(shouts ofencouragement)
(roars)
(cheering)
- (man) Should have been pushin' down. - Rubbish.
Two pints for my table, Albert.
Hey, Siegfried! I'm glad you came back. Over here.
Be my guest.
You're a fearfully elusive man, Ewan.
And you have been more than persistent.
You got my messages?
Yes. All of them.
Then why didn't you show up at dinner?
Well, I was busy. You know how it is.
Managed to find him, then, sir?
Eventually, yes.
Not an easy chap to find, is our Mr Ross.
Not unless you need him - and then he'll find you.
My goodness me, you've really got these people eating out of your hand.
Well, people and animals, there's only the one rule:
firm but gentle.
You don't think you're forgetting just one thing?
What?
That there's a world outside that's waiting for you.
Siegfried, I know what you had in mind today.
It's not up to me to run your professional life.
No.
But this is a challenge that is worth your abilities.
It'll get your foot in the door. All the stables here rely on the Bentley brigade.
Well, they can afford each other.
Can you afford not to take advantage of this opportunity?
Taking advantage, eh?
That's a meaningless notion in this neck of the woods, I'm afraid.
Do you ever play poker?
I'm serious.
Now, the skill lies in recognising when you hold a winning hand.
(men cheering)
- He's absolutely heartbroken. - Come on, Tricki.
Don't worry, darling, it's only Uncle Herriot.
- Promise not to let him out of your sight? - Of course.
- Not for a single instant? - Mrs Pumphrey!
I know, I shouldn't even need to ask.
But rest assured, my faith in you is as bounteous as Tricki's own.
I promise I will look after him with the greatest of care. Come on.
- You're very kind. - Hm.
Goodbye, my darling. Mummy will be back before you know it,
and she'll bring you something special from France.
- Bye, Mrs Pumphrey. - Bye-bye.
(sobs)
Yes, right, Henry. Of course I will.
I've just got to clear it with James, that's all.
I don't anticipate any trouble in that direction.
All right, Henry, until then. Bye.
- Siegfried. - Hello, James. Let me do that.
Come on, Tricki. Come on. Come on.
James, I do realise it is the most frightful imposition,
but I've got to get back to Henry Clintock's.
(James) Oh, really? Come on, Tricki.
- When? - It really ought to be today.
What's so urgent?
That damn Bentley vet, Stackpool or whatever his name is,
has diagnosed a hernia in that new young horse of Henry's.
He's recommended immediate surgery, so Henry's anxious for a second opinion.
What am I supposed to do, Siegfried? Two lots of surgery and Tricki?
Thank you, James. Rest assured of my warmest welcome.
Thank you, James.
(squeaks)
Pick up her foreleg for me, Alan, would you?
OK, thank you.
Well?
Inguinal hernia, no doubt about that.
Surgery's the only option?
It might not bother him as he goes on. What is he, a year old?
I think, all things considered, I'd be inclined to geld him.
- Thank you, Alan. - I see.
Surgery wouldn't be especially difficult or dangerous, would it?
There's an element of danger in any surgical procedure,
but no, it should be within the competence of any experienced practitioner.
Whilst it wouldn't be true to say that money's no object,
at least it's not the issue here.
- I want the best for Gravy Train. - Quite.
Is there any chance that you could, uh...
The operation is not what presents any difficulty, it's what happens afterwards.
And time is not mine to pledge, not at this remove from Darrowby.
Of course. Stackpool said he'd have to go to veterinary hospital.
Well, we all have our own ways of doing things.
Perhaps Mr Stackpool wouldn't be able to devote the time to postoperative care.
Siegfried, that chum of yours, Ross,
could he be our man, do you think?
- I don't doubt it. - Could we see him now?
- I rather think we could. - Let's go, then.
Right. Thank you.
He's an enormously keen mechanic.
So I can see.
Ewan?
Ewan!
- (bangs on door) - Ewan!
- Ewan? - (snoring)
Ewan.
Uh...
Do you think you could give me a hand to get him upstairs?
Of course, old boy.
(Ewan mutters)
- Now, Mr Herriot. - Mr Peart.
Tricki! Tricki, come here!
- There's a good boy. - Brought the hearth rug with you, I see.
In you go, Tricki. Go on.
Any change with the ram?
See for yourself.
I'll have that Ben Lupton for this.
- (James) He sold you him in good faith. - Aye. With a bit of help from the expert.
Look, when I examined him, there was no indication this might happen.
Try telling that to them keen young ewes of mine.
Like a chorus of ruddy virgins singing, "Why are we waiting?"
Yes, well, don't write him off yet.
He's a dead loss, Mr Herriot.
I'll give him a shot of vitamin E.
It might help.
Aye. Well, if it don't, he's for the chop.
Ruddy experts!
- I'm sorry for the wasted journey. - It was worth a try.
- Henry... - I'm sure Ross is everything you say.
It's just that I need a chap I can rely on, you see.
I'll speak to Stackpool again.
Of course.
Come on, lad.
Come on.
Here we are, then.
- Here we are. - He's a little bit creaky in the joints.
Nay! That's nobbut old age, Mr Farnon.
Yeah? Just push him on the offside.
(Lupton) Steady now.
- Steady. - He could do with his nails trimming.
Aye?
All right.
(Siegfried hums) All right, lovey.
Ah, steady, lad.
Apart from the loss of appetite, there doesn't seem to be much wrong.
Aye, it's a puzzle right enough, Mr Farnon.
- How long do you say he's been like this? - A week, maybe more.
Gone right down, he has.
Well, really,
the only thing that I can do...
is to, uh...
give him some vitamins and iron.
- It's old age, as you say. - Aye.
We bought him for our Lizzie when she were nobbut a nipper.
She's at college now, studying.
But she likes to see him about the place when she comes home, like.
Yes, course she does.
Do you know, when I was a lad, we had a donkey over 40 years old?
- Oh, aye? - Yeah.
- Know you never see a donkey die? - No.
Yeah, that's what they say. Like a swan.
Don't you worry, Mr Lupton. I think this will do a bit of something for him.
Not on my account, mind -
for our Lizzie.
Of course.
Yes, Henry, I understand. The best thing you can do is try to keep him quiet.
Oh, he should be back any minute.
Yes, I know, it is rotten luck.
Yes, all right. Yes. Bye.
(sighs) Tricki, come on. It's crisis time.
The best place for you is out of the way. Come on.
There you go. Good boy.
- Hello, James... - That was Henry Clintock on the phone.
Gravy Train was playing up and has brought on a strangulation.
- What's his condition? - Very distressed, feverish, breathing fast.
- How long? - Anything up to four hours, Henry said.
That gives me six hours to nip gangrene in the bud.
James, can you cope with my afternoon calls?
Yes, yes, I'll be able to fit those in. You'll need help, won't you?
Yeah. It'll have to be Ewan Ross.
Ah, yes.
- Would you mind phoning him for me? - Right.
Try all the numbers we've got for him if you don't get him, including the pub.
And if you don't get him, leave messages.
Right. Are you sure he'll respond?
Uh... I've never known him not to, not when it counts.
Right.
Mr Ewan Ross. Message from Mr Siegfried Farnon.
That's right. Young colt with strangulated hernia - Clintock stables.
Mm-hm.
Condition serious. Surgical treatment imperative.
Assistance greatly appreciated. Mm-hm.
Leaving Darrowby now. Message timed at 1 :30 today.
Yes, I know. But if you do see him, could....
Right. Yes, thank you very much. Right, bye.
- Any luck? - Not yet. Plenty more numbers to try.
- Thank you so much. - Good luck.
Thank you.
(whinnying)
(tractorapproaching)
- Henry Clintock? - Yes, Mr Ross.
We have met. Siegfried and I visited your cottage earlier last week.
Ah, that visit. Ah, well, mystery solved.
I knew Siegfried couldn't have got me up those stairs on his own.
Good to meet you at last. Siegfried's been trying to get us together.
Yes, so I gather. Is that the patient?
- Yes. I'm waiting for Siegfried. - Hm. Well, we'd best have a look at him.
- Without Siegfried? - He left a message asking me to come.
And by the looks of that animal, the sooner we get started, the better.
Oh, I see.
(whispering)
I were expecting Mr Farnon, tha knows.
He's been called away, Mr Lupton. Asked me to call in.
- Loss of appetite, you say? - Aye.
- Not eating anything at all? - A mouthful here and there,
but nowt like his usual.
Rare one for his trough, were our Jack.
- Ah. - Aren't you, eh, lad?
Him and Barty both.
- Barty? - You know, that tup I sold young Harold.
- Oh, yes. Yes, of course. - Always together, them two.
Real mates, like.
Ah!
- A tup and a donkey, eh? - Aye.
Summat that started up after our Lizzie left home -
Iast back end, that were.
My missus called 'em Laurel and Hardy.
Ah. Mr Lupton, when did this loss of appetite start exactly?
Let's see now. It were about t'same time that...
No, no, no.
It were right after our Barty went!
Hmm... Have you ever boxed him?
Ruddy 'eck, Mr Herriot. What are you playing at?
A surprise visit, Mr Peart.
- And as for you, Ben Lupton... - Hold your horses, lad!
- We've brought summat for you. - Don't think you can soft-soap me.
- Not after... - (Lupton) There we are.
(Peart) Ruddy 'eck!
This your idea of a joke, is it?
No.
- (Jack braying) - (James) It may make the tup do his duty.
Ben Lupton's mangy old donkey? What kind of medicine is that?
It's psychological medicine, Mr Peart.
See? They've been pining for each other. Simple as that.
(braying and baaing)
- Ah, Ewan, you got my message. - Bush telegraph, Siegfried.
Did you bring a chloroform mask? Mine's seen better days.
- Yes, I did. - Good. And rustle up a clean sheet.
And remind Clintock that I'll be dossing down in the stall.
Easier to keep an eye... on the patient.
You know, Ewan, I am most awfully grateful.
Siegfried?
Henry!
- You've seen Ewan Ross? - Yes, of course. He's down there.
- Things'll be much easier now he's here. - I'll take your word for it.
He put the fear of God into me when he examined Gravy Train -
muttered words like "gangrene" and "peritonitis".
Did he? Did he? Did he?
Let's take things step by step. Mind giving me a hand with my equipment?
(Clintock) Of course.
Good gracious me!
(Tricki snarling)
You're at the station now?
Oh, I see, you're getting a taxi straight here.
I see. No, I quite understand.
I'm sure he's very anxious to see you, too, Mrs Pumphrey.
No, he's fine.
No, no trouble at all. He and James have been inseparable.
- Isn't it about time you put that thing on? - No rush, Siegfried. No rush.
(sneezes)
(Ewan humming)
(softly) Here. Here.
Good boy.
(whispering) Here you go. There.
There you are.
Who's a good boy, eh?
Who's a...
That's it, that's it. There, there.
OK, Alan, take him round.
Nice and steady.
Fine. Fine.
Bring him in. Bring him in.
OK, that's it. Good boy. There's a good boy.
Steady. Steady!
Steady, steady, steady.
Steady.
There, there.
(softly) That's a good boy.
There, there.
Good boy.
Tricki?
Come on, Tricki.
(squeaks toy) Tricki?
Tricki, come on.
Tricki? Come on!
Joke over.
Tricki?
- Tricki! - He's not here, James.
- Then where the hell is he? - Maybe he's got out.
- Mrs Alton? - It's her afternoon off.
- What? - Perhaps he's bedded down somewhere.
- I'll try the garden. - Tricki?
- Tricki? Tricki!
I don't know how you stay so calm.
This coming-round period has me nervous as a kitten.
Fretting about it won't help, old chap. We've done our best.
The next few minutes are in the lap of the gods.
Easy, Henry. Easy.
Now, let him do this his own way.
Come on, old fellow.
Come on, Gravy.
Come on, boy.
- Come on. - (Ewan) Up! Up we come.
(laughs)
Ahh.
Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant, both of you!
(Siegfried) He's not out of the wood yet.
You're the experts, but I know a thing or two myself - he's going to be all right.
(laughs)
- Any luck? - He isn't in the garden.
- Looked in the sheds? - I have looked everywhere.
- Who are you ringing? - Mrs Alton's sister.
- I've looked up there. - Well, I'm going to look up there again!
Yes, hello. It's Mrs Herriot again.
Could you get me Darrowby police station, please?
- Thank you. - (doorbell)
- James! - What?
It's the door.
Hello. Sergeant Harris? Mrs Herriot here, Skeldale House.
We wondered if you'd found a stray dog.
Yes, a stray dog.
- Yes. - She said to come here and wait.
- (Helen) It's a small, white, fluffy... - Wait? Yes.
- Uh, darling? - Yes, small, white, fluff...
Hello, Mr Hodgekin. Why don't you take Hodgekin into the sitting room.
- He must be thirsty. - What a splendid idea.
Mr Hodgekin, come on.
Yes, I'm sorry about all that, Sergeant.
Well, we thought he was in the house.
Right then, Ewan, I'll be on my way.
Right.
That was a very instructive experience.
Yes. We learn from each other, Siegfried.
Indeed so.
- What's this? - It's a little present from Skeldale.
25-year-old malt whisky.
Phew!
Very decent of you.
Hang on.
Good Lord alive! Krug '49!
Mm. Henry gave it to me. I can't understand why he should.
No, it's... it's yours, Ewan.
And jolly well earned it was, too.
It seems we still have something to learn about each other, Siegfried.
I'm not a champagne person.
- Aren't you joining me, then? - A bit early for me.
Aye, well... Good luck, then.
Yes, yes. Good luck to you, Mr Hodgekin.
It's a grand drop of whisky, is yon.
Yes. Yes, it is a nice one, isn't it?
What time did Mrs Pumphrey say she'd meet you here?
Any time now. Reminds me - better get t'old dog sorted out.
You've got time for some more Scotch, have you? Surely?
- If you insist, Veterinary. - I do, Mr Hodgekin.
- All right, is he? - Sorry?
T'old dog - doing him proud, are you?
Tricki. Tricki's fine. Couldn't be better.
Aye.
- Where is he, then? - Sorry?
You heard me. What have you done wi' him?
Well, l... What do you mean?
I haven't done anything with him. He's gone out for a walk.
- He should be back any minute. - (chuckles)
I'll believe you.
Thousands wouldn't.
- What do you mean? - You know well what I mean.
Wife on t'phone to t'police about a missing white dog,
you doing your best to keep me in here -
you've lost him, haven't you?
- No! - It's as plain as daylight.
Of course I haven't, Mr Hodgekin. What an idea!
I don't mind. It's time that Tricki-Woo had his comeuppance.
Mind you, what are you gonna tell her when she comes to take him home?
What are you gonna tell her? That'll be summat to hear!
That'll be summat to hear.
- Thank you, Sergeant. Bye-bye. - He knows about Tricki.
- How? - He heard you on the phone.
- Any luck? - No. No strays at all.
- Did you try Mrs Alton's sister? - Still no answer.
- Where the hell could she be? Wl? - No. Saturdays.
- Gone shopping in Mallerton? - No, not on a Tuesday.
Of course! She and her sister polish the brass Tuesday afternoons.
- She's got to be in the church. - (doorbell)
- It's Mrs Pumphrey. - You speak to her.
No, you speak to her. Say I've taken him for a walk. Anything.
- If you think l... - I've got to go to the church!
- All right, but hurry back, James Herriot. - Go on, go on!
- (doorbell) - Mrs Pumphrey.
Mrs Herriot. How lovely to see you.
- Cadeaux. - Lovely.
- What a tedious journey! Endless! - He's in the sitting room.
- (Hodgekin singing) - But how wonderful it is to be back.
Music ..a-winding lnto the land of my dreams
Music Where the nightingale is sing...
Hodgekin!
Ma'am! (hiccups)
(indignant gasp)
- (Mrs Pumphrey) Stop waving that bottle! - (Hodgekin continues laughing)
(Helen) Shall I take it?
(door creaks)
- (Mrs Pumphrey) My man is totally drunk! - (Hodgekin) Oh, aye.
(Mrs Pumphrey) Tricki, my darling! Oh, how wonderful!
- I have missed you. - Hello, James.
(Hodgekin continues singing)
- Where'd you find him? - Who? Tricki?
He's been with me. I thought it was time I acted as kennel maid for the afternoon.
Sorry.
- (glass smashes) - (Helen) It's not valuable.
Music There's a long, long trail a-winding lnto the land of my dreams
- Music Where the... - Easy!
(cackles) Music Where the nightingales are...
- Put the sot into the car! - (continues singing)
- Right, Mrs Pumphrey. - Yes, Mrs Pumphrey.
- Come on now. - Music Where the nighting...
Come on, Mr Hodgekin. Come on.
- (drunken singing/muttering) - Come on.
- I'll get the door. - Well done, Siegfried.
Music There's a long, long trail a-winding...
(Siegfried) Here we go. Here we go.
There's the basket for you.
(Hodgekin) Mr Herriot...
Are you sure you wouldn't like me to drive?
Thank you, Mr Herriot, I'm perfectly capable of driving.
- Yes, of course. - My coat...
Are you in?
Well, then, au revoir.
Goodbye, Mrs Pumphrey.
(gears crunch/horn blares)
- I think it's time we opened our presents. - I need a drink.
But Hodgekin demolished our whisky.
Don't worry about that, James. What do you say to a Krug '49?
For that, I will stretch a point.