"Hello, Onedin, Robert." "Morning to you." " Morning, Mr Callon." " Business good?" "Sea's wide enough for both of us." "The Irish trade, eh?" "Well, I don't blame you, my boy, don't blame you." "There's a penny or two to be picked up there if you're in a...small way of business." "Good day to you." "Is that all you could find?" "!" "It's all that was left." "I'm afraid Callon got there first." "I see." "Well, he cut his prices, shilling a family, and packed his ship to the gallows." "These are latecomers." " Sixpence a head, babes in arms free." " Poor devils." "Seven?" "At sixpence a head?" "Have we arrived, Your Honour?" "Aye." "Oh, get ashore with you and look sharp about it." "Thank you, Your Honour." "Come on now, give me the child." "There you are, darling, don't cry, don't cry." "Hurry up now." "Come on, hurry up, boys, don't keep these men waiting." "Come on, now." " It's gonna be all right, darling, come on." "Now don't keep the gentlemen waiting, come on." "Don't cry, darling, don't cry, come here." "Come on." "Quick about it, everybody." "Come on, boys." "Thank you!" "Thank you, sir, God bless you." "Thank you, sir." "More cheap labour for Callon to grow fat on." "Three and sixpence!" "Oh, we shall grow very fat on that, won't we?" "Well, they'll work aboard, work ashore, care for themselves." "It isn't much, but it's a clear profit." "If we'd had a shipload of them, we'd be singing a different tune." "Mm." "So, what other cargo did you find me?" "A couple of porkers and six bales of linen." "A couple of porkers?" "Oi!" "Another dozen casks, where do you want them?" "On deck." "Right, Mr Baines, clean the hold out and get ready to load casks for Lisbon." "We got a boatload?" "Aye, enough to fill her twice over." "That's where the profit lies." "Portuguese casks, not Irish porkers." "Well, sharp as you like, Mr Baines." "An idle ship eats money!" "Blasted casks!" "It's bad enough having an upstart merchantman for a son-in-law without him turning me quarters into a warehouse." "Business, Father, untilJames finds a suitable repository." "Couldn't even get down to the pantry without fighting me way through pyramids of empties." "They'll be lodged in the bedrooms next, I shouldn't wonder." "Father, do stop grumbling..." "Another new suit!" "A gentleman is expected to cut a figure, a point which seems to be lost on that penny-pinching husband of yours." "Doling out just a miserable half-guinea a week, keeping a man of substance on short commons, robbing me of my ship, turning me only daughter's head with refined-sounding promises." "Where are you getting all this money from?" "That whippersnapper James is not the only one" " with his head screwed on the right way." " And a new watch!" "Even a gentleman wants to know the time upon occasions." "Four bells." "I'll be off for me constitutional." "Not until I know where this money is coming from." " If you're running us into debt..." " I spend my own money in my own way and account to no man, least of all to that jumped-up jack in boots of a son-in-law." "James has kept his side of the bargain." "He promised to take care of you and he's doing so." "Then I shall be a burden upon him no longer." "Tonight I'm dining with friends, real friends who know a man's worth." "You'll not be late." "I come and go as I please in my own house, thank you very kindly." " My!" "We do look smart this evening." " Ah!" "Blasted casks!" "Your father seems to have found the Midas touch." " I wish I had his good fortune." " He must be borrowing it." "Well, I'll not be responsible for his debts." " But, James, if he's..." " No, no, I've other things on my mind." "Señor Braganza's casks are arriving by the cartload." "I need to get a warehouse..." "and then more ships." "Sometimes, James, I think you're inhuman." " What?" " Your entire concern" " is with warehouses, casks and ships." " What else should concern me?" "Ah, I grant you the coastal trade doesn't bring in much profit." "Coals to Ireland, salt to the Isle of Man is hardly gonna keep us in the lap of luxury, but it is a beginning." " You're never at home." " You call this a home?" "You're right, we should look for other lodgings." "What, rent to pay, furniture to buy?" "Ah, living in your father's house." "You need a home of your own to look after." "What we need and what we get are two different..." "No!" "You'll ruin the bread." "You'll ruin us all, James." "My father, your brother Robert." "The trouble is you never listen." "You listen to no one but James Onedin." "You're right, there's only one thing for it." "We must get a warehouse." "We've no money to rent even a house and you talk of renting a warehouse." " Buying a warehouse." " Buying a warehouse?" "And where do you hope to find such premises?" "# As Jack walked one morning Point Beach up and down" " # He spied pretty Polly of..." "# As soon as he had seen the most beautiful girl... #" "Think I don't know silk from cotton?" " You said it were silk." " And I'm telling you it's cotton." "Look at these moth holes!" "Disgusting." "They're all rubbish, hardly worth the handling." "You ought to be paying me to take this lot from you." "Three shillings the lot." "Keep your thieving hands off or I'll have the hide off yer!" "Well, what do you think of it?" "But it's a rag-and-bone yard!" "You can't be serious!" " Yes, I am." " Well, what about them?" "You can't have them in here and your casks." "They'll have to sort their rags some other place, won't they?" "What, you'd throw them out?" "Look, let's not jump our fences." "Lady over there may well be the owner." "Indeed." "Money isn't always in the pocket of fine clothes." "Yes, gentlemen, how can I oblige?" "Bus wear?" "Clothes are shoddy, or shoes as good as new for your workers." " Erm, are you the owner?" " Me?" "No, I'm not." "If you're a pair of jacks, you'll find everything in order here." "This is not a swag shop." "Ada Gamble's as honest as the day is long." "No, we're not a pair of jacks." "I knew it the moment I set eyes on you." ""There," I said to meself, "is a pair of fine gentlemen."" "Get back to your work or I'll have to scalp the hide off yer!" "Can't trust them an inch, sir." "Thieves, every one of them." "Steal the arse out of your trousers if they could." " They look half-starved to me." " Your overheads must be quite high." " What?" "Your landlord must charge a pretty high rent." "Oh, I couldn't afford high rent, sir." "No, I will say this for Mr Arkwright." "He was a true benefactor if ever there was one." " A true benefactor." " Was, did you say?" "He passed on." "God rest his unhappy soul." "Well, then, to whom do you pay your accounts?" "To the collector, of course." "Seven shillings a week, regular as clockwork." "But on whose account does he collect?" "Mrs Arkwright." "He was a grand employer but she outlived him." "She'd outlive the devil herself, I think." "Aren't we acquainted with a Mr..." "Onedin?" " I don't think so, Mrs Arkwright." " Here, what do you make of it?" "He asks for the favour of an appointment." " I know that, you fool." " Er...upon a matter of business." "Business." "So what do I know of business matters?" " Is he a gentleman, do you think?" " Well, I..." "I..." "I doubt it." "No gentleman could possibly write so legible a hand." " A professional man?" " It is possible." "I'll not have tradesmen under my roof, Simmonds." "Yes, Mrs Arkwright." "I shall write to the gentleman explaining that you are indisposed..." "You'll do nothing of the sort." "I shall write to him myself." "I shall reply in polite but vague terms enquiring as to the..." "nature of his business." "All right." "Leave it there, I'll help myself." " I don't care." " Not so loud." "If you think more of me than your ship, we shall marry right away." "The banns must first be announced." "That will take three weeks." "I shan't be ashore that long." " Be reasonable, sweetheart." " Reasonable?" " You ask me to be reasonable after..." " Ssssh!" "Do you understand?" "We've been through all this." "Mr Callon gave me his word and the moment I am master..." "I've heard the same song for the past 18 months" " and I'm tired of it." " I promise." "Oh, you're quick enough with your promises, Daniel Fogarty." "When we were together in the ship's cabin you were eager to promise me the world." "And I meant every word." " You pleaded your case very well." " You were not averse." "The situation between us changed that night." "Surely you must see that." " We must be married now." " And we will be, as soon as Mr Callon makes me master." " Ah!" "Captain Webster." " Mr Frazer." "Evening to you, sir, evening." "Doing yourself proud, I see." "Ooh, just a tap upon the table, sir, no more." "I believe I owe you an account, sir..." "Er, your father, that is." "I've been meaning to drop in at the shipyard for some time." "This is not me place of business, eh?" "A year or two back, so it must have slipped my memory." "Seven pounds and ten shillings, I think, for work on my ship." "Excellent work, sir, couldn't ask for better." "No praise too high." "If you'll call upon me father's clerk in the morning, sir." "Good night to you, sir." "Oh, Mr Frazer." "What a delightful surprise." "Miss Elizabeth." "Mr Fogarty?" "If you're unaccompanied, Mr Frazer, perhaps you'll join us." " I am unaccompanied, yes, so if I may?" " Oh, please do." "I shall commence with the same course, then you may not claim the advantage of me." " We're having the saddle of mutton." " Then to our muttons let it be." "Ah!" "A still wine, I see." "An excellent aid to the digestion, I always think." "But for good fellowship, one can't beat the bubbly." "A bottle of the Widow, if you please." "Will you be sailing soon, Mr Fogarty?" "Within the next day or two, the moment the wind shifts." "How long will you be away, Daniel?" "To Oslo and back, a matter of weeks." "I have heard you are to be made master soon, Mr Fogarty." "Mr Callon has promised me the first available berth." "If he keeps his promise." "I've always found Mr Callon to be a man of his word, sir." "It's a rare quality in the world of commerce." "But allow me to offer my congratulations, sir." "Thank you." "And then we're to be married." "My felicitations to you both." "Has Mr Callon named the date..." " of your promotion?" "Thank you, I'm sure that will be absolutely splendid." "Well, to the bonds of matrimony." "True love and ambition." "Formidable partnership." " You must lie in bed today, my love." " What about your breakfast?" "There's nothing wrong with Elizabeth's cooking that a good healthy appetite won't cure." "Oh, who on earth is that at this time of the morning?" "It's James!" "Is there no peace from the man?" " All right!" "I'll be down directly!" "Oh, Elizabeth." "How thoughtful of you." "Is it all right?" "I think I should call the midwife." "She won't come until it's time." " Confound that man!" "Has he no patience?" "Now, think on, my love." "You lie in bed today, do you hear?" "Yes, Robert." "And no more partnerships with your brother James." "You take me for that much of a fool?" " All right, I'm coming!" " Does it hurt much?" " At times." "But don't tell Robert, you know what a worrier he is." "He thinks I'm undergoing pleasant sensations and he's the one that's doing all the suffering." "Aren't you frightened?" "I'm looking forward to it really." " Sarah?" " Mmm?" "When..." "How did you first know?" "Elizabeth!" "You shouldn't ask such questions till after you're married." "A hansom would have done." "Men of substance would have their own carriage." " Two gentlemen." " What sort of carriage?" "Oh, very handsome, Mrs Arkwright." "Very handsome." "Come away from the window, Simmonds, and stand by me." "Mr Onedin?" "I did not invite him here." ""Mr James Onedin presents his compliments" ""and asks that he and Mr Robert Onedin may be granted the favour" ""of a few minutes' conversation."" "Impertinence." "I've a mind to send him packing." "Ethel, you may show the gentlemen in and we shall take tea." " The Darjeeling mind, not the china." " Yes." "I shall not waste good China tea on persons who can only afford one card between them." "Very well, Ethel, you may go." " Mrs Arkwright, it occurs to me..." " What?" " Oh, nothing." " Then hold your tongue." " Yes." " The gentlemen, ma'am." "It's quite impossible to find a decent class of servant these days." "Yes, I apologise for the inconvenience of the hour, Mrs Arkwright." "May I present Mr Robert Onedin, my brother and business partner." "And you, I take it, are Mr James Onedin?" " Er, Mrs Arkwright." " My companion Miss Simmonds." "What is the nature of the business which brings you here so hotfoot, Mr Onedin?" "Ah, well, I have an interest in shipping." " What sort of interest?" " I am an owner, Madam." "I have no such interests..." "so far as I'm aware." "And when it comes to matters of business I prefer to be represented by my lawyer." "Oh, I would agree, Mrs Arkwright, that once we have established grounds for negotiations, lawyers may very well be necessary to protect our mutual interests." "But at the moment I'd consider them both a waste of time and money." "Your time and my money, no doubt." "My time I find to be a commodity in increasingly short supply." "Is your brother the silent partner?" "My brother had the consideration to accompany me out of his high regard for the proprieties." " Oh?" " A lady so recently bereaved might not have cared to receive a gentleman unaccompanied." "You show great delicacy of feeling, it does you credit." "I wonder if we might have a few moments of private conversation." "If Mr Onedin has a botanical interest," "I'm sure that Miss Simmonds would deem it a pleasure to conduct him to the conservatory." "I..." "I should be more than delighted." "There's no reason to remain standing, Mr Onedin." "Now, what is this business you wish to discuss?" " They are fine plants, eh?" " Yes." "Very fine plants." "Is, erm, is gardening one of your interests, Miss Simmonds?" " Yes." " Oh." "Well, they are, they are very fine plants." "Mm." "That is a eucalyptus." "Ooh, well, I wouldn't have known." "No, I wouldn't have known that." "I-It's from Australia, and said to be of great economic importance." "Oh, you don't say." "Many species produce valuable timber and oils of various kinds." " Eucalyptus oil!" " And menthol!" "Of course!" "Do y..." "And thymol." "Oh." "Oh, my soul, I would..." "I would never have known..." "Oh, I'm so extremely sorry." "That's...that's an aspidistra." "Well, I thought they grew them in..." "in pots in the foyers of the better-class hotels." " And in front parlours." "And Mrs Gamble is guaranteed tenure" " at a fixed rate of seven shillings a week." " You are well informed, Mr Onedin." " Well, I can see that the presence of Mrs Gamble and the articles of her trade might prove to be a stumbling block if you ever considered selling the warehouse." "You have considered selling it, I take it?" "Mr Onedin, since the death of my husband," "I've not been well enough to consider mundane matters of business." "I believe, however, that you did have an offer from Mr Callon." "Oh, yes, that's right." "I'd quite forgotten." "But on learning that he couldn't get rid of Mrs Gamble, he...er...withdrew his offer?" "You said that you had a figure in mind, Mr Onedin." " Yes, I have. £200." " £200?" "A fair offer." "A little above market value, I'd say." "Darjeeling, Mr Onedin?" "I prefer it." "Thank you, Ethel." "Cream?" "Thank you." "You may have the warehouse, Mr Onedin... for £650." " James..." " No!" "No!" "Ask those gentlemen to keep their voices down, will you, dear?" " There, there, my little love." "The first one is always by far the worst." "Come on now." "Miss Simmonds seems to have taken quite a fancy to you, Robert." " What?" " Well, laughing and giggling away there in the conservatory." "I think you've made a conquest." "How can you say such a thing, James, with Sarah up there..." "Keep your voices down!" "Have you no thought for anybody but yourselves?" " How is she?" "Is she all right?" "Does that sound as though she's all right?" "You should be praying for her, not arguing with him." "Time she was married." "Listen to me, James." "Miss Simmonds is a lady of retiring disposition" " and great delicacy of things..." " Yes, yes, I know." " And you're as cold-blooded as a fish." " Listen, Robert, a man can only concentrate fully upon one problem at a time." "My immediate problem is the acquisition of a warehouse." " Oh!" " Now, why does Mrs Arkwright require £650?" "Why that precise sum?" "The problem is not why Mrs Arkwright requires £650 but where are you gonna lay your hands on such a sum?" "But I'd lay a guinea that Miss Simmonds knows the reason why." " Miss Simmonds?" " Yeah." "She's not likely to discuss her employer's business with me." "But there'd be no harm in you talking to her, eh?" "But, James, I am a married man!" " Oh." "You're more than that, Robert, you're a father." "Mr Onedin?" "I received your little note, Mr Onedin." "Such a mysterious billet-doux." "My intentions are strictly honourable, Miss Simmonds." "Oh, but of course, Mr Onedin." "I should not have come had I imagined otherwise." "Quite." "I flatter myself that I'm a fair judge of character... though not wholly accustomed to the attentions of... of...of the stronger sex." " I assure you, Miss Simmonds..." " But I read you instantly as a man of heart and sensibility." "But I..." "I know a little tea shop where we can talk." "Fish!" "Lovely fish!" "It was, er...most kind of you to give me so much of your time, Miss Simmonds." "Oh, but it's most kind of you to ask me, Mr Onedin." "I..." "I..." "I'm usually at quite a loose end on my free afternoon." "I..." "I have one free afternoon a month." " Is that all?" " I'm not a servant, Mr Onedin." "Oh, no, no, of course not." "I merely meant as a...a lady of...of...of..." " Yes?" " Well, of your attainments, would find herself a better occupation than sitting in a tea shop with a stale old bun like myself." "Oh, but I do not think you're a stale old bun, Mr Onedin." "I think you're a kind and generous man." "Oh dear." " I hesitate to ask you..." " Oh, but you must!" "Oh." "I..." "I'm overwhelmed with curiosity, it was such a mysterious note and... on such short acquaintance." " It was unforgivable of me." " Oh, no." "You're more than forgiven." "Would you think it forward of me if I were to call you by your Christian name?" "It's-It's Robert, isn't it?" " Yes." " Robert." "Oh, that's a fine, manly name..." "Robert." "Mine is Enid." " More tea?" " Oh, thank you." "Miss Simmonds..." " Miss Simmonds?" " Yes?" "Mrs Arkwright, she lives alone?" "Oh, quite alone, except of course for myself and the servants." " But it is not her house, is it?" " Oh, no." "Mr Arkwright left the house in trust for his married daughter." "That was awkward for her." "Oh, Mrs Arkwright is allowed to live in the house rent free for as long as she chooses." "Oh, I see." "Like the Amazon in the warehouse." "Have you met Mrs Gamble?" "Oh, she's a dreadful, vulgar woman, but, you see, Mr Arkwright was determined to make provision for all his workers." " And for his wife?" " Oh, she has a small income from shares in a railway company, I believe." "But it isn't enough for her to realise her dearest wish." " Oh, which is?" " You see," "Mrs Arkwright is of French extraction and she's often expressed a desire of one day returning to live in France." "In La Rochelle." " Oh, La Rochelle?" " She was born and spent her childhood there." "Oh, and why doesn't she go?" "Well, she'd need to buy a residence, you see." "Oh, I see." "That's why she needs the 650..." "50...pounds." " Will...will you go with her?" " Oh, no." "She'll travel alone." "She's made that matter quite plain." " And what will become of you?" " I shall manage." "You have friends?" "R-Relatives?" " I'm quite alone." " But you have money saved?" "No, I'm an unpaid companion, you see." "But surely she won't put you out into the street?" "An employer is not required to justify his actions to an employee, Robert." "Of course not, I know that, but it's monstrous." "Well, believe me, Miss Simmonds, I shall do everything in my power to see that you do not suffer the consequences..." " Mr Onedin." " Mr Callon." "Mr Callon, may I present Miss Simmonds." "Miss Simmonds, Mr Callon." "More than delighted to make the acquaintance of such a charming companion." "Yes, well it's...it's purely a matter of business, Mr Callon." " A matter of business!" " Business?" "Nay." "You pay the lady a poor compliment, Robert." "No, it's perfectly true." "You see, Miss Simmonds and I were discussing the warehouse." "Were we not, Miss Simmonds?" "That's an odd topic of conversation for a...for a tête-à-tête." "No, no, no." "It's James' idea, you see." "Mrs Arkwright wishes to sell..." "Sam Arkwright's old place, eh?" "So you're acting on behalf of Mrs Arkwright, are you, Miss Simmonds?" " Yes!" "That is, yes and no." " Oh." "You see, it... it was a chance meeting and a cup of tea, private conversation." "I don't wish to intrude on your private business, Robert, me boy." "Erm..." "My regards to your wife." "Thank you, I will convey them." "And..." "I understand you're to be congratulated." "A fine bouncing boy, eh?" "Seven pounds, 12 ounces." "Yes, another little Onedin to plague us, eh?" "Well, good day, Miss Simmonds," "I'm delighted to have made your acquaintance." " Robert." " Mr Callon." "Miss Simmonds, I beg of you..." "Thank you for the tea, Mr Onedin." "I trust you have all the information you require." "Miss Simmonds, I meant every word that I..." "Miss Simm..." "Damn James and his...his blasted schemes." " You blabbermouth!" " It was a most embarrassing situation." "Yeah, but to tell Callon of all people that I've got my eye on that warehouse!" "Damn you and your warehouse, James!" "I'll never be able to look that woman in the face again." "And are you sure Callon knows nothing of Miss Arkwright's desire" " to live in La Rochelle?" " I'm..." "I'm positive." "Well, that's something." "La Rochelle..." "Right." "Delrot." "Monsieur Delrot." "Right." " What?" "!" " A man I know, deals in property in Bordeaux." "Come now, my pretty, you mustn't be seen weeping." " How long are you going to be away?" " Not long." "Only across the North Sea for timber." " How long?" " A month, less with luck." "You lot, put your back into it, you idle scarring!" "And we are to be married the moment you return?" "Of course." "There, there, my love, you must accustom yourself to parting." "Can't have a bold captain's wife snuffling on the quayside." " You're not a captain yet." " No, not yet, dear." " And I'm not yet your wife." " No, not yet." "If you think I'll wait forever, you're vastly mistaken." "I'll be at no man's beck and call." "No one expects you to be so." "You clumsy, lazy, frostbitten loafers!" "You dozy, idle, mother-forsaking Irishmen." "Attend to your work or I'll smarten you up!" "Boatswain, liven them up there!" "Stupid, lubberly, thick-headed jabberers that ever walked God's earth." "I'm sorry, my love, but a dockside is no place for a lady." "I really must go aboard." " Then please do so." " You will wait for me?" "Daniel, there's something I have to tell you." "What is it?" " I think I'm going to have a..." " Mr Fogarty!" "Is it your pleasure to sail with us or do you intend to throw barnacles ashore?" " I really must go on board, dear, at once." " Daniel, wait!" " Remember to write!" " Daniel!" "Daniel." " Our profit to date is £37." " I thought it nearer to 70 or 80." "You haven't taken these into account." " Bills." " Aye." "There's one here for £12 for cooperage alone." "£37!" "You'd do well to forget your warehouse for a while." "No!" "I'll find the money somehow." "No, thank you, James!" "Look, I do not pretend to understand what a limited company means but I want no part of it." "Do you know that I owe..." "I owe £13 from our partnership, do you know that?" "Yeah, but this time you shall incur no debts." "I shall not because I shall not be involved." "Look, this new act of parliament is designed specifically to limit the liability of shareholders such as yourself." "Not a penny, James, not another penny more." "Robert, listen to James." "You're the one that's always telling me not to be involved in James and his harebrained schemes." "Look, with a limited liability company, a shareholder can only be asked to forfeit his original investment." "Investment!" "Ah, you are asking for money." "Not a penny piece." "Look, you shall have a seat on the board of directors and 15% shareholdings." " What board of directors?" " You and I," " that's all the law requires." " 15%, is that all?" "And who gets all the rest..." "No, no, don't tell me." " You do!" " Oh, look, damn it, man," " I do all the work." " Then... why not keep all yourself?" "Hush, Robert." "Remember the baby." "Cos I'm thinking of your son, Robert, and his future." "And how is the...youngest of the Onedins, eh?" "He's got lungs of brass as well." "Yah." "Kept us awake all last night." "And such a monstrous appetite." "What do you think of that, you little monster?" "Your father a company director?" "He's a little chuck." "There'll be no further..." "no further call on my pocket," "I shall want it in writing." "I shall have lawyers draw up articles of association right away." "You can have your copy checked by any lawyer that takes your fancy." "Cos I know you of old, James." "There's more in this than meets the eye." " It is that warehouse, isn't it?" " Yes." "I intend to buy it." "How do you..." "How do you propose to raise this money?" "Right." "A company borrows on its assets, my ship." "I stand to lose most - therefore, I take most, and I shall go ahead with or without you, Robert." " Look, she's asking £650." "Now you'll not raise that sum of money against the Charlotte Rhodes." "No." "I shall raise 250 against her and another 200 by mortgaging the warehouse itself." "And that comes to £450." "Mrs Arkwright is asking for £650." "Leave that problem with me, will you?" "All right." " There is just one thing, though." " Mm-hm?" "What about Miss Simmonds?" "You're not really smitten with that lady?" "Look, I just feel sorry for that poor woman, that's all, nothing more." "What do you want for this Miss Simmonds, eh?" "That if Mrs Arkwright refuses to take her to France with her she will be found a suitable position." "Otherwise that poor woman will be left to destitution." "Look, when will you learn not to meddle in other people's affairs?" "James." "Very well." "I shall find Miss Simmonds a suitable position." " I have your word?" " Mm-hm." "You lazy cow." "If I catch you lounging outside again, you'll feel the crack of my staff across your backside, I tell yer." "You can't get away from me..." "Yes, lady." "How can I oblige?" "Anything you fancy?" "All goods highly recommended." "My husband is interested in purchasing these premises." "I thought I might take a look around." "I'm Mrs Onedin." "Oh!" "Make yourself at home, missus." "Thou shall take a mug of tea?" "No, thank you, Mrs Gamble." "Perhaps a drop of something to cut the phlegm." "I don't usually indulge myself, but I do find a drop of Holland's an excellent remedy for the tubes." "It's the dust in the atmosphere, you see." "A drop of soap and water and a bucket or two of whitewash would do more to settle the dust than an ocean of alcohol." "God bless you, lady." "We'd catch our death o' cold." "Damp floors and a cold night air's taken many a poor soul to her maker." " Do you mean they sleep here?" " Where else would they sleep?" "In a rookery?" "30 to a room and open to all the vices of mankind?" "No." "Here they're well fed, well paid and snug as so many bugs in a rug." "And what is the purpose of the strap?" "To vigorate 'em, ma'am." "Oh, God bless you, lady." "They're better off than pigeons in a roost." "I see you've a sharp eye for a bargain, lady." "That comes from the house of one of nobility." "Whose country seat would appear to be in Birmingham." "Now, there's as pretty a pair of candlesticks as I ever set eyes upon." "You wouldn't find more sumptuous objects in the treasure house of Solomon himself." "How much?" "Now, there's a question I might put to answer." "Taking into consideration the workmanship and garnishment..." "How much?" "Well I..." "I couldn't possibly take less than £2 a pair." "They're obviously of more value to you than to me." " Good afternoon, Mrs Gamble." " Now, don't be too hasty, lady." "For the sake of goodwill, I'll cut me losses." "18 and six." "Eight and six." "Done." "You drive an 'ard bargain, lady." "Think yourself fortunate you're not dealing with my husband." "He takes hoof, hide and hair." " Ma'am?" "So, Mr Onedin wishes to favour us with another visit?" "Very well, Ethel, you may show the gentleman in." "Yes, ma'am." "Mr Onedin?" "I've come to make further offer for the warehouse." " You agree to the price?" " Your price, as I understand it, is the acquisition of a suitable residence in France." "La Rochelle?" "You've had the effrontery to pry into my private affairs." "It's a plain matter of business." "Where did you come by this information?" "In exchange for the warehouse," "I'll undertake to purchase the suitable residence, ship you and your goods free of charge to La Rochelle." "You may leave us, Simmonds." "I will speak to you later." "A suitable property in La Rochelle?" " And a free passage?" " That's right." "Since you last came, I've had a better offer." "£700 in cash." "Oh, no man in their senses would pay seven..." "Did this better offer come from a Mr Callon?" "I see that it did." "I can tell you, Mrs Arkwright, that offer is worthless." " I have it in writing." " May I see it?" " It's but a letter." " £700." " It's there in black and white." " "Subject to contract."" "A lawyer's trick." "Has your own lawyer advised you?" "No." "Well, I should consult him without delay." "You say this offer is worthless?" "In my opinion, yeah." "Well, why should Mr Callon make such an offer?" "To push my nose out of joint." " You're enemies?" " Rivals." ""Subject to contract."" "Well, means what it says, no more no less." "Callon can withdraw his offer the moment that you reject mine." "I'll sail within the week." "I know that you forced Mrs Arkwright to sell you the warehouse but where are you gonna find storage space for your casks with Mrs Gamble and her drudges still in possession?" " Well, I shall let them out." " But how?" "Neither Mrs Arkwright nor Mr Callon could find a loophole in the covenant." "How can you hope to?" "Documents are drawn up by lawyers for lawyers." "More ways of killing a pig than choking it with butter." " But how?" " I don't know...yet." "I think I've struck an even better bargain than I expected." " Mm?" " I thought these were plated but... unless I'm mistaken, that's the silver mark of the Chester Assay offices." "I think these sconces are solid silver." "I wonder if Mrs Gamble knew their true value." "She named a high price for junk." "She wanted two pounds at first but settled for eight and six." "Did she now?" "Who in their right mind would throw out silver candlesticks?" "Anne, you're a heaven-born genius." "James, where are you going?" "What?" "A thieves' kitchen." " You are a fence." " You can't say things like that." "They're taking away my character." " Well, then explain this." " That came in with the junk." "It's them junk men." "Thieves, every one of them." " Ah, so you deal with known thieves." " I didn't say that." "Then you wouldn't mind an officer of the law coming to search these premises, would you?" "I-I've never knowingly bought nothing from nobody knowing it to be stole." "Then you've nothing to be afraid of, have you?" "In fact, you could perform a public service" " by laying on information." " What?" "Against those rogues who've taken advantage of your good nature." "Oh, I couldn't do that." "I'd wake up one fine morning with me throat slit." "You set me a pretty problem, Mrs Gamble, you know." "I can't possibly allow my good name to be tarnished by allowing these premises to be used by thieves and rogues." " Well, my duty's plain." " Oh, just a minute, sir." "I don't want to be no bother, sir." "I understand what you mean about thieves and such visiting your premises." "I could turn them all away." "How am I to know the thieves and the honest ones?" "Well, I can't turn them all away, can I?" "It's me living, after all." "Well, what do you suggest I do, Mrs Gamble, eh?" "Well, I..." "I could take other premises to carry on me business." "Of course I'd be out of pocket." "Would ten, er, sovereigns help?" "Come on, you lot, we're moving." " Get on with it." " Come on, brother Robert." "Come on, then." "Pick up those things." "Come on, you ladies." "Miss Simmonds, what are you..." "Miss Simmonds." "You...vile..." "Miss Simmonds, this is not of my doing, believe me." "Come on, Robert, we've work to do." "I'll show him." " Why is Miss Simmonds here?" " Give me a hand with this." "Why is Miss Simmonds here?" "!" "Robert, when will you learn not to meddle in other people's affairs?" "You gave me your word that you would find this woman a suitable position." "Well, is this a suitable task for two company directors, nailing up a signboard?" "Grab hold of that end and let's get the ruddy thing up." "James!" "Miss Sim..." " £150?" " A gentleman cannot live on air." "Well, where has it all gone?" "Oh, no, don't tell me." "New suits, dining out, all your past debts." "Paid!" "All paid." " At last I can hold up my head again." " What am I to do with him?" "It's his cottage." "Was his cottage." "I didn't expect him to foreclose so soon." "It's that rogue Callon." "He bought up my note and squeezed me dry." " Mr Callon?" " Yes." "He's a vengeful man." "And who should blame him?" "What on earth possessed you to borrow money that you couldn't pay back?" "You seem to do it all the time." "But, of course, I am a gentleman." "That'll be the bailiffs come to take possession." "Don't let them in." "Don't let them in." "At least we shall have a roof over our heads." "Oh, good evening, and a nice fine one, eh, Mrs Onedin?" "James, we can't live here." "A roof, I said." "That's all." "Till we get a house of our own." "# No blankets there to fold... #" "Hello there, lassie." "Do you think we'll ever jump this ship again?"