"Who is the most self-reliant animal made since the world began?" "Who can be the most defiant animal known to the world of man?" "born with emerald eyes so cold, so warm, so wise within her kingdom lies the world's arena do we need to ask more than that?" "you must know now it's a cat but a very important cat at that who's called..." "Thomasina!" "Thomasina what are you thinking now?" "Thomasina what makes you so highbrow?" "for I do think it very odd if you are an Egyptian God that the wee, little mouse runs in and out his house each time you blink or nod" "Thomasina though you may love to roam" "Thomasina don't go too far from home there are beasties in the garden who would never accept your pardon if you left the jungle yard in which we play" "Thomasina don't ever run away" "Thomasina come along with me now" "Thomasina though you've seen a little bird leave the bough" "Thomasina even if it's a lark or dove, you let them all fly away above you but I guess I'll always love you anyhow" "Thomasina come along with me now" "Thomasina" "I love you anyhow" "Thomasi..." "Yes, I am Thomasina." "This story's all about me." "I'm a self-made cat," "And here's the house I live in" "With the Macdhui family," "Whom I'd adopted when they first came here." "They started off by calling me Thomas," "But when they, well, got to know me better," "They changed that to Thomasina." "Humans are funny that way." "That the Macdhuis are a happy family" "Is entirely due to me." "I made them what they are today..." "Although I had to be murdered first." "Here's the scene of the crime " "Inveranoch, in Scotland," "In 1912." "And this is Mr. Andrew Macdhui." "From a cat's point of view, even before my murder," "He was a most difficult man," "Believe me." "His wife had died sometime before he came here," "So there was just himself" "And Mrs. Mackenzie, his housekeeper," "And Mary, his daughter." "I'd moved in on them a few days after they'd arrived," "And on the whole, I got on with them very well," "Though mostly because of Mary Macdhui." "She appreciated my rather special qualities" "From the start." "Thomasina, there you are." "Of course I had this sort of thing" "To put up with every day " "Fussed over, treated like a doll," "Being dressed up..." "And over a fur coat, too!" "Everything that happened to me from here on" "Was due, in a way," "To a blind man and his dog." "Here they are now - Tammas and Bruce." "Good morning, Tammas." "Good morning, Mary." "Say good morning to Tammas and Bruce, Thomasina." "Good morning, Thomasina." "She's not in a very talkative mood today." "I have the same trouble with Bruce here." "He can be very reserved at times." "Isn't that right, laddie?" "But what would we do without them, you and me?" "Where are you going?" "Oh, just to get some tobacco for my pipe." "Mind how you go, Tammas." "Och, Bruce is my eyes, lassie." "Come on, say goodbye to Thomasina." "Be good now, Mary." "Thomasina, it's rude not to answer" "When you're spoken to." "Aah!" "Hello, Geordie." "Oh, what have you got there?" "I found him down by the loch." "I think his leg's broken." "He can't hop or swim or anything." "Oh, he looks fair sick." "Doesn't he, Thomasina?" "Ah!" "Don't touch." "Why don't you go and ask my daddy to cure him?" "Och, I don't know." "Do you think he would?" "My daddy can cure anything " "Dogs and cows and cats and lions and pigs and..." "Aye, but frogs?" "And frogs." "Everything." "You take him in, then." "Och, I'm not allowed in the surgery." "You go, Geordie." "Well, if you say so." "I'm only saying I'm here against my better judgment, minister, that's all." "You'll be glad you listened to me, Dobbie." "Mr. Macdhui's a clever man." "Maybe so, but up till now," "I've never found much wrong with dosing Jock here" "With Watson's patent powders." "Ah, you must move with the times, man." "Macdhui's a man of science." "Aye." "I Haven't heard tell much good of that." "Ha!" "Book learnin'." "Up at Kinkairale's farm, they're grateful enough to him." "Two hundred sheep cured of the foot rot" "And not one lost." "Aye, you're a good persuader, Mr. Peddie," "But farm beasts are one thing." "A man's pet is another." "You wait and see." "Och, I'll give him a try." "No one can say I'm not a fair man," "But it's for him to convince me." "How old is this dog, Mrs. Laggan?" "Fifteen years and a bit." "I've had him since he was a puppy," "The year my husband died." "He's been ailing a wee bit this past year" "But not so sick as this." "Well, he's very old." "The kindest thing would be to have him put to sleep." "Oh, no." "You see how bad he is with the asthma." "The poor dog can hardly breathe." "He's in pain, Mrs. Laggan." "But you can't put Rabbie to sleep, Mr. Macdhui," "Or I wouldn't have come." "He's all I have in the world." "Couldn't you give him a wee bit of medicine" "To tide him over till he's well again?" "There is no medicine that can make him well." "He's very old, he's in great pain," "And his life is a misery to him, can't you see?" "But I can't lose him." "What would I do without him?" "Poor Rabbie." "Be fair now." "It's yourself you're pitying, not the dog." "Oh, dear." "I don't know what to do." "I've told you what I think is for the best." "Now I've told you it's up to you" "To make up your mind." "Very well." "I suppose if he is suffering..." "You'll be gentle with him?" "He won't feel a thing." "He'll just go to sleep." "Willie?" "Fifteen years." "Poor Rabbie." "Poor Rabbie." "You're doing the right thing." "It's for his sake." "Oh, no, there'll be no charge." "Just leave him here with me." "You're leaving Rabbie to be cured, then, Annie?" "Mr. Macdhui says there's no cure." "He's to be put away." "now, Mrs. Laggan, that's a shame." "No cure for him?" "If it was my dog, I'd want a second opinion, I'm thinkin'." "I'll go with you, Annie." "Good day to you, Mr. Macdhui." "Good day, sir." "Good day." "Who's next, please?" "Please, sir, Mr. Macdhui?" "Uh-oh." "Who are you?" "Geordie Macnab, please, sir." "I'm a bit of a friend of Mary's." "I found him down by the loch." "He's hurt his leg." "Can you make him better, please, sir?" "No one can cure a hurt frog, Geordie." "You put him back where you found him." "But he might die." "Could you not mend his leg, please, sir?" "No, nature's the only doctor can do that, laddie." "Come on, now." "Come on, off you go." "I'm busy." "You've lost another customer, Andrew." "Is there really nothing you can do" "About old Mrs. Laggan's dog?" "No, not a thing, just put it out of its misery." "Well, whoever's next, Will you come in, please?" "Oh, it's all right, Mrs. Campbell." "You go in ahead of me." "I'm in no hurry." "hey, there's Geordie." "What have you been doing in there?" "I took my sick frog to Mr. Macdhui." "Oh, aye." "What did he say, then?" "He wouldn't even look at him," "And he's going to kill Mrs. Laggan's Rabbie." "Kill him?" "Rabbie?" "Aye, I heard him say so." "It's just like grandfather says about him " "He's only good with farm beasts." "He's not interested in people's pets." "A frog Will die if he can't hop or swim." "I'm not going to let him die." "What are you gonna do, then," "Cure him by magic or something?" "Come on, Jamie." "Why don't you take your frog" "To the witch woman livin' in the Glen?" "She's supposed to do magic." "Well, why don't you?" "Our mother says the witch woman's crazy" "And we're not to go up there." "Och, you're just afraid, the pair of you." "I'm not afraid of anything, and neither is Geordie." "Are you, Geordie?" "Right." "Let's take the frog to her, all three of us." "I dare you." "Very well." "Geordie, we'll all go." "You want to get your frog cured, don't you?" "We don't have to tell mother we went." "I was only joking." "No, you weren't." "You dared us." "I think you're afraid to go." "Me, afraid?" "Let's go now." "Come on." "Keep up with us." "You'd think they were all telling on us." "Aye." "Are you afraid to go on, then?" "No." "Well, come on." "Whisht!" "Listen." "It's the witch singing and banging a drum." "She is crazy." "I want to go home." "When you've got this far?" "What about your frog?" "Put your box under the tree and ring the bell." "Aye, go on, Geordie." "We'll wait for you here." "No, no!" "Go on, Geordie." "Go on." "Come on, Geordie." "Go away." "Go away." "Go away." "Go away." "Larry, come back here." "Oh, your leg is broken." "You poor wee thing." "Has somebody brought you up here to be cured" "By the mad witch in the Glen?" "Eye of newt and hair of dog," "Give me the power to cure the frog." "listen." "Magic." "Off to my cauldron." "Where is my broom?" "Och, you poor wee thing." "I don't know why I bother" "To dose that dog of yours." "The worst thing that's wrong with him is his owner." "Don't give him sugar." "Aw, but he has a sweet tooth, Andrew." "Poor old Finn." "Look how pleased he is." "You think more of his affection and gratitude for you" "Than you do of his health." "All you people with pets are the same." "That's why he's too fat, poor brute." ""brute," he calls you, Finn." "Oh!" "That's part of the reason" "Why folks here are slow to accept your doctoring." "You show no feeling for the sick animals you treat," "The animals they love." "Are sentimental about, you mean, to the point of not knowing" "What's best for them, like you and Mrs. Laggan who was here just now." "Poor old Annie." "Poor old Annie." "Poor old brute of a dog, you should say." "You thought I was hard on her just now, didn't you?" "My job is to relieve suffering in animals." "The tribulations of the soul I leave to you." "She'll get over it, angus." "Aye, but when someone you love dies," "Something of yourself dies, too." "You think you have to tell me that?" "Oh, I'm sorry, Andrew." "Forgive me." "That dog of hers was all old Annie Laggan had left to love." "At least you're not alone." "No." "Look at her now." "Thomasina, where are you?" "Thomasina?" "Be careful." "It's the jungle." "It's a million Miles thick." "It's full of lions and tigers." "Thomasina!" "Thomasina, come back!" "Have you lost something, Mary?" "Shh!" "We're hunting lions." "Lions?" "Here?" "Geordie, where's your frog?" "Did daddy cure him?" "No, he wouldn't try." "We took it to the witch in the Glen." "You didn't." "I did." "We all did." "You saw her?" "Is she a real witch?" "Aye, we saw her chant magic over the frog" "And take it into her house." "Did you speak to her?" "Och, no." "She's queer in the head." "She's got a big drum in the house." "She bangs on it and sings awful weird." "There's all kinds of animals there." "Did she fly on a broomstick?" "Well, not exactly fly." "But she had one, though." "Weren't you afraid?" "Well, I wouldn't recommend just anybody goin' up there." "You were afraid." "You made Geordie take the frog to the tree." "That was you." "I wasn't afraid." "You must be awful brave." "I am..." "A bit." "Uh..." "Remember, angus," "Just keep him off the sugar." "Well, I can try." "Hello, Mary." "Geordie Macnab took his frog you wouldn't cure" "To a witch who does magic and flies on a broomstick." "She could have turned him into a frog," "And it would have been all your fault." "Mary, Mr. Andrew, I'm waiting for you." "Come on, now, inside." "Wash your hands." "Thomasina!" "Never mind Thomasina." "Dinnertime!" "Come on, now, inside." "Wash your hands." "There's a good girl." "That's enough about witches." "Mrs. Mackenzie Will tell you the same as me " "There aren't any outside of storybooks." "Oh, yes, there are." "She been making up more of her fairy tales?" "I didn't make it up." "There is a witch in the Glen." "Och, the Glen." "She bangs a big drum in her house." "And lives with wild animals and rides a broomstick." "Jamie Macnab told me." "He and Hughie and Geordie saw her." "They're filling your head with nonsense." "And for the hundredth time, Will you not feed that cat at the table?" "Especially with meat." "She likes meat, and there is a witch." "Now, Mary..." "It's a poor wee soul called Lori Macgregor" "That's rented a croft in the Glen from Mr. Peddie." "She spends most of her time weaving on a handloom." "That's the "drums" your friends heard." "Now what do you say?" "She's a witch." "She's a wee bit weird, that's true enough." "It seems she's a lassie" "That doesn't mix with other folk," "But, mind, she's not been there long." "Some of the shepherds in the Glen say" "She has a rare way with beasts and birds and that." "Now, mind Thomasina doesn't spill her cream." "Cream?" "Oh, just a wee drop, Mr. Andrew." "It helps her to see in the dark." "She told me so." "Didn't you, Thomasina?" "There, you hear?" "Ask her if she'd like me to go out and get my rod and catch her a salmon." "Thomasina..." "She says, no," "She'd rather go to the store on market day" "And choose her own fish." "Aye." "Come on, now, no more talk about witches or magic." "Just say your prayers, get into bed." "And look after mummy in Heaven and us down here," "Especially daddy and Mrs. Mackenzie" "And Willie and Geordie and Jamie and Hughie and Tammas and Bruce" "And Geordie's frog and Thomasina and me." "That's all till tomorrow." "Yours truly, Mary." "Amen." "Good night, yours truly Mary." "Slippers?" "Up." "In you get." "There we are." "Good night." "Good night, daddy." "Thomasina." "I've told you about that before, my bonny." "You mustn't keep that cat on the bed at night." "There." "Oh, please let me have her." "No, you can have your doll if you like." "I don't want my doll." "Please." "She must go out and you must go to sleep." "Go on, lie down." "There's a good girl." "Good night." "Good night." "Good night, Thomasina." "You know." "Yes, I knew," "And Macdhui didn't." "This being put out for the night" "Was just nonsense." "I could get in again anytime I wanted to." "Mary and I had it all worked out." "It was as easy as that." "Thomasina." "Thomasina, come on up." "But not tonight." "I'd remembered it was Wednesday," "The night before market day." "They set up the stalls at dawn," "So Wednesday's always my night out." "And just when I was beginning to feel like breakfast," "The market was getting ready to provide it." "Fish, fresh fish," "And the best sauce for it " "The danger of helping myself Which needed cunning and caution," "A lot of caution..." "And speed!" "You, get out of the way!" "Get out!" "Mary?" "Mary, come and have your breakfast." "What's the child doing?" "Mary!" "I can't find Thomasina." "I've looked everywhere." "She can't be far away." "Come on, now, sit down." "She didn't come home last night." "For what we're about to receive," "May the lord make us truly thankful." "Amen." "I'm not hungry." "Daddy, she must be lost." "Of course not." "Cats don't get lost once they've decided to move in on people." "She's just had a night out and hasn't come back yet, that's all." "She's been out all night before," "But she's always come back." "She climbs up the tree and gets in my window." "What?" "She always has." "It's our secret." "Aye, it certainly is." "Well, I'm off to the surgery now." "Be a good girl." "Eat your breakfast." "Don't worry about the pussy, child." "But she's lost." "Thomasina's too clever to get lost." "You do like her, don't you?" "Aye, of course." "Would you do anything for her if I asked you to?" "Promise?" "Aye." "Well, let me go and look for her now, please." "You promised." "You're even craftier than Thomasina, you wee monkey." "We'll split up." "Mary, you come with me." "Hey, what are you lookin' for, son?" "A lost cat." "Have you seen one?" "Not at my stall." "Away you go." "Go on." "I'm busy." "She's a big..." "Mrs. Macfarland, what would you like?" "Nice cabbage." "Have you seen a lost cat?" "Thank you very much." "Drat the cat!" "Och, it's not Thomasina." "But never mind." "We'll find her." "Hughie, Mary, I've found her!" "She's here, Mary!" "Oh, Thomasina." "Give her to me." "I don't think anything's broken," "But she's terribly stiff." "Oh, poor Thomasina." "I couldn't help it, constable." "He walked right in front of me." "it looks like Bruce." "Bruce?" "My Bruce?" "What's all this about?" "Och, Mr. Macdhui." "You're just here in time." "It's Tammas' Bruce." "Where is he?" "Steady now, Tammas." "Steady." "He's fair crushed, sir." "I couldn't help it, Mr. Macdhui." "Better get him back to the surgery - quick." "Bruce is my eyes, Mr. Macdhui." "Can you save him?" "I'll do what I can." "Stay with him, angus." "He's in good hands now, Tammas." "Now, come on, you come with me." "This is going to take a long time." "I hope his heart Will stand it." "Are you ready?" "The Spencer wells, Willie." "How is he, Willie?" "He's doin' fine." "What are you children doing?" "Mary, go away from here." "Daddy, it's Thomasina." "She's hurt." "Go away, child." "Please look at her." "She's awful sick." "Here, Willie, take this cat." "Daddy, daddy, please look at her." "Please make her well." "Mary, you mustn't stay here." "Now, listen to me." "I've got blind Tammas' dog here." "He's badly hurt." "Well, so is Thomasina." "If you only look at her!" "All right, I'll look at her, but go away, all of you." "You'll make her well?" "You promise?" "Yes, I promise, but go on out." "Come on." "Out, all of you." "I think you better look at her, sir." "Not now, man." "We got work to do." "Mr. Macdhui, sir, look." "Quick, get her out of here, and that cloth she's laying on." "That cat has tetanus." "Get her out of here." "Deal with her, disinfect your hands and hurry back." "But, sir..." "Mr. Macdhui, you promised the child." "The cat is beyond help." "Will you do as I tell you?" "Hurry up, man." "We've the dog to seal." "Aye, I Will." "I Will." "Nearly an hour already." "How much longer can it be?" "Aye, the waiting is hard." "Well, Bruce Will live, Tammas." "He'll even walk again." "Thank God." "Take me to him." "Not now." "He's still unconscious." "But I'll send Willie round to fetch you this evening." "Bruce Will know you then." "And he'll get better?" "Aye, be as good as new." "It's a great skill you have, Mr. Macdhui," "And no one can deny it." "There now, what did I tell you?" "Come on, Tammas, I'll take you home." "God bless you, Mr. Macdhui." "God bless you." "His pulse rate's fine." "I'll stay with him till he wakes." "Aye, he'll do." "I never thought to see such a surgery as that." "Aye, and what you have to do now" "Will be just as hard, I'm thinking." "You have to tell the child about her cat." ""the shoeblack tries his bread to earn" ""and would an honest penny turn." ""when mud upon our boots leave stains," ""his ready help good payment gains." "The beefeater we see today... "" "Daddy, Thomasina - is she better?" "She's out of pain, Mary." "What was wrong with her?" "Let me go to her." "She is better, isn't she?" "Mary, uh, now, Will you listen?" "Listen to me just a minute." "You see, there are some things" "That you have to learn to face," "Even if at first they seem a bit unfair." "Where is she?" "Thomasina's wound was poisoned," "And she might have made other people's pets ill, even die." "But you did save her?" "I" " I couldn't, Mary." "I couldn't." "See, there are some things your daddy can do and some things he can't." "What did you do to her?" "I, uh, had her put to sleep." "There was nothing else I could do." "Now, try to understand, Mary." "No!" "No!" "You said you'd make her better." "You promised!" "You promised!" "Come on, Mary..." "I'll never speak to you again!" "Mary, please..." "He promised, and he's killed Thomasina!" "She's dead!" "I'll go up to her." "Aye." "And take everything she was wearing when she found the cat." "Everything, do you hear?" "And burn what you can't boil." "I didn't realize she was going to take it so hard." "Could you not have saved the cat?" "It was wounded, infected with tetanus." "I did what was right." "I'll get her another cat." "Can't I?" "Well?" "Can't I?" "Well, I'll buy her anything she wants." "Why did she take it so hard?" "For a clever man," "You've an awful lot to learn." "Don't be so sad." "You'll do yourself harm." "Look, I tell you what we'll do." "We'll give Thomasina the best funeral any cat ever had, won't we?" "Aye, with a full service and everything." "My mother's got just the right box" "That'd do fine for a casket." "We could pick some flowers and have a procession," "Like when Old Dougal was buried." "Everyone in the village would see us." "Aye, you'll wear widow's mournings" "And walk behind the casket, weeping." "And Annie here, she can be chief mourner." "I can cry awful loud, Mary." "not now." "Will I wear a hat and a black coat?" "Mrs. Mackenzie has one." "Aye, we'll all dress up and get everyone to come." "I know!" "Jamie's just learning the pipes." "He's not very good..." "I can play Macktintosh's lament!" "I'll wear my dress kilt with my skean dhu and sporran," "And everyone in the street Will say, "there goes the poor widow Macdhui," ""a-burying of her dear Thomasina," "Foully done to death, God rest her soul. "" "Will they?" "Really?" "Aye." "It'll be a great, great procession." "You'll see." "We'll go and get Thomasina now!" "Aye, come on." "I opened my eyes," "And where was I?" "They say that to die" "Is a Journey from light into darkness," "But here was light again." "This was no quiet endless sleep." "I was flying," "Flying wildly," "Without weight or effort," "Diving, spinning," "Falling backward and downward" "Into the mists of time," "Where my ancestors were worshipped" "In the temples to bast" "Thousands of years ago." "Bast, the cat goddess," "The goddess with the golden eyes" "Staring and staring," "Drawing me upward and upward" "And upward and upward." "Then there were flowers," "Flowers everywhere," "All around me, touching me," "And the sound of music" "Wild enough to wake the dead." "playing "mackintosh's lament")" "Lord sakes," "What are the children a- burying today?" "Mary Macdhui's cat Thomasina." "My grandson Hughie told me" "Her father couldna be bothered to cure its sickness." "His own daughter's pet." "Ah, well, maybe he was busy at the time," "You know, what wi' Tammas' dog," "And after all, it's a blind man's eyes." "His own daughter's pet." "It's hard to understand." "Right." "This is far enough." "Put it here." "Now get some stones and build a cairn for the grave." "Now get the coffin off" "And put it down just there, you two." "Come on, hurry." "Now get some stones." "Come on, get some stones." "That'll do fine." "Now, let's get on with the service." "I'm going to take the service." "It was my idea." "No, you're not." "I'm the oldest, and I've come prepared." "Brethren, friends, and fellow mourners... och!" "Go on, then." "We have come here today" "To bury Thomasina and to praise her." "She was the friend of Mary Macdhui here, who you all know." "Uh, eh, well, anyway, there she is." "Shh!" "Not yet." "Hold your noise." "Thomasina was one of the best cats in all Argyllshire," "And we all feel for her best friend and owner." "Whisht!" "Not yet, not yet." "There is no doubt that Thomasina was a terrific mouser, too." "She had a few faults, aye," "But I won't mention them here." "Uh, and her mortal remains Will now be laid to rest." "Now!" "playing "the Bonny Banks O' Loch Lomond")" "by yon bonny banks and by yon bonny braes where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond where me and my true love Will never meet again on the bonny, bonny banks of Loch Lomond oh, ye'll tak' the high road and I'll tak' the..." "It's mad Lori." "and I'll be in Scotland afore..." "It's the witch!" "She's coming for us." "Run for it!" "Run quickly!" "She's a witch!" "Run for it!" "The witch!" "The witch!" "What were they doing?" "Your heart's still beating." "Oh, poor thing." "Didn't they know?" "You come with me." "Mary, come on in and get your supper." "Hello, Mary." "What have you been doing all afternoon?" "Mary, your father's speaking to you." "Mrs. Mackenzie, I've seen the witch" "That lives up in the Glen." "What?" "We all ran away from her..." "Hughie and Geordie and Jamie and Jock and Annie." "What's this nonsense now?" "And what were you doing in the Glen?" "And she is a witch." "I've seen her." "So there." "Mary, the..." "The kittens that Mr. Peddie's cat Amanda had" "Are now ready to leave their mother." "Would you like to come and choose one for yourself?" "Mary!" "Would you like to come" "To Mr. Peddie's with me tomorrow" "And choose a kitten?" "Jamie Macnab can play "mackintosh's lament" on the pipes" "With only nine mistakes." "Answer me, Mary." "Answer your father, child." "But he's not very good at "Loch Lomond. "" "This is ridiculous." "If this is her way of sulking just because..." "Don't you want your supper?" "No, I do not." "Now who's sulking?" "Tell miss Macdhui if she does want a kitten, she'll have to come and ask me." "Everybody was real scared when they saw the witch, except me." "I wasn't." "I just looked at her and said, "I'm not afraid of you. "" "Oh, give me strength." "Oh, you and your stories." "Eat your supper." "Now you've made your father angry." "No, I Haven't." "My father's dead." "by yon bonny banks and by yon bonny braes when the Moon... bright on Loch Lomond" "Don't cry, child." "I Haven't seen you cry for a long, long time." "Look, Mary, I'm sorry about Thomasina." "I've told you." "I'll get you another cat," "Or maybe a wee dog to be all your very own." "Wouldn't you like that?" "Now, look, child, I can't bring Thomasina back to life." "What's done is done!" "Oh, very well." "Good night, then." "Oh, granddad, don't keep on about it so." "That cat's funeral was nothing but a children's game." "Not to some of us." "I'm tellin' you..." "I've said it before and I'm saying it now " "That Mr. Macdhui is doing no good here." "Now, don't interrupt me, woman." "He's a townsman, not a highlander." "He has no feeling for animals at all." "Oh, come now, granddad." "Some of the farmers round..." "The farmers?" "Did you not hear that he made an order" "To destroy the whole herd of Ian Macclennen's cattle" "Because one cow was sick?" "That's the law." "They had foot-and-mouth disease." "It wasna the law in my day," "And it was only Macdhui's opinion that they had it." "and look at his record." "Never mind the cattle." "Annie Laggan's old dog Rabbie - he had him killed." "He saved blind Tammas' Bruce, though." "Oh, aye, that was because everybody was there watching." "That was just showin' off." "Now, granddad, you shouldn't say that." "Well, the man that did what he did..." "And he wouldna even take the trouble" "To treat his own daughter's cat when it was sick..." "Is no better than a murderer." "It'd be a good thing if he went away." "I'd make it too hot for him here," "I'm telling you, if I was younger." "So would others." "Him and his newfangled science." "Mary!" "Mary Macdhui!" "Are you coming out to play?" "Mary!" "She won't be comin' out today." "She's in mourning." "And anyway, we've got work to do." "What work?" "Forming an anti-Macdhui society" "To drive him out of Inveranoch." "Och, listen to him." "My grandpa said he's no better than a murderer." "Your grandpa?" "And he told me Mr. Macdhui" "Had two whole herds of cows slaughtered" "Because he thought one beast was sick." "People are saying he ought to go, and I think we ought to join them." "And what does blind Tammas say about him?" "Och, he's only one." "Now, here's what we'll do." "Me and you, Geordie..." "Morning, Mrs. Macleod." "Morning." "You're not thinking of taking your cat to Mr. Macdhui, are you?" "Why not?" "Och, he won't bother with it." "He doesn't care for anybody's pets." "What?" "He'll just say, "can't be cured,"" "And then kill it." "Get away wi' you." "It's true." "He even did it to his own daughter's cat." "And Mrs. Laggan's dog." "He killed them." "I did hear about Rabbie, but he was awful old." "That cat of yours is younger than Mary's Thomasina." "You take him in there," "And he'll just get his bottle of chloroform and..." "Just a minute, Harry." "Listen." "We were just telling Mrs. Macleod, Mr. Wallis, about Mr. Macdhui." "You'd be well advised not to take your dog in there." "I'm thinkin' of rebuilding my pigsties." "You know, I've had two outbreaks of swine fever up to now." "Have you spoken to this new vet here..." "Uh, Macdhui?" "Not yet." "Is he any good?" "One of Mr. Macclennen's cows had foot-and-mouth disease," "And Mr. Macdhui had two whole herds killed." "That young Annie of mine" "Took my best black shawl from my closet yesterday" "And tore it into ribbons in some game." "Aye, I saw them playing at funerals," "Burying young Mary Macdhui's cat." "Mr. Macdhui killed it." "Killed it?" "Aye, the same as he did Mrs. Laggan's dog." "He kills things." "He saved Tammas' Bruce, laddie." "Aye, because everybody was there watching." "That was showin' off." "He's an animal murderer." "You tell me he killed his daughter's cat?" "He didn't like it," "So he took his gun and killed it." "His gun?" "Well!" "Och!" "Isn't that awful?" "Well, now, Andrew." "Glad I saw you." "I wanted a word with you about Mary." "I did what you said, asked her to come round" "And choose one of your kittens," "But she'd have none of it, or me, either." "It's like speaking with a blank wall." "To a child of her age, feeling is stronger than reason." "You know that, Andrew." "Aye, and grief is usually forgotten quickly, too," "But the death of this cat, it's like an obsession with her." "Well, she's something of a loner child." "Forgive me." "She has no mother, and she needs someone to love." "She has me." "I'd do anything for her." "No child's ever been loved so much." "Unselfishly?" "What do you mean?" "Tell me the truth, Andrew." "Were you maybe a wee bit jealous" "Of that cat of hers?" "The truth, now." "The animal had to be destroyed." "It would have died anyway." "You can take my word for that." "Angus, would you do me a favor?" "Do you think you could have a talk with her?" "You might be able to reason with her." "Well, I can try." "I wish you would." "She's at home now." "You ought to be out playing in the sunshine" "And not moping here indoors." "Geordie Macnab and Hughie came asking for you." "Why don't you go and look for them?" "Oh, Mr. Peddie, Mr. Andrew's not in." "I was just passing by, Mrs. Mackenzie," "And I thought I'd pay a call on Mary." "Would she be at home, do you think?" "I'm here, Mr. Peddie." "Well, now, there you are." "You were so quiet, I didn't see you." "It's fair warm outdoors." "You're wise to stay inside." "Would you mind if I sit down and rest a while?" "Here?" "Ooh, I think the stairs are a grand place" "When you want to have a good think." "You know, I was thinking just now about your Thomasina." "What with my own cats," "I get all mixed up remembering what yours was like." "Thomasina, now, he was about..." "She." "Oh, aye, she, yes." "Thomasina." "She was about, what..." "So long?" "And did she not have a wee square blaze on her chest?" "No, it was round." "Round?" "Aye!" "Now you remind me." "It was round, aye." "But she did have three little white feet, didn't she?" "No white feet at all." "No?" "Oh." "But she had a pink nose" "With two black specks on it." "I remember that well." "No specks." "No specks?" "Do you remember" "How she'd sit and look at you sometimes" "With just the tip of her tongue showing?" "When she was waiting to be fed." "Yes, when she was waiting to be fed." "You see, Mary, Thomasina isn't dead at all," "Not really dead," "Not when we can remember her together like this," "Because she's alive in our minds." "No!" "And as long as you can remember her like this, she'll never die." "Just call her to your mind, and she'll come," "Even if you were to have another wee cat to love." "You know, I was saying to your daddy just this morning..." "My daddy's dead." "I killed him." "Did you, Mary?" "How?" "I killed him." "I put him in a box with flowers in it." "We all took him out into the Glen and had a funeral," "And now I Haven't anybody at all." "Mary..." "No!" "I like being alone!" "Good day to you, Birnie." "I'm here to look at the bull." "I've let him out." "He's in the paddock." "Oh, right." "I'll find him." "No need to, Mr. Macdhui." "He'll do very well." "Just tell me how much your fees are." "What's all this about?" "I'll be no more needing a veterinary." "If there's anything wrong with my beasts," "I'll take them to the woman in the Glen." "She's a rare way with them and charges nothing, I'm told." "Is that where you're takin' the cow?" "Aye, my man is." "What's wrong with her?" "She's dried." "You have as much chance of getting pints of beer as milk" "Listening to that rubbish." "I thought you were becoming enlightened, Birnie." "What I do with my beasts is no concern of yourself, Mr. Macdhui." "This cow has no disease reportable under the acts of the county." "Your bull didn't, either." "Aye, I didn't know then what sort of a vet you were " "Putting beasts to death whenever it suits you." "What?" "Aye, my stockman heard it from his son at school in Inveranoch " "The dogs and cats you've no use for," "Even your own child's pet." "I see." "So you believe that," "And you're going back to the witchcraft and the superstition." "You said times change." "Well, maybe they're changing back again, Mr. Macdhui." "The old remedies are as good as book learning, sir." "Good day to you." "Apart from Mary, I've another headache now." "The whole village seems to be boycotting me and spreading tales" "About what a heartless monster I am." "Och, a few children." "It's having its effect." "In a few days, the people have forgotten" "That the blind man's dog is alive because of me," "But they remember the few creatures that I had to have destroyed." "Be patient with them, Andrew." "Patient?" "Tell me something." "What do you know about a half-witted woman named, uh Named Lori who pretends to be a witch?" "Well, I rented her the croft she's living in." "I know that." "That's why I'm asking you." "And she's not half-witted, nor does she pretend to be a witch." "She's been labeled that, just as you say you've been labeled a monster," "Only she doesn't mind, because she wants to be left alone." "Well, she's not succeeding." "At least two farmers that I'd won round to scientific treatment" "Are taking their beasts to her." "Aye, I hear she has a remarkable skill with animals." "What skill?" "Without real knowledge, you can do great harm." "Would you take a sick child to a quack doctor?" "Some people have natural gifts, Andrew," "And Lori Macgregor has the rare quality of mercy." "Since you know her so well, perhaps you'd tell her" "To stop undermining the progress that I'm trying to bring to these people here." "Why don't you tell her, Andrew," "And tell me afterwards what you make of her." "Aye." "Aye, I Will, one day," "And put a stop to her interference with my work." "Time passed," "And I began to see and feel again." "I couldn't remember any part of my first life," "Although something told me I'd lived before," "That I was still me." "I'd heard that a cat has nine lives." "I accepted the fact, so..." "This was my second life," "My life with a girl named Lori." "She was gentle and kind, I'll give her that," "But she didn't seem to realize " "And neither did the other creatures around me - how important I was." "There we are." "All of you " "Dorcas, Mack," "Molly," "Whisker - be nice to Thomasina now." ""be nice," she said," "But none of the others paid any attention to me at all." "They weren't really my kind anyway." "Thomasina, dear," "Go and walk in the sun now you're able." "There are others here who are not." "I wasn't important anymore," "Treated just like everybody else." "Now I knew how a king feels in exile." "Hughie, Jamie, quick!" "what is it?" "Come and see quick." "A badger." "He's been in the trap a long time," "And he's badly hurt." "What'll we do with him?" "If we try and take the trap off, he'll only bite." "We could wrap him up in a sack, trap and all," "And take him to the village, to the vet." "To Mr. Macdhui?" "We can't do that." "We're trying to get rid of him." "What else, then?" "Couldn't we take the badger to the witch?" "She's nearer." "Aye, that's true." "She couldn't cure a mess like that with magic." "I bet she could." "Mr. Macdhui would only kill it," "So let's wrap him up and take him to the witch." "Jamie, get the things." "I'll get the sack." "Careful now." "You've got him?" "Aye, got him." "Seeing and hearing these boys gave me that" ""I've been here before" feeling." "You know what I mean?" "I knew them, and yet I didn't." "They made me feel uneasy somehow," "So I kept an eye on them." "Well, who's gonna take him to her, then?" "You." "You're the eldest, you're always telling us." "Aye, but - but it was Geordie's idea." "He's too big for Geordie to carry," "But if you're afraid..." "I'm not afraid of anything." "Well, go on, then." "Put him by the tree and ring that bell." "Oh, poor thing." "Poor thing." "Oh, God, please, God, help me." "Wait!" "Don't touch it." "But it's hurt, from that." "Cursed gin traps." "Look what it's done to..." "Mind yourself." "Drop it." "It'll tear your throat out." "It'll not harm me." "No creature harms me." "They're not afraid." "Put it down." "You're mad." "Aye, so I hear." "Get away from it." "Let me go." "Let me go!" "I'm sorry, but a wounded badger could half kill you." "No creature ever harms me." "Don't touch him!" "Leave him to me." "To you?" "Why, who are you?" "My name is Macdhui." "I'm the veterinary from Inveranoch." "You are?" "Now I see." "What do you mean?" "You have the skill that I Haven't," "The skill that I prayed for when I found the badger." "Don't you see?" "You're meant to help him, and you must." "It's no use, I tell you." "It's too late." "Be kinder to put him out of his pain." "And wonderful to give him his life." "You have the skill for it." "Please, for pity's sake." "Don't go!" "I've got to get my instruments." "They're in my car." "God, you sent him." "Please make him hurry back." "Well, that's it." "We'll have to see how it takes." "Still, they're hardy creatures with great vitality." "He has a chance." "Bless you and thank you for giving it the hance." "He'll have to stay quiet until the wounds heal." "Have you got a place where you can keep him?" "Yes." "All right." "Are all these wild things in your care?" "Yes, they come here to me." "Some instinct or guardian Angel brings them." "And what kind of treatment do you give them?" "Food, warmth, comfort and love." "And let nature take its course," "And that mends them." "And what about the other beasts that are brought to you?" "Farmer Birnie's cow, for instance." "I know all about that." "What did you do for her?" "I sent her back to him with a message for him to be kinder to her." "Ha." "Like to seen his face." "And this?" "I found him one morning by the tree outside in a box." "He had a broken leg, but he's better now." "Well, I can describe his guardian Angel to you." "He's about six years old, red hair, and his name is Geordie Macnab." "Well, keep your eye on the badger, Miss Macgregor," "And see that he doesn't tear off the dressing." "Aye, I'll watch him." "You know, um, in Inveranoch," "They, uh, they call you "witch,"" "And if you can get all these creatures here to live together in peace," "Perhaps there's some truth in it." "The truth is that they have security" "Because they've no fear." "Animals are not like people." "They only fight and kill when they're hungry or afraid," "Not for gain or to prove how strong they are." "You don't have to be a witch to understand that." "What made you come here, Mr. Macdhui?" "Well, I-I thought that, uh..." "It's no matter now." "I must go." "I've work to do." "Wait." "I must pay you for the work you've done." "Um, there's no need." "Will you take this, then, from me?" "I made it here." "Then I'm glad to have it." "Thank you." "I knew the man..." "And yet I didn't know him." "He reminded me of someone," "Something that was missing in my present life." "What do you think he's done?" "Killed it." "But the witch wouldn't let him." "He wouldn't be likely to help her with magic, now, would he?" "Suppose we had a look through the window." "It's our badger." "We're responsible for him." "Aye." "Maybe if we were careful..." "Come on, Geordie." "If she catches us," "You can say you came to see how your frog was getting on." "You want to know, don't you?" "Come on, then." "Psst!" "the badger's in here." "I think he's dead." "I told you Mr. Macdhui would kill him." "Here, Geordie, you're the smallest." "Climb up and have a look." "He's not dead." "I can see him breathing." "are you sure?" "Look out!" "ow!" "Let me go!" "Let me go!" "Och!" "It's all right." "What's the matter?" "What are you afraid of?" "Let me go!" "You're the one who brought the frog to me." "He's better now." "His leg has mended." "Do you want him back?" "Then come and see him." "He's not very strong at hopping yet," "But he can swim all right." "He's going in with her." "She must have put a spell on him." "Here's your wee frog." "Look." "Oh, he's better." "Did you do it with magic?" "With a powerful magic, Geordie." "You know my name." "Cor!" "Was it you who brought the wounded badger, too?" "Is he going to be all right, please?" "Did you do magic with him?" "No, that was Mr. Macdhui." "What he did was magic." "Mr. Macdhui - does he do magic?" "He has a wonderful skill that's almost magic." "He saved the badger's life." "Can I go now?" "Don't you want to take your frog?" "Thank you for curing my frog." "I'm not afraid anymore." "Well, not much, that is," "But I have to go now." "are you all right?" "Yes." "Look, she cured the frog." "But what about the badger?" "She cured him, too." "She put a spell on Mr. Macdhui and made him help her." "She's an awful good witch." "Hello, Mary." "Do you know what I did today?" "Went up to the Glen to see your witch." "You know, she's not a witch at all." "She, uh..." "Isn't even what Mrs. Mack calls, uh, "something weird. "" "She's a bit like yourself " "Wants to be left alone." "Except that she's, uh," "She's got all kinds of creatures up there with her " "Squirrels and rabbits, stray dogs, cats," "Uh, wild birds" "And a " "And a badger." "If I go up there again," "Would you like to come with me and see him?" "Look, Mary, I brought you a present." "look." "Something of your very own." "Och, I couldn't get nowhere with her." "She shows no signs of wearying of this game she's playing, that I'm not there." "And how do you play it, Andrew?" "Talk to her, behave as if everything was normal between us," "Read stories to her, but she pays no heed." "And that wee dog you got for her?" "She'd have none of it." "I had to take it away again." "No, she won't forgive me, because I failed her." "At least, that's the way she sees it." "I think the trouble lies deeper than that." "You were the only human focus for her love." "That's why her shock of disappointment in you was so great." "Andrew, have you ever thought of getting married again?" "No." "You need another focus for your love" "Besides the child, and Mary needs a mother." "It's too late for me to fall in love again." "Oh..." "So you've seen Lori Macgregor." "Aye, I've seen her." "What do you make of her?" "Don't know." "She, uh, she has a-a strange way with her," "A strange skill that's instinctive." "I don't understand how she lives out there, cut off, alone," "And yet doesn't seem to be alone." "You should see her again, Andrew." "Maybe she could teach you that rare virtue." "You're in need of it, my friend, great need of it." "Good night, angus." "Hello, Miss Macgregor." "So he came to see Lori," "But putting a stop to what she was doing" "Soon went out of his mind," "And he kept on coming to see her." "I've learned a great deal watching you." "If only I had the skill you have." "But you've a way of taking the fear out of these wild creatures," "Making them trust you, that I wish I had." "But I'm a witch, remember?" "Aye, you must be." "You cast some kind of a spell on them." "I love them all." "When they're lost or strayed or alone in pain," "That's what they need." "I feel for them." "And you, with all your skill - do you?" "I give them what I have, my knowledge of what to do." "I do my job." "Is that all it is to you?" "You must have chosen to become a veterinary." "No, my-my father was one himself." "He chose it for me," "And he was a man that you didn't cross." "No, all my life, I wanted to be a doctor," "Dreamed of it and worked for it." "You must have put a spell on me to make me tell you that." "Except for my wife, I've never told another soul." "Only she knew." ""knew"?" "Aye, she's dead now, about five years ago." "You say you believe in providence and in God's mercy," "And you wonder why I don't?" "How can you not?" "I loved my wife." "She did nothing but good." "She went out nursing the sick in an epidemic," "Caught the sickness herself, and died." ""the Will of God is inscrutable," they told me." ""God is love," they told me." "Which is true." "That's what she believed," "Yet the God who's supposed to be love allowed her to die." "And therefore you reject him?" "Because your love died, his love has no truth?" "Is that what you mean?" "Ask yourself that when you've known pain." "I saw both my parents drown, Andrew, in a storm at sea," "But my Faith didn't die with them," "And they wouldn't have wished it." "I know that." "I'm sorry." "Forgive me." "Forgive?" "I'm glad you told me of yourself" "And I told you." "Aye." "I'm glad, too." "I must go now." "The man's coming back gave me that feeling once again" "Of there having been some other time," "Some other place..." "And one night it came to a head." "It was as if something was pulling me," "Drawing me on" "And on and on." "I knew the way somehow," "Although I didn't know why or where I was going." "Thomasina." "Thomasina!" "Thomasina!" "Thomasina!" "Come back!" "Thomasina!" "Thomasina!" "Thomasina!" "Thomasina!" "Mary!" "Mary!" "Thomasina!" "Thomasina." "Thomasina." "No, no!" "Let me go!" "I saw her!" "I saw her!" "Let me go!" "You were right to call me." "She's in bad shock." "Could turn to pneumonia." "I see signs of it now." "I've done all I can for the moment." "I'll be around first thing in the morning." "Thank you, Strathsay." "What should I do?" "Keep taking her temperature every hour or so." "It's just over 100 now." "If it gets any higher, let me know at once." "I won't leave her." "Show the doctor out, Mrs. Mack." "You better get out of those wet things." "You'll catch cold." "I heard the shouting, saw the doctor arrive." "Glad you came, angus." "I'm worried sick." "If she should catch pneumonia..." "Aye, that's a great battle" "For a wee bairn to fight alone." "Pray for her, Andrew." "Pray for God's help and mercy." "Pray." "Yes, pray, because if ever there was a man" "In need of mercy, it is you." "You know I'm not a one for praying," "For goin' down on my knees." "Well, pray on your feet, man." "It's what's in your heart and mind that matters," "Not whether you kneel or not," "Though that would be good for your soul." "It's this stubborn pride of yours" "That has made you live inside yourself so long." "I've forgotten how to pray." "I can't do it." "I can't feel the need for it." "Humble yourself, Andrew." "Humble yourself." "If you love the child," "Pray for her." "Oh, Thomasina, where have you been?" "I didn't know." "From the present back into the past," "To the present again," "Where I was safe," "Protected," "And loved." "Where are you boys going?" "Further up the Glen, granny." "Well, you're not to." "They say in the village there's a witch up here." "She'll put the evil eye on you." "make way!" "yah!" "Hah!" "Hah!" "Right, you devil." "You'll pay for this." "Come on!" "What's he gonna do to the horse?" "Let's go and see." "Aye." "Darvas, put the bear to his paces" "And wake him up." "come on, get out." "Get out." "Go on." "Go!" "all right, get him out." "Get him out!" "Down you come." "Down!" "Come on." "Now this way." "Up." "Up now." "Come on, up and dance." "Come on, up!" "Up!" "Up and dance." "Come on, you blackguard." "Get up and dance now!" "This one's worse than the other." "The bear can hardly walk, let alone dance." "What are you doing under there?" "Get 'em!" "Come on, boys, get 'em!" "One gettin' away." "The other one's..." "Got him down." "All right!" "Let him go!" "Come back here, you." "Get back to work!" "Mr. Macquarrie, sir, there's some gypsies in the Glen," "And you've got to do something about them." "They're beating horses, and there's half-starved dogs" "And a poor bear with a sore foot." "It's true!" "Now, wait a minute." "Wait a minute." "One at a time." "Now." "We were up there watching them." "They're beating their animals." "Oh, they're awful people, sir." "You've got to arrest them, Mr. Macquarrie." "I've already told them to leave the district and move on." "I gave them until tomorrow while they rest their horses." "rest them?" "You should see what they're doing." "You bring me a complaint from the proper person, and I'll act on it." "I don't take orders from a lot of children." "What proper person?" "The county officer concerned" "With cruelty to beasts - Mr. Macdhui." "Mr. Macdhui?" "Uh-oh, what's this?" "How's Mary, please, sir?" "We're sorry that she's sick." "Aye, she's very sick." "We hope she'll get better soon." "We Haven't seen much of her sin..." "Since the funeral of Thomasina." "But we really came to see you about another matter, sir." "what's that?" "To report cruelty to animals." "There's some gypsies up in the Glen" "With performing animals." "They're awful cruel." "They've got a bear with a sore foot," "And they make him dance!" "Constable Macquarrie said that if you were to examine them" "And report them to him, he could put a stop to it, sir." "But I thought that my opinion as an animal doctor" "Was no good." "Somebody called Hughie Stirling has been saying so." "Would he be a friend of yours?" "He's no friend of mine, sir." "Hughie Stirling's a bit of a fool, sir." "Everybody knows that." "would you do something about the circus animals?" "Aye, I, uh, I Will when I can." "Well, uh, run along now, all of you." "He won't do anything." "He wasn't even listening." "Yes, he was." "He said he'd go when he can." "He doesn't care about those animals." "Well, we can't do any more, can we?" "Yes, we can." "We've got to." "Hey, Geordie." "We could tell the witch about it" " Lori." "The witch?" "Aye, why not?" "You say you're not afraid of her." "You could tell her." "Me?" "She'd maybe put a spell on those gypsies," "Turn that big one into a horse or a bear and learn for himself" "What it's like to be badly treated." "I bet she'd do it." "Go and tell her, Geordie." "Go on." "I dare you." "Why, Geordie, hello there." "I came to ask you something, please." "Will you come in, then?" "It's better if I do." "I brought you a present if you'd like it." "It's because you cured my frog." "Oh, Geordie, you didn't have to do that." "How is your frog?" "Och, he's fine." "This is my present." "I made it myself." "What a beautiful pipe rack." "Thank you, Geordie." "It's just what I need." "I thought you might." "I was - we were wondering" "If you'd do something else with magic." "Another frog?" "Och, no." "There's a gypsy circus down in the Glen" "With all kinds of animals and a bear," "And the people are awful cruel to them," "Beating them and that, and they're half starved." "Have you told the police?" "Aye, and Mr. Macdhui," "But they won't do anything about it." "Mr. Macdhui won't?" "No, we asked him, and he said so." "We thought maybe you could put some magic" "On the gypsies to stop them." "Would you, please?" "The bear's got an awful sore foot." "I'll go and see what I can do, anyway, I promise you that." "I knew you would." "Oh, thank you." "I have to go now." "She's going to do it!" "She's going to put a spell on the gypsies!" "You cannot stay in here all day and night" "Torturing yourself, man." "You've had no rest, no food." "Rest?" "What rest can I have?" "Strathsay says she's no longer fighting." "It's as if she's lost the Will to live." "Where is Strathsay?" "He said he'd be back by now." "He said the fever must run its course." "There's no crisis yet." "He's done what he can for Mary." "We're all of us praying for her." "Praying?" "I humbled myself and prayed, too." "I'd crawl on my hands and knees if begging for her life would save it." "She's lost and hurt, angus." "I can make no contact with her." "I wonder..." "Perhaps someone who has the gift" "For hurt and lost creatures" "Could unlock the child's mind." "You mean Lori Macgregor?" "I do." "Then ask her." "Bring her here." "She's unlocked your mind enough to make you realize" "You're not sufficient yourself." "Stay here with the child, Angus." "Lori?" "Lori!" "So one night the man came again..." "Lori!" "...But this time he looked helpless" "And lost" "And frightened." "music playing)" "Now let's get the bear out." "We'll have him on next." "Wait a minute." "What are you doing in there?" "She's the witch the women speak of." "Come on out, you!" "If you're in charge here, you should be ashamed." "Your dogs are sick, these horses past work." "The bear is..." "You're breaking my heart." "All right, then, you dance, witch." "you do the bear's act for him." "Come on." "it's the witch." "no!" "Aah!" "Let " "Let me go!" "Let me go!" "Andrew!" "you dance for the bear." "Look at him!" "Look at Mr. Macdhui!" "Who's in charge here?" "I am." "King Targu." "What right have you to knock about my people?" "What exactly were you doing?" "Driving out the witch who set the evil eye upon us." "Evil eye?" "I've heard about the evil you do with these wretched beasts." "What do you want here?" "I have the power to close down your show for cruelty to animals." "That's what I'm going to do." "You'll pay for this." "Get him, and the witch!" "Behind your back, Mr. Macdhui!" "I'm not standing for this." "Come on!" "Get the boys out of here." "Keep clear of this." "ooh." "Form a water chain!" "Quick!" "Lori, get those children out of here." "Quick!" "Macquarrie, take that man in charge for cruelty to animals." "Here, give a hand here!" "Try to hold still." "The bleeding has stopped, but it's an awful deep cut you have there." "Lori, Will you listen to me?" "I've told you I'll not till I finish dressing this wound." "You should have gone down to Inveranoch with the others," "To a doctor, and not come up here to me." "Stop!" "Listen to me, m..." "I am listening, Andrew." "I'm a wee bit scared not to when you're so fierce." "I was afraid of you down there in the fightin'," "And afraid for you." "I came up here looking for you," "Just like the other strays and the lost that come to you." "Why?" "My daughter is sick with pneumonia," "And I need your help." "I want you to come to her with me." "To your house?" "Please come." "Why me?" "Well, you have a - a kind of a magic for the hurt and the sick." "I've hurt the child so much that her sickness is the worse for it." "You have?" "How?" "Well, she had a pet that she loved more than anything." "I had to have it destroyed." "I didn't realize how much it meant to the child," "But in-in doing what I did, I..." "I betrayed her trust in me." "I killed something in her." "Lori, you prayed yourself once, didn't you?" "And you said that my coming here" "Could be the answer to the prayer." "Aye, it was." "Well, I prayed, too, and your coming with me now could be the answer to that..." "For me, for Mary." "Will you come, please?" "So..." "He brought you." "What have you been doing, man," "To get in that state - brawling somewhere?" "How is she?" "The same." "What is this?" "Mary?" "Mary Macdhui." "Do you hear me?" "Andrew, may I take her?" "Do what you Will." "What does this woman think she's doing?" "Let her be." "Andrew, there's so little of her left." "When the man took Lori away and they left me alone," "I was frightened." "I had to be with somebody." "The feeling grew stronger" "And stronger." "Suddenly, like the lightning flash that split the tree," "Everything " "My other lost life - came back to me." "I knew where I belonged." "I had to go home." "Home." "Home." "Home!" "Thomasina!" "Can't be." "It's my Thomasina." "Yours?" "I found her sick and nursed her." "Is she hers?" "Is that the pet?" "Thomasina!" "Thomasina!" "Lori, call her!" "Make her come in." "No, you must." "She must come to you." "Thomasina." "Don't you see that if Thomasina" "Is the love your child has lost," "Only you can give it back to her." "Call her." "Make her come." "Thomasina." "Come to me." "For the love of God, come to me." "I knew him now..." "Macdhui, my murderer..." "And he needed me." "Without me, he was lost." "So this was my Chance," "The moment of truth for both of us." "Thomasina." "Come to me." "Yet, because of my second life with Lori..." "Thomasina Because of what I'd learned from her," "I didn't want revenge." "I wanted to come home." "Mary." "I brought Thomasina to you." "She's come back to life again." "No, it's not a ghost," "Not a dream." "It's Thomasina." "She's come back." "It's Thomasina." "She's alive again." "Aye." "She's alive again." "And you're alive again, too." "I'm alive again, too." "So, my third life began," "With all of us together." "Not now." "goodbye!" "And, to coin a phrase," "We all lived happily ever after." "{{{the end}}}"