"GRACE:" "Now, children, are you sitting comfortably?" "Then I'll begin:" "This story started many thousands of years ago... but it was all over in just seven days," "All that long, long time ago... none of the things we can see now- the sun, the moon, the stars, the earth... the animals and plants- not a single one existed." "Only God existed, and so only He could have created them." "And He did." "[Screaming]" "[Sobs]" "[Panting]" "[Gasping]" "[Laughter]" "MRS mills Simpson:" "What a character he was:" "I wonder whatever became of him ?" "MR TUTTLE:" "Oh, I imagine he's dead like all the rest:" "MRS mills:" "Ah, those were the days:" "[Bell rings]" "Mr Tuttle, your hair:" "[Lock clicks]" "Yes?" "Goodmorning, ma'am:" "We 've come about the" "Oh, yes, ofcourse:" "Come in:" "I wasn't expecting you so soon:" "You are: ?" "I'm Bertha Mills, ma'am:" "And this is Edmund Tuttle:" "Pleased to meetyou, ma'am:" "You must be the gardener:" "That's right:" "The gardener:" "And this young lady is calledLydia:" "Ha ve you had much experience in service?" "Oh, don't let that angel face foolyou, ma'am:" "She's older than she looks:" "Can you iron?" "What's the matter?" "Has the cat got your tongue?" "She can't talk, ma'am:" "The poorlittle mite 's a mute:" "Oh:" "Oh, but she's a goodlittle worker:" "I can promise you that:" "All right:" "All right:" "The other girl I had spoke too much, anyway:" "Follow me:" "Mrs Mills, you and the girl: :" "will sleep in the attic room at the top ofthe stairs:" "Andyou, Mr: :" "Tuttle, ma'am:" "You could sleep in the shed around the back:" "As you can see, the housework has been ratherneglected: :" "since the servants disappeared almost a week ago:" "You mean theyjust vanished?" "GRACE:" "into thin air:" "No notice, nothing:" "They didn 't even collect their wages:" "They: :theyjust left us:" "MRS mills:" "What a strange thing to do:" "GRACE:" "You'll soon find out there are times:" "when this house is not exactly an idealhome:" "Hence my advertisement in the newspaper: :" "requesting honest, hard-working people:" "There 's nobody more honest orhard-working than us:" "Isn't that right, Mr Tuttle ?" "Oh, aye, we 're very honest:" "And, um, very hard-working:" "The kitchen:" "I have breakfast at 8:00:" "the children at 9:00:" "Lunch will be served at 1:00 and dinner at 7: 30:" "MRS mills:" "And the master, ma'am?" "The master went offto war: :" "a year and a halfago:" "I've hadno news since the war ended:" "Which ofyou does the cooking?" "MRS mills:" "I'm so sorry, ma'am:" "Which ofyou does the cooking?" "You'll notice what I'm doing:" "In this house, no doormust be opened: :" "without the previous one being closed first:" "It is vital thatyou remember this:" "It's not as easy as it may seem:" "There are 15 different keys for all ofthe 50 doors:" "depending on which area of the house you're in at the time:" "Mrs Mills, from tomorrow onwards:" "I will be leaving a set ofkeys in your charge:" "Yes, ma'am:" "The music room:" "That oldpiano was already here when we movedin:" "Please do not let the children thump away on it:" "It sets offmy migraine:" "Silence is something that we prize very highly in this house:" "That is whyyou will not find a telephone, a radio:" "or anything else that makes a racket:" "Oh, we don't have electricity, either:" "During the war, the Germans kept cutting it off: :" "so we learned to live without it:" "Let's continue:" "Ma 'am, there 's no need to show us the whole house:" "GRACE:" "Yesl" "Yes, there is:" "Most ofthe time, you can hardly see your way:" "It's often difficult to make out: :" "ifthere is a table, a chair, a door, a sideboard: :" "or one ofmy children playing hide andseek:" "What do you mean, ma'am?" "Perhaps I should introduce you to the children:" "[Lock clicks]" "Mr Tuttle, you can see to the garden now:" "You'll find tools in the shed:" "Yes, ma'am:" "You two can start closing the curtains:" "All ofthem:" "Come:" "I'll wake them:" "You wait here:" "Whateveryou do, don't open the curtains:" "Wakey, wakey:" "GRACE:" "Now, come on:" "Eyes closed, hands together:" "children:" "Let it be, at light ofday: :" "Jesus, to whom now lpray:" "Blessedbe the Viirgin pure:" "whom lgreet with faith too short:" "Jesus, Mary, spotless rose:" "keep us till this day doth close:" "GRACE:" "They're still halfasleep:" "MRS mills:" "What sweet little children:" "Well: : what do you say?" "How do you do ?" "How do you do ?" "How do you do, children?" "My name is Mrs Mills:" "butyou can call me Bertha ifyou like:" "What are your names?" "Anne:" "Nicholas:" "Anne andNicholas:" "Whatpretty names:" "ANNE:" "Are you going to be our newnanny?" "Mm-hmm:" "Yes, my dears:" "I'm your newnanny:" "It's time for their breakfast:" "Lydia, go to the kitchen and close every shutter:" "[Keysjingle]" "The doctors were never able to find a cure:" "For what?" "Their condition:" "The children have a very serious allergy to light:" "They are photosensitive andmust neverbe exposed: :" "to any light much stronger than this:" "Otherwise, in a matter ofminutes:" "they will break out in sores andblisters:" "andbegin to suffocate:" "It would eventually be fatal:" "MRS mills:" "Goodheavens:" "I don't like this toast:" "Oh ?" "Why not?" "It tastes funny:" "I likedit betterbefore:" "That's because before, somebody else made it:" "When are they coming back?" "They're not coming back, child:" "Just like Daddy:" "Daddy is coming back, though:" "Mrs Mills, our father's fighting in a waring France:" "nicholas:" "It's the World War:" "I know, but he's in France:" "That's enough, chatterboxes:" "Finish up your breakfasts:" "Are you going to leave us, too?" "Ofcourse noti" "Why should I leave you?" "The others said they wouldn 't: :" "but they did, and then it happened:" "Be quietl" "What do you mean, Anne?" "What happened?" "Mummy went: :mad:" "Nothing happened:" "Yes, it did:" "No, it didn 'tl" "Yes, it didl" "GRACE:" "Be quiet:" "What's going on?" "I want those plates empty: :" "in less than a minute:" "is that clear?" "Mrs Mills, wouldyou come outside a moment?" "I'd like a word with you:" "Yes, ma'am:" "The postman usually comes every Wednesday:" "But ljust checked the letter-box: :" "and this week he hasn't:" "I'm afraid I don't follow, ma'am:" "This letter should have been collected: :" "and delivered to the newspaper five days ago:" "It's an advertisement forservants:" "Since it was neverpublished: :" "wouldyou explain whatyou're doing here ?" "Oh, I understand:" "Ma 'am, that's what I was going to say to you:" "when you opened the door to us:" "The truth is that wejust come by: :" "on the offchance:" "A big house like this:" "is always in need ofsomeone who knows the ropes:" "You've servedin a house like this one before ?" "This may come as a surprise to you, ma'am, but: :" "we, in fact, used to work here:" "Here ?" "Oh, now, 'twas a fewyears ago:" "Ifyou don't mind my saying so, ma'am:" "they were the bestyears ofmy life:" "That's why we come by, because this house:" "means a lot to us:" "Perhaps I'd best showyou our references, ma'am:" "No, no, no:" "Don't bother:" "There 's no need:" "So you say you know the house well?" "MRS mills:" "Like the back ofmy hand:" "That is assuming the walls haven't sproutedlegs:" "andmovedin the meantime:" "GRACE:" "The only thing that moves here is the light:" "[Sighs] But it changes everything:" "It's rather difficult, to say the least:" "One might almost say: :unbearable:" "The only way ofenduring it is by keeping a coolhead:" "Oh, yes, ma'am:" "I don't like fantasies:" "Strange ideas:" "Do you know what I mean?" "I think so, ma'am:" "My children sometimes have strange ideas:" "Butyou mustn 't pay any attention to them:" "Children will be children:" "Yes, ofcourse, ma'am:" "All right:" "You can stay:" "Thankyou very much, ma'am:" "It did happen:" "nicholas: "The Roman governor tried to make them:" ""change their minds afterwards: "" ""To make them change their minds: "Full stop:" ""Afterwards: "" "Mm-hmm:" ""He ordered them to be beaten:" ""But Justus andPastor, far from being afraid: :" ""rejoiced andshowed themselves willing to die for Christ:" ""When he saw this:" ""the Roman governor was filled with rage:" ""and ordered their heads to be cut off: "" "[Giggles]" "[Snickers]" "What do you findso amusing?" "Well: :" "Well, what?" "Those children were really stupid:" "Why?" "Because they said they only believedin Jesus:" "and then they got killed forit:" "And what wouldyou have done, deny Christ?" "ANNE:" "Well, yes:" "Inside I would have believedin him:" "but I wouldn 't have told the Romans that:" "is that whatyou think, too, Nicholas?" "I see:" "So you would have lied to the point ofdenying Christ:" "You'd have savedyour heads from the Romans, that's true:" "But what would have happened afterwards ?" "When?" "In the next life:" "The one waiting for us after we die:" "Where wouldyou have gone?" "Ahh:" "Where, Nicholas?" "To the children's limbo:" "GRACE:" "What is the children's limbo, Anne?" "One ofthe four Hells:" "Which are ?" "[Gasps]" "ANNE:" "Me, me, mel Mel" "GRACE:" "No:" "Let him answer:" "Which are ?" "There 's the Hell where the damnedgo:" "then there 's Purgatory: :" "Yes:" "And the bosom ofAbraham where thejustgo:" "andlimbo where children go:" "At the centre ofthe earth:" "Where it's very, very hot:" "That's where children go who tell lies:" "but they don'tjustgo there for a few days:" "Oh, no:" "No, they're damned:" "Forever:" "Think about it:" "Try to imagine the end ofeternity:" "Close your eyes:" "Close your eyes and try to imagine it:" "Forever:" "Pain:forever:" "I'm getting dizzy:" "Heh:" "GRACE:" "Now do you understand: :" "why Justus andPastor told the truth ?" "[Sighs]All right:" "Open your readers at lesson six:" "ANNE:" "Can't we play?" "GRACE:" "You most certainly cannot:" "Firstyou're going to read the lesson:" "then you're going to learn it by heart:" "All ofit?" "Any more protests:" "and there 'll be no playing at all today:" "In fact, I thinkyou can study in separate rooms:" "children:" "No, no, nol" "GRACE:" "Yes, yes, yesl" "ANNE:" "But we get scared if we 're separatedl" "GRACE:" "Scared?" "As ifyou weren't used to this house by now:" "nicholas:" "What if we see a ghost?" "Has your sisterbeen telling you one ofherstories?" "I haven't told him anythingl lfyou see a ghost you say "Hello ": :" "and continue on studying:" "Come to the music room:" "Why me?" "Because I say sol Now come on:" "Take your book:" "Nicholas, I want to see that lesson learned: :" "in less than an hour:" "Mummy: :" "What?" "Give me a kiss:" "ANNE: "Give me a kiss:" "Give me a kiss: "" "GRACE:" "Anne, wait forme outside:" "You know I can't:" "Over there:" "GRACE:" "Mrs Mills, close all the curtains:" "My daughteris going to cross the living room:" "Yes, ma'am:" "All right, Anne:" "[Humming]" "Darling:" "Mummy can't be with you all the time, hmm?" "You must learn to be on your own:" "Where 's your rosary?" "Ahhl" "Wheneveryou feel afraid: :" "I wantyou to squeeze it with allyour might: :" "say an Our Father, andyour fear will go away:" "lt won't:" "Yes, it will:" "Honestly:" "Don't you see that when you do that: :" "the Lord is with you?" "There 's no reason to be afraid:" "[Blows kiss]" "[Lock clicks]" "[Footsteps fading]" "[Distant door closing]" "nicholas:" ""The house and the family:" ""We all live in a house with our family:" ""The family is usually made up ofparents:" ""children, and their grandparents:" ""We must be obedient: : "" "ANNE: ": :andkind towards othermembers ofour family: :" ""and we must never argue or fight: :" ""with our brothers andsisters: "" "Do you have any children?" "MRS mills:" "No:" "Mr Tuttle and the girl Lydia are all I've got: :" "and I'm all they've got:" "GRACE:" "Was she born like that?" "Beg yourpardon, ma'am?" "The girl:" "Was she born a mute ?" "No:" "I think I've finishedhere, ma'am:" "Ifyou'll excuse me, I think I'll go:" "andsee ifMr Tuttle needs a hand:" "[Door closes]" "[Sighs]" "[Child sobbing]" "Nicholasl" "Nicholas, I'm comingl" "Ohl" "Nicholas?" "What's the matter?" "Why were you crying?" "I wasn't crying:" "I was reading:" "But ljust heardyou:" "Annel" "[Door closes]" "[Child sobbing]" "Annel" "Anne?" "ANNE:" "I haven't learnedit yet, Mummy:" "Are you all right?" "Yes:" "Why were you crying?" "l wasn't:" "Ijust heardyou a moment ago:" "There 's no need to feel ashamed, darling:" "I don't:" "lfl'd been crying, I'd tellyou:" "Oh, really:" "So I imaginedit, did I?" "No:" "It was that boy:" "GRACE:" "What boy?" "Viictor:" "Who's Viictor?" "The boy that was here a moment ago:" "I told him to let me study: :" "but he wouldn 't stop crying:" "I think he's a spoiledbrat:" "He said we 'd have to leave the house:" "GRACE:" "Oh, did he, now?" "And why was he crying?" "Because he doesn't like this house:" "but he has to live here:" "His father's a pianist" "His father's a pianist?" "Yes:" "I already told him he's not allowed to touch the piano:" "He isn't, is he, Mummy?" "[Sighs]" "So, you've spoken to his father as well?" "ANNE:" "No, only with Viictor:" "His father's with the others in the hall:" "I'vejust come from the hall:" "There 's no one there:" "They must've gone upstairs:" "They're viewing the house:" "That'll do, Annel That's enoughl" "Now why were you crying?" "It was Viictorl" "So where is he now?" "He went out through therel" "Wouldyou mind telling me how a boy: :" "can get in and out ofthis room ifit's locked?" "[Gasps]" "GRACE:" "I thought I made myselfquite clear:" "No dooris to be opened: :" "without the previous one being closed first:" "is that so hard to understand?" "This house is like a ship:" "The light must be contained as ifit were water: :" "by opening and closing the doors:" "My children's lives are at stakel" "MRS mills:" "But, ma'am" "Do not argue with mel Be quietl" "Which was the last ofyou to enter that room?" "Lydia ?" "She hasn't got a key:" "I already toldyou that:" "That leaves you, then:" "But I was in the hall the whole time:" "And then I went out into the garden:" "You sawme with your own eyes:" "I hope you are not suggesting that it was mel" "Do you think that I would overlook such a thing:" "and endanger the life ofmy own daughter?" "[Fire crackling]" "nicholas:" "You're not supposed to read at the table:" "ANNE:" "Oh, really?" "Who's going to tell Mummy?" "You?" "Orperhaps you?" "[Giggles]" "Didyou really see a boy?" "Yes:" "He 's called Viictor:" "is he a ghost?" "Don't be stupid:" "Ghosts aren't like that:" "What are they like ?" "I've toldyou a thousand times:" "They go about in white sheets and carry chains:" "How do you know?" "Because I've seen them:" "They come out at night:" "Fibber:" "Where ?" "[inhales]" "[Clank]" "[Laughs]" "You're stupid:" "Not halfas much as you:" "I don't believe you saw that boy:" "Believe whatyou like:" "You'll soon be begging us to play with you:" "ANNE:" "Nicholasl" "nicholas:" "Huh ?" "What?" "Look:" "Why have you opened the curtains?" "lt wasn't me:" "Who was it, then?" "It was Viictor:" "He 's been doing it all night:" "You're lying:" "I'm going to tell Mummy:" "So I'm a liar, am I?" "Yes:" "Viictor, come out from behind that curtain:" "so my stupid brother can see you:" "[Breathing heavily]" "[Gasps]" "Leave me alone:" "ANNE:" "So you don't want to see him now, eh?" "You're a cowardy custard:" "Cowardy cowardy custard:" "I'lljust have to do it myself, then:" "ANNE:" "That's enough, Viictor:" "Nicholas:" "Nicholas:" "Tell him to leave the curtains alone:" "He won't listen to me:" "VilCTOR:" "Stop it:" "Get offmy bed, both ofyou:" "ANNE:" "This is our bed:" "VilCTOR:" "No, it's mine:" "Anne, please stop putting on that voice:" "You be quiet, cowardy custard:" "Listen, ifyou don't stop, I'll call my mother: :" "andshe'll kick you out:" "You don't knowmy mother:" "VilCTOR:" "Andyou don't knowmyparents:" "Anne, I'm going to tell Mummy aboutyou:" "Don't be stupid:" "Can't you see it's not me?" "Viictor, touch his cheek so he knows you're real:" "[Breathing rapidly]" "Aahl" "[Nicholas screaming]" "nicholas:" "Mummyl Helpl" "Helpl Help, Mummyl" "What is it?" "What is it?" "[Crying]" "What is it?" "She was fighting with me, and I told her to be quiet:" "I'm fed up:" "Do you hearme?" "I am fed up with youl I didn 't do anythingl" ""Therefore the Lord God sent him forth:" ""from the Garden ofEden:" ""to till the ground from whence he was taken:" ""So he drove out the man:" ""andplaced to the east ofthe Garden ofEden:" ""cherubims and a flaming sword: :" ""which turned every way to keep the way: :" ""ofthe Tree ofLife: "" "There:" "I finished:" "[Closes book]" "Viery good:" "[Sighs]" "Nowyou can ask the Viirgin for forgiveness:" "What?" "That's not what we agreedl" "We didn 't agree anything, young lady:" "Todayyou're being punished, andyou'll do as I say:" "You can't make me ask the Viirgin for forgiveness:" "How dare youl" "Mummy, I won't ask forgiveness forsomething I didn 't dol" "You toldyour brother someone else was in the rooml" "There wasl" "You're lyingl I am noti" "[Sighs]" "Anne:" "do you remember the story about Justus andPastor?" "Children who don't tell the truth end up in limbo:" "That's whatyou say, but I read the other day: :" "that limbo's only for children who haven't been baptized:" "And I havel" "ANNE:" ""AndAbraham took the wood: :" ""ofthe burnt offering andlaid it upon Isaac his son:" ""Andhe took the fire in his hand and a knife:" ""and they went, both ofthem together:" ""And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father: :" ""andsaid, 'My father: : '" ""andhe said, 'Here I am, my son: "'" "Didyou look in on Nicholas?" "Yes, ma'am:" "The little angelis fast asleep:" "What aboutAnne?" "is she still on the stairs ?" "Oh, yes, ma'am:" "GRACE:" "I'dprefer to have her where l can see her: :" "but I can't embroider in such poorlight:" "Howlong is this punishment going to go on?" "It's been three days now:" "It's up to her:" "She's got to learn to swallowherpride:" "and ask for forgiveness:" "Anyway, it's time she started to read the Bible:" "The priest will be verypleased to hear that, ma'am:" "GRACE:" "lfhe ever deigns to pay us another visit:" "He knows perfectly well that the children can't go out:" "MRS mills:" "He told me yesterday: :" "he'd be by as soon as possible:" "I'm beginning to feel totally cut offfrom the world:" "This fog doesn't exactly help:" "It's neverlasted this long before:" "Oh, that's true, ma'am:" "Even the seagulls have gone quiet:" "Annel" "Anne, I can't hearyou:" "[Anne reading indistinctly]" "Ohhl lncidentally, Mrs Mills, I've had to put up with the noise:" "ofLydia running around above my head:" "She's been hurtling backwards and forwards:" "as ifthere were three ofher:" "Wouldyou kindly tell her it's not necessary: :" "to kick up quite such a rumpus just to do a little cleaning?" "I couldn 't bear to get anothermigraine attack:" "I'll tell her, ma'am:" "GRACE:" "Thankyou:" "[Footsteps receding]" "[Anne reading indistinctly]" "[Thumping overhead]" "[Thumping overhead]" "[Sighs]" "[Louder thumps overhead]" "[Thumping, glass rattling]" "[Banging overhead]" "Nowshe's really gone too far:" "Lydial Lydial" "[Anne reading]" "": :in the mount ofthe Lord it shall be seen:" ""And the angel ofthe Lord--"" "What's going on up there ?" "Nothing, Mummy:" "I'm just reading:" "Didyou hearit as well?" "Hear what?" ""And the angel ofthe Lord: :" ""called unto Abraham out ofHeaven:" ""the second time andsaid: :" ""'By myself, I have sworn, ' saith the Lord--"" "Shhl" "[Faint squeaking]" "What was that?" "I don't know:" "Anne, tell me who's making that noise:" "I can't tellyou, Mummy:" "You tell me:" "I toldyou there was someone in the room:" "andyoupunishedme:" "Now I don't know what to say:" "Anne, I want the truth:" "Tell me if there is someone upstairs:" "There:" "In thatjunk room:" "ANNE:" "Mummy, you're letting the light in:" "[Gasps]" "[Steps on glass]" "[Ghostly voices whispering]" "Shhl" "She's a woman:" "She's what?" "[Gasps]" "[Creaking]" "Where did they go?" "Theyjust came past here:" "Didn 't you see them?" "Which way did they go?" "Over there, over there, and down there as well:" "[Door closes]" "They're everywhere:" "They say this house is theirs:" "And they're going to take the curtains down:" "Ma 'am, stay calm, please:" "GRACE:" "I will not stay calml" "For five whole years during the occupation:" "I managed to avoid a single Nazi stepping foot in this house:" "andnow there is someone here, opening and closing the doors:" "Ma 'am, this is a very old house:" "The floorboards squeak and the plumbing clanks" "There were voices:" "I'm telling you:" "ANNE:" "Mummy, look:" "A boy and two women, talking together:" "Mummy, looki I did it yesterday:" "This is the father, this is the mother: :" "this is Viictor, and this is the old woman:" "What do these numbers stand for?" "ANNE:" "That's the number oftimes I've seen them:" "I've seen the old woman the most:" "Oh, Godin Heaven:" "Mrs Mills, go and call Mr Tuttle:" "We have to search the whole house immediately: :" "before it gets dark:" "Yes, ma'am:" "There, now:" "Mummyl" "Yes, darling:" "It's all right:" "Nothing will happen to you while Mummy's here:" "ANNE:" "Look, Mummy:" "She really scares me:" "It's as if she's not looking atyou:" "but she can see you:" "Andshe's always around saying "Come with me"" "No, Anne, don't lie to me:" "ANNE:" "Honestly, Mummy:" "Andshe asks me things:" "Viictor told me she's a witch:" "GRACE:" "What does she askyou?" "Things:" "Herbreath smells:" "We have to open all the curtains:" "I don't want any dark corners where someone could hide:" "Yes, ma'am:" "You both search the right side, and I'll take the left:" "Then we 'll search upstairs:" "[Sighs]" "nicholas:" "Perhaps they're ghosts:" "who lived in this house before:" "Don't be stupid:" "I've already toldyou:" "Ghosts go about in white sheets:" "and carry chains andgo "Ooo: "" "MRS mills:" "Now, Anne:" "Why do you make up such stories?" "ANNE:" "I don't:" "I read them in books:" "Well, you shouldn 't believe everything:" "thatyou reading books:" "That's what our mothersays:" "She says all this stuff aboutghosts is rubbish:" "and then she expects us:" "to believe everything written in the Bible:" "And don't you believe it?" "I believe some things:" "But, for example, I don't believe:" "that Godmade the world in seven days:" "And I don't believe that Noah:" "got all those animals into one boat: :" "or the Holy Spirit is a dove:" "No, I don't believe that, either:" "ANNE:" "Doves are anything but holy:" "Theypoo on our windows:" "[Chuckles]" "Ha ve you mentioned any ofthis to your mother?" "Oh:" "[Knocking] MRS mills:" "Ma 'am:" "Yes?" "They've searched everywhere, ma'am:" "There 's no one:" "I see:" "Mrs Mills:" "Yes, ma'am?" "Do you have any idea what this might be?" "'Tis a photograph album, ma'am:" "No, but look:" "They're all asleep:" "Look:" "They're not asleep, ma'am:" "They're dead:" "'Tis a book ofthe dead:" "In the last century, I believe:" "they used to take photographs ofthe dead: :" "in the hopes that their souls:" "would go on living through the portraits:" "GRACE:" "There are even group portraits:" "[Gasps]And childrenl" "Oh, it's macabrel" "How could these people be so superstitious ?" "Griefover the death ofa loved one:" "can leadpeople to do the strangest things:" "GRACE:" "Get rid ofit:" "I don't want it in the house:" "MRS mills:" "Yes, ma'am:" "Mrs Mills, it's cold:" "Why don't you come andsit by the fire ?" "Thankyou very much, ma'am:" "So:tell me about when you workedhere before:" "Didyou have to look after children then?" "No, I was in charge of organizing the housework:" "Hmm:" "Were there many servants ?" "Oh, about fifteen:" "Though in the end: :" "there werejust the three ofus left:" "Why?" "My employers moved to London:" "They came here less andless:" "it being so out ofthe way like:" "So gradually the house just became empty:" "Everybody ends up leaving this damnedisland:" "My family left in the summer of 1940:" "just before the invasion:" "That was the last I've heard ofthem:" "Ohh:" "I don't blame them:" "Actually, we left, too:" "Although, you know: :" "sometimes when you leave a place:" "it's like it's there with you all the time:" "I always felt like I neverleft this house:" "Why didyou leave ?" "Oh, 'twas on account ofthe tuberculosis:" "The whole area was evacuated:" "Ohh:" "Was that when Lydia went dumb?" "Yes, I think so:" "though my memory's a bit rusty these days, ma'am:" "What happened to her?" "It was suddenly one day:" "Shejust: :stopped talking:" "There must've been a reason:" "People don'tjust stop talking:" "These things are always the result: :" "ofsome sort oftrauma:" "Something must've happened to her:" "Didyour employers treatyou well?" "Oh, they were always very kind to us:" "They treated us just like family:" "You know, ma'am, I think I will go to bed:" "I'll neverbe able to get up in the morning:" "GRACE:" "Offyou go:" "I'm going to stay here a while longer:" "Yes, ma'am:" "[Sighs] I'm sorry I was so hard on you:" "Can you forgive me?" "Anne:" "nicholas:" "Mummy:" "What?" "When's Daddy coming home?" "When the war's over:" "Why did he go to war?" "I mean, nobody's done anything bad to us:" "Daddy went: :" "Daddy went because he's very bra ve:" "andbecause he wasn't prepared: :" "to let the Germans tell him what he had to do:" "nicholas:" "Why?" "[Sobbing]" "Charles:" "where are you?" "[Piano playing]" "[Piano playing]" "[Music grows louder]" "[Gasping]" "[Music stops]" "[Muffled thumping]" "[Creaking]" "[Lock clicks]" "[Creak]" "[Bang]" "[Slam]" "Ohl" "[Doorlocking]" "Mrs Millsl" "Mrs Millsl" "What's the matter, ma'am?" "The key to the music room, give it to mel Quicklyl" "What's happening, ma'am?" "Come onl" "Oh, my God:" "Ohhl I checked that room myself:" "It was empty:" "Take these tablets, ma'am:" "They'll do you good:" "Andyet I felt as if there was someone else there:" "Andit wasn't human:" "There is something in this house:" "Something diabolic:" "Ma 'am:" "Something which is not: :" "not at rest:" "[Sighs] I knowyou don't believe it:" "You don't believe it, do you?" "I don't blame you:" "I used to not believe these things:" "[Sighs] I do believe it, ma'am:" "I've always believed in those things:" "They're not easy to explain:" "but they do happen:" "We 've all heard stories of: :the beyond: :" "now and then:" "and I think sometimes the world ofthe dead: :" "gets mixed up with the world ofthe living:" "But it's impossible:" "The Lord would never allow such an aberration:" "The living and the dead: :" "will only meet at the end ofeternity:" "It says so in the Bible:" "Ma 'am:" "there isn't always an answer for everything:" "[Door opens]" "MRS mills:" "Where are you offto, ma'am?" "I'm going to the village to pay FatherMcGraw a visit:" "lfhe won't come here, then I shall go to him:" "I shall bring him back:" "Ma 'am, you should wait till the weatherimproves:" "GRACE:" "I've waitedlong enough:" "Ma 'am, the priest told me that" "GRACE:" "I don't care what he toldyoul I want him to tell me personallyl" "He must come todayl" "MRS mills:" "But what are you going to tell him ?" "GRACE:" "That we have searched every room inch by inch:" "andnow I need them to be blessed:" "MRS mills:" "Ma 'am, please, wait:" "Still, it's very early:" "Mr Tuttle:" "Morning, ma'am:" "I needyou to search the garden forgra vestones:" "Gra vestones?" "Yes:" "When my husband bought this house:" "we were told there was a little cemetery:" "I think it was over there, amongst the trees:" "I've not seen anything:" "Check carefully:" "It could be overgrown:" "Yes, ma'am:" "I need to knowifthere was a family buriedhere:" "andifthey had a little boy--Viictor:" "[Gate squeaking]" "Nowshe thinks the house is haunted:" "Do you think it's safe to let hergo?" "Oh, don't worry:" "The fog won't let herget very far:" "Oh, yes, the fog:" "The fog, ofcourse:" "And when do you think: :" "we should bring all this out into the open?" "All in good time, Mr Tuttle:" "All in good time:" "Speaking ofwhich:" "Ohl" "[Gasping]" "Wha" "Oh:" "[Footsteps]" "Ohl" "Charles?" "Grace?" "Ohh:" "Ohl" "Ohl" "GRACE:" "You're here:" "You're here:" "They said there was no hope:" "They said I should give you up for dead:" "They say a lot ofthings:" "GRACE:" "Ohh:" "Ohhl" "Oh, thankyou:" "Thankyou, God:" "Thankyou, God:" "Every night lprayed for this:" "begging God to bring you back:" "Bring the children their fatherback:" "Bring him:" "But where have you been all this time?" "Out there:" "looking formy home:" "[Sighs]" "You're so different:" "So different:" "Sometimes I bleed:" "[Laughs]" "[Front door closes]" "Ma 'am" "Mrs Mills:" "this is my husband:" "I'm verypleased to meetyou, sir:" "GRACE:" "He 's very weak:" "Here:" "I wantyou to prepare a hot bath andsome clean clothes:" "Andsomething to eat:" "Right away, ma'am:" "How are my little ones?" "Daddyl" "ANNE: [Kiss] Why didyou take so long?" "[Crying]" "Hello, Nicholas:" "I toldyou, you see:" "I toldyou he'd come back:" "[Kiss]" "Ha ve you both been well-behaved?" "We 've been very good:" "Ha ve you been good to your mother?" "Viery good:" "We study every day for our First Communion:" "Daddy, didyou kill anyone?" "[Door closes]" "Ohl Here he comesl" "Darling, we 've preparedlunch foryou:" "Are you coming down or wouldyouprefer" "[Door closes]" "ANNE:" "When's Daddy coming down ?" "GRACE:" "Be patient, Anne:" "Daddy is:not well:" "ANNE:" "He said he'd seen a lot ofdeadmen:" "GRACE:" "Shh:" "Mummy, when people die in the war: :" "where do they go?" "Oh, what a question:" "lt depends:" "On what?" "Whether they fought on the side ofthe goodies or the baddies:" "Your father, for example, fought for England: :" "on the side ofthe goodies:" "How do you know who the goodies and the baddies are ?" "[Sighs] That's enough questions:" "Eatyour food:" "You'll nevergo to war:" "We 'll nevergo anywhere:" "Ohh:" "You're not missing out on anything:" "You're much better offat home with your Mummy andDaddy: :" "who love you very, very much:" "And the intruders:" "There are no intruders here:" "Butyou said that there were:" "No, I said that there are no intruders here:" "I don't want to hear another word on the subject:" "Butyou said" "That is enoughl" "Can I say something?" "Nol" "Why not?" "Because you can'tl" "[Fork clatters]" "[Breathing heavily]" "Anne, stop breathing like that:" "You heard me:" "Stop it:" "Stop breathing:" "Right, you go to your room:" "Go to your room:" "No dessert foryou today:" "[Sighs]" "[Anne sobbing]" "Ohh, no crying now, no crying:" "Oh, stop that here:" "Look what an awful face you've got when you cry:" "l don't carel" "There, there:" "You listen to me:" "I've seen them, too:" "You have ?" "Yes:" "Why don't you tell my mother?" "Then maybe she'll believe me:" "There are things your mother doesn't want to hear:" "She only believes in what she was taught:" "But don't worry, sooner orlater: :" "she'll see them:" "Then everything will be different:" "How?" "Oh, you'll see:" "There are going to be some big surprises:" "There are going to be:" "changes:" "Changes?" "Nowshe's behaving as ifnothing hadhappened:" "What about her daughter?" "Oh, she's not so stubborn:" "The children will be easier to convince:" "No, it's the mother who's going to cause us problems:" "Do you think herhusband suspects anything?" "No:" "I don't think he even knows where he is:" "Ohh, look what a pretty daughter I've got:" "Mummy made this veil especially foryou:" "Hmm?" "l look like a bride:" "Yes:" "You do:" "[Sighs] I need to shorten the sleeves a little:" "You can take it offnow:" "No:" "This dress has to be spotless foryour First Communion:" "lpromise I won't dirty it:" "Just let me wearit for a little longer:" "Oh, just a little ?" "All right:" "I'll be back shortly:" "No sitting on the floor orleaning against the walls:" "No:" "[Locks door]" "Monsieur, wouldyou like to dance?" "[Deep voice] I'd love to:" "[Humming]" "Charles, you can't go on like this:" "You must eat something:" "Oooo:" "[Giggles]" "[Humming] [ ln the sky[ [ l don't knowif it's cloudy orbright[" "[ But I only have eyes [" "[ Foryou, dear[" "[ The moon may be high [" "[Humming]" "[Humming]" "[Crying]" "[Anne humming]" "Anne, you need to take the dress offnow:" "[Humming]" "[Sighs]" "Anne, are you listening to me?" "Anne?" "What did I tellyou about sitting on the floor?" "ANNE:" "But it's clean:" "It makes no difference:" "Why can't you ever do as you're told: :" "[Humming]" "[Anne's voice] What's the matter?" "Where is my daughter?" "[Giggles]" "What have you done with my daughter?" "Are you mad?" "I am your daughter:" "[Gasps] Nol You're not my daughterl" "[Anne screaming]" "Nol Nol [Fabric tearing]" "Aahl" "You're not my daughterl Nol" "Aahl" "NolAahl" "[Gasping]" "[Sobbing]" "Ma 'am, I heard shouts:" "She wants to kill mel" "She won't stop until she kills usl" "She won't stopl" "MRS mills:" "Hush, child:" "Come with me:" "ANNE:" "You're wickedl You're wickedl Wickedl" "[Door closes]" "ANNE:" "Wickedl" "[Gasps]" "[Waterrunning]" "Howis she?" "There 's no calming her: :" "so I've left her with her father:" "Ohl" "She insisted on speaking with him:" "What happened?" "Why didyou fight?" "GRACE:" "It wasn't her:" "It was the old woman with the strange eyes:" "She was imitating my daughter's voice:" "I'd swear to God that it wasn't my daughter:" "Oh, God:" "Godhelp me:" "Godhelp me:" "What's the matter with me?" "I don't know what's the matter with me:" "MRS mills:" "You mustget more rest:" "You can't take on the whole responsibility ofthis house:" "Leave it to us:" "We know what has to be done:" "What do you mean by that?" "What do you mean you know what has to be done?" "Nothing, ma'am:" "I wasjust suggesting" "There 's nothing to suggest:" "Who do you thinkyou are ?" "You have no idea what has to be done:" "[Softly] Or do you?" "What are these?" "The tablets foryour migraine, ma'am:" "The ones you always take:" "Please, I need to be on my own:" "Yes, ma'am:" "Come, child:" "[Door opens]" "[Footsteps]" "CHARLES:" "Anne told me everything:" "I wish I had an explanation, but I haven't:" "At first, I thought there was someone else in the house:" "Even thought there were ghosts:" "I'm not talking about the ghosts:" "I'm talking about what happened that day:" "I don't know what you're talking about:" "CHARLES:" "Tell me it's not true:" "Tell me what happened:" "Happened?" "[Sighs] I don't know what came overme that day:" "The servants hadleft during the night:" "Hadn 't the courage to tell me to my face:" "They knew that I couldn 't leave the house:" "They knew: [Sobs]" "Anne:" "Anne, what happened?" "She hit me:" "She went mad like she did that day:" "Do you remember?" "No:" "You must forgive me, Charles:" "Not me:" "The children:" "They know that I love them:" "They know I'd neverhurt them:" "I'd die first:" "What are you going to do ?" "Are you angry with me?" "Ijust came back to say good-bye:" "to my wife and children:" "Now I mustgo:" "Go where ?" "To the front:" "No:" "The war's over:" "The waris not over:" "What are you talking about?" "You're notgoing, do you hearme?" "You left us once already:" "You can't gol" "Why?" "Why didyou have to go to that stupid war: :" "that hadnothing to do with us ?" "Why couldn 't you have stayedhere like the others ?" "The others surrendered:" "We all surrenderedl" "The whole island was occupiedl" "What didyou expect?" "[Sighs]" "What were you trying to prove by going to war?" "Yourplace was here with us:" "With your family:" "[Sighs]" "GRACE:" "I lovedyou:" "That was enough forme:" "Living in this darkness:" "In this prison:" "But not foryou:" "I wasn't enough foryou:" "That's whyyou left:" "[Crying] lt wasn'tjust the war:" "You want to leave me, don't you?" "[Sighs]" "Ohh:" "[Gasps]" "[Screaming]" "Annel" "Nicholasl" "[Children screaming]" "[Screaming]" "What is it?" "What" "Ohhl Ohhl" "[Screaming]" "Oh, my Godl" "Herel Oh, my Godl" "Ohl Ohl" "Herel" "Ohl" "Aahl" "Where are the curtains?" "[Screaming]" "GRACE:" "Mrs Millsl" "Let me see:" "Let me see:" "Oh, you're all rightl You're all rightl I want my daddyl [Crying]" "Daddy's gone:" "It's not truel" "Yes, it is:" "It is true:" "[Sobbing] I love you, Mummy:" "[Sighs]" "Find the curtains:" "Who was it?" "Who did this ?" "Tell mel" "Tell mel" "[Struggling]" "You know what's happening herel" "You knowbecause it happened to you, tool" "You'll tell me:" "You write it down:" "Write it downl Pleasel" "MRS mills:" "That attitude won't solve anything, ma'am:" "Anyway, she can't write:" "Where are they?" "What?" "The curtainsl" "The curtains my children's lives depend onl" "Someone has taken the curtainsl I have noticed, ma'am:" "There 's no need foryou to raise your voice:" "Oh, Mr Tuttle:" "I wasjust on the point ofcalling you:" "Didyou know that someone has taken all the curtains?" "The curtains?" "Oh, dear:" "Why should anyone want to take all the curtains?" "To let some daylight into this house, I imagine:" "Daylight:" "Ofcourse:" "Someone wants to kill my children:" "Why do you think that the daylight would kill them?" "Are you mad?" "I toldyou:" "I already toldyoul" "The children are photosensitivel The light will kill theml" "Yes, but that was before:" "The condition could have cleared up by itself:" "Ifyou never expose them to daylight: :" "how do you know they're not cured?" "My sister-in-lawhad terrible attacks ofrheumatism:" "in herlegs andback:" "Then one fine day: :" "they disappeared:" "I am going to find those curtains:" "and when you have finished helping me hang them:" "you will leave this housel" "And what about the master, ma'am?" "What has he got to say about all ofthis ?" "Give me your keys:" "I wantyour keys nowl" "I know whatyou want:" "You want to frighten us:" "You want to get us out, me andmy children:" "You've wanted to take over this house:" "eversince the first day you arrived:" "Now, you give me those keys:" "I will not ask again:" "You should try and calm down, ma'am:" "Give me the keys:" "Give them to me:" "Andnowget out ofhere:" "[Door closes]" "You knowsomething, Mr Tuttle ?" "I think I've reached the end ofmy tether:" "What aboutyou?" "Oh, yes:" "Definitely:" "We 'd bettergo and uncover the gra vestones:" "[Clattering]" "[Keys rattling]" "[Footsteps]" "[Doorslams]" "What's Mummy doing?" "I've already toldyou:" "She's gone mad:" "Liar:" "She's gone madi" "Liar, liarl" "Night-time:" "Where are you going?" "I've had enough:" "I'm going into the woods to look forDaddy:" "Are you going to run away?" "lfl hang onto the pipe, I can climb down to the ground:" "It's very easy:" "[Wind whistling]" "nicholas:" "lfMummy finds out, you're in forit:" "ANNE:" "Yes, yes, yes:" "nicholas:" "Anne, waitl I want to come andlook forDaddy, too:" "Liar:" "Youjust don't want to be left on your own:" "Scaredy-pants, scaredy-pantsl" "Be quietl" "[Thumping]" "[Noise]" "Anne, I think we got lost:" "We still haven't left the garden yet, silly:" "l'm scared:" "Shouldn 't have come, then:" "Say something:" "What shall I say?" "I don't know:" "Anything:" "Let's see:" "My name is Anne and I'm walking:" "I'm walking andmy name is Anne:" "[Creaking]" "What's that over there ?" "I think they're gra ves:" "Don't go nearl" "Why not?" "What ifa ghostjumps out?" "Gra ves don't have ghosts:" "Only skeletons:" "[Sighs]" "There 's something written here:" "nicholas:" "Let's goi" "Waitl [Brushing]" "[Gasps]" "Ohl" "Annel What does it say?" "[Gasps]" "MRS mills:" "You must be strong now, children:" "ANNE:" "Nicholas, come herel" "Mrs Mills, please don't tell Mummy we 've run away:" "Don't speak to theml" "Why?" "They're deadl" "What?" "ANNE:" "They're ghostsl Please come herel" "Childrenl" "ANNE:" "Nicholasl" "They're ghosts ?" "Why aren't they wearing sheets and clanking chains?" "You said that-- l don't care what I saidl Get away from theml" "You're always teasing me and telling lies:" "and I'm sick ofitl I'm not teasing youl I'm telling the truthl" "Come herel" "[Gasps]" "Quickl" "Aahl Muml Muml" "Childrenl" "[Screaming]" "GRACE:" "Runl" "Runl" "Gol into the housel" "GRACE:" "Don't come any closerl" "Don't movel[Panting]" "MRS mills:" "Don't trouble yourself, ma'am:" "Tuberculosis finished us off: :" "more than haifa century ago:" "[Keys rattling]" "[Locks door]" "GRACE:" "Go awayl" "[Doorknob rattling]" "MRS mills:" "Open the door, ma'am:" "Please:" "What do you want?" "Mummy, don't open the door:" "Don't:" "We 've seen their gra ves:" "Go upstairs andhide:" "Go on:" "l'm scared:" "Ohhl" "Don't separatel Ohl" "Ohhl" "Whateveryou do, don't separate:" "Go hide:" "Go:" "Go:" "MRS mills:" "We 've been trying to make you understand:" "Understand what?" "About the house:" "About the newsituation:" "GRACE:" "What situation?" "We must all learn to live together: :" "the living and the dead:" "Ohhl lfyou're dead, leave us in peacel" "Oh:" "Leave us in peacel" "GRACE: [Echoing] Leave us in peacel" "In here:" "Get inside:" "MRS mills:" "Andsuppose we do leave you:" "Do you think they will?" "Who?" "The intruders:" "There are no intruders:" "MR TUTTLE:" "They took the curtains down:" "There are no intruders:" "Oh, yes, I assure you it was them:" "Andnow they're in there with you and the children:" "Waiting foryou:" "Nol" "Yes:" "Andbelieve me, sooner orlater: :" "they'll findyou:" "Listen, wait here, and I'll be back in a minute:" "No, no, no:" "Mummy said we shouldn 't separate:" "We can't leave her on her own:" "[Panting]" "Stop breathing like that:" "[Breathing]" "Nicholas, stop breathing like that:" "Stop breathingl" "[Breathing]" "Can't you hearit?" "There 's someone there:" "WOMAN:" "Come with us, children:" "Come with us:" "[Screaming]" "Aahl" "Nicholas?" "Anne?" "Where are you?" "Answermel" "MRS mills:" "The intruders have found them:" "MR TUTTLE:" "There 's nothing we can do now:" "MRS mills:" "You'll have to go upstairs and talk to them:" "[Gasping]" "[Rattling]" "Our Father, who art in Heaven:" "hallowedbe Thy name:" "Thy kingdom come:" "Thy will be done on earth:" "as it is in Heaven:" "Give us this day our daily bread: :" "and forgive us our trespasses:" "[Nicholas whimpering]" "WOMAN:" "Why are you afraid, children?" "Why don't you want us to be your friends ?" "[Whimpering]" "Come on:" "Speak to us:" "Speak to us:" "Tell me what happened:" "[Whimpering]" "nicholas:" "Don't tell herl Don't tell herl" "MAN: "Don't tell her: "" "ANNE:" "lfl tell her, they'll leave us in peace:" "nicholas:" "Mummyl" "MAN: "Mummy: "" "Why are you crying, children?" "What happenedin this room?" "What didyour mother do to you?" "[Whispering]" "Something about a pillow:" "is that howshe killedyou?" "[Rosary drops]" "With a pillow?" "She didn 't kill usl" "Children, ifyou're dead: :" "why do you remain in this house?" "ANNE:" "We 're not deadl" "[Sobs]" "WOMAN:" "Why do you remain in this house?" "We 're not deadl" "nicholas:" "We 're not deadl" "We 're not deadl" "WOMAN:" "Why do you remain in this house?" ""We 're not dead:" "We 're not dead: "" "We 're not deadl" "We 're not deadl" "We 're not deadl" "[Yelling]" "Ohl" "[Gasps]" "[Exhales]" "MAN:" "Are you all right?" "Yes:" "Just a bit dizzy, that's all:" "What happened?" "They made contact:" "All three?" "Apparently, yes:" "The mother and the two children:" "Quite interesting, don't you think?" "MRS MARLlSH:" "Interesting?" "I was scared out ofmy witsl" "Darling, calm down:" "No:" "So far, we have handled this matteryour way: :" "but nowyou listen to me:" "We can't possibly stay in this house any longer:" "It is quite clear these beings do not want us to live here:" "We don't know anything about them yet:" "Yes, we dol" "We know the woman went mad: :" "smotheredher two children, and then shot herself:" "That's quite enough:" "Think ofour son:" "There 's nothing wrong with Viictor:" "Yes, there isl He has nightmares:" "He says he has seen thatgirl: :" "and even this lady has been possessedby her:" "Please, let us leave this house:" "All right:" "We will leave tomorrowmorning:" "Oh, thank God for that:" "I'lljustgo and check on Viictor:" "Once again, thankyou so much for coming:" "MAN:" "A pleasure:" "I hope we 've been ofsome help:" "MR MARLlSH:" "Oh, yes, ofcourse:" "Though I must admit: :" "GRACE:" "At first, I couldn 't understand: :" "what the pillow was doing in my hands:" "or whyyou didn 't move:" "But then I knew:" "It hadhappened:" "I hadkilledmy children:" "[inhales]" "Igot the rifle:" "iput it to my forehead:" "Then lpulled the trigger:" "Nothing:" "Then I heardyour laughter in the bedroom:" "Ahh:" "You were playing with the pillows:" "as ifnothing hadhappened:" "And I thought the Lord in His great mercy: :" "was giving me another chance:" "telling me, "Don't give up: "" ""Be strong: "" ""Be a goodmother: "" ""For them: "" "But now: :" "now: :" "what does all this mean?" "Where are we ?" "MRS mills:" "Young Lydia said the very same thing:" "when she realized the three ofus were dead:" "And that was the last time she everspoke:" "But I couldn 't tellyou that before now:" "Shall I make us a nice cup oftea, ma'am?" "The intruders are leaving:" "but others will come:" "Now, sometimes we 'll sense them:" "Other times, we won't:" "But that's the way it's always been:" "Ma 'am:" "nicholas:" "Mummy: :" "Daddy diedin the war, didn 't he?" "GRACE:" "Yes:" "Will we eversee him again ?" "I don't know:" "If we 're dead, where 's limbo?" "I don't know ifthere even is a limbo:" "I'm no wiser than you are:" "But I do know that I love you:" "I've always loved you:" "And this house is ours:" "You say it with me:" "This house is ours:" "nicholas:" "This house is ours:" "This house is ours:" "[All repeating]" "Mummy, look:" "It doesn't hurt any more:" "No one can make us leave this house:" "Come along, Viictor:" "[Chain clanks]" "[Lock clicks]"