"¶ Come all ye fair and tender maids ¶" "¶ Who flourish in your prime, prime ¶" "¶ Beware, beware, keep your garden fair ¶" "¶ Let no man steal your thyme, thyme ¶" "¶ Let no man steal your thyme ¶" "¶ 'Cause when your thyme is past and gone ¶" "¶ He'll care no more for you, you ¶" "¶ And many a day that your garden is waste ¶" "¶ Will spread all over with rue, rue ¶" "¶ Will spread all over with rue ¶" "¶ A woman is a branchy tree ¶" "¶ A man a clinging vine, vine ¶" "¶ And from her branches carelessly ¶" "¶ He takes what he can find, find ¶" "¶ He takes what he can find ¶" "Shh." "Now, darling." "Be a good girl." "Sleep tight." "Mummy will see you in the morning, hmm?" "Shh." "Hmph." "Oh, Mr. Benton, how lovely of you to come out on a night like this." "Always glad to try and help you, Mrs. Forrest." "Yes, Albie?" "I thought, madam, perhaps Mr. Benton would appreciate a warming glass." "Ah." "Uh, that is, if convenient." "Of course." "Excuse me." "What would you like?" "Mr. Benton prefers the brandy, I believe." "On such a night, the elements, the storm..." "I-it does help sometimes, doesn't it?" "It should, it should, but one never knows." "I remember, the closest contact I ever had with her was... was during a storm." "Of course, it was only a month after she had... 1913, just before the war." "A storm helps." "Perhaps, perhaps, but sometimes when one has just passed over, the spirit wanders, it cannot focus on those left behind." "But now, with clasping hands, with believing hearts, we ready ourselves and we call on the great beyond." "Mrs. Forrest, whom should we seek to reach?" "My daughter," "My daughter Katharine." "Katharine, Katharine Forrest, if you hear me, reveal yourself." "Come to us, Katharine!" "Come to your mother!" "Katharine." "Is it her?" "Is that Katharine?" "Katharine!" "If you hear me, let us know that you are here." "Mummy." "Mummy." "Trying." "Darling, darling, come to me please." "I--I'm trying to come to you." "Where?" "Where are you, Katharine?" "Where are you, darling?" "Please let me see you again." "Katharine!" "You've got the strength to come through to us." "Speak to us, speak to us, Katharine." "Here I am, mummy." "Where?" "Where?" "Please, baby, let me hold you again." "Let me hold you!" "Mummy, I have to leave now." "No, Katharine!" "Katharine, doll, don't go!" "Don't go yet!" "Talk to me some more, baby!" "Talk to me!" "Bye." "No!" "Please, Katharine, stay!" "Stay, my darling!" "Please, forgive me!" "Forgive me, give me another chance!" "I love you so much." "Oh, Katharine!" "I need you." "Stay with me!" "I'm so lonely!" "Stay with..." "Katharine." "¶ When will you pay me?" "¶" "¶ Say the bells of Old Bailey ¶" "¶ When i grow rich ¶" "¶ Say the bells of Shoreditch ¶" "¶ Here comes a candle to light you to bed ¶" "¶ Here comes a chopper to chop off your head ¶" "¶ Chip chop chip chop ¶" "¶ The last man's head ¶" "¶ Oranges and lemons ¶" "¶ Say the bells of St. Clements ¶" "¶ I owe you 5 farthings ¶" "¶ Say the bells of St. Martins ¶" "¶ When will you pay me?" "¶" "¶ Say the bells of Old Bailey ¶" "¶ When i grow rich ¶" "¶ Say the bells of Shoreditch ¶" "¶ Here comes a candle to light you to bed ¶" "¶ Here comes a chopper to chop off your head ¶" "¶ Chip chop chip chop ¶" "¶ The last man's head ¶" "¶ Oranges and lemons ¶" "¶ Say the bells of St. Clements ¶" "¶ I owe you 5 farthings ¶" "¶ Say the bells of St. Martins ¶" "¶ When will you pay me?" "¶" "Christopher and Katy Coombs!" "Don't you know you're due in the dispensary at 9:00?" "Well, it's just over there!" "Oh, come along." "This game of silence with your sister will gain you nothing!" "Peter, I'm delighted to tell you that not only are you normal in everything," "You are disgustingly normal." "Then can I go to the Gingerbread House for the Christmas party?" "I didn't go last Christmas and Cynthia went 2 years in a row." "Peter!" "The children selected by this institution to go to Mrs. Forrest's lovely party must earn the privilege." "So I suggest you stay on your best behavior." "And the first thing is not to call" "Forrest Grange the "Gingerbread House."" "Yes, ma'am, I'll try." "But please, choose me!" "Do you realize that Christopher and Katy haven't addressed a single word to any of the staff since they ran away and were brought back." "Not even to complain about the food?" "You can't be too familiar with these children." "You'll lose their respect." "Christopher, take off your boots and your jacket and stand on the scale." "Uh, we've been advised by the probation department to put a ban on his reading." "Good old probation department!" "Books, apparently, are too stimulating for his condition." "What condition is that?" "Being abandoned?" "He's an inveterate liar!" "He invents fantasies about witches and ogres and giants." "It can be very terrifying to the younger children." "Miss Henley's right, you know, Christopher." "You shouldn't frighten the little ones." "Good morning!" "Good morning, Mr. Harrison." "Morning, Mr. Harrison." "Going to have a big Christmas party this year, then?" "That's right." "Hold it a minute." "Mrs. Forrest hasn't paid me that 5 pounds for the meat for last month yet." "Don't worry, She's good for it." "She's got plenty put away." "That doesn't help me to pay my debts, does it?" "Look, the next time you come, I'll have the money for you." "Good morning." "Oh, wait a minute!" "You wouldn't want to cheat them poor little orphans out of their Christmas dinner, would you?" "Yeah, well, if it wasn't for them..." "There we are." "I'll have the money for you in a few days, Mr. Harrison." "I'll give it my personal attention." "Hmph!" "Happy Christmas." "Merry Christmas." "Good morning, madam." "Good morning, Albie." "A nice spot of breakfast?" "No, I'm not hungry." "Just coffee, please." "A sleepless night again?" "Yes, I don't think I slept at all." "I know." "The nights that Mr. Benton does establish communication," "We all think an awful lot, all night long, don't we?" "Yes, Albie." "That must have been it." "Albie, the reason I rang is," "I haven't heard from Miss Henley yet about the children's Christmas party." "I thought surely by now I'd have a list of the children selected." "I'll take a spin over this afternoon." "Don't worry, madam." "Thank you." "Oh, Mrs. Forrest, I hate to bring this up, but, uh, Mr. Harrison, the butcher, is downstairs." "Oh, yes, i asked him to bring another extra fat turkey for the Christmas dinner." "He did." "He's also asking to be paid." "I will pay him when I have time to do my bills." "I told him that last week." "He doesn't wish to leave the turkey." "What a bother!" "How much did you say it was?" "8 pounds 10." "How many children are we expecting this year, madam?" "I think about 10." "Here we are." "5. 10." "I have an announcement to make about Mrs. Forrest's Christmas party." "But first, those not invited will be under the supervision of Matron Wilcox." "There will be apples, nuts, and sweets and they may stay up for an extra hour and play games." "Now, the 10 guests, all of whom deserve the privilege, are Karen Lillie," "Robin Christy, Reggie Pike," "Jonathan Hughes, Peter Brookshire, Angela Barnes," "Bertha Jones, Sally Denham." "And the last 2, I'm happy to say, have in the past so improved their behavior, that we all thought they should attend." "They are a brother and sister." "Frederika and Frank Fillmore." "Uh!" "Inspector Willoughby, has very kindly again volunteered his car this year." "So we shall be leaving for Forrest Grange at 6:00 precisely." "Last year, Mrs. Forrest let me have 3 helpings of turkey and 2 kinds of ice cream, and after I throwed up, she let me have seconds!" "Oh, Angela, really, darling!" "What's this American lady really like, Ralph?" "Well, I can't say I know her." "I mean, I meet her once a year like this when I volunteer to drive." "What's this story about her daughter?" "Well, you were on the case, weren't you?" "Yes." "Did you ever see her husband on the stage?" "No." "Oh, it's a pity." "I saw him once just after the armistice." "He was, without doubt, the greatest magician I ever saw." "Quite a catch for Rosie Miller of the Floradora Girls, they said." "Sounds like a perfect match." "She liked his tricks and he liked hers." "Yeah." "¶ And a partridge in a pear tree ¶" "¶ On the 3rd day of Christmas ¶" "¶ My true love gave to me ¶" "¶ 3 French hens ¶" "¶ 2 turtledoves ¶" "¶ And a partridge in a pear tree ¶" "¶ On the 4th day of Christmas ¶" "¶ My true love gave to me ¶" "¶ 4 calling birds ¶" "¶ 3 French hens ¶" "¶ 2 turtledoves ¶" "¶ And a partridge in a pear tree ¶" "Happy Christmas!" "Merry Christmas!" "Merry Christmas!" "Merry Christmas!" "Welcome to Forrest Grange." "Doctor." "Happy Christmas." "Thank you." "Happy Christmas." "Inspector." "Children, there are sweets for everyone." "Everyone in the drawing room." "I've heard too many stories about what happened to Katharine Forrest, Ralph." "What's the truth?" "Would you believe me if I told you we don't know the truth?" "The case is still open?" "All we know is, a little girl called Katharine disappeared from this house, as if she was part of her father's magic act." "She's never been seen and she's never turned up." "Children don't just vanish." "Ah, now, you see, you're being cynical, like me." "You're a cynic?" "Only about human beings." "Come on." "Come on." "Shh." "And Merry Christmas to you." "What's the matter?" "Cat got your tongue?" "Looks like it's there, but if it's no good, we'd better cut it out." "Here are some very special, tasty gingerbread men, just like we have in America." "Everyone gets one." "Robin, Angela." "Thank you." "Can I have one?" "Of course, Peter." "Thank you, Mrs. Forrest." "Peter, call me Aunt Roo." "I mean, thank you, Aunt Roo." "Peter, you mustn't be so greedy!" "Oh, Miss Henley, it's Christmas!" "Let them fill themselves." "You always spoil them, Mrs. Forrest." "Oh, but they're so beautiful." "Isn't it a shame there isn't a way to make time stand still?" "Keeping the children just as they are tonight, preserving their wonderful years, pure and perfect, before the ugliness and evil of the world crushes them." "Don't you think?" "Well, yes." "Yes, Albie?" "I found these 2 little lost souls wandering around the back, madam." "Can't get a word out of either of them." "Whatever has got into you two!" "They're not supposed to be here!" "They are the most incorrigible, the most uncooperative" "Miss Henley, Miss Henley," "There's always enough room for children at the Forrest Grange." "There's more than enough of everything." "Right?" "Now, tell me, what are your names?" "Hmm?" "This is my sister, Katy, and I'm Christopher Coombs." "How do you do?" "How do you do?" "And thank you for allowing us to stay." "What lovely manners." "You're going to have to catch up with the other children!" "How on earth did they get here?" "Couldn't have walked, it's over 3 miles!" "Merry Christmas, Miss Henley." ""'Twas the night before Christmas" ""And all through the house" ""Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse" ""The stockings were hung by the chimney with care" ""In the hope that St. Nicholas would soon be there" ""As I drew in my head and was turning around" ""Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound" ""He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work" ""And he filled all the stockings then turned with a jerk" ""And laying his finger aside of his nose" ""And giving a nod up the chimney he rose" ""And he sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle" ""And away they all flew, like the down of a thistle" ""And I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight" ""'A Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night'"" "Who's that?" "Well, that's me!" "About 100 years ago when I was a soubrette." "Angels, when you come in this house, you're taking a stroll down memory lane." "Are you really 100 years old?" "Oh, much more, Katy." "Your Auntie Roo is a child of the Cakewalk and the Turkey Trot." "Oh," "I was once the rage of Paris and I gave up a brilliant career for love." "Did you?" "Mm-hmm." "A dashing young English magician by the name of Col. Forrest thought I was the cutest little thing he'd ever seen." "Especially when I did my turn." "I'll tell you what, tomorrow night we'll have a pantomime and I'll do it for you." "And I can recite." "All right." "Anyway, I married my hero, packed away my dancing shoes and i became the Lady of Forrest Grange." "Is he dead now?" "Who?" "Col. Forrest." "Yes." "No... well, he's just gone to the other side of the mirror, but I talk to him often." "I saw a dead person once and he couldn't talk." "Perhaps, Christopher, there was no one there who knew how to reach him." "It's time to go to sleep." "Uh, no food upstairs and wash your sticky fingers." "And Father Christmas will not come unless you're all, all fast asleep." "Hurry, hurry, hurry!" "Merry Christmas!" "Merry Christmas!" "You're absolutely marvelous." "Goodnight." "Goodnight!" ""Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night."" "Goodnight." "Anything else, madam?" "Yes, Clarine," "Did you find the old nightclothes for Katy and Christopher?" "Oh, yes, and I laid them out on the bed just like you said." "Good." "It was a lovely party, Clarine." "Thank you, madam." "You know the best part?" "What?" "Miss Henley, the way she looked!" "Katy!" "No!" "No!" "No!" "Don't!" "Don't!" "Oh, baby." "Sweetheart, wait for me in the carriage." "I won't be a minute." "You're always late." "Be a good girl." "Go to bed." "Sleep tight." "Mummy'll see you in the morning." "Please, mummy!" "All right, slide down the banister and mummy will give you a quick kiss." "No!" "No!" "No!" "No!" "What is it?" "Uh, nothing." "Nothing." "Katy, you promise me never to do that again." "It's very dangerous." "I'm sorry." "I promise." "All right." "Go up to bed, dear." "Go on." "Are you all right, madam?" "Yes, I'm all right." "Yes, I--I--I think I'll change." "Clarine?" "Would..." "Yes, madam?" "Would you like to join the circle tonight?" "Oh, thank you." "Um," "No, uh, I still have some washing up to do." "Well," "If Mr. Benton gets here, have Albie show him into the study right away." "Yes, madam." "I wish she'd adopt us," "Then nobody will be able to call us runaways any more." "We'll live in a big house and call all the others runaways." "I'd like that, too." "Come to bed." "Tell me a story first." "I'm too sleepy." "Please!" "All right." ""Once upon a time, near a big forest," ""lived a woodcutter" ""with his wife and 2 children," ""Hansel and Gretel." ""They were very poor" ""and when the famine came," ""they could get no more daily bread." ""One night, the woodcutter said to his wife," ""'How are we to feed our poor children" ""'when we have nothing for ourselves?" "'"" "Mr. Benton, I must get through to her tonight." "You've a very strong aura tonight, Mrs. Forrest." "It's very, very purple." "Is that good?" "Purple is the color of desire." "It means your needs are great." "Yes, I need to speak to Katharine tonight." "I need to speak to her about something very important." "Katharine!" "If you hear me, come to us, Katharine." "Katharine," "Katharine, in the far distance of the unknown, come to your dear mama." "Come to your mother, Katharine." "Katharine!" "I'm not getting through to the other side." "Oh, please, Mr. Benton, please!" "Keep trying." "Perhaps something belonging to the departed, some object imbued with her vibrations." "Well..." "Oh, what about her little teddy bear?" "Ah." "Shall i hold it in my lap?" "No, no!" "Let it join the circle." "Now," "Let us join hands." "Katharine!" "Katharine, we're calling you." "Katharine, if you hear me, come to us." "Katharine." "Listen to your little bear." "Katharine." "Katharine, come through to us." "Katharine," "Katharine, I'm calling you." "Katharine, we ask you to come through to us." "Katharine, if you hear me, make yourself known." "Come to us," "Katharine." "Katharine, with the vibrations of your little bear, speak to us if you can." "Please, darling, please come through tonight." "We are waiting." "Katharine," "Katharine, we are calling, Katharine." "So many voices trying to get through to us." "At times they cannot find their way." "Be patient, Katharine will come through to us." "Come to us, Katharine." "Come to your mother." "Katharine." "Mummy." "I'm here, darling." "I'm here." "I see children." "Are there some other boys and girls in the house tonight?" "Yes, my darling." "It's our Christmas party." "I wish them to enjoy a Christmas party." "Do you hear me?" "This is Katharine, Mummy." "This is Katharine." "Why don't you come to me?" "I am very close, mummy." "I can almost see you." "Yes, my darling child." "Let me see you." "Let me hold you again." "Mummy, I feel close to you, but i have to leave now." "No!" "Goodbye, mummy." "No, don't go yet!" "Don't go, Katharine." "Goodbye." "Stay and talk to me, darling." "Bye." "Bye." "Oh, Katharine, baby!" "Don't leave me!" "I need you so!" "Please." "Katharine." "Katharine." "We are calling, Katharine." "Speak to us." "Katharine." "No." "No, darling." "Don't be naughty tonight, Katharine." "Mummy has to talk to you about something very important." "Darling..." "Oh, Katharine." "Oh, Katharine, my baby!" "At last, Katharine!" "Katharine!" "It's Katy, it's not Katharine!" "No!" "I heard talking." "They were calling." "Oh, yes, of course." "It's Katy, it's not Katharine." "It's Katy." "I used to have a teddy bear like that named William." "Please, may I have him sleep with me?" "It's not my Katharine, it's Katy." "Please, it's just like William." "All right, Katy, But just for tonight." "I'd better get you to bed." "Mrs. Forrest, perhaps we might, uh, settle..." "Oh, yes, of course." "Excuse me, I..." "I'm sorry we didn't succeed to..." "Perhaps you did." "Perhaps you did, more than you know." "Thank you, Mr. Benton." "Thank you." "A-and, you know, you really are--are a marvel." "The merriest of Christmases to you." "And to you and to yours, Mrs. Forrest." "To all of yours." "Goodnight." "Goodnight, Albie." "Goodnight, madam." "We'll be seeing you, Albie." "See me now, you old soak." "What?" "Oh, uh..." "Slipped my mind." "Merry Christmas to you." "And a rotten New Year to you." "Christopher, what's the matter?" "What is it, dear?" "There's someone in that room and the door's locked." "Why would anyone be in the service room at this time of night?" "And the door is never locked." "Well, go on in, see for yourself." "You see, Christopher." "There's nothing." "Children!" "Children!" "Wake up!" "Wake up!" "It's snowing!" "And we have to get dressed, and go downstairs and have breakfast!" "And then see what Father Christmas has brought us." "Where's William?" "Katy, there's something much more marvelous for you this year." "But I want William!" "Listen to me, my darling." "I've been thinking about something all night long." "Do you like Aunt Roo's house?" "Do you think you'd like to come and live here with me always?" "She always lives with me." "We'll have tea and crumpets every single day and we'll play games, we'll have so much fun!" "We have our fun together." "Christopher, Katy is still a very little girl." "She needs a mother." "You know, there was once a little girl, very like you, who lived in this house." "What happened to her?" "She...." "You think about it, all right?" "Let me see your finger!" "Hah." "Ooh," "It's so thin!" "What a thin little finger!" "Oh, you're so thin!" "I'm going to have to fatten you up with lots of goodies." "Ooh!" "Let's hurry up!" "We're going to miss all the fun!" "Get dressed." "Hurry!" ""'A little thin,' the witch said," ""'but once I fatten her up," ""'she'll make a dainty morsel.'"" "Are you all here?" "Are you all here?" "Yes." "Is it now?" "Wait and see." "What do you want?" "I don't know." "Shh." "Merry Christmas." "It's Christmas day and Christmas day is for presents." "Come and see what Father Christmas brought you!" "Oh, aren't they beautiful?" "I love children so!" "It must've cost a lot of money this year, madam." "What's the difference?" "It's a dazzler, madam." "Prettiest tree we've ever had." "You did a beautiful job, Albie." "Ooh!" "Don't fight, Don't fight." "Ooh, there are more toys." "There's more toys back here." "Thank you, Aunt Roo." "This pen is just what I wanted." "I'm so glad, Christopher." "Ooh!" "Children, empty your stockings and then play with your toys and if you're good, you can go out and play in the snow till dinnertime." "Can I guess what's for dinner?" "All right, guess." "A big, fat Christmas goose!" "No!" "A big, fat Christmas turkey!" "And cranberry sauce?" "Yes, cranberry sauce." "And chestnuts?" "And chestnuts and roast potatoes." "Katy, dear, come here." "I have a very special present that I want to give you myself." "Now here." "A brand new William for your very own." "Thank you, Aunt Roo, but it's not like William." "Oh, he's better." "He's all new!" "He looks different." "But thank you, anyway." "Oh, Katy." "¶ ..." "On a bright winter's day ¶" "¶ Shake hands ¶" "¶ Before you leave her ¶" "¶ You leave her ¶" "¶ You leave her ¶" "I expect birds could put their nest in there, Christopher." "Yes, I expect they could." "Katy!" "Katy, come here!" "Look!" "What is it?" "This is Col. Forrest." "Remember?" "She said he was a magician." "This is all his magic stuff." "This is a magic cabinet." "Look." "Christopher." "Christopher!" "Christopher!" "It's all right, Katy." "Come back." "It's only a trick!" "Wouldn't it be nice to live with Aunt Roo for always?" "She likes you." "She wants to fatten you up." "She's got a drawer full of real jewels in her desk in the study." "Now, Katy, we did promise that we could lie to other people, but never to each other." "I'm not lying!" "She's got a drawer full of diamonds and things." "It's a secret drawer." "She opens it and presses the inside." "A secret spring?" "Yes." "What's this?" "It's a head-chopper." "It almost looks real, doesn't it?" "Let me show you." "Come on, up you go." "Are you sure?" "I don't think" "It'll just be pretend." "There you are." "Now." "There you are." "Stay there." "Lie back." "Ladies and Gentlemen, the great Christopher Coombs, magician to the King of Alakazam, will now demonstrate chopping off a head and putting it back on." "Before you lies the queen, sentenced to lose her whole head." "Now," "I pull the magic rope." "I say the magic words." "Abracadabra!" "I don't mind, Christopher." "I'd rather have William anyway." "¶ He slapped at his chest as he sat on that bough ¶" "¶ Singing "willow, oh willow, titwillow!" ¶" "¶ And a cold perspiration bespangled his brow ¶" "¶ Oh, willow, oh, willow, titwillow!" "¶" "¶ And he sobbed and he sighed and a gurgle he gave ¶" "¶ Then he plunged himself into a billowy wave ¶" "¶ And an echo arose ¶" "¶ From the suicide's grave ¶" "¶ "Oh, willow, oh, willow, titwillow!" ¶" "Everyone join in the refrain." "¶ Now, I feel just as sure as I'm sure that my name ¶" "¶ Isn't willow, oh, willow, titwillow ¶" "¶ 'Twas blighted affection that made him exclaim ¶" "¶ "Oh, willow, oh, willow, titwillow" ¶" "¶ And if you remain callous and obdurate, i ¶" "¶ Shall perish as he did ¶" "¶ And you will know why ¶" "¶ Though I probably shall not ¶" "¶ Exclaim as I die ¶" "¶ "Oh, willow, oh, willow, titwillow!" ¶" "Shall we all do it once more?" "Yes!" "Let me see." "I have to..." "Katy!" "You--you gave him to me once, Aunt Roo, and I didn't like the one this morning." "I gave you my teddy bear for one night only and then you promised to give it back." "Now, didn't you?" "Yes, but I want this one." "But the new one is better." "It has black shiny eyes and the fur is all smooth-- then you keep the new one and let me have this one." "Katy, I'm sorry." "Excuse me, dear." "Um," "Tell me, what's so special about this teddy bear?" "I told you, I used to have one like him a long time ago." "Of course." "Of course you did!" "And now you found him again!" "You mean, I can keep him?" "Yes, certainly!" "Dear, you can keep him." "Aunt Roo?" "Mm-hmm?" "Do you love me?" "Because i love you." "Oh, yes!" "I love you very much, darling." "Let's go back to the party now." "Please, Aunt Roo." "Please, let me keep him." "Please." "¶ A woman is a branchy tree ¶" "¶ A man a clinging vine, vine ¶" "¶ And from her branches carelessly ¶" "¶ He takes what he can find, find ¶" "¶ He takes what he can find ¶" "¶ But when your time is past and gone ¶" "¶ He'll care no more for you, you ¶" "¶ And many a day that your garden is waste ¶" "¶ Will spread all over with rue, rue ¶" "¶ Will spread all over with rue ¶" "¶ A woman is a branchy tree ¶" "¶ A man a clinging... ¶" "¶ He takes what he can find, find ¶" "¶ He takes what he can find ¶" "Come on." "Now, darling." "Be a good girl." "Sleep tight." "Mummy will see you in the morning." "My darling." "Be a good girl." "Sleep tight." "Mummy will see you in the morning." "Thank you, Aunt Roo!" "You're welcome, You're welcome, children." "Oh, Miss Henley, they've been such good children." "Thank you, Aunt Roo." "Well, thank you, Peter, thank you." "Thank you, Angela." "And i hope you can all come again next year." "Thank you, Aunt Roo." "Happy New Year." "Happy New Year." "Happy" "Oh, Miss Henley, here's a gingerbread cake." "Thank you." "And this is for you." "Oh, Mrs. Forrest, you shouldn't!" "But thank you." "And thank you again for all of us." "Oh, it's such a lovely season." "I--I think I enjoy it more than they do." "Last, as usual, Christopher." "Get into the car." "I can't." "Katy's not here." "I'm not surprised." "I am sorry, Mrs. Forrest." "Children, is Katy Coombs in one of those cars?" "Katy Coombs." "No, ma'am." "I don't understand it." "We all had breakfast together." "We were playing all morning." "I know, but she left something behind." "Katy, Katy, the cars are here!" "Katy!" "Katy!" "Listen, she's done something bad to Katy." "What a terrible thing to say!" "She's got a mummy in a secret room!" "What?" "What?" "I apologize for him." "He's a congenital liar with a rather over-active imagination." "You'll be very severely punished when you return." "No, no, please." "I'm sure she's just hiding somewhere." "I'll find her and send her on after you've left." "Christopher!" "Come back here!" "Christopher!" "Ow!" "I think he likes it." "Just put him into the car." "Come on, young bleeder." "Get in, you!" "Christopher, don't worry about your sister." "She's all right." "I know she's all right." "Happy New Year, children." "Happy New Year!" "Happy New Year, Christopher." ""The next morning, the witch locked Gretel in the barn" ""And brought food to her." ""'When she's good and fat," ""'I will stuff her and put her in the oven" ""'and eat her.' She told Hansel."" "Albie, hmm," "Well, come in." "Come in." "Uh, would you please" "Well, the party's over, Mrs. Forrest, and I think we have something very important to discuss." "Uh, certainly, Albie." "Certainly." "I'm sorry, dear, but I've been so preoccupied lately." "Mrs. Forrest, I think it's time to settle accounts." "Yes, of course." "But, dear, could you run downstairs first and get me some lunch?" "Get it yourself, Rosie Miller." "Rosie Miller?" "Albie, I don't recall ever giving you permission to call me by my professional name." "Rosie," "I'm going to tell you what to do for once." "You're gonna write me a check for 2,000 pounds." "2,000 pounds?" "Then we're gonna wave bye-bye to you, me and Clarine." "You can go back to vaudeville or roll a hoop or talk to the spirits all night 'cause we won't be around." "Albie, you and Clarine wouldn't desert me," "Leave me alone in this big house after all these years?" "I'm sure you'll manage, madam." "Unless you give me 2,000 quid, Rosie," "I'm gonna have to report to the police that you've become a kidnapper." "You've got Katy locked in the nursery, haven't you?" "Haven't you?" "Go get me my checkbook." "2,000 pounds." "2,000 pounds?" "That's more money than you've seen in your whole life," "Isn't it, Albie?" "Don't be a tightwad, Auntie, I'm sure you won't even miss it." "Besides, from now on, you can get Benton at half rates." "He won't have to split with me." "Split with you?" "Benton split with you!" "You're lying!" "I know that you're lying!" "You think so?" "Next time you have a séance, he won't have Clarine calling down the dumbwaiter shaft." ""Just before they ran out of the house," ""Hansel and Gretel took the wicked witch's treasure."" "Katy?" "Katy?" "Is that you?" "We had turkey for tea and ice cream and gingerbread biscuits and butterscotch." "And Aunt Roo said i could keep her teddy bear, as long as I stayed." "What happened?" "Did she kidnap you?" "And lock you up in here?" "We played hide-and-seek and hunt the slipper." "Now, listen to me." "You can't stay here." "Aunt Roo is a witch." "I don't care!" "When they come and find you," "Miss Henley will send you to a reform school and we'll never get adopted." "Aunt Roo has adopted me already." "She's stolen you." "She's keeping you a prisoner." "She only gave you William to trick you." "She's going to drug you and take him away again." "How do you know?" "I know." "Then she's bad?" "I told you, she's a witch." "Now, come on." "There's not enough room." "Come on, this way." "Shh." "Press that button." "You children don't want to leave here." "You have a home now, forever." "Inspector Willoughby!" "Good morning." "Come in." "Come in." "Come in." "Thank you very much, it's rather cold out, I must say." "Inspector, have you heard anything about the little girl?" "No, I'm afraid not." "As a matter of fact, her brother has run away, too." "Oh, that's dreadful." "Oh, those poor orphans!" "Oh, thank you." "Here you are." "Inspector, do you remember when those children arrived here Christmas eve, they were running away then." "Do you think they could have planned this?" "Where could they have gotten to?" "Well, we're all wondering that as well." "Mrs. Forrest, I'm sorry to trouble you, but" "I'd like to look through the house, if I may?" "Inspector, I've gone through this house with a--a fine-toothed comb." "I--I..." "Oh, but, of course, I'll do anything to help you find those children." "Why don't we start in the kitchen and work our way up?" "Thank you, if that's not inconvenient." "Inspector Willoughby," "You really think that I have those orphans, don't you?" "Mrs. Forrest, I'm sorry, but the chief constable was very insistent." "I mean, he even wants me to search the grounds." "Go ahead, say it." "Stop beating around the bush." "You've searched the house." "Search the barn." "Search the grounds!" "Crazy Aunt Roo has kidnapped a couple of orphans." "If we have a definite charge, you'll be the first to hear of it." "All right, then, I'll thank you to get out of this house," "You're here without a warrant." "Yes, I am." "That's true, I am." "I'm sorry to have upset you." "I'll see myself out." "And this is the thanks I get for trying to give orphan children a lovely, warm, friendly Christmas." "Good day, Mrs. Forrest." "Well?" "Haven't got the scent yet, sir." "Keep at it until you do." "Very good, sir." "Any luck?" "No, sir." "More like Madame Tussaud's in there." "No little girl." "I see." "Right, Edwards, you go and search the woods." "I'll be down at the pond." "Nothing here, sir." "I see." "Nothing in the house." "Nothing in the grounds." "Odd." "Very odd." "Odd." "I've just said that, Harrington." "Come on." "Hello." "What are you doing?" "I'm hiding the jewels." "What jewels?" "The real jewels." "Ooh." "If no one adopts us, when we grow up," "We can sell the jewels and buy a big house." "Like Aunt Roo's?" "Quick, she's coming!" "Here's your lunch, pets." "I'm sorry it's so late." "Lots of good things to eat." "Now, eat it all up now." "Why do you keep us locked in here all day?" "Christopher, it's just for a few days." "Till, uh, till the New Year." "Gives me a chance to fatten you both up." "Now," "We have roast potatoes and Brussels sprouts and apple pie for dessert." "Well, I'm hungry." "All right, Katy, darling." "Here, come over here and I'll fix you a little table." "There you are, sweetheart." "Oh, come on." "Christopher, angel!" "Have a Brussels sprout." "Mmm, sweet?" "Oh, and that reminds me." "My blessed mother used to say," ""There's only one thing to do about temptation," ""and that's to remove it."" "I'm sure you've noticed this, Christopher." "You're a sharp little boy." "So sharp that I know you wouldn't do anything as foolish as trying to run away." "Because the police would just catch you and take you to a terrible reform school." "Hey, you!" "You!" "I will not be abandoned." "Everybody tries to abandon me." "I shall take steps." "I'll be with you in a minute, pet." "You'd better remember and you had better understand that if you try anything, if you try anything, I've got her." "Do you understand?" "Do you?" "Do you understand, Christopher?" "Christopher!" "Christopher!" "Good afternoon, young man." "I--I wish to see Albie." "Get the police!" "She's keeping us prisoner." "She wants to cook us and eat us." "Christopher," "Christopher, be quiet." "Mr. Benton, your good friend, Albie, is gone and i don't wish to see you ever again!" "How dare you even come here?" "My dear Mrs. Forrest" "You are a disgrace to the profession of a medium." "Any confidence I had in your spiritual force is gone." "Albie finally told me the truth about you." "Which truth?" "Which truth?" "You've been deceiving me for years." "You have been in cahoots with him, taking my money." "And to think I was so concerned about you that I was going to give you my last 2 bottles of Napoleon Brandy for Christmas." "Please help me!" "What in heaven's name is the matter with that boy?" "Christopher, for the last time, I'm warning you." "Mr. Benton, please, just go." "Mrs. Forrest," "You don't understand." "Allow me to clarify." "I will never give you another penny." "I don't even wish to speak to you." "Mrs. Forrest, Mrs. Forrest," "We've understood each other in a very special way." "All these years, I thought you were trying to help me." "I did help you." "And now I shall leave you." "I see your aura is angry." "I am at peace." "I am not angry." "To prove it, I shall accept your offering." "Please." "Please!" "Au revoir, Mrs. Forrest." "Katy's locked upstairs." "I fear this young man is extremely confused." "Christopher," "You know imagination can get a person into a lot of trouble." "Oh!" "Christopher, you know There's only one way to really see the New Year in properly." "That's with the most delicious, tasty, succulent dish...." "What's the matter, pet?" "Now first, we get a nice hot fire going." ""But although she did not tell him," ""Hansel knew that the wicked witch" ""Was going to eat him, too."" "Christopher, you haven't seen to Katy's tray." "Wash it up." "Christopher, are you through with Katy's tray?" "Almost." "Well, then, we'll need some more wood, won't we?" "Take the basket." "¶ De de dee dee dee ¶" "¶ La lee la la la lee la la ¶" "¶ La la lee la la la lee ¶" "¶ La lee la la ¶" "¶ Dee de dee dee de dee dee dee dee dee ¶" ""An apple grows so bright and high," ""And ends its days in an apple pie."" "But not this beauty." "Mmm." "Mmm." "Mmm." "Mmm." "We're going to need more wood than that." "More wood." "Mmm." "Mmm." "¶ Why do you sit, singing "Willow-- ¶" "All this time for only 2 baskets of wood?" "We need a lot of wood." "A lot of wood." "We have to get the fire hot." "Do you understand "hot"?" "Get some more." "Get some more!" "S-t... stuffing... stuffings, gravies, forcemeat... oh, forcemeat." "¶ Dee dee dee dee dee dee ¶" "¶ Dee de dee dee dee ¶" "¶ TA tee ta ta ta ¶" "Quick, she's making stuffing for us." "Christopher?" "Christopher?" "The fire is getting hotter and hotter." "Well, come on." "That wicked boy!" "He'll never get this one." "Wait." "I forgot teddy." "Naughty, naughty boy." "No, you shall not have her!" "Give her up!" "No!" "No!" "No!" "No!" "No!" "Come on!" "You naughty children." "You bad children." "Come here!" "You come here!" "Come here!" "Come to mummy." "Please, dear." "Come." "Please, come to mummy." "Christopher," "You wouldn't dare." "You wouldn't." "I promised you candy and ice cream and chocolate cake every day, remember?" "Remember?" "Christopher?" "Knives aren't anything to play with." "They're not for children." "They're dangerous." "Give me that knife!" "Christopher, give it to me!" "You could get hurt." "You could get hurt." "Katharine could get hurt!" "You might get hurt, Christopher." "Ooh!" "Bad, bad children." "Bad, bad children." "Naughty." "Naughty." "I don't understand." "I loved her so much." "I loved her." "Why did she run away?" "Why did she run away from me?" "Katharine." "Katharine, mummy's coming, darling." "Mummy's coming." "Yes, I'll come back." "Katharine, I'll come back." "I'm sorry." "I'm sorry." "I'm sorry." "Nothing." "I have nothing." "Nothing!" "Nothing." "My dinner." "I have to get my dinner ready." "I have to get the dinner ready for, uh..." "I have to fix the stuffing for, uh..." "I have to fix the stuffing..." "Aunt Roo?" "Aunt Roo?" "You try." "She likes you better." "Aunt Roo!" "It's cold in here!" "Please, Aunt Roo!" "You mustn't disturb the cook when she's making something delicious!" "Please, Aunt Roo!" "Please!" "I promise never to run away again." "So do I." "Say, "Please, mummy."" "Please, mummy." "Please, mummy." "It's time for tea, pets." "Christopher?" "Katy?" "Christopher?" "Katy?" "It's time for tea." "You are both naughty children!" "No!" "Pets, open the door!" "Aunt Roo made a chocolate cake for you." "Children, let me out." "The key!" "We forgot the key." "Pets, let me out!" "Let me out!" "Let me out!" "She's getting out!" "Help me!" "Quick, pile some wood against the door." "Let me out!" "Bad children!" "Let me out!" "Let me out!" "Let me out!" "Bad children!" "Bad!" "Bad!" "Bad, children, bad!" "Witch!" "Witch!" "Witch!" ""They shoved the wicked witch into the fire" ""And slammed the bolt on the oven door."" "No!" "Come on!" "No!" "Don't leave me alone!" "Christopher!" "Don't leave me." "Don't leave Aunt Roo all alone!" "Don't leave me!" "We've left teddy behind!" "Don't leave me all alone!" "Katy!" "Katy!" "Aunt Roo will be so lonely!" "Don't everybody leave me all alone." "Aunt Roo will be so lonely." "Don't leave." "No!" "No!" "Hurry, Christopher!" "Christopher!" "Hurry up!" "Hurry!" "You take teddy." "Whoa." "Hello there, young fella, me lad." "Well," "Is she in?" "Mrs. Forrest?" "I've brought her a baby roasting pig." "Here." "What's this?" "The bloody house is on fire!" "Mrs. Forrest?" "Mrs. Forrest?" "Mrs. Forrest?" "Mrs. Forrest?" "You said she was going to eat us!" "She was." "Later." "Keep clear of the house!" "I'm going to get that fire brigade, quick." "Keep clear!" "A lousy lot they are, but they'd better get out here quick." "Come on, my beauty!" "Come on." "Come on." "Come on!" "Bloody good fire!" "Apparently, it started in the kitchen." "Tragic." "Really tragic." "She didn't stand a chance." "We tried to help," "But we just couldn't get down there." "Too hot." "Of course." "Now, it's not your fault, my dears." "Shall we take them home?" "Yes, come on." "Let's get in the car." "We'll all go home." "There we are, darling." "We'll go home." "Good girl." "There you are, look after my stick for now." "Poor little devils, they'll probably have nightmares till the day they die." ""Hansel and Gretel knew the wicked witch" ""Would never harm anyone else" ""And they were happy." ""They also knew that with the wicked witch's treasure," ""They would never be hungry again," ""So they lived happily ever after.""