"Just keep on with the compresses, Mr. Carter." "I'll look in at the end of a week." " Thanks, Mr. farnon." "Give me a ring if he's not better in a couple of days." " I will." "Come back here, you coward!" "Ow!" "Stop it!" "Stop it!" "Get off!" "That's enough." "Stop it." "He punched me on the nose." "I'll do it again, you stinker!" "Master Simon, we don't go around hitting people." "Tell him that." "He hit Alexander." "I didn't." " You're a liar!" "I saw you!" "It's not the first time." "Alexander sees him and shies away." "I know he's been hitting him." "We'll look into that." "Now, Fred, go up to the house and get someone to have a look at that nose." " Yes, Mr. Carter." "He did, Mr. Carter." " If you say so, lad, but it was wrong to hit him, not if he can't hit back." "He shouldn't hit animals." "It's beastly." " Quite right." "'Tis the colonel's son home from school for the holidays." "This is Mr. farnon." "How do you do, sir?" " How do you do, Simon, is it?" "Mr. farnon is your father's vet." "Yes, I know." "He saved Jasper's life last year." "Jasp-- oh, yes." "I remember." "Mr. grier said he should be put down, but you saved him." "My father says there isn't anything you don't know about horses." "Oh, good heavens." "If only that were true." "It must be." "My father said so." "I think I'd like to be a vet." "I don't much want to be a soldier." "Goodbye, sir." " Goodbye, Simon." "What a nice lad." "You know, he's missing his mother and father." "The colonel's got a staff appointment in London, and Mrs. Tanner went with him." "So, you're in loco parentis, as it were." "Oh, no." "His sister's here with him." "You'll soon be going then." "20th, yeah." " That's tomorrow week." "Time flies." "because of the packet I got in the last lot." "I hear Mr. herriot may be going too." "He's been up for a medical." " What will happen to the practice?" "My brother will carry on with an assistant." "Until he goes." " Let's hope it's all over before that happens." "What about Mrs. hall, will she stay on?" "I hope so." "She's indispensable." "She's a grand lass." "I've known her since she were-- her Arthur were the lucky one." "She should get wed again." "Make a champion wife." "Hands off, Mr. Carter." "Hands off." "You know what they say-- all's fair in love and war." "Goodbye!" "Remember Harold Carter?" "Colonel Tanner's manager?" " The same." "What about him?" " He's got designs on Mrs. hall." "Looked me straight in the eye, licked his chops, and said, "make a champion wife."" " I hope you warned him off." "So do I. We could get to look like sausage and mash." "Mrs. hall, your devoted slave?" "He wouldn't stand a chance." " My devoted what?" "Not just you, all three of you." "You twist her round your little fingers." "Come on, Helen, my dear, I've noticed Tristan being fulsome from time to time, but I merely express appreciation." "Is that what you do?" " "Fulsome?"" "Fulsome... sugary." " Me?" "I thought he was married." " She died just before Christmas." "He's looking around already." " They breed them like that up here." "I'm sorry." "This arrived by afternoon post." "I forgot it." "Put it in my pocket." "I had a visitor." "Put me clean out of my mind." "Wouldn't have been Harold Carter, by any chance?" " Aye, it were." "Professional visit, was it?" " No, he come to see me." "Soufflé was a dream, Mrs. hall." " Thank you, Mr. Tristan." "A poem, Mrs. hall." "Thank you." "It's nice to know you're appreciated." "Thank you." "Come on, dogs." "I meant it as a joke." "I told you." "Carter's after her." "She wouldn't, would she?" " Wouldn't what?" "Marry him?" " She could do a great deal worse." "After all, I'm joining the colors, and James may too, shortly." "And Helen will stay with her dad." "It's all very well for you." "You'll just have to redouble your efforts, little brother." " Be more fulsome." "Exercise your redoubtable charm." "If it's any consolation, she doesn't look too happy about it." "That's possibly, because she's tempted and doesn't want to let us down-- the horns of a dilemma." "Oh, lord." "Entirely up to you, my boy." "How would you like a pole to help?" "A pole?" "Stanton from the college, suggesting a Polish vet for us as a locum." "A Polish vet in Yorkshire?" "It could be very charming." "I met three last week." "What, three vets?" "No, soldiers, officers." "Very charming-- women around them like wasps." " "Dr. raczinski."" "It's a bit grand for darrowby, isn't it?" " Worth a look at." "What have we got to lose?" "Who knows?" "Chopin, paderewski." "What's up, Alexander?" "What's up?" "What's up, bud?" "What's wrong, Alexander?" "What's up?" "Mr. herriot!" "Telephone!" "What's the matter with it?" "I can't tell thee." "Not thee." "He's bound to ask." " Let him ask, then." "Yes?" " Mr. herriot?" "It's miss Thompson here, postmistress at hainby." "Yes, miss Thompson." " I've got Mr. summergill here from up at west top." "Yes." " It's his cow." "What's wrong with her?" " I told you." "He says, "what's wrong with her?"" "Tell him to come." " He says tell you to come." "Let me talk to him." "He won't use the phone." "He's too frightened of it." "I'm not afeared on it." "I don't hold with the damn thing." "What's that?" " He says he doesn't hold with the thing." "What's the snow like up there?" "He's got here on his bike." " Tell him I'll come as soon as I can." "All right." "Goodbye." "Says he'll come as soon as he can." "Oh, aye." " Just a minute." "That'll be tuppence, if you don't mind." "Are you off?" " Off to west top, old summergill." "Got your snowshoes?" " That may not be a joke." "Who's joking?" "Darrowby-85." "Oh, hello, Mr. Carter." "Just a minute." "Mrs. hall!" "It's Mr. Carter for you." "Hello?" "What?" "Mr. Tristan!" "It's not for me." "It's for thee." "Oh." "Hello?" "Yes." "No, I'm afraid he's gone over to brawton." "Won't be back till very late." "I would come, but I'm afraid I haven't got any transport." "Could it wait till tomorrow morning?" "Oh." "Yes, that would be very kind." "Thanks very much." "Bye-bye." "It's all right." "He always does that." "He's just being friendly." "What do you do when he's not?" "Come on out of there." "Come on." "So, you've got a sick cow?" " She's aborted." "I couldn't tell her that at post office-- that dried up old-- she'd have sent for police." "Hello." "I'm Emma Tanner." "Are you ready?" "For what?" " To look at my brother's pony." "Oh, yes, of course." "I'm sorry." "I... didn't expect-- thought it would be Carter." "Thought I'd come myself." "Quicker." "I'm not complaining." "I'll just get my bag." "The uterus is inflamed because she's retained the fetal membranes." "Is it bad?" "It's not good." "The fetus is dropsical." "It looks very like brucellosis." "Am I going to lose her?" " Not necessarily." "I'll irrigate, and I'll put in some pessaries." "This stuff must be cleared away and burnt." "It's highly contagious." "So is the cow." "Must be kept well away from all the others." "She was the only one in calf?" "Oh, aye." "Aye." " Good." "I'll do some agglutination tests, and then we can vaccinate all the others." "With any luck, we should prevent more." "Thank you, Mr. herriot." "Yes..." "His temperature is up." "Has he ever been like this before?" "No." "We can't be sure." "Both us us have been away for most of the time." "Hmm..." "Doesn't seem to be any discharge." "Excuse me." "Mm-hmm." "Mm-hmm." "Oh." "Do you remember him bumping into anything, hurting himself?" "Simon?" "Fred's been hitting him." " Who's Fred?" "The stable boy." "Yes." "Yes, there's a sinus there." "Is he going to be all right?" "I think so." "We've got it in time." "It will mean an operation." "He's got an abscess, and there may well be more." "I'd like someone else to have a look at him." "Meanwhile, I'll give you something." "And if you keep him warm and put fomentations on here, it'll help point the abscess." "That's what Hector had." "He had to be destroyed." "I don't think it'll come to that." "Why didn't the other Mr. farnon come?" "Simon!" "Certainly, I can fit that in for you tomorrow morning." "What's your diagnosis?" " Fistulas withers." "How old is the pony?" " Five." "Any necrosis?" " No, there's nothing apparent." "Did you get a sample of pus?" "There's no pointing yet." " That's interesting." "James was up that way this afternoon-- summergill place." "A cow with brucellosis, see?" "This time of night?" "You think there might be a connection?" " Well..." "I better go-- - no, Mrs. hall's there." "If you're right, and it is fistulas withers-- identical organism-- brucilla abortus." "Now, there was a withers at Tanner's a year or so ago." "Before our time when they had Angus grier." "As I recall, the pony was put down." "Come in!" "It's Mr. Carter." "Might he have a word?" "By all means." "Ask him to come in." "Come in." "Thanks, Mr. farnon." "I'm sorry it's a bit late." "Not at all." "Sit down." "Make yourself comfortable." "If it's about young Simon's pony-- oh, no." "It's not about the pony." "May I offer you something to drink?" "No, thanks." "I don't imbibe, as the saying goes." "What may I do for you?" "I won't beat about the bush." "It's about Mrs. hall." "You want to take her away from me." "It's not as easy as that." "I've asked her." "I mean, I've popped the question, as the saying goes." "But she's turned you down?" "Oh, no-- - well, congratulations!" "She's willing, you know?" "It's you." " Me?" "She's says she won't leave you." "I'm not quite clear what you want me to do." "Do you want me to sack her?" "Oh, no, no." "But if you could just have a word..." "Make her see what's best for her." "I mean, look at it this way, you're going off, Mr. herriot's going off-- but when are you coming back?" "It's all in the cards." "You may not be coming back." "Have you given that some thought?" "Not a lot, no." "But me, with my leg" " I've got a future to offer her." "As the saying goes." " Oh, aye." "All right, Mr. Carter." "I'll talk to her." "Oh, thanks, Mr. farnon." "You're a gentleman." "I'll be off now." "No, it's all right." "This way." "I'll be going now then, edna!" "I'm sorry about that, Mr. farnon." "Not at all, Mrs. hall." "Come in." "Sit down, my dear." "He's that persistent!" "That's one of the virtues." "He's a good man." "Aye, and he knows it." "And he tells me..." "He's asked you to marry him." "Aye." " And you're not unwilling?" "I'll not leave here, not unless you want me to." "Of course not, but are you sure you're being wise?" "Look, I don't think it's right you should be bothered with all this." "It's not a bother, my dear." "Look at it this way" "look at it this way." "I'm going off." "Mr. herriot's going off." " But there's Mr. Tristan, and there's to be someone else." " Yes." "Well, then?" " There's something else." "I don't want to sound morbid, but have you thought that one or other of us may not be coming back?" "Possibly both." "Mr. far" "only old soldiers never die." "What on earth did you say to her?" "She's crying her eyes out." "She's just mentally buried me in some corner of a foreign field that is forever England." "Sorry to do this, but I'm a bit pressed this morning, if I'm to see the Tanner pony." "I can do that if you like." " No, I'll go." "He's coming!" " Who's coming?" "The Polish vet." "Coming out for an interview on the 17th." "That's the day after tomorrow." " Oh, good." "Excellent English." " That's a blessing." "But how will he manage with the dales dialect?" "We'll just wait and see." "This takes me back." "Reminds me of the letter you sent me." "The day you arrived was an eventful one, as I recall." "And all for what?" " What's that, my dear?" "All that you've built up between you, it's all to go to waste." "I've said it before, and I'll say it again." "It's silly." "It's more than silly, it's downright stupid." "Now, Helen-- - and don't "now Helen" me." "I'm not in the mood for it." "Mrs. hall got very upset last night." "She let her imagination run away with her." " Her imagination?" "I sometimes wonder if men have any imagination at all." "If women ran things, there'd be no wars." "Germany invades Poland, so we declare war on Germany." "Then a pole comes here to be a vet which is a reserved occupation, while you volunteer to go and fight his war for him." "That's highly imaginative." " It's not only his war." "Really, you see?" "This mendacious maniac simply can't be allowed to wander wherever the mood takes him." "He's got to be stopped." "His aim's world conquest, the death of democracy." "And besides, there's the claret." "The claret?" "I can't tolerate the idea of this monstrous middle-European miscreant marching all over the medoc." "The sooner a few of us get at him, the quicker it'll all be over." ""Get at him"?" "Glaring at him from across the maginot line." "Nope, he'll fly over and hang out the washing." "What?" " "On the siegfried line."" "* have you any dirty washing, Helen, dear?" "* - shouldn't you be in surgery?" "It's Friday, we don't start till 11:00." " I'm off." "Bye-bye, darling." " James, are you going up by summergill's?" "Yes, I can." " Get a smear." "I'll get one from Tanner's." "I thought I'd come out with you this morning." "Where?" " Tanner's." "Why?" " Compare notes." "What's her name, Emma?" " My interest is purely professional." "Professional, it may be, but I doubt its purity." "Won't be back in time." " If you go there first." "I'm not going there first." "Goodbye." "Spoilsport." "Got his eye on her himself, I shouldn't wonder." "Don't worry, Helen." "It'll be all right." "By the time they've taught James what to do with an airplane, it'll all be over, and siegfried, he's indestructible." "What about you, tris, when it's your turn?" "With siegfried for a brother," "I've got to be able to survive anything." "Gone?" " Just disappeared." "The pony disappeared?" " We've been looking for him all morning." "Where was he when you saw him last?" "In his box, my brother said." " Where's your brother?" "He's about somewhere." "I'll go and get him." " No, don't bother." "Where's Mr. Carter?" " He went into darrowby about an hour ago." "I see." "It's no good keeping on about it." "I'm not going to marry thee." "I just can't reckon it up." "I think you're being very unreasonable." "From your point of view, aye." "From every point of view." "I don't think you're human, woman." "I had no complaints from Arthur, and he were a man of vigor." "Aye, and he's not the only one." "British parliament, in secret session, has ratified peace terms." "With a week to go before the easter holiday, the archbishop of canterbury has announced that he sees no reason for" "much more cheerful." "That's too bad." "He was supposed to be here hours ago, this morning." "Missed the train." "Telephone?" " It's Nemesis." "You completely forgot about James when he came up for his interview." "You had an afternoon's kip." "I do wish you wouldn't use those vulgar expressions." "Tanner boy's in the paper again." "Did you see?" "He's been missing two days now." "She must be out of her mind with worry." "Poor girl." "Dr. rud... inska." "Oh, at last!" "Good afternoon." "I'm sorry I'm so late." "I missed the connection at Leeds." "I'm used to trains running on time." "Dr. raczinski." "Yes." "Uh-- siegfried farnon." "How do you do?" "This is my brother Tristan." "How do you do?" "And it was rather difficult to find a taxi." "Had we known your train, I would have met you." " Come sit down, doctor." "You must tell me at once how to pronounce your name." " Ra-chinska." "Tristan, refreshments for Dr. raczinski." "Coming up." "What an enchanting surprise." "Mrs. hall, tea for three, please." "Kettle's on." " Wait till I tell James." "You mean you were not expecting a woman?" "No." " How strange." "The absence of a Christian name, perhaps." "Veronica." " Veronica." "I hope it makes no difference." " I hope so too." "You have women veterinary surgeons here?" "Yes, a few, I think." " Don't you know?" "Yes." "Come now, there were three in my class at college, which suggests an average of 7%." "I mean here in Yorkshire." " No-- at least, not in this part." "Why is that?" " Well, here in the dales it's mostly large animal practice." "I am experienced in large animal practice." "Really?" " Oh, yes." "Ah, thank you very much indeed." "I have provided translations." "Ah, thank heavens for that." "You don't speak Polish?" " No." "No." "This is excellent, excellent." "Where is bodna?" "In silesia near the czechoslovakian border." "Was it a large practice?" "About 1600 square kilometers." "How many were you?" "Five." " Were you the only woman?" "Oh, no, no." "The senior was a woman." "You're not married, I see." "No." "Is that of any importance?" "No, not at all." "Ah, now, then." "Dr. Veronica raczinski," "Helen herriot." " How do you do?" "And this is my partner James herriot." "How do you do?" " I'm very well." "Thank you." "And my little brother you already met." "James..." "These are Dr. raczinski's qualifications." "Oh, yes." "What part of Poland are you from, doctor?" "I was born in swidnica, but I've lived mostly in braclav, which you know as breslav." "Will I?" " Very good." "Very good." "May I?" " Yes, of course." "How long have you been in England?" "Since last October." "To get away from the Germans?" "Yes, to get away from the Germans." "Are your people farmers?" "My people?" " Your family." "There are 16 farms on my father's land." "The Germans have it all now." "I'm sorry." "Have you worked in this county as a vet?" "No." " Why is that?" "I have only just got my work permit." "I see." "Tea, doctor." "I should prefer coffee." "Is that possible?" " Of course." "Tea, siegfried." " Yes, thank you." "Tristan?" " No, thank you." "Yes, these really are impressive." "Research into erjinski's disease." "James?" " Not for me, thank you, darling." "I didn't know he was a pole." " He was Hungarian." "How is your family?" "Are they still in Poland?" "My mother is." "My father and sister are dead." "They were both killed." " That's terrible." "I'm so sorry." "My brother is here with the r.A.F." "Good." "How do you find it here?" "How do you find Yorkshire?" "Oh, I find it..." "Unexpected." "I say, isn't that good?" "That's exactly what I thought." "Where are you staying?" "The reniston hotel." " Yes, of course." "I stayed here." "That was unexpected, too." "Ah, thank you." " Is it possible for me to see practice?" "Yes, of course." "That's partly why you're here." "Today?" " My word, you're keen." "I think perhaps not today, but certainly tomorrow-- the sooner the better." "What interests you most?" " Horses." "And pigs." " Oh, pigs." "I would like to test my theory concerning the counter-vaccination in porcine ulcerative spherocytosis." "I don't think I've ever known a spherocytosis here, but we could look for some." "I mean, ask-- put out feelers." "And in my country, I was considered an authority on fenestration." "Introvertible disc lesions?" " Yes." "In bodna, I was working with my principle on hormonal treatment." "That's fascinating." "I must hear about that." "You must stay to dinner." "Mrs. hall, Dr. raczinski is staying to dinner." "We must give her something superb, you at the top of your form." "I'll do my best, but you had a very large lunch." "Milk and sugar?" "Milk and sugar, Dr. raczinski?" "Oh, cream." "No sugar." "Cream, no sugar, please, Mrs. hall." "You must tell us more about this hormonal treatment." "They are working experiments on that in Edinburgh." "The..." "You're in a hurry this morning." "Cutting it a bit fine." "Picking up Veronica at the reniston." "Oh, are you?" "Which car, siegfried?" " Mine, James." "You both going?" " Siegfried thought it best, to make a better assessment." " Safety in numbers, eh?" "My turn tomorrow-- solo." "Possibly." "I shall have to give that matter considerable thought." "Duty calls." "Ah..." "I may pop over and see dad." "Can't wait to hear what he has to say." "About what?" " Veronica." "People like your father are understandably conservative, but I hope they'll come to accept it in the end." "Stripped to the waist with her arm up the rear end of a cow?" "What a bizarre thought." " What other practice would get a look in?" "Siegfried, it's for you." "She won't talk to anyone else." "Cracking the whip already, I see." "Oh, no, no, it's not Olga raczinski." "They didn't give a name." "I'll come." "Out of the way, boys." "Siegfried farnon." "Who?" "Simon!" "My dear boy, where on earth are you?" "What telephone box?" "Where?" "Y-your pony?" "Yes." "Yes, of course, I'll come." "Where shall I meet you?" "Yes, I know it." "Well, all right." "I won't tell anyone else." "Do you mean you haven't been home at all?" "Now, listen to me, you stupid boy, do you realize that everyone-- the police are out looking for you?" "Well, of course, she's got to be told!" "How can you be so stupid?" "I'll be with you as soon as I possibly can." "All right." "Goodbye." "James!" "Excuse me, Mr. farnon." " Yes, Mrs. hall." "I'm rather busy at the moment." "It will only take a moment." " All right, but I've got to make a telephone call first." " Thank you." "Houghton-258, please." "James, go on alone in your own car." "What's wrong?" " I'll tell you later." "I'll try and catch you up." "Keep to your list, and if you can't, leave a note, right?" "Yes, of course." "Siegfried, yours." "Oh, thank you." "Billet-doux for you." "Oh, no." " Bye." "Siegfried farnon." "Listen, my dear." "Simon is all right." "I've just spoken to him." "No, on the telephone." "I don't really know." "He seems worried about his pony." "I promised I wouldn't tell anybody else." "I'll go and deal with this, then I'll come straight over to you." "All right?" "Oh!" "I-I..." "You telephone the police, will you?" "No." "Better if you do." "All right, my dear." "Don't worry." "Goodbye." "Oh, dear." "Oh, Mrs. hall." "Now, then, Mrs. hall." "Mr. farnon, I don't want to detain you." "Harold Carter." " Yes?" "I've decided to take him." " Where?" "Oh." "I see what you mean." "Congratulations, my dear." "I'm so pleased for you." "Not now, Tristan." ""Tristan farnon, m.R.C.V.S."" "Never." "Don't take my word for it." "Now I know we shall win the war." "What?" " The age of miracles is not past." "Well done, little brother." "Jolly well done!" "Do you think we might drop the "little" in future?" "Ah" " I'll give it a try." "This calls for a mammoth celebration tomorrow night." "We'll talk about it when I get back." "Well done." "Farnon, herriot..." "And farnon?" "Well, young man, your Alexander's got strangles-- or what we call bastard strangles." "He's not going to die, is he?" "Tell me he's not going to die." "No, he's not going to die." "Good old Alexander." "I knew we could do it." "He didn't do much about it." "It was you who saved his life." "I just loved him." "That's all." "With a bit of help from the book, eh?" "Where did you get it?" "It was at home." "I just did what it said." "But I got a bit scared when all that goo started to come out." "The pus?" "Yes." "That's good, you see?" "That's why he's getting better." "And you kept him nice and warm." "We kept each other warm." "You're a good fellow." "But you should have told your sister." "No." "They would have killed him." "Well, now, we've not finished." "You can give me a hand." "In fact, if you were a year or two older," "I'd give you a job." " Thank you, sir." "Now, you see-- could you get my bag?" "These abscesses at the withers, they've burst." "They're going to have to be treated." "But the one we're really concerned with is the one here in the submaxillary gland." "You take his head." "It's nice and pointed." "It's all ready to be lanced, and when we've done that, he'll soon be himself again." "Simon!" "Your sister had to know." "Simon!" " Don't be too hard on him." "He did the right thing, bringing the pony here." "It's an acute, contagious fever." "But your brother's brought it down and saved his life." "Mommy's coming up from London." "I'm sorry, Emma." "Oh, you silly boy." "Please." "Mr. farnon needs my help." "Hello, darling." " Hello." "How was your day?" " Marvelous, actually." "Bring her back with you?" " No, I just put her on the train to London." "Oh, had enough, has she?" " No, she's got another appointment tomorrow." "Oh, in demand." "Don't be like that." "It was a success today." "You should have seen her." "Got stuck into everything." " I can imagine." "I hope we don't lose her, especially with siegfried off the day after tomorrow." "Not a bit like a woman, the way she got down to it." "You should have heard the clients, they all said the same thing in different ways." " What?" "Women took the place of many lancelots, why not again?" "Oh, and siegfried found young Tanner." "Yes, I know." "This came for you today." ""On his majesty's service."" "This will be it." ""March the 26th, the lord's cricket ground, at 10:00."" "That's a week next Tuesday." "Oh, darling." "Oh, come on, somebody, for heaven's sake." "It's Dr. raczinski." " Oh, good." "Yes, doctor." "It's Veronica." " Oh." "Yes, I quite understand." "No, no, not at all." "It was for you to decide entirely." "I'm very sorry, of course." "She's not coming." "Poor, old tris." "It's very good of you to be so prompt in letting us know." "And thank you for coming up here to see us." "And may I wish you every form of success in your new post." "Goodbye, then." "Gentlemen..." "I regret to announce that Dr. raczinski will not be coming to Yorkshire." "She's taken the other job?" " What other job?" "Baby foods." " Baby foods?" "A vet?" "Yes, if you had looked less at the woman and more at her qualifications, you'd have remarked that she had a degree in biochemistry." "I suppose you behaved yourself." "Now look here." "It would never have worked, tris." "I don't see why not." "A woman of her experience" "I'm sure some of it would have rubbed off on me." "One way or another." "Don't worry, old chap, we'll soon fix you up with somebody." "The more I think about it, the more I like the idea." "What idea?" " A woman vet." "Oh, tris!" " Be fair, weigh the pros and cons." "I'll give you one con-- you'd never get any work done." "I'll ignore that remark." "We could advertise." "As more men are called up, a woman is a jolly good idea." "I won't tell you what I think." "Oh, no." "Not at this time." "You're not going to have to go out now." "Eenie, meenie, miney, moe..." "Siegfried, not you, not now that we've got a brand-new junior partner." "That's not fair, I've been out in the snow all day." "A chance for you to take your bona fides on a night call." "You must learn to grab these opportunities, little-- brother of mine." "I'm sorry, Mr. farnon." "Mr. Dawson." "We're on our way." "We're on our way." "Yes, Mr. Dawson, Tristan farnon." "I see." "How long has she been now?" "Right." "I'll be up there just as soon as I can." "Goodbye." "Calf with a head back, he thinks." " That's tricky." "Funny thing..." "I don't mind." "Of course, you don't, you're on your own." " Yes, well..." "I'm going to be gone by the time you get back, so..." " Goodbye, siegfried." "Goodbye, old chap." "Take care of things." "I will, and... good luck." "Thanks a lot." "Here's a present for you." "You're gonna be driving it, so you better own it." "Gosh." "I don't know what to say." "Take care." " You bet." "Okay, buzz off." " Yes." "Buzz off." "Yes..." "Right." "Bye." "Bye, little brother." "James..." "I'll give Mrs. hall a hand in the kitchen, and then I'm going up." "Don't keep siegfried long." "He's got a very early start." "Helen, my dear, thank you." " What for?" "Just thank you." "Good night." "See you in the morning." "No, no." "Very early start." "All alone." "Saying goodbye now." "Do you understand?" "Yes." "You take care of yourself." "And you, too." "Right, then." "No, no." "You've got to help me finish this." "Great heavens above." "Margeaux '28..." "Probably the last bottle I shall ever see." "But sure as God made little green apples, they'll be another good year and another great wine." "That's the wonderful thing about excellence, James." "It's an option that's renewable." "The future's not so bleak." "Put like that, no." "By the way, I owe you some money." "Do you?" " Yeah, afraid so." "It's from a long time back, too." "I'm sorry." "I was tidying up, and I found that you'd been underpaid." "Oh?" " Yes, your cut from the ewen Ross testing days." "Really?" "How much?" " 50 quid." "Good lord." "Well, £49.99, actually." "We won't quarrel about thruppence." "You're owed more in interest." "Thanks." "I won't deny it'll come in jolly useful." "Oh, good." "There's a check in the top drawer." "It's belated compensation for a complicated honeymoon." "I enjoyed every complicated moment." "You're a willing horse, James, always have been." "My lord, herriot, it was a stroke of genius taking you on." "Don't exaggerate." "You're just a very good judge of horseflesh." "The fact remains, it's you who've made this practice what it is." "Rubbish." "It's your drive and enthusiasm." "That's what counts." "My dear fellow, what a pleasant thing to say." "It's true." "I remember that first evening." "I sat here, gassing, and you were over there, going to sleep." "I had been up since 5:00." "And you were more than generous with the scotch." "It's been a long time." "It hasn't seemed like a long time to me." "Any regrets?" " None." "Not my..." "Quick temper?" "Or my occasional lapses of memory?" "I wouldn't have missed them for all the cheese in wensleydale." "I'm not gonna say goodbye, James." "I wouldn't know how to." "Do you think we're doing the right thing?" "How do you mean?" " Joining up." "I don't think we've got any choice." "I know if I didn't go, whatever the outcome, I'd always regret it." "I'd feel guilty, and I think you'd feel the same." "Yes." "And after the war?" "I'm very confident, siegfried." "Are you?" "Are you really?" "Yes." "I don't know about you, but I think we've made a mark here." "Made a home." "There's a real feeling of belonging." "We're both foreigners here, but we've been accepted by the people." "They're not demonstrative." "They're blunt, down-to-earth, no-nonsense folk, and I love 'em." "I really love 'em." "I don't suppose we'll ever be rich." "Don't want to be much." "I just know that I couldn't be happier than I am now." "I'm doing a worthwhile job, among people I love, in this wonderful country." "That's why it's worth fighting for, and that's why we're gonna win this war." "Siegfried?" "He's got to be up at 4:00." "It's hardly worth getting him to bed." "Nay." "I'll see to him, Mr. herriot." "Don't you worry." "I'll wake him in time." "Yes, all right." "Good night." " Good night." "I shall miss you all." "I shall miss you." "Darrowby-85." "Yes, Mr. mount." "No, I'm sorry, Mr. mount." "Mr. farnon's not here." "He joined up last Wednesday." "There's Mr. Tristan." "There is no need to shout, Mr. mount." "And there's no need to be rude, either." "No, Mr. herriot's been out on call all day." "Mr. Tristan is all there is." "Not another call." "Mount up at tan Beck." "A mare with colic." "Then Tristan must go." "He won't have him there, not at any price." "He's just said so." " It's not fair." "It's his last day, and he's been out since..." "Ooh, love... don't" "any chance of a cup of tea, Mrs. hall?" " Aye, Mr. Tristan." "Anything I can do to help?" " No, Mr. Tristan." "Nothing." "Sorry, to call you out, Mr. herriot, easter Sunday and all." "A sick animal doesn't know the date." "Will you be out tomorrow?" "I'm afraid not, no." "I'm off to London tomorrow." "I'm gonna join up." "Are you?" " Mm-hmm." "In fact, you're my very last case." "I've spent all day catching up, and the rest is mine." "So, it's dinner with my wife and my feet up." "Well, good luck to you, lad." "I'm not the only one who'll be sorry to see you go." "Thank you." "Look after yourself now." "Yes, I will." "Bye, Mr. Henderson." " Bye, lad." "That, Mrs. hall, as they say, is that." "It's 10 past 6:00." "That's not bad." "That's not bad at all." " Mr. herriot, I am sorry." "There's been another call." "Mr. mount up at tan Beck-- a mare with colic." "Poor Helen." "Ah, well, I'll get some supplies." "I thought I heard the car." "All finished?" "Not quite." "I've got to go to mount's." "Oh, no, dear me, no." "Not you, it's me." "He specifically asked for me." " You can't be serious." "Deadly." " He'll eat you alive." "I'm not concerned with his motives, merely in answering the call." "Can't let you do it, tris." " Would you come between me and the fair Debbie?" "I thought that was all over." "Faint heart never won fair lady." "Have a splendid evening." "If you're sure." " 100%." "Thanks, tris." "All finished." "Oh, darling, didn't Mrs. hall tell you?" "What, mount?" "Yes, tris has gone." "Tris?" " Mm-hmm." "But that man will kill him." " Shouldn't be at all surprised." "Oh..." "Oh, darling, what's this check I found in your jacket?" "I forgot." "Siegfried gave it to me the night before he left." "What for?" " Owed it to me." "Owed from what?" "That testing we did for ewen Ross on our honeymoon." "Oh, darling, you are such a fool." "Don't you see?" "This is siegfried's way of saying goodbye and thank you." "But he" " I went through the books." "If you'd been owed anything, I'd have found it." "I must give it back." " Too late." "He's already earning three shillings a day as an a-z-2." "I must." " You'll do no such thing." "He'd be terribly hurt." "This goes into our bank account tomorrow morning." "Bank holiday." "Oh, darling..." "Here we are." "Let Tristan." "He's up at tan Beck." " Then ring him." "Have a heart." " You think I haven't?" "If you're called out, I'm coming with you!" "Mr. herriot." "It's miss Thompson, postmistress at hainby." "Thank you, Mrs. hall." "Hello, yes?" "It's Mr. summergill here." " Yes?" "It's his dog." " What's wrong with him?" "What's wrong with him?" " There's something sticking out." "There's something sticking out." " What?" "What?" " I can't tell thee." "He can't tell me." " I'll be right over." "He'll be right over." "Thank you for coming, Mr. herriot." "I'm worried." "It looks right bad." "Where is he?" " In the house." "Edna!" "Are you ready?" "Aye." "I'll get my prayer book." "Why didn't you come round to front?" "I left the car out there." "Thought we'd walk." "Show you off a bit." "Oh, aye." "You better make best of it then," "I'm not marrying thee." "What?" " Not till Mr. Tristan goes, you'll not get me to altar, so you better make the most of it." "Good lord." "When did this happen?" "About an hour since." "He were nipping at the cows, when I was changing them and one of them lashed out." " Poor old chap." "It's a complete lateral dislocation of the elbow." "Can you put him right?" " I don't know, Mr. summergill." "Come on." "Get out of here." "This needs a general anesthetic and two of us." "I can help." " It has to be tris." "I'll never get the dog in the car like this." "Tristan will have to come up here." " There's no phone." "I've never done it before." "It's all textbook stuff." "You lift the radius slowly up until the anconeus is clear." "It's all right, old boy." "Then you rotate the radius and the ulna inwards." "James!" "You've mended him." "It looks like it, Mr. summergill, yes." "Why, that's grand!" "Isn't it, old lad?" "You've a right, clever husband there, missus." "I know." "Right, then." "I hear you're off to join up." "That's right, yes, tomorrow." " Tomorrow, eh?" "London." "You ever been to London?" "Nay, nay." "That'd be no good to me." "Why do you say that?" " I tell thee," "I went once to brawton, and that were enough." "I couldn't walk in the street." "Couldn't walk?" " Nay, there were that many people about." "I had take big steps and little 'uns, big steps and little 'uns again." "I couldn't get going." "He was the same, weren't you, old lad?" "I won't come down." "Right." " Take care." "And you." "Big steps and little 'uns." "Big steps and little 'uns." "Go on." "Off you go." "Oh, thanks, Mrs. hall." "Thanks for everything." " Goodbye, lad." "God bless you." "Come on, now." "I'll soon be back." "Aye." "Bye." " Bye." "Don't worry." "I'll take care of things." "I know you will." "Goodbye, James." "Be seeing you." "Bye-bye, tris."