[♪]
Thank you, young man.
[♪]
Now I'll need something for headache...
oil of hemlock,
and some sumac berry syrup--
oh, and some blackberry root tea leaves...
Sounds as if your household is down with the influenza, Janet.
Don't say that Elvira we have far too much lambing left
to do to fall ill.
No, no it's just precautionary.
Well the Pharmacopoeia would suggest sweet fern.
Sweet fern?
All right...yes, and persimmon tea.
Here we are.
Thanks Elvira.
Oh good Lord, Great Aunt Eliza!
What a surprise!
I should have known you wouldn't be on time.
Dilly-dallying with the gossips.
Well now dear, you should have written, We had no idea...
No need to patronize me, Janet.
I did write.
You won't fool into you not coming just
because you didn't write me back.
Careful with those bags!
Here take this one.
Gently, take it gently.
Oh, Alec was suppose to come and pick me up.
Honestly, Aunt Eliza, we didn't get your letter,
we never received a single word...
now perhaps you...
Perhaps I may be getting on in years, but I should be able to
recollect that I wrote to you.
Oh, Janet please don't leave me out here.
I shall catch my death.
Whatever you say, Aunt Eliza.
I don't know why you insist on keeping this old buggy.
It's falling apart at the joints.
Yes, Great Aunt Eliza.
Come on, come on.
Yoo-hoo!
Hetty! Alec! Children!
Come say hello to Aunt Eliza!
What did she say?
Great Aunt Eliza.
Here?
Today?
Oh, good Lord!
Come along, now children.
Must at least be cordial.
Here we are dear...
I don't know if I can move.
My back feels it's in a hundred pieces,
my head is simply buzzing.
I can hardly see.
Oh no, no, no, I'm chilled to the bone.
Have a pleasant trip then, Eliza?
Alec King - well, I can see your age has certainly caught up
to you since my last short visit.
It's amazing how you never change, Eliza.
But you should have written.
I mean we're really not equipped to have you stay you.
I did write, as I told Janet.
It's not my fault if the letter has been misplaced in amongst
all this clutter and chaos.
Still not able manage a household, Janet dear?
Felix is just bringing in the last of the bags.
Where shall we put them all, mother dear?
Oh, unprepared as usual, Janet.
Always in a fluster.
Tell me child, which is the warmest room in the house?
The kitchen.
The mean the warmest bedroom.
Oh hello Felix, haven't grown much taller, have you?
Hello, Great Aunt Eliza.
The warmest bedroom really would be the boys' room.
What?
Well then, take my things up to the boys' room.
Daniel can stay in our room.
Yes, very good, very good dear.
Ah, Felix you'll just have to stay downstairs for awhile.
But mother...
Oh, please Felix, for me.
Ah, how long will you be staying Aunt Eliza?
Oh, not long dear, I'm sure.
A month, two months, oh, who can say how much longer
I'm intended to be on this earth, for heaven sake.
Yes, well...
Well now, I must go up and test that mattress.
Come along, Felix.
I can't manage those dreadful stairs on my own.
Getting settled in, dear?
This is an awfully cold house, Janet.
Oh, I've put more wood on Aunt Eliza.
Give it time.
Time...
that's all there is in the end.
One knows when one's time is up, Janet.
Yes...
of course.
[♪]
What?
What did she say exactly?
She said, "in the end, time is all we have".
Well, what did she mean?
She wouldn't say?
Well I didn't ask.
I am dreadfully afraid she's come here...
well I mean perhaps she's..
oh I don't know maybe I should write to Abigail.
Oh she seems fit as a fiddle to me.
For certain that tongue of hers has never been sharper.
Alec - we'll have to be especially kind to her.
Agreed.
But why us, why now, in the middle of lambing season
when all these animals are ready to give birth?
Who can say after all, the Almighty does works
in mysterious ways.
Alec!
Here it comes, steady girl... There you are!
[♪]
Blasted pump is frozen
Felix!
Felix King!
Stir yourself, boy!
Come along!
What's the matter?
I need water - for my tea.
Is it morning?
No it certainly isn't.
It's just past midnight.
Oh, I can see dull wittedness runs in your family.
Now come along...get up.
Oh, we already have tea, Great Aunt Eliza.
Not satisfactory for this time of the year.
You may all wish to suffer the influenza - but I do not.
Felix!
The stove--it's out.
Just embers.
Well we've used all the wood already.
I'd have to go outside.
But four or five pieces should suffice, Felix.
Goodness, Great Aunt Eliza.
At this rate I won't get any sleep.
Can't you ask my mother?
I am here and I'm asking you, Felix.
Well, it seems to me you've been asking me a lot of things
and it doesn't seem to me why you can't just go
and get what you want yourself.
Your parents will hear of this Felix.
Wait, wait.
I'll get the wood.
[♪]
Rise and shine, Felix.
We've got plenty of work ahead of us today.
I already had a full night of work.
What do you mean?
First it was water for her tea, then wood for the stove,
another blanket, then open the window -
no, close the window, then a hot water bottle for her feet...
Buck up, Felix.
Mother, I can't get any sleep down here.
Great Aunt Eliza...
Darling, she's elderly Felix, will you try and understand.
I'm off to the barn.
Without breakfast, Alec?
No, I don't feel too hungry.
My stomach's not on an even keel.
Oh, well I bring you out something special.
There's the old battleaxe now.
Felix King, I should wash your mouth out with soap.
Now I told you to be kind to your Great Aunt Eliza.
I hope I don't get that old and feeble.
Good morning, Aunt Eliza.
Isn't it a fine day?
I should hardly say so, Janet.
My feet are like blocks of ice - really you and Alec
are so skimpy with heating in this place.
The pillows are hard as rocks--a crick in my neck.
I didn't sleep well at all.
Oh, I'm so sorry dear.
Now Janet, there are only a few things I need.
I don't think that it will inconvenience you at all-
it's because of my rheumatism.
Yes, dear.
I have one egg each and every day
--in case you don't remember.
You're memory never was very good--one three minute egg.
And a piece of dry toast...
tea.. Very hot--rose hip.
Yes, well...
I'm not quite sure...
Come get your wits about you, Janet.
And if you could-- please--
will you refill this hot water bottle -
Oh dear of course...of course.
Well, Janet - what are you waiting for?
Well, nothing.
Nothing.
[♪]
So, we can conclude, as did Sir Isaac Newton,
that light is made of a mixture of different colours forming
the optical spectrum.
What does that mean?
I don't you know, why don't you ask?
Why don't you?
You have a question, Mr. King?
Uh...yes...if the light is white, how can it be coloured?
Through the separation of its particles...
Yes. Particles.
But if there's a bunch of particles why can't I see them?
Quiet.
It is a legitimate question.
Miss King - do you have an answer, perhaps?
Isaac Newton investigated the optical spectrum and established
a theory of light based on the hypothesis that light
was composed of a stream of particles that disturb
the area around them.
That is precisely his theory, Miss King.
But, light is...
light...like the sun or a candle.
I can see that.
I can see light.
And when the light goes out, it's dark.
So, how come anybody can say that these so-called "particles"
exist when we can't even see them?
Well, Mr. King, to paraphrase Shakespeare,
there are many things that exist in the world
that aren't dreamt of in your philosophy.
Science has offered us great advancements in the last
twenty-five years and is the wave of the future.
Your future.
I shall expect a science project on one of the following subjects
to be presented in a week's time.
You may work in teams.
You will state a hypothesis,
conduct the experiment and submit your conclusions.
They'll be a prize for the best project and your grade
will be worth 50% of your science mark.
Properties of Light; Wave Theory; Combustion Engine;
Electricity.
I have enough to do with the old subjects without
adding all this science.
Cram it all into your head for the examinations
and then forget it.
That's hardly an attitude of someone likely
to succeed in life, Felix.
School has nothing to do with life, Felicity.
Well I'm sure I haven't the head for scientific theory.
Phooey on it!
They discover something one day just to have somebody else say
it's something different the next.
I'll discover something myself.
I have a feeling your imagination is running away
with you now, Felix.
You're just jealous Felicity because you don't
have a creative bone in your body.
I have enough creativity to imagine
my future life without you.
Hand me those nails.
Coming right up.
I could use a cup of something hot to drink.
You look out of it today, Alec, what's the matter?
Well..
Where's your brother?
Mrs. Lawson had a delivery for Uncle Jasper.
So Sara and Felix are just taking it to Dale House,
and then they'll be home.
Oh you look feverish.
It's nothing.
Isn't it a shame this came while Jasper's away.
He wanted us to just leave it here and not fiddle with it.
I swear.
It doesn't weigh anything.
What has Uncle Jasper been working on recently?
What could be in a box that weighs almost nothing?
Felix don't fiddle with it.
A light bulb?
Dozens of light bulbs.
Electricity...on Prince Edward Island?
It'll be just like Montreal.
You know Sara, if we look through Uncle Jasper's notes...
We could probably come up with the best science project
of the year.
Aunt Hetty's already out in the barn.
Hurry up, Felix.
We're supposed to be helping.
[bell ringing]
For pity's sake...
I'm coming!
Tell me if my mother comes back.
What are you doing?
Getting my own room back.
Pretty clever, eh?
Felix, she'll freeze.
Survival of the fittest.
I've learned a lot of things at school besides science.
C'mon.
We've got to hurry to Uncle Jasper's and be back
for the lambing before they miss us.
Oh, no!
All out with the sheep, no doubt.
Thank you, Daniel.
You know you're a very lucky little boy, Daniel King.
You have a wonderful large family around you.
Oh Daniel!
Your quite feverish!
Yes dear Aunt Eliza... is Daniel bothering you?
Do you need something?
Never mind.
I'm not important.
But really, Janet, I'd hoped you'd gained some sense
over the years.
Whatever do you mean, dear?
It's a wonder any of your children
are still living and breathing.
I'm sure I don't know what you mean, Eliza.
Well, this baby here is burning up with fever - the influenza
I'd say - caused no doubt by the extreme damp
of this drafty old farmhouse.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with this house,
Aunt Eliza.
Oh I'm surprised that you ever notice anything at all, Janet.
You're always in such a muddle.
Yes, I know.
So you keep telling me.
Well there's absolutely nothing the matter with Daniel either.
He's just overheated is all.
He just needs some fresh air.
See the bicycle somehow creates enough power
to make the electricity work.
A bicycle? I don't get it.
Neither do I really, but that's what it says here...I think.
Well?
Nothing's happening.
Aha!
[electrical zap]
Felix!
It was like an invisible power that picked me up
and threw me across the room.
You know better than to go into Jasper Dale's workshop
when he's not there.
Ice, not butter, Janet.
Hetty is correct.
Prying into someone else's private things when
they're not at home - really.
Uncle Jasper allows us to go in his workshop.
You're always telling
us to be more independent and resourceful.
So, we were.
There's surely a difference between being resourceful
and life threatening.
Go to your room, Felix.
I don't have a room, remember?
I don't need any smart remarks right now.
Go to the barn then - that's where you're supposed
to be helping.
I feel like I've been hit by a train.
Well, Alex I'll make you some blackberry root tea.
What did I tell you: influenza.
Oh it's very serious at your age, Alec.
I remember my cousin Alice went to bed in perfect health.
The next morning her mother went in the next morning
and there she lay, her elegant fingers gripping the sheets -
her eyes fixed and her mouth open in a last gasp...
That's enough Eliza!
Can't you see you're upsetting the whole household
with these prophecies of doom.
Look, I'm sorry.
No.
I understand.
I'll just go back to my room.
All this exertion down here - very trying - at my age.
Who knows, I could die in my sleep like Uncle Robert.
Alec, I think you should stay in bed tomorrow.
Oh, and let the children take care of the lambing?
Father, we've helped with lambing many times.
Besides, this could be the last time I'm even part
of the lambing - what with the possibility of school
away next year...
Yes and Alec I'm sure with the children helping Hetty
and I can manage.
Well, not with Great Aunt Eliza needing your constant attention.
Besides, a little hard work is just the ticket to what ails me.
I just know I'm going to have problems with those new ewes
to I can feel it in my bones.
Ohh...this smells just as bad as that last concoction.
What was it, of oil of hemlock?
Will you just try it?
I can't, Janet.
It makes me gag.
Now I know you don't want me to interfere,
Alec but I really do feel that I have some...
Look I don't want to know about any new remedies.
I don't care.
I'm going to bed.
You've brought this influenza on your own household Janet.
You were never one to take precautionary measures
or think something through.
Live for the day - we reap what we sew.
You were too busy counting sheep, I daresay,
to take notice of your ailing lamb...
Yes Aunt Eliza I'm sure you know all about it --
you've had so many children of your own.
Felicity.
You'll go blind if you continue to read by lamplight.
Yes, Great Aunt ELiza.
You seem to take after your Aunt Hetty - you have that pinched
look just like the rest of the King family.
Janet!
Great Aunt Eliza what's wrong?
Oh, this room is as cold as an igloo.
I'll fetch another blanket.
Blanket, house is falling down
There, is that better?
It will take a few minutes to know.
Why don't you sit here, and we can have a little chat -
until I get warmed up.
What do you mean by pinched?
You're always such a serious, downhearted child.
Oh, no, it's nothing.
I know I must seem like a doddering old woman to you,
but I was a young girl once.
Could you get plump up these pillows for me?
You know it's my experience when a young girl is preoccupied,
the cause is usually a matter of love.
No, not really.
Well, maybe partly.
That and graduating soon, perhaps going away.
It's just that why can't things stay as they are?
There are so many decisions.
But how do I know which is the right one?
You must weigh your life today
against the possibilities for your future.
But I don't know my future.
I was always a headstrong and opinionated young girl
when I was young - much like yourself.
On a holiday in New York with my cousin Louise I met
and fell in love with a young Union soldier - Lyle Prescott.
It was all very sudden.
He wanted to marry me before going back to his regiment.
But you didn't.
No.
I didn't.
I was afraid.
Afraid of losing my family, my friends, my home.
I was afraid of the future.
My heart said yes to Captain Prescott, but I said no
and I turned my back on a possible road of my life.
Who knows, I might have had a family -
a daughter like you, Felicity.
But, you didn't know you wouldn't get another chance,
Great Aunt Eliza.
No, I held back, and became trapped in a moment of time.
Life can be very, very long, my dear.
You should do what your heart tells you to do,
no matter whatever people say.
Good night, Great Aunt Eliza.
Good night Felicity, dear.
[♪]
[baby crying]
There, there, my fine soldier boy.
We'll soon have you feeling better.
And none of that nasty brew of your mother's.
We have some nice water avens - here for you Indian chocolate
to bring your fever down, make you feel better!
Did you say chocolate?
Indian chocolate - so we used to call water avens.
Nobody remembers it now.
Your parents won't listen to an old lady like me -
But what was all that about chocolate?
It tastes like chocolate - hence its English name.
Say - this is great!
There's a good boy.
Now you must have some fluids, along with the medicine.
Indian chocolate for you it will bring down your fever.
Where did you ever learn about that?
Oh well, my mother was a great believer
in the native medicines.
You know the Micmacs used this plant,
water avens, to cure the influenza.
Maybe father should have a drink of that.
He should no doubt.
But, what do I know - I'm just part of the past, Felix.
Don't let me keep you up, boy.
I just stopped by to tend to the little one.
And I know you have a man's work to do tomorrow.
That's all right.
No.
I was decidedly selfish.
Particularly since it hasn't made a difference,
that room is absolutely freezing.
Great Aunt Eliza...
there's something I think you should know.
And what would that be, Felix?
I ah...turned off the heat to your room - I'm sorry.
I'm not all surprised.
You're a very clever boy.
It's just like whenever I think of something it causes no end
of trouble and disaster.
You shouldn't let people dissuade you from discovering
what you want to for yourself, Felix.
After all, where would one get in the world
if you didn't charge ahead.
Oh, there'll be bumps and bruises on the way,
but what can we expect?
You have great spirit, and an imagination
when it suits your purpose.
I suppose.
Great Aunt Eliza?
I think you might want to sleep down here.
It's warmer and I'll take my room.
That's very considerate of you, Felix.
I'll bring your things down, and the blankets, and the pillows.
Thank you Felix.
Say goodnight Daniel
Boiled bark of white oak... or persimmon tea, perhaps?
I think those remedies are making me worse, Janet.
But I'll...I'll be alright once I get out into the barn.
Work's the best remedy.
You look all in, too.
First you, then Daniel -
Great Aunt Eliza doesn't give me a moment's rest.
She's completely disrupted the household.
Felix mopes about the house all day -
he can't get any sleep at night.
Her nocturnal wanderings have made it impossible for me
to sleep as well.
Nothing is good enough for her -
certainly not I am not good enough for her.
She's sharp thing.
She always tried to make me feel stupid.
Even as a girl...
I know. I know.
Well you're just going to have to talk to her, Janet.
What am I going to say?
We're all worn to a frazzle.
My feeling is we put her on the first train to Abigail's
until we're finished the lambing.
At least we'd get a good night's sleep.
I can't turn her out.
Look you're not turning her out.
Abigail is much her relation as you are.
In fact, her family should be informed about her condition.
Maybe we should consider a hospital?
Some, some kind of treatment.
I don't know.
But we can't continue to live like this.
I know.
Why did she come here?
She..she really doesn't like me very much.
She never has.
Come, come...
I just can't take it anymore.
[♪]
Felix!
Felix King!
What are you doing here?
Where's Aunt Eliza?
Oh.
We traded places last night.
This room was too cold for her.
Where are her things?
I moved them downstairs, as well.
Oh no!
Oh no...oh no!
Look Daniel, a lamb's bottle
You haven't seen Eliza, have you?
No.
Oh Hetty!
Eliza switched places beds with Felix last night and she
overheard Alec and I talking about her last night
and now she's packed up and gone.
Oh!
Oh, I'm not surprised she always was a free-minded woman.
We said such terrible things about her.
But she's always so critical and overbearing.
Never a kind word about me - never.
Janet!
Did it never occur to you that being "critical and overbearing"
as you put it - maybe her way of trying to being more involved
with you and your family.
I know.
I know, but...
She was the only one who dare stand up
to that father of yours.
Why if it hadn't been for Great Aunt Eliza he never would have
relented and allowed you to marry Alec.
I didn't know that.
Why would she want to do that for me?
I suppose she knew Alec was what your heart desired.
Heaven knows why...
Oh, Hetty...it's true.
And I thrust her out into the cold.
When she came here for some comfort in her old age.
Hetty - can you look after Daniel?
I'm going after Eliza.
[♪]
I'm afraid it's just too cold for them to survive.
There must be something else we can do?
Well, can move them all in closer together.
That should save two or three of them.
Sara, run and fetch Arthur Pettibone.
Perhaps he can help us... keep your coat done up!
[♪]
Whoa!
Eliza! Eliza!
[♪]
Oh...Sara Stanley...
Is Arthur at home?
We have an emergency with our lambs at the King Barn.
I'm afraid he's off to Nova Scotia
Everyone's afraid that the lambs will die.
Hang on, Sara.
I'll be with you in a second.
[♪]
Oh, Oh God oh no!
this is all my fault.
Oh God!
Will Somebody help me please!
Oh God, Eliza...
I didn't mean what I said I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry.
You were so sophisticated.
I always thought I was such a disappointment
to you just like I was to father.
Oh God!
Somebody help me...
Eliza!
Oh God!
Eliza, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry!
Any ideas, Clive?
I'm not very familiar with sheep.
Seems to me, though, you've done everything possible.
Maybe we could transfer
the bottlefed lambs to the house, father?
Yes, I suppose that way we could save one or two...
Felix, what temperature is it?
Minus 10.
It's frozen, Alec it's frozen
We can't generate enough heat for them - or for ourselves.
How do can we get more heat?
Heat is... heat's energy.
What?
Like you when you jump up and down you get warm.
Please, children, I know you're trying to help,
but really jumping up and down is not very realistic.
We'll just do are best to save a few of them.
Energy.
[♪]
Help!
Somebody help please!
Whoa!
Help!
Somebody please!
She's incoherent.
She's frozen stiff - she's been in the lake, please!
Please!
Clive help me get her up to the house.
Quickly.
My case...
my little cases...
my skunk cabbage...
I think I should run and get the doctor.
She seems so grey and demented and cold.
She's so frail.
I want my little skunk cabbage...
my water avens...
the chocolate...
the tea packets.
Now get my bags.
Oh!
Her cases Alec, that's what she wants.
Out of the in buggy.
Could you get them for her.
Yes dear, yes dear...
Alec will get them for you.
Old, frail and sick.
That's what we all have to look forward to Hetty.
Oh Alec...she's not dead yet.
Well it all seems the same.
I remember our parents, you know.
Salt-of-the-earth, kind, caring people who became cantankerous
and critical, just like Eliza.
I hate remembering them that way.
Well perhaps you're afraid - one day you may become
just what you fear the most.
Well just look at what a bout of the influenza does
to my constitution and temperament.
Well the truth is, Eliza has some quite useful information
if you listen for it.
You just won't listen.
I can't even save my own lambs - I'm too ill to think straight.
I have to leave it all to the children, for heaven's sake.
To Felix.
What's wrong with that?
There's nothing whatever the matter with letting
the children, even Felix, take care of the lambing for you.
You're just can't face they're becoming independent
that's all - with minds of their own.
You were once, once upon a time just like them you know.
Now come on.
[♪]
Oh, Aunt Eliza are you sure you're alright?
Yes, I'm going to be fine.
Just you stop hovering.
Oh yes... of course
Thank you, Hetty.
She doesn't look fine to me.
No, not at all.
I want something to make me warm all over.
I want some of these...where are they...
This...this water avens.
Can you make this up into a tea, my dear?
Absolutely.
Can you manage here?
She'll be all right.
Yes.
Of course -- to the lambs.
What in heaven's name is going on here?
We're making heat father.
Sara!
Aren't these Jasper Dale's?
Aunt Hetty just listen to us for a minute...
You see, you pedal that bicycle...
And it makes the generator work.
And the current flows through these wires
into these black boxes here...
And it sends power to the lights bulbs...
This is ingenious.
All set, I hope.
Mr. Pettibone could you please peddle that bicycle?
You've got to pedal a lot faster than that, Mr. Pettibone.
Well, I'll be...
It's the heat of the sun in the height of the summer.
Quickly go tell your mother and Great Aunt Eliza.
Fetch them down here!
It's warm...it warm!
There you are Great Aunt Eliza.
You gave me such a fright.
Really, Janet, I'm perfectly capable
of taking care of myself...most of the time.
Yes, you are.
You always have been.
I'm sorry...
I am a...
very forthright and overbearing woman...
Oh, Janet, my feet are like blocks of ice - it chills right
up into my bones.
Aunt Janet.
Father says to bring to Great Aunt Eliza to the barn.
The barn?
Felix and I have created heat.
Sara and Felix have displayed initiative
and a dramatic understanding of scientific principles.
You could well take home the prize--certainly a very high
mark in science.
I guess I was wrong.
School is an important part of life.
I'll have to agree with you there son.
This is wonderful.
Felix, however did you get this idea?
I wouldn't have.
Except for Great Aunt Eliza.
Like all the Ward women, you are a wonder!
Oh my, thank you.
I can barely believe this nonsense, but the heat suits me.
Oh dear Aunt Eliza...
Can you ever forgive me?
But what was all that about your time being up.
Oh I didn't mean that Janet.
Oh, we Wards we're not susceptible to illnesses -
No it's just that I feel that all my old friends are gone.
And sometimes, I just feel so alone and quite useless.
Dear Great Aunt Eliza... You're welcome here, anytime.
For as long as you like.
[♪]