FINANCIAL WIZARD?
SURELY NOT.
WHY, HE'S PRACTICALLY A CHILD.
A VERY SUCCESSFUL CHILD.
MADE A FORTUNE IN THE FAMILY HOTEL BUSINESS.
MAMA'S RICH, PAPA'S RICH.
AND HE MADE THEM EVEN RICHER.
AND HE'S PUTTING MONEY
WE'RE DESPERATE
INTO THE WHITE SANDS?
FOR AN INFUSION OF CASH, WHAT WITH
THE ROOF TO FIX, THE FOOTINGS
TO SHORE UP -- BUTTER HIM UP.
HE COULD BE THE ANSWER
TO OUR PRAYERS.
GOOD MORNING, MR. OSBORNE.
SORRY TO KEEP YOU WAITING.
MAY I INTRODUCE MY BUSINESS
PARTNER, MISS HETTY KING.
PLEASURE, MISS KING.
OH, NO, THE PLEASURE'S MINE, MR. OSBORNE.
SO PLEASED YOU FOUND TIME TO RESPOND TO OUR LETTER.
UH, YOU'VE HAD A CHANCE, I TRUST, TO, UM...
LOOK AROUND OUR ESTABLISHMENT?
I HAVE.
AND WHAT DO YOU THINK?
B-I-.
B.L.?
BURN IT.
[ LAUGHING ]
B.I., WHAT A WIT.
HEAR THAT, HETTY? BURN IT.
MY TIME IS VALUABLE, MR. TREMAYNE.
I NEVER WASTE IT ON JOKES.
TO BE BLUNT, THIS... HOTEL IS A DINOSAUR.
I'll HAVE YOU KNOW THAT THE WHITE SANDS
IS THE PRIDE AND JOY OF THIS ISLAND.
MADAM, THERE ARE HOTELS BEING BUILT TODAY THAT MAKE
THIS ONE LOOK LIKE A RELIC FROM THE DARK AGES.
I SAY S.F.S.
UH, START FROM SCRATCH.
HERE'S THE PLAN: TRAINLOADS OF TOURISTS, CONVENTIONS,
GROUP PACKAGES -- WE'LL TRIPLE THE BUSINESS IN A YEAR.
NEXT YOU'LL SUGGEST SHOWGIRLS AND SINGING WAITERS.
PRECISELY -- WHICH IS WHY I WOULD TEAR OUT
THIS DINING ROOM AND TURN IT INTO A CAFETERIA.
WHAT IS A CAFETERIA?
UH, IT'S SORT OF A SMORGASBORD.
YOU EXPECT MY GUESTS TO LINE UP
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
LIKE SHEEP?
ME?
UH, UH, WELL, UM, I THINK IT MIGHT BE FUN.
IF WE SET UP SEPARATE STATIONS.
SALADS THERE AND MAIN COURSES THERE.
FOOD STATIONS.
BY JIMINY, TREMAYNE, THERE'S THE SORT OF FELLOW
WE LIKE TO WORK WITH.
THE CONTRACTS, SIR.
SIGN ON THE DOTTED LINE, AND I'll BRING IN THE WORK CREW.
I'M SORRY -- I CANNOT TURN
THE WHITE SANDS INTO A CIRCUS.
IT'S YOUR FUNERAL, TREMAYNE.
GREAT HOTELS ARE RUN BY VISIONARIES,
NOT BY OLD FOGEYS.
GOOD DAY, SIR.
MADAM.
I'll GIVE YOU A WEEK TO THINK THIS OVER.
STAY IN TOUCH.
YOU'VE GOT POTENTIAL.
IS HE RIGHT, HETTY KING?
AM I OVER THE HILL?
WELL, OF COURSE NOT.
YOU'RE A MAN OF WIT AND VITALITY.
AND THAT IS VISIONARY IN MY BOOKS.
AS FOR THE HOTEL, FINE SERVICE AND GOOD OLD-FASHIONED
HOSPITALITY WILL NEVER GO OUT OF DATE.
MARK MY WORDS, HMM?
OOPS.
SCHOOL, I'M LATE.
GOOD DAY, THERE, PIERRE, FELIX.
CHIN UP, SIMON.
I WOULDN'T TRADE YOU FOR 10 OF THOSE
INSOLENT YOUNG WHIPPERSNAPPERS.
YOU KNOW, SHE CAN BE VERY SWEET.
MISS KING?
WHO ELSE?
WE THINK ALIKE ON SO MANY ISSUES.
AU CONTRAIRE.
YOU SAY WHITE; SHE SAYS BLACK.
YOU SAY NIGHT; SHE SAYS DAY.
YOU FIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING.
OH, NONSENSE. A FEW LITTLE TIFFS OVER THE YEARS.
THEY MEAN NOTHING.
I MUST DO RIGHT BY HER, PIERRE.
ALL THE MONEY SHE INVESTED HERE, SHE COULD LOSE IT ALL...
IF OSBORNE IS RIGHT.
MISS KING, MISS KING, TELEGRAM.
HOPE NOBODY KICKED THE BUCKET.
OH, EDGAR DEAN, YOUR MOUTH!
TELEGRAM.
FROM MR. PETTIBONE.
"STOPPING EARLY TOMORROW AT THE AVONLEA SCHOOL"
"WITH MR. TUMBRIDGE, DEPUTY MINISTER OF EDUCATION."
OH, OH, TOMORROW, GOOD GRIEF!
NOW, THEN, FIRST, I'll SAY A FEW WORDS
OF WELCOME TO MR. TUMBRIDGE,
THEN WE'LL HAVE THE LORD'S PRAYER.
IS THERE A VOLUNTEER, ANYBODY?
ME, I'll DO IT, MISS KING.
VERY GOOD.
BECKY LESTER.
AND NEXT, THEN, WE SHOULD HAVE SOME RENDITION OR OTHER
OF THE MAPLE LEAF FOREVER.
MISS KING, CECILY AND I CAN SING
YES, OF COURSE, EXCELLENT.
IN HARMONY.
MISS KING, DORA KNOWS HER
TIMES TABLES UPSIDE DOWN AND SIDEWAYS.
MIND YOUR OWN BEES WAX.
I'LL BE A NERVOUS WRECK.
OH, NONSENSE, DORA. DAVEY IS RIGHT.
YOU DO, YOU HAVE A VERITABLE GENIUS FOR NUMBERS.
YOU KNOW, CLASS,
THIS WILL BE THE IDEAL OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU
TO SHOW OFF YOUR TALENTS.
AND SO I THINK I'll INVITE YOUR FAMILIES.
OH, THAT'S EXCITING.
WHY, OF COURSE, I'D BE DELIGHTED TO ATTEND.
I'll BRING SOME PASTRIES IF YOU LIKE.
UH, AND, HETTY, THANK YOU FOR THINKING OF ME.
WHICH IS BEST, THE STRIPED OR THE VELVET?
OH, YOU'RE RIGHT.
FOR HEAVEN'S SAKES, IT'S A
YES, THE VELVET'S MORE REFINED.
ELEGANT, STYLISH, DRESSED.
HETTY KING, THE DEPUTY MINISTER ISN'T COMING
TO GIVE YOU AN AWARD, YOU KNOW.
HE WON'T EVEN NOTICE WHAT'S ON YOUR HEAD.
WELL, HOW DO YOU KNOW, RACHEL?
I'VE BEEN THINKING.
WHAT ABOUT THE GOVERNOR GENERAL'S AWARD
FOR BEST TEACHER.
OH, CAN YOU IMAGINE?
WITH A TRIP TO OTTAWA FOR THE GALA PRESENTATION.
WELL, I COULD WEAR THE VELVET THEN.
HETTY, IT'S BAD LUCK TO COUNT YOUR CHICKENS.
NOW GET A MOVE ON.
THEY'RE HERE!
EVERYBODY BE SEATED.
DAVEY, WILEY.
AH,
MR. TUMBRIDGE,
MR. PETTIBONE, HOW GOOD OF YOU TO PAY US CALL.
GOOD DAY, MISS KING.
YOUR SUPERINTENDANT, MR. PETTIBONE,
IS WORKING WITH ME TODAY.
WELCOME TO THE AVONLEA SCHOOL.
PLEASE, RIGHT THIS WAY.
HERE, MR. TUMBRIDGE, SIR.
OH, THANK YOU.
WELL, NOW, THIS IS A PLEASURE.
GOOD DAY, CLASS.
GOOD DAY, MR. TUMBRIDGE, SIR.
PLEASE, BE SEATED THERE.
MR. TUMBRIDGE, MAY I SAY THAT, DESPITE SUCH SHORT NOTICE,
THE CHILDREN HAVE MANAGED
TO PREPARE A RECITAL IN YOUR HONOUR.
OH, YES, WE HAVE SONGS
MISS KING,
AND RECITATIONS--
COULD I HAVE A WORD
WITH YOU PRIVATELY?
PRIVATELY? OH, YES, OF COURSE.
WELL, AT EASE, EVERYONE.
I FEAR THERE'S BEEN A SLIGHT MISUNDERSTANDING, MISS KING.
I'M ON A VERY TIGHT SCHEDULE.
I'M AFRAID I CAN'T STAY FOR YOUR RECITAL.
PLEASE GIVE MY APOLOGIES TO THE CHILDREN,
BUT I'M HERE FOR THE INAUGURATION OF THE NEW SCHOOL
IN CARMODY -- NOW, YOU WILL BE RECEIVING
DETAILS BY POST, BUT I WANTED TO GIVE YOU THE OFFICIAL NEWS
IN PERSON.
THE NEWS?
YOU, MISS KING, ARE TO BE
MOVED OVER TO THE CARMODY SCHOOL TO TEACH
A CLASS IN ENGLISH COMPOSITION.
OH, NO, NO, NO, I COULDN'T.
I WOULDN'T DREAM OF ABANDONING THE AVONLEA SCHOOL.
MY, MY STUDENTS NEED ME.
YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND, MISS KING.
EITHER YOU ACCEPT THE CARMODY POSITION
OR WE MUST ASK YOU TO RETIRE.
RETIRE?
[ MURMURING EXCLAMATIONS ]
DID YOU SAY "RETIRE"?
WELL, IT'S YOUR CHOICE, OF COURSE.
BUT ONE-ROOM SCHOOLHOUSES ARE A THING OF THE PAST.
CARMODY WILL HAVE 20 ROOMS, WITH SPECIALIZED COURSES
IN SHORTHAND AND BUSINESS PRACTICE.
STUDENTS SEEKING A SUPERIOR EDUCATION
WILL COME FROM ALL THE SURROUNDING VILLAGES.
YOU MEAN YOU'RE SHIPPING SOME OF
MY PUPILS OVER TO CARMODY?
NOT SOME OF THEM, MISS KING. ALL OF THEM.
NEXT YEAR, THE AVONLEA SCHOOL WILL BE CLOSED.
PROGRESS, MISS KING.
DOWN WITH THE OLD, UP WITH THE NEW.
ONWARD AND UPWARD.
HETTY--
PETTIBONE, SHALL WE GO?
THANK YOU KINDLY,
MISS KING -- GOOD DAY, CLASS.
GOOD DAY.
I DIDN'T KNOW, HETTY. I'M SORRY.
THEY DON'T WANT ME ANY MORE, SIMON.
[ SOBBING ]
I KNOW THE FEELING, HETTY.
I'll LET GO...
IF YOU LIKE.
NO, NO, DON'T.
I MEAN, I DON'T MIND IF YOU DON'T MIND.
DO YOU THINK I SHOULD GIVE UP THE HOTEL BUSINESS AND RETIRE?
MOVE BACK TO SCOTLAND?
SCOTLAND?
NO, NO, YOU MUSTN'T.
OH, SIMON, I WOULD BE LOST
WITHOUT YOU.
OH, HETTY, I NEVER DREAMED.
NEITHER DID 1.
AH, M. TREMANYNE, PARDONNEZ MOI.
OH, YES, PIERRE.
A LOVELY NIGHT, ISN'T IT?
I SUPPOSE SO.
I THOUGHT I SHOULD WARN YOU.
YOUNG FELIX IS PLANNING TO GIVE
SOME SORT OF DANCE LESSONS.
HE'S PUTTING UP SIGNS
AS WE SPEAK.
OH, REALLY? HOW LOVELY.
I THOUGHT YOU DISAPPROVED.
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?
DO?
DID YOU EVER SEE THE MOON SHINE SO BRIGHTLY, PIERRE.
ARE YOU SURE YOU'RE ALL RIGHT, HETTY KING?
HMM?
FAR BE IT FROM ME TO INTERFERE WHERE I'M NOT WANTED,
BUT, UH, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO TELL ME?
YOU KNOW, IT'S STRANGE.
HERE, LIFE'S DEALT ME ITS CRUELEST BLOW,
AND YET SOMEHOW I FEEL STRANGELY ELATED.
YES, WELL, THERE'S AN OLD-FASHIONED NAME FOR THAT.
IT'S CALLED LUNACY.
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
PLAIN HORSE SENSE, THAT'S WHAT.
TAKE IT FROM ME, HETTY.
WHEN YOUR HEART SKIPS A BEAT, IT ISN'T LOVE. IT'S INDIGESTION.
I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS HAS HAPPENED.
EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING, HETTY.
PLATITUDES.
WE DID HAVE SOME WONDERFUL TIMES IN THIS OLD PLACE, DIDN'T WE?
WHAT'S WRONG WITH A ONE-ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE?
THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO KNOW.
I KNOW, HETTY.
IT'S DIFFICULT TO SET ONE'S MIND ON A NEW COURSE.
OH, ANOTHER PLATITUDE.
ONE DOOR CLOSES AND ANOTHER OPENS.
[ GIGGLING ]
THE MAN'S A FOOL.
THIS FRANTIC RUSH TO BE MODERN, THEY'RE LIKE SHEEP,
CONFORMING TO THE LATEST FAD.
EXACTLY.
WE DON'T CONFORM, DO WE, SIMON?
WE CONTINUE TO LIKE THE THINGS THAT WE LIKE.
YOU KNOW WHAT WE ARE?
WE'RE REBELS.
YES, REVOLUTIONARIES, THAT'S US.
REVOLUTIONARIES.
AH, YOU KNOW,
HETTY, WHEN PUSH
COMES TO SHOVE, YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE THAT TRULY UNDERSTANDS ME.
LIKEWISE, SIMON.
OH, IT'S SUCH FUN, ISN'T IT, HAVING SOMEONE
TO CONFIDE IN?
HETTY KING...
IN THE PAST FEW YEARS
I'VE COME TO REALIZE HOW FLEETING IS TIME,
HOW MUCH YOU MEAN TO ME.
A LITTLE LOWER.
HETTY,
WOULD YOU...
OH, SIMON.
SAY YOU'LL BE MINE FOREVER AND EVER?
YES, OH, YES, YES.
YES, YES, YES, YES...
AH, I WAS HOPING TO HAVE A WORD WITH YOU, MR. OSBORNE.
I'VE WORKED OUT A NEW PROPOSAL
TO TAKE THIS DECREPIT HOTEL
OFF YOUR HANDS.
YOU DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT.
AND I'M NOT PREPARED TO THROW GOOD MONEY
AFTER BAD AND INVEST IN THIS...MUSEUM
SO THAT YOU CAN RELINQUISH YOUR DEBT.
I HAVE PLANS TO SAVE THE PLACE,
BUT IT WOULD MEAN YOU SELLING OUT.
NOW, HOLD ON A MINUTE, MR. OSBORNE.
I WILL NEVER HAND OVER CONTROL OF THIS FINE HOTEL.
IT'S A PART OF MY LIFE.
I COULD NEVER CONVINCE MY BUSINESS PARTNER
TO GIVE UP HER STAKE, NO.
A CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP IS OUT OF THE QUESTION, I'M AFRAID.
WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO DEPEND ON YOU FOR EMPLOYMENT?
ON THE PRESENT COURSE OF DESTRUCTION THAT YOU'VE CHOSEN,
THEY'LL BE OUT OF WORK IN LESS THAN A YEAR.
YOU HAVE NO CHOICE.
I WILL BUY YOU AND YOUR PARTNER OUT WITH A RESPECTABLE SUM.
AT THIS POINT, IT'S ONLY L.O.E.
L.O.E.?
LIQUIDATE OR EVAPORATE.
I'VE DICTATED THE BASIC TERMS TO MY ATTORNEYS,
WHO WILL DRAW UP A LONG-FORM AGREEMENT.
I COULD EVEN INCLUDE PROVISIONS
FOR THE CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT OF KEY STAFF.
THANK YOU FOR COMING ALL THIS
WAY TO DISCUSS INVESTMENT.
OUR CONVERSATION HAS BEEN MOST
ENLIGHTENING, MR. OSBORNE.
I WILL TAKE WHAT YOU'VE SAID
UNDER ADVISEMENT.
I WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN
I'VE REACHED MY DECISION.
DON'T M.T.B. NOW.
MISS THE BOAT.
IT'S A MILESTONE, HETTY.
OUR FIRST OUTING AS AN ENGAGED COUPLE.
BRIDGE WITH THE KINGS AND THE PETTIBONES.
THAT'S WHAT IT WILL BE, I SUPPOSE.
YEARS AFTER YEARS OF BRIDGE.
WEEK AFTER WEEK, LIKE CLOCKWORK.
LISTENING TO CLIVE AND MURIEL AND ALEC AND JANET.
YES.
NEVER MIND.
WE MAY GROW TO LIKE IT.
COME ON, NOW. LET'S FIND THE OTHERS.
PROBABLY IN THE PARLOUR, HMM?
[ SCREAMING ]
AND NO MATTER WHAT, YOU CAN'T DO THAT WITH A TWISTED ANKLE.
[ LAUGHING ]
EVERYONE, TO HETTY AND SIMON,
OUR VERY BEST WISHES
FOR A LONG AND HAPPY LIFE TOGETHER.
TO HETTY AND SIMON.
THANK YOU.
WHERE ARE YOU
TWO LOVEBIRDS GOING TO BUILD YOUR LITTLE NEST?
ROSE COTTAGE.
THE WHITE SANDS.
[ LAUGHING ]
IT APPEARS THAT WE HAVE
SOME DISCUSSING TO DO,
DON'T WE, DARLING?
HA, WHY WOULD I WANT TO LIVE IN A HOTEL WHEN I HAVE
A PERFECTLY LOVELY HOME TO LIVE IN?
AND ONE THAT'S BEEN IN THE FAMILY FOR GENERATIONS.
WHY WOULD I LIVE IN YOUR LITTLE HOME
WHEN I HAVE THE DAY AND NIGHT
RESPONSIBILITIES OF A GREAT BIG HOTEL?
BUT YOU'RE GIVING UP THE HOTEL.
OH, THANK YOU.
HETTY, I MUST COMMEND YOU ON YOUR WISE DECISION.
WHAT DECISION? I HAVEN'T MADE ONE YET.
WE'RE JUST DISCUSSING IT.
NO, HA, HA, HA, NO, I WAS REFERRING
TO YOUR WISDOM IN TURNING DOWN CARMODY.
IT'S VERY ASTUTE OF YOU.
GO OUT WITH A BLAZE OF GLORY, SAY I.
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
NO, NO, LET HIM SPEAK. GO ON, CLIVE.
IT'S NOTHING.
IT'S JUST THAT, IF I WERE IN YOUR SHOES,
I WOULD FEEL THE SAME WAY.
ALL THOSE SMART YOUNG THINGS
ON STAFF.
I'D HAVE DIFFICULTY KEEPING UP WITH THEM.
DIFFICULT, HMM?
WHAT'S DIFFICULT
HAVE SOME CAKE, DEAR.
ABOUT IT?
NOW, SURELY, CLIVE,
YOU'RE NOT INSINUATING THAT
SOME YOUNG SNIPPET, WET BEHIND THE EARS,
IS A BETTER TEACHER THAN I AM.
HETTY, I'M ON YOUR SIDE.
IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT I THINK.
IT'S WHAT THE DEPUTY MINISTER THINKS
THAT COUNTS.
OH, AND WHAT, PRAY TELL, IS THAT?
WELL, THAT YOUR... TEACHING METHODS ARE OUTDATED.
THAT'S WHY HE'S CLOSING THE AVONLEA SCHOOLHOUSE.
HETTY, WE MUSTN'T GET EXCITED.
NOW, LOOK HERE,
CLIVE PETTIBONE, I'll PIT
MY PUPILS AGAINST THAT CARMODY LOT ANY DAY OF THE WEEK.
MATH, ENGLISH, GEOGRAPHY,
YOU NAME IT.
JUST YOU WAIT.
A CONTEST?
I WANT A CONTEST.
FAIR AND SQUARE BETWEEN THE TWO SCHOOLS
TO SETTLE WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE A QUESTION OF SLANDER.
BUT WHAT IF YOU LOSE?
MY STUDENTS WON'T LOSE.
THEY'LL WIN.
AND THEN YOUR PRECIOUS MR. TUMBRIDGE
WILL HAVE TO RECONSIDER HIS DECISION
TO, TO CLOSE MY SCHOOL.
COME ALONG, DEAR.
I FEEL A VERY BIG HEADACHE COMING ON.
I'll MAKE THAT DEPUTY MINISTER EAT CROW.
I'll START MY STUDENTS IN TRAINING AT ONCE.
WHAT ABOUT THE WEDDING?
WHAT?
OHH...OHH, SURELY, SIMON,
YOU DON'T THINK I'D LET OUR WEDDING PLAY SECOND FIDDLE
TO A SHOWDOWN BETWEEN TWO SCHOOLS, DO YOU?
DO YOU?
NO, NO, OF COURSE NOT.
I'll SETTLE UP
EVERYTHING WITH OSBORNE.
YES. GOOD.
DINNER...
TOMORROW NIGHT AT THE HOTEL.
AT 8:00?
DELICIOUS, HMM, I'll BE THERE WITH BELLS ON.
[ CLIVE PETTIBONE ]: LOOK HERE, MR. TUMBRIDGE,
THIS WHOLE SITUATION IS EXTREMELY REGRETTABLE.
MISS KING IS VERY UPSET.
I WISH I'D BEEN ABLE TO WARN HER.
WELL, THESE THINGS HAVE TO
GO THROUGH OFFICIAL CHANNELS.
THIS IS, AFTER ALL, IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION'S PROGRESSIVE NEW POLICIES.
HETTY KING IS HIGHLY RESPECTED FOR MILES AROUND.
SHE FEELS HER REPUTATION HAS BEEN DAMAGED.
SHE WANTS TO HOLD A CONTEST
BETWEEN THE TWO SCHOOLS TO PROVE HER POINT.
A CONTEST?
OH, THIS IS MOST IRREGULAR.
WHY NOT?
IF AVONLEA LOSES, YOUR DECISION
TO CLOSE THE SCHOOL WILL HAVE BEEN JUSTIFIED.
AND, THIS WAY, MISS KING AND HER STUDENTS WILL HAVE
HAD THEIR DAY IN COURT, SO TO SPEAK.
WELL, I'll, UM...
I'll GIVE IT SOME THOUGHT.
THANK YOU, SIR.
AWRITTEN TEST
TO BE TAKEN IN CARMODY THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW.
QUESTIONS TO BE PREPARED BY A COMMITTEE OF THREE:
MYSELF, THE CARMODY PRINCIPAL AND A MINISTRY OFFICIAL.
DON'T WORRY, MISS KING.
THEY DON'T SCARE US. WE DON'T WANT OUR SCHOOL TO CLOSE.
WE'RE GONNA BEAT THEIR PANTS OFF.
NO!
YEAH!
INDEED WE WILL, DAVEY KEITH.
INDEED WE WILL.
ALL RIGHT, CHILDREN, LET'S PREPARE TO DO BATTLE.
DIVIDING INTO TEAMS,
MATH HERE, GEOGRAPHY OVER THERE, ENGLISH ACROSS THE BACK.
READY, MARCH.
NOW, REMEMBER,
THE FATE OF OUR SCHOOL IS AT STAKE,
AND I KNOW YOU'LL DO ME PROUD.
FOR GOD, FOR COUNTRY, FOR AVONLEA... TO WORK!
HETTY!
WAIT TILL YOU SEE WHAT I BROUGHT YOU.
OH, OLIVIA, PLEASE, NOT NOW.
I'M IN A DREADFUL HURRY.
I'M SUPPOSED TO BE MEETING SIMON FOR DINNER AT 8:00.
IT'LL ONLY TAKE A MOMENT.
IT'S GRANDMOTHER KING'S WEDDING DRESS.
I FOUND IT IN THE ATTIC.
OHH.
OH, MY.
OH, OLIVIA.
MISS KING, YOU LOOK LIKE A REAL BRIDE.
OH, THANK YOU, CHILD.
I KNOW YOU'RE IN A RUSH TO GO OUT,
BUT I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY LONG DIVISION.
AND DAVEY'S IN A REAL SWEAT OVER HIS OBJECTS OF PROPOSITIONS.
PREPOSITIONS.
OH -- MRS. LYNDE'S AT HER
FOREIGN MISSIONS MEETING, SO SHE CAN'T HELP.
OH, YES, I FORGOT.
GOOD GRIEF. IT'S 20 TO 8:00!
I'D STAY TO HELP, BUT I'VE
GOT TO GET HOME AND PUT MONTY TO BED.
YES, OF COURSE.
ALL RIGHT, DORA DEAR, I'll SEE WHAT I CAN DO.
ONLY A FEW MOMENTS, NOW.
NOW, OLIVIA, JUST LEAVE IT THERE.
I'll TRY IT ON LATER. I PROMISE.
THAT WAS GOOD.
MM-HMM. I AM TIRED.
YES...
UH, NO, NO, DAVEY.
ONE DOESN'T SAY, "WHO ARE YOU SPEAKING TO?" NO.
[ KNOCKING ]
PHEW, WHAT NOW? UH, DORA --
SEE WHO THAT IS, WILL YOU, DEAR?
NO, NO, YOU SEE,
ONE SAYS...
"TO WHOM ARE YOU SPEAKING?"
"WHOM" IS THE OBJECT OF THE PREPOSITION "TO", YOU SEE.
MISS KING.
YOU GOTTA HELP US.
ME AND WILEY, WE'RE GOING OFF OUR ROCKERS WITH THESE
HERE LATITUDES AND LONGITUDES.
MA SAID YOU'D STRAIGHTEN US OUT. WOULD YOU, MISS KING, PLEASE?
WE GOT TO WIN.
YES, ALL RIGHT.
WE'LL GET OUT THE ATLAS.
QUICKLY NOW, QUICKLY.
AND BE SEATED. BOTH OF YOU.
MISS KING, YOU SURE LOOK PRETTY WITH THAT VEIL ON.
OHH, THE VEIL.
OH, YES, THE VEIL.
I'll GET IT.
[ KNOCKING ]
NOW WHAT?
MISS KING.
YOU MUST HELP. I'M STUCK ON LATIN POETRY.
THE CHILDREN NEED HELP WITH THEIR ENGLISH.
OHH...
YES, ALL RIGHT.
ALL RIGHT, UM...I'll SEE TO YOU EACH IN TURN. IZZY FIRST.
SHE STOOD HIM UP.
WELL, PERHAPS IT'S FOR THE BEST.
YOU THINK SO?
LOVE IS LIKE A DELICATE SOUFFLE.
IT CAN RISE OR FALL, AND NOBODY EVER KNOWS WHY.
ONE THING I DO KNOW.
OUR FRIEND OVER THERE WILL BE MISERABLE
IF HE GIVES UP WHAT HE LOVES BEST.
YOU MEAN AUNT HETTY?
NO, NO, MY BOY.
I MEAN THE HOTEL.
[ PHONE RINGING ]
OH, YES, I'll GET IT.
HELLO.
SIMON...
OH, OH, OH, HOW COULD I HAVE... OH, I'M SO SORRY.
NO, NO, IT'S QUITE ALL RIGHT.
IT WAS JUST A LITTLE SNACK.
NOTHING SPECIAL.
IT'S JUST... THE CONTEST TOMORROW, YOU KNOW,
AND SUDDENLY EVERYONE NEEDED MY HELP AND...
YES, I'll BE IN CARMODY TOMORROW TO CHEER YOU ON.
NO, NO, I UNDERSTAND.
I'M NOT UPSET.
NO...NO.
GOOD NIGHT, MY DEAR.
I'M LEAVING TOMORROW AFTERNOON.
HAVE YOU MADE UP YOUR MIND?
IT SHOULD BE A SIMPLE CHOICE, TREMAYNE.
I'M NOT PREPARED TO TALK ABOUT MY
BUSINESS AFFAIRS AT THE PRESENT.
YOU'LL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW.
GOOD NIGHT.
WELL, OLD MAN, IN ANOTHER FEW WEEKS YOU'LL BE LASSOED AND WED.
HOW ARE YOU TWO GETTING ALONG?
I DON'T KNOW.
SHE'S BEEN UNDER A GREAT DEAL OF PRESSURE, AS YOU CAN SEE.
IT'LL PASS.
PLANNING ON A NICE, LONG HONEYMOON, ARE YOU?
YES.
JUST BETWEEN YOU AND ME,
I'VE GOT SURPRISE PLANS IN THE
WORKS FOR A TRIP TO SCOTLAND
AFTER I DEAL WITH THE HOTEL.
OH, YEAH.
GOLF...VISITING ALL MY OLD HAUNTS.
SHE'S NEVER BEEN ACROSS
THE OCEAN, YOU KNOW.
OF COURSE, IF AVONLEA WINS,
THE HONEYMOON COULD GO
RIGHT OUT THE WINDOW.
NONSENSE, A WOMAN IN LOVE DOESN'T CANCEL HER HONEYMOON.
IT'S AN UNWRITTEN LAW.
JUST THE SAME, KEEP SCOTLAND
UNDER YOUR HAT, WILL YOU?
I'D PREFER TO SURPRISE
HETTY IN A ROMANTIC WAY.
AND TIME'S UP.
PROPHETIC WORDS, EH?
[ MURMURING ]
EXCUSE ME, PLEASE.
[ PHONE RINGING ]
EXCUSE ME. EXCUSE ME.
AVONLEA GENERAL STORE.
YES.
[ MURMURING ]
I'll TELL THEM.
AVONLEA...
HAS WON.
[ CHEERING ]
THE SCHOOL STAYS OPEN.
THREE CHEERS FOR US.
HIP HIP HOORAY!
HERE'S TO THE FUTURE.
TO YOU, HETTY KING.
YOU CERTAINLY PULLED IT OFF.
NO, NO, NOT I.
NO, NO, IT WAS MY STUDENTS.
THE BEST
IN THE PROVINCE.
OH, DEAR ME, SIMON,
YOU KNOW, THE SCHOOL STAYING OPEN
WILL MEAN A VERY SHORT HONEYMOON.
BUT I WAS PLANNING SOMETHING SPECIAL...UNIQUE.
A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXCURSION...
FULL OF HISTORY.
WELL, YES, BUT, YOU KNOW...
I'VE BEEN THINKING THAT THERE ARE
SOME VERY CHARMING HOTELS IN HALIFAX.
WHY NOT A QUICK WEEKEND TRIP?
A WEEKEND IN HALIFAX?
THAT'S ALL THE TIME FROM SCHOOL I CAN AFFORD, REALLY.
OH, NEVER MIND.
WE'LL LEAVE SATURDAY AND TAKE IN A MOVING PICTURE SHOW
AND STROLL ALONG THE DOCK
AND BE BACK IN TIME FOR SCHOOL MONDAY MORNING.
AUNT HETTY, A TELEGRAM FROM THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF EDUCATION.
CONGRATULATIONS, NO DOUBT.
THE OLD GOAT WILL BE EATING CROW BY NOW.
THAT'S FOR CERTAIN.
HETTY, WHAT IS IT?
THE DECISION'S BEEN STAYED.
THE EXAMS WERE RE-MARKED.
APPARENTLY, WE DIDN'T WIN AFTER ALL.
AND TUMBRIDGE
MAY STILL CLOSE THE AVONLEA SCHOOL.
DEAR LORD.
THE CARMODY PRINCIPAL HAS
FILED A COMPLAINT AGAINST ME FOR...
CHEATING.
HE SAYS HE SAW ME SIGNALLING MY STUDENTS...DURING THE EXAM.
HE'S ACCUSED ME OF REVEALING THE QUESTIONS AHEAD OF TIME.
EXCUSE ME,
PLEASE, EXCUSE ME.
HETTY.
HETTY KING, YOU HAVE TO COME OUT OF THERE SOONER OR LATER.
NO, I DON'T, AND I WON'T.
NEVER HAS A KING BEEN SUBJECTED TO SUCH VILE ACCUSATIONS.
OH, THE SHAME.
AND MY POOR SCHOOL.
MY POOR, DEAR STUDENTS.
OH, THIS IS A BLACK, BLACK DAY.
NOR WILL I, SIMON TREMAYNE,
NOR WILL I DRAG YOUR GOOD NAME INTO THE MIRE WITH ME.
SO, SO, HERE.
TAKE THIS.
THERE...
YOU'RE OFF THE HOOK.
HETTY...
YOU MUSTN'T.
IT'S HER PRIDE.
SHE COULDN'T BE WORSE IF
THEY CUT OFF HER RIGHT ARM.
AND WHAT ABOUT MY PRIDE?
I REFUSE TO BREAK OFF OUR ENGAGEMENT, HETTY KING.
NO, I TELL YOU, TAKE IT.
YOU'RE A STUBBORN FOOL, HETTY KING.
BUT I'M JUST AS STUBBORN AS YOU ARE.
POOR MISS KING.
EVERYTHING'S GOING WRONG.
WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING, DAVEY.
WE HAVE TO DO IT QUICK.
YEAH.
HAS OSBORNE LEFT?
DID HE, UH, WITHDRAW HIS OFFER?
YOU HAVEN'T HAD
A MORSEL OF FOOD TODAY.
HOW ABOUT A NICE HOT ROAST BEEF
SANDWICH WITH GRAVY
AND HOME FRIED POTATOES?
THANK YOU, PIERRE, BUT
I COULDN'T CHOKE DOWN A CRUMB.
WHAT WITH THE CONSTANT
COMPLAINING FROM THE GUESTS ABOUT
THE PLUMBING, THE LEAKY ROOF
THE LACK OF ELECTRICITY,
NOT TO MENTION THIS...
THIS CONTRACT.
PUTTING MY NAME ON THIS DOTTED LINE
IS LIKE...
...SIGNING YOUR LIFE AWAY.
EXACTLY.
WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME?
IT'S PLAIN AS THE NOSE ON YOUR FACE.
YOU ARE NOT READY TO LEAVE THE HOTEL BUSINESS.
I LIKE RUNNING THIS PLACE.
IN FACT...l LOVE IT.
I LOVE THE WALLS, I LOVE THE CEILINGS,
I LOVE THE FURNITURE.
I DON'T WANT THE OSBORNES OF THE WORLD
CHANGING AS MUCH AS A DOILY.
TELL ME, LAD,
YOU'VE KNOWN YOUR AUNT MUCH LONGER THAN I HAVE.
JUST HOW IMPORTANT IS TEACHING
SCHOOL TO HER?
IT'S WHERE HER HEART IS.
IF SHE GAVE IT UP, SHE'D BE UNHAPPY.
UNHAPPY...SHE'D BE MISERABLE.
WELL, THERE YOU HAVE IT, GENTLEMEN.
SHE LOVES ME. I LOVE HER.
BUT WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT IT?
WELL, LET'S START WITH FIXING THE ROOF.
THEN WE CAN PATCH THE PLUMBING.
WE'LL HAVE THIS OLD PLACE LOOKING LIKE
A BRAND-NEW HOTEL IN NO TIME.
WE'LL NEVER LET IT FALL APART.
YOU SURE MR. TREMAYNE SAID HE'D GIVE US A RIDE?
HE PROMISED.
AS LONG AS WE KEEP IT
A SECRET FROM YOU-KNOW-WHO.
JUST WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?
UM, WE WERE JUST GOING TO SCHOOL.
AT 6:00 IN THE MORNING?
MRS. LYNDE, I CANNOT TELL A LIE.
SHUT UP, DORA.
WE'RE GOING TO GO LOOK FOR THE BLUE-BACKED SPRINGLE GOOSE.
WE HAVE TO DO A PAPERON IT.
THE BLUE-BACKED WHAT?
IT'S A VERY RARE BIRD,
AND IF WE DON'T GO RIGHT NOW, WE'LL MISS IT,
BECAUSE IT ONLY COMES ONCE A YEAR.
WELL, I NEVER...
I SUPPOSE IF YOU MUST...
WE'LL BE BACK IN TIME FOR LUNCH.
YOU SEE, MR. TUMBRIDGE, SIR, I KNOW MISS KING DIDN'T CHEAT.
SHE ONLY LOOKED AT ME TO GIVE ME A LITTLE BIT OF ENCOURAGEMENT.
THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT.
TEST ME RIGHT NOW.
I CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTION YOU ASK.
MR. TUMBRIDGE, I SEE NO NEED
TO TEST THE CHILD AGAIN.
IT IS OBVIOUS THEY ARE TRYING
TO COVER UP FOR MISS KING.
THEY CHEATED ON THE EXAM.
THE AVONLEA SCHOOL SHOULD CLOSE AS PLANNED.
THEN WE'LL TEACH THEM A LITTLE ABOUT THE THREE "R's".
READING, WRITING,
AND RESPECT FOR THE TRUTH.
EXCUSE ME.
WILSON...
WHAT ARE THE MARKINGS ALL OVER THESE PAGES, HMM?
THE CHILDREN ERASED SOME OF
THEIR ANSWERS DURING THE EXAM.
THEY WERE UNSURE.
WELL, I'M SURE THERE'S MORE HERE THAN MEETS THE EYE.
THE, THE WRITING.
IT'S...IT'S COMPLETELY INCONSISTENT.
NONE OF IT MATCHES THE INDIVIDUAL PAPER.
WILSON, YOU CAN FOOL SOME OF THE PEOPLE SOME OF THE TIME.
DORA, WHAT'S 10 TIMES 7?
IT'S 70, OF COURSE.
DAVEY, WHAT'S THE PAST TENSE OF THE VERB "TO BE"?
WAS.
DORA, 1211s?
132.
DAVEY, NAME ME THREE PREPOSITIONS.
UNDER, OVER, ON.
DORA, 68 PLUS 2, MINUS 7.
63.
DAVEY, WHAT'S A CONJUNCTION?
AND.
HETTY!
PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER. QUICK!
MR. TUMBRIDGE IS COMING UP THE WALK WITH THE CHILDREN!
WHAT?
BLUE-BACKED SPRINGLE GOOSE INDEED.
MISS KING, MRS. LYNDE?
WE GOT COMPANY.
MISS KING?
SHE'S COMING.
OH.
MR. TUMBRIDGE.
FORGIVE THE INTRUSION, MISS KING,
BUT YOUR STUDENTS SUMMONED ME TO A MEETING
TO DISCUSS THE COMPLAINT FILED BY THE CARMODY PRINCIPAL.
THEY WHAT?
YES, THERE SEEMS TO BE A CERTAIN DESPERATION OVER AT CARMODY
TO INCREASE THE STUDENT POPULATION
OF THAT SCHOOL IN ORDER TO INCREASE FUNDING.
OH.
PRINCIPAL WILSON ERASED OUR ANSWERS.
BUT WE SHOWED HIM
HOW BRILLIANT WE ARE.
MIND YOUR MOUTH, BOY.
THANKS TO A BRILLIANT TEACHER.
YES, I APOLOGIZE FOR THE ODIOUS
SUGGESTIONS OF THE PREVIOUS DAY.
SUCH DEVOTION AND SCHOLARSHIP AMONG THESE ADMIRABLE CHILDREN.
IT CAN'T BE IGNORED.
THE RE-TABULATED EXAMS PROVE, AS WE ORIGINALLY THOUGHT,
THAT THE AVONLEA SCHOOL
IS THE HANDS-DOWN WINNER OF THE COMPETITION.
MISS KING,
THE AVONLEA SCHOOL WILL REMAIN OPEN
AS LONG AS YOU REMAIN AT THE HELM.
OH, THEN THIS IS...THIS IS A GLORIOUS DAY FOR AVONLEA.
THANK YOU.
...THREE-FOUR. ONE AND-- OH...
AH, HETTY, I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU
AS HAPPY AS THIS IN A LONG, LONG TIME.
YOU LOOK HAPPY, TOO.
YOU KNOW ME SO WELL.
LIKE A BOOK.
WE'VE BEEN FOOLING OURSELVES,
HAVEN'T WE?
YOUR MARRIAGE PROPOSAL, SIMON TREMAYNE,
IS THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT I'VE EVER BEEN PAID.
HERE.
DO YOU THINK THEY'LL GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK?
PERHAPS YOU BETTER SAVE IT.
YOU MAY FALL IN LOVE AGAIN.
NO...I'M STILL IN LOVE.
SO AM.
BUT I DON'T FEEL MARRIAGE REALLY SUITS EITHER OF US.
NO, PROBABLY NOT.
WOULD YOU CARE TO INDULGE AN OLD HOTEL CUSTOM?
WHAT?
NO...
I'D MUCH PREFER A QUIET STROLL
TOGETHER ALONG OUR...
A DECREPIT VERANDA.
WHATEVER PLEASES YOU, DARLING.