Tales From Dickens: The Runaways (1959)

[Music] the [Music] this is the library of Charles Dickens the home where he lived and worked over a hundred years ago this is the same desk or he sat and wrote so many of his stories Dickens loved people and of all people he loved best children especially the children of his own imagination out of the world of Dickens the sunlight of his descriptive genius still lighting their faces come these grave and polite little folk the story that I'm going to tell you now concerns two children and Boots a general servant at a certain Inn the Holly Tree Inn one Christmas Eve the Rochester coach Drew up in the courtyard and some very singular characters alighted please take the Admiral indoors he's vastly susceptible to cold weather where they are my love all snug my love damn muderous bird ought to be law against damn stupid woman traveling around with a manager have you got cousin Li's bed warmer Mr ler now pray don't stumble over the sto now is there any more for the holly tree in are you stopping at the holly tree in young gentlemen yes we are are you all right Flora I think I lost my handkerchief in the coach no you didn't dear I have it my no tickles come along Flora [Music] put me in a room as far away as possible from that bited dodo terrible old terminant number eight sir uh round to the left now stand just where you are Mr ler while I make the arrangements don't stir an eyelash a double room for the night with adequate accommodation for our accs uh number 12 third door on the left through the Hoke h you may proceed Mr dider no naturally naturally and what might you be a want in young sir we want a room for the night please and a separate sitting room and a fire L and supper oh you does does you and will you be share in the room with this young lady I shall sleep in the sitting room of course and will your relatives be coming to collect you in the morning we have no relatives in these parts we're on root oh you is well H root for where may I inquire that's our concern thank you the key please show his lordship to room seven boots and see the a fire's laid in a jiffy and take his lordship's order for dinner if you don't mind I think this is a nice scene Harry I'm sleepy come along Sora straight up the stairs my Lord to the right P rot says he is calm as a [Music] cucumber I trust it is satisfactory M Lord it seems quite adequate is it to your liking Flora o look it's got spoty do on the mantle would your lordship be requiring suffer right away oh yes we're quite hungry and what would your lordship have a fancy for we'd like sausages and a pot of jam with the sausages or separate separate of course and some bread to put the jam on and tea to go with and sugar in lumps oh and we'd like a newspaper and a pair of scissors oh wait a minute my lord it's none of my business as seeing as are your Hobs in the AIT of being on Route might I inquire what your lordship's up to no you may not but that's our business pray build the fire you'll be warm quite soon Flora I do hope we get the jam before I get too sleepy please hurry Boots the lady's getting weary well of course me Lord oh and was it scissors me Lord yes and sharp ones may I be so bold as we inquire what his lordship has the intention of cutting up why the paper of course let me take your Bonnet flora and it's quite all right if you want to take your shoes off since we're incognito is we o they didn't let on where they was off to no Tomy is none of my business to inquire very much the lord of the men is Master Erie my instinct tells me something is up to them two pons you'll find out at dinner boots who they is what they's at and if anyone's coming to meet them oh and give them a bowl of warm milk of Peace the tone of him hey shall sleep in the sitting room of course says he well it's clear to sees a gentleman not many so sensitive to the propinquities [Music] [Applause] [Music] so and a pot of strawberry jam for number seven that's no dinner for human beings what's wrong with them L you ought to know better than to ask questions the motto of this place is what the customer wants is what he gets I'd like to give some of them that keep you running up and downstairs all day now you sit down and eat a nice hot muffin it's a crying shame the way you neglect your vittles J know if I was you eat everything you put in front of me I'd be as big as a helephant a man like you needs to keep his strength up oh well see as how you're so pressing Only Yesterday Mrs piff said to me that boots is a fine figure of a man ly she said one that any sensible woman couldn't help but admire the Wonder to me is she said he never got married a for now and I can tell her the answer to that one because I've never wanted to doesn't seem natural to me never does to a woman ah marriag is like boots they Pinch at first then after a while they get little more comfortable and just as you think you're suited they wears out no no I've stayed single for so long and single I mean to remain come on what about them saage and a pot of strawberry jamer number seven go on get it might I suggest a pet of butter right on the BH thank you now then might I inquire if there's anything else your lordship will be needing I'll ring if I do boots here's six oh thank you my Lord and uh while we're on the subject is your lordship planning on an early start tomorrow I don't know yet come to think of it it may be necessary to take you into our confidence with that in view boots here's an extra Penny that's your service my Lord I'm very sure don't scobble Flora you know it gives you hiccups can I mop up well I don't suppose boots will mine though it's not done strictly speaking I'll Overlook it sir see here boots it's this way do you happen to know the next coach gret n green gret n green you mean the place where the blacksmith performs the marriage ceremonies exactly now please understand boots that is in the strictest confidence because Flor and me are traveling incognit I had a notion you was you see our parents don't approve they're very much against the whole thing j please you must wait till I'm done Flora it's not good to Jumble it all up together you must wait while I explain to Boots the fact is Boots we on our way to gret and the green to get married and it's a matter of great importance we get there quick so we better get a coach tomorrow morning uh you and her ladyship ain't eloping by any chance well yes we are that's the long and short of it drink your milk now Flora if you didn't talk so much we get to the jam much quicker so that's the long and short of it you and Miss Flora are a blink and runaway couple always he's putting the jam on a bread for her now let me look now now now now now what's going on here what's all this misdemeanor in oh man we just couldn't resist watching it's like a fairy story you hop off downstairs there's plett as for you to see too look upop your lazy [Music] things so I understand your guardian doesn't approve of your attachment to Miss Flora am I correct that's about it boots my sergeon just doesn't catch on to anything like that he works in the city all day and in the evening he sits shut up in his Library he just doesn't grasp that things happen I mean that things happen to people like me and Flora but what decided you to do it Master Ary I mean make a run for it well my guardian forbad me to see floor anymore she lives in the house next door her mother's cooked to Mrs Jeff's so you see there was nothing for it but to take M into our own hands you may get down now flora and you miss FL have been seriously intended for quite some time now sir oh yes we decided to get married long ago in fact last month Harry will you make some cut UPS now please because I think I'm likely to drop off any moment on account of the jam lies rather heavy well you e too much you'll bring us our breakfast early tomorrow won't you sausages and jam oh very good my lady good night my Lord good night boots oh do hurry Harry hold on I'm trying there you are you've done it you've done it it's [Music] horses boots is right we don't want no trouble with the law much as I hates it we'll have to tell the driver of the London coach very good M how could you now I don't want to do it any more than you do but it's the best thing for him you would say that hard-hearted creature who who thinks people are like boots you can't see the the poor little M are in love women well I suppose boots and Mrs piff were right in informing the authorities about the runaway couple even though lety thought it was hard-hearted however next morning there was trouble is there nobody about in this in confounded negligence is everyone dumb or dead I couldn't say Sir got my own work to attend to I've been trying to get some breakfast since 8:00 be calm my love patience and adversity well magwood man where's the breakfast it's no good asking him Madam this entire Inn has gone off its heat I clearly stated last night that the Admiral must have poached he at 9 and I and my little one order the te te and bones for breakfast you'd better eat your little one Madam if you're hungry what a monster pay no heed my love shut your ears to such violent endos bones you warm and Bones you shall have well my good man Place see to it at once I'm sorry man as a matter of fact we've got some very important visitors staying here can't reveal their names of course they're on Route traveling Incognito that's no excuse for neglecting the Admiral aren't you even going to give me m boots sorry sir Can't Stop and got to take the visitors for a walk show them the local site there's your boots there's your brush well it do look festive I must say he up the fire lety a there you are sir well did you show Mrs hary Walmer Junior around the town yes Mrs PFF we visited Love Lane and the brewery and had a nice glimpse of St Steven's graveyard oh and did you enjoy yourself m I got a pebble in my shoe and I would like some sweet milk and water oh and so you shall have my love lety attend to Mrs harmer's Pebble but what's all this we didn't order decorations well it's our habit sir to provide A Feast for runaway couples especially them as is on their way to retner Green ain't it boots oh indeed it is my Lord especially as we're the natural stopping off place for them as is on route for that happy destination I'm afraid I can't afford it I only left home with £34 Shillings and 7 a me well don't worry about that sir it's a pleasure and privilege on behalf of the management of which I represent a prominent portion uh did you see to the pony and trap for gror green boots oh unfortunately M the pony was out on business this afternoon but we round all ready and brushed up at noon tomorrow until then sir you and Mrs AR wers will be the guests of the establishment well that's very kind of you I'm sure we're both sensible of the honor and trust your share in the festivities with us we'd like you and let to dine with us two boots oh sir I don't know that we're worthy of the distinction oh yes you are we both like you very much indeed oh well in that case La will'll be all together ready at your service with Mrs piff's permission well it isn't often we get the opportunity of dining with the nobility well I must see to my dinner I have a nice roast turkey and bacon in the oven lety Polly stop walking out oh M ain't he Grand I got ghost pimples all at one side and down the other I expect you and Mrs AR wmer Junior would have like to be alone together for a spell so we'll leave until dinner here th with my thanks boots you overwhelming Sirah no mistake the dear Little Darlings every time I look at the it won't be long now Flora before we'll be in gret the green and then all our travels will be over I don't knows I like being away from home so long just think we'll have a bang up dinner then I'll make you lots of Jolly cups oh yes that will be nice and will there be more Jam Harry oh yes Flora dear heaps and heaps of [Music] jam may I propose a toast to our distinguished toaster Mrs piff long may she Reign Over this very nice establishment oh sir you do do me honor and I should like to propose a toast to the two most unusual visitors who have ever brought honor and Renown to the Holly Tree Inn Mr Mrs Harry wmer junor Mr M har wmer junor I could do with an extra roasted Tater oh Polly help Mrs Harry wers to an extra Tater I've never seen a little girl Tu into so much well I never enjoyed a Christmas dinner so much I think I shall give out with a song after which I hadn't felt like doing since poor Mr piff departed this sorry State well we never thought we meet such good friends on the way couldn't you and Boots come to gret and a green lety we'll be in need of witnesses I bless you my dear of course we will all the way there and back wa just wouldn't be right for you to be married without us and may I propose a toast to the institution of marriage never been much of a one to admire the marriage state but since I've seen it in operation I'm Mighty impressed and I'm all ready to be converted as a matter of fact your lordship I likely to follow you to gret the green at very short notice if I can find a suitable victim for my affections I hope you do boots there's nothing like being married it's what makes the world go around [Applause] ah this all brings back my dear Pip's CIP all those lovely tender dinners at the crown and MIT him holding me with one hand and feeding me roast potatoes with the other so I found you Harry I I see you've been celebrating I'm dining with my friend sir it's all right Flora no one's going to part us now will you be good enough to leave us I wish to speak to my ward alone well right in the middle of my dinner there's consideration for you never you mind master Harry remember you're among friends you are I venture to say Sir that Master AR is a genius indeed I suppose you have considerable experience of children oh not at the moment sir but that thanks to master AR I hope to remedy in the near future come along boots it's no good talking to it now Harry will you be kind enough to give me an explanation yes I will sir just as soon as I can get Flora to come out from under the table Flora you can come out now I have four times demanded post har for the Admiral were it not for the fact that I take the precaution of traveling for the box of Blossom's bird seat Well eat it yourself and stop quaring this is what I think think of you and your unedifying scarecrow oh M I'm scared there's not a sound coming from that place if that man to a hand on him I W answer for the consequences where's Master Harry my ward is packing you haven't laid a hand on him have you if you have I don't know what I won't do bad boy an angel it is not my practice to resort to corporal punishment well don't don't never not with him he's above anything I ever saw in my life oh oh most har are you all right my love he hasn't been harsh with you has he we're going home Mrs Biff will you remember if anything ever goes wrong with you you come straight to the holly tree in they'll always be a warm welcome and a nice H dinner thank you Mrs piff you shall be all right I think and don't you never let go of Master Harry M lady you'll never find another like him not in this world oh don't B them sir they're so attached it's been a treat to see him so Galant and concerned isn't it a little premature Harry will be only nine next birthday yes yes I know but you don't see such things it's like the story book goodbye Mrs piff come Flora oh oh wait I'll wrap up the pudding for you there thank you has it got a six in it yes yes come Flora oh nothing has upset me so much as poor Mr P party you're a good-hearted woman and I'm not about learning a lesson from you tell me how much do I owe you for dinner oh nothing I wouldn't take a penny for Entertaining Mr and Mrs AR bmer Junior but I insist goodbye boots and thank you for hiring the pony never your mind sir you'll get to gret n green sooner or later thank you and I hope you will too lesie I'm going to see that she does sir good come along Flora don't drop the pudding [Music] that was one of the most remarkable young gentlemen has ever I set eyes [Music] on oh look one of Master Harry's cut [Music] UPS so Harry and Flora were taken home by Harry's kindly Guardian in time they grew up and we can take it they got married and lived happily ever after or can we I Wonder at any rate it is certain that following their example boots and lety got married and lived happily ever after and so ended the remarkable story of The Runaways