National Velvet Page #3

Come on, Pie. Gallop!

What's that covering, Mally?

'Dwina's knickers

that she had for the party.

They don't look like knickers.

I always thought Jacob

had a little bird dog in him.

He'd better not, Father.

Down, Jacob!

It's wonderful how Edwina can

sleep through all this bedlam.

Easy now, Pie.

Oh, you're a sweet one, Pie.

What is this Pie business?

A new one?

Father, he's the loveliest thing.

You should see him.

He never puts a foot wrong.

Who?

Mr. Ede's new horse.

I'm in love with him.

You're a fickle woman.

You say that about other horses.

But this is the real thing, Father.

Now calm yourself.

You'll be losing your supper next.

But this is very different, Father.

It just skips a beat here.

Like 'Dwina!

- 'Dwina skips a beat?

- For boys.

Oh, for boys.

Come, Jacob,

I must take you for a walk.

Sleep, girls. Mother won't be in.

Why not?

She's just tired.

Edwina, you'd better

take your clothes off.

Skips a beat, does it?

That's the last time I take you

into my confidence, Velvet Brown!

May I come in, Mother?

Yes.

Are you angry, Mother?

I had to come.

Of course I'm not angry.

What's disturbing you, Velvet?

You're all lighted up.

Did you know Mi Taylor's father?

Perhaps when you were a swimmer?

When your pictures were

in the paper and all that?

Way back, I mean.

Way back.

Know how I came to swim the Channel

and have my pictures in the paper?

Mi Taylor's father showed me how.

Mi Taylor's father?

He was my trainer.

It was he told me what to do.

Worked with me for months.

Followed me in a boat.

Leaned over and fed me.

Breathed the spirit into me.

Made me do it when I was

ready to give up.

Why didn't you tell Mi

about his father?

It wasn't the time for it.

There's a right time for everything.

But he'd be so happy.

It'd give him something to go on.

He needn't go. He can stay.

Ten bob a week and his keep.

It's not charity.

He'll work his way.

I know he will.

May I go and tell him?

Only tell him he can stay.

He'll not trade on his father's name.

If the stuff is there, it'll show.

Yes, Mother.

You still up?

Yes, I'm still up. Come in.

I know something.

You do?

You can stay. Not just for tonight.

Mother did it. Ten bob a week,

food and keep to help Father.

Isn't it wonderful, Mi?

The room may look a little shabby...

...but you'll find it very comfortable.

The floor does that in places.

But the bed's good.

This yours?

Yes, thank you.

You can fix it up bit by bit,

in your spare time.

You can paint it, perhaps.

And you can raise this

and get a nice breeze.

And in the winter you can

put it down again.

- You can get a stove.

- I didn't say I'd stay.

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