A Little Princess - episode 4 - starring Nigel Havers, Maureen Lipman & Miriam Margolyes (1987)

Added: 2026-05-26

[00:00:07][music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [laughter] >> The poor little girl.

[00:01:34]I'm sure you won't have enough to eat this Christmas.

[00:01:37]Here's sixpence for you.

[00:01:40]Oh, no.

[00:01:42]Thank you very much, but I couldn't possibly.

[00:01:45]Of course you can.

[00:01:47]It's a whole sixpence.

[00:01:49]You can buy some food with it.

[00:01:51]But I'm not a beggar.

[00:01:53]It doesn't matter. You look as though you're in need.

[00:01:55]Go on, take it.

[00:02:01]Thank you.

[00:02:25]I'm not going to spend it, Emily.

[00:02:29]I only took it cuz he looked so disappointed when I refused.

[00:02:34]>> [music] >> But I shall wear it around my neck to remind me there are still some kind people in the world.

[00:02:51]>> [music] >> Thought I was a beggar, you see.

[00:02:58]It was quite a shock, really. I mean I had no idea I looked so poor.

[00:03:08]Do you think she's Duke's daughter, Papa? I should think it's very unlikely.

[00:03:12]Then how did she learn to speak so well?

[00:03:15]Yeah. Well, she probably listened to the pupils and copied them.

[00:03:20]But she had this this air about her.

[00:03:23]It didn't seem to go with her shabby clothes. And that cloak she was wearing it was dirty and torn.

[00:03:30]But it wasn't a cheap one.

[00:03:32]Couldn't we invite her for Christmas, Mama? Oh, yes, please. We can ask Papa.

[00:03:36]And she seems to have so little. Why don't we invite her for Christmas, Anna?

[00:03:40]>> Donald, but I'm afraid if she's in service at the seminary, we cannot interfere. Oh, why not?

[00:03:47]The headmistress would take it as a slight.

[00:03:49]Besides, if she almost refused your sixpence, she's hardly likely to accept any more charity.

[00:03:54]You think she's too proud?

[00:03:56]She was too proud to beg, wasn't she?

[00:03:58]Crusts.

[00:04:02]Good lord.

[00:04:04]What, dear?

[00:04:07]I must buy a house.

[00:04:09]What's the matter with this one?

[00:04:11]It's not for us, Donald. It's for a client. Oh.

[00:04:14]He's going to get down. Yes, they all get down. He's returning to England after many years abroad.

[00:04:23]What about the one across the square next to the seminary?

[00:04:26]It's been on the market for months, so I'm sure the agents would listen to a reasonable offer. Yes, what a good idea.

[00:04:32]This is maybe just what they're looking for.

[00:04:35]I'll call on them this morning.

[00:04:38]Remember, when you arrive back in the bosom of your families, that Christmas is a time of peace and goodwill.

[00:04:45]It is not merely for the giving and receiving of presents, Victoria, but to celebrate the birth of our lord.

[00:04:54]So, throughout the festive season, I would like you all to behave like good Christian children with obedience, Claudia, towards your mamas and papas, and with charity towards those less fortunate than yourselves. To those girls whose parents are abroad and who will therefore remain at the seminary for the holidays, I will say this.

[00:05:13]Miss Amelia and I will do our best to make up for the enforced separation from your loved ones. On Christmas Day, we shall have a splendid feast followed by some jolly party games, and I have had a message from Father Christmas to say that he will not be passing us by. So, we shall all in our various ways be sharing in Christ's bounty. Do not forget to thank him as you thank those friends and relatives who are generous towards you.

[00:05:41]And until we meet again for the Easter term, I wish you all a merry Christmas.

[00:05:48]Thank you.

[00:05:49]Good. Now then, keep your feet still. Here put them out because I've got a surprise.

[00:06:12]Hello Martha. Hello Lottie.

[00:06:19]Goodbye Mama.

[00:06:20]Goodbye Lottie. Have a good time.

[00:06:25]I shall miss you.

[00:06:31]I shall miss you, too.

[00:06:33]I hope Father Christmas doesn't pass you by.

[00:06:36]Thank you.

[00:06:37]But I have a feeling he won't. Why? I'm too old for presents. You're only 11. My sister's 15 and he still puts her stocking.

[00:06:46]Maybe she's better behaved than I am.

[00:06:48]She's not. She's awful. She pulls my hair.

[00:06:52]Well, if she does it again, you just pull hers back.

[00:06:55]I shall even come to hang up your stocking.

[00:06:58]No.

[00:07:05]I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll write to Father Christmas and ask him not to forget you. Thank you, Lottie. I'm sure that will make all the difference.

[00:07:27]Mistletoe, holly, we shall need plenty of holly.

[00:07:30]Oh, yes. Um, what about the tree? Oh, I sent Sarah to the market for that. It'll be half the price of charging in the shops. And the turkey, too. She should be able to get a nice cheap one there. No, no. I don't think we should economize on food. We don't want the girls writing to their parents that we were parsimonious on such an occasion, do we?

[00:07:48]Oh, bye-bye, Elinora. Have a lovely Christmas. Goodbye, dear.

[00:07:52]Besides, it'll all go on the parents' account.

[00:07:55]Oh, look at that stupid child there. We can't love stuff Christmas boxes.

[00:07:58]Henrietta, run after that stupid child, will you? Can't put them on the parents' account, dear. What? And we really ought to give them more this year. They haven't had an increase for some time.

[00:08:07]And what did we give them last year? Uh £2 to cook. Well, make it three. That'll stop her asking for an increase in wages. Right. And £1 to Henrietta. Uh mm mm mm mm.

[00:08:23]£1 to Henrietta. Make it £1.10.

[00:08:26]And uh 5 shillings to Rebecca. No, give her the same. She's an idle slot. She's likely to get that. What about Sarah?

[00:08:33]What about her?

[00:08:35]Well, uh we ought to give her something.

[00:08:37]We already give her something. A roof [laughter] over I mean something for Christmas. Amelia, I can't believe my ears. She already owes us in excess of £260.

[00:08:49]Are you seriously suggesting Not one penny. She's not getting one penny more.

[00:09:00]Be brief. Be shh.

[00:09:04]There's an heathen Miss Mooney next door.

[00:09:07]A what? An heathen.

[00:09:10]He's got to be an heathen. He's got a graven image. Maggie, what are you talking about? I've just seen the removal blokes lifting it out of the van.

[00:09:18]It's an idol. An heathen idol. And I reckon he worships it.

[00:09:23]Probably some kind of ornament. No, it's not.

[00:09:27]It's got four arms and nasty pointed teeth.

[00:09:30]It's got a necklace made out of skulls.

[00:09:33]And a belt made out of snakes.

[00:09:35]Carly.

[00:09:37]Oh?

[00:09:39]The wife of Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction. That thing's never a god's wife.

[00:09:45]A graven image, that's what it is.

[00:09:48]And I don't fancy living next to an heathen what bows down to graven images.

[00:09:53]Papa had a statue of Kali in his study.

[00:09:56]But he never bowed down to it.

[00:09:58]What do you want it for then?

[00:10:00]He just like looking at it.

[00:10:02]As a work of art.

[00:10:04]Work of art?

[00:10:07]He's ugly.

[00:10:09]To a Hindu.

[00:10:11]What's that?

[00:10:13]A kind of Indian.

[00:10:16]That's the gentleman that's moving in next door. He could be an Indian?

[00:10:20]Perhaps.

[00:10:22]You see the removal van's outside. Yeah, and the bloke's left that idol standing on the pavement. Shocking, I call it.

[00:10:29]See if it's still there.

[00:10:48]Yes, that's Kali, all right.

[00:10:51]It's just like the one in Papa's study.

[00:10:52]So he is an Indian gentleman then.

[00:10:55]Well, he certainly brought some of his things there.

[00:10:57]I don't think he's an Indian.

[00:10:59]Why not?

[00:11:01]You see that other statue?

[00:11:03]That's Buddha. Another god.

[00:11:06]You can't be a Buddhist and a Hindu.

[00:11:12]Oh, be careful with this table. Be careful. Well, he's an Indian.

[00:11:16]Seen him funny acts before.

[00:11:19]Must make him feel homesick, miss.

[00:11:26]Yes, that's right. That's right, guv'nor. Perhaps he's arranging everything for the new owner.

[00:11:30]I hope he has children.

[00:11:33]They might use their attic as a playroom. I can see them from my window.

[00:11:43]This could be him now.

[00:11:53]Looks like he's ill.

[00:11:55]Very ill.

[00:11:56]He has to have a nurse travel with him.

[00:12:05]No children.

[00:12:07]Not even a wife.

[00:12:09]It doesn't matter.

[00:12:10]If he likes Indian things, I'll think of him as a friend. You want to be careful, miss. I still say he's an even.

[00:12:17]God rest ye merry, [singing] gentlemen, let nothing you [singing] dismay.

[00:12:26]For Jesus Christ our savior >> [music] >> was born [singing] on Christmas day to save us >> [singing] >> all from Satan's power.

[00:12:40]Oh, thank you, Mama.

[00:12:43]>> [laughter] >> Hmm, is that WHAT YOU WANTED? YES, IT IS.

[00:12:48]DONE.

[00:12:50]THERE, THERE, MAN.

[00:12:53]Thank you.

[00:12:54]Thank you. THANK YOU, MAMA. THANK YOU, MAMA. I SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO MAKE A MESS. THAT'S WHY. And we won't have to waste money taking you to a real theater.

[00:13:04]You mean we can't go and see Mother Goose? But you promised. I'm sure Donald's pantomime will be much more enjoyable.

[00:13:12]What's the point of us going out to the theater now we have one at home?

[00:13:16]But Papa All right, then.

[00:13:19]PERHAPS I WON'T TAKE THESE BACK AFTER ALL. TAKE THEM BACK. WE WANT TO SEE MAMA FROM HOME.

[00:13:25]SAY YOU'RE ONLY JOKING.

[00:13:27]Good King Wenceslas [singing] >> [music] [singing] >> Let us pray.

[00:13:50]Almighty God, on this the anniversary of the birth of thine only begotten son, we beseech thee to bless all those who are separated from their loved ones.

[00:14:02]Comfort and sustain them on this joyous day.

[00:14:06]Bless too those whose lot it is to serve their fellow creatures.

[00:14:11]Make them diligent in their duties and humbly grateful both to thee and to their earthly benefactors, so that at the last they too may be admitted to thine everlasting kingdom.

[00:14:25]Amen.

[00:14:28]Young ladies, you may open your gifts.

[00:14:32]Those members of staff who wish to do so may stay and watch.

[00:14:41]Very nice. Thank you.

[00:15:11]Sarah!

[00:15:13]Sarah!

[00:15:16]This is for you.

[00:15:18]Oh my goodness.

[00:15:21]It's a book. You probably read it cuz I know you like reading books over and over again and I know you haven't any of your own.

[00:15:29]Thank you.

[00:15:30]I just wish Um Sarah, if that is a gift, then you will open it downstairs. It would not be seemly to do so here.

[00:15:38]Yes, Mom.

[00:15:50]How lovely.

[00:15:51]>> What, niece?

[00:15:54]Alice Through the Looking-Glass.

[00:15:56]I've read Alice in Wonderland, but I've never read this.

[00:15:59]Books? What does a skinny want with books?

[00:16:02]Didn't our teacher describe those? Do they? And they don't tell you how to keep hold of your money, nor how to recognize a mine when you got no diamond today.

[00:16:10]Merry Christmas, everyone.

[00:16:19]Merry Christmas, Cook.

[00:16:22]Thank you, Mom.

[00:16:24]Merry Christmas, Henrietta. Thank you, Mom.

[00:16:29]Merry Christmas, Rebecca.

[00:16:31]Thank you, Mom.

[00:16:38]Merry Christmas, everyone.

[00:16:43]Merry Christmas, Mom.

[00:16:47]>> [music] >> Oh, three pounds. Should have been five.

[00:16:51]Still. It's a quid more than last year.

[00:16:52]I've got 10 pounds more too.

[00:16:55]I've got five.

[00:16:59]Here, miss. I'll share it with you.

[00:17:01]Aw, thanks, Jay.

[00:17:04]No, Becky.

[00:17:06]It's sweet of you, but it's your Christmas box. You must keep it.

[00:17:11]But you didn't get nothing.

[00:17:13]I didn't expect anything.

[00:17:15]I was mentioned so much money, I couldn't expect her to give me any more.

[00:17:19]It's not fair.

[00:17:22]Everyone should get a present at Christmas.

[00:17:26]I've got one and it's just what I wanted. Carrots.

[00:17:31]Sorry to get you out of bed on Christmas Day, Doctor.

[00:17:34]I hope we haven't wasted your time. Not at all, my dear man. Your master has jaundice. Jaundice? It's a nervous disorder of the system in which bile accumulates in the bloodstream.

[00:17:43]This can be caused by some mechanical impediment such as a blocked bile duct.

[00:17:48]But in a great many cases, it's because by sudden mental shock or prolonged anxiety.

[00:17:55]Has your master had such a shock recently? Yes, yes he has.

[00:17:59]And he drinks spirits, I see. Yes, Doctor, he drinks. He must stop immediately.

[00:18:05]The bile duct could well be blocked by an inflammation of the liver, a condition aggravated by spirit drinking.

[00:18:12]I shall have to make some tests.

[00:18:14]If he follows my advice, the prognosis should be favorable.

[00:18:20]And may I ask if he has recovered from the shock? No, and I don't suppose I ever shall.

[00:18:26]Nonsense.

[00:18:28]It's just a question of willpower whether you wish to recover.

[00:18:32]It seems to me, my dear sir, you're putting up very little resistance to your illness.

[00:18:38]I cannot emphasize enough that in a case like yours, the mental and the physical go hand in hand.

[00:18:46]So, if you continue on your present course I'll just fade away. Exactly.

[00:18:50]Well, perhaps that would be best. Then, why did you seek medical advice?

[00:18:55]>> To please my servant. It please him a great deal more if you cease to brood on your troubles, and you must follow a strict diet. No more spirit drinking.

[00:19:04]>> No, Doctor.

[00:19:06]I shall call again tomorrow morning.

[00:19:10]Good day, sir.

[00:19:15]And a merry Christmas to you.

[00:19:42]Stop talking, please. Servants should be seen and not heard.

[00:19:50]Oh, for heaven's sake. Look what she's done, Miss You clumsy girl.

[00:19:56]You're not even fit to wait on table. Go to your room this instant.

[00:20:01]It wasn't me, Mama. It was her. She did it on purpose. Nonsense.

[00:20:05]How dare you accuse one of my young ladies of uncouth behavior?

[00:20:09]You will go to your room immediately.

[00:20:11]You will beg Lavinia's pardon.

[00:20:14]Well?

[00:20:16]No, I won't beg her pardon because it was her fault.

[00:20:19]Then you will go to your room for the rest of the day.

[00:20:23]And you will go without luncheon and dinner.

[00:20:25]>> BUT THAT'S NOT FAIR.

[00:20:26]>> I'M NOT INTERESTED in what you think is fair. YOU WILL DO AS I SAY.

[00:20:31]Don't laugh at me, you insolent child.

[00:20:39]I wasn't laughing.

[00:20:41]I was thinking.

[00:20:43]What?

[00:20:45]It would be strange if I turned out to be a princess after all.

[00:20:50]Wouldn't it?

[00:20:59]Well, get on with your lunch. This is supposed TO BE A FESTIVE OCCASION.

[00:21:39]>> COME BACK, evil one. You can't visit the little girl.

[00:21:42]Come back at once.

[00:21:52]You speak Hindustani? Yes.

[00:21:55]Miracle. Will your monkey let me catch him, or will he bite? No, no, he won't bite.

[00:22:01]He is, however, frightened of strangers.

[00:22:03]You better come and fetch him, then.

[00:22:05]Can you get across?

[00:22:07]I will come at once.

[00:22:18]Come along, evil one.

[00:22:20]Come to Ram Dass.

[00:22:22]It's no use. There is no escape.

[00:22:24]I shall inform the Sahib of your conduct, and there will be no bananas for you today.

[00:22:29]Tell me about the Sahib.

[00:22:31]He comes from India, too? No.

[00:22:33]He was there only a few weeks.

[00:22:36]Then he became ill, and had to return to England.

[00:22:40]What is the matter with him?

[00:22:41]He has a disease called jaundice.

[00:22:44]If he had stayed in India, he would surely have died.

[00:22:50]I will pray for him.

[00:22:53]Thank you, Missie Sahib.

[00:22:55]Thank you also for your indulgence.

[00:22:57]Please, forgive the evil one for his wickedness.

[00:23:10]Let me see, Sahib.

[00:23:15]>> [music] >> Oh, Anna, if you could see me now.

[00:23:26]Mr. Carmichael, Sahib, it's Garfield.

[00:23:31]I'm sorry about the gloom, Carmichael, but the light hurts my eyes.

[00:23:36]Please do sit down.

[00:23:38]Thank you.

[00:23:42]>> [clears throat] >> Have a good Christmas? Wonderful.

[00:23:48]And you? Oh, Christmas isn't for crusty bachelors like me, it's for children.

[00:23:54]You have five, don't you? Yes, yes.

[00:23:57]Four girls and a boy.

[00:23:59]Thank you.

[00:24:00]Perhaps you'd like to meet them. Oh, when I'm on my feet again. Sahib?

[00:24:08]I'm sure they've much better things to do than visit a boring invalid like me.

[00:24:14]>> [snorts] >> What did the doctor say? That if I follow his advice, I should make a complete recovery, though frankly I'm not sure it's worth it. Not unless you can find him Crew's daughter for me.

[00:24:22]Have you any news?

[00:24:25]Yes, Mr. Carmichael, I have.

[00:24:28]I heard from my French inquiry agent an hour ago, I think. He came straight out of You found her?

[00:24:32]Then by the love of God, man, tell me where she is.

[00:24:35]Well, I believe that she's in Russia.

[00:24:42]Russia?

[00:24:48]>> [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] >> Mhm.