All Creatures Great & Small

Mr Hulton's waiting for you in the yard, Mr Herriot.

Thank you.

Mrs Hall?

Look at this, Mrs Hall.

There's a hole in my cricket flannels. So there is.

I can't wear them on Sunday with a hole.

What would Mrs Pumphrey say?

It's a good thing the Lord invented darning then. Right.

Thank you.

I've just been speaking to Richard Alderson. Oh, aye?

Apparently, we're still a man short for Sunday.

It's bad enough that we've lost our top batsman.

Tristan, I know you're still unhappy with me, but this - this is cricket.

The annual Darrowby match at Pumphrey Manor.

You're not just punishing me, you know,

you're letting down the whole team. Look, I told you -

I can't play for the Darrowby 11 any more. Oh, that's just nonsense!

It's for local farmers and vets by invitation.

And I, last time I checked, am neither.

Herriot.

Thanks so much for coming out. No trouble at all.

I understand you've a bull needs ringing? I do indeed. This way.

Here he is.

This is Monty.

Only a year old, but he's a powerful fellow.

No, I can see that! We also need to move him later today,

so if you could sedate him once you've got the ring in.

That shouldn't be a problem.

I will need a couple more men to hold him, though.

So, Hugh definitely said it was about a bull?

That's what he said. He's got a new bull that needs ringing.

And he specifically asked for James?

He did.

It's about Helen. It's got to be.

I reckon James' sins finally found him out.

Don't be daft.

James has done nothing wrong.

Tell that to Hugh Hulton.

I won't be a moment.

Just going to give him an injection of local anaesthetic.

Don't most vets just go ahead and punch the hole?

They do...

I find this way works better.

All right, almost done...

Easy now.

Huh, look at that. Didn't bother him at all.

It usually works.

Now, we just need the ring...

So have I missed very much while I've been away in France?

Er, no, not that I can think of. No great Darrowby dramas to report?

No, just things chugging along, you know.

Have you seen much of Helen?

No, not a great deal.

But, well, now and again, you know.

She seems well, does she?

Yes... Yes, far as I can tell.

Right, shall we get on with this, then?

I'm going up there later, actually, to Heston Grange. Oh, yes?

Whoa! Easy, Monty. I say, James, are you all right?

Come on ,Monty now. Calm down.

I think I'll live. Glad to hear it.

So what's the verdict? Any hope? Oh, there's always hope.

The adjustment nut's a bit stiff, but once I've worked it loose,

I can raise the bob and she'll run right to time.

That's all it needs?

Well, you have to know how far to raise it.

Oh, of course. I don't doubt it takes a lot of expertise.

Oh, don't know about that.

The main thing to remember is lower is slower and left is lower.

Turn it to the right, it'll go faster.

That's it.

Ah, so you've a cricketer in the house. Hm?

Oh, we've two.

But it's Mr Farnon Senior who's playing in the match on Sunday.

To be honest, I've never understood the appeal.

I know, and I call myself a Yorkshireman!

You'll be at the match, I take it? I will.

In fact, I'll be scoring.

Ah, so you're something of an expert?

An amateur enthusiast, perhaps.

Anyway, I'll...

I'll let you get on.

Oh, and thanks for the tea. Mm-hm.

What time did Hugh say he'd be up? 11 o'clock.

And he just said it where about the lease? He did.

So d'you think he wants to sell?

Is that what he's coming to tell us? You know as much as I do.

What if he's decided not to renew the lease

because of what happened between me and him?

Then I'd say you were right not to marry him.

Darrowby, 2-2-9-7.

I'm sorry, I can barely hear you.

Ah, Mrs Pumphrey!

Hello, is everything all right?

Mr Farnon?

No, I see.

Well of course, if it's a matter of "great delicacy".

I'll tell him now.

That was Mrs Pumphrey.

She asked if you could go up to the manor.

Doesn't she want Tricki's Uncle Herriot? Apparently not.

She said the matter requires the utmost discretion.

Intriguing. Mm-hm!

"The utmost discretion"?

What's all that about?

I've no idea - she said she'll only discuss it

with Siegfried... In person.

Hm!

So, spill the beans.

What happened at Hulton Hall?

Not a great deal.

What, Hugh didn't challenge you to a duel for Helen's hand?

I'm sorry to disappoint you, but, no.

Well, has he seen her yet?

Er, no, he said he was going up later today.

And that doesn't bother you?

Of course not. Why should it?

No reason.

Where are you off to? Nowhere.

I just, erm... I need run an errand. Oh.

He's here!

He's here.

Hullo there. How do.

You got back all right, then?

I did. Yes. Thank you.

Can I make you a cup of tea? Er, no, no, thanks. I can't stay long.

You said you wanted to speak to us about the lease?

Yes, yes, that's right. Er...

Ah, here we go.

I intend to renew the lease on the farm

for the agreed period of 20 years,

as per our existing contract,

but with a couple of additional stipulations.

The lawyers have added Helen's and Jenny's names

and specified that they'll inherit the lease on the same terms.

That's assuming that they want to continue farming.

That's wonderful. Thank you.

Thank you, Hugh.

It's very good of you. Not at all, it's...something

that should have been done years ago, but erm...

Well, it didn't really seem necessary before.

Er...

Anyway, I think that just about covers it.

I don't want to take up too much of your time,

but there's something I'd like to show you, back at the farm.

I don't understand. Consider it a replacement, or apology,

if you like, for the difficulties with the sale of your last bull.

Hugh,, this is too much... We can't accept this.

Please, Mr Alderson. It would mean a great deal.

He's good breeding stock, excellent condition...

Ah, well even so... I would really like to make amends.

Dad, why don't we think about it, eh?

That's all I ask.

Just keep him here for now and let me know what you decide.

Right. All right, then. Excellent.

Right, better get on.

Hugh.

Do you have to rush straight off? Afraid so.

Estate business has rather piled up while I've been away.

No doubt see you at the cricket on Sunday.

You will. Jolly good.

Thank you so much for coming.

Not at all, I understand Tricki has been rather distressed?

He's not himself at all.

Is he off his food? Feeling lethargic?

Oh, no, no, there's no problem in that department.

In fact, if anything, his appetite's more robust than ever.

No, it's just, erm...

He's become...

..increasingly...

..amorous towards things.

It's quite unsettling.

In the end, I had to take his cushion away.

I see...

Well, let's have a look at him, shall we?

You know, Mrs Pumphrey, the behaviour you're describing,

is perfectly normal.

Tricki's a healthy animal in the prime of life.

And, as such, he's experiencing some very natural...urges.

Yes, but he's just a baby!

He's never shown the slightest bit of interest in...

..that sort of thing.

Well, it's a testament to the excellent level of care

he's been receiving. His weight's gone down, his exercise has gone up.

He's obviously feeling a great deal livelier in every department.

You know, Francois did say that on one of their outings,

he seemed intent on getting into Mr Handshaw's yard.

And does Mr Handshaw own a dog at all?

Oh, yes, a terrier.

Named Bella, I believe.

Well, that would certainly explain it.

Less lethargic, more lothario.

So what can be done to discourage it?

I'm afraid the heart wants what it wants,

which, in Tricki's case, would seem to be Bella. Oh, dear.

There is one effective course of action.

It's a fairly simple procedure...

Oh, no, no, no, no, Mr Farnon, no.

Can't you just give him a calming draught of some sort?

I'm sorry, Mrs Pumphrey. He'll have to be fixed.