Foundling Reclaimed Hetty Feather

Now look what you've done!

Donations for the hospital.

Recent events are causing concern, Matron.

This whole thing's all about family.

That's what Hetty cares about more than anything.

'Sundays at the Foundling Hospital were different from other days.'

Then the King answered and said,

"Give her the living child and in no wise slay it.

"She is the mother thereof."

'But still every Sunday was the same as every other Sunday.'

"..was in him to do judgment."

'Until this one.'

You there! This chapel is not open to members of the public.

I'm Hannah Prestwick. This is my husband, Arthur.

We've come for our child.

All these children belong to the hospital.

If you wish to appeal to the Board of Governors,

make a written request.

We did. You never replied.

We won't be put off.

We've come all the way from Burnley for this.

These people have travelled so far. Surely we should hear their case?

Well said, Lady Asquith.

-Who's she?

-One of the governors' wives.

Join us in the Governor's Room after lunch,

we'll get to the bottom of it there.

'One of us foundlings was going to be claimed

'and leave the hospital for ever. Could it be me?'

Did you see his hair? It was as red as...

As red as yours

It won't be Feather - as if anyone would want THAT back.

Well, it certainly won't be you, they were both human.

It's probably a boy, anyway. They get all the luck.

Maybe they'll take that little weed you call your brother.

He is my brother, and he's not a weed.

Imagine if they took him away and you never saw him again.

I'd be glad!

I want him to be happy, because I love him.

You wouldn't understand - you don't have a brother.

-You've never even had a real friend.

-I've got friends!

They're not friends. They don't even like you.

-They're just afraid of you.

-Liar!

'I didn't care what Sheila thought.

'I just wanted to find out who those people in the chapel had come for.

'Somehow, I had to get into that governors' meeting.

'Now is my chance.'

SHE COUGHS Are you quite well, my dear?

-Hetty Feather, what on earth is wrong?

-Need...the privy.

-Well, go, child, quickly!

-Matron? Need permission.

Well, yes, of course, you...

Of course, you must go!

'I was in.

'So this was the governor's office.'

OUTSIDE ROOM: It is just this way, everyone.

'I just had to hide and wait.

'In the next few minutes, I would discover what my future would be.'

From the moment we met, we knew we wanted to get married.

-Then why didn't you?

-I was poor, and Hannah deserved better.

I went to America to make something of myself.

-You abandoned her.

-Never.

He didn't know about the baby.

Nor did I, until...

You were very young. It must have been a great shock.

Yes.

They said she was my shame,

but she was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.

I longed to keep her, but after she was born,

I was so ill, I thought I'd die, and then she would have no-one.

That's when I heard of this place.

God forgive me,

I paid a man to bring her here.

-When was this?

-August, 1876.

'That was about the time I was admitted.'

And what token did you leave with her?

A thimble...

with a letter scratched on the inside - E for Emily.

'All us foundlings were all given new names when we were babies.

'We could only be identified by the tokens our parents left with us.

'But we never saw the tokens.'

Matron, would you be so good

as to go and retrieve the child's admission documents?

These people are hardly fit parents.

Surely that is for the governors to decide?

As you wish.

BELL TOLLS

'Meanwhile, Sheila was still determined to get me back

'about our argument in the dinner hall.'

-I've got it.

-Got what?

A way to get Hetty and her so-called brother.

That's enough! Scarper!

-What do you want?

-Your help.

What?

Matron! Mary stole a pie from the kitchen!

Look, there's crumbs all over her bed.

Throw her in the tench, Matron!

Ooh, she doesn't like that word.

Tench, tench, tench.

Stop it! Stop it! I'll do whatever you want!

I need you to find out everything you can about your friend,

Hetty Feather, and her brother.

It was August, 1876?

-A thimble with the letter E?

-Yes.

-I'm sorry, there is no such record.

-I don't understand.

Matron, how could this have happened?

In the usual way -

the man you paid to bring the child here

-took the money and abandoned her. We hear of this quite often.

-No!

Can you please check again?

I have searched the whole of August and September.

Your daughter was never admitted to this establishment.

I'm so sorry, my dear.

'How could that be true?'

Dirty clothes in the washing baskets tonight.

If anyone leaves them on the floor,

gets reported straight to Cranbourne.

22782.

24734.

What's that?

-"To my son..."

-Give it here!

Leave it.

"They told me you were dead, but I know they are mistaken.

"As soon as I saw your dear face in the chapel today,

"I knew that you were my own beloved child."

What?

"I loved your father dearly.

"But he was a mere servant and he died soon after you were born.

"To my shame, I had to give you up to the Foundling Hospital.

"But now I have married a kind man who wants to raise you as his own.

"If you are indeed my son, George,

"you were left at the hospital in 1876.

"And if you have a birthmark above your right elbow,

"it removes all doubt.

"Identify yourself at the next governors' meeting

"and we will be together for ever."

She can't be my mother.

Can she?

-It's a hoax.

-The date's right. And...

HE SIGHS

-I have to go to the governors.

-ALL: No!

-Not the governors!

You can't trust a toff!

-There's only one way out of here.

-Over the wall.

Gid, you know the first rule of running.

You have to have somewhere to run to.

And I do - my mother.

You're going nowhere, Smeed.

-Leave him alone.

-If he runs, we all get punished.

So what? We can take it.

Anyone who tells you to stay is nothing but a stinking coward.

-Shall I hit him?

-Not now.

If Smeed's fool enough to try, make the arrangements.

'When the Prestwicks left,

'Lady Asquith started asking awkward questions.'

It has come to my attention that some of our foundlings

have been placed in unsuitable apprenticeships.

In what way unsuitable?

I have heard reports of ill treatment.

Children starved, beaten, worked like slaves.

Impossible! Every apprenticeship is personally approved

by myself and Matron Bottomly.

Then perhaps that is the problem.

What are you implying?

I am concerned that your regime is unnecessarily harsh.

These innocent children need kindness and love.

These are not children as you know them.

They are depraved, born of sin.

It is our Christian duty to educate them.

Then perhaps you could also educate me?

In what way, Lady Asquith?

I should like to observe your management of the girls

at first hand.

You intend to snoop around my establishment?

Lady Asquith has most graciously offered to help.

I see no reason to object.

Quite so. Lady Asquith's dedication puts us all to shame.

I am minded to carry out a similar inspection of the boys' wing.

If you would like to come this way,

Matron said that I should show you the laundry, m'lady.

-It's very modern, very hygienic.

-I'm sure.

-But first I should like to speak to the girls themselves.

-Oh, no.

What makes you think that Matron's lying?

-I don't know, I've just got a feeling.

-Girls?

Yes, m'lady?

I wish to ask you... are you happy here?

Yes, m'lady.

Hetty Feather...

answer Lady Asquith.

Yes, m'lady.

Shall we move on to the laundry, m'lady?

Even if there's a tiny chance they're my parents,

I have to do something about it...

-don't I?

-If Matron's lied to the governors,

she won't have left the evidence lying around for someone to find.

So, what do you think she's done with it?

She probably burnt it.

-What is it?

-If you please, Matron,

that lady governor is asking questions of the girls.

-What should we do, Matron?

-Nothing. Where is she?

In the recreation yard, Matron.

(Hetty, come on! Quick! Quick!)

'It looked like matron had been burning papers.

'And then I saw it - a thimble.

'Could it be my thimble?'

That's definitely an E.

This is Emily's thimble.

So it's true - Matron lied.

-But why?

-Look at this,

"Thank you for once again

"for supporting my application to the governors.

"I enclose our customary remuneration."

-What does that mean?

-Money. Payment.

-It's from Mr Brunsdon.

-Brutal Brunsdon?

He works his apprentices to death.

But Matron still sends him foundlings.

Because he pays her.

She's selling apprentices.

That's why she didn't tell my parents that I was here.

-She wants to sell me.

-We have to stop this.

-How?

-They may not listen to foundlings...

but they might listen to Emily Prestwick.

-We don't know who she is.

-We can find out.

We're all numbered in order.

Of course! There'll be a gap in the records for 1876.

Tomorrow, you come with me and we'll check the records office.

(Time to go.)

(Good luck, Smeed!)

Thank you...for everything.

Remember...for all of us.

Right.

Look out! Cranbourne's on the prowl! We've got to hide!

Oi! Let us out!

Vince! It's not funny, Vince! THEY SHOUT

Be quiet. We'll let you out in the morning.

But if you ever try and run again,

I'll break your legs.

-Vince!

-Come on, let's go.

-Vince!

-Come back!

BELL TOLLS

-Smeed? Grig?

-Still asleep.

Unlock it.

Open it, then!

-Ow!

-Get off!

THEY SHOUT OVER ONE ANOTHER

Oi! Fighting? On a day like this! What would the governors think?

-Sir, I saw them breaking into the cupboard, sir!

-It was me!

Come here. Come with me.

THEY MUTTER ANGRILY

-GIRL SCREAMS

-What is it?

-Something moved in there.

-It's probably a mouse.

It's a rat.

A big one.

Help me get rid of it.

-Mathias, you took a risk.

-I knew you was on laundry today.

-Yeah, but...

-I had to.

Gid's in trouble.

Matron gave him the strap and he's on punishment duty all week.

-No!

-What? Why?

-Cos of this.

What do you think?

Is it for real?

Of course not!

The Prestwicks are looking for a girl.

Somebody's playing a cruel joke on Gideon.

But there are things in that letter that nobody knows about him.

-Except me.

-And us.

Hetty told us all about her foster family.

That's why she wanted to know!

Who wanted to know?

YOU! You wrote this!

I... I... I had to...

Yes! I knew it! He fell for it!

-How could you? Gideon never hurt anyone.

-I'm sorry.

They made me.

Enjoy your new friends.

You deserve each other.

-You can't go now.

-I have to.

But we've got sewing class.

I have to find out the truth, and prove it to Gideon.

And then maybe the Prestwicks will take him and me!

If you are Emily Prestwick.

'There was only one way to find out.'

'1876.

'25621 is missing. That must be Emily's number.

'25621? Now I knew the truth.

'I knew who the real Emily was.

'And I wish I didn't.'

-OUTSIDE ROOM:

-We must make sure that all the records are in order

for the inspection.

Macclesfield, check the girls' employment files,

I will order Cranbourne to check the boys'.

Colonel Brigwell is coming tomorrow.

It's a great inconvenience.

But no more than that.

I'm sure he can find no fault in our management.

-KNOCKING ON DOOR

-Enter.

If you please, Matron Bottomly, Mr Cranbourne,

I have heard that my foster brother, Gideon, is in trouble.

-Who told you that?

-The kitchen maids gossip, sir.

I was shocked to hear of his violence and ingratitude.

I thought perhaps some sisterly guidance?

Out of the question.

You know this establishment forbids fraternisation

between male and female.

Most of the time, Matron, most of the time.

But the influence of the gentler sex

has shown to benefit the most hardened criminals.

Hetty?

Gideon... Gideon, what have you done?

What would our dear foster mother say if she could see you now?

I'm sorry, Hetty.

-A most touching display of affection.

-Hmm!

Mr Cranbourne, about this...

'I didn't want to shatter Gideon's dreams.

'But he had to know the truth.'

I should have known it was too good to be true.

What an idiot.

It's not your fault!

It's the She-Mob and their horrible tricks.

Our real parents are out there somewhere.

And one day, we'll get out of here and go looking for them.

-I promise.

-What about the real Emily Prestwick?

-What about her?

-Don't you want to find out who she is?

-I know who she is.

-Who?

-It doesn't matter.

-She doesn't deserve to know the truth.

-What about her parents?

Don't you think they have a right to know?

It's only me.

-You need to have this.

-Why?

Because it's yours.

You're Emily Prestwick.

-And your parents want you back.

-But how?

-I can help you get out. I'll tell Mathias.

-No, don't.

If we get caught, we'll get thrown in the tench.

But, Mary, this is your mother and father!

You have to take the chance.

Sorry, Hetty, I can't... I just can't.

'I could see that Mary wasn't strong enough to help herself.

'So it was all up to me.'

If you please, ma'am? You dropped this.

Your handkerchief.

Ah, yes. Thank you, my dear.

What is this very important information?

Emily Prestwick is here...in this hospital.

Her name is Mary Crane.

-But Matron Bottomly said...

-I know. She lied.

-Why would she...?

-She doesn't want to let any of us go

because we're too valuable.

She's selling foundlings into bad apprenticeships.

-Selling foundlings?!

-I've got the proof, look.

'I'd done it. I'd actually beaten Matron!

'Or so I thought.'

You did well to tell me, Hetty. Come.

This is indeed a happy outcome.

-KNOCKING ON DOOR

-Who is it?

Colonel, I regret to inform you...

-Matron Bottomly, I'm glad you are here.

-As are we all!

This woman is a great asset to the institution.

Perhaps you will not think so shortly.

I know that you two ladies have had your differences,

but I think you'll change your mind when you hear about the donation.

-What donation?

-Several employers have been so impressed by our foundlings

that they have made contributions

to hospital funds as a token of their gratitude.

-The money was for hospital funds?

-Yes.

And it comes to just under £50.

£50?!

She's lying!

She wanted to keep that money for herself!

Hetty?!

Child, why would you tell such a wicked untruth?

I found the letters.

Show her!

What are these letters?

They spoke of payments from the foundlings' employers.

It seemed as though someone was being bribed,

but Matron Bottomly's explanation changes everything.

She was merely accepting charitable donations for the hospital.

Why would the child come up with such a story?

Oh, this girl, Hetty Feather,

she has a very bad character.

I have often been compelled to chastise her -

this must be her attempt at revenge.

I assume the girl will be punished for her lies?

Oh, yes.

I have a plan in mind to deal with you, Hetty Feather.

THEY SING A HYMN

'By the time the next Sunday came around,

'I was still waiting to find out what dreadful punishment

'Matron had cooked up for me.

'But I'd also learned a valuable lesson

'about putting your trust in adults -

'don't.

'I soon learned another lesson -

'never give up.'

How dare you come back here?

-You've been told...

-Mother!

Emily?

-Why are you here?

-We got your letter.

My letter?

Yes. The letter in which you explained you made a mistake.

That I am foundling 25621, Emily Prestwick.

-And this is my token.

-Matron Bottomly?

How was this allowed to happen?

No-one is infallible.

Not even Matron.

The important thing is that the error has been corrected.

-You sent that letter! You must have...

-Yes.

I didn't think you had that in you.

I didn't, until you showed me how.

Emily?

Coming, Mother.

'Mary Crane was a weak, lost soul.

'But Emily Prestwick was magnificent.

'Once you know who you really are, you can do anything.

'And so I vowed to find out who Hetty Feather really was.'

I declare the first ever open day officially open!

-Hetty!

-Mary!

Gid, she's here.

You really think she could be your mother?

Hetty Feather, meet Charlotte Upton.

They're horrid!

Two tickets to the circus! We've got to bid. We have to win them!

Going once, going twice...

-You are going to India.

-India?!