Changes Hetty Feather

-Get off! This is my bed.

-Eliza!

-Your uncle is the Earl...

-Of Venisley?

Liar.

No, you're the liar.

Hetty's my family. If you want jam, ask your own sister.

So were your dear cousin not to return,

the earldom would pass to you.

You've got me.

You're most kind.

'As foundlings, we knew all about change.

'All our lives we'd had it thrown at us.

'Sometimes, just as we were getting settled,

'things would pull us in a different direction.'

-You're going to get through.

-See you in the chapel.

'But for Gideon, today was a chance to follow his own path

'and change his life forever...'

Thank you.

'..and the day also brought a change that not even Matron

'could see coming.'

It is a private matter, I cannot say more.

Anything I can do to help?

Mr Cranbourne, I am leaving you in charge.

There must be no interruption to the normal Sunday timetable.

You can trust me, Matron.

The hospital is in safe hands.

Good.

But, Matron, my day off?

Er, cancelled, I'm afraid.

Where's she going?

It's not our place to speculate.

Now, come along.

I've got a hospital to run.

(Where's Matron?)

Matron's never normally late.

Where is she?

She never misses Sunday service.

Do you think she's gone for good?

Eliza, you know the rules - you need to sit with the juniors.

Please can I stay with my sister?

Just this once.

-FAINTLY:

-Welcome...

-LOUDLY:

-Welcome to our honoured guests.

May I firstly apologise on behalf of Matron Bottomley,

who...

has been called away?

And a very special welcome to Mr Melrose,

who is here today to audition one of our best

singers for a place

at his school for choristers.

So, the very best of luck to Gideon.

Sorry, sir.

There's no need to be nervous, Gideon.

Gid's going to be fine.

You're right, thank you.

-Thank you.

-Cranbourne's definitely hiding something.

Maybe Matron's been kidnapped.

Maybe she ran away to get married.

That was mine!

I'm saving this for Hetty!

It's mine!

THEY GASP

SHE GASPS

Enough. Stop that.

She started it.

-No, I didn't.

-She took my toffee.

Clara, I'll deal with you later.

Right, juniors, time to go.

You're moving back into your own dormitory today.

Form an orderly line, please, at the door.

Have all the fleas gone?

It was a minor situation.

I don't want to go, Hetty.

Eliza, you have to.

No more big sister for you.

# When we walk with the Lord

# In the light of His word

# What a glory He shared on our way

# While we do His good will

# He abides by us still

# And with all who will trust and obey

# Trust and obey... #

-HIS VOICE BREAKS

-# For there's no other way

# To be happy with Jes... #

I can do it again.

Your voice is breaking.

But why?

When a boy starts to become a man...

as boys get older,

their vocal cords grow.

We start to lose our high notes.

I mean, it happens to us all.

But the audition?

Will have to wait, I'm afraid.

I've practised so hard.

I know, but now we must give your voice time to settle.

And we don't know where it'll end up.

I mean, you might be a tenor, or a baritone.

You can't take me to your school?

Maybe in a year or so. Hm?

I've only ever wanted to sing.

I've told Matron that we've had to postpone your audition.

Don't lose heart.

Come along, boys. Dining hall.

No dawdling.

Service went quick today.

That's cos Matron wasn't there handing out punishments.

She should disappear more often.

Gideon, don't be too disappointed, hm?

-Gideon!

-How was it?

It was... I did my best.

You got in, didn't you?

Yes! It's a win for all of us.

He got in? He got into Mr Melrose's school.

Excellent news and a fine example.

You've done the hospital proud, Gideon.

Why do they have all the luck?

They don't.

Not this time.

We're very grateful to you, ma'am, for your time

and concern for the foundlings.

Matron Bottomley would like me to thank you very much,

-so...thank you.

-Thank you.

Goodbye.

Eh, I could put me back out, standing so stiff.

When do you leave?

Boys...

silence during Bible study.

En...

ter.

Erm...

Nurse Macclesfield?

Mr Cranbourne, you're needed.

Continue with your work. I shall return shortly.

No, he didn't give a name - he just said he was a personal guest.

Matron is not going to like this.

-Father.

-Donald.

Donald?

Nurse Macclesfield, my father, Reverend Cranbourne.

-Pleased to meet you, Reverend.

-Hmm.

-If you'd excuse me and keep an eye on the boys.

-The boys?

I've already got my hands full with the girls

-and what with Matron being away...

-I'm sure you'll manage.

Of course.

-What if Gideon gets into the choir school?

-He could be famous one day.

But what if it's like Polly?

What if he got in and he leaves today, and we never see him again?

He wants to sing more than anything. This is his future.

I need to see Gideon.

Er... I want the Book Of Judges finished by the time I get back.

I shall be testing you on it later.

Your uncle is in very poor health

and your cousin Jasper is still missing. Weren't you concerned?

I expected you to write.

I'm sorry, Father.

We've been extremely busy and my duties have grown.

Even today, I'm in charge of the entire hospital.

I expect more from you, Donald.

When the Earl dies and Jasper isn't found,

the manor and the entire estate will pass to me.

-I'll need you by my side to help me run things.

-But, Father, my work...

At a time like this, your family needs you.

I see.

Since you're visiting, why don't I take you on a tour of the hospital?

That's not necessary.

It's a magnificent building and well worth seeing,

since you're here anyway.

Very well.

Clara, your behaviour today at lunchtime was not acceptable.

-You cannot hit other girls.

-Sorry, Nurse.

-That's my bed.

-It's Jenny's now.

-My sister...

-Your sister isn't here now.

You didn't want to be friends with us

and that's the way it's going to be.

If I had a talent like Gid's, I'd be out of here, too.

-What can you do? You can't sing.

-Mind reading -

people would pay to see that.

-But you can't read minds.

-Yeah?

-I could try.

-Go on, then, what am I thinking?

This should be good.

Boo!

Wasn't reading my mind then, was you?

Ah, boys!

Read, Book Of Judges, I shall be setting a test later on.

Please, Nurse.

Where's Mr Cranbourne?

Book Of Judges. I'll be back.

Shame you can't read Nurse Macclesfield's mind

and find out what's going on.

Why don't you read Gideon's mind?

Is he daydreaming about his new life in Mr Melrose's school?

-Bet she has gone to get married.

-But who would replace her?

Right, this time, I'm going.

Move, Sheila, or I'll move you.

Poor Feather.

First Polly and now your precious Gideon.

You'll have no-one left soon.

He's probably already gone without saying goodbye.

I said, move!

-You've got a big mouth, Feather.

-Rather a big mouth than an ugly one.

Cranbourne's coming.

Back to work, girls.

As you can see, we're instilling discipline

and much-needed moral education.

Who was that?

He must be Matron's replacement.

I don't like the look of him.

I know you want to see Gid, but...

It would take a miracle.

From pillar to post, that's me.

My poor feet are blooming killing me.

Mr Cranbourne, Reverend.

Are the boys doing their reading?

Yes, but, Mr Cranbourne, with the girls and the boys...

Keep up the good work.

Right!

Right, you lot, get your Bibles, we're moving.

Well, come on!

What's going on?

-Where's she taking us?

-What's she doing?

-She's lost her marbles.

-It won't come off.

-You'll get stuck in there.

You're going to detench.

Feather!

Get down.

Right, girls, all of you, over to this side.

Boys, over there.

Get reading. I don't want to hear a word out of any of you.

You got your miracle.

Gid got in.

-You did it.

-Walter, Vince, pull that blackboard here.

Foundlings receive an excellent education here and,

with the right discipline, we're helping them grow and mature.

You have a strong sense of duty towards these children.

Yes, I couldn't just abandon the hospital.

Matron needs me.

And the children, of course, too.

But our family circumstances have changed.

It's time to come home.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Come.

Ah, Miss Winterson.

SHE WHISPERS

Don't even think about getting out of your seats.

-I'm so proud of you.

-Knew you could do it.

-Hetty...

-Tell me everything.

What did Mr Melrose say? When do you leave? Can you come back and visit?

-We didn't talk about a lot.

-So, how did it go, then?

-I bet you were brilliant.

-It was good.

-No-one knows where she is.

-They won't mess me around.

Watch and learn.

Girls...

..tell me where Eliza has gone and you will not get into trouble.

You do not want to make me angry.

(You're scaring them.)

(They need to be scared.)

(The little madam needs to be found before Matron gets back.)

Girls, it's really important that we find Eliza.

Did something else happen between you two?

You used to be friends.

She likes her sister better than us, now. Why don't you ask her?

Hetty Feather.

I should have known.

Give it back!

"I regret to inform you that I'll be unable to admit Gideon

"to my school for choristers.

"It's disappointing for the boy

"but, in the circumstances, I do not feel I can currently admit him."

Shall I go on?

What happened?

But you're our best singer.

-I thought that...

-You don't know anything, none of you do.

Where is she?

Who?

Don't give me that.

Eliza's gone missing.

Do you know where she would go?

-You're going to have to come and help us find her.

-But...

-Now, Feather!

-Gideon...

-Nurse, Gideon has...

-Shut up, Vince!

Get back to your Bibles.

Why are you covering for that...nobody?

You'd know all about being a nobody.

Who's there?

Father, I really would appreciate it

if I was allowed some time to consider...

I'll expect you home within the month.

And, one more thing, Donald...

It's time to think about settling down.

A wife for a man who will one day be an earl.

A wife?

Yes, I don't imagine you meet many suitable women here.

Send me word of the date of your arrival.

Oh, she must be hiding somewhere.

Well, she's not hidden in the bread bin.

Where is she?

I thought she might be hungry.

Right, I'm going to the juniors.

-You can find the little madam.

-But...

-No buts!

And if you don't find her, you'll have some explaining to do.

Well, if she's not in here, then where is she?

She can't have gone far.

I liked being with Hetty in the big dorm and now I'm stuck with them.

-It can't be that bad.

-It is. They're horrible to me.

But why?

It's not my fault. Why can't things be things be the way they were?

Things change, Eliza. Sometimes... there's nothing we can do about it.

Can't you take me with you, to Mr Melrose's school?

I didn't get in.

Well, what happened?

My voice is changing, there's nothing I can do.

I'm growing up and I won't be able to sing the way I used to,

and now everybody knows I lied.

Maybe we could run away.

-Where would we go?

-Back home.

-To Peg's?

-We can't, Eliza.

-I don't want to go back.

What happened with the other girls?

I wasn't very nice to them when I had Hetty.

-Can't you make it up to them?

-But they hate me.

It'll be hard, but you have to try.

We both do.

I've got to face all the seniors.

Besides, we can't leave without Hetty.

I'll stay if you will.

Deal?

We'll find her, we just have to do.

-Eliza!

-Where have you been?

Eliza, you've caused a lot of trouble today.

Let's just get you back to the dorm.

Gideon, back to class, please,

Hetty, come up and help settle Eliza.

No, Hetty, I can do this on my own.

What did you say about Mr Melrose?

I shouldn't have lied.

I just didn't want it to be true.

Gid, did you read the letter?

It's not the end of your singing - there's still next year.

Until then, you're stuck with me.

SHOUTING AND JEERING

-I thought you'd done a runner.

-Don't start. I know I let people down.

-You didn't let anyone down. At least you tried.

-I did, I tried my best.

You know, this doesn't make us friends or anything.

No, of course not.

Go on, Vince!

SHOUTING

The trials I've faced, Mr Cranbourne,

my nerves are in tatters

and my poor feet and my back...

Mr Cranbourne?!

Are you listening to me?

I can assure you, Nurse Macclesfield,

I've heard every single word.

CHILDREN CONTINUE SHOUTING

What is the meaning of this?!

Matron will be informed of this deplorable behaviour.

But Matron's not coming back.

Of course she's coming back.

-And you shall all be punished.

-Hmm.

No!

Gideon.

No-one will be punished.

Gideon, that place at Mr Melrose's school could disappear for you.

It already has...

and nobody's getting punished.

-Right?

-Right.

-Right.

We've been left alone all day.

-I wonder what Matron will think about that.

-And the governors.

Yes, well, it's been a...very busy day.

I think we should forget about all of this.

Time to return to dormitories. Boys, line up.

Girls, follow me.

'Foundlings have to get used to change.

'It's hard but it's the only way to survive.

'Sometimes we have to change ourselves and not rely on others.

'And there were some changes coming that nobody knew about.'

Matron is up to something and we're going to find out what it is.

Hetty needs you to sneak into Matron's office.

What is it they say?

Curiosity killed the cat?

Whatever it is, she don't want us to know about it.

Where is she?

Soon everyone will know what you did.

You're going to be in so much trouble.

Do you want to find out about Matron's secret or not?