♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Your sleeper is here, Miss Layton.

The Pankot train is due to leave in an hour.

Idhar.

What is that carriage over there?

Oh, that is private.

It belongs to a Maharajah-- I do not know which.

There are so many.

Thank you.

Idhar thairo.

Count Bronowski?

Sarah Layton.

Oh, Miss Layton.

Forgive me.

Why didn't I recognize you?

Ah, it's the uniform.

Nawab Sahib and I were so distressed to hear of Captain Bingham's death.

It was kind of you to write.

Have you been staying in Rampur?

No, not staying.

I've just got in from Calcutta.

And that train is going to Pankot?

Yes, at midnight.

I'm going home.

And you are alone?

My dear Miss Layton, you must join me in a glass of Champagne.

Oh, well... No, I am inviting you-- it's an occasion.

On behalf of Nawab Sahib-- who is not here, by the way-- I invite you to more compatible surroundings.

We are traveling-- how shall I put it?-- on some private but official business... ...with young Kasim.

You remember Ahmed?

And someone I think you haven't met.

Allow me to introduce Captain Rowan.

Miss Sarah Layton.

Nawab Sahib and I had the pleasure of her company at the palace guesthouse on the occasion of her sister's marriage.

How do you do?

Please.

Steward, Champagne.

We were going to wait for Ahmed, but only as a puritanical exercise in self-discipline.

Oh, do you smoke?

Thank you.

I myself smoke too many, but these are mild.

Thank you.

How are your mother and sister?

They're both well, I hope.

Yes, both well.

And the officer who was best man at your sister's wedding, Captain Merrick?

Have you had news of him?

Actually, it was to visit him in hospital that I went to Calcutta.

Really?

Thank you, steward.

But why-- what is wrong?

He was badly wounded helping Captain Bingham at the time he was killed.

My sister was anxious for someone to visit him, and she couldn't go herself.

I'm afraid he's lost an arm.

He had physical courage.

One could see that.

But I'm sorry to hear he was wounded.

Which arm?

The left.

Ah, that is something.

I observed him picking up some bits of confetti.

He was right-handed.

You may remember the officer we're speaking of-- Merrick.

No, I don't think so.

He went into the army from the Indian Police, and featured in the Manners case in Mayapore in 1942.

An English girl.

Oh, yes, that case.

In Mirat, I had an interesting talk with him.

Are those boys still in prison?

Which boys are those?

The ones he arrested.

I'm afraid I don't know, Count.

I hope they're not forgotten and just left to rot.

The Indians remember, especially one who visited Mirat last year.

I'm sure, Count, that they are not just forgotten.

Oh, forgive me.

It is an uncheerful subject.

And Miss Layton should be entertained.

Now, you will join us in a meal?

You have some time yet.

Oh, how very kind.

I was going to the station restaurant.

Oh, we can do better than that.

And we shall not now wait for Ahmed.

Who, in any case, would probably be interested only in the Champagne.

But a dear boy.

Oh, he'll be sorry to have missed you.

He affects not to be susceptible to the charms of white ladies, but in your case, I suspect this is not wholly true.

You remember how you rode together on the waste ground opposite my house?

Yes.

I'm confessing, aren't I, that I observed you.

But not intentionally.

After you had gone, I observed how on many mornings, he rode there again, and each time retraced exactly the course you had taken together-- cantering along the same stretch, stopping in the same place, wheeling his horse.

Oh, but don't misinterpret.

Ahmed remains an observer, detached, because he doesn't see where he fits in.

I remember his father once wrote to him from prison.

You know his father, ex-Chief Minister Kasim, is still in prison?

He wrote, "We are looking for a country, but it is here."

And so am I.

And why shouldn't we stop squabbling over it and start living in it?

What does it really matter who runs it-- Hindu or Muslim, or whose face is dark and whose is white?

Yes, what does it matter?

BRONOWSKI: Good-bye, Miss Layton.

But he'll be sorry to have missed you.

How self-contained you are.

I don't remember that.

Perhaps Ahmed noticed it.

Something maybe you have in common-- both wondering whether you belong, and to what.

Dear boy... you look very smart.

What time is it?

It's a little after four.

We're due in Premanagar.

Is Captain Rowan up?

I hope so.

He was woken at the same time as you.

I have kept watch, indulging some of my favorite vices-- wakefulness, Pushkin and an unfinished bottle.

There's a glass for you.

Or would you prefer something stronger?

Steward!

Bring Kasim Sahib a large scotch and soda.

Or no soda?

No soda.

Here.

I have a garlic for you.

Chew it before you reach the circuit house in case your father detects the whisky.

But do not get too close to Captain Rowan.

He would be too polite to turn his head away.

No doubt His Excellency interested him with this business for his discretion.

But I noticed, though he feigned indifference, his interest when Miss Layton was telling me how Captain Merrick had lost an arm.

In due course, he will inform the Governor.

Bravery in the field and an amputated arm-- what luck.

Now the arrested boys may go free.

The files are closed, and Mr. Merrick's future is assured.

No scandal.

Le diable est mort.

You understand?

No, it's too early in the morning.

And too late.

We are here.

Courage, mon ami.

Thanks.

They're here, I think.

Don't you wish to speak to the Divisional Commissioner?

Not just now, unless it's essential.

Very well.

Ahmed?

Ahmed, is that you?

Yes, Father.

Your mother.

What news of your mother?

She's well.

You'll see her soon.

They let the Mahatma out, but his poor Kasturba is dead.

I know.

But it's nothing like that.

Then God is good to me.

You are taller.

How long has it been?

Almost three years.

You dwarf me.

You quite dwarf me.

They told me nothing until 5:00 yesterday.

Am I free, or on my way to another jail?

You're free.

On what conditions?

To go to our kinsman, the Nawab Amira.

Mother will join you there.

You will be under the Nawab's protection.

I see.

I am the only Congressman to be paroled?

Yes, Father, as far as I know.

Why?

Because of my brother.

Sayed?

He has died in prison camp?

No, Father, he was captured.

By the Japanese, I know.

Recently in Manipur.

Mother had a letter.

Sayed joined the INA.

The INA?

The Indian National Army.

To fight alongside the Japanese.

I know what the initials stand for!

Sayed?

The INA?

No, this is a ridiculous mistake.

He would not be helping the Japanese to invade his own country.

Thousands of Indian prisoners in Malaya and Burma did the same thing.

They felt they had been deserted by their British officers.

You are speaking up for them?

Calling your brother a traitor?

Am I?

Don't you remember it was Gandhi who called on us to do or die against the British.

The situation is changing.

The young men who grabbed rifles and marched may look more heroic than the old men who went to prison.

He was a King's Commissioned Officer.

He made a contract.

All of our Muslim law is based on the sanctity of contract.

We must suffer, die for it.

It is in our hearts.

What are you telling me, that it is not in Sayed's?

That he is an opportunist without any thought of his honor or yours or mine?

Are you telling me this is the kind of India I have gone to prison for?

If you are, you had better leave me here.

I do not know that kind of India.

I do not know such men.

Sayed is not my son.

Let me go back to prison.

You can't go back, Father.

They won't let you.

The plain fact is they're chucking you out of the Fort.

We shall see.

Let them forcibly take me to Mirat.

But then let them stop me from returning to my home, to Rampur and to politics.

They won't arrest you.

It would suit the British very well to have you say what you have just said to me.

They only arrested you last time because you were loyal to Congress.

You refused to join the Muslim League.

But when a man is suddenly released from political detention and there's nothing to explain it, his friends will ask why.

There is always the truth.

No, Father, there is only what can be believed.

Can you still call Sayed a traitor?

You might as well write your letter of resignation to Congress now and apply to Jinnah for membership of the League.

Not that Jinnah would touch you with a barge pole if you tried that line with him.

He will call Sayed a patriot, too, if he values his career as a future minister.

There are hundreds of officers and thousands of men.

The British can't hang them all.

Who have you been talking to?

The Nawab, or that European pederast Bronowski?

I've talked to them, but not about this.

No?

Then you are shrewd.

I underestimated you.

Since one of my sons turns out to be a traitor, it is a compensation to realize that the other one is not as stupid as I thought.

I am sorry.

You did not deserve this.

Forgive me.

In prison... you forget that circumstances change.

Sayed is wrong.

But this time I must be silent.

Thank you for having saved me from making a useless gesture.

Then you accept the terms?

Shall I tell them you're ready?

Unfortunately, I have only one life to live.

And only one notion of what makes it worth living-- always to speak the truth.

It isn't easy to write that notion off as a mistake.

I know.

Do you?

You are too young.

It was Sayed, always.

It was Sayed that I trusted.

And you?

Why are you waiting?

Tell the officers I'm ready.

Your Congress cap.

They pretend to laugh but they're afraid of it, really.

If they see it lying on the table, they might come to the wrong conclusion.

No.

Straight and firm.

Like a crown of thorns.

NEWSREEL ANNOUNCER: The first sight of India after years of War, and no words can express what they felt.

The Commander-in-Chief's message said what we feel-- "What you've done will long be remembered."

Let's remember it now.

Eritrea.

Syria.

Tunisia.

Italy.

It's all summed up in the words "The Famous Fourth."

Eights for the Eighth Army, another famous number.

And these men helped to make it so.

Just before they landed, several awards for gallantry were announced.

But this was the best reward of all-- to be home again.

I'm going up to see Susan now.

Aren't you coming?

You know she won't even look at the baby.

Frankly, I've had enough.

Tell her I'll come tonight.

I'll say you're resting.

It's Room 9.

There's a lovely boy.

Mrs. Bingham, your sister's here.

Hello, Sue.

Sorry I wasn't at the time.

Will you see him now?

Is it whole?

Is it?

Why, Mrs. Bingham, of course it's whole.

He's a lovely boy.

Two of everything-- well, everything he should have.

And look how well your sister holds him.

Don't you want to hold him now?

Come on, Sue.

Think how proud Daddy will be.

He might be home for Christmas.

That's what they say now.

How lovely-- anyway, for us.

It's a bit unfair for him.

He'll want peace and quiet and all he'll get is a screaming baby.

He won't mind, because he's a grandson.

What will you call him?

I don't know.

The name's so important.

How can I choose that on my own?

Not on your own.

There's me and Mummy, too.

She's resting now, but she'll look in soon.

You're not alone.

Thank you, Clarissa.

Oh!

Another caseful.

Shoes.

I must confess, I'm fond of my shoes.

Though I think there's little left to bring from Rose Cottage now.

Is anything wrong, Clarissa?

The amount of luggage?

It is a bit more than I thought.

No, Barbara, it's not the luggage.

Though if there's anything more than another caseful to come, I think you'll have to ask for storage at Julal-Ud-Din's.

Oh, but I shouldn't want my things to molder in a storehouse.

Arthur and I place little value on possessions.

Our strength is in the love of God.

We'll say no more about the luggage.

There's something I have to ask.

I was at the Club this afternoon.

Yes?

Not alone-- with others.

People I respect, but whom I shall not name.

It was said... what a pity it was you couldn't remain at Rose Cottage for a while to help Mildred because of Susan and the baby.

I don't think it's a suggestion that Mildred would approve.

May I ask why?

Yes, Clarissa.

Since I accept your hospitality.

Though as a paying guest, of course.

Mildred does not approve of me or what she terms my interference.

So... what was said at the Club?

It was accepted that the idea might be impractical.

But there was something more.

It was suggested it would be unsuitable.

Especially unsuitable with two pretty young girls in the house.

But I could not, simply could not believe... Well, the moment had gone before I fully understood exactly what had been said, to refute it.

I do not propose, Barbara, to refer to this again, inside or outside this house.

But I require... for my own peace of mind, I require from you some word.

Some word?

What word, Clarissa?

A word of refutation.

Of assurance that there are no grounds, no grounds at all, for such a wicked implication.

I see.

Naturally, you require to be reassured.

But what can I say?

If it were true, I should probably deny it.

I've nowhere else to go.

It's a difficult thing for an elderly spinster to refute.

But for what it's worth, Clarissa, as far as I know, my affection for Sarah and Susan is not of an unnatural kind.

Unless it is unnatural to take pleasure in their company and to care what happens to them.

And now I...

I must put these roses on Mabel's grave.

Such a wicked thing to say.

Am I expected tomorrow, as arranged?

Thank you, Clarissa.

(thunder) Mabel, how can I face it alone?

And without God?

(sobbing) Mabel...

I'm going now.

Thank you.

Memsahib!

Memsahib, you want buy flowers?

Memsahib, you want buy flowers?

(speaking Urdu) I take your bag rickshaw.

Oh, it's Ashok, isn't it?

Yes, Memsahib.

You carry my parcels in the bazaar.

Why aren't you in the bazaar today?

(speaking Urdu) (speaking Urdu) The other boys threaten you?

Perhaps they're jealous.

Too many baksheesh for you.

It's empty.

You're not a Pankot boy.

(speaking Urdu) I come Rampur.

Ah, a stranger.

An outcast.

Well, that gives us something in common.

Not many baksheesh for you in the churchyard.

Simply a place of refuge.

(speaking Urdu) I go tomorrow.

You go tomorrow?

Ashok, did you see a lady come out of the church just now before me?

A burra mem in a topi?

Well, it doesn't matter.

The important thing is she seemed to be there.

She appeared to me.

I'm going to sit down here and take a little breather-- a howa khana.

(speaking Urdu) Where do you go tomorrow, Ashok?

I go to Maharajah.

You serve a Maharajah?

Where?

Many, many Maharajahs, many mahouts.

I go ride elephant for Maharajah.

Well, there are certainly no elephants in Pankot.

So you'll have to go if you want to be a mahout.

If you were an English boy, you'd want to be an engine driver.

(speaking Urdu) If no elephants, Memsahib.

Do you know what those flowers here are for?

For Puja.

No, I bring them for my friend.

I am your friend, Memsahib.

Yes, I mean my other friend.

He come from Pankot?

From Pankot, yes.

He is my friend, too?

She is, yes.

But you won't see her.

Like the friend who loves us both.

You remember the song I tried to teach you?

About our friend?

"There's a friend for little children.

There's a friend for little children..." "Above the bright blue sky, whose love will never die."

Oh, my little untouchable.

My Harijan, one of the children of God.

Now, tell me, Ashok, what am I?

(speaking Urdu) (speaking Urdu) No.

I am a servant of Our Lord Jesus.

He is our mother and our father.

You don't understand.

It's too long ago and far away.

The world we live in is corrupt.

I offer you my love, and you take it as fortune smiling.

But your heart is beating in expectation of rupees.

Mine hardly beats at all.

It's very tired and old and far from home.

Ashok.

Chalo.

You take my case and find a rickshaw wallah.

Jaldi.

My little unknown Indian.

Memsahib, Sarah Mem.

Hello, Barbie.

I must look a... a sight.

I'm clearing up.

Trying to create some sort of order.

It's quite a task.

Oh, I am sorry.

Is there anything I can help with?

We'll have some tea.

Unless you're in a hurry?

Oh, I should love some tea.

Aziz has probably anticipated.

Tea outside.

Have you not, Aziz?

Han, Barbie Mem, tea.

Thank you, Aziz.

My last day at Rose Cottage.

I shall be out of here after breakfast tomorrow.

Aziz will be ready to go, too.

He'll wait behind to hand over the keys to Captain Coley.

Yes, I see.

I'll tell Mother.

Will you pour?

Susan's home again, with the baby.

She's well?

They both are.

Mother's brought in an ayah to help look after him.

She's our houseboy's niece.

Only a child herself.

Her name's Minnie.

Susan's giving the baby all Teddie's names.

So he'll be Edward Arthur David Bingham.

And shall you be happy out here, all of you?

I don't know, Barbie.

I don't know at all.

You wanted once to get away.

Yes, I did.

Perhaps in a way I have.

What about you?

Oh, I shall be all right.

I've written to the Mission.

No doubt they'll have something for me, something to do.

Clarissa... ...told me your news about poor Captain Merrick.

Yes, it's sad.

I forgot to tell you-- he talked a bit about Miss Crane.

Edwina?

What did he say?

He told me about going to her bungalow after her death, and finding that picture of Queen Victoria, the one you have as well.

The Jewel in the Crown.

He seemed to think in some way it was to do with Teddie's death-- the kinship between sepoys and officers.

He used a phrase: "I am your mother and your father."

Ma-bap.

Mother and father.

The relationship between us and India.

What else?

And death by fire.

The way that Teddie died, and the way Miss Crane killed herself.

Was that to do with Ma-bap, too?

No.

What was it?

Despair.

Yes, that fits.

It reminded me of something, too-- the scorpion.

The scorpion?

Years ago when Susan and I were children, we had another houseboy then.

He was always telling us stories.

He told us a scorpion would kill itself if it was cornered and there was no way out.

I don't think we really believed him, 'til one day, Susan and I were in the garden.

He called us over.

He had a little pot of something and poured it in a circle on the ground and set it alight.

We saw the scorpion strike and kill itself.

Well, that's how it seemed.

In a ring of fire.

Years later, Auntie Mabel told me that it wasn't true-- that it's the fire that kills.

But it always seemed to me a brave thing to do if there was no way out.

I am sorry, Barbie, about Auntie Mabel-- that I wasn't here.

I don't suppose you've heard yet.

She remembered you in her will.

What?

Only a small annuity to help with the pension.

You'll get a letter soon from the bank in Rampur.

Well, she shouldn't have.

Why not?

Well, it's taking it away from the rest of you.

I didn't expect... That's very kind.

Very kind.

Oh, Barbie, don't.

And I have no problems.

Except what I think you call nowadays a problem in logistics.

My little room at Clarissa's, it has its limitations, and I have my trunk.

I had thought of leaving it here in the garden shed until I could send for it.

But if I were to ask permission of your mother, it would certainly be refused.

Would honor be satisfied, do you think, if I were to ask it of you?

I should think so.

It only contains bits of my past-- my years in India.

My shadow, as you might say.

I'll tell the mali to keep an eye on it so there'll be a minimum of fuss.

And I can come and visit you at Clarissa's.

It might be better if you didn't.

My room is very small for entertaining guests.

And I don't want to push my luck, as the saying is.

Not for a while, at least.

Not for a while.

(knock at door) MAN (outside door): Captain Merrick?

Get out!

God rot this stinking piece of tin!

Oh, did you ring, sir?

This damn thing doesn't fit.

I told those idiots in Poona.

What the hell do you want?

Well, I was hoping for a bit of peace and quiet, sir.

But if this goes on, I shall ask to be put back on active service.

Better being raped by little yellow ones in Burma than picking bits of glass out of me perm.

Get out, Dixon.

I'm not amused by your song and dance act.

I'll get a sweeper.

I said get out!

One ashtray, officers for the use of.

Sister's not going to like this at all.

Got a fearful temper, that one.

Frightens the life out of us ladies when she's roused.

If you'll excuse me, sir.

Yes, Corporal?

Maybe you've tried to do too much, sir, too soon after.

You ought to get out of doors.

After all, that's what they sent you out to Pankot for, sir-- the fresh air of the hills.

I don't suppose it's occurred to you, Corporal, that I might not choose to exhibit myself in public yet.

Has such an unlikely idea occurred to you?

No, sir.

There now.

Almost forgot why I came.

A letter for you, Captain Merrick.

Been all round the houses, too.

From Pankot down to the hospital in Kal and forwarded all the way back here again.

Shall I?

Yes, all right.

Oh!

It's from a Corporal.

Corporal S. Somebody.

Could it be Sandra?

Or it could be Sophie, like me?

Nah.

Some other bird.

Miss Layton.

Get out, Dixon.

Very good, sir.

"Dear Ronald, excuse the army issue.

"Susan asked me to let you know that she has a baby son "and both seem to be doing well.

"We are not sure when the christening will be and Susan has not chosen his name yet."

Well, I said to Sister, "Wasn't that careless of me?"

Might've done myself a serious injury.

Mind you, not so nasty as my first accident this morning.

You all right, sir?

Yes, of course.

Who do I bump into but our Senior Surgeon?

Me, with a bedpan in me hand.

Well, she was drenched!

And me flat on me bum and all.

"Is that Corporal Dixon?"

she says to Matron.

"Yes," says Matron.

So the surgeon says, "Well, it was not entirely his fault, so we won't hold it against him."

Well, as to that, I think, chance would be a fine thing.

Are we ready, sir?

Just get on.

You know the idea, sir.

Toughen up the bits that aren't too tender.

If yours truly can avoid the bits that are.

Mind you, it's a lovely stump.

And I've seen one or two, sir.

Someone in Calcutta's very proud of this.

Or my name's not Sophie Dixon.

Sorry, sir.

In point of fact, Corporal Dixon, I've been finding out quite a bit about you.

There are some fearful gossips, sir.

You shouldn't pay attention.

I've been hearing about your active service record in the Arakan.

According to my informant, you were the one who kept on joking, risking your neck to bring in the wounded under fire.

"They should've given Sophie Dixon the MM."

It's what I've been told.

Oh, that would never do, sir.

And where would they pin it?

Cheeky things.

So what I'm wondering, Dixon, is how all this adds up.

Still getting a bit of pain here, are we, sir?

Pity you're not staying with us a little longer.

I know a thing or two about this job.

Very good with my hands, sir.

Massage, manipulation.

Helps you relax.

So what's the truth, Dixon?

Are you a hero?

Or a bloody pansy?

I don't think, Captain Merrick, that's the kind of question we ought to ask ourselves, do you, sir?

I remember what our dear Winnie Churchill told us.

"Give us the tools," she said, "and we'll finish the job."

MINISTER: Almighty God, who art a strong tower of defense unto thy servants against the face of their enemies, we yield thee praise and thanksgiving for our deliverance from those great and apparent dangers wherewith we were encompassed.

And especially today for our deliverance from the Japanese, and their expulsion from the soil of India.

We acknowledge it, thy goodness.

(organ playing) Aren't we going home?

No, I think we're going for a drink at the Club.

Well, I don't want to be too long.

Dicky, have you got the roses?

I brought them for Auntie Mabel's grave because I missed the funeral.

How very thoughtful.

Who's looking after little Teddie?

The ayah.

She's quite capable of seeing the brat comes to no harm.

Are you coming on to the Club?

Mmm, Madras curry.

It's Minnie's first time in charge, so we shan't stay for lunch.

And I'm calling him Edward, not Teddie.

I hate diminutives for men.

Let's take the flowers.

Is Susan all right?

Susan's fine.

Well, I hope you've all got your bibs and tuckers ironed for the christening tomorrow.

Well, I've treated myself to a new dress but we're not going to get all starchy about it, are we?

Far from it.

I'm afraid the party afterwards will be very informal.

We're surrounded by packing cases at the moment.

When do you move to Rose Cottage?

0900 hours on Tuesday.

Now that woman is finally out.

I've got it all worked out.

The little spare will make an excellent nursery.

Edward's even more effective than a bugle for getting us out.

All on parade at 6:00 a.m. prompt, isn't it, Sue?

Most children wake at 6:00.

I did.

But then, you're Army.

Yes.

Relax, darling.

You simply must learn to trust Minnie and stop thinking about next feed time.

Are you cold?

No.

I thought you shivered.

I hope you're not sickening for anything.

No, I'm relaxing.

How has your dog taken to the baby, Mrs. Layton?

Sometimes they're jealous.

Oh, Panther's taken quite a shine to him.

Won't let Kevin get a ... Well, that was clumsy of you, wasn't it?

Bearer!

(speaking Urdu) Do you want a mop?

You'll have to change when you get home.

Aren't you madly uncomfortable?

No, Mother.

Well, go to the cloakroom and use a towel.

Then you can come back and have another nimbu.

I don't want another nimbu.

Well, go and dry off.

Do you want any help?

No, it's all right.

Do you think I ought to run her home?

My dear boy, finish your drink in peace.

It's only a broken glass.

(baby crying softly) It's all right.

It's all right.

I'm here now.

(speaking Urdu) We don't want Panther, silly dog.

Getting fat.

Don't want Minnie, silly girl.

Can't understand.

Do you know what this is?

Auntie Mabel's christening gown.

She gave it to me.

See?

Butterflies caught in a web.

Poor prisoners.

Poor prisoners.

We'll set them free.

(baby crying) (baby crying) (screams) Mahmoud!

Free, little prisoner.

Mahmoud!

Go free.

(baby crying) Go free.

Mahmoud!

Go free.

Go free.

The original version of the Jewel in the Crown, including Alistair Cooke host segments is available on DVD.

To order, visit shopPBS.org or call 1-800-PLAY-PBS.