Srimati!
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God be with you, Sister.
And with you.
God be with you, Sister.
And with you.
God be with you, Sister.
And with you.
God be with you, Sister.
And with you.
Enter.
Sister Clodagh. News from Mopu.
The General hasn't changed his mind, Reverend Mother?
No, nothing like that, no.
He's still most keen to donate his palace.
In fact, the General makes it a condition of his gift
that the mission should travel to Mopu immediately,
rather than waiting 'til spring.
I suppose it does make sense to...
set up the school and settle ourselves
before the cold weather sets in.
Winter arrives much sooner in the north than it does here.
I know how very keen you are to assume the honor
of leading the mission, Sister Clodagh.
Mopu is a wild place.
There isn't even a policeman there.
Just, uh, the General's agent, a Mr. Dean.
If only Father Roberts wasn't laid low.
Forgive me, Reverend Mother.
If you put your faith in me,
I know I can make a success of the new convent.
I do so feel I was called to do God's work there,
to bring education and enlightenment
to such a remote part of the world.
I know I can do it.
"I", Clodagh...
So many I's.
We, Reverend Mother.
I don't think you're ready for it.
I think you'd be lonely.
Lonely? Why would I be lonely?
I'd have the community around me.
And so much work to do.
There's no doubt you've more than proved
your competence here.
It would be a leap of faith.
You will certainly need to put much faith
in the Sisters who will accompany you.
Sister Briony, she will be indispensable to you
up there in the mountains.
Will the order really be able to manage without her?
We'll have to. And, uh, Sister Philippa.
You"ll do well to lean on Philippa.
Not just for the garden or the laundry,
- but for her wisdom. - Yes, Reverend Mother.
And might we take Sister Blanche?
- For the little ones. - Ah, Sister Honey, yes, do.
Better honey than vinegar in such a closed community.
And Sister Ruth.
Like you, God has blessed her with an abundance of talents.
And St. Helens found her a very quick study in languages,
and she's experienced in lace work.
Do you wish to express a reservation, Sister Clodagh?
No, Mother Dorothea. Except...
Sister Ruth seems to wish so much to be important.
Then you will have a great deal in common.
May the Lord bless you, child,
and give you strength to serve Him in your mission.
Amen.
- Thank you, Father. - This wretched fever.
The convent of St. Faith shall be pleased to receive you
when you are able to make the journey, Father.
I expect to see great things.
The youngest Sister Superior in the order.
I have every confidence you'll succeed
where the Brothers of St. Peter failed.
Did Mother Dorothea not say?
No, Father.
A German order attempted to establish
a school in the palace only last year.
It was not a success.
Perhaps they lacked our experience
with missionary work.
Why did the German Brothers leave the Palace?
I've been unable to discover the reason.
Okay.
Sisters, get your bed rolls,
we"ll take the shorter route.
Keep going.
Can"t be far.
Oh!
Keep your eyes inwards, Sisters. It"s just a holy man.
What the local people call a Sunnyasi.
God go with you.
Here we are.
The palace of Mopu.
It's not what we would call a palace though,
is it, Sister Clodagh?
We could hardly expect the changing of the guard, Sister.
Hello?
We're the religious sisters from Darjeeling.
Sister Ruth.
Hello?
Who lit the candles?
Is it really only a year
since the Brothers were here?
This will do splendidly for our sleeping quarters.
- Welcome, Sisters. - Namaste.
I am so sorry to give you a fright.
I am Angu, Angu Ayah, the caretaker.
So you must be very tired, no? You take rest, huh?
Tomorrow for breakfast the General,
he has sent you English sausages.
God bless the General.
Why did the Brothers of Peter leave so suddenly,
Sister Clodagh?
We are safe in God's hands.
I've always found it hard to sleep,
- my father used to say... - Sister.
This is not our time for conversation. God bless you.
Commend your soul to His care and sleep will come.
God bless you, Sister Clodagh.
Good morning. You must be Mr. Dean.
How do you do?
Sisters.
Sorry, I... I thought early rising was part of your...
I hope Angu's made you all comfortable?
Most comfortable, thank you.
The General told me to report to the Sister Superior.
- Sister Clodagh. - I am she. I am Sister Clodagh.
Clodagh. I was expecting someone more...
Irish.
I see you're admiring my trophies, Sister.
- Did you shoot those birds? - I don't shoot anything...
any longer.
Dean.
Come. Come.
We've got sausages.
Sausages, by God.
Have you told the Sisters about your travels?
The sisters are not interested in me.
Angu Ayah travelled all over Europe
as nurse to Princess Srimati. She has many a tale to tell.
Princess Srimati? Is she the General's wife?
His sister.
Did your priest not tell you about Srimati Dev?
No, we were told very little, in all the hurry.
She lived here, for a time.
Do you know what the locals call this place?
The House of Women.
But why?
Surely it was boys that
the Brothers of St. Peter taught here, Sister Clodagh?
Oh, it's an older name.
The General's father built this palace for his... ladies.
No nuns in that household I assure you.
Well, from now on the palace shall be known
as the Convent of St. Faith.
Not as good as I remembered.
- What is, huh? - Sisters.
Mr. Dean?
You shouldn't have come here, you know.
It's an impossible place for a nunnery.
Difficult perhaps, but nothing is impossible with God.
Is it our religion that distresses you, Mr. Dean,
or the fact that we're women?
Both.
Perhaps you should make a list of works.
We'll need to arrange builders for you,
and workers to clear the garden.
Thank you, but the General has already
- put his clerk at our disposal. - What, Imay?
The man's a rogue, he only got the job
because his family bribed the General's aide.
He seemed perfectly helpful on the journey.
In any case, the General wrote to say that he's sending
another man along, Joseph Anthony.
I understand your main duties are at the tea factory,
Mr. Dean, so you really needn't go to any trouble...
Please yourself.
It suits me to have as little to do with you as possible.
I'm only following the General's orders.
We all rub along perfectly well up here,
Hindus, Buddhists, Atheists.
Your lot, you're like a row of clocks ticking away,
winding yourselves up every day with your...
Your little keys, taking care to sound the hours
in a place where time doesn't even exist.
Of course time exists,
this is another country, not another world.
I can see you're rather sentimental, Mr. Dean.
Like all cynics.
Well, if you change your mind, Angu knows where to find me.
Pride is a sin, Sister Clodagh.
One of the deadly ones, if I remember correctly.
The monks lasted five months.
I'll give you until the break of the next rains.
Dear Mother Dorothea, by the grace of God
we have begun to settle into life at the palace of Mopu.
As soon as the General"s clerk
is able to arrange the necessary work,
we intend to open the school
and set a living example of a Godly life.
So far, we've not had a chance to be lonely...
and most of us are adapting well to the thin air.
I give thanks that with each day,
the good Lord smiles on our enterprise.
- What"s the matter? - Sister Ruth? Oh, dear.
It's all right, Sister.
The poor creature cannot harm you. Poor thing.
I will bury it.
Is she better now?
Oh, yes, she'll be fine.
It would be Sister Ruth that finds a dead animal.
I don't mean that uncharitably, Sister Clodagh,
the poor Sister has been suffering.
You only have to look at her. They did warn us.
The fatigue, we've all been feeling it.
The stomach disorders, I'm not so sure about.
How are you, Sister Clodagh? Hmm.
The heart has to work harder, up this high.
It actually makes it stronger, in the end.
We really need to sort out the plumbing, Sister Clodagh.
Yes. Well, I'm afraid we'll have to hang on
for this Joseph Anthony.
Angu?
Sister Clodagh?
Sister Clodagh,
I found this child creeping about inside.
I'm sent by General. Auntie will tell you...
I'm sure he was looking for whatever he could steal.
It's English he's speaking, can't you hear?
Auntie, tell them. I'm Joseph Anthony.
- This is Joseph Anthony? - Oh, yes, madam.
This one, he is the son of the General's cook.
- How old are you, Joseph Anthony? - Seven to 11 years old.
I have come to help you be ready for the General.
The General's paying us a visit?
- Oh, yes, madam. - When?
Now, Lemini. He's on his way.
It is a pleasure to meet you, Sister Clodagh.
Welcome, Excellency.
Please.
We can"t thank you enough for your generous gift.
Oh, it's nothing, nothing at all.
They"re coming, Sisters.
Is that splendid young man the General's son?
Oh, no, no, no.
That is his nephew, my Dilip Rai. Srimati Dev's boy.
This will be the classroom.
Indeed.
Progress is a great thing.
Please sit, Excellency.
I was very disappointed with the Brothers when they said
they were unable to continue with the school.
So I thought it's only right to let you women try.
We are most grateful, Excellency,
for your generous hospitality.
It's my pleasure.
Truth to tell... I never liked this palace.
My father used to allow some bad goings on here.
And then... my sister.
Srimati Dev.
This house has never been good, Sister Clodagh.
- I want you to make it good. - We'll try, Excellency.
But we don't want to change it more than we can help.
- It's so very beautiful. - But you must. I want you to.
It is an honor to meet the Superior Sister.
We are forbidden to touch. Forgive me.
I don't suppose, General, before you go away,
you could supply us with some workmen
to make the improvements we need.
Oh, you need to talk to Mr. Dean.
He will see to all that sort of thing.
Won't you, Dean?
It would be my pleasure, Highness.
You mustn't believe all the stories about him,
Dean's an excellent man.
Excuse me...
who is that for?
Sister Clodagh. It "s from General" s clerk.
I'll take it.
Sister Ruth, your tread is so light.
I'm sorry.
I thought you should have this note from the General's clerk.
What? Another one.
The idle wretch. God forgive me.
How's your head today, Sister Ruth?
It's still bothering me a little.
Sister Briony gave me a powder,
but it only works for a few hours.
I was wondering,
how would you tell the children when the school is open?
Angu says the Brothers decided
there was no call for a school here.
And their order has a great reputation for teaching.
I wouldn't pay Angu much mind, Sister.
No, Sister Clodagh. But I do have some ideas
- for the lace school. - Very good.
The community in Darjeeling
never let me do as much as I was able to,
I've had all sorts of thoughts about improving our methods.
Yes, I'd be very happy to discuss it
at another time, Sister Ruth.
We do want the older girls to come.
Sister Philippa. Another note from the clerk.
When is he arriving?
The chill he took from the journey is still no better.
In fact he's claiming it's worse.
We just can't rely on him to come.
- Very well, Sister Clodagh. - And do we have a bigger wrench?
I'm not sure.
I suppose it's no different to calling the doctor.
Mr. Dean.
A letter from Sister Clodagh.
Very important.
Sister Clodagh, the children are here for the school.
The General must have sent them.
They've come with Mr. Dean.
Welcome to St. Faith's. There are so many of them.
Well, goodness, the more the merrier.
We're not nearly ready, Sisters.
Well, we shall just have to be, that's all.
We'll think of something.
We could start with numbers today, couldn't we?
Everyone, follow me. This way.
- Good morning, Mr. Dean. - Good morning.
- Thank you for coming. - My pleasure.
Why don"t you help Sister Blanche, Sister Ruth?
You sit there. Thank you very much.
Oh, dear. The, um, poor little chap's
had an accident with... With his drawers.
No, madam. This is for him to shit.
Uh, we don't use that word, Joseph.
Which word to use, please?
We might say "pass a stool".
- A stool, Lemini? - Yes.
Could you tell them to sit down, please?
They want to know if you have ears.
Of course we have ears. Ears. Can you say it? Ears.
Ears.
Very good.
There's been high excitement in the village.
The General has promised them some great things.
And an anna a lesson.
He's paying the children to come?
I'm not sure we can condone bribery.
That's it? Thank you.
As you said, pride's a sin.
Well, I'm reasonably proficient in all the other ones.
Pin's brother will be here tomorrow,
to paint the roof.
And if you're really serious about building a new chapel,
Sister, we should discuss ways and means.
We'll have to get approval from the Mother House,
but it"ll be helpful to know what's possible.
- Why don't you sound Irish? - I was sent away to school.
I can't tell you what a relief it"ll be to us,
to have a functioning water closet.
It's a relief to me, Sister,
you have all the usual functions.
I'm afraid we don't have any beer.
- Ah, my jacket. - Oh.
Dear Reverend Mother,
it is a pleasure to report
the work at St. Faith's proceeds apace.
With the dedication of each of our sisters,
every day brings progress.
Sister Philippa has great plans for the garden,
and with the workmen arranged by Mr. Dean,
is clearing the terrace for winter vegetables.
Sister Briony is organizing us all,
as you knew she would. And with the arrival of supplies
from the Mother House in Canstead,
the convent of St. Faith is beginning
- to be worthy of the name. - ...sleeping quarters.
The room upstairs, the one that Angu says
belonged to the General's sister.
The key is lost.
- And the Holy Man. - Sunnyasi?
His presence is unsuitable.
Surely, he could be persuaded to take his vigil,
whatever it is, further away from the convent lands.
That might be tricky.
Why?
Sister Clodagh.
During the reading lesson I noticed this boy is ill,
but he's refusing to go home.
Perhaps it's the penny you want.
I've said to Sister Blanche we should stop him spreading
his germs to all of us.
But we can't just send him away, can we, Sister Clodagh?
At least we could give him something for his rash.
Did he arrive like this, this morning?
How do you know it's just a rash?
You"re not a doctor.
I've told you we shouldn't interfere.
It"s not interfering. We're here to help.
He could have typhoid, he's certainly looks filthy enough.
Sisters, enough.
You seem to have forgotten the rules of religious conduct.
You in particular, Sister Ruth. You're well aware
we never speak to another Sister in that way.
Hang on, she might have a point.
Typhoid's no laughing matter.
He'll live.
Never mistake indifference for acceptance.
None of the villagers will be indifferent if they think
you're responsible for harming one of their own.
And if you give them medicine, and it does go wrong,
then that"s when you will be in danger.
The German brothers learned that the hard way.
So, Sister Ruth, is it? You're right. Don't interfere.
Don't worry, Sister Blanche. I'll deliver him back to his mother...
with a penny in his pocket.
Thank goodness Mr. Dean has arranged
for a line to be put up,
in the wind it will dry in no time. Oh.
Oh, Saints preserve us.
I have not seen myself since the day I took my vows.
Nor me. I was no oil painting then.
That belongs to Srimati Dev, Sisters.
It is not to be thrown away, huh.
She used to stand in front of it for so long.
I told her a demon had bewitched her.
You look peaky, Sister Ruth.
Is it your head again?
I'll make you up one of my powders.
No rest for the wicked.
One's eyes adjust, eventually.
Custody of the eyes, you learn it,
as a novice. As part of the rule,
not to look unless you need to.
A sort of modesty?
A way to keep the gaze inward.
And the light here must make that difficult.
Window catches.
And I've brought you a donation for your new lace school. Kanchi.
Kanchi.
_
This is Kanchi.
She'd like to improve herself, and I know
you're a great believer in that sort of thing.
_
Can you speak English?
- How old are you? - No one's quite sure.
Her mother's dead and she's best out of her father's way,
if you know what I mean.
You'd be doing me a great service
taking an interest in her education, Sister.
Better she's here learning something useful
than hanging about my bungalow with nothing to occupy her.
Joseph Anthony, this is Kanchi.
Can you take her to see Sister Ruth, please?
Yes, Lemini.
Sister Briony.
You rang the bell, Sister Clodagh.
- Oh, yes. - Angu says the drums
will stop once the poor man dies
and then they'll burn him.
Well, it's the custom.
Nothing, I imagine, compared to the fire of eternal damnation.
- Mr. Dean is teasing. - Oh, coffee, Mr. Dean?
Thank you, Sister Briony.
- Sister Clodagh. - Thank you.
Good God.
You don't believe one scrap in what we're doing, do you?
Well, I brought you the girl, didn't I?
I can see the strength of your belief in it.
I quite admire belief.
I just dislike the tendency to feel that any one belief
happens to be better than any other. It leads to wars.
What would you teach the people here, Mr. Dean?
Poverty. Like the Holy Man.
Teach us to expect nothing, to do with nothing,
for that's all we'll get in this life.
Do you really feel so utterly hopeless?
Not at all.
That's just your particular way of seeing things.
You know, that veranda needs looking at,
there's woodworm in the posts.
Good day to you.
Don't you ever cut your hair.
Sister Ruth. Are you unwell?
No, I... I can't sleep.
Come along,
let's take you back to your bed.
We can't have you wandering about
burning precious candle wax,
whatever will Sister Briony say?
Someone blew it out.
I felt it, I could feel their breath.
It was the wind, Sister. Try to quieten your mind.
What if this house doesn't want us here, Sister?
Sister, you must listen to me.
You've allowed yourself to become overwrought.
It's the thin air, playing tricks, that's all.
What you need is a good night's sleep.
I will think of you in my prayers.
- Will you? - Of course. Of course.
Good night.
Enough of that, you are meant to be here to work.
Would you explain that to them?
Yes, Lemini.
This is quite a complicated pattern.
You need to pay attention.
Shh!
Be quiet, you stupid girl!
Both of you be quiet.
Will you take care of the cards for me?
I'll be back in a moment.
Is your head bad today, Sister Ruth?
It's better when the sun goes down.
Your handiwork,
I saw the dolls you made for the fete at Darjeeling,
the altar cloths. You have a gift.
Thank you, Sister Clodagh. Some of the other Sisters,
it was hard not to think that they were jealous.
People have always been jealous of me.
Hmm.
Time for Compline.
Sister Ruth... how are you feeling today?
A little better. Thank you.
I've spoken to Sister Blanche.
She will take over the lace school from this morning.
I think that having your heart so set on the school,
on making an impression, it has overtaxed your strength.
Sister Blanche doesn't know a thing about lace.
I'm sure the girls have work they can be getting on with
until you can catch her up properly.
It'll be less of a strain on you.
But it's not a strain.
This isn"t fair, I...
I have no ability with children, Sister Clodagh.
Sister Blanche loves the babies and they love her, they're...
- They're boring and tiresome and... - Sister Ruth.
Mother Dorothea, you know, was kept at Canstead
for many years before she was allowed to come to India
to use her gift for languages.
It's part of our service to God,
to serve in those ways that come less easily to us.
I thought you were different.
None of us is different.
That's what giving our life to Christ teaches us,
or what we have to learn. The Rule of Obedience.
Well, that's easy for you, isn't it?
Marvelous Sister Clodagh,
the youngest Sister Superior in the order, well,
- how you absolutely adore that. - That's enough.
I've dug out some plans that I"ve drawn up...
Ah, sorry, Sister, I didn't realize you were here.
Mr. Dean, you might think to knock.
Sister Ruth, we will continue this after chapel.
I'm sorry, Sister Clodagh.
Now, I'm no draughtsman, but...
this will at least give you some ideas for your new chapel.
What's all this doing in the way?
It's for the Srimati Dev, Sister. Her ghost is hungry.
Well, clear it up at once or I'll speak to Sister Briony.
She'll have something to say about wasting milk.
There don't appear to be any walls.
No, just pillars, but these sections, see?
They give shelter from the wind,
but they still let the air in and the light.
And straw for the floor.
You'd have to change it regularly,
the birds would nest in the eaves and mess all over it,
but what's nicer than fresh straw?
It would encourage everyone to stop and rest.
And you can console yourselves with the thought that
you would be building a chapel not just for you,
but for all life, all life. Which is God.
Of course, the Sunnyasi has the best spot,
but with this aspect you'll still get the changes
- of season and... And... - I did mention, Mr. Dean,
that all of our chapels follow a design
strictly laid out by the order at Canstead.
Oh, yeah, Canstead Gothic.
Of course, Jesus didn't grow up in Surrey.
I just thought,
since you were letting more light in, so to speak.
It's out of the question.
This looks more like a temple than a church.
Right you are.
How's Kanchi settling in?
Are you sure there isn't something about her
- that you're dying to ask me? - You go too far.
You mustn't speak to me in this familiar way, Mr. Dean.
- It's unacceptable. - I'll speak how I like.
But I'll thank you not to speak to me that way,
if you want me to do another stroke of work for you.
I'm not one of your acolytes.
You really are a Godless man.
No wonder you're so unhappy.
Well, I hardly see you jumping for joy,
for all your close relationship to God, your husband,
as I believe you regard him.
How dare you speak to me in this way!
The Superior Sister. Dilip Rai got that right.
You are insufferable.
Sister Clodagh. The scythe.
It's as though it jumped from his hand.
It jumped from his hand.
- Oh, good heavens. - He needs stitches.
Sterilize a needle, Sister Briony, quickly.
- No. No. No. Leave him. - We can"t leave him.
Sister Briony, sterilize a needle.
Sister Ruth, whatever is wrong with you?
Sister Philippa, hold on to the wound and stop the bleeding.
On to the wound.
That"s right. Good. Keep your hand on the wound.
Press down.
I need to talk to you. I... I need you to listen to me.
Sister Briony. A needle, now, go.
Yes. Yes. Sister Blanche.
For God"s sake, Sister, remember what I told you.
You're putting everyone in danger.
- We don't need your help. - Sister Clodagh, please.
I saw her face. Sister Clodagh.
I saw her. I saw her. I saw her.
- You"re imagining. - I saw Srimati.
- Enough. - I saw her.
You have to believe me. You have to believe me,
- I saw Srimati. - Enough now. Stop it.
It has started.