♪ ♪ SIEGFRIED: Mr. Carmody, I presume.

It's a pleasure, sir.

JAMES: We'll finally have a new assistant.

Which means more time for Helen and I. SIEGFRIED: Come on.

♪ ♪ Time is precious.

But forgive quickly.

MRS. HALL: I'm getting a divorce.

You aren't on your own anymore.

HELEN: We might be getting our little James a bit sooner than expected.

Already?

Think so!

Couldn't have gone better if we planned it!

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ JAMES: Hamish.

HELEN: Give over.

Dougal Murdoch Herriot.

Even if we have a lass?

Morag Elspeth Herriot if we have a lass, obviously.

(blows out): Over my dead body.

Morag Elspeth was my grandmother's name.

You're kidding.

You are kidding?

(chuckles): I'm kidding.

(both laugh) You can choose, and it doesn't have to be Scottish.

Five more minutes.

No chance-- me and wee Morag need to get on.

We'll have to start telling people soon.

Soon-- not yet.

I like things as they are.

(moans): Except the queasy part.

Sheep dipping this morning won't be fun.

You know, you may want to slow down a little.

Put your feet up now and then?

(chuckles) That wasn't a joke.

Farmers don't stop for babies, you daft apeth.

♪ ♪ (music playing on radio) Are you partial to a pickled egg, Mr. Carmody?

Pickled eggs?

Eggs-- only pickled.

I'm down half a jar since supper.

Can't stomach them, I'm afraid, Mrs. Hall.

Oh, I'm just dishing up.

I'm all right with a cuppa, thanks.

Morning.

MRS. HALL: Indigestion again?

I'm a martyr to it.

CARMODY: Interesting fact.

The average egg has over 17,000 pores.

Boiled or scrambled?

Makes no difference-- they're in the shell.

For your breakfast.

Mrs. Micklethwaite already fed me at my lodgings, but thank you.

MRS. HALL: Well, if nobody's got an appetite, who's been at me eggs?

SIEGFRIED: Eggs?

Music to my ears!

Pile them high, Mrs. Hall, I could eat a horse.

Morning, Carmody.

Something I said?

Oh, good morning, Mr. Farnon-- not at all.

I'm reviewing feline digestion before surgery.

Splendid-- carry on.

In a world of his own, that one.

Yes, the Carmody conundrum.

(chuckles) Marvelous chap.

Knowledgeable.

Mm-hmm.

Keen as mustard.

But surgically attached to his book.

(calling): Carmody!

Slight change of plan.

(music continues) All right, I'll see you shortly-- try not to worry.

Goodbye, Mr. Crabtree.

Carmody needs more experience in the field.

Agreed.

He's rather retreated into his books since Teasel.

The dispensary's never been so clean, but we need to buck him up.

I haven't noticed much difference.

Still full of opinions.

So I want him to assist you today.

Don't tell me you're tired of him.

Nothing of the sort-- why, are you?

No.

(quietly): But he is verging slightly into know-it-all territory.

Which is why he'll benefit from seeing more how you do it.

Is that a compliment or an insult?

(chuckles) Where are we off to, Mr. Herriot?

To visit new tenants at Low Beck Farm.

Problem with a premature calf.

Righto!

You just need to get used to each other.

You'll rub along very nicely after that, I'm sure of it.

♪ ♪ (brake engages) (engine humming) One of the wildest spots in England.

You never get tired of it.

Did Mr. Crabtree say anything about nasal discharge?

I don't believe he did.

Interesting.

♪ ♪ (brake releases) ♪ ♪ Taking into account the prematurity, together with the symptoms we're already aware of, I suspect we're looking at a case of brucellosis.

Perhaps we should examine the creature before we sentence it to death.

Ah, good point, well made.

Why have we stopped, Mr. Herriot?

Because I can't move the gate with my mind.

Oh.

(gate creaks) (calling): Didn't you bring any protective clothing?

Oh, I'm sure I'll be all right.

Doubt we'll be here long.

(birds chirping, cows lowing) SID: Elsie has a right soft spot.

She sat with him morning, noon, and night.

Hasn't done much good-- he's wasting away.

MARIE: He's lost his sparkle.

Is that your official diagnosis?

He's first one born here.

We need him to thrive.

JAMES: Where did you move from?

Bradford-- we're beginners.

Mill work did my chest in.

Can't join up, but I can do my bit here.

And keep this lot safe into the bargain, with any luck.

Well, you've chosen an excellent place to hunker down.

ELSIE: If you say so.

We haven't had the warmest of welcomes from the neighbors.

Ah, being new here can be something of a trial by fire.

They'll get used to you in time.

How much time?

Give it a century or so?

May I begin, Mr. Herriot?

Go on, then.

(stumbles) (music playing on radio) (music continues) Mm.

Mmm!

My egg thief.

Well, fill your boots.

And if there's anything else you fancy, just say.

(chewing): No, no, um, I mean, it... Well, I'm, I wasn't... Well, you're green around the gills every morning, and the pantry thinks Tristan's back.

When are you due?

December time.

(both laugh) ♪ ♪ (cows lowing, girls laughing) Weakness, fever, premature-- an open and shut case.

I was right-- brucellosis.

(quietly): You were right.

Which means they could lose every unborn calf in the herd.

No calves, no milk production, no income.

This isn't about being top of the class.

There's a family's future at stake.

♪ ♪ JAMES: I'm afraid you've got brucellosis in the herd.

Brucella is a genus of gram-negative bacteria, named after David Bruce.

They're small, nonencapsulated, nonmotile, facultative intracellular coccobacilli.

Can we have that in normal speak?

It's unlikely the calf will live.

And you'll probably lose many more besides.

It's very serious and very contagious.

I'm sorry.

♪ ♪ Jenny must be thrilled-- and your dad.

They will be when they know.

I'd rather wait a bit.

They'll want to make allowances, and the farm's too busy for that.

If James had his way, he'd wrap me in cotton wool.

(laughs) I suppose he knows more of the ins and outs than most.

I'm not some prize sow.

You might feel like one, come December.

Who knows what things will be like by then?

Well, you'll be dog-tired, but your heart will be fit to burst.

James should get his papers any day.

We've no idea what's around the next corner.

Are we mad?

Course not.

Just have to keep praying summat changes for the better.

I have been.

And for Tris.

And Edward.

You're not mad.

Life carries on, just as it should.

And it's a tonic to have summat wonderful to look forward to.

♪ ♪ JAMES: Keep mother and calf quarantined.

Disinfect regularly, top to bottom.

Your best chance is to stop the spread.

Well, how did it start in the first place?

Was the new calf a recent addition?

No, we bought her in calf, few weeks back.

She was probably already infected.

And she hasn't grazed with the others?

Aye, course.

Schoolboy error.

Uh...

I beg your pardon?

Any farmer worth his salt knows to keep a new beast separate.

Excuse me?

I'm sorry, Mr. Carmody's rather new to this.

He doesn't mean to be rude.

(grunts) (flies buzzing) He's, um, still learning.

Well, maybe that'll learn him to keep his gob shut.

(grunts softly) (mud and manure splat) ♪ ♪ Right.

(clears throat) (brake engages) (exhales) I thought that went rather well.

(brake releases) ♪ ♪ Thank you.

I won't beat about the bush, Carmody.

Your scholarship is exemplary, but your manner is diabolical.

Perhaps I might be permitted to redeem myself.

I've taken the liberty of genning up on brucellosis.

There's some very diverting new research.

It's one thing to be well-informed.

Quite another to bamboozle and belittle.

Righto.

(phone ringing) Our role is to support, not scold.

(phone ringing) And also refrain from throwing oneself into manure, if at all possible.

(phone ringing) Understood.

Darrowby 2297.

He's coming, Mr. Crabtree, won't be a minute.

JAMES: Hello, Mr. Crabtree.

Should I consider my placement terminated?

(quickly): Oh, good God, no.

We just need you to gen up on people for a change.

♪ ♪ (receiver clatters) The Crabtrees lost their calf in the night.

Oh, rotten luck.

This could ruin them.

If brucellosis takes hold...

There's no hope.

They came here thinking it was the safer option.

Two little lasses.

I'll get me overalls on.

(quietly): I really should take Carmody.

You should really take a farmer-- they need help.

Practical advice from someone who knows what they're talking about.

♪ ♪ HELEN: James said you had a bit of a bumpy start.

ELSIE: Yep.

Nowt but folk telling us where we're going wrong since we got here.

Like who?

Oh, like him up there, her over there, them who border east field.

He walked miles, he did, just to tell Sid he were steering tractor wrong.

That's good-- means you've been accepted.

You what?

Farmers won't interfere if they can't stick you.

Judging's their version of a welcome mat.

And I thought it were cows that we had to learn.

Your cows are in safe hands now.

James will do all he can.

(cow grunting) Has she been doing that long?

Uh, the grunting sound?

Since last night.

Sign she's calving.

We need to take a look now.

SID: Well, she can't be.

It's too soon.

HELEN: Easy, gentle tension.

Like this-- that's it.

Sorry, girl, not long now.

(cow moaning) Easy, easy.

Come on, girl.

It's coming!

SID: That's it!

(cow lows) JAMES: That's it!

(massaging) Come on!

JAMES: Come on!

Big breath for us.

Come on, girl!

Come on, girl!

(sighs) (cow lows) ♪ ♪ Good afternoon.

MRS. HALL: How do.

What seems to be the trouble?

Me dog's hurt its paw.

I'm, I'm going to stop you there.

Uh, although it's tempting to want to hurry things along, this is the point where we begin to build a rapport.

One might offer a few words of comfort, for instance, or ask how the injury may have happened.

It's important to look to the owner, as well as the animal.

They can often harbor all manner of clues.

Mm-hmm.

I'm extremely sorry to hear that.

Mm-hmm.

Whatever happened?

Well, paying you to tell me, aren't I?

SIEGFRIED (chuckles): Very droll.

We've got ourselves a tricky customer.

It helps to think aloud-- silence can be disconcerting.

No sign of bleeding or bruising.

Might not be the paw at all.

Good.

No broken bones.

Some kind of sprain, I'd wager.

Put that down.

I'd like to double-check which ligament... SIEGFRIED: Is double-checking allowed in the examination school?

Well, no... Confiscated until further notice.

Mrs. Hall, please remove all reference materials from the room.

Oh, am I myself again?

Yes.

(gasps): Oh.

(doorbell rings) Oh, down you go, Jess.

Ah-- one moment.

Trust yourself.

But I rather rely on it.

It's all up there-- trust yourself!

(door closes) SIEGFRIED: Well, well, well, we have a real patient.

Meet... Oh!

Ned Clough.

Uh... Oh, sorry-- Bernard.

SIEGFRIED: Carmody, my challenge to you: no books, no checking, just Bernard.

♪ ♪ ELSIE: Poor thing.

Will the rest be the same way?

Unfortunately, it's very likely, yes.

Once brucellosis spreads... ...they go down like dominoes.

♪ ♪ I told you we should wait.

Till we knew a bit more.

We didn't have a choice, love.

(sighs): So what?

Now we just sit back and watch?

I'm afraid so-- there's no treatment I can offer.

Well, we have to grow the herd to keep up with the rent.

If there's no milk to sell... Once they've all calved, the cows themselves should recover.

It'll take time, but with the infection gone, you can start again.

♪ ♪ CLOUGH: His get-up-and-go got up and went.

Speedy fellow, was he?

Oh, aye, right wick he were.

Now he, he just sits there.

(inhales) Awfully sorry about that.

Nay, it's not your fault, lad.

He's been chovelling him sen, you know?

Chovelling him sen?

Aye, right going at it.

He's... itching?

That and all, aye.

How old is he?

As Methuselah.

Could you be more specific?

Well, put it this way-- he were me father's best pal.

So, he must be pushing 70-odd, at least.

(chuckles): Oh, goodness!

No wonder he's lethargic.

Has he had his chips?

(softly): Is it life-threatening?

Oh, gosh, no.

Just shedding his skin, I suspect.

Perfectly normal.

However, his lack of oomph could be dietary.

(murmuring) Hm.

Ah.

Scrape him with it, do I?

Feed him it.

Cuttlefish are chock-full of calcium.

Hm!

Should give him a boost.

He'll soon be his sprightly self again.

Ah, thanks, veterinary.

Come on, then, Bernard.

(grunts): Come on, love!

(grunts) How did you find our new recruit, Mr. Clough?

(quietly): He's a broom up his backside, but, uh, he knows his stuff.

Baby steps, Carmody, baby steps.

(exhales) (sniffs) You know, my heart breaks for them.

I dread to think how much they're gonna lose on them calves.

Well, not to mention the needless suffering.

I'll nip up tomorrow, see if I can give Sid some pointers.

As long as you take it steady.

I will.

Was actually about to suggest some bed rest, only you've scuppered that now.

Hm!

Hello!

Hello, Carmody.

How was it at the Crabtrees'?

As we feared-- the brucellosis has set in.

Lost two calves so far.

Dreadful shame.

You know, Mr. Farnon says it's all about looking to the owner, but I've been reading up on brucellosis research.

I find it's more useful to immerse myself in the problem.

Well, you'd be wise to listen to Mr. Farnon.

Mm-hmm.

CARMODY: Perhaps you'll join me at the Drovers?

To discuss?

(softly): It's been rather a long day.

Of course, of course.

We can get to grips with zoonosis another time.

What's zoonosis?

Zoonosis is when a disease jumps from one species to another.

CARMODY: Brucellosis causes undulant fever in people.

The symptoms rise and fall, like an undulating wave.

Is it catching?

Vets can get it, but it's rare.

CARMODY: What I find truly fascinating is the apparent similarity of human symptoms.

One recent study in particular seemed to suggest...

Sorry, sorry.

(chuckles): I'm chewing your ear off, aren't I?

Uh, which similarity?

Fever?

Wouldn't call that fascinating.

No, no.

The loss of the unborn fetus.

♪ ♪ The research really is quite eye-opening.

Would you like to read it?

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (exhales) Where is everyone?

Most of the women in this study didn't carry to term.

CARMODY: Indeed, 75%.

That's high.

Correlation isn't causation, and the link's never been proven before, but it's a rather convincing theory, isn't it?

Makes one wonder what the cause of infection was, consuming milk or close contact with the animal.

It does, yes.

Do you think it might make a decent dissertation topic?

Been desperate to find something unusual.

Unusual?

That's all you have to say about such a thing?

Well, it isn't common knowledge, as proven by you.

A family's livelihood is at stake.

I don't have time to indulge myself reading studies!

I don't believe I said you should have.

(loudly): If you'd only acted properly in the first place-- not made a hash of it, insulted Crabtree...

I'm sorry, James, you've lost me.

JAMES (shouting): You should've been there today!

Why is James shouting?

I wanted to, but how could I attend, when I wasn't asked?

I wasn't given the opportunity...

Exactly!

'Cause I couldn't risk making things worse!

SIEGFRIED: What the devil is going on?

Contraband?

James wanted to read it.

Seems to have angered him for some reason.

What's so incendiary about it?

Nothing.

Didn't sound like nothing.

Why blow your top?

Me.

I invited meself to help James today, only it turns out I shouldn't have.

Why not?

Brucellosis.

This study, it seems to suggest a link between exposure to brucellosis in cattle and the loss of unborn children in women.

I wasn't aware of it, but Carmody was.

(sniffs) And that's significant... 'Cause I'm expecting.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Come on, you can spare a lad or two.

Fine, but don't come crying to James if it spreads to your herd.

You're supposed to be resting.

I'm sat down, aren't I?

(phone ringing) Any headache or fatigue?

Hello?

Mm, funny, I thought you might see it that way.

Ta very much, Mr. Dobson.

(phone hangs up) I'm fine.

Just like Dr. Greenwood said.

Same as yesterday and the day before.

See?

Dr. Greenwood also said it could be a while before symptoms begin to show.

If at all-- and since there's no test...

It's a storm in a teacup, all this.

Why start worrying now?

Alderson women have been having kids around cows for years.

Did any of them happen to assist their local vet?

I was the one that wanted to go.

And I should've known not to let you.

Could we please stop talking as if it's already over?

I'm just trying to be...

Realistic.

I know.

You've seen what brucellosis does, hundreds of times.

It doesn't mean it's going to happen to us.

Doesn't mean I'm ill.

It's one stupid study, James.

If you do come down with it, you'll need all your energy.

To fight it off, so...

Please try and get some rest.

(phone ringing) Darrowby 2297.

Oh, dear.

I'm sorry to hear that, Mr. Clough.

Will you be wanting someone to have another look at him?

Yes, yes, I'm here.

Oh, I'm sure that'll suit.

I'll let them know.

When I see them.

(breathes deeply): Goodbye.

(music playing on radio) Ned Clough were just on.

He's bringing Bernard back in this afternoon.

Still not too clever, he says.

How's Helen today?

Determined to be fine.

And how are you?

I'd like to apologize again, if I may.

And if there's anything I can do... Come up with a cure.

James.

MRS. HALL: There really idn't anything?

Not a thing you can do for her, if she's caught it?

No test, no cure, no nothing.

However, there is something we can do at the Crabtrees'.

So I suggest we get a move on.

(door opens) (talking softly) Sid.

♪ ♪ SID: Mr. Herriot.

Did we book another checkup?

JAMES: You didn't.

And this isn't a checkup.

Siegfried Farnon-- how do you do?

Come along, haven't got all day!

But I thought there were nowt that could be done.

True, but we can help you disinfect the farm.

More chance of stamping it out if the whole place is done at once.

Well, how much is that gonna cost?

Nothing.

Look, these are your neighbors.

Helen spread the word, and they all wanted to pitch in.

Nobody around here wants to see you fail, Mr. Crabtree.

But may I make a suggestion?

Uh, go on.

Talk to them.

You might learn something.

(blows out) (Dash barks) Where did you vanish off to?

Oh, I know, boy.

It's a poor do.

Not been fed a day in your life.

(tail thumps) (chuckles) (Dash barks) (Dash barks) What's with you?

(Dash barks) (panting) (door creaks) Dash!

You can't just barge in uninvited!

I don't mind-- come in.

Sorry, Helen.

Honestly, you'd think he were dragged up.

Not being a nuisance, is he?

He's all right.

I'm not exactly up to much.

Care for summat pickled?

I'm all right, honestly.

But you'd rather be doing.

Me and Dash think you need a distraction.

You're not wrong.

Now, come on.

You can make yourself useful baking with me.

I'm not sure that'll cut it, to be honest.

Well, Dash says you don't get to be choosy.

And I want scones.

Will there be swede involved again?

Oh, well, you'll have to find out, won't you?

Come on!

(Dash barks) All will be well, you'll see.

You can't know that.

I wouldn't have stopped her, either, if it's any consolation.

I groused about Carmody being a know-it-all, and then I let my own wife down with my ignorance.

You haven't let anybody down.

I mean, what's the point in knowing what I know, if I can't help the one person... ♪ ♪ How do I tell her that she'll be all right... ...that our baby will be all right, when I have no idea if it will be?

(breathes deeply) (music playing on radio) I always tend to just wing it.

(chuckles) Well, follow each step, you can't go wrong.

(Dash whimpers) MRS. HALL: If you can read it for Edward's mucky paws, of course.

(Jess barks) I don't know why I'm flavor of the month all of a sudden.

(chuckles) They can hear it.

The heartbeat.

They're protecting you.

(whines) Oh, you soft thing.

Why don't we invite your Jenny?

I will.

(sniffs) When I've got good news.

(door opens) They're not the only ones, you know.

We're all here.

(door closes) Don't always have to be the tough one.

(footsteps approaching) Ooh, scones!

Tortoise first-- Mr. Clough's waiting.

Thanks, Audrey.

He wolfed that, uh, fish down like nobody's business.

He's still scratting, though.

CARMODY: The skin does look rather irritated.

Hmm.

He's definitely not shedding.

What is he doing, then?

I should like to witness the behavior for myself.

Would you mind if I kept him in for observation?

No.

I suppose he could use a holiday.

Right, I'll, uh, be on me way, then.

(door opens and closes) The truth is, we can never tell what lies ahead.

Even when we convince ourselves we know, the slings and arrows have a way of proving us wrong.

So, you tell those you love what they need to hear.

Hope it gives them comfort.

At least, that's what I did.

I'm so sorry, I didn't think... (murmurs) You don't often speak of her-- Evelyn.

There aren't the words.

It was a mercifully short illness.

But only because by the time we knew it was cancer... Well, it was too late.

Not being able to do anything, that made every moment...

Unbearable.

(men laughing) Can't blame him, can you?

Stepping into the unknown, risking everything to keep his family safe.

Perhaps we should be more like Crabtree.

Unaware the odds are stacked against us?

No-- hopeful.

Come on.

(music playing on radio) (exhales) (music continues) ♪ ♪ (door opens) SIEGFRIED: Mrs. Hall!

Carmody!

Mrs. Hall!

Carmody!

Whatever's happened now?

Fetch the confiscated books.

Now, Carmody, I'm going to admit something very unusual.

I was wrong.

Knowledge is power, and you can't have enough of it.

France may have surrendered, but we shall not admit defeat to a mere bacterium.

JAMES: What exactly are you proposing?

When was brucellosis first discovered?

CARMODY: Right after the Crimean War.

SIEGFRIED: Precisely.

Just 80 short years, or thereabouts, to catch up on.

If we put our heads together, read everything we have on the subject, we might just find something useful for Helen.

And there she is!

Hooray!

You can muck in, too, starting with "A History of Bovine Morbidity."

♪ ♪ (yawns) Perhaps we should turn in.

SIEGFRIED: Yep.

Press on tomorrow-- any luck?

Just a dry chapter on testing cows.

We rarely test these days.

The symptoms are so conclusive.

(yawns) SIEGFRIED: Mm-hmm.

Mrs. Hall.

You're a genius.

Oh, I am-- what did I say?

The agglutination test.

Used for diagnosing typhus in humans, but...

In...

In 1897, it was used to discover brucellosis in animals.

HELEN: What does that mean?

The test is compatible.

The test is compatible.

So we can find out if I've got it?

We can-- the question is, how do we go about it?

CARMODY: I imagine one would simply take a blood test, label it as a cow's, and the lab would be none the wiser.

Just a thought.

♪ ♪ JAMES: All right?

Didn't feel a thing.

No jokes about me having cow hide.

I'm sorry I haven't, or if I haven't said the right things... No need now.

To say anything?

Well, we'll know either way after this.

We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, won't we?

I'll take it to the lab first thing.

And then we wait.

And then we wait.

♪ ♪ Very promising.

I think you'll have yourselves some calves, after all.

(Elsie sighs) They must have natural immunity.

We're about due some beginner's luck.

Well, him and Helen saved our bacon, more like.

Three calves are better than none, but... Not enough to live off, we know.

SID: Took a farmhand job at Grace Chapman's.

She's gonna show us the ropes.

Keep the wolf from the door till we bounce back.

ELSIE: We shouldn't have judged so quick.

Folk have been kind.

Once we got to know 'em.

Will you stay, for a bite to eat?

It's the least we could do.

Unfortunately, I've got to dash.

More poorly cows to rescue?

Lab results to collect.

It's not very exciting, but it's very important.

Good luck.

Thank you.

Make sure to look after those mummy cows for me, won't you?

♪ ♪ On day one, Bernard didn't move.

On day two, Bernard did move, tempted by lettuce.

On day three, Bernard didn't move.

On day four, Bernard used his left leg to itch his right leg.

Aye-- and?

I haven't been able to get to the bottom of the irritation.

Usually, we'd consider mites or fleas to be the culprit, but as Bernard is cold-blooded, the little blighters aren't interested.

You're a medical mystery, Bernard.

Although... What?

There might be one last thing we can try.

(door opens) ♪ ♪ Helen?

Upstairs.

Tortoises need a good soak now and then.

Fights dehydration.

Ah.

Now, I could be wrong, but if my theory is correct, we should start to see something any minute now.

Uh-huh.

What the heck are those?

Siphonaptera-- fleas.

I thought you said he couldn't catch 'em.

Well, it's rare, but if they come close to an infestation, it's not unheard of.

One or two determined individuals might try their luck lurking under the shell.

Infestation?

Where?

Judging by your persistent itch, I'd say it's highly possible you're the cause.

You have fleas, Mr. Clough, and you've given them to poor Bernard.

Well, I'll be damned.

I thought I were allergic to summat.

I've tried everything.

I can find a treatment.

For the both of you.

Thank you, veterinary.

(chuckles) Right.

(clears throat) Three still in calf?

That's a minor miracle.

Well, thanks to you.

No, I didn't do much.

Sid and Elsie would beg to differ.

Pleased as punch, they were.

Oh, good for them-- I'm glad.

Would you sit down a minute?

I'd rather keep busy, if it's all the same.

It's just, I, I...

Thinking of giving this place a lick of paint and all.

It wouldn't take much effort, and it'd pass the time.

I just, I... James, if you ask me to rest one more time, I'll go spare.

What's that?

I went to the lab, just in case, and... Well?

I don't know.

I thought we should open it together.

Do you want to?

No, you.

No, wait!

I think I've changed me mind.

You'd rather not know?

Not if it's bad.

There's no guarantee it'll be bad-- you said so yourself.

What do I know about anything?

Lots.

You're braver than me, you're cleverer than me.

No, I'm not.

I've tried to be brave.

I have, but I can't.

Not about this.

Not about our baby.

Well, that makes two of us, because I'm terrified.

You are?

Yes.

God, yes-- I'm an absolute wreck.

Me, too.

I just want us to have this baby so much.

So do I.

But whatever happens, we'll be together, won't we?

We can be wrecks together.

(chuckles) (footsteps approaching) News?

Only that Carmody cracked the tortoise.

Literally or figuratively?

He'll be wanting his book back.

Well, he hadn't been using his reference materials.

For your Bernard challenge.

Well, I told him I was wrong about that, didn't I?

Knowledge is power and such.

Probably should've been a bit more specific.

(cage rattles) JAMES: We could put it in the fire.

Forget we even did the test.

Ignorance is bliss.

Unless...

Unless?

I think maybe I'm feeling a bit braver since admitting I was a coward.

You're not a coward.

And the wait's killing me.

Bernard's treatment regimen is here.

Wow.

What to ask for at the chemist on the back.

You're a godsend, lad.

Much appreciated.

Fleas, believe it or not.

Oh!

I followed your advice.

Looked to the owner.

The answer was staring me in the face all along.

SIEGFRIED: Very well done.

We may make a vet of you yet.

What did I tell you?

To be used in moderation.

Thank you, Mr. Farnon.

Dare we ask?

I'm all right, like I said I would be.

The test was negative.

(Helen chuckling) (exhales, laughs) JAMES: I still can't quite believe it.

HELEN: Thank goodness we were brave after all.

JAMES: Thank goodness you only went to the Crabtrees' once.

Less chance of infection.

HELEN: It's Carmody we've got to thank for that.

I know-- I misjudged him.

I feel awful.

You'll smooth it out.

Oh, dear, I know that face.

You're planning something again.

I was actually just thinking how lovely it is to stretch me legs.

After house arrest.

Was it really that bad?

(chuckling): I'm kidding.

Thinking there might be something in it.

Putting me feet up occasionally.

Are you sure?

Only occasionally, mind.

I'll still be doing my bit for my dad.

I just might give sick animals a wide berth, for Morag's sake.

What do you reckon?

I reckon that's up to you.

Whatever you choose is right.

But keep using that name, it'll stick.

Don't care.

All I care is that our baby gets here safe and sound.

♪ ♪ I think it's just hit me.

This is actually really happening, idn't it?

Aye.

(both laugh) Are you ready?

No-- not remotely.

(laughing) But I can't wait.

(laughing) (oven door closes) (Mrs. Hall exhales) Here.

Feel as though I can breathe again.

It has been a bit fraught, hasn't it?

Whatever will become of us when the baby arrives?

(both laugh) CARMODY: Interesting fact: the collective noun for the tortoise is a creep.

Carmody, what was the matter with Bernard, again?

Fleas, Mr. Farnon.

Uh-huh.

And what's a group of them called?

I don't believe I know.

Interesting fact: fleas can jump many times their own body length, which enables them to spread really rather rapidly.

Fascinating.

♪ ♪ Um...

Yes, yes.

(all laughing) Well, you've earned your stripes.

Fleas tend to come with our occupation.

Also lice, and worms.

And falling headlong in the muck.

I do apologize for that unfortunate incident, James.

And for all the upset I caused.

Rubbish.

I'd planned on visiting Sid and Elsie, getting stuck in to help 'em.

If you hadn't warned us, well...

Things could be very different.

I owe you the apology.

And perhaps you'd let me borrow some of your research papers.

Discuss them over a pint, if the invitation still stands?

I'd be delighted.

Very good.

I think this calls for...

I wonder where we should begin.

Clostridial diseases in sheep?

Avian pox?

Infectious stomatitis in reptiles!

SIEGFRIED: Yes, thank you, Carmody.

Nobody likes a know-it-all, and we're about to eat.

You were saying.

This calls for a toast.

To knowledge, fleas... (voice trembling): And our growing family.

ALL: Knowledge, fleas, and family.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ I can't do this!

If you want to be a vet in the Dales, you have to.

It's a four-speed Vauxhall, not a seven-man tank!

JAMES: He's getting there.

Slowly.

(Tricki growling) I'm not sure I'll ever be Uncle Carmody.

SIEGFRIED: Poor chap's in a bad way.

It might not work, but we're going to give it a try.

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