Martin Chuzzlewit (TV Mini Series)

Episode Five (1994)

Philip Franks: Tom Pinch

Quotes 

• Mr. Jones : Are you really Miss Pinch's brother? I don't see any family resemblance, I must say.

  Georgina Jones : Miss Pinch is *always* talking about her brother when she should be teaching *me* *my* lessons.

  Mr. Jones : Hold your tongue Georgina. I must say, sir, we are completely unsatisfied with your sister.

  Tom Pinch : Indeed? On what grounds?

  Mr. Jones : She is completely unable to gain my daughter's respect. Judge of my feelings only the other day when I heard her refer to your sister as a beggar.

  Mrs. Jones : A beggarly thing.

  Mr. Jones : A beggarly thing. If I had known that she was without friends, I would have severed our connection on the spot.

  Tom Pinch : Dear me. This need be no consideration. She is not without friends, she is able to depart this instant. Ruth, get your bonnet on.

  Mrs. Jones : Nice family, he's her brother - there's no doubt about that.

  Tom Pinch : As little doubt, madam, as that this young lady is the fruit of your influence and not my sister.

  Mr. Jones : Upon my word! This is pretty well!

  Tom Pinch : It is very ill sir! It is very mean and cruel and wrong. How can my sister be expected to gain your daughter's respect when she cannot command your own, or your *wife's* or your *footman's*?

  Mr. Jones : Miss Pinch's money, my dear. How much do we owe her?

  Tom Pinch : Don't bother yourself with that now, you may send it after with my sister's box. Ruth, go and fetch your bonnet. If you think, sir, that the payment of an annual sum of money gives you the right to treat its recipient with contempt, then you very much underestimate its power and value.

• Mercy Pecksniff : How is old Mr Chuzzlewit?

  Tom Pinch : Somewhat frail these days I must confess.

  Mercy Pecksniff : Next time you see him, please tell him I often think of our conversation in the churchyard.

  Tom Pinch : Certainly, I don't know when...

  Mercy Pecksniff : I should like him to know how true his words were. I wish I had heeded them. Tell him if ever he should counsel a vain, foolish young girl again to persevere just a little longer.

• Tom Pinch : Ruth often meets me here after work.

  John Westlock : Yes, I know.

  Ruth Pinch : [whispers]  John...

  John Westlock : Er, I know *now*.