WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:14.500 Tonight's Suspense brings you Mr. Richard Ney and Mr. Joseph Kearns as stars in a remarkable 00:14.500 --> 00:20.120 study in suspense written by the distinguished contemporary English novelist, Evelyn Waugh. 00:20.120 --> 00:26.420 But first, may we remind you that in America's smartest homes and clubs where hospitality 00:26.420 --> 00:38.000 is the last word in luxury, the first name in wine is C-R-E-S-T-A, V-L-A-N-C-A, Cresta, 00:38.000 --> 00:42.160 Blanca, Cresta Blanca. 00:42.160 --> 00:46.200 Yes, that's Cresta Blanca wines. 00:46.200 --> 00:52.200 And for the knowing tongue, Cresta Blanca has created two rare California cherries, Dry 00:52.200 --> 00:54.520 Watch and Triple Cream. 00:54.520 --> 01:00.400 Compare Cresta Blanca Dry Watch and Triple Cream with the world's finest cherries. 01:00.400 --> 01:06.240 You will find Cresta Blanca Dry Watch and Triple Cream cherries unequaled in America, 01:06.240 --> 01:08.440 unsurpassed anywhere. 01:08.440 --> 01:12.720 Schenley's Cresta Blanca Wine Company, Livermore, California. 01:12.720 --> 01:20.520 And now, Schenley brings you Radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 01:20.520 --> 01:26.040 Resented by Roma Wines, that's R-O-M-A, Roma Wines of Fresno, California. 01:26.040 --> 01:30.400 Tonight's stars, Richard Ney and Joseph Kearns, appear in Evelyn Waugh's study in mounting 01:30.400 --> 01:36.080 terror called The Man Who Liked Dickens, a suspense play produced, edited, and directed 01:36.080 --> 01:43.200 for Schenley by William Spear. 01:43.200 --> 01:47.780 When Brenda and I broke up the marriage, it cheered the gossips and gave them something 01:47.780 --> 01:49.240 to talk about. 01:49.240 --> 01:54.840 I kept running into people who asked about Brenda, and I either bored them or they bored 01:54.840 --> 01:55.840 me. 01:55.840 --> 01:59.280 One of the rare moments when the human equation is perfectly balanced. 01:59.280 --> 02:04.000 So that when Dr. Messenger told me in a club one night he was going on an expedition into 02:04.000 --> 02:09.840 the Amazon to find a buried city called Demerara, I asked to go with him. 02:09.840 --> 02:13.400 I told nobody about it except my brother Mark. 02:13.400 --> 02:17.600 I can remember little of the preparations or leaving England. 02:17.600 --> 02:22.160 All I can recall now is that when we docked near the mouth of the Orinoco, the tropics 02:22.160 --> 02:26.080 were bathed in a green and lemon splendor. 02:26.080 --> 02:29.800 How well suckled from heaven it seemed. 02:29.800 --> 02:35.320 Green hills are stone with daisies, and the breeze was sweet, and everything seemed luminous 02:35.320 --> 02:38.000 and lately sprung from the soil. 02:38.000 --> 02:40.680 I don't know when that feeling first wore off. 02:40.680 --> 02:44.800 Perhaps when I began to sense that there was something wrong with the natives. 02:44.800 --> 02:49.200 Dr. Messenger had hired them with the usual trinket, and they seemed happy, but as the 02:49.200 --> 02:54.480 days wore on, you knew there was some deep reservation in their minds. 02:54.480 --> 02:58.360 We crossed the headwaters and started down to look for bigger streams, and they spoke 02:58.360 --> 03:01.040 to Dr. Messenger for the first time that night. 03:01.040 --> 03:02.440 They didn't want to go on. 03:02.440 --> 03:05.440 It wasn't their country, and they were frightened. 03:05.440 --> 03:09.720 Dr. Messenger shouted and screamed at them, and they quieted down. 03:09.720 --> 03:13.520 They quieted down and made no sound. 03:13.520 --> 03:17.080 Finally, they made no sound at all in the night. 03:17.080 --> 03:20.040 I knew what had happened before Dr. Messenger burst into my tent. 03:20.040 --> 03:21.040 Tony, wake up! 03:21.040 --> 03:22.040 I'm awake. 03:22.040 --> 03:23.040 Come outside. 03:23.040 --> 03:24.040 Something rotten has happened. 03:24.040 --> 03:25.040 I know already. 03:25.040 --> 03:26.040 The natives have gone. 03:26.040 --> 03:27.040 Bunch of rotters. 03:27.040 --> 03:28.040 They sneaked away like shadows. 03:28.040 --> 03:29.040 Did they leave the stuff? 03:29.040 --> 03:30.040 I guess. 03:30.040 --> 03:31.040 They took only their own things. 03:31.040 --> 03:32.040 They're honest. 03:32.040 --> 03:33.040 The only decent thing they could do. 03:33.040 --> 03:34.920 No, I mean, they're honest. 03:34.920 --> 03:35.920 They never intended to go on. 03:35.920 --> 03:37.880 To leave us this way, they... 03:37.880 --> 03:38.880 We don't need them, though. 03:38.880 --> 03:39.880 We'll find others. 03:39.880 --> 03:41.560 We'll do it handy, we will. 03:41.560 --> 03:42.560 We'll keep looking. 03:42.560 --> 03:43.560 That's the word, Tony. 03:43.560 --> 03:44.560 We'll keep looking. 03:44.560 --> 03:47.560 And we'll keep talking and talking, and we'll dodge what we both want to say. 03:47.560 --> 03:48.560 That we're alone in the jungle. 03:48.560 --> 03:49.560 What if we are? 03:49.560 --> 03:50.560 We'll move on. 03:50.560 --> 03:51.560 We've found maps, and we'll do it handy. 03:51.560 --> 03:52.560 Take a bit of poise, that's all. 03:52.560 --> 03:53.560 No, I suppose. 03:53.560 --> 03:56.560 Dr. Messenger, about the trip and everything ahead... 03:56.560 --> 03:57.560 Yes? 03:57.560 --> 03:58.560 Do you think we'll make it? 03:58.560 --> 03:59.560 Of course we've got to! 03:59.560 --> 04:00.560 It's that simple. 04:00.560 --> 04:01.560 We've got to! 04:01.560 --> 04:02.560 Thank you. 04:02.560 --> 04:21.680 You know, I don't think we will either. 04:21.680 --> 04:26.440 The next morning we gathered our stocks, set up an emergency camp on the left bank, and 04:26.440 --> 04:28.960 started down the main stream. 04:28.960 --> 04:33.560 And after breakfast, I found I had the fever, so Messenger and I had to travel in the same 04:33.560 --> 04:39.680 canoe, with part of the provisions loaded against my feet to keep me from falling out. 04:39.680 --> 04:42.320 Late that afternoon, Messenger nudged the boat ashore. 04:42.320 --> 04:47.400 There were falls up ahead, and we had to carry the canoe past the danger spot. 04:47.400 --> 04:50.960 Messenger lifted me ashore, and started to drag the canoe up on the bank. 04:50.960 --> 04:53.880 The cargo shifted on him, and he slipped into the water. 04:53.880 --> 04:59.160 It was quite shallow in places, and he caught at the rocks, but they were worn smooth, and 04:59.160 --> 05:03.440 he plunged into deep water and reached the falls. 05:03.440 --> 05:09.640 The foam subsided into a great pool, almost still, and strewn with flottons from the forest 05:09.640 --> 05:12.080 trees that stood gauntly above it. 05:12.080 --> 05:18.000 Dr. Messenger's hat floated very slowly toward the Amazon, and the water closed over his 05:18.000 --> 05:19.000 bald head. 05:19.000 --> 05:36.720 Hello, my name is Todd. 05:36.720 --> 05:39.320 Here, drink it. 05:39.320 --> 05:40.760 You'll only need a bit. 05:40.760 --> 05:44.280 Drink it now. 05:44.280 --> 05:45.280 I have the fever. 05:45.280 --> 05:47.080 I know, but you're getting rid of it. 05:47.080 --> 05:48.080 How can you tell? 05:48.080 --> 05:49.440 You're alive, you're getting over it. 05:49.440 --> 05:51.000 If you're dead, you're not. 05:51.000 --> 05:52.000 Thank you. 05:52.000 --> 05:54.760 You're the first stranger I've seen for a very long time. 05:54.760 --> 06:09.720 And you're the first one I've seen for a very long time. 06:09.720 --> 06:11.400 I liked him from the first. 06:11.400 --> 06:14.280 I liked him right away. 06:14.280 --> 06:15.760 Mr. Todd brought me to his house. 06:15.760 --> 06:19.240 It was near a village of Indians along the riverbank. 06:19.240 --> 06:23.200 He owned a dozen or so head of puny cattle which grazed in the savanna, a plantation 06:23.200 --> 06:29.840 of cassava, some banana and mango trees, a dog, and, unique in the neighborhood, a single 06:29.840 --> 06:31.560 barrel breech-loading shotgun. 06:31.560 --> 06:37.360 He sat and talked to me while he gave me medicine and nursed me back to health. 06:37.360 --> 06:42.120 There's a medicine for everything in the forest, to make you ill and to make you well, to kill 06:42.120 --> 06:44.360 you and to drive you mad. 06:44.360 --> 06:47.480 My mother was an Indian and she taught me many of them. 06:47.480 --> 06:49.120 How long have you lived here in the jungle? 06:49.120 --> 06:50.560 Oh, I was born here. 06:50.560 --> 06:52.120 I've always lived here. 06:52.120 --> 06:54.720 It's a very long and lonely life. 06:54.720 --> 06:56.360 Ah, it would be for me. 06:56.360 --> 07:01.840 I've watched most of the natives grow up, some of them die, and I've tried to look after 07:01.840 --> 07:02.840 them. 07:02.840 --> 07:04.520 Then that's why they obey you so well. 07:04.520 --> 07:09.000 That reason and because I have the gun. 07:09.000 --> 07:10.520 My father was good company. 07:10.520 --> 07:12.600 He lived to a great age, a very great age. 07:12.600 --> 07:15.040 It's not 25 years since he died. 07:15.040 --> 07:17.520 Oh, he was a man of education. 07:17.520 --> 07:18.520 Can you read? 07:18.520 --> 07:19.520 Oh, yes, of course. 07:19.520 --> 07:22.400 Oh, not everyone's so fortunate. 07:22.400 --> 07:23.920 I cannot. 07:23.920 --> 07:27.880 The only two words I know how to spell are born and die. 07:27.880 --> 07:28.880 Oh, yes? 07:28.880 --> 07:30.360 Oh, that's rather too bad. 07:30.360 --> 07:32.800 Oh, but I suppose you haven't much opportunity here. 07:32.800 --> 07:33.920 Oh, yes, that's just it. 07:33.920 --> 07:35.360 I have a great many books. 07:35.360 --> 07:37.520 I'll show them to you when you're better. 07:37.520 --> 07:38.520 My father left them. 07:38.520 --> 07:39.520 Oh, I see. 07:39.520 --> 07:40.520 Yes, he used to read to me. 07:40.520 --> 07:42.520 He read to me all the time. 07:42.520 --> 07:47.080 Then there was another man a few years ago, Barnabas. 07:47.080 --> 07:50.320 He read to me until he had to leave. 07:50.320 --> 07:53.400 I was very sad because he read well. 07:53.400 --> 07:55.880 The books mean so much to me. 07:55.880 --> 07:56.880 How long ago was that? 07:56.880 --> 07:57.880 Oh, well, seven years ago. 07:57.880 --> 08:03.600 He read to me every day until he left. 08:03.600 --> 08:05.080 You shall read to me when you're better. 08:05.080 --> 08:06.720 Why, I'd be delighted to. 08:06.720 --> 08:12.480 As Mrs. Bardell says to Mr. Pickwick, it is so kind of you to have so much consideration 08:12.480 --> 08:13.480 for my loneliness. 08:13.480 --> 08:14.480 Yes, you shall read to me. 08:14.480 --> 08:30.440 Mr. Todd had a soft way of speaking as if he'd learned to talk under the sounds of the 08:30.440 --> 08:31.440 jungle. 08:31.440 --> 08:36.160 And now, as he went about his work in the village, he seemed happier than I'd seen him 08:36.160 --> 08:40.120 before, as if he were alive to some great expectation. 08:40.120 --> 08:44.880 I went on recuperating, and my first day out of bed he took me walking into the jungle. 08:44.880 --> 08:50.840 Wait, we'll have to turn back soon. 08:50.840 --> 08:52.320 We're going late. 08:52.320 --> 08:55.560 Yes, it's almost four o'clock. 08:55.560 --> 08:56.800 What would it be like in London now? 08:56.800 --> 08:58.880 I can never remember which way it goes. 08:58.880 --> 08:59.880 What's the time? 08:59.880 --> 09:00.880 Oh, it'll be nine o'clock. 09:00.880 --> 09:02.420 The sun comes up in the east. 09:02.420 --> 09:03.420 They get the day sooner. 09:03.420 --> 09:04.420 Oh, yes. 09:04.420 --> 09:06.440 So we get it secondhand and slightly soiled. 09:06.440 --> 09:09.440 What's the matter? 09:09.440 --> 09:12.360 That mound of dirt there, what is it? 09:12.360 --> 09:14.680 It's a grave. 09:14.680 --> 09:15.680 I told you about him. 09:15.680 --> 09:16.680 Who? 09:16.680 --> 09:17.680 Barnabas. 09:17.680 --> 09:18.680 His name was Barnabas Washington. 09:18.680 --> 09:20.680 He's the man who read to me. 09:20.680 --> 09:21.680 You said he left. 09:21.680 --> 09:22.680 Didn't he? 09:22.680 --> 09:24.720 But you didn't say it that way. 09:24.720 --> 09:26.720 Why, you talked as if he really left. 09:26.720 --> 09:27.720 Did I? 09:27.720 --> 09:29.880 Maybe it's the way of saying things down here. 09:29.880 --> 09:31.920 You're an educated man, I'm not. 09:31.920 --> 09:32.920 I didn't mean that. 09:32.920 --> 09:34.720 I just thought of him as leaving. 09:34.720 --> 09:37.040 Oh, of course I should have made it clear. 09:37.040 --> 09:38.640 He was a splendid fellow, Barnabas. 09:38.640 --> 09:40.240 I liked him very much. 09:40.240 --> 09:41.240 How long was he here? 09:41.240 --> 09:43.600 Oh, quite a long time. 09:43.600 --> 09:45.200 I mean, exactly how long? 09:45.200 --> 09:46.200 I couldn't remember. 09:46.200 --> 09:48.840 I was afraid quite a long time. 09:48.840 --> 09:50.760 And he died here without getting home? 09:50.760 --> 09:51.760 Oh, yes, it seems sad. 09:51.760 --> 09:52.760 He was a splendid fellow. 09:52.760 --> 09:53.760 I'm sure he was missed. 09:53.760 --> 09:56.960 You know, you've given me an idea. 09:56.960 --> 09:57.960 Yes? 09:57.960 --> 10:01.400 I wonder if he doesn't need a marker. 10:01.400 --> 10:03.160 I think I'll build a small cross. 10:03.160 --> 10:04.880 Two of them, I think. 10:04.880 --> 10:07.760 One to commemorate his leaving and the other your coming. 10:07.760 --> 10:10.360 Now, that seems very odd. 10:10.360 --> 10:13.040 Most things are that old men do. 10:13.040 --> 10:14.040 I'd like to begin now. 10:14.040 --> 10:15.520 Would you care to help? 10:15.520 --> 10:16.520 No, I'm going back. 10:16.520 --> 10:17.520 I feel tired. 10:17.520 --> 10:20.160 Oh, oh, yes, of course. 10:20.160 --> 10:21.840 Print it out for me, will you? 10:21.840 --> 10:23.840 Barnabas Washington and your name. 10:23.840 --> 10:26.240 I know how to print born and died. 10:26.240 --> 10:27.840 I'll do it later myself. 10:27.840 --> 10:29.880 Yes, now you want to rest. 10:29.880 --> 10:33.400 And tonight, tonight I think we could begin. 10:33.400 --> 10:34.400 Begin what? 10:34.400 --> 10:35.400 Your reading to me. 10:35.400 --> 10:37.400 You feel well enough now, don't you? 10:37.400 --> 10:39.000 Yes, I feel all right. 10:39.000 --> 10:40.000 Oh, good. 10:40.000 --> 10:45.000 Then we'll begin tonight. 10:45.000 --> 10:55.480 And it was thus that I entered my prison, a dungeon in bright sunlight. 10:55.480 --> 10:57.040 No one could imagine it. 10:57.040 --> 11:06.160 A slave to the subtlest of all tyrannies, the imprisonment of another man's mind. 11:06.160 --> 11:23.200 For suspense, Roma Wines are bringing you Richard Ney and Joseph Kearns and the Man 11:23.200 --> 11:25.240 Who Liked Dickens. 11:25.240 --> 11:36.600 Roma Wines presentation tonight in Radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 11:36.600 --> 11:41.840 Suspense. 11:41.840 --> 11:46.440 Radio's outstanding theater of thrills is presented by Roma Wines. 11:46.440 --> 11:53.480 That's R-O-M-A. Roma Wines, those better tasting selections from the world's greatest reserves 11:53.480 --> 11:56.300 of fine wines. 11:56.300 --> 12:01.160 This is Truman Bradley with a suggestion from Roma that has helped many a hostess win high 12:01.160 --> 12:02.360 praise. 12:02.360 --> 12:06.800 Whenever friends drop in for an afternoon or evening, show the warmth of your welcome 12:06.800 --> 12:11.080 by serving better tasting Roma California wines. 12:11.080 --> 12:16.540 For both host and guest, there's pleasure in the tempting nut-like taste of gold and 12:16.540 --> 12:24.320 amber Roma Sherry, rich ruby red Roma Port, or mellow flame bright Roma mustel. 12:24.320 --> 12:30.080 You'll find that everybody will cheer your choice when you serve these fine Roma Wines 12:30.080 --> 12:33.200 because they do taste better. 12:33.200 --> 12:39.280 Remember, there's a better tasting Roma Wine for every occasion, for every taste. 12:39.280 --> 12:46.520 So for an everyday family treat or smart hospitality at little cost, always serve Roma Wines. 12:46.520 --> 12:53.360 That's R-O-M-A. Roma Wines, America's favorite wine. 12:53.360 --> 12:58.720 And now Roma Wines bring back to our Hollywood soundstage, Richard Nay as Anthony Last and 12:58.720 --> 13:04.400 Joseph Kearns as Mr. Todd in The Man Who Liked Dickens, a play well calculated to keep you 13:04.400 --> 13:18.040 in suspense. 13:18.040 --> 13:21.880 It was dark when Mr. Todd came in and we ate in silence. 13:21.880 --> 13:26.640 After the meal, he led me into his room and I saw the books for the first time. 13:26.640 --> 13:30.480 They were on a loft above his bed and tied in small bundles. 13:30.480 --> 13:37.400 He brought all of the bundles in by the fire and began to unwrap them. 13:37.400 --> 13:40.440 It's been hard to keep out the worms and the ants. 13:40.440 --> 13:45.280 Oh, two are practically destroyed, Oliver and David. 13:45.280 --> 13:48.000 But there's an oil the Indians make that's useful. 13:48.000 --> 13:51.360 Oh yes, here is one we could start with. 13:51.360 --> 13:54.080 It's in rather bad shape but the printing's clear. 13:54.080 --> 13:55.080 You want to start with this? 13:55.080 --> 13:57.320 Oh it doesn't matter which we take first. 13:57.320 --> 13:59.320 Do you like that one? 13:59.320 --> 14:02.160 Nicholas Nickleby, by Charles Dickens. 14:02.160 --> 14:04.640 Well, maybe something lighter to start with. 14:04.640 --> 14:06.440 Something besides Dickens, huh? 14:06.440 --> 14:07.440 There's nothing besides Dickens. 14:07.440 --> 14:09.240 You mean to say all these books? 14:09.240 --> 14:11.960 Oh yes, every one of them by Charles Dickens. 14:11.960 --> 14:13.520 All the books he wrote are right there. 14:13.520 --> 14:15.200 Oh but the ants destroyed too. 14:15.200 --> 14:17.120 I'm very sorry about that. 14:17.120 --> 14:18.720 You must like Dickens a great deal. 14:18.720 --> 14:21.040 Oh I do, I'm very fond of him. 14:21.040 --> 14:23.960 You see, these are the only books I have ever heard. 14:23.960 --> 14:24.960 They belong to your father? 14:24.960 --> 14:26.880 Oh yes, he used to read them to me. 14:26.880 --> 14:29.600 And then the other man, and now you. 14:29.600 --> 14:35.640 I've heard them all several times by now but I never get tired. 14:35.640 --> 14:38.440 There's always more to be learned and noticed. 14:38.440 --> 14:42.520 So many characters and so many changes of scene and so many words. 14:42.520 --> 14:46.560 It's a long time to read them all, more than two years. 14:46.560 --> 14:48.760 Well, I should think they'd last out my visit. 14:48.760 --> 14:50.560 Oh, oh I hope not. 14:50.560 --> 14:52.920 It's delightful to start again. 14:52.920 --> 14:55.440 Each time I find more to enjoy and admire. 14:55.440 --> 14:56.440 I say shall we begin? 14:56.440 --> 14:57.440 I suppose. 14:57.440 --> 15:00.240 Oh, oh sit there and read Across the Fire to me. 15:00.240 --> 15:03.240 I like it best that way. 15:03.240 --> 15:06.480 All right, let's go ahead, huh? 15:06.480 --> 15:08.720 Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. 15:08.720 --> 15:10.880 The first book, Recall to Life. 15:10.880 --> 15:11.880 Recall to Life. 15:11.880 --> 15:17.000 It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. 15:17.000 --> 15:20.080 It was the age of wisdom, it was the epoch of incredulity. 15:20.080 --> 15:24.560 It was the season of light, it was the season of darkness. 15:24.560 --> 15:39.240 I found some pleasure in the reading for a while. 15:39.240 --> 15:42.240 It calmed me and gave me a feeling of being whole again. 15:42.240 --> 15:44.920 And the old man's delight was something to see. 15:44.920 --> 15:48.880 As I read, he followed the word soundlessly with his lips. 15:48.880 --> 15:52.840 Often when a new Dickensian character was introduced, he'd say, repeat the name, I've 15:52.840 --> 15:53.840 forgotten him. 15:53.840 --> 15:55.880 Or, yes, yes, I remember her well. 15:55.880 --> 15:58.040 Ah, she dies, poor woman. 15:58.040 --> 16:01.600 Always he was concerned with the people and nothing else. 16:01.600 --> 16:04.840 And his comments were usually simple. 16:04.840 --> 16:07.680 I think that Deadlock is a very proud man. 16:07.680 --> 16:12.120 Or, Mrs. Jellybee does not take enough care of her children. 16:12.120 --> 16:16.920 Almost daily now, I mentioned the subject of my departure and asked about canoes and 16:16.920 --> 16:19.480 rains and the possibility of finding guides. 16:19.480 --> 16:26.400 And one night, after I'd finished a chapter of Bleak House, I said, look, the time's 16:26.400 --> 16:28.520 come, Mr. Todd, when I've got to think about getting back. 16:28.520 --> 16:30.400 Well, I've imposed on you long enough. 16:30.400 --> 16:31.400 Oh, oh, oh, oh, none. 16:31.400 --> 16:32.400 Oh, I mean it. 16:32.400 --> 16:33.840 Now, how soon do you think I'll be able to get a boat? 16:33.840 --> 16:34.840 A boat? 16:34.840 --> 16:35.840 Yes, to leave. 16:35.840 --> 16:37.760 I appreciate all your kindness to me more than I can say, but you know... 16:37.760 --> 16:42.280 Any kindness I may have shown is amply repaid by your reading of Dickens. 16:42.280 --> 16:45.640 Now, do not let us mention that subject again. 16:45.640 --> 16:46.880 I'm glad you enjoyed it. 16:46.880 --> 16:49.840 I have to, Mr. Todd, but I must be thinking of getting back now. 16:49.840 --> 16:50.840 Oh, yes, yes. 16:50.840 --> 16:52.080 The other man was like that. 16:52.080 --> 16:57.280 He thought of it all the time, but he died before he got back. 16:57.280 --> 17:01.040 Mr. Todd, did he... 17:01.040 --> 17:02.040 The other man... 17:02.040 --> 17:05.040 Did he finish all the Dickens books? 17:05.040 --> 17:06.040 Finish them? 17:06.040 --> 17:07.040 Yes, the other man. 17:07.040 --> 17:08.040 Did he go through all of them? 17:08.040 --> 17:14.520 Now, it's hard to remember, but I do recall the tale of two cities three or four times. 17:14.520 --> 17:15.520 Three or four times? 17:15.520 --> 17:18.280 You mean he went all through and came back? 17:18.280 --> 17:19.280 Why? 17:19.280 --> 17:21.720 You said it took two years each time. 17:21.720 --> 17:22.720 Well, maybe it was three times. 17:22.720 --> 17:23.720 I'm getting old. 17:23.720 --> 17:24.720 My memory's not so good. 17:24.720 --> 17:25.720 Mr. Todd, why did he stay? 17:25.720 --> 17:26.720 I don't know. 17:26.720 --> 17:27.720 Why did he stay all those years? 17:27.720 --> 17:28.720 Well, he never said. 17:28.720 --> 17:33.720 Forgive me, Mr. Todd, but I must press the point. 17:33.720 --> 17:34.720 When can I get a boat? 17:34.720 --> 17:35.720 There is no boat. 17:35.720 --> 17:36.720 Oh, the Indians can build one. 17:36.720 --> 17:38.720 You'll have to wait for the rain. 17:38.720 --> 17:39.720 How long will that be? 17:39.720 --> 17:40.720 Oh, a month, two months. 17:40.720 --> 17:41.720 Well, I must speak to them then. 17:41.720 --> 17:42.720 Yes, of course, of course. 17:42.720 --> 17:43.720 Now, now, now, it's early. 17:43.720 --> 17:46.920 Do you think we could read some more tonight? 17:46.920 --> 17:49.920 Bleak House has always been a favorite of mine. 17:49.920 --> 18:03.680 This copy was influenced by Mrs. Gamp. 18:03.680 --> 18:06.320 It was decided that Mrs. Gamp should be approached without delay. 18:06.320 --> 18:09.080 I wonder if you could read that over again. 18:09.080 --> 18:11.840 It's one of the points I think Dickens leaves unclear. 18:11.840 --> 18:13.520 Oh, I'm very tired. 18:13.520 --> 18:14.520 I wonder if we could wait. 18:14.520 --> 18:15.520 Oh, yes, of course. 18:15.520 --> 18:16.520 We'll take it up tomorrow. 18:16.520 --> 18:17.520 Listen. 18:17.520 --> 18:18.520 What is it? 18:18.520 --> 18:19.520 It's the rain. 18:19.520 --> 18:20.520 The rain's come, Mr. Todd. 18:20.520 --> 18:21.520 It always does. 18:21.520 --> 18:22.520 You know what it means? 18:22.520 --> 18:23.520 Why, it means I can make preparations to go now. 18:23.520 --> 18:24.520 I can talk to the natives about building a boat. 18:24.520 --> 18:25.520 Oh, that's impossible. 18:25.520 --> 18:26.520 Why? 18:26.520 --> 18:27.520 It's impossible. 18:27.520 --> 18:28.520 The Indians won't build a boat during rainy season. 18:28.520 --> 18:29.520 It's one of their superstitions. 18:29.520 --> 18:30.520 You might have told me. 18:30.520 --> 18:31.520 Didn't I mention it? 18:31.520 --> 18:32.520 I forgot. 18:32.520 --> 18:33.520 No, you've forgotten a lot of things. 18:33.520 --> 18:34.520 Well, I'm getting old. 18:34.520 --> 18:35.520 Not too old. 18:35.520 --> 18:36.520 I'm getting old. 18:36.520 --> 18:37.520 I'm getting old. 18:37.520 --> 18:38.520 I'm getting old. 18:38.520 --> 18:39.520 I'm getting old. 18:39.520 --> 18:40.520 I'm getting old. 18:40.520 --> 18:43.520 I'm getting old. 18:43.520 --> 18:44.520 I'm getting old. 18:44.520 --> 18:45.520 Not too old, Mr. Todd. 18:45.520 --> 18:46.520 You've remembered to evade me. 18:46.520 --> 18:47.520 How could I evade... 18:47.520 --> 18:49.660 But you have, and you've lied to me. 18:49.660 --> 18:50.920 You've lied to me systematically. 18:50.920 --> 18:52.960 Mr. Todd, you're holding me a prisoner. 18:52.960 --> 18:54.640 You're keeping me here against my will. 18:54.640 --> 18:56.080 But my friend who? 18:56.080 --> 18:57.080 I demand to be released. 18:57.080 --> 18:58.440 You're under no restraint. 18:58.440 --> 19:00.200 You can go when you like. 19:00.200 --> 19:02.920 You know very well I can't get away without your help. 19:02.920 --> 19:06.080 In that case, you'll have to humor an old man. 19:06.080 --> 19:07.740 Read to me another chapter. 19:07.740 --> 19:10.480 Todd, I swear by anything you like. 19:10.480 --> 19:13.480 When I get to Mannos, I'll find someone to take my place. 19:13.480 --> 19:15.480 I'll pay a man to read to you. 19:15.480 --> 19:18.480 I have no need for another man. You read so well. 19:18.480 --> 19:20.480 Then I've read for the last time. 19:20.480 --> 19:22.480 I hope not. 19:22.480 --> 19:25.480 Oh, I sincerely hope not. 19:35.480 --> 19:39.480 Well, that evening at supper, only one piece of dried meat was brought in, 19:39.480 --> 19:41.480 which Mr. Todd ate alone. 19:41.480 --> 19:45.480 Next day at noon, a single plate was put before Mr. Todd, 19:45.480 --> 19:49.480 but with it lay his gun, cocked on his knee as he ate. 19:49.480 --> 19:52.480 And I began reading of Martin Chesilwith, 19:52.480 --> 19:55.480 but it was different now because I knew what lay ahead. 19:55.480 --> 19:59.480 And if I didn't then, I did after I found a scrawled note 19:59.480 --> 20:01.480 toward the back of the book. 20:01.480 --> 20:04.480 It was written with pencil in a rough hand. 20:04.480 --> 20:10.480 I, James Todd of Brazil, who swear to Barnabas Washington of Georgetown, 20:10.480 --> 20:14.480 that if he finished this book, in fact Martin Chesilwith, 20:14.480 --> 20:16.480 I will let him go back as soon as finished. 20:16.480 --> 20:18.480 And there followed a heavy pencil-ex. 20:18.480 --> 20:24.480 And after it, Mr. Todd made this mark, signed Barnabas Washington. 20:24.480 --> 20:30.480 The note was signed in January 1929, Barnabas Washington, 20:30.480 --> 20:34.480 and Barnabas Washington died in 1940. 20:44.480 --> 20:47.480 But from that moment on, I began to grow worse. 20:47.480 --> 20:49.480 I ate little and slept even less. 20:49.480 --> 20:52.480 And every day there was more Charles Dickens. 20:52.480 --> 20:56.480 A whole year had passed of our mutual friend in the old curiosity shop, 20:56.480 --> 20:59.480 and Mr. Todd was already talking of starting over again. 20:59.480 --> 21:03.480 And then a stranger arrived in camp, a half-cast prospector, 21:03.480 --> 21:07.480 one of that lonely order of men who wander for a lifetime through the forest, 21:07.480 --> 21:10.480 tracing streams for gold. 21:10.480 --> 21:13.480 I stood in the rain outside his window and heard them. 21:13.480 --> 21:15.480 He said they were white men a few days away, 21:15.480 --> 21:17.480 apparently on their way toward this camp. 21:17.480 --> 21:19.480 Mr. Todd was furious. 21:19.480 --> 21:20.480 When did you see them? 21:20.480 --> 21:22.480 About a week ago. And I came fast. 21:22.480 --> 21:23.480 They were coming this way? 21:23.480 --> 21:24.480 Oh, I'm sure of it. 21:24.480 --> 21:26.480 Did they ask for anybody? 21:26.480 --> 21:27.480 I didn't talk to them. 21:27.480 --> 21:31.480 Oh, thank you. I must send out a party to greet them. 21:31.480 --> 21:34.480 Sit there and finish your tea. I shall be long. 21:34.480 --> 21:35.480 Thank you. 21:35.480 --> 21:37.480 Look, you must help me before he comes back. 21:37.480 --> 21:41.480 You sent somebody to head the morgue. You've got to get there first. 21:41.480 --> 21:42.480 What about? 21:42.480 --> 21:44.480 I'm a prisoner. Tell them about me. 21:44.480 --> 21:46.480 Here, here, give them this. 21:46.480 --> 21:48.480 Where is it? Where is it? 21:48.480 --> 21:50.480 Page 214. Here, I'll write. 21:50.480 --> 21:52.480 Now that's my name. They'll know. 21:52.480 --> 21:54.480 Just give it to them? 21:54.480 --> 21:56.480 Yes, and hurry. Don't let him know. 21:56.480 --> 21:58.480 I'll get on you somewhere, and hurry. 21:58.480 --> 22:01.480 Please hurry, because you're my last hope unto heaven. 22:10.480 --> 22:15.480 Well, Mr. Todd must have sensed that too, because the next afternoon he told me that he expected I'd be leaving soon, 22:15.480 --> 22:17.480 and invited me to a native feast. 22:17.480 --> 22:20.480 I agreed to go, and that was my fatal blunder. 22:20.480 --> 22:23.480 The last of all possible mistakes. 22:23.480 --> 22:25.480 At the feast, they served a thick porridge. 22:25.480 --> 22:30.480 I remember only growing warm and weak, and being carried back to Mr. Todd's. 22:30.480 --> 22:32.480 I was still weak when I woke. 22:32.480 --> 22:37.480 I was in the armchair, and found Mr. Todd rocking contentedly before his fire. 22:37.480 --> 22:41.480 Ah, are we awake? 22:41.480 --> 22:44.480 You don't look well. Not well at all. 22:44.480 --> 22:48.480 I feel rotten. That porridge doesn't seem to agree with me. 22:48.480 --> 22:50.480 I'll give you something to make you better. 22:50.480 --> 22:54.480 The forest has remedies for everything, to make you awake and to make you sleep. 22:54.480 --> 22:56.480 You haven't seen my watch anywhere? 22:56.480 --> 22:57.480 You've missed it? 22:57.480 --> 22:59.480 Yes, I thought I was wearing it. 22:59.480 --> 23:01.480 I see. I've never slept so long. 23:01.480 --> 23:03.480 Not since you were a baby. 23:03.480 --> 23:05.480 You know how long? 23:05.480 --> 23:06.480 Two days. 23:06.480 --> 23:08.480 Nonsense. I couldn't sleep that long. 23:08.480 --> 23:12.480 But you did. It's a long time. It was a pity too, because you missed our guests. 23:12.480 --> 23:13.480 Yes. 23:13.480 --> 23:16.480 Yes? I've been quite gay while you were asleep. 23:16.480 --> 23:18.480 Three men from outside, Englishmen. 23:18.480 --> 23:23.480 It's a pity you missed them. A pity for them too, since they particularly wished to see you. 23:23.480 --> 23:24.480 Then they did come. 23:24.480 --> 23:27.480 They came all the way to find you. Yes, just to find you. 23:27.480 --> 23:29.480 You were asleep. They wanted to see you. 23:29.480 --> 23:34.480 I didn't think you'd mind, so I gave them a little souvenir. Your watch. 23:34.480 --> 23:37.480 You gave them my watch? You... Why, they thought... 23:37.480 --> 23:39.480 Your brother, Mark, was pleased with it. 23:39.480 --> 23:44.480 And they took some photographs of the little cross I put up to commemorate your coming. 23:44.480 --> 23:47.480 Of course, I had to alter it a little. 23:47.480 --> 23:50.480 You wrote in my death. You wrote in my death on that cross. 23:50.480 --> 23:54.480 Oh, now, now, now. You're upset. We'll have no dickens tonight. 23:54.480 --> 23:57.480 But tomorrow night, we'll start Little Dorrit again. 23:57.480 --> 24:02.480 There are passages in that book I can never hear without the temptation to weep. 24:02.480 --> 24:04.480 They didn't ask questions. They didn't suspect. 24:04.480 --> 24:06.480 Ha ha, who would? 24:06.480 --> 24:08.480 But the note. They couldn't have missed it. 24:08.480 --> 24:11.480 What note? There was no note. 24:11.480 --> 24:14.480 They didn't show it to you then? Maybe they guessed. 24:14.480 --> 24:15.480 They didn't guess anything. 24:15.480 --> 24:18.480 Well, they'd have shown it to you. But they must have understood. 24:18.480 --> 24:23.480 You tore it out of a book. What book? What book did you tear it out of? 24:23.480 --> 24:25.480 This one by your feet. A tale of two cities. 24:25.480 --> 24:28.480 What page? What did it say? What did it say you remember? 24:28.480 --> 24:29.480 So do you. 24:29.480 --> 24:31.480 Well, tell me. You can remember repeat it for us. 24:31.480 --> 24:34.480 I'll remember it all my life. Page 214. 24:34.480 --> 24:38.480 After having long been in danger of my life at the hands of the village, 24:38.480 --> 24:43.480 I have been seized with great violence and indignity and brought a long journey on foot. 24:43.480 --> 24:48.480 And I demand of heaven, will they not come to deliver me? For the love of heaven, 24:48.480 --> 24:52.480 of justice, of generosity, I supplicate you to succor and release me. 24:52.480 --> 24:53.480 You didn't send them that. 24:53.480 --> 24:56.480 Now they'll know. They'll know what it means when they'll come back. 24:56.480 --> 24:58.480 There it is now. 24:58.480 --> 24:59.480 No. 24:59.480 --> 25:00.480 I'm here. I'm up here in the clearing. 25:00.480 --> 25:01.480 You totally wanted it native. 25:01.480 --> 25:04.480 Now they've come back. Now, now take the book and all your books. 25:04.480 --> 25:05.480 No. 25:05.480 --> 25:06.480 Take them out of the fire. No. 25:06.480 --> 25:07.480 Smart. Chisel the bridge. 25:07.480 --> 25:08.480 No, no, no. My book. 25:08.480 --> 25:09.480 Nickel. Nickel the bridge. 25:09.480 --> 25:10.480 My book. No, no, no, no. Don't. 25:10.480 --> 25:11.480 Don't be wretched. 25:11.480 --> 25:14.480 Not little Doris. No, don't burn my book. 25:14.480 --> 25:15.480 My mural. 25:15.480 --> 25:18.480 They're nearer. Up here. Hurry, hurry. 25:18.480 --> 25:19.480 In the name of heaven. 25:19.480 --> 25:20.480 My book. 25:20.480 --> 25:22.480 They're all going into the fire. 25:22.480 --> 25:23.480 My book. 25:23.480 --> 25:24.480 Hold it. 25:24.480 --> 25:25.480 Hold it. 25:25.480 --> 25:26.480 Now I'm discovered. 25:26.480 --> 25:27.480 I'm up here. Here. 25:27.480 --> 25:46.480 Mark, where the ground is high. 25:46.480 --> 25:48.480 Well, we left the heart of the Amazon country that night. 25:48.480 --> 25:50.480 It was a night that was full of sound. 25:50.480 --> 25:55.480 The howler monkeys were silent, but tree frogs nearby set up a continuous chorus. 25:55.480 --> 26:00.480 Birds were awake calling and whistling, and far in the depths about them came the occasional 26:00.480 --> 26:04.480 rending and reverberation of dead wood falling among the trees. 26:04.480 --> 26:10.480 And under all of that, the sound of Mr. Todd. 26:10.480 --> 26:15.480 The sound of words coming out of his mouth, a mouth that had nothing left to it but trembling 26:15.480 --> 26:16.480 and quivering. 26:16.480 --> 26:22.480 The sound of Mr. Todd sitting before the fire watching the last of Charles Dickens burn, 26:22.480 --> 26:25.480 and repeating from a broken memory. 26:25.480 --> 26:27.480 It was the best of times. 26:27.480 --> 26:28.480 It was the worst of times. 26:28.480 --> 26:30.480 It was the age of wisdom. 26:30.480 --> 26:32.480 It was the age of foolishness. 26:32.480 --> 26:34.480 It was the epoch of belief. 26:34.480 --> 26:36.480 It was the epoch of incredulity. 26:36.480 --> 26:37.480 It was the season of light. 26:37.480 --> 26:39.480 It was the season of darkness. 26:39.480 --> 26:41.480 It was the spring of hope. 26:41.480 --> 26:56.480 It was the winter of despair. 26:56.480 --> 26:57.480 Suspense. 26:57.480 --> 27:04.480 The Man Who Liked Dickens, starring Richard Ney and Joseph Kearns, presented by Roma Wines. 27:04.480 --> 27:11.480 That's R-O-M-A, Roma Wines, America's Largest Selling Wines. 27:11.480 --> 27:16.480 Well, next week is National Wine Week, and throughout California's famed grape growing districts, 27:16.480 --> 27:22.480 gay festivals will celebrate nature's rich bounty and the grape treasure from which fine 27:22.480 --> 27:25.480 Roma California wines are created. 27:25.480 --> 27:32.480 And this year, as always, Roma is selecting and pressing only the choicest California grapes. 27:32.480 --> 27:38.480 Then Roma master vintners, with ancient skills and unmatched winemaking resources, will guide 27:38.480 --> 27:43.480 this luscious treasure unhurriedly to tempting perfection. 27:43.480 --> 27:49.480 When these finer, better tasting Roma wines will be laid aside with mellow Roma wines of 27:49.480 --> 27:55.480 years before, to await later selection for your pleasure from the world's greatest reserves 27:55.480 --> 27:57.480 of fine wines. 27:57.480 --> 28:04.480 That's why, when you enjoy Roma California Sherry, Port, Muscatel, or any Roma wine, 28:04.480 --> 28:10.480 you're always sure of better taste, unvarying high quality at reasonable cost. 28:10.480 --> 28:13.480 So, when you ask for wine, insist on Roma. 28:13.480 --> 28:21.480 That's R-O-M-A, Roma Wines, enjoyed by more Americans than any other wine. 28:21.480 --> 28:25.480 Richard Ney will soon be seen in the Sierra production, Joan of Lorraine. 28:25.480 --> 28:30.480 Tonight's Suspense play was adapted by Richard Breen from the original short story by Evelyn 28:30.480 --> 28:31.480 Waugh. 28:31.480 --> 28:39.480 Next Thursday, same time, you will hear Marsha Hunt as star of Suspense, produced and directed 28:39.480 --> 28:59.480 by William Spear for the Roma Wine Company of Fresno, California. 28:59.480 --> 29:04.480 In the coming weeks, Suspense will present such stars as Louis Jourdan, June Havoc, Denis 29:04.480 --> 29:06.480 O'Keefe, and others. 29:06.480 --> 29:27.480 Make it a point to listen each Thursday to Suspense, radio's outstanding theater of thrills. 29:27.480 --> 29:42.480 This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.