Cranford (TV Series)

August 1842 (2007)

Eileen Atkins: Miss Deborah Jenkyns

Quotes 

• [Mrs. Forester's cow has fallen into a lime pit and is struggling in vain to get itself out] 

  Mary Smith : I think the odour is the burning of the poor thing's hair - the lime has singed it off.

  Mrs. Forester : [shrieks]  What care I if she's bald?

  Miss Deborah Jenkyns : She will not be bald if she cannot be recovered - she will be naked!

  Captain Brown : It pains me to say it, Mrs. Forester, but the poor bad beast will have to be destroyed - unless you're prepared to dress it in pyjamas!

• [Captain Brown has just announced that he will be Head of Works for the new railway line that is to be built to Cranford] 

  Miss Deborah Jenkyns : You are the architect of our community's destruction. You've betrayed your daughter, your neighbours and your town. And you've wilfully kept your machinations secret.

  Captain Brown : I did not mean to deceive you. I am sorry if I have offended you.

  Miss Deborah Jenkyns : Oh, do not think that you owe us an apology. Apologies are required only when friends cause vexation to friends. Our acquaintance is clearly at an end.

• Miss Deborah Jenkyns : [to Captain Brown]  You are the architect of our community's destruction!

• Miss Deborah Jenkyns : That was a most charming entertainment, Major Gordon.

  Major Gordon : I think it helped that you beat time with your spoon.

  Miss Deborah Jenkyns : I generally do so when the piece transports me.

• Miss Deborah Jenkyns : Jessie, convey your news.

  Jessie Brown : I have been sent anemones. And a note.

  [reads] 

  Jessie Brown : "With the compliments of Major Gordon".

  Miss Matty Jenkyns : Anemones. We must look them up in 'The Language of Flowers'.

• Miss Deborah Jenkyns : You will neither of you be so tender when Cranford is overrun by noise and disease and the Irish.

• Miss Deborah Jenkyns : I suddenly have a headache of phenomenal dimension.

• Miss Deborah Jenkyns : Captain Brown's conduct is not to be tolerated. To insinuate himself into our society like a snake...

  Miss Matty Jenkyns : Oh, sister, not a snake! That is very harsh.

  Miss Deborah Jenkyns : He is at the very least a wolf in sheep's attire.

• [Bessie, Mrs. Forrester's cow, has fallen into a lime pit] 

  Mary Smith : I think the odor is the burning of the poor thing's hair. The lime has singed it off.

  Mrs. Forrester : What care I if she lives on bald?

  Miss Deborah Jenkyns : She will not be bald if she cannot recover - she will be naked!

  Captain Brown : It pains me to say so, Mrs. Forrester, but the poor bare beast will have to be destroyed.

  Mrs. Forrester : [Wails] 

  Captain Brown : [Shrugging]  ... Unless you are prepared to dress it in pajamas.

• [Miss Deborah has just found out that Captain Brown works for the railway] 

  Miss Deborah Jenkyns : You are the architect of our community's destruction! You have betrayed your daughter, your neighbors, and your town, and you've willfully kept your machinations secret!

  Captain Brown : I did not mean to deceive you. I am sorry if I have offended you.

  Miss Deborah Jenkyns : Oh, do not think that you owe us an apology. Apologies are required only when friends cause vexation to friends. Our acquaintance is clearly at an end.