David Farrar: Mr. Dean

Black Narcissus

Mr. Dean

The Old General: [Speaking to the old Ayah, who dates back to when the palace, now intended for nuns, was used to house Toda Rai's father's concubines] Now listen, Ayah. I have invited some ladies to stay here, at the "house of women."
Angu Ayah: [Ecstatic, not realizing that the "ladies" Toda Rai is referring to are nuns] Ladies! Oh, that will be like old times!
The Old General: It will not be in the least like old times. They are not that kind of "lady" at all!
Angu Ayah: Then they won't be any fun.
The Old General: They are not coming for fun. These are nuns. Do you know what a nun is?
Angu Ayah: [Disdainfully] They kneel and pray all day like the monks you invited last year.
The Old General: I'm going to give them this house to make a school and a hospital for the people.
Angu Ayah: [Agitated, her voice rising] You know nobody here wants a school, and I'm sure they don't want a hospital!
The Old General: How do they know what they want until they try?
[Mr. Dean enters the room]
The Old General: The people have all kinds of diseases. They have ringworms.
Mr. Dean: They don't mind having ringworm.
The Old General: Then they ought to mind. And it will all be free!
Angu Ayah: It was free last time, and nobody came!
The Old General: They will this time.

Mr. Dean: [Meeting Sister Clodagh for the first time] I'm the general's agent. He welcomes you to Mopu. Understood you wanted to see me.
Sister Clodagh: We want to talk to you on business.
Mr. Dean: I didn't suppose you wanted to talk to me about anything else.
Mr. Dean: [Realizing his comment was a bit snarky] Sorry. Perhaps that wasn't fair.
Sister Clodagh: Mr. Dean, you know that General Toda Rai has given us this house for a new foundation of our Order. We very much appreciate it. It's very generous of him.
Mr. Dean: Yes. You'd like the General, Sister. He also has a superior being.
Sister Briony: [Taken aback] Really!
Sister Clodagh: I don't know why you are being so rude to me, Mr. Dean. I have to talk business with you whether I like it or not.
Mr. Dean: Well, talk it, then, and don't teach at me.

[last lines]
Sister Clodagh: You said you'd give us till the rains break.
Mr. Dean: They haven't broken yet. What will they do with you down there?
Sister Clodagh: I shall be sent to another convent with less responsibility. I shall be superseded as sister-in-charge.
Mr. Dean: Will you be able to stomach that... a stiff-necked, obstinate creature like you?
Sister Clodagh: It's what I need. I expect I shall have to remind myself of it a hundred times a day. I can't change in a minute, like the young General. But I shall have my ghosts to remind me.
Mr. Dean: You're leaving me with more than one.
Sister Clodagh: Will you do one last thing for me? I know you'd rather not do it.
Mr. Dean: Of course I'll do it.
Sister Clodagh: Will you look after the grave?
Mr. Dean: All right.
Sister Clodagh: Goodbye.
Mr. Dean: Goodbye.

Sister Clodagh: We all need discipline. You said yourself they're like children. Without discipline we should all behave like children.
Mr. Dean: Oh. Don't you like children, Sister?

Angu Ayah: [Ayah and Mr. Dean both admire an old wall painting which depicts the palace in its former glory days, when it served as the so-called "House of Women" - a place where Toda Rai's father housed his concubines] A convent in this house! What do you think of that?
Mr. Dean: The brothers only stayed five months. Perhaps the sisters won't stay long, either.
[Ayah and Mr. Dean grin mischievously at each other]