An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving (2008 TV Movie)

Tatiana Maslany: Mathilda Bassett

Photos 

Quotes 

• Gad Hopkins : [Tilly trips as they are dancing]  Easy, girl.

  Mathilda Bassett : You're talking to me like I'm your horse.

  Gad Hopkins : A thoroughbred, no doubt.

  Mathilda Bassett : Gad!

  Gad Hopkins : Just follow me. You'll be fine.

• Mathilda Bassett : Your mother seemed unhappy when I walked in.

  Gad Hopkins : That's because she's feeling guilty

  Mathilda Bassett : For what?

  Gad Hopkins : Not accepting you sooner. It seems we both were rather late to come to our senses.

  Mathilda Bassett : You have always had my friendship.

  Gad Hopkins : Your friendship is not what I crave.

• Mathilda Bassett : What could be keeping mother?

  Prudence : She's delivering a baby.

  Mathilda Bassett : How much time could it take? She's been gone all night and half the day.

• Mathilda Bassett : [Mary enters to find Solomon covered in flour]  It was an accident, Mother.

  Mary Bassett : [laughing]  Well at least you kept busy.

• Mathilda Bassett : You've completely changed.

  Gad Hopkins : I can see you haven't.

  Mathilda Bassett : I've matured more that it might first appear.

  Gad Hopkins : [Smiling tenderly]  So I see.

  Mathilda Bassett : [quickly changing the subject]  You've been away for decades. How many languages do you speak?

  Gad Hopkins : How are you, Tilly?

  Mathilda Bassett : There must be a more compelling topic.

• Mary Bassett : [after Tilly froze her hands digging in the snow]  What possessed you?

  Mathilda Bassett : Papa planted potatoes last spring.

  Mary Bassett : We won't starve.

  Mathilda Bassett : Our storage bins are empty.

  Mary Bassett : I'm working, so are you.

  Mathilda Bassett : There must be some other relatives who could assist.

  Mary Bassett : Your father's family's in Ireland.

  Mathilda Bassett : What about your family?

  Mary Bassett : Some bargains are too costly to make.

• Prudence : You know what they say? After a society lady wears a dress once, she throws it away.

  Mathilda Bassett : Don't be silly.

  Solomon Bassett : If she's so well off, why doesn't she get her own place to stay?

• Isabella : [Tilly enters Isabella's room]  Knocking is always good.

  Mathilda Bassett : [Tilly closes the door behind her]  I know why my mother doesn't want you here.

  Isabella : Is that right?

  Mathilda Bassett : You're not nice. You made fun of Mrs. Hopkins and you insulted my family. My father was not a vagrant.

  Isabella : Is there some reason you feel compelled to discuss this with me?

  Mathilda Bassett : Because I brought you here. I wrote that letter.

  Isabella : You did?

  Mathilda Bassett : Yes.

  Isabella : [laughing]  Well. That explains it. Gypsies. How marvelous.

  Mathilda Bassett : I suppose you'll want to go.

  Isabella : No. I have just found a reason to stay.

• Mathilda Bassett : [narrating]  The visit began to take on a different character: less guarded and more like a game. Although who would enjoy it remained uncertain.

• Mathilda Bassett : Many people were improved by my father. Gad says he could reform the worst cynic in the world.

  Isabella : Shall I add cynic to my list of virtues?

  Mathilda Bassett : That's up to you.

• Isabella : How did he die?

  Mathilda Bassett : Working the fields. Mr. Yule found him crushed by a tree.

  Isabella : You must miss him.

  Mathilda Bassett : My father said everything is a lesson from which we ultimately profit.

• Prudence : One moment and I'll have the tea.

  Mathilda Bassett : [watching Prudence suspiciously]  You've done something.

  Solomon Bassett : [glancing from Prudence to Tilly]  Absolutely.

• Mathilda Bassett : [after catching Isabella reading her writings]  You hated it.

  Isabella : I didn't say that.

  Mathilda Bassett : You didn't say anything.

  Isabella : It is quite lively.

  Mathilda Bassett : Lively.

  Isabella : Spirited.

  Mathilda Bassett : You did hate it.

  Isabella : I... like your people.

  Mathilda Bassett : You don't find them dull and ordinary?

  Isabella : There is nothing ordinary about you or your people.

• Mathilda Bassett : [Referring to the Hopkins' upcoming party]  Isabella says I should have a proper gown.

  Mary Bassett : Does she?

  Mathilda Bassett : Yes. She says a first impression is what one always remembers.

  Mary Bassett : I trust it does not owe solely to one's costume.

  Mathilda Bassett : The outward appearance effects the estimation of the rest.

  Mary Bassett : Do you hope to affect a particular person, or just cause a general stir?

• Mathilda Bassett : [narrating]  My mother took few things when she and Ellis Bassett left her home when she was 17. The plainest dress she owned. A pair of sturdy shoes, for my father had warned her they would do a great deal of walking. The embroidered shawl he gave her when they became engaged. And a porcelain cup. The cup was part of a tea service, originally presented to Louis XIV in 1683, which Isabella had painstakingly reassembled on her many trips abroad. It was the only complete set of its kind. For most of my mother's childhood, Isabella had the service on proud display in the hallway. My father heard rumor that she kept it out after my mother left, the empty saucer a daily reminder of what had been taken from her.

• Mathilda Bassett : What on earth are you doing?

  Gad Hopkins : I had a grand time last night.

  Mathilda Bassett : So did I.

  Gad Hopkins : Come to tea?

  Mathilda Bassett : Have you gone insane?

  Isabella : I hope you don't treat all your suitors this way. Don't blame the poor boy. The idea was completely mine.

• Gad Hopkins : [dusting off the statue Tilly threw into the snow]  Did you really dislike it that much? Everyone is looking for you. I knew where to find you.

  Mathilda Bassett : What possessed me?

  Gad Hopkins : You were angry.

  Mathilda Bassett : I shouldn't have taken Grandmother's part. It wasn't right.

  Gad Hopkins : Your mother was humiliating her.

  Mathilda Bassett : That isn't why. I want to go.

  Gad Hopkins : Go where?

  Mathilda Bassett : Anywhere. I've been wanting to go ever since my father died.

  Gad Hopkins : The world is not quite so grand a place as your grandmother claims.

  Mathilda Bassett : My father used to say I was born for adventure. Do you remember how the three of us would go to the woods? And he'd get us to imagine what it would be like, to be a mackerel in a lake or a bee in a hive?

  Gad Hopkins : [he kisses her]  Don't go.

  Mathilda Bassett : Oh, Gad, I do love you.

  Gad Hopkins : Marry me.

  Mathilda Bassett : I'm not ready. I'm only at the beginning.

• Prudence : Ever since I can remember I've to be sensible, reliable, organized. While you sleep late, forget your chores, write sonnets.

  Mathilda Bassett : I've never written a sonnet in my life.

  Prudence : It doesn't make a bit of difference, does it? You still end up with everything.

  Mathilda Bassett : That's not true.

  Prudence : Father took you to the woods. You and Gad. Where was I?

  Mathilda Bassett : You hate the woods.

  Prudence : How would I know? I never got to go.

  Mathilda Bassett : [hugs her]  Pru...

  Prudence : [about their mother, sick with scarlet fever]  What if she dies, too?

• Mary Bassett : And what else happened while I was occupied?

  Mathilda Bassett : Gad proposed. And I've accepted.

  Mary Bassett : Is that so?

  Prudence : But you wanted to be a writer.

  Mathilda Bassett : That was ages ago.

  Solomon Bassett : Let's eat!

• Mathilda Bassett : [praying over the dinner]  Thanks for the roses by the wayside. Thanks for thorns their stems contain. Thanks for home and thanks for fireside. Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain. Amen.

• Mathilda Bassett : I can't go.

  Mary Bassett : Your father didn't permit the word "can't." I left my home in anger. You're leaving with all my love and support.

  Mathilda Bassett : I was happy.

  Mary Bassett : You'll find more happiness.

• Mathilda Bassett : [narrating as Mary reads the manuscript and Prudence and Solomon bring in wood]  A long time ago up among the New Hampshire hills lived a man, his wife, and a pile of sturdy children. We were poor in money, but rich in land and love. The wide acres of wood, corn and pasture fed and clothed the flock, while mutual patience, affection and courage made our old farmhouse a very happy home.

  [Gad leaves his house running] 

  Mathilda Bassett : For those who dream of adventure it may seem to simple a place to start our story, until we remember the best adventures begin with simple things. Not Gypsies or sword fights or dragons, but hope, and family, and love.

  Gad Hopkins : [the carriage carrying Tilly and Isabella is driving away and Gad is running after them]  Hey. Hey! Write.

  Mathilda Bassett : I will. Every day.

  Gad Hopkins : I'll wait.

  Mathilda Bassett : You'd better.

  Gad Hopkins : I love you.

  Mathilda Bassett : Me, too.

• Solomon Bassett : [moving their mattresses to the attic so Isabella can take their room]  Why do we have to sleep up here? It's always so cold.

  Mathilda Bassett : Do you want a Thanksgiving turkey?

  [Solomon nods] 

  Mathilda Bassett : Then you best behave.

• Mathilda Bassett : [kissing Mary's head enthusiastically]  You're an angel. You're a saint!

  Prudence : What about the letter?

  Mathilda Bassett : [happily tosses rag aside]  Doesn't matter! Gad's back!

• Mathilda Bassett : Give me your news.

  Gad Hopkins : [innocently]  News?

  Mathilda Bassett : I see I shall have to torture you, Lord Stickywicket, if I mean to get at the truth.

  [slaps him with a pillow] 

  Gad Hopkins : [stealing the pillow]  Never, Madam Busybody! I shall die before giving up my secrets!

  [pillow fight ensues] 

• Mathilda Bassett : [narrating]  Chapter Two: Pandora's Box containing, among other things, a great many dresses, a strained reunion, and a fox.

• Mathilda Bassett : [narrating]  Solomon did not return the fox. He understood it was important to return it, if not to secure his Thanksgiving turkey, then for his mother's sake. But it had a certain hold over him; like a four leaf clover or a rabbit's foot. In its company he felt braver and more certain than he had since his father passed away. He became convinced that as long as he kept it they would all be protected from further harm.

• Isabella : It's not wrong what you did today. Your mother is a person of unflagging piety. It might not be possible to equal her.

  Mathilda Bassett : Maybe we should try.

• Mathilda Bassett : [narrating]  Father once said Isabella's mistake was thinking he wanted money. What he really wanted was my mother's heart. A treasure far too fine to be traded for gold.

• Mathilda Bassett : Chapter Six: Devil's Bargain. At what price do we secure our dreams?

• Mathilda Bassett : [narrating]  Chapter Seven: Scarlet Fever. He must be a stranger indeed who has not heard of that terrible disease that is usually known as scarlet fever.

• Mary Bassett : You're a good girl, Tilly.

  Mathilda Bassett : You're a great mother.

• Mathilda Bassett : Why are you telling me this?

  Isabella : So you won't make the mistake of excusing me. Telling yourself, as I did, that it could not have been helped.

• Gad Hopkins : Are you all right?

  Mathilda Bassett : Gideon...

  Gad Hopkins : Don't. Don't talk about it.

  Mathilda Bassett : I must talk about it. Everything's all upside down. I was wrong to think of leaving. I see that now. I love you. And I love my family.

  Gad Hopkins : I was too forward.

  Mathilda Bassett : Do you love me?

  Gad Hopkins : What do you think?

  Mathilda Bassett : If we were married, how would we be?

  Gad Hopkins : Tilly.

  Mathilda Bassett : Could we live near my family, see them as often as we like?

  Gad Hopkins : They're family to me.

  Mathilda Bassett : Yes. My answer is yes.

• Mathilda Bassett : [narrating]  Mother is such a tender soul, too soon to return to the earth.

• Mathilda Bassett : Don't be sad. You were gone five years. I won't be that long.

  Gad Hopkins : A minute is too long.

• Mathilda Bassett : [to Mary]  I saw the Collins family, I think Mr. Collins died. I didn't want to mention it in front of Mrs. Hopkins.