Little Dorrit (TV Mini Series)

Episode #1.14 (2008)

Sebastian Armesto: Edmund Sparkler

Photos 

Quotes 

• [Fanny and Edmund discuss the impact of Mr Merdle's suicide and the collapse of his bank] 

  Fanny Dorrit : What a dreadful thing, Sparkler.

  Sparkler : [ineffectually]  Horrid. Horrid.

  Fanny Dorrit : And with our mother-of-pearl penknife, too.

  Sparkler : I know, my love - shocking.

  Fanny Dorrit : If I had known what he wanted it for I might not have lent it to him. And now the Coroner's got it, I suppose, and heaven knows when I shall get it back.

  Sparkler : I know, dear heart. It's very... vexing.

  Fanny Dorrit : Are you fearfully cut-up about it, Sparkler? Was you very close to him?

  Sparkler : Well I am a *bit* cut-up about it, Fanny. Of course it's not as if he was my *real* papa, but he wasn't a bad stick. The mater found him fearfully annoying, but I didn't. I think the *bird* was rather fond of him.

  [Sparkler walks over to Merdle's parrot] 

  Sparkler : I know *he* was fond of *it*.

  Fanny Dorrit : Sparkler?

  Sparkler : Yes, my dearest love.

  Fanny Dorrit : What is to become of us now? Are we rich or are we poor?

  Sparkler : We may have to tighten our belts a little. Perhaps find a smaller place in a less expensive part of town.

  Fanny Dorrit : [coldly]  Such as where?

  Sparkler : [diffidently]  Erm... Fulham?

  Fanny Dorrit : [shouts]  Fulham?

• [Mrs Merdle has returned from Venice after hearing the news about Mr Merdle's suicide] 

  Mrs. Merdle : So, we are ruined. Everything lost.

  Fanny Dorrit : [with barely suppressed glee]  Well, ma'am, I believe *you* are ruined. We are not quite. Sparkler still has his job, and I have my own money. And if the worst comes to the worst, I could always go back to the theatre. And, who knows, perhaps you could go back to doing whatever it is that *you* did before Mr Sparkler and Mr Merdle. But I don't think we've come to that just yet. And, Lord knows, we wouldn't see you out on the street, would we, Sparkler?

  Sparkler : Good heavens, no. Heaven forbid.

  Mrs. Merdle : So I am to be dependent on your goodwill, am I?

  Fanny Dorrit : You'll be all right, Mrs M, as long as you remember your Ps and Qs. Now this is the plan. Sparkler and I do not intend to be paying off Merdle's old bills, otherwise we shall soon find ourselves in Queer Street. We shall be leaving rather quietly by the back gate, and rather late at night, and lie low until the fuss dies down. I dare say you're not so grand, but it's what you might have heard of as a "moonlight flit". You may even have done one once or twice in your... younger days. So what d'you say, Mrs M? Are you game for it?

  Mrs. Merdle : My dear Fanny, I am entirely in your hands.

  Fanny Dorrit : [insincerely]  That's nice.