Little Dorrit (TV Mini Series)

Episode #1.14 (2008)

Amanda Redman: Mrs. Merdle

Quotes 

• [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.