4. Mr Osborne Hamley's Secret

'Molly, we are all wrong at home! Osborne has lost the fellowship at Trinity he went back for. Then he has gone and failed miserably in his degree, after all that he said and that his mother said. I can't understand it.

I never expected anything from Roger; but Osborne! And then it has thrown Madam into one of her bad fits of illness; and she seems to have a fancy for you, child!'

Molly overhears some shocking information regarding the Squire's son.

Final novel written by 'Cranford' author, Elizabeth Gaskell, first published in 1866.

Starring Tom Wilkinson, Kathryn Hurlbutt and Angela Pleasence.

Dramatised by Barry Campbell.

Molly .... Kathryn Hurlbutt
Clare .... Angela Pleasence
Mr Gibson .... Tom Wilkinson
Cynthia .... Anne Louise Lambert
Squire Hamley .... Robert Lang
Mrs Hamley .... Lillias Walker
Osborne Hamley .... Adam Bareham
Roger Hamley ....Michael Troughton
Miss Browning .... Diana Bishop
Mr Preston .... Brett Usher
Girl .... Moir Leslie
Gardener .... Peter Tuddenham
Robinson .... Nigel Graham
Mrs Gaskell .... Thelma Whiteley

Music composed by Rachel Portman

Director: Jane Morgan

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1983