The Barchester Chronicles (1982)
Cyril Luckham: Bishop Grantly
Quotes
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Rev. Septimus Harding : I am safe because the church has more money than the reformers. And because of a fine legal quibble, I'm safe.
Archdeacon Grantly : Yes.
Rev. Septimus Harding : Does Sir Abraham say anything about the morality of the situation?
Archdeacon Grantly : Certainly not! The legal profession does not concern itself with morality.
Bishop Grantly : Our department, is it not?
Rev. Septimus Harding : Forgive me, Bishop, Archdeacan: if the world considers me to be a thief, it is of small comfort to know that a "fine legal quibble" says that I am not! Excuse me.
[exits]
Archdeacon Grantly : My father in law can be a very difficult person.
Bishop Grantly : He has persistent bouts of Christianity.
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Archdeacon Grantly : This appears to be the gist of the matter...
Bishop Grantly : You mean to say, amongst all these documents there is a gist?
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Bishop Grantly : We need you in the town.
Rev. Septimus Harding : Do you really think so?
Bishop Grantly : Yes, to talk to, to take wine with.
Rev. Septimus Harding : And to poke the fire.
[walks over to the fireplace]
Bishop Grantly : If you would be so kind. You know, when anybody else does that, the room fills with smoke. I think it is because you are a pure man adrift among sinners. Sinners are so much easier to cope with.