Black Narcissus (1947)

May Hallatt: Angu Ayah

Photos 

Quotes 

• The Old General : [Speaking to the old Ayah, who dates back to when the palace, now intended for nuns, was used to house Toda Rai's father's concubines]  Now listen, Ayah. I have invited some ladies to stay here, at the "house of women."

  Angu Ayah : [Ecstatic, not realizing that the "ladies" Toda Rai is referring to are nuns]  Ladies! Oh, that will be like old times!

  The Old General : It will not be in the least like old times. They are not that kind of "lady" at all!

  Angu Ayah : Then they won't be any fun.

  The Old General : They are not coming for fun. These are nuns. Do you know what a nun is?

  Angu Ayah : [Disdainfully]  They kneel and pray all day like the monks you invited last year.

  The Old General : I'm going to give them this house to make a school and a hospital for the people.

  Angu Ayah : [Agitated, her voice rising]  You know nobody here wants a school, and I'm sure they don't want a hospital!

  The Old General : How do they know what they want until they try?

  [Mr. Dean enters the room] 

  The Old General : The people have all kinds of diseases. They have ringworms.

  Mr. Dean : They don't mind having ringworm.

  The Old General : Then they ought to mind. And it will all be free!

  Angu Ayah : It was free last time, and nobody came!

  The Old General : They will this time.

• Angu Ayah : [Referring to Sister Briony, whose name Ayah does not yet know]  Please come and help the fat lady who has questions!

  Sister Philippa : [Taken aback at Ayah's crudeness]  Sister Briony? Ayah, you MUST learn our proper names. Anyway, there aren't any patients yet.

  Angu Ayah : [Defiantly]  Oh, aren't there? There are dozens waiting. And more coming every minute.

• The Old General : [Dictating his orders for welcoming the soon-to-arrive nuns]  Mr. Dean! You will receive them for me, and you will do everything for them that they want doing.

  The Old General : [Now turning his attention to Ayah]  You too. You will engage servants for them, and you will both look after them until they care to look after themselves.

  Angu Ayah : What do they eat? How do I know what nuns eat?

  The Old General : I have remembered that.

  The Old General : [Toda Rai walks over to a screened opening that looks out over the courtyard, where his men are unloading advance provisions for the nuns, who are still on their way]  Do you see that crate?

  The Old General : [He points, and Ayah squints carefully at the large wooden crates being unloaded, some of which are clearly stenciled with the word "sausages."]  Sausages. They will eat sausages. Europeans eat sausages wherever they go. They will eat them when they come and until they can tell the cook what else they want to eat.

  The Old General : [With a dramatic flourish, Toda Rai leaves the room, with these parting words to Ayah before he departs]  Now remember, Ayah, if you give any trouble, you will be sorry.

  Angu Ayah : I'm sorry NOW!

• Angu Ayah : [Ayah and Mr. Dean both admire an old wall painting which depicts the palace in its former glory days, when it served as the so-called "House of Women" - a place where Toda Rai's father housed his concubines]  A convent in this house! What do you think of that?

  Mr. Dean : The brothers only stayed five months. Perhaps the sisters won't stay long, either.

  [Ayah and Mr. Dean grin mischievously at each other]