ALBERT’S MOTHER: Well, your dad makes mistakes and he drinks to forget the mistakes that he’s made but… but he never gave up. And he does that for us. And today, you showed the world that it’s all been worth it.
(PUTS THE PENANT ON ALBERT’S SHOULDER AS SHE WALKS PAST HIM)
You keep looking after Joey and he’ll always be looking after you.
(SHE LEAVES)
ALBERT: Sergeant seventh battalion, Imperial Yeomanry. See this, Joey? It’s been through an entire war.
(LOOKS AT THE PENANT)
But I’m not stealing it. I’ll give it back to him someday.
ALBERT: He won’t obey anyone else. He won’t be any good in the war, neither. He–he shies at every sound.
CAPTAIN NICOLS: I’m sorry.
ALBERT: Well if Joey’s going then I’m going too. I’m volunteering.
CAPTAIN NICOLS: I see. What’s your name, lad?
ALBERT: Albert, sir.
CAPTAIN NICOLS: And how old - are you, Albert?
ALBERT: Nineteen, sir.
(CAPTAIN NICOLS LOOKS AT HIM SUSPICIOUSLY)
CAPTAIN NICOLS: Is that the truth?
ALBERT: No, sir, but-but I look nineteen. I’m bigger than most nineteen-year-olds and I’m-I’m strong, sir and I’m not afraid – of anything.
CAPTAIN NICOLS: I don’t doubt your qualifications, Albert. But the law is very clear about the proper age for soldiering. And your father’s done what he had to do, you know that. Thirty guineas isn’t nearly enough to purchase a horse as fine as your Joey, I know that. But it’s all I’ve got. Will you lease him to me, Albert? To be my own mount?
(ALBERT STARES BACK AT CAPTAIN NICOLS TEARFULLY AND CAPTAIN NICOLS REMOVES HIS HAT RESPECTFULLY)
I promise you, man to man, that I’ll look after him. As closely as you’ve done. I’ll respect him and all the care that you’ve taken with him. And, if I can, I’ll return him to your care.