Thanks, mallyh. You've obviously been concentrating more than me!
When I saw the trailers for The Village I assumed that each episode would cover 10-20 years of the life of the narrator and would, effectively be his life story. Very promising - but so disappointing.
I think the John Simm character was desparate for beer as his crops failed and he hasn't got any money to buy beer. The maid was scrubbing the wooden floor with a mixture of beer and water(?) and that's what he was drinking. Why he was sucking the scrubbing brush I can't imagine, but we all have to get our kicks somehow.
It does beg the question that if the family are that hard up how can the son afford to put sixpennce into the tin?
I think the whole thing has been poorly scripted/edited and they have wasted the talents of some good actors.
It started off so well and now I too am lost. If a loaf of bread costs tuppence how are these lads able to dish out sixpences so readily? I too thought it was to do with daring someone to get caned. I agree - very poorly edited - has it been adapted from a book which we are supposed to have read? And what on earth is the history between the anti-drink woman and the John simms character? Seems a good opportunity for a good drama gone wrong.