Upstairs, Downstairs (1971) s01e07 Episode Script
Magic Casements
[ Door closes .]
- Is that you, Richard? Yes, dear.
- I'm in here.
[ Opens door .]
Well, how did you vote in the end? There's no chance for a provision for days.
Did you speak to Father? No, he's still in the country.
Or Arthur Balfour? No.
But you promised you would.
I said I would if I met him, which I did not.
Really, Marjorie, I don't think you understand the position now that we're in opposition.
I'm a perfectly ordinary common-a-garden backbencher.
Backbenchers are supposed to show some independence, to express their own opinions.
And my own personal opinion of the Liberals Education Bill is that's it's a good one in most respects.
Ring for tea, will you Richard? Anyway, I'm far from convinced that education should be a party political issue.
Well, Father always thought that far too much time and money was spent on education.
Especially for working people.
It can be a positive disadvantage.
Fine.
He's entitled to his opinion.
I'm entitled to mine.
It's just that I don't happen to think it's fair that Catholics and non-conformists should be excluded from our Church of England schools.
All I'm aiming to do is to abstain from voting against that one section of the bill.
My own personal gesture.
They'll take it as a gesture of defiance against you own party.
- You rang, my lady? - Huh? Oh yes, Edward, bring tea, and ask Hudson to see that that - catches the post.
Will you? - Very good, my lady.
Whatever happens the bill will be thrown out of the window lock, stock and barrel.
Your father and Landsdown will see to that.
Well, I think after all her ladyship's done for him it's just dreadful.
Her (husband's) got no gratitude.
Well, I think she's cracked a bit once too often, and the worm's turned.
Now, now, Rose, there's little enough we can say or do that'll make any difference.
- She wants her tea.
Who's "she", the cat's mother? Well, they're still at it, hammer and tongs.
Now look here, Edward.
You show a little respect or you won't last very long in this house.
And get the tray.
Well, in my last place it was parlormaid who served tea.
Well, in this house we do things properly.
You serve it.
I supervise.
I suppose in your last place you didn't wear gloves? - Yes, I did.
- Well, put them on, then.
- More tea, Miss Roberts? - Eh, just a half cup.
Oh, that's enough.
Thank you.
I remember when Lady Marjorie first brought Mr.
Bellamy to Southwold.
That was before they were married, even.
I said there would be trouble one day, and I say it again now.
And that wasn't yesterday.
I was a kitchen maid.
And I remember old Nanny Luke's saying, as how she did, Lord and Lady Southwold, wasn't (over) peace, not at all.
In fact, quite the (opposite).
Oh, they had no cause to be, neither.
He was only a Norfolk country parson's son, when all said and done.
Huh.
Well, that's not much catch.
Not for the eldest daughter of an earl.
And as lovely as any girl in England.
But Lady Marjorie, she would have her way.
Always has and always will I've no doubt.
Well you could say he wasn't really her class.
Oh, Mr.
Bellamy's a perfect gentleman.
Well, he wouldn't have got far if Lord Southwold hadn't found him a safe seat in parliament.
And a certain (invaling) Mr.
Bellamy hasn't a penny to his name.
- As we think (curious) upstairs.
Well, I think sometimes the poor man's more of a servant than we are.
And I wouldn't blame him if he did turn Liberal.
Like Mr.
Winston Churchill.
I mean, after the last election, he was almost finished any-old-how.
I'm a Tory and proud of it.
Well, don't you start telling me my party's finished, my girl.
It's not me that's turning Liberal.
- You're casting aspersions where you've not right to do.
It's about have you know you've just blown a mouthful of crumbs into my tea.
Give him a good whipping if he were mine.
I know Tory household up to Southwold's being let down like that.
It's wicked, or worse.
More bread, please.
Butl, if it's just conscience that's worrying you If you are a Tory, you don't need one.
You know your rights.
What do you think, Mr.
Hudson.
What's your opinion.
It's very good of you to ask, Miss Roberts.
I think you're a lot of ignoramuses.
You're all talking about things you know nothing about.
Ho, ho, I like that.
The politics of a gentleman, Mrs.
Bridges, not for the likes of us.
Oh, Mr.
Hudson, how can you even say such a thing? Experience, Rose, that's how I can say it.
From experience.
I have seen what happens when ordinary people get political.
Oh, that can't be right.
Can it Mr.
Hudson? I am telling you, Rose.
You mind your own business, and let the politicians mind theirs.
And keep the butter knife out of the jam.
One, stupid, unnecessary-- now you admit that yourself-- unnecessary gesture.
Your chance of cabinet rank will be ruined forever.
People don't forget you.
When we go back into power you'll be put aside, you won't be forgiven and forgotten.
Well, I don't see it that way.
Well I do.
Yes, and someone may.
For all that's been done for you, that it's soit's so disloyal.
[ Door closes .]
- Oh, hello James.
- Hello, Ma.
- Hello Father.
Something up? No.
Good.
[ Kiss .]
However, I've got a friend of mine outside.
A Captain Charles Hammond.
Indian Army.
The Guides, you know.
Really frontier wallah.
He's (messing) enough when he's back home.
Awfully nice chap.
Uh, will you give him a cup of tea while I go and change? We're off to a party, or another.
Come on inCharles.
[ Opens door .]
May I present Captain Charles Hammond.
My mother, my father.
How do you do, Lady Marjorie? Sir Well now do sit down Yes, do sit down, Captain.
- Well, I'll just go and change.
(Carry on).
[ Door closes .]
- D'you take milk? - Yes, thank you.
- Um, sugar? - No, thank you.
Sandwich.
No, thank you, sir.
- How was the - Do you - Oh, I'm sorry.
- Please.
How were things on the northwest frontier when you left? Things pretty quiet? No sir.
Quite a lot going on, really.
The (Bea Frieda) still playing up? Yes, indeedYou, uh, know a lot about it, then.
Well, as a member of parliament.
(Impaled) defense is one of my main interests.
And education.
I expect it's veryvery bleak out there.
Not a bit.
It's really quitejolly.
You'll go, you and James, going to paint the town red? Yes, James is taking me to a party tonight.
To meet some of his friends.
I know no one in London.
I have very few of the social graces.
James has taken me in hand, but I feel I'm a rotten pupil.
I'd sooner be on picket duty in the Khyber than face a drawing room in the - I, I don't mean this drawing - That is very understandable.
Nice of you to say so.
Then we're going to a to the opera.
James going to the opera? The real opera? Yes, that's my fault.
I'm very fond of the opera.
I thought I'd start him off on Rigoletto.
All those nice tunes.
Senior San Marcos' in great voice at the Duke.
- Oh you, been there? - I'm fond of opera.
D'you know that's the only thing I really miss in India.
Go and take in a performance of Tristan next Thursday.
(Sir Rhesus) found a magnificent new tenor.
[ Gasp .]
That should be absolutely wonderful.
- Oh, my goodness.
- Did you say Thursday? I'm not sure.
- Yes.
- I thought it was Wednesday.
They've called a meeting of the Ways and Means Committee - for that evening.
- Oh, Richard, no! But, I'm terribly sorry, my dear, but I can't see how I can get out of it.
But you knew how much I was looking forward to it.
Really! It's too bad.
Well, I'll think of something.
- Well, I'm sure James will love it - James! Rather! - [ Ahem .]
I think I - Captain Hammond Um, I have now ear for music, so such delights are wasted on me.
Would you do me a favor and accompany my wife to the Garland? Richard, you mustn't.
Poor Captain Hammond, the last thing he wants is to be saddled all evening with James' mother! - Not at all.
It would be abso - Or, with such music.
No, I would enjoy accompanying you so muchIt would be an honor.
Well, thank you very much, indeed.
I'm very much obliged.
[ Door opens .]
There we are.
How's that for speed? Ready (Tom)? Well, thank you very much, Lady Marjorie, sir.
Oh, I hope you will allow me to take your wife out to supper before the opera, sir? - Well, of course, I'm sure.
- I'd be delighted.
Till Thursday, then, goodbye.
Goodbye.
[ Door closes .]
Did I gather they've pushed you into taking my mother to something? Yes, the Garland next week.
Oh, really, I am sorry.
I do wish they wouldn't impose on my friend.
Ah, I should enjoy it, really, James.
You're too damn good natured, Charles.
You shouldn't have embarrassed that poor young man like that, Richard.
He should be pleased.
Taking one of the most beautiful women in London to hear some of the greatest singers.
It might.
Good for James.
Hmm.
Soul of the earth.
Men like Hammond.
I sometimes think we waste them, letting them spend their lives on the far-flung frontiers of the British Empire.
I wonder what makes them want to go out there, in the first place.
- And my bill, please.
- Certainly, sir.
Your mother must have been a wonderful person.
Yes, she was.
I never really got on with my father.
I think the dislike was mutual.
He married my mother for her money.
Even boasted about it.
Her father was a Worcestshire ironmaster.
When I was at Oxford, my father took up with a high-born harlot he met out hunting.
My motherwent to Florence where she died.
It was then that I decided to escape to India.
I don't blame you.
Oh, I don't really approve of nepotism, but I had a couple of relations hire me Indian servants, and I pulled every string in sight.
And you found happiness? Yes.
Well at least everyday I spend here makes me want to be back there the more.
Is it dangerous? The frontier, each step is on the brink of eternity.
The brink of eternity.
The men in my regiment are second to none, they they love a scrap.
It's the breath of life to them.
What sort of men? Pathans Oh, you might think them a a quarrelsome lot of cattle thieves, but they'rethey're very loyal hospitable and brave.
They smile and look you straight in the eye, and they may die to save your life.
I should imagine the women have a thin time of it.
Oh, I don't know.
They make very ideal wives, never seen or heard.
Dedicated to cooking, cutting grass, carrying wood.
[ Laughing .]
Then, what are you doing here, Captain Hammond? Well, it's too stupid, Lady Marjorie.
I'm not allowed to talk about it.
I shouldn't have asked.
Ohanyway, it's giving you a chance to compare your old world with your new.
You don't find the old any better than before? No, sadly enough, I don't.
I find society shallow and boring.
Yawning politely to (film).
In spite of the glitter and (inaction).
I fell there's aan air of despair and doom.
[ Sigh .]
But I'm being rude and boring myself.
Well, sometimes the same sort of shiver goes down my back.
Glad you like James.
Yes, uh, I'm afraid I think he's rather (winston).
Just what my husband says about you.
How odd.
James has many original qualities that I, uh I suspect he inherits from his mother.
Flatterer.
Oh, what a dull time I've had compared with you.
I've never been farther than Biarritz in my life.
I hardly take a step beyond the shallow world of society.
All my life I've been protected, cosseted, wrapped in a cocoon of fondness.
But you enjoy it.
Yes, most of the time.
Till I meet someone like you.
- Then I seem rather cross and jealous.
- Huh huh.
- Why cross and jealous? - Because you have a real life.
Exciting and worthwhile, which I can never enjoy.
Thank you.
- Thank you, sir.
Well, we ought to go.
At least Tristan is something we can enjoytogether.
[ Opera singing .]
[ Full chorus singing .]
[ Orchestral finale .]
[ Applause .]
- Wonderful.
- Ah, unbelievable.
Bravo! Ah, what glorious voices.
True, clean, cut clean through to the heart.
Like dawn on the frontier.
You can see from Kabul in the west, right round in an arc across Kashmir to the great (Molensk).
Blinding gold in the first light of the sun.
The Near East 300 miles away.
Cleanhardpure.
That's what's good enough.
Like the naked blade of a Kukuyu.
[ Sigh .]
The cry of a bird.
"The same that oft-times hath charmed magic casements," "opening on the foam of perilous seas, in faery lands forlorn.
" - I saw in the paper the Queen was indisposed.
- So I suppose Mrs.
Keppel is with His Majesty.
- No, It's not my place to say so, but there are some strange people - in the royal circle.
- (Marcos de Silva) is more like a monkey than a man.
- Go to bed now, Roberts.
- Huh.
- Goodnight, my lady.
- Goodnight, Roberts.
[ Sigh .]
- My dear.
- Huh? [ Kiss .]
Welldid everything go off all right? It was a lovely evening.
And did he come up to your expectations? Uh huh, seems a very nice young man.
[ Laugh .]
I meant the tenor.
Oh! He was magnificent.
Oh, aren't they beautiful, my lady? Uh, will they go into the drawing room, my lady? Uh.
.
no, give them to me, Rose.
And, uh, take the vase to my bedroom.
I'll arrange them myself.
Yes, my lady.
Here, which one would you choose, Edward? Why not let her choose.
Who are the roses from, anyway? An admirer.
That's nice, isn't it? At her age as well.
Well, why not.
It's only good manners.
Token of esteem.
Roses is symbolic, I've always heard.
What of, then? Love.
A rose by any other name, would smell, [ Sniff, sniff, sniff .]
- Love.
- Oh, Edward, get off.
For pity's sake! Huh, that went ain't off prickly.
[ Mrs.
Bridges laughs .]
[ Sounds of outdoor music .]
[ Door opens .]
Oh, those roses, my lady.
They look really, really royal.
They say that flowers like that come from the heart.
Do they, Roberts? In the last couple of days she's been dancing 'round the room like the Queen of the May.
Spring is in the air.
A bit more than spring, I'd say.
For a lady's maid, Miss Roberts, you've got a loverly imagination.
Oh, have I? Well, yesterday, she lit the fire with her own hand.
And didn't she, Rose? Lady Marjorie lit the fire in her boudoir with her own hands.
Why shouldn't she, then? Well, firstly, high summer.
She was burning a note, that's what she was doing.
A billet-doux? Yes, I saw her do it.
With these two eyes just as I came into the room.
And you saw those paper ashes in the grate, didn't you Rose? I did it, though I made the fire with paper, didn't exactly surprise me.
Can I help you, madame? I'm just looking for something for my son.
- Would he be a young man? - Yes.
Ah, they like adventure.
Yes, but nothing too trashy.
Eh, what about the Scarlet Pimpernel? - An historical romance, very fine.
- That should do very well, thank you.
I'll get it for you, madame.
Hello.
Captain Hammond.
Those flowers, it was very kind of you.
I'm glad you liked them.
I think, if I may say so, you've been sent by Providence.
I was just trying to dig up that quotation, 'perilous seas, in faery lands forlorn.
' - It quite escapes me.
- Keats, Ode to a Nightingale.
[ Snap finger .]
Of course! Keats' volume's here.
Yes, that's it.
Sing.
Umm.
There we are.
I shall buy it for you.
Oh, that's very kind of you.
Thank you.
Could Iask you a favor? Would you read the poem to me? Of coursenot here.
No.
Not here.
"Adieu! the fancy cannot cheat so well As she is famed to do, deceiving elf.
"Adieu! adieu! thy plaintive anthem fades Past the near meadows, over the still stream, "Up the hill-side; and now 'tis buried deep In the next valley-glades: "Was it a vision, or a waking dream? Fled is that music:Âdo I wake or sleep?" Thank you.
Well, there's something else we've enjoyed together.
Yes.
But, I'm failing in my duty as host.
Can I offer you a glass of (Mezot)? I'd like that very much.
- Do you play? - Oh.
Only a little.
And then to amuse myself.
Oh, I love this one.
[ Plays piano .]
# O, my luve is like a melodie That's sweetly played in tune.
# # As fair art thou, my bonnie lass, So deep in luve am I; # # And I will luve thee still, my dear, Till all the seas gang dry.
# # Till all the seas gang dry, my dear, Till all the seas gang dry.
# # And I will luve thee still, my dear, Till all the seas gang dry.
# You know that I love you, don't you? Charles.
You're the most beautiful, desirable woman in the world.
What are you doing? You're crying.
Why are you crying? [ Sigh .]
I should - Because I'm happy.
- [ Sigh .]
Oh.
What I did see was a bit funny.
The second day running she's told Pierre she don't need the Daimler, and gone in on (from) own.
Now that's not like Lady Marjorie.
She's probably calling.
Where would you drive out ladies of quality who don't go calling on their own flat feet? At least ways, not what we call calling.
I was alluding to the other kind of calling.
- That's what I was.
- You want to be careful.
People who open their mouths too wide can sometimes be heard where there wasn't no meaning.
She's not like that.
Lady Marjorie wouldn't behave like that.
Oh, it's in the blood.
Look at Lady Eleanor, the one we call the "bolter".
Well, she was an aunt, wasn't she? - Shh.
Shh.
- The bolter? That was before your time, Rose.
And it's best drawing a veil over.
Well, you can't really blame her, can you? I mean, you only live once.
And she can't be getting very much from Mr.
B.
Edward, don't.
Well, it's only human nature.
With 25 years, always having the same pudding.
- Oh me, I like a change of diet.
- Edward! Yes, Mr.
Hudson? In there! [ Door closes .]
I thought as much.
I thought so from your references.
Three weeks only and then this.
Her ladyship didn't want you.
It was Mr.
Bellamy that asked me to see you.
I saw you.
I saw you, didn't I? And what did I tell you, then? Oh, lost your tongue, have you? Well, that's not all you lose, if you get thrown out of here, my lad.
Disgusting, vulgar, dirty yes, that's what it is, dirty.
The words I heard you use in there are blocked in this whole household.
Aw, they're not, Mr.
Hudson.
It was Miss Roberts.
Oh, you're going to tell tales, now, are you? I wouldn't put it past you to do anything to save your own dusty skin.
But, for your information, Miss Roberts is Miss Roberts, and you are my footman, and you have let me down.
And if ever I hear words like that passing your lips again, young man you will be out on the streets without a reference.
And the same applies if I catch you larking about with any of the young girls in my staff.
Now, off you go and straighten up the morning room.
Stop! Did I see you smile? No, Mr.
Hudson.
No, honest, honest.
Take yourself out of here.
[ Door opens; closes .]
My lovemy darling.
[ Sigh .]
Dazed by your beauty.
[ Clock chimes .]
I shall have to go.
- Oh, no.
Oh, no.
- [ Laughing .]
When you're not here I can't think of anything else but you.
[ Chimes four o'clock .]
[ Sigh .]
The world outside seems so unreal.
- It's like living in a dull, gray dream.
- I know.
I love you so much.
You're the light of my life.
[ Scoff .]
Stupid, tripe words there.
I wish I was a poet, or something.
Nothing as wonderful as this has ever happened to me before.
- Can you believe that? - I believe it.
Nothing as wonderful has happened to me before.
You're just saying that to be to be nice to me.
Nothing as wonderful as this has ever happened to me before.
[ Laughing .]
Oh, it's a miracle.
How can a set of dingy rooms in dirty old Londonturn into paradise? Nothing happened.
Everything in this room is special.
Sort of unique.
(No one) because of you.
It's our private world.
Safe here.
Nothing can touch us.
No one must ever know about it except us.
If they do it'll allcrumble.
Down to dust.
[ Sigh .]
Never.
Never.
You are my only love? M.
Ohhh.
She's almost old enough to be his mother.
Well, what's that got to do with it? Passion strikes when it pleases.
- Well, we had that - What's all this? I'm shocked! I'm really shocked, Mrs.
Bridges.
We're all shocked, Mr.
Hudson.
It's time this is brought out into the open.
It's no us shuffling muck under the carpet.
And dirty minds can find muck where there isn't any.
I'll thank you to listen to me, Mr.
Hudson.
This afternoon.
Not a hour ago.
When I was coming back from visiting my friends in Victoria I happened to catch sight of Lady Marjorie stepping out of a Hansom cab.
Lady Marjorie in a cab.
(Let me be brief.
) - She entered a certain house.
- What house? A house where there's suites of gentlemen's rooms.
I'm sure that's all very interesting.
It was the same house where Mr.
Pearce dropped off a certain Captain Charles Hammond on the night of the gala opera, and his card's on the door to prove it.
You lot should set up an agency for minding other people's business.
You'd have Sherlock Holmes beat any day.
We don't like it, Mr.
Hudson, none of us do, but you've gotta face facts.
Lady Marjorie's gone off the road, and there's likely to be one hell-of-a crash.
- It's not as if she's ever done it before.
- And if Mr.
Bellamy gets to hear of it! He's such a mild mannered man.
He wouldn't stand for it.
All for society it would be the scandal of the year.
And this house and family will be blown to bits.
And us with it.
And we're frightened.
And we've cause to be.
Now, listen to me, all of you.
What Lady Marjorie or Mr.
Bellamy chose to say or do in their private lives is absolutely no business of ours.
We should not inquire into it, far less question it.
Our duty is to do our jobs as best we can and to be loyal to our employers.
We work for a fine family, people of quality.
High up in the social world.
No breath of scandal has ever touched this house in my time, and if it does, it is not for it to happen through the servants.
Not while I'm still here.
Chattering, whispering servants can spread scandal like like rats with the plague.
It's-it's mischievous, wretched! Evil.
I'm surprised at the lot of you.
If disaster ever comes to this house, through the chattering of your senseless, loose tongues, we'd all be better dead for the shame of it.
[ Door opens; slams shut .]
[ Kissing and laughing .]
[ Humming .]
[ Clock chimes .]
I'll have to go, my love.
I hate that clock.
Why must you always be "going to go"? Darling, you know I have to get back to tea.
The servants begin to wonder.
Damn tea, damn servants and damn clock.
At school there always used to be Greek verse between 3 and 4 o'clock.
You're not Greek verse.
Can't always be part of the curriculum.
Oh, love is such a all-embracing thing.
Can't we live and breathe forever in these two little rooms? Our society would be destroyed.
No.
Charles, you know the rules.
Damn the rules! [ Slap .]
We make our own rules! Oh, I know their rules.
It's all right if you're not found out.
You friends would know about it all, of course, and snigger and gossip behind our backs and, we'd be invited to the same weekend house parties and given rooms next door to each other Oh, that's not our sort of love, my darling.
A beastly, furtive society sort of thing.
I don't think I could face the divorce.
Oh, no, divorce is only for vulgar people Another of yourhouse rules.
Don't be cruel to me.
I'm sorry, my darling, but you see I don't care.
I don't care if you are divorced or what you are to me.
You are perfect and always will be.
You are my love, my inspiration.
I worship you.
And you are my gentle (hearted) knight.
[ Oh! Gasp! .]
Why not divorce? For us anything is possible.
We must have no fear, no turning back together we can open up magic casements.
I don't think I'm brave or strong enough to face those perilous seas.
Our ship might strike a rock.
I'll hold you up.
I dedicate my life to you.
You'd have to leave the army.
Oh, damn the army.
Damn everything but us.
It must be clean cut, clean, hard and complete.
Italy, America, Australia, I don't mind where.
I'll look after you.
I've got brainsand money, thanks to that ironmaster from (Butely).
Leave it to me.
Trust me.
Let's stay a little longer in our secret world.
Just a little more time.
Of course, my darling, I [ Sigh .]
I'm only impatient because I love you so.
Forgive me.
[ Door opens .]
Oh, hello, Father.
Hello, James.
[ Door closes .]
How arehow are things? What do you mean, things? Well, are you and Mother been having a bit of a tiff? Oh thatyes.
[ Sigh .]
Oh it's blown over.
Or perhaps adjourned might be a better way of putting it.
[ Door opens .]
Hello, darling.
I can't think on earth, where I put my list.
Mmm, you've got a new hat for the Regatta.
- On you are beautiful.
- Dummy.
What's Regatta? It's the boat run for Regatta today.
I did tell you about it.
I-I've got a picnic and everything.
I do you're both coming.
I can't possibly, I'm afraid James, I'm seeing a deputation of constituents.
All up in arms about the new sewer.
Well, what of you'll come, Mother? - Oh, darling, I - Dawn and Jack are coming and Major Fitzgerald.
You're all so young.
You don't want me.
Ah, we've asked some old things as well.
Especially for you.
The Colonel and public youth.
Oh, Charles is coming.
Charles? Your chum from the opera, you remember.
They put him in for the canoe punting race.
Should be great, gad, he doesn't know what fools is.
You should be careful with that fellow.
He's much more important than you think.
Old Charlie? Yes, it's not generally known, and perhaps it oughtn't to go beyond these four walls, but Charles Hammond is a bit of a cloak and dagger man.
Adam Blake told me.
He's back home advising the Anglo-Russian Boundary Commission.
Hmm, good for him.
I don't think I will come, darling, there're so many things I ought to do.
Like lunch with your husband of the house? I want to show you off in that new hat.
I'd be delighted to accept your kind invitation, sir.
I'm a lucky man.
You're looking very beautiful today, my dear.
[ Kiss .]
You're pulling my leg, Mr.
Hudson.
No, I'm not, Mrs.
Bridges.
I told you they were off to lunch at the House of Commons like a pair of turtle doves.
And I can't say it didn't please me to see them, because it did.
I don't know.
Chopping and changing.
Chopping and changing.
No thought for the poor cook.
And the (air) half done! I'm sure it'll prove very tasty, Mrs.
Bridges, with a nice spoonful of red (com) jelly.
We might even stretch to a wee bottle of wine, eh? Heh, heh, I believe a slight celebration wouldn't be out of order on this particular occasion.
And, maybe this will put an end to all those silly backstairs chatter and gossip once and for all.
I wouldn't be too sure of that, Mr.
Hudson.
Love can make a woman uncommon devious in her ways.
[ Pulls servant call .]
- Your tea, my lady.
Oh, thank you, Rose.
- Lovely day for the Regatta, my lady.
- Isn't it.
Mrs.
Bridges asked, will you be in for dinner, my lady? Uh, I don't know yet, Rose.
Mr.
Bellamy will be late at the House.
So ask Mrs.
Bridges to put something cold on a tray, will you? Yes, my lady.
Mr.
Hudson.
Mr.
Hudson.
Don't shout at me like that You forgot the evening paper, Mr.
Hudson.
Well, take it upstairs, then, and don't be bothering me with a wee thing like that.
The Times has put the Stop Press, look.
Oh, my God.
All right, Edward, I'll deal with it.
[ Door opens .]
- The evening newspaper, my lady.
- Huh? Put it over there, would you Hudson? I think I should warn you, my lady, that there's the possibility of some disturbing news in it.
What news, Hudson? On the back page in the Stop Press, my lady.
Well, read it to me.
What does it say? A tragic accident at Dowd's Regatta: Canoe goes over weir.
Officer feared drowned.
No name.
You may leave, Hudson.
Very good, my lady.
Oh, my God.
[ Quietly sobbing .]
[ Door opens .]
Captain Hammond, my lady.
Oh! I, uhI came straight here.
Oh, I thought you [ Door closes .]
I thought you might think it was me that I was desperate.
I think I couldn't - Her ladyship, now? - She's in the morning room.
[ Door opens .]
Hammond.
You've heard about the accident? - James wasn't involved.
- No.
I, uh, came to put Lady Marjorie's mind at rest on the same point, sir.
Well, that's very good of you.
[ Door closes .]
Oh, Marjorie, you must have had an awful shock.
But-but, you were there! What-what happened? One of the fellows went over the, in the canoe punt race, got swept over the weir.
He's all right, though, as usual the papers always exaggerate.
Thank the Lord for that.
I think I'll go and lie down, if you'll excuse me, Captain Hammond.
Of course, Lady Marjorie.
Can I get you some tea, uh, uh a drink? No, thank you, sir.
I really must be on my way.
Well, you have suffered the most.
Well, sometime before you vanish again, I'd like to hear all about your exploits.
I'd be delighted, sir.
Uh, when are you due back to India? Well, that's uh, really up to me.
Well, let's make it soon.
I'll speak to my wife.
Hudson, would you show Captain Hammond out? Very good, sir.
It was veryvery good of you to come.
Thank you.
Goodbye, sir.
[ Door opens .]
- Hi there, Father.
Hi, James.
[ Door slams shut .]
- Was that Charlie Hammond dashing across the street? Yes, he was here to tell us all about the accident at (Maidenhair).
Ha, ha, ha, only old sticky (Mayfair) of the Grenadiers, couldn't drown him if you tried.
Nevertheless, your mother was very upset, very upset indeed, when she heard the news.
Frankly, it was extremely thoughtless of you not to let her know you were safe and sound.
I never went near the Regatta.
The Adjutant got the collywobbles at the last minute, and I had to take his place on a blasted Court of Inquiry.
- I telephoned Mother all about it and forgot.
I must have got it wrong.
- Many happy returns of the day.
- Umm.
[ Kiss .]
Thank you, Mother, for the splendid book.
It was just what I wanted.
Heh.
Even had a letter from Elizabeth.
First time she's ever remembered.
Well, she's growing up.
Yeah, I'm afraid she doesn't think much of France.
And uh, "All Froggies have hands like wet fish and smell of garlic and scent.
"And the women are like black (doe).
"But the food is gorgeous, and I'm stuffing myself "like a Stralberg goose".
I can just see her.
At least there's nothing about the poor and underprivileged.
She misses us all, and can't wait to come home.
Well, makes a nice change.
You know, I think I'll introduce her to old Charlie Hammond.
Oh, why? Oh well, he's such an odd fish, he'll probably see something in her.
I can't see Elizabeth as a Memsahib.
Huh, huh, huh.
She's probably start at new Afghan war.
Then everyone would be happy.
Well, I must be off.
But, here's her letter.
There's a PS in it for you.
She wants some more tinkle or something.
You know what Charles said, when I told him I was 24? No, darling.
He said you were more like my sister than my mother.
Isn't that nice.
[ Kiss .]
- Hello, Father.
Thank you so much for the check.
- I hope you find it useful.
- Huh.
[ Door closes .]
- My dear.
- Can you spare me a few moments? - I want to talk to you very seriously.
- About us.
The House is voting on the education bill sometime tomorrow after tea.
Oh.
For the next bit I find very difficult to say.
Even though I've been rehearsing for several days.
I've been pig-headed, obstinate,ungrateful, to you and your father and the family.
After all that Arthur Balfour and the party has done for me.
It would be a monstorous impertinanceeven to think of abstaining from voting.
I shall vote against the bill.
Like the good Tory and the good husband, which I hope I am, After all, as you put it yourself, it's a simple question of loyalty.
And that's the most important thing in our lives.
Much more than our passing whims andpassions.
A.
J.
wants you to intervene.
If you could manage to be in the gallerytomorrow between 4 and 5? Well, I can't promise, but I will try.
Will you be back to dinner? [ Sigh .]
I don't think so.
We shall be at it hammer and tongs for hours.
[ Clock ticking audibly .]
I won't be long, Rose.
Oh, where're you going, then, Mr.
Hudson? She said I was to take it by myself.
Oh, what? Delivering your own death warrant.
Yes.
That's about it, Rose.
[ Sigh .]
[ Opera singing throughout.]
I got your letter.
I couldn't get away before.
I'm sorry.
What is it, my love? Tell me.
What has happened? Charles.
I can't go on with it.
- Can't go on with it? - [ Shakes head .]
What do you men by it? Has your husband found out? No.
Yet, I found out.
About myself.
What? What? What are you talking about? But only yesterday you said you can't live without me.
Tell me.
What has happened? Oh, if only I didn't have to hurt you so.
If only we couldput the world back and start again.
It's too late, Charles.
I'm a weak, cowardly woman.
I haven't your strength.
I'd never follow you.
I'd drag you down in those perilous seas.
W.
.
[ Sigh .]
We haven't even tried! - I'm too frightened to take the first step.
Oh, it isn't only that.
My roots are too deep.
I suppose that cruelest thing is that It's only through your love I learned the sort of person I really am.
You seeI have a husband who's been faithful and thoughtful to me always.
I have a son and daughter who love me.
I haven't given back much in return.
But I do love them.
Not at all in the way that I love you, but, very much.
They need me, Charles, and I I can't abandon them.
I suppose you could call it a question of loyalty.
[ Nods head .]
So you're going to abandon me? Yes, Charles.
Tell mehow are we going to live without each other? We must have the courage to do what we know is right! Oh.
I haveloved you as I've never loved a man and never will again.
These have been such wonderful days.
Yes, they the most wonderful days.
Their ours for always.
Locked away inside where only we have the key to open that magic casement.
And when things are bad I open mine up and look out and see your face, and all my troubles will vanish.
[ Opera singing throughout .]
I have.
I had this for you.
Please take it.
Thanks.
Goodbye.
My only love.
[ Music plays on .]
Lookie there.
That speech has caused quite a stir.
Even the editor of the Times seems to approve.
Heh.
One of the best speeches I've heard you make, Richard.
I'm very proud of your father.
Very large show? Yes.
I thought you were going wrestling.
Yes I was, with Charlie Hammond.
The most extraordinary thing.
He's vanished into thin air.
Not so much as a bye your leave.
Gone back to India, presumably.
No one seems to know why.
- Those secret service chaps move in the most mysterious ways.
- Umm.
Heh, heh, I've heard the story he's been jilted by some girl - but I don't believe it.
- I mean, can you foresee Charles with a girl? So frightened he could hardly open his mouth.
Would you try to go to the country for a few weeks? Southwold's so lovely this time of the year.
With all the roses out.
In a few weeks I'll come and fetch you home.
- Luncheon is served, my lady.
Thank you, Hudson.
[ Kiss .]
[ Closes door .]
- Is that you, Richard? Yes, dear.
- I'm in here.
[ Opens door .]
Well, how did you vote in the end? There's no chance for a provision for days.
Did you speak to Father? No, he's still in the country.
Or Arthur Balfour? No.
But you promised you would.
I said I would if I met him, which I did not.
Really, Marjorie, I don't think you understand the position now that we're in opposition.
I'm a perfectly ordinary common-a-garden backbencher.
Backbenchers are supposed to show some independence, to express their own opinions.
And my own personal opinion of the Liberals Education Bill is that's it's a good one in most respects.
Ring for tea, will you Richard? Anyway, I'm far from convinced that education should be a party political issue.
Well, Father always thought that far too much time and money was spent on education.
Especially for working people.
It can be a positive disadvantage.
Fine.
He's entitled to his opinion.
I'm entitled to mine.
It's just that I don't happen to think it's fair that Catholics and non-conformists should be excluded from our Church of England schools.
All I'm aiming to do is to abstain from voting against that one section of the bill.
My own personal gesture.
They'll take it as a gesture of defiance against you own party.
- You rang, my lady? - Huh? Oh yes, Edward, bring tea, and ask Hudson to see that that - catches the post.
Will you? - Very good, my lady.
Whatever happens the bill will be thrown out of the window lock, stock and barrel.
Your father and Landsdown will see to that.
Well, I think after all her ladyship's done for him it's just dreadful.
Her (husband's) got no gratitude.
Well, I think she's cracked a bit once too often, and the worm's turned.
Now, now, Rose, there's little enough we can say or do that'll make any difference.
- She wants her tea.
Who's "she", the cat's mother? Well, they're still at it, hammer and tongs.
Now look here, Edward.
You show a little respect or you won't last very long in this house.
And get the tray.
Well, in my last place it was parlormaid who served tea.
Well, in this house we do things properly.
You serve it.
I supervise.
I suppose in your last place you didn't wear gloves? - Yes, I did.
- Well, put them on, then.
- More tea, Miss Roberts? - Eh, just a half cup.
Oh, that's enough.
Thank you.
I remember when Lady Marjorie first brought Mr.
Bellamy to Southwold.
That was before they were married, even.
I said there would be trouble one day, and I say it again now.
And that wasn't yesterday.
I was a kitchen maid.
And I remember old Nanny Luke's saying, as how she did, Lord and Lady Southwold, wasn't (over) peace, not at all.
In fact, quite the (opposite).
Oh, they had no cause to be, neither.
He was only a Norfolk country parson's son, when all said and done.
Huh.
Well, that's not much catch.
Not for the eldest daughter of an earl.
And as lovely as any girl in England.
But Lady Marjorie, she would have her way.
Always has and always will I've no doubt.
Well you could say he wasn't really her class.
Oh, Mr.
Bellamy's a perfect gentleman.
Well, he wouldn't have got far if Lord Southwold hadn't found him a safe seat in parliament.
And a certain (invaling) Mr.
Bellamy hasn't a penny to his name.
- As we think (curious) upstairs.
Well, I think sometimes the poor man's more of a servant than we are.
And I wouldn't blame him if he did turn Liberal.
Like Mr.
Winston Churchill.
I mean, after the last election, he was almost finished any-old-how.
I'm a Tory and proud of it.
Well, don't you start telling me my party's finished, my girl.
It's not me that's turning Liberal.
- You're casting aspersions where you've not right to do.
It's about have you know you've just blown a mouthful of crumbs into my tea.
Give him a good whipping if he were mine.
I know Tory household up to Southwold's being let down like that.
It's wicked, or worse.
More bread, please.
Butl, if it's just conscience that's worrying you If you are a Tory, you don't need one.
You know your rights.
What do you think, Mr.
Hudson.
What's your opinion.
It's very good of you to ask, Miss Roberts.
I think you're a lot of ignoramuses.
You're all talking about things you know nothing about.
Ho, ho, I like that.
The politics of a gentleman, Mrs.
Bridges, not for the likes of us.
Oh, Mr.
Hudson, how can you even say such a thing? Experience, Rose, that's how I can say it.
From experience.
I have seen what happens when ordinary people get political.
Oh, that can't be right.
Can it Mr.
Hudson? I am telling you, Rose.
You mind your own business, and let the politicians mind theirs.
And keep the butter knife out of the jam.
One, stupid, unnecessary-- now you admit that yourself-- unnecessary gesture.
Your chance of cabinet rank will be ruined forever.
People don't forget you.
When we go back into power you'll be put aside, you won't be forgiven and forgotten.
Well, I don't see it that way.
Well I do.
Yes, and someone may.
For all that's been done for you, that it's soit's so disloyal.
[ Door closes .]
- Oh, hello James.
- Hello, Ma.
- Hello Father.
Something up? No.
Good.
[ Kiss .]
However, I've got a friend of mine outside.
A Captain Charles Hammond.
Indian Army.
The Guides, you know.
Really frontier wallah.
He's (messing) enough when he's back home.
Awfully nice chap.
Uh, will you give him a cup of tea while I go and change? We're off to a party, or another.
Come on inCharles.
[ Opens door .]
May I present Captain Charles Hammond.
My mother, my father.
How do you do, Lady Marjorie? Sir Well now do sit down Yes, do sit down, Captain.
- Well, I'll just go and change.
(Carry on).
[ Door closes .]
- D'you take milk? - Yes, thank you.
- Um, sugar? - No, thank you.
Sandwich.
No, thank you, sir.
- How was the - Do you - Oh, I'm sorry.
- Please.
How were things on the northwest frontier when you left? Things pretty quiet? No sir.
Quite a lot going on, really.
The (Bea Frieda) still playing up? Yes, indeedYou, uh, know a lot about it, then.
Well, as a member of parliament.
(Impaled) defense is one of my main interests.
And education.
I expect it's veryvery bleak out there.
Not a bit.
It's really quitejolly.
You'll go, you and James, going to paint the town red? Yes, James is taking me to a party tonight.
To meet some of his friends.
I know no one in London.
I have very few of the social graces.
James has taken me in hand, but I feel I'm a rotten pupil.
I'd sooner be on picket duty in the Khyber than face a drawing room in the - I, I don't mean this drawing - That is very understandable.
Nice of you to say so.
Then we're going to a to the opera.
James going to the opera? The real opera? Yes, that's my fault.
I'm very fond of the opera.
I thought I'd start him off on Rigoletto.
All those nice tunes.
Senior San Marcos' in great voice at the Duke.
- Oh you, been there? - I'm fond of opera.
D'you know that's the only thing I really miss in India.
Go and take in a performance of Tristan next Thursday.
(Sir Rhesus) found a magnificent new tenor.
[ Gasp .]
That should be absolutely wonderful.
- Oh, my goodness.
- Did you say Thursday? I'm not sure.
- Yes.
- I thought it was Wednesday.
They've called a meeting of the Ways and Means Committee - for that evening.
- Oh, Richard, no! But, I'm terribly sorry, my dear, but I can't see how I can get out of it.
But you knew how much I was looking forward to it.
Really! It's too bad.
Well, I'll think of something.
- Well, I'm sure James will love it - James! Rather! - [ Ahem .]
I think I - Captain Hammond Um, I have now ear for music, so such delights are wasted on me.
Would you do me a favor and accompany my wife to the Garland? Richard, you mustn't.
Poor Captain Hammond, the last thing he wants is to be saddled all evening with James' mother! - Not at all.
It would be abso - Or, with such music.
No, I would enjoy accompanying you so muchIt would be an honor.
Well, thank you very much, indeed.
I'm very much obliged.
[ Door opens .]
There we are.
How's that for speed? Ready (Tom)? Well, thank you very much, Lady Marjorie, sir.
Oh, I hope you will allow me to take your wife out to supper before the opera, sir? - Well, of course, I'm sure.
- I'd be delighted.
Till Thursday, then, goodbye.
Goodbye.
[ Door closes .]
Did I gather they've pushed you into taking my mother to something? Yes, the Garland next week.
Oh, really, I am sorry.
I do wish they wouldn't impose on my friend.
Ah, I should enjoy it, really, James.
You're too damn good natured, Charles.
You shouldn't have embarrassed that poor young man like that, Richard.
He should be pleased.
Taking one of the most beautiful women in London to hear some of the greatest singers.
It might.
Good for James.
Hmm.
Soul of the earth.
Men like Hammond.
I sometimes think we waste them, letting them spend their lives on the far-flung frontiers of the British Empire.
I wonder what makes them want to go out there, in the first place.
- And my bill, please.
- Certainly, sir.
Your mother must have been a wonderful person.
Yes, she was.
I never really got on with my father.
I think the dislike was mutual.
He married my mother for her money.
Even boasted about it.
Her father was a Worcestshire ironmaster.
When I was at Oxford, my father took up with a high-born harlot he met out hunting.
My motherwent to Florence where she died.
It was then that I decided to escape to India.
I don't blame you.
Oh, I don't really approve of nepotism, but I had a couple of relations hire me Indian servants, and I pulled every string in sight.
And you found happiness? Yes.
Well at least everyday I spend here makes me want to be back there the more.
Is it dangerous? The frontier, each step is on the brink of eternity.
The brink of eternity.
The men in my regiment are second to none, they they love a scrap.
It's the breath of life to them.
What sort of men? Pathans Oh, you might think them a a quarrelsome lot of cattle thieves, but they'rethey're very loyal hospitable and brave.
They smile and look you straight in the eye, and they may die to save your life.
I should imagine the women have a thin time of it.
Oh, I don't know.
They make very ideal wives, never seen or heard.
Dedicated to cooking, cutting grass, carrying wood.
[ Laughing .]
Then, what are you doing here, Captain Hammond? Well, it's too stupid, Lady Marjorie.
I'm not allowed to talk about it.
I shouldn't have asked.
Ohanyway, it's giving you a chance to compare your old world with your new.
You don't find the old any better than before? No, sadly enough, I don't.
I find society shallow and boring.
Yawning politely to (film).
In spite of the glitter and (inaction).
I fell there's aan air of despair and doom.
[ Sigh .]
But I'm being rude and boring myself.
Well, sometimes the same sort of shiver goes down my back.
Glad you like James.
Yes, uh, I'm afraid I think he's rather (winston).
Just what my husband says about you.
How odd.
James has many original qualities that I, uh I suspect he inherits from his mother.
Flatterer.
Oh, what a dull time I've had compared with you.
I've never been farther than Biarritz in my life.
I hardly take a step beyond the shallow world of society.
All my life I've been protected, cosseted, wrapped in a cocoon of fondness.
But you enjoy it.
Yes, most of the time.
Till I meet someone like you.
- Then I seem rather cross and jealous.
- Huh huh.
- Why cross and jealous? - Because you have a real life.
Exciting and worthwhile, which I can never enjoy.
Thank you.
- Thank you, sir.
Well, we ought to go.
At least Tristan is something we can enjoytogether.
[ Opera singing .]
[ Full chorus singing .]
[ Orchestral finale .]
[ Applause .]
- Wonderful.
- Ah, unbelievable.
Bravo! Ah, what glorious voices.
True, clean, cut clean through to the heart.
Like dawn on the frontier.
You can see from Kabul in the west, right round in an arc across Kashmir to the great (Molensk).
Blinding gold in the first light of the sun.
The Near East 300 miles away.
Cleanhardpure.
That's what's good enough.
Like the naked blade of a Kukuyu.
[ Sigh .]
The cry of a bird.
"The same that oft-times hath charmed magic casements," "opening on the foam of perilous seas, in faery lands forlorn.
" - I saw in the paper the Queen was indisposed.
- So I suppose Mrs.
Keppel is with His Majesty.
- No, It's not my place to say so, but there are some strange people - in the royal circle.
- (Marcos de Silva) is more like a monkey than a man.
- Go to bed now, Roberts.
- Huh.
- Goodnight, my lady.
- Goodnight, Roberts.
[ Sigh .]
- My dear.
- Huh? [ Kiss .]
Welldid everything go off all right? It was a lovely evening.
And did he come up to your expectations? Uh huh, seems a very nice young man.
[ Laugh .]
I meant the tenor.
Oh! He was magnificent.
Oh, aren't they beautiful, my lady? Uh, will they go into the drawing room, my lady? Uh.
.
no, give them to me, Rose.
And, uh, take the vase to my bedroom.
I'll arrange them myself.
Yes, my lady.
Here, which one would you choose, Edward? Why not let her choose.
Who are the roses from, anyway? An admirer.
That's nice, isn't it? At her age as well.
Well, why not.
It's only good manners.
Token of esteem.
Roses is symbolic, I've always heard.
What of, then? Love.
A rose by any other name, would smell, [ Sniff, sniff, sniff .]
- Love.
- Oh, Edward, get off.
For pity's sake! Huh, that went ain't off prickly.
[ Mrs.
Bridges laughs .]
[ Sounds of outdoor music .]
[ Door opens .]
Oh, those roses, my lady.
They look really, really royal.
They say that flowers like that come from the heart.
Do they, Roberts? In the last couple of days she's been dancing 'round the room like the Queen of the May.
Spring is in the air.
A bit more than spring, I'd say.
For a lady's maid, Miss Roberts, you've got a loverly imagination.
Oh, have I? Well, yesterday, she lit the fire with her own hand.
And didn't she, Rose? Lady Marjorie lit the fire in her boudoir with her own hands.
Why shouldn't she, then? Well, firstly, high summer.
She was burning a note, that's what she was doing.
A billet-doux? Yes, I saw her do it.
With these two eyes just as I came into the room.
And you saw those paper ashes in the grate, didn't you Rose? I did it, though I made the fire with paper, didn't exactly surprise me.
Can I help you, madame? I'm just looking for something for my son.
- Would he be a young man? - Yes.
Ah, they like adventure.
Yes, but nothing too trashy.
Eh, what about the Scarlet Pimpernel? - An historical romance, very fine.
- That should do very well, thank you.
I'll get it for you, madame.
Hello.
Captain Hammond.
Those flowers, it was very kind of you.
I'm glad you liked them.
I think, if I may say so, you've been sent by Providence.
I was just trying to dig up that quotation, 'perilous seas, in faery lands forlorn.
' - It quite escapes me.
- Keats, Ode to a Nightingale.
[ Snap finger .]
Of course! Keats' volume's here.
Yes, that's it.
Sing.
Umm.
There we are.
I shall buy it for you.
Oh, that's very kind of you.
Thank you.
Could Iask you a favor? Would you read the poem to me? Of coursenot here.
No.
Not here.
"Adieu! the fancy cannot cheat so well As she is famed to do, deceiving elf.
"Adieu! adieu! thy plaintive anthem fades Past the near meadows, over the still stream, "Up the hill-side; and now 'tis buried deep In the next valley-glades: "Was it a vision, or a waking dream? Fled is that music:Âdo I wake or sleep?" Thank you.
Well, there's something else we've enjoyed together.
Yes.
But, I'm failing in my duty as host.
Can I offer you a glass of (Mezot)? I'd like that very much.
- Do you play? - Oh.
Only a little.
And then to amuse myself.
Oh, I love this one.
[ Plays piano .]
# O, my luve is like a melodie That's sweetly played in tune.
# # As fair art thou, my bonnie lass, So deep in luve am I; # # And I will luve thee still, my dear, Till all the seas gang dry.
# # Till all the seas gang dry, my dear, Till all the seas gang dry.
# # And I will luve thee still, my dear, Till all the seas gang dry.
# You know that I love you, don't you? Charles.
You're the most beautiful, desirable woman in the world.
What are you doing? You're crying.
Why are you crying? [ Sigh .]
I should - Because I'm happy.
- [ Sigh .]
Oh.
What I did see was a bit funny.
The second day running she's told Pierre she don't need the Daimler, and gone in on (from) own.
Now that's not like Lady Marjorie.
She's probably calling.
Where would you drive out ladies of quality who don't go calling on their own flat feet? At least ways, not what we call calling.
I was alluding to the other kind of calling.
- That's what I was.
- You want to be careful.
People who open their mouths too wide can sometimes be heard where there wasn't no meaning.
She's not like that.
Lady Marjorie wouldn't behave like that.
Oh, it's in the blood.
Look at Lady Eleanor, the one we call the "bolter".
Well, she was an aunt, wasn't she? - Shh.
Shh.
- The bolter? That was before your time, Rose.
And it's best drawing a veil over.
Well, you can't really blame her, can you? I mean, you only live once.
And she can't be getting very much from Mr.
B.
Edward, don't.
Well, it's only human nature.
With 25 years, always having the same pudding.
- Oh me, I like a change of diet.
- Edward! Yes, Mr.
Hudson? In there! [ Door closes .]
I thought as much.
I thought so from your references.
Three weeks only and then this.
Her ladyship didn't want you.
It was Mr.
Bellamy that asked me to see you.
I saw you.
I saw you, didn't I? And what did I tell you, then? Oh, lost your tongue, have you? Well, that's not all you lose, if you get thrown out of here, my lad.
Disgusting, vulgar, dirty yes, that's what it is, dirty.
The words I heard you use in there are blocked in this whole household.
Aw, they're not, Mr.
Hudson.
It was Miss Roberts.
Oh, you're going to tell tales, now, are you? I wouldn't put it past you to do anything to save your own dusty skin.
But, for your information, Miss Roberts is Miss Roberts, and you are my footman, and you have let me down.
And if ever I hear words like that passing your lips again, young man you will be out on the streets without a reference.
And the same applies if I catch you larking about with any of the young girls in my staff.
Now, off you go and straighten up the morning room.
Stop! Did I see you smile? No, Mr.
Hudson.
No, honest, honest.
Take yourself out of here.
[ Door opens; closes .]
My lovemy darling.
[ Sigh .]
Dazed by your beauty.
[ Clock chimes .]
I shall have to go.
- Oh, no.
Oh, no.
- [ Laughing .]
When you're not here I can't think of anything else but you.
[ Chimes four o'clock .]
[ Sigh .]
The world outside seems so unreal.
- It's like living in a dull, gray dream.
- I know.
I love you so much.
You're the light of my life.
[ Scoff .]
Stupid, tripe words there.
I wish I was a poet, or something.
Nothing as wonderful as this has ever happened to me before.
- Can you believe that? - I believe it.
Nothing as wonderful has happened to me before.
You're just saying that to be to be nice to me.
Nothing as wonderful as this has ever happened to me before.
[ Laughing .]
Oh, it's a miracle.
How can a set of dingy rooms in dirty old Londonturn into paradise? Nothing happened.
Everything in this room is special.
Sort of unique.
(No one) because of you.
It's our private world.
Safe here.
Nothing can touch us.
No one must ever know about it except us.
If they do it'll allcrumble.
Down to dust.
[ Sigh .]
Never.
Never.
You are my only love? M.
Ohhh.
She's almost old enough to be his mother.
Well, what's that got to do with it? Passion strikes when it pleases.
- Well, we had that - What's all this? I'm shocked! I'm really shocked, Mrs.
Bridges.
We're all shocked, Mr.
Hudson.
It's time this is brought out into the open.
It's no us shuffling muck under the carpet.
And dirty minds can find muck where there isn't any.
I'll thank you to listen to me, Mr.
Hudson.
This afternoon.
Not a hour ago.
When I was coming back from visiting my friends in Victoria I happened to catch sight of Lady Marjorie stepping out of a Hansom cab.
Lady Marjorie in a cab.
(Let me be brief.
) - She entered a certain house.
- What house? A house where there's suites of gentlemen's rooms.
I'm sure that's all very interesting.
It was the same house where Mr.
Pearce dropped off a certain Captain Charles Hammond on the night of the gala opera, and his card's on the door to prove it.
You lot should set up an agency for minding other people's business.
You'd have Sherlock Holmes beat any day.
We don't like it, Mr.
Hudson, none of us do, but you've gotta face facts.
Lady Marjorie's gone off the road, and there's likely to be one hell-of-a crash.
- It's not as if she's ever done it before.
- And if Mr.
Bellamy gets to hear of it! He's such a mild mannered man.
He wouldn't stand for it.
All for society it would be the scandal of the year.
And this house and family will be blown to bits.
And us with it.
And we're frightened.
And we've cause to be.
Now, listen to me, all of you.
What Lady Marjorie or Mr.
Bellamy chose to say or do in their private lives is absolutely no business of ours.
We should not inquire into it, far less question it.
Our duty is to do our jobs as best we can and to be loyal to our employers.
We work for a fine family, people of quality.
High up in the social world.
No breath of scandal has ever touched this house in my time, and if it does, it is not for it to happen through the servants.
Not while I'm still here.
Chattering, whispering servants can spread scandal like like rats with the plague.
It's-it's mischievous, wretched! Evil.
I'm surprised at the lot of you.
If disaster ever comes to this house, through the chattering of your senseless, loose tongues, we'd all be better dead for the shame of it.
[ Door opens; slams shut .]
[ Kissing and laughing .]
[ Humming .]
[ Clock chimes .]
I'll have to go, my love.
I hate that clock.
Why must you always be "going to go"? Darling, you know I have to get back to tea.
The servants begin to wonder.
Damn tea, damn servants and damn clock.
At school there always used to be Greek verse between 3 and 4 o'clock.
You're not Greek verse.
Can't always be part of the curriculum.
Oh, love is such a all-embracing thing.
Can't we live and breathe forever in these two little rooms? Our society would be destroyed.
No.
Charles, you know the rules.
Damn the rules! [ Slap .]
We make our own rules! Oh, I know their rules.
It's all right if you're not found out.
You friends would know about it all, of course, and snigger and gossip behind our backs and, we'd be invited to the same weekend house parties and given rooms next door to each other Oh, that's not our sort of love, my darling.
A beastly, furtive society sort of thing.
I don't think I could face the divorce.
Oh, no, divorce is only for vulgar people Another of yourhouse rules.
Don't be cruel to me.
I'm sorry, my darling, but you see I don't care.
I don't care if you are divorced or what you are to me.
You are perfect and always will be.
You are my love, my inspiration.
I worship you.
And you are my gentle (hearted) knight.
[ Oh! Gasp! .]
Why not divorce? For us anything is possible.
We must have no fear, no turning back together we can open up magic casements.
I don't think I'm brave or strong enough to face those perilous seas.
Our ship might strike a rock.
I'll hold you up.
I dedicate my life to you.
You'd have to leave the army.
Oh, damn the army.
Damn everything but us.
It must be clean cut, clean, hard and complete.
Italy, America, Australia, I don't mind where.
I'll look after you.
I've got brainsand money, thanks to that ironmaster from (Butely).
Leave it to me.
Trust me.
Let's stay a little longer in our secret world.
Just a little more time.
Of course, my darling, I [ Sigh .]
I'm only impatient because I love you so.
Forgive me.
[ Door opens .]
Oh, hello, Father.
Hello, James.
[ Door closes .]
How arehow are things? What do you mean, things? Well, are you and Mother been having a bit of a tiff? Oh thatyes.
[ Sigh .]
Oh it's blown over.
Or perhaps adjourned might be a better way of putting it.
[ Door opens .]
Hello, darling.
I can't think on earth, where I put my list.
Mmm, you've got a new hat for the Regatta.
- On you are beautiful.
- Dummy.
What's Regatta? It's the boat run for Regatta today.
I did tell you about it.
I-I've got a picnic and everything.
I do you're both coming.
I can't possibly, I'm afraid James, I'm seeing a deputation of constituents.
All up in arms about the new sewer.
Well, what of you'll come, Mother? - Oh, darling, I - Dawn and Jack are coming and Major Fitzgerald.
You're all so young.
You don't want me.
Ah, we've asked some old things as well.
Especially for you.
The Colonel and public youth.
Oh, Charles is coming.
Charles? Your chum from the opera, you remember.
They put him in for the canoe punting race.
Should be great, gad, he doesn't know what fools is.
You should be careful with that fellow.
He's much more important than you think.
Old Charlie? Yes, it's not generally known, and perhaps it oughtn't to go beyond these four walls, but Charles Hammond is a bit of a cloak and dagger man.
Adam Blake told me.
He's back home advising the Anglo-Russian Boundary Commission.
Hmm, good for him.
I don't think I will come, darling, there're so many things I ought to do.
Like lunch with your husband of the house? I want to show you off in that new hat.
I'd be delighted to accept your kind invitation, sir.
I'm a lucky man.
You're looking very beautiful today, my dear.
[ Kiss .]
You're pulling my leg, Mr.
Hudson.
No, I'm not, Mrs.
Bridges.
I told you they were off to lunch at the House of Commons like a pair of turtle doves.
And I can't say it didn't please me to see them, because it did.
I don't know.
Chopping and changing.
Chopping and changing.
No thought for the poor cook.
And the (air) half done! I'm sure it'll prove very tasty, Mrs.
Bridges, with a nice spoonful of red (com) jelly.
We might even stretch to a wee bottle of wine, eh? Heh, heh, I believe a slight celebration wouldn't be out of order on this particular occasion.
And, maybe this will put an end to all those silly backstairs chatter and gossip once and for all.
I wouldn't be too sure of that, Mr.
Hudson.
Love can make a woman uncommon devious in her ways.
[ Pulls servant call .]
- Your tea, my lady.
Oh, thank you, Rose.
- Lovely day for the Regatta, my lady.
- Isn't it.
Mrs.
Bridges asked, will you be in for dinner, my lady? Uh, I don't know yet, Rose.
Mr.
Bellamy will be late at the House.
So ask Mrs.
Bridges to put something cold on a tray, will you? Yes, my lady.
Mr.
Hudson.
Mr.
Hudson.
Don't shout at me like that You forgot the evening paper, Mr.
Hudson.
Well, take it upstairs, then, and don't be bothering me with a wee thing like that.
The Times has put the Stop Press, look.
Oh, my God.
All right, Edward, I'll deal with it.
[ Door opens .]
- The evening newspaper, my lady.
- Huh? Put it over there, would you Hudson? I think I should warn you, my lady, that there's the possibility of some disturbing news in it.
What news, Hudson? On the back page in the Stop Press, my lady.
Well, read it to me.
What does it say? A tragic accident at Dowd's Regatta: Canoe goes over weir.
Officer feared drowned.
No name.
You may leave, Hudson.
Very good, my lady.
Oh, my God.
[ Quietly sobbing .]
[ Door opens .]
Captain Hammond, my lady.
Oh! I, uhI came straight here.
Oh, I thought you [ Door closes .]
I thought you might think it was me that I was desperate.
I think I couldn't - Her ladyship, now? - She's in the morning room.
[ Door opens .]
Hammond.
You've heard about the accident? - James wasn't involved.
- No.
I, uh, came to put Lady Marjorie's mind at rest on the same point, sir.
Well, that's very good of you.
[ Door closes .]
Oh, Marjorie, you must have had an awful shock.
But-but, you were there! What-what happened? One of the fellows went over the, in the canoe punt race, got swept over the weir.
He's all right, though, as usual the papers always exaggerate.
Thank the Lord for that.
I think I'll go and lie down, if you'll excuse me, Captain Hammond.
Of course, Lady Marjorie.
Can I get you some tea, uh, uh a drink? No, thank you, sir.
I really must be on my way.
Well, you have suffered the most.
Well, sometime before you vanish again, I'd like to hear all about your exploits.
I'd be delighted, sir.
Uh, when are you due back to India? Well, that's uh, really up to me.
Well, let's make it soon.
I'll speak to my wife.
Hudson, would you show Captain Hammond out? Very good, sir.
It was veryvery good of you to come.
Thank you.
Goodbye, sir.
[ Door opens .]
- Hi there, Father.
Hi, James.
[ Door slams shut .]
- Was that Charlie Hammond dashing across the street? Yes, he was here to tell us all about the accident at (Maidenhair).
Ha, ha, ha, only old sticky (Mayfair) of the Grenadiers, couldn't drown him if you tried.
Nevertheless, your mother was very upset, very upset indeed, when she heard the news.
Frankly, it was extremely thoughtless of you not to let her know you were safe and sound.
I never went near the Regatta.
The Adjutant got the collywobbles at the last minute, and I had to take his place on a blasted Court of Inquiry.
- I telephoned Mother all about it and forgot.
I must have got it wrong.
- Many happy returns of the day.
- Umm.
[ Kiss .]
Thank you, Mother, for the splendid book.
It was just what I wanted.
Heh.
Even had a letter from Elizabeth.
First time she's ever remembered.
Well, she's growing up.
Yeah, I'm afraid she doesn't think much of France.
And uh, "All Froggies have hands like wet fish and smell of garlic and scent.
"And the women are like black (doe).
"But the food is gorgeous, and I'm stuffing myself "like a Stralberg goose".
I can just see her.
At least there's nothing about the poor and underprivileged.
She misses us all, and can't wait to come home.
Well, makes a nice change.
You know, I think I'll introduce her to old Charlie Hammond.
Oh, why? Oh well, he's such an odd fish, he'll probably see something in her.
I can't see Elizabeth as a Memsahib.
Huh, huh, huh.
She's probably start at new Afghan war.
Then everyone would be happy.
Well, I must be off.
But, here's her letter.
There's a PS in it for you.
She wants some more tinkle or something.
You know what Charles said, when I told him I was 24? No, darling.
He said you were more like my sister than my mother.
Isn't that nice.
[ Kiss .]
- Hello, Father.
Thank you so much for the check.
- I hope you find it useful.
- Huh.
[ Door closes .]
- My dear.
- Can you spare me a few moments? - I want to talk to you very seriously.
- About us.
The House is voting on the education bill sometime tomorrow after tea.
Oh.
For the next bit I find very difficult to say.
Even though I've been rehearsing for several days.
I've been pig-headed, obstinate,ungrateful, to you and your father and the family.
After all that Arthur Balfour and the party has done for me.
It would be a monstorous impertinanceeven to think of abstaining from voting.
I shall vote against the bill.
Like the good Tory and the good husband, which I hope I am, After all, as you put it yourself, it's a simple question of loyalty.
And that's the most important thing in our lives.
Much more than our passing whims andpassions.
A.
J.
wants you to intervene.
If you could manage to be in the gallerytomorrow between 4 and 5? Well, I can't promise, but I will try.
Will you be back to dinner? [ Sigh .]
I don't think so.
We shall be at it hammer and tongs for hours.
[ Clock ticking audibly .]
I won't be long, Rose.
Oh, where're you going, then, Mr.
Hudson? She said I was to take it by myself.
Oh, what? Delivering your own death warrant.
Yes.
That's about it, Rose.
[ Sigh .]
[ Opera singing throughout.]
I got your letter.
I couldn't get away before.
I'm sorry.
What is it, my love? Tell me.
What has happened? Charles.
I can't go on with it.
- Can't go on with it? - [ Shakes head .]
What do you men by it? Has your husband found out? No.
Yet, I found out.
About myself.
What? What? What are you talking about? But only yesterday you said you can't live without me.
Tell me.
What has happened? Oh, if only I didn't have to hurt you so.
If only we couldput the world back and start again.
It's too late, Charles.
I'm a weak, cowardly woman.
I haven't your strength.
I'd never follow you.
I'd drag you down in those perilous seas.
W.
.
[ Sigh .]
We haven't even tried! - I'm too frightened to take the first step.
Oh, it isn't only that.
My roots are too deep.
I suppose that cruelest thing is that It's only through your love I learned the sort of person I really am.
You seeI have a husband who's been faithful and thoughtful to me always.
I have a son and daughter who love me.
I haven't given back much in return.
But I do love them.
Not at all in the way that I love you, but, very much.
They need me, Charles, and I I can't abandon them.
I suppose you could call it a question of loyalty.
[ Nods head .]
So you're going to abandon me? Yes, Charles.
Tell mehow are we going to live without each other? We must have the courage to do what we know is right! Oh.
I haveloved you as I've never loved a man and never will again.
These have been such wonderful days.
Yes, they the most wonderful days.
Their ours for always.
Locked away inside where only we have the key to open that magic casement.
And when things are bad I open mine up and look out and see your face, and all my troubles will vanish.
[ Opera singing throughout .]
I have.
I had this for you.
Please take it.
Thanks.
Goodbye.
My only love.
[ Music plays on .]
Lookie there.
That speech has caused quite a stir.
Even the editor of the Times seems to approve.
Heh.
One of the best speeches I've heard you make, Richard.
I'm very proud of your father.
Very large show? Yes.
I thought you were going wrestling.
Yes I was, with Charlie Hammond.
The most extraordinary thing.
He's vanished into thin air.
Not so much as a bye your leave.
Gone back to India, presumably.
No one seems to know why.
- Those secret service chaps move in the most mysterious ways.
- Umm.
Heh, heh, I've heard the story he's been jilted by some girl - but I don't believe it.
- I mean, can you foresee Charles with a girl? So frightened he could hardly open his mouth.
Would you try to go to the country for a few weeks? Southwold's so lovely this time of the year.
With all the roses out.
In a few weeks I'll come and fetch you home.
- Luncheon is served, my lady.
Thank you, Hudson.
[ Kiss .]
[ Closes door .]