Upstairs, Downstairs (1971) s01e08 Episode Script
I Dies from Love
You'll catch flies.
What? What'll I do? Your mouth's handing down to your chest, girl.
Stop breathing.
See what you makes me do.
I'm doin' it.
If you think that's washing up, then I'm Happy Fanny Fennie.
I am, Mrs.
Fennie You'll not see you bed tonight, my girl, I'm warning you.
I'm do it once more, so And you do them properly! I'm goin' do them properly.
# I wish, I wish, I wish in vain I wish I were a maid again! # And you wish you were a new bird, Queen of England.
Heh, heh.
# But a maid again I'll never be, Till the cherries grow on an apple tree.
# There she is, Mrs.
Van Granbottom, herself.
Edward, you've no respect! Oh, I could buy and sell the lot of you.
And what do you think of me spanking, new carriage, then, eh? Oh, she must be awful rich.
And my lovely new footman on the barge.
Oh, to have a carriage, the like of that.
You've seen him? I never set eyes on him before.
Now, why can't Lady Marjorie get someone like that for us? 'Cause you've got adorable little me, that's why.
Oh, and would you look at those feathers.
They must be twice the length of me arm! You don't measure a lady by the length of her feathers, Emily.
Oh, I say she has a dress for as many days as there are in a year.
Now, that, Emily.
.
that lady that you see up there is what we call "no-voo.
" Hah, which is probably new to you.
Come on, Edward.
Her Ladyship will be ringing for tea in a minute, and you've no time to laugh about.
She, and her and her charitable get-together.
She can't stand the sight of the people there.
You've no place passing remarks like that.
A scamper through the woods? Certainly.
Teach them to appreciate nature.
And give them some simply splendid exercise.
Exercise? Exercise? They get enough of that running up and downstairs all day.
Prudence, if I understand you correctly, you're suggesting that we hire some sort of omnibus, cram all our servants into it, and dispatch them to Hampstead Heath? For a picnic, with delicious cream buns and lemonade.
Thus obeying our beloved Queen Alexandra's instructions to care more for the welfare of our domestic employees.
Yes, I see the merit in that.
They don't get enough fresh air.
Fresh air? Simple frightful for the complexion.
Yes, of course, Lady Templeton, but it's all in a good cause.
These girls never get out.
I think it's a splendid idea.
We can all share the cost of the omnibus, and each contribute a hamper of refreshments.
Good.
That's settled.
Queen doesn't know what she's started.
Well, now we can all have tea.
Not quite yet.
We still lack one member of our committee we need her vote.
And her money.
Mrs.
Van Groeben, my lady.
- Good afternoon, Mrs.
Van Groeben.
Good afternoon.
Now then, I believe that you have already met Lady Templeton.
Yes, we have met, haven't we? Ghastly feathers.
- Lady Prudent Fairfax, our "force motif.
" Ah, dear girl, how do you do? Very bad for my chest.
I've heard so much about you from my daughter, Wilhelmina, who is such a great, great friend of your daughter, Agatha.
Oh yes, I believe they met for the first time last night.
It seems young people become great, great friends at alarming speed these days.
[ ugh .]
I am late, and I do apologize, but it takes so long to get anywhere in London.
Oh, I know, and it's becoming far too noisy and dirty in the streets.
They really shouldn't allow so much traffic in the heart of the city.
Oh, in my opinion, we're all being slowly poisoned by the fumes from those dreadful motorcars.
Including your, Prudence darling.
And yours, my dear Margaret.
I won't allow my husband to buy one.
We so much prefer the carriage and pair.
So much more elegant.
Of course, back in our wonderful country we have so much space and freedom.
Freedom to move around at one's leisure.
Ah, our life is much different in South Africa.
She should have stayed there.
The part from the (viddy) are too absurd.
Ugh, Marjorie, do ring for tea, now we're all here.
Prudence, at least explain your idea to Mrs.
Van Groeben.
It's a splendid scheme for a picnic in the woods.
To put some color into their cheeks.
In keeping with the Queen's wishes.
Oh, quite! How like our dear queen to concern herself with such matters.
Now, the last cook we.
- Hudson, you can bring tea now, and ask Mrs.
Van Groeben's coachmen to have tea in the servant's hall, which will be some time.
- Very good, my lady.
- I'm so sorry.
You were saying? Well, our last cook.
She had a cousin who worked in the royal household.
And she was most interesting about conditions there.
- Most interesting.
It appears, that on at least one occasion during her employment at the palace, Her Majesty actually paid a lengthy visit to the kitchen in the servant's quarters and actually spoke to the staff! [ laughter .]
[ Mr Harris .]
At any rote, my little niece were there, and went down 'fore started.
They all got under table.
[ laughter .]
The Bishop of London arrives to read message from queen.
'I hope you're all enjoying yourself,' he reads, 'enjoying your tea party,' and all girls are still under table! [ laughter .]
Oh, I think it's got week's wages to see 200 servants goes out and under the table and read and spark.
They must take us for some kind of fools, you know.
Oh, no, you mustn't laugh, really, Mr.
Harris.
It's pretty kind of Her Majesty.
After all, she needn't have bothered.
Ah, just a pat on the head, lass, pat on the head.
Eh, not a change, is it? - Any rote, let me finish story.
'I'm, uh, sorry I can't be with you,' reads bishop, with rain dripping from his hat, [ Laughter .]
'but I'm sure you're all having a grand time, with love and kisses from queen.
' Eh, and then, just as he's calling for three rousing cheers, some great banner which said, 'God bless our gracious queen, 'the giver of the feast,' fell about his head! [ laughter .]
Ahh, his grace, the Duke of Pulborough, would never have concerned himself with such a (pandemon).
He know how to treat his servants proper.
And we were right proud to be in his household.
Heh, heh, he had not time for the (patchebon).
Send round the muffins to the omnibus and home.
In time to run our baths, and lay the table for dinner.
Splendid.
Well, I certainly feel I owe it to my servants.
A token of appreciation, really.
People in our position must realize their responsibility.
If we return them on Monday notice.
Have you any idea food and how much such an outing will cost? Well, I have it on the best information it need not cost more than six pence a head.
Six pence? What do you mean to feed them on? Red lard and a cup of cold tea? Ah, there'll be the omnibus to pay far as well, Lady Templeton.
Ah ha, I do hope we're not to spend the entire afternoon haggling over money.
I mean what's the (big currency of it)? A great deal, to some of us.
Uh, what about numbers.
How many will there be? Sixteen, altogether, Marjorie, uh, that's including Mrs.
Van Groeben's household.
Well, I shall send my two house maids, my kitchen maid, and Taylor, my pantry boy.
Let me know how much I should contribute.
Marjorie, my pet, I've decided to leave.
- I'm quite ancient and inclined to be easily bored.
- I cannot afford to be bored at my age.
- Hudson, Lady Templeton is leaving.
- Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye.
Can't stand being cooped up with a herd of women, Hudson.
- I'm sure you feel the same.
- Huh.
Wonderful lady, ha.
Such a rrrrich character, ha.
Most interesting.
Some people find her eccentric, but Richard says she's the sanest person he knows.
There's all agreed, then.
A picnic, a nature ramble over Hampstead Heath, followed by a good tea in the church hall.
Splendid.
Well your course certainly has my support.
Oh, I'm so glad.
How kind you are, Mrs.
Van Groeben.
No, no.
It's you who are kind, Lady Prudence.
Spending so much of your time improving the lot of these people who are really, already so well cared for, and, uh, who have so very little to do.
[ Sound of carrriage passing .]
[ Emily humming, then singing .]
# A butcher boy I loved so well.
# # He courted me my life away, But now with me he will not stay.
# # I wish my baby it were born And on my arm[ door opens .]
# [ Door slams shut .]
Haven't you done yet, Emily? - I'm not used doing grates.
I showed you how yesterday.
- I'm doin' my best, Rose.
- And when's the new housemaid coming? I don't know.
And buck up.
Mrs.
Bridges wants you back in the kitchen.
- I can't be in two places at once.
Well, you must try.
[ Sigh .]
And we're all tired.
[ Clears throat .]
[ Ugh! .]
[ Spits .]
Oh, God on heavens! Salt! I'll murder that girl! [ Emily humming .]
[ Door slams .]
Morning, Mrs.
Bridges.
- Good morning Emily, my dear! Grand morning.
- Lovely.
Absolutely lovely.
- By the way, Emily.
- I've got a little treat for you.
Seeing as how you like my cooking and all.
Come in here, and have a taste of this lovely pudding I made.
Oh, I've taken such a lot of the trouble over it.
Stirrin' it over me hot water for hours.
Now then.
You just taste it.
Come, girl, taste it.
Um! What's the matter? Don't you like it then? Please, Mrs.
Bridges.
What in heaven have I done? I'll show you what you've done, my girl.
You put salt into the sugar jar, that's what you've done! Oh, no, I never.
That was never what I did.
All that work for nothing! - I never did - My lovely pudding ruined! Oh, I never knew it, Mrs.
Bridges.
I did just what you said.
Let go of me, please, you're hurting me.
I'll hurt you, all right, my girl.
That's what comes of staring out of the window all day long! Day dreaming! Looking at the carriages! - But I'm sorry if I did mix up the sugar, Mrs.
Bridges.
- Maybe I wasn't thinking.
Well, when you get all of that washing up, then you can come in here and scrub my kitchen floor.
Oh, Mother of God, please help me.
I've never even finished the house work.
There is one point, Lady Marjorie, that I hesitated to mention at our last meeting.
I do hope there is some way we can insure that no undeserving girls receive the benefit of our charity.
Undeserving? - After all, you and I have a position in society to maintain.
A position which many people admire, and even envy.
I should hate to think we could be duped.
I don't quite understand what you mean byduped.
Well, if we were expected to include in these outings some of the riff-raff that one finds in the suburban houses of the professional classes.
[ Thunder is heard .]
- Do you know what I mean? Yes, II think I do, Mrs.
Van Groeben.
But, surely, our intention is to benefit all those in domestic service, not just a privileged few.
[ Thunder .]
Oh, dear.
Looks as if we're in for a summer storm.
[ Sound of carriages and rain.]
- Good morning, Emily.
You've done nothing but dream all day.
What did I have the look of dream for? The boy in the coach with Mr.
Harris.
Umm.
Mrs.
Van Groeben's little flunky.
Well, you can stop dreamin' or you'll get into more trouble, and from me this time.
I've had to chase after you since first thing this morning.
The beds weren't properly made.
Mr.
Bellamy's shaving water cold, and now the luncheon ain't done.
I can't manage it all, Rose.
I don't know whether I'm comin' or goin'.
What with Mrs.
Bridges (cuffing at me an arm).
I never touched her cookin', so I don't understand, just never.
You'll just have to learn to put up with it, that's all.
(Without future husband in disfavor.
) Look.
She don't really mean all she says, Emily.
She's very fond of you, really, it's just that.
Well, hurry up! Come on, you've got to do the sewing.
Ah, the poor lad.
He'll get soaked through sittin' out there.
We hardly ever have to endure this kind of weather in Capetown.
- I'm afraid it's this kind of weather - that's making the rest of our committee so late.
- Lady Templeton has quite a way to come.
- Oh dear, you're young footman's getting very wet.
Yes, it really is too bad, but he's used to it.
We were at the most wonderful house party at Lord Nicholson's only last weekend.
- We must bring him in and give him some tea.
- I'll ring for Hudson.
[ Thunder .]
What is it you were going to say about Toby Nicholson? [ enter Mr.
Harris, butler, and Williams, footman .]
[ Mrs.
Bridges .]
Oh, come along in and sit yourselves down.
[ MB .]
Rose, take his coat.
[ MB .]
Oh, dear, dear.
[ Mr.
Harris .]
This is William, everybody.
[ H .]
William, this is Mrs.
Bridges.
[ Mrs.
.]
How'd you do.
I'd expect you'd like a nice cup of tea and a slice of cake.
[ W .]
I do.
[ H .]
and Edward.
[ Edward .]
Oh, here Rose, have you caught that uniform? - I didn't know that the household cabaret had gone into service.
[ General conversation .]
[ H .]
And this is young Emily.
- Now, where was I.
- Ah, the Duke had just brought a motor carriage.
- Ah, let's read that.
- Well, uh, His Grace was never one to be behind the times.
- He believed in progress.
That's what I thought.
- And he say he thought there was a great future for the motor carriage.
[ MB .]
Um.
Your present employer seems to have (too pretty) notions, Mr.
Harris.
[ H .]
Ah, she's a different sort of person altogether, Mrs.
Bridges.
[ H .]
Well, she's only just arrived, and all said, doesn't quite see what's what yet.
[ H .]
Mind you, eh [ Rose .]
Mind you what, Mr.
Harris? [ H .]
Well, uh, where's there's rats there's a mouse.
[ MB laughs .]
[ E .]
And there's, uh, plenty of rats, is there Mr.
Harris? [ H .]
You can say that.
You can say [ H .]
You know here we are sitting down quiet.
[ Laughing .]
[ H .]
At any rote, pour me some more tea, please, Mrs.
Bridges.
[ H .]
And now don't you go starting in, young Edward.
[ H .]
We're all just one big happy family in Mickmore Street.
[ H .]
Aye, just one big happy family.
[ H .]
Right, William? [ H .]
William? [ Williams reads "A Little Princess", page 113 .]
' "I have a friend, Becky.
Someone is my friend.
" 'It cannot be denied, that as they sat before the blazing fire 'and et the nourishing, comfortable food, 'they felt a kind of rapturous awe 'and looked into each other's eyes with something like doubt.
' "Do you think," Becky faltered once, in a whisper, ' "do you think it could melt away, miss? ' Hadn't we better be quick?" ' And she hastily crammed her sandwich into her mouth.
'If it were only a dream, kitchen manners could be overlooked.
[ Emily sighs happily .]
' "No, it won't melt away," said Sara.
' "I'm eating this muffin.
I can taste it.
" ' "One never really eats things in dreams.
" - ' "One only thinks one's going to eat them.
" - [ Uh huh.]
- ' "Besides I keep giving myself pinches;" - [ Emily laughs .]
- ' "and I touched a hot piece of coal just now, on purpose.
" - [ Emily laughs .]
To be continued next week.
- You've awful good luck, William.
- Yes, suppose I have.
Being able to do both, the readin' and the writing.
I can't manage the writing at all, and it's a terrible disadvantage.
If my daddy could have read, there is I don't know what he couldn't have done.
What did he do? Your Pa? He went and died on us.
That's what he did.
Well, how'd he die? He died from livin'.
That's how he died.
But my brother Fabian, he can read now.
He can both read and write.
I have a letter from him, only last year, in America.
And he wrote he had the greatest opportunity.
Well, when he was in the (gradin) on the board, he met a British English gentleman who had all his wits about him.
At least he knew his three R's.
And he taught them to Fabian.
Oh, so now they're doing grand.
With an entire business of their very own.
If my Daddy could have read it had he but face in the sea mail.
Huh, huh, I can't understand half of what you say, Emily.
Well, what can't you follow? Your face in the sea.
How can your Dad be facing the sea if he's dead? In our village we're always buried standing up.
Standing up? Why? But, why else does the grand view? [ They laugh .]
- Yeah.
Here ye are me lads, and some of your favorite cakes.
- Fact, come on now you two, you get tuck in.
- My Jack's gonna' be home in half an hour, you know, - an he's gonna' be wanting his tea.
- You don't want to by me if he's leaving his smile at the gate.
I never noticed how late it was.
But, with William reading me the story.
- Yeah! Aw, look, your gonna' let your tea get cold.
- We'll get you some more hot water.
No, honestly, Mrs.
Fellows there's no need to bother.
We're quite happy.
- Well, that's amazing, ain't it? I'll get you some more water anyway.
- You never know.
Come on now, Emily.
We can't have all that business again.
I can't send all those blooming cakes across to your starving relatives.
It's you I'm taking our to tea.
Oh, I should have said, we are the lucky ones.
Lucky? What's lucky? I do my job well.
I please Mrs.
Van Groeben.
She likes the way I look.
Where's the luck in that? The luck is it was you she took from the orphanage.
The bad luck would have been if she had not.
And the luck it was that I got this job.
Was it yourself (touch out of Eaton)? No, the orphanage.
My own Jo, she's teached me lots of other things.
Things she thinks I ought to know.
How to get on.
How to behave.
She's a proper lady.
- They say she thinks the world of you.
I do my job.
She says I'll go on.
She's a good mistress.
Go on, Em, have a cake.
I'll have a cake if you'll read me again.
The last book of the story.
- All right.
- The place where she pinches herself to understand that it's real.
- That it won't melt away.
[ William reads on with sounds of carriages outside .]
- Oh, but I mean the trouble with servants is they don't know their own minds.
- I've tried to suggest things.
- I'm sure they're duly grateful.
- I mean I said to my maid, Smith, the other day - "What do you actually do on our day off?" - And do you know what she told me? What she does? She told me she sleeps the whole day! I said, don't just sleep you life away, Smith, do something constructive.
Read.
Think.
Oh, she says, I've tried that, madame, it was no good.
I couldn't think of anything to think about.
- I mean to say She means to say, she means to say, what? I was led to believe that this committee was called to give these girls some outlet rather than turn them into third rate philosophers.
Lady Templeton, our aim today is simply to finalize the arrangements for the servant's outing.
It seems to me a month tomorrow would be the best date.
The weather should be fine by then, and we won't clash with Ascot week.
Is that generally agreeable? Then, Prudence, you can finalize the arrangements with the vicar as to the use of the church hall.
Splendid.
Oh, it'll do them all a world of good.
If it's of any interest I intend to hold a masked ball during the season in aid of our worthy cause.
The theme will be Versailles before the revolution.
I do hope you will all accept my invitation to take tickets.
Tickets for the guillotine.
That's a splendid idea, Mrs.
Van Groeben.
How clever you are.
- Oh, thank you, Lady Prudence.
Don't you agree, Marjorie.
- Aren't we going to have any tea today? Yes, at four o'clock.
I shall have to give a ball this year, too, for my worthy cause.
- What's that, Lady Prudence.
- My daughter, Agatha.
- Shall we be expected to take tickets for that, too? You're not going to sell Agatha in a raffle, are you? Maybe one's last resort.
I do hope that we're not going to lose sight of our original objective.
Namely the welfare of these girls.
Well, they can all come along to Mrs.
Van, uh, Mrs.
, uh, pre-revolution ball.
After all someone will have to clean up the mess.
All those decapitated trunks.
You sound as though you disapprove of my idea, - Lady Templeton.
- I do.
It might give the servants ideas.
Marjorie, do ring for tea.
I've made myself feel quite ill [ In a park near a train line .]
Emily.
Emily.
That's hardly a name for an Irish girl.
- It isn't my name, Fitzroy.
- Well, you're called Emily.
Oh, I know, but my real name's Eving.
But, over here it's hard to get your tones rounded.
Evan.
[ Laughing .]
: No.
Eving.
She was a queen, you know.
Queen of Carrabia.
My dada told me she appeared to King Brian the night before the great battle, the Battle of Glen Tara.
And didn't she tell him the outcome of it all.
- Well, I haven't heard of a king called Brian.
She told him that he would win the battle but lose his own life.
She was a spirit of sorrow.
- Was he an Irish king? - He was.
Hmm.
Didn't I like kings in Ireland? Ah, William, I'm sure you have your thing.
You never even knew you were to meet me.
Meet you? But it was destined.
Preordained.
Oh, I was always certain of meetin' you.
I saw you that day in the kitchen and I knew I knew you.
You're are more to me than my love with you.
You're my need.
My very self.
- Look, Emily, I'm.
- Now, William.
Everything I do, I do for you.
Everything I have to do in the house, I imagine I do it for you.
Each floor that I scrub and fire that I lay and spoon that I polish is yours.
Oh, I have the imagine now-a-day.
If it wasn't for Mrs.
Van Groeben I'd run off with you tomorrow.
(As she) where would we want to.
The world is full of wrong people.
Maybe you could get another job.
You can read and write and you're strong.
If she even knew I was going out with you, Em.
Do you love me, William? You know I do.
I think you're the prettiest girl I've ever seen But, do you have a passion for me? Or do you just think I'm the prettiest girl - you've ever seen? - Yes.
I love you, Emily.
I have a passion, William, oh, a passion for you.
And I never thought I would ever know anything as fine as this passion I have for you.
There was nothing in my life before you, William, really nothing.
I know it hurts me because it's so fierce.
We'll be all right, Em.
I'll look after you.
How? How will you do it? I (want) going to you , William.
Sure, there's no place for us.
You're a sad little thing sometimes, Emily.
Well, wouldn't you be? I've nothing in this world.
.
but you.
Mom is dying.
Fabian is in America.
My other brother died when he got killed in the Boer War.
And my dad is dead this two years now.
So there's precious little to be left in this late.
Come on now, Emily.
This is our day off, we should be having fun! But, what'll I do if she finds out? What'll I do if she takes you away from me? I'd never let her do that, Em, never! Can I put my arm around you? Can I comfort you? You mustn't get so upset.
Oh, William.
Can I kiss you? Let me kiss you, please Emily.
Oh, we shouldn't.
I want to kiss you, Emily.
Oh, noNo we shouldn't do it.
It's wrong.
Well, if I've got such a passion for you.
[ Policeman .]
: Well, now! Isn't that lovely! - Run in, you two.
Move along there.
- Way past your bedtime.
- Park's closing in three minutes.
- Move along.
[ Emily sings .]
# And every word she dropped a tear # # And every line cried, "Willie dear!" # # Oh what a foolish girl was I # # To be lead astray by a butcher boy.
# I mean, William, you're only a boy.
You're still very young.
Now, I'm not angry with you, so don't be afraid.
- No, Mrs.
Van Groeben.
What I have to tell you is for your own good.
We have a saying in our country, that the first seedling of spring does not always lead to the best tree.
You see? I mean these things seem terribly important at the time, William, but most of them don't even grow into saplings.
There are far more important things at the moment.
[ Angrily .]
Much more important things than a kiss and a cuddle with some little scullery maid.
[ Sweetly .]
I mean, William, you're really going to be someone.
You really want to be someone, don't you? And people who are going to be really someone don't have to meddle with little scullery maids, now, do they? Come over here a minute, now.
Come closer.
Umm, that uniform of yours looks quite warm.
Yes, madame.
Yes, the sleeves, the cuffs they're quite frayed.
[ Cheerfully .]
I think a brand new uniform would be the order of the day.
And as you're such a smart boy, we'll have one made specially for you.
- Thank you, madame.
You can help me choose the materials and the color.
Wouldn't that be nice? - Very nice, madame.
And now that Harris is getting on a bit, and he can't do as much as he'd like to do, I think the person who's going to help him out more and take on more responsibility should have a really nice, new uniform.
Don't you, William? - If you think so, madame.
Now, where were we? Oh, yes, that other business.
No, no, I don't think there's any need to talk about that anymore, is there? I meanit doesn't really amount to anything, now does it? No, nothing, madame.
It's only a bit of fun.
[ Door opens .]
- Emily is here, my lady.
Well, send her in, will you, Hudson? - Very good, my lady.
Hello, Emily.
Well, come over here.
I want to talk to you.
Emily, I understand that you have become friendly with a member of Mrs.
Van Groeben's staff.
A footman, William.
It's only fair to tell you, that Mrs.
Van Groeben has forbidden William to see you.
[ Sound of horse's hooves .]
- And I'm afraid you must respect her wishes and not try to see him anymore.
[ Sound of horse's hooves .]
- And that'll be all.
- You can go now.
[ Sound of horse's hooves fading away .]
Emily, it's not usual for me to concern myself in matters such as this.
But you must understand Mrs.
Van Groeben will dismiss William if he continues to see you.
- A boy like that with no references will find things very difficult.
- Well, you're both so young.
Your whole lives are ahead of you.
[ Tearfully .]
Yes, my lady.
It will pass, Emily.
This hurt you're feeling now.
Truly it will.
- You'll learn to put it out of you mind, - and when you marry it'll be to someone you respect - and who'll be your companion.
A passion spends itself very quickly.
Believe me.
You're very young.
You've all your life ahead of you.
[ Sobbing .]
[ Emily .]
: Nothing will ever be the same.
- Well, what d'you want me to write, Emily? Whatever you've got, I can never take any measures.
I have no mind for the regular world, Rose.
PoorWilliam.
- Dear William.
- Has to be "Dear William" in a letter.
'Dear William 'They're last without' Oh, I can't think 'cause of nothing in my head.
[ Rose sighs .]
- 'Dear William, we have been forbidden to see each other.
'But I still love you and think of you every day.
' How about that? That's a good start.
- 'If you love me' - No, Rose Just write these words.
'You are all that's left on the slate.
'Think of me.
Eving.
' - What's that? Fickle name? - How d'you spell it? I don't know.
You'd better put Emily, so.
I just want to know he's near.
# She went upstairs to go to bed And calling to her mama said: # # "Give me a chair till I sit down.
And a pen and ink while I write down.
" # - He won't turn up now, you know.
- They never do.
- They're all the same, every man-Jack of 'em.
Huh.
- And you think your William is gonna be any different.
- [ Scolding .]
Oh, no, girl, don't wipe 'round the legs.
- Move the things proper.
- I don't know.
You're work seems be gettin' - worse and worse everyday.
- Not, there was ever much to write home about.
- Now, you've missed a bit there by the table leg.
- A bit of grease.
- [ Loud .]
There! Right under your nose! - Oh, dear.
Mrs.
Fellows was telling me one or two things about young master Williams.
Huh.
Proper little household (pettigue).
it seems.
Huh, huh, (man's that's for sure).
Mrs.
Van Groeben, she buys all his clothes, and dresses him up all by herself.
Huh.
Unhealthy, I calls it.
Unhealthy.
[ Sound of horse's hooves .]
Oh, get on with your scrubbing, Emily.
Just look at all that washing up to do.
[ Sound of horse's hooves .]
- No none sight of your fancy boy? Oh - They're all the same, every man-Jack of them.
- They're only wanting one thing.
- They're wanting (a countle) of you.
- That's what they're wanting to do.
- But.
you wasn't going to be like that, was you, Emily? - You was going to get married and live happily ever after.
But, where was you going to go, Emily? Employers don't like it, you know, when their servants want to get married.
And with no references? Who's going to take a girl who can't do nothing right? Nothing! - There's a girl here not long back, - rushed off to get married, and they was so poor - Are you listening to me, Emily! - They was so poor she had to sell her hair.
Yes.
That's right.
The very hair on her head.
And how much to you think she got for it? Eight shillings and sixpence! Eight shillings and sixpence for a lovelier the golden hair.
- What.
- You wouldn't do a foolish thing like that, now would you, Emily? I mean to say, he's not worth it.
And from all I can hear from Mr.
Harris That boy is more interested in what Mrs.
Van Groeben has to offer.
[ Emily runs sobbing .]
- [ Shouting .]
Emily! Here, Emily, what's the matter with you? [ Sobbing .]
Nothing.
Nothing wrong, nothing.
Have you been getting at her again, Mrs.
Bridges? I was only telling her a few facts of life [ Emily crying .]
Leave me be, that's all.
Leave me be.
Emily.
Emily, child, I'm sorry [ Emily crying .]
Leave me be.
- You still hurt, (my feelings)? I only wanted to help.
I only wanted to help her.
- I'm sure.
[ Sound of horse's hooves, Emily sobs .]
- (Nothing, you see.
) - Well, cheer up.
You might even see him at the picnic tomorrow! Rose, it is.
It is, Rose.
It's the coach.
He's on it! William Oh, William.
Oh.
Would you look at his colors in new uniform.
- Here, don't make him catch his cold for you now, you girl.
[ Mr.
Harris .]
: Bring it in here, lad.
[ Edward .]
: Ah, what's all this then.
It's not my birthday.
[ H .]
Something for the outing tomorrow.
[ E .]
Oh, good.
[ H .]
Come here.
Put it down here.
[ Confusion .]
[ H .]
Mrs.
Van Groeben had it made up special.
[ Chattering .]
[ William .]
We've got to take the hamper back.
[ W .]
I'll take it up.
[ Indistinct talk .]
No point in us to (know) there, lass.
- But, (to reach the), why - No point at all.
- Aw, Mr.
Harris, please, sir.
- He's got a lot of big responsibilities, lass.
- He's taking a lot on himself.
If you'll pardon me, sir.
I do want to speak to him awful bad.
- Ah, now, listen to me, child.
- [ Big sigh .]
Ah, he's he's no time anymore.
- No time at all.
- Uh, he said, he hadn't even got time to read this.
- So, under circumstances, he reckoned it be fair - for thee have it back.
It's my letter.
'Tis unopened.
- Aw, he's big responsibilities, lass.
He's not given time.
- Ah, now, think on tomorrow.
- You'll have a grand day tomorrow.
Think on that, do you.
I haven't.
# And every word she dropped a tear And every line cried, "Willie dear!" # # Oh what a foolish girl was I To be lead astray by a butcher boy.
# [ Sobbing .]
Now, listen, if I use this ribbons.
And there's a couple of flowers over here, put them on my hat.
You won't know the difference between me and Lady Scott.
What d'you think, Mrs.
Bridges? - Oh, it'll suit you a treat, Rose.
- You'll be the belle of the picnic, all right.
Why don't you change your mind and come, Mrs.
Bridges? - Naoo, I'm too old to go larking about you'uns.
- 'Sides, I've got a lot of work to do clearing up after Emily.
- Aw, go on, Mrs.
B.
you come along, too.
- You'd have a topping time.
- I've no doubt you'll enjoy yourself, Edward.
- You, with all them females.
- [ Laughing .]
Aw, Edward's gonna have a bit of competition this time.
Cause there's Taylor, the pantry boy from Lady Templeton's, and Henry, from Lady Prudent, in so what I can tall you - Go on, then.
I will go.
- I might even fancy a headdress.
- All I need is a squire, you can never know the difference.
Oh, you, Edward! Give me back my hat! - You come and get it.
You little Please, Edward.
- Now, then, give it back.
Please, give it back.
Shhh.
My name's Rose.
- You take my only bottle.
[ Closes door .]
Thinking about tomorrow, eh, Em? Ha.
Well, here you then.
You wear that.
You'll look even lovelier in that.
Well, you gotta look your best, you know.
It's a big affair that goes like.
[ Giggles.
Opens door .]
[ Door closes .]
[ Emily sobs .]
[ Heartrending sobs .]
[ Partying on the picnic omnibus .]
[ H .]
Take that out to the omnibus, Edward, and look sharp.
[ H .]
Time we were off.
[ R .]
Emily's taking your place in front of the trunks.
[ E .]
Emily! She's not on the bus yet.
[ R .]
Well, where is she then? [ H .]
Aw, go and find her quickly, Rose.
[ R .]
Yes, Mr.
Hudson.
[ Sounds of singing in the omnibus.
.]
Oh, I better go out to the bus and pacify them.
We could not have planned it better.
God has certainly smiled on us to give us such a perfect day.
- They sound so happy and excited.
- Like children going to the seaside.
I'm only afraid they'll enjoy it too much.
My constitution couldn't stand a regular nature raffle.
Won't it be fun to see their faces when we serve them tea.
I suppose it'll do us all a bit of good, don't you think? Hudson will let us know when they're ready to leave.
Emily.
[ Opens door .]
[ Gasp .]
Emily.
Oh, my God, Emily.
[ Indistinct chattering .]
[ Singing on the omnibus .]
[ Noisy celebrations .]
- Edward, Edward.
- We can't go.
Something's happened to Emily.
- Come on.
[ Indistinct chattering .]
What a time it takes to get a handful of servants to stick the hampers into an omnnibus.
Anyone would think they were packing for the North Pole.
- I'm sure they'll be ready to leave soon.
Charmed at last.
May I speak to you privately, my lady? - Yes, Hudson.
Will you excuse me.
- Ugha, I expect they've dropped all of the lemonade all over the pavement.
The silly creatures.
[ Singing from the omnibus .]
- I think perhaps you'd better go on with the picnic without us.
What has happened? A kitchen maid just she's had an accident.
- What a shame.
Hudson's gone out to explain to the other servants.
I'm so sorry.
[ Omnibus departs .]
Excuse me, Mr.
Hudson.
What was it you started to say, Mr.
Hudson? What's gonna happen to her? - Up you end, Mr.
Rhome.
- Down you end Mr - No disrespect intended, miss.
It's all been taken care of.
- All right, Mr.
Lowe.
- Take it easy, Mr.
Lowe.
- Easy now.
- Steady on.
- Right.
- Mr.
Hudson, I wonder would you mind takin' a peek out of that window? - See wither or not our van has returned.
- If you would be so kind.
- Be so kind.
Eh.
- [ Clears throat .]
I'm afraid not.
- Oh dear.
Would there be any objection if we - was to wait in there for a bit? - Too dumb to be seen on the street.
- You know, under such delicate circumstances.
- Quite.
[Whispering .]
Uh, please, this way.
- Thank you.
- Right-o.
- To you, Mr.
Hudd, then sit steady, now.
- In here, Alf.
Shhh.
- [ Whisper .]
That's right.
- Oh, yes.
Just bring her on the table.
- Here.
- Here we go, now.
- Yeow! - All right.
[ Chair scraping floor .]
- Ah.
[ H .]
Would you care for a cup of tea while you're waiting? Most kind.
- Most kind.
[ H .]
Rose.
- [ Sobbing heard .]
[ Mrs.
Bridges sobbing .]
[ MB .]
Poor child.
[ MB .]
And me with never a kind word for her.
[ R .]
Don't take on so, Mrs.
Bridges.
[ R .]
She thought the world of you.
[ MB .]
Oh, did she? She had precious little cause to.
[ MB crying .]
Oh, God, forgive me! [ MB .]
I could have helped her.
[ MB crying .]
Oh, I could have done something.
[ MB sobbing .]
- Oh, thank ye.
[ MB sobbing .]
- Nice cup 'o tea.
- Really nice.
[ H .]
Ah,she was carefully clothed.
- In mortal sin, aye? God will forgive her.
Where will they bury her? Not in consecrated ground, Mr.
Hudson.
Oh, of course not.
After the autopsy at the morgue, the doctors will decide, when they've done with her.
Doctors? - Well, they to think she'll be benefitting mankind.
Medical research, you see.
They prefers them young and healthy.
May the Lord have mercy on her soul.
[ Hudson overcome; sound of carriage arriving outside .]
[ R .]
She had so few things, [ R .]
but they were hers, after all.
# He went upstairs and the door he broke.
He found her hanging from a rope.
# # He took his knife and he cut her down, And in her pocket, these words he found: # # "Oh make my grave large, wide and deep, Put a marble stone at my head and feet.
# # And in the middle a turtle dove That the world may know I died from love.
" # [ Sound of the carriage departing .]
What? What'll I do? Your mouth's handing down to your chest, girl.
Stop breathing.
See what you makes me do.
I'm doin' it.
If you think that's washing up, then I'm Happy Fanny Fennie.
I am, Mrs.
Fennie You'll not see you bed tonight, my girl, I'm warning you.
I'm do it once more, so And you do them properly! I'm goin' do them properly.
# I wish, I wish, I wish in vain I wish I were a maid again! # And you wish you were a new bird, Queen of England.
Heh, heh.
# But a maid again I'll never be, Till the cherries grow on an apple tree.
# There she is, Mrs.
Van Granbottom, herself.
Edward, you've no respect! Oh, I could buy and sell the lot of you.
And what do you think of me spanking, new carriage, then, eh? Oh, she must be awful rich.
And my lovely new footman on the barge.
Oh, to have a carriage, the like of that.
You've seen him? I never set eyes on him before.
Now, why can't Lady Marjorie get someone like that for us? 'Cause you've got adorable little me, that's why.
Oh, and would you look at those feathers.
They must be twice the length of me arm! You don't measure a lady by the length of her feathers, Emily.
Oh, I say she has a dress for as many days as there are in a year.
Now, that, Emily.
.
that lady that you see up there is what we call "no-voo.
" Hah, which is probably new to you.
Come on, Edward.
Her Ladyship will be ringing for tea in a minute, and you've no time to laugh about.
She, and her and her charitable get-together.
She can't stand the sight of the people there.
You've no place passing remarks like that.
A scamper through the woods? Certainly.
Teach them to appreciate nature.
And give them some simply splendid exercise.
Exercise? Exercise? They get enough of that running up and downstairs all day.
Prudence, if I understand you correctly, you're suggesting that we hire some sort of omnibus, cram all our servants into it, and dispatch them to Hampstead Heath? For a picnic, with delicious cream buns and lemonade.
Thus obeying our beloved Queen Alexandra's instructions to care more for the welfare of our domestic employees.
Yes, I see the merit in that.
They don't get enough fresh air.
Fresh air? Simple frightful for the complexion.
Yes, of course, Lady Templeton, but it's all in a good cause.
These girls never get out.
I think it's a splendid idea.
We can all share the cost of the omnibus, and each contribute a hamper of refreshments.
Good.
That's settled.
Queen doesn't know what she's started.
Well, now we can all have tea.
Not quite yet.
We still lack one member of our committee we need her vote.
And her money.
Mrs.
Van Groeben, my lady.
- Good afternoon, Mrs.
Van Groeben.
Good afternoon.
Now then, I believe that you have already met Lady Templeton.
Yes, we have met, haven't we? Ghastly feathers.
- Lady Prudent Fairfax, our "force motif.
" Ah, dear girl, how do you do? Very bad for my chest.
I've heard so much about you from my daughter, Wilhelmina, who is such a great, great friend of your daughter, Agatha.
Oh yes, I believe they met for the first time last night.
It seems young people become great, great friends at alarming speed these days.
[ ugh .]
I am late, and I do apologize, but it takes so long to get anywhere in London.
Oh, I know, and it's becoming far too noisy and dirty in the streets.
They really shouldn't allow so much traffic in the heart of the city.
Oh, in my opinion, we're all being slowly poisoned by the fumes from those dreadful motorcars.
Including your, Prudence darling.
And yours, my dear Margaret.
I won't allow my husband to buy one.
We so much prefer the carriage and pair.
So much more elegant.
Of course, back in our wonderful country we have so much space and freedom.
Freedom to move around at one's leisure.
Ah, our life is much different in South Africa.
She should have stayed there.
The part from the (viddy) are too absurd.
Ugh, Marjorie, do ring for tea, now we're all here.
Prudence, at least explain your idea to Mrs.
Van Groeben.
It's a splendid scheme for a picnic in the woods.
To put some color into their cheeks.
In keeping with the Queen's wishes.
Oh, quite! How like our dear queen to concern herself with such matters.
Now, the last cook we.
- Hudson, you can bring tea now, and ask Mrs.
Van Groeben's coachmen to have tea in the servant's hall, which will be some time.
- Very good, my lady.
- I'm so sorry.
You were saying? Well, our last cook.
She had a cousin who worked in the royal household.
And she was most interesting about conditions there.
- Most interesting.
It appears, that on at least one occasion during her employment at the palace, Her Majesty actually paid a lengthy visit to the kitchen in the servant's quarters and actually spoke to the staff! [ laughter .]
[ Mr Harris .]
At any rote, my little niece were there, and went down 'fore started.
They all got under table.
[ laughter .]
The Bishop of London arrives to read message from queen.
'I hope you're all enjoying yourself,' he reads, 'enjoying your tea party,' and all girls are still under table! [ laughter .]
Oh, I think it's got week's wages to see 200 servants goes out and under the table and read and spark.
They must take us for some kind of fools, you know.
Oh, no, you mustn't laugh, really, Mr.
Harris.
It's pretty kind of Her Majesty.
After all, she needn't have bothered.
Ah, just a pat on the head, lass, pat on the head.
Eh, not a change, is it? - Any rote, let me finish story.
'I'm, uh, sorry I can't be with you,' reads bishop, with rain dripping from his hat, [ Laughter .]
'but I'm sure you're all having a grand time, with love and kisses from queen.
' Eh, and then, just as he's calling for three rousing cheers, some great banner which said, 'God bless our gracious queen, 'the giver of the feast,' fell about his head! [ laughter .]
Ahh, his grace, the Duke of Pulborough, would never have concerned himself with such a (pandemon).
He know how to treat his servants proper.
And we were right proud to be in his household.
Heh, heh, he had not time for the (patchebon).
Send round the muffins to the omnibus and home.
In time to run our baths, and lay the table for dinner.
Splendid.
Well, I certainly feel I owe it to my servants.
A token of appreciation, really.
People in our position must realize their responsibility.
If we return them on Monday notice.
Have you any idea food and how much such an outing will cost? Well, I have it on the best information it need not cost more than six pence a head.
Six pence? What do you mean to feed them on? Red lard and a cup of cold tea? Ah, there'll be the omnibus to pay far as well, Lady Templeton.
Ah ha, I do hope we're not to spend the entire afternoon haggling over money.
I mean what's the (big currency of it)? A great deal, to some of us.
Uh, what about numbers.
How many will there be? Sixteen, altogether, Marjorie, uh, that's including Mrs.
Van Groeben's household.
Well, I shall send my two house maids, my kitchen maid, and Taylor, my pantry boy.
Let me know how much I should contribute.
Marjorie, my pet, I've decided to leave.
- I'm quite ancient and inclined to be easily bored.
- I cannot afford to be bored at my age.
- Hudson, Lady Templeton is leaving.
- Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye.
Can't stand being cooped up with a herd of women, Hudson.
- I'm sure you feel the same.
- Huh.
Wonderful lady, ha.
Such a rrrrich character, ha.
Most interesting.
Some people find her eccentric, but Richard says she's the sanest person he knows.
There's all agreed, then.
A picnic, a nature ramble over Hampstead Heath, followed by a good tea in the church hall.
Splendid.
Well your course certainly has my support.
Oh, I'm so glad.
How kind you are, Mrs.
Van Groeben.
No, no.
It's you who are kind, Lady Prudence.
Spending so much of your time improving the lot of these people who are really, already so well cared for, and, uh, who have so very little to do.
[ Sound of carrriage passing .]
[ Emily humming, then singing .]
# A butcher boy I loved so well.
# # He courted me my life away, But now with me he will not stay.
# # I wish my baby it were born And on my arm[ door opens .]
# [ Door slams shut .]
Haven't you done yet, Emily? - I'm not used doing grates.
I showed you how yesterday.
- I'm doin' my best, Rose.
- And when's the new housemaid coming? I don't know.
And buck up.
Mrs.
Bridges wants you back in the kitchen.
- I can't be in two places at once.
Well, you must try.
[ Sigh .]
And we're all tired.
[ Clears throat .]
[ Ugh! .]
[ Spits .]
Oh, God on heavens! Salt! I'll murder that girl! [ Emily humming .]
[ Door slams .]
Morning, Mrs.
Bridges.
- Good morning Emily, my dear! Grand morning.
- Lovely.
Absolutely lovely.
- By the way, Emily.
- I've got a little treat for you.
Seeing as how you like my cooking and all.
Come in here, and have a taste of this lovely pudding I made.
Oh, I've taken such a lot of the trouble over it.
Stirrin' it over me hot water for hours.
Now then.
You just taste it.
Come, girl, taste it.
Um! What's the matter? Don't you like it then? Please, Mrs.
Bridges.
What in heaven have I done? I'll show you what you've done, my girl.
You put salt into the sugar jar, that's what you've done! Oh, no, I never.
That was never what I did.
All that work for nothing! - I never did - My lovely pudding ruined! Oh, I never knew it, Mrs.
Bridges.
I did just what you said.
Let go of me, please, you're hurting me.
I'll hurt you, all right, my girl.
That's what comes of staring out of the window all day long! Day dreaming! Looking at the carriages! - But I'm sorry if I did mix up the sugar, Mrs.
Bridges.
- Maybe I wasn't thinking.
Well, when you get all of that washing up, then you can come in here and scrub my kitchen floor.
Oh, Mother of God, please help me.
I've never even finished the house work.
There is one point, Lady Marjorie, that I hesitated to mention at our last meeting.
I do hope there is some way we can insure that no undeserving girls receive the benefit of our charity.
Undeserving? - After all, you and I have a position in society to maintain.
A position which many people admire, and even envy.
I should hate to think we could be duped.
I don't quite understand what you mean byduped.
Well, if we were expected to include in these outings some of the riff-raff that one finds in the suburban houses of the professional classes.
[ Thunder is heard .]
- Do you know what I mean? Yes, II think I do, Mrs.
Van Groeben.
But, surely, our intention is to benefit all those in domestic service, not just a privileged few.
[ Thunder .]
Oh, dear.
Looks as if we're in for a summer storm.
[ Sound of carriages and rain.]
- Good morning, Emily.
You've done nothing but dream all day.
What did I have the look of dream for? The boy in the coach with Mr.
Harris.
Umm.
Mrs.
Van Groeben's little flunky.
Well, you can stop dreamin' or you'll get into more trouble, and from me this time.
I've had to chase after you since first thing this morning.
The beds weren't properly made.
Mr.
Bellamy's shaving water cold, and now the luncheon ain't done.
I can't manage it all, Rose.
I don't know whether I'm comin' or goin'.
What with Mrs.
Bridges (cuffing at me an arm).
I never touched her cookin', so I don't understand, just never.
You'll just have to learn to put up with it, that's all.
(Without future husband in disfavor.
) Look.
She don't really mean all she says, Emily.
She's very fond of you, really, it's just that.
Well, hurry up! Come on, you've got to do the sewing.
Ah, the poor lad.
He'll get soaked through sittin' out there.
We hardly ever have to endure this kind of weather in Capetown.
- I'm afraid it's this kind of weather - that's making the rest of our committee so late.
- Lady Templeton has quite a way to come.
- Oh dear, you're young footman's getting very wet.
Yes, it really is too bad, but he's used to it.
We were at the most wonderful house party at Lord Nicholson's only last weekend.
- We must bring him in and give him some tea.
- I'll ring for Hudson.
[ Thunder .]
What is it you were going to say about Toby Nicholson? [ enter Mr.
Harris, butler, and Williams, footman .]
[ Mrs.
Bridges .]
Oh, come along in and sit yourselves down.
[ MB .]
Rose, take his coat.
[ MB .]
Oh, dear, dear.
[ Mr.
Harris .]
This is William, everybody.
[ H .]
William, this is Mrs.
Bridges.
[ Mrs.
.]
How'd you do.
I'd expect you'd like a nice cup of tea and a slice of cake.
[ W .]
I do.
[ H .]
and Edward.
[ Edward .]
Oh, here Rose, have you caught that uniform? - I didn't know that the household cabaret had gone into service.
[ General conversation .]
[ H .]
And this is young Emily.
- Now, where was I.
- Ah, the Duke had just brought a motor carriage.
- Ah, let's read that.
- Well, uh, His Grace was never one to be behind the times.
- He believed in progress.
That's what I thought.
- And he say he thought there was a great future for the motor carriage.
[ MB .]
Um.
Your present employer seems to have (too pretty) notions, Mr.
Harris.
[ H .]
Ah, she's a different sort of person altogether, Mrs.
Bridges.
[ H .]
Well, she's only just arrived, and all said, doesn't quite see what's what yet.
[ H .]
Mind you, eh [ Rose .]
Mind you what, Mr.
Harris? [ H .]
Well, uh, where's there's rats there's a mouse.
[ MB laughs .]
[ E .]
And there's, uh, plenty of rats, is there Mr.
Harris? [ H .]
You can say that.
You can say [ H .]
You know here we are sitting down quiet.
[ Laughing .]
[ H .]
At any rote, pour me some more tea, please, Mrs.
Bridges.
[ H .]
And now don't you go starting in, young Edward.
[ H .]
We're all just one big happy family in Mickmore Street.
[ H .]
Aye, just one big happy family.
[ H .]
Right, William? [ H .]
William? [ Williams reads "A Little Princess", page 113 .]
' "I have a friend, Becky.
Someone is my friend.
" 'It cannot be denied, that as they sat before the blazing fire 'and et the nourishing, comfortable food, 'they felt a kind of rapturous awe 'and looked into each other's eyes with something like doubt.
' "Do you think," Becky faltered once, in a whisper, ' "do you think it could melt away, miss? ' Hadn't we better be quick?" ' And she hastily crammed her sandwich into her mouth.
'If it were only a dream, kitchen manners could be overlooked.
[ Emily sighs happily .]
' "No, it won't melt away," said Sara.
' "I'm eating this muffin.
I can taste it.
" ' "One never really eats things in dreams.
" - ' "One only thinks one's going to eat them.
" - [ Uh huh.]
- ' "Besides I keep giving myself pinches;" - [ Emily laughs .]
- ' "and I touched a hot piece of coal just now, on purpose.
" - [ Emily laughs .]
To be continued next week.
- You've awful good luck, William.
- Yes, suppose I have.
Being able to do both, the readin' and the writing.
I can't manage the writing at all, and it's a terrible disadvantage.
If my daddy could have read, there is I don't know what he couldn't have done.
What did he do? Your Pa? He went and died on us.
That's what he did.
Well, how'd he die? He died from livin'.
That's how he died.
But my brother Fabian, he can read now.
He can both read and write.
I have a letter from him, only last year, in America.
And he wrote he had the greatest opportunity.
Well, when he was in the (gradin) on the board, he met a British English gentleman who had all his wits about him.
At least he knew his three R's.
And he taught them to Fabian.
Oh, so now they're doing grand.
With an entire business of their very own.
If my Daddy could have read it had he but face in the sea mail.
Huh, huh, I can't understand half of what you say, Emily.
Well, what can't you follow? Your face in the sea.
How can your Dad be facing the sea if he's dead? In our village we're always buried standing up.
Standing up? Why? But, why else does the grand view? [ They laugh .]
- Yeah.
Here ye are me lads, and some of your favorite cakes.
- Fact, come on now you two, you get tuck in.
- My Jack's gonna' be home in half an hour, you know, - an he's gonna' be wanting his tea.
- You don't want to by me if he's leaving his smile at the gate.
I never noticed how late it was.
But, with William reading me the story.
- Yeah! Aw, look, your gonna' let your tea get cold.
- We'll get you some more hot water.
No, honestly, Mrs.
Fellows there's no need to bother.
We're quite happy.
- Well, that's amazing, ain't it? I'll get you some more water anyway.
- You never know.
Come on now, Emily.
We can't have all that business again.
I can't send all those blooming cakes across to your starving relatives.
It's you I'm taking our to tea.
Oh, I should have said, we are the lucky ones.
Lucky? What's lucky? I do my job well.
I please Mrs.
Van Groeben.
She likes the way I look.
Where's the luck in that? The luck is it was you she took from the orphanage.
The bad luck would have been if she had not.
And the luck it was that I got this job.
Was it yourself (touch out of Eaton)? No, the orphanage.
My own Jo, she's teached me lots of other things.
Things she thinks I ought to know.
How to get on.
How to behave.
She's a proper lady.
- They say she thinks the world of you.
I do my job.
She says I'll go on.
She's a good mistress.
Go on, Em, have a cake.
I'll have a cake if you'll read me again.
The last book of the story.
- All right.
- The place where she pinches herself to understand that it's real.
- That it won't melt away.
[ William reads on with sounds of carriages outside .]
- Oh, but I mean the trouble with servants is they don't know their own minds.
- I've tried to suggest things.
- I'm sure they're duly grateful.
- I mean I said to my maid, Smith, the other day - "What do you actually do on our day off?" - And do you know what she told me? What she does? She told me she sleeps the whole day! I said, don't just sleep you life away, Smith, do something constructive.
Read.
Think.
Oh, she says, I've tried that, madame, it was no good.
I couldn't think of anything to think about.
- I mean to say She means to say, she means to say, what? I was led to believe that this committee was called to give these girls some outlet rather than turn them into third rate philosophers.
Lady Templeton, our aim today is simply to finalize the arrangements for the servant's outing.
It seems to me a month tomorrow would be the best date.
The weather should be fine by then, and we won't clash with Ascot week.
Is that generally agreeable? Then, Prudence, you can finalize the arrangements with the vicar as to the use of the church hall.
Splendid.
Oh, it'll do them all a world of good.
If it's of any interest I intend to hold a masked ball during the season in aid of our worthy cause.
The theme will be Versailles before the revolution.
I do hope you will all accept my invitation to take tickets.
Tickets for the guillotine.
That's a splendid idea, Mrs.
Van Groeben.
How clever you are.
- Oh, thank you, Lady Prudence.
Don't you agree, Marjorie.
- Aren't we going to have any tea today? Yes, at four o'clock.
I shall have to give a ball this year, too, for my worthy cause.
- What's that, Lady Prudence.
- My daughter, Agatha.
- Shall we be expected to take tickets for that, too? You're not going to sell Agatha in a raffle, are you? Maybe one's last resort.
I do hope that we're not going to lose sight of our original objective.
Namely the welfare of these girls.
Well, they can all come along to Mrs.
Van, uh, Mrs.
, uh, pre-revolution ball.
After all someone will have to clean up the mess.
All those decapitated trunks.
You sound as though you disapprove of my idea, - Lady Templeton.
- I do.
It might give the servants ideas.
Marjorie, do ring for tea.
I've made myself feel quite ill [ In a park near a train line .]
Emily.
Emily.
That's hardly a name for an Irish girl.
- It isn't my name, Fitzroy.
- Well, you're called Emily.
Oh, I know, but my real name's Eving.
But, over here it's hard to get your tones rounded.
Evan.
[ Laughing .]
: No.
Eving.
She was a queen, you know.
Queen of Carrabia.
My dada told me she appeared to King Brian the night before the great battle, the Battle of Glen Tara.
And didn't she tell him the outcome of it all.
- Well, I haven't heard of a king called Brian.
She told him that he would win the battle but lose his own life.
She was a spirit of sorrow.
- Was he an Irish king? - He was.
Hmm.
Didn't I like kings in Ireland? Ah, William, I'm sure you have your thing.
You never even knew you were to meet me.
Meet you? But it was destined.
Preordained.
Oh, I was always certain of meetin' you.
I saw you that day in the kitchen and I knew I knew you.
You're are more to me than my love with you.
You're my need.
My very self.
- Look, Emily, I'm.
- Now, William.
Everything I do, I do for you.
Everything I have to do in the house, I imagine I do it for you.
Each floor that I scrub and fire that I lay and spoon that I polish is yours.
Oh, I have the imagine now-a-day.
If it wasn't for Mrs.
Van Groeben I'd run off with you tomorrow.
(As she) where would we want to.
The world is full of wrong people.
Maybe you could get another job.
You can read and write and you're strong.
If she even knew I was going out with you, Em.
Do you love me, William? You know I do.
I think you're the prettiest girl I've ever seen But, do you have a passion for me? Or do you just think I'm the prettiest girl - you've ever seen? - Yes.
I love you, Emily.
I have a passion, William, oh, a passion for you.
And I never thought I would ever know anything as fine as this passion I have for you.
There was nothing in my life before you, William, really nothing.
I know it hurts me because it's so fierce.
We'll be all right, Em.
I'll look after you.
How? How will you do it? I (want) going to you , William.
Sure, there's no place for us.
You're a sad little thing sometimes, Emily.
Well, wouldn't you be? I've nothing in this world.
.
but you.
Mom is dying.
Fabian is in America.
My other brother died when he got killed in the Boer War.
And my dad is dead this two years now.
So there's precious little to be left in this late.
Come on now, Emily.
This is our day off, we should be having fun! But, what'll I do if she finds out? What'll I do if she takes you away from me? I'd never let her do that, Em, never! Can I put my arm around you? Can I comfort you? You mustn't get so upset.
Oh, William.
Can I kiss you? Let me kiss you, please Emily.
Oh, we shouldn't.
I want to kiss you, Emily.
Oh, noNo we shouldn't do it.
It's wrong.
Well, if I've got such a passion for you.
[ Policeman .]
: Well, now! Isn't that lovely! - Run in, you two.
Move along there.
- Way past your bedtime.
- Park's closing in three minutes.
- Move along.
[ Emily sings .]
# And every word she dropped a tear # # And every line cried, "Willie dear!" # # Oh what a foolish girl was I # # To be lead astray by a butcher boy.
# I mean, William, you're only a boy.
You're still very young.
Now, I'm not angry with you, so don't be afraid.
- No, Mrs.
Van Groeben.
What I have to tell you is for your own good.
We have a saying in our country, that the first seedling of spring does not always lead to the best tree.
You see? I mean these things seem terribly important at the time, William, but most of them don't even grow into saplings.
There are far more important things at the moment.
[ Angrily .]
Much more important things than a kiss and a cuddle with some little scullery maid.
[ Sweetly .]
I mean, William, you're really going to be someone.
You really want to be someone, don't you? And people who are going to be really someone don't have to meddle with little scullery maids, now, do they? Come over here a minute, now.
Come closer.
Umm, that uniform of yours looks quite warm.
Yes, madame.
Yes, the sleeves, the cuffs they're quite frayed.
[ Cheerfully .]
I think a brand new uniform would be the order of the day.
And as you're such a smart boy, we'll have one made specially for you.
- Thank you, madame.
You can help me choose the materials and the color.
Wouldn't that be nice? - Very nice, madame.
And now that Harris is getting on a bit, and he can't do as much as he'd like to do, I think the person who's going to help him out more and take on more responsibility should have a really nice, new uniform.
Don't you, William? - If you think so, madame.
Now, where were we? Oh, yes, that other business.
No, no, I don't think there's any need to talk about that anymore, is there? I meanit doesn't really amount to anything, now does it? No, nothing, madame.
It's only a bit of fun.
[ Door opens .]
- Emily is here, my lady.
Well, send her in, will you, Hudson? - Very good, my lady.
Hello, Emily.
Well, come over here.
I want to talk to you.
Emily, I understand that you have become friendly with a member of Mrs.
Van Groeben's staff.
A footman, William.
It's only fair to tell you, that Mrs.
Van Groeben has forbidden William to see you.
[ Sound of horse's hooves .]
- And I'm afraid you must respect her wishes and not try to see him anymore.
[ Sound of horse's hooves .]
- And that'll be all.
- You can go now.
[ Sound of horse's hooves fading away .]
Emily, it's not usual for me to concern myself in matters such as this.
But you must understand Mrs.
Van Groeben will dismiss William if he continues to see you.
- A boy like that with no references will find things very difficult.
- Well, you're both so young.
Your whole lives are ahead of you.
[ Tearfully .]
Yes, my lady.
It will pass, Emily.
This hurt you're feeling now.
Truly it will.
- You'll learn to put it out of you mind, - and when you marry it'll be to someone you respect - and who'll be your companion.
A passion spends itself very quickly.
Believe me.
You're very young.
You've all your life ahead of you.
[ Sobbing .]
[ Emily .]
: Nothing will ever be the same.
- Well, what d'you want me to write, Emily? Whatever you've got, I can never take any measures.
I have no mind for the regular world, Rose.
PoorWilliam.
- Dear William.
- Has to be "Dear William" in a letter.
'Dear William 'They're last without' Oh, I can't think 'cause of nothing in my head.
[ Rose sighs .]
- 'Dear William, we have been forbidden to see each other.
'But I still love you and think of you every day.
' How about that? That's a good start.
- 'If you love me' - No, Rose Just write these words.
'You are all that's left on the slate.
'Think of me.
Eving.
' - What's that? Fickle name? - How d'you spell it? I don't know.
You'd better put Emily, so.
I just want to know he's near.
# She went upstairs to go to bed And calling to her mama said: # # "Give me a chair till I sit down.
And a pen and ink while I write down.
" # - He won't turn up now, you know.
- They never do.
- They're all the same, every man-Jack of 'em.
Huh.
- And you think your William is gonna be any different.
- [ Scolding .]
Oh, no, girl, don't wipe 'round the legs.
- Move the things proper.
- I don't know.
You're work seems be gettin' - worse and worse everyday.
- Not, there was ever much to write home about.
- Now, you've missed a bit there by the table leg.
- A bit of grease.
- [ Loud .]
There! Right under your nose! - Oh, dear.
Mrs.
Fellows was telling me one or two things about young master Williams.
Huh.
Proper little household (pettigue).
it seems.
Huh, huh, (man's that's for sure).
Mrs.
Van Groeben, she buys all his clothes, and dresses him up all by herself.
Huh.
Unhealthy, I calls it.
Unhealthy.
[ Sound of horse's hooves .]
Oh, get on with your scrubbing, Emily.
Just look at all that washing up to do.
[ Sound of horse's hooves .]
- No none sight of your fancy boy? Oh - They're all the same, every man-Jack of them.
- They're only wanting one thing.
- They're wanting (a countle) of you.
- That's what they're wanting to do.
- But.
you wasn't going to be like that, was you, Emily? - You was going to get married and live happily ever after.
But, where was you going to go, Emily? Employers don't like it, you know, when their servants want to get married.
And with no references? Who's going to take a girl who can't do nothing right? Nothing! - There's a girl here not long back, - rushed off to get married, and they was so poor - Are you listening to me, Emily! - They was so poor she had to sell her hair.
Yes.
That's right.
The very hair on her head.
And how much to you think she got for it? Eight shillings and sixpence! Eight shillings and sixpence for a lovelier the golden hair.
- What.
- You wouldn't do a foolish thing like that, now would you, Emily? I mean to say, he's not worth it.
And from all I can hear from Mr.
Harris That boy is more interested in what Mrs.
Van Groeben has to offer.
[ Emily runs sobbing .]
- [ Shouting .]
Emily! Here, Emily, what's the matter with you? [ Sobbing .]
Nothing.
Nothing wrong, nothing.
Have you been getting at her again, Mrs.
Bridges? I was only telling her a few facts of life [ Emily crying .]
Leave me be, that's all.
Leave me be.
Emily.
Emily, child, I'm sorry [ Emily crying .]
Leave me be.
- You still hurt, (my feelings)? I only wanted to help.
I only wanted to help her.
- I'm sure.
[ Sound of horse's hooves, Emily sobs .]
- (Nothing, you see.
) - Well, cheer up.
You might even see him at the picnic tomorrow! Rose, it is.
It is, Rose.
It's the coach.
He's on it! William Oh, William.
Oh.
Would you look at his colors in new uniform.
- Here, don't make him catch his cold for you now, you girl.
[ Mr.
Harris .]
: Bring it in here, lad.
[ Edward .]
: Ah, what's all this then.
It's not my birthday.
[ H .]
Something for the outing tomorrow.
[ E .]
Oh, good.
[ H .]
Come here.
Put it down here.
[ Confusion .]
[ H .]
Mrs.
Van Groeben had it made up special.
[ Chattering .]
[ William .]
We've got to take the hamper back.
[ W .]
I'll take it up.
[ Indistinct talk .]
No point in us to (know) there, lass.
- But, (to reach the), why - No point at all.
- Aw, Mr.
Harris, please, sir.
- He's got a lot of big responsibilities, lass.
- He's taking a lot on himself.
If you'll pardon me, sir.
I do want to speak to him awful bad.
- Ah, now, listen to me, child.
- [ Big sigh .]
Ah, he's he's no time anymore.
- No time at all.
- Uh, he said, he hadn't even got time to read this.
- So, under circumstances, he reckoned it be fair - for thee have it back.
It's my letter.
'Tis unopened.
- Aw, he's big responsibilities, lass.
He's not given time.
- Ah, now, think on tomorrow.
- You'll have a grand day tomorrow.
Think on that, do you.
I haven't.
# And every word she dropped a tear And every line cried, "Willie dear!" # # Oh what a foolish girl was I To be lead astray by a butcher boy.
# [ Sobbing .]
Now, listen, if I use this ribbons.
And there's a couple of flowers over here, put them on my hat.
You won't know the difference between me and Lady Scott.
What d'you think, Mrs.
Bridges? - Oh, it'll suit you a treat, Rose.
- You'll be the belle of the picnic, all right.
Why don't you change your mind and come, Mrs.
Bridges? - Naoo, I'm too old to go larking about you'uns.
- 'Sides, I've got a lot of work to do clearing up after Emily.
- Aw, go on, Mrs.
B.
you come along, too.
- You'd have a topping time.
- I've no doubt you'll enjoy yourself, Edward.
- You, with all them females.
- [ Laughing .]
Aw, Edward's gonna have a bit of competition this time.
Cause there's Taylor, the pantry boy from Lady Templeton's, and Henry, from Lady Prudent, in so what I can tall you - Go on, then.
I will go.
- I might even fancy a headdress.
- All I need is a squire, you can never know the difference.
Oh, you, Edward! Give me back my hat! - You come and get it.
You little Please, Edward.
- Now, then, give it back.
Please, give it back.
Shhh.
My name's Rose.
- You take my only bottle.
[ Closes door .]
Thinking about tomorrow, eh, Em? Ha.
Well, here you then.
You wear that.
You'll look even lovelier in that.
Well, you gotta look your best, you know.
It's a big affair that goes like.
[ Giggles.
Opens door .]
[ Door closes .]
[ Emily sobs .]
[ Heartrending sobs .]
[ Partying on the picnic omnibus .]
[ H .]
Take that out to the omnibus, Edward, and look sharp.
[ H .]
Time we were off.
[ R .]
Emily's taking your place in front of the trunks.
[ E .]
Emily! She's not on the bus yet.
[ R .]
Well, where is she then? [ H .]
Aw, go and find her quickly, Rose.
[ R .]
Yes, Mr.
Hudson.
[ Sounds of singing in the omnibus.
.]
Oh, I better go out to the bus and pacify them.
We could not have planned it better.
God has certainly smiled on us to give us such a perfect day.
- They sound so happy and excited.
- Like children going to the seaside.
I'm only afraid they'll enjoy it too much.
My constitution couldn't stand a regular nature raffle.
Won't it be fun to see their faces when we serve them tea.
I suppose it'll do us all a bit of good, don't you think? Hudson will let us know when they're ready to leave.
Emily.
[ Opens door .]
[ Gasp .]
Emily.
Oh, my God, Emily.
[ Indistinct chattering .]
[ Singing on the omnibus .]
[ Noisy celebrations .]
- Edward, Edward.
- We can't go.
Something's happened to Emily.
- Come on.
[ Indistinct chattering .]
What a time it takes to get a handful of servants to stick the hampers into an omnnibus.
Anyone would think they were packing for the North Pole.
- I'm sure they'll be ready to leave soon.
Charmed at last.
May I speak to you privately, my lady? - Yes, Hudson.
Will you excuse me.
- Ugha, I expect they've dropped all of the lemonade all over the pavement.
The silly creatures.
[ Singing from the omnibus .]
- I think perhaps you'd better go on with the picnic without us.
What has happened? A kitchen maid just she's had an accident.
- What a shame.
Hudson's gone out to explain to the other servants.
I'm so sorry.
[ Omnibus departs .]
Excuse me, Mr.
Hudson.
What was it you started to say, Mr.
Hudson? What's gonna happen to her? - Up you end, Mr.
Rhome.
- Down you end Mr - No disrespect intended, miss.
It's all been taken care of.
- All right, Mr.
Lowe.
- Take it easy, Mr.
Lowe.
- Easy now.
- Steady on.
- Right.
- Mr.
Hudson, I wonder would you mind takin' a peek out of that window? - See wither or not our van has returned.
- If you would be so kind.
- Be so kind.
Eh.
- [ Clears throat .]
I'm afraid not.
- Oh dear.
Would there be any objection if we - was to wait in there for a bit? - Too dumb to be seen on the street.
- You know, under such delicate circumstances.
- Quite.
[Whispering .]
Uh, please, this way.
- Thank you.
- Right-o.
- To you, Mr.
Hudd, then sit steady, now.
- In here, Alf.
Shhh.
- [ Whisper .]
That's right.
- Oh, yes.
Just bring her on the table.
- Here.
- Here we go, now.
- Yeow! - All right.
[ Chair scraping floor .]
- Ah.
[ H .]
Would you care for a cup of tea while you're waiting? Most kind.
- Most kind.
[ H .]
Rose.
- [ Sobbing heard .]
[ Mrs.
Bridges sobbing .]
[ MB .]
Poor child.
[ MB .]
And me with never a kind word for her.
[ R .]
Don't take on so, Mrs.
Bridges.
[ R .]
She thought the world of you.
[ MB .]
Oh, did she? She had precious little cause to.
[ MB crying .]
Oh, God, forgive me! [ MB .]
I could have helped her.
[ MB crying .]
Oh, I could have done something.
[ MB sobbing .]
- Oh, thank ye.
[ MB sobbing .]
- Nice cup 'o tea.
- Really nice.
[ H .]
Ah,she was carefully clothed.
- In mortal sin, aye? God will forgive her.
Where will they bury her? Not in consecrated ground, Mr.
Hudson.
Oh, of course not.
After the autopsy at the morgue, the doctors will decide, when they've done with her.
Doctors? - Well, they to think she'll be benefitting mankind.
Medical research, you see.
They prefers them young and healthy.
May the Lord have mercy on her soul.
[ Hudson overcome; sound of carriage arriving outside .]
[ R .]
She had so few things, [ R .]
but they were hers, after all.
# He went upstairs and the door he broke.
He found her hanging from a rope.
# # He took his knife and he cut her down, And in her pocket, these words he found: # # "Oh make my grave large, wide and deep, Put a marble stone at my head and feet.
# # And in the middle a turtle dove That the world may know I died from love.
" # [ Sound of the carriage departing .]