All language subtitles for Upstairs Downstairs S04E08 The Glorious Dead WEB-DL DDP2 0 H 264-squalor (1)_track3_[eng]

(classical music)

- This cold lamb's
hardly been touched

what she had for her
dinner last night!

- Mrs. Bellamy has never
been what I would

describe as a hearty eater.

- Not hearty, no, respectable.

No pleasin' her nowadays.

Pick, pick.

I don't like it.

If Mr. Bellamy had been here,

he would have done it
justice all right.

- It mustn't be wasted.

- Well that's just it!

With no gentlemen to cook for

it's nothing but hashin' and
curryin' and making over.

It's for (knives
clattering drown her out).

I don't like doing it at all.

Uh, I don't know, the
war's getting on my nerves.

Tradesmen getting ruined,
poor standards in the house,

standards lowered all round.

- Oh, never yours, Mrs. Bridges.

If I may make a suggestion,
why don't you

send up some rissoles for
Mrs. Bellamy this evening

with that delicious sauce.

You've never failed
with your rissoles.

- Oh yes.

The bigger aid, hmm, perhaps
I might take your suggestion.

In Lady Margery's day,
we'd never have served

rissoles for dinner.

Oh, just imagine.

Still, got to finish up
with cold meat somehow.

Oh, that Daisy's not
cleaned my mincer proper!

I meant to speak
to her about it.

Where is the girl?

- Rose wanted her
for cleaning out

Mr. Bellamy's dressing room.

- But she ought to be down
here laying up our dinner!

Always behind her nowadays.

If she doesn't have a letter
from Edward, she's mopey.

If she do, she gets
above herself.

Up and down, up and down.

Now no will be here at all.

* Keeps repeating on

* Are you there, little teddy

Oh!

- Vile gimper!

-[Daisy] Oh, no.

Bedlam, that's what it is!

You oughta be ashamed
of yourself, Daisy!

Singin' them disgustin' songs
and crashin' about like that.

- She slipped on the
stairs, Mrs. Bridges.--

- And don't you start
excusing her, Rose.

That I will not stand for.

- Hurry up, Daisy,
there's the servants' hall

table to be laid.

It's nearly 12 o'clock.

- And when you have
a moment, my girl,

perhaps you could
look at my mincer!

- I'll lay the table.

You go and help Mrs.
Bridges with her mincer.

- Yeah all right, Rose.

- One thing I will say for Ruby.

She may have been slow,
but she always

cleaned things proper.

(bell ringing)

You ought to have more
control over that girl,

Rose, really!

- Well I can't stop her
slipping on the stairs,

can I, Mrs. Bridges?

Oh, mind as you go
up the stairs,

Mr. Hudson, there's wet on them.

- All that singin'!

I don't know where she
picks it up from.

- She goes to the music
halls with her friend Violet.

Takes her mind off Edward.

Anyhow she washed down
the paint in Mr. Bellamy's

dressing room very well.

- Well I dare say she
did, but she ought

to be down here in
time to help me!

I would've thought
you would've had

more consideration, Rose,
really I would.

Oh, what do I smell?

My pie catchin'!

Oh my goodness, oh goodness.

- Oh leave that now, Daisy.

Help me lay the table.

-[Daisy] What's the
matter with Mrs. Bridges?

She's cross as two sticks.

- Got outta bed the
wrong side this mornin'.

Never mind.

You'll probably get a
letter from Edward soon.

- You'll be getting
one from Gregory.

- I dreamt about him last night.

- Go on.

- Dreamt he took me to
see the Crystal Palace,

and that's funny, 'cause
I ain't never been there.

- Well how did you know
what it looks like then?

- Don't know, must've
seen a picture, I suppose.

It was huge, all glistenin'
in the sun,

but when we got near
it, we could see

that the glass was
meltin', like ice,

all drippin' and fallin' away.

I went to ask him why it was,

and it was funny, I
couldn't see him,

my eyes were so dazzled
by the sun.

But I could hear him
say, "We don't have

"palaces in Australia,
Rosie, but you'll

"always have me."

Then he said darling.

He had never called me
that before, Daisy.

Oh, it was beautiful.

Makes me feel all warm
and shivery inside

when I think of it.

- You're lucky Rose.

I don't never dream of Edward.

Well, I better help Mrs.
Bridges with the dishing up.

It's fish pie and plum duff.

I'm ever so hungry.

- Ah, Mrs. Bellamy out for
lunch today, Mr. Hudson?

- That is correct, Rose.

No dining room luncheon today.

- Oh then I won't bother
to change till after.

That the post?

- Yes, Rose, and there's
one here for you.

- Oh, Mr. Hudson.

- What did I tell you?

- Fetch in the greens,
Daisy, and the pot.

- Funny, it's not his writing.

- This journal appears to
be for you, Mrs. Bridges.

Occult?

- Yes, it's my friend
Mrs. Chambers.

She sends that to me.

She gets in touch with her
husband on the other side.

- Does she now?

- Oh.

- Rose!

She fainted.

Daisy, quick, get some water.

Here, undo her collar.

- I'll fetch a wee
drop of brandy.

- There, Rose.

Oh you poor thing.

It's all right, Rose, dear.

It's all right.

- Is she all right?
- You've only fainted.

- Here we are, my
girl, here we are.

Here, let me try.

- My letter.

- It's in your hand, Rose.

Is it about Sergeant Wilmot?

Here now.

- No, no, read it.

I can't see, please, Mr. Hudson.

- It appears to be from
his company commander.

"Dear Miss Buck, I am
very sorry to have

"to inform you that
Sergeant Wilmot

"was killed in action
this morning.

"He was returning from
an early patrol

"when he was shot by a sniper.

"He was killed instantly
and suffered no pain.

"I want to tell you
how very much

"we valued his cheerful
and courageous nature

"and what a great loss
he will be to the company

"in which he served.

"No officer could've
had a better sergeant

"or a more resourceful soldier.

"May I offer you
my great sympathy

"for your most tragic loss.

"Since no next of
kin was recorded,

"all Sergeant Wilmot's
letters from yourself,

"together with all his
personal effects,

"will be forwarded to
you in due course.

"I am so sorry to have
to write this.

"Yours sincerely, Peter
Graham, Captain."

He died instantly, Rose,
and suffered no pain.

- Died instantly,
suffered no pain.

No, no, he can't, he
can't be dead! (crying)

He can't be dead!

He's the only man
I've ever loved!

He can't be!

He can't be!
- There, there, Rose.

-[Hudson] Daisy, go and
put the kettle on.

- Try and calm yourself, dear.
- Rose'll be wanting a hot

water bottle and some tea.

She's in a state of shock.

- Calm yourself a little, Rose.

- Oh Mrs. Bridges, have
you not got something

to cover her with?

She's very cold.

- I'll fetch a blanket.

I'll bring it.

- Oh God, please don't
let Eddie die.

- My dear Rose, we're
all so very sorry.

- I shall be alone now
for the rest of me life.

- Not alone, Rose.

You've got us.

It's not the same,
I know, my lamb,

but we are your old friends.

- It's not the same, Mr. Hudson.

- Here, here we are.

Nothing like crochet for warmth.

There, and Daisy'll make
you a nice cup of tea.

Where is that girl?

Daisy?

- It's just joy, Mrs. Bridges.

- I'll push you closer
to the fire, Rose.

You must be kept warm.

- Then put the pie in
the bottom of the oven,

and the vegetables over some
hot water in a colander.

Now then.

Her feet is like blocks of ice.

-[Hudson] It's shock, Mrs.
Bridges, we must expect that.

- Yes, yes.

I'll pour out a cup
of tea myself.

- Perhaps, read it, not so bad.

- He was killed, Rose.

-[Bridges] There we are now.

Drink this up while
it's nice and hot.

-[Hudson] Plenty of sugar
in it, I trust.

-[Bridges] Yes, yes, Mr. Hudson.

- I'm sorry to be
such a nuisance.

-[Bridges] You're not
a nuisance, Rose.

You suffered a most
terrible shock.

- Yes, so I can't manage it.

- Rose, you are going to
drink every drop of that tea.

Mrs. Bridges will stay with
you while you drink it.

I shall inform Mrs.
Bellamy of Rose's

bereavement as soon
as she returns.

Daisy had better go
round and tell them

at the bus depot.

- Now then, Rose.

You heard what Mr. Hudson said.

Come along now, drink it up.

There's a good girl.

-[Hudson] You rang, madam?

- Yes, I should like
some tea please, Hudson.

- Madam,

Madam, I'm afraid that Rose has

had some very bad news.

- What news?

- About her young man, madam.

I'm afraid Sergeant Wilmot
has been killed in action.

- Killed?

Oh no, poor Rose.

Oh I must go to her,
Hudson, at once.

- If I may suggest,
madam, it may be better

to leave her for a wee while.

Daisy has, at long last,
got her to rest

in her bed, and I believe
she is sleeping.

Mrs. Bridges administered
a few drops

of caudle in the hopes
that she would drop off.

- Yes, I see.

- I'm afraid that she's
considerably upset, madam.

- She really loved him.

I know that.

- So I understand, madam.

- Of course I'll wait
till she wakes up,

and then I'll go up and see her.

- It's cold in here, madam.

I'll make up the fire.

(phone ringing)

- I'll answer it, Hudson.

Hello?

Oh, this is Mrs.
Bellamy speaking.

Bunny!

Oh, where are you?

Dover, are you on leave?

Good, I'm glad for you.

James?

Well is he, when?

Two or three days, Bunny,
that is rather vague.

Oh I see.

Yes.

No, he hasn't.

I haven't heard from him
for about, oh, a fortnight.

Has he?

Well how wonderful.

Well of course I'm proud,
and so will Richard be

and very glad for him.

Thank you for telling me.

Enjoy your leave.

Goodbye.

Major Bellamy is coming
home on leave.

- Yes, madam.

Might I ask when?

- Lord Newberry wasn't
quite sure.

He's on his way back
to the base.

Two or three days, he thought.

- Then I will bring up the
major's favorite claret, madam.

And should I inform
Mrs. Bridges?

I know she will be most
anxious to do her

best for the major
when he comes home.

- Oh by all means.

Oh Hudson, you might
like to tell the others

that Major Bellamy
has been awarded

the Military Cross
for his conduct

in a recent action on the Somme.

- That is indeed a
great honor, madam.

The Military Cross, that
is good news, madam.

- Yes.

- Shall I bring tea, madam?

- Oh yes, Hudson, I should
like some tea.

- May I say, madam, how
glad we shall all be

downstairs that you will
soon have a short

respite from anxiety?

- What?

- Having the major safe
at home for a while.

- Oh yes, thank you, Hudson.

- What I think is, if the
major's getting some leave,

it's high time Eddie
got some, too.

- Eddie hasn't gone and
got himself a medal.

That's what Major James
is gettin' his leave for.

You mark my words.

Besides, he's an officer.

It's a difference, and
so it should be.

- I'm sure if Eddie
wanted a medal,

he'd get hisself one.

He's been fightin' in
just the same battles

as the major all these months.

Mr. Hudson says it's been
the worst battle of the war.

It's called the Battle
of the Somme,

and more people have been
killed in this battle than--

- Daisy!

- What have I done?

I was only saying what
Mr. Hudson said.

- Ooh!

-[Bridges] What is it, Rose?

- I stuck the blessed
needle in me finger,

and I've sewn the blessed
ribbon on all crooked.

It'll have to be done again.

Oh, I wish I was dead!

- Rose, you mustn't say
such dreadful things.

It's all your fault, Daisy!

You ought to have more
consideration for other people!

Jabbering on about
people dying in battles!

That's no way to cheer Rose up!

- It's not as though
she was married to him,

is it, Mrs. Bridges?

- How can you be
so wicked cruel?

How can you?

It's all very well
for you, Daisy.

You're all right.

You're married.
- I'm sorry, Rose.

- I hate you for sayin' that!
- I didn't mean to upset,

I didn't mean it like that.
- That's enough, Daisy!

Go to your room at once!

Do as your told.

Leave that ironin'.

(crying)

Rose, come here.

Come over here to Mrs.
Bridges, then.

Come along.

There, there.

There, my lamb.

- Oh Mrs. Bridges,
what shall I do?

- There, there, my lamb.

She didn't mean to upset you.

She just don't know
what she says.

You suffered a terrible
disappointment, Rose,

the worst thing that can happen

to a respectable young
woman you have.

Don't think I don't
understand 'cause I do.

You'll get over it, believe me.

You will get over it in the end.

- That's what Mrs. Bellamy says.

I can't believe it.

I can't believe it's happened.

Half the time I feel numb,
don't feel anything at all.

Then I have to tell
myself he's dead.

He's been killed.

And it's like reading that
letter all over again.

- It won't keep on
like that, Rose.

After a bit, it won't
keep slammin' at you

so often, and it won't
be so hard when it does.

- It's not that I don't
believe you, Mrs. Bridges.

- I know, my girl, I've
been through it.

Long time ago, of
course, but it's

not the kind of thing
you forget.

I've never told a soul about it.

- Oh, Mrs. Bridges.

- You remember Mrs.
Bedoes, the one I baked

the cake for, the one
that Mr. Wilmot...

Well, it was before she
was with Lady Templeman,

she was with Lady Basingstoke,

and I was under her there
as kitchen maid.

They had a big place in
Scotland, the Basingstokes.

And I was sent up there
once for the house parties

for the grouse shooting.

Oh, it was a huge place.

20 in the servant's
hall, and the water

for the it baths of an
evening was something

I shan't never forget.

Where was I?

- You was tellin' me about
what you'd been through.

- Oh that's right, yes.

Well, there was this Frederick.

He was a groom there,

and he come down one day
to help with the hampers.

He was a good looking young man.

He had the bluest eyes
I've ever seen

on anyone in all my life,

and his hair was real
copper color.

Of course, I was different
in them days.

Mind you, it was over
30 years ago.

He told me I had the truest
waist he'd ever seen.

- How did you manage to see him?

Him not having his meals
in the servant's hall?

- Oh well, I didn't see all
that much of him, of course.

They was ever so strict
in them days.

But I was invited up
to tea with his mother.

They had a croft, they
called it, on the estate.

Mrs. Bedoes give me permission.

I dressed up in me Sunday
best of the occasion,

and he come and fetch me.

So we had the walk
there and back.

One day, comin' back it
rained, cats and dogs!

There's no two ways about it.

We just had to take shelter.

- Did you get engaged to him?

- Not exactly engaged, but
we come to an understanding.

Mind you, we'd seen
one another quite a few

times before that occasion
when he'd come

in for the hampers.

Well after a bit,
he took to gettin'

them every day, and
I took to bein'

as the one as took 'em in.

Of course, we had to
be ever so careful.

You see it was only on
the walk to and from

his mother's cottage
that I had the chance

of surmising his intentions.

- Then what happened?

- We didn't tell a soul.

I didn't have nobody to tell.

And I come back to London.

He wrote to me twice.

Of course, I answered,

but we was neither of
us much gone on writing.

And there was this
fighting out in the Sudan.

One of the sons of the household

was an officer in the cavalry,

and Fred went out there
as his groom.

He caught some fever
and died there,

all amidst them savages.

His mother wrote to me,
else I wouldn't have known.

After that, I took
to polishin' all

the pans in the kitchen

till me arms were so
tired I could hardly move.

- Poor Mrs. Bridges.

- It was not havin'
anybody to tell.

I thought I'd never get over it.

- When someone dies, it
seems so final, doesn't it?

- Well, yes and no.

Things have changed, Rose.

I mean, when a loved
one passes over,

there are certain
special people who

can take and receive
messages from the other side.

My friend Mrs. Chambers
knows one of these ladies.

- That spiritualist isn't it?

Mr. Hudson says--

- You don't want to take
too much notice of him,

not on that account.

I mean, he's a man.

They don't have the same
feelings as us women.

- How would you know
it's all right,

spiritualism and that?

- That's what I was coming to.

You see, Rose, I was so
dreadfully upset the other day

when you, when you got
your tragic news

because I remember
I'd been sharp

with you right up to the
time when the letter come.

And so, after we got
you to have a little

bit of a lay down, I
popped round the corner

to my friend Mrs. Chambers
in Chester Square.

Now she's somebody
I really trust.

Well, her lady lost
a son in August,

and she'd been to her, I
know, because Mrs. Chambers

told me she had.

- Been where?

- To this Madame Francini.

Wait, wait a minute,
I'll show you.

There's something
about her here.

Yes, there we are.

It says, "Many titled
ladies have received

"consolation in their
tragic losses."

Well I asked Mrs. Chambers
if she thought

it would help you,
and she said it was

her considered opinion
that it would.

- What happens?

- Well you just sit very quiet,

and then Madame Francini
goes into a trance.

Then her control, that's
the spirit whats

she's in touch with,
sends you a message.

And then you know that
he's all right

and happy where he is.

And you could send him
a message too, Rose.

It would be ever such
a comfort to you,

believe me, thousands of
people are doing it nowadays.

- Would I, would
I hear his voice?

- You might, if you was lucky.

Mind you, sometimes you
have to go more than once.

- Oh it's probably
ever so expensive!

- No, Madame Francini
never charges more

than a person can afford.

You try it, Rose.

Here, there's the address.

Not a word to Mr. Hudson, mind.

- All right, I will.

Might as well.

- Definitely someone there.

(knocking)

Everyone keep very
quiet and help

Mrs. Speedwell to concentrate.

Look above my head, Mrs.
Speedwell, and behind it.

I feel a presence forming.

A handsome young man is there.

A young man.

He looks pale.

- That's my Billy.

- Have you a message
for your mother, Billy?

(knocking)

Yes, he has a message.

Keep looking.

Can you see anything yet?

-[Speedwell] No, not yet.

- He's very tall, isn't he?

- Well--

- Compared to you.

And such a lovely, generous
expression.

Now, you should be able
to see him any moment now.

Billy,

don't be shy.

We know you're on
the other side.

We want to know whether
you are happy.

-[Ghostly Voice]
Very happy here.

- Oh, Billy my darlin'.

I can see you now.

I know I can.

Oh Billy, are you
really all right?

I miss you so.

(door creaking)

-[Ghostly Voice]
Quite all right.

But spirit I

must go now.

- Oh, Billy, don't.

Please don't leave me so soon.

Oh my dear one, don't go.

- We mustn't try to stop them.

I'm sure he'll want to come
again on your next visit.

(Speedwell crying)

Now, quiet everyone.

I think I have another message.

Is it for the gentlemen?

(knocking)

Is it for another lady?

(knocking)

Steady dear, we understand
that it's for a lady.

Everyone keep very quiet
and concentrate.

Is there anyone there?

* And his ghost may be heard

* As you pass by that billabong

* You'll come a-Waltzing
Matilda with me *

(knocking)

- That's an Australian
song, isn't it, dear?

Is it an Australian gentleman?

* Waltzing Matilda,
Waltzing Matilda *

- No, no, I don't want to.

No!

Oh, oh.

- Oh thank you, Hudson.

-[Rose] Mr. Hudson, Mr. Hudson!

I've been to see (crying)

-[Hudson] Rose, not here.

Control yourself!

Now pull yourself
together, Rose!

This is no place
for such a scene!

- No place!

If there is a place,
then I'd like to know!

I can't help it!
(hand slaps)

(Rose crying)

- I'm afraid Rose is
hysterical, madam.

She better go upstairs
to her room.

- No, no, Rose had better
come in here with me.

- Very good, madam.

Come along, Rose.

Make yourself presentable.

Mrs. Bellamy is waiting.

Quickly now.

-[Rose] You wish to
speak to me, madam?

- Come in, Rose, and sit down.

Tell me what's the matter.

Why were you so upset?

- I've been to see
Madame Francini.

- Who is Madame Francini?

- Oh, she's a very
well-known lady,

and she talks to people
on the other side.

She gets messages from
them and to them.

Titled ladies go to her.

She's a great consolation
for those

in mourning for their
loved ones.

- I've never heard such
nonsense in my life.

She sounds like some
kind of spiritualist.

-[Rose] Oh yes, that's
what she is, madam.

- Rose, that's wicked.

Those people are charlatans.

You must know that,
you're a good Christian.

- But I didn't know it, did I?

I've never been there before.

- And I sincerely hope
you'll never go to

one of those places again.

I'm shocked, Rose.

- Well I left before
anything happened to me.

I left when a lady saw--

- I don't want to hear about it.

- No, madam.

- But if there is anything
else I can help you.

I know you suffered
a dreadful blow.

I do feel deeply for you.

We all do.

- I know Gregory's dead
all the time now.

Not just in waves, like before,

with forgettin' in between.

He's come to be the
only on my mind,

but it's not just bein'
alone 'cause he's dead.

It's bein' alone 'cause
of how I feel about it.

- I understand how dreadful
it is for you, Rose.

- You can't.

Excuse me, madam, but
you can't have no idea.

Ever since I was 13,
I've lived in other

people's houses.

I've never ever had
a room of me own.

Never had a life of
me own, really.

That's 'cause I've been
in service all me life.

Don't know anything else.

Then at last, I was
going to another country,

live on a farm and be a
mistress of me own

household with a husband
and children to look after.

Then when I got old,
they'd've looked after me.

Now I haven't got anything.

When I get too old to work,

I'll have to find myself
a little room somewhere,

and I won't be able
to have saved enough

to do more than scrimp
and pinch through

to the rest of my life,
so I don't know

what it's all for anymore.

- I know.

- Before I met Gregory,
I never thought

about my life as a whole.

I never thought that I'd
meet a man who'd love me,

ask me to marry him and
want to look after me,

but I did meet him, and
it made me think about it.

And now he's gone,
and I'm worse off

than back where I started.

Now whatever position you
find yourself in madam,

that's never gonna
happen to you,

so I just don't see
how you can understand.

- What you've said has
made me understand

a good deal more.

But Rose, we'd never
let you end your days

in the way you describe.

We're all much too fond of you.

- Yes, well that would be
charity, wouldn't it, madam?

- I think we all owe
you far too much

for it to be that.

- Oh madam, I'm most
dreadfully sorry.

I've said such terrible things.

- No, Rose.

You haven't said terrible
things, only true ones.

And I do understand, a little.

So much that is dreadful
is happening in this war

that no one can be
immune from grief

or the possibility of it.

- Immune?

- Untouched.

But you will find
comfort in prayer

much more than anything else.

God will not forsake
you if you pray to him.

Look, why don't you go
round to St. Peter's

and see the rector, Mr. Andrews.

He's an old man, but
he's very experienced

and very kind.

He's seen a great deal
of bereavement,

the anguish of loss and
the strain of fearing it.

I know because I've talked
to him myself.

I will ask him if he'll
see you, if you like.

- Oh madam, I didn't think...

- The first weeks
are the hardest,

but you will get through them.

You will find that other
threads of your life

have some meaning.

One does not forget,
but one learns to live

with the loss until
very gradually,

it becomes something
that can be accepted.

But you must come and
talk to me whenever

you feel like it.

Won't you?

- Yes, madam.

Thank you for talking
to me, madam.

I'll try and do what you said.

Are you all right, madam?

- Oh it's all right, Rose.

You may go now.

I'll ring if I want anything.

But will you go now, please?

(crying)

-[Hudson] Welcome home, major.

-[James] Thank you,
Hudson, is Mrs. Bellamy in?

-[Hudson] Yes, sir,
she's in the parlor.

-[James] Oh good, you're
looking very well.

-[Hudson] Thank you, sir,
did you enjoy your leave?

-[James] Yes, thank you.

Oh, leave those downstairs.

I'll take the rest up later.

-[Hudson] Very good, major.

(Hudson tsking)

- Mr. Hudson, they
was up and dressed,

but I think the major's
been in his dressing

room writing all night
because the floor was

covered in paper, and
I don't think he's

been to bed all night, either--

- That will do, Daisy.

It is no concern of yours.

- 'Cause the other
half of the bed

hadn't been slept in.

- Take that tray and go
down to Mrs. Bridges.

She'll be waiting for you,

and after the major
and Mrs. Bellamy

have come down, you better go up

and see what has become of Rose.

- Oh shouldn't I go
up now, Mr. Hudson?

- Certainly not, girl!

The major will not want
you all over the stairs

when he's coming down them.

There are times when I
despair of you, Daisy.

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- I coddled Mrs. Bellamy's eggs,

seeing she had no dinner
last night, poor soul.

Oh my goodness!

I quite forgot.

I roasted this special
for the major.

- Are the newspapers there?

- I don't think I can
bear to look at it.

- You look very tired.

- I didn't sleep last night.

- Excuse me, sir, but
Mrs. Bridges forgot

to send this up with
the rest of breakfast,

a cold partridge, sir.

She roasted it especially
for you.

- Oh, how very good of her.

Put it on the sideboard
will you, Hudson?

- Yes, sir.

- Oh Hudson, would you
tell Mrs. Bridges

I shall be out to luncheon?

- Yes, madam.

- What about you, James?

- I shall be out, too.

- Very good, sir.

Oh, Lady Prudence
telephoned, madam.

- Oh?

- She wondered whether you
read about Lieutenant Dyson

in last night's evening
newspaper.

- Yes, I did.

Is that all?

- Yes, madam.

- Thank you, Hudson.

- Who's Lieutenant Dyson?

- He was one of the
wounded officers

that came her to Prudence's
tea party.

He was in the Royal
Flying Corps.

He's dead.

He was killed.

Will you go to your club?

- No.

I can't face all those
old chaps asking

me about my medal,
wanting to be told

a pack of lies about
how the war's going.

In fact, the thought
of meeting anyone

I know fills me with...

- What?

- With panic.

- What do you mean?

- It's the war.

I don't believe it anymore.

- Do you mean that we're
not going to win?

- Hazel, it's not a question
of winning or losing.

It's not that.

It's the appalling waste.

The thousands and
thousands of ordinary men

who aren't really
soldiers at all.

Farmers, post office
clerks, tradesmen,

barely schoolboys some
of them, simply getting

slaughtered like cattle.

And for what?

A few yards of mud.

I remember once at school I
played Fortinbras in Hamlet.

These soldiers were
fighting for a patch

of land that they said
wasn't any good anyway.

They said it wasn't even big
enough to bury their dead.

"We go to gain a little
patch of ground

"that hath in it no profit
but the name."

There can't be any argument,
any dispute

that is worth so many
people's lives, so much blood.

Something monstrous,
evil, mad about it all.

And it's all bolstered
out by people here

not knowing what
it's really like,

like some

asked confidence trick.

You see, even now, I
can't really tell you

how awful it is.

We perpetuate the lies
even from out there.

The letters I've written
to the wives

and mothers of my men.

"He died like a man,
instantly, no pain.

"His supreme sacrifice
will not be in vain."

I haven't written a
single letter that didn't

have one of those lies in it.

And all the time, you
see, it seems to me

clearer and clearer that
they died for nothing.

I shouldn't be talking
to you like this.

It's against the rules.

We're not supposed to demoralize
the civilian population.

- You should talk.

You need to tell someone.

- I've told you hardly anything,

the tithe of it.

You couldn't stand much
more of the awful details.

I spent all last night
writing it down,

what I feel.

I want you to keep
it somewhere safe.

If I'm killed, I want you to
get it published somewhere.

Perhaps Geoffrey Dillon
can arrange it.

I know we haven't always
understood each other

very well, Hazel, but you will
promise me that one thing?

- I promise, James.

Well, I'd better go
and see how Rose is.

- What's the matter with her?

- Her fiance was
killed last week.

She's dreadfully upset.

- That Australian fellow.

- Yes.

I've tried to comfort her,

but I don't seem
to do much good.

- Perhaps I shall
go and see her.

- Well if you feel like it.

I'm sure it would help.

- Than I shall.

I shall speak to
her very frankly.

I'm so sorry, Rose.

- I was trying to pull
myself together,

then his things come.

-[James] I expect
you had a letter

from his company commander,
didn't you?

- The officer, yes.

It says how much they
valued his cheerful

and courageous nature
and what a great loss

it'll be to the company
in which he served.

It says he died instantly
and suffered no pain.

- Well that's one
blessing, isn't it, Rose?

- Yes, sir.

I know it is, only he's
gone see, and...

- What is it, Rose?

- Well sir, I know it's
'cause I'm ignorant,

but I don't understand the war.

I don't see what
it's really for.

I mean, if I could
understand why he

had to die and leave me.

- You must remember,
Rose, that...

that this is the war
to end all wars.

You must remember that
Sergeant Wilmot died

as a dominion soldier fighting
for the British Empire.

The greatest sacrifice
a man can make

for his country is his life.

It places him among the
heroes for all time.

- Does it?

Does it really?

- Of course it does.

When this war is over,
people will raise

memorials everywhere to our
glorious dead in thanksgiving

and to honor them forever.

His name will be inscribed with,

with the others.

- His name will be on
a memorial tablet?

So he'd be remembered?

- He will be remembered
forever, Rose.

- Like the heroes in history?

- And you too, Rose.

You too have made
your sacrifice.

You have given the man you loved

to safeguard the future
for others.

You mustn't forget that.

It puts you in a very
special position.

- Does it?

- Among the gallant
women who've given

and lost their nearest
and dearest.

You should feel very
proud, Rose, very proud.

- Thank you very much, sir,

for talking to me and
explaining things.

It's made all the difference.

I am proud of him, and
I shan't never forget

what you've said, and
I shan't never forget

that he's done something
good and useful

for everybody, and that
he died to make

this country safe for
everyone forever.

That's what you said, isn't it?

- Something like that, Rose.

- And I shan't forget
what you said

about me neither, bein' special.

That'll be a great
comfort to me.

- That's right.

I must go and find Mrs. Bellamy.

- Oh well thank you, sir.

- I've seen her.

Poor Rose.

-[Hazel] How is she?

- Like all the other
wretched women who've

lost their menfolk,

needing to feel that
it was in a good cause.

I did try to comfort her.

When something like
that happens,

there's not much you
can do, is there?

- Not much.

James?

I've read your paper.

I hope you don't mind.

But I'm glad I did.

- Not really stuff for
a woman to read.

You do see what I meant.

- Yes, I saw what you meant.

But it makes me feel...

-[James] What?

- That I hardly know you.

You've changed.

- May I put these away now?

- How can you go back to
fight now, feeling as you do?

- That's quite simple.

It's my duty.

I have no choice.

But I shall feel better about it

now that I've made some
gesture to posterity.

Even if we have no children
of our own,

perhaps other people's
children will

one day read it and understand.

I was wondering

if perhaps you might
like to come out with me

and have some lunch?

Afterwards, we could go
for a walk in the park.

- I should like that,

very much.

(classical music)