All language subtitles for The House of Eliott s03e01

No, I'm just...

Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your
attention, please?

As you know, Beatrice and Evangeline
Elliott sail for England tomorrow aboard

the Laconia.

Now, while I'm happy to wish them bon
voyage, I'm not going to say goodbye.

I would much prefer to say au revoir.

The Elliott Collection has been an
enormous success with both the press and

public. And as a director of the
company, may I say, Sears Roebuck is

be associated with them.

So would you join me in a toast, please,
to Beatrice and Evangeline, the house

of Elliot.

Thank

you.

Not only for allowing us to show our
designs in America and embark on what

promises to be a successful venture.

but also for all the warmth and
hospitality you've shown us.

Evie? Well, we've had a wonderful time,
and we're looking forward to our next

visit. Thank you.

So, how are you? Glad to be going home.

In a way, we really had a terrific time
here, though.

Yes.

Beatrice looks very happy.

Yes. Donald's been very kind to us both.

This trip has done us the world of good.

Is, um... Is Beatrice fond of Donald?

Yes. Oh, please, Donald. There's so many
people I want to say goodbye to. All

right, I'll find us some fruit cups.

I'm not going to spoil the party with
business, but tell me something.

Are you now going to consider designing
ready -to -wear gowns on a more regular

basis? Oh, I don't know. I think with
the season coming up at home, we're

to be pretty tied up with the couture
collection.

Oh, of course.

As long as your experience with Sears
Roebuck hasn't put you off the whole

Not at all. It's been very interesting
to see just how much demand there is for

high -quality gowns in North Doors.

Hasn't put us off anything.

Good.

Oh, excuse me, there's Harry.

He'll want to say goodbye to you as
well.

Pretty tied up?

When you've been here six weeks, you're
beginning to sound like an American. Oh,

so?

Hi!

I think gone naked is the expression.

No more of that after tomorrow, eh?

No, I suppose not.

Still. We have plenty to look forward to
in England.

Can I have the next dance, please?

Oh, come on, it's not even six o 'clock
yet. Oh, it nearly makes no difference.

I'm off. Excuse me.

You're back.

How are you today? Fine.

Well, it all looks... Thank you.

Welcome back.

You should have let us know when you
were arriving. We could have had someone

meet you. Well, we wanted to surprise
you.

I'm telling you, I had no idea. How are
you?

How have you been managing?

I'm not sure where to start. Oh, please
don't give me the details this minute.

Everything looks well under control.

We're just about managed.

If you want to get off home, then,
please do. Oh, thank you, Miss Evie.

My mother -in -law's expecting me
straight back.

I'm just going to say hello to Alice and
then... What do you mean, ah?

Perhaps we should go through to your
office.

It was very difficult.

Well, what was? What's happened to her?

Mrs Burgoyne received a...

A most generous offer from Maison
Gilles, Premier Vendors.

That's ridiculous.

Alice wouldn't walk out for a better
job.

Well, she walked out of her vows for us.

Mrs. Burgoyne and I, we... It was fine
at first, and then we found we... I'm

laying all the blame on her mind. It was
just... Perhaps I was a little

overzealous in my duties. I was anxious
to make sure everything went smoothly.

I can see that Mrs. Burgoyne might have
regarded that as interference.

Did she say as much?

She pointed out that I was a bookkeeper,
not a couturier, and, well, she was

quite right.

When did all this happen?

Last week. She didn't even wait to take
her wages and left on the Friday.

Well, what about our clients? Who's been
attending to them? I've done my best.

Tilly has been most helpful.

I don't know.

Life is peace.

I don't know. You turn your back for
five minutes and look what happens.

Thanks, silly.

It wasn't all his fault, though.

We're dead set on going.

Well, I find it hard to imagine Joseph
upsetting anyone that much.

Did you see much of what went on?

Some.

Couldn't help it half the time.

She'll have got a voice for that woman
when she tries.

There were shouting matches.

Oh, no.

Not in front of the clients.

Never got that bad.

So what actually happened?

Silly things.

Brewers rang. They had water damage in
their warehouse.

They'll have to get a new batch of grape
in for us. I mean, it was going to be a

couple of days, that's all.

She went mad.

Well, who do you think you are? You
can't do this to the House of Elliot.

you're having no more orders of us.

Slamming the telephone down?

And I mean, they've been good to us,
brewers.

It's all right now, though. Mr Wink got
it all sorted out in the end.

In fact, it wasn't Joseph's fault at
all.

No.

Except... Go on.

He came in in a morning suit.

Pardon? Well, after Mrs Burgoyne left,
the Duchess of Chilham made an

appointment, and Mr Wimps said he'd
better receive her, so... He hired a

suit.

And? She was very gracious.

I mean, she shook hands with him and all
that, and said she'd better make an

appointment when you two got back.

And Mr Wint, he bowed.

I laughed at your home.

Smashing cottage pie, Mum. Oh, yeah, I
wasn't expecting to come home to a hot

meal. Oh, it's a cold night.

And it's your favourite.

Oh, they call it ground beef in America,
and they make it into sort of chorizo

hamburgers. I don't think I fancy that.

Oh, no, they're everything.

We had a lovely cape on for our
Christmas, didn't we, Jerry?

A bit too much for just the two of us,
but it was ever so nice.

Mum's been a real trooper since you've
been away, Madge. Well, that's what I'm

here for.

Oh, by the way, I cleared out the back
cupboard for you.

There was all sorts of rubbish in there
I wanted to throw in out.

Very good of you.

Oh.

Someone had to hold the fort while he
was off gallivanting, didn't they?

How long have we been back in England?

About 12 hours.

Oh, seems like months.

Thank you.

Are you expecting a letter from Jack?

No, why should I be?

There's a lovely telegraph from Donald.
I mean, wire.

Oh, yes?

Welcome home. Stop.

America's loss is England's gain. Stop.

In touch soon, Doc.

You made a great impression on Donald
Bradley.

Well, I should think so. We brought a
lot of prestige to see his robe up.

Is that all?

I obviously failed miserably in how I
brought you up. You were far too nosy

your own good.

I know.

Still, I didn't get a telegraph from
Franklin. Or Geoffrey, or Arnold K.

Winstanley, Jr.

Well, it's fun, isn't it?

Yes.

Do you know, Miriam asked us if we were
considering doing any more ready -to

-wear. Mm -hmm.

Well, do you think we ought to look at
the idea more seriously?

Well, all ideas are worth looking at,
Bea.

But it's not what we do best, is it?

There, dear, there are...

It's called rayon. Now, everyone wears
rayon stockings in America. Well, it

feels like silk.

Now, they don't dine as easy as silk,
but then they don't need it so often.

wear ever so well, and you can wash them
and everything.

Very kind, I'm sure.

Oh, thanks ever so much, Madge. I'm
going to wear them tonight when I see

Oh!

You'll make a start on Miss Hampton. All
right.

Here we go.

Charles!

I didn't forget you.

Oh, I say.

Oh, they're from Havana.

Oh.

I've got some for you and some for Mr
Wint.

Well, thank you very much, Madge. That's
very kind of you.

Madge, will you give me two minutes to
make sure everyone's set up and I'll

you what's going on? Yes.

Is she all right?

Well, she took a lot of responsibility
when everyone was away, especially

when... Oh, I know, I heard.

She would have enjoyed a trip to
America.

Don't worry.

I won't rub her nose in it.

Mrs. Armstrong will be here in 15
minutes. And there'll be no one for the

of the day. And only Miss Hampton
tomorrow. I know it's my fault, but I

didn't know what to do.

The ladies wish to see other ladies, and
without Mrs. Burgoyne... No one is

blaming you, Joseph.

You obviously managed very well under
very trying circumstances. They all said

they'd rebook once you were home.

Well, most of them did. I'm sure they
will, Joseph.

So, if you'll excuse me.

I have a good deal of my own work to
catch up with. Of course.

Five appointments, all we'd be.

You think Alice just took all her
clients with her to Maison Gilles?

I don't know. She certainly didn't bring
any with her from the south to us.

Maybe we just underestimated the
importance of actually being here

All the accounts are up to date.
Everyone seems to be paying their bills.

Uh -huh.

What?

Talk, mate, tell.

Maison Gilles winter collection.

100 glittering evening gowns.

We obviously have a lot of catching up
to do.

Hello.

Oh, good morning. I'd like to see the
Elliot sisters, please. And I know

back. Look, Miss Keeble, as I said to
you last time, Miss Keeble, it would be

much better if you were to make an
appointment.

Are they busy now?

They're with a client at this very
moment. How long will they be?

I couldn't really say.

Ten minutes?

Half an hour? Possibly.

Then I'll wait.

In here, all right?

It's gorgeous.

I simply adore it.

Oh, I must.

It had turned out awfully well.

Mrs. Burgoyne looked after you, I
presume.

Yeah. Turn round, darling.

We were all most surprised when Mrs.
Burgoyne decamped to Maison Gilles.

But she seems happy enough there.

Yes, that is charming. Now get changed
quickly, darling.

Thank you.

You will both come this evening, won't
you?

Too many people dying to talk to you
about America.

Oh, yes, of course. It's Jessica's 21st,
isn't it?

Yes, the invitation was waiting for us
when we got home. We are looking forward

to it.

By the way, I hope I've done the right
thing, my dear. I know things have been

awkward between you and Jack, but he and
the children have been such chums that

Simon has been trying to telephone him
for weeks.

Well, he was in Germany before
Christmas.

Oh, well, that's probably it, then.

Simon sent him an invitation.

So if he's there, he's there, and if
he's not, he isn't.

Jessie, darling, come on, quickly.

Oh, there's a young lady to see you,
Miss Keeble.

A client?

I don't know Miss Elliot. She came a
couple of times while you were away, but

she... Hello.

My name's Grace Keeble.

Hello. Miss Keeble.

It's all right. I haven't come to buy
anything.

Then come here. We'll help you keep it
down. I've come to show you these.

What do you think?

Do you like them?

Well, yes, they're very good.

Would you like to buy them?

I beg your pardon?

I'm a fashion designer like you. Trouble
is, I'm like you. I don't have a

fashion house. So I'm trying to sell me
designs to someone who does.

I'm afraid the House of Elliot doesn't
buy designs.

Why not? Because my sister and I do all
the designing ourselves.

It's nothing to do with the quality of
the work. No. It's just never been our

policy to employ other designers.

Have you, um, ever had any of these made
up at all? I've done this one.

Oh.

Where did you... I mean, who... I made
it.

I've done dressmaking and ladies'
tailoring at the technical school in

Shoreditch. Did you?

That's not bad.

But not good enough to get you to buy my
designs, eh?

If you're seeking employment, Miss
Keeble, we occasionally have vacancies

workroom. I've been in workrooms. I've
done outwork, and it's not for me.

As I said, I'm a designer, and that's
what I'm going to do.

Well, I'm terribly sorry.

I only come to you when you get started
from nothing.

Still, another time, eh?

Look, I am sorry if we appear rude.

It's just... Well, no one's ever brought
their designs to us before. You'd have

rather take us by surprise.

Your work is good. You've obviously gone
to a great deal of trouble.

The designs are very promising.

I can't guarantee that they will ever be
sold or even made up, but we would be

prepared to buy a couple of them as
drawings.

Depending on the price, of course.

Does five shillings each sound
reasonable?

A guinea the pair.

Very well.

I'll get my checkbook. Kath!

I'll, um, go and see Joseph, sir.

Oh, I'm sorry I'm late, Perk. Been
waiting long?

Long enough to let me breathe in.

Come on, let's go and get Kath and warm
up.

Yeah, all right.

Here, listen.

Have you got any cash on you, girl?

Only on iffy wallet, I see.

Oh, yeah, I've got enough for our
dinner.

Good girl.

I'll call you back tonight.

Right, Mr Baker, that's a gross of black
cotton, gross of white.

20 yards of the narrow lace trim, 20
yards of the white stuff. Tons of yards,

said. It's up and three farthings on
orders less than 50 yards, Mr. Cotter.

up and farthing and I make it 30 yards
of each.

And I'll have a bolt of the same
interfacing I had last time and a gross

silver gilt buckles.

Dragonfly or pharaoh's head?

Dragonfly, if you please, Mr. Baker.
Can't even sell the Egyptian -looking

Manchester any more. Very well.

Miss Elliot, please, come in, come in.

He has to find those buns for me now.
Not one kind, but two.

Really?

I'll be with you in a tick, Mr. Cotter.

Now.

This is the tortoise shell you wanted to
see. And this one is Indian buffalo

horn. Oh, I like that.

I'll have a dozen for both of those. Of
course. I shall be with you directly.

Oh, forgive me for interrupting your
business. That's quite all right. No

trouble at all.

It is Miss Elliot's of the House of
Elliot, isn't it?

That's right.

Well, now, I'm very pleased to meet you,
Larry Cotter.

I've been an admirer of yours for a long
time.

How kind.

I remember when you showed those
nocturne gowns a couple of years ago.

were clamouring for violet silk for
months afterwards.

Really? Oh, yes. Couldn't get enough of
it.

And your last collection, even after all
the business with Lord... Well,

er... All water under the bridge now.

I'm in the fashion business myself, you
know. Not quite in the same circles as

yourself, obviously.

I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting.

That's all right. I'm more in ready to
wear.

And, of course, I've been reading great
things about your American tour.

Thank you very much. Pleasure. Good day.
So nice to talk to you, Miss Ellie. I

do hope we meet again.

Yes, I hope so too.

Oh, let me give you my card.

Show me those buttons again.

You got anything like that in Bakelite?

But, Jess, the whole orchestra are
playing real music, but she wouldn't

minute. Come on, Jessica.

Oh, my dear Pendo, the birthday girl.

Thank you.

And the Americans have the most
wonderful conmuggles. Really fresh,

colours. Isn't that what they use the
place for?

Uh, not anymore, no.

If you have a consignment arriving any
day, maybe you would like to drop in.

Yes, I might, when I have a moment.

Darling, check.

If I have to live into one more old,
droning on about the dangers of modern

living, I will die.

Happy birthday, dear.

I say, you look frightfully elegant.

That's not a Gilles number, is it? No,
it's an Elliot.

Oh, I didn't think of going there.

It's just that everybody went along to
the Maison Gilles collection.

And I rather went along with them. And
once one's there, it's frightfully hard

to resist, isn't it?

Jessica, happy birthday.

Thank you.

Do you know there were eight mannequins
on parade at the same time?

Gown after gown.

And each one more splendid than the
last.

I see we shall have to look to our
laurels if Maison Jules is going to

such an extravagant collection each
season.

Oh, my dear Beatrice.

I'm sure you have no cause for concern.

None at all.

Good. Would you excuse me a moment?

Having fun?

Not really, no.

No? No, Jack's not here after all.

It's just about to be one more. Never
mind.

They've extracted promises to visit us
from at least a dozen people.

Well done.

Beatrice, Evangeline, the very people.

is driving me to distraction.

It's been going on for weeks.

But when Colonel Stanhope brought the
subject up again, her eyes positively

up. And I suddenly thought, you're just
the ones to solve the problem.

What exactly is the problem?

Well, Jessica is quite determined to
take up some sort of paid employment.

I can't imagine why.

It's not as if she needed money, but
there we are.

And I suddenly thought of you.

Well, Jessica could be your new bondeur.

Oh, well, we're certainly very flattered
by Jessica's interest. Oh, do say yes.

After all, you do need a new bondeur,
and Jessica knows absolutely everyone.

Well, we could certainly talk to her.

Splendid! She'll be great.

And to be quite honest, I don't really
mind her doing that sort of thing.

After all, it's not what one would call
a real job, is it?

Jessica, darling.

Oh, it's nice to be back in my own bed
again.

I'll worry up and get into it like I'm
on my feet up.

It's in a minute, love.

Did you miss me while I was away?

Yes, of course I did.

Don't know what I'd have done if my mate
hadn't been for good.

That's not what I meant.

Aye?

Oh, never mind.

Mr Cuddle.

One minute, love.

Only I've got to be up early tomorrow
morning.

Mr Simmons is down with a bad tummy, so
I've got to do all the timetables, as

well as do it at the ticket office.

Go and get some sleep then.

Good morning, Agnes. Let us take you
through to the Bondo's office, and we

explain exactly what the job entails.
This way.

I must say, it'll be quite novel
ordering frocks from one's own daughter.

Ah, Tilly, perhaps Mrs Armstrong would
like to see some designs while we talk

Jessica? Of course. This way, Jessica.

Would you like a pair of coffee, Mrs
Armstrong?

Obviously, you've seen what a Bondo does
on your visits as a client. Oh,

absolutely.

You show them the designs, find out
which one they want, and make

Well, it's a little more complicated
than that.

You must check with the workroom at each
stage of the process, make sure they

can get the work done in time for the
fittings, and make sure either Madge or

Tilly are free to attend the fittings.

And ideally, you should make every
client feel that she's the most

person you know.

Yes. Mrs. Burgoyne was awfully good at
that.

Almost like a best friend, really. You
could tell her absolutely...

Everything.

I'm sure I don't have to remind you,
Jess, that the fitting room has the same

confidentiality as the priest's
confessional. Here?

And instantly forget, Jess.

Gosh, yes.

Another aspect of the job is to woo the
client.

Encourage them to visit the house of
Elliot as opposed to, say, Maison

for instance.

But can't people go where they like?

Yes, of course they can, but we'd much
prefer it if they came here.

Yes, I suppose you would.

Well, that's all right.

Everyone will think it's the most
enormous wheeze to come and buy from me.

What about other clients, people you
don't actually know? Do you feel you

introduce yourself socially as well as
balance the business side of things? Oh,

yes, I'm terribly sociable.

Well, I think that's all for the moment.

Jess, would you care to join your mother
in the reception? And Evie and I will

just see if there's anything else we
haven't discussed yet. All right.

Triumph or disaster?

Difficult to say. Could be either.

She has all the right connections.

But she must try and cultivate a more
professional attitude.

It would only be temporary.

Let's give her a try.

Miss B, a telephone call for you from
Barak's picture studio.

I'll just come through.

Oh, Evie, will you finish off the other
one? Yes.

Mr Barak, hello. How nice to hear

from you.

I'm fine. How are you?

No, I haven't heard from him.

All I know is Jack was staying in
Germany till the film was finished. I

he'd be back by now.

Well, yes, I'll tell him if I see him.

Goodbye.

Will you tell Evie I'll be out over the
lunch hour?

Yes, Miss Baker. Thank you.

And we saw Greta Garbo in the Temptress.
All those men chasing after her. I

could have missed her.

You'll have to go and see it when it
comes here, Mr Charles. It's lovely.

Well, that's the great beauty of the
motion picture, isn't it? It takes you

right out of yourself into a whole new
world. It's just like being there.

Are you keen on the pictures, then?
Loving them, Madge.

Do you know, I saw The Sheik.

Five times. You never. I did.

Yeah, I must say, though, I do envy you
your trip to America. That must have

been wonderful.

It was really something, as they say.

I'm getting really brassed off with all
this talk about America.

I expect you are too, aren't you, Tilly?

No, not really.

My checks aren't with too much about it.

So, could you start tomorrow?

Ten o 'clock.

8 .30 is when we usually like to get
started.

I'm excited.

Calm down, dear.

Now, will Jess be dealing exclusively
with your couture clients, or will she

be expected to meet the ready -to -wear
people as well?

We've only designed one ready -to -wear
collection, and that was in America.

Oh! You sound surprised.

Well, I thought I saw that particular
gown

in a shop in Kensington just this
morning.

No, it's a... Oh, yes.

It had exactly the same collar.

So distinctive.

It's rather nice, actually.

I mean, one doesn't buy ready -to -wear
oneself, but... Which shop was it,

exactly?

Yes.

Who on earth are you?

Good afternoon, madam.

May I help you?

I'm not sure.

I was just looking at this dress in the
window.

Would madam care to try it on?

No, I don't.

It's gentle.

I wondered who designed it.

It's not a Paris copy, is it?

It's not a copy at all, madam.

It's a great Keeble original.

Grace Keeble.

I don't think I've ever heard of her.

She trained in Paris with Worth and then
with Poirot.

She's also designed for the house of
Elliot.

Fred, I haven't got a clue where he is.

I haven't heard from the old son for
weeks. I'm starting to get a bit

Tons of letters for him.

Have you heard anything?

No, I haven't.

Forgive me, what are you actually doing
here?

Human anatomy at the moment.

The final's coming up in the summer.
Jack said I could look after the flat

he was in Germany.

Is he still there?

Well, if he isn't, he hasn't told me.

I see.

I see. You don't mind me being here, do
you?

Only Jack did say... We're separated,
yes. No, I don't mind you being here.

Did you want to pick up some of your
things?

Yes, but not at the moment.

I am just a little concerned as to
Jack's whereabouts.

Hello.

You come to tell me you're making up my
designs?

I must certainly have not.

I've come to ask you what the devil you
think you're playing at.

In what way?

I think we should discuss this indoors,
may I come in? No.

If you're going to be rude, you can say
what you've got to say out here.

I see.

Very well, Miss Keeble.

I've just come from Miss Pemberton's
dress shop in Kensington.

Oh, yeah?

Where your dress, the one whose design
you sold to us, was displayed in the

window. So?

You sold that design to us, Miss Keeble.
I sold you a couple of drawings.

You made it quite clear you weren't
going to make them up. They weren't good

enough for your clientele. You never
asked me if I was selling anywhere else.

That is not the way business is done.
Not in your world, perhaps, Miss Elliot.

But in my world, you do business any way
you can.

Good night.

How dare she march into our office and
sell us designs she's already sold to

someone else.

And to actually tell that woman she
designed for the house of Elliot.

And to leave me standing on the
doorstep.

I've never been so...

I think this is outrageous.

Well, I don't see how it really affects
us. We weren't going to make the designs

up anyway. That's not the point we might
have done, Bea.

It's the principle.

I think you've just had your nose put
out of joint because Mrs Armstrong

they were good enough to be your
designs. Oh, I'm so absurd.

Aren't you the least bit interested in
this?

Frankly, no, not very. I have other
things to think about.

What's happened, Bea?

Nothing. I can't find Jack.

No one can. What?

That telephone call from Abraham Barak
this morning.

He's been trying to trace Jack in
Germany.

He isn't at the address he said he'd be
at. He's not at the studio.

So I went round to the flat and there
was a stranger there.

Jack's let the flat to a tenant without
even telling me, without... He didn't

know where Jack was either.

What happened to him, Evie?

Let's get home. Have a nice cup of tea,
won't you?

Here, here.

You'll be all right soon, won't you?

I beg your pardon?

When you and your fiancé get married,
you'll come home to find a nice bar all

ready to eat, won't you?

Supper on the table.

Lippers by the arm. Good cook is she,
your fiancé? Yeah, excellent.

What's her name?

Stand back, ladies!

Ain't you got no manners?

Let's get home, won't you, Madge?

Yeah. Tilly, what's the matter?

Miss Armstrong's just asked me to make
tea for her and her clients in the

fitting room.

Has she indeed?

What was I supposed to do? I couldn't
have let you say no in front of them.

It's not done now, is it? No, it's not.

We'll do it this once and I'll have a
word with Miss Armstrong.

All right.

Oh, by the way, then flowers arrived for
you about 20 minutes ago. I've just

been running around so much, I didn't
have time to tell you. All right, Tilly,

thank you. You're welcome.

All right, I lied.

But what difference does it make?

You'd never have known if that Elliot
woman hadn't told you.

You liked the dress, didn't you? It
hasn't changed, has it? I do not wish to

discuss the matter any further.

Are you telling me that a dress is worth
30 guineas if it's made by Grace Keeble

of the House of Elliot and nothing if
it's not?

Yes.

And now, if you would be so good as to
return my money.

Good morning. Good morning.

How are you?

But it's the same colour as the one I
tried on at Maison Gilles.

Oh, no, that was a more subtle shade.

Try the black one.

Mummy would have a fit.

She'd think I was in mourning.

Yes, but jolly elegant mourning.

Right on for fun.

Oh, hello.

Miss Elliot, may I present Miss
Charlotte Parker.

Good morning. Miss Julia Colbrook. Good
morning.

I'll make sure someone brings you an
ashtray.

Jessica, may I have a word?

Yes, excuse me.

I've spoken to just about everyone I
know, and they've all been terribly

Mrs Fitzwalt is coming in next week
sometime, and Mrs Babbage and her

Pamela, you know the one with the red
hair?

They've promised to come and visit.

And you met Julia and Charlotte. They
tried on absolutely heaps of stuff.

Did they order anything?

Not exactly.

What about the others?

Have they made any definite
appointments?

More or less. I mean, they will.

They all seem terribly keen, which is
saying something when you think how

besotted everyone is with Mr. Gilles.
Jessica, I know you're new, and I

appreciate you helping us out like this,
but, well, you must try and cultivate a

more professional attitude.

We need solid orders.

Yes, Miss Elliot.

And no more coffee and cigarettes in the
fitting room or the office.

Just think what would happen if
something got spilled.

Sorry. I will try and do better,
honestly.

It's all right.

Oh, Beatrice.

Yes? Daddy's taking a gun at Ardenlock
Castle this weekend.

He wants Mummy and me to go to sort of a
house party, so I'd like to take Friday

off.

Mac?

Mac?

Have I done something to upset you?

No, why do you ask?

I've just got it into my head that
you're not speaking to me.

Well, what ever made you think that?

I don't know.

It's just that you've been nattering on
to everyone else about America and all

that stuff, and you haven't said a
single word to me.

I thought we were friends.

You daft daper!

I thought you minded me going.

I thought it seemed like gloating.

I've been dying to tell you. I didn't
think you wanted to know.

Me, a daft daper.

Here, come back and have your tea at our
house. I can tell you all about

America, and you can tell me all about
old Mrs Burgoyne. I can't. because

Norman's on nights tonight and I do want
to get back and see him before he goes

to work.

Sunday's tomorrow, though.

I'll make us a lardy cake.

Don't. I've been eating so much.

Of course I remember you, Mr. Cotter.

Well, I'm afraid I'm a bit busy at the
moment.

Oh, yeah?

What sort of proposition?

Well, if you hold on, I'll just check my
diary.

I'm afraid I'm busy all day.

What are you doing?

7 o 'clock Friday? Yes, I'll be there.

Lydia, who do you think you are?

I beg your pardon. You would?

How dare you?

How dare I?

It's all right for her to come storming
round my home asking me what I'm playing

at, and it's not all right me doing the
same. I came to see you because I felt

you dealt with us in an underhand
manner. Then what did you lose by it?

lose your living?

Did all the ladyships stop coming to the
House of Elliot because you was conned

out of one rotten guinea? Miss Keeble,
what exactly is your complaint?

Do you know how much that material cost
me?

Do you know how long I've been trying to
get someone to look at my designs, take

them seriously?

An old flaming year, walking around
fashion houses, shops...

begging introductions to women who look
down their noses at me because I don't

have the right accent.

That frock was the first one I sold.

Yeah, all right, I'll spun her a bit of
a line.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have looked twice
at the dress.

I mean, it's not talent that counts in
this game, is it?

Do you know what she'd done, Miss
Pemberton, after you'd gone and stuck

nose in?

She demanded her money back.

Said she only dealt in exclusive couture
designs.

So you have it.

You paid a guinea for the exclusive
design. You have the dress.

did you?

What does it take, eh? What do I have to
do to get a job?

I thought you of all people would
understand.

I mean, I remember hearing you actually
knit clients from under durox those when

you first started.

You weren't proud then.

You didn't have Alcibelia policies then.

But you've made it now, haven't you?

You can afford policies.

Yeah, and pulling the ladder up after
you's just one of them, I suppose.

There's bigger fish in the sea than you.

I hear Maison Schultz's whole room's
full of designers.

Maybe he's grand enough not to be scared
of new talent.

Miss Keeble, would you mind waiting in
the reception for five minutes? I must

speak with my sister.

What?

Yeah. All right.

Thank you.

No, we...

Absolutely not. Out with the question.
Perhaps for a trial period, say for a

season. Purely from our point of view, I
can see the benefits of having a

trainee designer. Yes, so can I, but not
her. Why not?

Because... Because she's awful.

You said yourself she's very talented.

Perhaps she wouldn't be so awful if she
wasn't so frustrated at every turn.

Think about it, Evie. We've seen it for
ourselves.

She's overwhelming us with sheer weight
of numbers.

Yes, well, she's not exactly going to
solve that problem for us, is she? Not

yet, no.

But eventually we're going to have to
take on someone if we're to survive.

I'd rather it was someone we trained
ourselves.

Perhaps to take on the day wear. Leave
you more time for the special evening

gowns.

She's still got a great deal to learn.

Delicious. I thought we were having
lardy cake.

You know, I tried making waffles for
Jerry and his mother and they wouldn't

try them. Don't know what they're
missing.

Mind you, I think I've been expecting
I've been a devil for any few three.

That maple syrup.

Take it home with you.

Go on, I've got another jar in the
cupboard.

Oh, thank you, mate.

You know, I bet it's funny being all
ordinary back here after being so grand

America. How is she both?

Did you get to sit on the captain's
table?

No.

Oh, I must show you what I nicked off
the boat.

You what?

Oh, it's only a paper napkin and one of
them little fancy menu cards.

But it says S .S. Laconia on them in
lovely gold letters. Oh, my.

Oh, actually. Hello.

Here, Gerry, have you seen that paper
napkin that was in there?

You know, the one off the boat?

Oh, I threw it out. Why?

You did what?

I'm sorry, Madge.

I didn't think it was important.

Anyway, we hardly need to keep paper
napkins, do we?

Any chance of a cup of tea?

Beatrice?

Hello.

Thank you for the flowers. They are
beautiful.

By the end of the day, we'd actually
taken on the extraordinary, Miss Keeble.

I think you'll be glad you did. Oh, you
haven't met her. No, but I've met people

like her.

Tough.

Hungry, from the wrong side of the
tribe.

Yes. They know what's needed in shops,
in offices.

What Mrs. General Manager's willing to
pay for a cocktail drink.

That hardly applies to the House of
Elliot.

The world is changing, Beatrice.

Of course, there'll always be a place
for a couture.

But mark my words, it'll be a very bad
mistake to underestimate the power of

that woman, and of all the others like
her.

I didn't mean to take up our first
evening talking business. No, neither

It's so good to see you again.

Do you wish to order now, sir?

Charles, Joseph, ladies, I would like to
introduce Miss Grace Keeble, as from

this morning she will be joining us as a
trainee designer.

I didn't say anything at the time
because you had obviously made all the

arrangements. But in future, we would
prefer it if you didn't ask for days off

just like that.

If it's terribly important, then I'm
sure we can come to some sort of

arrangement. Yes, I know. I am awfully
sorry.

But it was terribly useful.

Really? And I've done it all properly.

Look.

Charlotte Parker at ten.

Julia at eleven.

Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Prescott -White
in the afternoon.

And I'd rather said you'll do the
fitting for my godmother on Thursday.

That's the Duchess of Chilham.

She said on Saturday she was dying to
meet you.

Really? And I've given Madge and Tilly a
list of all the appointments for next

week, so there's no confusion.

How many appointments are there?

About nine in all, and half a dozen or
so for next week.

Is that all right?

Yes.

Blended.

Well done.

This is Tilly, our specialist in
beadwork and embroidery.

I did embroidery at Barrett Street.

How many of these beads per square inch
can you use without dragging the fabric?

I'm sure Tilly will be happy to tell you
anything you don't know.

Look, what I need to know is cutting.
You said yourself... I said we'd train

to design for the House of Elliot.

We'll start with fabric.

Well, I shall be round in about an hour,
then.

Right. Good night.

Jack Tennant's going out for the
evening, so I'm going to go round and

the rest of my things. Where are you
going?

Out to dinner with Larry Cotter,
remember?

Not that I'm looking forward to it.

Wouldn't have agreed to go at all if
Grace hadn't barged in. I knew you'd

something to blame her for.

You see, our worlds are merging,
Mathalia.

Growing together, if you will.

But the aristocracy, they're not quite
as well off as they were.

And the people that may do with what
they could always get, well, they're

getting paid more so they can get more.

Do you see what I mean?

I think so.

Thank you so much.

Anyway, somewhere in the middle ground
is the sort of woman that wants couture

style at, well, not quite high street
prices, but, well, bond street prices,

you follow my meaning.

Yes, I follow you. Of course.

Now, this is the area where someone such
as yourself might well do business with

someone such as myself.

You, a highly respected couturier, knows
one end of the business, and I've sold

a thousand dresses up and down every
high street in Britain. Now, where you

silk, I sell cotton, we sell good
quality artificial silk.

We've got a lot to learn from each
other, Miss Elliot.

That may be so, Mr. Cotter.

But quite frankly, apart from our one
American venture, I can't really see the

House of Elliot going into ready -to
-wear on such a large scale.

No? You got full order books till 1930,
have you? Is Lady Harriet Ponsonby

-Smith still ordering 24 gowns each
season?

Well, no, but... What's your annual
profit?

Same as last year.

Mine's almost doubled.

How's yours?

Mr Davenport?

What I've got in mind is your artistry,
your prestige, coupled with my

manufacturing and retailing experience.

An exclusive label sold in exclusive
shops. Sounds like a fascinating idea.

But quite honestly, I don't see my
sister and I being willing to compromise

quality of our work merely in order to
attract what may prove to be a less

discriminating clientele.

Man -made fabrics are all very well... I
knew you'd agree with me there.

I beg your pardon?

I noticed you were wearing rayon
stockings the minute you walked in.

Very nice too, if I may say so.

Oh!

No, thank you.

Would you like a coffee, Mr. Cotter?

I'm so sorry, Mr. Davenport. I thought
that...