Original subtitles

(orchestral music)

- Oh, I don't know how I'm gonna match this blessed button

for her ladyship's blouse.

Mr. Hudson, your eyes are better than mine.

- Oh, let's have a look.

I think that's about as near as you'll get it, Mrs. Roberts.

- Oh, yes, that's much better, thank you, Mr. Hudson.

- You'd make a good lady's maid for somebody, Mr. Hudson.

- Oh go away with you, Mrs. Bridges.

- I just hope Rose is looking after

her ladyship properly at Southwold.

- Why shouldn't she?

- I mean a lady's maid is a lady's maid,

and a house maid is a house maid.

- Oh, she looked after Miss Elizabeth, after all.

- And it's only for this once, Mrs. Roberts.

So that Rose can see something of her family.

Emily, hey Mary. - Long as that's clear.

- Coming.

Yes, Mr. Hudson?

- Have you finished the bedrooms?

- Yes, Mr. Hudson. - Well, that's a good girl.

Now pop upstairs to the morning room

and light the fire, will you?

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- And quietly, Mary, the master is not to be disturbed

while he's working on his book.

- Very well.

- That girl hasn't smiled once since she come here.

- Ah, it takes a wee bit of time

settling into a new place, Mrs. Bridges.

Three months isn't that long.

- She looks peaky to me, unhealthy.

- Perhaps Edward's been bothering her.

- He wants to keep his hands to himself, Edward does.

- He wants a damn good hiding, he does.

- Hello.

Oh, leave off can't you?

- Ah, it's just a bit of fun.

- Who for?

- Why, no need to get antsy.

-[Woman] Well, how's it coming along?

- I can't seem to get the lumps out.

- Well, work it.

Crumble it.

No, no.

Not like that, child.

Like this.

- Oh.

- It's all in the hands, you see?

No good go picking and poking at it.

If you haven't got the hands for it,

your pastry's always gonna turn out like lead.

Still working this blooming old huh Pizzy?

- Yes, only he said to say

he'd be dining out at his club tonight.

- I don't want to know about dinner.

I want to know about lunch.

- Oh, give us a chance.

He's working on. - Oh.

He'll want something light, then.

- That's it, that's his very words.

I'm to take it up to him on a tray.

- I must say it's a pleasure to have him here on his own

for once in a while and he's no trouble.

Especially when he's busy.

Crumble it, girl.

Crumble it.

(sniffling)

(sniffling) - You've got a cold?

- No sir.

- Treacherous weather this time of the year.

(crying)

Sure you haven't got a chill?

-[Mary] Quite sure, thank you sir.

(crying)

- What's the matter? - Nothing, sir.

Excuse me, sir.

(bell ringing)

- Mr. Hudson.

- I thought it was too quiet to last.

-[Woman] No peace for the wicked.

- Oh, have you done the fire, Mary?

- Yes, Mr. Hudson. - That's a good girl.

You didn't disturb him, I hope?

- There we are.

All your own work.

- You did the decorating.

- That's half the battle with food, the look of it.

Remember that.

You did the bulk of it.

Now, we won't tell anybody.

Just pop it in the oven

and we'll see who knows the difference.

- Oh, they'll know.

I mean it stands to reason.

It isn't anybody can make pastry half as good as yours.

- If you're gonna be a cook,

there's something else you'll need to know.

-[Woman] Oh, what's that?

- Modesty don't get you nowhere.

- You rang, sir?

- Yes, Hudson, what's the matter with that house maid?

- Mary, sir?

- She was crying.

- In here, sir? - Just now.

- Oh, I'm very sorry, sir.

I'll see that it doesn't occur again.

- I'm not complaining, I just wonder whether she was ill.

- Not that I know of, sir.

- Does she get on all right with the other servants?

- Well enough, sir.

- Anyone at home is there?

- I understand she's an orphan, sir.

- Then it can't be that, then.

What's she got to be unhappy about?

- I couldn't really say, sir.

- Well, make it your business to find out, will you Hudson.

We ought to keep the staff reasonably cheerful, eh?

- I'll certainly speak to her, sir.

I'm sorry this has happened.

- How long will it be now, Mrs. Bridges?

- About an hour.

Now, you get on peeling the potatoes

and washing the cauliflower.

Can't have steak and kidney pie

without 'tatoes and cauliflower.

- You reckon I'll make a pastry cook one day, Mrs. Bridges?

- You may do, if you remember what I've shown you.

And behave yourself!

- Oh, I will!

- Put that down, Mary I want a word with you.

Here, follow me.

Close the door, Mary.

And sit down here.

Now.

Is that right, what the master's just been telling me?

- What about?

- You were crying up there in the morning room.

- Oh I couldn't help myself, Mr. Hudson.

It just come over me.

- The master was quite concerned, you know?

- I didn't mean to.

- Now, we can't have any of that, Mary.

- It won't happen again.

- You're not unhappy here, are you?

-[Mary] No.

- That young Edward hasn't been pestering you, has he?

- Not so you'd notice.

- Oh, maybe you caught the rough edge

of Mrs. Bridges' tongue.

No, you mustn't mind about that.

She always gets a wee bit aerated

when she hasn't got enough to do.

- Oh, she's been very civil to me.

- You want to tell me what it's all about, then?

- I can't.

- I don't shock easily, you know?

- Honest, I can't.

- Oh, you'd be surprised the things I've heard on this job.

- Oh, it's got nothing to do with here.

- Well, that cuts both ways, Mary.

We've all got our troubles.

How we deal with them, that's our own affair.

But the way of it is when we step over that threshold,

we leave all that behind us.

Now is that understood?

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

I will not have the master worried, do you understand?

- Yes, Mr. Hudson. - Right, then.

No more of that sniveling and drawing attention to yourself

or there will be trouble.

- Thank you, Mr. Hudson.

- Off you go Mary.

- Mr. Hudson, Mrs. Bridges says

we'll be eating in less than an hour.

- Yes, all right, Emily.

- There's a surprise for our dinner today.

- Oh, what's that?

- I can't tell you.

- I think you're all in this together.

(clock chiming)

- Who's that?

Come here.

Mary?

What on Earth do you think you're doing?

- I was just going out, sir.

- At this time of night?

You got Hudson's permission?

Well?

- No, sir.

- You know you're not allowed to come and go as you please.

It's not good enough, come on, off you go at once.

I'll speak to Hudson.

I imagine he'll have something to say to you in the morning.

(crying)

Oh, now, stop that.

Here, come here.

Come along.

(crying)

Go and sit down.

(crying)

Here, drink this.

Come on, come on, you'll like it.

Now, try and pull yourself together.

- I'm sorry, sir.

I'm sorry, sir.

- Now, heaven's sake stop apologizing.

Well then what's this all about?

- I can't tell you, sir.

If I did you'd only give me the sack.

- Well, I shall if you don't.

Tears and tantrums

and creeping out of the house without permission.

Exactly what's going on?

- I-- - Well?

- I'm gonna have a baby, sir.

- Oh. - I'm sorry, sir.

- Well, it's a bit late for that now, isn't it?

You sure?

- Yes, sir.

- How far has it gone?

- Three months, sir.

- Before or after you came here?

- Before, just before.

- Well, that's something anyway.

Who's the father?

- I can't say, sir.

- Can't or won't?

- How do you mean?

- Well, you must know who's responsible or--

- I'm not like that.

It was only the once.

And you only have to slip up the once, sir.

- Is he a married man? - No, sir.

- Well, then what's your problem, don't you love him?

- I don't even like him.

- Well, it's a bit late for that.

Now, there's a baby on the way.

You can't stay here, of course.

-[Mary] No, sir.

- You'll have to marry him.

- If I could stomach him, which I can't.

He'll never marry me.

- Have you asked him? - He wouldn't.

I just know.

- Well he'll have to provide for you and the child at least.

-[Mary] Not him.

- Have you told him you're expecting?

- What's the point?

He wouldn't own it.

He'd laugh as like as not.

That's what he'd do.

- Hmm.

Where were you going then?

- To see this woman.

- Which woman?

- Well she'll fix you up.

Only you gotta pay.

Well, I've been saving.

- You mean you were going to an abortionist?

- What else can I do?

- Well, quite apart to the risk for yourself,

I think we'd have to try and remember

you'd be taking away a life.

- Do you think I don't know that?

What am I supposed to do?

I'm a servant.

Who's gonna let a servant have a child

and bring it up on her own, would you?

Course not.

Soon as I'd told you you said I'd have to go.

Do you think I haven't seen it happen?

What am I supposed to do?

Stop on time, sacked without a reference, and then go off

and then go off and have it in a ditch

so the two of us can starve to death.

- But Mary don't you realize what you're planning is murder?

- There's murder and murder.

At least this way is short.

- Mary, it's a crime.

And the penalties are very severe.

- I can't help that.

It's a risk I've gotta take.

- Would you want to lose your own child?

- No, of course I don't.

- Well, then you mustn't.

- But, that's the only way.

- Mary, supposing it went wrong.

It could, you know?

Then later on when you want to get married,

and you badly want a child you find you can't have one.

Or, if you never get married.

To know that you'd killed your only child.

How do you think you'd feel about that?

You'd never forgive yourself.

- But I'm talking about now.

How am I gonna manage now?

-[Mr. Bellamy] Well, we'll,

I'll have to think of something.

- What?

- I'll think of something.

- You can't.

- It's going to be difficult, it'll take a bit of time, but,

I promise you I'll find a way.

- Oh, thank you, sir.

-[Mr. Bellamy] Mary, you run along to bed now,

and we'll work out something together in the morning.

- Oh, I don't know how to thank you, sir.

- Yes, well you will go and get a good night's sleep, now.

- Oh, I'll not breathe a word to anyone.

- Yes, that's the idea.

- Oh, God bless you, sir.

- Now, Mary, there is one thing you can do for me.

-[Mary] Oh, anything, sir.

- No more tears, eh?

Come along.

I

- I heard a noise, sir.

- Oh, Mary was going out to see a friend.

I've told her it's far too late for that sort of thing.

After all, we all have to work in the morning.

Off you go.

Goodnight.

- Goodnight, sir.

(dramatic orchestral music)

- Ms. Roberts did no more than a duty

aquatinting me with last night's incident.

You just be thankful, my girl,

that the master's chosen to overlook it.

If he hadn't you'd be out on your ear by now.

- I was only going to pop out and see a friend.

- I am not interested in what you were intending.

You know the rules, do you not?

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- Well they're made for keeping

and I'll not have them broken and bent,

to suit your convenience.

Do I make myself clear?

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- I have much more important things to do than be bothered

about under house parlor maids

who will not behave themselves.

Now, this is the second time

I've had occasion to speak to you.

Do you realize that, Mary?

- Yes, Mr. Hudson, there won't be a third.

- Right, then.

If the master doesn't want to make an issue of it

we'll leave it at that this once,

and say no more.

- Oh, thank you, Mr. Hudson.

- Get on with you, now.

See to the fire in the morning room.

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- And Mary, mind what I say.

It's your last chance.

-[Mary] Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- Off you go, now.

- Good morning, sir.

- Hmm?

Oh, good morning.

- May I see to the fire, sir?

- Oh by all means.

Did Roberts say capital after last night?

- Beg your pardon, sir?

- Did she say anything?

- Oh yes, she told Mr. Hudson.

- And?

- He ticked me off good and proper.

It's all right, though.

I said I was going to go out and see a friend like you said.

- Good.

- I suppose you haven't had a chance

to think of anything, sir?

- I'm afraid not, Mary. - Oh.

- Well, it's not something I can settle overnight.

I do need a bit of time.

Yes, Edward?

- Your coffee, sir. - Oh, yes, thank you.

- Shall I pour it, sir? - Yes, just put it.

- And Mrs. Bridges wants to know

what meals you'll be having in today, sir?

- Well, I shall be out to luncheon.

Oh, Mary, don't bother to light the fire now.

And, home to dine.

- Watch out sir, hot filter. - Thank you, Edward.

Oh, Mary.

What is you half day this week?

- Today, sir.

- Oh, better have a little talk this afternoon.

- Out to lunch, in to dinner tonight.

- I wish he'd make up his mind.

A person doesn't know where they are.

Chop and change, chop and change.

- Oh, cripes.

- Now what have you done?

I thought I told you to put that

in the oven twenty minutes ago?

- Oh, I'm ever so sorry.

- Can't you do nothing right?

- I forgot.

- I don't know, seems I've got to do everything myself.

There are times when I think your mother used no ornaments.

- I said I was sorry.

- Well that's all gonna get the red dinner

ready on the time, is it?

And get on with them vegetables.

They won't be ready, neither.

Oh.

And I'll thank you not to put paper on my range.

I've told you before, it makes clinkers.

- Sorry.

-[Mrs. Bridges] Emily?

Where'd you put the cream?

-[Emily] In the larder, Mrs. Bridges.

- I mean, if I hadn't seen it for myself

I wouldn't have believed it.

That girl was in the morning room with him,

they were sat down in there and talking

- Yes yes, Ms. Roberts.

- And I mean I'm as a broad minded as the next,

but really you'd think he'd have more sense.

- Now let's not be too hasty, Miss Roberts.

- But all we need's another scamp in the family, isn't it?

-[Emily] Help!

Mr. Hudson, help!

Help me Mr. Hudson.

She's dead.

- What happened? - She was just stood there,

and then she went all white.

And then when she she keeled over and dropped dead.

-[Man] Oh Mr. Hudson look.

(talking over each other)

-[Man] She fainted.

- I'll fetch you something Emily.

- Yep go and get material but quickly.

- Yeah alright.

-[Woman] Is she going to be alright?

- Bring it over here.

(talking over each other)

-[Mrs. Bridges] Let's get some air here,

get some more for her.

There.

Here, get you head down between your legs.

That's right, there.

- Oh, we won't be needing that now, Ms. Roberts.

- Now then up you come.

- Where am I?

-[Mrs. Bridges] You're safe and snug, and in my kitchen.

- Oh, I must have fainted.

- Yes, yes you did, Mary.

- I'm ever so sorry, Mr. Hudson.

- How are you feeling now, eh?

- I'm all right.

Oh, I just come over all swimey.

- How many times has this happened to you before?

- Never.

- Well, we'll get Mr. Hudson to fetch the doctor, will we?

- Oh, no, I seen the doctor

and he said I was a bit run down.

Anemic, that's right.

And he gave me some pills.

I must have forgot to take me pills.

- But you have to use them, Mary.

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- Well look, I'd go and spend

the rest of the day in bed, if I were you.

- Oh, no, I got to go out.

- Oh, now, come on dear.

Have a bit of sense.

- No, please, I've got to.

- Well, it's up to you, Mary.

- Thanks ever so much.

- Edward, see her upstairs, will you?

- Yes.

- Now, go carefully, now.

- Come on, now.

Hold on to me.

- Emily, get on with them vegetables.

Mr. Hudson.

-[Ms. Roberts] Well, if you want my frank opinion.

- We'll ask for it, Ms. Roberts.

- Oh, really.

- I know what you're going to say.

- That girl's expecting, that's what I'm going to say.

- What makes you think that, Ms. Roberts?

- If you don't believe me, ask Mrs. Bridges.

- She's not been able to keep nothing down in the mornings.

Not for weeks, now.

(sighing)

There's no doubt about it.

- No wonder the poor girl was upset.

Well, if that's the case, she'll have to go, won't she?

- She's dead set on getting out this afternoon.

It's my belief she's planning to do something about it.

-[Mr. Hudson] Well that'll make things even worse,

Mrs. Bridges.

- Poor little gal.

- I don't believe it, you're making it up.

- Well, that's what old Roberts said and Mrs. Bridges.

- And how should they know?

- Because she fainted.

- People don't faint

just 'cause they're going to have a baby.

- That's all you know 'til someone teaches you.

Would you marry the teacher, Emily?

- No and you can keep off that sort of talk

Edward Franklin and help me.

- "Expecting, that's what that girl is."

That was Roberts scratching about

like an old hen in the barnyard.

"Oh, do tell me so, that was very interesting,"

said Mr. Hudson, the faithful family butler

from Interkocholeeky. (laughing)

"Course she ain't been able

"to keep nothing down in the morning for weeks, now.

"Kitchen you caught Mrs. Bridges in her juice on bowl."

- Oh what rubbish you're making it all up.

-[Edward] Well, that's what they said.

- I never heard them say it.

She thinks it because she's been

carrying a heavy coal scuttle.

She's a bit frail, like me.

- Well you think what you like my little Irish rose.

But us older household staff know only too well

that Mary Stokes is going out on her day off.

- That's not what you were going to say.

Oh.

-[Edward] That's a nice hat, Mary.

Going out for a walk?

- Where's Mr. Hudson?

- Oh, he's reading the good book.

- And Mrs. Bridges? - Having a lie down, why?

- Just to say I'll be off until six.

- Oh, we'll tell 'em.

Now, you mind you behave yourself,

and don't let him do anything that I wouldn't do.

-[Emily] Who?

- Whoever she's gonna go out with.

Well I mean, she's not gonna sit

all by herself in Kensington Gardens

in that hat, are you?

- What does it matter to you?

Leave her alone.

- I'm only curious.

Interested in human nature.

- I'll be going now, then.

- I know what she's up to.

She's going to the doctor's to find out if she's really--

- Listen Edward, will you leave off?

Can't you think about anything else but girls and--

- Girls and what?

- Girls having babies.

- Yes I can. - What?

- Girls that aren't having babies, Emily.

- Oh, that's enough.

- It's not enough, Emily, still,

it'll have to do for this afternoon.

- Look, if you're going to help me like Mr. Hudson says

you can bring those dishes into the scullery.

If the dinner's not washed up by the time Mrs. Bridges

comes down for her afternoon tea I'll be murdered.

(laughing)

- Oh, holy mother of God.

(thwacking) Ow.

- I'm sorry I'm late.

Tea for two, please.

Now, Mary, I've, given a great deal of thought to this.

-[Mary] Oh, thank you, sir.

- You're sure you want to have this child?

-[Mary] I can't see how I can manage.

- First things first.

Is that what you want?

-[Mary] Yes, yes.

- Well, that's settled, then.

And you keep your job with us for the time being.

-[Mary] Oh, thank you sir.

- Later on, when you give your notice of your own accord,

we'll give you a first class reference.

- Yes, sir.

- Now, Mary, if I'm to help you,

there's something you've got to tell me.

-[Mary] What's that, sir?

- I want to know who the father is.

- Oh no sir,

-[Mr. Bellamy] Mary, unless you tell me,

I won't have any more to do with it.

- I don't want to make any trouble, sir.

-[Mr. Bellamy] I'm sorry, Mary, I insist.

- It won't do no good.

- He must accept some responsibility for the child.

-[Mary] He won't.

- We'll see.

- Honest, he won't.

- Mary, he can't just abandon you.

The name now.

- Even if I was to tell you, he'd never admit it,

and what's more, you wouldn't even believe me.

-[Mr. Bellamy] Well why shouldn't I?

- Because.

- Well?

- You being a friend of the family, and

- You were with General Radford at Chester Square?

Was it one of the servants?

- No, sir.

The son, sir.

- Myles Radford?

This is a very serious accusation.

- I didn't want to make it, did I?

I'd never of breathed a word

if you hadn't dragged it out of me.

-[Mr. Bellamy] Do you swear you're telling the truth?

- As I live and breathe.

He came into my room that night.

The night that I was leaving.

And he was drunk.

And, I didn't know what to do.

And he was stronger than-- - Now now.

-[Mary] Let's forget about it can't we, sir?

- No.

The least he can do is to face up to the consequences.

Edward.

- I might have a word with you, sir.

- Of course, Hudson.

- In private, if you please, sir.

- Oh, come in. - Thank you, sir.

- Now, what's your problem.

- I'm afraid we'll have to find

another under house parlor maid, sir.

-[Mr. Bellamy] Oh, why?

- It's come to my attention that,

well, not to put too fine a point in it, sir.

It seems that Mary is pregnant.

- Is she?

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

- It's common knowledge below stairs, sir.

- Yes, quite.

- I'll see to it then, sir, shall I?

- Yes, will you do that, Hudson?

- Very good, sir.

- Oh, although-- - Sir?

- You're quite right, of course.

On the other hand.

Does she have to leave immediately?

- Well, if I may suggest, sir,

perhaps if I spoke to her, and we gave her a day or two

to find some lodgings for herself.

But, of course, if the talk is out of hand.

- Yes, yes, let's do that.

It would save unpleasantness for everyone

if she were to give in her notice of her own accord.

Do you see? - Indeed, sir.

- It's unpleasant for you, Hudson.

- Yes, sir.

Oh, you're back, Mary.

- Oh, I'm not late am I, Mr. Hudson?

- No, no, Mary, it's,

it's just on six, you'll have plenty of time to change.

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- But I have, I've got something to say to you, Mary.

Let's pop in here for a minute shall we?

Oh, oh, sit down, Mary.

How are you feeling now?

- All right, thank you, Mr. Hudson.

- I trust you had a pleasant afternoon off?

Did you go far?

- Oh, just for a walk to Bathsee Park.

- Good, good.

Mary I have been obliged to inform the master

of your unfortunate condition.

It was my duty to do that.

- Oh, I see.

-[Mr. Hudson] You realize, of course,

that if her ladyship hadn't been away in the country,

I would have been compelled to pack you off at once,

without a reference.

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- Well, fortunately for you Mr. Bellamy

has seen fit to be lenient.

He's decided to permit you to remain here

and continue your service for a wee while longer.

During which time you must take steps

to find yourself some lodgings.

Did you understand, Mary?

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- You should feel very grateful to the master

for showing you such consideration.

He's a very busy man with a very high standing.

And to show such concern for a servant

speaks a lot for his character.

I hope you'll always remember that, Mary.

-[Mary] Yes, Mr. Hudson, I will.

- Nor is it the first time

that the master has shown you some leniency.

Isn't that so, Mary?

- I don't understand.

- I'm referring to last Tuesday night.

When you tried to leave the house after 11 o'clock,

and the master stopped you.

- Oh, yes, he was very nice about that.

- Yes.

Yes, according to Ms. Roberts he spoke very kindly to you

in the morning room before sending you up to bed.

- Yes, he did.

I was very grateful.

- Quite, quite.

- Will that be all now, Mr. Hudson?

- Oh, yes, yes, that'll be all for the time being, Mary.

- I'll go up and get changed, then.

- And Mary see that you don't take advantage

of the master's generous nature.

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- Off you go and change, now.

Good day, Mr. Radford.

- Hello, Hudson.

Where's your master?

- If you'd care to wait, sir,

I'll see if he's at home.

- It's all right, Hudson,

there's no need to be so damned discreet.

- Oh, you are expected, are you sir?

- Oh, there was a message at my club

asking me to call at 6:30, so I suppose I am.

- Oh, in that case, sir, Mr. Bellamy's in the morning room.

Will you follow me, please?

Mr. Myles Radford to see you, sir.

- Thank you, Hudson. - Sir.

- I'm glad you could come, Myles.

- No inconvenience it was on my way home.

A splendid fellow if a little dour.

- Well, I didn't ask you here

to discuss the merits of my servants.

- Oh.

So what are we going to discuss?

- The, condition of one of my servants.

My under housemaid, Mary.

- What about your housemaid, what what was her name?

- Her name, Myles, is Mary.

And it may interest you to know,

that she is expecting a baby.

- Oh, really? - Yes.

And I would like to know what you're going to do about it.

- Me?

- Yes, Myles, you,

because you're the father.

The girl has told me everything.

- So, you've inherited a pregnant housemaid.

-[Mr. Bellamy] Who means to have her baby.

- How original.

- Well, I suppose you'd rather she had an abortion.

- I really don't see what any of this has to do with me.

- Oh, don't you, Myles, well I'll tell you why.

She won't be able to work for some time.

She's going to need money and you're going to provide it.

- Why me?

- Because you are the father.

(laughing)

- Prove it. - She gave me her word.

- The word of a servant girl.

- Whom you raped, when you were drunk.

- If, and I say, if I did all this as you claim,

why are you so concerned?

You do seem to be taking a fearful interest

in an under housemaid.

Do you have some kind of special relationship

with her yourself, by any chance?

- That's hardly worthy of you, Myles.

- If it wasn't so patently absurd,

it would be downright offensive.

-[Myles] Anyway, the girl's lying.

- I don't think she is.

And I'd like to know

how you're going to face your responsibilities.

- They are not my responsibilities,

and if they were they are none

of you damned business.

- Now, Myles, if you take that attitude,

I shall be obliged to raise the matter with your father.

- What you tell my father

is neither here nor there, Mr. Bellamy.

The facts are that an under housemaid,

in whom you seem to taking

a quite extraordinary interest,

got herself pregnant around about the time she came here.

- Before she came here.

- Give or take a day.

On the strength of which you're making allegations

which are highly damaging,

and for which you haven't a shred of proof.

- You know as well as I do that you took advantage

of that wretched child.

- Child? - Yes, child.

And if you think you can lie your way out of this situation

you're very much mistaken.

I suggest you go now,

and think over what I said pretty carefully.

And when you've come to your senses,

and remembered your duties as a gentleman,

you can come back here

and tell me what arrangements you are prepared

to make for her maintenance.

- I refuse, absolutely, to be made responsible

for some dirty little slut of a housemaid

who finds herself in fire by the footman.

Or by anybody else for that matter, do I make myself clear?

- Get out of my house! - Gladly.

- I shall find other ways of making you pay

for your shameful behavior.

- What other ways?

If you're planning to do what I think you are

I should make quite sure you can afford the publicity.

I would really.

- Mr. Radford is leaving. - Sir.

(dramatic orchestral music)

-[Mr. Bellamy] I felt the least he could do

is to make provision for the child.

We met and argued and then I lost my temper,

and wrote to his father, as you know.

It never occurred to me that--

- It seldom does, it seldom does.

We should soon be out of business

if only people would consult us

before committing themselves to paper.

Still we've got ourselves into a mess, haven't we?

- You don't think he's bluffing?

- I wish I did, on the contrary.

His solicitors have been in touch with me already.

Blackmoor and Green, fortunately.

- What's fortunate about that?

- Oh, I've had dealings with them before.

They're gentlemanly.

- More than can be said for their client.

-[Geoffrey] Maybe,

nonetheless they're demanding a retraction.

- Not at any price!

- I've seen a copy of your letter.

You'd be well advised to contain your indignation.

At the moment they're concern

is that you should not repeat your accusations.

But you pursue the matter and no question

their instructions are to make a case of it.

- But the truth.

- Oh, my dear Richard, you can be painfully naive.

You ought to know by now that the law

has rather less relation to truth, whatever that me be,

than politics have to democracy, and whatever that is.

The law of libel most particularly.

He's the father of that child.

According to a servant girl.

- I believe she's telling the truth.

- Even if she is, that's no defense.

- For who? - For you.

Juries, like judges, are naturally conservative.

In the unlikely event

that they believe this Miss, whatever her name is.

- Stokes.

- Stokes, who, let me remind you

in the circumstances has everything to gain by lying.

- So has he.

- Less, apparently.

The honorable Myles Radford, gentlemen don't lie.

- Don't they?

- My point is that the only thing

12 good men and true are likely to have in common these days

is a degree of respect to their superiors.

Call it what you like.

- I take a less cynical view of my fellow men.

- My dear boy, that's your privilege.

But even assuming that they accept

that what you and Mary Stokes

maintain is true, true in substance and in fact,

can you show you published it

without malice and in good faith,

or that it's in the public interest

that this rather unsavory tale be broadcast?

- I don't know.

- I doubt it.

Let me ask you something.

What is you interest in this girl, honestly?

- I simply felt sorry for her.

I think she's been shamefully misused.

-[Geoffrey] But there must be dozens of people

in your constituency, say,

who are in as bad a state or worse, shouldn't they?

- Perhaps, she happens to be in my house.

- Precisely.

- What are you suggesting?

- I'm suggesting nothing.

But for a man in your position

to go to such uncommon lengths

to help a girl who regrettably

became pregnant within days of entering in employ.

This sole and wretched girl after dark

observed by your wife's maid meeting her in tea shops.

Rushing into print with allegations that you can't prove,

and that young Radford flatly denies.

A man with anything to be ashamed of

would have acted more circumspectly.

I believe you.

But you must understand the construction

that's likely to be placed on your actions,

let alone your motives if it comes to court.

Oh what we have to do is to try and rescue you

from the consequences of your, to put it charitably,

social ineptitude and legal idiocy.

- What am I to do? - Nothing.

- What? - Absolutely nothing.

I'll talk to the other side

and see if matters can't be arranged decently.

Radford won't want publicity anymore than you do.

- You said he didn't give a damn.

- Oh, I'm talking about the father.

The boy is of no consequence.

- Yeah.

- Well, I'll see what can be done.

Meantime, I must ask you not to complicate matters further.

Do nothing, say nothing, talk to no one.

Most especially that girl.

- But I've promised I'd help.

- More fool you are.

- I just can't abandon her.

- Oh, drat the wretched girl.

Avoid her like the plague.

Anymore crass moves from you

and you're simply feeding ammunition

to the other side, and they've got enough already

unless I can make them see reason

to put you in the public pillory.

I'll let you know if I make any headway.

- I can't help feeling responsible.

- I can't help your feelings,

and you're not in a position to indulge them.

You have prior responsibilities.

Your wife, your family, your constituents,

your party even, if it comes to that.

Think about them for a change.

Now, you go home, and if you must put pen to paper

get on your life of Balfour.

How's that coming along, by the way?

- Oh, it seems peculiarly unimportant at the moment.

- Well, if this comes out into the open,

a life of Gladstone, might be more appropriate.

- I don't find that particularly funny.

- It wasn't meant to be.

- Is that right what they're saying?

- What about?

- That you're like, oh you know, have one on the way.

- Yes. - Oh.

I don't know.

It's a good job you haven't got my mom to reckon with.

If it was me she'd of half killed me.

And getting rid of it.

I mean that's a mortal sin.

- Who told you I was gonna do that?

- Mrs. Bridges was telling Mr. Hudson that

that's what you was planning on doing.

- Well I was, too.

But I'm not gonna now.

- You wouldn't want that on your conscience, now would you?

- No.

- How will you manage?

- You won't tell anyone, will you?

-[Emily] Oh, no.

- Mr. Bellamy says he's gonna help.

- How?

- I don't know, but he will he said.

- What I want to know is why?

-[Edward] What are you getting at?

- It's beyond me why the master should concern himself

about an under housemaid

who's going to have an illegitimate child.

Unless, of course--

- You've got a nasty mind, you know, Roberts.

- Well, I can't help what I saw, can I?

- What did you see?

- Never you mind.

- I wasn't asking you.

- Going's on behind closed doors.

- Well it's a scandal a minute in this house, isn't it?

- Facts are facts.

And the sooner she's out of here, bag and baggage,

the better for all of us.

-[Mrs. Bridges] You speak for yourself, Ms. Roberts.

- I'm sure I'm only thinking of the master's good name.

- You what?

You're a rotten old cow.

- Well really, did you hear that?

- Well, you had it, you did have it coming to you.

-[Mrs. Bridges] Now then, now then.

- Why aren't you giving notice

like any decent body would do?

- How would you know?

- And not take advantage of the master being soft

and Lady Marjorie being away!

- God almighty!

- Now, now, Emily, keep out.

- She's trouble enough

without you all gone picking on her isn't she?

- And, exactly who's fault is that?

(shouting over each other)

- I believe you are, too.

But the rest of you digging up dirt!

Do you don't think I know about you!

The fickles you around to,

around Mattie 'round the back door!

- That's regular perks.

- And you and her ladyship's dressmaker

diddling her rut in every time she has anything made.

- There are morals and morals.

- You don't have to tell me that!

Oh, you're all such sticklers

for doing what's right, aren't you?

We mustn't have the master worried, must we?

We're all one big happy family, aren't we?

So long as we stick to a few rotten rules.

We can put on false faces, and feel all smug,

and cheat and fiddle as much as we please.

But let a girl get took advantage of just once

we won't stop at making her life a misery, will we?

- You dirty little trollop.

- We have to make out that something's dirty

between her and the one man

who's lifted a finger to help.

And why!

'Cause you haven't got an ounce

of charity between the lot of you!

That's bloody why!

- You're to come upstairs, Mary.

- Well, she found her tongue, didn't she?

- Well, what's going to happen, do you think?

- Oh, use your loaf, Emily.

- Well she'll be getting her notice, of course.

- Oh, that's not right.

- Good riddance, if you ask me.

- Oh, we've had a bellyful of your opinions.

- But Mr. Bellamy promised he'd help her.

- How can he?

- Well, he oughtn't to of said he would, if he can't.

- You don't understand.

He's got to think about himself.

Poor little bitch.

- She got no more than she asked for.

- Be thankful you haven't.

- Well really?

- I can't help but feel sorry for her.

She was banking on him that much.

- But, he's trying to help.

- Oh, I suppose you can say that.

- Well it's more than the rest of us can say.

- She's in the hall sir.

-[Mr. Bellamy] Send her in.

- Better, I should do the talking, I suggest.

- You sent for me, sir?

-[Geoffrey] It's Mary, isn't it?

- Yes, sir.

- I am Sir Geoffrey Dillon.

- Pleased to meet you, sir.

-[Geoffrey] Come in, Mary, shut the door.

Sit down.

I'm you master's solicitor.

Do you know what a solicitor is?

- Like a lawyer.

- Good girl, good girl.

It's my job to try to help him to get out of trouble.

Now, you don't want to make trouble for him, do you?

- Oh no sir, never.

- I didn't think you did.

- Well the thing is, though, I'm afraid you have.

- Oh, I didn't mean to sir, I'm sure.

- Be fair.

- We agreed, I should handle this.

- I was wrong. - I urge you.

- For pity's sake.

The least I can do is offer the girl

a firsthand explanation.

Mary, I know I promised I could help.

I meant to, and I thought I could.

The thing is, there are legal difficulties

which you probably won't understand.

Firstly, Mr. Radford flatly denies

having had anything to do with you.

- I could have told you he'd say that.

I did, didn't I?

- The problem is not only does he deny these allegations,

he's threatening to take me into court if I repeat them.

- Oh for, for telling the truth?

Do you believe I told you the truth?

- Yes, Mary, I do.

The thing is I can't prove it.

It's his word against yours.

- What's more to the point, is that if we pursue it,

he'll not only take Mr. Bellamy to court,

he'll try to make out that

your master has some sort of interest in lying.

- I don't understand.

- Mary, the suggestion

is that you got pregnant after you came here.

And that the reason I tried to help

is because I am responsible.

- But, that's not true.

You don't believe that's true?

- True or false, let it come to court,

that's what he'll say.

-[Mary] Why?

- The fact of the matter is that

he hasn't got a penny of his own.

- But, the family.

- If it comes to the point they'll stand by him.

You can't win and even if you did,

some of the mud is going to stick.

Now, do you want that to happen to Mr. Bellamy?

- Oh, after him being so good and kind.

That's the last thing I'd want.

-[Geoffrey] Then you'll help us?

- Yes, of course.

What you want me to do?

Just tell me.

- We want you to admit that your allegation was false.

That you deliberately misled Mr. Bellamy.

- But, I told you the truth.

- Which we cannot prove.

That being so, the only thing to do is to admit

that it was all an unfortunate mistake.

You retract, Mr. Bellamy apologizes.

They let the matter drop.

Believe me, it's the only way.

So, if you'll just come over to the desk

and sign this piece of paper.

- Is that what you want?

- I'm afraid there's no alternative.

- Alright.

-[Geoffrey] There we are.

Just there.

Mary Stokes.

Thank you.

Well, that takes care of that.

- And what happens to me?

- Out of the goodness of his heart,

Mr. Bellamy behaved,

to say the least, foolishly.

Now, what I suggest is that

you leave Lady Marjorie's employment at once,

with a reference and a month's wages,

to which Mr. Bellamy is very kindly

adding 25 pounds as an ex gratia payment

to help to tide you over your present difficulties.

- Mary, believe me, this is not--

- If only you knew how I believed you.

- Now, don't be ungrateful.

- If I hadn't I'd of gotten rid of it by now, wouldn't I?

I got used to the idea of having to manage on me own.

I suppose I ought to thank you for trying.

- Take the money.

- No I'll take me wages, I've earned them,

and I'll have me references.

But you can keep that.

Along with that bit of paper you wanted

making out as I'm a liar, when you know I'm not.

I thought they was bad enough downstairs but you,

you keep it.

-[Geoffrey] My dear boy, let her go.

- She's right, you know.

I shouldn't have raised her hopes

if I couldn't carry it through.

- It's my experience that most of the harm in this world

is done by people trying, quite gratuitously,

to do more good than they can possibly achieve.

Give me an honest villain any day.

(sighing)

- Must be a better way of managing this.

- Well, let me know if you discover what it is.

I've been to a good deal of trouble

to get you out of this situation,

which could have ruined you

financially and socially,

and put paid to any political ambitions you may have.

That's, let's not be under any illusions.

Anything I was able to do

was only incidentally for you.

My chief concern throughout

has been to protect Lady Marjorie.

After all, the only thing you and I have in common

is the Southwold's put us where we are today.

- Thank you for reminding me.

- Not at all. - Good day.

- My dear Richard, you're old enough now

to be ruled by your head.

- Well, Mary, I'm sorry it's come to this.

- Me and all.

- There's things being said on all sides,

but the fact of the matter is that,

here.

- What's this?

- We passed the hat 'round.

- Well, it's not a lot, but--

- Every little helps.

- You'll not think too badly of us, Mary.

- Well, you find out who your friends are, don't you?

-[Mrs. Bridges] Stop and have a bit of supper.

- No, I gotta find some lodgings.

- I've heard the Salvation's helpful.

- Yes.

- And pop in when you're passing.

- Yes.

- There's not a lot we can do, but,

you know, you can have a little chat.

Warm and a cup of tea. (laughing)

- Thanks.

- And mind how you go.

-[Edward] Good luck, then.

- You'll let us know how you get on, Mary?

- Oh, I'll manage.

Even if it's only to spite her.

- Supper ready, Mrs. Bridges?

- When you are, Mr. Hudson.

- Well, let's get on with it, shall we?

- Look alive, girl!

(dramatic orchestral music)