Original subtitles

(classical music)

(horse trotting)

- You'll catch flies.

- What, what'll I do?

- Your mouth's hanging down to your chest, girl.

Stop dreaming, think what you're meant to be doing.

- I'm doing it.

- If you think that's washing up,

then I'm Happy Fanny Fields.

- Ah Mrs.--

- You'll not see your bed tonight, my girl, I'm warning you.

- I'll do them once more so.

- And you'll do them properly.

- And I'll do them properly.

* I wish, I wish, I wish in vain,

* I wish I were a maid again.

- What do you wish you were the, little bird,

Queen of England?

* A maid again.

- Emily, look at this. * I'll never be

- Come on.

* Til cherries grow on ivy

- Here she is, Mrs. Van Grand Bottom herself.

- Edward, you've no respect.

- Oh I could buy and sell the lot of you.

And what do you think of me spanking new carriage then, eh?

- Oh, she must be awful rich.

- And my lovely new footman on the box.

- Oh to have a carriage the like of that.

- You seen him?

I never set eyes on him before, now why can't Lady Marjorie

get someone like that for us?

- Cause you got adorable little me, that's why.

- Oh, would you look at those feathers.

They must be twice the length of me arm.

- You don't measure a lady by the length

of her feathers, Emily.

- Oh, I'll say she has a dress for as many days

as there are in a year.

- Now that, Emily, that lady that you see up there

is what we call nouveau.

Which is probably new to you.

- Come on, Edward.

My Ladyship'll be ringing for tea in a minute

and you've no time to lark about.

- Her and her charitable get togethers.

She can't stand the sight of the people there.

- You've no place passing remarks like that.

- A scamper through the woods?

- Certainly, teach him to appreciate nature

and give them some simply splendid exercise.

- Exercise? Exercise?

They get enough of that running up and down stairs all day.

- Prudence, if I understand you correctly,

you're suggesting that we hire some sort of omnibus,

cram all our servants into it and dispatch them

to Hampstead Heath?

- For a picnic with delicious cream buns and lemonade.

Thus obeying our beloved Queen Alexandra's instructions

to care more for the welfare of our domestic employees.

- Yes, I see the merit of that,

they don't get enough fresh air.

- Fresh air?

Simply frightful for the complexion.

- Yes, of course, Lady Templeton,

but it's all in a good cause, these girls never get out.

- I think it's a splendid idea,

we can all share the cost of the omnibus

and each contribute a hamper of refreshments.

- Good, that's settled.

- Queen doesn't know what she's started.

- Well, now we can all have tea.

- Well not quite yet, we still lack one member

of our committee, we need her vote.

-[Lady Templeton] And her money.

- Mrs. Van Groeben, my lady.

- Good afternoon, Mrs. Van Groeben.

- Good afternoon.

- Now then, I believe that you have already

met Lady Templeton?

- Yes, we have met, haven't we?

- Ghastly feathers.

-[Lady Marjorie] Lady Prudence Fairfax, our force motif.

- How do you do?

- Very bad for my chest.

- I've heard so much about you from my daughter,

Wilhelmina, who is such a great, great friend

of your daughter, Agatha.

- Oh yes, I believe they met for the first time last night.

It seems young people become great, great friends

at alarming speed these days.

- I am late and I do apologize but it take so long

to get anywhere in London.

- Oh, I know and it's becoming far too noisy

and dirty in the streets.

They really shouldn't allow so much traffic

in the heart of the city.

- Well, in my opinion, we're all being slowly poisoned

by the fumes from those dreadful motor cars.

- Including yours, Prudence darling.

-[Lady Prudence] And yours, my dear Marjorie.

- I won't allow my husband to buy one,

we so much prefer the carriage and pair.

So much more elegant.

Of course, back in our wonderful country,

we have so much space and freedom,

freedom to move around at one's leisure.

Oh, life is much different in South Africa.

- She should have stayed there.

The foreigners, they really are too absurd.

Marjorie, do ring for tea now we're all here.

- Prudence, will you explain you idea to Mrs. Van Groeben?

Such a splendid scheme for a picnic in the woods

to put some color into their cheeks.

- In keeping with the Queen's wishes.

- Oh quite.

How like our dear Queen to concern herself

with such matters.

Now, the last cook we employ--

- Hudson, you can bring tea now.

And ask Mrs. Van Groeben's coachman to have tea

in the servant's hall, we shall be some time.

- Very good, my lady.

- I'm so sorry, you were saying?

- Well, our last cook, she had a cousin

who worked in the royal household

and she was most interesting about conditions there.

Most interesting.

It appears that on at least one occasion,

during her employment at the palace,

her Majesty actually paid a lengthy visit

to the kitchen in the servant's quarters

and actually spoke to the staff.

(laughing)

- Anyroad, my little niece were there

and when downpour started they all got under table.

(laughing)

Then Bishop of London arrives to read message from Queen.

"I hope you're all enjoying yourself at your age,

"enjoying your tea party", and all girls

are still under table.

- I'd have given a week's wages to see 200 servant girls

hiding under the table in Regent's Park.

- They must take us for some kind of fools, you know?

- Oh no, we mustn't laugh, really, Mr. Harris.

- It's really kind of her Majesty,

after all, she needn't have bothered.

- Ah, just a pat on the head, lass, pat on the head.

Nothing changes.

Anyroad, let me finish story.

"I'm sorry I can't be with you" reads Bishop

with rain dripping from his hat.

(laughing)

"But I'm sure you're all having a grand time,

"with love and kisses from Queen."

(laughing)

And then, just as he's calling for three rousing cheers,

damn great banner which said "God bless our gracious Queen,

the giver of the feast" fell about his head.

(all laugh)

- Mr. Harris!

- His Grace, the Duke of Pulborough would never

have concerned himself with such a pantomime.

He knew how to treat his servants proper

and we were right proud to be in his household.

He had no time for the pantomimes.

- Then round them up into the omnibus and home.

In time to run our baths and lay the table for dinner.

- Splendid.

Well I certainly feel I owe it to my servants.

A token of appreciation really.

People in our position must realize their responsibilities.

- To return to more mundane matters,

have you any idea, Prudence, how much

such an outing will cost?

- Well I have it on the best information

it need not cost more than sixpence a head.

- Sixpence?

What do you mean to feed them on?

Bread and lard and a cup of cold tea?

- Ah, there'll be the omnibus to pay for as well,

Lady Templeton.

- I do hope we're not gonna spend the entire afternoon

haggling over money.

I mean, what's a few pounds here or there?

- A great deal to some of us.

- What about numbers?

How many will there be?

- 16 altogether, Majorie.

That's including Mrs. Van Groeben's household.

- Well, I shall send my two housemaids,

my kitchen maid, and Taylor, my pantry boy.

Let me know how much I should contribute.

Marjorie, my pet, I've decided to leave.

I'm quite ancient and inclined to be easily bored.

I cannot afford to be bored at my age.

-[Lady Majorie] Hudson, Lady Templeton is leaving.

- Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye!

Can't stand being cooped up with a herd of women, Hudson.

I'm sure you feel the same.

- Wonderful lady.

Such a rich character.

Most interesting.

- Some people find her eccentric

but Richard says she's the sanest person he knows.

- So it's all agreed then?

A picnic, a nature ramble over Hampstead Heath,

followed by a good tea in the church hall.

- Splendid, well you cause certainly has my support.

- Why I'm so glad, how kind you are, Mrs. Van Groeben.

- No, no, it's you who are kind, Lady Prudence.

Spending so much of your time improving the lot

of these people who are really already so well cared for

and who have so very little to do.

(Emily hums Butcher Boy)

* A butcher boy, I loved so well.

* He courted me my life away.

* But now with me, he will not stay.

* I wish my baby it were born,

* and on and on.

(door slams)

- Haven't you done yet, Emily?

- I'm not used doing grates.

- I showed you how yesterday.

- I'm doing my best, Rose.

When's the new housemaid coming?

- I don't know and buck up, Mrs. Bridges

wants you back in the kitchen.

-[Emily] I can't be in two places at once.

- Well you must try.

And we're all tired.

(Mrs. Bridges gags)

- Oh, good heavens.

Salt!

I'll murder that girl.

(Emily hums Butcher Boy)

(door slams)

- Morning, Mrs. Bridges.

-[Mrs. Bridges] Good morning, Emily, my dear.

- Grand morning.

- Lovely, absolutely lovely.

By the way, Emily, I've got a little treat for you,

seeing as how you like my cooking and all.

Come in here and have a taste of this lovely pudding I made.

Oh, I've taken such a lot of trouble over it,

stirring it over the hot water for hours.

Now then, you just taste it.

Go on, girl, taste it.

(Emily gags)

What's a matter, don't you like it then?

- Please, Mrs. Bridges, what in heaven have I done?

- I'll show you what you've done, my girl.

You put in salt into the sugar jar, that's what you've done.

- Oh no, I never, that was never what I'd do.

- All that work for nothing.

- I never did that. - My lovely pudding ruined!

- I was never near it, Mrs. Bridges,

I'd not so much as dared touch your cook things

and, please, you're hurting me.

- I'll hurt you, alright, my girl.

That's what comes of staring out of the window all day long.

Daydreaming, looking at the carriages.

-[Emily] I'm sorry if I did mix up the jars, Mrs. Bridges,

maybe I wasn't thinking.

- Well then you get on with that washing up

and then you can come in here and scrub my kitchen floor.

- Oh mother of God, please hear me.

I didn't never even finish the housework.

- There is one point, Lady Marjorie,

that I hesitated to mention at our last meeting.

I do hope there is some way we can ensure

that no undeserving girls receive

the benefit of our charity.

- Undeserving?

- After all, you and I have a position

in society to maintain.

A position which many people admire and even envy.

I should hate to think we could be duped.

- I don't quite understand what you mean by duped.

- Well, if we were expected to include,

in these outings, some of the riff raff

that one finds in the suburban houses

of the professional classes.

(distant thunder rumbling)

Do you know what I mean?

- Yes, I think I do, Mrs. Van Groeben.

But surely our intention is to benefit all those

in domestic service, not just a privileged few.

(thunder rumbles)

Oh dear, looks as if we're in for a summer storm.

- Oh, come on, Emily, you done nothing by dream all day.

- I was only having a look at him.

- Who?

- The boy in the coach of Mr. Harris.

- Ah, Mrs. Van Groeben's little flunky.

Well you can stop dreaming or you'll get

into more trouble, and from me this time.

I've had to chase after you since first thing this morning.

The beds weren't properly made, Mr. Bellamy's shaving water

cold, and now the lunch, it ain't done.

- I can't manage it all, Rose.

I don't know whether I'm coming or going.

What with Mrs. Bridges looking at me and all.

I never touched her cooking things, Rose,

honest angels I never.

- Well you'll just have to learn

to put up with it, that's all.

- Well I think she has me in disfavor.

- Look, she don't really mean all she says, Emily,

and she's very fond of you really,

it's just that, well hurry up, I want you to help me

with the sewing.

- Ah the poor lad, he'll get soaked through,

sitting out there.

- We hardly ever have to endure this kind

of weather in Cape Town.

- I'm afraid it's this kind of weather

that's making the rest of our committee so late.

Lady Templeton has quite a way to come.

Oh dear, your young footman's getting very wet.

- Yes it really is too bad.

But he's used to it.

We were at the most wonderful house party

at Lord Nicholson's only last weekend.

- We must bring him in and give him some tea.

I'll ring for Hudson.

(thunder cracks)

What is it you were going to say about Toby Nicholson?

-[Mr. Harris] Get in here, lad.

-[Edward] No, I'm alright, thank you.

- Oh, come along in and sit yourselves down.

Rose, take his coat, oh dear, dear,

- This is William, everybody.

William, this is Mrs. Bridges.

- How'd you do?

I'd expect you'd like a nice cup of tea and a slice of cake.

- Thank you.

- And there's Edward.

- Oh, here, Rose, have you caught that uniform?

I didn't know the household cavalry had gone into service.

- That's Rose. - He's only teasing,

William, you look very nice. - Edward, don't you pass

remarks like that. - I was commenting

on his uniform. - Thank you.

- And this is young Emily.

Now, where was I?

- The Duke had just bought

a motor carriage. - That's for William.

- Ah, that's right, lad.

Well, his Grace were never one to be behind the times.

He believed in progress at the right sort.

And he say thought there was a great future

for the motor carriage.

Yeah. - The present employer

seems to have different notions, Mr. Harris.

- He's a different sort - Would you ever pass

the sugar, please? - of person altogether,

Mrs. Bridges.

Well, she's only just arrived and all,

so doesn't quite see what's what yet.

Mind you.

- Mind you, what, Mr. Harris?

- Well, we earned us brass as a mouse.

- And there's plenty of brass is there, Mr. Harris?

- They do say, lad, they do say.

You don't see her sitting down quietly.

(laughter)

Anyroad, pour me some more tea, please, Mrs. Bridges.

Now don't you go starting in, young Edward.

We're all just one big, happy family in Wigmore Street.

Alright, just one big, happy family.

Right, William?

William?

(classical music)

- And, whoever it is, wherever they may be,

I have a friend, Becky, someone is my friend.

It cannot be denied that as they sat before

the blazing fire and ate the nourishing comfortable food,

they felt a kind of rapturous awe

and looked into each other's eyes with something like doubt.

"Do you think", Becky faltered once in a whisper,

"Do you think it could melt away, miss?

"Hadn't we better be quick?"

And she hastily crammed her sandwich into her mouth.

If it were only a dream, kitchen manners

could be overlooked.

(Emily laughs)

"No, it won't melt away" said Sarah.

"I'm eating this muffin, I can taste it.

"One never really eats things in dreams,

"one only thinks one's going to eat them.

"Besides I keep giving myself pinches

and I touched a hot piece of coal just now on purpose".

(Emily laughs)

To be continued next week.

- You've awful good luck, William.

- Yeah, I suppose I have.

- Being able to do both the reading and the writing.

- I can't manage the writing at all

and 'tis a terrible disadvantage.

You know, if my daddy could have read and written,

I don't know what he couldn't have done.

- What did he do?

Your pa.

- He went and died on us, that's what he did.

- Well, how'd he die?

- He died from living, that's how he died.

But my brother, Phelem, he can read now.

He can both read and write.

I had a letter from him only last year in America

and he wrote he had the greatest opportunity.

For, when he was emigrating on the boat,

he met up with this English gentleman

who had all his wits about him, at least he knew

his three Rs, and he taught them to Phelem.

Oh so now they're doing grand.

With an entire business of their very own.

You know, if my daddy could have read,

he'd hardly be facing the sea now.

- I can't understand half of what you say, Emily.

- Well what can't you follow?

- Well facing the sea?

How can your dad be facing the sea if he's dead?

- In our village, we're always buried standing up.

- Standing up?

Why?

- But why else, 'tis a grand view.

(both laugh)

- Here you are, me loves, and some of your favorite cakes.

Right, come on now, you two, you get tuck in.

My Jack's gonna be home in half an hour, you know,

and he's gonna be wanting his tea.

And you know what a one he is for leaving

his smile at the gate?

- I never noticed how late it was.

What with William reading me the story.

- Yeah.

Ah, look, you gone and let your tea get cold.

I'll get you some more hot water.

- No, honestly, Mrs. Fellows, there's no need to bother,

we're quite happy.

- Well that's the main thing, ain't it.

Well I'll get you some more water anyway,

you never know.

- Come on now, Emily, we can't have all that business again.

I can't send all those blooming cakes across

to your starving relatives, it's you I'm taking

out to tea.

- I should have said we are the lucky ones.

- Lucky?

What's lucky?

I do my job well, I please Mrs. Van Groeben.

She likes the way I look.

Where's the luck in that?

- The luck is it was you she took from the orphanage.

The bad luck would have been if she had not.

And the luck it was that I got this job.

Was it yourself taught you all the reading?

- No, the orphanage.

Mind you, she's teached me lots of other things.

Things she thinks I ought to know.

How to get on, how to behave.

She's a proper lady.

- They say she thinks the world of you.

- I do my job, she says I get on.

- She's a good mistress.

- Go on, Em, have a cake.

- I'll have a cake if you read me again.

The last bit of the story.

- Alright.

- The bit where she pinches herself to understand

that it's real.

That it won't melt away.

Oh I'll not let you melt away, I'll not.

(flute music)

- Oh but I mean the trouble with servants

is they don't know their own minds.

I've tried to suggest things.

- I'm sure they're duly grateful.

- I mean I said to my maid Smith the other day

what do you actually do on your day off?

And do you know what she told me?

What she does?

She told me she sleeps the whole day.

I said don't just sleep your life away, Smith,

do something constructive; read, think.

Oh she says I've tried that, madam, it wasn't no good,

I couldn't think of anything to think about.

I mean to say.

- She means to say, she means to say what?

I was led to believe that this committee was called

to give these girls some outlet, rather than turn them

into third-rate philosophers.

- Lady Templeton, our aim today is simply to finalize

the arrangements for the servants' outing.

It seems to me that a month tomorrow would be the best date.

The weather should be fine by then and we won't clash

with Ascot week, is that generally agreeable?

Then, Prudence, you can finalize the arrangements

with the vicar as to the use of the church hall.

- Splendid, oh it'll do them all a world of good.

- If it's of any interest, I intend to hold a masked ball

during the season in aid of our worthy cause.

The theme will be Versailles before the revolution.

I do hope you will all accept my invitation to take tickets.

- Tickets? For the guillotine?

- That's a splendid idea, Mrs. Van Groeben,

how clever you are.

- [Mrs. Van Groeben] Oh thank you, Lady Prudence.

- Don't you agree, Marjorie?

-[Lady Templeton] Aren't we going to have any tea today?

- Yes, at four o'clock.

- I shall have to give a ball this year too,

for my worthy cause.

- What's that, Lady Prudence?

-[Lady Prudence] My daughter, Agatha.

-[Lady Templeton] Shall we be expected

to take tickets for that too?

- You're not going to sell Agatha in a raffle, are you?

- Maybe one's last resort.

- I do hope that we're not going to lose sight

of our original objective.

Namely the welfare of these girls.

- Well, they can all come along to Mrs. Van,

Mrs. Pre-revolution ball.

After all, someone'll have to clear up the mess.

All those decapitated trunks.

- You sound as though you disapprove

of my idea, Lady Templeton.

- I do.

It might give the servants ideas.

Marjorie, do ring for tea, I made myself feel quite ill.

(distant horse trotting)

- Emily.

Emily, that's hardly a name for an Irish girl.

- 'Tisn't my name, that's why.

- Well you're called Emily.

- Oh I am now but my real name's Aoibhinn

but over here they find it hard to get

their tongues round it.

- Even?

(Emily laughs)

- No, William.

Aoibhinn.

She was a queen, you know.

Queen of Craig Liath.

My dad had told me she appeared to King Brian

the night before the great battle.

The battle of Clontarf.

And didn't she tell him the outcome of it all.

- Well I haven't heard of a king called Brian.

- She told him that he would win the battle

but lose his own life.

She was a spirit of sorrow.

- Was he an Irish king?

- He was.

- Didn't know you had kings in Ireland.

- Ah, William, I'm sure you hardly know a thing.

You never even know you were to meet me.

- Meet you?

- That it was destined, pre-ordained.

I was always certain of meeting you.

I saw you that day in the kitchen and I knew I knew you.

You're more to me that my love, William.

You're my need, my very self.

- Look, Emily, I mean--

- Ah, William, everything I do, I do for you.

Everything I have to do in the house,

I imagine I do it for you.

Each floor that I scrub and fire that I lay

and spoon that I polish is yours.

Oh I have you imagined all day.

- If it wasn't for Mrs. Van Groeben,

I'd run off with you tomorrow.

- So where should we run to?

The world is full of running people.

Maybe you could get another job.

You can read and write and you're strong.

- If she even knew I was going our with you, Em.

- Do you love me, William?

- You know I do.

I think you're the prettiest girl I've ever seen.

- But do you have a passion for me?

Or do you just think I'm the prettiest girl

you've ever seen?

- Yes.

I love you, Emily.

- I've a passion, William.

Oh a passion for you.

And I never thought I would ever know anything

as fine as this passion I have for you.

There was nothing in my life before you, William,

really nothing.

And now it hurts because it's so fierce.

- We'll be alright, Em, I'll look after you.

- How?

How will you do it?

And what can we do, Willy,

sure there's no place for us?

- You're a sad little thing sometimes, Emily.

- Well wouldn't you be?

I've nothing in this world but you.

Mammy's dying, Phelem is in America,

my other brother, Dermot, he got killed in the Boer war,

and my dad is dead this two years now.

So there's precious little to be left on the slate.

- Come on now, Emily.

This is our day off, we should be having fun.

- What'll I do if she finds out?

What'll I do if she takes you away from me, William?

- I'll never let her do that, Em, never.

Can I put my arm round you?

Can I comfort you?

You mustn't get so upset.

- Oh, William.

- Can I kiss you?

Let me kiss you please, Emily.

- Oh, we shouldn't.

- I want to kiss you, Emily.

- Oh no, no we shouldn't do it, it's wrong.

Oh but I've such a passion for you.

(footsteps)

- Well now, isn't that lovely?

Now then, you two, move along there, way past your bedtime.

Park's closing in three minutes.

Move along.

* And every word, she dropped a tear

* And every line, cried Willy dear

* Oh what a foolish girl, was I

* To be led astray by a butcher boy

- I mean, William, you're only a boy,

you're still very young.

Now I'm not angry with you so don't be afraid.

- No, Mrs. Van Groeben.

- What I have to tell you is for your own good.

We have a saying in our country

that the first seedling of Spring does not always

lead to the best tree, you see?

I mean these things seem terribly important

at the time, William, but most of them

don't even grow into saplings.

There are far more important things at the moment.

Much more important things than a kiss and a cuddle

with some little scullery maid.

I mean, William, you're really going to be someone.

You really want to be someone, don't you?

And people who are going to be really someone

don't have to meddle with little scullery maids now,

do they?

Come over here a minute, come closer to me.

That uniform of yours looks quite worn.

- Yes, madam.

- Yes, the sleeves, the cuffs, are quite frayed.

I think a brand new uniform would be the order of the day.

And as you're such a smart boy, we'll have one made

especially for you.

- Thank you, madam.

- You can help me choose the materials and the color.

Wouldn't that be nice?

- Very nice, madam.

- And now that Harris is getting on a bit

and he can't do as much as he'd like to do,

I think the person who's gonna help him out more

and take on more responsibility should have

a really nice new uniform, don't you, William?

- If you think so, madam.

- Now, where were we?

Oh yes, that other business.

No, no, I don't think there's any need to talk about

that anymore, is there?

I mean, it doesn't really amount to anything now, does it?

- No, nothing, madam.

It was only a bit of fun.

- Emily is here, my lady.

- Oh send her in will you, Hudson.

- Very good, my lady.

- Come in, Emily.

Well come over here, I want to talk to you.

Emily, I understand that you have become friendly

with a member of Mrs. Van Groeben's staff.

Her footman, William.

It's only fair to tell you that Mrs. Van Groeben

has forbidden William

to see you. (horses trotting)

And I'm afraid you must respect her wishes

and not try to see him anymore.

That'll be all.

You can go now.

Emily, it's not usual for me to concern myself

in matters such as this but you must understand

Mrs. Van Groeben will dismiss William

if he continues to see you.

A boy like that with no references

will find things very difficult.

Well you're both so young,

you've your whole lives ahead of you.

- Yes, my lady.

- It will pass, Emily,

this hurt you're feeling now.

Truly it will.

You'll learn to put it out of your mind

and when you marry, it'll be to someone you respect

and who'll be your companion.

A passion spends itself very quickly.

Believe me.

You're very young, you've all your life ahead of you.

- Nothing will ever be the same.

- Well, what do you want me to write, Emily?

- Oh, mother of God, I can never think in letters.

I have no mind for the written word, Rose.

Put William.

- Dear William, it has to be Dear William in a letter.

- Dear William,

I am lost without

oh, I can't think, Rose, there's nothing in my head.

- Dear William, we have been forbidden to see each other

but I still love you and think of you every day,

how about that, Em, that's a good start.

If you love me.

- No, Rose, just write these words.

You are all that's left on the slate.

Say you love me,

Aoibhinn.

- What's that?

Is that your name?

How'd you spell it?

- I don't know.

You better put Emily so.

I just want to know he's there.

* She went upstairs to go to bed

* And calling to her mama said

* "Give me a chair till I sit down

* "And a pen and ink

* while I write down" - He won't turn up now,

you know.

They never do.

Them all the same.

Every man, jack of them.

Did you think your William was gonna be any different?

Oh no, girl, don't wipe round the legs,

move the things proper.

I don't know, your work seems to be getting worse

and worse every day.

Not there was ever much to write home about.

Now you've missed a bit there by the table leg,

a bit of grease.

There, right under your nose.

Oh dear.

Mr. Harris was telling me one or two things

about young master William.

Proper little household pet it is, it seems.

And that's for sure.

Mrs. Van Groeben, she buys all his clothes

and dresses him up, all by herself.

Unhealthy I calls it, unhealthy.

Oh, get on with your scrubbing, Emily.

You still got all that washing up to do.

(horses trotting)

Still no sign of your fancy boy?

They're all the same, every man, jack of them.

They're only wanting one thing.

They're wanting to tamper with you.

That's what they're wanting to do.

But you wasn't gonna be like that, was you, Emily?

You was going to get married, live happily ever after.

And where was you going to go, Emily?

Employers don't like it, you know,

when their servants want to get married.

And with no references, who's going to take a girl

who can't do nothing right?

Nothing!

Had a girl here not long back,

rushed off to get married and they were so poor,

are you listening to me, Emily?

They were so poor, she had to sell her hair.

Yes, that's right.

The very hair of her head.

And how much do you think she got for it?

Eight shillings and sixpence.

Eight shillings and sixpence for a lovely head

of golden hair.

Oh but you wouldn't do a foolish thing like that,

now, would you, Emily?

I mean to say he's not worth it.

And from all I can hear from Mr. Harris,

that boy's more interested in what Mrs. Van Groeben

has to offer.

(Emily cries)

Emily!

Emily!

- Here, Emily, what's the matter with you?

- Nothing, nothing, Rose, nothing.

- Have you been getting at her again, Mrs. Bridges?

- I was only telling her a few facts of life, Rose.

- And leave me be then, sod you, leave me be.

- Emily.

Emily, child, I'm sorry, I only--

- Leave me be.

- Have you still heard nothing?

- I only wanted to help.

I only wanted to help her.

- I'm sure.

(horse trotting)

Nothing, eh?

Well, look, cheer up, you might even see him

at the picnic tomorrow.

- Rose, it is.

It is, Rose, it's the coach and he's on it.

William.

Oh, William.

And would you look at his gorgeous new uniform.

- Here, don't let him catch you gawping at him, girl.

- Bring it in here, lad.

- What, what's all this then, it's not my birthday.

- Something for the outing tomorrow.

- Oh, good.

- Come here, put it down here, that's right,

let's see what we've got. - Let's see this.

- Mrs. Van Groeben had it made up specially.

- Oh, wow. - Look at that.

- Oh look, it's lovely. - Oh yes, there we are.

-[Rose] Sandwiches, big red apples,

for the park. - I got some pop, eh, Rose.

We'll be carrying you home as usual.

- These sandwiches are stale, them.

- We've got to take the hamper back.

- Oh, right.

- I'll take it out to the carriage.

- Stale? - Look at these, Rose.

Look at these, Mrs. B. - What's in them?

- Well I'd have made old things like that, send them back to

where they come out, - Should we have one now then,

Rose, should we have one? - that's what I'd do.

- No! - Why not?

- Because it's one less - These rich people, they

don't seem to understand. - sandwich for tomorrow.

- No point in rushing out there, lass.

- Well there is so I must speak--

- No point at all.

- Ah, Mr. Harris, please, sir.

- He's got a lot of big responsibilities, lass,

he's taken a lot on himself.

- If you pardon me, sir, I do want

to speak to him awful bad.

- Now listen to me, child.

He's no time anymore.

No time at all.

He said he hadn't even got time to read this.

So, under circumstances, he reckoned it be fairer

for thee to have it back.

- It's my letter.

'Tis unopened.

- Ah, well he's big responsibilities, lass,

he's not given time.

Ah, now, think on tomorrow.

You'll have a grand day tomorrow, think on that.

- I am.

* And every word, she dropped a tear

* And every line, cried Willy dear

* Oh what a foolish girl was I

* To be led astray by a butcher boy

(distant talking)

- Now, listen, if I use these ribbons

and there's a couple of flowers over here,

put them on my hat, you won't know the difference

between me and Lady Scott.

What do you think, Mrs. Bridges?

- Ooh, it'll suit you a treat, Rose.

You'll be the bell of the picnic, alright.

- Why don't you change your mind and come, Mrs. Bridges.

- No, I'm too old to go larking about in the woods.

Besides, I've got a lot of work to do,

clearing up after Emily.

- Oh, go on, Mrs. B, you come along too,

you'd have a topping time.

- I've no doubt you'll enjoy yourself, Edward.

You and all them females.

(Edward laughs)

- Our Edward's gonna have a bit of competition this time,

cause there's Taylor the pantry boy from Lady Templeton's

and Henry from Lady Prudence's, he's a one, I can tell you.

- Go on then, - Mrs. Bridges will

- I'll be a girl, - tell you loads--

I might even fancy Henry.

- Don't, please, Edward.

- All I need's a skirt - Edward!

- And you'd never know the difference.

- Oh, you, Edward!

Give me back my hat.

- You come and get it.

- You little.

Please, Edward, no, please, give it back.

- Shh, I'm hiding from Rose.

-[Rose] You can't take my only one.

Thinking about tomorrow, eh, Em?

Well here you are then, you wear that,

you'll look even lovelier in that.

Well, you've got to look your best, you know.

It's a big day in a girl's life.

(Emily cries)

(somber music)

* What shall I do?

* I want to go to Birmingham,

* and they're taking me on to Crewe.

* Take me back to London as quickly as you can.

* Oh, Mr. Porter what a silly girl I am.

* Oh Mr. Porter, what shall I do?

* I want to go to Birmingham,

* and they're taking me on to Crewe.

* Take me back to Blighty, as quickly as you can.

* Oh, Mr. Porter what a silly girl I am.

- Right then, here, take that out to the omnibus, Edward,

and look sharp, time we were off.

- Emily's saving me a place on top of the trunks.

- Emily?

She's not on the bus yet.

- Well where is she then?

- Oh, go and find her quickly, Rose.

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

* Oh, Mr. Porter, what a silly girl I am.

- Oh, I better go out to the bus and pacify them.

- We could not have planned it better.

God has certainly smiled on us to give us

such as perfect day.

- They sound so happy and excited, like children

going to the seaside.

- I'm only afraid they'll enjoy it too much.

My constitution couldn't stand a regular nature ramble.

- Won't it be fun to see their faces

when we serve them tea?

- I suppose it'll do us all a bit of good, don't you think?

- Hudson'll let us know when they're ready to leave.

- Emily.

(Rose gasps)

Emily!

Oh my God, Emily!

(women laugh and chat)

* My old man said follow the van,

* And don't dilly dally on the way.

- Right!

* But I dillied and dallied,

* dallied and I dillied.

* Lost me way and I don't know where to roam.

* Well you can't trust a special

* like the old time coppers

* when you can't find your way home.

(party blowers whistle)

(heavy chatter)

- Edward, Edward, we can't go,

something's happen to Emily, come on.

- What a time it takes to get a handful of servants

and picnic hampers into an omnibus.

Anyone would think they were packing for the North Pole.

- I'm sure they'll be ready to leave soon.

- Ah, at last.

* Give me your answer do

* I'm half crazy all for the love of you

- May I speak to you privately, my lady?

- Yes, Hudson.

Would you excuse me?

* I can't afford a carriage,

* but you'll look sweet upon a seat

* of a bicycle made for two.

- I expect they dropped all the lemonade all over

the pavement, the silly creatures.

* It won't be a stylish marriage,

* I can't afford a carriage.

- I think, perhaps, you better go on

with the picnic without us.

- What has happened?

- It's our kitchen maid, she's

she's had an accident.

- A shame.

- Hudson has gone out to explain to the other servants.

I'm so sorry.

- Alright, off you go.

* Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do.

* I'm half crazy, all for the love of you.

* It won't be a stylish marriage.

- Right there.

Excuse me, Mr. Hudson.

- What did the sergeant say, Mr. Hudson?

What's gonna happen to her?

- Up your end, Mr. Lowe.

-[Mr. Lowe] No, down your end,

Mr. Waterman. - Poor Emily.

- No disrespect intended, miss.

- It's all been taken

care of, Rose. - Awkward these little rooms.

That's right, well done, Mr. Lowe.

There, alright.

Take it easy, Mr. Lowe.

Easy now, that's it.

Steady now.

Right, Mr. Hudson, I wonder, would you mind

taking a peep out that window, see whether

or not our van has returned, if you would be so kind?

-[Mr. Lowe] Be so kind.

- Yes.

- I'm afraid not.

- Oh dear.

Would there be any objection if we was to wait

in there for a bit?

'Tisn't done to be seen in the street.

- Not under such delicate circumstances.

- Quite.

- Please, this way.

- Thank you, right in.

To you, Mr. Lowe, that's it, steady.

In it goes.

Ah yes, just bang her on the table.

There, steady now.

Right.

- Would you care for a cup of tea while you're waiting?

- Most kind.

-[Mr. Lowe] Most kind.

- Rose.

(Mrs. Bridges cries)

- Poor child.

And me with never a kind word for her.

- Don't take on so, Mrs. Bridges,

she thought he world of you.

- Did she?

She had precious little cause to.

Oh God, forgive me.

I could have helped her, I could have done something.

- There you are.

- Oh, thank you.

- Thank you.

Nice cup of tea.

- Very nice.

- She was Catholic, you know.

- In mortal sin, eh?

(Hudson tuts)

- God will forgive her.

Where will they bury her?

- Not in consecrated ground, Mr. Hudson.

- No, no, of course not. - Oh Rose!

- Now I'll do the autopsy at the morgue,

the doctors will decide when they're done with her.

- Doctors?

- Well they like to think she'll be benefiting mankind.

- Medical research, you see.

I prefers them young and healthy.

- May the Lord have mercy on her soul.

- She had so few things.

Well they were hers after all.

* He went upstairs and the door he broke

* He found her hanging from a rope

* He took his knife and he cut her down

* And in her pocket these words he found

* Oh make my grave large, wide, and deep

* Put a marble stone by me head and feet

* And in the middle, a turtle dove

* That the world may know I died from love

(horses trotting)

(upbeat classical music)