Original subtitles

(lively music)

(door bell rings)

- Nasty fog again this morning.

Couldn't hardly see you from across the street.

- Why six pints?

- Oh, says so here.

Found it on the doorstep.

- Oh, Mrs. Bridges must have left it last night

when she came in.

Don't know why.

We've got plenty in the larder.

- It's that thick.

There was this motorcar in Belgrave Square crawling,

with a lad walking in front of it carrying a lamp.

(both laughing)

Proper pea souper, huh.

- Mind how you go with Daisy.

-[Man] Ah, she'll go all right.

She can see the dark with her blinkers on.

(humming)

- Mr. Hudson, I couldn't take Mrs. Bridges her morning tea.

- Why not?

- I couldn't get into her room.

Her door is locked.

- Did you knock?

- Twice, but she didn't answer.

- Seems that Mrs. Bridges has slept in this morning, Rose.

- Was her day out yesterday.

- I fail to see the connection.

- I'll take these to the larder.

- Are you sure her door was locked?

- Oh yes, Mr. Hudson.

I tried ever so hard to open it.

- Maybe she didn't come back.

I didn't hear her come in last night.

- Neither did I.

Do you think something could have happened to her?

I mean, you never know in the fog.

Maybe someone slit her throat down one of them dark alleys,

like Jack the Ripper.

- No, not Mrs. Bridges, Doris.

Jack the Ripper liked 'em a wee bit younger than that.

More your age.

Rose, you better go up and see.

Maybe she's ill.

- Oh yes, Mr. Hudson.

Gimme that cup of tea and you get on with the range.

- It's cold now.

If she gets cold tea, serve her right for oversleeping late.

- Now, Rose, that's enough of that.

(knock on door)

- Mrs. Bridges seven o'clock.

(louder) Mrs. Bridges!

(loud knock)

Mr. Hudson.

- What is it, Rose?

- I couldn't rouse her,

but I could hear sounds coming from her room.

- Ah, better just leave her, then and get on.

We'll try again in half an hour.

- Well, I best get all started with upstairs breakfast then.

- Yes, and take this down, if you please, Rose.

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

(clock chiming)

- Morning.

- Morning, my dear.

You're up bright and early.

- There's rather a lot to do today.

Anything startling in the paper?

- Nothing much.

Oh, Curson's got his way.

He's seeking election to sit in the Lords

among the Irish peers.

- Without an acre of Irish land.

- At least his voice will be heard at Westminster once again

after years in the wilderness.

Never was a public servant so shamefully treated

when I think what that man did for India.

- Well, tell him so next week when he dines here.

- I shall.

I must be going soon.

I'm seeing my tailor this morning.

- Would you ring for Hudson, please?

- Mm-hmm.

- It's time for me to make Mrs. Bridges again.

- Why do you say that?

- She's been so moody lately.

We never can see eye-to-eye on the subject to desserts.

She seems to have changed in the last few weeks.

- Perhaps she's had a secret offer from someone outside.

- That is possible.

Mrs. Van Groeben raved about our dinner party

the other night.

She asked if we had a French chef from Paris.

- And what did you say?

- I said we have a very old

and a rather temperamental widow from Bristol.

She said she thought the dinner worthy

of Rosa Louis herself.

- Praise indeed.

- You rang, my lady?

- Yes, Hudson.

Send Mrs. Bridges up would you?

- Beg pardon, my lady, but I'm afraid it appears that

Mrs. Bridges has slept in this morning.

She hasn't been down for her breakfast yet.

- Not down yet?

But it's nearly 10 o'clock.

- Quite, my lady.

- Someone better go up to her room and rouse her?

- We've tried, sir.

Rose has been up twice, but.

- What?

- She wasn't able to get in, sir.

The door was locked.

- Why is her door locked?

- It was her day off yesterday, sir.

- Well, what's that got to do with it?

Are you suggesting she came home intoxicated or something?

- Oh, no, sir.

- You're sure she's in her room?

- Yes, my lady.

There wasn't any answer, but Rose said

she distinctly heard sounds coming from inside the room.

I'll go and see to it at once, my lady.

- It really is too bad.

One gives her every consideration and she behaves like this.

- It appears that the price I must pay for her superb skill

in the kitchen.

- I particularly wanted her to be her best next week.

- To impress the Italian ambassador?

- And Curzon.

The Crewes are coming too.

And F. B. Smith.

He likes good food.

(locking her door)

- Ah, Mrs. Bridges.

Her ladyship is waiting for you, Mrs. Bridges.

In the morning room.

- What is that woman doing?

It's gone 10 o'clock.

- Oh, my goodness, I must go.

- Luncheon at your club?

- Yes, with little George Chesterfield.

I'll see you this evening.

(opens door)

Mrs. Bridges.

There you are.

You'd better go in.

- Please come in, Mrs. Bridges.

I've been waiting for you.

Did you have a pleasant day off yesterday?

- Yes, milady.

- I understand from Hudson that you've had no breakfast.

- Not hungry, my lady.

It's no business of Hudson's.

- I beg your pardon!

- I said it's nothing to do with Hudson

what time I come down of a mornin'.

- I'm afraid I don't agree with you.

Hudson is responsible for the smooth running of this house.

- And I'm responsible for the meals, my lady.

- I know you are, Mrs. Bridges,

and I expect you to be punctual for meals

in the servant's hall,

and to set a good example to the others.

I also expect you to observe my rules.

One of which is that I will not have the servants

in this house locking their bedroom doors.

I thought I made that quite clear!

Why was your door locked this morning

when Rose tried to rouse you?

Well?

- I've a right to my privacy, my lady,

without the under-servants

poking and prying into my affairs.

(sobbing) Everyone's against me.

All talking and whispering behind my back.

Saying as how was my fault Emily done herself in.

I know what they're saying.

They're all against me.

(sniffs) I know I'm not wanted in this house.

Nor appreciated neither.

(sobbing) So, I best give in my notice and clear out

and that's all I have to say.

Thanking you, my lady.

- Mrs. Bridges, come back here at once.

- I'm giving in my notice, my lady.

- No, Mrs. Bridges, you're doing nothing of the kind.

Now, calm yourself and sit down.

Come along now, sit down.

- Thank you, ma'am.

- Now then,

what's the matter with you these days?

Aren't you going to tell me?

- I can't.

- You haven't been yourself for some weeks, have you?

-[Mrs. Bridges] No, my lady.

- Are you unwell?

- (gasp) I get these headaches.

Sharp pains through me head, my lady.

Everything seems to be on top of me

and I can't stop crying.

I lie awake thinking about that poor dead girl (sobbing).

If I scolded her sometimes,

it was only to make her a better kitchen-maid

and to get on in service.

I trained under a strict cook myself, my lady, at Southwold.

You've got to be firm with them.

Oh, that,

when Emily killed herself (sobbing),

it's like if I lost my own daughter.

She was like that (crying).

- Mrs. Bridges.

Would it surprise you to know that I too

lie awake at night thinking about Emily?

It was a terrible shock to all of us,

but we must try and get over it.

- I miss her in my kitchen.

I miss that girl.

She was a good girl.

- Oh, now, dry your tears

and try not to think about it anymore.

- Yes, my lady.

- You've been here such a long time, and

I like to think that we are old friends.

If these headaches continue,

I'll have you examined by Dr. Pholbe.

- Thank you, my lady.

It's just since, sometimes I feel.

- What?

- Lonely, my lady.

You see, since Bridges was took,

15 years ago now come April, I've had no one.

I mean, no one what belongs to me.

I've got my friend in Victoria but,

it's not the same.

It's not like someone belongs to you.

Isn't, my lady?

- Mrs. Bridges,

perhaps we should discuss the meals now,

if you're quite ready.

- I'll be going.

- Mrs. Bridges (rattles door)?

It's Ann, Mrs. Bridges (rattles door).

I'm coming in sweep.

(rattles door)

(hearing sounds)

Mrs. Bridges!

(voices from morning room discussing meals)

Mr. Hudson.

- What is it, Alice?

- I thought I ought to tell you.

- What, girl?

- There's a funny sound coming from Mrs. Bridges' room.

- That can't be.

- But there is, Mr. Hudson.

- Mrs. Bridges happens to be in the morning room

with her ladyship.

- But I heard it.

Thump, thump, against the wall.

- No, you're imagining things, girl.

- I'm not, Mr. Hudson, honest.

- Well, why didn't you go in and see what it was?

- The door was locked, Mr. Hudson.

- Not again?

- Could there be thieves in the house?

- I have no idea, Alice.

You'd better come with me.

Wait here and I'll get the master key from my pantry.

- Listen.

- Mrs. Bridges?

That's daft.

She wouldn't do anything like that.

-[Mr. Hudson] You come up with me, Alice.

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- And Doris.

- Yes, Mr.Hudson?

- If Mrs. Bridges comes back down here while we're upstairs,

don't say anything about this, do you understand?

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- Come along, Alice.

(knock on door)

(rattles knob)

- But, there was a noise, Mr. Hudson.

I swear there was.

(thump sound)

Isn't it?

There it is.

Can't you hear it, Mr. Hudson?

- Aye, there is someone in there, right enough.

Just you stand clear, Alice.

- Is there any danger?

- You can never be sure.

Just keep well out of the way.

I'll unlock the door.

(unlocking door)

(shouting) Right now!

(closes door)

- Very good, my lady.

Kicking me.

Get down there.

Go, get out!

Beat it.

(locking the door)

(mumbling)

Doris.

Where are you, Doris?

Emily!

Come and give old Mrs. Bridges a hand.

And someone who can manage (sobbing).

- Where did it come from then?

- That's what I'd like to know.

- Some relative, I expect,

asked Mrs. Bridges to mind it for her

while she's in the shops.

- Well, why'd she lock the door then?

Nobody would harm it, would they?

- She could have brought it down here.

We'd have given it some milk.

- You're quite right.

That's because it's not been honestly come by.

She has stolen that baby.

(both gasp)

- What's gonna happen to her?

- Will she be arrested?

- No.

Mr. Hudson is speakin' to her ladyship now,

so we'll soon know.

- I'd best be getting back to the kitchen.

She'll be needing me now.

May I have the saucepan that's in your arms, Mrs. Bridges?

* Rock-A-bye baby be on the tree top

* When the wind blows

* Cradle will drop

* Down will fall baby

* Cradle and all

- Thank you, Hudson.

I came as quickly as I decently could.

We were in the middle of lunch when the message came.

What's happened?

- Mrs. Bridges isn't well, Richard.

She's in rather serious trouble.

- Trouble?

- Last night in the fog on the way back from her day off she

took a baby from it's perambulator outside a shop.

- Took a baby?

- Stole it from its parents.

(Mrs. Bridges sniffs)

- I'd been visiting my friends, sir, Mrs. Graves.

She used to be cook to Lady Wallingford.

She's retired now, sir.

I come across this pram outside a greengrocer's.

Nobody mindin' it.

Such a lovely baby laying there.

Smiling at me.

I stopped to see, so I touched his little hand.

Oh, I couldn't help but touch it.

When its tiny fingers curled 'round mine,

I felt as if I had to pick it up, sir.

Wouldn't no harm, after all, sir.

I mean, there was nobody there.

I knew it was wrong, sir, but

I just couldn't help it.

I only wanted to hold it to me, just for a minute, sir.

But, you see, it was cold and foggy, and so

I took a shawl off of the pram and

wrapped the little mite up in it.

Still nobody come out of the shop.

And then I...

- You what?

- Started to walk with it, sir, in my arms

'round the corner, down the street.

- Which street?

Where was this?

-[Marjorie] She doesn't remember, Richard.

- And where is the child now?

- Being cared for, sir, in the servant's hall.

- Oh, my God.

(Mrs. Bridges sobbing)

They never tried to stop you?

Nobody saw you take it?

- The thick fog, sir.

You can hardly see your hand in front of your face.

- What on earth made you do a thing like that?

Have you thought of the parents of the child?

What they must be going through at this very moment.

The terrible anxiety?

(Mrs. Bridges sobbing)

- Richard, please.

- Well I'm sorry, but whether Mrs. Bridges acted on some

sudden impulse or not, the fact remains that

some wretched mother is searching all over for London

for a stolen baby.

And that baby happens to be here in this house.

- I'm sorry, my lady, I couldn't help it.

It just come over me (sobbing).

- Mrs. Bridges, are you,

are you sure you can't remember which street you were in?

Do you have you any idea of the shop?

A greengrocer, you said.

- Yes, it was a greengrocer.

I know that block.

I don't know what street.

It was somewhere in Victoria near my friend.

Somewhere in Pimlico (sobbing).

- She better go up to her room for the time being.

Perhaps she'll remember after she's calmed down.

- Go with her, Hudson, and then come back here.

- Very good, my lady.

-[Mrs. Bridges] I'm sorry, my lady.

- Come along then Mrs. Bridges.

I'll see you upstairs to your room.

You'd better have a wee lie down, Mrs. Bridges.

- Of course, the police have got to be informed.

- Richard, no!

- How else are we to trace the parents?

- We can't allow Mrs. Bridges

to be carted off by the police.

It would kill her.

Besides, I've an important dinner party to give next week.

- How can you think about dinner parties

at a time like this?

- Because I have to, Richard.

I have to run this house

and entertain important people for your sake.

How can I do that without my cook?

I can't find a new cook in a minute's notice.

- Marjorie, I am trying to be very patient with you.

A child has been stolen from its pram by Mrs. Bridges.

The parents have got to be found at once

and the child returned, that's all that matters.

- If we could find out where it came from,

we could send it back.

- Oh.

- Along with some sort of explanation.

- Marjorie, you've quite lost your reason!

You are trying to,

you're asking me to bypass the normal course of the law.

To shield a person who is guilty of a criminal offense.

- Mrs. Bridges is not a criminal, Richard.

She's ill.

She's been through a lot lately

and she needs rest and care.

- No doubt.

- And it's our responsibility to look after our servants

when they get into trouble.

- There's trouble and trouble,

and this is a bad case of child theft

and the police have got to be told

whether you like it or not.

(sigh) And that's what we have to do, my dear.

- Will there be any further instructions, sir?

- No, Hudson.

- Thank you, sir.

- Hudson!

-[Mr. Hudson] My lady?

- I have an idea.

Am I right in thinking that

you have a friend in the police force?

- Yes, my lady, Sergeant McKay, out on Gerald Road.

- I thought you had.

- I think we ought to be very careful, Marjorie.

- I shall be.

Hudson, how would it be if you were to

bump into Sergeant McKay

somewhere around by Gerald Road police station?

- I understand perfectly, my lady.

- Do you, Hudson?

- Indeed, sir.

I understand the need to trace the parents of the wee baby,

and return their property to them immediately

without involving the police.

Put it that way, sir?

- And you think you can?

- If luck is on my side, sir.

And provided, of course, that her ladyship and yourself

will not be requiring me for the rest of the afternoon.

- Oh yes, that's understood.

Now, all we need is the address of the people

in the strictest confidence, of course.

- You can rely on me, sir.

My lady.

- And Hudson.

- Sir.

- Not a word to the other servants for the time being.

- Oh, naturally, sir.

Rose?

Rose, where are you, Rose?

Ah, Rose.

- Shh.

Baby is asleep.

We've only just got him off, Mr. Hudson.

Little devil, he's that wakeful.

- I am going out, Rose,

on a very important errand for the master.

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- When Edward gets back from his afternoon off,

inform him that he may have to deputize for me at dinner

in case I'm not back in time.

- Just to see if the fire is all right, my lady.

- Oh, yes, perhaps another piece of coal, Rose.

Turn much colder?

- Yes, my lady.

But the fog is not quite so thick.

- That's good.

Hudson, still not back?

- Not yet, my lady.

(front door closes)

- Oh, if that's Mr. Bellamy.

Tell him I'm in here, will you?

- Yes, my lady.

Her ladyship is in the morning room, sir.

- Any news?

- No, sir.

- I gather Hudson is not back yet?

-[Lady Marjorie] No.

- Now over three hours.

What could have happened to him?

- Well, his friend in the police may not have been there.

He may have had to wait for him.

- Come on duty?

- Hmm.

- That's a possibility.

(door opens)

-[Rose] The evening paper, sir.

(door closes)

- Thank you, Rose.

- Is there anything there about a stolen child?

- Not than I can see.

- Will there be anything else, my lady?

- Yes, Rose, what time can we dine?

- Oh, anytime you wish, my lady.

It's all ready.

Will I tell Edward to ring the gong?

- Yes, in ten minutes, we won't change.

- Very good, my lady.

I just hope it tastes of something.

- Sure, it will, Rose.

They're being absolutely splendid, Richard.

- What's that, my dear?

- The servants, I say they're being simply marvelous.

Rose and Doris have cooked the dinner,

and Alice is busy looking after the baby.

- That's very commendable, Rose.

We're very grateful.

- Oh, I'm sure we don't mind doing a bit extra, sir,

if it's to help Mrs. Bridges.

Will that be all, my lady?

- Yes, thank you, Rose.

You know they really are the most extraordinary people.

I mean, that woman causes so many upsets downstairs

with her moods and tantrums,

yet they're all ready to cover up for her.

- Domestic servants are more loyal by nature

than politicians.

- Hmm.

Ah, Hudson.

-[Mr. Hudson] My lady.

- We were worried about you.

- I trust you'll pardon me for coming straight in

as I am a servant. - You're soaking wet.

- I'm very sorry, sir.

It began to sleet a wee bit when I reached Eaton Square.

- Well, what news?

- I am able to report, sir, my lady,

that I have ascertained the identity of the baby's parents.

- Well done.

Where they live?

- Yes, sir.

It seems that a,

a baby was reported stolen from its perambulator

outside the premises of Mrs. Walsh and Sons,

the fruiters in Luper Street, my lady,

between the hours of 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. last evening.

- And the parents?

- Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Webber, sir,

of 96 A Vauxhall Bridge Road.

I also memorized the address, sir.

- I wonder what sort of people?

- Oh, middle class, my lady,

but quite respectable, I understand.

- You must order the motor at once.

- I still don't like this, Marjorie.

I think we ought to inform the police first.

- But, you agreed!

- Oh, very well.

Tell Pearce to bring the motor around at once.

- Very good, sir.

- Yes, Hudson, and ask Rose to have the child

well wrapped up ready for travel

and brought up to the hall.

Dinner will have to wait till we get back.

- Very good, my lady.

(door opens)

- How much will you offer these people as compensation?

- We shall wait and see what their circumstances are.

(motorcar engine running)

(knock on the door)

-[Lady Marjorie] Mrs. Webber.

It's all right, Mrs. Webber, he's quite done wrong.

Don't distress yourself.

May we come in?

(Mrs. Webber sobbing)

- We're not very tidy.

(sobbing)

- Is your husband at home, Mrs. Webber?

- There's a motorcar outside, Lily.

Is that Johnny back?

He's been fine, Lizzie.

These people found him.

- This lady and gentleman, Arthur.

They brought him back just a few minutes ago.

Warm and safe he's all right.

- Well, we're very grateful, I'm sure.

Where was the child found?

- Oh, let me introduce myself and explain.

Here's my card.

- Oh, I see.

- Mr. Webber, I must hasten to assure you.

Neither my wife nor I were responsible

for taking your child from its pram last evening.

The fact is that we regretted very much

a certain member of my domestic staff had

an unfortunate lapse,

a quite irrational longing to posses the child.

She regrets the action very much.

- What was her name, the woman who stole our kiddy?

- Well I hardly think that's relevant, Mr. Webber.

Of course, there's the question of compensation.

We realize that you and your wife

have suffered a great deal of anxiety.

- Yes, we both think you're entitled

to some form of restitution.

- I'm asking you a simple question, Mr. Bellamy.

Who stole our baby?

- I would have thought it best for you to accept

a modest sum as a token of our apologies for.

- For what one of you maids has done, is that it?

- Mr. Webber, the woman in question happens to be our cook.

Now, are you willing to accept our apologies

for what has happened.

Tell the police the child has been found

and leave it at that?

I think you'd be well advised to do so,

and so save a lot of unnecessary fuss.

- Oh, you do, do you?

-[Mrs. Webber] Arthur?

- No, Lily.

If people like them think they can buy their way out

of having their underpaid and overworked domestic

servants had up in court, they're very much mistaken.

- Who said anything about court?

- The woman who stole our infant, Mr. Bellamy,

is either a criminal or a lunatic.

In either case she ought to be behind bars

where she can't snatch any more infants from their prams.

As for your offer of compensation, sir,

I see from your card you're a member of parliament.

You should know better than to try and impede the law

by offering a man a bribe.

- I see not point in continuing this conversation.

Come on, Marjorie.

- What you gonna do?

- Wait and see.

- Oh, don't do anything foolish, Arthur.

We've got Johnny back.

Don't cause anymore trouble.

Not with the likes of them.

They always come out on top in the end, and you know it.

People like that.

- I know they do, Lily.

That's just my point.

(dramatic music)

- My ladsyship has left her toast again, not touched it.

And the master's not had his scrambled eggs neither.

They must be sitting in for something, the pair of 'em.

So when Miss Roberts told her ladyship,

she couldn't get the stain out of her gray coat.

She used very snap talk.

- Best keep out of her way, then.

- What I can't understand is

why Mrs. Bridges didn't get the push.

I mean, causing all that trouble.

- They can't afford to lose her, that's why.

She's too good a cook.

Besides, they took the baby back to his home.

There's have an end to it.

- What a lark havin' a baby to take care of.

Even if it was only for a few hours, eh, Rose?

- He was all right.

- Dear little thing.

I'd love to have a baby.

- Oh, I dare say, your turn will come one day.

And if it does, let's hope it's intentional.

(bell rings)

Oh, front door.

- This early?

- We better get out of here in case it's visitors.

(door opens)

Mr. Hudson, we're done in the morning room.

- Very good, Rose.

Well, hurry up and get downstairs.

There's someone at the front door.

Oh come on now, quickly, girl, quickly.

- Is this Mr. Richard Bellamy's residence?

- It is.

- I understand there's a cook employed on these premises.

- That is so, the back door is down the steps, and--

- Just one moment, if you please.

I am a police officer, Detective Inspector Cape.

I should like a word with your master.

- In what connection, if you don't mind my asking?

- A report received concerning an incident

that took place last evening.

Now, kindly fetch your master.

- Better come in.

Oh, I'll go and inform Mr. Bellamy.

his permission will be required

before Mrs. Bridges can interrupt her duties in the kitchen.

Wait here, please.

Excuse me, sir.

There's a gentleman from the police,

Detective Inspector Cape.

He wants to see Mrs. Bridges.

- Show him in now, will you?

- I understood, sir, since the baby was returned last night.

- Oh, no, Hudson, the matter is far from closed.

I rather expected this.

- Should I fetch Mrs. Bridges?

- Well, not yet.

Just leave this to me.

- I've heard about this Inspector Cape, sir,

from my friend, Sergeant McKay, at the station.

I understand he's a holy terror.

- Yes?

Well, he's not gonna terrorize me.

You show him in.

- Very good, sir.

-[Richard] Come in, will you Inspector?

- I'll try not to keep you waiting, sir.

I understand you have your parliamentary duties to fulfill.

- But I can spare you a 20 minutes or so.

That will suffice?

- Should be sufficient, sir.

- Well, do sit down.

- No, thank you, sir.

Now, sir.

A Mr. Arthur Webber of 96 A Vauxhall Bridge Road

reported to Gerald Road Police Station

at 6:30 on Wednesday evening

that his wife had returned from the shop

since later with some distress

to say that their baby was missing from its perambulator.

The discovery was made

when she come out of the greengrocer shop in Luper Street.

Particulars were taken, and a call was sent out duly

to all constables on the beat

to keep a watch out for the missing child.

- Yes, I know all about this.

- I've not quite finished, sir, if you don't mind.

- Very well.

Go on.

- This gentleman has since reported to the police

that his infant was returned to his address

unharmed at 7:45 last evening by yourself and your wife.

Is that correct, sir?

- Yes, that's quite correct.

I would have thought that would of finished the matter.

I tried to explain to this man Webber--

- If a child was stolen by a woman in your employ,

as Mr. Webber claims, sir,

then I shall have no alternative

but to charge her with kidnapping.

- Now look, Inspector, is this absolutely necessary?

- I'm afraid it is, sir.

On the evidence before me, it's my duty to charge her,

under The Offence Against Young Persons Act of 1861.

- You mean to say,

you're going to arrest my cook in this house,

and take her off to the police station?

- Yes, sir.

I should be glad if you'd call her,

if she's on the premises.

- Of course, she's on the premises.

She's in the kitchen cooking our lunch.

- Then you'll have to do without your lunch, won't you sir?

- And you can keep your impudent comments to yourself.

- You'd best inform the mistress of the house, sir,

had you not?

- (sigh) Yes, I certainly will.

(pull servant's call)

How long do you expect to keep Mrs. Bridges in custody?

- She'll be charged now, sir, and detained overnight,

and appear in court in the morning.

- You're perfectly within your rights, of course,

and you must do your duty.

I'm only sorry this man Webber felt it necessary

to make an issue of the incident.

(door opens)

- You rang, sir?

- Yes, Hudson.

Will you ask her ladyship to come down?

I think she's upstairs in her room.

- Very good, sir.

- And Hudson, will you warn Bridges

to stop whatever she's doing,

and get her hat and coat on.

The police want to ask her some questions

at the station.

- I understand, sir.

With your permission, sir,

I'll keep this news from the staff for the time being.

- If you can, Hudson.

- Thank you, sir.

(opens door)

- My wife will be down shortly.

- There is one more question, sir.

- Well?

- How did you know where to return the infant?

I note you failed to report your discovery to the police.

- I don't like your tone, Inspector.

- Don't you, sir?

I must remind you that the failure to report

the discovery of a felony may be taken as acting

as an accessory after the fact.

- I am aware of the law.

You're talking to a former minister of the crown.

- And I am carrying out my duties

as an officer of the law, sir.

In view of your position,

I shall of course overlook the matter on this occasion.

But I must warn you in future

not to go about offering money.

- Mr. Webber knows perfectly well

that money was offered to him and his wife

as a gesture of compensation.

- They didn't take it, did they, sir?

- That is their business!

- Richard, what's all this about Mrs. Bridges

being arrested?

It's quite outrageous.

- Marjorie, this is Inspector Cape of the local police.

My wife.

- Good morning.

Well.

- The inspector is acting quite correctly, Marjorie,

according to the law.

I suggest we offer him a glass of sherry

until Mrs. Bridges is quite ready.

- Don't take on, Mrs. Bridges.

I'm sure your friend'll be all right.

- (sniffing) Heavens!

I expect so.

- It's 'cause she's old and got no one.

The police come to fetch you.

She'd have given them your address, see.

- (sobbing) Yes.

It's not like Ivy to be took sick.

She's always had good health.

- It's this friend of hers, you understand, Doris,

down near Victoria.

She's been taken to the hospital, and well,

she's asked to see Mrs. Bridges.

- Alice says there's a detective in the hall.

- Oh, yes.

Yes, well as I explained to Alice and the others,

the the police have come to take Mrs. Bridges

to her friend's bedside.

- Oh, I see.

- And now, get on with your work, Doris.

There's a good girl.

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- Ah, Mrs. Bridges.

I'll tell them you're ready.

Mrs. Bridges is ready, sir, in the hall.

- Oh, thank you, Hudson.

Help her go, Rose.

Mrs. Bridges will you go with the Inspector

and try not to worry.

- Very good, sir.

Will it be all right, sir?

I mean to go out by the--

- The front door?

Well, of course.

That poor, wretched woman.

She looks as if she's going to the gallows.

- We must telephone to Harry Compton at once.

- What on earth for?

- Good heavens, Richard,

if the Lord Chief Justice can't get

this ridiculous case stopped, nobody can.

- Now, listen to me, Marjorie,

I've already tried to bypass the law once

to save your cook from going to prison.

- There must be something we can do,

and she's your cook, too.

- Well, there's precious little we can do.

See after the Magistrate's Court tomorrow,

ready to give evidence of her good character.

- That's something, I suppose.

- I shall also call Jeff Dillon this afternoon

and ask him to send one of his juniors into court tomorrow.

If he's got any sense, he'll plead guilty

and ask for a remand on bail.

- A remand for what?

- Well, I hope the magistrate's progressive enough

to remand over a doctor's report.

- Yes, but supposing the doctor says

she's not fit enough to go on working?

- I'm sure Dr. Farleigh would be very sensible about that.

- Ah well, if it's Dr. Farleigh.

- Oh, naturally, I sort of suggest

having her examined by my own doctor,

then again they might not permit it.

- But if they do, we'll have nothing more to worry about?

- If it happens that way, no.

But it's a bit if.

I want to be sure of the magistrate.

Some of them think like this man Webber.

If this one does,

he'll refuse to listen to any excuses and clap her in jail.

- Yes, I suppose so.

And then where will we be?

- Sorry old chap,

but it's not in my power to stop this case.

Not now.

- You could refuse to give evidence to the prosecution.

Then there would be no case to answer.

- Why should I, eh?

- For one thing to save the heavy costs

of court proceedings, Mr. Webber,

Which falls, you should know, on the overburdened taxpayer.

- (scoffs) You ought to be in parliament yourself, old chap.

Why don't you swap places with his nips, eh?

- Because I know better than to seek a higher station

in life from the one into which I was born.

I am proud and honored to serve a noble

and distinguished family, and I know my place.

- Well, I wouldn't stand for it.

Running up and down stairs,

bowing and scraping, and answering bells

like a monkey on a stick.

- We all serve a master, Mr. Webber,

unless we happen to be King Edward himself,

which we are not.

I have no doubt there's someone at your place of work

superior to you whom you must address as sir

and treat with respect due to his rank in the firm.

- I've got an employer, yes.

Our Old Strickers, we call him.

Mr. Strickland, our chief clerk.

- And you call him strickers to his face, do you?

- No, not exactly.

- There you are, then.

And you respect him, this man Strickland,

whom you must address as sir?

- Respect him?

He's the biggest fool in the department.

We all laugh at him.

- So, you work for a fool.

I work for a man of charm and character, Mr. Webber.

He's a member of parliament

and married into one of the great ruling

families of the land

with 400 years of political influence behind them.

And you ask me if I'm content with my position in life.

- All right, I'll be a butler then to some duke.

Think you could get me a position?

- You'd have to acquire a very different attitude

towards domestic service, I fear,

before any self-respecting family would allow you

to announce their guests or wait at their table.

- You can't take a joke, can you?

- Some things are not a subject to a jest, Mr. Webber.

So I cannot persuade you to withhold your evidence tomorrow

and avoid a great deal of unpleasantness?

- As I said, Mr. Hudson, it's out of my hands now.

The law must take its course.

- Then I'll not impose on you any further.

Goodnight.

(opens door and closes)

- Is Hudson not ill again?

- Why do you ask that?

- I was wondering why he asked for time off this evening.

The only time he ever does.

- He didn't give a reason.

- Yes, Hudson, what is it? - My apologies, sir, my lady.

Might I speak to you a moment, sir?

-[Richard] Yes, you may.

- I would very much like to visit the police court

tomorrow morning, sir, if you would permit it.

- You, Hudson?

-[Mr. Hudson] Yes, my lady.

- You'll find a bit of it distressing, Hudson,

sitting there watching Mrs. Bridges in the dock.

- I am acquainted to a certain extent

with the processes of the law, sir,

after a number of visits to the public gallery

at the Old Bailey.

- How gruesome of you, Hudson.

- Not at all, my lady.

I often go to the Central Criminal Court on my days off

to hear the great advocates plead.

Just as one would visit Lord's Cricket Grounds, sir,

to watch Ranjet Singhi or Doctor Grace at the wicket.

I do not go to gaze with morbid curiosity

in the faces of the murderers, my lady.

- I see.

Well, there's no reason why you shouldn't go,

as long as the household functions properly

during your absence.

- I would naturally ensure that it does, sir.

- But Hudson don't you think it might upset Mrs. Bridges

if she caught sight of you on the public benches?

- I have in mind taking a small part

in the proceedings, my lady.

If it can be arranged.

- Taking part?

- If I could be called to the witness box, sir,

I think I could make a useful contribution to the hearing.

- You mean as a witness to her character?

- Something of the kind, sir.

I would have to see the solicitor acting for Mrs. Bridges,

if she were to have such a privilege.

Furthermore, I would need to make arrangements

with the clerk of the court

to see Mrs. Bridges before the hearing.

- As a matter of fact,

I called and suggested to them this afternoon.

Someone from that office will have tending tomorrow.

You could speak to him, whoever he is,

as soon as he gets into court.

But just tell him who you are.

- Thank you very much, sir, my lady.

- What an extraordinary request.

- I hope he won't say something rash

and make matters worse.

- Oh, I think we can rely on Hudson, my dear,

he's nobody's fool.

-[Magistrate ] And you thought no doubt

that in the thick fog, nobody would see you

take the infant from its perambulator?

- I never thought about it either way, sir.

About getting caught.

I took the baby because I felt I ought.

As if I wanted to hold it in me arms, sir, and

love the little mite.

I never stopped to think about it being

some other woman's baby,

I just, I carried it in me arms, sir, and

keep it warm,

and safe.

- And you had no idea whatsoever of the identity

of the owner or her address?

- No sir.

- There was no question of any intention

of returning the infant.

Your aim was to steal and keep the property.

- I wanted to take it back after, sir, but

it was too late.

- If I may intervene here, your worship.

- Yes.

- I ought to make it quite clear

that the plea of not guilty to theft

is based on a momentary loss of responsibility

on my client's part.

This has been due to certain recent stresses

at her place of employment,

and a psychological condition of the accused woman's mind,

a temporary one,

in respect to which I'm asking to bring further evidence.

- Very well.

- I call a Mr. Angus Hudson, please.

- Do you solemnly swear that the evidence you shall give

before this court is the truth,

the whole truth, and nothing but the truth,

so help you God?

- I do.

- You are Angus Hudson employed as butler

at the premises of Eaton Place

where, as we have heard, the accused is employed as cook.

-[Mr. Hudson] I am, sir.

-[Man] How long have you known the accused?

- Approximately 12 years, sir.

- I still can't understand why Mr. Hudson told us

she was going to visit her friend in hospital.

- To spare Mrs. Bridges feelings, I expect.

Not being nice for cook to be arrested by the police

in front of all the other servants.

- She won't come back if she goes to prison.

- No, she won't.

- Is it true Mr. Hudson's going to watch?

- I suppose so.

- I'm surprised at Mr. Hudson.

It's morbid.

It's like going to a public hanging.

- Why?

People go to funerals, that's not morbid.

It is showing respect, isn't it?

- So from what you have observed of the

moods and general behavior of the accused belowstairs

during the last few weeks,

would you say she was suffering from severe nervous strain?

-[Mr. Hudson] Most definitely, sir.

- And what do you think was the cause of this?

- She was particularly upset by the recent suicide

in the house of a young kitchen maid who worked under her.

Being a very lonely person with no relatives or dependents,

she come to regard the young girl as like a daughter.

They were very close.

- And you agree with the evidence of Dr. Farleigh

as to her nervous condition?

- I do, sir.

And I would like to add that I believe Mrs. Bridges

is badly in need of love and affection

and a sense of being wanted.

She is a brilliant cook, your worship,

and was highly regarded in that capacity by my employers.

But, in the personal sense, she has no one to care for

except for an elderly woman friend of some years standing.

And nobody to care for her or advise her

or look after her.

It is for that reason that I have offered her marriage.

We are both unattached persons, your worship.

And it occurred to me that if I could undertake

to keep the accused lady happy and cared for in the future,

during our continued service with Lady Marjorie Bellamy,

and in later years when we'll have perhaps retired

yYour worship might see his way to overlook this

unfortunate lapse,

and be assured, sir, that with me to help and guide her

such a thing would never occur again.

And further more, sir--

- Yes.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Hudson.

You may stand down now.

Thank you.

- Sir.

Your worship.

- Your worship, in view of what you have heard,

I am asking you to dismiss this case.

(whispering)

It seems to me, Bridges, that a large number of people

have gone to a great deal of trouble to obtain your

acquittal on this charge.

Taking everything into consideration,

I am prepared to accept the theft of Mrs. Webber's child

as due to a momentary lapse of responsibility

brought on by severe mental strain and depression.

You have a good position in service,

a thoughtful employer,

and a most loyal colleague in the butler, Mr. Hudson.

So I'm going to bind you over for three months

on good behavior,

and hope that you will not have occasion

to appear before me again.

- Oh, thank you, sir.

- (laughs) I've never heard anything like it

outside the House of Commons or the High Courts of Justice.

Marshall Hall, himself, could not have done better.

- He can't really mean he wants to marry Mrs. Bridges!

- That's what he said in court, and he's asked her.

But I gather she wants to wait.

But at least the gesture helped get her off (laughs).

(door closes)

- Begging your pardon, my lady.

- Hudson, what's all this I hear?

Making a speech in court and offering to marry Mrs. Bridges?

- I must apologize to my lady,

and to the master, for not asking your permission

before offering my hand to Mrs. Bridges in marriage.

The truth is that the idea only occurred to me last night

in my pantry while I was pondering ways

of helping Mrs. Bridges out of her troubles.

- But has she accepted you, that's the point?

- We discussed the matter in her cell

at the police station, my lady, shortly before the hearing.

-[Marjorie] And what did she say?

- Oh, she was very touched, my lady.

She agreed that we should both

being unattached, as it were,

reserve ourselves for each other

in the not too distant future, whilst continuing

meanwhile in your ladyship's services before.

- That seems a very satisfactory arrangement.

Where is Mrs. Bridges now?

- Waiting outside in the hall, my lady.

She would very much like to come in

and say something to you, if you wouldn't mind.

- Yes, of course, Hudson, send her in.

- Thank you, my lady.

- (emotionally) Oh, my lady!

- There, there, Mrs. Bridges, all over now.

- I'm so ashamed, my lady.

Can you ever forgive me?

- I've told you, it's all over.

The matter will never be referred to in this house again.

- You've all been so good to me.

- Mr. Bellamy and I have done nothing,

except to return the child to its parents.

It's Hudson you have to thank.

- Yes, my lady.

- Congratulations, Mrs. Bridges, on your exciting plans.

Hudson, you must open a bottle of my Krug 98

to the servant's hall and celebrate.

- Oh, thank you, sir.

That's very good of you.

- All I want to do now, my lady,

is to get back into me kitchen and get on with me job.

- Well, of course you do, Mrs. Bridges.

Don't forget we have this important dinner party

next Thursday.

We'll discuss the menu in the morning.

I want you to give us a really special dinner.

- Excuse me, my lady, if I may intervene on this point.

- You're not in court now, Hudson.

- Oh, no sir.

It was just to say that

Mrs. Bridges has been through a good deal of anxiety

and distress lately, my lady.

I was, therefore, planning for her to spend a few days

with a sister of mine in Folkston,

if you would consider giving her some time off.

Also, I've heard of an excellent cook

who would be only too pleased to come in

for the dinner party on Thursday evening.

- You never said none of this to me, Mr. Hudson.

- The idea was to surprise you

with a wee holiday, Mrs. Bridges.

- Oh, I'm not going on no wee holiday.

Begging your pardon, my lady.

Do you think I'm going off to Folkston!

Leave my kitchen to some outside cook

when we've got important people to dinner?

I'm very grateful for the thought, Mr. Hudson.

Well!

- You're not a husband yet, are you, Hudson?

- So it would seem, sir.

- No, he's not.

- Well, if you really feel you can manage Thursday.

- I'll be up in the morning, my lady,

with some ideas for a main course.

And this time, I won't be late.

- Very well, Mrs. Bridges.

- Excuse me, sir.

- Oh, and Hudson.

- Sir.

- We're most grateful.

- It was a pleasure, sir.

My lady.

- I remember when he was a young footman at Southwald,

my mother always said he would get on.

The Scots always do.

Well, I suppose luncheon will be a little late today.

It can't be helped.

(lively music)