Original subtitles

["The Edwardians" by Alexander Faris]

- Aye, right.

- With Mrs. Bridges's compliments, Mr. Hudson.

- Oh, thank you, Edward, put it down over there will you?

- Alright if I go now, Mr. Hudson?

- Have you done in the dining room?

- Yeah, all put away.

- And what fortunate young woman has the honor

of your company this afternoon, may I ask?

-[Edwards] Oh, I'm not meeting my girl today, Mr. Hudson.

Not with Fulham playing Manchester United at Craven Cottage.

- Well, you better hurry up.

It's less than an hour to kickoff.

- Oh, well, I'll get the omnibus down the King's Road.

It should be a good game.

- Aye, aye.

- Oh cheer up, Mr. Hudson.

Chelsea'll be in the first division one day.

- Och, away you go now.

- Thanks, Mr. Hudson. [Hudson chuckles]

[bell rings]

- It's the drawing room.

- I thought they'd gone out.

- The master's gone out,

Lady Marjorie's still upstairs.

- Oh well, no rest for the wicked.

[both chuckle]

You rang, my lady?

- Oh yes, Hudson.

Close the door, will you?

- My lady.

- I just had confirmation from Buckingham Palace,

that His Majesty, the King, will be dining here

on Thursday evening.

- I understand, my lady.

- We shall be 10.

Perhaps you'd see about getting in a waiter

to help in the dining room.

- Very good, my lady.

- I'll see Mrs Bridges about the menu on Monday morning.

- Very good, my lady.

If I might make a suggestion,

it might be best not to inform the rest of the staff

until nearer the time.

- Yes, they might talk about it outside.

Then we'd have a large crowd in front of the house,

when the King arrived.

I'll leave it to you to tell them

when you think fit.

- Very good, my lady.

Will Her Majesty be dining?

- Er, no, Hudson, the Queen does not play bridge.

A lady has been invited in her place.

- I understand, my lady.

- That'll be all, thank you,

and sorry to disturb your Saturday afternoon,

but it had seemed only fair

to warn you well in advance.

- I very much appreciate the timely notice.

- Hudson?

We must regard this as just an ordinary dinner party

like any other.

- I'm sure the staff will prove

equal to the occasion, my lady.

- What's she doing telling you before me?

- Her Ladyship saw fit to inform me first, Mrs Bridges,

owing to the special nature of the party.

There is to be a distinguished guest.

- Huh, not Mr Asquith?

- No, no, it's not Mr Asquith.

- Not Mr Balfour?

Oh, nothin' special about him.

He's been here many a time before.

- No. - Oh, is it that

Marquis de Savarol?

- The Portuguese ambassador?

No, nor is it Dr W. G. Grace,

nor Miss Vesta Tilley.

Our guest of honor, Mrs Bridges,

is to be none other than His Majesty,

King Edward VII.

[choking]

- The King?

- Defender of the Faith,

Emperor of India and the Dominions Beyond the Seas.

- The King!

- In person, and that's for your ears only,

at present, Mrs Bridges.

- Oh, good gracious me,

why ever did you say so?

Oh, God bless my soul!

The King of England

coming to dinner here.

Ooh! [laughs]

Quail!

That's his favorite dish.

I remember reading about it in the Woman's Journal.

Ooh, now, if only I can find that receipt.

- Well, you better get in plenty of food.

I'm told the old man eats like a cart-horse.

- That's not very respectful.

- I respect the institution of monarchy,

as you well know, Mrs Bridges,

even if I do have certain reservations

about the person of the Sovereign.

- He's all right.

Loose-liver he may be, but he's popular enough.

- I'm not referring to the present king's character.

My quarrel is with the Hannoverian succession.

As a Scot, I would naturally prefer to see

a Stuart on the throne.

Still, I suppose we'll just have to make do

with what we've got.

- Stuff and nonsense!

Where would this country be without Queen Victoria?

You tell me that.

- I don't believe in discussing an hypothesis.

- You can call him what you like,

but he's our king,

and he's comin' 'ere to dinner on Thursday.

God bless his soul!

- And I haven't told you a thing, do you understand?

When Her Ladyship informs you on Monday morning,

for heaven's sake, act surprised!

- Oh, Milady!

What a surprise!

[chuckles] Oh dear, I am pleased!

- It is rather exciting, isn't it, Mrs Bridges?

- Oh yes, Milady, and such an honor to cook

for the King of England!

- Yes, you know, he's very fond of his food.

- Yes, Milady!

- And I have here a list of his favorite dishes.

So I thought we'd go through them

to see which we should have.

- Yes, I have a receipt here, Milady,

that I cut out of the Ladies Journal,

for quail, Milady.

Quail Oeufs Souffle done a la Valenciennes.

[door slams]

- Edward?

What's all this you've been telling Ruby?

- Well, only what Mrs Bridges told Miss Roberts.

- Listenin' at keyholes again.

- No, I haven't!

Why, isn't it true then?

- Suppose it must be.

Don't know why Mr Hudson hasn't told any of us.

- Well, doesn't want it to leak out, I reckon.

- Why, what's the harm?

- In case some anarchist gets to hear about it

and plants a bomb in the coal cellar.

- Ooh, Edward, don't!

- Well, by the time Teddy gets here for his dinner,

it's going to be all over London, isn't it?

I mean, you're gonna have mounted police outside

keeping back the crowds.

- Reporters from the newspapers,

photographers, and--

- You, shh!

You're gonna have detectives running round

all over the house.

They're gonna search people

every time they come in, hey?

- Well, I still feel

I ought to give him the quail, Milady.

- Yes I know you do, Mrs Bridges,

but I do assure you, he has quail

at every other house he dines at.

- Very good, Milady.

Well, what do you suggest?

- I suggest we play safe with guinea fowl.

And for the main dish, you do the thing

you really excel at, your Baron of Lamb.

There's nobody to touch you for lamb,

and you know it.

- Very well, Milady.

So, after the Ptarmigan Pie,

Baron of Lamb, all nice and juicy, and tender.

And then, with that, if I may suggest,

Pommes Frou Frou, and Petit Pois.

And then the sorbet.

- Oh, and by the way, the sauce for the poached salmon--

- I thought I'd make the Medoc Sauce, Milady,

like I made for the French Ambassador.

Do you remember? Yes. - Yes.

- And then after the sorbet, the guinea fowl,

with Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce

and then the meringues and the gateaux,

and the dressed prawns for savory, Milady.

- Yes, that'll do.

And you'll ask Hudson to telephone

to Jackson's for the peaches,

and of course, the caviar and the Royal Native oysters

to begin with before the soup. - Yes, very good, Milady.

- Morning, Mrs Bridges.

- Oh, morning, sir!

-[Lady Marjorie] We've just been discussing

the menu for Thursday evening,

and Mrs Bridges is going to surpass herself,

aren't you, Mrs Bridges?

- Oh, I shall do my very best, Milady.

- I'm sure you will.

- Thank you, sir.

- Jack Alexander tells me

if H.M. likes a dish well enough

he'll have three to four helpings.

We'd better warn Hudson to offer it

round, and round, and round.

Let's hope the wretched man doesn't get giddy.

- I had a most charming letter from Mrs Keppel,

saying how much she's looking forward to meeting us

and seeing the house.

She's evidently a great admirer of yours.

- Well, that's very gratifying.

I've caught sight of her, once or twice,

in the Strangers' Gallery during important debates.

Her complexion is a marvel.

The others been approved?

- Yes. - Why does the King want

those potty old Wanboroughs asked?

- Well, the old boy did govern a number of

dreadfully hot colonies all his life.

Oh yes, and Jack said,

"If we put them against

"the King and Mrs Keppel at bridge,

"the Sovereign will be bound to win,

"which always delights him."

[chuckling]

I do hope Millicent Hartfield will be all right.

- Well, why not?

She's witty, very attractive.

- Yes, to you, Darling, I know,

but her stories are sometimes quite endless.

- Is she sitting next to him?

- She's sitting next to you, naturally.

But she'll buttonhole him after dinner

unless I keep a sharp eye on her.

- I shall be fascinated to see

you and Millicent fighting over the king.

- Don't be silly. - I've heard tell,

you're one of the few women in London who amuse him.

And he's made inquiries

as to whether you're happily married.

So what else?

- Uh, Jack says they'll arrive at 25 past eight,

and would we give the detective some refreshment?

Apparently he has to stay in the house all evening.

- He's not bringing his own footman?

- No, just Jack, his equerry and the detective.

It's to be strictly informal.

- Well, the servants won't think so.

- They're terribly keyed-up downstairs.

- I thought they weren't going to be told

until the day before?

- Oh, they managed to find out somehow,

they always do.

-[Hudson] The Hochheimer '97 and the

Moet & Chandon Dry Imperial.

- That's that, and then with the entree,

the Chateau Brown Cotignac '93,

- Cotignac '93, and the port, sir?

- Hmm...

- We've still got some of the Dow '78.

- Decant four bottles, will you?

- Very good, sir.

- Spoon for caviar, soup spoon, fish knife,

entree knife, main course knife, savory knife,

spoon for meringue desserts, small fork, entree fork,

main course fork, prawn fork, and dessert fork.

Spoon for caviar, soup spoon,

fish knife, entree knife--

-[Hudson] When you're done, Edward,

fetch the fruit knives and forks,

and the finger bowls, and set them on the sideboard.

- Yes, Mr Hudson.

- Oh, and while you're about it,

bring three more salt cellars from the silver cupboard.

Yes?

- Keys, Mr Hudson.

- Oh yes, of course.

Here you are.

- Dessert fork, that's the cutlery done, Mr Hudson.

Shall I do the place cards now?

- If you've got Her Ladyship's seating plan.

- No, you've got it.

- Have I?

-[Rose] Yes, I saw you put it

in the pocket of your apron.

- Oh yes, yes of course, how silly of me.

Right, start here at Her Ladyship's place

on the King's right.

There will be no place card for His Majesty.

- Oh his right, Lady Marjorie Bellamy.

- Lady Wanborough on his left.

- Countess of Wanborough.

- Then, oh, excuse me please, Mr Eh...

-[Waiter] Sorry.

- Then, Sir John Alexander, he's the equerry,

then Lady Prudence Fairfax, next to the master.

- Oh, she should keep him amused,

help him forget his nerves.

- That, I suspect, was Her Ladyship's reason

for placing Lady Prudence on the masters right.

Now comes Mrs Hartfield.

Then comes the Admiral.

- Admiral Sir William Collett.

- And Mrs George Keppel here.

- Oh, doesn't she have to sit next to him?

- Not necessarily, Rose.

Lord Crewe's butler tells me that

she is often placed on informal occasions such as these,

opposite the King, so that if His Majesty

becomes bored with his dinner companion,

Mrs Keppel can enter the conversation

and restore the situation. - Oh...

- And on her left, the Earl of Wanborough.

- Where shall I put them, Mr Hudson?

- Oh, one down at the far end,

one in the middle, one down here, Edward.

Space them out evenly now.

No, no, no, that's too close to the candelabra.

Wee bit more to your right.

Wee bit more.

That's fine.

- Just think, in a few hours from now,

the King of England's posterior

shall occupy this very chair.

- This is hardly the moment for such reflection, Rose.

You've still got the flowers to do in the drawing room,

the coffee tray, all the polishing in the front hall,

and the landing and the drawing room.

- Sorry Mr Hudson, just a bit of fun, steady me nerves.

- There is no need to be nervous, Rose,

if you'll just keep your head and do as I say.

Mr, er, the hired waiter will help you out.

- I still don't understand why I can't wait at table,

same as I always do.

- His Majesty objects to female servants

waiting at the table.

You will have ample opportunity

of witnessing the dinner

from behind the screen,

where you will remain out of sight,

collecting the empty plates

and placing them quietly in the service lift.

- Yes, Mr Hudson.

I think the king's mean.

- Then you'd better tell him that yourself.

-[Edward] [chuckles] That's right, Rose.

You tell him, I dare you.

- All right, I will. - Hey?

- Your Majesty, I am Rose,

head house parlor maid,

and I think it's very mean of you,

not to let us female servants wait at table.

I always thought you rather liked having women around.

- Rose! - Here, would you like me

to sit on your knee?

- Get out of that chair at once!

- All right, I'll ask Mrs Keppel,

she's a nice lady, she'll put in a word for us.

Eh Alice, have a word with the Guv'nor, he's--

- Come on, Rose, that'll do, come on.

Off you go now, both of you, quick,

I want to lock up.

Chop chop.

[Edward chuckles]

[cutlery trolley rattling]

[clock ticking]

- I told my friend to be here at seven, my lady,

if that's convenient.

It's Mrs Fawcett's lady's maid from next door.

- Yes of course, Roberts.

- I've told her, you wouldn't mind

if we watch from the best bedroom landing.

- Oh, but aren't you going to let her

help you downstairs with the ladies' cloaks?

- I didn't know I was to help with the cloaks, my lady.

- Yes, of course you are.

Edward will see to the gentlemen,

while Hudson takes the guests up to announce them.

Your friend can help you.

- But Mr Hudson said nothing to me

about helping with the cloaks, Milady?

Not a word.

- Well, he probably forgot.

He's had a lot on his mind.

- Yes, Milady, well if you say so.

- Uh, I don't like those, they're too fussy.

Bring me the others.

- Very good, Milady.

- Unless Mr Hudson tells me himself,

I mean he's supposed to be in charge downstairs.

- No, don't like those either.

Let's try the filigree necklace.

- Yes, Milady.

Well, I, I've no wish to be in his way,

unless he asks me to help with the cloaks.

It's up to him, I mean.

- Yes, I'll wear these.

- Well, it's not normally my place to be downstairs

in the hall when there's a dinner party.

He should tell me

if there's other arrangements to be made,

than what is usual.

- Roberts, will you please stop fussing

about the ladies' cloaks?

You're to see to them in the library

whether Hudson tells you to

or forgets to tell you to.

Now is that clear?

- Yes, Milady.

- Now my earrings that go with this, please,

we haven't very much time.

- Very good, Milady.

- Thank you.

[whisk slapping]

Ooh, ooh, by!

- Is that done then, Mrs Bridges?

- Ooh, stop asking silly questions, girl.

Give me the vinegar, quick.

We haven't got a lot of time.

[whisk slapping]

[clock ticking]

- Better stop that now, Rose, and get ready.

It's gone half past seven.

I trust you've got a clean apron and cap to wear?

- 'Course I have, Mr Hudson.

Not that anyone'd notice.

Not if I'm hidden behind that screen.

[clock ticking]

- Brace yourself, my boy.

- We're off then, Mr Hudson?

- So it would seem, Edward.

At least, we're under starters orders.

[car engine revving outside]

[bell tinkles]

- Ah, Hudson.

- Good evening, my lady.

- Am I the first?

- Yes, my lady.

- Well, I came early...

Oh, good evening, Roberts.

To be sure of not arriving after the king,

which would be quite dreadful.

- His Majesty is not due until 8:25, my lady.

- Ah, that's all right then.

- I do hope they're all going to be punctual.

- Don't worry, Darling, they will be.

- Lady Prudence Fairfax, my lady.

- Prue!

- Trust old Prue to be first.

- Thank heaven it's you.

- Richard's so nervous,

you'd think we were living in the Middle Ages,

and the Royal displeasure

would land us on the chopping block.

- Oh, yes, we've had the joke once.

How's your curtsey, Prudence?

- Well, it's all right going down,

a bit wobbly coming up.

[chuckling] I'm always afraid

my right knee will crack like a pistol shot.

Well, it happen to poor Silvia Lister's daughter

you know, when she was presented at court.

The story goes, the Russian Ambassador

dived for the floor, fearing an assassin's bullet.

- Oh Prue!

- Mrs Hartfield.

- My dears!

There's a tremendous crowd outside.

Such excitement for them.

I hear Mrs Keppel is coming,

I'm so looking forward to meeting her.

She's a close friend of the Wiltshires, you know,

who are of course great friends of ours.

What?

Oh, champagne, thank you!

How splendido!

My dears, I was at Bretby for the weekend,

and Tubby Westerway had us in fits

with a new riddle that he'd heard out with the call.

Ah, now, what is the difference

between your last will and testament,

and a man who has eaten as much as he can?

- What is?

- One is signed and dated,

and the other is dined and sated.

[laughter]

-[Hudson] Lord and Lady Wanborough, my lady.

- Maud, dear, how lovely to see you.

- How kind of you.

- And Togs, how are you? - Hello Marjorie, my dear.

- You're in the way now, Ruby.

Now pop on a clean apron,

and run upstairs and see the King arriving.

Look sharp, girl!

You'll run into them in the hall!

- Thanks Mrs Bridges.

- Oof!

[guests chatting]

- Ruby?

Where are you going?

- Up to 't landing, Milady.

Mrs Bridges said I could go and peep over 't banisters.

- That's right, of course you may.

What is the time?

- I make it 24 minutes past.

Any moment now, Hudson.

- Yes, sir.

- Is my tie straight? - Perfect.

Listen...

[crowd cheering and clapping outside]

[car engine rumbling]

- Here he is now.

Open the door, Hudson.

- Very good, sir.

["The Edwardians" by Alexander Faris]

[crowd cheering and clapping]

-[Rose] Hang on.

[guests chatting]

Here you are, Mr Hollings.

- Thank you, Rose.

[guests chattering]

[service lift squeaking]

- More plates down, Mrs Bridges.

- Oh, well, take them through to the scullery

and wash them up.

Oh no, put these in the lift first.

Savory plates.

[puffs exhaustedly]

[guests chatting]

- To be truthful, sir, we very rarely go racing.

Now, last July, we were asked to wait at Newmarket,

and my husband had a bet on one of your horses,

which, alas, didn't win.

A two-year-old, I think it was.

- Which was that, Lady Marjorie?

- Oh dear...

- It must have been Minarue,

we raced him very lightly last season.

Well-bred colt, but a late developer.

Backing him for the Derby, Lady Marjorie.

- Lady Wanborough's brother

had a number of horses in training at one time.

Isn't that so, Maud?

- Quite right. - Yes.

-[Lady Marjorie] Maud?

- It is, it's very nice.

- Perhaps you are too tired

for conversation, Lady Wanborough?

- Oh no, oh no, sir, I'm so sorry,

I had no idea you were addressing me.

- Dear lady, I'm tired myself,

from visiting my nephew,

the German Emperor, in Hamburg.

The sea was rough, the train rattled,

and there were too many [mumbles].

- My dear, I'm told she writhes about

like a worm on a hook,

and skips across the stage like a kangaroo,

dressed in nothing but the flimsiest pieces of chiffon.

With a good pair of opera glasses,

they say you can see her body

as though she were dressed in nothing at all.

[laughing]

- I feel sure you must be speaking of Maude Allen.

- No, I wasn't actually.

I was talking of that other woman,

Isadora Duncan, both equally shocking, my dear.

And whilst we are on that subject,

some of the clothes in Paris this year,

my dear, the way things are going,

we shall soon be dining out stark naked,

all of us.

[laughing]

- I don't think so, do you, Prudence?

- Well, not in my house, Richard, it's far too drafty.

- Tell me, Admiral, have you seen this Duncan woman dance?

- He was my first cousin.

Oh no, no I'm wrong, sir, my second cousin,

and he was the one that married Cecily Grant,

who was old Lady Rawleigh's sister.

No, her sister-in-law, yes, that's right.

- Quite so.

- Yes, and she married the Dean of Exeter,

or was it his brother?

Well, anyway, he was a Stirling,

they came from Berwickshire.

- Quite, yes.

- They had a very large property--

- Do forgive me interrupting, Lady Wanborough,

but I simply must ask the King to settle an argument.

Sir, you really must help us out.

With the greatest pleasure, my dear Alice.

- Jack was telling me that Alfred Northcliff's mother

had 14 children, is it possible?

- Yes, I believe it's true.

[laughs] Imagine, 14 Lord Northcliffs. [laughing]

- It's quite funny, isn't it?

- One is hard enough to bear.

-[Lady Marjorie] Oh come sir, you know you like him.

You've often said so.

- Just because I arrange a peerage for a man,

it does not mean I have to like him.

I do not approve that a newspaper man

should have such power.

It is not healthy.

- I can understand that... [guests murmuring]

[crockery clattering]

[guests chatting]

- Oh, I wish he'd sit down,

my feet are quite numb.

- If he doesn't settle in a few minutes,

I'll get Jack to do something about it.

- Millicent Hartfield looks as if

she's gonna dance a fandango with him

at any minute.

Every time she takes a step towards him,

he takes a step back.

He'll soon be pinned to the wall like a butterfly.

- Such a pretty room, Lady Marjorie,

I do think you've been so clever with the colors.

- Thank you.

- I'm afraid the King is being bored to death

by Millicent Hartfield.

I think we ought to rescue him.

- How? - I'd suggest bridge.

-[Millicent] And the other one is nearly perfect,

don't you think?

[clock ticking] [tableware clattering]

- What are you gonna do with that, smoke it?

- Sell it.

- Oh...

[bell ringing] [knocks banging]

- Oh, who do they think they are?

[bell ringing] [knocks banging]

If you don't stop ringing that bell,

I'll get Mr Hudson to get the police to ya.

- Why can't 't King's detective go and shoo them away?

Well, isn't that what he's here for?

- Good heavens, Ruby, what are you thinking of?

The royal detective would never demean himself

to go out and speak to common people in the street.

He's sitting in Mr Hudson's pantry on his backside

with his feet up.

[bell ringing] [knocks banging]

-[Rose] Who's ringing the bell this time of night?

- Oh, it's probably some newspaper reporters

wanting a story from the servants, you know.

How I served the King of England

to two helpings of Baron of Lamb, by Edward,

Footman to Lady Marjorie.

- Peer out and see who it is.

- Who, me?

[bell ringing] - Just look out the window.

-[Rose] Can you see anyone?

-[Edward] Well, not properly,

I think its a woman, but I can't,

she's got a shawl all over her head,

I can't see her face.

- Now then, what's going on?

- There's someone at 't back door, Mr Hudson.

- There are several people at the back door, Ruby.

That's no reason for you all to stop your work

and gawp like them outside.

- But it's a woman, all muffled up.

And she keeps on ringing the bell.

- Maybe it's Matty, come for her dripping.

- Not at this hour, Matty only comes mornings.

- Shall I unbolt the door and see, Mr Hudson?

I mean, if it is someone trying to get a peep at the King,

I can always send her away with a flea in her ear.

[bell rings]

- Oh, very well, Edward, unlock the door,

but be very careful.

We don't want any unauthorized persons busting in.

- I thought you was never gonna open up the perishin' door.

- Blimey! Here, it's Sarah!

-[Rose] What?

[speaking over each other]

- Ooh, Rose! - Here, she's ill!

She's ill, sit her down, quick!

-[Edward] Come on then, all right?

-[Mrs Bridges] What's she doin' here?

- Come back to be with me old mates, Mrs Bridges, in't I?

- What's the matter, Sarah?

- Does Lady Southwold know you're here?

- No, nor Mrs Clay, nor Heather.

- Have you run away from Southwold?

After all they've done for you?

- I couldn't stick it down there, Mrs Bridges.

No longer, honest.

No one ever talked to me.

They was all very kind,

but no one never said a word to me

from one day to the next.

I just sat in that cottage window

and stared out at nuffing.

No shops, no streets with

people goin' by or motorcars.

Just green fields and perishin' trees.

It was horrible.

- Here, how'd you get the money for the fare?

I borrowed it off of Jack Marshall,

one of the blokes that works on the farm.

- I remember Jack Marshall,

he always was soft in the head.

- I walked all the way from Paddington.

All across the park in me tight shoes.

[inhales sharply] Ooh!

- What is it, Sarah?

- Ooh, it's all right.

It's just the baby.

It'll pass.

- Now, come along, all of you.

Edward, Ruby, get out of here,

there's work to be done.

Sarah, you'll just have to wait

until something can be done about you.

- Here, Sarah, King of England's upstairs

playing bridge,

what do you think of that? - I know.

Somebody told me in the street.

What a night to choose, eh?

The King and Alice Keppel?

- I had to hide behind a screen, Sarah.

-[Sarah] Did ya?

- He was especially pleased with my Baron of Lamb.

- Yes, well, be that as it may,

you'll have to keep well out of the way, Sarah,

until His Majesty and the other guests have departed.

I'm not going to have this house disrupted tonight.

- Where do you think you're gonna sleep, eh?

- Well, Rose, I thought maybe--

- Oh, you did, did you?

- She's not going to sleep in this house tonight,

not without Her Ladyship's permission

and that's final.

- Oh, please, Mr Hudson. - That is final, Sarah.

- Mr Hudson, Her Ladyship would never allow it now anyway.

Not now I've skipped from Southwold.

I'll be turned out on the streets,

and it's ever such a cold night, Mr Hudson.

Please, oh!

-[Rose] She's in terrible pain.

- Rose!

I think it's coming now!

- Are you sure, Sarah?

-[Mrs Bridges] She's putting it on,

I know her of old.

[Sarah gasping]

All this agony just to get a bed for the night.

If you ask me, she ought to be packed

straight back to Southwold.

-[Edward] Well, she won't get a train this time of night.

- Well, first thing in the morning then.

- Answer me, Sarah, are you really in pain?

- Get us a towel, will you Rose?

- Oh!

- Here, listen, Sarah.

You can tell me something.

- Yeah, I think they have.

It's what Mrs Clay said might happen

when the baby was on the way,

so I think it's coming.

- Mr Hudson.

- Edward, get your coat on.

Go down to Chesham Street, fetch Dr Foley.

Look sharp now. - Yes, Mr Hudson.

- Rose, you and Mrs Bridges stay down here with Sarah,

keep her warm, get some blankets.

I shall go upstairs and inform Her Ladyship.

- You'd like a nice cuppa tea, wouldn't you dear?

- Yes, please, Mrs Bridges.

- Yes, well, you just sit there as quiet as you can.

[inhales sharply] Ooh!

I'm sorry, Rose!

[players chatting] [Edward VII coughing]

- Begging your pardon, my lady.

- Yes, Hudson?

- Might I have a word with you privately?

- What is it?

Has something happened?

- There is a situation requiring your attention

below stairs, it is rather urgent, my lady.

- I'm so sorry about this.

Prudence, will you ask Lady Wanborough to take my hand?

Please forgive me.

- I thought you'd wish to be informed

that Sarah is downstairs.

- Sarah? - The girl appears to have

started labor, her child, my lady.

I've taken the liberty of

sending Edward out to fetch Dr Foley.

- Oh my God!

- She's in the servants' hall,

Mrs Bridges and Rose are seeing to her.

- But she'll have to go at once to some hospital.

- I'm afraid there is no time to get her

to a lying-in hospital, my lady.

Things are already well underway.

- Go back into the drawing room,

offer them drinks, and let me know

the instant the King looks like leaving.

- Very good, my lady.

- You ought never to have come here, not in your condition.

You ought to have stopped where you was in Southwold.

- I know that, Rose, but it's no good sayin' it now, is it?

- Poor girl, is the pain very bad?

- Don't get up. - I'm sorry, my lady.

- Sarah, are you quite sure the baby's coming?

- Yes, Milady, the pains are very strong and regular now.

- Edward's gone for the doctor, Milady.

- Yes, I know.

Rose, is the bed made up in the attic room,

the one next to Ruby's?

- It won't take me two minutes

to put clean sheets on it, Milady.

- Send Ruby up with a hot water bottle.

- Yes, Milady.

- Now come along, Sarah, we must get you upstairs

and into bed.

Can you walk?

-[Sarah] 'Course I can.

-[Rose] Hold on to me, Sarah.

- Here, the doctor,

oh, er, Doctor Foley's on his way, Milady.

-[Lady Marjorie] Thank you, Edward.

- That's the drawing room, Milady.

- If that's the King leaving...

- Shall I go up and see?

- No, Edward, Hudson's up there,

come along, we must get Sarah upstairs quickly.

- The detective is wanted, my lady.

His Majesty is about to leave.

- But we must get Sarah upstairs.

Edward, fetch the detective,

he'll have to go out and warn His Majesty's chauffeur.

- Yes, my lady. - Hudson, will you take Sarah?

-[Hudson] Very good, my lady.

- Wait until the detective gets upstairs,

and then go very quietly past the drawing room.

I'll go on ahead and try and gain a little time.

- Yes, my lady.

[Sarah breathing heavily]

Right, quickly.

[bell ringing]

- Front door.

- Must be Doctor Foley.

- Rose, take back Sarah, quickly now, quickly.

I'll come and tell you when the coast is clear.

[bell ringing]

- It's ever so exciting, innit, eh?

Like a game of hide and seek.

[inhales sharply] Ooh!

- Try not to talk.

- [gasping] 'Blige me.

[bell ringing] [guests chatting]

- A most delightful evening, Lady Marjorie.

- Good night, sir.

- Bellamy, thank you.

I enjoyed my bridge.

- We're very honored, sir.

Hudson? The door.

- You'd better take me straight to the young woman's room

and ask someone to fetch hot water, clean towels...

- I'm so sorry about that, sir.

One of my servants was taken ill,

and the doctor had to be sent for in a hurry.

- We do apologize, sir.

- The fellow asked me to accompany him

to some young woman's bedroom.

[laughs] Who do you suppose he thought I was?

[laughing and coughing]

- Good night.

Thank you, Hudson, you'd better go straight up,

and tell Dr Foley I'll come as soon as I can.

- Very good, my lady.

Edward, downstairs.

- Marjorie, Sarah or no Sarah,

we must go back to the drawing room.

- Sarah is our responsibility,

you said so yourself.

And besides, in a few hours time,

you and I are going to be grandparents,

have you thought of that?

- Take deep breaths, young lady,

you'll find it'll help.

[Sarah panting and straining]

Go with the pain, don't try to fight it.

[anguished breathing]

- Hold on to me, Sarah, there's a good girl.

Is the pain very bad?

-[Doctor] Shouldn't be too long now.

- Congratulations, Marjorie.

It all went off quite splendidly, didn't it?

-[Lady Marjorie] Thank you.

I think he's wonderful considering he's not well.

- I'm afraid he was very tired tonight.

That cough must take it out of him a lot.

- Mm, it's all those endless cigars, my dear.

They killed my brother Rupert, you know.

He had a chest, too.

Ah well, good night.

And thank you so much.

Good night, Richard, it was splendid.

Good night, Prudence. - Good night, my dear.

- Good night.

- Thank you, Roberts.

-[Hudson] Good night, my lady.

-[Maud] Good night, Hudson.

-[Hudson] Good night, my lord.

-[Togs] Good night, Hudson.

- Good night, sir. - Good night.

- Ah, thank you.

I hope you managed to get a glimpse of the king.

- Oh yes, Madam, we saw the guests go down to dinner

from Her Ladyship's bedroom landing.

It was quite a thrill.

- I'm so glad.

- Good night, Madam.

-[Millicent] Good night.

- Excuse me, Mr Hudson, could you ask Her Ladyship,

only I'm not allowed in the drawing room.

- What is it, Rose?

- She's wanted upstairs.

- Wanted upstairs? Who by?

- It's a private matter, Miss Roberts,

has your friend gone yet?

- Yes, she has.

- Then why don't you go up to your room?

Her Ladyship won't be needing you yet awhile.

- There's still one lady's wrap left in the library.

- Then you'll have to wait down here, won't you.

I expect it's Lady Prudence,

I'm sure she hasn't left yet.

- Exactly.

-[Rose] I'm sorry, Mr Hudson, only Dr Foley said

Her Ladyship should come up now, at once.

-[Hudson] Very well, Rose, I'll see to it.

- Then poor old Togs Wanborough revoked, twice,

and finally dropped the entire pack of cards

on the floor while he was dealing.

I thought the King would have an apoplectic fit.

- Oh dear.

- Yes, well, I can see you're plainly

waiting to be rid of old Prue,

first to come, last to leave,

and plainly dying for your beds.

So I'll depart.

-[Hudson] Beg pardon, my lady,

but Dr Foley is asking for you upstairs.

-[Lady Marjorie] Yes, all right, Hudson.

I'll come in a minute.

-[Hudson] Very good, my lady.

- Dr Foley? Who's ill?

-[Richard] One of the servants.

- Oh really?

- I'm sorry, Prue, I'll have to go up.

- Ooh, oh well, if it's that urgent...

Not your cook, I hope.

- Mrs Bridges, no.

One of the younger servants.

- Oh, probably the excitement

of having the King in the house.

What is it, Richard?

Are you ill?

- No...

Do you mind if I pour myself a whisky and soda?

-[Prudence] Of course not.

- Prudence, as one of our oldest friends,

there's something I'd like you to know.

Our grandchild is being born upstairs, James' child.

[anguished gasping]

- Would you rather not stay, Rose?

- I must stay, Milady.

- It may distress you.

- I've got to learn.

[Mrs Bridges yawning]

- Oh, it's nearly two o'clock.

- Oh, leave all that now, Ruby,

and go to bed.

-[Ruby] I'm nearly done, Mrs Bridges.

- You'd better go to bed, Edward.

- Oh, I don't think I could sleep, Mr Hudson.

- Oh, very well.

[door creaks]

- She's all right.

-[Mrs Bridges] And the baby?

- It was a little boy.

[crying]

- Oh well...

That's that.

- Perhaps it was for the best, after all.

[Rose sobbing]

- That poor wretched little creature.

-[Prudence] Will you write to James, and tell him?

-[Richard] As far as James is concerned,

the matter was over and forgotten

the day he left for India.

- James has a right to know that his child died.

-[Richard] Why upset him unnecessarily?

- Because I know him quite well enough

to be sure that he'd want to be told.

-[Prudence] And I know you well enough, Marjorie dear,

to know you should go to your bed.

And I'm away to mine.

- I'm glad you know, Prue.

It's good to share those

sort of secrets with an old friend.

- I only wish I could do something.

- You've been more than a help.

Good night, my dear. - Good night.

- Good night.

-[Richard] Hudson, Lady Prudence is leaving.

Send Roberts up to Her Ladyship's room,

and you may go to bed yourself.

- Thank you, sir.

- Hudson?

Thank you, for all your help.

- My lady.

- Will I be sent back to Southwold?

-[Lady Marjorie] No, Sarah, not now.

No, you'll stay here and get your strength back.

- Thank you, my lady.

- And when Dr Foley says you can get up,

I thought you might undertake a little light work

around the house, you know, just sewing, mending linen.

Just to keep you occupied during the day.

- Yes, I see.

Um, will I be...

Like a servant?

I'm not saying I shouldn't be, it just that,

where will I...

Put meself?

- Well, I have discussed that very carefully

with Mr Bellamy and with Hudson.

Since you left us and went on the stage,

you are of course a young woman of

well, private status.

And your relationship with my son,

which I think we should put out of our minds from now on,

gave you certain rights,

as my husband and Sir Jeffery explained.

In any case, Sarah, we'd like you to feel

that there's a home for you here,

for as long as you want to stay.

- Thank you, my lady.

- Difficulty, of course, is

where you're to sit, and have your meals.

As you say, where to put yourself.

- Couldn't I go back downstairs with me friends?

Least they was my friends.

- Well...

- You see, at the moment, I'm neither upstairs

or really downstairs, am I?

I'm what you might be calling an in-between, my lady.

- Don't worry about it, Sarah.

I'll have a word with Hudson and then we'll see.

- Yes.

Lady Marjorie?

- Yes, Sarah?

- Why are you being so good to me

when I've been nothing but trouble to you

ever since I come here?

- Try and go to sleep.

There's a good girl.

- Well, I think it's a disgrace,

giving house room to that slut!

- Well, it would be rather awkward, wouldn't it?

After all that's happened.

-[Roberts] Well, why should we have to put up with her?

- She's got to have her meals somewhere, Miss Roberts.

She certainly can't have them upstairs with them.

- And it wouldn't be you

what had to take the trays up, neither.

- Well, I think we ought to--

- We don't want to know what you think, Ruby.

- After all she's done

and the shame she's brought upon us all.

- What shame has she brought on you, Miss Roberts?

- She's a stuck-up, lying minx!

Huh, thinks she's better than any of us.

Puts on airs.

Gets Captain James into such trouble

that he has to be sent to India.

Then she thinks she can walk in here

as though nothing has happened.

- We're none of us perfect, Miss Roberts.

- Oh have a heart, Miss Roberts,

how would you like to be--

- I wouldn't be ever in such a disgusting position

in anyone's house!

- [laughs] I'll bet!

- How dare you speak to me like that?

- I put it to you all that Sarah,

for all her faults,

for all the upsets and troubles

she's brought upon this house,

is nonetheless capable of better things.

She is an able seamstress, and

she's possessed of a cheerful disposition.

Unfortunately, as a maid here,

she developed ideas well above her station in life,

and she fell from grace,

aided and abetted, I regret to say,

by the son of this noble house,

who, in my opinion, should have known better,

than to allow himself such a relationship with a servant.

Sarah has paid a bitter price.

She has lost her child.

She is beaten.

If the master and Her Ladyship can see their way

to exercising tolerance, and kindness, and forgiveness,

towards this unfortunate girl, then who are we

as Christians to deny this young person ours?

I want a show of hands, please.

Her Ladyship must be informed.

All those in favor of allowing Sarah

to join us for her meals, and to sit with us here,

in this room, raise your right hands please.

-[Mrs Bridges] Ruby!

- All right.

Let the wretched girl have her meals in here.

As long as I don't have to sit next to her.

- Excuse me please, Mr Hudson.

- I shall inform Her Ladyship at once

of the staff's decision.

-[Rose] Sarah?

They've all agreed.

Even old Roberts.

You'll be with us, below stairs, where you belong.

Just like old times.

We'll have some laughs, won't we?

But you've got to promise me one thing, mind.

- Gotta behave meself, 'ant I.

- You really have got to this time, Sarah.

It's serious.

- I will, Rose, I promise.

["Closing Theme - Uncle Arthur Version" by Alexander Faris]