Original subtitles

(upbeat instrumental music)

- Ah, it's in print at last.

Congratulations.

- It's come out rather well, I think.

I found a misprint already.

- No, I think it looks absolutely splendid.

Well done, father.

Can I borrow this?

- You can keep it.

I've inscribed the first copy for you.

- Thank you father.

I shall take it to the city with me.

I'm sure it's more interesting than the price of tea.

-[Richard] Oh here, it's your letter.

- Oh, Bunny Newbury asked me to go shooting next weekend.

I don't think I'll go.

- Well why not?

You don't get out enough these days.

- Father, you used to say I was always...

- Dashing around?

Well yes, it has been rather a quiet household

these past few months.

Change of scene will do you good.

Who else is going to be there?

-[James] Hmm, he doesn't say.

Just come down next weekend.

Bring your gun.

He says he can supply me with a loader.

I suppose I could take Edward,

not that he knows anything about guns.

- Why not take Hudson?

He's an experienced loader.

I've always found him an excellent valet.

- Hudson, he wouldn't want to come.

- Why on Earth not?

He's country born and bred.

Whenever your mother and I took him to Chatsworth,

he was delighted.

- Possibly, but he'd find it far beneath

his dignity to accompany me.

He and I haven't always seen eye to eye.

Have we?

- Well now you have a very good opportunity

to show you bear him no ill will.

Ask him.

- Alright, but I bet he won't want to come.

He thinks this house would fall to pieces

if he wasn't here to look after it.

- Well in that case, it'll do Hudson good

to know that he's not indispensable.

(laughter)

- Oh and here is the key to my wine cellar, Mrs. Bridges.

I don't feel like giving it to the hands of Edward.

I've told him that if he needs it, he can ask you for it.

- Very good Mr. Hudson.

Well, I hope you have a pleasant stay in Summerby Park.

The Marquis of Newbury is quite young.

- Only inherited last year Mrs. Bridges.

A rather rackety young gentleman.

- Oh dear.

- Nevertheless, I expect to find a well-run household

as his Lordship's mother, the Dowager Marchionesse

is still in residence, his Lordship being unmarried.

- Well, it'll make a nice change for you, Mr. Hudson.

- Change is not everything, Mrs. Bridges.

I would much prefer to stay here at my post.

- I don't really want to go at all.

- Well why do you go then?

- Well one just does, you know.

- I sometimes think that people in society

are like migrating birds.

They flock to Ascot, and they flock to Goodwood,

and they flock to...

- Scotland for the grouse,

and back to England for the pheasant.

- Thank you, and they don't know why they do it.

It's just that everyone else does.

(laughter)

- Shall I stay at home?

Would you like me to?

- Me?

What have I got to do with it?

- Don't you think you'll miss me?

- I doubt it.

Look at the amount of work your father's given me to do.

I shall be much too busy.

(typewriter clicking)

Goodbye.

- Goodbye.

(typewriter clicking)

- I think His Lordship is consorting

with the head keeper, my Lord.

- Don't worry Makepiece, I'll look after myself.

Ah, Kitty and Cochie are here already.

What a surprise.

- Charles, I'm so glad to see you.

We quite thought that everyone was arriving this morning.

- I suppose come to lunch and come to tea

do look quite alike in Bunny's handwriting.

- Yes, they do.

- Talking of tea...

- Yes, I really do think that poor old Makepiece

is getting quite senile.

I told him he could bring in tea a quarter of an hour ago.

- Perhaps he felt that he should wait

for the rest of the guests, or even for our hostess.

- Oh, Dolly will be having tea in her boudoir

with Mr. Weinberg.

So much smarter to have a tame Jew than a poodle,

and much more useful.

It's too funny to think of him sitting up there

taking tea and advising Dolly about her investments.

- I wish he'd advise us about ours.

- Well perhaps if Kitty's nice to him, he will.

- Well I admired his tweed suit.

I never once said it made him look like a bookie's runner.

(laughter)

I really don't know what more I can do.

- I suppose darling Diana will be with us.

Diana the huntress pursued by a bunny,

that's quite a reversal.

-[Kitty] She's such a lovely girl,

not quite as young as she was.

I suppose Bunny does mean to pop the question this weekend.

Oh Cochie, what are you prowling about for?

- Hunting for a cigarette.

- Your case is empty is it?

- What?

Um yes, I think it is.

Oh, I seem to have one after all, isn't that lucky?

- There was a girl on the train, a very pretty little thing.

-[Cochie] Oh really?

- Not very chatty.

Golden hair and big blue eyes.

-[Cochie] I say, golden hair?

- Yes, it could be the youngest Grey girl.

So pretty, and almost an idiot.

- Anyone else coming?

-[Kitty] Only James Bellamy.

- Oh James is coming, good.

- It's so embarrassing, his mother having

gone down on the Titanic.

One feels quite inhibited about mentioning water.

Cochie, you had better drink soda

with your whiskey while you're here.

(laughter)

- Wasn't James Bellamy rather keen on Diana at one time?

- Was he?

In that case, I wonder why Bunny's asked him.

- Perhaps it was Diana's idea.

- Perhaps it was.

- Now make sure they put the car under cover, Hudson.

- Very good sir.

- Cochie, we've got some food.

Tea darling, do you take milk or lemon?

- I say Miss Diana, I'm fearfully glad you could come.

- Are you Bunny?

Hmm, it is rather good of me to come

when you invite people like Kitty Danby.

She's such a cat.

- I suppose she is rather awful.

- Of course she is, so why did you ask her?

- I don't know really.

- The trouble is, Bunny, you never know why you do things.

It gets rather boring.

- Diana, darling.

- Hello Kitty.

- Hello Diana.

- Captain Bellamy, my Lord.

- Oh Jimmy, I'm glad you could come.

Now, oh Kitty, you know Jimmy Bellamy, don't you?

- Yes, I do, but don't expect me to be polite to him.

He behaved very badly when we were

playing croquet at Wilton.

He hit my ball into the shrubery,

and when I went to look for it, he didn't even follow me.

- I apologize for my bad manners and my bad taste.

- Hello James.

- Charles.

- I didn't expect to see you.

I thought you were a city gent now.

- Ah well even city gents get time off for good behavior.

(laughter)

- Now Jimmy, I want you to meet Miss Grey.

Now he's going to tell you all about buying tea in India

and shipping it back to England.

- Oh gosh, that sounds terribly interesting.

- Well I don't know about that.

(laughter)

Diana, how simply splendid.

I didn't know you were going to be here.

I thought you loathed shooting parties.

- Well I must have forgotten.

Come on, have a scone. They're delicious.

- Oh hello Cochie, found the food as usual?

- You haven't gotten any tea, have you?

- No.

- You're quite right, they're absolutely delicious.

Do you remember the cinnamon toast

we used to have down at Southwold?

- Ah yes, on my first weekend there when I was

so frightened, biting into a piece

and spitting butter all down my dress.

Your grandma was beastly about it.

- She called you a hoiden.

- What would she say about me now?

- Just the same, Grandmother never changes.

- I say, Jimmy, would you mind looking after Miss Grey?

She doesn't know a soul, and she hasn't had anything to eat.

- I'll feed her.

- Have you heard from Elizabeth lately?

(mumbling conversation)

- Mr. Hudson, good evening.

- Ah good evening Mr. Breeze.

- It's very nice to see you, I'm sure.

- Thank you.

The chauffeur brought the car around,

but there doesn't seem to be anyone to carry in the luggage.

- Oh there should be someone about.

Oh Henry, fetch in Captain Bellamy's luggage, will you?

- Righty-o.

- You didn't come on the London train, then?

- No, we drove down in Captain Bellamy's motorcar.

- One of those open things, is it?

- It is.

- That's one thing I hate.

You get bled about, your gentleman gets dusty,

and then what's the point of it all?

The train gets there quicker and more comfortable.

His Lordship wanted me to go up to London with him

in his motor last week.

I said much obliged, my Lord, I said,

but I think we'll serve better if you drive,

I go by train, and I'll be there in time

to get the luggage out of the dickey,

if it hasn't fallen out on the way.

- You wouldn't have talked like that

to His late Lordship, Mr. Breeze.

- Ah, there's a great many things done in this house,

Mr. Hudson, that wouldn't have suited His late Lordship.

- Oh take care of that!

- Here watch it Henry, you'll have

spray all over his shirts.

- I'll take the garment.

- Gun room's in here.

- Thank you Mr. Breeze.

Captain Bellamy's in the blue dressing room, Henry.

- Right Mr. Breeze.

- Do you mind showing Mr. Hudson his room at the same time?

He's in the west wing next to Mr. Gilmour,

Lord Charles's gentleman.

- That bag is mine.

You may carry that too if you will.

- Yes sir.

- Oh it's very nice to have you with us Mr. Hudson.

Tea will be served shortly in the servants' hall.

We should be very happy, I'm sure to welcome you

to the upper servants' sitting room after dinner.

- Thank you Mr. Breeze.

Mr. Breeze?

-[Breeze] Yes Mr. Hudson?

Does Mr. Makepiece take his tea in the servants' hall?

- Mr. Makepiece?

Dear no, he takes his tea in the housekeeper's room.

- Mrs. Kenton, I believe?

- That's right.

- Mr. Breeze, I wonder if you would be good enough

to have a message conveyed to Mrs. Kenton

to the effect that Mr. Hudson would like a word with her?

- Very good Mr. Hudson.

- Now Jimmy, you won't need a loader will you?

- No thanks, I've got Hudson.

Who's shooting?

- There's you, me, Cochie, Charlie, Max Weinberg,

and one or two what my mother will call Aborigines,

you know, harmless locals.

(laughter)

- Who on Earth is that with your mother?

- It's Max Weinberg.

- He's a highly successful financier,

whose hobby which he practices rather less successfully

is being an English gentleman.

- Well he used to advise the old king on his investments,

and he now advises my mother.

He likes coming down here for the shooting

and the hunting, and that's how he gets paid for it.

- He's got two pairs of Purdey specials, both brand new,

and costing about 400 pounds.

- So he can shoot four meters without even reloading.

(laughter)

- I'll have to put him on the outside,

fiddle the draw, and he can't do too much harm.

- Good evening Charles.

- Good evening Lady Newbury.

- Charles, how very pleasant to see you here again.

- Good evening Lady Newbury.

- How's your dear aunt?

- Very well.

- She and I had such an interesting time in the summer

helping Daisy Warig orgainize tea for miners' wives.

Poor things, they were quite over-awed,

but they did appreciate it so much.

You must come and meet Max Weinberg.

Now you're working in the city, he might be useful to you.

Max, this is Captain Bellamy.

- How do you do?

- Captain Bellamy, what an excellent speech your father

made on the financial provisions of the home rule bill.

- Oh I'm glad you approve.

- I approve whenever a politician talks sense about money.

It doesn't happen often.

(laughter)

- Are you coming shooting with us tomorrow?

- I might.

I'd do almost anything to avoid spending the morning

listening to Kitty Danby saying

unpleasant things about people.

If you disagree with her, you sound like a prig.

If you don't, you feel ashamed after.

- Come and stand with me then, like old times.

Remember shooting rabbits with me down at Southwold?

- Yes, I had to retrieve them,

and I got blood all over my dress,

and there was a frightful row when I got home.

- You make it sound as if I did absolutely nothing

for the first 16 years of my life.

Does that make things difficult for you?

- You did.

So what are you going to do about it now?

- James, Miss Grey and I are trying to decide

whether or not your grandmother is related

to her aunt, Lady Threadgold.

Do come and settle it for us.

- Oh well Lady...

- That's too bad of Jimmy.

- What is?

- Well I asked him down here for Miss Grey, and he's not...

- Doing his duty?

- Well when you ask people to stay,

you expect them to fit in, you know, do their bit.

I mean, it doesn't make a pattern unless

they're keeping their place.

- And where is my place?

(knocking)

- Come in.

(door opening)

Ah Mr. Hudson, you're Captain Bellamy's valet?

I believe you wanted to speak to me?

- Mrs. Kenton,

I think there has been some very natural misunderstanding.

I am not, strictly speaking, Captain Bellamy's valet.

I hold the position of butler to Mr. Richard Bellamy

and to the late Lady Marjorie Bellamy.

Captain Bellamy's valet, Edward,

would normally have accompanied him,

but since there was shooting involved

and Edward is not experienced with guns,

I offered to take his place for this occasion

and act as valet.

- I'm sure Captain Bellamy appreciates it.

Nevertheless, you are in this household

in the capacity of valet, and if you wish to complain

to me about your place in the servants' hall...

- Complain about my place?

Certainly not.

As far as my place is concerned, I think I shall be

content to quote the old Scottish saying and remark

"Where the McGregor sits is the head of the table."

No, no Mrs. Kenton.

In my own house in Eaton Place, I am, as it were,

master of below stairs.

I don't expect anyone to question my authority there,

and I would not dream of questioning your authority here.

It was merely that I felt that some slight embarrassment

might arise later if it was realized

that the situation had been misunderstood.

I'm sure I shall find it an interesting experience

taking tea in the servants' hall.

It will remind me of my old days as a footman at Southwold.

(knocking)

- Alright Betsy, you can lay the table.

Mr. Hudson, perhaps you'd care to stay

and take tea with Mr. Makepiece and myself,

just for this afternoon.

- Thank you Mrs. Kenton, but I must unpack for the Captain.

He'll be wanting to change since we traveled down by motor,

and it was rather dusty.

- Well, perhaps you'd care to return in half an hour.

- Thank you Mrs. Kenton, that would be very pleasant.

- Sherry sir?

- You haven't got any cocktails, have you?

- No sir.

(piano music)

- It really is too deliciously amusing to see

Dolly Newbury and Bunny like two overanxious sheepdogs

trying to herd James Bellamy in the direction of Miss Grey.

- And he keeps slipping out of the pen

and joining Diana, leaving Bunny with Miss Grey.

- Poor Bunny.

I'm sure he's invited Diana down

with the express intention of getting engaged to her

before the weekend was over.

Wouldn't it be too amusing if she got engaged

to James Bellamy instead?

Shall we see if we can contrive it?

- Why not?

(laughter)

(instrumental music)

- I hope they're looking after you alright Hudson.

- Quite satisfactory, thank you sir.

I am acquainted with His Lordship's valet,

and the housekeeper seems to be a very agreeable woman.

- Good, just as long as they're making you comfortable.

- Very comfortable, thank you sir.

- What time are we starting?

- At nine o'clock sir.

- Are we going out after lunch?

- No sir, I understand the ladies are driving out

to join you for luncheon.

It is pleasant to see Lady Diana Russel again sir.

- Yes, yes very pleasant.

- She was always a great favorite of Her Ladyship's.

I remember Her Ladyship saying to me once,

"Lady Diana is coming to dinner, Hudson.

"We must ask Mrs. Bridges to make

"raspberry pudding she's so fond of."

- I don't remember Lady Diana dining at Eaton Place.

- I think it was when you were in India, sir.

Yes, I remember when Lady Diana arrived,

she asked if you were going to be there,

and she seemed very disappointed

when she heard that you were not.

As it is rather a chilly morning, sir,

I think perhaps you should wear

a guernsey under your jacket.

I'll get it out so that you can put it on after breakfast.

- Thank you Hudson.

- Mr. Makepiece, did you want any other glasses

besides the claret?

- What?

- We packed the claret glasses.

Do you want tumblers as well?

- Don't you come here asking me questions.

I'll tell you what to do soon enough.

Don't you come bothering me.

- Sorry Mr. Makepiece.

- I hope you're putting in

some rugs and chairs, Mr. Makepiece.

The gentlemen will sit on the ground,

and I don't want His Lordship's new suit

all nasty green stains.

- The ground?

He won't sit on the ground.

Not with his arthritis.

He'd never get up again.

- I'm talking about His young Lordship, Mr. Makepiece.

His late Lordship is dead.

- I know he's dead.

What are you talking about?

-[Hudson] Good morning Mr. Makepiece.

- Good morning, good morning.

Who are you?

Do I know you?

- Mr. Hudson.

Butler to Mr. Richard Bellamy and

the late Lady Marjorie Bellamy.

- Ah yes, yes, yes.

You're guests in the house are they?

- Captain Bellamy is staying here.

- Ah yes.

That's what I thought.

Just tasting the claret.

Lordship's very particular about his claret,

always has been.

I remember for the old queen's jubilee,

we gave a supper to 150 estate workers,

and His Lordship said "give them claret, Makepiece" he said.

"Let them try the real thing for once."

- I dare say they would just as soon have had beer.

- That's what I said.

"My Lord," I said, "they'd just as soon have beer" I said.

But he said "let them try the real thing for once."

Of course, it wasn't his best claret.

Do I know you?

- Hudson, Mr. Makepiece.

I had the pleasure of taking tea

with you and Mrs. Kenton yesterday.

- Ah yes, yes, I thought I knew your face.

- Bunny says the weather's been very bad this summer.

A bunch of young birds died.

- We've had a lot of trouble with vermin at Bransbury.

- Good morning Major Danby.

- Good morning Mr. Danby?.

Those gators of yours are going to get

a bit muddy, aren't they?

- Oh my man's very good with gators, you know.

He used to be with Lord Harcourt.

- Really?

- Is that a diamond tie pin?

- It looks like it.

- It's no use.

I can't get used to seeing the fellow here.

I mean good God, we might as well invite one's tailor.

- Good morning, good morning.

- Good morning.

- We should have good sport today, I think.

- I hope so.

- I'm looking forward to trying my new Purdey guns.

One magnificent pair.

Special short barrels.

You must see them.

What guns do you use Captain Bellamy?

- Me, oh I use the same gun I've used for 10 years.

Hammer action, built for my grandfather in 1885.

I don't particularly want to change now.

- Weinberg, I hear your firm's financing

this new railway in Uganda.

Is that likely to be profitable soon?

- I'm afraid I have no information on that at the moment.

- Come on you chaps, early start.

- Extraordinary these Jews are.

They don't talk about anything but money.

(group chatting)

(laughter)

- Good morning.

- Thank you John.

- Seven.

- Lovely morning.

- Two.

- Number five.

- Three.

- Six.

- Six, Weinberg, you're next to James, alright?

- Jolly good.

- You never know, he might hit a tail feather or two.

(group chatting)

I'm glad you could come, James.

We've not seen you about much lately.

Still, I suppose under the circumstances,

you've not had much choice.

I gather Diana especially saw to it that you were asked.

- Did she?

-[Charles] Yes I believe.

May not be true of course.

That's your eyepiece.

- Oh Mrs. Cochrane-Danby, I found your piece of sky.

- That is almost too exciting to bear.

Perhaps you'd kindly put it in for me, Miss Grey.

- Yes of course.

- It really is appallingly cold.

Miss Grey, I wonder if you'd ring the bell

for the footman to make up the fire.

-[Grey] Yes of course.

Um, do you think we should?

- Well since the alternative is to freeze to death,

I'm quite sure we should.

- Oh yes.

- Oh shooting parties are really such a bore.

Either one is left alone to amuse oneself until tea time,

or else one goes to have lunch in a muddy field

with the ruination of one's boots and gloves.

And the men come in at four o'clock with splitting headaches

fit for nothing but dozing in front of the fire

and tumbling into bed, usually their own.

I really don't know why I come.

- Don't you?

- At least we know why James Bellamy's come,

and I don't mean for the shooting.

- Oh?

- Oh my dear Diana, surely you know.

- Know what?

- Well James said he wouldn't come at first,

but then Bunny told him you would be here,

so he changed his mind.

(gasping)

Oh dear now I've betrayed a confidence.

Oh it really can't be helped.

- Well it's a long time since you and I

were out in the country together, Hudson.

- Indeed it is sir.

Makes a pleasant change.

- Tell me, do you ever regret not becoming

a gamekeeper like your father?

- I have never believed in dwelling

on what might have been, sir.

(whistling)

- I'm going for a walk.

(guns firing)

- Over you sir.

(guns firing) (yelling)

- Hudson, if you see Mr. Weinberg pointing his gun

in this direction, fall flat on your face.

I certainly intend to.

- Very good sir.

(guns firing)

- You see that, Hudson?

- Out left and right sir.

Very good shooting sir.

- It was indeed.

- Good morning Lady Newbury.

- Dear Celia, how charming you look.

Mrs. Danby, always so striking.

- Lady Newbury.

- Now are we ready?

I think we can all fit into the Landeau.

Where is Lady Diana?

- She went for a walk.

I think she's probably already there.

- Ah yes, she and my son are such friends.

It's quite delightful to see them together.

- Quite.

(guns firing)

-[Hudson] Ah you're a wee bit ahead of that sir.

Good shot sir.

That one's out hit sir.

- Hello.

- I took you at your word, is that alright?

- Yes, and if I had two sets of guns

like Mr. Weinberg, you would help Hudson load.

- Lady?

- I'd rather sit here, thank you.

(guns firing)

- Nice shot sir.

- Luncheon, luncheon.

Come on, pick up.

Come on, pick up everyone.

Luncheon.

Come on James, luncheon.

Luncheon everybody.

- Hello Bunny, I came to see how you were getting on.

- Oh I say, Diana, how simply riffing.

- Well you shoot very well Mr. Weinberg.

- Thank you.

I never believe it's worth doing anything

unless one does it well.

- Mr. Makepiece, do you think we ought

to get the hay boxes out of the break?

- What's that?

Not yet, I don't want the food to get cold.

- Better get the glasses out.

- Did you shoot well?

(group chatting)

- Where should we all sit down?

- My Lady.

Get some chairs out of the tent quickly.

Set them around the table.

- Thank you.

- Quickly, quickly.

Do you wish the hot food put out, Mr. Makepiece?

- Mustn't get it out too soon.

It could get cold.

- The ladies and gentlemen are here, Mr. Makepiece,

ready for their luncheon.

- Huh?

- Get the hay boxes out of the rig.

Set the food out on the table.

Would you care to come and sit down, Mr. Makepiece?

I dare say you're feeling a wee bit tired

after all your exertions.

- A bit tired, yeah, have a sleep.

- This way.

(group chatting)

Give me a hand.

Here we are.

Alright, up we go.

Got a hold of him?

Get those hot patties handed around at once.

I'll open some wine.

Is that the hot pot for the beaters?

Set it out behind the tent.

Quickly, now, quickly.

(group chatting)

My Lady?

- Where's Makepiece?

- He's feeling unwell my Lady.

- I see.

It's very kind of you to help us out.

- Hudson, make sure you get something to eat yourself.

- Oh yes, sir, I shall have something presently.

- Thank you so much.

- Miss?

Or would you prefer ginger wine Miss?

- Oh yes, please, I love ginger wine.

- I'll get some at once Miss.

- Remarkable loader you have there.

- Oh no, he's really our butler,

but he acts as a valet and loader sometimes.

- Butler? Valet? Loader?

And diplomat, quite a valuable object.

(group chatting)

- I hope everything went alright my Lady.

- Yes thank you, Mrs. Kenton.

- Poor old Makepiece was feeling rather unwell.

I think it must have been the cold.

- Yes my Lady, it does affect him.

I hope the luncheon didn't suffer.

- Oh no, that man of Captain Bellamy's was very helpful.

Everything went off splendidly.

Oh Mrs. Kenton, we must remember that man.

What's his name?

Hudson?

If ever our dear old Makepiece should think of retiring,

that is exactly the kind of man we should be looking for.

-[Charles] That was quite an interesting hand.

[Kitty] Oh well played partner.

- Do you play bridge Miss Grey?

- Oh no, I wish I did.

I shall have to get someone to teach me.

- I should be glad to teach you.

- Would you really?

- You want to watch out for Cochie, Miss Grey.

He's much more dangerous than he looks.

- Oh Mrs. Cochrane-Danby, I'm sure he isn't.

- Come Cochie, you don't play nearly well enough

to teach Miss Grey.

Much better let James do it.

- Oh I assure you nothing would give me more pleasure,

but Diana has faithfully promised to teach me

a new patience so I can teach my grandmother

when we next go to Southwold.

- Oh well Bunny, I must admit you do

play a much better game than I do.

Miss Grey, I gracefully resign.

- Of course.

- Miss Grey, I'm not much of a teacher.

- Oh dear, and I'm so dreadfully stupid.

- Yes, uh no, no, no, of course you're not.

- Do you really want to learn the patience?

- Not in the least, and if it's a really fiendish one,

I'm sure my grandmother knows it already.

-[Grey] Oh dear, I've forgotten

whether you've said the ace is high or low.

- I pity that little creature.

- There's probably a hidden genius underneath.

(laughter)

She's pretty enough, but a little out of her depth.

- She tries to do all the things

her mother has told her to do.

- And what has your mother told you to do?

- Oh the usual things, marry well.

Only her idea of marrying well is not the same as mine.

-[James] What's yours?

- I think it ought to be something more

than agreeing to share the same house and butler.

- Yes.

- I sometimes wish I'd been born in

something around in BC when people lived in caves

and men and women got married just

so as to huddle together for warmth

and stop each other from being frightened of the dark.

- Are you frightened of the dark?

- Sometimes, aren't you?

- Sometimes.

- Would you like to huddle close to me for warmth?

- Try me.

- I say, I think Miss Grey would learn to play much better

if we all four played together.

- What a good idea Bunny.

We got tired of playing patience anyway.

(group chatting)

- Oh Mr. Hudson?

- Yes Mr. Breeze?

- Message from Mrs. Kenton for you.

Would you care to join her for breakfast tomorrow morning?

8:30 if that would be convenient.

- Quite convenient, thank you Mr. Breeze.

Thank you.

- Sugar?

- Thank you.

- Mr. Makepiece doesn't usually join me

for breakfast these days, so it's very pleasant

for me to have company.

People don't always realize that the life of a housekeeper

in a large household can sometimes be rather lonely.

- Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown eh?

- Exactly.

I expect that you find that in, where is your house?

- Eaton Place.

Ah it is a much smaller household there.

- Oh?

- Salt?

- No thank you.

- Yes, Mr. Bellamy, though a member of parliament,

lives in a comparatively modest style,

especially since the tragic death of Her Ladyship.

- Yes quite.

What does the household consist of?

- Myself and the cook, the house parlor maid,

a footman, the housemaid, and the kitchen maid.

- Dear me, that is a small household.

You must sometimes feel that such a very restricted staff

hardly exercises your abilities.

- I've never really thought about it.

- Oh the trouble with our line of work, Mr. Hudson,

is that there are not many opportunities

of getting to the top.

I remember my dear mother saying to me

when I first came here as kitchen maid all those years ago,

"Ethyl" she said,

"work hard and work will be its own reward."

Oh I little thought when I crept in through those gates,

too frightened to even look up,

one day I'd be housekeeper.

I often think to myself, if only mother could see me now.

-[Hudson] There's a great satisfaction

in reaching the top of the tree.

- Some people might think that the responsibilities

of the Newbury butler are almost too great.

Not only Summerby Park and the house in Grovener's Square.

Of course that's kept fully staffed at all times,

but the house in Scotland as well.

- I see.

- Some toast Mr. Hudson?

And perhaps you'd be kind enough to ring the bell.

I think we should like some hot toast.

- Certainly.

- Yes, the Newbury butler has to be a man

who is not afraid to take command.

He needs to have a natural authority.

Not everyone has.

- No no, that's very true.

- Her Ladyship was remarking to me yesterday

how very much she appreciated the way you helped

everything to go smoothly at the shooting luncheon.

- I was only too glad to be of service.

- Of course Mr. Makepiece will be retiring soon.

- Oh indeed.

- Some hot toast, please, Betsy.

- Oh I brought some ma'am, please.

- Is that fresh?

- Oh yes, ma'am, just this minute made.

- Very well, Betsy.

- Thank you, please.

- Thank you.

Of course I know that you're

perfectly well suited now, Mr. Hudson.

-[Hudson] Yes, certainly.

- But if you should ever decide that you wanted a change,

and felt that you would like the post of butler at Summerby,

I think I can safely say that it would be yours.

Of course I don't know if the idea

would be likely to appeal to you.

- It would certainly be a challenge.

- And one I think that you'd enjoy.

- Yes, I would.

- Well, if you should decide to leave

your present position, you've only to write a letter

to me here, and the matter would be settled.

Marmalade?

- Diana, wait for me!

Diana!

James!

Wait!

- His Lordship and Lady Diana Russle

make such a fine couple.

We're expecting some happy news shortly, you know.

- Captain Bellamy and Lady Diana are also old friends.

- Ah, but when it comes to marriage,

I think a marquis takes precedence

over a commoner, don't you?

- Who's coming to church?

Celia?

- Yes of course, Lady Newbury.

- I still say I won.

- I won by a nose.

- Well your nose is longer than mine.

- Well that's the luck of the game.

- Oh come along, Bunny, or we'll be late.

You're reading the lesson this morning.

And I'm sure Diana will want to come too

to keep you company.

- I shall come to keep Diana company and to cheer

you on when you turn over two pages instead of one.

- I wish you wouldn't.

I feel such a fool when I get those begots and begats.

- We'll stay here.

- I think we should try to fill the pew.

-[Diana] Alright, we'll come.

-[James] I'll get my gloves.

-[Diana] I'll get my hat.

-[James] I'll race you upstairs.

- Childhood friends, you know.

Quite like brother and sister.

Come along.

We'll go on ahead, and they can follow us.

- Quite like brother and sister.

It really is too bad that we didn't have a bet.

- On what?

- On the Lady Diana stakes.

- Oh I'll bet with you if you like.

- But we should both bet the same way.

- Oh?

- On James Bellamy.

- Oh I'll bet on Bunny.

- You can't be serious.

She's head over heels in love with James.

I mean she was head over heels in love with him before,

but he hadn't any money.

Now he has the Southwold inheritance,

and she means to have him.

- But does he mean to have her?

Bunny does.

10 guineas?

- 10 guineas.

- Weinberg, you can hold the stakes.

Or would you like a bet yourself?

- I never bet on human beings.

They're much too unpredictable.

(dog barking)

- Evening Mr. Hudson.

- Evening.

- Mr. Hudson.

- Good evening Mr. Makepiece.

- Been out for a stroll?

- That's one of the advantages of being out in the country.

- There's not much pleasure in the strolling

about the London streets.

I was born in London.

Unless you walked down the old Kent road,

it's through a field of daffodils.

You'll be off tomorrow, then?

- Yes, Captain Bellamy has to go to his office.

- I'll be sorry to see you go.

It's a big responsibility, this place.

- Yes, it must be.

- I didn't notice it so much when

His old Lordship was alive, but now,

when it comes to maintaining standards,

it's all on my shoulders.

- I know what you mean.

- I sometimes think that going into service

is like getting married.

You live in the same house, you back each other up,

quarrel sometimes, but you make your lives together.

And then the master dies.

- Or the mistress.

- You're expected to carry on,

just as if nothing had happened.

But you can't.

It's a question of loyalty, you see.

- Yes.

It's a question of loyalty.

- I say, what should we do?

- Oh what about charades?

- No.

- Oh no, we've done all the easy words,

and we can never guess the difficult ones.

- Sardines!

- Sardines, oh what a good idea.

Now who shall hide?

James?

- Oh right.

- Oh I say, my mother wouldn't approve on a Sunday.

It does make so much noise.

- Only because last time Charles insisted

on hiding in the attics,

and frightening all the housemaids into fits.

- Why don't we roll the carpets back and dance?

We could turn the lights out and dance by candlelight.

Oh so romantic.

- But unfortunately, we've no orchestra.

- Oh Bunny, where's your gramophone?

- Oh better still Bunny, why don't you play for us?

You play ragtime so marvelously.

(cheers of agreement)

It'll be awfully fun, don't you think so Miss Grey?

- Oh gosh yes, simply devine.

- While I ring the bell for the candles,

Charles, James, and Cochie, you roll the carpet back.

Oh what a shame.

If Bunny is playing, he won't be able to dance with Diana.

- It's positively Machievelian.

You're trying to knobble my nag.

- Not too bad, was it?

All's fair in love and war.

- Thank you.

- You work in the city, I believe.

- Yes, yes, worst luck.

- Oh don't say worst luck.

Say thank God.

You know the phrase I hear most often

in English country houses?

What should we do?

All those intelligent and capable young men and women

saying what should we do?

They sneer at me for being in business.

Oh yes, I'm well aware of it.

I like to hunt and shoot, go racing.

I don't want the trouble of a house of my own,

so I put up with it.

It amuses me to come away for weekends,

and so I do it.

But if I had to be one of those idle young men,

marry one of those idle young women,

I'd put my Purdey special to my head and shoot myself.

(dance music)

By the way, if you should happen to have

any money lying about, that new Australian tin mine

might be quite a good idea.

Good night.

- Good night.

(laughter)

That's alright Hudson, thank you.

- Very good sir.

Good night sir.

- Good night.

Hello.

- You don't mind, do you?

-[James] What's up?

- That beast, Cochie Danby,

he said if I drop a glove outside my door,

he'd pay me a visit, so I did.

- You did?

- Cecile's there, my maid.

She thinks every man who comes near is going to rape her.

- Should be interesting.

- That's what I thought.

Quick, turn the light out.

I think he's coming.

- Oh my.

- He said he sleeps in his dressing room,

so Kitty wouldn't hear him.

(giggling)

- He's taking his shoes off.

(screaming)

(laughter) (yelling)

I enjoyed that,

even if Cochie didn't.

Shall I take you back to your room?

- Don't bother.

- Good night.

- You know, Bunny wants to marry me?

- Yes, he's not nearly good enough for you.

- No.

- Goodbye Mr. Hudson.

It's been a great pleasure to have you with us.

- I thank you for making my stay so enjoyable.

- Mr. Hudson, I hope to hear from you very shortly.

- I say, Diana, I know you think I'm a fearful bore, but

- What?

- Well, Diana, will you marry me?

- Why not?

- Oh, you're back.

- Hello Hazel.

- Did you have a good time?

- Have you ever been to a party

and thought you were enjoying yourself

and suddenly wanted to come home?

(ringing)

- Hudson, thank heavens you're back.

I've just received this letter from Lady Southwold,

she's arriving this evening.

- In London, sir?

- Here Hudson.

She's coming up for some charity or other

tomorrow morning and wants to stay here.

- Very good sir.

- Not very good at all.

Not for the group of liberal gentlemen dining here,

including Mr. Churchill.

Her Ladyship will be mortally offended.

- Quite so sir.

- But our business is important,

and I don't want to put the dinner off.

- Might I suggest, sir, that Captain James

might escort Lady Southwold to the theatre?

- The theatre?

- A sweet tale of old Rury And Mr. Fred Terry.

I believe Lady Southwold very much admires him.

- Yes, you're right Hudson.

Her Ladyship has a particular weakness for Fred Terry.

It's extraordinary really.

Is Captain James free?

- I asked him if he had any engagements

for this evening sir, and he said that he had not.

And then perhaps we could prepare a cold supper

upstairs in the drawing room.

- Yes, and Her Ladyship need never meet my guests at all.

Hudson, you're a wonder.

Miss Forrest's gone to the bridge museum

to check some documents for me.

Perhaps when she returns, you'll consult with her

about the arrangements.

Oh I suppose Her Ladyship could have Miss Elizabeth's room.

Oh but then she's bringing that extremely

disagreeable companion of hers.

What do you know about her?

- I think Rose will be able to manage Miss Hodges, sir.

- Yes, I expect she will.

Hudson, I don't know what we should do without you.

Send Edward around for the theatre tickets, will you?

And telephone Captain James.

- Very good sir.

- Oh by the way Hudson, Captain James tells me

you had a bit of a domestic crisis at Summerby Park

and that you saved the day.

- Hardly that sir.

- Well he said you were a pillar of strength,

and he was very proud of you.

- Thank you sir.

- Oh Mr. Hudson, I didn't like to mention it

in the servants' hall, but Edward was a bit hurt

that you didn't give him the key of the wine cellar.

He said it made him feel that you didn't trust him.

- I'll have a word with him.

I think I was wrong.

It's good for him to learn to take responsibility.

Thank you Mrs. Bridges.

- Oh Mr. Hudson, it is good to have you back.

We've all missed you, but I suspect you

enjoyed yourself in Summerby Park.

Nice to be working in a big house again.

- It made a pleasant change, Mrs. Bridges,

for a while.