Original subtitles

(orchestral music)

(door latching)

- Oh, I'm just off.

Mr. Bellamy has a visitor.

- All right, Miss Forest.

- Is the clock correct?

- I set it by the times of St. Peter's this morning, Miss.

- Of course.

Well, goodbye then.

- Good afternoon, Miss Forrest.

- Afternoon, Miss Forrest.

He sent her home early 'cause of Lady Prudence being here

and I know what that means.

- Rose!

- Well, we could do worse!

- Shh!

- There's our tea.

-[Prudence] Ah, splendid.

You were saying your work

on the new book is nearly finished.

Well, it's just as well.

You're looking very tired, Richard.

-[Richard] I suppose I am.

- Must you take on quite so much now

at the House of Commons?

-[Richard] Well fact is Pru, I need all the work I can get.

Otherwise I'm inclined to sit about the place,

feeling sorry for myself.

- Yes, I do understand.

There's nothing like plenty to do to distract the mind.

I rather envy you.

Since Archie died and Agatha married,

my days seem dreadfully long.

I actually look forward to a charity committee meeting

in someone's drawing room.

- Thank you, Hudson.

- Even those worthy, charitable ladies in their silly hats

are better than being left on one's own.

I expect you'd like me to pour out.

- Oh, please Pru, if you wouldn't mind.

I'm not much of a hand with a teapot.

(chuckling)

Thank you for coming.

- Oh my dear, you mustn't hesitate to call on me at any time

if there's anything I can do.

By the way, you didn't mention in your note

what it was you wanted to see me about.

- Oh no, I didn't.

I'm sorry.

- Well?

- It was really just to give you this.

A few small items of jewelry

that Marjorie wanted you to have,

including her sapphire ring.

You admired it once, I think she told me.

There they are, take them home with you.

With her love.

- Thank you Richard, I shall treasure them always.

Your efficient Miss, er, what's her name?

-[Richard] Miss Forrest?

- Forrest.

Has she found you another house maid yet?

- Not so far.

I doubt if we shall need one now.

Rose seems to be managing.

- Oh well, as long as it doesn't put too much

on her shoulders.

She's such a treasure, you don't want to risk losing her.

- They're all quite magnificent you know.

- I'm sure they are.

- Oh, hello Aunt Pru.

Didn't tell me you were here.

- James, dear!

Just in time for a cup of tea.

- No thank you, I haven't time.

- You going out?

- Yes, I'm going for a spin in the motorcar.

-[Prudence] Oh, whose motorcar?

- My motorcar.

I've gone splash on a topping little sports model.

Goes up to 40 miles per hour.

Room for two in the front, two in the dicky.

Didn't Father tell you?

- No, he didn't.

- He drives very well now.

- Oh, do mind you don't have a collision.

- Well, I'll be very careful.

Well, if you'll excuse me.

That's to say, I shall be dining out, Father.

I told Hudson.

- Enjoy yourself.

- Yes, well, goodbye Aunt Pru.

-[Prudence] Goodbye James, dear.

- Good night, Father.

- Good night, James.

(door closing)

-[Prudence] Well, he seems cheerful enough.

- He's young.

- Will you dine alone?

-[Richard] I shall go to my club.

- A nice, quiet game of bridge.

- Yes, I expect so.

- Any signs of James marrying yet?

He's 30 now, isn't he?

- Well, it's a little early yet, a little soon after--

- It's six months now, Richard.

Life has to go on.

-[Richard] I suppose it has, for him.

- And for you.

- Yes.

- Now listen Richard, as darling Marjorie's oldest

and closest friend, I'm probably the only person

in the world who can say this to you.

And I'm going to say it.

She would certainly want James to marry as soon as possible,

provided, of course, he found some nice suitable girl,

and she would want you to remarry, sooner or later.

I know this because, believe it or not,

she once told me so.

Oh, now don't be shocked, Richard.

You know we women do talk about these things.

It was in this very room not long after Archie died

and Marjorie was being so kind,

inviting me here to tea every day.

We were discussing widowhood, and I told her

how Archie had said to me once, when he was so ill,

that if he died, he hoped that I would remarry.

And Marjorie said, oddly enough, almost as if she had some

sort of a premonition that,

if ever anything happened to her,

she hoped that you would marry again.

(soft music)

- I thought the balcony might amuse you.

Where we can look down like the gods on Olympus

at all those pillars of the theater

and literature down below.

- Yes!

It's fascinating.

It's busy down there.

It's like a railway station.

(chuckling) - Yes.

-[Waiter] Excuse me, Captain Bellamy, sir?

- Ah, Hazel.

Thank you.

- Ah. - Thank you.

- Are you hungry?

- I always have a good appetite,

but I think the drive from Wimbledon has increased it.

- All that fresh air, eh?

Well, it certainly brought the color to your cheeks.

You're looking awfully beautiful tonight, Hazel.

- I expect it's the dim light.

- No, it can't be, because you looked just as beautiful

in Kensington Gardens last Wednesday afternoon,

and I told you so.

- Yes, you did.

- In fact, you know, if you stood, dressed in sackcloth,

with your hair untidy, against a gray, brick wall

in the pouring rain, you would still look lovelier

to my eyes than all those Wato shepherdess pieces shown

in The Wallace collection on Sunday.

- What nonsense. - No, it's true.

- Do you think we should order?

-[Waiter] Wine, sir?

- Yes, well I suggest some warming consomme julienne

after your chilly motorcar journey?

- Sounds delicious.

- Followed by the saddle of lamb.

It's unequaled throughout Europe, or so they say.

- I would love it.

- And, when we go to the Russian ballet on Thursday,

I shall take you to supper afterwards at Roux.

- You're spoiling me, aren't you?

- Am I?

And talking of ballet, I must say I'm looking forward

to seeing this Russian fellow, what's he called?

- Nijinsky.

- Nijinsky, I've heard he jumped seven feet

through a window into a girl's bedroom.

Like Peter Pan, but he's not on wires.

(laughing)

Think of that, seven foot!

- Yes.

I would love the saddle of lamb, James.

- Oh, yes.

We'll have the consomme julienne, followed by the saddle

of lamb, and then we'll see.

(clock ticking and chiming)

(door slamming)

(footsteps clicking)

(door unlatching)

(liquid gurgling)

(footsteps clicking slowly)

(clock chiming)

(footsteps clicking)

(leather chair creaking)

- Madame?

- No, thank you.

(dishes clattering)

We mustn't stay out too late.

-[James] As always.

- My parents do worry.

And my mother will wait up for me when I'm out.

-[James] Would she worry if she knew you were out with me?

Your employer's son?

- They might think I was taking advantage of my position

in your father's house.

- By forcing me to take you out to dinner against my will?

- By allowing myself to be taken out,

against my better judgment.

- Oh, what rubbish.

- Well, without your father's knowledge, secretly,

and behind his back.

- And you make it all sound so furtive.

There's no particular reason why he should be told

of our meetings, is there?

- No, nor my parents either, but they are becoming curious.

At least my mother is.

- In what way?

- I think she realizes I've been seeing the same person,

often,

lately.

- Well?

- Well, she is rather old-fashioned and conventional.

- Well, so am I.

- James, I must ask you something.

Please don't be angry with me

and spoil such a lovely evening.

- Of course not.

Ask me what?

- You've been very kind, and attentive,

to me, during the last few weeks.

I think I've never experienced so much happiness

in my whole life.

I like being with you,

but I'm an ordinary person,

with ordinary feelings.

And like my mother, I'm rather conventional,

so I must ask you to make clear to me

your intentions.

(soft piano music)

- Dearest Hazel, I believe that I'm in love with you.

I only say believe because I do so want to be sure.

I only know that whenever I see you about the house,

or when we're out together like this, my pulse races.

I think you're the most beautiful girl I've ever met.

And, this is, er,

a little hard to say, but I must try and say it.

Last April when the news of my mother came

and everything was so black, and awful and hopeless,

it was because you were there, with us, with my father,

helping us, comforting us,

stopping everything from going to pieces,

that somehow I was able to bear it,

knowing you were there.

Someone sensible and cheerful to talk to.

And so,

you,

you see Hazel,

I've come to look upon life

without you as being quite appalling.

I can only offer you my life,

and my love.

Will you marry me?

Well, listen, there's no need to say anything

if you'd rather not.

- Would you take me home?

It's just there are so many things for me to think about.

Do you mind?

- No, if that's what you want.

- Please.

(applauding)

Isn't it a good idea to have bare marble tables down there,

instead of cloths?

- Yes, I suppose it's to save the laundry bill.

- I suppose it is.

(orchestral music)

The tradesmen's books are all up to date, sir.

And the four letters you wanted are on your desk,

ready for your signature.

- Splendid, thank you.

-[Hazel] Mr. Bellamy, I think the time has come for me

to be released from my duties here.

- Miss Forrest!

-[Hazel] I've no wish to abandon my post

if I'm still needed but I do have personal reasons

for wishing not to continue as your secretary.

- Personal reasons?

- I'd rather not go into them, if you don't mind.

Just to say that I would like to leave.

- I see.

Well of course I can't force you to stay here

against your will.

You have been the greatest possible help

over the past six months,

to me and my son.

Indeed to all of us.

Frankly, I don't know what we should have done without you.

- Thank you, Mr. Bellamy.

- You've quite made up your mind to go?

- I'm afraid I must.

It will be best.

- I see.

Well, shall we say from Friday next?

- I would be very grateful if I might leave next Friday.

Good night, Mr. Bellamy.

(footsteps clicking)

- Good afternoon, Miss Forrest.

- Goodbye, Hudson.

(door closing)

- The evening paper, sir.

- Thank you.

Oh, Hudson. - Sir?

- Miss Forrest will not be coming to the house

after next Friday.

- Very good, sir.

-[Richard] She has asked to be released

from her duties in the house.

- I see, sir.

- I must confess, I wished she might have stayed with us

a little longer.

- Yes sir.

- Oh, Hudson. - Sir?

- Has anyone, to your knowledge, upset Miss Forrest?

Anyone in the household?

Any of the servants?

- Not to my knowledge, sir.

Indeed, the staff have lately become quite attached

to the young lady.

She appears to be dispatching her duties of,

if I may so call it, a housekeeper, sir, most competently.

There have been no complaints from the staff to date, sir.

- Well, we shall have to find a replacement for her.

We shall have to advertise for one.

- Begging your pardon, sir,

but I think the staff could manage now.

It would not seem necessary to engage another person

after Miss Forrest, sir.

-[Richard] Oh?

Well, if you're quite sure.

- Quite sure, sir.

-[Richard] Thank you Hudson.

- Sir.

(paper shuffling)

(door closing)

- It's Captain James, who else?

He can't keep his hands off any woman, he can't.

- You'd think he'd have more respect.

With her Ladyship not having long gone to her rest,

poor soul.

- Let us not jump to conclusions, if you please.

If Captain James had been forcing his attentions

on Miss Forrest, she would certainly have complained

about it to the Master.

- Oh, it doesn't follow, Mr. Hudson.

I mean, if there has been any hanky panky between the pair

of them, she'd be too ashamed to mention it.

Best leave and say nothing about it.

I would.

- Hmm, she might have been encouraging him.

You know, leading him on.

And got more than what she asked for.

- Mrs. Bridges, please!

- No, Mr. Hudson!

I believe in calling a spade a spade!

We're all grown up down here.

Well, all except Ruby.

She's too young and too stupid to understand.

- Look, I will not have this kind of talk below stairs.

Is that understood, Rose?

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- Whatever we may think of Miss Forrest,

she comes of reliable, God-fearing, middle-class stock.

And I personally would not question her respectability.

- Oh, then why is she leaving all of a sudden, then?

-[Mrs. Bridges] That's what I want to know.

- Has it never occurred to any of you

that the young woman may have personal family reasons

for going?

The illness of an aging parent or relative,

a proposal of marriage, better paid employment elsewhere!

The possibilities are legion,

and it is not for us to speculate.

(paper shuffling)

- Ruby.

-[Ruby] Yes, Mrs. Bridges.

- It's gone 10 o'clock.

What should you be doing?

- Not speculating, Mrs. Bridges.

- I'll speculate you, my girl!

You go and get our jug of cocoa and look sharp about it!

- Yes, Mrs. Bridges.

(quick footsteps clicking)

- Three years that girl's been in this house,

and every blessed time,

I have to tell her every blessed thing.

I don't know, I'm sure.

- At least the poor creature is willing

and honest, Mrs. Bridges.

I suppose one must be thankful for such virtues

in service nowadays.

- If you ask me, you need to be a bit soft in the head

to go into service these days.

There's better jobs in workshops and factories.

- Oh indeed, Rose.

Then why are you still engaged here, can you tell me that?

- Well, I'm beginning to wonder, Mr. Hudson.

And her Ladyship gone, Miss Roberts put away,

Miss Lizzie thousands of miles away across the Atlantic,

a strange woman interfering in my linen cupboard

and no other housemaid to help out,

I'm beginning to feel, well ...

I just don't seem to belong here no more!

- She's right, you know.

Things isn't what they was.

- Aren't what they was, if you please, Mrs. Bridges.

(paper crackling)

(footsteps clicking)

-[Richard] Come in, James.

- Father, I found this note on the hall table summoning me

to your presence.

(chuckling) A rather formal one.

- I wanted to speak to you as soon as you got in,

and before you went to bed.

- Oh, was it so urgent?

- Ah, it might be.

Where have you been?

-[James] To the Russian ballet at Covent Garden, well?

- I didn't know you were interested in ballet dancing.

- Oh, I find it extremely artistic, Father,

and so did my companion.

Now, do you mind if we discuss whatever it is you wanted

to see me about, so I can get to bed?

- You're in a desperate hurry, James.

-[James] I'm sorry Father.

- Simply wanted to tell you that Miss Forrest has resigned.

She came to see me this afternoon,

just before leaving the house,

to say she wished to terminate her engagement here.

- Oh, what a pity.

- As far as you're concerned,

and I want the truth please James,

has she been upset at all in this house?

-[James] Upset?

By whom?

- In view of what happened

soon after Miss Forrest arrived here, I'm bound to ask

whether it might have anything to do with you?

- Oh, there seems little point in concealing the truth

from you now, so I may as well confess.

- What have you done, James?

- What have I done?

I have fallen in love with Hazel, Father,

and I want to marry her.

That is what I have done.

- Hazel?

- Hazel Forrest, it's her name.

Perhaps you didn't know.

- God help us.

- Look Father, I realize that it's only six months

since Mother died, but you said yourself

that life has to go on.

- Miss Forrest is my secretary.

- Oh, what does that matter nowadays?

And since when has a person's class mattered to you?

- You know it never has!

Not of itself, but there can be difficulties,

you know damn well there can be.

Look what happened when you brought that wretched girl home

from India.

- Ah now, Phyllis was different.

-[Richard] Was she?

- Well, she was ...

I wasn't in love with her, not really.

- You told us you were, your mother and me.

You thought you were.

-[James] Yes, well this time I am, for certain.

- I wonder.

Phyllis was a perfectly pleasant, respectable girl!

But she didn't fit in, you said so yourself.

Do you think Miss Forrest is going to fit in?

- Fit in? (chuckling)

She's practically running this house already.

- That's no reason to ...

James, how can I take you seriously?

Your record with the opposite sex is not exactly promising.

- I'm three years older now, Father, and much wiser, I hope.

Hazel and I have been going out together for some time.

- Oh, have you?

Wasn't that rather deceitful of you both?

- I insisted that we keep our meetings a secret.

It would seem, from your attitude, that I was justified.

- It's unthinkable, James, for many reasons!

- Father, you are forcing me to remind you

that I'm my own master now!

I have quite enough money to marry on.

- Your mother's money?

I'm sorry.

Have you proposed to Miss Forrest yet?

- Yes.

-[Richard] And has she accepted you?

- No, no, not yet, she wants time to think.

It's quite natural.

-[Richard] And if she does agree to become your wife,

where do you propose to live?

- In this house, with your permission.

After all, there's plenty of room for us both,

and I am paying most of the bills now,

as you and Sir Geoffrey proposed and I agreed,

willingly.

- It's late.

- Father, we would appreciate your blessing.

- James, you are your own master now.

(footsteps clicking)

- And so that is why I thought it best to give up the post.

- Quite right to tell me, Miss Forrest.

Thank you for being so honest.

-[Hazel] Thank you, Mr. Bellamy.

- Naturally, your private feelings toward my son

are your own affair, but do please remember

that James is still in a very emotional state of mind.

The loss of his mother.

-[Hazel] Yes, I know.

- He was engaged, did you know, two years ago?

To a girl he met in India.

-[Hazel] Yes, he spoke of that.

- And I just don't want either of you to make a mistake.

- Of course not.

- There's the fact, too, of your differing backgrounds.

These things do merit consideration, you know.

- Yes, I understand that, too.

- You say you haven't quite made up your mind yet?

- Not yet.

James is coming to our house on Sunday afternoon.

I've promised to give him my answer then.

- I see, very well.

Then all I can do is to urge you, most seriously,

to consider what I have said.

- I will, Mr. Bellamy.

- Thank you, Miss Forrest.

(soft music playing)

(doorknob thumping) - Oh.

Oh!

- I'm sorry to disturb you, Mrs. Bridges,

I was looking for Hudson.

- Well, that's alright, Captain James.

I'm afraid he's out,

he's gone to an afternoon church service.

-[James] Oh, well I mustn't disturb your Sunday afternoon.

- Oh, that's alright, Captain James, I'm sure.

Is there anything I can get you?

- Do you know what, Mrs. Bridges?

I'd love a cup of tea.

-[Mrs. Bridges] Would you, Captain James?

(chuckling) - Yes.

- Well, I believe there's still a drop in the pot.

Oh, it will have gone cold by now.

I'll make a fresh pot--

- No, no, no, it's hot enough for me.

- If you're sure, sir?

- Absolutely.

- Well, you haven't been down here for tea,

not for ever so long.

- No, I haven't.

- Not since you was at school.

- No I haven't, have I?

As a matter of fact,

there was something I wanted to ask you.

Well, Hudson, really but I expect you can advise me.

- Well, if I can, sir.

- Tell me, Mrs. Bridges, what do you think of Miss Forrest?

I'd like to know, honestly.

- Miss Forrest, sir? - Hmm.

- Well, I haven't seen that much of her,

not every day like, but from all I hear,

she's a very nice, respectable young person.

- Mm-hmm, and the other servants, what do they think of her?

- Well, very much the same I think, sir.

Not that we like to talk about what concerns upstairs,

not as a rule. - No, no.

But you have discussed her amongst yourselves, surely?

- Oh, well yes, sir.

Once or twice, of course.

Is there any particular reason why you ask?

- Well yes, Mrs. Bridges, yes there was.

If, at some time

in the future,

Miss Forrest was to become mistress of the house,

I wanted to know how you and Hudson and Rose

and everyone would feel about it.

- Mistress of the house?

Do you mean the Master and Miss Forrest?

(laughing) - Oh no, no.

Not my father.

No, you see, I have asked Miss Forrest to marry me,

and I wanted to know how you'd all feel about it.

- Well, all I can say is this, Master James.

We've been in service here, most of us,

since you and Miss Elizabeth was babies.

That is, Mr. Hudson and me and Miss Roberts had.

Well, Rose, she's been here a good few years too.

We've all been proud to serve your dear mother

and your father and that's a fact.

Well, Captain James, if you choose to get married,

any lady as you marries will be Mrs. James

to us down here

and we'll all be happy to serve her and do our best for her,

as a member of the family.

- Thank you, Mrs. Bridges.

That's what I wanted to hear.

(chair scraping on the floor)

Thank you for my tea.

It was delicious.

(soft music playing)

(footsteps clicking)

- If he doesn't come soon, we shall be late for church.

- He said he'd be here by six o'clock.

- Father's gone on down to Mr. Roper's, he wants him

to act as sidesman tonight.

- Why?

- Mr. Leyton's poorly again. - Oh.

(loud knocking)

- Ah, there he is.

Now, you let him in, I'm going to go into the other room.

And don't take too long over it.

- No, Mother.

(footsteps clicking)

(door opening)

- Oh, hello.

I'm sorry I'm late, I got lost in Putney

and had to ask a bobby.

- Oh, you're soaking wet! - Yes.

- Let me take your coat.

- It's raining cats and dogs out there.

- I can hear it.

- It makes driving very dangerous.

One's inclined to skid, you know, on the tram lines.

- I suppose so.

Won't you go in?

- Oh, yes thank you.

(footsteps clicking)

- Will you sit down?

- Oh, thank you.

Well?

- James,

I'm very fond of you.

I've never concealed it.

And I know that I should've said this much more definitely

in the first place,

but there are reasons

why I can't marry you.

- Hazel!

- I've thought it over very carefully

and I've discussed it with my parents.

I would just like to say thank you for loving me,

and for asking me to be your wife.

But I must refuse your offer.

- Hazel, I don't understand you--

- Please James, go home.

- Hazel, this is abs-- - Forget about me--

I'm sorry James. - I love you.

- There is no more to be said.

(footsteps clicking)

(cane clattering)

(door latching)

(soft footsteps clicking)

- There, there, dear.

It's all finished now.

You'll get over it.

(crying) - Never.

- Of course you will dear.

You stay here with Mother where you belong.

Safe from prying and inquisitive people.

(crying)

And remember all we've done for you, your father and I,

and the promise you made us, remember?

Now you forget all about young Bellamy,

there's a good girl.

- How do you know they would've minded?

How can we ever know now?

(church bells ringing) Not telling them.

- But of course they would've minded, dear.

People like that, I mean, what about old Lady Southwold,

his grandmother, what would she have said?

(crying) - It's unfair!

- Life is unfair sometimes, dear.

You'll stay here with Mother, safe and warm.

(church bells ringing)

(sniffling)

(footsteps clicking)

(door latching)

- James.

You're wet through!

-[James] Not surprisingly, it's raining.

- Well, have you anything special to tell me?

- Should I have?

- I would've thought so.

Haven't you been out to Miss Forrest's house this evening?

- Mm-hmm, yes.

- Well, what was her answer to your proposal?

- Hazel has decided not to marry me

for some reason or other.

Those reasons should be better known to you, Father,

than they are to me.

- What on earth do you mean by that?

- I think you warned her off me.

- What?

- I think you made it perfectly clear to her

that you would not accept her as a daughter-in-law

and that she'd better look for a husband elsewhere!

- That's not true!

- You spoke to her about me, didn't you?

- I asked her to think it over very seriously,

but the choice was hers and hers alone.

- Yes, but what you, in fact, said was,

"Don't marry my son," wasn't it?

- How could I possibly say that?

You're of age, you're independent.

- Yes, but you knew she was far too loyal

to go against your wishes.

- Nonsense!

- Yes, but whatever it was you said, Father,

you've just about wrecked my chances of happiness!

The one girl I've ever really loved and now she's gone,

thanks to you, it's all over.

(orchestral music)

- Mr. Hudson.

She still here?

- I've just shown her in, yes.

- Uh, Master not back yet?

-[Hudson] Not yet.

- I wonder what excuse she'll think of next,

to come here, eh?

- I don't think you've got any right to say that, Rose.

- I think we ought to have a sweepstake below stairs

about which one of them gets married first,

Captain James or his father.

- From his mood this morning, I'd lay pretty long odds

against Captain James.

- Oh, but Mrs. Bridges said--

- I know what Mrs. Bridges said, but his manners today

does not suggest a young man about to marry.

It is my belief, Rose, the young woman's refused him.

- For shame.

Reckons she's not good enough for him, I suppose.

If you want my opinion, he's not good enough for her!

- Rose!

- Mr. Hudson?

Can't manage!

- Rose, milady, with the garments.

- Ah, splendid.

Thank you, Rose.

Perhaps you'd lay them on the sofa

and then we can have a look at them.

-[Rose] Very good, milady.

- We want to get them put away before Mr. Bellamy returns.

- Yes, milady, the boxes are already upstairs.

- Good.

Oh, yes, these will do perfectly.

They're all in excellent condition.

Oh, that's a nice coat.

I remember that.

- Yes, Miss Roberts always looked after her Ladyship's

things most careful.

- Oh yes, I know she did.

Well, it seems a shame, but I'm sure you'll agree,

it's better to put them in the sale

and raise money for the poor,

than leave them in the cupboard for the moth to get at.

- Yes milady, much preferable.

- Well, perhaps you'd pack them up

and have them put in my motor when it comes to fetch me.

- Yes, milady.

Will you be remaining for tea, milady?

- Yes, I will.

Hudson says that Mr. Bellamy should be returning home soon.

- Very good, milady.

- Thank you, Rose.

- Oh, hello, Rose.

- Yes, thank you.

- Oh, well hello Aunt Pru, didn't know you were coming.

- Well, I'm not really invited,

I came to collect a few clothes of your dear mother's

for a charity bazaar, by Docklands settlement.

- Right.

- Rose is just packing them into boxes for me.

I'll take them with me, when I go.

- Good now, well shall I order tea?

- No thank you, James, it's a bit early.

I'd rather wait til your father returns.

- Very well.

Wretched weather.

- Yes, isn't it?

(sighing)

It's so cold.

- Yes.

- Excuse me, sir, there's a Mr. Forrest to see you.

- Mr. Forrest?

- A Mr. Arthur Forrest, sir.

- Ah, you'd better show him into the study, Hudson.

-[Hudson] Very good, sir.

- If you'll excuse me, I better see what this fellow wants.

-[Prudence] Of course, you must.

(clock ticking)

(door unlatching)

-[James] Are you Mr. Forrest?

- Ah, that's right.

- You must be Hazel's father.

I have been to your house twice but we didn't meet, did we?

- Ah, no sir.

- Hazel's alright, there's nothing wrong?

- Oh, no, no, no, it's just that I wanted a word

with you in private, sir, if you wouldn't object.

- No, of course.

Will you sit down?

- Thank you.

- This is the room where your daughter did her typing

and helped my father with his book.

- Ah, yes.

-[James] What was it you wanted to speak to me about?

- Well, first of all, sir, neither Hazel nor her mother

know I'm here,

so I'd appreciate it if you'd keep my visit confidential?

-[James] Of course, and please don't call me sir.

It's rather formal, don't you think?

- Very well, I'll come to the point, Captain Bellamy.

-[James] Please do.

- There are things you don't know about our daughter.

Things she's never spoke about, not to anyone.

When she was just 19, training to be a teacher she was then,

she met this young fellow, Patrick O'Connor.

He was a clerk in the post office near our home.

We lived in Putney then.

I won't go into all the details.

He seemed a nice enough chap.

Clean, well-spoken.

She'd walked him home once or twice.

Well, he could've fooled anyone.

-[James] In what way?

- Early in the spring of 1902,

my daughter married O'Connor

and went to live in Newcastle, where he'd been sent

by the Post Office.

They didn't have much money, but we helped them a bit.

It then seems that he started drinking.

She didn't say, at first.

We didn't see too much of her,

but she wrote to her mother most weeks,

and between the lines, you could see the girl wasn't happy.

She stuck it out for a few months,

but then things got worse.

He started beating her, Captain Bellamy,

knocking her about, calling her filthy names.

He got in these tempers when he was on the drink, you see,

and there were other women.

Well, one night, very late, they had a dreadful fight.

He was like a madman.

Next day, Hazel came home with all her things in a trunk.

She'd left him and got the train.

She was ill, worn out and frightened.

- Oh my God.

- Well, the wife got her to bed.

When she undressed her, there were these marks

all over her body.

Bruises and weals, and that.

He'd struck her with his belt, you see,

and the buckle had--

-[James] Yes!

I understand.

- He would have killed her if she'd stuck there.

- Did you go to the police?

- I was in favor of it, but Hazel refused.

Didn't want that kind of trouble.

But, they gave her a divorce.

It cost her mother and me nearly all our savings.

-[James] Oh, that's scandalous!

- Well, we sold our house in Putney.

Well the neighbors would have got to hear about it, you see,

and we'd have been outcasts,

having a daughter who'd been through the divorce courts.

So we moved to Wimbledon in 1904,

where nobody knew anything about us.

Hazel went out and found herself work

with her typing and that,

and she went back to her maiden name, of course.

We never spoke of the marriage,

nor of Patrick O'Connor ever again.

That was in the past, all forgotten.

- Why didn't she tell me?

I thought I knew her.

- Well, when you asked her to marry you, Captain Bellamy,

she knew it would all have to come out.

Well, her mother had said it would.

On the marriage certificate, you see,

she would have been put down as

Hazel Patricia O'Connor,

nee Forrest.

And her mother persuaded her

that your family would never accept her,

not the kind of people they are.

Last night, after church, she locked herself in her room.

She cried all night.

She's in love with you, Captain Bellamy.

I know that much.

- And I'm in love with her, Mr. Forrest.

And I want to marry her.

- Well, I said to the wife, if you were the man for her,

you would not let it make any difference.

- When can I see her?

If I came to your house--

- Any time, she hasn't found any work yet.

Best that you see her when her mother's out, though.

- And when is that?

- Well, Mrs. Forrest will be at the shops tomorrow morning

about 10, just for an hour.

I shall be at work myself, of course.

- I shall come then.

-[Ruby] Short feller, isn't he?

- He's got a sort of look of her about him though.

-[Ruby] He looks a bit upset, doesn't he?

(chuckling) - Angry, more like.

-[Hudson] Now then, what are you two gawking at?

- Oh, er, Miss Forrest's dad, just leaving.

- Indeed Ruby, and how pray,

did you know that Miss Forrest's dad had been to call?

- Rose said so.

- And from the look on his face,

Captain James is in trouble again.

- In what way, Rose?

- Well, first he tells Mrs. Bridges he's gonna marry her,

then he's all glum and down in the mouth,

'cause his father forbids the wedding,

after he's asked her, if you get my meaning.

- You seem to possess an intimate knowledge

of the matter, Rose.

Perhaps you would care to describe, word for word,

just exactly what has passed upstairs

between Captain James and Mr. Forrest.

- Oh, I will, if you like.

Leastways, I can guess.

- Indeed.

- Yes, well, first he asks her to marry him.

Then he says he won't, thus breaking her heart.

Then her father comes here to tell them

that they're gonna take him to court, see,

for breach of promise.

That's what they'll do alright,

and Captain James will have to pay a lot of money,

'cause he'll have to pay her off, see,

if he won't marry her.

- You have a fertile imagination, Rose,

I'll say that for you.

-[Rose] Oh, thank you, Mr. Hudson.

-[Ruby] Mr. Hudson?

- What is it?

- Well, it's not for us to speculate, is it Mr. Hudson?

- Quite right, Ruby, fetch another scuttle of coal.

And Rose, go and draw the landing curtains or something!

Look sharp now!

- Oh poor girl, how dreadful.

-[James] Yes, very, but it doesn't matter nowadays.

I mean, this is not a stigma, is it?

- Well, not in our circles, James, but then,

divorce is becoming fashionable

and we tend to set the fashions.

Of course, the day may come when every other couple

in Putney or Wimbledon will have been through it,

but for the moment, I'm afraid,

in those middle-class bastions of suburban propriety,

a divorce in the family is little better

than having an uncle hanged for murder.

One just doesn't speak of it.

- Yes, well I'm going to speak of it.

(birds chirping)

(knocking)

(paper crackling)

(footsteps clicking)

- James!

- May I come in?

- Yes.

- Is your mother in?

- No, she's out shopping.

- Please, spare me a few minutes.

- Very well.

Will you go in?

- Thank you.

(door latching)

- I never expected to see you again.

- Nor I you, Hazel.

Please, listen to what I have to say.

- My mother will be back soon.

- No, Hazel, please.

Hear me out.

Hazel darling, I know why you refused me,

and I still love you as much as ever.

- No,

No, James.

- Hazel, Hazel I want you to know

that whatever happened to you in the past,

does not, and never would have made any difference to me.

- Who told you?

- Never mind who told me.

I know, that's all that matters now.

- Did my father go to your-- - Never mind.

All I want to know is

will you marry me?

You must say yes,

because your mother will be home soon

and I want your heart to final it before she comes.

- What am I to do?

- Please say you'll be my wife.

As you should have said on Sunday.

Only say it now.

(door slamming)

For good, please.

-[Mrs. Forrest] Hazel!

- James, what shall I do?

(chuckling) - Say yes.

Say you'll marry me.

We'll be happy, I know we will.

We'll have lots of children.

- Oh yes!

- Where are you, dear?

- Oh, how do you do, Mrs. Forrest?

I am sorry to intrude on you like this.

Only, Hazel has

just agreed to be my wife.

So I hope that you and

Mr. Forrest will give us your blessing.

- Hazel.

Is this true?

-[Hudson] Aye, they look suited enough, I suppose.

- Well, we shall just have to wait and see, won't we?

I suppose it'll be another commotion.

- Like I said, everything's going all topsy-turvy

these days.

(bell ringing)

- Morning room.

- Shall I go?

- There now, it's gone 11:00

and I've forgotten the grog tray.

- That's not like Mr. Hudson.

- He's tired.

(door latching)

(glass clinking)

-[Hudson] I must apologize, sir.

The night tray should have been in here by half past 10.

- It's not the end of the world, Hudson.

-[Hudson] Thank you, sir.

- We're neither of us getting any younger, are we?

-[Hudson] No sir.

- Well, soon there'll be a new Master and Mistress

in this house.

Things won't be quite the same.

-[Hudson] No sir.

- I only hope it won't prove too difficult for you,

and the other servants.

- We shall do our best, I can assure you, sir,

to serve Captain and Mrs. James,

as we have served yourself and her Ladyship in the past.

-[Richard] Thank you, Hudson.

I'm very grateful.

Good night.

- Good night, sir.

(orchestral music)