Original subtitles

Subtitling by Acorn Media (re-sync by moviesbyrizzo)

[Clock ticking]

[ Hoofbeats in distance ]

[Bell rings]

That'll be them now.

Oh, Hudson.

Yes, sir?

Get some champagne, will you?

The, uh, special reserve.

Very good, sir.

Oh, Mrs. Kirbridge has had a daughter.

Oh, really, sir?

That's very nice, sir.

Yes, a daughter.

Well.

[Sighs] Well.

I still wish she hadn't chosen

to have it in that dreadful nursing home.

Well, you know Elizabeth and her fashionable unfashionable ideas.

It's so much more agreeable at home.

What's so wrong with having it at home?

Because everybody does, my dear.

Nursing homes are so antiseptic and impersonal.

Avant-garde.

Have you seen a small notebook?

Thank heavens it was an easy birth.

I shudder to think what a lot of perfect strangers

would have done if there'd been any complications.

The perfect strangers are people trained

to cope with such exigencies.

A little, black notebook.

I'd written a draft notice for The Times.

It's not the same thing at all.

Anyway, it's a lovely little baby.

Yes.

Glad it wasn't a boy.

Why?

Different responsibility. Oh, very different.

- Now, there are complications. - Perhaps.

Schools, careers, much more public altogether.

And girls can be hidden away, forgotten?

Well, they are easier to handle.

Ah.

Yes.

Girls are better.

It's a little baby girl.

And that's all?

That is the information that was imparted to me, yes.

Isn't that just like a man?

Doesn't know what the baby's weight is nor nothing.

Nor whether her mother was all right -- just as important.

Didn't you even hear if Miss Elizabeth was all right?

No, Sarah, Mr. Bellamy simply said,

"Kindly fetch some special reserve, Hudson.

It's a little baby girl."

Oh-ho. Men!

Honestly.

EDWARD: Can't we have some champagne, Mr. Hudson?

I mean, we should wet the baby's head, as well.

Quite right, Edward.

Fetch the special reserve.

I think a drop of beer might be in order.

A drop, Edward.

Oh, and while I remember it,

you can fetch that perambulator down from the front hall

and put it out in the area before somebody falls over it.

EDWARD: Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- And, Edward? EDWARD: Yes, Mr. Hudson?

- You may bring a quart of beer. EDWARD: Oh, yes, Mr. Hudson.

After all, yes, it is a bit of an occasion.

A bit of an occasion! [ Chuckles ]

Bet it was more than a bit of an occasion

when you arrived, Mr. Hudson.

MRS. BRIDGES: we're only born once, you know, Mr. Hudson.

I don't recall much of it myself, Mrs. Bridges.

I was very young at the time.

[ Laughter]

Oh, Mr. Hudson. He is a wag.

Here we are, then, the very best reserve -- mild and bitter.

So we can drink Miss Elizabeth's health and, um...

And?

We don't even know her name.

Lucy Elizabeth. The full name?

I think just Lucy.

MARJORIE: Read it out again.

"Kirbridge, on the 17th inst. at the Hallam nursing home,

to Elizabeth, the wife of Lawrence Arthur Kirbridge,

a daughter, Lucy."

Mm, I think you're right. Yes, that is better.

Ah, Hudson, thank you.

Well, no, I am not so sure.

"A daughter, Lucy Elizabeth".

- Oh, Richard. -[ Cork pops ]

Well, it's awfully important to get these things right.

Let's ask Hudson.

Hudson, "Lucy Elizabeth" or just plain "Lucy"?

Oh, they're both very pretty names, sir, for a little girl.

Yes, absolutely.

But I think just plain, unvarnished "Lucy"

is best for this occasion.

I trust she'll be neither plain nor unvarnished

as a young lady, sir.

That's very good, Hudson.

Very good, Hudson, yes.

- That'll be all. - Thank you, sir.

Oh, Hudson.

Yes, my lady?

Uh, Nanny Webster will be arriving on Friday.

That doesn't give you much notice, I'm afraid,

but we thought she ought to settle in

before Mrs. Kirbridge comes home with the baby.

You all know each other.

It won't be like a new nanny coming.

She met Sarah, too, down at Southwold, so --

Something troubling you, Hudson?

Oh, no, my lady, it's, uh --

it's just that I thought perhaps Nanny Webster had retired.

- You mean you hoped she had. - I beg your pardon, sir?

Nothing will keep old nanny from an addition to the family.

- No, my lady. MARJORIE: Friday, then.

Perhaps you'd tell the other servants.

Very good, my lady.

RICHARD: Have a bottle of champagne downstairs.

- Oh, thank you very much, sir. - To welcome the baby.

- Sir. - And Nanny Webster.

Yes, sir.

I can feel the house beginning to shake already.

I'm glad it was a little girl.

'Cause the clothes.

You can really dress a little girl.

Most women want boys, I can tell you that, my girl.

Most women wouldn't say thank you for a girl, not first off.

Well, in the circumstances, it's probably just as well.

Well, I like girls.

Sugar and spice and all things nice, eh, Miss Roberts?

Well, she's hardly chosen the most convenient time.

With Rose away, one has hardly time to turn 'round.

Well, you don't have to worry

about turning 'round, Miss Roberts.

There's no one after you.

I think there ought to be more babies born into this household.

I could do with a drop of that every day.

Keep me going-

I wouldn't mind if there was one born every minute.

I'd look after them all.

I'd be the best nursery nurse in the whole world.

Maid, Sarah -- nurserymaid. That's what you're trained as.

Not a nurse, Sarah. That's medical.

And you're a domestic.

I must write and tell Rose, tell her all about it.

She'll be furious she was away, missing everything like that.

Oh, I wouldn't half look after that little baby.

I'm sure you'll be an excellent nurserymaid, Sarah.

Miss Elizabeth won't half be proud.

And doubtless you'll be of great help to the nanny.

There ain't gonna be no nanny.

No?

Miss Elizabeth never made no mention of no nanny.

Are you kept especially informed of every move?

Well, what was all that training for

if it wasn't for looking after babies?

For helping, Sarah.

Nursemaids are there to help the nanny.

No mention was made.

Well, you obviously know best.

Yes.

Anyway...

I've got something to do, if you'll excuse me.

As if a family like this would do without a nanny.

I wonder who the baby's like.

Like her mother, I'll be bound.

Like a little monkey.

Oh, Edward.

Really, Edward.

Well, it's only a baby.

And you were never once one yourself, I suppose.

[ Clucking ]

You're like a couple of old chickens.

Huh. No doubt he was born like that.

[ Clucking ]

Oh, well, I've got too much work to do.

I can't keep on all this toing and froing and --

Toing and froing?

I can see we're gonna have some of your tiddly cakes, Mrs. B.

-[ Laughing ] - That's enough of your cheek.

Ohh.

MISS ROBERTS: well, really? Whatever did you think?

Yes.

Well, what do you think of this, then?

EDWARD: Blimey!

Blimey's right. What's all that, my girl?

This is my official uniform, that's what all that is.

My official nursemaids uniform.

"My official nursemaids uniform."

MRS. BRIDGES: well, you won't be needing it yet a while.

Not be needing it? My official duties start...

from the day the baby's born.

MRS. BRIDGES: Go and take it off.

Got to get upstairs and get all that nursery...

Miss Elizabeth will not be home for at least another week.

We're shorthanded as it is, so go and take it off.

SARAH: Mrs. Bridges, I would remind you that I am --

There is work to be done in the linen room.

I would remind you, Mrs. Bridges,

that I am no longer employed in the capacity of linen-room help.

Airs and graces. Really, some people.

As Miss Elizabeth's direct help in the nursery.

Poppycock.

A nurserymaid's just as much as a servant as any of us.

That's not what they said when they trained me.

I haven't got time to sit here arguing with you.

I've got something better to do.

Miss Elizabeth will not be home for at least another week.

-"In my official uniform." - Aah.

- Oh, Edward! - Oh really, Edward.

Now look what a mess you've made.

- HUDSON: Ladies. - MRS. BRIDGES: Really.

Just before you return to your respective duties,

the master has decided --

- To chop off our heads. - That's quite enough, Edward.

Some strong tea for you, I think.

No, the master has permitted us a bottle of champagne

-to wet the new baby's head. - MRS. BRIDGES: Oh.

That's very nice.

Furthermore, a new member of the staff is about to join us.

Fetch some glasses, Edward.

Well, not quite a new member, in fact.

Someone who is, in fact, familiar to most of us.

HUDSON: Nanny.

I had to ring twice.

I hope this is not a symptom of domestic disorder.

Certainly not, Nanny. You merely anticipated me.

I had to ring for you twice.

I see you've taken to wearing spectacles, Hudson.

Well, of course, you're getting on now.

I only need them for close work, Nanny.

Really?

Oh, these small London houses.

I hope everything is in order, Hudson.

For instance, while I was waiting for you

to answer the door,

I had time to notice the baby's perambulator in the area.

Now, that hardly seems the place for it.

It'll rust in wet weather.

Kindly see that it's brought up

and kept in here in the front hall in future.

I shall see to it at once.

Yes, I see I shall have my work cut out, as usual.

Well, may we not proceed?

It's disconcerting enough

to be kept waiting interminably outside.

Her ladyship will receive you in the morning room, Nanny.

Nanny Webster, my lady.

Oh, thank you, Hudson. Send Sarah up to me, will you?

Very good, my lady.

Fancy leaving a perambulator in the area.

Ah, honey.

Edward? EDWARD: Yes, Mr. Hudson.

The area is hardly the most suitable place

-for the perambulator. - But, Mr. Hudson --

Why don't you bring it up here into the front hall?

- But, Mr. Hudson, you -- - At once, Edward.

You may find Sarah somewhat high-spirited at first.

- Do sit down, Nanny. - Thank you, my lady.

You remember her, of course, from Southwold.

I'm afraid she was rather, well, unfortunate.

Unfortunate? Yes, my lady.

Have you got your corsets off?

- Nanny. - Oh.

Well, whatever she was or might have been,

she's very keen on helping to bring up the baby.

I think you'll find her enthusiasm quite touching.

But I don't want to concern myself with her feelings.

I merely wish for somebody to help

with the menial tasks around the nursery.

You know, it can't be good for you to be without your corsets.

But it's much more comfortable.

Ah, Sarah, come in.

You wanted me, my lady.

You remember Nanny Webster, of course, from Southwold.

Oh, yes, my lady.

You take your time.

Huh, absurd.

Quite absurd.

Absurd.

I suppose this was perpetrated

by one of those fashionable, modern decorators.

Quite unsuitable.

This is the night nursery.

Well, I know.

What are these?

- They're feeding bottles. - Feeding bottles?

Well, we shan't be needing those for months.

- Put them away. - Oh, yes, we will.

Miss Elizabeth's bottle-feeding the baby.

- Is she, indeed? - Yes, Nanny.

I shall have words with madam when she returns.

A baby should always be fed by mother.

I suppose you approve of these fashionable, modern notions.

Well, go down and fetch up the nursery lunch.

But the baby's not even home yet.

She'll have her dinner down here with us.

I tried to tell her that, Mrs. Bridges,

but she won't budge, honest.

Who does she blimmin' well think she is?

Ooh. Duchess of Southwold or something?

She says from now on,

she's to have all her meals in the nursery.

Oh, well, she can think again.

And she says you're to out all the fat off her meat.

What? If she imagines I've got nothing better to do...

Now, what's all the trouble, Mrs. Bridges?

It's Nanny, Mr. Hudson.

She won't have her meals down here with us.

- won't she? - No. She's ever so determined.

I said to her...

Lady Muck is too grand to have her dinner down here with us.

She hasn't changed.

Perhaps for today, Sarah, just for today,

since Nanny's just arrived.

Yes. I expect everything will be all right

when Mrs. Kirbridge gets back.

Welcome home, Mrs. Kirbridge.

Thank you, Hudson.

I must say, it's nice to be home.

Edward, would you take my case up for me?

EDWARD: Yes, madam.

Can I have a peep, madam?

Oh, ain't she lovely?

ELIZABETH: That's what everyone keeps saying.

SARAH: She got a lot of hair.

I never realized they had so much hair.

She's ever so like you, madam.

Rubbish. They all look like the late queen -- babies.

Where's my mother, Hudson?

Oh, her ladyship is out, madam.

We weren't expecting you till teatime.

Oh, I couldn't stand that place another moment.

There you are, Sarah. There's your charge.

I'm dying for a glass of sherry.

Will you take her up to Nanny for me?

Now, then.

Ain't you a little lambykins, eh?

Isn't she a little lambykins, Mr. Hudson?

Oh, very nice.

Hello, baby.

Oh, she has got a lot of hair, hasn't she?

I had none at all when I was born, so I believe.

SARAH: Come on, now. We'll go upstairs.

Give me that child.

- It's all right, Nanny. - Give me that child.

I've been waiting, my girl, Waiting for you.

I was just talking to Miss Elizabeth.

It's not your place, a girl the likes of you.

Mind little Lucy. You're holding her ever so tight.

And don't be familiar with baby.

She is "baby" to you at all times.

You're in no place to be familiar with baby.

You're to have nothing to do with her at all.

Do you understand? Nothing at all.

[ Hoofbeats ]

Oh, at last. Here they are.

MARJORIE: Priscilla dear.

And Harriet.

I'm so sorry we've kept you waiting.

Well, we conscientious godparents,

we were a little early, weren't we, Harriet?

Morning, Priscilla, Harriet.

A telegram arrived just as we were leaving.

I'm afraid my father's had another stroke.

Oh, dear.

I'll have to go back to Southwold again tomorrow.

Has the vicar not arrived yet?

Well, we haven't seen anyone so far.

S-Shall we go in, do you think?

No, we were to meet outside.

What do you think of your godchild, Priscilla?

Delightful.

Does she bite?

[ Hoofbeats ]

Elizabeth looks frightfully well, doesn't she?

Lawrence, there was really no need for you to come.

Just for the sake of appearances, that's all.

We must do things correctly.

What about afterwards at Eaton Place?

There'll be champagne.

I shan't let you down.

Good morning.

VICAR: Lady Marjorie, forgive my tardy appearance.

A parish meeting delayed me.

Are we all gathered?

MARJORIE: Yes, I think we are.

If we could start, Vicar.

I have to be back at Westminster by noon.

Ah, yes, of course. Affairs of state, what?

Well, come on in, everybody,

and we will baptize this child without further delay.

Oh, Lord, I do so hope I don't have to hold the infant.

I'm always so terrified its head's going to drop off

or something ghastly.

[Both chuckle]

[Organ music playing]

Godparents.

Baby. Splendid.

Need the baby.

A-And you'll be the father.

I'll be the father.

No doubt about that.

No doubt at all.

VICAR: Has this child been already baptized or no?

Uh, no.

Dearly beloved,

for as much as all men are conceived and born in sin

and that our saviour Christ

saith, "None can enter into the kingdom of God

except he be regenerate

and born anew of water and of the Holy Ghost,"

I beseech you to call upon God the Father

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

that of his bounteous mercy he will grant to this child

that thing which by nature she cannot have,

that she may be baptized with water and the Holy Ghost

and received into Christ's holy church

and be made a lively member of the same.

There, that's better, eh, baby?

Yes.

Here you are, Nanny. I'll do that.

You don't want Mrs. Bridges' best gammon and parsley

-getting cold, do you? -What I want and don't want

is a matter for myself and myself alone.

Oh, Mrs. Bridges says you was extra partial to gammon --

Mrs. Bridges can hold her tongue about my partialities.

Yes, Nanny.

You have to fold the corners, girl.

Don't just trample them under the mattress

as if they was old handkerchiefs.

No, Nanny.

There.

There.

Yes. Yes, baby.

Ah, ah, be careful with those robes, girl.

They have to go back to Southwold.

Priceless things, those robes.

[Sighs]

That is not a dress for baby's afternoon walk.

I suppose you want to make everybody in Eaton Place

think we've gone down in the world.

If you think we can tolerate ironing like that

in the nursery, you're making a big mistake.

I spent half an hour on that yesterday.

I can only say I am sorry that you have wasted half an hour.

I'll iron it again.

You will wash it again, that's what you'll do.

And you'll starch it and iron it

and go for it in nursery standards.

Yes, Nanny.

And next time,

you will remember that it is silk for the afternoon.

But, Nanny, yesterday --

Now, don't be impertinent.

Giving back answers.

You're very lucky to be even allowed in a nursery.

A girl like you.

I can't eat this. It's cold.

I will not eat cold food.

I suppose I shall have to content myself

with the custard, as usual.

We seem to live on nothing but custard these days.

-[ Baby crying] - Oh.

Ah, ah. I will attend to baby.

We told you, we do not wish you to handle baby at any time.

You're here to assist, not to handle.

- I was only gonna rock her. - Don't answer back.

And what are you doing with those?

They should be airing.

I was going to air --

Things should always be aired

before putting them on the child.

There, there.

Come on, come to Nanny.

Come to Nanny.

There's Nanny's little girl.

There's Nanny's girl.

There.

That's it.

[Grunts]

Well, pass me that bottle, whatever it is.

There.

You clumsy, stupid girl. Can't you do anything right?

- Nanny, it was you! - You're lucky it wasn't broke.

Now, listen to me, my girl,

one more instance of your impertinence,

one more instance of your appalling, slovenly ways,

and I'll have you dismissed.

Nurserymaid, indeed.

It's quite clear to me that you're more suited

to the scullery than to the nursery.

You should be washing dishes and scrubbing floors.

Just don't let me ever see you handling this baby

when my back is turned.

Not ever. Do you understand?

- But Lady Marj-- - Not ever.

There's a good girl.

ELIZABETH; What is it?

Madam?

ELIZABETH: Yes, Sarah, what do you want?

W-Well, madam --

I haven't much time, Sarah.

I do hope it's something important.

Well, it is a bit urgent, madam.

You haven't chosen the best of moments, have you?

Oh, this wretched hair of mine.

It's just that I think you ought to know what's going on,

-if you see what I mean. - No, I don't see what you mean.

- Oh, I do miss Rose. - Yes, madam.

Well, you see, it's about Nanny,

well, that is, me and Nanny, really.

Oh, dear, the very first evening I'm asked out,

and there has to be some little drama.

I don't actually want to be bothered with it now, Sarah.

I don't want to bother you, madam.

It's not that at all. It's about the baby.

My measurements have gone back to precisely what they were.

What do you think of that, Sarah?

It normally takes one months

to recover one's figure after having babies.

Yes, madam, but, um, getting back to Nanny.

It's not just that she's old.

I mean, there's nothing wrong in being just old,

but she don't seem to be able to manage proper,

as you would wish.

My gloves.

You see, madam,

I don't think she's suitable to look after a baby.

Not a little baby, really she isn't.

And are you suitable to tell me? Really, Sarah.

Who could be more suitable to look after a baby than Nanny?

You're talking nonsense.

I'm not, madam. I've seen her do things --

Nanny Webster has been in this family since my mother was born.

She brought me up. She brought up my brother.

She brought all of us up.

And if that doesn't make her suitable.

I'm just afraid she'll do something foolish.

I hardly think she's the sort of person to do something foolish.

Now, would you get me my wrap?

And if you think that perhaps you are more suitable than Nan--

My wrap.

I should have thought you would have been able to cope.

I didn't know I'd have to cope with Nanny.

I need a new dress. I need lots of new dresses.

Look, perhaps if you had a word with her, madam.

Sarah, the very reason for Nanny Webster being here

is so that I do not have to keep going to have a word with her.

It is your baby!

My bag.

You haven't hardly seen her since you come home.

Pass me my bag.

Not proper.

Sarah!

You don't really care about her, do you?

Stupid, impudent girl! Get out of here.

Yes, madam.

My first evening out,

and you have to come sneaking in here to me

with your wretched servants' tittle-tattle.

You may go!

- Oh, my wretched hair. -[ Door slams]

Mmm, delicious.

Very good. Thank you, Mrs. Bridges.

I don't how I manage, all this toing and froing.

Froing and toing.

Meals in odd places, special orders.

Then half of it's left.

As if my work wasn't hard enough.

You manage because you're a saint, Mrs. Bridges.

Did you see that blackberry and apple last night?

Came back down untouched. Untouched.

Might just as well have been moldy.

Oh, it was a very nice pie, Mrs. Bridges, one of your best.

Absolutely, Mr. Hudson.

[Burps]

Pardon.

SARAH: God's truth.

MISS ROBERTS: Here comes the bearer of good tidings.

Them stairs -- I'll get fat legs.

What's the damage tonight, then, Sarah?

What's the news from the battlefront?

She don't like gravy with a lot of fat in it, Mrs. Bridges.

What?

SARAH: And in future, she'd like a separate gravy made special

in a little jug.

Oh, she would, would she?

We'll soon see about that.

Where are you going, Mrs. Bridges?

To see Nanny about her special gravy.

Now, Mrs. Bridges --

- we'll soon see about that. - Mrs. Bridges, I would --

It is nothing to do with you, Mr. Hudson.

Can't expect you to begin to understand

how a cook feels when she's been insulted.

Fatty gravy, indeed.

No, I-I'm quite sure I cannot possibly imagine

the pain you are feeling, Mrs. Bridges.

When she left all that

beautiful gammon and parsley the other day.

It is just a question of dignity.

Yes.

And my dignity has been hurt, Mr. Hudson, I can tell you.

Nothing hurts a cook's dignity more

than chance remarks about her gravy.

Oh, we all know what an excellent cook you are,

Mrs. Bridges, and we all appreciate it.

But if Nanny Webster chooses to fiddle about with the good food,

that, then, is Nanny Webster's loss, not yours.

We don't want her to think that she's getting the better of you.

Oh, well, if you put it like that.

Let her stew in her own juice, eh, Mrs. Bridges, not yours?

That is the general idea, Edward, yes.

Perhaps you're right.

- Yes. - Good.

But I'm having no more special orders.

SARAH: You lot.

Honestly.

All you lot care about

is whether Nanny wants the fat out off her meat

or whether she likes your stupid blackberry-and-apple tart.

Huh, such eloquence.

Not whether she's a fit and proper person

to look after a little baby.

We thought that was your concern, Sarah,

your private territory.

For all you lot care, she could be standing it on its head

and feeding it neat gin, for all you lot care.

Of course, we all know how much you do, Sarah,

how much you care.

Yes, you do, Miss Roberts.

HUDSON: Sarah!

I've just been discussing the matter of one's dignity,

and Mrs. Bridges, being a woman of sufficient experience,

understood what I was talking about.

It does not enhance us as servants to lose our dignity,

and I would remind you, Sarah, of that fact.

And I'm surprised I even need mention it to you, Miss Roberts.

Now, I want no more of this time-wasting squabbling

between servant persons -- no more of it.

Do you understand?

We've got a house to run.

We must make sure that it is run efficiently.

That means a little baby's got to learn to run efficiently.

HUDSON: Sarah.

So she can fit into your neat pattern of things,

into your lovely, Well-run household.

Oh, Sarah, I've had quite enough of your melodramatics.

You -- You dramatize everything quite out of proportion.

And since you're constantly reminding us

of how you're no longer in the employ of the kitchen floor,

I will be extremely grateful if you confine your dramas

to the floor where they belong, the nursery floor.

Oh, you don't understand, any of you.

[ Sobbing ]

And you can take that stupid look off your face, Edward.

Now then, little Lucy,

Now then, little Lucy,

first of all, We're gonna soap you all over.

Make a nice, clean girl, eh?

That's right.

Now then, to rinse it all off.

Oh, ever so careful.

There you are.

Mind your head.

Oh, that's nice, isn't it, eh?

Brr.

A little swim.

That's right.

Rinse it all off.

You don't want to stay in too long.

You'll get cold, won't you?

Now then, mind your head. That's it.

Oh. There's a clever girl.

There you are now.

Oh, is that nice, eh?

Now you're a pretty girl, isn't you?

When you grow up, you're gonna be the prettiest girl

in the whole of Eaton Place.

Probably be a princess.

Marry a prince if there's one going.

Shall we sing a little song now, eh?

Warm up.

♫ London Bridge is falling down ♫

♫ Falling down, falling down ♫

♫ London Bridge is falling down ♫

You hussy.

I expressly told you

you were to have nothing to do with that child.

- It's all right, Nanny. - It is not all right.

I'll have you dismissed.

- But, Nanny, it's all right. - Give me that baby.

- Honestly, Nanny. - Give me that ba-

Aah!

Ohh.

You stupid, clumsy girl.

Yes.

Just as well I was only practicing.

If only her ladyship were home, I could tell her.

I've weighed out them raisins.

She'd listen. I could tell her. She'd understand.

Oh, fuss, fuss.

No, Mrs. Bridges, you've no idea what it's like up there.

- Oh. - Honestly, Mrs. Bridges,

I'm afraid to leave that baby alone...with her.

[ Chuckles ]

We won't let any harm come to baby, will we?

'Course we won't.

'Cause Nanny's looked after you all, hasn't she,

for nearly 50 years.

There's Lady Marjorie.

That's Granny.

Granny.

Hm.

And his young lordship and Uncle James

and then Mummy and now baby Lucy.

[ Baby fusses, cries]

Oh, we want our supper, don't we?

'Course we do.

Must be getting late.

Oh.

[Grunts]

Oh, this room is so dismal.

We must have some more light on here, mustn't we?

We shan't be able to see what we are doing, hmm?

-[ Crying continues] - All right, all right.

Oh, doesn't seem to make much difference.

Gas was much more satisfactory.

Now, what was I gonna do?

Oh, yes.

Oh, if only that wretched, stupid girl

would leave everything ready.

If only she knew her job.

That's right.

Aah!

Oh.

It was only in odd patches at first.

Just odd patches.

[ Baby crying ]

All right, my love, Nanny's coming.

[Grunts]

There.

All right, my pet, don't you worry.

No.

Nanny look after you, yes.

There you are.

Oh, dear, going to do your old crying.

That's a good girl.

There.

There. Nanny look after you, won't she?

Mm.

Just as she's looked after all the rest.

Yes.

There.

Yes, and you need Nanny, don't you, my sweetie?

Yes.

And Nanny there.

You need Nanny, don't you?

[ Baby crying ]

[Crying stops]

[Crying resumes]

[Knock on door]

Yes?

[ Door opens ]

Madam?

Ah, Sarah! Sarah, come in.

I feel just in the mood for a chat.

Madam -- - Oh, I'm so bored up here.

Now, how is everything?

Well, that's what I want to talk to you about.

Everything, that is. - Good, good.

I'm just in the mood to hear everything talked about.

Yes, well --

How's the baby?

The baby?

- The baby's fine. - Good.

She's still taking her bottle all right?

Yes. Well --

And you're managing better with Nanny now.

Well, not exactly.

That's what I want to talk to you about.

Not again. No more tales from the nursery floor, please.

They are not tales from the nursery floor, madam.

They're tales concerning your baby.

Sometimes, Sarah, I find you most dreadfully sullen,

particularly when I'm in the middle of such a good book.

Oh, I'm sorry, madam.

I didn't mean your baby to interfere with your good book.

Not only sullen, Sarah, but rather impertinent.

Because I agreed you should help look after the baby,

it doesn't follow that I agreed

you should help look after me, as well.

It's not that at all.

It's just...

I love that little baby like she was me own.

You mean you'd like to make her your own?

No.

Well, you can't, because she's mine.

I'm sorry, Sarah, but I'm just very tired still.

And I'm tired of people

coming in and out of my room all day long

with various stupid theories about babies

and what to do with them and what not to do with them.

I'm just very tired still.

Perhaps you don't fully realize

just how tired one feels after you've had a baby.

I know how you feel.

And it's because of that

that I want to make sure that little Lucy's looked after

the way a baby should be looked after.

Because I do know how you feel.

I'm sorry, Sarah.

That was very thoughtless.

I should have remembered.

Nothing left to remember now.

Tell me what's the matter.

Well, ever so early this morning,

I heard the baby crying,

so I crept down to the night nursery,

and I seen the baby lying there.

Now we've got rid of all that nasty windies,

we go back in our cot, shall we?

Yes, of course we will.

What a good baby it is.

Oh.

What a silly old Nanny we are, aren't we?

There. That's better, isn't it?

- Now we'll have a -- - Nanny.

[ Gasps ] Oh, Elizabeth, you startled me.

Hello, Nanny.

Nanny likes people to knock on the nursery door

before they come in.

It's essential for the avoidance of accidents.

Well, coming creeping into a room like that

can make something silly occur.

Sorry, Nanny.

Nursery discipline is nursery discipline,

and everybody must observe it.

Yes, Nanny.

Now, once you give in to one thing,

it's the foot in the door.

And a nursery can go downhill faster than anything.

One moment law and order, the next moment chaos.

Of course, Nanny. I understand.

Hmm. Nanny would be very surprised if you do.

Remembering your idea of tidiness,

I should be very surprised

if you had a notion of what I'm talking about.

I do understand, Nanny. Really I do.

You've never been one for babies, have you, Elizabeth?

Other little girls loved their dollies, but not you.

You'd always be rather playing around with the dogs

or clambering up trees.

And every Christmas,

your poor father would bring you beautiful dolls,

prettiest you could wish to see,

but they just sat on the nursery shelf gathering dust.

Complete waste of money.

Perhaps Lucy might like all my old dolls.

Oh, she might.

She has no daddy to buy them for her.

- Nanny. Nanny, I was -- - You know, in my opinion,

it was a great pity about that business, Elizabeth.

A nice young man like that, and you couldn't be happy with him.

Nanny, I did not come here to talk about --

Things aren't always what we expect.

I want to --

Now, Nanny doesn't like people

standing about in the nursery gossiping,

so I think it would be just as well if you were to go now.

Nanny.

We must allow nothing to interfere with nursery routine.

- I actually came to ask -- - Run along, dear,

and Nanny will bring baby down to see you after tea.

I shall be out.

Oh, well, that's entirely your own affair.

As I said, you were never one for playing with your dollies.

Nice to see you back, my lady.

Sir.

You must be bored stiff of saying that, Hudson.

Sir?

Up and down to the country like I don't know what.

Jack-in-the-box.

How's everyone, Hudson? The baby, how's little Lucy?

ELIZABETH: Mama. - Oh, hello, darling.

I must speak to you at once.

You look so much better. Doesn't she look better, Richard?

- Mm. - Not nearly so tired.

- Now, has -- - Mama, I have to speak to you.

It's a matter of great urgency, really.

Don't bother to inquire

after your poor old grandfather, will you?

You might be in danger of seeming concerned.

I'm sorry, Papa. How is he?

A little better but still very ill.

What's the matter, darling?

Do we have to talk about -- in the hall?

Let's go inside.

Well, what is this matter of great urgency?

It's Nanny and the baby.

RICHARD: Nanny and the --

My dear, I'm sure you'll quite understand

if I retire to the club at this moment.

I'll be back in time for dinner.

- Mama -- - Now, calm yourself, darling.

Sit down.

I didn't believe Sarah at first, but I do now.

Didn't believe Sarah about what?

About Nanny.

You see, Sarah came to me and said that Nanny wasn't suitable,

that she was too old to look after a baby,

and naturally, at first I thought --

- That she was jealous. Exactly.

But I believe her now, because I've seen it for myself.

Mama, she can't even carry the baby properly

Without bumping into things.

I can't think why she doesn't wear spectacles.

She'd never admit to needing them.

The other night she fell asleep with the baby in her arms,

and Sarah found her almost suffocating her.

Nanny's always been so reliable. I just can't believe this.

You'll have to send her back to Southwold.

She's not fit to look after a baby,

and she's too old to be told.

- You tried telling her, did you? - Yes.

Remembering your relationship with her,

that must have been a somewhat difficult task.

She won't be told anything, least of all by me.

"Now, Elizabeth, you know what you're like,

and you never did like dolls."

As if that had anything to do with it.

I'll speak to her.

Yes, but speak to Sarah, as well.

You must hear what she has to say.

I intend to hear what they both have to say.

[ Door opens ]

She'll see you now, Nanny.

MARJORIE: Ah, come in, Nanny dear.

Now, Nanny has a host of things to do in the nursery, my lady.

Never mind about them. Come and sit down next to me.

Now, you like your coffee nice and sweet, don't you?

I've very little time for sitting about gossiping.

I know, but I've hardly had time to talk to you

since you arrived, so I do feel a bit guilty,

especially as there seem to have been

one or two unforeseen difficulties.

Difficulties?

Yes, I hadn't realized there'd be quite so many complications.

NANNY: That young girl, that Sarah,

she's the only complication,

with her head full of fiddle-faddle.

She'd be the bane of any nursery.

It must be a great strain for you.

A great strain indeed.

Well, for someone like you

to have to cope with all these extra complications.

I'd be all right if I could be left alone

to get on with my work,

if I could just be left in peace.

Nanny dear, you see, I was afraid of this,

of it proving too much for you.

It was grossly unfair of me to drag you out of retirement

without explaining properly

that I-l only wanted you to supervise, as it were.

Supervise?

And not to feel you had to run the whole --

Supervise?

I've been a nanny all my life, not a supervisor,

whatever that may be.

I nannied you when I was hardly more than a girl.

Yes.

You were always beautiful.

The best of all my babies.

Oh, fiddly little china you have nowadays.

There's nothing substantial in this house.

It was a wedding present, Nanny. Don't you remember it?

From Lord and Lady Salisbury.

Oh.

Which reminds me,

James sent this from India for Lucy's christening.

A little late, I'm afraid.

Oh!

Oh, there. What is it?

It's a -- It's a teething ring, isn't it?

NANNY: Teething ring?

MARJORIE: There.

You can take it up to her, can't you?

Very well, my lady.

It is going to be too much for you, isn't it, Nanny,

with the stairs and everything?

And, you see, we do really need someone who's a little stronger.

But, Lady Marjorie --

Now, Nanny, I know that you'd soldier on

without saying a word, and I blame myself entirely

for not considering all the problems, especially the stairs.

You've been listening to tittle-tattle, child.

It was thoughtless of me, to say the least,

to expect you to manage those on top of everything else.

Everything el--

Yes, the stairs, I'm afraid, are a little much for me.

Of course, nurserymaids are the worst sort of gossip I know.

We had one at Southwold. Oh!

I passed your cottage when I was at Southwold.

It's so pretty

and so convenient for you to share with Miss Bains.

That Miss Bains is an extremely untidy old woman.

And the roses are so lovely at this time of year.

[ Sniffles ]

So, thank you, Nanny.

Yes.

And, of course, I'll make all the necessary arrangements.

Yes. [ Sniffles ]

Yes.

Of course, it is the stairs more than anything.

But the baby needs me.

Oh, I'll bring Lucy to see you. We'll all come and see you.

You were never clumsy.

No.

We'll come and see you.

You've got your corsets off again.

Oh, Nanny.

Are you coming upstairs, madam?

Upstairs? What for?

To have tea with us -- me and Lucy.

Yes, all right.

Goodbye, my pet.

[ Smooches ] Goodbye, Nanny.

I trust you'll have a pleasant journey back, Nanny.

Thank you, Hudson.

I'm glad to say I've always been a good traveller.

Always.

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