All language subtitles for Howards.End.S01E01.WEBRip.x264-ION10-English

[ Theme music ]

[ Pad of his footsteps ]

[ Music resumes ]

[ Horn honks ]

My darling sister.

It isn't going to be
at all what we expected.

The house is old and quaint
and altogether delightful.

Red brick.

The hall itself
is practically a room.

From there, you go right
or left into dining room
or drawing room.

Straight ahead
there are the stairs
going up to the first floor.

Three bedrooms there
and three attics above.

There's a very big witch elm
at the back of the house.

I quite love that tree
already.

And of course
more ordinary trees.

Flower beds, bluebells,
forget-me-nots.

Peonies,
irises and azaleas.

And a wisteriaand clematis
which grows all around the
house.

And now for
the family themselves.

[ Clicking ]

This morning I was awakened
by a clicketing sound

- coming from the garden.
- [ Clicking continues ]

- Oh, blast!
- It was Charles,
the older son,

practicing his croquet
on the lawn.

I must stress
the word practicing!

A bit later
I heard more clacketing.

[ Clacking ]

At first I thought
they were having a game.

But no. It was Mr. Wilcox
practicing his croquet.

Mr. Wilcox prefers
three hoops, Charles one.

After a bit comes
Miss Evie Wilcox.

She does exercises on
a calisthenics machine

that is hanging from
a pergola.

At last comes Mrs. Wilcox,

who is a creature of
a very different sort.

Because for all their
croquet and calisthenics,

Mrs. Wilcox seems,
of all of them,

to belong most completely
to Howards End.

And it to her.

Paul, younger son,
arrives this morning.

"Much love. Modified love to
Tibby. And love to Aunt Juley.

So good of her to come
and keep you company."

But what a bore for you.
Burn this.

"Will write again Thursday.
Helen."

But what sort of people are
these Wilcoxes, Margaret?

- I don't understand.
- I don't know any more
than you do.

We met them in Germany.
We had an awful expedition

from Heidelberg to Speyer to see
the old cathedral there.

We met the Wilcoxes
in the public gardens.

They hadn't any German. We
took some drives together.

Then they invited us to visit
them when we came home.

Then Tibby got hay fever
and Helen went on alone.

That's really
all I can tell you.

Oh, you girls have always been
so independent.

Isn't that generally reckoned to
be a good thing, Aunt Juley?

Well,
I'm sure I don't know.

But I have always thought
that the care of your sister
and brother

too great a burden to place upon
a young woman of your tender
years.

Your youth has practically
been thrown away on your
precious independence.

- "Practically"...?
- Yes, Margaret! It has.

Who is to say what the result
might have proved by now

had your father left you
in my care?

Which I know your dear mother
would have wished.

Oh, dear Aunt Juley, let's
not go over that again.

Poor Mother left it
up to Papa to decide.

Papa left it up to me and I
don't think I've done so badly
after all.

And I've always valued
your advice.

Yes, but you never take it.

Oh, I'm not saying you've done
badly by Helen and Tibby, dear.

- Just for yourself.
- Aunt Juley!

Excuse me, Miss, but Master
Tibby's asking for you again.

Thank you, Nancy.

Annie, I think you can clear
away the breakfast things now.

Yes, Miss.

[ Letterbox flap clacks ]

[ HELEN ] Dearest Meg,
I do wish you were here.

The Wilcoxes continue
to fascinate.

Miss Schlegel,
this is my brother Paul.

Paul, Miss Schlegel is stopping
with us for the week.

- How do you do?
- How do you do?

Paul, younger brother,
is quite the handsomest
of the lot.

But not a bit conceited nor
over-serious like Charles,

older brother.

Mr. Wilcox runs the Imperial
and West African Rubber Company

And says the most horrid
things so nicely!

When I said I believed in
equality between the sexes,

he gave me such a setting-down
as I have never had.

Like all really
strong people,

he did it without
hurting me.

My dear Miss Schlegel, there is
no equality among men.

How can there be equality
between men and women?

What civilization
has ever existed

on terms of perfect equality
among its constituents?

What household
for that matter?

Only Paul tried
to come to my rescue

but he was quite
over-matched.

But then oughtn't
your anti-Suffragists

- object to being ruled
by a woman for 63 years?
- Bosh!

- 64.
- No, it was 63.
- Why is it bosh?

You can't say "bosh" just when
someone disagrees with you.

You can if it is bosh.

It's bosh because the
exception proves the rule.

And you will search in vain
for as violent an enemy

of your Suffragists
as the late queen.

But, well, wasn't that
hypocrisy in her?

Not at all.

- Bosh!
- [ All laugh ]

There was no hypocrisy in it.

It showed her perfect
disinterest in the controversy.

"In five minutes he took up
everything we were raised
to believe in

and ripped it
entirely to shreds.

It was lovely."
Oh, dear.

One sound man of business
does more good to the world

than a dozen of
your social reformers.

- Oh!
- "But I have saved
the best part for last."

Well, I dread to hear it.

I do suppose the arguments
against women's suffrage

are frightfully strong,
Mrs. Wilcox.

Are they? I never follow
any arguments.

I'm only too thankful not
to have to vote myself.

Would you pour the coffee,
please, Mazy? Thank you.

And suddenly the discussion
was over.

I was never so much
surprised in my life.

So you see, Meg, I've got
everything upside-down again.

It's not Mr. Wilcox
who rules at Howards End,

but his wife.

She slams no doors,
states no facts.

And does no calisthenics.

They worship and obey her.

It makes one worship them
in turn.

Why our Helen should be so
charmed to find

her deepest convictions
so easily disaggregated,

I simply cannot imagine.

I think she's infatuated
with the lot of them.

- [ Music plays ]
- [ Laughter ]

[ Music drowns out
Mr. Wilcox's voice ]

[ Music drowns out speech ]

Off we go! Onwards!

They sound to me quite the
wrong sort of people for Helen.

Not our sort of people
at all.

They are rather
a breath of fresh air.

Sometimes I feel that
we are swathed in cant.

And it's good for us to be
stripped of it.

- Stripped of what, dear?
- Cant. Argot.
Jargon. Hypocrisy.

Sanctimoniousness.

Sometimes I long
for someone dominating

to tell me that my ideas
are sheltered and academic.

That equality's...

Bosh!

- Socialism?
- Dangerous bosh.

Art and literature.

Margaret!

- Bosh!
- It's really too much.

Except of course when conducive
to strengthening the character.

Of course!

You have a strong character,
Miss Schlegel.

Yes. It has been strengthened
by art and literature.

Aha! You prove my point.

[ Mr. Wilcox laughs ]

You are really
the most peculiar girls.

[ Laughs ]

Yes, my darling Meg. One
by one my Schlegel fetishes
have been overthrown.

The Wilcox men
see everything with such
freshness and clarity

that nothing seems
to muddle them.

The ruin dates from
the 11th century.

We can stop here
for half an hour,

still be in time for
some cricket.

- [ Paul chuckles ]
- [ Panting ]

[ AUNT JULEY ] But surely,
Margaret, dear,

you can find in yourself
no answering feeling

for that kind of push?

No, but I do sometimes
think that the real world

has been marching past us
for some time now.

And there's nothing wrong with
Helen joining the parade for a
week or two.

If only to ensure that we're
not wholly and entirely
left behind.

Well, I for one have
never marched in a parade.

And I have no wish
to do so now.

You and Helen may do
as you choose, of course.

Oh, don't let's worry
about Helen.

Her head may be
easily turned

but it does go on turning,
if you see what I mean.

That's why it's got so much more
sense in it than most people's.

At least...
sometimes it does.

Miss Schlegel.

I...

- Helen.
- Yes. Do.

[ Horse and carriage
approaching ]

[ HELEN ]
Dearest, dearest Meg.

I do not know what
you will say.

Paul, younger son,
and I are in love.

Oh, dear.

But this is far too sudden,
surely.

Has the young man
made an offer?

She doesn't say.

Our Helen is not a girl
to be trifled with.

And if he's not
made an offer...

She doesn't say, Aunt Juley.

What's to be done?

I don't think anything
needs doing. But I must
go down to see her.

Margaret, dear... quite frankly,
you won't be offended,

I feel you are not
up to this business.

This requires
an older person.

You Schlegels,
you are so impetuous.

You see far too many people
here: unshaven musicians,

actresses, even.
German cousins.

- Oh, Aunt Juley!
- Acquaintances picked up
in foreign hotels.

Disaster was bound to come.

How lucky I happened to be
on the spot when it came.

You would say the wrong thing.
For a certainty you would.

In your anxiety
for Helen's happiness,

you would offend the whole
of these Wilcoxes

by asking one of your
impetuous questions.

I shall ask no questions.

I have it from Helen
that she is in love.

There is no question to ask
as long as she keeps to that.

A long engagement
if you like...

- But is there an engagement?
- I don't know, Aunty.

I presume,
if they're in love.

Well, in that case, dear,
why go down?

Because I love her
and I must be near her

in this crisis in her life.

If only to say "Brava"
for finding happiness
and, "Here I am, Helen."

Oh, if you can't see that,
I can't explain it to you.

- But...
- Aunt Juley, I must go
to Howards End myself.

I can never thank you
properly for offering.

I mean to go down tomorrow
if Tibby is well enough
and that's flat.

- [ Sneezes ]
- Oh, dear.

I told you I was worse.

He does seem a bit feverish.

I might stop breathing
at any moment.

I nearly suffocated
in my sleep last night.

I really ought to have
someone with me all the time.

Meg has promised to read to
me from Walter Savage Landor.

Oh, really? Tibby?

- Helen...
- I don't think
he's in any grave danger.

But I do recommend that
someone keep an eye on him.

There.

[ Voices chattering ]

Now, you will remember
not to be drawn into

any discussions about
an engagement, Aunt Juley?

Just give my letter to Helen

and say whatever you feel
yourself to her.

But only to her and, and
do keep clear of the relatives.

You may depend on me.

[ Train whistle ]

All over.
Wish I had never written.

Tell no-one. Helen.

Oh, crikey.

I want a house.
Its name is Howards Lodge.

- Do you know where it is?
- Mr. Wilcox?

- Oh, dear.
- Lady's wanting Howards End.

Excuse me asking, but are you
the younger Mr. Wilcox

or the elder?

The younger. Can I do
anything for you?

Oh, well... Really? Are you?

- My niece isn't with you
by any chance?
- No.

I came over with my father.

He's gone on north
on your train.

You'll see Miss Schlegel
at lunch.

- You're coming up to lunch,
I hope?
- Mm.

Oh, this is very good
of you. Very good indeed.

So, you see, we just heard
from Helen last night.

Oh, yes?

So naturally, I am very
anxious to talk to you.

[ Gears grind ]

Mr. Wilcox, Margaret
has told me everything.

- I have seen Helen's letter.
- I beg your pardon?

- I didn't catch.
- About Helen.

About Helen, of course.

I'm afraid I don't quite see
what you're getting at.

Helen, Mr. Wilcox.
My niece and you.

Miss Schlegel and myself?

I trust there's been
no misunderstanding.
You are Mr. Paul Wilcox?

I'm not.

Well, why did you say so
at the station?

Oh, I beg your pardon.
I said no such thing.

- My name is Charles.
- Charles?

Do you mean to say that
my brother Paul and Miss
Schlegel...

Good God!

- Mr. Wilcox. My niece...
- But he's going to Africa.

- The plans
have all been made.
- Well,

perhaps they have, Mr. Wilcox,
but we are not in Africa now.

Has he promised to marry her?

- Well, I have no such
information, Mr. Wilcox.
- Idiot! Idiot!

- My niece...
- [ Aunt Juley cries out ]

Let me tell you, the thing's
impossible and must be stopped.

Yes, it is impossible.
Yes, it will be stopped
and I shall stop it.

I warn you,
Paul hasn't a penny.

Well, there's no need
to warn us, Mr. Wilcox.

The warning
is all the other way.

My niece is
a very exceptional person.

- He couldn't think of
marrying for years.
- I will not stand idle...

It must be a woman
who can stand the climate.

..on people who will not
appreciate... Will you let me
finish?

No!

All I know is she's spread
the thing and he hasn't.

- He's ashamed to tell us.
- Will you please let me
out of this motor car?

He knows
he's been a damn fool.

- Aunt Juley!
- Paul!

Oh, my poor Helen!

I've just had a telegram
from Margaret.

- Paul!
- I meant to stop you coming.
It's over.

- Paul!
- Over?

- Aunt Juley, don't, please.
- Paul!

Don't let them know
I've been so silly.

- It wasn't anything.
- Paul!

- Is there any truth to this?
- Don't let them know.

- They are never to know.
- I didn't...

- I don't...
- Yes or no, man?
Plain question. Plain answer.

- Did or didn't
Miss Schlegel...?
- Charles?

Miss Schlegel.

Would you take your aunt
up to your room?

Or to my room
if you think that's best.

Paul, do find Evie.
Tell her lunch for six.

But I'm not sure we shall
all be downstairs for it.

Mother!

Are you aware that Paul
has been playing the fool
with that girl?

It's alright. They have
broken off their engagement.

Engagement?!

They do not love any longer
if you prefer it put that way.

Hm.

Would you please
put the car away?

Come in for lunch.

Yes...Mother.

[ Engine revs ]

Walk on.

It was the silliest thing.
It was over at once.

As soon as I went into the
dining room the next morning,
I knew it was no good.

There was Evie managing
the tea urn.

I can't explain.

And Mr. Wilcox reading
the Times and...

Charles talking to Paul
about stocks and shares.

He looked so frightened.

And, and when I saw
all the others so placid

with their newspapers
and Paul mad with terror,

in case I said
the wrong thing...

It was awful.

[ Strained ] Good morning.

Good morning.

Ohh!
Meg, it was too idiotic.

I felt for a moment that
the whole Wilcox family
was a fraud.

Just a wall of newspapers
and motor cars and golf clubs.

And that if it fell, I should
find nothing behind it

but panic and...emptiness.

And somehow I saw
Mr. Wilcox behind
the whole miserable affair,

reading his Times, thinking
his mercenary thoughts.

Reclining in his little
kingdom with Charles
and Evie and Paul,

his little toy soldiers,
not real people at all.

And Mrs. Wilcox
his only master.

And then...

Uh, Miss Schlegel. I... If you
could just...let me...

I'm dreadfully sorry
if I...

- Oh, please...
- You see...

I leave for Africa
in a couple of months.

Nigeria, in fact. And I
should like you to know

that if I were free,
I should feel obliged to...
..well, to...

- Please...
- It, it, it, it's wrong
to lead a girl and...

- I was brought up...
- Please, don't go on.
It was nothing.

Paul? Anything wrong?

And when I couldn't get to the
station to send another
telegram...

It's been
a disgusting business.

- And to think that...
- And to think...

that because you and a
young man meet for a moment,

there must be all
these telegrams and anger.

Do you think personal
relations lead to sloppiness
in the end?

Oh, Meg,
that's what I felt.

Only, not so clearly when the
Wilcoxes were so competent

and seemed to have their
hands on all the ropes.

You don't feel that way now?

I remember Paul at breakfast.

I shall never forget him.

He had nothing
to fall back upon.

Tibby, dear,
you feeling any better?

I suppose so.

Hello, Helen. How are
all your Wilcoxes, then?

- Don't tease her, Tibby.
- I'm sorry.

Cheer up, old pal.

Someone's bound to marry you
one of these days.

- No, thanks.
- But they are.

What about me?
Am I never to marry, Tibby?

Oh, gosh, no.

You could.
You don't want anyone!

Don't I?

And soon,
no-one will want you.

Yes, they will!

But they shan't have her,
shall they, Tibbs?

I shouldn't think so.

[ Hum of motor car passing ]

[ Low hum of conversation ]

[ AUNT JULEY ] Who's that
sitting next to Helen?

[ MEG ] I don't know.

♪ BEETHOVEN: 5th Symphony

Good afternoon.
Auf Wiedersehen. Guten Tag.

I must say...

Margaret, is Helen alright?

- Oh, yes.
- She's always running away
in the middle of a program.

Excuse me.

That lady has quite
inadvertently taken my umbrella.

Oh, goodness gracious me.
I'm so sorry.

Tibby, run after Helen.

I shall miss the
Four Serious Songs if I do.

- It isn't
of any consequence.
- Course it is!

Tibby, you must go. Tibby.

- [ Applause ]
- Oh, well, can't go now.

- My sister is so careless.
- Not at all.

If you gave me
your address...

Not at all. Not at all.

That is where we live.

If you prefer, you could
call for your umbrella
after the concert.

Though I don't like to trouble
you. It's been all our fault.

[ Male solo ]

Oh, dear. It's the Brahms.

Please, allow me.

Oh, that really isn't
necessary. But thank you.

- May I carry your program
for you?
- I'm really quite able.

Oh. Thank you.

It was a fine program today,
was it not?

The Beethoven was fine.
I don't like the Brahms,
though.

When my work permits
I attend the gallery
for the Royal Opera.

- Oh?
- This year
I've been three times.

To Faust, Tosca
and...the Tannhauser.

Yeah, hmm.

Surely you haven't forgotten
the sound of the drums

steadily beating
on the low C, Aunt Juley?

- No-one could.
- An especially loud part.

No, no. Between the scherzo
and the finale.

Do you think music's
so different to pictures?

I...

I should have thought so.
Sort of.

So should I. Now, my sister
declares they're just the same.

Do you agree, Mr. Bast?

Oh, thank you. We have
great arguments over it.

She says I'm dense.
I say she's sloppy.

Doesn't that seem absurd
to you?

What's the point of the arts
if they're interchangeable?

At the moment I think music
is in a very serious state.

- Yes.
- Of course, the real
villain is Wagner.

[ Horse hooves clopping ]

Well, uh, I do hope you stay
for tea, Mr. Bast.
We should be so glad.

We've dragged you
so far out of your way.

Tibby, do you have
the latchkey?

Course, I've forgotten mine.

- Here.
- Oh, never mind.

Helen, let us in.

- [ Knocking at door ]
- Let us in!
- Alright!

It's alright, Annie.

Helen! You've been taking
this gentleman's umbrella from
the Prince Regent's Hall

- and he's had the trouble of
coming all this way for it.
- Taken what?

- Oh!
- Helen, you shouldn't be
so ramshackle.

I do nothing but steal
umbrellas. I'm so very sorry.

Do come in and choose one.

Annie, another place
for tea, please.

Is yours a hooky
or a knobbly?

Mine's a knobbly. At least
I think it is.

Tibby! Do tell the maids
to hurry tea up.

What about this one?

No, it's all gone along
the seams. It's an appalling
umbrella. Must be mine.

No, it's mine.

Thank you.

Sorry to have put you
to the trouble.

Oh, but, I...

- Goodbye.
- But will you stop...?

Thank you. Goodbye.

Now, Helen,
how stupid you've been.

- Whatever have I done?
- Well, don't you see?
You frightened him away.

I meant him to stop for tea.

You oughtn't to talk about
stealing or holes in umbrellas.

It won't do
a bit of good now.

Oh! Do stop!

[ AUNT JULEY ] Well, I
daresay it's for the best.

We know nothing about
the young man, Margaret.

He might have stolen
something.

Oh, Aunt Juley, how can you?

You make me
more and more ashamed.

We could have let him
have the spoons.

If you don't drink the tea
now it will lose the aroma.

Well, I didn't find the young
man especially distinguished.

You girls always have the most
extraordinary people here.

I just cannot
account for it.

I don't say he was
distinguished. That's just it.

He said the most ordinary
things imaginable
about Faust and Tosca

but he was so keen.
He had such nice, kind eyes.

Have you got a cigarette,
Meg?

I suppose he was
very good-looking.

If only his face
was not so thin.

Did you notice his right-hand
cuff was frayed and he kept
tucking it in?

I never notice the way
anyone looks or dresses.

That's because you're
what is called attractive.

If you weren't you shouldn't
notice anything else.

At all events, I do think
we might have taken Mr. Bast
into the dining room.

I'm really distressed
he had no tea.

One more failure for Helen.

Aunt Juley, did you really
not hear the drum beating
on the low C all the time?

- Oh, shut up!
- Tibby, don't go on, will you?
- But it is unmistakable.

[ Low hum of conversation ]

[ Locomotive ]

- Good evening, Mr. Bast.
- Good evening,
Mr. Cunningham.

[ Dog barks ]

Hello?

- [ Rattle and thud ]
- Hello, Jacky.

Hello, Len.

- [ Door closes ]
- [ She sighs ]

- You alright?
- Yes.

Give us a kiss, darling.

Did you hear the concert?

I did, yes.

- What was it?
- Oh.

A classical concert
at the Prince Regent's Hall.

- What book is it?
- It's just...

[ Train rumbles by ]

I love you, Lenny.

Jacky...

You mustn't mind if I...

Well, you mustn't mind me.

I don't mind you, darling.

[ Book drops ]

Ooh.

Book mark.

Mr. Wilcox!

- Miss Schlegel!
- How extraordinary!
How do you do?

- How do you do?
- Yes, very well. Thank you.

How does Mrs. Wilcox do?

Very well. Very well. She's,
uh... She's just upstairs.

Upstairs? But...? Has...?

- We've taken a flat here.
- A flat? Have you really?

- Yes, we've just moved in.
There's Evie, my daughter.
- Oh, Evie!

I've been longing
to meet her.

Evie! Ah. Evie!

Ah, well... [ Laughs ]

Mr. Wilcox, you know we live
just up the road?

Yes, I know. I know.
How does your sister do?

Helen? Oh...yes, very well.

Please remember me to her.

We must pop round
once we've settled in.

Evie will be so glad
to make your acquaintance.

- Oh, yes, you must.
- [ Vehicle approaches ]

- Yes, well...this is jolly.
- Yes!

Uh, will you excuse me? My
wife will be expecting me.

- There's so much to do.
- Yes. Of course.

- Please give her my regards.
- Indeed. Good morning.

[ AUNT JULEY ] But what a
dreadful coincidence!

Imagine the evenings. You'd
turn on an electric light
here or there

and it's almost
the same room.

One evening they may forget
to draw their blinds down

and you'll see them
and they'll see you.
Ohh...

Impossible to water
the plants or even to speak!

- Does Helen know?
- They've only just moved in.

But suppose Helen were to
meet Paul on the street.

- She cannot very well
not bow.
- Of course, she must bow.

We must bow. And pay calls
and leave cards.

But the other thing is dead.

Helen doesn't mind.
Neither must we.

Oh, if only I had not to go
home to Swanage tomorrow.

Just when you girls are
wanting me the most.
[ Sighs ]

What's dead and what doesn't
Helen mind?

Oh, my poor dear
broken-hearted girl.

Am I? What's the matter?

It's the Wilcoxes again.

They've taken a flat
across the street.

Have they?
Well, that's...

[ Laughs ] I...

Oh, Helen. You don't mind
them coming, do you?

Of course she does.

Of course you do.

Of course I don't mind.

Only you and Meg are being
so grave about it

when there's nothing
to be grave about at all.

- Are you alright?
- I'm fine.

- I'll look after her. Bye!
- Bye!

- Bye, Aunt Juley.
- Bye.

[ Piano playing ]

♪ Puff, puff, puff, puff

♪ Watching the smoke arising

♪ Puff, puff, puff, puff

♪ Soon you'll be realizing

♪ That which the poet
has written is true

♪ All love is
a practical joke

♪ For a woman is only...
- A Mrs. Wilcox
has left that for you.

♪ But a good cigar
is a smoke

Oh, bother. The whole family.

Why won't this woman
leave us alone?

Mrs. Wilcox has called.

Uh... Well, I am going to
Germany with Frieda, so...

Even if I were still in love
with Paul,

I should be perfectly safe.

Fortunately, I am not

but you may be sure I will
bob up and down in the street
like a Jack-in-the-box

- whenever I meet him.
- Oh, Helen.

- Blushing all the while for
acting the fool at Howards End.
- How would you know that?

Managing as best I can all
the same until the occasion
of my next colossal blunder.

Alright.

[ Music playing ]

- Auf Wiedersehen!
- Auf Wiedersehen!

[ MEG ] Dear Mrs. Wilcox.
I have to write something
discourteous.

It would be better
if we did not meet.

As far as I know, Helen no
longer occupies her thoughts
with your son.

Both my sister and my aunt
have given displeasure
to your family.

And it is therefore right
that our acquaintance,

which began so pleasantly
in Germany, should end.

Believe me. Yours truly,
Margaret Schlegel.

[ Bell tinkles ]

[ MRS. WILCOX ]
Dear Miss Schlegel,

you should not have written
me such a letter.

I called to tell you
that Paul has gone abroad.

Ruth Wilcox.

[ Music playing ]

I say, Meg! Can you turn
the pages for me?

- Good morning,
Miss Schlegel.
- Oh, Mrs. Wilcox.

I have made
the baddest blunder.

I'm more, more, more ashamed
and sorry than I can say.

I knew Paul was going to India
in November but I forgot.

He sailed on the 17th
for Nigeria.

In Africa.

I knew. I know.

I've been too absurd
all through.

I'm more sorry than I can say
and I hope you can forgive me.

It doesn't matter,
Miss Schlegel.

It is good of you
to have come round so promptly.

It does matter.
I've been rude.

And my sister is not even at
home, so there's not even that
as an excuse.

- Indeed?
- She's just gone away
to Germany.

She gone as well?

- I see.
- Well, you've been worrying
too. I can see that you have.

[ Sighs ] I did think it best
that they didn't meet again.

- Now why?
- That is the most
difficult question.

I think you put it best in your
letter. It was just an instinct.

Which may be wrong.

I am always so anxious
to protect Helen.

When really it is we that
should be protected from her!

I don't mean that she's
foolish or thoughtless.

But her mind goes along so
quickly and she rushes in
everywhere.

Rather as I am now.

I've raised her, you see.

And her brother.

Ever since our father died.
And they were still quite young

and I...was quite young
myself.

As I didn't
wholly understand.

Oh, I shouldn't have sent my
aunt away on such a commission.

I would have come myself, only,
Tibby was in bed with hay fever.

But I do hope it's
perfectly alright now.

- Yes.
- [ Knock at door ]

- [ Door opens ]
- Yes, I'm sure it is.

Well, I must be going.
You'll be getting up.

No, please.
Stop a little longer.

I'm taking a day in bed.
Now and then I do.

I thought of you
as one of the early risers.

At Howards End, yes.
There's nothing to
get up for in London.

Well, nothing to get up for?

What with all the winter
exhibitions...

Ysaye playing in the afternoon,
not to mention people.

The truth is,
I'm a little tired.

First came the wedding
and then Paul went off.

And instead of resting
yesterday

I did a round of calls and
now my family have gone to
Yorkshire for a fortnight.

So you find me
quite on my own.

- Wedding?
- Yes.

Charles, my older son,
is married.

- Indeed.
- Yes.

There's a photograph of
Charles and Dolly,

that is the name of his wife,
in the double frame.

She's very pretty.

Her father and Charles
belong to the same club

and are both devoted to golf.

Dolly plays golf too.
Though I believe not so well.

They first met in
a mixed foursome.

Your family's
so wonderfully athletic.

Do you play golf,
Mrs. Wilcox?

Good heavens, no.
But it amuses them.

And your husband is away?

All my family are away.

Are you quite sure
I'm not interrupting?

Yes. Quite.

I do hope you'll like
Wickham Place, Mrs. Wilcox.

I love our little house.

Though it's not half so
glamorous as your lovely flat.

I should like to see it.

I should love to show it you.

It's a lovely old house.

We've lived there
all our lives.

Our father came from Germany,
you see,

just after the unification.

My mother...

[ MEG ]
My dear Mrs. Wilcox.

I wonder if I might tempt you
to come to a little luncheon
party

I should like to give
in your honor next Thursday

to welcome you
to Wickham Place.

I should so like for you
to meet my friends.

And they are very keen
to make your acquaintance.

So you see, I do hope
you will join us.

Yours truly,
Margaret Schlegel.

C sharp minor as it passes
into the Netherlands.

[ Lively conversation ]

..to compare the Rhine
to music.

Really, it's true.

Out of
overhanging warehouses.

But, but I should like
to say something.

Do not say Germans have
no taste or I shall scream.

They haven't but they
take poetry seriously.

The German is always
on the lookout for beauty.

My blood boils...well...

I'm half-German,
so put it down to patriotism.

..when I listen to
the tasteful contempt

of the average islander
for things Teutonic.

What do you think,
Mrs. Wilcox?

I'm not sure.

I think perhaps I am too old

to discuss anything
with or without humility.

We never discuss anything
at Howards End.

- [ Polite laughter ]
- And I sometimes think

but I cannot expect
your generation to agree...

- Never mind us! Do say!
- Please say!

Do say!

I think Miss Schlegel
puts everything splendidly.

But I sometimes think
it is wiser

to leave action
and discussion to men.

[ Clock ticking ]

What an interesting life
you live in London.

No, we don't. We lead the
lives of gibbering monkeys.

- [ Laughs ]
- Don't pretend you enjoyed
your lunch, Mrs. Wilcox.

For you loathed it!

But forgive me
by coming again. Alone.

Or by asking me to you.

I am used to young people.
And I enjoyed my lunch
very much, Miss Schlegel, dear.

I'm not pretending!

I hear a great deal of
chatter at home.

Only, with my family
it's more sport and politics.

I only wish that I could have
joined in more.

But you younger people,
you move so quickly.
It dazes me.

Oh, Mrs. Wilcox.
I like you so much.

[ Laughs ]

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.

Dear Miss Schlegel, would
you like to join me tomorrow

for some Christmas shopping?

I have needed to take
several days in bed

and feel behind hand.

And am anxious
to make up for lost time.

As ever,
your friend Ruth Wilcox.

First of all,
we must make a list.

And tick off people's names.

- Do you have any ideas?
- I'm not a good shopper.

Take my notebook, then.

- And write your own name
at the top.
- Hooray!

How kind you are
to start with me.

But I don't want a Yuletide
gift, Mrs. Wilcox.

I should like to give you
something worth your
acquaintance, Miss Schlegel.

In memory of
your kindness to me

through my lonely fortnight
with my family away.

You have stopped me
from brooding.

- [ Chuckles ]
- I am too apt to brood
when Mr. Wilcox is away.

I suppose it may be reckoned
a fault.

To be fond of one's husband?
I shouldn't think so.

To be too dependent.

I'm desperately dependent
on Helen.

But if I have been of use
to you, which I didn't know,

you can't repay me
in anything tangible.

But one would like to.

Perhaps I shall think of
something as we go about.

I suppose Mr. Wilcox
is quite independent himself.

Mr. Wilcox?

Well, he has such
a strong character.

A very fine nature, really.

Has he not?

You are so intellectual.

- Am I?
- Yes.

I admire you for it.

Well, usually we put the tree
in the powder closet

and draw a curtain when the
candles are lighted. It's quite
pretty.

I do wish we might have a powder
closet in the next house.

Of course, the tree
will have to be small.

And presents
don't hang on it.

Then are you leaving
Wickham Place?

Yes. Quite soon.

When the lease expires.
We must.

But couldn't you get
the lease renewed?

No. They mean to pull down
Wickham Place

and build flats, like yours.

I had no idea you had this
hanging over you.

Howards End was nearly
pulled down once.
It would've killed me.

I lived there long before
Mr. Wilcox knew it.
I was born there.

It must be a very different
sort of house to ours.

We're fond of it but there's
nothing distinctive about it.

We'll easily find another.

So you think.

Again, my lack of experience,
I suppose.

I wish I could see myself
the way you see me.

Wonderfully well read
but incapable of...

[ Chuckles awkwardly ]

That's not at all how
I see you, Miss Schlegel.

Come down with me now
to Howards End.

- I want you to see it.
- Oh,

Mrs. Wilcox, I...
Later on I would love it.

But it's hardly the weather
for such an expedition.

Might I come again
some other day?

We can find a carriage
back to Wickham Place.

A thousand thanks for all
your help, Miss Schlegel.

Well...

Not at all.

But if I married
and moved to Scotland,

would you call my son a Scot
or an Englishman?

I haven't the faintest idea.

But it's the same question
put a different way.

- Now, take a joke.
- I shall go mad!

Mrs. Wilcox!

[ Voices chattering ]

[ Train pulling away ]

Mrs. Wilcox!

Forgive me. I came.
I am so sorry.

Thank you, Miss Schlegel!

I will come, if I still may.

Yes! And you are coming
to sleep too, dear.

Oh, but I haven't
got my things.

We have everything
you need.

You must see my house
in the morning.

These London folks
never stray far.

I daresay they're sitting
in the sun in Hertfordshire!

And you will never repent
joining them.

I will never repent
joining you.

Mother?

- Mother!
- Evie!

- Father, look here!
- What happened to Yorkshire?

- The motor smashed.
The plans have changed.
- Why, Ruth!

What in the name of
all that's wonderful
are you doing here?

Henry, dear. A lovely surprise.
You know Miss Schlegel.

Oh, yes, of course, Miss
Schlegel. How do you do?

How do you do, Mr. Wilcox?

Yes.

- Evie.
- Miss Schlegel has been so
kind to me in your absence.

Has she? Well, I'm very much
indebted to you, Miss Schlegel.

- How's yourself, Ruth?
- Oh, I'm fine.

So are we.
So was our car before Ripon.

This wretched horse and cart
and this foolish driver.

Miss Schlegel, our little
outing must be another day.

As I was saying, this fool of
a driver, as the policeman
himself admits...

Another day, Mrs. Wilcox.
Of course.

As we're insured against
third-party risk...

[ Mr. Wilcox continues ]

Just like that!