Original subtitles

(pleasant stately music)

- Goodness, it's coming down.

Hail, too.

-[Marjorie] Is it?

- Well, good thing, really.

Finish off the heat wave, wash down the streets, huh?

Have some sherry.

Something the matter?

- Yes, it's this letter. - What letter?

- It's from Poirier's, the jewelers, about James.

- Yes.

I wish too draw your ladyship's attention

to an outstanding account.

(mumbles)

Resulting to the advice of our solicitors?

Well, in other words, the stupid boy owes them money

and won't pay.

- Can't pay.

He wouldn't owe money to a jeweler's intentionally.

He's not like that.

- And how much is the bill?

Eighty-six pounds?

Well, why in God's name doesn't he come and see us?

If he's in debt, he should have the pluck to say so.

He hasn't been near us for three or four weeks now.

- Well, he's not stationed in London any longer.

- But there are perfectly good trains

to Paddington from Windsor.

No excuse, he's avoiding us.

- Probably because he doesn't want to cause us worry.

- Marjorie, dearest, I know how fond you are

of your own son, as every mother should be.

But must you always make excuses for him?

- He's in bad company, you know, I'm sure of it.

Some of these young officers gamble more than they

can afford to lose.

I'm so afraid he's trying to keep up with them.

- Well if he is, he's a damn fool.

He knows most of these young men have their own fortunes.

But that has nothing to do with this jeweler's bill.

There's only one explanation for that.

- A woman?

- An extravagant woman, Marjorie.

- Do you really think so?

- I have no doubt of it.

James has fallen into the clutches of some greedy,

unprincipled female who will take him for every penny

she can get out of him.

- There you are, Jimmy.

I'm afraid that's all I can manage

'till I get me salary at the end of the week.

- Thank god for you, Sarah.

- Ooh, please don't mention it, I'm sure.

Will you be along?

- About five minutes.

I'll pay it back, I promise,

just as soon as I get the right price for the brooch.

- What brooch?

- The one I got from Poirier's in Brown Street.

Mother goes to them.

It should fetch a hundred pounds, more or less.

- You're not gonna pop something you haven't paid for?

- I've got to raise money somehow, Sarah.

- Oh, but that's not honest.

- I can't help that.

Gambling debts to a brother officer must be paid.

- Oh, you are in a mess, ain't ya, poor old love?

I wish I could help.

- Oh you have.

How'd the show go?

- Oh, lovely.

I got three encores.

And a gent in a box with a monacle

threw me a bunch of roses down.

They were supposed to land at me feet,

but he's a bit long in the tooth,

so they knocked me on the head and nipped me hat off.

Didn't half get a big laugh, though.

He come 'round afterwards and he invited me,

well, he left his card.

- I wish I could take you to Romano's to supper tonight.

- Aw, don't worry.

I bought some kippers and we've still got

a bit of beer left, so we'll sup chez moi tonight, eh?

Oh, cheer up, love.

You're not dead 'till you're buried.

Shall we get me hat off?

- And then?

- And then

who knows what devilish goings on may take place

at number 13, Duck Street, Detford,

where Lord James Bellamy is keeping a secret assignation

with the woman of his dreams, Eurves Lois,

curled up on her leopard-skin couch,

panting,

voluptuous, and dangerous.

- Ah, you've been reading Eleanor Glinn.

- Plying the young nobleman with drink,

the better to inflame his passions.

- That's hardly necessary.

- The woman-- - Her name?

- Ertans, she's French, you see.

- Ertans, oh god no.

- You're interrupting. - Forgive me.

- Well, I'll have to, won't I?

Anyway, this French viscountess,

who is in relative, a Hungarian trollop

from a Russian brothel, leaves the pale young lord

to slake his thirst while she,

clad only in dia finesse chiffon,

drifts away wontonly to her kitchen

and prepares for his lordship a sumptuous feast,

fried kippers and wallop.

- I'm not hungry for supper.

Give me a kiss.

- Not so rough, Jimmy, it's hot.

Oh, kippers.

Pour us a drink, will ya love?

I'm dying of thirst.

Chuff these now, eh?

- Yeah, and I'll pop 'round the furs

and get some more booze.

- Yeah, we'll get sloshed. Drown our sorrows.

- In beer? - Gin.

Which I will permit you to sip from my slipper.

(laughs)

- I see Lady Pendlebury's daughter's

made a good marriage.

- How can you judge whether a marriage is good or not,

Mrs. Bridges, on the very day it's reported

in the newspaper?

Surely time, alone, will tell.

- You know what I mean.

You remember Lady Pendlebury.

She came here to dine once or twice last season.

She was lady in waiting to the queen,

as Princess of Wales.

Thin, angular person. Very sallow skin.

- Indeed I remember Lady Pendlebury, Mrs. Bridges.

She had a regrettable habit of throwing her head back

when she laughed.

Edward nearly had the potatoes knocked out of his hand

when he was serving them at luncheon,

as the result of an amusing if somewhat malicious

anecdote told to her by Lord Charles Beresford.

(clock chimes)

Time our visitor was here.

- Visitor at this hour?

It's half past 10.

- Someone is coming to discuss a matter

of great importance, Mrs. Bridges.

- Oh?

Who?

- Colonel Winter.

- Who?

- Colonel Winter, Captain James' colonel.

I thought the master seemed a wee bit--

(doorbell rings)

There, that'll be the colonel now.

- Seemed a wee bit what?

- Apprehensive, Mrs. Bridges.

- Richard, I intend to stay and hear

what the colonel has to say.

It's as much my concern as yours.

- This is not your affair, Marjorie.

Women should not involve themselves in these matters.

- I'm going to stay and hear what Colonel Winter

has to say, and that's that.

- You are being very stubborn.

- Colonel Winter, my lady.

- I say, I'm awfully sorry to propose myself

at this late hour.

- No, no, no.

- Good evening, Bellamy. Lady Margo.

-[Marjorie] This is a nice surprise.

- I did want a word with you as soon as possible.

It really is rather important.

- Yes, yes of course. A whiskey and soda?

- Thank you. - Do sit down.

- Thank you so much.

I say, it's still dreadfully sticky, isn't it?

In spite of the storm.

- Yes, it doesn't seem to have cleared the air at all.

- Well, I won't detain you for long.

I've got to get down to Windsor tonight.

HM's got the king and queen of Spain coming next week.

That means a sovereign's escort

and I've got 15 horses coughing.

Thank you so much.

And on top of that,

my regimental corporal major's got boils.

However, no doubt we shall survive.

- Yes.

Would you like to see me privately, colonel?

I'm sure my wife will excuse us.

- No, no, no.

I would prefer to speak with you both,

if you don't mind, Lady Marjorie.

- On the contrary.

- As you can probably guess, it's about your son and heir.

- Yes, we thought it might be.

- Well, not to mince matters.

We're awfully worried about him.

As you know, we think very highly of James.

He's very popular in the regiment.

All the same, I've been getting awful bad reports

about him lately from the agitant.

- Well, we've seen very little of him

since the regiment moved to Windsor,

isn't that so, my darling?

- Yes, we were beginning to wonder how he was getting on.

-[Richard] Another drink?

- No, thank you. I won't have anymore.

- Colonel, what about these reports?

- Well, he's been drinking a good deal more

than is good for him.

Returning to barracks at all hours of the day or night.

Very often the worse for wear.

And that's only part of it.

Not to put too fine a point upon it, it seems that he's in,

well, considerable financial difficulties.

- I see.

Well, I'm very sorry to hear that.

- In fact, I've had a confidential report

from his squadron leader that he's been done

by tradesmen.

Now, once they start, they are the very devil.

One fellow even came down to Windsor last week

to serve a writ on him.

But I am sorry to bring you such rotten news.

- No, no, no, not a bit.

I'm very glad you did.

His mother and I had no idea.

- No, of course not.

Now look, I don't want any of this to go any higher,

unless it's absolutely necessary.

I've had him up before me and given him

a hell of a dressing down.

He's got three weeks orderly officer,

which means that he's virtually confined to barracks.

All the same, I thought a quiet word from you,

before it's too late, might help to stop the rot.

Well, that's all I had to say, really.

I won't keep you any longer.

- It seems to me you've been more than patient with him,

and we're very grateful for that.

- Well, I like the boy. We all do.

- We'll write to him at once and insist on

his coming here to see us.

If he could have special leave for that.

- Oh, yes of course.

My object in coming here tonight was to try and contain

the matter within the family as long as possible.

I mean, we don't want a thing like this to get about,

do we?

- Thank you for calling.

I assure you, I shall deal with the matter.

- Thank you very much.

Lady Marjorie. - Good night, Colonel.

- I enjoyed your sniping.

- Oh, did you?

I rather enjoyed that, myself.

(door closes)

(indistinct singing)

* And her only four foot two

* Well, they ain't been married

* But a month or more

* When underneath the bungo shim

* Oh, isn't it a pity

* That the likes of her

(knocking) - Shh!

Who's that?

- The woman upstairs.

* Should put upon the likes of him

* It's a great big shame

* And the tree belongs to me

* I'd let her know who's who

* Naggin' on her fella

* When he's six foot four

* And her only four foot two

* Ole

* Oh, they ain't getting married

* In a month or

* But underneath the bongo shim

(plate breaks)

- Oh! You're drunk.

* Oh, isn't it a pity

* That the likes of her

(knocking)

- Shut up, you old cow!

* Should put upon the likes of him

- Hey!

See and say, I say.

Natives got no nose.

- How does he smell?

- Terrible.

As, I,

* Walk along the the bottom

* With an independent air

* You can hear the rows declare

* He must be a millionaire

(mumbles)

* The man who robbed the bank

* At Monte Carlo

- Sarah.

Sarah.

Sarah, are you all right?

You've worked yourself unconscious.

(knocking)

Shut up!

Sarah, you all right?

You gave me a hell of a fright.

- Don't half feel funny.

- Here.

Do you feel all right?

- Is the gin all right?

- It's a hell of a gin. Here.

See if you can get up, eh?

Put your feet on the bed.

I'll get a sponge and--

- No, listen to me. I'm all right, really.

- I'm afraid you'll have a nasty bruise in the morning.

- I'm all right.

Just come and sit beside me a minute, will ya?

- How's your head?

- My head's fine.

I fainted.

I come over all dizzy and the room went black.

- It was the heat and that gin, huh?

- Jimmy.

- Yeah.

- If I tell you something,

will you promise not to be cross?

- Yeah, I promise.

- We're up the creek, Jim.

'Cause, well, there's a little captain on the way.

- What?

- A little James Bellamy.

Inside me.

Growing all the time and,

well I won't be able to work much longer, Jim,

so what are we gonna do for money?

- Oh, god!

- Don't be angry, Jimmy.

'Cause it's your little baby that's on the way,

yours and mine.

There's been no one else, Jimmy, on my word of honor.

So don't you be angry.

I couldn't bear it if you was angry.

- Oh, Sarah.

Oh, god.

- What, you'll finish that gin, eh?

Mother's ruin.

- Well, I suggest we start our tea without her.

What do you say, Mrs. Bridges?

- What's the time, then, Mr. Hudson?

- It's gone five.

- Oh, very well.

Ruby, fetch the pot.

- Which pot, Mrs. Bridges?

- Oh, my goodness, the tea pot, girl.

- Yes, Mrs. Bridges.

- That girl is soft in the head.

- Well, perhaps she's missed her train.

- Who?

Ruby?

- Rose.

- It's not like Rose to miss a train.

- No, no, Rose was always a very conscientious

and reliable member of the staff, Edward.

(bell rings)

Oh dear, that'll be her now.

- Ruby?

- Go let her in. - Yes, Mrs. Bridges.

- That means, go to the back door,

open it so she can get in.

Do you understand? - Yes, Mrs. Bridges.

-[Mrs. Bridges] May as well keep the pot warm

'till she's got herself sat down.

- I don't know, such a fuss.

Anyone would think we was expectin' the queen to tea,

and it's only Rose, as worked here.

- Rose is a visiting servant now, Edward.

She's entitled to be treated accordingly.

And it is incorrect to say Rose, as worked here.

The phrase is Rose, who worked here.

You really must try to improve your grammar, Edward.

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- Sorry I'm late.

- Oh, Rose.

- Afternoon Mr. Hudson.

Hello, Mrs. Bridges.

Edward.

- Come and sit here beside me.

- Thank you.

- You know Ruby, our new kitchen maid.

- Hello.

- There you are, it is the queen.

- What?

- Oh, Ruby, sit down.

Try not to make yourself look more foolish

than you do already.

- Yes, and no Mrs. Bridges.

- We was just about to start our tea,

in case you wasn't coming.

- Aye, it's quite a way from Greenwich, eh Rose?

- Oh, it wasn't the train journey, Mr. Hudson.

It was trying to get an omnibus from Charring Cross,

all crowded they was with people going home from their work.

Anyhow, I'm here now.

- You like yours strong, don't you Rose?

Just one spoonful of sugar.

- That's right, Mrs. Bridges, thank you.

Well, how's everything at good, old 165?

- Oh, much the same as when you was here last.

Mind, they're missing Miss Lizzie upstairs.

I think.

What do you say, Mr. Hudson?

- Aye, for all their differences,

the master and her ladyship, well, let's say

the house does seem a wee bit quieter without her.

- And Captain James?

- Oh, he hasn't been here for some time, Rose.

- Oh?

- No, not since he popped into tea about a month ago

and their angry words about his allowance.

His father--

- Edward. That'll do.

- And how's Miss Robert?

- It's her day off, Tuesdays.

- Oh, by the way, there's a letter for you, Rose.

- Letter? For me?

- Yeah, it came the day before yesterday.

- I was going to forward it on to Mrs. Kirbridge's address,

but since you were coming here today--

- I wonder who'd write me a letter?

- Edward, fetch the letter for Rose.

It's on the mantlepiece in my pantry.

- With pleasure, Mr. Hudson.

- What was the postmark?

- Oh, I didn't notice.

- But you said it was from Detford, Mr. Hudson.

- Did I, Ruby? I don't recall.

- Mr. Hudson, when we was all sat down

and having our breakfast.

- Ever such funny writing on the envelope.

More like a child's.

- The post, Miss Buck.

- You haven't changed, have you Edward?

Still cheeky.

Don't laugh at me.

I can't think who would be writing to me.

I don't know no one in Detford.

I don't really know anyone in London.

If it was from Southwold, it'd be different.

Well.

You'll never guess who it's from.

- Oh, come on then, tell us.

- Sarah.

-[All] Sarah?

- That girl.

- How dare she communicate after pushing her way

into Mrs. Kirbridge's wedding uninvited.

- Oh, that's not quite true, Mr. Hudson.

See, she met Captain James at some musical.

He told her the day of the wedding,

and she came just to be with us.

Old times' sake.

- You always did have a soft spot for that

saucy little baggage.

- Well, there was a lot of good in her.

- Ha, there was a lot of booze in her, as well,

after the wedding.

Don't you remember?

It was me and Nellie trying to get her

into a handsome cab at the back door.

Her hat was all over her head and she had the hiccups.

- Anyway, she's all right now, being an actress and all.

-[Mrs. Bridges] What did she say?

- "Dear Rosie," she always called me Rosie.

"Hoping you are in the pink. I am.

"Just finished a, oh an engagement at the Detford Empire

"and I'm resting.

"Why not come and see me?

"We could talk about old times at good, old Eaton Place.

"I often think of our attic and the larks we had.

"Can you come here on your day off

"and visit your old mate, Sarah?"

She don't change.

- Will you go?

- I might.

Then again, I might not.

Oh, that looks lovely.

Here, you should see the cook at our place,

Mrs. Fellows.

She's got ever such a long, pale face.

Quite lugubrious, really.

Never says a word except to complain about her blessed leg.

Thomas says he thinks she's a witch.

She keeps her broomstick stuck up her skirt.

(laughing)

Oh, Thomas is a laugh.

He's a real card.

What did you think of him?

- Ooh, he seemed a nice enough fellow,

that time he come here to collect the luggage.

- He's our valet.

- Mr. Kirbridge's valet, no doubt.

- That's right.

- Who also, I understand, carries the coal,

cleans the boots, lights the fires,

as well as stoking the boiler.

- That's right.

- Be thankful of your position here, Edward,

and the privilege of working for a larger household.

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- Well, come on, Rose. Tell us some more.

(knocking)

- Who is it?

- The landlady said to come up.

It's me, Sarah.

- Rose.

Oh, Rosie!

Oh, you.

- I got your letter.

It was waiting for me at Eaton Place.

I've just been there for tea with the others,

and on me way home, it's just a short tram rider from here.

- What, to Miss Lizzie's? It's Greenwich, isn't it?

- That's right. - Sit down.

- Here, how did you know?

- James told me.

- Oh, you're seeing him again.

- James? Oh, he's popped in to see me

at the Empire a couple of times.

Well, how are they all then, eh?

Mrs. Bridges still there? Mr. Hudson?

- Oh, they're fine. How are you?

- Oh.

- You look a bit pale.

- Am I?

- When is your next engagement, then?

- Don't know. Might not be one.

- Oh, but you said you was in great demand.

- Oh, I am, only,

well.

- Well, what?

- Can I trust you to keep a secret, Rose?

- Oh, I should think so after all this time.

Well, come on, girl. Out with it.

- I'm gonna have a baby, Rose,

in the new year.

- You are?

- I wanted you to be the first to know.

- I didn't know you was married.

Why didn't you say so in the letter?

- I'm not married, Rose.

It's,

well, it's a mistake.

- Who?

- Who what?

- Who's the father?

- Look, Rose, I didn't want to tell anyone,

but I've gotta tell you.

It's Jimmy.

- Jimmy who?

- Bellamy, of course.

- Captain James?

Here, you telling me the truth?

- Rose, cross my heart and hope to die.

You can ask him next time you see him.

He won't deny it.

We've been going out regular ever since

Miss Lizzie's wedding.

He took me to Paris, Rose.

For a whole week, we stayed in the most posh hotel

in the town and went dining every night.

Champagne at Maxine's.

And then we used to go on to other places

like the Folies Begere and then--

- Then what?

- Well, then he started gambling a lot, Jimmy.

They all do it in his regiment, but

he started to lose more and more money.

Oh, Rose.

Oh, Rosie.

I'm in such a mess.

What'll I do? Get rid of it?

- Get rid of it?

- Help me, Rose.

Tell me what to do.

- What to do?

It's what he's got to do, more like.

Marry you, of course, and keep you.

- Well, he has offered, of course, but

he's got no money, Rose.

He's skint.

He's in trouble with his regiment

and he hasn't seen the family for weeks.

- They know about the baby coming?

- No!

He'd never tell his father. He'd kill him.

- Seems to me they'll have to know, for your sake.

Otherwise, well, what'll happen to you?

I have a good mind to--

- No, Rose.

Now, listen Rose, you tell nobody.

You promise.

- Then he'll have to come clean.

Bloody well have to.

Officer and a gentleman, isn't he?

He'll have to see you straight,

and if he ain't got no money,

he'll have to get some from the master and her ladyship.

So they'll have to know, whatever happens, Sarah.

They'll have to.

- Perhaps you're right, Rose.

I mean, I'm gonna get blamed, not him.

They'll think that I chased after him.

But I didn't, Rose, honest.

- When are you gonna see Captain James again?

- Tomorrow night, if he can sneak out.

He does sometimes, you know,

just to see if I'm all right.

- Well, you must make him go home and see her ladyship.

And if he won't, threaten him that you'll spill the beans.

- I'm not gonna do that, Rose.

He's been ever so good to me.

- Oh, it looks it, landing you in this muck.

- I'm fond of him, Rose, for all his faults.

He's nice, Jimmy, he's

nice.

I love him, Rose.

- Oh, Sarah.

You're hopeless case.

That's what you are.

Hopeless case.

-[Marjorie] And these debts, James, how much do you owe?

- Apart from a bill for 86 pounds owing to Poirier's

which has been presented to your mother for settlement.

- I'm sorry about that.

It should not have been sent to mother.

- How else is the wretched man to get his money? Eh?

Well?

- Well if you want the truth.

-[Marjorie] We do, James.

- Very well.

I have an overdraft at the bank of 372 pounds,

up 'till yesterday.

My debt to tradesmen add up to something like 550.

My personal debt to friends--

- Gambling debts? - Yes.

Three or four hundred pounds.

I'm afraid I'm in a dreadful mess.

- Yes.

Yes, you are.

Well, why didn't you come and see us?

You know we'd have helped.

- Yes, I know.

But I'm supposed to be independent.

You give me a very decent allowance

and I've got my pay.

I'm dreadfully sorry.

- There's something else, isn't there?

- No, not really, no.

- You're not ill, are you?

- No, it's not that.

- You can tell us.

It's a woman, isn't it?

- Well yes, in a way.

You see, that's really what I wanted to talk to you about.

It's all connected with something else.

A rather delicate, personal matter.

- Delicate? How do you mean?

- Well you see, this girl, of whom I'm very fond,

is going to have a baby.

- James.

- Who is she?

- If it's some cheap woman of the town,

I don't want to know her name or any details.

- No, it's someone, someone you know, mother.

- You mean the daughter of friends of ours?

- No, she used to work here as underhouse parlormaid.

Funny little creature.

You used to say she amused you.

- Sarah.

-[James] Yes.

- Oh my god.

- Sarah?

- She's an actress now.

Or, was.

She can't go on with it now, you see, because

she is expecting this baby, of which I am the father.

- Luncheon is served, my lady.

- Well, we'd better go in.

- That's the dining room done

and the silver away, Mr. Hudson.

Anything else?

- From your tone, I fear that you're asking me

for the afternoon off, Edward.

- Well, I've stopped in the last two Saturdays, and er--

- And you're meeting a friend in Kensington Gardens.

- Well, yes. Well, we're gonna listen to the bands.

They won't cost me no money.

- Ah, it's when the band stops playing

and the gates close at dusk, that's when it begins

to cost a young man money, Edward,

so choose your companion wisely.

Off you go now.

- Thanks, Mr. Hudson.

By the way, Mr. Hudson, I noticed at lunch,

while I was handing Captain James the potatoes,

he said to his ladyship,

"I tried to really save money, mother."

Well, according to that book on grammar you give me,

that's a split infinitive, isn't it?

I mean, surely for an old Etonian,

he's not very well educated.

I thought they were supposed to talk proper.

- You're quite correct in seeing that Mr. James

split an infinitive over luncheon, Edward.

I noticed it, myself.

But don't speak too lightly of the old Etonians

or underestimate their importance.

Apart from providing this country with a number

of prime ministers and colonial governors,

we must never forget that they won the FA Cup in 1879.

Get away with you now.

- Thanks, Mr. Hudson.

Oh, sorry Mrs. Bridges.

- Oh, Edward.

What's Edward grinning all over his face for?

- Oh, I've let him have the afternoon off, Mrs. Bridges.

Going to hear the band play in Kensington Gardens.

A wee bit of Elgar and some Gilbert and Sullivan

might improve his mind.

Anyway, there'll be no more visitors today.

- That young captain upstairs?

-[Hudson] He is.

- Saucy as ever, I suppose.

I notice he didn't come down and see me after lunch,

not like he used to.

- There's trouble, Mrs. Bridges.

A very strained atmosphere. I don't like the smell of it.

- What? You mean a row?

- Over money again.

If you ask me, that young shaver's got himself into debt.

Come here for a loan from his father.

- Oh, saucy muck.

So that's what he's come here for.

Well, it's in the blood.

There was his great uncle Bertie, you remember.

Old Lady Southwold's youngest brother.

Him that lost all his money in Monte Carlo

and died of the shingles in Bordighera.

-[Richard] We shall have to consult Sir Geoffrey Dillon

and discover what yours and our legal position is

and what our liabilities add up to.

There are questions of the child's upbringing,

its education.

- James, how could you do this to us?

- Too late for tears now, Marjorie.

James has involved us and it may well become

a major scandal.

For the sake of the family, Marjorie,

and I include your mother and father

and all the Southwold relations,

this matter has got to be suppressed.

However, as long as I have anything to do with it,

the affair will not be hushed up at the expense

of ordinary human justice and decency.

There are obligations to be met and Dillon will best see

how to meet them fairly and with honor.

And let's hope to God he can find a way out of this mess.

Well, James, you better find your way back to Windsor.

Tell Hudson so he can get a cab.

- Yes, father.

I'm very sorry, mama.

- I'm glad you told us the truth, my darling.

* Two little maids from school are we

* La, la, la, la

- Shh.

- Oh, beg your pardon, Mrs. Bridges.

Sorry I woke you, Mr. Hudson.

- I was not asleep, Edward. Merely dozing.

Well?

- It was the band of the lifeguards.

- Oh, Captain James' regiment.

- That's right, Mrs. Bridges.

There he was, up on the bandstand,

playing away at his French horn.

- Don't be insolent, Edward.

(bell rings)

- Oh, it's the morning room.

- Her ladyship wanting tea.

- Well, the tray's already in set.

Shall I take it up Mr. Hudson?

- No, no, I'll see to it, Edward.

You go up to the dressing rooms,

start brushing the master's flock coat.

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- Ooh!

- Edward. - Sorry, Mrs. Bridges.

- Ruby.

I'm ashamed of you.

- Thank you, Hudson.

- My lady.

- Hudson, I wanted to ask you something.

- Yes, my lady?

- You remember Sarah, the--

- The underhouse parlormaid, my lady?

- Yes.

I was wondering if any of the servants

had heard of her since Miss Elizabeth's wedding.

- Strange you should mention her, my lady.

- Oh, why?

- Rose was here for tea downstairs

just the other day, my lady,

and she found a letter waiting for her from Sarah.

Apparently, Rose is now in correspondence with the girl.

- Really?

- What else did she ask?

- Nothing else, Mrs. Bridges. Just about Sarah.

Whether she had any relatives living.

I just don't understand it.

- I don't like the sound of it.

It's my belief that girl's going 'round London

making out she's something she's not.

Lying her way in anywhere she went.

I wouldn't put it past her to go for a position

saying she's a member of the Southwold family.

She can talk like a lady when she likes,

dress up in fancy clothes.

Fool anyone, she can.

- No, no. You're going too far, Mrs. Bridges.

It's none of our business.

- I'm not so sure.

-[Hudson] Good afternoon, Sir Geoffrey.

- I am expected. - Yes, sir.

Mr. Bellamy and her ladyship are in the morning room, sir,

and Captain Bellamy.

The storm seems to have cleared up a wee bit, sir.

- Has it? I hadn't noticed.

- Sir Geoffrey Dillon, my lady.

- Sir Geoffrey. - Richard.

I trust you haven't been waiting for me.

- No.

- Good afternoon, Lady Marjorie.

- Good afternoon, Sir Geoffrey.

- My new coachman has no (mumbles).

I'm relieved to find myself in the right house.

James.

- Won't you sit down?

- Thank you.

- Who was that, then, Mr. Hudson?

- That was Sir Geoffrey Dillon, the family solicitor.

- Oh? What's he come for?

- I have no idea, Mrs. Bridges.

You'll never better yourself reading rubbish like this,

my lad.

If you find yourself forced to remain a footman

for the rest of your life, don't blame me.

Now, listen to me.

I've got something important to say to you all,

so pay attention.

Edward, this includes you.

We've got visitors.

- Well, we know that, Mr. Hudson.

-[Hudson] I don't mean upstairs, Edward, I mean down here.

- Visitors, down here?

- Yes, Ruby, and what they're here about

is absolutely no concern of yours.

Do I make myself clear?

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

(bell rings)

- There, that'll be them now.

Ruby, back door, if you please.

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- Mr. Hudson?

- It's no good asking me any questions, Edward,

because I don't intend answering.

- But Mr. Hudson, all I was gonna say--

- Now, that's enough, Edward.

(door closes)

- It's us, Mr. Hudson. All right to come in?

- Yes, of course, Rose.

Come in, Sarah.

Sit down over here.

Rose.

- Thank you.

- Sarah.

- Any chance of a cup of tea, Mrs. Bridges?

- Ruby?

Kettle.

- Whatcha, Sarah? Everything all right?

- They'll ring when they're ready for you to go up.

Meanwhile, you'll both remain in here.

- Where do you come in, Rose?

- Oh, her ladyship asked Miss Lizzie

if she could spare me for the day

to fetch Sarah from her lodgings and bring her here.

That's right, isn't it, Sarah?

- Yes.

- Seeing as how we're old friends

and I knew where she was living.

That's right, isn't it, Sarah?

- That's right.

- Not quite so chatty as you used to be

when you was in service, are you Sarah?

- I'm feeling a bit dicky, Mrs. Bridges.

- Oh.

Oh, sorry to hear that.

- Rose tells us that, er,

you're on the bill at the Detford Empire.

- Yeah, I was, only I'm resting now.

- Oh.

- Captain James is upstairs in the morning room.

- Is he?

- Didn't you know he was here?

- No.

It hasn't changed a bit, has it, the old room?

- Nothing changes at 165, Sarah. Only the staff.

(bell rings)

There, that'll be the morning room.

- Does that mean they want me now?

- Yes, come with me, Sarah, up to the hall.

No, Rose, you stay down here, have your tea.

Come along, Sarah.

- Edward, go into the scullery

and give Ruby a hand with the teapot.

- What, me? - Yes, you.

And close the door after.

(slams door)

Come on, Rose. What's all this about?

- I'm sorry, Mrs. Bridges, but I really mustn't say.

- Oh, I don't know, all this mystery.

Secrets breed secrets and does nothing but harm.

Is it to do with the family?

- Yes, Mrs. Bridges.

- If it concerns the family, Rose, it concerns me.

- Yes, Mrs. Bridges.

- Now, come along, Rose.

- Do you remember the first time I come here, Mr. Hudson?

- I remember the occasion very clearly.

- Your face when I tried to come in through the front door.

You said, I wasn't to question my betters

and that you was my better because you was older

and wiser than me, and I was to learn humility.

Do you remember?

- Yes, a pity you didn't learn it.

- Don't you ever have a laugh?

- On suitable occasions.

Come along, Sarah, they're waiting for you.

- Oh, by the way, Mr. Hudson,

I prefer not to be announced as Sarah, if you don't mind.

It's not my name.

It was forced on me and I don't like it.

- I'll say it's Miss Moffett, then, if you prefer.

- Well, being as how I'm known in the musicals

as Claymonse De Lise,

I would prefer to be announced as such.

- I am not prepared to announce a former servant

in this house by a fancy French name,

unless the name was given to you at your baptism.

- I weren't baptized.

They didn't go in for that sort of thing,

not where I come from.

- Exactly, well put your hat straight.

Are you ready?

- Just a minute.

Lead me to the slaughter.

-[Hudson] Sarah is here, my lady.

-[Marjorie] Ask her to come in please, Hudson.

- Come in, Sarah.

Sit down.

- Now, Sarah, I've been told your friendship

with Captain Bellamy, after you left his parents' service,

and of your present condition,

resulting from that relationship.

- Yes, sir.

- It goes without saying that the family

accept absolutely their responsibility.

- Thank you, sir.

I don't want to make no trouble for no one.

I mean, it was my fault as much as Captain James'.

It's just that with the baby coming and everything,

I won't be able to go on working much longer,

and I haven't got the money to bring up the baby

as it ought to be brought up, being like

your grandchild, my lady.

I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that.

- You have every right to say it, Sarah, if it's true.

- Oh, it is true, sir.

Isn't it, Captain James?

- I've already said so, father.

- Yes, quite.

Now, Sarah, I want you to pay attention

to Sir Geoffrey Dillon, who is our family solicitor,

who has come here to advise us in this matter.

Geoffrey, perhaps you will tell Sarah what she has to do.

- What is your surname, Sarah?

- Moffett, sir.

- Sarah Moffett, I see.

There'll be the question of registration

when the child is born.

- Oh, I see.

- Children born out of lawful wedlock

are, nevertheless, required to be registered

by the state, you understand.

- Yes, sir.

- In the mother's name.

- Yes, sir.

- Now, as to the eventual birth of the child,

Captain Bellamy has informed us that you were examined

by a doctor in Detford last week who confirmed

your condition, which we understand

to be a pregnancy of three to four months.

Is that so?

- Yes, sir.

- Now, Sarah, arrangements are being made

with the generous consent of Lady Marjorie,

for you to travel down at once to Southwold

where you'll be lodged with a Mr. and Mrs. Clay

at their cottage on the estate.

You'll find them an agreeable and homely couple,

Mr. Clay being head gamekeeper to Lord Southwold

and Mrs. Clay, by good fortune, a qualified midwife.

- Now just a minute, I haven't--

- Now, Sarah, you must listen to Sir Geoffrey.

It is for your own good.

- You will remain in the care of Mr. and Mrs. Clay

until such time as your confinement is at an end

and the child is born.

Thereafter, if you wish it,

and I think you would be well-advised to agree,

some form of light work will be found for you

on the estate, possibly in the laundry.

Meanwhile, arrangements will be made

for the child's schooling and for some eventual career.

- Now, listen, mister.

I'm not gonna be stuck away in some rotten cottage

with two people I've never set eyes on in me life before,

just because this--

- Sarah.

Everything possible is being done for your welfare

and comfort.

I think you must remember that.

Sit down, Sarah.

- I think you should realize at once

that marriage to the father of your child

would be quite out of the question.

I think you've been in domestic service long enough

to understand that.

- I'm not a housemaid now.

I'm an actress. I'm on the stage.

I'm respectable.

- I'm sorry to disillusion you,

but I'm afraid the theatrical profession

is not generally considered respectable.

- Oh, isn't it?

Well let me tell you something.

Plenty of actresses have married famous men.

Piers de Roman all.

There's Rosie Boot and Denise Ohm and lots more besides.

Some of them only in the chorus.

- Nevertheless, officers of the household brigade

are not permitted to marry actresses.

- Is this true?

- If Captain Bellamy were to offer you his hand

in marriage, he'd be obliged to resign his commission

on the night guards.

- Oh, I didn't know that.

- I'm sure you wouldn't wish to destroy his career,

would you?

- I don't know.

Why don't you say something, Jimmy?

I mean, I don't expect ya to marry me, but

why don't you say something?

Say you'll come down and visit me in Southwold,

me and the baby.

Tell me that what they're asking me to do is right.

But say something, won't you?

- I think you would be well-advised

to accept the arrangements that have been made

for your well-being, Miss Moffett.

The alternatives could be very grim, indeed.

- When do you want me to go?

- Have you brought your luggage with you as we asked?

- Yes, me lady.

It's in the servant's hall. Rose is minding it for me.

- Then Hudson will give you some money

and fetch you a cab to Paddington Station.

- Thank you, my lady.

When am I gonna see you again?

Hey?

- Captain Bellamy has given his parents an undertaking

neither to see you nor to communicate with you ever again.

And I must ask for a similar undertaking from you.

- Well.

If there's nothing further, my lady,

I'll go downstairs and sit with my friends

'till it's time for me to go.

- For god's sake, let me say something to her privately.

-[Geoffrey] I wouldn't.

- I'm damned if I'll let her leave this house

without saying goodbye.

-[Marjorie] James.

- Sarah.

Sarah.

I'll write to you.

-[Richard] Come in, James.

- Well, that seemed perfectly satisfactory.

Now, James, we can discuss your future.

- What is there to discuss?

- I have a letter here from the military secretary

confirming that your son will be seconded

to the Cind Horse with effect from the 12th of this month.

- The Cind Horse?

But surely that's an Indian cavalry regiment.

- Precisely.

You will sail on the Peonot boat which leaves Tillbury

on the 12th.

That will give you time to buy your kit.

- Have you gone out of your mind, Sir Geoffrey?

This is quite unthinkable.

- There can be no question of James remaining

with his regiment at Windsor, within a radius of the court.

- What has that got to do with it?

- If it should reach the queen's ears--

- She's deaf.

Besides, I'd like to know since when

this particular court has represented moral impeccability.

- I'm sure you wouldn't wish, in your position,

Lady Marjorie, to insult the throne?

- That, Sir Geoffrey, is none of your business.

I would remind you that you are employed by my father

as his solicitor.

Your duties do not include telling me how to behave

in my own house.

-[Richard] Marjorie, please.

- I want to know who suggested this

incredible arrangement in the first place.

- It was my suggestion and readily received.

- But you said nothing of this to me.

- My dear, I've told you more than once

that these are matters for men to decide.

Sir Geoffrey has briefed us to find a way out

of a delicate and dangerous situation.

- Exactly, so my mother agrees to lodge the girl

at Southwold until the baby is born

because I ask her to.

You call that a matter for men?

- We thought it better to inform you the second part

of our plan only after the details were settled.

The India office received confirmation from Colonel Pitt

of the Cind Horse in Pashawa only yesterday.

- If I might say a word on my own behalf.

-[Richard] Yes, James.

- I agree to go to India, willingly.

I'd rather not stay here and listen to

a lot of bitter arguments about Sarah and myself.

If I'm wanted, I shall be in my room, packing.

Sir Geoffrey.

- This is the most outrageous and underhand conspiracy

I've ever seen and I refuse to agree to it.

- That would be most unwise.

- I will not allow my son to be packed off to India,

banished from his country and his regiment

just because some little upstart of a housemaid

traps him in a weak moment.

- There is also the question of his debts, Lady Marjorie,

to say nothing of his recent conduct in the regiment.

You've heard his colonel's report.

- It is not for you to sit in judgment over that.

- On the contrary.

I must point out that I have a clear duty

to Lord and Lady Southwold and to the Tolbert Cary family

as a whole.

I am the family solicitor, and I must advise them well.

After all, the family name must be protected

at all times from scandal.

I believe James, himself, recognizes that.

- James may recognize it, but I do not,

and I want it made absolutely clear, Sir Geoffrey,

that I forbid you to proceed further with these arrangements

'till I have discussed them with my father.

- Lady Marjorie, I ought to point out

that it was your father who consulted the viceroy

concerning the choice of regiment for your son.

- My father?

- It's a happy chance that your father and the viceroy

are such old friends.

- I assure you, it's all for the best.

- If there's anything further to be discussed

I shall be in my office in the morning.

She'll take time to accept it.

- They're very close, you know, she and James.

- Evidently.

- Perhaps we should have told her before.

It was rather abrupt and quite a shock for her.

I'm sorry if she was discourteous to you.

- The lioness protecting her young

is entitled to show her claws.

I respect that, Richard.

India may well be the making of your son.

- I hope so.

Well, thank you for all you've done.

It can't have been easy.

- My dear boy, that's precisely why

we solicitors charge exhorbitant fees.

- Good night.

- I'm sorry.

- It had to be done. - Yes.

- Won't do James any harm to get away for a time

from London and Windsor.

See a bit of the world. - Yes.

You know, when the children were little

I used to wonder so how they'd be when they grew up

and now it's, oh.

- India? Are you sure, Edward?

- Of course, I'm sure.

He said India would be the making of him,

that's what he said.

- India wasn't the making of Lady Marjorie's uncle Bertie.

- Lady Marjorie was crying her eyes out.

I could hear her.

- It's such a long way away.

- Poor Lady Marjorie.

It's not like her to cry.

- Damn Lady Marjorie.

To hell with 'em all.

- Sarah!

Edward, go and see what that daft girls' up to.

It doesn't take all day to get a cab.

No, wait a minute, Edward.

Now listen to me, all of you, and this includes you, Sarah.

Not one word of this has to go beyond this house.

There's many a great family been ruined by scandals

less than this one, and remember,

you keep your mouth shut down at Southwold, my girl.

- If anyone else says that to me, I'll scream.

(hoofbeats clop)

- There's Ruby with a cab.

- Thank God for that.

- Bye, bye, Mrs. Bridges.

- Goodbye, Sarah, my dear, and,

good luck.

- Well, Mr. Hudson.

- Goodbye, Sarah.

- I don't know what's gonna happen to that poor girl.

I don't really.

- Rose?

- What's the matter?

- Rose,

I'm frightened.

(upbeat stately music)