Original subtitles

(orchestral music)

(hammering)

(giggling)

-[Mrs. Bridges] Oh Steadblack take it out of here!

- It crossed the threshold it did.

- Oh somethin' awful's going to happen.

- Oh stop the nonsense.

It's only a cat.

(bell rings)

Oh that bell.

I'll be hearin' it in my grave I will.

Jingle, jangle.

(hammering)

- Out with the old in with the new.

- I beg your pardon?

- These electric bells are soon get you on the up my lad.

This time next week you lot won't know yourselves.

- Old bells or new bells it's all work innit?

- Work my lad?

You don't know the meanin' of the word.

- Telegram Mr. Hudson.

- Then take it to the master Edward without delay.

You're probably tired are you not?

- Yes.

- Then what are you thinking off at once man.

- But Mr. Hudson--

- The essence of the telegram Edward is speed.

Shall the good ship of man's ingenuity to man

flounder on the rocks of his idleness.

- Hey.

- At once Edward to the master, to the morning room.

- But it's not for the master.

- What a wrong delivery again?

The postal system is a disgrace.

-[Edward] It's for you.

- Oh.

(hammering)

You may go Edward.

-[Edward] Not bad news I hope.

- Thank you Edward.

(door slams)

- Jerry building that's what it is.

I've never seen plaster like it.

Just touch it and it's gone.

- Does the task of running a single wire

behind a cornice necessitate quite

so much noise and destruction?

I would've thought so simple a task could've

been accomplished in comparative silence.

- These aren't just wires.

These are electricity wires.

- A wire I think is a wire.

- That is exactly where you are mistaken brother.

Like many a leman before you.

These wires run straight to the very heart of the universe.

Now don't meddle with what you don't understand.

- Oh please go more,

go more carefully or you'll disturb the master.

(hammering)

- Yes Arthur, yes, yes of course.

No, I can't send the car to the station.

Marjorie's got Watkins with her at Southwold.

Well can you get a cab?

You'll walk?

Alright if you must.

Yes, yes of course.

Good bye.

Hudson!

-[Hudson] Sir?

- The morning room bell's not working.

- It has been disconnected sir.

We were given ample warning if you remember.

All the bells are out of action this morning.

- Yes we have to suffer for progress I see.

Come inside will you?

-[Hudson] Very good sir.

Here.

- This is not the most convenient time I know

but my brother Arthur will be staying for the weekend.

- Very good sir I'm sure we will manage.

- Yes he's coming up for a medical conference of some kind.

He'll be in and out mostly I suppose.

- I'll tell Violet to make up the bed

in Captain James's room.

Will Mr. Arthur be arriving in time for luncheon sir?

- He's walking from the Royal Society.

How long will that take him?

- I have no idea sir.

- No.

But what's ordered for lunch?

- Isn't it gammon and parsley sauce sir?

- Well don't ask me.

My brother's something of a food reformist.

There are certain things he does not permit himself to eat.

-[Hudson] I shall inform Mrs. Bridges.

- Yes.

Does gammon and parsley sauce does that--

- I have no idea.

- No.

- But I'm sure Mrs. Bridges will.

- Well perhaps Edward better serve luncheon

up here on trays.

No point in opening up the dining room.

- It would appear suitably informal sir.

(hammering)

- And tell those damn workman to make less noise.

- I have already told them.

- Well,

well tell them again.

-[Hudson] Less noise up there if you please.

- Progress is a very noisy business.

- A convenient argument but a false one.

Try to use a little more skill.

And less brute force.

Oh so we've got time to sit down have we?

- Morning work's all done Mr. Hudson.

I mean the master at home

and half the staff away--

- But that does not constitute

a general holiday Mrs. Bridges.

Violet there is dust everywhere on the floors upstairs.

-[Violet] It's the workman Mr. Hudson.

I've dusted six times today already.

- Then you will dust a seventh,

and an eighth and a hundred times if necessary.

Upstairs my girl.

And get the bed made up in Captain James's room.

-[Violet] What for?

- Don't argue with me.

You look sharp now.

And what may ask is Ruby doing chopping parsley

in the servant's hall?

- Well she can't work in the kitchen.

Not without getting plaster from the ceiling

in all the food.

I don't know.

Dratted workmen.

Black cats.

Electricity.

We'll all be struck dead in our beds.

That we will.

(coughs)

- Edward tobacco slows the nervous reflexes

and yours are quite slow enough.

Put that abominable instrument away.

And lay out two trays.

-[Edward] Trays?

- What's that for?

Ruby you are not cutting seaweed.

That's parsley that is.

Work at it girl.

Elbow grease.

- Yes Mrs. Bridges.

- I spose you washed it first.

- You didn't tell me too Mrs. Bridges.

- I don't know.

There's something wrong with that poor girl.

I don't think she's quite right in the head.

-[Hudson] Edward not the best silver on the trays.

Get the electro plated from canteen number three.

- What is the matter?

Is somebody ill?

- Mr. Arthur, the master's brother

is coming for the weekend.

He may arrive in time for luncheon

depending on the length of his legs.

- Luncheon?

On a tray?

- In the morning room it's what the master wants.

Oh and Mrs. Bridges,

Mr. Arthur belongs to the food reform movement.

- The what?

- Ah Ms. Roberts I found this glove laying

on the staircase just now.

Her ladyship's I believe.

- Oh so that's where it was.

I knew I dropped it.

- You knew it was missing

but you didn't go at once to find it?

- I'm not a young thing any longer Mr. Hudson

to go running up and down stairs after a missing glove.

- Edward would of gone if you'd asked him.

- Well it's only a glove.

I don't even like it.

The blues never quite matched

and the buttons have always popped.

I'm sorry to see it again if you really want to know.

- Ms. Roberts,

if you're not young and strong enough to look after

her ladyship's property,

perhaps you do well to consider an honorable retirement.

I think the time is drawing very near.

Luncheon was six and a half minutes

late yesterday Mrs. Bridges.

Just because her ladyship's away

and the master alone is in residence,

that is no call for idleness and disloyalty.

- It is luncheon on a tray for Mr. Bellamy

in the morning room at his special request.

And to be prepared for Mr. Arthur,

Mr. Bellamy's brother,

in case he should of arrived

and not of had his luncheon,

that is right I think Mr. Hudson.

- Those are the instructions yes.

- Then I am prepared Mr. Hudson aren't I?

Quite prepared.

- That tray cloth is soiled Edward.

- Well the plate will cover the stain Mr. Hudson.

I mean it's not as if it's on her side of the family is it?

- It is for Mr. Arthur Bellamy.

The master's brother.

Fetch a clean cloth at once.

- I mean he's only a doctor.

- Respect is not something we grade according to title

at wealth Edward.

It is a matter of what is ordered by servant to master.

And a brother in any walk of life

is someone to whom much is owed.

The greatest consideration, the greatest formality.

No matter how the exigencies of fate have led each

into different paths, into different fortunes.

A clean cloth at once.

(knock on door)

Edward front door.

Cloth get rid of it.

- Morning sir.

- My brother still in?

- Mr. Richard is expecting you in the morning room sir.

May I take your coat?

- If you insist.

- I'm sorry you had to use the door knocker sir.

An electric bell system is being installed.

- You forget I am not London born.

I think my hand is not so pampered and weak

that it needs electricity to help it.

- Excuse me sir, I will announce you.

- Announce me?

To my own brother?

- It is customary in this house sir.

Mr. Arthur Bellamy sir.

- Arthur my dear fellow you look splendid.

- I wish I could say the same for you Richard.

You're looking rather liverish.

A hundred flunkies won't preserve a man's good health.

- You mean the servants?

- God's good air was clean and bright outside.

Your front door was opened with a whiff of whiskey

that would've knocked a lesser man unconscious.

- Edward?

You imagine it.

- Scots of any class drink whiskey don't they?

- Hudson?

- Names do they have names?

I thought they rather chose to throw their own away

and live like parasites upon those of their betters.

So you have waited in for me.

- I imagine you'll be out most of the time.

The Royal Society's in session I see.

- I'm finished with the Royal Society.

Quite finished.

- You weren't elected?

- I was not.

I thank the fates for it.

- But I--

- We will talk no further on the subject Richard.

Electricians I see.

- Yes a new bell system while Marjorie's away.

- Of course.

Plaster dust is hard on sensitive nostrils like hers.

So is the existence of impecunious in-laws

who can't even achieve the doubtful honor

of the Fellowship of the Royal Society.

Poor Marjorie.

So your house is to echo to the tint and nebulation

of electric bells.

We could never afford them I'm afraid.

Small though the old house is.

- Nothing to be ashamed of in that.

- I never said there was.

It's where we were born both of us after all.

(laughs)

- Arthur you don't change much.

Have a glass of sherry or a cigarette?

- Are we lunching soon?

- Almost directly.

- Then I won't thank you.

- I know you don't appreciate formalities

so we're eating in here.

- The dining room's too good for me you mean?

- Arthur.

- I'm in a bad mood.

Nothing pleases me.

- Shall I serve luncheon sir?

- Yes please Edward.

Come and sit down over here.

You'll feel better after food.

Our Mrs. Bridges is a splendid cook.

- You're a naive fellow Richard.

I dare say you're the pleasanter for it.

- Perhaps Mr. Hudson should consider

an honorable retirement.

He's quite lost his sense of time.

The first sign of civility you know.

Mine is excellent.

- Oh perhaps he's just popped round the corner

for a bottle of beer.

- Butler's shouldn't pop it lacks dignity.

- Never known him to pop never.

He's just a little late for his dinner.

Which is every man's right on occasion.

- Perhaps he's gone to the post office

to send off a cable gram.

- Cable gram whatever for?

- But in answer to the one he got.

- Cable?

Who said Mr. Hudson had a cable?

- Edward.

- You never said.

- I thought I mentioned it.

- He's put his earnings in a gold mine

and it's failed.

- Perhaps his mother's been taken poorly.

- Mr. Hudson's mother passed away

a year ago come Easter Ruby.

And Ms. Roberts, Mr. Hudson is not the speculating kind.

- Well personally I'm hungry, I want my dinner.

- You'd hardly know the old village.

Ugly and new buildings on the outskirts.

Motorcars filling the air with dust and fumes.

Strangers everywhere.

Course you never come down to witness it.

Too much of a backwater.

-[Bellamy] It's hard to find the time.

- I do understand.

There's grit in the parsley sauce.

-[Bellamy] Is there?

- Don't you notice it?

-[Bellamy] Come to think of it there is.

- If you can't eat it,

it must be sent back to the kitchen at once.

In your position you must stand firm.

-[Bellamy] My position Arthur?

- Because you like me are the son of a country parson,

is no reason to put up with the insolence of servants.

-[Bellamy] But Arthur I am hungry.

(forks dings against plate)

oh very well.

Hudson?

- Unwashed vegetables are the cause of much disease

both physical and mental.

At home Anthea washes all such foods in chlorinated water.

It's a humble abode but we do have our standards.

- Humble abode?

Arthur it has 15 rooms and two acres of land

and you live in extreme comfort.

- Two acres.

You have 20,000.

- My wife's father has land that's true

- When the old man goes she will be richer still.

The gulf between you widens.

- There is no gulf.

Fetch Hudson will you?

- I'm sorry sir Mr. Hudson is not available sir.

- Well then ask Mrs. Bridges

to provide us with something else.

The sauce is not edible.

-[Edward] Yes sir I'll tell her sir.

- Not available?

Doesn't surprise me.

A furtive looking fellow with whiskey on his breath.

- Hudson?

Furtive?

- Furtive.

- A beautiful fit sir.

Truly elegant.

What a pleasure to dress a real gentlemen.

- One guinea did you say?

-[Shop Assistant] How long will you be wanting the use

of the suit sir?

- Until Monday morning.

-[Shop Assistant] 25 Shillings Sir.

- I see.

Oh very well.

-[Shop Assistant] The address sir?

- 165 Eaton Place.

Hudson is the name.

A. Hudson.

- For the account to be sent off.

- Oh no I'll pay by cash if you don't mind.

- As you wish Mr. Hudson.

-[Hudson] Thank you.

- If I might make a suggestion,

if you would consider the purchase

of perhaps a cane.

- A cane.

Yes, yes why not and gloves I think.

Yes gloves.

- Indeed sir, indeed.

They come a bit costly to some

but not I'm sure to you.

- Oh Hudson returned I see.

- Yes sir.

I regret any inconvenience I may have caused.

I had to slip out for awhile on a personal matter.

- Is that all you're going to say?

-[Bellamy] Of course.

Never happened before.

I doubt it will happen again.

- That man's got a mistress.

- A mistress?

Oh really Arthur.

You're imagination runs away with you.

- You can see it in his eyes.

The sly look of the confirmed lecher.

- Hudson?

A lecher?

- He's bringing filth and moral pollution

into this house and you do nothing, nothing!

What's happening to you Richard?

Do you not see that this indulgence

has been the root cause of the trouble with your children?

Indeed with your wife.

Scandal gets round you know.

I'm sorry for you Richard.

- He came home at tea time with a brown paper parcel.

Now that is all I know.

- Perhaps he's an anarchist.

Going to blow us all up.

(laughs)

- Well if Sarah was here,

she'd know what was what.

She knows everything.

Well I wish they'd send me away

to learn how to become a nurse maid.

- You?

You'd drop Ms. Elizabeth's baby

on its poor little head you would.

- Oh no Violet our Ruby would only do that

by accident wouldn't you now Sarah,

she would do that on purpose.

- Well you know what Edward says

about Ms. Elizabeth's baby.

- What?

- What have I told you,

never say anything in front of Ruby.

You can't.

She can't keep secrets.

She can't be trusted.

Now Ruby what if I told you,

you can't be trusted to say anything at all,

now listen.

- Put the valeezys in that corner

for the time being my boy.

Come away then.

Come on in all of you.

Make yourselves at home.

- Oh Angus our own suite to ourselves.

You shouldn't of done that.

- What about this for luxury?

- Oh look The Thames it's all lit up.

And there's a barge.

- It would've been more homely at Eaton Place of course

but the workmen you know.

- What a brother I told you Maudie,

I always told you.

- Always dear.

- I thought he'd look like God with a beard.

I don't know nothing's what you think

it's going to be is it?

- Maudie my dear.

Come and sit down you're pale as a little ghost.

It was a terrible crossing.

I'm a brute Angus the way I drag her about the world.

- I had six hat boxes when I came

and now there are only five.

- I think the Thames is positively narrow.

- Alice stop complaining and help your mother

find her hat box.

- It doesn't matter.

It doesn't matter at all.

What does matter is at last

I've met my dear, dear brother in law

who was so good to my Donald when he was a little boy.

The good kind brother who made my husband

what he is today.

The goodest, kindest, cleverest man in all the world.

- Well mine's absolutely tiny.

- Oh Alice dear do stop complaining

and go out and look in the corridor

to see if that horrid little page

hasn't left it outside on purpose.

He showed no respect whatsoever.

They do say the servant problem here today

is quite terrible and I believe it I really do

at least out in Panang you could tell

who's who by their color.

- It was you who sent the flowers Angus.

- Of course Donald.

It seemed the least I could do to welcome you all.

- It's good to see you again man,

yourself but more so after all these years.

- Well you haven't wasted them Donald I taught you well.

Persistence and endeavor eh?

Two bridges over the mighty Zambezi.

You know you're one of Scotland's heroes.

I'm very proud of you.

- Am I that famous?

- Well there was a piece about you

in the Illustrated London News

but for that I wouldn't of known of your achievements.

- I'm a shocking letter writer.

(laughs)

- Well I dare say the postmen are very few and far between

way out in these parts.

- Oh come now you're not much better.

What are you doing with yourself?

- I work for Mr. Richard Bellamy.

He's a member of parliament.

-[Donald] Bellamy,

wasn't he the undersecretary of state of admiralty.

- Under the Tories yes.

- The one who married Lady Marjorie Talbot-Carey?

- Yes how did you know?

- Oh everyone who's anyone knows that.

I've seen her picture in The Sketch many times.

She never wears the same dress twice.

Well Donald always told me you were quite a scholar

but I had no idea how distinguished.

I would so love an introduction one is so cut off at home.

Donald thinks I'm a snob but it means so much.

Well a bridge builder after all

is only an engineer.

- Lady Marjorie is in the country at the moment.

Her father is very ill.

Dying they say.

- Oh dear.

Still we will see lots of you dear Angus,

you will try won't you just this weekend

and then off we go on the Lusitania think of that

not the maiden voyage.

We missed that so distressing.

Now Alice.

Alice must be taken for theater.

She's such a little colonial.

She's no idea what you really should appreciate.

Alice perhaps that hat box is on top of the wardrobe

in the bedroom, get up on a chair

and have a look there's a dear.

- My Maudie she's my joy Angus.

She's like a little flower.

She's a thousand times more than I deserve.

She was the netian of the governor himself in Panang.

- Oh indeed.

- How far we have come you and I.

These are good times are they not?

When a man can be what he makes himself

and not what he was born.

-[Maudie] Donald?

- Maudie.

Maudie don't distress yourself.

I'll buy you a new hat.

Oh I'm sure it's been stolen.

You can't trust anyone now.

All those people on that channel boat,

so common of course we go first class

but they are everywhere now.

Well as someone once said,

was it Jesus?

The poor are always with us.

Oh Alice.

Gertie Millar.

Angus you will take us to the Gaiety.

We are dying to see Gertie Millar.

- Well I believe seats are very hard to come by.

It is short notice.

- But you will try, a box.

I've always wanted to sit in a box.

-[Hudson] I'll see what I can do.

- And luncheon at Spinelli's.

- Maudie.

- I read about Spinelli's.

You can show us who's who

and perhaps introduce us.

I'm so excited.

Who would've dreamt that Donald's brother

would be so important in the fashionable world.

-[Hudson] But your husband is known

all over the world Maudie.

- Oh yes but not to anyone important.

My poor head it's in quite a whirl.

- I don't see enough daylight that's the problem.

Down here in the dark and one can feel the damp.

- The worst summer since 1894.

- Dreaded black cat.

Bad luck.

Nobodies ever sent a sauce of mine back.

Not since I was first in service.

When the cook fell dead over dinner

and I had to step right over and carry on.

I was only the kitchen maid.

They wasn't grateful.

They sent the hollandaise back.

Said it was curdled.

Well the look on that poor dead woman's face.

Enough to curdle anything it was.

- As for poor Mr. Hudson,

I don't know what the matter is.

I fear for his sanity.

I haven't been spoken to like that since my father,

saw me walking out with a young man.

Only the once of course.

They sent me into service after

and I soon forgot him.

And I'm very happy as long as people speak nicely to me.

He was a pleasant young man, well set up.

But not well spoken you see

it wouldn't have done.

I've always afterwards mixed with a very nice class

of people well above stairs at any rate.

Well one lives as one can doesn't one?

-[Mrs. Bridges] So you're back Mr. Hudson.

- I am here which is what is significant Mrs. Bridges.

-[Ms. Roberts] Seem to be coming and going a great deal

lately Mr. Hudson.

- I have certain personal matters to attend

to outside Ms. Roberts.

With the master's permission.

Excuse me they'll be requiring the glog tray

up in the morning room.

-[Arthur] And in the constituency of course

you have to mix with the plebeians.

I can understand your reluctance.

- Reluctance no.

Boredom is my worst enemy.

I'm sitting in the commons losing division after division.

It scarcely seems like real life.

- Well there are compensations.

Comfortable house to come home to.

Bells that work by electricity.

Reward indeed.

-[Bellamy] Well they are efficient.

- Oh you don't have to justify them to me.

They're amusing toys what's wrong with that?

Please don't speak of efficiency

when what you are seeking is mere diversion.

- I beg your pardon.

-[Bellamy] That's alright Hudson.

You may go to bed now.

- Thank you sir.

Good night.

- Sound advice let him sleep it off.

-[Bellamy] There's nothing wrong with Hudson.

- No?

Man's as pale as the driven snow.

You can see from the parallel what the trouble is.

That man's got a mistress.

He's depleted by lust and passion.

His energies are drained.

His eyes are haggard.

His face drawn.

I've seen time and time again in my patients.

The growing ability, the laxness, the langur

that over takes even the most robust

when the sexual animal instincts are indulged.

Why do you surround yourself with such filth Richard?

- If you're still referring to my butler--

- A son sent to the colonies his doxy harbored

under your roof, a scarlet woman.

- Little Sarah?

Scarlet?

A bit pink about the edges that's true

but poor child, her baby died you know?

- God's mercy on those that least deserved it.

A daughter separated from her husband

after only weeks of marriage

in your circle such things are a matter of course.

- Hardly and still painful.

- And under your roof your servants run riot.

Under your roof the thrashing limbs, the sweat,

the foul rankness of animal degradation.

- Arthur for God's sake.

- Are you happy Richard?

Are you?

- I only have the thirty pounds.

My life savings but you're welcome to it.

I should've had more I know

but I got that carried away by the tales

in the Sunday papers.

Them poor little pagans.

Destined to suffer the torment of the burning fires of hell.

I sent all of 20 pounds to the missionary fund.

That was just after,

well you remember that dreadful time Mr. Hudson.

I don't like to think about it

and to tell you the truth,

I think I was a little bit out of my mind.

Well I don't see much daylight you see,

only on my day off.

I don't think that helps a woman's mind.

- Only alone Kate

until such times I can realize my capital.

-[Mrs. Bridges] Take it Angus.

- I'm temporarily embarrassed that's all.

- I don't ask no questions.

The horses was it?

- Oh Kate you know me better than that.

I've never had a wager on a horse in my life.

- Well so long as i see the money back sometime

before it's too late.

I would like to see a little bit of sunshine,

especially now with the winter coming on.

I kept it in my little teapot.

Lustrid, it's me aunt's.

Nobody'd think of looking for it there.

I don't ask no questions.

You've got to trust people haven't ya?

- Yes Kate thank you.

I'm sorry you're feeling a bit low in spirit.

- Oh it was that parsley sauce

that's done it.

Do you think they'll tell Lady Marjorie?

Oh what a dreadful thing for her to come back to,

poor soul and her father so ill.

Passing on they say.

Well it's a world to be out of.

- Pardon me sir.

- Yes Hudson?

- Might I request an afternoon and an evening off sir?

This evening and tomorrow afternoon.

-[Bellamy] This is most unusual.

- It is sir.

-[Bellamy] You're not in any trouble are you?

You would feel free to come to me.

- Oh indeed sir.

- If I say no--

- It is your right sir.

- I had not finished speaking.

If I say no you might simply take the time off in any case

and I would not know would I?

- That is not the way things are sir.

- No perhaps we should thank God he did not make us

with eyes in the backs of our head.

No doubt he's saved us all a good deal of distress.

- Sir?

- That'll be all take off as much time as you wish.

My brother will be staying another night,

see his room is comfortable.

There seems to be a great deal of dust about.

- It is the electricians sir.

The bells will be connected this evening.

We will then be back to normal.

Would you care for a fire to be lit sir?

It does seem a wee bit chilly in here.

A fire makes things much more cheerful.

- Leave it as it is.

- Very good sir.

-[Alice] What does Uncle Angus do Mother?

- Do what I don't know.

Not really much I don't suppose.

Gentlemen don't work.

Only your father building his silly bridges.

Well we must look upon it as a hobby.

That's right Alice.

Tell all your friends it's just a hobby.

- There's something strange about Uncle Angus.

- Strange?

What can you mean?

- The way he keeps stepping backwards

and sort of bowing.

- Backwards and bowing what can you mean?

- Like a waiter.

The most distinguished people I've met in London

have been the waiters.

- Oh Alice waiters aren't people.

Sometimes wish we had never left the east.

Ideas are so confusing when there are too many of them.

-[Bellamy] Well I must confess I shall miss the old bells.

-[Edward] The old jingle jangle sir.

-[Bellamy] That's right Edward.

- If you care to take this in your hand sir

and press the button when I tell you,

looking at little window up there marked study--

-[Arthur] You'll hear a buzz no doubt and see a red marker

in the window concerned, devilish scientific.

- Seems so simple to the layman's as always.

But ignorance begets confidence

and when it's a matter of electricity,

confidence kills even quicker than curiosity.

Do you know sir,

I've seen grown men shriveled up like--

- Oh come along now, come along.

-[Arthur] What about your inauguration address Richard?

(clapping)

- Well yes,

well here we are then,

about to drag ourselves kicking and screaming

yet one step further into the new world.

A small step but significant.

- Linked by wire through the miracles of science

to the very power source of the universe.

- Yes and at the mere touch of a button.

- Where's Hudson?

- He has the evening off.

- What for?

- I have no idea.

Saying at the mere touch of button.

(screams)

(talks over each other)

-[Bellamy] What happened?

- It's a fuse, a fuse that's all.

Too heavy a load.

I'll mend it where's the fuse box.

- You can mend it?

Alright well show us quickly.

- Cost of all this wine would support a normal family

for a year or two.

- Yes or a month or two.

- At least you keep it locked.

That's something.

- Well Hudson has a key.

- Of course.

- And he keeps the wines listed in a book.

- How often do you check the book against your stocks?

- Oh Arthur you're wrong.

- I hope I am.

- I'm sure you are.

- Yes wire's burnt out.

Too thin.

- Oh Angus a private supper.

I never thought to have a private supper.

How daring.

Look Alice there's salmon.

That child is stage struck.

Where do you think that silliness comes from Donald?

Can it be me?

- Oh no of course not my love.

- Where is the champagne I ordered champagne.

Oh I do apologize for the slackness

of the servants here Maudie.

- Champagne, champagne and Gertie Millar.

London really is the very hub of the world is it not?

- Well nothing appears to be missing.

- Except this now.

- What's that?

- One bottle of Taylor's '87 vintage port wine.

To comfort us.

-[Arthur] What for?

- Because we thought we were gentlemen

and discover we are common spies.

Where does he keep the cork screw?

-[Arthur] Tell me something Richard.

-[Bellamy] Yes?

- Do you visit the theater much these days?

- Oh hardly ever.

What was the last thing we saw?

The Man From Blancas.

Haughtry was marvelous.

But that was sometime ago.

- Musical comedy?

- Never.

Marjorie can't bear them.

- I thought not.

- Well let's take this upstairs shall we?

- There you are my dear.

Well to my dear brother and to his family,

welcome to London and good health.

-[Maudie] Go on Donald dear reply.

- Oh yes and we wish to acknowledge

our gratitude to my dear brother

for giving us such a good time.

The sight seeing, the shopping, and the theater.

It's a long way from Panang but it was worth it.

- Uncle Angus.

Oh I don't like champagne it gets up my nose.

(laughs)

- There try that.

- Oh I don't doubt its quality.

It's the gout I fear.

- Well don't drink it.

- I'll risk it.

Very good I must admit it.

- No it does not soothe me as I hoped.

I'm all rough edges Arthur.

There's something vulgar in checking

on another human being whether he be servant or,

dammit Arthur you could persuade an angel

that the harp he played was out of tune.

- You're quite right.

I shall make amends.

I shall take you out to luncheon tomorrow

before my train departs for Noridge.

I suggest we go to Spinelli's.

- Well that would be delightful.

- Yes I haven't been there for years.

(laughs)

should be interesting.

Come along sit down enjoy your port.

- Please a barley water for the wee girl.

- I'm not a wee girl.

Why can't I have a brandy?

- Alice.

I must imprint this scene upon my mind.

It's all I have in the years to come

and you too Alice.

Oh to think Angus you can come here

whenever you want.

- Poor little Maudie.

- You think I'm silly?

- Of course I don't my love.

I think I'm a dull fellow.

I am moved by canta levers and concrete

and not by names and faces.

Perhaps you should've married Angus here.

(laughs)

Isn't that the actor we saw last night

at the Gaiety?

- Alice sit down.

- Oh yes, yes that is Mr. George Rosemith yes indeed.

Lunching with Granval Barker no less.

- Oh dear Alice isn't that fascinating?

And if you care to glance at the table just beyond there,

the one under the midder,

you will see in the flesh Sir Edward Carson.

One of our most distinguished advocates.

- I find lawyers rather tedious frankly.

Is that very naughty of me?

- See how she sparkles Angus?

Eat up my precious.

You've hardly touched your food.

-[Maudie] Oh I know I have the appetite of a little bird.

Oh I do wish we could've been a month earlier.

Then we could've been on the maiden voyage.

(coughs)

such a glittering assembly.

Oh Angus such a swoony boat.

But now we'll have to travel with the nuvo riche.

It's so distressing.

-[Donald] I did the best I could my love.

It was the rains that held us up.

- Well they always do.

You and your silly bridges.

Why can't you build them in more convenient places.

- My pretty sweet I build them in these places

to make them more convenient.

You understand?

-[Maudie] No I don't.

I'm only a woman and thinking gives me a headache.

- Who's that man who looked at you

when he went past Uncle Angus.

Is he a friend?

I had a friend look like that at me once.

I put honey in her hair.

She had very long hair.

She could sit on it and the honey--

- Angus are you alright?

You're as white as a sheet.

Are you feeling faint?

I'll order you a glass of water.

Boy?

Boy? (claps)

-[Donald] Maudie. -[Alice] Mother.

-[Hudson] Please, please I'm alright.

- You see how he apes his betters?

-[Bellamy] You knew he'd be here didn't you?

- I did.

-[Bellamy] How?

The careless fellow who noted the reservation

of his table on the telephone pad in his pantry.

- Why was the deceit necessary?

-[Arthur] If you'd known you would not have come.

- No I would not.

- Well you can't deny the evidence of your eyes.

- My eyes see a man lunching with what

might well be a friend.

A friend's wife and their daughter.

- You see your butler got up as a gentlemen,

mixing with people of superior social standing

who for one reason or another he wishes to impress.

Can he afford to come here on what you pay him?

Then what other heinous ways does he gather luca

to his seamy bosom.

You've allowed to much license for too long.

How else could I bring you to see Richard

that fatal flaw in your character.

That aim ability which is no virtue.

But the worst of vices.

- Sorry they didn't elect you as a fellow

of The Royal Society Arthur.

-[Arthur] What?

- What a pleasant surprise to meet you here.

- Yes indeed sir, a surprise.

- Won't you introduce me to your friends.

- Indeed sir Mr. Richard Bellamy,

Mrs. Hudson my sister-in-law.

And Ms. Alice Hudson my niece

and Mr. Donald Hudson my brother.

- How do you do?

-[Hudson] They are visiting London

from the near east states.

- May I join you for a moment?

- Oh please yes oh please do.

Mr. Bellamy I would've known you anywhere

from your photograph so distinguished

and charming.

I was so thrilled when Angus told us he worked for you

and I never knew.

- Sit down Angus.

- I have the honor of knowing a distant relative

of yours, a second cousin I believe a Miss Jaunita Bringel.

She is a little foreign it's true.

Oh I'm quite overcome.

London is so strong.

- Are you here for long?

- No we leave this very evening

at last for the United States.

Oh we've had a wonderful time.

I've been so very happy.

Angus here knows everybody everywhere

and he has spent so much money on us.

Money means nothing I know

now we've met you Mr. Bellamy.

One is so cut off for most of one's life.

- Oh well the feeling is mutual.

Are you not the Donald Hudson who built

that astounding bridge over the Zambizi?

- A bridge yes.

Astounding I hope not.

A bridge that astounded would fall down I think.

This one merely stands but it will stand forever I hope.

And are you not on your way to the Grand Canyon itself?

We've heard about you Mr. Hudson.

Angus here keeps his secrets very well.

He's a modest man.

- You've heard about his bridges?

- I'm honored to have made

your husband's acquaintance Mrs. Hudson.

You must be very proud of your brother Angus.

I must go I have a friend waiting for his lunch.

It's been a bit great, great pleasure.

Sit down man, sit down.

-[Maudie] Oh what a delightful person.

- Yes.

- Uncle Angus do you work with him?

- Believe in plain speaking Arthur?

-[Arthur] I do.

- I have something plain to say to you.

This has been a malicious and quite unnecessary

act on your part.

- You can't speak to me like that

when I'm taking you out to luncheon

and I'm your host.

- I will speak to you as I wish.

You are a bullying, self-righteous, prig of a little boy

and you made my childhood a living hell.

And if I hid behind my mother's skirts,

it was because you were stronger than me.

- You were a physical coward then

as you are a moral coward now.

- And because you were trying to wrench

my arm from its socket

which once you succeeded in doing.

- It was an accident.

- It was not.

On wet days it still aches and reminds me of you Arthur.

(laughing)

I am richer than you.

I am happier.

I am freer in my mind

and in my attitudes than you.

I make more effect upon the world

and I spread less trouble about me.

- This is not to be tolerated.

I shall take a cab to Liverpool Street

and sit in the hotel until my train departs for Norridge.

I'm indebted to you for putting me up.

I do not think we shall see each other again.

- And neither do I.

(snaps)

-[Hudson] Of course I will have to resign.

- Yes I suppose so.

- I can expect no reference.

- After all these years.

- Quite.

- Luncheon at Spinelli's.

That's a very posh place.

-[Hudson] Yes.

- What was it like?

- The service was slow.

Our second waiter had a gravy splash in his front.

There was some trouble over a shortage of Yorkshire pudding.

And one waiter ran Mrs. Bridges.

- Ran Mr. Hudson?

I never dared.

- I believe he was foreign.

- And the food?

- You do much better Kate.

- I know.

Oh Angus what a dreadful thing

it is you've done.

What will Lady Marjorie say?

- Oh Kate, Kate

it seems like the end of my life.

I feel like a felon on the sentence of death.

Mr. Bellamy assured me nothing but kindness

and consideration

and how I've repaid it?

- You had a right to see your brother and his family.

- I had no right to ape my betters.

I didn't have to spend all my savings

and most of yours doing it.

I should've had the courage to speak the truth

when there was time.

- You didn't exactly tell a lie.

- I lived one.

For a wee while Kate

and the worst of it was I enjoyed it.

- Now you'll be punished.

- Yes.

- That's life.

You have to pay for every bit of happiness you have.

I sometimes wonder what awful thing we all committed

in the beginning.

(bell rings)

That'll be morning room.

- Yes.

- We'll miss you Angus.

All of us.

- You rang sir?

- Yes Hudson.

Her ladyship will be back shortly.

And Lord Southwold is a little better it seems.

- I am very thankful to hear that sir.

- I've asked Edward to tell Mrs. Bridges

we'll have something light in here about 8:30.

- Very good sir.

- So.

You are brother to Donald Hudson the construction engineer.

You kept that very quiet.

- Sir.

-[Bellamy] You keep many things quiet I think.

- Yes sir.

- I was very pleased to meet your brother.

Though somewhat surprised on circumstances.

You must keep me informed of his whereabouts,

his successes.

- Forgive me sir but this is not worthy of you.

-[Bellamy] What?

- I am a servant but I'm also a man.

I'm humiliated enough sir.

I brought disgrace upon you,

upon myself, I'm wounded and

you're twisting the knife in the wound.

-[Bellamy] Hudson.

- I will pack my things and leave at once sir.

You won't wish me to work out my notice.

- What are you talking about?

What is the matter with you?

- In front of your family sir I must ask you.

Never in all my,

I can't even request a reference.

- Families can be very trying I agree.

They make us more emotional than they should.

My own brother's visit here has left me somewhat at a loss.

But Hudson if you wish to go to a theater

or lunch at a fashionable restaurant,

your money is as good as the next man's.

You're appearance better than most.

- That is all together too liberal of you sir.

A servant is a servant and must know his place

or the world would crumble about our ears.

- That's more like Hudson.

Forget it now.

Forget it.

You did me a favor as it so happens.

- I did sir?

- A man must have his own review of himself

whether he be master or servant, right or wrong.

There's dignity in that you're quite right.

I take it you had your own reason for acting as you did.

- It was for the sake of others Mr. Bellamy.

You checked the cellars I believe.

- I did.

They were quite in order.

- Of course.

My faith in my fellow men fled for a while.

It has returned.

We must all of us learn to trust--

- Our fellow man perhaps sir but not all the women.

That new parlor maid for instance,

I wouldn't trust her as far

as a flick of her feather duster.

- You made a joke Hudson.

- Well it was a wee attempt at one sir I'm sorry.

- Not at all.

- By in large I enjoyed my brother's visit sir.

I am very proud of him.

- And I enjoyed my brother's departure.

Alas he is not proud of me.

(doorbell rings)

That sounds like the doorbell.

- Yes sir.

- Perhaps you'd like to go to the door

and open it for her ladyship.

- Thank you sir.

(orchestral music)