Original subtitles

SUBTITLING MADE POSSIBLE BY

RLJ ENTERTAINMENT

[Clock chimes]

Oh, I must get going!

I may be late this evening.

Our last appointment

is not till 5:00.

All right, I'll wait supper.

Post's come, Miss Bea.

Well, I haven't time to look at

it now, Molly.

It's mostly bills.

I'll take it.

Oh, Molly, you won't forget

to talk to the coal merchant,

will you?

You leave him to me, Miss Bea.

I been doing their washing

for free

since his wife was took poorly.

She's so lucky.

I still don't know why

Mr. Arthur wouldn't let you

take that job

at the dancing academy.

Because he wants to wrap me up

in a horrid,

boring little cocoon

like Father did.

You'll find something.

Right, I'm off.

Goodbye, Evie.

Goodbye.

Goodbye, Molly.

Um, remember me to Mr. Maddox,

won't you?

It's as much as I can do

to make him remember

his clients --

impossible man!

JACK: Is that you, Beatrice?

Oh!

Good morning, Mr. Maddox.

I hadn't expected you

to be here already.

I stayed the night.

I was working late.

Didn't seem worth going home.

Ha.

What a nasty, suspicious mind

you have.

I didn't say a word.

JACK: You didn't need to.

My nanny used to give me

looks like that

when she thought I'd been

pinching sweets.

- And had you?

- Yes.

But I'm sorry to disappoint you

in this case.

It was not an illicit

marshmallow.

Oh!

It was only my sister, Penelope.

She blew in, flogged me some

tickets for a charity ball,

downed a quick glass,

and then shot off

to some meeting

for emancipated vagrants.

Or was it homeless feminists?

She's taken quite a shine

to that little sister of yours,

old Pen.

She wants to involve her

in some charity work.

What Evangeline needs

is paid work.

With looks like hers,

she should go on the stage.

[Scoffs]

I couldn't see Arthur

allowing that.

Now, your first client

is due in an hour.

Lady Cravenhurst for

The Illustrated London News.

Her gown was delivered

yesterday,

she's bringing her

own dresser.

Might I suggest, Mr. Maddox,

that you go and tidy

yourself up now?

Then we can go through the rest

of the day's appointments

before she arrives.

Yes, Nanny.

EVANGELINE: "My dearest Henry.

I am sorry to write you

at your home.

I know I promised

that I never would,

but as you have not visited me

for some while,

I'm afraid that something

may be wrong.

Please come as soon as possible,

as I need to speak to you.

Ever your affectionate Lavinia."

Lavinia?

Lady Cravenhurst --

as magnificent as ever!

The same flatterer as ever.

No, I mean it.

Give me a woman

in her prime any day

rather than some vapid

young debutante.

It's the difference between

an unopened bud --

And a full-blown rose.

What have you done

to the place, Jack?

Do I detect a woman's touch?

Yes, with a whip in it!

Your gown is hanging

in the dressing room,

Lady Cravenhurst.

Thank you.

Has my dresser arrived yet?

- Not yet.

- Oh, that's too bad.

She was given strict instruction

to be here by 10:00.

Traffic's the very devil

these days.

There are still alterations

to be done.

Perhaps I can help.

Good idea.

Yes, if she doesn't show up,

Beatrice can take her place.

She's used to

that sort of thing.

Really?

My sister and I

make all our own clothes.

Oh, is that so?

May I offer some tea or coffee?

Oh, how kind.

Tea, please.

China.

Of course.

Where did you find her, Jack?

I have always considered

Lord Leverhulme

to be more than

a little unbalanced.

Who else but a madman would

mutilate his own portrait --

even one by Augustus John?

Lady Cravenhurst,

would you care to move your head

slightly to the left?

There!

He simply snipped out the head,

apparently,

because the rest wouldn't

fit into his safe.

Quite still now --

before we snip off your head.

[Chuckles]

[Click]

Splendid! Marvelous!

And then he returned

the rest of the portrait

to Augustus's studio --

mad as a hatter!

I suppose if you make your

fortune in soap,

it's bound to turn your brain

a little frothy.

[Chuckles]

Oh, just one more,

Lady Cravenhurst.

Smile.

Think...

think radiance.

That's it.

Yes.

[Click]

Marvelous.

Well, I think we've got some

good ones there.

Oh.

- May I descend from my throne?

- Allow me.

Beatrice, Lady Cravenhurst

is ready to change.

That girl is a treasure,

even though her clothes

are a little bizarre.

I hope you appreciate her, Jack.

Oh, yes, I know gold

when I see it.

The piece of chiffon

was an inspiration, my dear.

I am glad you liked it.

Tell me, my dear,

do you ever have time to make

clothes for other people?

If I am unable to,

my sister can.

Ah.

[Bell jingles]

[Indistinct male voice]

[Knock on door]

Yes?

Mr. Arthur to see you,

Miss Evie.

Hello, Evangeline.

Arthur --

what a surprise.

Thank you, Molly.

I was seeing a client

out this way,

I thought I'd call in.

You are not wearing trousers?

Yes.

Made from some clothes

of Father's we found.

Well, I sincerely hope you don't

intend to wear them

beyond these four walls.

Of course not, Arthur.

Please excuse the mess.

I was clearing out his desk.

Oh, that's another reason

I'm here,

to collect the rest

of his papers.

I fear his estate is going to

take some while to wind up.

There are still certain matters

to look into.

Arthur?

Yes?

Those clothes we found,

I was wondering whether you knew

anything about them,

where he might have worn them?

Well, Uncle Henry had a position

to keep up.

But they weren't

the type of clothes

he would have worn

to a medical conference.

They were more of the type

he would have worn

entertaining.

Naturally, he required

a good wardrobe.

But you don't suppose --

Supposition gets one nowhere.

But I was just thinking--

It's foolish to indulge in it.

Be a sensible girl, now.

Forget all that.

There's no point worrying

your pretty little head

any more than you need.

You're right, of course.

I'll just find a box

to put the papers in.

[Clears throat]

I'll leave you to lock up,

Beatrice.

Mm-hmm.

I'm off to see pretty Peggy.

And you shared the princes,

so you needn't give me

your Nanny Carstairs look.

Don't forget you have an early

appointment tomorrow.

You promised you'd fit in

Mrs. Gordon Blithe.

Oh!

And we have the weekly accounts

to go through first.

Yes, Nanny.

- Good night then.

- Good night, Mr. Maddox.

Would you stop this

"Mr. Maddox" business.

Call me Jack,

for goodness' sake!

Are you sure you wouldn't prefer

"Master Jack"?

Oh.

Before you go,

my trial month is up tomorrow.

Will you wish me to continue?

Don't be such a mutt.

You know perfectly well

I couldn't manage

without you now.

You mean it's official?!

He's offered you the job

permanently?

Yes!

Bea, that's wonderful.

Pity he couldn't have done it

with more grace.

He's such a boorish man.

He didn't seem like that to me.

You have only met him once.

You should try working for him.

I wish I could --

or anyone.

You're doing marvelous work

here, Evie.

I love this design.

I just wish I could

have a proper job.

Oh, you will, one day,

I'm sure of that.

Sometimes I wish I was Molly.

At least she can go

to the pictures once a week.

And dancing.

We will go out, I promise,

just as soon as we get ourselves

straight financially.

I might ask for a pay rise

now the job's been confirmed.

Do you think you should?

Why not? I'm worth it.

I'm doing the work

of three people --

secretary, receptionist,

nursemaid,

to say nothing of

interior designer.

I have transformed that studio!

You remember the pigsty it was!

Yes!

Well, you should see it now.

I'd love to.

Of course, you're right to be

concerned, Arthur.

An impressionable girl

like Evangeline

should be kept in check.

Trousers today,

Lord knows what tomorrow!

[Sighs]

When one hears what some of

these creatures get up to,

brazen young things

with no sense of modesty.

The backless dress

has much to answer for.

Indeed.

I hear that Lady Haycock

is quite demented about Daphne.

One cannot open a magazine

without seeing her

making an exhibition of herself

at some nightclub.

And she was such a sweet child.

Which is why I thought sewing

was a good idea.

I'm sorry, dear?

Sewing -- for Evangeline.

It would bring in more money.

After all, Beatrice's salary

alone is hardly sufficient.

And it would keep her at home.

Out of trouble -- true!

I'll try to find her

some jobs myself.

She could copy that

Molyneux jacket

I bought at Mrs. Partini's.

You could recommend her

to your friends.

Only the very closest ones.

[Clock chiming]

Gifted as Evangeline is,

she is not

a trained dressmaker.

[Door closes]

Is someone there?

EVANGELINE: Yes.

Do come in.

- You're Evangeline.

- Hello.

How nice to see you.

Beatrice said you might pop in.

I just wanted to see

the changes she'd made.

Oh, but I thought it was me

you'd come to see.

Voila!

Only thing she hasn't managed

to reform yet is the boss.

It's marvelous.

Where is she?

Oh, she's out.

She went to choose some fabrics

for some new back cloths.

Another of her brain waves.

Oh, I better go then.

Oh, no, do stay.

But I'm interrupting your work.

What could be

a more pleasant interruption?

Do you know, I do declare

you're even prettier

than when I last saw you.

You must let me take

your photograph sometime.

- Champagne?

- No, thank you.

Don't you like it?

I don't know, Father never

let us drink alcohol --

except at Christmas.

You really are adorable.

PENELOPE: Anyone at home?

Only one person that could be.

Penelope always had good timing.

Hello, old thing.

I have brought you

a pre-publication copy

of the latest Fabian Tract,

"Scandal of the Poor Law."

Thank you very much.

Good old Pen, always trying to

convert me to serious thoughts.

- Evie!

- Hello.

I was going to telephone you.

Do you remember that woman

you befriended,

the one who collapsed

in the street?

Mrs. Watkins, yes.

Well, I'm visiting them

again tomorrow.

I thought you might

like to come, too.

Hang on, Charlie, old chap.

Wait a tick.

Knife, please, Violet,

and I'll cut you each a slice.

Thank you.

Who wants the first bit?

How are you, Mrs. Watkins?

[Sighs]

Tired.

She never gets no rest --

what with the baby and all.

We brought some tea.

Would you like a cup?

You'll be lucky.

We've got no coal for the fire.

PENELOPE: We're going to

have to do something

about fuel.

If the miners do strike,

prices will rocket even more.

Oh, careful, miss.

Don't dirty that

or they'll flay me alive.

Don't worry.

Where did you learn to do

such beautiful embroidery?

Always been good

with her hands, Tilly.

Well, I hope they pay you

properly for this.

This jacket would cost

a fortune in the shops.

PENELOPE: Of course they don't.

She receives a pittance.

It is flagrant exploitation.

Don't you agree, Evie?

Yes, I do.

And who will be the first

to be hit

if the miners do strike?

People like the Watkins.

And then the advertisers have

the cheek to complain

when someone suggests

display lights being banned.

That's dreadful.

Well, there are people

even worse off.

Poor devils in the work houses.

Could I have some tea, please?

I thought the work houses

had been done away with.

Only renamed.

The new institutions

are every bit as bad,

and the relief payments

are inadequate as ever.

So much for

the Royal Commission.

Seems so awful when people

are living like that

to worry about one's own

stupid little problems.

Well, it least it may be

possible to solve them.

Thank you.

No, the only way we're ever

going to be able

to help those in real need is by

getting rid of the Poor Law.

Is something worrying you, then?

- No.

- Hmm?

No, it's not important.

Come on.

Let's have it.

Of course, Mrs. Farkison!

I will arrange for

the photographs

to be delivered to you tomorrow.

I hope your husband

will be pleased with them.

Oh, yes.

An excellent likeness.

I will.

Goodbye, Mrs. Farkison.

Who the dickens are you?!

Mr. Maddox's receptionist.

Jack didn't tell me

he had a receptionist.

He must be turning respectable.

How too sick-making.

Thanks.

Where did you buy that?

I didn't.

Made it myself.

Would you like to make

an appointment, Miss...

Haycock.

Daphne.

No, never make appointments,

just blow in.

- Do you smoke?

- No.

How can you bear not to?

I'd die without a gasper.

In the studio, is he?

No, I'm afraid he's out.

Oh, how boring of him.

He will be back later.

May I give him a message?

Would you be a darling?

Tell them there's a romp at

Pussy Bainbridge's on Saturday,

and he absolutely must come!

I say, I do like that.

It was one of my father's

dress shirts.

What a devi idea!

Why didn't my dressmaker

think of it?

Arrivederci, then.

Give Jack a big kiss from me.

Oh, and tell him we're all

to go as savages.

[Laughs]

PENELOPE: Bournemouth?

Yes, he often went there

on medical conferences...

or that's what he told us.

So you think that this

Mrs. Pearce

was his mistress?

She might have been.

Hmm.

I wouldn't mind.

Father must have been very

lonely after Mother died.

But if she was,

I'd like to meet her.

Well, what does Beatrice say?

She doesn't know --

not about the letter.

I didn't want to upset her.

She's so bitter about Father.

She just wants to forget

all about him.

But you don't.

I never knew my mother.

Bea has her to remember.

Father was my only parent.

And now I feel as if

I didn't know him either.

I thought perhaps

Mrs. Pearce could tell me what

he was really like.

Well, go ahead then.

Contact her.

You've got a right to know.

A day in the country?

Mmm!

Penelope thought it would

make a pleasant change.

Where are you going?

We haven't quite decided yet.

Do you want the three

buttons on the cuff

the same as the Molyneux?

- Please.

- Right.

I suppose we're doing right

in letting you be friends

with the Maddox girl.

Well, she is very

well connected, Aunt Lydia.

But her parents are Fabians.

And she knows so much.

I wish I'd gone to a school

like hers.

She even studied ancient Greek.

[Scoffs]

Ancient Greek

is for bluestockings.

A pretty young girl like you

should manage

more than adequately without it.

Well, let us hope that through

the Maddoxes,

you may meet a suitable

young man.

I should so like you

to marry well, Evangeline.

When I marry,

I shall marry for love.

Oh, yes, of course.

Just be sure to fall in love

with someone

out of the right drawer.

A good marriage

can transform one's life --

which making dresses,

however proficiently,

certainly will not.

[Keys clacking]

[Sighs]

Thank goodness!

- Are you all right?

- No, I'm not.

I have a most damn awful

hangover.

I've been trying

to sleep it off.

You mean that's all?

All?

You have obviously never

suffered a head like this.

I thought you had been

in an accident!

Do you realize you have

missed two appointments?

I'm sure you managed to smooth

things over for me.

Yes, I did --

by lying and cajoling

and rearranging half

next week's diary.

Well, that's all right then.

Mr. Maddox?

Oh, don't start "Mr. Maddoxing"

me again, please!

I think it is high time you took

your work more seriously.

I'm not surprised you

have a hangover.

No doubt, you spent another

evening gadding about

at some nightclub or some

ridiculous romp until all hours.

Well, that's where you're wrong,

isn't it?!

If you must know,

I spent last night

with my best friend,

who is rotting to death

from his war wounds.

Ah, Mrs. Trouten.

And you must be Clarissa.

Would you care to take a seat?

Over there.

Mr. Maddox will be

ready for you in a moment.

Nearly there.

You nervous?

Perhaps I should have

written first.

No.

You'd have given her

the opportunity

of refusing to see you.

She still might do that.

Not it you put your foot

firmly in the door.

This is the one.

Well, what are you waiting for?

Yes?

Um, good afternoon.

Are you Mrs. Pearce?

- Oh, no.

- Oh.

- Well, this is number...

- 17.

Yes, but old Mr. Pritchard

lives here.

I'm his housekeeper.

Oh!

Oh, wait a minute though.

There was a lady lived

her previous...

Yes, I believe her name

was Pearce.

But that was seven years ago.

Would Mr. Pritchard

have her address?

Oh, I doubt it --

not after all this time.

Well, could we speak to him,

please?

No, miss, he's away in Bristol,

visiting his sister.

Well, is there anyone else

who might know

her current whereabouts?

Not as I know of.

They say she kept herself

to herself.

If I leave my address,

would you ask

Mr. Pritchard when he returns?

It's very important.

I thought you might like

a black coffee.

Thank you.

God knows what these photographs

will be like.

My eyesight is not at its best.

You can tell Mrs. Trouten

it's all the rage

to have photographs

out of focus.

- Beatrice...

- Jack...

I'm sorry I snarled

at you earlier.

I'm sorry about your friend.

We were at school together.

And then Oxford, same regiment,

did our first stretch

in the trenches together.

I can't actually remember life

without Hugh.

Is he at a hospital?

No, he's in one of those

God-forsaken institutions

where they put people

who won't oblige them

by dying quickly enough.

[Sighs]

Each time, it's worse --

for Hugh as well as for me.

Only, of course, he can't go out

and get plastered afterwards.

All I want to do now

is forget the war...

every hideous moment of it.

That's why I trip the light

fantastic the way I do.

When I'm on my own,

I start to look back and...

you wouldn't understand.

Oh, yes, I do.

I understand all about needing

to forget the past.

When we stood there

outside the cottage,

I could imagine him

in all his finery...

walking up the path.

Perhaps, stopping on the way

to pluck a single rose.

What a frightful little

romantic you are.

[Evangeline chuckles]

Mind you,

being someone's mistress

would be a damn sight better

than being his wife.

Not if you marry

the right person, surely.

The right person would soon

become the wrong person.

No. Marriage is simply slavery

for most women.

My father barely existed for me

when I was small.

It was always Mother.

He was just a stern face

behind The Times,

a shadow on the stairs.

And then she died.

- When Evangeline was born?

- Mmm.

She'd been warned

not to have another.

She'd had several

miscarriages before.

Oh, but he desperately

wanted a son.

Still, she had the last laugh --

she left him with two daughters

on his hands.

[Chuckles]

How old were you then?

12.

Old enough to help

with the baby.

I hated her, at first.

I blamed her for what happened

to Mother.

Oh, but you can't hate

Evie for long.

No.

She's adorable.

And so like Mother.

Sometimes I look at her

now that she's older,

and it's almost as if...

[Sighs]

Still, I'm going to make

damn sure

she has a better life

than Mother did.

Tell me about you and Penelope.

What was your childhood like?

Utter chaos.

My parents were botanists.

We never knew where we were

going to be living

from one year's end to the next.

We spent most of our hols

on our knees

in outlandish places

looking for plants

with long Latin names.

How wonderful.

And then when we got back

to England,

it was the human condition

that was under the microscope.

The house was always

full of reformers

and Pankhursts.

Endless pamphlets.

Put me off politics for life.

[Laughs]

Never mind.

Penelope makes up for us both.

EVANGELINE: Have you ever

thought of getting married?

PENELOPE: Stand for

the world's rights

with a harness around your neck?

You need to get

the physical thing

out of your system, though.

Do you mean you've...

Have you, Penelope?!

I thought I might be missing out

on something if I didn't.

Who with?!

Jack Paddrove in the war.

What was it like?

I mean, I know what

actually happens.

I read it in one of

Father's medical books.

But what was it actually like?

Nothing to write home about.

No...

sex, like marriage,

is a man's game.

It needn't be, though, need it?

Not according to that book

of Marie Stopes you lent me.

And how many men

are likely to read that?

[Whistle blows]

Why has your brother Jack

never married?

He hasn't had much time --

what with the war and things.

He ought to settle down now,

though.

Mind you, I pity the poor girl

who gets him.

He would be absolute murder

to live with.

I'll clear up, Jack.

You go home.

Have an early night.

What do you and Evangeline

do in the evening?

Nothing much.

We eat, sew, read occasionally.

Doesn't sound very exciting.

It's what we're used to.

What about friends?

We haven't any.

Father didn't encourage them.

Not the sort we'd have liked.

He sounds a frightful killjoy,

your father.

A killjoy and a hypocrite.

After his death,

I discovered he'd had

a string of mistresses --

even before Mother died.

Evie doesn't know,

and I don't want her to.

It would upset her too much.

My lips are sealed.

Do you know what I think?

I think it's high time

the Eliott sisters

had some fun.

[Sighs]

[Door closes]

- At last!

- I'm sorry I'm late.

Where on earth have you been?

Well, you know where --

with Penelope.

Till this hour?

We missed the train and had to

wait for the next one.

Train?

Where did you go?

Does it matter?

Yes, it does!

This is no time to come in!

For heaven's sake, you're

beginning to sound like Arthur!

Arthur may be your guardian,

but you still live with me.

You knew who I was with.

Is that why you're

in such a bait?!

Don't be so ridiculous!

Penelope's hardly the sort of

person who would lead me astray.

Well, since I scarcely know her,

I must take your word for it.

You're jealous.

You don't like me having

a friend, do you?

Of course I don't mind you

having a friend.

But I do mind you coming in

at all hours.

I was worried!

Oh, Bea!

Let's not quarrel.

- I'm sorry.

- Oh!

Am I forgiven?

I'm not sure.

I might have to punish you.

By not allowing you

to go to the party.

Party? What party?

The one Jack Maddox

has invited us to.

Jack Maddox has invited us

to a party?

I'm bringing your friend

to make up the numbers.

Bea, that's wonderful!

Well, I didn't particularly want

to go myself,

but, well, it will be

a good opportunity

for us to show off our clothes.

What clothes?

The amazing creations

we're going to conjure up

between now and Saturday!

Oh, I wish we had time to sew

this on properly,

and this netting!

It's a miracle we had time

to finish at all.

I just pray it doesn't fall off!

We should have got

Tilly Watkins to help us.

You know that girl

I told you about?

She sews exquisitely.

[Knock on door]

They're here, Miss Bea.

- Oh, hell!

- They've arrived!

He's ever so handsome,

isn't he?

Jack Maddox?

Looks just like

Douglas Fairbanks.

What about his friend?

Who does he look like?

Rudolph Valentino?

No, miss.

He's more like...

Fatty Arbuckle.

[Laughter]

You look sensational --

both of you!

Thank you.

Let me introduce

Peregrine Garstone,

commonly known as Piggy.

On account of my neat feet.

JACK: And allow me to present

Miss Beatrice

and Miss Evangeline Eliott.

- How do you do?

- Hello.

- Hello.

- How do you do?

Well, Beatrice,

shall we lead the way?

Thank you.

[Upbeat music playing]

I shall go park the car, Jack.

Okay, fine.

[Music continues]

The first thing

you had to collect

was the cap off

the commissioner at the Ritz.

You should have seen his face!

Then we had to pinch

a policeman's helmet.

Bobby Fairfax was almost

arrested!

It was too funny for words!

[Laughing]

Oh!

Who are they?

Two women who have just come in

with Jack Maddox.

Well, I think Jack would have

run away with it, personally,

and followed his cars.

[Laughs]

Oh, why didn't I think of

wearing something like that?

Look at this ordinary chiffon.

Who are they?

Does anyone know?

Matter of fact,

they're distant cousins.

I wonder why everyone

in the room

seems to be staring at me.

Must be the cut

of your suit, Piggy.

Cheers.

ALL: Cheers!

Beatrice, Evangeline.

Arthur!

What on earth are

you doing here?

Well, same as you, I imagine.

May I introduce Jack Maddox?

- How do you do?

- Peregrine Garstone.

- Hello!

Hello.

This is Arthur Eliott,

our second cousin

and Evangeline's guardian.

Lucky chap!

Jack!

And Piggy!

Oh, Bea is your mystery guest.

Don't tell me

you made that yourself.

Yes, I did --

with my sister's help.

Oh, too sick-making!

I can't even do cross-stitch.

Well, I wouldn't have thought

that matters

since you tend to wear rather

less than a stitch.

[Laughter]

My I introduce my sister,

Evangeline?

And this is Arthur Eliott.

Arthur, this is Daphne Haycock.

We've known each other

for donkeys' years.

He used to pull my pigtails

when I was little.

JACK: Sins will find you out.

Hello, Daphne.

Got a cigarette, anybody?

I'm gasping for one.

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe.

Thank you.

Why didn't you tell me you had

such devi cousins?

[Slow tune plays]

I'm sorry, was that

your foot again?

It's my fault.

I'm used to leading.

We can always swap round.

[Both laugh]

You dance beautifully.

Do you really think so?

I'd say you're a natural.

[Music ends]

[Applause]

[Upbeat tune begins]

Oh, God, a swingle!

Come on, Tommy, let's show 'em!

You won't know this one --

we'll sit it out.

Oh, but I do.

- Really?

- Yes.

She didn't learn that from you.

No --

from Molly,

our maid.

[Laughing]

[Crowd whooping]

[Music continues]

Could you, honestly,

make me something

for my coming-out dance?

Something that won't be like

everyone else's

grisly old ball gown.

Well, I'm sure we could.

If you'd care to contact me

at Jack Maddox's studio,

then we could arrange a meeting.

Oh, lovely.

I'll do that.

Excuse me, may I speak to you,

please, Beatrice?

Excuse me.

What on earth were you doing

allowing Evangeline

to make an exhibition

of herself like that?

Don't be so stuffy, Arthur.

Why shouldn't she have

some fun for a change?

For one thing, you're still

supposed to be in mourning.

- You shouldn't even be here.

- And what about you?

Aren't you supposed to be

mourning, too?

Our host is a client.

I was obliged to put in

an appearance.

Just as well I did, too!

You obviously cannot be relied

upon to chaperon your sister.

Where is she now?

Evangeline?

Oh, she's taking

cocaine upstairs.

Beatrice,

you faithfully promised me

the next dance.

Sorry to drag her away.

[Beatrice laughing]

I thought you might

need rescuing.

Yes, I did.

Thank you!

Where is Evie?

[Upbeat music plays]

What are you thinking about?

Coal.

All those lights blazing away

in there...

and we're supposed

to be saving fuel.

I can see Pen's

been getting at you.

It does seem awful

when some people

can't even afford

to boil a kettle.

What a delightful mixture

you are.

Don't ever change, will you?

Oh, but I want to change.

I want to learn all the things

I've never learned.

I want to find a job.

I want to help the poor.

I want to have my hair cut short

like Daphne Haycock.

Don't you dare!

You must never cut your hair.

It must look so beautiful

spread out on a pillow.

ARTHUR: I still can't

get over it.

Carrying on like that

in a public place.

I thought you said

they were in the conservatory.

If I could see them,

so could anyone else.

A little kiss at a party

hardly constitutes

a major scandal, Arthur.

It might have led to one

if I hadn't intervened.

And Jack Maddox would be

a very good catch for a girl

in Evangeline's position.

How on earth can you say that,

Mother?

He's the up-and-coming

photographer.

He has quite a reputation,

you know.

Yes.

As a womanizer!

At least he's not a Fabian,

like his parents.

Oh, so you'd rather

Evangeline were ravaged

than politicized.

I doubt the choice

is as drastic as that.

I do think you're making

rather too much of this, dear.

I'm not having that swine

chasing after her.

I am her guardian, remember?

As long as that

is your only reason.

Well, of course, it is.

Good.

Have you seen my prayer book?

Uncle Henry entrusted her

to my care.

What concerns me far more

than Jack Maddox's

amorous advances

is her getting in with

Daphne Haycock's crowd.

That could ruin her reputation.

She must be kept in check.

Yes.

But I'm not sure

that keeping her at home

is the best solution.

With Beatrice at work all day,

Evangeline could be off

anywhere,

with anyone.

Perhaps I should have a word

with Mrs. Partini.

Who?

Mrs. Partini --

my dressmaker --

about whose bills

you're always complaining!

She sometimes takes on

young apprentices.

JACK: I'm sorry, gov,

Miss Eliott is out

on an errand for Mr. Maddox.

Well, I don't know, gov.

She could be out

all day if she --

All right, all right, gov,

I'll tell her if I see her.

Yeah.

Phew!

Arthur.

Oh, no!

He telephoned us twice

yesterday.

You're to telephone him

as soon as possible.

Oh!

I pretended I was a handyman

and that you were

out indefinitely.

Oh, two more inquiries

about dresses.

Daisy Winthrop

and the honorable

Gwendolyn Povy,

who might have found

even the Eliott sisters

to make anything more than

a landed whale.

The numbers are down there.

Thank you, Jack!

I must say,

I'm beginning to wonder

who is whose receptionist.

I'm sorry, but it was your idea

we use the party

as a shop window.

Yes, well, little did I know

what I was getting

myself in for.

[Stamps]

The ladies Field are at 11:00,

isn't it?

I'll get things ready.

It was a marvelous

evening, Jack.

Thank you.

What do you think of Piggy?

He was fun.

Can be lethal, too,

you know.

Was in the Royal Flying Corps.

Shot down more Jerries

than Daphne Haycock's

had cigarettes.

Piggy?

That's what everyone thought.

But when pigs do fly...

[Whistles]

What do you think of this drape?

Not bad.

Thank you.

Perhaps I should ring Arthur.

Shouldn't bother.

Only be some lecture

about not letting Evangeline

fall prey to lecherous

photographers.

He has a point, Jack.

One chaste little kiss?

Oh, I don't care about Arthur,

but I do care about Evie.

She's been wandering around

like Juliet

after the balcony scene

ever since.

Aw!

I know you flirt

with everyone in sight,

but she takes you seriously.

I don't want her to be hurt.

There's a letter for you,

Miss Evie.

It's just come

in the second post.

From Bournemouth.

Uh, thank you, Molly.

No, I'm sorry, Beatrice.

It will not wait until tomorrow.

I wish to see you

and Evangeline

here in my office

this afternoon.

Then you will have to request

time off.

No, it's not.

I've already expressed

my feelings on that matter.

No, it concerns

your father's estate.

Not on the telephone, no.

Let's say 3:00, shall we?

I'll leave you to inform

Evangeline.

[Rings]

[Rings]

The Eliott house.

Yes.

Oh, it's you, Miss Bea.

Well, no, you can't,

she's gone out.

I don't know.

She didn't say.

Well, I don't understand it.

She said she'd be working

flat-out on ideas

for Babs Carew.

Pen's probably

whisked her off somewhere.

Well, I wish she wouldn't.

I shall have to go and see

Arthur on my own now.

Oh, why couldn't he have told me

what it was on the telephone

instead of leaving me worrying?

Mrs. Pearce?

Yes?

I'm Evangeline Eliott.

Poor Henry!

I knew something

must have happened

when he stopped

coming to see me.

I'm sorry you had to

find out like this.

At least I've met you now.

I always wanted to meet

you and Beatrice,

but, of course,

it was not possible.

How long had you

and my father...

known each other?

25 years.

A quarter of a century.

You met while Mother

was still alive?!

Oh, it wasn't

that he didn't love her.

He was always a dutiful husband.

But Henry...

I was a young widow.

It suited us both.

He bought me the cottage

in Bournemouth.

When my mother died,

why didn't he...

Marry me?

Don't think I didn't

try to persuade him --

for the boy's sake.

But he was always so concerned

about his reputation.

The boy?

Yes.

We had a son...

Sebastian.

Your half-brother, he'd be.

I'm sorry, my dear.

I didn't mean

to let it out like that.

The shock of it all.

How old is he?

24 now.

A fine young man.

There's a look of Henry

about him --

Henry when I first knew him.

There he is at 13,

when he first went

to his public school --

Rugby.

He went to Rugby?

Then up to Cambridge.

Henry insisted.

He always said, "My son is going

to have the best education

that money will buy."

And to hell with his daughters.

Well, since Evangeline does not

appear to be joining us,

in spite of your message.

I can only imagine she has gone

to show her designs

to Babs Carew.

I had better proceed

without her.

You said it was a matter

of grave importance.

Yes.

I'm afraid you must steel

yourself, Beatrice,

and try not to become emotional.

Things are even worse

than we thought.

I heard from another

of your father's

so-called stock brokers

this morning.

It seems that some years back,

Uncle Henry

bought stock on credit,

giving the deed of the house

as security.

The debt has only been

partially redeemed.

What exactly does that mean?

It means

that your home

is two-thirds mortgaged.

[Jack laughing]

Bea, I've such --

Evangeline.

Well, come and join us, darling.

The more, the merrier.

SUBTITLING MADE POSSIBLE BY

RLJ ENTERTAINMENT