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[ Jazz music playing ]

Whoo!

[ Speaks indistinctly ]

[ Cheering ]

Ladies and gentlemen, may I have

your attention, please?

As you know,

Beatrice and Evangeline Eliott

sail for England tomorrow

aboard the Laconia.

Now, while I'm happy

to wish them bon voyage,

I'm not going to say goodbye.

I would much prefer to say

au revoir.

The Eliott collection

has been an enormous success

with both the press

and the public.

And as the director

of the company,

may I say Sears Roebuck is proud

to be associated with them.

[ Cheering ]

So would you join me

in a toast, please,

to Beatrice and Evangeline --

the House of Eliott.

[ Cheering ]

Bea. Bea, Evie.

- Thank you.

- You're welcome.

Thank you

not only for allowing us

to show our designs in America

and embark on what promises

to be a successful venture,

but also for all the warmth

and hospitality

you've shown us.

Evie.

Well, we've had

a wonderful time,

and we're looking forward

to our next visit.

Thank you.

[ Cheers and applause ]

[ Slow jazz music plays ]

So how are you?

Glad to be going home?

Mm, in a way.

We really had

a terrific time here, though.

WOMAN: Yes.

Beatrice looks very happy.

Yes, Donald's been very kind

to us both.

This trip has done us

the world of good.

Is, um...

Is Beatrice fond of Donald?

Yes.

BEATRICE:

Oh, please, Donald.

There are so many people

I want to say goodbye to.

All right.

I'll find us some fruit cup.

I'm not going to

spoil a party with business,

but tell me something.

Are you now going to consider

designing ready-to-wear gowns

on a more regular basis?

Oh, I don't know.

I think with the season

coming up at home,

we're going to be pretty tied up

with the couture collection.

Oh, of course.

As long as your experience

with Sears Roebuck

hasn't put you off

the whole idea.

Not at all.

It's been very interesting

to see

just how much demand there is

for high-quality gowns

in your stores.

It hasn't put us off anything.

Good.

Oh, excuse me.

There's Harry.

He'll want to say goodbye to you

as well.

"Pretty tied up"?

[ Laughs ]

We've only been here six weeks.

You're beginning to sound

like an American.

So?

- Hi!

- [ Both laugh ]

What have I done?

I think "gone native"

is the expression.

Oh, well, no more of that

after tomorrow, eh?

No, I suppose not.

Still, we have plenty

to look forward to in England.

Can I have the next dance,

please?

Why, of course.

[ Laughs ]

[ Cheering ]

[ Horn honks ]

[ Thunder rumbling ]

I'm gonna be late

if I don't watch out.

Percy's coming at my house

at 7:00.

Oh, come on.

It's not even 6:00 yet.

Oh, it's as near

as makes no difference.

- I'm off home.

- Evie!

[ Laughs ]

You're back!

[ Indistinct conversations ]

- How are you, Tilly?

- Fine.

Everything's fine

since you left home.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Welcome back!

You should have let us know

when you were arriving.

We could have had someone

meet you.

Well, we wanted to

surprise you.

Miss Eliott.

I had no idea.

How are you?

How have you been managing?

I'm not sure where to start.

Please don't give me

the details this minute.

Everything looks

well under control.

We just about managed.

Madge, if you want to

get off home, then, please do.

Oh, thank you, Miss Evie.

I suppose I ought.

My mother-in-law's expecting me

straight back.

Good night, Madge.

See you tomorrow.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

- Good night.

- Night.

I'm just gonna say hello

to Alice, and then --

- Ah...

- What do you mean, "Ah"?

Perhaps we should go through

to your office.

It was very difficult.

Well, what was?

What's happened to her?

Mrs. Burgoyne received

a most generous offer

from Maison Gilles --

première vendeuse.

That's ridiculous.

Alice wouldn't walk out

for a better job.

Well, she walked out of Hazaar's

for us.

Mrs. Burgoyne and I, we --

It was fine at first,

and then we found we...

Well, I'm not laying

all the blame on her, mind.

It was just...

Perhaps I was a little

overzealous in my duties.

I was anxious to make sure

everything went smoothly.

I can see that Mrs. Burgoyne

might have regarded that

as interference.

Did she say as much?

She pointed out that I was

a bookkeeper, not a couturier,

and, well, she was quite right.

- When did all this happen?

- Last week.

She didn't even wait to take her

wages and left on the Friday.

Well, what about our clients?

Who's been attending to them?

I've done my best.

Tilly's been most helpful.

Oh! Hello, Mum.

Hello, Madge.

Wipe your feet.

I don't know.

You turn your back for five

minutes, and look what happens.

Thanks, Tilly.

It weren't

all his fault, though.

She was dead set on going.

Well, I find it hard to imagine

Joseph upsetting anyone

that much.

Did you see much

of what went on?

Some.

Couldn't help it half the time.

She don't half got a voice

to that woman when she tries.

There were shouting matches?

Oh, no.

Not in front of the clients.

Never got that bad.

So, what actually happened?

Silly things.

Brewer's rang.

They had water damage

in their warehouse.

They'll have to get a new batch

of crepe in for us.

Maybe it was gonna be

a couple of days, that's all.

She went mad.

"Well,

who do you think you are?

You can't do this

to the House of Eliott.

Right, there will be

no more orders of us."

Slamming the telephone down.

And, I mean, they've been

good to us, Brewer's.

It's all right, now, though.

Mr. Wint got it all sorted out

in the end.

In fact, it wasn't

Joseph's fault at all?

No. [ Laughs ]

- Except...

- Go on.

He came in in a morning suit.

Pardon?

Well, after Mrs. Burgoyne left,

the Duchess of Chilham

made an appointment,

and Mr. Wint said

he'd better receive her, so...

He hired a morning suit.

And?

She was very gracious.

I mean, she shook hands with him

and all that

and said she'd better make

an appointment

when you two got back.

And Mr. Wint, he bowed.

[ Laughter ]

Ain't half glad you're home.

[ Laughter continues ]

It's a smashing cottage pie,

Mum.

Yeah, I wasn't expecting

to come home to a hot meal.

Well, it's a cold night.

And it's your favorite.

[ Thunder rumbles ]

Oh, they call it ground beef

in America,

and they make it into sort of

rissoles -- hamburgers!

- I don't think I'd fancy that.

- Oh, no, they're ever so tast--

We had a lovely capon for

our Christmas, didn't we, Gerry?

Bit too much for just the two

of us, but it was ever so nice.

Mum's been a real trouper

since you've been away, Madge.

Well, that's what I'm here for.

Oh, by the way, I cleared out

the back cupboard for you.

There was all sorts of rubbish

in there wanted throwing out.

That's very good of you.

Well, someone had to

hold the fort

while you was off gallivanting,

didn't they?

How long have we been back

in England?

About 12 hours.

Oh, seems like months.

[ Chuckles ]

Thank you.

Were you expecting

a letter from Jack?

No.

Why should I be?

There's a lovely telegraph

from Donald.

I mean, wire.

[ Chuckles ]

Oh, yes?

"Welcome home," stop.

"America's loss

is England's gain," stop.

"In touch soon," stop.

You made a great impression

on Donald Bradley.

Well, I should think so.

We brought a lot of prestige

to Sears Roebuck.

Is that all?

I obviously failed miserably

in how I brought you up.

You're far too nosy

for your own good.

I know.

Still, I didn't get a telegraph

from Franklin.

Or Jeffrey.

Or Arnold K. Winstanley Jr.

Was fun, wasn't it?

Yes. [ Chuckles ]

Do you know Miriam asked us

if we were considering doing

any more ready-to-wear?

Mm?

Well, do you think we ought to

look at the idea more seriously?

Well, all ideas

are worth looking at, Bea.

But it's not

what we do best, is it?

Well...

It says here

they're artificial silk.

It's called rayon.

Now, everyone wears

rayon stockings in America.

Well, it feels like silk.

Now, they don't darn

as easy as silk,

but, then,

they don't need it so often.

They wear ever so well, and you

can wash them and everything.

Very kind, I'm sure.

Oh, thanks ever so much, Madge.

I'm gonna wear them tonight

when I see Percy.

Oh!

Yes, and just before that,

you'll make a start on Miss

Hampton's collar, all right?

Yes, Mrs. Foss.

- Oh.

- [ Indistinct conversations ]

Mr. Charles?

Mr. Charles.

I didn't forget you.

Oh, why, thanks.

- Oh, they're from Havana.

- Oh!

I got some for you

and some for Mr. Wint.

Well, thank you very much,

Madge.

That's very kind of you.

Madge, will you give me

two minutes

to make sure everyone's set up,

and I'll show you

what's going on?

Yes.

Is she all right?

Well, she took

a lot of responsibility

when everyone was away,

especially when --

Oh, I know.

I heard.

She would have enjoyed

a trip to America.

Don't worry.

I won't rub her nose in it.

Mrs. Armstrong will be here

in 15 minutes.

Then there's no one

for the rest of the day.

Only Miss Hampton tomorrow.

I know it's my fault, but I just

didn't know what to do.

The ladies

wish to see other ladies,

and without Mrs. Burgoyne...

No one is blaming you, Joseph.

You obviously managed very well

under very trying circumstances.

They all said they'd rebook

once you were home.

Well, most of them did.

I'm sure they will, Joseph.

So, if you'll excuse me,

I have a good deal of

my own work to catch up with.

Of course.

Five appointments all week, Bea.

Do you think Alice just took

all her clients with her

to Maison Gilles?

I don't know.

She certainly didn't bring any

with her from Hazaar's to us.

Maybe we just underestimated

the importance

of actually being here

ourselves.

All the accounts are up to date.

Everyone seems to be

paying their bills.

- Aha.

- What?

Top of page 10.

"Maison Gilles

winter collection --

100 glittering evening gowns."

We obviously have

a lot of catching up to do.

- Hello.

- Oh, good morning.

I'd like to see

the Eliott sisters, please.

And I know they're back.

- Look, Miss Keeble...

- Grace.

As I said to you last time,

Miss Keeble,

it would be much better if you

were to make an appointment.

Are they busy now?

They're with a client

this very moment.

How long will they be?

Couldn't really say.

I don't know --

10 minutes?

Half an hour?

- Possibly.

- Then I'll wait.

In here all right?

It's gorgeous.

I simply adore it.

Oh, I must say it has turned out

awfully well.

Mrs. Burgoyne looked after you,

I presume.

Yes.

Turn around, darling.

Oh, we were all most surprised

when Mrs. Burgoyne decamped

to Maison Gilles.

But she seemed

happy enough there.

Yes, that is charming.

Now, get changed quickly,

darling.

Thank you.

You will both come this evening,

won't you?

There's so many people dying to

talk to you about America.

Oh, yes, of course.

It's Jessica's 21st, isn't it?

Um, yes, the invitation was

waiting for us when we got home.

We are looking forward to it.

By the way, I hope I've done

the right thing, my dear.

I-I know things have been

awkward between you and Jack,

but he and the children

have been such chums.

Simon has been trying

to telephone him for weeks.

Well, he was in Germany

before Christmas.

Oh, well,

that's probably it, then.

Simon sent him an invitation.

So if he's there, he's there,

and if he's not, he isn't.

Jessie, darling, come on.

Quickly.

Oh, there's a young lady

to see you -- a Miss Keeble.

- A client?

- I don't know, Miss Eliott.

She came a couple of times

while you were away, but she --

Hello.

My name's Grace Keeble.

- Hello.

- Miss Keeble.

Thank you.

It's all right.

I haven't come to buy anything.

Then how may we help you?

Please sit down.

I've come to show you these.

What do you think?

Do you like them?

EVIE: Well, yes.

They're, uh, very good.

Would you like to buy them?

I beg your pardon?

I'm a fashion designer

like you.

Trouble is, unlike you,

I don't have a fashion house,

so I'm trying to sell me designs

to someone who does.

I'm afraid the House of Eliott

doesn't buy designs.

Why not?

Because my sister and I do

all the designing ourselves.

I see.

It's nothing to do

with the quality of the work.

No, of course not.

It's just never been our policy

to employ other designers.

Have you, um, ever had

any of these made up at all?

I've done this one.

Oh.

Where did you --

- I mean, who...

- I made it.

I've done dressmaking

and lady's tailoring

at the technical school

in Shoreditch.

Did you?

That's not bad.

But not good enough to get you

to buy my designs, eh?

If you're seeking employment,

Miss Keeble,

we occasionally have vacancies

in the workroom.

I've been in workrooms,

I've done outwork,

and it's not for me.

As I've said, I'm a designer,

and that's what I'm gonna do.

Well, I'm terribly sorry.

I only come to you 'cause I knew

you'd started from nothing.

Still, another time, eh?

Look, I am sorry

if we appear rude.

It's just, well,

no one's ever brought

their designs to us before.

You did rather take us

by surprise.

Your work is good.

You've obviously gone

to a great deal of trouble.

The designs are very promising.

I can't guarantee that they will

ever be sold or even made up,

but we would be prepared to buy

a couple of them as drawings.

Depending on the price,

of course.

Does five shillings each

sound reasonable?

A guinea the pair.

Very well.

I'll get my checkbook.

Cash.

[ Clears throat ] I'll, um,

go and see Joseph, shall I?

Oh, I'm sorry I'm late, Perce.

Been waiting long?

Long enough

to get flipping freezing.

Come on.

Let's go to a caff and warm up.

Yeah, all right.

Yeah, listen,

you got any cash on you, girl?

Only, I left me wallet at home,

see?

Oh, yeah, I've got enough

for our dinner.

Good girl.

I'll pay you back tonight.

Right, Mr. Baker, that's a gross

of black cotton, gross of white.

20 yards

of the narrow lace trim,

20 yards of the wide stuff.

Twopence a yard, we said?

Twopence three farthings

on orders less than 50 yards,

Mr. Cotter.

Twopence farthing, and I'll

make it 30 yards of each.

And I'll have a bolt of the same

interfacing I had last time

and a gross

of the silver-gilt buckles.

Dragonfly or pharaoh's head?

[ Chuckles ] Dragonfly,

if you please, Mr. Baker.

Can't even sell the Egyptian

look in Manchester anymore.

- Very well.

- [ Clears throat ]

Oh, Miss Eliott!

Please come in.

Come in.

Did you manage to find

those buttons for me yet?

- Not one kind, but two.

- Really?

I'll be with you in a tick,

Mr. Cotter.

Now...

This is the tortoiseshell

you wanted to see.

Mm-hmm.

And this one is Indian buffalo.

EVIE:

Oh, I like that.

I'll have a dozen

of both of those.

Of course.

I shall be with you directly.

Oh, forgive me

for interrupting your visit.

That's quite all right.

No trouble at all.

It is Miss Eliott of

the House of Eliott, isn't it?

- That's right.

- [ Chuckles ]

Well, now,

I'm very pleased to meet you.

Larry Cotter.

I've been an admirer of yours

for a long time.

How kind.

I remember when you showed

those nocturne gowns

a couple of years ago.

People were clamoring for violet

silk for months afterwards.

- Really?

- Oh, yes.

Couldn't get enough of it.

[ Chuckles ]

And your last collection,

even after

all the business with...

Well, uh, old water

under the bridge now.

I'm in the fashion business

myself, you know?

Not quite in the same circles

as yourself, obviously.

I'm so sorry

to have kept you waiting.

- That's all right.

- I'm more in ready-to-wear.

And of course

I've been reading great things

about your American tour.

Thank you very much.

- Pleasure.

- Good day.

So nice to talk to you,

Miss Eliott.

- I do hope we meet again.

- Yes, I hope so too.

Oh, uh,

let me give you my card.

Thank you.

Show me those buttons again.

You got anything like that

in Bakelite?

[ Jazz music playing ]

I did suggest a small orchestra

playing real music,

but she wouldn't hear of it.

Come on, Jessica.

Oh! My dears, hello.

The birthday girl.

Hello!

And the Americans have the most

wonderful cotton muslins.

Really fresh, vivid colors.

Isn't that what they use

the slaves for?

Uh, not anymore, no.

We have a consignment arriving

any day.

Maybe you would like to drop in

and see them.

Yes, I might.

When I have a moment.

Darlings, protect me.

If I have to listen

to one more oaf droning on

about the dangers

of modern living, I shall die.

- Happy birthday, Jess.

- Oh!

I say,

you look frightfully elegant.

That's not a Gilles number,

is it?

No, it's an Eliott.

Oh, I didn't think

of going there.

It's just that

everybody went along

to the Maison Gilles collection,

and I rather went along

with them.

And once one's there,

it's frightfully hard to resist,

isn't it?

Jessica, happy birthday.

Thank you!

Do you know there were

eight mannequins on parade

at the same time?

Gown after gown, and each one

more splendid than the last.

I see we shall have to

look to our laurels

if Maison Gilles

is going to mount

such an extravagant collection

each season.

Oh, my dear Beatrice,

I'm sure you have

no cause for concern.

None at all.

Good.

Would you excuse me a moment?

Having fun?

Not really. No.

- Oh, is --

- No, Jack's not here after all.

It's just if I see

one more Gilles gown....

Never mind.

I've extracted promises to visit

us from at least a dozen people.

Well done.

Beatrice! Evangeline!

The very people.

Jessica is driving me

to distraction.

It's been going on for weeks.

But when Colonel Stanhope

brought the subject up again,

her eyes positively lit up,

and I suddenly thought

you're just the ones

to solve the problem.

What exactly is the problem?

Well, Jessica is

quite determined

to take up

some sort of paid employment.

I can't imagine why.

It's not as if she needed money,

but there we are.

And I suddenly thought of you.

Well, Jessica could be

your new vendeuse.

Oh, well, we're certainly

very flattered

by Jessica's interest, but --

Oh, do say yes.

After all, you do need

a new vendeuse,

and Jessica knows

absolutely everyone.

Well, we could

certainly talk to her.

Splendid!

She'll be thrilled.

And to be quite honest,

I don't really mind

her doing that sort of thing.

After all, it's not what one

would call a real job, is it?

Jessica. Darling.

Oh, it's nice to be back

in me own bed again.

Oh, hurry up and get in

so I can warm me feet up.

In a minute, love.

Did you miss me

while I was away?

Yes, of course I did.

Don't know what I would have

done if Mum hadn't been so good.

That's not what I meant.

Eh?

Oh, never mind.

Give us a cuddle.

Yes, in a minute, love.

Only, I've got to be up early

tomorrow morning.

Mr. Simmons is down

with a bad tummy,

so I've got to do

all the timetables

as well as do

the ticket office.

Best get some sleep, then.

Yes, I think so.

[ Smooches ]

Good night.

Good night.

- [ Door opens ]

- Good morning.

Now, Jess, let us take you

through the vendeuse office,

and we will explain exactly

what the job entails.

This way.

I must say it'll be quite novel

ordering frocks

from one's own daughter.

Ah, Tilly, um,

perhaps Mrs. Armstrong

would like to see some designs

while we talk to Jessica.

- Of course.

- This way, Jessica.

Would you like a tea

or a coffee, Mrs. Armstrong?

Obviously, you've seen

what a vendeuse does

on your visits as a client.

Oh, absolutely.

Um, you show them the designs,

find out which one they want,

and make appointments.

Well, it's a little more

complicated than that.

You must check with the workroom

at each stage of the process,

make sure they can get the work

done in time for the fittings,

and make sure

either Madge or Tilly

are free to attend the fittings.

And, ideally, you should make

every client feel

that she is the most

important person you know.

Yes. Mrs. Burgoyne

was awfully good at that.

Almost like a best friend,

really.

You could tell her

absolutely everything.

I'm sure I don't have to

remind you, Jess,

that the fitting room

has the same confidentiality

as the priest's confessional.

Hear and instantly forget,

Jess.

Gosh, yes.

Another aspect of the job

is to woo the client.

Encourage them to visit

the House of Eliott

as opposed to, say...

Maison Gilles, for instance.

Well, can't people

go where they like?

Yes, of course they can,

but we'd much prefer it

if they came here.

Yes, I suppose you would.

Well, that's all right.

Everyone will think

it's the most enormous wheeze

to come and buy from me.

Ah, what about other clients --

people you don't actually know?

Do you feel you could

introduce yourself socially,

as well as balance

the business side of things?

Oh, yes.

I'm terribly sociable.

Well, I think that's all

for the moment.

Jess, would you care to join

your mother in the reception?

Evie and I will just see

if there's anything else

we haven't discussed yet.

All right.

Triumph or disaster?

Difficult to say.

It could be either.

She has

all the right connections,

but she must try and cultivate

a more professional attitude.

It would only be temporary.

- Let's give her a try.

- [ Knock on door ]

Miss Bea,

there's a telephone call for you

from Barak's Pictures Studio.

I'll just come through.

Oh, Evie, will you finish off

the Armstrongs?

Yes, of course.

Mrs. Armstrong, Jessica.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Mr. Barak, hello.

How nice to hear from you.

I'm fine.

How are you?

No, I haven't heard from him.

All I know is

Jack was staying in Germany

till the film was finished.

I-I assumed he'd be back by now.

Well, yes,

I'll tell him if I see him.

Goodbye.

Tilly, will you tell Evie

I'll be out over the lunch hour?

- Yes, Miss Bea.

- Thank you.

And we saw Greta Garbo

in "The Temptress." Oh!

All those men

chasing after her.

Oh, you'll have to go and see it

when it comes here, Mr. Charles.

It's lovely.

Well, that's the great beauty

of the motion picture, isn't it?

It takes you right out of

yourself into a whole new world.

Oh, it's just like being there.

Are you keen on the pictures,

then?

Love them, Madge.

Do you know,

I saw "The Sheik" five times?

- You never!

- I did.

[ Both laugh ]

Yeah, I must say, though, I do

envy you your trip to America.

That must have been wonderful.

It was really something,

as they say.

I'm getting really brassed off

with all this talk

about America.

I bet you are, too,

aren't you, Tilly?

No. Not really.

Madge ain't told me

too much about it.

So could you start tomorrow?

10:00.

8:30 is when we usually

like to get started.

Isn't this exciting?

Calm down, dear.

Now, will Jess

be dealing exclusively

with your couture clients

or will she be expected to meet

the ready-to-wear people

as well?

We've only designed

one ready-to-wear collection,

and that was in America.

Oh!

You sound surprised.

Well, I thought I saw

that particular gown

in a shop in Kensington

just this morning.

- No, it couldn't have been.

- Oh, yes.

It had exactly the same collar.

So distinctive.

It's rather nice, actually.

I mean, one doesn't buy

ready-to-wear oneself, but --

Which shop was it, exactly?

[ Clattering ]

[ Knocks ]

Yes?

Who on earth are you?

Good afternoon, madam.

May I help you?

I'm not sure.

I was just looking at this dress

in the window.

Would madam care to try it on?

Uh, no.

I don't think so.

It's just...

I wondered who designed it.

It's not a Paris copy, is it?

It's not a copy at all, madam.

It's a Grace Keeble original.

Grace Keeble.

I don't think

I've ever heard of her.

She trained in Paris at Worth

and then with Poiret.

She's also designed

for the House of Eliott.

I'm afraid I haven't got a clue

where he is.

I haven't heard from

the old so-and-so for weeks.

I was starting

to get a bit concerned.

Tons of letters for him.

Have you heard anything?

No, I haven't.

Forgive me -- What are you

actually doing here?

Human anatomy at the moment.

The final

is coming up in the summer.

Jack said I could look after the

flat while he was in Germany.

And he's still there?

Well, if he isn't,

he hasn't told me.

I see.

I say, you don't mind me

being here, do you?

- Only Jack did say --

- We're separated. Yes.

No, I don't mind you

being here.

Did you want to pick up

some of your things?

Yes, but not at the moment.

I am just a little concerned

as to Jack's whereabouts.

That's all.

Hello.

You come to tell me

you're making up my designs?

I most certainly have not.

I've come to ask you

what the devil

you think you're playing at.

In what way?

I think

we should discuss this indoors.

- May I come in?

- No.

If you're gonna be rude,

you can say

what you've got to say out here.

I see.

Very well, Miss Keeble.

I've just come from

Miss Pemberton's dress shop

in Kensington...

Oh, yeah?

...where your dress, the one

whose design you sold to us,

was displayed in the window.

So?

You sold that design to us,

Miss Keeble.

I sold you

a couple of drawings.

You made it quite clear

you weren't gonna make them up.

They weren't good enough

for your clientele.

You never asked me

if I was selling anywhere else.

That is not the way

business is done!

Not in your world, perhaps,

Miss Eliott.

But in my world, you do business

any way you can.

Good night!

How dare she march

into our office

and sell us designs she's

already sold to someone else?!

And to actually tell that woman

she designed

for the House of Eliott.

And to leave me standing

on the doorstep.

I've never been so...

[ Sighs ] Don't you think

this is outrageous?

Well, I don't see

how it really affects us.

We weren't going to

make the designs up anyway.

That's not the point!

We might have done, Bea!

It's the principle.

I think you've just had

your nose put out of joint

because Mrs. Armstrong

thought they were good enough

to be your designs.

Oh, don't be so absurd.

Aren't you the least bit

interested in this?

Frankly, no.

Not very.

I have other things

to think about.

What's happened, Bea?

Nothing.

I can't find Jack.

No one can.

What?

That telephone call from

Abraham Barak this morning --

He's been trying to trace Jack

in Germany.

He isn't at the address

he said he'd be at.

He's not at the studio.

So I went 'round to the flat,

and there was a stranger there.

Jack's let the flat to a tenant

without even telling me,

without...

He didn't know

where Jack was, either.

What's happened to him, Evie?

Let's get home, have a nice cup

of tea, won't you?

Hear, hear.

You'll be all right soon,

won't you?

I beg your pardon?

When you and your fiancée

get married.

Come home to find a nice fire

already lit, won't you?

Supper on the table,

slippers by the arm.

Good cook, is she,

your fiancée?

- Yeah, excellent.

- What's her name?

- [ Bell dings ]

- Stand back, ladies!

- Ain't you got no manners?!

- [ Bell dings ]

Hmph! Better get home.

Won't you, Madge?

Yeah.

Tilly, what's the matter?

Miss Armstrong's just asked me

to make tea for her and her

clients in the fitting room.

Has she indeed?

What was I supposed to do?

I couldn't exactly say no

in front of them.

- It's not done, though, is it?

- No, it's not.

We'll do it this once, and I'll

have a word with Miss Armstrong.

All right.

Oh, by the way,

them flowers arrived for you

about 20 minutes ago.

I've just been running around

so much

I didn't have time to tell you.

- All right, Tilly. Thank you.

- You're welcome.

All right, I lied, but what

difference does it make?

You'd never have known if that

Eliott woman hadn't told you.

You liked the dress, didn't you?

It hasn't changed, has it?

I do not wish to discuss

the matter any further.

Are you telling me that a dress

is worth 30 guineas

if it's made by Grace Keeble

of the House of Eliott

and nothing if it's not?

Yes.

And now if you would be so good

as to return my money...

- [ Door opens ]

- WOMAN: Good morning.

Good morning!

How are you?

But it's the same color as the

one I tried on at Maison Gilles.

Oh, no, that was

a -- a more subtle shade.

Try the black one.

Mummy would have a fit.

She'd think I was in mourning.

[ Chuckles ]

Yes, but jolly elegant mourning.

Try it on for fun.

Oh!

[ Clears throat ] Hello.

Miss Eliott, may I present

Miss Charlotte Parker?

- Good morning.

- Miss Julia Colebrook.

Good morning.

I'll make sure

someone brings you an ashtray.

- Jessica, may I have a word?

- Yes.

Excuse me.

I've spoken

to just about everyone I know,

and they've all been

terribly kind.

Mrs. Fitzwalter's coming in

next week sometime,

and Mrs. Babbage

and her daughter, Pamela --

you know,

the one with the red hair --

they promised

to come and visit.

And you met

Julia and Charlotte.

They tried on

absolutely heaps of stuff.

Did they order anything?

Not exactly.

What about the others?

Have they made

any definite appointments?

More or less.

I mean, they will.

They all seem terribly keen,

which is saying something

when you think

how besotted everyone is

with Monsieur Gilles.

Jessica, I know you're new,

and I appreciate you

helping us out like this,

but, well, you must

try and cultivate

a more professional attitude.

We need solid orders.

Yes, Miss Eliott.

And no more coffee

and cigarettes

in the fitting room

or the office.

Just think what would happen

if something got spilled.

Sorry.

I will try and do better.

Honestly.

It's all right.

- Oh, Beatrice.

- Yes?

Daddy's taking a gun

at Ardinoch Castle this weekend.

He wants Mummy and me to go

to sort of a house party,

so I'd like to take Friday off.

[ Door opens ]

Madge. Madge.

Have I done something

to upset you?

No.

Why do you ask?

I've just got it into my head

that you're not speaking to me.

Oh, whatever made you

think that?

I don't know.

It's just that you've been

nattering on to everyone else

about America

and all that stuff,

and you haven't said

a single word to me.

I thought we were friends.

Oh, you daft apeth!

I thought you minded me going.

I thought

it seemed like gloating.

I've been dying to tell you.

I didn't think

you wanted to know.

Me, a daft apeth?

[ Both laugh ]

Here, come back and have

your tea at our house.

I can tell you

all about America,

and you can tell me all about

old Mrs. Burgoyne.

I can't 'cause Norman's

on nights tonight,

and I do want to get back and

see him before he goes to work.

- He's on days tomorrow, though.

- I'll make us a lardy cake.

Oh, no, don't.

- I've been eating so much.

- [ Laughs ]

Of course I remember you,

Mr. Cotter.

Well, I'm afraid I'm a bit busy

at the moment.

Oh, yes?

What sort of proposition?

Well, if you hold on,

I'll just check my diary.

[ Door closes ]

I'm afraid I'm busy all day,

Mr. Cotter.

- Really! Miss Keeble!

- What on earth is this?!

7:00 Friday.

Yes, I'll be there.

Who the hell

do you think you are?

- I beg your pardon?!

- You heard.

- How dare you?!

- How dare I?!

It's all right for her

to come storming 'round my home,

asking me what I'm playing at,

and it's not all right

me doing the same, eh?

I came to see you because

I thought you'd dealt with us

in an underhand manner!

And what did you lose by it?

Did you lose your living?

Did all the ladyships stop

coming to the House of Eliott

'cause you was conned out of

one rotten guinea?

Miss Keeble, what exactly

is your complaint?

Do you know how much

that material cost me?

Do you know how long

I've been trying to get someone

to look at my designs

and take them seriously?

A whole flaming year.

Hawking them

around fashion houses,

shops, warehouses,

begging introductions to women

who look down their noses at me

'cause I don't have

the right accent!

That frock

was the first one I sold.

Yeah, all right,

I spun her a bit of a line.

Otherwise she wouldn't have

looked twice at the dress!

I mean, it's not talent

that counts in this game, is it?

Do you know what she done --

Mrs. Pemberton --

after you'd gone

and stuck your nose in?

She demanded her money back,

said she only dealt

in exclusive couture designs.

So you have it.

You paid a guinea

for the exclusive design.

You have the dress!

I'm sorry.

I didn't realize.

'Cause you didn't flaming think,

did you?!

What does it take, eh?

What do I have to do

to get a job?

I thought you, of all people,

would understand.

I mean, I remember hearing

you actually nicked clients

from under Duroque's nose

when you first started.

You weren't proud then.

You didn't have

House of Eliott policies then.

But you've made it now,

haven't you?

You can afford policies.

Yeah, and pulling the ladder up

after you

is just one of them, I suppose.

Well, there's bigger fish

in the sea than you.

I hear Maison Gilles has

whole rooms full of designers.

Maybe he's grand enough

not to be scared of new talent.

Miss Keeble, would you mind

waiting in the reception

for five minutes?

I must speak with my sister.

What?

Yeah.

All right.

Thank you.

No, Bea.

Absolutely not.

Out of the question.

Perhaps for a trial period.

Say for a season.

Purely from our point of view,

I can see the benefit

of having a trainee designer.

Yes, so can I, but not her.

- Why not?

- Because!

Be--

Because she's awful!

You said yourself

she's very talented.

Perhaps she wouldn't be so awful

if she wasn't so frustrated

at every turn.

Think about it, Evie.

We've seen it for ourselves --

Gilles overwhelming us

with sheer weight of numbers.

Yes, well, she's not exactly

going to solve that problem

for us, is she?

Not yet, no.

But eventually we're gonna

have to take on someone

if we're to survive.

I'd rather it was someone

we trained ourselves,

perhaps to take on the day wear,

leave you more time

for the special evening gowns.

She's still got

a great deal to learn.

Mmm. Delicious.

I thought we were having

lardy cake.

You know,

I've tried making waffles

for Gerry and his mother,

and they wouldn't even try them.

Don't know

what they're missing.

Mind you,

since I've been expecting,

I've been a devil

for anything sweet.

That maple syrup...

Take it home with you.

Go on. I've got another jar

in the cupboard.

Oh, thank you, Madge.

I bet it's funny

being all ordinary back here

after being so grand in America.

How was your boat?

Did you get to sit

at the captain's table?

- [ Laughs ] No.

- [ Door closes ]

Oh, I must show you

what I nicked off the boat.

You what?

Oh, it's only a paper napkin

and one of them little

fancy menu cards,

but it says "S.S. Laconia"

on them in lovely gold letters.

Oh, Madge.

Oh. Hi, Tilly.

Hello.

Hey there, Gerry.

Have you seen that paper napkin

that was in here?

You know, the one off the boat.

Oh, I threw it out.

Why?

You did what?!

Well, I'm sorry, Madge.

Didn't think it was important.

Anyway, we hardly need to keep

paper napkins, do we?

Any chance of a cup of tea?

Beatrice.

Hello.

Thank you for the flowers.

They are beautiful.

[ Laughs ]

And by the end of the day,

we'd actually taken on

the extraordinary Miss Keeble.

I think

you'll be glad you did.

Oh, you haven't met her.

No, but I've met people

like her.

Tough, hungry.

From the wrong side

of the tracks.

Yes.

They know what's needed

in shops and offices,

what Mrs. General Manager

is willing to pay

for a cocktail dress.

That hardly applies

to the House of Eliott.

The world is changing,

Beatrice.

Of course there will always be

a place for haute couture.

But mark my words --

It'll be a very bad mistake

to underestimate the power

of that woman

and of all the others like her.

Yes, Donald.

[ Both laugh ]

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to take up our

first evening talking business.

No, neither did I.

It's so good to see you again.

Do you wish to order now, sir?

Charles, Joseph, ladies.

I would like to introduce

Miss Grace Keeble.

As from this morning,

she will be joining us

as a trainee designer.

Jess, I didn't say anything

at the time

because you had obviously

made all the arrangements,

but in future we would prefer it

if you didn't ask for days off

just like that.

If it's terribly important,

then I'm sure we can come

to some sort of arrangement.

I know.

I am awfully sorry.

But it was terribly useful.

Really?

And I've done it all properly.

Look.

Charlotte Parker at 10:00.

Julia at 11:00.

Mrs. Campbell

and Mrs. Prescott-White

in the afternoon.

And I've rather said, uh,

you'll do the fitting

for my godmother on Thursday.

That's the Duchess of Chilham.

She said on Saturday

she was dying to meet you.

[ Chuckles ] Really?

And I've given Madge and Tilly

a list

of all the appointments for next

week so there's no confusion.

How many appointments

are there?

Uh, about nine in all and half

a dozen or so for next week.

Is that all right?

Yes. Splendid.

Well done.

This is Tilly, our specialist

in beadwork and embroidery.

I did embroidery

at Barrett Street.

How many of these beads

per square inch can you use

without dragging the fabric?

I'm sure Tilly

will be happy to tell you

anything you don't know.

Look, what I need to know

is cutting. You said --

I said we'd train you to design

for the House of Eliott.

We'll start with fabrics.

Well, I shall be 'round

in about an hour, then.

Right. Good night.

Jack's tenant's

going out for the evening,

so I'm going to go 'round and

collect the rest of my things.

Where are you going?

Out to dinner with Larry Cotter.

Remember?

Not that I'm looking forward

to it.

I wouldn't have agreed to go at

all if Grace hadn't barged in.

I knew you'd find something

to blame her for.

You see, our worlds are merging,

Miss Eliott --

growing together, as it were.

But the aristocracy --

the well-off, so to speak --

they're not quite as well off

as they were,

and the people that's made do

with what they could always get,

well, they're getting paid more,

so they can get more.

Do you see what I mean?

I think so.

Thank you so much.

Anyway, somewhere in the middle

ground is the sort of woman

that wants couture style

at, well,

not quite high-street prices,

but, well, Bond Street prices,

if you follow my meaning.

- Yes, I follow you.

- Of course you do.

Now, this is the area where

someone such as yourself

might well do business

with someone such as myself.

You,

a highly respected couturier,

knows one end of the business,

and I've sold a thousand dresses

up and down every high street

in Britain.

Now, where you sell silk,

I'd sell cotton,

we'd sell good quality,

artificial silk.

Well, we've got a lot to learn

from each other, Miss Eliott.

That may be so, Mr. Cotter.

But, quite frankly, apart from

our one American venture,

I can't really see

the House of Eliott

going into ready-to-wear

on such a large scale.

No?

You've got full order books

till 1930, have you?

Is Lady Harriet Ponsonby-Smythe

still ordering 20 ball gowns

each season?

- Well, no, but --

- What's your annual profit?

Same as last year?

Mine's almost doubled.

Has yours?

Mr. Davenport?

What I've got in mind

is your artistry, your prestige,

coupled with my manufacturing

and retailing experience --

an exclusive label

sold in exclusive shops.

Sounds like a fascinating idea.

But quite honestly

I don't see my sister and I

being willing to compromise

the quality of our work

merely in order to attract

what may prove to be

a less discriminating clientele.

Man-made fabrics

are all very well --

I knew

you'd agree with me there.

I beg your pardon?

Well, I noticed

you were wearing rayon stockings

the minute you walked in.

Very nice, too, if I may say so.

Oh!

No, thank you.

Would you like a coffee,

Mr. Cotter?

[ Door unlocks ]

I'm so sorry, Mr. Davenport.

I thought --

[ Gasps ]

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