Original subtitles

She'd love to see you. Come. Come. Come this way.

It's so hot.

See?

All English made.

Madam knows you brought someone? Madam's right-hand man.

Tea, please.

- Shall I call madam? - Get down, Rosie. I'll tell madam myself.

Master bedroom.

Oh, too soft.

Antique bed.

Lily, there's no soap in here! Get up quickly!

Lily, is that you? Lily?

Do I know you?

You remember Rosie, sir, from the hospital?

I'll talk to madam later, sir, but if you know of a job, sir?

Hello, sir. Nice to meet you.

Mary auntie is helping me to look for a job.

You see, she's from my place. She's my niece.

Oh, what sort of a job are you looking for?

Something useful. I'm a bright girl.

Yes, I can see you are.

Mary, um, you wouldn't get me some soap, would you?

Oh, yes, sir. Come on, Rosie.

How about a translating job? Nothing too complicated. I'd pay by the hour.

Anything you'd be interested in?

Oh, yes, sir.

Mary? Mary?

Mary? Mary?

Come on, Lily. Come and join in with the play.

They need everyone they can get. Oh, really?

From what I could see, there was plenty of interest the other day.

Happy gardening.

So hot and she's gardening?

Madam, this is my Rosie, madam.

She's from Tenga Seri only.

I told her, madam, that you might know of possibility for job, madam.

Oh, not now, Mary.

She's my sister's child, madam.

She's my responsibility. That will be all, Mary!

I said- How do you do?

Excuse me, madam.

I think the child has to be changed. Well-

Surely you should be doing that, Mary.

It's not Abraham's job.

Never mind. They're all like that.

Mmm.

What's Mary cooking for dinner?

Mary cooking, Mary cooking.

- What's wrong? - Nothing is wrong, madam. Nothing.

I can't work like this, madam.

I'd better go. You can get someone else to feed your baby.

Well, why are you upset? What's the matter?

Nothing, madam! Nothing!

Get- Get this man to look after your child.

- What are you saying about the baby? - You talk to me like that.

Outside? We're just poor people, madam.

It's not nice to talk like that!

Oh, for goodness sake. I didn't mean anything towards you.

You know that I couldn't do without you.

He's your family servant. Let him look after you.

You can't go. You can't.

What would I do without you? Please.

Mary. Please.

Abraham?

Abraham? Hey!

I'm in charge here. You ask for me.

Show me your fish.

The other one.

And we always have to take the ferry there,

because it's on the other side of the canal.

I don't like to go there any more, but she forces me. Theresa!

- Mummy's calling you. - Oh, I thought Mummy went out.

She's there! Upstairs. Go and see.

Madam know she is sitting with you like this, huh?

What are you starting all the time with me?

This is not your place. Please go out!

I asked you, does madam know? There is nothing.

She brings her work and does. I'm going to tell madam.

I know you, Abraham. I know your butler type.

All you men are like this only.

Just because you work for madam, you think you can do all this?

Don't start trouble. Be careful.

Oh, showing your legs and all!

I'll show you. Let me show you, huh?

Rosie! Afternoon, Ma.

I've brought important papers for master.

He hired me, you know, Auntie.

Master hired you? Oh, yes.

For translating work. What kind of translating work?

He's making an article- health systems.

What health system? Rich people's health? Poor people's health?

I have to travel with master.

We have to take private boat, you know? What?

Master told you that? Oh, yes.

He said- He said he wants full cooperation.

Madam won't like it. She doesn't like it at all. I like it!

If you act up, Rosie, you'll be out!

Master won't stand for any cheeky nonsense.

Anyway, master is busy. He can't see you.

You know, Rosie? You shouldn't bother him like this.

Bother? Bother? Bother?

You're bothered, Mary. Cheeky.

- Powder, madam. - Powder.

Eh, some more soap also. Soap - Soap?

We just got soap. Where did it go?

Fresh tea. Thank you, Abraham.

What's for dinner, madam? In a minute.

Butter, madam.

Please, madam. I don't like to say, but...

Theresa's spending too much time with that man, madam.

What do you mean?

She's all the time in the servants' quarters, madam!

It's not nice! Young girl and all?

And madam, too many things are missing also. What things?

From the larder, madam.

So many things. Too much butter, jam, lotion.

Lots of things. I can't say how much.

I don't understand. I've known Abraham and his family since I was a child.

Yes, madam.

Have you said anything to him directly?

No, madam. I can't say!

He'll be fighting with me!

Oh, I'll take him, madam. I've got it.

She's so hungry.

Oh, poor baby, madam.

I have her.

Madam, that- that Abraham man,

he doesn't like it when I go into the larder.

The baba needs powder, soap and all.

I feel so shy, madam. His hand is all the time inside that room.

Well, take my keys then. Yes. Oh, no, madam.

Your house keys and all! Yes, go on. Take them.

No, no, no, madam!

Thank you, madam. Thank you.

Leave it, Ma!

You'll drive him away!

You'll have nothing!

Go and lie down. What do you know about anything?

What do I know?

I know!

I had everything when I was your age.

You have one chance and you're going to spoil it...

and end up with nothing!

You think you're all alone, you can do whatever you like?

Jealous?

Where are you going?

The article is about rich people's health or poor people's health?

All people's health. Personal health.

Heart. Lungs.

Stomach. Lungs.

Teacher's pet.

Heart. Teacher's pet.

- Heart is for- - Pumping blood.

Very nice.

Lungs are for- Who can tell me?

Theresa, you must be knowing.

You breathe in the air and the lungs swell up like balloons.

Very good. Heart, lungs, stomach.

Heart. Lungs. Stomach.

Thank you, teacher.

Thank you, children.

What happened? Look at the time!

What about school?

I'm not going to school today. I don't feel well.

Can you call Mummy? I want to see her.

Stomach pain? I told you.

See, what a dirty fellow. He's making everybody sick.

Whole household is suffering.

Madam's calling you.

Good morning, madam. Ah, Abraham.

Theresa's says she's not feeling very well,

and Mary thinks she might have had some bad food.

Hope it wasn't anything from this house.

No, madam. Everything is boiled here. The kitchen is clean.

Shall I make some tea for Theresa?

Nice, milky tea? Yes, why don't you?

Yes, madam.

Look here! I'll make the tea.

Look at this! Ayah, what kind of business is this?

What do you want of me? You're after me since the beginning.

What is this? Look here!

Everybody's going to get sick with this.

All the cutlery, huh?

Each and every one with dirty marks!

I wash this cutlery every day. Twice, three times a day.

Then I dry, then I keep it in the cupboard.

Every day since 25 years, and you say this is dirty?

Madam, see what this man is doing? What is going on here?

Uh- What's wrong?

Abraham didn't do anything. Nothing's wrong.

God is watching you, Abraham.

I said, "Oh, my God. She cut his hair. "

"Really? She did it?"

"Yes, a small piece of hair. And she tied it to a tree. "

"Where did she tie it?"

"Near the Periyar River. "

"And why did she do it?"

"Oh, yes. To drive him mad. Abraham. "

"Which Abraham?"

"First Abraham. "

"And the wind from the river, the Periyar River,

"was blowing his hair on the tree.

"And blowing and blowing.

Until he became mad, mad. "

Mary, what are you going on about? Mad, mad, mad.

Mary, will you answer me?

Nothing, madam.

It's just a story that these hilly people told me.

Anyway, he is a dirty.

He uses same toilet hand for everything.

He doesn't have our cleaning standards, madam!

How can I do my job with this going on?

If the child get sick, madam, your doctor told you only.

Any sickness and the baby will go.

Yes, I know. And this child,

she goes and sits with him in the servants' quarters.

After hours, madam. What kind of thing is that?

What are people going to say? This is too bad. All right.

Please. Please. Please, madam. Mummy, it's not Abraham.

Abraham, I think you should get on with your work. He didn't do anything.

Theresa is sick and you shouldn't play with her.

Come on, Theresa.

Yes, madam.

- What time is it? - It's lunchtime, darling.

Slept so badly.

Been lying awake worrying about everything.

You came back so late!

The rehearsals. We had a few drinks.

John, we never get a chance to talk about anything.

I need to talk to you. I have a meeting, Lily.

Can't be late.

John, maybe we should get back to England.

Take baby to a proper doctor.

We could get a flat in London. We could... try again.

Why don't you rearrange things?

Throw out some of your parents' stuff.

You know, make the house look more like our old place.

John, I'm worried about Abraham.

Mary's been saying dreadful things about him.

Huh? I don't know what to do.

What? Of course I love you.

We'll have a long talk tonight.

No, thank you.

Abraham, I- Madam?

Master's very worried, and so am I. Madam?

There have been things missing from the house, and it's not clean.

And I-I don't think I can keep you any more.

But madam, I have not stolen even a spoon of sugar from this house.

Of course I'll give you excellent references.

I don't think you understand.

I can't can't have the house in this sort of poor state.

She's against me from the beginning, madam.

Thank you, Abraham. I can't discuss this. I'm sorry.

I'll have your chits and things sent home.

But madam, this is my home.

I've had this uniform altered for you.

Important job, you know?

No drinking, hmm?

You drunken good-for-nothing-

What were you doing outside, huh? Pulling up madam's garden?

I told you to cut some flowers.

All flowers are beautiful. Come.

This is for you. Now sit down.

After cleaning, you go into the garden and cut some flowers.

Small, small purple ones for master's bedside?

Don't throw them out.

You know right hand serving?

I know right hand, left hand,

front hand, back hand - Not so much talking.

Come only when madam calls you.

For tonight, master needs double whisky soda inside. You'll remember?

Double whisky. No mistakes, understand?

Morning. Could I have breakfast as soon as possible?

- I'm in a bit of a rush. - Coming, master. Coming. Coming.

Shh-shh-shh.

Come on. Shhh.

Come on. It's okay. It's okay.

It's okay. It's okay. Shh-shh-shh.

That's it.

Oh, I'll take her, master.

I'll take her. Thank you, Mary.

Come on.

Oh, I'll give you your breakfast, master, please.

Please eat your breakfast.

It's okay, Mary. I can manage. Thank you.

Madam is coming on Wednesday.

In two weeks... at 4:00.

And she always likes to have tea outside.

Will you keep your mind on the job, on the child? Uh.

Mattie, did you hear? Madam is coming. Yes.

Sister, does she like fowl or ham?

Fowl. Why are you so worked up about madam?

No use taking so much trouble. Just give her a cup of tea.

No. Madam must have a party.

I'm going to pull out some tablecloths and-

Mira. Come.

You must take out some good chairs for madam, hmm?

What shall I wear?

I think I'll wear my maroon dress.

Mattie, do you think she will like my maroon dress?

She's going to like it. She's going to love it.

You're Mattie's princess, my darling.

You're Mattie's queen.

Are you going to cut your hair?

Go on! Go to school!

Always sneaking and peeking, here and there.

You know what's going to happen? Snake is going to come,

and it's going to bite you!

Dress is ready. I'll take it. I'm going upstairs.

You do your duty, man.

I'm going to take the child out for the afternoon.

Cousin, cousin doesn't mean you don't have to do your job, no.

Hello, Cotton Mary. Good morning. Good morning.

You look very nice today.

This is special tongue for you.

Very hard to get it.

You don't want? Very hard to get it.

This is master's favorite, yeah? This and fish curry.

Come on! Hurry up! I haven't got all day.

I want Minnie's Hair Salon. Straight ahead, madam.

Are you looking out for someone? Minnie.

Frieda, look who's here.

Trim, please.

Something like this. One minute, please.

Isn't she wearing one of Lily's dresses?

My dear! And her white leather shoes.

Just extraordinary! Poor Lily.

I don't know if this color's going to suit me.

Excuse me. Oh, sorry, I think I have got the wrong-

No, madam, This is the right place. Please, take your seat.

She's not a normal ayah. I don't know who she is.

Better give her a chair. You know?

Just a minute, please. Have a seat.

I have a lunch appointment. Don't take too long, miss.

Some coffee or tea for you? Coffee. Two sugar.

Dear Lily. We really must call in and see her more often.

And see that she's all right. She's on her own far too often.

John is gallivanting around chasing rogue elephants and goodness knows what else.

Chasing what? Elephants, dear.

Your time's up, Mrs. Smyth. Good.

I want it short.

Yes. I think it will suit you well.

Excuse me.

Now put the gum over here. Yes.

Lift and then press it.

Yes, very good.

Oh, I love this music.

Mattie, you're so sweet.

And there you go. Give this bit to auntie and leave this here.

Come fast!

Ah! Careful my dress! Be careful of her dress!

You give this to me later, and I'll iron it out for you.

Oh, sticky toffee! Will madam like it?

Mmm! Yeah, madam will love it! Will madam like it?

It's delicious! Go and give it back. And come back.

You heard what they got up to at the club last week?

Does her husband know? Well, how could he not?

I heard she took a boat to Bombay and started up some sort of publishing.

I wouldn't have thought she needed to.

There's a terrible smell coming from over there.

It's coming from the baby carriage. It smells quite rancid.

- What smells? Who is she? - Mary! Cotton Mary!

- Who wants to know? - Would you tell her to lower her voice?

Hey, everyone has to talk.

You can't shut me up.

My father was an officer in the British regiment. What's the difference?

Just because I'm black you think you can talk to me like this? Hey?

Here, you want to smell it? Take it! Take it!

Take it away! Take it! Smell it! You want to smell, huh?

You also want to smell it? You want to see?

Go on! Go on! Go on!

Oh, that's vile. Good God, get rid of it!

Now you smell it also. It's all right, Gladys.

I need some water.

Gladys, calm down. She's going now.

She's gone too far. This is simply disgusting.

See? No smell is coming now.

Oh, Frieda, you ever seen such a scene? Oh, dear.

Theresa, what are you doing here? Why aren't you at school?

Darling, what's the matter? Why are you crying? What is it?

You just want her to stay here because of the baby.

All you care about is the baby. Oh, that's not true.

- I care about you too. - You can't even feed her.

You don't even care if she takes us to her sister's house.

Where? Where does she take you?

Those horrible old ladies just staring at me.

And her sister's in a wheelchair.

Who? Who's in the wheelchair?

Mary's sister. She's the one feeding the baby.

Darling, Mummy couldn't feed the baby.

I tried, but I couldn't, and so, I asked Mary to help me.

- The baby was very sick. - What about Abraham?

Why can't Abraham come back?

Abraham didn't do anything. You should never have sacked him.

No. I know you're right.

You're right. I'm sorry, darling.

I'm sorry.

He was my friend. Mm.

This was his house too.

I know you're right.

Daddy's gone.

And now Abraham's gone too.

It's all your fault.

Where are we, Mummy?

I haven't been here since I was a girl.

This is where Abraham lives. Abraham!

Hurry, Mummy!

Abraham?

Is Abraham here?

Abraham is not living here since long time.

I thought this was his mother's house.

- She used to have all her things here. - Mother is dead.

Abraham is living in that English house.

Not coming here.

Right.

Thank you.

Come along, darling.

We'll have to go.

Blossom. My child, nobody is coming.

Can I take you inside, please?

Those people are usually so punctual.

Madam is coming! Yeah? Go, go, go. Get the flag. Go.

Hold my hand, Mattie. I'm so nervous.

Wave the flag! Wave the flag!

Sister, what a beautiful dress!

Thank you! Thank you all very much.

Please! Eat!

Eat and enjoy yourselves.

Let's begin the feast!

What? Who's going to wait for madam, huh?

Raise your hands!

No! No one eats!

Before, you know, I had so many other children.

Remember?

Madam always came to see me.

I don't know why. Why so many weeks this-

this madam is not coming.

I'm- I'm taking much care and I- I still didn't get nothing.

What nothing? Madam sent so many beautiful things.

You know, people are asking me,

"Who's the mother? What does she look like?

"This madam, whose child is this?

This child who comes here every day?"

What do you care what people say?

You do your job and that's all, no?

She wants something from madam, like what?

It's not enough that I bring Baba here?

She wants something more, huh?

What more?

These are modern times, sister.

Mr. Gandhi come and gone!

How long are you going to wait for madam?

Huh?

Sister, God is with us in this place.

We may be poor, but we have our self-respect.

What you want? Money?

Here, here, here. Take it! Give it back!

Give it back! Give it back!

I'm not a prostitute to take money from you. You understand?

Mary, go!

Go and look for your master.

See what he does to your Rosie.

See which times have changed!

Open your eyes, sister! Open your eyes!

Who dares to talk about my master like this?

A man like my own father?

Who are you,

Anglo-Indian thing?

Just a crippled Anglo-Indian thing...

worth nothing!

And you want madam to come? Just so she can see...

what you are- a half-caste girl...

with no legs!

Take this! Take this!

Where's your father? Your father?

You have no father.

All your talk about this regiment, that regiment.

You have a father in the British army?

Your father was no more...

than a poor boy shining British shoes!

And you? Who are you?

You are no more than a chi-chi! A half-chat! A blackie-white!

Jesus, it's Mary!

Mary has a sister in the almshouse. My Blossom auntie.

Oh.

Madam's milk was no good.

So my Blossom auntie's feeding Baba.

Baba takes her milk over there.

What are you talking about?

Milk.

Get off!

What's wrong? What is it?

Johnny?

What's wrong?

Rosie! Is she coming up here?

Rosie! Rosie! It's Cotton Mary!

I want to see you!

Come out!

Master! Master!

Master!

Rosie!

Rosie, Rosie. It's Cotton Mary.

What have you done, Rosie?

Come out! I want to talk to you!

God is with me, Rosie!

Poor Mary doesn't know what to say.

My God! Oh, Rosie!

She thinks we should all keep quiet.

"Listen to the master. Say your prayers, Rosie.

Don't be cheeky, Rosie. Don't spoil your good name. "

You want to check me now? Come, check me now. See.

No! No! I can do anything! I can do anything!

No one cares any more. Not even your precious master.

What the hell is going on?

Where's the baby? With Mary. Why?

Why didn't you tell me you were sending her to some woman on the street?

- What do you mean? - You've handed the baby over...

to be fed by some sort of bloody half-breed in an almshouse!

How dare you question me like this?

It was the only hope I had. Don't be ridiculous.

Look, I couldn't feed her! Don't you understand that?

You could've asked friends! You could've asked the doctor!

You wouldn't even speak with the doctor!

You've neglected the children, Lily.

Is that what they're saying about me at the club?

What else do they say about me?

Do they talk about all your trips around India?

Why you stay away for so long?

It's not India, Lily. You know that, don't you?

It's not India.

All right. Come on. Let's get you to bed.

Come on. It's late.

Oh, Baba.

Do anything you want.

Master is gone.

Madam is in her bedroom... sleeping.

No one to care, man.

Is that child sick?

She's fine. She'll just have to get used to it now.

Oh, madam. What do you think you're doing?

Where have you been? You realize it's already past 10:00.

And why is she coughing? Is she sick?

I'm sick now, madam.

Leave me.

We are not your servants all the time.

- India is a free country now. - Like to have a drink, madam?

He's drunk. Get him out of here!

Don't take any notice! She likes to shout at servants this way!

They're all like that. He acts like a big man.

British "yes, sir-no, sir" man.

Shoes must be shined. Shirts must be nicely pressed.

And, oh, yes, special breakfast. And what?

He goes to the bed with that thing!

No self-respect! Nothing!

Oh, chi-chi, chi-chi, chi-chi.

Ohh.

Don't stand on one leg, girl,

or the boys will think you're asking for it.

- What are you talking about? - Oh. You don't know anything.

Eyes are closed all the time.

Very good. Keep your eyes closed, darling.

You'll sleep well, sweetheart. Better not to see.

- What have you got around your neck? - You gave it to me, madam.

You took it, didn't you? You stole it from me!

Look at you. Everything you're wearing is mine.

What? You throw things away and then you come and ask me?

Open your eyes. Better go and look for your husband.

Better find him first.

I want you to leave. Now.

I want you to get all your things, and get out of here!

I'll go, madam. You can stay here alone.

I'm going now, madam. I'm going.

And you too! Get out of here!

Go on! Let's go!

Spying, eh? What you going to do? Tell Johnny?

Theresa.

Shhh.

She looks like a mad woman.

What a shame.

Give me a sip. My throat is so dry.

Take some more.

Oh, look at her. How filthy she is. Oh, what happened?

Oh, God. Poor thing. Poor Mary. How sad.

She's so dirty. We could have told her this would happen.

How sad to see her like this.

Sister, you can put on a fresh dress.

One of mine will do. Oh, yes, she's looking so filthy.

She needs to get out of this dress immediately.

Auntie, please come. Mattie, let's give her a bath.

Come on, let's take her inside. Soap and water, please.

Come on.

And she can sleep there.

Good. Put the mat there. Let her rest.

Mary. Here. Sit here.

And Mira, fresh soap and water in the bath.

What do you expect of the English?

They pick you up and drop you.

She was not like our church madam.

They would never act like that!

Ungrateful wretch.

Very good, Mali. Put them in the back of the car.

Oh, except the little one.

Nanu, the little white one I'd like with me.

Theresa, if you want to take this, look after it yourself.

- I've got too much to carry. - Now, you do understand, don't you, darling.

Daddy has to stay and do some more work for his job.

But Mummy's going to write to me and tell me all about your new school.

And you'll be able to see your old friends again.

And you'll be back before you know it.

Will you stay here at the house? Yes, of course.

And the things in your room will be where you left them when you return.

Everything will be the same again.

Okay? Okay.

And when you come back, the baby will be much better,

and we can all go for a long trip to the beach. Come on, Theresa.

We don't want to be late now.

Nearly slipped.

Do take care. Bye.

Come on, in you go.

Bye, John. Bye.

You mustn't stand like that.

Do you want to be like some village girl?

See what happened to that Dorothy DeCosta's child?

You'll get one wallop and you'll be out.

Come here. Come here.

Sit down.

Say your prayers. Our Father, Our Father,

- who art in heaven, - who art in heaven,

hallowed be Thy name. Hallowed be Thy name.

- Thy kingdom come- - Thy kingdom come- Did madam have a nice house?

- Was it a big house? - You keep your mind on the job.

Otherwise, how will you get out of this place?

Keep your mind on the job.

- Give us this day... - Give us this day...

our daily bread... our daily bread...

and forgive us our trespasses,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those... as we forgive those...

that trespass against us.

That trespass against us.

And lead us not... And lead us not...

into temptation, into temptation,

but deliver us from evil,

for Thine is the kingdom-

Ripped by: SkyFury