Upstairs, Downstairs (1971–1975): Season 2, Episode 5 - Guest of Honour - full transcript

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Aye, aye.

With Mrs. Bridges' compliments,
Mr. Hudson.

Oh, thank you, Edward. Put it
down over there, will you?

All right if I go now,
Mr. Hudson?

Have you done
in the dining room?

Yeah, all put away.

And what fortunate young woman

has the honour of your company
this afternoon, may I ask?

Oh, I'm not meeting my girl
today, Mr. Hudson,

not with Fulham
playing Manchester United



-at Craven Cottage.
- Oh, you better hurry up.

It's less than an hour
to kickoff.

Oh, well, I'll get the omnibus
down the King's Road.

It should be a good game.

Aye, aye.

Oh, cheer up, Mr. Hudson.

Chelsea will be
in the First Division one day.

Oh, away you go now.

Thanks, Mr. Hudson.

[Bell rings]

It's the drawing room.

I thought they'd gone out.

Master's gone out.
Lady Marjorie's still upstairs.

Oh, well,
no rest for the wicked.



[ Door opens ]

You rang, my lady.

Oh, yes, Hudson.
Close the door, will you?

My lady.

I've just had confirmation
from Buckingham Palace

that His Majesty the king

will be dining here
on Thursday evening.

- I understand, my lady.
- we shall be 10.

Perhaps you'd see
about getting in a waiter

-to help in the dining room.
- Very good, my lady.

I'll see Mrs. Bridges about
the menu on Monday morning.

Very good, my lady.
If I might make a suggestion?

Yes.

It might be best not to inform
the rest of the staff

until nearer the time.

Yes. They might
talk about it outside.

Then we'd have a large crowd
in front of the house

when the king arrived.

I'll leave it to you
to tell them when you think fit.

Very good, my lady.

Will Her Majesty be dining?

No, Hudson.

The queen does not play bridge.

A lady has been invited
in her place.

I understand, my lady.

That'll be all.
Thank you.

And sorry to disturb
your Saturday afternoon,

but it seemed only fair
to warn you well in advance.

I very much appreciate
the timely notice.

Hudson, we must regard this

as just an ordinary dinner party
like any other.

I'm sure the staff will prove
equal to the occasion, my lady.

What's she doing
telling you before me?

Her ladyship saw fit to inform
me first, Mrs. Bridges,

owing to the special nature
of the party.

There is to be
a distinguished guest.

Oh, not Mr. Asquith?

No, no, it's not Mr. Asquith.

Not Mr. Balfour?

Oh, nothing special about him.

He's been here
many a time before.

No.

Oh, is it
that Marquis de Several?

The Portuguese ambassador?
No.

Nor is it Dr. W. G. Grace
nor Miss Vesta Tilley.

Our guest of honour,
Mrs. Bridges,

is to be none other than
His Majesty King Edward VII.

[ Gasps ]

The king?

Defender of the faith,

emperor of India and
the dominions beyond the seas.

- The king!
- In person.

And that's for your ears only
at present, Mrs. Bridges.

Oh, good gracious me.
Why ever didn't you say so?

Oh, God bless my soul!

The king of England
coming to dinner here.

Oh!
[ Laughs ]

Quail.

That's his favourite dish.

I remember reading about it
in a women's journal.

Oh, now, if only
I can find that receipt.

Well, you better get in
plenty of food.

I'm told the old man
eats like a cart horse.

That's not very respectful.

I respect the institution
of monarchy,

as you well know, Mrs. Bridges,

even if I do have
certain reservations

about the person
of the sovereign.

He's all right.

Loose liver he may be,
but he's popular enough.

I'm not referring
to the present king's character.

My quarrel is with
the Hanoverian succession.

As a Scot,
I would naturally prefer

to see a Stuart on the throne.

Still, I suppose we'll just have
to make do with what we've got.

Stuff and nonsense.

Where would this country be
Without Queen Victoria?

You tell me that.

I don't believe
in discussing an hypothesis.

You can call him what you like,
but he's our king.

And he's coming here to dinner
on Thursday.

God bless his soul!

And I haven't told you a thing,
do you understand?

When her ladyship informs you
on Monday morning,

for heaven's sake,
act surprised.

Oh, my lady!

What a surprise!

[ Laughs ]

Oh, dear, I am pleased.

It is rather exciting,
isn't it, Mrs. Bridges?

Oh, yes, my lady.

And such an honour to cook
for the king of England.

As you know,
he's very fond of his food.

Yes, my lady.

And I have here a list
of his favourite dishes.

So I thought
we'd go through them

to see which we should have.

Yes, I have a receipt here,
my lady,

that I out out of the ladies'
journal for quail, my lady.

Uh, quail oursin fladan
a la Valenciennes.

[ Hoofbeats in distance ]

ROSE:
Edward.

What's all this
you've been telling Ruby?

Well, only what Mrs. Bridges
told Miss Roberts.

- Listening at keyholes again.
- No, I haven't.

- why, isn't it true, then?
Suppose it must be.

I don't know why Mr. Hudson
hasn't told any of us.

Well, doesn't want it
to leak out, I reckon.

Why, what's the harm?

In case some anarchist
gets to hear about it

and plants a bomb
in the coal cellar.

Oh, Edward, don't.

Well, by the time Teddy
gets here for his dinner,

it's gonna be all over London,
isn't it?

I mean, you're gonna have
mounted police outside,

keeping back the crowds.

Reporters from newspapers,
photographers, and --

Shh.

You're gonna have detectives
running about

all over the house.

They're gonna search people
every time they come in, eh?

Well, I still feel I ought to
give him the quail, my lady.

Yes, I know you do,
Mrs. Bridges,

but I do assure you he has quail

at every other house
he dines at.

MRS. BRIDGES:
Very good, my lady.

Well, what do you suggest?

Well, I suggest we play safe
with guinea fowl.

And for a main dish, you do
the thing you really excel at --

your baron of lamb.

Now, there's nobody to touch you
for lamb, and you know it.

Very well, my lady.

So, after the tarmigan pie,
baron of lamb --

all nice and juicy and tender.

And then with that,

if I may suggest, uh, pomme
froufrou and petits pois.

And then the sorbet.

Oh, and, by the way, the sauce
for the poached salmon --

Oh, I thought I'd make
the Médoc sauce, my lady,

uh, like I made
for the French ambassador.

Do you remember?
Yes.

And then after the sorbet,

the guinea fowl with asparagus
with hollandaise sauce,

and then the meringues
and the gateaux

and the dressed prawns
for savory, my lady.

Yes, that'll do.

And you'll ask Hudson
to telephone to Jackson's

for the peaches.

And, of course, the caviar
and the Royal Native oysters

-to begin with before the soup.
- Yes, very good, my lady.

- Morning, Mrs. Bridges.
- Oh, morning, sir.

MARJORIE: we've been discussing
the menu for Thursday evening,

and Mrs. Bridges
is going to surpass herself,

-aren't you, Mrs. Bridges?
- I'll do my very best, my lady.

I'm sure you will.

Thank you, sir.

Jack Alexander tells me if H. M.
likes a dish well enough,

he'll have three
to four helpings.

We better warn Hudson to offer
it 'round and 'round and 'round.

Let's hope the wretched man
doesn't get giddy.

I had the most charming letter
from Mrs. Keppel

saying how much
she's looking forward

to meeting us
and seeing the house.

She's evidently
a great admirer of yours.

Well, that's very gratifying.

I've caught sight of her
once or twice

in the Strangers' Gallery
during important debates.

Her complexion is a marvel.

- The others been approved?
- Yes.

Why does the king want those
potty old Wanboroughs asked?

Well, the old boy did govern

a number of dreadfully hot
colonies all his life.

Oh, yes, and Jack said
if we put them

against the king and Mrs. Keppel
at bridge,

the sovereign will be bound to
win, which always delights him.

I do hope Millicent Hartfield
will be all right.

Well, why not?
She's witty, very attractive.

Yes, to you, darling, I know,

but her stories
are sometimes quite envious.

Is she sitting next to him?

No, she's sitting next to me,
naturally.

But she'll buttonhole him
after dinner

unless I keep a sharp eye
on her.

I shall be fascinated
to see you and Millicent

-fighting over the king.
- Don't be silly.

I've heard tell you're one
of the few women in London

who amuse him.

And he's made inquiries as to
Whether you're happily married.

So, what else?

Uh, Jack says they'll arrive
at 25 past 8:00,

and would we give the detective
some refreshment.

Apparently he has to stay
in the house all evening.

He's not bringing
his own footman?

No, just Jack as equerry
and the detective.

It's to be strictly informal.

Well, the servants
won't think so.

No, they're terribly keyed up
downstairs.

I thought they weren't going to
be told until the day before.

Oh, they managed
to find out somehow.

They always do.

HUDSON:
The Hochheimer '97

and the Moët & Chandon
Dry Impérial.

RICHARD;
That's it.

And then for the entrée,
the Château Brane-Cantenac '93.

The Cantenac '93.
And the port, sir?

Hmm.

Uh, we've still got some
of the Dow's '78.

Decant four bottles, will you?

Very good, sir.

ROSE: Spoon for caviar,
soup spoon, fish knife,

entrée knife, main-course knife,
savory knife,

spoon for meringue,
dessert spoon.

Small fork, entrée fork,
main-course fork,

fork for meringue, dessert fork.

Spoon for caviar, soup spoon,
fish knife, entrée knife --

HUDSON:
Oh, when you're done, Edward,

fetch the fruit knives and forks
and the finger bowls

-and set them on the sideboard.
- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

Oh, and while you're about it,

bring three more salt cellars
from the silver cupboard.

- Yes?
- Keys, Mr. Hudson.

Oh, yes, of course.

Here you are.

ROSE: Main-course fork,
fork for meringue, dessert fork.

That's -- That's the cutlery
done, Mr. Hudson.

Shall I do the place cards now?

If you've got
her ladyship's seating plan.

No, you got it.

Have I?

Yes, I saw you put it
in a pocket of your apron.

Oh, yes. Yes, of course.
How silly of me.

Right, start here
at her ladyship's place

on the king's right.

There will be no place card
for His Majesty.

On his right,
Lady Marjorie Bellamy.

And Lady Wanborough on his left.

Countess of Wanborough.

Then --
Oh, excuse me, please, mister.

Uh, then it's
Sir John Alexander.

He's the equerry.

Then Lady Prudence Fairfax
next to the master.

Oh, she should keep him amused,
help him forget his nerves.

HUDSON: That, I suspect,
was her ladyship's reason

for placing Lady Prudence
on the master's right.

- Now comes Mrs. Hartfield.
- Mm-hmm.

Then comes the admiral.

Admiral Sir William Collet.

And Mrs. George Kappa here.

Oh. Doesn't she have to
sit next to him?

Not necessarily, Rose.

Lord Crewe's butler tells me
that she is often placed,

on informal occasions
such as these, opposite the king

so that if His Majesty becomes
bored with his dinner companion,

Mrs. Keppel can enter
the conversation

and restore the situation.

Oh.

And, uh, on her left,
the Earl of Wanborough.

Where shall I put them,
Mr. Hudson?

Oh, uh, one down at the far end,

one in the middle,
one down here, Edward.

Space them out evenly now.

No, no, no. That's too close
to the candelabra.

A wee bit more to your right.

A wee bit more.

That's fine.

ROSE: Just think,
in a few hours from now,

the king of England's posterior
shall occupy this very chair.

This is hardly the moment
for such reflection, Rose.

You've still got the flowers
to do in the drawing room,

the coffee tray, all
the polishing in the front hall

and the landing
and the drawing room.

Sorry, Mr. Hudson. Just a bit
of fun, steady my nerves.

There is no need
to be nervous, Rose,

if -- if you just keep your head
and do as I say.

Mister, uh -- The hired waiter
will help you out.

I still don't understand
why I can't wait at table,

same as I always do.

His Majesty objects to female
servants waiting at the table.

You will have ample opportunity
of witnessing the dinner

from behind the screen, where
you will remain out of sight,

collecting the empty plates

and placing them quietly
in the servitor.

Yes, Mr. Hudson.

I think the king's mean.

HUDSON: Then you'd better
tell him that yourself.

EDWARD: Huh, that's right, Rose.
You tell him. I dare you.

All right, I will.

EDWARD: Hey?

Your Majesty, I am Rose,
head house parlourmaid,

and I think
it's very mean of you

not to let us female servants
wait at table.

I always thought you rather
liked having women around you.

Rose!

Here, would you like me
to sit on your knee?

- Get out of that chair at once!
- I'll ask Mrs. Keppel.

She's a nice lady.
She'll put in a word for us.

"Hey, Alice,
have a word with --"

Come along, Rose. That'll do.
Come on, off you go now.

Both of you, quick.
I want to lock up.

Chop-chop.

[Lock clicks]

I told my friend to be here
at 7:00, my lady,

if that's convenient.

It's Mrs. Fawcetts lady's maid
from next door.

Yes, of course, Roberts.

I've told her you wouldn't mind

if we watched
from the best bedroom landing.

Oh, but aren't you going to
let her help you downstairs

with the ladies' cloaks?

I didn't know I was to help
with the cloaks, my lady.

Yes, of course you are.

Edward will see to the gentlemen

while Hudson takes the guests up
to announce them.

Your friend can help you.

But Mr. Hudson
said nothing to me

about helping with the cloaks,
my lady, not a word.

Well, he probably forgot.
He's had a lot on his mind.

Yes, my lady.
Well, if you say so.

Ah, I don't like those.
They're too fussy.

Bring me the others.

Very good, my lady.

I mean, unless Mr. Hudson
tells me himself.

I mean, he is supposed to be
in charge downstairs.

No, don't like those, either.
Let's try the filigree necklace.

Yes, my lady.

Well, I-l have no wish
to be in his way

unless he asks me
to help with the cloaks.

It's up to him --
to him, I mean.

Yes, I'll wear these.

Well, it's --
it's not normal in my place

to be downstairs in the hall
when there's a dinner party.

He should tell me
if there's other arrangements

to be made
than what is usual.

Roberts,
will you please stop fussing

about the ladies' cloaks?

You're to see to them
in the library

Whether Hudson tells you to
or forgets to tell you to.

Now, is that clear?

Yes, my lady.

Now, my earrings
that go with this, please.

We haven't very much time.

Very good, my lady.

MRS. BRIDGES; Oh, 0h.

Right.

Is that done, then,
Mrs. Bridges?

Oh, stop asking
silly questions, girl,

and give me the vinegar, quick.

We haven't got a lot of time.

Better stop that now, Rose,
and get ready.

It's gone half past 7:00.

I trust you've got a clean apron
and cap to wear.

'Course I have, Mr. Hudson.

Not that anyone would notice,

not if I'm hidden
behind that screen.

[Clock ticking]

[Clock ticking]

Brace yourself, my boy.

- we're off, then, Mr. Hudson?
- So it would seem, Edward.

At least we're
under starter's orders.

[Bell rings]

Ah, Hudson.

Good evening, my lady.

- Am I the first?
- Yes, my lady.

Well, I came early --
oh, good evening, Roberts --

to be sure of not arriving
after the king,

which would be quite dreadful.

His Majesty is not due
until 8:25, my lady.

Ah, that's all right, then.

I do hope they're all
going to be punctual.

Don't worry, darling.
They will be.

HUDSON:
Lady Prudence Fairfax, my lady.

- Pru.
- Trust old Pru to be first.

- Thank heaven it's you.
- Richard's so nervous,

you'd think he were living
in the Middle Ages

and the royal displeasure would
land us on the chopping block.

Yes, we've had the joke once.

How's your curtsey, Prudence?

Ah, it's all right going down,
a bit wobbly coming up.

I'm always afraid my right knee
will crack like a pistol shot.

Well, it happened to poor
Silvia Lister's daughter,

you know,
when she was presented at court.

The story goes, the Russian
ambassador dived for the floor,

fearing an assassin's bullet.

Oh, Pru.

HUDSON:
Mrs. Hartfield.

My dears, there's
a tremendous crowd outside!

Such excitement for them.

I hear Mrs. Keppel is coming.

I'm so looking forward
to meeting her.

She's a close friend
of the wiltshires, you know,

who are, of course,
great friends of ours.

What?

Ah, champagne.
Thank you.

How splendido.

My dears, I was at Ratby
for the weekend,

and Tubby westaway
had us in fits

with a new riddle that he'd
heard out with the call.

Uh, now, what is the difference

between
your last will and testament

and a man who has eaten
as much as he can?

What is?

One is signed and dated, and
the other is dined and sated.

[ Laughter]

HUDSON: Lord
and Lady Wanborough, my lady.

MARJORIE:
Maude, dear.

- How lovely to see you.
- How kind of you.

- And, Toggs.
- well, Marjorie, my dear.

You're in the way now, Ruby.

Now, pop on a clean apron

and run upstairs
and see the king arriving.

Well, look sharp, girl.

You'll run into them
in the hall.

Thanks, Mrs. Bridges.

Ooh.

[ Indistinct conversations]

Ruby, where are you going?

Up to landing, my lady.

Mrs. Bridges said I could go
and peep over banisters.

That's right.
'Course you may.

What is the time?

I make it 24 minutes past.

Any moment now, Hudson.

Yes, sir.

[Conversations continue]

-Is my tie straight?
- Perfect.

[Crowd cheering]

Listen.

Here he is now.

Open the door, Hudson.

Very good, sir.

[ Indistinct conversations]

EDWARD:
Come on.

- Here you are, Mr. Hollands.
- Thank you, Rose.

[Conversations continue]

More plates down, Mrs. Bridges.

Oh, well, take them through to
the scullery and wash them up.

Oh, no,
put these in the lift first.

Savory plates.

Oh.

[Exhales sharply]

[ Indistinct conversations]

To be truthful, sir,
we very rarely go racing.

Though last July, we were asked
to wait at Newmarket,

and my husband had a bet
on one of your horses,

which, alas, didn't win.

A 2-year-old, I think it was.

Which was that, Lady Marjorie?

- Oh, dear.
- Must have been Minerew.

We raced him very lightly
last season.

A well-bred colt
but a late developer.

Back him for the Derby,
Lady Marjorie.

Lady Wanborough's brother

had a number of horses
in training at one time.

Isn't that so, Maude?

Maude?

Perhaps you are too tired for
conversation, Lady Wanborough.

Oh, no.

Oh, no, sir.
I-I'm so sorry.

I had no idea
you were addressing me.

Dear lady, I'm tired myself
from visiting my nephew,

the German emperor in Hamburg.

Oh.

Sea was rough, train rattled,
and there were too many fools.

My dear, I'm told she writhes
about like a worm on the hook

and skips across the stage
like a kangaroo,

dressed in nothing but
the flimsiest pieces of chiffon.

With a good pair
of opera glasses,

they say you can see her body

as though she were dressed
in nothing at all.

I feel sure you must be speaking
of Maud Allan.

No, I wasn't, actually.

I was talking of that other
Woman -- Isadora Duncan.

Both equally shocking, my dear.

And whilst we're
on that subject,

some of the clothes in Paris
this year.

My dear,
the way things are going,

we shall soon be dining out
stark naked!

- All of us!
- Yeah.

I don't think so.
Do you, Prudence?

Well, not in my house, Richard.
It's far too drafty.

Tell me, Admiral, have you seen
this Duncan woman dance?

He was my first cousin.

Oh, no. No I'm wrong, sir --
my second cousin.

And he was the one
that married Sisely Grant,

who was
old lady Vorley's sister.

Uh, no, no, my sister-in-law.
Yes, that's right.

Quite so.

Yes, and she married
the Dean of Exeter.

Uh, or was it his brother?

Well, anyway, he was a Sterling.

They came from Berkshire.

Right, yes.
- They had a very large property.

Do forgive me for interrupting,
Lady Wanborough,

but I simply must ask the king
to settle an argument.

Sir, you really must
help us out.

With the greatest pleasure,
my dear Alice.

Jack was telling me

that Alfred Northcliffe's mother
had 14 children.

- Is it possible?
- Yes, I believe it's true.

[ Chuckles ]

Imagine, 14 Lord Northcliffes!

[ Laughter]

It's quite funny,
don't you think?

KING EDWARD:
One is hard enough to bear.

ALICE: Oh, come, sir,
you know you like him.

You've often said so.

KING EDWARD: Just because
I arrange a peerage for a man,

it does not mean
I have to like him.

I do not approve
that a newspaper man

should have such power.

It is not healthy.

WOMAN:
I can understand that.

[ Indistinct conversations]

Oh, I wish he'd sit down.
My feet are quite numb.

If he doesn't settle
in a few minutes,

I'll get Jack
to do something about it.

Millicent Hartfield looks as if

she's gonna dance a fandango
with him at any minute.

Every time she takes a step
towards him,

he takes a step back.

He'll soon be pinned to the wall
like a butterfly.

ALICE: It's such a pretty room,
Lady Marjorie.

I do think you've been so clever
with the colours.

Thank you.

I'm afraid the king
is being bored to death

by Millicent Hartfield.

I think we ought to rescue him.

How?

I suggest bridge.

[Conversations continue]

What you gonna do with that,
smoke it?

Sell it.

Oh.

[Bell ringing,
pounding on door]

Oh, who do they think they are?

If you don't stop ringing
that bell,

I'll get Mr. Hudson
to get the police to you.

RUBY: why can't king's detective
go and shoo them away?

Well, isn't that
what he's here for?

Good heavens, Ruby.
What are you thinking of?

The royal detective
would never demean himself

to go out and speak
to common people in the street.

He's sitting
in Mr. Hudson's pantry

on his backside
with his feet up.

[Bell ringing, pounding]

ROSE: who's ringing the bell
this time of night?

EDWARD: Oh, it's probably
some newspaper reporters

wanting a story
from the servants.

You know, "How I served
the king of England

to two helpings
of baron of lamb,"

by Edward,
footman to Lady Marjorie.

- Peer out and see who it is.
- who, me?

Just look out the window.

EDWARD:
All right.

[Ringing continues]

ROSE: Can you see anyone?
EDWARD: well, not properly.

I-I think it's a woman,
but I can't --

She's got a shawl
all over her head.

What's going on?

There's someone at back door,
Mr. Hudson.

There are several people
at the back door, Ruby.

That's no reason for you all
to stop your work

and gaup like them outside.

It's a woman all muffled up, and
she keeps on ringing the bell.

Maybe it's Matty,
come for her dripping.

MRS. BRIDGES: Not at this hour.
Matty only comes mornings.

Shall I unbolt the door and see,
Mr. Hudson?

I mean, if it is someone trying
to get a peep at the king,

I can always send her away
with a flea in her ear.

Oh, very well, Edward,
unlock the door.

But be very careful.

We don't want any unauthorized
persons bursting in.

SARAH: Thought you was never
gonna open that perishing door.

Lumme!
Here, it's Sarah!

ROSE: what?
-[ Indistinct talking]

She's ill.
She's ill.

Sit her down quick.

MRS. BRIDGES:
What's she doing here?

Come back here with
me old mates, Mrs. Bridges.

What's the matter, Sarah?

Does Lady Southwold
know you're here?

No.
Nor Mrs. Clay, neither.

Have you run away
from Southwold?

After all they done for you?

I couldn't stick it down there,
Mrs. Bridges, no longer, honest.

No one ever talked to me.

They -- They was all very kind,

but no one never said a word
to me from one day to the next.

I just sat
in that cottage window

and stared out at nothing.

No shops.

No streets with people going by
or motorcars.

Just green fields
and perishing trees.

It was horrible.

ROSE: Here, how did you get
the money for the fare?

I borrowed it
off of Jack Marshall,

one of the blokes
that works on the farm.

I remember Jack Marshall.
He always was soft in the head.

I walked all the way
from Paddington,

all across the park
in my tight --

[Inhales sharply]
Ooh.

ROSE:
What is it, Sarah?

[Exhales sharply]

It's all right.

It's just the baby.
It'll pass.

Now, come along, all of you.
Edward, Ruby, get out of here.

There's work to be done.
Sarah, you'll just have to wait

until something
can be done about you.

Here, Sarah, king of England's
upstairs playing bridge.

What do you think of that?

Somebody told me in the street.
What a night to choose, eh?

The king.

I had to hide
behind a screen, Sarah.

He was especially pleased
with my baron of lamb.

Yes, well, be that as it may,

you'll have to keep
well out of the way, Sarah,

until His Majesty and
the other guests have departed.

I'm not going to have this house
disrupted tonight.

Where do you think
you're gonna sleep, eh?

- well, Rose, I thought maybe --
- Oh, you did, did you?

She's not going to sleep
in this house tonight,

not without her ladyship's
permission, and that's final.

- Oh, please, Mr. Hudson.
- That is final, Sarah.

Mr. Hudson, her ladyship
would never allow it now anyway.

Not now I've skipped
from Southwold.

I'll be turned out
on the streets,

and it's ever such a cold night,
Mr. Hudson.

Please!

[ Gasps ] Aah.

ROSE:
She's in terrible pain.

Rose!

I think it's coming now.

Are you sure, Sarah?

MRS. BRIDGES: Oh, crisis on.
I know her of old.

All this agony
just to get a bed for the night.

If you ask me,
she ought to be packed

straight back to Southwold.

EDWARD: well, she won't get
a train this time of night.

Well, first thing
in the morning, then.

Answer me, Sarah.
Are you really in pain?

Get us a towel, will you, Rose?

Oh.

Here, listen, Sarah.

You can tell me something.

Yeah, I think they have.

It's what Mrs. Clay said
might happen

when the baby was on the way,
so I think it's coming.

Mr. Hudson.

Edward, get your coat on.

Go down to Chesham Street,
fetch Dr. Foley. Look sharp now.

Rose, you and Mrs. Bridges
stay down here with Sarah.

Keep her warm.
Get some blankets.

I shall go upstairs
and inform her ladyship.

You'd like a nice cup of tea,
wouldn't you, dear?

Yes, please, Mrs. Bridges.

You just sit there
as quiet as you can.

[Inhales sharply]
Ooh.

I'm sorry, Rose.

[ Indistinct conversations]

- Begging you pardon, my lady.
- Yes, Hudson?

Might I have a word with you
privately?

What is it?
Has something happened?

There is a situation requiring
your attention belowstairs.

It is rather urgent, my lady.

I'm so sorry about this.

Prudence, will you ask
Lady Wanborough to take my hand?

Please forgive me.

[Conversations continue]

I thought you'd wish
to be informed

-that Sarah is downstairs.
Sarah?

The girl appears
to have started labour.

Her -- Her child, my lady.

I've -- I've taken the liberty

of sending Edward out
to fetch Dr. Foley.

- Oh, my God.
- She's in the servants' hall.

Mrs. Bridges and Rose
are seeing to her.

But she'll have to go at once
to some hospital.

I'm afraid there is no time

to get her to a lying-in
hospital, my lady.

Things are already
well under way.

Go back into the drawing room,
offer them drinks,

and let me know the instant
the king looks like leaving.

Very good, my lady.

You ought never to have come
here, not in your condition.

You ought to have stopped
where you was, in Southwold.

I know that, Rose, but it's
no good saying it now, is it?

Poor girl.
ls the pain very bad?

- Don't get up.
- I'm sorry, my lady.

Sarah, are you quite sure
the baby's coming?

Yes, my lady. The pains are
very strong and regular now.

Edward's gone for the doctor,
my lady.

Yes, I know.

Rose, is the bed made up
in the attic room,

the one next to Ruby's?

Well, it won't take me
two minutes

to put clean sheets on it,
my lady.

Send Ruby up
with a hot-Water bottle.

- Yes, my lady.
- Now, come along, Sarah.

We must get you upstairs
and into bed.

- Can you walk?
-'Course I can.

ROSE:
Hold on to me, Sarah.

Here, Doctor --

Oh, uh, Dr. Foley's on his way,
my lady.

MARJORIE:
Thank you, Edward.

[Bell rings]

EDWARD: That's the drawing room,
my lady.

- If that's the King leaving --
- S-Shall I go up and see?

Uh, no, Edward.
Hudson's up there.

Come along. we must get Sarah
upstairs quickly.

The detective is wanted,
my lady.

His Majesty is about to leave.

We must get Sarah upstairs.
Edward, fetch the detective.

You'll have to go out and warn
His Majesty's chauffeur.

- Yes, my lady.
- Hudson, will you take Sarah?

HUDSON:
Very good, my lady.

Wait until the detective
gets upstairs

and go very quietly
past the drawing room.

I'll go on ahead
and try and gain a little time.

Yes, my lady.

Right, quickly.

[ Indistinct conversations
in distance ]

[Bell rings]

Front door.

Must be Dr. Foley.

Rose, take back Sarah.
Quickly now.

Quickly.

I'll come and tell you
when the coast is clear.

[Bell rings]

It's ever so exciting,
isn't it, eh?

Like a game of hide-and-seek.

-[ Inhales sharply]
- Try not to talk.

Ooh.

Blind me.

[Bell rings]

[ Indistinct conversations]

A most delightful evening,
Lady Marjorie.

Good night, sir.

Bellamy, thank you.

I enjoyed my bridge-

We're very honoured, sir.

Hudson, the door.

You'd better take me straight
to the young woman's room

and ask someone to fetch
hot water, clean tow--

MARJORIE:
I'm so sorry about that, sir.

One of my servants
was taken ill,

and the doctor
had to be sent for in a hurry.

We do apologize, sir.

The fellow asked me
to accompany him

to some young woman's bedroom.

[ Laughs ]

Who do you suppose
he thought I was?

[ Laughs ]

[ Coughs ]

Good night.

Thank you, Hudson.
You'd better go straight up.

And tell Dr. Foley I'll come
as soon as I can.

Very good, my lady.
Edward, downstairs.

Marjorie, Sarah or no Sarah,

we must go back
to the drawing room.

Sarah is our responsibility.

You said so yourself.

And besides,
in a few hours' time,

you and I
are going to be grandparents.

Had you thought of that?

DR. FOLEY:
Take deep breaths, young lady.

DR. FOLEY:
Take deep breaths, young lady.

- You'll find it'll help.
-[ Breathing heavily]

DR. FOLEY: Go with the pain.
Don't try to fight it.

Hold on to me, Sarah.
There's a good girl.

Is the pain very bad?

DR. FOLEY:
It shouldn't be too long now.

MILLICENT:
Congratulations, Marjorie.

It all went off
quite splendidly, didn't it?

MARJORIE:
Thank you.

I think he's wonderful,
considering he's not well.

I'm afraid
he was very tired tonight.

That cough must take it out
of him a lot.

Mm, it's all those
endless cigars, my dear.

They killed my brother Rupert,
you know.

He had a chest, too.

Ah, well.

-[ Smooches ] Good night.
- Good night.

And thank you so much.

Good night, Richard.
It was splendid.

- Good night, Prudence.
- Good night, my dear.

MILLICENT:
Good night.

Thank you, Roberts.

- HUDSON: Good night, my lady.
- MAUDE: Good night, Hudson.

- HUDSON: My lord.
- TOGGS: Good night, Hudson.

HUDSON:
Good night, sir.

Thank you.

I hope you managed
to get a glimpse of the king.

Oh, yes, madam.

We saw the guests
go down to dinner

from her ladyship's
bedroom landing.

It was quite a thrill.

I'm so glad.

- Good night, madam.
- MILLICENT: Good night

Excuse me, Mr. Hudson.
Could you ask her ladyship?

I'm not allowed
in the drawing room.

- what is it, Rose?
- She's wanted upstairs.

ROBERTS: wanted upstairs?
Who by?

It's a private matter,
Miss Roberts.

- Has your friend gone yet?
- Yes, she has.

Then why don't you
go up to your room?

Her ladyship won't be
needing you yet a while.

There's still one lady's wrap
left in the library.

Then you'll have to wait
down here, won't you?

I expect it's Lady Prudence.
I'm sure she hasn't left yet.

Exactly.

ROSE:
I'm sorry, Mr. Hudson.

Only Dr. Foley said her ladyship
should go up now, at once.

Very well, Rose.
I'll see to it.

Then poor old Toggs Wanborough
revoked twice

and finally dropped the entire
pack of cards on the floor

while he was dealing.

I thought the king
would have an apoplectic fit.

Oh, dear.

Yes, well, I can see
you're plainly waiting

to be rid of old Pru --
first to come, last to leave --

and plainly dying for your beds.

So I'll depart.

HUDSON:
Beg pardon, my lady,

but Dr. Foley
is asking for you upstairs.

MARJORIE:
Yes, all right, Hudson.

- I'll come in a minute.
- HUDSON: Very good, my lady.

Dr. Foley?
Who's ill?

RICHARD: One of the servants.
- Oh, really?

I'm sorry, Pru.
I'll have to go up.

Oh.

Oh, well, if it's that urgent.

Not your cook, I hope?

- Mrs. Bridges? No.
- Ah.

One of the younger servants.

Oh, probably the excitement
of having the king in the house.

What is it, Richard?
Are you ill?

No.

Do you mind if I pour myself
a whiskey and soda?

Of course not.

Prudence,
as one of our oldest friends,

there's something
I'd like you to know.

Our grandchild
is being born upstairs.

James' child.

Oh.

[Grunting]

Would you rather not stay, Rose?

- I must stay, my lady.
- It may distress you.

I've got to learn.

[Grunting]

[ Yawns ]

Oh, it's nearly 2:00.

Oh, leave all that now, Ruby,
and go to bed.

RUBY: I've nearly done,
Mrs. Bridges.

You better go to bed, Edward.

Oh, I don't think I could sleep,
Mr. Hudson.

Oh, very well.

[ Door creaks]

She's all right.

MRS. BRIDGES:
And the baby?

It was a little boy.

[ Sobbing ]

Oh.

That's that.

Perhaps it was for the best
after all.

That poor, wretched
little creature.

PRUDENCE: will you write
to James and tell him?

RICHARD: As far as James is
concerned, the matter was over

and forgotten
the day he left for India.

James has a right to know
that his child died.

RICHARD:
Why upset him unnecessarily?

Because I know him
quite well enough

to be sure
that he'd want to be told.

PRUDENCE: And I know you
Well enough, Marjorie dear,

to know you should go
to your bed.

And I'm away to mine.

I'm glad you know, Pru.

It's good to share those sort
of secrets with an old friend.

I only wish
I could do something.

You've been more than a help.

- Good night, my dear.
- Good night.

Good night.

RICHARD: Hudson,
Lady Prudence is leaving.

Send Roberts
up to her ladyship's room,

and you may go to bed yourself.

Thank you, sir.

MARJORIE:
Hudson?

Thank you for all your help.

My lady.

Will I be sent back
to Southwold?

MARJORIE:
No, Sarah, not now.

No, you'll stay here
and get your strength back.

Thank you, my lady.

MARJORIE: And when Dr. Foley
says you can get up,

I thought you might undertake

a little light work
around the house.

You know, just sewing,
mending linen,

just to keep you occupied
during the day.

Yes, I see.

Um...

will I be...like a servant?

I'm not saying I shouldn't be.

It's just that where will I...
put myself?

Well, I-l have discussed that
very carefully

with Mr. Bellamy
and with Hudson.

Since you left us
and went on the stage,

you are, of course, a young
woman of, well, private status.

And your relationship
with my son,

which I think we should put
out of our minds from now on,

gave you certain rights,

as my husband and Sir Geoffrey
explained.

Oh, and in any case, Sarah,

we'd like you to feel
that there's a home for you here

for as long as you want to stay.

Thank you, my lady.

The difficulty, of course,

is where you're to sit
and have your meals.

As you say,
Where to put yourself.

Couldn't I go back downstairs
with me friends?

Least they was my friends.

Well...

You see, at the moment,

I'm neither upstairs
nor really downstairs, am I?

I'm what you might call
an in-between, my lady.

Don't worry about it, Sarah.

I'll have a word with Hudson,
and then we'll see.

Yes.

Lady Marjorie!

Yes, Sarah?

Why are you being so good to me

when I bring nothing but trouble
to you ever since I come here?

Try and go to sleep.

There's a good girl.

[ Door closes]

Well, I think it's a disgrace,
giving houseroom to that slut!

Well, it would be
rather awkward, wouldn't it,

after all that's happened.

MISS ROBERTS: why should we
have to put up with her?

She's got to have her meals
somewhere, Miss Roberts.

She certainly can't have them
upstairs with them.

And it wouldn't be you what had
to take the trays up, neither.

Well, I think we ought to --

We don't want to know
what you think, Ruby.

After all she's done

and the shame
she's brought upon us all.

What shame has she brought
on you, Miss Roberts?

She's a stuck-up, lying minx.

Huh, thinks she's better
than any of us.

Puts on airs.

Gets Captain James
into such trouble

that he has to be sent to India.

Then she thinks
she can walk in here

as though nothing has happened.

We're none of us perfect,
Miss Roberts.

Oh, have a heart, Miss Roberts.
How would you like to be --

I wouldn't be ever
in such a disgusting position

in anyone's house.

-[ Laughs] I'll bet.
- How dare you?

I put it to you all that Sarah,

for all her faults and for
all the upsets and trouble

she's brought upon this house,

is nonetheless capable
of better things.

She is an able seamstress,

and she's possessed
of a cheerful disposition.

Unfortunately, as a maid here,

she developed ideas
well above her station in life,

and she fell from grace,

aided and abetted,
I regret to say,

by the son of this noble house,
who, in my opinion,

should have known better
than to allow himself

such a relationship
with a servant.

Sarah has paid a bitter price.

She has lost her child.

She is beaten.

If the master and her ladyship
can see their way

to exercising tolerance and --
and kindness and forgiveness

towards this unfortunate girl,

then who are we, as Christians,
to deny this young person ours?

I want a show of hands, please.

Her ladyship must be informed.

All those in favour of allowing
Sarah to join us for her meals

and to sit with us
here in this room,

raise your right hands, please.

MRS BRIDGES: Ruby!

All right, let the wretched girl
have her meals in here.

As long as I don't have to
sit next to her.

Excuse me please, Mr. Hudson.

I shall inform her ladyship
at once of the staff's decision.

[ Door opens ]

ROSE:
Sarah?

They've all agreed,
even old Roberts.

Oh, Rose.

You'll be with us belowstairs,
Where you belong.

It'll be just like old times.

We'll have some laughs,
won't we?

But you've got to promise me
one thing, mind.

Got to behave myself, haven't I?

You really have got to
this time, Sarah.

It's serious.

I will, Rose.

I promise.

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