Upstairs, Downstairs (1971–1975): Season 2, Episode 9 - An Object of Value - full transcript

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SARAH:
What's this one?

Um...

"At"

[ Clapping ]

- You be quiet.
-[ Chuckles ]

This?

"Mat."

Good.

That one?

"Bat."



[ Chuckles ]
Bats in the belfry, eh, Ruby?

Pay no attention.

"Hat."

Very good!

S-s.

"S-Sat. "

[ Laughs ]

- It's raining "sats" and dogs!
- Edward!

What are they doing down here?!

Well, I was just putting them
to use, Miss Roberts,

since they're a bit advanced
for the baby as yet.

MISS ROBERTS: well,
they belong in the nursery.

You can't bring them down here.

- Take them back this minute.
- who's she giving orders to?



Well, she thinks
she's in charge,

with Rose and Mr. Hudson
at the memorial service.

-[ Bell rings]
- Not any more, she isn't.

My dear,
would you like to lean on me?

Thank you, Richard.
I can manage.

How's your breathing?

Watkins drove too fast in
the car. You must speak to him.

Much too fast.

Well, come on.

I'll get you some brandy, Mabel.

Thank you.

Ah, that's better.

Oh, dear.
I am glad it's all over.

You were wonderful.

MABEL:
Thank you, darling.

I could never have borne it
Without you all.

MARJORIE:
It was a lovely service.

HODGES:
It was really stuffy.

Yes, it went very well.

Humid weather, of course.

The tributes
were particularly good.

Mm, Robert Crew was very good.

Droned on a bit.

And who on earth asked

that dreadful man, Gray,
to speak for the Liberals?

Was that your idea, Richard?

It was discussed
at great length, Mabel dear,

and it was voted
that walter's stature

was beyond
ordinary party politics.

Sir Edward did make that point.

Mm, well, I don't think your
father would have liked it.

Yes, he would, Mother.

He'd have been delighted
at the compliment.

What one found most impressive

was the grief shown
by the common people.

So many of them openly weeping.

Would you like a rug,
Lady Southwold?

No thank you, Hodges.

[Humming]

SARAH:
[Humming]

Oi. Oi.
What do you think you're doing?

Oh, there's a spoke sticking out
of one of the wheels

in the pram,
and the wheels won't go 'round.

Well, I don't want it.

- Now, get it out of here.
- You've got to mend it.

- who said so?
- well, somebody's got to.

Miss Elizabeth and the baby
will be back from the seaside

in a few days' time,
and I'll get into trouble if --

All right, all right.
Yes, all right.

Well, later, not now.
Leave it.

Not here.
Get it outside.

Oh, you won't forget?

No, I won't forget.
Now, out!

Don't push me!
What's the matter?

- Nothing. Ta-ta.
- what's going on?

THOMAS:
Nothing.

Here.

Here, hang on a minute.

You make yourself useful
as you're here.

Get me a bottle of wine,
will you?

Where from?
The wine merchant?

Don't be silly.
You know where from. The cellar.

Oh, you mean steal it?

It's not the crown jewels.

It's a bottle of wine.
Nobody's gonna miss it.

Mr. Hudson will.

He enters all the wine that's
drunk down in a special book.

THOMAS:
Now, look here.

You enter it in the book, too.

You can copy his writing,
can't you?

How am I gonna get
in the wine cellar, eh?

There's only two people
got a key --

Mr. Bellamy and Mr. Hudson.

You borrow Mr. Hudson's key.

How am I gonna do that?

Well, where does he keep
his key?

In his, uh, in his coat, right?

Where does he keep his coat?
In the -- In the servants' hall.

So you'll pick a moment, right?

Get the key,
into the wine cellar,

get the wine, put it
in the book, put the key back.

You're back here
in less than five minutes.

- No. Sorry, Thomas, I won't.
- what do you mean?

I won't. One thing, I don't like
being taken for granted.

And for another,
if I'm gonna lose me job,

I might as well lose it
for something worthwhile.

Not for a bottle of wine

so as you can entertain
one of your lady friends.

Lady- Hey, what are you talking
about, lady--

There's no lady friends.

- This is business.
- what business?

Well, I, uh, I-l can't tell you,
not at the moment.

Ah, it wouldn't interest you,
anyway.

No, look, if I, uh...

If I mend the pram,
will you get the wine for me?

Oh, blackmail, now, is it?

Oh, what do you want?

I'll, uh, I'll give you a kiss,
if you like.

You save it
for your lady friend.

I told you --
I don't have any lady friends.

Only you.

Now, I'm sorry
if I offended you.

If I ask you nicely,
will you get the wine?

If you ask me nicely.

Oh, it was a wonderful send-off.

The abbey was full to bursting,
wasn't it?

Everybody was there.

Should have seen it, Sarah.

[Voice breaking]
All them beautiful flowers...

...for a good, kindly gentleman.

He was indeed, Mrs. Bridges,

and a great statesman
and leader, too.

We could do
with a few like him today.

Both their ladyship's
so calm and dignified.

The rest of us
sobbing our hearts out.

That was only to be expected,
Rose.

Fill up this bottle, will you?

And take it up
to Lady Southwold's room.

Yes, Mr. Hudson.

But why, Mr. Hudson?
Why shouldn't they cry?

It's only natural.

It may be natural to you, Sarah,

but when a member
of the nobility passes on,

ordinary folk look to his family

to set an example of conduct
for their own lives.

Yeah, but why should they
have to? we're all the same.

We're all come to dust
in the end.

[ Laughs ]
"Come to dust."

I like that, Sarah,
coming from you.

Edward, I'll ask you to remember
the solemnity of this day.

Can't help doing that,
Mr. Hudson.

Everything's so depressing.

Who sliced this cucumber?

Oh.

I left it to Ruby.

Mr. Hudson, I would have done it
meself, naturally,

if it hadn't been
for the service.

Edward, get Ruby in here
at once, please.

And fetch another cucumber.

[ Door closes]

Ruby!

[ Footsteps ]

Oh, thank you, Edward.

Ruby, come over here, my girl.

Mrs. Bridges.

Thank you, Mr. Hudson.

Now, Ruby, take a lesson
from Mrs. Bridges

on the correct way
to slice a cucumber.

New, Ruby, never cut a cucumber
from the end.

Always start in the centre --
so.

Then peel it
very, very thinly -- so.

There now, Ruby.
That's how it should be.

Yes, Mr. Hudson.

Edward, take this up
to the dinning room, will you?

Yes, Mr. Hudson.

SARAH:
[Clears throat]

What you up to, Sarah?

Nothing, Rose.

HODGES:
Can I help you, Miss Roberts?

Uh, no.

Is there something you require
of Lady Southwold?

No, nothing, thank you.

Then what are you doing
outside her room?

Nothing --
I happened to be passing

and noticed the door open.

Noticed the door was open?
Then why didn't you shut it?

- I was on the point of it.
- You were not.

- You were prying.
- I was doing no such thing.

If you'll pardon me, you were.

I was not and I don't know
what you're insinuating.

I've as much right to be here
as you have, Hodges.

I live here, don't forget.

Kindly do not refer to me
as "Hodges."

I am Miss Hodges,
Lady Southwold's companion.

Excuse me.
- Is that for Lady Southwold?

- Yes.
- I'll take it.

- I can manage it.
- Give it to me.

[Chuckles softly]

[ Footsteps ]

- Ah, Mr. Donaldson.
- Hello, Watkins.

Sorry, I-l didn't here you.
I-I'd have come down sooner.

That's all right.
All the doors were open.

So I just followed my nose.

A busy sort of room, isn't it.

Aye.
Well, uh, not very tidy.

You know,
where I keep all my things.

I will need a bit more space,
really.

Quite, quite.

Glad to see you've taken
our last meeting to heart.

Oh, yes, yes.

Studying those new designs.

Aye. well, of course
I've still got a lot to learn.

Well, we -- we all have,
haven't we, eh?

Good, good.

Well, then, shall we get down...

Uh, n-not, uh, not here,
Mr. Donaldson.

Upstairs is a bit more
comfortable for talking.

- Up here?
- Yes, yes.

Good.

Yes, just up there.

Well, Thomas, that's the last
time I do that for --

Oh.

Thank you, uh, Sarah.

"Kindly don't refer to me
as Hodges" says she.

"I am Miss Hodges,
Lady Southwold's companion."

She said that?

[ Chuckles ]

She can't have cared for that
much.

[ Chuckling ]
She didn't.

Only dealings I've had with her
have been acrimonious.

Ah.

Well, last night,
when I prepared her

a lovely little baked custard
for Lady Southwold,

she comes down
and says it's curdled.

You couldn't curdle
an egg custard, Mrs. Bridges.

Trouble with her, Rose,
is she don't know her place.

No. well, what is her place?
No one seems to know.

It's not down here with us.

Oh, it's not up there with them,
neither,

though she thinks it is.

Mm.

Sort of an in-between really.

What I want to know is, Rose,

why Lady Southwold
should want a companion

before his lordship passes on.

I mean, in widowhood,
it's quite understandable

but before
seems a bit suspicious to me.

In what way suspicious,
Mrs. Bridges?

I don't know, Rose.

If I did, it wouldn't be
suspicious, would it?

Light run abouts, that's what we
must go for, Watkins.

Yes, yes.

Cut down the costs and bring
the motorcar to the average man.

Is it the right vintage,
Mr. Watkins?

Uh, yes, yes. Thank you, Sarah.
[Under his breath ] Go away.

I, myself, own a Y-horsepower
Jowett, for instance.

I picked her up
for a mere £150.

Would you like me to help you?

Uh, no, no thank you.
I can manage.

Sorry.
You were saying, Mr. Donaldson?

Well, of course racings
the game we should be in,

but the problem is the capital.

I mean, I've got the contacts.

Why, only last year,
I was over in Dieppe

to see that Delarge win
the Grand Prix at Avonoharette.

Oh, yes, yes.
With the, uh --

with the single-cylinder
Dion-Bouton engine.

- Yes, that's right.
-[ Cork pops ]

She won
at nearly 50 miles an hour.

She was a real little flier.

Could I, uh, offer you a glass
of wine, Mr. Donaldson?

Oh, that's very civil of you,
Watkins.

Um, is there anything else
I can get you, Mr. Watkins?

Some anchovy canapés
or a little pâté de fois gras?

Uh, no, no thank you, Sarah.
That'll be all, thank you.

Well, I'll be trotting along
then, if you're sure.

Yes, yes, quite sure.
You trot along now.

Thank you, sir.

Does she go with the job?

What, Sarah?
Ah, she's just a nursery maid.

Oh, is she, by Jove?
[Chuckles softly]

Mmm.

You seem to have things
good here.

Ah, well, you know, yeah.

Comfort and security.

I'm surprised you're even
interested in my little scheme.

Well, you, uh...

You were good enough
to approach me, Mr. Donaldson.

And I was never one
for security.

[ Chuckles ]

Nothing ventured,
nothing gained, eh?

Don't know
what you're talking about, Rose.

Not seeing too much of him.

There's a spoke sticking out of
one of the wheels in the pram,

and I asked him to mend it.

Didn't stay long.
He's got a visitor.

ROSE:
Visitor? who?

I don't know.
Some man, some business.

Business?
What business?

I don't know.

ROSE:
Here, hold that.

You want to be careful, Sarah.

He is not your type.
I have told you that before.

I know he's flirty.

Well, I'm a big girl now, Rose.
I can look after meself.

I'm not gonna let
Mr. Thomas Watkins

take advantage of me.

You say that.

Will you leave off
and stop nagging me?!

She's been asleep
for most of the afternoon,

She's been asleep
for most of the afternoon,

-but she's awake now.
- Oh, all right.

Thank you, Miss Hodges.

How are you feeling?

Better.

I'm all right.

What time is it?

MARJORIE:
About 4:00.

Goodness.
Too much sleep.

MARJORIE: You needed it.
Today was a great ordeal.

I didn't dream about him.

Do you think he'd be hurt?

[ Chuckles ]
I didn't dream of anything.

Oh, dear, yes, it was an ordeal,

but it was nice of all those
people to come, wasn't it?

MARJORIE Yeah.

He had no idea
how many people liked him.

But he did, Mother.

I mean, what about
all those letters he had

during the last months?

They were
from all over the world.

He never lost
his sense of humour.

He used to ask me
to read aloud to him

from that awful biography

Written by that young man
Whose teeth were so bad.

"Oh," he'd say, "Is that
how history will see me?"

[ Chuckles ]

Between ourselves, I don't think
he found it very funny.

Wish I'd known him better.

Oh, my dear, he loved you so.

You were always his favourite --

much more
than your brother, Hugo.

He had such lovely memories

of the happy games
you used to play together.

But I can't remember them.

Wonder if he made them up --
all those games

he wished we'd played
if only he'd had the time.

Darling,
he wouldn't have done that.

No, of course not.
I didn't mean that.

Ah, here's Miss Hodges with tea.

Will you be getting up
for dinner, Lady Southwold?

Well, of course.

There's no need to.

I must.

Grief is a luxury one can't
afford if one wants to carry on.

Which dress shall I lay out?

Not that I have much choice,
have I?

Unless I take to the purple.

I won't do that.
It might upset the servants.

Oh, you choose, Hodges.

And I want to wear my diamond
brooch, the butterfly one

that Lord Southwold gave me
on our wedding anniversary.

You remember the one, Marjorie.

Yes, it's lovely.

It'll come to you in time.

He would have wanted that.

Are you sure you brought it,
Lady Southwold?

I don't remember seeing it.

Well, of course I brought it.
I never travel without it.

I saw it myself last night.
Go and fetch it.

[Chuckles softly]
Poor Hodges.

I don't treat her very nicely.

Well, she seems devoted.

Oh, well.
I wonder she sticks me.

She's very useful,

uh, at the railways stations,
getting porters.

And she, um,
plays a good game of rummy,

but she's such an awful snob --
and no conversation.

It's not here, Lady Southwold.

Oh, nonsense. It must be.
Let me see.

Oh, dear.
The wrong glasses.

Marjorie, you look.

No. Miss Hodges is right.
It's not here.

- Are you sure?
- Positive.

Did you look
on the dressing table?

Yes, I looked.

Then it must have been taken.

Doesn't she keep the case
locked?

I think she felt that
there was no need, Mr. Bellamy.

I think she felt secure here.

Has the room
been thoroughly searched?

Yes and I've talked
to the staff at Southwold.

They can't find it there.

In any case,
Lady Southwold is positive

she saw the brooch here,
quite late last night.

But you didn't think
she'd brought it, Miss Hodges.

I said I hadn't seen it,

which is not quite
the same thing, Mr. Bellamy.

Well, if she did see it
last night,

then it most likely
would have been taken

this morning
when we were at the abbey.

You really think
it's been taken?

It seems inconceivable
it could be any of our servants.

I suppose we must face
the possibility.

Who was in the house
this morning?

Well, Hudson, Mrs. Bridges,
and Rose came to the service.

So that leaves Edward and Ruby,
Sarah and Roberts.

- Has Hudson been informed?
MARJORIE: No, not yet.

Well, I'd better see him.

I take it that the police
are to be informed.

No. No need for that yet,
Miss Hodges.

We can usually settle
our own difficulties.

- Oh, but surely --
- And I don't think

Lady Southwold
would wish it, either.

No, she's too upset
even to think about it.

And I'd better go up to her.

If I may have a word with you,
Mr. Bellamy?

Well?

I didn't like to speak
while Lady Marjorie was present,

but I think I may be able
to throw some light

on this unfortunate affair.

Yes, Miss Hodges?

I saw Miss Roberts
outside the bedroom

just after we returned
this morning.

The door was open.
She could have been coming out.

She offered
no adequate explanation

when I asked her
what her business was.

Couldn't she simply
have been passing?

[ Door opens ]

Thank you, Miss Hodges.

I thought you should know.

Yes, thank you.

Well, if you want to know
what I think,

I think
Miss Hodges has taken it.

- Miss Hodges?
- Supercilious woman.

Well she's the obvious one,
isn't she?

I mean, she's got
every opportunity she wants,

but she chose this morning
to put the blame on one of us.

But she's
a clergyman's daughter.

From Cromer.

Is she, Rose?

Who told you that?

-[ Chuckles ] God told her.
- Edward!

Lady Marjorie told Miss Roberts.

I don't know what we're
all making such a fuss about.

We don't even know
if it's been pinched yet.

Don't know
if what's been pinched, Sarah?

Haven't you heard?

There's a brooch stolen
from Lady Southwold's bedroom.

- Oh, is there?
- And we're all under suspicion.

MRS. BRIDGES:
Not all of us, Miss Roberts.

Some of us above suspicion,
eh, Mrs. B.?

What do you mean, not all of us,
Mrs. Bridges?

I'd -- I'd like to know
what you mean by that.

Mrs. Bridges means
that some of us

were at the memorial service
this morning.

And some of us have spent
17 years in this house

Without a blot
on their character!

Nobody's accusing you,
Miss Roberts!

Just a few discreet questions,
Hudson.

Not a full-scale investigation.

I don't want alarm
and despondency.

Do you think
you can handle that?

I'll do my best, sir.

Well, if nothing comes to light,

we shall have to call
the police,

if only to appease the ladies.

But that must be a last resort,
do you understand?

- Yes, sir.
- Oh, come on, Hudson.

Don't take it so personally.

I'm sorry, sir, but
when a member of the staff

-is openly accused of theft...
- Nobody was openly accused

of anything.

Miss Hodges
was simply trying to assist.

- HUDSON: was she, sir?
- what do you mean?

Has there been trouble between
Miss Hodges and the staff?

Not trouble, no, sir,
but there is a certain feeling

which may have been the cause --

Well, that's for you
to discover.

Very good, sir.

And, Hudson...

I want to be kept fully informed
of all developments.

Yes, sir.

SARAH: Oh, can't you put it
together again, Thomas?

Thought it would have been easy
with all your mechanical skills.

Aye, well,
don't you worry about me, love.

Just -- Just get me a beer,
will you?

-[ Sighs ]
- From the bench over there.

Hope your business friend
don't drop by.

Won't be very impressed,
will he?

Not if you're gonna mend
his motorcars for him.

Who said
that's what I was gonna do?

Oh, that's what
you was discussing, wasn't you?

Sharp little ears,
you've got, ain't you, eh?

- Ouch!
- Yes, I've always noticed

your sharp, little ears.

There's no need to get personal,
Thomas.

Isn't there? well, that's
what you're doing, isn't it,

getting into
my personal affairs.

When one is used, Thomas,
as you have used me,

one's got a bloody right
to know.

Used you? well,
I don't know what you mean.

I mean the wine.

- Oh, that.
-"Oh, that," yeah.

Wasn't easy, you know.
Nearly got caught.

And if I had of been,
I'd been branded as a thief.

They might of thought
I took the brooch.

Here, think of that.

Here, think of that.

[Silverware clatters]

He's been in his pantry
a long time.

What's he writing in there?

Does he still want to see us,
Rose?

ROSE:
That's what he said, didn't he?

Well, I'm not staying up
all night waiting on his time.

[ Chuckles ]
He thinks he's Sherlock Holmes.

He'll be playing
his violin next.

You're familiar with the works
of Sir Arthur, Edward?

Sir Arthur Edward?

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the
creator of Sherlock Holmes.

You've graduated
from penny dreadfuls

to The Strand magazine,
have you?

No, Mr. Hudson.

Then I advise you
to stop making references

to things you're ignorant of,
my boy.

Come in here with me.

I won't keep you waiting long,
Miss Roberts.

Now, don't be frightened,
Edward.

I just want you to tell me,
quite simply,

what you did while we were
at the abbey this morning.

What I did, Mr. Hudson?
Well, nothing -- honest.

You did nothing? But didn't you
go about your duties?

Oh, yes. Oh, I did those.
I did my duties.

Were you on your own
for any of the time?

ELIZABETH:
Well, some of it, yes.

Upstairs?

Yes.

But I never went near
Lady Southwold's bedroom.

I had no need to go near it.

Did you know of anyone who did
go near it, for any reason?

Now, think hard now, Edward.

Well, Rose.

Well, I mean, she would have to
earlier, to make the beds.

But apart from Rose -- No one?

No, Mr. Hudson.

I was down here
most of the time with Sarah.

Sarah?
- Yeah.

She was teaching Ruby to read
with those coloured bricks.

You know,
the ones with letters on.

She went up and brought them
from the nursery.

[Both chuckling]

Oh, there you are, Sarah.

Mr. Hudson wants to see you.

Me, Rose?
What about?

What do you think it's about?

THOMAS:
Sorry it wasn't finished, Sarah.

You can have it in the morning,
all right?

Hurry up.
Don't keep him waiting.

Well, what can I do for you,
Rose?

Something on your mind?

Sarah.

Oh, yeah?

What about her?

She's spending too much time
over here.

- Mr. Hudson don't approve.
- THOMAS: Oh, doesn't he?

Now, why's that?

Well, she's neglecting
her duties.

Ah, come on, Rose --
She doesn't have any duties

with Miss Elizabeth and the baby
away at sea.

She's bored.

She comes here for a bit
of company, that's all.

[Scoffs lightly]
Nothing to do with me.

I'm not concerned.

Aren't you?

It's Mr. Hudson!

She might get into trouble.
That's all.

I didn't think you'd want that.

Oh, well, I don't think
either of us would want that,

would we, Rose,
caring for her the way we do?

What do you mean?

What did you mean by that?

What I say, Rose, no more.

Don't mind if I have a wash,
do you?

I'm a bit grimy.

Only had a Catholic yesterday.

Can't make you out,
Thomas Watkins.

Don't understand you.

Still, you always was twisty!

- Twisty?
- Mm.

In Greenwich,
afore you come here.

Always got your own way.

I didn't get you, did I?

No.

Well, that's 'cause
you didn't really want me.

Didn't I?

Look, all I'm saying is,
don't ruin Sarah's life.

She's made some mistakes
in the past,

but she's made up for them.

And now, just
when she's got things straight,

she don't want you to
go leading her astray.

Do you understand?!

See, Sarah's like a sister
to me,

and I don't want to see her
getting hurt --

not by somebody like you,
anyho-

Nice sisterly concern
you're showing, too, isn't it?

By "leading her astray,"

I take it you mean
going to bed with her, do you?

That and other things.

THOMAS:
What other things?

What other things?!

There's a brooch missing,
in case you haven't heard.

It was stolen this morning when
we was at the memorial service

and Sarah was in the house.

- There were others.
- Oh, Edward and Miss Roberts.

But she's the obvious one,
isn't it, she?

Oh, well, she would be pleased
to hear you say that,

wouldn't she, eh?

Her sisterly, best friend.

You think she stole it for me,
do you?

Eh, is that it?

Do you think I made her?

You've got a nasty mind, Rose.

A nasty, dirty, little mind,

and you take it out of here fast
before I lose my temper.

Aah!

- I just don't --
- Get out of my room!

SARAH:
Honestly, Mr. Hudson!

I didn't know I was doing wrong
bringing them down.

I thought I was doing something
Worthwhile, for once in me life.

I mean, they're sitting up there
all day long doing nothing

-and Ruby can't read.
- All right, Sarah!

Miss Roberts,
would you come with me, please?

What has that vicious woman
been saying about me?

I beg your pardon, Miss Roberts?

[Voice breaking ] what lies
has she been spreading?

- who?
- That Miss Hodges, of course.

I didn't go in the room.

I-I only looked in to see
if there was anyone there.

I didn't take anything.

It's her.
She had the opportunity.

She did it, and now
she's trying to blame me!

Has anyone questioned her?!

Now, now, please, calm yourself,
Miss Roberts. Sit down.

Or -- Or is she
too high and mighty?

Protected by the church,
perhaps,

being a vicar's daughter.

She comes into this house.

Does anyone
know anything about her?

Has anyone checked her past?

Oh, they do, you know.

I know
these companion creatures.

They do what?

Attach themselves
to the aristocracy,

ingratiate themselves.

It's the money they're after.
It's only the money they want.

Oh, but she's been
with Lady Southwold

for over 10 years, Miss Roberts.

10 years.

And how long have I been here,
Mr. Hudson?

Nearly 17.

Does that count for nothing?

[Sobbing ] ls my whole life
to be tossed aside

on the word
of some scheming stranger?

Oh, now, please.
Please, Miss Roberts.

What's going on in there?

What's all that caterwauling
about?

Oh, it's, uh, uh, Miss Roberts,
Mrs. B.

She's being questioned
by Mr. Hudson.

Questioned?

[ Crying ]

But what on earth
can have possessed Hudson?

Was he out of his mind?

My dear, he was acting
under my instructions.

Your instructions?

What instructions?
And why wasn't I informed?

He was making discreet inquiries
among the servants...

- Discreet inquires?
- Marjorie, just let me finish.

Before Hudson
could ask Roberts a question,

she became hysterical
and quite out of control.

That's Hudson's version,
I suppose?

- It's the truth.
- He accused her of theft.

He didn't. It was
that dreadful woman, Hodges.

Your mother must get rid of her.

That's for Mother to decide,
surely.

Meanwhile, I'm left with a badly
upset Roberts on my hand.

It's most inconvenient.

She'll have to be sent
to the country to get over it.

RICHARD: You really believe
she's innocent?

Of course. Do you think
I don't know my own maid?

Well, who in God's name
has taken it?

We'll leave that
for your sleuth to find out.

-[ Door closes]
-[ Grumbles ]

SARAH: Hello?

THOMAS: Hello.

Oh, sorry.
Didn't know you'd gone to bed.

Oh, no, it's all right. Don't
go. No, I was just reading.

Reading?
- THOMAS: Yeah.

Reading?

Motorcar engines.

Do you understand all that?

Well, I'm beginning to,
like the rest of the world.

Now, what do you want?

You could get into trouble
coming here this time of night.

Trouble?
Who from?

Well, I was thinking
of Mr. Hudson, actually.

Oh, I can handle him.

You're very chirpy.
Do you want some cocoa?

No. No, thanks.
Just had some.

What's these?

They're peppermints.

Well, what do you want?

Nothing.

Just came to tell you
they caught the thief.

- THOMAS: Oh, have they.
- It was Miss Roberts.

She confessed to Mr. Hudson.

You should have heard
the carry-on.

Screaming the place down,
she was.

I'm surprised
you didn't hear it up here.

Yeah, well, you know,
I-l was reading, like I said.

Oh, yeah.

Funny it should be Miss Roberts,
yeah?

I mean, what does she hope
to gain by it?

She wouldn't know how to get rid
of the brooch,

and if she did, what would
she do with the money?

Didn't like her much,
but I feel sorry for her.

All her life, eh?

All them years of devoted sewing
and hairdressing and packing.

Nowhere to go.

Just a lonely old spinster --
Poor, old cow.

They say it makes you peculiar
going without --

Is that what they say, now?

Mm, no.

What do you mean? That's
what you came for, isn't it?

You didn't come to tell me

about lonely, old spinsters
with light fingers.

I mean, that sort of thing could
have waited till the morning,

couldn't it?

It's provocation,

coming into a man's bedroom
this time of night.

It's not late.
It's only 9:00.

Early to bed,
early to rise, see?

What will Rose say?

Rose?

She'll miss me.
She'll wonder where I am.

Well, now, look, you don't have
to stay the whole night, do you?

That's true.

Here, hang on a minute.
What -- what's the rush?

Here, take it easy.

Easy.

That's better.

She'll find out.

What?

Rose -- She'll find out.
I know she will.

- well.
- Can't keep nothing from her.

What's it matter?
She's not your keeper.

What's it matter
if the whole world knows, eh?

You wouldn't mind?

How do you mean?

You love me?

You're not ashamed of me?

No.
No, well, why should I be?

Oh, come on, then.

Sarah couldn't do it,
not on her own.

'Course, she could be persuaded
into it by another influence.

Another...

What do you mean, Rose?

Come on.
Speak your mind, my girl.

Well, she's been keeping
a lot of company

-with Mr. Watkins lately.
- MRS. BRIDGES: Thomas?

W-Whatever gave you that idea?

It's no idea, Mrs. Bridges,
there's evidence.

Mr. Watkins has had a visitor
down at the garage -- a man.

Ooh.

Now you mention it,

I do remember seeing a strange
man coming out of the garage.

Do you think Sarah
might have taken the brooch

and given it to Mr. Watkins...

...who in turn would pass it

onto a criminal
in the underworld.

- She means a fence.
ROSE: Mm.

But why would Sarah help him?

Is she in love with him?

Don't know about that.

But they're
definitely very chummy.

Fetch Mr. Watkins,
will you, Rose?

- I want to talk to him.
- At this time of night?

Oh, yes.
Yes, it is a wee bit late.

Uh, I'll see him in the morning,
first thing.

I don't know, Mrs. Bridges.

I don't seem to know my staff
anymore.

Four brothers, three sisters.

I was number five to appear.

They must miss you.

No.

No, because I blotted
my copy book, see?

Went off on my own,
let the side down.

"Good riddance" was the cry
I heard ringing in my ears.

My eldest brother, Gwyn,

used to own the bicycle shop
where I used to work.

"I'll come back and buy you out
so you can retire prematurely

and sit on your backside,
you lazy bastard."

Was my parting shot.

So it's pride, you see.

Yeah.

It's like me and this house.

I left through the front door
once, and I swore I'd show her.

But I didn't.

They found me in the street

and brought me back
like a bleedin' lost dog.

Yeah, well,
they won't do that with me.

You going?

Yeah.

Yeah, this man Donaldson --
his f-father owns the garage

I take the Rolls-Royce
for fitments.

He noticed me.

I impressed him
and we got to talking

and, uh, he wants to open up
on his own.

He's a skilled mechanic, but --
but it wouldn't just be that.

He -- He wants to go
into teaching

and extend his interest
to racing.

No saying
Where it might lead to.

Partnership
is what he hinted at.

So that's what he was doing
down here, see?

You like it here.

Aye, but it doesn't stretch me,
see, love?

I'm only 33.
Already I'm top of my line.

Chauffeur -- dead end.

I'm bored.

No chance to use my brains,
and I got brains.

When you...
When you gonna go?

'Round about Christmas,
if everything goes to plan.

What about us?

"Us"?

How do you mean?

Well, us?

Well, I don't know.

Have to see how it goes.

And if everything goes all
right, you could come with me.

Ruby, it's green Dutch sauce
for luncheon this morning.

So hurry up with that
and come and pound the parsley.

- Yes, Mrs. Bridges.
- Oh, Edward, out of my light.

I'm busy.

Here, what's gonna happen
to Miss Roberts?

She's gone to St. Albans for a
few days to stay with a friend.

Is she coming back?

I don't know.

Edward, fetch up the potatoes.

Ruby, hurry up and come
and pound that parsley.

ELIZABETH: Morning, Sarah.
- SARAH: Morning.

Where was you last night?

What do you mean, Rose?
I was in bed, same as usual.

No, you wasn't,
not to start off with,

'cause I looked in your room.

- Oh, spying on me, was you?
- No.

Just wanted to have a word
with you, and you wasn't there.

Oh, well, I went for a stroll.

Unaccompanied?

'Course.
Not a crime, is it?

'Twas a full moon.

You want to be careful
Jack the Ripper don't get you.

Haven't you got any work to do,
Sarah?

No, Mr. Hudson -- I'm on holiday

till Miss Elizabeth and the baby
get back.

Here, do this. I've got
all them gloves to stretch.

THOMAS:
Morning, Mrs. Bridges.

MRS. BRIDGES:
Good morning, Thomas.

- THOMAS: Morning, Edward.
EDWARD: Thomas.

- THOMAS: Morning, Ruby.
RUBY: Morning.

Morning, Sarah.

- Oh, morning, Thomas.
Rose.

- Morning, Mr. Hudson.
- I want to see you, Mr. Watkins.

Now? Oh, well,
it's not very convenient

at the moment, Mr. Hudson.

I've got to take the motorcar
to the garage for a fitment.

Mr. Bellamy
wants it at 11:00, see?

This won't take long.

Well, now, Mr. Hudson,
what can I do for you?

I understand
you had a visitor yesterday.

Oh, did I?

Now, who told you that?

What was his business with you?

Well, now, Mr. Hudson,

I don't see
that's any business of yours.

It's a free country.
I can entertain who I like.

Not if it involves the security
of this household, you can't.

Well, I-I'm not sure
I'm with you there, Mr. Hudson.

You mean you -- you fear

he might be a fire-raiser
or something?

Don't try and be clever with me.

Tell me who he is.

No.

No, I won't, Mr. Hudson.

- why not?
Because I don't choose to,

and I don't see you have
any right to ask me.

Then I must draw
my own conclusions, Mr. Watkins.

You can draw whatever
damn conclusions you like.

It's of no interest to me.

She was only doing her duty.

She saw your maid
behaving suspiciously.

She told Richard.

What happened after that
was not her fault.

Well, I'm sorry, Miss Hodges,
if I upset you.

Well, we don't want
any unpleasantness.

I quite realize
that I am being an encumbrance.

I think we'd better leave.

No, Mother.

I think it best.

This whole business has been
conducted most unfortunately.

I blame you, Richard, largely.

The police
should have been informed.

There should have been
a proper investigation.

Then by this time the culprit
would have been behind bars.

Instead, he's running free,
Marjorie has upset Hodges,

I'm upset,
and everything's in a turmoil.

I'm sorry you feel that way,
Mabel, dear.

I brought you
some comforting news.

If the brooch is not recovered,
the insurance is in order.

Insurance?

What comfort is that to me?

The value of that brooch
cannot be measured in money.

Pack our cases, Hodges.

Mother, I insist,
you can't leave.

You've nowhere to go.

I have plenty of places to go,
Marjorie.

I shall go to Biarritz
and have a rest.

Biarritz is too hot
at this time of year.

I shall stay in the shade.

Come on, Hodges.

Oh, dear.

Now, let her do as she wishes.

She's bound to be a little
irrational at this moment.

But I'm amazed she took that
woman Hodges' side against you.

Well, that's easy to see.

She knows it's Hodges, not us,
she's gonna need from now on.

Mm.

Yes, Hudson?
What is it?

If I might have a word with you,
sir?

RICHARD:
Yes, what about?

About the investigation.
There's been a development.

Well, you can tell me later,
Richard.

I'd better go and talk
to Mother.

A development?

Concerning Mr. Watkins, sir.

- Thomas?
- Yeah?

Mr. Bellamy wants to see you.

Right.
Well, he'll have to wait.

- No, Thomas. It's urgent.
- what's it about?

I don't know, but Mr. Hudson
said to come and get you quick.

Oh, I-l got Donaldson coming
in five minutes.

Well, I can look after him
for you.

Aye.

Here, look, uh, give him -- give
him some of that wine, will you?

Do you want me to take him
upstairs

-or stay down here with him?
- No, no. Take him upstairs.

There's no room to move
down here

with this bloody perambulator.

All right. I'll go and have
a little tidy up there.

Aye.
Aye, there's a good girl.

[Sighs]

[ Footstep ]

Oh, hello, Mr. Donaldson.
I was expecting you.

- Hello. Sarah, isn't it?
- Yeah, that's right.

Uh, Mr. Watkins has had
to pop out for a few moments.

He shouldn't be long.

Uh, c-can I offer you
a little drop of wine?

[Knock on door]

You wanted to see me, sir?

Yes, Watkins, come in.

Now, then, what's all this
about a visitor?

THOMAS:
A visitor, sir?

Yes, yes, man. Come on now.
Don't waste my time.

Hudson says this fella's
been coming to see you.

Now, who is he?

- well, j-just a friend, sir.
- A friend?

What do you mean?
What sort of friend?

He's just a friend.

Watkins, a very valuable brooch
has been stolen from this house.

Yes, I know that.

A suspicious character
is seen to visit you.

You won't say who he is.

Oh, I'm -- I'm beginning
to understand, sir.

You -- You -- You think

me and Miss Roberts
are in league together.

S-She steals the brooch,
gives it to me,

and I get rid of it through one
of my underworld connections.

Yes, well, that --
that's a plausible theory, sir.

Don't be so damned impertinent!

Watkins...

...I am giving you every chance.

Yes, and that's
just what I don't like,

if you'll forgive my saying so,
sir.

A feeling of a need
to justify myself

when I consider
there's no cause.

Now, I haven't been here long,
like some -- I know that.

But I-l think I done
some good service, sir,

handled a few
difficult situations,

earned myself a bit of credit.

But if you don't think so, sir,
I think the best thing

for all concerned is for me
to hand in my resignation.

No, no, no, no, Watkins.
Don't be so s-sensitive.

I've no complaints
about your work or your conduct.

But in cases like this,
we have to explore all avenues.

The man in question
is called Donaldson, sir,

son of Mr. Donaldson,
proprietor of the garage

who, I believe,
is known personally to you.

Young Archie?

We share an interest in the
latest type of motorcar, sir.

His integrity's not in question,
is it, sir?

What exactly do you mean,
Mr. Donaldson?

Oh, I think I made myself
quite clear, haven't I?

But you led him to understand

that you was gonna offer him
something.

Well, yes, it is an offer,
subject to negotiation.

[ Door closes]

- HUDSON: My lady?
- Yes, Hudson?

There's a gentleman
from Cartier's to see you.

From Cartier's?

Forgive my intrusion, my lady,

but your husband
came to see us this morning

about a diamond brooch belonging
to your mother, Lady Southwold.

- Yes?
- He said it was missing,

possibly stolen, and he was
inquiring about the insurance.

Yes?
ls there some problem?

About the insurance?
No, no, no.

Watkins, we shall need the motor
this evening.

Very good, sir.

Uh, Richard, someone's here
from Cartier's about the brooch.

Oh, come in, come in.

I have it here, sir.

Lady Southwold left it with us
to have a stone reset.

That's why we were puzzled
by your inquiry, sir.

She left it about a week ago.

It was, in fact,
ready yesterday,

but we decided not to deliver it

in view of Lord Southwold's
memorial service.

Thank you.
Thank you very much.

She must have forgotten,
I expect,

what with her sad bereavement.

Yes, yes.
Thank you.

Well, well, Mr. Hudson.

It's not the first time
you've had it in for me.

Lucky for you
I'm a forgiving man, isn't it?

[ Footsteps depart ]

- You will, you know!
- Oh, no, you won't!

I won't let you!
I love him, I love --

- Hello, Thomas.
- Let go of her.

- But we were just --
- Let her go!

She's only the servant girl,
isn't she?

[Chuckles softly]
Fair game.

Well, I must be on my way.

I've another appointment,
I'm afraid.

You shouldn't have kept me
waiting, you know.

Aah!

[Both screaming]

[ Panting ]

Honestly, Rose.

He was a brute.

He had me pinned down
on Thomas' own bed.

He had me frock half off --

Can't see any torn bits.

No?
Well, I mended it.

And then, Thomas come in.

And I have never before seen
such a look on any man's face.

It was plain, cold fury.

Why?

- why?
ROSE: Mm.

- why, Rose?
- why plain, cold fury?

Because he...

He respects me.

- Poo.
- He does, Rose.

He respects me, and he --
he saw that my honour

was in danger from
his brutish business partner.

What about his business?

Don't suppose
he'll be leaving now.

No.

Not this time.

But one day, Rose.

One day, he will.

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