Upstairs, Downstairs (1971–1975): Season 3, Episode 1 - Miss Forrest - full transcript

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Acorn Media (re-sync by moviesbyrizzo)

Good afternoon, sir.

Will you be joining her ladyship
for tea?

Is that crumpets
under the dish cover?

Hot buttered teacakes, sir.

- Then I will.
- Very good, sir.

- Oh. You're early.
- Yes.

I told the chief clerk,

since I'd finished the cargo
list he gave me to check,

I could see no reason to sit
twiddling my thumbs till 5:00,

so I came home early.



- Going to have tea with you.
- That's nice.

Thank you, Hudson.
And we'll need another cup.

HUDSON: My lady.

And tell Mr. Bellamy
tea's ready, will you?

Oh, I understand the master will
not be requiring tea, my lady.

He's working on in the study
and not to be disturbed.

- Has Miss Forrest left yet?
- Not yet, my lady.

Then we shan't need another cup.
Thank you, Hudson.

I bet Father wishes
he'd never started

on Grandpapa's biography.

Oh, I think
he's quite enjoying the work.

It's just that his publisher

wants the manuscript
by the end of the month,

and he still has two or three
chapters left to write.



Huh.
Damn hard work, I should think.

Yes, darling.

All right, Mother,
I can sense the rebuke.

I finished work early
and came home for tea.

Father is still working
and hasn't time for tea.

Well, my work
is so dreadfully boring.

It's not living.
It's existing.

Thank God for the weekend.

You know your father and I are
driving down to Syon tomorrow.

You'll have to
entertain yourself this weekend.

Yes.

Oh, by the way,
such a happy letter

and a parcel from Elizabeth.

She sends what she calls
a "phonograph record" for you.

Gloves from Macy's in New York
for me

and a book for your father.

"Everybody's Doing It."

- Everybody except me.
- what do you mean?

Nothing.

Elizabeth says it's the latest
craze in America, this ragtime.

Yes, I know.

She and Dana and little Lucy
are going to meet us

off the boat on the 16th.

Oh, it'll be lovely to see them.

Yes, lovely for you
and Uncle Hugo and Aunt Marion.

And then we go up to Montreal.

The president
of the Canadian Pacific

is letting us use
his private railway coach

right across to Alberta.

We'll stay at Uncle Hugo's ranch
in Calgary and...

Darling, what is the matter?

Nothing is the matter.

I know you'd
like to come with us.

So would your father.

But he's got work to do
and so have you.

Well, Father's work
is at least interesting.

Any work is interesting
if you let it be.

I'm sorry if you're bored,
darling,

but thousands of young men

slave away in offices every day
to earn a living.

Why should you complain?

Especially after all the trouble
your father took

to get you into the firm.

I will not spend
the rest of my life

worrying about how much tea
we can ship

from Hong Kong to London

simply to be gulped down by
silly women in drawing rooms.

You're drinking tea.

Only because
it's too early for whiskey.

Anyway, it was your idea
to leave the army.

To make some money, you said.

Yes.

By the time I'm a director.
I shall be over 40, half-dead,

out in Calcutta with malaria
and a rotten liver.

You know, it's not very kind
of you to talk like that.

Just when I'm going abroad
for a month or more.

You know how I worry about you.

I'm sorry, Mother.

You will help your father
and the servants,

won't you, while I'm away?

I mean, let them know about
being in or out to meals.

- That kind of thing.
- Yes.

Something else troubling you?

Phyllis?

I don't think so.

You've written to her,
haven't you?

I saw the letter
on the hall table.

Yes.
Yes, I did write to her.

I thought
I should congratulate her.

She's got herself engaged
to a fellow in Skinner's Horse

called Jack Pettifer.

He's on the viceroy's staff
out there.

A very worthy fellow
with a ginger moustache.

I'm glad.

So am I.

You were right to be honest
with her before it was too late.

I hope so.

There are plenty of other girls.

Yes.

I think I'll take this upstairs
and play it.

Thank you for my tea.

All right, darling.

[ Typing ]

You finished?

Yes, Mr. Bellamy.
That's Chapter 15 all typed.

Capital.

Oh, I managed to find
the passages you wish to quote

from the Lansdowne
correspondence.

They're marked there.

Thank you.

Well, I think you've done enough
for one day.

You get along home.

I'd like to come again tomorrow,
if it's convenient,

and finish off
the last two chapters,

ready for your correction
on Monday morning.

Well, yes, if you don't mind
giving up part of your weekend.

I've nothing particular to do.

Yes, by all means.

Just ring the bell, and Hudson
will show you in here.

Would you care to leave
your machine over night?

Oh, if I may.

It is rather heavy.

And if my train is crowded...

Well, it wlll be.

The Metropolitan's always
crowded on a Friday evening.

♫ "Everybody's doing it" ♫

♫"Everybody's Doing It Now"♫
playing ]

What on earth is that noise?

It's a gramophone, I think,
Mr. Bellamy.

Coming from upstairs.

Must be my son.

He's keen
on the latest ragtime music,

this dreadful syncopated jazz.

Like everything else
from America,

it's too fast, too noisy.

Well...

I'll say goodnight, then,
Mr. Bellamy.

Yes.

Well, good night,
Miss -- Miss Forrest.

[Sighs]

JAMES: Good evening.
- Good evening.

- Just off?
- Yes.

I hope my father's
not working you too hard.

Oh, no.
Not at all.

Oh. Please.

[Rain falling]

Oh.
Have you got far to go?

It seems to still be raining.

Oh, no.
Only as far as Sloane Square.

Oh, you live in Sloane Square?

No. I get my train from there.
To Wimbledon.

Ah. Then I must wish you
a restful weekend.

Oh, I'm coming back tomorrow

to finish off
Mr. Bellamy's typing.

Oh, dear.
Then you must rest on Sunday.

I expect I shall.
Goodbye.

[ Door closes]

There.
That's them gone.

Oh, thank goodness.

I'm badly behind
with her ladyship's packing.

Well, I have offered
to help you, Miss Roberts.

You wouldn't know
what to put in, Rose.

She doesn't even know herself
what to take.

I should think it'd be warm
in Canada this time of year.

Oh, not in the Rockies, Mrs. B.

No, they have snow in the
Rookies all the year around.

And grizzly bears.

How do you know?

I've seen pictures in magazines.

It's hot in America,
and it's cold in Canada.

You'll have to pack everything
she's got, eh, Miss Roberts?

Well, hardly. we're only taking
four cabin trunks.

Four?

Huh, what,
three for her ladyship's clothes

and one to put you in, eh?

Save paying the fare,
wouldn't it?

Don't be ridiculous, Edward.

Oh, I don't know.
Seems like a good idea.

If they packed you in a trunk
across the Rockies,

at least the red Indians
wouldn't get you

when they hold up the train.

- Edward, really.
- Oh, Edward.

No, honestly, Mrs. B.

They -- They swoop down
onto the railway line

from the rocks above, and then
they scalp all the passengers.

So if you're not hidden
in a trunk,

you mind you keep your hair on.

It's about time you started
reading something better

than Chips and Comic Cuts,
Edward.

Oh, cup of tea, Mr. Hudson?

Oh, that would be
most welcome, Mrs. Bridges.

Ruby, fetch a cup
for Mr. Hudson.

Ruby!

Yes, Mrs. Bridges?

A cup for Mr. Hudson!
Or I'll have your scalp.

Captain James is up and about,
I presume.

Do you mean Mr. James?

No, I do not, Rose.

The young master may have chosen

to relinquish his military
duties for civilian life,

but he is nonetheless
entitled by custom

to be known
by his rank of captain.

Oh, I'm glad of that.

"Captain James" always sounds
quite romantic.

Gives him an air
of sort of nobility.

Well, it's about the only thing
that did.

Miss Roberts, please.

Well, I suppose
he'll get up sometime today.

Are you saying Captain James
is still in bed?

Oh, yes.
He's awake, though.

He's just lying there, playing
with his blessed gramophone.

I've been in twice
to try and do his room, but --

Well, I daresay he's tired,

working hard
in that office all week.

We are all tired,
Mrs. Bridges.

Edward, you better
clear away the breakfast

from the dining room.

What happens if he comes down
wanting it?

It has gone half-past 11:00.

Breakfast has never been served
in this house

at half-past 11:00,
never will be.

- Not as long as I'm butler here.
- No, Mr. Hudson.

Well, look sharp, then, Edward.

And I'll be wanting to know
what my orders is for lunch.

Captain James is lunching out,
Mrs. Bridges.

He told me so last night.

Ah.
That's all right, then.

That just means
a tray in the study.

That is correct, Mrs. Bridges.

I can take
Miss Forest's luncheon tray

just before we have ours.

♫ watch them throw
their shoulders in the air ♫

♫ watch them throw
their shoulders in the air ♫

[ Music slows down, distorts]

[Sighs]

[ Typing ]

- Morning, sir.
- Morning, Edward.

Oh, if you were
requiring breakfast, sir,

I've just cleared
the dining room.

But I can get you some
if you'd like, sir.

No, no.
I'll wait for lunch now.

- Overslept.
- Yes, sir.

Have the master
and her ladyship left?

Oh, yes, sir.
At 11:00, sir.

Really?

[Typing continues]

- Oh.
- Hello.

I hope I'm not disturbing you.

It's quite all right.

I was, uh -- I was just looking
for this week's Punch.

I thought maybe my father
might have, uh...

Aha.
There it is.

I, uh -- I expect -- I expect

you've got quite a bit to do,
have you?

Just one more chapter.

You've been hard at it
all morning, haven't you?

I'm sorry if I disturbed you.

This machine is very noisy,
I know.

Oh, good heavens. No, no, no.
You didn't disturb me.

I...

Well, I just looked in
to see if you were all right.

Yes, I am.
Thank you.

Got everything you need?

Yes, I have, thank you.

My parents have gone away
for the weekend, you see.

Yes.
I understand they have.

And they asked me to see that
you had everything you wanted.

Yes, I have.
Thank you.

Your butler is arranging for me
to have lunch on a tray

so that I can work on.

Oh, is he?
I see.

[ Typing ]

I'm looking forward
to reading my father's book.

Do you think it'll be a success?

Of course it will.
It's very interesting.

I had no idea
that Lord Southwold

was such a progressive
underneath.

Was he?
Was he? I didn't know.

Yes.

He did introduce two bills
in the Lords

to reform the Upper House --

one in 1898 and one in 1907.

But they wouldn't listen to him.

- Oh.
- He was very human too.

And he loved his family
very much, didn't he?

Especially his grandchildren.

Well, it...

It comes out in the letters
to Lady Southwold.

The dowager, that is.

I remember, as children,

we always spent Christmas
at Southwold.

Grandpapa rather spoilt us,
I believe.

Your father has found such
a charming photograph of him --

and you
and your sister Elizabeth,

aged 10 and 8, in a pony cart.

It's going in the book.

Here it is.
It's...

- It's very sweet.
- Of me?

[ Laughs ]

I look like
an angry little chimpanzee.

No, you don't.

Well...

I must be getting on.
I still have a great deal to do.

Oh, no, no.
Look, it's, uh...

It's gone midday.
Why not rest for a while?

No.
No, thank you.

Your lunch will be here soon.

Yes.
I expect it will.

Tell me, have you been doing
this sort of work for sometime?

You mean secretarial work?

Yes.

About 10 years.

Though, of course, I've only
been trained to typewrite

for three years.

Before that I worked
in a drapers, in Surbiton,

looking after their accounts.

Oh.
You've been working a long time.

I've only just started.

Were you not an officer
in the Life Guards?

Yes.

And now I'm a clerk

with Jardine Mathesons
in Lombard Street,

the Far Eastern trading company.

Also helping in accounts.

In the tea department.

I see.
It sounds very interesting.

So, having that much in common,

I wonder would you think it
too forward of me

to ask you your Christian name?

Oh.

Unless of course
you'd rather not.

Oh, no, of course not.
I don't mind.

I was christened Hazel Patricia.

Hazel.

Because you've got hazel eyes.

No.

No, I think it was
my father's love of shrubs

that made him choose my name.

[ Laughs ]

A charming name
and most appropriate.

I expect it was a good year
for hazels, was it?

I don't wish to seem
discourteous, Captain Bellamy,

but your father is most anxious
to revise the last two chapters

on Monday morning.

Oh, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.

It was most wrong of me to ask
you such a personal question.

It's all right.

I...

...think it's because
I find myself becoming...

...interested in you
as a person.

And perhaps a little curious.

I think you should remember that
I am an employee in this house.

I work for your father.

I prefer to look upon you
as a guest in my father's house

who happens to be helping him
with his manuscript.

For money, Captain Bellamy?

- what difference does it make?
- well, if...

Besides, I want to know
more about you.

About your home, your life,
your family.

What you think and feel.

Well?

I am an unexceptional person,
Captain Bellamy.

Ohh.

My life and background are --

They're ordinary
and -- and uninteresting.

I find it difficult to believe

that someone in your position
in society

should be in any way interested
in someone like me.

Unless you are making a study
of ordinary middle-class life

in the outer suburbs of London.

Oh, I assure you, Miss Forrest,

I am making a study
of no such thing.

I simply feel a desire
to know you...

...a little better.

And I shall consider it
a great favour

if you would allow me
to call you Hazel,

at least for the weekend.

Oh, excuse me, sir.

Miss Forrest's luncheon.

[Sighs]

Hmm.

Take the cold tongue
and salad downstairs, Hudson,

and lay up for two
in the dining room.

For two, sir?
In the dining room?

Yes, Hudson. I shall be lunching
at home today after all.

And Miss Forrest
will be joining me.

Won't you?

When you've done, Ruby,

give them potatoes a prod,
see if they're ready.

Then you can lay up the table.

Yes, Mrs. Bridges.

What we having today, then,
Mrs. Bridges?

A nice piece of roast mutton
and onion sauce --

what we won't have to
worry over, for once.

Boiled potatoes and cauli.

And a nice treacle tart.

Oh, that should stick
to my ribs, all right.

I take it
there's no upstairs lunch today.

Only Miss what's-her-name.

I've sent her up a slice of cold
tongue and salad on a tray.

No nice leftovers from the
dining room today, Miss Roberts.

I'm not particularly hungry,
myself.

Think what you'd be having
if you was

at the
Duke of Northumberlands place

with her ladyship.

I hear told they have got
a French chef at Syon Park.

Haute cuisine.

All garlic and cream sauces
and that.

How does that tickle your fancy,
Miss Roberts?

What I fancy is getting

her ladyship's trunks
packed by Tuesday.

That's what concerns me,

not haute cuisine
at the Duke of Northumberlands.

Anyhow, I've been to Syon
three times.

The housekeeper there
sends me a card every Christmas.

Mrs. Raglan.
Very nice woman.

Mrs. Bridges?
Ruby?

There will be luncheon upstairs.

BRIDGES: what?!

Edward. Leave that silver.
Come in here at once.

Look sharp, now.

Captain James decided
to stay in, then, has he?

Impudence.

Captain James has ordered
luncheon in the dining room

at quarter past 1:00 for himself
and -- and the typist.

He's not!

You heard what I said,
Mrs. Bridges.

[ Laughs ]
Trust Captain James.

He's got an eye for her now,
has he?

This is not a matter
for jest, Edward.

Go and lay two places
in the dining room.

Hurry up, now.

Wine glasses or tumblers,
Mr. Hudson?

Tumblers, Edward.
And a jug of barley water.

Yes, Mr. Hudson.

What in the name of heaven am I
supposed to give him to eat, eh?

Ruby!

Well, that means
we shan't get ours on time.

Shall I be required
to wait at table, Mr. Hudson?

No, Rose, I will supervise.

[Bell rings]

That'll be Captain James
ringing from the morning room.

Edward, see what he wants.
I'll be in the pantry.

And get that table laid.

It -- It's a beautiful room.

Yes.
Yes, this is the morning room.

Although my parents
spend all day in it

when they're on their own.

The drawing room upstairs
is for more formal occasions

like dinner parties
and reception.

It's an awful lot to keep clean.

Well, yes.

Yes, well, Rose sees to that.
She's the head housemaid.

Well, we only have one
at the moment.

Mother has been trying to find
an under-housemaid,

but they're very hard
to find nowadays.

You rang, sir?

Oh, yes, Edward.
Bring me a sherry, will you?

Oh, not for me -- uh, thank you.

Nonsense.

You must have a glass of sherry
before your lunch.

And two glasses, Edward.

Yes, sir.

You do seem to have
an awful lot of servants.

Well, no.

As I said, we don't have
an under-housemaid.

Or a pantry boy.
Or a housekeeper.

Still, we manage.

Or they do.

I suppose Lady Marjorie
and Mr. Bellamy

have to entertain quite a bit.

Being in political circles,
I mean.

-Is something troubling you?
- No.

You keep looking at your watch.

Well, I did promise that I would
finish off my work today.

And I do have
a great deal to do.

Oh, don't worry, don't worry.
You'll have time.

Lunch will be here soon.

Meals are always on time
in this house

under the redoubtable
Mr. Hudson.

And with Mrs. Bridges
running the kitchens

like the engine rooms
of a battleship,

things go pretty smoothly,
as a rule.

Ruby!

Fetch up some more potatoes.

Peel 'em and pop 'em in
with that lot.

They'll have to be mashed
for upstairs.

Yes, Mrs. Bridges.

Wait!
Larder first.

I've got some pork chops
in there.

Fetch me in a couple,
and look sharp.

We'll have to do applesauce
for them, then,

won't we, Mrs. Bridges?

We will. You're learning,
my girl, you're learning.

What green vegetables

are you going to give them,
Mrs. Bridges?

Spinach. So you'll have to
wash it and pick it over.

Now, look sharp.
And bring me in the butter.

Oh. Lord.

Thought we were gonna have
a nice, quiet weekend.

Ah!

Edward.
What's that?

It's sherry he wanted for
the morning room, Mr. Hudson.

Sherry!

Shall I take it in or not,
Mr. Hudson?

No, Edward.

For a start,
those are the best glasses.

I'll fetch the old ones
from the pantry cupboard.

Here.
Give me that tray.

Go and get
the dining room table laid.

Oh, yes, Mr. Hudson.

JAMES: It was this little place
called Razmak

on the Afghan border.

These chaps had been
raiding our camp at night

and trying to steal our horses.

So we sent out a patrol,
which I was in command of...

I'm boring you, aren't I?

Not at all.
It sounds most thrilling.

No, no. I had meant
that we should talk about you.

But you're so quiet
and modest about yourself,

here we are talking about me.

And that wasn't my intention.

I do assure you,
Captain Bellamy,

I find your adventures

on the North-West Frontier
most absorbing.

I really do.

Now, since you have allowed me
to call you Hazel,

I really must insist
that you call me James.

Now, that's fair, isn't it?

After such a short acquaintance?

We are living
in the second decade

of the 20th century, Hazel.

Aren't we?

Yes.

So...

All right.

If you like, I will.

I will what?

I will, James.

There, that's better.

Thank you, Hudson.

Will there be
anything further, sir?

No.

I take it
lunch will be ready soon.

Luncheon will be served

at a quarter past 1:00, sir,
as you ordered.

Good.

By the way, we'll have a bottle
of the Cantenac with our lunch.

My father has
this wonderful claret.

You wait till you taste it.

Begging your pardon, sir,

but I'm afraid I cannot serve
the Château Brane-Cantenac, sir.

Why not?
I know it's not all been drunk.

We had a bottle with our dinner
last week.

There are certain difficulties.

Oh, what difficulties?

If I might see you, sir.
In private.

If you wouldn't mind, sir.

Very well.

If you'll excuse me.

Yes, of course.

What is all this, Hudson?

I preferred not to speak
in front of the secretary, sir.

But I must point out

that I cannot serve
the master's best claret.

There are only two bottles left.

I ordered one, Hudson,
and I expect you to serve it.

I am sorry, sir,

but I am not to serve the
Château Brane-Cantenac '93, sir,

Without special instructions.

Whose instructions?
My father's?

Are you asking me to go against
the master's wishes, sir?

Did my father forbid you
to serve that claret?

He would not wish it
to be served at luncheon, sir.

Especially in his absence.

Hudson, are you saying
he told you so?

I am not lying, sir.

I know
the master's general wishes

as regards the best claret,

and I'm endeavouring
to carry them out in principle.

He would not wish
the wine to be served on...

on such an occasion as this.

You mean because Miss Forrest,

a secretary
who earns her own living,

is lunching with me
in the dining room, is that it?

I can only remind you, sir,

that I believe the master
would not wish it.

Not today, sir.

And let me remind you, Hudson,

that whatever
your private views may be,

and in the absence
of my parents,

I am in charge in this house.

Now, Miss Forrest
is my guest for lunch.

In the situation,
I expect my orders to be obeyed.

Yes, sir.

Then do as you're told.

Yes, sir.

Oh.
There you are, Mr. Hudson.

We kept yours warm.

Ruby, fetch Mr. Hudson's dinner.

EDWARD:
Pass the salt, Rose.

ROSE: what?
- Salt, please.

Ta.

Well, for the life of me,
I can't see why Captain James

shouldn't have his lunch
in the dining room.

Nor with Miss Forrest, neither,
not if he wants to.

If you can't see
the unsuitability

of such an arrangement, Rose,

then perhaps it's time
you looked for employment

in a different kind
of household.

Pooh.

It's you as always says

that things
have got to be done proper,

even when the master
and her ladyship are away.

It's not quite
the same thing, Rose.

Well, I agree with Rose.

After all, it is his house,
and he does live here.

Your opinion is not sought
on this matter, Edward.

- Get on with your dinner.
- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

I'm sure Mr. Bellamy's typist

is a perfectly respectable
young woman, Rose.

But she's not a lady.

Now, will someone kindly pass me
the onion sauce?

I may be sent out to India again
one day.

The Calcutta office.

That's a long way
from the North-West Frontier.

Oh, yes.

A very different climate and
a very different way of life.

I shall probably end up
in Calcutta with a liver.

Most people seem to.

Thank you.

I do hope not.

I have always longed
to visit the Far East.

Is it very wonderful?

Oh, yes.

Yes, I saw the Himalayas
at sunrise once.

Was it a very inspiring sight?

Well, it should have been.

But it was after
a rather wild party in the mess.

I had fallen down in the garden
and given myself a black eye.

[ Chuckles ]

They were good days.

Tell me, have you been
abroad much yourself?

No.

I've never been further
from Wimbledon

than a day's excursion
to Margate for Easter.

Oh, I was in Newcastle once
but not for long.

JAMES: Oh, and what were
you doing in Newcastle?

Oh, it -- it's something I'd
really rather not talk about.

Leave the coffee,
will you, Hudson?

Very good, sir.

[ Door closes]

They're annoyed with me,
aren't they, James?

Annoyed? who?

Your butler.

He disapproves of me
having my lunch with you.

I can sense it.

It is not for Hudson
to approve or disapprove.

I could feel his angry looks

going through me
like -- like knives.

Hudson doesn't run this house.

Well, I don't feel very
comfortable sitting here, James.

And if you'll excuse me,

I think I'd really rather
go back to the study.

Oh. I don't mean
to sound ungrateful.

It was terribly kind of you
to keep me company

and give me
such a nice lunch, but...

But, anyway, I did promise your
father to have the work finished

and ready for him
by Monday morning.

No need to say more, Hazel.

I understand completely.

Come along now.

Mind you don't
break nothing today, Ruby.

The mood Mr. Hudson's in,
he'll knock your block off.

So would Mrs. Bridges.

Oh, look at the time.
It's gone half-past 2:00.

I'm never gonna be there.
Not by 4:00.

- Not by omnibus, Rose.
- Don't worry, Edward.

I'll speak to Mr. Hudson
about it.

Speak about what, Rose?

Oh, Edward's supposed to
have the afternoon off.

He's going out to Putney
to see his granny, aren't you?

- Yeah.
- I was aware of that.

If he's got to clear away
in the dining room,

it's gonna make him
ever so late getting there.

I was gonna suggest that I did
it instead. I'm quite willing.

Very well, Rose.

If you wish to assist me,
I've no objection.

- Away and get changed, Edward.
- Oh, thanks, Mr. Hudson.

Here, ta, Rose.
You are a brick.

Don't forget to take
that seedcake to your granny,

or Mrs. Bridges
will skin you alive.

Oh, yeah.
Where is it?

- On the kitchen table.
- Oh, ta. Cheerio.

[Telephone rings]

Yes, sir.

Hello, Hudson.
I want to talk to Lord Newbury.

I take it
you have the number there.

I'll have to look it up, sir.

If you'd replace your receiver,
I'll ring through in a minute.

Telephoning to Lord Newbury now.

That'll mean
a night out on the tiles.

Rose!

Rose, come in here will you,
quickly.

Quickly.

Newbury.
Lord Newbury.

Look up the number for me,
will you?

I must have
left my specs somewhere.

Newbury, Marquis of.
Grosvenor 2316.

Thank you.

Hello?

Would you connect me, please,
with Grosvenor 2316?

[Telephone rings]

Hello.

Oh, thank you.
Is that Newbury House?

I want to talk to his lordship.

Hello, Bunny.
Jim here.

I say, can you collect me
in your motorcar,

save me the cab fare
out to Hurlingham?

Hmm?
Well, it's on your way.

Splendid.
Splendid, that'll be topping.

Well, if we can't find
any girls, we'll play singles.

What? For a sovereign?
Done.

Oh, and decide
what were gonna do tonight.

No, Bunny, not the Ritz.
I'm stony broke.

Mm-mm.
The Troc perhaps.

If we can rake up some girls.

No. No, I haven't.

Not at the moment.
No one in particular.

I know what you're thinking,
Mr. Hudson.

You're thinking
that our Captain James

has been up to his
old tricks again, aren't you?

I don't know what you mean
by "old tricks," Rose.

Oh, like with Sarah
and everything.

The young master has always
shown a regrettable disdain

for young females
of his own class.

What, do you mean
he likes them common?

I don't think that matters
very much anymore.

Not nowadays.

Not with everything
going all topsy-turvy now.

Then I wonder what you or I
or any of us

are doing
in domestic service, Rose.

If a hired typist can sit at
luncheon in this dining room

drinking the master's
best claret,

I might as well go out
and stand for Parliament.

Mr. Hudson!

Proper standards
must be maintained

in this household, Rose.

Her ladyship's standards.

Or there's no future
for any of us.

None.

Oh, Mr. Hudson.

You're getting things
all out of proportion.

You don't want to let
Captain James upset you.

Anyhow, her ladyship'll
be back again tomorrow.

Take that tray downstairs, Rose,
if you would.

Yes, Mr. Hudson.

[ Door closes]

[Hooves clopping]

[Carriage passing 1

-[ Engine running]
- I would like...

I beg your pardon, miss.

[Vehicle passes]

I have left my typewriting
machine in the study.

Mr. Bellamy said I might.

Yes, miss.

And I shall be here at the usual
time on Monday morning.

Good day.

[ Door opens ]

If you'll pardon me, sir?

Yes, what is it, Hudson?

I would like to speak to you,
sir, if I may,

on a personal matter.

As long as it doesn't take
too long.

I shall be going to Hurlingham
to play tennis

as soon as Lord Newbury arrives.

It won't take long, sir.

Well?

I feel bound to inform you, sir,

that the staff
were very much upset

by the last-minute arrangements
made for luncheon today.

Oh.

You had informed me
yesterday evening

that you would be lunching out.

I, myself,
was particularly upset

by the orders I received
from you, sir,

regarding the service
of the claret.

Then you had no cause to be.

I fear I must
disagree with you, sir.

What?

I have reflected on this matter
very carefully, sir.

Well?

I am the butler here.

And I think you will appreciate

that the master
and her ladyship rely on me --

indeed expect me --
to maintain order

in the running of this house

and see to it
that things involving the staff

are properly carried out --

the ordering
and service of meals

at the proper time and so forth.

Lately, I have found
increasing difficulty, sir,

in assimilating your personal
orders in the house

with the method and routine
as laid down by her ladyship.

I fear today has proved

that I no longer enjoy
the authority of a butler here,

which makes it impossible for me

to continue
in your parents' service.

Therefore, I shall see
the master and her ladyship

on their return tomorrow and...

and ask them to accept
a week's notice.

That is all I have to say, sir.

If you'll excuse me.

Are they back, Hudson?

The master and her ladyship
are in the morning room, sir.

JAMES: Oh, hello.
-[ Door closes]

How are things down at Syon?
Did you have a good drive back?

What the devil do you think
you've been doing, James?

- what?
- You know damn well what I mean.

Well, how can I
till you tell me?

And don't you be flippant.

Hudson's just been in to see us.

Well?

He's given us a week's notice.

And you know why.
Don't you?

Well, he did mutter something
yesterday about leaving --

for the simple reason

that I ordered lunch
in the dining room,

which evidently didn't fit in
with his plans.

Also, I think,
because I ordered him

to serve a bottle of wine
from the cellar.

Well, quite frankly, I didn't
think he'd carry out his threat.

Well, he has.

And I leave for Canada
on wednesday.

That means your father will
be left her with no butler.

Exactly.

Well, all I can say is he'd
be better off without Hudson

if he continues
in his present mood.

Hudson happens to be
a very good butler, James.

As good as you'd find anywhere.

He's served your mother and me
well since before you were born.

He's a man of high principles.

And as you well know, he cares
deeply for our family --

its welfare and honour.

And he expects things
to be done correctly.

Then he should obey my orders
when I give them.

Your orders?

Yes, my orders.
I live here.

Yes, and what sort
of orders, eh?

You did put Hudson in a very
difficult position, darling,

by inviting your father's typist
to lunch in the dining room

and ordering
that bottle of wine.

What was the wretched man to do?

He knows I do not allow my best
claret to be drunk at luncheon.

You were showing off
to Miss Forrest, weren't you,

trying to impress her.

I was not showing off!

I was showing her the common
courtesy of lunching with her,

as a token of what I hope
is your gratitude, Father,

for all the extra work she has
done for you over the weekend.

It is not for you to extend
courtesies to my secretary.

I thought it was about time
somebody did.

Her lunch --
if you can call it lunch --

was brought to her in the study
on a tray.

- Those were my orders, James.
- And no business of yours.

What right have you got

to countermand
your mother's orders?

James, how could you,
of all people, think it suitable

for Miss Forrest to have lunch
in the dining room?

She happens to be extremely nice
and very respectable.

I've no doubt she's respectable.

But she can't have much taste
or judgment

to have accepted your invitation
in her position.

Why not?

Because she's helping father
type his manuscript

and lives in Wimbledon?

Darling, you're being
deliberately blind.

If you invited Miss Forrest to
have supper in a restaurant,

nobody would object.

But to take her
into the dining room

and expect the servants
to wait on her

and to humiliate Hudson in front
of a woman of her class --

I did not humiliate Hudson.

You placed him
and the other servants

in and impossible position.

With the result
you upset them all downstairs

and Hudson is leaving.

All I can say is

if he chooses to leave over so
trifling a matter, let him go.

I have no intention
of letting him go, James.

You're going to see Hudson
and apologize to him.

- Oh, Richard, no.
- I say yes.

You can say
it was an error of judgment

and apologize to the man.

No, I won't have my son

apologize to a servant
in a situation like this.

What are you thinking of?

Hudson is not
an ordinary servant.

He's not to apologize to Hudson
or any of them.

Good gracious, if anyone should
apologize, it's your typist

for daring to think
it right for her

to have lunch
in the dining room.

She could have refused.
I blame her.

Well, I don't.

It was I who invited her
to lunch.

And Hudson made her feel
extremely awkward.

I've no doubt
she was highly embarrassed

by the whole situation.

If she had any decency,
she'd resign.

In fact, I think,
in view of the situation,

you should terminate
her engagement here at once.

I shall do nothing of the kind,
Marjorie.

To start with, she has
at least another week's work

clearing up papers
and God knows what else.

And for another,

I am not allowing Miss Forrest
to be made a scapegoat

for your son's gross stupidity.

Look, Mother, I am perfectly
prepared to go to Hudson,

admit I made a mistake, and ask
him to reconsider his decision.

- There.
- No, James, I don't want that.

And I don't want any more said
about it tonight.

We'll just give Hudson time
to cool off.

I'll probably have
a word with him in the morning.

By that time, he'll have
packed his bags and gone.

I think not, Richard.

And you really must
leave these things to me.

Ooh.

Your father and I

are having a little cold supper
in a few minutes.

Have you dined?

Uh, yes, yes.
At the club.

If you'll excuse me.

Oh, dear, oh, dear, oh, dear.

[ Door closes]

[Door opens, closes]

HUDSON:
Supper is served, my lady.

Oh, thank you, Hudson.

Shall we go in?

♫ Please don't ask him
what it means ♫

♫ 'Cause I simply love
that Hitchy-Koo ♫

♫ Hitchy-Koo, Hitchy-Koo,
Hitchy-Koo ♫

[Music continues playing]

I still can't see why you had to
go and give in your notice.

Can't you?

Are you telling me
you're walking out of here

and her ladyship going off
to Canada wednesday?

There was no other way
of drawing their attention

to Captain James's carryings-on.

It was time to put a stop to it,
in my opinion.

Oh. I see.

I have no doubt his father has
given him a piece of his mind.

At all events,

the young whippersnapper's gone
crawling off to his room.

And them not speaking
to each other, eh?

Sounds to me as if
her ladyship took his part.

Doesn't she always?

A nice thing for her ladyship --

going off wednesday
for two months

and leaving a nasty atmosphere
in the house.

I daresay I shall consider

my position very carefully,
Mrs. Bridges,

between now and wednesday.

I hope you will.

It's only three days.

A-And I put the key
to your jewellery case

in your black handbag, my lady.

Thank you, Roberts.

I just hope you'll have enough
warm clothing for the boat

in the one cabin trunk.

The other three go down
into the hold, I understand,

and we shan't see them again
until we get to New York.

No, that's right.

You know that the break's coming
at 10:00?

Yes, my lady.
So Hudson told me.

To take you,
Lady Southwold's maid,

and Lord Southwold's valet
to the station.

Edward's going too
to take care of the luggage.

Very good, my lady.

Well, t-that's everything done,
then.

Why don't you go and wait
in the servants' hall

till the break comes, Roberts?

Very good, my lady.

Oh, I just hope
it gets here in time.

I promise you
we won't miss the boat train.

- Don't worry.
- No, my lady.

-It's just that I get
train fever, my lady.

Excuse me, my lady.
- Yes, Hudson.

I was hoping to see the master
and yourself today, my lady,

before your departure.

Oh, well, Mr. Bellamy's just
gone 'round to Pont Street

to the chemist
to try and get me something

in case of seasickness.

Shouldn't be very long.

Unless you'd like
to talk to me alone.

In the circumstances, my lady,
I would.

I just wanted to say

I acted in haste giving notice
on Sunday night.

And I would now ask
your ladyship and the master

to consider
the whole incident closed.

Nothing could please me more,
Hudson.

If you're really quite sure

you want to continue in service
with us.

I am quite sure, my lady.

What made you change your mind?

Only one consideration, my lady.

Whatever may have been
done and said in this house

since the weekend --

and some bitter things
have been said, my lady,

both above and belowstairs --

I could not, on the eve
of your ladyship's departure,

abandon my post here.

I am aware that my resignation

has caused not only trouble
for Captain James

but a certain
difference of opinion

between the master and yourself.

And I would not care
to see you leave behind

any sense of disharmony
in your house, my lady.

That's very thoughtful
of you, Hudson.

And I'm most relieved.

Perhaps you would convey

my feelings to the master,
my lady, as soon as possible.

- Yes, of course I will.
-[ Door opens]

Oh, beg pardon, my lady.

Just to say
the luggage break's arrived.

Thank you, Edward.

Well, Hudson, perhaps if
you'd go and see to things.

Very good, my lady.
And thank you.

Goodbye, Ruby, and be good.

All ready, Miss Roberts.
Luggage is all in the van.

Very well.
Well, g-g-goodbye.

- Goodbye.
- Come on.

- Goodbye.
- Mind how you go, Miss Roberts.

- Bon voyage, Miss Roberts.
- watch how you go.

That's everything in the motor,
my lady.

Good.
Well, perhaps, we had better go.

Servants and luggage have left,
I take it?

Five minutes ago, sir.

Edward will see the trunks
onto the boat train, sir,

and find the reserved seats.

By the way, Captain James and I

hope to catch an afternoon train
back from Southampton,

so we shall be here
in time for dinner.

Very good, sir.

Well, Marjorie...

Take care of everything,
won't you, Hudson?

Indeed, my lady.

- A pleasant voyage, my lady.
- Thank you.

My apologies, Hudson.

It won't occur again.

Yes, sir.

This time next week,
she'll be in New York.

Miss Lizzie.

Oh, well.

Oh, shall I return these reports

to the House of Lords library,
sir?

I've copied out the items
we needed from them.

Yes, send them back.

Oh, and please return
these diaries

to the librarian at Southwold
before they get lost.

- Yes, of course.
-[ Door opens]

Oh.
Sorry to disturb you, Father.

Yes?

Just returning
your copy of Punch.

- I borrowed it.
- Oh, thank you.

Thank you, James.
You off to work?

Yes.

It's such a lovely morning,

I thought I'd walk
part of the way.

I need the exercise.

RICHARD: Yes, well,
you'd better get off, then.

- Goodbye, Father.
- Goodbye.

Miss Forrest.

This is wonderful NEWS,
Miss Forrest!

Just listen.

This is from Mr. Sayers
at Macmillan's

"This is to advise that you that
Mr. Frederick Macmillan and I,

as well as two other directors,

have now read
the draft manuscript

of your life of Lord Southwold
and feel you would like to know

that we are unanimous
in our praise of the work,

finding it informative,
entertaining, well documented,

and in every way
a most excellent and acceptable

political biography."

He goes on to say,

"We hope to send it for printing
in early June."

That is good news, Mr. Bellamy.

You must be very pleased.

Oh, yes, I'm delighted.

And relieved.

If only this letter had arrived
three days ago

before my wife left for Canada.

How thrilled
she would have been.

Could you not write
and tell her the news at once?

Oh, there's no point.

Time my letter got to New York,
she'd be halfway across Canada.

I see.
What a shame.

Could you not send her
a wireless message to the ship?

A marconigram.

Yes, I'll do that.
Then she'll get it at sea.

Well done, Miss Forrest!

Shall I take down the message?

Yes. And Edward can run 'round
to the Marconi office with it.

So a wireless message
to Lady Marjorie Bellamy,

estate room number 6,

aboard white Star liner
RMS Titanic,

en route from Southampton
to New York,

date April 12, 1912.

My message reads,

"Macmillan's delighted
and impressed with manuscript.

Take good care of yourself.

All my fondest love, Richard."

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