Upstairs, Downstairs (1971–1975): Season 3, Episode 10 - What the Footman Saw - full transcript

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ROSE:
Like I said, Daisy,

all spoons and forks
what are in general use

get grease on 'em and have to be
washed in soapy water.

Just off now, Rose --
Crown & Anchor.

- Tell Mr. Hudson, will you?
- Tell him yourself.

And the silver has to be wiped
with a soapy flannel

and then rinsed in fresh water.

Rose teaching you
all her tricks, is she, Daisy?

Oh, get off will you, Edward,
and leave us alone?

And don't drink too much ale.



Oh, she's like a mother to me.

All right. I'll go.
Bye.

Bye.

He's very funny -- Edward.

ROSE: Mm.
-[ Door closes]

And once a week,
it has to be thoroughly cleaned

with this special plate powder.

[Rain falling]

[ Indistinct conversations]

TRUMPER:
His Grace says to me,

"Trumper", he says,
"what are we going to do

about poor John's dislike
of port wine?"

So I says, "Well, we'll have to
try him out on a light..."

Oh, sorry, Mr. Trumper.



"...try him out
on a light wood port

and then get him onto a vintage
when he's ready for it."

Hi, Robert.
Sorry.

Ah. Thought you
was never coming. There you go.

Hi, John.

Oh...

Oh, I needed that.

Oh.

Right, what's been going on
in your place today?

- Lady Charlotte did?
- Yeah.

Really?

How many?

Four.

[ Laughs ]

Yes, he's made friends
with the footman

at Lady Verica's
in Chester Street.

Well, young lads need their
moments of relaxation, Rose.

Aye, but he shouldn't be out
drinking ale too late,

or he'll be good for nothing
in the morning.

Mrs. Bridges ought to be back
quite soon,

now that her sister's
getting over her operation.

HUDSON: Oh, I hope so, Rose.
I do hope so.

Oh, thank you, Daisy.

- Did you make this yourself?
- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

Ah, it looks very good.

Eh, maybe a wee bit more
cocoa powder the next time, eh?

And a bit more sugar,

and don't forget Mrs. Bridges
likes four teaspoons, heaped.

But you're doing fine, my girl.
Oh, just fine.

Thank you, Mr. Hudson.

Then Mr. Verde,
who works for Lord Avery,

was having an argument
with old Lady Ringvwod-Butler

about salmon fishing.

Tell John what happened
up at Somerby.

Go on.
It's a laugh.

EDWARD: I don't know
if I should, really.

Come on.
We won't tell nobody.

Well, you see, I was --

He was up there valeting
for Captain Bellamy,

-wasn't you?
- Yes.

And there
was this French girl there --

Cecile, Lady Newbury's maid.

Well, I-l got to know her,
and she said

if I came up by her lady's
bedroom at midnight,

she'd leave me a sign.

A pair of her lady's shoes,

pointing towards
the female servants' quarters?

How'd you know that?

We all know that French maid
of Lady Newbury's.

There's plenty of footmen
'round the country houses

been in trouble 'cause of her.

You should know.
Go on, Edward.

Well,
I never got to Cecile's room.

Well, not that night, anyway.

- ROBERT: Bunked it, eh?
- No! I didn't.

No, as I got to the top
of the stairs,

someone came out
of one of the bedrooms.

Whose bedroom?

Mrs. Tewkesbury's bedroom.

- JOHN: what, a man, was it?
ROBERT: what do ya think?

JOHN:
Well, not her husband.

EDWARD: No, it was one of the
gentlemen from the house party.

JOHN:
Come on, who?

EDWARD:
Lord Charles Gilmour.

- Brother of the Duke of Bolton?
- That's right. That's him.

And he hops into his room,

which is conveniently situated
across the corridor from hers.

Hey, did his lordship slip you
anything the next day,

to keep quiet about it?

No.
I don't think he saw me.

But I saw them, together,
the next day in the orangery.

[ Laughter]

Right.

I'll get another one.
Then I must get back.

Don't matter
what time I get back.

Our butler's drunk by 10:00.

[ Chuckles ]

Oh, excuse me.

[ Indistinct conversations]

Three pints, please, George?

MAN:
Evening.

Evening.

Not seen you in here before,
have I?

Well, I come in here
quite often.

Heard you mention Somerby.
Nice place.

Marquess of Newbury's.
- Yeah, that's right.

Been there myself
in the old days.

Go on.
In service, were you?

Mm-hmm.
That's right.

You Captain Bellamy's valet,
did I hear you say?

Oh, well, uh, yeah.
Footman, really.

But I was up there valeting for
the Captain before Christmas.

- He was up there hunting.
- Oh, yes.

I work for the Bellamys, 'round
the corner at Eaton Place.

Bit of luck you, uh,
bumping into that gentleman

coming out of Mrs. Tewkesbury's
room, seeing what you did.

Well, why?

Next day, in the orangery.
Holding hands, were they?

[Chuckles softly]

Lord Charles and Mrs. Tewkesbury
holding hands?

Kissing, bold as brass!

[ Laughter]

One other thing.

Tell me...

...how was Lord Charles dressed
when he came out of the bedroom?

In his dressing gown.
Why?

What colour?

Scarlet with gold braid.
Posh one.

You better be sure
of what you saw, my lad.

- Why?
- Quite likely to find yourself

called up as a witness
in a divorce case, that's why.

Who are you, then?

That does not matter.

Look, take this.

Keep your mouth shut.

And if you should happen
to be called up in court,

you tell the judge what you
just told your friends and me --

all of it.

Here, are --
are you somebody's valet?

Sort of.
Good night.

[ Indistinct conversations]

But we've no case,
Colonel Tewkesbury. Not yet.

Your wife has denied,
through her solicitors,

all allegations of adultery.

And the fact that Lord Charles
bought a place near you

and happened to stay in the same
house party as your wife

at Somerby does not constitute
grounds for divorce.

Mm.

You're having the fella watched,
are you not, as I suggested?

Oh, yes.
But it may not bear much fruit.

I tell you,
young Charles Gilmour

is after my wife
and after my constituency.

Thinks I'm going to retire early
and make way for him.

Ambitious young whippersnapper.

Well, I can't stay any longer.

With respect, Colonel,
I feel I must ask you,

is your quarrel
with Lord Charles

matrimonial or political?

After all,
as you yourself will admit,

your wife, as everyone
in London society knows,

has had indiscreet relationships
with men before now.

- NO --
- You've told me so yourself.

But why do you pounce on this...

particularly able
and promising young politician?

A duke's brother with brains,
and that's rare enough.

Why now?
Why Gilmour?

I know what you're thinking,
Dillon.

You think I'm jealous of him,

I'm frightened of losing my seat
in Parliament to him.

Isn't that so?

But I'm entitled
to my suspicions.

He bought a house near me,
in my constituency.

To be near Mrs. Tewkesbury

or to make himself known to
the electors of Wolverton North?

Well, obviously both, Dillon.

Do I have to go on
repeating myself?

GEOFFREY: Yes?
Excuse me, Sir Geoffrey.

Mr. Clough is here.
He says it's important.

GEOFFREY:
Ah, send him in.

Now, this may be
what you're hoping for.

It's my inquiry agent.
Do sit down, Colonel.

Yes, Clough?
What is it?

Had a bit of luck
in the Crown & Anchor

in Chester Mews, sir.

Followed up
a little notion of mine.

Here's my report.

Yes, well, let's have a look.

How dare you, Geoffrey?
You of all people.

A trusted, respectable solicitor

putting spies on my servants
in public houses.

Don't over-dramatize matters,
Richard.

An inquiry agent employed by me

on behalf of my client,
Colonel Tewkesbury,

merely established your footman

as the probable key witness
in the divorce action.

As such, the man is bound by law

to appear in court
and to give evidence,

Whether he be your servant
or King George himself.

And you are ready to stand by
and see Charles Gilmour,

just the kind of dynamic man
the Tory party needs today,

destroyed politically
by a harmless flirtation

with somebody else's wife
at a weekend house party?

I am a solicitor, Richard.

Colonel Tewkesbury is my client.

Divorce is part of my business.

I also happen to think

that the truth is more important
than promising careers.

Now, if there's nothing else
you wish to discuss,

perhaps you'll excuse me.

I have work to do.

Excuse me, sir.
Lady Prudence is here.

She wondered if she could
possibly see you --

- Ah, Geoffrey.
- Lady Prudence.

Prudence, my dear.
How are you?

Well, thank you.

How are the children?

James and Hazel are in Italy.
They're doing the galleries.

We--

I expect you'd like some tea.

Oh, thank you.

I hear Hazel didn't enjoy her
weekend at Somerby very much.

RICHARD:
No. A bit out of her depth

in Diana Newburys world,
I'm afraid.

Who wouldn't be?

The things that go on
in that house.

And that's precisely
why I've called, Richard,

apropos of one of the things
that went on, alas,

at Somerby that same weekend.

Oh?
What might that be?

Harry Tewkesbury
is divorcing Natalie,

citing your protégé,
Charles Gilmour.

Yes, I did know.

Oh.

Well, I have
Natalie staying with me now.

Harry's kicked her out,
and she can't stop crying,

all over my furniture.

Is she in love with Charles,
do you think?

Oh, not in love.
Just enjoys sleeping with him.

Really, Harry's suddenly
behaving like a madman --

raging at her,
calling her a faithless wanton.

As though she'd never looked
at another man before.

What am I expected to do?

Well, take some steps to protect
Charles Gilmour's name.

- If he's cited...
- His political career

will be in ruins.

- Do you think I don't know that?
- Well, then, stop the case.

How can I?

PRUDENCE:
Well, talk to Geoffrey Dillon.

I gather he acts for Harry
as well as you.

And he's a good Tory.

He won't want to see
Charlie Gilmour

broken on the wheel.

Yes, I tried just now,
but Geoffrey won't budge.

He can't, professionally.

Then stop Edward
giving evidence.

Edward?

Well, your footman.

I gather he's to be
the principal witness.

How the devil do you know that?

Natalie's maid.

She knows everything.

Ah, tea.
How lovely.

Ah, you should have seen it,
Daisy.

There were ornamental fountains

spurting up jets of water
and -- and peacocks.

Honest, I'm not kidding --

peacocks
strutting about the lawns.

Rather like you,
I should imagine.

And the other people you meet
and -- and the other valets.

And maids, too, I suppose?

Yes, right. well,
yeah, them, too, but, uh...

Do you know, it's interesting
how other households

are much more interesting
than yours.

Have you noticed that, Rose?

Quite enough interest
in this house.

Oh, yes, there is.

Yes, well, hurry up.

Work isn't finished yet,
you know.

Edward, the master wants to see
you, in the morning room.

Look sharp now.

Uh, don't go, Hudson.

I want you to hear
what I have to say to Edward.

Sir.

I'm going to ask you
certain questions

about your visit
with Captain James to Somerby.

Oh, yes, sir.

Now, then, Edward,
it has come to my ears

that, as a result of your
boasting about your employment

in front of other servants
in a public house,

you are to be called
as a witness in a divorce case.

Am I, sir?

Some story
about Lord Charles Gilmour

and, uh, Mrs. Tewkesbury,

something you claim
you saw one night at Somerby.

Perhaps you'd care to repeat
that story to me now.

Do as you're told, boy.

Well, I just -- I just said

I'd seen Lord Charles and
Mrs. Tewkesbury together, sir.

Where?
In what circumstances?

Just coming out
of the orangery, sir.

- Tell the truth, Edward.
- That is the truth, Mr. Hudson.

Yes, yes.
All right, Hudson.

That can't be all, Edward.
What else?

I didn't mean no harm, sir.

- Really, I didn't.
RICHARD: what else?

I said I'd seen Lord Charles

[Quietly] coming out of
Mrs. Tewkesbury's bedroom, sir.

Don't mumble, boy.

[Normal voice ] Out of
Mrs. Tewkesbury's bedroom, sir.

At what time?

A-About 2:00 in the morning,
sir.

I was taking some medicine up
for Captain James.

Medicine?

How did you know it was
Mrs. Tewkesbury's bedroom?

Her maid, sir, she, uh...

pointed it out to me
the day before, while passing,

and Lord Charles' bedroom
being opposite.

She giggled over that, sir.

There was talk about that, was
there, in the servants' quarter?

Oh, yes, sir.
Everybody knew that.

RICHARD: But only you had
the evidence of your own eyes.

I'm not sure
I'm the only one, sir.

You're quite certain
it was Lord Charles Gilmour

you saw coming out
of that lady's bedroom?

Oh, no doubt at all, sir.

As -- As I told
the gentleman in the pub,

I knew it was him
by his dressing gown.

Dressing gown?
- Scarlet with gold braid.

His valet showed it to me
the evening before

while laying out his lordship's
clothes for dinner.

You're certain of that, Edward?

You'll be under oath in court
to tell the truth.

As I trust
you've told to me just now.

Well, I couldn't
be absolutely certain, sir.

Y-You see,
there wasn't a lot of light.

RICHARD:
And the dressing gown?

- I couldn't be positive
about that.

All right, Edward.
You may go now.

- Thank you, Hudson.
- Sir.

[ Door closes]

Tact, my boy.

Tact and loyalty

are the first requirements
of the good servant.

And you have
most shamefully neglected them.

You have been found wanting,
Edward.

Quite frankly,
I have the gravest misgivings

-about your future here.
- Oh, no, Mr. Hudson.

I may have been a bit tactless,
but I haven't been disloyal.

I'd never say anything
about Captain James

or anybody in this house.

But you have brought discredit
in this house on all of us.

Can't you just hear the
snickerings in other households

about us when this divorce case
gets into the newspapers?

The acute embarrassment
to be endured by the master

on account
of your foolish prattling.

All right, Mr. Hudson,
don't go on.

- I've learnt my lesson.
- It's too late, Edward.

I'll do anything, Mr. Hudson.
I-I'll bite my tongue off.

There is nothing you can do.
The damage is done.

We'll just have to wait and see
what comes of it.

Now, get out!

Good morning.
Lord Charles Gilmour.

Yes, my lord.

Mr. Bellamy
is expecting me at 11:00.

- You would be?
- Edward, my lord.

Ah, yes, Edward.

Ooh, ah.

Allow me.

Sorry.

Thanks.

Charles, my dear fellow.
- Ah, Richard.

RICHARD:
Come right in.

You was carrying too much
at one time,

and it's, "Thank you, milord."

And where was you?

I've got my hands full, Rose.

- Do sit. will you have a drink?
- If you're having one.

Bit early for me,
but don't let me stop you.

I'll take a Madeira, thank you.

Very kind of you to see me.

I thought it was a good idea,
didn't you?

I was on the point
of calling on you.

I didn't see why you
should be involved in my scrape.

Well, I'm afraid I am involved,
indirectly.

- Thank you.
- Perhaps I will join you.

What's the latest on the matter?

The latest is that
Harry Tewkesbury's going ahead

with the divorce, naming me.

Yes, I did know.

All he can possibly gain
is my ruin,

both socially and politically,

and it's all really based
on a misunderstanding.

I mean, when I took that house
outside Wolverton,

I confess it was partly
to be near Natalie,

and I did have certain
political motives, as well.

I'd be careful about
admitting that, if I were you.

But it was all in good faith,
you see.

I thought Harry was retiring.

He'd given Natalie
that impression.

My God, I wasn't trying
to oust the fellow.

Hadn't you heard about it
at Westminster?

I must confess
I hadn't heard he was retiring.

People like Harry don't retire,
do they?

They go on to the bitter end.

You mean it was a devilish ruse
on his part?

He let it be known to Natalie
so that I'd show my hand.

Then he pounced and closed
the trap on me.

RICHARD:
I think you're giving credit

for more brains
than he possesses.

I don't know. These old foxes --
They know all the tricks.

Well, it's quite simple. You
must set your sights elsewhere.

You mean politically.

There will be
other seats vacant.

Yes, I suppose there will.

What I really need, Richard,
is your advice.

- May I?
RICHARD: Oh, yes, of course.

Advice?

Well, there's only one way
of preventing a scandal.

That may be too late.

Give up seeing
Natalie Tewkesbury.

Could you give her up?

I don't know.
I haven't thought about it.

She's very beautiful,
enormous fun to be with.

She...

She disconcerts me.

Yes, I understand that well.
She is a disconcerting lady.

She never disconcerted you?

No, never.

Well, it wouldn't have mattered.

I'm not interested in her past.

It's a fairly discreet past,
isn't it?

She's one of those people

about whom a lot is assumed
and very little verified.

Yes, but one must be wary

of visiting footmen
passing in the night.

Yes, and blabbing their mouths
off. I'm sorry.

It's the luck of the game.

Will the fellow's story
hold up in court, do you think?

Yes, it might.

We must try and prevent it
getting to that.

Harry will have to see
the error of his ways.

- I'll do my best for you.
- Thank you, Richard.

For once in my life,
I feel rather at sea.

He's ever so handsome.

That is not everything, Daisy.

No, but it helps.

It's a man's character
you should be looking for, Rose,

the way he conducts himself
in all matters.

Well, he conducted himself
very nicely today with you,

-didn't he, Daisy?
- Yes.

Daisy dropped some pillowcases,
Mr. Hudson,

and Lord Charles
picked them up for her.

And what were you doing?

I wasn't fast enough.

Poor Mrs. Tewkesbury,
I feel sorry for.

You feel sorry for her, Rose?

Yes, I do.

Imagine being married
to a peppery old colonel

who goes blasting off
with his gun every day.

[ Laughing ]
Who told you that, Rose?

I got it
from Mrs. Tewkesbury's maid.

She tells me the colonel goes
out shooting five days a week,

except
when Parliament's sitting.

Well, I don't call that
a marriage.

Oh, she can't always
have thought badly of him, Rose.

I'm sure he's got
many excellent qualities.

Anyway,
you're far too often eager

to judge people harshly
Without consideration.

- Oh.
- But if she's unhappy,

why can't she leave him
and marry Lord Charles?

Yeah, good for you, Daisy.
Why can't she?

ROSE:
Oh, no, can't have a divorce.

Can't have a scandal like that.

They'll never let it
get that far.

EDWARD: well, what's
so scandalous about divorce?

Surely it's better
than living in misery

for the rest of your life.

ROSE: That's the way
things are done, Edward.

It's appearances that matter,
isn't it, Mr. Hudson?

HUDSON:
Oh, they certainly do, Rose.

EDWARD; why?

It would take far too long
to explain now, Edward.

Ruby, your custards
surprisingly good.

Thank you, Mr. Hudson.

Why can't people be truthful
for a change?

Yeah, why can't they?

I mean, if you were in love,
Rose, or Daisy here,

and you were married
to some crusty old colonel

but you really loved
this really handsome fella...

ROSE:
It's different for us.

EDWARD: I know it is.
It's worse.

I mean, you wouldn't be able

to have a liaison with him,
would you?

I mean, we're not allowed to --
servants.

We're always brought up
having to regard moral virtues

and then we come back and work
in houses where it all goes on.

[Laughs ] That's good
coming from you, Edward.

What about that mademoiselle
up at Somerby?

Ooh-la-la.

What's that, Rose?

Oh, it's nothing, Mr. Hudson.

I was only teasing him.

I'm confused, you see,
Mr. Hudson.

So I'm asking for guidance.

Yeah, so am I, Rose.

Well, Edward has got a point,
Mr. Hudson.

I mean,
what goes on sometimes...

It's not what I learned
at my mother's knee.

If God had intended us to behave
all in the same way, Rose,

he would have made us
all the same.

Ruby, have you not even started
your pudding yet?

I'm sorry, Mr. Hudson.

HUDSON:
Colonel Tewkesbury, sir.

RICHARD:
Tewkesbury, this is good of you.

I do appreciate it.
Do sit.

Thank you.

I don't usually discuss
my domestic affairs

with acquaintances, Bellamy.

- Yes. will you take a drink?
- No, no, no, thank you.

But since we both are old
colleagues of the Tory party.

Quite.

And when I received your note, I
asked Geoffrey Dillon's advice,

Whether I
should come and see you or not.

And, being our mutual solicitor,
he could hardly advice against.

- So here I am.
- Yes, quite.

Well, as you know, my interest

in your forthcoming
divorce action is twofold.

First of all,
the footman in this house

has got himself involved
as an important witness,

and I am bound
to consider his interests --

as an employee
of my son and myself.

Yes. I take it the man's capable
of telling the truth in court?

I think you can depend on that,
should the case come to court.

Oh, there's no question of that,
Bellamy.

A writ's been issued.

The other matter, of course,

hinges on our common membership
of the Conservative party.

Whatever you may think
of Gilmour as a man,

his political promise
will not have escaped you.

I know nothing
of his political ability

beyond what I read
in the society gossip columns --

that he's the younger brother
of a duke,

good-looking, and popular with
all the hostesses in Mayfair.

Oh, come now, Tewkesbury.

He's got more to offer
than that, and you know it.

He's very highly regarded
in the party.

You're asking me
to drop my divorce case

for the good of the party,
is that it?

Frankly, yes.

Now, if you're worried

about the future
of your Parliamentary seat,

I can assure you here and now

that Gilmour is putting
his house near Wolverton

on the market at once.

-[ Chuckling ] Oh, is he?
- Any idea

that he
was after your constituency

was a complete misunderstanding.

That I do know.

He's my wife's lover, Bellamy,
and he must pay the price.

RICHARD: The price
of being found out, eh?

Oh, for God's sake.

Queen Victoria's dead.

Gilmour knows the rules.

He gambled and lost.

He's going to pay the price.

Tewkesbury...

to hell with the rules.

I don't think you and I

have anything more to say
to each other, Bellamy.

No, I think not.

I'll ring, have you shown out.

Oh, hello, Daisy.

Come and sit by the fire.

Away from Rose, at last.

She's had me marking
all the new linen.

You know,
I thought it was marvellous

the way you stood up
to Mr. Hudson at dinnertime.

Well, I didn't, really.

Well, I-l just want to
understand things. That's all.

Mm. Me too.

Well, you got Rose to tell you.

Do you think that stain notices?

- What was it?
- Gravy.

Good enough for me.

Yeah, but you aren't
Lady Prudence, are you?

She's as blind as a bat, anyway,
so it doesn't matter.

-[ Chuckles ]
- Edward.

Man gave me this to give you,
outside.

Said his name was Joseph.

Said you'd remember him
from Somerby.

- Somerby?
- Mm.

What is it?

Um, nothing.

Um...l --
I've got to go out a minute.

Well, don't forget your coat.
It's pouring out.

Oh, yeah.
Thanks.

As I was saying,
it was the duchess's lady's maid

who got it
from Captain Wheeler's groom,

and, uh, I can tell you
in strict confidence...

It is nice to see you again,
Eddie.

Did, uh, you and Lord Charles

get back from the house party
all right?

We had to leave early.

Yes, we didn't see enough
of each other up at Somerby.

Oh, no.
You were always working.

Yes.

Do you remember
when I showed you

Lord Charles' things
up in his room?

You mean
his solid-gold cufflinks

and his expensive dressing gown
from Rome?

That's right, Eddie.

That's what
I wanted to see you about.

Huh?

I want you to forget about
that dressing gown, Eddie.

You never saw it, did you?

- But you showed them to me.
- No, Eddie.

Smoke?

Oh, no, thanks, no.

Hey, why do you want me to
forget about his dressing gown?

Because I've got something here
for you, Eddie.

Don't open it now,
not in public.

I can tell you
what's in it, though.

- What?
- Money, Eddie.

Quite a bit of money.

It's for mumming your dupper.

Mumming me dupper?

Don't wave it about.

Stick it in your jacket.
Go on.

[ Indistinct conversations]

Was there no letter with it?

No.
Just the £10.

Lord Charles' valet gave it
to me in the Crown & Anchor.

But he sent me a note
to meet him there.

And he handed this over
in full view?

Well, yes.

Well -- Well, it was crowded,

but I don't think
anybody saw us.

Anyway, I didn't open it there,
Mr. Hudson.

But that doesn't matter,
does it,

since I'm not gonna keep it,
am I?

I'm gonna give it back,
aren't I,

and stand up in the witness box,
if I have to,

and tell the truth, what I saw.

Well, it's my duty,
whatever he says.

Wait, Edward, wait.
Don't be too hasty.

EDWARD: Pardon?

Things may be a good deal more
complicated than you imagine.

I don't see what's complicated
about it, Mr. Hudson.

I've been offered a bribe,
and I'm rejecting it.

You'll do as you're told,

and you'll do nothing until
after I've spoken to the master.

But Mr. Bellamy'll
make me give it back.

He wants me to tell
the truth. He said so.

There are times, Edward, when
the truth, the literal truth,

has to give way
to higher things,

like, uh, discretion
and loyalty.

They're higher than the truth?

I don't understand that,
Mr. Hudson.

Well, I mean,
I couldn't keep that money.

It'd be on my conscience
for the rest of my life.

Nobody's asking you to put it
in your pocket, my boy,

but you might have to consider
giving it away to some charity,

to the, uh, the Lifeboat men or
some such, if I instruct you to.

Now, just you leave this with me
and get yourself off to bed.

I thought you should know
about it at once, sir.

You're right, Hudson.

Edward was right to tell you.

Oh, he's always been
a very truthful

and conscientious lad, sir.

Well, nobody's asking him
to perjure himself

or to part
from the straight and narrow.

Tell him to forget about this,

and I shall be dealing
with the matter myself.

Very good, sir.
Good night, sir.

Good night, Hudson.
Thank you.

You're not going to embarrass me
and hand it back, I hope?

No.

Edward will be instructed
to hand it to a charity.

Have you any preference?

I'm sorry, Richard.

It was done
with the best of intentions,

to save you any embarrassment.

I thought
the boy would keep quiet,

conveniently forget
the colour of my dressing gown,

and that would be the end of it.

I couldn't know
he'd trot off to your butler,

who, in turn, would trot off
to you.

They're making servants
uncommonly scrupulous

-these days.
- Well, aren't you relieved?

The alternative might have been
blackmail, heaven forbid.

Sometimes easier to deal with.
- Well, I wouldn't know.

All I do know is that you've
outraged his sense of honour.

The colour of your dressing gown
is engraved on his mind.

So, what happens?

We'll see.

My solicitors have retained
McCorquadale for my defence,

if it comes to it.

He'll tear your footman
to shreds.

I was really trying to spare
the boy as much as anyone.

Yes.
I've seen Tewkesbury.

He, uh, can't be persuaded to
give up the case at any price.

I didn't hold out too much hope.

Do I detect from your use
of the word "price"

a slight note of censure?

No, no, no.
Not really.

I see your dilemma. You've
taken a pragmatic view of it.

I might have been tempted
to do the same.

But you would have resisted
the temptation.

There's the difference.

Only from the point of view
of strategy,

not necessarily
for any moral considerations.

CHARLES:
I wonder.

What you've kindly recognized

is that I'm arrogant enough
to believe

I have something positive
to offer our sagging party,

and I've no intention

of allowing time-servers
like Tewkesbury to drum me out.

There are a lot of them
in the House now

pretending to be asleep,
as is their wont,

but watching the younger
back-benchers carefully.

No wonder we're in opposition.

We don't deserve
anything better.

We have Ireland.
We have welfare problems.

We have rumblings in Europe.

And they direct
all their energies

towards matters
of no consequence.

Sorry, Charles.
I have to out you short.

- I have to go out.
- Yes, of course.

How's she bearing up?

More settled now
that she's living with Prudence?

Natalie, you mean?
Yes, I believe so.

You know, to be quite truthful,

I haven't had a moment
to see her.

[ Chuckles ]

I'll let myself out.

[Knock on door]

Come in.

Oh, there you are.

Didn't know where you'd got to.

- Somebody want me?
- No.

What you doing?

I'm just reading a letter
from my brother.

You shouldn't be in here,
you know, Daisy.

Mr. Hudson doesn't approve.

Well, you come out, then,
and sit by the fire.

It's cold in here.

No.
I don't feel like it tonight.

I'm all right.

No, you're not.

You're down in the dumps.

Is it about that money, still?

Oh, it's people, Daisy.

They tell you one thing,
and you think that's all right

and that's the way to behave,
and...

Oh, I don't know.

Seriously thinking
of giving up this life.

Well, what would you do?

Well, I thought
I might join the army.

- The army?
- Yeah.

Brother's a soldier,
Middlesex regiment.

Well, he says it's a good life

and plenty of fresh air
and action and plenty of food.

And, well,
they want people to join.

Oh, don't do that.
You'll get yourself killed.

No, you won't.

They look after you these days.

It's a good life.

It's a good life here.

No, it's changing.

Ah, you're getting older.
That's all.

I'm not.

How old are you?

18. May the 11th.

You?

25, nearly.

January the 24th.

Ah, that's too old for the army.

[Both chuckle]

Here, you know,
you do cheer me up, Daisy.

We'll have to go out together
sometime.

Do you mean it?

Of course I do.

Well, when?
Tomorrow?

Um, well, no, actually,
I've got to go and visit my dad

in Walthamstow tomorrow, but...

He's a real card, he is.
You'd like him.

- He's a carpenter.
- Is he?

I suppose I could put him off.

Oh, no.
You mustn't do that.

Yeah, he won't mind.

I'll take you to
a picture palace, if you like.

Oh, I'd love to go
to a picture palace.

- I've never been.
- Oh, good.

Daisy!

What are you up to?
You shouldn't be in here.

She wasn't doing any harm, Rose.

No, I just come
to look for him, Rose.

Yes, well, now you've found him.
You can come on out.

I've got work for you to do.

See what I mean? I mean, you
can't even have a simple talk.

It was a nice talk, Edward.

Yeah.

Oh, I'm going out to get drunk.

ROSE: Daisy!

- Don't tell anyone, will you?
- No. 'Course not.

Yeah, you get drunk.
You deserve it.

Only don't go and join the army.

[Doorbell rings]

Who gets these sides
to middle ones?

Who do you think?
Us.

[Doorbell rings]

Where's Edward?

I don't know, Mr. Hudson.
I'll go, shall I?

- I'll go.
- No.

I haven't taught you yet.

Have you seen Edward, Daisy?

Uh, no, Mr. Hudson.

He's not in his room,
if that's where you was going.

Least I don't think he is.

Do you know where he is?

Come on. Speak up, my girl.
Don't hide things from me.

I don't know, sir.
I saw him earlier.

He was talking about
joining the army.

The army?

I don't know where he is.

Ruby, do you know
Where Edward is?

Yes, Mr. Hudson. He's gone down
to Crown & Anchor.

Well, that's what you said,
Daisy, wasn't it?

Sir Geoffrey Dillon.

RICHARD: Geoffrey.

I do apologize for arriving
without warning, Richard,

but I must speak with you
on a matter of some urgency.

- Can I get you anything?
- Uh, nothing, thank you.

I've just had some
rather disturbing information

brought to me

which I've passed on to
my client, Colonel Tewkesbury.

I'm here, I might add,
of my own volition.

Yes, well,
what is this information?

It appears that Gilmour's valet
was seen handing over a package

to your footman, Edward, in
the Crown & Anchor public house.

When Tewkesbury was informed
of this, he deduced,

no doubt correctly, that
the package contained money.

A blatant attempt by Gilmour
to buy young Edward's silence.

- Am I going too fast for you?
- Go on.

Tewkesbury is inferring
from all this

that you must have known
about it,

that you're in collusion
with Gilmour

in a shabby
and ill-advised attempt

to interfere
with the course of justice

and save Gilmour's career.

In short, that you're joined in
a rather unpleasant conspiracy.

And he's spreading rumours
to this effect?

No, no.
Not exactly that.

RICHARD:
Why should he stop at you?

You didn't believe it,
of course.

Isn't some of it true?

It's true that Charles
attempted to buy off Edward.

Doubtful ethics
for a future prime minister.

Doubtful ethics

to spy on innocent young footmen
in public houses.

- Innocent?
- Why should Charles be bullied

into submission by
a vengeance-seeking old cuckold?

That's what this is all about.

I don't condone what he did,
but, by God,

- I understand his reasons!
- All right, Richard. Keep calm.

The point
is that it's common knowledge

that Edward accepted a bribe.

He was seen to do so.

It was thrust into his hands.

He brought it straight back
to Hudson, who gave it to me.

Now, we'll settle this
right away.

- No, no, no. There's no need.
- There is. There's every need.

As of this moment, rumours are
flying to all parts of London.

And on that issue, I want to see
Tewkesbury again -- tomorrow.

Well, tomorrow's Saturday.

Exactly --
That's why I want it scotched

before the weekend's
social arrangements.

Very well.
I'll do my best.

- Do you wish me to be present?
- That is entirely up to you.

Rose, where is Hudson?
I want to see him.

He's gone out
to look for Edward, sir.

[ Indistinct conversations]

What'd you do with
the old windfall, eh, Eddie?

Buy a motorcycle?

[Slurred]
I give it to Mr. Hudson.

What'd you do that for?

It'll have gone into his pocket.

No, it hasn't.

It's, um,
it's gone to the Lifeboat men.

-[ Laughter]
- Down we all go.

- Glug, glug, glug.
- Now pack that up.

M-Mr. Bellamy's wife,
Lady Marjorie,

she was - she was on the Titanic.

Ooh, very touchy tonight,
aren't we?

Yeah, well...

I'm off.
[ Groans ]

Edward.

Oh, I don't want to talk to you.

I want to talk to you, Edward.

Have you ever been
in a court of law?

No.
What is this?

They make you swear to tell
the truth on the Bible, see?

And if you don't tell the truth,

the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth,

even though it's against
your master's interests...

But -- But --
Let go of me.

Have you ever heard of...

conspiracy to pervert
the course of justice?

Perjury?
Contempt of court?

Do you know what that means?

That means prison --
a long time in prison.

TRUMPER:
Ah, good evening, Mr. Hudson.

Haven't seen you here
for a while.

Forgive me if I don't stop
to talk, Mr. Trumper.

...still employed
who's been in prison.

That's why, when you go

-in that witness box --
- Take your hands off that boy!

And who may you be?

I am Angus Hudson.

This is the man, Mr. Hudson.

This is the man that started
all the questions

and give me half a sovereign
and now is threatening me.

All right, Edward, all right.
Now, look here, my man.

I am Mr. Bellamy's butler,
and I suggest

that you stop molesting
and threatening young servants

in public houses unless
you want the police after you.

[Patrons murmuring]

I'll see you in court, my lad.

[Clears throat]

All right, Edward.
Get going.

TRUMPER:
Oh, what's this?

The late Lady Marjorie's butler
mixed up in a pub brawl?

What are we coming to?

That is none of your business,
Mr. Trumper.

- Keep moving, Edward.
-[ Scoffs lightly]

Now, I've got two footmen
under me,

and I'd never allow either of
them to come gossiping in here.

Right, right, right.

[Doorbell rings]

Good evening, Rose.

RICHARD: Prudence?
- Ah, Richard.

Oh, Geoffrey.

We always seem to be meeting
here these days.

Lady Prudence.

Richard,
I'm sorry to rush in like this,

but I really must talk to you.

- I'm just going.
- Just a moment, Geoffrey.

Is it about Harry and Natalie?

Yes. Partly.

Then I think you better stay,
hear the latest

on how your client
is treating his wife,

since we're all in the mood
for gossip.

- Well...
- No, no. This is important.

Natalie is staying with Prudence
at the moment,

telling her disturbing stories
of Harry striking her in anger.

Now, then, Prudence.

Well, you know these stories

can sometimes be
a trifle exaggerated.

I mean, I don't think
there was much actual brutality.

But the -- the --
the bruise on the arm?

Yes.

No, I've really come
about some quite different

disturbing stories about
our glamorous lover figure.

- Lord Charles?
- Yes.

Oh, might I have a drink,
Richard, do you think?

Yes, yes, of course.
Geoffrey?

GEOFFREY:
Oh, no, thank you.

Now, Natalie had arranged
to meet Charles today,

a discreet little restaurant
in Curzon Street for luncheon.

Well, he didn't arrive,

and, in some consternation,
she went 'round to his flat.

Her call wasn't answered, though
she was quite sure he was there.

Thank you, Richard.

Well, you can imagine
her humiliation,

just standing there
on the pavement.

I mean, the fear of being seen.

Yes, well, go on, Pru.

Well, she came home to me.

At 5:00, that vulgar valet
of his delivered a note,

a very cool note
and not very well written

by someone of whom
the country has such high hopes.

Well, Natalie flew
into a terrible rage.

And what happens now,
I don't know.

One thing is quite clear --

Our dear Lord Charles emerges
with no credit at all.

Do you still think
you're backing the right horse,

Richard?

Come and sit down, Richard.

Thank you for your agreeing
to meet me, Tewkesbury.

I can't give you long.
I have other appointments.

Long enough to clear up
a few misunderstandings, I hope?

First of all, you owe me
an apology, don't you?

Is that so?

I appreciate you've been under
a considerable strain recently,

but that can hardly excuse
the unpleasant rumours

you've evidently been spreading
about me

and my supposed collusion
with Lord Charles Gilmour.

Unpleasant rumours -- rubbish.
- Geoffrey.

Very well.

I just want you to hear
in front of our mutual solicitor

that if I do not receive
a retraction,

I shall take out an action
for slander against you.

If your source for these rumours
is Dillon here,

you'll have to take an action
against him, too.

It's as much a slander

to pass on gossip as to initiate
it, and that's the law.

Gentleman, please. I don't think
we need come to blows.

Do sit down, Colonel.

Well, one thing I don't do

is employ servants
who blab their mouths off

in public houses
for all the world to hear.

And I don't employ spies

to hang around public houses
and threaten servants.

It is sometimes necessary
to employ such means

in order to arrive at the truth.

Not when they threaten

the integrity of my footman,
Geoffrey!

My God. we didn't pay your man
to suppress evidence.

That was your doing
to protect your protégé.

That's false assumption
and a downright slander.

I think that is where
the misunderstanding arises.

Yes, all right, all right
Geoffrey.

Now, if you still persist
in believing it,

try and make it stick in law.

I've explained to Geoffrey,

and I hope
you'll listen to his advice.

I had no part

in Charles Gilmour's attempt
to silence my footman.

I would never have supported
such an idea.

[ Scoffs ]

Easy to disown the man
now that he's discredited.

That is a cheap
and contemptible remark.

My God, Tewkesbury,

you do bring your troubles
on your own head, don't you?

And what the devil
does that mean?

Please,
don't make this personal.

Tell that to your client.

It's a little late to believe
it's anything else.

It's very hard
to understand you, Bellamy.

You take the side of a rake
who seduces young married women.

You champion him in the name of
vigorous, progressive Toryism.

My God, if the country ever fell
into his hands, I'd emigrate.

I am in no position
to comment on that.

I've no wish to.

That is not our argument.

Gentlemen,
I really must put in a word.

I don't think Richard
has quite grasped the fact

that the divorce
will not now take place.

Will not now take place?

I've

I've taken her back, Bellamy.

You must know, I never wanted to
lose her in the first place.

We've had our differences before
and got over them.

I couldn't stomach this one --

fellow comes up, takes a house
20 miles from where I live,

makes love to my wife blatantly,

makes me the laughingstock
of the district,

and to cap it all,
has the effrontery

to set himself up on the quiet
as my political rival.

Not only my wife but my
constituency, my entire being.

You talk about rumours.

My God, you should have heard
what I've had to put up with.

I couldn't stand for it.

I had to take some action.

Either my wife behaves herself,

or she ceases to be my wife --
simple as that.

I put it to her in those terms.

She chose to leave.

Well, the rest
you probably know.

When it gets too hot,

fellow shows his true colours,
drops her.

[ Scoffs ]
Could have told her that.

Seen that type before --
no guts, no staying power.

He'd never make a politician.

Then, last night,
she comes quietly back.

No fuss.

People have the wrong idea,
you see.

They assume...

Well, let them assume
what they damn well like.

Look, look, I - I must be going.

I'm taking her home
on the 5:00 train.

Oh, I'm glad
she's gone back to him.

That's what she needs, really.

That great, drafty house
will help to cool her down.

Pity she didn't cool down
a bit sooner.

Mm.
I had to break it off.

And a quick, clean blow
is always the best, isn't it?

Well, then, it was your timing
that was unfortunate.

Now, that is a note of censure.

It can hardly be anything else,
can it?

You haven't played your cards
altogether wisely.

But, you see,
I'm not like you, Richard.

You've always played
your cards wisely

and look where it's got you.

You're a disappointed man
at heart,

looking to live through
other people.

Maybe that I will be judged
as an arrogant whippersnapper

who lived dangerously
and perished ignobly,

but I will always be
my own master.

Never for me the epitaph
"He played his cards wisely."

What will you do now?

I don't know.
It's early to say.

I might go to Canada.

It's full of
black sheep making good.

I promise you one thing.

You won't have heard
the last of me.

I must go now.
I'm lunching at the Ritz...

with a fascinating
Romanian princess.

DAISY:
How you feeling now?

Oh, still terrible.

Oh, I had a skinful last night.

Never does you much good,
does it?

You couldn't eat your dinner.

No.

I've got the afternoon off.
I think I'll go to bed.

I've got the afternoon off, too.

I thought you and I
were supposed to be going --

Edward, I want a word with you.

Come in here a minute.

I've said I'm sorry, Mr. Hudson,

and I think I'm gonna join
the army.

Oh, there's no need for that,
Edward,

provided you've learned
your lesson.

Sit down, my boy.
Sit down.

Yes, Mr. Hudson.

I confess to a certain degree
of blame

for not giving you
a clear, moral lead

when you asked for it.

Over the matter of the money,
my boy,

you were quite right
to want to give it back,

and I'm sorry I didn't make
myself clear to you.

I'll try to now.
So listen very carefully.

You see, Lord Charles Gilmour

is one of our most brilliant
politicians.

Some say he might even be
prime minister.

Now, if a man can achieve
great things in his public life,

for the good of us all,
for the good of his country,

then who are we to judge
his private life?

It's absolutely no concern
of ours.

Is it?

No, Mr. Hudson.

And when the two --
the public and the private --

get, uh, tangled up,

then it's only reasonable
that he should take steps,

albeit unorthodox ones,
to, uh...

Do you see what I'm getting at?

So all this talk
about joining the army, Edward,

it is so much nonsense.

And you'll put it right out
of your head, won't you?

Yes, Mr. Hudson, if you say so.

And keep out of public houses,
hmm?

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.
Right.

Off you go, then, Edward.

[ Door closes]

All right?

Yes, I think so, Daisy.

You haven't forgotten, have you?

What?

Picture palace?
Or are you really going to bed?

Oh, no.

No, I feel a lot better now.

- Get your coat, then.
Right.

Here, Rose, I'm a bit short.

I'm not surprised
after last night.

Don't you start.

You couldn't lend me a shilling,
could you?

I'll pay you back.

Oh, all right.

There you are.

- Make it last.
- I will. Ta.

All ready?

Well, where you two off to?

He's taking me
to the picture palace.

Mind you, behave yourself.

[Both chuckle]

EDWARD: Come on, then.
-[ Door opens]

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