Upstairs, Downstairs (1971–1975): Season 3, Episode 12 - Distant Thunder - full transcript

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Acorn Media (re-sync by moviesbyrizzo)

Whew.

Them stairs.
I must be getting old.

Ah, it's very close this
afternoon, Rose, quite airless.

Oh, those cursed women again.

- What women?
- The suffragettes.

They've smashed up
the British Museum now.

If they claim the right to vote
like men,

they ought to be flogged
like men.

Poo.

What have you got there, Rose?



It's liniment for Mrs. Bellamy.

Her back's feeling a bit better,
but it still aches.

You know, it was clearing out
that box room

that brought it on,
in my opinion.

That certainly would.

Ah, something nice
for our supper, eh, Ruby?

What in heaven's name is that?

Well, it's for thickening
the Irish stew, Mr. Hudson,

for upstairs' dinner.

Only, well, I can't read
Mrs. Bridges' recipe.

Her handwritings
all falling over.

What can't you read?

Well, it says, "Mix flour
and add an ounce of

summat, that word there.



Here, let me see.

"Mix flour and add an ounce
of butter and rub well."

It's "butter."

Oh, I am daft.
I thought it said "bitter."

So I poured in a jug of ale.

I'll have to start again,
won't I?

You certainly will, Ruby.

Oh, never mind, my girl.
Just soldier on.

Mrs. Bridges
will be up and about soon.

Oh, my God.

-[ Gasps ]
- Ooh. I'm sorry madam.

I'll be ever so careful.

Your hands --
They're firm but gentle.

You'd make
an excellent masseuse.

Oh, I don't know about that,
madam.

It's quite the thing now, Rose.

They began it in Sweden.

There, I think
I've rubbed it well in.

- Shall I stop now?
- No.

Oh.

Just another minute or two.

It's very soothing.

- Is it?
- Very.

Is Captain James in yet?

Not when I come up, madam.

I see.

I expect he's been kept late
at his office.

Rose, have you written
your letter?

Not yet, madam.

I think you owe it
to Mr. Wilmot.

Otherwise he'll spend
the rest of his life

wondering
why you changed your mind.

Well, I will write it,
if you think I ought, madam,

but it's difficult,
if you know what I mean.

I do, but --

Did you love him very much?

Yes, madam, very much.

Only I didn't realize it
till after he'd gone.

See, when he asked me
to go abroad and everything,

I didn't have the courage.

Still, I expect
I've done the right thing.

I'm not sure.
I'll never be quite sure.

-[ Knock on door]
- Come in.

- Oh, Hazel. I'm so sorry.
- I thought you were James.

- I'm so sorry.
- It's all right, Richard.

Rose has finished.

- Thank you, Rose.
- Here you are, madam.

There.

You may come in now, Richard.

I'll just go down
and see Ruby about your dinner.

Oh, tell her something
very light. I'm not hungry.

Oh.
It's Irish stew, madam,

and she's been stewing it
since 11:00 this morning.

Very well, Rose.

And thank you for the massage.

Richard, how kind of you
to come up and see me.

Not at all.
How are you feeling?

Oh, a little better, thank you.

Dr. Page says I'm to rest
for another day or two.

So here I lie,
helpless and useless.

Never useless, my dear.

I haven't been much use
as a wife, have I?

I'm still haunted
by James' bewildered stare

when Dr. Page
broke the news to him.

He looked like a little boy

who'd had his new toy
taken away from him, and --

Oh, God.

You mustn't feel like that.

Nobody's to blame.
It was God's will.

You'll have another chance.

Page told me there's nothing to
stop you having twins next time.

So you cheer up, and let's
change the subject, shall we?

Oh, yes.

Anyway, you're better off in bed
than up and about.

A bit more air, hmm?

Oh, it's so warm and sultry out.

- Horrid.
- Is it?

Yes.

How was your day?

Oh, somewhat frustrating.

If we poor mortals
could only influence events.

You mean, "We poor Tories."

I mean all men.
We have the vote.

Yes.

Some of us have the chance

of questioning and opposing
the government policies.

But events continue
to gallop forward unchecked

like stampeding bulls.

There's nothing any of us can do
to stop them.

I sometimes think the future
of our civilization

so grim and dangerous,
I'd rather not face it.

Oh, Richard,
you mustn't be depressed.

One of us is quite enough.

[ Chuckles ]
I suppose so.

All the same, there's little
to be cheerful about.

I know.

The past has more to offer
than the future.

I rather think
I'll write another biography.

Tom Newton thinks I should.

He suggested Lansdowne,
if he doesn't do it himself.

Then I'll help you with the
papers and type it out for you.

Would you?

Yes, of course.
I did it before.

Those were very happy days.

Mmm.

[ Door opens ]

Ah!

Miss Georgina Worsley,
writing letters.

[ Chuckles ]
I didn't know you could write.

Bread-and-butter letters,
wretched things.

Ah.

I put, "Dear Lady Renholm,
thank you so much for my stays."

You left them behind
in a drawer.

[ Laughs ]

"It was..."

"Such hell, and I loathed
every minute of it."

Stop it, James.
You're muddling me.

"...such fun, and I enjoyed..."

Spelled e-n-g-o-i-d.

Oh, shut up.

I can't concentrate
if you keep saying silly things.

You've crumpled
my evening paper.

- Come here!
- Oh, no, you don't.

- Oh, yes, I do.
- You can't catch me.

Yes, I can and will.
You must be punished.

Oh, James!
[ Laughs ]

Ah, uh...

Hudson.

Miss Georgina
seems to have crumpled...

- Your fault.
-...the evening paper.

Better see if you can
straighten it out or something.

I'll ask Rose
to run an iron over it, sir.

If you would, Hudson,
before my father comes in.

He wouldn't --

I don't want any crushed
newspapers in my house.

Quite, sir.

Did you want something?

Oh, just about
this evening, sir.

I understand Mrs. Bellamy

will be requiring dinner
upstairs on a tray.

I suppose so, yes,
if she's still in bed.

She's still confined
to her room, sir.

Oh, well, in that case, it'll be
just Mr. Bellamy, Miss Georgina,

and myself in the dining room.

Very good, sir.

Oh, the master is in, sir.

Is he? where?
The study?

I think he went up
to see Mrs. Bellamy, sir.

Very well, Hudson.

[ Door opens ]

[ Door closes]

Dances, dinner parties,
receptions, garden parties.

All for the month of June.
Are you going to all of them?

I hope so.
The dinners and dances anyway.

Oh, you'll be a wreck.

Your poor old toes
will be black and blue.

No, they won't.

All those clumsy oafs
who can't waltz properly.

Some of them can.

Billy Linden waltzes perfectly.

Anyway, I like going
to dinner parties

and balls and receptions.

The only thing wrong with them
is having to write

endless bread-and-butter letters
afterwards thanking people.

Especially with you breathing
down my neck and putting me off.

You're a very lucky and rather
spoiled little girl, aren't you?

- Why?
- All those parties.

Well, those cards
aren't all for me.

Most of them are.

Oh, there's a musical evening
at Lansdowne House for my father

and the Life Guard ball
at Ranelagh for me,

which I can't go to anyway.

Oh, why, James?

It's tomorrow evening,

to dine with the Newburys
and then go on to the ball.

But Hazel won't be fit to go,
you see.

No, I suppose she won't.

Oh, dear, you're missing
all your old army friends.

Yes, yes,
they'll be there in strength.

Possibly my last chance
of seeing them

before I go back to India.

GEORGINA:
When will that be?

Well, if I accept the post
in the new year, January 1915.

It'll mean
a junior directorship.

That sounds terribly grand.

JAMES. Mm.

Oh, yes, it'll be stinking hot
and stuffy out there,

like it is in London today.

I'll miss you.

Poor old Jumbo.

You're not to call me that.

- I'm sorry.
- I dislike it intensely.

I'm sorry. I'll try and get
myself out of the habit.

You better, unless you want
another spanking.

I promise, Jum-

No, no, I didn't say it.

James, cousin James.

Stepcousin.

I think you'd better get on

with your thank-you letters,
don't you?

Yes, all right.

Aren't you going up
to see Hazel?

In a minute.

Will Mrs. Bridges be up soon?

I hope so, Daisy.

I do hope so.

Brandy, sir?

Thank you, Hudson.

Georgina, a glass of brandy?

I'm not allowed it.

- Who says so?
- Nobody.

I'm just too young
for intoxicating drink.

Oh, you're out.

- Coming out.
- Out.

The season's over
halfway through.

Hudson, offer Miss Georgina
some brandy.

GEORGINA:
No, really.

If Georgina says
she doesn't want brandy,

she presumably doesn't want it.

All right, Hudson, don't offer
Miss Georgina some brandy.

- Just leave it on the tray.
- Very good, sir.

I promised Hazel I'd go up

and play dominoes with her
after dinner.

RICHARD: Oh, that would be
much appreciated.

It's tiresome
having to be laid up.

- Will she be up tomorrow?
- I gather not.

Gynecologist has decreed
another day or two in bed.

-Isn't that so, James?
- Yes, yes, I believe he has.

- Poor James, missing the ball.
- What ball?

Well, the Life Guards' ball
at Ranelagh.

- When is that?
- Tomorrow night.

Why can't you go?

- I can't go without Hazel.
- Well, why not if she's in bed?

We were asked to dine with
the Newburys beforehand, Father.

I've already refused.

Well, you could always look in
at the ball.

Or take Georgina
if she's not otherwise engaged.

- Are you?
- Tomorrow night?

No.

I was thinking of going
to the Earls Court exhibition

with a rather boring young man
called Philip Merryrnan,

but I don't have to.

Well, you could partner James.

Could I?

I can see no objection
if Hazel doesn't mind.

Ask her.

I will.

I'm sure Bunny and Diana

can still fit us into
their dinner party.

I'll telephone them.

Won't it be rather grown-up?

I mean, all older people?

Oh, not at all.
Should be great fun.

There'll be a lot
of pretty girls there

and all the officers
of the household cavalry.

Orders and decorations
to be worn.

The regimental band will play
out on the lawn,

and we shall dance outside
under the trees.

I think there's to be
a firework display at midnight.

It sounds terribly exciting.

May I go upstairs now?

I must see about something
to wear.

Yeah, go on.

And don't forget the game
of dominoes with Hazel.

No, I won't.

Hello, Hudson? will you put me
through to Lady Newbury?

Good idea of yours, Father.

Yes.

Look after her, won't you, hmm?

I mean, Ranelagh on a warm,
summer evening,

all those chaps
full of champagne.

Oh, of course
I'll look after her.

- I just hope the weather holds.
-[ Telephone rings]

Hello?

Diana?
James.

Listen, listen,
slight change of plan.

I've decided to go to the ball
at Ranelagh

tomorrow evening after all.

Hmm?
No, no, no, no, with Georgina.

Can you -- Can you still fit us
into your dinner party?

Splendid!
Splendid.

How's Bunny?

[ Laughs ]
Is he?

I'll see you tomorrow.
Goodbye.

Ah, should be
rather a jolly evening.

Pity Hazel can't come.

[ Door opens ]

JAMES:
Morning.

Just popped in on my way
to work, see how you were.

HAZEL:
Better, thank you.

You, uh, got everything
you need, books, newspapers?

Yes, thank you.

Are you sure you don't mind
my trotting off

to this --
this wretched ball tonight?

Of course not.

You'll enjoy yourself,
see all your friends.

Yes.

Well, I must be off.
I shall be late.

James.

Dr. Page told Richard that
I still could have children.

Did you know?

Yes.
Yes, he told me, too.

There's nothing wrong, you see.

That's -- That's splendid news,
isn't it?

Well, I must be off.

[ Door opens ]

[ Door closes]

[Sighs]

Why do we have to
be all covered in powder

just to go to a ball?

Oh.
In case you perspire.

It wouldn't be very nice
Waltzing around

with your back all shiny,
especially in this weather.

The young men perspire terribly

in their starch collars
and stiff shirts,

but they don't have maids
to put powder all over them.

Well, young men
don't show so much...

bare skin like ladies do.

Yes, I see.

Oh, that feels terribly nice,
all sort of tingly,

especially on my neck.

Does it?

Mrs. Bellamy said last night

she thought you might have
healing powers in your hands.

Did she, miss?

She says you've done wonders
with her back.

Oh, that's not me.
That's time and rest.

I'm not a magician, miss.

It must be terribly sad
to lose your first baby.

Any baby, really.

Yes.

Now, just finish doing you up,

and then I'll start
doing your hair.

Thank you, Rose.

JAMES:
Eh, not much to show

for nearly 10 years in the army,
eh, Hudson?

10 years of comparative peace,
sir, militarily speaking.

That's true.

Grandpapa had at least a dozen
of these things on his chest

last time I saw him
all dressed up --

for a court ball,
I think it was.

I remember Elizabeth and I
being called down

in our dressing gowns
to see them go off.

He was simply covered in medals.

And, of course, a lot of those
were foreign orders.

That would have been
the summer of 1890, sir,

the year
of Lady Southwolds illness.

Probably.

Ah, there was always a war on

somewhere in Queen Victoria's
reign, sir,

when Lord Southwold was young.

Yes, yes, the empire
needed keeping in order then

-more than it does now.
- Quite, sir.

You know, I sometimes think
these black fellows

are more civilized than some
of these European races --

all these Serbs and Croats and
Slovenes and chaps like that.

Ah, thank you, Hudson.

Oh, by the way,
would you ask Rose

to make up my bed in here
again tonight?

Very good, sir.

Mm, I shall be quite late,
I expect.

And we don't want to
disturb Mrs. Bellamy

more than necessary.

- Very good, sir.
- Thank you, Hudson.

[Humming]

[ Door opens ]

Oh, my goodness, look at you!

- Will I do?
- You most certainly will.

I'm terribly nervous.

Well, you shouldn't be,
looking like that.

- I shan't know anyone.
- I shall introduce you.

If you see me stuck in a corner
by myself,

you will come and rescue me?

Rescue you? Oh, I should think
I shall have to.

When my brother officers
catch sight of you,

I shall have to fend them off
with my fists.

"Unhand that maiden, sir,

for she is my late mother's
brother's stepdaughter.

Unhand her, I say,

or I shall run you through
with my trusty sword,"

which, incidentally, is still
in a wardrobe full of mothballs,

along with my uniform.

Oh, you're so funny.
I do love you, Jumbo.

Don't -- Now, what did I say
about calling me that?

I'm sorry.
I keep forgetting.

HUDSON:
Your taxi is here, sir.

Ah, thank you, Hudson.

Come along, Georgina.

Let us step into our hackney cab
and take Ranelagh by storm.

- Thank you, Hudson.
- GEORGINA: Thank you, Rose.

Good night, Rose.
Hudson.

Good night, sir.
Good night, miss.

Good night.

Oh, you have your key, sir?

JAMES:
Yes, thank you.

Aye, they'll make
a handsome pair at the ball.

He don't look like
a young husband

whose wife just lost
their firstborn child.

Young gentlemen, Rose,
especially officers,

are trained to conceal
their true feelings,

a tradition necessary
in the field of battle,

lest the men should sense
their officer's fear or anxiety

and lose heart.

If I was a man and my wife
had just had a miscarriage,

I'd either sit by her side

or stop in my own room
crying my eyes out,

not go gallivanting off
to some ball!

You are not a man, Rose.

No, I'm not, am I?

Oh, if you're going up
you might just pop In

and see if Mrs. Bridges
needs anything.

Oh, I popped in earlier,
and her head's still splitting,

so I'm gonna take her
a couple of tablets later.

RICHARD:
"if tears dropped into a trunk

were charms
to preserve its owner

from sorrow and misfortune,

Nicholas Nickleby would have
commenced his expedition

under most happy auspices.

There was so much to be done,
and so little time to do it in;

so many kind words to be spoken,

and such bitter pain
in the hearts

in which they rose
to impede their utterance;

that the little preparations
for his journey

were made mournfully indeed."

[Knock on door]

Come in.

Oh, um, excuse me, madam.

Hudson was wondering
if Mr. Bellamy

could come downstairs
for a moment.

Only Mrs. Bridges is worse.

She's running a temperature,

and Hudson thinks
she ought to see a doctor.

Well, of course she must.

I'll telephone Dr. Foley
at once.

Tell Hudson
I'll be down directly.

Very good, sir.

HAZEL:
I must go and see to her.

Hazel, get back into bed
at once.

No.

It's my duty.
I should be there.

Hazel, you're not to get --
Dr. Foley forbade it.

You'll only make yourself worse.

Richard, I am in charge
of the household.

Now, if the cook is ill,
I must go and see to her.

- Now, Hazel, get back into bed.
- Please, Richard.

Do as I say.
You're in no fit state to --

Richard, let me go.

Please let me go.

- I for-- I forbid it.
- I must go.

[ Sobbing ]

I forbid it, Hazel.

Do you?

I'll look after Mrs. Bridges.

After all, I've been responsible
for things in this house

for a number of years.

Yes.

You are still the master,
aren't you?

Come on, get back into bed.

In you get.

There's a good girl.

Do allow me to look after you.

Someone's got to.

Rose, what are you doing
down here at this hour?

Just making some hot lemon
and cinnamon for Mrs. Bridges.

It's a chill she's got,

and Dr. Foley said
she ought to have it.

Oh, the poor soul.
How is she?

Better.

Her temperature's
gone down to 99,

and she managed to get down
some OXO and a dry biscuit.

There, I'll take it up to her
now whilst it's nice and hot.

Ah, it's getting on for 1:00.

Captain James and Miss Georgina
not returned yet, have they?

No, they have not.

And I don't suppose they will,
not till dawn.

Good night, Mr. Hudson.

Good night, Rose.
I'll see to the lights.

[Bell tolling]

[ Groans ]

[Vehicle approaches]

Oh, I'm terribly thirsty.
Aren't you?

Shh!
You'll wake the whole house.

Sorry.

There should be some
barley water on the grog tray.

- Where?
- In here.

Here we are.

Don't have to whisper now,
but don't talk too loud.

GEORGINA:
Oh, dear, it's half past 4:00.

I don't think I've ever been up
as late as this before.

JAMES:
Hmm, got to start somewhere.

- GEORGINA: Yes.
JAMES: There you are.

Oh, thank you, James.
I'm parched.

JAMES:
Mm, thirsty work, dancing,

especially if you dance everyone
on the card, as you did.

Did I?

Oh, yes, I suppose I did.

Well, you certainly were
the belle of the ball.

Should have claimed a dance
or two for myself

before we set out.

I am sorry, James.

I did try to keep a dance free
for you,

but you always seemed to be
having such a jolly time,

laughing and joking
over at the buffet.

I seemed to dance all the time
with the young men,

the subalterns.

You know,
I only had one captain,

and he squeezed me so hard,
my bodice stuck into me.

His name
was Rupert Booth-Taylor.

He said he knew you slightly.

Yes, yes,
the action to The Blues.

He's rather inclined
to squeeze debutantes too hard.

I think he was about your age.

Why do you say that?

Well, he didn't think
I was too young to dance with.

- Are you suggesting that I did?
James.

Why do you think I took you
to the ball as my partner

if it wasn't to dance with you?

Then why didn't you?

I was just going to, and then
I saw you stifling a yawn.

I thought it was time
to take you home.

That was only because
that boy with red hair

was telling me how he landed
a 12-pound salmon on the spay.

He went into every gory detail.

Yes. well, perhaps
there's another reason

I didn't ask you to dance,

but I'm not sure
that I should tell you.

Oh, but you've got to.

You're not allowed to keep
secrets from stepcousins.

All right, I'll tell you,
if you insist.

It's because --

Yes?

It's because if I had to
take you in my arms

in order to dance with you,

I'm not sure that I could
trust myself not to kiss you,

not as a young stepcousin who's
barely 18 should be kissed,

affectionately on the cheek
like this...

...but as one would kiss
a beautiful, young woman

of whom one is growing
dangerously fond, like this.

And now, as we were denied
our dance at the ball,

which was entirely my fault,
I admit it,

I should like to ask you
formally, Miss Worsley,

if you're not otherwise engaged,

for the pleasure
of the next waltz.

Enchanted.

JAMES:
[Humming]

That was fun.

[ Door opens ]

Ah, I heard voices.
Thought it must be you.

It's all right, Father.

We haven't been pinching
the silver, have we?

No.

Georgina was thirsty, so
I thought we'd have a nightcap.

Quite right, too.
Enjoy yourselves?

Very much.
It was a lovely ball.

I'm sorry if we woke you,
Father.

We tried not to make
too much noise.

I was awake.
Couldn't sleep.

- Heavy, close atmosphere.
- Yes.

Well, I expect Georgina
wants to get to her bed,

and you have to go to your
office later, don't you, James?

Yes, Father.

Good night.

Try not to make any noise
passing Hazel's room, eh?

I've already taken my shoes off,
Uncle Richard.

Oh, yes, good girl.

Don't want to wake her up,
do we?

No.

[James and Georgina giggle]

I say, you're to sleep in
in the morning

and have your breakfast in bed.

Those are my orders.

I shall tell Hudson
when he wakes me at 8:00.

But what will Rose think?

Oh, Rose will damn well do
as she's told.

Please don't make trouble,
James.

I don't want to fall out
with her.

I'll get up and come down --
- You will do no such thing.

Rose doesn't run this house,
even if she thinks she does.

You know, I sometimes think it
wouldn't have been a bad thing

if she had pushed off
to Australia

with that sheep fellow.

GEORGINA: Poor Rose.
I don't understand it.

She has such a lovely face
and so much kindness.

Do you think she'll ever marry?

JAMES:
Oh, I shouldn't think so.

Come on, let's go upstairs.

James, listen.

JAMES;
What?

I can hear a train miles away,
and I can hear a horse and cart.

Yes. Yes, the milkmen
are out delivering already.

People are going to work
in shops and factories.

It's morning.

It'll be light soon.

It will.
Come on.

[ Footsteps ]

JAMES: Good night.
Sleep well.

GEORGINA:
Thank you again for taking me.

Good night, Jumbo!

[ Laughs ]

[Door opens in distance]

Morning.

Just crept in on my way to work
to see if you were all right.

That's right.
You sleep on.

Morning, Daisy.

Good morning, sir.

Think you'll have to pour cold
water over her this morning.

She's dead to the world.

I couldn't do that, sir.

[ Door closes]

Good morning, miss.

Oh, goodness, what's the time?

Five minutes past 9:00, miss.

Oh, dear.

It's a lovely morning.

I've brought your breakfast up
on a tray.

There's two soft-boiled eggs,
toast, and coffee.

Ruby thought you might be
extra hungry this morning,

seeing as you wasn't in
till daylight.

How did she know that?

Ruby? Oh, she's up by daylight
every morning, miss.

She heard you coming in
when she was doing the boiler.

Oh, this is such a treat.
Thank you very much.

And thank Ruby for me.

Oh, I will.

And don't let your coffee
get cold.

Oh, no.

I was having such a horrible
dream when I woke up, Daisy.

Do you ever have
horrible dreams?

Sometimes.

This one was awful
because it was so real.

My mum used to say
that if you have a bad dream,

you should always tell it
to someone

to make sure it don't come true.

Well, I was on a swing
in a big park somewhere,

and there was a young man
sitting beside me --

tall and rather good-looking.

And as we swung higher
and higher and higher,

he was kissing me all the time.

[ Giggles ]
Go on, miss.

Down below,
there were masses of people,

all cheering
and waving flags at us.

Oh, and then I saw
the young man's face.

It was dreadfully white,

as if all the blood
had been drained away.

And then suddenly
he just fell off the swing,

miles and miles below
to the ground.

And I wanted to go down there to
help him in case he wasn't dead.

But then I saw that by falling,

he'd somehow managed to knock
down every one of the people

who were waving flags
and cheering.

And they were all young men,
too, with the same --

with the same white,
drained faces.

Some of them were bleeding
and crying out.

I wanted to go down there,

but I was sort of attached
to the swing, so I --

And then I woke up.

That sounds like
a real nightmare, miss.

I'm sorry, Daisy.
I'm not very hungry.

Potatoes.

Boiled for downstairs,
roast for upstairs.

Oh, no,
now I've forgotten carrots.

I'll never be ready.

Ruby, what you whimpering about?

Put a move on.
It's nearly dinnertime.

Oh, it is, Rose,
and I'm not half done yet.

Well, buck up, then.

When will Mrs. Bridges be back?

When she's better
and not before.

And put your cap straight.
You look like a scarecrow.

[Up-tempo music playing]

Coffee, miss.

GEORGINA:
Thank you, Hudson.

Will you be dining in
this evening, miss?

No, out again, I'm afraid.

Very good, miss.

Hudson?

May I ask you something?

Certainly, Miss Georgina.

Well, it's just that
Mrs. Bridges told Daisy

she thought there might be
a curse on the Southwold family.

Do you think there is?

A family curse, miss?

Well, you see,
my mother and my stepfather

and my aunt, Lady Marjorie,
and Grandpa Southwold

all died within a few years.

And then Captain James and
Mrs. Bellamy losing their baby.

Mrs. Bridges told Daisy another
baby died in this house, too,

only she wouldn't say
how long ago.

So, I just wondered.

I understand, miss.

You see, I had a terrible dream
last night about people dying.

I thought it might have
something to do with it.

Oh, I don't think you ought to
worry about such things,

Miss Georgina, not at your age.

No.
I'm sorry.

I daren't ask Captain James
or Mr. Bellamy.

They'd think me so silly,
so I thought I'd ask you.

If you'll pardon me saying so,
Miss Georgina,

I trust you will not brood
upon such ugly subjects

and continue to enjoy
your London season

as a young person should.

Oh, so you don't think --

Oh, no, no, miss!

Family curses, ghosts,
and such like?

Old wives' tales, miss.
[ Chuckles ]

And if I may use the expression,
pure blethers.

Good.
I'm so relieved.

Ah, miss.

James.
- Father.

How's Hazel?

I've only just come in.

Oh, you haven't seen her yet.

I've only just come in.

- And, um, Hudson doesn't know?
- Know what?

How she is.

I haven't asked him yet.

RICHARD:
Ah, Hudson, how's Mrs. Bellamy?

Oh, she seemed a wee bit better
when I served her tea, sir.

- In here?
- At half past 4:00, sir.

- She's up, then?
- Oh, yes, sir.

Madam rang for Rose
at about 3:00 this afternoon

to help her to get dressed.

- Oh.
- Are you sure?

So where is she now?

She was in here until about half
past 5:00, sir, writing letters.

Oh, she didn't go out?

Not as far as I know, sir.

- Hazel!
- Hazel!

She's probably messing about
in the box room again.

RICHARD: Rose,
have you seen Mrs. Bellamy?

Hudson says she came downstairs.

Oh, yes, she had her tea, sir,

and then went down
to the kitchen.

The kitchen!
Well, she shouldn't --

Thank you, Rose.
James, leave her.

Upstairs, Rose.

- Oh --
Upstairs!

JAMES:
Hazel!

- Yes?
- What are you doing?

HAZEL:
What do you think I'm doing?

Well, who -- Who said
you could get up?

HAZEL:
Dr. Page did.

Oh --
Ruby, leave us, please.

Now, listen, Hazel.

You are supposed to be mistress
in this house.

Just how the hell
do you expect the servants

to respect you
and obey your orders

if you come down here
and try and cook the meals?

And how do you expect that
wretched little kitchen maid

to cook all the meals,

for upstairs and down,
all by herself?

It's not your place
to come down here and cook!

Not my place?

I note your choice
of expression.

What expression?

You said it was not my place
to come down here and cook.

Well, that's how you talk
to a servant.

And yet in the same breath,

you tell me not to soil my hands
with servants' work.

Well, it was my place

to type out your father's book
for wages, wasn't it?

And you didn't object to that,
did you?

What's that got to do with it?

Damn it, Hazel,
you're my wife, not a cook!

Wives are often cooks
Where I come from.

Yes, well, they're not here,
and they never have been,

so put that whatever it is away

and go up to the morning room
Where you belong.

Leave the meals to Ruby.

I shall do nothing of the kind.

I am responsible for the
domestic running of the house,

and I intend to stay here
and help Ruby prepare the meals.

Yes, you are responsible for
running this house with dignity,

as Mother did, from upstairs,

not messing about in the kitchen
like a scullery maid.

How dare you?

You will do as I say
and go up to the morning room.

As my wife,
you owe me obedience!

Well, don't you
owe me something?

What?

What's the matter with you?

If you don't understand that,

then perhaps it's just as well
our baby died.

Just as well.

[ Footsteps depart ]

Ah.

Um, Ruby, Ruby!
Ruby, come here quickly.

- The cooking's gone wrong.
- Yes, sir.

Quickly, before it boils over
on the floor.

- Yes, sir, I'll see to it.
- Yes.

Uh, you --

you seem to have rather a lot
to do at the moment, Ruby.

I'm -- I'm sorry.

That's all right, sir.
I can manage.

Yes, well, I expect Mrs. Bridges
will be up in a day or two.

Yes, sir.

Sir, it was very kind
of Mrs. Bellamy to help me, sir.

Yes.
I'll, uh -- I'll tell her.

Is Mrs. Bellamy in there?

No, sir, only the master.
Madam went up to her room.

I see.
Thank you, Hudson.

[Knock on door]

JAMES:
Hazel, are you there?

Hazel, I want to talk to you.

[ Doorknob rattles ]

Open this door and let me in.

You hear what I say?

Oh, Hazel,
you're being very childish.

Oh, Hazel.

How I lead my life in my house
is my affair.

You have no right
to criticize me.

I have every right, James.

Hazel is your wife
and your responsibility.

You're a grown man now,
a married man,

and, regrettably, independent
of your sole surviving parent.

But you are still my son, and as
long as I live under this roof,

I reserve the right
to comment on your behaviour.

My behaviour?

Hazel has suffered the agony
and distress of losing her baby.

She is weak and depressed
and in need

of all the love and care
she can get from her husband.

Yet you behave
as though she had suffered

nothing worse
than a slight cold.

Oh, that's monstrous.

Do you think I don't know
how she feels?

Then why in God's name can't you
show some concern for her?

Damn it, Father,
she's not ill anymore.

She's been up and dressed
and cooking in the kitchen.

Unwise, I admit.

But if you can't see
in that foolish gesture

a desperate cry for attention,

then you can't know much
about women.

Father, my relationship with my
wife is none of your business.

It may not be,
strictly speaking,

but you might just remember
that Hazel was my secretary.

I brought her into this house,

and as such, I happen to have
formed a very high opinion

of her character
and her capabilities.

I respect her as a person.

And I have a natural affection
for her

as a member of the family.

And since you choose
to neglect her when she's ill

and criticize her
when she's most in need

of your help and support,

I can only say that,
in my opinion,

you are not worthy of her love.

She's too damn good for you!

And that's my last word
on the subject.

Yes. Yes, and my last word
on the subject

is that I'm beginning to think

it's time you and I
went our separate ways.

And just what do you mean?

I mean that instead
of endlessly quarrelling

and feuding with me about
the running of this house,

you might find life
more to your liking

in a set of rooms
in St. James's.

You'll be handy
for the House of Commons

and quite near your club.

I'm quite prepared
to help you out financially

if you decide to move.

It might just be better
for all of us.

[Glass clatters]

Very well, James.

If that's how you feel,
I'll move.

I've no wish to stay on here
if I'm not welcome.

You can inform the servants
at once.

I shall need a few days to find
alternative accommodation.

You might just grant me that.

There's no hurry.

Just some time.

It was only a suggestion.
I didn't --

[ Door opens ]

[Sighs]

James.

Oh, hello.

Where have you been?

Out to tea with some friends.

James, you've been quarrelling
with Uncle Richard.

I couldn't help hearing.

Was it about taking me
to the ball?

No. No, no, no, no, it wasn't.

Are you sure?

Quite sure.
It -- It --

It was about something else,
nothing to do with you.

What?

Never mind.

Have you -- Have you had tea?

I've just told you.
I had tea with some friends.

So you did.

Hudson says Hazel is up.

Yes. Yes, she got up
this afternoon, yes.

Oh, good, so she's much better.

Much, much better.

Where is she?

Upstairs.

I think I'll go up and see her.

Uh, no, no.
Leave her just a moment.

Close the door.

[ Door closes]

Come sit down Georgina
I want to talk to you

I think you're old enough

to know some of the difficulties
of married life.

I mean, one day
you'll marry someone, and --

Well, I just think
you ought to know

it's not that easy
being married.

Not that easy.

No, I don't suppose it is.

I mean, if your love,

if your feelings for someone
aren't quite strong enough

and you don't seem to sort of
agree on a lot of things,

it can still be all right if...

if you, well, fulfil your love.

Do you know
what I'm trying to say?

I think I do, James.

Especially if, as a result,
you manage to have a baby.

Yes, of course.

Otherwise, there's not much
to keep you together.

No.

Not if you disagree on a lot
of things, like Hazel and I do.

Oh, dear.
Won't it perhaps get better?

It might.

I don't really know.

I hope so.

Hazel can still have a baby.
The doctor said so.

Well, perhaps next year
when you go out to India,

things will change.

Away from home,
you may feel quite differently.

If she decides to come.

But she's bound to, isn't she?

I don't know.

I don't know
what the future holds.

If Father moves into rooms,
I'm out in India, and Hazel --

What about the servants?

What about you?

What about everything?

It all seems such a mess.

Ghastly, hopeless mess.

He should never have married
beneath him.

He should never have married
beneath him.

I've said so from the start.

You've only to look at
the difference in their ideas,

their -- their standards,
their values.

If her ladyship had lived,

that young woman,
respectable as she may be,

would never have sat at the head
of the table in this house.

You mark my words, Rose,
not Miss Forrest.

There you go again
with her ladyship.

"What would her ladyship
have done?

What would her ladyship
have said?"

Her ladyship's dead and gone,
Mr. Hudson,

and Mrs. Bellamy is the mistress
of this house now.

And as such, we should
back her up and help her,

not go saying wicked things
about her behind her back!

Stop yelling at the top
of your voice, Rose,

unless you want everyone
in the house to hear you.

ROSE:
I don't care who knows it.

Mr. Bellamy should have a word
with his son,

tell him what he thinks of him.

He's too weak.
That's the trouble.

Just 'cause Captain James
got all his mother's money.

The master opposed the marriage,
or had you forgotten that?

Unfortunately,
the young fool was of age

and financially independent
enough to defy his father.

She ought to have known
the match was unsuitable.

- It's her I blame. I blame her!
- Well, I don't.

She got a chance to marry
and took it!

Shh!

ROSE:
Poor, foolish woman.

I don't know what's the matter
with you these days, Rose.

I don't really.

It's what's the matter with you,
Mr. Hudson, if I may say so.

You're living in the past.
That's your trouble.

You don't seem to realize
that things are changing fast.

Life's never gonna
be the same again,

but you're too blind
to notice it or too old.

How dare you say that to me,
Rose?

However long you may have been
in service here,

you have no right
to speak to me like that.

You're forgetting your place,
my girl.

My place? I'm beginning to
wonder what that is sometimes.

Well, I can tell you
what it is not.

It is not to spend your days
in young Mrs. Bellamy's room,

gossiping with her,
handing out tittle-tattle

about what goes on
in the servants' hall

or between Captain James and
Miss Worsley or anything else!

Your place is to respect
the master and Captain James

as your employers and get on
with your job as you did before!

My job is to look after
Mrs. Bellamy now!

You are the head
house parlourmaid here, Rose.

Your duties are not exclusively
with Mrs. Bellamy.

Just because
she's either too tight-fisted

or too unsure of herself
to engage a ladies' maid,

there is no call for you to lie
in her lap like a-a pet poodle.

She is quite capable now
of looking after herself.

That's a cruel thing to say.

She needs me,
and you're jealous.

I'm what?

Jealous of her and me

'cause she likes me and she
knows what you think of her.

- Now, that's a lie!
- I'm not a liar!

Be quiet, Rose,
and watch your tongue!

Stop it!
Please stop.

ROSE: where have you been
hiding yourself? Eavesdropping?

- What's the matter, girl?
- Yes, come on, what is it?

[Sobbing ] would it be
all right to sit down?

Yes, yes, Daisy. Come on.
Sit down, for heaven's sake.

- Pull yourself together.
ROSE: Come along.

- Tell Mr. Hudson. what happened?
-[ Sobbing ]

It's just that I heard you
and Mr. Hudson rowing.

I couldn't help it.

Eavesdropping.
- Leave her, Rose.

Go on, girl.

[ Sobbing ]

First of all
it's Captain and Mrs. Bellamy

going for each other, all angry,
down here in the kitchen.

[ Sobs ]

And then it's -- then it's
you and Rose, Mr. Hudson.

I've never known you and Rose
to have words

all the time I've been here.

It's like everyone in the house
is fighting and -- and rowing,

and -- and what with
Mrs. Bridges still sick

and -- and this hot weather
and everything,

I just don't feel safe anymore,
Mr. Hudson.

I'm frightened.

I think we're all affected

by the close, airless weather,
Daisy.

It tends to put us all on edge,

makes us bad-tempered
and irritable.

DAISY:
Yes, Mr. Hudson.

As soon as the storm breaks

and we have some thunder
and lightening

and the cooling rain comes,

perhaps things
will be somewhat calmer.

We'll stop quarrelling
among ourselves

and live together
in harmony again.

Close the ranks, eh, Daisy,
if you know what I mean.

DAISY:
Yes, Mr. Hudson.

Oh, it would be
a-a strange household indeed

if we didn't have a wee bit
of conflict and strife

from time to time,
as any enclosed community must.

So run along, my girl.

Get things ready for supper, eh?

And, Daisy, try to be cheerful.

There's a good girl, eh?

Yes, Mr. Hudson.

Thank you, Mr. Hudson.

Well, I best get upstairs

and put out the lady's things
for dinner.

I understand they're all dining
in tonight, the four of them.

Yes, Rose, I-l gather they are.

Just the four of them.

I'm afraid I'm not very good.

Oh, you learn very fast,
my dear.

I keep breaking all the rules.

It's only family bridge,
Georgina.

You mustn't take it too much
to heart.

It doesn't matter
who wins or loses,

as long as we all
enjoy ourselves.

Isn't that so, Father?

Yes, I suppose so, James.

[ Mid-tempo music plays]

Breakfast at the usual time
in the morning, madam?

Yes, please.

8:30 in the dining room?

- Mm.
- Mm.

Thank you, Hudson.

- Good night.
- Good night, madam.

- Hudson, good night.
- Good night, sir.

- Good night.
- Good night.

[ Sighs ]
Oh, I'm stifled.

Yes, it's hotter than ever
tonight.

I'll open the window
a bit wider.

Here, catch!

[ Music stops]

Sorry, down there
by the lamppost.

Good luck.

[ "Who were You with Last Night"
Ways ]

Three chaps.

One blind, two on crutches.

Wounded in South Africa,
I suppose.

Reduced.

You recognize the tune?

RICHARD:
Cards are dealt, James,

if you'd care
to pick up your hand.

Prepare for the fray.

Whew.

It must be in the 80s tonight.

It can't last much longer,
can it?

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