Upstairs, Downstairs (1971–1975): Season 3, Episode 4 - A Family Secret - full transcript

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Oh, I'm just off.
Mr. Bellamy has a visitor.

All right, Miss Forrest.

Is the clock correct?

I set it by the chimes of
St. Peter's this morning, miss.

Of course.
Goodbye, then.

Good afternoon, Miss Forrest.

Afternoon, Miss Forrest.

He sent her home early 'cause of
Lady Prudence being here.

- And I know what that means.
- Rose!

- Well, we could do worse.
- Shh!



- There's our tea.
- Ah, splendid.

You were saying your work on
the new book is nearly finished.

Well, it's just as well.

You're looking very tired,
Richard.

RICHARD:
I suppose I am.

Must you take on quite so much
now at the House of Commons?

Well, frankly, Pru, I need
all the work I can get.

Otherwise I'm inclined
to sit about the place

feeling sorry for myself.

Yes, I do understand.

There's nothing like plenty
to do to distract the mind.

I rather envy you.

Since Archie died
and Agatha married,

my days seem dreadfully long.



I actually look forward to

a charity committee meeting
in someone's drawing room.

Thank you, Hudson.

Even those worthy charitable
ladies in their silly hats

are better than
being left on one's own.

I expect you'd like me
to pour out.

Oh, please, Pru,
if you wouldn't mind.

I'm not much of a hand
with a teapot.

Thank you for coming.

Oh, my dear,

you mustn't hesitate
to call on me at any time

if there's anything I can do.

By the way,
you didn't mention in your note

what it was
you wanted to see me about.

Oh, no, I didn't.
I'm sorry.

Well?

It was, um -- It was really
just to give you this.

Um, a few small items of jewellery

that Marjorie
wanted you to have.

Including her sapphire ring.

You admired it once, I think,
she told me.

Well, there they are.
Take them home with you.

With her love.

Thank you, Richard.
I shall treasure them always.

Uh, your efficient
Miss what's-her-name...

- Miss Forrest?
- Forrest.

Has she found you
an under-housemaid yet?

Not so far.

I doubt
if we shall need one now.

Rose seems to be managing.

Oh, well, as long as it doesn't
put too much on her shoulders.

She's such a treasure. You don't
want to risk losing her.

They're all quite magnificent,
you know?

I'm sure they are.

Oh, hello, Aunt Pru.
Hudson told me you were here.

James, dear.

Just in time for a cup of tea.

- No, thank you. I haven't time.
- You going out?

Yes, I'm going for a spin
in the motorcar.

- Oh, whose motorcar?
- Mm? My motorcar.

I've gone splash on a topping
little sports model.

Goes up to 40 miles per hour.

Room for two in the front,
two in the dickey.

- Didn't father tell you?
- No, he didn't.

He drives very well, now.

Oh, do mind
you don't have a collision.

Oh, I'll be very careful.

Well, if you'll excuse me.

Just to say
I shall be dining out, Father.

I told Hudson.

- Enjoy yourself.
- Yes.

- Well, goodbye, Aunt Pru.
- Goodbye, James, dear.

- Good night, Father.
- Good night, James.

[Door opens, closes]

Ah.
Well, he seems cheerful enough.

Heh. He's young.

Will you dine alone?

I shall go to my club.

A nice quiet game of bridge?

Yes.
I expect so.

Any signs of James marrying yet?

He's 30 now, isn't he?

Well, it's a little early yet,
a little soon after --

It's six months now, Richard.

Life has to go on.

I suppose it has, for him.

And for you.

Yes.

Now, listen, Richard.

As darling Marjorie's
oldest and closest friend,

I'm probably the only person
in the world

who can say this to you.

And I'm going to say it.

She would certainly want James
to marry as soon as possible,

provided of course he found
some nice, suitable girl.

And she would want you
to remarry, sooner or later.

I know this because, believe it
or not, she once told me so.

Now, don't be shocked, Richard.

You know we women
do talk about these things.

It was in this very room
not long after Archie died,

and Marjorie was being so kind,

inviting me here to tea
every day.

We were discussing widowhood,

and I told her how Archie
had said to me once,

when he was so ill,
that if he died,

he hoped that I would remarry.

And Marjorie said --
oddly enough,

almost as if she had
some sort of a premonition --

that if ever anything happened
to her,

she hoped that you would --
marry again.

[Slow orchestral music
playing, indistinct talking ]

I thought the balcony
might amuse you.

One can look down
like the gods on Olympus

at all those pillars
of the theatre

and literature down below.

Yes.

It's fascinating.

It's busy down there.

- It's like a railway station.
- Yes.

Excuse me.
Captain Bellamy, sir?

Ah. Hazel.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Are you hungry?

I always have a good appetite,

but I think the drive
from Wimbledon has increased it.

All that fresh air, eh?

Well, it's certainly brought
the colour to your cheeks.

You're looking awfully beautiful
tonight, Hazel.

I expect it's the dim light.

No, it can't be.

Because you looked
just as beautiful

in Kensington Gardens
last wednesday afternoon,

and I told you so.

Yes. You did.

In fact, you know, if you stood
dressed in sackcloth

with your hair untidy
against a gray brick wall

in the pouring rain,

you'd still look lovelier
to my eyes

than all those
Watteau shepherdesses

we saw in the Wallace Collection
on Sunday.

- What nonsense.
- No, it's true.

- Do you think we should order?
- Mm?

- Wine, sir?
- Yes.

Well, I suggest some
warming consommé Julienne

after your chilly
motorcar journey.

- Sounds delicious.
- Followed by the saddle of lamb.

It's unequalled throughout
Europe, or so they say.

I would love it.

And when we go to
the Russian Ballet on Thursday,

I shall take you
to supper afterwards at Rules.

You're spoiling me, aren't you?

Am I?

And talking of ballet,

I must say I'm looking forward
to seeing this Russian fellow.

- What's he called? Um...
- Nijinsky.

Nijinsky.

I've heard he jumped
seven feet through a window

into a girl's bedroom.

Like Peter Pan,
but he's not on wires.

- Think of that -- seven foot!
-[ Laughing ] Yes.

I would love the saddle of lamb,
James.

Mm?

Oh, yes.

We'll have the consommé Julienne
followed by the saddle of lamb,

and then we'll see.

Sir.

[Clock chiming]

[Hooves clopping]

[ Door closes]

[ Footsteps ]

[Sighs]

Madam?
- No, thank you.

We mustn't stay out too late.

- As always.
- My parents do worry.

And my mother will
wait up for me when I'm out.

Would she worry if she knew
you were out with me,

your employer's son?

They might think I was taking
advantage of my position

in your father's house.

By forcing me to take you out
to dinner against my will.

By allowing myself to be taken
out, against my better judgment.

Oh, what rubbish.

Well, without your father's
knowledge, secretly,

and behind his back.

You make it all sound
so furtive.

There's no particular reason

why he should be told
of our meetings, is there?

No.

Nor my parents either,
but they are becoming curious.

- At least my mother is.
- In what way?

I think she realizes

I've been seeing
the same person often lately.

Well?

Well...

She is rather old-fashioned
and conventional.

Well, so am I.

James...

I must ask you something.

Please don't be angry with me
and spoil such a lovely evening.

Of course not.
Ask me what?

You've been very kind
and attentive to me

during the last few weeks.

I think I've never experienced

so much happiness
in my whole life.

I like being with you.

But I'm an ordinary person
with ordinary feelings

and, like my mother,
I'm rather conventional.

So I must ask you
to make clear to me...

...your intentions.

Dearest Hazel...

I believe
that I am in love with you.

I only say "believe"
because I do so want to be sure.

I only know that whenever
I see you about the house,

or when we're out together
like this, my pulse races.

I think you're the most
beautiful girl I've ever met.

And...

This is a little hard to say,
but I must try and say it.

Last April when the news
of my mother came,

and everything was so black
and awful and hopeless,

it was because you were there --

with us, with my father,
helping us,

comforting us,

stopping everything
from going to pieces --

that somehow
I was able to bear it,

knowing you were there,

someone sensible
and cheerful to talk to.

And so you...

...you see, Hazel...

I've come to look upon life
Without you

as being quite appalling.

I can only offer you my life...

...and my love.

Will you marry me?

Well, listen,
there's no need to say anything

if you'd rather not.

Will you take me home?

It's just there's so many things
for me to think about.

Do you mind?

No.
If that's what you want.

Please.

Can we...

Isn't it a good idea to have
bare marble tables down there,

instead of cloths?

Yes. I suppose
it's to save the laundry bill.

I suppose it is.

The tradesman's books
are all up to date, sir.

And the four letters you wanted
are on your desk

ready for your signature.

Splendid.
Thank you.

Mr. Bellamy...

I think the time has come

for me to be released
from my duties here.

Miss Forrest?

I have no wish to abandon
my post if I'm still needed,

but I do have personal reasons

for wishing not to continue
as your secretary.

Personal reasons?

I had rather not go into them,
if you don't mind.

Just to say
that I would like to leave.

I see.

Well, of course I --

I can't force you to stay here
against your will.

You have been
the greatest possible help

over the past six months.

To me and my son.

Indeed, to all of us.

Frankly, I don't know what
we should have done without you.

Thank you, Mr. Bellamy.

You've quite
made up your mind to go?

I'm afraid I must.

It will be best.

I see.

Well, shall we say
from Friday next?

I would be very grateful
if I might leave next Friday.

Good night, Mr. Bellamy.

- Good afternoon, Miss Forrest.
- Goodbye, Hudson.

[ Door closes]

The evening paper, sir.

Thank you.

- Oh, Hudson?
- Sir?

Miss Forrest will not be coming
to the house after next Friday.

Very good, sir.

She has asked to be released
from her duties in the house.

I see, sir.

I must confess

I wished she might have stayed
with us a little longer.

Yes, sir.

- Oh, Hudson?
- Sir?

Has anyone, to your knowledge,
upset Miss Forrest?

Anyone in the household?

Any of the servants?

Not to my knowledge, sir.

Indeed, the staff have lately

become quite attached
to the young lady.

She appears to be dispatching
her duties of --

if I may so call it
a housekeeper, sir --

most competently.

There have been no complaints
from the staff to date, sir.

Well, we shall have to find
a replacement for her.

We shall have to advertise
for one.

Begging your pardon, sir,

but I think the staff
could manage now.

It would not seem necessary
to engage another person

after Miss Forrest, sir.

Oh?
Well, if you're quite sure.

Quite sure, sir.

- Thank you, Hudson.
- Sir.

[ Door opens ]

[ Door closes]

It's Captain James.
Who else?

He can't keep his hands
off any woman, he can't.

You'd think
he'd have more respect,

with her ladyship not having
long gone to her rest,

poor soul.

Let us not jump to conclusions,
if you please.

If Captain James had been

forcing his attentions
on Miss Forrest,

she would certainly have

complained about it
to the master.

Oh, it don't follow, Mr. Hudson.

I mean, if there had been

any hanky-panky
between the pair of them,

she'd be too ashamed
to mention it.

Best leave
and say nothing about it.

I would.

Oh. well, she might have been
encouraging him.

You know, leading him on.

And got more
than what she asked for.

Mrs. Bridges, please!

No, Mr. Hudson.

I believe
in calling a spade a spade.

We're all grown up down here.

Well, all except Ruby.

She's too young and too stupid
to understand.

Look, I will not have
this kind of talk belowstairs.

Is that understood, Rose?

Yes, Mr. Hudson.

Whatever we may think
of Miss Forrest,

she comes of reliable,
God-fearing, middle-class stock.

And I personally would not
question her respectability.

Oh?

Then why is she leaving
all of a sudden, then?

That's what I want to know.

Has it never occurred
to any of you

that the young woman may have

personal family reasons
for going?

The illness of an aging parent
or relative,

a proposal of marriage,

better-paid employment
elsewhere.

The possibilities are legion,

and it is not for us
to speculate.

Ruby?
- Yes, Mrs. Bridges.

It's gone 10:00.
What should you be doing?

Not speculating, Mrs. Bridges.

I'll speculate you, my girl.

You go and get our jug of cocoa,
and look sharp about it.

Yes, Mrs. Bridges.

Three years that girl's been
in this house,

and every blessed time I have to
tell her every blessed thing.

I don't know, I'm sure.

At least the poor creature

is willing and honest,
Mrs. Bridges.

I suppose one must be thankful

for such virtues
in service nowadays.

If you ask me, you need to be
a bit soft in the head

to go into service these days.

There's better jobs
in workshops and factories.

Oh, indeed, Rose.

Then why are you
still engaged here?

Can you tell me that?

Well, I'm beginning to wonder,
Mr. Hudson.

With her ladyship gone,
Miss Roberts put away,

Miss Lizzie thousands of miles
away across the Atlantic,

a strange woman interfering
in my linen cupboard,

and no under-housemaid
to help out,

I'm beginning to feel, well...

I just don't seem to belong here
no more.

She's right, you know?

Things isn't what they was.

Aren't what they was,
if you please, Mrs. Bridges.

RICHARD:
Come in, James.

I found this note
on the hall table

summoning me to your presence.

[ Chuckles ]
Rather formal, what?

I wanted to speak to you
as soon as you got in

and before you went to bed.

- Oh, was it so urgent?
- Ah, it might be.

Where have you been?

To the Russian Ballet
at Covent Garden.

Well?

I didn't know you were
interested in ballet dancing.

Oh, I find it
extremely artistic, Father.

And so did my companion.

Now, do you mind if we discuss
whatever it is

you wanted to see me about
so I can get to bed?

You're in a desperate hurry,
James.

I'm sorry, Father.

I simply wanted to tell you
that Miss Forrest has resigned.

She came to see me
this afternoon

just before leaving the house

to say she wished to terminate
her engagement here.

Oh.
What a pity.

As far as you're concerned --

and I want the truth, please,
James --

has she been upset at all
in this house?

Upset? By whom?

In view of what happened soon
after Miss Forrest arrived here,

I'm bound to ask
Whether it might have

anything to do with you.

Well, there seems little point

in concealing the truth
from you now,

so I may as well confess.

- What have you done, James?
- What have I done?

I have fallen in love
with Hazel, Father,

and I want to marry her.

That is what I have done.

Hazel?

Hazel Forrest. It's her name.
Perhaps you didn't know.

God help us.

Father, I realize that it's only
six months since Mother died.

But you said yourself
that life has to go on.

Miss Forrest is my secretary.

Oh, what does
that matter nowadays?

And since when has a person's
class mattered to you?

You know it never has.
Not in itself.

But there can be difficulties.
You know damn well there can be.

Look what happened
when you brought

that wretched girl home
from India.

- Now, Phyllis was different.
- Was she?

Well, she was...

I wasn't in love with her,
not really.

You told us you were,
your mother and me.

You thought you were.

Yes, well, this time I am.
For certain.

I wonder.

Phyllis was
a perfectly pleasant,

respectable girl.

But she didn't fit in.
You said so yourself.

Do you think Miss Forrest
is going to fit in?

Fit in? She's practically
running this house already.

But that's no reason to...

James, how can
I take you seriously?

Your record with the opposite
sex is not exactly promising.

I'm three years older now,
Father.

And much wiser, I hope.

Hazel and I have been going out
together for some time.

Oh, have you?

Wasn't that rather deceitful
of you both?

I insisted that we keep
our meetings a secret.

It would seem from your attitude
that I was justified.

It's unthinkable, James,
for many reasons.

Father, you are forcing me
to remind you

that I'm my own master now.

I have quite enough money
to marry.

Your mother's money.

I'm sorry.

Have you proposed
to Miss Forrest yet?

Yes.

And has she accepted you?

No, no. Not yet.
She wants time to think.

It's quite natural.

And if she does agree
to become your wife,

Where do you propose to live?

In this house.

With your permission.

After all, there's plenty
of room for us both.

And I am paying
most of the bills now,

as you and Sir Geoffrey
proposed.

And I agreed.
Willingly.

It's late.

Father, we would appreciate
your blessing.

James, you are
your own master now.

[ Door opens ]

And so that is why I thought it
best to give up the post.

Quite right to tell me,
Miss Forrest.

Thank you for being so honest.

Thank you, Mr. Bellamy.

Naturally, your private feelings

toward my son
are your own affair,

but do please remember
that James

is still in
a very emotional state of mind.

The loss of his mother.

Yes. I know.

He was engaged, did you know,
two years ago?

To a girl he met in India.

Yes.
He spoke of that.

I just don't want either of you
to make a mistake.

Of course not.

There's the fact, too,
of your differing backgrounds.

These things do merit
consideration, you know?

Yes.
I understand that too.

You say you haven't quite
made up your mind yet.

Not yet.

James is coming to our house
on Sunday afternoon.

I have promised to give him
my answer then.

I see.
Very well.

Then all I can do
is to urge you, most seriously,

to consider what I have said.

I will, Mr. Bellamy.

Thank you, Miss Forrest.

[ Mid-tempo orchestral music
playing ]

Oh!

I'm sorry to disturb you,
Mrs. Bridges.

I was looking for Hudson.

That's all right, Captain James.

I'm afraid he's out.

He's gone
to an afternoon church service.

Oh. well, I mustn't disturb
your Sunday afternoon.

Oh, that's all right,
Captain James, I'm sure.

Is there anything I can get you?

Do you know what, Mrs. Bridges?
I'd love a cup of tea.

[Laughing ] would you,
Captain James?

Yes.

Well, I believe there's still
a drop in the pot, but...

Oh, it will have gone cold
by now.

I'll make a fresh pot.

No, no, no.
That's hot enough for me.

- If you're sure, sir.
Absolutely.

Well...

You haven't been down here
for tea, not for ever so long.

Not since you was at school.

No, I haven't, have I?

Ah, as a matter of fact
there was --

there was something
I wanted to ask you.

Well, Hudson, really,
but I expect you can advise me.

Well, if I can, sir.

Tell me, Mrs. Bridges,
what do you --

what do you think
of Miss Forrest?

I'd like to know.
Honestly.

- Miss Forrest, sir?
- Mm.

Well, I haven't seen
that much of her,

not everyday like,
but from all I hear,

she's a very nice,
respectable young person.

And the other servants,
what do they think of her?

Well, very much the same,
I think, sir.

Not that we like to talk about
what concerns upstairs.

Not as a rule.

No. No, but you have discussed
her amongst yourselves, surely.

Oh.
Well, yes, sir.

Once or twice, of course.

Was there any particular reason
why you ask?

Well, yes, Mrs. Bridges.
Yes, there was.

If at some time in the future,

Miss Forrest was to become
mistress of the house,

I wanted to know how
you and Hudson and Rose

and everyone
would feel about it.

Mistress of the house?

Do you mean the master
and Miss Forrest?

Oh, no, no.
Not my father.

No, you see, I have asked
Miss Forrest to marry me,

and I wanted to know
how you'd all feel about it.

Oh.

Well, all I can say is this,
Master James.

We've been in service here,
most of us,

since you and Miss Elizabeth
was babies --

that is, Mr. Hudson and me.

And Miss Roberts had.

Well, Rose, she's been here
a good few years too.

We've all been proud to serve

your dear mother
and your father.

And that's a fact.

Well, Captain James,
if you choose to get married,

any lady as you marries will be
Mrs. James to us down here,

and we'll all be happy to serve
her and do our best for her

as a member of the family.

Thank you, Mrs. Bridges.

That's what I wanted to hear.

And thank you for my tea.
It was delicious.

[Bells chiming]

If he doesn't come soon,
we shall be late for church.

He said he'd be here by 6:00.

Father's gone on down
to Mr. Roper's

He wants him to act
as sidesman tonight.

Why?

- Mr. Leighton's poorly again.
- Oh.

-[ Knock on door]
- Ah, there he is.

Now, you let him in.

I'm going to go
into the other room.

And don't take too long over it.

No, Mother.

Oh. Hello.
I'm sorry I'm late.

I got lost in Putney
and had to ask a bobby.

Oh, you're soaking wet.
Let me take your coat.

It's raining cats and dogs
out there.

I can hear it.

It makes driving very dangerous.

One's inclined to skid,
you know, on the tram lines.

- I suppose so.
- Yes.

- Won't you go in?
- Oh.

Yes.
Thank you.

Will you sit down?

Oh, thank you.

Well?

James...

I -- I'm very fond of you.

I've never concealed it.

And I know that
I should have said this

much more definitely
in the first place...

...but there are reasons
why I can't marry you.

Hazel, what...

I've thought it over
very carefully,

and I've discussed it
with my parents.

I would just like to say
thank you for loving me

and for asking me
to be your wife.

But I must refuse your offer.

- Hazel, I don't understand.
- Please, James, go home.

Hazel, this is absurd.

- I'm sorry, James.
- I love you.

There is no more to be said.

[Rain falling]

There, there, dear.
It's all finished now.

You'll get over it.

[Sobbing ] Never.

Oh, of course you will, dear.

You stay here with mother
Where you belong.

Safe from
prying and inquisitive people.

[ Sobbing ]

And remember all we've done
for you, your father and I,

and the promise you made us.

Remember?

Now, you forget
all about young Bellamy.

There's a good girl.

How do you know
they would have minded?

How can we ever know now,
not telling them?

But of course
they would have minded, dear.

People like that.

I mean, what about old
Lady Southwold, his grandmother.

What would she have said?

It's unfair!

Life is unfair sometimes, dear.

Now, you stay here with Mother.
Safe and warm.

[Bells chiming]

James.

You're wet through.

JAMES: Not surprisingly.
It's raining.

Well, have you
anything special to tell me?

- Should I have?
- I would have thought so.

Haven't you been out to Miss
Forrest's house this evening?

Mm-hmm. Yes.

Well, what was her answer
to your proposal?

Hazel has decided not to marry
me for some reason or other.

Those reasons should be
better known to you, Father,

than they are to me.

What on earth do you mean
by that?

- I think you warned her off me.
- What?

I think you made it
perfectly clear to her

that you would not accept her
as a daughter-in-law

and that she better look
for a husband elsewhere.

That's not true.

You spoke to her about me,
didn't you?

I asked her to think it over
very seriously,

but the choice was hers
and hers alone.

But what you in fact said was,

"Don't marry my, son,"
wasn't it?

How could I possibly say that?

You're of age.
You're independent.

Yes, but you knew

she was far too loyal
to go against your wishes.

Nonsense.

Whatever it was
you said, Father,

you've just about wrecked
my chances of happiness.

The one girl
I've ever really loved,

and now she's gone,
thanks to you.

It's all over.

Mr. Hudson.

Is she still here?

I've just shown her in, yes.

Master not back yet?
- Not yet.

I wonder what excuse she'll
think of next to come here, eh?

I don't think you've got
any right to say that, Rose.

I think we ought to have
a sweepstake belowstairs

about which one of them
gets married first --

Captain James or his father.

From his mood this morning,

I'd lay pretty long odds
against Captain James.

Oh, but Mrs. Bridges said --

I know what Mrs. Bridges said,
but his manner today

does not suggest a young man
about to marry.

It is my belief, Rose, that
the young woman's refused him.

What a shame.

Reckons she's not good enough
for him, I suppose.

If you want my opinion,
he's not good enough for her.

Rose!

Mr. Hudson.

Can't manage.

Rose, my lady,
with the garments.

Ah, splendid!
Thank you, Rose.

Perhaps you'd
lay them on the sofa,

and then we can
have a look at them.

Very good, my lady.

We want to get them put away
before Mr. Bellamy returns.

Yes, my lady.
The boxes are already upstairs.

Good.

Oh, yes.
These will do perfectly.

They're all
in excellent condition.

Oh, that's a nice coat.

I remember that.

Yes, Miss Roberts
always looked after

her ladyship's things
most careful.

Oh, yes, I know she did.

Well, it seems a shame,
but I'm sure you'll agree

it's better to put them
in the sale

and raise money for the poor

than leave them in a cupboard
for the moth to get at.

Yes, my lady.
Much preferable.

Well, perhaps you'd pack them up

and have them put in my motor
when it comes to fetch me.

Yes, my lady.

Will you be remaining for tea,
my lady?

Yes, I will.

Hudson says that Mr. Bellamy
should be returning home soon.

Very good, my lady.

Thank you, Rose.

Oh, hello, Rose.

Oh, Aunt Pru.
Didn't know you were coming.

Well, I'm not really invited.

I came to collect a few clothes
of your dear mother's

for a charity bazaar --
my Dockland Settlements.

Rose is just packing them
into boxes for me.

I'll take them with me.
When I go.

Good.
Shall I order tea?

No, thank you, James.
It's a bit early.

I'd rather wait
till your father returns.

Very well.

- Wretched weather.
- Yes, isn't it?

- It's so cold.
- Yes.

Excuse me, sir.

There's a -- a Mr. Forrest
to see you.

- Mr. Forrest?
- A Mr. Arthur Forrest, sir.

Ah, you'd better show him
into the study, Hudson.

Very good, sir.

If you'll excuse me, I better
see what this fellow wants.

Of course you must.

[ Door opens ]

[ Door closes]

JAMES: Mr. Forrest?
- That's right.

You must be Hazel's father.

I have been to your house twice,
but we didn't meet, did we?

No, sir.

Hazel's all right?
There's nothing wrong?

Oh, no, it's just that I wanted
a word with you in private, sir,

if you wouldn't object.

No, of course.
Will you sit down?

Thank you.

This is the room where
your daughter did her typing

and helped my father
with his book.

Ah, yes.

What -- What was it
you wanted to speak to me about?

Well, first of all, sir,

neither Hazel nor her mother
know I'm here,

so I'd appreciate it

if you would
keep my visit confidential.

Of course.

And please don't call me, sir.

It's rather formal,
don't you think?

Very well.

I'll come to the point,
Captain Bellamy.

Please do.

There are things you don't know
about our daughter.

Things she's never spoke about,
not to anyone.

When she was just 19 --

training to be a teacher,
she was, then --

she met this young fellow,
Patrick O'Connor.

He was a clerk in
the post office near our home.

We lived in Putney then.

I won't go into all the details.

He seemed a nice enough chap.

Clean, well-spoken.

She brought him home
once or twice.

Well, he could have
fooled anyone.

In what way?

Well, in the spring of 1902,

my daughter married O'Connor
and went to live in Newcastle,

Where he'd been sent
by the post office.

They didn't have much money,
but we helped them a bit.

It then seems
that he started drinking.

She didn't say at first.
We didn't see too much of her.

But she wrote to her mother
most weeks,

and between the lines you could
see the girl wasn't happy.

She stuck it out
for a few months,

but then things got worse.

He started beating her,
Captain Bellamy,

knocking her about
and calling her filthy names.

He got into these tempers when
he was on the drink, you see?

And there were other women.

Well, one night, very late,
they had a dreadful fight.

He was like a madman.

Next day, Hazel came home
with all her things in a trunk.

She'd left him
and got the train.

She was ill, worn out,
and frightened.

My God.

Well, the wife got her to bed.

When she undressed her,

there were -- there were
these marks all over her body.

Bruises and wheels and that.

He'd struck her with his belt,
you see, and the buckle had --

Yes, I understand.

He would have killed her
if she'd stopped there.

Did you go to the police?

I was in favour of it,
but Hazel refused.

Didn't want
that kind of trouble.

But they gave her a divorce.

It cost her mother and me
nearly all our savings.

Oh, that's scandalous!

So we sold our house in Putney.

Well, the neighbours would have
got to hear about it, you see,

and we'd have been outcasts,

having a daughter who'd been
through the divorce courts.

So we moved to Wimbledon in 1904

Where nobody knew
anything about us.

Hazel went out and found herself
work with her typing and that.

And she went back
to her maiden name, of course.

We never spoke of the marriage

nor of Patrick O'Connor
ever again.

That was in the past,
all forgotten.

Why didn't she tell me?

I thought I knew her.

Well, when you asked her
to marry you, Captain Bellamy,

she knew it would
all have to come out.

Well, her mother
had said it would.

On the marriage certificate,
you see,

she would have been put down

as Hazel Patricia O'Connor
nee Forrest.

And her mother persuaded her

that your family
would never accept her,

not the kind of people they are.

Last night, after church,
she locked herself in her room.

She cried all night.

She's in love with you,
Captain Bellamy.

I know that much.

And I am in love with her,
Mr. Forrest.

And I want to marry her.

Well, I said to the wife,
if you were the man for her,

you would not let it
make any difference.

When can I see her?
If I came to your house --

Well, anytime.
She hasn't found any work yet.

Best that you see her
when her mother's out, though.

And when is that?

Well, Mrs. Forrest will be
at the shops tomorrow morning

about 10:00, just for an hour.

I shall be at work myself,
of course.

I shall come then.

Short fella, isn't he?

He's got a sort of look of her
about him, though.

He looks a bit upset,
doesn't he?

Angry, more like.

Now, then, what are
you two gawking at?

Oh, uh, Miss Forrest's dad
just leaving.

Indeed, Ruby.

And how, pray, did you know

that Miss Forrest's dad
had been to call?

Rose said so.

And from the look on his face,

Captain James
is in trouble again.

In what way, Rose?

Well, first he tells
Mrs. Bridges

he's gonna marry her.

Then he's all glum
and down in the mouth

'cause his father forbids
the wedding --

after he's asked her,
if you get my meaning.

You seem to possess an intimate
knowledge of the matter, Rose.

Perhaps you would care
to describe, word for word,

just exactly
what has passed upstairs

between Captain James
and Mr. Forrest.

Oh, I will if you like.

- Leastways I can guess.
-Indeed.

Yes, well, first he asks her
to marry him.

Then he says he won't,
thus breaking her heart.

Then her father comes here
to tell them

that they're gonna take him
to court, see,

for breach of promise.

That's what they'll do,
all right.

Captain James'll have to pay
a lot of money.

'Cause he'll have to pay her
off, see, if he won't marry her.

You have a fertile imagination,
Rose, I'll say that for you.

Oh, thank you, Mr. Hudson.

RUBY: Mr. Hudson?
- What is it?

Well, it's not for us to
speculate, is it, Mr. Hudson?

Quite right, Ruby.
Fetch another scuttle of coal.

And, Rose, go and draw the
landing curtains or something.

Look sharp, now.

Oh, poor girl.
How dreadful.

Yes, but it doesn't matter
nowadays.

I mean, it's not a stigma,
is it?

Well, not in our circles, James,

but, then, divorce
is becoming fashionable,

and we tend to set the fashions.

Of course the day may come
when every other couple

in Putney or Wimbledon
will have been through it.

But for the moment,
I'm afraid,

in those middle-class bastions
of suburban propriety,

a divorce in the family
is little better

than having
an uncle hanged for murder.

One just doesn't speak of it.

Yes, well,
I'm going to speak of it.

[Knock on door]

James.
- May I come in?

- Yes.
-ls your mother in?

No.
She's -- She's out shopping.

Then please spare me
a few minutes.

Very well.

- Will you go in?
- Thank you.

I never expected
to see you again.

Nor I you, Hazel.

Please listen
to what I have to say.

My mother will be back soon.

Look, Hazel, please.
Hear me out.

Hazel, darling,
I know why you refused me.

And I still love you
as much as ever.

No.

- No, James.
- Hazel.

Hazel, I want you to know

that whatever happened to you
in the past

does not and never would have
made any difference to me.

Who told you?

Never mind who told me.
I know.

That's all that matters now.

- Did my father go --
- Never mind.

All I want to know is,
will you marry me?

You must say yes

because your mother
will be home soon.

And I want your answer finally
before she comes.

- Oh, what am I to do?
- Say you'll be my wife.

As you should have said
on Sunday.

- Only say it now for good.
-[ Door closes]

Please.

- MRS. FORREST: Hazel?
- James, what shall I do?

Say yes.
Say you'll marry me.

We'll be happy.
I know we will.

We'll have lots of children.

Oh, yes!

Where are you, dear?

How do you do, Mrs. Forrest?

I'm -- I'm sorry to intrude
on you like this,

only Hazel has just agreed
to be my wife.

So I hope that
you and Mr. Forrest

will give us your blessing.

Hazel...

Is this true?

HUDSON: Aye, they look
suited enough, I suppose.

Well...

We shall just have to
wait and see, won't we?

I suppose it'll be
another commotion.

Like I said, everything's going
all topsy-turvy these days.

-[ Bell rings]
- Morning room.

Shall I go?

There, now. It's gone 11:00 and
I've forgotten the grog tray.

That's not like Mr. Hudson.

He's tired.

I must apologize, sir.

The night tray should have been
in here by half past 10:00.

It's not the end
of the world, Hudson.

Thank you, sir.

We're neither of us
getting any younger, are we?

No, sir.

Soon there'll be a new master
and mistress in this house.

- Things won't be quite the same.
- No, sir.

I only hope it won't prove
too difficult for you.

And the other servants.

We shall do our best,
I can assure you, sir,

to serve Captain and Mrs. James

as we have served
yourself and...

and her ladyship in the past.

Thank you, Hudson.

I'm very grateful.

Good night.

Good night, sir.

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