Upstairs, Downstairs (1971–1975): Season 4, Episode 5 - Tug of War - full transcript

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HAZEL: Are you and Daisy
managing all right?

ROSE: We consider it
war work, madam.

- HAZEL: Good. Georgina.
RICHARD: Georgina.

GEORGINA:
I've got two hours off

so I thought
I'd come home for tea.

HAZEL: Tell us all your news.

Oh, Rose, would you
fetch another cup please?

GEORGINA: Hope there's plenty
to eat, I'm starving.

RICHARD: Didn't you
have any lunch?

GEORGINA: Cold fish cakes
and watery cabbage.



RICHARD: Oh.
- See if Mrs. Bridges

has got some
toasted teacake, Rose.

Well, how did you get on?

Well, I'm in
the Mary Kingsley ward

and I have a patient of my own,
Mrs. Carbury.

Well done.

You look after her
entirely by yourself?

No, but I have special
responsibility for her.

She's rather Cockney.

I can't always understand
everything she says.

RICHARD: What's wrong
with the woman?

She's got an ulcerated leg.

She says it hurts
chronic at times,

but she doesn't believe
in making a fuss.



[Richard chuckles]

Daisy, pop round the corner

and get one of them
big teacakes.

Miss Georgina loves them.

I've only just sat down after
doing the lunch things.

Oh, don't fuss, girl.

Get on your hat
and look sharp.

More tea, Georgina?

GEORGINA: Oh, yes, please.

What time is it?
I mustn't be late back.

If you're a minute
late for duty,

you're dismissed instantly.

DAISY: "The billet is not bad,
but the grub is awful."

- Oh, "grub."
-"We can hear the guns,

but we haven't
been shelled yet."

Oh, I should hope not.

"An aeroplane come and dropped
some bombs last week.

The Captain said
it was Gerry

showing us he hadn't
forgotten us.

We are properly fed up
with drilling and lectures

and inspections and quite
looking forward to getting

up to the trenches
for the first time.

I expect life will be
more interesting there.

My own little Daisy bell" --

Oh, it gets
a bit personal there.

Ooh!

"Please give my best respects

to Mr. Hudson
and Mrs. Bridges

and love to Rose
and of course to you

and six kisses
and three hugs."

I can't get used to Edward
being away in France.

I keep expecting him
to come through that door

and say something cheeky.

I know.

There was something about...

Here it is, on the back.

"PS. Some of the chaps
were saying as

how their wives
have took jobs and was

making good money
in munitions and that.

Have you thought of leaving
Eaton Place?

It wouldn't hurt to get

a bit of money together
for after the war."

- What a thing to say.
- Well, I think he's right.

ROSE: I can't seem to get on
with this new cap.

You see, I'm not going to
stay in service all me life.

ROSE: Lots of people do.

Not after they're
married, Rose.

Some people do.

Not Eddie and me.

We're going to have
a home of our own.

You don't want to go into
munitions, Daisy.

You remember what
Mr. Hudson said

about munitionettes
turning yellow

and people not wanting to
sit next to them on buses.

It's bad enough having
our Ruby working there.

Well, that's just
the trouble.

Here am I doing all Ruby's work
and Eddie's as well

and I'm not getting paid
a penny more for it.

I do most of
Edward's work.

Oh, who cleans the shoes?

Well...

Here, if we both left,

Mrs. Bridges would
have to do them.

Or Mr. Hudson.

- Here, Rose?
- Mmm?

I thought I might do this.

"Young ladies wanted
as omnibus conductorettes."

Oh, Daisy.

Well, it's good wages,
and look what it says.

"Take the place of a man
at the front."

ROSE: Yes, but you're
taking Edward's place here,

and what with Captain James
away in France.

Well, Captain James never
done nothing in the house.

ROSE: Well, there's
Miss Georgina nursing

and the master at the Admiralty,
the mistress with her canteens,

not to mention Mr. Hudson
being a special.

I've told you before,
Daisy, your place is here.

HUDSON: Rose, Daisy, have you
not finished your work yet?

DAISY: Well, no.

HUDSON: Well,
I'm going on duty now.

Daisy, be sure to take
Mrs. Bridges her tea

promptly in the morning.

DAISY: Yes, Mr. Hudson.

With Captain James coming home
on leave tomorrow,

we shall all be kept busy,
and you'll want to make

an early start, my girl.

Good night.

DAISY: Yes, Mr. Hudson.

Good night, Mr. Hudson.

JAMES: Thank you.

You still dress for dinner.

RICHARD: Only on
special occasions,

such as your
coming home.

It pleases the servants.

JAMES: It's funny.

When I was in the trenches,
I used to find it

quite a relief to come home
and find everything

going on just as usual.

Now I spend my time
sending other men

to their death,
it drives me mad.

RICHARD: Yes, I think
I can understand that.

Father, there's something
I want to ask you,

and I may not get
another chance.

Well, I hope your leave is not
going to be as short as that.

No, no, no, but Hazel might be
here, and I wanted --

[ Door opens ]
Damnation!

I'm sorry the sherry
wasn't here earlier, sir.

May I pour you a glass?

Not now, Hudson!

All right, Hudson,
we'll help ourselves.

Very good, sir.

[Whispering] You need
to say something.

Tell me, Hudson, how are things
in the special Constabulary?

It is quite
interesting, sir,

and we are able to be
useful during air raids.

Jolly good.

Our post was hit during
a zeppelin raid a few weeks ago,

but fortunately we
were all out on the street

assisting with
the casualties.

There, you see?

Even Hudson is
more useful than I am.

My dear James, how can you say
such a thing?

Kitchener himself was
saying only last week

what an excellent thing it was

that regular soldiers
like yourself

should serve on the staff
where they can do most good.

There's only one place for
a regular soldier in war time,

and that's with his regiment
on the front line.

Would you like some sherry?

JAMES: I'd rather
have whiskey.

RICHARD: Rather short supply,
I'm afraid,

and brandy's
almost unobtainable.

We usually keep it
for the grog tray at night.

Oh, but I suspect Hudson's
got some hidden away.

JAMES: No, no, no,
sherry will do.

RICHARD: Ah.

Here.

JAMES: Father,
you've got to do something.

You've got to
pull some strings.

James, I'm in the Admiralty,
not the war Office.

I strongly disapprove
of using one's influence

in private matters.

Anyway, you might consider
how Hazel would feel.

HAZEL: What are you
saying about me?

RICHARD: Ah, Hazel.
JAMES: Ah, we were just

wondering how long
you were going to be.

HAZEL: I thought
I'd been rather quick.

I don't think that's
what you were saying.

RICHARD: James wants to get back
to the front line.

JAMES: Father, that was
between the two of us.

HAZEL: I think it
concerns me as well.

I don't want you
to go back into action.

JAMES: No. No, I suppose
you'd rather have

a husband who was a shirker.

RICHARD: Oh, James, nobody could
say such a thing.

You've been in
the front line.

JAMES: Of course I've been
in the front line.

I'm a soldier.
That's where a soldier belongs.

Do you have to deliberately
throw your life away?

Would you like
a glass of sherry?

Thank you.

Tell me, how's Georgina enjoying
her work at the hospital?

Oh, she's doing splendidly,
enjoying every minute of it.

WOMAN: Nurse,

what are you thinking of
sitting on that bed?

GEORGINA: I'm sorry, Nurse.

You told me to
wash the patient --

NURSE: I told you to wash her,
not get into bed with her.

Don't you know how
to give a blanket bath?

I'm sorry.

Oh, miss, you shouldn't be
doing that for me.

It's not fitting,
a lady like you.

I'm afraid I'm not
very good at it.

I should hope not indeed,
what ever next?

Here, give that to me.

There we are.

I'll clean everywhere
it shows.

That's all that matters,
ain't it, eh?

Yes.

Oh, dear, I'm afraid
the bed's rather wet.

I really ought to
change the sheets,

but they're not given out
until the morning.

Don't you worry
about that, miss.

You ought to see
my bed at home.

Running with wet it is
half the time.

Here, give it a mop
with the towel.

NURSE: Clear all that up,
Nurse,

and then you can help
me with the dressing.

And disinfect
that basin well.

We don't want the whole ward
to get septicemia.

GEORGINA: What shall l...?

NURSE: Nurse?

Put some boiling water in that
and a few drops of iodine.

Where's the iodine, Nurse?

NURSE: In the cupboard,
behind the door.

Oh!

NURSE: Nurse?

Now, I'll show you
what to do,

and then next time
you can do it yourself.

Take this, Nurse.

Not in your hands.

And put it in the basin.

Now, dab all the sores
with boiling water.

MRS. CARBURY: Oh...Oh...

If you're going to faint,
go into the pantry.

No, I'm all right.

MRS. CARBURY: Oh...

NURSE: Nurse, haven't you
cleared that up yet?

GEORGINA: I'm just going to.

What's that?

I knocked it over.

Well, clean it up at once.

And then go to
matron's office.

She wants to see you.

GEORGINA: But I'm supposed to
go off duty at nine.

You see, my cousin's
coming home

on leave from France
and I wanted to --

NURSE: You are
off duty when

your work is finished
and not before.

Now don't keep
matron waiting.

ROSE: That's right,
do them saucepans first,

then do these
in fresh water.

They're the best
pudding plates.

DAISY: Here, aren't you
going to help dry up?

ROSE: I can't.

I've got to help
Mr. Hudson serve coffee.

JAMES: Oh, that was
a delicious dinner, Hudson.

Will you please thank
Mrs. Bridges for me?

Thank you, sir.

Right, what shall we do now?

Well, I thought perhaps
you might like

a quiet evening at home.

Good God, I've had nothing
but quiet evenings.

No, no, I'd much rather
go and see a show.

- Yes, all right.
- I know.

Let's go and see
a music hall.

Then I'll treat you and father
to supper at The Savoy.

Hudson, will you ring up
and book a table?

Come in.

Shut the door, Worsley.

Your cap is crooked.

I'm sorry, madam.

MATRON: Straighten it.

Tell me, why did you
join the VAD?

GEORGINA: Because I
wanted to nurse.

And why do you
want to nurse?

Well, I was at
the railway station

and I saw some
wounded soldiers --

MATRON: And you thought you'd
like to nurse them.

Yes.

And wounded officers,
no doubt.

I must tell you,
I'm entirely against

your being sent here.

I'm short-staffed because many
of my nurses are in France,

but the last thing I want
is a lot of society women

playing at nursing
in my hospital.

As long as you are here,

you'll make yourself useful
and obey the rules.

GEORGINA: Yes, madam.

MATRON: I have sent for you
because there are

two more of you
arriving next week.

A Miss Barclay --

Oh, yes,
she's a friend of mine.

Is she now?
Hmm, well,

I shall expect you
to look after her.

And Lady Viola Courtney.

My nurses haven't got time
to act as tutors

in the wards in addition
to all their other work.

You will show these
two volunteers their duties

and be responsible
for their behaviour.

Yes, madam.

That's all, Worsley.
You may go.

ROSE: Oh, it's you,
Miss Georgina.

Thought I heard
you come in.

GEORGINA: Where is
everyone, Rose?

ROSE: Well,
they've gone out, miss.

They went out
directly after dinner.

- Oh, I see.
- Can I get you something?

GEORGINA: No,
thank you, Rose.

I'll just get some
things from my room.

DAISY: Miss Georgina?

Rose said you was in.

Is there anything you want?

GEORGINA: No, thank you, Daisy,

I just came up to
get another petticoat.

They get so dirty
scrubbing floors.

DAISY: Scrubbing floors,
Miss Georgina?

You don't never have
to do that.

Well, I spilt a bottle
of disinfectant.

Oh...

DAISY: Here, your hands are
worse than what mine are.

I don't mind
my hands so much.

It's my feet.

Your ankles are all swollen.

I suspect it's worth it
nursing poor,

wounded soldiers, isn't it?

I never see any
wounded soldiers.

Just women with horrible things
wrong with them.

My patient's got a leg
covered with sores

and I've got to dab it
with boiling water.

I know I'll never
be able to do it.

Well, I'll get some nice, cold
water and bathe your feet.

It'll make them
feel better.

There isn't time.

I've got to get back.

[Crying] Oh, Daisy.

Oh, Miss Georgina!

I can't, I can't do it.

Please don't tell
anyone, Daisy.

I shall feel such a fool.

GEORGINA: If you could just turn

Sorry, I'm afraid it must
hurt terribly, Mrs. Carbury.

MRS. CARBURY:
I'm all right, dear.

Miss, I should say.

Don't you worry about me.

GEORGINA: Unfold the draw sheet
as far as you can.

That's right,
and tuck it in.

There.

WOMAN: You want to be careful
how you jar that leg.

You can set up an inflammation.

GEORGINA: That's over now,
Mrs. Carbury.

ANGELA: Oh, Georgina.

I'm sorry.

WOMAN: Well,
I never did.

If you ask me,
we ought to have proper nurses.

MRS. CARBURY: Never mind.

Upsy-daisy.

- GEORGINA: Thank you.
- MRS. CARBURY: Oh, oh...

I'm half-hoping for
a visitor today, miss.

GEORGINA: Oh,
that's wonderful.

Mrs. Carbury, you really
ought to call me "nurse."

MRS. CARBURY: Oh,
I am sorry, I keep forgetting.

WOMAN: I'm not surprised.

GEORGINA: Is it
your husband?

MRS. CARBURY: No,
he's away in France.

No, he joined up
first day of the war.

- WOMAN: More fool him.
- GEORGINA: Mrs. Blaine,

you ought not to say
things like that.

MRS. BLAINE: Well, I think
a husband's first duty

is to his wife and children.

Ask her how many
children she's got.

MRS. CARBURY: Well,
there's six of them, miss.

But the oldest is eleven now.

She's ever such
an help to me.

GEORGINA: Who's looking
after them while...

Who's looking after them?

MRS. CARBURY: Well, my sister
lives just down the road.

She's keeping an eye on them.

I'm hoping she'll be in
this afternoon,

tell me how
they're getting on.

GEORGINA: I'm sorry.

NURSE: Nurse, haven't you
finished making those beds yet?

- GEORGINA: Just finished.
- NURSE: Corners.

Who cleaned this trolley?

ANGELA: I did, Nurse.

NURSE: What did you
do it with?

ANGELA: Well,
there was a sort of brush

in the cupboard
under the basin, and I...

NURSE: You used
a scrubbing brush?

ANGELA: And some soap.

NURSE: Clean it again, Nurse.

and this time use meths

I'm sorry, Georgina.

Nurse, I said
clean it with meths.

But I didn't understand.

Well, then,
why didn't you ask?

MRS. BLAINE:
Playing at nursing.

That's what they are,
if you ask me.

Come on, I'll help you.

[Angela sighs]

I thought I was so clever
finding that brush,

but all the bristles came out.

I suppose that's
how she knew.

Oh, Georgina, I thought
we were going to be

nursing wounded soldiers.

Well, it's just as well
we aren't.

At least they'd be grateful.

My patient hates me.

She told me all about her
operation on her stomach.

It sounds disgusting.

I won't have to
see it, will I?

MRS. BLAINE: Nurse?

Can I have a bedpan?

Not much point in putting clean
sheets on Miss Georgina's bed.

She's only slept in these once,

and I don't suppose
she'll be using it.

DAISY: Well, better have it
ready for her just in case.

ROSE: Don't know why she has to
sleep at that hospital anyhow.

DAISY: Well, she has to be up
at 6:00 in the morning

and go to chapel.

- What, every morning?
- Oh, yeah.

- Sooner her than me.
- And she has to wash,

scrub, make beds.

ROSE: Wonder if she'll
stick to it.

DAISY: Course she will.
Why shouldn't she?

ROSE: All right.
I know Miss Georgina's your pet.

No, she isn't.

Anyway...Rose, with all
the family out for lunch,

I thought we could
ask Mr. Hudson

if we could go out
directly after our dinner

and go to a picture show
or something.

- Can't.
- Oh, come on, Rose.

I don't like going by myself.

I know Eddie
wouldn't like it, and...

well, soldiers keep
trying to pick me up.

Well, come on, Rose, I'm sure
Mr. Hudson won't mind.

I'm already going out --
I've asked Mr. Hudson

if I can and he says
it's all right.

DAISY: You are? where?

Where are you going?
Rose?

It makes it very
difficult, madam.

Yes, I know.
I am sorry, Mrs. Bridges.

You see, I don't want to be
cooking good food

and seeing it go to waste,

not with meat as hard
as it is to get nowadays.

Course, there's plenty
of offal.

- Well. ..
- But I've never

served offal upstairs,
madam.

Oh, only for breakfast
and savories.

If you ask me, I think
they ought to ration meat.

Then everybody'd
get a fair share.

Mr. Bellamy says that
if you do ration meat,

it'll all tend to disappear
and nobody'll get any.

It's all these
profiteers, madam.

Why can't they profiteer in
offal and let the meat alone?

That means there won't be nobody
in for lunch today, then?

No, and I'll be
out this evening.

I'm working
at the canteen.

What about Captain James?

Oh, he'll be in for dinner.

I'm not sure about
Mr. Bellamy.

Perhaps you could just prepare
some cutlets and...

and then they would do
for lunch tomorrow.

Very good, madam.

Thank you, Mrs. Bridges.

Ah, my feet --
I'm almost afraid

Ah, my feet --
I'm almost afraid

to take them off the floor
in case they drop off.

GEORGINA: Don't let String
see you sitting there.

Aren't we allowed to sit down?

GEORGINA: I don't think so.

Quick, here she comes!

Hello.

That very ferocious nurse
said I should find you here.

I'm Viola Courtney.

GEORGINA: Oh, yes.

I'm Georgina Worsley,
this is Angela Barclay.

I know your cousin,
James Bellamy.

He gave me the most
delicious dew drop once.

- GEORGINA: Dew drop?
Compliment.

I collect them.
Don't you?

We were staying with Bunny
down in Newbury,

and he said I was much too
beautiful to be so intelligent.

I'm sorry I'm late.

I couldn't get into
this extraordinary uniform.

I've never worn
a stiff collar before.

I feel like a clergyman.

ANGELA: Oh, your uniform
is much better than ours.

I had it made at Harrods.

I don't mind
looking like a nurse.

I didn't really want to
feel like a housemaid.

Would you like
a cup of tea?

My dear, I'd love one.
Is it really allowed?

When I saw these
extraordinary little rooms...

Too austere,
so amusing.

I quite expect to be
incarcerated here

on bread and water.

Well, we usually have a cup
of tea at 10:00 after we've

given the blanket baths
and changed the sheets.

My dear, tomorrow
I promise to work

like a demented slave
and earn my cup of tea.

What time do we go off duty?

I asked that head nurse.

She looked at me as
though I inquired whether

she was a virgin,
told me to ask you.

Whether she was a virgin?

I think I can make
a daring guess about that.

You don't, by any chance,
have any lemon?

- No.
- No.

I think I shall look upon
it all as an experience.

Bruce has given me --
you know Bruce Craven?

Got the MC, awarded
three times already.

Poor darling,
too thrilling.

He's given me a diary,

bound in blue leather
with a lovely gold clasp,

and told me to write
in it every day

and then have it published
at the end of the year.

Or maybe sell it to a filmmaker
for enormous sums of money

and act in it myself.

What will you
call the film?

"Bedpans and Scrubbing Brushes."

Bruce suggested
"Angel of Mercy."

I'd have to design
my own uniform, though.

We'd better get
back to work now.

- I'll wash the cups.
- VIOLA: No, no, l will.

By the way, what time
do we flee the convent walls?

GEORGINA: Well, we're free
from 4:00 'til 6:00

and then on duty
again until 9:00,

when we hand over
to the night people.

Oh, but that's marvellous.

Derek Benton-Smith
has promised

to take me to tea
at Gunter's every day,

and Bruce is going to have
a taxi waiting

at the gate
from 8:00 PM onwards.

But we have to be back here
every night at 10:00,

and if we're even
a minute late,

the gates will be looked,

and that means we're
dismissed instantly.

But the porter at the gates
is such a nice little man.

He called me "your ladyship
nurse" in the sweetest way,

and I'm sure he'd let us in.

MRS. BRIDGES: Isn't Rose
back yet, Daisy?

No, she is not,
and I'm fed up.

I'm doing everyone else's work
as well as me own.

Now, now, Daisy.

Don't forget
there's a war on.

You don't hear
Mr. Hudson complaining.

There he is,
out half the night,

and got all his own
work to do as well.

What was that?

MRS. BRIDGES: Do you know
Where Rose is, Mr. Hudson?

No, no, Mrs. Bridges,
I do not.

I told her that she must be back
in time to serve tea,

and she said she would,
but I thought she was

a wee thing secretive
about her plans.

She said she was
going to meet a friend.

I hope she hasn't
taken up with no soldier.

I don't know.

This war seems to be
unsettling everybody.

[ Door closes]

Oh, there she is now.

Rose?

ROSE: Oh, I'm sorry
I'm a bit late, Mr. Hudson.

I'll just go and slip
out of me coat.

The prime minister said he had
heard that James was going round

everyone he knew,
including many of my friends,

demanding to be posted
to a front line regiment.

And now he wants me to pull
strings, as he called it.

Even if I approved of
pulling strings,

which I do not,
James and I haven't always

seen eye to eye,
and to ask me now to --

HAZEL: You mean that if
you loved him more,

you would be more inclined to
send him into the trenches?

Well, of course not, Hazel.

What an extraordinary
thing to say.

I'm sorry, Richard,
but I find it extraordinary

that so many people
seem to think

that sending or not
sending someone to die

should be considered
proof of love.

You have to love someone very
much and be very close to them

to be able to face
the prospect of them dying.

I envy those parents who are
so close to their sons

that they know,
no matter what happens,

their relationship will
go on even after death.

I know that if I
were to lose James,

I should lose everything.

So in that sense, yes,
sending him back to the trenches

would be a proof of love.

But it's not one
I feel able to give.

I'm sorry, Richard.

Oh, it's all right.

We should speak
the truth now and then.

We tell too many lies,
especially in war time.

HAZEL: Georgina.

Oh, shall I ring
the bell for some tea?

No, thank you,
I had tea at Gunter's.

Is it true that
James is trying

to get sent back
to the front line

and that Uncle Richard
is helping him?

RICHARD: Who told you that?

GEORGINA: Derek Benton-Smith.

He said that James had been
to see his uncle,

but he said you would be able to
pull more strings than he would.

Is it true?

HAZEL: You know that James
is very unhappy on the staff.

But at least he's safe!

What were you
thinking of doing,

helping him to --
well, kill himself?

- Behave yourself, Georgina.
- GEORGINA: I'm sorry, but I --

I think Hazel has
James's interest at heart

rather more than
the rest of us.

Now, stop it.

GEORGINA: I'm sorry if I --

It's all right.

We all want to
keep him safe.

Come and sit down.

JAMES: Georgina!
How splendid!

I thought they were
never going to let you

out of that
prison of yours.

Are you out on parole?

GEORGINA: If that means
having tea at Gunter's.

Oh, is that what
you've been doing?

Would matron approve?

GEORGINA: I'm sure
she wouldn't.

Well, don't I get a kiss?

GEORGINA: Welcome home.

HUDSON: Excuse me, sir,
will you be in for dinner?

Ah...no, thank you, Hudson.

I think we'll all
go out and celebrate.

Now, Georgina,
are you going to look

very fetching in
that uniform,

or are you going to
go and change?

I can't come, James.
I've got to go back.

Back? Back where?

I'm on duty at 6:00.

Oh, well, it looks like just
the three of us, then.

And I'm sorry, James,
I must get back to the House.

I'm sorry, James,
I must go to

the canteen at
Charing Cross.

I did try to get out of it,
but we're expecting

two leave trains
and a hospital train.

Don't, don't apologize.

I can see that you're
all much too busy.

I shall find somebody else
to dine with.

I don't know why I bothered
to come home at all.

I don't like to hear about
raised voices upstairs

when Captain James
is home on leave.

I think the mistress
ought to give up

her canteen work
and that when he's home.

I know I would if it was me.

Wouldn't you, Rose?

ROSE: Hmm?

I'm sure Rose is thinking,
as I am, Daisy,

that we have no business
to be sitting

criticizing our betters.

Now, since there's no
upstairs dinner tonight,

I suggest we get this
cleared away quickly.

Mr. Hudson?

Is something wrong, Rose?

No, Mr. Hudson.

It's just that I thought

I ought to tell you
I've got a job.

A job?

Not you as well.

I'm going to be
a conductorette.

MRS. BRIDGES: A what?

DAISY: Rose.

A conductorette?

On an omnibus?

Oh, no, Rose.

Not out in the street
taking money from people,

a lot of nasty, drunken men.

ROSE: Everybody else is

doing their bit --
why shouldn't I?

It is quite understandable,
Rose,

that you should wish
to do your bit,

but it's not something
to be rushed into.

The war won't last forever,

and giving your notice
is a very serious step.

Oh, no, I don't have to give
in my notice, Mr. Hudson.

I've spoken to the mistress.

It's shift work, see?

I can do my work
and go on living here.

I think you might have
spoken to me first, Rose.

ROSE: I'm ever so sorry,
Mr. Hudson.

Rose, that is mine.

You took it!

What if I did?

[ Door closes]

JAMES: Hazel?

I thought you might like some
hot coffee and sandwiches.

HAZEL: Oh, I would.

We were so busy.

I didn't even have time
for a cup of tea.

JAMES: Well,
let me take your coat.

You're frozen.

There's not much of a fire,
I'm afraid.

Apparently we're
short of coal.

HAZEL: Yes.

Well, it's all right, I'll --
I'll sit over there.

Sorry I lost my temper.

HAZEL: I'm sorry I
spoiled your leave.

No, you haven't.

I have.

Walking about in
those damn red tabs...

makes me feel like a leper.

I'd rather be
in plain clothes.

HAZEL: And have a lot of
mad women coming up to you

and giving you
white feathers?

JAMES: Why not?

HAZEL, laughing: James.

I'm a soldier.

You forget that because when
I met you I'd left the army.

But I was never
at home in the city.

I am a soldier.

A soldier.

James, what does
that mean?

Well, it means that
you're prepared

to put your life
on the line.

You have a relationship
with your fellow soldiers

that you don't have
with anyone else.

You know that you're going to
go out there together

and get shot at,
and you depend on each other.

And, in the end,

if you have to,
you'll die for each other.

Oh...

No, I know it
sounds sentimental,

but you are
a band of brothers.

And to think that I'm sitting
there miles behind the lines

while they're up there
in the trenches

being blown to pieces,
my own men, my brother officers,

half the time because of
the orders I've given...

I don't expect you
to understand.

COLONEL: Have you
seen this, Phillip?

PHILLIP: Guards
Machine Gun Corps.

Quite an interesting
idea, Colonel.

COLONEL: Yes.

Rather strange, really,
the idea of dealing out

machine gunners to the units
before a battle,

like an extra-warm raincoat.

PHILLIP: Need it
bullet-proof, unfortunately.

COLONEL: Yes -- at least
it's a real attempt to give

the poor old cavalry
something to do.

PHILLIP: Yes.

COLONEL: What time's
Mrs. Bellamy coming?

PHILLIP: Well, she's
probably here now, sir.

She's been at the barracks
all morning,

helping the wives with
their allotment papers.

COLONEL: Mmm, James is
already on the staff.

What's the betting she
wants to get him promoted?

Or posted to GHQ?

Do you know, I sat
next to Helen Bayliss at

a dinner party last night,
and she spent

the whole time
badgering me to get

her precious Timmy
out of the trenches.

Knowing her, he'd probably
be safer in France.

COLONEL: Mmm.

Why do decent men have to
marry these awful women?

I rather like James's wife.

COLONEL: Mmm.

All right,
show her in.

PHILLIP: Mrs. Bellamy,
Colonel.

- How are you?
- Good morning.

COLONEL: It's awfully good of
you to help us out like this.

The wives have enough
problems without

being baffled by
incomprehensible forms.

I'm horrified to find out how
many of them can barely read.

COLONEL: Yes,
it is a problem.

Now, what can I do for you?

Oh, I'm so sorry,
do sit down.

My adjutant told me that

a room had been set aside
for your ladies.

I hope it's comfortable.

Yes, thank you.

I didn't come here
to talk about that.

I came to talk about James.

COLONEL: Oh?

He wants to be posted
back to the regiment.

COLONEL: Oh.

He's too proud to come
and ask you himself.

Then if you'll forgive me,
Mrs. Bellamy,

I think you should be
too proud as well.

HAZEL: Oh, no.

It's different for me.

I want what's best for James.

COLONEL: Well,
he's on the staff.

He hates it.

And he loves the regiment.

Does he indeed?

HAZEL: You don't understand
about that dinner party.

It was James's first night
back on leave, he --

he was exhausted.

He hadn't slept
for 48 hours.

General Nesfield
was there.

COLONEL: Oh, yes.

Sir Geoffrey Dillon.

Northcliffe's solicitor.

HAZEL: James was tired.

He drank too much wine.

So I imagine.

If he said some
injudicious things --

He certainly did.

They would know how to
make the most of them.

COLONEL: They did.

What James said that night

was used by Northcliffe
for his political ends,

caused a great deal of
resentment in the brigade,

and the King was
extremely angry.

That was a year ago.

Now...

please, could you ask that he be
posted back to the regiment?

COLONEL: The regiment is
in action in France.

Yes, I know.

That's where James
wants to be.

You know.

COLONEL: I'm sorry.

James's posting is
a military matter.

I really cannot
discuss it with you.

We're awfully grateful for all
the work you're doing

on the wives' welfare.

If there's anything I can do
to help in that regard,

please let me know.

Phillip?

Mrs. Bellamy's just going.

Goodbye.

HAZEL: Goodbye.

COLONEL: Has she
got a lover?

Hazel Bellamy?
Not as far as I know.

COLONEL: She wanted me

to get her husband
sent back into action.

PHILLIP: Extraordinary.

There'd be trouble from
General Nesfield if you did.

He arranged the posting
in the first place.

I would imagine he'd take it
quite personally

if you intervened to have
James posted back.

COLONEL: Yes,
I daresay he would.

Damn it all.

James is an officer in
His Majesty's Household Cavalry

and I am his Colonel.

If I choose to do something
and some damn General

at the war Office
chooses to interfere,

I think His Majesty would like
to know about it, don't you?

Nesfield doesn't hold
all the cards.

An ace can be trumped
by a king any day.

[ Gasps ]

MRS. BLAINE: Oh, no,
not again.

GEORGINA: We'd better
get her out of the way

before String sees her.

VIOLA: You look after her,
I'll do the dressings.

GEORGINA: If you're
sure you can manage.

VIOLA: Oh, dear,
they're too horrid for her.

MRS. BLAINE: Here,
that's my visitors chair!

GEORGINA: I'll bring it back,
Mrs. Blaine.

Sit down.

You'll have to
give it up, Angela.

ANGELA: I can't.

GEORGINA: You're really not --

You'll never
be able to stand it.

Yes, I will.

I'll get used to it.

But, Georgina,
I can't give it up.

I had such terrible
quarrels with my mother

before she'd agree.

Well, she said
I'd never stand it,

that I was too scatterbrained
to be any use.

I can't go back
home now and say --

Oh, please, Georgina,
don't tell anyone.

GEORGINA: Well...

I'm all right now.

I'll come and help you.

No,no,no,
you sit down.

We'll finish the dressings.

You can try again tomorrow.

All right.

MRS. BLAINE: Where's my chair?

There, how's that?

Very good.

You're much better
at it than I was.

I do think it's so second-rate
not to do things well.

I believe in showing
that you can do them

and then deciding whether
or not you want to.

GEORGINA: Yes.

How are you feeling,
Mrs. Carbury?

MRS. CARBURY:
Oh, hello, dear.

Nurse, I should say.

I thought for a moment you
was Beatrice, my eldest.

You've got the look of her.

She was here last night,
wasn't she, looking after me.

GEORGINA: I'm sure your sister
will bring her to visit you

when you're better.

MRS. CARBURY: Yes,
I'll soon be better.

I feel ever so funny,
kind as if I was floating.

We've been giving you
some injections,

and the doctor drew out
some of the poison yesterday,

so I expect it's that.

Yes, Beatrice told me
that this morning.

Or was it you, miss?

You've got ever such
a look of her.

I feel better
when you're here.

I'm glad.

I think I'll just
have a little nap.

GEORGINA: Yes,
you have a sleep.

I'll see you later.

VIOLA: Poor things.

They are so grateful for
anything one does.

My patient commented, "Fancy me
being nursed by a ladyship."

So sweet.

What time is it?

Goodness, I must rush.

The men will be
at the gates with taxis.

Bruce said they'd have two.

We change in one while
they ride in the other.

ANGELA: I don't
think I'll come.

GEORGINA: Oh, Angela.

ANGELA: I don't feel very --

I think I'll go
and lie down.

GEORGINA: All right.

I shouldn't come either,
really.

VIOLA: Nonsense,
you're off duty.

If you're sure we can
be back in time.

Like Cinderella, we will
be at the gates at 10:00.

It would be so nice
to go to a party again.

I'll catch you up.

Where's Mrs. Carbury?

NURSE: Your patient died
during the night --

septicemia and endocarditis.

She was asking for you.

The night people came
to your room to fetch you,

but you weren't there.

Oh.

JAMES: Oh, Georgina,
come in.

I thought Hazel would --

No, no, she's caught up with one
of Prudence's damn committees,

so you can stay
and keep me happy.

How are we for
another cup?

- No, no, don't bother.
- Hmm?

Well...

tell me, how go things
at the hospital?

[Georgina sobs]

JAMES: Hey, Georgina!

What is it?

Come and sit down,
come on.

Sit down here.

Hmm?

What is it now,
what's the matter?

You can tell your
old Jumbo, surely.

Oh, it's so awful.

My patient, she died,
and I wasn't there.

Oh, you poor old thing.

Still, there wasn't
anything you could do.

Well, I could have
been there.

That's what nursings
all about -- to be there

and do what you can,
even if it isn't much.

She was so brave

and so grateful
for nothing.

I'll tell you...

There was a woman in Belgium,

a refugee injured
in the shelling.

I tried to help her, but there
wasn't much I could do.

And she kept saying,
"Merci, rnonsieur."

Somehow in wartime,
one gets used to men dying.

Much worse when
a woman dies.

No! It shouldn't
make any difference.

Men, women, human beings.

It's life that's just...
running away under our hands.

Georgina.

Little Georgina,
talking about life and death.

I hate to see you
growing up.

You've grown up
quite a lot yourself.

Have I?

I don't feel I've been
very grown up on this leave,

being fed up and taking it
out on everyone else.

With the war on like this,
all one's friends are involved,

there's only one place to be,
and that's in the thick of it.

You understand?

Yes, I understand.

I've got to see matron
before supper.

Oh, I know I'll be thrown out,
and I shall feel so useless.

Perhaps you'll be
put on the staff.

That's where
the useless people go.

And you left
the hospital last night

and did not return
until this morning.

Well, I did get back
just after 10:00,

but I couldn't get in.

MATRON: You know perfectly well
the gates are shut at 10:00.

GEORGINA: Yes, madam.

Where did you
spend the night?

I went home.

I'm sorry, madam, I know
it means I'll be dismissed.

Lady Viola is leaving anyway.

Apparently the Duchess
is opening

a convalescent home
for officers in Somerset.

We can hardly
compete with that.

Now, Miss Barclay --

But, madam, she does so much
want to make a success of it.

You see, her mother
didn't want her to --

I am not interested in
the private lives of my nurses.

Miss Barclay will
stay here a little longer,

and we'll see
how she gets on.

As for you, you have
the makings of a nurse.

Try to keep the rules
in future.

You mean that --

Yes, madam.

Have you ever thought of
applying to go and work

in a field hospital
in France?

No.

I'm not nearly
good enough.

Well, that's a beginning.

MRS. BRIDGES: Have you seen
the mistress, Rose?

ROSE: Yes, I have.
She was ever so nice.

She wished me luck.

And I saw Captain James
before I left,

and do you know
what he said?

He said, "Don't take
any wooden pennies."

[ Mrs. Bridges
and Hudson laugh]

ROSE: Oh.

Well, duty calls.

MRS. BRIDGES: Oh,
well, have another

cup of tea
before you go, Rose.

You never know where
you'll get the next one.

ROSE: No, I'd better not.

Don't want to be late
on my first day.

HUDSON: Well, good luck
on your first shift, Rose.

ROSE: Thank you,
Mr. Hudson.

MRS. BRIDGES: Yes,
good luck, Rose.

ROSE: Well.

[ Door closes]

MRS. BRIDGES: Daisy,
I do think

you might have
Wished her good luck.

Oh, I couldn't,
Mrs. Bridges.

Why ever not?

Because then I would have
had to speak to her,

and I'm never going to speak to
Rose again as long as I live.

GEORGINA: Oh, Daisy,
would you look after those?

Where's my clean laundry?

DAISY: In the drawer, miss.

Miss Georgina,
these stockings!

Yes, I tore them trying to

climb the railing
when we couldn't get in.

DAISY: I didn't think
you'd be going back there.

Matron gave me another chance,
isn't it marvellous?

DAISY: I don't know, miss.

I wouldn't have thought
you'd want to go back,

being made to do all that
hard work and scrubbing.

GEORGINA: Oh, I'm not made
to do it, Daisy, I choose to.

That's the difference.

The same as you choose
to work here instead of

going off like Rose and Ruby.

DAISY: Mm, I don't know
about that, miss.

I'd just as soon go off
and be a conductorette,

only Rose got in first.

It's so much easier to go off

and do something
like that, Daisy.

The hard thing is to stay
here and keep the house going,

with Edward away and everyone
depending on you.

It's funny, isn't it?

You would have thought that if
anyone could be depended on

to stay and keep
the house going,

it would have been Rose.

Instead of that, it's you.

Doesn't it make you
feel proud?

Hazel, father,
I've got something to tell you.

Well, James,
what is it?

I'm going back
to my regiment.

RICHARD: Oh.

JAMES: Yes, they're forming
a special Machine Gun Corps.

I'm to be attached to
the Guards Division.

I didn't tell you,

but the Colonel sent
for me this afternoon.

So, I shall --

I shall be back with
all my friends,

or what are left, anyway.

And don't worry, Hazel.

There'll be quite a long
period of training first.

You see, it's
quite a new thing.

The Colonel was jolly
nice about it.

Said I was just the man
they needed to take it on.

RICHARD: Well done, James.

So in the end, nobody
needed to pull any strings.

I must say, I'm glad.

Huh, well, how about
some champagne?

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