Upstairs, Downstairs (1971–1975): Season 5, Episode 14 - Noblesse Oblige - full transcript
It's Summer 1929 and Georgina and Robert Stockbridge have fallen in love and want to marry. Richard and Virginia couldn't be happier and the happy couple set a date to marry in June 1930. They don't count on Robert's parents objecting however. The Duchess of Buckminster loves her son very much and having read of some of Gerogina's exploits in the society pages, questions his choice. She meets Georgina and comes away more impressed than she likely expected. Robert's parents decide that he is to go abroad for several months and if he still feels the same on his return, they will give their consent. Below stairs, Mrs. Bridges and Ruby have a major row leading the scullery maid to resign. She quickly finds a job through an agency but finds that working for the imperious Mrs. Waddilove is anything but a joy. Mrs. Bridges has a similar experience with Ruby's replacement leading them both to reconsider what has happened.
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COLE PORTER:
♫ That's why I ask the Lord ♫
♫ In heaven above♫
♫ what is this thing♫
♫ Called love?♫
MRS. BRIDGES:
There we are then.
DAISY:
Oh, I'll take them up.
MRS. BRIDGES: No, you'll do
nothing of the sort, Daisy.
In this heat?
You get a damp cloth,
cover them over.
That'll keep them fresh
and keep the flies off them.
Then you can take them up
with the wine nicely chilled
when Miss Georgina gets in.
That girl's got a regular
passion for smoked salmon.
Won't have nothing else.
DAISY: Or else
Lord Stockbridge has.
MRS. BRIDGES: What are you
insinuating, Daisy?
DAISY: I'm not
insinuating nothing,
but it's him that's took her
down to Eton College
for that 4th of June thing.
One swallow doesn't
make a summer.
Third time he's took her out in
a fortnight, I happen to know.
I reckon they're
walking out proper.
Well, high time that girl
did settle down,
that's what I say.
But it's best not spoke about
in case it don't come off.
MAN ON RADIO: Mr. Baldwin,
who tendered his resignation
as Prime Minister
and First Lord
of the Admiralty.
His resignation was accepted.
In normal circumstances,
His Majesty would have received
Mr. Ramsay MacDonald,
the leader of
the Labour party, at once
and invited him to form
an administration.
In view of the present state
of the king's health,
it was felt advisable that
he should not be overtaxed.
MRS. BRIDGES: Oh, poor king,
after being so ill.
Now to get a abscess
at a time like this.
MAN ON RADIO:
It was announced today
that the German government
has decided to enter into...
DAISY: Oh, Eddie,
turn that thing off.
It's nothing
but bad news nowadays.
Mr. Hudson will be having a fit
at them Socialists
having won the election.
It'll quite spoil his holiday.
Oh, I don't know, Mrs. Bridges.
I mean, give 'em a chance.
If this Ramsay MacDonald does
all he says he's going to do --
DAISY: Which he won't.
Oh, I can't stand this heat.
My ankles have swollen up
like bolsters.
Oh.
I don't know what's
happened to that Ruby.
She's been over an hour up
in my room fetching my glasses.
I can't do a thing without them.
Gone to sleep on the way,
I shouldn't wonder.
DAISY: There they are,
Mrs. Bridges.
MRS. BRIDGES:
Oh, thank you, my dear.
DAISY: I suppose
that means the master
won't be in the government
no more.
EDWARD: Well,
of course it does, love.
He'll have to go
with the rest of them.
DAISY: It's a pity, isn't it.
MRS. BRIDGES: Oh, well,
it doesn't matter to him,
him being a lord, you see.
RUBY:
Oh, I'm sorry, Mrs. Bridges.
I couldn't find them anywhere.
They was here all the time,
on the mantel shelf,
under your nose.
- But you said --
- what about our cocoa?
Yes, what about our cocoa,
Ruby, I'm parched.
RUBY: Well, wouldn't lemonade be
nicer, with it being so hot?
DAISY: Oh, well,
I'd rather have cocoa.
RUBY: Well, trouble is
milk's gone off.
What?!
Well, it's gone off on account
of with it being so close
and milkman not delivering.
It's gone off because you forgot
to put it in the cooler again.
Now, don't start
to argue with me.
I saw it with me very eyes.
RUBY: But that was Friday,
Mrs. Bridges.
It was today, as well.
I don't think I've ever met
a more stupider girl
than you, Ruby.
You never listen.
It goes in one ear,
out of the other.
And look at you.
Just look at you.
Torn stockings, dirty hands.
RUBY: I fell over
on back stairs, Mrs. Bridges.
Fell over?
One day, you'll fall and break
your neck and good riddance.
Now you go upstairs
and have a bath.
RUBY: I'll have a bath
when I want a bath!
You'll have a bath
when I tell you to!
And use plenty
of carbolic soap.
[sobbing]
L, uh, think Miss Georgina's
just come in.
I heard the front door.
DAISY: Oh.
I'll give you a hand, Daisy.
[Clears throat]
Oh, wretched girl.
Robert, thank you for the most
glorious, marvellous day!
I shall always bless Henry VI
for founding Eton.
ROBERT: [Chuckles]
Dear old Henry.
If only he could see
the result of his labors.
All those scruffy little boys
in toppers.
GEORGINA: Well, they were
certainly the best fireworks
I've ever seen.
ROBERT: But they always are.
Better than ever before.
Unless, of course, it rains.
GEORGINA:
Oh, I wish I'd been a boy.
Rowing up the Thames
on a lovely summer's day,
it's not a bit like being
at school at all.
Well, I didn't do much
rowing actually.
I was a dry bob --
played cricket.
GEORGINA: Were you good at it?
ROBERT: Well, not too bad.
I did get into the Eleven.
GEORGINA: Oh, Daisy, Edward,
thank you so much.
[Door closes]
Oh, don't bother,
we'll help ourselves.
ROBERT: Oh, smoked salmon,
how gorgeous.
I'm starving.
GEORGINA: Tuck in.
Daisy, is his lordship in?
DAISY: No, he's gone away
for the night, miss.
GEORGINA: Oh, well, you go to
bed whenever you like.
I'll turn the lights out
and lock upstairs.
DAISY: Thank you, miss.
Good night, miss.
GEORGINA: Good night.
[Door closes]
Do you still play?
What?
GEORGINA: Cricket, you idiot.
Cricket?
- Mm.
Yes. Yes, I do.
I play for the village team
sometimes.
Well, they've made me captain.
Strictly an honorary position.
Frank Bowman, our postman,
does all the work.
Well, he does the fixtures
and mows the pitch
and everything,
and he's also our demon bowler.
And his brother Joe,
the blacksmith,
he's the wicket keeper.
A huge man with mighty sinews,
just like the chestnut tree.
When Joe hits a six,
well, it's like an enormous
firework going off.
Whoosh!
[Both laughing]
And father still
plays sometimes.
He creaks a bit
when he's fielding,
but the duke's donkey drops
are still famous
throughout the county
and treated with respect.
What's a donkey drop?
What's a donkey drop?
GEORGINA: Mm.
ROBERT: Well, it's when you bowl
a ball very, very high
up into the air so that it drops
almost straight from heaven
right on top of the wicket.
[Laughter]
It's not very sporting,
but it's jolly effective.
Especially if the sun's
in the right direction.
GEORGINA: Oh!
[Laughs]
ROBERT: Georgina, darling,
I do love you.
I absolutely adore you.
I started to fall in love with
you a long time ago,
and now I think
about nothing else.
GEORGINA: Robert.
Could I have some
more wine, please?
ROBERT: Yes.
Why didn't you tell me before?
ROBERT: Well, I -- I think it
was because I was so terrified
that you were going to say no.
You're not going to, are you?
GEORGINA: No.
ROBERT: I just don't believe it.
[Georgina laughs]
Do you mean to say that you
actually love me too?
GEORGINA: Yes.
ROBERT: It's incredible.
Tremendous!
I don't know what I would have
done if you'd turned me down.
Georgina, darling,
I can't live without you.
GEORGINA: Please don't say that.
ROBERT: Why not?
It's true.
GEORGINA: Yes, but please
don't say it, promise me.
ROBERT: Why not?
GEORGINA:
Because I ask you not to.
ROBERT: Well, tell me.
Why not?
GEORGINA: Because someone once
said that to me a long time ago,
someone who I was
very fond of but didn't love.
And then at a party in this
house, he shot himself.
Oh, I'm just superstitious
about it, that's all.
He'd been in the war, and he was
sort of shell-shocked.
Then, most of them were a bit.
It was after that
that I decided
I didn't want to get involved
with anyone again.
And going to parties
and acting in that film
and behaving like a lunatic,
I suppose, was a way of
keeping real life at bay.
ROBERT: Yes, I see.
GEORGINA: Not that
I didn't enjoy it.
It was rather fun
being one of the bright young
things while it lasted.
ROBERT: You're making you sound
quite middle-aged.
[Georgina chuckles]
Did you really never suspect
that I would ask
you to marry me?
GEORGINA: Well,
you haven't actually.
ROBERT: Good lord,
nor I have.
My dear Miss Worsley,
will you do me the great honour
of becoming my wife?
Well, I shall have to
think about it,
Lord Stockbridge.
ROBERT: I, um...
I think I should go home now.
Good night, my love.
[Door closes]
[Gasps] what's that?
Ruby.
RUBY: I'm off, Daisy.
I can't stand any more.
DAISY: Oh, but I'm sure --
Oh, Ruby!
RUBY: I've had enough.
DAISY: You can't just go off
at this hour of the night.
RUBY: There's a hostel
at Victoria,
and it's open all night,
but don't tell her.
Oh, Ruby, I'm sorry.
RUBY: It doesn't matter.
Goodbye, Daisy.
DAISY: Goodbye, Ruby.
Good luck.
Watch out, here she comes.
[Clears throat]
Morning, Mrs. Bridges.
MRS. BRIDGES:
Where's that girl?
She forgot to bring up my tea.
DAISY:
She's gone, Mrs. Bridges.
- Gone?
- She went last night.
MRS. BRIDGES: Well, if you saw
her go, why didn't you stop her?
It's a free country.
If she wants to go, she can,
as far as I'm concerned.
She's in service.
She's my kitchen maid.
Where's she gone to?
DAISY: Don't know, I'm sure.
MRS. BRIDGES: Silly girl!
What she want to go and do
a thing like that for?
Well, you did pitch into her
a bit strong last night.
Well, I wasn't myself
last night,
what with the heat
and everything else.
Oh, she'll come back directly
she comes to her senses.
DAISY: I don't think she will,
Mrs. Bridges.
MRS. BRIDGES: Well, what
am I going to do?
I can't do without
a kitchen maid.
DAISY: Eddie, come and give us
a hand laying up in here.
Yes.
Oh, come in, Mrs. Bridges.
I've had a note from Ruby,
which I can hardly read,
saying she was
sorry she had gone
Without giving in her notice
but that she was very unhappy.
MRS. BRIDGES:
Yes, she's gone, my lord.
RICHARD:
Well, why was she unhappy?
I don't know, my lord.
She's been very
unsettled lately.
Well, we had one
or two little tiffs
but nothing that
mattered very much.
But she's a very foolish girl,
my lord.
She won't listen to reason.
Well, she wants a reference
sent to some agency.
Oh, what a cunning girl!
I see now she had it
all worked out all along.
Yes, yes,
well, that's as may be.
We can hardly refuse to give
the girl a reference.
Now, here's the letter.
Please deal with it.
I think you should, my lord.
It isn't usual for the cook.
Oh, all right.
This would happen
when my wife was away.
Now then...
"Miss Ruby"...
- what's her name, Mrs. --
- Finch.
RICHARD: "Finch has been
a kitchen maid
in this house
for many years."
She's a good, clean, honest?
Oh, I wouldn't go
as far as that, my lord.
She can be very sly at times.
I wouldn't go no further
than "hardworking."
RICHARD: "Hardworking, clean."
Yes, now they'll want to know
about her cooking.
[Scoffs] It isn't up
to much, my lord.
But then standards
isn't what they was.
RICHARD: Shall we say she's a
good cook and leave it at that?
MRS. BRIDGES:
Good, plain cook, my lord.
RICHARD: "Good, plain cook."
All right.
MRS. BRIDGES: I shall need
a replacement, my lord.
RICHARD: Well, can't you manage
until her ladyship returns?
No, my lord, I cannot manage
Without a kitchen maid.
RICHARD: All right,
Mrs. Bridges,
I'll try and arrange something.
MRS. BRIDGES:
Very good, my lord.
Lord Stockbridge wishes
to see you, my lord.
RICHARD: Oh, yes.
Thank you, Mrs. Bridges.
MRS. BRIDGES:
Thank you, my lord.
RICHARD: Show him in,
will you, Daisy?
DAISY:
Lord Stockbridge, my lord.
RICHARD: Hello, Robert.
Come to pick up Georgina?
ROBERT: Well, no,
not entirely, sir.
Has she spoken to you?
No, I've just got
back from a postmortem,
the damned election at Cliveden.
I've got to be at the Belgian
Delegation in about 30 minutes.
They're cutting up rough
about reparations.
And on top of all that,
we've got kitchen maid trouble.
Oh, I say, I'm sorry, sir.
Look, I won't disturb you now
if you're so busy.
Did you want to see me?
Well, yes, I did.
Uh...what I wanted
to say, sir, was, uh...
well, to ask you whether
I could have permission
to marry Georgina.
Good lord.
I had no idea.
I really had no idea.
My dear Robert, congratulations!
I'm absolutely delighted!
I'm very fond of you, Robert.
I really am very,
very pleased.
I know Virginia will be, too.
Have you told your parents?
Well, no,
they're somewhere in Austria.
- But they'll be back next week.
- Good.
Well, I'll send them
a telegram now I know.
- Oh, sorry.
- No, no!
Georgina, darling, come in
and congratulations!
GEORGINA: You approve?
RICHARD:
Well, of course I approve.
Now, this calls for
a little celebration.
Far more important
than Belgian reparations.
Oh, by the way, Ruby's left us.
I gather she's parted brass rags
with Mrs. Bridges.
GEORGINA: Yes, I know.
Daisy told me. Poor old Ruby.
RICHARD: Yes, well,
I have to leave it to you
and Mrs. Bridges
to find a replacement.
GEORGINA: Me?
RICHARD: Yes. Good training
for the future.
Daisy, bring up
a bottle of champagne.
Very good, my lord.
Wonderful news.
GEORGINA: Thank you.
EDWARD: What's that?
DAISY: A letter from Ruby.
She's got a job already.
EDWARD: Oh, has she?
Ah, good luck to her.
DAISY: With a lady in Ruislip,
cook general,
£46 a year all found.
Do you know what I think?
I think we're mugs
just sitting here.
I think we ought to take a leaf
out of Ruby's book.
EDWARD: Well, we haven't got
any reason to leave, Daisy.
DAISY: Yes, we have.
Improve our living standards,
make more money.
We're took for granted.
EDWARD: Oh, I don't think we are
really, you know, Daisy.
DAISY: There's plenty of money
around, plenty of jobs going.
Look at this.
"Wanted -- chauffeur,
mechanic, married.
Knowledge of town,
thoroughly reliable.
£3.10 a week plus cottage."
£3.10 a week
plus cottage!
That's double what we're
getting here for both of us.
EDWARD: Yes,
but I'm not a mechanic,
and that's where the money is.
DAISY: Well, not bad.
EDWARD: Well,
I can drive a car, yes.
But, I mean, if anything
goes wrong with it,
I take it round the corner
to the garage.
DAISY: Oh.
EDWARD: Oh, yes,
that reminds me,
I've got to go and collect the
master from the Foreign Office.
He's got to clear
everything away
to make way for the new man.
- Bye, bye, love.
- Bye.
[Knock on door]
DAISY: Yes, what is it?
WOMAN: I've come for
the interview, miss.
DAISY: Oh, come in.
Through there.
If you sit down, I'll go
and tell them you're here.
What's the name?
WOMAN: Mabel. Mabel Wilkes.
I see that you haven't been
in domestic service before,
Miss, uh...
Mabel.
GEORGINA: Mabel.
MABEL: I've been working
in a restaurant
as you might say, my lady.
That's all I done.
MRS. BRIDGES:
You call Miss Worsley "Miss."
What kind of work?
General work, miss.
MRS. BRIDGES: Cooking?
MABEL: Not much, but I'm
very anxious to learn.
I'd like to be
a really good cook.
Yes, well, is there anything
else, Mrs. Bridges?
MRS. BRIDGES:
It'll be very hard work.
I hope you understand that.
MABEL: Oh, yes, ma'am.
MRS. BRIDGES:
And you call me "Mrs. Bridges."
Now, about wages,
we're offering £32 a year.
Oh, if you'll excuse me, miss,
the agency said I was
to ask for £38 a year
and half day off
in every second Sunday
and two weeks holiday and two
bob clothing wear and tear.
That's what they
said was fair.
Yes, well, if you'd like to wait
outside for a moment, Mabel.
Thank you.
[Door opens, closes]
It's extortion,
that's what it is!
I've never heard
nothing like it.
If I've said it once,
I've said it a hundred times,
these agencies are going
to ruin domestic service.
They put ideas into these
young girls' heads.
It's blackmail,
nothing but blackmail.
Well, I suppose we shall
have to pay it.
I just hope her ladyship
will think we've done
the right thing.
Or shall we wait
and try some others?
Well, there aren't any others
suitable that I can find, miss.
There's a great shortage,
you see.
They all go into factories
and offices
Where they can do
what they like.
There's no dedication.
No pride in work
like there used to be.
Well, she seemed a nice girl.
MRS. BRIDGES:
Oh, not bad at all.
GEORGINA: But does it matter
about her not being experienced?
MRS. BRIDGES: Well, I'd sooner
have a clean slate
to write on, miss, than teach
an old dog new tricks.
I've always said that.
Well, then, I suppose
we'd better take her on.
Thank you very much,
Miss Georgina.
Oh, if you'll excuse
my mentioning it, miss,
it's better not to use
the Christian name until
she's took on proper.
GEORGINA: Yes, of course.
Thank you very much,
Mrs. Bridges.
Thank you, Miss Georgina.
[Mabel singing indistinctly]
EDWARD: Who's that?
DAISY: The new girl.
She come just after dinner.
Mrs. Bridges got her
peeling potatoes.
EDWARD: Oh, yeah?
What's she like?
Common little thing.
Oh, ho! I like that
coming from you.
- Edward Barnes.
- Shh.
[Singing continues]
EDWARD: Hm.
Pretty little figure,
nice-coloured hair.
It's dyed.
Eh?
Anyway, make a nice change
from Ruby, won't it?
Cor, struth!
MABEL: 'Till that lucky--
Oh, hello.
DAISY: Edward, this is Mabel.
EDWARD: Mabel.
MABEL: Ooh, isn't he lovely?
Here, where d'you get that cake?
Found it in the larder.
DAISY: Mrs. Bridges will skin
you alive if she finds out.
MABEL: She won't.
She's a right old bee,
isn't she?
And ancient.
Cor, she must be a hundred.
EDWARD: She's not that old.
Here, where was you
in service before?
MABEL: In a café, washing up.
Cor, it was bloody slavery.
EDWARD: Oh, no, thank you.
MABEL: Here, got a light?
Ta.
[Edward whispering]
Nah, I didn't fancy
being a skivvy,
but me mum ran off with
this bloke from Liverpool,
so Dad chucked us all out.
DAISY:
Things don't change much.
EDWARD: How old are you?
Old enough.
Well, you'll be out
on the street
before you're much older
if Mrs. Bridges
catches you smoking
in here in the afternoon.
She'll be down in a minute
to inspect your potatoes.
Do you know what I give
for Mrs. Bridges?
[Raspberries]
[Laughs]
Crikey!
She won't last very long.
DAISY: Yeah, and they say
they're hard to come by.
EDWARD: Blimey, they must be.
[Mabel singing]
I see Lord Stockbridge's car
is still outside.
DAISY: Oh, they'll be making
plans, I suppose.
EDWARD: Yeah.
Oh, he's a lucky bloke.
DAISY: And so is she.
Fancy marrying a marquis.
- Mm.
- Oh, dear.
- what's up now, love?
- Sometimes I could just scream!
MRS. BRIDGES: Stop that
caterwauling this instant!
I've never heard
nothing like it.
No singing in my kitchen.
Let's get that straight
for a start.
Now, where's them potatoes?
My God!
Don't you even know how
to peel a potato?
MABEL: Well, they're going to be
all mashed up, aren't they?
MRS. BRIDGES: I don't care
what they're going to be.
In this house, they've got
to be properly done.
You left all the h'eyes in them.
[Gasps] I don't know.
Come here, let me show you.
Stop picking your nose!
You see that little
black mark there,
that's a h'eye, that is.
GEORGINA: 82 bedrooms!
ROBERT: Yes, I'm afraid Shalford
is a bit of a barracks.
Still, I do hope
you'll come and see it
for yourself next weekend
and meet my parents.
We've got a cricket match
against the warwickshire
gentlemen.
GEORGINA: Oh, Robert,
I'd love to.
ROBERT: Good.
Just think, in about
a hundred years' time,
you and I will be sitting down
there by the lake having tea,
surrounded by hundreds
of grandchildren.
GEORGINA: The old duke
and the old duchess.
What a thought.
I do think it's terribly good.
Do you paint a lot?
ROBERT:
Well, no, I don't actually.
Father seems to think it's all
not quite the sort
of thing for a gentleman.
GEORGINA: Oh.
ROBERT: We've got some neighbours
who've got four sons,
and one of them
paints professionally.
Father always refers to them
as "the three good boys
and an artist."
[Georgina chuckles]
I've always wanted
to go to Paris
and Florence
and Venice to paint.
GEORGINA: Well, when we're
married, we shall go
to all of those places,
and we'll have a studio
in our house in London.
That's exactly what
I've always wanted.
GEORGINA:
Well, you've got talent,
and precious few people
do have today.
You must use it.
ROBERT: Yes.
Trouble with me is,
I'm just idle.
But it's so easy just to mooch
about and do absolutely nothing,
rather like my father did,
and my grandfather.
Then, of course, they did have
wars and things to occupy them.
Well, thank goodness
you're not going to have
a war to keep you occupied.
ROBERT: I shall have to rely
on you to kick me around
and keep me busy.
GEORGINA: Yes, I will.
Robert, do you remember
what you said to me
the day after the inquest
on that poor man
I knocked down and killed?
You said, "We'll find something
better, I promise you."
You came into court,
and you spoke up for me
after you'd been told
not to by your parents.
And you were so brave and kind
after the bloody way
I treated you.
That changed everything for me.
Honestly, anybody would
have done the same thing.
GEORGINA: No, no, they wouldn't.
None of my other friends did.
Couldn't see them for dust.
Most of them anyway.
Everything was going faster
and faster,
sort of like
a runaway roundabout,
and I was giddy
and terribly frightened.
And I couldn't get off.
You stopped it for me.
I'm glad.
Anyway, I suddenly feel
that life is worth living
now I've got you.
I mean,
there's some point in it.
There never was before.
Let's care immensely for
the things that we care about
and throw the rest
out of the window.
I mean, my parents are always
wanting me to go into politics,
but I just don't care for it.
GEORGINA: Thank the Lord
for that.
I've had enough politics
in this house for life.
Out of the window go politics.
What shall we keep?
Um, painting and cricket.
And forestry.
Forestry?
ROBERT: Yes, I'm rather
keen on forestry.
GEORGINA:
Oh, all right, forestry.
We shall march forward
together into life,
thumbing our noses
at Prime Ministers,
lord high thises and thats,
and we shall carry a banner
with the noble device,
"Painting, cricket,
and forestry."
[Laughter]
Mabel!
MABEL: What is it now?
MRS. BRIDGES: I want to know
why them saucepans,
that you were supposed to have
cleaned, are still dirty.
MABEL: They're all right,
they'll do.
They will not do.
You put on your apron
and clean them again.
Sorry, I'm going out.
I've got to meet my boyfriend
down at Palais at 6:00.
You clean those saucepans first.
Do 'em yourself.
I've got my rights
same as anyone else.
Oh! Oh.
Ah, Oh.
[Door slams]
I can't manage.
I can't manage.
EDWARD: Mrs. Bridges,
come and sit down.
MRS. BRIDGES: I'm too Old.
EDWARD: She needs a good
talking to, that girl.
What she wants is a good --
MRS. BRIDGES:
She's no respect. Nothing.
EDWARD: What she wants is
the sack, Mrs. Bridges.
Why don't you go
and see his lordship?
MRS. BRIDGES: I can't.
He's too busy.
And Miss Georgina has got
a young man.
Nobody cares
what goes on down here
so long as they get
their food!
[sobbing]
If only Mr. Hudson was here.
EDWARD: He'll soon be back,
Mrs. Bridges.
The whole kitchen's piled
with filthy saucepans.
EDWARD: Well, Daisy will do
them when she comes down.
MRS. BRIDGES: Why should she?
It's not her place.
EDWARD: How about a nice cup
of tea, Mrs. Bridges?
MRS. BRIDGES:
Oh, I can't manage.
The whole place piled
with filthy saucepans.
What rather surprised us
What rather surprised us
was that you'd never introduced
us to Miss Worsley before.
I mean, just a telegram
out of the blue.
ROBERT: Well, you haven't met
quite a lot of my friends.
I mean, why should you?
DUCHESS: Well, she is rather
more than just a friend, surely.
ROBERT: I'm sorry, mother,
but I just didn't
think about it before.
I mean, I didn't really know
that I was going to get married.
DUCHESS: You mean
you had no idea?
ROBERT: Well, yes,
of course I had,
but I didn't know
what she was going to say.
I just wish
you hadn't taken us
quite so much by surprise,
that's all.
I could hardly tell you before
I'd asked her, now could I?
Robert, you know perfectly
Well what I mean.
Mother, do I take it
from all this
that you and father are against
my getting married.
This is a tremendously
important step in your life.
And after all that unfortunate
publicity last year
over the inquest,
you could hardly expect us
to be greatly enthusiastic
that you'd chosen Miss Worsley.
Your father was extremely cross
that you deliberately went
against his express wishes.
Mother, I had to give
evidence at that inquest.
I was the only person
who saw the accident
that could say
that Georgina was innocent.
I couldn't let her
go to prison.
I think that would have been
most unlikely.
Oh, let's not go over
all this again.
We've been through it endlessly.
It's over and done with.
DUCHESS: Robert, do sit down.
ROBERT: Mother, when you get
to know Georgina,
you'll change your mind,
I'm sure.
Well, we don't know her yet,
of course.
But we do know of her.
What exactly do you mean
by that, mother?
Well, she's quite
a well-known young lady.
She seems to get her face into
the newspapers quite a lot.
Well, only because she enjoys
doing original things
and happens to be
very beautiful.
You can hardly
blame her for that.
DUCHESS: You must believe me,
my darling,
that your father and I want
only what is best for you.
Your future happiness
is of tremendous importance
to all of us.
It is rather sudden,
as you admit yourself.
ROBERT: I don't admit
anything of the sort.
DUCHESS: Oh, Robert,
do be reasonable.
ROBERT: I am being
perfectly reasonable.
DUCHESS: We just want you
to give it time.
To think about it so that
you're quite, quite sure.
ROBERT: Don't you think
I've thought about it
endlessly for hours and hours?
And you talk about
giving it time?
Heavens above,
I love the girl,
she loves me, we want to get
married -- isn't that enough?
No, I don't think it is.
In that case, I'm sorry.
GEORGINA: Daisy, do you
think that this hat
is all right
for watching cricket in?
DAISY: Mm-hmm, yes, miss.
GEORGINA:
Nice and old-fashioned.
I don't want
to shook the Duchess.
DAISY: What about
this one, miss.
It's got white in it.
GEORGINA: Oh, yes,
it'll probably go better
with the dress.
Robert.
ROBERT: I must talk to you.
I'm afraid it's a waste of time,
your packing.
GEORGINA: You've seen
your parents.
ROBERT: Well,
I haven't seen father.
He went straight
on down to Shalford.
I knew that was a bad sign.
I've just had the most
blinding row with mother.
I mean, they're being
utterly prejudiced
and idiotic
about the whole thing.
GEORGINA: They don't approve?
No. And for the most
ridiculous reasons.
I mean, to start with,
they've never even met you,
so how can they judge?
Mother practically implying
that you were notorious
just because you had your face
in the illustrated papers.
I mean, God!
And she can talk.
She's had lovers carrying her
parcels around for her
for as long as I can remember.
[Scoffs]
I need a drink.
GEORGINA: I'm sorry.
There isn't one up here.
ROBERT:
It doesn't really matter.
I'm sorry.
GEORGINA: Well,
I suppose looking at it
from their point of view,
you are quite a catch.
They probably think
that I've been chasing you
and once I'd got my tiny,
little claws into you,
I'm not going to let you go
until you marry me.
I suppose
it's that inquest, too.
ROBERT: Oh, mother brought
that up straightaway.
Damn her! Damn them both!
That's all I can say.
GEORGINA: I wish I could
just meet them.
ROBERT: Well, that's what's
so damned unfair.
I mean, it's so prejudiced.
GEORGINA: It's no good just
going on saying that.
ROBERT: No, but...
only for heaven's sake.
When mother started
all that eyewash
about the only thing
that she really wanted
was that I should be happy,
I just lost my temper
and stormed out.
I'll take rooms in Ebury Street
for the moment.
GEORGINA: Is that wise?
Wouldn't it be better --
ROBERT: I want to be near you.
I'm not going to let you down.
It's they who are going
to have to think again.
GEORGINA: Oh.
I just don't see
what we can do.
ROBERT: Well, neither do I
for the moment, but...
Well, we're over 21.
We can elope.
Come along.
There's a good boy.
Come along.
There's a good boy.
You know you like this.
Come on.
[LAUGHING]
[RINGS BELL]
Come along.
Eat it up, eat it up.
Will you serve the cakes now,
please, Ruby?
Yes, ma'am.
Come on, come on,
this is your favourite.
[LAUGHING]
GLADYS:
Let me see your hands.
Oh, you've been
biting your nails again.
And where are your gloves?
You don't serve at meals
Without gloves.
RUBY:
Sorry, ma'am.
GLADYS:
And bring some more hot water.
RUBY:
Yes, ma'am.
GLADYS:
And, Ruby, you call me Madam.
It's very common for a servant
to call her mistress, "Ma'am."
Yes, ma'am. Madam.
I don't know.
It seems quite impossible
to find servants these days.
We've got gas fires
in every room, no basement,
every modern labour-saving
device,
and yet that girl's
always grumbling.
She never seems
to finish her work.
I have had to teach her
everything myself.
And would you believe it,
in her last place,
she was with titled
people --
the Viscount
and Viscountess Bellamy.
Oh, a minister
at the Foreign Office.
GLADYS:
A big house in Eaton Place.
Some more tea, dear?
Oh, thank you.
It's so delicious.
China, isn't it?
Lapsang souchong.
We'd never have anything
different in this house.
The king and queen
always drink it, I'm told.
WOMAN: Oh?
GLADYS: Of course, it's not
easily obtainable,
but Mr. Waddilove
being in the trade.
Ruby, this isn't
the proper milk jug.
RUBY:
Sorry, ma'am,
but the other one got busted,
it just came away in my hand.
GLADYS:
We'll discuss it later.
RUBY:
Yes, madam.
GLADYS: And you've forgotten
the pastry forks.
Sorry, madam.
Our girl's as clumsy
as an elephant, too.
You know, we've got some very
nice things in the house,
quite precious, some of them,
and I've just
had to put them away.
I fine Ruby for everything
she breaks.
It works wonders.
Well, that is a clever idea,
Gladys.
Well, we don't keep them
for charity, do we?
Don't forget to stoke the boiler
for Mr. Waddilove's bath, Ruby.
No, madam.
And the front door brass hasn't
been cleaned today, has it?
No, madam.
- well, see to it.
- Yes, madam.
[Door closes]
Trouble with girls today
is that they won't work.
Ruby spends half the day
reading Peg's Paper
and stuffing herself
with my food.
Well, when I went
to the Labour Exchange
the other day to inquire
about another maid,
there was a queue of big,
strong, healthy girls
drawing the dole, living
in idleness on the taxpayer.
It's a crying shame.
It's nothing but a scandal.
Now come along, eat this up.
There, come along,
you know you like this.
I am most desperately sorry
that this should have happened.
I only wish I'd thought of it
and warned you.
Oh, Uncle Richard, how could you
possibly have guessed?
RICHARD: Well, I've had a great
deal of experience of...well,
this sort of thing.
There is something not unlike it
happened to this family,
oh, years ago now.
But parents do change
and suddenly become
very silly and Victorian
when the future
of someone they love very much
is at stake.
ROBERT:
They're not giving us a chance.
That's what's so damned unfair.
They just made up their minds,
and that's that.
RICHARD: Well, did you
give them a chance?
You did go to war
rather swiftly.
Well, perhaps I did,
but I can hardly capitulate now
and go crawling back, saying
I'm sorry, because I'm not.
All right, fair enough.
I only wish my intervention
would do some good,
but I think it might
make things worse.
ROBERT:
Could they be worse?
RICHARD: Well, I think
the great thing to do
is not to do anything rash
or in a hurry.
Whatever you both may think,
your future happiness
is in the balance.
And do remember
that time is on your side.
ROBERT:
Well, we can't wait forever.
RICHARD: Well, three days
is hardly forever.
Now, do give them time.
I quite often see your father
in the House of Lords
and in the club,
and if I see a chance
of a quiet talk,
I'll take it.
Oh, darling,
it's from your mother!
She wants me to have tea
with her tomorrow.
Well, there you are.
Well, it don't surprise me
one little bit.
Not one little bit.
Why's that, Mrs. Bridges?
Because Captain Worsley,
who was Miss Georgina's father,
was a cad and a bounder
and well known for it.
Not to say famous.
But as he was killed
in a hunting accident
when Miss Georgina was only six,
I don't see how it can matter.
It matters to a duke
who his only son and heir
is going to get married to.
It matters very much, indeed.
And that side
of the Worsley family
has got bad blood in it.
And the duke knows it,
just like I do.
I've had
another letter from Ruby.
MRS. BRIDGES:
Mmm?
Don't sound too happy,
reading between the lines.
Well, she's made her bed,
and she must sleep in it.
Sounds like her mistress
is a proper bully.
Thank you.
MRS. BRIDGES:
Thank you, Mabel.
Oh, you've forgotten
the sugar, Mabel.
Well, go and get it then.
Go and get it yourself!
You do as you're told.
Why should I?
I wasn't took on here
to wait hand and foot
on the bleedin' servants.
DAISY You go get that sugar,
my girl, or I'll --
Get it yourself, you --
Ow!
Mabel, Mabel, now, stop it.
Well done, Daisy.
MRS. BRIDGES
Oh, thank you, Daisy.
EDWARD: Have a biscuit.
DAISY: Oh, thank you,
thank you very much.
EDWARD: Well done.
[Laughs]
Miss Worsley, Your Grace.
Ah, Miss Worsley.
How very nice of you
to come and see me.
Shall we have our tea
straightaway?
Michael, would you tell Harris?
Yes, Your Grace.
Do sit down, Miss Worsley.
Thank you.
Well, I'm sorry that we've never
had the chance to meet before.
Yes, so am I.
I was having luncheon
with Anne Birkenstead yesterday.
She tells me that you were
a nurse during the war.
Oh, yes, I was.
I tried, like everyone else,
to do something.
She said you were
a very good one.
My brother was with
James Bellamy
in the Life Guards.
He was killed, sadly.
How is Major Bellamy?
He played polo very well,
I remember.
Yes. He's in America
at the moment.
I think he's enjoying himself
very much.
He's coming back this autumn
to see us, we hope.
DUCHESS:
Have you ever been to America?
Yes, I have once.
I enjoyed it.
Oh, I always love going there.
They are tremendous snobs,
you know,
and they make an enormous fuss
of one,
which of course one adores.
It's one of the few advantages
of one's position.
Most of the time it's really
rather hard work
and not very much fun.
Endlessly opening things
and doing good works
and chairing committees.
One doesn't have to do
these things, of course,
but it is rather expected
of one.
Do you like lemon or milk
in your tea?
GEORGINA:
Oh, lemon, please.
Oh, dear, I'm not really allowed
to eat tea, and I do love it so.
It really is very boring
being middle-aged
and having to think
of one's figure all the time.
I expect you went to Hollywood
to make films.
No, I went to stay with James's
sister, Elizabeth,
who lives out there.
I'm afraid my film experiences
have been rather exaggerated.
I've only ever
been in one film,
and that was really
just for fun.
You young people nowadays
seem to have so much fun.
And so much more freedom
than when I was young.
One is always hearing of all
sorts of people
doing all sorts
of strange things.
Still, I suppose it's a good
thing, really.
Yes.
I do think Robert paints well.
Yes, he has quite a talent.
I remember being very proud
when he won a prize at school.
But he never kept it up, really.
I'm afraid it's rather typical
of him.
He never seems able
to stick at anything.
Has he really ever
been given the chance?
Oh, Lord, yes.
He was up at Oxford, you know,
but he left after a year or so,
never took his degree.
Not that he needed one.
He's a very, charming,
easygoing person,
and my husband and I
love him very dearly.
But being made the way he is,
I'm afraid
it's rather easy for him
to get away with things in life
and make mistakes.
You really are
a very pretty girl.
Much prettier
than your photographs.
I'm sure a lot of men must have
fallen in love with you.
Yes, they have.
DUCHESS:
And asked you to marry them?
Yes, some of them.
But I've never accepted
anyone before.
I didn't love them.
And I do love Robert.
DUCHESS:
I'm sure you do.
I think he's the sort of person
that will never let me down.
I don't think
he'd let anyone down.
Not deliberately, anyway.
Oh, not any way.
I've never met anyone
quite like him before.
It's very nice of you to say so.
We've decided that Robert
should go away for a few months.
His father's arranged it.
He'll be going
all over the world.
During that time, we don't want
you to see one another.
Now, you strike me as being
a sensible sort of girl,
and I hope you'll try
and persuade Robert
to see things our way.
After all, if you love him
as much as you say you do,
it will make no difference
in the long run.
I think that's unfair.
Miss Worsley,
Robert is our only son.
As I say, he's very dear to us.
But he's also heir
to a great inheritance.
Now, I don't just mean titles,
I mean land,
responsibility to people,
thousands of people.
We don't feel that he's
quite ready
to take on that responsibility.
Not that he'll have to, we hope,
for some time.
And we don't feel that he's
quite ready to get married.
I don't expect you
to agree with me,
or even to understand
why I seem to be behaving
like a fussy old hen.
But I felt that I at least
owed you an explanation.
Yes, thank you.
DUCHESS: Will you have
another cup of tea?
Yes. Thank you.
Ruby?
Ruby?
RUBY:
Who is it?
Mrs. Bridges.
What are you doing here?
I come to see
how you was getting on.
And none too well,
by the looks of things.
That kitchen there's a disgrace!
RUBY:
It's not my fault.
What are you dressed up
like that for?
She makes me dress like this.
Oh, I can't go on, Mrs. Bridges.
I'm that tired, I can't think
straight anymore.
I never stop. Day and night.
It's too much,
and I can't manage.
Well, you get your days off.
I don't go out, because I
haven't got the time.
I haven't got any money, anyway,
because she makes me pay
for everything I break.
Oh, she's terrible,
Mrs. Bridges.
She goes on at me all time.
I have to do everything.
Everything blessed thing!
I have to clean the rooms
and cook the meals
and serve them and make the beds
and answer the door
and everything else.
And I just never
seem to catch up.
MRS. BRIDGES:
Well, why don't you leave, then?
Because she won't give me
a reference -- she said so.
Well, you would go, Ruby.
You've nobody but
your own self to blame.
Now, then, come along,
let's try and get
that kitchen
tidied up a bit.
Oh, dear,
I don't know where to start.
[Buzzer rings]
RUBY: That'll be her,
wanting her tea.
And then she's got friends
coming round
for bridge afterwards.
[Buzzer rings repeatedly]
Mrs. Bridges --
You just stop where you are.
GLADYS:
Ruby! Ruby!
Ruby, when did you last
dust this room?
MRS. BRIDGES:
Excuse me, madam.
Who are you?
What are you doing here?
My name is Mrs. Bridges, madam,
and I come to visit Ruby.
How dare you come into my house
without being invited?
I repeat, madam,
I come to visit Ruby.
And I would be obliged
if you would let me
have a few words with you
about the girl.
GLADYS:
Are you her mother or something?
I am Lord and Lady Bellamy's
cook, madam,
and Ruby was my kitchen maid.
Well, you didn't train her
very well.
I've never had such a dirty,
lazy, slovenly, sullen girl.
She may be slow, but Ruby's
always been a good, hard worker.
I will not discuss my servants
with a cook.
Please go away
and send Ruby to me.
If you will excuse me, madam,
I think your treatment
of this girl
has been absolutely shocking.
Ruby, show this woman out
immediately.
It's your kind that brings
disgrace on domestic service.
Do you want me
to call the police?
Unless you get rid of this
woman, you're dismissed.
Oh, Lord.
And I shall personally see to it
that you never get
another place.
Ruby, fetch your things.
Now, I see your little game.
You've come here
to steal her from me.
I'll sue your employer.
I'll report you to the agency.
Ruby, come along with me.
GLADYS: I'll get my husband
to call the police.
I'll have you prosecuted,
that's what I'll do.
I'll have the law on you.
I'll have you put in prison.
[Dog barking]
I'll write to you
wherever you are.
I should think it would be
great fun.
You can find all sorts of
exciting places
to take me when we're married.
ROBERT:
I still think I'm being weak,
giving in like this.
I mean, if I want
to get married to you,
why the hell shouldn't I?
GEORGINA: Darling, we've been
through all this so often.
I'm sure Uncle Richard is right.
He always is.
It's going to seem
like centuries.
What a waste.
What a waste of our lives.
Let's plan a date
to get married.
June, next year.
GEORGINA:
June the 12th. It's a Thursday.
A year today.
Well, that's fine.
Thursday, June 12, 1930.
That'll be a day on which
history is made.
Goodbye, my love.
I love you.
[Door closes]
MAN ON RADIO:
Although the first test match
was left drawn here
this evening --
it had looked increasingly
like a draw
since yesterday morning --
South Africa
had the better of it.
And they'll be very pleased
about that.
But when they played --
[Daisy laughing]
I was just thinking what
Mr. Hudson would have said
if he'd come back here
and found Mabel.
Oh, I think we can
draw a veil over Mabel.
Neither Mr. Hudson nor Rose
need ever know she existed.
For the second wicket.
Sutcliffe got 114, Hammond --
DAISY:
Oh, Eddie, turn that thing off.
EDWARD:
It's the test, Daisy.
DAISY:
Yeah, there's always a test.
EDWARD:
But it's a series!
How a grown man can sit there
all day long
listening to some bloke
chattering away
on the radio about cricket
beats me.
His 100, stumps were drawn.
After this was --
[Turns radio off]
[Sniffs]
Ruby?
Ruby!
How's that stew getting on?
RUBY:
All right, Mrs. Bridges.
MRS. BRIDGES:
All right, is it?
Well, just you
look at this.
Now, what have I
always told you?
Come on, what is it?
A stew boiled is a stew spoiled.
MRS. BRIDGES: A stew boiled
is a stew spoiled.
And this one's been boiled.
So take it and throw it out.
And clean the saucepan,
'cause it's burnt.
And while you're about it,
you better
get on with scrubbing --
Subtitling by
Acorn Media (re-sync by moviesbyrizzo)
Acorn Media (re-sync by moviesbyrizzo)
COLE PORTER:
♫ That's why I ask the Lord ♫
♫ In heaven above♫
♫ what is this thing♫
♫ Called love?♫
MRS. BRIDGES:
There we are then.
DAISY:
Oh, I'll take them up.
MRS. BRIDGES: No, you'll do
nothing of the sort, Daisy.
In this heat?
You get a damp cloth,
cover them over.
That'll keep them fresh
and keep the flies off them.
Then you can take them up
with the wine nicely chilled
when Miss Georgina gets in.
That girl's got a regular
passion for smoked salmon.
Won't have nothing else.
DAISY: Or else
Lord Stockbridge has.
MRS. BRIDGES: What are you
insinuating, Daisy?
DAISY: I'm not
insinuating nothing,
but it's him that's took her
down to Eton College
for that 4th of June thing.
One swallow doesn't
make a summer.
Third time he's took her out in
a fortnight, I happen to know.
I reckon they're
walking out proper.
Well, high time that girl
did settle down,
that's what I say.
But it's best not spoke about
in case it don't come off.
MAN ON RADIO: Mr. Baldwin,
who tendered his resignation
as Prime Minister
and First Lord
of the Admiralty.
His resignation was accepted.
In normal circumstances,
His Majesty would have received
Mr. Ramsay MacDonald,
the leader of
the Labour party, at once
and invited him to form
an administration.
In view of the present state
of the king's health,
it was felt advisable that
he should not be overtaxed.
MRS. BRIDGES: Oh, poor king,
after being so ill.
Now to get a abscess
at a time like this.
MAN ON RADIO:
It was announced today
that the German government
has decided to enter into...
DAISY: Oh, Eddie,
turn that thing off.
It's nothing
but bad news nowadays.
Mr. Hudson will be having a fit
at them Socialists
having won the election.
It'll quite spoil his holiday.
Oh, I don't know, Mrs. Bridges.
I mean, give 'em a chance.
If this Ramsay MacDonald does
all he says he's going to do --
DAISY: Which he won't.
Oh, I can't stand this heat.
My ankles have swollen up
like bolsters.
Oh.
I don't know what's
happened to that Ruby.
She's been over an hour up
in my room fetching my glasses.
I can't do a thing without them.
Gone to sleep on the way,
I shouldn't wonder.
DAISY: There they are,
Mrs. Bridges.
MRS. BRIDGES:
Oh, thank you, my dear.
DAISY: I suppose
that means the master
won't be in the government
no more.
EDWARD: Well,
of course it does, love.
He'll have to go
with the rest of them.
DAISY: It's a pity, isn't it.
MRS. BRIDGES: Oh, well,
it doesn't matter to him,
him being a lord, you see.
RUBY:
Oh, I'm sorry, Mrs. Bridges.
I couldn't find them anywhere.
They was here all the time,
on the mantel shelf,
under your nose.
- But you said --
- what about our cocoa?
Yes, what about our cocoa,
Ruby, I'm parched.
RUBY: Well, wouldn't lemonade be
nicer, with it being so hot?
DAISY: Oh, well,
I'd rather have cocoa.
RUBY: Well, trouble is
milk's gone off.
What?!
Well, it's gone off on account
of with it being so close
and milkman not delivering.
It's gone off because you forgot
to put it in the cooler again.
Now, don't start
to argue with me.
I saw it with me very eyes.
RUBY: But that was Friday,
Mrs. Bridges.
It was today, as well.
I don't think I've ever met
a more stupider girl
than you, Ruby.
You never listen.
It goes in one ear,
out of the other.
And look at you.
Just look at you.
Torn stockings, dirty hands.
RUBY: I fell over
on back stairs, Mrs. Bridges.
Fell over?
One day, you'll fall and break
your neck and good riddance.
Now you go upstairs
and have a bath.
RUBY: I'll have a bath
when I want a bath!
You'll have a bath
when I tell you to!
And use plenty
of carbolic soap.
[sobbing]
L, uh, think Miss Georgina's
just come in.
I heard the front door.
DAISY: Oh.
I'll give you a hand, Daisy.
[Clears throat]
Oh, wretched girl.
Robert, thank you for the most
glorious, marvellous day!
I shall always bless Henry VI
for founding Eton.
ROBERT: [Chuckles]
Dear old Henry.
If only he could see
the result of his labors.
All those scruffy little boys
in toppers.
GEORGINA: Well, they were
certainly the best fireworks
I've ever seen.
ROBERT: But they always are.
Better than ever before.
Unless, of course, it rains.
GEORGINA:
Oh, I wish I'd been a boy.
Rowing up the Thames
on a lovely summer's day,
it's not a bit like being
at school at all.
Well, I didn't do much
rowing actually.
I was a dry bob --
played cricket.
GEORGINA: Were you good at it?
ROBERT: Well, not too bad.
I did get into the Eleven.
GEORGINA: Oh, Daisy, Edward,
thank you so much.
[Door closes]
Oh, don't bother,
we'll help ourselves.
ROBERT: Oh, smoked salmon,
how gorgeous.
I'm starving.
GEORGINA: Tuck in.
Daisy, is his lordship in?
DAISY: No, he's gone away
for the night, miss.
GEORGINA: Oh, well, you go to
bed whenever you like.
I'll turn the lights out
and lock upstairs.
DAISY: Thank you, miss.
Good night, miss.
GEORGINA: Good night.
[Door closes]
Do you still play?
What?
GEORGINA: Cricket, you idiot.
Cricket?
- Mm.
Yes. Yes, I do.
I play for the village team
sometimes.
Well, they've made me captain.
Strictly an honorary position.
Frank Bowman, our postman,
does all the work.
Well, he does the fixtures
and mows the pitch
and everything,
and he's also our demon bowler.
And his brother Joe,
the blacksmith,
he's the wicket keeper.
A huge man with mighty sinews,
just like the chestnut tree.
When Joe hits a six,
well, it's like an enormous
firework going off.
Whoosh!
[Both laughing]
And father still
plays sometimes.
He creaks a bit
when he's fielding,
but the duke's donkey drops
are still famous
throughout the county
and treated with respect.
What's a donkey drop?
What's a donkey drop?
GEORGINA: Mm.
ROBERT: Well, it's when you bowl
a ball very, very high
up into the air so that it drops
almost straight from heaven
right on top of the wicket.
[Laughter]
It's not very sporting,
but it's jolly effective.
Especially if the sun's
in the right direction.
GEORGINA: Oh!
[Laughs]
ROBERT: Georgina, darling,
I do love you.
I absolutely adore you.
I started to fall in love with
you a long time ago,
and now I think
about nothing else.
GEORGINA: Robert.
Could I have some
more wine, please?
ROBERT: Yes.
Why didn't you tell me before?
ROBERT: Well, I -- I think it
was because I was so terrified
that you were going to say no.
You're not going to, are you?
GEORGINA: No.
ROBERT: I just don't believe it.
[Georgina laughs]
Do you mean to say that you
actually love me too?
GEORGINA: Yes.
ROBERT: It's incredible.
Tremendous!
I don't know what I would have
done if you'd turned me down.
Georgina, darling,
I can't live without you.
GEORGINA: Please don't say that.
ROBERT: Why not?
It's true.
GEORGINA: Yes, but please
don't say it, promise me.
ROBERT: Why not?
GEORGINA:
Because I ask you not to.
ROBERT: Well, tell me.
Why not?
GEORGINA: Because someone once
said that to me a long time ago,
someone who I was
very fond of but didn't love.
And then at a party in this
house, he shot himself.
Oh, I'm just superstitious
about it, that's all.
He'd been in the war, and he was
sort of shell-shocked.
Then, most of them were a bit.
It was after that
that I decided
I didn't want to get involved
with anyone again.
And going to parties
and acting in that film
and behaving like a lunatic,
I suppose, was a way of
keeping real life at bay.
ROBERT: Yes, I see.
GEORGINA: Not that
I didn't enjoy it.
It was rather fun
being one of the bright young
things while it lasted.
ROBERT: You're making you sound
quite middle-aged.
[Georgina chuckles]
Did you really never suspect
that I would ask
you to marry me?
GEORGINA: Well,
you haven't actually.
ROBERT: Good lord,
nor I have.
My dear Miss Worsley,
will you do me the great honour
of becoming my wife?
Well, I shall have to
think about it,
Lord Stockbridge.
ROBERT: I, um...
I think I should go home now.
Good night, my love.
[Door closes]
[Gasps] what's that?
Ruby.
RUBY: I'm off, Daisy.
I can't stand any more.
DAISY: Oh, but I'm sure --
Oh, Ruby!
RUBY: I've had enough.
DAISY: You can't just go off
at this hour of the night.
RUBY: There's a hostel
at Victoria,
and it's open all night,
but don't tell her.
Oh, Ruby, I'm sorry.
RUBY: It doesn't matter.
Goodbye, Daisy.
DAISY: Goodbye, Ruby.
Good luck.
Watch out, here she comes.
[Clears throat]
Morning, Mrs. Bridges.
MRS. BRIDGES:
Where's that girl?
She forgot to bring up my tea.
DAISY:
She's gone, Mrs. Bridges.
- Gone?
- She went last night.
MRS. BRIDGES: Well, if you saw
her go, why didn't you stop her?
It's a free country.
If she wants to go, she can,
as far as I'm concerned.
She's in service.
She's my kitchen maid.
Where's she gone to?
DAISY: Don't know, I'm sure.
MRS. BRIDGES: Silly girl!
What she want to go and do
a thing like that for?
Well, you did pitch into her
a bit strong last night.
Well, I wasn't myself
last night,
what with the heat
and everything else.
Oh, she'll come back directly
she comes to her senses.
DAISY: I don't think she will,
Mrs. Bridges.
MRS. BRIDGES: Well, what
am I going to do?
I can't do without
a kitchen maid.
DAISY: Eddie, come and give us
a hand laying up in here.
Yes.
Oh, come in, Mrs. Bridges.
I've had a note from Ruby,
which I can hardly read,
saying she was
sorry she had gone
Without giving in her notice
but that she was very unhappy.
MRS. BRIDGES:
Yes, she's gone, my lord.
RICHARD:
Well, why was she unhappy?
I don't know, my lord.
She's been very
unsettled lately.
Well, we had one
or two little tiffs
but nothing that
mattered very much.
But she's a very foolish girl,
my lord.
She won't listen to reason.
Well, she wants a reference
sent to some agency.
Oh, what a cunning girl!
I see now she had it
all worked out all along.
Yes, yes,
well, that's as may be.
We can hardly refuse to give
the girl a reference.
Now, here's the letter.
Please deal with it.
I think you should, my lord.
It isn't usual for the cook.
Oh, all right.
This would happen
when my wife was away.
Now then...
"Miss Ruby"...
- what's her name, Mrs. --
- Finch.
RICHARD: "Finch has been
a kitchen maid
in this house
for many years."
She's a good, clean, honest?
Oh, I wouldn't go
as far as that, my lord.
She can be very sly at times.
I wouldn't go no further
than "hardworking."
RICHARD: "Hardworking, clean."
Yes, now they'll want to know
about her cooking.
[Scoffs] It isn't up
to much, my lord.
But then standards
isn't what they was.
RICHARD: Shall we say she's a
good cook and leave it at that?
MRS. BRIDGES:
Good, plain cook, my lord.
RICHARD: "Good, plain cook."
All right.
MRS. BRIDGES: I shall need
a replacement, my lord.
RICHARD: Well, can't you manage
until her ladyship returns?
No, my lord, I cannot manage
Without a kitchen maid.
RICHARD: All right,
Mrs. Bridges,
I'll try and arrange something.
MRS. BRIDGES:
Very good, my lord.
Lord Stockbridge wishes
to see you, my lord.
RICHARD: Oh, yes.
Thank you, Mrs. Bridges.
MRS. BRIDGES:
Thank you, my lord.
RICHARD: Show him in,
will you, Daisy?
DAISY:
Lord Stockbridge, my lord.
RICHARD: Hello, Robert.
Come to pick up Georgina?
ROBERT: Well, no,
not entirely, sir.
Has she spoken to you?
No, I've just got
back from a postmortem,
the damned election at Cliveden.
I've got to be at the Belgian
Delegation in about 30 minutes.
They're cutting up rough
about reparations.
And on top of all that,
we've got kitchen maid trouble.
Oh, I say, I'm sorry, sir.
Look, I won't disturb you now
if you're so busy.
Did you want to see me?
Well, yes, I did.
Uh...what I wanted
to say, sir, was, uh...
well, to ask you whether
I could have permission
to marry Georgina.
Good lord.
I had no idea.
I really had no idea.
My dear Robert, congratulations!
I'm absolutely delighted!
I'm very fond of you, Robert.
I really am very,
very pleased.
I know Virginia will be, too.
Have you told your parents?
Well, no,
they're somewhere in Austria.
- But they'll be back next week.
- Good.
Well, I'll send them
a telegram now I know.
- Oh, sorry.
- No, no!
Georgina, darling, come in
and congratulations!
GEORGINA: You approve?
RICHARD:
Well, of course I approve.
Now, this calls for
a little celebration.
Far more important
than Belgian reparations.
Oh, by the way, Ruby's left us.
I gather she's parted brass rags
with Mrs. Bridges.
GEORGINA: Yes, I know.
Daisy told me. Poor old Ruby.
RICHARD: Yes, well,
I have to leave it to you
and Mrs. Bridges
to find a replacement.
GEORGINA: Me?
RICHARD: Yes. Good training
for the future.
Daisy, bring up
a bottle of champagne.
Very good, my lord.
Wonderful news.
GEORGINA: Thank you.
EDWARD: What's that?
DAISY: A letter from Ruby.
She's got a job already.
EDWARD: Oh, has she?
Ah, good luck to her.
DAISY: With a lady in Ruislip,
cook general,
£46 a year all found.
Do you know what I think?
I think we're mugs
just sitting here.
I think we ought to take a leaf
out of Ruby's book.
EDWARD: Well, we haven't got
any reason to leave, Daisy.
DAISY: Yes, we have.
Improve our living standards,
make more money.
We're took for granted.
EDWARD: Oh, I don't think we are
really, you know, Daisy.
DAISY: There's plenty of money
around, plenty of jobs going.
Look at this.
"Wanted -- chauffeur,
mechanic, married.
Knowledge of town,
thoroughly reliable.
£3.10 a week plus cottage."
£3.10 a week
plus cottage!
That's double what we're
getting here for both of us.
EDWARD: Yes,
but I'm not a mechanic,
and that's where the money is.
DAISY: Well, not bad.
EDWARD: Well,
I can drive a car, yes.
But, I mean, if anything
goes wrong with it,
I take it round the corner
to the garage.
DAISY: Oh.
EDWARD: Oh, yes,
that reminds me,
I've got to go and collect the
master from the Foreign Office.
He's got to clear
everything away
to make way for the new man.
- Bye, bye, love.
- Bye.
[Knock on door]
DAISY: Yes, what is it?
WOMAN: I've come for
the interview, miss.
DAISY: Oh, come in.
Through there.
If you sit down, I'll go
and tell them you're here.
What's the name?
WOMAN: Mabel. Mabel Wilkes.
I see that you haven't been
in domestic service before,
Miss, uh...
Mabel.
GEORGINA: Mabel.
MABEL: I've been working
in a restaurant
as you might say, my lady.
That's all I done.
MRS. BRIDGES:
You call Miss Worsley "Miss."
What kind of work?
General work, miss.
MRS. BRIDGES: Cooking?
MABEL: Not much, but I'm
very anxious to learn.
I'd like to be
a really good cook.
Yes, well, is there anything
else, Mrs. Bridges?
MRS. BRIDGES:
It'll be very hard work.
I hope you understand that.
MABEL: Oh, yes, ma'am.
MRS. BRIDGES:
And you call me "Mrs. Bridges."
Now, about wages,
we're offering £32 a year.
Oh, if you'll excuse me, miss,
the agency said I was
to ask for £38 a year
and half day off
in every second Sunday
and two weeks holiday and two
bob clothing wear and tear.
That's what they
said was fair.
Yes, well, if you'd like to wait
outside for a moment, Mabel.
Thank you.
[Door opens, closes]
It's extortion,
that's what it is!
I've never heard
nothing like it.
If I've said it once,
I've said it a hundred times,
these agencies are going
to ruin domestic service.
They put ideas into these
young girls' heads.
It's blackmail,
nothing but blackmail.
Well, I suppose we shall
have to pay it.
I just hope her ladyship
will think we've done
the right thing.
Or shall we wait
and try some others?
Well, there aren't any others
suitable that I can find, miss.
There's a great shortage,
you see.
They all go into factories
and offices
Where they can do
what they like.
There's no dedication.
No pride in work
like there used to be.
Well, she seemed a nice girl.
MRS. BRIDGES:
Oh, not bad at all.
GEORGINA: But does it matter
about her not being experienced?
MRS. BRIDGES: Well, I'd sooner
have a clean slate
to write on, miss, than teach
an old dog new tricks.
I've always said that.
Well, then, I suppose
we'd better take her on.
Thank you very much,
Miss Georgina.
Oh, if you'll excuse
my mentioning it, miss,
it's better not to use
the Christian name until
she's took on proper.
GEORGINA: Yes, of course.
Thank you very much,
Mrs. Bridges.
Thank you, Miss Georgina.
[Mabel singing indistinctly]
EDWARD: Who's that?
DAISY: The new girl.
She come just after dinner.
Mrs. Bridges got her
peeling potatoes.
EDWARD: Oh, yeah?
What's she like?
Common little thing.
Oh, ho! I like that
coming from you.
- Edward Barnes.
- Shh.
[Singing continues]
EDWARD: Hm.
Pretty little figure,
nice-coloured hair.
It's dyed.
Eh?
Anyway, make a nice change
from Ruby, won't it?
Cor, struth!
MABEL: 'Till that lucky--
Oh, hello.
DAISY: Edward, this is Mabel.
EDWARD: Mabel.
MABEL: Ooh, isn't he lovely?
Here, where d'you get that cake?
Found it in the larder.
DAISY: Mrs. Bridges will skin
you alive if she finds out.
MABEL: She won't.
She's a right old bee,
isn't she?
And ancient.
Cor, she must be a hundred.
EDWARD: She's not that old.
Here, where was you
in service before?
MABEL: In a café, washing up.
Cor, it was bloody slavery.
EDWARD: Oh, no, thank you.
MABEL: Here, got a light?
Ta.
[Edward whispering]
Nah, I didn't fancy
being a skivvy,
but me mum ran off with
this bloke from Liverpool,
so Dad chucked us all out.
DAISY:
Things don't change much.
EDWARD: How old are you?
Old enough.
Well, you'll be out
on the street
before you're much older
if Mrs. Bridges
catches you smoking
in here in the afternoon.
She'll be down in a minute
to inspect your potatoes.
Do you know what I give
for Mrs. Bridges?
[Raspberries]
[Laughs]
Crikey!
She won't last very long.
DAISY: Yeah, and they say
they're hard to come by.
EDWARD: Blimey, they must be.
[Mabel singing]
I see Lord Stockbridge's car
is still outside.
DAISY: Oh, they'll be making
plans, I suppose.
EDWARD: Yeah.
Oh, he's a lucky bloke.
DAISY: And so is she.
Fancy marrying a marquis.
- Mm.
- Oh, dear.
- what's up now, love?
- Sometimes I could just scream!
MRS. BRIDGES: Stop that
caterwauling this instant!
I've never heard
nothing like it.
No singing in my kitchen.
Let's get that straight
for a start.
Now, where's them potatoes?
My God!
Don't you even know how
to peel a potato?
MABEL: Well, they're going to be
all mashed up, aren't they?
MRS. BRIDGES: I don't care
what they're going to be.
In this house, they've got
to be properly done.
You left all the h'eyes in them.
[Gasps] I don't know.
Come here, let me show you.
Stop picking your nose!
You see that little
black mark there,
that's a h'eye, that is.
GEORGINA: 82 bedrooms!
ROBERT: Yes, I'm afraid Shalford
is a bit of a barracks.
Still, I do hope
you'll come and see it
for yourself next weekend
and meet my parents.
We've got a cricket match
against the warwickshire
gentlemen.
GEORGINA: Oh, Robert,
I'd love to.
ROBERT: Good.
Just think, in about
a hundred years' time,
you and I will be sitting down
there by the lake having tea,
surrounded by hundreds
of grandchildren.
GEORGINA: The old duke
and the old duchess.
What a thought.
I do think it's terribly good.
Do you paint a lot?
ROBERT:
Well, no, I don't actually.
Father seems to think it's all
not quite the sort
of thing for a gentleman.
GEORGINA: Oh.
ROBERT: We've got some neighbours
who've got four sons,
and one of them
paints professionally.
Father always refers to them
as "the three good boys
and an artist."
[Georgina chuckles]
I've always wanted
to go to Paris
and Florence
and Venice to paint.
GEORGINA: Well, when we're
married, we shall go
to all of those places,
and we'll have a studio
in our house in London.
That's exactly what
I've always wanted.
GEORGINA:
Well, you've got talent,
and precious few people
do have today.
You must use it.
ROBERT: Yes.
Trouble with me is,
I'm just idle.
But it's so easy just to mooch
about and do absolutely nothing,
rather like my father did,
and my grandfather.
Then, of course, they did have
wars and things to occupy them.
Well, thank goodness
you're not going to have
a war to keep you occupied.
ROBERT: I shall have to rely
on you to kick me around
and keep me busy.
GEORGINA: Yes, I will.
Robert, do you remember
what you said to me
the day after the inquest
on that poor man
I knocked down and killed?
You said, "We'll find something
better, I promise you."
You came into court,
and you spoke up for me
after you'd been told
not to by your parents.
And you were so brave and kind
after the bloody way
I treated you.
That changed everything for me.
Honestly, anybody would
have done the same thing.
GEORGINA: No, no, they wouldn't.
None of my other friends did.
Couldn't see them for dust.
Most of them anyway.
Everything was going faster
and faster,
sort of like
a runaway roundabout,
and I was giddy
and terribly frightened.
And I couldn't get off.
You stopped it for me.
I'm glad.
Anyway, I suddenly feel
that life is worth living
now I've got you.
I mean,
there's some point in it.
There never was before.
Let's care immensely for
the things that we care about
and throw the rest
out of the window.
I mean, my parents are always
wanting me to go into politics,
but I just don't care for it.
GEORGINA: Thank the Lord
for that.
I've had enough politics
in this house for life.
Out of the window go politics.
What shall we keep?
Um, painting and cricket.
And forestry.
Forestry?
ROBERT: Yes, I'm rather
keen on forestry.
GEORGINA:
Oh, all right, forestry.
We shall march forward
together into life,
thumbing our noses
at Prime Ministers,
lord high thises and thats,
and we shall carry a banner
with the noble device,
"Painting, cricket,
and forestry."
[Laughter]
Mabel!
MABEL: What is it now?
MRS. BRIDGES: I want to know
why them saucepans,
that you were supposed to have
cleaned, are still dirty.
MABEL: They're all right,
they'll do.
They will not do.
You put on your apron
and clean them again.
Sorry, I'm going out.
I've got to meet my boyfriend
down at Palais at 6:00.
You clean those saucepans first.
Do 'em yourself.
I've got my rights
same as anyone else.
Oh! Oh.
Ah, Oh.
[Door slams]
I can't manage.
I can't manage.
EDWARD: Mrs. Bridges,
come and sit down.
MRS. BRIDGES: I'm too Old.
EDWARD: She needs a good
talking to, that girl.
What she wants is a good --
MRS. BRIDGES:
She's no respect. Nothing.
EDWARD: What she wants is
the sack, Mrs. Bridges.
Why don't you go
and see his lordship?
MRS. BRIDGES: I can't.
He's too busy.
And Miss Georgina has got
a young man.
Nobody cares
what goes on down here
so long as they get
their food!
[sobbing]
If only Mr. Hudson was here.
EDWARD: He'll soon be back,
Mrs. Bridges.
The whole kitchen's piled
with filthy saucepans.
EDWARD: Well, Daisy will do
them when she comes down.
MRS. BRIDGES: Why should she?
It's not her place.
EDWARD: How about a nice cup
of tea, Mrs. Bridges?
MRS. BRIDGES:
Oh, I can't manage.
The whole place piled
with filthy saucepans.
What rather surprised us
What rather surprised us
was that you'd never introduced
us to Miss Worsley before.
I mean, just a telegram
out of the blue.
ROBERT: Well, you haven't met
quite a lot of my friends.
I mean, why should you?
DUCHESS: Well, she is rather
more than just a friend, surely.
ROBERT: I'm sorry, mother,
but I just didn't
think about it before.
I mean, I didn't really know
that I was going to get married.
DUCHESS: You mean
you had no idea?
ROBERT: Well, yes,
of course I had,
but I didn't know
what she was going to say.
I just wish
you hadn't taken us
quite so much by surprise,
that's all.
I could hardly tell you before
I'd asked her, now could I?
Robert, you know perfectly
Well what I mean.
Mother, do I take it
from all this
that you and father are against
my getting married.
This is a tremendously
important step in your life.
And after all that unfortunate
publicity last year
over the inquest,
you could hardly expect us
to be greatly enthusiastic
that you'd chosen Miss Worsley.
Your father was extremely cross
that you deliberately went
against his express wishes.
Mother, I had to give
evidence at that inquest.
I was the only person
who saw the accident
that could say
that Georgina was innocent.
I couldn't let her
go to prison.
I think that would have been
most unlikely.
Oh, let's not go over
all this again.
We've been through it endlessly.
It's over and done with.
DUCHESS: Robert, do sit down.
ROBERT: Mother, when you get
to know Georgina,
you'll change your mind,
I'm sure.
Well, we don't know her yet,
of course.
But we do know of her.
What exactly do you mean
by that, mother?
Well, she's quite
a well-known young lady.
She seems to get her face into
the newspapers quite a lot.
Well, only because she enjoys
doing original things
and happens to be
very beautiful.
You can hardly
blame her for that.
DUCHESS: You must believe me,
my darling,
that your father and I want
only what is best for you.
Your future happiness
is of tremendous importance
to all of us.
It is rather sudden,
as you admit yourself.
ROBERT: I don't admit
anything of the sort.
DUCHESS: Oh, Robert,
do be reasonable.
ROBERT: I am being
perfectly reasonable.
DUCHESS: We just want you
to give it time.
To think about it so that
you're quite, quite sure.
ROBERT: Don't you think
I've thought about it
endlessly for hours and hours?
And you talk about
giving it time?
Heavens above,
I love the girl,
she loves me, we want to get
married -- isn't that enough?
No, I don't think it is.
In that case, I'm sorry.
GEORGINA: Daisy, do you
think that this hat
is all right
for watching cricket in?
DAISY: Mm-hmm, yes, miss.
GEORGINA:
Nice and old-fashioned.
I don't want
to shook the Duchess.
DAISY: What about
this one, miss.
It's got white in it.
GEORGINA: Oh, yes,
it'll probably go better
with the dress.
Robert.
ROBERT: I must talk to you.
I'm afraid it's a waste of time,
your packing.
GEORGINA: You've seen
your parents.
ROBERT: Well,
I haven't seen father.
He went straight
on down to Shalford.
I knew that was a bad sign.
I've just had the most
blinding row with mother.
I mean, they're being
utterly prejudiced
and idiotic
about the whole thing.
GEORGINA: They don't approve?
No. And for the most
ridiculous reasons.
I mean, to start with,
they've never even met you,
so how can they judge?
Mother practically implying
that you were notorious
just because you had your face
in the illustrated papers.
I mean, God!
And she can talk.
She's had lovers carrying her
parcels around for her
for as long as I can remember.
[Scoffs]
I need a drink.
GEORGINA: I'm sorry.
There isn't one up here.
ROBERT:
It doesn't really matter.
I'm sorry.
GEORGINA: Well,
I suppose looking at it
from their point of view,
you are quite a catch.
They probably think
that I've been chasing you
and once I'd got my tiny,
little claws into you,
I'm not going to let you go
until you marry me.
I suppose
it's that inquest, too.
ROBERT: Oh, mother brought
that up straightaway.
Damn her! Damn them both!
That's all I can say.
GEORGINA: I wish I could
just meet them.
ROBERT: Well, that's what's
so damned unfair.
I mean, it's so prejudiced.
GEORGINA: It's no good just
going on saying that.
ROBERT: No, but...
only for heaven's sake.
When mother started
all that eyewash
about the only thing
that she really wanted
was that I should be happy,
I just lost my temper
and stormed out.
I'll take rooms in Ebury Street
for the moment.
GEORGINA: Is that wise?
Wouldn't it be better --
ROBERT: I want to be near you.
I'm not going to let you down.
It's they who are going
to have to think again.
GEORGINA: Oh.
I just don't see
what we can do.
ROBERT: Well, neither do I
for the moment, but...
Well, we're over 21.
We can elope.
Come along.
There's a good boy.
Come along.
There's a good boy.
You know you like this.
Come on.
[LAUGHING]
[RINGS BELL]
Come along.
Eat it up, eat it up.
Will you serve the cakes now,
please, Ruby?
Yes, ma'am.
Come on, come on,
this is your favourite.
[LAUGHING]
GLADYS:
Let me see your hands.
Oh, you've been
biting your nails again.
And where are your gloves?
You don't serve at meals
Without gloves.
RUBY:
Sorry, ma'am.
GLADYS:
And bring some more hot water.
RUBY:
Yes, ma'am.
GLADYS:
And, Ruby, you call me Madam.
It's very common for a servant
to call her mistress, "Ma'am."
Yes, ma'am. Madam.
I don't know.
It seems quite impossible
to find servants these days.
We've got gas fires
in every room, no basement,
every modern labour-saving
device,
and yet that girl's
always grumbling.
She never seems
to finish her work.
I have had to teach her
everything myself.
And would you believe it,
in her last place,
she was with titled
people --
the Viscount
and Viscountess Bellamy.
Oh, a minister
at the Foreign Office.
GLADYS:
A big house in Eaton Place.
Some more tea, dear?
Oh, thank you.
It's so delicious.
China, isn't it?
Lapsang souchong.
We'd never have anything
different in this house.
The king and queen
always drink it, I'm told.
WOMAN: Oh?
GLADYS: Of course, it's not
easily obtainable,
but Mr. Waddilove
being in the trade.
Ruby, this isn't
the proper milk jug.
RUBY:
Sorry, ma'am,
but the other one got busted,
it just came away in my hand.
GLADYS:
We'll discuss it later.
RUBY:
Yes, madam.
GLADYS: And you've forgotten
the pastry forks.
Sorry, madam.
Our girl's as clumsy
as an elephant, too.
You know, we've got some very
nice things in the house,
quite precious, some of them,
and I've just
had to put them away.
I fine Ruby for everything
she breaks.
It works wonders.
Well, that is a clever idea,
Gladys.
Well, we don't keep them
for charity, do we?
Don't forget to stoke the boiler
for Mr. Waddilove's bath, Ruby.
No, madam.
And the front door brass hasn't
been cleaned today, has it?
No, madam.
- well, see to it.
- Yes, madam.
[Door closes]
Trouble with girls today
is that they won't work.
Ruby spends half the day
reading Peg's Paper
and stuffing herself
with my food.
Well, when I went
to the Labour Exchange
the other day to inquire
about another maid,
there was a queue of big,
strong, healthy girls
drawing the dole, living
in idleness on the taxpayer.
It's a crying shame.
It's nothing but a scandal.
Now come along, eat this up.
There, come along,
you know you like this.
I am most desperately sorry
that this should have happened.
I only wish I'd thought of it
and warned you.
Oh, Uncle Richard, how could you
possibly have guessed?
RICHARD: Well, I've had a great
deal of experience of...well,
this sort of thing.
There is something not unlike it
happened to this family,
oh, years ago now.
But parents do change
and suddenly become
very silly and Victorian
when the future
of someone they love very much
is at stake.
ROBERT:
They're not giving us a chance.
That's what's so damned unfair.
They just made up their minds,
and that's that.
RICHARD: Well, did you
give them a chance?
You did go to war
rather swiftly.
Well, perhaps I did,
but I can hardly capitulate now
and go crawling back, saying
I'm sorry, because I'm not.
All right, fair enough.
I only wish my intervention
would do some good,
but I think it might
make things worse.
ROBERT:
Could they be worse?
RICHARD: Well, I think
the great thing to do
is not to do anything rash
or in a hurry.
Whatever you both may think,
your future happiness
is in the balance.
And do remember
that time is on your side.
ROBERT:
Well, we can't wait forever.
RICHARD: Well, three days
is hardly forever.
Now, do give them time.
I quite often see your father
in the House of Lords
and in the club,
and if I see a chance
of a quiet talk,
I'll take it.
Oh, darling,
it's from your mother!
She wants me to have tea
with her tomorrow.
Well, there you are.
Well, it don't surprise me
one little bit.
Not one little bit.
Why's that, Mrs. Bridges?
Because Captain Worsley,
who was Miss Georgina's father,
was a cad and a bounder
and well known for it.
Not to say famous.
But as he was killed
in a hunting accident
when Miss Georgina was only six,
I don't see how it can matter.
It matters to a duke
who his only son and heir
is going to get married to.
It matters very much, indeed.
And that side
of the Worsley family
has got bad blood in it.
And the duke knows it,
just like I do.
I've had
another letter from Ruby.
MRS. BRIDGES:
Mmm?
Don't sound too happy,
reading between the lines.
Well, she's made her bed,
and she must sleep in it.
Sounds like her mistress
is a proper bully.
Thank you.
MRS. BRIDGES:
Thank you, Mabel.
Oh, you've forgotten
the sugar, Mabel.
Well, go and get it then.
Go and get it yourself!
You do as you're told.
Why should I?
I wasn't took on here
to wait hand and foot
on the bleedin' servants.
DAISY You go get that sugar,
my girl, or I'll --
Get it yourself, you --
Ow!
Mabel, Mabel, now, stop it.
Well done, Daisy.
MRS. BRIDGES
Oh, thank you, Daisy.
EDWARD: Have a biscuit.
DAISY: Oh, thank you,
thank you very much.
EDWARD: Well done.
[Laughs]
Miss Worsley, Your Grace.
Ah, Miss Worsley.
How very nice of you
to come and see me.
Shall we have our tea
straightaway?
Michael, would you tell Harris?
Yes, Your Grace.
Do sit down, Miss Worsley.
Thank you.
Well, I'm sorry that we've never
had the chance to meet before.
Yes, so am I.
I was having luncheon
with Anne Birkenstead yesterday.
She tells me that you were
a nurse during the war.
Oh, yes, I was.
I tried, like everyone else,
to do something.
She said you were
a very good one.
My brother was with
James Bellamy
in the Life Guards.
He was killed, sadly.
How is Major Bellamy?
He played polo very well,
I remember.
Yes. He's in America
at the moment.
I think he's enjoying himself
very much.
He's coming back this autumn
to see us, we hope.
DUCHESS:
Have you ever been to America?
Yes, I have once.
I enjoyed it.
Oh, I always love going there.
They are tremendous snobs,
you know,
and they make an enormous fuss
of one,
which of course one adores.
It's one of the few advantages
of one's position.
Most of the time it's really
rather hard work
and not very much fun.
Endlessly opening things
and doing good works
and chairing committees.
One doesn't have to do
these things, of course,
but it is rather expected
of one.
Do you like lemon or milk
in your tea?
GEORGINA:
Oh, lemon, please.
Oh, dear, I'm not really allowed
to eat tea, and I do love it so.
It really is very boring
being middle-aged
and having to think
of one's figure all the time.
I expect you went to Hollywood
to make films.
No, I went to stay with James's
sister, Elizabeth,
who lives out there.
I'm afraid my film experiences
have been rather exaggerated.
I've only ever
been in one film,
and that was really
just for fun.
You young people nowadays
seem to have so much fun.
And so much more freedom
than when I was young.
One is always hearing of all
sorts of people
doing all sorts
of strange things.
Still, I suppose it's a good
thing, really.
Yes.
I do think Robert paints well.
Yes, he has quite a talent.
I remember being very proud
when he won a prize at school.
But he never kept it up, really.
I'm afraid it's rather typical
of him.
He never seems able
to stick at anything.
Has he really ever
been given the chance?
Oh, Lord, yes.
He was up at Oxford, you know,
but he left after a year or so,
never took his degree.
Not that he needed one.
He's a very, charming,
easygoing person,
and my husband and I
love him very dearly.
But being made the way he is,
I'm afraid
it's rather easy for him
to get away with things in life
and make mistakes.
You really are
a very pretty girl.
Much prettier
than your photographs.
I'm sure a lot of men must have
fallen in love with you.
Yes, they have.
DUCHESS:
And asked you to marry them?
Yes, some of them.
But I've never accepted
anyone before.
I didn't love them.
And I do love Robert.
DUCHESS:
I'm sure you do.
I think he's the sort of person
that will never let me down.
I don't think
he'd let anyone down.
Not deliberately, anyway.
Oh, not any way.
I've never met anyone
quite like him before.
It's very nice of you to say so.
We've decided that Robert
should go away for a few months.
His father's arranged it.
He'll be going
all over the world.
During that time, we don't want
you to see one another.
Now, you strike me as being
a sensible sort of girl,
and I hope you'll try
and persuade Robert
to see things our way.
After all, if you love him
as much as you say you do,
it will make no difference
in the long run.
I think that's unfair.
Miss Worsley,
Robert is our only son.
As I say, he's very dear to us.
But he's also heir
to a great inheritance.
Now, I don't just mean titles,
I mean land,
responsibility to people,
thousands of people.
We don't feel that he's
quite ready
to take on that responsibility.
Not that he'll have to, we hope,
for some time.
And we don't feel that he's
quite ready to get married.
I don't expect you
to agree with me,
or even to understand
why I seem to be behaving
like a fussy old hen.
But I felt that I at least
owed you an explanation.
Yes, thank you.
DUCHESS: Will you have
another cup of tea?
Yes. Thank you.
Ruby?
Ruby?
RUBY:
Who is it?
Mrs. Bridges.
What are you doing here?
I come to see
how you was getting on.
And none too well,
by the looks of things.
That kitchen there's a disgrace!
RUBY:
It's not my fault.
What are you dressed up
like that for?
She makes me dress like this.
Oh, I can't go on, Mrs. Bridges.
I'm that tired, I can't think
straight anymore.
I never stop. Day and night.
It's too much,
and I can't manage.
Well, you get your days off.
I don't go out, because I
haven't got the time.
I haven't got any money, anyway,
because she makes me pay
for everything I break.
Oh, she's terrible,
Mrs. Bridges.
She goes on at me all time.
I have to do everything.
Everything blessed thing!
I have to clean the rooms
and cook the meals
and serve them and make the beds
and answer the door
and everything else.
And I just never
seem to catch up.
MRS. BRIDGES:
Well, why don't you leave, then?
Because she won't give me
a reference -- she said so.
Well, you would go, Ruby.
You've nobody but
your own self to blame.
Now, then, come along,
let's try and get
that kitchen
tidied up a bit.
Oh, dear,
I don't know where to start.
[Buzzer rings]
RUBY: That'll be her,
wanting her tea.
And then she's got friends
coming round
for bridge afterwards.
[Buzzer rings repeatedly]
Mrs. Bridges --
You just stop where you are.
GLADYS:
Ruby! Ruby!
Ruby, when did you last
dust this room?
MRS. BRIDGES:
Excuse me, madam.
Who are you?
What are you doing here?
My name is Mrs. Bridges, madam,
and I come to visit Ruby.
How dare you come into my house
without being invited?
I repeat, madam,
I come to visit Ruby.
And I would be obliged
if you would let me
have a few words with you
about the girl.
GLADYS:
Are you her mother or something?
I am Lord and Lady Bellamy's
cook, madam,
and Ruby was my kitchen maid.
Well, you didn't train her
very well.
I've never had such a dirty,
lazy, slovenly, sullen girl.
She may be slow, but Ruby's
always been a good, hard worker.
I will not discuss my servants
with a cook.
Please go away
and send Ruby to me.
If you will excuse me, madam,
I think your treatment
of this girl
has been absolutely shocking.
Ruby, show this woman out
immediately.
It's your kind that brings
disgrace on domestic service.
Do you want me
to call the police?
Unless you get rid of this
woman, you're dismissed.
Oh, Lord.
And I shall personally see to it
that you never get
another place.
Ruby, fetch your things.
Now, I see your little game.
You've come here
to steal her from me.
I'll sue your employer.
I'll report you to the agency.
Ruby, come along with me.
GLADYS: I'll get my husband
to call the police.
I'll have you prosecuted,
that's what I'll do.
I'll have the law on you.
I'll have you put in prison.
[Dog barking]
I'll write to you
wherever you are.
I should think it would be
great fun.
You can find all sorts of
exciting places
to take me when we're married.
ROBERT:
I still think I'm being weak,
giving in like this.
I mean, if I want
to get married to you,
why the hell shouldn't I?
GEORGINA: Darling, we've been
through all this so often.
I'm sure Uncle Richard is right.
He always is.
It's going to seem
like centuries.
What a waste.
What a waste of our lives.
Let's plan a date
to get married.
June, next year.
GEORGINA:
June the 12th. It's a Thursday.
A year today.
Well, that's fine.
Thursday, June 12, 1930.
That'll be a day on which
history is made.
Goodbye, my love.
I love you.
[Door closes]
MAN ON RADIO:
Although the first test match
was left drawn here
this evening --
it had looked increasingly
like a draw
since yesterday morning --
South Africa
had the better of it.
And they'll be very pleased
about that.
But when they played --
[Daisy laughing]
I was just thinking what
Mr. Hudson would have said
if he'd come back here
and found Mabel.
Oh, I think we can
draw a veil over Mabel.
Neither Mr. Hudson nor Rose
need ever know she existed.
For the second wicket.
Sutcliffe got 114, Hammond --
DAISY:
Oh, Eddie, turn that thing off.
EDWARD:
It's the test, Daisy.
DAISY:
Yeah, there's always a test.
EDWARD:
But it's a series!
How a grown man can sit there
all day long
listening to some bloke
chattering away
on the radio about cricket
beats me.
His 100, stumps were drawn.
After this was --
[Turns radio off]
[Sniffs]
Ruby?
Ruby!
How's that stew getting on?
RUBY:
All right, Mrs. Bridges.
MRS. BRIDGES:
All right, is it?
Well, just you
look at this.
Now, what have I
always told you?
Come on, what is it?
A stew boiled is a stew spoiled.
MRS. BRIDGES: A stew boiled
is a stew spoiled.
And this one's been boiled.
So take it and throw it out.
And clean the saucepan,
'cause it's burnt.
And while you're about it,
you better
get on with scrubbing --
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