Upstairs, Downstairs (1971–1975): Season 5, Episode 7 - Disillusion - full transcript
It's Spring 1924 and Georgina has returned from visiting Elizabeth in New York City. On her return from a visit to the Wembly Exhibition, she tells Virginia what she saw: Hudson and Lily the parlor maid, touring the exhibition holding hands. Virginia isn't quite sure what to make of it all and whether she should even raise the issue with him but before she can even decide what to do, Hudson gives Lord and Lady Bellamy one month's notice telling them that he has fallen in love with Lilly and that they are to be married. Lily however isn't so sure and and feels trapped by the turn of events. While she has enjoyed her outings with Hudson, he's never really asked her to marry him and he's not what she would want as a husband. She is left with little choice but to tell him in the frankest terms how she views their relationship, leaving broken hearts all 'round.
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RUBY: What's the time?
LILY: Just struck 12:00.
RUBY: You're late.
LILY: Am I?
RUBY:
You'll get into trouble, Lil!
LILY:
I'm sorry to wake you up.
RUBY: Where've you been?
LILY: Nowhere much.
Just sitting on a seat
in Kensington Gardens.
RUBY: On your own?
LILY: No.
Who with? Come on.
LILY: A friend.
RUBY: A boy, was it?
I'll be ever so quick undressing
and washing my face.
RUBY: How long have you been
going out with him?
Some people have all the luck.
Having someone to meet
on your evenings off.
Oh, well.
Come on, get into bed.
Then you can lie there,
all warm,
think about that boy,
hey, Lily?
FREDERICK: I'll go and fetch
the dining room silver down then
and carry on cleaning it.
HUDSON: Very well, Edward --
Oh, Frederick!
I beg your pardon,
Frederick, yes.
FREDERICK:
All right, Mr. Hudson.
HUDSON:
Ah, a perfect spring day.
Makes a man feel
privileged to be alive.
Eh?
ROSE: You'll understand
when you're older.
Well, this won't do, I must
go and see to the laundry.
The van will be here soon.
That's right, mustn't keep
the laundry man waiting.
I never did.
Oh, you never did nothing wrong,
did you, Rose?
Not much.
Always the perfect head
housemaid, weren't you, Rose?
Unlike some of them
you get nowadays.
DAISY: That's enough
of your lip.
Now, now, now!
I'll have you know that Rose
is now a lady's maid.
You would never have dared talk
to Miss Roberts like that
in her day.
Isn't that right, Mr. Hudson?
HUDSON:
Quite right, Mrs. Bridges.
Have you polished
the motor car, Edward?
EDWARD: Yes, before I came over
for breakfast.
Then you'd better bring it
round to the front door.
There's no one to pick up yet,
Mr. Hudson.
I've got to go and meet
Miss Georgina
off the boat train at waterloo.
I thought you was driving her
ladyship and his lordship
out to Wembley.
That's after lunch.
HUDSON: ls Miss Georgina's room
ready, Daisy?
If Lily's done what she's
supposed to have done.
- Have you, Lily?
- Yes, Daisy.
I've made the bed,
dusted and cleaned,
and I've put some
fresh flowers in.
Oh, that's all right, then,
isn't it?
Well, I'll be glad when that
boat's safely in port.
Oh, the Olympic is
a fine vessel, Rose,
and she'll already
be in Southampton water.
Has been since 7:00 am.
this morning.
I have the shipping news here on
The Daily Mirror.
She berths at 9:00.
Oh, it'll be nice to see
Miss Georgina again.
Wonder if she'll have changed.
She might be talking with
an American accent,
through her nose.
HUDSON:
I sincerely hope not, Rose.
Oh, perhaps they'll take her to
the Wembley Exhibition
with them, see the king
and queen, all the royal family,
make her feel that she's really
back in good, old England.
Perhaps they will, Rose.
Mr. Hudson, is it true that
the king's actually
gonna broadcast on the wireless?
According to the newspaper, yes.
Oh.
Be funny hearing the king speak.
Wonder what he'll sound like.
LILY: I brought you another cup
of tea, Mr. Hudson.
Oh, thank you, Lily.
When we docked this morning
at Southampton
there were thousands of people
on the quay,
cheering and screaming,
because Douglas Fairbanks
and Mary Pickford were on board.
I thought we'd never get down
the gangway.
Did you see them close to?
Oh, yes -- they walked round
the promenade deck
every morning,
however rough it was.
Alvin Backster was actually
introduced to them
in the dining saloon by someone
he knew who knew them.
Alvin Backster?
An American I got to know
on the boat.
Well, you seem to have enjoyed
the sea voyage.
How did you find New York?
Oh, it's thrilling! I wish you
could see Elizabeth's apartment.
It's on the 14th floor
overlooking the Hudson River.
She's longing for James to go
over and stay with them.
I've got all sorts of
messages for him.
He is a bore to go off to France
like that.
RICHARD: He's touring
the battlefields,
wanted to visit the graves of
some of his friends.
GEORGINA: Yes, I suppose
I can understand that.
How are the children?
I'm longing to see them.
RICHARD:
They're at the sea for Easter.
William's loving Summerfields.
His form master is
a Mr. lngerford, Swedish origin,
known to the boys as lnkpot.
He gave william quite a good
report last term.
Oh, good.
And Alice is at day school now,
Miss Fornce's.
Luncheon is served, my lady.
Thank you, Hudson.
Come along, darling, you must be
ravenous after all that sea air.
I expect Virginia told you
We're due at the opening of
the Wembley Exhibition
this afternoon.
Sorry to desert you
just as you get home.
Yes, it's a pity
you can't come with us,
but it's an official invitation.
GEORGINA: Oh, I'll go sometime.
I must unpack this afternoon.
Well, where's Lily?
Have you seen her?
Not since breakfast.
Well, she's supposed to be
upstairs helping me do the beds
and she's not.
I've whistled for her twice,
nobody answers,
so I've had to come
all the way down.
I don't know where she is,
you don't know where she is,
nobody knows where she is!
I didn't say I didn't know
Where she is, Daisy.
I said I hadn't seen her.
Well, where is she then?
Mr. Hudson said she could go out
and buy her mother
a birthday card.
Oh. Oh, he did, did he?
And what am I supposed to do
about my beds?
Mr. Hudson,
I've got to talk to you.
Knock before you come into
my pantry, Daisy.
I forgot.
Well, what do you want?
I wish to know the whereabouts
of Lily.
She's out.
Where?
She's posting a letter for me.
Oh? That's not what Ruby says.
Never you mind
what Ruby says.
Now look, Mr. Hudson,
Lily's supposed to be
my under-housemaid.
There is work to be done
and she's never here
when I want her these days.
I am in charge of the staff,
Daisy, not you.
I know that, Mr. Hudson,
but that does not explain to me
why Ruby tells me one thing
and you tell me something else.
It's past 12:00, there are beds
to be made upstairs,
and Lily's been allowed
to go out shopping.
Does she get special favours
or something in this house?
That's what I'd like to know.
Hold your tongue, Daisy,
and get out of my pantry!
With pleasure.
I just hope those beds get made
some time this morning,
Mr. Hudson, because I am not
making them by myself.
Butler's pet,
that's what she is.
What did you say, Daisy?
DAISY: Nothing.
MRS. BRIDGES: Yes, you did.
You said something.
Well, I'm looking for Lily,
if you want to know.
What for?
Well, she's supposed to be
upstairs helping me with the bed
and she's not because
Mr. Hudson's let her
go out shopping.
She does what she likes,
it seems to me,
in this house these days.
Or what Mr. Hudson likes.
Don't you dare
speak like that, Daisy!
You're not to say such things.
Well, you ask Mr. Hudson
Where she is.
Out posting a letter for him
or shopping for
her mother's birthday.
- You ask him!
- I'll do no such thing.
And you get upstairs, my girl,
and get on with your housework.
Enough of that lip.
Blinkin' butler's pet.
Here, what's
all this squabbling?
- Nothing.
- Didn't sound like nothing.
Lily in the servants' hall?
No, she is not.
Where is she then?
Want her to help me
with this mending.
Better ask Mr. Hudson,
I should think.
Why Mr. Hudson?
As I say, ask him.
Oh, may I come in?
Yes, of course, darling.
You can tell me whether to wear
my pearls or these beads.
Rose ordains the beads.
Oh, I didn't ordain the beads,
my lady, just a suggestion.
I thought they'd go better.
What do you think, Georgina?
We're dining with
the Fitzallen-Howards
and there's going to be
a bishop there.
Oh, well, should you wear
jewellery at all, for a bishop?
Oh, I'm not sure.
He's a Roman Catholic bishop.
Then wear the beads,
like a rosary.
Good idea, Miss Georgina.
Yes, I suppose beads aren't
quite as voluptuous as pearls.
That's right, my lady,
more in keeping with
dining with a clergyman.
All right then, the beads.
What did you think of Wembley?
GEORGINA: Oh, marvellous.
ROSE: Your gloves and your bag,
my lady.
Thank you, Rose.
Did you go on all
the amusements?
Oh, sure thing, baby.
Angela Barclay was terrified
on the scenic railway.
So Harry had to hold her on like
mad in case she jumped off.
Poor Harry with only one arm
to hold her with.
Oh, by the way,
they're engaged.
Oh, are they?
Good.
Oh, Virginia,
I'm not sure whether I ought to
mention something
but it just seemed a bit odd.
VIRGINIA; what did?
Well, we were in one of
the African pavilions,
the one where the natives
from the Gold Coast
were weaving mats,
And I suddenly saw Hudson.
Just caught a glimpse of him,
over the heads of the crowd,
watching the display.
Really?
Well, it was his afternoon off.
Yes, I know it was.
but he had Lily with him.
Lily?
Our Lily?
Yes.
You quite sure?
Oh, absolutely certain.
They didn't see me, of course.
Oh, well, I suppose he wanted
to show her the Exhibition,
improve her mind --
you know what he's like.
Well, he's a kind man, fatherly,
rather like a --
a school master,
I always think.
Oh, yes, I know he is.
But he was holding her hand.
Hudson?
Yes.
Oh, and Lily's such a quiet,
respectable girl.
It's not as though she's the
flirty sort or anything, is she?
Not that I know of.
Perhaps I shouldn't have
said anything.
No, I think it's just as well
you did.
I shall have to try and find
out, very tactfully,
if there's anything unsuitable
going on downstairs.
I think you and I ought to keep
this to ourselves, don't you?
Don't say anything to anyone
for the time being,
not even Richard.
We don't want to start a fuss
about nothing, if it is nothing.
No, we don't.
It's just not like Hudson.
It's not, is it?
I was just putting away
your pearls, my lady.
Thank you, Rose.
I thought you was going to
Wear your beads.
Yes, I'm afraid I changed
my mind in the end.
I do so love my pearls.
Yes, well, you managed to
break the clasp.
I know I did.
Are you very cross with me?
No, they'll just have to be took
to the jewelers.
Still, you brought
your gloves home,
didn't leave them in the taxi.
Yes, I know, I did for once.
Oh, I think
I'll take these downstairs,
give them a bit of a clean.
Thank you, Rose.
Rose.
You're the one
who knows the most
about the others downstairs.
Yes, my lady.
I've noticed lately that
Lily seems a little
quiet and subdued.
Is she all right?
As far as I know.
You don't get the impression
that she's unsettled
or worried about anything?
Not to my knowledge.
Don't say anything to her,
of course.
I don't want to worry her
if there's nothing wrong.
No, my lady.
Do you happen to know,
by any chance,
if she's got a young man?
Someone she meets
on her days off?
Oh, l..
I couldn't say, my lady.
♫ California, here I come ♫
♫ California, here I come ♫
♫ Right back -- ♫
[Telephone rings]
Hello?
Who?
Oh, yes, Frederick,
put him through.
Hello, Alvin.
Fancy you telephoning.
Where are you staying?
I see.
Oh, I missed you when we docked.
Well, there was such a crowd
on deck.
Did you?
VIRGINIA: Where on Earth have
I put Mrs. Kirby's letter
for the committee?
GEORGINA: To say goodbye to me?
Oh how sweet of you, Alvin.
Oh, I'd love to see you.
Mm, 8:00, yes.
Oh, I shall look forward
to that, Alvin.
Goodbye, Alvin.
I'll kill that woman,
I will, I'll kill her!
I never thought I'd hear
from him again.
If she thinks she can force
Mrs. Croft to resign
just because she --
Who, darling?
Oh, Alvin D. Backster,
my conquest on the boat.
- Oh, yes, of course.
- Oh, isn't it exciting?
He said he'd look me up
in London,
but I didn't think he would.
He's so nice.
How old is he?
Forty-ish.
Married?
Divorced -- she drank.
Oh.
He sent flowers to my cabin
every day,
and on the last night
when it was so lovely and calm
and there was a moon
we sat up until 2:00 on deck.
Oh, he's so kind and rich.
How do you know he's rich?
Americans always are.
Yes.
Mrs. Gilby's American and rich,
but she's not kind at all.
She's a pigheaded,
social climbing monster,
and I wish to murder the woman.
Oh, Alvin simply made
my voyage home.
No, I mustn't.
"Thou shalt not kill."
Oh, darling, do you want to
come shopping with me?
I've got to take
my pearl necklace
to Bond Street
to be mended
and then I'm going on to
my committee meeting.
Yes, all right, then I can
look for something to wear
for Alvin
on Saturday night.
Oh, good, yes --
oh, by the way,
apropos of what you saw
at Wembley the other day,
I sounded out Rose about Lily,
and either
she doesn't know anything
or she's covering up
for the girl.
Oh, I'll bet Rose does know.
Rose knows everything
that goes on in this house.
[Knock at door]
Who is it?
Alright to come in, Lily?
Yes, alright.
I just wanted to have a word
with you privately.
Oh?
Oh, I didn't want to disturb
your bath.
It's alright, I've just
had it, thanks, Rose.
Water warm enough?
Yes.
It's just that.
Well, her ladyship was asking me
this morning, private like,
if I thought you had
a young man,
and I said yes,
I did think there was
somebody interested in you
but I didn't know who it was.
Now, am I right?
Who is it, Lily?
Who are you seeing
on your afternoons off?
I won't tell,
but I know there's somebody.
I'd rather not say, Rose.
It's Mr. Hudson, isn't it?
Is it?
It's best to be truthful.
But if her ladyship knew, I'd
get given notice, wouldn't I?
He would, more like.
Mr. Hudson?
You've done nothing wrong, Lily.
If anyone has, he has.
Oh, no, Rose, he's never done
nothing wrong.
He's always been ever so kind
and good to me --
telling me things
I don't know about,
ever such interesting things.
Like about, well, foreign
countries and science and that.
Do you know, one night off,
a week or two ago,
we met in Kensington Gardens
and he took me to a real concert
at the Albert Hall.
We sat right high up,
almost in the roof.
And we could see all
the orchestra down below,
like little insects.
Played beautiful music,
all sad and lovely.
It's just that.
Just that what, Lily?
Nothing.
What happens after these
concerts and museums and that?
Well, it's when we go and have
our tea after in..
In some little tea shop
or on the top of the bus
on the way home,
or when we sit in the park
when it's all quiet and dark.
He starts talking all serious
about love and happiness
and people being
joined together in God.
Of course he always stops
himself after a time
and brings me home.
Of course we always separate
at the corner of Chesham Place
and I go down
the area steps first.
I think he waits a bit
in the street
and then comes in.
Oh, I bet he does.
He says it's best if we don't
come in together and...
I don't say nothing
to the others about
when he takes me out with him.
So I should hope.
You won't say anything,
will you, Rose?
I've promised, haven't I?
Is her ladyship upstairs
in her room, Rose?
I asked you a question, Rose.
Are you going to have
the courtesy to answer me?
Rose!
I can only suppose that she
feels very strongly about it.
You know what Rose is like.
It was insubordinate
and quite uncalled for.
But you can't altogether
blame her, now, can you?
What am I to do, Kate?
You must do what you feel
is right, Angus.
I can't advise you.
I can't tell you
how to live your life.
Never could.
I can hardly expect you
to understand.
I mean, anyone can see
that she's a nice enough girl,
modest and clean and decent,
and if you've decided that
you've fallen in love with her
then it's nobody else's business
but yours and hers.
But have you thought about
your position in this house?
I mean, it's not exactly usual.
Butlers in good houses
don't go out on their days off
with young housemaids.
It's going against all you've
stood for over the years,
all what's proper
and respectable.
There is nothing that is not
respectable in my situation,
Mrs. Bridges,
and nothing unusual
other than Lily's extreme youth.
But that's what I mean.
If it were a woman
more your own age.
I think it is her youth
that inspires me
more than anything else.
For me, Lily represents
all that is fresh and innocent.
She has a spiritual
and physical purity
that arouses
my deepest feelings.
She breathes new life
into my soul.
She makes me feel that my future
is worthwhile.
Through her I can see a life
filled with colour and hope.
It is to reach that goal,
that state of supreme God-given
happiness before it's too late,
before the years pass me by,
that I am ready to accept
with good grace
whatever the consequences
may be.
I'm going up now to see
her ladyship while she's alone.
Yes, Angus.
Yes, I think you should do that.
[Door closes]
HUDSON:
I beg your pardon, my lady.
HUDSON:
I beg your pardon, my lady.
What is it, Hudson?
If I might speak to you
privately, my lady.
Yes, Yes, of course.
I feel it my duty, my lady,
in all honesty,
to inform you that I have become
extremely attached
in a personal way
to Lily, the under-housemaid.
Indeed, I have to confess that
I have, over recent weeks,
developed very deep feelings
towards the girl,
young though she may be.
I have been attempting to
instruct her in many things,
open her eyes
to the world outside,
teach her to better herself
and so forth,
with a view to
eventual marriage.
Are...are you telling me that
you wish to marry Lily?
I have come to respect, love,
and cherish the young person,
my lady.
And I trust your ladyship
will not doubt my sincerity
when I declare that I am unable
to contemplate
life in the future
Without her at my side.
Yes, but, Hudson,
Lily is only just 22.
She has admitted to
a certain fondness for me,
my lady, and we have been
sharing our time off
for some little while,
visiting museums together,
picture galleries,
places of historic interest,
delighting in
each other's company.
Yes, but...
are you quite sure that.
That Lily's feelings
for you are...
well, are not simply those of
a young girl
who is flattered by
the attentions of an older man,
possibly seeing you more as
a father or kindly uncle
than as a man
she might wish to marry?
She has brought a new meaning
to my life, my lady,
a richness
and a feeling of hope.
But how does Lily herself
respond to all this?
Has she told you that
she's in love with you?
She has indicated her gratitude
to me for my attentions...
As I say, my lady, her --
her fondness.
She...
She allows me to express
my affection for her,
Without of course in any way...
Yes, I see.
You'll never guess who was
dining at the house tonight
with Mersey -- those Dumariaoks
we met in Geneva.
The friends of the Talbots.
Richard, Hudson and I
were just having
a private talk --
sit down for a moment,
would you?
Well?
Well, I think it's disgusting.
Well, how do you know
it's true?
It's true, all right, the way
Rose shut up when I asked her.
She knows 'cause
Lil's told her, see.
Well, a man can't help
falling in love.
At his age?
Well, she's a nice looking girl,
is Lily.
Mm, so I've noticed.
What have you noticed?
Mm?
I said, "What have you noticed?"
Oh, you, looking at her,
and her flouncing about in here.
Oh, go on, Lily doesn't flounce
about, she's not like that.
Oh, yes, she is.
It wouldn't surprise me if she
led him on in the first place,
encouraged him.
Oh, leave off, Daisy.
Lily wouldn't do
a thing like that.
Don't know so much.
Oh, come on, let's go over
the mews, it's getting late.
Suit yourself.
Aren't you coming then?
Mm.
When I choose to.
You know what's the matter
with you, don't you?
No -- what?
You're jealous of Lily.
Oh, yes, you are!
You'd like to be the butler's
pet yourself, but you're not.
You're the chauffeur's
little bit of fluff.
That's all you are, my girl.
Not tonight I'm not, thank you
very much, Edward Barnes.
All right, suit yourself.
Watcha, Fred.
You still here, Daisy?
DAISY:
Eddie's gone over the mews.
I was just having a nice
hot drop of cocoa.
Do you want a mug?
No, thanks,
I'm going to bed soon.
Mr. Hudson locked up?
I've locked up.
He's up with her ladyship
in the morning room.
Poor Mr. Hudson, he must be
tired out and upset.
FREDERICK: Oh, yeah?
I mean, what that Lil's
putting him through.
Who does she think she is?
Hm, bloody sauce.
Eh?
Getting her claws into
poor Mr. Hudson.
Can't see that Lily's got much
to blame herself for.
She's in service here
and he's the butler.
Got to do what she's told.
It's not the way I look at it.
I see.
[Sighs]
So what do you propose
to do about it?
In the circumstances, it would
of course be quite unsuitable
for me to continue in service
as butler here, my lord.
So I must ask you to accept
one month's notice,
if that will be convenient.
It's hardly convenient, Hudson.
No, my lord.
If there's nothing further,
my lady.
VIRGINIA: No.
Thank you, Hudson.
It's beyond belief,
it really is.
That a man of his character
should be willing to abdicate.
That's the only word for it,
to abdicate entirely
his authority and position
in this house,
to throw up entirely
all that he's
achieved and built up
over the years
for the sake of an ignorant,
half-educated chit of a girl,
less than half his age.
It's not entirely unknown,
Richard.
Perhaps he's reaching out,
as men sometimes do
at his time of life, to...
to grasp at something
he's always dreamed of
but never achieved.
What?
Well, I don't know.
An ideal vision of
love and marriage,
before it's too late.
We'll never find another butler
like Hudson.
Nobody's indispensable, you're
the one who's always said that.
Frederick can perfectly well
announce dinner,
clean the silver
and open the door to visitors.
It's not the end of the world,
Richard.
It would never be the same,
Virginia, never.
Damn the man.
I say, Lily?
Yes?
You know that t'other night
when you come in late
on your day off?
What?
Had you been out with him?
Who?
You know who.
We all know, so you might
as well admit it.
I don't want to
talk about it, Ruby.
What does he say to you, Lil?
All romantic things and that.
Do you know, it's funny
but I can't imagine
Mr. Hudson saying
romantic things to a girl.
I don't want to
talk about it, Ruby.
Oh, suit yourself.
[Knock at door]
Who is it?
LILY: It's me, Lily.
Is it all right
to come in, please?
HUDSON: What is it, Lily?
LILY: May I come in, please?
Only you said it was all right
to come to the pantry
and talk to you
if I was ever worried.
HUDSON:
Very well, come in, Lily.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to disturb you.
HUDSON:
Oh, it's quite all right.
I was just writing to a relative
in Scotland.
Well, what is it Lily?
LILY: They all know about us,
don't they?
Everyone in this house, I mean.
HUDSON: About us?
LILY: About you and me going out
and that, together.
HUDSON: It would seem so, yes.
LILY: What are they saying,
Mr. Hudson?
What do they think?
HUDSON: What they say
and what they think
should not concern you,
my dear.
The important thing is that our
feelings for one another
are now generally known.
Our friendship is
out in the open at last.
There is no further need for
small untruths and deceptions.
I see.
And no cause
to meet secretly anymore.
The family know the situation
and so do the staff.
And it's as well they should.
We've nothing shameful to hide.
I see.
That's all right then.
You must not worry, Lily.
Put your trust in me.
Yes, Mr. Hudson.
Now you must go back to your
room before someone hears you.
And try not to be anxious.
No, Mr. Hudson.
Sorry.
Run along now, dear.
All right, I will.
Good night.
Good night, Lily.
Thank you, Hudson.
Thank you, Hudson.
- Coffee, my lord?
- Yes.
Thank you, Hudson.
Breakfast at the usual time,
my lady?
Yes -- oh, what about you,
Georgina?
Oh, I'll come down
whatever time you say.
9:00 then, Hudson.
Very good, my lady.
VIRGINIA:
Good night, Hudson.
Good night, my lady, my lord.
- Good night.
- Miss.
That man would make
a damn good diplomat,
even better card player.
You'd never guess there was
anything unusual going on.
Poor creature.
What are we to do?
Can he really be in love,
a confirmed bachelor like him?
I don't know what else
you can call it.
Infatuation?
I don't know.
Well what's going to happen,
anyway?
Happen?
Well, Hudson's promised
to reconsider his position
very carefully,
speak to us again tomorrow.
Until then I think he should be
given the benefit of the doubt
and allowed to carry on
with his duties.
He must be going through
the most awful agony.
What sort of agony?
Agonies of doubt,
of whether he's deeply in love
or just making a fool
of himself.
Either way,
I feel very sorry for him.
Well, let's hope to God the man
makes up his mind
before too long.
He must be proper gone on you
to give his notice in.
I mean,
he's got a good job here.
I know he has.
Why can't you
pluck up the nerve
to tell him you don't
want to marry him?
It wouldn't make
any difference, Frederick.
I've told him I'm not sure about
marrying or anything like that.
He keeps saying he'll love me
forever and ever,
no matter what happens.
If only he wouldn't say that.
It frightens me.
Shh, someone's coming.
[Footsteps approach]
It's only Ruby going upstairs.
If only he could find another
person to love, some nice woman.
I mean, I like him -- he's kind
and nice to go out with.
He's always been extra nice
to me, ever since I came here.
It's just that
I can't bring myself to tell him
I just don't fancy him.
Couldn't stand to hurt him
that much.
I don't know what to do.
You have to make up your mind
soon, Lily.
Can't go on dangling him
on a string.
Or else one morning
you'll wake up
and find yourself at the altar.
He wants to go to my home
and see my mother, but...
But what?
That wouldn't make
any difference neither.
Well, why?
He doesn't know,
but since my dad died,
my mum's been a bit funny.
Doesn't say much now.
Kind of...
kind of simple, my mum is.
She wouldn't understand.
Rotten, eh?
I don't want him going there.
He wants to go Sunday
and take me with him.
You'll have to say something
soon then.
I know.
Get me out a plain scarf,
will you, Rose?
My brown one will do.
I look too feminine.
Too feminine, my lady?
Yes.
If I'm to do battle
with our Mrs. Gilby
at the Naval Education
Fund Committee today,
I want to look severe,
aggressive and formidable.
Oh, I see.
Ready to fire broadsides
into her stupid resolutions
and sink them with all hands.
Do I take it that you're not
over-enamored of this
Mrs. Gilby?
Oh, she's all right, I suppose.
She was a wannamaker
from Detroit, you know.
All those chain stores.
Married Admiral Gilby
soon after the war.
Oh, she has given us
a lot of money.
If only she wouldn't try
to take charge.
Oh, yes.
Oh, Rose, that's much better.
Yes, now I look like
the superintendent
of a women's prison,
or a suffragette.
[Knock at door]
RICHARD: Can I come in?
Yes, of course!
Hudson's just been up to see me.
Oh, beg pardon, my lady --
Rose, you might as well
hear this.
What did Hudson have to say?
He says he's going to Banbury
to see Lily's mother,
taking Lily with him.
What for?
To ask Mrs. Hawkins for
her consent to the marriage.
Oh, God, he means it.
RICHARD: Oh, yes, he means it.
He says he's given the matter
careful thought
and intends,
with our permission,
to go with Lily to her home
on Sunday.
I just thought
you'd like to know.
I'd just like to say how sorry
I am this has happened, my lady,
and to extend to you and his
lordship my deepest sympathy.
Oh, you mustn't worry
on our account, Rose.
We'll survive.
Well, it's not right.
Oh, dear,
I must go down in a moment
and see Mrs. Bridges
about the meals.
- Must keep the wheels turning.
- Yes, my lady.
If you're going down, Rose,
would you ask Edward
to have the car ready for 11:00?
Very good, my lady.
Oh, the silly man.
It's downright wicked, Rose.
It's downright wicked, Rose.
I'm surprised at you
keeping it up so long.
I'm still not talking to no one
who can treat a young girl
like that,
forcing her against her will.
It's not for you to judge
Mr. Hudson, Rose.
His affairs
is no concern of yours.
He knows what I think of him.
I should think he does!
The way you've treated him
the last three days,
never answering him
when he speaks to you.
It's insubordinate,
for one thing, and hurtful.
You've upset Mr. Hudson
very bad.
Upset Mr. Hudson!
Poo!
What's he done but upset
the whole bloomin' household?!
[Bell ringing]
Morning room bell, Mrs. Bridges.
Be her ladyship to order meals.
I know, Ruby, I'm not deaf!
MRS. BRIDGES: And we're all
upset downstairs, my lady.
Yes, I'm sure you are.
I can't understand it.
You see, my lady,
some years ago,
in her late ladyship's time,
I was in a bit of trouble
with the police.
Yes, I did hear about it.
And Hudson helped me.
He stood by me, he spoke up
for me in the court.
And he gave me to understand
that if he should ever
think of marrying,
you know, like one day, my lady,
that it would be me
that he would ask
to be the partner of his life.
And I told him that
I would, like,
hold myself in reservation
for him.
Now...
I don't know what's
come over him, my lady.
I really don't.
I know, Mrs. Bridges,
It's very worrying.
Perhaps you'd like to go
downstairs for a bit
and come up later on
when I get back, would you?
Very good, my lady.
I'll come up teatime.
Oh, Hudson, Hudson, Hudson,
what are you doing to us all?
Oh, good evening, Frederick.
Good evening Miss Georgina.
Will you be requiring
a taxi, miss?
No, thank you, Frederick.
I'm being fetched.
Just as well I am, I'd have to
Walk to the waldorf otherwise,
I'm flat broke.
I don't suppose that makes much
sense to you, does it?
What, a young lady
having no money?
Oh, yes, Miss Georgina,
I can understand that.
Taxi, that's very...dear,
nowadays.
I shall have to get a job
on the films or something,
try and make some money.
Beg pardon, miss,
I was just closing up.
Oh, that's all right, Lily,
but it seems rather a pity
to shut out the daylight.
It's not quite dark yet.
Shall I leave the curtains
for a while, miss?
No, you'd better close them
now you're here.
Lily?
Yes, Miss Georgina?
You do know, don't you,
that Hudson's leaving us
because of you?
Yes, miss, I do.
And you'll be leaving as well,
I imagine,
so that you can both marry.
Well, Miss Georgina I --
it's not --
I don't know for sure.
It's all muddled.
Does Hudson think you're willing
to marry him?
Yes, miss, I think he does.
And you?
You don't want to talk about it,
do you?
It's all right
if you'd rather not.
Oh, no, miss,
I don't mind talking about it.
Not to you anyway.
What's the matter then, Lily?
Are you worried about
Hudson's age?
Or is it that you're
frightened to say to him
how you really feel?
Perhaps if I can help
in some way?
If you like --
I've got to speak to him, miss,
before tomorrow,
because he's taking me
on the train tomorrow
to see my mother and I...
Well, I don't know what to do.
Oh, yes, it's Sunday tomorrow,
isn't it?
Yes, miss.
[Bell ringing]
Oh, dear, there's the bell.
I'm so sorry, Lily,
I have to go now,
only my date's arrived
to fetch me.
Your date, miss?
Oh, an American expression
for someone you go out with.
"I wanna date you, honey."
That's what a young man says
to a girl in the United States,
"I wanna date you, honey."
Go on, miss.
Come up and see me early in
the morning, Lily, if you like.
And then we can talk quietly,
just you and I.
Oh, thank you, Miss Georgina.
That's ever so good of you.
Yes, Laura, I do see
your point, but I --
What --
But that is precisely
what committees are for!
Oh, well, if you feel
you're being undermined
perhaps you'd __
You would?
Oh, oh, dear.
Oh, that would be such a pity,
I'm so sorry.
Oh, no, no, no, no, no, I'm sure
the chairman will accept it,
but I --
I should put it in writing.
Yes.
Very well.
Goodbye, Laura.
Thank God.
What for?
Laura Gilby has resigned.
Good morning, darling.
Did you have fun last night?
Did you?
Last night?
Just dinner with Pru Fairfax so
not really fun, quite enjoyable.
I'm glad somebody
enjoyed themselves.
Oh, dear.
Oh, it was the most awful,
shattering fiasco.
Oh, Georgina.
I should have known.
Somebody once warned me about
shipboard romances.
A man can seem
the most dreamy thing
miles out at sea
in the moonlight,
but once ashore...
Tell me.
Well, for some reason,
he seemed inches shorter
than he did on the boat.
And not half so good looking.
What happened?
Nothing.
We dined at a fairly
depressing restaurant,
and then we went back
to his hotel
and sat in the lounge,
Where he talked constantly about
his home in
Springfield, Massachusetts,
and showed me endless
photographs of his mother!
Until I yawned by mistake which
gave me a chance to escape,
thank God.
Oh, poor darling, never mind,
put it down to experience.
Oh, I shall.
Are you ready?
I have been for ten minutes,
darling.
Oh.
Are you coming to church,
Georgina?
Oh, may I be excused?
I want to practice my ukulele
and write some thank you letters
to New York.
I see.
Yes, all right.
Come along.
Excuse me, miss.
You said I might come
and see you this morning.
Oh, yes, I did, didn't I?
Well, come in
and close the door, Lily.
Oh, good girl.
You're all ready, eh?
Yes, Mr. Hudson,
but I'm not going.
Not going?
What do you mean by that?
I'm not going with you
to see my mother.
There's no point.
Sorry.
Ooh, there's every point,
my dear.
I can understand if, as you say,
the old lady is a bit feeble
and unable to comprehend
what is taking place,
but on a matter of principle
I would never dream of
embarking on marriage without
at least visiting --
I'm not going to marry you,
Mr. Hudson.
You haven't asked me to, anyway.
Not asked me.
Haven't asked?
Lily, it has been understood
ever since --
I never said I'd marry you.
It's you what's always said so,
not me.
Well, why have you not denied
your feelings for me?
Have I not be entitled
to assume your consent?
No! No, you haven't.
I don't wish to marry you,
Mr. Hudson,
because you're not a romantic
person for a young girl.
You tell me things about
the world all the time,
teach me things, but --
Lily, you have said
over and over again
how much you've
enjoyed learning,
accompanying me to
interesting places.
Oh, you're tired,
strained, child.
Not yourself today.
Try and pull yourself
together, eh?
I'm not tired or strained,
Mr. Hudson,
I just don't love you.
When I marry I want to marry
a young man
who's strong and good looking
and romantic.
Someone who can take me in his
arms and make love to me
and give me babies
and laugh with me
and make jokes.
Someone I can get on with.
I don't want to spend
my whole life
going in and out of museums
and churches
and getting lectured about art
and all that tripe.
Do you call that loving someone?
I've given in my notice here,
Lily, I...
I've thrown away my whole career
as a gesture of my love for you.
Why have you not spoken
like this before?
Because I've always been afraid
of you, what you'd say.
I went out with you
when you asked me
because it was something to do
on my days off,
but I didn't like it.
I don't fancy you.
I want to marry a young man,
not some old school teacher
in a tailcoat
who talks Scotch and all about
history and God and things,
and who never touches me but
holds my hand on a park bench
or on top of a bus when it's
dark and no one can see.
It was the only way
I could possibly express
my profound feelings for you.
Well, I wouldn't marry you,
Mr. Hudson,
not if there was nobody
else left in the world
because you're an old man --
I don't fancy you.
Please just go away
and leave me alone.
It seems I made
quite a fool of myself.
I must apologize to you, Lily.
I ought to have known better.
I'll go to my room
and change out of these things.
Ruby, was Lily up
when you come down?
Yes, she was getting dressed.
That was about half an hour ago.
- How did she seem?
- Very quiet.
She didn't answer me
when I spoke to her
so I didn't trouble.
What's the matter, Rose?
ROSE: Lily's gone.
She must have dressed,
put her things together
and slipped out
by the front door.
When?
Well, just now.
Her cupboards empty,
all her things gone.
Run away, eh?
Well, suppose it's only
to be expected
after what happened yesterday.
She left a note for Mr. Hudson
on the landing outside her door.
I'd best go and find him.
[Knock at door]
ROSE: Beg pardon, Mr. Hudson?
Yes?
There's a note for you.
I brought it down from upstairs.
Thank you. Has her ladyship
finished breakfast yet?
Yes, she's in the morning room
with his lordship.
I expect you can guess
who it's from.
She seems to have left
suddenly this morning,
without saying a word to anyone,
not even Ruby.
Aren't you gonna read it?
Later, Rose.
I'm going up to speak to
her ladyship.
Very well.
- Mr. Hudson?
- Yes?
Sorry.
HUDSON: If I might have a word,
my lady.
Certainly, Hudson.
Just to say that Lily has
evidently left the house,
my lady, early this morning
Without giving notice.
- Left?
- For good?
It would seem so, my lord.
It would also seem that
my affections for the girl
were unfortunately misplaced.
I had misjudged her character,
my lord.
When we conversed yesterday
it became clear that hers was,
in reality, an ungenerous, cruel
and somewhat malicious nature,
two-faced and deceitful.
I realize now I was wrong
in my estimation of her.
And what do you wish
to do about it?
In view of the new
circumstances, my lord, I...
I wonder if I might
continue in your service.
Well, of course you can, Hudson.
I very much regret the incident,
my lady.
That's quite all right, Hudson.
I think the sooner
it's all forgotten the better.
I can't vouch for the others
downstairs, of course,
but as far as his lordship
and I are concerned,
the matter need never be
mentioned again in this house.
Very good, my lady.
Thank you, my lord.
Well, thank God for that.
Let's hope he can
settle down again
and the others can put it
out of their minds.
It'll never be quite the same,
not now.
[Knock at door]
Who is it?
Oh, come in, Kate.
I won't stop long, Angus.
I just wanted to say
I was sorry...
but I am glad.
Yes.
That Lily's letter?
Yes.
Aren't you going to read it?
"Dear Mr. Hudson,
I am sorry I said
all the nasty things I said
because I didn't mean it.
I only wanted you to give up
caring for me
and make you think
I was not a nice person.
I really think
you are a kind man,
and the times we had together
were very happy times
I shall always remember.
I'll look for another place now.
One last favour,
would you be so kind as to ask
her ladyship
to forward a reference
to above address
which is my home
you never come to in the end.
Yours affectionate, Lily."
Beg pardon, Mr. Hudson.
Her ladyship would like
Mrs. Bridges to go up
and see her about the meals.
Yes, yes, all right, Frederick,
I'll be up in a moment.
You just stay here quietly,
Angus.
I won't be long.
Then I'll come down and make you
a nice cup of tea.
Ah, come in, Mrs. Bridges.
Now, we'll be six
for dinner tonight.
Six tonight --
very good, my lady.
Beg pardon, my lady.
Before we start the ordering,
would you be willing to give
a reference for Lily?
We've got her address
downstairs.
More than willing, Mrs. Bridges.
In fact, I've already
Written her one.
Oh, have you, my lady?
Oh, thank you.
I have said that Lily Hawkins
was under-housemaid here
for five years,
that I found her in every way
clean, sober, and honest,
an excellent servant
who carried out her duties
with every satisfaction,
cheerful about the house
and got on exceptionally well
with the other servants.
I could not recommend her
more highly.
There.
Now that can be sent to
her home immediately.
Thank you, my lady.
Hudson will be very grateful.
I think we should all be
very grateful to Lily,
don't you, Mrs. Bridges?
Subtitling by
Acorn Media (re-sync by moviesbyrizzo)
Acorn Media (re-sync by moviesbyrizzo)
RUBY: What's the time?
LILY: Just struck 12:00.
RUBY: You're late.
LILY: Am I?
RUBY:
You'll get into trouble, Lil!
LILY:
I'm sorry to wake you up.
RUBY: Where've you been?
LILY: Nowhere much.
Just sitting on a seat
in Kensington Gardens.
RUBY: On your own?
LILY: No.
Who with? Come on.
LILY: A friend.
RUBY: A boy, was it?
I'll be ever so quick undressing
and washing my face.
RUBY: How long have you been
going out with him?
Some people have all the luck.
Having someone to meet
on your evenings off.
Oh, well.
Come on, get into bed.
Then you can lie there,
all warm,
think about that boy,
hey, Lily?
FREDERICK: I'll go and fetch
the dining room silver down then
and carry on cleaning it.
HUDSON: Very well, Edward --
Oh, Frederick!
I beg your pardon,
Frederick, yes.
FREDERICK:
All right, Mr. Hudson.
HUDSON:
Ah, a perfect spring day.
Makes a man feel
privileged to be alive.
Eh?
ROSE: You'll understand
when you're older.
Well, this won't do, I must
go and see to the laundry.
The van will be here soon.
That's right, mustn't keep
the laundry man waiting.
I never did.
Oh, you never did nothing wrong,
did you, Rose?
Not much.
Always the perfect head
housemaid, weren't you, Rose?
Unlike some of them
you get nowadays.
DAISY: That's enough
of your lip.
Now, now, now!
I'll have you know that Rose
is now a lady's maid.
You would never have dared talk
to Miss Roberts like that
in her day.
Isn't that right, Mr. Hudson?
HUDSON:
Quite right, Mrs. Bridges.
Have you polished
the motor car, Edward?
EDWARD: Yes, before I came over
for breakfast.
Then you'd better bring it
round to the front door.
There's no one to pick up yet,
Mr. Hudson.
I've got to go and meet
Miss Georgina
off the boat train at waterloo.
I thought you was driving her
ladyship and his lordship
out to Wembley.
That's after lunch.
HUDSON: ls Miss Georgina's room
ready, Daisy?
If Lily's done what she's
supposed to have done.
- Have you, Lily?
- Yes, Daisy.
I've made the bed,
dusted and cleaned,
and I've put some
fresh flowers in.
Oh, that's all right, then,
isn't it?
Well, I'll be glad when that
boat's safely in port.
Oh, the Olympic is
a fine vessel, Rose,
and she'll already
be in Southampton water.
Has been since 7:00 am.
this morning.
I have the shipping news here on
The Daily Mirror.
She berths at 9:00.
Oh, it'll be nice to see
Miss Georgina again.
Wonder if she'll have changed.
She might be talking with
an American accent,
through her nose.
HUDSON:
I sincerely hope not, Rose.
Oh, perhaps they'll take her to
the Wembley Exhibition
with them, see the king
and queen, all the royal family,
make her feel that she's really
back in good, old England.
Perhaps they will, Rose.
Mr. Hudson, is it true that
the king's actually
gonna broadcast on the wireless?
According to the newspaper, yes.
Oh.
Be funny hearing the king speak.
Wonder what he'll sound like.
LILY: I brought you another cup
of tea, Mr. Hudson.
Oh, thank you, Lily.
When we docked this morning
at Southampton
there were thousands of people
on the quay,
cheering and screaming,
because Douglas Fairbanks
and Mary Pickford were on board.
I thought we'd never get down
the gangway.
Did you see them close to?
Oh, yes -- they walked round
the promenade deck
every morning,
however rough it was.
Alvin Backster was actually
introduced to them
in the dining saloon by someone
he knew who knew them.
Alvin Backster?
An American I got to know
on the boat.
Well, you seem to have enjoyed
the sea voyage.
How did you find New York?
Oh, it's thrilling! I wish you
could see Elizabeth's apartment.
It's on the 14th floor
overlooking the Hudson River.
She's longing for James to go
over and stay with them.
I've got all sorts of
messages for him.
He is a bore to go off to France
like that.
RICHARD: He's touring
the battlefields,
wanted to visit the graves of
some of his friends.
GEORGINA: Yes, I suppose
I can understand that.
How are the children?
I'm longing to see them.
RICHARD:
They're at the sea for Easter.
William's loving Summerfields.
His form master is
a Mr. lngerford, Swedish origin,
known to the boys as lnkpot.
He gave william quite a good
report last term.
Oh, good.
And Alice is at day school now,
Miss Fornce's.
Luncheon is served, my lady.
Thank you, Hudson.
Come along, darling, you must be
ravenous after all that sea air.
I expect Virginia told you
We're due at the opening of
the Wembley Exhibition
this afternoon.
Sorry to desert you
just as you get home.
Yes, it's a pity
you can't come with us,
but it's an official invitation.
GEORGINA: Oh, I'll go sometime.
I must unpack this afternoon.
Well, where's Lily?
Have you seen her?
Not since breakfast.
Well, she's supposed to be
upstairs helping me do the beds
and she's not.
I've whistled for her twice,
nobody answers,
so I've had to come
all the way down.
I don't know where she is,
you don't know where she is,
nobody knows where she is!
I didn't say I didn't know
Where she is, Daisy.
I said I hadn't seen her.
Well, where is she then?
Mr. Hudson said she could go out
and buy her mother
a birthday card.
Oh. Oh, he did, did he?
And what am I supposed to do
about my beds?
Mr. Hudson,
I've got to talk to you.
Knock before you come into
my pantry, Daisy.
I forgot.
Well, what do you want?
I wish to know the whereabouts
of Lily.
She's out.
Where?
She's posting a letter for me.
Oh? That's not what Ruby says.
Never you mind
what Ruby says.
Now look, Mr. Hudson,
Lily's supposed to be
my under-housemaid.
There is work to be done
and she's never here
when I want her these days.
I am in charge of the staff,
Daisy, not you.
I know that, Mr. Hudson,
but that does not explain to me
why Ruby tells me one thing
and you tell me something else.
It's past 12:00, there are beds
to be made upstairs,
and Lily's been allowed
to go out shopping.
Does she get special favours
or something in this house?
That's what I'd like to know.
Hold your tongue, Daisy,
and get out of my pantry!
With pleasure.
I just hope those beds get made
some time this morning,
Mr. Hudson, because I am not
making them by myself.
Butler's pet,
that's what she is.
What did you say, Daisy?
DAISY: Nothing.
MRS. BRIDGES: Yes, you did.
You said something.
Well, I'm looking for Lily,
if you want to know.
What for?
Well, she's supposed to be
upstairs helping me with the bed
and she's not because
Mr. Hudson's let her
go out shopping.
She does what she likes,
it seems to me,
in this house these days.
Or what Mr. Hudson likes.
Don't you dare
speak like that, Daisy!
You're not to say such things.
Well, you ask Mr. Hudson
Where she is.
Out posting a letter for him
or shopping for
her mother's birthday.
- You ask him!
- I'll do no such thing.
And you get upstairs, my girl,
and get on with your housework.
Enough of that lip.
Blinkin' butler's pet.
Here, what's
all this squabbling?
- Nothing.
- Didn't sound like nothing.
Lily in the servants' hall?
No, she is not.
Where is she then?
Want her to help me
with this mending.
Better ask Mr. Hudson,
I should think.
Why Mr. Hudson?
As I say, ask him.
Oh, may I come in?
Yes, of course, darling.
You can tell me whether to wear
my pearls or these beads.
Rose ordains the beads.
Oh, I didn't ordain the beads,
my lady, just a suggestion.
I thought they'd go better.
What do you think, Georgina?
We're dining with
the Fitzallen-Howards
and there's going to be
a bishop there.
Oh, well, should you wear
jewellery at all, for a bishop?
Oh, I'm not sure.
He's a Roman Catholic bishop.
Then wear the beads,
like a rosary.
Good idea, Miss Georgina.
Yes, I suppose beads aren't
quite as voluptuous as pearls.
That's right, my lady,
more in keeping with
dining with a clergyman.
All right then, the beads.
What did you think of Wembley?
GEORGINA: Oh, marvellous.
ROSE: Your gloves and your bag,
my lady.
Thank you, Rose.
Did you go on all
the amusements?
Oh, sure thing, baby.
Angela Barclay was terrified
on the scenic railway.
So Harry had to hold her on like
mad in case she jumped off.
Poor Harry with only one arm
to hold her with.
Oh, by the way,
they're engaged.
Oh, are they?
Good.
Oh, Virginia,
I'm not sure whether I ought to
mention something
but it just seemed a bit odd.
VIRGINIA; what did?
Well, we were in one of
the African pavilions,
the one where the natives
from the Gold Coast
were weaving mats,
And I suddenly saw Hudson.
Just caught a glimpse of him,
over the heads of the crowd,
watching the display.
Really?
Well, it was his afternoon off.
Yes, I know it was.
but he had Lily with him.
Lily?
Our Lily?
Yes.
You quite sure?
Oh, absolutely certain.
They didn't see me, of course.
Oh, well, I suppose he wanted
to show her the Exhibition,
improve her mind --
you know what he's like.
Well, he's a kind man, fatherly,
rather like a --
a school master,
I always think.
Oh, yes, I know he is.
But he was holding her hand.
Hudson?
Yes.
Oh, and Lily's such a quiet,
respectable girl.
It's not as though she's the
flirty sort or anything, is she?
Not that I know of.
Perhaps I shouldn't have
said anything.
No, I think it's just as well
you did.
I shall have to try and find
out, very tactfully,
if there's anything unsuitable
going on downstairs.
I think you and I ought to keep
this to ourselves, don't you?
Don't say anything to anyone
for the time being,
not even Richard.
We don't want to start a fuss
about nothing, if it is nothing.
No, we don't.
It's just not like Hudson.
It's not, is it?
I was just putting away
your pearls, my lady.
Thank you, Rose.
I thought you was going to
Wear your beads.
Yes, I'm afraid I changed
my mind in the end.
I do so love my pearls.
Yes, well, you managed to
break the clasp.
I know I did.
Are you very cross with me?
No, they'll just have to be took
to the jewelers.
Still, you brought
your gloves home,
didn't leave them in the taxi.
Yes, I know, I did for once.
Oh, I think
I'll take these downstairs,
give them a bit of a clean.
Thank you, Rose.
Rose.
You're the one
who knows the most
about the others downstairs.
Yes, my lady.
I've noticed lately that
Lily seems a little
quiet and subdued.
Is she all right?
As far as I know.
You don't get the impression
that she's unsettled
or worried about anything?
Not to my knowledge.
Don't say anything to her,
of course.
I don't want to worry her
if there's nothing wrong.
No, my lady.
Do you happen to know,
by any chance,
if she's got a young man?
Someone she meets
on her days off?
Oh, l..
I couldn't say, my lady.
♫ California, here I come ♫
♫ California, here I come ♫
♫ Right back -- ♫
[Telephone rings]
Hello?
Who?
Oh, yes, Frederick,
put him through.
Hello, Alvin.
Fancy you telephoning.
Where are you staying?
I see.
Oh, I missed you when we docked.
Well, there was such a crowd
on deck.
Did you?
VIRGINIA: Where on Earth have
I put Mrs. Kirby's letter
for the committee?
GEORGINA: To say goodbye to me?
Oh how sweet of you, Alvin.
Oh, I'd love to see you.
Mm, 8:00, yes.
Oh, I shall look forward
to that, Alvin.
Goodbye, Alvin.
I'll kill that woman,
I will, I'll kill her!
I never thought I'd hear
from him again.
If she thinks she can force
Mrs. Croft to resign
just because she --
Who, darling?
Oh, Alvin D. Backster,
my conquest on the boat.
- Oh, yes, of course.
- Oh, isn't it exciting?
He said he'd look me up
in London,
but I didn't think he would.
He's so nice.
How old is he?
Forty-ish.
Married?
Divorced -- she drank.
Oh.
He sent flowers to my cabin
every day,
and on the last night
when it was so lovely and calm
and there was a moon
we sat up until 2:00 on deck.
Oh, he's so kind and rich.
How do you know he's rich?
Americans always are.
Yes.
Mrs. Gilby's American and rich,
but she's not kind at all.
She's a pigheaded,
social climbing monster,
and I wish to murder the woman.
Oh, Alvin simply made
my voyage home.
No, I mustn't.
"Thou shalt not kill."
Oh, darling, do you want to
come shopping with me?
I've got to take
my pearl necklace
to Bond Street
to be mended
and then I'm going on to
my committee meeting.
Yes, all right, then I can
look for something to wear
for Alvin
on Saturday night.
Oh, good, yes --
oh, by the way,
apropos of what you saw
at Wembley the other day,
I sounded out Rose about Lily,
and either
she doesn't know anything
or she's covering up
for the girl.
Oh, I'll bet Rose does know.
Rose knows everything
that goes on in this house.
[Knock at door]
Who is it?
Alright to come in, Lily?
Yes, alright.
I just wanted to have a word
with you privately.
Oh?
Oh, I didn't want to disturb
your bath.
It's alright, I've just
had it, thanks, Rose.
Water warm enough?
Yes.
It's just that.
Well, her ladyship was asking me
this morning, private like,
if I thought you had
a young man,
and I said yes,
I did think there was
somebody interested in you
but I didn't know who it was.
Now, am I right?
Who is it, Lily?
Who are you seeing
on your afternoons off?
I won't tell,
but I know there's somebody.
I'd rather not say, Rose.
It's Mr. Hudson, isn't it?
Is it?
It's best to be truthful.
But if her ladyship knew, I'd
get given notice, wouldn't I?
He would, more like.
Mr. Hudson?
You've done nothing wrong, Lily.
If anyone has, he has.
Oh, no, Rose, he's never done
nothing wrong.
He's always been ever so kind
and good to me --
telling me things
I don't know about,
ever such interesting things.
Like about, well, foreign
countries and science and that.
Do you know, one night off,
a week or two ago,
we met in Kensington Gardens
and he took me to a real concert
at the Albert Hall.
We sat right high up,
almost in the roof.
And we could see all
the orchestra down below,
like little insects.
Played beautiful music,
all sad and lovely.
It's just that.
Just that what, Lily?
Nothing.
What happens after these
concerts and museums and that?
Well, it's when we go and have
our tea after in..
In some little tea shop
or on the top of the bus
on the way home,
or when we sit in the park
when it's all quiet and dark.
He starts talking all serious
about love and happiness
and people being
joined together in God.
Of course he always stops
himself after a time
and brings me home.
Of course we always separate
at the corner of Chesham Place
and I go down
the area steps first.
I think he waits a bit
in the street
and then comes in.
Oh, I bet he does.
He says it's best if we don't
come in together and...
I don't say nothing
to the others about
when he takes me out with him.
So I should hope.
You won't say anything,
will you, Rose?
I've promised, haven't I?
Is her ladyship upstairs
in her room, Rose?
I asked you a question, Rose.
Are you going to have
the courtesy to answer me?
Rose!
I can only suppose that she
feels very strongly about it.
You know what Rose is like.
It was insubordinate
and quite uncalled for.
But you can't altogether
blame her, now, can you?
What am I to do, Kate?
You must do what you feel
is right, Angus.
I can't advise you.
I can't tell you
how to live your life.
Never could.
I can hardly expect you
to understand.
I mean, anyone can see
that she's a nice enough girl,
modest and clean and decent,
and if you've decided that
you've fallen in love with her
then it's nobody else's business
but yours and hers.
But have you thought about
your position in this house?
I mean, it's not exactly usual.
Butlers in good houses
don't go out on their days off
with young housemaids.
It's going against all you've
stood for over the years,
all what's proper
and respectable.
There is nothing that is not
respectable in my situation,
Mrs. Bridges,
and nothing unusual
other than Lily's extreme youth.
But that's what I mean.
If it were a woman
more your own age.
I think it is her youth
that inspires me
more than anything else.
For me, Lily represents
all that is fresh and innocent.
She has a spiritual
and physical purity
that arouses
my deepest feelings.
She breathes new life
into my soul.
She makes me feel that my future
is worthwhile.
Through her I can see a life
filled with colour and hope.
It is to reach that goal,
that state of supreme God-given
happiness before it's too late,
before the years pass me by,
that I am ready to accept
with good grace
whatever the consequences
may be.
I'm going up now to see
her ladyship while she's alone.
Yes, Angus.
Yes, I think you should do that.
[Door closes]
HUDSON:
I beg your pardon, my lady.
HUDSON:
I beg your pardon, my lady.
What is it, Hudson?
If I might speak to you
privately, my lady.
Yes, Yes, of course.
I feel it my duty, my lady,
in all honesty,
to inform you that I have become
extremely attached
in a personal way
to Lily, the under-housemaid.
Indeed, I have to confess that
I have, over recent weeks,
developed very deep feelings
towards the girl,
young though she may be.
I have been attempting to
instruct her in many things,
open her eyes
to the world outside,
teach her to better herself
and so forth,
with a view to
eventual marriage.
Are...are you telling me that
you wish to marry Lily?
I have come to respect, love,
and cherish the young person,
my lady.
And I trust your ladyship
will not doubt my sincerity
when I declare that I am unable
to contemplate
life in the future
Without her at my side.
Yes, but, Hudson,
Lily is only just 22.
She has admitted to
a certain fondness for me,
my lady, and we have been
sharing our time off
for some little while,
visiting museums together,
picture galleries,
places of historic interest,
delighting in
each other's company.
Yes, but...
are you quite sure that.
That Lily's feelings
for you are...
well, are not simply those of
a young girl
who is flattered by
the attentions of an older man,
possibly seeing you more as
a father or kindly uncle
than as a man
she might wish to marry?
She has brought a new meaning
to my life, my lady,
a richness
and a feeling of hope.
But how does Lily herself
respond to all this?
Has she told you that
she's in love with you?
She has indicated her gratitude
to me for my attentions...
As I say, my lady, her --
her fondness.
She...
She allows me to express
my affection for her,
Without of course in any way...
Yes, I see.
You'll never guess who was
dining at the house tonight
with Mersey -- those Dumariaoks
we met in Geneva.
The friends of the Talbots.
Richard, Hudson and I
were just having
a private talk --
sit down for a moment,
would you?
Well?
Well, I think it's disgusting.
Well, how do you know
it's true?
It's true, all right, the way
Rose shut up when I asked her.
She knows 'cause
Lil's told her, see.
Well, a man can't help
falling in love.
At his age?
Well, she's a nice looking girl,
is Lily.
Mm, so I've noticed.
What have you noticed?
Mm?
I said, "What have you noticed?"
Oh, you, looking at her,
and her flouncing about in here.
Oh, go on, Lily doesn't flounce
about, she's not like that.
Oh, yes, she is.
It wouldn't surprise me if she
led him on in the first place,
encouraged him.
Oh, leave off, Daisy.
Lily wouldn't do
a thing like that.
Don't know so much.
Oh, come on, let's go over
the mews, it's getting late.
Suit yourself.
Aren't you coming then?
Mm.
When I choose to.
You know what's the matter
with you, don't you?
No -- what?
You're jealous of Lily.
Oh, yes, you are!
You'd like to be the butler's
pet yourself, but you're not.
You're the chauffeur's
little bit of fluff.
That's all you are, my girl.
Not tonight I'm not, thank you
very much, Edward Barnes.
All right, suit yourself.
Watcha, Fred.
You still here, Daisy?
DAISY:
Eddie's gone over the mews.
I was just having a nice
hot drop of cocoa.
Do you want a mug?
No, thanks,
I'm going to bed soon.
Mr. Hudson locked up?
I've locked up.
He's up with her ladyship
in the morning room.
Poor Mr. Hudson, he must be
tired out and upset.
FREDERICK: Oh, yeah?
I mean, what that Lil's
putting him through.
Who does she think she is?
Hm, bloody sauce.
Eh?
Getting her claws into
poor Mr. Hudson.
Can't see that Lily's got much
to blame herself for.
She's in service here
and he's the butler.
Got to do what she's told.
It's not the way I look at it.
I see.
[Sighs]
So what do you propose
to do about it?
In the circumstances, it would
of course be quite unsuitable
for me to continue in service
as butler here, my lord.
So I must ask you to accept
one month's notice,
if that will be convenient.
It's hardly convenient, Hudson.
No, my lord.
If there's nothing further,
my lady.
VIRGINIA: No.
Thank you, Hudson.
It's beyond belief,
it really is.
That a man of his character
should be willing to abdicate.
That's the only word for it,
to abdicate entirely
his authority and position
in this house,
to throw up entirely
all that he's
achieved and built up
over the years
for the sake of an ignorant,
half-educated chit of a girl,
less than half his age.
It's not entirely unknown,
Richard.
Perhaps he's reaching out,
as men sometimes do
at his time of life, to...
to grasp at something
he's always dreamed of
but never achieved.
What?
Well, I don't know.
An ideal vision of
love and marriage,
before it's too late.
We'll never find another butler
like Hudson.
Nobody's indispensable, you're
the one who's always said that.
Frederick can perfectly well
announce dinner,
clean the silver
and open the door to visitors.
It's not the end of the world,
Richard.
It would never be the same,
Virginia, never.
Damn the man.
I say, Lily?
Yes?
You know that t'other night
when you come in late
on your day off?
What?
Had you been out with him?
Who?
You know who.
We all know, so you might
as well admit it.
I don't want to
talk about it, Ruby.
What does he say to you, Lil?
All romantic things and that.
Do you know, it's funny
but I can't imagine
Mr. Hudson saying
romantic things to a girl.
I don't want to
talk about it, Ruby.
Oh, suit yourself.
[Knock at door]
Who is it?
LILY: It's me, Lily.
Is it all right
to come in, please?
HUDSON: What is it, Lily?
LILY: May I come in, please?
Only you said it was all right
to come to the pantry
and talk to you
if I was ever worried.
HUDSON:
Very well, come in, Lily.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to disturb you.
HUDSON:
Oh, it's quite all right.
I was just writing to a relative
in Scotland.
Well, what is it Lily?
LILY: They all know about us,
don't they?
Everyone in this house, I mean.
HUDSON: About us?
LILY: About you and me going out
and that, together.
HUDSON: It would seem so, yes.
LILY: What are they saying,
Mr. Hudson?
What do they think?
HUDSON: What they say
and what they think
should not concern you,
my dear.
The important thing is that our
feelings for one another
are now generally known.
Our friendship is
out in the open at last.
There is no further need for
small untruths and deceptions.
I see.
And no cause
to meet secretly anymore.
The family know the situation
and so do the staff.
And it's as well they should.
We've nothing shameful to hide.
I see.
That's all right then.
You must not worry, Lily.
Put your trust in me.
Yes, Mr. Hudson.
Now you must go back to your
room before someone hears you.
And try not to be anxious.
No, Mr. Hudson.
Sorry.
Run along now, dear.
All right, I will.
Good night.
Good night, Lily.
Thank you, Hudson.
Thank you, Hudson.
- Coffee, my lord?
- Yes.
Thank you, Hudson.
Breakfast at the usual time,
my lady?
Yes -- oh, what about you,
Georgina?
Oh, I'll come down
whatever time you say.
9:00 then, Hudson.
Very good, my lady.
VIRGINIA:
Good night, Hudson.
Good night, my lady, my lord.
- Good night.
- Miss.
That man would make
a damn good diplomat,
even better card player.
You'd never guess there was
anything unusual going on.
Poor creature.
What are we to do?
Can he really be in love,
a confirmed bachelor like him?
I don't know what else
you can call it.
Infatuation?
I don't know.
Well what's going to happen,
anyway?
Happen?
Well, Hudson's promised
to reconsider his position
very carefully,
speak to us again tomorrow.
Until then I think he should be
given the benefit of the doubt
and allowed to carry on
with his duties.
He must be going through
the most awful agony.
What sort of agony?
Agonies of doubt,
of whether he's deeply in love
or just making a fool
of himself.
Either way,
I feel very sorry for him.
Well, let's hope to God the man
makes up his mind
before too long.
He must be proper gone on you
to give his notice in.
I mean,
he's got a good job here.
I know he has.
Why can't you
pluck up the nerve
to tell him you don't
want to marry him?
It wouldn't make
any difference, Frederick.
I've told him I'm not sure about
marrying or anything like that.
He keeps saying he'll love me
forever and ever,
no matter what happens.
If only he wouldn't say that.
It frightens me.
Shh, someone's coming.
[Footsteps approach]
It's only Ruby going upstairs.
If only he could find another
person to love, some nice woman.
I mean, I like him -- he's kind
and nice to go out with.
He's always been extra nice
to me, ever since I came here.
It's just that
I can't bring myself to tell him
I just don't fancy him.
Couldn't stand to hurt him
that much.
I don't know what to do.
You have to make up your mind
soon, Lily.
Can't go on dangling him
on a string.
Or else one morning
you'll wake up
and find yourself at the altar.
He wants to go to my home
and see my mother, but...
But what?
That wouldn't make
any difference neither.
Well, why?
He doesn't know,
but since my dad died,
my mum's been a bit funny.
Doesn't say much now.
Kind of...
kind of simple, my mum is.
She wouldn't understand.
Rotten, eh?
I don't want him going there.
He wants to go Sunday
and take me with him.
You'll have to say something
soon then.
I know.
Get me out a plain scarf,
will you, Rose?
My brown one will do.
I look too feminine.
Too feminine, my lady?
Yes.
If I'm to do battle
with our Mrs. Gilby
at the Naval Education
Fund Committee today,
I want to look severe,
aggressive and formidable.
Oh, I see.
Ready to fire broadsides
into her stupid resolutions
and sink them with all hands.
Do I take it that you're not
over-enamored of this
Mrs. Gilby?
Oh, she's all right, I suppose.
She was a wannamaker
from Detroit, you know.
All those chain stores.
Married Admiral Gilby
soon after the war.
Oh, she has given us
a lot of money.
If only she wouldn't try
to take charge.
Oh, yes.
Oh, Rose, that's much better.
Yes, now I look like
the superintendent
of a women's prison,
or a suffragette.
[Knock at door]
RICHARD: Can I come in?
Yes, of course!
Hudson's just been up to see me.
Oh, beg pardon, my lady --
Rose, you might as well
hear this.
What did Hudson have to say?
He says he's going to Banbury
to see Lily's mother,
taking Lily with him.
What for?
To ask Mrs. Hawkins for
her consent to the marriage.
Oh, God, he means it.
RICHARD: Oh, yes, he means it.
He says he's given the matter
careful thought
and intends,
with our permission,
to go with Lily to her home
on Sunday.
I just thought
you'd like to know.
I'd just like to say how sorry
I am this has happened, my lady,
and to extend to you and his
lordship my deepest sympathy.
Oh, you mustn't worry
on our account, Rose.
We'll survive.
Well, it's not right.
Oh, dear,
I must go down in a moment
and see Mrs. Bridges
about the meals.
- Must keep the wheels turning.
- Yes, my lady.
If you're going down, Rose,
would you ask Edward
to have the car ready for 11:00?
Very good, my lady.
Oh, the silly man.
It's downright wicked, Rose.
It's downright wicked, Rose.
I'm surprised at you
keeping it up so long.
I'm still not talking to no one
who can treat a young girl
like that,
forcing her against her will.
It's not for you to judge
Mr. Hudson, Rose.
His affairs
is no concern of yours.
He knows what I think of him.
I should think he does!
The way you've treated him
the last three days,
never answering him
when he speaks to you.
It's insubordinate,
for one thing, and hurtful.
You've upset Mr. Hudson
very bad.
Upset Mr. Hudson!
Poo!
What's he done but upset
the whole bloomin' household?!
[Bell ringing]
Morning room bell, Mrs. Bridges.
Be her ladyship to order meals.
I know, Ruby, I'm not deaf!
MRS. BRIDGES: And we're all
upset downstairs, my lady.
Yes, I'm sure you are.
I can't understand it.
You see, my lady,
some years ago,
in her late ladyship's time,
I was in a bit of trouble
with the police.
Yes, I did hear about it.
And Hudson helped me.
He stood by me, he spoke up
for me in the court.
And he gave me to understand
that if he should ever
think of marrying,
you know, like one day, my lady,
that it would be me
that he would ask
to be the partner of his life.
And I told him that
I would, like,
hold myself in reservation
for him.
Now...
I don't know what's
come over him, my lady.
I really don't.
I know, Mrs. Bridges,
It's very worrying.
Perhaps you'd like to go
downstairs for a bit
and come up later on
when I get back, would you?
Very good, my lady.
I'll come up teatime.
Oh, Hudson, Hudson, Hudson,
what are you doing to us all?
Oh, good evening, Frederick.
Good evening Miss Georgina.
Will you be requiring
a taxi, miss?
No, thank you, Frederick.
I'm being fetched.
Just as well I am, I'd have to
Walk to the waldorf otherwise,
I'm flat broke.
I don't suppose that makes much
sense to you, does it?
What, a young lady
having no money?
Oh, yes, Miss Georgina,
I can understand that.
Taxi, that's very...dear,
nowadays.
I shall have to get a job
on the films or something,
try and make some money.
Beg pardon, miss,
I was just closing up.
Oh, that's all right, Lily,
but it seems rather a pity
to shut out the daylight.
It's not quite dark yet.
Shall I leave the curtains
for a while, miss?
No, you'd better close them
now you're here.
Lily?
Yes, Miss Georgina?
You do know, don't you,
that Hudson's leaving us
because of you?
Yes, miss, I do.
And you'll be leaving as well,
I imagine,
so that you can both marry.
Well, Miss Georgina I --
it's not --
I don't know for sure.
It's all muddled.
Does Hudson think you're willing
to marry him?
Yes, miss, I think he does.
And you?
You don't want to talk about it,
do you?
It's all right
if you'd rather not.
Oh, no, miss,
I don't mind talking about it.
Not to you anyway.
What's the matter then, Lily?
Are you worried about
Hudson's age?
Or is it that you're
frightened to say to him
how you really feel?
Perhaps if I can help
in some way?
If you like --
I've got to speak to him, miss,
before tomorrow,
because he's taking me
on the train tomorrow
to see my mother and I...
Well, I don't know what to do.
Oh, yes, it's Sunday tomorrow,
isn't it?
Yes, miss.
[Bell ringing]
Oh, dear, there's the bell.
I'm so sorry, Lily,
I have to go now,
only my date's arrived
to fetch me.
Your date, miss?
Oh, an American expression
for someone you go out with.
"I wanna date you, honey."
That's what a young man says
to a girl in the United States,
"I wanna date you, honey."
Go on, miss.
Come up and see me early in
the morning, Lily, if you like.
And then we can talk quietly,
just you and I.
Oh, thank you, Miss Georgina.
That's ever so good of you.
Yes, Laura, I do see
your point, but I --
What --
But that is precisely
what committees are for!
Oh, well, if you feel
you're being undermined
perhaps you'd __
You would?
Oh, oh, dear.
Oh, that would be such a pity,
I'm so sorry.
Oh, no, no, no, no, no, I'm sure
the chairman will accept it,
but I --
I should put it in writing.
Yes.
Very well.
Goodbye, Laura.
Thank God.
What for?
Laura Gilby has resigned.
Good morning, darling.
Did you have fun last night?
Did you?
Last night?
Just dinner with Pru Fairfax so
not really fun, quite enjoyable.
I'm glad somebody
enjoyed themselves.
Oh, dear.
Oh, it was the most awful,
shattering fiasco.
Oh, Georgina.
I should have known.
Somebody once warned me about
shipboard romances.
A man can seem
the most dreamy thing
miles out at sea
in the moonlight,
but once ashore...
Tell me.
Well, for some reason,
he seemed inches shorter
than he did on the boat.
And not half so good looking.
What happened?
Nothing.
We dined at a fairly
depressing restaurant,
and then we went back
to his hotel
and sat in the lounge,
Where he talked constantly about
his home in
Springfield, Massachusetts,
and showed me endless
photographs of his mother!
Until I yawned by mistake which
gave me a chance to escape,
thank God.
Oh, poor darling, never mind,
put it down to experience.
Oh, I shall.
Are you ready?
I have been for ten minutes,
darling.
Oh.
Are you coming to church,
Georgina?
Oh, may I be excused?
I want to practice my ukulele
and write some thank you letters
to New York.
I see.
Yes, all right.
Come along.
Excuse me, miss.
You said I might come
and see you this morning.
Oh, yes, I did, didn't I?
Well, come in
and close the door, Lily.
Oh, good girl.
You're all ready, eh?
Yes, Mr. Hudson,
but I'm not going.
Not going?
What do you mean by that?
I'm not going with you
to see my mother.
There's no point.
Sorry.
Ooh, there's every point,
my dear.
I can understand if, as you say,
the old lady is a bit feeble
and unable to comprehend
what is taking place,
but on a matter of principle
I would never dream of
embarking on marriage without
at least visiting --
I'm not going to marry you,
Mr. Hudson.
You haven't asked me to, anyway.
Not asked me.
Haven't asked?
Lily, it has been understood
ever since --
I never said I'd marry you.
It's you what's always said so,
not me.
Well, why have you not denied
your feelings for me?
Have I not be entitled
to assume your consent?
No! No, you haven't.
I don't wish to marry you,
Mr. Hudson,
because you're not a romantic
person for a young girl.
You tell me things about
the world all the time,
teach me things, but --
Lily, you have said
over and over again
how much you've
enjoyed learning,
accompanying me to
interesting places.
Oh, you're tired,
strained, child.
Not yourself today.
Try and pull yourself
together, eh?
I'm not tired or strained,
Mr. Hudson,
I just don't love you.
When I marry I want to marry
a young man
who's strong and good looking
and romantic.
Someone who can take me in his
arms and make love to me
and give me babies
and laugh with me
and make jokes.
Someone I can get on with.
I don't want to spend
my whole life
going in and out of museums
and churches
and getting lectured about art
and all that tripe.
Do you call that loving someone?
I've given in my notice here,
Lily, I...
I've thrown away my whole career
as a gesture of my love for you.
Why have you not spoken
like this before?
Because I've always been afraid
of you, what you'd say.
I went out with you
when you asked me
because it was something to do
on my days off,
but I didn't like it.
I don't fancy you.
I want to marry a young man,
not some old school teacher
in a tailcoat
who talks Scotch and all about
history and God and things,
and who never touches me but
holds my hand on a park bench
or on top of a bus when it's
dark and no one can see.
It was the only way
I could possibly express
my profound feelings for you.
Well, I wouldn't marry you,
Mr. Hudson,
not if there was nobody
else left in the world
because you're an old man --
I don't fancy you.
Please just go away
and leave me alone.
It seems I made
quite a fool of myself.
I must apologize to you, Lily.
I ought to have known better.
I'll go to my room
and change out of these things.
Ruby, was Lily up
when you come down?
Yes, she was getting dressed.
That was about half an hour ago.
- How did she seem?
- Very quiet.
She didn't answer me
when I spoke to her
so I didn't trouble.
What's the matter, Rose?
ROSE: Lily's gone.
She must have dressed,
put her things together
and slipped out
by the front door.
When?
Well, just now.
Her cupboards empty,
all her things gone.
Run away, eh?
Well, suppose it's only
to be expected
after what happened yesterday.
She left a note for Mr. Hudson
on the landing outside her door.
I'd best go and find him.
[Knock at door]
ROSE: Beg pardon, Mr. Hudson?
Yes?
There's a note for you.
I brought it down from upstairs.
Thank you. Has her ladyship
finished breakfast yet?
Yes, she's in the morning room
with his lordship.
I expect you can guess
who it's from.
She seems to have left
suddenly this morning,
without saying a word to anyone,
not even Ruby.
Aren't you gonna read it?
Later, Rose.
I'm going up to speak to
her ladyship.
Very well.
- Mr. Hudson?
- Yes?
Sorry.
HUDSON: If I might have a word,
my lady.
Certainly, Hudson.
Just to say that Lily has
evidently left the house,
my lady, early this morning
Without giving notice.
- Left?
- For good?
It would seem so, my lord.
It would also seem that
my affections for the girl
were unfortunately misplaced.
I had misjudged her character,
my lord.
When we conversed yesterday
it became clear that hers was,
in reality, an ungenerous, cruel
and somewhat malicious nature,
two-faced and deceitful.
I realize now I was wrong
in my estimation of her.
And what do you wish
to do about it?
In view of the new
circumstances, my lord, I...
I wonder if I might
continue in your service.
Well, of course you can, Hudson.
I very much regret the incident,
my lady.
That's quite all right, Hudson.
I think the sooner
it's all forgotten the better.
I can't vouch for the others
downstairs, of course,
but as far as his lordship
and I are concerned,
the matter need never be
mentioned again in this house.
Very good, my lady.
Thank you, my lord.
Well, thank God for that.
Let's hope he can
settle down again
and the others can put it
out of their minds.
It'll never be quite the same,
not now.
[Knock at door]
Who is it?
Oh, come in, Kate.
I won't stop long, Angus.
I just wanted to say
I was sorry...
but I am glad.
Yes.
That Lily's letter?
Yes.
Aren't you going to read it?
"Dear Mr. Hudson,
I am sorry I said
all the nasty things I said
because I didn't mean it.
I only wanted you to give up
caring for me
and make you think
I was not a nice person.
I really think
you are a kind man,
and the times we had together
were very happy times
I shall always remember.
I'll look for another place now.
One last favour,
would you be so kind as to ask
her ladyship
to forward a reference
to above address
which is my home
you never come to in the end.
Yours affectionate, Lily."
Beg pardon, Mr. Hudson.
Her ladyship would like
Mrs. Bridges to go up
and see her about the meals.
Yes, yes, all right, Frederick,
I'll be up in a moment.
You just stay here quietly,
Angus.
I won't be long.
Then I'll come down and make you
a nice cup of tea.
Ah, come in, Mrs. Bridges.
Now, we'll be six
for dinner tonight.
Six tonight --
very good, my lady.
Beg pardon, my lady.
Before we start the ordering,
would you be willing to give
a reference for Lily?
We've got her address
downstairs.
More than willing, Mrs. Bridges.
In fact, I've already
Written her one.
Oh, have you, my lady?
Oh, thank you.
I have said that Lily Hawkins
was under-housemaid here
for five years,
that I found her in every way
clean, sober, and honest,
an excellent servant
who carried out her duties
with every satisfaction,
cheerful about the house
and got on exceptionally well
with the other servants.
I could not recommend her
more highly.
There.
Now that can be sent to
her home immediately.
Thank you, my lady.
Hudson will be very grateful.
I think we should all be
very grateful to Lily,
don't you, Mrs. Bridges?
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