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[Bell rings]
[Door unlocks]
Nasty fog again this morning.
Can't hardly see across the street.
Why six pints?
Oh, says so here. Found it on the doorstep.
Oh. Mrs. Bridges must have left it last night when she come in.
Don't know why. We've got plenty in the larder.
It's that thick.
There was this motorcar in Belgrave Square, crawling,
with a lad walking in front, carrying a lamp.
Proper pea souper.
Mind how you go with Daisy.
MILKMAN: Oh, she'll be all right.
She can see in the dark with her blinkers on.
[Humming]
Mr. Hudson, I couldn't take Mrs. Bridges her morning tea.
- HUDSON: why not? - I couldn't get into her room.
Her door's locked.
- Did you knock? - Twice, but she didn't answer.
It seems that Mrs. Bridges has slept in this morning, Rose.
Was her day out yesterday.
I fail to see the connection.
I'll take these to the larder.
Are you sure her door was locked?
Oh, yes, Mr. Hudson. I tried ever so hard to open it.
Maybe she didn't come back.
I didn't hear her come in last night.
Neither did I.
Do you think something could have happened to her?
I mean, you never know in the fog.
Maybe someone slit her throat down one of them dark alleys,
like Jack the Ripper.
Oh, not Mrs. Bridges, Doris.
Jack the Ripper liked them a wee bit younger than that.
More your age.
Rose, you better go up and see. Maybe she's ill.
Oh, yes, Mr. Hudson.
Give me that cup of tea, and you get on with the range.
It's cold now. If she gets cold tea...
ROSE: Serve her right for oversleeping, lazy cow.
HUDSON: Now, Rose, that's enough of that.
Mrs. Bridges, 7:00.
Mrs. Bridges!
[Rustling]
- Oh, Mr. Hudson. - what is it, Rose?
I couldn't rouse her,
but I could hear sounds coming from her room.
Oh, better just leave her, then, and get on.
We'll try again in half an hour.
Well, I best get Doris with upstairs breakfast, then.
Yes. And take this down, if you please, Rose.
Yes, Mr. Hudson.
[Clocks chiming]
MARJORIE: Morning.
Morning, my dear. You're up bright and early.
MARJORIE: I've rather a lot to do today.
Anything startling in the paper?
Nothing much. Oh, Curzon's got his way.
He's seeking election to sit in the Lords among the Irish peers.
Without an acre of Irish land.
At least his voice will be heard at westminster once again
after years in the wilderness.
Never was a public servant so shamefully treated.
When I think what that man did for India.
Must tell him so next week when he dines here.
Mm, I shall.
I must be going soon. I'm seeing my tailor this morning.
Could you ring for Hudson, please?
Mm-hmm.
MARJORIE: It's time for me to face Mrs. Bridges again.
-[ Bell rings] - why do you say that?
She's been so moody lately.
We never can see eye to eye on the subject of desserts.
She seems to have changed in the last few weeks.
Perhaps she's had a secret offer from someone outside.
Oh, well, that is possible.
Mrs. Van Groeben raved about our dinner party the other night.
She asked if we had a French chef from Paris.
- what did you say? - I said we had a very ordinary,
rather temperamental widow from Bristol.
She said she thought the dinner Worthy of Rosa Lewis herself.
Praise indeed.
- You rang, my lady? - Oh, yes, Hudson.
Send Mrs. Bridges up, would you?
Beg pardon, my lady, but I'm afraid it appears
that Mrs. Bridges has slept in this morning.
She hasn't been down for her breakfast yet.
Not down yet? But it's nearly 10:00.
Quite, my lady.
Somebody better go up to her room and rouse her.
We've tried, sir. Rose has been up twice, but...
What?
She wasn't able to get in, sir.
The door was locked.
Why is her door locked?
It was her day off yesterday, sir.
Well, what's that got to do with it?
Are you suggesting she came home intoxicated or something?
Oh, no, sir.
- You're sure she's in her room? - Oh, yes, my lady.
There wasn't any answer, but Rose said she distinctly heard
sounds coming from inside the room.
I'll go and see to it at once, my lady. Sir.
Oh, it really is too bad.
One gives her every consideration,
and she behaves like this.
Suppose that's the price one must pay
for superb skill in the kitchen.
Well, I particularly want her at her best next week.
To impress the Italian ambassador?
And Curzon.
The Crewes are coming, too.
And F.E. Smith. He likes good food.
[ Door locks ]
Ah, Mrs. Bridges.
Her ladyship is waiting for you, Mrs. Bridges,
in the morning room.
Oh, really, what is that woman doing?
It's gone 10:00.
Oh, my goodness. I must go.
You lunching at your club?
Yes, with old George Chesterfield.
I'll see you this evening.
Mrs. Bridges.
There you are.
You'd, uh, better go in.
Yes, come in, Mrs. Bridges. I've been waiting for you.
Did you have a pleasant day off yesterday?
Yes, milady.
I understand from Hudson that you've had no breakfast.
Not hungry, milady.
It's no business of Hudson's.
I beg your pardon?
I said it's nothing to do with Hudson
what time I come down of a morning.
I'm afraid I don't agree with you.
Hudson is responsible for the smooth running of this house.
And I'm responsible for the meals, milady.
I know you are, Mrs. Bridges,
and I expect you to be punctual for meals in the servants' hall
and to set a good example to the others.
I also expect you to observe my rules,
one of which is that I will not have the servants in this house
locking their bedroom doors.
I thought I'd made that quite clear.
Why was your door locked this morning
when Rose tried to rouse you?
Well?
I've a right to my privacy, milady,
Without the underservants poking and prying into my affairs.
[Voice breaking] Everyone's against me.
All talking and whispering behind my back,
saying as how it was my fault Emily done herself in.
- Come, now, Mrs. -- - I know what they're saying.
They're all against me.
I know I'm not wanted in this house,
nor appreciated, neither.
So, I best get in my notice and clear out,
and that's all I have to say, thanking you, milady.
Mrs. Bridges, come back here at once.
I'm giving in my notice, milady.
No, Mrs. Bridges, you're doing nothing of the kind.
Now, calm yourself and sit down.
Come along, now. Sit down.
Thank you.
Now, then...what's the matter with you these days?
Aren't you going to tell me?
I can't.
You haven't been yourself for some weeks, have you?
MRS. BRIDGES: No, my lady.
Are you unwell?
I get these headaches.
Sharp pains through me head, milady.
Everything seems to be on top of me,
and...l can't stop crying.
I lie awake thinking about that poor dead girl.
If I scolded her sometimes, it was only to make her
a better kitchen maid and to get on in service.
I trained under a strict cook meself, milady, at Southwold.
You've got to be firm with them.
And then when Emily killed herself, it was...
...it was like as if I lost my own daughter.
[ Crying ] She was like my own...
Mrs. Bridges, would it surprise you to know
that I, too, lie awake at night, thinking about Emily?
It was a terrible shock to all of us,
but we must try and get over it.
I miss her in my kitchen.
I miss that girl.
She was a good girl.
Now, dry your tears and try not to think about it anymore.
Yes, milady.
You've been here such a long time,
and I like to think that we're old friends.
If these headaches continue,
I'll have you examined by Dr. Foley.
Thank you, milady.
It's just that sometimes I feel...
What?
Lonely, milady.
You see, since Bridges was took, 15 years ago now, come April,
I've had no one.
I mean, no one what belongs to me.
I've got my friend in Victoria, but it's not the same.
It's not like someone as belongs to you.
Is it, milady?
Mrs. Bridges...
perhaps we should discuss the meals now,
if you're quite ready.
I think I'm ready.
- Mrs. Bridges? -[ Door rattles]
Are you there, Mrs. Bridges?
Got to come in and sweep.
[Light tapping]
Mrs. Bridges.
[ Indistinct conversation]
Mr. Hudson...
What is it, Alice?
- I thought I ought to tell you. - what, girl?
There's a funny sound coming from Mrs. Bridges' room.
- There can't be. - But there is, Mr. Hudson.
Mrs. Bridges happens to be in the morning room
-with her ladyship. - But I heard it.
Bump, bump against the wall.
Oh, you're imagining things, girl.
I'm not, Mr. Hudson, honest.
Well, why didn't you go in and see what it was?
Well, the door was locked, Mr. Hudson.
Not again?
Could there be thieves in the house?
I have no idea, Alice. You'd better come with me.
[ Footsteps ]
Wait here, and I'll get the master key from my pantry.
Listen.
A man? Mrs. Bridges?
That's daft.
- She wouldn't do that. - why else would she keep
-her door locked? - HUDSON: Come up with me, Alice.
Yes, Mr. Hudson.
- Oh, and, Doris? - Yes, Mr. Hudson?
If Mrs. Bridges comes back down here while we're upstairs,
don't say anything about this -- Do you understand?
- Yes, Mr. Hudson. - HUDSON: Come along, Alice.
Oh, god.
[Knock on door]
[ Door rattles ]
But there was a noise, Mr. Hudson. I swear there was.
Oh.
[Thump]
Listen. There it is.
Can't you hear it, Mr. Hudson?
Aye, there is someone in there, right enough.
Just you stand clear, Alice.
-Is there any danger? - You can never be sure.
Just keep well out of the way.
I'll unlock the door.
[ Door rattles ]
[Door unlocks]
Right now!
-[ Door closes] - Very good, milady.
[Mumbles]
"Get out of there."
"Go on, get down."
Doris.
How are you, Doris?
Emily.
Come and give old Mrs. Bridges a hand.
A hand, someone.
I can't manage by myself. I can't.
Where's it come from, then?
That's what I'd like to know.
Some relative, I expect, asked Mrs. Bridges to mind it
for her while she's in the shop.
Well, why'd she lock the door, then?
Nobody would harm it, would they?
She could have brought it down here.
We'd have given it some milk.
You're quite right.
That's because it's not been honestly come by.
- She's stolen that baby. -[ Gasps ]
- what's gonna happen to her? - will she be arrested?
Well, Mr. Hudson's speaking to her ladyship now,
so we'll soon know.
I'd best be getting back to the kitchen.
She'll be needing me now.
[ Door closes]
[ Footsteps ]
Lay out the saucepans, then, shall I, Mrs. Bridges?
[ Pot clangs ]
♫ Rock-a-bye, baby ♫
♫ On the treetop ♫
♫ When the wind blows ♫
♫ The cradle will drop ♫
♫ Down will fall baby ♫
♫ Cradle and all ♫
[Door opens, closes]
- Thank you, Hudson. - Sir.
I came as quickly as I decently could.
We were in the middle of lunch when the message came.
Well, what's happened?
MARJORIE: Mrs. Bridges isn't well, Richard.
She's in rather serious trouble.
Trouble?
Last night, in the fog on the way back from her day off,
she took a baby from its perambulator outside a shop.
Took a baby?
Stole it, from its parents.
[ Sniffles ]
[Voice breaking] I'd been visiting my friend, sir,
Mrs. Gray.
She used to be cook to Lady Wallingford,
who's died, now, sir.
I come across this pram outside a greengrocer's.
Nobody minding it.
Such a lovely baby laying there, smiling at me.
I stopped, you see, sir, and I touched its little hand.
Oh, I couldn't help but touch it.
And when its tiny fingers curled 'round mine,
I-I felt as if I had to pick it up, sir.
Well, no harm after all, sir. I mean, there was nobody there.
I knew it was wrong, sir, but I just couldn't help it.
I only wanted to hold it to me, just for a minute, sir.
But, you see, it was cold and foggy.
And so I took a shawl off of the pram, and...
I wrapped the little mite up in it.
Still, nobody come out of the shop.
And then I...
You what?
Started to walk with it, sir, in my arms,
'round the corner, down the street.
Which street? Where was this?
MARJORIE: She doesn't remember, Richard.
And where's the child now?
[Whimpers]
Being cared for, sir, in the servants' hall.
Oh, my God.
And nobody tried to stop you? N-N-Nobody saw you take it?
It was thick fog, sir.
You could hardly see your hand in front of your face.
What on earth made you do a thing like that?
Have you thought of the parents of the child,
what they must be going through at this very moment,
the terrible anxiety?
-[ Crying ] Richard, please.
Well, I'm sorry, but whether Mrs. Bridges acted
on some sudden impulse or not,
the fact remains that some wretched mother
is searching all over London for a stolen baby,
and that baby happens to be here in this house.
[Crying] I'm sorry, milady, I couldn't help it!
It just come over me!
Mrs. Bridges, are you sure you can't remember
which street you were in?
Have you any idea of the shop? A greengrocer, you said.
Yes, it was a greengrocer, I know that,
but I-l don't know what street.
It was somewhere in Victoria, near my friend.
Somewhere in Pimlico.
She'd better go up to her room for the time being.
Perhaps she'll remember after she's calmed down.
Go with her, Hudson, and then come back here.
- Very good, my lady. - MRS. BRIDGES: I'm sorry.
Come along, then, Mrs. Bridges.
I'll see you upstairs to your room.
You better have a wee lie-down for a bit, eh?
Of course, the police have got to be informed.
MARJORIE: Richard, no.
How else are we to trace the parents?
I can't allow Mrs. Bridges to be carted off by the police.
It would kill her.
Besides, I have an important dinner party to give next week.
How can you think about dinner parties at a time like this?
Because I have to, Richard.
I have to run this house
and entertain important people for your sake.
How can I do that Without my cook?
I can't find a new cook at a minute's notice.
Marjorie, I am trying to be very, very patient with you.
A child has been stolen from its pram by Mrs. Bridges.
The parents have got to be found at once and the child returned.
- That's all that matters. - Yes, but if we could find out
where it came from, we could send it back.
Well, we'll make some sort of explanation.
Marjorie, have you quite lost your reason? You're trying to...
You're asking me to bypass the normal course of the law,
to shield a person who is guilty of a criminal offense.
Mrs. Bridges is not a criminal, Richard.
She's ill.
She's been through a lot lately, and she needs rest and care.
- No doubt. - And it's our responsibility
to look after our servants when they get into trouble.
There's trouble and trouble, and this is a...
a bad case of child theft, and the police have got to be told,
Whether you like it or not.
And that's what we have to do, my dear.
Will there be any further instructions, sir?
- No, Hudson. - Thank you, sir.
- Hudson. - HUDSON: My lady?
I have an idea.
A-Am I right in thinking
that you have a friend in the police force?
Yes, my lady, Sergeant McKay 'round at Gerald Road.
I thought you had.
I think you ought to be very careful, Marjorie.
I shall be.
Hudson, how would it be if you were to bump into Sergeant McKay
somewhere 'round by Gerald Road Police Station?
I understand perfectly, my lady.
- Do you, Hudson? - HUDSON: Indeed, sir.
I understand the need to trace the parents of the wee baby
and return their property to them immediately,
Without involving the police.
- Put it that way, sir? - And you think you can?
If luck is on my side, sir.
And provided, of course, that her ladyship or yourself
will not be requiring me for the rest of the afternoon.
Oh, that's understood.
Now, all we need is the address
of the people in the strictest confidence, of course.
You can rely on me, sir, my lady.
- Oh, and, Hudson. - Sir?
Not a word to the other servants for the time being.
Oh, naturally, sir.
[ Footsteps ]
Rose.
Rose? Where are you, Rose?
- Ah, Rose. - Shh!
Baby's asleep.
We'd only just got him off, Mr. Hudson.
Little devil. He's that wakeful.
I am going out, Rose, on a very important errand for the master.
Yes, Mr. Hudson.
When Edward gets back from his afternoon off,
inform him that he may have to deputize for me at dinner,
in case I'm not back in time.
[ Door opens ]
Just to see if the fire's all right, milady.
Oh. Yes, perhaps another piece of coal, Rose.
It's turned much colder.
Yes, milady.
But the fog's not quite so thick.
That's good.
Hudson still not back?
Not yet, milady.
[ Clatter]
Oh, if that's Mr. Bellamy, tell him I'm in here, will you?
Yes, milady.
Her ladyship's in the morning room, sir.
- Any news? - No, sir.
- I gather Hudson's not back yet? MARJORIE: No.
Been gone over three hours. What can have happened to him?
Well, his friend in the police may not have been there.
He may have had to wait for him.
To come on duty? Yes, possibly.
[ Door opens ]
ROSE: The evening papers, sir.
Thank you, Rose.
Is there anything there? A-About a stolen child?
Not that I can see.
Will there be anything else, milady?
Uh, yes, Rose. What time can we dine?
Oh, anytime you wish, milady. It's all ready.
Uh, will I tell Edward to ring the gong?
Yes, in 10 minutes. We won't change.
Very good, milady. I just hope it tastes of something.
I'm sure it will, Rose.
They're being absolutely splendid, Richard.
What's that, my dear?
The servants -- I was saying they're being simply marvellous.
Rose and Doris have cooked a dinner,
and Alice is busy looking after the baby.
That's very commendable, Rose. We're very grateful.
Oh, I'm sure we don't mind doing a bit extra, sir,
if it's to help Mrs. Bridges.
- will that be all, milady? MARJORIE: Yes, thank you, Rose.
[Door opens, closes]
You know, they really are the most extraordinary people.
I mean, that woman causes so many upsets downstairs
with her moods and tantrums,
yet they're all ready to cover up for her.
Domestic servants are more loyal by nature than politicians.
-[ Door opens] - Ah, Hudson.
- HUDSON: My lady. - we were worried about you.
I trust you'll pardon me for coming straight in as I am, sir.
- You're soaking wet. - Oh, I'm very sorry, sir.
It began to sleet a wee bit when I reached Eaton Square.
Well, what news?
I am able to report, sir, my lady,
that I have ascertained the identity of the baby's parents.
Well done, man. And where they live?
Yes, sir. It seems that, uh...
a baby was reported stolen from its perambulator
outside the premises of Messrs Walsh & Sons.
They're fruiterers in Lupus Street, my lady.
Between the hours of 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. last evening.
And the parents?
A Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Webber, sir,
of 96A Vauxhall Bridge Road.
I also memorized the address, sir.
I wonder what sort of people.
Oh, middle class, my lady, but quite respectable, I understand.
We must order the motor at once.
I still don't like this, Marjorie.
I think we ought to inform the police first.
You agreed.
Oh, very well.
Tell Pearce to bring the motor 'round at once.
- Very good, sir. - Yes, Hudson, and ask Rose
to have the child well Wrapped up, ready for travel,
and brought up to the hall.
Dinner will have to wait till we get back.
Very good, my lady.
[ Door opens ]
How much will you offer these people as compensation?
We shall have to wait and see what their circumstances are.
[Vehicle approaches]
[Engine shuts off]
[Knock on door]
MARJORIE: Mrs. Webber.
It's all right, Mrs. Webber. He's quite unharmed.
Don't distress yourself. May we come in?
LILY: [Crying]
We're not very tidy.
Is your husband at home, Mrs. Webber?
ARTHUR: There's a motorcar outside, Lily.
Is that Johnny back?
He's been found, has he?
These people found him, did they?
LILY: This lady and gentleman, Arthur.
They brought him back just a few minutes ago.
Oh, Arthur, he's safe. He's all right.
Well, we're very grateful, I'm sure.
Where was the child found?
Oh, let me introduce myself and explain.
There's my card.
Oh. I see.
Mr. Webber, I must hasten to assure you,
neither my wife nor I were responsible
for taking your child from its pram last evening.
The fact is -- and we regret it very much --
a certain member of my domestic staff
had an unfortunate lapse --
a quite irrational longing to possess the child.
She regrets the action very much.
What was her name, the woman who stole our kiddie?
Well, I hardly think that's relevant, Mr. Webber.
Of course, there's the question of compensation.
We realize that you and your wife
have suffered a great deal of anxiety.
Yes, we both think you're entitled
to some form of restitution.
I'm asking you a simple question, Mr. Bellamy.
RICHARD: I would have -- - who stole our baby?
I would have thought it best for you to accept a modest sum,
as a token of our apologies for --
For what one of your maids has done, is that it?
Mr. Webber, the woman in question happens to be our cook.
Now, are you willing
to accept our apologies for what has happened,
tell the police the child has been found,
and leave it at that?
I think you'd be well-advised to do so
and so save a lot of unnecessary fuss.
- Oh, you do, do you? - LiLY: Arthur.
No, Lily.
If people like them think they can buy their way out
of having their underpaid and overworked
domestic servants had up in court,
-they're very much mistaken. - who said anything about court?
The woman who stole our infant, Mr. Bellamy,
is either a criminal or a lunatic.
In either case, she ought to be behind bars
Where she can't snatch any more infants from their prams.
As for your offer of compensation, sir,
I see from your card you're a member of Parliament.
You should know better than to try and impede the law
by offering a man a bribe.
I see no point in continuing this conversation.
Come along, Marjorie.
[ Door closes]
- what are you gonna do? - wait and see.
Oh, don't do anything foolish, Arthur.
We've got Johnny back.
Don't cause any more trouble, not with the likes of them.
They always come out on top in the end, and you know it,
people like that.
I know they do, Lily. That's just my point.
Her ladyship's left her toast again.
Not touched it.
And the master's not had his scrambled eggs, neither.
They must be sitting in for something, the pair of 'em.
ALICE: So when Miss Roberts told her ladyship
she couldn't get the stain out of her gray coat,
she had her head snapped off.
Best keep out of her way, then.
What I can't understand
is why Mrs. Bridges didn't get the push.
I mean, causing all that trouble.
Can't afford to lose her, that's why.
She's too good a cook.
Besides, they took the baby back to its owners,
and there's an end to it.
It was a lark, having a baby to take care of,
even if it was only for a few hours, eh, Rose?
It was all right.
Dear little thing.
I'd love to have a baby.
Well, I daresay your turn'll come one day.
When it does, let's hope it's intentional.
-[ Bell rings] - Oh, front door.
This early?
We better get out of here in case it's visitors.
Oh.
[ Door opens ]
Mr. Hudson, We're done in the morning room.
Very good, Rose. well, hurry up and get downstairs.
There's someone at the front door.
Oh, come on, now. Quickly girl, quickly.
CAPE: Is this Mr. Richard Bellamy's residence?
It is.
CAPE: I understand there's a cook employed on these premises.
That is so. The back door is down the steps and...
Just one moment, if you please.
I am a police officer, Detective Inspector Cape.
And I should like a word with your master.
In what connection, if you don't mind my asking?
A report received
concerning an incident that took place last evening.
Now kindly fetch your master.
You better come in.
[ Footsteps ]
Ah, I'll go and inform Mr. Bellamy.
His permission will be required before Mrs. Bridges
can interrupt her duties in the kitchen.
Wait here, please.
Excuse me, sir, but there's a gentleman from the police,
Detective Inspector Cape.
- He wants to see Mrs. Bridges. - Show him in now, will you?
But I understood, sir, since the baby was returned last night --
Well, no, Hudson, the matter's far from closed.
- I rather expected this. - Should I fetch Mrs. Bridges?
Not yet. Just leave this to me.
I've heard about this Inspector Cape, sir,
from my friend, Sergeant McKay, at the station.
I understand he's a holy terror.
Yes? well, he's not gonna terrorize me.
- Show him in. - Very good, sir.
Detective Inspector Cape, Sir
Come in now, will you, Inspector?
I'll try not to keep you waiting, sir.
I understand you have your Parliamentary duties to fulfill.
I can spare you 20 minutes or so. That will suffice?
Should be sufficient, sir.
Well, do sit down.
No, thank you, sir.
Now, sir.
A Mr. Arthur Webber of 96A Vauxhall Bridge Road
reported to Gerald Road Police Station
at 6:30 on wednesday evening
that his wife had returned from the shops
in a state of some distress
to say that their baby was missing from its perambulator.
The discovery was made when she came out
of a greengrocer's shop in Lupus Street.
Particulars were taken
and a call sent out duly to all constables on the beat
to keep a watch out for the missing child.
Yes, I know all about this.
I have not quite finished, sir, if you don't mind.
Very well. Go on.
This gentleman has since reported to the police
that his infant was returned to his address, unharmed,
at 7:45 last evening by yourself and your wife.
- Is that correct, sir? - Yes, that's quite correct.
I would have thought that would finish the matter.
I tried to explain to this man, Webber, that --
If a child was stolen by a woman in your employ,
as Mr. Webber claims, sir, then I shall have no alternative
but to charge her with kidnapping.
Now, look, Inspector, is this absolutely necessary?
I'm afraid it is, sir.
On the evidence before me, it's my duty to charge her,
under the Offence Against Young Persons Act of 1861.
Do you mean to say you're going to arrest my cook
in this house and take her off to the police station?
Yes, sir.
I should be glad if you'd call her, if she's on the premises.
Of course she's on the premises.
She's in the kitchen cooking our lunch.
You'll have to do without your lunch won't you, sir?
And you can keep your impudent comments to yourself.
You'd best inform the mistress of the house, sir, had you not?
[Sighs]
Yes, I certainly will.
How long do you expect to keep Mrs. Bridges in custody?
She'll be charged now, sir, and detained overnight
and appear in court in the morning.
You're perfectly within your rights, of course,
and you must do your duty.
I'm only sorry this man, Webber, felt it necessary
to make an issue of the incident.
-[ Door opens] - You rang, sir?
Yes. Hudson, will you ask her ladyship to come down?
I think she's upstairs in her room.
Very good, sir.
And, Hudson, will you warn Bridges
to stop whatever she's doing and get her hat and coat on?
The police want to...
ask her some questions at the station.
I understand, sir.
With your permission, sir,
I'll keep this news from the staff for the time being.
If you can, Hudson.
Thank you, sir.
My wife will be down shortly.
There is one more question, sir.
Well?
How did you know where to return the infant?
I note you failed to report your discovery to the police.
I don't like your tone, Inspector.
Don't you, sir?
Well, I must remind you
that the failure to report the discovery of a felony
may be taken as acting as an accessory after the fact.
I am aware of the law.
You're talking to a former minister of the Crown.
And I am carrying out my duties as an officer of the law, sir.
In view of your position,
I shall, of course, overlook the matter on this occasion.
But I must warn you, in future, not to go about offering money.
Mr. Webber knows perfectly well that money was offered
to him and his wife as a gesture of compensation.
They didn't take it, did they, sir?
That is their business.
Richard, what's all this about Mrs. Bridges being arrested?
- It's quite outrageous. Marjorie, this...
is Inspector Cape of the local police.
- My wife. - Good morning.
Well?
The Inspector is acting quite correctly, Marjorie,
according to the law.
I suggest we offer him a glass of sherry
until Mrs. Bridges is quite ready.
Don't take on, Mrs. Bridges.
I'm sure your friend'll be all right.
[Crying ] Yes.
I expect so.
It's 'cause she's old and got no one
the police come to fetch you.
She'll have given them your address, see?
It's not like Ivy to be took sick.
She's always had good health.
HUDSON: It's this friend of hers,
you understand, Doris, down near Victoria.
She's been taken to the hospital.
And, well, uh, she's asked to see Mrs. Bridges.
Alice says there's a detective in the hall.
Oh, yes.
Yes, well, as I explained to Alice and the others,
the, uh, the police have come
to take Mrs. Bridges to her friend's bedside.
Oh, I see.
Now, get on with your work, Doris. There's a good girl.
Yes, Mr. Hudson.
Ah, Mrs. Bridges.
I'll tell them you're ready.
Mrs. Bridges is ready, sir, in the hall.
- Oh, uh, thank you, Hudson. - Sir.
That will do, Rose.
Thank you.
Mrs. Bridges, will you go with the inspector
and try not to worry?
Very good, sir.
Will it be all right, sir, I mean, to go by the...
The front door? Well, of course.
[ Door opens ]
That poor, wretched woman.
She looked as though she was going to the gallows.
Well, you must telephone to Harry Cuptin at once.
- what on earth for? - Good heavens, Richard.
If the lord chief justice
can't get this ridiculous case stopped, nobody can.
Now, listen to me, Marjorie.
I've already tried to bypass the law once
to save your cook from going to prison.
Must be something we can do, and she's your cook, too.
Well, there's precious little we can do,
except go to the magistrate's court tomorrow
and be ready to give evidence of her good character.
That's something, I suppose.
I shall also call on Geoff Dillon this afternoon,
ask him to send one of his juniors into court tomorrow.
If he's got any sense, he'll plead guilty
-and ask for a remand on bail. - A remand for what?
Well, I hope the magistrates progressive enough
to remand her for a doctor's report.
Yes, but supposing the doctor says
she's not fit enough to go on working?
I'm sure Dr. Foley will be very sensible about that.
- Oh, well, if it's Dr. Foley. - well, naturally I shall suggest
having her examined by my own doctor.
There again, they might not permit it.
But if they do, we'll have nothing more to worry about?
If it happens that way, no. But it's a big "if."
Can't always be sure of the magistrate.
Some of them think like this man, Webber.
If this one does,
he'll refuse to listen to any excuses and clap her in jail.
Yes, I suppose so. And then where will we be?
Sorry, old chap.
It's not in my power to stop this case -- not now.
You could refuse to give evidence for the prosecution.
Then there would be no case to answer.
- why should I, eh? - For one thing,
to save the heavy costs of court proceedings, Mr. Webber,
which fall, as you should know, on the overburdened taxpayer.
[ Scoffs ]
You ought to be in Parliament yourself, old chap.
Why don't you swap places with his nibs, eh?
Because I know better than to seek a higher station in life
than the one into which I was born.
I am proud and honoured to serve
a noble and distinguished family, and I know my place.
Well, I wouldn't stand for it.
Running up and down stairs, bowing and scraping
and answering bells like a monkey on a stick.
We all serve a master, Mr. Webber,
unless we happen to be King Edward himself,
which we are not.
I've no doubt there's someone at your place of work
superior to you whom you must address as "sir"
and treat with respect due to his rank in the firm.
I've got an employer, yes.
"Old Strickers," we call him.
Mr. Strickland, our chief clerk.
And you call him Strickers to his face, do you?
- No, not exactly. - There you are, then.
And you respect him, this man Strickland,
whom you must address as sir?
Respect him? He's the biggest fool in the department.
- we all laugh at him. - HUDSON: So you work for a fool.
I work for a man of charm and character, Mr. Webber.
He's a member of Parliament and married
into one of the great ruling families of the land,
with 400 years of political influence behind them.
[Chuckles softly]
And you ask me if I am content with my position in life.
All right, I'll be a butler, then, to some duke.
Think you can get me a position?
You'd have to acquire a very different attitude
towards domestic service, I fear,
before any self-respecting family would allow you
to announce their guests or wait at their table.
You can't take a joke, can you?
Some things are not a subject for jest, Mr. Webber.
So I cannot persuade you to withhold your evidence tomorrow
and avoid a great deal of unpleasantness?
As I said, Mr. Hudson, it's out of my hands now.
The law must take its course.
Then I'll not impose on you any further.
Good night.
Hudson's not ill again?
Why do you ask that?
I was wondering why he asked for time off this evening.
It's the only time he ever does.
He didn't give a reason.
RICHARD: Hudson, what is it? - Beg your pardon, sir. My lady.
Might I speak to you for a moment, sir?
RICHARD: Yes, you may.
I would very much like to visit the police court
tomorrow morning, sir, if you would permit it.
- You, Hudson? - HUDSON: Yes, my lady.
You'll find it very distressing, Hudson,
sitting there, watching Mrs. Bridges in the dock.
I am acquainted, to a certain extent,
with the process of the law, sir, after a number of visits
to the public gallery at the Old Bailey.
How gruesome of you, Hudson.
Not at all, my lady.
I often go to the central criminal court on my days off
to hear the great advocates plead.
Just as one would visit Lord's Cricket Ground, sir,
to watch Ranjit Sinji adopt a grace at the wicket.
I do not go to gaze with morbid curiosity
in the faces of the murderers, my lady.
I see. well there's no reason why you shouldn't go,
so long as the household functions properly
during your absence.
I would naturally ensure that it does, sir.
But, Hudson, don't you think it might upset Mrs. Bridges
if she caught sight of you on the public benches?
I have in mind taking a small part in the proceedings,
-my lady, if it can be arranged. - Taking part?
If I could be called to the witness box, sir,
I think I could make a useful contribution to the hearing.
You mean as a witness to her character?
Something of the kind, sir.
I would have to see
the solicitor acting for Mrs. Bridges,
if she were to have such a privilege.
Furthermore, I would need to make arrangements
with the clerk of the court
to see Mrs. Bridges before the hearing.
Well, as a matter of fact,
I called on Sir Geoff Dillon this afternoon.
Someone from that office will be attending tomorrow.
You could speak to him, Whoever he is,
as soon as he gets into court, but just tell him who you are.
Thank you very much, sir, my lady.
[Door opens, closes]
What an extraordinary request.
Well, I hope he won't say something rash
and make matters worse.
Oh, I think we can rely on Hudson, my dear.
He's nobody's fool.
JUDGE: And you thought, no doubt, that in a thick fog
nobody would see you take the infant from its perambulator.
I never thought about it either way, sir --
about getting caught.
I took the baby because I felt, oh...
...as if I wanted to hold it in me arms, sir,
and love the little mite.
I never stopped to think
about it being some other woman's baby.
L-..
I just had to have it in me arms, sir,
and keep it warm...
and safe.
You had no idea whatsoever
of the identity of the owner or her address?
No, sir.
JUDGE: There was no question of any intention
of returning the infant.
Your aim was to steal and keep the property.
I wanted to take it back after, sir, but...it was too late.
SOLICITOR: If I may intervene here, Your worship?
JUDGE: Yes?
I ought to make it quite clear
that the plea of not guilty to theft
is based on a momentary loss of responsibility
on my client's part.
Uh, this has been due to certain recent stresses
at her place of employment
and a psychological condition of the accused woman's mind --
a temporary one --
in respect of which I am asking to bring further evidence.
Very well.
I call Mr. Angus Hudson, please.
Do you solemnly swear that the evidence
you shall give before this court is the truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
I do.
You are Angus Hudson,
employed as butler at the premises in Eaton Place
whereas we have heard the accused is employed as cook?
HUDSON: I am, sir.
SOLICITOR: How long have you known the accused?
Oh, approximately 12 years, sir.
DORIS: I still can't understand why Mr. Hudson told us
she was going to visit her friend in hospital.
To spare Mrs. Bridges' feelings, I expect.
Not very nice for a cook to be arrested by the police
in front of all the other servants.
She won't come back if she goes to prison.
No, she won't.
Is it true Mr. Hudson's gone to watch?
Suppose so.
I'm surprised at Mr. Hudson. It's morbid.
It's like going to a public hanging.
Why? People go to funerals. That's not morbid.
It's showing respect. Innit?
SOLICITOR: So, from what you've observed
of the moods and general behaviour of the accused
belowstairs during the last few weeks,
would you say she was suffering from severe nervous strain?
HUDSON: Most definitely, sir.
And what do you think was the cause of this?
She was particularly upset by the recent suicide in the house
of a young kitchen maid who worked under her.
Being a very lonely person with no relatives or dependants,
she'd come to regard the dead girl as like a daughter.
They were very close.
And you agree with the evidence of Dr. Foley
as to her nervous condition?
I do, sir.
And I would like to add
that I believe Mrs. Bridges is badly in need
of love and affection and a sense of being wanted.
She is a brilliant cook, Your worship,
and most highly regarded in that capacity by my employers.
But in the personal sense, she has no one to care for --
except for an elderly woman friend
of some years' standing --
and nobody to care for her or advise her or look after her.
It is for that reason that I have offered her marriage.
We are both unattached persons, Your worship,
and it occurred to me that if I could undertake
to keep the accused lady happy and cared for in the future,
during our continued service with Lady Marjorie Bellamy
and in later years when we will have perhaps retired,
Your worship might see his way
to overlook this unfortunate lapse.
And be assured, sir, that with me to help and guide her,
such a thing would never occur again.
And furthermore, sir...
SOLICITOR: Yes, yes, thank you, Mr. Hudson.
You may stand down now. Thank you.
Sir. Your worship.
Your worship, in view of what you have heard,
I'm asking you to dismiss this case.
It seems to me, Bridges, that a large number of people
have gone to a great deal of trouble
to obtain your acquittal on this charge.
Taking everything into consideration,
I am prepared to accept the theft of Mrs. Webber's child
as due to a momentary lapse of responsibility
brought on by severe mental strain and depression.
You have a good position in service, a thoughtful employer,
and a most loyal colleague in the butler, Mr., uh, Hudson.
So I'm going to bind you over
for three months on good behaviour
and hope that you will not have occasion
to appear before me again.
Thank you, sir.
RICHARD: [ Chuckles ]
I've never heard anything like it outside the House of Commons
or the High Courts of Justice.
Marshall Hall himself could not have done better.
But he can't really mean he wants to marry Mrs. Bridges.
That's what he said in court, and he's asked her.
But I gather she wants to wait.
But at least the gesture helped let her off.
[ Door closes]
- Begging your pardon, my lady. - Hudson, what's all this I hear,
making a speech in court and offering to marry Mrs. Bridges?
I must apologize to you, my lady, and to the master
for not asking your permission
before offering my hand to Mrs. Bridges in marriage.
The truth is that the idea only occurred to me last night
in my pantry while I was pondering ways
of helping Mrs. Bridges out of her troubles.
But has she accepted you? That's the point.
We discussed the matter in her cell at the police station,
my lady, shortly before the hearing.
MARJORIE: And what did she say?
She was very touched, my lady.
She agreed that we should both, being unattached as it were,
reserve ourselves for each other in the not-too-distant future,
Whilst continuing meanwhile
in your ladyship's service as before.
Well, that seems a very satisfactory arrangement.
Where is Mrs. Bridges now?
Waiting outside in the hall, my lady.
She -- She would very much like to come in and say something
-to you, if you wouldn't mind. - Yes, of course, Hudson.
- Send her in. - Thank you, my lady.
[ Crying ] Oh, my lady!
There, there, Mrs. Bridges. All over now.
I'm so ashamed, milady.
- Can you ever forgive me? - I've told you. It's all over.
The matter shall never be referred to in this house again.
You've all been so good to me.
Well, Mr. Bellamy and I've done nothing,
except return the child to its parents.
It's Hudson you have to thank.
Yes, milady.
Congratulations, Mrs. Bridges, on your exciting plans.
Hudson, you must open a bottle of my Krug '98
in the servants' hall and celebrate.
Thank you, sir. That's very good of you.
All I want to do now, milady, is to get back into me kitchen
and get on with me job.
Of course you do, Mrs. Bridges.
Don't forget we've this important dinner party
next Thursday.
We'll discuss the menu in the morning.
I want you to give us a really special dinner.
Excuse me, my lady, if I may intervene on this point.
You're not in court now, Hudson.
Oh, no, sir.
It was just to say that Mrs. Bridges has been through
a good deal of anxiety and distress lately, my lady.
I was therefore planning for her to spend a few days
with a sister of mine in Folkestone,
if you would consider giving her some time off.
Also, I've heard of an excellent cook
who would be only too pleased to come in
for the dinner party on Thursday evening.
You never said none of this to me, Mr. Hudson.
The idea was to surprise you with a wee holiday,
- Mrs. Bridges. - I'm not going
on no wee holiday!
Begging your pardon, my ladyship.
Do you think I'm going off to Folkestone?
Leave my kitchen to some outside cook
when we've got important people to dinner?!
Well, I'm very grateful for the thought, Mr. Hudson.
Well...
You're not a husband yet, are you, Hudson?
So it would seem, sir.
No, he's not.
Well, if you really feel you can manage Thursday...
I'll be up in the morning, milady,
with some ideas for a main course.
And this time, I won't be late.
Very well, Mrs. Bridges.
Excuse me, sir.
- Oh, and, Hudson. - Sir?
[ Door closes]
We're most grateful.
It was a pleasure, sir. My lady.
[ Door closes]
You know, when he was a young footman at Southwold,
my mother always said he'd get on.
The Scots always do.
Well, I suppose luncheon will be a little late today.
Can't be helped.
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