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[Bell rings]
RICHARD: Ah, Hudson, the French Ambassador's coming
to dinner -- Monsieur Fleuriau.
Oh, what day is that?
JAMES: Friday week the 16th.
JAMES: Oh, no, no, no, I'm playing polo that day.
RICHARD: Well, can't you get back for the evening?
JAMES: What after six chukkas at Cowdray, I shan't be
on very good form to meet the French Ambassador, Father.
GEORGINA: Oh, and I'm afraid I've been invited to Bembridge
for sailing that weekend.
RICHARD: Well, this is most unfortunate.
I was counting on you, both of you.
Will her ladyship have returned from Scotland, my lord?
Yes, she'll be back on Monday, Hudson, she'll be here.
JAMES: Oh, well, then you don't need us.
RICHARD: But I do, I do. It'll be a delightful evening.
Quite informal, no fuss.
I've asked George Swanbourne and his wife, Madeleine.
JAMES: oof!
RICHARD: Well, I needed you, my dear,
to bring your own special charm to the evening.
GEORGINA: Oh.
RICHARD: And you, James, to take care of the Fleuriau daughter.
GEORGINA: Ooh, well.
JAMES: How old is she?
RICHARD: Well, she's about 16.
[Laughing] JAMES: Steady on.
Well, she's charming, mature for her age.
No, no, no, you get William up from Eton, he's your man.
RICHARD: Oh, good heavens, I'm not dragging William
up from Eton just for a dinner party.
GEORGINA: Uncle Richard, if you want
to make up the number, what about Pru?
RICHARD: Well Pru's in Monte Carlo
and won't be back 'til the end of the month.
Besides, it's an extra man I want now.
Well, you shouldn't find it too hard to think of someone.
HUDSON: Will it be eight for dinner, my lord?
RICHARD: Yes, Hudson, eight.
One way or another.
You can tell Mrs. Bridges she can start thinking
about things before her ladyship returns.
Very good, my lord.
GEORGINA: We're in the doghouse. Do you think I should cancel?
JAMES: Good Lord, no -- none of our business.
JAMES: Are you all right, Hudson?
HUDSON: Quite all right, thank you, sir.
My shoe was catching a wee bit.
JAMES: I haven't seen Hudson sitting in the hall before.
GEORGINA: No.
JAMES: I haven't been down to Bembridge since --
about 10 years ago.
EDWARD: Froggie Ambassador, eh? That's something.
Edward, I will not have that word spoken in here.
FREDERICK: Not 'til after dinner, anyway.
Oh, it's only a term of affection,
Mr. Hudson, from the war.
Yeah, like you would call the Germans "Huns."
Quite so, Rose, but this is not wartime.
The French are our close friends and allies.
We want them still to be so after this dinner party.
RUBY: You know, the best dinner party we ever had
was when King Edward came to dinner before t'war.
ROSE: That's right, Ruby.
Do you remember what a tizz we all got into?
MRS. BRIDGES: Speak for yourself, Rose.
I wasn't in no tizz.
HUDSON: Neither was I, Rose.
ROSE: Of course not, Mr. Hudson, not you.
MRS. BRIDGES: Spoon. Spoon, Rose!
Whoever's eating it, that's what I always says.
DAISY: Are you going to give them some
of your French cuisine, Mrs. Bridges?
Well, I don't know yet, Daisy.
That'll be for her ladyship to decide.
I've never given French cuisine to a Frenchman before.
FREDERICK: Maybe they'd like something simple,
like good old English Yorkshire pud for a change.
EDWARD: Or some of Ruby's apple dumplings, eh?
RUBY: Will they?
FREDERICK: That's right, special request from the French Embassy.
They've heard about your dumplings.
RUBY: Who told them, Mrs. Bridges?
EDWARD: Oh, Mr. Hudson's told their butler.
DAISY: Oh, pay no attention, Ruby, they're only teasing.
EDWARD: You know him, don't you, Mr. Hudson?
Oh, yes, yes, as a matter of fact, I am acquainted with him.
You're not eating anything, Mr. Hudson.
Feeling all right?
HUDSON: Oh, yes, yes, thank you, Mrs. Bridges.
I had two large slices of toast and marmalade for my breakfast.
It's taken my appetite away.
Well, there's still three days, darling.
Could you travel overnight tomorrow?
What? Are you sure?
Oh, my poor darling.
Oh, no, no, no, you must do as you're told.
No, don't worry, we'll manage, somehow.
Yes, now you go back to bed and keep warm.
Yes. Yes, yes.
Goodbye, darling.
Virginia's caught a fever.
She thinks it might be mumps.
Mumps? Oh, God.
There's an outbreak in the village.
The doctor's ordered her to bed
and she won't be here for Friday.
Well, now we're in a pickle. What am I to do?
GEORGINA: Can't you cancel? I'm sure the Ambassador --
RICHARD: Oh, no, no, no, it's much too late.
I could winkle Pru out of Monte Carlo, I suppose,
or Ursula Vericker, she might stand in.
GEORGINA: Who's she?
RICHARD: She's an old friend of Marjorie's, very old.
She's deaf and shouts and prefers Italians.
Well, she could be in Italy this time of the year.
I can't think of anyone else.
GEORGINA: Well...
to avoid a diplomatic incident --
RICHARD: No, no, why should you? This is my problem.
GEORGINA: Oh, don't be silly.
RICHARD: Would you, really?
GEORGINA: I was never awfully fond of sailing, anyway.
RICHARD: You're an angel. Well, I must rush.
I've got a committee in the House at 11:00.
DAISY: These salt cellars need polishing.
FREDERICK: No, they don't. You can see your face in them.
Well, there must be something you should be doing.
I'm rushed off my feet -- every time I come in here,
you're reading -- what is it?
FREDERICK: It's a book.
DAISY: I can see that.
FREDERICK: Mr. Hudson lent it to me.
DAISY: Oh, what's it about?
FREDERICK: It's not for little girls.
DAISY: Oh, come on, let's have a look.
ROSE: Here, what's all this squabbling?
DAISY: He's got this book, Rose, and he won't show us what it is.
ROSE: Well, why should he? It's nothing to do with you.
You can get on with your work.
DAISY: I never stop! You'd think the whole French army's coming,
the way I'm working, and he sits.
ROSE: All right, let's see what it is, then.
Oh, a book about wine.
DAISY: Wine?
FREDERICK: That's right.
What do you want to know about wine for?
FREDERICK: I'm interested in wine.
I want to improve my knowledge.
It's a footman's duty to know about these things.
ROSE: Oh, no it isn't, not wine. That's a butler's duty.
DAISY: Yeah, that's right, it is.
FREDERICK: Yes, well,
I'm not going to be a footman all my life, am I?
Frederick's learning up about wine.
EDWARD: Oh, is he?
Yeah, well, I know all about wine.
Ask me a question. Go on, anything.
All right. where are the Saint-Emilion wines grown?
What?
FREDERICK: Well, it's easy, that one.
EDWARD: Yes, well,
you don't have to know Where they come from.
- DAISY: No. - FREDERICK: All right.
Give me the name of four different clarets.
EDWARD: Clarets?
FREDERICK: Yeah.
EDWARD: Um, Chéteau -- Chéteau --
Latour, Lame, Margaux, Haut-Brion
Got a long way to go to catch me up, Edward.
James, you've got to be here, it's only fair.
I've given up my weekend.
I really do need your support.
Jumbo, please?
JAMES: All right, all right, I'll be there.
Now, don't panic.
Have you seen Mrs. Bridges yet about the menu?
GEORGINA: Yes, I've rung for her, she's coming.
JAMES: Right, now, the important thing is
to not let her bully you, that's what mother always said.
You've got to be absolutely firm and positive with her.
GEORGINA: What about? I don't care what we eat.
HUDSON: Mrs. Bridges, Miss Georgina.
JAMES: Ah, come in, Mrs. Bridges.
MRS. BRIDGES: Morning, Miss Georgina.
- GEORGINA: Hello. Morning, sir.
JAMES: Good morning. Now, this dinner.
Had any ideas, have you?
Well, I did have a mind's eye to it, sir,
if you'd care to hear.
GEORGINA: Yes, please, Mrs. Bridges.
JAMES: We'll start with the main course and then work outwards.
GEORGINA: What mother always said?
JAMES: Yes, yes, she did -- now, then, what about
a fillet of beef a la pompadour, roast potatoes.
MRS. BRIDGES: I was thinking of saddle of lamb, sir,
pommes puree, cauliflower, for the entree.
Oh, were you? Yes, all right, but plenty of garlic.
MRS. BRIDGES: Not too much.
And my onion sauce, if you thought that was suitable.
JAMES: Yes. Yes, all right.
Now, then, soup. Mulligatawny.
MRS. BRIDGES: Mock turtle, sir.
Right. What do you think, Georgina?
MRS. BRIDGES: Followed by fillet of sole a la Colbert
and my vol-au-vent of oysters.
JAMES: Oh, yes, yes, must give a Frenchman oysters.
MRS. BRIDGES: And after the lamb, partridge.
JAMES: Oh, must it be partridge?
I've had my fill of them lately. Can't it be grouse?
MRS. BRIDGES: Well, the partridges are just ready
at Southwold now, sir -- with one of my salads.
Then sorbet, and meringue or peach melba to follow
and perhaps a little apricot soufflé.
JAMES: Hmm. Georgina?
Oh, it all sounds lovely. Thank you, Mrs. Bridges.
Thank you, Miss. Thank you, sir.
EDWARD: Mr. Hudson?
Why haven't you undone the wine yet, Mr. Hudson?
Well, I'll do it, if you like.
HUDSON: No, thank you, Edward, that's my job,
at the right time -- have you nothing else to do?
EDWARD: Well, not down here, no.
His lordship's clothes are all laid out, and the Major's.
I'm just waiting for them to call me.
- All right. - FREDERICK: Cocktails are
already in the drawing room, Mr. Hudson, fire's made up.
HUDSON: This is not Paddington Station, Frederick --
knock before you come in.
Sorry.
HUDSON: Wait.
Wait a minute. Come back here.
[Squeaking]
Walk over there.
[Squeaking]
HUDSON: Now back.
[Squeaking]
Your shoes are squeaking.
FREDERICK: Well, I bought them special, Mr. Hudson.
They are squeaking! Away you go and soften them up.
There is nothing more intolerable at a dinner party
than a footman with squeaky shoes -- go on!
And, Frederick,
is the drawing room ready?
Yes, I've just told you, Mr. Hudson.
HUDSON: Right, off you go!
ROSE: The most beautiful bunch of flowers has just arrived,
from her ladyship to Miss Georgina,
wishing her luck -- isn't that nice?
HUDSON: Rose! Why have these place cards
not been put around the table? I told you hours ago!
ROSE: You never told me. Anyhow, that's Daisy's job.
HUDSON: Well, take them, for heaven's sake, here.
ROSE: Your hands are shaking. Are you all right, Mr. Hudson?
Yes, I'm quite all right, Rose, if I'm left to change in peace!
RUBY: Which one's cooking order
and which one's serving order, Mrs. Bridges?
MRS. BRIDGES: What did you say, Ruby?
RUBY: Well, these lists, you haven't said.
MRS. BRIDGES: Haven't you got no common sense at all?
You don't start a meal with lamb.
That's the cooking order!
You'll never learn, not if we have a thousand dinners.
Who bearded these oysters?
- I did. -[Gasp]
RUBY: Well, you were watching me.
MRS. BRIDGES: Oh, dear, oh, dear.
ROSE: Mr. Hudson's in a funny mood, all hot and bothered.
EDWARD: Yeah, I noticed that.
MRS. BRIDGES: Well, I'm all hot and bothered, too,
with the help I've got here.
Ruby, where's the soup pan?
- Behind you! - Oh!
JAMES: The opposition was most unpleasant.
My poor pony got a knock on the knee
from those eager Americans.
RICHARD: Oh, I wish Virginia were here.
JAMES: Oh, now, don't worry, Father,
Georgina will manage perfectly well.
GEORGINA: Oh, James! Haven't you changed yet?
- They'll be here in an hour! “JAMES: Plenty of time.
RICHARD: You look enchanting, my dear.
GEORGINA: Thank you, Uncle Richard.
Is my hair all right?
JAMES: It'll do, it'll do. Do you want a booster?
GEORGINA: Oh, no, my head's spinning enough as it is,
Without alcohol.
JAMES: Now, it's only the first half-hour before dinner
that's a little tricky for the hostess,
isn't that right, Father?
RICHARD: Now, don't you let James tease you,
just be your own natural self and you can't go wrong.
Right. Now, what are relations like with France?
I mean, are there any subjects she ought to keep clear of?
No. well, you might be careful when you talk about the Germans.
They've just been admitted to the League of Nations
and the French aren't overjoyed about it.
Nor are we. Are we?
GEORGINA: No.
RICHARD: Yes! I think we are, by now.
It's what the Treaty of Locarno was all about.
JAMES: What?
RICHARD: European fellowship.
Well, I must go and change. See you all in the drawing room.
Oh, dear, I haven't had time to brush up on my politics.
I don't know what's happening.
JAMES: Oh, it's all right for you.
I'm stuck with the 16-year-old daughter.
Just be your own natural self and you can't go wrong.
[Laughing] JAMES: Touché.
GEORGINA: Oh, James, do please go and change.
You're making me so nervous.
JAMES: All right, all right, I'll go and have my bath.
[Door closes]
[Knocking] ROSE: Mr. Hudson?
Yeah, yeah?
ROSE: Are you nearly ready? It's half-past 7:00
and Mrs. Bridges would like a word with you.
Tell her I'm coming, Rose! In a moment.
[Squeaking]
EDWARD: Well, everything's ready upstairs
except for the Major, who's still in the bath.
Oh, Miss Georgina looks a real peach.
DAISY: Hmm, does she? Well, what about me?
I know I'm not wearing a gown.
EDWARD: You look a real peach, Daisy, though.
ROSE: All right, let's have a look at you.
Well, your hair's a bit messy and your apron
could be straightened, but then you'll do.
Now, just remember all that I've told you.
DAISY: Well, I have done dinner parties before, Rose,
and bigger than what this is.
FREDERICK: Listen, can anyone hear my shoes squeaking?
ROSE: I can.
FREDERICK: I can't wear these old things.
EDWARD: Oh, they're all right, Fred, I can't hear them.
ROSE: No, you're deaf. {Daisy laughs]
EDWARD: Oh, thank you. {Clattering thud]
- DAISY: What was that? ROSE: It came from the pantry.
DAISY: Oh!
ROSE: Mr. Hudson! Mr. Hudson, you all right?
DAISY: Should we go in?
ROSE: Mr. Hudson!
Oh, my Lord.
Don't just stand there, go and get Mrs. Bridges!
FREDERICK: Loosen his collar.
DAISY: Mrs. Bridges! Mrs. Bridges!
[Hudson gasping]
MRS. BRIDGES: Oh, my God! What's happened?
ROSE: [Crying] I don't know, Mrs. Bridges.
MRS. BRIDGES: Here, quick, Rose! Get a doctor, quick.
FREDERICK: Well, what about the dinner?
MRS. BRIDGES: Never mind about the dinner.
Get the doctor, quick! Dr. Foley.
And tell them about it upstairs.
It's all right, Angus. It's all right, Angus.
Kate's here. It's Kate here.
You just had a little fall.
You'll be all right.
JAMES: Here, take this
GEORGINA: Thank you
GEORGINA: Should I go down?
JAMES: No, no fathers down there
JAMES: - too many people fussing about
GEORGINA: Poor Hudson
GEORGINA: How bad is it?
RICHARD: We don't know yet.
They've got him into bed and Dr. Foley's examining him.
Now we must keep calm and decide what to do.
JAMES: Yes, well, it's too late to cancel.
We must find someone to take Hudson's place.
RICHARD: Edward will have to take charge.
JAMES: Edward? What about Frederick?
RICHARD: Edward's been in service
much longer than Frederick.
JAMES: Yes, but he's been valeting and driving the car.
He's probably forgotten what to do in the dining room.
GEORGINA: How can we be talking like this?
Hudson may be dying down there and all we can do is talk
about a stupid dinner party!
RICHARD: Sit down, sit down. Be quiet.
Leave this all to us.
I can't go on, Rose, I can't, not knowing.
ROSE: Well, you've got to, Mrs. B.
Mr. Hudson wouldn't want us spoiling the dinner party
for him, would he? Now come along.
RUBY: The sauce is ready, Mrs. Bridges.
MRS. BRIDGES: Oh, I can't think about sauces.
ROSE: Oh, well, you've got to. Come along.
Taste it and see how Ruby's done -- here, just a bit.
MRS. BRIDGES: Garlic! It's full of garlic!
But I only rubbed the bowl with it, Mrs. Bridges,
like you told me.
MRS. BRIDGES: [Sobbing] It's ruined!
ROSE: No, it isn't. Ruby's done very well.
Anyhow, Frenchmen like garlic. How's the soup coming on?
MRS. BRIDGES: It isn't his heart, Rose,
you don't think, do you?
Oh, pray God it isn't his heart, poor man.
ROSE: Well, it could be anything, Mrs. B.
Something quite unimportant -- his digestion.
MRS. BRIDGES: Oh, I feel dizzy.
ROSE: Oh, here, come --
MRS. BRIDGES: I shall have to sit down for a minute.
ROSE: Ruby, go and pour a brandy for Mrs. Bridges.
Here, let me. Oh, here.
ROSE: Hurry up, girl.
ROSE: You have a nice brandy, that'll buck you up, no end, go on.
MRS. BRIDGES: Thank you, Rose.
ROSE: Don't just stand there, Ruby, get stirring.
FREDERICK: Who's it going to be, then?
DAISY: It'll be Eddie, of course, he's the senior.
FREDERICK: Hold on a minute.
DAISY: Of course it will. Tell him, Eddie.
FREDERICK: Edward's a chauffeur.
Footman's next in line, strictly speaking.
DAISY: Eddie was footman here long before you ever was.
EDWARD: All right, don't let's have an argument about it.
FREDERICK: I'm not arguing about it,
I'm simply pointing out the natural facts.
You're pointing out nothing! There's nothing to point out.
He'll be here in 20 minutes, the French Ambassador.
Somebody's got to decide something!
Oh, Rose, Eddie'll do the butler's duties, won't he?
- I dunno. - well, it's only fair.
ROSE: Oh, Doctor, how is he? Is he going to be all right?
He's sleeping, at the moment.
RICHARD: Oh, come in, Foley.
Well, what's the verdict?
FOLEY: It's rather serious, I'm afraid, Lord Bellamy.
It is a heart attack.
It's quite a mild one,
but there's always the danger of a second attack following.
I don't want to move him tonight, if possible.
He's sleeping quite peacefully, but he mustn't wake up
and start worrying about his duties for the evening.
RICHARD: No, I quite understand.
GEORGINA: Uncle Richard, we must cancel.
I'm sure the French Ambassador would understand.
FOLEY: Well, in some ways, it might be better
to carry on as normally as possible round him.
If he feels he's let the side down...
JAMES: Yes, yes, I agree with that.
FOLEY: There's nothing more I can do, at the moment.
I'll come round first thing in the morning.
Unless there's any change, of course,
in which case, call me at once.
RICHARD: Yes, thank you. Thank you, Foley.
FOLEY: Oh, don't worry, I'll see myself out. Good night.
GEORGINA: Good night.
[Bell rings]
DAISY: Morning room. Eddie.
FREDERICK: I'll go.
DAISY: What's the matter with you?!
EDWARD: Don't, Daisy, don't make a fuss!
If they decide on Frederick, they can say goodbye to me
in this house, Edward, they can!
And you, too, if you've got any pride.
[Crying] They are not going to trample all over us.
ROSE: Here, take these, Ruby.
Sole's all ready to start baking.
RUBY: What's next?
MRS. BRIDGES: The vol-au-vents and --
RUBY: Just taking them up.
MRS. BRIDGES: Well, put the oysters in.
ROSEI Oh, I'll do that, Ruby.
RUBY: I'll do it, Rose! I'm not all thumbs.
MRS. BRIDGES: It's very sweet and kind of you, Rose,
but both of you will make a mess of it.
ROSE: That's right, Mrs. B, you show us.
You they want.
DAISY: I should think so as well. Go on, Eddie.
FREDERICK: Don't push him too hard, Daisy,
he might fall over, one day.
RICHARD: When you bring them into the drawing room,
you must announce them as
"His Excellency, the French Ambassador"
and "Madame Fleuriau" and "Mademoiselle Fleuriau."
Have you got that?
EDWARD: Fleuriau, yes.
JAMES: Now, then, the wine's the most important --
RICHARD: Yes, yes, James, We're coming to that.
Our other two guests are Lord and Lady Swanbourne,
so you must announce them as
"the Earl and Countess of Swanbourne."
Is that understood? Now, the wines.
JAMES: Does he know what we're having?
RICHARD: Edward, we're having Amontillado with the turtle soup
and then the champagne to follow,
the Moet Chandon, Dry Imperial.
EDWARD: I think Hudson's got all that ready, my lord.
RICHARD: Good. And then the claret
will be Chéteau Le Tour aux six.
JAMES: And then the Trockenbeerenauslese
with the sorbet.
RICHARD: Yes. Now, now, now, what else?
GEORGINA: Oh, the carving.
Edward do you think that you can manage the saddle of lamb?
Oh, yes, I think so, miss.
I've often carved before when Hudson's been away.
RICHARD: Yes, I'm sure you have.
You'll manage splendidly, Edward.
JAMES: Hmm. What's he going to wear?
RICHARD: Oh. will he fit into Hudson's black coat?
Mr. Hudson's?
JAMES: He can't be dressed like that.
RICHARD: Well, you're not exactly Hudson's build are you?
No, my lord.
[Bell ringing] DAISY: I'll go!
GEORGINA: How is Mrs. Bridges, Edward?
Oh, she's still very upset, miss.
RICHARD: Yes, but she's carrying on?
EDWARD: Oh, yes, my lord, with Rose's help.
RICHARD: Good. well, wish her good luck, Edward.
And good luck to you.
GEORGINA: Yes, good luck, Edward.
Thank you, my lord, miss.
RICHARD: Oh, by the way, Georgina,
when the port's been round once,
don't forget to catch Madame Fleuriau's eye.
Oh, yes.
RICHARD: Oh, Daisy?
I want you to do something for me.
EDWARD: Miles too big, Daisy.
DAISY: Well, I'll tighten up the strap for you.
EDWARD: Come on, then, hurry up.
FREDERICK: Bit of a loose fit, eh, Edward?
It looks better than it would on you, great beanpole.
FREDERICK: Now, now, no insults, Daisy.
Come on, put Mr. Hudson's coat on, give us all a good laugh.
DAISY: Why don't you go and help
instead of standing there, criticizing?
EDWARD: How's that?
DAISY: Oh! Oh, that looks lovely.
EDWARD: Does it look all right?
FREDERICK: Well, where do you get that from?
DAISY: From Mr. Green next door.
His lordship sent me round to borrow it.
FREDERICK: It's about time you uncorked the wines,
I should think -- get some air to them.
EDWARD: I'll do that, thank you, Frederick.
- FREDERICK: I'll do it. - DAISY: Stand still.
ROSE: Keep your voices down! He's only next door.
EDWARD: How's that look, Rose?
[Bell rings] FREDERICK: Front door.
EDWARD: Oh, no, they're here already.
ROSE: Frederick, answer the door. Daisy, go with him.
EDWARD: But, Rose, he can't!
He doesn't know about announcing the Ambassador.
ROSE: Don't get flustered.
EDWARD: Oh, blimey, I haven't uncorked the wine yet, Rose.
ROSE: Plenty of time for that, half hour before dinner.
EDWARD: Look, Rose, I'm supposed to be
up in the drawing room serving cocktails!
ROSE: Frederick can do that. Don't forget your gloves.
EDWARD: Rose!
MRS. BRIDGES: It upsets me to see you wearing his clothes.
EDWARD: Well, it's not Mr. Hudson's coat, Mrs. Bridges.
It's Mr. Green's from next door.
ROSE: Yeah, you keep calm, Mrs. Bridges.
Everything3 all right.
DAISY: It's all right. It's Lord and Lady Swanbourne.
Frederick's taken them up and announced them.
Oh, Eddie you do look smart.
[Bell ringing]
EDWARD: Oh, God, they're here. Quick Rose, put them down here.
FREDERICK: Here, you can't leave those there.
Come on, Daisy, give us a hand.
Frederick, what's his name? - who?
EDWARD: The French Ambassador. I've forgotten!
FREDERICK: Fleuriau.
DAISY: Here, you're not trying none of your tricks?
FREDERICK: Course not -- don't leave them
standing there, Edward, Open the door!
EDWARD: Good evening, Your Excellency.
FLEURIAU: Good evening.
EDWARD: Madame. - MME FLEURIAU: Good evening.
FLEURIAU: Am I right, it is Hudson?
EDWARD: No, Your Excellency.
FLELJRIAU:: Because my own butler was telling me
I was meeting the famous Hudson tonight.
EDWARD: Hudson is indisposed, Your Excellency.
- Oh, I'm sorry. - I am Barnes.
And you are taking his place?
EDWARD: Yes, Your Excellency. This way, please.
EDWARD: His Excellency the French Ambassador,
Madame Fleuriau, Mademoiselle Fleuriau.
They've arrived.
FLEURIAU: My dear, you are wearing without doubt
the most enchanting dress I've seen in London
during the whole year.
GEORGINA: Oh, thank you so much.
It's from Paris, of course.
Lady Bellamy brought it back for me on her last trip.
Why can't the English make dresses like this?
MME FLEURIAU: That plant is most unusual, what is its name?
RICHARD: Do you know, I haven't the slightest idea.
MME FLEURIAU: Aimé will know.
He prides himself on being an expert.
China is in turmoil. When my father...
The one thing I always wanted to see...
But now, with Chiang Kai-Shek...
JAMES: I've heard they're good for digestion, right --
but I could be about to disprove the theory.
EDWARD: Going all right is it?
DAISY: Yes.
EDWARD: Not here, Daisy. Look, take this in.
FREDERICK: You weren't going to serve the claret like this?
EDWARD: Yeah, what's wrong? - FREDERICK: What's wrong?
That's Chéteau La Tour this is. It should be decanted.
EDWARD: His lordship didn't say anything about decanting it.
FREDERICK: He expected you to know, that's why.
Daisy, go and get a decanter, quick.
EDWARD: Here, are you positive, Fred?
FREDERICK: If I'm not, you just look at their faces.
EDWARD: All right, I'll do it. - FREDERICK: No, I'll do it.
You need a steady hand or you'll disturb the deposit.
You go and serve the oysters and pour the champagne.
DAISY: Oh, come on, Eddie, let Mr. Know-it-all do it.
FREDERICK: No filter, nothing.
RUBY: Mrs. Bridges, look!
MRS. BRIDGES: Angus!
You shouldn't be here. You should be in bed.
HUDSON: ls everything all right?
ROSE: Mr. Hudson.
MRS. BRIDGES: Oh, help me to get him.
HUDSON: The French Ambassador.
ROSE: Yeah, he's enjoying himself.
MRS. BRIDGES: Help me get him back.
ROSE: Yes, don't you worry. Edward's standing in for you.
HUDSON: But Edward can't.
ROSE: Oh, I've been up there, listening.
- He's doing a treat. - MRS. BRIDGES: Now come along.
ROSE: Dr. Foley says you've got to go to bed.
RUBY: Mrs. Bridges!
They've tooken it wrong for mutton!
JAMES: Well, good marks all round, I'd say.
RICHARD: Couldn't have gone better
if Hudson had been present.
RICHARD: Monsieur Fleuriau was enchanted with Georgina.
JAMES: Yeah.
And what about Madame Fleuriau?
Oh, I took care of her. And you?
JAMES: Oh, I ended up with
an extensive course on the history of China,
from the Ming Dynasty through to the present day.
Oh, they're certainly not inscrutable to our sweets alone.
GEORGINA: I would just like to thank you all
for the wonderful job you did tonight.
I was nervous -- well, it was the first time
I'd been hostess for such a distinguished dinner --
but I needn't have worried, nothing went wrong.
The Ambassador was delighted.
He complimented every course, Mrs. Bridges.
MRS. BRIDGES: Oh, that's very kind of you to tell me so, miss.
GEORGINA: And as for you, Edward, I can only say that
I know his lordship was as pleased as I was
at the way you handled everything.
All of you did well. You did Hudson proud.
I thank you most sincerely. Good night.
MRS. BRIDGES: Thank you, miss. Good night, Miss Georgina.
RICHARD: Oh, come in, Mrs. Bridges.
Dr. Foley's just been explaining to me
that Hudson's going to have to leave us.
MRS. BRIDGES: Leave us, my lord?
RICHARD: Oh, no, not forever,
just for a few months, for a complete rest.
Have you any ideas Where he might stay?
I was thinking of his sister in Hastings.
Oh, well, my lord,
she's suffering very bad from arthritis,
finds it very difficult to get about.
That's not too promising.
He'll need a lot of careful nursing.
Of course, there is his old friends in Southwold,
Mr. and Mrs. Trantor, the postmistress.
RICHARD: Oh, of course.
And I think she done a bit of nursing in the wartime.
FOLEY: Well, it'd be quite an undertaking for them.
He'll be an invalid for some time.
Do you think they could manage?
Oh, I think so, sir.
They're a very kindly couple and they're very fond of Hudson.
They've known him ever since
he was a young footman at the house.
I know they've kept up a regular correspondence.
RICHARD: Well, that sounds ideal -- I'll write to them.
Thank you, Mrs. Bridges.
Thank you, my lord.
He will get all right, won't he, my lord?
I couldn't bear to think --
FOLEY: Yes. Yes, Mrs. Bridges. He was one of the lucky ones.
He'll be up and about again in no time.
Oh, thank you, doctor.
Thank you, my lord.
[Knock at door] JAMES: Come in.
Ah, got my tobacco, have you?
FREDERICK: Yes, sir.
JAMES: Good man.
FREDERICK: Anything else, sir?
JAMES: Not at the moment.
FREDERICK: Sir.
JAMES: How's everything downstairs?
FREDERICK: Bit unsettled, really, sir.
We've just heard Hudson's going to be away
from his duties quite a while.
JAMES: Yes, so I gathered.
Still, you'll manage.
You managed the dinner all right.
FREDERICK: Thank you, sir.
Apart from the mix-up about the claret.
JAMES: Oh, what was that? I didn't notice anything.
FREDERICK: No, we managed to cover it up, fortunately.
JAMES: Oh, what happened?
FREDERICK: Well, it's all over now, sir.
JAMES: Come on, come on, tell me.
Well, it was just -- I happened to notice Edward
about to pour the claret Without first decanting it,
but, luckily, I was there to --
[Knock at door] JAMES: Come in.
DAISY: Oh, just come to make the bed, sir.
JAMES: Oh, yes.
[James clicking his tongue]
JAMES: Not decanted, eh?
FREDERICK: Oh, just a slip-up in the general haste, sir.
He had a lot on his mind.
And, as I said, luckily, I was there to --
JAMES: Luckily, you were there to save the day.
I wouldn't put too much on it, sir.
JAMES: Oh, I would, I would. Very sharp of you.
Dreadful blunder, hmm?
If he served our best claret straight from the bottle.
Especially to a Frenchman, sir.
JAMES: Well, yes, to anyone.
Tell me, you are an expert in these matters, are you?
FREDERICK: I wouldn't say "expert," sir.
JAMES: Oh, come, now, don't be modest.
Very useful information for someone in your position
who wants to make his way in the world.
Tell me, Frederick, how long have you been with us now?
FREDERICK: Seven years now, sir, as a footman.
JAMES: Feel you're dragging your heels a bit, do you?
Want to move on?
FREDERICK: I'd be very sad to leave your employment, sir.
I've been very happy here.
JAMES: Hmm, but you don't want to go to waste do you?
You're clearly a man of resource and ambition.
FREDERICK: I suppose, like any man,
I look to the future sometimes.
JAMES: Wonder what it holds for you, eh?
FREDERICK: Yes, sir.
JAMES: All right, Trooper Norton.
FREDERICK: Sir.
DAISY: Don't you try denying it, Frederick.
I heard you with my own ears.
FREDERICK: You shouldn't have been listening
at the keyhole, should you?
DAISY: I couldn't help it,
the way you was blowing your trumpet! Charming!
FREDERICK: Look, he asked me if there had been any hitches
and I just mentioned it, casual-like.
DAISY: Casual, I'm sure.
You brought it up deliberate just to make Eddie look stupid.
- I know your game. EDWARD: Leave it, Daisy.
DAISY: No, I won't.
FREDERICK: That's right, Edward, you want to stop your wife
puffing and blowing or she is going to get me angry.
Now just a minute, Frederick.
She's entitled to speak her mind,
so don't you go on at her.
If you've got something to say, you speak to me about it.
FREDERICK: I've got nothing to say to you, Edward.
- FREDERICK: I've got no grudge. - DAISY: No grudge?
No grudge, when you go sucking up to the Major, telling tales.
Shut up, you silly cow.
Eddie, don't you let him talk to me like that.
FREDERICK: I'm sorry, Edward, but I did warn you.
EDWARD: Shut up, both of you.
I know my worth in this house.
I've had a talk with his lordship privately,
if you really want to know.
FREDERICK: Well, what about?
Well, not about anything in particular,
but I know my worth.
Anyway, it's up to them upstairs to decide.
Pardon me, it's up to Mr. Hudson to recommend.
Yeah, and you've been sucking up to him as well.
FREDERICK: That's right, Daisy, I crept in there last night
with him struck down with his heart attack
and started telling nasty tales about Edward.
DAISY: Not last night, but these past few weeks.
Don't think I haven't noticed you with your fancy wine book.
EDWARD: Shut up, Daisy. - DAISY: No, I will not.
Someone's got to do your talking for you, Edward,
because you're never going to do it by yourself.
You know you're the better man,
you're older, you've been here longer,
and you was a corporal in the war, he was only a trooper.
But at least I saw the war out, didn't I?
And I was here when they took you two back on sufferance.
DAISY: You dirty pig!
EDWARD: You take that back, Frederick.
FREDERICK: I can't, it's the truth.
DAISY: You dirty, rotten, filthy, stinking pig!
FREDERICK: Call me all the names you like.
DAISY: If I were a man I'd box your head in for that, I would.
Eddie, you're letting him walk all over you
and you are doing nothing about it, nothing!
What's all this shouting?
You're making enough noise to waken the --
What's going on?
- It's a private discussion. - what about?
DAISY: About who's taking over
and Frederick's just been attacking Eddie.
ROSE: Taking over? Nobody's taking over.
He ain't gone yet.
EDWARD: Well, all right, Rose, but Dr. Foley was saying --
ROSE: I don't care what Dr. Foley said,
you'll give me the pip.
There's poor Mr. Hudson lying there, fighting for his life,
and you've got him buried already.
FREDERICK: Only being practical.
The house has got to go on functioning.
ROSE: Not with you in charge, it hasn't.
Not with neither of you.
The way you're carrying on, it's disgusting.
[Bell ringing] You disgust me, the lot of you.
EDWARD: Go on, Daisy, you go.
GEORGINA: Daisy, can you take this to the post for me?
It's for her ladyship, to thank her for the flowers.
DAISY: How is her ladyship, miss?
GEORGINA: Oh, much better. Wasn't mumps after all.
Just a bad cold.
I shall be very relieved when she gets back.
DAISY: I expect it will all be easier when --
GEORGINA: When what?
DAISY: When Hudson's successor's been announced.
But Edward's managing, isn't he?
Well, he hasn't been given instructions not to, miss.
But I think he'd just like to know for certain
Whether the job's his or not on a temporary basis of course.
GEORGINA: Well, I assumed it was.
DAISY: Well, he hasn't been told anything definite, miss.
And, well, Frederick seems to think he's got rights to it.
It's led to a bit of bad feeling downstairs.
Not that I've anything against Frederick.
I mended your coat for you, Miss Georgina.
Hope as though it don't show.
GEORGINA: Oh, no, that's perfect. Thank you, Rose.
Thank you, Daisy.
Rose --
Daisy was just saying --
ROSE: I know what Daisy was saying, miss,
and I wouldn't listen to a word of it.
GEORGINA: But is there really bad feeling downstairs?
Yes.
Well, Edward and Frederick is like jackals, the pair of them.
I know it's none of my business, Miss Georgina,
but I don't think neither of them deserves the job.
I reckon that a proper temporary butler ought to be brought in
while Hudson's away -- teach them both a lesson.
When I think of all that he's done for them over these years,
it makes my blood boil.
GEORGINA: Yes, I see.
Well, thank you, Rose.
Have Mr. and Mrs. Trantor replied yet?
MRS. BRIDGES: Not yet.
But his lordship's definitely written.
It's just a matter of time, Angus.
[Hudson coughs]
HUDSON: What if they can't have me?
What then?
MRS. BRIDGES: Of course they can have you.
They was always so fond of you.
HUDSON: I feel so lost, Kate.
All these years that it should finish up like this.
It's not finished, Angus.
You'll be up and about in no time.
Dr. Foley told me so hisself.
Did he?
MRS. BRIDGES: Yes!
So long as you take care and don't overdo things.
He said you was one of the lucky ones.
HUDSON: Heh -- "lucky."
Kate, if anything should happen --
Don't talk like that.
HUDSON: No, one must face up to these things.
I just want to tell you that sometime ago I...
I arranged to leave all my possessions,
such as they are, to you.
Thank you, Angus.
I appreciate that.
I've done the same for you.
Oh, thank you.
Well, there's a little money and --
and the pair of gold cufflinks his lordship gave me
after 25 years of service.
You can always sell them.
I could never sell them, Angus.
HUDSON: Yes, if -- if times get hard, you never know.
MRS. BRIDGES: I could never sell anything
belonging to you, Angus.
HUDSON: Oh, don't cry, Kate.
You mustn't.
Is everything going all right Without me?
MRS. BRIDGES: No.
It's all topsy-turvy.
HUDSON: But the dinner was a success.
Rose told me.
MRS. BRIDGES: I don't know... I think it was.
They seemed to be pleased upstairs.
I'm sure it was.
I'm feeling a wee bit tired now, my dear.
I think I'll have a wee nap now.
MRS. BRIDGES: Yes, yes.
You have a wee nap.
There.
I'll come and see you again this evening.
We can't judge Edward
simply over the matter of the claret, James.
No, but you must agree a butler's prime function
is a knowledge of the cellar.
Frederick clearly has the edge in that department.
GEORGINA: Oh, Rose thinks we should have neither of them.
She thinks we ought to employ a temporary butler.
I don't agree with that.
It would unsettle Hudson, he'd think he was being pushed out.
I don't want to sound callous, Father,
but Hudson doesn't really have much say in the matter, does he?
You must face the possibility
that when Hudson leaves in a few days' time,
it might just be the last we'll ever see of him.
And it's the smooth running of this house
that we must consider.
I have spoken to Virginia about this on the telephone
and she strongly favours Edward,
and so do you, don't you, my dear?
- GEORGINA: Yes. - Then you're out-voted, James.
JAMES: What's wrong with Frederick?
I like his spirit, he's a young man who knows where he's going.
GEORGINA: It's not a question of
what's wrong with Frederick, James.
It's a question of what's right with Edward.
JAMES: He's soft.
A nice chap, but soft here, Where it matters.
Oh, it's not his fault,
it's probably the war to blame for that.
But he went out to make his way in the world and he failed.
GEORGINA: It's not his fault. Thousands and thousands --
I know it sounds callous, Georgina,
But what about Daisy, hmm?
From what I've heard, she's the drive behind Edward.
And do we really want a butler
who sits in the parlour maid's pocket?
Don't be silly, Daisy isn't like that.
JAMES: No, from what Frederick says.
RICHARD: We can't put Frederick above Edward
after Edward's performance.
Unless Hudson strongly disapproves,
the boy must be given a chance.
[Knock at door] HUDSON: Come in.
ROSE: You've got a visitor.
His Lordship to see you.
HUDSON: My Lord.
Rose, please.
RICHARD: Good time for a visit?
HUDSON: Yes, yes, my lord.
RICHARD: How are you feeling?
HUDSON: Very much better, thank you, my lord.
RICHARD: Dr. Foley's very pleased with you.
I've had a letter from Mr. and Mrs. Trantor.
They say they'll be delighted to have you to stay
for as long as you wish.
Thank you, my lord.
They've always been very good friends to me.
RICHARD: May I?
HUDSON: Oh, please.
RICHARD: Foley says you can travel tomorrow
if you feel like it.
HUDSON: Whatever you say, my lord.
RICHARD: We'll arrange e for an ambulance
to take you down, and I'm sure Mrs. Bridges
or Rose will help you with the packing.
I'm very grateful for
all the trouble you've taken, my lord.
Oh, it's the least we can do,
after all you've done for us over the years.
You've carried enormous responsibility.
Don't know what we shall do without you
these next few months.
Well, the way I'm feeling today,
I'm sure it won't be too long before I'm back in harness.
RICHARD: Now, you mustn't rush things.
Foley was very strict about that.
You just take as long as you want.
HUDSON: There's just the matter of my successor, my lord.
Oh, yes, I want to talk to you about that.
I'm happy for Edward to tide us over if you are.
Edward?
Yes, you -- you don't feel he might be lacking
in any experience in matters like the cellar
and the household accounts.
RICHARD: Well, we can help him over that.
He's watched you over the years, he must've picked up something.
HUDSON: I just want to say, my lord,
if you feel, for the benefit of the household,
you need to employ a new butler.
There's no question of that, Hudson.
I've no wish to be a burden.
I've seen so many of my colleagues over the years.
RICHARD: Yes, I know what you're thinking,
but this post is yours for as long as you want it.
HUDSON: I'm very grateful.
When the time comes for you to retire,
you'll be the best judge.
And what's that you're reading?
HUDSON: Oh, I've taken to reading some poetry, my lord.
RICHARD: Robert Burns?
HUDSON: Alfred Lord Tennyson.
Rose found it on my shelves. I didn't know I possessed it.
RICHARD: Ah, "ldylls of the King."
HUDSON: "The Lady of Shalott" is my particular favourite.
"Lady Of Shalott"?
Well, I learnt it at school.
Wonder if I can remember any of it.
"On either side the river lie
long fields of barley and of rye."
HUDSON: "That clothed the wold, And meet the sky."
RICHARD: "And through the field, The road runs by."
HUDSON: "To many-towered Camelot."
RICHARD: "Willows whiten, aspens quiver."
HUDSON: "Little breezes, dusk and shiver,
through the wave that runs forever,
by the island in the river."
Yes.
"Only reapers reaping early, in among the fields of barley."
HUDSON: "The bearded barley."
RICHARD: "The bearded barley." Yes, yes.
"Tirra-lirra by the river, sang Sir Lancelot."
ROSE: They're spouting poetry to each other.
MRS. BRIDGES: What did you say, Rose?
ROSE: Poetry. Alfred Lord Tennyson.
Yeah? I know about him.
DAISY: Oh, you would.
MRS. BRIDGES: Oh, he was always so fond of his poetry.
That means he's really on the mend.
GEORGINA: You don't really
disapprove of Edward, do you, James.
JAMES: Not at all.
I just thought that Frederick deserved a hearing.
GEORGINA: Who'd want to be a butler anyway?
It's an awful job.
JAMES: Oh, I don't know. Pretty easy life these days.
Unlike before the war.
No, no, Hudson's trouble was he wouldn't delegate.
Ran himself into the ground.
GEORGINA: Well, it's been the most awful few days.
Thank heavens Virginia's back tomorrow.
JAMES: Didn't you enjoy being a society hostess?
Might have to get used to it one day.
GEORGINA: Will I?
Oh, one wastes so much time.
Decisions, menus to be planned, letters to write.
It's so wearing.
JAMES: It's all a question of delegation.
Like commanding a battalion.
GEORGINA: Hmm, yes, I noticed how commandingly
you dealt with Mrs. Bridges.
James, you've found your true vocation
as a society hostess in battle-dress.
You're welcome to it, my dear.
HUDSON: The keys to the silver cupboard.
The keys to the cellar.
The cellar book.
Remember to record every bottle that's drunk.
And those are my pantry accounts.
Reckon them up every week on Saturday mornings
and never fall behind with settling the bills.
This house has a most valued reputation
with the local tradespeople.
FREDERICK: Sorry, Mr. Hudson.
HUDSON: Yes, what it is, Frederick?
FREDERICK: The ambulance has arrived,
I've just come to carry your cases up.
HUDSON: All right.
And this is my pantry book of useful advice
I've recorded over the years, privately,
for whoever should need them one day.
You may borrow it for the time being.
EDWARD: Thanks ever so much, Mr. Hudson.
Remember, to be a butler in this household
is a sacred trust, Edward.
Absolute loyalty and devotion to duty are what is asked of you.
EDWARD: I'll do my best, Mr. Hudson.
HUDSON: I'm sure you will, my boy.
ROSE: Time to go now, Mr. Hudson.
HUDSON: Yes, yes, I'm ready Rose, I'm on my way.
ROSE: Off we go.
HUDSON: If there's ever any advice you need, Edward,
don't hesitate to write to me,
care of Mr. and Mrs. Trantor, the Post Office, Southwold.
EDWARD: Yes, Mr. Hudson.
HUDSON: Good luck, my boy.
EDWARD: Thank you, Mr. Hudson.
HUDSON: Ah, what's for lunch today, Ruby?
RUBY: Rabbit stew, Mr. Hudson.
HUDSON: Good, good.
[Mrs Bridges sobbing]
HUDSON: Come now, Kate.
Just look on it as a short holiday.
I'll be back in no time, my dear.
ROSE: Goodbye then, Mr. Hudson.
Good luck.
HUDSON: Thank you, Rose.
Rose?
Take care of Mrs. Bridges for me, will you?
ROSE: Of course I will.
DAISY: He's just going, Eddie, you coming to see him off?
EDWARD: I can't get used to all this, Daisy.
Don't think I was out out to be a butler.
DAISY: Course you are.
It just takes a bit of time, that's all.
Come on.
MRS. BRIDGES: Come on, Ruby, fetch in the dinner,
it's all getting cold.
MRS. BRIDGES: Careful now, don't drop it.
Put it here.
That's right.
DAISY: Eddie...
EDWARD: What?
DAISY: Grace.
ROSE: For what we are about to receive,
may the Lord make us truly thankful.
ALL: Amen.
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