All language subtitles for Upstairs Downstairs S01E09 Why Is Her Door Locked WEB-DL DDP2 0 H 264-squalor (1)_track3_[eng]

(lively music)

(door bell rings)

- Nasty fog again this morning.

Couldn't hardly see you
from 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 came 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
of it carrying a lamp.

(both laughing)

Proper pea souper, huh.

- Mind how you go with Daisy.

-[Man] Ah, she'll go all right.

She can see the dark
with her blinkers on.

(humming)

- Mr. Hudson, I couldn't take
Mrs. Bridges her morning tea.

- Why not?

- I couldn't get into her room.

Her door is locked.

- Did you knock?

- Twice, but she didn't answer.

- 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.

- No, not Mrs. Bridges, Doris.

Jack the Ripper liked 'em a
wee bit younger than that.

More your age.

Rose, you better go up and see.

Maybe she's ill.

- Oh yes, Mr. Hudson.

Gimme that cup of tea and
you get on with the range.

- It's cold now.

If she gets cold tea, serve her
right for oversleeping late.

- Now, Rose, that's
enough of that.

(knock on door)

- Mrs. Bridges seven o'clock.

(louder) Mrs. Bridges!

(loud knock)

Mr. Hudson.

- What is it, Rose?

- I couldn't rouse her,

but I could hear sounds
coming from her room.

- Ah, better just leave
her, then and get on.

We'll try again in half an hour.

- Well, I best get all started
with upstairs breakfast then.

- Yes, and take this
down, if you please, Rose.

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

(clock chiming)

- Morning.

- Morning, my dear.

You're up bright and early.

- There's rather a
lot to do today.

Anything startling in the paper?

- Nothing much.

Oh, Curson'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.

- Well, tell him so next
week when he dines here.

- I shall.

I must be going soon.

I'm seeing my tailor
this morning.

- Would you ring for
Hudson, please?

- Mm-hmm.

- It's time for me to
make Mrs. Bridges again.

- Why do you say that?

- She's been so moody lately.

We never can see eye-to-eye
on the subject to desserts.

She seems to have changed
in the last few weeks.

- Perhaps she's had a secret
offer from someone outside.

- That is possible.

Mrs. Van Groeben raved
about our dinner party

the other night.

She asked if we had a
French chef from Paris.

- And what did you say?

- I said we have a very old

and a rather temperamental
widow from Bristol.

She said she thought
the dinner worthy

of Rosa Louis herself.

- Praise indeed.

- You rang, my lady?

- 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 o'clock.

- Quite, my lady.

- Someone 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?

- 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.

- It really is too bad.

One gives her every
consideration and she behaves
like this.

- It appears that the price I
must pay for her superb skill

in the kitchen.

- I particularly wanted her
to be her best next week.

- To impress the Italian
ambassador?

- And Curzon.

The Crewes are coming too.

And F. B. Smith.

He likes good food.

(locking her door)

- Ah, Mrs. Bridges.

Her ladyship is waiting
for you, Mrs. Bridges.

In the morning room.

- What is that woman doing?

It's gone 10 o'clock.

- Oh, my goodness, I must go.

- Luncheon at your club?

- Yes, with little George
Chesterfield.

I'll see you this evening.

(opens door)

Mrs. Bridges.

There you are.

You'd better go in.

- Please 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, my lady.

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 mornin'.

- 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, my lady.

- I know you are, Mrs. Bridges,

and I expect you to be
punctual for meals

in the servant's 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 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, my lady,

without the under-servants

poking and prying
into my affairs.

(sobbing) Everyone's against me.

All talking and whispering
behind my back.

Saying as how was my fault
Emily done herself in.

I know what they're saying.

They're all against me.

(sniffs) I know I'm not
wanted in this house.

Nor appreciated neither.

(sobbing) So, I best give
in my notice and clear out

and that's all I have to say.

Thanking you, my lady.

- Mrs. Bridges, come
back here at once.

- I'm giving in my
notice, my lady.

- No, Mrs. Bridges, you're
doing nothing of the kind.

Now, calm yourself and sit down.

Come along now, sit down.

- Thank you, ma'am.

- 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?

- (gasp) I get these headaches.

Sharp pains through
me head, my lady.

Everything seems to
be on top of me

and I can't stop crying.

I lie awake thinking about
that poor dead girl (sobbing).

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
myself, my lady, at Southwold.

You've got to be firm with them.

Oh, that,

when Emily killed
herself (sobbing),

it's like if I lost
my own daughter.

She was like that (crying).

- 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.

- Oh, now, dry your tears

and try not to think
about it anymore.

- Yes, my lady.

- You've been here such
a long time, and

I like to think that
we are old friends.

If these headaches continue,

I'll have you examined
by Dr. Pholbe.

- Thank you, my lady.

It's just since,
sometimes I feel.

- What?

- Lonely, my lady.

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
belongs to you.

Isn't, my lady?

- Mrs. Bridges,

perhaps we should discuss
the meals now,

if you're quite ready.

- I'll be going.

- Mrs. Bridges (rattles door)?

It's Ann, Mrs. Bridges
(rattles door).

I'm coming in sweep.

(rattles door)

(hearing sounds)

Mrs. Bridges!

(voices from morning
room discussing meals)

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.

- That can't be.

- But there is, Mr. Hudson.

- Mrs. Bridges happens
to be in the morning room

with her ladyship.

- But I heard it.

Thump, thump, against the wall.

- No, you're imagining
things, girl.

- I'm not, Mr. Hudson, honest.

- Well, why didn't you go
in and see what it was?

- 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.

Wait here and I'll get the
master key from my pantry.

- Listen.

- Mrs. Bridges?

That's daft.

She wouldn't do anything
like that.

-[Mr. Hudson] You come
up with me, Alice.

- Yes, Mr. Hudson.

- 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.

- Come along, Alice.

(knock on door)

(rattles knob)

- But, there was a
noise, Mr. Hudson.

I swear there was.

(thump sound)

Isn't it?

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.

(unlocking door)

(shouting) Right now!

(closes door)

- Very good, my lady.

Kicking me.

Get down there.

Go, get out!

Beat it.

(locking the door)

(mumbling)

Doris.

Where are you, Doris?

Emily!

Come and give old Mrs.
Bridges a hand.

And someone who can
manage (sobbing).

- Where did 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 shops.

- 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 has stolen that baby.

(both gasp)

- What's gonna happen to her?

- Will she be arrested?

- No.

Mr. Hudson is speakin'
to her ladyship now,

so we'll soon know.

- I'd best be getting
back to the kitchen.

She'll be needing me now.

May I have the saucepan that's
in your arms, Mrs. Bridges?

* Rock-A-bye baby
be on the tree top

* When the wind blows

* Cradle will drop

* Down will fall baby

* Cradle and all

- Thank you, Hudson.

I came as quickly as
I decently could.

We were in the middle of
lunch when the message came.

What's happened?

- 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 it's
perambulator outside a shop.

- Took a baby?

- Stole it from its parents.

(Mrs. Bridges sniffs)

- I'd been visiting my
friends, sir, Mrs. Graves.

She used to be cook
to Lady Wallingford.

She's retired now, sir.

I come across this pram
outside a greengrocer's.

Nobody mindin' it.

Such a lovely baby laying there.

Smiling at me.

I stopped to see, so I
touched his little hand.

Oh, I couldn't help
but touch it.

When its tiny fingers
curled 'round mine,

I felt as if I had
to pick it up, sir.

Wouldn't 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

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 is the child now?

- Being cared for, sir,
in the servant's hall.

- Oh, my God.

(Mrs. Bridges sobbing)

They never tried to stop you?

Nobody saw you take it?

- The thick fog, sir.

You can 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?

(Mrs. Bridges sobbing)

- 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 for London

for a stolen baby.

And that baby happens to
be here in this house.

- I'm sorry, my lady, I
couldn't help it.

It just come over me (sobbing).

- Mrs. Bridges, are you,

are you sure you can't remember
which street you were in?

Do you have you any
idea of the shop?

A greengrocer, you said.

- Yes, it was a greengrocer.

I know that block.

I don't know what street.

It was somewhere in
Victoria near my friend.

Somewhere in Pimlico (sobbing).

- She 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, my lady.

- Come along then Mrs. Bridges.

I'll see you upstairs
to your room.

You'd better have a wee
lie down, Mrs. Bridges.

- Of course, the police
have got to be informed.

- Richard, no!

- How else are we to
trace the parents?

- We can't allow Mrs. Bridges

to be carted off by the police.

It would kill her.

Besides, I've 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
in a minute's notice.

- Marjorie, I am trying to
be 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.

- If we could find out
where it came from,

we could send it back.

- Oh.

- Along with some sort
of explanation.

- Marjorie, you've quite
lost your reason!

You are 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 bad case
of child theft

and the police have
got to be told

whether you like it or not.

(sigh) And that's what
we have to do, my dear.

- Will there be any
further instructions, sir?

- No, Hudson.

- Thank you, sir.

- Hudson!

-[Mr. Hudson] My lady?

- I have an idea.

Am I right in thinking that

you have a friend in
the police force?

- Yes, my lady, Sergeant
McKay, out on Gerald Road.

- I thought you had.

- I think we ought to be
very careful, Marjorie.

- I shall be.

Hudson, how would it
be if you were to

bump into Sergeant McKay

somewhere around by Gerald
Road police station?

- I understand perfectly,
my lady.

- Do you, 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 and yourself

will not be requiring me for
the rest of the afternoon.

- Oh yes, 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.

- And Hudson.

- Sir.

- Not a word to the other
servants for the time being.

- Oh, naturally, sir.

Rose?

Rose, where are you, Rose?

Ah, Rose.

- Shh.

Baby is asleep.

We've 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.

- Just to see if the fire
is all right, my lady.

- Oh, yes, perhaps another
piece of coal, Rose.

Turn much colder?

- Yes, my lady.

But the fog is not
quite so thick.

- That's good.

Hudson, still not back?

- Not yet, my lady.

(front door closes)

- Oh, if that's Mr. Bellamy.

Tell him I'm in here, will you?

- Yes, my lady.

Her ladyship is in the
morning room, sir.

- Any news?

- No, sir.

- I gather Hudson
is not back yet?

-[Lady Marjorie] No.

- Now over three hours.

What could have happened to him?

- Well, his friend in the
police may not have been there.

He may have had to wait for him.

- Come on duty?

- Hmm.

- That's a possibility.

(door opens)

-[Rose] The evening paper, sir.

(door closes)

- Thank you, Rose.

- Is there anything there
about a stolen child?

- Not than I can see.

- Will there be anything
else, my lady?

- Yes, Rose, what
time can we dine?

- Oh, anytime you wish, my lady.

It's all ready.

Will I tell Edward
to ring the gong?

- Yes, in ten minutes,
we won't change.

- Very good, my lady.

I just hope it tastes
of something.

- Sure, it will, Rose.

They're being absolutely
splendid, Richard.

- What's that, my dear?

- The servants, I say they're
being simply marvelous.

Rose and Doris have
cooked the 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, my lady?

- Yes, thank you, Rose.

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.

- Hmm.

Ah, Hudson.

-[Mr. Hudson] My lady.

- We were worried about you.

- I trust you'll pardon
me for coming straight in

as I am a servant.
- You're soaking wet.

- 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.

Where they live?

- Yes, sir.

It seems that a,

a baby was reported stolen
from its perambulator

outside the premises
of Mrs. Walsh and Sons,

the fruiters in Luper
Street, my lady,

between the hours of 5:30
and 6:00 p.m. last evening.

- And the parents?

- Mr. and Mrs. Arthur
Webber, sir,

of 96 A 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.

- You must order the
motor at once.

- I still don't like
this, Marjorie.

I think we ought to
inform the police first.

- But, you agreed!

- Oh, very well.

Tell Pearce to bring the
motor around 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 wait and see what
their circumstances are.

(motorcar engine running)

(knock on the door)

-[Lady Marjorie] Mrs. Webber.

It's all right, Mrs. Webber,
he's quite done wrong.

Don't distress yourself.

May we come in?

(Mrs. Webber sobbing)

- We're not very tidy.

(sobbing)

- Is your husband at
home, Mrs. Webber?

- There's a motorcar
outside, Lily.

Is that Johnny back?

He's been fine, Lizzie.

These people found him.

- This lady and gentleman,
Arthur.

They brought him back
just a few minutes ago.

Warm and 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.

Here'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 that we
regretted very much

a certain member of my
domestic staff had

an unfortunate lapse,

a quite irrational longing
to posses the child.

She regrets the action
very much.

- What was her name, the
woman who stole our kiddy?

- 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.

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 you
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?

-[Mrs. Webber] 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 not point in
continuing this conversation.

Come on, Marjorie.

- What you gonna do?

- Wait and see.

- Oh, don't do anything
foolish, Arthur.

We've got Johnny back.

Don't cause anymore 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.

(dramatic music)

- My ladsyship has 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.

So when Miss Roberts
told her ladyship,

she couldn't get the stain
out of her gray coat.

She used very snap talk.

- 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.

- They can't afford to
lose her, that's why.

She's too good a cook.

Besides, they took the
baby back to his home.

There's have an end to it.

- What a lark havin' a
baby to take care of.

Even if it was only for
a few hours, eh, Rose?

- He was all right.

- Dear little thing.

I'd love to have a baby.

- Oh, I dare say, your
turn will come one day.

And if 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.

(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.

- Is this Mr. Richard
Bellamy's residence?

- It is.

- 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.

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.

- Better come in.

Oh, 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.

There's a gentleman
from the police,

Detective Inspector Cape.

He wants to see Mrs. Bridges.

- Show him in now, will you?

- I understood, sir, since the
baby was returned last night.

- Oh, no, Hudson, the
matter is far from closed.

I rather expected this.

- Should I fetch Mrs. Bridges?

- Well, 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.

You show him in.

- Very good, sir.

-[Richard] Come in,
will you Inspector?

- I'll try not to keep
you waiting, sir.

I understand you have your
parliamentary duties to fulfill.

- But I can spare you
a 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
96 A Vauxhall Bridge Road

reported to Gerald
Road Police Station

at 6:30 on Wednesday evening

that his wife had returned
from the shop

since later with some distress

to say that their baby was
missing from its perambulator.

The discovery was made

when she come out of the
greengrocer shop in Luper
Street.

Particulars were taken, and
a call was 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've 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 of finished the matter.

I tried to explain to
this man Webber--

- 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.

- 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.

- Then 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?

- (sigh) Yes, I certainly will.

(pull servant's call)

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.

(opens door)

- 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?

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.

- (sniffing) Heavens!

I expect so.

- It's 'cause she's
old and got no one.

The police come to fetch you.

She'd have given them
your address, see.

- (sobbing) Yes.

It's not like Ivy
to be took sick.

She's always had good health.

- It's this friend of hers,
you understand, Doris,

down near Victoria.

She's been taken to
the hospital, and well,

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 the police have come
to take Mrs. Bridges

to her friend's bedside.

- Oh, I see.

- And 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, thank you, Hudson.

Help her go, Rose.

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 out by the--

- The front door?

Well, of course.

That poor, wretched woman.

She looks as if she's
going to the gallows.

- We must telephone to
Harry Compton 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.

- There must be something
we can do,

and she's your cook, too.

- Well, there's precious
little we can do.

See after the Magistrate's
Court tomorrow,

ready to give evidence
of her good character.

- That's something, I suppose.

- I shall also call Jeff
Dillon this afternoon

and 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
magistrate's progressive enough

to remand over a
doctor's report.

- Yes, but supposing
the doctor says

she's not fit enough
to go on working?

- I'm sure Dr. Farleigh would
be very sensible about that.

- Ah well, if it's Dr. Farleigh.

- Oh, naturally,
I sort of suggest

having her examined
by my own doctor,

then 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 bit if.

I want to 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,

but it's not in my
power to stop this case.

Not now.

- You could refuse to give
evidence to 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 falls, 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 nips, eh?

- Because I know better than
to seek a higher station

in life from the one
into which I was born.

I am proud and honored
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 have 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.

Our 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.

- 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.

And you ask me if I'm content
with my position in life.

- All right, I'll be a
butler then to some duke.

Think you could 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 to a 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.

Goodnight.

(opens door and closes)

- Is Hudson not ill again?

- Why do you ask that?

- I was wondering why he asked
for time off this evening.

The only time he ever does.

- He didn't give a reason.

- Yes, Hudson, what is it?
- My apologies, sir, my lady.

Might I speak to you
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?

-[Mr. Hudson] Yes, my lady.

- You'll find a bit of
it distressing, Hudson,

sitting there watching
Mrs. Bridges in the dock.

- I am acquainted to
a certain extent

with the processes
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 Grounds, sir,

to watch Ranjet Singhi or
Doctor 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,

as 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.

- As a matter of fact,

I called and suggested
to them this afternoon.

Someone from that office
will have tending 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.

- What an extraordinary request.

- 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.

-[Magistrate ] And you
thought no doubt

that in the 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 I ought.

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,

I just, I carried it
in me arms, sir, and

keep it warm,

and safe.

- And you had no idea
whatsoever of the identity

of the owner or her address?

- No sir.

- 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.

- If I may intervene
here, your worship.

- 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.

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 to which I'm asking
to bring further evidence.

- Very well.

- I call a 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 of Eaton Place

where, as we have heard, the
accused is employed as cook.

-[Mr. Hudson] I am, sir.

-[Man] How long have
you known the accused?

- Approximately 12 years, sir.

- 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 being nice for 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
going to watch?

- I 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 is showing respect, isn't it?

- So from what you have
observed of the

moods and general behavior
of the accused belowstairs

during the last few weeks,

would you say she was suffering
from severe nervous strain?

-[Mr. 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 dependents,

she come to regard the young
girl as like a daughter.

They were very close.

- And you agree with the
evidence of Dr. Farleigh

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 was 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'll have perhaps retired

yYour 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 further more, sir--

- 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 am asking you to
dismiss this case.

(whispering)

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. Hudson.

So I'm going to bind you
over for three months

on good behavior,

and hope that you will
not have occasion

to appear before me again.

- Oh, thank you, sir.

- (laughs) 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.

- 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 get her off (laughs).

(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 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?

- Oh, 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 services before.

- That seems a very
satisfactory arrangement.

Where is Mrs. Bridges now?

- Waiting outside in
the hall, my lady.

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.

- (emotionally) Oh, my lady!

- There, there, Mrs.
Bridges, all over now.

- I'm so ashamed, my lady.

Can you ever forgive me?

- I've told you, it's all over.

The matter will never be
referred to in this house again.

- You've all been so good to me.

- Mr. Bellamy and I
have done nothing,

except to return the
child to its parents.

It's Hudson you have to thank.

- Yes, my lady.

- Congratulations, Mrs.
Bridges, on your exciting plans.

Hudson, you must open
a bottle of my Krug 98

to the servant's hall
and celebrate.

- Oh, thank you, sir.

That's very good of you.

- All I want to do now, my lady,

is to get back into me kitchen
and get on with me job.

- Well, of course you
do, Mrs. Bridges.

Don't forget we have 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 Folkston,

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.

- Oh, I'm not going
on no wee holiday.

Begging your pardon, my lady.

Do you think I'm going
off to Folkston!

Leave my kitchen to
some outside cook

when we've got important
people to dinner?

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, my lady,

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.

- We're most grateful.

- It was a pleasure, sir.

My lady.

- I remember when he was a
young footman at Southwald,

my mother always said
he would get on.

The Scots always do.

Well, I suppose luncheon
will be a little late today.

It can't be helped.

(lively music)