Original subtitles

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[music]

[bell]

[music]

>> [music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

>> sister yet departed.

We therefore permit her body [music] to

the ground.

>> There it is. Look, the funeral of a

nobody. Happens every day. Someone dies

young [music] and is buried quietly. And

today it's me,

Bella.

You may know me [music] better as Mrs.

Beaton. I wrote a book long ago, a book

of recipes and so forth.

I know you were thinking [music] I'd be

larger and middle-aged. Queen Victoria

in an apron. Well, that's what we wanted

you to think. But who'd take any notice

of me? [music] A slip of a girl dead at

28.

There's the grieving husband.

Poor

soul.

He didn't always look so haggarded.

>> [music]

[music]

[music]

>> But let us begin at the beginning.

>> [music]

>> It was 1854

and I had [music] just finished school.

My parents were now determined to show

off the fruits of my expensive education

to all their friends.

>> [music]

>> So there I was, a young, innocent,

beautiful daughter, when suddenly

>> define young. Mother, mother, I'm so

sorry I'm late.

>> Sam, dearest boy, where have you been?

>> Chelsea, since you ask, a little

businessman that couldn't be put off.

Huh? Mr. and Mrs. Darling, it's great to

see you again.

And

>> oh, this is Isabella, my eldest, back

from boarding school.

>> Well, surely you remember, Sam.

>> Isabella.

>> Of course. Of course.

Well,

well, well, of course.

>> Uh, please excuse me before my garments

are ripped from me. Come on, boys.

I knew him as a child, of course, but I

hadn't seen him for years.

>> In the meantime, he'd been to America

and started his own company, publishing

books and magazines,

become a man of the world.

>> But he looked a little too pleased with

himself for my liking.

>> I'm so sorry to have interrupted your

music. Will you play us another piece?

>> No. No, really. I've bored everyone for

far too long.

>> This is nonsense. My mother tells me

you're terribly good. Your reputation

precedes you, Miss Mixon.

>> And so, Mr. beaten. Does yours,

>> a ladies man, a lover of taverns, card

games, and prize fights,

a gambler,

mind you, we knew a bit about gambling

ourselves. My stepfather ran the

racecourse at Epson.

>> GO ON, WINDING GRACE. GO ON, BOY. GIVE

HIM HIS HEAD.

>> AFTER my real father died, mother

married Henry, and it proved an

astonishingly productive union.

>> Between them, they already had 16

children, and mother was still going

strong.

>> Look after the baby for an hour. I must

go to town.

>> Actually, I'm I'm a bit

>> So, they shipped us out of the house and

into the grandstand. And I, as the

eldest girl, was left in charge.

>> Burger, it's not fair. He took my

Nelson.

>> Taken, not took.

>> And anyway, Nelson never fought the

Spanish Armada, darling. Give the

gallion back. Now, who can tell me who

did lead the English into battle with

the Armada?

>> Drake.

>> Good.

And Charlotte, in which year?

>> Uh,

15.

>> Come on, you must remember. We did it

just two days ago.

>> 15 60

>> 88

>> 88

>> and carry on everyone. Quietly.

>> The Armada wouldn't have stood a chance

against you.

>> Wouldn't

>> She may have the body of a weak and

feeble woman, but she has the heart and

the stomach of a king and a tin of

England to

>> Are you looking for my stepfather?

>> No. [laughter]

>> For you? I have something for you. The

English Women's Domestic Magazine, my

flagship publication, the latest

edition, a very interesting piece about

the education of women by the editor

himself. You know, it's a complete waste

of time. It's a joke. It's a joke. I'm

really a a huge admire of women. Look,

fiction, fashion, poetry. Here's one for

you. pig rearing and the domestic

history of the women of ancient Greece

and of course the correct way to dance a

poker madmo

sh

>> I'm afraid my hands are rather full at

the moment.

>> Well then how about something for one of

my ladies YOUNG CHARGES THE BOY YOUNG

MAGAZINE. HAVE A LOOK AT THAT.

>> YES. I really don't have time at the

moment I'm afraid. So not today. Thank

you. Goodbye.

>> No no no. I'm I'm not I'm not trying to

sell you anything. You've misunderstood

the gifts. Please let me let me help.

>> Oh dear. [crying] It's all right.

>> I don't operate mainly for profit, you

know, but to inform

more and more ordinary people can read

and I want to supply them with the

affordable educational reading matter.

For the lower classes to better

themselves, they have to have knowledge.

Knowledge is power. It's a kind of power

that can change this world.

>> So, you see, we're really in the same

business.

>> Education.

>> Thank you.

>> I'm sorry. I didn't mean to.

>> Matter, but please accept them anyway.

>> Thank you, sir.

>> Thank you.

>> Thank you, sir. Now,

I have a favor to ask you in return.

May I

accompany you to church on Sunday?

>> Do you go to church?

>> It has been known. It's a perfectly

respectable proposal. Your parents

couldn't possibly complain.

>> Well, I shall be going to church as

usual.

And if you happen to be there as a

friend of the family,

>> well, I could hardly ignore you.

>> There are ladies who uniformly smile at

and approve of everybody. But those who

possess a thorough knowledge of the

world scrutinize the conduct and

character of people before they trust

themselves to first fair appearances.

[music] Friendships should not be

hastily formed, nor the heart given at

once to every newcomer.

>> [sighs]

>> Isabella Mary Mason,

have you ever been kissed?

>> Certainly I have.

I was at school two years in Germany,

you know.

>> Oh. Oh, yeah. Very devil make a German.

Very free with his affection.

Very

central.

I have the most awful feeling.

And I'm falling in love with you.

come.

>> Good evening, sir. I trust I find you in

robust health and devilish fine spirits.

>> What do you want beaten?

Well, sir, it's about Isabella.

>> What about her? She right?

>> Oh. Oh, yes, sir. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yeah.

Yes. It's It's uh her and I Well,

particularly I

No. Start again.

Sir, I'm deeply in love with your

daughter, and I beg your permission to

ask for a hand in marriage.

>> What? What?

ARE YOU MAD? GET OUT OF MY STUDY, SIR,

AT ONCE.

FATHER, do you not take into account my

feelings?

>> Isabella Condonder,

>> don't tell me you're even considering

him. Bella is a flash of the pan a

dreamer full of airy, fairy, bloody

nonsense.

>> He is not. He He has ideals. He He wants

to make the world a better place. Is

that such a dreadful sin?

>> He's penniles.

>> How can he possibly support you and a

house full of children? You were brought

up to marry a gentleman.

>> He's a businessman like you, father. And

one day he'll be as successful as you. I

know he will.

>> Don't talk to me about business, my

child. I live and breathe business. And

he'll never make those damn magazines of

his pay. Never.

>> All right. I see that it all comes down

to money.

How about this? Give him one year. And

by then, if the business is thriving, if

there's money in the bank, if if there's

a house with a garden and room for

plenty of children to live happily in,

then will you give your consent?

>> Happily, child.

>> Sam,

>> don't worry, my dear. The lad will be

bankrupt by Christmas.

[bell]

>> But you see, they underestimated how

hard he could work.

and how much pleasure he would gain from

proving them wrong.

>> Morning wife.

>> Morning

husband.

>> How do you feel?

>> Like a woman.

>> Mine at last. All mine. All mine ARE

MINE.

H

the suburbs,

clean air, green fields, and affordable

housing for the rising middle classes.

Sam took a lease on a house in Pinner,

and I had a home of my very own to

organize just as I wished. Top floor,

please.

Finally, my life had begun.

>> [music]

[music]

>> took the best part of a month to get

that house ship shaped.

And then

And then

[snorts]

and then

and

I had nothing left to do. I was used to

looking after all those children in the

nursery. So a life of leisure seemed

empty. And Sam was so busy with the

magazines that he didn't get home until

late at night.

>> Yes, ma'am. Fetch [music] me the train

timet, would you?

>> Well, how could I love, honor, and obey

him if he was never there?

>> Hello,

Mrs. May. I mean, sorry, Mrs. Beaton.

Oh,

>> please don't worry.

>> On your feet, you two. There's a lady

present.

Oh, really? Don't trouble your

>> Mrs. Beon. I'm afraid Mr.

Sam is at the printer.

>> I'm sorry to disturb you. I was passing

and I thought I might just stop by to

say hello.

>> Okay. I uh do apologize for the um we

were having a bit of a um here.

Have a seat. You know, he'll he'll be

back any minute.

>> Well, if you're sure it's no trouble.

>> No, no, no. Oh,

>> what's this? French.

>> Yes. Uh, he's translating the next

chapter of the novel we're serializing

in the magazine.

>> Very clever man, your husband.

[music]

Master down the kingdom, Confred.

They've done it.

Bella.

Uh,

what on earth you is everything all

right?

>> Yes. Yes. I I was just passing and I

thought I'd stop by to take you for

lunch or go for a walk.

>> Darling, I haven't got haven't got the

time. The deadline for the boys is in 7

hours and the English woman tomorrow and

the print machine is paying up again and

the household hints are late. I've got

half a French novel to translate. I

can't come out to lunch

>> just for 5 minutes.

>> No, you don't understand.

>> Right.

>> I'll get this off to the printers and uh

you lads can take an early lunch.

>> Come on. Come on.

>> Back in half an hour. M.

Oh, very nice to see you again, Mr.

Speed.

Very nice indeed.

>> Thank you, Mr. Greenwood.

God's sake, Bella. What are you

thinking? Can't down.

>> I finished the French translation for

you and corrected your spelling

mistakes.

>> What?

>> While I was waiting and I could easily

finish the household hints by the end of

the afternoon, if you'll let me. I've

read enough copies of the magazine to

know exactly how it goes.

>> You?

>> Why not? Look, I came to see if I could

help you. It's madness for me to be

sitting at home twiddling my thumbs

while you're rushed off your feet here.

Well,

I miss you.

>> Oh.

Oh, Bella.

You serious?

>> Yes. I have all this energy and nothing

to do with it. Then the [snorts] baby's

not due for months.

>> Baby,

>> pretty sis.

>> Oh, Lord. [laughter]

What a woman.

What a wife.

Good temper should be cultivated by the

mistress of every household. If the

mistress be a wife, never let an account

of her husband's failings pass [music]

her lips. Let her prove herself his

happy companion. Her smiles his

brightest day, her kiss the guardian of

his innocence, her arms the balm of his

health, her lips his faithful

counselors, and her bosom the softest

pillow of his cares.

Listen to your chest.

>> I wish you'd give them up.

You should eat instead.

I'm getting bigger and bigger and you're

fading away.

Do you have a look at these readers

letters? There are simply hundreds. What

should I serve when my parents-in-law

come to dinner? When is the correct

moment to remove my gloves at a tea

party?

Which is the most economical cut of

lamb?

My 10-year-old daughter has warts. Do

you know of a cure? There are all these

women out there struggling to be the

best mothers and wives they can be, and

your magazine is all they've got.

>> Our magazine

>> is all they've got to help them. I like

to think we provide a service,

>> but is it enough? I mean, running a

household, feeding a family properly is,

you know, a real art. And a girl doesn't

just magically know how to do it when

she reaches 18. She's lucky her mother

will have taught her, but many aren't.

[snorts]

In which case, where does a woman go for

this information? [snorts]

What is it?

Can you smell something?

It's not off, is it?

>> It's brilliant.

>> What is

>> It's a book.

>> A book?

>> Yes.

A dictionary? No. A how of two? Uh, all

you ever wanted to know. The definitive

comprehensive guide to running a a home,

a house, a family WITH OVER 1,000. NO,

2,000 wholesome and delicious recipes.

And you? Oh, you. M my dear, dear sweet

girl, I just the man for the job.

Perfect. What do you say?

>> Me write a book with recipes.

>> Well, IT WAS YOUR IDEA. PEOPLE LOVE YOUR

COLUMNS IN A MAGAZINE.

Much better with a woman's name on it.

You're right. THERE'S A HUGE MARKET FOR

THIS SORT OF THING. IN FACT, OH, WE CAN

MAKE A FORTUNE.

>> But I can't cook.

>> God knows we could use a money spinner.

You're right, Bella. This is going to be

>> I can't cook. Look, thousands of

recipes. What I know about cooking could

be written on the back of a postage

stamp.

>> That doesn't matter. It's easy. Piece of

cake. We've got dozens dozens of

cookbooks around the place and hundreds

of recipes sent in by readers. All

they've got to be is is collected,

collected, tried, tested

and published

for the ordinary

housewife of Britain.

Two geniuses in one bed.

A very rare occurrence in Pina. I think

you're fine.

And so from tiny acorns mighty oaks do

grow.

But before I could really get going on

the book, [clears throat]

[screaming]

[crying]

[screaming]

>> he's a good boy. Yes, you are. Perhaps

now your mama will give up that silly

writing nonsense.

>> What kind of husband makes his wife work

and lets her go into an office? Bella,

people are beginning to talk.

>> Mother, he doesn't make me. I enjoy

working in the office.

>> Why on earth she wants to write a book

of all things? I don't know. And she

should be resting and feeding you.

>> Nothing of this little thing. Come on.

Oh, such sturdy ones. You a positive

heavyweight.

>> Thank you.

[crying]

>> When you are back on your feet, you need

to get away to the countryside.

Exercise, fresh air, plenty of good food

is what a nursing mother needs.

It'll do the baby good, too.

And Sam

always looks very pale.

Sit up and drink this.

What is it? A mix of porter and stout

helps encourage the production of milk.

H. A few grains of carbonate of soda

stirred in to cure flatulence.

>> I haven't got flatulence.

>> Not yours.

The babies.

>> Porter Stoutton.

>> Carbonate of soda.

>> Yes. A holiday is what you need. I shall

ask my dear friend Henrietta to have you

in Suffukk. Leave it to me. I'll arrange

everything.

I see difficulties in your way as

regards publishing a book on cookery. I

must tell you, I'm always honest and

speak plainly what I'm thinking. Am I

not, Robert? It's not the English way. I

know, but it is the French way, which I

find superior.

Cookery is a science which is only

learned by long experience and years of

study, which of course you have not

heard. No,

>> indeed.

But our thought is to compile a book,

taking the recipes from existing books,

testing them out, and I But you, you are

just a girl, and I cannot see how you

can possibly write such a book. You have

no authority.

>> But Isabella will be using a variety of

sources.

>> I make the best shapes. There is no

doubt about that. And nobody, nobody

will listen to a girl of 21 who a mere

amateur.

I must say that you are quite wasting

your time. I say this as a friend would

say and with kindness, if only to save

you from disappointment and failure and

general ridicule and deep shame.

>> Mom. Mom, it's the baby mom. He's taken

sick. Very sick indeed. [screaming]

>> [crying]

>> Do you know what it's like to watch your

child die in your arms.

Oh, I hope not.

I hope it never happens to you.

[music]

Come on,

we better go.

>> [music]

>> The doctor and my mother said these

things happen.

There would be plenty more babies.

I was young and healthy.

I must pull myself together

and take my mind off it. [music]

>> [music]

>> So, what better distraction than work?

After all, we had to earn a living,

>> right? [snorts]

The book.

So far we have chapters on organization

of the kitchen, household duties of the

servants, medical section courtesy of

Dr. Gordon, invalid cookery,

running the nursery and child rearing

>> and legal matters courtesy Mr. Newbold.

He's already started work. I spoke to

him on Monday.

>> Excellent, Fred.

And of course the recipes as set out in

Bella's plan.

>> Okay. Shall I?

Recipes list had uh stocks, soups,

sauces, fish, beef, mutton, pig,

poultry, game, vegetables, fruits,

puddings, spice, pastries, bread, and

biscuits.

These are delicious, by the way.

>> Oh, good.

Sadly, they were supposed to be sponge

cakes.

[laughter]

[gasps]

>> Oh, you'll get the hang of it

eventually, my darling. Actually,

my darling,

the reason is the recipes in all these

books are so disorganized.

It isn't until you're halfway through

that they mention you need seven eggs.

If you have but three and one of them is

off, then the whole thing's ruined.

>> I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to.

My book shall list all the ingredients

from the outset, [laughter]

followed by the method, then the exact

timings, then the cost per serving,

followed by any general notes and

observations in language that is plain,

practical, and to the point.

>> Good idea. Capital. Yes.

>> There needs to be a proper system for

running a kitchen and a home. Men have

no idea the range of skills needed.

Women must not only be cooks, nurses,

bookkeepers, but also organize the

children and husbands and manage the

servants. Running a household

efficiently is like being the commander

of an army.

That's it.

>> You've got it.

>> What?

>> That's exactly the attitude.

>> The voice commander of an army. I love

it.

pioneering,

authoritative, you know, it's elevating

the daily business of the housewife into

its proper position.

>> Perfect. Get it down while it's still

pressing your head.

This is terrific.

Bella,

just get the 857 if you hurry.

Come on. It's time to go.

>> You did.

>> Sammy.

It is Sammy, isn't it? Why, Sammy the

man. How are you? [music] Haven't seen

you for a long old while. Who was that?

>> God knows. Someone desirable.

>> She knows your name.

>> It's a common enough name.

>> They probably call all the men.

>> It's nothing.

>> Nothing.

Nothing.

Six slices of ham. Two knuckles of bee.

One onion. One bottle of madiraa.

Four blades of mace.

Mother was right. I was pregnant again

soon [music] enough. And as my time drew

near, I stayed at home testing out

recipes for the book.

>> It's arrived, Mom.

>> Lovely.

Well, let's have a look at it. [music]

[music]

Oh, come on. I'm sure it'll be [music]

fine.

Where are we?

The green turtle is a great delicacy and

the soup there from graces the best

dining tables in the country. The

reptile is found in the warm shallow

tropical waters of the West Indies.

It moved. I swear it. Mom, look.

West Indies once they are shipped alive

and intolerable health to England. Oh my

lord.

Calm down, Anne. It won't bite you. I

shouldn't think.

>> Oh, mom. I don't like the look of it and

the smell.

Now, buck up. We can do this. Let's see.

First, cut the head off the turtle.

There you are. One swift, heavy blur.

What to do?

me.

I'll never I can't, Mom. I'm sorry. I

just couldn't.

>> All right, I'll do it. After all, it's

just like a chicken or something.

>> Careful, Mom. You don't know what might

spurt out.

>> Oh, don't say that. [music]

Well, I can't do it now.

It's moved again. Oh no. What are we

going to do with it? Put it in the bath.

Oh, the smell.

[laughter]

>> Oh, mom.

Sh. [laughter]

>> [sighs]

[music]

>> There is a condition we may call mute

births where the newborn child does not

cry and only makes short ineffectual

gasps. In which case the baby should be

turned on its right side and the whole

length of its spine rubbed sharply and

quickly then plunged into a warm bath up

to its neck to stimulate the heart and

lungs.

Sometimes however these means will fail

and the child will lie with livid

[music] lips and flaccid body lingering

probably some hours till it ceases to

exist.

In the long months that [music]

followed, I threw myself into the book

to stop me from dwelling.

But it was turning into a project

[music] bigger than I could ever have

guessed. I wanted it to be truly

comprehensive. But with so little of my

own experience to [music] go on, I had

to research everything from scratch. And

there were times when I thought it would

never be finished. Times when I felt I

would sink under the sheer weight and

responsibility of it all. But I carried

on. I needed to prove to myself, [music]

to my parents, to the world that it

could be done and done by a woman.

>> Mom,

it's nearly midnight, Mom.

And I don't wish to speak out of turn,

but I do believe you should get to your

bed and rest.

>> Oh goodness. Midnight.

Oh, thank you, Ann.

Thank you.

I'll put this by your bed then.

Oh, yes. I was pregnant again quickly,

AF. This time I was determined to hang

on to him or her.

Come on, my darling. Out we go.

Shh. Doctor's in there.

[cough]

>> Congratulations. A boy. Every Bonnie

here is too.

>> Oh my god. Can I go in

>> before you do? Um, I'd like a word.

>> What is it? Is she all right? Oh,

>> she's fine. I'd like you to read this

carefully.

>> What's this?

>> My bill.

You haven't paid me for my last visit or

the one before that. I'm afraid I must

ask you to settle your account by the

end of the week. Otherwise,

no more visits. Oh god. Of course. Of

course. Completely slipped my mind.

You've been hellishly busy. I do

apologize. Of course. By the end of the

week, sir. And no doubt about it.

>> You all right?

>> Yes.

>> Sure.

>> Look.

>> Isn't he perfect? Hello little chap. I

need a handsome little fella.

>> Can we call him Sammy?

>> I'd be honored.

>> I bought you a present actually to

celebrate. Close your eyes. All right,

close your eyes. It should be a diamond

bracelet, I suppose, or at the very le

champagne. But I thought that this might

do in the meantime.

Tada.

>> It's just a mockup, of course. Entirely

subject to the author's approval. Of

course, she may want her name in larger

letters. I hear she's a bit of a dragon,

Mrs. Beaton.

[snorts]

>> Oh, Sam.

>> It's lovely.

I just want you to know what a great

thing you've done here

and here.

>> There you are.

>> Oh yeah.

>> Now interesting moment.

>> Beautiful. Here I am finally with a

healthy baby in my lovely home.

>> Book finished.

>> Surely now is the time to stop working

and concentrate on running the home and

family.

>> I could have done that, but to be

honest, I'd had my fill of housekeeping

and cooking. I liked being in the

office. And I had a new idea for my next

project. And of course, a little success

goes a long, long way.

[cheering]

[applause]

>> There she is. Listen to this. Listen to

this. The London Reviewer. It has long

been held that England needs a

gastronomic regenerator.

And for a really valuable repetitry of

hints on all sorts of culinary and

household matters, we recommend Mrs.

Beaton's book of household management.

above all others.

Well, I listen listen. It says here,

"Mr. Beaton must be a husband truly

blessed to be ministered to by such a a

paragon of domestic and matronly

competence [laughter]

to Mrs. Beaton, the brilliant,

beautiful, and not at all matronly Mrs.

Beaton."

>> Thank you both. But as we know, the

proof of the pudding is in the sales

figures

>> just to watch it march off the shelves.

>> Let's hope so. Anyway, [clears throat]

gentlemen, I call the annual general

meeting of Beaton Publishing House to

order. Item one, periodicals. Fred,

>> periodicals. Doing well. The English

woman's circulation is stable despite

the price increase earlier in the year,

and the boy's own is just about, well,

holding its own. So, not a bad show, all

things considered.

>> Thank you, Mr. Greenwood. Item two,

books. Sam,

>> the aforementioned management is on sale

at a bookshop near you. A bargain at

only seven and six. We consider this to

just be the beginning of a whole range

of encyclopedias and are currently

commissioning Beaton's dictionary of

universal information. Beaton's book of

songs, Beaton's Book of Gardening,

Beaton's Book of Birds. Oh yes,

expansion is very much the name of the

game here at the Beaton Book Department.

>> Thank you, Mr.

>> No, I can never remember his name

either.

And said expansion leads us swiftly on

to item three, finance. Can we afford it

all?

>> We must speculate to accumulate, which

is what we are doing and have been doing

to very great success. A jolly good

year.

>> But do we actually have any money in the

bank?

>> Aha, even better. The bank has money in

us, which just goes to show. Oh, pass

mustard.

Excellent. Now, any other business?

>> Well,

>> have you been up to something behind my

back?

>> You tell him. I don't think he'd hit a

woman.

>> It's an idea for another magazine.

Something quite different to English

Women's Domestic, which is of course

great, but very

>> domestic.

>> Exactly. We were thinking something less

home orientated and more

You know, out in the world,

>> public events,

>> theater, opera,

>> gallery, please,

>> society news, fashion,

>> what the royal family are up to,

>> weddings, balls, parties.

>> Hang on, hang on, hang on, hang on. This

is all a bit of a far cry from the

housewife of Chipping Sodbury, isn't it?

>> Well, that's just it. Women may live a

humdrum existence, but they're

fascinated about what goes on amongst

the upper etchelums. We give them a

window into high society.

What do you think?

>> You have a a name for this curious

publication.

>> Send victorious,

happy and glorious

long to re

God save the queen.

In fact, my book sold only moderately

well at first, whereas The Queen found

its market immediately and hit the

ground running.

I was so proud of its success.

But then,

>> but then

we all know what pride comes before,

don't we, children?

Sam started [music] staying at work

later and later. [snorts]

>> Coming home with whiskey on his breath

or

>> not coming home at all.

It could only be one thing.

>> Bella,

>> what are you doing here?

>> What's her name?

>> What?

Whoever.

>> Whoever she is.

Bella, but I

there's no um

God, Bella, I would never never touch

me.

>> There's no girl

>> then. What is it?

>> Would you help me out?

>> What keeps you here every night?

>> Oh, Christ.

It's all my fault. Sorry.

I'm sorry.

>> What?

>> The bank won't give us another penny.

The debts are huge.

>> Debts?

>> What debt?

>> Printers, paper suppliers, illustrators,

a bank.

>> No, we were doing well.

My god, we've worked our fingers to the

bone.

A good year. You said you told me the

bank.

You lied to me.

>> I thought I could turn it around.

>> You lied to me.

>> The cost of launching the queen was too

much.

>> God's sake, why didn't you just tell me?

>> I DIDN'T WANT TO WORRY YOU. I knew you

would be upset, angry. Oh, so instead

you thought if I drink enough whiskey,

the whole nasty business will just go

away.

>> Speculate to accumulate.

Oh Christ,

how bad is it? Are we bankrupt?

>> I don't even know.

>> Right.

>> Well,

I'm going to the office to go through

the books.

I'll see you when you've sobered up

and had a bath.

Talk about the scales falling from your

eyes.

Trust is the secret to a good marriage.

Don't you think like a good stock.

With it, everything can be done.

But without it,

I worked all night. It seemed to me

there was a chance we could escape

data's prison.

>> If we were prepared to do a little spot

of belt tightening,

>> frugality and economy are home virtues

without which no household can prosper.

Dr. Johnson says frugality may be termed

the daughter of prudence, the sister of

temperance, and the parent of liberty.

On the other hand, he that is

extravagant will quickly become poor,

and [music] poverty will enforce

dependence and invite corruption.

We had to auction off our fastest

seller, the queen, leave that deer house

in Pina, and move into the rooms above

the office.

No.

Oh, there you go. There you go. There

you are.

Oh,

>> I'm sorry, my darling. Mommy can't stop

and play now. We've got to get our new

house ready. I'm sorry, my love.

>> Difficult not to feel somewhat bitter

towards one's husband at a time like

this.

Bella.

>> Time for a nap, I think. Thank you,

Anna.

[music]

>> Oh, Fred,

I'm so sorry we have to let you go.

>> I'm going to miss you.

>> We're a good team.

Favor of us.

>> Look after our little one.

>> Yeah,

I'll do my best.

>> Well, lad, take the basket.

Thank you, lad.

>> Okay.

>> Good luck with it all, old man.

>> Good luck yourself.

>> Sorry, it's not much of a thank you

present, but I've marked all your

favorite dishes.

>> Thank you.

>> Toaden the holes, page 313.

Yeah,

>> I'll be off then.

>> I'll see you around.

>> Goodbye.

>> Have a donation. That's the last thing I

need.

>> Mother papa. Hello. Goodness, what a

lovely surprise.

>> So,

this is the nerve center of the

publishing world, eh?

>> Come up, why don't you?

>> It's only a few more steps.

>> Here we are.

I'm afraid you've caught us. We're not

really sorted yet.

Well, we just we just thought to bring

you a few things there.

>> Thank you.

>> Oh, just some preserves.

>> Come on, mother. You must sit down after

all those stairs.

Allow me.

>> Mother,

you didn't say it.

>> No, I wasn't sure. I thought at my time

of life it wasn't well.

>> 47 years of age and expecting a 17th

child, my 21st.

Well, it's nothing to be ashamed of.

We've done our Christian duty and we've

been very blessed.

>> Congratulations.

It's marvelous. You are astonishing,

mama,

and looking so well.

>> Is there still no news on your side?

>> No.

Where is my little grandson then?

>> I'm afraid he's gone for his nap, but I

could.

>> No, no, no, no, no, no. Let him sleep.

We're happy to find you here alone.

Actually, Henry has something to say,

don't you, darling?

>> Bella.

Dear Bella,

we can't stand to see you living like

this. Let us help you. This is no place

to raise a family.

>> But it's only temporary in the middle of

the city. Dirty, noisy, full of beggars.

>> It's very convenient, actually.

>> You're barely 30 yards from the slums.

You're right on the edge of things here.

The foulest, the filthiest.

>> Open sewers, slops out of the window.

Think of the disease. My darling,

>> you can't stay here for the boy's sake.

>> He needs to be running around in the

fresh air.

>> Bella, this is awful.

>> Look, I'm prepared to rent a house for

you somewhere decent, somewhere near us

in Surrey. I can't have a daughter of

mine reduced to this. What would people

think?

>> It's kind of you, but I know Sam

wouldn't hear of it.

>> Too proud, is he, to accept my money?

But he's not too proud to have his wife

working her fingers to the bone on damn

fool bloody cookery books, is he?

>> That is not

>> Oh, that husband of yours. He'll

sacrifice his wife and his family before

his blasted pride is hurt.

>> You've never liked him, have you? You've

been waiting for something like this to

happen. just to prove yourself right.

Bella, you care more about how THIS

REFLECTS ON YOU, WHAT YOUR FRIENDS AND

NEIGHBORS will say. Well, I can assure

you Sam is perfectly CAPABLE OF

PROVIDING FOR HIS FAMILY WITHOUT YOUR

INTERFERENCE.

>> BELLA, we are just trying to help you.

>> Come on, my dear.

I won't have you upset.

Not in your condition.

Elizabeth,

>> was Sam worth the fight?

He did work hard that winter to get the

business back on track, and so did I,

trying to find forgiveness in my heart.

[music]

Then I thought with Christmas coming, we

both needed a rest and [music] a chance

to to

find each other again. [music] I decided

a change of air would do all three of us

the power of good.

We had such fun to begin with, the three

of us.

But by Christmas Day,

little Sammy had developed a nasty rash.

and a high temperature.

Sam scoured the town and finally pulled

a doctor away from his turkey dinner.

He couldn't really say what was wrong.

told us to keep the child on fluids

and watch

and wait.

[music]

He died on New Year's Eve.

>> [laughter]

>> 7 years of marriage.

No house,

no garden,

[music]

no children,

[music] no money.

>> [music]

>> Just a book.

And what use is that?

[music]

[music]

>> [music]

[snorts]

>> It's past 10.

I've been keeping dinner warm since 7.

>> Please come upstairs and have something

to eat and come to bed.

>> I'm not hungry and I've got to finish

this.

>> I said I'd do that in the morning.

>> I want to do it tonight.

All right.

Have you drunk that whole bottle?

>> Why don't you have your supper and go to

bed?

>> Don't weigh up for me.

>> You can't even look at me, can you?

>> What am I supposed to do?

Stand by and watch you throw your health

away?

just meekly look on while our business,

our marriage lurches from crisis to

crisis.

We're meant to be partners,

a team.

>> This isn't the man I married. Yes, it

is. This is the man you married, but

clearly not the man you wished you

married. You or your bloody parents. No.

No. Turns out I'm not the cash and baby

making machine you were all hoping for.

Am I? Well, am I?

Am I Bella?

>> Well, of course. Grief makes it [music]

bitter and self-destructive sometimes.

I knew that,

but I had never seen Sam like this.

>> I didn't know what to do.

>> Who to turn to?

>> Where to go?

>> Hey,

you might find that.

>> Wait.

Please,

>> you're not well.

>> You need a doctor.

[music]

NOW IT'S ME. BETTER. IT'S ME. It's me.

Are you on?

>> D. Darling, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean

it. You know that I didn't mean it,

don't you?

[sighs]

Don't ever run away from me again.

Promise me.

promise.

>> Whether [music] purchasing a dress,

bonnet, shawl, or ribband, it is well

for the bar to consider three things.

One, that it be not too expensive for

her purse. Two, that its size and

pattern harmonize with her figure.

Three, that its tint [music] allows of

it being worn with the other garments

she possesses. To brunettes, silks of a

gray hue are well adapted, [music] and

for blondes, lighter colors are

preferable. The colors which go best

together are green with violet, [music]

gold with dark crimson or lilac, pale

blue with scarlet, pink with black or

white, and gray with scarlet or pink.

For richer, for poorer, in sickness and

in health,

this is when you learn what love really

means. And we had a mission.

We were determined to turn our company

round and get ourselves back in the

black. Sam came up with a great new

promotional scheme which he reckoned

would double circulation on the English

women's domestic.

Uh Mr. Pollard,

we decided that fashion would be its new

focus.

And there's only one place in the world

to go for that.

>> [music]

>> I

wish you.

[music]

We

Ms. Emadan beaten.

bloody French in Napoleon.

Do you think we're allowed to sit on

these or are they just for show?

>> Madam

Shante,

>> so I understand that you are interested

in purchasing from us the the patterns

for the dress. Yes,

>> indeed. We want to include a paper

pattern for a Paris dress as a free gift

in our magazine. a different dress each

month.

>> Free. Free

>> as an incentive to buy the magazine.

>> You must understand that these patterns

to manufacture is not cheap. Not cheap

at all.

>> No, but for a large print run.

>> Well, it would have to be a minimum of

two 300 for the machinery for less is

not possible.

>> Yes, but our circulation is around

60,000.

It means

please make yourself comfortable.

Albert

Shanta's dress is composed of an

exquisite emerald class silk with pand

with a magnificent train.

>> [music]

>> The dress is white with lace and has

ribbons for accent

dress

with now this is more like it.

I could get used to

Oh, madame beaten. An excellent deal.

Let's crack open some more champagne and

celebrate.

>> Ah,

>> what?

>> We only have six franks and 82 s teams.

>> Oh, yeah.

[snorts]

>> Never mind.

>> I think I've had enough champagne in my

condition.

>> There's no such thing as enough champ.

>> You sure?

>> 3 months. I wanted to wait until I was

positive.

>> Oh, God. Bella

Bissima, you are the most precious,

dearest thing to me and the cleverest

woman I know. [laughter]

[gasps]

Come on, let's go and find an incredibly

cheap cafe. [laughter]

>> Half a pound of tuppy rice, half a pound

of tree. That's the way the money goes.

Pop goes the weasel. Up and down the

city road in and at the

Oh, mom. I'm sorry I didn't see you

there.

>> No. No.

>> It's lovely.

>> It's so nice having a baby in the house

again, though, isn't it? And such a

bonny one.

>> Thank you.

How is he?

>> A nasty case of bronchitis.

Total bed rest for the next few days.

Try to keep him out of the office for at

least [laughter] another week.

>> I'll try, but he can be rather stubborn.

>> Send me again if he hasn't improved by

Thursday.

>> Before you go, I Well,

I'm worried about Sam.

He's so thin and his chest seems to be

getting weaker and weaker. He catches

every sore throat and cold that's about

and his moods can be very

changeable.

Tell me truthfully, doctor. Do you think

he's consumptive?

>> No. No.

>> No.

You would tell me, wouldn't you? I

should like to be prepared for the

worst. If

>> it's not TB of that, I'm certain.

His health certainly is fragile, but

well, there could be many other reasons

for that.

The best thing you would do would be to

take him out of London, get some fresh

air into his lungs.

Be good for the baby, too.

[snorts]

An old colleague of Sams let us rent his

place in Kent very cheaply. Thank God.

It did us all good to get out into the

country.

I was determined to get Sam back to full

health, even if I had to do all the

research myself.

>> Hello. Sorry to disturb you.

>> Hello, Mrs. Brown. Myra, please. My

husband and I live just over the fields

there. Saw you moving in. Just came to

say welcome to the neighborhood.

Isabella Beaton. My husband's at work.

I'm afraid we're a bit

>> No, don't worry. I shan. I just I

brought you this. It's elderberry wine.

My husband makes it. It's not too bad,

actually. Well, it's better than his

cabbage and parinet. Put it that way.

>> Thank you.

>> Oh, and I I saw you had a little one.

So, well, it's just a silly thing.

I make them.

>> Oh, you're too kind.

Here. He's just waking up.

>> Oh, isn't he beautiful?

Do you have children?

>> No, not not yet.

We haven't been.

That is so far we haven't

>> I understand. Believe me.

So, where does your husband work?

>> He has a publishing firm in London in

the Strand.

>> Oh, Beaton's Books, of course.

>> You're Mrs. Beaton.

I've got your book.

>> Oh, yes. I suppose I don't believe

[laughter] this.

You wrote that book. I live my life by

that book.

>> Oh, no. [laughter]

No. I really do. I can't believe this.

It's amazing. [crying]

You're You're so young.

>> Would you like to hold him?

>> You never guessed what I picked up in

the market. Nothing too expensive, I

hope.

>> COMMANDER,

>> it was quite the bargain. I gone for a

cup of tea in an orange.

>> How lovely to see you. You're looking

grand.

You must be doing well for yourself.

>> He's editing the cornhole these days.

Quite the intellectual new.

>> I hear you're doing very well. Word is

that you're cooking up a new title.

>> We are.

>> Ah, top secret, I'm afraid. Old chap.

Strictly confidential.

>> It's called The Young English Woman. A

kind of partner to the Boys Home. Same

size and layout, same age group. We're

trying to get the first edition out for

November to pick up the Christmas

subscriptions, but it's all the usual

scramble.

>> Turned into quite the professional,

hasn't she? Little darling.

>> Have you met my assistant?

>> I told her everything she knows. Without

me, she'd be such a pig.

>> Oh, how I've missed you both.

>> This is the cover. What do you think?

Don't show him that. For God's sake,

these Fleet Street boys all the same.

Absolute sharks. All over tomorrow's

papers before you can say knife.

>> Splendid.

I'm sure it will be a huge hit.

You know, Mrs. B, if you are ever

looking for another appointment, a woman

of your stature in the industry, your

experience,

>> hands off, matey. Anyway, we're very

busy here.

Straight into a new production come the

new year, aren't we? Congratulations.

>> Fingers crossed.

>> A Christmas dinner with the middle

classes of this empire would scarcely be

a Christmas dinner without its turkey.

In its wild state, [music] the turkey

usually associates in families

consisting of one male and several

females. The disposition of [music] the

female is much more gentle than that of

the male, which is extremely furious.

This is chestnut fools [music] meat. You

can just as easily use sausage meat.

Then make sure it's firmly trusted.

>> Oh, look at that.

>> Wonderful.

[applause]

>> Thank you, An.

>> Look at all this.

very much to be grateful for.

To [music] our dear dear friends in the

season of goodwill, health, wealth, and

happiness. Merry Christmas.

>> Merry Christmas. Christmas.

>> Oh, that's better.

Oh, bliss.

It's so much nicer than last year.

We were at my parents and Charles had

the hiccups all the way through dinner.

[snorts]

>> Are your parents still

>> Oh, yes. But we don't really.

They think Sam's some hairbrain radical

who forces his wife to work. Not what

they had in mind for their daughter.

>> Oh, I know. They wanted you to dedicate

your life to fine embroidery. Well,

Sam's not an easy man by any means.

But he has such energy.

That's what I fell in love with.

He has such ambition, not just for

himself, but for me, too. And he has

what?

He has a vision.

Charles had a vision.

It's terribly.

He is a deer

and terribly

reliable.

But of course, we expected to have a

family by now.

Maybe you could try your hand at writing

for the magazine.

>> Really? Do you think I could? Why not?

You have time on your hands. You might

enjoy it.

>> We certainly need the help.

>> I'd love to.

Can you pass me the medical dictionary?

Have a very curious one here about boils

and car.

>> Oh,

>> right. I'm going for the doctor. But no,

they're still too far apart.

>> Kenny can have a cup of tea and a slice

of cake while he's waiting.

[sighs]

By the time Sam got home that day, there

was another little beat.

>> Boy.

Look at you. [music] Aren't you

beautiful?

Are you all right?

>> Just exhausted.

I must sleep. Sorry, darling.

>> Well, you sleep.

Oh, come here, fella. Hey. Hey, fella.

Oh,

aren't you so beautiful?

They have the most beautiful [music]

eyes,

beautiful little mouth.

[music]

You're so

so beautiful.

So beautiful.

[music]

[music]

Oh yeah.

[music]

Dr. Ramsey, why are you here?

>> Is the baby all right?

>> The baby's fine. Fine. And with the

nurse?

Sam came to fetch me this morning. You

had a bad night.

I think you have a touch of child bed

fever. No, I'm fine.

>> It's very common. Just a bit of

infection from the process of birth.

Tom,

>> yes, I'm afraid it is.

Now,

you're a healthy woman. There's no

reason why you shouldn't shake this off

within the week. If you rest properly

and have plenty of fluids, you need all

your energy to fight off this infection.

You must have complete quiet and rest.

Understood.

Try and get some sleep. I'll be in later

to see if your temperature's dropped.

But how could I rest?

It all added up.

Sam's poor health, his cough,

his mood swings.

I must be [music] infected.

Miscarriages.

Mute births,

our first two children dying so young,

all down to his disease.

Syphilis sent you mad, blind,

disfigured. Everyone knew that.

Would I have to watch Sam die like that?

[music]

Would I die like that?

Would

our two little boys survive?

[music]

How could you?

>> Mom, please calm yourself. [snorts] It's

just a fever.

That's all. That's all it is. Now, try

and relax.

That's it.

>> [music]

[music]

>> She's [music] worse.

The doctor came again and bled her also.

There's nothing we can do now but wait

and pray.

Oh, sir,

[music]

come and get some sleep. I'll [music]

sit with a nap.

>> I'll call you if there's any change. I

promise.

Come rest.

You were here.

[music]

Oh, God.

Bella.

Hold time, my love.

So you're tired.

>> Hold on. Hold on to me.

Nothing less

to fight with.

I need you.

I'm the commander of an army.

>> Burn please

of an army.

It's losing

the battle

happens every day. Someone dies young

and is buried quietly.

Of course, my parents laid the blame

squarely at Sam's door.

Said he had worked me to death,

which really wasn't fair. [music]

Afterwards, Sam just [music] couldn't

focus on the business and was soon deep

in debt again. Fortunately, however,

help was at hand.

Afterwards, Myra and Charles moved in

with Sam.

They took good care of my boys. Too

young to remember me, they came to know

her as their mother.

A scandal, my parents said, Bella not

[music] cold in her grave.

A strange manager may be,

but it worked.

It made sense for Myra [music] to step

into my shoes at the office, too.

Nevertheless, it wasn't long before he

was forced to sell up with his empire

gone. His vision shattered. Sam went

into a steep decline.

And as his [music] disease worked its

way through his body, it also corrupted

his brain. His own writing was affected.

He produced cruel satires [music] and

salacious pieces about discipline,

whipping, and finally [music] descended

into thinly veiled pornography.

So sad. [music]

He died 12 years after me.

[music]

And my book,

well, the publishers [music] Sam had

sold it to kept printing and reprinting

it. Since [music] when it's been cut

down, expanded, updated,

and is still going strong today.

Why?

Something about [music] the original

must have struck a chord with women over

the years. Women just [music] like me

who fight what sometimes feel like

overwhelming odds. simply to feed

[music] their families and hold their

homes together.

No matter what life throws at them

[music]

>> [music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

>> Masterpiece Theater was made possible by

the Corporation for Public Broadcasting

and by contributions to your PBS station

from viewers like you. Thank you.