All language subtitles for All Passion Spent Episode 1

Oh dear. Its all so...

Its from the palace Lady Edith.

Shall I take it to Lady Slane?

She's alone with father.

Then perhaps his lordship...

Herbert? That's all right Parker. I'll take it.

[music plays]

...from the king and queen.
Herbert: I have been expecting that.

You can hardly squeeze through the hall for flowers. It's just like a wedding.

I mean...

Are those dreadful journalists
still blocking the entrance?

I believe so. I wonder if they'd like some tea.

Let me see their Majesty's message, Edith.

But Herbert, it's addressed to mother.

I'm sure its intended for us all.

I do think she ought to see it first.

I'll run it up to her.
Perhaps I had better.

I don't mind really.

Isn't Mother wonderful? She's so calm, so controlled.

She always has been.
Of course there is always the chance

that your mother will
give way to grief later.

Perhaps I'd better go up.
Dear Deborah is so young.

Be quiet Mabel. Do sit down.

There's so much to decide and delays are costly.

Mother will depend on us. She's a wonderful woman but decisions have always been made for her.

Father never gave her the chance.
Really, Kay. Nobody can replace father.

When you say depend, Carrie,
do you mean financially?

My dear William, with father scarcely cold!

Our concern is naturally for your
mother's welfare Herbert.

First things first. There are the funeral arrangements to be made.

Whether mother wants the Abbey or
father's old parish church in Huddersfield.

Personally I prefer Huddersfield.

You wouldn't be seen dead in Huddersfield.

I didn't mean...

If you would be good enough to give me
their Majesty's letter Edith.

[Music playing]

He gave instructions that when he came
to die, the house should not be dark.

Ah, Mother. How are you feeling?

Deborah is not tiring you?
Of course not, Dear.

I'm very glad of her company.
This message has just come from the palace.

Would you like me to read it to you?
Thank you Dear, but I can still read for myself.

Well Mother, what does it say?

The usual sort of things.

The usual?

Of course when you're feeling more yourself...

I'm not an invalid. Perhaps you'd
ring the bell before you go down

Certainly, certainly.

You rest and we shall wait until you are
ready to make decisions. There's no hurry,

no hurry at all. Deborah
can stay with you.

IF she would like to.

You know I would
Great Grandmother.

I'll leave you for a bit then.

Perhaps a little later we could
discuss the ah... arrangements.

Only if you feel
up to it of course.

Of course thank you dear.

[Speaks French]

M'lady rang?
Yes, Genoux. Would you bring us some tea?

I think the kitchen will be very busy
with everybody downstairs.

Yes M'lady

it will be good to leave
the folk and M' Lord for a while.

He will not want for you
to fatigue yourself.

No, he never wanted
me to be fatigued.

Few of our statesmen so distinguished
themselves as our Viceroy in India

and as Prime Minister he
overcame the difficulties

that beset the nation with
characteristic good sense.

His advice, his judgment, his humor and his force manship will be sorely missed and we join

with you in mourning the passing of an
old and valued friend to us and to the country.

How nice of them!
Nice, Edith?

Mother didn't seem very impressed

You know, she never shows much emotion.
She's coping wonderfully!

It's a generous tribute. I only wish
they'd been more generous when father was alive.

They did make him in an Earl and
a Knight of the Garter, you know.

What William means Kay is if the State had shown its gratitude to your father in more tangible terms...

How old are you Lavinia? Oh! I'm so sorry.
Did I interrupt?

I was just trying to work out what the
total of all our ages must be.

We Holland's alone from Herbert
down to Kay must add up to over 300.

And when you think that Mother is 85...
Herbert: That'll do Edith.You may be interested to know

William, that father discussed the whole
matter of income with me. Indeed I may

say he took me entirely into his confidence.
Really? Since Mother and I managed most of

his affairs and Edith wrote all his letters.
as you know father was not a rich man...

and most of his income dies with him of course.
Quite.

leaving mother with an income
of five hundred a year.

Net or gross?

Net.

One can manage on five hundred.

I suppose since you were in his
confidence Herbert

father didn't happen
to mention the jewels did he?

He did.
and Herbert?

He has seen fit to leave them
unconditionally to mother.

In that case, Mother or surely want to sell them.

And quite right too.
Why should she keep a lot of useless

jewels lying in the bank?

No, properly handled
they should fetch

several thousand pounds wouldn't you say?
Isn't it rather early to talk about...

Be quiet, Mabel
this is a family matter.

More important than the jewels
or the income is where Mother is to live.

Clearly she cannot be left alone.
Oh certainly not. What would people think of us?

In any case she could not afford to
keep this house on five hundred a year.

It must be sold but
where is she to go?

As the eldest I feel it is my duty

to ask mother to make
her home with us.

That's all very well Herbert
and wonderful as mother is -

You keep saying that as if you expect her
to rant and rave and froth at the mouth.

Don't be silly Kay. Mother has
never had much grasp of the world as it really is.

She's not one of those clever
women, thank God.

Mother has always allowed others
to make decisions for her

and now that father has gone...

I suppose since I have always lived at home
that I should really bear the brunt.

Brunt, Edith? I'm sure we shall all regard it
as a privilege to look after Mother.

Brunt is an entirely
unsuitable expression.

Oh dear when you say it like that Carrie, I
'm not even sure what it means.

If Edith is good enough to offer. -
We should all bear our share.

Not much room in my
little place you know

and since Edith isn't married -
and nor are you Kay.

not that that has anything to do with the
matter. You can always get rid of some of

your collection can't you?
My astrolabes?!

I don't mind really I don't!

I had hoped one day to move
into a little place of my own.

None of us would wish to take advantage
of your unselfishness dear Edith.

I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say
that it would make the most sense

if mother were to stay with
each of us in turn.

Right, quite right.

Of course despite our limited income

Lavinia and I would always be
happy to welcome Mother

but at the same time

I think it's fair to come to
some financial arrangement.

What on earth do you mean?

I was thinking of Mother. Of saving
her any embarrassment

a couple of pounds perhaps.

Or guineas...
Isn't it rather delicate to talk about it.

Quite right Mabel.

I don't think any discussion of this unpleasant
circumstance until after the funeral.

If we devote the energy we are currently
wasting on trifles to deciding the

immediate question such as where father
is to be buried, who is to be invited and

when it shall be...
where are you going, Kay?!

I... I have an engagement...

An engagement?!

When father lies dead and Mother
has only us to rely on.

Well of course if you think I ought to...
Oh, let him go.

Right

right

Sorry you're going, Kay.

I think I should go get some dinner.
Cook'll have enough to do.

but I'll come back later
if you think I should.

No, Kay. of course not.

Thank you, Parker.

Good night, sir.

Good. I mean -

they'll settle everything won't they?
with or without me.

I shall miss you, that's all.

Where are you going?
Only to the club

dinner with old Fitz.

you go home and change.
I'll look after Mother.

[Music plays]

There was a time when I longed to be a boy because boys could go where they

were encouraged to go where they liked
to have adventures. Whereas girls...

all we were fit for was marriage.

No I'm not going to
think about that.

No I'm going to save
that luxury for... for later.

Would you like to talk about him?

What, Dear?

I don't see why just because he's dead we should stop ourselves mentioning great-grandfather do you?

Oh no. no no.

The most courteous person I ever met.
Lady Slane:Yes he was, and a truly civilized... no even

rarer, a truly adult mind

and absolutely charming irresistible.
Yes.

Do you know someone once told me that he hindered
himself as a politician by always seeing

both sides of a case. His officials would
set out the advantages of two opposing

policies and he would
write yes at the bottom.

He could get to the heart of an
argument quicker than anyone.

Did he listen to you?

How do you mean dear?

I mean actually listen to what you had to say.

He was a wonderful listener.

[Door knock]

Are we disturbing you, Mother?
No dear of course not.

We've been having a most interesting conversation.
Good good

now do you feel up to making a

decision about something which cannot, I
fear, be put off much longer.

And what is that dear?
Perhaps you and I had better discuss it alone mother

Mabel would you take Deborah

The car is waiting to take us home dear if you'd
like to come down with me.

Sad that your parents cannot make it
back in time for the funeral but there we are.

One never knows.
Goodbye great grandmother

And thank you for keeping
me company, Deborah.

Is there anything you'd like?
Something to eat or drink?

Thank you, Mabel. You leave me in good hands.

Now Mother

as to where Father
should be buried

of course, the decision is entirely yours.
Yes. dear

You're absolutely free to choose between
Huddersfield who said how honored they'd be

or the Abbey or to settle
him somewhere else.

And what is your opinion dear?
Well, of course, Mother...

Huddersfield has much to commend it

but I am bound to say that since Father's
ties with it have been broken for so long...

Of course

So what do you think?

What do you think, Dear?

No Mother, I think on this occasion
the decision must be yours.

Very well

the Abbey you say?

Of course it would be
a great honour

the crowning honour of father's life in a
manner of speaking.

I think the Abbey would
be very nice Dear.

Are you quite sure?
Quite.

Very well.

I'll make the necessary arrangements.

Shall we say the end of the week?

That would be quite all right
as far as I'm concerned Herbert.

Now you have nothing more to concern yourself about at least until afterwards. One thing at a time. Eh?

Isn't that what father used to say?

No, Dear. But never mind.

Evening FitzGeorge

You're late Holland. Two minutes.

Dear me So I am

Well we better go straight in then, hadn't we?
mmm...

I uh -

[music]

Do you really think she wants to be
treated like a precious vase?

What do you mean?

You know, as if you were so fragile the
least sudden noise would shatter her.

She isn't like that. Even father never
treated her like that. How he'd laugh.

Oh I don't mean you Carrie, but
some of the others. I mean William

and Lavinia... wanting mother
as a sort of paying guest.

Really. Those two think of nothing but saving
money. I'm quite surprised they haven't

collected the fallen fruit from
the garden to make into jam.

Genoux wouldn't let them I'm sure of that.
I don't know what to do about Genoux.

But she's been with Mother all her life!
Yes but if Mother lives with each of us in turn

Genoux won't be needed. Don't accuse me Edith.

We shall have to give the
matter some serious thought.

Do you think I shall be think I shall be able to get a little flat on my own?

With my own latchkey. Where I can sit in my own
sitting-room and read books by the fire.

I find there's far too much to do for
self-indulgence, but if that's the way

you choose to spend your time...

Oh I shan't waste my time Carrie but after

all these years of answering father's
letters and adding up the household

accounts, taking father for a walk and
accompanying mother when she opens a new ward.

She won't want to give up all her
charitable works but I shall assist her.

She enjoys our outings.
But of course I shall do my share.

Do you have to go?

Well, I have a home of
my own to attend to.

You're not afraid of being
left in the house surely.

With a dead father and a live
mother. No... but it is rather strange.

I'll return first thing in the morning.

For more wrangling?

I'm not aware of having
wrangled with anybody.

No no I didn't mean
wrangling but it's just as if we were

all dogs fighting over Mother like a
very old bone.

Edith...

I know her better than anyone else
I know that. Oh, well.

I shall go and see to Mother.

I've just thought!

I'll be able to have a
canary won't I?

Might be worth 50 guineas

if what you claim is true.
Claim?! What d'you mean, claim?

I've forgotten more about porcelain than you
will ever learn and I have said it is sacred.

With all respect old man, I think
it's fake. You can tell by the pattern.

Have you ever known me wrong Holland?

Who was it who found a Donatello in a
basement in the Tottenham Court Road?

Nobody admires your collection
more than I do FitzGeorge,

but we can all be wrong sometimes.

Why don't you stick to those
astrolabes of yours?

Though why a man who doesn't
like the sea and can't stand heights

should waste his time collecting
navigational instruments defeats me!

Coffee?

All right.

Have a brandy

Brandy? No I didn't think so.
FITZ: Nonsense.

You're tired, a bit droopy.

Not quite a spruce as usual.

brandy is what you need
so don't make a fuss!

Now look here Holland. I...

what I wanted to say
was, umm...

PORTER: Taxi Mister Holland, sir?

Taxi? What he want to waste
his money on a taxi?

Nothing wrong with his legs, is there?

It's all right James, I'll walk
since it's such a fine evening.

well FitzGeorge

Sorry to hear about
your father Holland.

Yes, thank you.

most kind

Perhaps some day you take
me to call on Lady Slane, hmm?

Yes, yes of course.

If you care to.
I would.

Well, good night, FitzGeorge.

Good night to you.

Good night.

[music]

I think that all went as your father
would have wished, don't you?

Wasn't it funny to see the Prime Minister and the leader of the Opposition being so pally over the coffin.

Very good of the royal princes
I thought, and the Duke of Gloucester.

Very. I'm sure that you'd all like
something to drink.

At once m'lady.

If you will excuse me
I think I'll go upstairs.

You've been an inspiration
to us all Mother.

We all admire your strength and courage
these last few painful days.

The way you decided what
needed to be done.

But you've done all that for me
haven't you my dears?

Genoux has had all your father's shirts
laundered, but I don't know what

you'd like me to do with these other
things. It seems a pity to give them to Parker,

especially as they won't fit.

Must we concern ourselves
with that now mother?

Mr. William and Mrs. Holland, m'lady.

We'll ring for tea later. Thank you, Parker.
Very good, m'lady.

Mother dear

we have had some discussions
we are all concerned for your future.

But you've decided that
for me Herbert haven't you?

Well... decided it for you mother dear

decided is hardly the word. We have
talked over a little scheme which we

wanted to put to you.

We realize of
course that you would not wish to be

parted from your many
interests and occupations and -

Wait a minute, dear.

What was that about my
interests and occupations?

Come now, Mother Herbert
means your committees.

Your Battersea club for poor women, your
Unfortunate Sister's organization.

Oh yes

Well they could scarcely manage without you.
After all you founded many of them

and have been the life
of so many others.

As one whose frequently attended meetings with you
I know how reluctant you would be to abandon them.

Besides, you would surely be
bored with nothing to do.

You were so active and energetic.

What must be realized is that y
our income will

scarcely suffice to maintain a house of
the size you have been used to.

What we therefore propose is that if you were to
put this house on the market and then

divide your time between us all -

That's very thoughtful of you Herbert

if you would be so kind as to put the house in
the hands of the agents.

I knew you'd agree mother dear
but you mustn't feel hurried.

No doubt it'll take a little time
before a buyer is found.

Mabel and I will expect you
whenever you find it convenient.

But wait Dear. You go a little fast.
I don't agree

You don't agree Mother dear?

No I'm not going to live with you Carrie.
nor with you Herbert, nor with any of you, kind

as you are. I'm going to
live by myself.

Impossible! What will people say?

And where do you propose to live?

Hampstead.

Hampstead?

Not exactly a fashionable area.
Hardly the place for -

Good antique shops.

Think of the travel expense! It's quite out of the
way dear Lady Slane.

Really! We're talking as if the
whole thing were settled.

Mother can't possibly come to a decision without -
I know the very house

but mother dear you
haven't been to Hampstead

30 years ago I saw it then. Genoux could manage it single-handed with

the help of a char and such a dear
little garden with peach trees.

Perfect!

It was to let when I saw it, but of course
your father wouldn't have liked that.

I even remembered the name of the agent.
what was it?

A funny name Carrie perhaps
that's why I remembered it.

Bucktrout! Gervaise Bucktrout.

It seemed to go so well
with the house

I think it sounds too delicious!
Peaches and Bucktrout.

Thank You Mabel

Of course mother dear, the decision is
entirely yours. If you have made up your

mind to this eccentric scheme, then there
is nothing more to be said. But...

don't you think it'll look a little odd in the
eyes of the world that you should choose

a solitary retirement in Hampstead
rather than living with your devoted children?

I don't think so. A great many old ladies live in
retirement in Hampstead.

Besides I have considered the
eyes of the world so long

that I think I deserve a
little holiday from them.

After all, when can one
please oneself if not in old age?

well!

Hampstead may be far off and somewhat
inconvenient, but if you insist on

carrying out this notion of yours

at least we shall see to it
that you're never lonely.

Quite right. and if we ourselves cannot come
there's always the grandchildren

and the great-grandchildren.

Between us all you should have at least one
daily visitor. I shall make sure of it.

I'm afraid Carrie dear that that is
another matter about

which I have made up my mind.
what is?

I'm going to wallow in old age
and be completely self-indulgent.

In what way dear lady Slane?

No grandchildren, they're too young

Not one of them have reached 45 and no
great-grandchildren, that would be worse.

I want no strenuous young people who are
not content just to do a thing but they

have to know why they do it.

Well who'd have thought it!

Before I forget -
ring the bell Herbert.

I've taken all the
jewels out of the bank.

You and Mabel had
better have them.

I wanted to give them
to Mabel years ago

but your father said I must be able to
deck myself out for Grand occasions.

[speaks French]

But of course I have them m'lady.

Does m'lady think I would not
guard her trousseau?

Shall I fetch them?
If you would, Genoux.

Ooh yes but m'lady remembers that the
rings be a special made on a possible

Have no fears Genoux.
I know the rings are mine.

This house in Hampstead. Mother.
How'd you know if it's still vacant?

I telephoned dear. It's been empty for some little while. Carrie: Oh indeed?

Well I have a little time for afternoons
would that suit you?

Thank you dear but I've already made an
appointment to see it with Mr. Bucktrout.

Oh indeed? At what time?

Although it's very kind of you to offer Carrie
I think I will go there alone.

Thank you, Genoux.

You may give them to Lady Slane.

Try this on my dear. I'm sure
it will be most becoming.

Very nice dear Mabel.

Isn't it odd how those oriental presents were of such poor quality. They're quite yellow, really those pearls.

I never noticed when dear
Lady Slane wore them.

Oh dear Mabel, you will have so much to carry.
Mother will have to lend you a portmanteau.

[Thinking] "We're sailing in September my dear. Of course Henry. How long shall we be away?

Two years this time.
Might be longer but at least we shall have

summer with the children first. Yes, Henry."

Good afternoon.

Of course it's been years
since anyone was living here.

Last couple died here
as a matter of fact.

In the bedroom overlooking
the garden.

the one that faces south?
Wouldn't know about that.

All I do is come every day and
keep the place clean and tidy.

terrible

the way the plaster keeps
falling off the walls.

Damp just takes over.

It's like a jungle out there.

and I was just getting the tea.

It's quite all right.

I've arranged to meet Mr. Bucktrout.
There's no need for you to wait.

I'm sure that he will see to everything.

Sure ma'am, only I don't want it
shriveled to nothing.

Not with baking... the prices.
Allow me to give you something for your trouble.

Oh no trouble at all ma'am.
My pleasure ma'am.

If there's anything further...
Thank you so much. Good afternoon.

Bucktrout: Falling... falling...

Mr Bucktrout?

Lady Slane

About the house....

Ah yes the house.

One must be businesslike even
though the glass is falling.

Is it indeed?

I fear so. I fear so.

But about the house...

it is a nice house is it not?

It is a very nice house.

So nice, Lady Slane, that

I wouldn't care to let it to everybody

It's my house you understand. I am the owner as
well as the agent. Had I been merely the

agent I would have felt it my duty to
let it when I could. I had many applicants

but I liked none of them.

That is the reason why
it's been empty very long.

You however, shall see it Lady Slane.

The caretaker did -
How wrong is she named is she not?

She takes no care whatever. A
hurried woman, so harsh, so sordid.

Did you give her a tip?
half a crown.

Oh pity pity. Still too late now.

What did she show you?

Did you see it all?

Morning and drawing room...
Yes, I saw that.

kitchen

Bedroom 1 2 & 3, bathroom 1. Water
electric light and...

Ah... do you care for
mushrooms, Lady Slane?

Mr. Bucktrout!

Come into the kitchen.

A fine cellar.

You can grow some splendid
mushrooms down here.

Ladies, I find seldom

care for wine, so the cellar might just
as well be used for mushrooms

I never yet met with a lady who troubled to
lay down a pint of port. The garden?

Half an acre with ancient fruit trees
including a mulberry.

and peaches.

Peaches indeed.

So Lady Slane, having
seen the house from every angle

what do you think of it?
I think...

I think it probably would suit me very well.

Ah yes! But the question is
will you suit it?

I think you might...
I think you might.

And when you're established -
You believe I will be then? That is my feeling.

is it not yours?

Mr. Bucktrout there are so many
complications to be got through first.

There are papers to sign and orders to give and carpets and curtains. Oh, would that

it were possible to be like the spiders
upstairs, moving silently without fuss.

But we needn't fuss. All that can
be overcome. After all, you remember this

house for thirty years as you told me.
Now why should that be and why should I

have turned away so many tenants if you
and the house weren't meant for one another.

I mean the two things seem to
come together do they not? Converging at

the point after describing
separate arcs.

I am you see, a great believer in the
geometrical designs of destiny.

Should we umm..

Now are you a mathematician?

no no no

No, few ladies are, but I could convince you
by a few simple calculations that the

world is due to end in two years time.
Now what is the point in making a fuss

if that is what destiny has in store?
My own end may come before that

Oh I trust not Lady Slane

But, if the subject interests you, I could come to tea with

you one day when you are settled in and
offer you my demonstration.

Of course if I were only the house's agent I wouldn't
dream of making such a suggestion.

It wouldn't be fitting.
But being also its owner, I feel that

once we've finished all our business
we may meet upon an equal footing.

Indeed Mr. Bucktrout. I trust that you

will visit when you feel inclined.

Lady Slane, you are most gracious.

I'm sure mother's going to get herself
into the most impossible muddle.

I quite agree. When it comes to
practical matters

hopeless

Of course she relied to such an extent on me.
It was very good of you Carrie.

... but one can't really tell somebody 85
that she is incapable.

She'll come round.

Come round to what?

If she does, who knows what damage might already have been caused.

I mean that, left herself
she'll get into a mess.

Just what I said!

... and come to us to get her out of it.
Coupled with what people say...

her resignation from all the committee's caused some comment I can tell you.

As for going alone to Hampstead...
What if this Troutbuck gets her into his clutches?

She's hopeless.
I tried to tell her that agents are naturally
grasping people since that it's the nature

of their profession. All she said was she
was quite sure he was not that kind of person.

Did you try to tell her not to
come to any agreement

without one of us at least
looking it over for her.

My dear William, when you spent as much time with mother as I have

you'd know how hopeless it is trying
to make her see things sensibly.

Sometimes she lives in a world of her own.

Even she can't believe business
is based on philanthropy

this Bucktrout is bound to be
a shark like the rest.

If this man really does get hold of mother, she'll
come to us to release her from his clutches.

We'll just have to wait and hope.

You would want the house
on a yearly tenancy.

If you think that would be best.

Well, it would scarcely be worth your while
to take it on more than a yearly tenancy.

That would suit me very well.

Ah! Then Lady Slane, I shall look
forward to agreeable afternoons at tea time

when I must set before you as a lady
of understanding, my little proofs of the

imminent end of the world.

I'm sure that will be very enlightening, meanwhile..

meanwhile -
meanwhile

there's plaster to be renewed, walls to be
painted, ceilings to be restored, woodwork

to be replaced, the tedious
details of everyday existence.

may I make a suggestion?
Please do.

I know a craftsman

well-acquainted with every aspect of the
building trade, and not too expensive, who

is also, how shall I say, sufficiently
advanced in years to be acceptable company.

A Mr Gosheron.

And you and he could
arrange matters?

yes yes we shall choose
painters and plumbers and carpenters and

upholsterers and you shall make
regular tours of inspection.

Thank you Mr. Bucktrout.

indeed Genoux and I will be frequent callers.

Nothing but a load of worthless junk.

Just because you fail to see
the beauty of precision.

There's more precision in
Leonardo's drawing of a single finger

than in your whole collection
of bits of brass.

I don't deny Leonardo's greatness.

I just happen to enjoy -
You've got the mind of a mechanic.

Pity you are not more
like your mother.

She had the soul of an artist.

My mother?
How do you know?

I saw you in your cradle in Calcutta. 1874.

You never told me.

Well, I did.

She was most gracious, most charming.

Of course she was young then.

Young and very lovely.
I remember thinking

she was the most lovely thing
I'd seen in India.

She's proposing to settle in Hampstead of all places.
What's the matter with Hampstead?

Nothing so far as I'm concerned. Its upset my brothers and sisters I can tell you.

Let me know when she's settled.

yes if you like.

And you fill your house
with things like that!

Why don't you collect umbrellas?

At least they serve
some practical purpose.

Do you not find as you grow older
Lady Slane that one relies more and more

on the society of
one's contemporaries?

I was trying to explain that very point
to my children the other day.

The young are so tiring
so unsettling are they not?

Nowadays I can scarcely endure the
company of anybody under seventy.

The young compel one to look
forward to a life full of effort.

The old permit one to look back
on a life whose effort is done with.

That is reposeful.

Reposeful... indeed.

Repose, Lady Slane is one of the most important
things in life. How few achieve it.

How few indeed even desire it.

The old at least have it imposed upon
them. They're either

infirm or weary, but half of them still sigh for the energy which once was theirs.

It's such a mistake.

That is one mistake at any rate
of which I am not guilty.

No?

Then we're agreed on at
least one of the major subjects.

But isn't it terrible to be twenty?

Its as bad is being faced with riding
over the Grand National course.

Mr. Bucktrout, you forget

that when one was young, one
enjoyed living dangerously. One desired it.

It didn't appall one in the least.

True, true. I was a Hussar
when I was young

my greatest pleasure was pig sticking. I
promise you that I scaled the highest

peak of feeling whenever I saw a fine
pair of tusks coming at me.

I've several pairs mounted in my house
that I should be pleased to show you.

But I had no ambition, you see.
No military ambition.

I never had the slightest wish to command my
regiment so I've resigned my commission.

Ambition was never something
that exercised me.

What I've learned is

the pleasures of activity are easily outweighed
by the pleasures of contemplation.

Would you agree with that?

Yes.

How she could put them off? You know
Mother. She's always been surrounded by

people who tell her what to do.
Who do as they're told.

Excuse me m'lord. The telephone.
Lady Edith.

She probably got off at the wrong stop. Now at Battersea or some such place.

Oh Jenny... some fresh muffins.

I might as well, if you will
excuse me for a moment.

If you want an example how impractical
mother can be

one need look no further
than the jewelry.

Lavinia and I feel exactly the same.

We wouldn't have said anything
about it at the time

but hand over five perhaps
seven thousand pounds worth without...

even considering anybody else!

Hopeless. of course I'm not
thinking of myself, but

one would have thought she might have offered
Lavinia something. and to you Carrie, of course.

And Edith!

At least could've had a broach as
father's daughter.

Mother simply doesn't think
of such things.

In practical matters I'm afraid
she's a simpleton

The only subject we have not discussed

is the matter of the rent.

The rent! Oh! the rent!

No, we should I think be businesslike.

Now what rent would you require?

well now Lady Slane

I counter to your inquiry...
what rent would you be willing to pay?

that is a charming way
of putting it

if a rather peculiar way of doing business.

We may do business anyway we please.
Haven't we earned the right?

I think we have... except that you
have not answered my question.

Ah your pardon, Lady Slane. But you
haven't yet answered mine.

Well, if I were to suggest
say 350 guineas a year.

That's far too much! 150 guineas would be
more than adequate.

come come come now that is too little.
No I assure you.

I may not be much of a
mathematician but surely

a figure somewhere between the two!?

Say... two hundred and fifty guineas.

If such a
figure suits you.

If you are sure it is not too little.

I'm satisfied if you are.

I am very satisfied, Mr Bucktrout.

Then, dear lady, the house is yours.