"Tom writes that they've opened the new sale room." "What about Rose?" "What does she have to say for herself?" "Oh, everything's good." "New York is heaven." "They're taking a house in the Hamptons for the summer." " Ah!" "I think she could be pregnant." " Golly!" "Why do you say that?" "She says, 'l might be back in August, but it's a bit early to say.'" "As usual, you add two and two and make 53." " Busy day?" " Granny's asked me to look in later." "It'll be about the hospital business." "Have you told Mama?" " To be honest, Granny said not to." " You're mad if you don't." "She's a trustee, she belongs there." "Not all the trustees can be at every meeting and I want to see if there's a way to sort it out before bloods on the carpet." " What is it?" " There's a man downstairs, My Lady." " Mr Finch is here to see the agent." " I'll see him." "I suggested that but he said he doesn't want to bother you, or His Lordship, just the agent." "Wait ten minutes and show him into the library." " Very good, My Lady." " You'll have to manage him." "I've got some errands to run and I promised I'd meet Granny at 11." "I want to be left to manage him." "It's my job." "How are preparations for the wedding coming along?" "Slowly but surely, My Lord." "We've settled a date with Mr Travis and now we have to decide where to hold the reception, what there is of one." " Well, here of course." " Absolutely." "We can decorate the servants' hall and make it look really special." "That's kind, My Lord." "As I say, we haven't yet made the decision." "Don't forget poor Mr Finch." "Honestly, Papa, 'We'll decorate the servants' hall'!" " Surely we can do better than that." " What do you mean?" "I don't want to discuss it now." "I'm in a rush." "We'll have a proper conversation later." "I know it's cheating, but I think I might get a jar of horseradish." "It really isn't bad now." " That's not like you." " True." "We could use it in sandwiches without having to go through the palaver." " Can I borrow some soda, Mrs Patmore?" " Borrow?" "So, you'll give it back?" "Any more news on Mr Mason?" "Only that he's losing home and livelihood and it's all my fault." " I'm sure that's not true." " Yes, it is, I caused it." "If it weren't for my big mouth, he might've had a reprieve." " That's not what Miss Baxter says." " She wasn't there." "Have you finished your order list?" "I'll send them out this afternoon." "I'll take them to Mr Bakewell." "I'm going into the village later when I'm free." "That's kind." "I think I'll walk down to the Home Farm myself." " I'll join you." "We'll be back by 12." " Right you are." "I'm sorry I'm a let-down, Mr Finch." "Not a let-down, m'lady, I wouldn't say that, only I need to discuss the entries this year in the fat stock show at Malton." "You won't want to be bothered with it." "I thought all the fat stock shows took place before Christmas?" "They do, usually." "This is an experiment." "And you've come to discuss it with Mr Branson." "I know that's not possible, m'lady, but if you could just tell me who's replaced him..." "Hold onto your hat, Mr Finch, but I'm afraid I have." "Mmm-hmm." "Hmm." "I see." "I've been working with Mr Branson for some years and now I intend to manage myself, with His Lordship." " Well..." "It's a changing world." " It certainly is." "We're anxious the show shouldn't be a let-down, m'lady, so we're really hoping for a decent entry from the Abbey." "We did well with the pigs in the other fat stock shows, so, let me discuss it with our pig man." "You see, these shows don't have the buzz of a county show, but a decent turnout from the surviving estates means they're taken seriously." "The key word being surviving." ""Decorate the servants' hall"?" "I'm not sure how enticing that sounds." " It was meant kindly." " I daresay." "What would you like us to do?" "If I'm honest, I'd like to get away for the day." "Find somewhere local, where we can throw our own party, instead of a gathering by courtesy of the Crawley family." "You do mean to invite them?" "Of course I do." "Why, did you think you'd have to get married without Lady Mary to witness it?" "She's an important figure in my life, Mrs Hughes." " I won't apologise." " Nor do you have to." "I just don't want to be a servant on my wedding day." "Is that so wrong?" "What should I tell His Lordship?" "Tell him thank you, but no." "This seems very formal." "The Royal Yorkshire has written to all our financial donors to canvas their support for the takeover." " Which you'll agree is very sneaky." " I think it's sensible." "The principle benefit of the new arrangement will be to make our money raising activities more coherent and logical." "Well, there's no government funding available, either to them or to us." "Which means we'll become a ward of the larger establishment, while the community forfeit any claims to being treated in their own village." "Well, that depends on how we divide the new departments." "In the end, surely, it comes down" " to how many lives will be saved." "Precisely." "Lord Grantham, are you saying we don't save lives?" "No, of course not." "If you can't say anything helpful, Robert, please be silent." " Helpful to whom?" " And why isn't Cora here?" " It doesn't concern her." " I am the president, you are the almoner," "Dr Clarkson runs the hospital and Robert is the patron and his father gave the land on which the hospital is built." " The four of us constitute a quorum." " I disagree." "Tell her about this meeting, and, when you do, say that Cousin Violet would have kept the rest of us away if she could." "Don't give me ideas." "I suppose you've settled into the routine by this time." "I think so." "I like it here." " It's quite a change from Bayswater." " It's a change that suits me." "In fact, I've been getting to know the estate when I've got a bit of time off." "I thought I'd look at the woods, north of the lake next." "I'll come with you, if you like." "No, you're all right." "I like to walk on my own, if I'm honest." "I agree with you, Andy, it's very liberating." "If you say so." "Mr Carson, I don't suppose there's more news on when you'll be sewing notice?" "Nobody's going to be flung into the road, I can assure you." "No, but I mean..." "Should I start looking for another job'?" "How could it hurt?" "At least you won't be asked to leave until you've got somewhere to go." " I don't know anything of the sort." " But you heard him." "No." "What I heard is that I'm for the chop and they won't wait forever to make it come true." " Mr Dawes." " Mr Molesley." "Might I have a word?" "There's no point in shouting at me, Mr Skinner." "I want what you want, a magazine people like to read." "I don't understand why you're so angry." "I'm simply making suggestions." "Well, I'm sorry you feel that way." "I will be up tomorrow, so we can talk about it then but, please, try and keep calm until I get there." "Goodbye." "We should finish up." "The children will be here in a minute." " Who was it?" " Mr Skinner, in his usual form." "He hates my ideas for the editorial, he hates my suggestions for interviews and he hates the new photographs we've commissioned." "Sounds as if he hates running a magazine." "He hates me." "Let's leave it at that." "I'll have to go up to London, which is a nuisance, but there you are." "How did the meeting go?" "Dr Clarkson wants to win your mother over to Granny's team." " And will he?" " I don't believe so." "I suppose he likes being his own boss and who can blame him?" "Is that fair'?" "It's always been a huge plus that we have our own hospital" " and he wants to retain it." " So, whose side are you on?" "I wish I didn't have to decide." " Ah!" " Hello, my darling." "How was your day?" "I never asked what that man was here for this morning." "Malton is holding a late fat stock show this year." "That sounds rather small beer." "Is it worth the bother?" "I think so." "Two of the pigs are proven winners after all." " I'm going to look at them tomorrow." " Can we come?" "I don't see why not." "I'll tell Nanny." "You want to take them to the Drewes' farm?" "You can come with us if you like." "But is it a good idea?" "Is it safe?" "Don't be such a ninny." "I've said you can come if you want." "It'll be nice for them lo see Marigold." "But, I have to be in London now." "I'll go." "I'm sure it'll be fine." "Well all look at the pigs, then well come home." " Are you on your own?" " Looks like it." "'Cause I've got something for you." "Oh, yes?" "What's that, then?" "You know I went into the village earlier?" " I looked at the school while I was there." " Go on..." "I spoke to the headmaster about your examination." "Well, about examinations in general, really." "Anyway, he suggested, before we fix a date, you might like a go at some old papers from the last few years." "You mean real exams that people sat?" " That was kind of you." " Oh, don't thank me." "He took me through them." "In fact, it was really rather interesting." "I just wish Mr Mason was settled." "Well, if you passed your exams, you'd be in a better place to help him." "Maybe, but first I've got to make them listen." "Her Ladyship was there and she tried to calm the new owner down," " so, she must be sympathetic." " Daisy, we're servants." "I have to do something." " Is anything the matter?" " No." "I mean, you're free." "Bates is free, the threat's gone away." "I'd expect you to be wreathed in smiles but, instead, you seem rather cast down." "Life's never simple is it, m'lady?" "You don't have to tell me, if you don't want to." "It's almost funny, really, given the service I once performed for you." "You know, Mr Bates and I have always wanted children?" "And you'll have some now, I'm sure." "No, I won't." "It seems I can't." "Anna, no woman living has been put through more of an emotional wringer than you." "It doesn't surprise me in the least that you haven't got pregnant before now." "That's the point, I can get pregnant, I just can"t keep it." "And how many times has this happened?" "Two, maybe three." "Well, I still say your life has been so filled with stress and worry..." "It's all right, m'lady." "I'm used to the idea." "Some women can't have children and I'm one of them." "Now, if that will be all..." "Yes, thank you." "Hello." " Do you post your own letters?" " Ha!" "It was vital it went off today and I'm never very good at delegating." "As a matter of fact, I'm glad to see you." "I'd value your advice." "I've had a letter from the Royal Yorkshire Hospital, asking if I'd head the new Board of Charitable Donors." "We'd be working alongside." "Well, that's if I stay the almoner, once we've amalgamated." "Of course you would." "When we combine, we'll avoid duplicating our efforts." "The whole thing would work a lot more efficiently than it does now." "So you don't disagree with the plan?" "Well, don't you see what it could mean?" "How old is our X-ray machine?" "Does Clarkson really know how to use it?" "What advanced surgery do we offer?" "None." "If a family at the Abbey has a cut finger, they go to London, but what about everyone else?" "I bet you'd go to London, too." "I probably would, but I shouldn't have to." "And what about people who don't have that option?" "So, the battle lines are drawn and now we must fight it out." "Well, I'm glad we're to be allies." "I must be going." "I assume old Lady Grantham is still bitterly opposed'?" "Of course, so there'll be wigs on the green before we're done." "So be it." "Wigs on the green it is." "Poor Daisy's in a terrible state about Mr Mason losing his farm." "I don't blame her, it's a beautiful place and he's a lovely man." "She seems to think that Her Ladyship might want to help." "I don't see how." "I mean, they like Mr Mason, but what can they do?" "The way she talks, they didn't much take to the new owners." "But do you think you could ask?" "I can tell her Daisy's worried, but I can't do more than that." "Very well." "I'd better get on." " I shouldn't get involved." " No." "And you don't like to get involved in helping others, do you?" "I'm trying to help you." " Anything interesting?" " Is this interesting?" ""Assistant butler, varied duties, start at once."" " Then there's a Ripon number." " Oh." "It would be nice if you didn't have to move too far away." "Nice for whom?" "You won't let me be fond of you, will you?" "No matter what I do." " Did I leave a tin of oil in here?" " I put it on the mantelpiece." "Oh." "Mr Carson wants me to wind the clocks." "I've an idea the one in the tapestry room needs a bit of extra loving care." "I used to wind the clocks." "Do you want some help?" "Don't worry, Mr Barrow, I looked after the clocks in my last place." "What's an assistant butler when it's at home, anyway?" "That's what I'd like to know." " Well, they're big enough." " They're good animals, m'lady." "They've done well and they will again at Malton." "Hey, Miss Marigold!" "Does Lady Edith know you're here?" "She would've come herself, but she's in London." " You're glad to enter them for the show?" " Very happy." "Where's Mrs Drewe?" "She's gone into town, but she'll be back soon." " We should probably get home." " Well, there's no great rush." " Won't Mrs Drewe want to see Marigold?" " Well..." "Yes, I would." "That's kind of you, m'lady." "I'd love to look at her." "Hello." " Do you remember me?" " Of course she remembers you, don't you, darling?" "It's been so nice, but I think we ought to get them back for their luncheon." "Back to the big house for luncheon." "Let her go, Margie." "We mustn't hold them up." "That's it, my love, you come with me, back to your auntie." "Good, well, I'll send a note to Mr Finch in the afternoon." "Thank you, Mr Drewe." "I hope that's the last time anyone calls me Auntie." "Right, back to work." "Mr Carson?" "I wonder if I could have some time off this afternoon for an interview?" "Interview?" "What, for a job?" "Yes, it's quite local, Rothley Manor near Ripon." "I telephoned and they said to look in today." "You don't let the grass grow, I must say." " So, I can go?" " Be my guest." "Thank you, Mr Carson." "Good luck." "If I was lucky, I wouldn't be leaving." " Did the children like the pigs?" " They loved them." "Drewe was as proud as punch showing them off." " Was Mrs Drewe there?" " She came just before we left and she enjoyed seeing Marigold, didn't she, Mama?" " She was quite overcome." " Yes, I think she was very pleased." "Is that luncheon?" "Carson, when Papa offered to decorate the servants' hall, he wasn't really thinking." "If you'd like your reception to be here, we can hold it in the hall, or whichever room you choose." "That's very' kind of you, My Lady." "Not a bit, we'd be delighted, wouldn't we, Papa?" "But you must feel free to refuse." "Oh, there's not much chance of that." "Speak to Mrs Hughes, she may feel differently." " Why should she?" " She just may, that's all, ifs her wedding." "Shall we go in?" "Of course, I'd have been very happy in the servants' hall, My Lord." "Don't worry, Carson, there's no point even pretending that we can argue with Lady Mary, either of us." "This isn't right." " Give me a moment, I'll be fine." " No." "I mean, it's not right for you to cry alone." "You're married and that means you never have to cry alone again." "I told Lady Mary last night." "She was kind, of course, but it just brought it all back." "Have you ever thought about adoption?" "Yes, but..." "I don't believe it would work for you." "You're tribal, Mr Bates, and the tribe doesn't have a lot of members." "You want your own child." "No substitute will do." "But what do you want?" "See." "You gave yourself away by not denying it." "We must learn to be content as we are..." "Which is easy for me." "But its my fault, not yours, that I can't give you what you need." "To me, we are one person and that person can't have children." "I love you." "Of course, I understand you have read a great many magazines while having your hair done or waiting for the dentist, but that does not mean you're an expert in how to produce them!" "You know, there is no need to shout, I am not deaf." "Oh, really?" "Are you sure?" "Because you seem to have such difficulty hearing what I am saying." "It's drier than they said it would be in the newspapers." "Yes." "It's brightening up, isn't it?" " Let's go." " We'll have lunch" " and then you can come back." " There's no point." " What a terrible man." " He didn't sound very conciliatory." "The truth is, I've come up to London to have my nose bitten off and that's not all." "Mama telephoned." "Mary took Marigold to the Drewes' farm today." " I knew she was planning it." " Well, why didn't you stop her?" "Well, how?" "George was aching to see the pigs and what possible reason could I give for stopping Marigold?" "Well, you could've said it would upset Mrs Drewe." "But wouldn't Mary have wondered why I was making such a thing of it'?" " You're going to have to tell her one day." " I don't see why." " How's Granny?" " Embarking on a civil war." "They want to change the way they run the local hospital." "Change?" "Mama won't like that." "She's in one camp with Dr Clarkson, who isn't a fan either," " and Isobel's in the other." " And your parents?" "Mama agrees with Isobel." "Papa doesn't want to take sides." "Well, if I know Granny, he'll have to." "So, you're under butler at Downton Abbey." "Yes, I've been there for a long time." "I first arrived as a junior footman about 15 years ago." " Another world." " So it seems." "Of course, I was away at the war in the middle of that." " Why are you leaving now?" " It seems like the right time far a mane." "Does it'?" "Does it, indeed?" "Tell me, Mr Moore, what exactly is an assistant butler?" " I'm not familiar with the term." " No, well, we made it up." "Ah, so the duties of an assistant butler are not the same as an under butler." "I think you have to climb down from that high horse, Mr Barrow." "This is 1925." "We'd need you to combine the duties of a footman and a chauffeur..." " There's no chauffeur?" " They drive themselves most of the time but, should they need a chauffeur for parties and the like, that'd be you." "I see." "Well, I can drive, just about." " Is that all?" " Do you know how to valet?" "Goodness, this is a job for a one-man band." "You're a delicate-looking fella, aren't you?" "I wouldn't say that." " Are you married?" " No." "Why would that be?" "Did the right girl never come along?" "I think you know that not many footmen or butlers are married." "Well, they didn't used to be." "But I am." "All right, Mr Barrow, I've got enough." "We'll let you know." "How did the visit go?" "Well, George wants to be a pig farmer when he grows up." " And Mr Drewe's well?" " He's so proud of his animals." "Was Mrs Drewe there?" "You're full of questions." "To be honest, she was quite upset at seeing Marigold again." "I thought it would be a nice gesture, but, perhaps, I was being insensitive." "When a woman loves a child, it must stay with her." "I suppose so." "That reminds me..." " You know what you told me, last night?" " Yes." "I want you to let me help." "That's so nice, m'lady, thank you, but there's nothing to be done..." "That's not true." "Well, that's not necessarily true." "I think you've forgotten that, when I was first married," " I couldn't get pregnant, either." " Yes, but you see, I..." "Listen." "So I went to a Dr Ryder in Harley Street." "He found I needed a tiny operation, I had it and George is the result." "I don't think there's any point..." "There's no point in thinking, you don't know." "Now, I'm going to take you up to London, we'll meet Dr Ryder and listen to what he has to say." " Then we'll see." " But what would that cost?" "I couldn't accept it from you." "Don't be silly, you've earned it fair and square, keeping my secrets, hiding that fearful Dutch thingamajig, carrying poor Mr Pamuk down the gallery at the dead of night." "We have had our moments, haven't we, m'lady?" "We certainly have." "And this is our next moment." "I'll telephone and make an appointment." "I do appreciate it." "It won't work, but that's not the point." "Nobody in my whole life has been kinder to me than you have." " Except for Mr Bates." " Except for Mr Bates." "I'm glad that's settled." " Will you tell him?" " Not yet." "He'd hope too much." "But later, if anything comes of it." "But how?" "I'd be surprised if Mr Henderson was particularly anxious to renew our acquaintance." "Couldn't Sir John Darnley put in a word?" "I'm sure, but the new owners won't take orders from him." "Maddington is theirs now, they'll do as they think fit." "So I'll tell Daisy not to speak to you about it." "I don't like anyone to feel they can't approach me if they want to, but I'm not convinced I can help." " Whom can't you help?" " Mr Mason." " I don't think I can." " No." "What were you not saying about your visit to the Drewes'?" "Only that Mrs Drewe has definitely not got over Marigold." " No?" " No." "She looked as if she wanted to swallow her whole." "Well, how clever was it to take the child there in the first place?" "Mary made the plan." "There was no way to cancel it." "I wish Edith would just tell her." "Oh, she thinks Mary would use it as a weapon and she may be right." "If only the Drewes would move away and find a tenancy elsewhere." "Why would they?" "They've been at Yew Tree for more than a century." "That woman will not forget Marigold while the girl is under her nose." "I don't mind talking to Drewe, but I doubt it will do much good." " Did the interview go well?" " Not very." "Never mind." "Something will turn up." "But not this one." "They wanted me to be a chauffeur, a footman and a valet combined." "For all I know, I'd have to cook and do the garden into the bargain." "I suppose none of that was reflected in the money." "Was it heck as like?" "They pay for one servant and they want a whole bleeding household thrown in." " I don't get why you bother with him." " I know you don't." " So I can't speak to Her Ladyship?" " She didn't say that, she just said she didn't think she could help." "I'd like to hear it from her lips, otherwise I'll feel I've done nothing, except make things worse." " Well, then, ask her." " But don't be angry with her." "It's not Her Ladyship's fault." "Maybe not, but it's the system's fault." "That's what makes me angry, the system, and she's part of it." "I do not understand why any form of compromise is beyond him." "You wanted a strong editor." "But I didn't want to find myself in a bull ring with Attila, the Hun." "Thank you, William." "Oh..." "Mary's coming tomorrow." "What does she want?" "She has an appointment in Harley Street and she needs some clothes." "I ought to do some shopping while I'm here." "I haven't had anything new in ages." " Why not go shopping together?" " With Mary?" "Not likely." " That was a delicious dinner." " Oh, I have a new cook." "She won't stay, the good ones never do, but we shall eat well until she goes." "What have you decided to do about your flat?" "I think I'm going to keep it empty and see if I get any use out of it." " Why aren't you there now?" " I should be." "I suppose the truth is I've never lived alone and I'm not convinced I'll be much good at it." "Beware of being too good at it." "That's the danger of living alone, it can be very hard to give up." "It's not that I'm ungrateful, I am grateful, I think it's very kind." "But you don't want to accept?" "This is a beautiful house and whether we're in the great hall or the drawing room, or wherever, it would all be very splendid." " So what's the problem?" " It's not us." "It's not who we are." "It may be where we work, but it is not who we are." "While being in the school house would be?" "It doesn't have to be the school house, if you don't like it." "But, yes, if we take a neutral place and decorate it the way we want and put in the flowers we like, it would be about us in a way the great hall of Downton Abbey never can be." "And I have to tell His Lordship." "I will, if you don't want to." "No, no, I'll do it." "It should be me." " Do you know when you'll be back?" " Tomorrow, or the next day, I expect." "What does she have planned?" "Oh, you know, some shopping, one or two appointments." "Well, try and put your feet up." "Yes, I'll be putting my feet up." "I think a bit of a break will do you good and give my regards to Mr Mead." "You're right, it may do me good." "It won't do any harm, anyway." "To what do we owe this honour?" "I must look in at the church and I'm seeing Dr Clarkson and Mama at the hospital later on." "I've mentioned it to Isobel, so I hope she's there, too." " Is that wise?" " I think so." "At least she's an ally I can rely on, even if I can't rely on you." " I didn't tell you about the..." " What time's your train?" "Half-past nine." "Bags of time." "Carson, have you broken the news to Mrs Hughes?" " What news is this?" " Where their wedding reception is." " I hope she's pleased." " To be honest, she's a little hesitant." "She's not quite convinced that it would be appropriate." " Why not?" " She feels we would be making a claim to which we have no right." "Carson, you've worked in this house man and boy for half a century." "If you've no right to be married from here, then who does?" " Mrs Hughes sees it differently." " You leave Mrs Hughes to me." "Don't worry, your reception will be in the great hall if it's the last thing I do." "How reassuring, My Lady." "How very reassuring." "We wanted you to see the ward now it's been repainted." " It's much brighter, isn't it?" " Very nice." "Doctor'?" "He's done this with me, my dear." "Now you'll be paraded past every element of treatment." "Surgical, palliative, you name ii." "Oh?" "And what are you trying to add?" "I don't want Cousin Cora to feel outnumbered." "It isn't friendly, you know, to stir her up into opposition." "It's not very friendly to squash her into submission either." "Excuse me, but I don't need to be stirred or squashed." " The facts speak for themselves." " Your facts or mine?" " What's the difference?" " Mine are the true facts." "Shall we continue this in my office?" "I wish we could persuade you to help us stem the tide of change." "I'm just not convinced its the right way forward, to go backward." "I do not understand you, my dear." " You mean Dr Clarkson is a bad doctor'?" " Certainly not." "And the other doctors that use our hospital, are they no good either?" "I'm sure everyone does their very best, but there are new methods now, new treatments, new machines." "Great advances have been made since the war." " Can't we share in them?" " Hear, hear." "Of course." "I intend that we should." "But we haven't got the money." "I see I'm not needed to lend you strength." "You're fully in command of the argument." "Have you no pride in what we have achieved with our hospital?" "I don't think pride comes into it." "Well, I warn you, Dr Clarkson and I will fight to the last ditch." "I just want what's best for the village." "Well, at least we have that in common." "I must go." "Mama, Isobel..." "I'll come with you." "We must give them time to gnash their teeth alone." "I can't deny it, Lady Grantham would've made a powerful ally." "I hope you're not implying that she would be more powerful than I." " Oh, no, indeed." " Mmm." " Are you ordering me to leave?" " Of course not, but the fact remains, this is a difficult situation." "Why did they bring her here?" "Why didn't Lady Edith stop it?" "She couldn't, she was away." "Where's Mrs Drewe now?" "She's collecting the children from school." "We're all right." "I wish we were all right." "Nobody wishes it more than I do, but Her Ladyship worries that Mrs Drewe simply cannot stand being so near the child." "Don't push us out, m'lord." "We've been here since before Waterloo." "I'm not pushing anyone anywhere." "I want Lady Edith to be happy, I want Miss Marigold to be happy and as a matter of fact, I would like your wife to be happy, too." "I can manage her, I promise." " Very well, if you're sure you can." " I am sure." "Then we'll leave it at that." "Did you manage to raise the subject?" "His Lordship brought it up." "How did he take it when you refused?" "Oh." "You didn't refuse, did you?" "It was difficult." "Lady Mary feels that it's only right that my marriage is celebrated in the house." "And heaven forfend we lowly folk should do anything to contradict the blessed Lady Mary." " That's not like you." " It is very like me." "I want my own wedding to be done in my own way." " Is that so outlandish?" " It's my wedding, too." "But I am the bride, we'll be doing it your way for the next 30 years," "I know that well enough, but the wedding day is mine." " What is it?" " Your Ladyship, might Daisy have a word with you?" " Now?" " She's just outside." "Very well." "Thank you in!" "seeing me, mum." "I'm happy to, Daisy, but I must tell you right off," " there's nothing more I can do." " I just can't bear it, for our William's dad to be thrown out of his farm when ifs all my fault." "To start with, I don't think it is your fault." "Mr Henderson was angry, but he wouldn't change his plans for that." "And the truth is, they are taking a lot of the estate in hand." "But Mr Mason's not young and it needs someone that knows him." "I'm sure he has a fine reputation and Sir John Darnley will help." "He's got all the dead stock, with everything in top shape." "Any estate would be lucky to have him." "And he'd be happy to start anew?" "It's a big undertaking." "Why?" "Have you thought of something?" " You've had an idea, haven't you?" " Probably not." "Well, maybe." "I'll let you know if anything comes of it." "Thank you, Your Ladyship." "It's no mystery, Mrs Bates, you suffer from cervical incompetence." "To put it plainly, the neck of the womb is weak and as the foetus reaches three or four months, it becomes too heavy to be supported." " So it's not unusual?" " It's bad luck, but not unusual." " And you can treat it?" "Certainly." "The procedure is called cervical cerclage." " It's been in use for more than 20 years." " Go on." "I would insert a stitch, quite a large one, in the neck of the womb." " Is it painful?" " It's quite quick." "But it works?" "I'm afraid I can't make a blanket promise." "It works in many cases." " And when would you do it?" " At about 12 weeks." "I'd normally come to your house and perform it there, then you can rest afterwards without the nuisance of travel." " I wouldn't go to hospital?" " Oh, no, its not worth it." "Well, you've given me a lot to think about, Doctor." "Thank you." " When do you return North?" " In the morning." "Then I leave it to you to get in touch if and when you next become pregnant, Mrs Bates." "I'm afraid Drewe won't leave." "L can't pretend I really blame him." "But I don't believe the problem will go away either." "Edith telephoned before I came up." "It seems her editor continues to be a nightmare, too." "Did she say when she's coming back?" "She and Mary are catching the same train tomorrow, 11 o'clock." "Travelling together?" "Heavens to Betsy!" "But I'm glad Mary's coming straight back." "As it is, she'll only have two days to get the pigs ready for the show." "Don't worry, it's only a fat stock show and they're pretty low-key." "Two days is more than enough." "Still, I'm glad she's doing it." "These remind the farming community that we're all on the same side." "I wish we could remind your mother that we're on the same side." "I don't think the rule applies to Mama." " She's a law unto herself." " And don't we know it?" " Is there more sugar?" " Here, pop one in there for us." "Right, as you're all aware, this is the day of the Malton show." "There'll be no upstairs luncheon and you're all free to visit the show if you wish." "The wagonette will leave from the stable yard at ten." " Is there a lunch we're serving at?" " No, they're guests of Lord Mexborough." "Then I don't think I'll bother." "It's only a muddy, little affair." "Oh, no, you should come." "I think it'll be fun." "You're full of the joys of spring." " Am I?" " I was right about London." "You've been very bouncy since you got back." "It did you good." "It did." "Now let me get on." "I'll see you down here, just before ten." " How long can we stay there?" " Good question." "I must have a staff to serve tea in case they want it." "I could do that." "I don't think so." "Andrew, Mr Molesley, make sure you're here by a quarter-past four." "Then when do you need me, Mr Carson?" "When indeed?" " How are they doing today?" " Fine fettle, m'lady." " Moo!" " Look at that cow." "Moo!" "You made it, then?" "Did you think I wouldn't?" "Oh, they're all here, then." "You knew they would be." "Come on." "Never mind." "Do you want to come and see Lady Mary showing off her pigs?" "In a minute." "Here, let me show you." "Don't worry, Mr Barrow." "It's not my game." "I'd better go." "I don't want to miss those pigs." "You're not a quick learner, are you?" "I don't know what you mean, Mrs Patmore." "I'm only thinking of you." "Just be sensible, for heaven's sake." "Does it ever occur to you that just this once you might be wrong?" "Well done, m'lady." "You look as if you're born to it." "Not a compliment to everyone's taste, Mr Finch, but it is to mine." "It's funny to see Lady Mary in there with the pigs." "No, no." "I think it does her proud." "I agree." "People might think she's a pretend farmer, but she's not." "I hope things are beginning to settle down for you, Mr Mason." "Settle down'?" " They're beginning to break apart." " Don't say it." "Well, our poor Daisy can hardly work, she's been so worried about you." "Nae, Daisy, you can't let worry put you off your work." "Brava." "You look very convincing." "My god-daughter, the pig breeder." "So good of you to come." "One of my tenants has an entry, I came to support him." "So you're a bonus, my dear." "Mama says you're on her side for the battle of the hospitals." "Well, I believe in the changes, yes." "Naturally, Granny blames Isobel for drawing you over to the dark side." "Oh, no, no, no." "I was on the dark side anyway." "Oh!" "I was rather hoping it might be the first signs of a thaw." "How I wish that were true." "But I'm afraid her mind remains made up." "A woman can always change her mind, ifs what we're known for." "Ah..." " Hello, Mrs Drewe." "Everyone well?" " Very well, thank you, m'lord, but I've left the children with my neighbour." "Tim thought I should have a day off to enjoy meself." "Quite right, too." " Nice to see you." " What else would you like to do'?" "If you're asking, could we get this business sorted for good and all?" "I don't mean to sound stubborn, but surely it is sorted." "It means a lot to Lady Mary and the family that we're married in the house and I can't see why we shouldn't be." " You can't?" " No, I can't." "If we had family nearby, or a place that meant something special, it'd be different, but we don't and Downton Abbey means much more to me than the school." "I'm sorry, but it does." "Lords, ladies and gentlemen, it is time for the announcement for Best In Show." " Ah!" " First prize goes to Golden Empress" " of Downton Abbey." " Oh!" "Earned by the Earl of Grantham and Lady Mary Crawley." "Very good." "Pig man, Mr Timothy Drewe." "Well done, My Lord." "Yes, well done, us." "Where's Miss Marigold, m'lady?" "She was..." "Who's got Marigold?" " She was here just..." " No, she's gone." " I gather we've won." " Yes, but Miss Marigold's missing." " What?" " Oh, my god." "Don't worry, she's just wandered off." "She's fine." "She'll be perfectly fine, you'll see." "What is it?" "Marigold's gone." "I was talking to your wife and Marigold was just in front of us." "How could I possibly have lost sight of her?" "Stay with your mother." "Everyone spread out." "Carson!" "I'm coming with you." "Barrow, come with me." " What is it, m'lady?" " We're missing Miss Marigold." " Don't say that word." " Don't be silly." "She's missing now and soon she'll be found." " Any luck?" " I'm afraid not, m'lord." "Barrow..." " Have you got a car here, m'lady?" " What'?" "No, I came with my parents." " Why?" " I know where we'll find her." " Where?" " I've just realised Margie's gone, too and she's taken the truck." " You mean she..." " I'm afraid so, m'lady, but don't worry." "She won't hurt her." "Whatever she does, she won't hurt her." "Now, calm them down and let's go." "It's all right, we had a message." "Mrs Drewe found her and has taken her home to be out of harm's way." " Could you take me there to collect her?" " Of course." "I'll get the car." " What's going on?" " Panic over, m'lady." "Miss Marigold's at Yew Tree Farm with Mrs Drewe." " They've just gone to fetch her now." " At the farm with Mrs Drewe?" "Why?" "She took her there for safety." "It was good of her, really." "And how will we get back?" "Please, let me go in alone." " I'll come." " No, I don't want to frighten her." "Let him, he knows what he's doing." "She was bored." "They were paying her no attention, none at all." "So you brought her here." "Where else would I bring her?" "This is her home, and no one was looking after her, not one of 'em." "Give her to me now." "You're not angry are you, Tim?" "Surely, you can't be angry that I only want to hold her close and love her as much as I can." "No, my darling." "I'm not angry at all." "But give her to me, please." "There we are, safe and sound." "Hello, darling." "Let's get you back in the car and off home." "I'll start looking for another tenancy in the morning." "I am sorry, Drewe." "I want to help as much as I can." "Please, just tell me if there's anything you need from me." " That's very kind of you, m'lord." " It's not kind." "It's a poor return for what you and Mrs Drewe have done for us." " I know how much Lady Edith..." " There you are." "No, how much all of us owe to you and your wife." "Don't feel badly." "We made a plan, Lady Edith and I, but we forgot about emotion." "And emotion's what can trip you up every time." "God bless you, Drewe." "God bless you and your family." "The same to you, m'lord." "The very same to you." "He's agreed." "It seems very unfair, but I've thought and thought about it and I don't see what else we can do." "I think it's for the best." "I know it's for the best."