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HAZEL: Are you and Daisy managing all right?
ROSE: We consider it war work, madam.
- HAZEL: Good. Georgina. RICHARD: Georgina.
GEORGINA: I've got two hours off
so I thought I'd come home for tea.
HAZEL: Tell us all your news.
Oh, Rose, would you fetch another cup please?
GEORGINA: Hope there's plenty to eat, I'm starving.
RICHARD: Didn't you have any lunch?
GEORGINA: Cold fish cakes and watery cabbage.
RICHARD: Oh. - See if Mrs. Bridges
has got some toasted teacake, Rose.
Well, how did you get on?
Well, I'm in the Mary Kingsley ward
and I have a patient of my own, Mrs. Carbury.
Well done.
You look after her entirely by yourself?
No, but I have special responsibility for her.
She's rather Cockney.
I can't always understand everything she says.
RICHARD: What's wrong with the woman?
She's got an ulcerated leg.
She says it hurts chronic at times,
but she doesn't believe in making a fuss.
[Richard chuckles]
Daisy, pop round the corner
and get one of them big teacakes.
Miss Georgina loves them.
I've only just sat down after doing the lunch things.
Oh, don't fuss, girl.
Get on your hat and look sharp.
More tea, Georgina?
GEORGINA: Oh, yes, please.
What time is it? I mustn't be late back.
If you're a minute late for duty,
you're dismissed instantly.
DAISY: "The billet is not bad, but the grub is awful."
- Oh, "grub." -"We can hear the guns,
but we haven't been shelled yet."
Oh, I should hope not.
"An aeroplane come and dropped some bombs last week.
The Captain said it was Gerry
showing us he hadn't forgotten us.
We are properly fed up with drilling and lectures
and inspections and quite looking forward to getting
up to the trenches for the first time.
I expect life will be more interesting there.
My own little Daisy bell" --
Oh, it gets a bit personal there.
Ooh!
"Please give my best respects
to Mr. Hudson and Mrs. Bridges
and love to Rose and of course to you
and six kisses and three hugs."
I can't get used to Edward being away in France.
I keep expecting him to come through that door
and say something cheeky.
I know.
There was something about...
Here it is, on the back.
"PS. Some of the chaps were saying as
how their wives have took jobs and was
making good money in munitions and that.
Have you thought of leaving Eaton Place?
It wouldn't hurt to get
a bit of money together for after the war."
- What a thing to say. - Well, I think he's right.
ROSE: I can't seem to get on with this new cap.
You see, I'm not going to stay in service all me life.
ROSE: Lots of people do.
Not after they're married, Rose.
Some people do.
Not Eddie and me.
We're going to have a home of our own.
You don't want to go into munitions, Daisy.
You remember what Mr. Hudson said
about munitionettes turning yellow
and people not wanting to sit next to them on buses.
It's bad enough having our Ruby working there.
Well, that's just the trouble.
Here am I doing all Ruby's work and Eddie's as well
and I'm not getting paid a penny more for it.
I do most of Edward's work.
Oh, who cleans the shoes?
Well...
Here, if we both left,
Mrs. Bridges would have to do them.
Or Mr. Hudson.
- Here, Rose? - Mmm?
I thought I might do this.
"Young ladies wanted as omnibus conductorettes."
Oh, Daisy.
Well, it's good wages, and look what it says.
"Take the place of a man at the front."
ROSE: Yes, but you're taking Edward's place here,
and what with Captain James away in France.
Well, Captain James never done nothing in the house.
ROSE: Well, there's Miss Georgina nursing
and the master at the Admiralty, the mistress with her canteens,
not to mention Mr. Hudson being a special.
I've told you before, Daisy, your place is here.
HUDSON: Rose, Daisy, have you not finished your work yet?
DAISY: Well, no.
HUDSON: Well, I'm going on duty now.
Daisy, be sure to take Mrs. Bridges her tea
promptly in the morning.
DAISY: Yes, Mr. Hudson.
With Captain James coming home on leave tomorrow,
we shall all be kept busy, and you'll want to make
an early start, my girl.
Good night.
DAISY: Yes, Mr. Hudson.
Good night, Mr. Hudson.
JAMES: Thank you.
You still dress for dinner.
RICHARD: Only on special occasions,
such as your coming home.
It pleases the servants.
JAMES: It's funny.
When I was in the trenches, I used to find it
quite a relief to come home and find everything
going on just as usual.
Now I spend my time sending other men
to their death, it drives me mad.
RICHARD: Yes, I think I can understand that.
Father, there's something I want to ask you,
and I may not get another chance.
Well, I hope your leave is not going to be as short as that.
No, no, no, but Hazel might be here, and I wanted --
[ Door opens ] Damnation!
I'm sorry the sherry wasn't here earlier, sir.
May I pour you a glass?
Not now, Hudson!
All right, Hudson, we'll help ourselves.
Very good, sir.
[Whispering] You need to say something.
Tell me, Hudson, how are things in the special Constabulary?
It is quite interesting, sir,
and we are able to be useful during air raids.
Jolly good.
Our post was hit during a zeppelin raid a few weeks ago,
but fortunately we were all out on the street
assisting with the casualties.
There, you see?
Even Hudson is more useful than I am.
My dear James, how can you say such a thing?
Kitchener himself was saying only last week
what an excellent thing it was
that regular soldiers like yourself
should serve on the staff where they can do most good.
There's only one place for a regular soldier in war time,
and that's with his regiment on the front line.
Would you like some sherry?
JAMES: I'd rather have whiskey.
RICHARD: Rather short supply, I'm afraid,
and brandy's almost unobtainable.
We usually keep it for the grog tray at night.
Oh, but I suspect Hudson's got some hidden away.
JAMES: No, no, no, sherry will do.
RICHARD: Ah.
Here.
JAMES: Father, you've got to do something.
You've got to pull some strings.
James, I'm in the Admiralty, not the war Office.
I strongly disapprove of using one's influence
in private matters.
Anyway, you might consider how Hazel would feel.
HAZEL: What are you saying about me?
RICHARD: Ah, Hazel. JAMES: Ah, we were just
wondering how long you were going to be.
HAZEL: I thought I'd been rather quick.
I don't think that's what you were saying.
RICHARD: James wants to get back to the front line.
JAMES: Father, that was between the two of us.
HAZEL: I think it concerns me as well.
I don't want you to go back into action.
JAMES: No. No, I suppose you'd rather have
a husband who was a shirker.
RICHARD: Oh, James, nobody could say such a thing.
You've been in the front line.
JAMES: Of course I've been in the front line.
I'm a soldier. That's where a soldier belongs.
Do you have to deliberately throw your life away?
Would you like a glass of sherry?
Thank you.
Tell me, how's Georgina enjoying her work at the hospital?
Oh, she's doing splendidly, enjoying every minute of it.
WOMAN: Nurse,
what are you thinking of sitting on that bed?
GEORGINA: I'm sorry, Nurse.
You told me to wash the patient --
NURSE: I told you to wash her, not get into bed with her.
Don't you know how to give a blanket bath?
I'm sorry.
Oh, miss, you shouldn't be doing that for me.
It's not fitting, a lady like you.
I'm afraid I'm not very good at it.
I should hope not indeed, what ever next?
Here, give that to me.
There we are.
I'll clean everywhere it shows.
That's all that matters, ain't it, eh?
Yes.
Oh, dear, I'm afraid the bed's rather wet.
I really ought to change the sheets,
but they're not given out until the morning.
Don't you worry about that, miss.
You ought to see my bed at home.
Running with wet it is half the time.
Here, give it a mop with the towel.
NURSE: Clear all that up, Nurse,
and then you can help me with the dressing.
And disinfect that basin well.
We don't want the whole ward to get septicemia.
GEORGINA: What shall l...?
NURSE: Nurse?
Put some boiling water in that and a few drops of iodine.
Where's the iodine, Nurse?
NURSE: In the cupboard, behind the door.
Oh!
NURSE: Nurse?
Now, I'll show you what to do,
and then next time you can do it yourself.
Take this, Nurse.
Not in your hands.
And put it in the basin.
Now, dab all the sores with boiling water.
MRS. CARBURY: Oh...Oh...
If you're going to faint, go into the pantry.
No, I'm all right.
MRS. CARBURY: Oh...
NURSE: Nurse, haven't you cleared that up yet?
GEORGINA: I'm just going to.
What's that?
I knocked it over.
Well, clean it up at once.
And then go to matron's office.
She wants to see you.
GEORGINA: But I'm supposed to go off duty at nine.
You see, my cousin's coming home
on leave from France and I wanted to --
NURSE: You are off duty when
your work is finished and not before.
Now don't keep matron waiting.
ROSE: That's right, do them saucepans first,
then do these in fresh water.
They're the best pudding plates.
DAISY: Here, aren't you going to help dry up?
ROSE: I can't.
I've got to help Mr. Hudson serve coffee.
JAMES: Oh, that was a delicious dinner, Hudson.
Will you please thank Mrs. Bridges for me?
Thank you, sir.
Right, what shall we do now?
Well, I thought perhaps you might like
a quiet evening at home.
Good God, I've had nothing but quiet evenings.
No, no, I'd much rather go and see a show.
- Yes, all right. - I know.
Let's go and see a music hall.
Then I'll treat you and father to supper at The Savoy.
Hudson, will you ring up and book a table?
Come in.
Shut the door, Worsley.
Your cap is crooked.
I'm sorry, madam.
MATRON: Straighten it.
Tell me, why did you join the VAD?
GEORGINA: Because I wanted to nurse.
And why do you want to nurse?
Well, I was at the railway station
and I saw some wounded soldiers --
MATRON: And you thought you'd like to nurse them.
Yes.
And wounded officers, no doubt.
I must tell you, I'm entirely against
your being sent here.
I'm short-staffed because many of my nurses are in France,
but the last thing I want is a lot of society women
playing at nursing in my hospital.
As long as you are here,
you'll make yourself useful and obey the rules.
GEORGINA: Yes, madam.
MATRON: I have sent for you because there are
two more of you arriving next week.
A Miss Barclay --
Oh, yes, she's a friend of mine.
Is she now? Hmm, well,
I shall expect you to look after her.
And Lady Viola Courtney.
My nurses haven't got time to act as tutors
in the wards in addition to all their other work.
You will show these two volunteers their duties
and be responsible for their behaviour.
Yes, madam.
That's all, Worsley. You may go.
ROSE: Oh, it's you, Miss Georgina.
Thought I heard you come in.
GEORGINA: Where is everyone, Rose?
ROSE: Well, they've gone out, miss.
They went out directly after dinner.
- Oh, I see. - Can I get you something?
GEORGINA: No, thank you, Rose.
I'll just get some things from my room.
DAISY: Miss Georgina?
Rose said you was in.
Is there anything you want?
GEORGINA: No, thank you, Daisy,
I just came up to get another petticoat.
They get so dirty scrubbing floors.
DAISY: Scrubbing floors, Miss Georgina?
You don't never have to do that.
Well, I spilt a bottle of disinfectant.
Oh...
DAISY: Here, your hands are worse than what mine are.
I don't mind my hands so much.
It's my feet.
Your ankles are all swollen.
I suspect it's worth it nursing poor,
wounded soldiers, isn't it?
I never see any wounded soldiers.
Just women with horrible things wrong with them.
My patient's got a leg covered with sores
and I've got to dab it with boiling water.
I know I'll never be able to do it.
Well, I'll get some nice, cold water and bathe your feet.
It'll make them feel better.
There isn't time.
I've got to get back.
[Crying] Oh, Daisy.
Oh, Miss Georgina!
I can't, I can't do it.
Please don't tell anyone, Daisy.
I shall feel such a fool.
GEORGINA: If you could just turn
Sorry, I'm afraid it must hurt terribly, Mrs. Carbury.
MRS. CARBURY: I'm all right, dear.
Miss, I should say.
Don't you worry about me.
GEORGINA: Unfold the draw sheet as far as you can.
That's right, and tuck it in.
There.
WOMAN: You want to be careful how you jar that leg.
You can set up an inflammation.
GEORGINA: That's over now, Mrs. Carbury.
ANGELA: Oh, Georgina.
I'm sorry.
WOMAN: Well, I never did.
If you ask me, we ought to have proper nurses.
MRS. CARBURY: Never mind.
Upsy-daisy.
- GEORGINA: Thank you. - MRS. CARBURY: Oh, oh...
I'm half-hoping for a visitor today, miss.
GEORGINA: Oh, that's wonderful.
Mrs. Carbury, you really ought to call me "nurse."
MRS. CARBURY: Oh, I am sorry, I keep forgetting.
WOMAN: I'm not surprised.
GEORGINA: Is it your husband?
MRS. CARBURY: No, he's away in France.
No, he joined up first day of the war.
- WOMAN: More fool him. - GEORGINA: Mrs. Blaine,
you ought not to say things like that.
MRS. BLAINE: Well, I think a husband's first duty
is to his wife and children.
Ask her how many children she's got.
MRS. CARBURY: Well, there's six of them, miss.
But the oldest is eleven now.
She's ever such an help to me.
GEORGINA: Who's looking after them while...
Who's looking after them?
MRS. CARBURY: Well, my sister lives just down the road.
She's keeping an eye on them.
I'm hoping she'll be in this afternoon,
tell me how they're getting on.
GEORGINA: I'm sorry.
NURSE: Nurse, haven't you finished making those beds yet?
- GEORGINA: Just finished. - NURSE: Corners.
Who cleaned this trolley?
ANGELA: I did, Nurse.
NURSE: What did you do it with?
ANGELA: Well, there was a sort of brush
in the cupboard under the basin, and I...
NURSE: You used a scrubbing brush?
ANGELA: And some soap.
NURSE: Clean it again, Nurse.
and this time use meths
I'm sorry, Georgina.
Nurse, I said clean it with meths.
But I didn't understand.
Well, then, why didn't you ask?
MRS. BLAINE: Playing at nursing.
That's what they are, if you ask me.
Come on, I'll help you.
[Angela sighs]
I thought I was so clever finding that brush,
but all the bristles came out.
I suppose that's how she knew.
Oh, Georgina, I thought we were going to be
nursing wounded soldiers.
Well, it's just as well we aren't.
At least they'd be grateful.
My patient hates me.
She told me all about her operation on her stomach.
It sounds disgusting.
I won't have to see it, will I?
MRS. BLAINE: Nurse?
Can I have a bedpan?
Not much point in putting clean sheets on Miss Georgina's bed.
She's only slept in these once,
and I don't suppose she'll be using it.
DAISY: Well, better have it ready for her just in case.
ROSE: Don't know why she has to sleep at that hospital anyhow.
DAISY: Well, she has to be up at 6:00 in the morning
and go to chapel.
- What, every morning? - Oh, yeah.
- Sooner her than me. - And she has to wash,
scrub, make beds.
ROSE: Wonder if she'll stick to it.
DAISY: Course she will. Why shouldn't she?
ROSE: All right. I know Miss Georgina's your pet.
No, she isn't.
Anyway...Rose, with all the family out for lunch,
I thought we could ask Mr. Hudson
if we could go out directly after our dinner
and go to a picture show or something.
- Can't. - Oh, come on, Rose.
I don't like going by myself.
I know Eddie wouldn't like it, and...
well, soldiers keep trying to pick me up.
Well, come on, Rose, I'm sure Mr. Hudson won't mind.
I'm already going out -- I've asked Mr. Hudson
if I can and he says it's all right.
DAISY: You are? where?
Where are you going? Rose?
It makes it very difficult, madam.
Yes, I know. I am sorry, Mrs. Bridges.
You see, I don't want to be cooking good food
and seeing it go to waste,
not with meat as hard as it is to get nowadays.
Course, there's plenty of offal.
- Well. .. - But I've never
served offal upstairs, madam.
Oh, only for breakfast and savories.
If you ask me, I think they ought to ration meat.
Then everybody'd get a fair share.
Mr. Bellamy says that if you do ration meat,
it'll all tend to disappear and nobody'll get any.
It's all these profiteers, madam.
Why can't they profiteer in offal and let the meat alone?
That means there won't be nobody in for lunch today, then?
No, and I'll be out this evening.
I'm working at the canteen.
What about Captain James?
Oh, he'll be in for dinner.
I'm not sure about Mr. Bellamy.
Perhaps you could just prepare some cutlets and...
and then they would do for lunch tomorrow.
Very good, madam.
Thank you, Mrs. Bridges.
Ah, my feet -- I'm almost afraid
to take them off the floor in case they drop off.
GEORGINA: Don't let String see you sitting there.
Aren't we allowed to sit down?
GEORGINA: I don't think so.
Quick, here she comes!
Hello.
That very ferocious nurse said I should find you here.
I'm Viola Courtney.
GEORGINA: Oh, yes.
I'm Georgina Worsley, this is Angela Barclay.
I know your cousin, James Bellamy.
He gave me the most delicious dew drop once.
- GEORGINA: Dew drop? Compliment.
I collect them. Don't you?
We were staying with Bunny down in Newbury,
and he said I was much too beautiful to be so intelligent.
I'm sorry I'm late.
I couldn't get into this extraordinary uniform.
I've never worn a stiff collar before.
I feel like a clergyman.
ANGELA: Oh, your uniform is much better than ours.
I had it made at Harrods.
I don't mind looking like a nurse.
I didn't really want to feel like a housemaid.
Would you like a cup of tea?
My dear, I'd love one. Is it really allowed?
When I saw these extraordinary little rooms...
Too austere, so amusing.
I quite expect to be incarcerated here
on bread and water.
Well, we usually have a cup of tea at 10:00 after we've
given the blanket baths and changed the sheets.
My dear, tomorrow I promise to work
like a demented slave and earn my cup of tea.
What time do we go off duty?
I asked that head nurse.
She looked at me as though I inquired whether
she was a virgin, told me to ask you.
Whether she was a virgin?
I think I can make a daring guess about that.
You don't, by any chance, have any lemon?
- No. - No.
I think I shall look upon it all as an experience.
Bruce has given me -- you know Bruce Craven?
Got the MC, awarded three times already.
Poor darling, too thrilling.
He's given me a diary,
bound in blue leather with a lovely gold clasp,
and told me to write in it every day
and then have it published at the end of the year.
Or maybe sell it to a filmmaker for enormous sums of money
and act in it myself.
What will you call the film?
"Bedpans and Scrubbing Brushes."
Bruce suggested "Angel of Mercy."
I'd have to design my own uniform, though.
We'd better get back to work now.
- I'll wash the cups. - VIOLA: No, no, l will.
By the way, what time do we flee the convent walls?
GEORGINA: Well, we're free from 4:00 'til 6:00
and then on duty again until 9:00,
when we hand over to the night people.
Oh, but that's marvellous.
Derek Benton-Smith has promised
to take me to tea at Gunter's every day,
and Bruce is going to have a taxi waiting
at the gate from 8:00 PM onwards.
But we have to be back here every night at 10:00,
and if we're even a minute late,
the gates will be looked,
and that means we're dismissed instantly.
But the porter at the gates is such a nice little man.
He called me "your ladyship nurse" in the sweetest way,
and I'm sure he'd let us in.
MRS. BRIDGES: Isn't Rose back yet, Daisy?
No, she is not, and I'm fed up.
I'm doing everyone else's work as well as me own.
Now, now, Daisy.
Don't forget there's a war on.
You don't hear Mr. Hudson complaining.
There he is, out half the night,
and got all his own work to do as well.
What was that?
MRS. BRIDGES: Do you know Where Rose is, Mr. Hudson?
No, no, Mrs. Bridges, I do not.
I told her that she must be back in time to serve tea,
and she said she would, but I thought she was
a wee thing secretive about her plans.
She said she was going to meet a friend.
I hope she hasn't taken up with no soldier.
I don't know.
This war seems to be unsettling everybody.
[ Door closes]
Oh, there she is now.
Rose?
ROSE: Oh, I'm sorry I'm a bit late, Mr. Hudson.
I'll just go and slip out of me coat.
The prime minister said he had heard that James was going round
everyone he knew, including many of my friends,
demanding to be posted to a front line regiment.
And now he wants me to pull strings, as he called it.
Even if I approved of pulling strings,
which I do not, James and I haven't always
seen eye to eye, and to ask me now to --
HAZEL: You mean that if you loved him more,
you would be more inclined to send him into the trenches?
Well, of course not, Hazel.
What an extraordinary thing to say.
I'm sorry, Richard, but I find it extraordinary
that so many people seem to think
that sending or not sending someone to die
should be considered proof of love.
You have to love someone very much and be very close to them
to be able to face the prospect of them dying.
I envy those parents who are so close to their sons
that they know, no matter what happens,
their relationship will go on even after death.
I know that if I were to lose James,
I should lose everything.
So in that sense, yes, sending him back to the trenches
would be a proof of love.
But it's not one I feel able to give.
I'm sorry, Richard.
Oh, it's all right.
We should speak the truth now and then.
We tell too many lies, especially in war time.
HAZEL: Georgina.
Oh, shall I ring the bell for some tea?
No, thank you, I had tea at Gunter's.
Is it true that James is trying
to get sent back to the front line
and that Uncle Richard is helping him?
RICHARD: Who told you that?
GEORGINA: Derek Benton-Smith.
He said that James had been to see his uncle,
but he said you would be able to pull more strings than he would.
Is it true?
HAZEL: You know that James is very unhappy on the staff.
But at least he's safe!
What were you thinking of doing,
helping him to -- well, kill himself?
- Behave yourself, Georgina. - GEORGINA: I'm sorry, but I --
I think Hazel has James's interest at heart
rather more than the rest of us.
Now, stop it.
GEORGINA: I'm sorry if I --
It's all right.
We all want to keep him safe.
Come and sit down.
JAMES: Georgina! How splendid!
I thought they were never going to let you
out of that prison of yours.
Are you out on parole?
GEORGINA: If that means having tea at Gunter's.
Oh, is that what you've been doing?
Would matron approve?
GEORGINA: I'm sure she wouldn't.
Well, don't I get a kiss?
GEORGINA: Welcome home.
HUDSON: Excuse me, sir, will you be in for dinner?
Ah...no, thank you, Hudson.
I think we'll all go out and celebrate.
Now, Georgina, are you going to look
very fetching in that uniform,
or are you going to go and change?
I can't come, James. I've got to go back.
Back? Back where?
I'm on duty at 6:00.
Oh, well, it looks like just the three of us, then.
And I'm sorry, James, I must get back to the House.
I'm sorry, James, I must go to
the canteen at Charing Cross.
I did try to get out of it, but we're expecting
two leave trains and a hospital train.
Don't, don't apologize.
I can see that you're all much too busy.
I shall find somebody else to dine with.
I don't know why I bothered to come home at all.
I don't like to hear about raised voices upstairs
when Captain James is home on leave.
I think the mistress ought to give up
her canteen work and that when he's home.
I know I would if it was me.
Wouldn't you, Rose?
ROSE: Hmm?
I'm sure Rose is thinking, as I am, Daisy,
that we have no business to be sitting
criticizing our betters.
Now, since there's no upstairs dinner tonight,
I suggest we get this cleared away quickly.
Mr. Hudson?
Is something wrong, Rose?
No, Mr. Hudson.
It's just that I thought
I ought to tell you I've got a job.
A job?
Not you as well.
I'm going to be a conductorette.
MRS. BRIDGES: A what?
DAISY: Rose.
A conductorette?
On an omnibus?
Oh, no, Rose.
Not out in the street taking money from people,
a lot of nasty, drunken men.
ROSE: Everybody else is
doing their bit -- why shouldn't I?
It is quite understandable, Rose,
that you should wish to do your bit,
but it's not something to be rushed into.
The war won't last forever,
and giving your notice is a very serious step.
Oh, no, I don't have to give in my notice, Mr. Hudson.
I've spoken to the mistress.
It's shift work, see?
I can do my work and go on living here.
I think you might have spoken to me first, Rose.
ROSE: I'm ever so sorry, Mr. Hudson.
Rose, that is mine.
You took it!
What if I did?
[ Door closes]
JAMES: Hazel?
I thought you might like some hot coffee and sandwiches.
HAZEL: Oh, I would.
We were so busy.
I didn't even have time for a cup of tea.
JAMES: Well, let me take your coat.
You're frozen.
There's not much of a fire, I'm afraid.
Apparently we're short of coal.
HAZEL: Yes.
Well, it's all right, I'll -- I'll sit over there.
Sorry I lost my temper.
HAZEL: I'm sorry I spoiled your leave.
No, you haven't.
I have.
Walking about in those damn red tabs...
makes me feel like a leper.
I'd rather be in plain clothes.
HAZEL: And have a lot of mad women coming up to you
and giving you white feathers?
JAMES: Why not?
HAZEL, laughing: James.
I'm a soldier.
You forget that because when I met you I'd left the army.
But I was never at home in the city.
I am a soldier.
A soldier.
James, what does that mean?
Well, it means that you're prepared
to put your life on the line.
You have a relationship with your fellow soldiers
that you don't have with anyone else.
You know that you're going to go out there together
and get shot at, and you depend on each other.
And, in the end,
if you have to, you'll die for each other.
Oh...
No, I know it sounds sentimental,
but you are a band of brothers.
And to think that I'm sitting there miles behind the lines
while they're up there in the trenches
being blown to pieces, my own men, my brother officers,
half the time because of the orders I've given...
I don't expect you to understand.
COLONEL: Have you seen this, Phillip?
PHILLIP: Guards Machine Gun Corps.
Quite an interesting idea, Colonel.
COLONEL: Yes.
Rather strange, really, the idea of dealing out
machine gunners to the units before a battle,
like an extra-warm raincoat.
PHILLIP: Need it bullet-proof, unfortunately.
COLONEL: Yes -- at least it's a real attempt to give
the poor old cavalry something to do.
PHILLIP: Yes.
COLONEL: What time's Mrs. Bellamy coming?
PHILLIP: Well, she's probably here now, sir.
She's been at the barracks all morning,
helping the wives with their allotment papers.
COLONEL: Mmm, James is already on the staff.
What's the betting she wants to get him promoted?
Or posted to GHQ?
Do you know, I sat next to Helen Bayliss at
a dinner party last night, and she spent
the whole time badgering me to get
her precious Timmy out of the trenches.
Knowing her, he'd probably be safer in France.
COLONEL: Mmm.
Why do decent men have to marry these awful women?
I rather like James's wife.
COLONEL: Mmm.
All right, show her in.
PHILLIP: Mrs. Bellamy, Colonel.
- How are you? - Good morning.
COLONEL: It's awfully good of you to help us out like this.
The wives have enough problems without
being baffled by incomprehensible forms.
I'm horrified to find out how many of them can barely read.
COLONEL: Yes, it is a problem.
Now, what can I do for you?
Oh, I'm so sorry, do sit down.
My adjutant told me that
a room had been set aside for your ladies.
I hope it's comfortable.
Yes, thank you.
I didn't come here to talk about that.
I came to talk about James.
COLONEL: Oh?
He wants to be posted back to the regiment.
COLONEL: Oh.
He's too proud to come and ask you himself.
Then if you'll forgive me, Mrs. Bellamy,
I think you should be too proud as well.
HAZEL: Oh, no.
It's different for me.
I want what's best for James.
COLONEL: Well, he's on the staff.
He hates it.
And he loves the regiment.
Does he indeed?
HAZEL: You don't understand about that dinner party.
It was James's first night back on leave, he --
he was exhausted.
He hadn't slept for 48 hours.
General Nesfield was there.
COLONEL: Oh, yes.
Sir Geoffrey Dillon.
Northcliffe's solicitor.
HAZEL: James was tired.
He drank too much wine.
So I imagine.
If he said some injudicious things --
He certainly did.
They would know how to make the most of them.
COLONEL: They did.
What James said that night
was used by Northcliffe for his political ends,
caused a great deal of resentment in the brigade,
and the King was extremely angry.
That was a year ago.
Now...
please, could you ask that he be posted back to the regiment?
COLONEL: The regiment is in action in France.
Yes, I know.
That's where James wants to be.
You know.
COLONEL: I'm sorry.
James's posting is a military matter.
I really cannot discuss it with you.
We're awfully grateful for all the work you're doing
on the wives' welfare.
If there's anything I can do to help in that regard,
please let me know.
Phillip?
Mrs. Bellamy's just going.
Goodbye.
HAZEL: Goodbye.
COLONEL: Has she got a lover?
Hazel Bellamy? Not as far as I know.
COLONEL: She wanted me
to get her husband sent back into action.
PHILLIP: Extraordinary.
There'd be trouble from General Nesfield if you did.
He arranged the posting in the first place.
I would imagine he'd take it quite personally
if you intervened to have James posted back.
COLONEL: Yes, I daresay he would.
Damn it all.
James is an officer in His Majesty's Household Cavalry
and I am his Colonel.
If I choose to do something and some damn General
at the war Office chooses to interfere,
I think His Majesty would like to know about it, don't you?
Nesfield doesn't hold all the cards.
An ace can be trumped by a king any day.
[ Gasps ]
MRS. BLAINE: Oh, no, not again.
GEORGINA: We'd better get her out of the way
before String sees her.
VIOLA: You look after her, I'll do the dressings.
GEORGINA: If you're sure you can manage.
VIOLA: Oh, dear, they're too horrid for her.
MRS. BLAINE: Here, that's my visitors chair!
GEORGINA: I'll bring it back, Mrs. Blaine.
Sit down.
You'll have to give it up, Angela.
ANGELA: I can't.
GEORGINA: You're really not --
You'll never be able to stand it.
Yes, I will.
I'll get used to it.
But, Georgina, I can't give it up.
I had such terrible quarrels with my mother
before she'd agree.
Well, she said I'd never stand it,
that I was too scatterbrained to be any use.
I can't go back home now and say --
Oh, please, Georgina, don't tell anyone.
GEORGINA: Well...
I'm all right now.
I'll come and help you.
No,no,no, you sit down.
We'll finish the dressings.
You can try again tomorrow.
All right.
MRS. BLAINE: Where's my chair?
There, how's that?
Very good.
You're much better at it than I was.
I do think it's so second-rate not to do things well.
I believe in showing that you can do them
and then deciding whether or not you want to.
GEORGINA: Yes.
How are you feeling, Mrs. Carbury?
MRS. CARBURY: Oh, hello, dear.
Nurse, I should say.
I thought for a moment you was Beatrice, my eldest.
You've got the look of her.
She was here last night, wasn't she, looking after me.
GEORGINA: I'm sure your sister will bring her to visit you
when you're better.
MRS. CARBURY: Yes, I'll soon be better.
I feel ever so funny, kind as if I was floating.
We've been giving you some injections,
and the doctor drew out some of the poison yesterday,
so I expect it's that.
Yes, Beatrice told me that this morning.
Or was it you, miss?
You've got ever such a look of her.
I feel better when you're here.
I'm glad.
I think I'll just have a little nap.
GEORGINA: Yes, you have a sleep.
I'll see you later.
VIOLA: Poor things.
They are so grateful for anything one does.
My patient commented, "Fancy me being nursed by a ladyship."
So sweet.
What time is it?
Goodness, I must rush.
The men will be at the gates with taxis.
Bruce said they'd have two.
We change in one while they ride in the other.
ANGELA: I don't think I'll come.
GEORGINA: Oh, Angela.
ANGELA: I don't feel very --
I think I'll go and lie down.
GEORGINA: All right.
I shouldn't come either, really.
VIOLA: Nonsense, you're off duty.
If you're sure we can be back in time.
Like Cinderella, we will be at the gates at 10:00.
It would be so nice to go to a party again.
I'll catch you up.
Where's Mrs. Carbury?
NURSE: Your patient died during the night --
septicemia and endocarditis.
She was asking for you.
The night people came to your room to fetch you,
but you weren't there.
Oh.
JAMES: Oh, Georgina, come in.
I thought Hazel would --
No, no, she's caught up with one of Prudence's damn committees,
so you can stay and keep me happy.
How are we for another cup?
- No, no, don't bother. - Hmm?
Well...
tell me, how go things at the hospital?
[Georgina sobs]
JAMES: Hey, Georgina!
What is it?
Come and sit down, come on.
Sit down here.
Hmm?
What is it now, what's the matter?
You can tell your old Jumbo, surely.
Oh, it's so awful.
My patient, she died, and I wasn't there.
Oh, you poor old thing.
Still, there wasn't anything you could do.
Well, I could have been there.
That's what nursings all about -- to be there
and do what you can, even if it isn't much.
She was so brave
and so grateful for nothing.
I'll tell you...
There was a woman in Belgium,
a refugee injured in the shelling.
I tried to help her, but there wasn't much I could do.
And she kept saying, "Merci, rnonsieur."
Somehow in wartime, one gets used to men dying.
Much worse when a woman dies.
No! It shouldn't make any difference.
Men, women, human beings.
It's life that's just... running away under our hands.
Georgina.
Little Georgina, talking about life and death.
I hate to see you growing up.
You've grown up quite a lot yourself.
Have I?
I don't feel I've been very grown up on this leave,
being fed up and taking it out on everyone else.
With the war on like this, all one's friends are involved,
there's only one place to be, and that's in the thick of it.
You understand?
Yes, I understand.
I've got to see matron before supper.
Oh, I know I'll be thrown out, and I shall feel so useless.
Perhaps you'll be put on the staff.
That's where the useless people go.
And you left the hospital last night
and did not return until this morning.
Well, I did get back just after 10:00,
but I couldn't get in.
MATRON: You know perfectly well the gates are shut at 10:00.
GEORGINA: Yes, madam.
Where did you spend the night?
I went home.
I'm sorry, madam, I know it means I'll be dismissed.
Lady Viola is leaving anyway.
Apparently the Duchess is opening
a convalescent home for officers in Somerset.
We can hardly compete with that.
Now, Miss Barclay --
But, madam, she does so much want to make a success of it.
You see, her mother didn't want her to --
I am not interested in the private lives of my nurses.
Miss Barclay will stay here a little longer,
and we'll see how she gets on.
As for you, you have the makings of a nurse.
Try to keep the rules in future.
You mean that --
Yes, madam.
Have you ever thought of applying to go and work
in a field hospital in France?
No.
I'm not nearly good enough.
Well, that's a beginning.
MRS. BRIDGES: Have you seen the mistress, Rose?
ROSE: Yes, I have. She was ever so nice.
She wished me luck.
And I saw Captain James before I left,
and do you know what he said?
He said, "Don't take any wooden pennies."
[ Mrs. Bridges and Hudson laugh]
ROSE: Oh.
Well, duty calls.
MRS. BRIDGES: Oh, well, have another
cup of tea before you go, Rose.
You never know where you'll get the next one.
ROSE: No, I'd better not.
Don't want to be late on my first day.
HUDSON: Well, good luck on your first shift, Rose.
ROSE: Thank you, Mr. Hudson.
MRS. BRIDGES: Yes, good luck, Rose.
ROSE: Well.
[ Door closes]
MRS. BRIDGES: Daisy, I do think
you might have Wished her good luck.
Oh, I couldn't, Mrs. Bridges.
Why ever not?
Because then I would have had to speak to her,
and I'm never going to speak to Rose again as long as I live.
GEORGINA: Oh, Daisy, would you look after those?
Where's my clean laundry?
DAISY: In the drawer, miss.
Miss Georgina, these stockings!
Yes, I tore them trying to
climb the railing when we couldn't get in.
DAISY: I didn't think you'd be going back there.
Matron gave me another chance, isn't it marvellous?
DAISY: I don't know, miss.
I wouldn't have thought you'd want to go back,
being made to do all that hard work and scrubbing.
GEORGINA: Oh, I'm not made to do it, Daisy, I choose to.
That's the difference.
The same as you choose to work here instead of
going off like Rose and Ruby.
DAISY: Mm, I don't know about that, miss.
I'd just as soon go off and be a conductorette,
only Rose got in first.
It's so much easier to go off
and do something like that, Daisy.
The hard thing is to stay here and keep the house going,
with Edward away and everyone depending on you.
It's funny, isn't it?
You would have thought that if anyone could be depended on
to stay and keep the house going,
it would have been Rose.
Instead of that, it's you.
Doesn't it make you feel proud?
Hazel, father, I've got something to tell you.
Well, James, what is it?
I'm going back to my regiment.
RICHARD: Oh.
JAMES: Yes, they're forming a special Machine Gun Corps.
I'm to be attached to the Guards Division.
I didn't tell you,
but the Colonel sent for me this afternoon.
So, I shall --
I shall be back with all my friends,
or what are left, anyway.
And don't worry, Hazel.
There'll be quite a long period of training first.
You see, it's quite a new thing.
The Colonel was jolly nice about it.
Said I was just the man they needed to take it on.
RICHARD: Well done, James.
So in the end, nobody needed to pull any strings.
I must say, I'm glad.
Huh, well, how about some champagne?
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