In The House of Eliott Season 1, Episode 1, sisters Beatrice and Evangeline Eliott are left devastated after the sudden death of their father. Facing financial ruin and social constraints, the determined young women decide to pursue their dream of opening a fashion house in 1920s London. This elegant and emotionally rich premiere sets the stage for a story of resilience, creativity, and sisterhood in a changing world.
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00:00To be continued...
00:30No, Beatrice, I have already told you.
00:40Told us, yes.
00:40It is completely out of the question.
00:42But you haven't even listened to what we've been saying.
00:44I have listened to more than enough of your insolence, my girl.
00:47Please, Father, she's only trying to explain.
00:49You keep out of this, Evangeline.
00:51But it's my future that you're discussing.
00:52And there is nothing more to be said.
00:54That's not fair.
00:55Did you not hear what I said?
00:57I will decide what is best for you, Evangeline, and that is final.
01:08Do you think we should apologise?
01:09No, Evie.
01:10We have nothing to apologise for.
01:14I've never seen him so angry.
01:16It was a perfectly reasonable request, which anyone but Father would at least have considered.
01:20Perhaps breakfast wasn't the best time to bring it up.
01:28There is no best time with him, Evie.
01:30He should have sent you to school in the first place instead of finding the cheapest, most ineffectual governess in the country.
01:35But you didn't go to school either.
01:38I had mother.
01:40It's what she would have wanted for you.
01:41I know it is.
01:43If not art school, somewhere else where you could mix with other young people.
01:47Miss B, come quick.
01:48What?
01:48The master.
01:49He's having some sort of attack.
02:09There was nothing I could do about it, Mother.
02:11I'm only his executor.
02:13It was specified in the will.
02:15A private funeral, family only, no hymns, no flowers.
02:19Typical of Henry.
02:20Penny pinching to the last.
02:23One owes it to other people to make a splash.
02:27What about his patients and his medical friends?
02:30I'm sure Beatrice and Evangeline are relieved that it is to be a quiet affair.
02:36Quiet is one thing.
02:38Complete silence is another.
02:41When I think of your dear father's funeral.
02:44That was rather different.
02:45Yes.
02:46How many funerals get into the Tatler?
02:49That might have had something to do with the Duke of York being present.
02:52Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts.
03:09Shut not thy merciful ears to our prayer, but spare us, Lord most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and merciful Saviour.
03:22Thou, most worthy judge eternal, suffer us not at our last hour for any pains of death to fall from thee.
03:33For as much as it hath pleased almighty God of his great mercy to take unto himself the soul of our dear brother here departed,
03:42we therefore commit his body to the ground.
03:46It's an admirably simple will, drawn up by my partner rather than myself.
03:53It seemed only proper, since I'm a relative as well as a beneficiary.
03:58He's bequeathed to me his medical library.
04:03Otherwise the entire estate goes to the two of you.
04:05That is to say the house and its contents together with all his investments.
04:10I shall of course have to go into it all with a bank and its stockbrokers before I can tell you the exact amount involved.
04:15We'll arrange an appointment at my office in a week or so.
04:18But I think I can safely say that it'll be a not inconsiderable sum.
04:26In the meantime I've made an arrangement with the bank to open a temporary account with overdraft facilities.
04:32You mean we'll be able to draw out money?
04:35You'll be young ladies of means.
04:41Wow.
04:45Oh.
04:49Oh.
04:49Oh.
04:49Oh.
04:49Oh.
04:49Oh.
04:50Oh.
04:51Oh.
04:51Oh.
04:51Oh.
04:51Oh.
04:52Oh.
04:53Oh.
04:53Oh.
04:54Oh.
04:55Oh.
04:56Oh.
04:57Oh.
04:58Oh.
04:59Oh.
05:00Oh.
05:01Oh.
05:02Oh.
05:03Oh.
05:04Oh.
05:05Oh.
05:06Oh.
05:07Oh.
05:08Oh.
05:09Oh.
05:10Oh.
05:11Oh.
05:12Oh.
05:13Oh.
05:14Evie, oh little one, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you, but I wasn't asleep, I know
05:37he could be stricter than me, he could be awful, but I think he meant for the best, in spite
05:48of everything I did of him.
05:50I know, here, I feel so guilty too.
06:04You?
06:05It was me you were quarrelling about.
06:07But it could have happened any time, the doctor said so.
06:11But perhaps it wouldn't have happened so soon.
06:14No, Evie, I refuse to feel guilty and neither must you.
06:19If he had been a reasonable man, I could have discussed it calmly.
06:23I was damned if I was going to stand by and watch you waste away your youth as I've wasted
06:28mine.
06:29Looking after me.
06:30Nonsense.
06:31If I hadn't been born, Mother might still be alive.
06:34If you wouldn't have been stuck with me.
06:36No, Evie, you must never think that.
06:41Having you has been the one thing that's made it all worthwhile.
06:44I can't wait to get these beastly books out of the house.
06:53Arthur is welcome to Longham.
06:56Do you remember that time when I pinched one and learned all the section on male anatomy
07:00by heart?
07:01I remember Miss Pilkington's face when she found your drawings.
07:04Well, made a change from bowls of fruit.
07:08Isn't it odd?
07:11I know all there is to know about a man's anatomy and absolutely nothing about men.
07:16Oh, you still have time to learn.
07:18You're not an old maid like your sister.
07:20Birdie's not that an old bee.
07:22It is when half the single men have been wiped out.
07:24The rest can have the pickings.
07:27Was there ever anyone?
07:29There might have been.
07:32Father soon saw him off.
07:34Afraid he'd lose his unpaid housekeeper.
07:39Was it Philip White?
07:41I thought so.
07:42I remember him coming around when we were little.
07:44He played snakes and ladders with us.
07:47I've always hated this room.
07:50Me too.
07:52I used to dread being summoned here by father.
07:54It's so dark and drab.
07:57We'll get rid of all this old furniture and redecorate it ourselves.
08:01Yes, like we did our room.
08:03I'll think of some ideas.
08:04Something light and sunny.
08:06And we'll have electricity installed.
08:08That'll please Molly.
08:10And we'll engage another maid as well.
08:12It's far too much for one.
08:14Especially now we'll be going out more.
08:18I still can't believe we're going to be free to do as we wish.
08:21We'll do all the things mother would have wanted us to.
08:24Travel, theatres, galleries.
08:26Out school?
08:27Of course.
08:28And a social life that extends a little further than Aunt Lydia and Arthur.
08:35It seems awful planning our future like this.
08:38My father's only just...
08:39At least now we have a future to plan.
08:51Will we truly be able to go to Paris?
08:53If Nancy Cunard can, why shouldn't we?
08:56We'll take a room in the Latin Quarter.
08:58Hobnob with poets and jazz musicians.
09:01Drink wine and cognac.
09:03And black coffee.
09:04And smoke Russian cigarettes.
09:06And we're African bangles.
09:07And while we're about it, we'll call in on Madame Chanel at the Rue Cambon.
09:11Could you give us a few tips on dressmaking, please?
09:14It's not just a game anymore, is it?
09:15We'll actually be able to do these things.
09:16We certainly will.
09:17Tomorrow we'll go to the bank.
09:21We'll go to the bank.
09:22That's it.
09:23That's it.
09:24That's it.
09:25That's it.
09:26Not in the bank.
09:36The bank.
09:39The bank was booming twice.
09:43We get to his main point of death.
09:48Well, there's too much interest for hugs in America.
11:24We've been to the National Gallery.
11:27You had tea at Gunton, see?
11:30Father didn't know, of course.
11:33He thought we were going to the dentist.
11:34I shall take you there, after we've seen Arthur.
11:42It shall be our celebration.
11:43I'm sorry to be the harbinger of such news.
11:54And to have raised your hopes falsely.
11:58Suffice it to say that it came as much of a shock to me and to your aunt as it has to you.
12:03I don't understand.
12:05Surely there must be...
12:06Let me put it in layman's terms.
12:07It's perfectly simple, Evie.
12:08Father has left us nothing but the house and a stack of bills.
12:11I didn't quite say that, Beatrice.
12:13There are a few hundred pounds in his deposit account.
12:16Carefully invested, that should give you each an annual income to say, 40 pounds.
12:20Oh, but there must have been more.
12:24Father was a successful doctor.
12:26Not, alas, a successful businessman.
12:30It seems he took bad advice.
12:32Speculated on high-risk stocks and with the markets so uncertain.
12:35I find that extremely difficult to believe.
12:38Father was neither a gambler nor a fool.
12:40Perhaps you didn't know your father as well as you thought, Beatrice.
12:45The bank account I opened for you will now, of course, have to be closed.
12:49But what are we going to do?
12:52How will we manage?
12:54It would be unwise to make any decisions until the dust has settled.
12:58The situation is obviously grave.
13:00But rest assured, Evangeline,
13:02as your only male relative
13:04and as your legal guardian...
13:06What did you say?
13:08My guardian?
13:10No, didn't I explain.
13:13Your father's will entrusts you to my care until you come of age.
13:19What about Bea?
13:21She's my closest relative
13:22and she's always looked after me.
13:25On the domestic front, yes.
13:26And an excellent job she's made of it.
13:28But when it comes to the more crucial matters of life...
13:31I was not deemed good enough.
13:33Experienced.
13:35A young woman like Evangeline needs a man to protect her interests.
13:39As father protected them.
13:48All the time he must have known and he didn't even warn us.
13:51Perhaps he didn't realize how much of the money had gone.
13:55Perhaps he was just too ashamed to tell us.
13:57Oh.
14:01Oh, for heaven's sake, Evie.
14:04I can't afford to throw away money now.
14:06I'm sorry.
14:08I didn't think.
14:09Oh, to hell.
14:11Come on.
14:12We'll have our tea at Gunter's.
14:14Everyone looks so rich.
14:30Perhaps we should ask the waitress to put our tea onto one of their bills.
14:33I don't suppose they'd notice.
14:36Are you sure we'll have enough, Bea?
14:39Provided we don't have another of these when we walk home.
14:42I still can't take it in.
14:47What will actually mean?
14:48We promise not to talk about it.
14:50Not now.
14:53If you look at that woman who's just come in.
14:57The one with the hat like a chamber pot.
15:00No.
15:01A friend who looks like a cottage loaf.
15:03She can't help the way she's shaped.
15:08Well, she doesn't have to accentuate it like that.
15:12Look, she wore something less fitted.
15:15With simple lines.
15:18I think she looks so much better.
15:20Like this, you mean?
15:28Yes.
15:31Perhaps.
15:32With a little...
15:38To give it pennex.
15:45Brilliant.
15:45Should we send it over to her?
15:48With the compliments of the Elliot sisters.
15:51Order's welcome.
15:55Wouldn't it be marvellous?
16:03I suppose there's no point in dreaming anymore.
16:09Obviously, I have to help them.
16:11You mean give them money?
16:12They aren't my cousins, Mother.
16:16Cousins once removed.
16:21Perhaps a small allowance.
16:23No, Arthur.
16:25Start along that path,
16:26there's no knowing where it might end.
16:31I suppose if the worst comes to the worst,
16:33they may have to sell the house.
16:35I doubt we'd find a buyer.
16:37It is a bit of a white elephant.
16:39There's awkward sides.
16:40Unfashionable area.
16:41And without electricity.
16:43I did try to persuade Uncle Henry to have it installed.
16:46At least that would have been a safe investment.
16:50Of course, Evangeline will marry.
16:53She's young and pretty.
16:55And malleable.
16:56But as for Beatrice...
16:58Not a hope.
16:59Apart from anything else,
17:00she has such a disconcerting manner.
17:01She had to grow up too quickly.
17:05She was always unstable,
17:07even as a small child.
17:08She threw one of my lead soldiers out of the window.
17:11Oh, surely you don't hold that against her still.
17:14It's spoiled my collection.
17:17Mind you, she did keep house for her father most efficiently.
17:21Anyone who could manage on what he gave her
17:23must score some points.
17:25I have it.
17:28Of course.
17:30Why didn't I think of it before?
17:33Paying guests?
17:34Hand-picked by Aunt Lydia, of course.
17:36She even had some suitable people in mind.
17:38Some frightful old Mem Saabs from Singapore.
17:41What on earth did you say to her?
17:43I told her that even without money,
17:45we fully intended to make some sort of life for ourselves.
17:48And that our being skivvies for paying guests
17:51would be unlikely to contribute much to that life.
17:54A very Lady Aster.
17:57I also told her we fully intended to look for work.
18:01And that was when Arthur came to the telephone
18:03and started to pontificate about...
18:05What's the matter?
18:08This is Kashmir.
18:10Kashmir.
18:13Oh, you're right.
18:15I didn't know father owned anything like this.
18:18Nor did I.
18:19Must have cost the earth.
18:21Where did you find it?
18:22In the dressing room cupboard.
18:24With this suitcase.
18:31Oh, they.
18:33They're beautiful.
18:37They're silk.
18:39All of them.
18:41Phil.
18:41So all his money didn't go on high-risk stocks.
18:47Where do you suppose he wore them?
18:50On his trips to Bournemouth, I suppose.
18:53No wonder he never let me pack for them.
18:56They were just stuffy old medical conferences.
18:58Not as stuffy as all that.
18:59He obviously found some time for pleasure.
19:03Imagine fathering these.
19:05He must have looked quite a dandy.
19:06So much for his lectures on thrift.
19:12I like to think of him having a good time every now and then.
19:16I wouldn't grudge him that, Evie, if he'd ever given us anything to spend on clothes.
19:20Instead of forcing us to make everything out of cheap remnants and improvised tat.
19:24Oh, but it was such fun making them, wasn't it?
19:26Yes, Evie, but that is not the point.
19:30May we keep these?
19:32And the dress shirts.
19:34We could do something with them.
19:36You needn't all go to charity, needn't it?
19:38No.
19:39From now on, charity begins at home.
19:50Molly, I think it is time we had a talk.
19:53Is it about your wages?
19:55Or lack of them.
19:57You are aware of the situation father has left us in.
20:00Dirty shame, I call it.
20:02Evangeline and I fully intend to look for work ourselves.
20:07I hope it won't be too long before we find something.
20:11In the meantime, we will pay you as much as we can.
20:14Don't you worry, Miss B.
20:15I've been thinking.
20:17Perhaps I could take him washing.
20:19Then you won't have to pay me nothing till you've got yourselves fixed up.
20:32Excuse me.
20:37Could you please tell us which of these papers have advertisements for jobs?
20:45Chauffeur.
20:46Chauffeur.
20:47Footman.
20:49Chauffeur.
20:50A lot of people must be buying cars.
20:52Secretary.
20:53Lawyer's office.
20:54Oh no, male.
20:56Secretary, female.
20:58Shorthand and typing essential.
21:00That's no good.
21:02Plenty of nannies, but they all insist on experience.
21:06You've been plenty of experience looking after me.
21:08Oh, I doubt your recommendation would count.
21:10Besides, one would have to live in.
21:13There isn't much work at all these days.
21:16Now the men are back, it's mostly for them.
21:19Or for people with qualifications like assistant to laboratory technician.
21:23Our education wasn't quite up to that.
21:25Or translator for firm of publishers.
21:27French, Spanish, all that.
21:29He equipped us for nothing.
21:30Nothing at all.
21:38Hey, don't worry.
21:40I'll find something.
21:41We'll have to.
21:42And soon.
21:44The tradesman won't let us have things on tick indefinitely.
21:51The manicure is required for gentlemen's barbershop.
21:54Perhaps I could do that.
21:55Evie.
21:58Can you see Aunt Lydia's face?
22:01There it is.
22:02Frank's sister Pearl spotted it.
22:04The one who works at Marshall and Snellgrove.
22:06The Daniele Academy requires young ladies as dancing partners.
22:10You could do that, Miss Evie.
22:11Do you think so?
22:12You're young and a lady.
22:14Pearl says they undertake a very superior type of person at Daniele's.
22:19But I've only ever danced with B.
22:20It's just the same with a real man.
22:22Except there's less to get in the way.
22:24That was only the waltz and polka.
22:26They'd expect you to know all the latest dances, wouldn't they?
22:29The foxtrot.
22:29Yeah, and the jogtrot and the twinkle.
22:31I've never even heard of those.
22:34Don't you worry.
22:35I can teach you.
22:37Frank and me are demons.
22:42On loan from Pearl.
22:45The original Dixieland jazz band.
22:49Head up, Miss Evie.
22:51That's it.
22:52You've got it.
22:54Have, have a knife.
22:55Now, we do the next bit we practice.
22:57Do you remember?
22:58Yeah, surely.
22:58Watch.
22:59Do you remember now?
23:06Yes.
23:06Come on, then.
23:07We'll do it together.
23:09Go.
23:11Woo!
23:12Now, come on, Miss Evie.
23:13Hand up.
23:15And head round.
23:16Now.
23:17And kick.
23:19And again.
23:22Woo!
23:23It won't be like this with a man, though, will it?
23:25Oh, if he's like Frank, you'll have no problems.
23:27Woo!
23:27Oh, see, it's quite good.
23:29Wrong when you get ahead of it.
23:32Oh, there.
23:33You picked it up in no time.
23:35You're a natural-born Pavlovia.
23:38Well, I don't know about that.
23:40But it might be worth going to see Mr. Daniele.
23:43Don't tell me, though.
23:45If I do get the job, I want it to come up as a complete surprise.
23:47What sort of job is it?
23:51Tailor-made.
23:53You remember the Spencer Ewells?
23:55Oh, no, why should you?
23:57General Spencer Ewell was a patient of your Uncle Richard's.
24:01Arthur and I dined with them the other evening.
24:04And the general mentioned in passing
24:08that his elderly mother,
24:10who lives in Belgravia,
24:12is looking for a day companion.
24:17Someone reliable
24:19and from a sound background.
24:22I said at once,
24:24I know the very person.
24:25And up.
24:42And up.
24:43And up.
24:55And the way.
25:02And the way.
25:05And the way.
25:06And the way.
25:25Bee, our troubles are over. I've found a job.
25:30Where?
25:30At Danielly's Dancing Academy.
25:33Where?
25:33At Danielly's Dancing Academy.
25:36Doing what?
25:38Dancing.
25:40I was chosen from five other girls and I had to do the tango.
25:44Well, say something.
25:46Aren't you pleased?
25:49Well, yes.
25:50But it isn't up to me, is it?
25:53It's absolutely out of the question, Evangeline.
25:55What sort of reputation do you think it would get?
25:59A dancing partner at Danielly's.
26:02But it's a very respectable dancing academy.
26:05There is no such thing as some utter cads use those places.
26:09What on earth are you thinking of?
26:10Of earning some money.
26:12Mind you, it's Beatrice, I blame you.
26:13It wasn't Bee's fault.
26:15She didn't even know I was going for the interview.
26:18I wanted to surprise her.
26:20It is just as well that Uncle Henry made you my ward.
26:27The world is full of dangers for pretty young creatures like you.
26:30I can see that I'm going to have to keep a very strict eye on you.
26:37So,
26:38no more of this nonsense about Danielly's, please.
26:42I told Mr. Danielly I would be starting on Monday.
26:45I'll have my clerk draw up a letter informing him that you will not after all be available.
26:49You will make no further contact with the place yourself.
26:52Is that understood?
26:52I have no choice, have I?
27:01How are you getting home?
27:04By bus.
27:06I take it Beatrice will be meeting you.
27:07No.
27:08She's gone to see Mrs. Spencer Yule.
27:11Oh, yes.
27:13Well, then you'd better take a taxi cab.
27:14We can't have you travelling alone in public transport, can we?
27:19Oh, and, um,
27:21before we get into the taxi,
27:22I'll be absolutely certain to check
27:24that it has a door handle on the inside
27:26as well as the outside.
27:28Some, I'm told, have not.
27:34White slave traffic.
27:52Yes.
28:06yes madam I'm Beatrice Elliot I have an appointment with
28:36Mr Spencer Yule will you please come in thank you am I supposed to know you no I good I can never be sure
28:49these days I've come about the post of day companion oh yes your son the general is a friend
28:58of my aunts algae interfering again he thinks I'm going batty well sit down let me have a look at you
29:08well at least you're a sensible age won't be making cows eyes the footman
29:21don't you worry mum it's all right don't you worry
29:41can I help oh yes please miss if we could just get her home
29:48it was my aunt lady Lydia Elliot who recommended me to your son Lydia oh yes I remember her
30:05pretty little creature bit below the pale wasn't her father in trade I have never heard anything
30:15about aunt Lydia's parents I'm not surprised still a dash of yeoman blood never harmed any family
30:22you have good bones thank you like that sitwell girl extraordinary looking creature
30:32nearly on
30:37he's ever so good at you miss I'm just glad I was there to her I told her she shouldn't go out
30:44she had the baby four days a month
30:46Charlie
30:52fine mum was taken back go and fetch Billy
30:54I'm all right
30:56all right she's just collapsed in the street oh poor old thing I said they should never have
31:12allowed her out of the hospital it's a disgrace I shall take it out this lady here I'll just back
31:17come on hello Penelope Maddox from the local mission
31:21that's right Tilly let's get her inside I bought some milk and provisions
31:27and there are some baby clothes in my basket would you mind getting them
31:30come on let's get her out of the way
31:33are you good at reading aloud miss Urquhart
31:37Elliot
31:38that is what I said
31:40I used to read to my sister when she was small
31:43not I imagine Ethel M Dell
31:46no
31:47what would my other duties be Mrs Spencer you're
31:51duties
31:53helping me through this maze my mind has become
32:00picking up objects when I drop them
32:03pushing me about in my bath chair when the weather allows
32:07putting up with my continual complaints
32:10if you can do all that the job is yours
32:14but if I were you I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole
32:21need the money I suppose
32:25yes
32:26well think it over
32:29let me know by the end of the week
32:32and do not say yes
32:38unless you are prepared to see me out
32:41I hadn't realised that people lived like that
32:49thousands of them
32:51and slum clearance will take the kingdom come
32:55and all those children
32:57she's had two in the last 18 months
33:00as well as a miscarriage
33:01war was a rest cure for women like her
33:05it seems so dreadful when they can't afford to feed or clothe them
33:10Mari's right of course
33:12birth control's the only answer
33:14she's hoping to open a clinic next year
33:18well that's if the god-bothering bigots don't clap her in arms first
33:22her name Mari Stokes is like a red rag to them
33:25do you know Mari Stokes?
33:27she's an old family friend
33:29my parents met her in Japan
33:31studying fossil
33:32have you read her book
33:35Married Love?
33:36no
33:37well don't you dare get spiced until you have
33:40I'll lend it to you if you like
33:42sorry what did you say her name was?
33:51Penelope Maddox
33:52she works for a mission that helps poor people
33:54and she campaigned for votes for women
33:57oh and she knows Mari Stokes
33:59and Lady Rhonda
34:00and Sydney Webb
34:01and
34:02she's coming to tea tomorrow
34:04well you said we needed a social circle
34:09so the crux of the matter is
34:14you're on your uppers
34:15well as a matter of fact
34:17I have been offered a post
34:18as day companion to some aged invalid
34:20oh well you mustn't do that
34:22that's what I said
34:24well if anyone has any better suggestions
34:26beggars can't be choosers
34:28oh I'm sorry
34:29I know decent jobs aren't easily come by
34:32especially when you've had no education
34:34and have a guardian like Arthur
34:36of course I can afford to do the work I want to
34:39unpaid
34:40one tends to take it for granted sometimes
34:43but there must be something for you Beatrice
34:46you don't mind if I call you Beatrice
34:48what can you do?
34:50not much
34:50oh nonsense
34:52you must be able to do heaps of things
34:54she's a marvellous dressmaker
34:56oh
34:57well what did you do in the war?
35:00were you a nurse?
35:01you were a doctor's daughter?
35:02I did nothing
35:03of course you did be
35:05she looked after father and me
35:07and helped run the house
35:08and knitted about a million balaclavas
35:10oh well the boys were damn glad of him
35:12I can tell you
35:13it was freezing out there at the front
35:15were you out there Penelope?
35:18for a while
35:19what did you do?
35:20I drove an ambulance
35:21how exciting
35:23or was it dreadful?
35:27both
35:27have you read those new poems by Wilfred Owen?
35:30no
35:31well you must
35:32they ought to be compulsory reading
35:33we must never let another war happen
35:35we don't have money to spend on books
35:37well never mind
35:38I'll lend it to you if you like
35:40along with the Murray Stapes one
35:41and anything else you want to borrow
35:43and I'll keep a look out for jobs too
35:45thank you
35:47what are friends for?
35:53bye
35:54see you again
35:55soon
36:11bye
36:41Pee, I'm just going to bed now, sir.
37:08What are you doing?
37:08I'm trying to work out how much these will fetch.
37:12Pee, that's Mother's Jew.
37:14You can't sell those.
37:16The tradesman won't wait forever, Evie.
37:19Even if I take the job that Mrs Spencer owes, I won't be paid at once.
37:23Poor Pee.
37:26I know how much you'd treasure these.
37:29I can't afford to be sentimental.
37:31This is gold.
37:32You should fetch a few pounds.
37:35It's beautiful.
37:39Did Father give it to her?
37:41Father?
37:42When did he ever give her anything worth having?
37:45Grandfather gave it to her on her 17th birthday.
37:49You cannot sell that bee.
37:52Have you any better ideas?
37:54Well, Penelope may come up with something.
37:56Wouldn't rely on it.
37:58Besides, we need the money now.
38:00Tomorrow I have to do the rounds and I must pay something on account.
38:04I'm sure if you asked the tradesman they would understand-
38:06No, Evie.
38:07Not again.
38:08I cannot ask for any more favors.
38:10It's too humiliating.
38:16I can't tell you how grateful I am, Mr Cooper.
38:18I assure you the rest will be paid by the end of the month.
38:21Thank you, Mr. Xavier.
38:22Come on, Vincent.
38:23Come on, Vincent.
38:51I brought you those books I promised marvellous oh and I think I may have found you a job too
39:09with my brother Jack photographer Jack Maddox is your brother the one who takes society photographs
39:16he's good with the old biddies but he is totally disorganized what will I have to do
39:20general dog's body oh and put up with his moods moods he's an only son spoiled rotten love him
39:29dearly though and you'll have to meet him of course see if you pass master so tomorrow morning
39:3311 o'clock there's the address thank you wouldn't it be marvellous if I got this job
39:40we could pay off the tradesman and you could say no thank you to mrs. Spencer Yule now let's not
39:45jump the gun Evie even if you do get the job you still need Arthur he can't not approve Jack Maddox has had photographs
39:54in the creek number 24 did you say yes this must be it
40:05come on through
40:13come on through
40:26mr. Maddox
40:38good morning
40:39who the devil are you
40:41our name is Elliot Penelope arranged an appointment for my son
40:45Evangeline Elliot a splendidly alliterative and you're here to chaperone her of course very wise too far too delectable to be let loose on her own champagne no thank you
41:07so your chums are Penelope's eh she thinks I need a factotum always organizing people old pen starving hordes wayward brothers
41:24so tell me what can you do miss Evangeline Elliot
41:30well I'm choose to help our father in the reception by our father I take it you do not
41:36mean the deity no he was a doctor so you could make appointments reliably I think so think or no no
41:44can you type with two fingers she has extremely neat handwriting confident on the telephone yes she is
41:55she is
41:58you uh
41:59do you know anything about cameras
42:01I'm afraid not
42:04few people do
42:05you any good at telling lies
42:08well I've not really had much practice
42:11my sister was not brought up to tell lies mr. Maddox
42:14pity the ability to lie is essential to the job
42:16let me show you
42:18you see the women who come to me to have their portrait taken are uh
42:23of a certain age
42:25this is how they look
42:27and this is how they would like to look
42:32I performed the miracle
42:34I've become very successful and made a lot of women happy with a few lies
42:38as my receptionist you'd have to back up these lies
42:41see they'll ask you um
42:43well is it a true likeness
42:45and you will have to convince them that it is
42:48without so much as murmuring the word
42:50retouch
42:52well that would only count as white lies surely
42:54that's driven snow
42:56so the sum up
42:58on the plus side
43:01you can type
43:04with two fingers
43:05you can make appointments
43:06answer the telephone
43:07and on the minus side
43:10you drive away all my old trouts
43:16and I'd be bankrupt within a year
43:18I'm much too young
43:21and much too pretty for the job Evangeline
43:23you'd do that
43:26you must be mad Bea
43:30I would have given anything for that job
43:32nothing on earth would induce me to work for that odious man
43:35I liked him
43:36that was obvious
43:38I suppose it's because he's related to Penelope
43:41you don't like her either do you?
43:43bosh
43:44well if you'd rather work for Mrs Spencer Ewell
43:47at least I shall know where I am with her
43:49but don't you see
43:52that's the wonderful thing about Jack Maddox
43:55working for him would never ever be dull
44:02Molly
44:04can you remember when you first met Frank?
44:06oh I should do
44:07it was only three months ago
44:09did you lose your appetite?
44:12no
44:13did you lie awake at night?
44:16no
44:17go jelly kneed whenever you thought of him?
44:20glory no
44:22isn't that what falling in love is like?
44:26sounds more like the flu to me
44:28anyway me and Frank weren't never what you call love birds
44:31with two million surplus women
44:33a girl's lucky if she can nab a man at all
44:35loves for those as can afford it
44:38who do we know with a son that's going a begging?
44:43for Evangeline
44:47now that Beatrice has a position
44:49we must think about her sister
44:52I suppose it'll have to be a younger son
44:56what about Dick Hindlesham's brother?
44:59poor chap's a nervous wreck
45:01shell shock
45:02a soothing young wife may be just what he needs
45:06you see life in such simplistic terms mother
45:09marriage solves everything
45:11the right marriage
45:13that reminds me Arthur
45:15the Winthrop's are back from Biarritz
45:17oh mother
45:18I know Agatha is no oil painting
45:20but she's so well connected
45:23you make her sound like an electric lamp
45:25she's certainly taken a shine to you
45:28when I decide to marry
45:31I shall make my own choice
45:33that is what I'm afraid of
45:35as father did
45:41and he couldn't have made a better choice could he?
45:51all the same
45:53one does not climb the social ladder
45:55in order to slide down it again
45:59I hear the Pettinger girl has turned out quite well
46:02perhaps we should invite her to the theatre
46:04brother
46:05would you please confine your matchmaking talents elsewhere
46:08if only there wasn't such a shortage of men
46:11the war has a lot to answer for
46:14and it isn't as if poor Evangeline had any social graces
46:20when did Henry ever entertain?
46:23not at home certainly
46:25not at home certainly
46:53lots more
47:10Arthur?
47:12this is Beatrice
47:14I would like to make an appointment to come and see you
47:17as soon as possible
47:19A family matter.
47:32Ah Beatrice. Sorry to keep you.
47:34I can spare you 15 minutes.
47:37How can I help?
47:38By telling me the truth about father's money.
47:40I'm sorry?
47:42I don't believe he lost it all through careless investments.
47:46I'm not sure what you're suggesting.
47:48I think you've been covering up for him.
47:50Was there a woman?
47:54Have you quite taken leave of your senses?
47:57Uncle Henry was a pillar of society.
48:00What on earth makes you suggest such a thing?
48:02A cupboard full of expensive clothes.
48:04A lace handkerchief.
48:06Please tell me I have a right to know.
48:08I hope that you and Evangeline need never find out.
48:19Evangeline need not which is why I'm here on my own.
48:22Or mother. It would kill her.
48:24Then he did have a mistress.
48:26There were a series of...
48:28shall we say liaisons.
48:30Came back over many years.
48:32Since you were a small child.
48:34What?
48:35They were all of course ladies of a certain standard.
48:37Do you mean he was whoring while mother was still alive?
48:39Fortunately he was discreet.
48:41The dirty lying hypocrite.
48:43Beatrix, please.
48:44Wasn't it enough that he killed her?
48:46Now come I hardly get you this one.
48:47Yes he did.
48:48Forcing her to go on trying for a son year after year when he knew it wasn't safe.
48:51Keep your voice down. People will hear.
48:53Good. I want them to hear.
48:54To hear how the upright Dr. Elliot betrayed mother and ruined my life as well.
48:59For God's sake.
49:00How he made me work as an unpaid housekeeper and nanny because he was too mean to pay anybody else.
49:04Pull yourself together.
49:05How he deprived me of a decent education and the only hope I ever had of marriage.
49:10How he stopped Evie and I doing all the things that make life worthwhile.
49:14And all the time he was off fornicating with a string of whores.
49:18Beatrix!
49:26It's only natural that you should feel a little bitter.
49:28A little bitter?
49:30But you must try to be sensible.
49:32Put all that behind you now and look to the future.
49:37You have the offer of an excellent post.
49:39Waiting on Mrs. Spencer, you, till the last remnant of my youth is gone.
49:43I very much doubt you would be offered a better post.
49:46Well as a matter of fact I have.
49:49With the photographer Jack Maddox.
49:53And what's more I intend to take it.
49:55I'm going to take it.
49:56I'm going to take it.
49:57I'm going to take it.
50:02I'm going to take it.
50:12Olha!