Lord Grantham quotes from Downton Abbey

Silence! May I ask for silence?! It is my great regret to say...that we are at war with Germany!

Isobel Crawley

The thing is, I've had a letter from Matthew. Of course, he doesn't tell me what he's actually doing.

No, he wouldn't. But I'm glad he's alright. I miss him.

Isobel Crawley

Well that's the point. You must know he's been down here a few times since the war started.

We had heard.

Downton is hardly a metropolis.

Is he still determined to go back to Manchester when it's all over?

Isobel Crawley

He doesn't talk much about life after the war. None of them do. I suppose they don't want to tempt fate. Until now, that is. He writes that he is engaged to be married to a Miss Lavinia Swire.

Well I--I suppose we all knew it would happen someday.

The trouble is, Mary's back from London today as well. She gets in at five o'clock.

Isobel Crawley

Matthew's driving down in Lavinia's car. They won't meet on the train.

Oh, that's a relief. [Everyone looks confused] I hate Greek drama, you know where everything happens off stage.

[about Lavinia] So that's Mary's replacement. Well, I suppose looks aren't everything.

I think she seems rather sweet. I'm afraid meeting us all together must be very intimidating.

I do hope so.

I wanted you to know I sent a note down to Clarkson, which should do the trick.

What did you say?

Only that I gathered you'd asked a favour, and given that the estate shoulders the hospital costs, it did seem a little unfair if we weren't allowed a few perks.

Quite right. Thank you, darling.

I gather your footman Thomas has returned to the village.

Crikey. Where did you see him?

At the hospital. Seems he's working there.

I wonder how he wangled that.

Well now, still in one piece. Thank God.

Matthew Crawley

Touch wood.

I never stop touching it.

Well, Clarkson's seen him. It's definitely not a heart attack, but he does need rest.

He's working much too hard. For a start he's just got to let the maids serve in the dining room.

Quite right. There is a war. Even Carson has to make sacrifices.

It's a brave new world we're headed for, no doubt about that. We must try to meet it with as much grace as we can muster.

Cora tells me Matthew's gone missing. Is that true?

There's no proof of anything yet.

I see. Well, I need more than that to make me anxious.

I'm glad you would be anxious.

Of course I would be. We're used to Matthew now. God knows who the next heir will be. Probably a chimney sweep from Solihull!

I wrestled with it, m'lord, I don't mind admitting. And I wanted to be there to help Lady Mary, and--

And protect her from Sir Richard.

Well, I wouldn't quite put it like that, but yes, I suppose. Only--

Only you felt you couldn't work for a man who would offer a bribe?

That is correct, m'lord.

Are you quite sure you won't regret it? I know how fond you are of Lady Mary.

But I couldn't work for a man that I don't respect. And I certainly couldn't have left Downton for him.

I shall take that as a compliment. For myself and for my house.

What do you mean "you knew"?!

Lady Mary Crawley

I hoped it would blow over! I didn't want to break up the family when Sybil might still wake up!

And all this time you been driving me about, bowing and scrapping, and seducing my daughter behind my back?!

Tom Branson

I don't bow and scrape! And I've not seduced anyone! Give your daughter some credit for knowing her own mind!

How dare you speak like that to me! You will leave at once!

Lady Sybil Crawley

Oh, Papa.

This is a folly! A ridiculous, juvenile madness!

Sybil, what do you have in mind?

Mama, this is hardly--

No. She must have something in mind. Otherwise she would not have summoned him here tonight.

I look at her and all I can see is a tired woman with a tiresome husband, not a bride on the brink of heaven. I wish I could understand why she goes on with it. Do you think there's some element I might have overlooked?

Yes.

Cora, if there is something and you know what it is, tell me, please.

Perhaps it's time.

I was hoping you would say I was wrong.

You're not wrong. But if I do tell you, try not to fly off the handle. And try not to be too hurt.

Now you must tell me because nothing could be worse than my imaginings.

Very well. Do you recall a Turkish diplomat who stayed here before the war?

I think I can be relied on to remember any guest who was found dead in his bed the next morning.

Well, that's the thing.

I was only going to say that if I do need a new valet, I think I'd like to give Thomas a trial....There's more true goodness in him than I give him credit for.

Is there?!

Come war and peace, Downton still stands and the Crawleys are still in it. Cora.

Mother, how lovely to see you.

As long as it is. Robert, aren't you going to kiss me?

With the greatest enthusiasm.

Lady Mary Crawley

Who will groan first when they see it, Granny or Papa?

Matthew Crawley

[chuckles] I should think they'll howl at the moon in unison!

What in God's name is this? Well I never! [marvels at the AC]

Where did this come from?

Matthew Crawley

I ordered it in London, picked it up on the way back. It's an AC.

Well, at least it's English.

How was the honeymoon?

Matthew Crawley

[grins] My eyes have been opened.

[smiles] Don't I know it.