Lord Grantham quotes from Downton Abbey

It turns out Miss West is quite unsuitable as a nanny. She's leaving today.

What?! Not another one!

Well, Mary must read it (Matthew's letter) before you send it anywhere. Or are you trying to hide from the truth?

What truth?

That you would prefer to be in sole charge of the estate and not share the crown with Mary

Don't be silly. This won't make any difference to all that. She won't want to get involved.

When you talk like that, I'm tempted to ring for Nanny and have you put to bed with no supper.

[reading] "My darling Mary. We are off to Duneagle in the morning, and I have suddenly realized I have never made a will, or anything like one, which seems pretty feeble for a lawyer. And you being pregnant makes it even more irresponsible--"

Mmm, I'm afraid I have to agree with that.

"I'll do it properly when I get back and tear this up before you ever see it. But I'll feel easier that I've recorded on paper that I wish you to be my sole heiress."

Lady Edith Crawley

What?

"I cannot know if our baby is a boy or a girl, but I do know it will be a baby if anything happens to me before I have drawn up a will. And so you must take charge. And now I shall sign this and get off home for dinner with you. What a lovely, lovely thought. Matthew."

Is something wrong between you?

Mr. Bates

Yes. But I don't know what it is. She says it's nothing I've done, but how can I believe that? It must be my fault because she is incapable of fault. I don't know what to do.

There is no such thing as a marriage between two intelligent people that does not sometimes have to negotiate thin ice. I know. You must wait until things become clear....The damage cannot be irreparable when a man and a woman love each other as much as you do. [pause] My goodness, that was strong talk for an Englishman.

Good-bye Tom. Look after all my womenfolk. Including Isis. [whispers] Especially Isis.

Lady Rose McClare

What's a group noun for suitors?

What do you think, a desire?

Lady Rosamund Painswick

A desire of suitors. Very good.

Lady Mary Crawley

If you're going to talk nonsense, I have better things to do.

You're back. I can't believe it.

If you knew how many times I'd imagined this scene.

What a relief to be able to drink in public without a policeman pouncing. Down with Prohibition!

She's just rung up and asked herself for tea!

Do people think we're a public house on the Great North Road?

Mary, you take [the children]. Tony, go with her. Tom, come with me! You know where the sand buckets are kept. Good God! Barrow, is she alright?!....We must get her outside. Quickly, Tom! Tom, get the hose! Rose, go up and wake Mrs. Hughes and the maids! She'll do the rest. We must alert the estate firemen....And save the dog!!

I must remember to organize a car to meet Charles Blake and his friend. They'll be here at tea time.

Do people think we're some sort of hotel who never presents a bill?

You've already made that joke.

Tell your friend Mr. Bricker to stop flirting with Isis! There is nothing more ill-bred than trying to steal someone else's dog!

As for his so-called cowardice, that were like a wound in battle--a wound to his brain--so he didn't know what he was doing! He were a good and decent lad.

Of course he was.

Doesn't that make him a casualty of war, m'lord? Same as our William or any of them?

What do you mean a man's opened a colony in Essex?

Not that sort of colony, Mama. It's for people who want to take all their clothes off.

In Essex? Isn't it terribly damp?

Lady Rosamund Painswick

Would that make a difference?

Well yes, if you had no clothes on.

Tom Branson

My vision of this country and where it should be headed is different from yours....I believe in reform, and the moral direction of the left.

I would only say this, Tom: In your time here, you've learned both sides of the argument, befriended people you'd once have seen as enemies.

Tom Branson

That's true.

You should be proud. Five years ago would you have believed you could be friendly with my mother?

Tom Branson

Not sure I would've believed it five minutes ago.

Don't make nothing of what you've achieved, that's all.