Violet Crawley quotes from Downton Abbey

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."

Now, I asked Branson to come here because I have an idea.

Lady Mary Crawley

Granny, you must call him "Tom".

I thought I could call him "Branson" again, now that he's the agent?

Lady Mary Crawley

Well you can't!

Tom Branson

I don't mind.

There I see I'm beaten, but oh, how I sympathize with King Canute.

Lady Mary Crawley

Now what was this idea?

I want, uh--

Tom Branson

Tom.

Tom, to be your instructor

Tom Branson

What?!

Well, take Mary on your rounds. Let her learn the farmer's difficulties. Explain...the crops. And the--the livestock.

Isobel Crawley

How you hate to be wrong.

I wouldn’t know, I’m not familiar with the sensation.

Is this your first experience of jazz, Lady Grantham?

Oh, is that what it is? Do you think any of them know what the others are playing?

Isobel Crawley

I'm a feeble substitute for the entire Crawley family.

Mmm. Yes, but you're better than nothing.

When are you going to London?

Lady Edith Crawley

Tomorrow. I must get some new clothes now I'm back to normal shape.

I...I know we never talk about the baby, but I realize it must be on your mind constantly.

Lady Edith Crawley

Can we please say "she" and not "it"?

I wish you hadn't been away so long.

Lady Edith Crawley

They thought it helped the baby to be weened by her real mother.

Yes. Well, I'm sure everything worked out for the best. After all your French must be superb.

Lady Edith Crawley

That's right, Granny. Let's get back to what really matters.

Lady Mary Crawley

Darling Granny, you know how much I value your advice--

Which means you intend to ignore it.

I would never suggest anything that is not in your interest.

Lady Edith Crawley

In my interest, or the family's?

To me, they are the same.

Lady Edith Crawley

That is where we differ.

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.

Lady Rosamund Painswick

I'm afraid you've read somewhere that rudeness in old age is amusing, which is quite wrong, you know.

We both know you are not leaving my house until I learn the truth. So shall I have a bed made up for you here, or are you doing to tell me now?

Lady Mary Crawley

Granny, what do you think?

Oh, it is you. I thought it was a man wearing your clothes.

Tom Branson

It suits you.

It's certainly just the sort of thing I'd expect of you.

Isobel Crawley

I think she's splendid!

I think she's cracked.

I've been awake the whole night. There's only one thing we can say. We have to tell Cora.

Lady Rosamund Painswick

Well, isn't that rather a betrayal?

If anything happens to Edith and Cora learns later we knew all along, she would never forgive us. And I wouldn't blame her. You see, as a mother it is her right.

Lady Rosamund Painswick

But you don't plan to tell Robert? He is Edith's father.

He's a man. Men don't have rights.

Lady Mary Crawley

What's the matter, Granny?

I'm just worried about Edith.

Lady Mary Crawley

Oh, I can't think why.

My dear, a lack of compassion can be as vulgar as an excess of tears.