Isobel Crawley quotes from Downton Abbey

Matthew Crawley

Mother, Lord Grantham has made the unwelcome discovery that his heir is a middle class lawyer, and the son of a middle class doctor.

Isobel Crawley

Upper middle class!

It's a cottage hospital, of course, but quite well equipped.

Isobel Crawley

Who pays for it?

Oh, good, let's talk about money.

My father gave the building and an endowment to run it. In a way, he set up his own memorial.

Isobel Crawley

But how splendid!

And Mr. Lloyd George's new insurance measures will help.

Please don't speak that man's name; we are about to eat.

You are quite wonderful, the way you see room for improvement wherever you look. I never knew such reforming zeal.

Isobel Crawley

I take that as a compliment.

I must have said it wrong.

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.

The war may be at an end, but the upheaval is only beginning.

Isobel Crawley

Oh how right you are. That is why Downton Abbey still has such an important role to play.

Dear me, there's so much to be done. When you think of all the children laid up with disease.

Isobel Crawley

But they're making such advances now, aren't they? Now, could we talk about the lecture program for Dow--

Oh, if we must, we must. If only I wasn't haunted by those women whose jobs will be snatched from them when the boys come home.

Isobel Crawley

But we have to find work for our heroes, don't we? That must be our priority. However hard that might sound.

Mm. As you say. And what about those wretched refugees? What will become of them?

Isobel Crawley

Ah. Now you've struck a chord.

Have I really? Oh, thank heaven.

Are you coming up to welcome the Queen of Sheba?

Isobel Crawley

I suppose so.

Lady Mary Crawley

People like us should lead the fight to keep tradition going.

Isobel Crawley

If you mean we can never change, I can't agree.

Nor me. Accepting change is as important as defending the past.

Lady Mary Crawley

The role of houses like Downton is to protect tradition. That's why they're so important to maintain.

I wish you'd let me sit in the front.

Isobel Crawley

I prefer it, I've ridden in the front seat many times.

Aren't you a wild thing!

There's never been a safer method of travel.

Nor a faster one.

Edith's the speed fiend, she likes to go at a terrific lick.

Do you think you'll be able to keep up with her?

I'll try.

[in surprise] Oh.

You didn't expect to find me here.

Isobel Crawley

No.

I thought the only person who could tell us with any accuracy the Bryants' response to Ethel's working nearby were the Bryants themselves.

Lady Grantham wrote to me explaining your wish.

Well, it was only that Mrs. Watson had answered the advertisement...

I know the circumstances. Just as I know that you would like to see how Charlie's getting on. As it happens, I've been uncomfortable about keeping a mother from her son. And though I wouldn't want to confuse him until he's much older, if then--

You wouldn't have to confuse him! I've got it all worked out! I'm his old nanny who was employed by you when he was born.

Isobel Crawley

But what about when he talks of you to Mr. Bryant?

You will please leave Mr. Bryant to me. Now Ethel, you must write to Mrs. Watson today and get it settled.

And I'll be able to see Charlie.

Isobel Crawley

It won't be easy.

It'll be easier than not seeing him. Very much easier.

Lady Edith Crawley

You ought to see more of George.

Isobel Crawley

Poor George. What a burden he is born into. A baby rich as Croesus and a mother almost passed over.

Lady Edith Crawley

That's the law.

Isobel Crawley

It seems so strange. Matthew has always so meticulous.

Lady Edith Crawley

He thought that death was many years away and so it should have been. If there's anything I can do to help, please let me do it.

Isobel Crawley

I'm grateful. But, you see, when your only child dies, then you're not a mother anymore. You're not anything really.

Lady Edith Crawley

You're a grandmother. And I know you're going to be a wonderful one.

Isobel Crawley

How you hate to be wrong.

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

Isobel Crawley

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

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

Isobel Crawley

How are you getting on with repairing the fire damage?

Lady Edith Crawley

They're all being marvelous, but I do feel such an idiot.

Lady Mary Crawley

Maybe because you behaved like an idiot.

Isobel Crawley

I think she's splendid!

I think she's cracked.

Isobel Crawley

I think you'll enjoy Paris.

Many of our countrymen have settled there. Of course, they've lost everything, but so have we.

Including the will to live.