Mr. Bates quotes from Downton Abbey

Mr. Bates

You can change your life if you want to. Sometimes you have to be hard on yourself, but you can change it completely. I know.

Mr. Bates

Nothing is over. And nothing is done with.

Mr. Bates

I saw this advertisement for a limp corrector. What does it do exactly?

It corrects limps.

Mr. Bates

Does it work?

Well, as I make it and I advertise it, is it likely I'd say no?

Mrs. Hughes

Mr. Bates, what's the matter?

Mr. Bates

Nothing, not a thing. I'm fine.

Mrs. Hughes

Let me help you.

Mr. Bates

I'm perfectly alright. Thank you, Mrs. Hughes.

Mrs. Hughes

Are you sure? You're as white as a sheet.

Mr. Bates

It's my wonderful complexion, inherited from my Irish mother.

Anna

I love you, Mr Bates. I know it’s not ladylike to say it, but I’m not a lady, and I don’t pretend to be.

Mr. Bates

You are a lady to me. And I never knew a finer one.

Mr. Bates

I think it means, at long last, I'm able to get a divorce.

Anna

Mr. Bates, is this a proposal?

Mr. Bates

If that's what you want to call it. And you might start calling me John.

Anna

Will we have to leave Downton?

Mr. Bates

Not until we want to. I've spoken to his lordship, and he will find a cottage for us near the house.

Anna

You told him you want to marry me?

Mr. Bates

I did.

Anna

Before you spoke to me?

Mr. Bates

You don't mind, do you?

Anna

Of course I mind! In fact, I'd give you a smack if I didn't want to kiss you so much I could burst!

Mr. Bates

I thought I was helping him get out of our lives for good. Now he ranks higher than I do. I've been a damn fool.

Anna

By the way, what was that phrase he gave you to say to Miss O'Brien? You can tell me now, surely.

Mr. Bates

If you keep it under your hat. It was, "Her Ladyship's soap."

Anna

What?

Mr. Bates

I can't make any sense of it either, but that's what he said. "Her Ladyship's soap." And it worked.

Mr. Bates

How was Lady Mary this morning?

Anna

The same, though I suppose she must come out of it eventually.

Mr. Bates

For Master George's sake if for no other reason.

Mr. Bates

You have put up with so much that I couldn't change. So if there is ever the slightest thing that I could make better for you, I will.

Anna

But how did you mange it?

Mr. Bates

Don't I keep telling you? Prison was an education.

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.

Mr. Bates

I don't think Mr. Moseley meant to be unkind about Miss Marigold.

Anna

I'm sure he didn't.

Mr. Bates

Only it seemed to put you in a strange mood.

Anna

Did it?

Mr. Bates

It's ironic. So many children in need of a home, so many homes in need of a child.

Mr. Bates

My God, what have I said? My darling, what have I said?!

Anna

It's not your fault. Only...I thought I was pregnant. And then this morning...Well, anyway, now I'm not.

Mr. Bates

You should have told me.

Anna

I didn't want to get your hopes up.

Mr. Bates

You weren't to know that'd happen.

Anna

But you see I was. Because it's happened before. Twice. I can't do it! I'm not able!

Mr. Bates

There is no proof of that. But if you're not, you're not. We'll be all right.

Anna

I've let you down.

Mr. Bates

There are no words less true than those. You could never let me down.

Anna

Will you miss me?

Mr. Bates

I miss you when you're out of sight, let alone in London.