Downton Abbey Season 1 quotes

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."

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.

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.

Nothing is as changeable as a young man's heart. Take hope--and warning--from that.

You think you're so holy, don't you? You're just a cheat. Like me.

Michael Gregson

I have won against a card sharp. There is pleasure in that.

Mrs. Hughes

No man should be able to do what he did and get away with it.

Anna

And when Mr. Bates has killed him, will you come with me to the prison when my husband is hanged?

Mrs. Hughes

But the poor man's heart is breaking for not knowing.

Anna

Better a broken heart than a broken neck.

Daisy

One moment of nastiness and I'll be paying for the rest of my days?

Lady Mary Crawley

What's the matter? You've been in a glump all day.

Tom Branson

If I told you, you'd despise me.

Lady Mary Crawley

It may surprise you to hear that I said that to someone once. But I did confess in the end, and it made things a lot better.

Tom Branson

Well I couldn't say it. Not to you.

Lady Mary Crawley

Then find someone you can tell. It'll help more than you know.

What's the matter with you?

Never mind.

I thought we were all about to be dancing to your tune.

Do you ever wonder why people dislike you so much? It's because you are sly and oily and smug. And I'm really pleased I got the chance to tell you before I go.

Well, if we're playing the truth game, then you're a manipulative little witch, and if your schemes have come to nothing, I'm delighted.

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.

Lady Mary Crawley

If Papa believes enough in Drewe to lend him the money and to hide it from us, then that tells me something.

Tom Branson

What exactly?

Lady Mary Crawley

That you and I are in partnership with a very decent man.

Mr. Bates

Nothing is over. And nothing is done with.

I'm nervous, now it's happened.

[dismissive] What's there to be nervous about?

You're nervous because you're intelligent, Alfred. Only stupid people are foolhardy. [Other servants look at him meaningfully, but Jimmy holds his tongue.]