Glorious 39 Page #2

industry back to peaceful means.

We are actually planning

to give them money!

That does sound truly bizarre,

Hector.

Alexander fought in the war,

got wounded,

so I don't criticise him,

but not enough other people

are speaking out.

It's up to young M Ps like me

to get rid of our present leadership,

which is leading us

towards our doom.

That is...quite a claim, Mr. Haldane.

Yes, and I'm aware

it isn't a popular thing to say

the present leadership will stand

no opposition or criticism.

The present leadership

view Mr. Churchill as dangerous

because he would stand up to Hitler.

He doesn't care

about giving offence to the Nazis.

So I feel I have to do

everything in my power

to make sure Mr. Churchill

is not ignored.

Come on Thursday.

The house will be empty

in the afternoon.

- Can you come?

- Yes.

I'll still be at Cranmore, I can come.

Excuse me.

A very pleasant evening.

Thank you.

Who is that man?

A strange, strange man.

Thank you

for such a wonderful birthday.

- It wasn't spoilt by Hector?

- No.

I'm used to his fiery outbursts.

And there is the possibility

he could be right.

Will you read to me, darling?

I love it when you read to me.

What would you like me to read?

It doesn't matter.

Some Keats, anything.

"My heart aches,

"and a drowsy numbness

pains my sense,

"as though of hemlock I had drunk,

"or emptied some dull opiate..."

Sonia.

How did you get in there?

You've made me

break the rules, Sonia.

What've you been doing

in here anyway?

Reading Papa's manuscript

about Napoleon?

What are these doing here?

Been having a good listen,

have you?

Hello?

Mama?

- I found Sonia.

- That's splendid.

So much needs doing.

- You didn't see anyone pass by here?

- No, dear.

It must have been

one of the servants.

Look who I've found.

She got into one of the sheds.

She didn't realise

it was forbidden territory.

I thought you knew that.

Grumpy old girl. So good you're back.

Look what I found there too.

Foxtrots.

One of your favourites, Papa!

She's been dancing

in there too.

How odd. I don't think

I put gramophone records in there.

- I wonder how that happened.

- Let's see if it still plays.

Did you receive the letter?

Yes, I believe I did receive that.

I thought we dealt with that subject

you raised with me before

and were allowing

time for reflection.

There are various factors which have

to be taken into consideration...

That's no foxtrot.

I'd like to see Papa dancing to that!

That's very strange.

I think this must be Joseph's doing.

Mr. Balcombe asked if he could store

some government overflow with us.

They're drowning in paper,

apparently.

The government needs

to store things here?

It seemed a harmless thing to do.

The reason he gave is interesting,

and quite funny, and rather rude.

He said there were so few places

where one can trust

the servants won't go any more,

but knowing our servants,

that wasn't a worry here.

He said that?

They hardly manage to clean the

house, let alone the outbuildings!

People didn't count on

Sonia and Anne.

Why are they storing records

that are labelled as foxtrots?

Which clearly are not.

That's probably their idea

of maximum security.

"Let's call everything after a dance.

"That'll fool everybody, nobody

will see through that!"

Since Munich they've been recording

many government calls

because people's note-taking

has been so inadequate.

But I had no idea we had some here.

It's rather exciting.

Are you sure there's nobody here?

There shouldn't be.

Not even the servants.

They've all gone to the fte.

Do we have to have George watching?

That's Sonia.

Do we have to have her watching?

She likes to watch people make love.

How many people has she watched?

I've asked, but she's not telling.

It's the way we always come,

Aunt Elizabeth.

Well, there appear to be

no servants.

There's no one to take my coat.

- Shall I take it?

- That's all right, my dear.

Aunt Elizabeth! What a surprise!

I thought you were arriving tomorrow.

There's been

a slight change of plan.

Which I hope is not inconvenient.

It has been quite

an extraordinarily busy fortnight.

First, the ball at Blenheim Palace,

which I must admit was spectacular!

People said

it put Versailles to shame.

Then there was the one

at Holland House,

which was an awful crush, and

full of politicians and film stars.

- No offence, my dear.

- It sounds exhausting.

Actually, it was rather invigorating.

You're looking very well, my dear.

Positively glowing.

It must be the country air.

I'll see you in London.

Promise?

Of course.

Even though so much is happening,

nothing is going

to stop me seeing you.

You don't mind me

doing the crossword here, do you?

Of course not, Gilbert.

We won't work today.

It's always the bit players

who get delayed.

Come on, Gilbert, no moaning today.

I'm looking forward

to our scene next week.

You're coming up for the weekend,

for the picnic, so we can rehearse?

I'm honoured to be invited,

and of course I'm coming.

But I don't really feel

the need to rehearse.

It's the same old part for me,

the jolly old gentleman.

Phone call, Miss Keyes.

Hello?

- It's Lawrence.

- Hello.

- Have you heard the news?

- No. What?

Hector is dead.

What?

What happened? That's terrible.

I think he killed himself.

My God.

- It's in the newspaper.

- I haven't seen the newspaper.

He must have killed himself or...

Or what?

No, I... I can't talk on the telephone.

I'm going to Scotland to see

his parents. I'll find out more.

- As soon as I'm back...

- How long are you going for?

Not long.

- When I'm back, I have to see you.

- I have to see you too.

There you are. I thought you'd been

called and gone without me.

What's the matter?

Somebody I know has died.

Yes. Hector Haldane.

Always thought

he had a marvellous name.

He was one of the young

Members of Parliament

speaking out against

appeasing Herr Hitler.

I read one of his speeches once.

Passionate stuff.

He's been calling for a change

at the top for a new prime minister.

How sad.

He was a man of potential.

I saw him only 2 weeks ago.

There you are, my dear!

We thought you weren't coming.

I'm sorry I'm late.

It's a long journey from the studio.

You'll have a thrilling evening,

meeting our new vicar.

- Have you heard the news?

- We have.

Poor Hector. It's terrible news.

He was so full of life.

So, Alexander.

I'm glad to see

some things don't change.

The family still matters here, clearly.

You should've put a coat on, Celia.

No wonder you're cold.

Of course you're shocked, my dear.

- Do you know what happened?

- No.

Lawrence didn't tell me very much.

He said he thought Hector

had killed himself.

It's possible. He was excitable.

But there was something

very touching about him.

And very brave.

I'm so honoured

you were able to come this evening.

We're delighted to get

our own private performance.

And we are all here.

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