The Remains of the Day

The Remains of the Day (1993) ~.

Dear Mr. Stevens,

You will be surprised to hear from me after all this time.

You have been in my thoughts ever since I heard that Lord Darlington had died.

We read in the Manchester Guardian that his heir put Darlington Hall up for sale

because they no longer wished to maintain it.

The article went on to say that since there were no buyer for such a large house,

the new Earl had decided to demolish it and sell the stone to a local builder for £5,000.

We also saw some rubbish in the Daily Mail which made my blood boil:

"Traitor's nest to be pulled down."

One hundred and eighty guineas? (A guinea is about £1.05.)

One hundred and eighty? Have we done?

Perhaps ladies and gentlemen, one of the great highlights of the sale:

Lot 414.

The fine Elizabethan portrait, "A Portly Gentleman".

I'll start the bidding at 2,000 guineas.

2,000 guineas. Thank you.

Two-two.

Two-four.

Two-six.

Two-eight.

Three thousand. Three-two.

Three-four. Three-six.

Three-eight.

4,000 guineas. Four and a half thousand.

Five thousand.

And a half.

Six thousand.

And a half.

Seven thousand.

And a half.

Eight thousand.

And a half.

Nine thousand.

And a half.

10,000 guineas is bid.

And a half.

Eleven thousand.

And a half.

Against you, sir, at eleven and a half thousand guineas.

All done at eleven and a half thousand guineas.

I was very relieved to read later on how an American millionaire

named Lewis had saved Darlington Hall

and that you would not to be turned out of your old home after all.

Could it possibly be the same Congressman Lewis

who attended His Lordship's conference in 1936?

Oh, Mr. Stevens, I so often think of the good old days

when I was the housekeeper at Darlington Hall.

Was certainly hard work.

And I certainly know butlers easier to please than our Mrs. Stevens.

But I remember those years with you was among the happiest of my life.

You must have a completely different staff now.

Not many of the old faces are likely to be around any more.

I don't suppose there's much need for the small army of footmen and under-butlers

that Lord Darlington employed.

My own news is not very cheerful.

In the 7 years since I last wrote to you, I have again left my husband,

and sad to say, my marriage seems to be finally over.

I'm staying with a friend in her boarding house in Clevedon.

I don't know what my future is.

Ever since Catherine, my daughter, got married last year,

my life has been empty.

The years stretch before me and if only I knew how to fill them.

But I would like to be useful again.

- Burned again? - Yes, I'm sorry, sir.

The rule in the kitchen has has always been that

cook cooks the cooked breakfast while her assistant toasts the toast.

Why don't we get her a pop-up toaster?

Mr. Lewis, we need not a new gadget but a revised staff plan, sir.

A staff plan, huh? I didn't know we had one.

Yes, sir. A faulty one, unfortunately.

Sir, quite recently,

you were kind enough to suggest that I go on a little holiday.

Take a trip around the country.

Absolutely. Certainly, take a break. See the world.

Thank you, sir.

When did you last see the world, Stevens? Tell me.

Well, in the past, the world always used to come to this house,

in a matter of speaking, if I may say so, sir.

You may say so.

Well, why don't you take off when I'm in London next week.

I tell you what, you can take the car.

- Take the Daimler. - Good Lord, sir. I couldn't possibly.

You and that Daimler belong together, Stevens.

You're made for each other.

Well, that's most kind of you, I must say, sir. Most kind.

I had intended to travel to West country,

where I understand we have some splendid scenery.

And I might incidentally be able to

solve our stuff problems while I'm in that part of world.

A... former housekeeper, at present living in Clevedon,

has indicated to me, sir,

that she might be prepared to return to service.

What's this, your girlfriend?

Or, you mean a, former attachment?

Oh, no, sir. No, sir.

No, but... Very able housekeeper, sir.

Most able housekeeper.

I... I was just kidding, Stevens.

- Yes, sir. - Sorry.

You know what I like best about your papers over here?

These obituaries.

Every son of a gun gets this stately funeral oration.

- It's not an art we have in United States. - Indeed, sir.

Thank you, Stevens.

Mr. Lewis.

Dear Mrs. Benn,

I propose to reach Clevedon on Thursday, the 3rd of October around 4 p.m.

Would be grateful for a line from you

to reach me, care of the post office at Collingbourne Ducis,

near Hungerford, where I'm planning to stop.

Mrs. Benn,

I always said you possess an amazing memory.

My new employer is indeed Congressman Lewis,

though he's now retired from political life in the United States.

He's already taken up residence, Darlington Hall,

will soon be joined by his family.

But I regret to say

we are woefully understaffed for a house this size.

Mrs. Benn,

Will you permit me once again to sing your praises?

Let me state that when you left us to get married

no housekeeper ever manage to reach your high standard in any department.

I well remember your first arrival in Darlington Hall.

You came somewhat unexpectedly.

One might even say impulsively

while we were dead in the middle of the Charlgrove meet.

That day is marked in my memory in another way as well.

It was the last time His Lordship seem happy to welcome his neighbours,

as in the old days.

Of course, it had been years

since any of them had coaxed him to hunt.

It was never a sport His Lordship enjoyed or approved of.

Good morning, Ayres.

My Lord, nice to see you.

Excuse me, sir.

I fear I may have been a little unwelcoming at first,

even a little short.

You presented the most excellent references that I ever seen.

Which proved to be well-deserved indeed.

Although, I confess, I did have my doubts, on account of your youth.

Well, no gentleman callers allowed, of course.

You forgive my mentioning it,

but we have had problems of that sort before.

From inside the house too.

Previous housekeeper took it into a head to run off with the under-butler.

If two members of stuff had to fall in love and decide to get married,

there's nothing one can say.

But what I do find a major irritation

are those persons who simply going from post to post looking for romance.

Housekeepers are particularly guilty here.

- No offence intended, of course. - None taken.

I know for my own experience how a house is at sixes and sevens

once the staff start marrying each other.

Yes, indeed.

- Might I have a word wit you, sir? - Of course.

My lord, it's regarding the under-butler

and the housekeeper who ran off together last month.

Bad business. How are you managing?

I believe I've found two first-rate replacements, sir.

Miss Kenton, a young woman with excellent references.

Very pleasing demeanour. Appears to be very able.

And a man with considerable experience of butlering, sir.

Now at certain age and happy to take on the post of under-butler.

Name?

Stevens, sir.

- Stevens? - Yes, sir.

- That's your name. - This is my father, sir.

Really?

We couldn't do better, I'm sure. I'd like to see him sometime.

He's outside the door, sir.

Good. Well, bring him in.

Thank you, My Lord.

Father.

Mr. Stevens, how do you do?

- My Lord. - Very good man here, your son.

He does the house great service. I don't know what we'd do without him.

- Proud of him, are you? - Very proud, My Lord.

Quite right too.

Yes.

Well, very glad to have you with us.

Thank you, My Lord.

- Oh, Steves... - Sir?

What are we have dinner tonight? 14:00? 16:00?

Twelve, sir.

Right.

Thank you, My Lord.

- Oh, Mr. Stevens... - Yes.

This little pitcher seems quite out of place here.

Dining room. Well spotted, Miss Kenton.

- Hello, William, how are you? - Good day, Miss Kenton.

Mr. Stevens,

I thought these might brighten your parlour a little.

Beg your pardon?

I thought they might cheer things up for you.

Well, that's very kind of you. Um...

If you like, Mr. Stevens, I could bring in some more cuttings for you.

Thank you, Miss Kenton,

but I... regard this... room as my private place of work

and I... I prefer to keep distractions to a minimum.