Downton Abbey2010

[Sarah O'Brien is talking about Matthew and Isobel Crawley]

Sarah O'Brien:
I'm sorry but *I* have standards. And if anyone thinks I'm going to pull my forelock and curtsey to this Mister Nobody from Nowhere...

[Lady Cora comes into the Servants' Hall. All the servants stand up]

Cora, Countess of Grantham:
O'Brien! Were you discussing Mr Crawley?

Sarah O'Brien:
Yes, My Lady.

Cora, Countess of Grantham:
Is it your place to do so?

Sarah O'Brien:
I've got my opinions, My Lady, same as anybody.

[Mrs Hughes comes in]

Mrs. Hughes:
Can I help Your Ladyship?

Cora, Countess of Grantham:
[to Mrs Hughes] This is the button that's missing from my new evening coat. I found it lying on the gravel. But I was shocked at the talk I heard as I came in. [to O'Brien] Mr Crawley is His Lordship's cousin and heir. You *will*, therefore, please accord him the respect that he is entitled to.

Sarah O'Brien:
But you don't like him yourself, milady. You never wanted him to come...

Cora, Countess of Grantham:
You're sailing *perilously* close to the wind, O'Brien. If we're to be friends, you will *not* speak in that way again about the Crawleys, or *any* member of Lord Grantham's family. Now I'm going up to rest. Wake me at the dressing gong.

[Lady Cora walks out of the room]

Thomas:
I don't think that's fair - not here in the Servants' Hall.

Sarah O'Brien:
I agree. If she was a *real* lady, she wouldn't have come down here. She'd have rung for me and given me the button, that's all.

Thomas:
This isn't her territory. We can say what we like down here.

Mrs. Hughes:
Who says?

Thomas:
The Law - and Parliament. There *is* such a thing as free speech.

Mrs. Hughes:
Not when *I'm* in charge! Don't push your luck, Thomas. Now, tea's over. Back to work!

[Mrs Hughes leaves]

Sarah O'Brien:
Friends! Who does she think she's fooling. *We're* not friends.

Anna:
No?

Sarah O'Brien:
No. And you're not friends with the girls, neither. We're servants, you and me, and they pay us to do as we're told. That's all.