Constable Dexter: Inspector, there's a broken coffee cup down here.
Inspector Thompson: Dexter, they have people to clear these things up. You get on with your own job.
Mary Maceachran: What do I do with her Ladyship's jewels?
Elsie (Head Housemaid): This way. George is in charge of the safe, he's the first footman and you want to watch where he puts his hands.
Constance: Do you think he'll be as long as he usually is?
Elsie: Why do we spend our time living through them? Look at poor old Lewis. If her own mother had a heart attack, she'd think it was less important than one of Lady Sylvia's farts.
Constance: Mary, I don't think I'll wear that shirt after all. The other one's warmer, that's all I care about.
Arthur: George has had his revenge on Mr. Denton - hot coffee in the lap.
Arthur: Something funny about that bloke.
George (First Footman): His accent for a start.
Baron Raymond Stockbridge: Do you really have to go back to London?
Anthony Meredith: I am afraid so, Raymond. When you're ruined, there's so much to do.
Sir William McCordle: Yes, there is, isn't there? Moan, moan, moan.
Mrs. Croft: He was a hard-hearted randy old sod.
Mr. Jennings: Mr. Meredith.
Barnes: Hmm?
Mr. Jennings: You haven't seen Commander Meredith anywhere, have you?
Barnes: No.
Mr. Jennings: He never came downstairs and he's not in his room.
Barnes: Mr. Jennings, I've washed him and dressed him. If he can't find his way to the drawing room, it isn't my fault.
Constance: Tell me, how much longer are you going to go on making films?
Ivor Novello: I suppose that rather depends on how much longer the public want to see me in them.
Constance: It must be hard to know when it's time to throw in the towel... What a pity about that last one of yours... what was it called?"The Dodger"?
Ivor Novello: The Lodger.
Constance: The Lodger. It must be so disappointing when something just flops like that.
Barnes: Short arse.
Constable Dexter: Sir, someone's traipsed a load of mud in down here.
Inspector Thompson: Not now, Dexter, please.
Constance, Countess of Trentham: He's still got that vile little dog, I see.
Lady Sylvia McCordle: Yes, the ones we hate last forever.
Constance: Bought marmalade? Oh dear, I call that very feeble.
Inspector Thompson: Well, you see, this is why we have rules and regulations, isn't it?
Mary Maceachran: Where's Mrs Croft?
George (First Footman): Always eats with her own staff.
Mary Maceachran: Does she take her pudding to Mrs Wilson's room? Our cook does that.
George (First Footman): Fat chance, they hate each other.
Elsie (Head Housemaid): God, look at this, machine made lace.
Barnes: Hark at her.
Elsie (Head Housemaid): I hate cheap clothes. They're twice the work and they never look as good.
Mary Maceachran: Mr. Parks.
Robert Parks: Robert.
Mary Maceachran: Robert. When you said you'd surprise me, you didn't mean anything by it, did you?
Robert Parks: Why? Don't you like surprises?
Maid: Do you think he's the murderer?
Robert Parks: It's worse than that - he's an actor.
Answer: Jennings' drinking problem stems from his having been a World War I conscientious objector, for which he was imprisoned. He has kept this secret and is worried the police investigation will uncover his past and jeopardize his job. The maid, Dorothy, is secretly in love with Jennings and wants to protect him.
raywest ★