Free Downton Abbey Script Book Season 1 by Julian Fellowes

disbelief is actually rather touching.
    CORA: We’ll bring him round. You’ll see. We’re trying to find a lawyer who’ll take it on.
    Mary is quite heartened to hear this.
    CORA (CONT’D): So, what are they like?
    MARY: She’s nice enough. But he’s … very full of himself.
    CORA: Why do you say that?
    Mary hesitates, and then decides against the truth.
    MARY: Just an impression. Let’s go down and you can decide for yourself.
7 INT. HALL. DOWNTON. NIGHT.
    In the Great Hall, the family is assembled and Carson has the servants lined up. Thomas holds the inner glass door open for the Crawleys to enter. Behind him, at the other end of the outer hall, William has closed the front door behind the Crawleys and Robert has stepped into the outer hall to greet them.
    ROBERT: Hello, again. It’s a pleasure to meet you at last, Mrs Crawley.
    ISOBEL: We’re delighted to be here. Aren’t we, Matthew?
    MATTHEW: Delighted.
    His mother is determined to present herself as comfortable with the situation. He rather less so. After they have entered the Great Hall, the footmen drop back to their places in the line, and Cora steps forward.
    CORA: Welcome to Downton.
    ISOBEL: Thank you. You’ve been so kind.
    Matthew turns to the line of servants, with a laugh.
    MATTHEW: What a reception committee!
    He regrets his gag when nobody says anything. Isobel is anxious to cover his gaucheness. She turns to Carson.
    ISOBEL: Yes. Thank you …
    ROBERT: This is Carson. We’d all be lost without him.
    The butler’s steely mien does not alter. *
----
    ISOBEL: Thank you, Carson. For making us feel so welcome.
----
    Matthew catches Mary’s eye and he would be tempted to make a joke of their predicament, but she looks away.
    ROBERT: Mama, may I present Matthew Crawley and Mrs Crawley? My mother, Lady Grantham.
    Isobel steps forward and takes Violet’s hand.
    ISOBEL: What should we call each other?
    VIOLET: We could always start with Mrs Crawley and Lady Grantham. *
    Cora decides to head off any further trouble.
----
    CORA: Come into the drawing room and we can make all the proper introductions. Thank you, Carson.
    ROBERT: Yes, Carson. Thank you for making them feel so welcome.
----
    He is exasperated by the butler’s coolness. Violet shares a look with Carson to make it clear they’re on the same side.
8 INT. DINING ROOM. DOWNTON. NIGHT.
    Dinner has just begun, Carson still as stiff as a board. Thomas and William are taking round the first course.
    ROBERT: Do you think you’ll enjoy village life? It will be very quiet after life in a city.
    VIOLET: Even Manchester.
    ISOBEL: I’m sure I’ll find something to keep me busy.
    CORA: You might like the hospital.
    This earns her a dagger-like glance from Violet.
    ISOBEL: What sort of hospital is it? How many beds?
    VIOLET: Well, it isn’t really a hospital—
    ROBERT: Don’t let Doctor Clarkson hear you. He thinks it’s second only to St Thomas’s.
    CORA: It’s a cottage hospital, of course, but quite well equipped.
    ISOBEL: Who pays for it?
    VIOLET: Oh, good. Let’s talk about money. *
    Robert ignores his unhelpful and snobbish mother.
    ROBERT: My father gave the building and an endowment to run it. In a way he set up his own memorial. †
    ISOBEL: But how splendid.
    ROBERT: And Mr Lloyd George’s new insurance measures will help.
    During this, Carson notices William’s sleeve is coming apart at the shoulder seam. He is not pleased.
    VIOLET: Please don’t speak that man’s name, we are about to eat.
    During this, Thomas has stopped at Matthew’s left.
    THOMAS: I will hold it steady and you can help yourself, sir.
    The implication being that Matthew does not know how to be served by a footman. Isobel winces, Violet smirks.
    MATTHEW: Yes. I know. Thank you.
    The girls exchange looks. Mary gives a gracious smile.
    MARY: You’ll soon get used to the way things are done