Love and Loyalty: The Making of 'The Remains of the Day' Page #3

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It must have been very galling for

your father to be called William...

...by one such as myself.

My father is a person from whom...

...if you'd observe him more,

you may learn things.

I'm grateful for your advice,

but do tell me...

...what things might I learn from him?

I might point out that you're...

...often unsure of what goes where

and which item is which.

I'm sure Mr. Stevens Sr.

is very good at his job...

...but I can assure you

that I'm very good at mine.

- Of course.

- Thank you.

If you will please excuse me.

Oh, well.

My compliments to cook.

What a lovely piece of crackling.

I'm sure you said something witty.

Share it with the rest of us.

I said the sprouts is done the way

I like them. Crisp-like, not mushy.

Sprouts "are" done, not "is" done.

Isn't that right, George?

Yes, Mr. Stevens.

Forgive the correction,

as I would have done...

...at your age for the sake

of my education.

I'm sure even you have ambitions

to rise in your profession.

Oh, yes. I want to be

a butler, to be called Mister...

...sit in my own pantry by my own fire,

smoking my cigar.

I wonder if you realize what it takes

to be a great butler?

Takes dignity, that's what it takes.

Thank you, Mr. Stevens.

Dignity, that's right. Dignity.

The definition from our quarterly

"The Gentlemen's Gentleman":

A great butler must be possessed

of dignity...

In keeping with his position.

There was this English butler

in India.

One day, he goes in the dining room

and what's under the table?

A tiger.

Not turning a hair,

he goes to the drawing room.

"Excuse me, my lord," and whispering,

so as not to upset the ladies:

"I'm sorry. There appears to

be a tiger in the dining room.

Perhaps His Lordship will permit

use of the twelve-bores?"

They go on drinking their tea.

And then, there's three gunshots.

They don't think nothing of it.

In India, they're used to anything.

When the butler is back

to refresh the teapots...

...he says, cool as a cucumber:

"Dinner will be served

at the usual time, my lord.

And I am pleased to say there will

be no discernible traces left...

...of the recent occurrence

by that time."

I'll repeat it. "There will be

no discernible traces left...

...of the recent occurrence

by that time."

- Wonderful, Mr. Stevens.

- Thank you, Mr. Stevens.

Wonderful story. That's the ideal

that we should all aim for. Dignity.

For you, Mr. Stevens.

Thank you.

It's for Mr. Stevens Sr.,

Mr. Stevens.

Thank you, Miss Kenton.

Put Mr. Stevens Sr. 's plate

with cook to keep it warm.

Yes, Miss Kenton.

Thank you.

Not at all, Mr. Stevens.

If you're searching for your dustpan,

it is out on the landing.

My dustpan?

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