Elizabeth McGovern credited as playing...
Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham
- [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]
- Cora, Countess of Grantham: 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.