1CARSON AND MRS HUGHES
10. INT. Mrs. Hughes' sitting room.
Mrs. Hughes is seated at her desk. Carson comes to the door.
CARSON: Did you have a good afternoon off, Mrs. Hughes?
MRS HUGHES: I did.
CARSON: You don't usually leave the estate on such occasions.
MRS HUGHES: That's true.
There is a long pause.
MRS HUGHES: If you've got something to say, Mr. Carson, you might as well stop lingering in the doorway and come in and get it off your chest.
He comes in, closes the door, and sits down.
CARSON: It's only that Andrew told me that the chauffeur had told him you'd been to Canningford Grange.
MRS HUGHES: Goodness. That's a tale that's made the rounds. I thought you came down harshly on gossip, Mr. Carson.
CARSON: Then it's not true?
MRS HUGHES: I didn't say that.
CARSON: Then it is true?
MRS HUGHES: It is.
CARSON: What would you be doing at Canningford Grange? Not that I have a right to ask.
MRS HUGHES: No more you don't. I was at Canningford Grange to discuss my future.
CARSON: What's that supposed to mean?
MRS HUGHES: It means, Mr. Carson, that I cannot wait all my life for Lady Mary to get back on her feet and for you to feel confident enough in her self-sufficiency to address your own needs. Or mine.
CARSON: What are you saying, Mrs. Hughes?
MRS HUGHES: Only that one way or another, my time at Downton is at an end. I had hoped it would be in retirement with you, and I must say, I cherished that thought. I don't mind Lady Mary in her place, and even in your life, but you've shown me that she'll always come first. It pains me that much, Mr. Carson, but I'll not let Lady Mary or any other Crawley run my life. And I don't think you can say the same.
CARSON: Are you withdrawing your consent to my proposal?
MRS HUGHES: I am.
CARSON: I'm...shocked. Devastated.
MRS HUGHES: Well, so am I, but I think it's for the best. And I can hardly continue to work here under those conditions.
CARSON: But what has that got to do with Canningford Grange?
MRS HUGHES: The Sinderbys' housekeeper has been longing to leave for some time, only agreeing to stay until they'd found a replacement. Lord Sinderby approached me at His Lordship's funeral, but I put him off. It wasn't what I wanted. I've been reconsidering it in light of our conversation the other day and I made up my mind. When I spoke to Lord and Lady Sinderby today they were most enthusiastic. And I'll tell you something, Mr. Carson. Lady Sinderby was not speaking a lie when she told Lady Flintshire that they paid well.
CARSON: Well. I am deeply grieved by this turnabout, Mrs. Hughes. Deeply grieved indeed.
MRS HUGHES: We should have known, Mr. Carson. Your commitment to the family is nothing new. We dreamed a little dream, but it's over now.