Downton was falling on hard times. The paintings and the family bible that had been in the family for four hundred years had to be sold. Matthew took interest in the wines and brandies they drank at dinner, suggesting to Robert that they could sell the, have an auction. Robert already had the idea on his mind, he would have Carson take an inventory of the cellar. The fourth and fifth Earl's of Grantham had had a good taste in wines and they had fetched a fairing price.

There was another matter, paying the staff. But that seemed to have taken care of itself. Young service men were being called off to war and the young woman who would be hired as maids were joining the war effort. It would be hard to fill those positions even after the war. The young men that did survive, it was doubtful that they would want to return to service, including the young women that would find a respectable living in a working class job. But that would be for another time.

The great house was still bustling despite falling on dark times. You almost could imagine, almost forget that they were in a middle of a war. The sinking of the Britannic was the most recent news that made it's way downstairs.

"All those people, it's like the Titanic all over again." Daisy said.

"No, it's not." Miss Patmore was growing impatience with the girl's nonsense. " It was sunk by a German mine, not an iceberg."

"Still, all those poor souls.."

"A lot of people are losing their lives. We must get on with ours." Miss Patmore didn't mean to sound harsh or cold hearted. They didn't have time to stop and mourn, with all the doom and gloom, they still had a duty, a house to help run. Just because the whole world was fighting that didn't mean that they could stop. It chased away the looming shadow of war, kept them from getting sucked in to it. And working would take her mind off of worrying. She hadn't heard from her nephew Archie in weeks.

Carson and Miss Hughes were struggling to fill two positions. They had managed to secure a footman and a maid but they were still short two of each.

Miss Hughes had just finished interviewing a sixteen year old, Irish girl, Tally. She had a lot of similarities with Daisy and she was already starting to like the girl. She had no parents or family, what the housekeeper had gathered. No matter her background, she was very promising.

"Any such luck?" She asked Carson as she entered his office.

"Not a promising morning." Carson grumbled in his usual drawl.

"Was there no one then?"

"There is one that might do. He says he's a footman before the war. He seems well set up, clean cut, intuitive, smart."

She sensed a but coming on. "What are your doubts about him?" Elsie sighed.

"I doubt he'll stick. He is after all O'Brien's nephew."

"We should put no bearing on him for what O'Brien's done. And if he is how you say he is, perhaps we should try him, at any rate."

"I think I might try him. If you approve."

She did. She liked Daniel O'Brien. And was willing to give him a go. Carson wasn't sure about Tally. He didn't know if Miss Patmore could handle another Daisy.

"The girl is smarter than she lets on." Miss Hughes tried to put Carson's mind to ease.

"How do you know that?"

"I was a girl her age once."

Did Carson blush?

"Did you find anyone?" Lord Grantham later asked Miss Hughes.

"Only one housemaid. Young enough to train. And a footman. Thank God. Carson looks like he's about to drop. But he doesn't think he'll stay."

"Why not?"

"Too independent. I suppose. I'm not sure. There's something about him that I like, a sort of quietness."

"In what way?"

"He won't disclose why he hasn't enlisted but before the war he was a footman at Dean Park."

"Well, that's something we can check at any rate. How old is he?"

"Twenty-six. And he's O'Brien's nephew."

Robert showed curiosity but seemed more curious in his cuff links. "No wonder Carson showed his doubt. Is he anything like her, from what you seen?" He lightly teased.

" He doesn't have her charming personality, that's for sure. Excellent qualities needed for service." She paused for a moment. "Still young enough to join up. I'm sure he has a story to tell but I doubt he ever will tell it."

"You always think everyone has a story to tell." Robert would always here from Carson, the woman's generosity. He struggled with his cuff links. "Infernal things."

"I can call up Mr Bates for you."

"No. I'll ring for him."

When Mrs. Hughes turned to go, Robert stopped her for a moment. "Mrs. Hughes.."

"Yes, my Lord?"

"I think things worked out for now. One footman and a house maid will do perfectly well. I don't want to hire anymore servants. I know it will mean extra work..."

"Do you want me to take down the advertisement then?"

"Yes, if you would."

That had solved their problems for now. In 1918 they would take on a temporary footman who was older when the work became too much, the downstairs consisted mainly of women. They would need at least one more man for the heavy lifting. Robert had only approved it as it was only temporary. Daniel would out last his stay as once doubted.

Robert liked Daniel and had stood up for him and William when they were given a white feather. Daniel wished he could repay it. But if he did, if he was asked why he wouldn't join up, he would lose his job.

Robert would become thankful for him in many ways.

Note: This chapter takes place a few months after Matthew and William were declared missing, in August 1916 but are found six weeks later in September, 1916.