Downton Abbey Season 1 Episode 4

Branson: Will you have your own way, do you think?(causing Sybil to look up from the back seat)With the frock? Only I couldn't help overhearing yesterday, and from what Her Ladyship said, it sounded as if you supported women's rights.
Sybil: I suppose I do.
Branson: Because I'm quite political. In fact, I've brought some pamphlets that I thought might interest you.(he hands her paper over the seat)
About the vote.
Sybil: Thank you. But please don't mention this to my father or my grandmother. One whiff of reform and she hears the rattle of the guillotine.(Branson laughs) It seems rather unlikely, a revolutionary chauffeur.
Branson: Maybe, but I'm a Socialist, not a revolutionary. And I won't always be a chauffeur.

Matthew: The question is, what do I say to Cousin Violet?
Robert: No, don't worry about that. I can handle her.
Violet: (as she walks in followed by Mary)Really? Well, if you can you must have learned to very recently.(Violet looks smug and Mary looks apologetic)

Thomas: What chance did he have? Up against a champion?(Mr. Bates pushes him up against a wall)
Mr. Bates: Now, you listen, you filthy little rat. If you don't lay off, I will punch your shining teeth through the back of your skull.
Thomas: Is this supposed to frighten me, Mr. Bates? Because if it is, it isn't working. I'm sorry, but it's just not working.(Mr. Bates pushes him again then Thomas walks away)

Branson: What are you doing?

Mr. Bates: Sorting the collars. Removing the ones that have come to an end.

Branson: What happens to His Lordship's old clothes?

Miss O'Brien: What's it to you? Clothes are a valet's perk, not a chauffeur's.

Mr. Bates: I get some, but most of it goes into the missionary barrel.

Branson: I know it's meant to be kind, but I can think of better ways of helping the needy than sending stiff collars to the equator. (Mr. Bates laughs)

Cora: Heavens! Look at the time. Not a minute to change, and Granny's invited herself for dinner.
Sybil: Then she can jolly well wait.
Cora: So women's rights begin at home? I see. (they all laugh) Well, I'm all for that.

Violet: Good heavens, what am I sitting on?
Matthew: A swivel chair.
Violet: Oh, another modern brainwave?
Matthew: Not very modern. They were invented by Thomas Jefferson.
Violet: Why does every day involve a fight with an American?
Matthew: I'll fetch a different one.
Violet: No, no, no, no. I'm a good sailor.

Robert: Won't you miss Ireland?
Branson: Ireland, yes, but not the job. The mistress was a nice lady, but she only had one car and she wouldn't let me drive it over twenty miles an hour. So it was a bit...well, boring, so to speak.(Robert laughs) You've got a wonderful library.
Robert: (looking surprised) You're welcome to borrow books if you wish.
Branson: Really, m'lord?
Robert: There's a ledger over there that I make everyone use, even my daughters. Carson and Mrs. Hughes sometimes take a novel or two. What are your interests?
Branson: History and politics mostly.
Robert: (looking surprised again) Heavens.

Matthew: (Speaking with Lord Grantham as they walk.) I hope Cousin Violet has recovered from last night.
Lord Grantham: Whatever she says, my mother is as strong as an ox and it's high time she let go of her scheme for upsetting everything. It's time we all did.
Matthew: I can't deny I'm pleased to hear it.
Lord Grantham: Are you beginning to see a future here, then?
Matthew: In a way, this latest business has forced me to recognise that I do want Downton to be my future.
Lord Grantham: I'm glad.
Matthew: You must have thought me an awful prig when I arrived.
Lord Grantham: Not a prig, just a man thrust into something he never wanted or envisaged.
Matthew: I could only see the absurdity of the whole thing. I'm sorry.
Lord Grantham: Well, there are absurdities involved, as I know well enough.
Matthew: Possibilities, too. And I was blind to them. And I was determined not to let it change me. It was absurd. If you don't change, you die.
Lord Grantham: Do you think so? I'm not sure. Sometimes, I think I hate change.
Matthew: Well at least we can comfort ourselves that this will still be here. Because we saved it.

Lady Mary: So, are you enjoying your new life?
Matthew: Yes, I think so. I know my work seems very trivial to you.
Lady Mary: Not necessarily. Sometimes I rather envy you, having somewhere to go every morning.
Matthew: I thought that made me very middle class.
Lady Mary: You should learn to forget what I say. I know I do.
Matthew: How about you? Is your life proving satisfactory, apart from the 'great matter' of course?
Lady Mary: Women like me don't have a life. We choose clothes and pay calls and work for charity and do the Season. But really we're stuck in a waiting room until we marry.
Matthew: I've made you angry.
Lady Mary: My life makes me angry, not you.

Lord Grantham: (Speaking to Carson in reference to the new chauffeur, Branson.) He seems a bright spark after poor old Taylor. And to think Taylor's gone off to run a tea shop. I cannot feel it will make for a very restful retirement, can you?
Carson: I would rather be put to death, my lord.
Lord Grantham: Quite so. Thank you, Carson.