Wisdom from Mr. Bates
Anna: "If you'd the chance to see the private rooms of the King and Queen would you give six bits for that?" Bates: "But what would it tell me? They sleep in a bed? They eat at a table? So do I." I love this quote from Sunday's episode of Downton Abbey for its quiet profundity. If you don't watch the show it may not make much sense so here's the gist: The aristocratic Crawley Family decided to open up their home (Downton Abbey) to the locals for six bits each in order to raise money for the local hospital. The household staff were in disagreement about whether or not this was a good idea and were discussing it during a break between household duties. Mr. Bates was neither in favor or opposed, merely puzzled as to why anyone would want to take a tour and thus ensued the above conversation with his wife, Anna. Bates has always been a realist, comfortable with his position, never aspiring to a heightened position or lamenting his fate a...