TEXT: [OPENING TITLES] [SCENE_BREAK] [EXT. DOWNTON - MORNING] [SCENE_BREAK] [A man rides a bicycle toward the abbey. A new valet, Henry Lang, prepares Robert's clothes. William works downstairs.] Anna: Should we give them some more space between the beds? Lady Edith: Well, we could give them-- Isobel Crawley: Not much. I'm determined to defend the library as a recreation room. Cora, Countess of Grantham: Where are we to sit? Isobel Crawley: We can screen off the small library Cora, Countess of Grantham: Is that all? Lady Edith: I suppose we-- Isobel Crawley: Well, we could leave you the boudoir. I wanted to put the intermediaries in there, but we don't have to. Cora, Countess of Grantham: How kind. Lady Sybil: Why will we only have officers? Surely all wounded men need to convalesce. Dr Clarkson: The hospital is for officers, and the whole idea is to have a complimentary convalescent home. Lady Sybil: Of course, but I don't know if we can make that an absolute rule. Isobel Crawley: If the world were logical, I would rather agree with you. Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham: Which comes as no surprise. Isobel Crawley: You would not, I imagine. Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham: You imagine right. What these men will need is rest and relaxation. Will that be achieved by mixing ranks and putting everyone on edge? [Violet exits and Sybil follows her into the hall.] Lady Sybil: Granny. Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham: Mm? Lady Sybil: Different ranks can relax together, it has been known. Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham: Well, don't look at me, I'm very good at mixing. We always danced the first waltz at the servants' ball,
SUMMARY:
July 1917. Downton becomes a convalescent home for wounded officers, over Violet's outspoken objection, with Isobel taking charge. Cora gets Acting Sergeant Thomas Barrow assigned to run the military side of Downton. Violet believes that Mary and Matthew are still in love. She and Rosamund try to end Matthew's engagement to Lavinia. Violet believes there is something more to Lavinia's relationship with Sir Richard. William proposes to Daisy before going to war.