The House - First Season

How do you do, Auntie Eleanor?

Well, hello, Mabel. What a lovely house.

Shall we go read together in the garden?

Mabel!

Coming, Mama!

When will they be here, Papa?

Any minute now, Mabel.

Are they nice people?

No, they're not.

- -

How dis…

Penny, they're here.

- -Damn it!

Raymond, it's very muddy out here. My feet are getting wet.

Another girl.

Her name's Isobel.

Well, I can't see a thing.

Wait your turn, Georgie. We're packed in here like cattle.

How old are you?

I'll be nine in June.

Hmm, you look very small for your age.

Would you like to hold her?

No.

I'm cold.

Care for a sandwich?

No.

Sandwich?

Uh, no.

Did you make those curtains behind you?

Yes. Yes, I did.

She made my quilt too. And Isobel's shawl.

Poor children.

Why, isn't that the Mayhew commode?

So it is.

Well, from the lofty splendor of the winter salon

to this gloomy corner of the world.

How we've fallen.

It belonged to my father.

Ha! Your father, worthless drunk!

Always whimpering. Whimpering about money.

Whimpering about debts. He was a whimperer.

Gambled away everything.

Oh, not the Mayhew commode!

And you, Raymond, with your education and opportunities.

It shocks me

that you still haven't managed to lift yourself out of this squalor.

I see your father in you, Raymond. It's a weakness.

Night night, Isobel.

They're very strange people, aren't they, Mama?

They have their ways, but they are family.

- - Ow!

- -

There goes your father.

Is he sad, Mama?

He should be fine in the morning. He just needs some fresh air.

Damn it!

- - You pathetic pig!

Look at you.

Eleanor was right.

Huh?

Huh?

- Penny! -

I'm hungry.

Something amazing just happened.

A miracle!

What is? What are you saying, Raymond?

What happened?

Everything's changed.

Everything.

Fantastic. Mmm.

Wine. Penny, wine!

Wine?

Honestly, Raymond, I wish you would just tell me--

- -

- -

Shouldn't we wake Papa?

No, Mabel. Let him sleep it off.

Ah!

Good day, madam. My name is Thomas.

I'm here on behalf of my employer, Mr. Van Schoonbeek.

I'm here to discuss the terms of the agreement.

Agreement?

Um, your husband spoke with my employer last night, madam.

There was an agreement.

An agreement with who?

Mr. Van Schoonbeek. He's an architect of great renown.

He's graciously offered his services to build a house for you and your family.

Sorry, we're not in a financial position for anything like that.

My husband must have gotten carried away.

You misunderstand, madam. It is a gift.

My employer has acquired the land surrounding your cottage.

It is here that the house will be built.

You will come into possession of the land as well as the estate upon its completion.

There is one condition.

The family must relinquish these premises and take up residence in the house.

And that is all? He doesn't want anything in return?

Money is no object to my employer, madam.

He is a great artist.

He desires nothing more than creative satisfaction.

This Van Schoonbeek was a friend of my father's.

He said we would be the envy for miles around.

A beacon of light on the hill, Penny.

Regrettably, Mr. Van Schoonbeek is a rather impatient man.

As such, we'll need your permission in writing today.

Yes, I'll…

Well, that's excellent.

So, when do you expect the work to begin?

Oh, I expect they've already started, sir.

Mr. Van Schoonbeek doesn't like to dillydally.

Well,

here we are.

Come on.

Unbelievable.

Magnificent.

- Oh! -

Ah! Good morning, Mr. Thomas.

You've brought some of your possessions.

Yes, just a few things.

The house is fully furnished, sir.

Mr. Van Schoonbeek specifically designed every piece himself.

Oh, but I have pieces here that have been in my family for generations.

Of course. I understand completely.

I'll have the men store them somewhere secure.

- -

Through here, please. If you'd care to follow me.

Look at those ceilings.

That's an interesting color.

This corridor leads to the sitting room, library, various closets,

the billiard room, guest rooms.

The west wing staircase.

And here we have the withdrawing room.

You can settle down here for the day if it pleases you.

Oh my. Look at that fireplace.

Look at this sofa!

No curtains?

A sewing machine!

Isn't it amazing?

Such fine material.

In the room opposite, you'll find the dining room.

A selection of dishes will be provided on a daily basis.

I shall take my leave now. Good day, sir, madams.

Thank you, Mr. Thomas.

Oh, delicious!

Mmm, isn't it?

I'll never have to cook again.

Cooking? It's a bloody waste of time.

Who makes all this food?

Our servants, I suppose.

Ha.

Now, look at that.

How beautiful.

Mama. Isobel, she's getting tired.

Hmm?

That's nice, Mabel.

Come on, Isobel.

Good night, Mama.

Good night, Papa.

Good night, Mabel.

Night night.

Look at that!

Our house.