The Chalk Garden (1964)

John Mills: Maitland

Photos 

Quotes 

• [first lines] 

  Anna : Excuse me. Would Mrs. St. Maugham live here?

  Maitland : She would.

  Anna : [pointing to the newspaper in her hand]  I'm sorry, I came in answer to the advertisement.

  Maitland : There's no need to be sorry... at least not yet. Come in please.

  Anna : [entering the house]  Ooh, goodness me, it's very grand, isn't it.

  Maitland : Built like a fort. It has to be.

  Anna : [grabbing Maitland's arm]  Pardon me, but are there many others?

  Maitland : You're number six.

  Anna : [shocked]  So many?

  Maitland : Numbers one to five have already left... or rather fled.

  Anna : [nervously]  Ooh dear, but Mistress must be very hard to please.

  Maitland : True. But in fairness, the other ladies didn't really want the job.

  Anna : Why not?

  Maitland : Because, uh, let us say that this is a nervous age.

  Anna : [worriedly]  Oh.

• Maitland : What will you do now?

  Miss Madrigal : Continue to explore the astonishment of living.

• Maitland : You're not the usual thing in governesses, are you?

  Miss Madrigal : Are you the usual thing in servants?

• Mrs. St. Maugham : Hurry, Maitland, is the curse of civilisation.

  Maitland : The fact that I hurry, Madam, gives certain people the leisure to make such observations.