Remains of the Day explores the repressed love between the devoted English butler, Mr. Stevens (Anthony Hopkins), and the head housekeeper, Miss Kenton (Emma Thompson), in 1930s England. The master of the house, Lord Darlington, is being influenced by the Nazis to establish rapport between themselves and the British government. Nazi representatives are periodic guests in his house.

Lord Darlington addresses Mr. Stevens, "Stevens, we have some refugee girls on staff at the moment, I believe."

"We do, my Lord. Two housemaids. Elsa and Emma."

"You'll have to let them go, I'm afraid."

"Let them go, my Lord?"

"It's regrettable, Stevens, but we have no choice. You've got to see the whole thing in context. I have the well-being of my guests to consider."

"My Lord, may I say, they work extremely well. They're intelligent, polite, and very clean."

"I'm sorry, Stevens, but I've looked into the matter very carefully. There are larger issues at stake. I'm sorry, but there it is. They're Jews."

In the next scene, Stevens and Miss Kenton are having tea together in one of the servants' quarters.

Miss Kenton is flustered and upset. "You're saying that Elsa and Emma are to be dismissed because they're Jewish?"

Stevens answers firmly and calmly, "His Lordship has made his decision. There is nothing for you and I to discuss."

Miss Kenton says, "You realize if these girls have no work they could be sent back to Germany!"

"It is out of our hands."

"I'm telling you, Mr. Stevens, if you dismiss these girls it will be wrong. A sin. As any sin if ever was one."

"Miss Kenton, there are many things you and I don't understand in the world of today. Whereas his Lordship understands fully and has studied the larger issues at stake concerning, say, the nature of Jewry."

"Mr. Stevens, I warn you. If these girls go, I shall leave this home."

In the third scene, Stevens and Miss Kenton have just finished an interview of a candidate for one of the now vacant positions.

Stevens says, "Didn't you say you were leaving because of the German girls?"

Miss Kenton appears remorseful. "I'm not leaving. I've nowhere to go. I have no family. I'm a coward. I'm frightened of leaving and that's the truth. All I see in the world is limits, and it frightens me. That's all my high principles are worth, Mr. Stevens. I'm ashamed of myself."

Elapsed time: Measured from the opening credits, the scenes begin at 1:07:40 and end at 1:11:40.