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WILKES-BARRE — They loved Lady Sybil, who was so sweet but, sadly, died in childbirth.
They love her widower, Branson, who worked as a chauffeur before he married into the wealthy Crawley family.
And whenever Mr. Bates, the valet, or his wife, Anna, get arrested for a murder they didn’t commit, loyal viewers shudder and hope for justice.
As about 60 fans of the popular PBS series “Downton Abbey” gathered for a recent Downton Abbey Tea at the Frederick Stegmaier Mansion on South Franklin Street, they talked about their favorite characters and admired their surroundings.
The Stegmaier’s antiques and ornate furnishings made them feel as if they were guests of Lord Grantham and Lady Cora at their Yorkshire County estate, perhaps rubbing shoulders with the tart-tongued dowager countess, Lady Violet.
“What was that one zinger she said? ‘Stupidity is no substitute for wit?’ ‘Profanity is no substitute for wit?’
Even if they couldn’t remember Lady Violet’s lines exactly — the one in question may have been “Vulgarity is no substitute for wit” — Lori Peters, of Luzerne, and her companions agreed they enjoy the way the character regularly speaks her mind.
Peters and her niece and mother added to the atmosphere of the Downton Abbey event by dressing as if they were from the 1920s — the era represented in this sixth and final season of the show, which started airing in the United States on Jan. 3. (It can be seen at 9 p.m. Sundays on WVIA-TV.)
Peters wore a beaded white flapper-style dress she rented from Costumes By Barbara in Luzerne; her mom, Judy Sikora, put together an ensemble accessorized with long ropes of pearls and her niece Stephanie Sikora’s lacy gloves and large-stoned ring practically shouted glamour.
“I just came for the experience,” Stephanie said, admitting she doesn’t watch “Downton Abbey” but enjoys dressing up.
Other guests who enjoyed dressing the part included members of a club called Queen Victoria’s Court whose outfits reflected a pre-flapper fashion era of long skirts, narrow waists and large hats.
“I’ve been an Anglophile for years,” said Carroll Kruger, of New York City, who sported that post-Edwardian look as she accompanied her friend, Deborah Courville, of Laceyville, to the tea.
Many of the guests said they truly enjoy tea as a beverage.
“The tea pot is always on,” said Margaret Massana, of Clarks Summit.
During the Downton Abbey tea, she and her friends enjoyed Earl Grey tea as well as scones, tea sandwiches, salad, soup and dessert.
The next chance to have tea at the Frederick Stegmaier Mansion is a Valentine’s Tea with sessions Feb. 13 and Feb. 14.
Tea hostess Jennifer Ochman said she expects some couples to attend the tea, but mother/daughter pairs and groups of sisters or female friends may be more likely. It’s been her experience men prefer a dinner to a tea, she said. As for children, ages 10 and older are welcome.
