<p>You cannot prepare for a war you do not see coming. While tensions between the British and the Afrikaans had existed for almost a century by that time, including one smaller previous war (the first Boer war), it was not until the breakdown in negotiations in mid 1899 that war would have been perceived as imminent. It was the South African Republic that declared war on Britain, not the other way around. </p><p>Further, regardless of position, it would seem unlikely that Carson could have snuck off to appear in the Cheerful Charlies without the Crawleys knowing about it. </p>

<p>Well, maybe Robert's father DID know and, if Violet did, she wouldn't talk about it; maybe it was just the children that didn't. If his father allowed Carson to be away, why would Robert question it? </p>

<p>Even if that was so, it doesn't explain how it would be possible time wise. Unless we're going to have a crossover with Doctor Who or Harry Potter and he gets a trip in the Tardis or a timeturner. </p>

Carson never said he was CONTINUALLY on the stage? Some shows are once a week? Maybe it was on his day off and he left late at night after the family had retired?

<p>Well underneath the date of performance given on the playbill it says "and during the week", so that theory doesn't work. </p>

<p>Then Carson was often away from Downton -- or, they weren't on the stage for long - e.g. a week or two -- before Grigg started stealing. </p>

<p>My take on it is that it happened when Carson was a young man who was tired of being in service. Remember, for the most part, service was not a permanent career for people so it would not have been a huge shock for him to leave. </p><p>My guess is that he was gone for several years,  Then, when he was taken back, he was so grateful he decided he owed all his loyalty to the family. </p>

<p>Except, according to the handbill, dated 1897, Carson was already about 41 years old by this time. We also know that he was in the employ of the Crawley's up to 1895 or 1896, because in season 2 he relates a story about 4-5 year old Mary. Mary was born in 1891. If he went away for in year or two around 1897, you would think they would have asked where he had been before hiring him back. </p>

<p>He was certainly around in 1896; he mentions, when holding a few months old baby Sybbie, that he remembers her mother, Lady Sybil at that age; Lady Sybil was born in May... making his earliest departure date as Christmas of 1895. </p>

<p>Ah sigh, if only the details of time did not interfere with the resolutions of a drama. </p>