All language subtitles for Good.Morning.Miss.Dove.1955.1080p.WEBRip.x264.AAC-[YTS.MX]

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NARRATOR: This is
Liberty Hill,
a small freshwater town

where the streets are named
for trees and heroes

and a sense of life's
continuity runs in the air.

It is like a hundred other
American towns,

smug and cozy and putting
a special stamp upon its own.

People born and raised here,
high and low, rich and poor

are neighbors
in an irrevocable way.

They have all, for the space
of a whole generation,

been exposed at a tender
and malleable age

to the impartial justice,
the inflexible regulations,

and the gray,
calm, neutral eyes
of the same teacher.

The terrible Miss Dove.

(CREAKING)

Good morning,
Miss Dove.

Good morning,
Mr. Porter.

What is that
you're using
on your lilies?

Sulphate of Ammonia.
Best fertilizer on the market.

Except for lilies,
Mr. Porter.

Particularly for lilies,
Miss Dove.

They will perish.

There she goes, Jincey.

Fifteen minutes past 8:00,
right on the dot.
(JINCEY CHUCKLES)

I wish little "Whosit,"
the slowpoke,

would copy Miss Dove
and develop a sense of time.

Who could
stand the strain?

Imagine burping a baby
that in any way resembled
the terrible Miss Dove.

(CHUCKLES)

Seventeen minutes past 8:00.

Eat your oatmeal, David, dear.
Miss Dove just went by.

You don't want to be tardy.

Oh, puke!
The oatmeal stinks.

Excuse yourself
and get off to school!

Yes, sir.
Excuse me.

Go on!

Good morning,
Miss Dove.

Good morning,
Mr. Levine.

Our Morrie
is coming home today.

To pay us a visit.

Naturally, he will want
to see his old teacher.

I shall be happy
to see Maurice.

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

Good morning,
Miss Dove.

Good morning,
William.

Bobsie!

Hiya, Markie!
How's that left foot?
(GRUNTS)

Ha-ha!
Top of the morning, Peggy.
How's my best girl?

Fine.
Atta, girl.

Well, well,
little sister.

Wow.
What a pretty pink dress.

It's orange,
Mr. Spivvy.
My mother made it.

She did?

(INDISTINCT CHATTER, LAUGHTER)

Isn't he cute
with the small fry?

He ought to have
oodles and dozens
of his own.

I mean, it's a shame
such a family man
never married.

Good morning,
Miss Dove.

Good morning,
Mr. Spivvy.

John, send me
a fast one.

(CHUCKLES) Oh,
nice try, Mr. Spivvy.

Let me caddie for you.

Oh, please don't bother,
Miss Elwood.

Spring's certainly
in the air.

Boys playing baseball,
State proficiency tests
coming up.

Say, is old Cedar Grove going
after the geography pennant
again this year?

The children will do
their best.

I trust the results
will reflect credit
on all concerned.

I heard what you said
about spring, Mr. Spivvy.

Isn't this just the most
blood-tingling day?

Makes you want to do
something utterly mad.

(LAUGHS HEARTILY)

(CHILDREN CHATTERING)
(BELL RINGING)

Good morning,
Miss Dove.

Good morning,
Perry.

Good morning,
Miss Dove.
Good morning Karen.

Good morning,
Miss Dove.

Good morning,
Robert.

Good morning,
Miss Dove.

Good morning,
Mark.

I forgot
my handkerchief.

First things first,
Harrison.

Good morning,
Miss Dove.

Good morning,
Harrison.

You may provide yourself
with the tissue from the box
on my desk.

Good morning,
Miss Dove.

Good morning,
Margaret.

Good morning,
Miss Dove.

Good morning Milos.

(BLOWS NOSE)

Attention, please.
(BELL DINGS)

The lesson will begin.

We will continue
with our study

of the dietary habits
of animals.

"Bears like honey.

"They are also
fond of red ants,

"which have a flavor
similar to that of pickles."

Robert.

You know
what to do, Robert.

You may return
to your desk, Robert.

(BELL DINGS)

We will resume.

"The camel is not
a pretty beast,

"but he can go many days
without water."

Margaret.

For the remainder
of the class,

you will occupy
the posture correction stool.

(BELL DINGS)

We will resume.

Hey! You better tank up!

"The camel is not
a pretty beast

"but he can go many days
without water."

Ah, who's afraid
of that old...

Stick.
Good morning, Miss Dove.

Good morning,
David.

The proficiency tests
prepared by

the State Board
of Education

will be held next Monday.

Therefore, I think
it would be advisable

to utilize this period
for review.

No, David.

You had ample opportunity
to quench your thirst

before the beginning
of class.

Take out your books,
please.

I advise that you memorize
the agricultural products
of the Argentine Pampas.

Strange. Sharp pain.

Probably a muscular spasm.

If I tranquilize my mind,
it will pass.

I will think about the Alps.

White. Clean.

Rising above Lake Lucerne.

Come back, Victoria.

(GASPS) Hellfire
and damnation.

You will remain
after class, David.

(SIGHS) Yes,
Miss Dove.

Open your notebook
to a blank page.

You will copy that sentence
20 times.

You mean,
before lunch?

By the time
you have finished,

the cafeteria
will still be open.

David?

Yes,
Miss Dove?

Is your father
likely to be home?

But I'm doing
the sentences,
Miss Dove.

Answer my question, David.

Your father.

Does he come home
for lunch?

Yes, Miss Dove.
Daddy's home.

I am indisposed, David.

I...

I am ill.

Will you go
and tell your father?

Ask him to call
young Dr. Hurley.

Mention this
to no one.

David, do not loiter.

Run.

I'll take the shortcut
through the vacant lot,

where the old bank
used to be!

(DOOR SLAMS)

Where the old bank
used to be.

(BELL DINGS)

Oh, hello there.
Home from school?

Good afternoon,
Mrs. Aldredge.

I returned
this morning.
Good. We missed you.

Welcome home, my dear.
Nice to see you.

Thank you, Dr. Hurley.
It's nice to see you.

And how is
young Dr. Hurley?

The lad celebrated
his 45th birthday yesterday.

His 45th?
Yes.

(CHUCKLES)

Look at her,
John.

By Jove,
hasn't she something
that sets her apart?

It's like
the delicate glaze

that is the difference
between fine porcelain
and ordinary ware.

Well, that
Miss What's-Her-Name school
on the Hudson

should have
given her something.

It certainly
cost enough.

Not half as much
as it cost your father

to send you
to Harrow and Oxford.

But money has nothing
to do with it.

Quality can't be given
nor purchased.

That girl was born
to do anything at all.

Whatever she does become
is certain to be remarkable.

As her father,
you could be prejudiced,

but then
you could also be right.
(CHUCKLES)

Welcome home.
Thank you, sir.

It's pleasant to see you,
Mr. Porter.

The feeling
is mutual.

I hope Mrs. Porter
is in good health?

She is,
and most anxious
to see you.

Told me to find out
when you and your father
can come to dinner.

Course, it doesn't have
to be your father.

I expect you met
some dashing young men

while you were away
from Liberty Hill.

(CHUCKLES) Yes,
I, I met one that I like
very much.

What's that?

You'd like him too, Papa.

He's an archeology major
at Princeton.

Tell me about it later.

Right now,
I have a surprise.

In the mail this morning
from my London dealer,

after being on its trail
for eight years,

that elusive edition
of Marco Polo's travels.

Oh, I know
how happy you are.

But you haven't
even opened it.

So that I might share it
with you tonight.

After dinner.
(CHUCKLES)

Then let's
go home.

Dinner can be early.

May we give you
a ride, Mr. Porter?

Thank you, no. I still have
some things to attend to.
It's the first of the month.

(CHUCKLES)
See you tomorrow,
John.

Uh, while you're about it,
send a draft for the book.

$200.

If they'd only known.
(CHUCKLES) I was ready
to go to five.

$200. (SIGHS)

From 13th century Venice
to Old Cathay,

what a time
to have lived.

Next year,

I've made up my mind,

we'll make a tour.

The grandest
of grand tours.

I'll show you
every corner of the world.

Last summer,
Mr. Pendleton rode a bicycle
all through Greece.

Mr. Pendleton?
Who's Mr. Pendleton?

Oh, Papa,
you never listen.

He's the young man
from Princeton
I told you about.

Oh, yes,
the archaeologist.

His name is
Wilfred Banning Pendleton III.

(PLAYING PIANO)

Lovely, my dear.

Mr. Pendleton
wrote me a letter.

He asked leave
to visit me this summer.

Here, in Liberty Hill.

Papa!

Henry! Henry!

Call Dr. Hurley.

Something's happened
to my...

It's too late
for Dr. Hurley, Miss Dove.

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

Yes?

Miss Dove
is here, sir.

Have her come in,
please.

Thank you
for coming.

Won't you
please sit down?

What I must tell you,

is as painful to me
as it will be for you.

I should like
to have put it off, but...

Tell me,
Mr. Porter.

Your father availed himself of
some of the bank's assets

without first observing
the conventional forms.

He stole?

Are you saying
that my father stole?

Let us say
he borrowed.

How much,
Mr. Porter?

$11,430
to be exact.

In dribbles,
here and there.

No more than he could have
hoped to return one day.

$11,430?

This must be
repaid at once.

By whom?

By me,
of course.

There's the house, the...

The rare editions, the...
The paintings.

Their disposal will
more than cover my father's...

indebtedness.

Unfortunately,
it won't be
as simple as that.

I've been going over
your father's books.

The house,
all his possessions,
are mortgaged to the hilt.

Miss Dove.

Your father was
one of my closest friends.

Were I financially able,

I would happily cover
this indebtedness
to the bank

before there's
any scandal.

Scandal?

There must be
no scandal.

I don't see
how it can be avoided.

Can't the bank
make over to me
this deficit

as... a personal loan?

Until I can repay it?

You?

But how could you
repay it?

I, I shall
secure employment.

A position.

A teaching position.

A teaching position?

My dear child,
what are you
prepared to teach?

I know a great deal
about the world.

(SIGHS)

I cannot imagine
a young lady
who knows less.

I should have been
more explicit.

Not about the world.

The Earth.

I have read
my father's books.

I could find my way
through Carthage,
were it to rise again.

I can point out
on the map of Iowa,

every field
where the corn grows tallest.

I know every turn
of the Nile,

every eddy
of the Mississippi.

I am not even certain,

should I put my mind to it,

that I couldn't locate
the Northwest Passage.

I am superbly qualified
to teach geography,
Mr. Porter.

And I will teach geography.

There will be no scandal.

And I will repay
my father's debt.

You are now
president of this bank.

Surely you can arrange
somehow a, a personal loan?

Uh...

I'll try, since you seem
so determined, but...

I really can't
guarantee anything.

Thank you.

Meanwhile, I...

I will make
my application
to the school board.

Good morning,
Mr. Porter.

Is there anything
you wish, Mr. Porter?

Yes.

Get me the Superintendent
of Schools.

Yes, sir.

"Dear Mr. Pendleton.

"The news

"that you have been
awarded a fellowship

"by the Carnegie Foundation

"is most gratifying.

"Much to my regret,

"the death of my father,

"will prevent my receiving you
this summer.

Mail, Mr. Pendleton.

(GRUNTS)
Thank you, Amos.

I...

I took the liberty.

I had to express
my sympathy in person.

Please come in,
Mr. Pendleton.

Now that I'm here,
there's so little I can say...

You've said it very well,
Mr. Pendleton.

Please sit down.

(SIGHS)

Wilfred's an awful name,
isn't it?

But must you call me
Mr. Pendleton?

My friends call me Wulf.

I, I don't suppose
you'd care to though.

No.

But I should like
to call you Wilfred.

Thank you.

Just what does
the Carnegie Fellowship
mean, Wilfred?

A full year in Tibet with
the Archer expedition.

Tibet?

You'll see
the Himalayas.

We'll sail down
the Brahmaputra,

then Lhasa.

Lhasa.

One of the oldest cities
in the history of men.

On to Shigatse and
the sacred lakes.

Wait, I know
their names.

Mansarovar, and Rakshas Tal.

(CHUCKLES) Right.

And then we'll follow
the ancient route
to, to Kashmir

and the Tarim Basin.
Oh.

Mr. Pendleton...
Wilfred.

How I envy you.

I don't want you
to envy me.

I want you
to come with me.

Come with you?

(SIGHS) I know
this must seem premature,

but from the first moment
we met at Ms. Kingsley's
weekly tea, I...

I felt that our friendship,
begun under such
pleasant auspices,

might ripen
into something warmer.

Remember, we,
we left the others
and strolled along the river.

We sat on a marble bench
and you described
the misty isles of Greece.

We like
the same things.

Yes.

We do.

My assets
are not impressive. I...

I have a $1,500 grant
from the foundation

and $5,000
my grandmother left me.

But in...

In all modesty,
I feel I have a future
in my chosen field.

A bright future, Wilfred.
An exciting future.

Share it with me.

Marry me.

Marry me tomorrow.

Today.

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

Let it ring.

Oh, it, it will only
keep on ringing.

I'll be
but a moment.

Hello?

Oh.

Good afternoon,
Mr. Porter.

Everything's been,
been arranged?

Yes, I...

I am fortunate indeed.

Will you thank
the Superintendent of Schools?

And thank you, Mr. Porter.

Goodbye.

Well?

I am afraid, Wilfred,
that we...

We have been premature.

That we've let ourselves
be carried away by the spell
of far-off places.

We have placed
too much importance

on the coincidence
of similar interests.

I'm asking you
to marry me.

I'm sorry,
Wilfred, but...

My future is here.

Here in Liberty Hill.

There is
someone else?

There is
something else.

I, too, am about
to embark on a career.

Please wish me
success in mine,

as I do you
in yours.

I...

Good afternoon,
Wilfred.

It was kind of you
to come.

I will always be honored
by your proposal.

(SOBS SOFTLY)

(BELL DINGS)

(DOOR OPENS IN THE DISTANCE)

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

David said
you needed help,
Miss Dove.

So, I brought Tommy.

I requested
young Dr. Hurley,
my personal physician.

Well, David
told us that.

But Dr. Hurley is ill
with the recurrence
of his bronchitis.

The immoderate use
of tobacco,

an enslaving habit
when formed early in life.

Funny how Dr. Hurley
is temporarily
out of circulation,

and I happened to be
at Sandy's house
picking up a bath

when David came.

Thomas has had
excellent training,
you know.

I do know.

He told me that...
I see your point,
Miss Dove.

Asked for a seasoned
medical man and to be
offered my services is like

being sent a troop
of Boy Scouts

when one has requested
the militia.

Frankly,
yes, Thomas.

However, since you were
kind enough to come,

I should be glad
of your opinion.

These are my symptoms.

A pain at the base
of my spine,
sharp and spasmodic,

a numbness in my right limb.

(GASPS)

That's all?
Was it bad?

Yes.

And your right leg,
there's a complete
absence of sensation?

My limb
has gone to sleep.

As soon as I move about.
But, that's what
I can't allow.

Did I understand
you to say,
"can't allow"?

TOMMY: That's right.

And pray,
what is your diagnosis?

I haven't one yet.

TOMMY: We'll have
to get you to the hospital
and right away.

I'm sure that is
quite unnecessary.

Young Dr. Hurley...
Is flat on his back.

Believe me,
it is quite necessary.

Next week, perhaps.

At the moment,
I cannot be spared.

The state proficiency test...
That's next week,
not even tomorrow.

Right away now.

The fifth grade is weak
on the winds and the tide.

I'm afraid the decision
is not yours, Miss Dove.

Yes, Thomas.

My hat, please.

My gloves and my bag.

They are in the closet.

I'll fetch them.

I always admire that watch.

Remember?

Perfectly.

I await your
convenience, gentlemen.

Now...

If you'll just
lean forward.

This way.
Support yourself
on the desk.

Easy.

Now, Sandy?
Yeah?

(GRUNTS) Okay.

Sit down.

Put your arms
around our necks.

That's right.

There we are.

You may go,
David.

Yes, Miss Dove.

Flying straight,
Miss Dove.
Don't wobble about.

It is not my custom
to wobble.

Low bridge.

All at march.

David, pick up my things,
will you?

Yes, sir.

TOMMY:
Watch your steps.

Afraid to put her in the car,
it might be too much
of a jolt.

I'll have
to carry her.

Think you can
make it?

Well, if you can, chum.
After all, I'm only
three months your senior.

What about
Miss Dove?

She'll do so long
as she keeps
her spine rigid.

Being neither
absent nor deaf,

and in complete command
of my faculties,

I should prefer
not to be discussed
in the third person.

Our apologies,
Miss Dove.

Then you have
no objections?

I defer to your
judgment.

You have defined
my responsibility.

I shall keep
my spine rigid.

Good.

An accident, Doc?
Is she bad off?

The immediate situation's
under control.

But scoot over
to the hospital

and tell them
I want a private room.

Say I'm not
asking for it,
I'm telling them.

Yes, sir.

(SIREN WAILING)

MISS DOVE: As I predicted.

What did you say,
Miss Dove?

Nothing, Alexander.

I am not one to gloat
over an empty triumph.

Spine rigid,
Miss Dove.
We're almost there.

(PEOPLE CLAMORING)

(PEOPLE TALKING INDISTINCTLY)

Put her on the gurney.

MR. PRUITT: Hey, though
the circumstances
are regrettable,

we are honored,
Miss Dove.

Thank you,
Mr. Pruitt.
(TOMMY SIGHS)

I have a special
for tonight,
in case one is needed.

A practical is the best
I can do for day duty.

But Mrs. Green
is one of our very best.

I try to be.

Now what, Thomas?

TOMMY: Mrs. Green
knows what to do.

Just keep her quiet.

Yes, I certainly will,
Dr. Baker.

TOMMY: I'll look in on you
a little later, Miss Dove.

Oh, he has
an appendectomy.

Now we're just
going to relax,

and we're going to have
a good time.

But first, I guess
I better get you
to your room.

That would
seem advisable.

(SIGHS)

Now,

we'll take off
our clothes

and then we'll feel
more comfy.

The pronoun, "we",
is misleading.

Unless you propose
to take off
your clothes, too.

(LAUGHS) Oh.

Don't you remember me,
Miss Dove?

I was
Billie Jean McVeigh.

Yes, Mrs. Green.
I remember you very well.

Of course,
I'm older now.

If you please,
Mrs. Green.

I am not totally
incapacitated.

Miss Dove,
you are not to help
or to exert yourself.

Do you want me
to tell Dr. Baker
that you are a naughty girl?

Something for after the bath
to keep our skin
soft and sweet.

Uh, your skin, I mean.

You know what I always
think of when I put this
on my patients?

No, Mrs. Green.

The little can of talcum
you gave me for Christmas
in the third grade.

It was second grade.

Girls in the third grade
received thimbles.

Mine had a picture
of lilacs on it.

(CLICKS TONGUE)
I was some proud.

And when you gave it to me,
you said something
I never forgot.

You said, "This is to use
after you wash your neck."

Mmm, I intended
no reflection upon you,
Mrs. Green.

That is what I say
to all the little girls.

Oh, I didn't
take it personal.

But I certainly
took it to heart.

It's what I tell my baby,
my little Ava.

She's going on five.
She's just crazy about
my Mary Snow's Country Garden.

But I tell her
every time she begs for it,

I say, "First,
you wash yourself good."

Well...
Yes, that's exactly
what I tell her.

What is my temperature?

Oh, that's, uh, confidential.

Besides,
even if I told you,

you wouldn't know
what it meant.

It's in centigrade
or something.

It is neither in "centigrade"
nor in "something".

It is Fahrenheit.

Well, hey, gee, thanks.
I'd better remember that.

As to my question,
it was indiscreet.

Oh, no.
Not indiscreet a bit.

All patients are snoopy.
But well, you know, rules.

Yes, Mrs. Green.
I know rules.

Well, now I'll just
stop yakking

so you maybe
can take a nice little nap.

Uh, how about
that Country Garden,

that perfume
we were talking about?

A gentleman friend
that I was going steady with
up to a month ago,

he gave it to me.

He said it smelled
real refined.

Mmm.

(EXHALES) I was very happy
in his company.

Seemed to be mutual, but...

Well, it came to a dead end.

I've been a widow now
for five lonely years.

As you no doubt
have heard.

(EXHALES) I-I do not recall...

You remember when I went
way out west to Detroit
to work at a factory?

Well, out there,
I met Mr. Green.

He, uh, he passed away
shortly after.

Hmm.
So when I said that
about being older,

you see what I mean?

But your life must be full.

You have your work
and your child.

Yeah.

Uh...

You know Bill Holloway.

Officer Holloway,
I suppose I should
refer to him.

William was one of my pupils.

Well, I just thought,
you might like to know

how he's got you
up on a pedestal.

He says you're his idea
of real genteel.

I value William Holloway's
opinion.

Funny how he should
have ended up
the type he is.

Why do you say that?

Ooh, I was just thinking
about how he started out,

being raised
by the old grandmother.

Now you know
what she was.

Living in that leaky shack
down by the gasworks.

William Holloway started out
with a gift rarer

than mathematical genius
or perfect pitch.

A child in whom
the ethical instinct

was as innate
as the function of breathing.

Oh, brother.

If anyone should ever
tell him that,

you could drive a truck
right between his ears.

There would be no point
in apprising William.

He knows what he is.

He always knew.

(BELL DINGS)

(CHILDREN CLAMORING)

The last desk
in the third row.

Oh, thank you.
Come along.

(LAUGHS) Good morning,
Miss Dove.

Our little Jackie.

Good morning,
Jacqueline.

(WHINES)
I wanna go home.
Um.

Her daddy,
all over again.

Awfully S-W-E-E-T
when she wants to be

and awfully B-A-D
when she doesn't.
(CHUCKLES)

I will conduct you
to your desk, Jacqueline.

Good morning,
Mrs. Wood.

Well, Miss Dove,
if at first
we don't succeed.

Good morning,
Mrs. Makepeace.

Good morning,
Frederick.

Why, Freddy,
where do they come from?

Pepperdine's market.

But we weren't at...

We picked them up
as we passed so he could
bring you a present.

It's all right,
Miss Dove.

We have an understanding
with Mr. Pepperdine
on the way back,

I'll tell him
to put them on the bill.

Thank you, Frederick.

However, I prefer that you
do not make a habit
of bringing me gifts.

Dear, you heard Miss Dove.
She doesn't want any more
of Mr. Pepperdine's apples.

Uh-huh.
You may take the desk
you had last year, Frederick.

It isn't that he's backward,
Miss Dove.

It's only he doesn't
take anything seriously.

Would you please give him
your special attention?

All my pupils receive
my special attention,
Mrs. Makepeace.

Is that child entering
Cedar Grove?

Apparently.
Then I beg you,
Miss Dove

Keep Freddy
on the other side
of the room.

Oh, I believe
in democracy
and all that.

But I don't want him
to catch anything.

My seating arrangements
are alphabetical,
Mrs. Makepeace.

But Miss Dove,
it's that Holloway child.

But surely, Miss Dove,
you know
that boy's background.

His grandmother
is the most notorious...

I am not interested
in my pupils' backgrounds.

I am interested
in their basic
traits of character.

Good morning,
I am Miss Dove,
your geography teacher.

I know your last name
is Holloway.

But I do not know
your first name.

It's Bill.
Can I come to school?

Most certainly,
William.

This is your desk.

Good morning.

(SPITS)

Ain't that coffee done,
Billy?

I'm getting it
for you now, Grandma.

It'll be a cold day
when Kelly's cheap joint
sees me again.

Let me tell you.

(GRUNTS) Insulting me
in public.

Taking away my credit

just because I owe him
a few lousy bucks,

and then threatened
to call the cops

just because I give him
a piece of my mind.

(LAUGHING)

I bet you could hear me
in the next county.

(LAUGHING)

Where'd you get
that from?

The Five-and-ten.
Miss Schultz gave me a dime
to go to the store.

Ain't she got a nerve.

Considering her and me
don't speak.

Goodbye, Grandma.
I gotta go now.

Where you're rushing to?

Now, if you can run errands
for Old Lady Schultz,

who's got too fat legs
of her own,

you can do a nice little job
for your grandmother.

No, I'll be late.

Now, don't you stir a step.

You just take them
beer bottles in the yard
and dump them.

All right, Grandma.
This is the day
that nosy dame from the relief

come snooping around.

(GRUNTS)
(DOOR OPENS)

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

Good morning,
Miss Dove.

Good morning,
William.

Attention, please.

(BELL DINGS)

Your lunch, William.

Thank you, Miss Dove.

Drink all your milk,
William.

Your work
is most satisfactory.

MAN: William Holloway.

Your certificate
of graduation.

And an additional honor,

the good attendance medal.

This young man has a record
unique in the annals
of Cedar Grove.

He has not been absent
a single day

in his six years
of elementary schooling.

My felicitations, William.

I-I came to thank you
for my graduation suit.

It was my pleasure.

Well...

Guess I'd better
be going.

I shall watch where you go
with interest, William.

I have faith in you.

It was always
so clean in here.

Like... Like...

Like this was where
I-I really lived.

That's why I never
missed a day.

Goodbye, Miss Dove.

Goodbye, William.

I do not worry about him.

He will find his way.

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

WOMAN: Poor old Annie.

I wonder if she ever knew
it was a beer truck
that hit her.

William.

May I offer
my expressions of sympathy?

Thank you, Miss Dove.

She did the best
she could.

She didn't...

She didn't have
my opportunities.

Her troubles are over.

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

Will you be
riding with me?

Yeah.

I should like
to accompany you, William.

If you wish.

Thank you,
Miss Dove.

William Holloway,
Private First Class.

Corporal William Holloway.

Hmm.

MR. O'NEIL: Ahh.

Sergeant William Holloway.

Thank you, Mr. O'Neil.

These sure are, uh...

They're delicious,
Miss Dove.
What's in them?

Only bread and butter,
William.

When did you return?

On the 3:45.

I made a beeline
straight from the station.

Mainly because I wanted
to see you.

Also, I need your advice.

I am honored, William.

Well, this is how
it shapes up, uh...

Tomorrow I'm out
of the Marines.

I know it's pretty late.

What would you think
if I, uh,

use my GI educational
allowance for living expenses
and finish school?

I should approve.

And then what, William?

Oh, this will
throw you for a loop.

I mean, surprise you.

I've been thinking about
entering the field
of law enforcement.

I'd like to be
a first rate cop.

I mean,
a good police officer.

A worthy ambition,
William.

I shall continue to follow
your career with interest.

Thank you, Miss Dove.

(BELL DINGS)

Miss Dove.

Miss Dove?

Here's Dr. Temple,
Miss Dove.

I'm Dr. Baker's
house officer.

You may report to Dr. Baker
that I am presently
comfortable, thank you.

Excellent. That makes my task
just that much easier.

Your task?
I'm to take your history.

And so you can both
speak more private,
I'll wait in the hall.

That would be
quite unnecessary.

Oh, it's custom,
Miss Dove.

Dr. Hurley has provided us
with your records,

childhood diseases,
vital statistics, etc.

So we can get down
to the immediate.

Do you suffer
from periodic headaches?

No, Dr. Temple.

Are you afflicted
with respiratory infections?

No, nor am I subject
to common colds.

Any allergies?

None. I consider them
sheer affectation.

I see. Is there
a family history

of epilepsy, night blindness,
eczema or melancholy?

Certainly not.

What about
your emotional life?

I beg your pardon.

Well, love, you know.

Any feelings
of frustration, inadequacy?

I have never felt inadequate.

Question was routine.

I'm supposing we call
your emotional life
satisfactory?

That would be correct.

Are you subject to fantasy?

In other words,
are there occasions

when the world around you
assumes an aura of unreality?

Yes, Dr. Temple.

Well, could you say
approximately how long

you've been conscious
of these occasions?

I can say definitely.

Since around
12 o'clock noon today.

(MUTTERS INDISTINCTLY)

Thank you, Miss Dove.

Dr. Baker will be in later,
of course.

You know,

you and I are really
old friends.

In a manner of speaking.
I've known you all my life.

You have known me?

I'm Adams Temple.

My mother was
a Liberty Hill girl.

Angela Adams,
of course.

I should have known.

(CHUCKLES) Well,
it's been a long time.

Mother's family
moved to Maine
when she was 14.

But she remembers you.

I remember her.

She, too, had
an enquiring mind.

(LAUGHS) Yeah,
she still has.

As a matter of fact,
it's her proudest boast

that she's the only kid
at Cedar Grove

whoever asked you a question
you couldn't answer.

Indeed?

As she tells it,
it was way back
in the first or second grade.

You were reading
from a book about
the dietary habits of animals.

And it said that bears
liked honey and were also
very fond of red ants,

which have a flavor
similar to that of pickles.

And Mother asked you
how the man who wrote the book
knew how ants tasted.

Did he eat an ant to find out?

Or did a bear tell him?
(LAUGHS)

I recall the incident.

I'm writing mother tonight.
She'd get a wallop
out of this.

I dare say.

And I'll be looking in on you.

And if there's anything at all
I can do, just buzz.

One moment, Dr. Temple.

You want Dr. Temple
for something?

Yes, for the courtesy
of asking him a few questions.

For all his volubility,
he told me nothing
of my physical condition.

Well, he couldn't.
He's not in charge.

Your Dr. Baker's
private patient.

Then what is it?

What is it
Dr. Baker suspects?

He'll tell you
what you need to know.

I see no occasion
for mystery.

Don't try to see.
Let us do the thinking.

You,

a-and Thomas Baker,

and Angela Adams' son
will think for me?

Well, sure,
we're experienced.

Oh, look,
your first flowers.

Bill Holloway,
uh, Officer Holloway
left it at the desk.

It is very beautiful.

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

Good afternoon, Virginia.

I didn't know
you'd been admitted.

I haven't.
I came to see you.

How are you,
Miss Dove?

Quite comfortable, Virginia.

And you?
(CHUCKLES)
Wonderful.

Except the suspense
is killing me.

If nothing definite
has happened
by the end of the week,

Dr. Tillet's promised
to give nature a nudge.

Right now,
I suggest I keep walking.

I better had.

If Tommy knew I was here,
he'd have a fit.

Well, I-I just came up
to wish you good luck.

And good luck to you,
Virginia.

Thank you.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed
for both of us.

Goodbye, Billie Jean.

I know you'll take
good care of her.

Oh, I sure will.

You know, I used to think
she was the snootiest,
dumbest brat at Liberty Hill.

She's really a good kid.

In marriage and maternity,
Virginia has found
her vocation.

Achieved her destiny.

A year ago,
I was not quite so hopeful.

(BELL DINGS)

ALL: (SINGING)
♪ Dear old Cedar Grove,
to thee

♪ We pledge our
Love and loyalty

♪ And though peril
May beset us

♪ On life's tempestuous sea

♪ Your spirit still
will guide us

♪ To shore and victory ♪

(UPBEAT PIANO MUSIC PLAYING)

Seems only yesterday
since we marched
down that aisle.

You too, Jincey.

WOMAN: Come on.

(WHISTLES)

The final innings, eh,
Miss Dove?

Let's not be downhearted.

There's always another season.

Another crop
of fresh little rookies
coming up to bat.

For six years,
I pruned and polished them.

I tried to blow into them
the breadth of purpose.

I do not wish them back.

I wish only to believe
that they will do well
without me.

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

Good morning, Miss Dove.

Good morning, Virginia.

This was my place.

You may sit there now,
Virginia.

The room is different.

Empty...

Like life.

Is that the same map?

China still orange?

It is a new map.

China is purple.

Cartographically,
of course.

I liked the old map.

I liked the old world.

I felt secure
in this room. I...

I felt that if I

obeyed the law and
sneezed in my handkerchief
and

and raised my hand
for permission to speak
and kept my margins neat.

That that was my oyster,

that nothing
could go wrong.

Well, at first
it worked out all right.

Even flunking
out of the university
seemed like... like fate.

I won that talent contest
and got a job in New York.

Singing
television commercials.

(SOFTLY) Oh, Miss Dove.

Tell me what to do.

Do your duty.

VIRGINIA: What is your duty
when your world
is ending?

You are 19, I believe.

Well, what difference
does that make?

To understand,
you've got to know
how it was.

(SNIFFLES)

I met him
at the Stork Club

when I'd only been
in New York a week,

He spoke
to the waiter in French
and he wore a cummerbund.

Oh, he was everything
that the paper said he was

when we
announced our engagement.

Yale, a yacht...

and the skyon
of a prominent family.

The word is scion.

The "c" is silent.

Yes, well, he looked
just like what he was.

Most sky... sky...
scions, don't.

Every night
it was the Stork Club
and the El Morocco

and Colony and 21.

Champagne, and the
the kind of steaks that
the waiter has to slice.

Did you ever
drink champagne, Miss Dove?

No.
Tastes just like cider.

Only the effect
is different.
I dare say.

The compliments
that he paid to my hair

and... and my eyes
and my figure.
(SOBS)

Honestly,
I'm almost embarrassed
to repeat them.

Reticence, Virginia,
is the sine qua non
of gentility.

Well, anyhow, I...
(SNIFFLES)

I came home to Liberty Hill
to prepare for my wedding.

I wanted to be married here
so all my friends could come.

I was modeling
my wedding dress...

when someone
turned on the radio.

And then
everything went black.

(SOBS)

(VIRGINIA CRIES)

The next day
I got a telegram.

It said, "Gorgeous,
only you can understand".

MISS DOVE: Could you?

No, I still can't.

Can you?

Certainly.

Have you
a handkerchief, Virginia?

(SHAKILY)
My heart's broken,
Miss Dove.

A broken heart
is cumbersome baggage,
Virginia.

What can I do?

I am not undecided
as to how you should
be answered, Virginia.

But I am not convinced
that this is my province.

Oh, tell me,
Miss Dove.

Very well.

First, you must return
to your sister's house.

You must enter
your bedroom,
fall on your knees

and give thanks
to your Heavenly Father.

Thanks? For what?

For preserving you
from a fate
worse than death.

Death?
Death.

It is evident that
the young man

to whom you had
given your affections

discovered that
his feelings
for you had altered.

He had, however,
an honorable avenue
of escape.

He could have
requested you to release
him from his commitment.

Instead, he proved
himself a coward

and a person
of low principles.

(SIGHS)

I thought there was
something wrong with me.

Your fault lay
in rashness of judgment.

His lay in dishonor.

After you have
expressed gratitude

to the power
that kept you from
a disastrous alliance,

you must consider
your duty to your
neighbor and yourself.

You must find
a useful occupation.

Do you think
I could teach?

Decidedly not.

But there are
other spheres
of service.

I might be a nurse?

You might.

Good morning, Miss Dove.

Good morning, Thomas.

I thought I'd drop by
for old time's sake.

Jincey, I didn't expect
to find you here.

Holy mackerel, kitten,
you're all grown up.

May I say
you've done a
mighty neat job of it?

Thank you.
It's nice of you
to approve.

The last time
I saw her was
before med school.

I was being
separated from the Navy
and she's from Cedar Grove.

So to celebrate
she shot my brother Randy
with a squirt gun in the...

Virginia cannot
enjoy being reminded
of that, Thomas.

Oh, I think
it's cute of Tommy
to remember.

Does this room
look different
to you, Tommy?

Yes, considerably.

I expect the hospital
keeps you busy, Thomas.

Oh, I'm glad
you mentioned.
It calls me right now.

My car's outside,
if I can take you
someplace.

Oh, wonderful.

Oh, goodbye, Miss Dove.
And thank you.
I'll remember.

I... I'll think about
my nursing career.

Maybe Tommy
can advise me.

I'll advise her
very carefully.

I am 54.

I won't have to retire
until 67.

If they don't tarry,

and from all indications
I don't expect they will

I could
take their first child

straight through
to graduation.

That child will meet me.

(BELL DINGS)

(HOPEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)

I better be
getting you ready.

For what, Mrs. Green?

Don't you remember?

For night duty,
you got a special order.

Those dames like
nothing better

than to throw
their weight around

as far as us
practicals are concerned.

The least little thing
and they squawk downstairs.

No, a small town is
not my cup of tea.

But I have
a sister living here,

and I was
between positions
and needed a rest.

I only took your case
as a favor
to the superintendent.

I'm interested
in the theory of nursing.

My extensive training,
I feel I'm wasted

on the daily routine
of the bedside.

Not very uplifting.

But you were napping
when Mrs. Green left,

and she thought
when you woke up,

you might want
something to read.

Everybody to his own taste.

Can you think
of an eight letter word

meaning a rare
but endearing quality?

I can.

Humility.

Let's see H, U...
(DOOR OPENS)

You're 100% right.

TOMMY: She always is.

The latest operating wear.
Easy on the eyes.

Well, did you think
I'd forgotten you?

No, Thomas.

I just dropped by to see
that you're being
well-treated.

Any complaints?

I am not pleased
with this wall
of secrecy.

I should like to ask
a few questions
concerning my health.

Certainly,
but I'm not sure
I can answer them.

What do you surmise?

I don't surmise.

Tomorrow we'll do
extensive tests.

By Wednesday,
I should be able
to speak

with some degree
of conviction.

Until then,
Miss Dove,

I shall expect you
to assume the virtue
of docility.

Yes, Thomas.

(BELL DINGING)

Now, we're all sorry
that Miss Dove
is in the hospital.

But we're not going
to let her down.

We're going to go right on
with our geography work.

I will take her place.

(ALL LAUGHING)

Now we're all
members of the same team,

and our quarterback
has been injured
in scrimmage

and I'm going to go in
and sub for her.

I'll call the plays
she would call.

Of course,
I don't know these plays
as well as you do.

So when I'm offsides,
I want you to let me know.
Okay?

EVERYONE: Okay!

And we're all in there
pitching together.

EVERYONE: Yes!

(CLAPPING SLOWLY FADES)

(SIGHS)

(DOOR OPENS)

So nice of you
to drop in, Dr. Baker.

I was only admitted
two hours ago.

I know, kitten,
but I've been pretty busy.

Really?
Then don't let me
detain you.

Fortunately, I have
my own physician.

He'll keep you
well informed
of my progress.

I know Sam Till,
and he will.

That's why I can
put you out of my mind.

Hey, Tommy Baker,
of all the callous,
inhuman, heartless...

Have you forgotten
that I'm in this hospital
to have a baby?

Your baby.
Our first baby.

No, I haven't forgotten.

I've been thinking
about it all morning.

I'm the happiest,
luckiest guy in the world

but by what
a narrow squeak.

How much
she had to do
with it?

How much who
had to do with it?

Miss Dove.
Terrible Miss Dove.

Without her,
there'd have been
no Thomas Baker.

No beautiful Mrs. Baker.

No little
"whosit" Baker.

What did she have
to do with it?

(CAPTIVATING INSTRUMENTAL
MUSIC PLAYING)

That time
in the South Pacific

after my ship
was bombed,

floating for days
on that raft.
No food, no water.

She was right there
with me all the time.

Giving me
the same fishy stare
she used to give me

back in the geography room
when I needed
a drink of water.

So to make
my supply hold out,

I pretended that
I was back
in old Cedar Grove.

Even when
the water was gone,
I kept on pretending.

I'd think...

"The bell will ring
in a few minutes.

"You can last
a little longer."

Well, I lasted.

They picked me up
and gave me a medal.

She rated that medal.

Tommy,

is anything awful
the matter
with Miss Dove?

I'm due back now
for more tests.

We won't know
till tomorrow.

Don't worry
about me, Tommy.

Don't give me
a thought.

I'll look after little
"Whosit"

(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)

(MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING)

TOMMY: Tomorrow we'll talk.

Until then,
I want you
to put all this

business out of
your mind.

Thomas...
Now, we mustn't worry
about tomorrow.

We must do
like Dr. Baker says.
(DOOR CLOSES)

(GASPS) Goodness gracious,
it's a regular greenhouse.

I am
deeply appreciative,

but there are
far too many.

Restraint is
the better part
of beauty.

I will keep
the white azalea.

Please dispose
of the others.

Yes, Miss Dove.

But what will I do
with them?

There must be less
fortunate patients
who would enjoy them.

Shall I take them
around to the wards?

Please do, Mrs. Green.

Okay.

(DOOR CLICKS OPEN)

I went up and down
the halls

giving cheer
where it was needed.

Oh, I saved the cards
and I borrowed
some stationery.

If you'd like me
to write the
thank-you notes,

I'd be glad to.

That would be obliging.

Will you dictate them?

No. Use your
own discretion, Mrs. Green.

Only avoid the fulsome.

Uh, yes, well,
I was going to say

the same thing
to everyone.

Uh, listen and tell me
what you think.

(CLEARS THROAT)

"Dear Mr. Porter,

"At the request

"of Miss Dove,

"I am advising you

"that she is

"thrilled to death

"by your
floral offering.

"The sympathy
of friends

"brings sunshine
to lonely

"shut-ins.

"I remain
graciously yours,

"Billie Jean Green,
RPN."

What does RPN stand for?

Uh... Registered
practical nurse.

I made that up.
But how's the letter?

It is very...

very genteel.

(UNDER BREATH)
Oh, gee!

Honest, Miss Dove?

You know,

Miss Dove,

I'm not really
Mrs. Green.

I took the name
for little Ava's sake.

I was way out there
in Detroit.

Virtue knows no frontiers.

I was on
the night shift.

Got me all mixed up.

I... I'd never been
anywhere before.

And... and you remember,
Miss Dove,

how I
wasn't very mature.

I do.

All the fellows
wanted to take me out.

I... I guess it went
to my head.

There was
this one fella.

I didn't know
he was married.

He was
wonderful to me.

Anyhow,
before I knew it...

There is no need
to elaborate.

He was so
good-looking and...

and big,
and I was
so homesick.

You know how it is.

I do not know
how it is.

But I know
that right is right
and wrong is wrong.

Well, anyway,

to make
a long story short,

little Ava came...

way out there
in Detroit.

Oh, I could have
given her up
for adoption, of course.

There was even
a childless couple
who offered me $4,000.

But well...

She was mine.

Besides...

how did I know
strangers would
raise her right?

Well, anyway, I...
I brought her home
and I...

I told that tale
about my husband
passing away.

And why did you
confide in me?

On account
of what you said
about the letter.

I'm nowhere as near
as genteel as you thought,
Miss Dove.

And I couldn't
deceive you

any more than
I could Bill Holloway.

William Holloway?

He was the one
I mentioned formally
going steady with.

The one who gave me
the Country Garden perfume.

You and...

and William Holloway?

When he
bought me a ring...

an engagement ring,

it just all came out.

He's like you...

A person you tell
the truth to.

That's what
stopped me back there
a minute ago.

He said
your very words.

"Right is right.

"Wrong is wrong."

He wanted me
to keep the ring,

as a gift.

But I handed it
right back to him.

(SNIFFLES)

Let him keep it for...

for somebody
more fitting.

Well...

Knocked me for a loop
I won't ever recover from.

But I...

guess I'm
one of those that

have to learn
the hard way.

Just about time
for Her Nibs.

Your special,
I meant to say.

(DOOR OPENS)

(DOOR CLOSES)

(BELL DINGING)

From the third grade.

It's Cedar Grove.

The work
is laudably neat.

You may place it
on the dresser.

Well, isn't it sweet?

When do you think
we may expect Dr. Baker?

Now, now.
We're not to worry.

Remember, no news
is good news.
(PHONE RINGING)

Maybe that's him now.

(PHONE RINGING)

Miss Dove's room.
Mrs. Green speaking.

Who?

I will enquire.

Two out-of-town visitors
would like to
pay their respects.

One telephoned
to ask permission.

The other is waiting
in the lobby.
Who are they?

Well, they're not
birds of a feather,
as the saying goes.

One is Maurice Levine,
the famous New York
stage play writer.

The other
is Fred Makepeace.

I suppose you know
where he resides.

They are
my former pupils.

I should be glad
to see them both.

Miss Dove will see them...
both.

What?

Hm.

Mr. Makepeace was so sure
of his welcome

he's already
on his way up.

Now, I don't hold with
giving a dog a bad name,

but neither do
I believe
in taking chances.

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

Good morning, Miss Dove.

How you doing?

How do you do, Frederick?

Do you know Mrs. Green?

Hi!
(UNENTHUSIASTICALLY) Hi.

MISS DOVE: You may be seated,
Frederick.

I'm not over the hill,

on the lam,
or anything like that.

What I mean is,

when I read you were sick,
I went to my gang boss,

I said, "Boss,

"The only teacher that
ever learned me anything

"is in the hospital.

"I want the day off
to go visit her."

And he
gave you leave?

The green light.
Just like that.
(SNAPS FINGER)

"Why, sure, Fred,"
he says,
"I know I can trust you."

I am gratified
to hear that.

(SOFT KNOCK ON DOOR)

Maurice Levine.
Miss Dove expects me.

Come right in,
Mr. Levine.

How are you, darl...
Miss Dove?

MISS DOVE:
Quite comfortable,
Maurice.

These are for you.

How very thoughtful.
Thank you.

Recall the face, Rab?

Uh...
Fred Makepeace!
(FRED CHUCKLES)

Your fan, kid.
You're a press agent.

And do I swell up
when I hear your name

mentioned by Winchell
and Ed Sullivan

and read it in
all of New York Times.
Well, thanks, Fred.

And do I lay it on
with the guys
at the joint, too.

Oh, really?
Yeah.

You made it, kid.

And when I hear
some commie jerk
belittling this country,

I say to him,

"Just look up
my pal Rab Levine
and ask him,

"if he doesn't
think the USA is still
a land of opportunity."

The best.
No doubt about it, Fred.

But I also found
the Terrible Miss Dove.

(SHARP CHIME)

(DREAMY MUSIC PLAYING)

Miss Dove,
this is Maurice Levine.

I am glad
to know you, Maurice.

Maurice is 11 years old.

His credentials
from the school
he attended in Poland

would ordinarily
place him
in the fifth grade.

But he knows no English,
and in my opinion,
he would

pick it up quicker
if he went through
all the first grade classes.

I shall seat him
in the L section.

Thank you, Miss Dove.

The class will begin.

"The tiger belongs
to the cat family.

"Cats are noted
for their cleanliness."

Maurice...

This is a tiger.

T, I,

G, E...

R.

(SPEAKING IN YIDDISH)

(MAURICE CONTINUES
SPEAKING IN YIDDISH)
(CHILDREN START LAUGHING)

MISS DOVE:
Thank you, Maurice.

I am sure that was
most interesting
and informative.

When Maurice
knows our language
as well as his own,

we will ask him
to repeat it.

(IN A POLISH ACCENT)
"Old Mrs. Rabbit
was a widow.

"She earned a living
by knitting
rabbit wool mittens.

"She also sold herbs
and rosemary tea

"and rabbit tobacco,
which we call lavender.

"When no one
was looking,

"she would also
smoke a rabbit cigar."

I have no recollection
of Mrs. Rabbit indulging
in any such vice.

Is that on the page
you were reading?

No, Miss Dove.
But it seemed funny to me
if she did.

You will adhere
to the text.

Continue, Maurice.

Yes, Miss Dove.

"She had
four children

Flopsy, Mopsy,
Cottontail and Peter.

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

Here comes
that new kid!

Sicki wizicki boo!

Sicki wizicki boo!

Come on, gang!

ALEXANDER:
Fred! Tom...

What's the matter, Tommy?

Why don't you
let him alone.

He didn't
do nothing.

KID 2: Oh, come on, Tommy.
It's just for the ducks.

KID 1:
Sicki wizicki boo!

(KIDS CLAMORING)

(CAR HORN HONKS)

MISS DOVE:
Good morning, boys.

EVERYONE: Good morning,
Miss Dove.

(DOG BARKING)

Good morning,
Maurice.

Good morning, Miss Dove.

(CYCLE BELL RINGS)

I am slightly encumbered
this morning, Maurice.

Would you mind
carrying my books?

(MUSIC BUILDING)

(DREAMY MUSIC STARTS PLAYING)

EVERYONE:
Good morning, Miss Dove.

MISS DOVE:
Good morning, boys.

(MUSIC CONCLUDES)

Because of the season
of the year,

we will consider
the country of Palestine,

the original home
of the Jews,

a country we hear
much about in church,

but of whose
sons and daughters
we know very little.

To study a people
and their customs
is valuable.

But to know a people
and their customs

is a privilege
seldom attained without
the luxury of travel.

The fifth grade
is to be
rarely privileged.

I have
your parent's permission

to take you
to a traditional
Jewish feast.

Mr. and Mrs. Levine
have graciously invited you.

(CHILDREN WHISPERING)

We're going to
Rab Levine's house?

We are going
to the home
of Maurice's parents.

And may I ask Alexander,

why you refer
to Maurice as Rab?

We all...
we all call him that.

It's short for Rabbi.

Maurice has progressed

during the few months
he has been here.

But not to that extent.

Rabbi means teacher.

It was so that Jesus
was addressed
by the multitudes.

(PLATES CLANKING)

This sure is
a swell party.

Hey, he ate
17 of those little...

you know,
they're like dumplings,
only better.

(IN POLISH ACCENT)
The matzo balls!

I bring more,
much, much more.

For me, too!
For you, too.

A most
successful evening.

I feel much
has been accomplished.

(BELL DINGS)

I have neglected
writing you, Maurice

to thank you
for the orchid
and the plane ticket

and the privilege
of being present

at the opening night
of your play.

What happened to you?

Why didn't you
come backstage?

I returned
on the midnight plane.

It was imperative that I be
in my classroom
the next morning.

Boy, what a kick
that must have been, huh?

Seeing ol' Rab's name
up there

in electric lights.

I bet you was...
were proud.

As Maurice's
former teacher,

I was gratified
by his worldly success.

Ouch. Then you
didn't think too much
of my play.

I am not
a critic, Maurice.

But with more
than 300,000 words
at your disposal

in any unabridged dictionary,

it did not seem
necessary for you,
to permit your characters

the use of expressions
that were
frequently inelegant,

often profane,

and unless I misinterpreted
their meaning,

occasionally improper.

Thank you, Miss Dove.

Next time I...
I'll try to be
more... meticulous.

MISS DOVE:
Discriminating.

Yes, Miss Dove.

Well, what gives
with you
these days, Fred?

I guess you
don't get The Courier
no more.

I'm on the roads.
Acting or selling?

(FRED LAUGHS)

Mostly digging
with a pickaxe.

You seem fit and happy.
It must agree with you.

Sure. Plenty of exercise.

Good, plain food.
Twelve hour sleep
each night.

Frederick Makepeace
is paying his debt
to society.

Oh, I see.
No big caper, Rab.

I just got in a jam
and had to pass a
little paper to tide me over.

Which would have been nothing
if I hadn't barred
this convertible

from a parking lot
and happened to
wreck it.

Well, life could be rugged.
Ah, not too.

The judge would have
let me off with a fine
and an SS...

A suspended sentence.

(CHUCKLES)

But I didn't know
where to look
for the dough

and probation
never really set me.

It makes me nervous.
Yeah,
I could imagine.

Uh, it ties you down.
You can't make plans.

So I decided
to do the stretch.

I only got
six months left.

Oh, how come
you're on the loose?

Well...
Frederick was
paroled for the day

on his own
recognizance.

Oh well, fine.
Then you're free for lunch.
As a bird.

Well, it'll be Old Home Week.

Sandy Burnham and I,
we're meeting at the club.

The club?
Yeah.

Oh, am I living!

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

Sorry to intrude,
but it's official.

Police officer Holloway
begs to intrude.

MISS DOVE: Please come in,
William.

Good morning, Miss Dove.
I hope you're improved.

I appreciate
your good wishes,
William.

Uh, excuse me,
Miss Dove,

but it's getting
a little crowded
in here.

If you don't need me,
I would greatly

enjoy breathing
a fresh breath of air.

Hiya, Bill.
Long time no see.

Look who's here.
Rab.

How are you, Maurice?
How are you, Bill?

Say, you're looking sharp.

Yeah,
don't he though.

Once a Marine,
always a Marine.

Say, uh, Rab, Sandy and me,
are having lunch together.

A little class reunion,
you might call it.

I'm afraid
it'll have to be
postponed, Fred.

There's a matter of
conflicting business.

Is it urgent,
William?

Yeah. Well,
why don't you join us?

You cops eat too,
don't you?

A most practical suggestion,
William.

Later you can discuss
your business with Fred

as you drive him back
to his present habitation.

You mean?
You think that's a good idea,
Miss Dove?

I do, William.

It will eliminate
Frederick's having
to seek

other means
of transportation.

Yes, Miss Dove.
(SIGHS IN RELIEF)

As usual.
Right on the beam,
Miss Dove.

Would you go for a steak?
With lobster on the side.

Goodbye darl,
and thanks.

Thanks for the works.

Goodbye Maurice.
Be seeing you,
Miss Dove.

Oh, hey, look at me.

I almost forgot.

From the joint homegrown
handpicked by me.

Then thank you, Frederick.

(CHUCKLES)

MISS DOVE: William,
will you ask
the floor nurse

to send Billie Jean
to me, please?

Hey!
Yes, Miss Dove.

Now I read the face.

Billie Jean McVeigh.

You mean,
she's now a nurse?

An excellent nurse,
Frederick.

Kind, courteous,
efficient, genteel.

I have been
most fortunate.

FREDRICK: Yeah, sure.

Oh! Gee, it's late.

Dr. Baker will be here
in a few minutes.
(RATTLING)

I want things to look
prettified.

I'll just go out and get us
some nice, cool, fresh water.

Patient is a slender,
normally developed female,
aged 55,

showing few of the usual
senile changes.

Lying quietly in bed
in no apparent distress.

Alert and collected.

I'm surprised.
I trusted you.

I am guilty,
but unrepentant.

What I read
has restored

my sense of
personal identity.

(DOOR OPENS)

Now you listen to me.

A chair for Mr. Porter.

I'm not here
in a private capacity.

I represent Rotary.

Indeed.
Indeed, yes.

The Liberty Hill Rotary Club
has voted unanimously

to assume entire
financial responsibility
for your illness.

Wherever you choose
to go for this operation.

Mayo's, The Johns Hopkins,
The Lake Clinic.
Rotary is behind you.

And if I decline
this kind offer?

And, who are you
to decline it?

Who gave you this right to?

To walk the world with a,
with a haughty spirit.

Fighting little children,
turning men to stone.

My dear sir,
if you wish my attention,

you must employ
a civil tone.

I am not to be bullied.

Uh, bullied?
You, you talk of bullying.

She's always been
a stiff neck termagant.

Do you think
my pride hasn't suffered?

Seeing the daughter of
my best friend,
practically penniless.

Working for her bread,
wearing outlandish clothes.

A civil tone,
if you please,
Mr. Porter.

You have forgotten
yourself.

I have forgotten
nothing.

I haven't forgotten
that I made you

a very civil offer once.

Fifteen years ago,
to be exact.

I'd been a widower
for a year.

Rich, but lonely.

Even then,
she was an old maid.

Lonely too,
but far from rich.

The offer
was generous.

But nonetheless,
ridiculous.

(SIGHS)

I shall ignore
that final insult.

Because it cannot blot out
the memory that once,

consciously
or unconsciously,

you did something
that placed me
in the untenable position

of being
forever in your debt.

(BELL DINGS)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(MUMBLING)

250, 300.

MAN: This has been going on
since 10 o'clock
this morning.

I don't see
how far they'll last.

WOMAN 1: There was a run
on the bank.

My brother was
out of town.

Oh and he lost
his last dollar.

WOMAN 2: Like a fool, I had
put it in only yesterday.

MAN 2: Hey, look at that.
They must have
run out of cash.

I told you something
like this would happen.

MISS DOVE: Excuse me,
please.

I wish to make
a deposit.

MR. PORTER: Ed,
we've been friends.
Excuse me.

If I can just
hold out
until tomorrow.

Friends, nothing.
I'm withdrawing
every penny

to be exact,
6,572 bucks.

And since your transaction
will undoubtedly

take a little time, Mr. Prouty
and mine will be brief.

I'm certain you will extend me
this small courtesy.

Are you nuts?
I've been here
since one...

Thank you, sir.

Good afternoon,
Mr. Porter.
Good afternoon.

A pleasant day for February.

Yes.
Miss Dove.

A distinct
touch of spring
in the air.

Miss Dove.

May I borrow a pen?

Mine has gone dry.

'Course.

Thank you.

I'm sorry,
Mr. Porter.

By some strange coincidence,
your pen seems
to lack ink too.

You're looking well,
Mr. Porter.

I had heard
that you were suffering

from a mild case
of lumbago.

Thank you.

It's been a bad month
for the colds.

So much unseasonable weather
might account for it.

For deposit
to my account,
Mr. Porter.

The entire amount.
$98.

Thank you, Porter.

Thank you, Miss Dove.

(ALL EXCLAIMING)

MR. PROUTY:
You can't do this, Porter.
You'll not get away with it.

Mr. Prouty, do you expect
Mr. Porter to violate
a federal law?

This is a federal bank.

He is compelled
to close
at 3 o'clock.

You and I,
Mr. Prouty.

All of us here
in Liberty Hill

will live to see
the merit
of this law.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(BELL DINGS)

I am sure your Rotarians
intended me no offense.

But I am not an object
of charity.

It... It isn't charity,

Liberty Hill
offers you.

It's... It's...
It's respect.

That I shall accept
with unqualified
pleasure.

And, now Thomas...

Will you be
more specific,

as to your findings?

Well...

You have a small growth
on your spine.

Which must,
if possible,
be removed.

If possible?
If possible.

Until we go in,
we can never
be certain

about the nature
of any tumor.

All you have to decide,

is who shall remove it
and where.

Aren't you competent?

I think so.

But there are surgeons
with much more
experience and reputation.

So if you decide
to go elsewhere,

it won't be
interpreted by me

as a reflection
on my ability.

The... The club
can charter a plane.

There's a very famous man
at the Mayo Clinic.

Allow me to deliberate.

I remember that you had
very skillful fingers,
Thomas.

(BELL DINGS)

You have
very skillful fingers.

Do you think you can
put it back exactly
as it was, Thomas?

Yes, Miss Dove.

I... I did it once before.

Then do it again.

Yes, Miss Dove.

(BELL DINGS)

I shall feel perfectly safe

in the hands of
Thomas and Billie Jean.

(DOOR CLOSES)

Now that the air
is clear of emotion,

we can resume
our discussion.

What do you propose?

That it be done tomorrow.

As you used to
tell us that...

I know
what I used to tell you.

What is the procedure?

This is what will happen.

This evening at 8,
you'll swallow a capsule.

You'll sleep soundly.

So soundly
that the next morning,

when you're given
a hypodermic,
you may not even know.

Certainly you won't care
or shouldn't.

You'll be taken
to the operating room

and put under
general anesthesia.

Because of the position
of the tumor,

the operation may be lengthy.

In that event,
the anesthetic
will be prolonged,

and so might its
after effects.

It may be well into Friday
before you finally awake.

Where?

What?

Where will I awake?

I don't know, Miss Dove.

Open the top drawer
of the bureau, Thomas.

Give me my bag.

My father's watch.

No, Miss Dove.

I should like you
to take it now, Thomas.

It is bequeathed to you
in my will.

If...

If on Friday
I awaken here,

then return it
temporarily
to my custody.

(DOOR CLOSES)

Mmm. The battle I put up
with this cuticle of mine.

You have
the same trouble?

I have always considered
the care of the nails

exclusively
a boudoir function,

and certainly not
a very stimulating
topic of conversation.

Well,
I beg your pardon?

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

(WHISPERS) I'm not supposed
to be up,

but I simply had to know
how you were feeling.

There have been
some recognizable
developments, Virginia.

And you?
Oh! Glory.

Like the night
before Christmas.

This time tomorrow
we'll know
what it looks like.

If it's a boy
or a girl.

Well,
I better go now.

Good night, Miss Dove.

Roses in your pillow.

Good night, Virginia.

Hello, Miss Dove.

Dr. Temple,
would you be writing
to your mother tonight?

Why, yes. Yes.

Then will you kindly
inform her that red ants

have a flavor,
not similar,

but exactly
like sour pickles?

They do?

Did a bear tell you?

No, Dr. Temple.

I ascertained the fact
for myself,

more than
30 years ago.

You did? How?

I ate one.

(CHUCKLES)
Good for you.

I won't wait to write, Mother.
I'll send her a wire.

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

(DOOR OPENS)

I'll leave you
with your pastor.

Thomas told you?

Yes.

MISS DOVE:
I do not wish to die.

Life, whatever others
may think,

has been for me...

I... I have been happy.

I know.

Thomas is not
very hopeful, is he?

Well, there is a hope
which transcends
the medical.

Perhaps,
if we read from this...

Do you intend to read
the general confession?

Yes.

Then I must warn you that
when I repeat that prayer,

I do so with reservations.

Reservations?

I have made many mistakes.

Perhaps, even sinned.

I admit
my human limitations.

But I do not,
in all honesty,

find the burden of my sins
intolerable.

Nor Alexander,
have I strayed
like a sheep.

As Frederick Makepeace
might say,

I have never been AWOL.

Well, I grant you
that the language
of the confession is archaic.

But it contains more
than the core of truth.

All of us.
No, I have never spoken
hypocrisy to my maker.

And now, is scarcely
a propitious moment
to begin.

But we can have a prayer
if you like.

Silently.
But together.

That I should like.

(CHURCH BELL RINGS)

(CHURCH BELL RINGS)

(THUDS)

(CHURCH BELL RINGS)

(CHURCH BELL RINGS)

The parson and the cop
are in the lobby.

Potential blood donors.

Good.

TOMMY: Okay.

Okay, Tommy.

All right.

FREDRICK: Hey,
you got the time,
pal?

10 after 10.

But what do you care
with six months added

for that stroll
you took yesterday?

Would you call
a friend of mine
in Liberty Hill,

name of Rab,
Maurice Levine?

Only cost your 4 bits,

which I'll pay you.

Then reverse the charges,
Now this guy is loaded.

Get back
to your digging,
Makepeace.

You're fresh
out of privileges.

Oh, boy, am I paying
my debt to society!

I am calling a play,
of which our old quarterback
might not approve.

But, Cedar Grove
Elementary School

is suspending classes
for the day.

TOMMY: It's more extensive
than I thought.

Have Holloway
and Burnham standby.

She'll need blood
and plenty of it.

NURSE:
Yes, doctor.

W... What are they
doing up there?

Oh... oh, don't they know?

Oh Mr. Porter,
you know Tommy's
doing his best.

Now, now,
let's stay patient

and, and,
full of fortitude.

You two just sit tight

and I'll take a little
snoop around.

How's it going,
Miss Rice?

Dr. Baker's sent
a frozen section
to the laboratory.

The report hasn't
come back yet.

She's had one transfusion.
There'll be more.

You think
there's a chance?

A nurse is permitted
no opinions, Mrs. Green.

(SIGHS)

Hey, hey, hey!
I saw you coming.

Children aren't allowed.
What do you want?

We're here
on important business.
A matter of life or death.

I was elected
spokesman.
I'm supposed to talk.

Then go ahead.
We came to give blood
to Miss Dove.

No, they don't do it
down here.

First they lay you down.
And then afterwards

they give you
tomato juice.

But not to folks
your age.

But we're all
more than nine.

And we're real strong.
KIDS: Yeah!

Aw, honeys.

We don't need you.

We got all these grown ups
waiting right here.

But I'll tell you something
you can do for Miss Dove.

For instance?
The state geography tests
that are coming this week.

If she should hear
that you flunked them,
she'd be good and mad.

She'd be terrible.

Now, you go on home
and study up. Go on.

We know that old
junk backwards.

KIDS: Yeah.

Oh, are you sure?

KIDS: Sure.

What's the difference
between longitude
and latitude?

Name the Great Lakes.

What's the chief product
of Kansas City?

Where is the
Tropic of Capricorn?

Whatever happened
to Cleopatra?

(KIDS SULKING)

There. You see?

You handled that
like a seasoned diplomat,
Billie Jean.

She herself,
Miss Dove, I mean,

couldn't have handled
it with more genteel.

(TOMMY SIGHS)

That's it.

Takeover.

(SIGHS)

Tommy, how did it go?

Oh, come on, girls,
break it up.

Let's pull ourselves
together.

I give up figuring out women.

Yesterday they were clawing
Miss Dove apart.

There wasn't anything
she ever did right.

It was a terrible Miss Dove.

(SCOFFS)
And now, look at them.

Oh, shut up, Joe.

And you too.
You were brought up
in Liberty Hill

and she wasn't your teacher.

And if she had been,
you wouldn't have

that repulsive habit
of chewing your necktie,

when you have
something on your mind.

Yes, she'd have
broken you of that.

The way she broke me
of chewing my pigtails.

And I was counting on her
to break our Susie
of chewing hers. (SOBS)

What comes back to me
plainest is the day
I told her she was nuts.

I guess you young fellas
never knew she kept
this town from going bankrupt.

Oh, why don't they
tell us something?

That's what I like to know.

We pay taxes.
We got a right to know.

Yes, sir. They say
they're waiting for a report
from the laboratory.

Laboratory?
That's passing the buck.

If young Dr. Hurley...
We just heard
from the laboratory,

The report won't be completed
until tomorrow morning.

CROWD: Aw!
So you folks might
just as well go home.

I'm sorry.

(ALL EXCLAIMING, CHATTERING)

(BERT HUMMING)

Oh cut it out,
will you? Bert.

Things are spooky enough
around here tonight.

No calls, no fights,
no wrecks, no dogs barking,
no nothing.

And you're no eye opener
neither.

You don't even know her.

Sure. I know, Miss Dove.

I've been here
more than two years, ain't I?

I'll be sorry to see
the old girl kick off,

but if you ask me,
I don't think she cares much.

She couldn't have had
much of a life.

Never married.
No family, no kids.

Never went nowhere.

Why, they tell me she's never
been more than
a couple hundred miles

from this bird since the day
she was born.

That's right.

But she's been places
you and I never heard of.

She's been more times
around the world
than you can count.

Not much of a life, huh.

No family, no kids.
No kids!

Boy, you're really
off your rocker.

Kids?
She has
a thousand of 'em.

(TELEPHONE RINGS)

(CLEARS THROAT)

Police station.
Mitchell speaking.

Oh hello, Warden.

Hmm?

Fred Makepeace
on the loose again?

You think maybe he's heading
for Liberty Hill, huh?

Yeah, sure thing, Warden.
We'll be on the lookout
for him.

All right. Good night.

I wonder what's the big
attraction in this bird,

for a petty thief
like Makepeace.

Well, I tell you,
I don't know.

(CHURCH BELL RINGS)

(CHURCH BELL RINGS)

(CHURCH BELL RINGS)

(CHURCH BELL RINGS)

(CHURCH BELL RINGS)

(WEARILY) Tell me, Thomas.

Tell me,
without wasting a word.

And Virginia?

Twin boys.

My felicitations, Thomas.

Already they look like
they're full of beans.

You'll have your hands full,
Miss Dove.

(CHURCH BELL
RINGS CONTINUOUSLY)

(CHURCH BELL RINGING)

(EXCLAIMING INDISTINCTLY)

(BELLS RINGING)

Bells?

Why are they ringing?

Is it Sunday?

Friday, Miss Dove.

For a big day
for Liberty Hill.

Dr. Temple just gave the town
the news.

The news?

That you're going
to be all right.

BILLIE JEAN: Guys.
That crowd's been
waiting out there

since the crack of dawn.

There are people
in the streets?

BILLIE JEAN: And more coming.
Everybody and his uncle.

I never saw anything like it.

Except maybe in the movies,
when a queen or some bigshot

takes a bow from a balcony.

(BELLS RINGING LOUDLY)

(SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)

Look, just coming up.

There's Mr. O'Neil,
the mailman.

And there's Ben Gordon,
the stationmaster

and young Dr. Hurley.

Oh, and there's Ed and Pete,
from the service station.

Good night!
Standing there,
big as life,

Fred Makepeace.

Frederick Makepeace?

Oh, don't you worry,
Miss Dove.

Everything's
under control.

My Bill's standing
right next to him.

(TOMMY LAUGHS)
Look over there.

Mr. Spivvy's carrying on
like he just made
a touchdown.

(BILLIE JEAN LAUGHS)
And every last kid
from Cedar Grove.

What did you say?

The kids, Miss Dove,
your pupils.

There's no school today.

No school?

But didn't you say that,
this is Friday?

Yes, Miss Dove.

And the State
proficiency tests
will take place on Monday.

Thomas, go down at once,

and inform Mr. Spivvy that

the children must return
to their classes.

The fifth grade will review
the winds and the tides.

The fourth grade will memorize
the products
of the Argentine Pampas.

The sixth grade will study
the orographic control
of rainfall.

At once, Thomas.

Good morning, Miss Dove.

Good morning, Thomas.