Original subtitles

Does your horoscope tell you what to do, sissy?

No, not exactly.

Then what does it tell you?

Well, today my horoscope says that I'll be taking a trip soon.

Does Uncle Bill know?

My botany class is going on a field trip. It could be that.

Could it be riding in an elevator even?

I suppose so.

What does it say about us?

Let's see.

Be cautious about investments.

This is a time to retrench.

Huh?

It means to save your allowance.

What does it say about Mr. French?

Gosh, I don't know when his birthday is.

Let's go ask him.

Wait, now, I don't think you should disturb him.

Oh, he won't mind. He's good at being disturbed.

Will we come in, Mr. French?

Of course.

Well, children?

Do you believe in horoscopes, Mr. Fratch?

Well, actually, I believe that man rules his own destiny. However, I am aware

that certain people allow themselves to be guided by the stars.

Sissy's been reading horoscopes. If you tell Sissy when your birthday is, she'll

read yours.

Oh, well, uh... Well, mine falls on the 11th of this month.

Let's see what it has for me.

This is a day to count your blessings.

Spend the evening with a congenial companion.

Are you going to spend the evening with a congenial companion?

Buffy, I am going to spend the evening with a good book. And a good book is a

most congenial companion.

Oh, Jody, have you finished your homework yet?

Almost. My book, Darnus Congenial, is yours.

Nevertheless, I suggest that you apply yourselves to them immediately.

Okay, Mr. French.

Sissy, Mr. French's birthday is on the 11th of this month.

Oh, yeah? That's this Sunday.

Yes, Mr. French?

May I suggest that you tidy up, Buffy? It's almost time for dinner.

In just a minute, Mr. French. Excuse me.

Good evening, sir.

What's going on?

The children are preparing something, sir. I'm afraid they've discovered that

have a...

Birthday coming this Sunday.

Oh, yeah, yeah. They're getting up a surprise for you.

Yes, sir.

I'm afraid that surprises unnerve me, sir.

And also, sir, birthday celebrations for a man of my mature years, well, they're

rather embarrassing.

It only happens once a year, you know. You can bear up.

Well, sir, do you think you could see that the festivities are kept at a

minimum, please?

I'll do my best.

Oh, sir, sir.

They won't sing birthday songs, will they, sir?

Probably will.

Hi,

Uncle Bill.

How private is this?

You're okay. Come on in. Okay.

Hi, Uncle Bill. Hi.

What's going on?

It's for Mr. French's birthday on Sunday. It is?

Yeah. We're making him a present, and we're going to give him a surprise

We already invited all our friends and Miss Patterson. It's all right, isn't

Uncle Bill? Sure, it's all right. What are you making there?

It's a footstool. Can't you tell?

Jody, he couldn't tell because it isn't finished.

We're going to cover it with this, Uncle Bill.

Polka dots?

It'll be just beautiful.

Yeah, sure.

But what made you decide on a footstool, anyway?

Because when Mr. French spends an evening with his congenial companion,

has nothing to put his feet on.

Mr. French's congenial companion is his book.

What, uh, why come you chose polka dots?

Because Mr.

French always said that this was my most beautiful dress, and he was sad when it

didn't fit me anymore.

And polka dots go good with yellow legs.

They went good with my legs, too.

Do you think Mr. French will really like it, Uncle Bill?

Of course he'll like it. It's very... It's interesting.

Okay. Come on, you want to get ready for dinner?

I don't think Uncle Bill liked the polka dots.

But he said it was interesting.

That's what grown -ups always say when they don't like something.

They don't want to hurt your feelings.

But I like it, and Mr. French will like it, because whenever he puts his feet on

it, it'll remind him of your dress.

You're right, Jody.

I bet Mr. French never got a present like this before.

Coffee, sir?

Yeah, thanks.

You'd better bring some more. It's going to be a late night.

Yes, sir. Oh, sir, you did manage to speak to the children about the events,

didn't you? Yes, I did.

You were able to discourage them, sir?

No, you wouldn't want me to do that. They'd be very disappointed.

Just relax and enjoy it, huh?

Well, I doubt if I'll ever be capable of either.

Well, relaxing or enjoying it, sir. However, I do my uttermost, sir.

I try to look surprised, Sunday.

Yes, sir, yes, I do my best, sir. I

don't

want to let Mr. Frank see me bring his present in.

Do you think I could hide it in here someplace?

There's a room in my closet.

Help yourself.

the front door.

I've got him the greatest gift I could build.

It's sort of lopsided.

Just a little.

It's hard to make all four legs come out even.

The poker lots look real good, Buffy.

I think the whole footstool is just lovely.

of French before I wrapped it all up.

I spent my whole month so long with him.

Ready?

Isn't it beautiful?

Well, don't you like it?

It's a footstool for his room.

It's very interesting, Sissy.

Very.

Well, don't you think Mr. French will like it?

He does need a footstool.

We know.

Was something wrong?

Nothing. We're just so surprised to see such a nice footstool.

Aren't we, Jody?

It's the nicest footstool we ever saw.

What do you mean they were negative?

Well, their faces.

I just don't understand them, Uncle Bill.

I thought that the footstool I bought for Mr. French was beautiful.

You bought him a footstool, huh? Yeah, with a tweed top. And you know how the

British feel about tweed.

Well, don't you think it's a good idea?

It's just that he's going to be up to his ankles in footstools.

You mean that's what they've been building?

Oh, no wonder they wouldn't show me their gift.

Uncle Bill, what am I going to do?

I can't take mine back. The stores are closed, and Mr. French's birthday's

tomorrow.

Well, there's nothing wrong with them getting two footstools, I guess.

Of course, the kids might be afraid theirs isn't going to look so good

yours. And they worked so hard on it.

Is it awful?

No, not if you like polka dots.

Polka dot footstool.

Polka dots.

Oh, Mr. French will die.

No, he won't.

Now, he'll make a big fuss about it because that's how he is.

But Buffy and Jody will understand he's just being nice.

I know.

I just won't give Mr. French my gift.

And they've already seen yours and compared it to theirs.

But Mr. French hasn't seen it.

Uncle Bill, maybe they'd rather that I didn't give this gift to Mr. French.

Nah, they wouldn't go for that.

If you could have seen their faces, I feel just awful.

Save room for the peanuts.

I am.

Okay, come in here.

It's all right, Uncle Bill.

Hey, that looks like it's going to be quite a party.

It'll be okay.

Why have you got the long face?

We don't have a present to give Mr.

French. Sure you have. You just showed it to me.

We can't give him the footstool.

Sissy bought him a good one.

Well, there's nothing wrong with him having two footstools.

But Sissy's is a bought one. And Sissy's bought one is a hundred times better

than our made one.

Oh, you made it. That's what counts.

Well, we wanted ours to be beautiful and special.

And it isn't.

Not next to Sissy's.

Well... Sissy doesn't have to give him her footstool. She could just tell him

she's going to get him something else on Monday.

Would she, Uncle Bill?

Sure she would, if that's what you want.

Sissy spent her whole allowance on it. It's not her fault that we made

like it.

Except it's not like it.

Anyway, we're making the party.

That'll be special.

Sure.

Sissy isn't making a party too, is she, Uncle Bill?

Nope. Only one party on the schedule.

That's good.

Okay.

Jody, we're just going to have to give him the footstool.

We wouldn't want to disappoint Mr. French.

Okay, but I think he'll be even more disappointed when he gets it.

Read this, sir. I feel terribly foolish.

Relax. Just relax. Go on out and take a walk or go to a movie. Be back at four.

That's all. But, sir... Shark.

They're gone?

All clear.

We got a zillion things to do. Jody, get the box. Okay. Need any help? It's our

party, Uncle Bill.

Okay.

Thank you.

There,

it's just right.

How does the cake look?

Well, it's sort of skinny on one side.

Oh, I can fix that.

Jody, maybe we should have told Mr. French about the party.

No, then it wouldn't be a surprise.

I know, but he's so good at setting the table.

There, now it's even.

Too bad we couldn't ice the footstool.

My good wishes, too.

Miss Fabersham, thank you all, everyone.

Were you surprised, Mr. French?

Surprised is hardly the word. I never expected this.

The children invited me. I hope you don't mind.

Oh, no, I'm delighted, Miss Fabersham.

Well, why don't you hang up your hat there and stay a while.

Jody, go get Mr. French's body hat.

Okay. Hat?

You have to wear it, Mr. Pratch.

Mr. French, you're good at a lot of other things.

It's your turn, Mr. French.

Go on, you can do it.

Oh, but I think that Miss Susan here has missed her turn.

You're quite welcome to take my turn.

But thank you. I think I can manage.

Don't forget to make a wish.

No, no.

A different one for every day of the week. Thank you, children.

He likes it.

Now, here.

Well.

Oh, it's most attractive, Miss Favisham.

Thank you.

You're very welcome.

Oh, I shall enjoy wearing it.

Bank is the most handsome wallet.

My pleasure.

And now, what have we here?

Oh,

from Buffy and Jody.

Well, well.

Yes, thank you, children.

It's all right if you don't like it, Mr. French. It didn't come out very good.

Oh, but I do like it. It's what it's most useful and, well, it's enjoyable.

It's the most interesting piece of art.

You're welcome, Mr. French.

Oh, I really like it, children, really.

I like it a lot less when he sees sissies.

He doesn't like it too much now.

He said it was interesting.

Thank you, Sister Hammond.

Do you like it, Mr. French?

Indeed, I do.

It's most useless. Thank you, Sissy.

Mr. French, Sissy made hers to look like ours, but it's tweed underneath.

If you want to take off the polka dots, it's all right.

We don't mind.

Maybe you don't want two polka dot footstools.

Oh, but I do, I do. Imagine a separate footstool for each foot.

Thank you, children.

Miss Sissy.

I'm afraid this must have been a very trying afternoon for you, Miss Salisham.

had a lovely time, Mr. French.

Look, I'm quite alone now. There's no need to continue the pretext, Miss

Salisham. Oh, but it's not a pretext. I enjoyed myself immensely, didn't you?

But, Mr. French, I hope what I'm about to say won't embarrass you.

After this afternoon, I don't think anything will ever embarrass me again.

You were really quite marvellous, you know.

Very few men would lend themselves so completely and warmly to giving children

the pleasure you gave those children today.

Then I think you're very fortunate to have children who care so much for you.

None of the children I've raised... Oh, my dear Miss Patterson.

Quite all right, Mr. French. I suppose I'm human enough to be just a little

envious.

I think I would rather have received one slightly lopsided footstool made with

love, if not precision, than all the gifts I've ever received.

Good night.

Good night.

I sure was.

Good night.

Mr. French, you look surprised.

I think he was, too. Good night.

We're going to have to think of something different for his next

We will. We have a whole year to think.

Good night. Good night, Uncle Bill.

If there isn't anything else, I'm going to go to bed now, Uncle Bill. Okay.

I'm very proud of you, you know.

What? Well, Buffy and Jody did all the work.

That is not what I'm talking about.

You mean making my footstool look like theirs?

Well, I had to, Uncle Bill.

No, you didn't have to. That's what I mean.

Good night.

Good night.

Ah.

Oh, I trust I haven't been gone too long, sir. Mr.

Flavisham and I had a little chat.

Okay, it's all over.

Well, you shouldn't have cleared us. It wasn't necessary. I could have done

that. Well, you're not supposed to work today.

No, no, that's right. I'm the birthday boy.

That's right. And you're quite a guy.

Well, I think we've had quite enough sentimentality for one day, sir.

Can I carry this cup for you? Hey, what are you going to do with the two polka

dot footstools?