Original subtitles

Good morning.

Who's she?

I don't know. Where's Miss Cummings?

Well, I suppose you're all wondering where your regular teacher is and who I

Well, Miss Cummings had to go to Chicago because of an illness in her family,

and I'm Miss Evans, and I'm a substitute.

And do you know what a substitute is?

Yes?

In football, a substitute is somebody who sits on the bench.

That's right.

Well, I've been called in from the bench to take Miss Cummings' place at

quarterback for a few days.

So would you please now turn to your spelling book?

I'd like you to do the five exercises at the top of page 39.

In just a moment.

What's your name?

Jody Davis.

Well, Jody, will you please return to your desk and start your spelling

exercises?

Yes, Miss Evans, but first... Back to your desk.

But Miss Cummings always said... Jody, while I'm here, the class will observe

rules, not Miss Cummings.

Yes, Miss Evans.

What are you going to do?

I don't know.

I can tell her for you.

No, Bob. It's my job to tell her.

Hi.

Oh, hi.

It's Jody, isn't it?

Yes, Miss Redmond.

Do you have something you want to ask me?

No, ma 'am. I have something to tell you.

Well, what is it?

Well... About why I left my desk.

Oh, that's all right, Jody.

Let's forget about your leaving the desk. As long as it doesn't happen

okay?

Okay.

Go on now, you run along and play.

But I'm still worried about those fish.

What fish?

The ones in the tank in our classroom.

They're hungry.

Well, what does that have to do with it?

You see, it's my turn to feed the fish.

And you wouldn't let me.

You mean you were going to feed the fish when you left your desk?

Oh, Jody, why didn't you explain?

I tried to.

Well, that's right, you did.

Oh, my goodness, those poor fish.

They must be starving.

Come on, we better go feed them.

Your dinner clothes are laid out, sir. The theater tickets are in the left

inside jacket pocket.

Reservations confirmed.

Okay.

Dinner will be served in ten minutes.

Are we suitable?

Yes, Mr. French. We're suitable.

Mm -hmm.

Here.

I wish you were going to stay home tonight, Uncle Bill.

Why? You got any special reason?

No, just so we could talk and talk.

Okay, let's talk and talk.

Okay.

Well?

Why don't you say something, Jody?

You're the one who wanted to talk, boss.

Well, it's nice to sit here with you anyway, Uncle Bill.

Okay.

How's school today?

Oh, we had a substitute teacher.

Miss Evans, she's nice.

I like Miss Cummings better.

I like Miss Evans just as good.

Oh, Jody.

Jody. Now stand back, boys.

It wasn't my fault, Miss Evans. Honest.

Jody.

He wasn't looking.

Well, he seems to be all right.

I'm all right. It just knocked the wind out of me.

That's all right. Thank you, boys. You can go on with your game now.

Are you better?

Some butterflies.

Jody, I'll stay here with you, even though it is my turn at four square.

No, Buffy, you can go and take your turn.

That's all right. I'll look out for Jody.

Okay.

Are you still dizzy?

A little.

Here, why don't you come over here and sit with me?

There you go.

You just sit here with me.

Put your head there and close your eyes. And by the end of recess, you'll be as

good as new.

Why, that's very colorful, Buffy.

I know trees don't really look like that.

But it'd be nice if they did.

Yes, it would.

Well, Jody, where's your picture?

It's not very good.

Oh, may I see it, please?

Well, I'm flattered, Jody.

Thank you very much.

Now, children, I have some good news for you. Miss Cummings will be back on

Monday.

And I've enjoyed being with you very much, and I'll be sure to tell her how

behaved and how helpful you've all been.

Well, thank you very much, and goodbye.

Mr. French is waiting for us. Tell them I'll be out in a minute.

Okay.

Yes, Jody?

I guess Yopi has substituted some other school Monday.

Well, very likely, yes.

Well, goodbye, Miss Evans.

Goodbye, Jody.

And remember to be alert when you play keep away.

I'll try.

I was the only child.

Nine attention -crowded, love -filled years.

But also years touched with some loneliness and longing.

How do you like it so far?

Very good.

It's the first sentence of my autobiography.

Miss Richardson assigned it in English.

The story of my life.

Quite nicely phrased. There are echoes in your style of Miss Emily Bronte.

Or perhaps Miss Charlotte.

I didn't realize your early life was so exciting, Tissy.

Well... My mother told me that I would soon have a brother or sister.

And I was in an agony of suspense.

Which would it be?

Jody?

Hmm? You better listen.

I am listening.

She's getting to the good part. Ask.

Imagine my surprise when I got both.

A sister named Buffy and a brother named Jody.

That's as far as I got. Uncle Bill! Yeah, I like it.

Well, look at these.

These are great.

Who is that?

That is you.

Gee, if I look like that, I wonder why they kept me.

Look at Jody.

Oh, boy.

Hey, Jody, come here and look at it. You're funny looking, too.

Where did he go?

Oh, I believe to his room, sir. He seems to wander about in a sort of dream

world.

Yeah, he sure does.

He hasn't been quite with us all weekend.

I think he's thinking about Miss Evans.

Who's that?

The substitute teacher.

Jody liked her.

Jody likes her a lot.

Oh, I see.

Thank you.

I am so glad you took the time to drop by, Mr. Davis.

You see, I'm rather concerned about Jody.

What seems to be the trouble?

Well, Jody's always been so interested and alert in class and, well, eager to

take on special projects.

Oh, now he just seems remote and indifferent.

Well, I was wondering if something could be troubling him.

Any problems at home? We just thought he had a crush on a substitute teacher.

Oh, Miss Evans?

Mm -hmm.

Now it's your back why we thought to... Oh, no, I don't think it's a small

boy crush.

You see, Jody hasn't been doing his homework at all. And his work in class

just slipshard and careless.

Well, I... I think he needs help.

Hey, Jody.

Oh, hi, Uncle Bill. Finished your lesson?

Not quite.

Well, what's the matter with you and the homework, anyway? Miss Cummings had me

come by to school, and she says you haven't been doing your homework.

No, Uncle Bill, I haven't.

I'm sorry.

Well, what's that all about?

I mean to, but I get this funny feeling ever since Miss Evans left, like I was

lost and couldn't find my way home.

Did you feel that way last week?

Oh, no, Uncle Bill. I did all my homework for Miss Evans. I even listened

every word she said.

I guess I'll never see Miss Evans again.

You think you might feel a little better if you saw her?

Oh, yes, Uncle Bill. I know I would. Can I see Miss Evans? Can I?

Well, I don't see why not. I'll just call her up, and we'll find out where

lives, and then Mr. French can take you by after school. How's that?

Oh, thank you, Uncle Bill.

Thank you.

Oh, it's okay.

Hello, Jody.

Hi, Miss Evans.

And this is Mr. French.

How do you do, Mr. French? I'm so glad to meet you. Thank you.

Mr. Davis appreciates your cooperation in this rather strange matter.

Do come in.

I'm sorry for the way the place looks, but it's been one of those weeks.

You're right over here.

Thank you.

Monday and Tuesday, I had 55 first graders down in the Lower East Side. And

on Wednesday, I was with some children of working mothers at a nursery school.

And yesterday and today, a whole third grade and only half the class spoke

English. How did you talk to them?

Well, I made faces and gestured a lot.

How's Buffy?

Oh, she's fine. She's at home helping Sissy write the story of her life.

Fine. Well, tell her I said hi.

I brought you something, Miss Evans.

Oh, Jody, what a beautiful shell.

I found it when Uncle Bill took us to the beach last summer.

Are you sure you want to give it to me?

I'm sure.

Oh, well, thank you very much. I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll put it right

there on the table, and then every time I come in and see it, it will remind me

of you.

Um, I was watering my window garden when you came in, and I didn't have a chance

to finish. Would you finish it for me?

Thank you, Miss Evans.

You know, it's quite mysterious, Miss Evans.

He'd be content to sit and look upon you by the hour.

Well, I know these crushes can sometimes be quite painful, but fortunately they

don't last long.

Yes, but unfortunately, in Jody's case, this infatuation seems to be playing

havoc with his schoolwork.

Well, sometimes all that's needed is just a little more attention at home.

Yes, but Jody is an orphan, Miss Evans.

Oh, really?

Oh, I didn't know that.

Mr. Davis is his uncle, and he and I look after the three children.

Oh.

Well, then I guess it's up to you and Mr. Davis to make Jody feel really

important to his family.

All right, into bed, Jody.

Good night, Mr.

French. Good night, Jody.

Mr.

French, what are you making that funny noise for?

Oh, that. Well, uh... Good night, Jody.

Mr. Davis, Miss Evans seemed to suggest that Jody was missing the kind

ministrations of motherhood.

I tried to fill in the void, but I'm afraid my excursion into motherhood,

was a complete fiasco.

If he's looking for a mother, why didn't he turn to Miss Cummings? You know, the

regular teacher. She's kind and interested and sympathetic and all that.

Oh, Jody admires Miss Cummings, sir, but...

But his reactions to Miss Evans are entirely different.

What's so special about her?

That's what I don't know, sir. I mean, the moment Jody sees Miss Evans, he

becomes positively incandescent.

Perhaps if you were to observe the two of them, sir, you might be able to help

him.

Yeah, I guess you're right. We've got to do something about them.

I guess it's time I met Miss Evans myself.

Yes, sir.

Hi, Jody. Hi, Miss Evans.

Oh, my, what a lovely home you have.

Your place is nice, too.

Thank you.

Hi, Miss Evans. Oh, hello, Buffy. How do you do?

This is my Uncle Bill.

Thank you so much for inviting me.

You're very welcome.

We met before someplace.

No, I don't think so.

You sure look familiar.

Oh, really?

Oh, good evening, Mr. French. Good evening, Miss Evans. May I take your

Yes, please.

Oh, no. I'll take it, Mr. French.

Don't worry, Miss Evans. I'll be very careful.

I'll help you hang it up.

Thank you.

Excuse me. I know I'm staring

at you the way Jody does, but I'm just...

Trying to remember.

Hi, sis.

Hi. Sissy, this is Miss Evans.

Oh, how do you do, sissy?

What's the matter?

Oh, excuse me. When you turned around, for a moment, I thought you were someone

else.

You too?

Uncle Bill, don't you see?

Oh, of course.

Well, what is it?

It'll be easier to show you than to tell you.

Excuse me a minute.

She's been writing one of those autobiography things for English

and she's been digging around in the old family photographs.

Are you hungry, Miss Evans?

Well, yes, I am a little.

We'll be right back.

with some cheese and crackers.

Good, that'll be fine.

Here.

Oh, my.

And this is... My sister -in -law.

Our mother.

Oh.

Why, that's amazing.

It could be a picture of me taken a few years ago.

I see why Jody keeps staring at you.

They were so young when it happened. I didn't think Jody could remember.

Oh, he must have some memories, even if he's not aware of them.

And then when he saw me, all those forgotten feelings came

back.

He doesn't understand, but he just knows he wants to be near you.

Well, now you know.

Isn't Miss Evans nice, Uncle Bill?

Yes, she's real nice.

I knew you would like her.

I hope we can see her again.

Well, sure we'll see her again.

Hey, look, I want to show you something.

You know who that is?

Miss Evans?

No.

That's a picture of your mother.

See, Jody, you've been having this...

Kind of strange feeling when you're around Miss Evans. You couldn't

it.

None of us could understand it either.

I know.

It's like when you go away, Uncle Bill.

Sometimes it seems that you'll never come back.

And it's the same feeling.

It's like a hurt.

I know. Sometimes we want something so much that even though we know we can't

have it, we just want it so much we start to think we can't have it. And

when we get all mixed up, see?

And Miss Evans is a real nice lady.

And she likes you very much and she wants to be your friend, too.

But, Jody, she isn't your mother.

I know this is kind of tough to understand, but the next time you have

feeling about Miss Evans and it's hard for you to do your schoolwork,

you just remember that picture.

And I think it might make it a little easy.

See?

Okay?

Okay.

And is it all right if I think about you and Mr. French, too?

You've got to believe it.