Original subtitles

Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye. All those persons having business to do with the

county court of Carmel County drawn near ye shall be heard.

Judge James K. Hardy presiding.

Court's in session. What's the first case, Baylor?

There ain't any.

Isn't, not ain't.

Excuse me, I was thinking of my son Andrew.

You mean to tell me there isn't one single crime or one civil injustice

this court today?

No, there isn't, Judge.

Well, I'm mighty proud of Carmel.

There's hope for this country, Ed.

Court's dismissed.

Bye, Judge.

Hey, wait a minute.

What's all the rush?

Going fishing.

Fishing? Well, if my folks weren't leaving town today, I'd go with you.

luck. Thank you, sir. Family vacationing, Judge?

No, only the women, folks. My daughter, Marion, is driving down the Trinlas with

her camp on the lake for over the fourth, and Mrs. Hardy and her sister,

going up to Canada to visit their folks.

What is it?

Is this the course where it says on this paper?

Well, let's see.

Yes, I'm Judge Hardy.

Come into my chambers.

Those names on the paper, Anton Valduzzi, that's my husband here, and I

Jida Valduzzi.

You'll excuse me, please. I do not speak English too well.

You're doing very nicely.

You haven't been long in this country?

Anton is an American citizen for 35 years.

Judge, we come to ask you about this paper.

Well, this paper is a summons and a complaint.

You failed to pay a note. Now they're going to sell your house to cover the

mortgage. That means that we got to lose our home?

If I had my way, I wouldn't wait. Anton, please.

You're without any financial resources.

Anton had a job.

Night watchman in the glassworks, but... I was slayed off three weeks ago.

Too old.

Well, have you got any children? Grown sons or daughters?

Why, George?

I thought your children perhaps might be able to help you.

Children help their parents in these days?

The law can make them help you, if they're able to.

No, Judge.

We had a daughter, but she's dead.

This case comes up July the 5th.

I'll just keep this paper. It's a bit irregular, but...

I've always believed that judges are to simplify troubles, not complicate them.

You'll hear from me.

Andrew!

Andrew, is that you?

Hello.

Is there anything wrong?

No, Dad, nothing's wrong.

No, nobody's home.

Andrew!

Hello. Andrew, what was that?

You sure there isn't anything wrong?

No, nothing's wrong.

Of course, a tire just blew out and could have shattered me to atoms, but

nothing's wrong.

Say, Dad, how soon could I see you about something very important?

Sure, I'll be home for lunch.

I'll probably be staying home for the next five years.

Goodbye.

Two bucks and eleven cents.

That's the two bucks you owe me. Hey, Beezy, I need that two bucks for tires.

Yeah, and I need it for my new white tuxedo coat.

Oh, wait a minute, will you listen?

Beezy, I broke into my bank, and if my dad ever finds out... He's your dad, not

mine.

Oh.

Why don't you look where you're going, Marion?

What are you blocking the whole driveway for?

Come on, help me with these packages.

No, I haven't got time. I...

Oh, excuse me,

my dear sister. I must have been lost in a reverie. Allow me.

Well, are you feeling all right, Sonny Boy?

They say that a nickname is a sign of deep affection, and certainly Sonny Boy

a charming example.

And may I say, Marion, that I've never seen you look lovelier?

Here, take this before I faint dead away.

There's a catch in this somewhere.

Why, Marion, you wronged me.

After you, my dear sister.

What is it you want?

Sis, come on, lend me some dough, will you? I've got to buy some new tubes.

You remember what father said about borrowing money.

Oh, come on, be a good sport. You wouldn't want me to take Polly Benedict

fireworks on the bus, would you?

That would be disgraceful.

Here's two dollars.

I've got to save some for my trip. Oh, Jesus, thanks. That's swell of you. You

must have been young once yourself.

Me? Young once?

Andy! Andy, Heidi!

Hello, Polly. Did you hear what we decided in the junior league last night?

We're going to have a... Yeah, I know. You're going to have a big fireworks

shindig. Of course you're going to take me.

Oh, sure.

Well, I have been going with you steadily, haven't I?

Oh, I wouldn't exactly call it steadily. Not more than five or six times a week.

Now, about your tickets.

Tickets? Tickets? Oh, sure.

Fifty cents apiece, that'll just be a dollar, won't it? You'll want box seats.

Box seats? How much are they? Seventy -five cents apiece?

Two box seats?

Two dollars, please.

There, that's just right.

There you are. Now I've got to run. We're going away. Wait a minute.

What about the fireworks?

Oh, we're only going to the city for a few days. I'll be back the night of the

3rd. And I saved a whole hour for you this afternoon.

You can take me for a nice long ride in your car.

A nice long ride in my car.

Oh, sure, sure.

Well, goodbye, Andy. Two o 'clock, dear.

Dear.

I'll say you're dear.

Andrew, is everything all right?

Yes, Mom, everything's all right. There isn't anything the matter with anything

in the whole wide world.

Emily, dear, what are you crying for?

I'm crying because it's too beautiful.

Of course it's beautiful. Any golden wedding anniversary is beautiful.

But just think, our mother and father married 50 years.

And we'll be with them.

Dead there, Emily.

He's killed himself!

Andrew! Andrew, are you all right?

Mother, my dear Aunt Mildred, for the 37th time this morning, everything is

right. Outside of a trifle little thing like my tires blowing up like popcorn,

everything is all right.

Why, James, another cup of coffee?

Why, there's only my third.

You know, Emily, if more husbands could get home to luncheons, there'd be fewer

divorces. You ought to remember that, Andrew.

Since when is indigestion grounds for divorce?

The more I hear in my court about incompatibility, the more convinced I am

lots of domestic strife would never reach the court.

If wives were better cooks.

You ought to remember that, Marion.

Oh, so it's legal for a man to beat his wife if she doesn't whip up a decent

apple pie.

Well, certainly when a man gets home from a hard day's work and he's feeling

low, if he can't beat up his own wife, who can he beat up?

Andy, now don't you ever let me hear you say that again.

Oh, Mom, I was just kidding you women folks.

And, Andrew, you also want to remember there'd be fewer divorces if husbands

didn't get out of the habit of kissing their wives.

Imagine me getting tired of kissing.

It's just the adolescent kissing stage. He'll grow out of it.

And I'll bet Polly Benedict will be glad when he does, too. How would you like

to mind your own business?

Dad cracks about me kissing Polly Benedict, ain't?

Isn't proper in front of the family.

No?

Why, something illicit about it?

Something to be hidden from your parents?

No, but you make it sound so awful when it's all just good, clean fun.

Oh, boy, what fun.

What's the matter, Emily?

I'm not going to Canada.

Of course you're going.

Are you quite sure you can't go?

I'm positive with Judge Cathcart Hill. I'm the only judge in the county.

Well, Mom, you've been planning the trip for a whole year.

Why, yes, for over two years I've been promising you if the good Lord spared

your parents for their 50th anniversary, you'd be there.

You know I don't want to leave you, but a golden wedding.

Well, we'll be having our own.

20 years more.

Oh, just think how lucky we all are. All here together, well and happy, under

our own roof.

Yes, we are lucky.

I never appreciated that so much as I live today in my car. There's an old

couple about 70 years old in trouble.

Can't we help them?

I'm planning to.

If I can only locate their daughter.

I have a hunch there is a daughter.

What's their names?

Well, I know practically everybody in town, especially those with a daughter.

Well, their name is Balduzzi.

But the daughter, if there is one, she'd be pretty well grown up and married by

now.

Don't any of you know of a family where the wife's name was Balduzzi before she

was married?

I don't know any of that.

Well, I didn't think it was going to be easy, but I'd give a good deal to locate

this daughter I'm looking for.

Well, Mother?

You women folks have plenty to do, Andy, and I'll clear out.

Oh, I'll never be able to get away today.

I won't have time to pack.

Mother, you're all packed.

Emily, you see?

Come on, Andy, there's no place for men and folks. Okay, Dad.

Here. Yeah, Dad, I can't think of myself being married to one woman for 50

years. Well, son, you are going through a youthful stage. Dad, if you call me an

adolescent, I'll just... Well, I won't, I won't.

Now, suppose you were married to Polly Benedict.

and thus entitled to kiss her in any and all occasions.

Gee, I don't even dare think of it.

Would you then be as anxious to kiss the young lady?

Would I? Sure I would.

I guess I would.

Why, wouldn't I?

The answer to that question might sound involving a happiness of every father

and husband is the most important decision a man will ever make in his

life. You've got me worried. If the bottom drops out of kissing, what is

left in the world?

Want to drop me downtown?

No, Dad, not in my car. The tires are... Wait a minute, don't get in. You're too

heavy.

Now,

sit down easy, will you?

You talk as though you thought I was fat. I'll have you know that my

hasn't increased for 20 years. I wasn't thinking about your waistline, Dad.

Well, Andrew, you said you wanted to talk to me.

What have you got on your mind?

It's my financial situation.

Oh, thank you. That pleases me very much.

Oh, I forgot. Today is settling up day, isn't it?

Let's see.

Oh, yes. You've overdrawn your allowance for the next seven and a half weeks.

Seven and a half weeks.

Let me off at the city hall.

I don't suppose the county records will be much help in the Valduzzi matter, but

I may as well have a look.

Dad, didn't I hear you say you'd give a great deal to find a lady whose name was

Valduzzi before she was married? I did.

That could mean cash, couldn't it?

Andy, you find out the party I want, and we'll discuss your financial situation

again.

Dad, suppose I was to find a kid, a boy or girl in town whose middle name was

Valduzzi. Maybe their mother would be the one you were looking for, huh?

That's it exactly, and you hop to it. Don't forget, let me out here at the

hall.

Mr. Andrew Hardy, you're late.

I'm sorry, Polly.

You look just like somebody's husband coming home after a hard day at the

office.

Husband?

I'm glad you didn't bring your car.

Now we can go for a nice long walk on the other side of the river, huh?

Oh, Polly, I've been walking for the past two hours. I've been to 14

houses on some confidential business for my father.

Must be lovely and cool down by the bridge.

Don't you remember what you said last week?

Let's sit down on this fallen tree and enjoy the beauties of nature.

Oh, it's too hot for a walk.

Isn't it strange? Every time we sit down on a fallen tree, you always want to

kiss me.

It must be nice and cool over there on your front porch.

Maybe you could dig up some of those raisin cookies.

Raisin cookies? Is your stomach all you men think of?

Well, my dad said today if a woman couldn't cook, her husband had a right

beat her up.

All right, Mr. Andrew Hardy.

I'm going to take a walk where it's cool.

And if you don't want to come with me, you don't have to.

Beasy Anderson's going to have a white tuxedo coat for the fireworks.

I'm not interested in white tuxedo coats.

It's a very nice fallen tree.

If you're going to take me to the fireworks, I suppose I do owe you a

Oh, Polly, haven't you got any shame?

There's a car coming.

Well, last Saturday afternoon a car came by. And you said you didn't care if it

was a circus parade with Ella.

Oh, those station wagons are so smart.

When I'm married with my own home, I'm going to have one.

Married, huh?

Such airs, that L .V. Horton, is she stuck up.

L .V.? You mean L .V. period?

I wouldn't know whether it's L .V. period or E .L .V .Y. or some other such

outlandish name. All I know is she's awfully snooty for a high school

Say, will you wait here for me for a minute?

Wait here? Alone?

Well, I'll only be gone for about ten minutes. I've got something to do. That

business for my father.

Listen, Mr. Andrew Hardy.

I don't know what's the matter with you today, but I certainly don't like it.

Good afternoon.

Oh, wait a minute, will you, Polly? Look, if you wait for me, why, I'll sit

the tree, I'll jump in the river, anything you want. When a girl

throws herself at a man's head and is repulsed, kindly never speak to me

Oh, Polly.

The architecture of the Horton estate simply fascinates me.

So long.

Hello?

Oh, I beg your pardon.

Well, if it isn't Miss Horton. Miss L .V. Horton.

Yes, it is.

Won't you come over?

Don't care if I do.

Ah, this is a very lovely place you have here, Miss Horton. Very lovely.

You're Andrew Hardy, aren't you?

Yes, I am.

Sit down.

Oh, thank you.

Want a swim?

Or a drink?

No, thanks. I don't touch alcohol.

Not that I hold any brief against alcohol, but I... I meant a soda.

That's not a bar. It's a soda fountain.

A soda fountain?

Your own soda fountain? Sure. Have a look.

Mother thought it better for a young girl to entertain with sodas instead of

cocktails.

I'm not grown up yet, you know.

You mean to tell me that you can make your own chocolate sodas right here all

yourself? Sure.

With a fountain of your own like this, I'd think it'd be a pleasure to make

own chocolate sodas.

No, it isn't much fun.

It isn't much fun, huh?

But I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll make you a special chocolate pineapple

strawberry whipped cream deluxe soda.

Chocolate pineapple strawberry whipped cream deluxe soda?

Oh, boy.

Now, what would you like to do? Like to run the speedboat on the river?

Well, I'd just like to talk to you.

Thanks.

Make yourself at home.

Oh, boy, watch me.

Say,

you know, you've got a funny name.

What's funny about it? Oh, I didn't mean that. I meant, how do you spell it?

E -L -V -I -E.

Oh.

Oh, I thought you spelled it capital L period, capital V period, Horton.

No. It's E -L -V -I -E.

Oh, it is.

Hey, what were you writing outside there? An essay on Alexander Hamilton.

What, with a soda fountain and a speedboat, you're writing an essay on

Hamilton? Oh.

The Fourth of July competition.

Just gotta win that. What's the prize?

Who cares?

Fifty dollars, I think.

Fifty dollars.

What? Fifty bucks?

Well, listen, bug eyes, what's a rich girl like you need with the... Bug eyes?

Do people call me bug eyes?

Oh, well, that's on account of those funny glasses that you wear. It's sort

nickname.

Nobody really gives anybody a nickname unless they like them real well.

Well, children.

Hello, Mother.

Mother, this is Mr. Andrew Hardy. Andy, this is my mother. How do you do?

Mrs. Horton, I'm happy to know you, I'm sure. Well, I'm very glad to know you,

Andrew. Why aren't you children out playing games on such a lovely day?

We were just digesting our sodas.

Well, could you excuse me, please, Mrs. Horton? I'm going to have to be going

home. I've got something very important to do that I didn't know about.

Well, come again.

Elvie's only 14, but I think it's all right to have her little playmates, so

long as they're not too old for her.

Mrs. Horton, I promised my father never to tell a lie.

I'm over 14, so I'll be leaving.

I'm very happy to have met you.

Thanks for the soda, Albie. It was swell. Goodbye.

Why did you have to say that?

Oh, you have plenty of time to grow up, child.

Child? I'm 18.

How much longer do I have to live like an infant?

Well, it's for my sake, darling.

I'm terribly, terribly sorry.

But... It's all right. I understand.

I don't mind too much.

Dad, Dad, have you got any books on Alexander Hamilton?

Huh? Yes.

Yes, I think so.

What? Got to write an essay. Look.

What do I do with my glasses? See, there's a 50 -buck prize.

Dollars. Dollars for the best essay read at the Americanization meeting on July

4th afternoon, and I just got to win.

Well, you're a pretty bright young fellow. No reason why you shouldn't.

You just write the best essay you're capable of and end it with that

I think you stand a pretty good chance.

Oh, gee, this is swell, Dad. I'm a cinch to win. Oh, no, I didn't say that. Oh,

thanks again, Dad. Andy.

I gotta go. Wait a minute.

Any news about this Balduzzi matter?

Oh, Dad, I've worn out the soles of my feet trying to run down people with Vs

for middle initials. 14, 15 of them, but no soap.

Honest, I don't believe anybody was ever named Balduzzi.

Andrew! Andrew!

That $50 prize is for a...

Say,

will you be open on the 4th of July?

Why not take them now?

Well, I haven't got the cash now, but my dad practically guaranteed me that I'd

have 50 bucks on the 4th. Well, take them now and pay me then.

On the level? Sure.

Well, put them on, and I'll see you on the fourth between five and six.

Rush those gardenias out right away, will you? And I'll see you on the fourth

between five and six.

I'll pay for this on delivery, of course. That's right.

Then I'll see you on the fourth between five and six.

Well, what's happened to you?

Oh, I had a few business matters to attend to, Dad.

Well, you better get down to Earth and take some of that luggage out of the

Careful, they're heavy.

Oh, the way I feel I could lift a brick warehouse.

By the way, I don't believe you read this circular very carefully. No, I read

all I need to know, Dad.

That first prize of $50 is for the best essay by a girl.

Well, that's a nice prize for a girl. A girl?

That's what I said, a girl.

A boy's prize is...

Twenty volumes of historical biographies. James!

James! Coming, Marla. Coming.

20 volumes.

Historical baloney.

Andy!

Andy Hardy!

Oh, you darling!

Well,

what's the matter?

What's the matter? Well, I kissed you and you didn't respond.

Look, my lovely flowers.

I just ran over in the car before we go to the station.

Well, goodbye, Andy.

I'll see you Wednesday, huh?

Yeah, Wednesday.

Do you know what Mr. Hobliner said when he brought my gardenias? No.

He said you'd ordered me an orchid for the Fourth of July.

And, Andy, I've been thinking over what you said about a wife having to be a

good cook.

So as soon as we come back, I'm going to start in taking cooking lessons.

Cooking lessons? Uh -huh.

Goodbye.

Cooking lessons.

Oh, my gosh.

Well, Andy, what's the matter with you?

Oh, Dad, I was teasing Polly about if a woman couldn't cook, her husband had a

right to beat her.

And you know what she just got through telling me?

What? She was going to start to take cooking lessons.

And me, not even out of high school.

Well, I suppose there'll be no time at all now before I see you with a wife and

a house full of children.

A house full of children?

Me?

No, I can't go.

Now, Mother, why?

Well, who's going to cook the meals for your father and Andrew?

Emily, don't you remember? We hired Augusta McBride to do all the housework.

Did we?

Oh, I'm excited. I've got to hit it.

Well, you ready, folks?

James, suppose anything's happened to Marion while she's traveling?

Mother, the trimmers are driving me, and the lake is less than 40 miles. But

there's no electricity, and there's no telephone.

Why, don't you want to go, Emily?

Yes. Excuse me, everybody. I'm being foolish.

Well, what are we waiting for?

Nothing but the rest of the baggage.

Come, Andrew. Andrew, Andrew.

Bag.

What was Mother trying to say?

I don't know, Dad. Probably something about me putting on my heavy underwear.

It's July.

Well, they've gone.

Suppose we have dinner somewhere along the road.

Oh, it's swell, Dad.

We'll be kind of lonesome at the house, won't it?

Yes, let's have dinner somewhere along the road.

Just us two men together.

Swell.

That's nice. Augusta's left a light in the living room for us.

Nice pitching.

Mom!

Emily?

What are you doing here?

Oh, I... All of a sudden I realized I couldn't go away and leave you, so I...

I got off the train at Lindhurst and took a taxi home.

Oh, Molly, you shouldn't have spoiled your vacation, even though we did miss

terribly. Mom, that makes me feel terrible, you coming back on account of

I'm feeling very tired, James. I just waited up till you came home. I think

got to be.

Dad, Mom's acting funny.

You wait here.

Here's a thermometer.

Thermometer for taking your temperature.

Thermometer?

Dad, Mom's not feeling so good.

Mother.

Mother, what's wrong?

Oh, I've had some headaches.

And some fever?

And you found the thermometer?

Tell me about it.

Andrew.

Oh.

You just telephone Dr.

Jones and tell him to come right over.

Yes, sir.

Old -fashioned pleurisy.

How serious?

Not necessarily at all.

For the moment, doctor, what is pleurisy?

Pleurisy is an inflammation of the pleura. That's the membrane that

the lungs. This is good. How ill is she? Well, Jim, anything that's close to the

lungs can be troublesome.

James, don't let them send me to the hospital.

I won't.

Good night, James.

Good night, Andrew.

Be a good boy, won't you?

I'll be awful good, Mom.

Awful, awful good.

Good morning. Good morning. Good morning, Augusta. Well, quite like old

having you back.

Yes, Your Honor.

Morning, Dad.

Morning, Andrew. Morning, Augusta.

Any news this morning, Dad?

The nurse hasn't come down yet.

What will you be having for breakfast, Mr. Andrews? Anything you've got handy

out there.

I'll see what I can rattle up.

Well, Andrew, you've got to eat, you know.

It's the last thing in the world that Mother won't...

Oh, good morning. Good morning, Miss Trowbridge.

Temperature a little high, about 4 a .m. It's down now. She's still sleeping.

Is that good or bad?

It's just about what we expected.

I must get some ice.

That's all she can tell us now.

Remember Dr.

Jones said we'd have no definite news till this afternoon?

Yes, Dad.

Didn't you tell me that you had a couple more clues on the Balduzzi problem?

I've searched every legitimate channel. I can't find any trace of any possible

daughter. Well, why don't the old people tell you if they got one?

The way they deny there is a daughter convinces me there's one.

You mean that they're ashamed of her?

No, I mean they probably know she's ashamed of them.

Oh. Well, all regular means having failed you on my last hope, Andy.

And as the problem is a little difficult, the solution might be worth

bit of cash.

Quite a bit of... It wouldn't be as much as $35 .15, would it?

No, I don't think it would be worth that much.

No, I didn't think it would be.

But it might be worth about $5.

You know, it's a funny thing. The other day in my court, there was a man who

owed considerable money and he was unable to pay it.

So I arranged with him that he would give each creditor a little on account.

So they wouldn't have to send him to jail, huh? Yes.

Well, any reasonable creditor will forego drastic action if the debtor

good faith.

Oh, boy!

Oh, I'm sorry, Dad. Excuse me.

Sherlock Holmes is going right on the case.

Clue number 16.

Euphrasia B. Clark.

Why, it's Andy Hardy.

Good morning, Euphrasia. And what do you want?

I'm just paying a social call.

Come in, Andy.

Gee, it's a fine day out, isn't it?

Or isn't it?

Why, Frazier, maybe I work too fast.

Maybe I don't know you well enough.

Why, I don't even know your middle name.

You call me Frazy Daisy.

Frazy Daisy.

And I'll call you Andy Dandy.

Andy Dandy.

Now, Andy Dandy, give Wazy Daisy a kiss.

It's immoral to kiss anybody without knowing their middle name.

My middle name's Van Stump.

Van Stump. And Andy Dandy's mean to ask nasty middle name.

Well, New Fraser, I gotta be going home.

Frazy Daisy will cry.

Then Frazy Daisy's going to have to cry.

Why does Andy Dandy have to go home?

Andy Dandy has to go home because he's got to write an essay on Alexander

Hamilton. Frazy Daisy wouldn't know what an essay is, so Andy Dandy won't try to

explain it.

But I do know what an essay is. Why, I'd write an essay only... only Frazy Daisy

isn't clever enough.

You said it, baby.

Listen to me, Frazier.

Would... Would Itty Frazy Daisy do something for Itty Bitty Andy Dandy and

never tell a single wingled soul?

Frazy Daisy would. Only Frazy Daisy just gotta tell Polly Benedict that Andy

Dandy don't love her anymore.

Okay.

Okay.

I'm going to write a magnificent essay on Alexander Hamilton, and you can enter

it in the competition, and then we'll split the $50 prize.

Doc, I mean, Dr. Jones, is everything all right? She's holding her own.

Temperature will go up again during the night, but then that's inevitable.

Now, nothing really to worry about unless we run into some unexpected

difficulty. You two boys can have dinner with her tonight in her room, if you'll

promise to behave yourselves and see you in the morning. Oh, that's swell, Doc.

Goodbye.

Oh, wait a minute, Dad. I'll get it. You just relax, because now everything's

under control.

Oh, it's you, you're Frasier.

You what?

Something important to tell me.

What is it?

Oh, come on, tell me now.

All right, Andy Dandy loves Frazie Daisy.

Look, I can't talk the matter over with you now.

Tonight?

Well, can't I wait till tomorrow?

All right, but don't toot your horn too loud.

Dad, that was sort of a code, you know, like spies use.

Code, eh?

Well, shouldn't I go tell Augusta that we're having dinner up in Mom's room

tonight? Yeah.

Hello, darling.

Move over.

What is it you've got to tell me that can't wait till tomorrow?

Crazy Daisy isn't going to enter the contest.

My father says it wouldn't be honest.

Your dad?

You didn't tell your father that I wrote your essay for you, did you?

Oh, didn't tell Andy Dandy's name.

But Daddy said he'd make me tell.

Oh. Say, look, your Frasier, you must never tell your father that it was me.

If Frazy Daisy promises to be strong and not tell, will Andy Dandy take Frazy

Daisy to the fireworks show? I'll do anything.

Fireworks show.

Oh, but I can't, your Frasier.

Frazy Daisy feels awful weak.

Oh,

all right. I don't know how I'm going to do it, but I'll take you to the

fireworks show.

Frazy Daisy loves Andy Dandy.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Just wait till Polly Benedict sees Andy Dandy at the fireworks show with Frazy

Daisy.

Yeah.

Just wait.

Mr. Hardy.

I never did think you'd be coming to call on little me. It's my duty as one

the pioneer inhabitants of Carvel, you having only been in town for a couple of

weeks. I saw you at school, Mr. Hardy.

Oh, my name's Andrew.

That's right, smart southern name.

You have a lovely name, too, Clarabelle Lee.

Haven't they got it down at school that your middle initial is V?

It sure enough is, V for Boris.

My grandfather's family in Georgia.

Boris, huh?

Won't you have a chair, Mr. Hardy?

Thank you.

That brings us down to the real object of my call.

Miss Lee, you want to be a popular girl here in Carville, don't you? Why, of

course. Naomi, if you want to be a big shot in Carville, you've got to have

brains.

Mercy. A fella here in Carville won't even go around with a girl unless she's

got brains oozing out all over.

I don't think it's right likely that I have enough brains to ooze with.

That's just why I'm here, Miss Lee.

Have you heard about the Fourth of July essay contest?

I do remember reading the second one.

Well, suppose you entered that contest. And suppose you won the prize.

What would happen?

Gracious me, Mr. Hardy.

What would happen?

Right away, you'd become the most popular girl in Carville. Brains, Miss

brains. Oh, but I haven't written any essays.

Well, I...

I have with me here a wonderful essay that I'm going to let you enter into the

contest. But why should you want to do this just for little me?

Why not?

Isn't a civil war over? Shouldn't the North make the South realize that there

are no hard feelings in spite of Gettysburg?

Oh, Mr. Hardy, I call that most courteous of you, sir. There is,

small detail, and that is the question of the $50 prize.

I wouldn't be caring about the $50. I just want to show I have brains.

Of course, if you kept the money, it wouldn't be honest, because I really

the essay for you. But if you gave me the money, that would make everything

legal and ethical, see?

I declare, Mr. Hardy, you're a gentleman, even if you are a Yankee.

Hey, fellas, what's the matter? You're not taking my mother's... It's all

Sonny. We just brought over an oxygen tent from the hospital.

Oxygen tent?

Dad.

Andrew, I've been trying to reach you all over. The men said they brought an

oxygen tent in here. Mom isn't... I'm afraid that mother's got a touch of

pneumonia. The oxygen tent is trying to help pull her through.

Pneumonia?

Gee, it's a terrible storm out, Dad.

Dad, how will Dr.

Jones know when the crisis comes?

Well, mostly by Mother's pulse and her temperature.

Well, how high does the temperature have to get before it's too high?

104 is dangerous.

I suppose it gets higher.

Oh, but it won't. It can't.

No, it can't.

It just can't.

But we've got to be brave, son.

Mother's getting every help that human aid can give her.

All we can do now is pray.

Yes.

I've been doing it for hours.

It's a terrible storm, huh? Oh, I said that once before, didn't I?

Is she any better?

It's a little soon to tell.

How high is it now?

The doctor's taking her temperature now.

Oh, please, God.

Don't let our mom die, will you?

Please.

She's never done any harm to anybody.

She's the best mother in the whole world.

Thank you, God.

Doug, she's better, isn't she, Doug?

She's better?

It'll be some hours yet before there's any change.

You're doing everything.

Everything I possibly could do for my own mother.

You know, Andrew, while there's life, there's hope.

Right. I think it might be a good idea if your sister Marion were here.

Oh, no, Doc. I can't tell anything. No, no, no, no. Steady, son. Steady, steady,

steady.

You realize your dad hasn't closed his eyes since Monday night.

Nothing I can say to him wouldn't make him rest.

I know. I know.

This has been very hard on him.

You're young.

You're strong.

And you've got to help him.

I know you can.

Just got through talking to Dr. Jones.

He says that Mom's putting up a swell fight.

You know, where there's life, there's hope.

Yes.

That's true, isn't it, Dad? Where there's life, there's hope.

Dad, you need some rest.

Rest? I can't rest.

You aren't going to let me down, are you?

No, no, no, no. Of course not, Andy. No.

Then why don't you set a better example for your son? Why don't you kind of lie

down and maybe try and get some sleep, huh?

Sleep?

I couldn't sleep.

Oh, you could try, couldn't you?

Mom would be the first one to want you to take care of yourself.

Dad, I... I was just thinking...

Hadn't Marion ought to be here?

Marion? Oh, well, I mean, hadn't she ought to be here when the crisis come?

You know, she'd never forgive us if she wasn't here when Dr. Jones told us that

Mom was out of danger.

Yes. Yes, Andy, maybe you're right about Marion.

I'm right.

Well, I'll drive up and get her. Yes, Andy. Take the sedan.

And drive carefully, because the rain's so awful bad.

I'll be a man, son.

I will, Dad. And I'll do everything just right, you see.

Thank you.

Thank you, son.

You've got to promise me, though, to try and get some rest, huh?

All right.

I'll promise.

I'll try.

In your divine mercy and understanding, grant this.

Mr. Cridler! Mr.

Cridler!

There's Marion here. I've got to see her right away. Come in. Come in, Andrew.

What is it? What's the matter? Oh, it's fine. She's sick, Mr. Turner. Will you

get Marion for me, please, right away?

Andrew Hart. What in the world? Can't I even have a little vacation without you?

Marion, don't fight with me. Please don't fight with me. It's Mom. She's got

pneumonia. Maybe she's dying.

Oh. So hurry up and get your things on and come with me, will you? I don't need

my things. Let's hurry. Marion, will you please put your things on?

Kenny, the river's up six feet.

The bridge will go out soon enough without you helping.

All right, then we'll turn back and go over the Belleville Bridge.

The Belleville Bridge is down. They're all down on block by now.

You won't get across the river tonight.

We'll get across.

I'll find a way. Easy, kid.

Pack around under that tree.

Well, listen, Mr. Officer.

I said pack around under the tree.

I don't want to be tough, but about all that bridge would need would be a car

going over it.

Hard luck, but take it easy.

Day and night we'll try and find some way to get you across.

Oh,

Marion, come on with me. Listen, we'll go talk to him. We can't sit here while

Mom's... Mom, come on, Marion.

Listen, Mr. Foster. Listen to me for a minute. Our mother's sick. She's dying.

I've got to get my sister home before it's too late. My dad said I've got to

her home. Maybe you know my father, Judge Hardy. You must have heard of

Hardy.

Are you Judge Hardy's kids? Yes, sir.

You'll bet your life I know Judge Hardy.

And your mother is bad off?

Yes, sir.

Come along with me. Use my car. It's across the bridge.

Here we go.

Here's the key.

Now watch yourself, sonny. I'm not going to tell you to drive slow because I

know that you won't. But watch your step. And good luck to you.

Give your father Dan O'Shea his best job and tell him I'll be saying a prayer

for your mama.

Come on, step on it.

God, you're here.

Is she in?

No, there's no change.

Well, we're here now, Dad. We're here to help you.

I've been praying you'd get home safe.

Praying for you, my children, while I've been asking God to spare your blessed

mother.

How strange it is.

We thoughtless, selfish human beings must have tragedy come to our lives to

us call on God for help.

I don't think I'd have been able to stand it the past two hours, alone here,

without that faith, without that solace.

But you didn't rest like you promised me you would, Dad.

Couldn't you, for our sake, Dad, lie down a little while?

You know, we need you right now.

Dad, you know that you said that Mom would be the first one to want us to

care of each other.

Come up to my room, please.

You'll be... Closer to Mother up there, please.

All right.

I'll fix you up on my couch.

Here, here, here. Now, you get off these wet things.

Can't have you too catching cold.

We will.

But you let me know the instant there's any news. Dad, I won't even shut an eye.

You know, Marion, all the way down to the lake and back, I was thinking.

What, Andy?

A while ago, I thought I had all the troubles in the world.

Gee, I thought I had so many troubles, I just wouldn't be able to bear them all.

Then some real trouble comes along.

Mom gets... It's bad.

Then the only thing that seems important is her getting well.

It's kind of silly to worry about things that aren't really important, isn't it?

I feel kind of silly, too, Andy.

When you came into the Trindler cottage, I jumped at you.

If you stop and think about it, Marion, it's kind of silly for you and I to be

fighting all the time, isn't it?

You're a swell kid, Andy.

Thanks, Marion.

It's swell of you to say so.

I'm kind of jealous of you.

Jealous of me?

Well, isn't it much more thrilling to be a boy than a girl?

Shucks, no, Marion. A girl gets a million more breaks than a fella.

I guess that's why I get mad at you all the time.

But, Marion, believe me, I'd rather have you than all the other sisters in the

world.

Andy.

Gosh.

Gee, I...

I never thought the day would come when I'd get goose pimples over being kissed

by my own sister.

Mother would be awfully happy if we don't ever fight anymore.

Yeah.

But it's kind of bad that we picked a time like this to realize that we

really liked each other.

Marion.

Marion, don't cry, please.

Look, you... You better go up with Dad, because he'll need you.

Marion, you're a woman.

You could do more than a man.

I mean, a kid like me.

Andrew. Yes? What?

The crisis is over.

Everything's going to be all right.

Oh.

Have you told Dad yet? I thought you'd want to.

Oh.

Dad.

Everything's all right. Mom's going to get well.

Mary and Mom's not going to die.

Thank God.

Emily. Mother. Mom.

James.

Marion. Andy.

Mother, the doctor said you mustn't talk.

You're the best husband and the best children a woman ever had on

this earth.

And I've been spared because of my great love for you. And we still have you.

And we'll never stop being grateful.

That goes for me too, Ma.

What day is it?

What day?

Why, it's the 4th of July.

Today we celebrate.

Ah, strawberries, cereal, ham and eggs, toast, marmalade. I still think you

should have stayed in bed.

I suppose you got up early so you could go right out and blow off your fingers

with those terrible firecrackers. Not me, Augusta. Now that Mom's okay, I got

some business to attend to.

Ain't you going to celebrate the 4th?

Sure, but not until at least 5 or 6 this afternoon when all my troubles will

disappear like snowdrops in the sun.

Then, oh boy, will I celebrate.

I'll get it.

Go ahead, sis.

Hello?

A telegram?

A telegram for you, Andrew.

My telegram will no doubt amuse you, so you take it for me, will you, please?

Well, yes.

Yes, you can send a copy over right away.

Bad news, my lad. On account of the storm, Polly Benedict didn't come home

night. Well, you have changed.

Well, marrying that telegram was the last thing I needed to straighten me

You see, I've got to take your Frasier Clark to the fireworks tonight.

How are you going to celebrate the 4th? Oh, I've got to go over to Claribel

Lee's first.

Uh -oh.

My relations with the well -known Southern Belle are entirely business.

Could George Washington awake in this year 1939?

And when he asked to name the one man whose contribution to the United States

stands out above all others, the father of his country could not hesitate.

One name leads all the rest.

The name of Mr.

Robert E. Lee.

Robert E. Lee?

I said Mr.

Robert E. Lee.

This is an essay on Alexander Hamilton. This essay is about Mr. Robert E. Lee.

Look, Claribel, change it back to Hamilton. I'm sure it'll win the prize.

You brag yourself up mighty high, Mr. Hardy. They won't even let you read it

unless it's on Hamilton.

It wasn't my idea to read an essay.

It was you that fiddle -faddled around and said you'd coach me.

Look, Claribel, I'll talk in words of one syllable.

I need that $50.

And I've got to have that $50 by 5 o 'clock this afternoon or, well, I'll go

into bankruptcy.

I'll go to jail, may even go to the electric chair.

Don't come making your poor mouth to me, Mr. Hardy.

Oh, but who gives a hang about Robert E. Lee?

Mr. Hardy, take your awful Yankee essay and leave these premises before I call

my daddy.

Oh.

Elvie.

Look,

Elvie, I've got a little financial proposition to put to you.

It's about that essay contest.

Go away.

Well, say, you're crying.

That's my business.

Is there anything that I can do?

No.

Oh.

Excuse me.

I'm not very nice, am I?

Oh, I just wanted to know what made you cry.

I mean, after all, you're only an adolescent, and I'm much older than you

and I thought that maybe I could help you. An adolescent?

That's funny.

There's nothing funny about being an adolescent. I ought to know.

I was one once.

Yes, of course.

Look, why don't you tell me what's the matter?

I will tell you. My life's miserably unhappy.

You unhappy?

Well, how could anybody be unhappy with their own soda fountain?

You think money will buy everything?

No, but if I had all the things that money could buy, then maybe I could

to do without the other things. I'll trade places with you, providing you

my mother.

Your mother?

You mean that you... that you don't like your own mother? I hate her.

You hate your mother?

Oh, that's awful.

I didn't really mean that.

Well, look, if you don't get along so well with your mother, couldn't you talk

to your father?

He's my stepfather.

Scared to death of my mother.

Scared of your mother?

You sure have got a funny home.

Forget it, kid.

It's my party and I'm stuck with it.

It's just a little especially hard to take today, that's all.

What's special about today?

Darn Alexander Hamilton, as they blame things through me. Why are you so set on

winning that?

What's it matter now?

Well, Alfie, I... I thought if you could tell me what's the matter... Didn't you

ever want to do something for your own self -respect?

You know, so that you'd know down in your own heart that you weren't a

washout? Sure.

Once, when I was only 11, I crawled down the shaft of the old copper mine, just

so as I'd know I wasn't a baby.

Well, I wanted to win that contest to prove that at least my mind isn't a

baby's.

Look, Elvie, you can't finish your essay.

All right, you use this for your ending, and you're cinched to win the prize. My

dad said so. If you don't believe me, let me read some of it to you.

All right.

Now, this was said about Alexander Hamilton after he was killed.

Thou shalt not kill.

I, the creator, have given life.

And thou shalt not take it away.

Ye who have hearts of pity, who have experienced the anguish of dissolving

friendship, who have wept and still weep over the moldering ruins of departed

kindred, ye can enter into this reflection.

You mean to say you're not going to use that in your essay?

I'm not even entering the contest.

You can use it.

My man, I think you've saved my life.

Oh, shucks, that's nothing.

Maybe nothing to you, but pretty important to me.

Look here, Andy.

When you came up here the other day, the first thing you asked about was my

name.

Why?

Well, I can't tell you why.

It was something from my father.

Oh, but I'll guarantee you that it was all right, because my father wouldn't be

mixed up in anything that wasn't all right.

Andy, I told you a lie.

You've paid me back by being perfectly swell.

So there may be the Dickens to pay, but I'm going to tell you the truth.

My real name is L .V.

Leonora V. Brock.

L .V.

What does the V stand for?

Valduzzi.

Valduzzi? That's for my mother's maiden name. Brock for my own father. He died

when I was a baby.

Valduzzi!

Whoopee! There's my five bucks!

Andrew, are you all right?

Sure you're not hurt?

Not physically.

My soul is mutilated, though.

Where's your car?

After I called you, I phoned Peter Dugan's garage.

He's going to take it over to his place.

The towing alone costs five bucks.

Very reasonable.

What was that you said over the phone about the Valduzzi family?

It's Mrs. Horton. Her name was Valduzzi before she was married the first time.

Well, how'd you find that out?

Valduzzi was Elvie's middle name, just like I figured. What made her admit it?

I helped Elvie with her essay.

Didn't you want to win that contest yourself?

Well... Elvie is awfully unhappy, Dad.

You know what?

She hates her own mother.

So she wanted to win the contest, and I figured if she did, that maybe she

wouldn't hate her own mother so much.

You know, on account of our mom.

Yes, I do know.

Well? Hop in. I'm going right over to the Houghton place now.

No, Dad, I've got to wait here for Peter Dugan's tow truck.

Huh?

Whatever you say.

Say, how about my $5 reward?

I'm sorry, I haven't got a cent, and all the banks are closed the day after

tomorrow.

All the banks closed.

Sit down, Judge Hardy.

Hiya.

Mrs. Horton, I've come on a sort of begging mission.

Begging? Oh, charity.

Exactly. It's for a pathetic foreign couple that are going to lose their

unless someone helps them.

Well, I'd be only too happy to contribute.

The name, as I recall it, is, uh, Valduzzi.

Odd name, isn't it?

Well, I imagine it's a very common name among foreigners.

Apparently they have no relatives.

I had hoped to find some children, because, of course, you know the law can

compel children to take care of their parents.

No, I didn't know.

Oh, yes, yes.

The basis of our whole civilization is the sacred importance of the family.

Well, don't say any more, Judge Hardy. I'll give you a check.

Miss Horton, wouldn't you like to know why I've come to you?

Oh, no, that isn't at all necessary. You see, I'm always ready to contribute.

Yes, but I want to tell you.

You see, a young boy, enduring the most crucial experience of his tender years,

the fear that his mother was dying, encountered a girl who hated her mother.

Imagine it.

Imagine you hating your own mother.

I'll write the check.

A thousand, two thousand dollars? No, Mrs.

Horton, I want much more than that.

You see, the boy is my own son.

And the girl who hates her mother, that's your own daughter, Elvie.

If you like, Mrs. Horton, I'll take the check.

Save your parents' home and never tell anyone.

Just give me a minute, Judge, please.

Mother!

Mother, I won the contest!

Oh, I beg your pardon.

Mother?

Darling?

Darling, what's the matter?

Who is this?

What's he been saying to you?

Something, something very important.

Run along upstairs, dear, to your father.

Yes, of course.

Excuse me.

Judge Hardy.

I was born Maria Bolduzzi.

We were poor, wretchedly poor.

I grew up ashamed of my parents.

My first marriage was to lift myself out of poverty.

My husband died when I was 21.

Elvie is his child?

Yes.

Then about a year ago, I met Bob Horton.

I fell hopelessly in love with him.

I'm older than I look, so I lied to him.

Lied about my own age, about Elvie's age.

Oh, it was wrong, but I couldn't bear the thought of losing him.

I see.

And where were your parents at that time?

I'd kept them out of sight because I'd told another shameful lie, that my

parents weren't living.

I gambled that they wouldn't betray me.

Parents seldom do.

Your mother insisted she had no children.

She has pride, too. Fine pride.

And so I married the grandest man that ever breathed.

And I've been living a hell on earth ever since.

Mrs. Horton, tell your husband the truth.

Ask his understanding and forgiveness.

And then win back the respect and love of your daughter.

No matter what happens, she can stop living her life today.

Then the easiest task.

To right yourself with your parents.

Now, if you'll forgive me, I'll go.

Black Hardy.

Huh? You... You don't need to worry about them losing their home.

I'll take care of that.

Mr. Horton's been very generous.

Good afternoon.

What are you doing here?

Dad, I've just got to talk to you.

Well, it's a new place where man -to -man talk, but let's get to it.

Oh, here.

This is a telegram for you.

I know what's in it. Marion had it read over the phone.

What's the matter?

Why, I'll skin that Marion alive.

She told me that it said Polly wasn't coming home last night.

What's that got to do with Marion? She forgot to tell me that it said she was

coming home today.

Sit down, sit down.

I don't get this.

Why are you so upset because Polly Benedict's coming home today?

Well, now I'll have to take Polly to the fireworks tonight.

And I've got to take your Frasier Clark.

Got to?

Your Frasier's... She's blackmailing me.

That sounds serious.

It's all on account of women.

Dad, sometimes I think that all the trouble in the world comes from women.

That's a new thought.

Dad, what is there about me that makes all the women go nuts?

Go nuts?

You know, all I have to do is just be a little nice to a girl and wham.

How far is wham?

No, you don't have to worry. Right now, there isn't a girl in the world that

means a thing to me. Why not?

Well, because women are all dizzy, you know, lame brains.

Now, take your Frasier, Clark. Dad, she can't even say a word without giggling

baby talk.

No.

You know what she calls me?

What?

Andy Dandy.

Well, only in code, of course, such as spies use.

Now, look at Claribel Lee. Dad, I give you my word of honor, she thinks the

South won the Civil War.

And Polly Benedict's learning how to cook, huh?

Yeah.

Dad, tell me, what's a man gonna do? Travel all over the world till he finds

girl that isn't gonna drive him crazy with some freak idea?

Well, in all the world, perhaps, you'll never find the flawless one.

What?

Why, Dad, if that was true, no man would ever get married.

No, not unless he had sense enough to realize the girl could be guided and

molded into a perfect helpmate.

Not me.

I'm not going to run any kindergarten for women.

Why not?

Most women run kindergartens for men.

Dad, you ain't been out in the sun too much today, have you? Have not.

Haven't, have you? No, no. What I'm telling you is true.

In all relationships between man and woman, before and after matters.

It's one series of adjustments with each other.

And each one must adjust their whims to the other's liking and help each other

realize what will prevent friction.

Dad, you don't make marriage sound like any picnic. Well, who said it was a

picnic? It's the biggest responsibility a man can ever tackle.

Well, you certainly were lucky to get a 100 % wife like Mom.

Andy. Would you be surprised to know that your darling mother at 19 was a

giggler, too?

Oh, no, Dad, no.

Yes. For the five years that I was gently trying to remove the giggle from

Mother, Mother was delicately curing me of the horrible habit of twisting my

mustache.

I shaved my mustache off that night.

No wonder, Dad, I get into so much trouble. I don't know a thing.

I don't even dare go home.

The only thing left for me to do is to join the Navy.

Why don't you dare come home?

Too many people come looking for me with trouble.

Such as?

Such as A.

A, A what?

A, you know, like A, B, C, D, X, Y, Z.

Oh, your sins are so numerous you've had to list them?

Yeah, and I practically used up the whole alphabet.

Well, what is A?

A, I... busted open my bank and took out $2 .11 that I had in it.

Go on.

Well, that didn't do me any good because Beezy took it away from me. Beezy took

your money?

No, he had a right to.

That's where Bee comes in.

Bee, I borrowed $2 from Beezy three weeks before.

You haven't forgotten my rule about borrowing.

No, I didn't forget it. I just didn't think it was important at the time.

I'll make it more important.

Yeah.

Uh, see, I also didn't think it important when I borrowed two bucks from

What in the name of common sense are you going to do with all that money?

All the money? Why, gee, Dad, I didn't have any of it more than ten seconds

because about that time, Polly Benedict came by and made me buy two tickets to

the fireworks with Marion's two dollars.

Let's have D.

Four gardenias, $2.

One orchid, $3.

Frazier, Clarabelle, or Polly?

Polly.

What time is it, Dad?

20 minutes to 5. Why?

I promised to pay the florist between 5 and 6.

Well, what about H?

Oh, are we down to M now? No, no, Dad, we're just down to E, E.

New tuxedo coat, a white one.

I didn't know you had a white tuxedo coat.

Well, I haven't, and I probably never will have, because I promised to give

Mogulby $12 between 5 and 6.

Oh, didn't I notice a new set of tires on your car?

Tires and tubes, $18 .10.

And the tire man expects his money between five and six.

But it's all right, Dad. I didn't expect you to help me with it at all.

What makes you so sure?

Well, all I ever get out of you in these man -to -man talks is a lot of advice.

Well, continue, please.

Well, I tried to get your phrase to use my essay in the contest so we could

split the money.

That wasn't very honorable of you, Andrew.

Yeah, I know it. But she wouldn't do it. So I tried to get Clarabelle to do it,

and she wouldn't do it either. Oh, so both the young ladies were more honest

than you, huh?

Yeah. Now, I know what you meant by saying everyone receives his punishment

on Earth.

Now, I've got to take your Frasier to the fireworks, or she'll tell her

Say, Dad, I won't have to take your Frasier at all, because I was only

your Frasier's father telling you, and I've already told you myself.

Well, you see...

Honesty is its own reward.

Yeah!

But I won't live till the fireworks start.

Because the tire store man's coming up at the house at six and Peter Dugan's

coming after his five bucks at seven.

By the way, Elvie won the essay contest today.

Oh, she did?

Gee, I'm glad, Dad.

You know, you were right. I gave Elvie that Alexander Hamilton speech.

Why didn't you ask Elvie to split the $50 with you?

By that time, I was too ashamed of myself for trying to cheat.

Andrew, you've made several people very happy today and taken a great load off

my mind, so I'll take care of your debts. Except your car.

You'll have to be without a car for a while until Mr. Dugan assures me that it

isn't going to fall apart and break your neck.

What? Dad, may I use the family sedan to take Polly to the... You may not.

If you and Polly go to the fireworks tonight, you'll use a bus.

And inasmuch as Polly's learning how to cook, I think you better learn how a

young husband economizes.

Come on, let's go home.

Oh, hello, Polly. Don't ask me in. I'm coming in.

What's this I hear that you've been going around with your Frasier Clark

my back?

Well, I did go over to see her once, but... And you're taking her to the

fireworks tonight, hmm? No, I'm not. Honestly, I'm not.

Andy Dandy loves Frazie Daisy.

Oh, please, please don't, Polly. You went calling on Claire Bell Lee, too.

And worst of all, you went to see Elvie Horton twice.

Well, that was on some business for my father. Your father, my eye.

You're not only a heartless libertine, you're a fortune hunter.

Well, you're not taking your Frasier to the fireworks tonight.

I'm not, huh?

Frasier Daisy was over at my house this afternoon, and I told her I wouldn't let

you take her.

You did, huh?

And she won't tell her father because I told her she mustn't.

You've no idea what we girls have on each other.

And I don't care about that silly Clarabelle.

But now, honestly, what about L .B. Horton?

Oh, Polly, she's only a gawky, long -legged 14 -year -old with a greasy face

pigtails. Oh, well, if that's what you think.

Polly, would you mind if we went to the fireworks on the bus?

On the bus?

Well, where's your car?

Oh, I've had a little... Excuse me.

Yes, ma 'am, who did you wish to see?

Why, Andy, don't you know me?

L .V. Horton.

Andy, would you please come outside a minute?

I must talk to you alone.

Yes, ma 'am.

But, Elvie, what's

happened? You've grown up all in one day.

Andy, you and your father have done something for the Horton family that

grateful for all my life.

Well, I still don't get it.

Just tell your dad that my grandmother and grandfather are coming to live with

us.

And we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

You're welcome, ma 'am.

But you said something today about money that touched me.

I want you to take this and buy yourself something very lovely to remind you of

bug eyes.

But, Elvie, I mean, ma 'am, this is a hundred dollars. I know it.

Oh, but I can't take this.

A man can't take money or presents from a woman.

Please, Andy, I want you to.

No, I can't.

Elvie, do you want to do something for me that will make me remember you as

as I live? What, give you my soda fountain?

No, loan me your car to take my girl to the fireworks tonight, will you? Sure,

what time?

Eight o 'clock.

Eight o 'clock sharp.

Bless your heart.

A hundred bucks.

A gawky, long -legged, fourteen -year -old with a greasy face and pigtails,

Has to speak to you alone, huh?

And you'll come back with lipstick smeared all over your face.

Listen.

Here they come.

Now, don't forget your speech, Mother.

Come in, come in.

Oh, Polly, you're lovely.

Andrew, I never want to see my son looking more handsome and manly.

Oh, gee, Mom.

Look, there's an orchid, a real orchid.

I know orchids.

Once when we were young, your father bought me three orchids instead of a new

suit of clothes for himself.

Why, Dad, that's no example for a judge to set for his son.

Mother.

Polly, I'll be up and about again in a day or two. And I'm going to teach you

how to bake Andy's favorite raisin bread.

Oh, Ma.

Oh, now, Andy, I was only teasing about those cooking lessons.

You mean that you don't really believe in early marriages?

Oh, of course not.

Well, next year I'm going east to college.

College? Next year?

Uh -huh.

Maybe I'd better stop wasting my time.

Woo -hoo!

Oh, Andy!

Owen!