Original subtitles

What are you children doing out here in the dark?

Now sit down, Dick. Sit down, soldier boy. Thank you.

Now you've gone and spoiled it.

Spoiled what, Mr. Palmer?

Here we were, Colonel Graham, Carew, and I, back in the days when we were 21.

Now in the light with your youth dazzling us, I realize we're just three

men. Three old women.

What are you feeding me in?

Oh, he's sure to be here on the 735, Dick. There's nothing to worry about.

Lucky young devil.

Think of being 21.

He rakes no medals for that.

What I do envy him is Phyllis.

21.

With a prince to guide him.

And an angel to love him.

Lucky scamp.

Dick, do you envy him too?

Why should I?

His good luck is mine.

What could make me happier than to see my best boy married to my best girl?

Why, from the moment that you and your mother walked into this house and looked

after the infant me, I knew that you and he belonged together.

One of the first things I knew was that I couldn't bear to disappoint you.

Ever.

The way you threw us two together right from the start, one would suppose that

we were two last scraps of a puzzle that you were trying to solve.

Don't you think it's time to set a date for the wedding?

Oh, no.

Well, you see, I'm going to be married a long time, Dick.

Let me enjoy my engagement.

All right, dear.

Dick. Yes, dear.

Suppose... Suppose what?

Well, suppose we all go in and look over the decorations.

All right, child.

Don't call me child.

Oh, thank you.

Come on.

Why,

beautiful.

Magnificent. The work of an artist.

Thank you, can't say.

But just the work of your housekeeper's daughter.

You think the internet... Oh, no.

This would be a complete surprise then. Why, look here.

Anything wrong?

There are only six of us for dinner, and you've set a place for seven.

Who is that for?

For Charlie.

Charlie.

Oh, I see.

I wonder if he knows.

I hope he does.

His son is 21.

Whatever part of heaven he may be in, he belongs in this earthly corner of it

tonight.

Just think.

You've had the infancy to 60 of those.

Poor Dick.

How could you stand him for 15 long years?

Is it that long?

Makes me feel old. What a mischievous lad he was, too.

So full of trouble.

He's all that's left of poor old Charlie.

Lord, how often his last words are wrung in my heels.

I'm helpless, Dick.

I'm leaving the kid to you.

There's no one else to look after him.

Make a man of him.

Make him one of our trinity in my place.

He's done it, too.

Dick's been a father and a mother to him.

Yes. But what he needs now is not doting parents, but a Dutch uncle.

Dick has made the supreme sacrifice on his account.

Remained a bachelor.

Oh, shut up, Waddle.

It's not a sacrifice. It's a reward.

I'm just built that way, like these two here.

At that, I might have married.

If I could have met a Philip when I was young.

You are young, Dick.

Younger than I.

Oh, no, I'm not. I'm an old hen.

A one -chick hen at that.

But I'll see that chick grow into a swan before I go and tell Charlie how we

raised his boy. Richard Horace John Day.

As if that went enough, you're adding a missus.

Oh, pardon me. There's the telephone. I'll be right back.

Hello?

Yes?

Oh, you.

No.

I've got a favor for the lecture.

My old psychology instructor.

Oh, it would break his heart if I didn't attend.

Why, uh... Uh, Carnegie Hall.

What?

Now listen, Mother Erickson, you know I can go home any night, but the... What?

You tell him I'll be home right after the lecture.

See you at breakfast.

Goodbye.

He's not coming home till late. A lecture, he says.

Oh, but you should have let him know that we were... I couldn't give away the

surprise, could I?

Oh, poor Dick.

He'll be heartbroken.

Dick, the imp isn't coming.

Not coming? What's wrong?

He has a lecture at Carnegie Hall.

And of course he didn't know about all this.

Well, thank you, boy, for being so modest as to forget his own birthday.

Well, it's almost worth the disappointment.

And now I've prepared such a feast.

Bring it on.

We won't waste it. I should say not. Of course not.

We behave as if he were here.

If you have any gifts for him, kindly present them to his ambassador and

fiancée, Miss Phyllis Erickson.

From the Navy.

From the Army.

From the Boy Scouts.

Dick. What's the matter? Have I overdrawn my account again? Come on.

the wine.

Oh, yes, lots of it.

Who's on the match? What do you want? Give me a match.

Yeah.

It's a good thing you sent me this invitation, Joanne.

Because if I hadn't been here, you'd have probably been a flop.

Well, I'm so glad I didn't, Mr. Payne. Glad you came with me.

Good evening, Mr. Quirk.

Sweeties ever worry me.

I change them every day.

Had a lot of sweeties till I'm fancy free.

I'll always stay that way.

Laying all round,

having no care.

Never say yes, making them guess all at once.

them come, letting them go with a smile.

Letting them fall.

What's the matter with me?

Introducing a sweet kid like Dick to an old war horse like the Firefly.

What's the matter, jealous?

No, I'm not jealous.

You better watch out. When Kara finds out you lied about the kid's money, he

less money than you have brains.

She'll just crack you.

I was afraid he'd be out there.

Richard, he is?

No, stupid.

Jim Green.

Green? mademoiselle.

Maybe he went back his game.

What an optimist.

No.

If he had any jack, he wouldn't sit there staring at me.

He'd be in here crushing the life out of me.

Making me like it.

Greed is the only man you ever give two damn folks.

Why don't you take him back, mademoiselle?

What?

Me go back to a man after he's lost his dough?

Are you crazy?

But, mademoiselle, how would you expect me to keep myself respectable without

money?

Of all... Oh, my gosh. There he is now.

Oh, Richard.

It's you.

Come in, darling.

Kara.

I had to see you.

My costume, Babette.

Oh, I'm sorry.

You were just wonderful.

Like me?

Like you?

Well, I'm crazy about you.

I can't help it. I'm... I'm just wild about you.

Did you mean it?

What you wrote?

Will you marry me?

Will you?

Marriage is a serious thing, Dick.

It's a big step for a young girl to take.

I'll have to think it over.

Oh, but I'll make you so happy.

I adore you.

But you don't know anything about me.

Well, I know you're good and sweet and beautiful.

I know I can't live without you.

I'll tell you what, boy.

You go back to your table.

And after my number, I'll join you there.

I'll give you my answer before the night's over.

All right.

Darling.

Say, Em.

Where could a guy get ten grand in a hurry?

You got a pretty good tip on the market.

Drink your rye, Scotchman. He thinks I'm made of money.

Love me, darling.

Carrot, you mean it?

Well, then come on and say it with your feet, baby.

Waiting for a marathon, Dick?

Where do you suppose you can be?

Raising cane, I hope. What?

Well, were you ever 21?

Personally, I'm grateful to the end.

It's the first chance in ten years I've had any excuse to stay up all night.

Oh, boy, I'm enjoying it.

Come on, skinny.

Little old skeleton. Come on, get up and let's have a song. All right. Let's

have a song. All right.

All right, come on, come on. All right, well, one would be, one would be... The

old apple tree, Professor.

Fine. Me, me, me, me, me, me.

In the shade of the old apple tree. Apple tree.

Where the light in your eyes I could see. I could see.

Where the voice that I heard, like the song of a bird, seems... Wake up,

Phyllis. Moon, get her down.

What's a night of it without girls?

Remember the night in Paris we celebrated your 21st birthday, Dick?

Played to your skirts there that night.

Remember the redhead that tried to educate Dick? Why bring that up?

I'll bet he never did get his diploma.

Oh, shut up.

Hey, give us that thing you always used to spout with or without encouragement.

What do you mean?

When we were 21?

That's it.

That's it. All right.

When we were 21, lad, and all the world was green,

And every boy was a king, lad, and every lass a queen.

It was hay for boots and saddles, and we ride the world away.

For youth must have its clean, lad, and every dog his day.

And every dog his day.

Well, for one, I can't go on being 21 all night.

Without another drink of that grand old rejuvenating pre -war stuff of yours,

Dickie. How about it, boy? I'm not sure I've got a bottle left of that real old

stuff. But I'll tell you, the cellar's only one flight down.

If it's there, I'll get it.

What's that?

What's what?

Listen.

Take your pardon.

Holy mackerel.

Give me a hand.

Yes. Where have you been?

Where have you been?

I've been spending the evening with my fire and sea.

You're crazy.

Phyllis is here. I didn't refer to Phyllis.

Phyllis is a sweet girl.

Oh, my.

My best girl.

She's... Waddle, you keep Dick out of here and I'll get him to bed, will you?

know.

We'd better let him know he's come home.

Yes, but not how he's come home.

All right, kid.

Hurry now.

I'll go.

What's the vision?

Open this door.

What is it, a joke?

You can't come in.

Take your fat little carcass out of the way.

What's that?

Fat little carcass, did you say? Fat little carcass, you fathead.

Open this door before I break it open.

You'd better apologize for what you've done. Oh, very well, then I apologize.

Lazy. What's happened?

Oh, you glittering idiot.

Now I've gone and broken one of the bottles.

See what you've done with your gloomy foolishness.

When we were 21.

21 months according to your behavior.

See what you've done.

I apologize, Dick.

I'm sorry.

Oh, I didn't really mean it, only... We won't wait any longer. We'll drop in

again in the morning.

We'll be talking along now, Dick. All right.

It's him.

He's home.

Well, what do you know about that?

Must have been here for hours.

Probably thought we were having a private confab and stole upstairs

word.

The little him.

Well, good night, Dick.

Good morning. All right.

Good night, old boy. Good night. Good night.

Happy birthday.

Birthday?

Oh, yes, it is my birthday, isn't it?

Thanks. Nice of you to remember.

It's a shame you couldn't have been home last night.

Last night?

Oh, you didn't go to any trouble, did you? Oh, no, none at all.

Dick just invited the rest of your guardians, and then there was Mother and

myself and a nice birthday cake and some wine and, oh, just a few everyday

things like that.

Oh, gee, I wish I'd known.

No, never mind, darling.

After we're married, I'll remember to remind you of your surprise party.

And then you can remember to be on hand to be surprised.

Well, what's the matter, Rims?

Did you get a bigger dose of psychology than the little head had room for?

I couldn't sleep.

Oh, that's a shame, poor darling.

You'll feel much better when you get some nice bacon and eggs.

Oh, don't mention it.

Now, now, listen.

You run along in to get dressed and come right downstairs.

But I... I... Oh, now listen.

Put that I in cold storage. Why don't you say you once in a while?

You know, Dick would like to see you downstairs on your birthday and all.

All right, I'll come.

The cook will be delighted.

I saved you a piece of birthday cake, Mr. Richard.

Oh, thanks, Katie.

And your bacon's getting cold.

I don't want the greasy stuff.

Richard, I've looked all through the paper for an account of your professor's

lecture, but I can't find it. Wasn't it interesting?

Fascinating.

Impress.

What phase of psychology did he discuss?

Oh, I, uh... Oh, the psychology of love.

With or without?

With or without what?

Oh, a wedding ring, silly.

What's the matter, Phyllis? Well, there's a marvelous notice of this

woman, the Firefly.

A new club opened last night. The world says she's great. Oh, yeah?

What's she like?

Oh, you've seen her on the posters down at the railroad station.

That wise, voluptuous -looking creature with the red hair and the nude hips.

What can people see in such vulgar displays?

Oh, speaking of people, everybody was there. Listen to this.

John D. Rickenbacker, Philip Van Dyne, Ethel Morgan, Reginald Van Deventer,

James Van Allen, Richard... Richard Fitzgerald, and the mayor.

Anything wrong, Ed?

Oh, no, I'm just dead tired.

You see, we sat around talking after the lecture, and it got awfully late.

You'll feel better after a day at home.

Oh, I can't.

I've got an appointment in town.

I've got to go.

I'll miss that 10 -17 if I don't hurry.

Excuse me?

Tim.

Everything all right?

Sure. No trouble?

Not at all.

That's a relief.

I was afraid there was.

Dick, I...

I want to apologize about last night. I didn't think you'd remember.

Your 21st birthday is an application to your guardians and to one or two others.

Oh, I do appreciate that.

You've been like a father to me.

Which reminds me.

Could you spare me a hundred?

I guess so.

I wanted for some... I don't bother to explain why.

I know you wouldn't ask for it if you didn't have to have it.

Come on inside.

I'll write you a check. I've only got a few minutes to make that 1017.

That's not the bad news.

There's no good making a joke of it. You know it's true.

Well, say it is.

I'm living beyond my means.

No, you're not.

We're living beyond your means.

Look at the money you squander on Mother, on me, and on the imp.

Look at his clothes and look at my clothes.

Then look at your own old things.

Why, it's perfectly disgusting.

Colonel Graham told me that you used to go to Palm Beach winters until three

years ago when Mother and I came along.

Everything for others and nothing for yourself.

You're all wrong.

It's all for myself.

I'm very fond of your mother.

I'm sure I couldn't get a better housekeeper.

I love the... And I... I have the greatest respect for you.

So when I see those around me that I love, that I'm fond of, and those that I

respect, happy, I feel so happy myself, I wouldn't change places with everybody

in the world.

Dick. Why do you respect me?

I don't know.

I wish you wouldn't respect me so much.

Makes me feel awfully lonely, like I was a marvelous statue in a park.

Couldn't you respect me a little less, just now and then?

I don't see how I can, but I'll try if you like.

Oh, good.

Begin now.

Well, you see, I was never taught how to remove a lady's cloak of respect.

Well, suppose I show you how.

First, I put my arm around your shoulder like this.

Then I lean my cheek against your head, sympathetically.

Yes, but I don't need any sympathy.

Oh, you don't know how to play.

Dick, what do you wish for most in the world?

To see... Oh, don't say it. I know exactly what you're going to say.

Oh, what is it?

To see the infamy happily married.

That's right.

You do want it, don't you?

Suppose... Suppose the imp should tire of me.

Impossible.

Is it, Dick?

Why is it?

Oh, I don't know.

I suppose it's because you're you.

Don't you think that if you were in the imp's place, you might tire of me just a

little sometimes?

Never. Well, how can you tell?

You've never pictured yourself in the imp's place.

Oh, yes, I have.

Often.

Oh, you... You've pictured yourself married to me?

Oh, Dick, was it nice?

Now, see here.

We've chatted enough nonsense for one morning.

Oh, wouldn't it be odd?

What?

What you're always picturing to yourself.

You know, you're a very trying young woman to make a casual remark to.

I'm always picturing myself as being married to lots of very nice people.

I even imagine myself being married to your mother.

Oh, I'll run and tell her. Oh, wait a moment, please.

You know, I think I can work much better.

In my own study.

Take your imagination with you.

What of all the little imps?

Just one little imp, dear. And that, not for a year after the wedding.

I've done something dreadful. What have you done?

I found this letter under the chair all crumpled up. I smoothed it out just to

see who it belonged to.

I read it. By accident, of course.

And it gave me such a shock.

I read it all.

Oh, I don't know what to say or think.

Whose letter was it?

A woman's letter to Dick.

Dick? He's making arrangements to be married and he doesn't want us to know.

Making arrangements to be married? What will I do with it?

I think I'll put it back there. Oh, no. I found it.

Give it back to Dick if it's his.

Oh, I don't dare to.

Give it to me. I will then. I don't think you ought to read it, dear.

Some of it's a little... Oh, don't be alarmed. I don't intend to read it.

Come on, Mother.

Where? The dick, of course, must return his property.

Come in.

You dropped it.

Where did you find it?

Mother found it under the chair in the hall.

You read it?

Well, I didn't mean to. Of course not.

I read it because I chose to.

Yes?

Well? I wish you every happiness, Mr. Carew.

Carew? Oh, let me see that letter again, please. Why?

Well, I didn't see any last name on it. The imp's name is Richard, too.

Perhaps... It was written to me.

Well, you needn't be so emphatic about it.

Why, I'm sorry, Dick.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Kara. That's a pretty name.

I think you've seen it somewhere.

No doubt you have.

It's plastered all over the walls and billboards.

Of course.

The fireflies.

That nightclub creature in the paper.

Oh, Dick, how could you?

I hope you'll both be happy.

Well, I expect it'll be all right.

I dare say she's not as red as she's painted.

Does the imp know?

Nobody knows, but you and your mother.

Please don't tell the imp.

Not for the present.

We rely on our discretion.

Now, I must attend to my household duties before they're transferred to

Abraham's and mine.

Huh? The future Mrs. Carew.

Of course.

No doubt. She will naturally expect to...

What is it, Dick?

Nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing.

Isn't it beautiful being in love, Dick?

Don't you just go all over every time you see that picture on the poster?

No, I don't. Oh, how odd. I should love to see a picture of the imp on the

poster that size.

Would you?

Yes, and every time I saw a crowd of ladies looking at it, I'd say, Look,

ladies, all that belongs to me.

Just how you must feel when you see everyone, even the policeman, looking at

your future wife's picture.

Do you approve of that costume?

There seems to be so little of it.

No, I don't. Oh, I'm glad you don't, because I don't either. Will you kindly

quiet?

Well, since you've lost your temper, I won't try to be nice to you any longer.

I'll tell you the truth now. I think it's disgusting you're being in love

that kind of a woman. No doubt.

If it had been anyone I was really fond of, I...

You mean if it had been the imp? No matter how much I'd love him, I'd never

speak to him again.

Would it break your heart if he never spoke to the imp again?

That's rather a curious question for you to ask, considering that our marriage

has been almost entirely arranged by you.

Oh, yes, I know.

I think it's rather mean of you to suggest to me, of all people, that the

could do such a thing. But I didn't.

Oh, Dick, I didn't mean to be cross with you.

If you love her, it's all right.

The imp and I have often felt that...

The only drawback to our complete happiness is your being left so lonely.

But, of course, now it's all right.

It's splendid.

But it does hurt to think that you didn't share your secret with me, that

didn't trust me. In all these years, I tried so hard to make you trust me.

See how miserably I've failed. Well, you haven't, Phyllis. You haven't. Oh,

Dick. Dick, I didn't mean to be a beast.

I hope you'll be awfully happy.

I do.

I do indeed.

Hello, Phil.

I missed the train. I have to wait an hour now.

Jim, we've been engaged long enough and I'm getting tired of it. Let's get

married right away.

Why, Phil, whatever.

Don't you want to?

Oh, I don't mean that.

I mean, well, I haven't got a job yet or anything. Well, we have enough to start

on. I'm getting sick of this house. I'm getting sick of everything around here.

I want to get away.

I've got a date for two weeks from today.

What do you say?

Well, I don't...

Dick, I've changed my mind. I'm setting a date for the wedding for two weeks

from today. Is that all right?

I want to see you, Em.

Well, not right now, Dick.

Em and I have some things to settle.

Come on.

Some news for you, Dick.

Is the imp around?

Yes, he's inside with Phyllis. Let's go someplace where we won't be disturbed.

This is important.

Yes, in my study.

Where will we go on our honeymoon?

Oh, any place.

Yes, that would be nice.

Yes, why not?

It's as good as any, I guess.

So, I thought I'd pick up the soldier boy and tell you all about it.

But this letter complicates things.

Do you know who she is?

Oh, yes.

The famous nightclub lady, the... Firefly?

And very soothing.

Tell me.

Is she a... Yes.

Quite one of the most notorious.

And this chump wants to marry her?

Does Phyllis know?

She read the letter.

Poor girl.

What a blow it must have been to her.

That's the one bit of luck in this whole miserable business.

You mean she doesn't care for him? She worships him.

Then where's the luck?

She thinks this firefighter lady is in love with me. What?

Look.

Richard, darling.

I'm Richard.

The imp's Richard, too.

Although he's never been Richard to us, but always the imp.

Thanks to that trivial misunderstanding.

I am the future husband of the famous Firefly lady.

We've got to act. We've got to act quick.

Phyllis's disapproval of me has had one good effect.

She set a definite date for the wedding.

Two weeks from today.

You're not going to let her marry someone who doesn't love her?

But he does love her down deep in his heart, and she worships him.

We've got to cure him of this infatuation.

Yeah. But how?

Oh, you all look so solemn.

Talking about me?

Yes. I dropped a letter.

Here it is.

I've read your letter.

Yeah, we've all read your letter.

I hope you all found it very interesting.

There are one or two things we'd like to... It's no good, Dick.

I'm not unappreciative of what you've done for me.

All three of you.

But there comes a time in a fellow's life when his own judgment is better

other people's.

This, uh... This lady is a good deal older than you is, Jill, man.

She's a little older?

Listen, I hear she's seen a good deal of the world.

I believe she's traveled a great deal.

People say that she... People say. People can say what they please. This is

affair.

No, no, old man, you're wrong.

No one can ever say that he stands alone.

Oh, I don't want to preach, but we've got to fact this thing out.

You know what your father meant to us.

When he gave you to our keeping, we swore we'd make you worthy of him.

And we're going to do it. Well, is it making me worthy of him to ask me to

my promise to a woman?

Which woman?

Which promise?

You've given two.

Well, you can't ask me to marry a woman I don't love.

You became engaged to her.

I know I was a fool.

I didn't plan it. I don't believe she did either.

Everybody expected it and we just drifted into it. You insist on marrying

woman? Yes.

Then you must have put your case before her very clumsily. What do you mean?

I don't think the lady on the billboard has been approached before with

ceremony. You coward!

No, Dick, don't believe it. It isn't true. Let's talk this thing over

Quietly? When I hear the woman I love insulted?

If I gave you facts concerning the woman's past and gave you my word of

that they are facts... I know they were lies.

Now that we know where we are, I can hold my tongue. You'd better. Oh, let's

stop this. All right.

I'll stop it once and for all.

I'll go.

I'll get her to set a date for our wedding right away.

Wait, Tim.

Wait.

Not yet.

You can't keep me.

I'm of age. I'm 21. I'll do as I choose now.

We're all a little excited.

When you come back, we'll talk it over.

I'm not coming back.

You want to go away from her?

Oh, I don't want to.

You leave me no choice.

You believe what he says, don't you?

Yes. Then wouldn't you despise me if I stayed?

You've been very good to me, Dick.

I don't want to go like this.

Won't you wish me luck?

I'm thinking of your father.

If she's worthy of him, then good luck to you, Imp.

You wish him luck, Dick.

Who knows?

He may be right after all.

He knows the woman. I don't. I do.

She's ruined a half a dozen men, to my own knowledge.

If the boy wants her, she'll marry him, squander what little money we've saved

for him, and then he who bids higher will carry her off, husband or no

She's for sale, I tell you, for sale.

Is she?

Then I'll buy her.

She's mine.

I'm not going to allow her to wreck Phyllis's life and his.

Of course, if the price is too high, I shall expect myself to come through.

You can count on me, and me to the limit.

Well, that's that.

Well, I don't care who knows it. I'm the happiest man that ever came out of that

door. Not happier than I, darling.

Sorry I can't join you on your honeymoon.

But you know my address, Dick.

I don't expect my commission.

Nothing less than five grand.

Kara.

What, said Dickinson?

We're alone for the first time as man and wife.

Precious.

I'd always hoped to marry someone like you.

Wrong.

Sweet and considerate.

Oh, my Cara.

Excuse me.

What is it, Babette?

The mail, mademoiselle.

I mean, madame.

Oh, what a lot.

This is the first of the month, monsieur.

You know, Bill.

What is the matter with you, Babette?

Didn't they teach you in France not to disturb newlyweds?

Bills on our wedding day.

Sorry, madame.

Go away.

Where are you taking those bills?

Out, madame. Well, now that you've brought them, put them over there on the

for the rest of them. Very well, madame.

I'm sorry, darling.

The little fool has completely unnerved me.

Oh, I'll soon fix that.

I want a cigarette.

No, don't like yours.

Get me one of my Russian ones over there on the desk.

All right, darling.

I'll build a bore.

But I won't have to worry about them anymore, will I, dear?

Oh, Tara, dear.

You've got to know it sooner or later. I might as well tell you now.

I'll never be able to pay all those bills you've got there.

Not pay your wife's bills?

Oh, there's nothing I'd love to do more than pay them all today, but...

Well, it would take five years at the rate I'm going now to pay for even half

them.

You're not rich?

Probably the poorest man you know.

Poor in more ways than one.

Oh, you're joking, surely.

Didn't you tell me that you had an income of $25 ,000 a year and a large

that you would get at $21 ,000?

I had to tell you that.

Hal told me that no matter how good you were or how much you were in love with

me, you'd never consent to marry anyone poor.

Well, I had to have you.

I love you.

Love?

You may be an amateur at love, but you're certainly a professional liar.

That I should fall for an old gag like that. Oh, but listen, Carol, I tell you.

I don't want to hear another syllable from you. Where do you get off making a

laughing stock of me? You think you can make horror the joke of Broadway and get

away with it? Not by a long shot.

I'll make you remember what you've done to me to your last days on earth.

I'll make you so sick of yourself you won't care whether you live or die.

Carol, Carol, listen to me. Take your hands off me, you dirty little rat.

What is it, madame? Get this stuff out of here.

Carol, you've got to listen to me. Get out.

Get out. Do you hear me? Get out of here before I kill you. Get out. Get out.

There's a gentleman at the club who wishes to see you alone in your dressing

room.

Who is he? Not that Mr. Imp. I'll see that he doesn't get in.

Well, I didn't ask you who wasn't there.

This one's a stranger.

Never been here before.

His car.

Well, I'll take a peek at him. You betcha.

First table at the ringside.

Rather nice looking, isn't he?

How much did he give you to bring this car in here? Twenty dollars.

Twenty dollars?

Well, what are you standing there for? Show him in. Yes, yes, right away.

Give me one second.

Well, here we are. We are at last.

It's awfully nice of you to suggest bringing me here.

Suggest? We suggest.

Why, you tricked us into it. You're a little hoided.

You've been reading in this Victorian dictionary.

Now, don't pretend. I'll bet you spend half your nights in places like this.

We do not. I should say not.

Why, are you any better than Dick?

If it's respectable enough for him, it's respectable enough for you.

A ringside table, please.

Come on now, hurry up.

Now let me get this straight.

You say that you'll give me $5 ,000 tonight if I'll make people believe for

month that you're my new daddy.

Exactly.

And you don't want to become my new daddy, really?

No.

Are you sane?

Perfectly.

Well, what are...

For you to pretend that you like me.

To be seen with me.

To dance with me when I ask you.

That's all.

Well, uh, oh... Oh.

I've got it.

You want to waken my curiosity.

Arouse my interest in you.

No. Oh, yes, you do.

It's rather an expensive idea, but I'm not sure that it's a bad one.

I suppose you have your little check all made out and everything?

Cash.

What guarantee have you that I'll keep my end of the bargain?

Your sense of honor.

Is that meant as a joke?

I'm perfectly serious.

Is it a bargain?

Well, this is certainly one pick of a day.

Now, that's a relief.

I was afraid you might be insulted.

I am insulted.

Most pleasantly.

Babette, my shoes.

Soulja Boy, didn't you bring a drink with you?

Why, Phyllis, you don't drink.

Well, it's about time I began.

What chance is a girl nowadays if she doesn't do this and won't do that?

When is it going to begin? I'm getting impatient to see her. Oh, it won't be

long now.

Just think of it.

A woman nearly every man wants.

And Dick gets her.

Dumb boy, isn't he?

You know, I'm going to bring the imp up here.

No, I don't think I'd better.

I can't compete with a gorgeous creature like the firefly.

I think he's coming now.

When I met you, I fell in love.

I guess it had to be.

Now you are...

You think she's a little smaller here than on the poster?

What?

Where is Dick? I can't see him, can you?

Why are you so sure he's here?

Of course he is.

Well, if I were a man in love with such a girl, do you think I'd let her appear

before a crowd like this without being on hand to prevent the stampede?

No, sir.

I'm through with learning because I'm...

Happy!

I've got to go over. You can't expect me to give him the go -by like this.

You know, he's been awfully good to me, Dick has.

Oh, you stay here.

Phyllis, it is a surprise.

Hello, Dick, darling.

Don't be jealous. I'm only his housekeeper's daughter.

Cara, dear.

This is Miss Erickson.

Just call me Phyllis.

Well, then you'll call me Cara.

Yes? It's perfectly thrilling meeting you.

Whatever kind of wonderful person like you seeing an old dry as dust like Dick

here. Oh, dry as gold dust.

Carla, I want you to meet two old friends of mine.

Colonel Graham and Mr. Palmer.

Charmed. Sit down, won't you, and join the party.

Yes, do.

Boy, bring another chair.

You know, When I first saw you on the posters, I didn't like you. No?

Oh, but I've changed my mind now.

And you should change your artist, too.

You know, that painting doesn't begin to do justice to all of your charms.

Thanks. You have a couple of dangerous curves yourself.

Oh, yeah?

Where are they? A feather.

What, Dick?

Oh, nothing.

You know, I'd just love to be you.

Would you?

Yes, to wear such clothes and dance and see men's eyes just pop out of their

heads. And to have my picture all over the map.

Oh, gee.

But the only thing I don't envy you is Dick.

Oh, you don't? No, he's an old fogey. Aren't you, Dick?

Isn't he the colonel? Is that right, Mr. Palmer?

Of course he is.

But you'll change all that.

You'll put some pep in the old boy.

It's a good thing you got him.

Yes, sir.

Well, you know, we must try to be friends.

Good friends.

Well, of course.

Any friend of my baby's is a friend of mine.

May I... May I bring my mother to see you?

Why, I'd be delighted.

You know, Mother and I talked it all over.

And we thought you ought to have a big church wedding.

Wedding?

Well,

of course. Anything my daddy says goes with Kara.

We can't let Dick hide this ladder in the bushel, can we?

Can't be done, can it, Kara?

Daddy, Kara wants a big wedding with bridesmaids and music and flowers and

everything.

You must let me be your maid of honor.

Oh, you'll have to hurry, though, or I'll be in major nirvana.

You see, I... I'm going to marry Nick Ford in a week or two, you know.

You know, why can't we make it a double wedding?

What is it, you think?

What an idiotic idea.

You're swaying.

That's the music, silly.

I want to dance.

May I borrow you, big boy?

Why, of course. Give the kid a treat.

But remember the rules. Six inches apart.

Say, are those two in love?

Is he using me to make her jealous or what?

I don't know anything about it.

I'm dying of curiosity.

What's the game anyway?

What does it matter as long as you've got the money?

Yes, but money plus him.

I'm liking that boy better every minute.

I know class when I see it.

If I thought there was a chance... There's not a ghost of a chance.

He's poor.

Practically starving.

Don't worry.

The wicked firefly isn't going to burn your little dick and balls.

Why did you have to come here?

You didn't say anything about bringing her out and...

I was consumed with curiosity.

And now?

I've a new respect for you. Oh, really?

Yes, you must have something besides dignity to recommend you, or you

have won over so many competitors.

There must be hundreds of men whose hearts are just great when they hear of

this. Oh, don't joke, dear.

Mustn't say dear, dear.

People might hear, and then there'd be a scandal.

You're so strange.

You're a revelation.

Did Kara teach you to dance so well?

Well, can't you say one single sentence without mentioning her name? I should

think you'd be glad if you loved it.

I do love her.

Very much?

Very much.

Oh, that's relief.

Love. That's the only important thing.

Hello, baby darling. Was it nice?

Yes, thank you.

I have something in my dressing room I want to show you.

Come along, Daddy. I think I ought to. Oh, please don't, Dick. There's

I want to talk over with Colonel and Mr. Palmer.

The surprise about your wedding you mustn't hear.

Well, then, come along.

Phyllis, won't you sit down? No.

No, take me away from here.

Quickly. All right, I'll get her clothes. Do.

Good evening. I have two on the floor.

Oh,

so it's you as a...

Don't you know you can't come in here?

I am in, aren't I? No, you're not. You're out. Come on, get out of here. I

you to stay out of here.

Stay out.

Oh, good evening. Good evening.

Oh, table before, please. Good to meet you. Right this way. Good evening, sir.

How are you? Good to see you.

Here, I picked some boy this time. Some daddy, if you ask me.

How do you girls know he attended, Daddy?

How? As far as she's concerned, there's nobody else in his club tonight but me.

Sang every song to him. Kept the spotlight on him. Even danced every

him. Well, I guess that does look as though she's interested.

What's the matter, Daddy?

Oh, quite so far away.

That better?

Perfect.

Come to your dressing room. You're going to listen to me.

Daddy! Daddy, is it?

Dick! Yes, Dick.

You heard what she said. She's mine. That's a lie. She's my wife.

Let me go. You don't know what you're talking about.

Let me go. Put your sister down.

is it, madame?

Oh, that chump. Your husband?

Husband? Well, madame, I mean mademoiselle, we don't have to worry

anymore. We're going away to France tomorrow.

What are you talking about?

He's win all his money back.

Oh, do you see? Who does all that? You know all about him and does not give a

hoot. For mercy's sake, who?

Si, mademoiselle?

Jim!

is this guy?

Will you go away?

Didn't I tell you I never wanted to see you again?

Well, he's another one of your lying daddies.

I'll kill him.

Take your hands off me. Let me go.

Don't be a fool.

You get him out of here.

I can't believe it.

You don't mean it, you... I certainly do.

Will you go back and play with your paper dolls?

Come on, Em. Come on.

Let's go home.

Leave me alone.

My relative?

His guardian.

Jim and I'll fix that.

Jim, you don't know Mr. Carew. Mr. Carew, you're divorce evidence.

How do you do?

Don't worry.

Here's your money.

Just to prove that you're not the only fool in the world.

Use that to send him on a little trip somewhere.

But keep him out of Paris.

Goodbye, Daddy.

Oh, Phyllis dear, I'm so glad you're actually going to do this.

Everyone's glad.

Dick.

What are you doing?

Making out the guest list for the wedding.

Come on, Dick, I... You know, I'll go. Tony Walters and the soldier boy, I sent

for them.

I only came back to pack.

Well, come on in. I want to talk to you.

Oh, what the use?

Come on.

I shouldn't have come in to talk to you.

If you're going to hear me talk, then you're going to like it.

I've put about as much nonsense for you as I can.

I'll bet you'll get away with anything because I saw your father in you.

And I loved him.

But if he were here today, he'd be ashamed of you, as I am. Dick!

Don't interrupt.

I might forgive you for throwing over the Trinity.

After all, we only brought you up.

But when you turned down the sweetest and finest girl that was ever born for

first pair of bare legs that you see, I realized that we were not bringing up

Charlie's boy, but the world's prime chump.

I wouldn't have interfered if I'd known of your ridiculous marriage.

I did what I did to try and save you and Phyllis.

It's too late.

No, it isn't.

I'll do it yet.

It won't take long to annul this marriage.

And you and Phyllis will still be happy together. She need never know.

It'll all come out all right. Phyllis is no fool. Don't you suppose she knows?

Of course she doesn't know.

She thinks I'm the rich that the letter was written to.

What?

Yes.

Don't you see how easy it's going to be?

You mean you took it on yourself?

Naturally.

We can't hurt Phyllis.

You do appreciate her, don't you, Imp?

She's the finest girl in the world.

Oh, what's the use?

I'm not worthy of her nor you. Of course you are.

You are.

When this blows over, we'll all be the same happy family again.

You mean you want me back after the way I treated you?

Would your father have turned you out?

Because you made a mistake?

Oh, Dick.

Come. Come, boy.

This will all iron out.

We'll see it through together.

Shoulder to shoulder.

I've said a lot of nasty things to you, Dick.

But I didn't mean them.

You've had your first jolt.

A stiff one, right under the chin.

But you're on your feet now, old man.

You can win if you make up your mind to.

I have made up my mind.

Don't forget, Philip.

You'll have fear right away.

Hello. Oh, hello, Em.

Have you been out so early?

I've been out all night.

Aren't you starting a couple of weeks ahead of time? We're not married yet.

Married?

You seem to find the subject of marriage rather funny.

I may have done a lot of rotten things in my life.

I may do some more, but bigamy won't be one of them.

Bigamy? M. That letter was for me.

We were married yesterday.

Richard.

Dick.

You.

Oh, M. It was your letter.

Oh, you darling, you darling.

It wasn't Dick. No, don't you see? He took it on himself to save me, to try to

fix things right for me. And we believed it of him. Oh, what a fool I've been.

Oh, Imp, you're a miserable, hopeless, immoral, horrid young man.

But, oh, Imp, you're a darling.

You've made me so happy.

Oh, Mother, isn't it like him? Oh, Mother, isn't he wonderful?

Oh, Mother.

I didn't hear you come in.

Of course not. Because I was here all the time.

I'm always with you, Dick, whether you see me or not.

Did you see the imp?

Yes. He told me everything.

Don't blame the imp too much.

He's really true grit, every inch of him.

He was mistaken in what he wanted, but he fought for it.

When he found out he was wrong, he acknowledged it like a man.

I've never blamed him.

But I blame myself frightfully.

What for?

Well, for thinking you're capable of falling for her.

And the way I rubbed it in, like a jealous little cat.

Jealous? Well, I couldn't see you throwing yourself away, could I?

Wow. How tired you look.

That feels good.

You look awfully tired.

You know, I don't know what I would do when you're gone.

Gone? You want to send me away?

No, of course not, but...

Somebody's bound to come along.

You're bound to go sooner or later.

I'll never fall in love again.

Did he mean that much to you?

No, I... I didn't care for him very much.

You didn't care?

Oh, I tried to, Dick. So hard.

Because you wanted it.

You were his hero at first.

He tried to act so much like you.

I could see you in him, Dick.

That's why I loved him.

Me?

Oh, you're talking nonsense.

I must be half asleep.

You better run along now, dear, before I say something foolish.

I love you, Dick.

Yes, but it isn't fair.

I've always loved you, Dick, but you didn't seem to care.

Oh, I never allowed myself to even think of it.

Oh, Phyllis.

You're a darling.

That's the end of the trinity.

Yes.

It's a quadrity now.

With power to increase it into a quantity.