Original subtitles

1

Now I lay me down to sleep.

I pray the Lord my soul to keep.

If I should die before I wake,

I pray the Lord my soul do take.

God bless Mrs Higgins.

God bless Mrs Denham.

And God bless the trustees, and please make us good children.

Forever and ever. Amen.

- Good night. - Good night.

- Good night. - Good night.

And God bless my sister, Mary. Amen.

Please take very good care of my duck and my pony.

Please see that they don't catch pneumonia.

Spunky.

You'll get me in trouble.

What you need, Spunky, is a hot lemonade.

Will you be quiet?

Spunky, do you like the superintendent?

What? What?

Do you like Mrs Denham?

Do you like the trustees?

Do you like me, Spunky?

Spunk?

Good morning. Nothing must be allowed to go wrong today. Absolutely nothing.

I hope to please all the trustees, but I'm anxious that we make a good impression

- on Mr Morgan. - I think I understand.

You think? Why, that isn't good enough.

Read that, Henrietta. Read it carefully.

Mr Morgan is our richest trustee. He's coming here today for the first time.

If he is really pleased with the orphanage, I believe he'll double his donation to us.

- Oh, how wonderful. - Exactly.

- Seven o'clock. Call the children. - Very well.

Henrietta, I forgot. Mr James Wyckoff will be among the trustees who will visit.

I want you to make sure a large bottle of Mr Wyckoffs famous cough mixture

is displayed in our medicine cabinet.

I'll see to it.

Elizabeth Blair, what have you got to say for yourself?

Oh, my goodness!

Elizabeth Blair, come into my office - at once.

Yes, ma'am.

This is the second time in a month you've been called to the superintendents office.

- Yes, ma'am. - The last time you were here,

your sister Mary was also brought before me.

You both admitted that you had been singing and dancing without permission.

- Yes, ma'am. - Do you know why you are here this time?

- Yes, ma'am. - Then tell me why.

Don't you know?

Quiet. Now, Elizabeth, tell me why you are here.

- Because I took a pony to bed with me. - Child, you're absolutely uncontrollable.

Yes, ma'am.

I am well aware that your late father and mother were in the theatrical profession

and that you came here with no sense of discipline.

I have made every allowance for you.

But when you bring animals into the dormitory, I must act.

That's what my daddy and mummy used to do.

- What? - Act.

Don't be impudent.

Now, your pony and your duck will be sold immediately.

Please, Mrs Higgins, please.

I'll be good, but don't take Spunky away from me, and my poor little duck.

And why not?

Because my pony and my duck are notjust ordinary animals.

My daddy and my mommy teached them to do tricks on the stage.

And just what is your duck trained to do?

My duck does a wonderful trick. My duck can lay an egg.

- And just what is so wonderful about that? - Well, can you lay an egg?

Oh, excuse me.

Elizabeth, I have decided to get rid of your pony and your duck.

- They will be sent away this morning. - Yes, ma'am.

No sniffling, now.

- Yes, ma'am. - What?

No, ma'am.

There, baby, don't cry.

Mary, don't let them.

Please don't let them send Spunky and my duck away.

Oh, darling... Now, listen to me, dear.

Listen very carefully to what I'm going to tell you.

All right.

Spunky would be very unhappy if he saw you crying.

- I suppose so. - You don't want to make him unhappy?

- Oh, no. - All right, then.

When it's time to say goodbye to Spunky,

you'll have to be just as brave as brave can be,

so you can make him brave too. See?

- Spunky and I are such awfully good friends. - I know, dear.

All right, Mary. I'll try and be brave about Spunky and my duck.

Good for you. Look, how'd you like to help me get lunch?

I'd love that. I like to make things to eat and I especially like to eat them.

Oh, my goodness!

Singing in the dining room! Is this the kind of manners you teach them?

Of course not, Mr Wyckoff. They've been told they must be quiet at mealtimes.

Oh, they've been told, have they? Well, just telling them doesn't seem to be good enough.

Perhaps a bit of real discipline wouldn't do them any harm.

- Have you been told not to sing? - Yes, sir.

Then why do you do it? You're a bad and wicked child.

She isn't a bad and wicked child. She's just a baby.

She was making the children laugh. It wasn't her fault.

I told her to sing for the children.

And who are you, young woman?

- Are you an orphan too? - Yes, sir.

Then what right have you to be here, living on charity at your age?

I'll tell you what I'm doing here.

I scrub the floors, make the beds, wash, iron and cook from morning until night.

- Quiet! - I won't be quiet.

- You're mean and hateful to frighten children. - Report to me after the meeting.

Yes, ma'am.

The rest of you, go to the yard and wait there till it's time for inspection by our trustees.

Yes, Mrs Higgins.

- Aren't you going to join us, Mr Morgan? - What?

- Yes, of course, the meeting of the trustees. - Of course.

Would you mind beginning without me? I'd like to look about the place.

- But we have important matters... - I'll join you in a few minutes.

- Well, of course... - Thank you.

She isn't wicked...

- Oh... I'm sorry. - Please don't get up.

I just wanted to tell you how much I admired your spunk in standing up for that youngster.

- She didn't mean any harm. - Of course she didn't.

I don't think singing that song was such a terrible crime.

I enjoyed it. I enjoyed your playing, too.

Thank you very much.

Tell me, where in the world did that youngster pick up such a charming song?

- Well, I write them and... - You write music?

- If you can call it music. - I call it delightful music.

Look here, would you promise not to give me away if I made a terrible confession?

Of course.

The deep, dark secret in my life is that now and then I compose a bit of music myself.

But isn't it fun, getting a melody and then finding just the right words for it?

Great. You know, the happiest days of my life

were those I spent studying music under Professor Auspitzer, in Br�nn.

Those must have been happy days.

But that isn't all of it. I love the people in the little Austrian towns.

They're so proud because their music is the music of the world.

It seems that most everyone in those quaint little villages has a "Hello, neighbour" smile.

They love the simple things in life.

The simple things in life. That almost sounds like the words of a song.

I'll remember the suggestion. Perhaps someday they might make a song.

- Will you do me a great favour? - Certainly.

I have to run along to the meeting, but I'll be back. Will you play me some more music?

- If you'd like to hear it and Mrs Higgins... - I asked to.

- All right. - Until later, then?

And what's this item?

"Sandboxes and swings"?

It's a problem to keep them occupied.

When I was young, we didn't have a play problem,

because we didn't have time to play. No.

"Floor runner for the dormitory. "

- What's the matter with the linoleum? - It's been so cold this winter.

The children have coughed so badly that I've been worried.

No need for that.

Madam, you have no doubt heard of the famous Wyckoffs cough mixture.

Of course.

I have manufactured and sold that cough mixture for many years.

Anyone taking it regularly will never cough.

I would suggest that you lay in a fresh supply.

- Very well. - When I was young, I lived in Maine,

where the weather was 20 below zero.

In those days, we didn't even have linoleum. And look at me now.

When I was young, I lived in Maine, where the weather was about a thousand below zero.

No, no, Mrs Denham. No carpets, no linoleum, no nothin'.

And look at me now.

Madam, is this the kind of respect you teach them?!

Oh, my goodness!

- How dare you take my hat and coat! - I beg your pardon, but those are mine.

- Yours? - Yes.

Oh, yes. I see.

- This eyesight of mine is bad, you know. - I was only playing.

There, Mrs Higgins. That's what comes of letting them play.

- Ridiculing their benefactors. - I'm sorry.

It seems to me that this child is absolutely incorrigible.

Every time I see her, she's making a disturbance.

- She is rather a problem. - Problem?

She's the sort of problem that might be better solved at a public institution.

- We couldn't send her away. - I say you shall send her away!

I say she'll have to go to a public institution.

She'll have to do nothing of the kind.

If she's sent away, I shan't contribute another cent.

- Now, Mr Morgan, you can't... - Oh, yes, I can.

Mrs Higgins, I'd like to talk to you and to this little girl privately.

- Your office would be the best place. - Why, of course, Mr Morgan.

Young lady, I've got a great idea.

Would you like me to tell it to you?

- Yes. - Elizabeth.

Excuse me. Yes, sir.

That's better.

Now look here. Here's the secret.

How would you like it if you and I got to be very, very good friends?

- I don't think I would like it, sir. - Why, Elizabeth!

I would like to talk to Elizabeth alone. Do you mind?

- Of course not. - Thank you.

Tell me. Why wouldn't you like to be friends with me?

- Oh, just because. - Just because?

You've got to give me a much better reason than that.

Well, it's just because when grown-ups come to visit us

we have to say "Yes, ma'am" and "No, sir" and smile all the time.

- Can you keep a secret? - A secret?

Mm-hm.

- I won't tell anybody. - Shake.

Now, here's the secret:

You don't have to say any of those things to me.

You see, all this business out here is new to me.

- My regular business is being a lawyer. - What's a lawyer?

If you ever get into trouble, a lawyer is a person who gets you out of trouble.

Oh, my, I could use one almost every day.

- Tell me, what's your name, sweet? - Elizabeth Blair.

Elizabeth Blair. I've got a much better name for you than that.

If I had my way, I'd call you Curly Top.

That's what my daddy used to call me, and my mommy too.

They did? I'll bet you're just as wise as wise can be.

- Well, I can recite. - Recite? Recite what?

- Oh, poems. - What kind of poems?

"Before I was a little girl, I was a little bird.

"I could not laugh, I could not dance, I could not speak a word.

"But all about the woods I went and up into the sky.

"And isn't it a pity I've forgotten how to fly?"

I think that's the loveliest poem I ever heard.

- I know more. - Go right ahead.

"I wake in the morning early, and always the very first thing,

"I poke out my head, and I sit up in bed, and I sing and I sing and I sing. "

- I know more. - I'll bet you do.

But listen, I've got a friend that...

- Oh, I bet that isn't true. - What?

You said you had a friend. I bet you have lots of friends.

Curly, you are an old flatterer.

- Is that something bad? - Of course not, darling. Now, look here.

I'm pretty sure this friend of mine would like you.

I think he'd like to give you a beautiful home, lovely dresses to wear, dozens of dolls,

and send you to the grandest kind of school and all sorts of nice things like that.

How could your friend do all that? I thought only daddies could do such nice things.

Well, being a lawyer, that's where that comes in.

You are too young to understand, but I could arrange with my friend to legally adopt you.

All I want you to tell me is how you'd like it if my friend could do those nice things for you.

- Would you want him to? - I don't think I could do it.

You couldn't? Why not?

Do I have to say right off?

You mean you want time to think it over?

- Could I come back and tell you in a while? - Why, of course. I'll wait for you right here.

- Promise? - Promise.

Cross your heart?

Mary!

Mary! Oh, Mary!

Mary! Mary!

Mary!

Mrs Denham, suppose that youngster had a real chance in life.

Suppose someone gave her everything money can buy.

Of course, we always hope our children may be adopted.

But Elizabeth's case presents a special problem. You see...

There's no human problem that can't be solved by kindness.

- By Jove, Mrs Denham, I'll do it. - You mean that you'll adopt Elizabeth?

On one condition. She must never know that I'm her guardian.

Why not?

Because she's always had to give thanks for every mouthful.

She's never gonna have to be grateful to me.

From now on, she's going to have all the lovely things in life,

just because she has a right to them.

- But the child will have to be told something. - That's right. Let's see.

I've got it. Tell her that I'm acting for a client.

We'll say that she's being adopted by a man by the name of...

- Let's call him Hiram Jones. - Oh, Mr Morgan...

Before you go on, there's something about Elizabeth that you must know.

Come in.

Well, have you made up your mind?

- You haven't? Why not? - Could I tell your friend?

My friend?

Oh!

You mean Mr Jones. Hiram Jones, hm? What is it you want to tell him?

I would like to tell him that I'd love to go and live in his house if my sister could come too.

- Your sister? - Yes, my sister, Mary.

- She works in the kitchen. There she is. - This is Mary Blair, Mr Morgan.

We've met.

Isn't my sister pretty? And she's awfully nice, too.

Mr Morgan, I'm very grateful to you -

I mean, to your friend - for wanting to adopt Curly.

But you see, when my father and mother...

- Darling, could you run outside? - Must I?

- I think you'd better. - All right.

You see, Mr Morgan, at the time my father and mother were killed...

- Killed? - Yes, in an automobile accident.

- I'm so sorry. - At the hospital, just before they...

just before they died,

I promised them Curly and I would never be separated.

I couldn't break that promise, Mr Morgan. She needs me. And I need her.

I understand.

I hope you'll thank your friend for us. Please tell him how grateful we are, but...

Goodbye, Mr Morgan.

- I like that. - Thank you, Aunt Genevieve.

- One of your own compositions? - The melody came to me only this evening.

Quite the nicest thing you've ever done, Edward. It has real feeling.

Your little nephew has real feeling, my darling, just like anyone else.

I'm going upstairs to write some letters.

I'll come down and kiss you good night before I go to bed.

- Promise? - I do.

All right, it's a bargain.

In the meantime I shall be thinking up at least six new compliments for you.

Edward?

Edward.

- Aunt Genevieve. - Well, I'm waiting.

- For what? - For my compliments, of course.

- You promised me an even half-dozen. - So I did.

I shan't be able to keep my promise. I've been very busy.

- Busy. - Word of honour.

I've been playing an old and charming game. I've been daydreaming.

Just suppose, for example... See that painting there?

But of course I do. I'll have you know my eyesight's every bit as good as it ever was.

Suppose the figure of that lovely child should suddenly come to life.

Suppose it smiled at you and waved its hand.

- What would you do? - I'd call a doctor.

Now, Edward, now, now, take it easy.

Well, the truth of the matter is, I just love your game.

I'd adore it if the child in that picture could come into this home and actually live with us.

Do you really mean that, Aunt Genevieve?

There's nothing that makes a home so happy as the sound of a chil�s laughter.

- By Jove, I'll do it. - Do what?

We'll open our place at Southampton. I can arrange for all the necessary legal details.

You can do all the shopping required: Dresses and all the gadgets that go with them.

We'll have a glorious summer. I'll send the limousine out next week...

- For what? - For that lovely child in the painting.

Now, Edward, game or no game, you sound to me a little tetched in the head.

I've gone mad, Aunt Genevieve. Delightfully mad.

- I think I will send for that doctor. - I should if I were you.

And before the doctor arrives, let me be the first to congratulate you.

- Congratulate me? For what? - My dear, you're about to become a mother.

- Bye, Mrs Denham. - Bye.

- Goodbye. - Bye, Mrs Higgins.

Goodbye.

Goodbye, Mrs Higgins.

- All right, Mister. - Very good, Miss.

Goodbye, Jeanie. Goodbye, Betsy.

- Bye. - Bye.

Henrietta, what are you blubbering about?

I can't help it. I'm so happy.

There's no need to be sentimental.

What are you crying for?

Why shouldn't I? Why can't I be happy too?

Mrs Higgins said that now we're going to live in high society

we must always remember to be grand ladies.

Oh, I won't forget.

My word!

Will you tell Mr Morgan that Miss Blair and her sister are here?

Hello, Mister.

Elizabeth.

Am I to understand that the livestock are also calling on Mr Morgan?

- They are. - My word!

- A Miss Blair and her sister to see you, sir. - Aunt Genevieve, they're here.

Hello.

Curly!

Well, where in the world did the menagerie come from?

- They were right behind us all the time. - Right behind you?

Yes, sir, in the back seat.

Aunt Genevieve, meet our new family.

- Mary, Elizabeth, this is Aunt Genevieve. - My dears, I'm very glad to see you both.

- Won't you come in? - Hello.

Hello!

Oh, Reynolds, will you see to it that our other guests are comfortably taken care of?

You mean the, uh... livestock, sir?

Right.

Butling to a pony and a duck!

Now, no nonsense now.

I say, do you understand what I'm saying to you?

My word!

- How do you like your new home? - It's wonderful.

- Would you like to look round? - Mm-hm.

But first I would like to see where Spunky and Betsy are going to sleep.

Oh, no, Edward. Elizabeth must rest before dinner.

- Come now, Aunt... - Mr Jones has given strict orders.

Mr Jones insists that Elizabeth and Mary have only the best of care.

- I see. Well, we can't argue with Mr Jones. - That's what I thought.

All right, then, Mr Jones wins. But I'll see you all at dinner, hm?

Come, dear.

Breakfast at eight. Luncheon at one.

Dinner at seven.

My word!

I think this will help you, Miss.

Allow me.

Now I'm just like a grown-up.

- Thank you, sir. - Thank you, Miss.

Why, I didn't do anything.

- Yes, Miss? - Wouldn't you like to sit down too?

Well...

- Coffee on the terrace, Reynolds. - Very good, sir.

Could I say something to Mr Reynolds, privately?

I think it could be arranged. But don't stay too long.

I won't.

I want to thank you for a very nice dinner, sir.

Thank you, Miss.

You wish for something else, Miss? What is it, Miss?

Couldn't you come down here so I could talk to you?

Oh, my word, you are a package!

Will you be my friend?

Whenever I do anything wrong at the table, will you always stop me?

I will indeed, Miss.

- Promise? - I do, Miss.

I'll always attempt to serve you as if... as if you were a princess.

A princess? My, you are nice.

- Happy? - I didn't know such happiness existed.

Promise to let me know if Mr Jones can do more for you?

He couldn't do anything more.

- But you could do me a great favour. - Done. What?

Tell me all about Mr Jones.

Not knowing him or even what he looks like makes him seem such a strange person.

He is a strange sort of person, Mary. Very strange.

Perhaps I can best explain him to you if I tell you what he said just before you came here.

Do tell me.

He told me that all of his life he's had a hunger in his heart.

A hunger to love and be loved just for himself.

Said he'd travelled all over the world - Europe, Egypt, the Orient -

he'd searched everywhere for a simple sort of happiness and companionship.

- He never found it? - Not real happiness.

He will find it someday. He must.

Maybe you're right, Mary. Happiness may come to Jones, and soon.

Just before he sailed for Europe, he said that, at last, there was... hope in his heart.

I wish I could thank him for all he's done.

Tell him how grateful I am for all the happiness he's brought to Curly and me.

Just knowing that you and Curly have found happiness here, that'll make him happy.

I can promise you that.

This is not a dream, is it?

No, darling. Come to bed now.

- Good night. Did you say your prayers? - Mm-hm.

- Mary? - Yes, dear?

My pyjamas feel awfully nice. What are they made of, Mary?

- Silk. - Silk?

Oh, my goodness!

Good night, dear.

Good night.

Mary.

Uncle Edward said that Mr Jones was going to send you to a music school.

Uh-huh.

And he said that he was going to give me a pony cart and lots of pretty dresses.

I know, dear. It's all so wonderful, I can hardly believe it.

But we mustn't talk about it any more tonight. It's time to go to sleep. Good night.

Good night.

Mary... is Mr Hiram Jones a very rich man?

He must be, darling.

Do you think maybe he could be the richest man in the world?

Mm, he might be.

The richest man in all the world? Oh, my goodness!

- Your Southampton bills, sir. - Thank you.

Two aquaplane boards. Don't you think it's dangerous for that youngster to...?

Dangerous? That child swims like a fish.

I really believe she's Neptune's daughter in disguise.

I hope you enjoyed your lunch, Miss Elizabeth.

- I always like to eat. - A splendid habit, Miss, if I may say so.

- Did my pony and duck have a nice lunch? - Oh, quite, Miss.

- Are you going to give me a nice dinner? - Without fail, Miss.

- I wish you wouldn't bow so much. - I'm sorry, Miss.

There you go again.

You'll make my back ache.

My word!

- Isn't that the funniest picture ever? - Mm-hm.

Curly, careful of your eyes in this sunlight.

Oh, this won't hurt my eyes. This is just the funny papers.

Isn't that the one I've read you at least a dozen times since Sunday?

Mm-hm.

- Will you read it to me again? - Yes, if you like.

But suppose we wait until later in the afternoon, after you've had your nap?

All right. I won't forget.

Jimmie, the Atlantic Ocean seems rather quiet without you splashing about.

- Why aren't you swimming today? - I couldn't make it today. I had to work.

Work? I hope you don't call flying that airplane of yours work.

Mary loves to fly. She's been up lots of times with me.

Yes, she's told me all about it. You've been very nice to Mary this summer.

- That isn't hard to do. - No, I gathered you didn't find that hard work.

Mrs Graham, I'd like to talk to you about Mary.

- Well, there's no law against it. - Mary is a wonderful girl, Mrs Graham.

We've had grand times together this summer.

Seems that, no matter what, we always like the same things.

She likes to fly with me, she's a beautiful dancer,

and we're both crazy about all kinds of outdoor sport.

I'd like to talk about Mary to her guardian, Mr Jones.

- But the catch is that he's in Europe now. - What would you like to say to Mr Jones?

Well, you see, Mary doesn't want to make up her mind about anything -

I mean, anything important - without Mr Jones' permission.

- I thought maybe I could write him a letter. - What about?

Well, I... I really can't tell you that, Mrs Graham.

- I haven't even told Mary about that. - Oh, I see.

- Do you think I ought to write to Mr Jones... - Jimmie.

- Hello, Mary. - Hello, Jimmie.

The water was wonderful. Aunt Genevieve, did you sell him a ticket?

- Mary, I forgot. - A ticket? For what?

Don't tell me you don't know about it. We're giving a show.

- Who is? What's this all about? - It's Curly's show, really.

I'm just going to help out. It's a benefit performance.

- A benefit? For whom? - Curly had the most charming idea, Jimmie.

She couldn't forget her friends in the orphanage.

She wanted to raise some money to buy playthings for them.

- It was so nice of you to come, Mrs Denham. - Wild horses couldn't have kept me away.

Do you know, this is the biggest thrill of my life.

- I'd try awfully hard to make you happy. - Jimmie, you're pretty swell,

but I... I just couldn't marry you.

Is there someone else?

- I can't tell you that. - Well, I know there is, all right.

I watched you at dinner tonight and I watched you...

Well, you're always looking at Mr Morgan.

- Why shouldn't I? - Because I don't like him.

He's got a swelled head, and just because he's got all the money in the world, he...

Jimmie... I won't let you talk about him that way.

I'm sorry.

- It's all right. - I'll always love you, Mary.

Even... even if you say you can't really care for me.

Oh, Jimmie...

Do stop that ridiculous prowling about. You act as if you had the heebie-jeebies.

- I'm just restless. - You've been restless for the last three days.

Ever since you arrived to see Curly's show.

Can't you think of something more interesting to talk about? I'm just nervous.

I might be able to change the subject if I really put my mind to it.

- It'd make a hit with me if you will. - Very well.

Let me see, what shall we talk about?

- Have you seen Mary since dinner? - Nope, I haven't.

She, uh... she went out somewhere with Jimmie, didn't she?

- How should I know? - Don't they make an adorable couple?

- Do they? - He's very much in love with her.

He's a wonderful catch. He comes into money on both sides of his family.

He does, does he? Maybe that's the reason he's got a swelled head.

That, and the brass buttons on his trick uniform.

Why, Edward, I didn't know you'd ever noticed Jimmie.

I am surprised to learn that you've even observed the kind of clothes he wears.

Conceited young idler.

- Will you stop laughing? - I will not.

Edward Morgan, insanely jealous, and acting like a sixteen-year-old Romeo.

Oh, dear, this is the happiest moment of my life.

I'm not at all jealous. Do you think I care anything about Mary Blair?

The only reason she's here is because it was impossible to take Elizabeth without her.

- I'm not in the least interested in Mary. - I'm so relieved to hear you say that.

- Relieved? Why? - Edward, I've been noticing things.

And I had convinced myself that you'd grown very fond of Mary.

- In which case, there might be complications. - Complications?

I'll try to make myself clear.

I believe that Jimmie Rogers means to propose to Mary before the summer is over.

- How do you know that? - I looked at him.

You think you can tell a thing like that by just looking at a man?

Any woman of my age and experience who can't tell just by looking at a man...

Oh, nonsense!

What are you thinking about?

- I'm not thinking. I've decided. - Decided what?

- I'll get the fastest plane in the country. - You aren't going to fly it yourself?

Certainly. Why not?

And that isn't all. I'm going to start learning some of those trick dances, too.

- I'll make you happy, Mary. I know I will. - I believe you, Jimmie.

- Oh, hello, Mr Morgan. - Jimmie, will you pardon me?

- Mary, I want to talk to you alone. - You'll have to ask me about that, sir.

- What? - Jimmie.

I want to tell him. I'm the luckiest man in the world, Mr Morgan.

Lucky? What do you mean?

- Mary and I have just become engaged, sir. - Engaged?

That's right, sir. The way I feel about it, well, I just want to go out and tell the whole world.

I understand, Jimmie. You should be very proud.

Mary's a fine girl.

- I want to be the first to congratulate you. - Thank you, sir.

Mary, my congratulations to you.

I'm sure that you and Jimmie will find real happiness.

- I'll do everything to make that come true. - I'm sure.

And if there's ever anything I can do to add to your happiness - anything, understand? -

- I want you to promise to let me know. - Say, Mr Morgan, you're pretty swell.

- I mean it, Jimmie, every word of it. - Thank you, sir.

Well, good night. Good night and my best to both of you, always.

Uncle Edward! Uncle Edward!

Time to get up.

Uncle Edward.

Oh, my goodness!

Sleepy head! If you aren't really awake, I can jump on your stomach again.

Never mind!

- You can't go back to sleep again. - This is Sunday morning...

Oh, no, Uncle Edward. No, sir!

All right, you win.

- Read me the funny papers? - Wait a minute.

How about breakfast and Sunday school?

I like Sunday school. Will you take me?

- Yes, siree. - Give me a ride?

- I'll get your bathrobe and slippers. - All right.

Yippee!

All right, that's enough of that.

Now, I want you to tell me everything you've been doing while I've been away.

I've been in the city for a whole week. What have you been up to?

- Every day I was wishing that you were here. - Curly, you flatterer.

- Any special reason you wanted to see me? - Very special.

- I wanted to talk to you about something. - All right, here I am. What is it?

Well, I wanted to talk to you about getting married.

What?!

Curly, whatever put that notion into your funny little head?

- Please don't laugh, Uncle Edward. - I'm sorry. I forgot that this was very special.

Now, just what is it you want to know about getting married?

- Well... what does getting married mean? - You mean like Jimmie and Mary?

That means they'll have their own home and always live together.

Mary said that I was going to live in Jimmie's house.

Does that mean Jimmie's getting married to me too?

- I'll tell you all about that some other time. - I don't want to get married to Jimmie.

- Why not? - I want Mary and me to get married to you.

Curly, you're a designing woman.

Now get up and get out of here. I've got to get dressed. Do you hear me?

Come on.

Now, breakfast, funnies, Sunday school and lunch.

- Then I've got a real surprise for you. - Is it a present?

It wouldn't be a surprise any more if I told you.

Mary! Mary!

My word!

- Look at Aunt Genevieve. - Edward, how dare you spy on me!

- What's the matter, growing pains? - Why shouldn't I grow up?

- Please, Uncle Edward, what's my surprise? - I have two surprises for you, young lady.

- Two?! - Mm-hm.

Come on, darling.

- Ready for the first one? - I can hardly wait.

You won't have to wait - not another minute.

You sit right here and listen very, very carefully.

All right.

Whoopee!

- Oh, but you are a bundle ofjoy. - That was beautiful, dear.

Thank you. Have you got a present for me too?

Yes, one for you and one for Mary.

- Will you run and tell Mary to come in? - Mm-hm.

Mary! Mary!

Uncle Edward has a surprise for us.

You might as well admit that you're in love with Mary.

- Why don't you tell her so? - Haven't you heard the news?

It so happens that Mary's engaged to Jimmie.

Have you ever told her that you love her?

Here she is, Uncle Edward.

- Can I have my surprise first? - Yes, indeed you may.

- Oh, goodie. - Here you are, young lady.

A string of pearls.

Pearls?

They lookjust like those little stones on the beach.

- Oh, Elizabeth! - Do you like them?

I would really rather have a pair of roller skates.

Well, we'll throw them in for good measure.

I'm sailing for Europe next week.

Before I go, I want to give you an engagement present and wish you every happiness.

I can't take it.

Why not?

I wasn't really in love with Jimmie. We're not engaged any more.

I told him last night.

- You aren't going to marry him? - No.

- Mary, you'd better watch out. - Watch out?

You might not get married at all.

I asked Uncle Edward to marry us this morning and he said he wouldn't.

- Oh, Elizabeth, you didn't? - Oh, yes, I did.

Didn't I ask you to marry us, Uncle Edward?

Oh, Elizabeth!

Mary, wait. I... I want to talk with you.

What's the matter? They seem kind of excited.

- We'll go abroad and stay a whole year. - It sounds like heaven.

- We'll make it heaven, darling. - Look, can't we share our happiness?

- What do you mean? - With the person who made it possible.

- You mean Mr Jones? - Yes.

Oh, Mary, you blind little sweetheart. There never was any Mr Jones.

- You mean that... you're Mr...? - Mm-hm.

Oh!

Mary, do you mind if Uncle Edward could come now and read me the funnies?

Oh, my word!

This is the moment I've dreaded... Coming back to our home...

alone.

Oh, Tim. Tim. You've been gone only an hour,

and already the house is empty without you.

Darling, forgive me.

I held myself together through all our good-byes

and I've tried to understand,

but I still don't know why you should risk your life...

You, the best-natured and dearest person in the world.

I'll try to remember what you said last night...

That years from now,

this will seem the greatest adventure we ever had,

even though we had it separately.

But I have no courage, Tim.

You know I have no courage, and I have no vision.

And already I'm so very lonely.

We've had at least today.

I'll try to keep all the good things as they were.

I'll keep the past alive,

like a warm room for you to come back to.

I promise.

I promise.

Mother!

Mother!

- Mother, where are you? - Upstairs, dear.

Hello, Mother.

Hi, darlings. Are you awfully wet?

Jane, such a nice, fresh cheek.

Better get your wet things off, Brig.

Did Pop get off all right? Was his train on time?

It was mean of Pop not to let us go to the station with you.

Darling, you know how much he loves you.

He didn't even want me there.

You know how he hates a fuss. And Louisiana's not so far.

And he'll be home on leave before he go...

He looked so swell in his captain's uniform, didn't he?

I'll bet the others were all jealous. I'd hate a squinchy little father.

Pop looks like a parade all by himself.

- Did he have my present with him? - Right in his pocket, Brig.

I hope he keeps all his money in it and everything.

I hope he buys those generals a drink,

and maybe he'll be a major by the time he gets home on leave.

He can be a major anytime he wants to.

Anyhow, he'd probably rather do something else with it anyway,

like sending Mother a present or...

- Or what, honey? - I don't know.

Buy some magazines or books maybe.

I wasn't really thinking.

I have an idea.

How would you like to play gin rummy before dinner?

- Okay? - Okay.

Let's not. It won't be the same without Pop.

Not even gin rummy... Nothing!

Hello, Soda.

Brig, are you never going to get out of this bathroom?

Go fly a kite. I wish you'd wait till I get through!

If you don't get through soon, you'll brush the enamel off your teeth.

You all stop that bickering.

It's time you girls was getting to bed.

- Hi, Fidelia. - Hello, Fidelia.

- Where have you been all day? - Where's your mother?

I'm in here, in Jane's room.

All right, princess, the mirror's all yours now.

You can have a wonderful time looking at yourself.

Evening, Miz Hilton.

Did Captain Hilton get away all right this afternoon?

Yes, Fidelia. He said he'd send you a postcard from New Orleans.

What about you? How did things go?

I got that job this afternoon with some lofty people uptown.

The wages is mighty fine- I starts right away-.

But I ain't gonna be contentment.

I ain't gonna be contentment like I been right here all these years.

I'm afraid we're not going to be very contentment either, Fidelia.

What's more, I don't know what kind of housekeeper I'm going to make.

I can tell you something. You ain't gonna be very good.

I've been figuring out this budget. I don't see how we're going to make it.

I've already arranged to sell the car.

I don't think the government pays them officers enough.

I don't see why Mr. Hilton ain't worth as much to Uncle Sam

as he was to that advertising company.

You'll probably have a much easier time

than you've had taking care of all of us.

You're not leaving us?

Did we do something to make you mad?

Honey, you couldn't do nothing to make me mad, no matter what.

You're just like my own child.

Did I hear something about Fidelia leaving?

Now, Jane, I'm just as unhappy about it as you are.

We can't keep up the payments on the house

just by cutting down on your allowances.

Golly. First Pop, and now Fidelia.

That's enough of that, Brig. I don't want no mourning.

You say good night to your sister and run along to bed.

You, too, Jane. Tomorrow's a school day.

The Lord Himself will have to take care of these calamities somehow.

You'll come to see us, won't you, Fidelia?

Of course I will, child.

If you don't pick up your clothes, you never will keep a husband.

Men don't fancy disorderment.

- Good night for now, Jane, honey. - Good night, Fidelia.

Whee! I'm a commando!

This is all that's left of Fidelia's last cake,

and I'm afraid it's pretty stale, but cake is cake these days.

I don't care what they do as long as they don't ration pickles.

Yes, I know.

You'll have chronic indigestion by the time the war's over.

Hi, Gladys.

What on earth's the matter with that child?

Gladys is afraid of grownups, that's all.

I'd like to hear her say two words just to be sure she can talk.

Who you talking about-Gladys? I don't see how Brig can put up with it.

I don't think much of your friends. They're all man-crazy just like you are-.

It's too early in the morning to argue.

Hurry up. You'll be late.

You tell Becky Anderson the next time she tries to high-hat me...

- Good morning, Mr. Mahoney. - Good morning, girls.

- Good morning. - Good morning, Mrs. Hilton.

I thought I'd bring the groceries and see if there was anything I could do.

That is nice of you. I think I'll need all the help I can get.

I hope you won't mind waiting on last month's bill.

I haven't received my first allotment check yet,

and I'm not a very good manager.

I know, everybody's got problems these days.

Now, you take me, for instance.

I'm trying to get enough of everything for my customers.

Would you believe it, Mrs. Hilton... One of them had the nerve

to ask me why I didn't go into the black market.

- Me, with my boy in the service. - You don't mean Johnny?

I wondered why I haven't seen him lately.

Yes, ma'am, and he's a mighty fine boy.

I've got a picture of him in his uniform right here.

I'd love to see him.

You're very proud of him, aren't you?

Yes, ma'am.

There are two things that Johnny always wanted to be.

One of them was to be an aviator.

And what is Johnny's other ambition, Mr. Mahoney?

Well, you wouldn't be believin' this maybe,

but it's advertising - Advertising.

My Johnny always wanted to be an advertising man.

Well, I'm sure he'll be very successful at it.

You really think that, do you, ma'am?

Yes, I do.

You do?

Well, I guess I'd better be running along.

- Good-bye, Mrs. Hilton. - Good-bye.

Mr. Mahoney.

I think Mr. Hilton might like to help Johnny

get into the advertising business when the war's over.

Now, that is an idea. It wouldn't have occurred to me.

Mr. Hilton is in the advertising business, isn't he?

And I'm sure he'd be delighted.

We've always thought Johnny was a fine, intelligent boy.

That he is, ma'am. That and a whole lot more.

And you've really given us something to look forward to...

Me and Johnny and the missus.

It was very nice of you to come and visit with me this way.

Not at all, ma'am. Not at all.

- Mother. - Yes?

Do you think that I could be a good secretary?

Ha, a secretary.

Why don't you be a Wac? You could be their mascot.

All right, go ahead and starve. See if I care.

Dumb magazines.

Everybody's got magazines.

I know!

Why don't we take somebody into the house -a roomer?

If you're going to throw away aces, Jane, that's fine with me.

Mother, why shouldn't we rent a room?

- There's such a terrible shortage. - Go away-.

Down with five.

It's perfectly ridiculous, Brig. A stranger in our home.

Where you get your ideas is beyond me.

Certainly it's ridiculous. It's Communism... that's what it is.

Oh, pooh. We could get an officer maybe.

And it might be sort of like having Pop back.

An officer.

I think maybe she's right.

I understand there's not a room to be had in town.

It might be very patriotic of us to take an officer into our house.

Patriotism hasn't anything to do with it.

You're just crazy about uniforms.

We should do everything we can for our soldiers.

Brig, Jane, now that's enough.

Do you want to finish this game or don't you?

- 102. It's a blitz. - Turn out the dining room lights.

Suppose Pop were looking for a room in some crowded city.

Hurry up, Jane. It can't be that hard to figure out.

Suppose there was a family like ours that had three bedrooms.

Don't you think it would be malicious not to rent a room to Pop?

Well, Jane?

I won almost $6,000.

592 points at $10 a point.

Deduct it from what you owe me.

And poor Pop sleeping in the park!

All right, all right, Pop is sleeping in the park

and the people are malicious and we decide to rent him a room.

- Now you satisfied? - You'll do it?

I didn't say I'd do it. I'll think about it.

I knew you couldn't be mean like those characters in that other city.

Come along.

I wonder how much we can get for Jane's room.

My room?

How much will that be for three days?

What?

Brig, turn that thing off. I can't hear.

I'm awfully sorry.

Yes. Will this get into the early edition?

Yes. Fireplace and bay window.

Oh, all right. Put in "homey atmosphere."

Mother! Mother! Wait, please!

Keep quiet, Brig. Would you send the bill to this address, please?

Thank you.

You don't mean you're going to rent your room?

That's the room that will bring the most money.

I'll take your room, and you can double up with Jane.

You're not going to put somebody in Pop's room?

I didn't mean that.

You wouldn't want those characters in that other city

to put Pop in anything but their best room, would you?

But that's different. He's Pop.

Good morning.

Is this the place that advertised for an officer?

That's right.

With the real fireplace, nice bay window, southern exposure?

That's right.

I haven't seen the room yet, but the homey atmosphere seems okay.

I guess it's a deal.

I'm sorry, but the room's already taken.

Oh, I see.

I'm sorry you had the trip for nothing.

Yes, I can see you're grief-stricken.

Hi, beaver.

Good morning. Mrs. Hilton, I presume.

Yes.

May I be permitted to observe,

this is the first house I've found in this godforsaken community

- that doesn't smell of cabbage. - Well, it does sometimes.

I was given to understand at the office of the Purchasing Division,

to which I have the misfortune to be attached,

that you had a room for rent.

Yes, but I specified an officer. You see, my husband...

My name is Smollett, William G., Colonel, United States Army, retired.

Retired, I might add, by virtue of certain fatuous opinions

held in the War Department which judge a man's usefulness

neither by his experience nor his ability,

but by the number of years since he was weaned.

Soda.

There was nothing in the information I was furnished

which indicated that you had children and domestic pets.

I'm sorry, but they go with the house.

We won't discuss it. With your permission, madam,

may we dispense with further conversation?

I should like to inspect the room.

Certainly, just follow me.

I do hope you'll forgive me if I've been long-winded.

Not at all, madam.

Through a full and somewhat protracted existence,

I have learned to accept the natural tendency

of all women to be garrulous.

You're very tolerant, Colonel.

This is an outrage! Mrs. Hilton!

Can I do anything for you, Colonel Smollett?

- Mother's busy in the kitchen. - Indeed you can, Miss Hilton.

You can tell me who had the kindness

to leave on my bed this pronouncement from Washington,

this lesson in old-world courtesy and manners.

I did that, Colonel Smollett.

I thought it might make it easier for us to get along.

Would you mind helping me with my aquarium?

What?

Mother's going to use this room. I have to get my things into Jane's room.

Now, if you'll just grab that end there...

Now you walk backwards and I'll steer you.

The big one seems to be the commanding officer.

- Don't you think that's intriguing? - Fascinating.

It's a little over to the right.

Be careful not to shake them. They're very sensitive.

You must forgive me if I do anything wrong.

This is my first experience hauling fish.

Thanks, Colonel. I'll do as much for you someday.

I'll tell you what you can do for me, young woman.

There are certain elaborate suggestions on page three

of this war communiqué concerning the condition,

the schedule, and the equipment of the bathroom.

- Oh, yes. - You do see?

Then may I ask you to follow me for a moment?

It was my idea that we should take in a roomer,

and I'm so glad the whole thing's turned out so super.

Since you are so ecstatic over the whole arrangement,

may I ask you whether you expect me to bathe under that?

Golly, there's a shower off Pop's room... I mean your room.

And is it necessary that your paying guest

share the facilities of the house with this vegetable life?

You don't understand. This is the philodendron Pop gave me.

It needs water. I don't think rain water gives it enough nourishment.

Really? As soon as there's no longer any danger

of pernicious anemia, would you mind removing that topsoil?

Yes, and another thing. I neglected to inform your mother

that I like my breakfast promptly at 7:00...

Coffee, thin toast, and two eggs boiled, 21/2 minutes...

Under no circumstances more than three.

We can't afford to give you breakfast.

As it is now, poor Mother doesn't know what to do.

When Fidelia was here, the bills didn't seem to be so high, but now...

Please. I'm quite prepared to pay.

That's fine. What would you say to 50 cents a day?

- That seems a bit high. - We'll make it $3 a week.

There's the doorbell. Let's call it a deal. Good night.

But...

Let me see...

a week for rent...

for breakfast.

Fidelia! This is a nice surprise.

I thought I'd run down and see how you all was getting along.

- Just about the way you predicted. - We miss you, Fidelia.

You just give me that apron and let Fidelia finish what you was doing.

Nothing of the kind. You must be tired. Now sit down.

Child, would you mind running along?

I got some troublement I wants to unburden onto your mother.

- You go on upstairs, dear. - I'll come up and tuck you in.

All right.

Mother, remind me to tell you about the momentous deal I made.

All right, honey.

- Sit here, Fidelia. - Thank you.

You see, Miz Hilton, it's this way...

Them uptown folks is all right in their way,

but it's that lazy trash they got working for 'em.

Miz Hilton, I just won't abode in the same quarters with them-.

When I finishes my work, I wants my solitude

and I wants my privitation.

Fidelia, I'd do anything if I could have you back,

- but things aren't any better... - I knows.

Your bills is runnin' awful high.

"High" isn't the word for it. But how do you know?

I hopes you won't think I'm buttin' in,

but I been keepin' mighty close touch,

and when I heard tell this afternoon about that Colonel Smellett...

And here I'm makin' all that easy money,

and I reflects maybe you wouldn't mind renting me my old room.

Now, you know I'd never take any money from you.

That room was always yours, and it always will be.

I figured you wouldn't take my money, so I got it figured out.

I can work here on my days off, and nights, too.

I'm strong as a horse.

Oh, no. You're not as young as you used to be.

You're not gonna do any work for us.

It'll be wonderful just to have you in the house.

Miz Hilton, that's the most beautiful thing I ever heard anybody say

in all my born days.

If you don't mind, I'll just go get my bag.

You shouldn't bother going back for it tonight.

It ain't no bother, Miz Hilton. It's sittin' right here.

This whole moral breakdown

is being caused by drinking and nothing else.

They certainly serve rotten scotch at this bar-.

I should go with what? That's what I want to know.

The one I was with sure was a dope.

He didn't know where he'd been

or where he was going or anything!

I haven't got anything against red fingernails,

but it's carrying it too far when they paint their toes.

I bought six dozen before the hoarders got there.

I can't write him everything the baby says

one one of those little V-mail forms.

Emily, let's not go to the bar. I could use a drink, but...

Don't be so old-fashioned.

Will you let us through, please?

I've been here 20 minutes, and...

Of course, go right ahead. I was leaving anyway.

He's rather nice-looking, don't you think?

Still have your weather eye out?

There are compensations for being a divorcee-.

Bartender!

- Anne, what do you imagine you'd like? - Anything at all-You order for me-.

You make a good Planter's Punch?

I'll make 'em, and if you don't like 'em, you don't need to drink 'em.

All right, then two. With light rum.

I knew I had something to talk to you about.

That vicious tongue Vivian Robinson with the bad skin

is saying you've taken in a roomer.

I tried to tell her it must be a relative.

No, that's the truth. I've taken a roomer.

We need the money.

If things are that bad,

Tim Hilton had no business going into the Army.

To be honest, I don't understand it myself,

but I knew that Tim was miserable from the start not being in it-.

All these irresponsible 40-year-old fathers dashing off into uniform.

Does it always have to be Tim?

- Tony! - Yes. The eternal also-ran.

Emily, do you know Lieutenant Willett? Mrs. Hawkins.

I've never had the pleasure, but I've always had a soft spot for Navy men.

How do you do?

I didn't know you'd turned into a barfly-.

I've been trying to get you on the phone

to tell you that your old lover was back in town.

Do you want the whole town to know?

If you want to be hypocritical about it.

I heard that Tim had been shipped out,

so I went to the admiral and convinced him I'd chartered the Great Lakes.

Fine. How long are we going to be honored with your presence?

Long enough to get ready for a shakedown cruise.

If you're not stubborn, that ought to give me the time I need.

Don't you think so, Mrs. Hawkins?

I really don't know, I'm sure.

- I think you believe him! - I can't say I blame you much.

You're what I call a discerning woman.

Tony's our oldest friend. He was Tim's best man.

We can give Mrs. Hawkins the vital statistics some other time.

Let's get out of here. I need more privacy.

- I haven't touched my drink. - We can get another one.

Don't let us rush you, Mrs. Hawkins. Good-bye.

- What about the check? - Don't bother, Lieutenant.

- I'll take care of it. - That's fine.

But, Tony... Good-bye, Emily.

That was a terribly rude thing to do to poor Emily.

Poor Emily, my foot.

Do you know of any place in this gay metropolis

where I can conquer my two passions at the same time?

You've been leading me on. There is someone on the Lakes besides me.

Don't be silly. I'm talking about you...

You and a nice thick steak.

The Whitefish, signor, is simply delicious.

Grilled. You'll like it.

Two steaks, thick.

Lobster creole, specialty of the house.

- Two steaks, thick. - I must tell the truth, Commodore.

We are fresh out of steaks since last Tuesday.

This is a steak house. It says right here... "thick Kansas City steak."

I can't help it, signor.

- There is a war on, you know. - There's a war on, you know.

Yes, I found that out.

Bring us whatever you have... Anything but hash.

Bravo, signor. You will be very happy. You'll see.

What are you looking so depressed about?

My life is an endless series of disappointments...

No steak, nobody loves me.

You wouldn't think so if you'd heard the kids when I told them you were in town.

I can't figure out just what special charm you have for them.

They have better taste than their mother.

I think they believe you're some kind of genius.

Those cover girls you used to paint for romantic tales

really gave you glamour in their eyes.

Gone are the days.

Still, there is a certain similarity

between a beautiful woman and a battleship.

There must be, or else why would you be so interested in battleships?

You got me wrong, Anne.

As far as I'm concerned, there never was a beautiful woman but you.

Ever since that summer the crowd of us went to the Thousand Islands

and I first saw you standing on that little yawl.

You had on that white bathing suit. Remember?

With your hair blowing in the wind.

Why, Tony Willett!

When did you get back?

- Hello, sugar. - Give me a ring.

Yes, I will. I will.

We were in the Thousand Islands with my hair blowing in the wind.

Really, Anne, that was nobody at all,

just a girl I happened to meet the last time I was in town.

Tony, you don't have to apologize to me.

I'd be disappointed if you ever changed.

When we get home, I'll show you something to prove...

What do you mean, when "we" get home?

You certainly mean to put me up?

Probably can't get a room anyplace else.

The hotels are jammed.

Why do these things always happen to me?

I don't see why it should be any hardship to you.

You ought to have plenty of room.

You think you're going to share my room?

The girls can double up.

The girls have already doubled up.

- We have a lodger. - A lodger?

Don't start I had enough of it from Emily.

- We needed the money. - Get a job.

You look perfectly able-bodied to me, if I may use the word "body."

What on earth could I do?

You could do plenty if you really wanted to.

Let's skip it.

I don't want to hear a serious word out of either of us until I leave.

Tony, it's so good to see you.

Next to Tim being home on leave, it's the nicest thing...

There you go again.

I buy you a beautiful dinner, and what thanks do I get?

Tim. Tim. What's that?

Specialty of the house... Chicken hash.

Well, blow me down.

I think Uncle Tony must be

the most distinguished-looking officer in the whole Navy.

Admiral King's not so bad.

I mean young officers, silly.

You'd better finish your homework and stop mooning around.

And the governor said to the admiral, "16-inch guns?"

Land sakes, can't they shoot any further than that?"

- Uncle Tony! - Jane!

What's the matter?

You don't seem very glad to see me.

But I am. I am. Honestly, I am.

- Uncle Tony! - Brig!

That's what I call a real reception.

- You're not staying with us? - Yes, he's staying with us.

Don't go spoiling him. We're going to have enough trouble as it is.

Uncle Tony couldn't be any trouble.

It's just wonderful having him here.

Don't listen to your mother. I'm counting on you spoiling me.

There's just one thing, please.

Do you think you and Brig could cut out that "Uncle" stuff?

I'm not your uncle. It makes me feel 108.

You mean we're gonna have to call you Lieutenant Willett?

"Tony" to you, Miss Hilton.

That must be the taxi driver

with that mysterious object you lugged along.

You won't be so indifferent when you see what it is.

I don't know what this thing is,

but could be the side of a house, I suppose.

- I ain't got no change. - Don't worry, I borrowed it myself.

Thanks, Captain. Thanks a lot.

Say, lady, it sure must be nice having your husband home again.

Well, he's not my...

What's so funny about that?

Imagine anybody taking you for Pop.

You think your pop's wonderful, don't you?

- Well, he is. - But you don't have to rub it in.

I'll take your bags upstairs... Tony.

Don't bother, Jane.

- I don't mind, really. - Brig, you take one, too.

If we don't give the lieutenant service, he might not stay here.

- Aye-aye, sir. - Carry on, mates.

Put them in Brig's room. I'll move in with you girls.

That'll be fun.

Fun, indeed. I thought I was through with dormitories.

You'll get to know your children better.

Who's that?

Is there something gone bad, Miz Hilton?

I wouldn't call it anything good.

If it isn't my old girlfriend Fidelia.

Is that Mr. Tony Willett?

I thought we was through with you till the duration was over.

Lieutenant Willett's going to be our guest for a while.

- Happy surprise, Fidelia? - I don't know about "happy."

Don't you let these people turn your home into no boardinghouse.

Well, Fidelia! I've half a mind not to stay.

But the other half tells me to forgive you.

- What's that? - I almost forgot.

May as well have the unveiling right now.

Wait a minute. I wanna see, too!

Let's have a little light on it.

I offered it to the Navy.

- Tony, I am flattered! - That's mighty nice.

Mother, it's just like you! And so pretty.

Well, it's really not much.

I heard they needed new recruiting posters for the Waves,

and I figured that your face was the one that...

Tony Willett, I might have known!

Mr. Willett, you cover that thing right up this here minute!

Jane, you's no business looking at that.

Tony, the Navy Department didn't accept it?

No. I never even found out why.

I got the painting back, and the next thing, I was on sea duty.

Red tape, I guess.

I hope you're having enough trouble.

I wouldn't wish this on a Jap.

- Give it a little push, Jane. - All right, Tony.

- Nice going, Jane! - Tony, I'm so sorry!

Never mind, Jane. I'm sure your mother put you up to it.

No, honestly, Tony!

- Which way do I take this thing? - Starboard on the port side.

- Here, I'll help you. - How you gonna get the bed in?

- How am I going to what? - We'll put the mattress on the floor.

Don't worry, I love to sleep on the floor.

Come on.

Good evening, Colonel Smollett.

I've taken one of the mattresses out of your room.

One mattress is entirely sufficient.

Colonel Smollett, may I present an old friend of ours Lieutenant Willett.

- How are you, Colonel Smollett? - How do you do?

I take it your commission is in the Navy.

- That's right, sir. - Doesn't surprise me.

We'll get the bed set up in the morning.

- I'm moving in with the girls. - It's quite all right.

I assume you're taking the one I have not been using?

- Of course. - That's fine.

Is something wrong with one of the beds?

It's just that monstrous animal that seems to be so attached to it.

Good night.

- Mother. - Yes, Jane?

Mother, do you think I have a nice figure?

Yes, darling.

You have a beautiful figure.

Do you think Tony might paint me someday?

Over my dead body.

Wettookit. Wettookit.

- You must have the name wrong. - No.

Here it is in Pop's letter.

"We're here in Texas on maneuvers...

"in a little town called Wettookit.

We came, we saw, we took it!"

"We took it."

Very funny. I would appreciate it, my dear Bridget,

if in the future you could spare me from your father's elaborate puns.

I suppose to some people, that creature comes under the heading of "pets."

I beg your pardon, Colonel Smollett.

There's someone here to see you... Your grandson.

- William? - Hello, Grandpa!

To what peculiar combination of circumstances

do I owe this visit, William?

Well, you see, I was transferred out here to Chamberlain Field.

- I found out at your office... - Indeed?

I wasn't aware that the United States forces

had been honored by your membership.

I enlisted, sir, last summer.

So...

I don't think we need trouble these women with your autobiography.

Let's go into the living room. If you will excuse me.

Excuse me.

I presume you've come to me for help of one sort or another

with your tail between your legs.

No, sir. I thought you might like...

- You see... - Or is it money that you're after.

Speak up, boy.

I thought you might like to see me.

A very mistaken notion if ever you had one,

and you've had plenty, as we're both well aware.

After all, I thought that we may not see one another again.

I don't know when I'll be shipped out.

Come, William.

Let's not dramatize these things.

There's no need for any pretense of affection between us.

You've paid your courtesy call-.

All right, if that's the way you feel about it-.

I'm sorry to have disturbed you.

You may drop me a line with your address.

And if you have any affairs that require attention,

I shall have my lawyers look after them.

For your late father's sake.

Now, I am sure you will excuse me.

I'm a bit tired.

Good-bye, Grandpa.

What do you suppose?

I'm going in and speak to him.

Mr. Smollett?

I'm Jane Hilton. This is our home.

I see. I'm glad to meet you.

I hope you like the Army.

That is, I mean, are you on leave?

Just for the day.

I'll be at Chamberlain for a while, I suppose, until we're shipped.

That'll be nice.

I don't mean about you being shipped.

I didn't mean that either.

I hope you don't think I'm a murderer or something.

Grandfather just doesn't like me-.

I don't think it's right. I think it's just terrible of him.

He's not so bad. He has good reasons, the way he looks at it.

I've kind of disappointed him.

I don't care what you did. You're a soldier now.

And you enlisted, too. I heard you say so.

That isn't really so very much. Lots of men enlisted.

But it's awfully nice of you to talk to me this way.

Hi, Brig.

What's with the colonel? He's storming around his room

like one of the Smith Brothers with a hot foot.

I'll go up to my room and do some homework.

Hello.

Uncle... I mean Tony.

Lieutenant Willett, this is Private William Smollett.

How are you? Corporal. Engineers, isn't it?

- Yes, Lieutenant. - I'm sorry.

- You're related to the colonel? - I'm his grandson.

- But I don't know, sir... - Think nothing of it.

I cut my grandfather off without a cent.

Well, Jane, what's the program for this afternoon?

How about you and Brig taking me out?

William here... or do they call you Bill? could make a fourth.

That's nice of you, Lieutenant, but I couldn't.

Besides, if you'll forgive my saying so, sir, you're an officer...

I forgot all about that. You're right.

Let's see, Jane, what could we do?

Anything you say, Tony.

We could have tea in the garden.

That's fine. We could play some darts maybe.

Thank you, sir, but I ought to be getting back to the field.

You've both been very nice.

Next time you're in town. Will you be off next Sunday?

- How about it, Jane? - That would be lovely.

I'll look forward to it.

Well, I'd better be going.

- Good-bye, Miss Hilton. - It's nice to know you.

So long, and next war, come into the Navy.

Thanks. Thank you, sir. I will.

Well, good-bye.

That seems like a very nice boy.

- Yes, he is a nice boy, but... - Now, Jane.

You take the word of your old Uncle Tony

and be kind to that boy the next time he comes here.

- Well, he's nice enough, but... - But what?

Well, he's so young.

Besides, he isn't even an officer.

Why, Jane, I'm surprised at you.

Those are the boys who do the fighting,

and largely for their dreams of girls like you.

Far be it from me to run down officers.

You go right on advertising us- Every little bit helps-.

- Tony, I wish... - What do you wish, little Janie?

I wish I were 27.

Now, that's a coincidence. So do I.

Where's that Brig? Do you suppose she ran out on us?

I've got a nickel bet with her on Twenty Questions.

Good evening, Mrs. Hawkins. Let me help you down.

My, but you're strong, Lieutenant!

Here, men, help the young ladies.

Yes, sir!

Mrs. Hawkins, I'm so frightened.

There's nothing to be frightened of. Just go in and dance.

This here vehicle got Susie Fleming aboard?

But a boy named Spencer was supposed to meet me here.

Come on. Just go into the cloakroom and they'll give you your nametag.

It's like a great big prom, isn't it?

Mind you, Becky, dear, leave a few boys for the other girls.

Miss Hilton! Miss Hilton!

Come on, Jane. Don't dawdle.

Will you tell me when Mother and Lieutenant Willett arrive?

Just look for me at the committee table and I'll help you find them.

Hello, Miss Hilton. May I have your first dance?

Well, I really don't know what arrangements have been made.

I just can't figure out what could have happened to Susie Fleming.

Would it be too much of a favor to ask you to call me Bill?

Well, I don't know you very well, but all right, Bill.

- Hello, Emily. - Hello, Anne.

Hello, Lieutenant Willett!

I'm delighted you could come to our little party.

I practically had to tie him up and drag him.

He was afraid there wouldn't be another officer here.

There are a few.

You should see Captain Higgs. That profile... c'est jolie.

But I do believe you're the only Naval man in the place.

I'll bet they give me three cheers and a long periscope.

You'll have a good time. Wait and see.

I suppose your first dance is with Anne.

But remember, the second is mine.

That's too kind of you, Mrs. Hawkins.

If only I didn't have this charley horse.

Naturally, if you're indisposed...

I promised Tony he wouldn't have to stay long.

If you'll excuse me, I have a number of things to take care of.

Emily, would you keep an eye on Jane after we leave?

Why, certainly, my dear. I'll devote the entire evening to her.

Well, of all the phony battle-axes I've ever met.

Now, really, Tony, you asked for that.

What am I doing here with all these kids anyway?

Why, Tony Willett.

When on earth did you get back in town?

Hello, sugar.

Give me a ring sometime when you're on the loose.

Yeah. Yeah.

As I was saying, what am I doing here with these kids?

That was a cute kid, too.

It's just a girl I went to college with.

I'll bet.

- I'm Johnny Mahoney. - Of course! How are you?

Lieutenant Willett, this is Johnny Mahoney.

Your father told me you were stationed out here.

Dad bores everybody talking about me.

He has every right to brag about you.

Well, I don't know about that, Mrs. Hilton.

I wanted to thank you for what you said

about Mr. Hilton helping me after the war.

I thought maybe you might think I was taking advantage.

I didn't want you to feel any obligation.

There's no obligation, Johnny.

Anybody who gets you will be very lucky.

I'm afraid the luck's all mine,

and that's the way it's been my whole life.

I guess I have to be leaving now.

I thought the dance was just getting underway.

I stopped in to pick up my gunner.

I'm taking off in a few minutes. It's just a routine flight.

- Good night, Johnny. - Good night, Mrs. Hilton.

- Good night, Lieutenant. - Good night.

Those kids just break my heart. They're so eager.

I know.

They expect to come back to something.

What do you mean, Tony?

Something like they left, only better.

Hope they don't get too many surprises.

- Hello, Bill. - Good evening, sir.

- Hello, Tony. - Hi, Janie.

Mother, I don't believe you've met Bill Smollett.

I'm so sorry I missed you at the house the other day.

Thank you, Mrs. Hilton. Your daughter has been very nice to me.

Well, that's good.

You children run along and have a good time.

We'll be leaving soon.

Tony, aren't you going to dance with me even once?

Go ahead, Tony.

Jane, I'm really very proud of you.

You're the nicest-looking girl in the place.

Tony, do you think so?

If only I thought you really thought so.

Really, I haven't waltzed very much, Mrs. Hilton.

- Would you rather we stopped? - Bill, you invited me to dance,

and you're going to see it through whether you like it or not.

Of course, Mrs. Hilton. I'm only too happy.

I think travel broadens one so. Don't you think so?

I hope so. I'll be doing plenty of it.

Do you think the artistic life is too bohemian?

Indeed I do.

And look what happened to Bohemia.

- Did you lose something? - Yes, ma'am. Susie Fleming.

I'm beginning to get right worried about her.

I just love modern American painting. Don't you?

You're the true American ad, darling.

Nobody else ever says things like you.

I'm so sorry, sir.

My fault. I ought to watch where I'm going.

It's all right. We know you didn't mean it.

- It's over. - And very nice it was, too.

Jane, I think I ought to be behind you.

I hope we can find Mother and Tony.

What do you think you're doing anyway?

I ain't used to dancing. I'm used to pushing a plow.

You're not kidding.

I bet Emily put some vinegar in this.

If you're not careful, I'll think you don't like Emily.

As soon as we leave here, you better buy me a drink.

That's the least I'm entitled to.

Hello, Tony. I didn't know you were in town.

Hello, Sam. It's quite a dance you fellows are putting on.

- You look upset. - Just got some bad news.

- Good evening, Mrs. Hilton. - Good evening, Major.

Plane crash. Don't say anything. It might spoil the fun.

That's too bad. Where'd it happen?

Right outside town. Lost one of my best boys.

- What was his name? - Mahoney.

- He hit some wires. - Not Johnny!

- Did you know him? - But it can't be!

We were talking to him just a little while ago.

I'm extremely sorry, Mrs. Hilton. I had no idea that you knew him.

I shouldn't have said anything.

It was just that I liked Johnny very much.

- I know his father. - A terrible thing.

Beg your pardon, sir. The car's ready, sir.

- Be right there. - Yes, sir.

I've got to go and examine the wreck.

Not a very pleasant job, I can tell you.

- Good night. - So long, Sam.

Tony, how awful.

His poor parents.

Lucky Johnny.

Come on, Anne, let's dance.

Dance?

Look, Anne, you'll be hearing plenty of things like this.

Might as well get used to them now.

I feel so good! Don't you feel good?

Well, now, my Susie... She's what I'd call a one-man woman.

I love to read books. They're so significant.

Why do they call you Wolf? Is that your nickname?

You hear what they're playing?

Yes. Together.

As I remember, you and Tim drove everybody crazy wherever you went,

having them play the thing over and over again.

Please, Tony, whistle something else.

I thought that was your favorite... Next to Rock of Ages, of course.

Don't joke.

All right, have it your way... No jokes.

- What is your pleasure? - I'm sorry.

You wanted a drink. Let's go someplace.

- You feel like it? - Sure I do.

Honest?

No. Frankly, I don't feel much like it.

Neither do I.

It's pleasant being in a car again.

We used to take everything for granted.

Now I feel like a king because I can rent one for a week.

- It's one of 'em, all right. - You weren't speeding.

Have things changed around here?

Do you have to be doing something now before you get a ticket?

Where do you think you're going?

I wish I knew. What's your guess? Gibraltar? New Guinea? Kiska?

- You stationed around here? - Yes and no.

I don't want to be rude, but we're not in a chatty frame of mind.

Would you mind filling out one of those slips and getting it over with?

- You weren't doing anything. - I wasn't?

What's all this about?

It gets so lonely along this road since gas rationing.

Say, ain't it a beautiful night?

I hadn't noticed it before, but now that you mention it...

Guess I'd better be checkin' in.

Nice to have met up with you folks.

Good night.

Get one of them Japs for me!

If I lay my hands on one, I'll give him a ticket.

He's what Brig would call a character.

It can have my vote. Do you realize we're laughing?

Well, so we are. What do you know?

What, Tony?

Sometimes I wish...

How'd you like a cigarette?

I'd love one. I don't believe I've had a cigarette in a month.

I've never had such a dramatic buildup to a cigarette before.

You know what I was just thinking?

I like you best when you're not thinking.

That's right, run me down.

Tony Willett, the jolly fellow. Always good for a laugh.

You're not really going to be wounded, not by me.

No. If you haven't wounded me by now,

I guess I'm impervious, Anne.

I would like to tell you what I was thinking.

All right, what were you thinking?

I was just thinking what fun it would be sometimes

to be a good, heavy, synthetic rubber heel.

It would be synthetic, Tony.

Is it all right now if I whistled Together?

Go right ahead. I'd like to join in.

I just can't believe that by tomorrow, Tony will be gone.

There are enough carrots here to feed a cavalry regiment...

Men and horses.

I think next to Pop, Tony must be the nicest man in the world.

- Bridget, please. - What, Colonel?

If you'll excuse me, I've had enough this morning.

In fact, I think that henceforth,

you may operate this victory garden entirely by yourself.

Golly, what did I do?

Since you're so obtuse...

"Tony, Tony, Uncle Tony."

I'd better look for quarters elsewhere

since that's the way I'm regarded around here.

Colonel Smollett, I wouldn't hurt your feelings for anything-.