All language subtitles for Dabraa Kerr

[Talking and laughter]

Hank, you old son of a gun!

How are you, buddy?

Bo, this is my wife Alice.

Alice, this is Bo Sturges.

Bo was a pretty big man
in our class.

Getting bigger every day.
Hi, Alice. Nice to see you.

You know, our class
married darn well.

A bunch of real pretty women.

Where's your wife, Bo?

How are you?

This is my boy Ferdie.

Hello, Ferdie.

He's a sophomore here.

Chip off the old block.

You do look like your father.

That's supposed
to be a compliment.

He can't believe that
I was ever an Adonis.

I knew your father
at the senior dance.

He had all the girls gaga.

...what a wonderful time
he's had each year.

I had to come
and see for myself.

I came to the first
three reunions, and then
I told Remsen,

I just hit
the big ones--
10, 15, and so on.

I think they're for the birds.

Yeah, I think so, too.

You and 50
other members
of our class

with new babies.

Sour old bachelor, isn't he?

Nobody has to look at them.

Not much, they don't.

Why don't you get married

and get
some pictures
of your own?

Tonight at dinner, I'm going to

bring down
pictures of
my new factory

and make you all look at them.

Say, isn't that--
you know, what's-his-name?

Yeah. Sure.

I never thought I'd see him
at a class reunion.

I suppose he's got a right.

Sure, but would you?

I don't think they're in.

I used to live here
10 years ago.

Do you think they'd
mind if I went in?

No, of course not.

♪ The joys of love ♪

♪ are
but a moment long ♪

♪ the grief of love
endures ♪

♪ forevermore ♪

[Whistling]

Here. Let me.

Thanks. I could
have managed it.

Well...

Over there in the sun, I think.

Too much sun burns seedlings.

Obviously I'm a beginner.

I never had a garden

before I came here last fall.

You've got a green thumb, then.

All those bulbs you
planted last October...

They're all right, but I need

some more blue in the garden.

Forget-me-nots.

I'll get you some seeds.
I'll plant them.

You sound like
quite an authority.

I used to have a garden
when I was a kid.

Of course, my dad wasn't
so keen on the idea,

but he wasn't
around much, anyways.

It was your mother's idea?

No. She didn't
live with US.

Oh?

I haven't seen her
since I was about 5.

She and my father are divorced.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Oh, you needn't be.
They aren't.

I was supposed
to hold them together.

That's how I happened to
come into the world.

I didn't work.
That's a terrible thing,
you know--

to make a flop
of the first job
you get in life.

Don't you ever see her?

Not since I was 5.

I was with her till 5,
and then my father
took me away.

All I remember
about my mother is
she was always telling me

to go outside and bounce a ball.

Where do you want these?

In the study, I think.

My husband's down at the beach

with the varsity club.

Aren't you supposed
to be with them?

Tennis team went, didn't they?

Yes.

I've got some water on
for some tea.

That'd be great.

I've been altering
your costume for the play.

I thought we might
find a moment
for a fitting.

Sure.

Uh, do you want
the door open
or shut?

Oh, it doesn't make
any difference.

Well, perhaps you'd
better leave it ajar

just in case
some of the other boys
come back early

and want to drop in.

Oh. Sure.

[Humming]

I heard you singing.

I'm sorry if it bothered you.

No. It was
very nice.

What's the name of the song?

The joys of love.

"The joys of love
are but a moment long.

The grief of love
endures forevermore."

Oh, and, uh, is that true?

You sang as though you knew

all about the grief of love.

You don't think I do?

Ha ha! Well...

Well, you're right.

Ha! Only
the joys, hmm?

Neither, really.

Oh, then you're a fake.

Aren't you
bringing someone
up to the dance

after the play Saturday?

Yes.

Well, there.

You.

Me?

You're going
to be a hostess,
aren't you?

Yes, of course.

As a member
of the committee,
I'm taking you.

All the committee drew lots.

Oh, and you lost.

I won.

Oh, well, my husband
could have taken me.

Well, he's not
going to be in town.

The mountain-climbing club

has its final outing
that weekend.

Oh, yes, that's right.
I'd forgotten that.

I'm supposed to
find out tactfully

and without your knowing it

what color dress you'll
be wearing to the dance.

Oh! Well, why?

The committee
will send you a corsage.

Oh, yes.
How nice.

Well, don't have
much to choose from.

Oh, I guess my yellow.

The boy who's in charge
of getting the flowers

thinks a corsage
should be something like
a funeral decoration,

so I'm taking personal charge

of getting yours.

Well, thank you.

You must have gotten
lots of flowers

when you acted in the theater.

Now and then.
Nothing spectacular.

Anyway,
I was never any
great shakes at it.

Oh, I can't believe that.

Oh, you take my word for it.

Come on, stand up.

Let's see if this thing
fits, shall we?

I've got
a couple of minutes
before I have to leave.

My dad's going to hit the roof

when he hears
I'm playing a girl.

I think
you're a good sport
not to mind.

He's always after me
to join up--
clubs and things--

and the dramatic club

would only take me
if I'd play this part.

Well, it's a good part--

lady teazle
in the school
for scandal.

He's coming up here
Saturday for the game
and alumni day.

If he comes over here
and you see him,

please don't tell him
about this.

No. I won't.

Now, hmm, yes, well...

We're going to
have to let this out
around here.

Now, what size
do you want to be?

Well, I don't know.
Whatever you think.

I should have
thought you'd have
asked some girl up

to see you act

and then taken her
to the dance
afterwards.

There's no one I can ask.

What do you mean?

I don't know any girls, really.

Certainly, back home--

in the last 10 years,
I haven't been home.

I mean really home.
Summers, my father
packs me off to camps,

and the rest of the time,
I've been at boarding schools.

So I mean it when I say
I don't know any girls.

Your roommate Al
knows lots of girls.

Why don't you ask
him to fix you up

with a blind date?

I don't know.

I can't even dance.

I'm telling you this
so you won't

expect anything
of me Saturday night.

Well...

We'll just sit out
and talk, hmm?

Ok.

Or I could teach you
how to dance.

It's quite simple.

You?

Yes. Why not?
Look. I'll show you
how simple it is.

You put your
left hand out
like this

and your right--

oh, now, you're kidding me.

A boy your age

and you don't know how to dance?

I'm not kidding you.

All right.
Come on, then.

I had to teach my husband.

Come on.
Put your arms
around me.

We'd better put it off.

We look kind of silly,
both of US in skirts.

All right, then,
you take it off.

I've got to get up
to the golf course,
anyway.

Take the skirt up to your room

and see if you can
move around in it--
you know, get used to it.

And then get yourself out
into this lovely day.

[Clock chiming]

Thanks for the tea.

Oh, you're welcome.

Laura!

Lilly, I'm sorry I'm late.

You're not.
I've got to go
in the clubhouse

and call the house.

I'll be right with you.

There's no hurry.
It doesn't seem to be
very crowded.

We'll be through
by 4:00 easily.

Mary suggested
we all go down
for a swim after.

All right. Fine.

See you on the first tee.

Oh, hello.

Hello.

It's a lovely day.
I'm glad you kicked
me out.

I didn't expect you
to be up here.

I meant the beach
or the tennis court.

I like it up here.

I've got a spot
down the road there,
near the sixth fairway.

I go there sometimes.

Oh.

If you slice
your drives
real bad,

that's about where it is.

I'm inclined to hook.
What are you reading?

Candida.

Uh-huh.

Have a nice game.

Thanks.

You want someone
to carry your clubs?

No. You go on
reading your book.

You know, these boys come here

ignorant as all get-out
about women,

and they spend the next
four years exchanging
misinformation.

Oh, Lilly. Honestly.

This is the age
Romeo should be played.

So intense.

These kids would die for love

or almost anything else.

My husband says all
of their English themes

end in death.

Speaking of intense young men.

Hello.

Hello.

Hello,
Mrs. Williams.

Hello, Tom.

Did you have a good game?

No. She won.

You finally joined up

with the varsity club picnic.

No. They're over
by the boathouse.

I was just
around the bend here.
It's a real nice spot.

Well, you know.

You swim there all the time.

It was a little bit windy.

We thought it would be
more sheltered here.

That would be stronger

if you wound the thread around

before you finish it.

What?

I'm sorry.
I had a maid,
taught me.

She practically brought me up.

I don't believe it.

Well, will you look at that?

I used to have to
sew on all my buttons
when I was a kid.

Can you cook?

Sure.

You'll make
some girl
a good wife.

I think bill learned
how to sew on buttons
when he was in the army.

First time I tried cooking,

it was the maid's night out.

I was going to cook
scrambled eggs and bacon
for my dad and me.

I'd always seen her
put a piece of butter
in the frying pan,

so that night we had bacon

fried in butter.

Ohh.

No. Go ahead
and do another one
while I finish this.

[Boy]
Hey, come on,
throw the ball!

Come on, come on.

Why don't we go back up
and get a game together?

Shut up.

[Woman]
Hi!

Come and join the sewing club.

Tom...

Why don't you go and join them?

No. Go on. Go ahead.

Here we go, Dave.

Let's have that ball right here.

Yo! Back here.

Steve, toss it here.
Come on.

Come on, let's go!

Throw it back to me.

Let's go!

[Shouting]

I didn't hurt you, did I?

Just my pride.

I'll give you a few pointers

when you come
to the lodge this summer.

You want to
watch that sudden
shift of weight.

That's what does it.

Al, come here.
Show him that
one-two thing.

Hey, Mr. Reynolds!
Mr. Reynolds!

Mr. Reynolds, look,
without thinking,

I'll say a word
and then three words,

and you pick the word
of the three that fits
the first one.

What grade are you
getting in English?

Ok, first-- beautiful.

Then flowers, girls, music.

Well--

no thinking.

Girls.

Naturally.
Next, fun.

Reading, hunting, gardening.

Hunting.
What is this, anyway?

It's a quiz--
"are you masculine?"

Well, how am I doing?

So far, so good.

[Boy]
What do you mean,
"are you masculine?"

You answer
all these
questions, see.

And then you add up your score--

those of you who can add--

and you know
how much of
a man you are--

how you rate
with women and
things like that.

One at a time!

The witness
before the special
subcommittee

on masculinity
is Mr. Reynolds.

I think that I shall
decline to answer

on the grounds that
it may tend to degrade
or incriminate me.

However, if anybody
wants to have

a more practical test
of manly strength, I'm on.

Where's Ralph?

Hey, Ralph!

Yes, sir.

Where have you been?
You're my only
competition here.

Well, they found Tom Lee.

Where?

Up the beach.

Why isn't he down here
with the rest of US
like he's supposed to be?

Because he's busy
with his sewing.

Ha ha ha!

It's the truth.

We found him sitting
up the beach with three
faculty wives.

The guy was actually sewing.

Sewing?

Knock it off, Steve.

Oh, look.
Just because
you're his roommate.

Knock it off!

I'm telling you, Al,
it's the truth.

He's sitting up there
with Mrs. Sears,
Mrs. Williams...

And Mrs. Reynolds.

Let's go get him!

Yeah! Yeah!

Wait a minute, fellas.

This school doesn't make anybody

do anything he doesn't want to.

But if he prefers
the company of women,
that's his business.

Let's try him out on this test.

That'd be superfluous,
unnecessary,
and a waste of time.

He's still going to beat you
in the tennis finals
on Saturday.

I'm not denying
the possibility
of that catastrophe.

But how is he
going to beat me?
Chop, chop, chop?

Sister boy can put
twist on that ball.

Sister boy!
That's good!

Aw, shut up!

Why doesn't he hit
the ball like a man?

Because he can
beat you better
by cutting and chopping.

Ok, come on.
Let's break it up.

[Boys shouting]

What's the matter?
Are women verboten?

More or less.

What? Oh.

I'm sorry.

Do I embarrass you by coming by?

Well, it's just--

I was down
on the beach,
swimming,

and I thought maybe I'd drop by

and see if you were
ready to go home.

Yeah. I didn't know
you were going swimming
this afternoon.

Well, I wasn't.
What's the matter?

I hear you had quite
a foursome down there.

No.
Just Lilly and Mary.

And Tom.

Yes. He joined US
for a few minutes.

Of quiet sewing.

Yes, but
then he joined
the other boys.

No. They came back
without him.

Oh. I suppose
the boys

made a big thing
out of the sewing.

Can't say I blame them.

Oh, now, bill.

He got himself
a little nickname--
sister boy.

I hope you set them straight.

What was there to
set them straight about?

But, bill, supposing
it had been Al

or any of the others
down there with US?

They wouldn't have been.

Bill!

I'm sorry that you
were involved.

What do you mean, involved?

What are those?

Oh, well, they're nothing, dear.

I was just playing with the idea

that we might go
up to Canada alone--

Canada?

You know, get away,
just the two of US.

Gee, that'd be great,
but I've already invited
some of the boys

up to the lodge
with US this summer.

I can't disappoint them.

No, of course not, dear.

I wish you'd said
something earlier.

It's my fault.
I should've--

it's nobody's fault.

Ralph!
Don't break his arm yet!

We need him on the team
next year.

I'll see you at home.

Hey--

[boys shouting]

Come on, it's time!
Get the glasses!

What's the matter with you?

Mrs. Morrison!
Get the glasses!

Come on!

Let's hurry it up!

Hurry! Hurry!
Hurry!

Let's go!

Give me them!

I keep telling you guys,
I don't want

a bunch of peeping Toms

mussing up my room all the time.

Al, do we have to have
these peeping Toms

hanging out of my window
every afternoon?

Ralph, come on.
She's almost--
whoa!

Want her to hear you?

Why don't you guys
stick to your arts
models magazines?

Just because you're not
interested, sister boy,

don't spoil it
for the rest of US.

Whoa!

What is it?
What is it?

Hey, get off the dress,
will you?

Dress?

Don't tear sister boy's dress.

You can sew the thing up,

or you can
make yourself
another one

out of
all your chintz
you got here.

Come on, get out of here!

I thought you were
coming to the varsity
outing, sister boy.

What happened?

All right, you guys.
That's enough. Lay off.
Come on.

I just don't like this drip
calling me a peeping Tom

and telling me what
I can and can't look at.

Hey, sister boy,
is this your old man?

Ok, ok.

You all right?

Yeah.

[Tennis ball bouncing]

[Referee]
Point to Tom Lee.

He leads 40-15.

[Grumbling]

Point to Ollie Delwyn.

Yay!yay!

Score--40-30.

Game, Tom Lee.

He leads four games to one.

Herb!

I thought it was you.

Hello, Alex.
How are you?

I was on my way
to the baseball
game.

Come on along.

Yeah, well, no, Alex--

I've caught
a couple of points
of this.

It's no fun
watching this
pat-baller play.

Come on now.

Yeah, well...

Sure, Alex.

Whoo!

Ha ha ha!

Hey, Bob!

Heard what they're calling
the tennis match?

What?

The mixed singles final.

I don't get it.

Sister boy Lee!

I'll bet you
he doesn't show up
at the pajama fight tonight.

He'll be there

because we're going to
make sure that he gets
a personal escort.

Hey, Billy!

Well, son.

Hello there.

Well, I hear you won.

Yeah.

You seemed to have
the situation
well in hand.

I hope you didn't mind
my leaving you like that,

but I kind of
sensed that I was
making you nervous.

Oh, no. You--

how have you been?

Oh, fine. Fine.

The fellows trying
to get your goat

out there this afternoon?

Yeah. I guess so.

Why? They seem like
the kind of fellows
who would be your friends--

regular guys.

I don't know.

I noticed the characters
who did applaud for you.

Remember, I told you
to be careful

how you made your friends.

You are known
by the company you keep.

Yeah, dad.

I want to be your friend, Tom.

I know there's
something between
fathers and sons

that makes it hard
for them to be friends,

but I'd like to try.

Sure, dad.

Are--are you ready?

Yeah. I want to
congratulate
the ball team.

Hey, they beat Hanover, huh?

Bonfire tonight.
Big pajama fight.

Sorry I can't stay for it.

Yeah, that's too bad.

You know, the year
I was a new boy,

the new fellows
outclassed
the older fellows,

and not very many of US
lost our pajamas...

You know, you ought
to get a crew cut

like the other fellows, Tom.

Why?

You just should, that's all.

Let's go out this way.

The team's down here.

Oh, ok.

We'll try and get you
to a barbershop
before it closes, hmm?

I used to eat
two of these a day.

We all ate them.
"Hickey in heaven,"
we called them.

It looks good.

Two black and whites, huh?

Ok.

Here we go.

Ellie, don't they
ever clean those
uniforms of yours?

Ok, what's the matter?

You got a big spot right here.

Do I? That's
real funny.
Ha ha ha.

You got some chocolate up here.

That's private property.

Ha ha ha!

Any of these guys your friends?

No.

This place
sure is different
than when I was here.

I guess it is.

Thanks a lot.

Anytime, Ellie.
Anytime.

You know, you're real sweet.

You're going to go far.

That's different, too.

Oh, that's Ellie.

I forget what her name
was in my day.

Ellie, baby, come on,
you adorable creature.

You're driving me mad.
I love you!

I love you! I love you!

Ha ha ha!

Come on!

Ha ha ha!

Aw!

Go on.
You dance with her.

Oh, no, dad.

Go on, Tom.

Look, dad, let's go, huh?

Hey! Hey, buster!

It's 50 cents.

Here. I've got it.

Thank you.

Hey, Lee! Lee!

We'll see you tonight,

7:Oo sharp.

I'll tell him.

That fellow spoke to you.

Oh, yeah.

He seemed like a regular fellow.

Yeah, I guess he is.

Look. He's still open.

You go in there
and get rid
of all that hair.

I'll go over and see
Billy Reynolds.

Look, dad, I don't--

now.

See you back at the house.

[Mrs. Reynolds]
Come in.

I'm in the garden.

Oh, come on out.

Well, excuse me, but I’m--

hello, Mr. Lee.

How did you know that?

Bill has many pictures of you

when you were together
on the teams.

Oh, you mean I haven't changed?

Well...

I'm Laura.
How are you?

Yes. He is very
lucky, isn't he?

Thank you.

I was just planting
some forget-me-nots.

Oh, please don't let me--

no, I've finished.

You're to be congratulated.

Oh? On what?

Tom's victory this afternoon.

Oh, yes.
Were you there?

Yes. For a while.

I left, too.

Mr. Lee,
this is spring--

the usual time
for college
and school riots

and general horseplay,

ganging up, excessive spirit.

You must remember.

I just don't
remember anything
quite like this.

Well, Mr. Lee--

[bill]
Laura!

Herb!

Bill, baby!
How are you?

Boy! Oh!

They told me you were around.

You've met Laura.

And I like her very much.

Everybody likes Laura.

You look wonderful.

I try to keep in shape.

Oh!

Oh! Ha ha ha!

If you'll excuse me,
I'll go and fix you a drink.

I can't stay very long.

I have to catch
the 6:54 back.

I won't be long.

That's a fine girl, bill.

Um...herb,
you saw Tom?

[Herb]
Yes. I left him
at the barbershop

to get his hair cut.

Oh?

What's this all about, bill?

I went to the tennis match
this afternoon,

and I was humiliated.

Come back to a 25th reunion
just to be humiliated.

Yes, I heard about it.

In the locker room--

"sister boy," they called him.

What is it, bill?

Well, herb, he's a strange kid.

He keeps to himself.

He's different
from the rest
of them,

and naturally,
they just resent it.

This whole thing came to a head

because last Wednesday

he was supposed to
go swimming with
the varsity club.

Instead, he went
down to the beach

with some faculty wives.

Some of the boys came upon him,

and there he was,
sitting with them...

Sewing.

Yes, well, I guess
I'm not surprised, bill.

You see, when he was a kid,
we had a maid.

She taught him
to do things like that.

I fired her when I found out.

Why would faculty wives--

you'd think they'd
have better sense.

Yes, herb, you would.

Why isn't he
a regular fellow,
bill?

He's had every chance to be

since he was
knee-high to
a grasshopper--

boys camps, boarding schools.

I've always seen to it

that he was associated
with regular guys.

Why doesn't some of it rub off?

Mr. Lee,
perhaps I'm not
the one to say this,

but I think he is
a regular fellow,

whatever that is.

You're being very generous
to say that, Laura,

but it just doesn't jive
with the facts.

Well, he--

he is an off-horse, herb.

He's going to have to learn

to run with the other horses.

I want to be proud of him.

That's why I had him
in the first place,

but he makes it
so difficult for me!

My associates ask me
what he wants to be,

and I have to tell
them that he hasn't
made up his mind

because I won't tell them
that he wants to be a...

A folk singer.

He certainly
isn't a chip off
the old block.

I guess they'll give him
a real going-over

at that pajama bonfire tonight.

I'm very grateful
I will not be there
to see it.

However, it may be
a good lesson for him.

Mightn't it be more
than a lesson?

Nobody ever gets hurt
at these things.

It's sort of
a good-natured
roughhouse.

I'll bring you
something to go
with your drink.

Please don't bother.

It's no bother.

I have to go up
and see Tom in a moment.

[Herb]
You'll be there,
won't you, bill?

Sure.

I guess I better
get up and see Tom.

Ok, herb.

I hate having serious
talks with him.

Only other time I had
a heart-to-heart talk with him,

he got sick to his stomach.

That's a terrible effect...

Don't bother to get anything.

He took his drink
up to Tom's room.

All right, dear.

And I wish you wouldn't
try to tell him
about his own son.

After all,
if he doesn't know
the boy, who does?

I'm sorry.

I'm going to the Dean's
for supper.

There's something I want to
talk to him about.

I got things in
for supper here,
but they'll keep.

I'm sorry, but
the Dean couldn't make it
any other time, ok?

Yeah, sure...

But you'll be back
for the bonfire
pajama fight.

I wouldn't miss it.

Exactly what is it, bill?

The first victory
that we have
over Hanover each year,

all the new boys
put on their pajamas

and the older boys
try to tear them off.

Will they give Tom
a going-over,
as Mr. Lee said?

Yes.

Look, Laura, he asked for it.

Oh, bill.

Maybe it will make a man of him.

I've never seen you
like this before
about anything.

This is my house.
I lived here as a student,
and my father before me.

The name of this house
means something to me.

That has nothing--

it may mean nothing to you.

You don't know how
it can get blown up.

You don't know
what one off-horse
can do to a house.

Has it ever
occurred to you that
it might get blown up

into something big
for Tom, too--

that it might
affect him for the rest
of his life

and make him unsure
and doubting--

Tom's father put him
in this house

hoping I could do
something for him.

You feel you've failed.

Yes, and with your help.

Oh, the beach thing.

That and everything else.

This boy would rather
sit around here with you

and listen to music
and read poetry
and strum his guitar

than go out with the fellows.

But, bill,
he's never had a home.

This is the closest
thing he's ever had
to a home.

And he sees
in this house
and in me--

what?

Oh...look, Laura,

stay out of these things.

I told you
when I brought you
here a year ago

that this was going to be
an awfully tough place

for a woman
with a heart like yours.

I told you that
you'd run into boys,
big and little.

They'd all have problems--
problems which for the moment

would seem gigantic
and heartbreaking.

You promised me then

that you wouldn't
get all taken up
with them.

Remember that?

Yes, I remember.

It's just that this age--

when I was kid
here in this school,
I had my problems, too.

I used to sit in my room

and listen to
phonograph records
hour after hour.

I had a place where I used to go

and cry my eyes out.

Oh, bill.

But I got over it.
I learned how to take it!

When the headmaster's
wife gave you that
silver teapot,

she told you just
what she tells all of
the other master's wives--

that you have got to be
an interested bystander.

Yes, I know.

Just as she says, Laura,

all you're supposed to do

is once in a while
give the boys a little...

Tea and sympathy.

You remember?
Yes, I remember.

It's just that this age--

17 or 18...

I know.

And John was just this age--

look, Laura.

I know
you don't like me
to talk about him,

but he was just
this age--18 or so--
when I married him.

We both were,
and I know how
this age can suffer.

It's a heartbreaking time.

They're no longer a boy

and not yet a man,

wondering what's
going to be expected
of them as men,

how they'll measure up.

Bill?

Bill?

Well, I guess
I better get changed

if I'm going to get
to the Dean's on time.

[Students talking and shouting]

[Footsteps]

You didn't get your hair cut.

No. I waited,
but he closed up

before he could take me.

Well, first thing
Monday morning
then, huh?

Sure.

This room certainly
looks different from
when I lived here.

I had a bathing beauty

or something
like that
right over there.

Curtains? You spend
your allowance on
this kind of thing?

I--well, I try to make it look

more like a...Home.
Yeah.

My clothes
used to be
all over the place.

I'm afraid that neatness

was a virtue that I never...

What's this?

It's a costume
Mrs. Reynolds
was fixing for me.

I'm in the play
before the dance
on Saturday night.

Playing what?

Lady teazle in
the school for scandal.

Tom...

I want to talk to you.

What's the matter?

You're not going to
play that part.

Why not?

I should think you'd
have sense enough
to know why not.

[Boy outside]
♪ we'll be down to get
you in a taxi, sister♪

♪ you better be ready
by a quarter to 8:00 ♪

Isn't it obvious why not?

A boy of mine--

wait a minute, dad.

You're not going to do it.

I don't like
my son being called
"sister boy."

You're going to
have to show them.

And you?

No, not me.

And...

And Mrs. Reynolds?

Yes, I guess so.

Come on, now.

You're going down to bill's

and phone whoever is
putting on this play

and tell them that
you're not going to
do that part.

Dad, I'll do it later.

Now.

Dad, let me call
about the play
from here.

Why not use
bill's phone?
He won't mind.

Please, dad.

Come on.

And listen,
at that bonfire tonight,

you put up a fight.

If I hear that you
didn't lick the tar
out of them...

Well, you just fight.

You understand?

Come on.

Is bill ready?

Yes. He'll be
right down.

I'd like Tom
to use your phone,
if he may,

to call whoever's
putting on the play.

He's giving up the part.

Giving up the part?

Yes. I want him to.
He's doing it
for me.

But, Mr. Lee.

Bill will understand.

Oh, bill?

[Bill]
Up here, herb.

What's the number
of that man who's
putting on the play?

Tom wants to call him.

Fred Mayberry. 326.

You about ready?

Yeah. You don't
mind if Tom uses
your phone, do you?

Of course not.

When are you going
on your mountain-
climbing weekend?

Next weekend's the outing, herb.

Maybe Tom can go with you.

He's on the dance
committee, I think.

Of course, he's welcome
if he wants to.
He always has been.

Tom?

Tom!

326.

Tom is going to
give up his part
in the play.

Oh?

Laura, will you
walk along with US
to the dining hall?

I don't think I feel
like any supper, thanks.

Bill: What?

Herb: Here. I have to
get along if I'm going
to catch my train.

Why, Laura!

We'll be back
right after
supper.

We can go to the bonfire.

You sure you won't--

yes, I'm quite sure.

It's busy.

Keep trying, then.

Now, then, before I go,

is there anything you want?

Oh.

Well, always remember,
you want anything,

just let me know.

Well, I'll see you
in a week or so, Laura.

This will all be
blown over by then.

Laura, I wish that you'd--

no. No.

Laura.

[Tom dialing telephone]

Hello, Mr. Mayberry.
This is Tom Lee.

Yes,
I know it's time
to go to supper,

but I wanted you--

I wanted you to know...

[Voice cracking]
I'm not going
to be able

to play the part in the play.

No.

Well, uh...

I just can't.

Here, give it to me.

Give it to me.

Hello, Fred.
This is Laura.

Yes, uh, yes, well...

Um, Tom's father...

Uh, well, he thinks Tom is tired

and should concentrate
on his final exams.

You had someone covering
the part, didn't you?

Well, yes, of course,

it's a great
disappointment to Tom.

Look, Fred,
I'll see you
tomorrow, hmm?

Yeah. All right.
Thanks. Good-bye.

[Boys laughing]

Somebody's going to have to
hold his sewing basket
for him during the fight.

Yeah.
Don't want anything
to happen to that.

Don't forget, now. We're
going to pick your roomie up
at a quarter to 8:00.

Tom?

Tom?

Tom?

I thought I'd call
little Joan Harrison

and ask her over
to tea tomorrow.

I want you to come, too,

and I want you to ask her

to go to the dance
with you Saturday.

You...you were
to go with me.

Yes, I know I was.

Do you think so, too?

Like the others?
Like my father?

Tom!

Is that why you're
shoving me off
on Joan?

Tom! I'm asking her over
so that we can lick
this thing.

Tom!

[Playing fight song]

[Cheering]

Let's go, troops!

Hey, cinderella,
it's time for the ball!

Come on, sis!

Sister's hiding!

Come on! Put on
your nightie,
and let's go!

It's locked.

We'll huff, and we'll puff,

and we'll blow the door in.

Come on!

Come on!

All right, let's go.

Let's go!
Come on!

Come on!

Hup, hup, 2, 3.

Hup, hup, 2, 3.

Hup, hup, 2, 3...

Hup, hup, 2, 3.

Hup, hup, 2, 3...

Hello, Al.

Hello,
Mrs. Reynolds.

You're staying out of it?

Ah, kid stuff.

Hup, hup, 2, 3.

Hup, hup, 2, 3.

Hup, hup, 2, 3.

Hup, hup, 2--
all right, break.
Let's go.

Al, you're not in it?

What's the use?

Well, sister boy...

Wouldn't want you to catch cold.

Bill, I don't think I'll stay.

Nobody ever gets hurt
in this thing.

Be a pity to spoil the record.

It's all in fun.

[Drumroll]

[Whistle blows]

[Shouting]

Let's form a circle!

You watch out for sister boy!

She's very delicate!

What's going on?

You don't want
sister boy's pajamas.

You leave sister boy alone!

We're her bodyguards!

Whoever touches a hair
off her head

dies like a dog!

Sis, you stay where the nasty,
rough men won't hurt you.

See, no one's going to get hurt.

Hey, don't mess up
sister boy's hair.

What, do you want
to make her cry?

Aw, Al!

I'm sorry you did that
to sister boy, Al,
but seeing as you did...

Ralph!

Aah!

[Boys shouting]

Ok, fellows, break it up!

Let's go!

Tom!

I'm--I'm sorry
I called out
over there.

I didn't think.

It's all right.

Do you have something
to put on those cuts?

Tom...

I--I didn't have a chance

to thank you for the seeds.

Remember. Tea on Monday
with Joan Harrison.

Yes, dad.

Yes, dad.

Well, I don't know, dad.
It just seemed so lousy

that no one was
tearing Tom's pajamas off.

I don't know why I did it.

What do you mean,

what do the guys on the team
think about it?

How did you
find out about it, anyway?

Oh.

Yeah.

Yeah. Sure,
I know Mike.

Yeah. Sure,
he's a nice guy.

He plays first base.

Yeah.

Well, look, dad.

Now, that's not going
to be so easy.

You see, it's kind of late,

and even if I did
want to do it--

ok, dad,
I'll--I'll think about it.

I can't be more definite, dad.

I said I'd think about it!

I don't mean
to be disrespectful, sir,

only--only it's not easy.

Yeah. Look,
I got to run, dad.

Yeah.

Yeah, ok.
Yeah, dad. Bye.

Oh, Mrs. Reynolds.

Hello, Al.

Is Mr. Reynolds in?

No, he isn't, but
can I do something?

I guess I better
drop down when he's in.

All right, but I
don't expect him back
till suppertime.

Well, in that case,
you might tell him

just so he'll know
and can make
other plans--

that I won't be rooming
in this house next year.

This is the last day
for changing, and I just
wanted him to know about it.

Oh, I see.

I know
he'll be very sorry
to hear that, Al.

I'm going
across the street
to Harmon’s house.

Uh-huh. Both you
and Tom going over?

No. Just me.

Does Tom know about this?

Al, won't you
come in and sit down
for a moment?

Please.

Would you like a cigarette?

Oh, no.
I'm in training.

Oh!

Oh, yes, that's right.

You're not
looking forward
to telling Tom,

are you, Al?

Mm-hmm.

I'm sorry to hear

you're not rooming
with him next year.

Mrs. Reynolds,
my father's called me.

He wants me to
room with Mike Farrell
next year.

He says Mike's a regular guy.

He's always wanted me
to room with Mike.

It seems
he and Mike's father
roomed together, and...

I can't tell you
how much I admired

what you did
at the bonfire
Saturday night.

It took great courage--

not physical courage,

but moral courage.

Al, you've lived with Tom.

You know him better
than anyone else
knows him.

If you do this,
it's as good as
finishing him

as far as this
school is concerned

and maybe even farther.

It--it's my father
and the fellows and--

and what?

Mrs. Reynolds,
he does act kind of--

well, why does he
have to walk so, so--

oh, Al.

Why doesn't he talk
about the same things

the other guys talk about?

Long-hair music all the time!

All right, he wants
to be a singer, so
he talks about it.

He's never had
a girl up for any
of the dances.

Which proves what?

All the time alone,
wandering off up
to the golf course,

taking off on his bike,

listening to
phonograph records alone
over in the choir room.

Al, there are
certain times in
your life when you

would rather
be alone than with
crowds of people,

and one of them
is when you're
very deeply in love.

Tom?

Yes. Perhaps
he's in love.

Now, Mrs. Reynolds,
I'm his roommate.

He doesn't get
any letters from girls.

He never writes any.

He doesn't even
talk about a girl.
I mean, he just can't be.

Oh, I--I better wait
and talk to Mr. Reynolds.

Al, what if I were
to start talking
about you tomorrow?

What do you mean "talk"?

Oh, any kind...

Perhaps the same sort of talk

they're making about Tom.

You mean "sister boy"?

No one would believe it.

Why not?

Because you're big
and brawny and an athlete

and what they call
a top guy and a hard hitter?

Well, yeah.

Mrs. Reynolds,
you wouldn't do
a thing like that.

Ha ha!

No, Al, I probably wouldn't...

But I could,

and I almost would
to show you
how easy it is

to smear a person.

And once I got them
believing it,

you'd be surprised
how quickly
your manly virtues

would be changed
into suspicious
characteristics.

Mm-hmm.

Mrs. Reynolds,
I got a chance

to be captain
of the ball team
next year.

Yes, I know,

and I have no right
to ask you to give
up that chance.

Excuse me for saying so,
Mrs. Reynolds,

but it's easy for you
to talk the way you have.
You're not involved!

You're just a bystander!

You're not going to get hurt.

Nothing's going to
happen to you
one way or the other.

I'm sorry.

No. That's
a fair criticism, Al.

I'm sorry I asked you.

Yes. As you say,
I'm not involved.

I'm sorry.

I think you're swell,
Mrs. Reynolds.

I think
you're the nicest
housemaster's wife

I've ever run into.
I mean, I...

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, too, Al.

[Piano music playing]

Oh, hi.

Hi. Oh,
I don't want--

no, that's ok.
I wasn't really
listening, anyway.

That's a nice tie you got there.

It's yours.
You want it?

Oh, no, no.
I can only wear
one tie at a time.

You come up here
to listen to records?

No, uh...I...

It's been rough, hasn't it?

Yeah.

[Slams phonograph lid]

My brother says down
at college they have
riots in the spring.

No reason at all, just riots.

Up here they don't
have riots. They just
pick out some guy--

I went to a meeting
of the dance committee.

I'm no longer on
the dance committee.

They said that since
I backed out of playing
the part in the play,

I didn't show the proper spirit.

That's what they said was--

why don't you do
something about it?

Well, what can I do?

Well, gee, you could...

You...
I don't know.

I try to pass it off,

but you can't pass it off.

The terrible thing
is I find myself
self-conscious

about things I've
been doing for years.

Look, Tom,
do you mind if I
try to help you?

Gee, no. How?

I know this is going
to burn your tail,

and I know it sounds
stupid, but it
isn't stupid.

It's the way people
look at things.

You could do a lot for yourself

just the way you look and talk.

You mean get my hair cut?

For one thing.

Why should a guy
with a crew cut
look more manly--

I don't know
the reasons
for these things.

I tried a crew cut
a couple of times!

I haven't got
that kind of hair
or that kind of head!

I'm sorry, Al.
I didn't mean
to yell at you.

Thanks for trying to help.

Look, Tom, the way you walk--

oh!

I'm just trying to help you!

Nobody gave a damn
about how I walk
till last Wednesday!

Ok, ok! Forget it!

Al.

Yeah?

I'm sorry.
Tell me how I walk.

Well...

Ok.

Go ahead. Walk.

Now I'm not going to
be able to walk anymore!

Go on, go on.

Ok, I'm walking.

Now, tell me.

Well?

Well, you walk sort of...

I don't get it.

Well, sort of...

Show me.

Oh, I can't do it.

Well, then you walk.
Let me watch you.

I never noticed how you walk.

Ok.

Do it again.

If you tell
any of the guys
about this...

Do you think I would?

That's a good walk.

I'll try to copy it.

Do you really think
it will make
any difference?

I don't know.

Not now, it won't.

Thanks, anyway.

[Cracking knuckles]

Look, Tom,

you've been
in on a lot of
bull sessions.

You've heard the guys talking

about stopping
over in Boston
on the way home,

getting girls, you know?

Sure. What about it?

You're not
going to the dance
Saturday night.

Not now.

You know Ellie Martin,

that gal that
waits on tables over
at the soda joint?

Sure. What about her?

You've heard
the guys talking
about her.

Come on, come on.

Why don't you
drop in on Ellie
Saturday night?

What do you mean?

You want me to
draw you a picture?

Gee, Ellie Martin.

Ok. I know
she's a dog.

What good will that do?
If I get caught there,

I'll get thrown out of school.

No one ever gets caught.
Sunday morning,
people hear about it--

not the Dean, the fellows.

Ellie tells and tells and tells.

Boy, you'd be made!

Are you kidding?

No!

Of course, if...

If that sort
of thing doesn't
appeal to you...

Tom...

You've never been
with a girl alone,
have you?

I don't mean dances.
I mean alone.

You want to know something?

What?

Neither have I.

You mean all
those stories you told

about stopping over
in Boston and getting
girls--

ok! I'll be sorry
I told you.

Then why don't you
go see Ellie Martin
Saturday night?

Why should I?

You mean you don't
have to prove anything.

Aw...aw, forget it.

Probably a foul idea, anyway.

Yeah.

Look, Tom, about next...

Next year, yes?

Well, Mike Farrell has asked me

to room with him
over at Harmon’s house.

A lot of guys
from the team
are over there.

Sure, sure.
I understand.

I'm sorry I didn't
tell you until now,
after we made our plans.

I didn't know--

I understand!

I'll see you.

Al?

Yeah?

Here.

I said wear it.
Keep it.

It's yours.

See you.

Hi!

[Bicycle bell rings]

[Ring]

[Ring]

Laura?

I'm up here.

I beat young Harvey at handball.

Oh, good.

At last! It took
some doing, though.

He was after my scalp

because I gave him
that "D" minus
on his last exam.

Oh, uh, you, uh...
You wanted this...

Book of poems.

Why, yes.
How did you know?

The notice from the bookstore.

Oh, that's very
sweet of you, dear.

You've already got it.

Well, yes. Someone
gave it to me.

Who?

Oh, Tom knew I wanted it.

Bill!

Oh, bill!
What difference
does it make

that he gave me the book?

He knew I wanted it, too.

I don't know.

It just seems that every time

that I try to do something--

oh, bill,
don't say that.
It isn't so!

It is.

But...this thing
of the book is funny.

I don't think it's very funny.

Bill? Bill?

I'm...
I'm very touched

that you should have remembered,

and thank you.

Oh, bill, don't
turn away from me.

I wanted to thank you.

Is it such a chore
to let yourself
be thanked?

Oh, bill.

We so rarely touch anymore.

I keep feeling
I'm losing contact
with you.

Don't you feel that?

Look, Laura, I've got to--

yes. Yes, I know.
I know you've
got to go,

but it's just
that--I don't know.

We...we don't
touch anymore.

You seem to hold
yourself aloof
from me,

and a tension seems
to grow between US,

and--oh, you don't feel that?

You don't feel
yourself holding
away from me

until it becomes
overpowering,
and then--

oh, bill,
there's no growing
together anymore,

no quiet times,

just holding hands

and a feeling of closeness,

like it was in Italy.

Now it's...

Oh, oh, bill, do you see?

You do see.

I don't know what you're
talking about, Laura.

It can't always be a honeymoon.

Do you think that's
what I was talking about?

I don't know why
you chose a time like
this to talk about--

yes, I don't know, either.

I just wanted to
thank you for the book,

and I'm sorry I said
anything. I...

[Sniffles]

Could I get you some tea?

No. No, thank you.

Little Joan Harrison's
coming over for tea--

no, she isn't. I saw
her father at the gym.

I don't think that was
a very smart thing
for you to do, Laura.

I thought Tom
could ask her to
the dance on Saturday.

He's on the committee,
and he has no girl
to take.

I understand
he's no longer
on the committee.

You're a hostess, aren't you?

Yes, I am a hostess.

I, uh, have that
mountain-climbing business
this weekend.

The weatherman predicts rain.

Oh, well, that's too bad.

You know we're
losing Al next year
because of Tom.

Oh, you've heard.

Yep. He'll
probably be captain
of the baseball team.

Last time we had
a major sports captain

was eight years ago.

Yes. I'm sorry
about that.

However, we'll also
be losing Tom.

Oh?

Yeah. We have no singles
in this house,

and Tom will be rooming alone.

I'm sorry to hear that.

I knew that you would be.

Bill, why should
my interest in this boy
make you angry?

I'm not angry.

You're not only angry,

it's almost as though
you were, well, jealous.

What? Ha ha ha!
Oh, come, now,
Laura.

How else can you explain

your vindictive attitude
towards him?

I'll go directly from class

to the dining hall, all right?

Yes, dear, of course
it's all right.

And, Laura, seeing Tom so much,

having him to tea
alone all the time...

Yes, dear.

I think you ought to
have him down only when
you have the other boys...

For his own good.

I mean that.
Now, I'll see you
in the dining hall.

Try to be on time.

[Tom]
Hello.

I'd like to speak
to Ellie Martin,
please.

Oh, hello. Ellie?

This is Tom Lee.

Tom Lee.

Well, I'm down
at the soda fountain
all the time

with my roommate Al Thompson.

Yeah. Well,
I'll tell you what
I wanted, Ellie.

I'm not
going to the dance
on Saturday night,

and I wondered
if you're doing
anything.

Well, I mean,
I wondered
if maybe I could

drop over and pick you up

after you
get through work
on Saturday night.

I don't know what's
in it for you.

Yeah, something, I guess.

I just thought
I'd like to see you.

Ok, well, what
time do you get
through work? 9:00?

All right.
I'll see you then.

Oh! Thanks.

Oh, excuse me,
Mrs. Reynolds.

How are you, Ellie?

Keep your big, fat hands off me.

I'm in a hurry.
I'm late picking up
my girl for the dance.

Say, aren't we
the little gentleman
tonight?

Live it up, buster.

All right.

Uh, I'd like a package of these.

Matches?

No, thanks.

Thanks.

Want something else?

No, thanks.

You're Mrs. Reynolds,
aren't you?

Yes.

Nice flowers.
Having a party?

Yes. Of sorts.

Real pretty.

Take one.

Thanks.

Well, good night.

Good night.

Oh! Have a nice party.

Thanks.

[Coughs]

I'll never make it.

Tom?

Well, I've been expecting you.

Uh, I--

are you going
to the dance
after all?

No. You can report me
if you like,

out after hours,

or you can give me permission.

Can I have permission to go out?

I think I better
get you some coffee.

You can tell them that, too,
that I've been drinking.

There'll be lots
to tell before...

I didn't drink much,

but I didn't eat much, either.

Let me get you something to eat.

No. I can't stay.

Well, all right.

It's a nasty night
out, isn't it?

I wasn't planning to come in.

Then why the flowers?

And the card?

"For a pleasant evening."

Well, that was for the dance.

I forgot to cancel.

Well, I'm glad you didn't.

Why?

For one thing,
I like to get flowers,

and for another thing, it's my--

let me get you
some coffee.
It's all made.

No. I'm
just about right.

Look...

Drink this.

I've only had a sip.

Come on.

Well, you can drink
from this side.

And for another thing?

What do you mean?

Well, for one thing, you--

oh, yes, I like
to get flowers,
and for another thing,

it's nice to have flowers
on my anniversary.

Anniversary?
Yes.

And Mr. Reynolds
on a mountaintop
with 20--

didn't he remember?

Well, it's not that anniversary.

Oh?

Come along. Let me
take your coat.

No. I...

Well, how nice you look.

Put me in a blue suit,

and I look like a kid.

How did you know
I liked these flowers?

You mentioned it.

You're very quick
to notice these things.

So was he.

Who?

My first husband.

That's the anniversary.

Well, I--

I didn't know.

He was, I'd say, about your age.

How old are you, Tom?

18...

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow?
We'll celebrate.

You'd better not make any plans.

He was just your age then,

maybe a few months older.

Such a lonely boy,

away from home
for the first time

and going off to war.

War?

Yes. He was killed.

I'm sorry...

But I'm glad to hear about him.

Glad?

Yes.

I don't know.

He sounds like someone

you should have been
married to and not...

I'm sorry.

He was killed being
conspicuously brave.

He had to be
conspicuously brave,
you see,

because, well,
something had happened
in training camp--

I don't know what--

but he was afraid
the others thought him
a coward.

He showed them he wasn't.

He had that satisfaction.

What was it worth
if it killed him?

I don't know, but
I can understand.

Yes, of course you can.

You're very like him.

Me?

Mm-hmm.

Hmm.

Here, before I finish it all.

He was kind
and gentle and lonely.

We knew it wouldn't last.

We sensed it.

But he always said,

"why must the test
of everything be
its durability?"

I'm sorry he was killed.

I'm sorry he was killed
the way he was killed.

In trying to prove he was a man,

he died a boy.

Still, he must have died happy.

Why? Because he
proved his courage?

That...

And because he was
married to you.

I've got to go.

Please, Tom.
I've got to!

It must be a very
important engagement.

It is.

If you go now, I'll
think I've bored you
talking all about myself.

No, you haven't.

I probably shouldn't have
gone on like that,

but I just got into
a reminiscent mood.

Don't you ever get
in reminiscing moods
on nights like this?

About what?

Come, now.
There must be something
nice to remember...

Or someone, isn't there?

Can I--can I have
some more coffee?

Yes, of course.

It was my seventh grade teacher.

What?

That's who I remember.

Oh.

Miss Middleton.

Aw, how sweet.

It wasn't sweet.

It was terrible.

Tell me about her.

Well, she was just
out of college--

tall, blond, honey-colored hair,

and she wore a Polo coat

and drove a convertible.

Sounds very fetching.

Ever since then,
I've been a sucker
for girls
in Polo coats.

I think I have one--

yes, I know.

Well, what happened?

Well, what could happen?

As usual, I made
a fool of myself.

I guess
everyone knew I was
in love with her.

People I like,
I can't help
showing it.

But that's a good trait.

Whenever she wanted someone

to go downtown
and help her
with errands,

there I was.

She liked you, too, then.

This is a stupid
thing to talk about.

I can see why she liked you.

I...

I thought she loved me.

I was 12 years old.

Oh, puppy love
can be heartbreaking.

I'm always
falling in love with
the wrong people.

Who isn't?

You, too?

Well, it wouldn't be
any fun if we didn't.

Of course, nothing
ever comes of it,

but there are
bittersweet memories,

and they can be pleasant.

Well, now,
who else have you been

desperately in love with?

[Clock chiming]

It's 9:00. I'm late.

Can't I persuade you
to stay?
No.

We were getting on so well.

Thanks.

In another moment,
I'd have told you

all the deep, dark
secrets of my life.

I'm sorry.

Won't you even stay for a dance?

I don't dance.

I know. I was
going to teach you.

Some other time.

Please? For me?

Tell me something.

Yes?

Why are you so nice to me?

Why? I--

you're not this way
with the rest of
the fellows.

No...

No, I know I'm not.

I just wondered why.

I guess, Tom,

I guess it's because I like you.

No one else seems to.

Why do you?

Well, I don't know.

Is it because
no one else likes me?

Is it just pity?

Oh, no, Tom.
No, of course not.

It's just that, well,

you've been very nice to me,

very considerate.

It wasn't easy for me
coming into a school
my first year,

and you seemed to sense that.

I don't know. We just
seemed to hit it off.

Mr. Reynolds knows
you like me.

Yes, I suppose so.
I haven't made
a secret of it.

Is that why he hates me so?

Oh, I don't think he hates you.

Yes, he hates me.

Why lie?

I think everyone
here hates me,
except you.

But they won't.

No, of course they won't.

He hates me
because he made
a flop with me.

I know all about it.

My father put me
in this house
when I first
came here,

and when he
left me, he said
to your husband,

"make a man
out of him."

He's failed, and he's mad.

And then you
came along
and were nice to me

out of pity!

No, Tom, not pity.

I'm too selfish a woman

to like you just out of pity.

There--

there's so much
I don't understand.

Tom, don't go out tonight.

I've got to.

That's one thing that's clear.

I've got to.

Won't you even let me
teach you how to dance?

[Sobbing]

Oh, Tom.

Tom.

No, Tom. No.

Tom!

Tom!

[Boy]
Let's get inside,
out of this wet!

What's the matter with you?

What are you doing back?

The whole bunch is back.

Who wants to go
mountain-climbing
in the rain?

Hey! Come on!

[Yelling]

I don't know about that!

Any of you fellows
want to go across
the street

and get something
to eat when you get
changed, go ahead.

Oh, hi!

Hello, dear.

The one weekend a year

we get to go
mountain-climbing,
and it rains.

Yes, that's too bad.

I think the fellows

wanted me to
invite them down
for a feed,

but I didn't want to.

I thought
we'd be alone. Ok?

Yeah. Sure.

Boy, it really rained.

We didn't even make it
above the timberline

when it started to come down.

Another hour or so,

we could have made it to the hut

and stayed the night,

but the fellows,
they wanted to
turn back.

♪ Doo Dee doo ♪

What was that?

Nothing, dear.

Oh.

Nothing at all.

You know, all day long

I'm up to my elbows in coffee...

And what do I want
when I get here?

A cup of coffee.

I don't want any coffee.

Well, I do.

You ought to take that coat off.

It's damp.

It's all right.

You going to leave it on?

Now, you sure
you don't want
some coffee?

No. Thanks.

Since I was entertaining,

I thought I’d
decorate the place.

Nice, huh?

What's the matter?

Nothing. I--

well, I think it's pretty.

Yeah, it's pretty.

Yep.

A cup of coffee and the radio.

First thing I get here.

It's crazy, isn't it?

[Click]

It's a lousy radio.

[Static]

I saw a beauty down at Meyers
the other day.

Well, it was 20 bucks, though.

I'll get it for you.

Would you?

Aw, thanks.

It's the green and black job.

Right-hand window.

Sure.

Thanks.

It's all right.

[Big band music playing]

Want to dance?

I don't dance.

Hmm.

Well...

I'm going to teach you.

It will sort of get US
in the same county, huh?

I think
I will have
a cup of coffee.

You want some more?

No, I don't want it.

I shouldn't drink so much.

I tell you,

it gives me a--

it's an acid condition.

It's good.

Say, what is it
the fellows call you

at the soda joint?

I hear them call you something.

Nothing.

Well, I hear them
call you something.

Let's dance, huh?

Boy, are you jumpy.

I'm sorry.

Please.

[Snaps fingers]

Oh, look, look.

Now, relax, huh?

Relax.

Look, just sort of
walk to the music
in time.

And if you don't
want to walk, you
just stand still.

Just relax,
huh? Relax.
Come on. Come on.

♪ Bum bum bum bum ♪

♪ ba ba bum bum ♪

You know, I'll tell you.

I used to work
at a dime-a-dance place
in New York

where--ha ha!

Ha ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha ha!

What are you laughing at?

You've never been there.

I don't know.

You ever been out
with a girl before?

Sure.

Sure. Listen, are you here
on a bet or something?

No. Come on.

Aren't we the original
hot and cold boy?

I'm sorry.

Now listen, quit being so sorry,

or I'm going to be sorry, too.

Come on.

It's a funny thing.

I can't remember
what they called--

well, my, my.

Don't tell me
I'm the first girl
you ever kissed.

Well...

I get them all.

Now, come on, puppy.

Give me your paw.

You see?

You getting the idea,

or do you want to call mama

and ask her what to do, huh?

You got soft hands,

almost like a girl's.

Ha ha!

Oh, is that what they call you--

sister boy?

Well, no wonder!

Sister boy!
I should have known.

Oh, no!

What are you doing?

What are you doing?

What's the matter with you?

What are you do--

just let me alone!

What's the matter with you?

Nothing's the matter
with me! Nothing!

Aah!

Aah!

Stop him!

Stop him!
He's got a knife!

He's crazy!
Get him! Get him!

Let me alone!

Stop him!

Oh!

Now, get that guy out of here!

Let the school's cops
take care of him!

Will you listen to me
for a second?

I'm telling you,
the guy went
and saw Ellie.

Who are you trying to bull?

For crying out loud,
the school police
caught him

coming out of her place.

You're probably
the last guys to hear
about this thing.

Well, how about that?

What would he want
to go and do a thing
like that for?

[Bell ringing]

[Knock on door]

Hello, Laura.

Hello, Mr. Lee.

Bill isn't in right now.

My train was 20 minutes late.

I was afraid I'd missed him.

We have
an appointment
with the Dean

in just a few minutes.

Oh, I see.

Bill's over--he's over
talking to the girl.

He decided someone
should get the details

before you go to the Dean's.

The details?
I mean really,

after all...

Excuse me, Mr. Lee,
but you seem rather,

well, rather pleased.

Well...

You know Tom will be
expelled for being
with this girl.

Now, a boy can't
keep in bounds all
of his life, Laura.

It was just very foolish of him

to be found
leaving the place
by the school police.

I think you're proud of him.

Perhaps for
the first time
in his life,

you're proud of him

because he was
found out-of-bounds
with a--

I suppose it is
hard for a woman
to understand,

but believe me, Laura,
in years to come,

it will be
just another amusing
smoking-car story.

[Bill]
Off to the tea
dance, Ted?

Yeah, Mr. Reynolds.

Have a good time.

Bill.

Oh, hello, herb.

I was afraid I might be late

for our appointment
with the Dean.

Don't go for a minute, Laura.

Is Tom sitting around

telling the boys all about it?

No, herb. No, he's alone
in his room.

He has been ever since

the school police
brought him in
last night.

I was just telling your wife,

trying to make her understand

the male point of view
on this matter.

I mean, how being kicked out
for this kind of thing,

while not exactly desirable,

is still not so serious--

sort of one of
the calculated risks
of being a man.

Herb.

Yes, bill? I mean,
you do agree with me
on that, don't you?

The situation is not exactly

as it was
reported to you
on the telephone.

What do you mean?

It's true that Tom
went to this girl
Ellie's place.

It's true that he went there
for the usual reason.

However, it didn't
work out that way.

She tried to
help it along by
getting him to dance.

She said something about

his hands being like a girl's.

Anyway, the upshot
of the whole thing was,
he panicked.

He ran to the kitchen,
he got a knife,

and he tried to kill himself.

The story is true.
Tom admits it.

You still think this will make

a good smoking-car story?

What do you mean?

Why did you want me
to stay to hear all this?

I thought
you should know
the truth.

Bill, I just don't understand.

I'm sure bill will be
more explicit with you

if I leave the room.

[Bill]
Laura, herb and I are
going to the Dean's now.

I'm playing squash
with the headmaster
at 5:00.

I'll see you
in the dining hall
at 6:30.

I wish you'd stay
for a moment now.

What?

I'd like to talk to you.

Laura, I can't.

Bill, I wish you would.

Herb, do you mind walking along?

I'll be with you
in a few moments.

All right, bill.

Well, good-bye, Laura.

You're not going to see Tom?

I don't think
he'd want to see me
just now. Do you?

It's his birthday.

Oh, yes.
So it is.

Well, I'll be going along, bill.

Now, Laura, what is it?

I've got to get
to the Dean's
to discuss this matter.

Yes, of course,
but first I'd like
to discuss

the boys who made him do this--

the men and boys
who made him
do this.

No one made him do anything.

Is there to be
no blame,
no punishment

for the men and boys
who taunted him
into doing this?

What if he had
succeeded in killing
himself? What then?

You're being
entirely too emotional.

If he had succeeded
in killing himself
in Ellie's rooms,

wouldn't you have
felt some guilt?

I?

Yes, you.

I wish you'd look
at the facts and not
be so emotional.

The facts? What facts?
There are no facts

except that this boy
is different,

doesn't conform
to your ideas of
what a man is.

This whole thing
is judgment
by prejudice,

and I resent it.

He's not like me,
therefore, he is capable
of all possible crimes.

He's not one of US,
a member of the tribe,

so the tribe
has to find
a scapegoat

to reaffirm your shaky position.

You keep insisting
that I had everything
to do with--

you stood by
and watched it happen.

You wanted to
humiliate the boy
in the eyes of the school

because if he was right,

then you had to be wrong.

If he could be manly,

then you had to question
your own definition
of manliness.

Well, bill, he's right.

Sure. Ask Ellie.

Oh, because it was
distasteful for him.

Because for him,
there has to be love.

Manliness is not all
swagger and swearing

and mountain-climbing.

Manliness is also tenderness...

And gentleness...

And consideration.

Look, Laura,
I know this has been
a shock to you.

I know you were fond of the boy.

You did all you could
for him--more than
anyone would expect.

But after all,
your responsibility
doesn't go...

Doesn't go beyond
giving him tea
and sympathy
on sunday afternoons.

I'm going to tell you something.

It's going to shock you,
but I'm going to
tell you.

Laura, it's late.

Last night,
I knew what Tom
had in mind to do.

I heard him making
the date with Ellie
on the phone.

And you didn't stop him?
Then you're the one
that's responsible.

Yes, I am responsible,

but not in the way you think.

I did try to stop him,

but not
by locking him
in his room

or calling the school police.

I tried
to stop him by
being nice to him,

by being affectionate

and showing him he was liked.

I knew what he was going to do

and why he was going to do it.

He had to prove
to you bullies
that he was a man,

and he was
going to prove it
with Ellie Martin.

Well, last night--

I know this is
a terrible thing
to say,

but last night,

I wish he had proved it with me.

You don't know
what you're saying.

My heart cried out
to this boy
in his misery,

a misery imposed by my husband.

And I wanted to help him

as one human being to another,

and I failed.

At the last moment,
I sent him away.

You managed to overcome
your exaggerated
sense of pity?

Oh, no. It was
not just pity.

I've been lonely here, bill--

miserably lonely.

We'll discuss this later.

Bill, you're always running off!

We never talk
things out,
our differences.

Can't we face them?
I'm not saying
it's your fault.

It's probably mine,
but let's look at it,
examine it--

examine it, criticize it--

if this thing
of Tom brings it out
into the open,

let it come out!

You've been talking
about manliness.

What do you know about a man?

You were married
first to that boy--

again, a poor, pitiable boy.

You want to
mother a boy,
not love a man.

And that's why
you've never
really loved me.

Oh, I did love you,

but not just
for your outward show
of manliness,

but because you needed me.

And for one unguarded moment,

you let me know you needed me.

And I have tried to find
that moment again,
the year we've been married,

to find out why you married me.

This is what you want,
this kind of talk?

We may arrive
at something honest.

It may not be US,
you and I, but it will
be true and honest.

I married you because you were

kind and gentle
and womanly
and understanding.

And toward me,
you've only
been critical
and undermining.

I have tried, bill,
in every way.

I have tried,
but you haven't let me.

You were more interested

in mothering that boy up there

than becoming my wife.

I only gave him the affection

you didn't want, wouldn't have.

Oh, bill, you do want it.

Why won't you let me love you?

Bill.

Bill, I have tried.
I have tried.

Tom?

Tom?

Tom.

I took your coat
back to your room.

You weren't there.

Hello?

Hello.

I didn't think you'd
ever want to see me again.

Why not?

After last night.

I'm sorry about
what happened
downstairs.

I'm not.

You've heard everything,

I suppose.

Yes.

Everything?

Everything.

I knew your husband
would be anxious

to give you the details.

Yes, he did.

So now you know, too.

Tom, dear, you mustn't think--

what else am I to think?

You're not in love with Ellie.

That's not supposed to matter.

Oh, but it does.

I wish they'd let me
kill myself.

Tom...

Look at me.

Tom?

Last night,

you kissed me.

Why did you kiss me?

It made you sick, didn't it?

Didn't it?

How can you think such a thing?

Well, you sent me away.

You--

anyway, when you
heard this morning,

it must have made you sick.

Tom...

I'm going to tell you something.

Tom?

That was the nicest kiss
I ever had...

From anyone.

Tom...

One day, you'll meet a girl,

and it'll be right.

Tom...

Believe me.

I wish I could...

But a person knows...

Knows inside.

Do you think that
after last night,

I could ever...

But thanks.

Thanks a lot.

Years from now...

When you talk about this...

And you will...

Be kind.

[Footsteps]

I'm sorry.

I used to live
in this room
when I was here.

Crummy room, isn't it?

Yes, I guess it is.
My name's Tom Lee.

Hello. Say,
did you write
a book?

Well, yes.

I've seen it in the library.

Well, I'm sorry I barged in.

Oh, that's ok.
Bye.

Bye.

[Classical music playing]

[Knock on door]

Yes?

Mr. Reynolds?

Yes. Come in.

It's Tom Lee.

Oh.

Yes.

I just wanted to say hello.

Oh.

Yes?

Everything looks
very much the same.

Does it?

May I?

[Turns off music]

May I ask
about Mrs. Reynolds?

I wrote her
a letter here
a few years ago.

Was it--I mean...

I don't know where she is.

A few months ago,

she must have been living
somewhere near Chicago.

She moved from there,

left a box of things
which was forwarded here.

This letter addressed
to you was in it.

Obviously, she never sent it
or even stamped it.

[Telephone rings]

Hello.

No.

What's the matter?

Oh.

Have you got it there
in front of you?

All right.

Oh, the week of the 9th, yeah.

Yeah. Read the names
alphabetically.

Yeah. It's a "C" plus.

That's a "B."

Who? Hap Hudson?

Well,
that's a "B."

Is that the week of the 16th?

[Laura]
Dear Tom...

I shall probably
never send this letter.

I probably
shouldn't even write it,

but I am impulsive--

that you know--

and my impulse is to write it.

Perhaps in the cold light of morning,

I will tear it up.

I don't know.

Tom, dear,

I have just read your book,

your novel
about your days in school...

About US.

It is a lovely book,

tender and romantic
and touching,

and in it,
I come out rather like a
Saint.

But, Tom,
that isn't the whole picture,

or even the true picture.

You have romanticized
the wrong we did

and not looked at it clearly.

At the end of the story, you say

that the husband was
far better off without his
wife

and the wife went on
to her own happy life.

You're quite wrong, Tom.

As you know,
I couldn't go back to bill

after that afternoon with you

and pretend
that nothing had happened,

and my not going back
ruined his life.

[Sigh]

The week of the 16th?

I find that I sacrificed bill
and our marriage.

He thought
he knew what he wanted--

to be left alone,

just as you thought
you knew what you wanted--

to kill yourself.

Both of you, in a sense,
were crying out to be saved

from what
you thought you wanted.

I answered your cry.

It was the easier one to answer.

These are terrible things
to write to you, Tom--

about guilt and right and wrong,

but you are
old enough now to know

that when you drop
a pebble in the water,

there are ever-widening
circles of ripples.

There are always consequences.

Anyway, Tom,
I've often wondered

if I didn't show
a lack of faith in you,

in your ability
to meet a crisis by yourself

and come through it alone.

They say
about dreadful experiences,

if they don't kill US,
they make US strong.

I was just afraid
that that one would kill you.

Dear Tom, I was so pleased
to read that you are married.

Have a good life,

a full life,

an understanding life.

Write good stories,

true stories.

About one thing
you were correct.

The wife did always keep
her affection for the boy

somewhere in her heart.