A Bill of Divorcement

Do you think it is fair to

leave me alone for hours ?

Don't be absurd again.

It was only for 10 minutes.

Add, I must give little

attention to my guests.

- Not I a guest?

- Charming, Sr. Humphrey.

- You stay for supper, Won't you?

- You bet I will.

- You're mine for the rest of the night.

- Sounds most improper!

Please Sydney, Can't I have

a moment alone with you?

Lets get out when

nobody is watching.

Not now.

Aunt Hester has an eye on us.

Perhaps later.

Margaret, I think Sydney should

dance with some other young men,

Let Kit Humphrey

not monopolise.

Naturally, Hester.

They are in love.

Well , she's your

daughter, not mine.

- Mother, why aren't you with Gray now?

- No darling, we got to watch.

Come on join the merry here.

Isn't youth glorious, Gray?

I prefer a little maturity.

I feel young with you.

You, my dear

you're a child still.

Its wonderful to be free,

to have a burden lifted

from one's shoulder.

- You did that.

- With a little piece of paper.

I don't mean by helping

me to get my divorce,

by your strength and courage.

- Its a new life.

- For me too Margeret.

Life only starts

when love comes.

Why should it had

come to us so late?

- It isn't late.

- Oh, Gray!

We've time for everything, still?

Time for everything.

Carol singers, they've come!

You go at the side door.

I go the other way,

hit you at the pond.

Kit...

And another thing, Kit,

I'm counting on youo

- to break up this party early.

- Me?

Sydney had no sense of time.

Miss. Fairfield, shall I give

the singers the supper now?

Not yet, Bassett.

I'll be back directly.

- Where were you?

- I got tired waiting in the cold, come.

- Come in.

- Sorry.

Aunt Hester way laid me.

- We really have to go back o the party.

- Darling we can't wish each

other Merry Christmas in public?

Oh! Merry Christmas forever!

- You're coming to Canad

with me, you know.

- When?

- Anyday you know.

- Not possibly before Mother

and Gray are married.

They are being married New

Years Day, aren't they?

Look, my mothers engagement ring.

- Kit.

- You'll the bride of 5th

generation to wear it.

- Darling.

- I have made that

your finger will let me.

Mrs. Fairfield, we like to sing

something special in honor

of you and Mr. Meredith.

Thanks! What would

you like to sing?

God bless the master of this house,

God bless the Mistress too.

Thats very sweet of you!

Margaret!

How can you let them sing that?

Hilary is the master of this

house and no one else!

- Your husband, Hilary.

- Hester, please.

- Do you know the next line?

- "And all the little children..."

"...around the table go."

How many go round the table?

Well, Canad is a wide open space

there's all the room for children.

Say, twenty.

All right, stop at about ten.

All right, all at one batch.

I hope not!

They say two of each

kind and a slight pause...

No,no pauses. Unless one hit on

someone known as as Prime Minister.

How soon can you

telegram Minister?

Almost instantaneous,

they say.

Dear fool!

She's late for that, Mrs. Gray.

I hadn't the haute to waken her.

Because at odd

hours talking to Kit.

- But just now was when he was home.

- He's leaving so soon for Canad.

I must say Margaret,

you are neglecting

your duty as a mother.

Merry Christmas! Everyone,

I'm not late am I?

Good morning, Aunty.

Thanks darling for

the scandalous dress

you put in my room.

I'll wear it at night

and dance with Kit.

See what father Christmas sent Sydney.

And then it's dried you

Sydney for the card case.

Its a cigarette case only, dear.

I thought you send me

another prayer book,

we might do a deal.

I thought so.

Thanks very much. Sweet of you.

Shall we?

- What?

- Swap?

- Sydney darling, thats rather rude.

- Why I have been hinted at.

Its against my principles

to kneel down and say

I'm miserable sinner.

I'm not miserable,

and I'm not a sinner!

Thats the way you let your

daughter speak to me?

- Sydney, dear.

- I'm not better even if

you admire that's the way

...she views us.

- Thats not true, darling.

hasn't she led your lives

since you divorced father?

Hasn't she prevented you

from marrying Gray for years?

As long as my poor

brother Henry is alive,

inspite of God Margaret

is still his wife.

You know, father is

same as dead to us.

I always think it that way.

- He was in asylum before I was born.

- I've never even seen him.

Shame to you!

He doesn't deserve even

if he was in right mind.

When I used to go and see him,

he didn't even know me.

I know fathers condition is sad,

but it can't be helped.

The war wasn't our fault can't

blame anyone for shellshock.

- Shellshock?

- Hester!

His away we have got.

Let us not go with a

handkerchief to our

eyes all the time.

We got to live.

- You're as hard as ingot.

- No. I hate hypocracy.

I'm at the wrong

side of the family.

I'm the one person

in this house who

remembers poor Hilary!

I shall ask you to excuse me.

Darling.

You mustn't say such

things to your Aunt Hester.

You get so excited,

you remind me...

..your father was so excited.

- Why no really.

I needn't that though if I want to.

I just want to run my life.

Mother, I want to

tell you something.

Kit wants me to marry

him right away and

go to Canad with him.

Darling, you're so

young to think of

getting married!

- You were married at my age.

- I know.

I was too young.

I thought I was in love,

I know now it was just the war.

Whenever your generation

wants an excuse for anything,

they blame it on the war.

Could you get married

if you didn't want to.

There was a feeling in the air.

One did mad things.

Hilary was going out to

the trenches, to get hurt.

He was so fond of me

that frightened me.

I was so sorry that

I thought I cared.

I know now what I felt

for him wasn't really love.

- Can't you understand?

- No. Either you care or you don't.

- I love Kit!

- Do you darling?

Well if you're so sure of yourself

I shall have to let you go.

- I do so want you to be happy.

- I shall be!

- With Kit and millions of children.

- Precious!

I must hurry and dress,

Gray will be here soon.

Darling, wont you try

and find Aunt Hester

and make it up with her?

After all,

- Christmas union.

- I'm all right mother.

Aunty, I'm sorry I was hurrying.

Will you forgive me?

Its all right, there.

I couldn't help thinking of Hilary

this day of all days,

no one to greet him or

wish him Happy Christmas.

Before you were born,

he used to spend hours in

this room with his music.

He had great talent as a composer.

Might have made

something out of it,

if he hadn't gone that day.

I always loved that sonata of his.

Its too bad he

never finished it.

- Merry Christmas, Bassett.

- Merry Christmas to you Sir.

Merry Christmas, darling.

- Gray, what have you got there?

- No. Open this one first.

No, you do it. I'm too excited.

I'm sure its divine.

Silver fox fur!

Gray, you shouldn't have

been so extravagant.

Rate this script:3.0 / 4 votes