A Bill of Divorcement Page #3

new crack in the floor?

They catch me by

the ankle and drag...

- Drag...

- Sydney!

Father!

Father, go slow.

Its all right mother.

We'll manage.

You tell your mother,

its all right.

You understand that?

Once it was a real hand.

Now I know its in my mind.

I tell you, Meg.

I'm well! But it isn't safe

to think about anything...

My dear! The Holly,

and the crackle of the fire

and home like a veil of peace on me

and you, my dear one,

- standing there so still.

- No, no, no!

Yes, yes, yes!

Luncheon is served, ma'am.

Set another place, Bassett.

This... My...

- This gentleman is staying to lunch.

- Yes, miss.

Staying to lunch?

Thats a good joke!

I say you miss I'm laughing!

Its blessed to laugh.

Staying to lunch?

Yes my girl.

Lunch and tea and supper

and breakfast. Thank heaven!

For many a long days!

Hi.

Yes, Dr. Alliot,

they are still at lunch.

- How quick can you get here?

- I will come at once.

Is he excitable or fairly calm?

- I see.

- You are not partly silent?

Please hurry,

won't you.

Mothers such a

terrible nervous strain.

- Thank you, Dr. Alliot.

- Something wrong with your mother?

No, Gray.

Will you wait in the drawing room?

I'll send mother here to you.

Are you not extraordinary?

Its practically amazing!

She knew I was her father

the moment she saw me.

- There you are, Sydney.

- Yes, father.

You know?

I'm dying to see

the little music room.

Will you excuse me?

Hester, the pianos never

been at the right place.

- No, Hilary?

- Sure then, all the tones lost.

Well, whats the mystery?

Gray, he's come back!

- Who?

- Hilary.

Hilary?

- Hilary!

- He got away.

He came straight here.

Don't be frightened.

Is he dangerous?

No. Poor fellow!

- Darling, I take charges.

- No, Gray.

You don't understand.

He's well.

He knows me.

- I can't believe it!

- You think I want to believe it?

What a ghastly

thing to say?

Dr. Alliot is coming.

He's always been

able to manage him.

I and you away

quietly poor devil.

No, Gray.

He's well.

The old Hilary.

Voice and ways.

His hair is gray, but

he talks he did in 20s.

Its horrible.

And ofcourse,

he knows nothing.

- About what?

- The divorce.

You and me. He thinks

everything is as he left it.

- You've said nothing?

- Not yet.

He's like a lost

child come home.

- I couldn't.

- You come away with me at once!

I can't! Oh, Gray!

I'm wicked! I was

wishing he never got well.

In my heart, I'm

hating my husband!

You have no husband!

You're marrying me.

You're mine.

I know. I'm not afraid of you.

He's got to be told.

- Darling, let me tell him.

- No.

That would be cruel.

I must tell him myself.

It will hurt him less

coming from me.

Don't you know it does to me?

To live in the same house with him!

I can't stay here.

Don't let me stay here.

Come with me,

the car is outside

Meg!

There he is.

Meg?

Listen to me.

We're leaving for London tonight.

Going to be married at once.

Meg!

There's no train till nine.

So I'll be back here at 20:30.

- You be ready?

- If I manage to...

Oh, Meg, Sydney

said you got...

Hello. Who is this?

Oh doctor, eh?

I've been expecting

him down only.

Its no good you know, Sr.

I'm as fit as you are.

- Any test you like.

- Mr. Meredith called

to see me, Hilary.

He's just going.

Sorry.

- Goodbye, hate leaving you.

- You must. Its better. Come back!

- Who's that man?

- His name is Gray Meredith.

Whats he doing here?

He's an old friend.

- I don't know him, do I?

- No.

Since you were ill in

the last 5 years.

He's in love with you.

You shouldn't let him, Meg.

You're such a child.

You don't know what you're

doing when you look and smile.

I do know.

I don't wonder at him,

or brood.

Meg,

you've changed.

- Yes, Hilary.

- Tall, more beautiful.

Yet there's something I miss.

Yes, Hilary.

Something you used to have.

A kind way with you.

The childs got it, Sydney.

She's more you

than you are.

You've grown right out.

Away, beyond me.

Haven't you?

- Yes, Hilary.

- But I'm going to catch you up.

You help me catch up

with you, won't you Meg?

Just wait for me.

Hold out your hands to me.

I can't, Hilary.

My hands are full.

You mean Sydney?

She'll be off in no time.

She told me all about the boy.

Whats his name? Kit.

Its not Sydney.

What do you mean?

What're you trying to tell me?

Meg...

Meg, whats changed you?

Why do you look

at me sideways?

Why do you flinch

when I talk loudly?

And when I kissed you...

Its that man.

- Margaret!

- I've done nothing wrong!

I've been trying to tell you.

Hilary, 15 years is along time.

Yes, I suppose

it is a long time.

For a woman to be faithful.

What do you expect me to do?

Forgive you!

Theres nothing to forgive!

Oh, Hilary, we've so much

to forgive each other!

But not that.

To divorce you then?

Because I'll not do that.

Hilary,

I devorced you.

What?

I divorced you.

You couldn't do such a thing!

You have no cause!

I see what you're trying to do.

You're trying to confuse me!

Thats like driving me mad again!

Why you said!

Sydney!

Where's that girl?

Sydney!

Hester! Come here all of you!

What is it? What have you done?

Frightening mum!

No! Not on her side!

You're my little Sydney.

Kind. My Sydney.

What is that you said?

Go slowly.

Sydney, humour him.

What was I calling you for?

Ah, Yes!

A riddle, I got a riddle for you.

When's a wife not a wife?

- Do you want to know the answer!

When she is Miss.

- Clm, Hilary.

- What have you done to him, Margaret?

- I told him the truth.

If life holds you

what she said to me,

you think I was mad.

And thats what you

want you to think!

She wants to....

get rid of me.

I'm in the way?

She comes to me and said!

What do you think?

She's not my wife.

What do you think of that.

Its my fault.

I began at the wrong end.

Hilary, I'm not what you think.

- What is that man doing inmy house?

- I'm free.

- I got my divorce.

- If he comes here,

I'll kill him!

- Sydney!

- Its all right mother.

We'll manage somehow.

- Dr. Alliot in the home, ma'am.

- Ask him to come in here at once.

Yes, ma'am.

Hello, Margaret, my dear.

How lovely you're looking.

Miss. Fairfield, how do you do?

Sydney.

Hilary, my dear boy

welcome back!

- Its at Marriot, Is'nt it?

- Your memory's all right.

- I suppose I sent for you.

- No, rather unconventionally.

- I had been in touch with...

- That place?

Yes. You may have to go back.

Formalities.

- An official clearance.

- I don't mind.

I'm well. I'm well, Alliot.

I'm not afraid of what you say.

No, well that sounds hopeful.

But I can't go doctor.

- Only for a few hours.

Its my wife.

I lost my temper.

I do lose my temper.

It means nothing!

Go slow, eh?

She says she's not my wife.

I see.

Thats the trouble.

I married Meg.

I fell ill.

Now I'm well again.

I want my wife.

- Yes, yes.

- "Yes, yes."

It sounds familiar.

I suppose what you call

humouring a lunatic.

I hope to be convinced

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