A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Page #3

your mama say?

Well,

she didn't like it.

Yeah.

I can imagine that.

Couldn't you sort of

say something to her,

not to be too mad

to Aunt Sissy?

That I could, prima

donna, and that I will.

Thank you, Papa.

Now, haven't you got just

one little wish for yourself?

Just one wish

just for you?

Well, did you see it, Papa? What?

Out the window, our

tree, they've killed it!

Well, will you

look at that, now?

They didn't have any right

to kill it, did they, Papa?

Now, wait a minute.

They didn't kill it.

Why, they couldn't

kill that tree. Honest?

Why, sure, baby.

Don't tell me that tree's gonna

lay down and die that easy.

Look at that tree. See

where it's coming from?

Right up

out of the cement.

Didn't nobody plant it. It didn't

ask the cement could it grow.

It just couldn't help

growing so much,

it pushed that old cement

right out of the way.

But when you're busting with something

like that, can't anybody help it.

Like, like that little old

bird up there. Listen to him.

He didn't ask anybody

could he sing.

And he certainly

didn't take any lessons.

He's so full of singing it's

just got to bust out someplace.

Why, they could cut that old

tree right down to the ground

and a root would push up

someplace else in the cement.

You wait till spring,

prima donna, and you'll see.

Well, this ain't winning

the family bread, huh?

Come on. Ain't you got one nice,

little wish just for yourself?

No, Papa. I just...

Just what?

I just love you

so much, Papa!

Well, what do you know?

Listen.

If I make a lot of tips tonight,

you know what I'm gonna do?

What, Papa?

I'm gonna put two bucks on the nose

of a horse I know is running Monday.

And I'll win 10. Then I'll

put it on another horse.

If I use my head

and I'm lucky,

I'll run it up

to 500 bucks.

Then you know what I'm

gonna do? What, Papa?

I'm gonna

take you on a trip,

just you and me

on a regular train.

Maybe we'll go down south

and see the cotton.

You know, down where

them cotton blossoms blow.

Way down

upon the Swanee River

Far, far away

You're a nice girl, baby.

Come on! We'll go up and tell

your mama the news about my job!

Anybody seen

Johnny Nolan's wife?

Johnny, you all right?

And why not?

Ain't I married to

the most beautiful lady

in all Williamsburg,

Brooklyn?

Well, you're shouting

it so loud

they'll hear you

over to Manhattan.

Don't you get fresh with

me tonight, Mrs. Nolan.

Happens I'm working Klommer's

big wedding party.

I thought you looked

kinda extra dressy.

I guess you won't get home

until the sun comes up.

The later, the better.

The more tips,

the more fine silk stockings

for my wife's pretty legs.

Silk stockings is

just what I need!

Now, just a minute,

Mrs. Nolan.

Ain't you gonna give me

a kiss for luck?

The whole house

is looking.

Sure. I know they're

looking, but who cares?

This is the finest job

I had in months.

Maybe I'll get

more from tonight.

You better get on with it.

Good jobs don't wait.

But the job's no good

without you. Kiss me.

Well, you still got a way

with you, Johnny Nolan.

Now, go on!

Get out of here!

Before you know it,

the folks at that wedding

will be an old,

married couple.

Before you know it,

I won't go at all.

Theirs ain't the only

marriage that counts.

Take your hat

and get out of here

before someone else

cops that job!

Our Francie was

telling me that

Sissy's gone

and done it again.

Well, maybe

he's a nice fella.

Don't be too hard

on her, huh?

They was all nice fellas.

Beat it, now, Johnny.

That's just a sample, madam.

If you like my stock,

drop me a card

and I'll be back again.

Good evening.

Well, will you look at our

beautiful princess tonight

in a brand-new gown.

It's made out of silk.

Silk?

Don't you tell me that.

This dress is made out of

flower petals and birds' wings

and a little old

piece of cloud.

Anybody can tell that.

Good evening,

Mr. Spencer.

Working tonight, Johnny?

Yeah. Big wedding party.

Good evening,

Miss Lizzie, Miss Maggie.

You're looking fine today,

Mr. Nolan. Indeed, you are.

Thank you, ladies.

Here comes the bride

Here...

- Good evening, young ladies.

- Good evening.

Allow me, princess.

Blackberries!

I got blackberries!

Hi, Mr. Ching.

Hello.

What did Mama say about Aunt

Sissy? Now don't worry about it.

Everything's

gonna be all right.

Your Aunt Sissy's

a fine woman, Francie.

Look at them things!

There's no use talking. Someday

I'm gonna buy you them skates.

Mama says not to be

too late, Papa.

Look.

God invented time.

And when he invents something,

there's always plenty of it.

There's your car, Papa.

Boy!

Look at them knives!

Mama says

time is money.

I guess he wasn't worrying

much about money right then.

There's your car, Papa.

Well, I might

as well catch it.

Ice! Any ice today?

Supper's ready.

Hey. Am I hungry!

And when weren't you hungry? Mama?

Yes, Francie?

What does white mean?

Just white, I guess. What do

you mean what does it mean?

Neeley, sit down

at your place.

Why do girls always wear it

when they're married

and when they're confirmed

and when they graduate?

Why does it always

have to be white?

Just one of those things somebody

started. Lots of things like that.

Will I have a white

dress when I graduate?

We'll see. Neeley will probably

have to have shoes by that time.

But, Mama. Well, talk to him about it.

If you can get him to quit coming

through the soles of his shoes.

It's just because he's a boy.

All right, Mama.

I will gladly do without so my little

brother can be happy with new shoes.

Little brother, my eye!

That'll do! Francie,

you read too much.

Well, hey, everybody.

Hi, Aunt Sissy!

What did you bring us?

I brung myself, chickabiddies.

Ain't that enough?

And a couple of magazines

from the dentist's.

What does he need

'em for or me, either.

I can't read like my

educated little niece here.

Hello, Katie,

my darling.

Good evening, Sissy.

Well, you look

fine, Katie.

Yeah, I look fine.

Who spilled the beans?

I forgot. It was old Barker's day here.

Where's Johnny? I was kinda

counting on him to be in my corner.

Sure. You and Johnny.

Look, Katie,

I didn't tell you

because I wanted to

bring Bill around.

But I couldn't. He's home

sleeping. He's a milkman, see?

Listen. You're gonna wish

me happiness, ain't you?

Naturally, I'm going to wish

you happiness this time, too.

Golly, why can't you skip to

the part where you forgive me?

You're going to

before you're through.

You know I'll get

around to you in the end.

Why can't you just be human

now and get it over with?

There ain't no one like you to get

around a person in the whole world,

unless it's Johnny.

You're in time for pie.

Go on now and sit down!

That's more like it.

That's my kid sister talking.

Just coffee for me. I gotta get

home soon and fix breakfast for Bill.

Breakfast? At night?

Yeah. Ain't it a riot?

We sleep all day long with the

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