Adventure in Baltimore Page #6

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The rules admit everybody. As you'd know if you'd read them.

Page seven.

Thank you.

You're right!

Then, here's my entry.

Well! Quite good!

Thank you. There's just one thing.

- The painter's name is secret, isn't it?

- Oh, yes, indeed.

Each painting is unsigned, with a number fixed to the frame.

We keep the names separately, so the judges aren't influenced.

Your number is 87. Your name will be undisclosed.

I'd like to remain anonymous after judging, too.

- Even if you should win?

- Yes, even if I should win.

Yes, I...think I see what you mean, Miss Sheldon.

87!

- Bernice! Come and see 87!

- What for?

I hate to say anything,

but it may change your mind about some things.

What things, child?

Come and see, Mrs Eckert! If you have smelling salts, lend them to Bernice!

SHE GASPS:

- It's Tom! Your Tom!

- Yes, it's Tom!

He must have posed for it.

- WOMAN:

- Why, that's Tom Wade!

In THAT costume!

- I wonder who painted it.

- I'll tell you! Dinah Sheldon!

- Dr Sheldon's daughter!

- Oh, how dreadful!

Your fiance posed like that before a woman?

So that's what she was doing in that secret studio!

That's why she was so odd about it.

She liked it because it was SECLUDED, she said.

Too secluded, I'd say.

I wonder what else went on.

- I've heard about artists.

- I knew one once.

Where did you know an artist? You never told me.

I must get this poor child home. You speak to Tom Wade.

Dinah Sheldon, the hussy!

HECTIC MUSIC:

- Hello.

- Good afternoon, Dinah.

YELLING:
Dinah!

How's Tom Wade?

- Shhh! Stop it!

- Poor Dr Sheldon.

Why did you do it? That's all I want to know.

- Why did you put my face on it? You said you wouldn't.

- I know.

I tried all kinds of things, but they were wrong.

I painted and painted, and suddenly I saw that without meaning to,

I'd put in your face.

And then it WAS right.

- I didn't try to do it. It just happened.

- It sure did.

They...gave me a prize. I can pay you back the 50 now.

Thanks.

I'll need it.

I just lost my job on account of...things.

- Oh, Tom!

- Bernice is mad at me. So's my Aunt Ella.

I wish I could change things.

It's too late now.

I don't know why, but taking this makes me feel like Benedict Arnold or somebody.

- If you'd disciplined her, it wouldn't have happened.

- Perhaps, Dan.

But the damage is done. Good day.

- Afternoon, Miss Wade.

- Afternoon, Mr Fletcher.

Glad to see you, Ella. Come on in.

- Dr Sheldon, this whole thing is just terrible.

- Let's sit down and talk about it.

Talking won't do a smidgen of good.

I feel something just has to be done about it, that's all.

Goodness knows what.

- How's Tom?

- He's very upset. You know what they're saying.

- Yes.

- He had to hit two of his friends this afternoon.

Oh, yes, it's come to that.

Breaking up his friendships, on top of everything.

I'm sorry to hear that.

You'd be a mite sorrier to hear what they say about YOU.

And your wife. And how Dinah was raised.

Not that I'd listen, but I could tell you who's saying those mean things.

Ella, I don't want to know. They don't know what they're doing.

KNOCK AT DOOR Andrew, dear... Excuse me, Ella. ..may I see you a moment?

Certainly, dear. I'll be right back, Ella.

Come in here a minute, dear.

Andrew, there are two more people to see you.

- Same thing?

- Yes, Mr Eckert and a man from the Post for a picture of Dinah.

- That's out of the question.

- You'll have to talk to him.

It's a tempest in a teapot.

- I'll get rid of them.

- DOORBELL

Now there's someone else.

Andrew, she can go to your sister Carrie in Pittsburgh for a few months.

- What good would it do?

- She'd have a chance to think, and we can sort things out.

If anything's to be sorted out, the place is here.

They'll be dreadful to her.

I'm afraid you're right, Lily.

But what affects Dinah affects us too.

- I'd rather face it here than send her away. It isn't Dinah's fault.

- I don't know, Andrew.

I can't help feeling it must be partly her fault.

- Ordinary well-mannered people don't get into things like this.

- Lily.

Ordinary well-mannered people get into all kinds of trouble.

Oh!

Bernice? I've been looking for you.

You'd no need to hang up the phone.

There's no point you talking to me, Tom Wade.

- Won't you let me explain?

- Some things explain themselves, Mr Wade.

I love this new flavour, Fred.

Have another! Two sodas, please. Pistachio.

Bernice, you're mistaken about this.

If that's so, you wouldn't be seen talking with Dinah Sheldon.

Mrs Weir told Momma she was hanging out washing,

and you walked right back into that greenhouse

and talked to her, as big as life!

What's wrong with that?

After what she did?! That creature!

She is not a creature. You're taking a wrong attitude.

Mr Wade, to whom do you think you're speaking to?

- I'm telling you, Di did nothing wrong.

- She's nothing but a...a...

things everybody's saying.

- Do you believe them?

- Where there's smoke there's fire, Mother says.

- That's the most unfair thing I ever heard.

- Everyone can't be wrong.

If I were willing not to ask questions,

the least you can do is promise not to speak to that hussy again.

Bernice, if you were a man I'd punch you in the nose.

Fred!

Uh...I'M a man.

Man, huh?

He's fainted!

- Lily?

- Yes?

Lily, where are you?

I'm up here, dear. What is it?

You'll have to change your Young People's Meeting to another day.

The furnace man's working in the hall on Tuesday.

Monday, then.

Hey, what's going on here?

Dinah's going to visit your sister Carrie till summer.

- I told you how I feel about that.

- Papa, please.

We talked it over, and Momma's right.

It's best for me to go away for a few months.

I've done nothing but cause trouble for you.

I said before, it's a family responsibility. We'll fight it out.

There's nothing to fight.

It's a matter of getting people to forget. They won't if Dinah's here.

- Forget what? The evil their own minds invented?

- No, dear.

The situation that could affect your whole future.

Lily dear, if God wants me to be bishop, I will be.

It's more urgent to recognise gossip for what it is.

Andrew, dear, you know how much good you could do.

It means so much to everyone.

PHONE RINGS:

I talked with Mr Fletcher and some of the vestrymen.

We agree it's the wisest thing.

- GENE:

- Call for Pa, about the job for Hank Miller.

Right, Gene.

- Lily...

- Answer that and leave this to me, dear.

I know I'm right, Andrew.

I won't stand still while you lose the chance to be bishop of this diocese.

-

- Pa, are you coming?

- Please, dear.

-

- Shall I hang up, Pa?

No, I'm coming.

HE CLEARS THROA - MARK: I wish

- I

- was going away!

- SIS:

- I don't.

Tom?

I just want to say goodbye.

I thought it all over, Di, and I know it wasn't your fault.

Thank you.

I'm sorry they're sending you away.

Perhaps it's as well if we don't see each other. I've caused you enough grief.

I don't hold anything against you, Di.

- Dinah! Come on, dear. We're ready.

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