Alice Adams Page #6

Not that you'll have it long.

Mr. Lamb'll fire you as soon as he finds out

you're still there...

...after what I've done.

He knows I'm there, all right.

He talked to me yesterday.

What did he say?

Just asked me

how my work was getting on.

Look here, Pa, are you going to do anything

about that $150?

No, I'm not.

I haven't got 150 cents, let alone dollars.

What do you think I am, a mint?

All right.

I don't see as you

ever did very much for me, anyhow.

You know, I think it's time your father

and I showed some interest in Mr. Russell.

Why, I actually don't believe

he's ever been inside the house.

I know he hasn't.

We always stayed out here on the porch.

It's so much nicer.

I was thinking we couldn't wait much

longer to ask him to dinner or something.

Mother, must we?

Don't you see, Alice,

it seems so queer not to do something.

It looks so kind of poverty-stricken.

All right. I'll ask him,

if you think I've got to.

We could get that colored woman,

Malena Burns, to wait on table.

She goes out for the day, you know.

And then we'd have a nice dinner.

Something reaI stylish.

Yeah, but don't you think it would be nicer,

maybe, if we waited?

But, Alice, why should we?

Unless you don't want Mr. Russell

to meet your father and mother.

No, of course I do. Only...

What's the use?

Okay.

Arthur.

What beautifuI flowers.

I didn't realize

you had such a lovely garden.

That's because you haven't been

cousinly enough to get used to it.

You've rather taught us

to forget what you look like.

I'm sorry. But I've been so busy.

We understand perfectly.

- Hot coffee or iced?

- Iced, please.

Iced for me, too, please.

It's really getting warm, isn't it?

Here's the guest list for the garden party.

I think I have everyone.

I didn't know whether or not

to invite Alice Adams.

You remember her.

You danced with her here.

Yes, of course.

A rather conspicuous young woman,

this Adams girI.

Adams?

Isn't her father the VirgiI Adams

who used to work for Mr. Lamb?

I believe so.

- Why?

- It's nothing much.

It's just that I heard VirgiI Adams has stolen

some sort of glue formula from Mr. Lamb.

- Stolen it?

- Yes, it quite upset the old gentleman.

Adams had been his clerk for over 25 years,

and Lamb had been carrying him...

...even though he'd been a dead weight

to the firm. Then to show his gratitude...

...Adams upped and walked off

with the glue formula.

Imagine.

Is this girI some friend of yours?

Every girI who meets Mildred...

...and tries to push the acquaintanceship

isn't a friend.

I shouldn't put it quite like that.

I saw something of her, for a time.

She's not unattractive in a way.

A pushing sort of girI,

a very pushing little person.

But I'm afraid we're boring poor Arthur

with all this.

What?

- I'm sorry.

- There, you see.

Mildred, why not take Arthur out

and show him the garden?

He may find it a relief

to put his mind on something prettier...

...than thieving clerks.

If you like.

The point of this Adams thing

is that Lamb takes a great deaI of pride...

...in his judgment of men, and everybody

thinks this is a great joke on the old man.

All he'll say is, "Wait and see. "

Here's your cap and apron,

and you take care of them. And, Malena...

...when the doorbell rings,

you put the caviar sandwiches on a tray...

...but don't let Alice see them.

I want to surprise her.

Yes.

You ought to slip upstairs

and take a teeny little nap...

...so you'll look fresh for tonight.

I'll look all right, besides there isn't time.

It's after 6:
00.

You're the one who ought to rest

with all you've done today.

I'm fine,

and I do want things to be so right.

If it just hadn't turned so hot.

You did all that this morning,

and a dozen times since.

You'll wear yourself out.

I know, but those chairs.

They're all right, and nobody can see

the worn places when we're sitting in them.

The roses help, don't they?

- I left the rest for the dining room table.

- They look beautifuI.

I don't know anybody

that has as good taste as you, Alice.

- Where are those danged things?

- Coming, VirgiI.

Here, suppose you take these

up to your father...

...and you better get dressed

or you won't be ready.

I've only got to slip off my apron.

What about Walter?

About his wearing his evening clothes?

He'll object just like his father,

but I'll talk to him when he comes in.

And get Malena to throw away that

chewing gum before she waits on the table.

Don't worry, dear.

You leave everything to me.

Malena, now remember...

...I want you to have the soup on the table

before you announce the dinner.

Yes, but don't you think

it's pretty hot for soup?

Never mind that.

Then you serve the mushrooms

and sweetbreads...

...then the filet and vegetables.

Miss Adams, I'm afraid the ice cream

ain't going to hold out much longer.

It's about floating already.

Can you sew up a buttonhole for me?

The dang thing's too large

and it keeps popping open.

Okay, I'll get a needle and thread.

Wish I could go to the table like this.

I don't believe I remember

any hotter night in the last 10 years.

My, but that smells pretty strong.

Is it fashionable to have cabbage

for company dinner?

That's not cabbage. It's Brussels sprouts.

Oh, is it?

He's here.

What's happened?

Malena fell down the cellar stairs.

Did she break any of our things?

No, she just bumped herself.

She'll be all right.

The flowers on the table, hurry.

I'll let him in.

Do come right in, Mr. Russell.

I'm Mrs. Adams.

- How do you do, Mrs. Adams?

- I'm so glad to be able to receive you...

...informally this way

in our own little home.

Thank you.

I'm afraid you'll think it's almost too

informaI, my coming to the door this way...

...but unfortunately

our maid just had a little accident.

That's too bad.

It's really awfully warm tonight,

don't you think?

I left everything open,

but it doesn't seem to help.

I didn't mean...

Would you have a cigarette?

Thank you.

You know, the only person I know...

...who doesn't mind the heat

the way other people do, is Alice.

But then she's so amiable,

she never seems to mind anything.

It's just her character...

...and I think that character is the most

important thing in the world, after all...

...don't you, Mr. Russell?

Yes, indeed.

That's what I always say to Alice,

but she never can see any good in herself.

She always sees good in everybody else,

no matter how unworthy they are...

...but she always underestimates herself.

Can you fix this?

Look.

Do you think it looks all right?

Fine, perfect.

Dang it.

Anyway, it lets some air in when it bulges.

You mustn't tell Alice

we've had this little chat about her...

...because she'd be just furious with me.

No, I won't.

But she is such a dear child.

You'd better go and rescue that young man

from your mother.

There.

What's the matter now?

The roses are beginning to wilt.

Maybe I shouldn't have tried

this vine effect after all.

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