All Mine to Give Page #5

Mama don't wanna be bothered.

Robbie.

Yes, Mama?

Come here.

I'm flighty.

Not now, you're not.

I know they're my children.

And they're bonnie, aren't they?

Yes, Mama.

Anybody would want them.

What are you talking about?

Your brothers and sisters

have to have homes.

Good homes

where they're wanted and loved.

Janie's such a wee one still.

I'll take care of them, Mama.

I promise.

It's too big a job for such a small lad.

But you know

what your brothers and sisters are like.

I want you to decide

where they're to be offered.

Don't talk like that, Mama.

Place them with families

that have children of their own...

...so that they won't be so lonesome

for each other.

Robbie...

...I don't know

what I would have done without you.

You've truly been a man of the house.

And...

Find a good place for yourself.

Don't worry about me.

Well, Dr. Delbert, what are we gonna do

about these orphans?

Mrs. Runyon, have you no feeling?

I suggest you call

an emergency meeting of the council.

And the sooner the better, Dr. Delbert.

Mrs. Runyon, there is a time and place,

but this is neither.

Robbie.

She shouldn't have said that right now...

...but, of course, we are going to have

to find a place for you.

Mama said I was to decide

where we were to go.

- You, Robbie?

- Yes, sir.

I'm... I'm head of the family now.

But...

But you're only 12.

Why don't you come to see us

this afternoon?

Maybe by then, we'll have a plan.

But tomorrow's Christmas.

Can't us kids stay together

just for Christmas?

Well, I don't know.

You children all alone

in that house at night.

Probably be our last chance

to be together on Christmas.

So can't we make up our minds

day after tomorrow?

That's not too much to ask, is it?

No, Jimmie.

I don't think it is.

A wink of his eye

and a twist of his head.

Soon gave me to know

I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word,

But went straight to his work.

And filled all the stockings,

Then turned with a jerk.

And laying his finger aside of his nose

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

He sprang to his sleigh,

To the team gave a whistle.

And away they all flew

Like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim

As they drove out of sight.

Happy Christmas to all

To all a good night.

Jane's asleep.

- I'll go get the slate. Shh.

- What for?

Take her to bed.

What you gonna do?

Make a list of families that like kids.

What about the Tylers?

They're well-fixed.

The Tylers? For whom?

Annabelle.

All they've got's Howie and Bruce.

They might like a girl to help Mrs. Tyler.

Well, maybe.

But it don't cut no ice what we think.

Mama said I was to decide.

And if I don't quick,

we'll all end up in the state home, orphans.

That's what we are, aren't we?

No, and we never will be.

Well, anyway, they won't let you decide.

Not if I wait till day after tomorrow.

And tomorrow's the best day

for me to do what Mama told me.

But tomorrow's Christmas.

That's just it.

On Christmas, we ought to get just about

anybody we want to take any of us in. See?

What we are about to receive

this Christmas Day...

...may the Lord make us truly thankful.

- Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Papa, I want the drumstick, remember?

Me too.

Now, hold your horses or you'll get the part

that went over the fence last.

Oh, I feel so bad

about the Eunson children.

They're probably having dinner

with the Delberts or Bradleys.

Well, we should have made sure.

Wonder who that would be.

Folks should be at home

enjoying Christmas dinner this time of day.

Papa, what's frankincense?

It's what one of the wise men took

to the baby Jesus.

I know that.

I took it to him, but what is it?

Look who I found.

Robbie Eunson.

And Annabelle.

You'll have Christmas dinner with us.

And don't argue. We won't take no.

We certainly will not.

Begging your pardon, Mrs. Tyler.

Yes?

Jimmie and I was wondering if you...

If you didn't need a...

Well, a sort of sister for Howie and Bruce.

But I'm your sister, Robbie.

I know you are, Annie,

but you could be their sister too.

Annie's a good girl,

and she'd be an awful help to you.

She...

She was learning to sew,

and she can wipe dishes...

...and she knows her ABC's.

A. B. C.

- D. E.

- What you got in that bundle?

F. G...

My clothes, silly. What do you think?

E. F.

Howard, it's Christmas.

G. H.

- I know, Katie, but...

I.

- We've always wanted a girl.

J. K.

L. M. N.

O. P.

Mama always said Annie

was a mighty good helper.

R. S.

- T. U. V.

- T. U. V.

W. X.

Y. Z.

Do you think

you'd like living in our house?

I don't know, Mr. Tyler.

Sure, Mr. Tyler. She'll like it a lot.

She likes anybody that's good to her.

We'll be good to her, Robbie.

I guess you and I know each other.

I know you, Mr. Tyler.

For what we have just received,

may the Lord make us truly thankful.

Robbie, we were just talking about you.

Come in.

Well, no, thanks, Dr. Delbert.

I just brought you old Molly.

- Old Molly?

- Yes, sir.

Well, uh, I don't quite understand.

Why would you bring me your cow?

To pay the debt.

For Kirk, and Papa and Mama.

That isn't your debt, boy.

Mama would want me to pay.

I'd be much obliged

if you'll take old Molly.

Adam, who is it? Oh.

Hello, Robbie.

Robbie, Mrs. Delbert and I would be happy

to take one of you children.

Well, Dr. Delbert, I appreciate it.

But with both your girls married

and Millie with a baby and all...

I see, Robbie.

That makes us grandparents, doesn't it?

It's a little late

to start a new family, is that it?

You know Mama and Papa

thought the world of you both, but...

Robbie, you've got a head

on your shoulders.

You place the children

where you think fit.

And you'll take old Molly?

I'll take old Molly.

Jimmie.

What's the matter?

Wouldn't the Potters take her?

They weren't home.

I thought folks

would be home on Christmas.

What are we gonna do?

We can't keep her out much longer.

She's getting blue.

There's the Fischers. What about them?

I'm surprised at you, James Eunson.

You know how Mama felt about saloons.

Why, you hush, Lizzie.

We're doing everything we can

to get rid of you.

What do you think?

But the Stephens

don't have any kids of their own.

Yeah, I know, but you know how Mama felt

about book learning and all.

But what if Lizzie grew up

to be a schoolteacher?

Well, right now, she's homely enough.

Well, maybe it's the best we can do.

Now, you be a good girl, Lizzie.

Whoa.

Well, Robert, Mrs. Stephens and I

have just been to your house.

We thought there might be something

we could do.

Well...

Well, there is. If...

Well, speak up, son, speak up.

I'm not quite the monster

you think me in the classroom.

Well, I was wondering

if you'd like to take Elizabeth.

- That's her.

- That is she.

Take her?

Well, sort of adopt her.

She doesn't look very pretty right now,

but you'll learn to like her.

Mama and Papa did.

Mama never had any favorites...

...but if she had, I guess Elizabeth

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