By the Light of the Silvery Moon Page #6

I knew it was gonna be a special occasion

because when he came to call,

he'd rented a horse-drawn sleigh

from Hickey's stable.

And Ike Hickey himself was our driver.

Our own driver, mind you.

We drove to Miller's Pond.

It was beautiful,

a full moon shining on the ice,

people skating, bonfires.

- Was that when he proposed?

- Oh, he tried to, several times.

But finally, when we were leaving

and he was helping me off with my skates,

he looked up kind of sheepishly

and he said,

"Alice, as long as I'm down here

on my knees,

"would you accept this as a proposal?"

Your father was never one

for flowery speeches or pretty words.

Mr. Hickey!

There you are, folks, she's all ready to see!

Oh, isn't it picturesque?

Yep, with a little polish and elbow grease

and she'll look as good as new.

Oh, thanks, Mr. Hickey.

Come on, Bill, get in.

Would you mind telling me

what this is all about?

- Well, can you keep a secret?

- Sure.

Mother and Father are celebrating

their 20th anniversary tomorrow.

And we've planned a big surprise,

- haven't we, Mr. Hickey?

- Yes.

Bill, this sleigh is the same one

that Father took Mother out in

the night he proposed.

So we're taking them out in it

tomorrow night.

And we're gonna have the very

same driver, too, aren't we, Mr. Hickey?

Yep. Never will forget that night

on the way home from Miller's Pond.

I could hear every word they were saying.

They was making plans for the wedding.

Your ma was sitting right where you are,

and your pa was sitting right there.

Don't be self-conscious.

He's discussing Mother and Father, not us.

Well, pretty soon,

we'll be able to discuss us.

And maybe a lot sooner than you think.

Look, you don't have to humor me,

William Sherman.

Goodness gracious, you'd think

you were the only boy in the whole world.

Say, that's not a bad idea,

especially if you were the only girl.

We wouldn't even have to get married.

I mean, there'd be nobody here

to marry us.

If you were the only girl

In the world

And you were the only boy

Nothing else would matter

In the world today

We could go on loving

In the same old way

A Garden of Eden

Just made for two

With nothing to mar our joy

I would say

Such wonderful things to you

And there would be

Such wonderful things to do

If you were the only girl

In the world

And you were

The only boy

Say, I better get back to the bank.

It's way past my lunch hour.

Oh, Bill. Remember,

not one word about this to Father.

I hope he doesn't forget about

that anniversary.

You know how men are!

I'm sure he hasn't.

You should have seen him this morning.

Here he is

celebrating his 20th wedding anniversary,

and to look at him you'd think

he was a man just fallen in love!

Well, what's the matter? Come on.

- What did we do that for?

- I can't tell you.

- Why?

- You're too little.

Bet you I'm bigger than you was

when you was little!

- Hello, Marjorie.

- Hello.

- Where's your mother?

- Your wife is upstairs.

- Hello, Wesley.

- Hello.

- Good evening, Stella.

- Good evening.

Marjorie, William has some rather

exciting news, but he can tell you himself.

It wouldn't be fair of me

to take the edge off of his surprise.

- Evening, George.

- Alice!

My!

- Don't we look lovely!

- Mother looks lovely!

Mother, I'll set the table.

George, the children

have been spoiling me.

Marjorie's been fussing

with my hair all afternoon,

keeping me out of the kitchen,

and Wesley insisted on doing

the marketing and polishing the silver.

I'm being treated

as though I were a queen.

You are a queen,

and that's straight from the king.

Henry VIII!

Mother, sometimes I overlook

our children's peculiar behavior.

But considering Stella's in our employ,

don't you think, at times,

she's a little outspoken?

Oh, she's been with us so long,

she feels like one of the family.

I wish I felt like that.

Oh, George.

Mom, have you seen

the key to my handcuffs?

- Oh, my word.

- Did you look in your pockets?

I can't.

It's only rubber.

- The top of a fountain pen?

- I can trade it for something.

Oh.

- Is this...

- That's it. Put it in my teeth.

Well, I think this will do it.

Oh, George, why don't you leave

your work at the bank?

Miss La Rue wants to take over

the theater for rehearsal tomorrow.

I have to get these papers to her tonight

for her signature.

- You're going to that actress lady?

- I have to deliver these papers.

I won't be long, dear.

I think I'll run next door to Mrs. Gaston.

She wants to copy these patterns.

I'll probably be gone when you get back.

All right, dear, but I think

it's a shame you have to go out

after working so hard all day.

Father, if you have some papers

you want delivered,

I can drop them off

on my way to the dance.

I wouldn't think of it.

The Y is way on the other side of town.

I could run them over for you

in a few minutes in the machine.

- Stella, you can't even drive a machine.

- You know how quick I pick up things.

I'm overwhelmed at all this attention,

but I think...

Can I go, Pop?

I like to run errands, really do.

Well, that's very considerate of you,

Wesley...

Please, Pop?

Well, all right.

Now, let's see.

These papers are for the lease,

and there was something else.

But I have a note that'll take care of that.

get your hat and coat.

Well, go on, Wesley, get your hat and coat.

Yes, sir.

Hey, Ma.

- What does "delete" mean?

- "Delete" means "to take out."

- "Take out," huh?

- Yes, why?

Oh, nothing.

Hey, Marjorie! You remember that note

we found this morning?

What about it?

Well, Pop wants me

to bring that to her, too!

Stella, I've been worried

about that note all day.

It's bad enough Father wrote it,

but I still had hopes he'd never send it.

He even put some more on it,

something about taking her out.

- What?

- What did you say?

Wesley, that woman

must never get that note!

You take it and you burn it,

you understand?

Okay, Sis.

Now, remember this,

you can take the papers,

but not one word about that note.

He told me to get her signature,

but I'll get her fingerprints, too.

I still think she's a bank crook!

Now, Miss Marjorie,

don't get yourself all shook up.

- Bill's coming over.

- I'd better get dressed.

He's got a big surprise for you.

Remember, your father said so.

Probably about your wedding.

The only wedding I'm interested in

is the one that took place 20 years ago.

Now, have Miss La Rue sign these

and bring them back.

And give her this.

Tell her it's very important.

Yes, sir.

Now, remember,

you're to come straight home.

We don't wanna give Mother

anything to worry about.

Just one girl, only just one girl

There are others, I know

But they're not my pearl

Sun or rain, she is just the same

I'll be happy forever

With just one little girl

To be married, we're old enough plenty

She and I, she and I

She is 18 and I will be 20

By and by, by and by

Although we are short as to money

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