Cheaper by the Dozen Page #10

sent it to me. But I mean,

What does anybody want

to save all that time for, Mr. Gilbreth?

So as to be able to sit here and talk...

to a...

Pretty little lady like you.

Why, I declare. Anne didn't tell me

she had such a gallant daddy...

and so good-looking too.

- I wouldn't go so far as to say that.

- You'd be surprised...

at the things other girls

are saying about you.

Why, they're only hopir you'll come

to all our dances from now on.

Is that so?

Well, if I'd known that...

I'd have started comir sooner.

There just gonna hate me

if they don't get to meet you too. You mind?

Oh, no. No. Of course not.

Bring 'em over. As many as you like.

Oh, thank you, sugar... I mean...

Excuse me, Mr. Gilbreth.

Now, don't you go away, you hear me?

I'll be right back.

- How about some punch?

- Oh, I'd love some.

- Say, your old man sure is swell.

- Dad's really sweet, but...

Believe me, you've got to hand it to him,

coming here like this just to look after you.

- I tried to get him not to, but...

- I'll get it.

- Excuse me, Mike.

- Sure, Tom.

Hope you like pineapple.

- I do.

- I mean, where are you gonna

find fathers like yours today?

- Sure bet you're proud of him.

- Proud of him?

If I ever have a daughter,

I'm sure gonna watch after her.

You aren't gonna catch me

letting her run around...

by herself with guys,

you know, trying to act funny.

- You aren't?

- You wouldn't catch me marrying anybody...

whose folks let her

act like that either.

- You wouldn't?

- Oh, a fella likes

to run around with 'em, maybe...

just for a good time

before he gets married, but...

when it comes to settling down,

none of these flappers for me.

- I want a girl I can respect.

- Why, that's funny.

That's what my mother says.

Believe me, baby, she's right.

I've been around, and I know.

Well, of course it does make a girl

feel awfully good...

to know that her parents

care what she does.

Sure makes you stop

and think, all right...

an important man like Mr. Gilbreth

sitting in there all by himself...

not even dancing,

just watching.

- I... I was just about to ask him to dance

when you came over.

- Yeah? Well, come on.

I guess I can spare one dance. But just one,

you understand. The rest are mine.

- What aboutJoe Scales?

- That wet smack?

- After all, he is my date.

What am I gonna do with him?

- Throw him back, baby.

He's too small to keep anyhow.

Look!

- I can't believe it.

- Well, what do you know? Say, not bad, either.

- Come on. Let's dance.

- No, wait a minute.

- I have an idea something

tremendous has happened.

- Yeah? What?

- Oh, you wouldn't understand,

only I guess it's my salvation.

- I don't get it.

- It's too deep for me.

- I'll tell you someday. Excuse me.

Excuse me.

- Excuse me, Dot. May I cut in, please?

- Oh, certainly, Anne.

- I just love dancing with you, Mr. Gilbreth.

- Thank you, young lady.

- Well, I hope you haven't been too lonely, Dad.

- Oh, no. I've managed.

Funny. I didn't know you could dance.

There's lots of things

you don't know, young lady.

- Maybe you ought to congratulate me.

- What for?

After all, it isn't every girl

in Montclair High...

whose father can be

the belle of the ball.

I wanted to show friends of yours

they're not the only ones who can dance.

- Your mother and I...

- Okay, Dad. I understand.

Now, let's be honest.

They're not really bad kids, are they?

I suppose they're all right,

after their fashion.

And you're not really gonna tag along with me

every time I go out, are you?

We'll decide that

when I get back.

I won't be able to tag along

while I'm in Europe.

In Europe?

But I thought you werert going to Europe.

Oh, yes.

I'm gonna speak in London as well as Prague.

- When did you find out?

- The invitation just came.

- Your mother sent it over by Frank.

- Oh, Daddy, that's wonderful.

Now, Anne, dear...

Anne, don't get emotional.

If you're gonna toddle with me,

by jingo, let's toddle.

Okay, Dad. Let's go.

Thank you.

- Are you sure you have everything, dear?

- I think so.

- Both your speeches?

- Right here in my briefcase.

- How about your pills?

- Enough to last a lifetime.

- You'd better hurry then.

You haven't much time.

- Be right with you.

Anne? Ernestine?

Come along, girls.

- Your father's ready to leave.

- We're coming.

- Frank, you'd better take his suitcases.

- Yes, ma'am.

- Mother, why can't we go

to the station with Daddy?

- Yeah, I wanna see the train.

When I get back,

I'll show you lots of trains.

But I don't intend to start off to Europe

wringing wet with tears.

- You know how I feel about good-byes.

- Dad?

- Yes?

- Here's something for you...

- but don't open it till you get on the boat.

- More socks?

Whose idea was it

for me to learn to knit in the first place?

Okay, I plead guilty.

Thank you, dear.

Well, I better get started. Trains don't wait,

you know. Come on, kids. Let's go.

- Come along, children.

- Don't forget to send postcards

from England and Czechoslovakia.

It won't hurt you kids

to write me now and then either.

I don't see why we never get to go

on a boat to Europe.

After all, Dad, they come

cheaper by the dozen.

Ah, not for Eskimos.

I'll leave the car

at the garage downtown, Lillie.

This darn carburetor's

acting funny again.

- They'll send it back.

- Yes, dear.

Well, good-bye, dear.

Good-bye, Frank.

Take good care of yourself.

Don't worry about me. And if anything

comes up and you need me, cable me.

I'll take care of the work here.

You just forget it and enjoy yourself.

I will.

Come here, young lady.

You gonna be a good little girl and eat

your spinach for Daddy while I'm gone?

Make you big and strong.

And that goes

for you too.

- Good-bye, Lillie.

- Good-bye.

- Good-bye, girls.

- Good-bye, Daddy.

- Ernestine.

- Good-bye, Dad.

Anne.

Never mind about you three.

You children behave yourselves.

Do what your mother tells you.

I'll be back in a couple of months.

Good-bye, Mr. Chairman.

I guess I can count on you to keep

the bed warm while I'm gone. Ha, ha, ha.

Mighty fine dog.

Good-bye. I'm gonna

miss you so much.

A little more attention to books

and a little less to that swimming champion...

and you'll stand a better chance

of getting into college.

- I'll work on it, Dad.

- That's my girl. Lillie?

- Good-bye, dearest.

- Good-bye, dear.

- Have a good time.

- I'll try.

Bring us some souvenirs, Dad.

- Take good care of your mother

and don't forget to write.

- We will.

- Good-bye!

- Good-bye! Good-bye!

Good-bye!

Hello? Oh, hello, Dad.

Hey, where are you?

Yes, sir. She's upstairs.

- Oh. Okay, I'll call her. Hey, Mother!

- Yes?

Dad's on the phone. He forgot somethir.

He wants to talk to ya.

- I'll be right down.

- Okay. She's comir, Dad.

Have a good time, now.

Yes, sir. I will. Good-bye.

- He's at the Montclair station.

- Thank you, dear.

- Don't be late for lunch.

- I won't.

Hello, Frank.

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