Christmas in Connecticut Page #3

But your cooking, Mrs. Lane.

I follow your diary faithfully.

It is the only thing I ever

do read in my publications.

I wouldn't miss it for the world.

In October, when you had

breast of guinea hen in Madeira...

...that was perfection, Mrs. Lane.

Lucky man, your husband.

- Thank you...

- And last June's...

...strawberries Chantilly

with rum and egg white.

You stiffen the egg white first

before the rum?

- Definitely, of course.

- Of course. It's the only way to do it.

And your Christmas menu, Mrs. Lane,

that is really magnificent.

Roast goose Bernoise

with walnut stuffing...

...celery souffl

and real old-fashioned plum pudding.

- It's out of...

- Don't worry. I'll take care of everything.

Miss Scott, take this telegram

to Miss Mary Lee...

...Navy Hospital, Staten Island.

In reply to your letter of the 15th...

...Mrs. Lane will be very pleased

to entertain your friend...

...Jefferson Jones.

Mr. Yardley, there's something

you should know.

Yes. What is it?

Well, it was just something

that you should know.

It's my child, he's been ill

with whooping cough.

Whooping cough.

That's not contagious to adults.

My grandchild had it.

Not at all serious nowadays.

- Mr. Yardley...

- This will be a great story...

...for our next issue, Mrs. Lane. "American

Hero Spends Christmas on Perfect Farm."

What a boost for circulation. Yes, indeed.

I believe I'll arrange a nice little bonus

for you, in recognition of your cooperation.

Thank you very much,

but I really couldn't...

Now, now, I know you're not doing this

for any mercenary reason.

You're a fine American wife and mother,

and we're proud to have you on our staff.

- You could use a little bonus, couldn't you?

- Oh, I guess I could.

Splendid. Splendid. Allow me

to shake your hand, Mrs. Lane.

I don't know how to tell you this, but...

Don't try, my dear. And thank you

very much for coming to see me.

- Good afternoon, Mrs. Lane.

- Good afternoon.

- Anything wrong, madam?

- Oh, no, nothing at all.

He's kind of overpowering, isn't he?

Oh, yes. A very strong personality.

- Yes.

- Pardon me, Mrs. Lane...

...but I'm planning on having a farm

in Connecticut myself one day.

I'd like some good bottomland.

- Bottomland?

- Yes.

That's the best kind for farming,

isn't it?

Oh, some people say yes,

and some people say no.

But what do you say?

I'm inclined to agree with them.

Oh, thank you very much.

- What's this?

- It's the menu for your Christmas dinner, sir.

- It's what the doctor ordered.

- "Mashed prune whip.

Creamed turnip fluff."

He expects me to eat

these barbaric atrocities?

Well, I won't.

Mrs. Lane.

There's something I want to...

This must be telepathy.

I know exactly what you're going to say.

- Do you?

- Yes.

You're inviting me

to your Christmas party.

Well, Mrs. Lane, I'm going to accept

with the greatest of pleasure.

Well, that'd be just wonderful.

I'll be there Christmas Eve.

I was going to be with my family...

...but I'm coming to Connecticut.

Well, why not bring the family too?

Where was Elizabeth when she phoned?

Grand Central Station.

Well, she should be here by now.

I sent her to Yardley to talk him out of it.

Instead, he talks her into it.

- It means she'll lose her job, of course.

- Yeah.

And mine too.

Well, merry Christmas.

Hello, Lizka. Your friends are waiting

in the bar.

- What's the matter? Something wrong?

- Oh, no, no. Just a catastrophe, that's all.

Catastrophe.

- Sam?

- Yes, sir?

Catastrophe, what is it?

It's from the Greek. It means "a misfortune,

a cataclysm or a serious calamity."

Greek, serious, calamity.

- It is good?

- No, sir. That's bad.

Bad?

- A double martini, Oscar, please.

- Well?

Every time I opened my mouth, he talked.

I felt like Charlie McCarthy!

Lizka. This catastrophe. It's trouble?

- Yes. I'm going to lose my job, Felix.

- Pish-posh. That's nothing.

- Get another job.

- That's what you think.

I better go phone my wife

and give her the glad tidings.

Darling, you have to eat something.

- Right, you must keep up your strength.

- Commence with an appetizer.

Then I bring some nice

chicken Budapest...

...some Brussels sprouts la Felix,

some potatoes au gratin.

- Sounds very palatable.

- Help yourself, darling.

First, some nice filet of marinated herring

la crme.

- Elizabeth?

- Artichoke hearts vinaigrette.

Sometimes these things

happen for the best.

- Bologna.

- But I think how I've worked...

...building up that job.

There's another job waiting for you.

- There is?

- Yes.

The job of being Mrs. John Sloan, darling.

Horseradish.

Well, that's sweet of you, John.

But I don't feel that way about you,

and it wouldn't be fair.

Well, I'm willing to take a chance.

I can make you care for me in time.

Nuts.

Wa... Walnuts, pickled walnuts. Excellent.

Come on, Lizka. Sit here.

I wait on you myself.

Eat everything, Lizka.

Felix, bring us some wine, will you?

Something very good but not too expensive.

Moselle 1927? Yes?

- Fine.

- Yes, sir.

Well, Elizabeth, how about it?

You know you need someone

to look after you.

But I don't love you, John.

All that will come in good time.

Could you wait that long?

I think so.

Saying no to your proposals

has become a habit.

Yes, it's a bad habit.

You must break yourself of it.

It becomes harder and harder

to find an excuse to say no.

You can't blame it on your career

this time, because you haven't got one.

You're right.

Well, I just can't think

of another excuse.

You could say that you love

someone else.

But I don't.

No. Let me think.

Oh, what am I...?

You mean...?

You mean you will marry me?

Well, if you really want me,

knowing how I feel.

Do I? Darling.

Well, don't mind me.

Dud, we're going to be married.

What?

Hey, now look here, it isn't that bad.

- Oh, really, Beecham.

- It's a good idea, Dud.

In fact, I think I'll rather enjoy

living on a farm after...

- A farm?

- John's farm. It's in Connecticut.

That's where I got most of my copy.

Say, that's right.

You have got a farm, haven't you?

Congratulate me.

- This is the happiest day.

- Aren't you getting a bit mixed?

- It's the happiest day of my life.

- Of course. Congratulations.

I think you've made

a very wise decision.

In fact, I think you two should

get very married right away.

And there we are.

A husband, a farm in Connecticut.

- Now all we need is a baby.

- What are you getting at?

What's the harm of having Yardley

and a sailor at your farm for Christmas?

Yardley and a sailor on my honeymoon?

Are you crazy?

Elizabeth, I just talked with my wife.

You told her?

I didn't have the heart.

She told me what she was getting

the kids for Christmas.

And, well, I...

She sounded so happy...

Of course, I know it's asking a lot,

but when a pal's in a jam...

John, darling, it would

only be for a few days.

After all, Dud's been so good to me.

I am getting out of it now,

thanks to you.

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