Dark Victory Page #5

- Yes. I was at the hospital.

Were you?

- Have a drink?

- No, thanks.

I had one. You said I could.

Thank you again for everything.

For my horse, my first day, my drink.

- Been a good girl?

- No.

- I thought not.

- Why?

I knew you wouldn't be.

I knew you couldn't be.

What do you mean, a good girl?

Well, I am. The idea.

Did you drive in for lunch

and come right back home?

- Father, I cannot tell a lie.

- What did you do?

- Bought these shoes.

- Oh, very pretty. Very nice.

What else?

This. Other new frocks

I think you'll like.

Oh, thanks for

the 2 inches off my middle.

And thank you for my life.

What can I do for you?

Oh, just wait.

Why are you so grumpy?

You always say I'm grumpy.

I've been a good girl until today.

I've practically been your slave.

And I am well. Look.

Reflexes, terrific.

Balance, perfect.

And I can walk a straight line.

I can even walk backwards.

Excuse me, will you?

They're here. The man wants to see you.

Good. Now, go and look out

for our doctor.

Kneel on him, club him if necessary,

but make him have a drink.

Get that look off his face somehow.

Penny for your thoughts.

- Oh, hello, Ann. How are you?

- Hello. How are you?

- You look as if you needed a drink.

- No, thanks.

- What do you think of Judith?

- Fine.

You did that.

You should be very proud of yourself.

Yes.

Dr. Steele, when you came down to

Judith's room right after the operation...

you had a certain look on your face.

I put it down at the time to the strain,

the tension of the operation.

I don't understand you.

I saw that look on your face just now.

I'm Irish. I may be psychic and funny.

I'm probably quite wrong,

but is there something?

Something about Judith

that you're holding back?

If there is...

Please, I am her best friend.

Will you come outside, please?

Then there is something.

I can't save her.

- Nothing can. Nothing.

- What?

She's going to die.

No.

No, that isn't true.

You shouldn't have touched her.

I'm not going to argue with you now.

The facts are these...

I'll try to tell you

in simple layman's language.

You mean she's going to have

that pain again?

And that ghastly confusion?

No.

She's not going to suffer anymore.

That's all behind her now.

Yes, but you told her she could ride.

That's the freakish nature

of this thing. She will ride.

She'll seem well and normal,

like everybody else.

How long have you known?

Since the operation.

Why didn't you let her go then?

I haven't jurisdiction

over life and death.

How will it come?

Quietly. Peacefully.

God's last small mercy.

Will she have no warning?

No chance to be ready?

There may be a moment

towards the end when...

When her sight

may not be quite as good as usual.

A dimming of vision.

Then a few hours, perhaps three, four.

How long has she got?

A year?

Six months?

- Four?

- Possibly more.

I don't believe it.

Ann?

- She must never know.

- No. No.

You sneaks, hiding out on me.

What's the idea?

Well, actually, we're talking about

just how much you should do.

I told him you'd had the devil of a day.

He said it didn't matter.

It's been the best day of my life.

- This is for you.

- Oh, Judith, you shouldn't.

- What's in it?

- A little gold and a lot of sentiment.

From a grateful patient.

Look at that man. I thought a surgeon

had to have such steady hands.

- Let me help you.

- Oh, thank you.

Oh, they're very pretty.

I'm so glad you like them. We couldn't

think of anything else, could we, Ann?

Of course, it isn't enough.

I've an idea. This is my birthday.

- What?

- Well, it is really, you know.

My new birthday.

Let's all three of us each year

get together and celebrate, shall we?

- Come on.

- All right.

Let's have some champagne

right now and start.

Come on, everybody,

we're going to have champagne.

- Where have you been, Judy?

- Outside.

Now, I'll wear my green slacks

in the morning...

and my big hat for lunch.

He'll like that.

I've got to look my best.

If ever Judy had to knock them

for a row of pins...

Oh, Agatha. Here are the menus for

the weekend. Martha, come here.

Now, it's up to you. For evening...

Ann, do you think we ought to dress

for dinner tomorrow night?

- Give him a bit of swish?

- Just as you please, darling.

Oh, no, I don't think so.

They'll be tired.

I'm getting to be such a hostess.

This is my first real weekend.

The house just reeks of dignity.

Of course, I'll have the kids in.

I'll always have them.

I don't think he minds them, do you?

- I don't suppose he will.

- What's the matter?

Nothing. I've got to get through

these bills. It's the 10th of the month.

You'll put on your best dignity,

won't you? And help me keep dignified?

Well...

I'm here, and I think

I'm somewhere very nice.

Look at me.

I'm looking at you.

You're in love?

Yes.

I thought so.

What about him?

- Has he given you any encouragement?

- Not a ripple on the water.

He drives me crazy, but...

But when I just think of him, I...

And when I think

if I hadn't fallen off that horse...

It was awful.

But it was wonderful.

Life's a different thing.

For the first time,

I wake up with something to live for.

Something besides horses

and hats and food.

He's very fine, isn't he?

Very worthwhile, isn't he?

Oh, if only the Spaniards or the French

had settled New England...

instead of the Pilgrims.

Yes, but if he hasn't given you

any signs, how do you know?

Well...

that's it, I don't know.

But he didn't go away.

That's one sign, Mr. Watson.

Must mean something.

Don't be against me.

I'm not against you.

Good.

Ann?

- Will you do something for me?

- Of course.

I was thinking, you might take advantage

of any lull in the conversation tomorrow...

just to mention what a good wife

Judith would be.

What an ideal wife.

- Well, don't you think I would be?

- Oh, the best.

Well, keep both fingers crossed for me.

Ann, one day it'll happen to you.

And you'll know how wonderful it is.

Martha?

Martha?

Murray Hill 7-7340.

May I have Miss Judith's

telephone book, please?

Is that Murray Hill 7-7340?

May I speak to Dr. Steele, please?

What is it?

You and I have got something

to talk about.

Yes?

Does Judith mean anything more to you

than just a patient?

Perhaps it's impertinent of me

to ask you.

No, it isn't.

I think I know.

I think you do care for her.

Yes, Ann. I do care.

So much.

What are you going to do?

Are you going to go up there

and tell her...

and hold her in your arms? Are you?

Or go away and leave her to us?

Which is better? I don't know.

- I haven't slept for two nights.

- Neither have I.

This morning I saw it coming.

And just now, a little while ago, I asked

her to her face, "Do you love him?"

And she answered, "Yes, I do."

It's up to you.

She said that?

You know, Ann, before,

women never meant anything to me.

I'd never met anyone like her.

I was all set.

I had plans, made arrangements.

I know, Vermont.

Why don't you go away for

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