Four Daughters Page #9

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to be ready by now.

Why, Ernest.

That'll cost you two dozen roses.

Well, there's no point in

wasting this good mistletoe.

In love and war,

surprise is half the battle.

Oh now Ben, don't be silly.

Here is my chance. I've been

wanting to kiss you for months.

Lemp, the Latin lover.

Etta, come here.

Now, shoulders back, chin up.

It took a long time but

my charm finally got him.

Aunt Etta, dinner is ready.

[ Radio:
]

"The honor of presenting that young

lady who won the Foundation scholarship.

"Miss Katharine Lemp.

Miss Lemp will sing .."

"On wings of song."

"How worthy of my dearest."

"Upon the wings of my song."

Not bad. Not bad at all.

You know, with time ..

Adam Lemp, if you don't say right now ..

That our Kay has the loveliest, sweetest,

purest voice that's ever been heard.

Of course he thinks so, aunt Etta.

He's just being modest.

Well let him be modest about

his own flute-playing, then.

And not about our Kay's singing.

I am too old to change.

Musicians are all like that.

I remember when I was a boy.

There was a musician lived next to us.

He was the most eccentric ..

I'll have to be running along.

There is just time

enough to make my train.

So soon, Felix?

Yes, sir. I really must.

Why, Felix.

Ernest, his bag.

Alright, alright. I'll get his bag.

You know, I've heard

of hen-pecked husbands.

Butt this is the first I've heard

of a hen-pecked fiancee.

I'm the youngest.

I'll get his coat and hat.

Felix, I'd like to tell you

about that funny musician ..

We'll start with the prettiest.

Goodbye, aunt Etta.

I'm so sorry to have you leave, Felix.

Can't you miss your train?

You know, they'll never believe

you're a great musician in Seattle ..

If you get there on time.

Goodbye, Adam.

Felix.

Goodbye.

Goodbye, Emma.

Goodbye, Felix.

Goodbye, Thea.

Goodbye.

Come on, Ben. No trouble?

No, no. No trouble at all.

I can use the fresh air.

We'll just have to use the car.

We expect a letter every

week. A full report.

I'll send press clippings for your Dad's

benefit. Make sure he reads them.

Bah ..

I'll hurry Ernest up.

Here you are.

I hope it's your coat.

If it doesn't fit, it's mine.

It's plenty cold out. Be sure your

scarf is up around your neck.

It's there.

Whoever said "out of sight,

out of mind" was a liar.

Probably Shakespeare.

He said everything.

Goodbye, Lemp.

So long, Deitz.

Here you are, Felix.

Goodbye and have a nice trip.

Goodbye, Emma.

Goodbye, Felix.

Do you mind if I drive Felix to down to

the station? I've something to tell him.

Sure. Go ahead, Mickey.

Just drop me off at the drugstore.

I need some cigars.

I'll walk back. Maybe I can walk

off some of this Christmas dinner.

I just thought I'd drive you down.

Right. We ain't much time.

I'll step on it.

You get in. I'll sit on the outside.

I'll get out at the store.

You don't mind?

No, of course not.

That's fine.

I asked Ben to let me drive you down

because this is the last chance I hat ..

To tell you I'm sorry ..

I messed things up for you

Ancient history, Mickey. Forget it.

Busting things up, that's where I shine.

There is one saving grace, though. I

usually end at the bottom of the pile.

How things been going with you, Mickey?

No complaints

Working?

After my fashion.

Everything is alright, then?

Sure.

Saw Jake yesterday.

Talking about you.

He said ..

Jake is a bigger liar than I am.

Do me a favor, Mickey.

How much do you need?

I've been lucky lately.

Let me lend you a little

something, to tide you over.

Say, don't you ever get tired of being

a swell guy? It would bore me stiff.

Thanks, Felix. But I cant take it.

Why not?

I don't know.

Maybe it's because I'm a new man.

The old Mickey would have taken it.

The old Mickey was no fool.

Well, there is your train.

Porter.

Better hurry. Behind the seat.

All aboard!

All aboard!

So long, Felix.

Thanks. Here you are.

Mickey.

Yeah?

Here.

Something for Ann.

Use it any way you think

will make her happy.

Bye, Mickey.

Wait a minute.

Of course it was too bad

Kay couldn't be here.

But then it was so wonderful hearing

her voice. Yes.

The things we've crowded

in since last Christmas.

This time last year Thea wasn't

married, you weren't married.

Kay hadn't won her scholarship,

Felix hadn't won his prize.

Oh, we didn't even know Felix then.

Emma, I've got to know.

What?

You and ..

And Felix. I thought you

were in love with him.

I was.

I guess we all were.

But looking back, that day you were

to marry Felix I thought that if ..

The world should come to and end now,

it would just be an anti climax.

I know better now.

And I really owe it all to you, Ann.

To me?

You see .. if you'd married Felix.

I suppose I'd have

gone on all my life ..

Thinking I'd missed my prince

charming on his white horse.

And when when your telegram came,

everyone just went to pieces.

That is, everyone but Ernest.

Ben, who blows the loudest

trumpet, he couldn't do a thing.

I'll never get over the

way Ernest took hold.

He was so quiet .. capable.

So dignified.

Well, that started it.

Now I can't imagine life without

me ordering Ernest around.

And if ever Ernest gets to ordering

me around, that will be alright, too.

Funny how long you can be around people

and not know how much they mean to you.

Take you and Mickey for instance.

Gracious, Ann. You're not

crying about a broken plate?

You don't have to, it isn't ours.

We borrowed it from Mrs Ridgefield.

It isn't ..

It's just being home and everything.

Ann.

If you're going to ask

me if I'm happy, I am.

That never entered my mind.

Mickey has done everything

to make me happy.

He's trying very hard.

Of course.

[ Scream! ]

Thea, please, please.

Thea, what's wrong?

What's happened, Thea?

It's Ben. He's had an accident.

I cannot hear you. Shush.

St Joseph's Hospital?

Alright, I'll bring his wife with me.

Is he badly hurt?

I'm afraid so. My car is outside.

We'll go with you, Thea.

Poor Ben.

I didn't make him happy.

I didn't even try.

Thea, you mustn't.

He's always been so kind and generous

and I never showed any appreciation.

Ben will be alright. It isn't too late.

You'll have a chance to

make it all up to him.

But suppose .. suppose he is.

Oh Thea, please. You mustn't.

Thea, it's not Ben.

Ann, it's ..

Mickey?

Hmm.

He was driving Ben's car.

Is he hurt badly.

Mickey.

Mickey.

Ann.

More of their work.

They wouldn't even let

me go out in style.

Don't try to talk.

You'll be alright.

Only lightning couldn't get you.

I have your word for it.

Lightning.

Can be manufactured.

You know.

Oh, Mickey.

I think perhaps it's better if you ..

I know his type.

Got a cigarette?

Could I?

Yes, alright.

Cork tipped.

No.

Mickey.

Mickey.

Oh, Mickey.

Oh, Mickey.

[ Rusty gate squeaking noise ]

Hello, Lemp.

Hello, Deitz.

You haven't done right by my gate.

Listen to that squeak.

I wouldn't swing on a

gate that didn't squeak.

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