Friendly Persuasion Page #4

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'Tis love that I need

More than laces

Won't you marry me

Marry me

Up to the altar please carry me

Give me combs for my curls

Made of silver and pearls

And a two-penny bridal bouquet

Say

Hurry up

Hurry up

Hitch that old horse to the surrey up

And I'll vow to be true

To no one but you

So marry me, marry me, do

Dear Lady,

The handsome young drummer replied

The whole situation's bewildering

Last winter the cough

Carried off my poor bride

If you want to take care

Of six children

Come and marry me

Marry me

Pack your valises and marry me

They're coming!

They're coming!

I'm glad to have thee home.

- Thee'll break my ribs!

- I'll get the bags.

I'm glad thee's back.

I've missed thee.

I've missed thee.

Come, thee must be hungry.

- Where's Mattie?

- She'll be back soon.

Where'd thee get this horse?

Thee kept thy word.

Thee got rid of Red Rover.

Glad to see you.

Is this horse well?

There's nothing to fear on that score.

She's not much to look at.

But if thee doesn't mind that...

Mind!

This is the very horse

I've been praying for.

A good, plain animal that won't fill

every man on the pike with racing ideas.

Lady'll discourage racing ideas,

I promise thee.

Come in.

Thee must be starved.

We haven't had a good meal

since we left.

I'll be in in a minute.

I'll help thee unhitch, Enoch.

This looks like the place.

Hello, there!

Good evening.

Certainly is good to see you again.

Here we are.

Good evening.

You know, it is certainly

a pleasure to see you.

This is a joy I've been waiting for.

I offer you...

...my salutations, my felicitations

and my congratulations.

What for?

Why, ma'am, this organ.

The world's finest!

You've got a treat coming to you.

Just hold your breath.

Now look at that.

Isn't that a beauty?

Genuine walnut. Not an inch of

unornamented wood in the entire cabinet.

Good evening, Brother Birdwell!

Hello, there.

There must be some mistake.

This gentleman says thee's mixed up...

...with this musical instrument.

"Mixed" is scarcely the word for it.

It's gone beyond courting to marriage.

Your husband...

Thy husband is now the proud

and lucky owner of a Payson and Clarke.

This organ. This substitute on earth

for choiring angels.

Father Birdwell, why keep

the lady in suspense?

You just give me a hand

and we'll get it inside.

We must step delicately.

My wife is a Quaker minister.

You may know all about

Quaker ministers, but I know women.

What a woman wants is a good,

firm hand and a strong voice.

Not Eliza.

Wait until you hear your husband...

...when he seats himself

at this console.

You know, you are married to an artist.

I forbid thee to have this instrument!

"Forbid"?

For thy own sake, I forbid.

When thee asks...

...or suggests...

...l'm like putty in thy hands.

But when thee forbids,

thee is barking up the wrong tree.

- Come on, Quigley.

- I don't know what's come over thee.

Bringing a thing like this here.

And me a recorded minister!

Thee order that instrument back

to where it came from.

I bought it and I'm going to keep it.

I don't know what's come over thee.

I'm warning thee...

...if thee takes that instrument

into the house, I go out.

Make thy choice. Thee can have

that instrument or thy wife.

But both thee cannot have!

Come on, help me get it in.

Will thee please fetch my shawl...

...and my Bible?

What does thee plan to do?

If that...

...thing goes into the house...

...I go to the barn!

The barn?

Did thee have something to say to me?

Well, Jess!

Come on, Quigley!

Will thee see if there

is anything thy mother needs?

Stop it!

Will thee please stop playing?

Go sit over there.

Why?

I don't know why. Just sit.

Evening, Jess.

Come in, Sam.

Just felt like visiting.

- Evening, children.

- Evening, Mr. Jordan.

I heard you had a new horse.

Like to get a look at it.

It's kind of late.

Is this horse an early sleeper?

Oh well, anytime.

- How're you?

- Fine, thank thee.

Fine.

How's Eliza?

Mama's fine.

How does thee know?

She away from home?

Thee might say so.

Church work?

Thee could call it that.

Mother needs another comforter.

That oat straw goes

right through her blanket.

Hello, Mr. Jordan.

Hello, Josh.

Straw?

Blanket?

Thee may as well know it.

Eliza has taken up

residence in the barn.

The barn?

We had a slight difference of opinion.

Papa bought this

and Mama won't stay in the house...

...with it.

Excuse me.

I feel kind of responsible for this.

Let me take care of it for you.

Thanks very much.

I think I can take care of it myself.

Anything you say.

Good night, children.

Goodnight, Sam.

Goodnight, Jess.

Good night, everybody.

Upstairs to bed, all of thee.

May I come in?

Evening's cooling off a bit,

isn't it?

I find it very pleasant.

So do I.

And thee promises to put the organ

up in the attic right away?

Best place in the world for it.

The best place is back

at the organ factory.

Second best.

And no playing on First Day.

- Or when visitors are here.

- Never.

Let's go back there sometime.

Soon.

It's Sam Jordon!

Morning, Sam!

What's thee doing around so early?

What do you mean "early"? It's 6:30.

Where's Eliza? Still in the barn?

The barn?

You're getting rid of the organ.

Well, how'd you bring her around?

Reasoned with her.

Just reasoned with her.

Want to see my new mare?

That's what I come over for.

Here she is.

Over here.

What does thee think of her?

"Reasoned" with her?

"Just reasoned with her."

Look her over.

You traded Red Rover for this?

I got a little to boot.

A little? For this crow bait?

The mare's name is Lady.

Lady!

What's so funny?

Excuse me.

It's just the rift between

the name and the looks.

What is she? Half buffalo?

She's half Narragansett Pacer.

Which half?

I never laid eyes on a beast

of such dimensions!

What's this? Why aren't we

taking the surrey?

Enoch says the surrey's

missing a hub nut.

Hub nut?

Lost?

I didn't say "lost", ma'am.

It's just missing.

There's no room for the children.

That's right. They must stay home.

They can have their Meeting

in the parlor.

Thee too.

I suppose thee's right.

No nonsense!

Thank thee.

Wouldn't surprise me a bit.

God speed.

What does he mean, "God speed"?

He means good luck.

With this rickety rig we'll need it.

Something wrong?

I don't know.

I thought I better take a look.

- What is it?

- Nothing that I could see.

Come on!

Here comes Sam.

I wonder how a man church-bound

can have his mind so set on speed.

I don't.

Slow down!

Now, Prince!

Come on, Prince!

Giddap, boy!

What's the matter with you?

Easy, Lady.

Easy.

Come on, Prince!

Can't thee slow her down?

I'm trying to.

Look at this.

Josh, you ain't forgot

that cow's going to calf tonight?

Call me when it's time.

Look at this one.

Hello, Mr. Birdwell.

Gard, come in.

- Back from the war?

- Yes. It's good to see you.

How are you?

Thee wounded?

Good evening, Mrs. Birdwell.

Thee's wounded.

- It's nothing.

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