Holiday Page #10

They tell me you've been away.

Pleasant having you back.

It's pleasant to be back.

There's been a rather noticeable absence

of snow these recent weeks.

Quite.

Father, Johnny came tonight to see Julia.

That doesn't surprise me a great deal,

Daughter, not a great deal.

Julia, not you and me.

Come on, Dada, let's go bye-bye.

Good evening, Johnny.

- Get your coat, darling, we're going out.

- Yes, dear.

Father, could you explain to the Todds?

Please, close the door.

I wish to speak with you both.

You insist on putting me into a position

that I don't in the least relish.

Who's there? Come in, Ned.

- Sorry. I just thought that...

- Come in.

Sit down, Son.

Coming between two young people in love

is furthest from my wish or intention.

For love, true love,

is a very rare and beautiful thing.

Where are you going? Please, sit down.

And I believe that its path...

...that is to say the course of true love,

contrary to the adage, should run smooth.

I am a man of 58 years and speak

from a long experience and observation.

It is of paramount importance...

- I beg your pardon, sir?

- Yes?

If that position at the bank is still open

I'll be glad to take it.

I'm still not convinced.

I still don't believe in it,

but it's what Julia wishes and...

And I'm glad to defer to her wish.

- You're not convinced, you say?

- Would you like me to lie to you, sir?

Father, it's enough for me.

Julia said a year or two. I'll do

everything I can to make a success of it.

I have only one reservation.

Lf, at the end of that time,

I still think it's wise for me to quit...

...there won't be any objections.

- I doubt there'll be reason for any.

We shall have to see about that.

Well, Father?

- When is it you wish to be married?

- As soon as possible.

Now the sun shines once more

and we're all friends again.

And now what are your plans

for your wedding trip, may I ask?

- We haven't any definite...

- It's wise to prearrange honeymoons.

Now let me suggest a little itinerary.

You will land at Plymouth or Southampton

and proceed straight to London.

I shall cable my sister tomorrow.

They will be delighted

to have you stay with them.

He is one of the most

important men in British banking circles.

You could scarcely go abroad

and not stop with your Aunt Helen, Julia.

In addition it will save hotel expenses and

Johnny can learn some British methods.

Then I'll cable the Bovays in Paris.

He's expert adviser

to the Minister of Finance.

A valuable man for you to know.

I had thought of this as a honeymoon

more than a business trip, sir.

There's no harm in combining

a little business with pleasure.

I've never found there was.

They have a lovely place, Johnny,

just outside of Paris.

Now a week in London, a week in Paris,

10 days in the South of France, ideal.

Then you could sail from Genoa

and return by southern route.

I'll arrange to have your house

ready for you March 1.

Thanks, darling.

What house is that, Julia?

Father's lending us a place on 64th Street.

Wait till you see it.

This is not to be a gift you know, not yet.

After you've occupied it for some time...

...my hard old heart may soften.

Listen to him, his hard old heart.

Would you also arrange for the servants?

Julia, I'm sorry but I can't stand it.

Would you mind telling me what you mean?

I thought

this was a trial for a couple of years.

If we begin

with possessions and obligations...

...we could never get out from under them.

No!

No.

You've been extremely kind and generous,

but it's not for us.

- But you... You said that...

- I'm back where I was, Julia.

I can see now it's got to be a clean break,

it's simply got to.

We've got to make our own life,

there's nothing to it if we don't.

There's no other way to live it.

Forget about wedding invitations and

all the rest of it. Let's get married tonight.

- I must decide now, must I?

- Please.

And if I say no?

I'm going tonight by myself.

Very well then. You can go.

I suppose the fact is I love feeling free

even better than I love you, Julia.

Good-bye, sir.

I'm sorry we couldn't make a go of it.

Thanks for trying anyway.

Good-bye to you, Linda.

You've been sweet.

Good-bye, Johnny.

I hope you find what you're looking for.

I hope you do.

Linda.

Please, do.

Good-bye, Ned.

I'll miss that man.

He's gone.

- Yes, and in my opinion...

- Good riddance.

- He's really gone.

- Never mind. He loves you, he'll be back.

Be back?

"Be back," did you say?

What do you think I am?

I hope this experience,

hard as it may have been...

Don't worry about me. I'm all right.

Even a little more than all right,

I should say.

- What's with you? Will you kindly...

- You don't love him.

Answer me. Do you or not?

- What's that to you?

- You don't, do you?

It's written all over you.

You're relieved he's gone.

- Suppose I am?

- She asks me, suppose she is!

- Are you? Say it.

- I'm so relieved I could sing with it.

- Is that what you want?

- Yes, thanks.

Neddie, Neddie, have I got a job now.

Is your passport in order? Mine is.

What do you say?

- Well, when?

- Now. Tonight.

- I don't think I could.

- Sure you could. If I can, you can.

- Where are you off to?

- Will you come?

- Where are you going?

- On a trip. On a big ride. Do you mind?

Will you come, Ned?

- Listen, Father...

- A trip now is out of the question.

- You won't.

- Can't.

- Caught?

- Maybe.

- I'll be back for you, Ned.

- I'll be here.

You've got no faith in Johnny, have you?

His little dream may fall flat, you think.

What if it should? There will be another.

I've got faith in Johnny.

Whatever he does is all right with me.

If he wants to dream for a while, he can...

...and if he wants to come back and sell

peanuts, how I'll believe in those peanuts.

Good-bye, Julia. Good-bye, Father.

- Good-bye, Neddie.

- Good-bye, kid. Good luck.

Never you fear,

I'll be back for you, my fine bucko.

All right.

Linda.

Try and stop me, someone.

Please someone try and stop me.

I shall not permit it. I shall...

- Permit Linda? Don't make me laugh.

- She's going with him, isn't she? Isn't she?

- Going to get her Johnny.

- A fine chance she's got.

Any bets? Any bets, Julia?

To Linda.

And while we're at it, Grandfather.

Dear, what a trip this might have been

with Johnny along.

Will you please stop it, Nick?

I can't stop it, Susan. I'm miserable.

Thinking of him

I should say.

- Shut up, dearest.

- For two cents, I'd call off the whole thing.

- Johnny.

- Johnny. My word.

- Where's Julia?

- I left her sitting on her golden throne.

- Johnny is taking the big ride by himself.

- No.

Boy, champagne,

any amount of it, but hurry.

- Oui, Monsieur Porter.

- The name is Potter.

Let's change our name to Porter.

Then they'll call us Potter.

What happened?

I've just wakened out of a nightmare.

Everything will be all right.

I know it is. Come on, children, come on.

Is this where the club meets?

Right here.

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