Holiday Page #5

when she married you.

In marrying me, your mother and her family

took no risk, either financially...

...or, if I may say so, spiritually.

- Johnny will do well financially.

- No doubt about it.

- Hobson tells me he has great possibilities.

- I know it.

Then it's all right?

- Do you see that cigar?

- Yes, Father.

That's a brand of cigar

I've smoked for 35 years.

Your grandfather smoked the same brand.

I know the quality of tobacco in it because

I own the plantation where it was grown...

...and I know therefore that when I light it,

it will burn smoothly and pleasantly.

And I know above everything else

that it will never explode in my face.

And you're afraid that Johnny might?

There's a strange new spirit at work

in the world today...

...a spirit of revolt.

I don't understand it and I don't like it.

Don't worry about Johnny.

I know him better than you.

My dear, I've never denied you anything

that was in my power to give.

He'll burn, Father,

calmly, steadily, pleasantly.

It's only of you and your happiness

I'm thinking.

Father...

...you can trust me.

I'll take care of myself.

Thank you, Father.

- Can we announce it New Year's Eve?

- I shall arrange a party.

How wonderful!

Linda had said something

about wanting to give a party herself.

One of those ideas of hers.

I think by now you and I know

how to take care of those ideas of Linda's.

- It was awfully sweet of her.

- Linda has many generous impulses.

Father?

Come in, Linda.

Is it yes?

Father, I knew you'd do it.

- Be careful, you'll put my cigar out.

- What's a cigar on a night like this?

Darling, I'm so glad. Have you told Johnny?

- I haven't had time.

- Telephone him right away.

Well, then let's ring bells.

Let's send up skyrockets.

Let's turn on all the lights in the house.

Father, aren't you proud of yourself?

Gee, this would have made Mother happy.

Mother, you'd love him.

Don't forget I'm to give the party

to announce the engagement.

I've got it all planned. Just a few people,

Johnny's friends and Julia's...

...and up in the old playroom.

No formalities, no white ties,

no engraved invitations.

I like your tie, too.

- By the way, where's Linda?

- She'll be down soon. I'm sure she will.

- She just hates big parties.

- But not this one?

Johnny, look at Father.

He's just seething with excitement.

You've won his heart completely.

- He's been awfully nice to me.

- Father's such a dear.

He made all the arrangements

for the party himself.

Is that the fellow?

He's rather good-looking at least.

- Hello, Uncle Edward.

- Good evening.

- Seton.

- Good evening, Uncle Edward.

There's Laura and Seton Cram.

He's my cousin.

Darling, tell me, when are you to announce

the exciting news about Julia?

Shortly after midnight as a surprise.

Well, Julia seems divinely happy.

What does Linda say? You know,

we haven't seen Linda all evening.

Linda has been somewhat indisposed.

If asked, please explain she has a headache.

Yes, of course, Linda's headaches.

Now, don't worry, darling,

we understand perfectly.

She shall come down

before the announcement.

Of course.

Now don't worry, darling,

you just leave everything to us, will you?

It's a lovely party.

Now what's the matter with Linda?

Hello, Dorothy, you look lovely.

- Dear, where'd she get that horrible dress?

- Uncle Edward is worried, isn't he?

- Hello, Bunny.

- Hello, Seton.

I'd be worried, too,

if I had children like Ned and Linda.

Now he takes an utter stranger

into the family. I don't approve of it at all.

If Linda had done it I could understand,

but for Julia to take an unknown climber...

Mother's furious about it.

He's obviously after Julia's money.

Hello, Countess.

He doesn't even belong to the Harvard Club.

Julia, darling, you look lovely.

- Hello, Laura.

- Thank you, dear.

- Hello, Seton.

- I'm Cousin Laura and I'm so happy about it.

My dear, he is attractive, isn't he?

This is my husband, Seton Cram.

He's Julia's cousin.

- I married into the family.

- Not a bad family to marry into.

Congratulations.

- Thank you, Mr. Cram.

- Don't "Mister" him. We grew up together.

We've heard such wonderful things

about you.

- Have you? From whom?

- Well, from everybody.

My dear, it's such a shame about Linda.

She does have such frightful luck

with those headaches of hers, doesn't she?

Yes.

There's Ned. We've been looking for him.

Come on. We'll see you later.

- Good-bye, Johnny.

- See you later, Johnny.

Ned, did you speak to Linda?

How do you like Seton and Laura? It's

a privilege to meet them, don't you think?

What did Linda say?

Cheer up, Johnny.

If you find Seton and Laura dull,

wait until you meet some of the others.

The more you find out about us Setons,

the more impressive we become.

Father wanted a big family, you know.

Mother had Linda straight off to oblige him.

Linda was a girl, so she promptly had Julia.

Julia was a girl and it seemed hopeless.

The next year Mother had me

and there was much joy in the land.

It was a boy

and the fair name of Seton would flourish.

It must have been a consolation to Father.

He must have been very grateful to Mother.

Drink to Mother, Johnny.

She tried to be a Seton for a while,

then gave up and died.

You're talking through your hat, Ned.

But, I'm not.

Ned, what did Linda say?

- She's coming down, isn't she?

- Don't make me laugh, Sister.

- What's all this about Linda?

- It's nothing, Johnny.

That's right. It's nothing.

Just one of Linda's whims.

The silly little girl

wanted to give her kind of a party.

Between you and Father you've changed

her shindig into a first-class funeral.

She should've realized Father couldn't

announce my engagement without a fuss.

She should have, yes,

but unlike me, Linda always hopes.

Bottoms up to Linda.

Ned, please,

you've been drinking steadily since 8:00.

Yes, funny old Ned.

On New Year's Eve, too.

Johnny, try to stop him.

I shall drink as much as I like

at any party I agree to attend.

And as much as I like

is as much as I can hold.

It's my protection

against your tiresome friends.

Linda's out of luck.

She hasn't any protection.

Robert, another highball, please.

Ned, take it easy.

Aye, aye, sir.

- The name, sir?

- The name is Professor Nicholas Potter.

And wife Susan.

We were invited.

The ladies' cloakroom

is the second door to the left, madam.

Thank you.

- Hello, Mr. Thayer.

- Well.

- It's getting near the New Year.

- That's right, sir.

- It lacks about an hour, I should say.

- An hour and 38 minutes, Edgar.

Thank you, sir.

- The elevator is to the rear and right.

- Would it be too much...

Hello, Mr. Jennings.

- Coming close to the New Year now.

- One hour and 27 minutes, Edgar.

- He's fast.

- Yes, sir.

The elevator is to the rear and right.

- Thank you, but you have my shoe.

- I beg your pardon.

It's quite all right.

A very natural mistake, as a matter of fact.

Thank you. I'll do it.

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