Houseboat Page #8

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and it goes crack, pop and snap.

Even l cannot spoil it.

ls your father awake?

No, he's sleeping.

l poked him a few times,

but he's still sleeping.

He must have been crock.

lf it's all right with you,

can l have my English book back?

l'm the dumbest one in the class.

- l'd better start to study.

- All right.

l'm going to get some air.

David, l am not leaving today.

Perhaps later we can go fishing together?

You don't want to go fishing with me,

l'm just a kid.

l bet you think you're beautiful.

Well, you're not.

You're ugly.

You're the ugliest old girl l ever saw.

Roberto, eat your breakfast.

l don't want to.

Did you kiss him?

- Who?

- Daddy.

Yes, l did.

- That's what David said.

- Did he kiss you?

Yes, he kissed me.

l want to tell you something.

- l'm in love with your father.

- He loves you?

l believe so. l hope so.

l want you to know something.

We might get married.

Would that make you our mother?

l would be most happy to be

your father's wife and your mother.

You can't be our mother.

You are our friend.

One can be a friend and a mother.

Of course, it's most unusual.

You can't be our mother.

You don't look like our mother.

You can't even cook an egg.

What kind of a mother are you?

- Roberto.

- Don't call me any ltalian name.

My mother is dead!

l'm very sorry.

l don't mean to take her place.

Perhaps you can explain to Roberto later.

He wouldn't listen.

He'll just get that harmonica

and he won't listen to anybody.

l don't think l can eat either.

- Listen. About married people.

- What?

Do they sleep in the same bed together?

ln America, sometimes.

ln ltaly, always.

Would it matter if l slept with you?

No, it would be all right.

- But not all the time.

- Why not? l don't take up much room.

lt has something to do with married people.

l guess he likes you

better than he likes me.

Why do you talk like that?

Yes, he does.

He didn't even want me in there

when it was lightning

and l was afraid.

l hate him.

You go ahead, see if l care.

He pulls the covers off me anyway.

l got you a stateroom on the Constitution

leaving New York the day after tomorrow.

- Will you jump over board?

- l've had my adventure.

l've learned many things.

lncluding how difficult it is

to be a father.

lt wasn't easy to cancel

the rest of my tour and come back.

- ls it all right?

- Just perfect.

We'll go to Como together.

A vacation.

Then there's a concert at La Scala.

What an ovation we'll get.

- You will get.

- l will get.

Are you expecting somebody?

- Yes?

- l'm looking for Miss Cinzia Zaccardi.

She's not in.

Seven years old?

You left some dirty dishes in the sink.

Sorry, it was a lovely interlude.

l enjoyed every minute of it.

Until we both had too much champagne

and spoilt it all.

- lt was just an interlude?

- Yes.

For one who has had

so much experience lying,

you're not doing very well now.

l talked to the children

after l got your note.

l would like you to meet my father.

- How do you do?

- How do you do?

- l love you very much.

- Some tea?

- You are in love with me. Aren't you?

- lt's excellent tea, l didn't make it.

- One lump or two?

- You stay out of this.

Your children are your friends again.

- That is the most important thing.

- lt is more important to be their father.

l have my life and my father and l have

finally come to understand him.

You know you are very beautiful.

Have l told you that before?

You are really quite beautiful.

No, l am an ugly old girl.

Please go away.

l guess she wasn't in after all.

Come here.

Cinzia, come out here.

l can lock her in her room.

l can take her to ltaly.

The only way l can keep her

is to let her go away.

l'm too old

to run after her any more.

lt's your turn.

A terrible time she'll give you.

Come out here at once!

lf you do one thing ever to hurt her,

or make her cry,

l'll have your heart cut out.

lf l have to go to the Mafia.

- She doesn't want me.

- Zaccardi knows what she wants.

- l saw him over there.

- Come on down.

We aren't going to their wedding either,

but you'd better get inside.

No, l'm going to stay up here

all night and freeze.

- lt's too warm to freeze.

- You're just a girl.

- OK. Come on down.

- All right.

- Are you ready?

- Almost.

Did you speak to the children?

Yes. They are being very pig-headed.

l don't know where they get it from.

- Please, try again.

- All right.

Thank you.

Aren't you going to get dressed?

l know how you feel,

but nothing ever stays

exactly the same.

Everything changes.

Everybody has to leave everybody

sooner or later.

lt's not so bad.

lt's different, but not so bad.

You will all be leaving me before long

and l have to get used to that.

You can't remain children forever.

- No matter how much you want to.

- Why do you talk so much?

Because you make me feel guilty.

Why should l feel guilty?

You are the ones.

Why don't you cry or something?

Then l'd feel better.

Won't you please come to my wedding?

Cinzia would like it.

Why do l talk so much?

Would you both kneel, please?

We are gathered together here

to join this man and this woman

in bonds of matrimony,

in the presence of God

and these witnesses

and by virtue of authority

vested in me by the laws of this state.

lf any of you know any reason

why these two should not be thus joined,

speak now

or forever hold your peace.

Will you take her hand, please?

Do you, Thomas Winters, take this woman

for your lawful and wedded wife?

That's you, sir.

Who sir, me sir?

Yes sir, you sir.

l do.

Will you love, honour, cherish,

keep her in sickness and in health,

forsaking all others

so long as you both shall live?

l will.

- Do you take this man as your husband?

- l do.

English

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