Johnny Belinda Page #5

Mac.

They're saying in the village

that I'm Johnny's father.

It's believable.

When they don't know the answer,

they make up one.

I've been around this place a lot.

At all hours.

I've been thinking about this

for a long time.

I've even thought of your leaving here,

but that wouldn't prove anything...

giving up something

you've worked for all your life.

I know of only one solution.

For me to marry Belinda.

That would really give them

something to talk about.

And pretty soon

the gossip would die down for good.

You're being generous, but it won't do.

You see, she kind of feels things,

and people, with her insides.

You don't love her,

you only feel a kind of pity for her.

You'd hurt her worse

than if you hated her.

Make me feel pretty cheap.

For a while there I guess I was thinking

I was quite a guy.

You're one of the best I've run across.

Sometimes you can be too good.

Harm others while doing it.

Well, look who's here.

I have something for Johnny.

You can see him. Watch.

Yes, you can see him hear.

- Coming up a blow.

- A storm?

Coming straight in.

I better get the cattle in.

I'll stay here. He has it.

Mac?

Mac!

Well.

You don't know me, huh?

You ought to, though.

What are you doing in here?

I just come by

to see about some ground barley.

That's a cute lad. Never seen him before.

Keep away from him.

What's the matter?

No harm in looking at him, is there?

- Don't be scared. I'm Locky.

- Take your hands off him.

All right, all right. He's a big boy, isn't he?

Spitting image of his father.

Well, all right, if you don't want business,

I can go somewheres else.

- Where you going?

- With you.

- Well, where to?

- Wherever you're going.

- Why?

- To tell them.

- To tell them what?

- What you done.

- So they'll know how low a man can get.

- You'll tell them nothing.

Go ahead, walk.

Something's wrong?

What's happened?

Belinda, what's the matter?

Belinda, what is it? What's bothering you?

Belinda.

"Our Father, which art in heaven...

"hallowed be thy name.

"Thy kingdom come.

"Thy will be done...

"in earth, as it is in heaven.

"Give us this day our daily bread.

"Forgive us our debts...

"as we forgive our debtors.

"Lead us not into temptation.

"Deliver us from evil.

"For thine is the kingdom...

"and the power...

"and the glory...

"for ever and ever.

"Amen."

He's trying to sell him

his horse and buggy, he is.

He stopped talking when I came in,

but I heard enough.

But what will he do without them?

A doctor.

What practice he has he can cover afoot.

Just to the mill and back.

His luck's run out, that's what.

I saw it in the cards, so help me.

Black. Spades, spades, spades,

no matter where I put them.

That rig is worth

two times more than this bill.

I make business and I have the right...

to get back what is owed me

all fair and honorable.

But I do not want people saying

that I take advantage.

You don't understand.

You'd be doing me a favor.

I have to get rid of them.

You mean, something is wrong?

The horse is lame, maybe, yes?

No, he's sturdy as a horse.

But I'm in a hurry,

so I have to take what I can get.

- I'm leaving here for good.

- You are? When?

You seem pleased about it.

- No, I think it's better for you.

- Why?

You see, in this village,

we do not appreciate people coming here.

Strangers who do not follow

our ways of living.

There are men here who can be very angry

and something can happen.

- What?

- Anything.

Look, Pacquet,

put away the tar and feathers.

Do you want the rig or don't you?

She's as pretty as a picture.

Good luck, my boy. Now you can pay me.

You know I can. And I want that boat back.

You will have it.

- You've a good man, Stella.

- Thank you, Pacquet.

Charlotte, catch!

- Bye!

- Bye!

It's about time Locky settled down.

He's led a stormy youth.

Out on the ocean, you mean, Mrs. McKee.

You know what I mean.

Belinda, I want you

to promise me something.

If anything ever happens to Johnny...

I want you to send for Dr. Gray.

I couldn't come, Belinda. I won't be here.

I have to go away.

After all, I'm a doctor.

I can't help anyone this way.

I can't even make a living for myself.

Anyway, it's the only thing to do.

So I made an application.

I made an application.

A staff job at the Toronto Hospital,

and they've taken me on.

I got the answer today.

Do you understand?

Do you understand, Belinda?

In a month or two...

I'll be able to take care of things,

help you out.

I've talked it over with Aggie.

You see, the trouble is

I have to leave very soon.

Tomorrow, in fact.

No, Belinda. I won't be able to come.

I'm going across the Gulf.

Yes, very far away.

Yes, I'll be careful.

Belinda...

Forgive me, I didn't know.

Don't be sorry.

I'm very glad.

Come on.

Hurry up, we're late.

It is the honor of the community

we have to think of.

Respectable people do not stand by...

and see shameful things like this happen,

and do nothing.

As a member of the Town Council,

I say it is our duty...

to correct this unfortunate situation.

And we do not want anyone

to come from outside...

and meddle in this.

We want to do this quietly.

We can take care of it ourselves.

Yes, Mrs. Moore?

Isn't it cruel to take a baby away

from its mother?

A creature who's a disgrace

to the whole village?

Who can't even teach a child his prayers?

Is it a crime to save a baby

from a life of misery?

These women can't provide for a child.

Already they've sold most of their cattle.

The place is run down.

There's no man to work it.

Why, the baby will be like her,

running loose like an animal.

The doctor. When he finds out,

couldn't he make trouble?

After what he did?

Sneaking out of town

in the middle of the night?

He will be too smart

to ever show his face here again.

I could almost feel sorry for her.

It's a good thing she can't think or feel.

Nothing better could happen for the child

than the offer we got.

He will have a name,

a home with respected parents...

Mr. And Mrs. McCormick.

Now, there's no need for a lot of red tape.

All we have to do is

get the release from the girl.

She only has to sign it.

It is an easy thing to make a cross.

With the release we send this petition.

I do not think there will be any trouble.

If the girl had normal intelligence

she would be grateful.

What are you stopping for?

Let's end this bickering.

He has the makings of a fine, sturdy lad.

I'm telling you again,

I'd sooner not take him...

than let you turn him

into a thickheaded farmer.

And I tell you he'll have to earn his keep

when he's growed.

What if he gets sick? Lt'll cost money.

Whose money?

I don't recall you bringing in any.

Well, it's ours, ain't it? You're my wife.

And you expect me to pay for the honor?

You needn't worry.

I'm not fooling myself

about why you married me.

And I know what started you on the idea.

You want the kid because of that doctor.

'Cause you think it's his.

You're sweet on him

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