Keeper of the Flame Page #5

But secretly, he was delighted

to get back to his own business.

And his devoted wife.

And his devoted wife, of course.

Who hated Mr. Forrest?

- Hated Robert Forrest?

- Yeah.

What do you wanna go

and get a divorce for?

Look, I've been married 32 years

and never a cloud.

Never a cloud.

A happy marriage is the most beautiful thing

in the world...

...and besides, you save 2.50

on that extra room.

Good evening, everybody.

Good evening, dear.

Well, you look as happy as though

you'd discovered a body in a trunk.

Better than that.

For instance?

O'Malley, the great reporter.

O'Malley, the blower-downer

of the walls of Jericho.

Oh, come on, Freddie, tell us.

Robert Forrest isn't really dead.

- Oh, he's dead, all right.

Hmm.

But his mother isn't.

Well, go on.

- He had a mother.

- So did Whistler.

Yeah, but we knew about her.

And I knew

about Robert Forrest's mother.

- Have you seen her?

- Not yet.

A deputation

from the Forward America Union...

...Youth Section.

Hello, boys and girls.

I'm from the New York Recorder.

I think there are things

you young people could say...

...that our readers

would like to know about.

- Oh, but...

- We don't feel much like talking tonight.

Mrs. Forrest wouldn't see you, would she?

We don't blame her, but...

- We did want her to have our flowers.

- And our formal expression of sympathy.

- He's an artist.

- Show it to the lady, Tim.

It's all done by hand.

Well, let's see.

Well, this looks like something

from the Morgan Library.

Uh, your movement sprung up overnight.

I've heard the experts trying to dope out

who did such a fine job of organizing.

They're wrong.

There's been no organizing.

- It just happened.

- Like it was needed.

Yes. When Robert Forrest spoke

in Denver two years ago...

...he mentioned he'd like young people

to write him their views.

- So some of us did.

- Yes.

His secretary wrote back thanking us

and suggesting we get together.

And you did.

- Sure, we formed a kind of a club.

Down in Alabama, we got our chapter

together the same way...

...when he said over the radio he liked

hearing from boys and girls still in school.

And we started our chain in Oregon, too,

from us writing and him writing back.

Oh. And you came

from all parts of the country to...

To place a wreath of laurel on his grave...

...which we're aiming to do tomorrow.

He cared about the world,

the whole world.

And now he's gone.

And nobody cares.

You'd think she'd care enough,

just because he did...

...to have let us give her some flowers.

And our formal expression of sympathy.

Oh, I don't blame you, of course...

...but if you could see their faces,

I'm sure you'd know what I mean.

Yes, I do know what you mean,

but I can't possibly see them tomorrow.

No, no, it's impossible.

I wish you'd explain to them

how sorry I am.

Thank you. Good night.

Oh, Geoff,

I haven't the heart to see those children.

If I could only rest.

Sleep, sleep and not dream.

My poor dear,

I'm asking too much of you.

No.

No, we'll do as we planned.

Get the car.

Is Mrs. Forrest home?

I've been asked to tell you...

John, who's there?

It's you, Mr. O'Malley. Do come in.

I've been trying to prepare

the ground for you.

I have here the notes

regarding the branches...

...of Mr. Forrest's

Forward America movement.

There's a branch in every town and village

throughout the country...

...devoted tirelessly

to the true American spirit.

It represents... How shall I say?

- A passionate desire for all those

who represent true Americanism.

Mrs. Forrest has asked me

to show clippings of his speeches.

They're magnificent, Mr. O'Malley.

You'll enjoy them,

but, of course, you'll miss his voice.

I have here various speeches

before Chambers of Commerce.

Mr. O'Malley, this will interest you,

letters from boys and girls all over America.

It might be better

if I talk to Mrs. Forrest first.

I'm afraid that's impossible.

- These letters are extraordinary...

- Why is it impossible?

Really, the element of time must enter

into your calculations, I should think.

- What does that mean?

- Last night, Mrs. Forrest left on a little trip.

- For how long?

- It was quite sudden. Several days, I expect.

Oh, this will interest you. Do sit down.

It's a record of their marriage.

Which was a very happy one, huh?

The answer to that, in political parlance,

would be a rousing affirmative.

Political parlance, huh?

- You dabble around much in politics?

- Oh. Politics?

Oh, no, no, my talents don't run

along those lines, I'm afraid.

Well, I think I'll leave you to get to work.

I think you'll find everything you want here.

What about Robert Forrest's mother?

About her?

Why, she has her own establishment

on the grounds.

Yes, I know. I talked to her.

You talked to her?

Yeah, just for a minute on the phone.

I imagine she might be quite helpful.

Oh, I'm afraid that's impossible. You see,

Mrs. Forrest is very old and an invalid.

- Doctor, I've got the medicine for Jeb.

- Come around to the other gate.

How is he?

- He had a bad night. He's better now.

Let me see.

What seems to be his trouble, doctor?

The longer I live,

the more I suspect man having a soul...

...that's at the bottom

of most of his bellyaches.

He seems pretty little

to have soul trouble.

Bugs have no sporting instinct.

They go for the little fellows.

So it's a bug.

Well, a fever, anyway.

Hero fever, I call it.

Very modern. Ever since we've been

getting out of touch with God...

...we've been pushovers for it.

And the young get it the worst of all.

Indicating Robert Forrest?

Yes. Yes, he was the hero.

And Jeb is a high-strung,

sensitive little fellow, like his sister.

Was she a patient of yours?

Up to a point.

What was wrong with her, doctor?

Well...

If you know what a nervous breakdown is...

I don't.... She had it.

Robert Forrest had her sent

to a sanitarium.

I suppose he felt partly responsible.

- You mean she was in love with him?

- No, no.

You don't fall in love with a god,

you just worship.

Wear yourself out.

Oh, not Forrest's fault.

There was only one woman in his life,

Christine Forrest.

But that's what he did to other women.

And everyone else.

Well, some of us held out.

Now, if you want to do me a great favor...

...you'll close your eyes...

...and count sheep jumping a fence

at least up to a hundred.

I know, you just want me to go to sleep.

But I'd do anything you asked.

One, two, three, four...

...five, six, seven...

...eight, nine, 10, 11...

I brought the medicine for Jeb.

Thank you.

I've disappointed you, haven't I?

Well, you haven't been much help yet.

Are you angry with me?

I was mad, yes.

But after I saw you, I...

You thought I'd promised to help you,

then gone away and left you in the lurch.

I didn't run away, Mr. O'Malley.

Whatever happens, life won't stop for you.

There are things that must be done.

Oh, that's all right.

I had no reason to resent anything.

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