Little Women Page #10

MR. LAURENCE

My child.

AMY:

Mr. Laurence.

LAURIE:

Amy, we were in Germany dear, and Marmee's letter had to be

forwarded, but I came the moment I got it, because, well, you

must comfort me now, too.

AUNT MARCH:

I'm thankful you're here. I haven't known what to do with the

child. Perhaps you can persuade her to stay.

(Jo ironing on the porch) **

JO:

Ah, the elegant young matron.

MEG:

Hello, Jo, dear. I'm setting off in the little carriage and I'm

going to make some calls.

JO:

And you want me to mind the little demons for you while you are

gone?

MEG:

No. I want you go with me? Oh, do dear. It's a lovely day and I

want to talk with you.

JO:

Well, talk to me now. You know I can't bare calls.

MEG:

How's your story coming?

JO:

Sent it off yesterday.

MEG:

Without us reading it?

JO:

Well, you can read it when they send it back.

MEG:

Oh, Jo, I had a letter from Amy.

JO:

So did Marmee.

MEG:

They're in Val Rosa now, she say it's at a paradise. Jo, I want

to ask you something. I've been wondering. How would you feel if,

if you should hear that your Laurie were learning to care for

somebody else?

JO:

Meg, who? Amy?

MEG:

Of course I don't know. I, I can't be sure. I'm only reading

between the lines. Then you wouldn't mind?

JO:

Oh, no, Meg. How could I? I think it would be wonderful. Don't

you?

MEG:

Yes, but I wasn't quite sure. Oh, forgive me, dear. But, but I

have so much and you, you seem so alone. I thought lately that

maybe if Laurie came back.

JO:

Oh, no, no, dear. It's better as it is. And I'm glad if he and

Amy are learning to love each other. Oh, you're right about one

thing, though. I am lonely. And maybe if Laurie had come back, I

might have said yes. Not because I love him any differently, but

because_cwell, because it means more to me now, to be loved, than

it used to.

(Jo is asleep on the attic sofa) **

(01:
49:14) **

JO:

Laurie, oh, my Laurie.

LAURIE:

Oh, Jo, dear. Are you glad to see me?

JO:

Glad? Oh, my blessed boy. Words can't express my gladness. And

where's your wife?

LAURIE:

Oh, they all stopped in at Meg's, but I couldn't wait to see you.

They'll be along presently.

JO:

Oh, let me look at you.

LAURIE:

Oh, don't I look like a married man, and the head of a family?

Huh?

JO:

Not a bit. And you never will. Though you have grown bigger and

bonnier.

LAURIE:

Ah.

JO:

But you're the same scape grace as ever. Despite that very

elegant mustache, you can't fool me.

LAURIE:

Oh, really, Jo. You ought to treat me with more respect. Really!

Ah, Jo, dear, I want to say one thing and then put it back

forever. Ah_c

JO:

Oh, no, darling, if you_c I think it has always meant to be. You

and Amy. And it would have come about naturally if only you'd

waited.

LAURIE:

As you tried to make me understand.

JO:

But you never could be patient.

LAURIE:

So then we can go back to the happy old times, the way you

wanted, when we first knew one another.

JO:

No. We, we never can be boy and girl again, Laurie. Those happy

old times can't come back. And we shouldn't expect them to. We're

man and woman now. We can't be playmates any longer. But we can

be brother and sister to love and help one another all the rest

of our lives. Can't we, Laurie? Oh, there they are.

(01:
51:11) **

MRS. MARCH

You look very well, Aunt March.

AUNT MARCH:

After all the money I've spent on my Rheumatism, I come home on a

day like this.

HANNAH:

Heaven's to Betsy! If she ain't dressed in silk from head to

foot.

AMY:

Oh, where is she? Where is Jo? Jo.

JO:

Amy.

LAURIE:

Doesn't she look marvelous, Jo.

(Everyone exchanges greetings) **

AMY:

Poor Jo. I'll never forgive myself for staying away so long and

leaving you to bare everything.

JO:

Darling. To think that only yesterday we were pulling our hair

and buttoning our pinafores. And now she is a grown-up married

lady with a bustle.

AUNT MARCH:

Spent all my money and didn't have anything decent to eat the

whole time.

**

MRS. MARCH

You must be famished. I'll help Hanna with tea.

JO:

Oh, no, you won't, Marmee. You'll sit right here. I'll help

Hanna.

(Jo preying to Beth) **

JO:

It's fun, isn't it, Bethy? Now that we're all together again.

HANNA:

Oh, dear. Oh, dear. I've got to get some milk. I got nothing for

the baby.

JO:

I'll go.

HANNA:

But it's raining cats and dogs.

JO:

I love it.

HANNA:

Oh, sakes alive. There's the front door bell.

(At the front door) **

PROFESSOR:

How do you do? Is this the residence of Miss March?

HANNA:

Oh, yes.

PROFESSOR:

Miss Josephine March?

HANNA:

Yes, yes.

PROFESSOR:

May I speak with her?

HANNA:

Well, she's out. But I'm expecting her back any minute. Would you

come in?

PROFESSOR:

Thank you, thank you. Oh, no, no, no, thank you. She has guests.

No. Thank you very much. But uh, will you please give this to her

and tell that Professor Bhaer left it. Thank you. Professor

Bhaer. Thank you very much. Good bye.

HANNA:

Good bye.1:
53:35

JO:

Oh, Herr Professor.

PROFESSOR:

My little friend. I_c I was just here to leave you a book. I

wanted to tell you my friend published it, and, and he has great

hope. He thinks it_c

JO:

Oh, never mind what he thinks. Did you like it?

PROFESSOR:

Oh, my little friend, it has such truth, such simple beauty. It_c

In English quick, I cannot tell you what it gives my heart.

JO:

But you were going without telling me. If I hadn't come back, I

never would have seen you again. Oh, but come. You're getting

wet.

PROFESSOR:

I couldn't intrude. You have guests.

JO:

Oh, no, only my family. My sister's just come home. She's

married, you know, with that boy I told you about.

PROFESSOR:

Herr Laurie?

JO:

Yes.

PROFESSOR:

Oh.

JO:

It's the first time they've been together for a long time.

PROFESSOR:

Oh, please, please. Just, just one moment, before_c I have a wish

to ask you something. Would you_c oh_c I_c I_c I have no courage

to think that_c but_c but_c but could I dare hope that_cI_c I_c I

know I shouldn't make so free as to ask. I have nothing to give

but my heart so full and_c and these empty hands.

JO:

They're not empty now.

PROFESSOR:

Oh, dearest.

JO:

Welcome home.

(01:
55:55.) **

The End

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