Little Women Page #5

LAURIE:

What _cIt's a shame.

JO:

What a blunder bus I am!

AMY:

What are you going to do?(In the garden)

MEG:

I'll ask Marmee.

LAURIE:

Oh? Have you two been hiding. I've been looking all over the

house for you. Hannah's here.

MEG:

Oh? Is it that late?

LAURIE:

Well, time slips away, you know?

MEG:

Good night, Mr. Brooke.

MR. BROOKE:

Good night, Miss Margaret. (Picking up a glove.) Miss Margaret!

(In the foyer)**

(00:
44:46)**

BETH:

Good night.

LAURIE:

Good night, Beth. I'm glad you came.

AMY:

We had an elegant time.

LAURIE:

Good night, Amy. Good night, Jo.

MEG:

Good night, Laurie.

LAURIE:

Good night, Miss Margaret.

MEG:

Laurie _c..

LAURIE:

Good night, everybody. Jo: Don't forget to bring your ice-skates

tomorrow.

LAURIE:

I won't. Good night.

Everybody

Good night.

(Jo writing)**

(00:
45:16)**

JO:

There. I've done my best. If that won't do, I shall have to wait

until I can do better. (Jo climbs down the outside of the house.)

Why? What are you up to?

BETH:

It's a pair of slippers I worked for Mr. Laurence. He's been so

kind about letting me play on his beautiful piano. I didn't know

any other way to thank him, Jo. Do you think they're alright?

JO:

They are beautiful, and I think you are sweet. Hey, isn't that

Amy's hair ribbon?

BETH:

Yes. Yes, but I think she was going to throw it away.

JO:

You think! You better vamoos before she catches you.

(In front of Newspaper Office)**

(00:
46:55)**

LAURIE:

Now I'll find out why you come down to this hole every day. Just

have to tell me why you never have time for me any more.

JO:

Laurie Laurence. Give that back to me, or I'll never speak to you

again.

LAURIE:

Alright. Hm! Take it. You're a fine one! I thought we weren't to

have any secrets from each other.

JO:

Well, this is all together different.

LAURIE:

Ye_c Oh!

JO:

I beg your pardon.

LAURIE:

Sorry.

LAURIE:

Of course it's different. Just like a girl! Can't keep an

agreement.

JO:

Oh, bilge.

LAURIE:

You'll be sorry. I was gonna tell you something very plummy. A

secret. All about people you know, and such fun.

JO:

Oh, what?

LAURIE:

If I tell you, you must tell me yours.

JO:

You won't tell anything at home, will you?

LAURIE:

Not a word.

JO:

And you won't tease me about it in private?

LAURIE:

I'll never tease. Fire away.

JO:

I sold my story to the Spread Eagle.

LAURIE:

Hurrah for Miss March! Hurrah for Miss March! The celebrated

American authoress.

JO:

I didn't want anyone to know until it's out.

LAURIE:

Wouldn't it be fun to see it in print?

JO:

Now, what's yours?

LAURIE:

I know where Meg's glove is.

JO:

Oh, is that all?

LAURIE:

Wait till you hear where it is.

JO:

Where? How do you know?

LAURIE:

I saw it.

JO:

Where?

LAURIE:

Pocket!

JO:

All this time?

LAURIE:

Isn't it romantic?

JO:

Romantic? Rubbish! I never heard of anything so horrid. I wish

you hadn't told me. Of all the sickly, sentimental_c Oh why do

things always have to change just when they're perfect. Meg

always used to tell me everything, and now she keeps everything

to herself, and thinks brown eyes are beautiful. John is a lovely

name. He better keep away from me or I'll tell him what I think

of him. Trying to break up other people's happiness and spoil all

their fun!

LAURIE:

It doesn't spoil any fun! Makes it twice as good! You'll find out

when someone falls in love with you. Soft summer day. Sun setting

through the trees. Your lover's arms steeling around you.

JO:

I'd like to see anybody try it.

LAURIE:

Would you? Oh!_c.. I'll get you_c... (Laurie chases Jo) Now I've

got you_c.. Wait_c..

(Everyone chatters)**

JO:

You should have seen_c.

MR. BROOKE:

It's been a most enjoyable afternoon, Miss Margaret.

MEG:

Thank you. Paying visits has never been quite so much fun before.

MR. BROOKE

I hope we may do it again, very soon.

JO:

Good-bye, Mr. Brooke. Come along, Meg.

MEG:

Good afternoon, Mr. Brooke.

MR. BROOKE:

Good-bye, Miss Margaret.

MEG:

Good afternoon.

LAURIE:

Margaret. Good-bye, Jo.

MR. BROOKE:

Coming Laurie?

LAURIE:

Right. See you tomorrow, Jo.

MEG:

I've never been so embarrassed in my life. When will you stop

your childish romping ways.

JO:

Not until I'm old and stiff and have to use a crutch.

(00:
50:44)**

(Jo wipes the tears from her face as Beth approaches)**

BETH:

Jo.

JO:

Hello Bethy.

BETH:

Hello, Jo.

JO:

How's my girl? (Chattering)

GIRLS:

It's a surprise. (Chattering)

JO:

What is it? Christopher Columbus!

BETH:

For_c For me?

AMY:

Look. This came with it. Quick. Read it. See what it says.

JO:

I'll read it. "Miss Elizabeth March. Dear Madam."

AMY:

Isn't that elegant.

JO:

"I've had many pairs of slippers in my life, but none has suited

as well as yours. I like to pay my debts, so I know you will

allow me to send you something that belonged to the little grand-

daughter I lost. With hearty thanks and best wishes. I remain

your grateful friend and humble servant, James Laurence." Oh,

Beth! Isn't he a really sweet old man? (Chatter) Look. It opens.

It opens.

AMY:

You'll have to thank him.

BETH:

Yes. I'll go right now.

HANNAH:

Well, I wish I may die. She'd never gone in her right mind.

(Laurence House)**

(00:
52:33)**

MR. LAURENCE

Come in.

BETH:

I_c I came to thank you, sir.

(Joe reads her story while Amy does a drawing of the scene)**

(00:
53:26)**

HANNAH:

Miss March. Miss March. It's one of them telegraph things, ma'am.

MRS. MARCH

It's father.

AMY:

Mother.

MRS. MARCH

He's in the hospital. I must go to Washington at once.

(Packing) **

MRS. MARCH

Put those in the corner, dear.

BETH:

Alright, Marmee.

MRS. MARCH

What on earth is keeping Joe?

MEG:

This is all packed, Marmee. I don't believe I've forgotten a

thing.

MRS. MARCH

Thank you, dear. Now, girls, while I'm away, don't forget the

Hummels.

GIRLS:

We won't. We'll do our best, Marmee.

MR. LAURENCE

Here we are. We're here to take some port to your husband.

MRS. MARCH

Oh. Thank you. How generous!

MR. LAURENCE

And I hope he finds this dressing gown useful.

MRS. MARCH

Thank you.

MR. LAURENCE

Well, everything's arranged, and Brooke will go with you.

MRS. MARCH

There's no need. I'll be allr_c.

MR. LAURENCE

Oh, he's all prepared. He has commissions for me in Washington.

He'll be of help to you on the journey.

MRS. MARCH

How thoughtful of you!

MEG:

It's such a relief to know that Marmee will have someone to take

care of her. Thank you very, very much.

MR. BROOKE:

Not at all, Miss Margaret.

MRS. MARCH

My kind friend. I can't thank you.

MR. LAURENCE

Laurie's outside with the carriage. We'll wait for you. The train

leaves in about an hour.

HANNAH:

Here, ma'am. You'll need this.

MRS. MARCH

Oh, I couldn't.

AMY:

Oh, Marmee. It'll quiet your nerves.

MRS. MARCH

Where is Jo? Jo! What kept you?

AMY:

What ever took you so long?

JO:

Here's the money from Aunt March. And_c um_c there's my

contribution.

MRS. MARCH

$25. Where did you get it? My dear?

JO:

Oh, it's mine, honestly. I only sold what belonged to me.

MRS. MARCH

Your hair! Jo, you shouldn't have!

JO:

Oh well, Aunt March croaked as she always does when asked for

ninepence. And Marmee, she only sent you just money enough for

the ticket. And I knew you'd need more, and so, well I_c happened

to be going past a barber shop, and I saw some tails on hair

hanging in the window with the prices marked on them, so I

thought it'd do my brain good to have my mop cut off. And so I

did.

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