Madonna of the Seven Moons Page #3

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suitable young men will be calling.

- They'll expect to find you...

- A nice, little, tame mouse!

Yes, I know, dear.

But I'm not a tame mouse.

- You won't be a tame mouse either!

- I?

You're young and attractive enough

to have a wonderful time.

- I'm going to see you get it.

- But I'm quite content as I am.

You've no right to be content at your age.

I'm going to take you in hand.

My education's finished.

Yours is just beginning!

Now, let me see...

Now, isn't this charming, Madame Labardi?

Oyster pink is such a wonderful colour for you.

Yes, it's very lovely.

But it's not quite what I wanted for Mummy.

Mummy wants something

a little more sophisticated.

- Do I?

- Yes, ofcourse, darling.

That's the whole idea.

- I prefer this one myself.

- It's very attractive, Mummy.

- But it isn't quite what we want.

- Oh, madame, it's very smart.

The most frightful garment ever.

Take it away. Never bring it near me.

It's a terrible thing.

Why, it looks like something the cat brought in.

Really, I wouldn't be seen dead in it.

It makes me look most peculiar!

- Mummy, you are most peculiar.

- I refuse to wear a thing like that.

Madame Fiske!

C'est parfait for madame's waistline.

Refer to my waistline at your peril.

Never in the whole of my life

have I seen such an atrocity!

I demand to see...

Why, Miss and Madame Labardi,

I didn't realise anyone was here.

Hello, Angela, dear.

How are you, my dear?

How nice to see you at a show like this.

Now, that's the sort of thing I should wear.

Well, it would be warmer for you, wouldn't it?

Yes. You see, I've rather an elusive line.

It's never the same for two weeks on end.

In that way, it has an extraordinary resemblance

to my late husband.

Here today, gone tomorrow.

Although it's nearly three years since

he compelled me to divorce him.

We had a gorgeous time.

Sandro taught me all the latest steps.

I'll bet.

I don't know whether you do, or are,

or have contemplated a divorce,

but if you have or do, I really wouldn't.

They cost a great deal and are not

nearly as good as they are painted.

If you don't mind, I really must be going.

- What's that for?

- Gratitude.

You're coming out into a new world.

Angela's world.

I suppose I am.

Because it's warm and friendly and natural,

you're going to like it.

I hope so.

Nice, my dear.

You haven't played that for a long time.

Mummy looks lovely in that new dress.

She always looks lovely,

even without your unholy influence.

I've only one suggestion.

Why don't you wear that old Cellini pendant?

For the good and sufficient reason

that it was stolen in Florence.

Stolen? You never told me.

Was anything else taken?

Practically all her jewellery.

We won't worry about that now.

- Didn't the police do anything?

- No.

Besides, I was very anxious

about your mother's health

- which was far more important.

- Yes, but...

In any case, I am well enough off

to buy you or your mother

any jewellery you may want.

Why didn't you tell me you'd been so ill, darling?

I didn't want to frighten you.

That's why she never came to England.

- I see.

- Charles?

Thanks.

She didn't write to me once for a year.

What was the matter, Daddy?

Just nerves. Mothing serious.

An attack of nerves that lasted a whole year

must have been serious.

You must ask Dr Ackroyd about that.

He was attending her.

Oh? I didn't know

you attended Mummy in Florence.

You poor pet.

What form did the illness take, Doctor?

Sleepwalking, loss of memory, or what?

Is it likely to come on again?

Steady, darling, steady.

Of course it's not likely to come on again.

I'm sorry. I couldn't possibly know.

I'm all right. I'm tired.

I think I'll go to my room.

- You go along with her, Angela.

- Oh, Mummy!

Why did you say I attended Maddalena?

I knew neither of you at the time.

To stop awkward questions.

Any talk of her illness upsets her.

Obviously, but why?

What was wrong with her?

- Do you mind ifwe drop the subject?

- Yes, I do mind.

I want to help. As a friend, if not as a doctor.

- Won't you tell me?

- Have a drink?

Then you won't.

I was hoping to bring Mummy

and teach her dancing.

That's all off. For the time being, anyway.

How very disappointing.

That means we'll have to be alone, doesn't it?

- If you can bear it.

- I'll have a darn good try.

Do you know I haven't had you to myself once

since we arrived in Rome?

Well, you have now, haven't you?

Angela, this takes a bit of saying but...

Yoo-hoo, Angela!

Well, you two do tuck yourselves away.

- I hope we're not butting in?

- Not in the least.

- That's good.

- Still being diplomatic, Evelyn?

- Trying to be.

- What have you been doing to Evelyn?

- He's as bristly as a hairbrush.

- You notice I hurried to Rome?

Did you? Why?

Weren't you earning enough money in Cannes?

I got bored with Cannes.

Anay, what is money?

What a lovely, slender wrist you have.

Sandro, I'll dance.

Doesn't he know when he's not wanted?

Sandro's all right. He's a wonderful dancer.

I suppose that makes up for everything.

Quite a lot.

You better ask him to your birthday on the 16th.

I'm going to.

Oh. I shan't get much of a look-in, then, shall I?

Well, I'll try and keep you the supper dance.

What a pity I haven't a girlfriend.

Perhaps you can find one

between now and then.

That's an idea. I think I could.

- You can?

- Yes.

- Nesta.

- Who's Nesta?

Oh. We've known each other

since we were so high.

- I'll ask her if you really mean it?

- Do, by all means!

- Nesta...

- Stop it.

Stop doing that, Jimmy Logan,

while I'm c-cooking for a guest.

Evelyn isn't a guest. He's been here

every day for two weeks.

I do wish he'd talk about something else.

It's Angela all the time.

Or her mother.

If she is that beautiful,

I'd give my eye-teeth to paint her.

You'd have to use stained glass.

No, I see her in blue velvet and... and a tin halo.

- S-Stop doing that!

- Not until you stop stammering.

I c-can't when you're making love to me.

Hello there!

Hello, you two.

Mmm! That smells grand, Nesta.

These any good to you?

How lovely.

Q- Quite the little Santa Claus, isn't he?

- Put those on the table.

- What's she gibbering like that for?

- The truth is...

- If you tell him, I'll kill you.

Lunch won't be long. Have a cigarette.

This is pretty good. Yes, I like it.

Oh, it's tripe, but it's the sort oftripe

that appeals to summer visitors.

- How are you settling down?

- Fine. I like Rome.

- I'm having the time of my life.

- I bet you are.

- Come on, here it is.

- Would you like to come to a party?

No, I don't think so.

It's not quite our cup oftea, is it?

No. Jimmy's got work to do.

We're offto Florence on Friday morning.

He's been commissioned to do some pictures

for a New York dealer.

- What's the party about?

- Angela's birthday.

- Quite a slap-up affair.

- That's different.

If I meet her mother, you bet we'll be there.

I'll get my one evening dress out of pawn.

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