Now, Voyager Page #5

- I expect you're Miss Charlotte.

- Yes.

I tried to get down before you rang.

Pickford is my name. Dora.

I'm the nurse.

We'd better not stand here gabbing.

She has ears like a cat.

- What happened to her?

- She's fit as a fiddle.

She has a heart, but she denies it.

At her age, who hasn't?

It'll last years if she's not excited.

- How long has a nurse been necessary?

- It hasn't been.

Mostly she's used us

to fetch and carry.

There were a few others before me.

I lasted a whole month!

She sacked me since you're home.

You better hurry in.

When she waits, she gets mad.

Then get the smelling salt.

She's all dressed for the party...

...except for her gown.

She's cute.

If you need help, I'm above, packing.

See you later.

Remember that honoring one's parents

is a good idea.

You'll be a shock to her.

Soften the blow.

Give her time.

Remember that she's your mother.

Well, Mother. Hello.

You look well.

Lisa said you'd been ill...

Lisa knows nothing about me.

Step where I can see you.

Turn around.

Walk up and down.

It's worse than Lisa led me

to suppose. Much worse.

- If you'd like me to go...

- No, I have things to say to you.

Sit down.

I've asked the family

to dinner tonight at 7:30.

Lisa told me.

It's very nice of you.

There'll be Lloyd and Rosa,

Hillary and Justine...

...Lisa and June, Mr. Livingston...

...Uncle Herbert.

- Do you mean Elliot Livingston?

Yes. I'll wear my white lace gown.

Wear your black and white foulard.

- I've lost 25 pounds. It won't fit.

- Yes, it will.

I've had Miss Till here.

Hilda is just Lisa's size.

Your dresses are fitted.

I've asked Miss Till to stay late...

...in case any alterations

are necessary.

You've thought of everything.

There's something else I want to say.

Now you're cured...

...and returned to your duties,

I dismissed the nurse.

I'm used to having a room

occupied on the same floor...

...and with my heart,

it's a wise precaution.

You will occupy your father's room.

William moved your things:

Your furniture, books, everything.

But Mother, you had no right

to move my things.

No right to move what I see fit?

I'm not surprised you blush.

I was there when William

took the books...

...and what we found hidden

was a great shock.

I hope that that shameful

episode in your life is past.

If you'll excuse me, Mother.

If you wear your glasses,

you will be less of a shock.

Take off what is on your face.

As to your hair and eyebrows...

...say that after an illness,

one loses one's hair...

...but you're letting yours grow.

- Yes, Hilda. It's me.

- Welcome home, Miss Charlotte.

This came by Air Express

from New York.

Miss Till is here.

Do you want her in?

In a little while.

I'll bring your clothes

as soon as I get a chance.

No, thank you, Hilda.

You needn't bother.

What are you doing in this room?

- I'm going to sleep here.

- You may go.

I wished for someone

on the same floor.

We can get a maid

or get the nurse back.

"We"? So long as I pay the bills,

I run this house.

Please remember you're a guest.

If I am one, then treat me like one.

Your guest prefers to sleep

in this room, if you don't mind.

This is no time for humor. I do mind.

- Where are the flowers from?

- From New York.

From who?

I've forgotten the name of the

florist. It's on the box.

I had the box brought to me first.

You know what I mean.

- What person sent the flowers?

- There wasn't any card.

You don't intend to tell me.

I don't want to be disagreeable

or unkind.

I've come home to live with you.

But it can't be in the same way.

I've been living my own life

for a long while now.

I won't go back

to being treated like a child.

I don't think I'll do anything

that will displease you...

...but from now on you must give me

complete freedom.

Including deciding what I wear...

...where I sleep, what I read.

Where did you get that dress?

Lisa and I bought it in New York.

Outrageous. Where's

the black and white foulard?

I gave it to Miss Till.

She was so grateful.

Mother, please be fair

and meet me halfway.

They said that my recompense

for having a late child...

...was comfort in my old age,

especially if it was a girl.

On your first day home after six

months, you behave like this.

Wait, I'll go down with you.

Thank you.

I prefer to go down alone.

Hilda!

Hilda, come here!

She fell down the stairs.

Go get the doctor down the street.

Is she conscious?

If not, this is the darnedest

torn ligament I've seen.

It'll swell. She mustn't walk.

I'm responsible. We quarreled.

I believe there are

guests waiting downstairs...

...or have you discarded

your manners also?

My family may come to see me,

one or two at a time.

I think your mother enjoys

the excitement she causes.

Must you whisper?

Am I to have no attention at all?

Hello, everybody.

You look simply gorgeous.

- I love your dress.

- Thank you.

Hello, Aunt Hester, how are you?

By Jove, Uncle.

Rosa, I'm glad to see you.

How you've changed.

But you haven't, Lloyd,

I'm happy to say.

- Justine.

- I couldn't be more astonished.

It was a shock. The doctor

said it's only a torn ligament.

- You did mean Mother?

- Naturally she meant Mother.

Brother, dear.

Thank you, William.

How did it go?

I don't know, Lisa.

I think I won the first round.

By the way, do you know

Elliot Livingston?

How do you do?

Why haven't we met before?

The world is small, but Boston is big.

- You're right, it is.

- Let's have a fire.

- An open fire?

- No, Mother won't like it.

She asked you to come up

by ones and twos.

Uncle Herbert, you go first,

you're the oldest.

For as long as I can remember,

that fire's never been lit.

High time it was then, Lloyd.

Thank you, would you mind?

I had no idea you played bridge.

Are you doing anything Wednesday?

If Mother would spare you...

I'd love to, if you think I'd fit in.

You'd fit in anywhere. Furthermore...

Please, no more or I shall cry.

I'm proud.

Dr. Jaquith would be too.

Can you ever forgive me?

Never.

I can't get over

our not having met.

As a matter of fact, we have.

- Once and almost twice.

- I'm mystified.

You were the only boy

who danced with me in school.

Then you were supposed to usher my

coming-out party and didn't show up.

- I'm covered with shame.

- I shouldn't have told you.

I hope you will allow me

to make up for my past rudeness.

- May I telephone you?

- Of course.

- She wants to see you at once.

- I know.

- Good night, Uncle.

- Thank you for an unusual evening.

- She wants to see you.

- I know.

She's had two hours' sleep.

She sent Hilda to investigate

the fire.

Let her blow off her steam.

I put sherry and sleeping powder

in her hot milk.

I'll wait outside the door.

I suspect you're a treasure.

How's your ankle?

- Extremely painful.

- I'm so sorry.

I've been thinking

as I've been here in pain...

...listening to you having

a good time.

- How much was the dress?

- It was frightfully expensive.

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