Old Acquaintance Page #11

Millie, where did you hear such nonsense?

Never mind. You didn't think

I'd ever find out, did you?

There's nothing to find out, Millie.

Don't try to squirm out of it.

Why, there hasn't been a man yet

you haven't carried on with...

if you've had half a chance.

- Millie, have you gone stark staring mad?

- No.

You took my life and broke it.

You were at the bottom

of this whole thing and I hate you for it.

Millie, if that weren't so stupid,

it would be funny.

You don't really believe these things,

I know you don't.

How could I have been so blind?

You've coveted everything

that I've ever had, always.

All right, Millie.

You've been asking for this for years.

I'm going to have to tell you something

that I hoped I'd never have to tell you.

You don't care at all

about having lost Preston.

If it had been any other woman...

you never would have given it

a second's thought.

You only cared because it was me,

because you're jealous of me.

You've always been jealous of me.

You've been jealous of my career,

of the kind of life that I lead.

You're even jealous

of Deirdre's affection for me.

That's why you told her

about Rudd and me today.

Millie, you've done some

pretty bad things in your life...

but this is the worst yet.

Even if you didn't care

how much you hurt me...

you might at least have given a thought...

to what it would mean to Deirdre

to have her faith in me shaken.

I'd better get out of here, Millie,

before I do something I'll be very sorry for.

Yes, go! Go!

And if you think I want you

to come back again, ever, you're wrong!

You need have no worries on that score.

And as you've taken everything else

I've ever cared for in my life...

you might as well take Deirdre, too,

since she's so fond of you.

And don't think I couldn't have,

many times.

All right, go ahead and leave me alone,

all of you.

But you can't take my work

away from me.

That, at least, is inviolate.

Well, why don't you go?

In just a minute.

Sorry.

I'm coming, I'm coming.

Hello.

Yes, Major Drake.

Well, she's not here right now

but I expect her any minute.

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

I'll tell her as soon as she arrives.

All right. Goodbye.

- Well, at last.

- Hello, Harriet.

- Was that Mr. Kendall?

- No, it was Major Drake.

His fianc is in town...

and he's giving a party tonight

at the Park Avenue Hotel...

and he wants you to come.

Says he'll call back.

Did Mr. Kendall call?

I've been trying to reach him all afternoon.

Yes, three or four times.

He says he'll be here at 8:00.

Oh, what is it now? Oh, 7:00.

Everybody in New York's been calling you.

I've written it all down.

Oh. Thank you.

But where on earth have you been?

I thought you were lost.

I've been walking for blocks.

Harriet, I did something today

that I've wanted to do for years...

and I feel perfectly marvelous.

Well, that's fine.

Harriet, would you say I was a woman

who knew her own mind?

Yes, I would.

Well, I've made up my mind

to marry Mr. Kendall.

Well, congratulations.

Thank you, Harriet.

Did a dress arrive for me from Jerdan's?

Oh, that explains it.

I thought it was something

you bought for Miss Deirdre.

Well, I felt very young when I bought it.

As a matter of fact,

this is my second blooming.

Life has been very good to me.

Oh, I would look like a hag of 90

when I want to look like Shirley Temple.

Harriet, have the little florist on the corner

send up some roses...

and put on that table by the fire.

I'll take it.

And put some champagne on ice.

- And be sure and wear your black uniform.

- All right.

- Good evening, Mr. Kendall.

- Hello, Harriet.

Let me take your things.

- Well, that's very becoming.

- Thank you, Harriet.

Miss Marlowe is upstairs.

I'll tell her you're here.

- She'll be down in a minute.

- All right.

- Have a seat.

- Thank you, Harriet.

Hello, darling.

Hello, Kit.

You look very handsome

in your uniform, Lieutenant.

I should think it was a nice feeling.

Yes, it is.

You look beautiful tonight, Kit.

That's what I was waiting for.

Now I can come down.

Are you sure

I don't look haggard and worn...

with what the critics call, my genius?

No, I've never seen you look so lovely.

Why, Rudd, I'm overcome.

Darling.

I had Harriet put some champagne on ice,

to celebrate.

I think it's about the last bottle we have.

Well, darling,

aren't you going to do the honors?

Oh, of course.

It seems ages since I've seen you...

and yet it's only been a few days.

Here you are.

Thank you, darling.

Well, here's to you, Kit.

Here's to...

To you, Rudd.

Darling, I must have seemed very abrupt

with you the other morning.

- I'm sorry.

- No. No, you were being honest, Kit.

And you were perfectly right.

- You mean, about us?

- Yes.

Now, I suppose a woman's intuition

is better than a man's, after all.

Then you mean that

you agree with me now, is that it?

Yes, I do.

I must admit, I felt pretty awful

about the other morning...

but now I'm sure you were right.

But, Rudd...

It's funny, isn't it,

how things work themselves out?

- Funny?

- Yes, the whole business.

Rudd, what are you trying to tell me?

Well, something's happened, Kit...

which can't be any more of a surprise

to you than it was to me.

Darling, nothing could surprise me today.

What is it?

Well, I've fallen in love with Deirdre.

- With Deirdre?

- Yes. Can you believe it?

Why, yes.

Yes, of course I can believe it.

It began the other morning

when I left you...

feeling so hopeless

because you wouldn't marry me.

Deirdre was feeling rather blue

about something, too...

and, well, we went for a walk.

Then we had lunch at the Colony and...

Kit, this couldn't mean anything to you,

could it?

Why, Rudd, of course not.

I'm delighted for you both.

Oh, I'm glad to hear you say that.

I do feel rather funny

about telling you this.

Oh, but you mustn't.

If I'm acting peculiarly,

it's only because it's been such a shock.

I just never had thought

of you and Deirdre.

That's what I meant

the other morning when I said...

you should marry some nice young girl

and settle down.

And I think Deirdre's

a very nice young girl.

And I've always wanted the best for her.

And now I'm sure she'll have it.

Thanks, Kit.

It's sort of a protective sense, I guess.

She's such a kid.

I want to slap her if she does wrong

yet I'd kill anyone who'd touch her.

Do you know what I mean?

Of course I know what you mean.

Have you told her that you love her?

Yes, we told each other.

I asked her to marry me.

Weren't you planning

to see her this evening?

Well, her father's giving a party

at this hotel.

I'm supposed to meet her there.

Well, you'd better be going, Rudd.

She'll be wondering where you are.

Well, if you don't mind, Kit,

I guess I should.

Oh, no, of course not.

Rudd, have you heard

where you're going to be stationed?

Well, no, I haven't yet.

You must be sure and let me know

where you'll be.

I will, Kit.

Thanks.

- Goodbye, darling.

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