Old Acquaintance Page #3

sitting at home...

"just bubbling over with a message

of quite another sort."

- Then you didn't like my book?

- Oh, I didn't say I didn't like it.

But I don't think

it's really what people want.

Well, as a matter of fact, Millie,

you're probably perfectly right...

because in spite of the reviews,

it's not selling.

- Oh, isn't it, really?

- No.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

But you see, that's what I mean.

Millie, what are you trying to tell me?

That you've written a book?

Well, why not?

Kit, you aren't the only one

who can write a book.

- Well, Millie, darling, I know...

- Wait.

Your eyes will be the first, other than

mine, to look down upon my first novel.

Why, Millie.

Oh, it's about a boy named Lionel,

and a girl, a wonderful girl.

I've called her Deirdre.

I think it's a beautiful name.

The kind of a girl I would have been

if I'd been born in vast spaces.

- Tall and willowy.

- Windblown, you mean?

In a way, yes.

Oh, Kit, will you read it, and if you like it,

take it to the publishers?

- Why, Millie, of course I'll read it.

- Honest?

Cross my heart.

It's good and long, isn't it?

Why, I could have gone on

for twice that length.

Only I have another one all dreamed out.

Oh, it's about a girl called Fern.

Look, Millie, you better stick

to one at a time.

Yes, of course.

Kit, if there's anything in beauty...

then the beauty-loving world

has got to know this book.

It simply laughs and cries with people.

- I hope people laugh and cry with it, Millie.

- They will.

Oh, I'm sure, they will.

I don't mean to seem egotistical

or overconfident...

but, you know, Kit, I've read a great deal...

and I really think I know

what appeals to most people.

- How'd you think it all up?

- It just came to me.

Kit, I really believe I was born to it.

Writing, I mean.

Once I start, the words just seem

to pour out without my knowing it.

It's like I was in a trance.

Millie, you're marvelous.

It took me two years

to write my one book...

and it's taken me 11 months

to even sketch out the second.

Well, it could be that I'm more prolific.

Could be.

Millie, after you've written

all these books...

what are you gonna do with the money?

Do you think they'll make money?

That kind of a book, if they click at all,

usually make a fortune.

- Kit, do you really think so?

- That tender-young-love stuff always does.

Oh, I know exactly what I'd do.

I'd buy the old Crimpton house,

over at the back of Ferndale.

It's such a lovely place.

No neighbors, all those grounds.

I'd have a secretary, two cars...

and when my baby comes,

I'd have an English nanny for it...

and later, a French governess,

that is if it's a girl.

You've got everything all planned out,

haven't you, Millie?

Oh, of course, it's only a dream,

but it's a lovely dream.

Success is thrilling, isn't it, Kit?

I guess so, Millie.

But it's funny how soon you get used to it.

I never should.

I'd always want more and more.

Don't you want to go on to bigger things?

Oh, I don't know about bigger things.

Other things, perhaps.

- Such as?

- I don't know.

- I'd like to write a play.

- A play?

Yes. An opening night must be thrilling.

All the people calling, "Author, author."

But you know, Kit,

I think I'll just stick to my books.

- What's so funny?

- Millie, you're so wonderful.

- Where are your pajama pants?

- Oh, I never use them.

- No?

- No.

- Oh.

- Oh, I'm dead.

Oh, Kit, it's like old times, isn't it?

Late at night, long talks.

All we need is Mama saying,

"Now, don't you two girls talk all night."

Yes, and knocking on the wall

to tell us to stop.

Yes.

Millie, remember,

whenever we were in the dumps...

your mother used to say...

"Don't worry, girls.

There's always what's left of the icing."

I remember.

- Good night, Kit.

- Good night, Millie.

Oh, Kit, won't it be marvelous?

Two friends, both writers

both such successes?

Oh, Millie.

Well, I'll leave you, then,

to Deirdre and Lionel.

- Hey!

- Oh!

Preston, will you please lock the door?

Remember, we have a guest.

I'm sorry.

- Hey!

- Oh, I am sorry.

Preston.

- Good night, darling.

- Good night, Millie.

Yes, what is it?

Come in.

- Where's Millie?

- I guess she went to her room.

Oh.

- Is everything all right?

- Oh, fine, thanks.

I put some ice water in there

this afternoon.

- I just had a drink, thanks.

- Good.

- Good night.

- Good night.

- Oh, thanks about this morning.

- Oh, that was nothing.

- Good night.

- Good night.

- It's fun having you here, Kit.

- Well, it's fun being here.

- Breakfast at 10:00.

- All right.

- Good night.

- Good night.

"Married in June,

by Mildred Watson Drake."

As a matter of fact...

I knew nothing of my wife's first book

until the day it was published.

Our little girl was born

in the middle of the night...

and the following morning,

on my breakfast table...

there was Millie's book

in a very gay cover.

Now, that's charming.

That's very charming.

And that was how long ago?

Well, Deirdre will be eight next month,

so it must be almost eight years ago.

The first child and the first book

came together.

That's right, and there were

seven more afterwards.

One a year?

Not bad.

Books, not children. Only one child.

The books keep Millie pretty busy,

you know?

I should think so.

And they've all been such great successes.

Yes, they've been

a dream come true for Millie.

- Cigarette?

- No, thank you.

She has the house that she wanted,

servants. All the things that women like.

You must be very proud of her.

Yes, I suppose I am.

- Does she discuss her books with you?

- Me? Oh, no.

I'm afraid I wouldn't be much use to her.

Then you're completely detached

from Mrs. Drake's work.

No more than she is detached from mine.

Oh. Do you work, too?

Well, I'm a sort of

a combination architect and engineer.

Oh, now, that's very interesting.

Now, please, don't put anything

down there about me. Leave me out of it.

In fact, I think you ought to let her

tell you the story.

She'd do it beautifully.

- She really is an amazing woman.

- I'm sure she is.

She'll be back soon. Out shopping.

- We don't often come to New York.

- I see.

Well, then you must be here for the

opening of Miss Marlowe's play tonight.

- That's it.

- It's her first, isn't it?

Yes, and nothing would keep us away.

Kit's one of the family.

She's a darling, really.

You say that

as though you really meant it.

Quite frankly, I do.

Hello.

No, I'm afraid Miss Marlowe is not here.

Oh, you are leaving the theater. Yes, I see.

It'll be a pleasure.

Miss Broadbank. Butterfield, 8-4-6.

Certainly.

- Miss Broadbank?

- Yes, indeed.

- And who is she when she's at home?

- She's starring in Miss Marlowe's play.

We've certainly got to see her.

- Deedy, Deedy, you're too fast for me.

- Well, hello, hello!

- Give me a big kiss!

- Hello, Daddy.

- Hello, Preston.

- Hello, Kit.

You just missed Miss Broadbank.

Was she here?

No, but she nearly jumped through

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