Old Acquaintance Page #9

is leaving us in a few days.

- He's going into the Navy.

- Well, that's fine.

Now you'll get some rest

and you certainly need it.

Should I marry him?

- Harriet.

- Yes, ma'am.

Should I marry him?

Did he ask you?

Well, I certainly didn't ask him.

Well, if he asked me, I certainly would.

- Oh, you would?

- Yes, I would.

- These are all rumbas.

- Oh, thank you.

- I think I'll take these and these I have.

- Very good.

A rumba or two

might liven up the apartment.

It might be good for Mother

to learn to rumba.

I need a fresh needle.

You know, there's a war on.

Uncle Sam needs needles.

- You do think of things, don't you?

- Oh, sure I do.

I'm terrific. Haven't you heard?

I really think you think you are.

- Come on, let's dance.

- No, no. No, I had too much lunch.

- It's good for the lunch. Please come on.

- No.

- Rudd.

- But I don't feel like dancing.

Look.

Where you grabbed me last night.

- Well, you had it coming to you.

- I did not!

Hey, take it easy, will you?

You're giving me the jitters.

Can't you sit down

and listen to the music?

- No, I like to dance.

- Oh, sit down, will you?

Every time I feel like laughing...

or behaving like

any normal human being...

someone comes along and says...

"Don't feel like that,"

or, "Sit down," or, "Be quiet."

Hey, you are in a bad way.

Here.

What's the matter with you, anyway?

Oh, don't mind me. I'm just all mixed up.

- Yeah, you are a little nuts.

- Thanks.

- But you got a very odd sort of attraction.

- Really?

What you'll grow up into, I don't know.

I don't think I'll grow up into anything.

You know the old proverbial ship

without a rudder?

Well, I think I was born without a rudder.

You mean, you're at the disposal

of the weather?

Yeah, that's it. Sums me up completely.

Well, I'm sorry if I was rude just now.

I was a little sore about something.

- I shouldn't have taken it out on you.

- It doesn't matter.

Oh, I wish I were 30.

Then I wouldn't have any problems.

That's what you think.

Well, at least you know

what you want, by then.

No, I'm not so sure.

You don't mean to say it's going to go on

being as bad as this always?

- Well, I don't know how bad this is.

- It's bad enough.

Hey, look, you're not thinking

of doing anything drastic, are you?

- Supposing I am?

- Well, don't.

You're not in love with Lucien Grant.

- How do you know?

- Well, you're not, are you?

- Well...

- Come on, come on, tell me the truth.

No. It doesn't feel the way

I thought being in love would feel like.

Then you wait until it does feel like that.

Why are you telling me this?

Well, I don't want to see you get hurt.

You know, it's funny,

but quite suddenly I can talk to you.

Last night you were so angry,

but now you've changed.

Maybe you had something to do with that.

Thank you.

- Why is it that...

- Why is what?

Oh, I don't know.

Just now, you said I was nuts.

Well, there are certain things you can't be

immediately articulate about.

What are you trying to say?

Well, quite suddenly

I seem to be able to talk to you.

You've changed.

Well, maybe you had something

to do with that.

You're very charming, Deirdre.

Are you contemplating

making love to me?

Is there any reason why I shouldn't?

No.

Hello. Hello.

Oh, hello. This is Mrs. Drake.

I'm expecting Mr. Drake in a few minutes.

As soon as he arrives,

will you send him right up?

Thank you so much.

Come in!

Hello, Millie.

Oh, it's you.

Who did you think I was going to be?

Well, to tell you the truth,

I'm expecting someone.

- Oh, then perhaps I'm intruding.

- Oh, no, not at all.

- Millie, your apartment looks very nice.

- Thanks.

You might be interested to know

who I'm expecting.

- Yes, who?

- Preston.

- That explains the music, then.

- Yes.

He telephoned this morning

and he said he wanted to talk to me.

- And he was extremely pleasant.

- That's wonderful.

Kit, why should he suddenly want

to see me, after all these years?

Well, I don't know.

I should think perhaps

he wants to talk to you about Deirdre.

I think it's something else.

Kit, do you think I should take him back?

What?

I said, do you think

I should take him back?

But, Millie, surely Preston has told you

that he's engaged?

Oh, yes, but that doesn't mean anything.

He's probably lonely, just like I am.

Well, Millie, far be it from me

to disappoint you...

but I believe

he's very much in love with this girl.

But what have they in common?

After all, we were together for so long.

It's a great satisfaction to know

that in the end...

a man does turn back to his wife.

Well, Millie...

I wouldn't count on it, if I were you.

Oh, you couldn't understand.

I know Preston. I was married to him.

Just the sound of his voice today.

Kit, I want something more out of life...

than just books

and a discontented daughter.

We aren't getting any younger, you know.

Yes, Millie, I'm quite aware of that.

Millie, what would you say if I told you

I thought I might be going to get married?

Who to? Not that young Kendall?

Yes. Do you think I'd be crazy?

I should have thought

you could have done better for yourself.

- That's not the point.

- Well, what is, then?

The point is, I'm in love with him.

I didn't see him all day yesterday,

or the day before, and I...

I find I miss him. Miss him terribly.

Well, it's all very romantic.

But what would he be like as a husband?

He'd be devoted and enchanting...

while it lasted.

But you think he's too young for me,

don't you?

And you think I'd really be crazy

to marry him.

Yes, I think I do, really.

So do I. But I'm going to, all the same.

Goodness, I didn't realize

how late it was getting.

I have an appointment with Mallory

to pick up my galleys.

- Bye, darling.

- Goodbye.

Look, stop in on your way back.

I may have

some very interesting news for you.

I will if I can.

I'll see if I can get an extra set

of my galleys and leave them by for you.

Good.

- Millie, you look very pretty today.

- Same to you, dear.

Oh, isn't it marvelous

what it does for one?

- Goodbye, darling.

- Bye.

- Hello, Deedy.

- Hello, Kit.

- Is Mother in?

- Yes.

What's more, she's expecting someone.

- Who?

- Well, as a matter of fact, it's your father.

- You don't tell me.

- Yes. Hear the Brahms?

Deedy, you're looking very gay today.

Thanks, darling, I feel gay. So do you.

Thank you. Goodbye, darling.

- Bye. See you later.

- Yes.

Oh.

- Hello, Mother.

- Hello.

- I hear we're going to have a visitor.

- Yes.

And when I'm worried about you...

when I want to know where you are

you're strangely absent.

Now, this is one time I could do

without you and here you are.

All right, I'll go. I can take a hint.

- I like your hat.

- Thanks.

Give my love to Father.

By the way, how did you ever let anyone

as nice as that get away from you?

Coming!

- Hello. Come on in.

- Hello, Millie.

My, how handsome we look

in our new uniform.

Thanks.

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