People Will Talk Page #5

This time of the morning

it's usually heartburn or loneliness.

- Hello.

- Dr. Praetorius?

Dr. Praetorius,

one of our patients is missing.

Miss Higgins. That's it.

Deborah Higgins.

It must've been in the last hour, Doctor.

Miss Myers said Miss Higgins was sleeping

when she made her rounds about an hour ago.

We've searched the grounds.

Doctor, I just can't imagine

how she got out.

I can tell you exactly

how she got out...

by walking down the corridor and out the

front door just as I did a couple of hours ago.

No, don't notify the police.

I'll take care of it in the morning.

Keep looking, of course.

And let me know if you find her.

Good night.

Who flew the coop?

The young lady we were discussing?

- Yeah.

- Why would she run away?

I don't know,

but I've got to find her.

I should think so. It seems you've got

some important information about her...

that she hasn't got.

You'd better wait

in the car while I ask.

I wondered what

Beelzebub was barking at.

Beelzebub? Beasts like that

are usually called "Pal".

I call him Beelzebub

because he's an evil dog.

Well, I am delighted to meet someone

courageous enough not to love all dogs.

- My name is Praetorius.

- Dr. Praetorius?

This is a pleasure.

I'm Arthur Higgins.

I'm delighted Beelzebub didn't

frighten you away...

but I am surprised

he gave up so easily.

Mr. Shunderson has a way with dogs.

- Mr. Shunderson.

- How do you do?

- Won't you come sit down?

- Thank you.

You're far from a stranger

to me, Dr. Praetorius.

I've heard so much about you

from my daughter, Deborah.

- Have you?

- How fortunate you were such good friends...

when she had that

ridiculous little accident.

Yes, it was ridiculous,

wasn't it?

I still do not understand how a woman can

accidentally burn a deep welt in her side...

with a curling iron.

Well, it's not uncommon for women...

female students in particular...

to curl their hair, eat, read and telephone,

all at the same time.

The results are often disastrous.

- Yes, I imagine it could've been worse.

- Much worse.

I happen to be devoted

to porch sitting.

- If you'd rather go inside...

- Oh, this is very pleasant.

And I see that you're properly protected

against too much fresh air.

- Don't you believe in the benefits of fresh air?

- I do not.

Nor do I believe

that eating fish develops the brain...

or that oysters will

increase virility.

Oh, you must tell that to Deborah.

She's forever driving me

out of the house.

You're an unusual man

of science, Dr. Praetorius.

You're an unusual farmer,

Mr. Higgins.

But I'm not a farmer.

This isn't my farm.

- It belongs to my brother.

- I see.

Then you're just

visiting here?

You might say

I'm staying here.

We need help.

Beelzebub crawled in under the icehouse...

and...

he won't come out.

- Beelzebub belongs under the icehouse.

- Deborah, we have guests.

Yes, I... I see. Hello, Doctor.

Hello, Mr. Shunderson.

I was wondering about that nasty little burn

you got from the curling iron.

It's fine.

It's been almost a week, and since

we happened to be driving out this way...

Happened to be out this way?

Hours from your clinic and the university?

Dr. Praetorius has

far-flung interests.

Then I'm sure both

he and Mr. Shunderson...

will be interested in joining us

for Sunday dinner.

No, really, we couldn't

impose upon you.

Dr. Praetorius must have

more important matters.

Nonsense. We can't let them

drive miles to get here...

and send them away unfed.

- We'd love to have you.

- We'll be happy to stay.

I'll tell Bella.

- Have you been here long?

- Your father and I have

just been getting acquainted.

Dr. Praetorius has a way of knowing people

very well, very quickly.

He's entitled to

as much time as he wants.

After all, you've told me

so much about him.

Father, I'm not at all sure

that it's good for you to be out of doors.

There is nothing healthier

than fresh air.

You said something

about telling Bella?

I haven't the slightest

intention of leaving here.

Bella!

It seems also that Deborah has told me

a great deal about you, Mr. Higgins.

There wasn't much to know,

was there?

The number of accomplishments in my life,

Doctor, is one... Deborah.

- Quite an accomplishment.

- If you don't mind...

I'd rather not be discussed

this intimately on the front porch.

On the front porch or in a test tube,

it is obvious that you're going to be discussed...

so why do you insist upon remaining

where you're not wanted?

Well, why should you want to discuss me?

There's... There's nothing to discuss, is there?

Deborah...

Dr. Praetorius has not

driven this great distance...

to see Beelzebub or to inquire whether you're

being more careful with your curling iron.

It's quite apparent that

he's come to talk with me.

- Now go and tell Bella there

will be two extra for dinner.

- Somebody yell for me?

Yes, Bella. Uh, these two gentlemen

are staying for dinner.

- Mr. John know about it?

- There's plenty of food.

- Mr. John better know about it.

- I'll tell him.

He's doing his books,

and he don't like to be disturbed.

I'll tell him

when he's finished, Bella.

Well, I'll put

two plates on anyway.

You left the peas half done.

- I'll be right in.

- I would like to help.

- Mr. Shunderson, really.

- It isn't necessary.

No, let him. It's a good idea.

He'll be of great help.

May I ask,

is Mr. Shunderson your servant?

- He's my friend, but he likes to help.

- I see.

Dr. Praetorius,

I referred a moment ago to Deborah...

as the only accomplishment

of my life.

- I'm sure you were being modest.

- She's more than my only accomplishment.

Quite simply, she's my only contact

with and reason for...

what is sometimes

described as life.

If you'll permit

a rather lurid analogy...

Deborah is my heartbeat.

Mr. Higgins, please don't feel

that you have to tell me anything.

No, I want to tell you about myself

for just a moment.

I can't say what

makes me want to.

Perhaps it was

Bella's rudeness.

Perhaps because I think of you

already as a friend.

Uh, have you got a match?

- No.

- I smoke too much anyway.

The "Mr. John" Bella seemed

so concerned about is my brother.

He owns this farm.

He owns the food

I invited you to share...

the beds we sleep in,

clothes we wear, Deborah's tuition...

and the tobacco in my pipe.

The pipe is mine.

I have other possessions.

Some scrapbooks,

a thin volume of poetry...

Mine too. It was published

but didn't sell of course.

And Deborah and

the memory of my wife.

- I wondered about her.

- She died when Deborah was

very little in London.

That's where Deborah was born.

- What were you doing in London?

- I did the same thing, Dr. Praetorius...

in most of the major cities

of the world...

I failed miserably at

whatever it was I tried to do.

- We haven't any matches.

- What?

Oh, it's become

a nervous habit, I guess.

My brotherJohn never left this farm...

physically, mentally, spiritually

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