Since You Went Away Page #13

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The telegram came

just a few minutes ago.

It was addressed to you,

but I opened it.

Did it say he was missing or what?

I don't care if he's wounded,

if only...

No, dear, it said he...

It said he died in action

at Salerno.

It couldn't be!

It couldn't be!

It could be a mistake,

couldn't it, Mother?

I've heard that sometimes

they get the names mixed up.

No, honey,

you mustn't fool yourself.

That would be

the worst thing of all.

You've got to face it,

as hard and cruel as it is.

Yes, I know.

I've known it all along.

Cry, darling.

Cry your heart out.

I won't try to tell you

that you'll get over it soon,

because it will take time...

maybe a long time.

No, I won't cry.

A wonderful boy

loved you, Jane.

That doesn't happen to everybody.

But I had him only

for such a little while.

I'll go help with supper.

There's chicken fricassee

just the way you like it.

Sounds fine.

Isn't it funny?

We were just talking.

Brig was just saying

about our...

...about our honeymoon.

Oh, my baby.

My poor, poor baby.

He struggled so hard

to be a soldier

because I insisted on it.

I, in my infinite wisdom.

He would have been a soldier

anyway as things turned out.

Yes, but all he learned from me was

the glory, decorations, parades.

Bill had character and courage.

I know you gave him those.

I hope so.

- He loved you.

- Mrs. Hilton, I'm not a child.

He hated me.

To whom did that telegram come?

Why, he didn't even

list me as next of kin.

The telegram came to Jane

because they were to be married.

- I didn't know, of course.

- I should have told you before.

Colonel, if only you could

believe that he loved you.

Don't you remember

the message he sent to you...

that he was a Smollett, all right,

and before the war was over,

you'd be proud of him?

He did say that, didn't he?

Yes, I am proud of him.

My only grandchild

had to die before l...

Come in.

Good evening, Colonel Smollett.

Good evening, Jane.

Come in, please.

I thought perhaps I could

bring you a little supper.

Why, thank you.

That's most thoughtful of you.

I'm awfully sorry about...

Would you like to have this?

I think he'd rather you...

- I'm awfully glad we're friends.

- So am I.

I'll get your supper now

if you'll excuse me.

Colonel, won't you have

supper with us?

I should love to.

- I'll come right down, dear.

- All right, Mother.

And I might have had that

wonderful child as a granddaughter.

Bill was fortunate

to have known her.

Bill deserved her.

He was such a good boy.

Yes, I dare say.

The good die first.

And they whose hearts

are dry as summer dust

burn to the socket.

Shall we stop a moment and rest

in the shade, Mr. Williams?

I can't imagine anything

more pleasant than being out here.

Or do you miss the water?

I love to sail, so I can

understand it if you do.

I hate it. I never want

to see the ocean again.

Would it help you

to talk about it?

I hate the ocean.

Of course you do.

I understand.

It's almost time for your lunch.

Dr. Golden will be angry

with me if you're late.

He's taken

a great interest in you.

Me in the Merchant Marine?

That was a joke in the first place.

I've always hated the water,

ever since I was a kid.

But most boys love the water.

They love to swim.

I couldn't swim.

Then one day my brother Jimmy

pushed me off the pier.

Then he had to pull me out.

He was always laughing at me

and telling me not to be yellow.

He told me not to be yellow

when our ship was hit.

That was the last time

I ever saw him.

You're not a coward, Danny.

Fear is normal.

We'll help you to understand that.

And when you do, you won't

be afraid of the water.

You won't even be afraid

of being afraid.

Rest a while, Danny.

You're a fine boy.

I'm sorry to have

interrupted you, Dr. Golden,

but I was instructed

to get the patient to bed.

It's all right.

He's had quite enough for one day.

Doctor, will Mr. Williams

be all right?

In time. In time.

He's a fine young man. He must

have another chance at life,

and we must work

to give it to him.

His burns seem almost healed.

Yes, his burns,

but the most serious injury...

that, I am afraid,

will take more time.

The injury to his mind?

Is that what you mean?

No, not to his mind.

To his confidence

in himself and in others.

Yes, we must rebuild

Danny Williams' life

all the way back

and all the way forward.

Hasn't there ever been anyone

close to you, Miss Hilton,

for whom you would like

to have done that?

Yes, there was someone.

There was.

We must not live

in the past, my child.

There is a whole wide

broken world to mend.

Come, come,

I mustn't have another patient.

How would you like to do

a tired old man a favor?

- Anything, Doctor.

- Then smile for me.

Let me see that young people

still can smile

as they used to long ago.

Yes.

Just as I remember.

Good night, my child.

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday, dear Colonel

Happy birthday to you

Thank you, Mrs. Hilton.

Thank you, Jane. Thank you, Brig.

And thank you, Fidelia,

for the beautiful cake.

Better wait till you taste it.

It's kind of an experimentation.

Now you make a wish.

And if you want it to come true,

you have to blow out

all the candles with one breath.

Really? All of them?

Yes, indeed.

Don't you think we might allow

the colonel two breaths?

No special dispensations

are necessary.

Now you have to get

the first piece.

Really, Bridget,

I wasn't born yesterday.

There are a few things

that I do know.

Bridget, he's here again.

Soda, get down.

Come here.

He never does that

with anybody else.

He's apparently

very devoted to you.

I have taken every conceivable step

to discourage his affection.

I wonder who that could be.

Is you anticipating callers,

Miz Hilton?

I'll answer it, Fidelia.

Don't you bother. You're busy.

If it's Gladys,

I'm not home.

Yes, the bad penny again.

- How are you, Janie?

- I'm fine, Tony.

Brig wrote me about... everything.

Please, don't talk about it.

I understand.

- Who is it, Jane?

- You'll never guess!

It's the colonel's birthday.

We're giving him a party.

Maybe I'd better go.

You'll do no such thing.

You're just what we need.

- Not Lieutenant Willett!

- Lieutenant Commander to you.

Not really? Congratulations.

You didn't say

you were coming back.

I was going to write you,

but I wasn't sure you cared.

You're just in time

for some birthday cake.

- Good evening, Mr. Willett.

- How are you, sir?

So you've been promoted.

I suppose there must have

been some reason for it.

I'm sure I don't know

what it could have been.

I was sorry to hear about Bill.

Thank you.

Sit down, Tony.

That looks good.

Where's Fidelia?

- Here I is, Lieutenant Willett.

- Fidelia. This makes it official.

- Here, give me that.

- Thank you.

I sure is glad

to see you back.

Should I move the rooms around

like before, Miz Hilton?

Oh, my goodness!

Don't worry, I've got

a room downtown this time.

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