Since You Went Away Page #14

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Never heard tell such a thing.

Now...

I almost forgot,

I have something for you, Jane.

Didn't you bring me anything?

It isn't anything, but I couldn't

resist getting it for Jane.

Where on earth did you get it?

It was practically the only thing left

of a little shop in Salerno.

I'm sorry, Jane.

I didn't know where...

It's all right, Tony.

Well, isn't anybody

interested in this cake?

By the way, Fidelia,

just what was the experimentation

you referred to

in connection with this cake?

I tried something new.

I bought it.

You clearly see there's

nothing in the handkerchief.

Nothing at all

that meets the human eye.

I'll show you both sides so you can

be sure I'm not holding back anything.

Correct, Brig?

I suppose there's something there,

but I'll play along.

- How about you, sir?

- There's nothing in that handkerchief.

You don't need

to labor the point further.

Tiresome, isn't it? Watch.

Presto, change-o.

- Marvelous!

- I'll get it.

I think I'd like

to learn that trick, Mr. Willett.

It might amuse the dodos

at the Army and Navy Club.

I'd be honored, sir.

Good evening, Brig.

Is your mother at home?

That sounds like

your favorite woman.

Mrs. Hawkins... that voice has

haunted me across the Atlantic.

Hello, Emily.

I haven't seen you in ages.

Good evening, Lieutenant Willett.

I didn't know you were back.

I've learned a new trick. The Navy

thought I ought to bring it home

for purposes of morale.

I thought you already

knew all the tricks, Lieutenant.

Touch, as we used to say

in Minneapolis.

And this, I presume,

is General Smollett.

- I've heard so much about you.

- I thought you'd met before.

No, but I envy you, having such

a distinguished man as your guest.

It is I who should be envied.

And it is Colonel Smollett, madam,

and Lieutenant Commander Willett.

I always get

those things mixed up.

It doesn't matter what a man's rank is.

It's his character that counts.

Hello, Jane. What's this I hear

about you working at the hospital?

- I'm a nurse's aide.

- A nurse's aide?

What a revolting idea

for an unmarried girl of your age.

Our whole code of living seems

to be completely ignored these days,

and possibly it's none

of my business.

You're quite right, Mrs. Hawkins.

It is none of your business.

I must say, Lieutenant

or Commander or whatever you are,

the Navy hasn't improved

your manners any.

Please, Tony.

Please, Emily.

It's the colonel's birthday,

and we're trying to have a party.

I'm sorry.

I meant no offense to you, Jane.

I simply feel that

well-brought-up young girls

shouldn't be permitted to have such

intimate contact with all sorts of...

All sorts of boys

who've lost their arms and legs?

They're young, too,

lots of them.

But they weren't too young

for that, Mrs. Hawkins.

And I don't think breeding

entered into it, either.

Bravo, Jane.

I don't care

to debate it with you, Jane.

But surely there are women

who are more suited...

There aren't women more suited.

And women who might help,

like you, think you're doing your part

if you attend a canteen dance

for your own pleasure.

You're tired, honey.

Why don't you go upstairs?

Yes, Mother.

There are just one or two

more things I want to say.

She's not worth it.

We're not V-Girls! We're simply

helping with the wreckage.

Brig, let's go play

with our dolls.

Don't worry, Mrs. Hawkins.

Please don't worry

if our precious well-bred hands

come in contact

with those mangled bodies.

We'll survive!

Even when they don't!

What has happened that you

would permit a child of yours

to talk that way

without so much as a...

Without so much as what?

Thank heaven my child

had the courage to say to you

what should have

been said long ago.

And let me add

that I'm ashamed

that I've put up with you,

that I've even known you.

Well!

From now on,

you needn't know me.

Don't you think for a minute

you have me fooled.

I've not forgotten how you felt

about your husband joining up.

And may I ask just what other

noble sacrifices you've made

to give you the privilege

of being so self-righteous?

I'm afraid that's just it, Emily.

I haven't really made

any sacrifices.

I haven't hoarded and cheated

and done the selfish,

unpatriotic things that you've done,

but as far as making sacrifices,

I'm afraid we're two of a kind.

And the realization of it doesn't

make me very proud or happy.

Well!

Good-bye, Major.

I think we've seen the last

of Mrs. H. For a while.

When I think of the good men

they waste on Kitchen Police.

I wish getting Emily out

of the house was a solution to something.

It's a temporary solution

to the problem

of avoiding Emily Hawkins.

How about a little nightcap

for the three of us, Anne?

I'll run up and see how Jane is,

if you don't mind.

You'll find some scotch

on the sideboard.

Please don't go, Tony.

I want to talk to you.

- Say when, Colonel.

- That'll be fine.

Happy birthday.

Thanks. I almost forgot.

- A pity, isn't it?

- It sure is.

Well, I think I'll take myself

off to bed.

Good night, Willett.

I rather like you,

if I may say so.

Couldn't be more pleased, sir.

- You'll ruin your big toe.

- Wouldn't that be awful?

I'd never be able to place-kick

again for old Rutgers.

You didn't expect to find another

front here at home, did you?

But our side won...

victory over gas power.

- How's Jane?

- She's fine.

Her thinking is as clear as a bell.

How am I, why don't you ask?

Trying to figure out

what sacrifices you can make?

Don't, Tony.

After all you've been through,

to have to listen to you berate yourself.

You wouldn't sit down and let me

talk for a minute, would you?

All right.

But I won't promise to listen.

What's your guess

as to why I joined the Navy?

'Cause you want to do

your part, just the way Tim did.

Don't kid yourself.

I'm no Tim.

I joined up because Top Hat

suddenly seemed a little silly

and I wanted to have

some fun and excitement.

I laughed up my sleeve

at all the fellows

who were giving out

with noble motives,

the Four Freedoms,

and all the rest of it,

but I found out that

it all added up

to a simple corny phrase

that I couldn't laugh off...

"Home sweet home."

- I know.

- You do know?

You're doing a swell job here

at home holding things together.

Those daughters of yours,

they're pretty wonderful.

I know Tim's going to be

mighty pleased with them.

I imagine he'll be a bit surprised

to see how Jane grew up

without so much

as a by-your-leave.

Yes, she grew up

while Mother knitted.

Or worse still,

while Mother didn't even knit.

That's the point, Tony.

Can't you see it?

Boy, I see what you mean now

about not listening.

- I guess I was pretty dull.

- All right, laugh at me.

But it's settled in my mind

once and for all.

I have a husband who went off

to fight for this home and for me...

that's what you said.

And I have children who had

courage and intelligence

while their mother

lived in a dream world.

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