Since You Went Away Page #6

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We'll be leaving soon.

Tony, aren't you going to dance

with me even once?

Go ahead, Tony.

Jane, I'm really

very proud of you.

You're the nicest-looking girl

in the place.

Tony, do you think so?

If only I thought

you really thought so.

Really, I haven't waltzed

very much, Mrs. Hilton.

- Would you rather we stopped?

- Bill, you invited me to dance,

and you're going to see it through

whether you like it or not.

Of course, Mrs. Hilton.

I'm only too happy.

I think travel broadens one so.

Don't you think so?

I hope so.

I'll be doing plenty of it.

Do you think the artistic life

is too bohemian?

Indeed I do.

And look what happened

to Bohemia.

- Did you lose something?

- Yes, ma'am. Susie Fleming.

I'm beginning to get

right worried about her.

I just love modern

American painting. Don't you?

You're the true

American art, darling.

Nobody else ever

says things like you.

I'm so sorry, sir.

My fault. I ought to watch

where I'm going.

It's all right.

We know you didn't mean it.

- It's over.

- And very nice it was, too.

Jane, I think I ought

to be behind you.

I hope we can find

Mother and Tony.

What do you think

you're doing anyway?

I ain't used to dancing.

I'm used to pushing a plow.

You're not kidding.

I bet Emily

put some vinegar in this.

If you're not careful,

I'll think you don't like Emily.

As soon as we leave here,

you better buy me a drink.

That's the least I'm entitled to.

Hello, Tony.

I didn't know you were in town.

Hello, Sam. It's quite a dance

you fellows are putting on.

- You look upset.

- Just got some bad news.

- Good evening, Mrs. Hilton.

- Good evening, Major.

Plane crash. Don't say anything.

It might spoil the fun.

That's too bad.

Where'd it happen?

Right outside town.

Lost one of my best boys.

- What was his name?

- Mahoney.

- He hit some wires.

- Not Johnny!

- Did you know him?

- But it can't be!

We were talking to him

just a little while ago.

I'm extremely sorry, Mrs. Hilton.

I had no idea that you knew him.

I shouldn't have said anything.

It was just that

I liked Johnny very much.

- I know his father.

- A terrible thing.

Beg your pardon, sir.

The car's ready, sir.

- Be right there.

- Yes, sir.

I've got to go

and examine the wreck.

Not a very pleasant job,

I can tell you.

- Good night.

- So long, Sam.

Tony, how awful.

His poor parents.

Lucky Johnny.

Come on, Anne, let's dance.

Dance?

Look, Anne, you'll be

hearing plenty of things like this.

Might as well

get used to them now.

I feel so good!

Don't you feel good?

Well, now, my Susie...

she's what I'd call a one-man woman.

I love to read books.

They're so significant.

Why do they call you Wolf?

Is that your nickname?

You hear what they're playing?

Yes. Together.

As I remember, you and Tim drove

everybody crazy wherever you went,

having them play the thing

over and over again.

Please, Tony,

whistle something else.

I thought that was your favorite...

next to Rock of Ages, of course.

Don't joke.

All right, have it your way...

no jokes.

- What is your pleasure?

- I'm sorry.

You wanted a drink.

Let's go someplace.

- You feel like it?

- Sure I do.

Honest?

No. Frankly, I don't

feel much like it.

Neither do I.

It's pleasant being

in a car again.

We used to take

everything for granted.

Now I feel like a king

because I can rent one for a week.

- It's one of 'em, all right.

- You weren't speeding.

Have things changed around here?

Do you have to be doing something

now before you get a ticket?

Where do you think you're going?

I wish I knew. What's your guess?

Gibraltar? New Guinea? Kiska?

- You stationed around here?

- Yes and no.

I don't want to be rude,

but we're not in a chatty frame of mind.

Would you mind filling out one

of those slips and getting it over with?

- You weren't doing anything.

- I wasn't?

What's all this about?

It gets so lonely along this road

since gas rationing.

Say, ain't it a beautiful night?

I hadn't noticed it before,

but now that you mention it...

Guess I'd better

be checkin' in.

Nice to have met up

with you folks.

Good night.

Get one of them Japs for me!

If I lay my hands on one,

I'll give him a ticket.

He's what Brig

would call a character.

It can have my vote.

Do you realize we're laughing?

Well, so we are.

What do you know?

What, Tony?

Sometimes I wish...

How'd you like a cigarette?

I'd love one. I don't believe

I've had a cigarette in a month.

I've never had such a dramatic

buildup to a cigarette before.

You know what

I was just thinking?

I like you best

when you're not thinking.

That's right, run me down.

Tony Willett, the jolly fellow.

Always good for a laugh.

You're not really going

to be wounded, not by me.

No. If you haven't

wounded me by now,

I guess I'm impervious, Anne.

I would like to tell you

what I was thinking.

All right,

what were you thinking?

I was just thinking what fun

it would be sometimes

to be a good, heavy,

synthetic rubber heel.

It would be synthetic, Tony.

Is it all right now

if I whistled Together?

Go right ahead.

I'd like to join in.

I just can't believe that

by tomorrow, Tony will be gone.

There are enough carrots here

to feed a cavalry regiment...

men and horses.

I think next to Pop, Tony must

be the nicest man in the world.

- Bridget, please.

- What, Colonel?

If you'll excuse me,

I've had enough this morning.

In fact, I think that henceforth,

you may operate this victory garden

entirely by yourself.

Golly, what did I do?

Since you're so obtuse...

"Tony, Tony, Uncle Tony."

I'd better look

for quarters elsewhere

since that's the way

I'm regarded around here.

Colonel Smollett, I wouldn't hurt

your feelings for anything.

It's not a question

of my feelings.

After all, a man

does have his pride.

There's the postman.

Maybe it's a letter from Pop!

You'll wait here, won't you?

- Mother! Mother! Mother!

- What's all the excitement about?

It's a letter to Jane and me

from Pop!

Well, bring it up.

Come on, honey, time to get up.

Mother, listen!

Pop says he may get leave soon!

Let me see!

What's that about Pop?

Look!

- Jane, let me look at you.

- What's the matter?

Darling, I'm afraid

you have the mumps.

- Mumps.

- Mumps?

Oh, Mother!

Tony's last day.

Only children have mumps.

You sure you ain't leavin'

nothin' here?

Just my love, Fidelia.

You afraid maybe I'll come back?

I ain't sorry you're goin'.

Now, Fidelia, I always say

nice things about you.

I ain't got no time

for them complimentaries.

Besides, now that Miss Jane

got herself some mumps,

we need this room

for Miz Hilton and Brig.

At least give me credit

for good timing.

Don't bother with that.

I'll take it down.

I want to be sure it gets down.

I've got a going-away present

for you, Fidelia.

Here it is.

Always remember, a great master

devoted some of his last hours

to you before he went off to war.

You like it?

I tried not to flatter you.

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