So Well Remembered Page #6

when these fine new houses

you're going to build for them

have turned into slums again?

Build more houses. Better houses.

George, when we have what we need

for our son and for ourselves,

there'll be time enough

for doing whatever you want.

Olivia, in the last 2 or 3 weeks,

we've helped save nearly

100 children or more,

and all we've lost is

one seat in parliament.

All? All, George?

With that we've lost a house in London,

a decent life for Martin,

decent schooling, respect.

Or don't you want that for him?

Aye, of course I want it,

but I couldn't enjoy giving it to him

if it cost the life of another child.

Could you?

Yes, and why not?

Yes, if it cost the lives

of 20 other children.

500 other children,

because they're not mine,

because I didn't carry

them under my heart.

I'm not responsible for their

stupidity or their filth.

Who is, then? Who's more

responsible than the Channings?

Who brought these people, my

people, here from the south,

and herded them into these

wretched houses? Aye, the Channings,

and with the blood and

rent they squeezed from 'em,

you've got what decent

schooling you ever had

and what little respect.

Olivia, dear, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

We're both of us very tired.

We neither of us quite meant

anything we said tonight.

We shouldn't, we-

we mustn't quarrel like this.

I've only done what I thought best.

It may not have been right, I

- I grant you that,

but it was the only thing I could do.

Whatever I've done,

whatever I'll ever do,

will be for you.

And for Martin.

Good night, George.

Olivia.

Martin's ill, George.

How ill?

I'm not sure.

Well, thank heavens

it can't by diphtheria.

You did take him to

the clinic, didn't you?

Olivia, I was here

when you left with him.

I didn't take him, George. I couldn't.

George blamed no one for Martin's death.

It was a defeat at the

hand of his old enemy.

So, quite naturally,

he misjudged the

lingering shadow of death

he saw in Olivia's eyes.

He saw anger there as well as grief.

But he related it to his own,

for he was still sure of their love

as of a river that flows

for a time underground.

He waited for its return,

for time and tenderness to do its work.

And in the meanwhile, did his own.

The slums of Browdley crowded

his days and his dreams.

They even invaded his house.

I did the slum areas in black

so we can change it as we go along.

Aye, and there's a long way to go, too.

Well, thanks very much.

It's very good. You can

find your way out, can't you?

Fine. Good night.

Good night.

I thought if you were

going to work late again,

you might like some coffee.

Aye, bless you.

I'm leaving you, George.

What?

I'm leaving you.

Olivia!

No, George, don't. Don't hammer at me.

Oh, you can if you like. I don't mind.

I just can't stay with you any longer.

I haven't been happy since Martin died.

I know that, darling.

I haven't been either.

I counted so much on

Martin to make me happy.

You mean...

you weren't happy before Martin came?

I don't think so. Not really.

I didn't expect to be at first.

I thought it would be different in time.

At any rate, I know there's no

future for either of us here.

And I know you won't leave.

I don't think you could.

But I can.

There's nothing else to do.

But Livia...

we have a whole life to live together.

Aye, I suppose I have

let you down all around.

George Boswell, the most

promising young man in Browdley.

Aye, that's what you must have thought,

even though you didn't

know you were thinking it.

George Boswell would be able

to give you so much you wanted.

As a matter of fact, I

thought he would myself.

Oh, Livia, this is ridic-

my mind's made up, George.

I'm meeting some friends

at Mr. Mangin's in London.

They're going for a

holiday in switzerland,

and they've invited me to go with them.

Switzerland?

Then... why, but...

that's another matter altogether.

You're friends and you're going

to spend a holiday with them.

Oh, but darling, what a

dramatic way of putting it.

You're leaving me.

Well, of course you are,

for as long as you like.

I'm glad you're going.

You need a holiday badly.

I'll miss you, of course, but I'll-

I'll be happy knowing

you're having a good time.

You have some work to do, haven't you?

Aye, I did have.

I won't disturb you, then.

Good night, George.

What is it, Annie?

I suppose you know it's

not been right for me

since you married, but...

I stayed on because of

you and the little lad.

But now that it's different-

and I'd rather you

didn't try to persuade me;

that'll only make it harder-

I'd like to give notice.

As you like, Annie.

I was thinking of going now,

if you'd pay my respects

to Mrs. Boswell tomorrow.

Mrs. Boswell is going

away tomorrow, Annie.

Going away?

Aye, she's going for a holiday

in switzerland with some friends.

She'll be leaving in the morning.

She'll be coming back?

No, Annie.

She won't be coming back.

Then you'll need looking after.

So maybe I'll stay on for a bit,

if you don't mind.

As you like, Annie.

Hello, George.

Hi, Dick.

Come in, come in.

Thanks.

I was just out for a stroll,

and thought I'd drop in on you.

You sure it's all right?

I mean, I didn't get you up, did i?

No, no. Sarah's out

and I'm minding Julie.

I'll get you a cup of tea if you'd like.

Thanks.

Wait, wait, wait.

How's mill street coming?

All right.

Here, do you know anything

about this sort of thing?

Hmm?

Uh, well, I've seen it done, of course.

Come on, give me a hand.

The thing keeps getting away from me.

Between the two of us,

we ought to be able to fake

some sort of arrangement.

Doesn't have to last the

rest of her life, anyway.

So, as Julie's life was beginning,

the life George had hoped for

and planned came to an end.

He met his private unhappiness head on,

overwhelming it with public work.

Browdley added his marriage

to the ugly Channing legend,

and returned him to

office again and again

to continue his endless impatient battle

against poverty and injustice.

Through it all, his mind

held tightly to Julie.

She was tangible evidence

of his belief in people,

his faith in the town and in himself.

Her birthdays were bright candles

stuck in the grey, uneventful

passage of his years.

Stoneclough rotted on

the hill as he matured,

slipping gently into the

interval of middle age.

He advanced from councilor to alderman,

and the year the war began,

from alderman to mayor.

Julie, 20 years ago today-

come, come. Anyone can see the

girl's quite a medical achievement,

and I'm sure she's very grateful to you.

I love you both.

You know, I've often wondered,

why didn't you ever get married?

Oh, I know you're disagreeable,

but there must've been someone.

After all, George managed it,

shy as he is.

George, you sure you

won't change your mind?

No thanks, Dick. No. I must be off.

I've got some work to do

before a meeting in the morning.

Good night.

Good night, Georgie.

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