Stella Dallas Page #3

Won't you try to understand?

Please listen to me this time.

Please.

The fake jewelry is not important.

Chandler's not important.

None of these things matter

in themselves.

But what's to become of us?

That is important.

Stella,

why did you marry me?

Because I was crazy about you, silly,

and I still am, only...

- Only you just don't seem to ever...

- Once, a long time ago...

you said you were crazy

to learn everything, become someone.

Didn't you?

- Yes, Stephen.

- Please listen to me.

I'm only telling you this

because I love you.

Beamer wants to send me to New York

to handle the sales department there.

I want to go.

I want to take you with me,

but I want you to make an effort.

I want you to try to be...

what you wanted to be.

Give up a few things for me

and try to adapt yourself...

Adapt myself?

Give up a few things?

Well, what have I been doing

ever since I met you?

I'm getting

a little sick of it too.

How would it be for you to do

a little adapting for a change?

I don't see you

giving up anything.

I'll tell you one more thing.

I'm not going to New York.

I'm not gonna leave here just when I'm

beginning to get with the right people.

You go on and go to New York.

I'm gonna stay here.

Can you beat that?

Laying awake waiting for her dinner,

and not a squawk out of her.

Gosh, Carrie...

I used to think girls

at the mill were crazy...

when they got married and right

off the bat started having kids.

But honest, Stella,

would you want any more?

Sure, if I could have

another one like her.

She's been a regular pal to me.

Since Stephen's been away in New York,

I hardly know I have a husband.

He's only been here three times

this summer, and only on account of her.

He's crazy about her.

Who wouldn't be?

Oh, look at her.

Wiping it up at her age.

Can you beat that?

She's the spit of her old man.

Now, who's that? Edna?

Is this all the welcome I get?

Of all people!

- Gosh, I'm glad to see you.

- And I you.

- I haven't seen you for ages.

- Get a load of that kid.

Has she grown,

or am I crazy?

Come on.

Gee, Stell, she looks more

like you every time.

You remember Uncle Ed,

don't you, darling?

I remember you.

- Oh, let me see.

- How's that?

Oh, Ed, you shouldn't

have done this.

Don't she look like a little queen?

It's gold and turquoise.

Edna!

You want a drink, don't you?

Sure, and if you don't mind,

I'll peel this coat.

Sure, go ahead.

What'll it be?

You know me. I ain't particular,

so long as it don't jump up and bite me.

- But I've been drinking bourbon.

- What have you been drinkin'?

Nothing, but I'll take bourbon.

You oughta have been along. Maybe

you've been having too much fun here.

- I haven't been out for two months.

- Been sick?

I don't seem to get any fun

out of a good time anymore.

All the time I'm out, I'm thinkin'

of her and what she's doing...

and how soon I can get back to her.

Well, here's hoping I'll always

be around at the right time.

- What are you drinking?

- Sarsaparilla.

Stealin' the kid's drinks, huh?

Did you ever catch her

sneaking your oatmeal?

- Say, can I pick her up?

- Sure, go ahead.

Come to your Uncle Ed.

Got ya, girl.

Come on. Ain't you got a big smile

for your Uncle Ed?

Of course she has.

Come on. Smile for Uncle Ed.

- Edna!

- I'll get it.

If I could only see her

open that door just once.

- Come on.

- Come on, darlin'.

Smile for Uncle Ed.

- Oh, you remember Mr. Munn.

- How do you do?

- And Carrie Jenkins.

- Yes, how do you do?

I'll be getting along.

- Yes, darling.

- That's a fine baby you got there.

- Thank you. I think so.

- I gotta be going too, Ed.

Me too.

Just a minute.

I'll see you to the door.

Thanks for the good time.

- Bye.

- Bye-bye.

Stella, I can't have our child

living this way.

- What's wrong this time?

- It's not just this time.

Because there was a couple of drinks?

What's wrong with that?

Coming in here with that

icebergy way of yours.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to be rude.

But she's my child, too,

and I won't have this.

I hadn't wanted to take Laurel

away from you, but if you...

Take her away from me?

What are you talking about?

How dare you say such a thing?

Give her to me.

- Give her to me, I say!

- You mustn't do this.

Watch out!

You're hurting her!

Get out.

Did he frighten

Mommy's little girl?

Don't you cry.

Mommy's right here.

Mommy won't let anybody hurt you.

There, there.

You're here with Mommy, and nobody

in the world will ever take you away.

Nobody.

Thank you.

- Boy.

- That's cute.

Would you like to include

one of those too?

She's a little too grown up now,

I'm afraid. That's all.

Come on, fellas.

Mother's ready.

- Come on, boys.

- Mother, he rows it himself.

Can't we wait until he winds it again?

I want you to see how it goes.

- Thank you, Mr. Dallas.

- You'll send those right away?

- Helen.

- Oh, Stephen.

- I'm so glad to see you.

- And you.

Boys, come here, please.

- Stephen, these are my sons.

- How do you do, young gentlemen?

How do you do?

This is Mr. Dallas, whom your mother

has known for such a long time.

John.

- How do you do?

- Lee.

- And Cornelius.

- Con.

He doesn't like

to be called Cornelius.

I do too.

It was my father's name.

- Was?

- Con's the man of the family now.

He looks after us all so beautifully.

His father would be very proud.

Splendid. Nothing but the finest care

would be good enough for your mother.

But, Stephen,

tell us about you.

I gave up all thought of ever

seeing you again such a long time ago.

- What are you doing here?

- New York? I'm in business here.

If you mean this store, I'm buying

birthday presents for my daughter.

Your daughter? Oh, Stephen.

- Here she is.

- Oh, she's pretty.

- When may we meet her and her mother?

- They're not here.

Laurel goes to school near Boston,

and her mother spends her time with her.

I have so many things to hear

and to tell.

- Can you lunch with us?

- I should be back at the office now.

We'd be glad to have you, if you

don't mind carrying your own tray.

John's been saving up for a whole month

to take us to lunch. It's his treat.

That's all right. I got enough for

one more, if you don't eat too much.

How 'bout it, Mr. Dallas?

- I can't refuse an offer like that.

- Oh, good. Come along.

If you run short,

I'll lend you a couple of dollars.

Gee, thanks.

Oh, books again.

I've got a good mind to tell him

she can get books from the library.

But there's no place where you

can get a fur coat for nothing.

Boy, what I wouldn't give

to see her in one.

Oh, well. Here.

Hide them with the rest

and let me get on with this...

or it won't be ready for Christmas,

let alone her birthday.

- Gladys, where's Mother?

- Now, let me see.

She's...

- Hello, Mother.

- Hello, darling.

Miss Phillibrown, my teacher,

came home with me.

- She wants to see you.

- If I'd known, I could have fixed up.

Look at me. I'm a sight.

Look at the things all...

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