The Beguiled Page #4

have a room to myself.

In the attic. Can

you walk up stairs?

I suppose I could but I couldn't

walk through a locked door.

Oh, I forgot about that.

I just thought I would pay

our guest a little visit.

He wanted to know what

class you were teaching.

And I told him etiquette.

And how to behave like a lady

under all circumstances.

All that anger in those

pretty green eyes.

I told you before,

I don't trust any man.

Did you ask her if she looks

upon you as a Billy Yank enemy?

Or if she's waiting for a prince

to awaken her with a kiss?

Now, come on, that's nonsense.

She doesn't mean a thing to me.

Just passing time, talking

with her, that's all.

Same as my father

said to my mother.

"They mean nothing to me."

"I was only amusing myself."

So, your father was the man?

No. No, Johnny.

I know how I feel.

If you don't feel the

same way, just tell me.

You know how I feel.

When the war's over,

I'll come back and get you.

Please, Johnny, don't say

that unless you mean it.

You know I mean it.

No...

Johnny, no.

When the war's over, I'll

come back and get you.

If you'll let me.

Please, Johnny, don't say

that unless you mean it.

You know I mean it.

No...

Oh...

I can't.

Not like this.

Not without being sure.

Maybe when the war's over.

It's just that I never have before.

Don't be angry.

If you still feel the same way...

There's riders out in front.

Maybe three or four of them.

It's probably just the patrollers.

Or the girl on lookout, she

would've sounded the alarm.

- They've stopped.

- They often do.

They water their horses

and then they ride on.

I better get back

before I'm missed.

Miss Martha! Miss Martha!

Hold it, Yank!

Hell, I ain't no Yank.

Who are you? What

are you doing here?

Hurry, Miss Martha! Hurry!

I was wounded.

I'm on leave from Gregg's,

Texas, Longstreet's Corps.

- Who is it?

- How come you're not in uniform?

How come you're not?

What's going on there?

We caught him, Miss Farnsworth.

Why, Sam Jackson.

This is my cousin you've

heard me talk about.

It's my cousin.

Why, Cousin Martha, I always

figured you looked down

on the Texas side of the family.

It pleases me that

you talk about us.

Of course, I didn't say

what I said about you.

Can you explain this,

Miss Farnsworth?

No, I can't explain it.

It was tied on the gates.

I've no idea how it got there.

Unless it was one of

the girls as a joke.

These aren't times for joking.

One of my men could've been

killed. Or your cousin there.

I know that, Sam.

The girl who's responsible will

be very severely punished.

Take my word for it.

Well, I do, ma'am.

Thank you, Sam.

I'm sorry this happened.

You were splendid, ma'am,

absolutely splendid.

Why, it's splendid

yourself, Corporal.

Your accent was pure Texas.

I wonder who put this

rag on the gate.

I don't know, but you

can bet I didn't.

Now that you've got

your strength back

there's no reason why we should

continue to serve your meals in bed.

You'll have supper with us tonight.

Whatever you say, ma'am.

You know, I can't remember when I've

ever been in such delightful company.

You young ladies are

certainly a fine tribute

to the excellence of

your headmistress

to whom I will always be indebted.

- You needn't be.

- But I will, ma'am.

You don't understand that I used to make

much more use of my legs than most men.

Take dancing for instance.

I always could wear out the arm

of any fiddler in the world.

If we had dancing

here in the school,

I could teach the girls

waltzes, reels, polkas.

Almost anything you could mention.

Miss Martha, could we

have a dance class?

Yes, please.

Can we?

I'll take it under consideration.

We haven't had as lively a

meal as this in a long time.

I think it's been disgraceful.

Eating with the enemy.

So do I, Miss Martha.

You girls might have said something before

supper. Could've eaten in the kitchen.

You may both be excused

to go to your room.

Please ma'am, let them stay. They're

just voicing their patriotism.

Doris and Janie, I admire your father for

fighting for the cause that he thinks is right.

If nobody's gonna finish those mushrooms,

I think I could manage a little.

Please do, Corporal.

Amy picked them for you.

Thank you, Amy. I'm particularly

partial to mushrooms.

Now, I'm sorry but I must

turn to something unpleasant.

Today, somebody tied

the blue rag...

Girls, into the kitchen.

Edwina, fetch the pistol.

It's up in my room.

Hallie, you go with them.

Hide yourself upstairs.

If it's Union troops, you just holler.

I'll make sure nothing happens to anyone.

They're our soldiers, Miss Martha.

Thank God.

- Can you make it up the stairs all right?

- Yeah.

- I'll help him.

- No, you won't. Get in the kitchen.

Let me have that pistol.

No, I have to take

it to Miss Martha.

You care about what

happens to me, don't you?

Yes, that's why I don't

wanna see you shot.

Come in, Captain. Sorry

to keep you waiting.

That's all right, ma'am.

Been a long time since I've had

to wait for such a pretty lady.

This vicinity is gonna

be left unprotected.

Our boys got to pull off

for Champion's Hill

before them damn Yankees...

Beg your pardon, ma'am.

Them Yankees.

Secure the road to Vicksburg.

Why have you come here?

We heard about your school here

and since we were

scouting out in this area

we just decided to stop by and

see if we could be of any...

assistance.

Thank you.

Captain, but everything

is fine here.

It seems to me as how you might be afraid

of being molested by them Yankees.

I could leave a couple of my boys here to

sleep in your barn for a night or two.

That's very generous of you,

Captain, but it won't be necessary.

I don't mind staying with

the ladies, Captain.

You all want to go on ahead, I'll

catch up with you in a few days.

You're very kind but we cannot take

you from your duties in the field.

It just seems to me as how it

might serve some military purpose

for someone to stay behind,

kind of out of sight.

That's right.

Matter of fact, I might

just stay myself.

Scoggins, suppose you ride

back and tell the Colonel...

No. No, I cannot permit it.

One or two of you would

be no protection.

And your presence here might

just draw attention to us

and provoke the Yankees

into burning us down.

Good night, gentlemen. Thank

you so much for your concern.

Ma'am, I'd be right proud to pay my

compliments to them young ladies.

That's very gentlemanly

of you, Captain.

I'll tell them.

Good night.

Come on, boys.

God bless you, gentlemen.

Good night.

It's all right. They left.

I love you so much.

Were you scared, Miss Martha?

- I almost died, I was so scared.

- So was I.

Go up to your rooms.

I think it's treason to talk

that way about our own boys.

Oh, Doris, you think

everything is treason.

Don't argue, girls. Hallie.

Bring a bottle of

wine to the parlor.

Today's been quite a strain.

Oh! Give me the pistol.

- Good night, young ladies.

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