The Beguiled Page #4

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needs tending.

I'll get to it tomorrow.

You'll do nothing of the kind.

Have you had much gardening

experience, Corporal McBurney?

I've done a bit of it, yeah.

Well, if you really have

such a gift for gardening,

you may assist us

later in your convalescence.

It would be my pleasure, ma'am.

Come. You have

work to do, Miss Amy.

Here's some water if you like.

I like very much.

Thank you, my girl.

Miss Martha told me

to return to my lessons,

but I told her all the

things you need me to do.

Yeah, sure. I'm counting

on you to keep

me clumsy feet away

from birds' nests.

That, and keep me company.

Listen, don't tell

any of the others,

but I consider you to be my best

friend in this whole place.

You do?

Yeah, of course I do.

I'm sure if it wasn't for you, I'd

still be sitting under that tree.

Thank you, my lady.

Hmm.

You better not be saying any unkind

things about us to the Corporal.

Now, why would I ever do that?

Corporal.

I was wondering how your leg is?

It, uh, twinges

a bit now and then.

I would expect that.

You will recall I was the one

who was opposed to you

walking on it so soon.

Yes, ma'am.

However, I appreciate

your desire to be active.

May I check?

Yes, ma'am.

Well...

The stitches, uh,

they're holding nicely.

Mmm.

The wound is healing very well.

When do you think

I'll be fully recovered?

Some would say

you're recovered now.

I'm sure the army surgeons

would say

you are ready to return to duty.

So, you'd like me to leave?

I didn't say that.

No, of course not.

You're far too polite a lady

to be so blunt about it.

I am as blunt as I need

to be, Corporal McBurney.

Since you brought it up,

I would say that the leg

will be healed well enough

to leave by the end of the week.

That's in just a few days.

Yes, it is.

Where would I go?

I'm afraid that is entirely your

business where you go, Corporal.

However, I think you may

find columns of your troops

on the main road to Richmond.

Your garden should have

continual care.

I mean, you need

a full-time gardener.

Perhaps,

but I expect, in these times,

one just has to do without.

It's a shame. sn't it, that I

couldn't have remained helpless.

When?

I don't know exactly,

but she asked him to leave.

Well, we will just have to

make it so pleasant for him

that he won't even

consider leaving us.

We might suggest to Miss Martha

that the Corporal join us

at the table for dinner.

Yes, he must get lonely

eating alone in his room.

We can show him some real

Southern hospitality.

Miss Edwina Morrow.

I've missed being near you.

You have?

Yeah.

You have no idea

how lovely you are.

Miss Farnsworth suggested it's

time for me to be on my way.

I don't want you to leave.

I don't want to leave.

I love you, Edwina.

Please don't ever say that

unless you mean it.

I do mean it.

Geez, I knew exactly how I felt

about you the first time we talked.

I was too afraid to say anything

for fear that you'd never

let me near you again.

I'm only telling you now because

I'm running out of time.

It might be my last chance.

I realize I'm not good

enough for you, Edwina.

That's not true.

It is.

You just don't believe in

yourself enough to see it so.

I'm tired of this war.

I want to see the West.

If you can get to Richmond,

my father can help you.

Come with me.

Corporal?

Miss Martha invites you

to dine with us.

Oh, have you heard?

Miss Martha invited the

Corporal to dinner tonight.

Have you got it?

Almost.

Miss Alicia, too much cream.

Now, you stop your giggling.

Manners.

That dress is very

becoming, Miss Edwina.

Thank you.

There might be other

attractive shoulders here

if we were all permitted

to wear such dresses.

I wouldn't say it's entirely

suitable for a young ladies' school,

but we know Miss Edwina

is accustomed to town society

with different views.

I would suggest that

we change the subject

and that Miss Edwina

draws her shawl.

Yes.

That will avoid any

more speculation on the subject.

This is the best meal

I've had in a long time.

Thank you, ma'am.

Merci beaucoup.

Miss Alicia made

the pie herself.

I hope you like apple pie.

I love apple pie.

It's my favorite.

Is that my recipe, Alicia?

It is.

I picked the apples.

They're delicious.

Apple pie is my favorite too.

Really?

We've been fortunate to have

enough water for our garden.

Yes, ma'am.

Shall we have some music?

That's a beautiful song, Jane.

Isn't it?

I always thought

it was rather romantic.

Quite.

Mademoiselle, can I

interest you in a dance?

Spin.

Oh, wait, wait.

Miss Morrow.

I haven't had

the chance to tell you

how ravishing you look tonight.

Thank you.

May I come and see you

this evening?

Would you care

for a digestif, Corporal?

Yes, ma'am.

What a beautiful evening, ma'am.

Isn't it.

- The music's lovely.

- Yes, it is.

Pardonnez-moi.

My father had

quite a cellar in his day.

This house was full of parties.

People traveled

from all over to come here.

Well, it must have been splendid, ma'am.

Yes. Yes, it was.

There were carriages lined up...

There were beautiful,

beautiful gowns.

Men in full dress.

Elegant dinners and balls.

Well, a toast to you,

Miss Martha,

you must be the bravest woman

I've ever known.

No.

No. All bravery is,

is doing what is

needed at the time.

Tell me, Corporal...

Yes, ma'am.

...do you think this war

will be over soon?

Very soon,

sooner than you Southerners

are ready to admit.

I know.

And you could do

with some help around here.

A man's help.

Hmm.

Very nice, Miss Jane.

The corporal sure

does look comfortable tonight.

Girls...

Let's gather

for our evening prayers.

Dear Lord,

we ask for your protection

over our school,

and we ask for your protection

over the brave members

of our army.

And may we look after our

friend, Corporal McBurney,

as he makes his way?

Yes.

Yes, Miss Amy.

Corporal McBurney's stay here has

taught us all a very important lesson,

that the enemy as an individual

is not what we believed.

Let us how our heads

in silent meditation.

Good night, Miss Edwina.

Good night, Corporal.

Good night, ma'am.

Please! Stop it!

Quiet, girls!

You need your rest.

Indeed.

Good night, ma'am.

Thank you for your, uh...

Your hospitality.

Good night, Corporal.

Go to sleep.

John...

Edwina.

Edwina...

Darling... Wait.

Edwina, look, just, please...

No.

Lovely Edwina...

Please.

No! No!

No!

No!

- Get me some rope!

- Is he dead?

Get me some rope! We need

to stop the bleeding.

Hurry UP!

What happened?

I was so shaken

by my experience,

I could hardly leave my room.

It was terrible

the way he rushed in.

And then Edwina came up

and began fighting him.

We need to move him

to the table.

You heard me. Hurry up.

I didn't do anything.

Pick him up!

Help me! Help me move him!

Be quiet. Be quiet.

What are you gonna do?

Shh!

Quiet. Go to your rooms.

Go! I need you to go

to your moms, now.

Go!

We need to remove it.

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