The Bells of St. Mary's Page #2

You see that fence?

You see what those children...?

- Who are you?

- The new pastor.

You are? I want you to see to it

that those brats are punished.

I'll take care of it, Mr Bogardus.

I will censure them.

- So you know who I am?

- Yes, I do.

I have to do business with you?

I have to make recommendations.

I've looked over the school.

You have? Well, there you are.

What do you think of it?

- Looks pretty tired.

- Tired? Tired's no name for it.

- If you don't sell... You got my offer?

- It's here.

- What do you say?

- It's difficult. I can't jump at it.

If you don't sell it to me,

it'll be condemned.

- By whom?

- City council.

- How do you know?

- I'm chairman.

- You are, huh?

- Darned right, I am.

When they order you to tear it down,

you've got to pay.

- You look like a practical man, Father.

- I do?

There's not a mother or father

in the parish

that wouldn't want their children

at St Victor's.

Fine, modern building.

Sunlight, good heating.

I wouldn't send my children

into that fire trap.

- You have any children?

- No.

- That's a long story.

- Skip it.

How far do the children have to go

to get to St Victor's?

- As far as I had to go as a child...

- Let's walk over.

Well, why not take my car?

Can't walk too much. I got a bad ticker.

- Let's ride out to St Victor's.

- Now you're talking.

Close this school

and send the children to St Victor's.

- Sell the property to you?

- Right. You can always find me here.

I won't make a move without

talking to you. But I'm pretty slow.

You don't look it to me. No, sir.

Goodbye.

Father?

How do you do?

Are you in charge of the school here?

That's a question. I have some authority.

You look like you could understand

my language.

Let's find out. Start talking.

I'd like very much

to put my daughter in school here.

You see, I think it'd be better

if she was away from me for a while.

Could she board?

- It might be arranged. Why...

- Does she need references?

Do you have to know much

about her background?

Oh, yes. That is customary.

Well, it's like this.

I ran away from home

when I was very young to get married.

Stop me if you've heard this, Father.

He left me a long time ago, in Syracuse.

- 13 years.

- Did you get married?

Yes. After a little argument.

I think he was a little afraid

of settling down.

He was a piano player.

He had a wonderful smile, Father.

- I'll bet he had.

- Very like yours.

He had a little band.

Kind of a non-recording orchestra.

- Ever hear of Gallagher's Gamboleers?

- No. Did anyone else?

I doubt it.

Anyway, the band got an offer

to play in Cincinnati.

He promised, as soon as he got

a few dollars ahead, he'd send for me.

- You were left alone in Syracuse?

- Till the baby came.

You've been supporting her all this time?

I suppose you're wondering as to how?

So is she.

She's getting to be a big girl now, Father.

She's beginning to think I'm no good.

I want to put her in your care

before she finds out she's right.

I feel anyone as concerned about

their daughter as you isn't doing badly.

If there was anything really wrong

with you, you wouldn't give a darn.

Joe was the only man

I was ever really in love with, but...

If you care that much for Joe,

why didn't you look him up?

I wouldn't know where to start.

Besides, he ran out on me, Father.

Oh, that's it.

I'll do my best.

Send your daughter to me.

- What's her name?

- Patricia.

Patricia.

I'll make a deal with you.

I take care of your daughter,

you take care of yourself.

Thank you, Father. Father...

- O'Malley.

- O'Malley.

- Goodbye, Mrs Gallagher.

- Goodbye.

Father, there's a young lady to see you.

Oh, yes. Send her in.

- Miss Gallagher?

- Yes.

I've made arrangements

for you to board with Mrs Breen.

- That would be just... lovely.

- My boy will take your bags.

Eddie, put the bags in the back bedroom.

OK, Ma.

Well, Patricia.

The sisters were expecting

someone younger and so was I.

I was trying to look older, Father.

I've been looking for work.

I thought I could quit school.

I was answering ads.

I'm perfectly able to take care of myself.

Patsy, I think

you're gonna be happy here.

You'll enjoy every minute of it.

Life can be very beautiful here.

Look at the character that came off.

Let me take a look at you.

Oh, that's fine.

Give us a chance and we'll fix you up.

What have we got here?

What are you smuggling?

- What's this here? What's this?

- It's a rat, Father.

You'll find here

that you can't even wear a small mouse.

Things are brightening up already.

Goodness! Holy Toledo! Look at this!

- You sent for me, Sister.

- Yes, Patricia.

I wanted to talk to you.

You're falling behind in your studies.

If the work is too hard for you,

I'll be glad to help.

That isn't it, Sister.

I guess I'm just a feather-head.

Don't you like school?

You're holding back on me, Patsy.

What's troubling you?

Nothing, Sister.

If you'll only work a little harder,

you'll get good marks.

We want to send your mother

a nice report.

You want her to be proud of you,

don't you?

That's all, Patsy. You may go.

Thank you, Sister.

- Hiya, Pat.

- Hi.

- How's she doing?

- Not very well.

No? I'm sorry to hear that.

We accepted her

on your recommendation.

We know little about her parents.

What was her home life like?

The usual...

- You met her mother?

- Yes, I have.

Do you know Mrs Gallagher well?

Yes, I know her quite well.

- Did you meet her father?

- No.

- What is his occupation?

- He's a musician.

They tell me

he has a charming personality, too.

I like people who like music. Don't you?

- Are they separated?

- Yes.

Is there anything that I should know

that would help?

- No, that's all that I...

...care to tell?

Well, yes.

Did anyone ever tell you

that you have a dishonest face?

For a priest, I mean.

Break it up

or I'll knock your heads together.

The winner! You're pretty shifty.

Let's see how you operate here.

Look at your shoe.

You've got to watch all the time.

Eddie, come over here.

- Go inside and wash your face.

- Why didn't you fight back?

- You're handy. What's your name?

- Tommy Smith.

Keep your head up.

- He's all right.

- You'd better speak to Tommy.

- I'm afraid he's a troublemaker.

- He's a good fighter.

We don't tolerate fighting. Speak to him.

If he continues,

we may have to send him away.

Aren't we supposed to be educators,

Sister?

Instead of sending him away,

let's try and correct him.

I observed very little correction

in your attitude.

In fact, I detected a slight note of pride.

I like to see a lad

who can take care of himself.

- On the outside, it's a man's world.

- How are they doing?

They're not doing too good.

Sometimes a man

has to fight his way through.

Wouldn't it be better

to think your way through?

That's pure conjecture

from someone on the inside.

That's very well put.

Don't you think in raising boys

a woman's influence can go too far?

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