The Bells of St. Mary's Page #7

I received that letter from her.

I just wrote

expressing my own opinion, Sister.

- I hope that hasn't brought this on.

- No.

I'm just tired.

But you actually considered

tearing down St Mary's

and sending our children to St Victor's?

Yes. I thought about it quite a bit.

We have to face facts, Sister.

Yes.

Yes, I know what you mean, Father.

We've tried so hard not to face facts.

But there must always be a St Mary's.

Of course, Sister.

Now just relax. Take it easy.

- The doctor's...

- Come in, Doctor.

- Hello.

- This is Dr McKay.

- How do you do?

- He's Mr Bogardus's doctor, you know.

Oh, yes?

Are you his personal physician?

Yes. I have other patients, possibly

100 or so, and Horace P Bogardus.

Lately he's been a full-time job.

Rings me at all hours.

- We pray for him all the time.

- That's very nice. He could use it. Why?

They're praying for Mr Bogardus

to give them his building.

Give? Bogardus?

- Pardon me.

- I have a sense of humour.

Maybe your prayers are working.

He can't sleep.

I give him sleeping tablets.

Prayers are a wonderful thing,

but if Bogardus

ever gives you that building, I'll...

Nothing spectacular, Doctor.

OK.

I can't do much here.

Come to the office for a check-up.

- There's nothing wrong. I'm just tired.

- I know.

Let me be the judge of that.

I want to find out the cause.

She'll be there, Doctor.

Keep praying, but not tonight.

You need a good night's rest.

- So does Bogardus.

- Yes, that's right.

You heard what the man said.

You take it easy.

You'll see that she gets down

to the office tomorrow?

She has a mind of her own.

I'll get her down there.

- Is this serious?

- She's running a temperature.

- She's had these attacks before?

- That's what I heard.

- She's a remarkable woman.

- She certainly is.

I could tell the minute I walked in.

Does she believe

Bogardus will give that building?

Yes.

I've never

come across such things before.

Not since I wished for

what I wanted for Christmas and got it.

- It's sort of the same thing.

- When we grow up, we get practical.

- She's not very practical, is she?

- She thinks she is.

- What'll she do when she doesn't get it?

- She's got you worried!

She has. I hate to see her disillusioned.

Not to change the subject much,

but Bogardus has a bad heart, hasn't he?

- Yes.

- What are you giving him? Pills?

Have you got a better prescription?

I knew a fellow once...

He had a very bad heart.

They gave him six months to live.

He spent that six months

doing so much good, he lived to be 90.

Is that so? You mean doing good

for others is good for a bad heart?

- You spend your life doing for others.

- Yes, yes.

- How's your heart?

- Fine.

- Are you tampering with medicine?

- We have a lot in common.

- We're interested in the good heart.

- I should change my prescription?

- You're the doctor.

- I'm not so sure, O'Malley.

- Good day.

- Good day.

Mr Bogardus!

- Father O'Malley.

- Oh, yes. I didn't see you.

- You seemed to be looking past me.

- My mind was miles away.

- You don't seem to be yourself today.

- I'm not.

I've just come from my doctor's.

You know, Father, if I had to live my life

over again, there'd be a lot of changes.

- Yeah?

- Yeah, a lot of changes.

You know, there's great beauty in this

world, if you have the eyes to see it.

- Isn't there, Father?

- Naturally.

Thank you.

- Yes, life can be very beautiful.

- That's right.

You've spent your life

doing things for people.

- Oh, well...

- Yes, you have.

- Come to think of it, how's your heart?

- Great.

That's what I mean.

Would it be all right if I go in the church?

You're welcome.

Here's a thought that might help you.

It's meant a lot to me.

I shall pass this way but once.

If there is any good I can do for anyone,

let me do it now and not put it off,

for I shall not pass this way again.

Thank you, Father. God bless you.

- Thank you.

- Goodbye.

Wait up!

Wait!

That's a good dog.

Wait! Wait!

Allow me, lady.

- Thank you.

- Thank you.

- It's a beautiful world.

- You nearly left it!

I nearly did. I'm gonna get off to church.

- Oh, Mr Bogardus.

- I'm sorry about this.

I didn't realise he followed me

into church. Sweet little fellow, isn't he?

It's all right. Bring him any time.

It doesn't matter.

- I see that animals love you.

- Yes, but people don't.

You must be wrong. I'm sure when

people get to know you they love you.

No, that's when they don't.

- You see...

- Yes, Mr Bogardus?

I've never had any children of my own,

and I've never even liked children.

And they don't like me.

Why don't people like you?

Well, I've been very selfish.

Lately I've been giving it a lot of thought.

Come to any conclusion?

Yes.

This is going to surprise you.

And I do want people to like me,

so I was wondering...

...if you would accept my building.

What's the matter?

- It's a bit of a shock to you.

- Yes, it is.

You can have it. You can have it.

I'll have my lawyer make out the deed.

Thank you. St Mary's will never forget it.

- The children will love you.

- Yes?

I'll have the necessary papers made out

right away.

Come on, doggy. Come on.

All right. Back it away.

What's the big idea?

- Mr Bogardus, how are you?

- I'm all right.

- And your legs?

- OK.

Father O'Malley!

Lovely. What is it called?

It means..."It's spring."

- Sing something else.

- What do we know?

You know Birmingham Bertha?

How about the school song?

Sister has a new version with effects.

She's proud of it.

- Sing it.

- Won't you sing the melody?

You talked me into it.

Ding-dong, ding-dong

Ding-dong, ding

Oh, bells of St Mary's

We always will love you

With your inspiration

We never will fail

Your chimes will for ever

Bring sweet memories of you

So proudly ring out

While we sing out

Hail! Hail! Hail!

So proudly ring out

While we sing out

Hail! Hail! Hail!

Ding-dong ding

Won't you ring them bells?

I haven't had a chance like that in years!

I had to try it!

- Father, the doctor's here.

- Good.

- How are you?

- Hello.

- Sister Benedict came in.

- She's in great spirits. So happy.

Isn't faith wonderful?

Everyone's so happy,

I hate to be the bearer of bad news.

I examined her.

Can she be sent away for a while?

- Why? Where?

- Someplace like Arizona, for instance.

- See this area?

- What is it?

That's the right lung. And here...

I never could make anything

out of those things.

- What is it, Doctor? TB?

- Yes.

A very early stage.

It's not that bad. We're lucky to catch it.

That's what I meant

about a drier climate.

An infirmary or a home for old people.

Someplace where she could

have light duties. Not a school.

If it has to be done,

I guess it can be done.

- Not to be with children?

- Not until this condition has cleared up.

- Does she know?

- Not yet. It's important she doesn't.

She has a wonderful vitality, a natural

optimism, and that's the best medicine.

If that spirit is dampened,

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