The Bishop's Wife Page #2

- Goodbye, Mrs Hamilton.

- Good evening, Mrs Brougham.

- Good evening, Mrs Brougham.

- Good evening, Mrs Brougham.

- Can we serve dinner now?

- Yes, Matilda.

- The chicken will be burned to a crisp.

- We'll be right in.

Julia, you knew Mrs Hamilton

was expected this afternoon.

I know, Henry. I'm sorry I was late.

What a ghastly afternoon.

What a ghastly woman.

I have no intention of being

strangled by her purse strings.

I was proud of you.

I had a most un-Christian impulse to give

her a good whack over the... mink coat.

I thought you stood up

to her magnificently.

I appreciate your appreciation

but what about my cathedral?

May I make a suggestion, Henry?

Why not postpone the

cathedral till after Christmas?

Lmpossible. The House of God can't

be put off. This cathedral must rise.

Plenty of rich people

in this town. I'll have

to take advantage of

their Yuletide spirit.

I can see it all now.

The McWhirters, the Hornes, the Van

Deusens, the lunches, the meetings

and you there flattering them.

- Kowtowing to them, begging.

- It's got to be done.

Oh, Henry. If you could

see your poor harassed face.

- You haven't done very much to help it.

- Miss Cassaway, what is it?

- Mr Trevor on the phone, Bishop.

- Tell him the bishop will call him back.

Yes, Mrs Brougham.

Henry, what's happened to you?

What's happened to our marriage?

We used to have such

fun, you and Debby and I.

We used to be happy and

make other people happy.

Henry, that was your gift.

You're no financier or promoter.

Julia, I want this cathedral to stand

like a great beacon. I want its light...

Oh, never mind. Keep that for

your next committee meeting.

- Here's a contribution I collected.

- What's that?

It's an old Roman coin. Professor

Wutheridge sent it. Wasn't that sweet?

Old fool. What does he

think I can do with that?

Well, it's a beginning.

Now all you need is

another four million.

Julia, don't be flippant about this!

- Is dinner ready?

- Yes.

Let's go in and get it over

with. I have a lot of work to do.

For what we are about to receive, may

the Lord make us truly thankful. Amen.

- Julia?

- Yes?

I was just thinking... tomorrow

maybe we could go out together.

Where?

Well, just walk around

the way we used to.

We could go and call on the professor,

go to the park and watch the skaters

- that sort of thing.

Maybe we could have lunch together.

At Michel's. Do you remember that?

Michel's. Oh, it's been

years since we've been there.

Forgive me. I've been trying

to explain to Mr Trevor,

but he insists upon speaking

to you personally, Bishop.

Excuse me, darling.

Matilda, keep the soup warm. The

bishop's been called to the phone.

- And we'll be out for lunch tomorrow.

- Yes, ma'am.

Of course, Mr Trevor. Yes, but...

I appreciate your difficulties,

but... Very well. I'll be there.

10.30 tomorrow morning,

then on to the board meeting.

All right. Yes. Goodbye.

Mr Trevor's office, 10.30, then the board

meeting in the Banker's Club at eleven.

- Yes, sir. Tomorrow. Thursday.

- You might as well go home.

- But there's a great deal to do.

- You must be tired.

Thank you. Don't forget tomorrow

you speak at the Junior Assembly.

- What time is that?

- One o'clock.

You made the appointment

over a month ago.

- Good night, Bishop.

- Good night.

Oh, God, what am I to do?

Can't you help me? Can't you tell me?

Oh, God, please help me.

Yes?

- Good evening.

- Good eve...

- What can I do for you?

- That isn't the question.

Well, what is the...?

What can I do for you?

I must ask you to telephone my

secretary. I'm in the middle of dinner.

I know, Henry. Your soup will

keep warm. You asked for help.

I? I... Who told you I asked for help?

Well, you were known to be a good

man, Henry, and you were heard.

I was instructed to come

here in answer to your prayer.

- Who are you?

- I'm an angel.

- I beg your pardon?

- I'm an angel.

- No wings at the moment, but...

- You're an angel.

I knew it. I've been working too hard.

I understand, Henry. It's

hard to believe, even for you.

I'm not one of the

more important angels.

I just happen to be assigned

to this district temporarily.

You see, we're everywhere,

helping people who deserve to be...

...to be helped.

As you're walking through the city,

you may look into a strange face.

It may be the face of a murderer

or it may be the face of an angel.

You have some problems with

the building of this cathedral?

- Yes.

- It's a fine cathedral.

Ought to look magnificent up

there on top of Sanctuary Hill.

Well, Henry. Do you believe

I am what I say I am?

How can I? I've only

got your word for it.

But you're a bishop. You can

trust the word of an angel.

I'd like to.

What do you propose to do?

- Perform a miracle?

- If necessary.

Why don't you? Create the cathedral

with one wave of your hand.

- How would you explain it?

- Well, I...

Tell the world you're

being visited by an angel?

You can't do that.

Henry, is anything wrong? I...

- Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't know you had...

- Julia. If you don't mind...

How do you do, Julia? I'm Dudley.

Henry is engaging me to

help him with his work.

- You're going to be his assistant?

- That's it.

I'm going to help Henry to

rest and get some relaxation.

- That's what I've been praying for.

- You too?

Henry. I'm so relieved. Isn't it

wonderful you've found someone to help?

- Yes, but...

- Where do you come from?

- All around.

- Yes. But where?

Julia, to tell you the truth,

he says that he's an a...

I've been doing some social

service work down town.

Now you'll be with Henry permanently?

For as long as may be necessary.

Julia, if you don't

mind. I must talk to this

gentleman alone. I'll

see you in a moment.

We were just having

dinner. Won't you join us?

That's very kind of you, but I

have a number of things to do.

You can understand, Henry. So

many people making mistakes.

- Yes. I see.

- Then we'll see you tomorrow?

- Oh, yes. Bright and early.

- Good.

Whenever you're ready,

Henry. Good night, Dudley.

Good night, Julia.

Are you sure you're an angel?

I know it isn't easy, but

you've got to take me on faith.

- Yes, but for how long?

- For just long enough.

Until you can utter another prayer and

say that you have no further need of me.

Then I'll be gone and forgotten.

But now Julia's waiting for you at

the dining table. You must go to her.

Yes.

But I don't...

- Henry?

- Yes?

What's the rest of Dudley's name?

- I don't know.

- Oh.

Are you nervous, dear?

No.

- The bishop didn't eat his breakfast.

- No. He took only his prune juice.

Prune juice? Is he sick?

He looked perfectly awful. He said

he had a very bad sleepless night.

Passing up a breakfast like

that. It just ain't normal.

Nobody expects him to

be normal. He's a bishop.

- Could I get you something, sir?

- No, thank you, Matilda.

- Maybe just a cup of tea?

- Nothing, thank you.

- Good morning, Miss Cassaway.

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