The Constant Nymph Page #6

to show you off.

I'm really very proud of you.

You can't blame me, can you?

In that case, I shall play

from the heart.

Who is that letter from?

-Paula.

-Oh, Paula?

-The girls! Let me see it.

-No, it's to me and private.

There can't be nothing private

about those kids.

-It's addressed to me.

-It's addressed to both of us.

I'm losing my patience with them.

-Why?

-They're spoiled, both of them.

"When Florence wrote that letter

to say we must stay,"

"our hearts were broken."

"It's probable that

we shall hang ourselves,"

"but Tessa insists that

it is a coward's game."

"Hanging, I mean."

"The girls here are hateful.

They say we don't wash."

They don't wash...

"Because of Tessa's heart,

she doesn't have to play hockey."

"I do, while she goes off and

thinks of so many things."

"One thing I know she wonders is..."

"...whether you're having a nice time

and like being married."

Well, they should be the ones

to lose their patience.

It sounds like a horrid school!

They've been there four months!

Darling, how can you say that,

I was there myself.

The girls say it, both of them.

They're not liars.

Lewis, didn't you yourself

want them to go?

-Didn't you write to father to come

to their aid? -Yes, I know.

Didn't I voluntarily constitute

myself their guardian?

I know you did, darling.

-What are we going to do with them now?

-Let them stay where they are.

There's Tessa with a bad heart...

Darling, I'm assured

it's not serious.

It's called valvular lesion, I went

into the matter thoroughly.

Valvular what? It sounds ugly.

I don't like it.

-No, we must take this our way.

-And send her where?

Wherever she can stay,

just as she is.

We'll go down to the school

and see what it's all about.

Darling, I know what it's all about.

Tonight we have the party.

I'll go down with you tomorrow.

-All right, we'll surprise them.

-Nothing would surprise those simps.

-You always seem to be digging at them.

-Do I?

Yes.

-You should bring this on a tray, Roberto.

-S, signora.

"Sanger sisters disappeared

this morning."

"Last seen at about 11:00.

Are they with you?"

"We'll not inform police

until I hear from you."

-There! You see?

-I do see.

I'm going to wash my hands

of them, that's all.

Fine. While you're washing

your hands...

...I'm going to find them.

-Where?

-Roberto!

-S, signore.

First, I'll go to the school.

Would you be kind enough

to phone them there?

-And tell them to advise the police.

-Lewis...

I'm almost afraid to remind you

that we have guests tonight.

-Guests?

-Our party.

Oh! Well, if I find them

I'll be here.

You will not humiliate me by being

among those missing, will you?

Don't be absurd! I'm certainly

going to find those children!

The florists ask if you'd like

festoons in the drawing room.

I don't care.

-Hello, Florence.

-Hello, Constance.

Hello, Alicia.

-What on earth are you doing out here?

Go along, darling.

I'll be there in a moment.

You'll catch your death of cold.

-Good evening.

-Good evening, madame.

Ah, there you are, Charles!

Hello, Contance. Alicia.

How are you, Turtle?

Any woman's voice singing

gives me a toothache.

A nerve I suppose.

You should hold whiskey

in your mouth, over the tooth.

I can't do that. I've been drinking

brandy and they don't mix.

-Wouldn't brandy do as well, mother?

-Yes, I suppose so.

Your Florence will have

more than a toothache...

...if she doesn't come away

from that draughty door.

Really? Oh, well...

Come on, let's go in.

What were you doing at the door?

You'll catch your death of cold.

It's humiliating. I don't even know

where he is.

He'll sure follow those wretched children

onto the continent.

-And never come back, any of them.

-Don't say that.

Take that look off your face.

It's an excellent party.

In spite of that dreadful woman

warbling her head off.

-Good heavens!

-What?

There's that Fritzie chap.

Did you ask him?

Lewis wanted them asked. I didn't think

they'd come all the way from France.

Hello, there.

I didn't see you come in.

-You were very preoccupied, madame.

-At the door, yes.

-I'm glad you're here.

-Oh, I love parties...

...and Fritz loves moving in

higher circles, so we came.

I was frightfully sick

on the boat.

Florence, you're looking

awfully worried.

The children run away from school

and we're in a panic.

-Lewis is out searching for them--

-Fritz and I thought they would do it.

By the way, I'm going to

have a baby.

Florence, did you hear anything

since I telephoned?

No.

-Hello, Lewis.

-Hello, Fritz. Hello, Toni.

-Lewis, darling!

-Did you find them?

-No, I'm worried to death.

What did you do?

I was going up to Seven Oaks

from that school...

...and I knew you wanted me back

for this thing.

I've got Scotland Yard

after them.

Darling, hurry and change,

Roberto's waiting for you.

Oh, yes, I must. You two,

come up with me, we can talk.

Yes. Careful, darling.

Hurry!

Roberto! I'm going to have a baby.

Un bambino, magnifico, signora.

-Hello, Roberto.

-Mr. Fritz.

Mr. Lewis, they are here.

Signorinas Paula and Tessa.

-Here?

-Yes, they arrived two hours ago.

-Did you tell madame?

-No, the girls would not have it.

They see the people,

they're afraid, so...

...they wait in the stables.

-Go and get them! Pronto!

Ah, that's a load off my mind.

-In the stables?

Yes, the studio were I work

is over the stables.

Lewis, Fritz and I've been talking.

As I'm going to have a baby

I'll need company and--

Little Toni is going

to have a baby.

Lewis, don't embarrass me.

Oh, I've got to dress.

Paula could come with us

to Paris.

She'd be very happy with us and

she could go on with her dancing.

And we could leave Tessa to your

tender mercies. -Yes!

When is the big performance?

-Four weeks, Regents Hall.

Come along, Fritz.

He must dress.

I'll be down!

This is Toni and Mr. Bercovy.

Lady Longborough.

Her husband.

Are you hiding a family

as well as a husband?

Will you excuse me, please?

Who are those little girls?

-My little sisters.

-And the police were after you.

-The police? Lewis, you didn't!

Of course I did!

What was I to do?

Tessa, did you know

the police were after us?

Lewis!

-They're back.

-So we all heard.

Hello, Florence. We do hope

we're not in the way.

-Of course not. Hello, Tessa.

-Good evening, Florence.

Lewis--

What are you so shy about?

I'm not shy.

I've come to lay my bones

among you.

Darling, it's been so long.

-Longer than the longest book.

-Yes.

Come along. You're like a little boy.

You're younger than they are.

What a beautiful suit.

Thank you, darling.

-I'm really sorry about all this.

-About us coming back?

No! Here we go.

Now, you kids, behave.

Please don't be angry, Florence.

We couldn't bear that school

a moment longer.

Now, why didn't you let us know

you were running away?

We've been off our heads all day!

Haven't we, Florence?

I imagined you dead

under trains,

hanging from trees...

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