The First Legion Page #5

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just before the start of a concert.

And like music that

swept you off your feet.

Father .. oh Father, bless me.

Bless me.

Father ..

Thanks.

How is the boy, Doctor?

The poor kid didn't have a chance.

Is he?

Of course. The trip alone

was enough to kill him.

I only tried a million-to-one shot.

Alright Miss Hamilton.

You're elected .. break

the news to his mother.

Shall I send her in here?

I suppose so. Technicalities and stuff.

Oh, do you want to see a Father Arnoux?

Is he waiting?

Since you went into surgery.

Okay .. hold it.

First, get me the file on Father Sierra.

It's here.

Alright. Thank you.

Please step in, Father.

Thank you.

Hello, Father. Hello, Doctor.

You have a very busy hospital.

Most haven't got a cent. Sit down.

They go up the hill to

be cured by your people ..

And then they need medical attention

and we get them .. cigarette?

You look a little tattered.

Did you get caught in the crowd?

More like a cattle stampede.

Yes. The rich, the hurt,

the lame, the blind .. the poor.

And all because someone

started to cry "miracle".

Half of them would have come just as

quickly if somebody had shouted "gold".

Humanity I love, but crowds ..

Well now .. may I please see

the records on Father Sierra?

Records? Oh yes .. yes, of course.

They're around here somewhere.

Here we are.

Thank you.

Nothing much there. Just a record of

visits made. A few medicines ordered.

Is that all? That's all.

No X-Rays?

I guess there were none.

Neuro-circulatory asthenia.

Yes.

Something like "shell-shock" isn't it?

Well, that depends.

And medicine you think,

cannot account for his cure?

Look, Father .. human beings are just

so many wonderful machines.

Sometimes you can fix them.

Sometimes you cannot.

I see .. and you couldn't ..

Fix Father Sierra.

What is this? Cross examination?

Not at all. But you haven't

answered my question.

Excuse me, Doctor .. but Mrs Dunne ..

Ah.

Her son just died a couple of

minutes ago. Sure, send her in.

One of the "pilgrims"? Uhuh.

Please sit down. There are several

papers to be filled out, Mrs Dunne.

Please don't mind. They

won't need much time.

First, I want to tell you about your son.

He had no pain when he died.

Father .. why is my boy dead?

Why? Explain to me why.

Mrs Dunne, please ..

They said there was a miracle here.

They said all I had to do was to come

here and my baby would be alright.

Please Mrs ..

I came, and look at me.

I converted my insurance policy. I sold

everything I had. I'd have sold my flesh.

What did I have other

than the life of my baby?

Can you explain to me why he is dead?

Mrs Dunne .. Why?

Miss Hamilton. No.

No, I don't want .. I want ..

Now, now Mrs Dunne.

Where is he? I haven't seen him yet.

May I go with you? Thank you.

I want to see my boy.

I wish I could have

done more for the boy.

He would have died anyhow,

but not so soon.

He couldn't stand the excitement.

You mean he died of too much miracle?

I'll be going. I am sorry

I have taken your time.

Not at all .. not at all.

Good morning, Miss Hamilton.

Good morning, Doctor.

The State Medical Association called up.

They want to arrange

an appointment with you.

Tell them tomorrow. No, make

it the day after tomorrow.

Some of the doctors have

come from out of town.

What do they want?

Well, I'm not sure they know.

No two of them seem to agree on

anything. But they'd like to talk to you.

Fine. Always glad to talk to doctors

who can't agree on miracles.

Make it this afternoon.

[ Phone rings ]

Doctor Morrell speaking .. who?

Mrs Gilmartin? Of course, put her on.

And how are you?

When did you get back?

Yes.

What's that?

I wouldn't have called you

at the hospital, Peter.

But Terry is running a high temperature.

Yes .. 103 to 104 ..

Alright Nora, don't worry.

I'll be right over.

Yup ..

Can I come in?

Oh hello, Peter. Hi, Nora.

I don't know what to think.

She seemed fine yesterday.

We were packing for this trip and all of

a sudden, she began to run a temperature.

It's been rising ever since.

Oh, she was so excited about the trip.

Do you think that is what it is, Peter?

The excitement?

Never a moment of peace.

You go right on in, Peter. I'll be with

you in a few moments. Alright.

Hello? Oh, hello Alice.

I've been so worried.

Terry is sick and I don't know what ..

Hello, angel.

Your mother tells me

you are not feeling well.

Taking your own temperature, huh?

Uhuh. Thank you.

Do you mind?

Say, all these yours?

Uhuh.

Not bad .. dancing girls and everything.

You've come a long way. A lot

better than the last time I was here.

"107" .. you know you're

a lucky young woman.

With a temperature like that you

should have been dead hours ago.

Oh, Peter ..

I feel awful.

Just awful. I know.

But you'd feel better if you'd really

put this over on me, wouldn't you.

Tell me, what did you use?

A hot-water bottle.

Peter, you beast.

You knew all the time.

Of course.

When I was a boy we used to use the

radiator to get a really high temperature.

Only trouble was, we sometimes

burned our tongues.

Oh Peter, look.

I love mother and I wouldn't

hurt her for anything.

If you're a good sport you won't

tell how I tried to fool her, will you?

Why shouldn't I?

Because ..

I don't want to go to Europe.

I want to stay right here.

Now don't be silly. You're

not making sense, Terry.

I don't want to make sense.

I want the impossible to happen

just once in my life, Peter.

You mustn't say that, Terry.

You mustn't even think of it.

I know.

Be a good girl, Terry.

Be a brave girl, Terry.

Keep on drawing pictures of

all the things you can never do ..

Well, Peter?

It's alright Nora, just a sudden flare-up.

I think the fever will go down

about as suddenly as it went up.

Thanks, Peter .. I've been so worried.

Tell me, how soon are

you leaving for Europe?

The day after tomorrow.

Well, I think you can still

make that trip if you like.

In fact, I would strongly recommend it.

What Terry needs is a good

change of climate .. at once.

But her fever?

Don't worry about her fever. Here ..

Just see that she gets a few of

these, and take a few yourself.

Just relax. Thanks, Peter.

Well .. have a nice trip.

Thank you, Peter.

Thank you for everything.

Thank you.

Of course, we can't anticipate

the decision of the church.

But is there a reason the pilgrims can't

be allowed to say prayers in our Chapel?

If, of course, they don't disturb the

regular schedules of our novices.

Father Rector, photographers want to take

some pictures of Father Sierra's room.

No, that's quite impossible.

Father, there are times when pictures

are more moving than rosaries.

No .. and tell them that is final.

We've been quite liberal with the

press and they must be content.

Content? Press?

It seems to me that when a tide is

moving there is only one thing to do.

We should move with it.

Father, there are sixteen new

applications for the novitiate.

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