The Ghost and Mrs. Muir Page #8

From Mr. Sproule.

It's about the book

I've written.

""Our check for 1 OO

advance royalties

as you requested.''

You mean to tell me they paid you

good money for that?

Martha, have you

been reading my book?

I'm supposed

to dust in here...

and what falls under me eye

falls under me eye.

I'm surprised at you.

It's like eavesdropping.

I'm surprised at you.

Such language! Lummy.

Well, if you're writing

about a sea captain...

you have to use the sort

of language he would use.

He'd have a hard time

living up to your idea of him.

Mr. Sproule wants me to come

into town to sign some papers...

but I...I can't possibly

leave here now just when--

Just when what?

I'm expecting Mr. Fairley.

We're having a picnic.

You mean he is.

I heard you, Martha.

Please remember

that I'm going to marry him.

Yes, ma'am.

By the way,

I've been thinking

we might put that portrait

of Captain Gregg up in the attic.

Don't you like it anymore?

It was a silly idea

to hang it in here.

I--I don't know

what possessed me.

Atmosphere, I suppose.

Yes, ma'am.

I'll hang it in my room,

if you don't mind.

Of course not.

Perhaps you can

get Uncle Neddy

to paint one

of himself instead.

Martha!

""Dear Mr. Sproule...

""I find that I am unable to leave

Whitecliff this week

and hope that you...''

A boy brought

a note for you.

A billet-doux,

I dare say.

Oh, how terrible.

Mr. Fairley has been called up

to London for a few days.

What's so terrible about that?

There!

Is that all,

Mr. Sproule?

Except to deposit the checks

to your account when they come in.

I congratulate you, my dear...

and I congratulate

the captain, too.

Oh, the captain.

And I intend to hold you

to your promise to introduce us.

Oh, yes,

I did promise, didn't I?

You know...

someday when I've known you

a little longer, Mr. Sproule...

I'll tell you the truth

about the captain.

Goodbye

and thank you again.

Goodbye, Mrs. Muir.

Would you please give me

Mr. Fairley's address?

Miles Fairley?

Yes, please.

Uh, here it is, Mrs. Muir.

Number 1 4,

Albemarle Street.

Thank you so much.

Yes, ma'am?

I'd like to see

Mr. Fairley, please.

Yes, ma'am.

What name, please?

It's Mrs. Muir.

Yes, ma'am.

Will you wait in there, please?

Mrs. Muir? The maid said

you wanted to see my husband.

Perhaps I can help you.

Husband?

Or if you don't mind waiting.

He should be back soon.

He's taking the children

to the park.

I've had them abroad

for the past few months.

We just returned.

Miles is making up

for lost time.

Please sit down.

If you're a friend of his, you know

how fond he is of the children.

You are a friend of his,

aren't you?

I--I'm a writer.

We, uh... Mr. Fairley and I

have the same publisher.

How exciting.

I don't often meet

one of Miles' literary friends.

You'll wait for him,

won't you?

I expect him back any minute,

and we'll have tea.

No, I...

I'll go.

I'm afraid

I've made a mistake.

Mistake, Mrs. Muir?

Yes. I--I'm sorry.

I think I understand,

my dear...

and I'm sorry, too.

Truly I am.

You see, it isn't the first time

something like this has happened.

Mrs. Muir.

Come on in, ma'am.

I brought you

some nice hot milk.

Oh, there, there.

He ain't worth it.

Blast his hide.

He ain't worth it.

Where you been?

Just walking.

You've been doing a lot of walking

these last few months.

You mustn't go

tiring yourself out, now.

I'm not a bit tired.

Off to your room

and a nice bit

of shut-eye before tea.

Martha, do you know

what day this is?

Wash day.

Yes, but it was exactly a year ago

that we came here.

We went up

these stairs together...

and then I hurt my finger

on the window.

Remember?

Yes, ma'am.

Then I had a dream.

I remember you

telling me about it.

It was a very

strange dream...

the first of many dreams.

Now, then, off with your dress.

No. I'll rest in the big chair.

Whatever you say, ma'am.

Go on down, Rummy.

Thank you, Martha.

I'll call you in an hour.

Mummy!

Hello, Anna!

Anna! Darling!

This is a surprise.

How did you get off

from the university?

They don't know I'm away.

But--

Come on, Bill.

Don't be shy.

This is Bill, Mummy.

How do you do?

How do you do?

His real name is Sir Evelyn

Anthony Peregrine Scathe...

so of course

he's called Billy...

and we're thinking

of getting engaged.

Anna!

Well, I haven't even

asked her yet...

but if she keeps on

committing us...

I suppose I'll have to.

We've come for

your blessing, Mummy...

and we haven't had tea.

Anna, you--you quite take

my breath away.

Darling, you just make

yourself at home in there...

and we'll help Martha

with the tea.

Well, if I'm not wanted.

Oh, we'll sing out

when we want you.

Come on, Mummy.

There will be

two more for tea, Martha.

Martha!

Miss Anna.

And you'll find a strange young man

in the living room.

Who?

Well, what do you think?

Gracious. You haven't

given me time to think.

I gather his name

is Sir Evelyn Scathe...

and you want to marry him.

Sir Evelyn?

I met him at a dance

in London.

He's a sublieutenant

in the navy.

You know my weakness

for sailormen.

Well, it's the first

I've heard of it.

Oh, it's a lifelong vice.

But what do you

want me to say?

Don't matter what you say.

She'll have her own way,

same as her mother.

Don't you go making eyes

at him, now.

Only a lieutenant?

Captains is more in my line.

Oh, I've never been

so happy in all my life.

Then I'm happy, too...

and I shan't waste time

with questions.

I knew you wouldn't,

and wait till you hear.

I've discussed it with Bill.

You're to come and live with us,

you and Martha.

Oh, no, darling.

Oh, but you must.

You've been alone

so much of your life.

You're very kind,

but... it's hard to explain.

You can be much more alone

with other people

than you are by yourself...

even it's people you love.

That sounds all mixed-up,

doesn't it?

No, not a bit, but if you ever

change your mind...

Get a plate, darling.

And some extra cups.

No. I--I won't

change my mind.

I love this house,

and I've been very happy here...

and I shall live here till I die.

With Captain Gregg?

What did you say?

With the ghost

of Captain Gregg?

Anna, what are you

talking about?

Oh, I knew the captain

very well.

When I was a little girl...

the first year we lived here...

we used to have

the most wonderful talks.

You didn't.

It was all a game

I made up, of course...

sort of a dream game...

but it was a very real

while it lasted...

and he stopped

coming suddenly.

I suppose I was growing too old

and sophisticated for him...

but I grieved and grieved.

I was hopelessly

in love with him.

Heavens. You look

as if you've seen a...

Don't tell me

you saw him, too.

No.

No, not for years.

Then you did.

Oh, Mummy, you don't suppose

he really haunted us.

No, darling.

Things like that can't happen.

It was only a dream.

The same dream for both of us?

Perhaps I set you off

by telling you about my dreams.

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