The Great Man's Lady Page #2

in the duties

of a proper wife.

"But your father and I

are thoroughly agreed

that..."

That's not right

and proper.

What's not?

Making fun of the man

you're betrothed to marry.

Oh, rats!

He's really betrothed

to my father.

Hannah Sempler...

Well, they made

the agreement, not I.

Parents know better.

How do I look?

I think he likes me.

Who?

Ethan Hoyt, of course.

Hannah Sempler!

Well, he smiled,

didn't he?

He always smiles.

Every time I see him,

he smiles.

That's because

he's a ne'er-do-well.

A what?

It means he lives

with the Indians...

Mama says...

...and smells dreadful

like a buffalo.

Prove it.

He makes his clothes

from dead animals.

Oh, that isn't buffalo.

It's all the same.

Well, then I think buffalos

must smell lovely,

like the fresh air

and the sun.

Where are you going?

Downstairs.

But you can't.

Why not?

He's down there.

That's why I'm going.

Where are you going, honey?

Downstairs.

Don't you go

in the library.

Why not?

There's a big private

confabulation in there.

But, Delilah,

I need a book.

You gonna need two books

when your father

catch you eavesdropping.

And they ain't going to be

in your hands neither.

Don't you go.

Gentlemen, I wish

I had the power to make

you see it with my own eyes.

Two great rivers

coming together

like an arrow.

Like a sign

from the Almighty,

gentlemen.

Pointing out

the natural site

of a great new city.

And the public buildings,

gentlemen,

all grouped around

a great square

filled with fountains

and trees.

And behind

the city, a hill.

And on the hill, homes.

Homes, gentlemen.

Filled with light and air.

And the country

itself...

Oh, if I only

had the power.

A virgin land,

like a poem.

Like a young maiden,

just awaking

from a long sleep.

As beautiful and as lovely

as an unexpected smile.

I'm sorry, Father.

I thought you might

like some brandy.

Miss Sempler.

Mr. Cadwallader.

My daughter, Hannah,

Mr. Hoyt.

Miss Hannah.

Mr. Cadwallader is betrothed

to my daughter.

I see.

Leave the room,

Hannah.

Yes, Father.

To your health.

I'm sure

you'll be very happy.

Leave the room at once, miss.

We've had enough

of your childish pranks.

Yes, Father.

You were saying, Mr. Hoyt?

Oh.

Yes, I was saying...

Well, the truth

of the matter is,

Mr. Sempler,

I need your help.

Money and supplies.

You have a branch

in St. Louis

and I came to you

because... Well...

Because no other business firm

would carry your risk.

Because you knew my father,

Mr. Sempler.

Yes, and I had great respect

for his judgment.

Great respect.

That's why I have

listened to you.

I've named the city for him.

Hoyt City.

He was a man

of great vision.

Exactly.

Enough vision to say no

to a venture like this.

Exactly.

Well, then you mean...

I mean no.

But there's talk

of a railroad.

Don't you wild men realize

what you're doing?

Talk of expanding

the country.

All you're expanding

is the national debt.

Larger army, more taxes.

The country's large enough

as it is.

Well, you listen to me

Mr. Sempler.

You too, Mr. Cadwallader.

This country's

going to be bigger.

A whale of a lot bigger, too.

There are

2,000 miles of America

out beyond the Mississippi.

Land and riches

beyond belief.

And it's not going to belong

to men like you.

Men who won't take a risk.

It's going to belong to men

that aren't afraid.

Men with luck in one hand

and risk in the other.

Oh, you're so right.

You're so absolutely right.

Excuse me, please.

You think

he's really going to...

I do, indeed.

Then you really

believe in...

She's a very headstrong

young girl, Mr. Hoyt.

And I suppose

after your marriage

you really intend to...

Oh, yes, indeed.

It helps maintain

the home.

Of course,

out where I come from...

You have women

out West?

Oh, yes. Some.

Yes, but mostly

Indian squaws,

I presume.

Mostly.

Only the Indians

have them.

I've heard otherwise.

Well, don't let me

influence you.

Exactly. I thought so.

I suppose that you...

Rope them.

You what?

Rope them, Mr. Cadwallader,

and brand them with hot irons

and hang them

on forked sticks

over a hot fire.

Who?

Cows, Mr. Cadwallader.

Oh, I thought

we were talking

about women.

Women?

Why, if we had women

like you have back here,

we'd treat them like queens.

Mr. Hoyt, I'd ask you

to remain

for supper, only...

I understand.

Now, just

one thing more.

About the matter of risk.

I don't want you to go away

with the wrong impression.

A good safe risk

is another story.

We take risks

every day.

Why, right this very year

it's a fair risk

that we'll make

only 10% profit

instead of 12.

Exactly.

That's all right,

gentlemen.

I think you both

lost something.

My odds are all or nothing.

Good night.

I done

warned you,

honey lamb.

What?

About the books.

Appears like to me

you need

the whole library.

Oh, that.

It didn't hurt.

Then what you

standing up for, child?

Delilah.

Yes, honey?

Were you

ever engaged?

I ain't telling.

I mean, engaged,

it's not like

being married, is it?

Sakes, no, child.

Engaged is maybe.

And married is done done.

Then if a girl got married

she'd have to

let him kiss her?

Who kiss who?

What all this nonsense?

Mr. Cadwallader.

That little Cadwallader

been trying to fun around?

Oh, of course not, Delilah.

Then what for

you worrying?

You don't fool

Delilah none, honey.

Oh, Delilah,

I'm in love.

Foolishment.

Were you ever in love?

I ain't telling.

You're the

"ain't telling-est"

person.

Ain't telling

is ain't fooling.

You're just a child.

No, Delilah, not now.

I'm in love. I...

Fum-de-diddle.

Get in bed.

Good night,

sugar lamb.

Please go away.

In the morning.

For goodness sake.

I mean,

I'm going for good.

Oh!

But you'll wake everyone.

Father...

I warn you.

I'll wake the dead.

Are you mad?

Stark, staring mad.

I believe you are.

Then come down here.

Oh, I can't.

Then I'll come up there.

Oh, no, no.

Oh!

It's...

It's night.

Mmm-hmm.

It's

quiet.

Awfully quiet.

Uh-huh.

But it's...

It's public.

Awfully public.

Uh-huh.

Well...

Well, sir?

Well, then.

They say a full moon

makes people

do strange things.

Yeah, I guess so.

Like it's not me here,

not really.

I think we'd

better go back.

Do you

feel strange, too?

Uh-huh.

You're afraid

of something.

Uh-huh.

Of what?

I don't know.

Indians?

No, there aren't any.

I know, but pretend.

Pretend what?

That there are Indians.

There really are. Listen.

How do you

stalk them?

Do what?

Stalk, you know,

like hunting.

Well, different ways.

Show me one.

Go on.

Well...

Go on.

That's fine.

Get down.

They're coming.

For goodness sake.

You shouldn't

be here.

Well, of all things.

I mean...

Go on.

You know what I mean.

I can't imagine.

I love you.

Indeed.

Believe me.

Maybe.

Oh, but you have to.

I'm going away.

You love me?

Maybe.

Oh, please,

you know you do.

Oh, Ethan, yes.

You don't smell

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