The House Of The Seven Gables

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1

I'm coming.

Alright, I'm hurrying.

Oh, what a night .. what a night.

Isn't it wonderful.

You wouldn't think so if you'd

traveled 80 miles through it.

Yes I would.

Welcome home cousin Jaffrey.

Thank you. Where's my father?

He's been in the village

since early afternoon.

I kept supper warm for him.

Oh Hepzibah ..

In the three years you've been here,

haven't you learned to call it "dinner"?

No .. will you have some?

No thank you.

I'll have some tea, now Hepzibah ..

Yes Jaffrey?

What's all this confounded mystery?

What mystery?

My dear cousin, your innocence

is far too elaborate.

Why was I suddenly called home?

Summoned, like a schoolboy?

I'm sure your father will be

here very soon Jaffrey.

Yes, I'm sure he will but

answer my question: why?

I was in the midst of my

first important case.

Young lawyers don't find clients growing

on trees in Boston nowadays.

Even if they have made excellent

reputations for themselves.

[ Singing ]

So Clifford is still banging

and bellowing, eh?

You'll be proud of your brother now.

I'll forgo the pride, if only

I'm spared the noise.

Bring the tea up here Hepzibah.

Yes, cousin Jaffrey.

Well, if it isn't the pride of the

Pyncheons. Welcome home.

Good evening.

Same old chap.

Been way two years and all

you can manage is "good evening".

Well, it is evening I believe.

You know Jaffrey, you're no longer

the only success in the family.

I've sold a composition. Quite a

remarkable piece of music.

Shall I play it for you?

I'd rather know why father sent for me.

Oh he'll tell you all about that.

Just think Jaff ..

Pond & Company, the greatest music

house in the world, publishing me.

Splendid .. splendid.

My legal colleagues will

be most impressed.

My brother, a musician .. a gypsy ..

Shocking, isn't it?

Boston might think so.

Boston, that provincial outpost.

They won't see me for years .. no.

It's New York for me old fellah.

And then Europe .. come in.

Your father has returned.

Now perhaps, I might be honored

with some information.

You weren't very kind to him,

were you Clifford.

There is so little kindness in my small

heart .. I must keep it all for you.

You know, I don't think it's a good idea

to leave those two gentlemen alone ..

Any longer than is necessary.

Do be respectful.

I am.

To all that's beautiful .. to you ..

Come in .. ah ..

Good evening father.

Good evening my son.

You will forgive I hope this

abrupt summons .. sit down.

Abominable weather for travel.

It would have been less trying sir, if I

had known the necessity for my return.

Perhaps. I felt a letter

might not explain.

Jaffrey, I must make a decision.

I need your advice.

What for?

The decision has already been made.

Will somebody please tell

me what all this is about?

Gladly .. we're selling

this house tomorrow.

Selling Seven Gables?

Yes.

But that's impossible .. it's fantastic!

It can't be done without my consent.

Why not?

For the past two years you and father

have been investing the family fortune.

Without my consent.

You've succeeded in bankrupting us.

That money was mine, as well as yours.

But nobody bothered to get my consent.

Jaffrey, this has been

a most trying year.

Practically everything has gone,

except the house.

I've manoeuvred desperately to keep

that from falling to the creditors.

We shall lose it anyway

if it isn't sold.

The Pyncheon tradition will not be sold.

As a student of law, Jaffrey ..

You know the bankruptcy court does not

accept family tradition as legal tender.

We can find a way out of

this momentary difficulty.

Man alive! Have you no respect

for the name you bear?

Your belated reverence is very touching.

Respect .. Pride .. For whom?

Perhaps for the honor of our

great, great grandfather?

The respectable

Colonel Jaffrey Pyncheon.

200 years ago he boasted of successfully

murdering one Matthew Maule.

In order to steal this land from him.

Hail to thee, guiding spirit!

Perhaps we should bow our heads in

memory to Ethan Pyncheon, noble soul.

He held high rank in Washington's army.

And proved his patriotism by selling

military information to the British.

I burst with pride recalling Jonathan's

contribution to Pyncheon tradition.

He made quite a fortune for himself ..

After soldiers were discharged

from the revolutionary army.

By cheating them in shady land deals.

And here, our late,

lamented grandfather.

Who schemed with John Henry

before the war of 1812.

For the succession of Massachusetts

from the United States.

To join her with Canada.

Because this country disapproved

of his illegal investments.

By all means, let us sacrifice

ourselves to such traditions.

Stop! You forget yourself.

It's you who forget .. too conveniently.

You go too far, sir.

I'm going farther than that.

I'm going as far as the sale-price

of this mausoleum will carry me.

Away from its rotting walls

and decaying memories.

This house will never be sacrificed.

I'll take the matter to court.

The world will know of this.

The world already knows too much.

Clifford's antagonism, his insistence on

selling the house has become a scandal.

Jaffrey, do not add to it.

When our solicitor comes tomorrow,

the house will be sold.

What a pity men inherit their ancestors

ignorance instead of their wisdom.

Jaffrey .. your tea.

Will you have some, cousin Gerald?

Goodnight!

Goodnight my son.

Now, Hepzibah.

My child.

I hesitate to mention it, but could

you not persuade Clifford ..

To see how grievously

he wrongs his family.

He seems so sure of

himself, cousin Gerald.

True, but he's also sure of

your love and devotion.

Perhaps less certainty on that score

may bring about less certainty on this?

Hepzibah .. you can help us.

If I but follow the dictates

of my conscience.

Yes .. yes .. thank you Hepzibah.

[ Singing:
]

"I can't remember how I met you."

"But stars were shining on your head."

"And though you smiled

at me so sweetly."

"I can't remember when or where."

"The scene, my love,

I can't recall to view."

"For through it all,

I just remember you."

"And when I dream

beneath star-lit skies."

"I recall the color of your eyes."

Hepzibah.

I .. I hope I didn't upset you ..

what happened downstairs.

Well, you see I had to tell the truth.

Why allow such hatred to remain

beneath the surface festering?

A clean wound heals much more quickly.

You were right Clifford.

But ..

Well?

Your father asked me to speak to you.

What?

He shan't use petticoats as weapons.

Clifford.

I'd rather you conserve your impetuous

energies for emotions more deserving.

Oh forgive me dearest.

May I speak now?

Yes.

I listened to him most attentively,

and I only asked one favor.

That he leave it to the dictates

of my conscience.

And did that satisfy him?

Yes.

I've searched my conscience.

And ..?

I've found ..

I could never love you blindly Clifford.

So that your every act and thought

would seem just and courageous.

It's because of your courage and

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