The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane Page #2

Leased.

You're 13.

Why aren't you in school?

Thirteen means I have no rights,

is that it?

Thirteen means you should be in school.

- Look at me when I speak to you.

- I study at home.

It so happens I'm a member

of the school board.

When we meet on Monday,

they'll be very interested in your case.

Now, where's your father?

- I told you, he's in New York.

- Exactly where in New York?

He's having lunch with his publisher.

I want the publisher's telephone number.

- I don't have it.

- The publisher's name?

This one's London.

Your father will telephone me the

moment he comes back, understood?

This is my house.

What are you doing here?

It's Saturday afternoon.

Why aren't you at the game?

I've gotta do this report

on government...

and I need to know when

the school board holds its meetings.

Well, would it help you to visit one?

No. Actually, all I really need

to know is when it meets.

Twice monthly.

Someone told me

it's meeting this Monday.

No, the board meets again

a week from Thursday.

These are the bylaws.

- If you need any further help...

- No. This is super. Thank you.

But you shouldn't be working now.

You should be at the ball game.

The Wildcats need

all the help they can get.

Whose class are you doing the paper for?

Excuse me. Maybe I can

get there by halftime.

You're a liar, Mrs. Hallet.

You're a liar.

Rynn, where you going?

Back home.

If you can wait a second,

I'll give you a lift.

No, really. I'm fine.

I was hoping maybe you and...

Some other time, then.

Could you give your mother

a message for me?

Tell her I have those jelly glasses...

and any time she wants to come by,

they'll be there.

I can come by later myself, if you like.

I think it'd be better if she came.

My father wants to talk to her.

Yeah, I'll tell her.

- Everything all right, miss?

- Fine, officer.

I mean, he wasn't bothering you, was he?

Mr. Hallet?

Your folks let you wander

around town by yourself?

I live with my father. He lets me

come into town when I want.

- What's your name?

- Rynn Jacobs.

Do you have a name, officer?

Oh, sure, yeah. Sorry.

The name's Miglioriti.

- Miglioriti.

- Yeah. You got it.

But call me Ron.

Miglioriti. That's a nice name.

It's Italian.

It's hard for most Americans.

And have the Miglioritis been living

in this town a long time?

Hey, you sound like you've been

talking to Mrs. Hallet.

To her, if you weren't on

the first ship that put in here...

you'll always be an immigrant.

I guess we're the newest,

me and my father.

You've been here, what,

a couple of months?

Yeah, about that.

Like it?

- Is school okay?

- Yeah, it's okay.

- Yeah, being new isn't easy.

- There's the lane.

Around here, folks can be

a little cold at first...

but when you've been here longer,

they'll seem even colder.

Thanks for the ride.

Maybe I could have

a talk with your father.

- Why?

- Nothing to worry your head about.

Well, I can't disturb him

when he's working.

Yeah, well, let's see if he is.

Sorry, he's working.

He's translating some Russian poetry.

When that door's locked,

I can't bother him.

I suspect the only reason Mrs. Hallet

lets us into her village...

is because my father's a poet.

Mrs. Hallet loves poets.

That's one of his books over there.

- He wrote that, huh?

- Yeah.

Want him to sign a copy for you?

Yeah, sure. I never met a real poet.

I mean, look, don't laugh at me...

but I can't believe people like poetry.

I'm not talking about that

birthday-card stuff, but real poetry.

I mean, when it doesn't even rhyme.

No, I'm not laughing at you.

My father says that most people

who say they like poetry...

only pretend to like it. You're honest.

He's your favourite poet, huh?

No. He's my father.

Emily Dickinson's my favourite.

Emily Dickinson, yeah.

You know, it can be pretty nice here

in the village once you get used to it.

And just don't let Mrs. Hallet

hassle you.

Her son says I'm a pretty girl.

That what he said?

What is he, a pervert?

I guess that means little girls

shouldn't accept candy from him.

- Not if they're smart little girls.

- Don't worry, I won't.

I'm glad you came by, though.

Yeah, me too, I'm glad, but...

Do you like turkey?

Well, to tell you the truth, no.

You know, birds are reptiles

from way back.

Biologically.

Yeah, well, then I guess you don't

wanna buy a raffle ticket, huh?

You mean if we buy a raffle ticket,

we might win a turkey?

For Thanksgiving.

Yeah, a big 20-pounder.

- A big turkey, huh?

- Yeah.

Yeah, all right, we'll take two tickets.

Two dollars.

Look, I really hate to do this,

you know? I mean...

It's all right.

Hold on. Here.

There's one for you,

and one for your father.

And we'll see which one's

the lucky one, okay?

All right.

- Thank your father too.

- Sure.

- See you around.

- Bye-bye.

Hello?

- I may come in.

- I invited you, Mrs. Hallet.

We had a meeting

of the school board this morning.

I spoke to them about you.

I must say, when they heard about

your case, they were very interested.

I was just about to put a kettle on.

Would you like some tea?

Very interested in your case.

You don't wanna hear what they said?

As for tea, Darjeeling or Earl Grey?

I came here prepared

to forget about yesterday...

but I must say, I don't care for

your tone any better today.

Well, then it's up to me to apologise.

What I find particularly surprising...

is that most boys and girls

who are educated in England...

are so well-behaved.

What did you decide for the tea?

Not a glass of that thick, sweet wine...

you people use

in your religious rituals?

Or aren't you old enough to drink wine?

You told my son 14, you told me 13.

Now, which is it to be?

- Thirteen.

- And brilliant.

As so many of your people are.

Mrs. Hallet, will you please accept my

apology for what happened yesterday?

I'm afraid it isn't that simple.

You told my son your father

wished to speak to me?

I certainly wish to speak to him.

Call him.

Well, he's translating right now.

I couldn't disturb him

even for Officer Miglioriti.

Officer Miglioriti works

for people like me.

In case you're wondering...

I'm waiting right here

until you do call your father.

You never answered about the tea.

I can't imagine what made any of us

think you could be happy here.

My father and I love this house.

No, I think we'll make other plans.

Our lease is for three years.

Leases have known to be broken.

Unless, of course, your father and I

could come to some understanding.

And what would that be, Mrs. Hallet?

There it is again,

that continual mocking tone.

And don't look at me with

those hurt eyes...

and pretend you've been misunderstood.

You and I both know

you say exactly what you intend.

Here are your glasses, Mrs. Hallet.

I'm being dismissed?

Call your father. Right this minute.

Not when he's working.

You and I know perfectly well

he isn't there.

Go in that study, Mrs. Hallet,

and I tell my father about your son.

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