The Little Princess

Why are they sending so many|soldiers daddy, if it is only going to|be a little war.

Make those southern boys take us|seriously this time, my darlilng.

When they realize how much we|want to put a stop to their|nonsense, they'll quiet down.

They'd better. Anyhow, when you|get there, you'll stop them won't you daddy?

I'll do my best dear.

We will miss you so.

I'll be back and we'll be together|again before you can say knife.

I can say knife a good many times|in a year.

At school, you'll have charming little|girls to play with.....

....books to read, a pony to ride and|after all there will be Emily you know.

Yes, there will be Emily. And she does look|as though she'd be an understanding friend,|don't you think daddy?

With that intelletual look, I'm sure of it.

- Not a very cheeful looking school, is it daddy?|- I'm afraid nothing would seem|very cheerful to us at the moment.

Well, maybe it will be better on the inside.

- Of course it will. I'm sorry sir.|- All right, get it out.

- The very idea of delivering a thing|like this to the front door.|- Oh look daddy, my pony.

Your employer will answer to this.|Now take him away. Yes, far away!

- Oh no daddy.|- Oh, I say. Just a moment.

- You are Miss Minchin?|- I am.

I'm Captain Crew.

- I'm afraid of caused you no end to inconvenience.|- You most certainly have, Captain Crew.

- May I step inside and explain?|- Come in.

- Wait here, I'm returning.|- Very well Captain.

-I'm terribly sorry. I had no intention|of having the pony delivered inside your house.|- There are a number of things besides the pony.

Parcels have been arriving here|collect for your daughter for hours.|Follow me please.

Apparently you are not aware,|Captain Crew, that I conduct one of|the most exclusive schools in London.

Yes, yes, I understood. That is|precisely the reason why I brought|my daughter to you.

- I would not have gathered that, by|your actions.|- Really now, I'm not entirely to blame.

You see Sara and I, only just|arrived from India. Sara has lived|there practically all her life.

We no more than got here, when I learned|that my regiment was to leave at once for|South Africa, so we had to act in a hurry.

But I wrote you and explained that l|do not take young ladies without an|interview and impecable references.

I wrote you also, that at the|moment, I have no vacant room.

- Well in that case daddy, we may|as well move on.|- This is a bit awkward.

You see, your letter never reached me and|I'm afraid it never occured to me that any|school wouldn't welcome my little Sara.

If it is a question of my social|standing, my father was Sir George|Crew. You've heard of him, perhaps?

And the best financial references l|can give you would be the director|of the South African Holding Syndicate.

I'm the principal stockholder in the|syndicate.

My brother, Captain Crew, a|professor of dramatics.

- How do you do?|- Charmed, I'm sure.

- I say, isn't the Eclipse Diamond|mines one of your holdings?|- One of the most important.

I'm sorry to appear casual Miss Minchin,|but the siutation is quite distressing. I sail|in an hour to the east Indian docks.

- I expect you'll just have to take me to Africa|with you daddy. - Well, well and what would|a little girl like you do in Africa?

Forgive me Captain Crew. I'm afraid I've|been over zealous. The reputation of my|school you know. One has to be so cautious.

But after this interview, I can see at|a glance, she's a dear little child.

- It'll be a pleasure to have her with us.|- Does that mean I've got to stay?

Yes dear. You are to have that|privilege. You and your little pony.

- What a dear little pony.|- This is made out to the school.|- Is it enough for the moment.

- Oh quite.|- I should say it would. Why it's stupendous.

- I beg your pardon, but haven't I|seen you somewhere before?|- Quite possible my dear Captain.

Your face is most familiar. Were|you ever on the stage? I seem to|associate you with one of the old music halls.

- Musicals? My brother on the stage? Ridiculous.|- Ridiculous indeed, you're quite right.

And now, shall we look at little|Sara's room?

Just a moment Miss Rose. This is|Miss Rose, one of my most capable teachers.

Captain Crew has done us the|honor of placing his little daughter|Sara with us.

How do you do Miss Rose? How do you do|Captain Crew? We shall do everything|we can to make your little girl happy.

Children, we have a new pupil.|Sara Crew. Say how do you do to her.

-How do you do?|- I'm very well, thank you.

Lavina, Jesse, that will do. You|may proceed Miss Rose.

- She's just like a little princess, isn't she?|- That's what she is, a princess.

I expect now, some people around|here won't think they're so smart.

Oh won't they? Wait and see!|Princess indeed!

Fortunately, the room has just been papered|and the fireplace has an excellent draft.

- But I thought you didn't have any rooms?|- I didn't know then what a dear little|girl was coming.

Why does that make more rooms daddy?

Lady Bengiglis daughter has only|recently vacated the room. Our|best suite of course.

Do you think you could brighten it|up a bit? I'd like it made as gay as possible.

brought a few things from India.|Perhaps you could buy whatever|else is necessary.

With pleasure Captain Crew.

- I'd like Sara to ride every|afternoon, if that is all right. Of course.|- Fortunately we have a splendid riding master.

I expect you think I am completely|spoiling the child. No doubt you're|right, but actually it's good for her.

She's much too inclined to bury her|cute little nose in a book and keep it|there until someone lures her out of it.

You see Miss Minchin. Sara has no|mother and we've never been|separated for more than a few days.

- How touching.|- This is going to be very hard for her.

Have no fear Captain Crew. I'm a|mother to all my little girls.

And now, I'll leave you to your farewells.

- How much longer have we got, daddy?|- Only a few minutes, darling.

-You know me by heart little Sara.|- No daddy, I know you by heart.

You're inside my heart.

We're going to be brave, aren't we?

I'll tell you what. Let's pretend we're|back in India.

And I'm going away with the troop|for a few days. Shall we?

We've fought this kind of battle|before, haven't we? And you never|cried once when I went away.

- Remember?|- Yes daddy.

But this is going to be our hardest|battle.

- But we'll be good soldiers, won't we?|- Yes daddy.

- Shall we say good-bye, like we|used to at home?|- Yes daddy.

All right then. Chin up, go to the|window and look out.

Say it as we used to.

My daddy has to go away, but he'll|return most any day.

Any moment, I may see, my daddy|coming back to me.

My daddy has to go away, but he'll|return most any day.

I can't do it this time. I can't do it.

- You're crying too.|- I'm afraid that we aren't quite the|good soldiers as we thought.

Oh yes we are.

I can do it now.

My daddy has to go away, but he'll|return most any day.

Any moment I may see, my daddy|coming back to me.

Rate this script:4.0 / 1 vote