The Little Princess Page #5

No Miss, I don't want it.

The mail just came.

The mail just came.

My darling girl. I have been half|mad trying to find a way out of you|since your letter reached me.

But it has come! My grandfather|has relented.

I pray him, that this money and my|love will help you bear what lies|ahead. Geoffrey.

- You say this girl's a teacher at your school?|- She was, until I discharged her today.

We're not likely to hear from her again.

And I was prepared to turn over a|handsome sum to that boy when he|got back.

I even made an ass of myself and|sent him a check.

Then I was right to withhold this.|He made it over to her.

- You're not very fond of the girl, are you?|- Hardly, under the circumstances.

- Are you sure the girl has no|legitimate claims on him?|- I brought her up from a fondling.

Is it likely, she would not have|consulted me if their love had been respectable.

Ram Dass!

Yes sir? In future if any letters or|cables come from Mr. Geoffrey,|they're to be returned, unopened.

As you wish sahib.

Come in Becky.

I'm glad you weren't asleep Miss.|It's one of the lonely nights.

I wonder where Miss Rose is?|I shall miss her terribly.

- We're all alone in the world now, aren't we Miss?|- No, no, we're not alone. There is|my father you know.

-Your father? But cook said he......|- You mustn't say that. It isn't true.|He's not dead.

He sick or wounded somewhere, or|he'd send for me. But he's not dead.

- How do you know Miss?|- Something inside tells me so.

And sometimes I hear him calling for me.

All alone Miss.

- Buford! You're smoking!|- As you see.

- Today my good woman, the British|army is behind me.|- That uniform? You're not going to war.

Quite! To the very cannon's mouth,|if need be. But why? Because old|girl. I've had it to the teeth with your bulling.

And your treatment of Rose and little|Sara is the last straw. I prefer the|less painful horrors of the battlefield.

- Are you daring to critize me?|- Astonishing, isn't it?

But it proves that I am competent to|lead my men, into the very jaws of death.

- After this, you may never expect|help from me again.|- I am quite calm.

For if the blood-thirsty boar spares|me, the foot-knights will see|Bubbling Bertie once again.

-Buford, you wouldn't do that to|me? Oh wouldn't I?|- Well, ta-ta old girl.

If you please sir? What is it lassie?|Were you at the seige of Mafeking?

- Aye, that's where I stopped the|bullet that stopped me.|- Then did you know my father?

- Your father? What might his name be lassie?|- Captain I Crew.

-Was your father a Captain?|- Yes. They say he is dead, but I|know it can't be.

- I've asked so many soldiers about|him. I hope you can tell me.|- No lassie, I'm sorry, I can't.

-Why don't you ask in the hospital there?|- Maybe they'll have some record of|him. Thank-you sir, I will!

- If you please sir.|- Well the little Princess as I live.

Why Mr. Bertie, I thought you'd|gone to war

No, Lord Roberts wanted me to of|course. But he said: "Bertie old|boy, the wounded need you."

So you stay here and cheer up the|brave lads who have fallen in our|dust corps."

So I'm practically in command of|this hospital.

- Oh Mr. Bertie. Can my father be in there?|- Your father Princess?

Yes, you see I know he isn't dead.|I've been looking and looking.

He could be among the wounded,|couldn't he? Yes..... I'm almost|sure he is, somewhere.

If you're in charge, could I please|look for him in there? Well ah.....|Pleeeeeease.

Yes, yes of course you may. Things|like that can happen you know.

- Mr. Bertie, why did you join the command here?|- Well disipline in the hospital is rather lax.

I say Major. They're waiting for you|in ward B. There is a lot of trash up there.

- Very good. I'll get one of my men|to attend to it.|- Get one of your what??

Well then 2 of my men, carry on!

Portor! Sir?

- What's this child doing here before visiting hours?|- Well you see... Well, well, well. If you please sir.|The Major is helping me find my father.

- The Major?|- For her sir. You see, we're old friends sir.

I knew her father, Captin Crew was|reported killed at Mafeking.

The child is sure there is some|mistake, so I'm helping her search|among the wounded.

- Could you tell me anything about|my father sir?|- Sorry my dear, I can't.

- Carry on, Major!|- Yes, sir. Thank-you sir.

This little girl's father has been|killed, but she insists he's alive so|I'm letting her look around.

We'll try another ward.

- There's old Bertie.|- Give us a song mate.

Attention men! Attention! Official|inspection.

He isn't here either. But someone|might know about him.

- If you please sir. Were you at the seige|of Mafeking? - I was that darling.|It's there I got bit by a bug.

It was no bigger than the seed of a|thistle and it laid me low. Ah, the|bugs down there are worse than the bullets.

- Perhaps you didn't know my father?|- Afraid I wouldn't have known me|own father, with the fever that was on me.

- Thank-you sir.|- It's all right darling.

- If you please sir. Were you with the|troops at Mafeking? -Yes, yes of course|I was. That's where I ran away.

- Then did you know my father,|Captain Crew?|- Yes, yes of course.

- That's a fine looking officer, isn't he?|He ought to do well. - Well when did|you see my father last? Where is he now?

Where is who? My father. Oh, one|soldier more or less, doesn't make|any difference you know.

I'm making thousands and|thousands for England. Fine strong|fellows, who won't be afraid like I was.

I was afraid of the noise. That's|why I ran away you know?

- He says he knows my father, but he won't tell.|- He's been living in a dream Sara,|he doesn't know what he's saying.

Don't go yet lad. Give us a song!

- How about it dear? Shall we sing|them a song to cheer them up?|- Our old speciality. Not today Mr. Bertie.

- Oh come on darling. Let's try and forget our|own troubles and do something for these lads,|shall we? - All right, I'll try.

- What about "The Old Kent Road"?|Yeah, that's the one. Mackie will play for you.|- I'd be delighted Mac.

- Mr. Bertie, will it be all right if I come again|tomorrow? - I shouldn't run away too often|Princess. You might get punished you know.

- I'll keep a sharp look-out for|whenever the wounded come in.|-You don't really believe he come, do you?

Yes, yes, of course I do. I told you|missing men often turn up.

Then I'd better come. You might|not know him, if he's very much changed.

- All right dear. You come.|- Good-bye Mr. Bertie. Good-bye dear.

Are you hungry.

Poor little things. There won't be|any worms for you this morning.

Good-morning little misses sahib.|Good morning Ras Dass. Feeding|your little friends?

-Yes, but I couldn't feed them very|much from my supper last night.|- It is difficult for them when the snow comes.

Rani, Rani!

You look as though you are being|naughty and enjoying it.

- Her she is, on the bookshelf.|- Bookshelf?

Oh I forgot. I pretend it's a bookshelf|and fill them with beautiful books.

Rate this script:4.0 / 1 vote