The Old Maid Page #3

...one licorice candy.

It's the best thing in the world

for a sore throat.

Is that all?

- There you are.

- There you are, Tina.

Let's see if we can find

some real troubles.

- Run along. Play with your dolls, Tina.

- Come on.

Tina's as sound as a pumpkin,

so don't fret.

I'm so relieved.

Well, look who's here.

Oh, it's Delia.

Oh, hello, Delia.

- Hello, Charlotte, dear.

Children, children, children, you mustn't.

Let them play.

- Horses will kick them.

- You watch them, will you?

- Yes, ma'am.

Come in.

My, what you've done with this place.

- How are you, Dr. Lanskell?

- Very well, thank you.

Vincent, Vincent.

Isn't this a rather remarkable occasion?

- That I've come to see my cousin?

- Here?

- I think it's your first visit.

- Jim hasn't wanted me to come.

You know how afraid he is

that our children will catch something.

- It doesn't mean I haven't been interested.

- Yes, Delia.

While you two girls have it out,

I think I'll go and look at those rascals...

...and see if I can discover some germs

doctors are beginning to talk about.

If I find any, Delia,

I'll let you take them home to Jim.

Charlotte, I've come to talk to you.

I rather supposed you hadn't.

All right, let's go in there.

I can't believe it.

Charlotte, what you've done

with this place.

- Do you like it?

- Yes.

Sit down, Delia.

Charlotte.

Tuesday's getting nearer and I'm worried.

Joe spoke to you again, didn't he?

- About the children?

- Yes.

- About giving them up after you're married?

- Yes.

You know, Charlotte, you've changed.

Ever since you went out West that time

for your health.

Ever since you've come back.

Haven't you noticed it yourself?

Changed?

I don't understand you.

Take, for instance,

this passion for mothering stray waifs.

- There's disease...

- The children need isolation.

They had no other place to go.

I had the stables. I had nothing to do.

But you will have when you're married.

How do you mean I've changed?

Well, you've...

You've become morose and distant.

You seem to be living

inside yourself somehow.

Charlotte, Joe and Jim

were discussing you last night at dinner...

...and I couldn't help feeling that...

Well, although Joe loves you deeply

and I think he always has, he's hurt.

And he's a little annoyed

at your disregard for his wishes.

After all, Charlotte,

he will be your husband.

I've heard all this before.

I'm not giving up the nursery.

Joe's coming to see you this afternoon.

I just slipped over to ask you.

Charlotte, to beg you if necessary.

Will you let me handle this

in my own way, Delia?

But you don't know the Ralstons as I do.

They don't say much but...

I believe Joe is different.

That's why I'm marrying him.

Well, I can't...

I won't argue or quarrel with you.

But I would be so much happier...

We all would be if...

If what?

Your marriage means so much

to Jim and me.

You know it does, don't you?

Yes.

Come on.

Have a cup of tea, Mrs. Serious.

You have two very sweet children

of your own to mother.

Why not let me mother myself?

You know, Delia, you'd like

to run the world, wouldn't you?

Well, I'd like to run you

until after Tuesday.

And if I'm Mrs. Serious,

you're Mrs. Stubborn.

- Why...?

- Oh, look.

Well, where did you spring from?

Who are you?

She's just one of the children.

She's usually very shy.

Do you like my chain?

So does my little girl.

I have a little girl at home.

She's about your size.

And I have a little boy too.

- What's your name?

- It's Tina.

- What's your other name?

- Clementina.

Clementina.

- But what's your other name, dear?

- She doesn't understand.

But don't you know your parents' name?

- No, she hasn't any.

- Oh.

Come along, darling.

Go play with the other children.

You mustn't come bursting in like that.

- There's a good girl.

- Now, just a moment.

Is this the girl I'm looking for?

Did you steal my hat?

- Did you steal my hat?

- Here it is.

Oh, well, then, darling, you're not guilty.

All right, run along.

- Really a foundling?

- Yes.

Oh, Charlotte, you must put a strip

of carpet on those stairs.

Stebbins has a bump on his head.

Johnny has a bruised elbow.

- Oh, but they slide down the banisters.

- Well, put nails in the banisters.

- I've tried that and they cut themselves.

- Well, then take the banister away.

- Oh, but they'd fall off.

- Well, put up a sign.

But they can't read.

Then shoot the whole bunch of them

and be done with it and goodbye.

- Goodbye.

Goodbye. I'm going.

Why don't you come and have potluck?

I'm just waiting for you to ask me.

- Think over what I've said, dear.

- I have, Delia.

Goodbye.

- Goodbye, doctor.

Goodbye, dear.

Well, well, here you are, Granny.

- Shut up, you old quack.

- Your prayers have been answered.

You're getting rid of your last little girl.

- Yes, this is my last wedding.

- Don't be too sure. I'm still single.

Yeah.

You've always been too easy.

The man must be the master.

I was just telling Joe, here,

when I was a little wife...

...my husband's slightest wish

was my command.

So be firm, Joe.

Ha-ha-ha. Yes, Grandma.

Now, why don't you let me slip down

and tell Joe that his little bride will obey?

She'll heed the word of her lord, master

and save herself for him...

...and his home and his children?

Delia, I'm so tired of this argument.

Will it go on and on after, do you think?

To quote my own dear lord and master:

"The Ralston fortunes

were founded on tenacity to a fixed idea.

They do not change their minds

or allow others to change it for them. "

Darling, give up that stable full of noisy,

charming little brats and all will be peace.

The gesture alone

will mean so much to Joe.

- Oh, you look lovely.

- Do I?

What's the matter?

Charlotte, what's the matter?

I will not give up my own baby.

- What?

- My own baby.

Which of them do you call your baby?

I call my own baby...

...my baby.

Charlotte.

Oh, my poor dear Charlotte.

Don't pity me. I couldn't stand that.

I don't want pity.

I wanna know what to do.

I want you to help me.

But I will. My poor Charlotte, I will.

Every minute, all the time.

Pounding at me. "Give them up. "

You, Joe, Jim, Granny. Everybody.

"Give them up. You're so stubborn.

You'll lose Joe. Give them up. "

And I won't. I can't. Could you?

Could you?

No. Not if I had a child of my own

hidden among them.

No, I don't think I could do...

I had to hide her. What else could I do?

- A girl?

- A little girl, yes.

- The foundling?

- The foundling. Tina. Yes.

Oh, Delia.

Delia, please go and talk to them.

Tell them that you see my point.

Tell them that you agree.

How could I? What reason could I give?

Then I must tell Joe the truth.

And lose him?

But, Delia, he's human. He loves me.

A Ralston in love is something more

than just human.

He'd never forgive you. You know it.

If it comes to that,

what decent man do we know who would?

Well, Delia, what can I do?

The time is getting so near.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes