The Old Maid Page #5

Yes.

I can't understand it, really.

What, Joe?

You look so well, Charlotte.

- Your health has improved?

- My health?

Yes, you're feeling better?

You've never looked better.

Feeling better than when, Joe?

Well, better than when I...

I...

Better than when you...

Mr. And Mrs. Alfred Brooks are here, sir.

Look here, Charlotte, I'm sorry.

I'm dreadfully sorry.

Delia asked me not to talk to you about it

when you were ill.

Too ill.

Will you forgive an indelicate idiot?

Delia said that...

- Delia told...

- I'm terribly sorry, Charlotte.

I should have known

it would be painful to you. I see it is.

I didn't come to see you, because I could

understand your wish to be let alone.

Now the first time I do meet you,

I've blundered.

I've hurt you.

I'm so sorry.

Please excuse me.

Charlotte.

Charlotte, dear. It's been so long.

Thank you so much for coming now.

It's sweet of you to...

Charlotte.

I've just found out from Joe about Tina.

- What?

- About Tina.

When you found out about Clem,

you hated me, didn't you?

I could have gone to Joe myself

and told him.

He loved me.

He might have let me keep Tina.

But you lied to make sure

I wouldn't have a chance, didn't you?

He wanted to see me but I refused

because I was so ashamed.

It was wicked of you.

Delia, you must be brave.

He's gone? Jim?

Suddenly. He just went to sleep.

There are more things out in the sleigh.

Well, here we are.

- You know Miss Force?

- Yes.

Good evening.

Just take those out there, Kirby.

- Is Dora here?

- Yes, Dora and the child are here.

Oh, I can't wait.

Are they hanging up their stockings?

Yes, Mrs. Ralston.

Come along, Charlotte.

- Is Tina behaving?

- As well as can be expected.

Of course she is.

If she's any worse than my two brats.

- Charlotte.

- Yes?

Charlotte, why don't you live here,

you and Tina?

Live here?

Yes, let's be practical.

Let's stand in the spirit

of Christmas and be cousins.

Charlotte and Delia.

We're both alone now

except for our children.

Jim's gone and Granny's gone.

You're living in that empty place

and I'm living here in...

Well, look at it.

Why, really, we should all be together.

No, Delia.

It's just for Christmas and Santa Claus.

Oh, I see it has its advantages.

You're very kind

but I do want to take care of Tina myself.

We're very happy together.

Tina and you live together happily now,

naturally, she's a child.

But a day is coming

when you'll have to tell her.

She'll have to be told something.

It'll be in your hands.

You lie to her or tell her the truth.

Either way will be horrible for you

and possibly worse for Tina later.

I know all that, Delia.

Why should you, because you're

guilty of a child's existence...

...allow your remorse to color her life?

It's your duty to put her into a normal life

with toys and games and companions.

You'll do your best.

Here she'd have everything.

Yeah, I know all that.

But I want to take care of Tina myself.

Whatever you do

will be of your own free will...

...but it isn't fair to bring up

that child alone and you know it.

Let's not decide now. It's Christmas.

Get that look off your face. Come on.

My, it's warm and quiet in here, isn't it?

Yes, I suppose it is.

Do you suppose it's too late for Tina

to look at little Miss Dee's dolls?

I'm afraid all the dolls and toys

have been put away for the night.

Look, Tina, the nice lady

is going to warm your bed.

Well, we're not so very strict with Tina.

Children who are not handled

are apt to become precocious.

Precocious?

Is that something to do with her insides?

Can they catch it?

- Are you joking?

- No, ma'am.

Personally, I think it's a great mistake

mixing classes, even with children.

Oh, now, go on.

We was children ourselves once

and it's only over Christmas.

You'll take to Tina. Everyone does.

- She's a little tartar...

Hello.

Well, here's Tina.

- Are you happy?

Yes.

Isn't she sweet?

How's my darling?

Well.

- Hello, darling.

- Hello.

- Has she been a good girl?

- Of course, miss.

- Did you bring her stocking?

- I brought one for her.

Oh, good, Dora.

Come on, darling. Come on.

We're gonna hang up your stocking

and then...

Miss Force, did you hang

a Christmas stocking for Tina?

I was just going to.

Santa will come down and fill it for you.

Santa Claus in the morning.

Now, prayers and then bed.

Come along, Jimmy, down.

Do you say prayers too, Tina?

- Of course she does. Three different ones.

- Oh, come along, then.

Come on. Down.

Close your eyes.

Mm-hm.

Now I lay me down to sleep

I pray the Lord my soul to keep

My soul to keep

It...

It I shall die betore I wake

I pray the Lord my soul to take

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

That's right.

What are you doing?

- Tina, darling. Say amen.

- Amen.

That's a good girl. I'll tuck her in.

That's it. Remove your robe.

That's my boy.

Here we are.

Let's take your shoes off.

That's it.

There.

- Oh, gentle.

See how good they are, Tina.

Good night, Mommy.

Good night, angel.

- Say good night to Aunt Charlotte.

- Good night.

Good night, Jimmy.

Come on. Here we go, off to bed.

- Good night, Mommy.

- Good night, precious.

- Say good night to Aunt Charlotte.

- Good night, Aunt Charlotte.

Good night, Dee.

Come on, Tina. Here we go.

Right to bed and wake up

in the morning. Whoops.

Here. We'll put our feet way down

and we'll grow to be a big, tall girl.

That's right.

That's right. Yes.

You mustn't have a pillow.

That's bad for girls.

There we are. Now go to sleep quickly.

Santa will come in the morning.

That's right.

Tina, how would you like to cuddle this?

- Good night, dear.

- Good night, Mommy.

Good night, Aunt Charlotte.

Aunt Charlotte.

What else can she ever call me...

...but Aunt Charlotte?

"... shine upon you

and be gracious unto you.

The Lord lift up his countenance upon you

and give you peace...

...both now and in the life everlasting.

Amen. "

Dora, why are you standing

there mooning?

Well, I thought

you was downstairs, miss.

There's a great deal to be done.

Somebody must see that it gets done.

They mustn't miss their train.

Dora, bring Miss Dee's clothes

in by the fire.

- Yes, miss.

- Hurry.

I see no reason for tears.

Well, I can't help it, Miss Charlotte.

I'm that unstrung.

You know me and weddings.

I can't help remembering that 20 years ago,

20 years come this June, in this very room...

...Miss Delia had her near tragedy

and I was here.

- I remember without being reminded.

- I can't help it, Miss Charlotte.

I can't help remembering

that five years later...

...right in this room, too, you...

Dora.

And now it's Miss Delia's own daughter,

little Miss Dee.

I hope to heaven this wedding

goes through all right.

The orchestra is playing the recessional.

I hardly think anything can happen.

Well, just the same,

I'll feel easier in my mind when it's all over.

I must go to Miss Dee's room and see that

her luggage is properly taken care of.

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