The Old Maid Page #9

and play life over again.

But you see? I've carried through

and I know I've done right.

I think you've paid for your mistake,

if it was a mistake.

Ever since the day Tina went to you

instinctively as to a mother...

...you've watched Charlotte turn

into a bitter, frustrated woman.

And you've had to live with her...

...and no woman like that

was ever easy to live with.

Thank you for realizing that.

And now that Tina's leaving us...

...from tomorrow evening on,

till death comes for one of us...

...we'll be sitting here alone together...

...beside the same lamp

and an empty house...

...with heaven knows

what thoughts to keep us company.

Oh, this isn't like me.

No, it isn't.

Perhaps it's because memories have a way

of inviting themselves to the family feasts.

Whether they're invited or not.

Good night, my dear.

Good night, Dr. Lanskell.

- Delia.

- Yes?

You're going up now to speak to Tina?

Well, unless you want to talk to me

about something else.

Before she goes to sleep I ought to.

Yes, you think you ought to.

What's the matter, Charlotte?

You agree a word ought to be said

to the child before her marriage?

And tomorrow, with the excitement,

there'll be no opportunity.

So I told her I'd go up.

I understand. So please understand me

when I ask you not to.

No, I don't understand you, Charlotte.

You feel that on the night

before her wedding...

...a girl have her mother's counsel?

Yes. That's why I must be

the one to talk to Tina tonight.

Because just tonight I am her mother.

You're not going to tell her so? Not now?

Would it be such a tragedy for her

to find out that I am her mother?

Oh, I won't let you.

- Would you hate me so much if I did?

- Hate?

What a word between us.

It's the word that has been between us

since the beginning, the very beginning.

The day when you found out

that Clem Spender...

...hadn't broken his heart.

He wasn't good enough for you.

Since then, you found your revenge and

your triumph in keeping me at your mercy...

...in taking his child from me.

You've always believed I've hated you

because you've hated me.

For everything I tried to do for you.

Do for me? Everything you've done,

you've done for him.

You're horrible. I haven't

thought of Clem Spender for years.

Oh, yes, you have. You have. In thinking

of Tina, you have thought of him.

Of him and nobody else.

A woman never stops thinking

of the man she loves.

She thinks of him for years in all sorts

of unconscious ways.

In thinking of all sorts of things, a sunset,

an old song, a cameo on a chain.

I know because I've thought of him too.

Suppose that's true?

That's why you took us in,

to give his child a home.

She is mine. Clem didn't love you.

He loved me. I loved him.

She should have been ours.

I am her mother.

We'll see which one of us is her mother.

You are wicked, Charlotte.

You are wicked.

No.

I'm not wicked.

I never could have done to you

what you've done to me.

You made me an old maid.

You divided my child from me.

You adopted her.

You even took away my legal right to her.

You taught her to call you mother.

Well, tonight...

...just tonight, she belongs to me.

That's not too much to ask.

Tonight I want her to call me mother.

Come in, Mommy.

Oh, it's you, Aunt Charlotte.

I thought it was Mommy.

I came in to say...

You did remember

to brush your hair tonight.

Such pretty hair.

Why, Aunt Charlotte, that's the nicest thing

you've ever said to me.

I don't say nice things very nicely, Tina.

You must have had...

I mean, your hair is very pretty too.

- There is something else.

- Something else nice?

Oh, please don't bother.

I can do this, Aunt Charlotte.

Oh, your hands are cold.

They're trembling.

You've been working too hard.

Won't you be glad when I'm married,

off your hands at last?

What's the matter, Aunt Charlotte?

I just came in to say good night

and to wish you happiness.

God bless you, my child.

Thank you.

Tina...

...if I've been severe with you at times...

...I haven't meant it.

I love you very much.

After all the mean things

I've said to you?

You didn't mean them, my child.

- I really didn't mean them.

- I know.

Good night, Aunt Charlotte.

Will you please ask Mommy to hurry up?

Good night, Tina.

- You told her.

- Shh.

No.

No, I didn't tell her.

She's waiting for you, Delia.

If she never really belonged to me...

...perhaps it's because her father

never really belonged to me either.

They're both yours.

He loved you and she loves you too.

You're the mother she wants.

Go in to her, Delia.

It's not your fault or mine.

Don't feel sorry for me.

After all, she was mine...

...when she was little.

Oh, Charlotte.

Mommy?

Would you like to do something

that would make me very happy?

Anything, you darling.

It's about your Aunt Charlotte.

What?

Well, first I want to tell you this:

She didn't marry a man

who loved her very much...

...and who would have given her

everything she wanted.

- Why?

- Because she wouldn't give you up.

That's why she's an old maid.

Why didn't anyone tell me this before?

Well, darling, sometimes people

don't think.

Sometimes they're selfish.

But you remember and try to make her glad

tomorrow of the choice she made...

...without letting her know I told you so.

I've always been so horrid.

- And there's one more thing.

- Yes, Mommy?

When you go away tomorrow...

...at the very last moment...

...you understand, after you've said

goodbye to me and to everybody else...

Mm-hm.

...just as Lanning puts you into

the carriage...

...lean down and give your last kiss

to Aunt Charlotte, will you?

- Yes.

- Don't forget, the very last.

I won't forget.

It's late, Miss Charlotte.

Yes, I know, Dora.

There's a big day coming tomorrow.

A beautiful day. A perfect day.

It ought to make you very happy

and proud.

- Have a nice trip.

- Thank you. Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Bye-bye.

Goodbye.

Bye-bye.

Bye.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Oh, where's Aunt Charlotte?

Oh, Charlotte.

- Miss Charlotte.

- Charlotte.

Yes, Tina?

Goodbye, Aunt Charlotte. Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Bye.

Bye-bye.

Bye.

Bye-bye.

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