The White Cliffs of Dover Page #8

And it'd be just like

her confounded nerve to-

It wouldn't have anything to

do with young Percy, would it?

Why, John.

Percy?

The eldest son is always

called Percy, dear.

Not my eldest.

Our eldest.

But I don't like the name Percy.

I don't care very much for it myself,

But the eldest son is

always called Percy.

Why?

It's a family tradition.

But I want him called John, after you.

That's very sweet of you,

darling, but the eldest is...

always called Percy.

The eldest is always called Percy.

Of course, I don't want to ask

to call him Hiram after my father-

How is your father? What

do you hear from him?

You wouldn't be changing

the subject, would you?

Oh, father's all

right, cocksure as ever.

Want some bread?

The paper doing all right? Quite.

What does he say about things over here?

Father says Germany better

stop pushing our ships around,

Or she's going to get into

trouble with the Toliver sun.

Getting his dander up, eh?

Oh, John, I want America to come in.

I want it terribly. I

pray for it every night.

I want this war to end, and

they can help so much to end it.

I want you home again.

Darling.

Father says I want to plunge

the whole united states into war

Just to save one Englishman.

Sounds a bit drastic, doesn't it?

Champagne for you, my girl.

Right.

Here's to peacetime.

How lucky we are-

Bright sun in the day

and such a perfect night.

But how fast the days go.

I want to hang on to the hours a bit.

Only 4 days and one gone already.

Where's that music coming from?

I don't know... but it's

just right, isn't it?

Perfect.

We heard the sea murmur,

We saw the full moon wane,

Knowing that our happiness

might never come again.

I, not forgetting till death do us part,

Was outrageously happy

with death in my heart.

What are you thinking of?

Of us.

Monsieur left his pipe.

Oh, what a pity.

We were rather rushed at the last.

And the train was

perhaps late, after all?

No. The train was very punctual.

When it came in, I waited

for him nearly an hour,

But this morning, the train

went out right on time.

And Madames boat leave tonight?

Yes, this evening.

It's a long wait.

Madame is sad.

But these were good

days. Monsieur was so gay.

He laughed so much.

They were wonderful days. I

shall remember them all my life.

And he will come again.

Can I do anything for madame?

No, thank you, dear.

Madame has not noticed that monsieur

left a note on the mantelpiece.

Oh, John. John!

What is it? What is it?

What's happened?

Yes.

I don't understand a word.

America has declared war!

It's official, madame!

America has declared war!

Oh!

Rockets' red glare

Gave proof through the night

That our flag was still there

Oh, say, does that

star-Spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free

And the home of the brave?

Lady Ashwood, sir.

There you are! And none too soon.

What a time we've had. The

train was late. How are you?

You're looking well.

Where's my young friend?

You haven't come alone?

Certainly not. Here he is.

Ah, nanny.

John Ashwood, esquire.

Oh! So that's John's boy, eh?

And mine. And mine, colonel.

He's a fine lad. He looks like John.

You know, Mrs. Bland,

if it hadn't been for me-

I have a bit of a share

in this young fellow.

You cut things pretty fine.

You have no idea of the

crowds in the street.

The cab simply crawled. We had

to fight our way across the curb.

They nearly tore the child from my arms.

They're coming! The yanks are coming!

Mrs. Banks, they're coming!

The yanks are coming!

Listen.

They are coming.

Oh, I could faint with excitement!

No point in that. Look here.

But Ive waited so long for this

- To see them myself.

Listen to the music. It's

so American, that song-

So gay and aggressive and boastful!

There they come! Nanny? Nanny.

Give him to me.

Be careful, my lady.

Look, young man, look.

Those are your mother's people.

See how well they march.

Your mother's people and yours,

too, because you're half a Yankee,

You little Englishman, and Im

never going to let you forget it.

Wave your hand, Johnny. Wave your hand.

This is your first glimpse of history.

Look, darling, they're right underneath.

Look how beautiful they are.

They'll help bring us peace, darling.

They'll bring daddy home again

- Home to see his son.

Here, I want you to send

these to your father.

The chessmen.

I thought it might give him some pleasure

to return them to the white house.

It's a small return for

what they've sent to us,

But it'll please the

pig-Headed old mule, anyway.

You darling.

Hello? Hello?

Ashwood? He's at the manor house?

Who's speaking?

I can't hear you. There's

an infernal racket here.

Oh, nanny! Nanny, have

you heard the news?

Oh, you have.

Pity. I thought Id be

the first to tell you.

Armistice, yes. It's

wonderful, isn't it?

Peace again.

You should hear the

bells. The town's gone mad.

You can't blame them.

She must be delighted,

eh? Let me speak to her.

Lady Ashwood.

What? I can't hear you. Speak up!

Huh? John?

Dead?

Killed in action. Oh, no, no, no, no.

Poor souls.

I do not remember

The words that they said.

Killed, doual, November.

I knew John was dead.

All done and over, that day long ago,

The white cliffs of

dover. Little did I know.

Sue, I brought you a little broth.

You must take something.

Please, dear.

You can't go on like this.

You make me very anxious.

I've left you alone all day.

Won't you make an effort?

Susan, you're showing no courage.

One has to go on.

You're not alone, you know.

You're one of thousands.

It's my loss, too.

You have your son,

And when he grows older,

You'll know just how much that means.

I knew John as a little boy.

I watched him grow up.

He was part of my life

From the hour he was born

Of my hopes and dreams.

I died a little with each of them.

Sue, sue, darling, you must face it.

Think of him.

You're shutting him out.

Oh, darling, can't you

cry a little for John

Because he's dead so young?

He'll never come home,

Although peace has come.

He'll never see his little boy.

,

Well, here's the young gentleman

To say good night to his mammy,

And a very sleepy young gentleman it is.

He didn't sleep so well

after his 4:
00 bottle.

I think that tooth's

worrying him a wee bit,

But he's such a good baby.

Aren't you the best

baby in all the world?

Come, now. Say good night to your mammy,

And off we go to the sack.

There we are. Ho ho!

Look at the fat legs on him.

I declare, I never saw

a baby grow so fast.

Why, that little blue coat

you bought for him in august

Is too short in the sleeves already.

And strong. Feel the strength of him.

Yes, he's fine and strong-My baby.

He'll grow up tall and straight,

And he'll go into the army.

The eldest son always

goes into the army.

It's a family tradition.

Sue, dear-

A tradition to die young

in a country not your own-

Please, darling.

For honor and glory.

No, I haven't any glory now, have I?

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