Washington Square Page #6

Oh, heaven's sakes, don't bounce.

Arthur!

May I help there, please?

Go. Take a walk in the park.

Both of you look as if you haven't

seen the light of day for some time!

No, we haven't. She's so fretful.

Perhaps I should stay.

Do be careful, please. Be careful

to support her head! Mama!

I raised eight children. I think

I can be trusted for an hour.

One more minute and

I will withdraw my offer...

Away with you, now!

To care for Elizabeth.

Marian, your hat.

We're going.

Bye, now.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Marian.

The young. No one knows

more than they do.

Especially not their parents.

How is dear Catherine?

As stubborn as a mule

and twice as stupid.

Tried everything, but she

remains stuck like glue.

She gained nothing from

our european trip,

except a year older.

I can barely sit in my own parlor anymore.

His essence permeates it.

I can find no refuge from

Morris Townsend in my own home,

and I have Lavinia

to thank for that.

She is not a woman

to be left alone.

She has to have entertainment.

He was available.

All the better. With Lavinia in the boat,

you may be assured it'll sink.

Healthy baby.

Lavinia has a capital way of

destroying all she sets out to help.

I believe she fantasizes...

that the attention of that abounding

male energy in the front room is for her.

Well, let's assume for a moment

that your theory is correct...

and he is mercenary.

What does it matter? You've worked

all your life to amass this fortune...

knowing that Catherine would

be the only one to leave it to.

Shouldn't she have some

happiness with it,

even if it does mean

she has to buy it?

There is no evidence to suggest that

he will not make a fine husband.

Did not raise my daughter

to have so little dignity.

What fantasy is being shattered

by her marrying this man?

By your own account she is dimwitted,

unattractive, with no social skill or grace.

What dream did you have

for this prize?

Where did Morris Townsend

fall down?

May I have some cake?

Yes, you can.

- Well, Austin?

- Well...

I thought she'd end her days at Washington

Square in the best of comfort.

Oh, I suppose that in some years to come,

some man might happen along, and...

a widower, perhaps, who wouldn't

mind how she was too much,

who would be intent to live out

the remainder of his life with her.

The afternoon sun lights the

west section of the parlor;

Catherine, head bent over,

embroiders...

while the widower smokes his cob

pipe and reads the newspaper.

Well, don't you see? That'd be so perfect

for Catherine. She requires so little.

All this time I thought it was because you

didn't think he wasn't deserving of her.

What have you done?

She will never let go.

Please, don't stop.

When I came into the hall just now...

I was reminiscing about all the

times I came home to my daughter,

almost knocking me down the steps

in her eagerness to greet me.

Do you remember?

I remember how

distasteful you found...

such clumsy displays of affection.

When I heard you...

I... thought of your dear mother.

Are you to marry him?

Yes, father.

I would like...

a definite notice of

when you set a date.

When a poor man is about

to lose his only child,

he would like an

inkling beforehand.

Thank you.

Well, when is it to be?

It occurs to me if I live with you,

I ought to obey you.

If that's your theory,

it's certainly mine.

But if I don't obey you,

I ought not to live with you...

to enjoy your...

kindness and protection.

What a distasteful idea.

It must be Mr. Townsend's.

No.

It is mine.

Why do you speak to me thus?

I've done nothing but try to protect

you from... from? From what, father?

Love?

Affection?

Caring?

Respect?

It seems you've

already departed.

Ah, it's such a beautiful day.

I was a little worried when you sent for

me to meet you hear and not the house.

But now I see the reason. What

manner of man do you think I am...

to come where I am not welcome?

Y - your father does not want me in

his house and I don't wish to be there.

Of course.

How... how inconsiderate of me.

Oh, let us not speak of my father today.

I am exceedingly happy.

I'm glad you are happy.

Are you... not well?

You seem restless

and you look pale.

I'm afraid you are overworked.

You oughtn't to work so hard. well,

I don't wish to owe you everything.

I suppose you think all the

effort is on your side. No.

No, I know how difficult the

situation has been for you.

But it has had the advantage

of making us one.

We will bear things together.

There are some things we

cannot bear together...

separation, for instance.

Why do you speak of separation?

Will you promise not

to make a scene?

A scene?

Do I make scenes?

I must go away on business.

Your business is with

me now, Morris. Yes!

That is what the world says.

Where are you going?

To New Orleans to buy cotton.

I'll go with you.

Do you really think that I would

take you to a nest of yellow fever?

That I would expose you... if there

is yellow fever, why should you go?

Well, to make $6,000! Or would

you deny me that satisfaction?

If you can go to

New Orleans, I can go!

Why shouldn't you catch yellow fever

quite as easily as I? I'm strong.

When...

when we were in Europe,

we were in many unhealthy places

and I never caught anything.

Well, what will be the use of

$6,000 if you die of a fever?

When a person is going to be married,

you shouldn't think about cotton.

You should think about me. You could

go to New Orleans some other time.

They-they-they'll always

be plenty of cotton.

You said you wouldn't make a scene.

I call this a scene.

I have never asked

anything of you before.

Oh, because I have nothing to give!

Thank you! I need no reminder.

You think too much of money, Morris.

You dare say that to me?

I... I think of money because I must

find ways to keep you in the comfort...

to which you are accustomed.

I can't forget that I am the reason

that you are disinherited!

Morris...

are you going to leave me?

Yes. yes, j... for a little while.

For how long?

D... until you're reasonable again.

I shall never be reasonable again

in that way. Try to be calmer...

The next time I come.

Is it tomorrow?

I don't know!

Morris! Morris!

Come tomorrow.

I'll be better tomorrow.

I'll show you how good I can be.

I will come when I can.

I don't have the luxury of sloth.

I work for my living.

Come along.

Don't dawdle.

Oh!

My dear, what catastrophe

has befallen us?

Well, take Mr. Shakespeare's

advice:
"Give sorrow words;

the grief that does not speak whispers

the o'er-fraught heart and bids it break."

I know not of what

sorrow you speak.

Come, come, my dear.

Your eyes are not reddened with joy.

Your pride is my pride.

Your suscep... susceptibilities

are my... I see your side.

But I also see the

situation as a whole.

Your father must bear

the brunt of your anger.

Morris did everything he could.

Oh, he was patient. He allowed

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