These Three (1936)

[bunniefuu]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[indistinct singing]

[male #1]
'That concludes the exercises.'

[indistinct chatter]

[instrumental music]

[female #1]
'Martha! Martha.'

Excuse me, please. Martha.

Here I am, Martha.

- Martha, dear.
- Aunt Lily.

- And Karen.
- Hello.

A glorious, glorious day.

Wouldn't have missed it
for the world.

Yes. Glorious.

No matter
how many sacrifices I made

to send Martha here,
it's all been worth it today.

Sacrifices?

Aunt Lily,
I have worked awfully hard

to stay in college.

All sacrifices are not made
in terms of money, Martha.

Isn't that so, Karen?
Oh, my train. I must get a cab.

Come along.
I'm off to St. Louis.

You can join me next week
in St. Louis.

Uh, not as good a Stock Company
as I am accustomed to, but..

What are your plans
for the future, dear?

You know you can always
make yourself useful

helping me with my part.

No, Aunt Lily. No.

I've no plans
but I'll write you.

Oh, really..
Oh, taxi, just a moment.

Uh, Martha

um, my salary,
not until next week, dear.

And I had to get some very
new clothes for my part and--

Yes, alright,
I haven't earned much lately

but I'll mail it to you.

- Alright. G-goodbye, dear.
- Bye.

Goodbye, Karen.

Goodbye, goodbye.
Goodbye.

We'll be seeing you soon.
Goodbye.

[music continues]

Where are you going to send that
trunk when you get it packed?

To Lancet,
maybe if I go there

I can sell that old farmhouse
my grandmother left me.

It's about all I've got.

Suddenly, I know about

not having any family
and not having any home.

I always thought
this would be a happy day.

Strange. It isn't.
What are you going to do?

Oh, I don't know,
teach somewhere, I guess

if I can get a job.

Do you think I could teach?

Maybe we could find
some place together?

Two well-educated young women.

Also neat and clean,
wish position.

Martha, that farm of mine

I haven't seen it in years,
but it's a lovely old place.

I used to spend my summers there
when I was a little girl.

We could go there.

Why not?

Why shouldn't we?
We could work there.

- Teaching the farmhands?
- No, no.

There isn't anyone there
anymore.

Hasn't been for years.

Martha, we might start a school.
Something of our own.

'It would be fun
and we'd be good at it, too.'

Oh, but it isn't practical,
Karen.

But we've got to do something.

Oh, Martha, take a chance
with me and come.

Take a chance with me.

[train chugging]

[instrumental music]

Will you take us out
to Mulberry Road?

It's about a mile past
the old Foster place.

Well, let's see now.
That's about five miles.

Uh, that would be,
uh, five dollars.

- Oh.
- Well, say..

I could take you
a little shorter way.

It would be three dollars,
but I can't do better.

Then let's go
by the three-dollar way.

[engine whirring]

Ain't that funny?

It always acts that way
in the three-dollar trip.

[giggling]

[engine revving]

[instrumental music]

[mellow music]

[male #2]
'Well. Here we be.'

Are you sure
this is the right place?

Yep. I guess you'll be wanting
to go back later.

That will be five dollars
if you call me at night

'cause I've gotta go
by the long way.

[engine revs]

[music continues]

Welcome to our house,
Miss Dobie.

Lafayette ate dinner here.

It doesn't matter, Karen.

It matters a great deal.

[music continues]

[thuds]

There must be a train
sometime this evening.

Perhaps it wouldn't cost
too much to fix it up.

No. Not much.

About a million dollars,
might do it.

[clattering]

[dramatic music]

Is he really knocking down
the house?

And that thing on his head?

Maybe he's something
from long ago.

I say!

Uh, gentleman!

Sir!

Mister! I say, you!

You up there with the bees.

Oh, yes. How do you do?

We're alright, thank you.

We were just a little
worried about you.

Oh these?
Oh, I won't get stung.

No. That isn't quite
what we were worrying about.

You see, this is a house.

And while
it isn't the best house

I've ever seen,
it belongs to me.

And I'd rather not have
its roof knocked off.

Belongs to you?

Hey, you aren't old Mrs. Wright,
are you?

No, I am not old Mrs. Wright.

She was eighty when she d*ed.
I'm her granddaughter.

Well, I didn't think
you looked eighty, but..

You can't tell these days,
can you?

Both of you look rather young,
in fact.

- 'Do you live up there?'
- No, but the bees do.

They've been at your roof
for years now.

They've ruined it for you.

I've only assisted them
in the most minor way.

He assists bees.

Well now, I really
haven't done any harm.

I'm very fond
of this old place.

I come here whenever I have
a day off from the hospital.

Oh, the hospital. I see.

You've, uh,
you've been there a while?

Well, in a way. I'm a doctor.

[birds chirping]

Here it is.

Have a sandwich.

- No, thank you.
- No, thank you.

Alright.

Do you always wear that
when you eat?

No. Uh, would you
untie this for me?

Uh, right back here, please.

Well, that bucket
belongs to you now.

You'll like it.
It's very good honey.

I shan't need it.
We're not staying here.

- Oh, I'm sorry.
- Uh, would you, uh..

Do you find you need
that egg on the left?

- Oh, please.
- Thank you.

And they're very good
sandwiches.

Sit down. Please.

I won't bite you.

Why aren't you staying here?

This is a lovely old place.

What's the matter?
You afraid of work?

No. We're not afraid of work.

I see, two rich young women

who can wander around the world
and live any place

you happen to like, huh?

Yes, we are very rich.

We have exactly $38 between us.

And we figure that will last
us for the rest of our lives.

Hm, it's a lot of money.

Hey, you know, my place
was just as bad as this.

It didn't cost much to fix it.
Much less than you think.

Borrowed a little money
from the bank and..

It was fun doing it,
so much fun

I'd like to start
all over again.

Anything you could do,
we could undoubtedly do.

I think so.

You know

I used to do an operation
in the hospital

then run home to paint
the left side of the house.

We wouldn't starve anyway,
Karen.

We'd always have free honey.

And free help.
I'm a good carpenter.

A good house painter
and a good plumber.

Why are we talking to this man
in this way?

As though we've known him
all our lives.

That happens sometimes.

Come on, Martha.

Quick before he talks us
into this.

No, come on.
Come on. See your house.

You know,
you'd be my neighbors.

I can't let you go now
without a struggle.

[instrumental music]

[knock on door]

Anybody home?

Hello.

Oh.

Well, I remember you
when your face was clean.

- We missed you yesterday.
- What are you doing?

Look what I found.

"May 25th, 1883."

- "Brooklyn Bridge opens."
- "Two great cities united."

"A fair day for the ceremony.

"May women wore
their fur tippets.

And the pearl grey bowlers
of the gentlemen.."

It was also attended
by His Honor the Mayor

and his fat wife.

And all the beaus and belles
of Brooklyn

and Manhattan
in their fluffery..

- 'Is that you, Joe?'
- Yeah.

- 'Come on, lazy. I need help.'
- Where are you?

[instrumental music]

- You alright?
- Sure. Oh!

Sure. I'm fine.

I'm full of splinters.

I mean, is the lumber alright?

That's the important thing.

I could always take out
your splinters.

I'm sorry.
I guess we'll have to push.

Oh. How do you do,
Mrs. Tilford?

- Hello, Dr. Cardin.
- I'm sorry to hold you up.

I wonder if you'd mind
if your chauffeur

gave me a hand
with this lumber?

- No. Of course not.
- We're sorry to be in your way.

- Not at all.
- John, will you..

Come on, Karen.

Come on. I've gotta push
this lumber again.

Oh, I'm tired of seeing you
push lumber.

- Are you Karen Wright?
- Yes.

I am Amelia Tilford. I knew
your grandmother very well.

How do you do, Mrs. Tilford?

Uh, this is my granddaughter,
Mary Tilford.

- How do you do?
- How do you do?

I've been hearing all about you
and Miss Dobie in the village.

How are the plans
for the new school coming on?

Oh, well,
it's a little hard, you see

we don't know many people here.

Well then, perhaps
we can help each other.

I've just taken Mary
out of her old school.

Could you and Miss Dobie come
and have tea with me next week?

I think we might arrange
to have Mary be with you.

Oh, we'd like to very much,
Mrs. Tilford.

Fine, in the meantime

I'll talk to my friends
around here.

Grandma, you said maybe

I wouldn't have to go
to another school.

You said I could have
a teacher at home.

- You told me--
- Mary.

Thank you so much, Mrs. Tilford.
We are very grateful to you.

Well then,
I'll see you next week.

Alright, John. Goodbye.

[both]
Goodbye.

[engine revs]

It's magic, Joe.
We've got a pupil.

She can make the school
for you.

Anything she says
goes round here.

They follow her like lambs.

I knew something good
would happen to you.

Won't Martha be happy.

And it all seemed so hard
and impossible before.

Nonsense. Going back
to get my lumber.

We've got a lot of work to do.

[instrumental music]

- What did you do?
- Nothing.

Just took a splinter
out of your hair.

Hurry up.

[engine whirring]

[engine whirs]

Well. It's the place.

I'm accustomed to having
the driver open the door.

Why? Got a bad arm?

Martha!

Hello.

Hello. Hello.

Martha, I am so glad
to see you.

I had a most difficult time
getting here

but I'll tell you
all about that later.

Oh, what an odd place.
Strange.

But quaint. Very quaint.

How well you look.
Almost pretty.

And Karen.

Oh, Karen.

And Karen darling.

Prettier than ever.

I'm so glad to see you dear.
How are you?

And now,
who is this gentleman?

Your, y-your assistant?

- Oh, this, uh..
- Yes, ma'am.

This is Dr. Cardin,
a friend of ours.

[laughs]
Oh.

Oh, I am so sorry. Really.

I'm-I'm, I'm so-so pleased
to meet you.

Aunt Lily, is this a visit?

You see, we aren't
very well equipped here.

We've been having
an awfully hard time.

Oh, I know, dear.

I know all about the school too.

That's why I am here.

To-to put my shoulder
to the wheel with yours.

I knew very well that you
needed an elocution teacher.

And a general supervisor.
And that's why I came.

Aunt Lily,
this is Karen's house.

But I'm here
to help you both, dear.

And until you get started
I shall take

only the smallest fee
for my services.

- Oh, will you help?
- Oh, certainly.

Now I shall go upstairs with the
luggage and rest a few hours.

And then I'll be down and help
you arrange the furniture.

Uh, come, doctor.

- The Duchess?
- The Duchess.

Yes, the Duchess.

You alright, Martha?

[instrumental music]

Girls.

Your class timetables
will be posted

on the bulletin board
in the hall.

You'll find your books
in the library.

Your regular classes
won't begin until Wednesday.

We want you to take this evening
and tomorrow

to get to know each other.

And to feel
that this is your home.

We're happy to have you here

and hope we can make you
just as happy to be here.

- Now go and have a good time.
- Yes.

Yes, yes indeed.

And we want you to remember

that we, your teachers,
were young once ourselves.

Not so long ago, however

that we've had time
to forget your problems.

Very well. Dismissed.

[indistinct chatter]

[speaking in foreign language]

"Indicman."

- Indicium.
- Indicium.

"This plan was.."

[mumbling]

"This plan was

"made known to the Helvetians

by...by.."

Indicium.

Index.

Which is your index finger,
Rosalie?

'What do you use it for?'

- To point.
- To point out.

To indicate, to inform.

- By informers.
- 'That's right.'

[Rosalie reads]

What are you doing?

My gold bracelet.
It's gone.

I wonder who stole it.

I didn't say anybody stole it.

Hey. Look.

[giggling]

- 'Looks just like her.'
- 'Mary.'

Will you read the next lines?

"On the day appointed
for the holding of the trial

"Geterix drew to the hearing
all his..

"His retinue, numbering
ten thousand persons.

"And all of his followers
and debtors

"of whom he had a great number.

"He gathered there too.

With their help, he saved
himself from going to trial."

[bell rings]

Mary.

That was a lovely translation,
Mary.

It was just as lovely
when Professor Hobson of Harvard

published it
about ten years ago.

[girls laughing]

Tomorrow, I'd like your own,
less perfect translation.

You can leave the phony
upstairs.

Now run along, girls.
It's a fine day for your hockey.

[upbeat music]

[indistinct chatter]

[cheering]

Let me see. "Meat.

Bacon. Bread.."

[slurping]

"Olives, fruit.

Lettuce and chicken."

Oh, I forgot the chicken.

Mm-hm, and cocoa.

I've gotta get some cocoa.

And castor oil. Do you know?

I never realized how much
castor oil these children need.

And I never realized
how tired you look.

Come on, take a vacation
with me this afternoon.

What do you need?
I know just the place to go.

No, certainly not.
I've gotta get back.

Why do you have to get back?
The castor oil can wait.

No, it can't.
I've got to get back.

Well, just as you say.

Mm! Ah!

Put me down, you idiot!

Put me down, you're hurting me!

- Hey..
- Oh! Would you let me go?

Oh!

- Now, you let me go!
- Oh!

[screams]
Oh!

- Is she alright, doc?
- Yes, just a mild fit.

So young, doctor, is she..

Uh, bad blood
in the whole family.

What? You let me
go immediately..

[engine revving]

[instrumental music]

- Hi! Have some popcorn.
- Thanks!

Oh, Karen,
let's get off this thing.

Five times is enough.

Five times is enough.

Music.

I say,
let's get off this thing.

I've got something
very important to tell you.

I say, I've got something
very important to--

Can't hear.

Karen, will you get off
this thing, I've got--

Can't hear! Go away!

I've been trying
to tell you for an hour.

[laughs]

- Hey!
- Excuse me. I beg your pardon.

Listen, darling, I..

[Karen laughs]

Will you get off that thing?

[music continues]

Well, that was fun.

- We can go back later.
- Uh-huh.

Oh, I'm hungry.
I'd love a piece of cake.

- Wouldn't you?
- Nope.

You mean, youdon't want
a piece of cake?

- What's the matter with you?
- I'm bored.

You're awfully grouchy.

Do you want a bite?

I know what's the matter
with you.

You've been working too hard.
That's it.

Oh.

Something happened
at the hospital?

Yes, dear.

I mean, did a bad case
come in or something?

Well, Jones came in today,
dear and I said to him, "Jones"

I said, "Now is the time to buy
all the bonds

"you can lay your hands on.

"My wife wants you to come
to dinner

as soon as we've a new cook."

And then I went down
to the Stock Exchange.

And bought nine million shares
of Abyssinian preferred.

Then my seven secretaries
came in and I..

Oh, stuff that men-women talk,
will you.

- It makes me sick.
- What's the matter with you?

This is what's the matter
with me. I'm in love with you!

I've been trying to tell you so
for an hour.

Now I'm tired out, see.
And I can't tell you!

I can't ever tell you.
I won't be able to.

[mellow music]

There aren't words enough
to tell you with.

But I love you, see.

I love you
with all my heart.

And I love you
with all my heart.

[instrumental music]

Karen.

- Hey, Karen.
- Stop making such a row.

She went in town for supplies.
She'll be back later.

Come on up and help me
paint a table.

Alright.

How is the hospital?

Oh, just the same.

A bad laboratory, no money

and everybody growling
at everybody else.

Phew. I'm tired.

Gee, it's quiet around here.
Is it late?

No, but the girls are in bed

and Aunt Lily is all worn out

from doing nothing.

[giggles]

Karen tells me your aunt
was showing the girls

how to play King Lear
the other day.

That will come in handy
later in their lives.

Oh, that's nothing.

Wait until she does Portia

standing on a chair.

Sir Henry told her to do it
that way.

Said it was the test
of a great actress.

You must have had
a fine childhood.

Oh, I did. I did indeed.

How I used to hate it, though.

I was so ashamed then..

I went to sixteen schools
altogether.

Every time the Stock Company
would move, I'd move with it.

School wasn't the worst part.

It was after school
and never anything

but bad little hotel bedrooms
to go home to.

In the evening,
I'd do my homework

sitting on a dirty box
back stage.

Jumping up to help
Aunt Lily change

from a blousy costume
to an even blousier one.

I was so alone and so sorry

I couldn't have
what other kids had.

Well, I think that's really
the reason I decided to teach.

Being young is awfully hard
and I wanted

to make it easier
for other kids when I grew up.

I'm running out of paint.

Want a glass of milk?

[mellow music]

Asleep, Joe?

[music continues]

[clock chimes]

[instrumental music]

[clattering]

Oh!

Do you always wake up
so violently?

- I was asleep.
- Doctors never sleep.

- Sorry, I.. So clumsy.
- Oh, that's alright.

Sorry to have kept you up
so late, Martha.

I heard a very strange crash.

- Oh.
- It was me.

I was wrestling with myself.

You're a late visitor,
aren't you?

No. Oh, no.

As a matter of fact,
I've been here

for four days.

I was hiding in your trunk.

Goodnight, Martha.
Goodnight.

Don't go. Karen will be home
in a minute.

Well, I gotta get home.

I'll have at least five calls
from the hospital.

And warn Karen that when we're
married she'll have to stay home

and watch me
knock over milk glasses.

Goodnight.

I hope
I'm not hurrying you off.

Oh, not any more than usual.

Joe is so in love with Karen,
isn't he?

I do hope they will have
the wedding in the spring.

We could stage it so well
in the garden.

Of course, when they get married
it will be rather hard on you.

But Karen says she intends to
keep right on with the school.

There was never any question
of that.

And it really won't be
so lonely for you

because you'll be seeing her
all the time.

And you'll be seeing Joe too.

You might even be seeing him
more often.

Goodnight.

[Martha crying]

[mellow music]

[upbeat music]

"It is twice blessed,
it blesses him

"that gives
and him that takes.

"It is mightiest
in the mightiest.

"It becomes a throned monarch
better than his crown.

'"The scepter shows the force
of temporal power.'

- "The attribute to.."
- Ah!

[clattering]

Girls. Girls.

You are disturbing
our enjoyment of Shakespeare.

Can't you sit quietly?

And drink in the immortal words

of the immortal bard?

Continue, Evelyn.

"The attribute
to our majesty

"wherein doth sit the dread
and fear of kings.

"But mercy is above
the sceptered sway.

It is enthroned
in the hearts of kings."

- "It is an att--"
- Evelyn. Evelyn.

Can't you imagine yourself
as Portia?

Can't you read the lines
with some feeling, some pity?

Ah, pity.

As Sir Henry said to me
many as the time

'"Pity makes the actress."'

Why can't you feel pity?

Well, I guess I can feel pity.

Well, go on then
and feel it.

[Evelyn]
'"It is twice blessed,
it blesses him'

'"that gives
and him that takes.'

'"Mightiest in the mightiest.'

'"It becomes
the throned monarch'

'better than his crown."'

'"The scepter shows the force
of temporal power.'

'"The attribute to awe
and majesty'

'"wherein doth sit the dread
and fear of kings.'

'"But mercy is above
this sceptered sway.'

'"It is enthroned
in the hearts of kings.'

"It is an attribute
to God himself.

And earthly power
doth then show likest God's."

- "When mercy seasons justice.."
- Mary.

Are you just arriving
for your elocution class?

If you have no interest
in your work, then..

Oh.

I went to get these flowers
for you, Mrs. Mortar.

You told us
you loved flowers

and I walked so far
to find them for you.

That was very,
very sweet of you.

I suppose I will have
to forgive you this once.

Uh, thoughtfulness
and courtesy mean breeding.

Uh, breeding is an excellent
thing in woman.

I think you better write
that down. All of you.

Mary, put them
in a vase for me.

Yes, ma'am.

- Good morning, Miss Wright.
- Good morning.

Evelyn has just been
reading Portia for us.

Oh, sometimes,
I think that Evelyn

hasn't quite the right feeling
for Portia.

Where did you get
those flowers, Mary?

Oh, she picked them just for me.

It made her a little late
for class.

The first wild-flowers
of the season.

But not the very first.

Where did you get them, Mary?

Near Conway's cornfield.

It wasn't necessary
to go quite so far.

There was a bunch
exactly like that

in the garbage can this morning.

[all exclaiming]

Oh.

What a nasty thing to do,
deceiving me.

And I suppose you have
just as fine an excuse

for all the other times?

That will be all, girls.

[indistinct chatter]

Just a minute, Mary.

Miss Wright,
I have to get my Latin book.

No, stay.

Come with me, Mary.

Mary, why do you do
these things?

Why do you lie to us so often?

I'm not lying.

If you have to do things,
come and tell us about it.

We'll try to understand.
We'll try to help you.

But this kind of lying
is so bad for everybody.

I got the flowers
near Conway's cornfield.

Very well, Mary.
You will have to be punished.

There doesn't seem to be
any other way.

Take your recreation periods
alone.

No hockey,
no horseback riding.

Don't leave the school grounds
for any reason whatsoever.

But you said I could go
to the boat race this Saturday.

I'm sorry. You can't go.

I'll tell my grandmother!

I'll tell her
how I'm treated here

and how you punish me
for everything.

- Go upstairs, Mary.
- I'll tell her..

I don't feel well.

I have a pain.

I've had it all morning.

It hurts. Here.

It's a bad pain.

I've never had it before.

It's my heart. My heart!

It's stopping or something.

[screaming]

Ah! Oh!

Oh! Oh, did you hear it?

Is it really serious?
Is it a heart att*ck?

Uh, telephone Joe and ask him
to come over, will you?

Oh, my dear. Oh..

I think that the feet
should be higher than the head.

No, no. Maybe the head
should be higher than the feet.

Alright, thank you.
What is it?

Oh, I punished her for playing
another trick on your aunt.

And she had a sudden pain
in her heart.

And then she threatened
to go home to grandmother

with tales of how badly
she was treated.

Mm-hm, and we could pray
that grandma

would believe her
and take her away.

- Oh, Martha.
- Hm?

Martha, do you think
we could get rid of Mrs. Mortar?

It's awfully hard having her
around with the children.

And we could afford
to support her now.

I know. I know.

I'll talk to her today.
She'd like a trip to England.

Did you get Joe?

He was already on his way over.

Isn't he always on his way
to see you?

And I hope he always will be.

When we're married this summer,
we'll--

This summer?

Is it.. Is it so soon?

So soon as all that?

Why, what's the matter, Martha?

Nothing.

I'm just tired. Sorry.

[car honks]

Oh, there is Joe now.

Oh, my dear. My dear. Oh..

Oh. Oh. uh, t-t-try it here.

- Where?
- Here, here. Here, here.

- There?
- Y-yes, there, there.

- A-a most important spot.
- Ah.

Oh, yes. Y-yes indeed.

Oh, when Delia had that att*ck,
this is the spot.

- Uh, did this Delia survive?
- Oh, yes. I saved her.

Ah. Well then, perhaps you..

I was practically
put out of the room.

So, you don't resent your aunt

being snubbed and humiliated?

Oh, Aunt Lily.

I, who have worked
my fingers to the bone here.

Don't tell yourself that
too often.

You'll come to believe it.

To the bone, to the very bone.

Aunt Lily..

You've wanted to go to London
for a long time.

It's been twenty years.

I shall never live
to see it again.

But you will.
You can go now.

I can spare the money and..

So, you want to get rid of me?

Turning me out!
And at my age.

Oh, how can anyone
deal with you?

You've been talking
about going for years.

Now when you can go--

Please do not raise your voice.

I refuse to be shipped off
to England.

Next season, I shall go back
to the stage and--

No. I'd like you to go sooner.

The truth is
I don't think the school

is quite the place for you.

The truth is
I should have known enough

to stay out of your way
when he is here.

- When who is here?
- Ha-ha!

Don't think you're fooling me,
young lady.

I wasn't born yesterday.

I know what I know, and I know
how you feel about him.

You don't want them
to get married and I know why.

- Be still.
- Oh, I know what's going on.

You were never very smart
at hiding things, Martha.

Why, I know
that you're in love with him.

Of course, I myself
am a little old fashioned.

And I-I was shocked
when I saw what was going on.

Well, I suppose people
are like that nowadays.

- But why Karen doesn't speak--
- Be still, Aunt Lily!

- Be still! These are lies!
- You can't.. You can't..

You can't close people's eyes,
Martha.

The way you used to be running
over to his place on any excuse.

And, that night
when he was coming

'out of your room late, I saw.'

There's been no trouble
in this house.

And I won't let you do
your usual job of starting any.

I want you to leave
as quickly as..

[thudding]

Come in.

What were you girls
doing outside the door?

Well, we just came down
to see how Mary was.

You girls never used to do
things like this.

I'm afraid we'll have to do
something about it.

You wait outside,
then I'll call you in.

- Oh! No.
- Oh, Rosalie, I'm so sorry.

No, really, really.
It's alright.

- No, no.
- Oh, Rosalie.

Really, Miss Dobie,
it'll be alright.

- I'm awfully sorry.
- It's alright.

The money is in the bank
for you, Aunt Lily.

I want you to leave
as soon as it's convenient.

Do you think
I'd take your money?

I'd rather scrub floors first.

I imagine
you'll change your mind.

Don't worry about me. I shall be
out of here before it's dark.

Good day, Joseph.

- The Duchess cutting up again?
- Yes.

She was particularly good today.

What about Mary?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

I could have managed
a more convincing faint

when I was six years old.

We've about reached

the end of our rope with her.

Aren't you taking this kid
too seriously?

Yes, I'm taking everything
too seriously.

Everything. Everything!

- Now wait--
- Oh, please, Joe.

Well, the angel child is now
putting her clothes on again.

The angel child's room-mates
were busy eavesdropping

outside the door
while Aunt Lily

and I were yelling
at each other.

We'll have to separate
those girls from Mary.

I have a class.
They're outside.

I'll take care of it.

Girls, will you go in, please?

Rosalie, Evelyn,
come in here, please.

Well, how does it feel
to be back from the grave?

It's my heart and it hurts.

Science has failed.

- Try a hair brush.
- 'Mary.'

I want to see my grandmother.

We're awfully sorry,
Miss Wright.

I'm sorry, too,
but I'm afraid

we have to separate
you girls.

Rosalie, move into
Helen Burton's room.

Mary, you can move in
with Lois Fisher.

And it's all
because I had a pain.

You're always mean to me,
I get punished and picked on

and blamed for everything!

[muffled screaming]

[muffled crying]

Go up now, girls,
and move your things.

[screams]

Oh, don't do that.
She'll hear you.

Who cares if she does?

And she can hear that, too!

[indistinct chatter]

- Did you really have a pain?
- I fainted, didn't I?

I wish I could faint sometimes.

What were you two doing?

We heard Miss Dobie
and Miss Mortar

having an awful fight.

A fight?

Rosalie dropped a book

and there we were.

And a lot of crawling and crying

you both did too, I bet.

What were they fighting about?

Miss Dobie wants Mortar
to go to England

and Mortar got sore at that.

And said she knew
why Miss Dobie

wanted to get rid of her.

Oh.

- What's the matter?
- Nothing.

She got her arm
caught in the door

when Miss Dobie
was closing it.

Oh, something's always
happening to you.

Well, I'm gonna start
moving my things

before Miss Wright comes up.

Ah! Go on.

Well, Dr. Cardin
and Miss Wright

are going to get married.

Oh, everybody knows that,
stupid!

But everybody doesn't know
that Miss Dobie

doesn't want them
to get married.

How do you like that?

Why doesn't she?

[humming]

Why doesn't she?

Because she is in love
with Dr. Cardin too.

That's why.

Go on.

[Evelyn]
'And Mortar said she knew
it all along.'

And then she said an awful
lot of funny things about them.

All about one night, late

when Dr. Cardin
was up in Miss Dobie's room.

What does she mean, I wonder?

[instrumental music]

It's a shame we have to move.

I've got to go in with Helen.

And she blows her nose
all night.

- Lois told me.
- A dirty trick.

Dobie just wants to see how much
fun she can take away from me.

- She hates me.
- No, she doesn't, Mary.

She treats you
just like the rest of us.

- Almost better.
- That's right.

Stick up for your crush.
Take her side against mine.

- I didn't mean it that way.
- Oh!

- You'd better start moving.
- I'm not going anywhere.

- I'm going home.
- What?

- I'm going home.
- Why, you can't do that.

Can't I? You just watch and see.

They can't treat me like this

and they don't
have to think they can.

And your grandmother
will send you right back.

- What are you gonna tell her?
- Oh, I'll think of something.

I can always do it better
on the spur of the moment.

You better stop talking silly

and get your things moved.

I'll go through the field
at French's.

How are you gonna get
to a street car from there?

Taxi, idiot.

Got any money?

Not me. Not a cent.

I need some money to get home.

You've got two dollars
and 25 cents.

Go and get it for me.

No, I won't go get it for you.

Go get it for me.

I won't, I won't!
You took it from me last time.

It took me so long to save it.

Go get me that money.

I won't, I won't, I won't!

[screams]

Ah! That's my sore arm! Don't!

Children, children. What are
you making such a fuss about?

I am most upset today with all
my packing and my moving.

'I cannot stand this noise.'

I shall have a headache.
That's what I'll have.

[gasping]
What were you girls doing?

Of course, it's not
any business of mine

any longer what you're up to.

Isn't that Helen's bracelet?
The one that was lost.

- Uh..
- No, ma'am.

It's Rosalie's bracelet.

Here, Rosalie. You dropped it.

I cannot stand this noise.

In my day, children
were seen and not heard.

Try and be ladies.

Now will you give me the money?

Come on.

[engine revving]

I don't see why I have
to come with you.

I'm not going in.
I want to go back to school.

Oh shut up. You think
I wanted you with me?

I just knew you'd go and blab
to everybody about your old arm.

Go on.

Go on in there.

I don't know where
grandma is, and be quiet.

Well.

May I ask why you aren't
in school? You look like a pig.

- Where have you been?
- Where is grandma?

Where should any clean person be
at this time of day?

She's taking a bath.

What did you come home for?

Leave me alone. I came home
because I didn't feel well.

You don't feel well. Can't you
feel bad in your own coat?

Now you come right on upstairs
and see your grandmother.

If you're so sick then you
don't mind some medicine.

A good dose of rhubarb
and soda will fix you up.

And don't let her tell you
she's sick.

- Mary.
- She is no more sick than..

Oh grandma, I couldn't help it.
I had to come. I just had to.

I was so sick for you.

[chuckles]
Well, I'm glad that's all it is.

- You said she was sick.
- I said she wasn't sick.

I bet she only came for
Wednesday night fudge cake.

Do you mean you left
without permission?

I couldn't help it, grandma.
I couldn't.

I ran away. I had to.

Now, that was
a very bad thing to do.

Agatha, phone Miss Wright

and say that John
will drive Mary back.

No! Grandma, don't do that.
Please don't do that.

Grandma, please!

They-they'll k*ll me.
I can't go back. I can't.

They'll k*ll me, grandma.
They will, they will!

- Mary--
- If you're going to let he--

Whatever makes you say
such things?

It's true. Honest, honest.

- I fainted today.
- 'Fainted?'

Yes. My heart,
I had a pain in my heart.

And Dr. Cardin said
I didn't have any pain.

And I'll bet he was right.

Well, have you still
got the pain?

Well, I guess I haven't
got it much anymore.

- But I feel a little weak.
- Careful.

Little girls often have pains

but they don't need to mean
heart trouble.

Now John will drive
you back after dinner.

After dinner?

Maybe I could stay
till Saturday?

It's your birthday!

We don't celebrate my birthday
anymore.

[chuckles softly]

How much do you love me?

As much as all the words in
all the books in all the world.

Remember when I was little
and you used to tell me that

right before I went to sleep?

Oh, I miss you so much, grandma.

Couldn't I stay here for
the rest of the term?

And then maybe I wouldn't
mind going back so much.

Oh, back you go tonight.

And remember, no more
running away from school.

Ever.

- Then I really have to go back?
- Of course.

You don't love me! You don't
care what happens to me!

- Mary!
- You don't, you don't!

You don't care
whether they k*ll me or not!

[crying]

But I do care that you're
talking this way.

I'm sorry, grandma.

Forgive me.

What made you talk like that?

Because I'm scared, grandma.
I'm scared.

They've got something against me

and they punish me
for everything.

Today, they even said I
couldn't go to the boat races.

[chuckling]
Oh, really.

But it's not just that, grandma.

It's things. Other things.
Funny things.

What nonsense are you talking?

They've got secrets, grandma.

Funny secrets.

What about Miss Dobie
and Dr. Cardin

And Mrs. Mortar told Miss Dobie
that she knew what was going on.

- What?
- That she knew..

What was going on
and she'd always known

about what was going on.

Stop using that silly phrase,
Mary.

But that's what she kept using,
grandma.

And Miss Dobie said she'd
have to get out of the house.

And-and that's why we had to
move our rooms I bet.

Because they're frightened
we'll hear things too.

Well, I don't know
what you're talking about

but I don't think I like it.

If anything puzzled you,
you should have

gone to Miss Wright
or Miss Dobie.

But they would have punished me
more and more and more.

I guess they knew about
how I couldn't help

hearing about
that awful night that..

- What awful night?
- Well..

Dr. Cardin was in Miss Dobie's
room late and..

Other times when things
happened, too, but..

I-I can't say them out loud,
grandma. I..

- I've got to whisper it.
- Nonsense!

- Why must you whisper?
- Because I've got to.

Because it's bad.

Well, it was late at night
and Miss Dobie's room

was next to ours and..

Mary!

Do you know what you're saying?

- Are you telling me the truth?
- Honest, honest.

And today there was
an awful row.

And Mrs. Mortar said that
they were putting

her out because
she couldn't be fooled.

'And she knew about the things
that were happening'

'about Dr. Cardin
and Miss Dobie.'

'And Miss Dobie
got awfully angry at that'

and said she had to get out
right away and..

It was things like that
all the time.

Mrs. Mortar said that that's why
they were putting her out.

How do you know
what Mrs. Mortar said?

Because Rosalie and Evelyn
heard them.

And Miss Dobie got mad
when she found out

that they had heard
and-and she was so mad, she..

She took Rosalie's arm
and hurt it bad.

- She did what?
- Wait a minute, grandma.

Come here.

Hold this.

Hold this!

[gasps]

What are you doing?
What? Stop it..

Shut up.

But..

Will you stand still!

Come on.

- See, grandma?
- Why, Rosalie--

- See how they hurt her arm?
- Rosalie, what--

I had to bring her with me
because

they hurt her arm so. See?

Oh, I'm sorry, Rosalie.
Does it still hurt you?

Yes, Mrs. Tilford.

But Mary, she..

Rosalie, is your mother
still in New York?

Yes, Mrs. Tilford.

Then you will stay here
till she returns.

Now run along.
Get ready for dinner.

Grandma.

Do I have to go back
to that awful place?

No. You won't have to go back.

- Leave it on.
- What for?

What did you put it on for
anyway?

Never mind. Leave it on.

Why?

I don't understand what's
happening.

Aren't we going back to school
tonight?

Maybe I'm never going back.

Well, I wanna go back.

Do you know what's happening?

Ah, you're always pretending
you know everything.

Anyway, I don't want anything
to do with your silly secret.

Oh, well,
suppose I told you that maybe

you're in on this silly secret?

Suppose I told you I may have
said that you told me about it?

Why..

Mary Tilford.
I didn't tell you anything.

I'm going right in to your
grandmother

and tell her I didn't tell you
anything.

Whatever it is.

You're just trying to
get me into trou..

Well, why don't you go?

Go on. Go ahead.

- I'll come with you.
- What for?

I want to tell her
all about this.

- What about it?
- Just that you stole it.

- From Helen Burton.
- Shut up!

I didn't do any such thing.

I found it and I was gonna
put it back

as soon as I went to the movies.

I never meant to keep it.

I was putting it back
the day when you came in.

And who's gonna believe that?

I guess I ought to go
and tell grandma anyway.

And then she can
call the police.

And you'll spend
the rest of your life

in one of those
solitary prisons.

And you'll get older and older
and when you're very old

they'll let you out. Maybe.

With a sign on your back
saying you're a thief and you

won't have any place to go
and you'll beg on the streets.

Oh, stop that bawling!

You won't tell!
Say you won't tell. Please!

Maybe. If you'll take the oath.

Say from now on, I,
Rosalie Wells

in the vassal of Mary Tilford

will do and say
whatever she tells me.

Under the solemn oath
of a Knight.

I won't say that! I won't.

That's the worst oath there is.

- Mary, please don't!
- Will you swear it?

But then you can tell me
to do anything.

And you'd have to do it.
Say it quick or I'll..

From now on, I, Rosalie Wells

in the vassal of Mary Tilford

'and will do and say
whatever she tells me'

'under the solemn oath
of a knight.'

[Rosalie crying]

Mrs. Mund, please.
This is Mrs. Tilford.

Miriam?
This is Amelia Tilford.

I have something
to tell you. Something..

Very shocking, I'm afraid.

It's about the school.
About Mary and Evelyn.

[mellow music]

Aren't-aren't we
coming back soon?

I mean, all the girls are
going home and..

It's all so funny.

Go ahead, Joyce.
Your mother wants you to hurry.

I'm sorry to go.

We're sorry, too.

Goodbye.

Now, uh..

Mrs. Walton says would you have

Joyce's trunk ready tomorrow

and I'll come and pick it up.

And she says I'm to pay you
right now

for the rest of Joyce's term.

- 'How much will that be?'
- You can tell Mrs. Walton..

We don't want her money
or anyone else's.

Until we know why
all this is happening.

Don't get mad at me, lady.

You don't have to take the
money if you don't want it.

It ain't my fault.

All I know is what I hear.

And what do you hear?

Well, that..

It seems that, uh, Mrs. Tilford,
uh..

Has, uh, found out about, uh..

Mrs. Tilford?
Found out about what?

Well, uh, it seems as if, uh,
one of you ladies has been, uh..

Uh.. Carrying on
with the other's fiance.

And she don't think it's
a fit place for kids to be.

What are you saying?
What are you saying?

There, there lady. It's got
nothing to do with me.

If you ask me, it ain't none
of the old lady's business

what goes on after the kids
are asleep.

[Joseph]
'Get out!'

Get out of here, quick.

Oh, don't cry. Please.

I know. I heard it.

Don't, darling.

What's happening to us?
What are they doing to us?

We're being kicked
around by crazy people.

Kicking you two around most.

Nobody is going
to do that to us.

Ever.

Nobody, my darling.

Ever.

Come on.

We've got a fight on our hands.

It's got to be the best fight
we know how to make.

Here. Let's get on.

[Amelia]
'I don't think you should have
come here, Miss Wright.'

I was coming to see you tomorrow
to explain

my position in all this and..

To ask you to explain yours.

I am deeply sorry that you
had to be involved in this.

I think we'd better
understand each other.

There is nothing
for us to explain

and I very much
dislike your sympathy.

So you don't think
we should have come?

What were we expected
to do, Mrs. Tilford?

Lie down and grin
till you'd finished

kicking us around
with these lies?

And that's why I think you
shouldn't have come.

No amount of words that we can
throw at each other, Dr. Cardin

can do any of us any good now.

Can do any of us any good?
Listen.

Listen, you're not
playing with paper dolls.

We are human beings, see.

It is our lives
you are fooling with.

Our lives. That's serious
business to us.

- Can you understand that?
- I understand that.

And I understand
a great deal more.

You have been playing with
a lot of children's lives.

And that's why I stopped you.

I think I know
how you must feel.

You don't know anything
about how I feel.

You can't know
how any of us feel.

One gets lost
trying to fight a lie.

- Very lost.
- I did what I had to do.

Whatever went on in your school

may possibly be
your own business.

It becomes a great deal
more than that

when children are involved.

But it's no true!
Not a word of it is true.

Can't you understand that?

We are standing here defending
ourselves against what?

Against nothing.
Against a great, awful lie.

I'm sorry
that I can't believe that.

But you can believe this.

We happen to be people who've
worked hard for what we've got.

You wouldn't know about that.
That school meant things to us.

It meant self-respect and bread
and butter and honest work.

And now it's gone.

There must be something
we could do to you.

Something that would make you
feel the way we do tonight.

Don't get the idea we'll
let you whisper this lie.

You made it and you'll
come out with it.

And we'll make you come
out with it in a courtroom.

Tomorrow Mrs. Tilford, you will
have a libel suit on your hands.

- That will be very unwise.
- Very unwise for you.

It's you I'm thinking of.

It was wrong of you to
brazen it out here tonight.

It would be criminally foolish
for you

brazen it out in public.

It's already quite public,
Mrs. Tilford.

Five hours ago we had our
lives decently to ourselves.

Now we have nothing left but
the dirt you've made of us.

Or the dirt you've made
for yourselves.

Clean your house, Miss Wright.

And in time, count yourself
very lucky.

'I know those are easy
words for me to say'

and hard for you to take,
but someday

you will know what they mean.

You've understood nothing.
Nothing.

These are my friends
and when we clean house

the three of us can clean it
together.

Perhaps we should clean your
house for you, Mrs. Tilford.

- Where is Mary?
- Under no circumstances..

'I would not allow that.'

So that's really
where you've got it?

We couldn't believe it.

She's a bad girl, your Mary.

- She always has been.
- I won't have any more of this.

All I wanted was to get
those children away.

That has been done.

You've been in my house long
enough. Get out.

[Karen scoffs]
The wicked very young
and the wicked very old.

Let's go home.

When three people come to you
with their lives

spread out on a table
for you to cut to pieces..

...then the only honest thing
to do is to give them

one last chance
to come out alive.

We want that last chance.

If you're honest,
you'll give it to us.

Where is Mary?

Very well.

I want to tell you something,
Mary.

Everybody lies all the time.

Sometimes they have to
and sometimes they don't.

I've lied for a lot of
different reasons myself.

But there never was a time
when if I'd had a second chance

I wouldn't have taken back
the lie and told the truth.

You're a lucky girl Mary,
because we're giving you

that second chance.

Were you telling your
grandmother

the exact truth about..

- About us this afternoon?
- Yes, Dr. Cardin.

Remember, you're not
going to be punished.

You didn't.. You didn't
make a mistake, did you?

Oh no, Dr. Cardin.

We're not finished,
Mrs. Tilford.

Mary, why don't you like
Miss Wright and Miss Dobie?

Oh, I do like them.
They just don't like me.

They're always punishing me.
For everything.

Tell your grandmother why you
were punished today, Mary.

Just because Rosalie
and Evelyn heard things.

And you took it out on me.

That isn't why the reason
you were punished.

What things, Mary?

Mrs. Mortar
was telling Miss Dobie

that she knew what was going on.

And she knew what Miss Dobie
felt about you.

'And things that had happened.'

My aunt's a stupid woman.
What she said was unpleasant.

It was said to annoy me.
It meant no more than that.

What do you think Mrs. Mortar
meant by that, Mary?

I don't know.
But funny things did happen.

And then she said things
about the times

when you'd come at night
and we'd listen.

- And I'd get frightened.
- Oh, be still.

No, no. You don't want her
still now.

Go on Mary. What did you see?
What did you hear?

I don't know.
There were just things.

What things?

I don't know.

But I saw plenty of things.
We all did.

And that's why Rosalie
got her arm hurt, grandma.

- What?
- 'Go on, Mary.'

And one night you were in
Miss Dobie's room late.

Why did you think
it was wrong for me

to be in Miss Dobie's room?

Be-because..

Because it was at night
and I leaning down

by the keyhole
and I saw things and..

I got scared
and then you left and.. And..

A-ask her again
how she could see us?

I was leaning down
by the keyhole.

There's no keyhole on my door.

What?

There is no keyhole on my door.

It wasn't her room, grandma.
It was the other room.

I guess she was in Miss Wright's
room. She was there.

[Joseph]
'How did you know anybody
was in Miss Wright's room--'

I told you. I told you!

Because we heard you.
I heard you!

My room is on the first floor
at the other end of the house.

It's impossible to hear
anything from there.

What is this, Mary? Why did you
say you saw through the keyhole?

- Why--
- Everybody's yelling at me!

And I don't know what I'm saying
when everybody

messing me up! Oh I did see
them! I did see them!

I want the truth, so help me.

All the truth, whatever it is.

We've finished here. We've
cleaned your house for you.

- We can go home now.
- No.

Please. Wait a minute.

Stop that crying!

I want the truth.

Alright.

What is the truth?

It was Rosalie who saw them.

I just said it was me
so I wouldn't

have to tattle on Rosalie.

You ask Rosalie.
You just ask Rosalie.

- She told us all about it.
- Rosalie.

Rosalie.

You deserve whatever you get,
Mrs. Tilford.

I don't know.

I don't.

Come dear, I..

I..

Rosalie.

Come dear, sit down.

Rosalie, Mary tells me
there's been

a lot of talk
at the school about..

About Miss Dobie and
Dr. Cardin. Is that true?

Uh.. I don't know what you mean.

What was the talk about,
Rosalie?

Why..

- I..
- Don't be frightened.

I don't know
what Mrs. Tilford means.

Rosalie.

Mary has told her grandmother
that..

Certain things at school
have been..

Puzzling you girls.
You particularly.

History puzzles me.

I guess I'm not very good
at history and Helen helps.

No. No Rosalie, that's
not what she meant.

She says that you saw..

Certain, certain acts between
Miss Dobie and Dr. Cardin

that-that weren't quite right.

Oh, Miss Wright.

I didn't. I didn't.

I never said any such thing. I
never saw any such thing, ever.

Rosalie, what's the matter
with your arm?

Yes, why, did you say then,
Rosalie

that Miss Dobie injured
your arm when

when you overheard a fight
between her and--

- What?
- But I didn't, Mrs. Tilford.

I.. I mean, the door slammed.

But that wasn't what..
I never said that.

- I never saw anything.
- Mary!

Oh, yes, you did too.
You told me about your arm.

You told us about what you saw.

You are just trying
to get out of it.

I remember when you said it.

I remember it because it was the
day Helen Burton's bracelet--

I never did. I..

It was the day Helen Burton's
bracelet was stolen.

And nobody knew who did it.

And Helen said that if
her mother found out

she'd have the thief
put in jail.

There is nothing to cry about,
Rosalie.

You must help us by telling
the truth. That's all.

Grandma.

There is something
I've got to tell you.

Yes. Yes!
I did say it!

I told Mary.
What Mary said was right.

I said it. I said it!
I said it! Oh!

[Rosalie bawling]

[crowd clamoring]

[gavel bangs]

I cannot but agree with the
verdict the jury has brought in.

And to add here
a few words of my own.

'I feel strongly that this case
never should have been'

'brought into court. At best.'

'Slander cases are slim
and dangerous suits.'

But in this instance,
it has been shameful

to witness the spectacle
of two innocent children

'dragged day after day
through a story'

'they never should have
known at all.'

[clamoring]

[gavel bangs]

"Slander suit
against Amelia Tilford.

"Brought by Joseph Cardin,
Karen Wright

"Martha Dobie is dismissed.

Plaintiffs to pay costs."

[crowd applauding]

[clamoring]

[dramatic music]

[mellow music]

[rain pattering]

I don't have to tell you either

how much we valued
having you here

how much your skill
has meant to us.

Yes, thanks.
I'm very tired of speeches.

I understand my name has
been in the paper and..

All my work here,
that's-that's gone.

They've forgotten about that.

Now, now doctor.
Don't feel that way about it.

There are lots of other places.

Are there? Thanks.

[engine revving]

Well, now you see
on a day like this

I'd get the charge eight dollars

'as I figure the rain
ain't doin' the car no good'

and these side curtains
will cost--

My bag, please.

Lady, you use more gas when it's
rainin' and another thing

I got to figuring the wear
and tear on top of the car.

Very vulgar to be so concerned
about money. I pity you.

You can charge this.
My niece will pay you tomorrow.

Yoo-hoo.

Woo-hoo.

- I'm here, I am.
- The Duchess.

Returned at long last.

Hello, hello, hello.

We are delighted to see you.

And I am so glad
to see you both.

I'm so glad to see
the old place again.

A dreadful weather, isn't it.
And ho-how is everything?

Everything is fine and
we're splendid, thank you.

- Where have you been?
- Uh.. Around, around.

I had a most interesting time.

Why didn't you answer our
telegrams?

You should see the change
in the theater.

Drastically changed,
I might--

Why didn't you answer
our telegrams?

Oh Martha,
there's your temper again.

Don't bother about my
temper but answer me.

Well, I was moving around
a great deal.

You know a great many of the
newer theaters now

have fully equipped bathrooms
backstage.

And is that why you refused to
come back and testify for us?

Oh, now, that's the wrong way
to look at it.

I didn't refuse, but we were
putting on a new play.

And the curtain must go up.
Now, now, now.

Let's not talk about this
anymore.

I'll go upstairs and unpack.

Things have changed here,
you know.

She doesn't know,
she very carefully waited

until the whole thing was over.

Listen, we've been trying
for months now

to defend ourselves
in a courtroom

Against the lies of a child
called Mary Tilford.

Oh, what a dreadful girl she is.

A great part of the Tilford case

Was based on remarks made
by Lily Mortar, actress.

Against her niece. That's me.

And a greater part of the case
rested on the telling fact

that Mrs. Mortar would
not appear in court

to deny
or explain those remarks.

As you probably read in the
papers, we lost the case.

But it couldn't have done
any good for all of us

to get mixed up in this..

This-this unpleasantness.

Oh, but now that I'm here,
I'm gonna stand

shoulder to shoulder with you.

'I'm going to help
all that I can.'

There's a 4 o'clock train.
Get on it.

Martha.

You've come back here
to pick the bones dry.

Well, there aren't even
bones anymore.

When you wish to apologize

I shall be temporarily
in my rooms.

Oh.

Well.

Well, look who's here.

Little late, aren't you?

Well, I call that loyal of you,
Karen.

Lots of women would
have felt very differently.

Get out of here!

[mellow music]

Apologizing for my aunt
is like..

...apologizing
for an earthquake.

And just as silly.

Don't let her worry you
this time.

We'll give her some
money and get rid of her.

Tired? Were you busy
at the hospital?

Yes. I was very busy.

- 'Hungry? Would lunch help?'
- Uh-huh.

- With biscuits?
- Lots of 'em.

Darling.

We're going away.
We're going to Vienna.

I've cabled Fisher and he says
I can have my old job back.

It will be nice seeing it again.

The hospital and the dirty
little tobacco shop next door.

and the cake shop with the
fat girl next door to that.

I used to go there every day
at four o'clock for coffee.

You don't want to go to Vienna.

No.

No, I don't want
to go to Vienna.

I'd rather have stayed here.
You don't want to go to Vienna.

You'd rather have stayed here
but we can't stay

We've got to start over
and start quick

with all this far behind us.

Darling...
we'll start over again.

All three of us.

- What's the matter?
- Nothing.

- Oh yes there is.
- No, it's nothing. Nothing.

- What did you do just then?
- I didn't do anything. I..

Something you've
never done before.

- It's nothing, nothing at all.
- Karen, what's wrong?

Everything we do,
everything we say to each other

seems to mean something else.

Look at me.

Your face is the way it
was that last day in court.

Ashamed.
And sad at being ashamed.

What is it?

I don't know.

I just don't know whether
people can start again.

Karen, we've got to face this.

Say it now.

Ask it now.

I've nothing to ask. Nothing.

Alright.

Were you..

Were you and Martha ever..

No.

Karen, Martha and I have never
even thought of each other.

Don't you believe me?

People can't believe
just because

other people tell them
to believe.

Well, that child certainly did
a good job on the three of us.

If only we could take back
these months.

Take them back and forget them.

Look, we are standing here.

We haven't changed.

Our hands are just the same.

My face is just the same.

Even my dress is old.

We're in a room we've been
in so many times before.

It's nearly time for luncheon.

We're like everyone else.

We can have all the things
that everyone has.

We can have a house,
we can sit in the sun

we can walk together,
we can be together always.

If only we can take back
these months.

Go to Vienna, Joe.

I can't go with you now.

- Karen.
- No.

Words are no good now.

They won't do us any good.

I'll always love you.

If you can ever
believe in me again..

...I'll be waiting for you.

[mellow music]

Goodbye, my love.

[crying]

Cooking always makes me
feel better.

Where's Joe?

Gone.

He'll be back for lunch?

He-he won't be back anymore.

You mean he won't be back
anymore today?

- He won't be back at all.
- What's happened?

What's happened? Karen?

Whatever has happened
concerns me too.

I told him that I thought that..

You..

And he..

No.

No, you couldn't have.

You couldn't have thought that.

Didn't he tell you
it wasn't true?

Yes. He told me.

Joe!

Joe!

Don't do that.

[rain pattering]

You didn't believe him.

I don't know
what I believe anymore.

Things can't be like this,
Karen.

- It isn't true. You can't thi--
- Oh, it's beyond that.

Don't talk about it anymore.

You thought that
for all these months?

And yet you stood by us.

You've been a good friend,
Karen.

"Clean your house", she said.

Well, let's finish cleaning it.
It makes no difference now.

We might as well pull
all the pieces down.

I do love him.

I've always loved him.

He never knew about it.

He never even thought about me.

I think I've loved him since
the first day we came here.

There it is, Karen.

That's all of it.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry for all of us.

Can't you believe me now?

It's strange.

He asked me the same thing.

[dramatic music]

Well I'll be going now.

The four o'clock train.
Get on it.

Wait a minute.

I'll be going with you.

[train chugging]

[indistinct chatter]

You have a nice nature, Martha.

It's a wonder you could ever
bear to look at a child again.

Although I suppose they are
not all like Mary Tilford.

I tell you when I read
what those girls

'said about you right
in the courtroom, I--'

Aunt Lily, I don't want to
talk about it. Now or ever.

Oh, but you'll be thinking
about it.

I know. Well, I always
knew about that child.

I saw through her
from the very first.

Of course, if I'd been
allowed to stay on. Oh well.

[clicks tongue]
Oh, the things
that girl used to do.

Deceiving me with those flowers.

Late for breakfast every
day with some new lie.

Bullying the other girls.

Why, she had little Rosalie
Wells right under her thumb.

Aunt Lily, let's not
go into it anymore.

Why, she used to make that
child do terrible things.

I never thought about
it much at the time.

But I believed for months
she made

Rosalie steal
Helen Burton's bracelet.

Anyway, that day
I was asked to leave

they were acting very
strangely about it.

And the way she said in court
that you would hurt her arm.

'Why, I saw with my own
eyes how Mary hurt her arm.'

Of course I never connected
all this

but you can't fool me for long.

I just bet that was Helen
Burton's bracelet

that day and that Mary..

When is your next stop?

[intense music]

[instrumental music]

- Hello, Rosalie.
- Miss Dobie.

- I want to see your mother.
- What?

What do you want.. What do
you want to see my mother for?

She's out, Miss Dobie.
She won't be in.

I'll wait for her inside,
Rosalie.

I have plenty of time.

We used to be friends,
didn't we Rosalie?

I don't want to frighten you
now.

You see, I've just
found out some things and I..

- I want to ask your mother--
- She's not in.

She won't be back.

What are you going to ask her?

Please. Please don't
do that, Miss Dobie.

Please don't go
and see my mother.

Come here Rosalie.

Why did you say I hurt your arm

when it was really
Mary Tilford who did it?

And what's all this
about a bracelet and..

I-I didn't. I never meant to.
I didn't..

Rosalie, someday when
you're grown up

you'll know what it is to have
something

mean your whole life to you.

That's the way I feel now.

And you're the only one
who can help me.

Please help me, Rosalie.

Please.

Yes, Miss Dobie.

I did it.

I did it.

I never meant to.

She made me do it.

She made me do it.

She told me
they'd put me in jail.

I took it but I never
meant to keep it.

And the day we had
to go to that court..

[crying]
...she came over when I
was eating my breakfast

and told me that you had the
policemen all ready to take me.

'And that if I didn't tell all
about the arm and things'

'that the judge
would put me in jail.'

[sobbing]
Because she would give
them the bracelet.

She made me do it!
She made me do everything!

Grandma, don't believe her.
Don't believe a word she said.

She's just trying to get out
of it. She's making it all up.

She lies all the time.
Everybody knows she does.

Grandma, don't believe her!
You heard what she said to..

It was hidden in her
bureau behind a book.

Grandma. She's just trying
to blame it on me!

- She's just trying to blame--
- Girl!

All my life, the mistakes I have
made have been honorable ones.

You have made me make
the first that was dishonorable.

Take her upstairs.
Lock her door.

Come here, come here.

Yours. Your very own.

To live with
the rest of your life.

There won't be a word she says
or a move she makes

'that won't frighten you.'

Yes.

And that will be my punishment.

Go home now, Rosalie.

Don't be afraid
of anything again.

I'll speak to your mother
for you.

John will drive you home.

Goodbye, Miss Dobie.

Goodbye, darling.

Miss Dobie.

There's no way I can take
back what I have done to you.

But what little I can do.
A public apology.

The damage suit to be
paid in full of course

and...whatever else you would
be kind enough to take from me.

So I'm to help you with
your conscience, am I?

You've done a wrong
and you've to right that wrong

so you can rest your head again.

A public apology and money paid.

That will be peace for you.

That's very neat, Mrs. Tilford.

But there won't be peace
for you.

In the end, I think you
will be punished most.

- I'm sorry for that.
- Oh, that doesn't matter.

The only thing
that matters is you.

I'll be alright.
Quite alright.

But let me try to help you.
Let me do what little I can.

Help me? No.

But I want to send
a message to Karen.

And I want you
to take that message.

Tell her to stay with Joe,
wherever he is.

Tell her I said that.

She'll know what I mean.

Goodbye.

She said, "Tell Karen to
go to Joe wherever he is.

Tell her when that
happens, I'll be alright."

She said you would know
what she meant.

Yes.

I know what she meant.

[upbeat music]

Tobacco shop, cake shop,
hospital.

Tobacco shop..

Cake shop, hospital.

[instrumental music]

[speaking in foreign language]

Yeah, yeah.

[speaking in foreign language]

Oh, nein, nein.
Danke schoen.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]