02x26 - The Secret of Brynmar Hall

[bunniefuu]

[ theme music playing ]

All set, Randy?Yep.

Up you go,
little lady.

Oh, thank you!

I'd take you myself, Betsy,
but with your father away,

I just don't have the time.

Well, I'll try and keep
the buggy from turning over.

He doesn't
mean that, Randy.

The Virginian drove me
the last time

I was invited
to Brynmar Hall,

and, well, it'll be
all right this time.

Thanks again.

See to it
you take care of her,

or I'll have your hide.

Yes, sir.

[ clicks ]

Whoa!

Forgot to buckle
the check.

I'd almost forgotten
how beautiful

this country
is up here,

so peaceful
and quiet.

[ thunder rumbling ]

Yeah, well, what's
coming up behind us

there don't look
so peaceful.

How much further
we got to go?

'Bout eight
or ten miles.

Better get a move on,
then, hadn't we?
Giddyup, now.

Whoa, there, whoa!
Whoa.

Some place.

There's no other place
like it in Wyoming,

that's for sure.

Mrs. Tyson!

Miss Betsy.

You haven't
changed a bit.

One doesn't
at my age.

You've grown up,
though.

Come in.

Could I get some feed
and water for the horses

before I start
back, ma'am?

You'll see the barn
around in back.

[ thunder rumbling ]

Mrs. Brynmar won't
be down for a while.

If you'd care to make
yourself comfortable
in the living room,

I'll take your bags
to your room.

Thank you.

Jenny?

Jenny Markham!

Hello, Betsy.

Oh!

It's been two years.

A long time.

Well, I wrote you,
but you never answered.

Oh, I've moved
several times.

Well, I didn't know
you were coming,
but I'm glad you're here.

What have you been
doing all this time?

Oh, nothing special.
Just working.

Let me look at you.

Just like I remember.

Well, I hope I look
a little older.

You look just fine,

just like the handsome
young daughter

of Wyoming's most successful
rancher should look.

Uh, well, you
look fine, too,

even prettier.

None of us were as pretty
as Mildred, were we?

She was very pretty.

Have you talked
to Mrs. Brynmar yet?

I haven't even
seen her.

Maybe she was waiting for

our most important guest
to arrive.

Oh, if you mean me...

Oh, it's true.
You know.

You were always the favorite
visitor at Brynmar Hall.

Richard's here,
too, you know.

Richard?

When I first arrived,
I thought that I was
the only one invited.

I should've known,
shouldn't I?

Have you been
here since?

No.

Neither have I.

When I got
Mrs. Brynmar's letter,

I was surprised
and curious.

I guess that's actually
why I bothered to come.

Poor Mrs. Brynmar.

Must be awful living
in this same house,

remembering that...
terrible night.

MRS. TYSON:
Miss Betsy?

The young man
wants to see you.

Excuse me.

Randy, I'm sorry.
I forgot all about you.

That's all right.
I just wanted to say

I'd be going now,
and I'll pick you--

But what about
the storm?

Well, I've been
wet before.

That road's awfully dangerous
in this wind and rain.

Couldn't he stay over,
Mrs. Tyson?

The guest rooms
are all taken.

He wasn't
expected.

But it won't be
safe going--

I'm sorry, Miss Betsy.
There's just no room.

Well, anyplace indoors
is better than--

That's all right, Betsy.
I don't mind a little lightning.

No! I'll speak
to Mrs. Brynmar.

No!

Mrs. Brynmar doesn't want
to be disturbed until dinner.

That team's never been
balky in bad weather.

We'll make it all right.

Well, I don't think
you should have to try.

Mrs. Tyson, I think

that I will speak
to Mrs. Brynmar.

That won't
be necessary.

I'll make up one
of the downstairs rooms.

That'll be fine.

Wouldn't want to put
you out any.

This way.

Was that you,
Betsy Garth?

Richard!
Jenny said you were here.

In the flesh.

Mm, you've matured.

Oh... grown up,
anyway.

Just arrive?Mm-hmm.

Well, then welcome
to the house of mystery,

the mystery being
why we're all here.

Well, Mrs. Brynmar's
letter said--

I know, that she's
closing the house down,

moving away forever,
and wants to say good-bye
to Mildred's closest friends.

I got one too, you see.

I miss your pigtail.

You mean you miss
pulling it.

Oh, no, I've given up
such childish pastimes.

For what?
Or am I foolish to ask.

For the intricacies
of law, my dear.

I've passed
my entrance exams

and am entering Harvard
in the fall.

Well, Richard,
I think that's wonderful!

Entirely the result
of hard work
and perseverance,

but mostly ability
and brains.

You're as conceited
as ever.

You haven't
changed a bit.

Oh, yes.

We have all changed...

haven't we, Jenny?

This room's just fine.
Thank you, ma'am.

Michael...

Yes, I know.
Was he invited?

He brought
the girl, Betsy.

She know he's staying?

No.

Better tell her.

Yes, I will!

I propose we celebrate
our festive reunion.

Betsy?No, thanks.

Aha. Afraid the grape

will unleash
the demons within you?

How about you,
Jenny, my love?

Hmm?

Well then,
to Mildred.

What's so interesting
out there, anyway?

It's going to storm.

Oh, don't worry.

We'll all be very cozy
in here, won't we?

Of course, unless
the roof blows in.

You're impossible.

Nothing's impossible
where nature's concerned...

Or me.

Oh, by the way, Betsy,

has Jenny told you
what she's been doing

since we last met?

Can't you talk
about someone else?

Now, don't be modest,
my love.

I just happened to catch
her act one night

at... what was the name
of that establishment again?

Oh, yes.

The Golden Goddess Saloon,
wasn't it?

You couldn't let it be,
could you?

Nothing wrong with a girl
working for a living.

Richard!

Jenny, I--

I don't need
anything from you,

no kindly understanding,
no pity.

I don't need anything
from anybody.

[ clattering ]

[ squawking ]

[ guitar playing ]

[ thunder crashes ]

Sure fixing
to storm.

An astute
observation.

Yeah, where
I come from

we call this
real twister weather.

Call it that
here, too.

You really think
it'll get bad?

Don't like the looks
of it, miss.

Did I ever tell you,
Betsy, about the tornado

that hit my hometown
when I was a boy?

If I remember correctly,

400 homes and nearly
that number of people

just disappeared one night
in less than--

[ knock on door ]

[ coughing ]

I'm, uh,
Paul Martinson.

Yes, sir.
In there.

Well, well, well,
little Betsy Garth!

Paul!

You look just
fine, Betsy.

And Richard.
How are you?

Hail, hail, the g*ng's
all here. Almost.

No Jenny?

Upstairs.

Pouting.

Paul, this is Randy,
a friend of mine.

Randy, this is
Paul Martinson.

How are you, Randy?
Pleasure.Good to meet you.

We've known each other
since we've been so high.

Well, not quite
that long.

Well, heh, this is
an unexpected surprise,

all of us here
together again.

Oh, I'd
forgotten you--

you didn't know!

I'm glad, Paul.

RICHARD: Surprised is
a better word for me.

Anyway, on you
it looks good.

Thank you.

Even though I do find it
hard to believe.

Mm, well.

Like most things,
people change too, Richard.

Oh, now, that sounds
very interesting.

Later on, you must
tell me about that.

Oh, I will, I will.

However, right now I'm
going to find my room

and wash some
of this dust off.

I'll see you
after a while.

Well. Bet you're glad
you're not out there now.

I ain't
complaining any.

Oh, you're awfully quiet,
for a change.

I was just thinking.

You, me, Jenny,
and now Paul.

That completes
the list.

What do you mean?

We're all here,

all of us
who attended

Mildred's party
that last night.

Something else
I just realized, too.

This is an anniversary.

It happened exactly
two years ago tonight.

Oh! Sorry.

Uh, my fault.

[ knock on door ]

Come in.

I, uh...

I don't really like
being alone.

Me neither.

I guess
this storm and all

kind of puts me
on edge.

My hair won't stay.

[ laughing ]

I'm sorry I got
so upset downstairs.

Let's not even
talk about it.

There's nothing
that I'm ashamed of,
you understand.

Of course.

It's just that...

Well, after
my grandmother died,

I-I had to find work.

Jenny, don't let
Richard upset you.

He's always taken
pleasure in trying

to embarrass people,
you know that.

I don't care
what he's always done!

He'd better
leave me alone.

Say, did you know
that Paul's here?

Paul?

Yes, he's
a minister now.

A-a minister?

Isn't that
wonderful?

Yes, yes it is!

Come on, let's go
downstairs and find him.

I'd like to see
Paul again.

Where's Paul?

I don't know.

Say, Betsy,
whatever happened
to her, anyway?

Well, two years ago,

we were all attending
a party here,

and during the night
there was a fire.

Mildred and her father
were burnt to death.

How'd it start?

Well, no one knows.

The fire didn't spread
beyond the cellar.

Sometimes
I still wake...

during the night,
and I can--

I can hear
Mildred screaming,

way off...

for her mother.

Mrs. Brynmar
was hurt, too.

Why do you suppose
she's keeping us
waiting like this?

She's probably
just resting.

I think she's doing
it on purpose.

I don't see
how anybody could rest

with the wind blowing
like this.

[ bird squawking ]

How'd a house like this
ever get to be

sitting out here in the middle
of nowhere, anyhow?

Well, Daddy said
that when Mr. Brynmar

brought his wife up
from the East years ago,

he built this house
exactly like the one

she'd always lived in
so that she would like it

better here,
living in Wyoming.

Sure went
to a lot of trouble.

Mr. Brynmar was
a big rancher then.

I guess he had
a lot of bad luck,

drought and all,

and anyway, he lost
most of his land.

Where do you suppose
Paul and Richard are,

sprucing
themselves up?

I reckon.

You reckon wrong,
my boy.

Richard has
finished his sprucing.

Now, as soon as
our new minister arrives,

it appears the wheel
will have turned a full circle.

Here we'll
all be again.

Well, almost.

[ thunder crashes ]

Say, that was close.

You say they've got
a cellar in this place?

Oh, yes, they've got
a cellar, all right.

If there is a twister,

it might be a good place to be
before this night's over.

PAUL:Hello!

Hello, Jenny!

Paul.

I guess congratulations
are in order.

Oh, thank you.

You're as pretty
as ever.

No, uh, sign
of our hostess yet?

No. I was just about to
comment it would be nice

to see her before
the house blew in.

Looks pretty bad,
doesn't it?

Bad enough.

Night's coming on, too.

Storms always seem worse
when it's dark out.

That's because you can't
see where the wind's
going to drop you.

[ laughs ]

Why don't we
change the subject?

Changing the subject
doesn't change
the facts, my dear.

Now, you're old
enough to know that.

Blowing harder.

Now that's
a bright statement.

Richard.

Don't know how much
of this wind the house'll take.

The fire weakened
the beams, you know.

On top of it,
we had a big blow

about this time
last year.

What do you suggest
we do, go stand outside?

It might be safer
than in here, miss.

Just don't feel easy.

I know who he is.

He's the cheerful gravedigger
that welcomes you
to the cemetery.

Oh, Richard, why don't
you keep quiet!

Because I don't
have to, my love.

Why won't she come down?

Oh, she'll be down
soon, Jenny.

It's all right.
Come on.

It's almost like
she's doing it on purpose.

But why?

[ thunder crashes ]

It's just the storm.

It does things
to the nerves.

BETSY: Why don't you
play something, Randy?

Something cheerful.

[ chandelier tinkling ]

[ creaking ]

Look out!

Is anybody hurt?

Are you all right?

I could feel something
like this gonna happen.

I still do.

Will you all come
into the dining room?

Mrs. Brynmar will join
you in a few minutes.

Miss Betsy. Miss Jenny.

Richard. Randy.

Reverend.

Well, looks like
our hostess

is gonna keep us waiting
just a little while longer.

No, Richard.

I think I've kept you waiting
quite long enough.

Michael?

Please be seated.

Michael.

Yes, Miss Sarah.

It was so nice of you to come
to please my whim.

I just couldn't move away

without seeing
each one of you again.

You meant so much
to Mildred,

her very best friends.

Not telling each of you
that the others were coming

was my little surprise.

[ thunder crashes ]

Of course,
I couldn't foretell

there'd be
this terrible storm.

For that
I apologize.

Paul, I heard
you'd become a minister.

I must say,
the collar is quite becoming.

Thank you.

Jenny.

You haven't changed.

A bit more...

sophisticated, perhaps.

You must be
Betsy's young friend.

I hope you forgive
Mrs. Tyson's rudeness.

I still correspond
with your father, Richard,

matters concerning
Stuart's estate.

Yes, I know about that.

And you, Betsy.

What a lovely young lady
you've grown to be.

Why...

you're just
the same age now

that Mildred was when...

[ chuckles ] We'll have to have
a long talk together,

just you and I,
later on.

If only Mildred
could be here

to see each one
of you again.

But of course,
that's impossible, isn't it?

Paul, will you
say grace for us, please?

Bless us, O Lord,

and the food
we're about to share.

Bring peace to those
of us who are troubled

and humility to those of us
who are fortunate.

We ask that you bless us,
your servants,

gathered around
this table,

and we especially ask you

to bless loved ones
who are absent.

We thank thee, O Lord,
that we're able to gather

again in this house,
where we have been

so graciously received
in the past.

Amen.

Amen.

Thank you, Paul.

Now, Mrs. Tyson,
food for our hungry guests.

[ Paul chuckles ]

Well, I found
bucking hay

to be the most
difficult.

Yeah, I know
what you mean.

Hey, Randy,
tell them about

your first experience
branding calves.

Oh, yeah, that was
really something.

Actually, I was
doing all right

at roping and tying
them for the iron,

but there was this
one stubborn critter.

He pulled Randy
off his horse!

Yeah, he took off and dragged
me through the brush.

By the time
they got him stopped,

I felt like I'd been dragged
through a bed of cactus.

He looked like it, too.

Mrs. Tyson,
bring them now, please.

There's one
for each of you,

except Randy,
of course.

They belonged
to Mildred, of course.

I'm afraid the fire
damaged them,

but I wanted each one
of you to have a keepsake,

something
to remember her by,

something of
special significance

to each one of you.

After all, the guilt
of that evening

hides right here
at this table.

Doesn't it?

Michael?

All I said was
I think I'll read some

of Mildred's favorite
poetry aloud.

I don't want
to hear it!

My, my, my.

Aren't we
sensitive tonight?

That isn't
necessary, Richard.

My apologies,
Sir Galahad.

I think we should
get out of this house.

Tonight. Now.

Jenny, what are
you talking about?

Something's wrong!
Something's very wrong.

I'm afraid it wouldn't be
very pleasant outside.

Well, it couldn't be
any worse than--

If you want to go,
nobody's stopping you.

Leave me alone!Richard!

Look, aren't we all being
just a little foolish?

Now, I'm sure Mrs. Brynmar

didn't mean anything
by giving us these things.

She must have had a reason
that was very important to her.

Got to try and understand
what it's been like

for her being cooped up
in this house

and not seeing anyone,

thinking about
her husband and Mildred.

Still, even when
we lose the things

most precious to us,
we must go on living.

The voice of experience.

Or is that the sermon
for the day?

Of course,
you may be right.

Perhaps that's why we
were given these things,

to remind us to do penance
for our daily sins...

and peccadilloes,
eh, Paul?

Miss Betsy,
Mrs. Brynmar

would like to see
you in her room.

Thank you.

Excuse me.

Betsy, maybe I'd just
better tag along, huh?

Oh, I'll be
all right, Randy.

There's more than one thing
about this house

that don't sit
quite right with me
besides that Richard.

Oh, Randy,
you're letting

that storm get
on your nerves, too.

Maybe, but I've had
a funny feeling

ever since I walked
through that door,

and I'm remembering
what the Virginian said
about taking care of you.

Are you coming,
Miss Betsy?

Uh, yes,
Mrs. Tyson.

Now, Randy,
I'll be all right.

I'll just hang
around here.

You need anything,
you just holler.

Okay, I'll holler.

Miss Sarah?

Miss Sarah.

Miss Betsy
is here now.

Of course.

Thank you, Mrs. Tyson.

Sit down, my child.

You're so much like her.

Of all her friends,

you were closest
to Mildred.

We were good friends.

More than that.

As girls do,

I'm sure she confided
things in you

that she never
confided in me.

Oh, we had a secret or two,
the usual kind.

I was her mother.

She had no right
to keep things from me.

Mrs. Brynmar,
these were kid things.

I did everything for her.
She had no right.

I'm sure Mildred didn't--

I did what was
proper for her.

I selected
the clothes she wore,

the books she read.

I even chose
her friends for her.

I only thought
of what was right for her,

what would
make her happy.

I'm sure Mildred
knew that.

Then why was she
planning to run away?

Run away?

You didn't know?

Wasn't that one
of your little secrets?

No.

She was planning
to leave, all right.

I found out that
very last night.

I can't believe that.

It had to be either
Richard or Paul.

Which was it?

I don't know.

Don't lie to me.I'm not!

I want the truth.

Mrs. Brynmar,

I don't know
what you're after,

but I am not a liar!I'll find out!

Is it really
so important now?

I'll find out.

Mrs. Brynmar,
why did you give us
those things of Mildred's?

Things?

Mementos...

to remind you
of what happened.

Do you think we could
ever forget it?

As a minister,

you should take
better care

of your bishops.

Well, unfortunately
sometimes it's necessary

to, uh, swap
one piece...

for another.

And position.

Listen.

Sure got quiet
all of a sudden.

Maybe the storm's over!

Hope it's not
what I think it is.

Can't see anything.

If it is over,
there's no reason
we have to stay here.

None except 10:00 at night
is no time to try to find
your way down that road.

It's not over yet,
not by a long shot.

I get it.

We've all suddenly
gone deaf.

You hear it?

[ quiet rumbling ]

Well, what is it?

Twister.

[ wind whistling ]

What are we
gonna do?

Get away from the windows

and get down behind
the furniture, fast.

Get away
from the window!

Hey, that
was close.

Are you all right?

[ mutters ]

Michael, get
that window covered up

before it starts
blowing again.

I'll make sure
Mrs. Brynmar's all right.

Are you all right?

Yes, thank you.

Thank heaven
it missed.

Heaven is Paul's
department, Betsy.

No offense meant.

MICHAEL:
Excuse me, miss.

Let's get this up
over the window.

Started raining
again soon.

Always does after
one of these things.

Hope it doesn't have
any cousins in the neighborhood.

You mean there
could be another one?

It's not uncommon, miss,
not around here.

Not around Brynmar Hall.

Let's get
this drape closed.

There, that should hold
back some of the draft.

I believe I'll go
to my room for a bit.

Picking on my guitar is
sure more fun than this.

Can't say as
I blame you.

[ cawing ]

Well, it didn't take
your music long to--

Where are
them boys?

Is something wrong?

Something's sure wrong
when people go to
cutting guitar strings.

Doing what?Just what I said.

Somebody cut the strings
on my guitar.

Oh, Randy, why would anybody
do anything like that?

I think somebody's
trying to make sure

I know that I'm
not welcome here.

[ music box plays ]

That's the music box
playing.

It's gone!

Well, maybe all this
is somebody's idea

of being funny,
but not mine.

You two wait here.

[ music box continues,
louder ]

[ music box falters ]

[ continues playing slowly ]

[ music stops ]

[ floor creaks ]

I know, it was all
melted and everything.

Ugh. You know, I think
our hero Randy

just wanted to get
away from us girls

so he could
get to bed.

I don't feel
much like sleeping,

but I could stand
some freshening up.

Me too. See you
later downstairs?

[ thunder crashes ]

I didn't have a chance
to talk to you, Jenny.

Did I startle you?

What do you want?

I'm concerned
about you, dear.

You act frightened.

Why should you
be frightened?

Why?!

Because of all
the things that
have been happening.

That chandelier that
just happened to fall,

those ghastly gifts
that you gave us,

this whole house!

I see.

You know, Jenny,
I've been watching you

rather carefully since you
arrived this afternoon.

In fact, I watched
you verycarefully.

You seem so nervous,

I, uh, wondered if there
was something wrong.

The only thing that's
wrong is this house

and the people in it.

Are you quite sure?

Are you sure that
there aren't especially
unpleasant memories

for you here
at Brynmar Hall?

No.

Why should there be?

Perhaps a feeling
of... guilt?

No!

Of all Mildred's friends,
I approved of you least.

You knew that,
didn't you?

Oh, I knew that,
all right.

Did you ever
wonder why?

I knew why.

I didn't have
what you considered

the proper background.

It was partly that,

but there was
something more,

a certain sort
of wildness about you.

Something I had
to protect Mildred from.

Why don't you just
come out and say it!

I was never
good enough for you!

All the young men
who used to come to call

were always
attracted to you.

It was strange.

You weren't as pretty
as Mildred,

but there was
a special way about you.

Men always
recognized it.

Mildred never paid
attention to men

before you
started coming here.

You brought evil
into this house,

to Mildred!

We were friends,
best friends!

You were her conspirator.

That night at the party,
you pretended to go to bed,

but you really went
to see Mildred.

What was the secret
you shared?

There wasn't any.

You're a liar!

You knew she was
planning to run away.

All right.

All right, I knew.

Which one was it, Paul?

Richard?

I don't know.

You went to her room
to pack her clothes for her.

I saw you!

Which one?She never told me!

Oh, don't you
understand?

Whoever was with her
when the fire started,

that's the person
who k*lled her!

No! It was an accident.

It was m*rder, m*rder!

It was m*rder.

I heard loud voices.

I know what I came
to find out.

I'll take you
to your room now.

Please do.

Oh! Ow.

Oh.

Randy, are you
all right?

I guess so.

This is Mildred's room.
What are you doing here?

Getting hit
on the head mostly.

Here, hold this.

Thought you'd gone
to your room.
What happened?

I wish I knew.

I was looking
for the music box...

It's gone.

It was right there,
and it's gone.

I reckon whoever conked me
must've took it.

Randy, what you said
about this place--

I think maybe
you were right
and I was wrong.

That's some improvement,
anyway.

Well, what do we do?

Stick close together,

and in the morning
we'll get out of here.

My husband used to say

that your father
was one of

his most competent
and trusted employees.

Of course, trust
is a cardinal virtue
for a bookkeeper...

or even for
a bookkeeper's son,
isn't it?

For anyone,
I would say.

How well put, Paul.

But then, of course,
you always had

a way with words,
didn't you?

You know,

I never pictured you
as a man of the cloth.

I suppose I never did myself.

Well, I've heard it said
that many young men

feel called to
the ministry to escape

personal tragedy
or... sins.

Well, it's really
quite logical.

In the church,
a person might be able

to find a measure
of compensation, or...

absolution.

What are you
trying to say?

Oh, don't be
offended, Paul.

It's just that
I'm interested in you,

as I am in all
of Mildred's friends.

I remember that
last summer so well.

Stuart was away
on business somewhere,

and you used to drive
Mildred to church
every Sunday.

Yes, I remember
it quite well.

You were both so young.

Eighteen.

It was a very
wonderful summer.

I suppose that
you and Mildred

talked about all those
shining, foolish things

that children always
talk and dream about,

knights in shining armor,
eternal love,

running away together,
falling in love.

I imagine all young people
talk of such things
at some time.

Foolish young people.

Yes.

But I taught
Mildred the truth.

The truth?

That such things
only exist in daydreams

and the mouths of men.

Every man.

If you believe that,
I'm sorry.

I'm glad Mildred didn't.

She knew the truth.

Good night.

Paul!

Good night.Paul!

You profess to be
a man of God.

Well, as a man of God,

do you dare tell me
why you wear that collar?

You think I entered the ministry
to escape some... guilt.

Well, you're wrong.

I didn't run to
the ministry, I ran from it.

It didn't seem at all
romantic or exciting,

yet I could not rid
my mind of the idea.

I talked to Mildred
about it.

I even tried a little bit
of everything else,

trying to find something
I really wanted to do,

something else
I was best at.

Well, after a while,
I stopped running...

and I found out.

I don't believe you.

Mrs. Brynmar,

Mildred meant
a great deal to me.

She was my friend.

Her loss was
a very personal loss to me.

But her death is not
the reason I wear this collar.

I would've worn it
in any case.

Get out.

Get out!

Paul, have you
seen Jenny?

No, I haven't.
Why, is something wrong?

I don't know.
She's not in her room.

We can't find her
anywhere, unless she's
with Mrs. Brynmar.

She's not
in Mrs. Brynmar's room.
I just left it.

You remember
how she talked.

You don't think
she'd try to leave?

I don't think so,
not in this storm.

Found her out there.

Oh!

Here!

Get blankets
and smelling salts.

What happened
to her?

I don't know, I...

I saw her run
out of the house
and went after her.

I found her like that.

I guess a tree limb
must've hit her in the head.

Doesn't appear
to be too serious.

Put this
under her head.

You take
the smelling salts.

Help me, please.

RICHARD: At least Jenny
has the courage
of her own convictions.

I had to get away.

I ran and ran, and...

Well, then I remember
someone following me.

Then I don't know
what happened.

Why did you have
to get away?

Oh, it's so hard
to explain.

Well...

Mostly it was
Mrs. Brynmar.

She came to my room.

She said I brought
evil to the house.

She accused me
of all sorts of things,

mostly about Mildred.

You're not
alone there.

I had quite a session
with her myself
about the same thing.

Me too. I didn't know
what she was talking about.

Trouble is, I do.

What?

What do you mean?

Well...

That night of the party,
two years ago,

Mildred whispered to me
to meet her in the cellar.

I thought it was odd,
but I did what I was asked.

She said she
was eloping,

only she wouldn't
tell me with whom.

Only that if her mother
ever found out,

she'd stop her
for sure.

She found out,
all right.

She told me
about it tonight,

but I didn't
believe her.

Well, it's true.

She asked me to go upstairs
and pack a bag for her.

I didn't want to,
but she begged so that...

I did it,

and I was upstairs in her room
when the fire started.

You've done nothing
to be ashamed of.

Oh, that's not
the whole thing.

The first time
I went down to the cellar,

I had a lamp with me.

I left it by
the windowsill

when I went
upstairs again.

Well, don't you see?

Nobody knows
how the fire started.

I put the lamp there.

You don't know that it was
your lamp that started it,

and, well, even if it was,
it was an accident.

Oh, I've said that
over and over again.

"It was an accident."

If I could only
know for sure!

There is no way
to know, Jenny...

but I'm sure
no one blames you.

Why don't you try
and get some rest,

and we'll see you
bright and early
in the morning.

Betsy, Paul?
Thank you.

Good night, Jenny.

Who is it?

Randy.

[ sighs ]

Come in.

I was just checking.
You all right?

I think we'd both better
try and get some sleep.

Well, if I do,
it'll be with
one eye open.

Can't you lock
that door?

No key.

Well, if you need me,
I'll come running.

Good night.Night.

[ screaming ]

It's just a king snake.
It won't hurt you none.

I don't care.
Get it out of here!

Oh!

What happened?

Snake in her bed.

Probably came inside to
escape from the storm.

Sure, and he found it
drafty on the second floor,

so he climbed into bed
to get warm, I reckon.

There has to be
an explanation.

Yeah, somebody put it
in there while we
were downstairs.

Oh, Randy, you're
imagining things.

I didn't imagine this
lump alongside my head,

or a lot of other
funny things going on
around here tonight.

I think
he's right.

Let's get this thing
out of here.

I'll put him outside
where he belongs.

I'm all right.

I-I'm all right now.

[ door opens ]

[ door closes ]

[ bird scratches in cage ]

[ cawing ]

[ bell rings ]

"Dear Mildred,
I have given it serious thought

"and have now realized

"that it is impossible
to take you with me.

I am sorry that I must
break my promise to you."

[ door closes ]

Been here long?

No, not long.

You know, I had an uncle once
who was a preaching man.

Said he always felt nervous
if he didn't have his coat on.

[ chuckles ]

I imagine most ministers
feel that way about it.

I noticed you
always wear yours.

Reckon that's
how I noticed

you have a button
missing off it.

Where'd you find it?

In the cellar.

Found this, too.

I wrote this two years ago...

to her.

Were you down there
just now, in the cellar?

No, I mean...

I did make sort of
a pilgrimage earlier today,

but, uh, no.

No.

Well, as long as the girls
are safe in their room,

I guess we might as well
try to get some sleep, too.

I suppose.

[ knocking ]

Who is it?

It's only me.

Come here.

I, uh... I hope
I'm not pestering you.

Of course not.

I...

I-I've tried sleeping,

but I can't!

This awful house!

Would you like
some warm milk?

It'll help put
you to sleep.

Okay, you lay down
and I'll get you some.

Aah!

Aaah!

Randy!

Randy, help me!

Betsy!

I saw him too.

I couldn't see
his face.

Just as well.

I think we'd all better
have a get-together.

We guests, that is.

That man downstairs,
who could he have been?

That and a lot of other
questions need answering.

Well, the obvious fact
is that whatever's

going on in this house
is directly related

to the fact
that the four of us

were here two years
ago tonight.

Mrs. Brynmar said that
Mildred was planning
to run off that night.

With one of you.

Don't you have a comment
on that, Richard?

Somehow I seem to have
run out of quips.

Sorry.

Do any of you ever remember
Mildred leaving this house,

just once in all
the time we knew her?

We were always
invited here.

Except for church
on Sunday.

Brynmar Hall wasn't
her home, it was her prison,

and her mother
was her jailer.

She hated this house,
and in a way,

she hated
her mother, too.

That night of the party,

Mildred knew I was going
to Laramie the next day,

and she asked me
if I would take her

to some old friends
of the family who lived there,

and that is
all there was to it.

I owe you
an apology, Paul.

I'm afraid you
overestimated me, Richard.

At first, I agreed
to take her.

Later on, I thought,
well, how it would seem,

so I wrote her a note

and told her
I'd changed my mind.

I never saw
her again.

I wish I had
taken her with me.

I wonder what really happened
down there that night.

Mrs. Brynmar
seems to think

that one of us
k*lled Mildred.

But that's ridiculous!

Yes.

But she wouldn't believe
Richard or me.

Not even on a stack
of Bibles.

We, uh...

we all know
what Mrs. Brynmar
thinks of me.

Still, someone
should talk
some sense to her,

before something
really awful happens.

Yeah, Jenny's right.

I guess it's
up to me.

Well, I'll try.

I'll go with you.

I'll be all right.
It's just across the hall.

Mrs. Brynmar?

[ gasps ]

Mrs. Brynmar?

I thought I heard you
calling from outside.

I didn't call.

I always liked
the white dress better.

Why are you standing there?

Go to your room at once.

Mrs. Brynmar,
I would like to talk to you.

Must I punish you?Please!

Must I?

Then I will punish you.

Punish you, punish you!Randy!

[ Betsy screaming ]

Randy?

Betsy!

[ cawing ]

[ Betsy screaming ]

Why did you run away
from me, Mildred?

I know all
about it, Mildred.

I can't just let you
run off, can I?

I've given you everything,

and now you want
to leave me.

I'm not Mildred!
Look at me.

You know how I'm going
to punish you, Mildred?

Just the way I punished
you before

when you tried
to run away.

You're afraid of the dark,
aren't you, Mildred?

You've always been afraid
of it, haven't you?

RANDY: Betsy, unlock the door!
Let me in!

All right, then.

Darkness!

[ screams ]

[ yelling ]

Try to get
the fire out!

Come on!

Get her out of here!

She's dead.

After Mildred's death,

all of us here...

Mrs. Tyson,
Michael, myself,

recognized the change
in Sarah's mind.

She somehow
shut out the fact

that she herself
had started the fire,

almost exactly
as you saw for yourselves,

only this time
it was her own dress
that caught fire.

Gradually, she transferred
the guilt to one of you.

When I found out
she'd sent the invitations...

But what about you,
Mr. Brynmar?

I was burned
trying to save Mildred.

Later, after I'd seen
the revulsion in the eyes
of my own wife,

I let the outside world
assume I'd died in the fire.

For the things I did,
I apologize.

I was deeply afraid
of what Sarah might do.

I had no intention
of hurting anyone.

Neither did Michael
nor Mrs. Tyson,

who helped me in trying
to frighten you all away.

Please forgive me.

I'll bring the buggy
around, Betsy.

I'll be
on my way, too.

Jenny...

I hope to see you again.

In the meantime,
maybe they'll be able

to teach me something
at Harvard about...

people and things.

Well, till next time.

We'll see each other
again soon, Jenny.

Paul?

I'm sure
we will, Betsy.

Do come
and visit me, Jenny.

Well, I don't know
where I'll be.

I'm looking
for new work.

I think I could help you
find something, Jenny,

if you'd like.

I'd like that.

Your young man is waiting
for you, Miss Betsy.

I'll be expecting
you, Jenny.

Bye, Paul.

Good-bye, Betsy.

[ theme music playing ]