Original subtitles

I will share with you my vision.

And maybe you will see

the way your future will be.

Worth much more than any treasure.

May you have the pleasure of the

precious gift of love.

I do wish you wouldn't play that, dear. It can only bring you pain.

But it doesn't add constants.

It gives me comfort.

Oh, well.

Then I'm sure it would please your father if he only knew.

Somehow I think he does.

Very nice. Very nice indeed.

Isn't it fortunate that we found out that blue is Alfred's favorite color?

Yes.

Really, dear, you might show a little more enthusiasm.

It isn't every girl who has the chance to be the bride of Alfred Browning.

Don't worry, Aunt Constance. I'll be good, I promise.

Well, of course you'll be good. I was never any question about your being

good, for heaven's sake.

Come on now, they're waiting for us.

Come here, you're just beautiful.

Absolutely perfect.

I'll be right in. I've forgotten my handkerchief.

Oh, but it's two o'clock.

Now, you know how your sister-in-law to be is about punctuality. She expects us

to appear promptly at two.

You go ahead in. I'll be right there. I promise.

What are you doing here? It's your day off.

I know, but I just had to tell you. The lake in Central Park's frozen over.

Oh, I wish I could go with you. Or have a headache.

Have a headache?

I can't.

Alfred and Miss Browning are going to pop the question today.

How romantic.

Beth, we're waiting for you, dear.

I've got to go. Have a good time. Oh, it's a shame. I can't be wishing you the

same.

Oh, here she is now.

Mother, I'm fast.

or it's three minutes past two.

Uh, I forgot my handkerchief. I'm sorry.

Yeah, dear, do come. Sit down by me. Beth, come and see. Look.

There's a painted bunting out here.

They normally don't stray this far from the sea, but with this early coal snap,

of course they can fly. Alfred, do please come away from that window. You

know how susceptible you are to the influenza.

Well, now we're all here.

Alfred has something he wants to say to you, Beth.

I... Well?

I... That is... It would do me great honor.

Go on, Alfred. You're doing beautifully.

Thank you, Miss Constance.

What I mean to say, Beth, is that... You're Uncle William, and...

my sister Agnes, had decided that it would be advantageous for us

to marry.

Well, Beth, what do you say?

I didn't hear a question.

Well, she's quite right, William. One could say that Alfred has issued a

statement. Uh, perhaps a plan for a merger.

I had no difficulty discerning the meaning of Alfred's remarks.

Nor do I.

Alfred, dear, go back and start again just the way you did before.

It would give me great honor.

Oh, for heaven's sake, he's asking you to marry him. Yes, that's it.

I'm asking you...

To marry me.

Is something wrong, dear?

What?

Oh, no.

Then perhaps you would favor Alfred with an answer.

I thank you for your offer, Alfred.

And I shall be pleased to accept it.

You mean we're engaged?

Unofficially, of course. The official announcement will be made at the

appropriate time and the appropriate place.

You have made a wise choice, my dear.

I'm very pleased.

Oh, my darling, I'm so happy for you.

Now, Alfred, isn't it your turn?

Or should I say nephew?

Does your head ache?

Mine, too.

I thought you had a headache, Alfred. I could see it in your eyes. Perhaps we

should go home so you can lie down. You know how delicate you are.

Well, perhaps that is for the best. Beth seems to be a little pale herself.

Perhaps they're both just suffering from excitement.

Oh, dear, I know I am.

Well, I hope you will excuse us, William.

On the whole, I would say this has been a very successful day.

Wouldn't you?

Quite.

Wouldn't you like to learn how to do that? And who would be teaching me?

I would be most honored. Go on with you. If you could skate that fancy, you'd be

out on the ice showing off like your friend there.

And have them two find out I know how?

Not on your life.

Oh, come on.

It's more fun skating than talking to two show-offs like that.

Do you think I could teach you?

Mary, let's go.

Aren't you going to introduce us to your friend? Look how I'm forgetting my

manners. My mother would be that ashamed.

Meet Franz Holner and Rudy... Miller.

Miller. This is my friend, Beth Atherton.

Are you also an upstairs maid?

Oh, no. Beth's a parlor maid.

Well, with your beauty, you should be mistress of the house.

Thank you.

I'd really like to skate.

That is precisely what you shall do. France will take Mary. I will help you.

And in no time, you will be gliding over the ice as though it were your second

home.

That's very kind of you. Oh, that sounds like just the ticket.

So first we put our right foot forward.

So, glide.

Good. See, you look a bit more secure.

Do you think I might try it

alone? Well, one must have patience, I doubt very much that you could... Wait!

Then, if that's what you will do to yourself...

foreign

I did it no harm. What do you know about it?

Please, allow me to...

Go away!

Go away!

I can't just leave you. Go away!

Please, I can't. Go away! I cannot just... Go away!

You could skate all alone.

Why

have

I never met such a vain girl?

As though her hair falling down was the world's greatest calamity.

Perhaps you see Mary again, you might give her this to give to her.

Oh, jawohl, mein herr.

Why don't you give it to her yourself?

I take it you think I'm being a bit of a fool?

Well, aren't you?

We meet two pretty girls who we both like to see again.

And you're behaving like a Prussian aristocrat. Come on.

Slow down.

You think you were being pursued by the devil himself.

I want to get home.

Don't you think you're making too much of all of this? After all... It was you

who let him think you didn't know how to skate.

It was your idea.

And working fine until you couldn't resist showing off.

You see?

She is conceited, rude, impossible churlish girl.

But adorable.

I see nothing adorable in bad manners.

This one has bad manners. The one last week has too many freckles.

Sally's friend that I introduced you to talked too much.

You're impossible to please.

Sometimes I think you don't want to be pleased.

Perhaps you can forget I am Patrose de Hilda. I cannot.

What's that got to do with it?

I have an arranged bride to be waiting for me at home, too.

That doesn't mean I can't look at a pretty girl, does it?

Look, Phil, I'm in the United States. I work hard. Send my money home.

And when I have free time, I flirt a little.

What harm can there be in that?

France, if you fall in love with one of these oh-so

-pretty American girls,

You will find out.

Fall in love?

I'm not planning to fall in love.

I did not know one fell in love only if one planned to.

All right, now, dear, all your guests are seated, and you wish the servants to

bring in the first course.

So ring the bell.

Oh, do sit up straight, Beth.

A lady never permits her back to touch the back of the chair.

Oh, Mary, where's Margaret?

She has the grip, Mom.

I'm helping out in the kitchen today.

Oh, very well. Then you can put the bowl in front of Miss Beth.

I'm begging your pardon, Mom, but how many are we serving today?

Twenty-four.

Ooh, then I'd better get a bigger bowl.

Oh, for heaven's sakes, Mary.

It's all make-believe.

Oh, no, Mary's quite right, dear.

It's imperative that you learn the correct dishes for each occasion.

I learned all that from my mother.

Yes, of course you did. After all, your mother was a Schuyler.

It's just that, um, well, in her reduced circumstances, shall we say, I... She

didn't have occasion to entertain on the grand scale which you'll be expected to

maintain as the bride of Alfred Browning.

Mrs. Adams' driver is at the door, madam.

Oh, dear me, where has the morning gone to? Excuse me, dear, we'll have to

finish this later.

I won't be here.

It's my afternoon at the settlement house.

Oh, dear, well, they will finish it tomorrow.

Beg pardon, madam, but tomorrow you're pouring at the orphan.

Orphan's tea.

Oh, goodness, yes.

Oh, there's so much to do. How can I do it all? I can't be expected to do it

all.

Will that be all, Mrs. Alfred Browning?

Mary, I can't.

I just can't spend my life giving dinner parties.

For Alfred's ornithological friends.

And trying to please Miss Browning. Oh, it won't be so bad, you'll see.

Maybe after he has a wife, the poor man won't be so frightened of his sister.

He might even perk up a bit.

Do you really think so?

No.

A pox on your Irish honesty.

Oh, would you believe me if I had lied? No.

Would you have a minute to come and look at my dress?

It's finished?

My mother's in the kitchen with it now.

She said to be sure and get your approval.

Oh, as if Mabel Halloran needs my opinion.

She knows more about clothes and everything else than I do.

It's beautiful.

You'll be the belle of the butler's ball.

Mrs. O'Halloran, you're a genius.

No wonder they call you the best seamstress on Delancey Street.

Oh, I was hoping you'd like it.

Like it? I love it.

And you, Mr. Griggs, is it to your taste?

As a man, I mean.

I can give it my unqualified approval.

And last but not least, Mrs. Mooney.

Go on with you, Mabel Halloran. You know I'm green with envy.

You're almost as good a seamstress as I am a cook.

Which reminds me, would you come upstairs and have a look at my ball

gown? Seems to have shrunk since last year.

Perhaps it's your avid depoy, Mrs. Mooney.

Now don't go starting your highfalutin English talk with me, Mr. Grace.

Finish your primping, Mary. It's time to set the table.

Mary. Do you think it's too American?

What do you mean by that?

Well, Franz Hollner's going to be mascot.

Franz Hollner?

Oh, Mary, how could you have asked him? You barely know him. And he barely knows

me, so we're even.

Is his, uh, conceited friend coming along?

Which friend?

Oh, you know that Richard or Robert Orver? Rudy, what's his name?

Oh, you mean Rudy Miller?

No.

Fran says he's got other fish to fry that night.

I do wish you were coming, though.

There's going to be a dancing to a real live orchestra and singing and the prize

going to the prettiest girl.

Which I'm sure you'll win. Oh, now that I think of it, it's lucky I am that you

won't be there to grab it from me.

At your age, you should be going out and dancing your heart out.

Yes.

Not practicing to be old before your time.

I don't know what your aunt and uncle are thinking of, arranging a match like

that. They're thinking of my future.

They don't want me to run off with a penniless music teacher like my mother

did. Did that end up so bad?

Bad?

My parents' house was the happiest place in the whole world.

Well, then.

That was different.

They were so much in love with each other that nothing else mattered.

A love like that just doesn't come along every day.

Well, maybe... No!

I don't want to talk about it.

My Uncle William's heart was broken when my...

My mother ran off with my father. Oh.

That's what Aunt Constance said.

And even though he never got over it, he was kind enough to take me in after my

parents died.

And now I can make up to him for all the pain.

I'll bet your Aunt Constance told you that, too.

I'll have this for your Christmas, Mrs. Mooney.

Oh, Miss Beth, since you so kindly complimented me on my soul, I'd be

honored to make something for you anytime you need it.

Oh, thank you, Mrs. O'Halloran. That's very kind of you.

But I don't think I'll be going to too many balls.

Well, there's more to life than dancing.

No doubt the Lord intended for you to find your happiness some other way.

See you at home, Mom.

Bye-bye.

That's all right. I'm coming. I'm coming.

Just a minute. I'm coming.

Yes. Oh, good evening.

From Mr.

Browning, madam.

Oh, thank you very much.

Aren't you going to the ball?

Beg pardon, madam? The ball. The ball. The butler's ball.

Judging by my household, there isn't a servant working in all of New York

tonight. I don't dance, madam. Oh, what a pity.

Well, then, if you're ever in need of employment, I do hope you'll come and

see me.

Thank you, madam.

Thank you.

Bye-bye.

I heard the bell. I thought it was Alfred.

Oh, no, dear. Oh, well, yes, in a way it was. He sent you a note.

I do hope there's nothing wrong with the dear boy.

Well, there's only one way to find out.

Oh, you look so pretty tonight, Aunt Constance. Oh, thank you, my darling.

Oh.

Miss Browning isn't feeling well.

Alfred fills his places with her this evening.

Oh, dear. Then you won't be going to the concert.

No. Oh, and your Uncle William and I have been invited to the charity dinner

at the Fifth Avenue Hotel for the committee to collect charity Bibles for

the deserving poor.

Well, then we just won't go, that's all.

And Mr.

Caviar and the salmon and aspic?

Oh, dear.

Yes, the salmon and aspic.

Well, perhaps I am being hasty.

But, well, then, dear, what will you do for dinner?

The servants are all busy getting ready for that ridiculous party.

Oh, I'm sure Cook has something in the icebox.

I'll be fine, really.

Hasn't Alfred arrived yet?

Oh, he's not coming.

Agnes is ill.

Oh, William dear, what shall we do?

Whatever Beth wishes us to do, of course.

Would you prefer we stayed at home with you?

Or perhaps you'd care to accompany us to the dinner?

No, thank you, Uncle William.

I'm quite content to stay at home.

I'll work on my music.

Ah, now there's a dear, lovely, level-headed girl, William. She'll work

on her music.

Splendid!

Yes, will you?

Thank you, darling.

There you go.

There we are.

Now, have a good evening and don't stay up too late.

Good night.

Good night, Emma.

Good night, Beth. Good night.

Have a good time.

Thank you.

Aren't you all a cancer?

I thought you were off.

Oh, I'm not going.

Miss Browning is here.

And you all dressed up and looking like a princess.

What a shame.

It's not a shame at all. It's a blessing.

Now you can come with us.

Oh, I don't think that would... Oh, don't be silly, Mr. Griggs.

This isn't the old country. This is America, where everybody's equal.

More's the pity.

Don't worry, Mr. Griggs. I can't go. And why not? I'd like to know.

I promised to work on my music.

Oh, you have to come up with a better one than that.

My aunt and uncle wouldn't like it. They'd be back before they are and no

harm done.

Oh, you'd find it very pleasant, Miss Beth. There's a big buffet.

And dancing and singing.

I don't approve.

But I do think you'd enjoy yourself, Miss Beth.

And it would be my pleasure to escort you home at any hour you might desire.

There, it's settled.

Run and get your clock.

All right.

What did I tell you? Siobhan Flaherty's wearing her bedspread. Don't be silly.

She's wearing her drapes.

How are the Vanderbilt's doing without you tonight, Charles?

Oh, yeah, I'm afraid.

You don't dance, do you, Mrs. Mooney?

Whatever gave you that idea, Mr. Griggs?

Oh, you look beautiful.

You both do.

Did you have any trouble getting in?

Of course not.

I just told them I was the escort of the prettiest girl in the world.

And they knew who I meant right away.

I'm sorry you had to come alone, but my mother trusts Mr. Griggs to look after

me. Does that mean I can't take you home?

Why don't we wait and see?

Woody!

I thought you said he wasn't coming.

I thought you said she wasn't coming.

Come on.

Good evening, Mary.

Miss Bethlehem?

I claim this dance.

May I have the honor of this dance?

Excuse me. May I cut in? We don't do that here. Yes, I know, but this is my

sister, and I have a very important message from our mother. Is this true?

Yes.

Aren't you going to thank me?

Thank you.

I wasn't planning on being here tonight. I prefer to dance in silence.

Pulse for the bell of the butler's ball.

I should like to offer this as a tribute to your beauty.

If not your manners.

This is our dinner.

Well,

I... I thought...

You are the rudest smile judges are watching. I don't care who's watching

Obviously the lady doesn't wish to dance with you go away. I will not permit me

to

Don't cry.

Oh, please don't cry. I'm not crying.

Oh, I just want to die.

I've never been so embarrassed in my whole life.

If you ask me, you look more angry than anything.

That man.

That awful man.

He's pretty pushy. I'll give him that.

If he ever tries to come in the same room with me, I'll... I'll... And he

deserves every bit of it, too.

Well,

wouldn't you be angry with him?

That I would.

But it would be mixed with pleasure.

That man certainly finds you attractive.

Don't be silly. He hates me.

And I hate him.

What time is it?

It must be well past ten.

I've got to go home.

Her ladyship and himself won't be home for a while yet. I want to go.

There you are, as good as new.

Please, Woody wishes to apologize for his behavior.

He is terribly sorry.

This has nothing to do with him.

I just have to leave, that's all.

Then permit me to escort you.

Don't be silly.

Why should I spoil the evening for you and Mary?

If you'll just get me a hack, I'll be fine.

I'll get Riggs. You'll do no such thing.

Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please. The judges have made their

decision.

Please get me a hack. I'll be right out.

At least let poor Rudy apologize.

The judges find themselves at a bit of a loss.

They wish to give the award to a young lady whose name they do not know.

So, will the young lady with the cascading tresses... That's you!

...kindly step forward to receive her award as the loveliest lady of the

butler's ball?

Are you sure you would like... I'm fine, Franz.

Thank you.

As you wish.

Where to, miss?

27 6th Avenue.

I

have

come to apologize.

I am sorry to cause you alarm, but I am twice as sorry to have caused you

embarrassment.

And I know I will not be able to sleep tonight without your forgiveness.

Whether you sleep tonight is no concern of mine.

The fact that I have spoiled your evening makes it a concern of mine.

Very well.

You are forgiven.

Now, will you please tell the driver to pull over so you can get out?

That is not good enough. I'm afraid you are still angry with me. Of course I am.

I've met you twice, and both times I've been pushed and shoved and made to

suffer the indignity of having my hair come down.

With hair such as that, its descent only serves to accentuate your beauty.

Never before have I seen hair of such luxuriant length tell me has it never

been cut No Then whoever issued that command was very wise

It was my father and he did not issue commands I

had scarlet fever when I was three And I had to have my hair cut off when it grew

back My father asked me never to cut it again

And I never will You speak of your father in a past tense

Nick Vaughn Both my parents died when I was a child

I'm 18

Forgive me Now,

please get out

It is getting late.

What time is it?

It is 11 precisely.

How beautiful.

May I?

Of course.

Aren't you afraid to lose it?

Carrying it in your pocket that way?

Without a chain.

I nearly did the other day.

A hooligan tried to take it from me.

It is my most precious possession.

My only link with home.

Belonged to my father and his father before him.

Well, I value it as you do your hair.

Here we are, miss.

You were going in the front entrance?

Oh, no.

I am going skating at the park tomorrow at 5 o'clock.

I hope you will skate there at that time.

I will not.

Nevertheless, I shall hope that somehow you will be there.

You can help all you want for all the good it will do you.

Remember, 5 o'clock?

Hey, where's my money?

Want me to take you back?

How much do I owe you?

That'll be 50 cents.

That's all I have. I shall walk back.

Thank you, dear.

Why aren't you in bed?

Don't tell me you spent the entire evening sitting around in that expensive

dress. Good evening. Did you have a pleasant time?

Well, it was passable.

But there was no salmon in aspic.

Anyway, dear, why aren't you in bed or at least undressed?

Oh, I'm tired, my dear. I think Beth's interrogation can wait until the

morning, don't you?

No.

I mean, I'd rather tell you now.

I went to the butler's ball.

What?

Oh, Beth, you did... How could you? It just isn't done.

Do I understand you to say that you went out at night without our permission?

It must be that Mary O'Halloran. I told myself no good would come of a close

relationship between my niece and the lower classes.

It occurs to me it would have been better if you'd told Beth.

Yes, William, of course.

Oh, Beth, dear, how could you let yourself be led astray by that... It

wasn't Mary's idea.

She even insisted that I leave.

It doesn't matter whose idea it was.

Beth is old enough to know right from wrong.

I'm very disappointed in you, Beth.

I have been relatively easy in my mind about your behavior, knowing that you've

been brought up by my dear sister, and then turned over to your Aunt

Constance's... Well, I have

not seen fit to deal harshly with you.

But now all that has changed.

Your behavior tonight has shown a distressing lack of restraint.

Well, William.

Oh, William. She'll never go to the butler's ball again.

Will you, dear? I can understand sneaking out to go to Mrs.

Astor's. But a hall full of servants.

That's enough, Constance.

The social standing of the company Beth chooses to sneak away to is of no

importance. What is important is that she's not to be trusted.

You will see to it she never leaves the house unless she is properly

accompanied.

Oh, Beth, I am surprised.

Mary.

No, wait, don't go.

Please, come here, dear. I want to speak to you.

I understand it was because of you my niece didn't stay at that... Ball, Mum.

Yes, ball.

Well, I commend your common sense.

Oh, thank you, Mum.

Nevertheless, I must forbid any further association between the two of you.

Oh, my mother will be that upset, Mum.

She loves Miss Beth like one of her own.

It does seem harsh, doesn't it?

It's Mr.

Schuyler's wish.

Yes, Mum.

Will that be all, Mum?

Yes, dear.

You may go now. Good night.

Good night, Mum.

Good night, Miss Beth.

All there, my darling. Now, don't look so downhearted.

Every cloud has a silver lining.

It just means that you and I will be able to spend every moment together.

We'll go shopping, Beth.

Shopping, dear, shopping.

With lunches at Delmonico's and 34 and sodas and gobs and gobs of whipped

cream.

I don't like whipped cream.

Oh, well, never mind. I shall eat your portion, too.

Yes, I think it would be proper. We shall ask your uncle if it would be all

right to buy your engagement present now.

There now. What do you think of that? Isn't that exciting?

Yes, Aunt Constance.

Come on, darling.

Aren't they beautiful?

Watch chains, dear?

Why would you be interested in a watch chain?

Alfred doesn't wear a watch.

Good morning, Mrs. Schuyler. Oh, hello. And what may we do for you today?

Well, I'm here to buy an engagement present for my niece.

Of course.

Madam.

Was there something special you had in mind?

Yes, Mr.

Schuyler and I thought perhaps a simple string of pearls.

Oh, unless you prefer something else, dear.

And when Rudy told me, I said he must be mistaken.

There is no mistake.

The young lady was playing a cruel trick common to people in her station.

And you allowed it, which forces me to change my estimation of you.

I, too, would have thought better of you. Stop!

What you're saying to me, well, maybe I deserve it.

But all that stuff about Beth, that's just rubbish.

A cruel trick coming to people in her station.

What station? This isn't Europe, you know.

She's not a princess.

She's just a poor orphan being forced to marry a man she doesn't love.

And so she came out with me for a bit of fun. And represented herself as someone

she was not. That was my idea, not hers.

She did nothing to change my belief she was a maid in this house. And why should

she?

Why should I be standing here defending the two of us like I'm in the dark?

I would prefer that you both leave.

It's a pleasure.

You know, I really would prefer the pleasure of watching you and Beth skate.

I'm afraid that my inept performance on the ice will only ruin your otherwise

perfect execution.

Don't be absurd, Alfred.

You know that skating is good for your weak ankles.

Don't lean on us, dear. Put your weight squarely on your own two feet. I'm

trying to, Agnes.

You're doing fine, Alfred.

He's not leaning on me.

Then I suggest the two of you skate together.

Well, that might be unfair to Beth.

Oh, nonsense. I'm sure Beth would enjoy it.

Would you, Beth?

Of course, Alfred.

Perfect. All right, Alfred, now you just relax and try to enjoy yourself.

She ready, Alfred?

You're right foot first.

I should

like to be

of assistance.

You see...

I am a teacher of the sport.

That's very kind of you, but it won't be necessary.

Well, I beg to disagree with Fräulein.

But if the gentleman continues to fold his ankles in so, he may do great damage

to his body.

No, you see, I've had a weak ankle since childhood. I doubt that any assistance

should be required.

This is fair. You are mistaken, my dear.

If you will permit me, I will show you how to deal with it.

Really? Well, are you game?

Alfred, I'm sure that if we just take a big... No, I think... We assume a

partner position. Very good.

Perhaps you might hold the gentleman a little tighter.

Very good.

Now.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four. Five.

Six.

That was very good for the first lesson.

No time. You will be skimming over the ice like a bird.

I doubt it. Oh, but you will.

Shall I show you how you will look one month from now?

to maintain my anger when you were looking so beautiful.

Your anger?

You were deliberately making fools of Alfred and me.

And do not you think I deserve a bit of revenge?

No.

What have I done to you?

You allowed me to begin to fall in love with you.

Even though you were engaged to another man.

I didn't mean to do all that.

Nevertheless, you did.

How did you find out I was engaged?

You and your aunt came into the shop where I work.

I was sitting no more than five feet away when she bought you a string of

pearls as an engagement present.

Oh, Rudy, I'm sorry.

After seeing your fiancé, I'm relieved.

At least Mary was telling me the truth about that.

About what?

Well, you are entering into an arranged marriage.

Well, yes.

Oh, I certainly won't tell Constance you let a strange man skate off with your

fiancé. Really, how could you have been so imprudent, Alfred?

It can't be. Alfred!

It is.

Don't mumble, dear.

Do be quiet, Agnes. I think I may have seen a snowy owl.

Oh, really, Alfred.

I, too, have an arranged marriage when I go back to Switzerland.

It is not a charming prospect, but... duty decrees.

Did you really mean what you said about beginning to fall in love with me?

I should not have said that.

Now we both know we're committed elsewhere.

Artificially. Artificially.

Well, surely it could do no harm if you and I were to meet? Innocently, of

course. Of course.

Oh, I'm afraid that's impossible.

Except for the days I work at the settlement house.

My aunt doesn't allow me out of her sight.

What settlement house?

Rivington Street.

between the immigrant children and how their mothers work.

I, too, work at the Rivington Street settlement houses. I teach English to

the German-Austrian immigrants.

I arrive every Monday and Thursday promptly at 7.

I'm afraid I leave at 6.

Perhaps I could arrive at 6.30.

Then I shall stay till 7.

Oh, tomorrow's Monday!

I thank you. And now, auf Wiedersehen.

At least he seems a gentleman.

Yes, a perfect gentleman.

Oh,

here's your mother now, Jan.

He is a good boy. Very good, weren't you, Jan?

Perhaps you'd like to sit down for a moment. You look so tired.

Oh, no, I must go.

It is time I cook.

But you've been out working since seven this morning.

First I cook, then I wash, then I sleep.

It's America.

Favela. Good night.

Good night.

Good night, Jan.

Oh!

What an awful noise.

If you want a song, you must ask in English.

Would like.

A song, please.

Very good. Now say it all at once.

We'll like a song.

Wonderful.

I'll sing for you the song my father wrote for me when I was your age. All

right? All right.

If you will come with me

I will share with you my vision.

And maybe you will see the

way your future will be.

Worth much more than any treasure May

you have the pleasure of The precious

gift of love

No one sang for me like that when I

arrived from Europe.

I'm sorry. It's time to go home.

Aren't you hungry?

Good night, Lisa.

Say good night to the far line.

Good night.

Now perhaps we'll give me

your attention.

I did not sleep well last night.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I did not deserve your pity.

With what I was thinking, it was a pleasure to be awake.

Then what was that?

Well, that I had found a beautiful and exciting friend.

Friend?

Oh, yes, of course, friend.

Friend.

I would rather use another word.

No, no, you are quite right.

We will be friends.

That's all.

Just friends.

Yes.

Well, now that that is settled, will you do your friend the honor of singing

that lovely song again?

I do not remember ever hearing it before.

You couldn't have. It's mine.

I mean, it's just a song my father wrote for me.

He gave it to me for the first time on my fifth birthday.

The first time?

Yes.

It was my birthday present every year.

My father said that no matter what other gifts I might get, the one that was

priceless was the gift of love.

And he wanted me always to have that.

Your father must have been a wonderful man.

Both my parents were wonderful.

And so much in love with each other.

And my father was right.

I don't think my mother ever regretted running off to marry him.

He gave away all the Skyler money he couldn't buy.

I did not think your father would be very happy with your marriage plans.

If we meet after tonight... If?

It has to be on the understanding that we will not discuss either my marriage

or yours.

We will only meet to... to deepen our friendship.

Agreed? Agreed.

There.

Of course that doesn't mean you can't tell me about the young lady.

The young lady?

Hilda. Oh, yes, Hilda.

Where you are dark, she is blonde.

Where you are adorable and petite, she is...

Wagnerian.

Where you have a voice like a thrush,

She sings like a turkey.

You're making it up. Of course.

How else can I tell only a friend how wonderful she is?

You mustn't.

Well, you are warm, soft.

She is like a...

Delicious dinner as usual, Constance.

Thank you so much, Agnes.

You seem very quiet this evening, Beth. Aren't you feeling well?

I'm fine, Miss Browning.

She's just worn out, that's all.

Working at that settlement house all the time as though her life depended on it.

Oh, I do hope you'll stop all that after you and Alfred are married.

There's no telling what dreadful diseases those immigrants bring from

Europe, and Alfred is so susceptible.

My wife tells me you want to accelerate the wedding plans.

Yes, if you have no objection.

But I thought you and Constance and Beth, of course, had your hearts set on

a June wedding.

Oh, no.

June will be impossible.

Really? Why?

Well, because I'm delivering my paper on June 3rd. So, of course, we would have

to set sail several weeks earlier.

Paper? What paper?

I thought you knew.

I'm speaking on the white-crested sparrow at the Royal Ornithological

Institute in London.

Surely, Agnes would have mentioned it to you. I mean, it's a great honor.

The white-crested sparrow. Oh, fancy that.

You must be very pleased, Alfred.

Doesn't it all work out beautifully?

What a honeymoon.

First England, then Switzerland. No.

Not Switzerland.

Beth, Switzerland is an absolute must.

That's the home of Professor Einberg, the world's foremost authority on forest

birds.

Well, then, we shall have to start getting ready for the engagement party

right away.

Tomorrow's Thanksgiving, and then we're right into the holiday season.

Yes, as soon as possible.

There's a lot to be done outside of the party, you know. I think we should start

on the financial arrangements no later than two weeks from now.

Beth, aren't you excited? A honeymoon in Europe.

Beth,

I asked you a question.

I'm sorry, I didn't hear you. I said, aren't you excited? A

honeymoon in Europe. Oh, you're a very lucky girl, you know.

Yes, I know.

I'm a very lucky girl.

Rudy.

Rudy. Over here.

I had to work late. I am sorry.

Oh, and now I have to leave.

I'm late as it is.

Looks very festive.

Yes.

Oh, you see that turkey there?

Liesl made it all by herself.

I don't think she understands about Thanksgiving, though. She seems to think

it's a celebration in honor of turkeys.

You did promise me a dance.

I can't. I have to leave.

You said you were late already. Surely a few more minutes won't make that much

difference.

Please.

Please.

Just one.

We said we wouldn't.

How could we help it?

How could I help it?

You're so beautiful.

Not just you, your face, but you.

Lydia, please.

The meetings have shown me how much you mean to me.

I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy.

And I feel the same about you.

No.

This is wrong.

You have your duty.

And I have mine.

You're all right.

Of course.

before we have one last dance together.

I will cherish it for the rest of my life.

But we always plan to go home in April.

Three years, we said, and three years means just that.

Not two years and seven months. I know, but things have changed. Not for me,

they haven't. You stay on.

Don't be ridiculous.

We came together, and we'll go home together. I was hoping you would say

that, because today I stop by the steamship office, and we can get two

tickets on the Bremerhaven, sailing one week from today.

You think running away will help?

In time.

Someday.

After I've been back home for a while and I'm surrounded by all the old

familiar things, all this will seem like a dream.

And in the meantime?

Well, in the meantime, I will try to feel like the unemotional Swiss who,

high as romantic, I really am.

Sure, of course.

Your aunt wants me to help you get ready.

Mr. Browning will be here any minute.

Thank you, Mary.

The whole thing's a crying shame, that's what it is.

Mary, please don't start that again.

And why shouldn't I?

Wouldn't you try and stop me if you saw me being pig-headed and throwing my life

away?

I'm not throwing my life away.

I'm just doing what's expected of me. And what about what you want?

Oh, I like Alfred, you know that.

Are you trying to tell me that you have a... No!

I'm trying to tell me.

Beth, are you ready?

Don't go.

I must.

I do admire your business acumen. That's a very handsome sum.

Not as large as Alfred's fortune, of course, but handsome nevertheless.

Oh, yes, quite handsome.

I simply follow the instructions of my father's will. If my sister, who's

Beth's mother, you know, married without my approval, her share of our father's

fortune was to be held in trust for any children she might have.

And since Beth is her only issue, the entire amount goes to my niece.

wedding day.

Assuming, of course, she marries with my approval.

Well, there's no worry there. Of course not.

Shall we get on with it?

Is something wrong, Alfred?

Everything's wrong.

I find I don't like being treated like a commodity.

I know just how you feel.

I find this all very painful.

The last thing in the world I would want to do is to hurt you.

You're a very kind person, Beth.

So are you.

Life can be very painful for kind people.

That's true.

We really don't want to be married to each other, do we?

Well, I... Come on.

Out with it.

Well, there is someone else.

Well, for me, too.

Well, not someone, but something.

It's my ornithology.

I had planned to spend my life in search of rare species, in places that no lady

would want to go.

I know I seem timid sometimes, but when I'm on the trail of a reluctant bird, I

know no fear.

What about your someone else?

Didn't he return your love?

Oh, yes.

Then why aren't you with him instead of sitting here being sold to me?

We were trying to do the right thing.

Can it be the right thing to make the wrong people happy and the right people

miserable?

They do much better in this area.

Isn't it fortunate, William, that these two more than respectable sons are

merging? Just in time to enable us to buy that piece of property.

Most of Alfred's holding are in stocks and bonds. The majority, of course, is

in Union Pacific.

Uh-huh.

No doubt you know. Union Pacific went up three points on yesterday's trading.

Three and a half. Two forty-two.

Wouldn't sell now, William. It's for you, Miss Beth.

Thank you.

It's for Moody. Your young man? Yes, yes.

I've thought and thought, but could think of no better gift.

Franz and I sail on the Bremerhaven today.

Get your mistress's coat.

Oh, no. Oh, yes. Do as I say.

Put this on. There's no time to lose.

If you're going where I think you're going, I'm going with you.

But Uncle William... Never mind about Uncle William. Now go on.

Thank you.

You make me the happiest man in the world.

Go to your room.

Please, Uncle William.

Sir, permit me to make my position clear. You have made your position

perfectly clear, sir. I suggest you explain it to your sister. I doubt she

will react with joy.

Yes, Alfred, what is the meaning of this? I would only hope not to cause

anyone pain. But from now on, I intend to live my life to please myself.

As should everyone.

Alfred! Agnes, I would like a word with you, please. Alfred! Agnes, now, come

along. I'm going to speak with you in the library now.

Oh, William. Be quiet, Constance.

Beth, go to your room.

No, Uncle William, I will not.

I fully understand my obligation to you.

And I appreciate everything you've done for me.

But Alfred and I are not in love with each other.

I love Rudy.

What you don't seem to understand, young lady, is that the amalgamation of your

two fortunes will make you a very rich woman.

Rudy's... If I don't go after him, I'll lose him.

I am telling you what I told your mother.

You go out that door, never come back.

Oh, William. Conscience, be quiet.

Uncle William, I'm sorry.

You're a dear, sweet man, and I... I owe you a great deal.

But I must give you the same answer my mother gave you.

It occurs to me, Constance, You've not done a very good job bringing up that

young lady Be quiet Constance Griggs

Close the front door And lock it

It's been a wonderful experience.

Now, the streets may not be paved with gold, but I'd like to come back someday.

Wouldn't you?

All ashore! Let's go on ashore!

You'll feel better once we sail.

Look, why don't we walk around the deck and see if there are some interesting

young ladies around?

After all, it's the end of our bachelor days.

All ashore!

France Take this to my mother tell her I will tell her I will write you can't

think of your obligations I Am thinking of them Every penny I have

earned is in this pouch and it is going home as it should My heart it

is another matter Belongs to me

Hey, Rudy, wait a minute. Wait a minute!

What about your luggage?

I beg your pardon?

I said, are you sailing?

Yes, are you?

I'll never see him again.

Oh, Mary,

how selfish of me not thinking of how you must feel with Franz leaving, too.

Oh, there are plenty of other fish in the sea.

We have to get you home.

What? Oh, no.

No, I can't go home.

I can never go home.

Never so long time as my mother would say.

But perhaps you're right for now.

Home with me.

My mother will know what to do.

Mary,

I'll come to your house later. I'd like to go to the settlement house first.

Of course. That's just the medicine my mother would prescribe.

Yes? Oh, are you a butler?

Please.

I must find Miss Beth Atherton.

Beth? Oh, dear.

What is it?

What is wrong? Has anything happened to Miss Beth?

Everything's happened. Everything's happened to all of us. Alfred has gone

totally mad. William has fired all the servants. Agnes will never speak to me

again. And Beth is gone.

But where is she?

She's run off with some sneaky foreigner.

What's your name?

Rudy Miller.

Rudy Miller?

You're the one she's run off with.

Wait, wait, don't go away. Please come back here. Where is she? What have you

done with her?

Late again, Fraulein. I'm sorry.

Good night.

Beth?

My love?

I thought you said... Oh, I thought you... I'd find you.

Beth, what have I done to you?

You've left your home for me. I have nothing to offer you. I'm penniless. I

said all my money home in France.

But it does matter. No, it doesn't. It does, yes.

It doesn't. No, it doesn't. Yes, it does. It does matter.

Oh, no, it doesn't.

You are so beautiful. So adorable. I want to wrap you in furs, torn you with

jewels. I don't need furs and jewels.

Beth! Beth, are you still here? We was all getting worried.

Mary, he didn't sell.

He couldn't go away and leave me. Isn't that wonderful?

Oh, the Lord works in mysterious ways.

Oh, but...

But he gave up his job and his room and he sent all of his money home to Europe

with Franz.

I've arranged to get my job back.

And I shall stay here tonight until I can afford a room.

We must get married.

Must get married immediately.

Yes.

But how can we?

We have no place for the wedding.

And tomorrow's Christmas Eve?

Nonsense. You can come to our house. There's plenty of room.

My mother says houses filled with love have elastic walls.

Oh, come on now. Let's go tell her the good news.

Oh, waiting at our house.

This will be the best Christmas Eve ever.

But the arrangements. Oh, Mr. Griggs will arrange for a justice of the peace

and he can play the wedding march on his fiddle and... Oh, my mother will take

care of everything else.

Just think, tomorrow you'll be Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Miller.

I still got you, sir.

Dearly beloved we are gathered here in the face of God and the presence of this

company to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony.

For as much as these two persons have come hither to be made one in this holy

estate, if there be any here present who knows of any just cause why they may not

lawfully be trying to marry.

For

my

little Beth, who is as sweet as she is pretty.

My only wish for you, my darling daughter, is that you be as happily

married as I am.

Do you, Elizabeth Atherton, take this man, Rudolph Miller, to be your lawful

wedded husband, to love, honor, and obey as long as you both shall live?

I do.

Don't look at me like that. I had to.

It was our wedding night, and Christmas Eve, and my heart was just bursting with

love. There was this place, they buy hair to make wigs, and I had no money.

Oh, here, open this.

It's for your watch.

I know how you cherish it.

And I'm always afraid that you'll lose it.

To show you my life.

I had no money.

I sold my watch.

I sold my watch to buy you combs for the hair you sold to

buy a chain for my watch.

Oh, you look so adorable.

Even more beautiful than before

I

love you so

much

i promised you a story of joy and love didn't i well for beth and rudy it's

just beginning falling in love is easy but living happily ever after that's the

trick rudy and beth will because they've just exchanged the most important of

gifts the gift of love all over this great city even