"Shoulder arms!" "One!" "Two!" "Ready!" "One!" "Two!" "Three!" "Aim!" "Fire!" "Recover arms!" "Shoulder arms!" "One!" "Two!" "Order arms!" "One!" "Two!" "Good, except for you, Mr. Main." "That was a very poor performance." "Not your usual level at all." "I have to put you down for a month's extra musket practice." "That is all, gentlemen." "Dismissed!" "I asked you a question, Mr. Main." "Why did Napoleon charge the center of Wellington's line at Waterloo?" "It was contrary to every rule of warfare." "It lost him the battle." "Yet a great general like Napoleon did that, Mr. Main." "Why?" "I don't know, sir." "Because, sir, he had tried both flanks and was repulsed." "Napoleon had no choice but to charge the center." "Common sense, gentlemen." "A resource of all great commanders." "No, Mr. Main, I am not finished with you yet." "You are now in Wellington's army... commanding a regiment of eight companies, in double rank... at that same center of the line." "You see 10,000 French cavalry massing in front of you... ready for an attack." "What do you do?" " Four-mile square, sir." " Issue the proper command." "Form square!" "Double column at half distance!" "Battalion inwards, face, march!" "Good, Mr. Main." "Now what?" "Right wheel!" "Congratulations, Mr. Main." "You have just changed history." "With that move, you opened Wellington's flanks... to Napoleon's cavalry and lost the battle of Waterloo." "What is the correct command, Mr. Hazard?" "Right and left into line!" "Wheel, march!" "Fourth division, forward!" "Forward guard, left." "Very good, Mr. Hazard." "You may sit down." "You've been sleepwalking ever since you got back from Mont Royal." "I know who you're thinking about." "But it's impossible, she's out of your reach now." "I can't forget about Madeline just like that." "You don't have to forget her." "You just have to stop thinking about her for a while." "How do you suggest I do that?" "By a visit to a dear old friend of mine." "A lady by the name of Alice Peet." "George told me you do the laundry for some of the officers and cadets." "I do lots of things for a lot of the boys." "Come on in." "That sweet George Hazard is a particular friend of mine... on a strictly cash basis." "I do hope he told you." "He told me..." "Lord, you mean..." "You're a..." "That's right, darling." "Don't you think we ought to be getting down to business?" "Let's just take things one step at a time." "Why you are not eating, Miss Madeline?" "What good is it, keeping that?" "Remembering." "I don't know." "But I can't help it." "Sometimes..." "Orry's face is... so clear to me." "Get." "Nathaniel!" "Get your black carcass over here." "This horse is lame." "What kind of man is he, anyway?" "Perhaps that's why I remember Orry." "To help me forget my life here at Resolute." "Orry, I don't understand." "You didn't like Alice Peet?" "Yes, I liked her very much." " But I want more than that." " So do I, eventually." "But Alice can make a man's time here very pleasant." "She's sweet." "Madeline's a hundred times more desirable to me because I love her." "Until you've been in love, you don't know what it's like." "Nothing else matters." "Then you, sir, are a romantic fool." "Squad, dismiss!" "No, not you, Mr. Fisk." "I have decided that you need a drill, sir." "A very special drill, sir." "Now you dismount." "Fisk again." "Ever since the upperclassmen made him ease up on us..." " Bent has been all over that poor boy." " He's got to take it out on somebody." "So much the better if he happens to be a friend of ours." " What do you think he's up to?" " I don't know." "If we are late for class the demerits will finish us." " Fisk is not a very good rider." " But at least he's on that gray." "She's the gentlest horse here." "Come on, we've got to go." "Follow me, sir." "You will stop, sir." "All right, Mr. Fisk." "Mount up, sir." "No, Mr. Fisk." "You're going to ride this course on a real mount:" "Satan." "Mount up, Fisk." "What's the matter, sir?" "You have trouble following orders... like your friends, Mr. Main and Mr. Hazard?" "I said mount up, sir." "Get up there, Fisk." "Faster!" "Satan, faster!" "Faster, Satan!" "Go on!" "Good boy, Satan." "We know it was Bent who did this to you." "Why keep saying it was an accident?" "I was thrown." "That's the truth." "For God's sake, Fisk!" "Why do you keep covering up for him?" "Fisk, I know this is hard for you to hear." "But the doctor told us that knee may never be any good." "Cpl. Bent may have kept you out of the Army..." "Hush, George." "He's scared enough." "That's it, isn't it?" "You're afraid Bent may do something even worse if you press charges." "That's a very real danger, gentlemen." "Given Bent's mind." "I'm afraid it ties our hands, as well." " Well, what lit your fire, son?" " Justice." "One of the tactical officers guessed what happened." "He's bringing Bent up in front of a general court-martial... for disciplinary excesses." " Good for him." " Who's the officer?" "DeJong, Lt. Casimir DeJong." "Cpl. Bent, I will ask you again." "What do you know about Cadet Fisk's injuries?" "Lt. DeJong, sir, I heard he was thrown from his horse." "That's all I know." "Cpl. Bent, you were seen leaving the parade ground with Fisk." "You are bound by your honor as cadet." "So think about your answer." "How did Cadet Fisk sustain his injuries?" "I do not know, sir." "They believed Bent?" "I don't think DeJong did." "But a cadet's honor is above question." "All charges were dropped." " Blast the man." " You know Bent." "The court-martial is a blot on his record." "He'll take that out on Fisk." "It's time we did something about Bent before he kills somebody." "What can we do?" "I just remembered something." "Lt. DeJong thinks Alice Peet does laundry for him and nobody else." "Now, what if we were to use that information... to give Bent a little taste of his own medicine?" "What if he leaves too soon?" " He won't." " Alice will keep him in there." "With the whole class contributing, we gave double of what she usually gets." "This will be a day that Cpl. Bent will never forget." "You certainly have a way with women." "Oh, my Lord, I got so carried away, I forgot." "An officer comes to pick up his laundry every Thursday at this time." "In the name of decency, sir, cover yourself!" "Oh, sir, I'm so sorry." " Shut your mouth, slut." " That's enough, Bent." "Try and conduct yourself as a gentleman, while you still can." " Still can?" "Sir..." " You are on report, sir... for more offenses than I can enumerate." "But be sure I will enumerate them... and they will lead to your dismissal." "Sir, if you would just let me explain..." "The way you explained Fisk's injuries with lies?" "You be in the commandant's office in 10 minutes, mister... or we'll hunt you down." "You whore!" "You stupid whore!" "You get out!" "George told me you were crazy." "Just get out!" "George Hazard." "He and Mr. Main planned this, didn't they?" "To get rid of me." " Didn't they?" " Get out now or I'll get rid of you myself." "I wanted to be the one to tell you." "Be here." "See your faces when you heard the good news." "I have been dismissed from this academy." "That's right." "Go ahead, you all can laugh about it later." "No more Bent to give us trouble." "You two... have conspired to rob me of a military career." "A career I think I'm suited for better than any man on this post." "Let me tell you this." "I have friends in high places." "And I, too, will one day be highly placed... very highly placed." "You can count on that." "And you be on your guard... because I won't forget you two." "I won't forget you two ever!" "That man is crazy." "That's why we'd better believe him." "And be on our guard." "But for how long?" "The rest of our lives?" "Cadet Orry Main." "Cadet Orry Main, you are recommended for the infantry." "I still can't believe I made it through." "I wouldn't have if it wasn't for you." "Hogwash." "No, it's true." "I graduated second from the bottom." "You pulled me up there every inch of the way." "I sure didn't want to lose my bet." "Bet?" "I almost forgot." "I've never been so happy to lose a bet in my whole life." "Thank you." " I want to thank you, George." " Don't mention it." "I mean that." " George, Orry." " Fisk, congratulations." "Well, how does it feel, soldiers?" "Felt like somebody took 50 pounds of battle gear off my back." "You rank near the top." "Congratulations." "That means the engineer corps." "No, I decided against the engineers." "Why didn't you tell me you picked the artillery?" "Good for you." "Unlike us poor sloggers who had no choice but the infantry." "As a matter of fact, I chose the infantry myself." "You didn't think I'd let you go to Mexico without me, did you?" "All right, y'all, come on, gather around." "Come on." "To our guests of honor..." "Lt. George Hazard, and our son, Lt. Orry Main." "We salute their graduation from the military academy... and we honor them as they go to fight for their country in the war with Mexico!" "We pray God keep both of them safe in battle." "To George and Orry!" " Hear, hear!" " George, say something." "Come on." "Thank you very much." "You have been so kind." "Well, I guess the best thing I ever did at West Point... was to make a good friend from South Carolina." "Lt. Hazard, you handsome old thing." "Will you give me a plate of barbecue?" "You've already had three, Ashton." " It's not my fault I forgot." " A lady never forgets." "And what would you know about that, Miss Emily Rosesmith?" "Mother says a real lady never eats anything in public." "I declare, you take my senses away in that uniform." "No wonder I forgot." "You'd be mighty tempting if you were about five years older." "Well, I will be in about two more years." "Ashton, Brett, you come here and take your nap." "Oh, fee!" "Come on." "Let's go." "My little sister." "That's Madeline, isn't it?" "Come on." "I want you to meet her." "Mr. and Mrs. LaMotte..." "I would like you to meet my friend, George Hazard." " It's a very great pleasure, ma'am." " And for me, Lieutenant." "I understand you are a Yankee." "From Pennsylvania?" "Yes, I am." "The Keystone State, and a lovely one at that." "Let me stand you to a cigar and a mint julep and tell you about it." "You'll excuse me, my dear." "Main." "Yes, sir." "He's a very good friend, isn't he?" "He's the best I'll ever have." "It's nearly killed me being away from you." "Please, we mustn't say things like that to each other." " Why not?" "We feel them." " There's nothing we can do." "You don't love him." "You are not his." "I can never be yours." "I have to go now, Orry." "It is good to see you again." "Wilmot's from Pennsylvania." "You ought to be ashamed of him." "Because he favored negotiating with Mexico?" "That wasn't necessarily cowardice, sir." "Congressman Wilmot has attached a proviso to a bill... outlawing slavery in newly acquired territories." "Which got that bill defeated in the Senate... by your own John C. Calhoun." "Nonetheless, sir, it was an insult to the entire South." "There's only one way to redeem our honor." " Are you speaking of secession, Justin?" " I am." " We should get right on with it." " Now, that's going too far." "We've struggled too hard to establish this country." "I'd hate to see it torn apart." "You know very well the South would be better off as a separate nation." "How can you say that, Justin?" "I am a Southerner, born and bred." "I've heard men speak of secession... since I was a child." "And I think it would be a tragic mistake." "Is that a fact, ma'am?" "What if we were a separate nation... and the rice and cotton markets went soft?" "It's happened before." " That isn't the point." " It's a matter of honor!" "We need the North." "We have no factories... no resources of our own." "We can't survive on speeches." "My dear, you forget yourself." "Nobody here in this company cares what you have to say." "They're married, Orry." "He's an arrogant ass, but there's nothing you can do about it." " I'd like to horsewhip him." " So would I, and he deserves it." "But it's not the time or the place." " Leaving now, sir?" " Get away from here, boy." "You had no right to drag me out of there in front of everybody." "I had no right?" "You humiliated me in front of my friends." "I expressed my own views." "They have nothing to do with you." "You're not entitled to any views whatsoever... except those that are mine and mine alone." "Women with intellectual pretensions are not tolerated here." "Your father should have taught you that." " He taught me to think." " That was his mistake." "Up North, women are preaching for free niggers and free love." "We won't have that here!" "You will know your place and you will stay in it." " Or you will suffer for it." " I already have." "You think so?" "If you ever speak out and embarrass me on any subject whatsoever, ever again... you will suffer as you have never suffered before." "If you are so intelligent, you will remember that." "Are you all right?" "Thank you." "Yes." "Don't worry." "He won't see us." "I cannot stand to see him treat you that way." "I'm fine, Orry." "Fine." "I want you to meet me tomorrow, just to talk." "What can we talk about?" "All the things that will never be?" "Madeline, please." "There's an old abandoned church near the marsh." " All Saints Chapel." " Yes." "I'll be there at noon and I'll wait for you if you can get away." "I don't know." "Please, Madeline." "I'm leaving for Mexico." "This may be the last chance we ever have." "Say yes." "I'll try." "Now let me go back." "Alone." "Semiramis, you stay away from Salem Jones now." " Priam, I ain't got no choice." " You stay away." "Neither do you." "Semiramis, come here, honey." "Look at that dumb field hand." "Reckon I can have some fun with him." "You look mighty thirsty, my friend." "Care for sip of corn?" " You ain't allowed to have that." " That's right." "But all the white folks are looking the other way." "I'm Mr. LaMotte's driver." "If I say it's fine, it's fine." "Go on, have another one." "Sure go down easy." "You can have more, all you want, but we better step out back." "Another drink." " I want another drink." " Of course you do." "I told you how to get it." "Go on, now, do just like I said." " Where're you going, boy?" " What's wrong with him?" "Get out my way." "Leave me alone!" "I'm going to get me some more now." "I'm as good as any man here." "And I wants me another drink." " Priam, my God, what happened?" " Priam, please, get out." " No, leave me alone." " Get to your cabin, you'll regret this." "Sorry, sir." "He done got away from us." "Get to your cabin." "What kind of punishment is that?" "I know what we would do with him in Resolute." "You're right, Justin." "Priam's dishonored this house." "Insulted my guests." "Mr. Jones, get him out of here." "Make sure he receives a proper punishment." "Yes, and just what would that be, sir?" "I'll leave that to you." "Yes, sir!" "I guess I'll be leaving." "Justin, I'm terribly sorry about all this." "What're they going to do to him?" "You heard my father." "He'll receive the proper punishment." "You saw that look on the overseer's face." "You got to put a stop to this." "This is my father's house and you are his guest." "Don't forget that." "Please!" "Please, Salem." "I beg you!" "No!" "All right, I'm ready now." "Priam needed to be punished!" "I would not punish an animal that way and neither would you!" "Don't give me any more of your Yankee sermons!" "I am not preaching." "I'm arguing against brutality." "But it's not your place." "Now be so good as to leave me alone." "Hello." "Was it difficult for you?" "No." "Justin went to Charleston on business." "I have thought so often about being with you." "Don't." "I love you." " I had to tell you just once." " You have to stop thinking that." "It's true, and you love me." "I came here today to tell you we can never see each other again." "Why?" "Because of Justin." "You don't love him." "But I chose him." "He's my husband now." "If I leave him..." "I go against everything I was raised to be." "And so many people would be hurt." "And if you stay with him... you'll be the only one hurt." "Is that what you think?" "Perhaps God will help him to change." "He doesn't want to change." "Look at me." "Now tell me that you never want to see me again." "I do love you." "I do." "No!" "I'm sorry." "I am sorry." "I shouldn't have." "No." "Don't apologize." "You see..." "I want it as much as you do." "But if we were lovers, you'd never be free." " I don't care." " I do." "I won't let you give up the rest of your life for me." "Your future... and your honor, and that's what this would be." "And I won't be responsible for it." "Forget me, Orry." "It's the only way." "I just thought you might want to know... my mother's been to the sick house twice today and Priam's face is healing." "Your mother's very conscientious about caring for your slaves, isn't she?" "Yes." "I'm not sure they could care for themselves." "They're like children." " They're not permitted to be anything else." " You don't understand." "Priam shamed my father in front of his guests." "Right, I don't understand that and..." "I don't understand how you could stomach what they did to him." "That was wrong." "And I told my father so." "There's something wrong with the whole system." "I am beginning to see what Virgilia's talking about." "It's not up to you to change it." "We're sick and tired of Yankees coming here and telling us how to run our lives." "Why don't you go back to Hazard Iron and help your own workers?" " That is not the point!" " That is the point!" "This is our way of life." "It has been for over a hundred years." "How would you like me coming up to Lehigh Station... with the intent of telling you how to run your life?" "Change the way you've always lived?" "But I mean this, George." "You and me..." "We are good friends." "If we want to keep that friendship... there are certain things we can never say to each other." "Certain things we can never talk about." " I guess you're right." " I don't want..." "We're supposed to be fighting Mexicans, not each other." "No." "Over there." "You assured me when I arranged for your appointment at the military academy..." " that you'd ask for nothing more." " I told you, sir... that was before your favor was undone by enemies wishing to destroy me." "My country needs me in Mexico." "You could arrange a field commission." "A commission?" "What reason could I give after your dismissal?" "You're a Southern boy from Georgia." "I'm a senator from Ohio." "I'm not even supposed to know you." "But you do know me, sir... even if the world is not aware you're my father." "Is that why you came here?" "To destroy me?" "I could have done that when my dear foster mother first told me the truth." "I never had any love from you." "I never knew who my real mother was, except she wasn't your wife." "Didn't I see to it that you were raised and cared for?" "Raised, yes." "The Bent family cared for nothing... but the money you gave them to keep me out of your sight." "I'm a family man in public office." "I paid dearly for that one mistake." "Is that how you... always think of me, sir?" "As a mistake?" "If I did arrange a commission..." " would you promise to" " Leave you alone?" "Of course, Father dear." "You needn't worry." "I wouldn't embarrass the honorable Senator Edwards." "I may be a bastard, but I'm not a fool." "I have great leadership abilities." "My instructors at West Point compared my tactical maneuvers to Napoleon's." "You should learn to curb your enthusiasm for yourself." "I'll do that, sir." "And you take heart, Senator." "I might get killed on the battlefield." "Company, regroup!" "Stand your ground!" "Company!" "Get away!" "Fall into line!" "George, over here!" "I can't find my men..." "Take cover behind that wall." "Company "D," fall into line behind the wall!" "Fall into line, men." " Behind the wall!" " Hurry up!" "Take cover!" "Take your positions behind the wall!" "Return the fire!" " I told you to stop!" " We've been ordered to retreat." "Company, on your feet!" "Form a line now!" "On your feet!" "I heard the two of you were here." "This is the reunion I promised you at West Point." "Lt. Main... you take these men and scout forward." "Bring me a report of enemy strength at the bridge." "For God's sake, you must be mad!" "You send the squad down that road... they'll be cut to bits." "That's right." "And you'll be right there with them." "Move or I'll shoot you where you stand for disobeying a direct order... from a superior officer!" "Now!" "Let's move it!" "Go now, men, move quickly and stay down!" "We can't stay here." "And we can't go back." "Just what Bent had in mind." "Orry, no!" "Orry, get down!" "Come on!" "Attack!" "They're firing on their own men!" " Get him ready." " What are you going to do?" "Take his leg, it's the only way to save him." " No!" " You want to handle this?" "Sir, you take his leg, it'll kill him." "I do 50, 60 amputations every time there is a fighting." "Nearly half the men survive." " Could I take a look?" " Certainly, sir." "Leg's no good." "He'll never be able to use it." "If it becomes infected..." "If it becomes infected, then we'll take it off." "Col. Flynn, we got a bad one over here, sir." "Get that dressed." "Get him out of here." "Orderly, we need some help up here." "He's right here." " Lt. Hazard." " Pearson." "Haven't seen you since Churubusco." "How are you?" "Fine." "But if you'll excuse me, you don't look so good." "Just a little worried about a friend of mine." "Well, this might cheer you up." "Maj. Waite's giving a gala tonight to celebrate the armistice." " I don't think so." " Sorry, Lieutenant." "All junior officers are under orders to attend." "Come on." "Might cheer you up." "Excuse me." "Excuse me, sir." "I didn't get a chance to thank you." "Back in the field hospital." "Yes, an amputation it was." "It would've been, sir, if it hadn't been for you." "Yes, I remember." "You were very insistent." "I'm afraid you have the advantage over me, Lieutenant." "First Lieutenant George Hazard, 8th Infantry, sir." "Pleased to meet you." "And how's your friend?" " They say he's getting better." " He will, son." "It just takes a long time, you know." "A wound like that." " You sound like you've seen a lot of them." " Too many." "And too many dead." "That's why I'm leaving the Army." "I should be back in Ireland before the year is out." "I should never have left." "Thank you, Miss Constance." "I see you've noticed my Constance." " Yours, sir?" " My daughter." "Or couldn't you tell?" "I hadn't realized, sir." "But it could be the best piece of luck I've had in a long time." "Well, you could wait a while until she gets a chance to break free." "Or you could give us an introduction." "I think I could arrange something." "Why don't you follow me, Lieutenant?" "And be prepared to move fast." "Sorry about that." "I didn't see you." "It's a terrible waste of whiskey, isn't it?" "Here." "Come let me get something for the inside of you." "Excuse me." "But I thought I was dancing with Maj. Lafferty." "I'm afraid your father and I changed his plans." "Did you, now?" "Well, I happen to be the one being danced with." "Are you sorry I cut in?" "No, I didn't say that." "Miss Flynn, I think you're the loveliest girl I've ever seen." "Do you, now?" "I could dance with you forever." "Excuse me, Lieutenant." "But this is my dance, I believe." "Yes, sir." "Don't lose heart, lad." "Why don't you finish your talk with Constance... over dinner tomorrow at my quarters?" " Welcome, Lieutenant." "Come right in." " Good evening, sir." "Constance, would you look who we've got here now?" "Lt. Hazard." "I'm sorry, sir." "I could've sworn you invited me for dinner." "Now, why didn't you tell me he was coming, Pa?" "Because I know how you love surprises." "I didn't want you telling me not to." "If this is an inconvenience I can come back another time." "Nonsense, me boy." "We've got more boiled beef than we can eat." "Isn't that so, Constance?" "She's a lovely cook." "My father thinks he's very clever." "He doesn't want me feeling obligated to go back to Ireland." "So he's trying to find me a husband." "Speaking of that, I've got to go to the consulate to see about me passport." " I thought you went there yesterday." " Don't wait up for me." "I may stop at the canteen for a wee dram before I come back." "Enjoy your supper, lad." "Well, thank you, sir." "Are you really angry with him?" "No." "I just feel overrun sometimes." "But then I always laugh." "Your laugh's one of the beautiful things about you." "I hardly think I know you well enough for that kind of a compliment." "Could we remedy that, then?" "Over dinner." "All right." "I wrote your parents, told them you're going to be fine." "Thank you, George." "I've got something else to tell you." "I'm in love, Orry." "Her name's Constance Flynn and she's wonderful." "Now I know what you meant about Madeline and you." "She's warm, she's funny." "She's beautiful." "She's a first class cook, too." "I think I've been looking for her all my life." "And when I get up the courage, I'm going to ask her to marry me." "That's wonderful, George." "I'm very happy for you." "At first I thought Pa was crazy to go back to Ireland... what with the famine and all." "But then, you know, George, I realized he was right about a few things." "What things?" "Well, the killing here is man-made." "They could stop it if they wanted to." "But in Ireland, the people have no choice about dying." "My father thinks they need his help more." "Your father is a fine man." "I'm glad I've had the chance to know him." "Constance, speaking of Ireland... there's something I want to ask you." "Yes, George?" "Constance, I admire you more than any woman I've ever met." "And I've grown to care for you deeply in the short time since we've met." "I think we've got a lot in common... and I know I could provide for you and a family." "Why, George Hazard, is this a proposal of marriage?" "You know it is." "Constance Flynn, I love you." "Will you marry me?" "George, we both know it isn't that simple as that." " You mean because you're a Catholic?" " An Irish Catholic." "And my father is an abolitionist." "So is my sister." "Even if my family refuses to admit it." "They may refuse to admit they have a daughter-in-law... especially if she goes to mass and speaks like one of the housemaids." "Whatever my family thinks, it doesn't make any difference." "I love you." "And I want to marry you." "If you want to marry me." "Of course I do." "You know, I fell in love with you during our very first dance." "Was it my face or the uniform?" "It was the way you looked when Maj. Lafferty cut in on us." "Like a little lost puppy dog." "Do you think this game Doubleday's so taken with will catch on?" "No." "But at least it keeps Abner from talking politics." "Thank God." "Sometimes it's like listening to my sister, Virgilia." " I got a letter from home today." " How's your mother?" "Better." "But I don't think she'll ever really get over my father's death." "George, there's some things people never recover from." "Anyway, the letter helped me to decide something, Orry." "I'm resigning my commission." "Leave the Army?" " Yes." " But you always wanted to be a soldier." "I did." "And I thought it was all brass bands and glory." "But Churubusco opened my eyes, Orry." "Nothing like a trip to hell to show you what it's really like." "A good soldier should see war as a profession." "All I see is a terrible waste." "So what are you going to do?" "My mother didn't say it in so many words... but I think Stanley could use some help running the foundry." "He's still head of Hazard Iron, though." "I'll have to fit in wherever I can." "But we'll be heroes to the folks back home." "I hear we're being decorated for conspicuous valor at Churubusco." "I'll take those medals and force them down Bent's throat." "Amen to that." "You know, they tell stories about him here." "In Monterey, they call him Bent the Butcher." "They even say he shot some of his own men in the back." "He would've done it to us if he could've." "Somehow, Bent always comes out on top, like scum." "He left me a souvenir this time." "Good as a wooden leg, but it'll never get better." "It won't get any worse, either." "Thank you for those kind words of comfort, George." "I'm sorry, Orry." "But sometimes I just don't know what to say to you." "Then don't say anything." "I got to go, Orry." "I want to tell Constance about my decision." "I wish you'd think about the good things." " Think about going home." " To what, George?" "The woman I love is married to somebody else." "The fruits of victory, Major?" "What do you want, Hazard?" "Your manner is offensive!" "And what's more, you're out of uniform." "I'm glad you noticed." "Or else I couldn't give you this." "Get up, Bent!" "I always knew you were a coward." "If you ever cross me or my friend Orry Main again..." "I'll find you and I'll kill you... just as sure as you crippled him." "It was nice of Pa to leave us alone." "He really is a sweet old dear sometimes." "You know, he said he'd help us celebrate later with real Irish whiskey." "What's the matter, George?" "Can't you tell me?" "I was thinking about Orry." "I want him to be best man at our wedding, Constance." "Of course you do." "He's your dearest friend." "He's changed, though." "Since he was wounded." "I didn't get a chance to talk to him before they shipped him home." "You mean to say you didn't ask him to stand up with you?" "No." "Somehow, it didn't seem like the right time." "Well, then I think you should stop at Mont Royal on your way home." "You see things very clearly." " I'm glad I fell in love with you." " So am I." "You know, Pa won't be home for hours." " We really shouldn't." " And why not?" "Aren't we almost married?" "It's Orry!" "Son, why didn't you let us meet you at the station?" " Let me help you, son." " Thank you, sir." "I can do it." "Orry, you've got to see my new afternoon dress." "It's got real lace." "Your favorite mare foaled." "And the filly is the prettiest thing you ever saw." "How are you, son?" "I'd like your advice about a baling machine I bought." "I'm pretty tired right now." "And hungry, too, after your long journey." "Actually, I think I'd like to be alone for a while if I could." "They're saying that Mr. Orry is not himself." "Semiramis told me he just stay in his room, don't talk to nobody." "I heard he was badly wounded." "Wounds heal." "But he doesn't, child." "Maum Sally, I have to go to him." "I have to." "He needs me." "That is the one thing that you can never do." "Sorry I didn't give you more warning about my visit." "I hope it's not inconvenient." "My company manners are a little rusty, George." "I haven't been getting out much lately." "You never used to drink straight whiskey before." "People change." "It's not going to help you feel any better." " I think I'm the judge of that." " Do you?" "I don't think you got the judgment of a mule right now." "All you can do is sit and feel sorry for yourself." "If you came here to lecture me, you can leave now." "Damn it, Orry!" "The world has not come to an end." "You got your whole life ahead of you." " You don't understand." " Yes, I do." "You think your life is over... because you've been hurt, and you've lost the woman that you love." "You've got a lot left, too." "Like a family." "And friends who care about you." "But if you sit there, and keep to yourself... and keep pouring whiskey on the hurt... nobody's going to help you." "I know you're right." "I just don't know where to start." "You are going start at Lehigh Station." "By being the best man at my wedding to Constance." "I will be very proud to stand up with you, George." "Keep on looking, Mr. Jones." "See me after supper." "Yes, sir, Mr. Main." "Good evening, George, Orry." "Looking for what?" "One of our people seems to have misplaced himself." "Though he'll likely be home before dark." "Seems you have a bad effect on him, George." " Starts acting up whenever you're here." " Priam." "Take this inside." "Clyta tells me you've run away from Mont Royal." "I'm telling you to go back." "Yes, ma'am." "You don't mean to do that, do you?" "I'm sorry, ma'am." "I just can't." "But the Main family is good to you." "It ain't the family." " It's Salem Jones." " Yes, I've heard of him." "He's going to kill me." "I'd rather die running." "Why did you come to me?" "Folks said you got about the kindest heart around here." "And I just didn't know nowhere else to go." "I told Priam maybe you could help him, if anybody can." "This is all I can give you, Priam." "I wish it were more." "Thank you, ma'am." "No, don't thank me." "Don't." "The day after tomorrow at 9:00, a train will pass the flag stop." "Do you know where that is?" "Yes, ma'am." "You stay out of sight till then." "Not here." "Somewhere near the flag stop." "The train will slow down." "You be on it when it speeds up, you hear?" "Yes, ma'am." "It'll take you to Charleston." "From there you can make your way North." "God bless you, ma'am." "Good luck, Priam." "God bless you, too." " What is it?" "They found Priam?" " Not yet." "But last night, he was seen over at Resolute." "We could use your help." " Cuffey, saddle my horse for me." " Yes, sir." "Once more, Ezekial." "My nephew Forbes saw Priam out his window last night." "Now who in this plantation was helping him?" "I don't know, Mr. Justin." "I swear to God!" "If I find out you're lying to me, God hisself won't be able to help you." "It's my fault." "Ain't nobody's fault." "It's just the way things are." "Whichever one of you knows and isn't telling... is whipping the rest of you." "Remember that." "You." "Clyta." "You're next." "No, Mr. Justin." "No!" "Clyta, my God!" "I have to tell him." "It won't help Clyta none and things just be worse for you." "Put these niggers back to work." "You heard Mr. LaMotte." " Tillet." "Orry." " Justin." "Forbes." "I think your slave's gone." "Why don't you come up to the house and have a drink?" "We'll get our shotguns and help you chase him down." "It's Orry!" "You'll have to find the right time." "But, please, give this to Orry before he goes." "Please." "I had to see you." "I thought I'd die if I didn't." "I don't want you to feel sorry for me." "I don't feel sorry for you." "I still love you." "I just wanted you to know that." "When I heard you'd been wounded I went out of my mind... wondering if you were alive or dead." "I wasn't sure for a while." "But I know now." "I'm very much alive." "You took a terrible chance coming here, didn't you?" "It isn't important." "You remember... a year ago... you said there were things you'd never let me give up?" "Well, I can never... never let you risk yourself for me." "But I'm not afraid." "I'm afraid for you." "Well, then, this is all we have."