"Aww." "More mail, Ms. Royle." "This is getting out of hand, Battle." "Uh, you can't have too many flowers though." " Bring some vases." " Yes, miss." "There's a reporter out there." "I told him Mr. Royale was out." "We can't see anymore reporters." "Besides, the Paris newspaper men are so fussy." " Uh, this is an American." " Oh." "Paris correspondent to the "New York Tribune Herald."" "Now they say, he's just as bad." "What does he want?" "He wanted to know, if he could have an advance copy of Mr. Royle's program for tonight." "Program." "What did you tell him?" "I told him that Mr. Royale doesn't have any program." "Just plays, what he feels like playing when he sits down at the piano." " Hmm." " Ooh." "Then he said he'd like to have a thumb nail sketch of Mr. Royale sister." "Of what?" "Of me?" "Tell him to go to the deuce." "Oh, uh, Battle, be nice to him, of course." "Hello." "Mrs. Miller." "Oh, yes, of course, send her up." "Uh.." "Bravo, splendid Fifth Avenue, French." "Lower end of Fifth Avenue, I'm afraid, miss." "I can't get beyond Woolworths." "Well, we'll all be in God's own country, a week from tomorrow." "And I shall be sorry." "I think Mr. Royale done just about enough." "Ten recitals in 15 days." "Too much I think." " May I come in?" " Mildred, dear." " Good afternoon, Battle." " Good afternoon, Mrs. Miller." "Heavens, what a mess of correspondence?" "Are these all Monty's love letters?" "Yes, from adoring French women." "And hundreds of supplication for seats for tonight's concert." "Oh, what lovely, roses." "Are these from the adoring French women also?" "'No, Grace brought those.'" " Grace Blair?" " 'Yes.'" "Oh, an adoring American woman." "Where is Monty?" "He ought to be resting." "Resting." "Did you ever know him to rest when he ought to?" "He's out, walking." " Sit down, wait for him." " No, I won't interrupt you." "But you're leaving so early tomorrow" "I thought, I looked in for a minute." "Oh, do stay, till Monty comes." "He'll never forgive me, if I let you go." "He's only stepped out with Grace." "Oh, he's stepping out with Grace." "Yes, she called with those flowers." "So, he's taking her out to buy her a doll or something." "A doll?" "You sure it wasn't a ring?" "Mildred, what are you talkin' about?" "Grace's only a child." "Child?" "Heavens she's 25." "Nonsense, her mother's one of my oldest acquaintances." "Well, that doesn't prevent her being 25." "Oh, no, I come to think of it." "Grace must be nearly 25." "Florence, don't you ever see anything that goes on under your nose?" "She's in love with Monty." "Oh, that's nothing." "What about all these?" "Yeah, but he doesn't give all these, music lessons." "How does he give Grace play a lessons?" "Never gave anybody lessons before in his life." "'I think she has talent." "He's interested in her career.'" "Obviously." "Mildred, you're jealous." "Jealous, why should I be jealous?" "It's no fair of mine." "I think Grace is a very dear girl." "But, Florence, I can't" "My brother's too level headed to fall for a young girl." "He's past the flapper age." "On the contrary, he's just approaching the flapper age." "Why he's turned 50." "That's the dangerous turning." "Of course, you oughta have married Monty years ago." "If you'd had any sense." "But I hadn't." "So I married somebody else." "Well, you're an eligible widow, now and it's not too late yet." "Florence, there's one very good reason why I haven't married Monty." "And I didn't tell you what it is." "He hasn't asked you." "Oh, perhaps, he hasn't thought of it." "Why don't you remind him?" "Oh, excuse me, will ya." "Yes." "Mm-hmm." "Oh, yeah-yeah.." "Yeah.." "Come on, Grace." "Oh, excuse me." "Oh, yeah, yes." "Oh, I'm so glad you like it." "Why do you always pretend, you can't speak French?" "Then they relieve me, if I didn't." "Keep close to me, Grace." "Protect me from multitude." "'Ooh, it's the Montgomery Royle.'" " Mr. Montgomery Royle?" " Oh, excuse me." "May I shake your hand?" "Uh.." "Ah!" "I never was so proud in all my life." "Uh, this is my son." "Well, he's studying in Paris you know." "Oh, really, what are you studying?" " Arts." " Oh, arts." "Mr. Royale, you play so wonderfully tell me, uh, do you have to practice the piano like other people?" "Well, I, uh" "Ah, I knew, you didn't." "It's a gift, isn't it?" "Comes to you." "Oh, you are wonderful." "I-I'm so glad, you liked me." "Straight to the elevator, shoot." "Oh, excuse me." "How do you do, Mr. Royale?" "You remember me, Mrs. Schnitzler." "I crossed with you on the Olympic in 1921." "Oh, yes, uh, re.." "Of course, of course, how-how do you do?" "Uh, it is easy to see the young lady's relative to you." "I see the likeness at once." "Really, yes, my granddaughter." "Indeed, I think you were not, uh.." "Uh, no, I wasn't there.." "No-no, not in 1921." "But, uh, I'm so glad you liked her." "Why did you say, "I was your granddaughter?"" "Everybody listening to." "My dear, Grace, you must give the public what they want." "She wanted you to be my granddaughter." "Not at all." "She was just fishing." "Besides, you don't know, how terribly young you look." "Uh, terrible is the word." " Come on up." " Shall I?" "I'll give you my signature." "Safe at last." "We're alright, now, if we reach the landing." "Oh, Mr. Royle.." "Well, here, we're, Florence." "We just had a nice scratched stroll along the boulevard." "Not a soul recognized me?" "I'm glad you're back." "I want your signature." "I won't do it." "I won't sign my name anymore today." "I strike." "Hello, Mildred, dear." " Very nice to find you here." " Hello, Monty." " Good afternoon, Ms. Blair." " How do you do, Mrs. Miller?" "Grace, as you know, is my protege." "All great musicians, must have a protege." "So, I thought, I might as well have a good looker." "You also have a secretary who's been working her fingers to the bones." "Ah!" "Well, look, how I've to work mine on the bones tonight." "Smacking the ivories, hip and thigh." "Grace, show her what I bought you as a parting gift?" " Pearls." " Oh." "Nothing less." "I told her that all rich Americans bought ladies pearls." "And I wasn't gonna be piker." " Look at the size of 'em." " 'Oh.'" "$20." "On the rue du Palais Royal." "And you couldn't get motiff of this in New York for twice the money." "Monty, you are a great big baby." "Uh, 'cause I got these long clothes on you think that." "You see me in the morning, Grace." "Before I've touch myself up." "I look awful." "Oh, good luck for the tonight, Monty." "I must be going." "Oh, don't go yet." "I need your advice." "I want you to see this drawing." "It just come from the artist." "'Don't you think that's the lovely setting' 'for Church organ.'" ""To the glory of God" ""and memory of Margaret Ruth Royale."" "To the memory of your mother." "I'm going to have it built in the little church in New York." "That she always attended." "I think she'd have liked it." " Don't you?" " It's beautiful." "You know, she was always conscious of the vibrations of the church organ." "In spite of her, deafness." "Wasn't she, Florence." "Effected her strongly." "We used to see the tears coming into her eyes." "I didn't know your mother was deaf." "Yes, quite early in life." "It's the family inheritance." "Her father and his father before him." "A terrible inheritance." "You worshiped your mother, didn't you?" "Well, if it hadn't been for her." "I supposed, I've to just grown up, one of the idol rich." "She believed that every man ought to earn enough money to keep him no matter how much your father left him." "Monty and mother all have gone to church together." "You're really quite religious aren't you?" "I don't think, I'm what you call religious." "But I always regarded my mother and God is my two best friends." "But Florence is a bad thing." "Oh, you're just my managing director." "Oh!" "Just look at Battle." "Uh-huh!" "Monty, I don't object you're being popular but there's a limit." " Oh, how, lovely?" " Beautiful." "La Countess of Belleville." "Oh!" "La Countess of Belleville?" "Never heard of her." "Never heard of her." "Never heard of her." "The fact is, Battle." "You and I are too young and beautiful." "We are the public danger." "Excuse me, sir, I think you ought a rest." "You have a hard night's work before you." "Don't break in or pardon me when I'm surrounded by three young ladies." "Battle is quite right." "The three young ladies is gonna break away." "One moment...girls.." "...I got something perfectly thrilling to tell you." "Shall I tell them, Battle?" "What about His Majesty, the king, sir?" "Oh, well, now, you've given away the great climax of my story." "King, king who?" "Uh, that must forever remain secret." "You know, I was going home three days ago." "When I suddenly decided to give this concert." "Yes." "Well, that's because I was commanded to give it by our real life king." "Nobody can command you." "You're a king." "Then he approached me as one king to another." "And asked me to give this last concert." "So that he might attend incognito." "You know, what that means, Florence?" "Don't you?" " Ordinarytrousers." " Oh." "If he's really going to be there." "Oh, do tell us his Christian name." "He's probably got 16 Christian names but I'm not allowed to tell anyone." "Monty, you have not yet told me?" "So that I could've got a new dress." "Some sort of Buckingham Palace creation." "Oh, I'm sure it is the European King." "European Kings don't go to concerts." "They only go to races." "It's probably one of those savage kings.." "What can I wear that's savage." " Nothing." " Don't be improper." "Mildred, come and help me look over my wardrobe." "I probably wanna borrow something." "You too, Grace." "Say goodbye to me." "I shall see you again." "Yes, you will." "I'm not going to tomorrow." "But I won't see you alone." "There may be a king or two present" "Don't treat me like a child." "Child?" "And do I get" "And don't make fun of me." "Say, goodbye." "I shan't be able to follow you to New York for a whole week." "True." "Mind you practice five hours a day." "I can learn more from you in five minutes than from anyone else in five years." "You love music, don't you?" "I love you." "I love you." " Grace, my dear child." " I'm not a child." "Don't be foolish." "I'm old enough to be your.." "You know, I'm your grandfather." "I don't care, how old you are." "You love music you love the successful pianist, not me." "I did at first perhaps but not now." "Now, this is just Paris got into your blood." "You know, everybody gets romantic in Paris." "I've even seen, United States senator in the Louvre gazing softly at the Mona Lisa." "I'm not romantic, I'm just in plain dead earnest." "You wait till, you get back to New York." "You'll feel quite different." " Will you try me?" " Try you?" "If I come to you in six months and says I love you, I love you, will you marry, me?" " Um, but" " Don't you love me at all?" "Of course, I love you but I'm old and easily flattered and moved by your youth, and beauty, and emotion." " Then you will?" " What?" "If I come to you in six months, you will marry me?" "If you're still of the same mine and you look at me with those beautiful eyes" "I may not be able to resist you." "Don't beat about the bush." "Say yes." "Yes." "What a crowd, isn't it, marvelous?" "Did you see anything that looks like a king?" "Shh." "Now, our four seats are not together." "Harold, will you take care of Grace?" " With pleasure." " I'll sit with you, Florence." "No, you won't." "You young people will sit together." "And Mildred, you'll come with me, won't you?" "It's your call." "No, I don't understand." "Oh, then you're very lucky." "The house's all sold out." "And these two tickets have just been returned." "Uh, well, let me look at them." "Are they on the side?" "Oh-oh, just a little bit, madam." "Oh, well" "Have you any others?" "Oh, no." "I have a special flower for you in honor of His Majesty." " Mm-hmm." " My." "Boutonniere, she told it." "Oh, a boutonniere, eh?" "Hmm, I supposed people called me a dandy, don't they?" "You can wear anything you like." " You're a genius." " Oh, drop that genius stuff." "It took me 20 years working eight hours a day to become a genius." "I don't even play like a genius." "Genius's play like this." "After he sails tomorrow perhaps I'll have a chance to see something of you." "What do you mean?" "You're always seeing me." "I'm always calling to see you." "But you're generally otherwise engaged." "Harold, don't start that again." "I want to listen to the music." "Well, there isn't any music yet." "Although, it's ten minutes over due." "Why do you carry those enormous race glasses." "I'd like to watch the movement of his fingers." "He was to begin at 8 o'clock." "He's waiting for the king of course." "Are you sure?" "Why don't you go back and speak to him?" "You think, I got dare." "Problem with you is, you're not daring, enough." "I'm not gonna keep those people waiting any longer." "Ce tu nonsense." "You're quite right, Battle." "Ce tu nonsense." "There's a million people who paid their good money and we won't keep them waiting any longer." "King or no king." " I did knock." " Hello, Mildred, dear." " Aren't you, in front?" " Yes, but you're so late." " Waiting for his late, majesty." " Oh." "I thought, you might have become suddenly ill or something." "Ill?" "I?" "But you're a darling to worry about me?" " Well, I was anxious." " Uh." "I know, how terribly nervous you're always are before playing." "Do you?" "How did you know that?" "I'm deadly nervous always but.." "...I thought that was my secret." "I've always known it, Monty." "And suffered with you." "Not fair that you should suffer." "Because you get none of the compensating glory." "Don't I?" "Don't you think, I glory in your success." "Hurry around or you'll miss my first song and dance." "Good luck." "Mildred, I feel only half the nervousness now, I know, you're sharing it with me." "Thanks, for coming." "What bad luck?" "Guess, if it weren't for this narrow road" "We could have gonna on in the other car." "Oh, 1,000 of miles we've done on this machine for this to have happened, now." "I'm afraid, we shall be pretty late for the concert, Your Majesty." "What we'll miss the Royale king?" "I've never heard him so inspired." "But the king, certainly missed something." "Bravo!" "Bravo!" "You were more wonderful than ever." "Take just one more call." "I feel as a fool keeping on bowing, smirking and" "Just one." "Alright." "Bravo!" "Shall I lift you up on the platform so that you can hug him." "Bravo!" "No more." "Shut the door, Battle." "Don't let anybody inside except my personal friends." " Oh, Battle." " Yes?" "Then get behind that piano and shoot anybody who calls me maestro." "Mr. Royale, never sees anybody." "And he has such a kind face too." "I'm sure" "Never sees anybody." "If you wait here." "I'll get the sign for you." "Oh." "What's all that, Battle?" "Adjust for your signature, sir." "Mm-hmm, he's handwriting is so much better than mine." "It'll be far better to go around to the stage door, sir." "The concert must be over." "La Countess of Belleville." "I've heard of you so often." "I'm so glad you like it." " You were wonderful." " Was I?" "Eight hours a day." "I'll let you off at five." "Yes, Harold Van Adam, who's been helping, Grace to applaud." " Hello, Van Adam." " She didn't need much help." "So the king didn't come after all?" "No, court manners I suppose." "Satisfied with your glory?" "Yeah, you?" "No, more nervousness till next time." "Bless you, uh." "Mr. Royale never sees anybody." "Oh, but wait." " His Majesty." " Oh!" "The king!" "Maestro!" "Will you ever forgive me, for being so late." "Your Highness, was busy." "Busy?" "Oh." "We had a break down 50 miles away." "I'm overwhelmed with shame." "And I would have given my ears to have heard you play once more the "Moonlight Sonata."" "Would you?" "Well.." "...if, Your Highness will give your ears." "You should hear it now." "How generous of you?" "Thank you." "Your Majesty." "The revolutionist have tracked you here we must leave it at once." "Oh." "If, Mr. Royale, will be so kind" "I shall still like to hear the "Moonlight Sonata."" " But, Your Majesty." " Everything is alright." "If, Mr. Royale will be so kind." "Your Majesty, must forgive me." "I'm unable to play." " Oh." " Monty, darling." "It's the shock." "I can't hear you." "Oh, Monty, don't say that." "Don't look like that." "I shall never play again." "Florence.." "...it's the family inheritance." "I'm stone deaf." "Just as our mother was." "Latest book." "Some magazines." "Isn't that a funny cartoon?" "Uh." "Grace, do you want to go?" "Don't you think, I know, what an ordeal this is for you." "Don't be foolish." "Lovely new waltz." "Music, no." "No, no, I can't do it." "Can't you realize, what it means to me?" "To play, or never to hear a sound." "I'm not Beethoven." "I'm not a composer." "I love the music of others." "Isn't that enough for me to have music in my soul." "I want to hear." "To hear." "Go, Grace." "Go back to the world of real people." "I'm not a man." "I'm just an empty shell." "Oh, what is it?" "You know, I can't see anybody." "I'll send a message." "About that organ." "I'll have no more writing." "Food and water at meal times." "That's all I want." "I'm only an animal, now." "I may as well be frank with you, Miss Royle." "It's useless for me to continue my visits." "Is it hopeless, doctor?" "We made every possible test." "There's nothing to be done." "Perhaps, in time." "Time may make it easier for him to bail." "It can never restore his hearing." "What can I do?" " There is one hope." " Yes?" "I don't mean to restore his hearing." "But to give him some interest in life." "Well, now.." "If you could get him to learn lip reading." " Lip reading?" " Yes." "I've known many cases in which deaf people have been saved from despair by learning to read the lips." "They sometimes become so quick they can realize what's being said as rapidly as if they heard." "Will he do it?" "I'm going to send one of the most skillful teachers." "It's for you to persuade him to take the lessons." "Now, I'm going to give you what we call our final test." "Yes." "I'm going to place my fingers almost over my lips and see if you can read what I say." "Go ahead." "From that window" "I can see the people walking in Central Park." "What did I say?" "From that window, I can see the people walking in Central Park." "Good." "How did you get that?" "Well, partly from the lips partly from the muscles of the jaw." "Well done." "Now, try again." "The flowers are blooming." "The sun is shining, and God's in his heaven." "Now?" "The flowers are blooming, the sun is shining and.." "...God's in his heaven." "Splendid." "You are perfectly remarkable for an educated man." "What do you mean?" "Well, my best patients are generally from the poor classes." "My star pupil is a laboring man." "I think he could read my lips through the back of my head." "You're a fine teacher." "I return the compliment." " You're a fine pupil." " Hm." "You've learned all that I can teach you." "So there's no use of my coming again." "I should sorry to lose you." "Impress upon your friends that they're not to try to help you by mouthing their words." "Let them speak naturally, you will understand them." "Alright, I don't allow visitors, you know." "You should." " Goodbye." " Goodbye." "Oh, and.." "...don't get irritable" "And don't rebel against fate." "Aha." "You're not a musician." "No, I'm a philosopher." "Goodbye." " Grace?" " Oh, Harold." "You're coming to ask after Monty?" "Well, if the truth must be told, I telephoned your house and found that you were on the way here." "I've just been waiting about in hope of seeing you." "Well, here I am, then." "You better come in." "Can't you spare five minutes for a walk in the park with me?" "Monty's expecting me." "What is it?" "Something important?" "Grace, how long is this going on?" "What do you mean?" "You know I want to marry him if he still wants me." "You can't do it." "You can't tie yourself to a deaf man." " Old enough" " Oh, stop that!" "What difference does age make?" " All the difference!" " Goodbye." "Where are you going this afternoon?" "Mother and I are going to Paderewski's farewell concert." "Can't I come?" "Carnegie Hall is big enough for three, I expect." "If I don't see you, goodbye." "I'm going out of town." "You're going to stay with Chittendons, aren't you?" "At Santa Barbara?" "How did you know?" "I'm going too." "Oh, that'll be nice." "I brought Mrs. Miller." "I think we better tell him." "Oh. you're there, Florence." "Why-why don't you come straight in so that I know you're there?" " What is it you want?" " I'm so sorry, I" "You and Battle are always talking behind my back." "Why can't I be left alone?" "I know I'm millstone around your neck, but you.." "...needn't make me conscious about it every moment." "'I'd only just come--'" "Everybody talks behind my back." "I know what you all say." "That it'd be merciful thing if I should die." "Surely, Florence, this house is big enough." "I'm giving you the whole place for yourself and your friends." "All except this attic." "And I can't be left alone." " Well, what is you want?" " Mildred is here." " Do you wish to see her?" " No." "Yes." "I should like to see Mildred." "Mildred." "This is my den." "The lions den, you know." "Do sit down." "How do I speak to him to make him understand me?" "Do I speak loud or slow or how?" "Speak naturally." "That's all." "I can understand you." "Why?" "You heard.." "...what I said." "No." "I didn't hear." "I read your lips." "Oh, but it's so wonderful." "I thought to find you so different." "Oh, Monty." "Why are you crying?" "I'm so glad." "Why, you're hardly changed a bit." "Yes, I'm changed." "You know I have." "Haven't I good reason to be changed?" "But I'm glad you've come." "I've often wished to talk to you during these five silent months." "You didn't answer my letters." "I knew you only wrote because you were sorry for me." "You should know better than that, Monty." "But now, I can talk to you." "You believe in God?" "Yes." "I've been studying the Bible lately." ""Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings?" "And not one of them is forgotten before God."" "Do you believe that?" "Yes." "If he knows everything why does he let such horrible things happen?" "Why has he done this thing to me?" "I loved my music, it was a sacred thing to me." "I didn't accept it blindly." "I was thankful for it every moment." "And look what he does." "He snatches it from me." "And leaves me a barren life." "I'm so sorry for you, Monty." "I'd been willing to give up everything else." "If he'd only left me my music." "He must be a cruel God." " I hate him!" " Monty!" "Hah!" "I've withdrawn my promise for the organ." "Oh!" "Why?" "Because I won't be a hypocrite." "He struck at me." "He struck at my mother." "Why should I glorify his name?" "Perhaps, someday you'll learn why." "I can't believe he makes mistakes." "Mildred.." "...this is a great book." "But I tell you what it has taught me." "There is no God." "You were so tender, so good." "There is no God!" "You shut yourself up here and brood on your reflection." "Do you know where this will lead you?" "Yes." "To madness." "I thought of that." "And how easy will be to end it, I thought of that too." "Monty!" "You must come out!" "You must meet people again!" " I can't do it." " Listen to me." "You've never really have to test yourself before." " Test myself?" " I'm not speaking of music." "I'm speaking of life." "You've had everything." "Wealth, talent, social position." "But you've never suffered." "A man who's never suffered has never lived." "This isn't suffering." "It's a living death." "It's your first great test." "Are you going to fail?" "Are you?" "'How do you do, Mildred?" "'" "I heard you were back." "Well...what do you think of Monty?" "Oh, stop that!" "I won't have anybody ask what they think of me." "I know what they think of me." "He's a bad child, sometimes." "I was just going, Grace." "Don't let me turn you out." "Mine's just a flying visit." "He sees too much of me, you know." "Thank you for coming." "Why do you say I see too much of you?" "You know, I live only for the moments when you come." "Monty." "You make a day hard for me to say goodbye." "Goodbye?" "You know, I'm going to Santa Barbara." "To the Chittendons." "Oh, but I thought, you were leaving tomorrow." " Wednesday." " Today is Wednesday, dear." "Is it?" "Well, one day is so much like another to me." "I've lost a day, that's one consolation." "I feel mean at going." "But you see, I promised Alice Chittendon way back in Paris." "And she's giving the house party on my account." "But..." "I don't think I ought to leave you." "Well, of course you must go." "But your train leaves at six, doesn't it?" "It's only about two." "Yes, but.." "...Monty, you know how I love the piano." "Mother and I are going to Paderewski's farewell concert." "Do you mind?" "Mind?" "The first one I've been to since.." "...since yours." "Does it seem rather heartless of me to go?" "Well, why shouldn't you?" "I see you're.." "...going to.." "...watch his fingering." "I remember you used to.." "Yes, I.." "...I always took them to watch your fingers." "I don't think I can bear it." "I won't take 'em." "Anyone else going with you?" "No.." "...oh, yes, I-I think" "Harold Van Adam's going to be there." "He told me when I.." "...met him outside and say he might see us there." "Oh." "He's a nice young fellow, don't you think so?" "Harold?" "Yes, he's alright." "Monty, I wish you'd come to Santa Barbara with me." " They'd love to have you." " No, thank you." "I might read their lips to feel in and find out what people say about me." "No, thank you." "I suppose there'd be crowd." "Just old friends, I expect." "Harold Van Adam's an old friend, isn't he?" "Monty, so he is." "I suppose he'll be there." "Harold?" "Shouldn't be surprised." "No dear, if you turn your head away" "I can't tell what you're saying." "I say, if there's any sport about bathing and driving and pretty girls and things." "You can bet your life Harold Van Adam won't miss it." "Goodbye, dear." "Goodbye." "Enjoy yourself." "Goodbye." " Ask my sister to come to me." " Yes." "He's asking for you, Miss Florence." "I wish you could come at once." "He's.." "He seems very queer at me." "Thank you." "There's a fascination about height." "Did you want me, Monty?" "Yes." "Sit here." "I'll call you if I need you, Battle." "I want to ask you something." "And I want a straight answer." "Do you think Grace loves me?" "Well, you know, it's a settled thing." " What's a settled thing?" " Why, your marriage." "She makes no secret of the fact that she's preparing for it next month." "That isn't what I asked you." "Does she love me?" " Surely, you should know." " I'm not sure." "You can't expect her to be as demonstrative to you as if" "As if I were a young man." "But she was, five months ago." " That was before" " Ah!" "That's just it." ""That was before."" "Thank you, Florence." "That's what I wanted to know." "Monty, if you'd only go back to your music." "You've never touched an instrument for five months." " Your violin" " Florence." "You know we never talk of music." "I can't!" "I can't do it!" "Battle!" "Battle!" "Have this thing taken away." " I can't bear the sight of it." " But, sir" "Don't argue with me." "Do you want to drive me mad?" "Get it out of the house!" "And you!" "We played together, you and I!" "Well, we'll never play again." "Battle." "Yes, sir." "I want you to take this note.." "...to my sister." "And give it to her yourself." " Now, sir?" " Yes, now." "And.." "...wait for an answer." "Sir!" "No!" "Why did you stop me?" "I have nothing to live for." "You have everything to live for!" "Tell me one thing, one reason why I should live." "For others, for those who love you." "That's false, a false reasoning." "I'm a burden on those who love me!" "It's not true!" "Do you think I'm blind as well as deaf?" "Don't I see you all brooding and suffering?" "If you kill yourself, you'll suffer 10,000 times more." "Can you give me my music?" "No!" "Nobody can do that." "But there are other things." "You are thinking only of yourself and it's cowardly of you, that's what it is." "You're a gentleman and ought to set an example of courage to all those deaf people." "Not turn tail and sneak out of the world!" "You're a coward, a beastly coward!" "A coward?" "I thought it took a good deal of courage to do that, but.." "...you're right." "It's easier to die...than to live." "Don't ever try to do that again, sir." "There's so much beauty in the world." "And so much that is ugly and brutal." "The trees and the flowers in the park." "Well, look at them." "Nature's so beautiful." "But its workings are cruel." "I see no guiding hand." "No method." " No meaning." " Here.." "...look through these." "The flower." "You can almost count their petals through these." "Look, sir." "Look." "Yes." "Trees and flowers." "And cripples and beggars." "Flowers...and cripples." "Hunger and strike.." "...on flowers." "Hopeless confusion." "How absurd to believe in a merciful God!" "Don't forget, there's joy and happiness too." "You can't have just one thing." "It's contrast that makes life so wonderful." "Look, sir." "Look." "Yes.." "...and there's sickness too." "There's a young fellow.." "...looks as though he hasn't long to live." "A girl's got him by the arm." "Hey." "These lenses are very strong." "I can read their lips." "Battle." "Do you think I ought to?" "Is it quite honest?" "It can't do them any harm." "They'll never know." "Besides, it might be good practice for you." "It's just a boy and girl, you know." "Seem to be in a desperate trouble." "You look tired again." "No, I'm alright." "Well, what did the doctor say?" "Oh, nothing much." "I want to know exactly what he said." "Well, he examined me and said I got a little spot on my lung." " Oh." " Oh, well." "Doctors don't know everything." "They gotta say something to earn their living." "What else?" "Well, of course, he said, I must have all kinds of things." "Costing money, I suppose." "That's about the size of it." "Here's your God of contrast." "Trees and flowers." "And this boy's going to die of neglect." "It's a wonderful world." "For some people." "There's something else that you haven't told me." "He said I couldn't get well in New York while I'm working." "I must go away and sleep out at doors and rest." "Huh." "Rest!" "Then you gotta go." " How?" " You gotta go." "We must get the money, somehow." "Why, Kit, do you know what it'd cost?" "What?" "The doctor says, I mustn't work for a year." "It'd cost a thousand dollars, maybe two." "But for the sake of a thousand dollars you've got to stay in the city and slowly die." "Oh, well maybe it ain't as bad as all that." "I ain't gonna let you die." "Gotta get it." " Get a thousand dollars?" " Mm-hmm." "How could you get a thousand dollars?" "I might borrow it." "Who's gonna lend a girl like you a thousand dollars?" "Well, Mr. Gardner." " Your boss?" " Yes." "He's often said if I wanted anything at anytime.." "You know what that means?" "Did you forget you've told me before the sort of man he is?" "I can't let you die." " I can't." " I'd rather die." "What kind of a man do you think I am?" "You're my man, and I'm gonna fight for you." "No, Kit." "Don't do it." "Can't you see it'd kill me if you did?" "Don't get excited, honey." "I won't." "I won't." "There." "There." "What is it, honey?" "Are you feeling weak?" "I'm.." "...praying, Kit." "Maybe, I won't be heard." "I haven't prayed for a long time." "But maybe.." "Battle." "Look out of that window." "And you'll see those two young people." "On the bench by the walk." "I want you to take this to the young man as just as fast you can." "Oh, you needn't be afraid for me, I-I promise." " Thank you." " And, Battle." "Don't say where it came from." "Not a word about me." "Not a word about.." " To the young man" " To anybody." "Quick!" "'And never mind your hat.'" "Never mind?" "I couldn't go without my hat, sir." "'Hurry!" "'" "You're still...praying." "Honey?" "Honey." "Yes." "It's been so long." "I had so much to tell him." "I prayed with you, dear." "Shall we go, now?" "Yes." "I beg your pardon." " What is it?" " I have a note for you." " For me?" " Yes." "But you-you don't know who I am." "Will you do me the favor to read it?" "What does it say?" ""If you give the bearer your name and address" ""the writer who has overheard your conversation" ""will take pleasure in sending you the thousand dollars or maybe two."" "Oh." "But how could anyone have heard?" "Well, there was nobody around." "It couldn't have been.." "Who wrote this?" "I'm not at liberty to say." "Will you please give me your address?" " Shall I?" " Yes." "But I..." "I'd like to know" "Whom you have to thank?" "Well, let's say it's one who for the moment, played God." "Yes, if I were you, miss" "I'd thank God for it." "Oh, I do." "He did hear you." "He prayed for it." "And she thinks that God.." "God!" "At last, I've got a good joke on him." "Oh." "I wonder." "Has he the laugh...on me." "Tell 'em, boys and girls, hurry up!" "'Little dibby-dab left here.'" "Now, Tom Chittendon, you're through with those cocktails come help me with the steaks." "Steaks don't need any help." " This does." " I'll help, Grace." "Oh, you lie down." "You must be tired." "All the water's all boiled away." "Now, it's time for coffee." "Now, that's the worst of picnics." "There's no running hot and cold." "I thought there was a spring, I'll get it." "So do I. I'll get it, Grace." "You stay where you are." "Perhaps, I was wrong about there being no running hot and cold." "She certainly doesn't encourage him." "I don't believe they've been alone together during the whole month she's been here." "Between you and me, I'd like to see her have a little flirtation." "She's going to have a dull time when she's married." "Shh, we never mention that." "Oh, you've come, too." "Well, as you're here you might as well get 'em." " Grace?" " Don't keep 'em waiting." "How dare you do that?" "What right had you to.." "Why did you do it when you must know, I-I've.." "Oh!" "Now.." "...what have we got!" "Hello, you old battlaxe." "Getting ready for Christmas?" "Getting ready for Christmas?" "Well, what if I am?" "Singing too?" "Was I?" "Well.." "...I never heard any voice, you know." "And I always wished I could sing like Caruso." " Now I can." " You can?" "In my own estimation?" "Yes." "You see, I sing.." "...and I can't hear a sound." "So I imagine I sing like Caruso." "Oh, it's a great thing not to be able to hear sometimes." "Hey!" " Does she quack?" " Mm-hmm." "Thought she might." "Well.." "...when children play with the toys.." "Didn't you see them?" "Well, just take a glance but only for a moment." "You see, you told me that I must live for others and now I'm trying to do that." "But I sometimes think" "I'm a selfish old devil." " Selfish?" " Yes." "Always looking out of that window" "I'm gloating over the gratitude of those poor people for my paltry gifts." "But.." "...it's rather a lark, isn't it?" "It's a great work you're doing." "Oh, no, not great." "Just a lark." " I've got a grand idea." " Mm-hm" " I'm going out." " Going out?" " Yes." " Good." "I thought it all over." "I'm not going to be hermit any longer." "No, not now." " Christmas." " Christmas?" "You see.." "...Ms. Grace is coming back." "Aah." "You and Ms. Grace." "Seems almost too good to be true, doesn't it?" "Oh, I haven't seen that hat for months." "Well.." "...at Christmas.." "...I'm going into all sorts of toy shops." "I'm going to watch the children." "And hand out just what they want." "Somebody knocking." "Mrs. Miller, sir." " Monty." " Mildred." "Well..." "I waited so long for you to invite me." "But you're not very sociable, are you?" "Ah, but I'm changed." "I'm having the time of my life." "And I'm very glad to see you." "Excuse me, sir?" "I have to go, it's time for our next case." "Those two young people, the girl is sure to be there directly." "Oh, yes, the police case." "You have thoroughly investigated it?" "Yes, if you want to see, you'd better look down in about five or ten minutes." "Alright, off you go." "I'll gloat from the window." "Excuse me, Mrs. Miller." "This is one of our busy days." "What does he mean?" "Monty, you look just like your old self." "What's done it?" "These." " Those glasses?" " Yes." "Up here with the stars" "I've learned things I never dreamed of." "What things?" "That doubts and fears are only shadows." "You know, for months I railed against God." "I cussed and cried out in defiance." "You remember?" "And when my hatred was most bitter.." "...He answered me.." "...and sent me these." "You look up there..." "and read the stars?" "No." "I look down there and read their lips." "The cry of those who suffer and doubt as I suffered and doubted." " And you help them?" " Yes." "I take a hand." "You know, I'm so close to God here that I feel I'm in partnership." "Come and look at my roof garden." "Oh, beautiful!" "I thought you'd like it." "Grace will love it, too, I know." "Grace comes back today, doesn't she?" "Yes." "You know, I had doubts about her love for me." "But her letters have been so dear and sweet and always telling me that she still wants me and I'm very happy." "You've been at it quite soon, I suppose." "Uh, just as soon as she said." "Oh!" "Wait a moment." "Is that the girl?" "Here, come here." "I want to show you." "You see that young girl there?" "Here, take the glasses." " The girl on the bench?" " Yes." "That's where they always meet till one day, two weeks ago her lover didn't come." "She doesn't know why, but she's there everyday waiting for his return." "She's a sad little figure." "She doesn't know that the police have got her boy." " The police?" " Yes." "I learned their whole story." "The same old, sad one." "They were not earning enough money to get married on but they were young and loved each other very much and then..." "the usual consequences." "Poor girl." "She talked of suicide." "He was frantic." "And then, he disappeared." "When he failed to come back, I set Battle on the job and we we found out where he'd been working." "Then we got busy." "Hey, wait a minute." "Remember, five minutes." "Please stand where she can't see you." "We'll go to the end of this path." "But if you try to make a break, I'll shoot." " You understand?" " I understand." "Just five minutes alone is all want." "Well, get busy." "And remember, I'm watching." "Jenny?" "Eddie!" "Now we're off." "I'll tell you what they're saying." "Of course, I can't tell when they actually turn their backs." "But I can generally figure it out by their replies." "Why didn't you write me?" "I've been waiting for you everyday." "Jenny, I've got a lot to say and I've got to say it quickly." "You're not gonna leave me again?" "There's nobody I can talk to." "Nobody I can tell about.." "...about myself." "Eddie, I'm scared." " I'm scared." " Oh, don't cry, Jenny." "Don't cry." "I can't help it." "Soon everybody will be talking about me." "If you hadn't come today.." "...I was going to do away with myself." "Listen...that night after you told me about everything.." "...I went kind of crazy thinking about you and your trouble." "And the next day they gave me some money to take to the bank." "And I..." "I" "Eddie...you never took it?" "Yes, a whole bunch of bills." "Oh!" "But the next day, I realized what I'd done." "And I was gonna return it." " But they got me." " Oh, Eddie!" "Eddie?" "Oh, I was scared." "So I pretended I didn't know anything about it." "But they got me alone in a room." "They talked to me for hours until I couldn't stand it any longer and at last I said, "Yes, I'd done it."" "But you told them you were gonna send it back, didn't you?" "Yes, but they only laughed." "They'll send me away for years." "And I won't be able to see you." "Oh, I wish I'd never been born!" "Don't, Eddie." "Don't." "Perhaps, they'll let you off." "No, they won't." "He told me what I should get.." "...five years." "Oh!" "Could you stand it, alone?" "No." "No, no!" "Jenny.." "...you said if I hadn't come today you were gonna do away with yourself." "How were you going to do it?" "I was going to take poison." "Where is it?" "No, no." "Where's Battle?" "Why doesn't he hide?" "Wouldn't it be better?" "Both of us?" "It's a way out." "Better get it over with." "You've got it there, give it to me." "Goodbye, darling." "No...goodbye." "We'll be together." "Battle?" "Battle?" "You'll be too late." "Mildred, just tell him to stop them." "They talk of suicide." "Wait!" "It's too late." "Look here, young fellow, I'm getting tired of waiting." "I can't let you go." "I can't." "Oh, give us another minute, sir." "Just a second." "We've got something important." "No, I can't wait any longer." "I'm gonna leave you." "And good luck to you." "Goodbye, young woman." " Good day, sir." " Good day." "He shook hands with me." "And he is gone!" "That's a narrow escape." "He's saved, Mildred." "Who are you, sir?" "I just brought him a message that the firm had withdrawn the charge." "Eddie, then you're free." "Jenny.." "But-but who are you?" "First, let me ask you something." "Come here, my dear." "Do you think you'll behave properly to her?" "Oh, now he's going to play the heavy fowler!" "Who, Battle?" "What's he saying?" "All that, "don't you think you've been very wicked" stuff." "Old hypocrite." "I need to punch his head." "You know you love him." "As if they hadn't suffered enough." "I know what he's doing." "She's a pretty girl and he's going to give her a fatherly kiss." "That's what he's after." "And now, you're going to be properly married." "And...mind you are good to her." " He's done it!" " What?" "Kissed her, the old battleaxe." "But, Monty.." "...there's something sublime in this." "Only business of its kind on earth." "Absolute monopoly." "I suppose, the Congress would be after me for running a trust." "It's been your salvation." "Yes." "He did it." "And think of the fun He must be having up there." "Now I know why you said" ""God had taken you into partnership."" "Oh, I was only bragging." "Here's Battle, walking away with them.." "...and still shaking his bony finger at the boy." "Let's see if we got any more customers." "There's a young couple coming around the bend." "A park's a great place for love-making, you know?" "Why?" "Who do you think it is?" " Somebody you know?" " Grace!" "Looking like one of the flowers." "And young Van Adam with her." "Grace and Harold?" "Just as plain as if she were up here." " Let me look." " Wait a minute." "My!" "What a stunning frock she has on!" "And the very latest thing in hats." " Give me the glasses." " We'll have some fun with her." "I'll tell you what she's saying." "Monty!" "Don't spy upon her." "Talk to me till she comes in." ""Spy upon her?"" "What do you mean?" "Nothing, only.." "...you haven't seen me for a whole month." "I think you might take your eyes off Grace for a minute." " I'm jealous." " No, you're frightened." "What is it?" "Nothing, only.." "...it seems rather, like looking through the keyhole." "Mildred.." "...I don't hear gossip, you know?" " Has there been any" " Don't talk nonsense." "Give me those glasses." "If there's anything I should know.." "...it's better that I should learn it this way." "Don't distort my meaning." "You make me feel terrible." "It's for her sake, you know.." "...as well as for mine." "When I said goodbye to you at Santa Barbara.." "...I told you that was the end." "Why do you follow me to his very door?" "Because I know that when once you enter that house you're lost to me." "I flung myself at him when he was well and famous." "What a beast I should be to desert him now!" "You've no right to gamble your whole life away just because of that one rash promise." "Oh, why did you come out there?" "I should've been alright if you'd stayed away." "Isn't it better to have found it out now?" "It's no use, Harold." "I can't leave him like this." "You're leaving me." "But your future is brilliant!" "His is dark and empty." "Grace, darling, I'm desperate.." "...now that I know you love me." " You do love me?" " No, I don't." "Then don't ruin our happiness just because you're sorry for him." "Go now and tell him you've changed your mind." "Grace, you and I have got to come together." "It's no use, Harold." "I'm going through with it." "He's been cheated of so much." "I'm not going to cheat him." "He's put his faith in me.." "...and I won't be a quitter." "You're going to marry him?" "Yes." "Goodbye, my dear." "I love you.." "...but I'm going to leave you." "You knew this?" "Knew what, Monty?" "That she loved him.." "...all the time?" "I wasn't sure." "But you see, they're both young." " And I was afraid." " Yeah." "They're both young." "I've been very foolish." "But she was always so.." "...so dear to me." "Does it hurt terribly?" "Yes." "It hurts terribly." "Remember.." "...you have one love that is greater than all." " What?" " Your music." "Dead." "No...sleeping." "I wonder what God would do.." "...in a case like this." "Well, there's no end of news to tell you." "All sorts of things going up here now." "Here she is, Monty." "Here she is." "Here's the truant.." " Grace.." " Monty!" "Isn't she lovely?" "All of the latest California fashions." "I certainly must get one of those hats." " Do you like my hat, Monty?" " Stunning." "What kind of a husband he's gonna be, Grace?" "Just thinks you look beautiful but doesn't say it." "Well, I'll set him an example." "Monty, you look younger than ever." "You've quite a color." "Well, I must say you're not a very affectionate pair." "I suppose, I'm in the way." "But...before I go how shall I answer this letter?" "Here's a picture of the new organ.." "...all finished." "And a letter, asking me to use my influence to get you to be present at the opening.." "...and they want you to be the first to play upon it." " If you only would." " No, no." " Why not?" " I couldn't send it." "What, are you never going to see your great gift?" "Why, I just as well sneak in but-but not with the crowd." "Oh, well, I'll make some excuse." "That's what secretaries are for." "Grace, you'll find him much more like a human being than he was when you saw him last." "Well, aren't you glad I've come back?" "You haven't told me so." "Perhaps I was waiting.." "...to see if you had anything to tell me." "Why, yes, I have heaps to tell you." "I mean, about Santa Barbara." "Santa Barbara?" "Oh, there's nothing to tell." "Usual round." "Bathing and driving and all that sort of thing." "Nice people there?" "Mm-hmm." " Anyone we know?" " Mainly their western friends." "Oh, yes." "Harold Van Adam was there." "Yes?" "But let's talk about ourselves." "Do you know you haven't kissed me?" "You made a compact with me." "I've come to hold you to your promise." " What promise?" " Don't pretend." "You know, you promised me that if I came to you in six months and said, "I love you, I love you"" "That was six months ago." "Things have changed since then." "I know." "But it makes no difference to me." "I'm going to break my word." "Monty!" "Why?" "Because you have such a beautiful nature." "I don't want to lose you as a friend." "But what do you mean?" "Something has happened that changed me." "Something has happened?" " When?" " Today." "What is it?" "Who is it?" "You." "Me?" "Yes." " Do you remember these?" " My glasses." "You remember, you left them behind?" "Well, it turned out to be fairy glasses." "By looking through them" "I can see everybody's life just as it is." "Everybody's thoughts.." "...just as they are." "Monty!" "Don't be frightened." "Excuse me, sir?" "Excuse me, sir." "I need some more money for the wedding." "Welcome home, Ms. Grace." "I suppose Mr. Royle has told you about his little business." "You did a grand thing to him when you left your glasses behind." "He just made two young people very happy." "They were sitting on that bench down there." "He read their lips perfectly through your glasses." "'Got their whole story from their own lips.'" "And now, I'm dashing off to be best man at their wedding." "Excuse me!" "You.." "...you read our lips?" "Yes." "Puts me in a pretty bad light, doesn't it?" "Eavesdropping." "Oh, Monty.." "You don't think I've been deceiving you, do you?" "No, dear." "You've just been deceiving yourself." "It was music that...brought us together." "You know that, don't you?" "Yes." "It was a love founded on perfect harmony." "We never looked ahead." "Our love was music." "But you see, dear.." "...a string...snapped." "And the music ceased." "Not altogether, Monty." "You'll always be my idol." "I shall always be your friend." "Goodbye." "You behaved like a gentleman, Grace." "And perhaps I admire you more than I could ever have loved you." "Mildred?" "God's in his heaven today." "You will play?" "For the King."