"♫ [chimes]" "[woman narrating] I live and work in the city now." "It's a landscape of cement and noise and crowds." "It's all so different and so far away" "From the little town where I grew up:" "Clear River, Nebraska, population 1,500." "Clear River was surrounded by cornfields and cattle" "And open Sky." "The tallest building in town was only three stories." "Most of the streets were unpaved," "And we didn't even have a traffic light." "We didn't need one." "Every day," "The union pacific streamliners roared through," "But they never stopped in clear River." "I often think of that little town," "And that special Christmas in 1946" "When I was 10 years old." "This is the house we lived in then." "Oh, nifty." "Know what?" "I'm on command" "Addie." "Watch what you're doing." "Do you have to make such a mess when you eat?" "It's my pancake." "I like it this way." "Anyway, listen." "I'm on the committee" "To buy a Christmas present for Miss Thompson." "Please pass the syrup, Addie." "We sent Miss Thompson out of the room," "And we had a secret election" "Addie." "And when the votes were counted," "I was elected." "Thank you." "So were Carla Mae and Judy Namey." "No boys." "Take your elbows off the table, Addie, and sit up straight." "We voted to all chip in a quarter" "To buy Miss Thompson a present," "So I need an extra quarter, dad." "Please don't reach, Addie." "Pass the syrup, dad." "What?" "Please pass the syrup, dad." "That's better." "Thank you." "[grunts]" "There's going to be a special Christmas show at the movie." "I need a quarter for that, too." "It's the Christmas Carol and a bunch of cartoons." "So I need 50 cents altogether, dad." "Could I please have 50 cents, dad?" "Oh, my glory." "[sighs]" "Beats me why you don't put 'em on a plate." "I'll have another for you in a jiffy." "No, it doesn't matter." "I've had enough." "There you go." "I need two quarters, dad." "I gave you your allowance Saturday." "Yeah, but I spent it on presents." "That's your business." "Will you bet me something?" "If I win, will you give me two quarters?" "No bets." "I gave you a quarter." "Take your choice:" "Miss Thompson or the Christmas show." "Addie!" "That's Carla Mae." "Got to get going." "Now, sit down and finish your breakfast." "Come on in, Carla Mae." "Good morning, Mr. Mills." "Good morning." "Here you are." "Good-bye, mother." "Come on, sit down." "Hi." "Sit down, Carla." "Oh, and take your coat off." "You want a pancake?" "Oh, yeah." "Please." "[car engine backfires, chugs]" "My dad bought our tree last night." "A real fat one." "Last Christmas, we had a tall one," "Because when we lived in Omaha," "Our ceilings were taller." "You mean higher." "Your dad get you your tree yet?" "Well, did he?" "We don't want a tree." "Why not?" "They're a waste of money." "They dry up in a week." "A tree's no fun." "It stands in a corner." "It doesn't do anything." "But you can look at it." "I can look at the one at school," "Or at my uncle Will's." "Like my dad says, "what do I need a tree for?"" "Thanks." "My dad wouldn't dream of not having a tree." "My mom says he acts just like a little boy at Christmastime." "Well, my dad's grown up, and he acts grown up." "If you wanted a tree, would he get one for you?" "If I wanted one." "Sure he would." "I bet you're the only person in town without a tree." "Jesus didn't have a Christmas tree." "He didn't?" "They don't have pine trees in Bethlehem, you dodo." "They don't even have snow." "Do you miss living in Omaha, Carla Mae?" "I don't know." "How do you like it here?" "Don't you know whether you like it or not?" "Come on, we'll be late for school." "Well, Addie." "Carla Mae's only been here a month." "Maybe she misses her friends." "Well, now she's got me for a friend, so she's all set." "Are you going shopping this morning?" "Soon as you two clear out of here." "Oh, good." "Will you get me a jar of library paste?" "Please?" "I need some for making my Christmas cards." "Please." "I'll pay you back out of my next week's allowance, okay?" "All right." "Get a big one with a paste brush in it." "All right." "Please." "Good-bye." "Bye." "Hi, Mrs. Mills." "Hi, grandma!" "Don't forget my library paste!" "[school bell ringing]" "[chattering]" "Good morning, Miss Thompson." "Good morning, Miss Thompson." "Hi." "Good morning, Miss Thompson!" "Good morning, Miss Thompson." "Good morning." "Good morning, Miss Thompson." "Good morning, Miss Thompson." "Good morning." "Good morning." "Good morning." "All right, class." "[in unison] I pledge allegiance to the flag" "Of the United States of America," "And to the republic for which it stands," "One nation, indivisible," "With Liberty and Justice for all." "Now, before we begin our lessons," "I have an important announcement to make." "Tomorrow afternoon after school," "There's going to be a dress rehearsal" "Of the Christmas pageant." "[chattering, laughing]" "So report to the stage in the auditorium" "Just as soon as the final bell rings." "Now, is there anyone whose costume isn't going to be ready?" "What's the trouble, Stewart?" "My mother's sewing machine is in the repair shop." "She's supposed to get it back the day after tomorrow." "Well, remind her that the pageant is Friday night." "Gloria?" "My mother's sick." "Oh, I'm sorry." "So she can't make my costume." "Well, I can fix something up for you." "You're playing one of the animals in the manger, aren't you?" "The cow." "Oh well, we already have the mask, so all we need is a brown suit." "If you can bring in an old pair of pajamas, I'll dye them." "I don't think my mother will let me." "I only have one pair." "Well, you and I can figure it out together at recess." "Remember that Wednesday is our last day of classes," "And Santa Claus will be here that morning." "[laughing, chattering]" "So be sure all of your presents are under the tree." "I see there are some here already, but we don't want anyone to be left out." "Also, don't forget that the maximum you can spend" "On the person whose name you Drew is 50 cents." "What's the minimum?" "Zero." "[laughter]" "All right." "Let's get on to our vocabulary." "The first word today is a very long one:" "Parsimonious." "How many syllables does that have?" "Tanya?" "Five?" "That's right." "And what does it mean?" "Mad?" "No." "Angry?" "No." "Yesterday, we read a story about scrooge." "What would you say that Mr. Scrooge's outstanding characteristic was?" "Billy?" "Stingy?" "That's right." "That creepy Billy wild is parsimonious." "I wonder whose name he Drew." "I pity whoever it is." "Why is dad so parsimonious?" "That's a pretty fancy word." "It's on the vocabulary list this week." "It means stingy." "I know what it means." "Well, why is he?" "Well, he's not stingy, he's careful." "He remembers what it's like to be poor." "Well, he's not poor now." "He's got almost $6,000 in the bank." "How do you know?" "The other night, he left his bankbook on the table, and I looked." "Addie." "You mustn't poke your nose into other people's business." "Well, it was open." "You'd have to be blindfolded not to see." "The other kids think it's pretty peculiar." "What is?" "That I never have a Christmas tree." "Oh, well, just-- just tell them" "We're sharing uncle Will's tree." "I always say that." "They think it's a dumb reason." "Why do you give a fig what they think?" "Now, let's try this on, see how it looks." "Now, stand up and, uh, hold your hands up." "There we go." "Wait a minute." "There." "It's awfully big." "Oh, now." "Get a belt from the closet." "Any old belt." "I want to see how much it takes up." "How do you know angels dress like this?" "It tells in the bible." "If you paid attention in Sunday school, you'd know it, too." "Doesn't say they wore old bed sheets." "Now, stop fiddling." "I bet angels wore robes of pure silk." "Addie, will you hold still?" "Do you think dad might do it this year?" "Buy me a tree?" "Well, I wouldn't nag him about it if I was you." "I don't nag." "He never listens to me." "I have to ask him everything a million times." "Now turn around." "Slowly." "He doesn't care anything about me." "He never pays any attention to me." "Well, he buys you food and clothes, don't he?" "Pays the doctor when you get sick." "Pays all the bills in this house." "But he doesn't talk to me." "I'm a person, too, you know." "I like to be talked to." "What'll he say if I ask him to buy me a tree this year?" "[gasp] [sigh]" "Think he'll say yes, or do you think he'll say no?" "Now stand up straight and hold still." "You said dad always bought my mother a tree." "How come he wasn't stingy with her?" "Well, things was different then." "We always spent Christmas day at home." "Now we go to uncle Will's." "Do you think he might do it this year?" "Buy me a tree?" "Well..." "There's no harm asking'." "Okay." "Tonight, I'm going to implore him to get me a tree." "Implore means beg, but it sounds better." "Now, let's see how this looks." "Oh, yes." "I look just like an Angel." "[knocking]" "Hi." "I brought you your paper." "Thanks." "Addie, weren't you gonna ask your father something?" "I was?" "What?" "You know what." "Oh, that." "Well, I think I'll wait till we finish the dishes." "Why?" "I want to finish the dishes first." "[sigh]" "Never saw you so anxious to do dishes before." "He's not in a good mood." "Any man is in a good mood once he's had a good meal." "That's when I always used to ask your grandpa for things." "Grandpa loved you." "I don't think dad loves me." "Of course he does." "You're his child." "He never hugs me or kisses me." "Well, he ain't very good at showing how he feels." "When Carla Mae's father gets home," "He grabs her up in his arms and twirls her around." "Your dad ain't the huggin' kind." "He'd love me a lot more if I was a boy." "Now, that's a gosh-darn thing to say." "He treats me like a boy." "I bet when I was born, he wanted me to be a boy." "Your dad and mother waited for you so long," "They thought you were the greatest baby in the world." "They didn't give a fig if you were a boy or a girl." "Don't give me a doll this Christmas." "The way you got them dolls stuffed in the closet," "You don't deserve another doll." "I want a pair of cowboy boots." "Cowboy boots?" "What for?" "To wear to school." "Like Billy wild." "Thought you hated Billy wild." "I despise him." "But I love his boots." "That's enough now." "I'll finish up." "I'll dry them." "No." "You go speak to your father." "Should I cover this with wax paper?" "I'll do it." "You were gonna ask your father something." "Go ask him." "What's the hurry?" "Go on, Addie." "[sigh]" "Maybe I'll wait until tomorrow." "Never put off till tomorrow" "I know, I know." "Okay, I'm going." "Going in there right now." "Go ahead, then." "Okay, I'm going." "I'm sorry." "It just fell out." "You left the paper in a mess again." "I did?" "Mm-hmm." "How many times do I have to tell you" "To put it back the way you found it?" "I'm sorry, dad." "Well..." "No wonder you got stuck" "With the crossword puzzle." "Where?" "15 across." ""something to sit on."" "You put chair." "It has to be stool." "You see there?" "You need the s." ""15 down." "A floating object."" "Oh, I see." "A ship." "Mm-hmm." "And the "h" here for "feminine pronoun" is "her."" "You're a lot better at it than I am, dad." "Well, if you're gonna do the puzzle," "Do it right or don't do it." "Ah." "Uh..." "No." "Shouldn't bounce like that." "Here." "Remember what I told you?" "Get you hand flat down on the floor, like that, see?" "Gee, you're good." "Yeah." "Now you try it." "No." "No, flat." "There." "Good!" "Yeah, good." "Play a game with me, dad?" "No, I'm gonna finish the paper and turn in early." "Here's something for you." "Thanks." "Don't know what to use this for." "What?" "I can't use this to make decorations for my tree" "Because you won't let me have a tree." "Starting that again?" "Won't you please buy me a tree, dad, please?" "Just a little tree?" "I already told you no, and no means no." "A tiny tree that wouldn't cost very much?" "You spend more in cigarettes in a week" "Than a tree costs." "Addie!" "Please, I implore you!" "You do not need a tree." "I do, I do!" "What for?" "Because it would make this house happy-looking." "Well, the house looks all right to me." "But it doesn't look like Christmas in here." "It doesn't feel like Christmas, either." "I don't see why I can't have a tree, dad." "All the other kids do." "Well, you don't have to do everything the other kids do." "Why not?" "If the other kids threw snowballs and broke windows," "I wouldn't do that because it's a bad thing." "But having a tree is a good thing." "Isn't it, dad?" "Oh, Addie, will you stop pestering me and go to bed?" "It's not my bedtime yet." "Addie?" "I" "Dad, if you let me have a Christmas tree," "I won't ask you for another thing the whole year." "Addie." "Will you bet me something?" "If I win, I get the tree," "And if I lose, I'll never ask you again." "All right." "If that's what you want, I'll make a bet." "Good." "What is it?" "I'll bet you can't drink a glass full of water." "Silly." "Of course I can." "Show me." "What are you up to?" "It's a fair bet, mother." "You'll see." "Drink it." "I won!" "I said you had to drink a glass full of water." "I did!" "You drank the glass empty." "Give me the glass, Addie." "James, that was cruel." "Well, I was only trying to have a little fun." "It wasn't funny to her." "Well, where's your sense of humor?" "It was only a joke." "You wouldn't play a joke like that on one of your friends." "James," "Let her have a tree this year." "It means so much to her." "Why not?" "Have you forgotten what it's like to be 10 years old?" "She has to learn." "In this life, you can't have everything you want." "It's Christmas, for goodness' sakes." "A tree's such a small thing to make her happy." "You might be surprised at yourself." "You might enjoy it, too." "You're 100% wrong about that." "You've let your whole life turn sour." "You've no right to sour Addie's life, too." "I don't want to talk about it." "You don't want nothin' around to remind you." "Well, Addie's around." "You can't look at Addie and not be reminded." "I don't have to listen to this." "For 2 cents, I'd buy her a tree myself!" "Don't you do it, mother." "She's my daughter, and I'll decide what she can and can't have." "[shouting]" "Addie, look at your head!" "What have you boys done to Addie?" "We didn't do anything." "She hit us first." "That's not true!" "They started by making fun of her grandmother!" "We were not!" "You were so!" "It's not our fault that your grandma's a character." "She is not a character!" "She looks like a nut, pulling a little kid's wagon." "It's my wagon." "She can pull it any damn time she wants." "Hush, Addie." "We don't swear in this school." "Or anywhere else." "She takes it to the grocery store." "She's too old to carry big heavy bags." "Know what she does when she wants Addie?" "She opens a window and blows a police whistle." "That sounds very sensible to me." "It's nutty." "I'll punch you in the nose." "All right, now calm down, Addie." "It seems that we don't understand the difference" "Between a character and a nut." "Let's take our seats, and we'll talk about it." "[chattering]" "Going somewhere?" "Sure got up on the wrong side of the bed, you crumb." "All right, Addie." "All right, come to order, class." "Before music period, I want to discuss something important." "There has just been a fight in the cloakroom." "Nothing was settled by it," "Because fighting never settles anything." "It was a fight about words," "And about people using the wrong words." "When you call someone a nut, what do you mean by that?" "They're crazy?" "A screwball?" "A person who does nutty things?" "All right." "And what do you mean" "When you call someone a character?" "The same thing." "No, not at all." "Billy?" "He's not the same as everybody else." "He's sort of different." "Go on." "Well, he might act nutty, or say nutty things," "But they're not nutty." "Do you remember I read to you the other day about Thoreau?" "And how he said he marched to the tune of a different drummer?" "Now, this would be a very boring world" "If everyone were alike." "Most of our great discoveries, our painting, our music," "Have come from people" "Who were considered characters in their own time." "Can anyone give me an example of that?" "Billy?" "Christopher Columbus." "Everybody said the world was flat," "And when he said it was round, everybody said he was a nut." "That's very good, Billy." "Well, what do you think, class?" "Do you think Christopher Columbus was a nut?" "[together] no!" "Well, all right." "I want you to remember that" "The next time you call anyone a nut." "Now let's get on to our music." "How many of you are going caroling tonight?" "Good." "Well, I think we should spend this period practicing carols." "Will you turn to page 31?" "♫ [pitch pipe]" "♫ o Christmas tree ♫" "♫ o Christmas tree ♫" "♫ our brightest Christmas symbol ♫" "♫ o Christmas tree, o Christmas tree ♫" "♫ our brightest Christmas symbol ♫" "♫ your steeple Grace and symmetry ♫" "♫ look up to God unceasingly ♫" "♫ o steeple Grace and symmetry ♫" "♫ look up to God... ♫" "Hey, Addie, there's Billy wild!" "Billy wild!" "Hey, look at that thing." "With the tin." "Yeah, that's nice." "You girls want some help?" "Yeah, we're looking for a Christmas present for our teacher." "Miss Thompson, fifth grade." "We're the committee." "Oh, I see." "How much do you have to spend?" "Everybody chipped in a quarter." "We've got $4.25." "Mm." "Let me see." "I know just exactly" "What Peggy Thompson would like." "Sweet pea." "She buys that all the time." "Mm, that's nice." "That's why she smells so good." "Sweet pea." "Quit fooling' around." "We don't want to give her stuff she buys herself." "We want something special." "Uh, how about a comb and brush set?" "No." "Hand mirror to match." "Looks like real ivory, don't it?" "No, we want something even specialer than that." "Fond of Peggy, are you?" "She's nifty." "Best teacher we've had so far." "I wish we could have her again next year." "She says we're the smartest fifth grade she's ever had." "Well, let's look around some more." "Curling iron?" "She has naturally curly hair." "No kidding." "That hair style she wears" "Looks just like Betty Grable." "How much is that?" "The tree's not for sale." "But I mean, if it was for sale." "It's artificial, Addie." "You wouldn't want it." "I don't want it." "I was just wondering." "Oh, lights and all, cost me about 10 bucks." "Say, how about a manicure set for Peggy Thompson?" "All stainless steel implements." "That looks nice." "Imported." "And the color's nice, too." "Don't you like it, Addie?" "No, just too" "I wouldn't like it if someone gave it to me." "We're not buying the present for you." "Miss Thompson cares about her fingernails." "She uses polish." "She does not!" "Does so." "Colorless polish." "Hurry up and decide." "I've got to get home and help with supper." "This is much more important than supper, Carla Mae." "Now, do you have something she'd never think of buying?" "Something absolutely terrific?" "Well, I do, but it's..." "Kind of expensive." "How expensive?" "Let's see if you like it first." "Wow." "That looks like something" "A movie star would have on her dresser." "Betty Grable would like that." "♫ [the Blue Danube]" "[music stops]" "That is nifty!" "Terrific!" "What's it for?" "Who cares what it's for?" "It's beautiful all by itself." "Well, Miss Thompson could keep her trinkets in it," "Or her cosmetics." "Or her love letters." "Love letters?" "They'd have to come from a midget" "To fit in there." "How much is it?" "5 and a quarter." "Well, that settles that." "Now wait a minute." "Maybe we can" "Can what?" "We haven't got the time" "To collect any more money." "Besides, nobody in the class has a cent left." "Christmas shopping cleaned us out." "You're right." "I guess there's nothing we can do." "Come on, let's go." "Now wait a minute." "Something I can do, though." "Come on in, everybody!" "Okay." "Come on in." "Come on in." "Addie, you didn't tell me" "You'd asked people in to sing Christmas carols." "I'm sorry." "I forgot." "Would you make us hot chocolate?" "Now?" "No, no." "Afterwards." "Where's dad?" "He's in there." "Dad!" "Children." "The kids are here now." "We're ready to sing Christmas carols." "Are you coming?" "Okay, come on, everybody." "Get in line." "Okay, everybody ready?" "Yeah." "Yeah." "Okay." "♫" "♫ o Christmas tree, o Christmas tree ♫" "♫ our brightest Christmas symbol ♫" "♫ o Christmas tree, o Christmas tree ♫" "♫ our brightest Christmas symbol ♫" "♫ your steeple Grace and symmetry ♫" "♫ look up to God unceasingly ♫" "♫ o your steeple Grace and symmetry ♫" "♫ look up to God unceasingly ♫" "♫ o Christmas tree, o Christmas tree ♫" "♫ our brightest Christmas symbol ♫" "♫ o Christmas tree, o Christmas tree ♫" "♫ our brightest Christmas symbol ♫" "♫ o Christmas tree, o Christmas tree ♫" "♫ true Faith and love you teach us ♫" "♫ o Christmas tree, o Christmas tree ♫" "♫ true Faith and love you teach us ♫" "♫ golden stars to mount your stately height ♫" "♫ which ones to Bethlehem gave light?" "♫ [fading] ♫ golden stars... ♫" "[knocking]" "Carla Mae, aren't you early?" "Well, Addie invited me for breakfast." "Breakfast?" "My glory." "We got to decide on a Christmas card for Miss Thompson." "Well, come on in, child." "I'm freezing." "Addie!" "Hi!" "Hi." "Good morning." "You didn't tell me" "You asked Carla Mae for breakfast." "Oh, I'm sorry." "Well, it's all right." "I made plenty oatmeal." "You're invited to my house for lunch." "Oh, that's nice." "Terrific." "Can we play with the train?" "If my brothers will let us." "Mm." "Okay." "What shall I make?" "A snowman." "That's baby stuff." "Uh..." "How about a Santa Claus?" "He could have a big sack on his shoulder" "That says "for Miss Thompson."" "That's corny." "What do you want to make?" "How about a Santa Claus in his sleigh" "With reindeer pulling it?" "But I said Santa Claus, didn't I?" "Be right back." "That's my father when he was a boy." "Oh." "Here they are on their wedding day." "My mother was 18." "She's pretty." "And 10 years later, I came along." "You look like a balloon." "[giggling]" "There they are on a camping trip." "Here they are at a party." "Why do they have those funny hats on?" "It's a new year's Eve party, you dodo." "Here's what I've been looking for." "That's them on a sleigh ride." "What a big, beautiful sleigh." "I'm gonna copy it." "Yeah, but it has horses pulling it." "That's okay." "I can make them into reindeer." "That's good." "You can really draw." "Shall I put "for Miss Thompson"" "Or "for Peggy Thompson."" "Miss." "How about "for miss Peggy Thompson"?" "Sounds good." "I wish my name was Peggy." "If your name was Peggy," "Your real name would be Margaret." "Anything's better than Adelaide." "When I grow up, I'm gonna change it." "You can't change your name!" "You can do anything you want when you're grown up." "I'm gonna wear a long white dress and a veil" "And get married." "Uch." "I'm gonna be a famous painter" "And live in Paris, France," "And never get married." "Let's put "from her smartest fifth grade."" "Doesn't that sound stuck up?" "Mm-mm." "Is that your mother?" "Yep." "She was the smartest girl in her high school class." "When she graduated, she won a silver cup." "I guess you get your brains from her." "My dad's not dumb." "I get my brains from both of them." "Tanya Smithers." "Merry Christmas to you, my dear." "Ho ho ho!" ""Merry Christmas and happy new year" "To Tanya Smithers from Adelaide mills."" "Adelaide mills." "Merry Christmas to you, my dear." "[high voice] thank you, Santa Claus." "[laughter]" ""Merry Christmas and happy new year"" ""to Adelaide mills from Billy wild."" "Woo!" "Oh!" "Hey, Billy!" "[Miss Thompson] hold it up, Addie." "Oh!" "Yeah!" "Nifty!" "To miss Peggy Thompson." "[applause, cheers]" "What a pretty package, Santa Claus." "Thank you." "You've been a good girl, Miss Thompson." "Oh, what a pretty card." "I'll bet I know who made it." ""To miss Peggy Thompson," ""merry Christmas and love" "From her smartest fifth grade."" "What a big box." "Wow." "How neat." "Ah, man." "♫ [the Blue Danube]" "Oh, that sounds nice." "That sounds nice." "Yay!" "Yay!" "Yay!" "Well, that is the nicest, nicest present" "That anyone has ever given me." "Thank you, boys and girls." "Thank you very, very much." "Yay!" "Yay!" "Yay!" "Now, class, I have a question to ask you." "Is there anyone here who doesn't have a Christmas tree?" "Shh!" "What's the matter, Addie?" "Don't you have a Christmas tree?" "Oh, I see." "Well, as you know," "Most of the classes leave their trees here over vacation," "And then we have a big bonfire in the playground" "When we get back to school," "But this year I thought it would be better" "If we could give our tree" "To someone who doesn't have a tree." "Since there are two people," "I think we'll have to, um..." "I know what we'll do." "We'll ask Santa Claus" "To write down a number between 1 and 10," "And then we'll ask Gloria and Addie" "To guess what the number is," "And whoever guesses the number" "Closest to the one that Santa Claus has picked" "Wins the tree." "Ready, Santa?" "Gloria?" "7." "6." "Well, let's see what number" "Santa Claus has written down." "You sure were lucky." "Wasn't luck." "I knew how to win." "My dad taught me." "How?" "You have to play the odds." "You go first, you choose 5 or 6." "So you get most of the numbers higher or lower." "If you go second," "Choose the number right next to the other player's." "That way you get all the numbers" "Higher than his or lower than his." "Get it?" "All right, look." "Gloria picked 7, right?" "I picked 6." "The number was 5, so I won." "Yeah, but you could have guessed 8," "And then Gloria would have won." "But I just explained to you why I didn't pick 8." "So it's true what I said." "You were lucky." "Mm-mm." "You're just no good at arithmetic." "All right, come here." "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6..." "Hey!" "I told you to keep the door open." "Don't pull so fast, Addie." "Hold it." "Okay, okay, you move this way." "Okay, wait a minute." "Ouch." "Where do you want it?" "All right, back right over there." "Okay." "Ow!" "I'm sorry." "Doesn't it look nifty?" "Ohh..." "Looks okay." "I didn't care whether I won it," "But since I won it, it looks okay." "It's almost up to the ceiling." "Not bad for a free tree." "Addie, you are so late." "Grandma!" "It's from school!" "Miss Thompson said whoever guessed the right number" "From 1 to 10 could have it." "And I guessed the right number." "Your father's gonna have a fit." "Why?" "It didn't cost anything." "That's not the point." "Well, then what is the point?" "Lord, it's a beauty." "It must be 7 foot, maybe 8." "Yeah, but why won't dad like it?" "Maybe it'll be all right." "When he gets home, we'll see." "Now, quick!" "Off with your boots, you two." "Snow is melting all over the rug." "Grandma, could I have a hairpin, please?" "Yes, you can." "Oh, my." "Here you are." "Thank you." "Well, a little skimpy in there." "We're not finished yet." "Will you put the star on the tree for us?" "Oh, why don't you ask your father?" "He's tall enough." "What if he won't do it?" "Now, you don't expect me to get on that, do you, with my rheumatism?" "Besides, I might get dizzy." "No you won't." "We'll hold you." "All right." "Do you wear those moccasins because you're a character?" "Who says I'm a character?" "Miss Thompson." "Oh, she did." "Did she?" "Oh, my..." "How'd Miss Thompson happen to say a thing like that?" "A character is a good thing to be." "It means somebody like Columbus" "Who does what other people are afraid to do." "It doesn't give a fig if they laugh at him." "How come Miss Thompson was hooking me up to Columbus?" "Some kids were making fun of you," "So Addie punched them." "Got yourself into a fight again, did you?" "Good for you, Addie." "Glad your dad taught you to box." "There." "That looks nifty, grandma." "Thank you." "You're welcome." "When I grow up, I'm gonna be a character." "So is Carla Mae." "I am?" "[automobile approaching]" "He's home!" "I've gotta go." "Oh, now, wait a minute." "Oh, now, wait a minute." "Oh, my." "[groans]" "Evening, Mr. Mills." "Bye, Addie!" "Bye!" "Evening." "Hi, dad." "Good evening, Addie." "Evening, James." "Evening, mother." "Now, supper's ready in 20 minutes." "You leave her something every day." "Can't eat two cupcakes." "Well, that's the last time I pack you two." "Where in the hell did that come from?" "I won it." "I won it by figuring out the odds" "On a number between 1 and 10," "Just the way you taught me." "It's you who really got the tree" "Where's it from?" "School." "Miss Thompson asked" "Who didn't have a Christmas tree," "So Gloria Cott and I raised our hands" "You and Gloria Cott raised your hands?" "Yes, and Miss Thompson" "Think we're like the Cotts, do you?" "Huh?" "That we take Charity, is that what you think?" "Of course not, dad." "It's just that Gloria and I didn't have a tree." "How come Gloria didn't take it home?" "I told you." "I won it," "Because you taught me how to figure odds." "Carla Mae and I carried it home." "Dragged it through the streets, you mean," "Letting the whole town think we take castoffs." "James, that tree isn't hurting anything." "I do not take Charity." "It isn't Charity." "She won it fair and square." "If I want a tree," "I could damn well buy one for myself!" "She's the one that wants it, not you." "Yeah?" "Well she has to learn" "She can't have everything she wants!" "Not in this life!" "I don't have anything I want!" "You think I want to work a crane 52 weeks a year?" "I'd like to go sit in the sun someplace" "And forget all of you!" "Now, I want that tree out of my house!" "You heard what I said." "It's my house, James," "And I say that tree can stay right where it is." "I'm sorry, James, but" "You don't want me here." "I'll be glad to move out and take Addie with me." "Oh, don't be a fool." "Think it over, mother," "Because I'm telling you, if I stay here," "I'm not having you interfere between me and my daughter." "She's more than your daughter, James." "She's a human being." "And she's got feelings," "Even if you haven't." "James..." "I'm your mother, and I'm speaking to you." "Last person you felt anything for was Helen." "Leave her out of this." "Oh..." "I know you were brokenhearted, James," "But you're not the only man on earth" "Who's lost a wife." "It's been almost 10 years, James." "That kind of grief is selfish." "That child needs your love." "I proved I loved her, didn't I?" "I didn't let Will and Nora take her." "I kept her with me." "I took the responsibility." "While she was a baby, that was all right." "You could carry her around like a doll," "Plop her in the crib when you didn't feel like carrying her," "And chuck her under the chin and shake a rattle for her." "But she was a baby then." "She couldn't disagree with you," "Couldn't talk back." "Now she's growing into a person." "You don't know what to do with her." "You just holed yourself away." "You live in this house like a stranger." "When she's older, she's gonna leave you, James." "You won't have the responsibility." "And you won't have a daughter, either." "It was my fault." "People don't have to die of pneumonia." "Having the baby weakened her." "It was pneumonia, son." "It happened." "No good can come of laying blame." "Why couldn't the baby have died" "Instead of Helen?" "That's..." "What I kept asking myself." "That's what I wished." "How long you gonna cry?" "I don't know." "Maybe all night." "Don't you worry." "He'll get over it." "He's so mean." "He's not mean." "Jamie's a good man." "Jamie?" "That's what we used to call him when he was a boy." "He was proud then, too." "Oh, he always had a lot of pride." "What's so good about pride?" "Well, it's a way of thinking well of yourself." "You've got it." "That's why you hit those kids today." "Was that pride?" "You were sticking up for me, 'cause you love me and I'm your family." "And your father insists on paying our way 'cause he loves us and we're his family." "He's always been the kind wouldn't take nothing from nobody," "Even if we were starving." "10, 15 years ago, during the depression, we almost did starve." "What's the depression?" "Weren't no jobs." "Nobody had any money." "A lot of people had to go on Charity." "But your father wouldn't even take the flour and potatoes" "The government was handing out free." "Dad have let you died of hunger?" "Of course not." "But he was always mighty stubborn" "About accepting anything he hadn't earned." "Would he take a present," "Like a Christmas present?" "Is that Charity?" "Oh, no." "That's a whole different thing." "A present is something" "From somebody wants to make you happy." "He doesn't love me." "He just doesn't love me." "Now, I'm not listening to such talk." "The truth is..." "Your daddy just hasn't wanted" "A Christmas tree in this house" "Because, I guess..." "It reminds him of your mama." "Makes him feel bad." "I didn't know that." "He misses her an awful lot." "You mean that I upset him so much" "That he might be in his room crying right now?" "Maybe." "But don't you worry." "This isn't your fault." "Someday, he'll get over it," "And things will be all right." "Think you can go to sleep now?" "More coffee, James?" "No, thanks." "There's another doughnut, if you'd like it." "No, thanks." "Mighty cold out today." "Yeah, 16 degrees." "Heard it on the radio." "Now, this one is for the Cotts," "And this one for the Hendersons." "Well, why can't Addie take them over?" "Oh, now, they're both on your way, James," "And it means so much more if you take them yourself." "Makes it more of a family gift." "[door rattling]" "Oh, Mr. Mills!" "Come on in." "I have something for you from my mother." "Christmas cookies for the children." "Oh, how nice of her." "Tell her the children will be very, very grateful," "And wish her a merry Christmas." "We found that on our doorstep this morning." "Isn't it beautiful?" "And it had a note." "It said "from Santa Claus."" "I'm gonna be late for work." "Good-bye, Mrs. Cott." "And, uh, merry Christmas." "Merry Christmas to you, Mr. Mills." "And I put a note on it." "It says "from Santa Claus,"" "So they wouldn't get mad and think it was Charity." "That sure was a nice thing you did, Addie." "I'm too grown up for trees." "Trees are for little kids." "Well, I'm sure it isn't a very good Christmas at Gloria's house." "She doesn't know how to figure odds the way I do." "She never would have won it." "I know." "Only way for her to get a tree" "Was for me to give it to her." "Well, I'm sure you made her real happy." "By the way," "I never got around to asking you," "How did Tanya Smithers like her mittens?" "She hated them." "I knew she would." "That's why I bought them." "Call that Christmas spirit?" "Tanya Smithers is my worst friend in the fifth grade." "You don't expect me to give her something she likes, do you?" "Well, you ought to be ashamed of yourself." "Who got your name?" "I'm not telling." "Was it a boy or a girl?" "Somebody you like or don't like?" "Did he give you something you like or you don't like?" "How do you know it was a he?" "Was it a she?" "No more questions." "I'm not saying anything more." "You looked in my private drawer!" "Addie, nobody in this house looks" "In anybody else's private drawer." "Oh, I know." "Under your pillow." "I meant to hide it this morning, but" "You had a lot of things on your mind." "Isn't it disgusting?" "I think it's real pretty." "From Billy wild?" "How'd you guess that?" "Oh, 'cause I'm a smart old character." "I'm never gonna wear this disgusting thing" "As long as I live." "Why not?" "Because if I wear it, he'll think I like him." "He likes you, all right." "Ha!" "How do you know?" "Well, you wouldn't give a heart locket" "To somebody you didn't like." "You like him a little, too." "I've told you a thousand times, I despise him." "I won't even speak to him." "[singsong] hmm-hmm." "What do you mean, "hmm-hmm"?" "Well, lots of folks don't speak to people." "It doesn't mean they don't feel anything." "Smells good." "No, don't touch until they cool." "Grandma, doesn't he look just like Billy wild?" "Well, he does at that." "Good, 'cause I'm gonna bite his head off" "And chew him up." "Oh, Addie." "What's so funny?" "I pity the fella" "You really fall for someday." "He's gonna be black and blue" "Before he realizes" "That's your way of liking." "My glory." "It's all right to let on" "You like somebody if you do." "[rapping on door]" "[James] Addie, open the door!" "Hello, Addie!" "Well, don't just stand there." "Give me a hand." "There-- careful-- careful of those." "They're breakable." "[gasp]" "James." "Well, if we're gonna have a tree," "We can buy one ourselves." "Isn't it beautiful?" "And all the decorations." "Addie, oh, my." "Look." "Silver icicles." "Oh, and lights." "You can leave them on" "Until you go to bed at night," "And turn them on first thing in the morning." "Show up much better in the dark, though." "Is there a star?" "Well, let's see." "I don't-- no, I don't think there is." "James, you forgot the star." "The one I made is on the other tree." "Do you think you can make another one?" "We only have one piece of foil left." "Maybe Carla Mae has some." "Why don't you run next door and see?" "She won't have to do that, mother." "It's the niftiest star I ever saw in my whole life." "Where'd you get it, dad?" "It was put away." "It was?" "I was saving it." "For what?" "Well, for our tree, I guess." "Gee, it shines." "This must have cost a lot of money." "Your, uh, mother made it." "My mother made this?" "She must have been an artist." "Well, she liked to paint and draw the way you do." "I didn't know that." "Nobody ever told me that." "She made that star for your first Christmas tree." "I don't remember." "I don't remember." "Well, you were only a few weeks old." "She made presents for you, too." "What?" "Well, uh, knitted, uh..." "Boots, and a sweater, and, uh..." "One of those whatta-ya-ma-callits, you know, uh..." "A bib with a big yellow duck right in the center of it." "A bib?" "Was I a messy eater then, too?" "Yeah." "Didn't my mother give me any toys?" "There was a thing." "It was, uh" "It was like a bunch of jingle bells" "Suspended on a ribbon." "We tied it across your crib," "And when you kicked at it, the bells rang." "Wow." "Do you think I look like my mother?" "Grandma says I do." "Well..." "You have the same hair." "Yeah, you look like her," "Especially when you smile." "Did I smile a lot when I was a baby?" "Yeah, but your mother said it was indigestion." "She'd put you on her shoulder and rub your back." "I wish I could remember." "What else did my mother do?" "Well..." "She sang to you." "Is my voice like hers when I sing?" "The other night, during the Christmas Carol..." "Yeah, you sounded like her." "Boy, I'm gonna be a real combination, aren't I?" "'Cause I'm gonna be very tall like you." "Put it on the tree, dad." "That looks nifty, dad." "It's yours now, Addie." "Mary packed what they would need for the trip" "In a cloth bundle and set off for Bethlehem," "Where Joseph's ancestors had lived and he was born." "Finally they arrived in Bethlehem." "They left their donkey grazing in a field" "And went into town." "Where are we going to sleep?" "Let's try this house." "Good people, we have come all the way from Nazareth." "Please take us in." "Many travelers have come today." "We have no beds left." "What do we do now, Joseph?" "Don't worry." "We'll find someplace." "Addie." "Who's that?" "Gloria." "Gee, you're a terrific cow." "I didn't even know you." "And you look angelic." "I hear you got a great big Christmas tree." "So have we." "Santa Claus brought it." "You're wearing your locket." "Oh, I didn't want to." "My grandmother implored me to." "Shh!" "Hurry up." "Get in your places." "And don't push." "You'll tear your wings." "Let the people who can't see through." "Let the cow go first." "Shh." "Don't tear your-- don't step on-- [applause]" "And so there in the stable, in the middle of the night," "Mary's baby, Jesus, was born." "She laid him in the manger" "And covered him with the clothes she had brought," "And with hay so that he would not be cold." "The only people awake that night" "Were a few shepherds" "Watching over their sheep on a hill near the town." "They huddled about a fire and warmed their hands." "Suddenly, a bright light shone above their heads." "Where does that light come from?" "Look!" "What a huge star shines over Bethlehem." "I have never seen such a star." "What does it mean?" "I am frightened." "Fear not." "For behold," "I bring you good tidings and great Joy," "Which will be to all people." "For unto you is born this day" "In the city of David" "A savior which is Christ the Lord." "And this shall be a sign unto you." "Ye shall find the babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes," "Lying in a manger." "[angels] glory to God in the highest." "And on this earth," "Peace and goodwill towards man." "[applause]" "[applause continues]" "[adult Addie] we never talked to each other" "About what happened to us that Christmas." "We still weren't much for telling our feelings in my family." "And I won't pretend that it solved everything between my father and me." "We continued to do enthusiastic battle" "With each other for another 20 years." "But after that," "Each of us knew that there was a person somewhere" "Behind the defenses on the other side," "And we never forgot it." "We had a Christmas tree every year after that." "Even after my grandmother had died" "And I had moved away to the city" "And my father was there alone," "He would have a tree waiting in the living room" "When I came home for Christmas," "And we would decorate it together." "And when it was all finished," "I would unwrap the star" "And put it on the top." "Then we would both stand back and admire it" "And not say much." "But I know we were both thinking" "Of that same Christmas in 1946." "the end"