1ABBY. Yes, indeed, my sister Martha and I have been talking all week about your sermon last Sunday. It's really wonderful, Dr. Harper-in only two short years you've taken on the spirit of Brooklyn.
That's very gratifying, Miss Brewster
2ABBY. Won't you have another biscuit, Dr. Harper?
Oh, no, I'm afraid I'll have no appetite for dinner now. I always eat too many of your biscuits just to taste that lovely jam.
3ABBY, But you haven't tried the quince. We always put a little apple in it to take the tartness out.
No, thank you.
4ABBY. We'll send you over a jar.
No, no. You keep it here so I can be sure of having your biscuits with it.
5ABBY. I do hope they don't make us use the imitation flour again. I mean with this war trouble. It may not be very charitable of me, but I've almost come to the conclusion that this Mr. Hitler isn't a Christian
If only Europe were on another planet!
6TEDDY. Europe, sir?
Yes, Teddy.
7TEDDY. Point your gun the other way!
Gun?
8TEDDY. To the West! There's your danger! That's your enemy! Japan!
Why, yes--yes, of course.
9ABBY. Dr. Harper?
No, thank you. I must admit, Miss Abby, that war and violence seem far removed from these surroundings
10ABBY. It is peaceful here, isn't it?
Yes--peaceful. The virtues of another day--they're all here in this house. The gentle virtues that went out with candlelight and good manners and low taxes.
11ABBY. It's one of the oldest houses in Brooklyn. It's just as it was when Grandfather Brewster built and furnished it--except the electricity-- and we use it as little as possible. It was Mortimer who persuaded us to put it in.
Yes, I can understand that. Your nephew Mortimer seems to live only by electric light.
12ABBY. We're so happy it's Elaine Mortimer takes to the theatre with him
Well it's a new experience for me to wait up until three o'clock in the morning for my daughter to be brought home
13ABBY. Oh, Dr. Harper, I hope you don't disapprove of Mortimer.
Well--
14ABBY. We'd feel so guilty if you did--sister Martha and I. I mean since it was here in our home that your daughter met Mortimer.
Of course, Miss Abby. And so i'll say immediately that i believe Mortimer himself to be quite a worthy gentleman. But I must also admit that I have watched the growing intimacy between him and my daughter with some trepidation. For one reason, Miss Abby.
15ABBY. You mean his stomach, Dr. Harper?
Stomach?
16ABBY. His dyspepsia---he's bothered with it so, poor boy.
No, Miss Abby, I'll be frank with you. I'm speaking of your nephews unfortunate connection with the theatre.
17ABBY. The theatre! Oh, no, Dr. Harper! Mortimer writes for a New York newspaper.
I know, Miss Abby, I know. But a dramatic critic is constantly exposed to the theatre, and I don't doubt but what some of them do develop an interest in it.
18ABBY. Well, not Mortimer. You need have no fear of that. Why, Mortimer hates the theatre.
Really?
19ABBY. Oh, yes! He writes awful things about the theatre. But you can't blame him, poor boy. He was so happy writing about real estate, which he really knew something about, and then they just made him take this terrible night position.
My! My!
20ABBY. Oh, yes.
That's a splendid work you officers do-fixing up discarded toys to give poor children a happier Christmas.
21BROPHY. Pneumonia!
I'm sorry to hear that.
22KLEIN. Listen, try to stop her or her sister from doing something nice-and for nothing! They don't even care how you vote.
When I received my call to Brooklyn and moved next door my husband wasn't very well. When he died and for months before---well, if i knew what pure kindness and generosity are, it's because I've know the Brewster sisters.
23BROPHY. HE used to do that in the middle of the night. The neighbors raised cain with us. They're a little afraid of him, anyway.
Oh, he's quite harmless.
24BROPHY. Yeah--he was crazy like a fox. He made a million dollars.
Really? Here in Brooklyn?
25BROPHY. Not that they ever spend any of it on themselves.
Yes, I'm well antiquated with their charities.
26MARTHA. No. I asked him but he says it's against the rules of the hospital.
You couldn't be of any service---and you must spare yourselves something.
27ABBY. Not at all. Good-bye
I must be getting home.
28TEDDY. CHARGE! Charge the blockhouse!
The blockhouse?
29MARTHA. The stairs are always San Juan Hill.
Have you ever tried to persuade him that he wasn't Teddy Roosevelt?
30ABBY. And we'd so much rather he'd be Teddy Roosevelt than nobody.
Well, if he's happy--and what's more important you're happy----you'll see that he signs these.
31MARTHA. But why should Teddy sign any papers now?
It's better to have it all settled. If the Lord should take you away suddenly perhaps we couldn't persuade Teddy to commit himself and that would mean an unpleasant legal procedure. Mr. Witherspoon understands they're to be filed away until the time comes to use them.
32MARTHA. Mr. Witherspoon? Who's he?
He's the Superintendent of Happy Dale.
33ABBY. Dr. Harper has arranged for him to drop in tomorrow or the next day to meet Teddy.
I'd better be running along or Elaine will be over here looking for me.