childrens hour

MT: Karen, let me come in.

"Why have you come here?"

MT: I had to come… I know now; I know it wasn't true.

"What?"

MT: I know it wasn't true Karen.

"You know it wasn't true? I don't care what you know. It doesn't matter anymore. If that's what you had to say, you've said it. Go away."

MT: I've got to tell you.

"I don't want to hear you."

MT: Last Tuesday Mrs. Wells found a bracelet in Rosalie's room. The bracelet had been hidden for several months. We found out that Rosalie had taken the bracelet from another girl and that Mary--- that Mary knew that and used it to force Rosalie into saying that she had seen you and Miss Dobie together. I --- I've talked to Mary. I've found out. (BLOCKING ONLY)

BLOCKING: Scoff

Don't do that, Karen. I have only a little more to say. I've tried to say it to you for six days. I've talked to Judge Potter. He will make all arrangements. There will be a public apology and an explanation. The damage suit will be paid to you in full and -- and any more that you will be kind enough to take from me. I -- I must see that you won't suffer anymore. (BLOCKING)

"We're not going to suffer anymore. Martha is dead."
(PAUSE) So you've come here to relieve your conscience? Well, I won't be your confessor.
It's choking you, is it? And you want to stop the choking, don't you?
You've done a wrong and you have to right that wrong or you can't rest your head again.
You want to be "just", don't you, and you wanted us to help you be just?
You've come to the wrong place for help.
You want to be a "good" woman again, don't you?
Oh, I know. You told us that night you had to do what you did. Now you "have" to do this.
A public apology and money paid, and you can sleep again and eat again.
That done and there'll be peace for you.
You're old, and the old are callous. Then, fifteen years left for you.
But what of me? It's a whole life for me. A whole ********ed life. (POINT) And what of her?"

MT: You are still living.

"Yes, I guess so."

MT: I didn't come here to relieve myself. I swear to God I didn't. I came to try -- to try anything. I knew there wasn't any relief for me, Karen, and that there never would be again. But what I am or why I came doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is you and -- You, now.

"There's nothing for me."

MT: Oh, let's try and make something for you. You're young and I---I can help you.

"You can help me?"

MT: Take whatever I can give you. Take it for yourself and use it for yourself. It won't bring me peace, if that's what's worrying you. Those ten or fifteen years you talk about! They will be bad years.

"I'm tired, Mrs. Tilford. You will have a hard time ahead, won't you?"

MT: Yes.

"Mary?"

MT: I don't know.

"You can send her away."

MT: No. I could never do that. Whatever she does, it must be to me and no one else. She's -- She's -- (BLOCKING)

"Yes. Your very own, to live with the rest of your life. (PAUSE) It's over for me now, but it will never end for you. She's harmed us both, but she's harmed you more, I guess. (PAUSE, SIT BESIDE) I'm sorry."

MT: Then you'll try for yourself.

"All right."

MT: You and Joe.

"No. We're not together anymore."

MT: Did I do that, too?

"I don't think anyone did anything, anymore."

MT: I'll go to him right away.

"No, it's better now the way it is."

MT: But he must know what I know, Karen. You must go back to him.

"No, not anymore."

MT: You must, you must! Perhaps later, Karen?

"Perhaps."

MT: Come away from here now, Karen. (BLOCKING)

BLOCKING: Shake Head

MT: You can't stay with ---

"When she is buried, then I will go."

MT: You'll be alright? (BLOCKING)

"I'll be all right, I suppose. Good-bye, now."

BLOCKING: Stand Up

MT: You'll let me help you? You'll let me try?

"Yes, if it will make you feel better."

MT: Oh, yes, oh, yes, Karen. (BLOCKING)

BLOCKING: Walk Towards Window (SR)

"Is it nice out?"

MT: It's been cold. (BLOCKING)

BLOCKING: Open window, Sit on chair facing audience

"It feels very good."

MT: You'll write to me sometime?

"If I ever have anything to say. Good-bye, now."

MT: Good-bye, my dear.

"Good-bye."