I Remember Mama

"..for the grocer.

"Another group of coins

"for Katrin's shoes to be half-soled.

"And mama would count out the silver.

"At last, papa would ask, is all?

"Mama would look up then and smile.

"Is good, she'd murmur.

"We do not have to go to the bank.

"The end."

"A novel by Kathryn Hanson.

"For as long as I could remember,

"the house on the Larkin Street hill

"had been home.

"Papa and Mama had both been born in Norway,

"but they came to San Francisco

"because Mama's sisters were here.

"All of us were born here -

"Nels, the oldest, and the only boy,

"my sister Christine,

"and the littlest sister...

"..Dagmar."

But first and foremost,

I remember Mama.

I remember that every Saturday night,

I would sit at my desk

by the attic window,

and write down in my diary all my innermost thoughts.

Mama would call out to me from downstairs.

Katrin?

Yes, Mama?

Katrin, come. We are waiting.

Yes, Mama. I'm coming.

It was like a weekly ritual,

those Saturday nights,

for I remember

how Mama would sit down at the kitchen table

and count out the money

that Papa had brought home in a little envelope.

Katrin?

Yes, Mama.

Papa called.

I call two times before you answer.

I'm sorry, Mama. I was writing.

Ha ha.

Christine, you wish to laugh, please to laugh.

No just ha ha.

Yes, Mama.

So now all are here.

Ja. Come then.

First, for the landlord.

For the landlord.

For the landlord.

For the landlord.

Ja.

For the grocer.

The grocer.

For the grocer.

In all the United States,

no cat was as brave as Elizabeth.

In all the world,

no cat was as brave as Elizabeth.

Dagmar, put Elizabeth onto the back porch.

In heaven or hell,

no cat was as brave as Elizabeth.

For Katrin's shoes to be half-soled.

Katrin's shoes.

My shoes.

Katrin's old shoes.

For Katrin's shoes.

Mama, teacher says this week,

I'll need a new notebook.

How much it will be?

A dime.

For the notebook.

It's 5...8...3.

You-you don't lose it, you...

I won't lose it.

Look out when you blow your nose.

I'll look out.

Is all, Mama?

Ja. Ja, is all for this week.

Is good.

We do not have to go to the bank.

Mama, Mama...

I'll be graduating from Valley School next month.

Ja?

Could I go on to high, you think?

You want to go to high school?

Well, I'd like to very much,

if you think I could.

Is good.

It will cost a little money.

Here. I've got it all written down.

Books and carfare...

Will you get the little bank, Katrin?

Yes, Mama.

The little bank.

That was the most important thing in the whole house.

It was a box we kept for emergencies.

The things that came out of the little bank.

Mama was going to buy herself a warm coat with it

when there was enough...

only there never was.

It's all there, Mama -

carfare, clothes, notebooks -

all things I really need.

I talked it over with Cy Nichols.

He went to high last year.

Is good.

Now we see.

Is there enough there, Mama?

Is not much in the little bank right now.

We give to the dentist, you remember,

and for your roller skates.

I know, and there's a warm coat

you've been saving for.

Well, the coat we can get another time,

but even so, I...

You mean Nels can't go to high?

Well, is not enough here.

We do not want to go to the bank, do we?

No, Mama. No.

I... I could work in Dillon's grocery

after school.

Ja?

Is not enough.

No, is not enough.

I'll stop the smoking.

I'll give up the tobacco.

Well...

I-I could mind the Maxwell children

Friday night.

Katrin could help me.

Is good.

Is enough.

We do not have to go to the bank.

Gee.

Good.

DOORBELL RINGS

If that's the Aunts, I'm going to my boudoir.

I'm going to my study.

You must not run away. Why, Trina.

LARS: Trina, and all by herself.

Say good evening to Aunt Trina.

CHILDREN: Good evening, Aunt Trina.

Good evening, children.

How well they all look.

You have a feather boa.

Is new? Beautiful!

It was a present.

A present? Lars, look.

Trina has a present.

Yes. Is fine.

Jenny and Sigrid don't come with you, Trina?

No. I didn't tell them I was coming.

I want to talk to you, Marta.

Well, come in then.

Sit, and we talk.

Could we talk alone?

Alone?

If you wouldn't mind.

Children, you leave us alone a little.

I call you. Dagmar, you go with Katrin.

Oh, Trina, what is it?

Oh, no. No, I can't say it.

Why, Trina, what is it?

It's something very personal.

No, Lars, you stay here.

We-we go out on front porch.

I like a breath of air.

Smoke your pipe. Be comfortable.

So, Trina, now, what is?

Marta, I want to get married.

You mean you want to get married,

or there's someone you want to marry?

There's someone I want to marry.

Does he want to marry you?

He says he does.

Trina, is wonderful.

I think it is.

Who is?

Mr Thorkelson.

From the funeral parlour.

Ja.

I know he isn't very handsome,

and it isn't what most people think a very nice profession,

but, uh...

You love him, Trina?

Ja.

Then is good.

Marta...

Marta... Ja?

Will you help me tell the others?

Jenny and Sigrid, they do not know?

No. I was afraid they laugh at me,

but if you tell them...

Jenny will not like you tell me first.

Well, I can't help that.

You've got to tell them not to laugh at me.

If they laugh at me, I'll jump in the bay.

Jenny and Sigrid will not laugh, Trina.

I promise you that.

Oh, thank you, Marta.

Come now.

And Uncle Chris?

Oh...

Will you talk to him?

Well, it is Mr Thorkelson

who must talk to Uncle Chris.

Always it is husband who must talk

to the head of the family.

Yes, I know that, but Uncle Chris is very frightening.

He's so big and black,

and he shouts so,

and Mr Thorkelson is kind of timid, really.

But, Trina, if he's to be your husband,

he must learn not to be timid.

You do not want husband should be timid.

You are timid.

Is not good when both are timid.

No. Jenny and Sigrid I talk to,

but Mr Thorkelson must go to Uncle Chris.

CABLE CAR BELL RINGS Marta, look.

TRINA: Is Jenny and Sigrid now.

I see Jenny and Sigrid first.

You go into my bedroom.

Wait there till I call you.

Lars, Jenny and Sigrid come.

Uh-oh.

No, no. I like you stay a little.

Wait!

Oh, wait, Jenny.

I must get my breath.

This hill kills me every time I climb it.

You climbed bigger hills than that in the old country.

Ja, well, I was a girl in the old country.

DOORBELL RINGS

Hello, Marta. Marta.

Jenny, Sigrid, Arne!

Is surprise!

Good evening, Aunt Martha.

Good evening, Arne.

Has Trina been here?

Trina?

She's gone somewhere,

and she doesn't know anyone but you.

That is what you think.

Uh, give Lars your coat.

I give you some coffee,

then we talk about Trina.

Arne, the children are upstairs.

ARNE: That's good, Aunt Martha.

Can I play with this, Aunt Martha?

Ja, sure, Arne, but you don't break it.

Trina has been here.

Ja, she has been here.

What did Trina want?

She want to talk to me.

What about?

Marriage.

What?

Trina wants to get married.

Who'd want to marry Trina?

Mr Thorkelson.

P-Peter Thorkelson?

Ja. >

Timid Peter? She'd be the laughingstock.

Ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha ha!

Jenny...

Jenny, Sigrid! >

Trina is here.

She will come in in a minute. >

This is serious for her.

You will not laugh at her.

I shall do what I please.

No, Jenny, you will not.

And why won't I?

Because I will not let you.

And how will you stop me?

If you laugh at Trina,

I will tell of the time before your wedding

when your husband tried to run away.

What is that?

Who told you that?

I know. >

Erik...

tried to run away?

It is not true.

Then you do not mind if I tell Trina?

Uncle Chris told you!

Tried to run away, hmm?

It does not matter, Sigrid.

Jenny will not laugh at Trina, no.

Nor will you, >

for if you laugh at her, >

I will tell of your wedding night with Ole,

when you cry all the time,

and he bring you home to mother.

That I did not know.

Is no need you should know.

I do not tell these stories for spite,

only so they do not laugh at Trina.

You go call her now, Lars.

Come have some coffee.

Jenny? Sigrid?

Trina!

Ja, I'm coming.

Oh, I beg your pardon. I was not aware...

Oh, Mr Hyde, these are my sisters.

Pleased to meet you.

Madame, madame.

The three graces, hmm?

I shall be in my room.

Ja, sure, Mr Hyde.

Has he paid you his rent yet?

Well, is...is hard to ask.

Surely he pay soon.

Surely he won't.

If Marta thinks she'll get a warm coat

out of that old broken-down actor...

Jenny, Mr Hyde is a gentleman.

He reads to us loud wonderful books -

Longfellow and Charles Dickens

and Fenimore Kipling.

Oh, come, come in, Trina.

Come on. Coffee's getting cold.

I tell them.

Why did you come to Marta first?

Uh, er, she think, er,

maybe Marta would understand.

Maybe Mr Thorkelson thinks she will have dowry,

like the girls in the old country.

Sigrid...

Why shouldn't I? You all had dowries.

We were married in Norway,

and our parents were alive.

Where would your dowry come from?

Uncle Chris. He's head of the family.

And who will ask him?

He won't need asking when Mr Thorkelson...

Uncle Chris will eat him.

Timid Peter and Uncle Chris!

Maybe Uncle Chris will tell him some family stories.

He knows many, does Uncle Chris.

Where are the children?

Yes, aren't we going to see them?

Ja, sure. I'll call them.

Children! Your Aunts are leaving!

Coming, Papa.

I help with the coffee things.

CAT MEOWS

CRASH

Is all right.

Here they come.

Good evening, Aunt Jenny.

Good evening, Aunt Sigrid.

Good evening.

Where have you been hiding yourselves?

Good evening, Nels.

Aunt Sigrid.

My, my, my,

how tall he's getting.

Ja, almost as tall as his Papa.

Looks to me

as if he's outgrowing his strength.

SIGRID: Dagmar is looking pale, too.

Oh, my goodness!

What an awful-looking cat!

Her new friend. Follows Dagmar...

Next she'll sleep with her.

Don't you know a cat draws breath from a sleeping child?

You wouldn't want to wake up smothered, would you?

Elizabeth can have all my breath.

There.

Elizabeth - what a very silly name for a cat.

Especially for that cat. That old cat's a tom.

Nels, you do not need to say it.

She better think of a new name.

He's Elizabeth, and he's going to stay Elizabeth.

Well, maybe you would call him Uncle Elizabeth.

Uncle Elizabeth?

Mm-hmm.

Elizabeth, do you hear?

Goodbye, all.

Come on, sweetheart.

You're called Uncle Elizabeth now.

MARTA: Go tell Mr Hyde we are ready for the reading.

Mind what I say, Marta.

It would be a great pity

if a boarder put something over on a Norwegian woman.

It would be great pity

if boarder put something over

on San Francisco woman. Is San Francisco the world?

Ja. Is my world.

Goodbye, Jenny, Sigrid.

Goodbye, Marta. Goodbye, Aunt Martha.

Goodbye, Arne, sweetheart.

CABLE CAR BELL RINGS

Yoo-hoo!

Yoo-hoo! Yoo-hoo!

Mr Hyde, this is my sister Trina.

HYDE: Enchanted.

Mr Hyde reads to us tonight,

The Tales From Two Cities.

Is a beautiful story, but sad.

I like sad stories.

I should, er, like to finish this tonight.

Is good.

Are you ready?

Yes, please, Mr Hyde.

Ja, Mr Hyde.

"In the black prison of the conciergerie,

"the doomed of the day awaited their fate.

"They were, in numbers, the weeks of the year.

"52 were to roll that afternoon,

"from the life tide of the city

"to the boundless, everlasting sea."

'I don't think I shall ever forget that night.

'It was almost midnight when he came to the end,

'and none of us had noticed.'

"It is a far, far better thing I do

"than I have ever done.

"It is a far, far better rest I go to

"than I have ever known."

The end.

HE BLOWS LOUDLY

There were many nights I couldn't sleep

for the way Mr Hyde had set my imagination dancing.

I wrote in my diary,

"What a wonderful thing is literature,

"transporting us to realms unknown."

"His voice sank almost to a whisper as he answered,

"Mr Holmes, they were the footprints

"of a gigantic hound."

To be continued in our next.

Aw... Oh...

If you're interested.

Oh, yes, Mr Hyde.

'If we were interested?

'You couldn't have kept us from it.

'It meant a lot to Mama, too,

'because Nels stopped going nights

'to the street corner

'to hang about with the neighbourhood boys.

'The night they got into trouble

'for breaking into Mr Dillon's store,

'Nels was home with us.'

"This above all - to thine own self be true,

"and it must follow

"as the night the day,

"thou canst not then be false

"to any man."

The more Mr Hyde read, the more I realised

that the one thing I really wanted in all the world

was to become a writer.

I did write a piece once about Mama's Uncle Chris,

but my schoolteacher said it wasn't nice

to write like that about a member of one's own family.

SHIP HORN BLOWS

CAR HORN BLOWS

Once or twice a year,

our Uncle Chris, with his great, loud voice,

with his fierce black moustache,

would come down from his ranch in the north

and descend upon San Francisco

in his automobile.

HONK HONK

We knew that from the time he roared off the ferry

and charged up Market Street,

to get a good run at the hill,

our quiet way of life would change.

HORN HONKS

HORSE NEIGHS

Uncle Chris!

We children didn't talk much about it,

but Mama used to say,

that the reason Uncle Chris drove so fast,

was that it gave him a feeling of freedom

denied him when he walked,

for Uncle Chris limped badly

because of an accident back in the old country.

HONK HONK

Marta!

HONK

Lars!

Children, where are you?

Marta! Lars!

Hey there, is nobody home?

I say, is nobody home?

So, what is?

You do not answer me?

You do not hear me calling?

I say, you do not hear me calling?

I do not call loud enough?

Christine!

Yes, Uncle Chris?

Katrin!

Nels.

Yes, Uncle Chris?

Which yes? Yes, you do not hear me,

or yes, I do not call loud enough?

We heard you, Uncle Chris.

Then why you do not come?

We were coming.

Come, let me look at you.

Stand tall...

Where the marks are.

Two inches.

Two inches in six months.

Is good! Good!

Good!

Christine.

Show me your teeth.

You brush them good?

Nels, there's a box of oranges in the automobile.

You fetch them in.

Where is the little one - Dagmar?

She's sick, Uncle Chris.

Sick? What's the matter with her?

She's had an earache for two days.

Mama sent for the doctor.

Good doctor? What did he say?

He's in there now.

Oh. I go in.

Uncle Chris.

How is with Dagmar?

Is not good.

This is my Uncle, Mr Halvorsen.

How do you do, sir?

What is with the child?

We must get her to a hospital.

We'll have to operate.

Operate?

I'm afraid so.

Can wait till my husband come home from work?

I'm afraid not.

Her condition requires an immediate operation.

We go.

What is with the child?

I'm afraid it's a mastoid.

Oh. Well, then you operate immediately.

I believe that's what I said.

Immediately.

Dr Johnson...

Doctor, is...

is enough?

Frankly, I was thinking of the county hospital.

No. No, we pay.

But is...is enough?

If there isn't, we can go to the bank.

We have a bank account.

Is enough without we go to the bank, doctor?

My husband is carpenter. Make good money.

If there is need of money, I pay.

We'll take her to the clinic.

Pay what you can afford.

Good. Good.

I have patient there already.

My nephew Arne.

They operate this morning on his knee.

Are you a physician, sir?

I'm better physician than most doctors.

Nels, here, my other nephew,

he become doctor when he grow up.

Indeed.

DOCTOR: Very interesting.

If you'll have the child at the clinic in...

shall we say an hour's time?

The child will be there in ten minutes.

I have my automobile.

I can't make arrangements in ten minutes.

Well, I make arrangements. I know doctors.

Uncle Chris, Dr Johnson arrange.

He is good doctor.

Thank you, madam.

Doctor, you go. We come.

Very well. In an hour.

Dagmar will be well taken care of, I promise you.

I will operate myself.

I watch.

You'll do no such thing, sir.

Always I watch operation. I'm head of family.

I allow no-one to attend my operations.

Are so bad?

HORSE WHINNIES

I go see Dagmar.

Uncle Chris!

Is kind of you,

but Dagmar's sick.

You frighten her.

I frighten her?

Ja, Uncle Chris, you frighten everyone.

I? Ja, everyone but me.

Even the girls - Jenny, Sigrid, Trina -

they are frightened of you.

The girls! Women!

And the children, too.

So Nels and I get Dagmar,

you drive us to the hospital in your automobile,

but you do not frighten Dagmar,

and you leave doctor alone!

Dr Johnson is fine doctor.

Nels, you come with me.

Help me carry Dagmar.

You remember.

Is true I frighten you, huh?

Christine, Katrin,

you are frightened of me?

Now, come, I ask you,

tell me the truth.

You are frightened of me?

A little, Uncle Chris.

CHRIS: Oh, no.

Are you, Christine?

Yes, Uncle Chris.

But WHY?

What is there to be frightened of?

I'm your Uncle Chris. Why do I frighten you?

I don't know.

Is bad.

Very bad.

The Aunts, yes,

I like to frighten them.

What? That makes you laugh?

You do not like the aunts?

Now, come, tell me.

You do not like the aunts, huh?

Now say.

Not very much, Uncle Chris.

And which do you not like the most, hmm?

Jenny, Sigrid, or Trina?

Tell me.

I think I like Aunt Jenny the least.

She's so bossy.

I can't stand Aunt Sigrid.

Always whining and complaining.

Hee, hee, hee!

Ha, Sigrid, whining!

Jenny, bossy.

Is true!

Uncle Chris, black? I'll say.

Black in his heart.

Cursing and swearing.

He is good to the children.

He's good to his bottles...

and that woman he lives with.

His housekeeper?

His housekeeper? Ha!

Oh! There's Peter waiting

right on time!

Yoo-hoo, Peter!

Yoo-hoo!

Peter, I'm so glad

you weren't tied down to your business.

As a matter of fact, I was just starting...

An undertaker's business can always wait.

Now's a fine chance

to ask Uncle Chris for a dowry.

You must be very firm, Mr Thorkelson.

Yes, ma'am. Very firm, indeed.

Fare, please.

Tell him, Sigrid.

Tell Mr Thorkelson what Uncle Chris has just done.

You know my little Arne's knee -

that fall he had two months ago -

the man at the drugstore said it was only a bruise.

This morning, when I left to do the marketing,

who should turn up but Uncle Chris?

You must not tell your mama

we talk on them so.

Is secret for us.

You cannot be frightened any more

when we have secret, hmm?

Come.

I tell you my secret, too.

I do not like the aunts.

Oh, Jenny, do you see what I see?

That woman in his automobile.

JENNY: How shameful!

Is the woman his wife?

Ja...

and no.

THEY GIGGLE

Uncle Chris,

Sigrid has something to say to you.

Uncle Chris.

You took Arne to the hospital.

I take Arne to the hospital.

Now we take Dagmar to the hospital,

so you do not clutter up the place.

This is more of Uncle Chris' doings.

Sigrid, you're a whining old fool,

and you get out of here.

No.

There has been enough

of these high-handed goings on.

Jenny, you're a bossy old fool.

Get out of here.

And we take Dagmar to the hospital.

Phwwt! Phwwt!

CHRIS: You got her good, Nels?

- Ja. - Well, we go.

No. You're going to listen to Sigrid.

If you do not get out of the way

before I count three, I throw you out.

And Jenny, too, as big as she is.

One...

two...

Put her in the back of the car.

Uncle Chris!

Uncle Chris,

I want to introduce Mr Thorkelson.

I want you to meet Mr Thorkelson.

Uncle Chris, I want you to meet Mr Thorkelson.

This is Mr Thorkelson.

He wants to say...

Mar-ta!

We go.

He wants to ask...

HONK

Jenny, Sigrid,

we go to hospital.

You...you be good children till Mama comes home.

Yes, Mama.

HONK

Ja, I come.

There's milk in the cooler,

and fruit and cookies for your lunch.

We'll be all right.

Don't worry.

I go now.

HONK HONK HONK

Oh, Marta! Ja?

You can't go in his automobile. Why not?

< Marta.

I come. < We go.

Because she is in it.

The woman.

So it will kill me or Dagmar

to sit in automobile with her?

She looks nice woman.

Mama...

Uncle Chris!

Mr Thorkelson!

Mr Thorkelson!

Come, come!

CLOCK CHIMES

Mama...

But, Uncle Chris,

I tell you I must see him.

You do not understand English?

No visitors for 24 hours.

But you have see him.

I am no visitor.

I am exception.

Well, then his mama should be exception.

I will see the doctor.

I seen doctor.

I told him you are not good for Arne.

Not good for my own son?

No. Not good at all.

You cry over him. I go now.

Uncle Chris!

Uncle Chris, I must speak to you.

I have business.

Uncle Chris, please. I want to get married.

Get married.

Wait!

Wait, Uncle Chris.

I want to marry Mr Thorkelson.

Here.

Peter, this is Uncle Chris.

Uncle Chris, this is Mr Thorkelson.

So?

How are you, sir?

Busy.

Please, Uncle Chris!

What is?

You want to marry him? Marry him.

You give your permission?

Sure, I give my permission.

If you want to make a fool of yourself,

I can't stop you.

So, is all?

Ja, I think is all.

No! No?

CLEARS THROAT

Well, there was a little something else.

Er, you see...

Er...

Well, Trina mentioned that in the old country,

it was...it was always usual, and...

Mm-hmm.

Well, after all, we are all from the old country.

Mm-hmm.

Well, that's how it is.

That's how it is.

Well, sir, what is? What do you want?

Well, it was a question...

a question of Trina's...

Well, not to mince matters...

her...

dowry.

Her what?

Dowry.

Her dowry!

Oh, so Trina wants dowry.

She is 42 years old!

No, Uncle Chris...

It's not enough she gets husband,

she wants dowry!

Please! This is a hospital, not a marriage bureau.

Come with me into waiting room.

I talk to you about dowry.

Aah!

So, did you hear that, Marta?

What?

Uncle Chris.

No. I do not hear.

I wait for doctor.

Is two hours since they take Dagmar

to operating room.

More.

Who gives dowry?

Parents.

Why?

Because they are so glad

they don't have to support their daughter any more,

they pay money.

I do not support Trina.

Why should I pay money to have her married?

I don't know.

You don't know?

You think I let Trina marry a man

who won't take her without dowry?

I never thought of it like that.

What kind of man would that be?

Not a very nice kind of a man.

Are you that kind of a man?

I don't think so.

Then you don't want dowry.

No, I don't suppose I do.

Good.

We'll go next door and have coffee.

Sigrid, do you have money?

Ja, I have little.

Good. Then I treat you.

We'll be next door if you want us, Marta.

Ja.

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

Mrs Hanson.

Doctor!

Dagmar's fine.

She came through beautifully.

She's in bed, sleeping off the anaesthetic.

Thank you, Doctor.

You're very welcome.

Is good of you, Doctor.

I go to her now.

Oh, Mrs Hanson.

I'm very sorry.

You see, it's against the rules.

But you shall see her tomorrow.

Tomorrow?

But, Doctor, I promise her.

She's so little,

she'll be frightened when she wakes

if I do not keep my promise.

The nurses will take excellent care of her.

Now you mustn't worry.

For the first 24 hours,

the clinic patients are not permitted to have visitors.

The wards must be kept very quiet.

I would not make a sound.

I'm very sorry.

Tomorrow.

Nels.

Yes, sir?

Tomorrow.

But, Doctor...

Er, just a minute.

Whom did you wish to see?

Where can I find my daughter?

What name?

Dagmar.

Dagmar Hanson.

You can't see her today.

No visitors for the first 24 hours.

Oh, I'm not visitor.

I am her mama.

< I'm sorry, but it's against the rules.

Just one minute, please.

I'm sorry, but it's against the rules.

Mama.

You can see her tomorrow.

They said so.

But I promise her.

What can I tell Papa tonight?

The nurses will look after her.

Do you want to go next door for some coffee?

No, we go home.

We have coffee home.

Where are the girls?

Oh...

Can I make you some coffee?

You said you'd have some when you got home.

Later. First I have to think.

Mama, I wish you wouldn't worry like this.

Dagmar's all right.

You know she's all right.

Is everything all right?

Ja, is all right.

You have eaten?

Yes, Mama.

You drink your milk?

Yes, Mama.

Ja, is good.

Mama, is there something the matter?

Mama, Dagmar isn't...

She's not...

Mama!

No, no. Dagmar's fine.

Always so dramatic.

Two hours till Papa come home.

Nels, what is it?

There is something the matter.

They wouldn't let Mama see Dagmar.

It's a rule of the hospital.

And Mama's very worried.

She was talking to me in Norwegian on the streetcar.

What should we do?

Don't make a tragedy out of it.

How can you be so callous?

Can't you see Mama's heart is breaking?

You're always making everything so dramatic.

You only make things worse for Mama.

Well, it is dramatic.

People's hearts don't actually break.

They do, too.

Only in books.

Mama...

what are you going to do?

I scrub the floor.

But, Mama,

you scrubbed the floor yesterday.

Ja, well, I scrub it again.

But, Mama...

Comes a time

when you got to get down on your knees.

Now will you believe me?

Mama, I wish you wouldn't do this.

You must be tired.

Let her alone.

'Mama...

'Mama...'

What is it, Mama?

What is it?

I think of something.

I think I think of something.

"And drank real dew out of a crystal goblet.

"And helped the stars to play peek-a-boo."

Ooh!

Ooh!

Ooh, ooh, ooh!

# 10,000 Swedes went through the weeds

# At the battle of Copenhagen

# 10,000 Swedes went through the weeds

# Chasing one Norwegian... #

Ooh!

Uncle Chris?

Yes, Arne?

Does it have to hurt like this?

If you want it to be well

and not walk always like Uncle Chris,

it does... for a little.

Arne, the doctor give you something

to make you go to sleep.

So maybe if you don't think of pain,

you go to sleep, hmm?

Is very bad?

It is, kind of.

Ooh!

Arne?

Don't you know any swear words?

Wh-what?

Ooh!

Don't you know any swear words?

No, Uncle Chris.

Not real ones.

Well, then I tell you two fine ones

you use when pain comes again.

I tell you Norwegian swear word.

Is better.

When pain comes again, you say, dom gjett.

It help plenty.

I know.

I have pain, too.

I say it all the time.

And if pain is very bad,

you say,

Dom gjett!

Just like that.

Dom gjett!

But only if is very bad.

Is bad now?

No. It's a little better, Uncle Chris.

You like I sing some more?

I don't mind.

But maybe something a little, well, quieter?

Sure, sure.

HE SINGS IN NORWEGIAN

Dom gjett.

Dom gjett!

Good!

It help, huh?

Is good!

Then you sleep some.

SINGING IN NORWEGIAN

C'est terrible.

Teaching a child to swear.

Hmm.

You don't know what dom gjett means, hmm?

Do I look like a foreigner?

If you were,

you would know that dom gjett in Norwegian

means stupid old goat.

Oh!

Sale bouche!

Oh, m'insulter de la sorte!

HE CONTINUES TO SING

Dom gjett!

Is different one.

WATER RUNS

SHE WHISTLES "Listen To The Mockingbird"

RAPS DESK

RAPS DESK

You're working late, aren't you?

The floors need cleaning.

I'm glad they finally decided to clean them.

Ja.

Mama...

BUZZER SOUNDS

Mama.

Mama.

Mama.

Mama.

Mama.

Dagmar.

Is Mama, Dagmar.

Mama.

There's no fever.

Is good.

Where you been?

You promised.

Well, ja, ja, I promise.

I come.

I was worried.

Oh, well, no.

Mama's here now.

Ja, you go to sleep now.

Sleep.

Sleep.

SHE SINGS IN NORWEGIAN

SHE HUMS

CRASH

SHE CONTINUES TO HUM

BANG

SHE STOPS HUMMING

'I don't think I can ever remember

'seeing Mama unoccupied.

'Her work was never done.

'She was always so busy around the house

'that it wasn't very often

'I could get her to talk

'about herself or her life in the old country.

'I do remember one time, though,

'and I felt very proud,

'for Mama talked to me as if I were a grown-up.

'It was the day before Dagmar came home

'from the hospital.'

Mmm. This one's coffee flavoured.

Ja, mine, also.

Mama, when can I drink coffee?

When you're grown up.

When I'm 18?

Oh, maybe before that.

When I graduate?

Maybe.

Comes the day you are grown up,

Papa and I will know.

Oh, Mama, aren't they beautiful?

Don't you just love flowers?

You like we buy some?

Oh, Mama, can we afford it?

I think for Dagmar's coming home tomorrow.

We like some violets, please.

Ten cents violets, please.

Wonderful.

Oh, ladies.

Thank you, ladies.

Well, thank you.

Mama, he called us ladies!

Oh, Mama, when I'm rich and famous,

I'm going to have fresh flowers every day.

I'll buy you just lovely clothes -

white satin gowns with long trains to them,

and jewellery.

I'll buy you a pearl necklace.

Better I like Mysolje.

But, Mama,

wouldn't you like to be rich?

I would like to be rich

the way I would like to be ten feet high.

Is good for some things,

bad for others.

But didn't you come to America to get rich?

No. We come to America

because they are all here -

all the others.

Is good for families to be together.

And did you like it right away?

Ja, right away.

When we get off the ferry boat,

and I see San Francisco

and all the family,

I say, "is like Norway."

And then you are all born here,

and I become American citizen.

Mama, do you ever want to go back

to the old country?

Well, I like to go back once to look, maybe,

to see the mountains and the fjords.

I like to show them once to all of you.

Maybe when Dagmar is big,

we go back once more - like tourists.

CAT MEOWS

Uncle Elizabeth.

Could you not wait till Dagmar comes home

to do this?

Nels, what you think?

He's pretty bad, mama.

We should get him out of here and put him away.

Elizabeth!

DOORBELL RINGS

Ja, ja. Dagmar. Dagmar, wait a minute!

I must tell you, um,

Uncle Elizabeth is kind of sick.

Sick? What's the matter with him?

Well, he, uh...

He has been in fight again, last night.

He come home this morning

very sick indeed.

Ja. CAT MEOWS

Dagmar!

CAT MEOWS

Mama, what happened to him?

Oh, mama. He looks awful.

Ja, come away, little one.

Nels takes care of him.

Listen, Dagmar...

sweetheart,

would it not be better

for poor uncle Elizabeth

to go quietly to sleep?

You mean go to sleep and never wake up again?

Well, he...

I think...

he will die anyway.

Mama can make him well.

Mama can do everything.

Make him live, mama.

Make him well again.

Please?

Well, we see.

Let us see how he gets through the night. CAT MEOWS

Now, come on. You must go upstairs

and go to bed.

I bring up your supper.

You will make Uncle Elizabeth well again.

Please promise, mama.

Well, I promise I try.

CAT YOWLS IN PAIN

You say we see how cat get through the night.

How do we get through the night?

Is no use, Marta.

We must put the cat to sleep.

It's cruel to keep that cat alive.

I know.

Go to the drugstore and get something...

some chloroform, maybe.

Chloroform?

How much shall I get?

Tell the man it's for a cat. He knows.

Is no use, Marta.

Is best thing to do.

Such a sad homecoming for Dagmar.

She was so good in the hospital, too.

CAT MEOWS

CAT MEOWS

CAT MEOWS

Thanks, Mr Schiller.

You're welcome.

CABLE CAR BELL CLANGS

Did you see him?

Mr Hyde.

He must be going for keeps.

KATRIN: What will mama do? She needs the money.

I hope he's paid whatever he owes her.

Mama?

Mama?

< Ja?

Mama, we saw Mr Hyde get on the streetcar

with his suitcases.

He left this for you.

Nels, take off your hat.

Christine, close the door.

How much is the cheque for?

130.

Is four months.

Is good. Good.

Is wonderful.

Now we pay doctor everything.

Mm-hmm. And you can buy your new coat,

your warm coat.

Yes, you can buy your new coat.

But there will be no more reading.

What does Mr Hyde say?

"Dear friends, I find myself compelled

"to take a somewhat hasty departure

from your house of happiness."

Beautiful letter.

"I am leaving you my library for the children."

He leaves his books?

Well, he says so.

Nels, is wonderful. Go get the books.

What else he say?

"It has been a privilege

"to be a part of your happy home.

"I shall never forget your kind hos...hospitality."

He signs it "Jonathan Hyde."

Av...avenue, oh, avenue...

Here, I think...

I think it's vale - ava vale.

Ave atque vale.

Is what?

It means hail and farewell.

It's Latin.

Yes, is Latin, sure.

Gee willikers, look at this.

Oh!

My, my.

The Pickwick Papers.

The Complete Shakespeare.

Alice In Wonderland.

So much we can learn.

The Last Of The Mohicans.

CAT MEOWS

You get it, Nels?

Yeah.

You know how?

Well, no. I thought that...

Well, just don't stand there, girls.

Christine, go take Dagmar her tray.

Katrin, put the butter in the cooler for me.

Here, take the jelly, too.

Pick up your feet.

Well, take Dagmar her milk.

Lars...

FOOTSTEPS ON STAIRS

You know how?

No, but, well, it shouldn't be too difficult.

If-if you hold the cat...

Me hold the cat?

You hold the cat.

Uh, er, Nels...

MAMA: No, no.

I think it's better if, er...

if we get a big sponge.

We put it in the box with him

and cover him over.

Nels, you get a sponge,

and we make him ready here in the pantry.

Sure.

DOOR SLAMS SHUT

Has he paid you his rent?

Ja, sure.

How?

He give me his cheque.

Lars has it right here.

A cheque.

Jenny, what is it?

What is it?

I was at Mr Kruper's down the street.

Mr Hyde was there today,

having his lunch.

And when he left,

he asked if he would cash a cheque

for him for 50.

So-so-so what?

Well? Go on.

Mr Hyde doesn't even have an account at the bank.

You...you mean,

this cheque is no good?

No good at all.

Well...

Your Mr Hyde was a crook.

How much was that cheque for?

Eh, Marta, I bet he owed you plenty, didn't he?

He owed us nothing.

Nothing.

He pay with far, far better things

than money.

I'll bet it must have been 100

that he rooked you of, wasn't it?

Jenny, I cannot talk to you now.

Maybe you don't have things to do. I have.

What have you got to do that's so important?

I have to chloroform a cat!

DAGMAR: Kitty.

Elizabeth!