THE LITTLE PRINCESS 1938, 20th Century Fox, Directed by Walter Lang, Screenplay by E. Hill, W. Ferris SARA Why are they sending so many soldiers, Daddy, if it's only gonna be a little war? CREWE To make those stubborn Boers take us seriously this time, my darling. When they realize how much the Intensive will put a stop to their nonsense, they'll quiet down. SARA They better. Anyhow, when you get there, you'll stop them, won't you, Daddy? CREWE I'll do my best, dear. SARA I'm gonna miss you. CREWE I'll be back and we'll be together again before you can say "knife." SARA I can say "knife" a good many times in a year. CREWE But the school will have charming little girls to play with, books to read, a pony to ride and, after all, there'll be Emily, you know. SARA Yes, there will be Emily and she does look as though she'll be an understanding friend, don't you think, Daddy? CREWE With that intellectual forehead, I'm sure of it. SARA Not a very cheerful looking school, is it, Daddy? CREWE I'm afraid nothing would seem very cheerful to us at the moment. SARA Well, maybe it'll be better on the inside. CREWE Of course, it will. MAN 1 Oh, I'm sorry. BERTIE We're all sorry. Sorry. So sorry. Get it out. MINCHIN The very idea of delivering a thing like this at the front door. SARA Oh, look Daddy, my pony. MINCHIN Your employer will answer for this. Now take him away. BERTIE Yes, far away. SARA Oh, no, Daddy. CREWE Oh, I say. Just a moment. You are Miss Minchin? MINCHIN I am. CREWE I am Captain Crewe. I am afraid I've caused you no end of inconvenience. (00:05:00)** MINCHIN You most certainly have, Captain Crewe. CREWE May I step inside and explain? MINCHIN Come in. CREWE Wait here with the pony. MAN 1 Right-O, Governor. CREWE I'm terribly sorry I didn't mean to have the pony delivered inside your house. MINCHIN There are number of things besides the pony. Parcels have been arriving here collect to your daughter for hours. Follow me, please. MINCHIN Apparently you are not aware, Captain Crewe, that I conduct one of the most dignified and exclusive schools in London. CREWE Oh, yes, yes, so I understood. That's precisely the reason why I brought my daughter to you. MINCHIN I would not have gathered that from your actions. CREWE Really now, I am not entirely to blame. You see, Sara and I have only just arrived from India. Sara has lived there practically all her life. We've no more than got here when I learned that my regiment was to leave at once for South Africa. So, we had to act hurriedly. MINCHIN But I wrote you, explaining that I do not take young ladies without an interview and the most impeccable references. I wrote you also that at the moment I had no vacant rooms. SARA Well, in that case, Daddy, we might as well move on. CREWE This is a bit awkward. You see, your letter never reached me. I'm afraid that it hadn't occurred to me that any school wouldn't welcome my little Sara. MINCHIN Obviously. CREWE If it's a question of my social standing, my father was Sir George Crewe. You've heard of him, perhaps. MINCHIN Oh, naturally. CREWE And the best financial references I can give you would be the direction of the South African holding syndicate. I'm the principal stock holder in the syndicate. MINCHIN My brother, Captain Crewe, our professor of elocution and dramatics. CREWE How do you do? BERTIE Charmed. I'm sure. I say, isn't the Eclipse Diamond Mine one of your holdings? CREWE One of the most important, of course. BERTIE Of course. CREWE I'm sorry to appear casual, Miss Minchin. The situation is quite distressing. I sail in an hour from the East Indian Docks. SARA I suppose you just have to take me to Africa with you, Daddy. MINCHIN Oh, no. And what would a little girl like you do in Africa? Forgive me, Captain Crewe, I feel I've been over zealous. The reputation of my school, you know, one has to be so cautious. But after this interview, I can see at a glance. This is a dear little child. It'll be a pleasure to have her with us. SARA Does that mean I've gotta stay? MINCHIN Yes, dear. You're to have that privilege. You and your little pony. BERTIE Such a dear little pony. CREWE This is made out to the school. Would it be enough for the moment? MINCHIN Oh, quite. BERTIE I should say it would. Why it's stupendous. CREWE I beg your pardon, but haven't I seen you somewhere before ? BERTIE Quite possible, my dear Captain. CREWE Your face is most familiar. Were you ever on the stage? I seem to associate with you with one of the old music halls. MINCHIN Music halls? My brother on stage! Ridiculous. BERTIE Ridiculous, indeed. You're quite right. MINCHIN And now shall we look at little Sara's room? Just a moment, Miss Rose. This is Miss Rose, one of our capable teachers. Captain Crewe has done us the honor of placing his little daughter Sara with us. CREWE How do you do, Miss Rose? ROSE How do you do, Captain Crewe? We should do everything we can to make your little girl happy. CREWE I'm sure you will. MINCHIN Children, we have a new pupil, Sara Crewe. Say "How do you do?" to her. GIRLS How do you do? SARA I'm very well, thank you. MINCHIN Lavinia, Jessie, that will do. You may proceed, Miss Rose. ROSE Children. GIRL 1 She's just like a little princess, isn't she? GIRL 2 That's what she is, a princess. And I expect now some people around here won't think they're so smart. LAVINIA Oh, won't they? Wait and see. Princess indeed. MINCHIN Fortunately, the room has just been papered. And the fireplace has an excellent draft. SARA But I thought you didn't have any rooms. MINCHIN I didn't know then what a dear little girl was coming. SARA Why does that make more rooms, Daddy? MINCHIN Lady Bentray's little daughter has only recently vacated the room. Our best suite, of course. CREWE Do you think you could brighten it up a bit? I'd like it made as gay as possible. I've brought a few things from India but perhaps you could buy whatever else is necessary. MINCHIN With pleasure, Captain Crewe. CREWE And I'd like Sara to ride every afternoon, if the weather is all right. MINCHIN Of course. Fortunately, we have a splendid riding master. CREWE I expect you think I'm completely spoiling the child. And no doubt, you're right. But actually, it's good for her. She is much too inclined to bury her little nose in a book and keep it there until someone lures her out of it. You see, Ms. Minchin, Sara has no mother. And we've never been separated for more than a few days. MINCHIN How touchy. CREWE This is gonna be very hard for her. MINCHIN Have no fear, Captain Crewe. I'm a mother to all my little girls. And now I'll leave you to your farewell. (00:09:59)** SARA How much longer have we got, Daddy? CREWE Only a few minutes, darling. You're learning me by heart, little Sara? SARA No, Daddy. I know you by heart. You're inside my heart. CREWE We're going to be brave, aren't we? I'll tell you what. Let's pretend we're back in India. But I'm going away with the troops for a few days, shall we? We've fought this kind of battle before, haven't we? And you've never cried once when I went away. Remember? SARA Yes, Daddy. CREWE But this is gonna be our hardest battle. But we'll be good soldiers, won't we? SARA Yes, Daddy. CREWE Shall we say good-bye, like we used to at home. SARA Yes, Daddy. CREWE All right, then. Chin up. Go to the window and look out. Now, say it as we used to. My daddy has to go away but he will return most any day. Any moment I may see, my daddy coming back to me. SARA My daddy has to go away but he'll return most any day. Any... I can't do it this time, I can't do it... You're crying, too. CREWE Afraid we're not quite as good soldiers as we thought. SARA Oh, yes we are. I can do it now. My daddy has to go away but he'll return most any day. Any moment I may see, my daddy coming back to me. SARA Ha, I will do it. I will. I'll pretend this is part of the war. You'll be the enemy and you'll be my trusty lance. Now ready, aim, fire... Ouch. I guess we will have to call in the reserves. SARA Shalome. (Hindi-Kut masen mai.-) RAM DASS Good morning. Missy Sab speaks Hindustani? SARA I've lived in India all my life. (Hindi-----) RAM DASS (Hindi-----). Missy Sab is going to live in England now? SARA Only until my father gets through making the Boers behave. RAM DASS Mr. Sab is then a soldier. SARA Yes, my father is a captain, Captain Crewe. I am Sara. What is your name? RAM DASS I am Ram Dass, servant to the honorable Lord Wickham and to her Ladyship, Rani. WICKHAM Ram Dass, Ram Dass. RAM DASS Yes, sir. WICKHAM Why the deuce are you dawdling here? Finish with that bird and get on with your work. SARA Good morning. WICKHAM Hue. How do you do? SARA I'll be here at the window most every morning, if you want to talk about India. ROSE Morning, Sara. SARA Oh, good morning. ROSE Ready for breakfast, dear? SARA Well, I'm trying to be. But I don't seem to be very good at these buttons. My thumbs get lost in the holes. ROSE Here, let me help you. Buttons are bother, aren't they? SARA I never had a button thing before, but I'll learn. ROSE I'm sure you will. Here, put your shoe on. Come in. Good morning, Becky. (00:14:59)** BECKY Good mornin', 'as the young lady any boots to be done? SARA Well, only the pair I wore yesterday. I'll get them. BECKY I'll get them, Miss. Oh, I beg your pardon, Miss. SARA Are you hurt? BECKY No, Miss. You mustn't be opening this. SARA Just hold out your arms and I'll pile them on. BECKY Oh, no miss, if Miss Minchin was to see... SARA Think you can hold two more? BECKY Yes, Miss. SARA There, there you are. Are you all right? You take care of all those? BECKY Yes, Miss. ROSE And she does them beautifully. BECKY I thank you, Miss. SARA Thank you for doing my shoes. Oh... BECKY Oh, I'm sorry. SARA That's all right. Good-bye, Becky. BECKY Good-bye. SARA Bye. Well, perhaps this isn't going to be such a bad school after all with you and Becky here. ROSE Oh, we have to hurry, dear. Miss Minchin doesn't like anyone to be late. SARA Tell me, Miss Rose. Do you think Miss Minchin could be as cross as she looks? What will I have to do today? ROSE Well, after breakfast you'll have a class of arithmetic. SARA Arithmetic. ROSE Then English, then French, then one elocution and deportment, history and geography. SARA Phew. I'm gonna be a busy person, aren't I? When do I get to ride my pony? ROSE Later this afternoon, about four o'clock. SARA Oh. MINCHIN Children. Our new pupil, Sara Crewe will be down presently. As you've seen, Captain Crewe is a very delightful man and their family is most distinguished. I shall expect you to treat her accordingly. Now you may take your places. ROSE Good morning. MINCHIN Ah, good morning, Sara. SARA Good morning. MINCHIN I'm so happy you feel like joining us this morning. Did you sleep well? SARA No, I didn't, thank you. MINCHIN Come, dear. Lavinia, you and Jessie will move down one place. Sara will be seated at my right after this. LAVINIA Why, Miss Minchin? This has always been my place. MINCHIN Lavinia! For this food and all the bountiful of gifts bestowed upon us we are duly grateful and do now give thanks. Why are you putting salt on your plate, dear? SARA Just in case you should ask me to have one of your eggs. MAN 1 Mr. Goeffrey, will I saddle the pony for the wee lassie? GOEFFREY I think not, Sandy. We'd best use the mare for her first few lessons. MAN 1 Very good, sir. Come on, Lad. GOEFFREY Hello, there. ROSE Hello, Goeffrey. GOEFFREY What luck. The old girl allowed you to come out. ROSE Sara, this is Mr. Goeffrey Hammond. Little Miss Crewe is our new pupil. SARA How do you do? GOEFFREY How do you do? I believe I'm to teach you to ride. SARA Teach me? GOEFFREY And that means two bob and an extra for me. SARA Oh, is two bob a great deal of money? GOEFFREY If I use a comparative, in my present state, it's a fortune. SARA Well, in that case I guess I'd better be taught. Is my pony ready? GOEFFREY I think we'd best start you out on something a little tamer, huh? SARA Oh, then had I better explain things to my pony? He might feel hurt. GOEFFREY Right you are. Ponies are very sensitive creatures. Explain the whole thing to him thoroughly. He's right there by the arch. SARA It ah... may take me some time. GOEFFREY That's quite all right. We'll wait here in the tack room. SARA All right. Hello, General. Are you glad to see me? Well, if Mr. Goeffrey's gonna give me something tamer than you, I'm afraid it isn't gonna be much of a ride. GOEFFREY Rose. Something's wrong. What is it? ROSE Miss Minchin is taking away my Thursday afternoon. GOEFFREY But why? ROSE We must have been seen together. GOEFFREY Why does that mean I can never see you alone again? ROSE Of course not, darling. No matter what Miss Minchin says, we'll find a way. GOEFFREY What? I can't understand the woman. What is she afraid of? Why shouldn't we see one another? ROSE Gossip, I suppose. She only lives for that school and her ideas of pride and snobbishness. GOEFFREY Fiddle sticks. She's afraid of loosing an excellent teacher, whom she gets for nothing. I won't stand for it. I'll have a talk with her myself. ROSE Oh, no, darling. You mustn't do that. She'd only discharge us both. GOEFFREY She may not have the chance if things continue to pop in South Africa. ROSE You mean you might go? GOEFFREY Wouldn't you want me to, if they call for volunteers? ROSE Oh, darling. You would have to. Oh, Goeffrey. GOEFFREY There's nothing to worry about now, dear. This Boer rumpus will never get that serious. (00:20:00)** SARA I expect I'll have to make my visit a little longer. BECKY Oh, Mr. Bertie. Is there one this morning for the little princess? BERTIE We shall see my child. We shall see. BECKY If she don't 'ear from her father, ever so often 'er eyes get that sad. It 'urts me to look at 'em. BERTIE Have no fear little one. There's a letter for her this time. BECKY Oh, am I glad, sir. [Song]** ** ROSE A letter? SARA It's from my daddy. ROSE Oh, how nice! SARA But it isn't. It's very bad news. ROSE Really? What's the matter, dear? SARA He says the Boers aren't behaving quite as he expected and he may not get here 'n time for my birthday. ROSE But that's months off. So many things may happen before then. He may still come, you know. SARA I'm writing Miss Minchin to give you a birthday party such as I should give you if I were there. You are to go on a regular spree. Buy anything and everything your heart desires. Now last and most important of all, my darling, I want you to pause at exactly two o'clock on your birthday. Close your eyes and send me a kiss for my eyes also will be closed and I will be giving you a kiss, too. Isn't he the most wonderful man in all the world? ROSE With one exception. SARA Well, Mr. Goeffrey is very nice. What's that? Who are they, Miss Rose? ROSE They're the volunteers. SARA Are they going to South Africa, too? ROSE Yes, dear. They're going to relieve our poor soldiers at Mafeking. SARA Is something the matter with our soldiers at Mafeking? ROSE The Boers have them all cut off, and we've been unable to break through their lines to get help to them. They're sick and hungry, dear, and desperate. They're holding out like true British soldiers. SARA Miss Rose, my daddy's at Mafeking. ROSE Oh, darling. I'm so sorry. I didn't know. SARA Oh, Miss Rose. ROSE Shh... Darling, you mustn't cry. I'm sure it'll be all right. WOMAN 1 Good afternoon, Mr. Goeffrey. GOEFFREY Good afternoon, Martha. Is Miss Sara ready for her ride? WOMAN 1 Yes, sir, she'll be down presently. GOEFFREY Thanks. Oh, are we all ready? ROSE Hello, Goeffrey. GOEFFREY The two most beautiful ladies in the world. Why, you're not in your riding things. ROSE Oh, I can't go today. Ermagarde needs extra tutoring. GOEFFREY Oh, will it take all afternoon? ROSE I'm afraid so. I have to stay with her till she can spell "Constantinople." (00:24:59)** GOEFFREY Good heavens. That may take months. ROSE You leave that to me. GOEFFREY Shall we go? Have you been crying? But you have. There are still tears in your eyes. SARA It's just this London fog. GOEFFREY Oh, well, if that's all, let's be off, shall we? SARA Mr. Goeffrey, would you mind very much if we didn't ride today? GOEFFREY Not at all, dear, but may I ask why not? SARA I'd like to talk to you. GOEFFREY All right. SARA It's about Mafeking. Are the soldiers really starving and sick and cut off from everything? You see my father's there, and I've got to know. GOEFFREY Oh, it's not as bad as all that. Our men aren't having an easy time of it. It's true, but they're holding out. And we're sending fresh troops every day, you know. Why, they'll be relieving Mafeking in no time at all now. SARA It's getting harder every day to pretend my father's safe. GOEFFREY Don't you worry. See here. I'll let you in on a little secret. I enlisted today. But while I don't want Miss Rose to know quite yet, I'll be going over there shortly myself. SARA To Mafeking? I'm glad that you can help my father. GOEFFREY Rather. We'll get him out. WICKHAM What the blazes, are you doing here? GOEFFREY Hello. WICKHAM Now listen here, you insolent puppy. What are you doing here? GOEFFREY Don't be frightened, Sara. It's only my grandfather. WICKHAM Don't you believe him, young woman? I disowned him the day he was born. GOEFFREY And we are really very fond of each other. WICKHAM Of course we are. What! We are nothing of the kind. GOEFFREY As a favor to me, will you please stop shouting at my best paying pupil? WICKHAM Pupil? Paying? What the... What are you talking about? GOEFFREY I am Master of the Horse in this exclusive seminary for the young ladies. WICKHAM You, you, you take advantage of my absence to become a riding master. And next door to me own house? Where's your family pride boy? GOEFFREY Well, sir. One must eat and family pride is a pretty thin diet. WICKHAM Oh, black mail, hey? You think I'll buy you off. GOEFFREY I haven't thought of that, but it's not a bad idea. WICKHAM Well, I'll see you hanged, drawn and quartered first. Wait till I see the woman who runs this school. I'll put a spoke in your wheel. GOEFFREY Do. She'd love to know my grandfather is Lord Wickham. She'll probably raise my salary. WICKHAM Ah... RAM DASS They have finished. Missy Sab, and Lord Wickham is coming. SARA Then I am going. WICKHAM Impudent young pup! Just like his father. Riding master. Bah! SARA Maybe you're fond of him but I don't think he's very fond of you. GOEFFREY Oh, he's harmless. His bark's worse than his bite. SARA I should hope so. Why is he so mad at you? GOEFFREY Oh, he isn't really. He was angry with my father. I was mixed up in their quarrel. What he really wants is to have me come begging to him for help. He'd be eating out of my hand if I would. SARA I don't think I care to have him eating out of my hand. GOEFFREY How would you like to have me eating out of your hand? SARA You? Well, that would be different. GOEFFREY Well, I shall, if you'll do me a favor. A very important one. SARA Oh, could I? GOEFFREY I've got an idea that you're the only one in the world who could. I want you to get Miss Rose to go shopping with you next Wednesday. SARA Shopping? GOEFFREY Well, shopping's as good an excuse as any for Miss Minchin. Now listen. SARA Really? To Miss Rose? Has she said she would...? Oh, that's wonderful. No, not a soul. Not even Emily. GOEFFREY Good girl. Now I've got to go. I've got to do some preliminary shopping. SARA You don't have to tell me what for. Something gold and shiny. GOEFFREY Right you are. MINCHIN Come in. What do you want? I'm very busy. SARA Miss Minchin, I wanted to ask you something. MINCHIN Oh, it's you. What do you want, dear? SARA I'm gonna ask you a big favor. MINCHIN Yes. SARA Mr. Goeffrey's leaving any day for the war. He's been so very nice to me. I thought I ought to fill my social obligations by doing something for him. That's what you teach us, isn't it? When someone shows you a kindness, you show them one in return? MINCHIN Well doing something for Mr. Goeffrey scarcely comes under the rules of social obligations. But what is it you want to do for him? SARA May I have him for tea? MINCHIN Here, at this school? SARA Oh, couldn't I please, since he's going away to war? MINCHIN Well, I suppose it would be permissible, since he was one of the teachers. You need not mention this to the other young ladies, however. SARA No, Miss Minchin. Thank you, Miss Minchin. Oh, thank you, Miss Minchin. (00:30:00)** ROSE We must eat something. After all the trouble little Sara has gone to. GOEFFREY I think she'll understand. You've forgotten your ring. ROSE No, I haven't. See. I'm always afraid I'll forget and wear it in front of Miss Minchin. I did yesterday and fortunately for us she didn't see it. GOEFFREY Oh, I'd love to tell the old girl. ROSE Can't do that yet, darling. GOEFFREY I know. You're sorry you married me? ROSE As though you didn't know. GOEFFREY I only wanted you to tell me again. Oh, my darling. I'll be living this last week over every moment that I'm away from you. ROSE Then we won't be separated, will we? Because I'll be living it over, too. MINCHIN I thought you were having Mr. Hamilton for tea. SARA I am. I mean I was but... MINCHIN Who's in that room? SARA Oh, please don't go in there, Miss Minchin. GOEFFREY Miss Minchin, Miss Rose and I... ROSE We... we were saying good-bye, Miss Minchin. MINCHIN How dare you risk the reputation of my school in this manner? GOEFFREY Nothing's happened that damages your precious school's reputation. As a matter of fact, Miss Rose and I... ROSE Goeffrey, for my sake... SARA Oh, please, Miss Minchin. It was all my fault. MINCHIN Silence. Since your are here, merely to say good-bye, please do so now. ROSE Bye, Goeffrey. SARA Bye, Mr. Goeffrey. GOEFFREY Bye, dear. MINCHIN Sara, I shall expect an explanation of this. SARA Yes, Miss Minchin. As soon as I can think of one. MAN S1 They've been cornered like rats for seven months. MAN S2 I say send more troops to Mafeking, if it takes every man in England. MAN S3 I'm with you. WOMAN S No. No... Oh, my boy, my boy, my boy. Oh, they killed my boy. SARA I know soldiers are supposed to stand a lot. And my daddy is a good soldier. But they've waited so long for help. Please do something about Mafeking right away or they'll all be lost. My daddy won't come back. MEN Mafeking is relieved. Mafeking is relieved. SARA Mafeking is relieved. Mafeking is relieved. Oh, thank you for being so quick about it this time. Get up. Get up. Mafeking is relieved. Get up. Wake up everybody. Mafeking is relieved. Oh, Mr. Bertie, did you hear? Mafeking is relieved. BERTIE Yes, darling, isn't it great news? ROSE Sara. SARA Oh, Miss Rose. They're saved. My daddy and Mr. Goeffrey are saved. GIRLS What is it? What's the matter? What's wrong? SARA Nothing is wrong. Nothing, nothing, nothing! Mafeking is relieved. GIRLS Oh... Yeah... SARA Oh, Miss Minchin, isn't it wonderful? Do ya' hear the cheering? GIRLS Hooray. SARA Oh, Becky, Becky, Becky. BECKY Oh, lord, I'm glad for ya', Miss. SARA He's saved, Becky. My daddy is saved. (00:34:57)** MINCHIN Children. Children. Attention, please. It's a happy circumstance that Sara's birthday should fall on a day when we are celebrating a glorious victory for her Majesty's Army. And now Sara, will you explain to the children your wishes about your birthday? SARA I'm very happy to have you here. And I thought I would like to give presents today, not just receive them because I, I wanted to show how grateful I am that my father has been rescued. GIRLS Oh... MINCHIN Quiet, children, quiet. SARA Can we do the presents now? MINCHIN Yes, but your gift first, Sara. This is from me. SARA Thank you, Miss Minchin. Now all I need is to know how to sew. MINCHIN And this from the entire school. Here are pictures of your native India. SARA Oh, thank you ever and ever so much. I shouldn't have to pretend nearly so hard when I want to make believe I'm there. MINCHIN And now, you want the others to have their presents? SARA Yes, if you please. They're all over here and your names are all on them. Here you are, Miss Rose. ROSE Oh, how nice. SARA And would you help with the other presents? ROSE Of course, dear. SARA And this is for you, Miss Minchin. MINCHIN Oh, how thoughtful, Sara. SARA And ah... BERTIE From one old trooper to another. Me in younger and happier days. When I was better known as Bubbling Bertie. SARA Oh, thank you. We'd better keep this present a secret. BERTIE Mums the word. SARA I should say it is. Here, this is from me. BERTIE Thank you. SARA Hope you like it. BERTIE It's just what I wanted. SARA Mums the word you know. BERTIE Rather. BECKY Oh, Miss. SARA Oh. BECKY Here's my present, Miss. It ain't so very good. SARA Oh, thank you, Becky. BECKY They aren't nothing but pins, Miss. And the pins aren't so very new. SARA Why you dear, Becky. You made it all yourself. BECKY Yes, Miss. I made it at nights. I knew you could pretend it was satin with diamond pins stuck in. SARA It's beautiful, Becky. I shall love it. BECKY Oh, really, Miss? Them ain't so very new. SARA And this isn't so very new either. It's my present to you. BECKY A present for me, Miss? SARA Yes, Becky with my love. BECKY Oh, what is it, Miss? SARA It's a scarab from Egypt. My daddy gave it to me because it brings good luck. I'd rather you had it than anyone else I know. BECKY Oh, my lord, Miss. I think I'm going to faint. SARA Oh, no, Becky. Not now, I have lots of more presents for you, too, in my room. BECKY I don't know what to say, Miss. SARA Sweet, Becky. MINCHIN Yes, dear, it's nice. GIRL 3 Oh, look at mine, Miss Minchin. WOMAN 1 Beg your pardon. MINCHIN Yes. WOMAN 1 Mr. Barrow, of Barrow and Skipper is here to see you. MINCHIN Today? I didn't send for him. WOMAN 1 He seems very much upset about something. He's waiting in your office. MINCHIN Very well. I'll go at once. SARA Miss Rose. ROSE This scarf is beautiful. SARA Miss Rose, would you be sure to tell me when it's almost two o'clock? ROSE Of course, dear. SARA You know, I have a very special appointment with my daddy. He's going to be thinking of me at exactly two. ROSE I'll watch the time. SARA Thank you, Miss Rose. GIRL 1 Oh, Sara. Thank you for the handkerchiefs. They're lovely. But don't you think it's time to cut the cake? SARA Oh, yes, the cake. MINCHIN Please be seated, Mr. Barrow. BARROW How much did you advance for this party? Quite a sum, I suspect? MINCHIN What does it matter? Captain Crewe is a very wealthy man. His check will be here shortly. BARROW No, Miss Minchin. There'll be no check. MINCHIN What? What do you mean by that? BARROW The late Captain Crewe. MINCHIN The late Captain Crewe? BARROW Captain Crewe is dead. He was so reported in the list this morning. Moreover, he died a bankrupt. MINCHIN Bankrupt. But his property, his mine. BARROW His property and his mines were confiscated by the enemy. MINCHIN You mean to tell me that that child is penniless? And she's left on my hands with nothing? BARROW She's certainly left penniless and she's certainly left on your hands. She hasn't a relative in the world that we know of. MINCHIN But her father's account is overdrawn. I was expecting a check in advance, the money for this party. BARROW So I understand. MINCHIN But this is monstrous. ROSE Now you have to make a wish and blow out all the candles with one breath. SARA My wish is that my father will come back very soon. ROSE Now take a big breath. SARA I haven't got very good lungs, have I? MINCHIN I'll turn her out in the streets. BARROW You think that wise, Miss Minchin. The reputation of your school, you know? MINCHIN My school? BARROW Well, the report might get about. And it might not sound well to the parents of some your other pupils. MINCHIN Yes, that is so. BARROW Of course, the child could be made to serve in your employ until her indebtedness is worked out. MINCHIN But that would take years. (00:40:00)** BARROW Quite so. But at least it's better than nothing. ROSE Hurry, children. Your ice cream's melting. GIRL 4 Thank you, Sara. ROSE Sara, it's almost two o'clock, darling. SARA Thank you, Miss Rose. SARA Oh, Daddy. I am thinking of you. And I know that wherever you are, you're thinking of me, too. Oh, Miss Rose. I felt him with me. I really did. ROSE Miss Minchin wants you, dear. SARA Oh, all right. MINCHIN Children, you will leave your gifts here. SARA Why? Where are they going? Why can't they take their presents with them? MINCHIN Because they are not yours to give. SARA But I don't understand. MINCHIN You will later. Go to your room now. SARA But, Miss Minchin. MINCHIN Sara. Go to your room. All of you. BERTIE Now will you tell her what it's all about? ROSE What has happened, Miss Minchin? BERTIE Whatever it is, you might have let it over a little bit easier. MINCHIN Silence. Captain Crewe is dead. His name appeared on the list today. He left the child a pauper. ROSE Oh, Miss Minchin. MINCHIN You had better tell her. ROSE Oh, I couldn't do that. MINCHIN You will do as you are told. SARA Oh, Miss Rose, what's wrong? Why did Miss Minchin stop the party? ROSE Sara. I want to talk to you a minute, dear. Oh, darling. SARA Oh, Miss Rose. What is it? ROSE Sara, you're a soldier's daughter. And you know that that means being brave and courageous, don't you? No matter what happens. SARA Oh, Miss Rose. Is it something awful? ROSE Your father... SARA But my father's all right. Mafeking is relieved. You heard them say so. ROSE Help didn't get there soon, enough, dear, for him. His name appeared on the list this morning. SARA You mean with the wounded? ROSE No, dear. SARA My daddy is... ROSE Oh, Sara, I am so sorry. SARA It can't be. It isn't true. I won't believe it. He isn't dead. He isn't. MINCHIN Have you...? ROSE Yes. MINCHIN You may go. Sara, you understand, of course, that these rooms can no longer be yours. Come with me. (00:44:43)** MINCHIN This is to be your room in the future. I shall have to sell your furnishings and your clothes to pay part of the debts your father owes. Ordinarily you'd go to a Charitable institution. But I am going to let you remain here. There will be duties for you to perform, of course. I hope you appreciate my kindness in not sending you away. I was unable to find a black dress among your things. So one of the girls has given you this. You'd better take off that party frock and put this on. I'll send up some shoes. SARA I don't believe it. I don't. I don't. My daddy has to go away but he'll return most any day. Any moment I may see my daddy coming back to me. GIRL 5 And Miss Minchin is going to sell all her things. JESSIE It was beastly having to give back all our presents. LAVINIA How do you feel now about your little princess? BECKY Oh, Miss. Is there anything I can do? SARA No, Becky. Thank you. GIRL 6 Sara, I'm sorry. MINCHIN Sara. From now on you are not to sit with us. Return to your room and smooth down those curls. Then go to the kitchen. Run along now. Girls, Lavinia, you may take your old place beside me. SARA Mrs. O'Connel. O'CONNEL Oh. So the Mrs. has sent you down to me, has she? SARA Miss Minchin said I am to have my breakfast here. O'CONNEL You'll do more than eat your breakfast if you work for that one. SARA Ah, I should be glad to help. O'CONNEL You will, eh? Look at you. Look what you're doing. For that you'll get no breakfast. Min, you'd better make some more toast for the Mrs. WOMAN 2 Right, you are. Coming up. O'CONNEL Here's your breakfast. Take it over there. We don't associate with royalty. BECKY Let me wait on you, Miss. O'CONNEL No, you don't. She can wait on herself. You can sit there and watch her eat. Perhaps that will teach you a lesson. SARA Please, Mrs. O'Connel, may I give my breakfast to Becky? I'm not hungry this morning. O'CONNEL Give it to the cat if you like and get to work. Wash them dishes. BECKY No, Miss, I don't want it. BERTIE The mail just came. MINCHIN Miss Rose, I'll take the mail if you please. My darling girl, I have been half mad trying to find a way out for you since your letter reached me. But it has come. My grandfather has relented. I pray him that this money and my love will help you bear what lies ahead. Goeffrey. WICKHAM You say this girl's a teacher at your school? MINCHIN She was until I discharged her today. We're not likely to hear from her again. WICKHAM And I was compelled to turn over a handsome sum to that boy when he got back. Even made an ass of myself and send him a check. MINCHIN Then I was right to withhold this. He made it over to her. WICKHAM You're not very fond of the girl, are you? MINCHIN Hardly under the circumstances. WICKHAM You're sure the girl has no legitimate claims on him? MINCHIN I've brought her up from a foundling. Is it likely she would not have consulted me if their love had been respectable? WICKHAM Ram Dass. RAM DASS Yes, sir. WICKHAM In future if any letters or cables come from Mr. Goeffrey, they're to be returned unopened. RAM DASS As you wish, Sir. SARA Becky? Come in, Becky. BECKY I'm glad you weren't sleep, Miss. It's one of the lonely nights. SARA Yes. I wonder where Miss Rose is. I shall miss her terribly. BECKY We're all alone in the world now, aren't we, Miss? SARA No, no, we're not alone. There's my father, you know. BECKY Your father? But, but Cook says he.... SARA You mustn't say that. It isn't true. He's not dead. He's sick or wounded somewhere or he'd send for me, but he's not dead. BECKY How do you know, Miss? SARA Something inside tells me so. And sometimes I hear him calling for me. BECKY Oh, lord, Miss. BERTIE [song] MINCHIN You! You're smoking. BERTIE As you see. Today my good woman, the British Army is behind this. MINCHIN That uniform. You're not going to war? BERTIE Quite, to the very canon's mouth if need be. MINCHIN But why? BERTIE Because, Old Girl, I'm fed to the teeth with your bullying. And your treatment of Rose and little Sara is the last straw. I prefer the less painful horrors of the battlefield. MINCHIN Are you daring to criticize me? BERTIE Astonishing, isn't it? But it proves that I'm confident to lead my men into the very jaws of death. MINCHIN After this you may never expect help from me again. BERTIE I am quite calm. For if the bloodthirsty Boer spares me, the foot lights will see Bubbling Bertie once again. MINCHIN Hubert, you wouldn't do that to me? BERTIE Oh, wouldn't I? Well, ta ta, Old Girl. MINCHIN Ah. SARA If you, please, sir. MAN 2 Yes, Lassie? SARA Were you at the siege of Mafeking? MAN 2 Ai. That's where I stopped the bullet that stopped me. SARA Then did you know my father? MAN 2 Your father? What might his name be, Lassie? SARA Captain Reginold Crewe. MAN 2 Is your father a captain? SARA Yes. They say he is dead. But I know it can't be. And I've asked so many soldiers about him. I hope you could tell me. MAN 2 No, Lassie. I'm sorry I can't. Why don't you ask in the hospital there? Maybe they'll have some record of him. SARA Thank you, sir. I will. SARA If you please, sir. BERTIE Why, the little princess, as I live! SARA It's Mr. Bertie. BERTIE In person. SARA But I thought you'd gone to war. BERTIE No. Lord Roberts wanted me to, of course. But he said, "Bertie, Old Boy, the wounded need you. So you stay here and cheer up the brave lads who have fallen in our just cause." So I'm practically in command of this hospital. SARA Oh, Mr. Bertie, could my father be in there? BERTIE Your father, princess? SARA Yes, you see I know he isn't dead. And I've been looking and looking. He could be among the wounded, couldn't he? BERTIE Yes. SARA I'm almost sure he is, somewhere. If you're in charge, could I please look for him in there? BERTIE Well, uh. SARA Please. BERTIE Yes, yes, of course you may. Things like that can happen, you know. SARA Mr. Bertie, why don't they salute you, if you're in command here? BERTIE Well, discipline at the hospital is rather ah...lax. SARA Oh. MAN H1 Oh, I say, major, they're waiting for you in Ward B. There's a lot of trash up there. BERTIE Ah, very good, I'll get one of my men to attend to it. MAN H1 Get one of your what? BERTIE W... Well then two of my men then, Carry on! MAN H2 Orderly! BERTIE Sir? MAN H2 What's this child doing here before visiting hours? BERTIE Well, you see, Sir. MAN H2 Well, well, well? SARA If you please, Sir, the Major is helping me to find my father, Sir. MAN H2 The Major? BERTIE To her, Sir. You see we're old friends, Sir. I knew her father Captain Crewe who was reported killed at Mafeking. The child's sure there's some mistake so I'm helping her search among the wounded. SARA Could you tell me anything about my father, Sir? MAN H2 Sorry my dear, I can't. Carry on, Major. BERTIE Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir. BERTIE This little girl's father has been killed but she insists that he's alive so I'm letting her have a look around. We'll try another ward. PATIENT 1 There's Old Bertie. Give us a song, lad. BERTIE Attention, men. Attention. Official inspection. SARA He isn't here, either. But someone might know about him. If you please, sir, were you at the siege of Mafeking? PATIENT 2 I was that, darling. It's where I picked up the bug. It was no bigger than the seed of a thistledown that laid me low. Ah, the bugs down there are worse than their bullets. SARA Then perhaps you didn't know my father. PATIENT 2 Fate that I would've known me own father with the fever that was on me. SARA Thank you, sir. PATIENT 2 It's all right, darling. PATIENT 3 Hello. SARA If you please, sir. Were you with the troops at Mafeking? PATIENT 3 Yes. Yes, of course, I was. That's where I ran away, you know. SARA Then did you know my father, Captain Crewe? PATIENT 3 Yes. Yes, of course. That's a fine looking officer, isn't he? He ought to do well. SARA Where did you see my father last? Where is he now? PATIENT 3 Where is who? SARA My father. PATIENT 3 Oh, one soldier more or less doesn't make any difference, you know. I'm making thousands and thousands for England. See? Fine strong fellows, who won't be afraid as I was. I was afraid of the noise. That's why I ran away, you know. SARA He said he knows my father, but he won't tell. BERTIE He's living in a dream, Sara. He doesn't know what he's saying. Come on. PATIENT 4 Don't go yet, lad. Give us a song. Yeah. BERTIE How about it, dear? Shall we sing them a song to cheer them up? Our old specialty one? SARA Not today, Mr. Bertie. BERTIE Oh, come on, darling. Let's try and forget our own troubles and do something for these lads, shall we? SARA All right. I'll try. BERTIE Oh, you darling. What about the old Kent Road? PATIENT 5 That's the one. Macky will play for you. PATIENT 6 That'd be gorgeous, Mate. [Song]** SARA Mr. Bertie, will it be all right if I come again tomorrow? BERTIE I shouldn't run away too often, princess. You might get punished, you know. I'll keep a sharp look out whenever the wounded come in. SARA You don't really believe he'll ever come, do you? BERTIE Yes, yes, of course I do. I've told you missing men often turn up. SARA Then I'd better come. You might not know him if he was very much changed. BERTIE All right, dear. You come. SARA Good-bye, Mr. Bertie. BERTIE Good-bye, dear. SARA Are you hungry? Here. Poor little things. Nobody wants me this morning. RAM DASS Good morning, little Missy Sab. SARA Good morning, Ram Dass. RAM DASS Feeding your little friends? SARA Yes, but I couldn't save them very much from my supper last night. RAM DASS Oh. It is difficult for them when the snow comes. Rani, Rani. SARA Oh. Rani, Rani. You look as though you know you're being naughty and enjoying it. RAM DASS Rani, Rani. Rani, for shame. SARA Here she is on the book shelves. RAM DASS Book shelves? SARA Oh, I forgot. I pretend they're bookshelves and filled with beautiful books. RAM DASS Then I'd better remove her before she ruins your set of Dickens. This is your, um, your room, Missy Sab? SARA Yes. It's so warm and so high above everything that it's almost like a nest in a tree. I can lie on my soft sofa and look up in the sky through that little window on the roof. RAM DASS Sofa? SARA It looks more like a soft sofa when it's made up. And you imagine that it has down quilts and lovely cushions to curl up on. RAM DASS There is a fire sometimes, of course. SARA Well, that is the hardest of all to imagine, especially at night. But it is lovely when you can. The grate shines so when it's polished and the nice bright coals settle on the hearth. BECKY Oh, hurry, Miss. The cook wants you and, she's in an awful stew. SARA Oh, my goodness. Excuse me, if I run, I've got to go to the butcher's. I'll get my ears boxed if I don't hurry. RAM DASS Yes, Missy Sab. WOMAN 2 Listen to this. Hospital ship Mercy arrived. Twelve hundred wounded disembarked. O'CONNEL Does it give any of the names? WOMAN 2 There ain't no list. Oh, I hope my poor Harry's among them. A wounded husband is better than no husband at all. Eh, Miss? SARA Becky, I've got to get to the hospital before nine o'clock when they close to visitors. Somehow I've got to. BECKY Yes, Miss. O'CONNEL Sara! You clumsy ox! For that you'll whistle for your supper. BECKY Oh, mum. She ain't had no lunch. You put things away before she got back from the grocer's. O'CONNEL Who do you think you're talking to? You'll both go hungry. Now clean up this mess. Go on. Get on with it. DOCTOR 1 There's sorry cases in this batch, doctor. DOCTOR 2 Yes, poor devils. MAN H3 Hello, doctor. NURSE Doctor, this man is an unknown. His papers were lost. Delirium following malarial fever. MAN H3 We're very much concerned about him, sir. DOCTOR 2 Anemia. Heart action weak, respiration low, that's to be expected. MAN H3 But his mind doesn't clear, sir. He has no lucid moments. DOCTOR 2 Temporary paralysis of some nerve center. Or a blood clot, possibly. MAN H3 More likely to be the latter, sir. He received a nasty head wound. CREWE Sara, Sara. MAN H3 He repeatedly calls for this person, Sara. DOCTOR 2 You can't learn who this Sara is? MAN H3 No way of finding out, sir, till his identity is established. CREWE Sara, Sara. BECKY You'd better go now, Miss. I'll finish up for you. SARA Thank you, Becky. I'll have to fly. BECKY Yes, Miss. O'CONNEL Here, hold your horses. Where do you think you're going? SARA Well. O'CONNEL Miss Lavinia wants some coal for her fire. Hop to it. GIRL 5 Oh, Sara, you look so tired. And you look hungry, too. Are you actually hungry, Sara? SARA Yes, I am hungry. I'm so hungry I could eat you. LAVINIA Put on plenty. My father pays for it. Just a moment. Our princess seems to be in a hurry. Could it be that she going to a ball? Come back here and clean up that hearth. I'd like my shawl, the pink one, it's on my bed. Cover me, please. I find the room a bit chilly. MAN 3 Good night, sir. MAN H4 Hello, princess. What are you doing out so late? SARA I've come to see the new soldiers that got here today. MAN H4 Not tonight, my girl. It's closing time. SARA But I've got to. I ran away specially. MAN H4 Now then, young 'un, take it easy. SARA Please let me in. I'm sure he's here this time. MAN H4 You're sure every time, princess. I'm sorry. You run on home and come back tomorrow morning. That's a good little girl. All right, good night now. DOCTOR 2 He will recover from the effects of the fever, but I am convinced that there is brain pressure. DOCTOR 1 You advise an operation then? DOCTOR 2 Yes, you agree? DOCTOR 3 I do. Doctor MacNeesh in Edinburgh is the man. DOCTOR 1 Yes, splendid, splendid. Prep this man for removal to Edinburgh in the morning. NURSE Yes, Doctor. CREWE Sara, Sara. MINCHIN Sara. Where have you been? Answer me. You've been out, haven't you? SARA Yes, Miss Minchin. MINCHIN What do you mean by disobeying my orders? SARA I had to. I had to look for my father. MINCHIN This ridiculous search for your father. All this making believe and refusing to face facts. It's indecent. I've had enough of it. You must realize once and for all that your father is dead. SARA Don't you say that. He's not dead. He's not. And you can't stop me from looking for him either. MINCHIN How dare you speak to me in that manner, you impudent little... I'll attend to you further in the morning. SARA I can't be a good soldier much longer. I'm cold and I'm hungry, too. Can you hear? No, you don't hear. You don't hear and you don't care. _@ You're nothing but a doll. A doll. _@You never had a heart to make you feel. You're just a doll. MAN D1 Your Highness, please forgive me. But something has gone amiss. There is an angry woman outside to report a stolen kiss. SARA Tell her she must go away. Come around some other day. MAN D1 I have told her, but she won't. You must see her, if you don't, she'll scream her head off. MAN D2 Tell her to hush. MAN D1 She won't be hushed. MAN D2 Then tell her to shush. MAN D1 I'm afraid she won't be shushed. WOMAN D1 I won't be shushed. I won't be hushed. I know my rights. I know the law and I know also what I saw. SARA What did you see? WOMAN D1 I saw him. SARA You saw who? I mean whom? WOMAN D1 I saw that lad steal a kiss from that shameless little miss. Don't be fooled by all their shyness. They're a wicked pair, your Highness. There's a law. I understand, against kissing in this land. MAN D1 There is a law that reads like this. "No one is to steal a kiss. MAN D2 Ah, but Princess, I've a feeling this is not a case of stealing. WOMAN D1 Silence, fool. I know the law. What I say I saw, I saw. What I saw... MAN D2 She's on a seesaw. I saw. You saw. He saw. She saw. GIRLS On a seesaw. On a seesaw. I saw. You saw. He saw. She saw. SARA What she tells us may be true and, if it is, what can we do? MAN D2 If you ask me, we should listen to the lad who did the kissing. WOMAN D1 I object. Would not be wise. He would only tell you lies. SARA Let him speak. Come, lad, this way. Now then, what have you to say? MAN D3 Please, your Highness. I confess. When I saw such loveliness, it was too much to resist. I just thought she should be kissed. So I kissed her, kissed her twice. It was very, very nice. MAN D2 So he kissed her, kissed her twice. It was very, very nice. WOMAN D1 There, you see, he broke the law. What I say I saw, I saw. MAN D2 Please don't start all that again. WOMAN D1 But he stole a kiss. That's plain. SARA Yes, it looks as if it's true. And I'll have to punish you. WOMAN D2 No, please let me say a word. It is not the way you heard. Please. He did not steal the kiss. I gave it to him just like this. MAN D2 There you see, I had a feeling this was not a case of stealing. SARA I'm not sure. It's not quite plain. Could I see that kiss again? You were right. I have a feeling this was not a case of stealing. MAN D1 Right. The law has been abused. This lad has falsely been accused. MAN D2 He is hers and she is hissen. That old witch should go to a prison. SARA You're a very wicked woman. WOMAN D1 Princess, I am only human. MAN D2 Listen to the old grand mommy. You're a nasty peeping Tommy. SARA Banish her from here forever. Never show your face here, never. ALL Banish her from here forever. Never show your face here, never. WOMAN D1 What I say I saw, I saw. I know my rights. I know the law. SARA Come and sit beside me here. Your kiss has made things very clear. MAN D3 Thank you, Princess. SARA Don't thank me. It was that kiss that set you free. MAN D2 Now we are through with this arraignment. Let us have some entertainment. SARA Bring the dancers, bring the singers. SARA & MAN D2 Bring the good old welcome ringers. MAN D1 The new ballerina, she pleases you? SARA She's a very good dancer. She looks familiar, too. SARA Nice dream. I'm quite warm. I don't wanna wake up. I haven't waked up. I must be dreaming. I am dreaming. I must be dreaming. Well, it feels warm. Becky! Becky, come quick! Becky, Becky! BECKY Yes, Miss. SARA Oh, Becky, look! BECKY Oh, lord, Miss. Do you see what I do? SARA I don't know what you see. But I don't think I believe what I'm seeing. BECKY Well, I never. SARA Do you feel that? BECKY Yes, Miss. SARA What do you see? BECKY Well, I see the fire, Miss. SARA And a table with food on it, and a rug and a lamp and, and slippers.. BECKY I do indeed, Miss. How did it all get here? Did you pretend it into happening? SARA I don't know. I never pretended as good as this before. Look at these. RAM DASS If the little Missy Sab knew, she would be over here to thank you. WICKHAM I don't want her to know. Who wants any thanks? BECKY Oh, Miss. You're beautiful. SARA Thank you, Becky. Now let's try this one on you. BECKY Oh. SARA Isn't it beautiful? BECKY Oh, yes, Miss. SARA It's perfect. BECKY And real satin, too. SARA Um hm. Let's try the slippers and see if they're real. Do they feel like slippers to you? BECKY They feel soft and warm. SARA This feels soft and warm, too. They're as real as we are. I don't believe it's a dream after all. BECKY You suppose the food is real, Miss? SARA Let's see. I can smell kippers, can you? BECKY Kippers and onions. SARA I wonder what this is. Muffins. This tastes like a muffin. Is it one? BECKY A muffin as ever was. It must be the magic, Miss. Hadn't we better be before it melts away. SARA Yes. DOCTOR 2 What sort of a night did he pass? NURSE He rested comfortably, doctor. DOCTOR 1 Will we be able to send him with the others? DOCTOR 2 Oh, yes. He'll stand the journey, all right. DOCTOR 1 Get him ready to be sent with Group D. They'll be leaving in about an hour. NURSE Very well, doctor. LAVINIA I hear you're being punished. Do you think we ought to offer her a chocolate? JESSIE You might let her smell them. LAVINIA Miss Minchin surely couldn't object to that. Would you care to? SARA I don't want to smell them and I don't want to eat them. Thank you. LAVINIA You don't? Why not? SARA I've had much nicer things than chocolate this morning. LAVINIA Listen to the Princess, pretending again. SARA I'm not pretending. I had the most wonderful things to eat that anyone ever had. LAVINIA Why, you're a little liar. You haven't even had breakfast. SARA Pardon me, but I really have. And if you'll excuse me for saying so, it isn't polite to call people "liar." LAVINIA How dare you talk back to me? SARA Was I doing that? My goodness. LAVINIA Oh. Ah... SARA So sorry. (01:19:59)** LAVINIA You wait till I tell Miss Minchin on you. SARA Well, any still here, Becky? BECKY Yes, Miss. SARA Thank heavens, it stopped raining. BECKY Are you going some place, Miss? SARA To the hospital. Oh, Becky, perhaps everything's going to change for us. Perhaps I'll find my father this time and he'll take us away from here. BECKY Oh, lord, it's, it's the Mrs. MINCHIN Sara, how dare you...? Wha! What's happened to this room? SARA That's what we would like to know. When I woke up this morning, here everything was, even to the food and the fire. MINCHIN Where did you get these things! SARA I don't know. Unless it's because I dreamed such a beautiful dream last night that it came true. MINCHIN These articles are rare and costly. You stole them, didn't you? SARA Oh, no, Miss Minchin. We didn't take these things? MINCHIN I'll give you one more chance to tell me the truth. SARA But I am telling you the truth. They just came. BECKY They did indeed, Mum. MINCHIN You go to your room. This is a matter for the police. SARA Oh, please, Miss Minchin. Please don't call the police. MINCHIN Of course, I'll call them. SARA Oh, Miss Minchin... Shhh... BECKY We're prisoners now, sure enough, Miss, and the police coming, too. SARA But I can't be arrested. Those new wounded men are at the hospital and I've got to get there. BECKY I don't see how you can, Miss. And us locked in. SARA Come on, Becky. Quick! BECKY Where are we going, Miss? SARA Follow me. BECKY Oh, Miss. Oh, I'm affrighted, Miss. SARA I'm afraid, too, this time Becky. Come on give me your hand. Look out. BECKY Oh, lord, Miss. SARA Don't be afraid, Becky. RAM DASS Ah, what game is this, little Missy Sab? SARA May we please go through your house? We're running away from the police. RAM DASS And a very nice game, too. Would you enter? SARA We'd like to very much, indeed. RAM DASS You seem in great haste, Missy Sab. Could you not stop for a cup of tea? SARA No, thank you. We're in too big a hurry. RAM DASS I see, still playing the game of the police. I hope you escape them safely, Missy Sab. SARA So do I! BECKY Oh, lord, Miss. Police. MINCHIN There they are. Stop them. SARA Oh, Becky. Run. Run. MINCHIN Sara! Becky! Stop where you are? Becky. Sara. Go after the other one. I'll take care of her. Come here to me. SARA Watch out, Becky, don't slip. Becky, where are you? MINCHIN Becky, little thief. You'll go to jail for this, both of you. BECKY You'll never catch her. Mr. Bertie'll see to that. MINCHIN So that's where she's gone. W2 Oh, did you find her, Mum? MINCHIN Take this little thief and don't you let her out of your sight until I return. Didn't you catch her? POLICEMAN She got away in traffic, Mum. I couldn't find her anywhere. Do you know where she's likely to be? MINCHIN I do, Cabby! CABBY Whoa... MINCHIN Harvard Hospital and hurry, please. CREWE Sara. Sara. NURSE He never stops calling for her. MAN H5 Step aside a little bit, will you? Ah. Ah, ah, ah! You can't go in there. No visitors allowed for an hour. SARA But that might be too late. MAN H5 Now run along little girl, will you? There's a good little girl. I'm sorry, sir. No visitors allowed for an hour. MAN 4 But we must go in. MAN H5 Sorry, sir. You could stand over there, if that's all right. NURSE Have you seen Captain Mark? MAN H6 I believe he just went through the hall, Miss. Sorry, young 'un, you can't go up stairs now. SARA But I've got to. I've got to see if my father's here before Miss Minchin catches me. MAN H6 Run along now. Do as you're told. Here. I say now. Come back here. You can't go up there. You're gonna' get me in trouble. Hey, come back here. You can't go in there. You can't... (01:24:59)** SARA Let me go. Let me go. I want to be here. I will. I will. MAN H7 Orderly! VICTORIA What is it the child wants? SARA Oh, please. Please don't let them take me away. VICTORIA What is it, child? SARA My father. They said he was killed at Mafeking. But I don't believe it. He may be here with the new wounded men. And they won't let me look! And if they don't, perhaps I'll never have another chance. Can't you do make them let me look? VICTORIA Colonel, will you please see that this child is escorted through the wards? COLONEL With your permission, I shall accompany her personally, your Majesty. SARA What is your name? VICTORIA Victoria. What is yours? SARA Sara. Oh, your Majesty. VICTORIA Colonel. I hope you we'll find your father, my dear. A thorough search, Colonel. SARA Oh, thank you, your Majesty. VICTORIA Good-bye, my dear. SARA Good-bye. COLONEL Have you been through any of the wards yet? SARA Not today, sir. COLONEL I think we'd better cover this wing first. COLONEL We're searching for a patient. NURSE Yes, sir. COLONEL You go right along, dear. ROSE All right? GOEFFREY Thank you, darling. SARA Miss Rose! ROSE Sara, darling! GOEFFREY Sara! SARA Oh, Mr. Goeffrey. You're home. You're back again. Maybe you can tell me where my daddy is. ROSE Oh, Goeffrey didn't get as far as Mafeking, dear. SARA Then you don't know? You didn't even see him? GOEFFREY No, dear. I didn't. I'm sorry. COLONEL Have you found him? SARA Oh, no, sir. This is my friend, Mr. Goeffrey and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton. COLONEL How do you do? SARA I'm afraid I can't introduce you because I don't know your name. COLONEL Colonel Gordon. SARA This is Colonel Gordon. He's helping me to search the hospital. COLONEL No, don't bother. GOEFFREY How do you do, sir? COLONEL I'm very happy to know you both. From Mafeking? GOEFFREY No, sir. An army mule and a British mule at that. COLONEL Well that's adding insult to injury. NURSE Sorry, sir. It's time for the patient's drugs. GOEFFREY I'd rather face that mule. SARA I'll come back later, Miss Rose. Just as soon as I've gone through the other wards. ROSE I'll wait for you, dear. GOEFFREY Good-bye. COLONEL Good-bye. ROSE Good-bye. GOEFFREY Good-bye, sir. Be sure to come back, Sara. SARA I will. GOEFFREY Poor little thing. She'll never stop hoping. MINCHIN I insist that you send for my brother. MAN A Very well, Mum, but you can't get in, brother or no brother. MINCHIN We will get in. My brother will see to that. MAN A I hope you're right, Mum. MAN B All filled now. This man will have to wait for the next ambulance. MAN C All right. NURSE I think you'd better take him into the waiting room. These halls are much too drafty. MAN C I think I'd better. COLONEL I'm very sorry you couldn't find your father. SARA Thank you, just the same, sir. COLONEL He may be on the next convoy of wounded. I wouldn't give up hope. SARA I won't, sir. COLONEL Good-bye. God bless. SARA Good-bye. MINCHIN I know that they were stolen. BERTIE That's real preposterous! MINCHIN I have proof and I intend to turn her over to the authorities. She's in this hospital and I intend to find her. BERTIE Now, look here,... MINCHIN I insist that every room be searched. CREWE Sara. Sara. SARA Daddy? CREWE Sara. (01:29:28)** SARA Daddy? Oh, daddy. I missed you! I found you! I found you! They said you were dead, but I know you weren't. I knew you'd come back. Oh, daddy. Hold me. Hold me close. You won't ever go away again, will you? Will you, Daddy? What's the matter, Daddy? Why don't you talk to me? CREWE Sara. SARA Don't you know me, daddy? I'm Sara. I'm Sara. CREWE Sara. Where is my daughter? SARA Oh, Daddy, something's happened to you. Mr. Bertie. Mr. Bertie. Oh, daddy, you've got to know me! Look at me! Look at me! Oh, daddy. CREWE You mustn't cry. You mustn't cry. We must be good soldiers, you know. SARA But I have been a very good soldier, daddy. And you don't know me. CREWE My little Sara never cries. SARA But I'm Sara. I'm Sara. CREWE Yes. Yes. Sara. Sara. My baby. My darling. SARA Oh, Daddy. CREWE Oh, my darling. SARA You know me. CREWE Sara, my darling. My baby, Sara. Sara. Oh, Sara, my darling. BERTIE Oh, don't be ridiculous, Amanda. MINCHIN Then how do you account for those silk coverlets, those robes and other things that are there? BERTIE Perhaps a little bird brought in. Perhaps they grew legs and walked in. I don't know. All I do know is that little Sara wouldn't steal. MAN H8 Bertie, Bertie. What do you think has happened? The poor little princess found her father. BERTIE She's found him. MINCHIN Captain Crewe is alive? BERTIE Of course, he is alive. How could she find him if he wasn't alive. SARA Oh, Mr. Bertie, I found my father! BERTIE Darling, I'm so glad. SARA Daddy. Your Majesty. My daddy. [Song] ** It's there, evenin' at the soda bar me and the Mrs. takes a little ride. You say wonderful to feel I love the ride If you saw that little donkey go. When we start, the blessed donkey stops, He won't move, so out I quickly hop. Bill start a whackin' him when down he drops. Someone said he wouldn't mind to go. I want a cup of tea and a whole bag of fries, Who ya' gonna meet, Bill? Sell ya' a box of sweets, Bill. Laugh, Lord, I thought I was gonna die For knockin' 'em in the Old Kent Road.** Chorus** Why should all the maidens cry? Who ya' gonna meet, Bill? Have ya' bought the sweets, Bill? Laugh, I thought I was gonna die, Knocked 'em in the Old Kent Road.** THE END