The House Of The Seven Gables Page #2

---

Goodnight my son.

Now, Hepzibah.

My child.

I hesitate to mention it, but could

you not persuade Clifford ..

To see how grievously

he wrongs his family.

He seems so sure of

himself, cousin Gerald.

True, but he's also sure of

your love and devotion.

Perhaps less certainty on that score

may bring about less certainty on this?

Hepzibah .. you can help us.

If I but follow the dictates

of my conscience.

Yes .. yes .. thank you Hepzibah.

[ Singing:
]

"I can't remember how I met you."

"But stars were shining on your head."

"And though you smiled

at me so sweetly."

"I can't remember when or where."

"The scene, my love,

I can't recall to view."

"For through it all,

I just remember you."

"And when I dream

beneath star-lit skies."

"I recall the color of your eyes."

Hepzibah.

I .. I hope I didn't upset you ..

what happened downstairs.

Well, you see I had to tell the truth.

Why allow such hatred to remain

beneath the surface festering?

A clean wound heals much more quickly.

You were right Clifford.

But ..

Well?

Your father asked me to speak to you.

What?

He shan't use petticoats as weapons.

Clifford.

I'd rather you conserve your impetuous

energies for emotions more deserving.

Oh forgive me dearest.

May I speak now?

Yes.

I listened to him most attentively,

and I only asked one favor.

That he leave it to the dictates

of my conscience.

And did that satisfy him?

Yes.

I've searched my conscience.

And ..?

I've found ..

I could never love you blindly Clifford.

So that your every act and thought

would seem just and courageous.

It's because of your courage and

sense of justice that .. I love you.

I can only .. hope to prove worthy

of such love, Hepzibah.

You have my darling .. and now

I know .. the house must be sold.

It shall be sold .. we'll live

in New York, Hepzibah.

People there have vitality.

They look ahead, not backwards.

You know, they're constructing buildings

five stories tall! Scraping the sky!

Men reaching towards the heavens

instead of digging into dusty archives.

We'll leave the dirges behind us.

There's music in those people Hepzibah.

Laughing, struggling, working

people. That's living music!

You're right, Clifford ..

It's already inside you.

Treasure hunt?

Yes. Yes, you could

call it that if you like.

So, this is the reason for your

pious defense of your ancestors.

Not the legend of their nobility, but

the fable of their hidden wealth.

This is no fable, you fool.

One million acres of the

State of Maine .. Ours.

I've dug into ancient

archives in Boston.

Aside from this map, I've actually seen

documents referring to the land grant.

Somewhere, hidden in these

rotting walls as you call them ..

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes