An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving

Mathilda Bassett:
What could be keeping mother?

Prudence:
She's delivering a baby.

Mathilda Bassett:
How much time could it take?

Mathilda Bassett:
[Mary enters to find Tilly, Prudence, and Solomon covered in flour] It was an accident, Mother.

Mary Bassett:
[laughing] Well at least you kept busy.

Solomon Bassett:
But we have each other all the time. Pudding is what we look forward to.

Mathilda Bassett:
[kissing Mary's head enthusiastically] You're an angel. You're a saint!

Prudence:
What about the letter?

Mathilda Bassett:
[happily tosses rag aside] Doesn't matter! Gad's back!

Mathilda Bassett:
You've completely changed.

Gad Hopkins:
I can see you haven't.

Mathilda Bassett:
I've matured more that it might first appear.

Gad Hopkins:
[Smiling tenderly] So I see.

Mathilda Bassett:
[quickly changing the subject] You've been away for decades. How many languages do you speak?

Gad Hopkins:
How are you, Tilly?

Mathilda Bassett:
There must be a more compelling topic.

Mathilda Bassett:
Give me your news.

Gad Hopkins:
[innocently] News?

Mathilda Bassett:
I see I shall have to torture you, Lord Stickywicket, if I mean to get at the truth. [slaps him with a pillow]

Gad Hopkins:
[stealing the pillow] Never, Madam Busybody! I shall die before giving up my secrets! [pillow fight ensues]

Mary Bassett:
Some bargains are too costly to make.

Mathilda Bassett:
[narrating] Chapter Two: Pandora's Box containing, among other things, a great many dresses, a strained reunion, and a fox.

Prudence:
You know what they say? After a society lady wears a dress once, she throws it away.

Mary Bassett:
You seem well.

Isabella:
Well enough.

Mary Bassett:
You have your health.

Isabella:
How long can we expect to indulge in these pleasantries?

Mary Bassett:
If you prefer we can dispense with them immediately.

Isabella:
What is it you require?

Mary Bassett:
Require?

Isabella:
Money.

Mary Bassett:
I require nothing.

Isabella:
Your husband is kidnapped, and you without the means to pay the rent.

Mary Bassett:
My husband is dead.

Isabella:
All that talk of wild animals and gypsies, it seemed you had become unhinged. I could not very well have that on my conscience, could I.

Mary Bassett:
This letter, may I see it? [Isabella reaches for the letter and Mary notices the children hiding at the door, her suspicions making sense] These are difficult times, I am not always in my right mind. [reading letter]... kidnapped by gypsies... live like wild animals... [speaking to her mother] It seems I have overstated my case.

Isabella:
[after catching Prudence and Solomon spying on her] As a rule it is advisable not to spy. In some countries they gouge out your eyes.

Mathilda Bassett:
[narrating] Solomon did not return the fox. He understood it was important to return it, if not to secure his Thanksgiving turkey, then for his mother's sake. But it had a certain hold over him; like a four leaf clover or a rabbit's foot. In its company he felt braver and more certain than he had since his father passed away. He became convinced that as long as he kept it they would all be protected from further harm.

Isabella:
You could have had anything you wanted: best education, tours of Europe, personal acquaintance with well-bred men and women...

Mary Bassett:
Money is the only thing you could imagine wanting, isn't it?

Isabella:
I feared it would come to this.

Mary Bassett:
You have no idea what it has come to!

Isabella:
Ellis Basset was a vagrant! A vagrant!

Mary Bassett:
He was the finest man I ever met in my life! I pity you and all your well-bred friends!

Isabella:
You are well informed.

Mrs. Hopkins:
Oh dear, and you, Mrs. Caldwell, are most fortunate to have had such a husband!

Isabella:
I find liberty to be a better husband than he was.

Isabella:
Speaking of silk, Mrs. Hopkins, what exactly is the substance of your attire? It's so original.

Mrs. Hopkins:
This, uh, it's flaxen.

Isabella:
Flaxen? Isn't that what the poor eat for breakfast? [awkward silence and she looks to Mary] Is it?

Isabella:
[Tilly enters Isabella's room] Knocking is always good.

Mathilda Bassett:
[Tilly closes the door behind her] I know why my mother doesn't want you here.

Isabella:
Is that right?

Mathilda Bassett:
You're not nice. You made fun of Mrs. Hopkins and you insulted my family. My father was not a vagrant.

Isabella:
Is there some reason you feel compelled to discuss this with me?

Mathilda Bassett:
Because I brought you here. I wrote that letter.

Isabella:
You did?

Mathilda Bassett:
Yes.

Isabella:
[laughing] Well. That explains it. Gypsies. How marvelous.

Mathilda Bassett:
I suppose you'll want to go.

Isabella:
No. I have just found a reason to stay.

Mathilda Bassett:
[narrating] The visit began to take on a different character: less guarded and more like a game. Although who would enjoy it remained uncertain.

Isabella:
Oh, women are too quick to give men credit they are not truly owed.

Mathilda Bassett:
Many people were improved by my father. Gad says he could reform the worst cynic in the world.

Isabella:
Shall I add cynic to my list of virtues?

Mathilda Bassett:
That's up to you.

Isabella:
How did he die?

Mathilda Bassett:
Working the fields. Mr. Yule found him crushed by a tree.

Isabella:
You must miss him.

Mathilda Bassett:
My father said everything is a lesson from which we ultimately profit.

Mary Bassett:
[Working on the Thanksgiving table cloth with Prudence and Solomon] Most people will have their Thanksgiving dinner and then it will be gone. We'll have ours the whole year round.

Solomon Bassett:
I'd like it better if there was pudding involved.

Prudence:
One moment and I'll have the tea.

Mathilda Bassett:
[watching Prudence suspiciously] You've done something.

Solomon Bassett:
[glancing from Prudence to Tilly] Absolutely.

Mathilda Bassett:
[after catching Isabella reading her writings] You hated it.

Isabella:
I didn't say that.

Mathilda Bassett:
You didn't say anything.

Isabella:
It is quite lively.

Mathilda Bassett:
Lively.

Isabella:
Spirited.

Mathilda Bassett:
You did hate it.

Isabella:
I... like your people.

Mathilda Bassett:
You don't find them dull and ordinary?

Isabella:
There is nothing ordinary about you or your people.

Solomon Bassett:
[after peeking through the door to see Prudence helping Isabella with her corset] Why tie her up?

Prudence:
To keep her parts in. Old people have trouble otherwise.

Mathilda Bassett:
[Referring to the Hopkins' upcoming party] Isabella says I should have a proper gown.

Mary Bassett:
Does she?

Mathilda Bassett:
Yes. She says a first impression is what one always remembers.

Mary Bassett:
I trust it does not owe solely to one's costume.

Mathilda Bassett:
The outward appearance effects the estimation of the rest.

Mary Bassett:
Do you hope to affect a particular person, or just cause a general stir?

Mathilda Bassett:
[narrating] My mother took few things when she and Ellis Bassett left her home when she was 17. The plainest dress she owned. A pair of sturdy shoes, for my father had warned her they would do a great deal of walking. The embroidered shawl he gave her when they became engaged. And a porcelain cup. The cup was part of a tea service, originally presented to Louis XIV in 1683, which Isabella had painstakingly reassembled on her many trips abroad. It was the only complete set of its kind. For most of my mother's childhood, Isabella had the service on proud display in the hallway. My father heard rumor that she kept it out after my mother left, the empty saucer a daily reminder of what had been taken from her.

Gad Hopkins:
[to Tilly when she enters dressed for the party to be greeted by Gad and his parents] You must forgive us for staring. We a struck dumb. Praise more eloquent than any flattery.

Gad Hopkins:
[Tilly trips as they are dancing] Easy, girl.

Mathilda Bassett:
You're talking to me like I'm your horse.

Gad Hopkins:
A thoroughbred, no doubt.

Mathilda Bassett:
Gad!

Gad Hopkins:
Just follow me. You'll be fine.

Mathilda Bassett:
Your mother seemed unhappy when I walked in.

Gad Hopkins:
That's because she's feeling guilty

Mathilda Bassett:
For what?

Gad Hopkins:
Not accepting you sooner. It seems we both were rather late to come to our senses.

Mathilda Bassett:
You have always had my friendship.

Gad Hopkins:
Your friendship is not what I crave.

Isabella:
You never did like parties. They'd always find you hiding somewhere. Under the piano, in the coat closet. Tilly's doing beautifully. You should see her.

Mary Bassett:
You shouldn't have given her the dress.

Isabella:
Poverty was your choice, not hers.

Mary Bassett:
I don't want her regretting what isn't within her means.

Isabella:
She can have whatever she wants.

Mary Bassett:
Not from you.

Isabella:
So you continue to punish me for wanting you a better husband.

Mary Bassett:
Oh, tell the truth! When I left with Ellis you were relieved.

Isabella:
Don't be ridiculous.

Mary Bassett:
Why didn't you stop me then?

Isabella:
You made your choice.

Mary Bassett:
There was no choice! You never wanted me. My whole childhood I saw you fewer times than some people see distant friends.

Isabella:
You embellish.

Mary Bassett:
When you did come I was kept out of sight by my governess who was quick to remind me I must keep my distance or run the risk of shortening your stay.

Isabella:
You had everything as a child. Complete freedom.

Mary Bassett:
Freedom is not what a child needs!

Isabella:
You were no comfort. From the moment you were born I felt your judgment.

Mary Bassett:
Judgment? I was a baby! How could I judge you?

Isabella:
Was I to grovel for your approval?

Mary Bassett:
Oh. So, deprived of approval from me, you will take it from Tilly? I have lost much this past year, I do not wish to lose my daughter as well.

Mrs. Hopkins:
She just fainted dead away.

Mary Bassett:
Corsets generally produce such outcomes.

Mathilda Bassett:
What on earth are you doing?

Gad Hopkins:
I had a grand time last night.

Mathilda Bassett:
So did I.

Gad Hopkins:
Come to tea?

Mathilda Bassett:
Have you gone insane?

Isabella:
I hope you don't treat all your suitors this way. Don't blame the poor boy. The idea was completely mine.

Solomon Bassett:
[marching through the house with pilgrim hat on and a spy glass to his eye] Land, ho! I see land! Pilgrims! They're having a feast!

Solomon Bassett:
[Watching Isabella's stitching efforts] Not like that.

Isabella:
Not like how?

Solomon Bassett:
Like how you're doing it.

Isabella:
Patience, child. You must allow an old woman to find her way. [Solomon snatches it away and does it himself] Perhaps patience is overrated as a virtue after all.

Isabella:
It's not wrong what you did today. Your mother is a person of unflagging piety. It might not be possible to equal her.

Mathilda Bassett:
Maybe we should try.

Mathilda Bassett:
[narrating] Father once said Isabella's mistake was thinking he wanted money. What he really wanted was my mother's heart. A treasure far too fine to be traded for gold.

Mr. Hopkins:
We do not choose our fate, Mrs. Bassett. This much I have learned. One day a man has a family and the next his house is a tomb. Therefore, when a bit of good fortune lands on your doorstep, don't turn it away.

Mathilda Bassett:
Chapter Six: Devil's Bargain. At what price do we secure our dreams?

Mary Bassett:
[to Isabella] Do you want all of them, or just Tilly? Because if you want just one there's no point in buying three!

Gad Hopkins:
[dusting off the statue Tilly threw into the snow] Did you really dislike it that much? Everyone is looking for you. I knew where to find you.

Mathilda Bassett:
What possessed me?

Gad Hopkins:
You were angry.

Mathilda Bassett:
I shouldn't have taken Grandmother's part. It wasn't right.

Gad Hopkins:
Your mother was humiliating her.

Mathilda Bassett:
That isn't why. I want to go.

Gad Hopkins:
Go where?

Mathilda Bassett:
Anywhere. I've been wanting to go ever since my father died.

Gad Hopkins:
The world is not quite so grand a place as your grandmother claims.

Mathilda Bassett:
My father used to say I was born for adventure. Do you remember how the three of us would go to the woods? And he'd get us to imagine what it would be like, to be a mackerel in a lake or a bee in a hive?

Gad Hopkins:
[he kisses her] Don't go.

Mathilda Bassett:
Oh, Gad, I do love you.

Gad Hopkins:
Marry me.

Mathilda Bassett:
I'm not ready. I'm only at the beginning.

Isabella:
You're not like me, Mary. You won't fail her if you let go.

Isabella:
Why does Thanksgiving matter so much to you?

Solomon Bassett:
Because it's how I'll know we're all right.

Solomon Bassett:
You hang the turkey over the fire.

Prudence:
You do not.

Solomon Bassett:
Do, too! In a hanging oven.

Prudence:
We already have an oven.

Solomon Bassett:
It's what you use if you do it the proper way.

Mathilda Bassett:
[narrating] Chapter Seven: Scarlet Fever. He must be a stranger indeed who has not heard of that terrible disease that is usually known as scarlet fever.

Solomon Bassett:
Why did it bite you?

Isabella:
It appears to have not liked the feathers in my hat. Camels are notoriously fussy.

Mary Bassett:
You're a good girl, Tilly.

Mathilda Bassett:
You're a great mother.

Mathilda Bassett:
Why are you telling me this?

Isabella:
So you won't make the mistake of excusing me. Telling yourself, as I did, that it could not have been helped.

Gad Hopkins:
Are you all right?

Mathilda Bassett:
Gideon...

Gad Hopkins:
Don't. Don't talk about it.

Mathilda Bassett:
I must talk about it. Everything's all upside down. I was wrong to think of leaving. I see that now. I love you. And I love my family.

Gad Hopkins:
I was too forward.

Mathilda Bassett:
Do you love me?

Gad Hopkins:
What do you think?

Mathilda Bassett:
If we were married, how would we be?

Gad Hopkins:
Tilly.

Mathilda Bassett:
Could we live near my family, see them as often as we like?

Gad Hopkins:
They're family to me.

Mathilda Bassett:
Yes. My answer is yes.

Prudence:
[seeing Solomon bringing the turkey in] Put that back!

Solomon Bassett:
It's Thanksgiving tomorrow.

Prudence:
We can't make a turkey.

Solomon Bassett:
She won't get better if we don't. [cut to them cooking] It smells burnt.

Prudence:
It's only been ten minutes.

Solomon Bassett:
We could check.

Prudence:
No, that dries it out. [off his look] Who's lived longer, you or I?

Prudence:
Ever since I can remember I've to be sensible, reliable, organized. While you sleep late, forget your chores, write sonnets.

Mathilda Bassett:
I've never written a sonnet in my life.

Prudence:
It doesn't make a bit of difference, does it? You still end up with everything.

Mathilda Bassett:
That's not true.

Prudence:
Father took you to the woods. You and Gad. Where was I?

Mathilda Bassett:
You hate the woods.

Prudence:
How would I know? I never got to go.

Mathilda Bassett:
Pru...

Prudence:
What if she dies, too?

Mathilda Bassett:
[narrating] Mother is such a tender soul, too soon to return to the earth.

Mary Bassett:
Ellis always said, life's purpose is greater than our imagination.

Mary Bassett:
And what else happened while I was occupied?

Mathilda Bassett:
Gad proposed. And I've accepted.

Mary Bassett:
Is that so?

Prudence:
But you wanted to be a writer.

Mathilda Bassett:
That was ages ago.

Solomon Bassett:
Let's eat!

Prudence:
[entering the Hopkins' house] Mother is well!

Solomon Bassett:
[runs to Gad who lifts him up in his arms] We cured her by fixing a turkey, which you are all invited to eat.

Mary Bassett:
I heard someone say something about Thanksgiving, was that you Solomon?

Solomon Bassett:
There's lots of food!

Mathilda Bassett:
[praying over the dinner] Thanks for the roses by the wayside. Thanks for thorns their stems contain. Thanks for home and thanks for fireside. Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain. Amen.

Gad Hopkins:
I'm eating my vegetables, Mother, yes.

Mathilda Bassett:
Don't be sad. You were gone five years. I won't be that long.

Gad Hopkins:
A minute is too long.

Mathilda Bassett:
I can't go.

Mary Bassett:
Your father didn't permit the word "can't." I left my home in anger. You're leaving with all my love and support.

Mathilda Bassett:
I was happy.

Mary Bassett:
You'll find more happiness.

Mathilda Bassett:
[narrating as Mary reads the manuscript and Prudence and Solomon bring in wood] A long time ago up among the New Hampshire hills lived a man, his wife, and a pile of sturdy children. We were poor in money, but rich in land and love. The wide acres of wood, corn and pasture fed and clothed the flock, while mutual patience, affection and courage made our old farmhouse a very happy home. [Gad leaves his house running] For those who dream of adventure it may seem to simple a place to start our story, until we remember the best adventures begin with simple things. Not Gypsies or sword fights or dragons, but hope, and family, and love.

Gad Hopkins:
[the carriage carrying Tilly and Isabella is driving away and Gad is running after them] Hey. Hey! Write.

Mathilda Bassett:
I will. Every day.

Gad Hopkins:
I'll wait.

Mathilda Bassett:
You'd better.

Gad Hopkins:
I love you.

Mathilda Bassett:
Me, too.