Since You Went Away1944

Mrs. Anne Hilton:
Jane, dear, come into the living room. I'd like to talk to you.

Jane Deborah Hilton:
What's the matter, Mom?

Mrs. Anne Hilton:
Well, mayn't I talk to you if I want to?

Jane Deborah Hilton:
Of course, but you sound so strange.

Mrs. Anne Hilton:
Do I? I'm sorry, I don't mean to.

Jane Deborah Hilton:
What is it? Why couldn't Brig hear? Is that why you sent her - ? Not about... Pop.

Mrs. Anne Hilton:
No. Sit down, darling. Jane, dear, I'm terribly proud of the way you've grown up. I'm sorry Pop missed it.

Jane Deborah Hilton:
Oh, is that all? That's sweet of you, Mother.

Mrs. Anne Hilton:
No, dear, it isn't -

Jane Deborah Hilton:
It's so wonderful being at the hospital. I wish you could come and visit.

Mrs. Anne Hilton:
I will.

Jane Deborah Hilton:
But some of it's so sad. If you could see those boys. And they're so cheerful, most of them.

Mrs. Anne Hilton:
I know. They have such courage. I like to think that you have that kind of courage, too, darling.

Jane Deborah Hilton:
What are you trying to tell me?

Mrs. Anne Hilton:
That when a man goes off to war, we have to be -

Jane Deborah Hilton:
Bill!

Mrs. Anne Hilton:
The telegram came just a few minutes ago. It was addressed to you, but I opened it.

Jane Deborah Hilton:
Did it say he was missing, or what? I don't care if he's wounded, I don't care what's happened to him, if only -

Mrs. Anne Hilton:
No, dear, it said he... it said he died in action at Salerno.

Jane Deborah Hilton:
Oh, it couldn't be! It couldn't be! It could be a mistake, couldn't it, Mother? I've heard that sometimes - sometimes they get the names mixed up.

Mrs. Anne Hilton:
Oh, no, honey, you mustn't fool yourself! That would be the worst thing of all. You've got to face it, as hard and cruel as it is.

Jane Deborah Hilton:
Yes, I know. I've known it all along. Oh, Mother!

Mrs. Anne Hilton:
Cry, darling. Cry your heart out. I won't try to tell you that you'll get over it soon, because it will take time - maybe a long time.