Since You Went Away1944

Colonel William G. Smollett:
He struggled so hard to be a soldier, because I insisted on it. I, in my infinite wisdom.

Mrs. Anne Hilton:
He would have been a soldier anyway, as things turned out.

Colonel William G. Smollett:
Yes, but all he learned from me was the glory, the decorations, the parades.

Mrs. Anne Hilton:
Bill had character and courage. I know you gave him those.

Colonel William G. Smollett:
I hope so.

Mrs. Anne Hilton:
He loved you.

Colonel William G. Smollett:
Mrs. Hilton, I'm not a child. He hated me. To whom did that telegram come? Why, he didn't even list me as next of kin.

Mrs. Anne Hilton:
The telegram came to Jane, because they were to be married.

Colonel William G. Smollett:
Oh, I didn't know, of course.

Mrs. Anne Hilton:
I should have told you before. Colonel, if only you could believe that he loved you. Don't you remember the message he sent you? That he was a Smollett, all right, and before the war was over, you'd be proud of him.