Since You Went Away1944

Mrs. Emily Hawkins:
Hello, Jane. What's this I hear about you working at the hospital?

Jane Deborah Hilton:
I'm a nurse's aide.

Mrs. Emily Hawkins:
A nurse's aide? Oh! What a revolting idea for an unmarried girl of your age. Well, our whole code of living seems to be completely ignored these days, and possibly it's none of my business -

Lieutenant Tony Willett:
You're quite right, Mrs. Hawkins. It is none of your business.

Mrs. Emily Hawkins:
I must say, Lieutenant, or Commander, or whatever you are, the Navy hasn't improved your manners any.

Mrs. Anne Hilton:
Please, Tony. Please, Emily. It's the Colonel's birthday, and we're trying to have a party.

Mrs. Emily Hawkins:
I'm sorry. I meant no offense to you, Jane. I simply feel that well-brought up young girls shouldn't be permitted to have such intimate contact with all sorts of -

Jane Deborah Hilton:
All sorts of boys who've lost their arms and legs? They're young too, lots of them. But they weren't too young for that, Mrs. Hawkins, and I don't think breeding entered into it either.

Colonel William G. Smollett:
Bravo, Jane.

Mrs. Emily Hawkins:
I don't care to debate it with you, Jane. But surely there are women more suited to such -

Jane Deborah Hilton:
That's just it. There aren't women more suited. And women who might help, like you, Mrs. Hawkins, think you're doing your part if you attend a canteen dance for your own pleasure.

Mrs. Anne Hilton:
You're tired, honey. Why don't you go upstairs?

Jane Deborah Hilton:
Yes, Mother. But there are just one or two more things I want to say.

Bridget 'Brig' Hilton:
Come on, darling. She's not worth it.

Jane Deborah Hilton:
We're not V-girls! We're simply helping with the wreckage. [laughs sarcastically] All right, Brig, let's go play with our dolls! Don't worry, Mrs. Hawkins. Please don't worry if our precious well-bred hands come in contact with those mangled bodies. We'll survive! Even if they dont! [runs upstairs with Brig]

Mrs. Emily Hawkins:
Anne Hilton! What on earth has happened that you would permit a child of yours to talk that way without so much as -

Mrs. Anne Hilton:
Without so much as what? Thank heaven my child has the courage to say to you what should have been said long ago. And let me add that I'm ashamed. Ashamed that I've put up with you, that I've even known you.

Mrs. Emily Hawkins:
Well! From now on, you needn't know me. Don't you think for a minute you have me fooled, Anne Hilton. I've not forgotten how you felt about your husband joining up. And may I ask just what other noble sacrifices you've made to give you the privilege of being so self-righteous?

Mrs. Anne Hilton:
I'm afraid that's just it, Emily. I haven't really made any sacrifices. Oh, I haven't hoarded and cheated and done all the other selfish, unpatriotic things that you've done. But as far as making sacrifices, I'm afraid we're two of a kind. And the realization of it doesn't make me very proud or happy.