- Come in.
Mr. Spencer. Mr. Spencer, I hate to bother you...
but I thought you'd like to know there were two men here.
Two men askin' for you.
Ayoung man and a kind of older man.
They was sorry you wasn't in. I said you wasn't.
Did they say they'd be back? They didn't say exactly, but I think they will.
Just now, when I had to go down to the store, I seen them standing there at the corner.
Maybe I shoulda let them in, only you said not to disturb you...
Yes? And I'm sure they'll be back.
You look kinda tired to me, and that's a fact.
You got a headache or somethin'?
I think maybe you need a real rest. That's what I think.
Why, Mr. Spencer. You oughtn't to leave all that money lying around like that.
Oh, it makes me nervous to see money lying around.
Everybody in the world ain't honest, you know.
Though I must say I haven't had much trouble that way.
Those friends of yours told me not to mention they'd called.
Wanted to surprise you. But I thought you'd like to know somehow.
Yes, yes. Of course. If they come back, you may show them in.
Yes. You know, Mrs. Martin, it's very funny.
They aren't exactly friends of mine. They've never seen me.
That's odd, isn't it? 'Tis odd, like you say.
And now that I'm here, I'll have to meet them.
I may even go out and meet them.
And then again, I may not. Not yet.
You go ahead with your nap. I'll pull down the blind.
What do you know? You're bluffing. You've nothing on me.
Hello, Postal Union? I want to send a telegram...
to Mrs. Joseph Newton in Santa Rosa, California.
Here's the message. Ready?
Lonesome for you all. Stop.
Am coming out to stay with you awhile. Stop.
Will arrive Thursday and try and stop me.
Will wire exact time later.
Love to you all...
and a kiss for little Charlie from her Uncle Charlie.
That's right. That's the signature. "Uncle Charlie."
That's right. Santa Rosa.
Santa Rosa, California.
Ann, answer the telephone.
Newton's residence. Ann Newton speaking.
Oh, hello, Mrs. Henderson. This is Ann.
Mother isn't home yet.
A telegram? Well...
I don't see a pencil, so maybe she better call you back.
I'm trying to keep my mind free of things that don't matter...
because I have so much to keep on my mind.
Innumerable things.
I'll have her call back. Thank you for calling.
Good-bye.
Hello, Ann. Where's your mother?
She's out. Out?
Mrs. Henderson just called from the Postal Union Office.
She says we have a telegram.
I would have taken it down, only I couldn't find a pencil. I looked.
Telegram, eh?
I knew there'd be trouble if your Aunt Sarah got her driver's license.
Whereabouts was the accident? I didn't take notes.
Oh. Then how about a kiss?
Isn't that the funniest thing? Here I am, practically a child...
and I wouldn't read the things you read.
Mm-hmm. Well, I guess they'd give you bad dreams.
Bad dreams? You don't understand, Papa. Mystery stories have done...
Where's Roger? Out. The average mind...
Where's Charlie? Out. No, I mean she's upstairs in her room thinking.
Well, don't read too much. You'll ruin your eyes.
And leave my book alone. What's that you're reading?
Ivanhoe. Hmm? Oh.
Who is it? It's me.
What's the matter? Don't you feel well?
No. I'm perfectly well.
I've just been thinking for hours, and I've come to the conclusion I give up.
I simply give up. What are you going to give up?
Have you ever stopped to think that a family should be the most wonderful thing in the world?
And that this family's just gone to pieces?
We have? Of course we have.
We just sort of go along and nothing happens. We're in a terrible rut.
It's been on my mind for months. What's going to be our future?
Oh, come now, Charlie. Things aren't as bad as that.
The bank gave me a raise last January. Money.
How can you talk about money when I'm talking about souls?
We eat and sleep and that's about all.
We don't even have any real conversations.
Wejust talk. And work.
Yes. Poor Mother. She works like a dog.
Just like a dog. Where is she?
She's out. When she comes back, it'll be the same thing.
Dinner, then dishes, then bed. I don't see how she stands it.
You know, she's really a wonderful woman.
I mean, she's not just a mother. And I think we ought to do something for her.
Don't you think we should? Yeah. What were you thinking of doing for her?
Oh, nothing, I suppose.
I guess we'll just have to wait for a miracle or something.
Oh, now, Charlie, you're right. Absolutely right.
- I'll figure out some way... - Oh, I don't believe in good intentions anymore.
All I'm waiting for now is a miracle. Oh, Charlie.
Those back stairs are steep.
What's the matter, Charlie? What's the matter, Joe?
Well, it seems that, uh... Oh, I've become a nagging old maid.
And you went downtown in that awful old hat you promised you'd throw away.
Darling, what does it matter what hat I put on?
Mama. Mother, I don't see why you let that child yell at you.
If she... I'm going downstairs anyway.
Joe, what were you both talking about when I came in?
Something about a miracle.
Oh, it's nothing. Charlie's a bit under the weather.
Oh. Well, she'll be all right.
Well, come on, dear. Let's go downstairs. No use standing here.
I'm going to get myself a bottle of beer.
Mother, I'm going downtown and send a telegram.
Why, darling, who do you know to send a telegram to?
I know a wonderful person who'll come and shake us up. Just the one to save us.
What do you mean, "save us"?
All this time, there's been one right person to save us.
- Mother, what's Uncle Charlie's address? - Uncle Charlie?
- Now, you're not going to ask him for money, are you? - Of course not.
That wouldn't help us. What's his address? The last address I had...
Do you know how many steps I had to take...
to get from here to the drugstore and back?
649. No. If you've forgotten, I'm not going to tell you.
I remember. Philadelphia. You can't ask a busy man to come all this way for nothing.
He'll come for me. I'm named after him.
Besides, we're the only relatives he has in the world.
If you come all the way up Fourth Street, it's 802.
Mama, guess what? I have no time for guessing. What's that thing in your hair?
Well, I'll tell you anyway, even though I think it's nicer when people guess.
Mrs. Henderson said to call her at the telegraph office because she says we have a telegram.
Ann, I don't think you ought to put things behind your ears.
Something might get into your ear. Emmy, Ann says we have a telegram.
I think you ought to find out about it. Somebody might be sick or something.
Mrs. Henderson didn't read the telegram... Telegram for me?
Because I couldn't find a pencil.
When I have a house, it's going to be full of well-sharpened pencils.
- Did Mrs. Henderson say who the telegram was from? - No. She didn't.
I think she might have said who it was from.
Come on, Ann. That's my chair. I'll call up and find out.
If you will be quiet just a second.
Hello. 181, please. I wonder who it can be?
Oh, nothing, Operator. Just 181.
If that's from my sister... Hello?
Mrs. Henderson? This is Emma Newton.
Ann says you have a telegram for me.
Mama, you don't have to shout. Shh.
Really, Papa. You'd think Mama had never seen a phone.
She makes no allowance for science.
She thinks she has to cover the distance by sheer lung power.
Why, how wonderful. Thursday, you say?
Looks like somebody's coming.
- Who's coming, Ma? - Well, it's the most wonderful surprise.
It's my brother, you know. My younger brother. The baby.
Yes, of course, a little spoiled. You know how families always spoil the youngest.
Well, it's just simply wonderful.
Thanks most awfully, Mrs. Henderson.
Well.
What do you think? Charles is coming.
Who? Who? Your Uncle Charlie.
- Did you say "Charles"? - And our Charlie's gone to send him a telegram.
Now, what made her think to do that? What do you mean our Charlie...
Hello, Charlie. I just called your house.
Telegram for your mother. Did you?
Gonna send that by Bill Forest, but you can take it.
Thanks. From your uncle. The spoiled one.
My uncle? My Uncle Charlie?
Yeah.
Mrs. Henderson, do you believe in telepathy?
Well, I ought to. That's my business.
Oh, not telegraphy. Mental telepathy.
Like... well, suppose you have a thought,
and suppose the thought's about someone you're in tune with.
Then across miles, that person knows what you're thinking and answers you.
And it's all mental. I don't know what you're talking about.
I only send telegrams the normal way.
He heard me. He heard me.
Mr. Otis? Mr. Otis? Yes?
You're almost in Santa Rosa. Want to be ready when you get into Santa Rosa.
I'm ready now. Thanks. Then I'll get all your bags out for you, then.
How you feelin', Mr. Otis? Pretty well.
A little weak but pretty well on the whole.
Mm-hmm.
Harry, tell the porter you're a doctor.
Ask if there's anything you can do. Maybe you can help that poor soul.
I'm on my vacation. Porter, my husband's a doctor and if there's anything...
No, Ma'am. He's a very sick man. Won't see anyone.
I haven't set eyes on him myself since we first got on the train.
Well, you don't look very well either.
Ah, here we are. Come on, children.
Close the door, there. That's right.
Oh, are you... Charlie.
Young Charlie. At first, I didn't know you. I thought you were sick.
Sick? You aren't sick, are you? Look, Pop! Here he is!
Why, Uncle Charlie, you're not sick. That was the funniest thing.
Sick? Me, sick? Well, Joe, how are you? All right, Charles.
Roger. Hello, Ann. I bet you don't remember me.
I remember you sort of. You look different.
Well, we better get started. Emma's got the dinner almost ready.
I couldn't persuade her to come to the station. Dinner came first.
Roger, get the bags. Charles, I'll take that. Thank you, Joe.
That's it. Come on. Let's go.
Come on there, Roger, and get these bags.
You, uh, sure that isn't too heavy for you?
Oh, no. It's nothing. I love to carry.
Emma. Don't move.
Standing there, you don't look like Emma Newton.
You look like Emma Spencer Oakley of 46 Burnham Street, St. Paul, Minnesota.
'The prettiest girl on the block. Charles!
Charlie. Mama, nobody got off the train but Uncle Charlie.
Let me look at you. We were the only ones who met somebody.
To think you could take the time off. There was only one bed made up.
Oh, Charles, it's so wonderful to have you here. Emmy, Emmy, don't cry.
And imagine your thinking of 46 Burnham Street.
I haven't thought of that funny old street in years.
- I keep remembering those things. All the old things. - Emmy, how's he look?
Same old Charles, eh?
Roger, Ann, get these other bags.
You have Charlie's room right here at the head of the stairs.
Emmy wanted to move Ann, but Charlie thought you'd be more comfortable here.
Come on, Roger.
Ah-ah-ah-ah. Don't put the hat on the bed. Superstitious, Joe?
No, but I don't believe in inviting trouble.
It wasn't the biggest yacht in the world, but it had a fireplace in the library...
and the bar was panelled in bleached mahogany.
You pushed a button and... What am I talking about? That's all over.
Let's talk about you.
Charlie, that's the prettiest dress I ever saw.
I think so too.
Why, Charles, don't you remember?
Remember? Remember what?
Why, Uncle Charlie, you sent it to me. I did?
Well, say, I've been sitting here all this time forgetting something.
Ann. Roger.
Look at that. Oh, dear now. Joe. Don't know whether you had one or not.
You didn't have to think of me, Charles. Presents for the children are all right.
Say... I've never had a wristwatch.
Fellows at the bank'll think I'm quite a sport.
I have two for you, Emmy. One old and one new.
Oh, Charles. What is it?
You shouldn't have. Really. No. Well, yeah.
Oh, Charles.
Oh, how... beautiful.
Oh, I've-I've always wanted one.
Oh, Mother, it's exactly right. It's what you should have.
Look, Emmy.
Charles. You've had these all along.
Mm-hmm. All along, Emmy. All these years.
Safe in a deposit box. No matter where I was.
Oh. Grandpa and Grandma?
1888.
53 years ago.
Aren't they sweet? My, she was pretty.
Everybody was sweet and pretty then, Charlie. The whole world.
A wonderful world. Not like the world today.
Not like the world now.
It was great to be young then.
We're all happy now, Uncle Charlie. Look at us.
For once, we're all happy at the same time. Now, for your present, Charlie.
Oh, I don't want anything. Right now, I have enough.
Before you came, I didn't think I had anything,
but now I don't want another thing.
She's crazy. She doesn't mean it. Really.
If you ask me, I think she's putting on. Like girls in books.
The ones that say they don't want anything always get more in the end.
That's what she's hoping. She's not crazy.
The smartest girl in her class at school.
Won the debate against the East Richmond High School single-handed.
She's got brains.
I meant it. Please don't give me anything.
- Nothing? - Oh, I can't explain it.
But you came here and Mother's so happy and...
Oh, I'm glad that she named me after you and that she thinks we're both alike.
I think we are too. I know it.
Oh, it would spoil things if you should give me anything.
You're a strange girl, Charlie. Why would it spoil things?
Because we're not just an uncle and a niece. It's something else.
I know you. I know that you don't tell people a lot of things.
I don't either. I have a feeling that inside you somewhere,
there's something nobody knows about.
Something... nobody knows?
- Something secret and wonderful and... I'll find it out.
It's not good to find out too much, Charlie.
But we're sort of like twins. Don't you see?
- We have to know. - Give me your hand, Charlie.
Thank you.
You didn't even look at it. I don't have to look at it.
No matter what you gave me, it'd be the same.
Here. Let me show you.
It's a good emerald. A really good one.
Good emeralds are the most beautiful things in the world.
You've had something engraved. I haven't, but I will if you like it.
Yes, you have, Uncle Charlie. It's very faint.
"T.S. From B.M."
But... Why, it must be someone's initials.
Well, I've been rooked. The jeweler rooked me.
Oh, it doesn't matter. Really. Give it back. I'll have it taken off.
No, No. I like it this way.
Someone else was probably happy with this ring.
Oh, it's perfect the way it is.
You bring the coffee.
Sing at the table, you'll marry a crazy husband.
Superstitions have been proved 100% wrong.
Yes, I've been thinking of transferring some money out here from the East.
I could put it in your bank, Joe, until I found out what's what.
Uh, I suppose your bank does take money, huh?
That's one thing we do. Rake in the dough.
Can't promise to give it back.
Well, I think I'll go downtown in the morning and open an account.
- Say, 30 or $40,000 just to start things off? - That's a lot of money.
He won't have it long. The government will get it.
The government gets... You're not to talk against the government, Roger.
My goodness. The way men do things.
I can't get that tune out of my head.
Maybe if somebody tells me what it is, I'll forget it.
It's a waltz. I know it is, but what one?
You know, it's the funniest thing.
Sometimes I get a tune in my head like that...
and pretty soon, I hear somebody else humming it too.
I think tunes jump from head to head.
Do you know what it is, Uncle Charlie?
Uh, no. No. L-l-I don't know what it is.
I remember. Uh... It's on the tip of my tongue.
It's a waltz and it's Victor Herbert.
- Victor Herbert wasn't a waltz. He was... - It's the Blue Danube waltz.
Oh, yes. Of course it is.
No, it isn't, Uncle Charlie. I know what it is. It's the Merry...
I'm terribly sorry, Emmy. Nothing to make a fuss over.
Charles, while we do the dishes, why don't you come in the living room...
and stretch out on the sofa and read the evening paper?
You never were much on helping.
Joe, here's Herbert. Help me clear the table.
Herbert's a friend of Joe's. They're literary critics.
Hello, Herb. Had your supper?
Had mine an hour ago. Hour ago, huh?
Oh. A watch. Yeah. A present.
Here, Herb. I'd like you to meet my brother-in-law.
Charles, this is Herb Hawkins. Nice to know you, Mr. Hawkins.
Fine, thank you. How's your mother, Herb?
Oh, uh, just middling. Uh-huh.
Excuse me, Herb.
Oh. Thank you. I'm sorry your mother's not better.
Thank you, dear. There, now. Thank you.
Lead a life of luxury.
Well, I must go and see what Charlie's doing.
Wife's brother from the East. New York man.
Good for the children. You know what I mean?
In business? Well, he takes himself very seriously.
Well, how's everything?
Say, ha-have you read this one? Huh?
That little Frenchman beats them all.
You can talk all you like about Sherlock Holmes.
That little Frenchman beats 'em all.
I read it. Air bubbles don't necessarily kill a person.
Those writers from the other side get too fancy.
The best way to commit a murder... I know. I know.
Hit 'em on the head with a blunt instrument.
Well, it's true, isn't it? Listen.
If I wanted to murder you tomorrow,
do you think I'd waste my time on fancy hypodermics?
Or on Inee? What's that?
Inee- Indian arrow poison. Oh.
Listen. I'd find out if you were alone, walk in,
hit you on the head with a piece of lead pipe or a loaded cane...
What'd be the fun of that?
Where's your planning? Where's your clues?
I don't want any clues. I want to murder you.
What do I want with clues?
Well, if you haven't got any clues, where's your book?
I'm not talkin' 'bout writing books. I'm talking about killing you!
If I was going to kill you, I wouldn't do a dumb thing like hitting you on the head.
First of all, I don't like the fingerprint angle.
Of course, I could always wear gloves, press your hands against the pipe...
after you were dead and make you look like a suicide. Ho ho!
Except it don't seem hardly likely that you'd beat yourself to death with a club.
I'd murder you so it didn't look like murder.
- Oh, Ann? - What?
Come here.
Did you ever see a house made out of newspapers?
Well, watch.
You-You take one sheet here.
Okay? And you tear it down here.
And you tear it there.
And you fold it over here at the side.
Fold over the other side here.
And turn it up there.
Now with... the door...
Right off... and there.
I'm not a baby anymore. Besides, that's Papa's paper.
Oh, Roger, look what we've got. A nice, little red barn.
- You've got Papa's paper. - Oh, that's all right. Simply unfold it.
Nobody will ever know the difference. What are you two doing?
You know that's father's paper. Oh, it's my fault, Charlie. I was showing them a game.
Didn't think about it being Joe's paper. Oh, that's all right.
Here's page one, five... eight.
What'd you do with page three and four? We never touched it.
Really. Uncle Charlie's the only one that touched it.
Oh, well. I guess it's all right.
If I fold it very neatly, maybe he won't notice.
Come in.
I brought you water. Oh, thank you, Charlie. That's very thoughtful of you.
Pleasant dreams.
- Uncle Charlie, I know a secret you don't think I know. - What secret?
Remember I said you couldn't hide anything from me because I'd find it out?
Well, now I know there was something in the evening paper about you.
About me in the evening paper? About you.
And that's why you played that game with Ann and Roger.
You didn't want us to know and you wanted to tear the paper.
- Now I know. You might as well tell me.
Well, you've got me there, Charlie.
Only it wasn't about me. It was about, uh...
someone I used to know.
There!
It's none of your business.
Oh! Uncle Charlie, you're hurting me.
Oh, Charlie. Your hands.
Charlie, I didn't mean to hurt you.
I was just fooling.
It was nothing. Just-Just some gossip.
Not very pretty about someone I once met up with.
Not for you to read.
Forget it.
Good night, young Charlie. Good night, Uncle Charlie. Pleasant dreams.
How long is Uncle Charlie going to stay here? Forever, I hope.
Hasn't he got a house of his own?
Not that I mind you in here, but I never can tell...
when I'll want some privacy.
You better go to sleep, baby.
You said your prayers? I forgot.
You better say them.
I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep...
Don't bless too many people. It's late. I pray the Lord my soul to take.
God bless Mama, Papa, Captain Midnight, Veronica Lake and the president...
You can't say them all tonight, dear. Oh, and Uncle Charlie. Amen.
All ready for breakfast? Oh, coffee. Emmy.
I don't know how you do it. Now, I'm never comfortable eating in bed.
I had to have my meals in bed for awhile...
after the children came, but I never liked it.
I can't face the world in the morning. I must have coffee before I can speak.
Well, I don't mind pampering you your first morning,
but I think you're the only person in this town to have breakfast at 10:30.
And while you were sleeping, the newspaper called up for an interview.
With me? And the women's club I belong to wants you to give a little talk.
Women's club.
Oh! Oh, you haven't finished unpacking. I'll do that for you.
Where's Charlie? She's running around the house as though she'd lost her mind.
She thinks everything needs fixing.
But what I wanted to tell you was that you are not the only celebrity in this town.
The whole Newton family's going to be in the limelight. What are you cooking up?
Well, a young man called this morning, said his name was Graham...
and he wants to interview everybody in this house.
Interview everybody? That's what he said.
He's being sent around the country by some kind of institute or committee...
and he has to pick representative American families and ask them questions.
It's a kind of a poll. It's called the National Public Survey.
Wonder how he happened to pick this family?
Well, he said he wanted a typical American family.
I told him we weren't a typical American family.
Well, if he's going to ask a lot of questions, he can leave me out of it.
Oh, but you could tell him so much more than any of us could.
- He's going to take our pictures too. - Pictures.
My. Isn't that lovely?
You see, there were really, there were two young men. One of them takes the pictures.
Oh, there were two. Yes. Mr. Graham was the nicest.
Oh, he doesn't want us to dress up or anything.
Hejust wants us to act the way we always do. Emmy, women are fools.
They'd fall for anything.
Why do you let two strangers come and turn the place upside-down?
Why expose the family to a couple of snoopers?
You ought to have better sense. - Why, Charles, l...
Good morning, Uncle Charlie. - Good morning, Charlie.
Your mother's been telling me about the Newtons being picked for all-American suckers.
What do you know about it? Charlie wasn't here when they came.
But really, Charles, the way Mr. Graham told it...
it wasn't like snooping at all.
It was our duty as citizens. It's something the government wants.
Government? Maybe not exactly, but it's for the public good.
When I told them about you and the places you've been, he was really interested.
Now, listen, Emmy. I'll have nothing to do with this.
I'm just a visitor here and my advice to you is to slam the door in his face.
Oh. Well, l-I couldn't do that.
But you don't have to meet him if you don't want to.
Well, I think I'd be kind of exciting.
He'd take your photograph and then we could have it for nothing.
No thank you. I've never been photographed in my life and I don't want to be.
Oh, Charles, how can you talk that way?
I had a photograph of you. I gave it to Charlie.
I tell you, there are none. I guess you've forgotten this one.
Get it, Charlie.
You sure you don't remember?
Of course I don't ever remember being photographed.
46 Burnham Street.
Mm-hmm. It was taken the Christmas you got your bicycle.
Just before your accident. Uncle Charlie, you were beautiful.
Wasn't he, though? And such a quiet boy. Always reading.
Papa never should have bought you that bicycle. You didn't know how to handle it.
He took it right out on the icy road and skidded into a streetcar.
We thought he was going to die. I'm glad he didn't.
Well, he almost did. He fractured his skull, and he was laid up so long.
And then, when he was getting well, there was no holding him.
And it was just as though all the rest he had was, well, too much for him...
and he had to get into mischief to blow off steam.
He didn't do much reading after that, let me tell you.
It was taken the very day he had his accident.
A few days later when the pictures came home, how Mama cried.
She wondered if he'd ever look the same. She wondered if he'd ever be the same.
What's the use of looking backward? What's the use of looking ahead?
Today's the thing. That's my philosophy. Today.
If today's the thing, then you'd better finish your breakfast...
and get down to the bank because Joe'll be waiting.
And Charlie, don't be late back because the questionnaire men are coming at 4.00.
Good morning, Charlie. Hello, Madge.
Good morning, Charlie. Hello, Catherine.
Did you see the way they looked at you? I bet they wonder who you are.
Oh, Uncle Charlie, I love to walk with you. I want everybody to see you.
There's Papa in that window over there.
Hello, Joe. Can you stop embezzling a minute and give me your attention?
Oh, uh...
Charles, we don't joke about such things here.
Oh, what's a little shortage in the books at the end of the month?
Any good bank clerk can cover up a little shortage. Isn't that right, Charlie?
- Everyone can hear you. - Good thing they can. We all know what banks are.
Look all right, but no one knows what goes on when the doors are locked.
Can't fool me, though. Well, Joe, let's see your president.
Still want to open that account, Charles? That's why I'm here.
Well, uh, you wait right here. I'll see if Mr. Greene's busy.
And, uh, Charles, he doesn't care much for jokes about banks.
Well, $40,000 is no joke. Not to him, I bet.
It's a joke to me. The whole world's a joke to me.
I'll be right back.
You shouldn't tease Papa like that.
I wasn't teasing him. I just hate this stuffy atmosphere.
They're waving for us to come in.
Hello, Mr. Greene. - Hello, Charlie.
Well, Mr. Greene, this is my brother-in-law, Mr. Oakley.
How do you do? How are you, Mr. Oakley?
Well, Mr. Greene, I was thinking of settling down here for awhile.
Great country. Great country. We think so. What have you been doing?
I suppose you might call me a promoter. I've done a little bit of everything.
The only trouble I find is that once I make the money, I'm not interested in it.
Not interested in money?
You know there's plenty of money lying around waiting for somebody to pick it up.
I thought maybe I'd put some of my loose cash away for safekeeping.
- Naturally, I thought of the bank where Joe works. - Loose cash?
Well, I got in a habit of carrying a lot of cash with me when I was traveling.
A dangerous habit, Mr. Oakley. Hmm. Never lost a penny in my life, Mr. Greene.
I guess heaven takes care of fools and scoundrels.
Yes. Thirty, thirty-five, forty.
Forty thousand. Shall we start with forty?
- If you'll just write out a deposit slip, Mr. Oakley. - Ah, details.
I'm glad to see you're a man who understands details, Mr. Greene.
They're most important to me.
Most important. All the little details.
Oh, dear. I'm sorry. I didn't know you were busy.
We can come back. Come in, now that you're here. Come in.
Mrs. Greene, I'd like you to meet my uncle, Mr. Oakley.
Uncle Charlie, this is Mrs. Greene and Mrs. Potter.
Mrs. Greene, Miss Potter.
Mrs. Potter.
Oh, and there was something about you that made me think... Yes?
- What did you want, Margaret? - Well, we were going shopping and I only had five dollars...
There's one good thing in being a widow, isn't there?
You don't have to ask your husband for money.
Here you are. Oh, thank you.
Good-bye, Mr. Oakley. Mrs. Potter.
Bye, Mrs. Greene.
There. There you are, Mr. Greene.
Charlie, let's see the town and have some lunch. Good-bye, Mr. Oakley.
Bye, Mr. Greene. Call on us for advice anytime.
Thank you. Joe, you may see Mr. Oakley to the door.
Joe, keep your eyes open. You'll have his job in a couple of years.
Here he is.
Those must be the questionnaire men. They're a whole hour early.
I won't see them. Don't worry.
You don't have to if you don't want to. I'll see that you don't.
The way they got around your mother.
I thought she'd have better sense.
How do you do? How do you do?
You must be the men who want to interview us. My name is Graham, Miss Newton.
Oh, how do you do? And this is Fred Saunders.
How do you do? Won't you come in?
I'll call my mother. Thank you.
Mother, the government men are here.
Will you sit down?
But you said 4:00. Nothing's ready now.
My husband is still at the bank and-and the house is...
That's all we want now, Mrs. Newton. Some pictures of the house.
Saunders can get busy and I'd like to ask a few questions.
All right, but I do wish you'd waited until I had the house looking its best.
I wanted flowers around and fresh curtains in the kitchen.
And there are a lot of things I don't want you to photograph.
I believe you told me you owned the house? Own it? It owns us.
It seems to me no sooner do I get one thing fixed then something else gets broken.
And then it needs fresh paint and th...
Mr. Saunders, I'm very sorry...
but you simply cannot take a picture with that chair in it.
- It needs a new slipcover. - And there are, uh, six in your family?
- Five. - Five? But...
Well, my uncle's just visiting.
I told you about him. He's here from the East.
Put down five because my uncle doesn't want to be bothered with a lot of questions.
Well, you see, on a survey, we usually...
He's not interested in a survey...
and I promised him he wouldn't be bothered.
Well, we'd like it if we could get all of you.
You know, your opinions, what you do or what you want to do.
My uncle's opinions aren't average and I'm afraid they wouldn't help you.
I think when someone asks for privacy, they should have it.
Well, we'll... The whole idea of this thing is that...
Mr. Graham, perhaps you'd better choose another family.
We'll do anything you say, of course, but this family seemed right and...
It is a nice family.
Charlie, why don't you let the young men go ahead so long as they're here?
Well, all right.
Okay. Saunders, go ahead and get another shot.
Mrs. Newton, perhaps you could tell me what organizations you and your husband belong to.
How about a picture in the kitchen?
Well, I'm afraid the kitchen isn't quite the way I'd like it.
Come along.
If you'll start by breakin' an egg, Mrs. Newton.
Oh, but you don't start a cake by breaking an egg.
You have to put the butter and sugar in first.
Survey or no survey, I'm not going to start by breaking an egg.
I thought I'd make a maple cake. My brother Charles loves maple cake.
What does your brother do? Oh, I guess he just does about everything.
What does he do? Oh, he's just in business. You know, the way men are.
My husband works in a bank, but I think Charles is just in business.
If you really want a picture of me breaking an egg,
you'll have to wait till I cream the butter and sugar.
I'll wait.
I wonder if we could take a look at the upstairs?
You show us, and your mother can call us when she's ready. All right.
If you'd rather wait, Mr. Saunders.
Folding in the eggs has to be done just right.
I can't beat them and let them stand.
The minute I hear you've broken the eggs, I'll come right down.
Yes.
I really don't see what you want to look up here for.
Whose room is that? It's mine. My uncle's using it now, though.
I'd like to get an idea what your room looks like. Typical girl, typical room.
Typical of you to ask. My uncle's resting.
I really don't want to disturb him.
Is there a back stairs? Mm-hmm. Right down the hall.
I'll bet you 50 cents that your uncle isn't in there.
Oh, betting's silly.
All you want to do is photograph my room. Doesn't he?
That's it. Besides, I know my uncle's in there.
All right, I'll still bet he isn't. Let me knock and see.
Oh, I'll knock.
Uncle Charlie?
Uncle Charlie, may we come in?
See? You were right.
Nice room. Do you mind if I take a picture or two since he isn't here?
I certainly don't want to disturb your uncle. Oh, I suppose so.
But I really can't imagine anyone being interested in my room.
It's not the way I'd like it. I'd like to have it all white. Yellow and white.
Might as well let him work in peace.
Besides, I'd like to talk to you.
You know, your picking us as an average family gave me a funny feeling.
- What kind of a funny feeling? - Oh, I don't know.
I guess I don't like to be and average girl in an average family.
Average families are the best. Look at me.
I'm from an average family. As average as ours?
Sure. Besides, I don't think you're average.
Oh, that's because you see me now instead of a few days ago.
I was in the dumps, and then Uncle Charlie came and everything changed.
But your mother said he only got here last night. Maybe you just think...
I don't think. I know.
Funny, but when I try to think of how I feel, I always come back to Uncle Charlie.
Are you trying to tell me I shouldn't think he's so wonderful?
Oh, no. L... Mr. Saunders?
I'm ready with the eggs. I hope Mr. Saunders doesn't move anything in there.
My uncle's awfully neat and fussy. Saunders is neat and fussy too.
- Is this your uncle you were telling us about? - Yes, it is.
Now, for one of the hall.
Mr. Saunders has been taking pictures of my room.
My sister told me to remind you about eggs and a cake.
I don't like to be photographed. I'll have to ask you for the film.
Oh, Uncle Charlie. Give it to me, please.
Give it to him, Fred.
That's too bad. There's a picture of Mrs. Newton on this film.
- Excuse me. I'm ready to fold in the eggs.
I can't let them stand another minute.
That was my last roll of film. Oh.
Mr. Saunders took Uncle Charlie's picture by mistake...
and Uncle Charlie made him give him back the roll.
He wasn't joking about not wanting to be photographed.
We didn't want to start a family feud.
I'll get you making the cake again tomorrow.
I won't be making a cake again tomorrow.
I want to help an important work, but I cannot go on making cakes.
You have helped, Mrs. Newton.
And now I'd like to ask another favor.