The Gift of Love (1978 TV Movie)
June Lockhart: Constance Schuyler
Quotes
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William Schuyler : Beth, go to your room.
Beth Atherton : No Uncle William, I will not! I full understand my obligation to you, and I appreciate everything you've done for me... but Alfred and I are not in love with each other! I love Rudy.
William Schuyler : What you don't seem to understand, young lady, is that the amalgamation of two fortunes will make you a very rich woman!
Beth Atherton : Rudy's leaving! If I don't go after him, I'll lose him!
William Schuyler : I am telling you what I told your mother... you go out that door, never come back.
[pause]
Constance Schuyler : Oh William...!
William Schuyler : [Interrupts] Constance, be quiet!
Beth Atherton : [pause. Steps forward] Uncle William, I'm sorry. You're a dear sweet man, and I owe you a great deal... but I must give you the same answer my mother gave you!
[Turns around and exits]
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Mary O'Halloran : Your aunt wants me to help you get ready. Mr. Browning will be here any minute.
Beth Atherton : Thank you Mary.
Mary O'Halloran : [Fixes Beth up. Mutters angrily] The whole thing's a cry shame. That's what it is.
Beth Atherton : Mary please don't start that again!
Mary O'Halloran : [Upset] Well why shouldn't I? Wouldn't you try to stop me from being pig-headed and throwing my life away?
Beth Atherton : I'n not throwing my life away! I'm just doing what's expected of me. I love Alfred, you know that.
Mary O'Halloran : Are you trying to tell me that you would...
Beth Atherton : [Interrupts] NO!
[Crying]
Beth Atherton : I'm trying to tell me!
Constance Schuyler : [Off stage] Beth! Are you ready?
Mary O'Halloran : Don't go!
Beth Atherton : I must.
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Mary O'Halloran : Begging your pardon ma'am, but how many are we serving today?
Constance Schuyler : Twenty-four.
Mary O'Halloran : Oooh, then I better get a bigger bowl!
Beth Atherton : Oh for heavens sake Mary. It's all make believe.
Constance Schuyler : [Mary exits] Oh Mary's quite right dear. It is imperitive that you choose the right dish for each occasion.
Beth Atherton : I learned all that from my mother.
Constance Schuyler : Yes of course you did. After all, your mother was a Schulyer. It's just that, well in her reduced circumstances shall we say, she did have the occasion to entertain on the grand scale which you'll be expected to maintain as the bride of Alfred Browning.
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William Schuyler : Well, now that we're all here, Alfred has something to say to you Beth
Alfred Browning : [Nervous] I...
Agnes : Well?
Alfred Browning : I... that is... it would do me great honor...
Constance Schuyler : Go on Alfred, you're doing beautifully!
Alfred Browning : Thank you Mrs. Constance. What I mean to say Beth is that... your Uncle William and my sister Agnes... have decided that it would be advantageous for us... to marry.
William Schuyler : [pause] Well Beth, what do you say?
Beth Atherton : I didn't hear a question.
Constance Schuyler : Well she's quite right William. You could say that Alfred has issued a statement. Perhap a plan for a merger.
William Schuyler : I have no difficulty seeing the meaning of Alfred's remarks.
Agnes : Nor do I.
Constance Schuyler : [pause] Alfred dear. Go back and start again just the way you did before.
Alfred Browning : It would give me great honor...
[sighs in frustration]
Agnes : Oh for heavens sake, he's asking you to marry him!
Alfred Browning : Yes, that's it. I'm asking you... to marry me.
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Constance Schuyler : I do wish you wouldn't play that dear. It will only bring you pain.
Beth Atherton : But it doesn't Aunt Constance. It gives me comfort.
Constance Schuyler : Well, then I'm sure it will please your father if he only knew.
Beth Atherton : Somehow I think he does.
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Constance Schuyler : [after finding out about the Butler's Ball] . Oh Beth, I am surprised.
[Mary enters]
Constance Schuyler : Mary...
[Mary turns to leave]
Constance Schuyler : No wait, don't go. Come here for a minute. I would like to speak to you.
[pause]
Constance Schuyler : I understand it was because of you my niece didn't stay at that, uh, that...
Mary O'Halloran : Ball ma'am.
Constance Schuyler : Yes, the ball. I appreciate your common sense.
Mary O'Halloran : Oh, thank you ma'am.
Constance Schuyler : Never the less, I must forbid any furthur association between the two of you.
Mary O'Halloran : [Saddened] Oh my mother would be that upset ma'am. She loves Miss Beth like one of her own.
Constance Schuyler : That does seem harsh doesn't it? Well, it's Mr. Schulyer's wish.
Mary O'Halloran : Yes ma'am. Will that be all ma'am?
Constance Schuyler : Yes dear, you may go now. Good night.
Mary O'Halloran : Good night ma'am. Good night Miss Beth.
Beth Atherton : [Whispers] Good Night
[Mary exits]