14 quotes
The Value of a Baron
Peggy Preston
Mrs. Gibson's a lucky girl.
Billy Ross
You mean getting rid of Don?
Peggy
Silly. A Baron is nothing to sneeze at.
Billy
Well, I don't know. I've never sneezed at one.
Peggy
Mother and I were going to England. Had our passports, even. And then something happened.
Billy
Don?
Peggy
Mm hmm.
Billy
Well, I don't blame you. Don's a fine chap, and just as soon as he gets out of this jam he's in...
Peggy
Jam?!! What jam?
Billy
Why, I thought he told you.
Peggy
Business?
Billy
Uh huh. But I guess when you're in love, you don't think about such things.
Peggy
No, you don't. ... Silly not to, though.
Billy
You said it! Because no matter who you marry, you'll get tired of him. And you get twice as tired, twice as quick if you marry a poor man.
Peggy
Don isn't poor?!!
Billy
Poor? With a girl like you? I should say not.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Navigating Awkward Situations with Grace
Nancy Gibson
How do you do, Miss Preston. Thank you. I'm delighted also. ... That's charming of you. I was wondering whether you and your mother would like to spend the weekend with us. Yes, I'm afraid it is rather necessary. You see, it seems to be the only way out of ... an awkward situation. Why, of course; I'd love to have you. You see, Don and I have a ... perfect understanding. And he suggested .. well, he thought that if you came down here, it would ... avoid a possible ... scandal. You know. Yes, scandal. You're sweet. I knew you'd appreciate my position.
[On the phone, with the 'other woman' (i.e. Peggy Preston, whom her husband Donald intends to marry just as soon as Nancy consents to a divorce); Listens.; Listens; Struggling to hold it together.; Listens.]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Disappointment in Love Affects Relationships
Nancy Gibson
You mustn't mind Mrs. Ross. She's been disappointed in love.
[Following the sudden and unmistakably furious exit of her sister-in-law Sally Ross, clearly unable to stomach the combined presence of her brother with his new girl friend and would-be mother-in-law]
Billy Ross
She has not!
Mrs. Preston
I hope we didn't say anything.
Ross
You haven't said a thing. Sally's always like that when she's in the country.
Mrs. Preston
I like the country. Don't you like the country, Mr. Ross?
Ross
Yes ... when I'm in the city.
Nancy
Oh, here's the tea. Will you pour, Peggy?
Peggy Preston
I suppose I might as well get used to it.
Mrs. Preston
Aren't you having tea, Mr. Ross?
Billy Ross
I never touch it. My doctor tells me it's poison.
Mrs. Preston
Really?
Ross
I'll get you some.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Value of Home and Love
Peggy Preston
It was sweet of you to show me around the place. It's just too fascinating.
Nancy Gibson
It is lovely, isn't it?
Peggy
Yes, it really is. You know.... I never dreamed that I...
Nancy
My grandfather gave it to me as a present. He said, "No matter what happens to you, child, you'll always have a roof over you." I'm afraid Don will miss it. But after all, true love in a cottage is much better, isn't it?
Donald Gibson
Well, we thought you were never coming back.
Peggy
You really shouldn't leave me alone with Mrs. Gibson. She puts wicked ideas into my head.
Billy Ross
Ha ha ha... Impossible.
Peggy
She's been telling me more of her fascinating experiences in Paris.
Donald
Oh, now, let's be accurate. You mean her mythical experiences.
Nancy
Isn't he the perfect husband? No matter what you do, my dear, he'll always believe in you.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Complexity of Love and Loyalty
Nancy Gibson
And you said you wouldn't help me.
Sir Guy
I've always been a very weak character. You know, as a matter of fact, you have an extremely nice husband.
Nancy
Now you know why I fought so hard, not to lose him.
Guy
You can't ever lose a man who really loves you, and you can't hold a man who doesn't. And so, my dear, even though we'll never meet again, you'll never quite succeed in losing me.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Humorous and Engaging Exploration of Identity
Taglines
Gay! Gossipy! Hilarious!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Discussion of Proper Behavior and Advances
Mrs. Preston
Did he make advances?
Peggy Preston
He's just a canary without a cage.
Mrs. Preston
Well, I must say. Do you think it's quite proper?
Peggy
I hope you're not shocked.
Mrs. Preston
My baby mustn't leave herself open to wagging tongues. Well, I'd better get dressed for dinner.
Peggy
Oh, I forgot to tell you, mom. You're not well enough to go to dinner tonight.
Mrs. Preston
Well enough?!! I never felt..
Peggy
Mm mmm! You're a sick woman, Mom. You're having one of your spells.
[Interrupting]
Mrs. Preston
No such thing. I absolutely refuse.
Peggy
I'm awfully sorry for you, mom. Everybody's sorry. I did so want to leave with Don tonight. But with you laid up in bed...
Mrs. Preston
I'm not in bed. I'll not be a party to any such...
Peggy
I'm afraid I'll have to stay around and see some more of that fascinating Sir Guy. He has a way with him, that one.
[Talking over her.]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Understanding Nancy's Quirky Personality Traits
Harrington
Do you think that Nancy and I will get along?
Gibson
She's easy to get along with. She has one peculiarity, though. She likes surprises. For instance, when her birthday's coming along, you must make believe you've forgotten it, then give her her present.
Harrington
Well, that's easy.
Gibson
And then she loves to order special dishes for you. You have to make believe you like them, even if you don't.
Harrington
I'll remember.
Gibson
You'll have to help her with the household bills. When Nancy adds a column of figures, she never gets the same answer. That bothers her.
Harrington
Well, I'm not very good at that sort of thing, myself, but, no doubt I'll manage.
Gibson
It's not what you're good at, Harrington. It's that you want to make life a little smoother and easier for her, that's all.
Harrington
Exactly.
Gibson
You know, if I were you, I'd take Nancy away somewhere for a trip.
Harrington
Well, she's very fond of Venice. We might go back there.
Gibson
Yes. Yes, that'd be fine.
[Pause]
Harrington
Look here, Gibson, you're quite sure that you're not in love with Nancy?
Gibson
I worship her. I love Nancy more than anything in the world.
[Pause]
Harrington
I see your point. But, Nancy doesn't love you?
Gibson
She's in the garden. Tell her I've gone to town, will you?
Harrington
Right.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Conversation About Care and Responsibility
Donald Gibson
Listen, Harrington. Nancy cares for you.
Sir Guy Harrington
Does she?
Gibson
You can't let her down.
Harrington
What is it, exactly, you wish me to do?
Gibson
Well I want you to get rid of Peggy, and give Nancy a square deal.
Harrington
Am I to understand that you are suggesting that I should devote myself in the future to your wife?
Gibson
Yes, that's it. You'll never regret it.
[Hesitates.; Steps away again, then quickly turns back.]
Harrington
You may be right, and you may be wrong. But isn't that a rather noble attitude on your part? ... You're not trying to shift Nancy over to me so that you can go away with Peggy, are you?
[...]
Gibson
No, you don't understand, Harrington. You see ... when you really love someone, you want them to be happy. No matter what it costs.
Harrington
You know, I'm beginning to like you, Gibson.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Card Game Strategy Among Friends
Donald Gibson
One spade.
Billy Ross
Two spades.
Peggy Preston
Three spades.
Nancy Gibson
I pass
Donald
Four of spades.
[Lengthy deliberation, clearly distracted by the presence of Sir Guy Harrington, who plays piano while the others play cards.]
Peggy
Three would've put us out.
Donald
Oh, I'm sorry.
Peggy
Don always does that; he never bids to the score.
Donald
I said I was sorry, didn't I?
Peggy
Lot of good that would do you with some partners. They'd snap your head off.
Billy
But not you. You just smile and hold your tongue. Atta girl!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Concerns About Gossip and Reputation
Donald Gibson
What did you mean by telling that woman that Peggy and her mother would be coming down here?!!
Nancy
But Don, I had to.
Donald
You did not!
Nancy
Yes, I did. I can't have her going around, spreading scandal. I don't want the neighbors gossiping about us.
Donald
Who cares about the neighbors?
Nancy
I do. I live here.
Donald
But don't you know that they'll gossip twice as much when they discover that what you told that old scorpion isn't true?
Nancy
Yes but ...... Oh, I never thought about that.
[Feigning cluelessness.]
Donald
No.
Nancy
Well, what do you think I'd better do, Don? You're always so clever about such things.
Donald
Well, I'm afraid you're up against it.
Nancy
Yes..... Unless the Prestons really do come.
Donald
You're crazy!
Nancy
Now, don't you think that's a sensible idea? If they're here, and you're here, and I'm here? Why, then there wouldn't be anything for people to talk about.
Donald
Hmmm... that is an idea.
Nancy
There! I knew you'd think of something sensible.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Nature of Marriage and Fidelity
Billy Ross
A wife should stick to her husband. If she doesn't, some other woman will.
Nancy Gibson
But Don has never been like that.
Billy
All men are like that. You marry them. You put them in cages. You lock them up every night and you say, "Oh, see? My nice tame husband." But you just leave him for a while and see what happens?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Showering Love and Encouragement in Relationships
Billy Ross
It's simple. You shower Don with love. Peggy's smart. She makes him reach for it.
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Anticipation of Arrival Home
Nancy Gibson
Well, did you find out?
[Emerging from a brief catnap, she first turns to see an empty deck chair, then looks up just in time to acknowledge her traveling companion's return.]
Sir Guy Harrington
Yes, the captain assures me we'll dock by noon tomorrow.
Gibson
Oh, then we are making up time. I was so afraid we'd be late.
Harrington
So you're really... happy to be getting home.
Gibson
Oh, so happy.
Harrington
Just what does home mean to you, if I may ask?
Gibson
Why, it means ... everything I love! ... My house, my garden ... my husband...
Harrington
By Jove, I believe you mean it. It's most refreshing.
[Pauses to take a drag on his cigarette.]
Gibson
What's refreshing?
[Turns and regards her traveling companion quizzically.]
Harrington
Oh, to find, in this day and age, a woman who truly loves her husband. You know, I thought all American women were restless and dissatisfied.
Gibson
That just shows you haven't been to America.
Harrington
No, but I've met a good number of your countrywomen on the continent.
Gibson
Well, that accounts for it; our happy women stay home.
Harrington
You didn't.
[Gently]
Gibson
Oh, but that's different: my mother was ill in Paris, they cabled for me, now she's all right.
Harrington
You know, I must meet this exceptional husband of yours.
Gibson
He'll be on the dock tomorrow.
[Smiles]
Harrington
Aren't husbands the faithful old things.
[Takes another drag, ruefully conceding his defeat.; This elicits one more quizzical sidelong glance before Gibson laughs along with Sir Guy, perhaps belatedly grasping what has just taken place.]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.