 Remember a hallmark card when you carry enough to send the very best. The hallmark greeting cards bring you an exciting dramatization of an unforgettable story on the hallmark playhouse. The story was chosen from the world of fiction by one of the world's best known authors. Hallmark is proud to present the distinguished novelist, Mr. James Hilton. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Tonight on our hallmark playhouse we have a story by Rupert Hughes called The Old Nest. Mr. Hughes is a veteran American author who lives and writes here in Hollywood and I recall being much impressed by his workroom when I visited his home. I should think it contains one of the largest private libraries in America and it was a room to be worked in, not to be tidied up too much. In fact a stranger might have considered it the untidiest writer's room he'd ever seen, until he looked at mine. But you know if you're a professional author and you have something to write about, it doesn't much matter what your surroundings are, you just go on writing all the time and on all kinds of subjects. Mr. Hughes, for instance, has put in a lifetime at the writing game and his achievements vary from popular magazine stories and novels to his realistic and equally popular biography of George Washington. Some years ago Mr. Hughes wrote the story which we present on the air tonight and I suspect he was in a sentimental mood when he wrote it. This is by way of warning or should I say promising you in advance that the old nest is the sentimental story. And if you agree with me that today is not exactly a sentimental moment in world history, perhaps the contrast will be provocative. Now before we begin, Frank Goss has a message from the people who bring you these stories. There are hallmark cards for every memorable occasion in your calendar for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays. Yes, for every occasion that calls for remembrance, there is a hallmark card that says just what you want to say, the way you want to say it and that identifying name on the back, hallmark. Well, that says you cared enough to send the very best. And now, Rupert Hughes, the old nest on the hallmark playhouse. It was incredible. It seemed only a night or two ago that Emily had been a drowsy little thing falling at sleep in the middle of her prayers. Only yesterday, but today, a moment ago, in fact, that same little Emily had called to her father as the train pulled out. Goodbye, Daddy. Come on, I'll be home just as soon as ever I care. I will. Let's take you to the other doctors in town and care. I will. Goodbye. Are you off on the train all right? I saw her off all right. Did she cry? No, should she? Of course not, I was just asking. Maybe she should have. Oh, for heaven's sake, Father, she just went off to visit her sister in New York. Is that a crying matter? I hope she writes. She's only going to be gone two weeks. Well, the other's hardly ever right. Oh, well, they're busy. Jim, Tom, Kate, now Emily. Well, you can't keep them babies forever, much as you'd like to. I never said I'd like to. All right, me then. It's no matter where the dining room, it looks larger. I took the last leaf out of the table. The table's small again. Like 40 years ago. Hi, Emily sister. She never mentioned you to me, did she? I don't know. I met Emily at... Kate! Sorry, and the children's halls are good. But look at you. Am I on tape? You've grown up. Well, I should certainly hope so. Oh, oh dear, Kate, my sister, Mr. Stephen McClod. How do you do? We met at the Yale Cornell football game last year. Who won? Yeah. Cornell. God, ghost, and that's gospel. Look, why don't I take you gout to the taxi stand before the rush begins? A good scheme. Onward and upward, Stephen McClod. I think Stephen is very charming, Kate. I can't take my eyes off the man. Oh, hot brother Tom. Well, Thomas, do you think he'll like Stephen? Tom will fairly idolize Stephen. And I seldom see him. I just congratulate him on the phone when he's won another big case. He's a hard man to see. Oh, but I'm his sister. I want to see him. He promised faithfully to be over tonight. How does he look? Tired, worried. And now he's going to worry because mother and dad will be alone in Carthage. But I'm going home in two weeks. Why don't you marry someone back in Carthage so you could run in on the old folks now and then? Who's getting married? I'm going to be a spencer. Well, I just thought... That's Tom now. Talk to you about Emily. Problems? I shouldn't be surprised if Emily gets married one of these days. Mary? Little Emily? She's taken with the football fan named McClod. Really? Oh, God. I do as she'd marry someone in Carthage. Well, do you think it'll be hard on mother and dad? Well, Emily is the youngest. Well, you may be right, Kate. Well, in fact, the folks have been out of my mind for some time now. Oh, I think they understand how busy you are. I must telephone them one of these days. Don't speak of the telephone. Oh, I'll get it. Hello? Oh, hello. Yes, she's here. I'll call her. Oh, Emily? Yes, Katie? Lock and bar. Oh, it's lovely in Central Park, isn't it, Stephen? It's so blame-central, everybody goes through it. Who manns the men of war when the men who man them go walking in the park one day? Right there. Ah, science is certainly wonderful. Science and Emily Anthem. All else is drab and commonplace. The way I feel is there isn't a drab and commonplace in the world. That is the irresponsible sentiment of a woman perhaps in love. Am I right? That's like calling up a girl and asking, what are you doing tonight? If she says nothing, why? She's admitting she hasn't a date, of course. And if she hasn't a date, the boy wonders if he should date her. Correct. Whereas he should make the girl an offer and see what happens, where she can do her say, no, I'm sorry, but I'm dining tonight with an orangutan. Don't let me catch you running around with those lower apes. Then make me an offer. I am making you an offer. You are? What are you doing for the rest of your life? Well, nothing. Just waiting around for life to begin. Who's calling, please? Lady, did I tell you Stephen's company is sending him to Paris to open a European brand? A bon voyage. Thank you, Kate. What are you thanking me for? I'm going with him. Paris? In Paris with a stranger? Oh, you will get acquainted. We're married. Why, that's the most selfish inconsiderate act I ever heard of. Why? What about mother and father? What about them? Are you going to leave them all alone? Kate, mother and father have each other. I admit they'll miss us, but I think they'd rather miss us than have us mislive. Emily, listen to me. I love him, Kate. I'll write the folks a letter at least before you go. Let them know what's happening. Oh, I won't have time. I'll send them a telegram. I haven't the time. They'll understand. Married. That's what the telegram says, mother. My little Emily married. She isn't little. She's the baby. Well, she'll probably be very happy. I just hope she doesn't stop at two grandchildren for us. You'd think there were ceilings. It'll just be queer. No one around here cluttering the place up. After 40 years of cluttering, yes, it'll be quiet. We'll come back now and then. Do you think so? Why not? Oh, they're so terribly busy. Those children just work too hard. They're modern, mother. They share the modern illusion that money buys everything. Well, it don't. It doesn't. I'm right now trying to think what it doesn't buy. Just give me time. It doesn't buy a lot of things. It doesn't buy the success my children have. Oh, contrary wise, their success buys the money. It doesn't buy the happiness we've had out of our children. Don't forget they've frequently been a swift pain. I don't remember. You don't remember, huh? You don't remember the gory pulps that used to come home from school fist fights? You don't remember Tommy falling off the roof? I thought he'd never stop bouncing. The first thing Tommy said when he got conscious again was, Mama, I'm hurt so bad this time. I think I ought to have a dollar. Tom always was a keen lad for the coin of the Republic. Well, I better be on my rounds. Baby's still being born the same as usual. If I'm not home prompted dinner, get yourself something to eat. Same as usual. I'm on the late shift at the nursery. Someone's got to sit for the children and their mothers have to make a living. Suppose I was a widow with young children? I would be enjoying a nice rest. Take care of yourself, Mother. Change is things. The clock made a big lawyer out of a little Tommy and a busy New York lady out of Kate and Jim, the famous doctor, and now Emily, a bride. The clock sends them away. Maybe it'll bring them back time to time. Time to time. For now, Mother Anton sat resting against the coming rigors of babies sitting on a production basis at the nursery. The great clock word and struck again are probably for better hours. Mother Anton listened after the clock stopped and before rising from her chair took her some how pleasant duties. How still it was in the great old house. How still. A story selected for you by James Hilton on the Hallmark Playhouse. In just a few moments, we'll return to the second act of tonight's story. You know, if you've seen pictures of old New Orleans or if you've been there, you've probably seen those magnificent wrought iron grills, fences, gates, and balconies. This is a story of a man who made some of them in a little shop he toiled with his son, a bright lad of whom the father was very proud for the boy was quick to pick up the tricks of the trade. He designed beautiful patterns, wove them out of metal, twisted and forged iron into things of beauty. But one thing puzzled him. Why is it, he asked his father, that although I copy everything you do, my work never quite looks like yours when it's finished? The kindly old man replied, It will, my son, when you learn to put in it something of yourself, something of the person who will use it. Perhaps this simple philosophy explains why Hallmark cards always seem to say what you want to say, the way you want to say it. For people who make Hallmark cards have put into them something of the understanding, some of the warmth and friendliness of personal feelings. It's no wonder Hallmark cards are chosen with such pride, received with such pleasure. You can be sure that your friends will get an extra measure of happiness when they turn the card over, as you did, and discover the name Hallmark, the name that tells your friends you cared enough to send the very best. Now James Hilton continues with the second act of the story he's chosen for tonight, the Old Nest. Free islands and on the banks are the similarly famous as the breeding ground of women's tiles, classically famous for its culture and civilization, and is inhabited by Frenchmen, tourists, bureaucrats, and the fiercely predatory Paris taxi or great wheeled honker. Paris is admired by young lovers for its boulevards, its promenades and the dusk, and its sidewalk cafes where one can sit and write postal cards back home to Trenton, Ashtabula, Sork Center or Carthage, USA. Dear mother and dad, isn't this a lovely view of the Place de Trois? Love, Emily and Steve. This is the arch of triumph from the movie of the same name, Love, Emily and Steve. We're launching on the sidewalk, Love, E and S. Maybe Crane, but it doesn't sound sanitary. Paris. That's a long walk from Carthage. I think we can write Emily off for a long time to come, mother. Well, it doesn't take such a long time to come in an airplane, does it? I have never come across a woman who could take a man's words and twist them like you do. Well... Never! Twist, turn, distort, and misinterpret. Hello, Dr. Anton's residence. Who? It's good to hear your voice again. Where is he? Do tell, young Dr. Anton. Do tell. Medical convention in Chicago. Big man. She's right here at my elbow. She's sitting on my shoulder like the organ grinder's partner. I'll let you talk to her. Give it to me. You're holding it the wrong way. Oh, hello, son. Oh, it's good to hear from you. Yes. Yes, just fine. Oh, we're fine, Jim. How are the children? What kind of a near doctor are you? They've got earache. Let me talk to him. Jimmy, since you're so close to Carthage, could you maybe drop down for... Really, Jim? Oh, that'll be so nice. Let me talk to him again. Well, then, can you stay, son? Oh, wonderful. I'll tell father. All right. Oh, and son, how about warm olive oil in their ears? No, no, no. Let me talk to him. I'll tell him, Jimmy. Goodbye. Wait a second. Now, he's terribly busy, father. He rang all. But he's coming to visit us day after tomorrow. Isn't that grand? Honest? Isn't it grand? We'll put the leaf back in the table. Won't we, father? Won't we? Jim isn't coming after all. Oh, father. That's the way it is when you're a doctor, mother. How are the children's earaches? Oh, you know I clean forgot to ask. Well, it's fine. Our son is such a big specialist. Everybody needs him. Yeah, it's fine. I'll just take the leaf out of the table. Time being... Mother, what's the matter? You know something, father. I... I feel kind of funny. Tommy, I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to write you for a long time, son, but I guess I'm one of these modern, high-octane mothers. That's what the father says. Anyhow, the reason... Yes, Miss Ames. Washington calling. LeFarge? Oh, Lord. Look, call Kimberley in New Haven. Buzz me when you get him. Put LeFarge on. LeFarge! Look, Roger, I just haven't been able to get a commitment out of Kimberley, but I'm going to talk to him in a second. He doesn't want to defend. Can you hold it, Roger, please? Yes, Miss Ames. Put him on. Hold it, Roger. I've got Kimberley in New Haven. Hello, Kimberley. Anton, yes, I've got Roger LeFarge holding the line in Washington. Maybe we can get this set up right away. And that's how it happened that Tom, busy man, put his mother's letter away in his coat, even as you and I, until one day he put his hand in his pocket and brought forth the neglected letter, his letter from home. Mom's letter? Anyhow, the reason I didn't write was I've been in bed. Mother's been ill. Nothing serious, son, and no excuse for not writing you. Being in bed and away from my nursery work gave me a chance to think about my children once more. How you all used to overrun the house falling on your heads, breaking things up, made me look forward to whenever you get a chance to visit her sometime. Tell Katelyn though and kiss the children for me. And do ask her to drop a card if she thinks. Father. Miss Ames, call my sister Kate and tell her I'm coming right over. I would have words with her. Tom, no one's to blame. You're busy, Jim's rushed off his feet his children sick, ours getting over sick. Well, as soon as this Piecroft case is settled, I'm gonna visit Mom and Dad. You've been saying that for ten years. Well, this time I mean it. You always mean it, Tom. And if you get a chance, you might even stop in and see us sometime, big shot. Really, I'd like to, I'd like to see you in the wind. Well, tell me. I can't, I'm just keeping my fingers crossed, that's all. Kimberly in New Haven is close to the White House and he likes the weather. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed. All right, for you, Tommy Anton. I'll tell Mom. Wouldn't it be fine, Kate? Wouldn't it be nice if we could run to Mother with our problems again? Wouldn't it be wonderful? Look at the Chicago paper. It's a picture. One guess. It's Tommy. That's our boy. What's he done? He's made the Supreme Court. Listen, President appoints young New Yorker to vacancy on Supreme Bench. Right there, black and white. My son on the Supreme Court. Well, he's my son too. I bet it's all over town now. Dr. Anton's residence. Hello, Bob. Yeah, yeah. Of course, we knew about it two weeks ago. We didn't either. Yes, yes. Tommy told us to keep it under our hats. Which, of course, we did. Which, of course, we did. Yeah, thanks, Bob. Bye. We didn't either know about it. We didn't even get a letter. Mother, is it right that strangers should get news like that about our son before we do ourselves? Is it? I'm on my side now for once for a change. Maybe he did right and the letter got lost. Letter got lost. Maybe... Never got written. Some patient, probably. Time is it. Thor in the morning. Jarobin slippers on. At the radio on? No, son, no. Anyone tell you anything? About what, Tommy? Then I'm on time. My Tommy. I didn't dare write you about it until I was sure of it. And then when it happened I wrote a dozen telegrams and tore them all up. Finally I said, good lord, this is something I got to tell her myself. What about me? Well, both of you. I just made the last train and ran all the way from the station. Did I surprise you, Mom, huh? I did, didn't I, huh? Didn't I? Most wonderful surprise I ever had, Tommy. Yeah, there's going to be a reception for me in Washington and the whole family's got to come. Oh, I couldn't go. There's nothing to wear. Oh, mother. And another thing, I'm going to get all the children back here afterwards for a big reunion. Every last one of them. I'm the judge. I could have them arrested. You're getting silly now, son. I know. I'm so tired. I'm not responsible, but I'm happy. Why don't you lie down here a while, Tommy? Yeah, thanks, Mom. I just want to close my eyes, really. Sleep, son. School in the morning. What? School tomorrow. Sleep. You know something, Mother? He is asleep. Poor boy. Poor, tall children. The big kid. He wanted to surprise us. It was a surprise. Most wonderful surprise in the world. Having my baby home again. In a moment, James Hilton will return to tell you about next week's story. Meantime, I'd like to remind you that there's nothing like one of those colorful hallmark dolls from the land of make-believe to make a child's eyes light up with joy. There are 16 dolls in all. Little Miss Muffet, Cinderella, Little Boy Blue, and 13 other childhood favorites. Each one wears a hat topped off by a jaunty plume that's a real feather. Each doll stands up by itself, and each one has a clever rhyme story about the doll inside. But that's not all. No, indeed. There's also a big, beautiful album to put them in. There are separate pockets in it for Mistress Mary, Peter Piper, Little Bull Peep, and all the rest. And on the cover is a picture of lovely little Luanna Patton, star of Walt Disney's Melody Time. The hallmark dolls are as easy to send as any hallmark greeting card, and cost only 25 cents each. And the big hallmark doll collector's album, which you'd expect to cost at least only 25 cents when you buy one or more of the hallmark dolls. That means you can give some little friend of yours the album with three dolls in it to start a collection for only $1. See all 16 of the charming and colorful hallmark dolls and the beautiful new hallmark doll collector's album tomorrow at the store where you buy your hallmark greeting cards. Now here again is James Hilton. Before I tell you about next week, here are the names of our very fine people tonight. Jane Morgan, Earl Ross, Bill Johnstone, Gloria Blondel, Sharon Douglas, and Tony Barrett. Next Thursday on the Hallmark Playhouse, we turn back to the early pages of our country's history, a time when our pioneers were pushing inland against the hardships and dangers of the wilderness. Our choice is Drums Along the Mohawk by Walter D. Edmonds, well known to every lover of stirring fiction. Mr. Edmonds takes us through the beautiful Mohawk Valley as it was the fabled months of that fabled year July 1776, and historically combines sound history, dramatic adventure, and the love of two courageous people. The author mixes these ingredients with a skill hand and I think you will thoroughly enjoy the result. And the following week we dramatize a fine modern American novel which has just about everything you'd expect from its title, State Fair by Phil Stongman. So when Thursday comes around, be sure you're listening to the hallmark playhouse. It's a pretty good habit. And until then, this is James Hilton saying good night. The play was adapted for radio by Milton Geiger. Our music was arranged and conducted by Lynn Murray. Look for hallmark cards that are sold only in stores that have been carefully selected to give you expert and friendly service. Remember hallmark cards when you carry enough to send the very best. Now this is Frank Goss saying good night to you all until next week at the same time when James Hilton returns to present this program came to you from the hallmark playhouse. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System. This is KMBC, Kansas City, Missouri.