 The Cavalcade of America. Starring Ginger Rogers in the house near Little Doc Street. Now, the house near Little Doc Street. Starring Ginger Rogers as Lydia Darrell. Time 1777. Place, Betty Shedquarters, Philadelphia. Reports on the woman Lydia Darrell. Residents. Flame Heart near Little Doc Street. Occupation. Housewife. Political affiliation. Friendly. No evidence of sympathy to the American cause. Orders from General Howe. Colonel Robert Patterson will be quartered during the British occupation of Philadelphia at the house of Mrs. Lydia Darrell near Little Doc Street. Good. Yes, who is it? Oh, Mr. Banks, come in. Are you alone, Mrs. Darrell? No, Colonel Patterson's upstairs in his room. Your brother's with me. He's machine through the night. Oh, no. Oh, no. Oh, no. Well, I expected a warm welcome to that from my own sister. Oh, no. Colonel, come inside quickly. Oh, but you shouldn't be here. Not now. It's too dangerous. Danger is many worse than hunger to a starving rebel. But don't you know what's happened? Yes, I heard when I got to Mr. Banks' print shop tonight. So you're housing the red coat. You have no choice, lad. It's very much billowy. Oh, I could draw a teapot in his face. But what can I do? Just give a hundred man a meal, and I'll be off back to White Mass. Here. Let's be quiet. There's bread and meat and milk. Sit down, Phillip. Oh, food. That looks good. Is it very bad at White Marsh? I don't know how General Washington's holding the troops together, Lydia. Not another coat or a sound pair of boots and a regiment. Rations once a day. Or else do you think I'd take the chance to sneak home? Please, eat your food. And take these loads of bread with you. Well, you haven't left me. Yes, I can get food now. Are you all right? Yes, of course. Oh, but you mustn't come back, Phillip. It's not safe for you. That depends on my stomach. I hear someone up there. I'll go along. I'll go along and take the food with me. Please, please, hurry. He's coming. At least the red coats won't get this. Hurry, Phillip. I'm off. Goodbye, Lydia. Take care. Take a dance. Happy, get back. You've got speed, Phillip. Another cup of tea, Colonel Patterson? Yes. Thank you. Thank you, I will. Excellent tea, Mrs. Darrell. Excellent. I believe good tea is in the pot, not to me. Don't you, Colonel? My belief precisely. You know, you make this uncivilized pursuit of war exceedingly pleasant, Mrs. Darrell. Why not? You're at least in my house. I love company. I always have. Thank you, Colonel. Well, I do hope it's over soon. It's so inconvenient to run a house with such town full of soldiers. Are you getting supplies, Mary? Oh, yes. But you know, your dinner parties do require a lot of food. Oh, my dear lady, you shan't be put to trouble. Here. Here's a parcel outside for you. Oh. It'll permit you to go wherever you wish outside the city for supplies. Why? Why, thank you, Colonel. And don't worry. Washington can't hold that ragtag and bobtail army of his together through the window. They're freezing out at White March now. Yes, I've heard. Foolish, isn't it? When a house can be so pleasant and a host is so charming. Colonel, what a flatterer you are. Well, I simply realize there are more reasons for keeping the columnist than his majesty's discretion. Oh, Colonel. Well, that brings me to some business, Mrs. Darrell. I come once a house tonight for a staff meeting. An entire house? We wouldn't think of disturbing your family, Mrs. Darrell. We simply ask that you and your daughter retire to the second floor. We shall hold our meeting here in your parlor by the open fireplace. Will you be most welcome, of course, Colonel. I should like everyone to retire by eight o'clock. Eight o'clock? Well, this is an important meeting, Mrs. Darrell. I must have your word that we won't be disturbed. Oh. Oh, I see, Colonel. Very well, you have my word. You've been most cooperative, Mrs. Darrell. I was sure we could rely on you. There you are, Mrs. Darrell. The wine is on the side table. There's extra wood in the test and fresh candles in the desk drawer. Good, good. You've done us handsomely, Mrs. Darrell. I must say, Colonel, you sound good digging. It's the most comfortable house in Philadelphia. Thanks to the lovely lady who runs it. Oh, Colonel. Now, is there anything else you wish? Just your word, madam. That your household is retired. Oh, it has, Carol Patterson, just as you ordered. And I shall go to my own room and leave your things. Thank you. Thank you so much. But I do have to see that the fires are safe and the doors bolted later. Would you call me when the meeting is over? Uh, I'd like to do that, Colonel. Mrs. Darrell, I apologize for Major Andrews. Oh, come, Colonel. You can't be so miserly with a charming lady. Don't be a fool, Andrews. Oh, I was so majestic. Well, but perhaps I can see more of Mrs. Darrell when we get back. When you get back, are you going away? Can you come, sir? Oh, not very far, Mrs. Darrell. Just in the line of duty. Oh, excuse me. Such bad weather for you to be traveling. The show is live, madam. But don't you worry. I'll see that you're not imposed upon. Gentlemen, we shall proceed without meeting. Thank you, thank you very much. Good night, gentlemen. Good night. If anything, you wish I should be upstairs with Susanna. I say, Andrews, you almost let the cat out of the bag talking about going your way. Oh, what would that mean to her? Obviously, the only place we'd go is after Washington. Colonel, that person has perfect confidence in the lady. I do. I've heard she has conscientious objections to war. He tells me that her own brother's hiding up in the rebels' mouths. You see, gentlemen. Mrs. Darrell is a lady and a friend. I expect every officer on this staff to show her the proper respect. I like my quarters, gentlemen. And I don't intend they shall be disturbed. Now, if you please your attention. I'll be right back. Mommy, why am I sleeping upstairs here in your room tonight? Because, gentlemen, the meeting's downstairs and they want the whole first floor. The red coat? Yes, darling, some British offices. Now it's time for you to say your prayers. Mommy, are they going to suit us? Oh, of course not, darling. Now kneel down beside the bed. I'm cold. Well, there's some embers left in the fireplace. Now come on, say your prayers, dear. Yes, mama. We just separated small children. Keep this house from harm tonight. Goddess... Mommy? You go on, Susanna. Go on. Goddess with thy loving kind. There is some guilt. Mommy, mommy, talking. Talking? This is about the fireplace. Come over here and listen. Yes, it's coming up from downstairs. Listen to me. Listen to me. It's Colonel Patterson. I can hear him explain the... Please, listen to me. These vans are too busy. No one will have them with their officers in this room. Here are the orders the general powers sent to you. The entire British army will move from village out here towards White Marsh at 11 o'clock tomorrow night. Now listen. The entire British army will move from Philadelphia towards White Marsh at 11 o'clock tomorrow night. The vans will come out by now from the office. The vans will come to the first officer. Susanna, come back to bed, dear. Yes, mama. Did you understand what those men said? Not exactly, mama. Something dreadful is going to happen, something very dreadful. Yes. I can't tell you now, but... Daddy, must be exactly as I said. Yes. You must not tell a soul that you and I heard the gentleman talking downstairs through the fireplace. No, mommy. Only one. Even before the sun is up, I have to go away. Where? I have to go to the mill to get some flour. But we have flour. We just got some. I need more. So tomorrow before anyone is up, I'm going to get it. Do you understand? Can I come? No, dear. You must stay here in some house for me. Get out of the car quickly. Mrs. Gallo. Oh, I'm Colonel Patterson, oh, just a moment. It's Colonel Patterson. Can you hear me through the door, Mrs. Gallo? Oh, yes, yes, indeed. I'm so sorry to disturb you, madam, but the staff is leading. Oh, yes. Thank you. I'll be right down. May I help you with the fire? No, no, thank you very much. Have a nice night. Good night, madam. Good night, Colonel Patterson. Now, Susanna, do you remember what I told you? Yes. You're not even to tell me we're not back what we heard the officers say. No, madam. Good morning. If anyone asks for me, what will you say? You've got to get flour. That's right, my darling. And God forbid, I may be in time. In the house near Little Doc Street, Philadelphia, home of Lydia Darrow, during the American Revolution, Colonel Robert Patterson of the British staff has been quartered. Lydia has overheard British plans for destroying American forces at nearby White March. So the following morning at dawn, he approaches the British sentry at city limits. Oh, madam, you can't go no further. But I'm going to the flour mill. Our citizens are permitted beyond the city limits. I'll have a pass. Oh, well, let me see it. Oh, yes. Pass for supply for Mrs. Lydia Darrow, Colonel Robert Patterson adjunct to General Owls. Oh, thank you. Pardon, madam. Oh, certainly. Oh, I must say, you do your marketing early, ma'am. Your officers have good appetite. Good day. Mrs. Darrow, come and say. I want 25 pounds of flour. What for? Sure, ma'am. I'm going around. Oh, not this early. Mr. Jennings, can I trust you? Trust me? Me who's sending every other pound of flour like that into General Washington himself? I want you to tell me the shortest way to just not feel. Just at it? Well, you are not going out yet. I have no time, Mr. Jennings. Just turn me away. Well, there is a back road through the woods below the mill. Look at it. That's what I want. But it's dangerous for a woman now. Now, now, where do I go? You'll come to a dead ocean. Yes. You turn right and follow the footpath. I'll find it. Oh, ma'am, but you shouldn't be starting now. Not on foot. There's a storm blowing out. Oh, that'll help, too. I'll be back for the flour. I hope. Well, good morning, little lady. Is your mother in the kitchen? Mommy's not here, Colonel Patterson. Not here? Where'd she go? She's gone to the miller to get flour. Oh, no. That surprises me. Why, she got flour only last week? She said she needed some more. Ah, we must be putting more of a strain on the family louder than I've realized. Well, come over here instead of my lap. No, thank you. Why, I thought you liked my shiny boots. I'd like them better if my uncle still had them. They teach you young papiates at an early age, don't they? Tell me, who went with your mother? She went alone. Alone? Your mother can't carry a heavy load of flour home by herself? She can, too. Thank you, brother. All right. Well, we're not going to let her. Or let. Yes, sir? I want you to settle up and go out to the flour mill on the north road. North road, sir? Yes. Find Mrs. Garrow and help bring back the flour that she's going. Wind sharpening, Colonel Craig. Yeah, looks like a real blizzard. Well, at least it will keep colonies warm Philadelphia beds. Yeah, here what old Ben Franklin said, British haven't taken Philadelphia. Philadelphia's taking the British. That's not our concern at the moment. Let's get on with the patrol. Well, my concern's with a pair of boots with sound soles in them. Colonel Craig. What is it? Look, you're in the snow, huh? Foot print. Yep. And recent ones. Going right past those bushes. And the size of them. It's a woman's shoe. Come on up ahead. Who goes there? A friend. It is a woman. Maybe she's bringing food to us. Yeah, maybe she's one of them who isn't feeding the British. What are you doing out here, ma'am? Oh, you're American. Thank heaven. Who are you? My name is Lydia Garrow. I've walked all the way from Philadelphia. You walked out here from Philadelphia? Yes, ma'am. I have some information. Information? How much any food? I have a message for General Washington. Oh, you have? Well, the general will be very happy to hear that. I have no past for the American lines. Only the British. So the British let you take this little walk out here to see it. Please. Please won't you listen to me. I have terribly important information. What kind of information? A British officer is courted in my house. Last night, I overheard something General Washington must know. Colonel, this is either another crazy woman or else it's a red coat. Ma'am, I'm Colonel Thomas Craig of the Third Pennsylvania Regulate. Do you have any information? Give it to me. Then may I see you alone? Don't listen to her, Colonel. Send her on her way. My information is of the greatest importance. So you're all walking around out here in a blizzard on a back row looking for some Americans to give it to? Please, I beseech you, Colonel. Let me talk to you alone. Let me get rid of her, Colonel. Just a minute. Come over here, ma'am. All right. What is your information? Last night, the British held a staff meeting in my house. I overheard them say, Chestnut Hill is wish-free fortified. What? They have made plans to attack you at dawn tomorrow and destroy the whole army. It's true. And God is my witness. Well, how can you prove it? Prove it? Colonel, it's not a matter of always the British will march and do it, don't we? We haven't any report of troop movement. But it's true. I heard them. Oh, it's a very clever way to get us to concentrate what guns we have with a British woman. Oh, my dear husband. How can I make you believe me? I guess you'd better go along, madam. This is no place for a woman. Why should I treat you? Why should you fill it up, you people? Entertain the British. Feed them. Feed them warm. Because we have no choice. Colonel Craig, I have a gatherer quite much now. Oh, who is he? Philip Sarrington. Lieutenant Infantry. What regiment? The Second Pennsylvania. We'll check on him. All right, men. You... you still don't believe me. You let the British just walk in here. Your information is very interesting, madam. We shall have it investigated. Lieutenant, show this woman back to the road. Nothing, dear. Nothing at all. Mrs. Sand, it's a window. He did it all yesterday, too. Oh, I hadn't realized. You haven't talked to him at all. Are you looking for the window? No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. Are you looking for the soul of you to come back? No, no. Not interesting. I'm glad Colonel Patterson's gone. I hope he never comes back. Susanna, would you try to tell me again just what Colonel Patterson said before he went away? Oh, he was angry. Well, yes, dear, but you'll know why. He was angry because the man who sent to help carry your flower couldn't find you. Now, can you tell me exactly what Colonel Patterson said? He said the man was a dope. What's a dope? A stupid person, dear. Well, now, what else did he say? I told you, Mommy. He said the dope must have gone to a tavern to get out of the storm. And then, what did he say in here? He said he couldn't understand it. His face was as red as his coat, Mommy. I see. Susanna, I want you to do something for me, dear. Yes, Mommy. Run down this street to the print shop. Tell Mr. Banks I want to see him right away. Yes, Mrs. Darrow. Susanna said you wanted me. I've got to talk to you. Is something wrong? Have you heard any news of the British troops? Well, no more than the whole city knows. They marched the army out two nights ago toward White Marsh. Nobody's heard a word since. You don't know what's happening to White Marsh? No. Hey, you're upset, Mrs. Darrow. I have to tell you something, Mr. Banks. I have to tell someone. What is it, ma'am? Three nights ago in this house, I overheard the British plan this attack. And at dawn, I went to the American lines to warn them. You were... There doesn't matter now. The point is, the Americans didn't believe me. The devil did. If they didn't prepare for it, the British will have wiped them out. The city's like the dead, Mrs. Darrow. But I tried to find out something. Now what about yourself? Have you thought what could happen if the British find out what you did? Oh, I haven't had time for that. What's that? It sounds like drums. It is, um, the British troops. Look out the window. It looks like they're coming back. Oh, what does that mean? They can't have had time for full doctors. Look at them. Many of them. It looks as if the Americans did believe you, Mrs. Darrow. You don't say that about yourself. I'm going to stay with you. Oh, but you can't. You can't. Colonel Patterson will be back in a minute. He will be suspicious if you're here. But that couldn't be the turn of now. I can't leave you here alone. You're in danger. I'll talk to him. I'll be all right. No, no, Mrs. Darrow. No, but if I now stop, please go hurry. Hurry, hurry up with the kitten. You're back door, Mrs. Darrow. Go away, please. All right, Mrs. Patterson. You want I'll go, but take care. Colonel Patterson, come right in. This is a surprise. Is it? Yes, sir. I didn't expect to see you. I haven't anything prepared for you. Madam, I must have a talk with you. Why, of course, Colonel. You don't mind. I'll lock the door. Why, Colonel Patterson, whatever. It doesn't matter. Don't you know? Well, I know. Then I'll tell you. Recently, General Howell had information that the American positions at White Marsh were hill-defended. So three days ago, we marched out for a surprise attack there. Did you really? Today, we marched back. Oh, you did? What happened? Well, we reached Chestnut Hill. We found the American position heavily reinforced and defended its cannon. Was it really? Yes. Yes, it was. They'd made fools of us. Or someone had. Madam, the night before our march, a secret staff meeting was held in this house. Oh, yes. I remember. It was very important, he said. The plans for this attack were made at that meeting. Yes, Colonel Patterson. We have reason to believe that those plans reached the American. Oh, Colonel Patterson, you're one of your own gentlemen. My men? Certainly not, Mrs. Darrow. My officers are above report. Oh, please forgive me, Aunt. Mrs. Darrow, I must ask you a few questions. I shall expect you to be as direct as possible in answering them. Of course, ma'am. Where were the members of your household during that meeting? Why, you yourself, asked us to retire to the second floor at eight o'clock. What I asked and what happened may be two different things, madam. I think we may discuss this within the bounds of good manners, Colonel Patterson. I beg your pardon. Mrs. Darrow, was anyone up in the house that night after eight o'clock? Why, yes, I was. You were? What were you doing up? Susanna was sharing my room with me. The child was cold after the fire went out and I was up with it. Yet I had to knock on your door several times. Colonel Patterson, you asked me to be direct. I think it would be simpler if you were direct, too. Just told you to suspect in this house, my daughter, Susanna. Please, Mrs. Darrow. Then that leaves me. And you left the house at dawn. I went to the flour mill. I'm not trying to prove anything, but I have a general... a general how to answer to. Oh, yes, of course. General Howe. Is it possible that General Howe could have made a mistake about this, Mrs. General Howe made a mistake, madam? Well, couldn't he have been misinformed about the American position? After all, you have no proof that anybody warned the Americans. Ah, it's very true, madam. No proof at all. Certainly no proof that one helpless woman could get through a blizzard to the American line. I had all I could do to reach the flour mill. You are very adroit, madam. I can? Yes, indeed. So using General Howe was misinformed. That not only eliminates you, but tells me what to report to General Howe. Ah, what do I know about these matters? I suspect a great deal more than we shall ever find out. Oh, you flatter a mere woman, General. I respect a clever one. Clever? Oh, well, that isn't... I'm just a simple housewife. Now, won't you sit down and let me bring you a nice cup of tea?