 scenes from great plays. Tonight the Goose hangs high by Lewis Beach as adapted for radio by Howard Teichman starring Walter Abel. I'm Bernard Ingalls. I don't think we've spoiled our children. We've simply given them the things we felt they should have. Margello Gilmore. I'm Eunice Ingalls. I think we have the most wonderful children in the world. Right now we're expecting them home for the holidays. And Ethel Owen. I'm Eunice's mother. My daughter married a perfectly nice person. The only thing we've ever had words about is Lewis and Bradley the children. Always wanting and getting. Oh their Goose hangs high. And here's your host the distinguished actor manager Mr. Walter Hamden. Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to another transcribed half hour of great scenes from great plays presented on behalf of the Protestant Episcopal Church of your own community and the Episcopal Actors Guild. Now let's raise the curtain on the Goose hangs high. We pick up Bernard Ingalls as he hurries home from the office one evening. An old friend is calling to him. Hey Ingalls. What? Oh no I didn't hear you. You must be walking in your sleep man. I've been chasing you for blocks. I was hurrying home. We're expecting the children any minute. Yes I know. I phoned Eunice. I'll bet your tickled pink to see them you toting old fool. Yes. Yes I am. Is something wrong Bern? You're looking awfully tired. No I'm fine. No I just had a hard day that's all. Uh huh. How are you making out with the new councilman Elliot Kimberly. It's getting worse every day. Uh huh. Still wants your job to go as a political plum to one of his friends? He's given me a reprieve on that score. At least for the moment. What's the catch? Kimberly's a social climber Noel. First he threatens to fire the girl who's been my secretary for ten years. Then for allowing me to keep her he forces me to invite him to the house for dinner. Kimberly invited to your house? That's not all. He also inferred this afternoon that unless I got him into the country club my job would be a thing of the past. Now Bern that's what I want to talk to you about. Talk to me about. Yes. You remember when the city first offered you the job of city assessor. We gave up the greenhouse on Market Street. That's right I tried to run it without you but it was you who had the green thumb. I was just a glorified office manager. Oh I was pretty resentful. Hey Bern. How old are you? 54. Why? I'm 57. And I'm beginning to feel tired. The ripest plums have too many young birds pecking at them. What are you trying to say Noel? Just this. Frederick's nursery is selling out. His place can be had dirt cheap. He's got a nice start at a greenhouse Bern. Two houses 30 by 70. It's a fine spot for two men a little damaged at the edges but still good inside. Bern what do you say? Say. Come in with me. Let's buy it. I can't. Not now. Oh you've been saying that for 18 years. Bern don't you see this is the chance of a lifetime. You'll still be making a living. You won't make the figure that you're drawing now but you'll be your own boss and you won't have to take orders from anybody. I tell you I can't. I've got bills. Responsibilities. I owe it to the children. The children. I'm sorry Noel. If you'll excuse me I have to hurry. Eunice wants me to be home before the children arrive. Seven o'clock. Brad wrote they were coming on the five o'clock train Bernard. Do you think something's happened? Maybe we ought to phone the station. Now we phoned already four times Eunice. Nothing's happened. They just took a later train that's all. Don't you agree granny? I agree and as usual it didn't bother to let you know about it. Oh I'm sure nothing's happened to the mother. Oh it just seems so long when you wait. Isn't it funny the way a home almost seems dead when the children had gone from it. Well give yourself a few minutes more Eunice and the place will be a madhouse. You'll be praying for a little quiet. Listen to him. You know you can't wait till they get here Bern. Oh hi dad you need a shave. Hi everybody here catch granny. It's only my muff granny hi mom. Lois we were so worried about you dear. Watch out for that hat box Brad. Let me look at you. What do you say mom? I just want to look at you. You look lovely dear. She's thin as a rail where's Bradley. Hey hurry up Brad. He's bringing in the bags granny. Hey your son has come home Mr. Ingalls I presume. Hello son. Hi dad you old rascal you hard tricks. Bradley it's so wonderful to see you. You didn't crush my hat box Brad. Stop worrying about your silly hats they look better crushed. No it is you. Well sure mom I'm here. Now how about you granny you want to kiss too. No I'll do without you. Oh you're well. Watch out for my hair you idiot. You can't turn down a Bradley mother. I see I can. Did you say the house was too quiet Eunice. Oh I made a mistake. Lois Lois how do you like your new house on the campus. What mother. Your mother asked how you liked the more expensive house you moved into at college. Oh oh it's well mom it's new. Say dad did I write you about the car one of the fellows at school I'm just crazy about it. I'm very glad dear I was wondering you didn't say any letters. I guess I forgot mom I get pretty busy up there sometimes. Oh I know dear I feel dreadful about bothering you for letters all the time but I guess it's because I never went away to school myself that's why I try to live it all through you. Oh schools well mom say Brad do you think this dress will do for the Shindig. Well I said not to change I'm going as I am. Going where what Shindig. Oh some of the kids from school were meeting at one of the kids house. Hey we're a half hour late now. Oh gosh oh do you mind terribly mother if we skip dinner tonight we'll make up for it tomorrow. Yeah mom tomorrow we'll let you stuff us with roast ham to your hearts content okay. Oh of course of course it's okay. Rota worked on that dinner all day long. Rota's our favorite cook. Tell her we'll eat it tomorrow bye mom. What is it Rota what's the matter. Well I just can't take any more of this nervousness Miss Ingalls. Fourteen years in this kitchen and of all the days in the world for the stove to break down. And if I don't get that roast in the oven soon there won't be any dinner for nobody. Mr. Kimberley not nobody. A repairman's coming right away Rota Bradley's gone up to get him. Well I certainly hope so and where is Mrs. Ingalls. She should have been back from market a hour ago. She'll be in any minute Rota. Eunice. Eunice you're dripping wet. I'm all right mother. Certainly don't sound all right to me. Excuse me Rota. Yes sir. Eunice. Yes dear. Oh look at her Bernard. Walking home in that pouring rain couldn't you take a cab. Or did you want to save the money for these dear considerate children. I couldn't find a cab mother. Anyway I'm here and I bought a beautiful pastry for Mr. Kimberley. I'm having a tray in my room. Oh mother please. We can't offend Mr. Kimberley. Just wants to boast that he's eaten at the home of Bradley that's all. This is the end. This is the very bitter end. What's the matter now Rota. The matter now Miss Ingalls. Where's Bradley with that gas man. And how does he expect me to cook a dinner without gas. I told Bradley when he left this morning. Oh my heavens Rota I thought that repairman would be here by now. Oh dear Bradley must have forgotten. If Bradley's head weren't attached to his shoulders. He was sitting on the drain board and a roast. I never had such a terrible day in my life. Now don't get upset Rota. Even if the stove's not working we'll fix up such a dinner as Mr. Kimberley will never forget. Well I hope so. Now don't worry Bernard. We've got this pastry I brought home and I'll fix up a nice salad and we'll get some of that nice Loganbury jam. That's all I need now. Mom where are my white gloves. I don't see why all the fuss about a man we don't want in the house in the first place. In your top floor Lois. Oh petty sake mother we've got to be polite to Mr. Kimberley. I've asked the children to be here. Can I have three dollars for a cab someone. I don't want to get my new hat wet and it's raining like mad. Why don't you take a umbrella. Oh granny you're quite old soul and you deserve a great big kiss. Bless you. Thank you. You're not going out again tonight are you Lois. You've been out every night since you've been home. And besides we're having a dinner party. Oh bosh to the dinner party. Anyway you wouldn't call it going out dad not in a strict sense of the word I mean you see I ran into Mr. Wingate. Wingate's department store. The son. I was in buying stockings and I just happened to make a comment about that lousy advertising. That's a new low in menace. Oh he didn't mind a bit granny. As a matter of fact he made me promise we'd have dinner tonight and talk all about advertising. Oh dad I'm late now so can I have those three dollars please. Mr. Kimberley's coming to dinner Lois. I asked you to be here. Mr. Kimberley. Oh. Oh Mr. Kimberley's not coming dad. What. Didn't Brad tell you. Tell me what. Oh Mr. Kimberley phoned to make sure what time dinner was. And Brad said that in as much as the stove had broken down he didn't know how soon we could get a gas man. He didn't very well see there was going to be any dinner. And so and so Brad told him not to come. Yeah. Oh. Look can I have that three dollars dad. I'm really awfully late. Oh sure Lois sure. Here. Thanks loads dad your lamb night. Well thank goodness that man isn't coming at least I'll be upstairs unit. Well that's that please try not to be so upset. I'll phone Mr. Kimberley in the morning and apologize and we'll ask him again. You don't understand Eunice. It was very important that nothing go wrong tonight. Well I'll explain about Bradley and all. It's just a bit of youthful carelessness. It can happen to anybody. Mr. Kimberley will understand. I hope so. I thought of celery. Crazy about celery. Say I'm starved mom. I'm a white shirt back from the laundry. Chocolate cake. You mind if I scoop. I can fix a salad for you Bradley if you're hungry. No mom I haven't got the time I got a special date. That is a hope she's special. You hope she's special. Well I hope she isn't like all the other girls you know always thinking about marriage. What's wrong with marriage. Marriage kids all a sloppy sentimentality of family life not for me to hand me that estre. Will you mom please. I'll spill the ashes if I move. Look dad take yourself now you're not really a bad guy thank you but look at what happened to you when you got through high school you wanted to go into the nursery business I thought of it why didn't you. Well my father needed me in the store you see what I mean sentimental nonsense you sacrificed yourself for your father that old family stuff. Oh I better run I brought out was the laundry man here yet today I need a clean shirt. Well there's nothing like being told by your own son. Oh he didn't mean anything dear I know he's young he doesn't understand when he gets older he'll realize I know you know I know why don't we do something gay tonight the dinner's ruined anyway so why don't we go to a good movie I'll run upstairs and get my hat. I think I'd rather stay home tonight you know if you don't mind I feel a little tired all right and I tell you what I'll do up upstairs and help Brad get off to his date. Then you and I can have the household to ourselves and we'll play a hand of honeymoon bridge like we used to in the old days remember. Oh all right dear I'll let you rest as Kimberly Kimberlath I want to talk to you angles come on in I thought I'm terribly sorry about dinner tonight I didn't know until about a half hour ago that Bradley English who do you think you are what you thought you were being clever didn't you stole broken down no gas man available. You thought I'd crawl into a corner and die because an English had played me for a sucker you thought you'd laugh about it with your blue blood friends at the country club. Well you won't pal you put your foot in it this time you put your foot in it and you can't pull it out what are you talking about. Who do you think you're working for Ingalls the city. No you're not you're working for me Ingalls Councilman Elliott L. Kimberley. I'm the guy who's going to run the city so you'd better get in line you scurry around tomorrow and get me that nomination at the club or you'll be running around without a job. Now look here Kimberly I'm not going to let you don't have to let me do a thing Ingalls nobody has to I just do it and no by the way before I came over here I phoned your secretary and fired her. What you heard me Ingalls that girl I wanted in will be at your office tomorrow morning just a minute Kimberly. Sure got something to say you bet I have shoot I'm sick of you Kimberly sick of the slimy tricky methods you use sick of the way you're running this town sick of everything. Most of all sick of your face and my job so beginning right now you can have both of them Kimberly. That's fine you're quitting as of this minute. Thanks Ingalls that's just what I've been waiting for. Good night. I can't believe it Lois I just can't believe that dad could have lost his job like that. He didn't lose it Brad he quit. You heard what Granny said last night just as well as I did he quit and then he was horror struck at what he'd done. Oh well I guess there's no turning back now Kimberly must have been right I'm awful hard to make him do a thing like that. No things would break this way. What do you mean by that? Well if he hasn't any job he can't pay our bills. No bills means no college. I thought we went through all that last night you're not going to back down now are you. Brad Ingalls if you don't. All right all right all right did you do what you said you were going through this morning. Of course I did. Did you. And how to work out. Fine yours. Oak. Then what are we standing here for let's go in and talk to her. Who talks first Brad. You or I. You start Lois then I follow up with the more gruesome details. You all set. All set. Go and knock on the door. Good morning Granny may we come in. Good morning Granny. Good morning Bradley. You two skipped out bright and early this morning. We we had some business to take care of. Important business. I see. As a matter of fact Granny that's why we're here now. We've something we wanted to discuss with you. Oh Granny. Now the dad has lost his job. What do you think his chances are. I mean I mean what do you what do you think is ahead for the poor house. Oh no the husband of Bradley and the poor house. Oh granny the disgrace. Better the poor house than a lot of rumors tramping over my carpets. Do you know what your mother has done. She's put an ad in the paper saying we have rooms for him. She has a bit a lot of people who like to move in. Maybe we can ask Elliott Kimberly. Lois Ingalls how can you even suggest such a thing. Now if this is your idea of a joke. Oh no no no it's not Granny. We've we've come to discuss dad's problem with you see. We've heard of an opening. Another job. The salary is not too hard to start with but oh dad can work his way up and it is steady. What sort of a job. Milk delivery for the Fleischer farms. Milk delivery for the what are you talking about. It isn't a sure thing yet but we think we can swing it with influence. Of course dad's age is against him. Dad's fifty three. Fifty four. That's even worse and the big concerns don't really want men his age anymore. But if you talk to Mr. Fleischer Lois as you know him. You went to school with Mrs. Fleischer Granny you told us remember. Of all the air of nonsense. If you don't think Mr. Fleischer would consider it Granny. Of course dad would look a little odd in the Fleischer uniform. Oh well Granny if you don't think Mr. Fleischer would consider it then there's another lead we found out about. Yeah the sandwich man's job at Hankles ice cream parlor has opened. The guy cut his thumb on a clam shell. And we think maybe if mother trained dad in the kitchen a few days first. Oh you're mad the two of you stuck raving mad. Well you don't think dad can make the grade why better mother show dad how to make sandwiches he could pick up speed in no time. Aren't there any respectable jobs left in this city anymore. For young men Granny. Dad wouldn't mind about those jobs Granny. Dad doesn't have your pride and he'll feel he has to do something. And of course if we could manage to swing some kind of investment for him in a nice respectable little business. Respectable little business. Well I've got some money. Not much was going to your father and mother when I went on and then to you someday. Though lately I've been thinking of leaving it all to charity. We have a secret for you. Granny did you. Have you ever thought of dying Granny. What. I mean that that that you're going to die someday. Would you call that a secret or am I being told that you're going to poison me. No no no you see what we mean is. Well since it's going to be mother and dad someday anyway. When I get through with it. Yeah well what we meant is. Why don't you give it to them now. They need it terribly just now Granny. So they can send you back to college. I see it all now. I give them the money so you can go back to college. We're not going back to college Granny we've made other plans. But they'll still spend it on you. No no you can fix it so they can't. I can. You know Noel Derby Granny you trust him don't you. Of course I know Noel his father was here even before mine. Well Mr Derby has an option on Frederick's nursery a wonderful spot and he wants Dad to go in with him. How do you know. We saw him this morning Granny just think Ingalls and Derby Incorporated Daddy will be an independent businessman. Damn it I like it if you finance them openly but if you go in with Mr Derby as a silent. And then you could hire Dad to look after your interest. Oh don't you see Granny it'll be wonderful. Mr Derby thinks it's a good idea. Of all the important. What do you mean discussing my affairs behind my back. Oh Granny Granny please. Well Granny. Well. You will. But young Derby I'd better not think this is an act of charity. I can still read the small print on a contract. Of course you can Granny get her hat. Mr Derby's waiting for you in Hinkle's ice cream parlor Granny. Well this is the most. Not that hat you idiot that's a summer hat. Oh excuse me. This one Granny. My Fitchcoat Lois you're not expecting me to sign a contract in my tweed. Oh and a bottle of rum. Take a good look at me Mom I am liable to be arrested any minute. Bradley your eye. It is pretty dark isn't all but you ought to see Kimberley's. Kimberley's Bradley you didn't have a fight with him. Oh just a little discussion Mom I wanted to bring home a few points. Brad oh my baby. Mom cut it out you're choking me for Pete's sake you women. Lois tell her how before she starts crying. Don't tell me Lois fought Kimberly too. Oh what is it Lois what have you been doing. Nothing Mom I just. Oh I want to tell you this for a long time Mom. I was scared too I was afraid you'd be angry Mom. What is it. I'm not going back to college Mom I wanted to quit for a long time but I didn't have the courage so not a day. I went out this morning and I got a job. Lois. I'm going to write advertising copy for Mr Wingate. Mr Wingate hired you. If you think that's good listen to this for like I've got a job at the little theater it's a swell opportunity. I was studying scene design in college wasn't I. Well here I can help the scene painter and they promised me a chance at some sets myself. I can send the photographs to New York. Gosh there's no telling what this will lead to. Oh I won't let you do this. I tell you that I will. It is the most wonderful news. Wait till you hear. Burned where have you been. You've had me worried. We have some news for you dad. I've got my job back. Lois and I. What. The council wouldn't accept my resignation. Kimberly was outvoted. Oh by the way he came in with the biggest black eye said he fell. Anyway Brad you and Lois can go back to school and. What's the matter with you all. Can any of you say anything. You might at least congratulate. Oh dad. Oh dad. Eunice what's got into everybody. Have they all suddenly lost their wits. You realize what I've said. I've got my job back. Everything is all right again. Dad I'm not going back to college. What's that. What's that you say. Lois took a job this morning dad and so did I. We're not going back to college. No just wait a moment. Children. There's nothing to wait for. I'm not going back. But Bradley. Lois wants to. It's OK with me. Oh really. You're a girl. Well I'm not going back either. Both of you are. That's right Eunice. We are not. Quiet. I'm still head of this house. My dad. Lois you're going back to college. That's telling her dad. And as for you Bradley telephone the people who hired you and tell them you're resigning. I won't go back. As long as I'm head of this family I shall take the responsibility for this family's welfare. I have my job back. And we will all pick up where we left off. But father would. Your father is speaking. Don't see that that's anything to shout about. I've signed on the dotted line Bradley. Lois give your grandmother a chair. Sure Granny. I came just in time granny dad's ruining everything in time for what. What's he talking about mother. My whole family seems suddenly to have gone insane. We're in business together Bernard. What are you talking about. No old Derby and I have bought Frederick's nursery and I've engaged you to look after my interest mother. Oh what wonderful news. I'll pay you a salary Bernard not much at first but maybe someday I'll sell out to you. I won't accept that dad. I will not let my family sacrifice Bernard. Yes Eunice. If you go back to City Hall Bernard. I'll leave you. You know. I mean every word of it. I will no longer have you put up with that nonsense at City Hall. Either you take mother's offer or or I'll pack my bags. They sure to take the silver coffee spoons Eunice. But the children Eunice. Their education. I need the experience in the theater dad. All right in copies of break for me dad. Don't you say. Bernard. They're such wonderful children. All right. All right. None of that sentimental. Now get on with the matter at hand. What are you going to do Bernard. What do you say Eunice. You know what I say darling. Well. Then I guess it's all settled. If you kids are willing to give up college. The least I can do is to give up my job at City Hall. Gee dad that's great. Well. Don't see why you children shouldn't follow the courses you choose. I knew you'd take advantage of this opportunity Bernard. I've waited years for it. Now perhaps I can really help the children. You've always helped his dad. A bit too willingly if I know anything. Not always. There have been times when I've been complained and worried the way a lot of men do. I guess raising a family is not a question of making sacrifices the way Eunice and I used to think. I guess it's more a matter of getting together and taking care of our problem before it takes care of us. In tonight's warmly human yet sharply penetrating play it took a serious crisis in the fortunes of the Ingalls family to show them the way to real living happiness. When Bernard the father lost his job it was then and only then that his children Bradley and Lois forgot snobbish material considerations and discovered the joy that comes from helping their parents rather than just depending on them. Of course the Ingalls parents themselves were mainly responsible for the selfishness of their children. Like so many fathers and mothers they did far more harm than good by insisting that their children have the best of everything. For whenever that best is measured only in material things it can easily be worthless. Yes the best in clothes play things in schools may even be dangerous unless children are also given the kind of training that develops a sound sense of Christian values. Of course one of the best ways for either parents or children to develop a sound set of living values is to make sure those values are founded on faith in God and in the great basic principles of the Christian religion. That is why millions already know the inner strength and security as well as the family harmony that comes from sound Christian training and membership in the church. And that is also why every child should attend Sunday school and why young people at home or away at school should attend church regularly. If you are not already a member of some church you certainly owe it to yourself and to your family to discover just how much a church and an experienced clergyman may be able to help you. Of course you are always welcome at your nearest Episcopal church and its clergyman is ready and eager to meet and talk with you to explain to you what the Episcopal church stands for and how it offers you a faith to live by in these trying times. Why not decide right now to visit your nearest Episcopal church at morning services next Sunday. This is Walter Hamden. I want to thank our cast and especially you Walter Abel, Margula Gilmore and Ethel Owen for your delightful performances. Next week friends the families of the Protestant Episcopal church of your own community and the Episcopal Actors Guild will present Sidney Kingsley's highly dramatic play The World We Make. Our guest will be the gifted star of stage and screen Miss Jessica Tandy. I hope you will join us. Music for tonight's transcribed program was composed and conducted by Nathan Kroll. Now an invitation from the church. The rector of your nearest Episcopal church will be happy to have you join his parish family. Why not attend church this coming Sunday and speak to him after the service. If you are not familiar with the location of your nearest Episcopal church.