 The DuPont Company of Wilmington-Dalloware, makers of better things for better living through chemistry, presents the Cavalcade of America, starring Diana Lin as Rebecca Wright in Loyal Lady. Winchester, Virginia, September 25th, 1864, dear Will, perhaps for the rest of your life you will hate me and perhaps your right to hate me. I suppose that to you and to most of our people, I have betrayed the cause of the Confederacy, but I only know that each one of us at one time or another is tested, and in that hour we must follow the dictates of our consciences. That is what I had to do. Last September I was playing ordinary Rebecca Wright schoolteacher, and it was last September when General L.A.'s cavalry was crossing the Potomac, riding almost into the suburbs of Washington, that a Confederate officer came to my schoolhouse. Are you Miss Rebecca Wright? That is my name, Captain. Oh, I expected an angular pinch, no schoolmark. I disappoint you. On the contrary, your face makes more difficult what I'm instructed to say to you. Oh, you bear instructions? I'm General Early. Miss Wright, it is our information that two days prior to the Battle of Kernstown, you were seen in conversation with Major General George Crook of the Union Army. Well? I do not deny it, Captain. May I know what you said to General Crook on that occasion? General Crook is an old friend. He is a Yankee. He defends the United States of America. I advise you to consider your words, Miss Wright. This is the city of Winchester in Virginia. Captain, I teach my pupils geography. I teach them the geographical fact that while Winchester is in the state of Virginia, it is also north of Washington, D.C. Now, I would be glad to continue the lessons, sir, but as you see, school has been dismissed for the day and I am about to return to my home. Miss Wright, I ask you to tell me what you said to General Crook. Oh, very well. As best I can remember, I said, how is Mrs. Crook and all the little Crooks? I was not sent here to joke with you. Once again, Miss Wright, what did General Crook say to you? He said, Rebecca, are you still loyal to your country? And you answered, of course, that your first loyalty is to Virginia. I answered that I was born a citizen of the United States of America. Virginia has seceded from the United States of America. Yes, but you see, my conscience will not let me secede. Up near Harper's Ferry, the Yankees have brought in a new general named Sheridan. Now it's Sheridan versus Irle. Who are you for, Miss Wright? Sheridan? I'm not for Jubal Irle. Well, any raker, no liar. Right, I try not to be, Captain. Am I under arrest? For the present, no. Thank you. But I advise you to be careful. My instructions are to inform you that you will be watched. A rather disturbing thing just happened to me. Just as I was about to leave the school... But think of my dear, you do rattle on. Can't you see, we have a visitor. Oh? May I present myself? Lieutenant Will Rutherford, Army of Virginia. So soon, Lieutenant. And so very efficient. I thank you, pardon. I'm pleased to know you, Mr. Beckett. Should I be pleased to know you, sir? But why not? It's very kind of you and your mother to take me in. Oh, we have taken you in. Yes, the poor man had his knee smashed by a bullet. He shall stay with us for the remainder of his convalescence. Now, tell the Lieutenant how happy you are. Oh, I am delighted, sir. Fair, Lieutenant, I told you. Now do sit down and rest while I prepare your room and fix you a nice hot cup of tea. Thank you, ma'am. You were... You have a lovely house, Miss Wright. Thank you, sir. All the houses in the south will be lovely again when we've settled our score with the Federals, with the general Phil Sheridan, for example. Oh, Lieutenant, do you actually believe that all honor and virtue reside in the south and end all evil in the north? Well, Virginia girl, you talk most strangely. I see, then you do believe it. Oh, Mr. Beckett, I have no inclination to engage in controversy with you. Very well. You may fold your hands and watch me. I beg your pardon? Your assignment, I believe. Now, how do you prefer to watch me, Lieutenant? A full face or in profile? I've not made up my mind. Oh, Mr. Beckett, your face can distract a man from his duty. And what is your duty with regard to me? To see that Virginia girl does not portray the Confederacy. Her cause. My cause has nothing to do with my place of residence. You were born in Virginia. President Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky. Vice President Andrew Johnson was born in Carolina. This is not a struggle of regions, Lieutenant. It's a struggle over principles, which brings me, sir, to your lack of principle in telling my mother that you were wounded and therefore in need of her care. And you would prefer, I tell her? Well, the truth. You entered this house with a lie. You told my mother you were wounded. You played upon her sympathy. In war, behavior is governed by duty. Thank you. I'll remember that. In the meantime, you have entered this house like a sneak in the coward. I wonder what your face would be like if you smiled. Oh, how like all males. I find you contemptible. Strange. I find you very interesting. You know, it might be nice to kiss you. Don't behave like a puppy. What's more, I think you might find it rather nice, too. Lieutenant, you're a fool. Mother. Yes, what is this, Rebecca? I'm sorry to say that Lieutenant Rutherford imposes on your courtesy. Why, the lieutenant is our guest. The lieutenant is a bore. Rebecca, right. You're speaking of a wounded Confederate officer. There's nothing wounded about him except his mentality. Lieutenant, I beg you to forgive my daughter. She can be a most foolish young person, seeing only what she wishes to see. Now, sir, if you'll be good enough to come this way, I shall show you to your room. You're very kind, Madam. Mother, I cannot have one single word, Rebecca, right. I find your behavior most unusual and most displeasing. That day, well, I despised you. And those next days, when you shut yourself in your room and allowed Mother to bring your food on a tray, I despised you both. Queer, isn't it? The amount of feeding you evoked in me. I should have known. You remember the afternoon I brought your food on a tray? Come here. Well, this is an unexpected honor, Mr. Rebecca. My mother's wish. Where shall I set down this tray? Wherever you like. It goes against your grain to wait on me, doesn't it? Shall I pour your tea or do you suppose there is enough strength left in your feeble body for that arduous task? Mr. Rebecca, I ask you to excuse my conduct of the day before yesterday. My only excuse is... Yeah. I'm afraid there is no excuse. My conduct was unpardonable. Oh, I see. We have tried the approach of the irresistible, overpowering male and finding it unsatisfactory. We now adopt a new approach. Today we shall be meek and contrite. Lieutenant, I prefer the arrogant liar to the humble liar. At least the first is manly. You are smug. Smug and self-righteous. But not a liar. Naturally not. I pretend no feverish. I do not go limping from room to room. Give me your word that you'll be loyal to the army of Virginia. Now, not go limping from room to room. I'll leave your house immediately. Who were you to demand my word on anything? I'd be miserable if anything happened to you. To me? Why? I don't know why. But I would be miserable. Oh, Mr. Becker, this is a war. Those who are not for us are enemies. I ask you please not to be my enemy. You stare at me, Mr. Becker. Yes, you're pale. It happens. Here, take my kerchief. What for? Take my kerchief and wipe your forehead. Thank you, Mr. Becker. If you're feeling ill for any reason, you may sit down. You need not be so formal. I'll remain standing if it's the same to you. Well, it's not the same to me. I wish you to be seated. The whims of a guest should be humid. Sit down, Lieutenant. Oh, really, Mr. Becker, whether I sit or stand is not... You sit down. I'm afraid you'll have to help me. I can't manage it by myself. You are wounded. Yes. Put your arm around my shoulder. Your arm around my shoulder, sir. Carefully, Lieutenant. I'm not nearly so arrogant at this moment, am I? I called you a liar. You haven't been altogether wrong. I was sent here to keep you under surveillance. I resisted the assignment. I asked the colonel to send somebody else. It was funny. Now I begin to welcome the assignment. Just when I'm being sent away. You're leaving? You should be pleased to be done with me. But you're in no condition to travel. They'll put me in a wagon. Others are worse off than me. Yes, I know. Oh, Mr. Becker. Those Virginia men and Carolina men, they're fighting for the honor of the South. And they do what they have to do. Please remember them. And while I've no right to ask it, will you remember me? Do you believe in fate, that all things are preordained? Perhaps it was preordained that less than two days after you left Winchester, I was informed I had a visitor. An unexpected visitor. It's Junius, the vegetable peddler. He's come through the lines from Millwood. Got some cruelly fine vegetables for you. Says you ordered them specially. Oh, he's waiting for you in the kitchen. Well, I'll see you. Oh, good morning, Junius. Good morning, ma'am. I got something for you. Oh, I'm afraid I don't understand. A raptor in a chef foil has been candid in my mouth. I was told to bring it to you. By whom? General Phil Shared in the United States Army. He say to me, Junius, you take this message to Miss Rebecca Wright. Why me? General Crooked untold General Shared and you as a loyal lady, faithful and loyal to the government of the United States. That's you, ain't it? Yes. What gift in this message is for you? I refuse to accept it. Why? Why not? You got your money for bringing it, didn't you? Ma'am, some things a person can't take money for. I like being alive too much to risk my life just for money. Ain't much of a life I admit, but it's my life. Oh, please forgive me, Junius. I don't want the message. I risk my life to bring it. You want me to risk my life reading it? I do, ma'am. Well, you have no right to want that. Not me, ma'am. General Phil Shared in the United States Army. He won't stand. I won't hurry. I'll come by again this evening. Tonight on the Cavalcade of America, Diana Lin is starring as Rebecca Wright in Loyal Lady. Miss Rebecca is writing a letter. You cannot imagine how deep my concern was, my dear Will, following that fateful interview with Junius. What did General Shared and Walt have me? As the day wore on, I thought of many, many things. I thought of our traditions, of the causes at stake, confederacy, and the union. But most of all, Will, in my secret heart, my thoughts began to be more and more with you. Strange, because it was then that mother called to me. Rebecca, I have a letter. A letter from Will, for me? A letter from Will, but addressed to me. Oh, it concerns you. Shall I read it, dear? Yes, if you want to. My dear Mrs. Wright, I have known Miss Rebecca for only a short time. Too short, perhaps, for what I'm about to say. But this is a time of war and events and emotions move terribly fast when life itself is daily in the balance. One day I will return to your house to speak for Rebecca. Meanwhile, I adjure you, Mrs. Wright, to see that your daughter does nothing which might injure the cause which you and I hold so dear. Faithfully, Will Rutherford. Now, what does the lieutenant mean? It's quite plain, mother. He's asking for my hand. But what else does he mean? Well, isn't it obvious? Will Rutherford left Winchester with Kershaw's infantry to reinforce General Lee's army and Richmond. Now, perhaps he's worried because I knew these things. Well, I have no idea what you're talking about. All that matters is, are you fond of him? How can I tell? Can a woman know such things in a few days? Many women know. I knew. Yes. Yes, I believe I could be fond of him. Even fond enough to become his wife? Perhaps. Oh, that would give me great joy. Rebecca, do nothing that will build a wall between you and Will. He has put on the uniform of the Confederacy. That's a wall of his construction. Well, he's a man. He follows his duty. Well, I'm a woman. Does a woman have no duties? Will Rutherford wears his uniform. I must wear my uniform and be free to choose my cause and to serve it. If Will considers me less his equal because of it, I shall not want him. Oh, my daughter, you can sound very persuasive, except to myself. Oh, mother, why must people be forced to make a choice? Because that's the only way they become people. Without choice, there's nothing. Neither love, nor virtue, nor self-respect. All right, mother. For the sake of my self-respect, I'll make my choice. Good evening, ma'am. Would you care for any nice veggie table tonight? Yes, yes. You can bring them into the kitchen. Oh, I think I'd better not, ma'am. Petrolled out tonight, all over Winchester, looking for something. I sure hope it ain't me. Miss Rebecca, I'll bear a message for you from General Phil Shed and the United States Army. I'm ready to read it. Thank you, ma'am. Because this year, 10-4, I'll show you to give a man the soma. If you hold on just for some... Good evening, Miss... Good evening, Captain. It's a charming evening. All citizens are supposed to be in their houses after sundown. Yes, Captain, I know. But Junior's here. He was passing by with some fresh vegetables, and I just couldn't resist buying some. You do forgive me, Captain, don't you? Maybe. You're Junior's? Speak up, can't you talk? Because I had some in my throat, sir. Hold up your lantern. I'm a good look at this man. Here, sir. Your name? Junior, sir. Occupation? I sell vegetables. I've been selling them in Winchester since I was a boy. You always sell your produce at this hour? No, sir. Why are you out then? Going home to Millwood, sir. Had to pass by this week. Yes, Captain, and I stopped him. All right, Sergeant, come along. Evening, Miss Rebecca. Evening, Captain. Quick, Junior, give me the message. I can't, Miss Rebecca. You can't? No, I just swallowed it. Can you remember what it said? I think so, ma'am. General Sheridan won't know if you could tell him how many troops General Early have and where he is now. Junior, tell me something. Yes? If Confederate troops left Winchester to go somewhere else, would that news be important to General Sheridan? Yes, ma'am. I reckon. Miss Rebecca, is there something you want to tell General Sheridan? Yes, Junior. Yes, there is. Now listen. General Kershaw's division has been detached from Winchester. At this moment, it's marching toward Front Royal by way of Chester Gat. Marching where? To Richmond to join General Lee. How you know this? It doesn't matter how I know. I think General Sheridan will want the information. He won't prove, ma'am. How sure is you? As sure as I know that to defend my country, I betray a man who loves me. Miss Rebecca, it ain't nothing good in this whole wide world. It don't have its cost of pain. Come on, Mule. Let's go. It's better for you to know everything well, just as it happened. General Sheridan received my news that General Early's army had been weakened by the withdrawal of Kershaw's infantry. So, on September 19th, his army began to move into the Shenandoah Valley. You know what happened then, Mule. And afterwards, on September 20th, General Sheridan came to this house. Miss Rebecca, this message has just been delivered. It belongs to you as much as it does to me. May I? Please. I have just heard of your great victory. God bless you all. Officers and men signed A. Lincoln. My dear, this is an important day. After today, Confederate armies will no longer threaten the nation's capital at Washington. There will be no more raids across the Maryland and Pennsylvania borders. The tide has turned, and you have helped to turn it. Your words are very kind, General. But at this moment, I think only of a wounded Confederate soldier on his way to Richmond. I've been told about Lieutenant Rutherford. Do you think you have lost him? I know I have, sir. You are wrong, my dear. He is no more lost to you, and the South is lost to the United States of America. I will pray you are right. I'm so will, my dear. I conclude this letter. I shall not ask your forgiveness. I have done what I consider to be my duty, and whatever has passed between us is done. Just as whatever has passed between North and South is also done. The American people make a new beginning from this day. Shall we? I wait for you, Will. Fatefully, Rebecca. Ladies and gentlemen, at its 31st annual convention in Miami Beach, Florida last week, the American Legion Auxiliary announced its radio awards as a result of an annual listening poll to determine, as the Legion Auxiliary says, the best type and quality of program and of outstanding service to American radio listeners. We are honored to have you here today. Thank you. And of outstanding service to American radio listeners. We are happy and proud that for the second consecutive year, the Cavalcade of America has received this radio award of the American Legion Auxiliary. Thank you. Don't forget next week our star, Robert Cummings, our play, Navy Blue. The DuPont Cavalcade of America comes to you from the Velasco Theater in New York and is sponsored by the DuPont Company of Wilmington, Delaware, makers of better things for better living through chemistry. Next, it's Hollywood Theater on NBC.