Roland looks at this, open-mouthed and in absolute astonishment, sits down in his chair, smashing the orchids. Rosalie then shows the clock to the old Colonel and the two of them rave over it, forgetting the existence of Roland, who finally comes to sufficiently to see that he's sitting on something, gets up and picks up the mashed orchids, looks at them disgustedly. The clock is finally put in place on the mantel and Rosalie comes back and joins Roland, who stands looking ruefully at the flowers in his hand. He dolefully shows them to her, and she, seeing he is hurt, comforts him, telling him he's a dear boy and she loves the orchids. She takes them from him and tenderly straightens them out, but Roland is still in the dumps. Conwell is now throwing a lot of "bull" at the old Colonel, saying:
SP: "I JUST SAID TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE: 'YOU'RE NOT LOOKING VERY WELL, ELIHU, I WISH YOU'D LET MY OLD FRIEND, COLONEL BIRD, TAKE SOME OF THE WORK OFF YOUR HANDS.'"
He goes on spouting and the old Colonel fairly eats it up. Finally, Roland, unhappy and jealous and disgusted at Conwell, gets up and tells Rosalie he has to go. Rosalie begs him to stay in her sweetest manner, but Roland takes another look at Conwell, says no, he's got to go, says good-by to Rosalie and says good-by to the Colonel and Conwell, and leaves.
STREET EXT. COL. BIRD'S HOUSE.—Roland comes out and goes dolefully down the street. (Fade out.)
HALLWAY ROLAND'S HOUSE. Roland enters, disheartened. Hangs up hat and coat and stick and goes slowly into library.
10. LIBRARY ROLAND'S HOUSE. (Fade in.) Tom is fussing about the room. Roland enters the room, terribly depressed and upset and starts to tell Tom about the scene that just took place. He goes on talking about Conwell and finally says:
SP: "THE OLD MAN STANDS FOR ALL OF CONWELL'S BUNK AND THINKS HE'S GREAT."
Tom is very sympathetic and tells Roland he ought to settle the matter. Roland agrees with him, pounds on the table, and says:
SP: "I THINK THE TIME HAS COME WHEN I OUGHT TO TELL ROSALIE I LOVE HER!"
Tom agrees with him, says that's absolutely right. Roland says he knows it's right—the only thing to do is to come to an understanding right away. He then goes over to the telephone and calls a number, and while he is waiting for the number, he goes on talking to Tom, telling him just how he is going to settle things and Tom encourages him.