The Children's Hour (1961)
Audrey Hepburn: Karen Wright
Photos
Quotes
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Martha : There's always been something wrong. Always, just as long as I can remember. But I never knew what it was until all this happened.
Karen : Stop it Martha! Stop this crazy talk!
Martha : You're afraid of hearing it, but I'm more afraid that you.
Karen : I won't listen to you!
Martha : No! You've got to know. I've got to tell you. I can't keep it to myself any longer. I'm guilty!
Karen : You're guilty of nothing!
Martha : I've been telling myself that since the night I heard the child say it. I lie in bed night after night praying that it isn't true. But I know about it now. It's there. I don't know how, I don't know why. But I did love you! I do love you! I resented your plans to marry. Maybe because I wanted you. Maybe I've wanted you all these years. I couldn't call it by name before, but maybe it's been there since I first knew you.
Karen : But it's not the truth, not a word of it is true! We've never thought of each other that way.
Martha : No, of course you didn't. But who's to say I didn't. I'd never felt that way about anybody before you. I've never loved a man. I never knew why before, maybe it's that.
Karen : You're tired and worn out.
Martha : It's funny. It's all mixed up. There's something in you, and you don't know anything about it because you don't know it's there. And then suddenly, one night a little girl gets bored and tells a lie, and there, for the first time, you see it. Then you say to yourself, did she see it? Did she sense it?
Karen : But you know it could have been any lie. She was looking for anything to...
Martha : But why this lie? She found the lie with the ounce of truth. Don't you see? I can't stand to have you touch me! I can't stand to have you look at me! Oh, it's all my fault. I have ruined your life and I have ruined my own. I swear I didn't know it! I didn't mean it! Oh, I feel so damn sick and dirty I can't stand it anymore!
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Mrs. Lily Mortar : [about Mary] Oh, what happened? Did she fall?
Karen : No, I was disciplining her.
Mrs. Lily Mortar : And you finally hit her?
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Dr. Joe Cardin : We can't go on like this. Everything I say is made to mean something else!
Karen : I guess every word has a new meaning. Child, love, friend, woman. There aren't many safe words anymore. Even 'marriage' doesn't have the same meaning anymore.
Dr. Joe Cardin : It does to me, and it should to you, if
[he pauses]
Karen : If what?
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Martha : Cooking always makes me feel better... Well, I suppose I'll have to feed the duchess, even vultures have to eat. I baked a cake. And you know what, I found a bottle of wine. We'll have a good dinner. Where's Joe?
Karen : Gone.
Martha : Patient? Will he be back in time for dinner?
Karen : No.
Martha : Then we'll wait dinner for him... What's the matter, Karen?
Karen : He won't be back anymore.
Martha : You mean he won't be back anymore, tonight.
Karen : He won't be back at all.
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Martha : You need clothes.
Karen : What about you?
Martha : I'm a skirt-and-blouse character. We're always in style. But you're not. You're Fifth Avenue! Rue de la Paix. You need to be kept up.
Karen : Yes, like an old battle monument.
Martha : No, I'm serious. I remember how you used to dress in college. The first time I ever saw you, running across the quadrangle, your hair flying. At the time, I was running from a chemistry professor. I remember thinking, "What a pretty girl."
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Dr. Joe Cardin : Come on.
Karen : But - come on, Martha.
Dr. Joe Cardin : I'm too tired for two girls.
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Karen : The wicked very young. The wicked very old. Let's go home.
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Karen : I'm going away some place to begin again. Will you come with me?
