Episode 81, scene 4.

     Eli talks with Elliot in the Chandlery.

Eli. I told you it wouldn't be easy.  And there were bound to be 
     problems.
EC:  The only problem is with my head.  It's all stuffed full of 
     dreams, of things I'd like to do for my wife and daughter.  And 
     would, if I could. 

Eli: If wishes were horses . . . 
EC:  . . . then beggars would ride.
     Cultural reference

EC:  Well, it looks like we're going to have to walk.
Eli: You'll get to the same place.
EC:  Well, that's true, Dad.

Eli: Elliot, how has Allison been taking it?
EC:  Taking what?
Eli: This business of the three of you living together as a family.
     There's been no talk.
EC:  What kind of talk are you referring to?
Eli: Well, you know to bother Allison about the wedding or some such.
EC:  Well, if there was, she wouldn't tell me.

EC:  You know, it's a funny thing, Dad.  But Allison and I used to be 
     able to talk about anything, when I was just an interesting 
     stranger she met in the library. 
EC:  And now? 
EC:  Now.  Oh, by the way I meant to tell you.  I'm going to have great 
     grandfather Carson's watch fob put on bracelet for her, if you 
     don't mind. 

Eli: Why, of course not.  She is as much my kin as yours.
     But Elliot, we can't bribe her love.  You know that.

EC:  I'm not trying to.  I just want to give her something.

EC:  I want her to feel she's a Carson even though her name stays 
     Mackenzie. If that makes any sense to you. 
Eli: It does.  I only hope that the bracelet you choose will be worthy 
     of the company it's keeping. 
EC:  Are you referring to Allison or the watch fob?
Eli: Both.  The fob is solid gold.

     [Eli goes in the other room for a moment.]
     [Allison comes in the Chandlery.]

AM:  Hello.
EC:  Well, now this is a pleasant surprise.
     [Eli returns.]
Eli: Allison.
AM:  Oh, Hello.
AM:  I have an announcement to make.  The entire Carson family is going 
     to lunch. 
EC:  Is that an invitation or a summons?
AM:  A summons.
EC:  Well, that answers that question.

     [This conversation sets up the bracelet as a prop for a key point 
     in the story.] 

     There is an old saying If wishes were horses, beggars would 
     ride".  But as this poem written under the pseudonym of 
     Turlundie says, we all wish we could go back over parts of 
     our lives, and what's the harm in wishing and dreaming? 

     I Aften Wish
     I aften wish that eence again 
     The weary road I've traivell't 
     Wis mine tae tread, I'd hae things fit 
     Withoot mischance or guessin'; 
     My ships wad safely mak'the port, 
     My webs be never raivell't, 
     An' a'd be for the best - I wish, 
     An faur's the hairm in wishin'? 
     I aften think if I could hae 
     The guidin'o'the warl, 
     I'd spin an' wyve the threids sae fine, 
     There'd be nae chance o' minkin'. 
     I'd strauchten kinks, unraivel knots, 
     An' redd up a' the snarl. 
     An' a'd be for the best, I think, 
     An' faur's the hairm in thinkin'? 
     I aften hope that I will live 
     Tae see the gweedly graces 
     Faith, Hope and Charity, enthroned 
     'Mang men wha'noo are gropin' 
     Aye efter things nae worth the while; 
     See strivin' creeds an' races 
     A' live in amity, I hope, 
     An' faur's the hairm in hopin'? 
     I aften dream a bonnie dream, 
     There breathes the healin' spirit, 
     Fraternity, a' ower the warl' 
     Agog in happy freemen; 
     The birn's adjustit fairly till 
     The back maist fit tae bear it, 
     An' justice rules mankind - I dream, 
     An' faur's the hairm in dreamin' 

     Meaning of unusual words: 
     faur's=what is 
     minkin'=entanglement 
     redd up=tidy up 
     snarl=tangle 
     birn=burden 
     

Episode 81, scene 2           HOME