The Whales of August (1987) - full transcript
It's August. Like they have most summers, elderly widowed sisters Libby Strong and Sarah Webber, who live in Philadelphia, are staying together in the family's summer cottage on an island off the coast of Maine. The cottage, which now belongs to Sarah, has been in their family most of their lives, it which was the family's summer getaway from Philadelphia when they were younger. There are a few people who have been half-century friends or acquaintances on the island, including the outspoken Tisha Doughty who is like a bossy third sister, and Joshua Brackett, who has long done any of the handy work around the cottage. Someone relatively new at least to Sarah's social circle is Mr. Maranov, a former Russian aristocrat for who chivalry is just a way of life. His stay on the island is however threatened when his landlady, Hilda Partridge, passes away. Sarah and Libby have come to the realization that they are in the respective twilight of their lives, largely regarding issues directly concerning Libby. Sarah, who still keeps busy and wants to savor life's pleasures, acts as now sightless, cantankerous and bitter Libby's caregiver. Sarah knows she can no longer take care of Libby due to the emotional toil more so than the physical toil, as Libby has largely given up on life. As such, Sarah has to make alternate living arrangements instead of the Philadelphia house when they leave the island for the summer. Those arrangements will not involve Libby's estranged daughter Anna, who nonetheless has the means to take care of her mother, although not the want. It is their interactions with Tisha and Mr. Maranov which may decide their sisterly fate for the immediate future.
Libby! They're here!
They're here! Sarah!
-They're here!
-Tisha, have you seen them?
Yes. Over there.
Come quickly.
Run!
Hurry! Hurry!
They'll be gone.
Come on! Hurry, hurry!
Libby! Libby, come on!
Hurry!
-Mr. Randall!
-Mr. Randall!
Mr. Randall! Hello!
-Mr. Randall!
-Have you seen the whales?
Morning, ladies.
Morning, Sarah.
Have you seen the whales?
Have you seen the whales?
Sure l have.
Where?
Out there.
Come on, come on.
Hey, Libby.
Let me see.
Let me see.
-Look.
-Quick. Come on.
There.
Thank you very much.
-Thank you, Mr. Randall.
-l hope you have good fishing.
Don't let the tide catch you.
There you go.
Libby!
Your breakfast is ready.
Sarah?
Sarah!
Good morning,
Mrs. Webber.
Oh, good morning,
Mr. Maranov.
What a lovely morning
it is.
lsn't it beautiful?
You came by water?
Yes, yes. Mr. Randall
was kind enough...
to bring me over.
Oh, how nice.
What beautiful roses.
Yes, aren't they beautiful?
And don't they smell sweet?
Mrs. Webber, l would like
to ask you a favor.
May l fish from your cove?
Oh, any time, Mr. Maranov.
Your fish are the finest
of all the islands.
Oh, but they're not
our fish, Mr. Maranov.
Well, perhaps you would
do me the honor...
of sharing my catch with me.
Oh, how generous of you.
Yes, indeed.
You've come at a good time.
Yes, the fish
should be biting now.
The tide will
just be on the turn.
And the herring will be running.
-Yes.
-l must be on my way.
-Yes. Good luck.
-Thank you.
Oh, dear.
You must be thirsty.
l'll give you
a nice drink of water...
and you'll feel better.
l just don't know...
where all this dust
comes from.
Hello, Mother.
Oh, dear.
Hello, Philip.
Just think. lt's 46 years.
Doesn't seem like it.
Talking to yourself.
Yes.
Anybody answer?
Not yet.
But your tea's cold.
And your cereal, too, dear.
Yes, it was.
But you shouldn't do without
your breakfast, Libby.
This is my blue dress, isn't it?
Oh, l see.
Why don't l fix this?
There.
There.
Hey.
You did without your shoes.
l couldn't find them.
Perhaps they're under your bed.
-l'll get them for you.
-Probably.
But you really should
eat something, Libby.
Blue has always been
a favorite color of mine.
Well, l'll be right back.
You didn't answer me.
Answer what, dear?
l asked you if
this were my blue dress.
Yes, it is, dear.
l don't forget things, you know?
Oh, yes, l know.
What are you doing?
l'm dusting.
Busy, busy, busy.
Always busy.
l wish we were in
my house in Philadelphia.
Oh, but it's so hot
in Philadelphia now.
l like the heat.
lt keeps you
from being so busy.
Well, dear,
this is Maine...
and this is my house...
and somebody
has to keep it tidy.
What are you doing now?
My animals for the fair.
You're late, Sarah.
Aren't you usually
finished by August?
There seems so much this year.
What would the town's
annual fair do...
without Sarah Webber?
lt's a worthy cause, dear.
The world is full
of worthy causes.
Yes, indeed.
This is a little koala bear.
They live up in the trees...
and they won't come down...
if there are a lot
of people around.
Very sensible.
Oh, you'll never guess
what l found.
What, Sarah?
The old stereopticon.
You remember?
And, Libby,
l found the cards, too.
All the old family pictures.
Oh, l wish
you could see them.
That's you and me...
and Tisha...
down in the cove.
And here we are back
in Philadelphia.
One of our tennis parties.
And Mother and Father
all dressed up.
l'm going to donate this
to the silent auction table.
They say they're
very valuable these days.
Well, perhaps
we'd be valuable, too...
if they'd put us up for sale.
Don't give them
the cards, Sarah.
l won't, dear.
Wouldn't you like
the radio on, dear?
lt's time for Arthur Godfrey.
Thank you very much,
and how do you do?
But that's your
favorite program.
l don't want the radio.
Are you all right, dear?
l'm all right.
Just a touch of November
in my bones.
Didn't you tell me...
someone was coming by
this morning?
Yes, dear. Tisha.
Then l should have my shoes.
l forgot.
l left them in the bedroom.
l'll bring them right in.
Oh, and my glasses.
Do make me look presentable.
You always look
presentable, dear.
l expect l'm
a great bother to you.
l'm here to take care
of you, dear.
You could change your mind.
People do.
l'm here as long as you need me.
There's always my Anna.
Your Anna has never wanted
to be involved with us.
She is my daughter.
Anna has never been
very daughterly...
and you have never been
very motherly.
And that's that.
Careful.
Hold still, dear.
Do you remember
the swans in the park...
when we were children?
Yes, dear.
Mother had hair like the swans.
ls my hair as white
as Mother's was?
l expect so.
What color is your hair
now, Sarah?
Oh, it's faded.
All the brown is gone.
Everything dies sooner or later.
So you always say.
Do you know why old ladies
sit on park benches, Sarah?
No, why, dear?
To hold them
for springtime lovers.
Even the benches want
to get away in November.
But this is August, dear.
What does time matter?
Well, time is time.
Yes, if you wear it
like a wet blanket.
Matthew died in November.
l tell you, Sarah...
Matthew's month
will be--be mine.
Why don't you go about
your chores, Sarah?
l'll...
l'll hold down the bench.
Bravo!
Bravo.
Oh, Mrs. Doughty.
What a pleasure to see you.
And how lovely you look today.
Well, l'll remember you
in my will.
l see you've had some luck.
Yes, l've caught
several of these...
and some of those,
uh, sea perch.
What is the name
that you give them?
Cunners.
We call them cunners,
Mr. Maranov.
Would you like a berry?
Oh, thank you.
-Delicious.
-Good.
l was so sorry to hear
about Hilda.
lt's a wicked shame,
her passing so sudden.
Yes. Poor lady.
l'm afraid nobody realized
that she was so ill.
Will you be staying on--
l mean, at Hilda's?
l expect her daughter will
be taking over the house...
now that she's gone.
Yes, l believe so.
Yes. Well...
it'd be a pity to miss
the rest of the summer.
Well, l must say
l have come to feel...
very much at home here.
Well, l'm sure you'll find
someplace else to stay.
Happy fishing.
Sarah?
Sarah, where are you?
l'm here in the garden.
What are you doing?
Just finishing a picture.
l want to go for my walk.
All right.
Baron Maranov is fishing
from our rocks.
Well, l hope he doesn't
want to give us...
any of those nasty fish.
Dear, for heaven's sakes.
Sewer fish--
that's what they are.
Nonsense.
The currents
are very strong there.
l will not eat any
of those fish.
-Well, don't.
-You, of course...
would do anything
to flatter that fraud.
He's not a fraud.
l will not eat those fish!
You know, l believe we'll see
the whales this weekend.
That would be surprising.
lt's time for them.
Whales don't come anymore.
The herring are running.
That's a sure sign.
Signs fail, you know.
Our hydrangea bush
is doing very well.
See?
l bet that they're beautiful.
Mother planted this
when we were very young.
l'd just graduated
from nursing school.
Yes.
Sarah, do you realize that--
that we are--we are both...
both older now...
than Mother was when she died?
She loved the garden.
When we were children...
you believed that the whales
changed the seasons.
l did?
Yes. Father told you...
that the whales caught
the wind with their tails...
and brought it down
from the Arctic.
And l believed him?
Yes! You did.
You know what would be nice?
What would be nice?
A big picture window here
instead of these two.
l've always wanted one.
lt would be
too expensive, Sarah.
Joshua said--
Well, of course,
Joshua would want one.
He would make money from it.
Besides, Sarah, we're too old
to be considering new things.
1, 2.
3, 4.
Yoo-hoo!
Hello, hello, hello!
Tisha.
Got myself a bit warm
walking down here.
Where's your car?
Well, came blueberrying.
Oh, how wonderful.
Oh, go in,
and l'll be right in.
Now, here.
l was picking berries...
all the way
along the shore.
Saw Mr. Maranov down there.
Fishin'.
Yes. He's promised us
some of his catch.
Where's the old war-horse?
Out on the porch.
Oh, good.
Then we can have
a nice heart-to-heart.
You look peaked, dear.
Anything the matter?
Oh, l can tell.
What's that cantankerous sister
of yours done now?
-Nothing.
-Nothing?
Well, you got a touch
of the collywobbles?
No.
Nope.
lt's Libby for sure.
You know me too well.
Ya-uh.
50 years of crossing bridges
together will do that.
Now, out with it.
She started talking about dying.
Dying?
That woman is
as healthy as a horse.
l'm afraid it's her mind.
Failin', is it?
l could be imagining things.
Oh, phooey, Sarah Webber.
You were a nurse.
You know what's happening.
Senility is what's happening.
Nonsense.
Sarah...
Libby was always
a difficult woman...
even in the best of times.
Have you told Anna?
Well, l've been thinking
for a long time...
you should ask Anna
to take Libby.
She wouldn't.
Well, why not?
She has plenty of money.
She'll see that her mother
is well cared for.
Well, Sarah...
you know what Harry Truman said.
What?
''Well, if the buck
is gonna be passed...
''it may as well be passed
to somebody with plenty of 'em.''
He never said that.
Of course he didn't.
Smile, dear.
Sarah...
Sarah...
if you did do it,
could you manage?
What do you mean, Tisha?
Well, money, dear.
You know, could you afford
to keep this place?
Well, l've never thought.
Well, it's time you did.
Now...chances are...
things could be tight
without Libby...
on what you've got.
But...
you can stay with me.
Oh, l couldn't burden you
with my troubles.
Half of life
is troubles, Sarah...
and the other half's
gettin' over 'em.
What do you say?
Joshua!
Joshua, what are you doing?
l'm turning your water off!
Can't you tell that man
to be quieter?
l've been trying for 50 years.
Morning, Libby.
Good morning, Tisha.
Joshua?
Stop that noise!
lt's the bathroom drains
that leak.
lf l don't cut the main...
you'll be getting
a damn sight more than leaks.
Why don't you come up
for some tea?
Thank you.
l believe l will.
Jesus, Lord above.
Takes me half the day
to get in here...
and the other half to get out.
We've been waiting
for you since June.
l guess we can wait
another 10 minutes.
Goddamn crawlspace
ain't gotten any bigger...
since l was here last.
Good morning, Joshua.
Well, hello, Mrs. Doughty.
And how are you, Mrs. Strong?
Better if you'd keep down
that clatter.
l'll do my best, Mrs. Strong.
l'll do my very best.
Will you join us for tea, Libby?
No, think l'll wait...
till Mr. Brackett
finishes his chores.
Joshua, you are incorrigible.
Ayuh. That, too.
How be ya, Mrs. Doughty?
Well, better if you'd keep down
the clatter, Mr. Brackett.
She's a corker, that one.
Ayuh.
A right wicked caution.
Need any help, Sarah?
Been keeping busy, Joshua?
Busier than a goddamn bee,
Mrs. Doughty.
There certainly are
a lot of newcomers...
on the island these days.
Yes.
Yeah, too many, if you ask me.
These biscuits are rather dull.
Glory, l never seen so damn many
people in all my life.
Or cars, for that matter.
Some of these summer people
bring down two.
Lord knows why.
l don't even need one.
You can't walk
more than a mile...
before you fall
into the damned ocean.
Oh, Joshua.
Someone tells me you're seeing
Myrtle Jackson again, Joshua.
Ayuh. When l can, when l can.
Well, you two make
a lovely couple.
Well, you see, Myrtle's
a lady, Mrs. Doughty...
and she don't go parading around
like a living beach ball...
all squeezed into them
Bermudey shorts.
Quit a job on a woman
like that last week.
l left my tools right there.
Well, you went back
for them, l hope.
Nope.
l got plenty of tools.
But l ain't got time
for people like that.
People like that won't even
spend the time of day with you.
They won't even offer
you a cup of tea.
You know, them people are gonna
be the ruination of this island.
What happened, Joshua?
That woman told me
l was too slow, Mrs. Webber.
The idea!
So l told her
she could get somebody else...
if she thought
she could do better...
and l ain't been back.
-Good for you.
-That'll show 'em.
Ayuh.
You know...
can't imagine what l'd do...
if l retired.
Well, of course you can't.
Or what would we do if you did?
Oh, l'd always do
neighborly favors...
for you ladies, anyway.
You're a kind man, Joshua.
Some wouldn't agree.
Well, they just don't know you.
Won't, neither.
We're seeing the future, ladies.
Don't like it much.
A mighty nice cup of tea.
Best this end of the island.
Oh, Joshua Brackett,
you are a flatterer.
Ayuh. That, too.
You know,
a big picture window...
sure would look nice
right there, Mrs. Webber.
l don't know, Joshua.
Libby says we're too old to be
bothering about new things.
Oh, there's nothing wrong
with new, Mrs. Webber...
if it makes
something good better.
A-yuh.
Bye, ladies.
You know, he's right, Sarah.
The whales should be back.
l keep hoping we'll see them.
Well...
let's have a look.
We're just going down
to the point, Libby.
To look for whales, no doubt.
Look out there, Sarah.
ls that a porpoise?
Well, l haven't seen any
all summer.
Remember how many there
were before the war?
Which war, dear?
Why, the war with Germany.
Oh, yes.
Well, l expect the submarines
scared them all away.
Aw, you and your submarines.
But l saw them many times...
especially in '42.
Perhaps you saw too many.
Well, if you ask me,
it's the Russians.
They've got the bomb, you know.
There's no tellin'
what they're up to.
Remember that first summer
we watched the whales together?
You kept grabbing the glasses.
Well, you were piggy with them.
Still are.
Do you suppose we still
might find some ambergris?
Ambergris?
Oh, my land, Sarah.
l haven't thought of
our ambergris hunts in years.
We were going
to make our fortune.
Yes. $10 an ounce
that stuff was.
Yeah. Yep.
The new perfume queens.
Weren't we the pair?
Sarah!
You two are certainly
carrying on.
Well, there's nothing
like a good laugh, Libby.
-Let me help you.
-Oh, thanks.
Libby Strong, you are
looking younger every day.
-Pooh.
-Here. Have some berries.
Thank you.
God, what a long walk
for so few berries.
l swear there aren't so many
as there used to be.
lt's the nuns.
The nuns, Libby?
Yes. They flock around
our berry bushes...
like a bunch of penguins.
Well...
nuns are entitled to pick
berries, too, you know.
Not on our land.
Oh, for pity's sake, Libby.
Girls...
l do have some sad news.
Out with it, Tisha.
Hilda Partridge
passed away yesterday.
And now Mr. Maranov...
will have to find
someplace else to live.
Who will be the next
lucky person?
No idea.
l don't think he knows
what's next, poor man.
But Hilda was so young!
Hilda was 83 if she was a day.
Well, l certainly
am gonna miss Hilda.
She was a crackerjack
bridge partner.
You will never guess who
finally got a hearing aid.
-Who, dear?
-Alice Truworthy.
A-yuh!
And now she's playing bridge
like a champion.
l guess she never heard
the bidding before.
Have you seen anything
of Charlie Mayhew lately?
-You mean you haven't heard?
-What?
He up and married
that young waitress...
from the Abernathy house.
You don't say.
l do. Scandalous.
But not surprising.
The late Mrs. Mayhew could have
taken a booby prize...
at any cattle show.
Libby, you and Fred Allen
would have made a pair.
Still, Sally Mayhew's grave
hardly has grass on it.
How is your arthritis, dear?
Oh, you know.
ln again, out again,
gone again, Finnegan.
My young doctor says
l can expect it...
if l'm determined
to live so long.
Your young doctor needs
a lesson in bedside manners.
He's so cute, Libby...
l could forgive him anything.
Girls, girls, girls...
Mr. Maranov is here.
Tisha, let him in, please.
Oh, Mr. Maranov.
Come in, come in.
Mrs. Doughty,
what a surprise...
and even lovelier than before.
Two mentions in my will.
Come in, come in.
l, uh...
l'm afraid
that these creatures...
may become odorous
if l leave them.
Oh, Mr. Maranov, thank you.
Tisha, would you
put them in the icebox?
Of course.
Thank you.
Won't you come
and have a cup of tea?
Thank you, Mrs. Webber.
Thank you.
lt's Mr. Maranov, Libby.
lt's a pleasure to see you
again, Mrs. Strong.
He's the only man left who bows.
lt is my nod to gentler times...
and present company.
Thank you.
Won't you sit down?
Thank you.
Here we are.
-Cream or sugar?
-No, thank you.
There.
Thank you, dear.
Thank you.
l'm so glad you came.
Oh, thank you,
Mrs. Webber.
lt completes the pleasure
of my morning--
successful fishing
expedition...
and now refreshing company.
Having a party.
Don't move an inch, Mr. Maranov.
l already know
you're a gentleman.
Well...
l'd stay,
but l've got to go see...
what Mrs. Kinney
wants me for.
Glory, that woman's
got more problems...
than Mrs. Roosevelt's
got causes.
Oh, Joshua.
You given any thought...
to that new picture window,
Mrs. Webber?
We have thought
about it, Mr. Brackett...
and the answer is no.
l can get you a nice price
on the lumber right now.
Well, it is a pity,
you know, about the window.
You could sit here and watch
the moon coming up at night.
Just imagine dining
in a flood of moonlight.
Ayuh. A right shame.
The moon is going
to be full tonight.
Well, alas.
l shouldn't be able to see it
from my window on the bay side.
Mr. Maranov.
Yes, Mrs. Webber?
lf you promise to clean
those fish for me...
l promise you dinner
and moonlight.
Oh, that is most kind
of you, Mrs. Webber.
And l shall be happy
to contribute...
my filleting technique
to our dinner.
l will not eat any
of those fish.
lt's the bones.
l've always been deadly afraid
of fish bones.
Yes, they can be most
troublesome, certainly.
Another cup of tea, Mr. Maranov?
Thank you, Mrs. Webber.
And please accept
our condolences.
Let us not talk
about sad things, my dear.
You still motoring,
Mrs. Doughty?
l haven't seen you driving...
behind the wheel of your
Model ''A'' lately.
Oh, yes, dear.
ls something the matter
with your car?
Well, it's in the garage.
Has something happened, Tisha?
Well, it was no use talking
to those people.
Not a word, not a word.
l left right away, l tell you.
l have been driving
since 19 and 10...
and never had an accident.
Oh, well...
maybe a little bump...
when the examiner
told me to back up.
But what's a little bump,
l ask you?
Did you lose
your license, Tisha?
A suspension, it was.
Then all is not lost, my dear.
Oh, yes.
They told me l could
try again in 6 months.
Well...
well, 6 months.
Six months is a very long time.
lt's only a diversion, my dear.
Temporary change in your status.
Mrs. Doughty...
traffic will come
to a full halt...
when you are seen
by the roadside...
thumb extended...
mysterious, alluring,
provocative.
Oh, Mr. Maranov...
you could make a bat laugh.
Oh, there's the noon whistle.
l'd best be off.
Your cottage is on my way home.
May l have the pleasure
of escorting you?
Ayuh, my last cavalier.
Good day, Mrs. Strong.
Good day, Mr. Maranov.
Come down at 5:30, Mr. Maranov.
Thank you, Mrs. Webber.
l must have cooled off,
sitting so long.
Well, another time,
another place...
l would offer you
my cape to warm you.
There's my Sir Walter again.
-Please, my dear.
-Oh, no, Mr. Maranov.
Oh, but you must.
Oh, no, no.
-l couldn't.
-But you must.
You must accept
this last gesture...
of a doomed
and ancient cavalier.
Oh, my dear.
Drape me, then.
Your arm?
l haven't been in a park
for a long time.
Well, this is like
being in a park.
No swans, though.
Matthew and l used
to sit in the park.
Philip could never sit
long enough to sit in the park.
l know.
Do you know, Sarah,
swans mate for life?
ls that a fact?
Did you and Philip think
it would be for life?
Why, yes.
Life fooled you.
lt always does.
Tomorrow was our anniversary...
Philip's and mine.
As you know, Valentine's Day is
Matthew's and my anniversary.
Was l a good matron of honor?
You stepped on my train.
Sarah.
When was it that you, Matthew,
and l took that trip west?
lt was after the war, dear.
Philip had been dead
for over a year.
Yes, of course.
Matthew and l thought
it would be good for you...
but you still crept away
to be alone...
like you and Philip always did.
Just because you and Matthew
weren't affectionate...
For heaven's sake, Sarah...
there is no need
to make whoopee...
every other minute.
Now you go and take a nap, dear.
l'll waken you
in time for Mr. Maranov.
He's not my guest.
He's our guest.
l did not invite him
and l will not eat his fish.
But l will give you a pork chop.
Libby! You haven't changed yet?
He'll be here
in less than an hour.
He'll be here for the rest
of your life...
if you let him.
Why don't you wear
your flowered chiffon?
l'm not going to change.
Busy, busy, busy.
Always busy.
Be like Tisha, Sarah.
What do you mean?
She chose not to get
her license.
-You can't mean that.
-Yes.
Then she wouldn't have
to drive anymore.
Nonsense.
Whisper ''cataracts'' to yourself
and see what happens.
Good Lord, Libby.
That's preposterous.
l'm working on my ears now.
Now, Elizabeth May,
that's enough.
You must get changed.
l am not going
to change for him.
Why not?
He is a stranger.
He's a guest.
There is no need for him
in this house.
This is my house.
l invite whom l like.
l have no time for this.
Sarah.
When you lost Philip
in the war, l made time.
l took care of you for 15 years.
You owe me.
Then we're even.
15 years for 15 years.
Come back, Sarah Louise.
Come back.
Oh, look what you made me do!
l've burned all my muffins!
Oh, Sarah.
Sarah, let-let's not fight.
Let's not fight anymore.
Forget about the muffins.
Get dressed.
Let me finish what l have to do.
We're so different, you and l.
We're strong stock, Sarah.
And we've precious
little time left.
Mrs. Webber.
Oh, Mr. Maranov.
What an eye you have for color.
Thank you.
Now l must see to those fish.
Yes, yes, yes, yes.
We shall see if l have kept
my skill of hand.
Oh, l'm sure you have.
Well, you never can tell.
Do you like it?
lt's lovely, lovely.
l'm so glad.
How glorious.
Oh, thank you, Mrs. Webber.
This is a great pleasure
for me, you know.
Oh, l'm so glad.
l was afraid you would be bored.
Bored? What a strange idea.
Well, my sister and l are just
ordinary people, you know.
l do not find you so.
l'm glad.
Would you like to go with me in
the morning to see the whales?
Oh, indeed, l would,
Mrs. Webber.
l have never seen a whale.
Why, they come here every year.
They do?
Libby!
Dinner's ready.
Dinner's on the table.
Mrs. Strong.
Mr. Maranov.
Oh, please.
Thank you, Mr. Maranov.
Pleasure.
Thank you, dear.
Thank you.
And then in the winter...
when we come back
to St. Petersburg...
it was my uncle,
the Grand Duke...
who gave the most elegant
entertainments.
And the ladies waltzing.
Their gowns seemed
to rise and fall...
but never to touch the floor.
l'm so glad you came.
How often does one get
a chance...
to entertain a member
of the Russian lmperial Court?
These days, my dear,
almost never.
You mustn't be so modest,
Mr. Maranov.
Once a nobleman,
always a nobleman.
Alas, dear ladies,
all of this is in the past.
Tisha has told us
about your photographs.
Oh, forgive me, Mrs. Strong.
My mother at the winter palace.
1910, l believe.
Photographs fade.
Memories live forever.
Alas, Mrs. Strong...
memories can fade, too.
That has not been my experience.
l'll get the coffee.
Labor Day is such
a sad holiday, is it not?
lt drives us home
to our winter caves.
And where will you
be hibernating, Mr. Maranov?
l was thinking of taking
a small flat on the mainland.
Far from St. Petersburg.
Yes, and almost as cold.
Yes. l should think
you'd prefer to be...
in the South in the winter.
Well, one makes
economies, Madam.
l suspected you were
a practical man.
A primary requisite
for--for survival.
Would you not agree?
Most certainly.
And when you escaped
from Russia...
Mr. Maranov, you went to Paris?
Ah, Paris, yes.
Sarah's been to Paris.
Haven't you, Sarah?
Oh, it was such
an exciting city.
ln a way, certainly...
but depending upon one's
circumstances.
Well, you won't find
much excitement here.
Oh, but, Mrs. Strong, here
you have the true excitement.
The sunset, this moonlight...
and tomorrow,
the promise of whales.
But Paris, it always
reminds me of champagne.
Champagne always
gives me a headache.
Well, in Paris we did sparkle
for a little while...
and managed
to nourish our dreams...
but nevertheless, dear ladies...
we were merely bijoux.
Trinkets, we were...
but en route to extinction.
But you are not extinct,
Mr. Maranov.
No. l am still very much here.
lt must take great courage
to go on alone.
No, not courage, my dear.
Nothing so heroic as that.
Merely a considerable
investment of will.
And resources, no doubt.
Yes, Madam.
Will and resources.
Allow me to tell you a story.
When we received the news...
that the Dowager Empress
had died...
we all went into deep mourning.
My mother spoke to no one
for over a week.
Then one morning
she brought me to her.
She said, ''Nicolai,
our Empress is gone.
''There will no longer be
any use for any of us.
''You must leave me now
and go into the world.''
Then she handed me
a handkerchief...
in which she had wrapped all
of her remaining jewelry.
She made me take it.
My mother kissed me and said...
''Use my treasure
for your needs, my son...
''but in the end...
''be able to say
that it was well spent.''
This is the last piece.
Oh, it's magnificent.
An emerald, Libby.
Do feel it.
An emerald.
lt must be of great value.
lt'll fetch more than enough
to see me cross the bar.
You are a very fortunate son,
Mr. Maranov.
lndeed l was, Madam.
Where have you
been staying this summer?
Libby, he was--
Of course. Hilda.
Oh, how sad...
and how very unfortunate
for you, Mr. Maranov.
Have you found another place?
Not yet.
l do advise you, Mr. Maranov...
to start your search
for a refuge immediately...
but...
l must warn you.
Do not expect to find it here.
l've learned one thing
from life, Mrs. Strong--
to expect nothing.
Well, it is late.
l must retire.
Good night, Mr. Maranov.
Your sister is
a remarkable woman.
She does not make small talk.
She's unforgivable.
No.
l should not have intruded
on you this morning.
Nonsense.
No, truth.
No, l was following
an instinct of many years...
and your very astute sister
recognized it.
l have once again
been set adrift.
Oh, l'm sorry, Mr. Maranov.
You needn't be, my dear.
l have often been adrift
but l have always stayed afloat.
But all these years,
what have you done?
l have spent my life
visiting friends.
Oh, you've been free.
l envy you.
l have found you out.
You are a romanticist.
Do you think one
can live too long?
Life can never be too long.
Even if one outlives one's time?
One's time is all one's time,
even to the end.
You see out there...
how the moon casts
its silver coins...
along the shore?
There is a treasure
that can never be spent.
Well...l must be on my way.
Will l see you in the morning?
No. l think it is better
if you do not.
You have given me an evening
of rare pleasure, Mrs. Webber...
and l shall treasure its memory.
Well, you will always
be my welcome guest.
Sleep well, my dear.
You have your rendezvous
with leviathans...
and it would not do
to keep them waiting.
Sarah.
46 years, Philip.
46 red roses, 46 white.
White for truth,
red for passion.
That's what you always said.
''Passion and truth--
that's all we need.''
l wish you were here, Philip.
l don't know what to do
about Libby.
She seems to have
become so bitter.
She was so cruel
about Mr. Maranov.
And she won't have
our picture window.
She says we're too old.
Our lives are over.
l don't think l can
manage her much longer.
lf only you were here, Philip.
Oh, Philip...
my corset had so many stays
and so many ties.
You said, ''Too many, my love.
''The moon will set...
''before l have you
completely undone.''
But l said, ''Never, my love.
''l won't be entirely undone,
even by you.''
''For what mystery
would keep you with me...
''if you unwrap them all?''
Sarah!
Libby! Libby!
l couldn't find you!
l--l kept calling,
but you were gone.
And then l ran
and l ran and l ran...
until l came back here.
And there you were...
sitting right on the edge
of the rocks...
and l was frightened for you.
But l'm all right, dear.
You were almost
within his reach.
-You were dreaming, dear.
-You were going right towards--
Go back to bed, Libby.
No.
No. He is here...
and he's here for both of us!
No!
You can choose death
if you like to...
but life is not yet over for me.
l'm going to bed.
Good night, Elizabeth May.
Happy Anniversary, Sarah Louise.
Sarah Louise?
Sarah Louise?
Sarah?
What, Libby?
l don't want to be
a trouble to you.
Of course not, dear.
lt was a bad dream.
-That's right.
-lt was very real.
l'm sure it was, Libby.
ls Mr. Maranov coming
to watch for the whales?
No, Libby. He won't be coming.
You're thinking of leaving me,
aren't you, Sarah?
Perhaps it would be best.
But we've always been together.
You--you know me.
But you don't need me, Libby.
What do you plan to do?
Well, l may stay on
the island this winter.
With Tisha?
Perhaps.
And hunt for ambergris?
Perhaps.
Sarah.
Will you...
will you brush my hair?
Yes.
What would you do, Libby?
Well, l'll go home
to my Anna...
and l will ask her
to find me a companion.
l'm sure she'll do that for me.
Of course she will.
Life fooled me.
lt always does.
ls my hair as white
as the swans?
l expect it is.
ls it as white as Mother's was?
Yes, dear.
l have beautiful hair.
l've always had beautiful hair.
Here you go.
Hello!
Hello, hello, hello!
Tisha.
Good morning, dear.
Sarah, this is Mr. Beckwith.
He's a realtor.
He's come to look
at Hilda's house.
How do you do, Mrs. Webber?
May l?
Sarah and l have been friends
for over 50 years.
Just like sisters.
What can l do for you,
Mr. Beckwith?
Well, Mrs. Webber,
Mrs. Doughty's...
been telling me
you may be interested...
in placing your house
on the market.
But, Tisha--
After our little talk
yesterday, dear...
l thought this was a chance
we shouldn't miss.
Strike while the iron
is hot, dear.
So say l.
That's a very good principle
in business, Mrs. Doughty.
Thank you.
You're not winterized here,
of course.
My aunt built this house
over a half-century ago.
Pity.
Still, it's
a beautiful situation.
That view alone will
guarantee you a good price.
Could you give us an idea
what this place is worth?
How many bedrooms have you got,
Mrs. Webber?
Three.
Can l just take
a look upstairs?
No!
Come down, please.
Mrs. Doughty is mistaken.
My house is not for sale.
Good-bye, Mrs. Webber.
Forgive the intrusion.
l hope l haven't...
lf you ever reconsider....
Well, l'd better
be on my way, too.
Well, l must go about my chores.
You must come and visit us
in Philadelphia next winter.
Sarah, l only meant to--
You know you're
my dearest friend.
Crossing bridges, dear.
Then everything's all right?
Of course, dear.
Good-bye, Sarah.
We're not leaving home, Philip.
Talking to yourself.
Was that Tisha?
Yes.
l thought l heard a man's voice.
She brought a man with her,
but l sent him away.
Well...
l'm glad you did.
You've never been
a trouble to me, Libby.
You've been a good sister.
Anybody home?
You ladies decent?
Why, Joshua!
What do you want, Mr. Brackett?
l lost my goddamn wrench.
Seen it anywhere?
Take a look outside where
you were working yesterday.
Would you like
some breakfast, dear?
That would be nice.
l'll get it for you.
l found it!
That must be the noisiest man
God ever created.
Thank you, Mrs. Webber.
Good morning to you,
Mrs. Strong.
Mighty sorry if
l disturbed you ladies.
Mr. Brackett.
Yes, Mrs. Strong?
How long would it take you
to put in that picture window?
Oh, a couple of weeks.
Maybe less.
And you said you could get
a good price on the lumber?
Ayuh.
Could you have it done
by Labor Day?
Well, l thought that--
My sister and l have decided...
we would like you to install
a picture window...
as soon as possible.
l'll order up the lumber
in the morning.
You ladies certainly know
how to keep a man guessing.
Be seeing you.
lt feels like
a beautiful morning.
Oh, it is a beautiful morning.
Let's go down to the point.
Can you see them?
The whales have all gone.
You can never tell.
You can never tell.
They're here! Sarah!
-They're here!
-Tisha, have you seen them?
Yes. Over there.
Come quickly.
Run!
Hurry! Hurry!
They'll be gone.
Come on! Hurry, hurry!
Libby! Libby, come on!
Hurry!
-Mr. Randall!
-Mr. Randall!
Mr. Randall! Hello!
-Mr. Randall!
-Have you seen the whales?
Morning, ladies.
Morning, Sarah.
Have you seen the whales?
Have you seen the whales?
Sure l have.
Where?
Out there.
Come on, come on.
Hey, Libby.
Let me see.
Let me see.
-Look.
-Quick. Come on.
There.
Thank you very much.
-Thank you, Mr. Randall.
-l hope you have good fishing.
Don't let the tide catch you.
There you go.
Libby!
Your breakfast is ready.
Sarah?
Sarah!
Good morning,
Mrs. Webber.
Oh, good morning,
Mr. Maranov.
What a lovely morning
it is.
lsn't it beautiful?
You came by water?
Yes, yes. Mr. Randall
was kind enough...
to bring me over.
Oh, how nice.
What beautiful roses.
Yes, aren't they beautiful?
And don't they smell sweet?
Mrs. Webber, l would like
to ask you a favor.
May l fish from your cove?
Oh, any time, Mr. Maranov.
Your fish are the finest
of all the islands.
Oh, but they're not
our fish, Mr. Maranov.
Well, perhaps you would
do me the honor...
of sharing my catch with me.
Oh, how generous of you.
Yes, indeed.
You've come at a good time.
Yes, the fish
should be biting now.
The tide will
just be on the turn.
And the herring will be running.
-Yes.
-l must be on my way.
-Yes. Good luck.
-Thank you.
Oh, dear.
You must be thirsty.
l'll give you
a nice drink of water...
and you'll feel better.
l just don't know...
where all this dust
comes from.
Hello, Mother.
Oh, dear.
Hello, Philip.
Just think. lt's 46 years.
Doesn't seem like it.
Talking to yourself.
Yes.
Anybody answer?
Not yet.
But your tea's cold.
And your cereal, too, dear.
Yes, it was.
But you shouldn't do without
your breakfast, Libby.
This is my blue dress, isn't it?
Oh, l see.
Why don't l fix this?
There.
There.
Hey.
You did without your shoes.
l couldn't find them.
Perhaps they're under your bed.
-l'll get them for you.
-Probably.
But you really should
eat something, Libby.
Blue has always been
a favorite color of mine.
Well, l'll be right back.
You didn't answer me.
Answer what, dear?
l asked you if
this were my blue dress.
Yes, it is, dear.
l don't forget things, you know?
Oh, yes, l know.
What are you doing?
l'm dusting.
Busy, busy, busy.
Always busy.
l wish we were in
my house in Philadelphia.
Oh, but it's so hot
in Philadelphia now.
l like the heat.
lt keeps you
from being so busy.
Well, dear,
this is Maine...
and this is my house...
and somebody
has to keep it tidy.
What are you doing now?
My animals for the fair.
You're late, Sarah.
Aren't you usually
finished by August?
There seems so much this year.
What would the town's
annual fair do...
without Sarah Webber?
lt's a worthy cause, dear.
The world is full
of worthy causes.
Yes, indeed.
This is a little koala bear.
They live up in the trees...
and they won't come down...
if there are a lot
of people around.
Very sensible.
Oh, you'll never guess
what l found.
What, Sarah?
The old stereopticon.
You remember?
And, Libby,
l found the cards, too.
All the old family pictures.
Oh, l wish
you could see them.
That's you and me...
and Tisha...
down in the cove.
And here we are back
in Philadelphia.
One of our tennis parties.
And Mother and Father
all dressed up.
l'm going to donate this
to the silent auction table.
They say they're
very valuable these days.
Well, perhaps
we'd be valuable, too...
if they'd put us up for sale.
Don't give them
the cards, Sarah.
l won't, dear.
Wouldn't you like
the radio on, dear?
lt's time for Arthur Godfrey.
Thank you very much,
and how do you do?
But that's your
favorite program.
l don't want the radio.
Are you all right, dear?
l'm all right.
Just a touch of November
in my bones.
Didn't you tell me...
someone was coming by
this morning?
Yes, dear. Tisha.
Then l should have my shoes.
l forgot.
l left them in the bedroom.
l'll bring them right in.
Oh, and my glasses.
Do make me look presentable.
You always look
presentable, dear.
l expect l'm
a great bother to you.
l'm here to take care
of you, dear.
You could change your mind.
People do.
l'm here as long as you need me.
There's always my Anna.
Your Anna has never wanted
to be involved with us.
She is my daughter.
Anna has never been
very daughterly...
and you have never been
very motherly.
And that's that.
Careful.
Hold still, dear.
Do you remember
the swans in the park...
when we were children?
Yes, dear.
Mother had hair like the swans.
ls my hair as white
as Mother's was?
l expect so.
What color is your hair
now, Sarah?
Oh, it's faded.
All the brown is gone.
Everything dies sooner or later.
So you always say.
Do you know why old ladies
sit on park benches, Sarah?
No, why, dear?
To hold them
for springtime lovers.
Even the benches want
to get away in November.
But this is August, dear.
What does time matter?
Well, time is time.
Yes, if you wear it
like a wet blanket.
Matthew died in November.
l tell you, Sarah...
Matthew's month
will be--be mine.
Why don't you go about
your chores, Sarah?
l'll...
l'll hold down the bench.
Bravo!
Bravo.
Oh, Mrs. Doughty.
What a pleasure to see you.
And how lovely you look today.
Well, l'll remember you
in my will.
l see you've had some luck.
Yes, l've caught
several of these...
and some of those,
uh, sea perch.
What is the name
that you give them?
Cunners.
We call them cunners,
Mr. Maranov.
Would you like a berry?
Oh, thank you.
-Delicious.
-Good.
l was so sorry to hear
about Hilda.
lt's a wicked shame,
her passing so sudden.
Yes. Poor lady.
l'm afraid nobody realized
that she was so ill.
Will you be staying on--
l mean, at Hilda's?
l expect her daughter will
be taking over the house...
now that she's gone.
Yes, l believe so.
Yes. Well...
it'd be a pity to miss
the rest of the summer.
Well, l must say
l have come to feel...
very much at home here.
Well, l'm sure you'll find
someplace else to stay.
Happy fishing.
Sarah?
Sarah, where are you?
l'm here in the garden.
What are you doing?
Just finishing a picture.
l want to go for my walk.
All right.
Baron Maranov is fishing
from our rocks.
Well, l hope he doesn't
want to give us...
any of those nasty fish.
Dear, for heaven's sakes.
Sewer fish--
that's what they are.
Nonsense.
The currents
are very strong there.
l will not eat any
of those fish.
-Well, don't.
-You, of course...
would do anything
to flatter that fraud.
He's not a fraud.
l will not eat those fish!
You know, l believe we'll see
the whales this weekend.
That would be surprising.
lt's time for them.
Whales don't come anymore.
The herring are running.
That's a sure sign.
Signs fail, you know.
Our hydrangea bush
is doing very well.
See?
l bet that they're beautiful.
Mother planted this
when we were very young.
l'd just graduated
from nursing school.
Yes.
Sarah, do you realize that--
that we are--we are both...
both older now...
than Mother was when she died?
She loved the garden.
When we were children...
you believed that the whales
changed the seasons.
l did?
Yes. Father told you...
that the whales caught
the wind with their tails...
and brought it down
from the Arctic.
And l believed him?
Yes! You did.
You know what would be nice?
What would be nice?
A big picture window here
instead of these two.
l've always wanted one.
lt would be
too expensive, Sarah.
Joshua said--
Well, of course,
Joshua would want one.
He would make money from it.
Besides, Sarah, we're too old
to be considering new things.
1, 2.
3, 4.
Yoo-hoo!
Hello, hello, hello!
Tisha.
Got myself a bit warm
walking down here.
Where's your car?
Well, came blueberrying.
Oh, how wonderful.
Oh, go in,
and l'll be right in.
Now, here.
l was picking berries...
all the way
along the shore.
Saw Mr. Maranov down there.
Fishin'.
Yes. He's promised us
some of his catch.
Where's the old war-horse?
Out on the porch.
Oh, good.
Then we can have
a nice heart-to-heart.
You look peaked, dear.
Anything the matter?
Oh, l can tell.
What's that cantankerous sister
of yours done now?
-Nothing.
-Nothing?
Well, you got a touch
of the collywobbles?
No.
Nope.
lt's Libby for sure.
You know me too well.
Ya-uh.
50 years of crossing bridges
together will do that.
Now, out with it.
She started talking about dying.
Dying?
That woman is
as healthy as a horse.
l'm afraid it's her mind.
Failin', is it?
l could be imagining things.
Oh, phooey, Sarah Webber.
You were a nurse.
You know what's happening.
Senility is what's happening.
Nonsense.
Sarah...
Libby was always
a difficult woman...
even in the best of times.
Have you told Anna?
Well, l've been thinking
for a long time...
you should ask Anna
to take Libby.
She wouldn't.
Well, why not?
She has plenty of money.
She'll see that her mother
is well cared for.
Well, Sarah...
you know what Harry Truman said.
What?
''Well, if the buck
is gonna be passed...
''it may as well be passed
to somebody with plenty of 'em.''
He never said that.
Of course he didn't.
Smile, dear.
Sarah...
Sarah...
if you did do it,
could you manage?
What do you mean, Tisha?
Well, money, dear.
You know, could you afford
to keep this place?
Well, l've never thought.
Well, it's time you did.
Now...chances are...
things could be tight
without Libby...
on what you've got.
But...
you can stay with me.
Oh, l couldn't burden you
with my troubles.
Half of life
is troubles, Sarah...
and the other half's
gettin' over 'em.
What do you say?
Joshua!
Joshua, what are you doing?
l'm turning your water off!
Can't you tell that man
to be quieter?
l've been trying for 50 years.
Morning, Libby.
Good morning, Tisha.
Joshua?
Stop that noise!
lt's the bathroom drains
that leak.
lf l don't cut the main...
you'll be getting
a damn sight more than leaks.
Why don't you come up
for some tea?
Thank you.
l believe l will.
Jesus, Lord above.
Takes me half the day
to get in here...
and the other half to get out.
We've been waiting
for you since June.
l guess we can wait
another 10 minutes.
Goddamn crawlspace
ain't gotten any bigger...
since l was here last.
Good morning, Joshua.
Well, hello, Mrs. Doughty.
And how are you, Mrs. Strong?
Better if you'd keep down
that clatter.
l'll do my best, Mrs. Strong.
l'll do my very best.
Will you join us for tea, Libby?
No, think l'll wait...
till Mr. Brackett
finishes his chores.
Joshua, you are incorrigible.
Ayuh. That, too.
How be ya, Mrs. Doughty?
Well, better if you'd keep down
the clatter, Mr. Brackett.
She's a corker, that one.
Ayuh.
A right wicked caution.
Need any help, Sarah?
Been keeping busy, Joshua?
Busier than a goddamn bee,
Mrs. Doughty.
There certainly are
a lot of newcomers...
on the island these days.
Yes.
Yeah, too many, if you ask me.
These biscuits are rather dull.
Glory, l never seen so damn many
people in all my life.
Or cars, for that matter.
Some of these summer people
bring down two.
Lord knows why.
l don't even need one.
You can't walk
more than a mile...
before you fall
into the damned ocean.
Oh, Joshua.
Someone tells me you're seeing
Myrtle Jackson again, Joshua.
Ayuh. When l can, when l can.
Well, you two make
a lovely couple.
Well, you see, Myrtle's
a lady, Mrs. Doughty...
and she don't go parading around
like a living beach ball...
all squeezed into them
Bermudey shorts.
Quit a job on a woman
like that last week.
l left my tools right there.
Well, you went back
for them, l hope.
Nope.
l got plenty of tools.
But l ain't got time
for people like that.
People like that won't even
spend the time of day with you.
They won't even offer
you a cup of tea.
You know, them people are gonna
be the ruination of this island.
What happened, Joshua?
That woman told me
l was too slow, Mrs. Webber.
The idea!
So l told her
she could get somebody else...
if she thought
she could do better...
and l ain't been back.
-Good for you.
-That'll show 'em.
Ayuh.
You know...
can't imagine what l'd do...
if l retired.
Well, of course you can't.
Or what would we do if you did?
Oh, l'd always do
neighborly favors...
for you ladies, anyway.
You're a kind man, Joshua.
Some wouldn't agree.
Well, they just don't know you.
Won't, neither.
We're seeing the future, ladies.
Don't like it much.
A mighty nice cup of tea.
Best this end of the island.
Oh, Joshua Brackett,
you are a flatterer.
Ayuh. That, too.
You know,
a big picture window...
sure would look nice
right there, Mrs. Webber.
l don't know, Joshua.
Libby says we're too old to be
bothering about new things.
Oh, there's nothing wrong
with new, Mrs. Webber...
if it makes
something good better.
A-yuh.
Bye, ladies.
You know, he's right, Sarah.
The whales should be back.
l keep hoping we'll see them.
Well...
let's have a look.
We're just going down
to the point, Libby.
To look for whales, no doubt.
Look out there, Sarah.
ls that a porpoise?
Well, l haven't seen any
all summer.
Remember how many there
were before the war?
Which war, dear?
Why, the war with Germany.
Oh, yes.
Well, l expect the submarines
scared them all away.
Aw, you and your submarines.
But l saw them many times...
especially in '42.
Perhaps you saw too many.
Well, if you ask me,
it's the Russians.
They've got the bomb, you know.
There's no tellin'
what they're up to.
Remember that first summer
we watched the whales together?
You kept grabbing the glasses.
Well, you were piggy with them.
Still are.
Do you suppose we still
might find some ambergris?
Ambergris?
Oh, my land, Sarah.
l haven't thought of
our ambergris hunts in years.
We were going
to make our fortune.
Yes. $10 an ounce
that stuff was.
Yeah. Yep.
The new perfume queens.
Weren't we the pair?
Sarah!
You two are certainly
carrying on.
Well, there's nothing
like a good laugh, Libby.
-Let me help you.
-Oh, thanks.
Libby Strong, you are
looking younger every day.
-Pooh.
-Here. Have some berries.
Thank you.
God, what a long walk
for so few berries.
l swear there aren't so many
as there used to be.
lt's the nuns.
The nuns, Libby?
Yes. They flock around
our berry bushes...
like a bunch of penguins.
Well...
nuns are entitled to pick
berries, too, you know.
Not on our land.
Oh, for pity's sake, Libby.
Girls...
l do have some sad news.
Out with it, Tisha.
Hilda Partridge
passed away yesterday.
And now Mr. Maranov...
will have to find
someplace else to live.
Who will be the next
lucky person?
No idea.
l don't think he knows
what's next, poor man.
But Hilda was so young!
Hilda was 83 if she was a day.
Well, l certainly
am gonna miss Hilda.
She was a crackerjack
bridge partner.
You will never guess who
finally got a hearing aid.
-Who, dear?
-Alice Truworthy.
A-yuh!
And now she's playing bridge
like a champion.
l guess she never heard
the bidding before.
Have you seen anything
of Charlie Mayhew lately?
-You mean you haven't heard?
-What?
He up and married
that young waitress...
from the Abernathy house.
You don't say.
l do. Scandalous.
But not surprising.
The late Mrs. Mayhew could have
taken a booby prize...
at any cattle show.
Libby, you and Fred Allen
would have made a pair.
Still, Sally Mayhew's grave
hardly has grass on it.
How is your arthritis, dear?
Oh, you know.
ln again, out again,
gone again, Finnegan.
My young doctor says
l can expect it...
if l'm determined
to live so long.
Your young doctor needs
a lesson in bedside manners.
He's so cute, Libby...
l could forgive him anything.
Girls, girls, girls...
Mr. Maranov is here.
Tisha, let him in, please.
Oh, Mr. Maranov.
Come in, come in.
Mrs. Doughty,
what a surprise...
and even lovelier than before.
Two mentions in my will.
Come in, come in.
l, uh...
l'm afraid
that these creatures...
may become odorous
if l leave them.
Oh, Mr. Maranov, thank you.
Tisha, would you
put them in the icebox?
Of course.
Thank you.
Won't you come
and have a cup of tea?
Thank you, Mrs. Webber.
Thank you.
lt's Mr. Maranov, Libby.
lt's a pleasure to see you
again, Mrs. Strong.
He's the only man left who bows.
lt is my nod to gentler times...
and present company.
Thank you.
Won't you sit down?
Thank you.
Here we are.
-Cream or sugar?
-No, thank you.
There.
Thank you, dear.
Thank you.
l'm so glad you came.
Oh, thank you,
Mrs. Webber.
lt completes the pleasure
of my morning--
successful fishing
expedition...
and now refreshing company.
Having a party.
Don't move an inch, Mr. Maranov.
l already know
you're a gentleman.
Well...
l'd stay,
but l've got to go see...
what Mrs. Kinney
wants me for.
Glory, that woman's
got more problems...
than Mrs. Roosevelt's
got causes.
Oh, Joshua.
You given any thought...
to that new picture window,
Mrs. Webber?
We have thought
about it, Mr. Brackett...
and the answer is no.
l can get you a nice price
on the lumber right now.
Well, it is a pity,
you know, about the window.
You could sit here and watch
the moon coming up at night.
Just imagine dining
in a flood of moonlight.
Ayuh. A right shame.
The moon is going
to be full tonight.
Well, alas.
l shouldn't be able to see it
from my window on the bay side.
Mr. Maranov.
Yes, Mrs. Webber?
lf you promise to clean
those fish for me...
l promise you dinner
and moonlight.
Oh, that is most kind
of you, Mrs. Webber.
And l shall be happy
to contribute...
my filleting technique
to our dinner.
l will not eat any
of those fish.
lt's the bones.
l've always been deadly afraid
of fish bones.
Yes, they can be most
troublesome, certainly.
Another cup of tea, Mr. Maranov?
Thank you, Mrs. Webber.
And please accept
our condolences.
Let us not talk
about sad things, my dear.
You still motoring,
Mrs. Doughty?
l haven't seen you driving...
behind the wheel of your
Model ''A'' lately.
Oh, yes, dear.
ls something the matter
with your car?
Well, it's in the garage.
Has something happened, Tisha?
Well, it was no use talking
to those people.
Not a word, not a word.
l left right away, l tell you.
l have been driving
since 19 and 10...
and never had an accident.
Oh, well...
maybe a little bump...
when the examiner
told me to back up.
But what's a little bump,
l ask you?
Did you lose
your license, Tisha?
A suspension, it was.
Then all is not lost, my dear.
Oh, yes.
They told me l could
try again in 6 months.
Well...
well, 6 months.
Six months is a very long time.
lt's only a diversion, my dear.
Temporary change in your status.
Mrs. Doughty...
traffic will come
to a full halt...
when you are seen
by the roadside...
thumb extended...
mysterious, alluring,
provocative.
Oh, Mr. Maranov...
you could make a bat laugh.
Oh, there's the noon whistle.
l'd best be off.
Your cottage is on my way home.
May l have the pleasure
of escorting you?
Ayuh, my last cavalier.
Good day, Mrs. Strong.
Good day, Mr. Maranov.
Come down at 5:30, Mr. Maranov.
Thank you, Mrs. Webber.
l must have cooled off,
sitting so long.
Well, another time,
another place...
l would offer you
my cape to warm you.
There's my Sir Walter again.
-Please, my dear.
-Oh, no, Mr. Maranov.
Oh, but you must.
Oh, no, no.
-l couldn't.
-But you must.
You must accept
this last gesture...
of a doomed
and ancient cavalier.
Oh, my dear.
Drape me, then.
Your arm?
l haven't been in a park
for a long time.
Well, this is like
being in a park.
No swans, though.
Matthew and l used
to sit in the park.
Philip could never sit
long enough to sit in the park.
l know.
Do you know, Sarah,
swans mate for life?
ls that a fact?
Did you and Philip think
it would be for life?
Why, yes.
Life fooled you.
lt always does.
Tomorrow was our anniversary...
Philip's and mine.
As you know, Valentine's Day is
Matthew's and my anniversary.
Was l a good matron of honor?
You stepped on my train.
Sarah.
When was it that you, Matthew,
and l took that trip west?
lt was after the war, dear.
Philip had been dead
for over a year.
Yes, of course.
Matthew and l thought
it would be good for you...
but you still crept away
to be alone...
like you and Philip always did.
Just because you and Matthew
weren't affectionate...
For heaven's sake, Sarah...
there is no need
to make whoopee...
every other minute.
Now you go and take a nap, dear.
l'll waken you
in time for Mr. Maranov.
He's not my guest.
He's our guest.
l did not invite him
and l will not eat his fish.
But l will give you a pork chop.
Libby! You haven't changed yet?
He'll be here
in less than an hour.
He'll be here for the rest
of your life...
if you let him.
Why don't you wear
your flowered chiffon?
l'm not going to change.
Busy, busy, busy.
Always busy.
Be like Tisha, Sarah.
What do you mean?
She chose not to get
her license.
-You can't mean that.
-Yes.
Then she wouldn't have
to drive anymore.
Nonsense.
Whisper ''cataracts'' to yourself
and see what happens.
Good Lord, Libby.
That's preposterous.
l'm working on my ears now.
Now, Elizabeth May,
that's enough.
You must get changed.
l am not going
to change for him.
Why not?
He is a stranger.
He's a guest.
There is no need for him
in this house.
This is my house.
l invite whom l like.
l have no time for this.
Sarah.
When you lost Philip
in the war, l made time.
l took care of you for 15 years.
You owe me.
Then we're even.
15 years for 15 years.
Come back, Sarah Louise.
Come back.
Oh, look what you made me do!
l've burned all my muffins!
Oh, Sarah.
Sarah, let-let's not fight.
Let's not fight anymore.
Forget about the muffins.
Get dressed.
Let me finish what l have to do.
We're so different, you and l.
We're strong stock, Sarah.
And we've precious
little time left.
Mrs. Webber.
Oh, Mr. Maranov.
What an eye you have for color.
Thank you.
Now l must see to those fish.
Yes, yes, yes, yes.
We shall see if l have kept
my skill of hand.
Oh, l'm sure you have.
Well, you never can tell.
Do you like it?
lt's lovely, lovely.
l'm so glad.
How glorious.
Oh, thank you, Mrs. Webber.
This is a great pleasure
for me, you know.
Oh, l'm so glad.
l was afraid you would be bored.
Bored? What a strange idea.
Well, my sister and l are just
ordinary people, you know.
l do not find you so.
l'm glad.
Would you like to go with me in
the morning to see the whales?
Oh, indeed, l would,
Mrs. Webber.
l have never seen a whale.
Why, they come here every year.
They do?
Libby!
Dinner's ready.
Dinner's on the table.
Mrs. Strong.
Mr. Maranov.
Oh, please.
Thank you, Mr. Maranov.
Pleasure.
Thank you, dear.
Thank you.
And then in the winter...
when we come back
to St. Petersburg...
it was my uncle,
the Grand Duke...
who gave the most elegant
entertainments.
And the ladies waltzing.
Their gowns seemed
to rise and fall...
but never to touch the floor.
l'm so glad you came.
How often does one get
a chance...
to entertain a member
of the Russian lmperial Court?
These days, my dear,
almost never.
You mustn't be so modest,
Mr. Maranov.
Once a nobleman,
always a nobleman.
Alas, dear ladies,
all of this is in the past.
Tisha has told us
about your photographs.
Oh, forgive me, Mrs. Strong.
My mother at the winter palace.
1910, l believe.
Photographs fade.
Memories live forever.
Alas, Mrs. Strong...
memories can fade, too.
That has not been my experience.
l'll get the coffee.
Labor Day is such
a sad holiday, is it not?
lt drives us home
to our winter caves.
And where will you
be hibernating, Mr. Maranov?
l was thinking of taking
a small flat on the mainland.
Far from St. Petersburg.
Yes, and almost as cold.
Yes. l should think
you'd prefer to be...
in the South in the winter.
Well, one makes
economies, Madam.
l suspected you were
a practical man.
A primary requisite
for--for survival.
Would you not agree?
Most certainly.
And when you escaped
from Russia...
Mr. Maranov, you went to Paris?
Ah, Paris, yes.
Sarah's been to Paris.
Haven't you, Sarah?
Oh, it was such
an exciting city.
ln a way, certainly...
but depending upon one's
circumstances.
Well, you won't find
much excitement here.
Oh, but, Mrs. Strong, here
you have the true excitement.
The sunset, this moonlight...
and tomorrow,
the promise of whales.
But Paris, it always
reminds me of champagne.
Champagne always
gives me a headache.
Well, in Paris we did sparkle
for a little while...
and managed
to nourish our dreams...
but nevertheless, dear ladies...
we were merely bijoux.
Trinkets, we were...
but en route to extinction.
But you are not extinct,
Mr. Maranov.
No. l am still very much here.
lt must take great courage
to go on alone.
No, not courage, my dear.
Nothing so heroic as that.
Merely a considerable
investment of will.
And resources, no doubt.
Yes, Madam.
Will and resources.
Allow me to tell you a story.
When we received the news...
that the Dowager Empress
had died...
we all went into deep mourning.
My mother spoke to no one
for over a week.
Then one morning
she brought me to her.
She said, ''Nicolai,
our Empress is gone.
''There will no longer be
any use for any of us.
''You must leave me now
and go into the world.''
Then she handed me
a handkerchief...
in which she had wrapped all
of her remaining jewelry.
She made me take it.
My mother kissed me and said...
''Use my treasure
for your needs, my son...
''but in the end...
''be able to say
that it was well spent.''
This is the last piece.
Oh, it's magnificent.
An emerald, Libby.
Do feel it.
An emerald.
lt must be of great value.
lt'll fetch more than enough
to see me cross the bar.
You are a very fortunate son,
Mr. Maranov.
lndeed l was, Madam.
Where have you
been staying this summer?
Libby, he was--
Of course. Hilda.
Oh, how sad...
and how very unfortunate
for you, Mr. Maranov.
Have you found another place?
Not yet.
l do advise you, Mr. Maranov...
to start your search
for a refuge immediately...
but...
l must warn you.
Do not expect to find it here.
l've learned one thing
from life, Mrs. Strong--
to expect nothing.
Well, it is late.
l must retire.
Good night, Mr. Maranov.
Your sister is
a remarkable woman.
She does not make small talk.
She's unforgivable.
No.
l should not have intruded
on you this morning.
Nonsense.
No, truth.
No, l was following
an instinct of many years...
and your very astute sister
recognized it.
l have once again
been set adrift.
Oh, l'm sorry, Mr. Maranov.
You needn't be, my dear.
l have often been adrift
but l have always stayed afloat.
But all these years,
what have you done?
l have spent my life
visiting friends.
Oh, you've been free.
l envy you.
l have found you out.
You are a romanticist.
Do you think one
can live too long?
Life can never be too long.
Even if one outlives one's time?
One's time is all one's time,
even to the end.
You see out there...
how the moon casts
its silver coins...
along the shore?
There is a treasure
that can never be spent.
Well...l must be on my way.
Will l see you in the morning?
No. l think it is better
if you do not.
You have given me an evening
of rare pleasure, Mrs. Webber...
and l shall treasure its memory.
Well, you will always
be my welcome guest.
Sleep well, my dear.
You have your rendezvous
with leviathans...
and it would not do
to keep them waiting.
Sarah.
46 years, Philip.
46 red roses, 46 white.
White for truth,
red for passion.
That's what you always said.
''Passion and truth--
that's all we need.''
l wish you were here, Philip.
l don't know what to do
about Libby.
She seems to have
become so bitter.
She was so cruel
about Mr. Maranov.
And she won't have
our picture window.
She says we're too old.
Our lives are over.
l don't think l can
manage her much longer.
lf only you were here, Philip.
Oh, Philip...
my corset had so many stays
and so many ties.
You said, ''Too many, my love.
''The moon will set...
''before l have you
completely undone.''
But l said, ''Never, my love.
''l won't be entirely undone,
even by you.''
''For what mystery
would keep you with me...
''if you unwrap them all?''
Sarah!
Libby! Libby!
l couldn't find you!
l--l kept calling,
but you were gone.
And then l ran
and l ran and l ran...
until l came back here.
And there you were...
sitting right on the edge
of the rocks...
and l was frightened for you.
But l'm all right, dear.
You were almost
within his reach.
-You were dreaming, dear.
-You were going right towards--
Go back to bed, Libby.
No.
No. He is here...
and he's here for both of us!
No!
You can choose death
if you like to...
but life is not yet over for me.
l'm going to bed.
Good night, Elizabeth May.
Happy Anniversary, Sarah Louise.
Sarah Louise?
Sarah Louise?
Sarah?
What, Libby?
l don't want to be
a trouble to you.
Of course not, dear.
lt was a bad dream.
-That's right.
-lt was very real.
l'm sure it was, Libby.
ls Mr. Maranov coming
to watch for the whales?
No, Libby. He won't be coming.
You're thinking of leaving me,
aren't you, Sarah?
Perhaps it would be best.
But we've always been together.
You--you know me.
But you don't need me, Libby.
What do you plan to do?
Well, l may stay on
the island this winter.
With Tisha?
Perhaps.
And hunt for ambergris?
Perhaps.
Sarah.
Will you...
will you brush my hair?
Yes.
What would you do, Libby?
Well, l'll go home
to my Anna...
and l will ask her
to find me a companion.
l'm sure she'll do that for me.
Of course she will.
Life fooled me.
lt always does.
ls my hair as white
as the swans?
l expect it is.
ls it as white as Mother's was?
Yes, dear.
l have beautiful hair.
l've always had beautiful hair.
Here you go.
Hello!
Hello, hello, hello!
Tisha.
Good morning, dear.
Sarah, this is Mr. Beckwith.
He's a realtor.
He's come to look
at Hilda's house.
How do you do, Mrs. Webber?
May l?
Sarah and l have been friends
for over 50 years.
Just like sisters.
What can l do for you,
Mr. Beckwith?
Well, Mrs. Webber,
Mrs. Doughty's...
been telling me
you may be interested...
in placing your house
on the market.
But, Tisha--
After our little talk
yesterday, dear...
l thought this was a chance
we shouldn't miss.
Strike while the iron
is hot, dear.
So say l.
That's a very good principle
in business, Mrs. Doughty.
Thank you.
You're not winterized here,
of course.
My aunt built this house
over a half-century ago.
Pity.
Still, it's
a beautiful situation.
That view alone will
guarantee you a good price.
Could you give us an idea
what this place is worth?
How many bedrooms have you got,
Mrs. Webber?
Three.
Can l just take
a look upstairs?
No!
Come down, please.
Mrs. Doughty is mistaken.
My house is not for sale.
Good-bye, Mrs. Webber.
Forgive the intrusion.
l hope l haven't...
lf you ever reconsider....
Well, l'd better
be on my way, too.
Well, l must go about my chores.
You must come and visit us
in Philadelphia next winter.
Sarah, l only meant to--
You know you're
my dearest friend.
Crossing bridges, dear.
Then everything's all right?
Of course, dear.
Good-bye, Sarah.
We're not leaving home, Philip.
Talking to yourself.
Was that Tisha?
Yes.
l thought l heard a man's voice.
She brought a man with her,
but l sent him away.
Well...
l'm glad you did.
You've never been
a trouble to me, Libby.
You've been a good sister.
Anybody home?
You ladies decent?
Why, Joshua!
What do you want, Mr. Brackett?
l lost my goddamn wrench.
Seen it anywhere?
Take a look outside where
you were working yesterday.
Would you like
some breakfast, dear?
That would be nice.
l'll get it for you.
l found it!
That must be the noisiest man
God ever created.
Thank you, Mrs. Webber.
Good morning to you,
Mrs. Strong.
Mighty sorry if
l disturbed you ladies.
Mr. Brackett.
Yes, Mrs. Strong?
How long would it take you
to put in that picture window?
Oh, a couple of weeks.
Maybe less.
And you said you could get
a good price on the lumber?
Ayuh.
Could you have it done
by Labor Day?
Well, l thought that--
My sister and l have decided...
we would like you to install
a picture window...
as soon as possible.
l'll order up the lumber
in the morning.
You ladies certainly know
how to keep a man guessing.
Be seeing you.
lt feels like
a beautiful morning.
Oh, it is a beautiful morning.
Let's go down to the point.
Can you see them?
The whales have all gone.
You can never tell.
You can never tell.