On their way to dinner with the ladies in the Viennese ballroom
STAEFEL
Tonight's the night, Chipping.
CHIPPING
How do I look?
STAEFEL
You look like a viscount.
CHIPPING
I'm not accustomed to dressing like this.
STAEFEL
The big night tonight, Chipping.
CHIPPING
The big night?
What do you mean?
Are you going to propose to Miss Flora?
STAEFEL
Don't be silly, Chipping.
CHIPPING
But you've been spending rather a lot of time with her.
STAEFEL
She and I have been doing a lot of planning.
CHIPPING
Planning? Planning what?
STAEFEL
Oh, here are the ladies.
Now remember, Chipping, this is your night.
Don't let us down.
The ladies are approaching
FLORA
Now Kathy, make sure that you let Mr. Chipping know how much you've
enjoyed his company these last two weeks.
KATHY
Oh, I think he already knows.
FLORA
Well, it wouldn't hurt to reinforce it a few times.
KATHY
He's been so kind to me.
FLORA
He may have something that he wants to say to you tonight.
KATHY
Oh?
FLORA
Something that may take you by surprise.
KATHY
Oh, dear. I think I know what it is.
FLORA
It's a very personal thought that he'd like to share with you.
KATHY
I saw the look on his face this afternoon when I dragged him into that hat
shop.
FLORA
Now, don't go second-guessing him, Kathy.
KATHY
He's tired of the candy stores and milliners, isn't he?
FLORA
Just wait and hear what he has to say.
KATHY
He was so looking forward to seeing Vienna, and all I've done is --
FLORA
Stop that, Kathy. Now look, I don't want to get your hopes up, but Mr.
Staefel and I think that Mr. Chipping might -- Oh, dear, here are the
gentlemen. Remember, Kathy, smile at Mr. Chipping as much as possible.
Kathy and Chipping have dinner
CHIPPING
You know, Miss Kathy, there's something I've been wanting to say.
KATHY
Oh. I thought so.
CHIPPING
But I hardly know how.
KATHY
Well, perhaps another glass of champagne would help.
CHIPPING
I'm just not sure how well my remark will be received.
KATHY
Then perhaps I need another glass of champagne.
CHIPPING
I don't want to spoil the mood.
KATHY
I think I know what it is, Mr. Chipping.
CHIPPING
You do?
KATHY
Yes. I realize what's been happening these last two weeks.
CHIPPING
Yes, these weeks have had quite an effect on me.
KATHY
At least you have three more weeks to see everything in Vienna that
I've kept you from.
CHIPPING
Kept me from? What do you mean?
KATHY
Well, what I mean is...
Oh, listen to that music. It's lovely, isn't it?
Do you waltz, Mr. Chipping?
The gentlemen return
to their room after waltzing all night
STAEFEL
Why so gloomy, Chipping?
She didn't turn you down, did she?
CHIPPING
Turn me down? What do you mean?
STAEFEL
Didn't you ask her to marry you?
CHIPPING
Marry her?
STAEFEL
This was the big night, Chipping.
CHIPPING
Well, frankly, I had rather hoped to broach the subject with
her.
STAEFEL
So what happened?
CHIPPING
But how did you know I was thinking of asking her?
STAEFEL
I have eyes and ears, don't I?
CHIPPING
Well, I'm afraid it wasn't meant to be, Staefel.
STAEFEL
Miss Flora and I were counting on this, Chipping.
CHIPPING
I suppose I'm destined to remain a stodgy old bachelor.
STAEFEL
Nonsense.
She loves you, Chipping.
There's no doubt of it.
CHIPPING
Anyway, there wasn't really any opportunity to ask her properly.
STAEFEL
But we left you alone with her for almost two hours tonight.
CHIPPING
Well, what with the dancing, and the talk of Vienna, and the champagne,
you know how it is, Max.
STAEFEL
Listen, Chipping. Do you realize what will happen tomorrow morning?
The love of your life will get on a train and never see you again.
Drama on the train platform
CHIPPING
Saying good-bye is a dreadful business, isn't it?
KATHY
Yes, it's so... so...
CHIPPING
I hardly know what to say.
KATHY
I know. It's so dreadful, having to say goodbye.
CHIPPING
Miss Kathy, may I write to you?
KATHY
Of course, Mr. Chipping.
I'll watch for your letter.
CHIPPING
I'm sure I'll have a lot to say.
There's still so much to see in Vienna.
KATHY
Yes. Now you'll really get to see Vienna without me under
foot.
CHIPPING
Three more weeks here, you know.
KATHY
Is there anything you'd like to say to me right now, before I leave?
CHIPPING
Well, actually...
KATHY
Yes?
VOICE
[in German]
All aboard!
CHIPPING
Kathy, you really must go.
KATHY
Wait, Mr. Chipping. Before I go...
CHIPPING
The porter is calling.
KATHY
Come closer please.
CHIPPING
Oh, but I can't. The train is moving. Good-bye, Miss Kathy!
KATHY
Oh dear, but I wanted to... oh...
Good-bye, Mr. Chips!
Staefel is angry
CHIPPING
Well, Staefel, why are you looking so gloomy?
STAEFEL
I'm disappointed.
CHIPPING
In what?
STAEFEL
In you, and in Miss Kathy.
CHIPPING
Miss Kathy? Don't tell me you expected Miss Kathy to propose marriage
to me?
STAEFEL
No, of course not, Chipping.
But she was supposed to give you a kiss before she left on the train.
Miss Flora told her to.
CHIPPING
A kiss?
STAEFEL
Dash it all, Chipping.
CHIPPING
She was supposed to kiss me?
STAEFEL
Well, I have their addresses in London. You must write to her.
CHIPPING
But why didn't she kiss me?
STAEFEL
She just ran out of time.
CHIPPING
She must've thought better of it, Staefel.
Must've changed her mind.
STAEFEL
No, Chipping. The train left too soon.
Write her a letter, Chipping, right this minute.
CHIPPING
Yes, I suppose I should.
I'll write to her next week and tell her what I've seen in Vienna.