CHILDREN [SINGING]: Hark, the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn king
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark, the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn king
Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace
Hail the Son of Righteousness
Light and life to all he brings
Ris'n with healing in his wings
Mild he lays his glory be
Born that man no more may die
Hark, the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn king
- Oh, this is very kind of you. - It's a privilege.
[TIRES SCREECH]
Which way are you going?
Just over there, the Mutual Building. My doctor is in there.
- You see, I have hopes. - Fine.
- Oh, I'm all right now. - Good luck to you.
Thank you. Thank you so much. Merry Christmas to you.
Merry Christmas.
[CHILDREN CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]
Mother, please. Please lift me up. Please.
WOMAN: All right, then. Just for a minute. Up you go.
[WOMAN LAUGHS]
GIRL: Look at that doll.
Look at the funny choo-choo train.
WOMAN: Come on now, darling. We have to go.
[GASPS]
Oh, my baby! Oh, my baby! Oh, my baby!
Oh, you saved her. Oh, thank God. You saved my baby.
Oh, how can I ever thank you?
- Don't try. Just don't let it happen again. - I won't. I promise you, I won't.
- All right, remember that. Now on your way. - Yes.
MAN: It closely resembles its noble cousin, the California red fir.
It's botanically dissimilar.
Pay me heed, Maggenti.
This is a specimen of the white fir, the Abies concolor.
And surely, you being a native Roman, know your Latin.
You wanna buy or not?
- Well, if it isn't my dear, beautiful Julia. JULIA: Oh, hello, professor.
What are you doing in this disreputable part of town?
JULIA: I'm buying a Christmas tree.
- Hello, Mr. Maggenti. - Mrs. Brougham, how do you do?
How much do you charge for this miserable weed?
A dollar eighty-five.
A dollar eighty-five for this halfhearted twig?
I shall pay you 10 cents a branch, or take my trade elsewhere.
What can I do for you, Mrs. Brougham?
You can save me that tree outside, the big one right by the door.
- Okay. - Thank you.
Every Christmas for the past 18 years...
...Maggenti and I have been re-enacting the same argument.
I didn't know you celebrated Christmas.
I thought you had no religion.
Well, that's true, my dear.
But I like to have a Christmas tree because it reminds me of my childhood.
I feel, for some reason, that this is a good time of year...
...for looking backwards.
Can you imagine me ever having been a child?
How's Henry? I haven't seen him for quite some time.
Oh, he's well, thank you.
He's terribly tired and worried.
Imagine he's having difficulty raising money for the cathedral.
Yes, it's slow work.
- How's your book coming? - Oh, splendidly.
Greatest history of Rome since Gibbon.
But, of course, nobody will read it.
And now, my good man...
...I do not choose to prolong this tawdry bickering any further.
All right, 10 cents a branch.
It's $1.40.
Very well, my venal friend. Here is your blood money.
JULIA: Mr. Maggenti, will you send the tree up on Christmas Eve?
- Late. I don't want my daughter to see. - Sure. Don't you worry.
I send it when the little bambino goes to bed.
And Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas! - Merry Christmas!
Come on.
There's something I'd like you to give Henry with my compliments...
...for his cathedral fund.
That has been my lucky piece.
Not that it's ever brought me any luck, except knowing you.
It's an old Roman coin.
I picked it up years ago at a junk shop in Brindisi.
It has little value.
It's a wonderful contribution.
Nonsense.
It might be called the widow's mite...
...if it weren't for the fact that I'm not a widow.
Why, Julia, this is no occasion for tears.
It's stopped snowing, and...
Oh, if only we could spend Christmas back here...
...where we were so happy with you and our old friends.
Now, now, now.
Good night, professor.
I'll see you again very soon.
It can't be soon enough.
Good night, Julia.
Why, professor.
How fine to see you again after all these years.
How well you look.
- How are you? - Never better.
- And you? - Oh, quite well also, thank you.
[CHUCKLES]
I don't think you remember me.
Oh, that's preposterous. Of course I do.
- Where did we meet? - Now, professor, after all these years...
Well, now, just a moment. It wasn't Vienna, was it?
Vienna. Beautiful old Vienna.
- The university? - The university.
- When I was lecturing on Roman history? - That's it, professor.
What great lectures they were and what a one you were with the ladies.
Oh, fancy you remembering that.
- I must confess, I had my moments. - And still have.
- Where are you going? - That car.
I couldn't help noticing your tender parting from Julia.
- You know Julia? - In a way, yes.
Poor child.
- She's unhappy? - Yes.
When were you in Vienna?
Oh, I've been there many times.
I'm interested in Julia and Henry. What seems to be their trouble?
I never see Henry anymore.
He has no time for riffraff like me.
He now consorts with the vulgar rich like Mrs. Hamilton.
Do you know she had me fired from the university here?