From under my hat (1952)

dinner and they proceeded to work themselves into a merry, merry mood. Standing still for photographs worked against Cohan's nervous system. "I contracted to make moving pictures," he said. When the two returned to the studio, Cohan insisted on treating the company, too, and sent out for cases of champagne, which we drank out of tin cups. Finally electricians, props, and set workers rebelled at this rich affront to their stomachs. They pushed a spokesman in front of Mr. Cohan. "Please, can't we have beer?" He laughed at their independence and sent for beer. The stills were shot, but where Cohan's face should have been there was nothing but a blur. Not one picture was fit to print. In one shot I was supposed to faint, and Cohan had to bring me to with a glass of water. He sneaked a slug of whisky in it and I nearly choked. "Serves you right!" he shouted. "A Friar playing cupbearer to a Lambs' wife, indeed!" Roots may be expendable to grownups, but they are important to children. Bill loved the country, where he could have animals, freedom, and be outdoors the livelong dav. I decided it was time to buy a permanent home. Wolfie loved the comforts of a home, but— though he'd pay any price for a new automobile— he hated the responsibility of owning a house. He never bought a piece of real estate in his life and wouldn't put money into a home. So if we were to have one, I'd have to buy it. P found just the right place in Douglaston, Long Island, a shout and a holler from Great Neck. I had the initial payment, ten thousand dollars, saved from my movie jobs. "Are you out of your mind?" said my spouse. "You'll never be able to make the payments." "My pictures will do that for me. Anyhow, even if I lose the money, I'm going to make the trv." Every time a payment came due, my picture jobs enabled me to meet it. I used to go through the house and point out things that 113