The Heart of Mrs. Robins (1913)

Selfish, frivolous widow Mrs. Robins goes away to spend the summer with a gay party of tourists, leaving her little son Bobby in the care of a nurse. One day, while out for a walk, Bobby becomes acquainted with scientist Dick Bronson, who gets locked in his room and is helped out by Bobby, who climbs over the transom of the door and gets the key for him. After this Bobby meets Dick several times and a strong friendship is formed between them. In one of his letters to his mother, Bobby tells about Dick and gets him to add a postscript--in which he says he hopes he will soon meet his little companion's mother. Mrs. Robins is amused when she gets the letter, but at the same time angry at Dick's remark, which seems somehow to imply that she should be at home with her boy. On the advice of George French, her latest suitor, she writes to the nurse saying that she must not allow Bobby to meet Mr. Bronson again and to Bronson asking him not to see the boy. Bobby misses his new friend very much, for both the nurse and Dick obey orders, and worries over the enforced separation, so much so that he becomes very ill. He seems to be pining away and so the doctor writes to Mrs. Robins telling her that he will not answer for the consequences if she does not return. When she goes to the bedside, Bobby turns from her and will not recognize her. She cannot understand this until the nurse explains that the illness began soon after he had been forbidden to see his friend Dick. Mrs. Robins, much against her inclination, decides to send for Dick, who hurries to the sick child's bedside. As soon as he sees Dick, Bobby brightens up and takes a turn for the better, falling peacefully asleep in his friend's arms. Dick remains quite still, not heeding the ache in his arm, until Bobby wakes up and fondly embraces both his mother and Dick, making them look at each other. Mr. Robins realizes that her place is beside her little boy and the love-light grows in her eyes as she sees Dick's evident fondness for him. It is easy to see that Bobby will have a new papa.

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Summary Details
Running Time11 min
GenresComedy Drama Short