In the film""s surprise ending after tremendous heartbreak following earlier news of the loss of Anne""s husband, on Christmas Eve, she then received a cablegram by telephone informing her that he was actually safe and returning home, and she and her daughters joyfully embraced.As she stood under the giant bell, she pulled on the bell-tower rope to signal their presence to serve the people." She responded to him: "Gee, I don""t know.Maybe.This sure is a friendly town." Ned quickly apologized - and she was slightly hurt: "You mean the offer""s no good?" Then she added: "You must be looking for the lady of the house"; as "Matty" walked up to hem (and handed Mary Ann an envelope - a payoff?); after Mary Ann left, "Matty" explained that Mary Ann was "an old friend, she""s like a sister to me.He had originally been imprisoned for an armed bank robbery.Marie""s manager R.O.Myerson (Reginald Owen) encouraged her o participate in some evening appearances, but she initially refused and wanted to be left alone - until she learned that the visiting Premier of Quebec Canada (Alan Mowbray) was an ardent fan and was "anxious" to meet her.