Once Alma Jr. had her dad to herself, she warily broached the subject of maybe coming to stay with him:
"Daddy, I was thinking, what with the new baby and all ... Ma and Monroe, they've been awful strict on me. More on me than on Jenny even. (pause) I was thinking, maybe I could ... maybe I could come stay with you, Daddy ... I'd be a big help to you, I know I would." [screenplay]