"FLAMES IN THE DARKNESS" "KARLSBRO GRAMMAR HIGH SCHOOL" "Who threw that ball?" "I asked who was it that threw that ball?" "So?" "That gives me no choice but to mark down the whole class." " Please, sir..." " Yes?" "It was..." "It was me who did it." "Well, well... so it was Persson?" "Come forward." "Come a bit closer." "Birger, can I speak with you a moment?" " What is it?" " It's about your mother." " Is she worse?" " Yes... the doctor just 'phoned." "He doesn't think she has much time left." "You get along there." "I'll take care of your boys." "Thanks." "Stop that blubbering, Hulda." "I'm not dead yet." "Isn't my son here yet?" "Did the doctor ring for him?" "Take it easy, Mrs Sjogren." "He's sure to be here any time now." "Mother... how are you going?" "The two of you get out..." "I wish to speak with my son... alone." "Sit down." "We don't have much time." "Mother, you'll see that you'll pull through this time too." "Don't argue with me." "I'm the one who best knows what's up with me." "I do not want any graveside speeches." "There's no need for people to be getting frozen feet, standing in the slush." "If it's necessary to sing anything ... "My Day of Sorrow Has Ended" is quite enough." " Mother dear..." " Yes... because that's how it is." "And you know that better than anyone." "How will things be for you when you no longer have me?" "Don't you worry yourself about me." "How could I do otherwise?" "I know you too well!" "Mother!" "Where do you think you'd be now, if I hadn't protected you?" "Protected me?" "Shut me up more like it." "Begrudged me any chance to live." "I could never play with other boys..." "You stopped me from meeting girls." "Do you remember Uppsala?" "You moved there with me." "You hid my shoes, so I couldn't sneak out in the evenings." "You've never given me a chance to make a life for myself without YOU." "What sort of life would it have been, with all the evil that's inside you?" "There's not a shred more evil in me than in anyone else." "The difference is, I dare to be myself." "Birger, you don't know what you're talking about." "If only I could take you with me!" "Well, you can't, can you?" "You can't stop me doing anything, anymore!" "What do you mean by that?" "What are you planning to do?" "I don't know..." "Maybe I'll get married." "You can't do that!" "You've no right!" "Birger, I forbid you..." "Mother!" "You mustn't leave me..." "I've no one else!" "The paper, please." "Can I have the advertising department?" "It's about a death notice." ""My beloved mother, the widow Anna Charlotta Sjogren"   "passed away peacefully today."" ""Her memory gratefully preserved." "Birger Sjogren."" "Yes?" "... yes." "Yes, thanks." "Could I have one 2nd class to Torekov." "I guess it'll be nice to get away from me and all the boys." "It'll be wonderful!" "Best of all, not having to see you every morning at 8 o'clock!" "Am I such a bore?" "With my radiant early-morning personality?" "!" " That's what's so irritating." " That'll be 9.80, miss." "A person could go crazy having some hearty type saying good morning in the dining hall every day," " with a gleaming smile, when you've barely got your eyes open, yourself." " 10.20." " Thank you." "Let's hope for your sake that the mozzies take away some of my humour for autumn." "I can't understand how I've put up with it for 3 years." " You've had your summer breaks." " Thank heaven for that!" "Couldn't you come and see me?" "It'd be fun to get together away from the job." "You cannot imagine how wonderful it is down there." "You can't imagine how wonderful it is in Lapland." "You have to have been there to appreciate how lovely it is to be alone in the forest." "Get up listening to nature waking, jump into a mountain lake." "Catch a trout and cook it yourself..." "That's really living!" "Yes, it must be." " Enjoy your holidays then." " Thanks, same to you." " Don't wait here for my sake." " I'll wait till the train comes." " You should be getting home to pack." " I guess you're right." "'Bye then, and have a great holiday!" "Goodbye!" "3 MONTHS WENT BY" "RINGSALA BOARDING SCHOOL FOUNDED 1909" "Here we have the whole Ringsala school." "That's the house we're in now." " The school wasn't very big at the start." " It's certainly grown under you, headmaster." "We've got 14 buildings now, with the swimming pool that was finished last year." "This is the gymnasium." "And these are the main school halls." "The single teachers live here." "Handicrafts here and 6 buildings for the boarders." "So many?" "The boys feel more at home if there aren't too many in together." "And it's easier for their matron and housemaster to maintain personal contact." " That's most important." " I'm pleased you appreciate it." "I'm keen that a matron here becomes like a mother to the boys." "In that respect, your predecessor was fortunate." "The boys worshipped her." " Maybe I won't match up to her?" " I'm sure it will work out well." "You'll be supported by Mr Nordmark." "He's Granbacken's housemaster." "We'll meet with him today for dinner." "Just the three of us... and the newlyweds." "So maybe I should get myself off to..." "Granbacken, was it?" "I'll show you which way to go, Miss Danielsson." "When you come out, you just go straight up there." "You turn right when you come to the gymnasium." "Granbacken is up here." " Is everything ready to go to town, Miss Berg?" " Mrs Sjogren, please, Mr Andersson." "I haven't got used to the fact that you've married, Miss Berg." "I'm hardly used to it myself." "We'll take the trunk, the books and the pictures to town..." " Andersson can burn the rest." " Yes, Miss Berg." " Let me give you a hand, Andersson." " Good morning, sir." "Welcome back." " Did you have a good holiday?" " Just fine." "Is matron in?" "She's in her room... but... !" "Good morning, matron." "Granbacken's housemaster reporting for duty." "What's this... having a big clean-up?" " No, I'm leaving." " Leaving?" "You won't be here as matron anymore?" " Has the head put you off?" " Not at all!" " You're not really leaving the school?" " Yes, I am." " Whatever for?" " Haven't you read the papers?" "They're a bit light on papers up in Jukkasjarvi." "What was in them?" "That I got married." " Aren't you going to congratulate me?" " Do you realise what you've done?" "Don't you realise..." "I'm in love with you?" " Why have you never said anything?" " Well, because  maybe I didn't realise it myself, until today." "Being a woman, you should have been aware." "From your "good morning, Matron"?" "!" "Have you ever once tried to kiss me?" " No, you haven't." " Would that have been proper..." " for a housemaster to kiss the matron?" " No... but..." " You could have at least tried." " My dear Eva, this is a house in this school." "I don't want to live in a school for the rest of my life." "I want my own home, my own kids..." "and a husband who..." "Who's more than just a good pal." "I see." "Well... so you've found him?" "That was quick." "What's he do for a living?" "Teacher." "I met him on the coast early this summer." "We started dating." "He's very sweet and friendly." "One day he asked me if I'd like to be married to him, and I said yes." "Eva, if I'd asked you the same question, how would you have answered?" "It's not proper for you to ask me that now." "Let's drop the subject..." "and just stay good friends as before." "That's easy for you to say." "Do it for my sake... eh?" "I'm sure you'll get along really well with Birger." "So I have to get along with him too?" "You'll be colleagues here." "That, as well?" "!" "Just accept it." "Rolf..." "let me look at you." "You're the cutest there is!" "Please accept that I wish you every happiness." "Sorry if I'm interrupting, but I was directed here." " I'm the new matron for the house." " Oh, I see." "Please come in." "I'm just making sure all my things have been removed." "I'm Miss Danielsson." "Let me congratulate you." " And this of course is..." " Nordmark." "I'm... housemaster... here." "Oh, so that's it!" "Yes..." "I'll leave you to it." "Hey, Magda!" "What's for dinner?" "You'll see when you get there." " Could be lamb?" " Don't have coupons enough for that." "No, of course." "I'll probably make a little speech at the dinner." "Is that really necessary when there's just 6 of us?" "It seems friendlier when we're having a newlywed couple." "Besides, I've hit upon a pretty funny turn of phrase." "You do it then..." "but don't make it too long." "I've never been one for long speeches." " Birger?" " Yes?" "Could you just help me with my dress?" " What do I do?" " Just do up the zipper there." "Thanks." "Did you know you have the prettiest neck and the most beautiful eyes in the world?" "I fell in love with them the first time I saw you." " On the train?" " Yes, though they were looking sad then." "You looked just like an abandoned baby bird." "I almost got the same impression of you." "The ugly duckling, you mean." "No, but you somehow seemed so lonely." "Have you been very lonely, Birger?" " Yes." " How did that come about?" " I don't know." " Have people scared you?" "Yes, perhaps." "But I don't scare you?" "!" "Of course not, darling." "Hold me." "It feels so nice to really mean something to somebody." " Do you feel the same?" " Of course." "We'd better hurry now, or we'll be late for dinner." "My wife and I would like to bid our guests welcome." "First of all Granbacken's new matron, whom we hope will be happy here." "Then I bid welcome to our second newcomer." "But in my welcome I may have to mix a little tone of reproach." "You've come like a thief in the night, and robbed us of our Eva  and in doing so you have dissolved her relationship with us  that for several years made Granbacken the school's most popular house." "Poor Adam's left to bite the bullet." "But he doesn't need to bite alone." "My wife and I just pray to wish both the couple in Granbacken - ... and the young couple down in Ringtuna every happiness possible." " Put it down here, Anna." " Yes, madam." " You must be so happy!" " Of course I am." " He seems decent and sweet and..." " What?" "There's something about him..." "but I can't put my finger on it." "Do you think so too?" "That was probably what made me want to marry him." "It feels a little strange to move in with someone you know so little about." "Don't you think I felt the same way when Edvard and I were married?" "You'll know each other soon enough, almost too well." "Edvard... how are you doing?" "Not so well, I've just received three penalties." " I was stupid not to have doubled." " It's easy to be wise after the event." "But you have to take a chance when it's offered." "You couldn't have known her queen would come in-between." "It's not easy for a mere woman, even a queen, to come between two men such as you." "That finishes the hand." "Should we think about the next?" " No trumps?" " Wait till I have a look." " I pass." " Two spades." " Pass." " Three no trumps." " Pass." " Pass." "This is all I have." "I can manage without your help." "Hope you make it." "Mr Nordmark..." "Come and entertain Eva while I see about the tea tray." "I'll do my best." "I'm really sorry about what happened this morning." "It was a bit awkward." "Miss Danielsson thinks I'm a vamp!" "And I'm the Lothario who's come to abduct the bride." "Those two are certainly enjoying themselves over there." " Do you think it's strange?" " No, of course not." " Not at all... quite the opposite." " So maybe we can continue playing." "It was your turn." "What's up with you?" "Is something wrong?" "With me?" "No, nothing." " It just feels a bit strange." " What does?" "To suddenly be away from there, standing outside, not having anything to do with the school." "Seeing another matron at Granbacken." "Together with him?" "It's not that at all." "It's everything." "The boys..." "To think that tomorrow they'll come storming into Granbacken." "They yell out:" ""Good morning, Matron!" "Where is Matron?" "The headmaster welcomes them and work can begin again." "So they come with their messy exercise books and their scraped knees  and want some advice, or maybe just a little kindness." "But they won't come to me any longer." "But now you have me, instead." " Of course, but..." " "It's not the same thing", you'll say." "No... well... yes!" "Don't tell me you'll be longing for a pack of rascally boys!" " What do you mean?" " Do you take me for a fool?" "I've picked up on what's in the wind about the matron and the housemaster!" ""Happy house relationship!"" "Birger, I swear to you that there has never been anything between him and me." "You expect me to believe that?" "Yes, I do!" "What is it?" "Why are you staring at me like that?" "Birger?" "You can at least answer me." "But... you're frightening me!" "Birger!" "I don't recognise you." "Leave me alone!" " Go up to bed!" " What about you?" "Just leave me alone!" " Birger?" " Yes, what is it?" "Come on in!" "Come on!" "Come and sit here." "We can't go to sleep being enemies." "No, forgive me." "Whatever came over you?" "I sometimes get like that." "If you just leave me alone, it goes away." " Listen, there must be a fire!" " Sounds like it." " I must take a look." " You won't see it from here." "How do you know?" "You can tell they're going in that direction." "Of course they are!" " It's late." "Good night, my pet." " Good night... sweet dreams." " What is it?" " Matron's sick." " Great!" "We won't see her for a while." "Is that any way to talk about our dear little matron?" " What's wrong with her?" " Pneumonia." "The doctor's here now." "This makes for a real mess." "Middle of term and everything." "It makes things harder that she needs to stay put." "I don't want to move her." "No..." "Do you think you may be able to find us a nurse, doctor?" "Easier said than done." "There are just none available." "Come in!" " Excuse me... can we start eating?" " I'll be right there... you can start." "Can I have the principal's office?" "What are you saying?" "Then we have to make sure she gets proper care." "No?" "That was worse." "I know!" "We'll see if Eva can come up for a few days." "No, I really don't think that can be done." "I mean, she's only been married for a couple of months." "Of course we can!" "I know Eva." "And Birger's a reasonable fellow." "What is it that's so funny?" "It's a translation a boy in year 7 has done." "What is it... can I hear it?" "A sentence should be translated like this:" ""Caesar moved meal hours forward in Rome." Know what Blomkvist wrote?" ""Caesar raised the number of whores in Rome."" "It's not quite as silly as it sounds." "The verb "promovere" can mean both "raise" and "move forward"." "And the other word "hora" can mean "hour"." "But Blomkvist had to pick the wrong meanings." "He didn't bother to check the dictionary." "Poor old Caesar to be so misunderstood." "Or was it his wife who was misunderstood?" "My dear, Caesar's wife wasn't even mistaken." " That's what I meant." " So you'd be "misunderstood"." "Misunderstood or mistaken..." "does it matter?" "Good day!" "I'm just dropping in..." "Sorry, but the front door was open." "Will you have a cup of coffee?" "No, it would spoil my lunch, then I'd have Magda to deal with." " Don't let me disturb you." " Sit down." "Now, Eva my pet..." "How would you feel about being matron again?" "It would only be a matter of days." "Miss Danielsson has pneumonia." "We have to find someone who can look after both her and the boys." "There's nobody else but you." "Don't say no!" " What about Birger?" "We don't have a maid." " He can eat at school." " That's alright..." " Who'll fix his morning coffee?" "Surely he could fix it for himself?" "If it's absolutely necessary, I suppose I could come." "I was quite sure you wouldn't let down the school!" "You turtledoves will have each other again in a week." "Thanks to both of you." "And sorry for disturbing you." "Goodbye for now." "You aren't unhappy about this?" "I did try hard to get out of it." "Of course, and we'll meet each other at mealtimes." " Aren't you going to finish your meal?" " No thanks, I'm not hungry any more." "It's past 10 o'clock." "You should have been in bed ages ago." " Sorry, but it was so exciting." " Exciting?" " Who's move is it?" " Mine, sir." " What was your next move?" " Take the bishop with the pawn there." "If you move the knight, it'd be check, and loss of the queen." " It's not fair to help him." " I'll help you next time." "We can't have this." "Into bed now and you can finish this in the morning." "Good evening boys." "How are you going?" " Are you staying up long?" " The Latin is a bit tricky." " It's Nero's skulduggery against his mother." " Pretty vile that we have to suffer on their account!" " How's the match against Germany going?" " That's what we'd like to find out." " Shame the heavyweight faded." " Pity Tandberg's not still there." " Good night, boys." " Good night, sir." "If you're going down to the kitchen to make tea or something  keep it quiet so you don't disturb Matron." "Good night, boys." " Where do you think you're going?" " To meet Anne-Marie." "And leave me alone with Nero?" "That's not very comradely." "It's not easy to be both comradely and in love." "You'll manage OK without me." "Don't you think you're exposing yourself to unnecessary risks?" "You've got your matriculation coming up, and you know what happens if you're found out there." " What if Romeo had to worry about that?" " Juliet would've gone in from the balcony." " So there'd never have been any tragedy." " And none of them would've become immortal." " So that's your ambition." " Exactly." "See you later." " How's Miss Danielsson feeling now?" " Much better." " Your body aches from lying down." " Take this now." "It'll help you sleep well tonight." " Sleep well." " Thanks." " How are things tonight?" " Much better." "The crisis is over." "That's wonderful." "How are things with you, though?" "I haven't had much sleep lately, and with the boys on top of that..." "Poor girl." "You shouldn't have to wear yourself out." "Come and I'll make you a cup of tea." " Can I leave her alone?" " Of course you can." "Ann-Marie?" "Ann-Marie, are you there?" " I never thought you'd come." " O, beautiful Juliet!" "How unexpected to see your face there framed in the straw!" "You're crazy!" "And though the balcony's replaced by the barn's cold loft  I rush up the ladder to meet you." "Hi, Juliet!" " It's ready." " Shall I help you?" " I think I can manage to pour a cup of tea." " It's so nice to be pampered." "I hope it wasn't too much trouble to be Matron again." "No..." "I can't tell you how much fun it was to have the boys around me again." " The boys?" "Didn't I come into it?" " Of course you did." "You're just another boy." " Birger isn't upset about it?" " On the contrary." "He's reasonable." "He understood right off that this was necessary." "If only you knew how miserable Granbacken has been without you." " What about Miss Danielsson?" " She's very good in her own way." "But it's not the same at all." "Discussion about boys is dry and impersonal." "There was more to it with you." "Come in!" "Stay there, pet." "Don't let me disturb you." "I just looked in to see how you were doing." "Miss Danielsson is much better and Rolf suggested we have a cup of tea." " You don't need to explain." " Would you like a cup?" "No, don't trouble on my account." "You're nicely set up here." " I can't complain." " I can see that." "I won't bother you anymore." "I just looked in to see how you were." " Was he furious?" " Do you think you could watch her tonight?" " I really should go home anyway." " You do it." "Off you go!" " What are you thinking about?" " That this is rotten." "That we have to meet like this on the sly." "And it's damn cold too." "Thank goodness it'll soon be over, and I can become a human being  and meet the one I love when, how and where I like." "What's up?" "I was thinking when you aren't here any longer..." " you won't be meeting me." " But I'll come and visit you." "You'll come once or twice." "Then you'll meet other girls." "Girls who know stuff like you." "So you'll forget the shopgirl from Ringsala." "No, darling, I promise you I won't do that." " Was there somebody there?" " Who could it be?" "Maybe we can see over here." " Was there or wasn't there?" " It's on fire!" " Get the ladder!" " We'll have to jump." " Did you get hurt?" "What is it?" " My hand got burnt." "It's nothing serious." "We have to get away before the fire brigade comes." "Birger!" "Where have you been?" "I thought you'd be home before me." "I took a little walk." "I didn't know you'd be home." "Aren't you going to bed?" "That's where I'm going." "HAMMARGRENSKA BARN BURNT TO THE GROUND." "SECOND FIRE IN 2 MONTHS." "FIREBUG AT WORK?" ""The fires of Troy sang of the beauty of the flames... "" ""... in his usual theatrical way."" "Good morning!" "Be seated!" "So we'll start the translation." "Olsson can go first." ""When Nero's mother, too eagerly, sought to investigate his deeds... "" ""he found her so troublesome, that he stripped her of every dignity." ""And spooked by her threats of violence he decided to put her to death. "" "Bravo, that was downright elegant." "What word means "put to death"?" " "Violentia"." " No, that was wrong." "But please have another guess." "I suggest "perdere"." "Cheating can get you through a lesson, but never the matriculation." "Kronstrom may continue now." ""But Nero did not spare his native town."" ""As though he was plagued by the ugliness of the buildings he set fire to the city."" ""He did it openly, under his title of consul."" ""High-ranking men met his torch-bearing henchmen"" ""but didn't dare stop them." "The fire raged for 6 days and nights."" ""And the people were forced to seek shelter in the monuments and tomb buildings."" ""Nero watched the fire from a distance from a tower on Maecenas palace."" ""And with joy, as he said, over the flames' beauty"" ""he sang 'Troy's Fire' in his usual theatrical way."" "That wasn't too bad, Kronstrom." "What happened to your hands, Sahlen?" "I was in the kitchen last night making tea..." "and accidentally knocked the pot over." "Well, that must have been most unpleasant." "Let's try you out on some texts you haven't prepared for." "Can Lundqvist tell me what is meant by:" ""Mundus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur."" ""The world wants to be deceived, therefore, we are deceived."" "I prefer the translation "so we become the deceived."" "Sahlen, translate for me:" ""Ne dixeri semper, omnia que noveris."" ""Say not always everything you know."" ""Ipse in difficultates incedes"..." ""You can get yourself into trouble."" "Very good, Sahlen." "Here we see brain development in vertebrates." "We see how it takes up more and more space in the skull." "Can Samuelsson tell me what the significant change is  from a rabbit's brain to a human's?" " Large brain development." " Well, yes..." "So here we have the seat of human intelligence." "What makes man driven to activity beyond basic physical gratification  in other words, to create a culture." " What is it that's found back here?" " The pineal gland." "Correct." "And, further down the brainstem?" "..." "Johansson?" " The pituitary gland." " Correct." "And the secretions from the endocrine and the other glands  are most important for the development of the individual..." "That we know." "But there are a lot of questions still unanswered." "But if something goes wrong here..." "any interference with the internal secretions  the brain's intelligence can be damaged in such a way  that the instinct to build is replaced by a desire to destroy." "Sir, do you mean that the sort of errors that can create giants and dwarfs  can even create criminals?" "Then it would mean that it was unfair to punish such a person, because they couldn't help it." "Every criminal can't be excused because there's something wrong with his brain." "Above all, the view being that society should protect the healthy  against harmful organisms." "But to now return to the big brain..." "We'll go on with that in the next lesson." "Excuse me, sir, there's something I need to discuss with you." "Well, sir..." "I was out last night." " What were you doing?" " I met somebody." " But that's not what this is about." " Which is... ?" "We were in that Hammargrenska barn, sir." "You don't mean that it was your fault the barn burnt down?" "Absolutely not." "We were up in the loft when we heard someone come in  and leave again very quickly." "I leapt up to try and see who it was." "And just then we realised the place was on fire." "You mean the person who came in intended to start a fire?" "It must have been like that..." "He stood in the woods watching it burn." " Did you see who it was?" " I believe I did." "Who?" "Mr Sjogren." " That can't be possible." " I think it is... there's more." "In Latin at the moment, we're doing Nero's burning down of Rome." "He looked really peculiar..." "It was just as if he was enjoying it." "Then he realised I was watching him and he caught sight of my hands..." " and asked what happened." " What did you say?" "That I'd knocked over the teapot." "But in fact you were injured from the fire?" "I believe he realised that." "He came up with a phrase for me to translate." ""Don't tell all you know..." "you can get yourself into trouble."" "And he said it in a way that made it sound like a warning." "Don't let your imagination run away with you..." "Can you swear that it was him?" " I probably couldn't absolutely swear it." " There you are." "Besides, Mr Sjogren was at Granbacken last evening." "He went home with his wife." "At least, I think he did." " So you don't think, sir..." " I'll look into it." "In the meantime, we'll keep this between ourselves." "Are you not going to say anything to the principal?" "Not 'til it becomes necessary." "It was good you told me about it." "You can trust me, sir, that I shan't be sneaking out at night again." " It'll teach you not to play with fire." " Thanks very much, sir." " I'm not disturbing you?" " No, I'm just picking up some things." " What do you want?" " It was concerning Sahlen." "What about him?" "As his housemaster, it's for you to decide whether to take it to the principal." "He was outside the school grounds last night." "And I believe that it is he who is responsible for the fire." "I happened to walk past the barn and saw a boy and a girl jumping out." "They probably had smoked and been careless with fire." "So easy to happen with hay." " Why would it have been Sahlen?" " His hands." "The boy who jumped out, swung by his hands and got burned." "And Sahlen had bandaged hands today." "He stated that he had scalded himself." "That he did." "Last night I helped him bandage them up." "In which case, you are mistaken." "If you vouch for him, I must be wrong." "Which is good both for the school and for Sahlen." "I shan't stay longer." "Goodbye." " Birger?" " What is it?" "I've booked the tennis court this evening for eight o'clock." "Feel like a game?" "Gladly." "But I'm not much of an opponent." "I don't believe it." "We can go back to my place after, for drinks and a chat." "A tete-a-tete would be nice." "8 o'clock at the gymnasium." "Hello, Eva!" "You're not at Granbacken?" "Miss Danielsson is much better, so I came home." "I looked for you at your office." "When you weren't there, I came here." "No, but Eva, my dear..." "I've just come from town." "There's quite a stir, as you can imagine." "Everyone's talking about the pyromaniac." "Pyromaniac, eh?" "All because of a few shacks burning down this autumn." "It's probably some old tramp who dropped his pipe." "It might have been one of our boys, smoking on the sly." "Don't be silly, it was in the middle of the night." " No, that's unthinkable." " I must go home and get dinner ready." " Thanks for today, Magda." " 'Bye, Eva dear." " What's going on with her?" " There was a drama at Granbacken yesterday." "Eva and Rolf were drinking tea when Birger walked in." "It seems he's jealous." " So she doesn't want to stay." " Well..." "Birger is jealous?" " Who would have thought?" " I wonder how it is for those two." "Eva's changed... she's not the happy person she used to be." "It's a compliment to a young woman if her husband's jealous." "Remember how jealous I used to be when we were first married?" "!" " Come and sit with me for a bit." " I wouldn't dare." " What if someone came?" " It wouldn't matter for just a bit." "Now we don't even have an old barn to meet in." "Actually, it doesn't really matter." " Don't you want to see me again?" " Of course I do." "But I've promised Mr Nordmark I won't sneak out at night anymore." " Did they find out about you?" " I told him myself." " You didn't tell him that I was there, did you?" " I certainly did not." " So why did you tell him?" " I felt I had to." "I couldn't be quiet about what I saw." "Tell me, who was it?" "I don't know for sure, but Mr Nordmark can probably find that out." "I'm not bothered about your teachers." "When will we meet again?" "We can still go to the movies..." "back row... and hold hands." " That's only once a week." " You'll appreciate it all the more." " Anne-Marie!" " Coming!" "See you!" "I'll sneak in here in a while, if I can." ""The Psychology of Crime"..." "is that an interest of yours?" "It's in line with my profession as a biology teacher." "My dream was to become a psychiatrist  but I couldn't afford to get such qualifications." "Bad luck for souls needing attention." "So you settled for being housemaster at a boys' boarding school?" "I could have done a lot worse." "It can often be very interesting studying the boys  as well as the teachers." " Can I take that as a compliment?" " As you wish." " Cheers!" " Cheers!" "In the end, is there anything more interesting than people?" "To observe what they do and see how they react..." "To try to get to the bottom of why they behave the way they do." "Most are unusually banal and uninteresting." "Yes, but there are exceptions." " Like criminals, say?" " Some of them, at least." "So what does the psychologist say about our local pyromaniac, who's striking fear into all the old biddies?" " Does he exist?" " It's quite possible." "Barns don't burn themselves down, and there are plenty of pyromaniacs around." "Assuming he does exist, what type of person would you judge him to be?" "It may be no more than teenage rebellion." "Some boy of lesser intelligence, using fire as a protest against life." "You mean a more or less imbecile type?" "That's usually the case." "But it can happen  for it to be someone of yours or my sort of intelligence." " Really?" " Yes." "It can be a guy whose intelligence is in full working order  but is so racked with complexes and inhibitions..." "Complexes and inhibitions?" "They're just what he lacks  when everyone else is bound up by their bourgeois rules  he alone dares be himself." " A sort of Nietzschean superman?" " You could put it that way." "Many people have desires within themselves that they never dare express." "All of them are cowards, ruled by the laws of "Thou shalt..." "Thou shalt not."" "So one day they die, without ever having fully lived." "You're forgetting that your superman doesn't live alone in the world." "People have to be kept to rules for co-existence to be possible." " Otherwise, the world becomes a madhouse." " Is it so far from that right now?" "No, and maybe it's because of those who believe themselves to be supermen." "To come back to your possible arsonist  I don't believe he's the strong heroic type you make him out to be." "I think he's a rather pitiful creature." "In what way?" "There's probably something wrong with his emotional life." "He probably lacks any normal warm human feelings." "Such incapacity drives him to assert himself in this way." "There doesn't have to be anything wrong with his emotional life." "He may be happily married." "Married perhaps..." "but not happily." "If he's bound himself to some woman..." "that'd be his gravest offence." " But what if she loves him?" " He might believe she loves him." "She may have wanted to believe it, and so cheated herself." "If the guy had a shred of decency, he'd set her free... and see a doctor  and face up to the truth about himself." "That's rather a tall order for your imaginary arsonist." "Maybe he's not so imaginary." "A man with his intelligence might be sufficiently self-aware." "Time and again he is pulled into ever more crimes  and with each one, the chances of being caught increase." "As discovery comes closer, he starts to lose his nerve." "He lives in constant anxiety..." "and every face becomes an enemy." "So what advice would you give him?" "What I just said..." "To see a doctor and be taken care of." "Before it becomes a total disaster for himself and his environment." "Imagine what it would mean to such a man if he had a friend like you to turn to  with such warm and human feelings for his neighbour  and his neighbour's wife." "It's getting late." "Thanks for this evening..." "it was very interesting." "If you bump into the pyromaniac, don't bother giving him your good advice..." "I don't believe he'd take it." "So, report him to the police..." "with the evidence?" "I doubt if any evidence would be easy to come by." "You needn't see me out." "I know the way." "Come in!" " Just wanted to say goodbye and wish you a merry Christmas." " Same to you." " Are you on your way already?" " I'm going to town before the bus goes." "I get it... and also meet the 'somebody'?" "Is that still happening?" " We meet occasionally and swap thoughts." " Well... "thoughts"?" "But never after 10 at night, sir!" "Great, Sahlen." "Have a good time in the holidays and forget about swotting." " You need all your energy for the spring term." " It's not that easy to resist." " I'm starting to get nervous about the matric." " You've nothing to be nervous about." "'Bye then." "Say hi to your mum and dad..." "and the 'somebody'." " Isn't it cute?" " Yes, it's like you." " I don't have such rosy cheeks." " No, but the same innocent look." " I can't tell if you're making fun of me." " I'm not making fun of you." "But you have the same innocent look." "Must go..." "Bus leaves in 10 minutes." " Goodbye and have a lovely Christmas." " Merry Christmas." "It's rotten that we can't be together." "Can't be helped, unfortunately." "Nearly forgot the most important..." " What's that?" " Your Christmas present." " Aren't you going to open it?" " Of course!" "I hope it's OK." "Oh it's so pretty..." "You shouldn't have!" " And I don't have anything for you." " You can embroider a pair of slippers for me." " You're making fun of me again." " Not at all, darling." " What's up?" " Nothing." "Merry Christmas, Sahlen." " Miss Strom?" "Could we have some coffee?" " Yes, madam." " What were you coughing about back there?" " Cough?" "Did I?" "You stood quite still and coughed loudly." "I heard it quite clearly." "You don't mean that Sahlen and our Anne-Marie..." "Goodness, Edvard, Sahlen is one of your boys." "Granted... but I distinctly heard the way you coughed." " And you cough never without reason." " Listen..." "I heard that Rolf's stopping here over Christmas." "He usually stays with his brother." "It can't be much fun sitting alone there in Granbacken for the holidays." " Should you ask him over for Christmas Eve?" " I have already." "You might have told me." "How many more have you invited?" " None, but I thought of asking the Sjogrens." " That wouldn't work out." " Couldn't you get their ration coupons?" " That's not the point." "Rolf and Birger don't get on together." "What a load of rubbish!" "They'll have to learn to get on." "I can't have my teachers scowling at each other." "Christmas Eve would be the ideal time for them to make up." "But the Sjogrens will surely want to have their first Christmas [Eve] dinner by themselves." "You probably right." "We could ask them over for later in the evening, eh?" " Christmas Eve always means lots of people!" " If you like, then!" " Just remember it was your idea." " I won't forget." "It was very sweet of you to buy this bag for me." "I really needed one." "Did you?" "That was nice, then." " Did you like the colour of your pullover?" " Of course." "It must have been quite an effort for you to get it finished." "We'd better go now." "They'll be wondering if we're going to come." " You go..." "I'll stay home." " But we agreed we'd come." " You agreed, not me." " That makes no difference." "Birger, don't get me upset now." "Does it mean so much to you to see him?" "Don't get started on that again." "It's Christmas Eve." " Don't go all sentimental on me." " Doesn't it mean anything to you?" "What?" "... the humbug about Santa and Christmas peace and goodwill?" "No, I can do without them." "I have what's known as a brain  which I use." "There's something known as a heart, as well!" "A piece of biological plumbing that has been overworked in poetry." "I can't stand hearing you mock everything that I think beautiful and genuine!" "God knows I've tried to make it nice here..." "and like a home." "But it hasn't worked!" "..." "There can never be any warmth." "You're killing me with cold!" "I can't stand this any longer!" " Yes?" " What's happened to you?" " Aren't you coming?" " I was just about to 'phone you." "Eva's not feeling well, so unfortunately we can't come." "No, it's impossible." "She's already gone up to bed." "What a shame." "Rolf and Magda just lit the Christmas tree, to welcome your arrival." " Won't you be at matins either?" " That we can do for sure." " I can, at least." " Well... good night, then." "So take good care of our Eva." "See you early in the morning." "Good night." " Aren't they coming?" " No, Eva's feeling poorly." " I wonder about that." " Oh, Magda's impossible!" "She loves to find hidden meanings in everyday situations." "You've benefited a lot from Magda's female intuition." "Intuition?" "Fantasy you mean." "Why have you locked the door?" "Just leave me alone!" "As you wish." "But I trust you'll calm down in the morning." "I've promised the principal we'll be coming to the Christmas morning service." "Try and get a good night's sleep." "ARSON EPIDEMIC IN OSTERVIK CONTINUES" "POLICE SUSPICIONS TAKE A PARTICULAR DIRECTION" "SCHOOLBOY RELEASED ON MOTHER'S PROTESTATIONS" "I know who you are." "FOURTH FIRE IN KARLSBRO" "POLICE ARE PERPLEXED" "THREE ACTS OF ARSON IN ONE NIGHT" "KARLSBRO PANICS" "POLICE APPEAL TO THE PUBLIC" "JUVENILES BEHIND KARLSBRO FIRES" "KARLSBRO ARSONIST STILL ON THE LOOSE" "How will things be for you when you no longer have me?" "There's something about you..." "but I can't put my finger on it." "There's probably something wrong with his emotional life." "You have no heart." "He's unable to have warm feelings." "I can't stand it any longer!" "If he's bound himself to some woman..." "that'd be his gravest offence." "It's him I love... not you." "The net will close around you..." "I know who you are." " It's him I love." " I know who you are." " It's him I love." " I know who you are." " It's him I love." " I know who you are." "I know who you are." "Is anyone there?" "Hullo!" "Can't you hear me?" "!" "Let me go..." "I have to answer it." "They're not stranded." "They shouldn't bother people on a night like this." "Answer the phone for God's sake!" "Ringsala." "What?" " What is it?" " Of course." "Granbacken's on fire." "Birger?" "Birger!" "Eva?" "You have to get dressed." "It's 5.30." "No..." "I'm not coming." "I don't feel well." " But I told the principal we'd be coming." " I told you..." "I don't feel well." "As you wish." "I think I should be there, though." "Can you shove over, so I can sit?" "It didn't work out as you can see." "What are you talking about?" "The game's up, Birger." "You should have hit me a bit harder." "I came round a bit quicker than you expected, and saw you." " You still have no evidence." " This time the police can get the evidence." "The police?" "You should have taken my advice and seen a doctor." "Now it's too late." "I'll still allow you the opportunity to give yourself up voluntarily." "If you don't accept that, I'll take you to the police myself." "Where I'll tell them that you're paranoid..." "and you're in love with my wife." "And you're trying to get me out of the way." "That you set fire to Granbacken yourself..." "and made out that I was there and did it  when I was all the time home in bed." "My story's as good as yours." "It's a bit unfortunate that the firemen found me with my hands tied behind my back." "One doesn't start a fire first, then tie oneself up from behind." "There's still nothing that says I did it." "Oh yes!" "I'll be discussing that with the police at 9 o'clock." "Don't you realize how hopeless it all is, now?" "Don't make it any harder for Eva than it has to be." "So... are you coming with me?" "I guess I have to admit defeat." "God knows how good it is that it's all over." "Just allow me to tell Eva first." "Let's go right now..." "I couldn't cope with sitting here." " Good morning!" " Good morning." " I have to speak with the doctor." " He's out visiting a patient." "Oh well..." "Would it be alright if I waited for him?" " Of course... go in and sit down." " Thanks." "Wait here." "This won't take long." "I'm sorry, but I'd rather come with you." " You don't take any risks when it comes to Eva." " No... none at all." "Eva?" "Eva, are you here?" "Birger!" "Open the door!" "Birger!" "Good morning, my dear Mrs Sjogren." "Compliments of the season!" "The Westlund's just got their fourth boy." "A big bouncy 5 kilo." "Sit down." "So how are things with you?" "Too much Christmas cheer?" "No, I'm not here about myself." "Doctor, there's something I must ask you about." "It's about my husband." "So what's up with him?" "It's nothing I'm sure about..." "But I believe that..." "I do not know if I'm going crazy..." "and just having horrible fantasies." "Or if he's really..." "Excuse me a moment." "Dr Lundvall." "Yes?" "What's that?" "!" "..." "Yes, I'll come immediately." "What is it, doctor?" " Is it about my husband?" " Yes." "What has he done?" "!" "He's dead, Mrs Sjogren." "Only a few minutes left of this year." "It's certainly good that it's over." "It was not a great year in the history of the school." "Can't you ask her to come down?" "She can't sit alone up there day after day with nobody to talk to." "I'll try." "I've taken her something to drink." "Poor little thing." "It'll be good for her to get away from here." " When is she leaving?" " Early tomorrow." "But I'll try and persuade her to come back next autumn..." "Unless somebody else does." "Why don't you come down anyway?" "Please don't insist!" " I just can't handle it all." " I quite understand." "You must overcome your fear of meeting people... and it's only us." "How about it?" " Welcome back down with us." " Thanks." "We'll at least drink a toast to the new year." "My dear friends..." "a year has just passed..." "A year we'd rather forget." "Now we step over the threshold of a new, and we hope, happier one." "You might think I'm rather silly to dare believe in a brighter future..." "But I do." "And so should all of you." "A toast to the new year!" " Did I sound silly?" " No, darling." "Subtitles by FatPlank [RLB] for KG."