"Your grandfather is expecting you in Room 17, sir." "On the first floor." "Come in." "Good day, Henrik." "Good to see you." "Thank you." "I'm glad you could come." "Please, do sit down." "Your grandmother has told me to find you." "She says it is her last wish." "She says you are to go and see her in the hospital." "She wishes to beg your forgiveness... for all the difficulties she and I and our family have caused you and your mother." "Nothing could be more meaningless than this conversation." "I dislike witnessing a gentleman I respected for his inhumanity suddenly becoming sentimental." "I can't go to your grandmother and tell her you've rejected me." "I can't tell her you don't want to see her." "I think you'll have to." "I know your aunts have given you a loan so that you can continue here in Uppsala." "I'm offering to pay off that loan." "What do you say?" "What do you want me to say, Grandfather?" "I'll pay off the loan and guarantee a monthly allowance for the rest of your mother's life." "All you have to do is go to the Academic Hospital," "Ward 12... and make peace with your grandmother." "Grandmother and I have lived together for fifty years." "It hurts now, Henrik." "I beg you for one moment of mercy." "Not for me." "I don't ask that." "I ask it for her." "You're going into the church, Henrik." "So you most know something about love." "Have mercy on a sick and desperate human being." "Do you hear what I'm saying?" "Go to the woman called my grandmother and tell her from me that she lived her life with scant regard for my mother or me." "She was aware of our misery and sent little presents at Christmas and on birthdays." "Give my regards to that woman, and tell her she deserved her life and death." "She will never have my forgiveness." "Give her my regards and say I despise her for the sake of my mother, and for my own sake." "Just as I loathe you and people like you." "Are you going to hit me, Grandfather?" "THE BEST INTENTIONS" "Are you asleep, Papa?" "Yes, indeed." "I'm asleep and dreaming I'm asleep." "I'm dreaming I'm sitting in my study and am asleep." "Then the door opens and in comes the most beautiful, the most loving, the most affectionate of them all." "And she comes over to me and blows on me with her gentle breath and says, "Are you asleep, Papa?"" "Then I dream I'm thinking, it must be like this to wake up in paradise." "You should learn to take off your glasses when you're resting, Papa." "Otherwise they might fall on the floor and break." "You really are just like your mother." "What is it, dear heart?" " Dinner will be ready in a few minutes." " Thank you, my dear." "Sit still, Papa." "Then I can comb your hair and make you look respectable." "Weren't we having a guest to dinner?" "Wasn't your brother going to—" "He's a friend of Ernst's." "Ernst says he's reading theology." "Does he indeed!" "If our Ernst befriends an apprentice priest, the end of the world must be nigh." "Ernst says he's terribly nice." "Rather shy, but awfully nice." "He's also said to be frightfully poor, but handsome." "Ah, now I understand this unexpected interest in Ernst's latest friend." " Did you have a good rest?" " Oh, yes, yes." " Good evening, boys." " Good evening, Father." " Good evening, Grandfather." " Good evening, little ones." "Welcome to you all." "Ernst, are you sure you told your friend that dinner was at 5:00?" "I emphasized that we were insanely punctual in this family." "I was delayed." "I'm late." "You can still have dinner, but perhaps in the kitchen." "I'm terribly— I'm usually—" "Come, don't make dinner any later." "No, I don't think I dare." "We Åkerbloms are indeed rather alarming when we're all together as a family, especially when dinner is delayed." "But you should pluck up your courage, all the same." "The food's terribly good, and I made the dessert myself." "There." "Now, come on." "For my sake." "Mr. Bergman apologizes." "He's been visiting a sick friend and had to go to the chemist's." "There was a queue, so he was delayed." " This is my mother." " Welcome to our home, Mr. Bergman." "I hope your friend isn't seriously ill." " No." " He's only broken his leg." " This is my father." " Welcome." "My half brothers, Gustav, Oscar and Carl." " How do you do." " How do you do." "This is Svea, who is married to Oscar." "Martha and Gustav and their daughters." "This is Torsten Bohlin." "He is considered to be my intended." "So now you know the whole family." "I suggest we go in to dinner at last." "Who's broken his leg?" "No idea." "It was your sister who—" "Ah, yes, you must watch out for her." "Mr. Bergman will sit beside Martha." "Anna, here beside Papa." "Then we can say grace." "For what we are about to receive may the Lord make us truly thankful." "Amen." "And how are your studies going, Mr. Bergman?" "Very well, thank you." "Good-bye." "My name's Anna and yours is Henrik, isn't it?" "Yes." "Sorry for just dropping in like this." "I don't suppose you've eaten all day." "I've brought some beer and cold meat." "I must go down for a pee." "Come." "Anyhow, maybe we won't have a child now." "I'm going home now." "It's getting light." "You stay there and try to get some sleep." "I won't see you for a few days." "I'm going home to see Mama." "I could come with you." "One day you'll come with me." "Do you think that'll ever happen?" "We'll get married one day, Frida." "Your mother doesn't even know we're engaged." "She can say what she likes." "Henrik, why does it all have to be so secret?" "No one—" "Let's just take one thing at a time." "Have you ever been in love, Miss Lisen?" "Yes, there was someone at first, trying to pull my skirt over my head, but there was so little time, I never found out what his intentions were." "I'm off for a bicycle ride." " What about coming with me, Anna?" " In this heat?" " Have you got the towels?" " Of course." " Good-bye." " Good-bye, Mama!" "Bye!" "Anna." "Tell me, who is your beloved?" "Papa, of course." "And you, of course." "And Torsten Bohlin." "Don't be silly." "Torsten Bohlin's not my beloved." "But someone is." "Yes, maybe." "Oh, I don't know." "By the way, would you like to come into town with me some day?" " I don't think Mama would ever let me." " I'll see to that." "What would you do in town in the middle of July?" "They've just set up a meteorological institute there." "And it might be rather nice to be alone at home." "You'll have to talk to Mama." "I don't think she'd ever let me go." "Who else is going to cook my meals?" "Who's going to darn my socks and make sure I go to bed on time?" "Eh?" "Anna, we might have some fun." "I'll take my bike, you go by train, and we'll meet in Trädgårdsgatan." " Hello, hello." " Hi!" "How nice that you could both come." "Nice to see you again, Anna." " Is it good being home alone?" " Wonderful." "Thanks for the meal." "I always eat too much when Anna does the cooking." "Your food is too good, Anna." "What do you think, Henrik?" "Isn't my sister a good cook?" " Wonderful." " Just what I would say." " Do you think there are any cigars?" " Look in Papa's desk." "They're probably rather dry." "So you're going to be a nurse?" "Wait a minute." "That's me as a nurse." "There on the ground floor is the school." "There's the lecture room." "And up there are the rooms where we sleep." "It's quite good." "Good teachers, though strict." "And long days, never less than twelve hours." "From 6:00 in the morning until 7:00 in the evening." " I'm very tired by then, Henrik." " Yes." "The uniform is not exactly becoming." "I think it is." "But the cap's pretty." "And then we're given a little brooch like this to fasten at the neck." "Though we don't get that until we've qualified." "My sister's going to be a sister, my sister, Sister Anna." "You two look good together." "Don't spoil everything just when we're having such a nice time." "Are you asleep?" "No, I knew you weren't asleep." "I said to myself, I'll go in and tell Henrik how things are." "It's not good that you are here with me." "Though it's much, much worse when you're away from me." "What shall we do?" "Well, there are really only two possibilities." "Either I say, "Go away, Henrik," or..." ""Come into my arms, Henrik."" "And you think both possibilities are bad?" "I'm frightened too." "I mean, that all this will be taken away from me." "It's always like that." "It's always been like that." "You and Ernst live in your world, inaccessible to me." "Do you understand, Anna?" "We can always postpone the decision for a few hours." " Good night, Henrik." " Good night." " I'll be back soon." " Bye then." "Bye." " First we must state our failings." " Oh, no." "I daren't." "You'd just run away." "Well..." "Mama says I'm stubborn." "I'm impatient." "I'm selfish." "Pleasure-loving." "My brothers say I'm bad-tempered and get angry at nothing." "Well, what else?" "Ernst says I'm vain." "I like looking at myself in the mirror." "Mama says I'm much too interested in boys." "As you see, there's no end to my failings." "My greatest failing is that I'm confused." "What do you mean?" "Well, I'm confused." "I often do what others tell me to." "I have so many emotions." "That also confuses me." "I've nearly always got a guilty conscience." "That sounds difficult." "Now we're both unhappy." "Shall we kiss now?" "Then we'll be happy again." " Wait, there's one thing I must—" " Oh, I'm tired of all this nonsense." "I suppose we're engaged now." "Now we're engaged." "No." "Oh, aren't we engaged?" "I must go." "We mustn't see each other again." "You have someone else?" "Well, you've nothing to reproach yourself with." "Not really." "You could have said something last night... but everything was so unreal then." "I understand why you said nothing." "What about our beautiful future now?" "I want to live with you." "But I didn't know that yesterday." "So you're thinking of abandoning her, whatever her name is, or whoever it is?" "If you want to know, her name's Frida." "She's a few years older than me." "She also comes from up north." "What does she do?" "She works as a waitress, at Restaurant Flustret." "Oh, a waitress." "Is there anything wrong with being a waitress?" "No, of course not." "You forgot to mention one of your more serious failings." "You're clearly snobbish." "I was stupid to take part in this game." "How could I have been so stupid!" "Do you know what I'm going to do now?" "I'm going straight back to her to ask her forgiveness for my stupid, foolish betrayal." "I'm cold." "I'll tell her what we've both said and done and then ask her forgiveness." " Hey, what's all this?" " Let me pass." "Quarreling already?" "You don't waste much time." "Anna, my heart, what have you done?" "I'm sure I love him." "And Henrik?" "I'm sure he loves me too." "Are you ill too?" "You don't look well." "No, it's nothing." "How can you say anything so silly?" "As if I couldn't see something's wrong." "I'm unhappy, I suppose." "Is there something you want to tell me?" "No." "It seems that way." "Come here and let me give you a hug." "Are you afraid of catching my cold?" "Get undressed and come to bed then." "This is utterly idiotic." "Just because Charlotta rings up for some gossip, you come all this way for nothing." "Nothing?" "To have a male guest staying overnight in secret—" "Is that nothing?" " Who invited him here?" " I did." "Actually, I was the one who invited him." "That boy's going into the church and he doesn't even know how to protect a girl's honor." "You were in his room at night." "Charlotta heard your voices through the wall." "Yes, and so what?" "We were talking about our engagement." "If you want to know, Mama, I love him and I'm going to marry him." "Maybe you also went to bed with him?" "No, I didn't." "But if he'd asked me to, I would have." " Anna." " Mama asked me and I answered." " And if you get pregnant?" " Difficult at that distance." "Anna." "If I may suggest something, Mama." "I suggest Anna writes a nice letter to him, and you add an invitation for him to join us at our summer place for a week." "Never!" "That blackguard and seducer." "If anyone's a seducer in this affair, it's me." "Don't forget that, Mama." "If you start being difficult, then I really will seduce him and have his child." "And then you'll have to marry me off—" "I think you underestimate your mother's determination, my dear Anna." "Mama, despite everything, nothing's happened." "Henrik's just a good friend of mine." "You wanted to speak to young Bergman." "Do you want to read your letters and newspapers first?" "No, no, let him come." "Actually it was you who wanted me to speak to the boy." " I don't know what to say." " Yes, of course you do." "Would you like to smoke, Henrik?" "A cigar, or perhaps a cigarillo?" "Of course, you can smoke your pipe." " Is that English tobacco?" " Yes." "Of course." "If I use my binoculars," "I can see the railway station over there across the lake." "I amuse myself by checking arrivals and departures, you see." "I have a timetable here of express trains, passenger trains and goods trains, so that I can watch and compare." "It's an old man's little amusement for someone who's spent his whole life with railway lines and engines." "Well, perhaps you're not particularly interested in railway engines?" "I've never really thought about them in that way." "No, of course not." "How are your studies going?" "Very well, thank you." "Fancy there being so much to learn just to enter the church." "One wouldn't have thought so." " What do you mean, sir?" " Well, what do I mean?" "One would think, seen from an uncommitted, lay point of view, that being a priest is more a matter of vocation." "One has to be—" "What's it called now?" ""A fisher of souls."" "One has to have convictions, first and foremost." "What kind of convictions?" "One has to be convinced that God exists and that Jesus Christ is his son." "So that's your conviction, is it?" "Yes." "I'm rather childish." "I have a childish faith." "Aren't you afraid of death?" "No." "So you believe man is resurrected to eternal life?" "Yes, I'm quite convinced of that." "Well, I'm damned." "And the forgiveness of sins?" "And the Sacrament?" "The blood of Jesus to thee given?" "And penances?" "Hell?" "Then you believe in hell?" "One can't say I believe in this, but I don't believe in that." "And when will you be qualified?" "If all goes well, I shall be ordained within two years." "Then I'll be given a parish." "Not much to start with, eh?" "Not enough to start a family on, is it?" "The church likes to see its young priests marry." "A pastor's wife plays an important role in the parish." "I suddenly feel rather tired." "Perhaps I'll go and lie down for a while on my bed." "I hope I haven't been a nuisance." "No, not in any way, my young friend." "A sick man who rarely thinks about eternal questions may understandably be somewhat shaken by talk of death and the inevitable." "Look into the camera, everyone." "Papa, your smoke's blocking those behind you." " You mustn't smoke." " No, no." "We must be careful." "Promise me you'll be careful." "So you've stayed behind to work, Mr. Bergman?" "Yes, I've been far too idle over my church history." " And what does Anna say?" " Anna understands." "Oh, Anna understands." "That's excellent." "Mr. Bergman, would you be so kind as to help me with winding my wool?" "Yes, of course." "Are you going home to Söderhamn to see your mother tomorrow, Mr. Bergman?" "I'll probably go straight to Uppsala." "The term doesn't start for a while, does it?" "I have to study hard on my church history." "How have you found your stay with us?" "To be honest," "I have been a little scared and tense." "But, my dear boy, why scared?" "The Åkerblom family is an alien world." "I feel I'm being weighed up and found wanting." "But, Mr. Bergman, all families are like that." "We're certainly no worse than any other." "It's perhaps worse than that." "I have been made to feel unwelcome." "And you believe that, Mr. Bergman?" "Forgive me, I don't mean to be discourteous." "But I can't get rid of the feeling that I'm not tolerated." "Particularly by Anna's mother." "Well..." "I'll try to be honest with you, although I may well have to hurt your feelings." "My antipathy is entirely to do with Anna." "I know my daughter fairly well, I like to think... and I believe her liaison with you, Mr. Bergman, would lead to a disaster." "That is a strong word and I realize it may seem exaggerated, but nonetheless I must use the word "disaster."" "I cannot think of a more impossible and fateful combination than our Anna and you." "Anna is a spoilt child, willful, headstrong, emotional, tenderhearted." "What she needs is a mature man who can nurture her with love, firmness and unselfish patience." "You, Mr. Bergman, are a singularly young man with little insight into life, and, I fear, with deep and early wounds beyond healing or consolation." "May I say something?" "Yes." "Of course." "I refuse to continue this conversation." "The fact remains that with all my power and all my means," "I shall stop my daughter from having anything more to do with you." "You can't possibly stop Anna, Mrs. Åkerblom." " The future will reveal that." " Exactly." "I'll go to Anna now and tell her of our conversation." "Perhaps you could enlighten me about your engagement." "I understand it is still going on." "Anyhow, Miss Strandberg has denied it has been broken off." "My stepson Carl has been making some inquiries." "We already knew the truth a week before you came here, Mr. Bergman." "I have no intention of saying anything to my daughter, presuming we come to some agreement." "I must write a letter." " I must tell her how things stand." " Do as you think best." "Whatever happens there will be a great many tears." " May I ask one more question?" " Yes, certainly." "Why did you let me come here, Mrs. Åkerblom?" "I wanted to see my daughter's love at close quarters." "And the misfortune had already occurred." " What do you mean by "misfortune"?" " I mean just what you mean." "In that case, I can say that you made a serious misjudgment." "Go and write your letter, Mr. Bergman, and leave on the 3:00 train." " Anna won't be back until later and then—" " Then I'll have gone." "Mr. Bergman!" "Here's some sandwiches for the train." " Good-bye then." " Thank you very much." "Mama." "Mama!" "Mama, where are you?" "Mama!" "I won't submit to this." "Mama!" "Come in and close the door." "He says we'll never see each other again." "He may have his reasons." "There isn't a single sensible reason in this letter." "Did you make him write it?" "No, I didn't make him." "But when I found out the circumstances, I advised him to go." "What circumstances?" " I'd rather not—" " If you don't tell me the truth," "I'll go and find him immediately." "No one can stop me." " You're forcing me." " What do you know that I don't, Mama?" "About Frida?" "He's already told me." "He's been completely honest." "Now listen to me, my dear." "Your brother Carl has absolutely irrefutable information that Henrik Bergman is still living with that woman." "I'll refrain from going into details." "You must draw your own conclusions." "You aren't saying anything." "I won't submit to this." "And what will you do?" "Anyhow, it's time for dinner." "Perhaps you'd like some in your room." "I'll tell Lisen to bring you some milk and sandwiches." "I'll never forgive this." "Whom will you never forgive?" "Is it me you'll never forgive?" "Or your friend?" "Or life perhaps?" "Or God?" "Can't you leave me alone?" " My poor little girl." " Oh, stop it!" "Don't give me pity!" "Do you want us to go back?" "No, wait here." "Don't stand there watching me." "No, you may not touch me." "Surely we can talk to each other?" "Just for a few minutes?" "You've misunderstood everything, Henrik." "I don't want to talk to you." "We have nothing more to say." "You must leave the girl alone." "You're frightening her." "Don't interfere in matters that are no business of yours." "You're behaving like an idiot." "Anyhow, we haven't time to stand here." "Leave me alone, Henrik." "Please, Henrik, I'm asking you as kindly as I can." " Leave me alone!" " I can't go on living." "Oh, don't be so pretentious." "No doubt you can go on living, and so can I." " Anna, talk to me!" " Don't touch me, I say." "Don't touch me." "No, don't." "You're disgusting." "Thank you." "It was kind of you to come." "I suppose I was curious after your letter." " Are you all right?" " A cold that won't go away." "Have some mineral water." "I haven't used the glass." "Thank you." "That's kind of you, Miss Strandberg." "There's been a lot of sickness this year." " Has there?" " Yes, it's the strike." "People fall ill when they're unhappy." "You're training to be a nurse, I believe?" "Yes, I'm just going back to nursing school." "I would like to have been a nurse." "But I had earn my own living rather young, so—" "What do you want of me?" "It's about Henrik." "I'm asking you to take him back." "He's— He's—" "He's falling to pieces." "It sounds strange, saying it like that, but I can't think of a better expression." "He studies late into the night and has become so poorly." "I don't really know much about your relationship." "He hasn't said anything." "I've mostly guessed." "I try not to get angry and hurt." "No one can help their feelings." "I can't help getting furious, for instance." "Or that I like him despite his feeble behavior." "Do you know what I think, Miss Åkerblom?" "I think we're three poor wretches suffering in secret." "And I feel I have to be the one to strike the first blow, so to speak." "For my own sake." "I've no intention of letting myself be hurt or humiliated." "He lies in my bed and weeps for someone else." "That's humiliating... for both of us." "I'll tell you something, Miss Åkerblom, that I think about all the time." "Somehow he hasn't got a real life at all, poor thing." "So nothing's worthwhile." "I must go now if I'm to be at work on time." "And what ought I to do?" "Take him, Miss Åkerblom." "It must be your decision." "Henrik's the finest and best person I know." "He's so kind and good." "I know no one better." "I just want things to be right for him at last." "Things have never been right for him in his miserable life." "He needs someone to like... so that he doesn't have to hate himself so much." "I really must go now or I'll be in trouble at work." "Not that it matters much, because I'm giving up the job." "You may be interested to know I'm leaving town." "I've got a job in a new hotel." "Please let me pay." "I'll pay at the till, if you'd like to stay for a while." "Perhaps we'd better not march out of here together." "Good-bye, Miss Åkerblom, and look after that cough." "Dear Henrik," "I want us to—" "Wouldn't you like a hot drink, dear?" "Let me feel your forehead." "You really are ill." "I'm going to telephone Matron and tell her you're ill." "I can't have you going out like this." "Leave me alone." "Please leave me in peace." "You mustn't phone Matron." "She hates us making a fuss." "Though a hot drink would be nice." "Dearest, dearest Henrik," "We must—" "Papa!" "Dear kind Papa, can't you look after me?" "Of course." "I can't cope with anything any longer." "I don't know what to do." "I know I have to take responsibility, but Papa, I just can't cope." "No, no." "There now, there now." "Now I'm going to put my little girl to bed and ring Dr. Fürstenberg and Matron." "Then you'll have something to make you sleep, and tomorrow we will decide what to do." "Will that be better, dear?" "Yes, that'll be better." "There now." "Good day, Mr. Bergman." "Please excuse my unannounced intrusion." "Hellish cold in here, Mr. Bergman." "Forgive me if I keep my coat on." "Would you please sit down?" "Please sit down, I said." " I'll not take up too much of your valuable time." " What's this all about?" "The family felt that you should be informed and I was the most appropriate messenger." "Say what you have to say and then go." "Well, now." "I've been sent here to tell you the following." "Listen now, Mr. Bergman." "My sister Anna is ill." "She has tuberculosis." "One lung is infected and there are fears for the other." "She is being nursed at home at present." "As soon as her health permits, she is to go to a sanatorium in Switzerland... where she will be adequately treated." "Anna also wishes me to tell you that she wants nothing further to do with you." "She expressly asks you not to write or to telephone her or wait for her outside the house... or in any other way impose yourself on her." "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name." "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." "Give us this day our daily bread—" "A branch can be healthy in appearance, with thick foliage, but no fruit." "Would it upset you if Anna and I made a detour through Italy?" "I think it'd be fun to go to Amalfi just once more." "You could come with us, Johan." "You must go." "Not me." "Anna would be so pleased." "Then you'd be away for quite a long time?" "Four weeks, at the most." "Do you think she'll want to wait that long?" "What do you mean?" "Well, I just meant that perhaps there's something she wants to come back to, now that she's well again." "I don't really understand." "You weren't at home when the afternoon post came." "Here's a letter from Anna to Ernst." "Postmarked in Weimersville four days ago." "Ernst will be back from Norway next week." "There's no point in forwarding it." "Anna forgot to seal the letter." "Or she didn't seal it properly, and it came open." "That's nothing unusual." "It often happens—" "But there's another letter inside this letter." "Another letter?" "It says on the envelope..." ""Henrik Bergman, to be forwarded as I don't know his address."" "But that letter's sealed." "That letter was sealed, but I opened it." " Have you read it?" " No, I haven't." "Ashamed to, perhaps." "If we read it, then we're doing it for Anna's good." "Or out of jealousy." "Or because we're furious that she's gone behind our backs." "Or because we don't approve of that young man." "May I see?" ""It's all long ago." "The long time I've spent at the sanatorium with contemporaries who are much sicker than I" " has made me think again—"" " Don't read any more." "If you don't want to hear it, I'll read it to myself." "It's not right, Karin." ""I don't know anything." "But if after almost two years... you still feel the same for me as you did when we were—" "when we were together—"" "You have only yourself to blame." ""at the hut, when we made love—"" ""It's so easy to say you love someone." "I love you, Papa." " I love you, brother Ernst."" " Strange to think—" ""But you're really using a word you don't know the meaning of." "So I daren't write that I love you, Henrik." "But if you would take my hand and help me out of my great sorrow, then perhaps we could teach each other what that word entails."" "Now we know more than we wanted to." "It's going to be difficult now." "We can't suppress the letter." " He oughtn't to get it." " I beg of you, Karin." "What if she finds out that we—" "Letters get lost." "It happens every day." "It mustn't happen." "That's silly, Johan." " Do you really imagine we can—" " No." "Perhaps not." "But now I'm going to tell you something important." "Sometimes I'm positive something is right or wrong." "I'm positive it's wrong for Henrik and Anna to be together." "So I'll burn the letter to Ernst and the letter to Henrik." "And I'll go to Italy with Anna and stay away all summer if necessary." "Are you listening, Johan?" " Good night, my dear." " Good night, Karin." "It's so complete." "So disciplined, and yet so poetic." "Isn't it lovely, Anna?" "Shall we go back for lunch, or shall we eat out?" "I know an excellent place quite near here." " You decide, Mama." " Then I suggest we eat at the hotel." "I had a letter from your brother Oscar." "Papa's longing for us to come home." "I can't think why Ernst doesn't write." "Ernst?" "You know what he's like." "I wrote to him seven weeks ago." " Well, I shouldn't worry." " I'm not worrying." "He knows Papa and I write to each other almost every day." "Mama, I want to go home." "Can't we go home tomorrow?" "Straight home?" "But our itinerary is all fixed." "Can't one ever change what's fixed?" " What will the Egermans say?" " I don't care what the Egermans say." "They're your friends, not mine." "Elna is actually a childhood friend of yours, Anna." "Oh, bother Elna." " Actually, damn Elna." " This is just silly, Anna." "We'll do what we agreed to do, and that's that." "Mama." "It's a telegram." "Let me see." "Papa died last night." "No." "He was alone, Anna, and it was in the night." "Come and sit down, Mama." " He was alone and I wasn't there." " Mama." "I left him all alone." "Don't think like that, Mama." "Mama." "Mama." "There." "What is it, Mama?" "There, there, there." "There's something you should know." "It concerns you." "But it can wait, can't it?" "All right, then you'd better tell me what it is that's so important." "It's about Henrik." "Yes?" "You write to him, don't you?" "Yes, that's true." "I have written to him." "But I haven't had an answer." "My letter must have gone astray." "No, it didn't go astray." "You have to know this." "I took the letter, read it and burnt it." "I destroyed the letter." "No, Mama." "I have to tell you about it, because your father warned me." "He said it was not right." "He said we had no right to interfere." "That it would do harm." "He warned me." "I have no excuse." "I thought that I was doing it for your own good." "Mama." "Now that Johan's gone, I realize I must tell you what happened." "I don't want to know any more." "I can't even ask for your forgiveness, because I know you'll never forgive me." "I don't think so." "At least you know now." "As soon as we get home, I'll find Henrik and tell him the truth." "All I ask of you is one thing." "Don't tell him I burnt the letter." "Why not?" "If you marry Henrik." "Don't you see?" "If you tell him, his hatred will be insurmountable." "We have to live together, don't we?" "Why?" "Now you know." "Yes." "Now I know." "We should get some sleep." "Tomorrow is going to be a long day." "You're different." "So are you." "You're more beautiful." "You look sad." "I've missed you." "I'm here now, Henrik." "Is it true?" "Yes, it's true." "I'm here now." "I want to give you something." "Look and see what it is." "It's nothing special." "I bought it the day we left Amalfi." "It's not genuine, of course." "It's Mary at the Annunciation." "It's beautiful." " Your father is dead." " Yes." "The funeral is the day after tomorrow." "Is it hard for you?" "I lived in his love, if you see what I mean." "I never thought about it, except when it troubled me." "That's Ernst." "I asked him to come." "I didn't dare be here by myself if you weren't here." "Ernst wanted us to bet five kronor on you being at home." "And you were." "Ernst has won his five kronor." "I have a temporary post in a small parish not far from here." "And I've been urged to apply for a permanent post up in the north." "And you're no longer on your own." "No, no." "I can change my mind." "No, don't be silly, Henrik." "If you've promised, you've promised." "We'll go there and take a look—" "The parish priest is said to be old and ailing." "Then we'll take a look at him too." "You realize my stipend will be pretty miserable." "Now listen, Henrik." "First of all, we'll get engaged, as soon as the funeral is over." "We'll order the rings this afternoon so that we have them on Saturday." "Then you must write to the parish priest and tell him that you and your future wife will be coming to the parish to inspect the parsonage, the church and the parish priest himself." "Then we'll get married." "We'll have a splendid wedding, Henrik." "What are you looking at?" "I'm looking at you." "We've waited long enough now, Henrik." " We mustn't forget the kisses." " No." "Kisses are important." "Oh, your fiancée is even more beautiful than in the photograph you sent." "Dear child, I hope you'll be happy with my boy." "We'll see, Henrik, are you happy now?" "How small he was." "Poor little Henrik." "But isn't that awful?" "That's me and I'd already become "Fat Mama."" "All my family were fat." "And then skinny little Henrik— How we pampered and mollycoddled him!" "Heavens, how we loved and spoilt you." "Remember when we used to play that you were the priest and I was the congregation?" "You were so good and sweet, we just wanted to eat you." "And you were always happy and good-tempered and friendly and polite." "Alas, you never wanted to be with other children, although I invited your friends back." "But Henrik just ran away and locked himself in the privy." "Anna, dear, you'll have to look after him." "Life's never been particularly kind to—" "And now..." "Henrik's the priest..." "I so wanted him to be." " That's what matters." " You mustn't cry, dear Mama." "Let's all be happy this evening." "You can come and stay with us for long spells, Aunt Alma." "We'll have plenty of room in the parsonage." "Dear Mama, we'll never abandon you." "The hard times are over." "Everything will get better." ""The hard times are over."" "As if you knew." "What do you know about my life?" "I've no intention of imposing on your kindness." "I know I'm not very clever, but I'm not stupid." "You two must live your own life... and I will bring mine to a close." "That's how it should be." "That's sure to be Freddy, an old friend of mine." "I'll let him in." "Excuse me." "The youngsters are going on again tomorrow." " They're going to Forsboda." " Forsboda?" "Yes, that's right, to inspect the parsonage and the church." "Oh, congratulations on your appointment." "Henrik's father was one of my closest friends," "Miss Åkerblom, but he was much younger than me." "On the other hand, I got to know Henrik's grandmother." "Your grandmother once spoke about you, Henrik." "Yes?" "She thought your grandfather and the rest of the family had been terribly unjust to you and your mother." "That the very thought of you and your mother's defenselessness and misery made her ill." " And then she died, poor thing." " Yes, then she died." "Did you see your grandmother before she passed away?" " She had a great need to—" " I was studying for my exams." "Did you meet your grandfather?" "We met, but we had nothing to say to each other." "I was at the funeral." "I didn't see you." "I wasn't at my grandmother's funeral." "I see." "Good night, Aunt Alma." "Thank you for letting us come." "It's been such a nice evening." " Shall I turn the lamp out?" " I'll do it later." " Don't forget it." " No." "Anna's a sweet girl." "Yes." "She's a very sweet girl." "Beautiful." "A real little princess." "You must take care of her." "It's still like a dream." "I still can't believe it." "Good night, my dearest beloved boy." "Oh, what cold feet!" " They'll soon warm up." " My feet are always warm." "I put them outside the covers and then it's so lovely to pull them back in." "You and your pleasures." "Yes, I expect I'll teach you." "What'll you teach me?" "Well?" "Yes, please!" "Your mother might hear us." "Just think, here I am lying in my old bed, cuddled up with you." "I can't believe it." "You must go back now." "We mustn't fall asleep together." "I'm not sure Mama would bring us coffee in bed." " Good night." " Good night." "Don't forget me." "I've already started thinking about you." "Dear Lord, forgive me my sins, today and all days." "Dear Lord, keep and bless my little boy." "Dear Lord, forgive me that I cannot love that girl." "Dear Lord, take her out of Henrik's life." "If I am wrong, if my thoughts are simply darkened by malice, punish me, dear Lord." "Punish me." "Not him or her." "I've got something for Anna." "Your mother's been crying." "Her eyes are red and her face is swollen." "She's always swollen." "And I think she likes crying." "I was given this medallion on the day I got engaged." "Henrik's father gave it to me." "It had cost much too much, of course, but he never bothered about money." "As you see, Anna, it has an A engraved on it." "So I thought you should have it now, as a gift from Henrik's father, as if he were present." "It's much too precious." " You shouldn't." " Hush now, silly girl." "It's a simple gift." "I'm sure you're used to better." "Thank you." "Next stop, Forsboda!" "Here's to you, Pastor, and here's to your delightful young fiancée." "Youth and beauty are things we thirst for up here in the wilderness." "How are things at the factory, Nordenson?" "Ask my manager." "Damned awful." "At first the men all assembled in the harbor warehouse, and I went there to threaten them with the police." "Then the bastards broke into a building due for demolition, and were chased off by the guards." "What's going on?" "Reverend, one can only regret that young priests are not given any kind of political education before they are let loose on the market." " Don't you agree?" " Yes." "If you were a little more aware of the political situation of the day, Pastor, you would know that we have not had a week's peace since the general strike." "We have a new generation of loudmouths and agitators, criminal elements pushing their way between us and the workers." "They live off class hatred and lying propaganda." "And we who are sitting here at this table are the losers." "It'll be our heads which will roll." "Now my husband is being far too macabre." "I suggest we stop this pointless conversation and leave the table." "There's something I'd like to ask you, Pastor." "Are you going to take pupils?" "I mean, confirmation classes?" " I presume so." " Good." "I passionately want my children to be confirmed." "That is my only yearning." "That should be no problem." "It's a very great problem, Pastor." "The children's father does not want them confirmed under any circumstances." "He gets furious if I even bring up the subject." "His rage is unreasonable and I don't understand it." "How strange." "A great deal has become strange over the years." "Now we must join the others." "They may begin to wonder, and that would not be a good thing." " It's lovely here." " Yes." "Well, all this will be renovated." "I've suggested water is to be brought in." "The chimney will also have to be rebuilt and the stove replaced." "The kitchen will no doubt be to your satisfaction, Miss Åkerblom." "I can guarantee that." "The upper floor is in fairly good shape, if I may say so myself." "It just needs papering and painting." "The stairs are not to be trusted." "The bedroom is perhaps not all that large, but there's a little washroom there, and the view over the river is beautiful." "Naturally, the study and the nursery can be exchanged." "And where is my room?" "I'd very much like to know where I am to be." "As I will have just as heavy a burden as my husband, and unpaid too." "Where am I to go when I want to write a letter and read and do the household accounts?" "It's not all that usual for the pastor's wife to have a room of her own." "Oh, well, I couldn't be expected to know that." "Wouldn't the guest room do?" "You could use the guest room as a study, couldn't you, Miss Åkerblom?" "No, I suggest Henrik has the guest room as his study." "I want to be near the nursery." "That would be rather disturbing with everyone going in and out down here." "The pastor can't be disturbed when he is preparing his sermon." "Then he'll have to put cotton wool in his ears." "Must this be decided here and now?" "Mr. Jakobsson and I will go and look at the outhouses." "Yes, yes." "Lead the way." "I was only joking, Henrik." "Smile for me, Henrik." "It's not a catastrophe." "We're going to have a lovely home." "Come on, laugh, or I'll think you're angry." "I wanted us to be alone when we saw our church for the first time." "To think that this was originally a greenhouse." "The organ will need some repairs too." "Anna, I want us to—" "What do you want?" "When we get married, can't we let old Gransjö officiate?" "Yes, of course." "If you like." "Here." "Here?" "I don't understand what you mean." "Do you mean our wedding should take place here?" "Just you and me, old Gransjö and two witnesses." "Can't we do that?" "But we're getting married in Uppsala Cathedral." "We're going to have a real wedding with bridesmaids and ushers and the Academic Choir, and lots of family and friends." "We've already agreed on that, Henrik." "That can't be changed." " Can't be changed!" " We agreed on all that." "Yes, you agreed." "But it was you who wanted to have the Academic Choir singing." "You and Ernst decided on the whole program." "You can't have forgotten that?" "What if I suggest we abandon all that?" "Is that so impossible?" "Yes, it is." "Why is it so impossible?" "Because I want to have a real wedding!" "I want it to be splendid and impressive." "I want to celebrate." "I want to be joyful." "I want an unforgettable wedding." " And the wedding I'm suggesting?" " Let's stop this silly argument now." "Otherwise we'll start quarreling." "And that wouldn't be nice." " I'm not quarreling." " No, but I am." " You might think it over, Anna." " But I have thought it over." "We've already decided." "You said we should have a wedding that was as great as our happiness." "You should have objected then, but perhaps you were too cowardly." "Henrik, stop all this nonsense now." "But we're going to live here." "Don't you see?" "It's important we start our new life here, in this church." "Important to you but not to me." "Don't you understand at all what I mean?" "I don't want to understand." "If you loved me, you'd understand." "Don't give me that nonsense." "I might just as well say that if you loved me, you would let me have my celebration." "There's no limit to how spoilt you are." "Don't you understand that I'm serious?" "I'll tell you exactly what I understand." "You don't like my family." "You want to humiliate my mother as much as you can." "You want to have your revenge in a hurtful and sophisticated way." "Admit it, Henrik!" "Amazing how you misinterpret things." "Malicious and amazing." "It's quite clear to me that you're on your family's side, against me." "You're completely insane!" "I nearly killed my mother in order to be with you." "I'm only asking a silly little sacrifice of you." "Sometimes, Henrik, you seem to me to be painfully lower class." "You make yourself out to be worse than you are." "You put on an act that doesn't suit you at all." "You flaunt your poverty, your wretched childhood and your poor wretched mother." "I remember when I told you Frida was a waitress." "I remember your tone of voice." "I remember your face." "It isn't necessary to wear dirty shirts and have holes in your socks." "It isn't necessary to have dandruff on your collar and dirty nails." "You aren't always clean and sometimes you smell of sweat." " You've gone too far." " Typical!" "The pastor can't stand the truth." "I can't stand you being cruel." "Good." "Just as well this conversation occurred before our wedding." "Yes, now we know where we stand." "We almost made a huge mistake." "Oh, God forgive me." "Henrik—" "Henrik, forgive me." "I've said terrible things." "Listen." "Can you forgive me?" "Henrik." "You must forgive me." "Henrik?" "Get out of here." "I never want to see you again." "Get out." "You're vile." "Get out, for Christ's sake!" "You're mad." "Now I begin to understand why Mama was afraid of you." "That's really good." "You two will fall into each other's arms and thank God you've escaped with nothing but horror and the loss of your virginity." "God, how crude you are." "God, you're a liar!" "The worst kind, because you never know when you're lying." "I think you should go and find that waitress, Frida Strandberg." " She would make an excellent pastor's wife." " Shut up!" "Good." "I'm beginning to recognize my life now." "It's coming back at last." "I was dreaming." "Now I'm awake." "Here I am, in a decaying palm house in the wilderness." "Me!" "This is mad." "This is complete madness." "And we were to have children." "Three children, that's what we planned." "How can we go on living after this?" "I don't know." "We had a certain amount of love." "And now we've squandered that on a trifle." "That's true." "I don't care about the wedding." "It can be anywhere." "I can't be bothered with all that now." "I don't care." "We won't get married." "I can be your housekeeper." "Henrik?" "I'm so tired, Anna." "Oh, so am I." "How shall we get away from here?" "Come and sit here beside me." "Come." "Come." "So you're not going to hit me?" "You're icy." "Are you cold?" "Do you think we'll be any wiser after this?" "Yes, more careful, perhaps." "More careful with what we've been given?" "I, Henrik Bergman, take thee, Anna Åkerblom." "I, Henrik Bergman, take thee, Anna Åkerblom." "To my wedded wife." "To my wedded wife." "To love and cherish, for better and for worse." "To love and cherish, for better and for worse." "To have and to hold." "To have and to hold." "With this ring I thee wed." "With this ring I thee wed." "I, Anna Åkerblom, take thee, Henrik Bergman." "I, Anna Åkerblom, take thee, Henrik Bergman." "To my wedded husband." "To my wedded husband." "To love and cherish, for better and for worse." "To love and cherish, for better and for worse." "What a party." "May I be alone with my daughter for a moment?" "What a wonderful wedding, Mrs. Åkerblom." "Thank you." "Mama, there's something I must tell you." "Yes?" "Henrik and I have put off our honeymoon." "Have you?" "Then what are your plans now, if I may ask?" "Does that make you sad, Mama?" "My dear child, honeymoons are supposed to be a pleasure." "Henrik and I can go to Italy some other year." "Can't we?" "We can still make the trip." "Naturally." "What will you do instead?" "We're going straight up north." "Tomorrow?" "Henrik is keen to get started a bit earlier than he intended." "And I want to be with him from the beginning." "It's important for both of us." "I understand perfectly." "I have to give way a little too." "Henrik's given way on so many points." " Has he?" " Yes, but let's not talk about it now." "You might try to like Henrik, for my sake." "Just a little." "The past is forgotten." "I wish it were." "That's it, once again now." "You must stay in bed until your temperature goes down, Mrs. Almer." "Here's some medicine for you." "Take these." "Two pills twice a day." "And then Jesus said, "What food is there?"" ""But we have only five loaves and two fish."" "So Jesus took the loaves and the fish and he blessed them." "Can you talk a little today?" "Oh, yes!" "Hello there!" "And Jesus looked further into what is good in the nature of man rather than what is evil." "His heart was filled with an ever-increasing compassion for his people." ""His studies were going very badly." "But it could certainly not be said he was a boy with no talents." "On the contrary, he was much more gifted than all the other boys." "The teacher tried to hold up to him as a model."" "I'll ask my wife to telephone the doctor." "Will that be necessary?" "The boy's only got a bit of a cold." "He's had it for a long time." "He'll be all right." " Good-bye then." " Good-bye." "This is the end now!" "I'm sick of your damn drinking and all the trouble you cause!" "They can't do this to you, Arvid!" "Show them you're a man!" "You can't stay here any longer." "Tomorrow you're out of here." "They're taking everything away from us!" " I've warned you several times—" " Tell him, Arvid!" "You've always got something to say!" "Let's all get back to work now." "Arvid's been fired for what he said at Monday's meeting, the manifesto—" "Come on now, or there'll just be more trouble." "We aren't solving anything standing around here staring." "No, we must meet somewhere and go through all this properly." "The question is, where can we meet?" "If we use any of the Works they'll just chuck us out." "You could use the chapel." "It's heated and it holds 150 people." "Well, shall we accept the pastor's offer?" "We might as well, as long as he hasn't changed his mind." "No, I haven't." "Shall we say Sunday at 4:00?" "I wish to speak to Pastor Bergman." "Immediately." "Perhaps you would be so kind as to wait a few minutes, Mr. Nordenson." "I'll soon be finished." "Good morning." "Good morning." "I've not come to see you, brother." "I wish to speak to your adjutant." "That should be all right." "No, he's pretending to be busy." "Come on over, Henrik." "The clerk can see to that." "Mr. Nordenson wishes to speak to you." "You can go into my room if you like." "I'm just going for my breakfast." "Sit yourselves in here." "You'll be quite undisturbed." "I've never known such weather at this time of year." " Like hell let loose!" " You wished to speak to me?" "Yes, more or less on impulse, I was passing the parish office and thought I'd look in and have a chat with young Bergman." "I heard you'd abolished homework for the confirmation classes." "More or less, yes." "Are you allowed to do that?" "There aren't any specific directives for how the teaching is to be carried out." "It is merely stated that confirmands shall be prepared for communion in the appropriate manner." "And you're preparing my daughters, Pastor?" "When the girls have gone to bed, my wife enters their bedroom and closes the door." "Then they kneel and say an evening prayer you have taught them." "They don't use my words." "They are St. Augustine's." "I don't care whose words they are." "My concern is that I'm left out." "You could join in, Mr. Nordenson." "Impossible." "Nordenson on his knees with his womenfolk." " You could try." " No, I couldn't." "I think Susanna and Helena would understand your difficulties." "Just as their mother does." "So you've talked to my wife about me, have you?" "Your wife came to see me and asked for a private talk." "Did she now?" "Elin came to see you." "What was the conversation about, if I may ask?" "You may ask, but I am prevented from answering." "Sorry, Pastor." "I forgot about your oath of silence." "I'm sorry I even mentioned that conversation." "That's all right, Pastor." "Don't worry." "A slip of the tongue." "That's only human." "By the way, how did Sunday's meeting in the chapel go?" "I presume you sent your own reporters." " Has Gransjö said anything?" " He certainly has." " May I ask what?" " He was most specific." "He said if I ever again thought of lending the church for socialist and revolutionary meetings, he'd report me to the cathedral chapter." "Did he indeed, the old goat." "Unfortunately, the meeting was pointless." "Arvid Fredin was dismissed after all." "I should have spoken up, but I didn't." "Was it perhaps that your dear wife disapproved of your sudden decision to lend the chapel?" "More or less, yes." "You see?" "Pastor, what would you say to some kind... of cooperation?" " Cooperation with whom?" " With me." "Next time there's trouble, you get up in the pulpit, or on the soapbox or a machine, and speak to the masses." "And what should I say?" "Well, you could say, for instance, what matters most now is to stop trying to kill each other." "People here at the Works are badly treated and humiliated." "Should I advise them to be badly treated and humiliated?" "I think we should end this conversation." "I have plenty of time." "It hasn't been particularly rewarding." "No." "I've mostly been afraid." "Really?" "Some people frighten me." "Has it ever occurred to you, Pastor, that I might be equally frightened?" "But in another way." "No." "No." "Forgive me for coming so early in the morning, Anna." "Come in." "Come in and sit down." "How's your hand?" "The doctor's very pleased with what you'd done." " What's your name?" " He's Petrus, my sister's son." "Her husband left her and she can't bear to be alone with him, so he lives with us now." "Will you go to school here?" "When do you start?" "In the autumn." "Do you think it'll be fun?" "I don't know." "I haven't been yet." "Can you read or write?" "And do sums." "I know my multiplication tables." "Do you, now?" " Who taught you?" " I learnt them by myself." "And no one helped you?" "No." "Do you have any friends?" "Perhaps you like being by yourself." "I think I do." "And what do you read?" "Have you any books?" "We have some old Christmas magazines." "He mostly reads an encyclopaedia, though we've only got one volume, from J to K." "I think I've got some books Petrus would like." "Read this, Petrus." "When you've finished it, I have some more that are just as good." "We'll just put a cover on it, like at school, so it won't get dirty." "You must say thank you properly." "Thank you." "I've never known such peculiar weather." "Thunder in February." "It's like the Last Judgment." "What's that noise downstairs?" "Nothing." "You're imagining things." "Can't you hear someone knocking on the door?" " Who would that be?" "A ghost?" " Shush!" "Here's a little hot milk." "Drink it up." "Why have you come here, Petrus?" "Your parents have come to fetch you." "They're not my parents." "They're instead of your parents." "Things couldn't be better for you." "No." "Are you coming then?" "But I don't want to." "That's not for you to decide." "No." "Well, then." "Come on." " Petrus." " Let him go." "That's not the way to do it." "I think Petrus should be allowed to stay for a while." "He must have time to calm down and think things over." "Yes, he's welcome to stay a few days." "Hello, sis." "Let me look at you." "You've grown a beard!" "Yes." "Take my shawl." "It was twenty below this morning, and getting colder." "It'll be at least thirty below tonight." "There, now you look fine." "You're always fine." "You're the finest in the world, and I've missed you terribly." "You can't imagine." "Just because things are so good for me." "When you're as happy as this, you become insatiable." "Welcome, Ernst." "Let me look at you." "God, how you've filled out!" " You look like a pirate." " So you say." "Like this, I'm happy." " How was Mama?" " Fine." " She sends her love." " Thanks." "She was a bit sad you couldn't come back for Christmas." "Henrik thought it'd be a betrayal of the women of the parish if I went home." "Why didn't you invite her here then?" "You know perfectly well what Henrik's like." "Can't he forgive and forget?" "How are things, Anna?" "Can't you stay for a few days?" "I have to go home tomorrow." "I almost forgot." "The most important thing of all, your Christmas present." "But—" "What is it?" "From Ernst to Anna." "A gramophone." "Oh, how marvelous!" "It's the one-step." "The absolutely latest dance craze in New York." "One-step?" "They're dancing it everywhere." "So, may I have the honor?" " No, I can't." " Yes, you can." " No." " I'll teach you." "Come on." " Like this?" " Yes." " Henrik, come on!" " Come on, Henrik." "Come on, let's dance!" "Come on!" "Henrik, come on!" "Let's dance." " Now you and I'll—" " No, not me." "Yes, it's fun." "Honestly, come on." "It's more fun for me and Dag to watch you two." "Let's all dance!" "We'll all dance." "You and I, Ernst and Dag." "Come on." "No, leave me alone, Anna." "I'd only be embarrassed." "Embarrassed?" "Come on, let's all three of us dance." "You're a good dancer." "Remember our wedding?" " Do it like this." " That was a waltz." "All right, let's waltz to a one-step." "Arm up, now." "Off with your cassock now, Pastor!" "Henrik!" "Henrik's not the only one to disapprove of the one-step." "I'm the one who's an idiot." "I have a tendency to be jealous." "We were only having a little game." "I'm a great spoiler of games." "That can't be helped." "Scrub here." "Hello!" " Hello." " Good morning." "I do apologize." "I've something very important to tell you." "Yes, it concerns you just as much." "I'd like to talk to you and Henrik at once." "It won't take long." "Nothing unpleasant." "On the contrary." "Henrik's fishing down by the river." "Petrus, run on down and tell him to come here at once." "I see Petrus is still living with you." " Is he any trouble?" " I don't know what to say." "He refuses to go back home and he likes it here." "He's a good boy, obedient and attentive." "I suppose the problem will have to be solved eventually." "Yes, if only we knew how." " Good day, sir." " Good day to you." "Where on earth did you find that old sweater?" "I thought I'd really and truly hidden it." " Haven't you offered the reverend anything?" " No, nothing for me, thanks." "I have had a letter from my very good friend Pastor Primarius Anders Alopéus, the senior court chaplain in the parish of the court." "And it concerns us?" "Allow me to read some of it aloud to you." "Let's start here." ""As you know, the Sophiahemmet was created by Queen Sophia." "She took a lively interest in Swedish health care and wished to build a model hospital to the highest European standards." "Her Majesty, that is Queen Victoria, has decided to create a permanent part-time post."" "Yes, well." "Now here's the important bit." ""At a meeting of the board," "Her Majesty was particularly concerned about the proposed chaplaincy and emphasized how important it would be to find the right man." "The archbishop at once exclaimed," "'I think I have our man!" "'" "On closer questioning, the archbishop named a young priest by the name of Henrik Bergman."" "Good gracious." "It can't be true." " I don't know what to say." " You don't have to say anything." "I think you should think about it and talk it over with Mrs. Anna." " When do we have to decide?" " As soon as possible." "In other words, this means you'll shortly put on your best clothes, go to Stockholm and take tea at the palace." "There's a postscript too, here in pencil." ""It is particularly emphasized that Her Majesty wishes to receive both the pastor and his young wife."" "Now I'll leave you two young people... in a state of what I hope is more joy than confusion." "Thank you very much for coming." "Thank you, thank you." "Are you going to leave?" "No, we're just talking, Petrus." "I thought you said you were going to leave." "Then you weren't listening properly." "So you're not leaving then?" "Don't be silly, Petrus." "I thought it sounded as if you were going to leave." "Her Majesty is addressed as "Your Majesty,"" "should that be necessary." "Direct address should be avoided." "Her Majesty asks questions and guides the conversation." "It is inappropriate to make your own digressions." "The audience will be quite short." "Her Majesty is not well and very tired." "This way." "Her Majesty comes through that door." "The court chaplain will come after her." "Her Majesty will greet the pastor's wife first, and you will curtsy as deeply and elegantly as you can." "Then Her Majesty will greet the pastor." "Any questions?" "No questions." "How do you do." "How nice that we could meet." "It was good of you to come such a long way." "Shall we sit down?" "I hope you would like some tea." "You had a good journey?" "Very good, thank you." "It's so simple by train." "You don't have to change." "And your little son, Dag?" "Yes, thank you, he's very well." "Everything changes so quickly at that age." "We are entertaining great hopes of you." "We are still rather overwhelmed." "All this has happened so quickly." "Where is the envelope?" "This is a pencil drawing of the proposed house." "Oh, so grand." "Three large rooms and a well-equipped kitchen on the ground floor." "Four rooms upstairs." "We thought the nursery in the corner room." "It gets sun all day." "It's all overwhelming." "I realize it will be difficult to leave your Forsboda." "Yes, that will be difficult." "At first we were rather uncertain." "We seemed to be running away from our task." "Our life's task." "Perhaps I wasn't quite so afraid as Henrik was." "My concern was of leaving those in need." "The need can be just as great in a hospital, Pastor Bergman." "I know." "I know." "Tell me one thing, Pastor." "Do you think our suffering is sent to us by God?" " I can only say what I myself believe." " That is why I asked." "No, I don't believe suffering is sent by God." "I think God looks down on his creation with grief and horror." " No, suffering does not come from God." " But suffering is said to purify us." "I have never known suffering to be any help." "But I have seen how suffering can destroy and deform." "Countess, would you be good enough to give me my shawl?" "I am terribly tired today." "You must excuse me, my dears." "Thank you for your honesty." "Make sure that your husband comes to his new parsonage." "I'm not moving to Stockholm!" "I'll have nothing to do with them!" " Henrik, what's the matter?" " I've been an idiot." "An idiot in all directions." "I can see it all now." "Thank God for that Alopéus, for that distinguished lady!" " Stop!" " "Does suffering come from God?"" "The grandeur of freedom and the triumph of silliness!" "Did you hear me flattering and drivelling?" " I must have been mad." " Stop, Henrik!" "I can't think what got into me." "I need to wash my mouth out." "That's the end of all these idiocies." " We're going back home to Forsboda." " Stop, I say." " I say no, no, no." " Stop, I say!" "If you could only hear yourself." ""I, I, I—" What kind of nonsense is that?" ""I say no." That's just rubbish." "Yes, rubbish." "There are actually two of us, but perhaps you've forgotten with all your grandiose opinions." "My name is Anna, and I am your wife." "I am one of us and I have the right to say what I think." "And I think you're behaving like a hysterical prima donna." "And just what is it that you're deciding on?" "How dare you decide about things that are vital, Henrik?" "Vital!" "I'm crying now because you trample on me, because it hurts!" "You're trampling on your most faithful friend." "And I'm crying because it makes me angry." "Oh, forgive me." "Petrus." "In this beauteous summertime" "Go out my soul and find thy joy" "In greatest gifts of God" "See how in adornment" "Welcome." "I'm sorry to disturb you, but I've come to fetch my daughters." "That's very thoughtful of you, Mr. Nordenson, but Susanna and Helena will be occupied for another hour." " We'd thought of having—" " I've come to fetch my daughters." "My daughters, Susanna and Helena." "I realize you intend to fetch your daughters, Mr. Nordenson." "Unfortunately, that is not possible for another hour." "Susanna and Helena are busy with other things." "Oh, are they now?" "Busy with other things?" "Susanna and Helena are busy." "So they won't be ready to be fetched for another hour." "Susanna, come here." "Helena, come here." "Come on, girls." "I can't wait all day." "I suggest we go out into the churchyard and settle this problem." "There must be some kind of misunderstanding." "I can assure you there is no misunderstanding, Pastor." "Regardless of the time of day or the locality, it is Susanna's and Helena's imperative duty to obey their father." "And if they don't?" "Stop playing this game now, Pastor Bergman." "I am asking you politely to tell my daughters to go with their father." "And if I asked you to leave my church?" " Then I will use force." " Force?" " Against whom?" " Against anyone." "You're intoxicated." "So are you, Pastor Bergman." "But in a much more dangerous way." "You are drunk with your power over my daughters." "You're deliberately humiliating me in front of my children." "Susanna and Helena, go to your father." "Your order came exactly thirty seconds too late, Pastor Bergman." "Fifteen seconds ago," "I decided to stop their participation in your blood rituals." "You can't do this." "What can't I do?" "Can't I stop my children being exposed to emotional rape?" "A vile idiotic game?" "A stinking orgy of blood and tears?" "What is it I may not do, Pastor?" "You're despicable." "You are vengeful, jealous and repulsive." "Stop it now, Henrik." "It is interesting to hear a priest denigrating a father in front of his children in the presence of witnesses." "Can anyone tell me why we've become so few recently?" "And why no one comes to church and our sewing bee meetings anymore?" "Can anyone give me an explanation?" "Then I'll ask directly." "What do you think, Mrs. Tallrot?" "Well, I think people are a little afraid." " Afraid?" " I don't know, but that's what I think." " But why should anyone be afraid?" " Everyone knows that." "I don't." "Down at the office there's a list of all the people belonging to the sewing bee." "I don't understand." "Would Nordenson—" "The manager asked my Adolf if I still went to that woman— the pastor's woman's Thursday meetings." "This just isn't possible." "They all remember when Nordenson came to the confirmation class in the chapel last midsummer." "Helena, his elder daughter, has told me several times that her father can never forgive that, that humiliation in front of them all." "Magna, did you know about this, and didn't tell us?" "I think there's a better explanation." "A better explanation?" "What do you mean?" "We can talk about it another time." "Why not now?" "She needn't worry on my behalf." "I'm already as angry as I can get." "Magna, please tell us all you know." "There's a rumor that Henrik and Anna... went to see Queen Victoria at the palace in June, and that Henrik was going to be court chaplain." "Then everyone started talking... and some people were unhappy about it." "And some probably thought Henrik was dishonest for not saying that he was thinking of leaving us." "But, Magna, we turned it down." "Yes, Henrik was invited to be priest at a large hospital where the queen was chairman of the board." "We were tempted, but that's nothing strange." "But Henrik turned it down." "Henrik said no to the offer." "Oh, yes." "Now you know everything." "There wasn't much to tell." "That depends on how you look at it." "Nothing has changed." "We're staying here." "We've decided." "As some kind of sacrifice?" " We want to be here." " Well, that's nice of you." " I don't understand why you're so angry." " I'm not angry." "I'm sad." " I don't understand why you're sad." " No, of course you don't." "I'd have accepted the offer and been out of here as soon as possible." "We thought we could be of some use." "What use?" "What could a nice little pastor and his pretty wife do so far away up here, in this wretched place?" "Why do you come here every Thursday?" "Well, I like the pastor and his wife." "I liked listening to him reading aloud out of those novels." "I wanted to sit here for a few hours with the other women." "I thought it was wonderful." " Good-bye then." " Good-bye." "Good-bye, and thank you for everything." "Thank you for the information." "Anna and I are extremely grateful." " Good-bye then." " Good-bye." "Anna, now I know for certain." "Now it's even more important not to let these people down." " Are you coming?" " Yes, soon." " Is something the matter?" " No." "Why?" "Then I'll go to bed." "I'm coming soon." " Henrik." " Yes?" "We must send Petrus away." "The sooner the better." " Let's deal with that in the morning, my dear." " No, now." "Why all this hurry over Petrus, the poor little devil?" "I never promised he could stay here forever." "I never promised to be his substitute mother." "You must speak to Mrs. Johansson." "Of course." "I'll speak to Mrs. Johansson." "Things are hard enough." "I can't take responsibility for an extra child." " Don't be so angry, Anna." " I'm not angry." "I've tried to like him, but I can't." "I'll speak to Mrs. Johansson." "I promise." "Yes, at once, tomorrow." "I promise." " Remember I'm expecting." " Yes, of course." "When Petrus looks at me with dog-like eyes, I get angry." "And then I get angry with myself for being antagonistic to a child." "It's been quite an evening." "I have to be up at six." "Do you understand what I mean?" " Yes, I understand what you mean." " Then we'd better get some sleep." "Good night." "Good night, angry one." "Good night." "We'll stop heating the big room and the nursery." "We'll just heat the kitchen, the bedroom and your room, Mejan." " Do you think Dag has a temperature?" " He's coughing a lot." "We must make sure he drinks a lot and keeps warm." "You're a nurse, ma'am, so you should know." "Where are you off to?" "To the post office." "The pastor's expecting the paper." "Are you going out with that cold?" "I'll take the kick-sled." "They've plowed the road." "All right." "I'll go up and make the beds." "We'll eat in an hour." "You'll be back by then?" "Sure to be." "Petrus, sit down and read to Dag while I go up and make the beds." "Come in and shut the door." "You're letting the heat out." "I can't sit down there writing my sermon, knowing I'm going to send Petrus away." " You do as you like." " But shouldn't we decide this together?" "Yes, we'll decide together what you want to do." "We have to think about your sermon." "That's important." "Petrus is a fellow human being." "Well?" " Nothing." " Anna, don't be so difficult." "I'm also a fellow human being, although I happen to be your wife." " Anna." " Yes, my dear." "Go on down and write your sermon." "We'll let the matter rest for the moment." "Is that all right?" "Mama!" "Mama!" "No, Dag—" "Petrus!" " Petrus!" " Mama!" "Petrus, stop!" "Stop!" " Good morning, Mrs. Johansson." " Good morning, Mrs. Bergman." "I'm sorry it's such a mess in here." "Both the girls are ill." "It's the same everywhere." "Well, I think Petrus's things are all here." "As he likes reading, I've put some books in as well." "I hope you realize that under the present circumstances—" "No, no, of course." "Good-bye then, Petrus." "I suppose we'd better be going." "Thank you for being so patient and taking such good care of him." "It's a pity it should end like this." "Anyhow, you and the pastor couldn't look after him forever." "It was best that way." "We couldn't possibly keep him here." "I think he understood." "He didn't even cry." "Why don't you answer?" "Anna, we can't go on like this." "You've no reason to behave like this." "It's as if it was all my fault." "Stop washing and turn around!" "Speak to me!" "You're bleeding." "You cut yourself on the plate." "I don't give a damn." "Come on, there's no point in the girls hearing us." " You must talk to me." " There's no point." "Anything, Anna." "Anything is better than saying nothing." "And you say that I have a responsibility." "I have a responsibility for Dag and the child to come." "My responsibility tells me that I must leave here." "My responsibility to the children is more important than my loyalty to you." "I don't understand." "I must go away and take Dag with me." "You want to stay, as that is your conviction." " Where are you intending to go?" " Home." "Your home is here." "You can't hurt me this much." "I've already written to Mama." "What a triumph for her." "So that's your first thought." "I forbid you to go." "You forbid nothing, Henrik." "How long are you going to be away?" "When you've come to your senses, we can talk about the future." "What future?" "I have spoken to Gransjö, or rather, he has spoken to me." "He pointed out that the offer in Stockholm still stands." "So you've gone behind my back?" "Yes, you could say that." "I'll never forgive you for this." "Well, so now we know." "I'm going to finish the dishes." "Get the hell out of here." "I never want to see you again." "You're insane!" "I knew it'd be like this." "I knew you would leave me." "Isn't it terrible?" "I'm going mad!" "Are there any good children here?" "Or only bored old women and runaway wives?" "No, all right, I'll be serious." "I'll take that back." "Is there a good little boy here?" "Yes, there is." "Well, then!" "Well, now, I've earned a drink." "Children in a ring Dancing in a ring" "The tree so very grand and green" "The tree so very grand and green" "Thank you for a lovely Christmas Eve, Mama." "I thought it was quite deplorable." "Dag was pleased anyhow." "I was also terribly pleased, Mammchen." "Thank you, Carl dear." "It's kind of you to say so." "I'm not particularly sentimental, but I felt quite like crying, several times." "Then I said to myself, you're mad, Karin Åkerblom." "What are you complaining about?" "One must be brave." "I had a letter from Henrik this morning." "I didn't like to ask." " He says all is well." " That's good." " He sends his regards." " Thank you." "Return them when you write." "I warned him." "Just watch out like hell for the Åkerblom family." "He's preaching in the big church at the early service." "They've closed the chapel." "Then things really are quite all right for him." "Yes, that's what it sounds like." "He's sent Mia and Mejan back home for the holidays." "What's he doing about meals?" "He's often invited to dinner at Gransjö's." "I'm glad things are all right for him." "Anna." "I hear Anna has gone to Uppsala." "Yes, that's right." "The boy too?" "Anna's mother will at last see her grandson." "Henrik, do you know at all when Anna's coming back?" "No." "What has happened?" "Forgive me, but I'm not prepared to make any kind of confession." " May I go now?" " Of course." "I have no desire to be unfriendly, and I am grateful for—" "I just wish to point out that the offer in Stockholm still stands." "That's out of the question." "I know where I belong." "And your wife?" "She has also decided." "Go now, Pastor, and make yourself useful." " Are you going already?" " Yes, I must get down to the Works." " How are things?" " Fine." "Excellent." "When's Anna coming back?" "I don't know exactly." "We want our wages!" "You can't just shut it down like this!" " Open the Works!" " We want our jobs!" "We want our wages!" "There's no point in you staying here." "A special delegation from the employment commission is on its way, and they're discussing the possibility of starting up the Works again in the New Year." "The Works has outstanding orders, and the creditors are meeting now, planning to continue production." "You should all go home and wait until you hear something." "No!" "Come on, break it up!" "We haven't had any wages for three weeks!" "We want work, not promises!" "I don't know." "He had his difficulties." "He hasn't said much recently." "My husband didn't want to worry me." "I don't know anything." "This is his farewell letter." "Would you like to hear what he says?" ""In recent years, almost every evening I have gone into my room, locked the door and put the barrel of my gun into my mouth." "I can't say I was particularly desperate." "I just had a desire to train my will for the inevitable." "It will be a great relief to go into ultimate, and as I imagine it, absolute loneliness." "I have no reason to apologize for my death, although it will cause some practical and hygienic problems." "Nor have I any reason to apologize for my life." "I am drunk now, sufficiently drunk, so I will finish."" " Do you wish to say a prayer?" " I don't think so." " Don't you think—" " I don't think Mr. Nordenson would want me saying prayers." "Then I must thank you, Pastor, for taking all this trouble." "Come in." "My toes are frozen stiff." "So, you've moved into the kitchen, Henrik?" "I see you are preparing your sermon so—" "I realize I'm disturbing you." "I shan't stay long." "I shall just sit down for a few minutes to get my breath back." "How are things?" "Fine." "Excellent." "You sound so angry, Henrik." "Things are all right, I said." "I'm fine." "It was only a polite inquiry." "Magda, you keep coming here every other day with your compassion." "I'm sorry, but I can't live up to your expectations." "Henrik, please." "I'll tell you something, Magda." "I'm the loner kind." "In fact..." "I always have been." "The time with Anna and my son simply confused me." "It was like a special happiness intended just for me, which had been waiting round the corner for all these years." "Anna made me believe in it." "Anna and Dag." "Do you understand?" "Henrik, I had a little talk with Gransjö." "Well, we thought you should move down to us and have the wing of the house." "Wait a minute, Henrik." "Let me finish." "You'd have your own living room and kitchen, or you could have your meals with us, if you want to." "I think the church council would also be pleased." "Then they could in good conscience close down the chapel for good." "Magda, it's kind of you to think about me... but I'm best off living on the extreme edge of the world." "Then I'll achieve the hardness, the sharpness." "I can find only banal words for something important." "Every day I have to make myself confront myself." "I have to live in privation." "Only then can I possibly become a good priest." "I am not created for larger contexts." "This life suits me." "Do you understand?" "You sound very convincing." "I'll go now." "Come on, Dag." "We're going out now." "What a lovely day." "Can I have an ice cream?" "Supposing we all get together at our summer place." "Dag really needs to get out into the country." "He really does." "He's never even been there." "Mama, can Granny and I go and pick flowers now?" "Why have you come?" "Just an impulse." "I heard there was a night train." "Why have you come?" "I just want to say that..." "I think of you and the boy a lot." "I'm never coming back." "I know." " No matter what you say." " I know." "I've been filled with such terrible anguish." "I felt like a traitor." "But it's better now." "Don't come and tear it all open again." "I couldn't take it." "You'll never have to go back, Anna." "I promise." "I've written to Alopéus and accepted the position." "We're moving to Stockholm in the autumn." "But will we be able to forgive each other?" "So you don't want us to go on?" "You know I do." "I want nothing else." "That is all I want."