"TWO GREEN FEATHERS" "I've thought and thought about the endless Nordland summer days   and of a hut I lived In and of the forest behind the hut." "And I'm starting to write to while away the time   and for my own amusement." "A few days ago, I received two feathers from far away  from one who had no need to send them." "Two green feathers within a sheet of crested paper  bearing a baron's seal." "From my hut I could see a confusion of Islands and rocks and skerries   and a few blue-tlnged peaks." "The summer was gone before I realized It." "That was four years ago..." "Somethlng happened to me or I dreamt It." "In a big white house by the sea " " I met someone who for a short while filled my thoughts." "She no longerfllls my memory." "I have quite forgotten her." "But I remember the nights were very light." "Nlght turned Into day and the people were strange   and different from the people I had known before." "No, I've quite forgotten her." "I do recall other things." "The cries of the sea birds, the forest behind the hut." "The smell of the roots and the leaves." "Day after day, I walked In the hills with my dog Aesop at my side." "I wished for no more than to be able to go there   day after day." "Look what a good time we're having, Aesop." "Now, we'll roast a bird on the hearth." "What do you think?" "That's the black grouse on the far side of the hill." "An east wind, then." "I sat for a while, full of wonder  at finding myself here In a hut In the Nordland  at the edge of a forest." "I remember one particular day." "I had gone down to the coast..." "What weather!" "Let's shelter here." "We meet again." "On our way to the mill, we had to turn back." "What weather!" "Lieutenant Glahn." "Our indispensable doctor." "My daughter, Edvarda." "Lieutenant Glahn is staying in the hunting cabin." "So you're Aesop." "Who was Aesop?" "I only remember he wrote fables." "Wasn't he a Phygian?" "Phrygian." " What did I say?" " You said "Phygian"." "It's Phrygian." "But he wrote fables, didn't he?" "When will you call on us at Sirilund, Lieutenant?" "Soon." "Very soon, Mr. Mack." "What do you mostly shoot?" "Use one of my boats, if you like." "Well, we're off." "Farewell, Lieutenant." "A mere child." "A schoolgirl." "No, I have quite forgotten her." "What is it, my dear Eva?" "Father wants his paraffin from the boat as soon as possible." "Some gunpowder." "We are still waiting for you to call." "Call at my cabin." "Maybe I will." "No, I really have forgotten her." "But they were good times, the days grew longer  and the air clearer." "Free as a king, I went my way In the peace of the forest  as leisurely as I pleased." "Yes, he is home." " Welcome." " We came yesterday but you were out." "Welcome." "Do be seated." "What do you mostly shoot?" "Hare, black grouse, white grouse, sea birds." "When it's the shooting season." "And when it's not?" "I live on fish." "Mostly on fish." "There's always something to eat." "Come eat with us." "I can offer you a grouse, roasted in the hunter's way." "Last year, an Englishman lived here." "Now, it looks more like a lair." "Exactly like a lair." "An eccentric old Englishman." "He talked to himself." "He was a Catholic and carried a prayer book." " An Irishman." " An Irishman?" "Wouldn't he be, since he was a Catholic?" " Maybe he was..." " He must have been English." "The Irish don't travel to Norway." "Thank you." "Farewell." "We're not getting much done today." "How stupid to let Miss Edvarda sit there." "I should have made room on the bench." "She has a generous mouth with shining red lips." "I'll be right back." " At last." " Good evening." "You've come at last." "Come in." "You'll stay for supper." "The first, up here in the North." "They've just arrived." "I feel it's safer to light them myself." "My late wife." "She was a Dane." "Rampant tuberculosis." "Such a shock for Edvarda." "My grandfather, the Consul." "He received this clasp from the king." "Come on then, Petterson." "A pity you won't play whist, Doctor." "Come on, damn it!" "We'll bring you another glass." "Don't worry, Lieutenant." " I've upset my glass." " Yes, so we see." "It's time to retire, gentlemen." "A long day awaits us." "I'll just take this away." "I'd like to put up a sign on my wharf." "What colour would you suggest, Lieutenant?" " Black." " Black." "Just what I had in mind." ""Salt and Barrel Depot"." "Heavy black lettering." "Yes, very dignified." "Good night." "I'll see the doctor out." " I must go, too." " You must finish your grog." "You see, Lieutenant." "I'm forty-six, my hair and beard are greying." "I feel I've aged somewhat." "By day, I might look young." "But when evening comes, I seem to collapse." "So I sit here and play a hand at patience." "Turns out well if I cheat a bit." " You cheat to have a good hand?" " Yes." "Isn't it bedtime, Edvarda?" "Good night, Lieutenant." " Has Eva gone?" " Yes, Father." "Eva's gone home." "Remember, Lieutenant, my boats are at your disposal at any time." "Let me see you home." "I'd enjoy a little stroll." "It isn't late." "I had a conversation with Edvarda." "Why are you really here?" "Why do you go hunting?" "You only shoot a little now and then." "I do not shoot to murder." "I shoot to live." "I only needed one grouse today." "Why should I shoot two?" "I live in the forest." "I am a son of the forest." "It suits me there." "I eat lying on the ground, not bolt upright on a chair." "I do not upset my glass." "In the forest I do as I like." "I can lie on my back and shut my eyes." "Say whatever I want." "Loudly!" "If I so please." "Think of that." " Do you understand?" " Yes..." "Yes, I understand." "At times, I watch the grass  and the grass may be watching me, what do we know?" "I look at a single blade of grass, perhaps it is trembling a little,   and I rejoice." "I think to myself:" "This blade of grass stands here trembling." "But sometimes I meet people in the hills..." "Sometimes." "Yes, of course." " It's raining." " So it is." "I had forgotten..." "We're off to the island tomorrow." "Will you come?" "Tomorrow?" "I see." "Yes, I'll come." "I had forgotten." "I still remember that day." "It was the day my summer came." "Take care of the bottles, you crazy people!" " I hold you responsible, Doctor!" " Aye, aye, sir!" "Fire the salute, Lieutenant!" "What a summer you have here." "It bursts into bloom one still night, and behold." "From my window, I saw it open out." "I have two little windows." " Let's exchange flowers, for luck." " Yes, let's!" "Thank you." "How pretty you are." "You have a bewitching voice." "If you please." "I wasn't talking to you." "I beg your pardon." "Forgive me!" "I must beg you all to forgive me for my behaviour." "Even I am dismayed!" "Never mind them." "What is it, Miss Edvarda?" "Nothing." "I wanted to." "It doesn't matter." "Does it not matter?" "Now let's play "Widow"!" "It's Lieutenant Glahn I want." "In Hell's name, girl, be quiet!" "Later." "No more, now." "We can meet again tomorrow." "Two men advance for a widow!" "Were you waiting?" "I was afraid you might have to wait." " Did you sleep well?" " No, I couldn't sleep." "I sat in a chair with my eyes closed." "I also went for a walk." "Someone was here during the night." "I saw footprints this morning." "Aesop growled, I heard him in my sleep." "I dreamt of hunting, so the growl fitted in and didn't wake me." "Was it you by the window?" "I walked very quietly." "Yes, it was me." "I was near you once again." "Every day..." "Every day I met her." "I confess, I was glad to meet her, again and again." "Four years have passed since then." "Now about the two green feathers I shall explain shortly." "Sometimes I wonder..." "Will this ever end well?" " What?" " Well, us..." "My spine tingles when I'm near you." "It's sheer happiness." "I also feel a shiver when I see you." "It will end well." "I'll slap you on the back to warm you up." "Does it help or not?" "Don't be so kind as to slap me any more." "Something occurs to me." "Once a young lady took off her silk scarf and tied it around my neck." "That evening, I said: "I shall have it washed and return it tomorrow. "" ""No," she said, "I want to keep it just as you have worn it. "" "So she took the scarf." "Three years later I met this young lady again." ""The scarf?" I said." "She brought the scarf." "It was wrapped in paper, still not washed." "I saw it." "And what then?" "Nothing, that was all." "But I think it was a nice gesture." " Where is that lady now?" " Abroad." "Don't think about that lady any more, please." "I don't think about anyone but you." "Good night." "Thank you, Edvarda, for caring for me." "God will reward you forthat." "I'm not as grand as others you could have   but I am all yours." "So extremely, completely yours." "What is it?" "You have tears in your eyes." "It's nothing." "It sounded so strange to hear that God would reward me." "The things you say..." "I love you!" "There began to be no night." " Good evening, Edvarda." " Good evening." "You are mine." "All day long I think only of you." "You are the most beautiful girl on earth,   and I have kissed you." "The very thought of that kiss makes me flush with joy." " Why are you so fond of me tonight?" " How could I not be?" "I go about thanking every tree that you exist, that you are well." "Thank you!" "Thank you!" "Thank you!" "My friend says  you have an animal's gaze." "Your gaze drives her mad as though your hands touched her,   she says." "What friend is this?" "It's a secret." "But she came on the trip to the island." "My father is leaving for Russia in a few days,   then I'll arrange a picnic." "Father's already given me the wine." "Have you been to Korholmerne?" "We'll bring the wine in two baskets,   and the ladies from the vicarage will come, too." "You won't look at my friend like that again, will you?" "Or I shan't invite her." "Russia, you said." "It's late, Edvarda." "The white flowers are closing." "Well, good night." "Good night." "Once, Edvarda stayed away for two nights." "Two nights." "There was nothing wrong,   and yet I had the feeling my happiness had passed Its peak." "And had It not?" "Why did you stand up so quickly?" "Do you hear how restless the forest is tonight?" "The ceaseless rustling in the undergrowth, the foliage trembling." "Like something brewing." "But what I meant was..." "Listen!" "It's only a tom-tit, but it has been calling fortwo nights." "Do you hear a repetitive..." "A repetitive sound?" "Yes, I hear it." "Thank you." "Thank you for coming tonight,   dearest one." "I sat here expecting you, tonight ortomorrow night." "I, too, have been waiting." "I think about you." "I've kept the pieces of the glass you once broke." "Do you remember?" "Father left last night." "I could not come." "So much packing." "I knew you were waiting here, and I cried as I packed." "But It was two nights." "What was she doing the first night?" "And why was there not as much joy In her eyes as before?" "Good night." " Tomorrow?" " No, not tomorrow." "Our picnic is tomorrow." "It was a surprise but you look so miserable, you've made me tell." "Edvarda!" "When did you put away the glass?" " When?" " Yes, a week ago?" "Or a fortnight?" "Maybe a fortnight, yes." "Why?" "The truth is, " " I did it yesterday." "It was no longer ago than yesterday she had been thinking of me." "Now all is well." "The soul." "What is the soul?" "Can a man not think freely?" "Look at Christ's halo in the chapel." "And what is a halo?" "A golden hoop standing on three hairs." "It sounds terrible." "You may go, Eva." "But you only repeat it to yourself,   ponder on it a while, and it sounds fine." "May I drink to the ladies?" "Shall we play "Widow"?" " Remember not to be too intimate." " I wasn't intimate." "Think of the joy of travelling to distant places." " I'd be the most happiest..." " "Most happiest"." " Excuse me?" " You said "most happiest"." "Did I?" "I'm sorry." "I'd be the happiest woman in the world if I could embark some day." "Sometimes I yearn for places I don't even know." "Don't you think that the people here are like their short summer,   both ephemeral and bewitching?" "Yes, perhaps." "May I ask the lady once again to visit my humble hut?" "Yes." "God bless you forthat." "I'll see you soon." "Just a moment!" "It occurred to me that you might like to see my fly book." "Forgive me for not thinking of it." "Would you be so kind as to look through it." "Look at all of it." "You will find both red and yellow flies." "By all means, let's have a look." "I always wondered how flies are put together." "I make them myself." "It's quite simple." "I fasten the feathers and hooks." "I'm not too good at it, of course." "The flies one buys ready-made are lovely, though." "Here are some materials." "What lovely feathers!" "The green ones are beautiful." "May I?" "Keep them." "Yes, do that." "Do me one favourtoday." "Two green feathers." "Be so kind, let them be a memento." "Musingly she said:" ""They are green and golden as one moves them in the sun. "" ""Thank you." "If you want me to have them. "" ""I certainly do,"" " I said." "She kept the feathers." "Then the doctor handed me back my book and thanked me." "Thank you." "He stood up and asked If we should not be getting back." " Oughtn't we to be getting back?" " Yes, let's be on our way!" "My dog..." "Yes, I have a dog." "He is my friend." "He's waiting, paws against the window, and will greet me." "It has been a lovely day." "Now it's nearly over." "I thank you all!" "Thank you forthe feathers." "Come in my boat." " I have never seen the like!" " Haven't you?" "Forgive me." "How much worse could It be?" "Was I the one who had forced myself on her?" "No... no, never." "I merely happened to cross her path one fine day." "What a summer It was, up In the Northl" "I understood the people less and less   although the sun shone on them night and day." "What did their blue eyes seek?" "What were they thinking?" "Not that I cared about any of them." "Where are you going?" "To fetch firewood." "The white scarf suits you." "It really does." "I haven't seen you in four days." "Four days, that is correct." "What do you think?" "Peculiar." "Tell me, Edvarda, have you completely forgotten me?" "I don't understand you." "With all I've been doing?" " Could I have come?" " No, you couldn't possibly." "But I would say, in one word:" "Something is changed, completely changed." "But I cannot see from yourface what it is." "How strange your brow is, Edvarda." "I haven't forgotten you!" "Very well, you haven't forgotten me." "So my mind must be wandering." "You'll receive an invitation." "You must dance with me." " Coming with me?" " Now?" "I'm expecting the doctor." "He's to help me." "There is still much to do." "You find the room acceptable?" " Is he coming by carriage?" " Yes, I sent for him because..." "He's lame." "Right, I'll find the door." "Glad to see you again, Doctor." "In the best of health?" "You'll excuse me rushing off." "Wlth one hand, she held the curtain aside." "Her recent behaviour was just her way." "She followed me with her eyes until I disappeared." "What more could she do?" "Joy intoxicates." "Now I'm thirsty and drink from the brook." "The first dance with me." "I wanted to show you." "That black dress suits..." "That was how we spent our school days." "Maybe they could be dyed black." "May I have the next dance?" " No, I was just leaving." " Leaving?" "You are not leaving." "Your words seem to have meaning, Miss Edvarda." "I merely hoped you'd be the last to leave." "The very last." "It's not even one o'clock." "You gave our boatman five crowns for saving my shoe from drowning." "It was much too much." "It pleases you to jest." "I did no such thing." "Oh, didn't you?" "Eva, would you send Jacob in?" "You remember our boat trip?" "You rescued my shoe from the sea?" " You received five crowns?" " Yes, you..." "Good." "That'll be all." "I want everybody here to know this is either a mistake or a lie." "I never dreamt of giving Jacob five crowns for your shoe." " Wrongly, perhaps." "But I didn't." " Let's continue dancing!" " Cheers." " My glass is empty." " I thought that was your glass." " No, it isn't." "Excuse me, then." "I never learnt to play the piano." "If only I could." "Why are you suddenly so sad?" "If only you knew how it grieves me." "I don't know why." "It's everything, perhaps." "If only all these people would leave now." "No, not you." "You're to leave the last." "Do you know the waltz my sister is playing?" "No." "Once, in Riga, I was pursued by a gentleman." "He followed me through the streets, smiling at me." "Was he blind?" "He certainly must have been   to run after someone as old and ugly as me!" "I love this world." "I cling to life by tooth and nail." "Once I die, I hope for some small spot in eternity, above London   or Paris, where I can hear mankind's can-can." "Forever." "Splendid!" "Listen to the doctor!" "Damnation!" "Oh, it's you." "It was kind of you to be the last." "I'm spent." "You need to rest." "I do hope your bad mood has passed." "You were so sad and it hurt me." "Some sleep will help." "Thank you for coming." "I'll see myself out!" "Your cane." "Don't forget your cane." "It is the doctor's cane." "I wonder how the lame man came to forget his cane." "You and your lame man!" "You don't limp!" "But even if you did, you wouldn't compare with him!" "No, indeed." "You wouldn't compare with him!" "Heel!" " I did not greet you!" " You did not greet me?" "It's all the same to me." "I was going to fetch my cane." "Jump!" "Come, come!" "Why are you doing this?" "What's wrong?" "Won't you tell me, maybe I can help..." "Forgive me." "There's nothing wrong, nothing." "I don't need your help." "Are you looking for Edvarda?" "I'll tell you this much:" "You'll find her at home." "Go on." "Strange thoughts ran through my mind." "I regretted having hugged the doctor  and having looked at him tearfully." "Rerhaps at this very moment he and Edvarda were smirking about It." "Forgive me." "I came for a little chat." " Did you see Edvarda?" " No, Edvarda had gone to bed." " But you're bleeding!" " Nothing to worry about." "Putting my gun away, it went off." "It's nothing." "Blast you!" "Why should I explain anything at all?" " Did you get your cane?" " I must take your boot off." "Later, how I regretted that Insane shot." "It served no purpose." "It only tied me to the hut for several weeks." "I thought you might need some food." "And perhaps a little wine?" "Stay a while, Eva." "You mustn't think..." "What mustn't I think, Eva?" "It's just that it occurred to me..." "Since you won't be hunting..." "We must look after yourfoot." "One day, the doctor began to talk about Edvarda." "When she stares at the sea and her mouth twists like this almost painfully..." "then she is unhappy." " But she's too proud to cry." " When can I walk again?" "Why do you interrupt me?" "Can't you bear to hear me speak her name?" "Tell me, what is your real opinion of Edvarda?" "I should like to know." "My real opinion?" "Am I to hear glad tidings?" "Has she given you her hand?" "My compliments." "One does not propose to Edvarda." "She takes whomever she wants." " She says you have an animal gaze." " No, that wasn't her." " Your gaze..." " Actually..." "Maybe it was her." "Your gaze flusters her, she says." "If that might do the trick, keep gazing." "But immediately, she'll say to herself:" "Now that man stands looking at me, thinking he's won the day." "And with a single glance or a cold word, she'll send you miles away." " Can nobody win her?" " Certainly, why not?" "She waits for her prince, but is mistaken time and time again." "She took you forthe prince   because of that animal gaze." "Really, Lieutenant, you ought to have brought your uniform." "It would have given you the advantage." "Win her?" "Why not?" "A man from afar." "An unexpectedly special person." "Mr. Mack's little expedition." "There may be something behind it." "Once before, he went on a journey  and returned with a gentleman." " A gentleman?" " Oh yes, but he wasn't suitable." "A man my age." "With a limp." "Like me." "Not the prince." "We've dwelt on this long enough." "In a week's time you'll be on yourfeet again." "Glahn!" "Glahn!" "Do sit down, yourfoot is hurt." "You shot yourself." "Good God, how did it happen?" "I only just heard about it." "I was wondering why you didn't come any more." "How are you now?" "You're so pale." "And yourfoot, will you limp?" "The doctor says you won't." "I'm so very fond of you for not being lame." "I wanted to put the gun away, overthere." "I was holding it upside down." "Suddenly, it went off." "It was an accident." "Let me see, is it your left foot..." "Why the left foot?" "A coincidence." "Yes, a coincidence." "Why?" "The way I held the gun, it had to be the left foot." "Anyway, it was no joke." "But you are recovering well." "Why didn't you send for us?" "How have you fared?" "I've managed." "When you arrived, you showed warmth and your eyes shone." "Now your eyes are indifferent again." "Am I mistaken?" "One changes." "Please tell me just this once, what it is this time for instance   that I've said or done to displease you." "It might serve as a guide for me in the future." "Nothing, Glahn." "My thoughts get the better of me." "Are you displeased?" "Do not forget." "Some give little and it is a lot forthem." "Others give everything without effort." "Who then has given the most?" "Get well." "We'll meet again." "Sorry, I cannot escort you any longer." "After she left, I sat down to reconsider It all." "I wrote a letter and ordered my uniform to be sent." "Please hurry!" "We need the boat!" "I cannot lend you my boat any longer." "We have a visitor, a scientist." "You'll understand that one has to row him out to sea and back every day." "He works all day long." " He is studying the sea-bed." " But I need to fish." " It's the closed season." " You should make his acquaintance." "His card." "Coronet and all, a baron." "An honourable man, chance met." " You deprive me of food." " Borrow another boat." "That dinghy there." "If you keep bailing." "There comes the baron." "Borrow the smithy's boat." "You've spoken of me." "Mentloned my name." "Thank you, although It means nothing to you." "Stop." "Wait a moment." "What the devil!" "God in Heaven!" "There has to be an end to this." "Have you no pride in your heart any more?" "For one week, I have enjoyed herfavour." "It's all over between us, and I can't adjust to it." "Dust!" "Air!" "Mud on my path, that's what she is!" "God Almighty!" " When is the boat due?" " The mail boat?" " In three weeks' time." " I'm expecting my uniform." " Thank you forthe boat." " Don't mention it." " Coming along?" " No, Mr. Mack wants this finished." "I'll be here till midnight." " Good evening." " Enjoy your evening." "I've been craving to see you!" "I love your youth and your good eyes." "Punish me for having thought of another." "I have come here just to look at you." "I cherish you." " I called you last night." " You called me?" "I said Edvarda." "It was you I meant." "Yes, it was you I meant." "But let's not talk about her any more." "By God, you're mine, my dearest girl, Eva!" "Your lips are so red today." "Yourfeet are prettier than Edvarda's." "Look." "Miss Edvarda talks like a child." "She says "most happiest"." "We shouldn't talk about her." "Actually, she has a fine brow and her hands are white and soft." "She made a mistake once, a slip of the tongue." "She's well-spoken." "Would you rather we sat here without saying a single word?" "You dear, dear soul." "I know I'll perish from my love for you." "I love you more and more   and you'll come with me when I leave." "Would you come with me?" "Yes." "Well." " Surprised to see me?" " No, I was looking for you." "Shooting is forbidden from April 1st to August 15th." "You were seen shooting two birds today." "You were within the prohibited area." "I admit it." "I just realized it." "In June, I also fired off both my barrels in that area." "It was on an outing..." "and at your request." "That's entirely different." "Then you know damned well what to do!" "Good afternoon!" "Good day, fair maiden." "Have you been in the mountains?" "You must be wet." "Do take this." "I have no use for it." "No..." "You choose to ignore me." "Do take this." "I have no use for it." " I would give it to anybody." " For Heaven's sake, put it back on." "Are you so angry with me?" "Put it back on before you catch a chill." "Aren't you with the baron?" "The count is surely not at sea today." "Forget this prince." "He is not the man for you." "He's contemplating asking you to be his wife." "Please don't let us talk about that." "I've been thinking of you." "That you should take off your shirt..." "I suggest the doctor instead." "What's wrong with him?" "A man in the prime of life and a brilliant mind." "Think of that." " Listen to me." " Aesop wants to go home." "Good day, fair maiden." "No!" "Yesterday, I was at my wit's end." "My head was spinning, I was thinking only of you." "I was in the sitting room this morning and the baron came in." "He placed a box in my lap." "I opened it and found a brooch, with a coronet and ten stones." "I have it with me, do you want to see it?" "It's crushed to bits." "I handed the brooch back to him and said: "I think more of another. "" ""Which other?" he asked." ""A hunter. "" ""He gave me only two beautiful feathers as a souvenir. "" ""Take your brooch back. "" ""Keep it," he said." ""Stamp on it if you like. "" "I got up and crushed the brooch under my heel." "That was this morning." "Forfour hours I've been waiting." "You appeared like a god." "Didn't you have something to tell me?" "Something to tell you?" "Nothing, nothing more do I have to tell you." "Durlng the night I thought It all over and made up my mind." "No..." "I would not let myself be lured by this fickle creature." "Thls fisherman's girl, this Ignorant lass." "Hadn't her name been pestering me long enough?" "Today I have only one thing to tell you." "You went to the smith's late one evening." "Eva was alone." "Eva has also been here." "Has she been here as well?" "In the hut?" "Several times." "To my great pleasure." "Here as well!" "Since you meddle in my affairs, I shall do the same." "I suggested the doctor." "Did you think it over?" "The prince is impossible." "He is not impossible!" "He is betterthan you!" "He does not break cups and glasses, he leaves my shoes alone,   he knows how to behave in company." " Here, I don't upset anyone." " With you, one expects the worst." "One grows weary of keeping an eye on you." "Eva might care to do it." "It is a pity she's married." "Eva is married?" "Yes." " Isn't she the smith's daughter?" " No, she's his wife." "Do you think I'm lying?" "What a nice choice you've made." "Take my advice as a friend, choose the doctor." "That prince is a doddering old fool." " Half blind as well." "He's shallow!" " You think I don't love him." "I'll marry him." "I'll think of him night and day!" "Mark my words:" "I love him!" "Let Eva come." "My God, let her come!" "It's so unspeakably unimportant to me!" "And never let me set eyes on you again!" "No!" "God in Heaven!" "What have I done?" "Quiet." "Quiet." "Qulet, tranquil skies and cool nights." "Many clear harmonies and sweet sounds In woods and fields." "Put your load down." "You are married, Eva?" " Didn't you know?" " No, I didn't." "God be with you, child, what are we to do now?" "Whatever you want." "As long as you are here I shall be happy." " No, Eva." " Yes..." " Just as long as you are here." " No, Eva." "Have you talked to Mr. Mack?" "Once." "What did you say to each other?" "He's become very hard on us." "He makes my husband work night and day." "And he has ordered me to do man's work." "Why does he do that, Eva?" "Because I love you." "How does he know that?" "I told him." "Never!" "Never..." "I'd rather be quartered." "Atoast,   you men and beasts and birds,   to the lonely night in the forest." "In the forest!" "Atoast to the darkness and to God's murmuring among the trees." "To the sweet sounds of the stillness against my ears." "Do you know, Eva, what it means to hope?" "Yes..." "I think so." "You know, Eva, to hope is a strange matter,   something very peculiar." "You walk along a road one morning, hoping to meet someone dearto you." "And do you meet that person?" "No." "Why not?" "Because that person is busy somewhere else." "Hope is the strangest thing." "Right now, I hope to forget that person I did not meet this morning." "You speak oddly." "I love three things, Eva." "I love a dream of love I once had." "I love you,   and I love this place on earth." "And which do you love the most?" "The dream." "Go home, now." "How could I love a dream?" "I was joking,   it's you I love." "But go now." "I promise to be different tomorrow." "Remember, I'm yours." "Rememberthat." "Now go." "Go now." "The moon." "The moon." "What is it?" "God is close by, looking at me." "As I turn, I see the back of a spirit disappearing silently into the forest." "When I woke, the night had gone." "For a long time I had been ailing,   feverlsh, waiting to succumb to some sickness or other." "Now It was over..." "A deep sadness possessed me." "Autumn had come." "The summer was over." "It vanished as quickly as It had come." "The days were cold." "I hunted, fished and sang songs In the woods." "Now they are preparing a party at Slrllund  to honour the baron's departure." "Everybody Is Invited." "So what?" "I shall neither go there nor send an apology." "Most thoughtful of Mr. Mack." "But I shall not attend, do you hear?" "I shall not attend!" "Lieutenant Glahn." "Come in, come in." "They've asked about you." "I want to show you something." "Until I cross the Valley of Death..." "Cross what?" "The Valley of Death." "Isn't that what it's called?" "The River of Death, I think, is what you meant to say." "They say it's terrible." "Thousands dead." "We're discussing the Crimea." "Excuse me for surprising you in the corridor." "I shan't do it again." "Miss Edvarda, now stop this." "Why don't you go to Eva in the kitchen?" "You ought to stay there." " Don't you risk a misunderstanding?" " In what way?" " Yes, perhaps, but how?" " You say things without thinking." "It seemed you were showing me to the kitchen, but of course   you can't have intended to be rude." "There is no misunderstanding." "You heard rightly when I showed you to the kitchen." "According to the latest news,   the British fleet is on its way through the Bosporus..." "What is that supposed to mean?" "The baron was expected to leave." "Welll" "I decided to blow up a mountain In his and Edvarda's honour,   have a huge rock hurtle down Into the sea near his boat." "The smith had made two drills for me." "You don't seem to have a single sorrow, my love." "Mr. Mack gets harsher and harsher every day but I ignore him." "He became furious and twisted my arm." " I have one sorrow." " What is it?" "He threatens you." "He says I've become infatuated with you and he'll be rid of you." "Let him threaten." "Let me see if yourfeet are as tiny as ever." "Close your eyes and let me see." " Won't you stay with us?" " My new home is ready." "You could have had peace and quiet at our house, too." "Thank you for offering me shelter now that my cabin has burned down." "It's all the nobler since it can't have yourfather's approval." "Don't you ever want to see me again?" "The baron is calling." "What now, Eva?" "Mr. Mack has ordered me to tarthe boat on the beach." "Why is it lying there?" "Why not at the quay?" "What more is there for me to write?" "Eva was taken to the church In Mr. Mack's white house-boat." "I walked overland and came to the grave-slde." "A rich, rose-red memory passes through my heart  when I thlnk of you, Eva." "Fellclty flows over me when I remember your smile." "You gave everything, everything   without counting the cost." "Yet another, who spared even her glances   fills my thoughts." "Why?" "Ask the twelve months, and the ships on the ocean." "Ask the stars In the sky." "That landslide." "The catastrophe." "It was an accident." "You're in no way to blame." "Whoever wanted to separate us has succeeded." "God damn him!" "It was a nice funeral." "No expense was spared." "The boat was smashed." "Don't worry." "I'm not making any claim." "Don't you want payment forthe boat?" "The tar bucket?" "My dear Lieutenant." "How could you imagine?" "I have come to say farewell." "Glahn, are you leaving?" "Now?" "As soon as the boat arrives." "Yes?" "You were going to say?" "To think that you're leaving." "I wonder who will come next year." "Someone else." "Assuming the cabin is rebuilt." "I regret my father isn't here." "I shall give him your regards." " Farewell, Edvarda." " Farewell." "Haven't you gone?" "I thought you had gone." "Now, I'm leaving." "I would like something as a keepsake." "It may be too much to ask but would you give me Aesop?" "Yes." "Could you bring him to me tomorrow?" "She will torment you, caress you too, perhaps but surely whip you day in and day out and utterly destroy you." "I hired a man to carry Aesop's body to Edvarda." " We wanted to see you off." " Thank you for your dog." " When is the boat leaving?" " Any moment." "Doctor, shouldn't we go?" " I've done what I came after." " You've done what you came for." " Wasn't that roughly what I said?" " No." "Farewell." "All my thanks." "Farewell!" "Thls was the last I saw of her and I end my writing." "It Is so nice to go and meet the one whose hand you want to hold the pleasure then Is double sweet and sorrow something faintly told" "Here you are, Lleutenant, your two green feathers." "Subtitles:" "Scandinavian Text Service 2009"