"It is early Monday morning... and I am in pain." "My sisters... and Anna... are taking turns staying up." "Good morning." "Did anything happen?" "No, she's been very quiet." "Thank you." "I fell asleep." "Anna, see to the fire." "I thank Thee, dear Lord for allowing me... to awaken well and cheerful this morning... after a good sleep under Thy protection... and for the enjoyment of a restful night." "I beseech Thee also today and each day... to let the angels watch over and protect my little girl... whom Thou in Thy unfathomable wisdom tookest unto Thyself... in Thy homeland." "Amen." "Mother is in my thoughts nearly every day... although she's been dead for over 20 years." "I remember she would often seek... the solitude and peace of the grounds." "I also remember that I would follow her at a distance... and spy on her without really meaning to... because I loved her to such a jealous extreme." "I loved her because she was so gentle... and beautiful and alive... and so allpervadingly present." "But she could also be cold, playfully cruel... and rebuff me." "Yet I could not help feeling sorry for her... and now that I'm older, I understand her much better." "I wish I could see her again... to tell her what I understand... of her boredom, her impatience... her longing and her loneliness." "And when the wicked witch at last realized... that little Gretel had tricked her... her nose started to grow and grow." "At Twelfth Night Mother always gave a party... and Aunt Olga would come with her magic lantern... and her fairy tales." "I always felt frightened and left out." "When Mother spoke to me in her hurried way..." "I could hardly understand what she wanted of me." "Mother and Maria always had many things to whisper about... but then they were so alike." "Jealously I used to wonder what they were laughing at together." "Everyone was in gay spirits." "I was the only one who couldn't join in the merriment." "Another time, I remember it was autumn..." "I hid behind the curtain... and in secret watched her." "She was in the red drawing room wearing her white dress... sitting quite still with her head bent... and her hands resting on the table." "Suddenly she saw me... and in a gentle voice called me." "Come." "Uncertain, I went up to her... thinking that, as usual, she was going to scold me." "But instead she gave me a look so full of sorrow... that I nearly burst into tears." "I raised my hand and put it against her cheek... and for that moment we were very close." "There's someone out there." "Anna." "There's someone out there." "Good morning, Agnes." "Good morning, Doctor." "She is very tired now." "I don't think it will be long." "Thank you." "I know the way." "David!" "It's been so long." "When can I see you again?" "No!" "Some years earlier... when Agnes had gone to Italy for her health..." "Maria and her husband, Joakim, were staying at the manor." "One evening, Anna's little daughter was taken ill... and Maria sent for the family doctor... who lived in the nearby country town." "Now say "ah." Ah." "Once again." "Ah." "That hurt a little?" "I can see that." "What a good girl." "That wasn't too bad, eh?" "Off to bed with you now." "You'll feel better after a good night's sleep." "Thank you." "Doctor, are you hungry?" "If you'd like a little supper the table's being prepared." "Oh yes, that would be nice." "Thank you." "Agnes and Karin are still traveling in Italy." "I received a letter from them last week." "Agnes is much better." "Her cough is entirely gone." "Mmhmm." "And she's picked up her painting again." "Karin's husband decided to join them at Easter." "They've been having good weather." "It's like summer, even though the nights are chilly." "Your husband, he's well?" "Joakim, he had some business in town this evening... and won't be back 'til tomorrow." "I told him I would ask you to come here to look in... on Anna's little girl." "He sends his best regards." "Thank you." "Anna's been told to get the guest room ready." "The weather's so awful." "I don't think you ought to go home on such a night." "You've changed a lot." "Really?" "Oh." "Is there anyone else?" "Isn't there always?" "I never would have thought the problem could interest you." "Nor does it." "Hmm?" "Do you wear spectacles all the time now?" "Am I bothering you?" "No, it's all right." "Why are you so formal?" "Couldn't you let the past be forgotten?" "Come here, Marie." "Come." "Look at yourself in the mirror." "You're beautiful." "You are probably more beautiful now than before." "But you have changed a lot too." "I want you to see how you've changed." "Now your eyes cast quick, calculating side glances." "You used to look ahead straightforwardly... openly, unmasked." "Your mouth has taken on an expression of discontent... and hunger." "It used to be so soft." "Your complexion is pale now." "You use makeup." "Your fine, broad forehead... now has four wrinkles above each brow." "No, you can't see it in this light... but you can in broad daylight." "Do you know what caused those wrinkles?" "No." "Indifference, Marie." "And this fine line that runs from ear to chin... is not as obvious any more... but it is etched there by your easygoing, indolent ways." "And there, by the bridge of your nose." "Why do you sneer so often, Marie?" "You see it?" "You sneer too often." "See, Marie?" "And look under your eyes." "The sharp, scarcely noticeable lines... of your impatience and your ennui." "Can you actually see all of that in my face?" "No, but I feel it when you kiss me." "I think you're joking with me." "It's evident where you see it." "Really?" "Where?" "You see it in yourself." "Because we're so alike, you and I." "You mean the selfishness?" "Coldness?" "Unconcern?" "I usually find your arguments boring." "Is there no absolution for such as you and I?" "I haven't any need of being pardoned." "Good morning, sir." "Good morning." "Thank you." "Good morning, Joakim." "Welcome home." "Good morning, Maria." "Anna's little girl is quite ill, you know." "The doctor was here last night." "He sends you his regards... and hopes you can get together to play chess again." "The weather was so bad I asked him to stay overnight." "He left early this morning before we were up." "Did you enjoy yourself in town or was there too much work?" "We have an invitation from the Egermans." "They'd be delighted if we stayed with them at Easter." "I think I would enjoy that." "It would make for a change." "What do you think about it?" "Well, we'll see." "Run along and play." "Joakim." "Joakim." "Help me." "Help me, please." "No." "Anna." "Do you hear?" "I only hear the wind and the clocks ticking." "No, it's something else." "I don't hear anything else." "I'm freezing." "Good night." "Anna." "Come here." "Anna." "Come to me." "You're so far away." "Come here." "Close to me." "Do I smell very bad?" "It hurts so much, Anna." "I know, Agnes." "I'm going to stay with you." "It will all be all right." "It hurts so badly." "You don't have to worry when I'm here." "You know that." "The pillow's so warm." "We can take the other one." "Come." "Let's see." "Can you lift yourself up a little?" "Can you slide down now?" "Is it better so?" "Is it better?" "You are so good to me." "Yes?" "What's the matter?" "Agnes is worse." "I don't think she's conscious." "She's breathing very strangely." "I'll get my shawl." "Karin!" "Karin!" "What is it?" "Agnes is worse." "I'm coming." "I'll go for the doctor." "I'll go with you." "Anna!" "Anna!" "Anna!" "Where's the doctor?" "He wasn't home." "All right, Anna." "You had better get dressed." "I'll stay with her." "Anna!" "I'm much better now." "Only rather warm." "Would you like to have a wash now?" "And put on a clean gown?" "Yes, thank you." "I'm a little thirsty." "Yes, of course." "Shall I read a little?" "Oh, I'd love it." ""Chapter 34, in which Mr. Pickwick thinks..." ""he had better go to Bath, and goes accordingly." ""'But surely, my dear sir,' said little Perker..." ""as he stood in Mr. Pickwick's apartment..." ""on the morning after the trial." ""'Surely you don't really mean, really and seriously now..." ""'and irritation apart..." ""'that you won't pay these costs and damages?" "'" ""'Not one halfpenny,' said Mr. Pickwick firmly." ""'Not one halfpenny.'" ""'Hooray for the principle, as the moneylender said..." ""'when he wouldn't renew the bill'..." ""observed Mr. Weller, who was clearing away breakfast." ""'Sam,' said Mr. Pickwick..." ""'have the goodness to step downstairs.'" ""'Certainly, sir,' replied Mr. Weller..." ""and acting on Mr. Pickwick's gentle hint, Sam retired."" "Anna!" "Can't anyone Can't anyone help me?" "I can't!" "Help me!" "I can't."