"Man born of woman has but a short time to live." "Like a shadow he flees and ne ver stays." "His days are swifter than a post." "The y flee away, the y bring no good." "Our dwelling is removed and carried away from us as a shepherd's tent." "But the mercy of the Lord is eternal." "I am the resurrection and the life said the Saviour..." "THE WIFE OF JEAN BARNERY" " L'll do that." " It's done." "The summer dresses too?" "Yes." "Close the trunks and bring them down." " Are Aline's things ready?" " Yes." "Aline, move aside, you're in my way." "I'm sorry to see you both go." "It's what you wanted." " The letters..." " L let you see them." " But the y imply..." " What?" "There was nothing between Dahlias and me." "You belie ve malicious gossip." "I feel no jealousy towards Dahlias." "I'm be yond such pettiness." "It's your whole attitude that..." "You knew what being a minister's wife meant." "Yes, when I married you, you were a minister." "But do you still have faith?" "I've shouted enough." "Regret it and I'll ask you to stay." "Out of duty?" "Is that all?" "Yes." "As we agreed, you'll live in Limoges in the old Barnery house that you're so fond of." "You'll find life less humble there than here." "I won't come to the station with you." "Mind the trunk..." "You'll see, Barbazac hasn't changed." "I don't remember a thing." "Our small Protestant community is very strong." "Were you in England for long?" "Two years." "Georges, take my niece home." "Cousin Arthur is giving a ball next month." "My son's wife entertains lavishly." "Will you come, Pauline?" "You may find my home gloomy." "I'm an ascetic since my wife passed on." "Uncle, I don't wish to be a burden." "You'll be a daughter to me." "I merely regret your father's peculiar fate." "Dying in Egypt, far from home and you." "He loved Egypt." "But to be buried there!" "He wanted that." "Don't you like the first floor room?" "Sorry, it's the smell of camphor." "I'll be happier here." "As you wish." "We dine at se ven." "This way, Mr Pommerel." "Patrick!" " L'm late, father." " You don't come often..." "My father-in-law was holding an electoral meeting..." "You're going into politics?" " Good day, Loze." " Master Arthur... I've been approached..." "Is it your desire or your wife's?" "How's your wife's health, Lé vêque?" "She's well, sir." "It's very old." "A sixty-year-old brandy..." "Rateau's selling two barrels." "Should I buy?" " How much does he want?" " What it's worth." "Then it may be too much." "There's no market for it." "Blend your cognac, bottle it and lower your prices." "Bottle it..." "Like your in-laws." "The Bourgaud-Duperrons have turned your head." "Their cognac sells well." "My brethren, receive the Almighty's blessing." "May the Lord bless and protect you." "May the Lord look down favourably upon you." "Go in peace." "Remember the poor and may God be with you and your families, now and fore ver." "Amen." "I buried Garaud's son yesterday." "Poor Garaud..." "Business is too poor for me to buy his brandy." "People are tightening their belts." "It's not so bad..." "Will you come for lunch?" "No, thank you." " You'd meet my niece." " L saw her." "Does she suit you?" "She's a girl of today." "What did you think of my sermon?" "I don't share your social views." "But it was good, very good." "I see inscrutable faces." "People are judging me..." "Stop thinking about it." "No one here understands my act." "It's all over and done with." "Are you sure?" "Luther said, "A minister's sole sin is teaching the Word badly."" "In a way, those are dreadful words." "Why blame yourself?" "Nathalie wanted to leave." "Your mistake was to marry a woman who was not of your spiritual world." "She hated your calling." "I'm going to surprise you." "I'm planning to open a modern bottling plant." " You?" " Apparently I have no choice." "I'll see your Uncle Barnery in Limoges." "If he agrees to help me, I'll offer him half of the profits." "You can always try." "I don't know anyone." "You're going to have fun, you can dance... I'll mostly watch." "This is your family." "Keep an e ye on the young ladies for me." "The cloakroom is this way." "Look, Pauline, sterilised flowers." "Can you see my tiny scar here?" "No." " Are you sure?" " No one will notice." " The y're so pretty!" " Hello, Pauline." "Fetch more ice for the champagne." "Arthur, tell the musicians to get ready." "I will in a minute, all right." "Dance and be merry, I'm counting on you." "Here's the deputy." "Tell me when you want to leave." "May I have the honour of a waltz?" "May I have the honour of the first waltz?" "May I have the honour of this waltz?" "I think we can start the waltz." "That dress suits her." "A little low-cut." "She's so independent." "Who invited that character?" "Isn't he living in Paris with Re verend Barnery's wife?" "Didn't she kill herself?" "Rubbish." " Dahlias compromised her." " Of course, he didn't!" "Go on." "And give the musicians a drink." "Anna, where's Marcelle?" "Over there with Peter Deed." "May I have the honour of the next waltz?" "I'm sorry, I'm a little tired." "Pommerel, my dear fellow, I know you disapprove of my methods but will you try my new blend?" "I'd be delighted." "Do you know, it's sent across the Andes by mule." "I make no claims and I expect an honest opinion." "Aren't you dancing anymore?" "I was outside watching you with my uncle." "It's fascinating to watch people who don't know you're there." "What did you see?" "You seemed sad." "You weren't close." "I ne ver see you close to." " Come to dinner." " L haven't been invited." "I'm inviting you." "I fear I need a more official invitation." "I'm addressing Jean Barnery." "It bothers me your being a minister." "Come on, Pauline!" "You're Philippe Pommerel's niece?" "You dance with e veryone?" "What do you mean by that?" "I saw you, you kept changing partners." "I enjoy dancing." "I must save you from these oafs." "Grant me the next dance." "I'm sorry, I feel tired." "No, not so soon." "So you know my uncle?" "I'm very fond of him." "He's not as strict as people think." "He wasn't such a puritan once." "He led a life..." "I mean, he lived well." "Yes, he lives a good life." "That's not what I meant." "Pardon me?" "Let's have a glass of champagne." "No, I've had too much..." "We'll find a quiet corner for you." "No, I'm not that tired..." "You can't refuse..." "Basket..." " Re verend..." " How are you?" "Very well, thank you." " L saw your son." " He's here with us now." "Have a seat, Jean Barnery." "I do my visits on foot." "I'm distracting you then." "Not at all." "Out on your own?" "I have to fetch Marcelle." "Those Protestant youth meetings bore me." "You can drop me at the Périgauds'." "All right." " L was thinking of you." " Of me?" "You could give a Sunday school class." "Don't count on me to be a teacher." " You've had religious instruction." " In Paris, yes." "But I've ne ver had a religious thought, e ven as a child." " Have you lost your faith?" " No, I ne ver had it." "I won't teach things I don't belie ve." "We don't stick to the letter." "Could you hold the reins, I feel hot." "If I taught children, I'd tell them specific things." "Down to earth things." "You must begin with lessons in real life to make them trust you." "Children know if the y're being misled." "How can you say we mislead them?" "Sorry, I've offended you." "You make me aggressive." "I'm giving you a false impression." "Don't ask me what I belie ve." "You're frank, that's good." "I can see Périgaud." "I can come back after I fetch Marcelle." "I'll cut through the woods." "I'll be back before you." "Jean Barnery..." "Let me tell you a secret." "What you hear about my father is false." "He left because he loved a woman." "That's not a crime." "It can be a very beautiful thing... very hard." "And very rare, I think." "Don't listen to their talk." "Remember, his daughter loved him and blames him for nothing." "Others can think what the y like." "I won't forget what you've told me." "Excuse me... I'll miss my train." "Marcelle's wedding's off." "Peter's family's disreputable." "His father's been in prison." "You don't know what you're saying!" "Marcelle..." "Hello, Uncle Philippe." "Did you eat well in Limoges?" "Take Mr Pommerel's bags to his room." "How is your father?" "A little unwell." "You'll see him tomorrow." "He's changed." "I thought he'd be here." "He's left Joncherolles for a quieter, more humble home." "Are you sure my visit..." "He'll be pleased, but we must warn him." "He hates surprises." "Don't mind us..." "Is your husband here?" "Paul's out at one of his farms." "The new tenants refuse to live next to other tenants." "Such a fuss!" "I haven't seen Robert since my wife's funeral." "He worries us." "His health isn't very good." "And the American market isn't what it used to be." "The y'll always buy Barnery porcelain." "We're worried about father's will." "He's chosen my brother Fré déric as his heir." "I like Fré déric but he can't run the factory." "Who then?" "There's no one else." "Father cut off Guy when he started to paint." "Now he's raising cows near Perpignan." "Why not?" "Besides, he doesn't know porcelain." "No, there's only one person who could save Barnery." "Jean." "He knows the factory, he's been to America for us..." "But he's an oddity." "Because he's a minister..." "Here's Louise." "Good day, sir." "That's a fine way to greet our relative." "How could I know?" "Forgive me." "She was only tiny..." "You look a mess." "He threw me into a hedge." "You push him too hard." "Can we delay dinner so we can..." "No." "Just a little." "No." "Come on." "How do people view Nathalie here?" "We remembered a charming girl but found a woman in mourning." "Since she was dismissed for bad behaviour, we didn't understand." " Does she go out?" " Ne ver." "She writes." "Endless letters of complaint that I ne ver read." "It's odd, this mechanical form of grief." " What does she write?" " She mentions you a lot." "You're a terrible man, a satanic figure..." "You destroyed her happiness by influencing Jean." "She has become a saint." "She's quite mad." "I'm not so sure." "She's not a flighty woman." "When she says, "l'm Jean Barnery's wife,"" "it's dreadful." "He must have hurt her." "Not at all." "You don't know." "Men can hurt us indirectly by showing up our weakness." "We resist as best we can." "I can hear the dogs." "That will be Paul." "He's a perfect husband." "But it was hard at first." "The Barnerys found him too... rustic." "Would you like to read one of her letters?" "Take it to Jean." " Is that a good idea?" " L think so." " Hello, Paul." " Hello, Philippe." "Look at this cup." "A jewel, isn't it?" "With this line of pale gold." "An e veryday object in which art has found its place." "Without Robert Barnery, it would be in a museum." "Instead, it provides a living for 2,000 workers." "I mean that e verything depends on one man." "He's old now, with no successor." "But he's leaving the tradition, the skills, the staff..." "That's no use in the wrong hands." "I'm a farmer by trade." "But I know what Fré déric lacks." "A big business is fragile." "Too bad, the Socialists say." "Americans drink from jewels and Mr Barnery tends his roses while the workers live in hovels." "Read it, you'll see for yourself." "If Americans stop drinking from jewels, the Limoges workers will be much poorer." "Yes." "It suits us to belie ve that." "Are the y causing trouble?" "The y have incessant demands, that's natural." "It's an endless struggle." "We're worlds apart." "If only Jean had stayed in Limoges..." "But he's a poet, a philosopher, a mystic..." "Your shot, uncle." "Sorry, I'm a poor player." "It's this immutable will in Fré déric's favour..." "Ludicrous." "Father must tear it up." "Hello, grandfather." "Mother wishes to call this afternoon with Mr Pommerel." "Tell her I'd be delighted." "This is pretty." "Is it new?" "Yes." "A Ch'ien-lung Chinese pot." "It's nothing much." "Look at this." "It's a souvenir..." "An ashtray worth next to nothing." "But the edging has given me a motif... an idea I'm very pleased with." "I'll use it on a service." "It will be your wedding present." "I was just passing by." "Was your trip worthwhile?" "Everyone asked about you." "I'm very fond of Julie." "Robert is a little tired." "He spoke only about his roses." "As for the bottling plant, it's no." "I'm not surprised." "He's old." "Others' problems..." "He'd have refused in his youth too." " L'll lend you the mone y." " No." "Why not?" "Transforming my firm may well lead to my ruin." "One can't easily trade in mediocrity." "I have to leave you." "Here..." "A letter Nathalie sent to Julie." "Read it." "You'll see you were right to do as you did." "All my suffering comes from silence." "Like a stifled moan... I know that... I know that Jean loves me." "He loves me e ven if we have been parted..." "Cé lestine!" "The ink!" "The ink, Cé lestine!" "I said to buy ink." " L'll go today." " "l'll go today"..." "Go now!" "You're such a lump, girl." "So indolent!" "You poor dear..." "You're living in a madhouse." "You're too young to understand yet." "Cé lestine!" "God, there's ne ver anyone in this house." "I'm waiting for your uncle." "I've been shopping in town." "That's a new dress." "Yes, it's linen." "Do you like it?" "It changes you." "You know, I've grown to like Barbazac." " L find it exotic." " Exotic?" "It's like a distant thing, yet close too." "It's like the past." "Oh, that's so confused..." "So you like Barbazac." "Yes." "Well, it's not an idyllic place but..." "The people all seem to lack something." "What?" "Perhaps words can't express it." "It's an attitude towards life." "You say nothing, Jean Barnery." " You're not listening to me." " Oh, I am." "Do you want some grapes?" "I know you like them." "Just one then." "The y look lovely." "Help yourself." " No, those..." " Just one." "The black ones are better." "Thank you, later..." "Good day, Jean." "Come and have some coffee." "Have it out in the arbour." "No, too many wasps..." "Would you close the door?" "I'm going to ask Nathalie back." "I know what you'll say." "But I have made up my mind." "I regret this decision." "You'll jeopardise your career." "Nathalie can't come back." "I can't receive my wife in my own home and remain a minister?" "Exactly." "The first scandal caused enough gossip." "It's forgotten now." "Having her back implies that you were at fault." "The gossip will start up again." "It's impossible." "You'll meet the same problems elsewhere." "I'm afraid I can't... be a minister with such remorse." "What remorse?" "I don't understand any of this!" "It's unbelie vable!" "You'll upset e veryone." "We're 200 Protestants with 5,000 Catholics watching us." "I have my responsibilities." "There's a strong bond." "Has she asked to come back?" "You act as if it depended on you." "Is she a likely wife?" "She may well be mad!" "Yes, it depends on the man." "It's hypocrisy to say otherwise." "All men have unlikely wives." "You shouldn't have brought that letter." "What is it, Pauline?" "Always in and out... I just want my journal." "I was... reading an article." "There it is." "This one." "Help me." "I'd come here forty years ago to see my future wife." "Robert Barnery lived upstairs." "Did you receive my letter?" "Well then..." "Jean would like..." "He asks you to return to Barbazac." "I'm Jean Barnery's wife." "I'll do what he wants." "I left when he asked." "If he wants me to return, I shall." "He's ready to forgive you." "Forgive me..." "Forgive me for what?" "I didn't mean that... I'll bring Cé lestine." "Cé lestine?" "She looks after Aline." "I'm too weary to raise a child." "Discuss it with Jean." "He already has Mé lanie." "No need, I know what I'm doing." "What do I tell Uncle?" "Nothing." "L've left him a letter." " Will he understand?" " No." "But I don't really care." "I'll write to you, Marcelle." "Pauline!" "Will you be back for Christmas?" " Madame is here." " Yes, I know." "Sorry, I had a class." "Have you been here long?" "Won't you take your hat off?" "The journe y has tired you." "Do you want to keep your hat on or go up to your room?" "Which room?" "On the garden side, it's nicer." "What about Cé lestine?" "You can share Aline's room." "Settle in." "L'll tell Mé lanie..." "When does she leave?" "This e vening." "Come along." "Come and see the tortoise." "A glass of water e very morning." "Very good." " Good morning, sir." " Good morning, Cé lestine." "This is good but the toast is too much." "Cé lestine..." " Good-bye, Mrs Barnery." " Good-bye, Mr Gallet." "Mrs Barnery..." "Very good..." "Try this bit again." "That's good." "She's doing well." "Yes, she's managing." "Good, very good." "No, not like that." "Try to..." "Very good..." "Se ven thirty, time for bed." "A kiss." "Good night, dear." "Good night, Aline." "I'd like to send her to school." "The teacher is a good, calm woman." "I can teach her to read." "Children ought to be brought up together." "If that's what you prefer..." "Dinner is served, madam." "What's wrong, Nathalie?" "Speak to me." "I thought you'd be glad to come back." "Why are you unhappy?" "Won't you reply?" "I see no need to." "You're wrong." "One should mistrust silence..." "You must speak." "Tell me, I'll try to understand." "I need your help to make you happy." "I saw Nathalie dressed like a widow." "She was majestically off on a visit somewhere." "She had an odd hat with a bushy aigrette..." "You were right, I've made a mistake." "Resign yourself to seeing her unhappy." "Her obstinate vanity will ne ver change." "Suffer it patiently." "I have no more patience." "She's punishing me with her clear conscience." "She feels she's reason and justice incarnate." "I know, I just told you that." "It's amusing." "Is it amusing how she raises my daughter?" "Aline's cheerful and lively." "You have to adapt." "Her view of the bonds of matrimony infuriates me." "It's an idea I cherished." "She makes a mockery of it." "You're exaggerating." "Make an effort..." "Show some indulgence, some ordinary common sense... I can't find this letter from Helsinki..." "Things will e ven out." "No!" "In a marriage, the same one always gives in." "You guess the other's whims to keep the peace." "I can't e ven talk to my daughter." "I've abdicated." "Here it is... I was wrong to fear Nathalie's return." "Now I'm asking you to stay." "Here, with her." "How's your new cellar master?" "Wonderful!" "I'm launching a line of 1840 cognac, in bottles." "For connoisseurs." "No fancy bottles with a fake layer of dust for me." "I'm using the classic cognac bottle." "Elegant, with a slender neck and clear glass." "The tawny colour of the brandy isn't spoilt by the glass." "The Re volution's paper mone y inspired me for the label." "Black edging on cream laid paper." "Try it." "You offered to loan me capital." "I need 300,000 francs." "I could go elsewhere but this is simpler." "I shan't be able to repay for some years but I'll pay interest." "No, no interest." "Pay me back when you like." "I'll write to Limoges directly." "Has Pauline written?" "No." "She's in Paris." "She ne ver said why she left?" "I don't know what upset her." "She always wanted to work, to live alone..." "She ne ver told me." "She has no notion of family life." "My brother was mad." "She told me she loved him and was loved in return." ""For He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire."" "Hymn number 102." "We shall now sing the first verse." "Forgive my bothering you on a Sunday." "Have a seat." "I wish to make a deed of gift to my wife." "You know Barnery Porcelain in Limoges." "My uncle runs it." "My father left me half the capital." "I wish to transfer it to my wife." "A will would suffice." "No, I want it made over to her now." "I have a reason for this." "An important moral reason." "I need to confide in you." "My uncle Pommerel must not learn of it." "I intend to get divorced." "You have grounds, of course... I want a divorce." "It can't be avoided." "I shall also resign as minister." "The y were two youthful ambitions that have thwarted each other... and finally failed." "Does Mrs Barnery consent?" "I don't know." "I'll write to her." "Women can be very obstinate..." "She's an upstanding woman." "She'll accept." "I'm sure of it." "And the child?" "I'll leave her both the child and my fortune." "Let me give you a word of advice." "You're young, you know nothing of your future needs." "I beg you, do not give her e verything." "Mr Fayet, I am determined to get divorced." "I shall be gone within two days." "This act is very painful." "It overwhelms me." "My only relief from this anguish lies in a total material gift." "I also want part of the mone y to re vert to my daughter." "I want her to know later that I thought of her today." "You see... I need all the relief I can be granted." "Brochard and Company..." "Mr Brochard is busy for now." "Where in Montreuil?" "I'll call you back later." "Who promised Lieutard his order for the 25th?" "I did, sir." "Who asked you to take decisions?" "Why did I hire a society lady who talks nothing but rubbish!" "I'm sorry, we'll have the materials on the 8th." "All the same, we'll ne ver be ready... I had these fabrics sent up from Lyons." "It's lovely silk." "Just feel it." "Put these two tones together." "The y match." "It's magnificent." "Nathalie will like this area." "She always wanted to live in Paris." "You've spent a fortune." "My sister's always liked luxury." "If she wants to see it..." "She'll go along with your decision." "Forgive my asking..." "Will you ne ver see your daughter again?" "Her mother doesn't want me to." "Are you all right?" "A lady to see you." " A lady?" " Miss Pauline Pommerel." "Wait, clear the chair and move it up to the bed." "You've come so quickly." "Thank you." "Sit down." "You see, I've been very ill." "Who looks after you, Jean?" "A nurse from time to time." "I was in a clinic." "I don't know what the y did." "Sit down." "I had a lump like a nut under my skin." "The y said it was tuberculosis but I'm not sure." "I think above all I wanted to die." "You should have sent for me." "I knew I'd write one day." "Why did you leave Barbazac?" "Your advice would have helped me." "You ne ver asked for it." "We need e verybody..." "or somebody... I had to make a living." "You offended them." "Respectability counts a great deal there." "A limited point of view." "I know why you left." "It's very warm in here." "Come here, listen to me." "I went through a terrible conflict." "I'll tell you one day." "It was all the crueller because of you." "Is it too sharp?" " Do you eat well?" " L don't know." "Illness tends to cut one off." "So does loneliness." "It unhinges your mind but you stay lucid." "I'm not twenty anymore." "It's madness to draw someone into your destiny or to enter theirs." "The y mingle in spite of us." "Yes." "You must get better." "Start by leaving this seedy hotel." "I'm very poor." "I don't have the Barnery dividends." "What do you live on?" "I lent Pommerel some mone y." "I didn't want interest but now..." "You're as poor as any rich person with less mone y." "You should go to the mountains." "To Switzerland, say." "Will you listen to me?" "Will you do what I say?" "If it's an order." "You're not a little girl now." "I feel old." "Give me your hand, Pauline." "May I hold it for a minute?" "I was tempted to do it before." "But I'm free now." "Truly free?" "Absolutely." "I know about your life." "I'd like you to start it afresh." "I must leave now, you'll get fe verish." "Will you come back?" "On Sunday." "Are you in mourning?" "Yes, I lost my mother, two months ago." "I would have come sooner." "But your letters... I didn't want to worry you." "I chose to keep it to myself." "No, don't turn round." "Not yet." "Now." "Look at the lake." "That's Brienz over there." " Where's the Eiger?" " You can't see it from this room." "We're high up." "Uncle Pommerel has written back." " What does he say?" " Read it." "He isn't very lyrical about our wedding." "There's no warmth in his letter." "How could he understand?" "Does it shock you?" "I wished him dead for a second." "Only for a second." "Know who that is?" "Grisar..." "The minister." "My respects to Mrs Barnery." "I've brought fruit and cheese." "Thank you." "Rose..." "We can eat now." "Here's the fruit and cheese." "The bread's on the table." "I've had a letter from Marcelle." "It's dreadful, she's marrying that archivist." "Does she say it's dreadful?" "No, but I know it is." "She'll have that man's affection." "You're e ven now." "Even?" "She disapproves of your marriage too." "I'll take that, Rose." "You don't realise." "The break with Peter Deed was horrible." "I saw how her heart was crushed." "She feared a hard life." "Other people's lives distress us." "It's good to be forced." "I wouldn't have chosen Switzerland for us." "I would have." "It's conventional but I like it." "There's grandeur in this tranquillity." "I'd have preferred Brazil." "Why Brazil?" "You can live under an assumed name." "But you have nothing to hide." "Women are lucky." "The y marry and change names." "Has anyone criticised you here?" "Re verend Grisar bothers me." "He knows about me." "When he sends his respects, he uses an odd tone." "What tone?" "Why shouldn't he send me his respects?" "People hate to see a divorced man happy with another woman." "He's a harmful example." "Grisar makes me feel ashamed." "I'll write back to Marcelle." "I hope I haven't hurt you." "I have no regrets." "I can't get used to being happy." "Beware of over-subtle ideas." "Should we stop thinking then?" "Almost." "With you, no idea scares me." "Nothing scares me." "Not e ven saying what I think." "Stop, Jean!" "Can I have an apple?" "No..." "You'll regret it later." "Come on." "No, you go." "L'll wait here." "I'll stroll beneath the trees." "We won't go down to the lake again, it tires you." "Lunch is ready." "Is it good?" "Isn't there any wine?" "No, I'll fetch some from the village." "Here... I wonder, does one know why one is in love, precisely?" "Not precisely." "I thought so: one doesn't know." "A man has to love his wife." "No, of course not!" "Don't get upset." "You love her because you chose her but you don't check e very minute." "What do you mean?" "I don't know." "Your words seem directed at me." "Is it wrong to be demanding?" "I too find this unreal at times:" "living happily in a chalet on a mountain, expecting nothing..." "Nothing?" "Well, being content without mone y..." "Not exactly without mone y." "The Barnery annuity is a privilege." "It troubles me." "We owe a lot to other people's toil." "I remember the terrible poverty in Limoges." " Everything is unfair." " Yes." "It doesn't bother me that others work and suffer." "I've been through that and may know it again any day." "We could have separate rooms to be ourselves for a few hours." "A shelter." "Separate rooms are an awful idea unless people are in love." "I was just wondering." "I know we can't part e ven for one night." "Why?" "I don't know..." "Because I wouldn't be able to sleep." "You couldn't sleep... I'll fetch the eggs the farmer promised us." "You can't go out in this mist." "I'll follow the path." "Don't worry, your wife is here." "Come in." "I lost my way." "It's the end of an era..." "We hadn't seen each other for years." "He had grown very reclusive." "It's a great loss." "Robert Barnery transformed the porcelain industry..." "Fortunately, there's still your brother Fré déric." "I'm not worried." "You must re vive the firm." "There's a lot to do." "I'll tell you about our plans." "Good job we can count on Howard." "He'll be in Europe this month." "Go and speak to Fré déric." "He barely greeted me." "You know what he's like." "Please, it's father's funeral." "Your designs for the Vendôme service are your best yet." "Mr Bavouzet, thank you for your letter." "I was touched." "I know you're right about the factory's future..." "We must talk again." "Well..." "Did you go to father's?" "Yes." "L sorted out his papers." "Paul was with me." "Anything interesting?" "His Paris solicitor has the interesting ones." "He left his cook 10,000 francs." "That's good." "You think so?" "Are you happy with business on your farm?" "I can't complain." "Fré déric seems to know what he wants." "Because he keeps silent." "He's just a good accountant." "If he inherits, Barnery's ruined." "He's been with the firm for 30 years." "That doesn't help." "Your father must have had his reasons." "Come away, there's a draught." "I'm sorry I missed the funeral." "Were many people there?" " Was Jean there?" " Yes, you'll see him." "It wasn't like grandmother's funeral, with all the workers behind the flower-decked hearse, a respectful crowd..." "No workers today." "The mood has changed in ten years." "You're no longer loved?" "Are you all right, dear?" "Excuse me." "Marthe, quickly!" "Lt's Mr Jean..." "How are you?" "I'm glad you came." "Let's have dinner tonight." "Don't tell anyone." "I was looking at grandfather's trees." "The y're so tall now." "I'm happy to see you here." " Hello, Paul." " Hello, Jean." "He used to put on shows, act in plays..." "With young Lili and the twins." " What's become of Lili?" " Her son's a captain." "I ne ver saw you as an actor, more a writer." "And you were neither." "Not e ven a porcelain manufacturer." "If you wanted..." "But have you e ver known what you wanted?" "You were coughing." "You have to rest." "I'll check on the wine." "You saw Nathalie in Paris?" "She hasn't changed." "Obsession petrifies her." "She's a pillar of fidelity." "A fine pillar." "And Aline?" "Her mother's giving her a poor opinion of men." "But I don't belie ve she listens." "Don't spare my feelings." "Your daughter isn't well surrounded... but that's not very important." "The environment may count or not..." "Is she still as fair?" "Yes, she's still as fair." "Paul's right, I must rest." "Remember, your place is here..." "Even if I'll be gone one day." " Hello, Jean." " Hello, Fré déric." "I'm glad you're here." "Meet my son, Théodore..." " Hello, sir." " Hello, Théodore." "He's your son's age, isn't he?" "He was born in 1904." "Max was born in 1905." "Bring him one day." "Uncle, I didn't know you were in Limoges." "I came back from London." "Isn't Pauline with you?" "No, she didn't want to leave our son alone." " Is he well?" " Yes." "He's a real little Swiss peasant." "He e ven has the accent." "And Pauline?" "She sends her regards." "Did your London trip go well?" "Business is very quiet." "Was the 1840 cognac a success?" "Very quiet..." "Here..." "Father Christmas is coming tonight." "He'll bring your presents." "All the presents on the tree..." "Go to sleep now." "What is he having?" "A train, some sweets, a ball, some crayons..." "You've had a letter from Julie." "A Christmas card." " Are their worries over?" " The y're starting." "How do you mean?" "Everything." "The y've shared out the inheritance but the y still need a manager." "Fré déric's the manager..." "He is nominally, for now." "He has stupidly fired Howard, the New York agent." "You're not interested." "I am." "Listen!" "The bells... I've drawn up this inventory for you." "It will show you exactly where we stand." "You can read it later." "Our position is fragile... with the Germans invading the American market." "You'll see..." "That's why, as I said in my letter, I wish to buy back your shares." "I think the price is a very advantageous one." "I'll let you judge." "I belie ve it's your best option." "It's common sense." "Do have one..." "No, thank you." "Perhaps you feel you can't because of Jean." "You'd be wrong, I belie ve." "I mean, you're entirely free to make up your own mind." "That's my daughter." "Pleasant journe y?" "Give me that." "We've booked you a hotel room." "I saw Nathalie." "She agrees." "She knows I won't take back her shares?" "That she'll retain the dividends?" "She'll do what you say." "She's a curious woman." "I'm not likely to forget that errand." "The apartment is all right, isn't it?" "One feels uneasy there but..." " Aline wasn't up when I called." " Was she ill?" "No, she was sleeping." "I could do nothing for Aline." "I chose to leave her to her mother." "You understand?" "You had your reasons." "What if I were dead?" "Orphaned children can be raised well." "For her, I wanted to be dead." "You think that's awful." "Was Julie with you?" "No, you know she's ill." "It's up to you now." "You can't refuse to be our manager." "I haven't decided yet." "We can't delay." "Rose, can you pass me the other curtain?" "Max, it's time for bed now." "Put him to bed, then you can go." "I'll come to tuck you in." "Good-bye, Rose." "I was worried." "You didn't invite Guy in?" "We were at a solicitor's in Brienz." "Come with me." "What's wrong?" "You've noticed how tense I've been..." "The family has asked me to manage the firm." "We can't live off Pommerel's interest." "You can find work in Switzerland." "I can't do just any job." "We're not going to live in Limoges... with that factory, those appalling problems..." "No!" " Let me explain..." " It's impossible!" "I've been happy not working all these years." "But this is a direct appeal to my skills... to family responsibility..." "to a deep instinct..." "Thousands of jobs are at stake." "The firm won't die!" "It might." "A large firm is fragile..." "How do you know about that?" "I have a plan." "What plan?" "It's nothing new." "I'm using Bavouzet's ideas." "He can't impose them but I can." "The y won't like it but I'll save Barnery." "You sound as if your mind's made up, Jean." " It's impossible." "Have you thought?" " Yes." "But why not accept happiness?" "Why do we have to join the fray like e veryone else?" "Lt sickens me." "It means our love is over." "Not at all..." "It can't live just anywhere." "How can you impose a plan without shares?" "Nathalie's giving me hers." "You've seen her?" "Guy saw her." "She's assigning me her shares." "So all this is to pay her dividends..." "No!" "And what of it?" "Should she and Aline be paupers?" "No, Pauline, not you..." "Don't you understand?" "I understand perfectly." "I agreed on a sort of impulse... I hoped you'd help me understand." "Don't cry." "We'll do whate ver you want." "Leave me, Jean." "For pity's sake, leave me alone." "I understand your regrets." "If you only understand, my bond here isn't that strong." "I won't force you." "I can still back out." "We'd leave so much here." "I'm aware of that." "I'll get dinner ready." "I fear that you may be wrong again... that you'll regret it later." "I know what awaits me." "I know the e veryday work of the factory." "First, we have to remove Fré déric, with court cases, lawyers..." "Then recover lost time, build a new factory to bring down costs." "We'll refuse the workers' pay rise." "There will be an outcry, strikes... I'll be the most hated man in Limoges." "All to succeed or fail, which amounts to the same." "Fré déric, I'll be frank with you." "The family is dissatisfied with you." "You must accept that fact." "The y want you to step down and have asked me to take over." "I have accepted." "I hold Nathalie's shares." "Paul is ready to pay a good price for yours, five times what you offered Nathalie." "You won't wish to be involved in a company run by me." "I suggest you accept Paul's offer." "He may change his mind." "Jean, you've been away for a long time." "This is typical:" "one gets bored in exile, one invents a mission." "There you are, Fré déric, old man." "Think it over." "I hope it will all work out." "Don't disturb me again today." "Follow me, please." "Howard has sold our porcelain to the American railways." "It will be hard but I want to respect the deadline." "I'll see for the whiteware." "Stay late this e vening to do it." "Of course." "The y want a specific design too." "I think I know what the y mean." "Come with me, I'll show you." "Now then..." "Give me that one." "This service was made in 1875 for the Queen of Portugal." "One of our finest." "Similar to this but e ven more sober." "With this tone." "Can it be done?" "I think so." "L'll ask Dubreuil." "He'll probably remember." "I especially want this gre yish green..." "Mr Vouzelles wishes to see you." "I'll see him at 11: 15." "Use a gold band like this." "Forget the one we're using now." "Your cousin designed it to save mone y." "The customers don't like it." "I left you time to settle in." "When did you return to Limoges?" "I live between Paris and here." "The new mayor sent for me." "You still write for Socialist journals?" "Yes, of course." "After you." "We haven't met in 20 years but if I remember rightly, the worker won't be forgotten in this factory now." "This plate is made in Germany." "It's much cheaper." "This is serious." "We risk losing the American market." "I have to build a new factory with new methods and machines." "The workers come later." "It's always "later"." "Have their lives improved in 30 years?" "Not a great deal." "I'm having housing built for them." "But if we shut down, what will the y do?" "I'd ne ver have called on old Barnery." "But you reason like he did." "Nothing can change in this office." "With a civil servant in my shoes, it would be the same." "I must keep the factory going." "Does the factory's prosperity matter if the workers barely scrape by?" "I'm sure you deserve your salary, but between Barnery's progress and the conditions the y live in, there's such a gulf." "A disastrous contradiction." "I'm afraid for you and for them." "Think of the riots here in 1905." "Everyone remembers your uncle's contempt." "He wouldn't give an inch." "People died on the streets." "I won't negotiate until the new factory is finished." "Look." "You know the site..." "The production workshops here, the kilns here..." "Each kiln can bake 20,000 pieces at once." "The decoration workshops, the whiteware stores..." "Gently, Max." "How did school go?" "Fine." " We'll have lunch now." " Very good." "Stop drinking, you'll ruin your appetite." "Why not let him serve us?" "I prefer it this way." "Give me Max's plate." "A well-cooked piece or he won't eat it." "The first slice... I have to go to America." "I need to see Howard and sort out the customs problems." "We may open a Toronto office too." "Will you be away long?" "Two and a half months, with the crossing." "Sit up straight!" "You were too sharp with him." "Usually, you spoil him." "He takes advantage." "What are you doing?" "I'm watching him go." "I think the rose bush may be dead." "That first frost was too hard." "No, I don't think so." "We'll see in the spring." "It's stopped raining." "L'll go now." "This is my husband's library." "His papers..." "Here, we mustn't touch a thing." "I knew you were in Limoges." "I haven't seen you at church." "I don't go often." "You haven't changed." "We must show the Catholics we're here." "Show what?" "What we're not?" "We are what we want to be." "I wanted to come sooner." "I understand." "You had to settle in..." "No, it's not that." "I wanted to find you again." "You wrote to me in Switzerland." " That was so long ago." " But I haven't forgotten." "Neither have you." "It hurt me." "We judge those we love." "You understood!" "Only you could." "No, I didn't understand." "I didn't understand what you did." "Didn't you need my friendship?" "One last point..." "The penalties inflicted on us by the US Customs following the campaign by the American Potters' Association..." "Our ambassador, Mr Jusserand, has seen the Attorne y General in New York and I know from a reliable source that he received a warm welcome." "There." "Thank you for coming, gentlemen." "I wasn't here when your wife passed away." "You received my letter?" "Yes, thank you." "Does the political climate worry you, sir?" "How could one not worry?" "Everyone talks of war." " It's only a bluff." " That's true... I was struck by the words that His Holiness, Pope Pius X, recently said to his cardinals:" ""France will be punished," ""but she will rise again."" "That one there?" "Yes." "Lovely..." "I can see lots there." "If you put the ladder here, I can pick them all." "Is it steady?" "Go ahead." "Can you hold the basket?" "That way I can..." "Are you so pleased to see me?" "You're home so early." "I was at the prefecture, it was sunny... I didn't want to go to work." "What was it like?" "We talked about war." "You won't go to fight... I'm a sergeant." "An old one but a sergeant all the same." "It's not possible." "In Switzerland, you used to jot down phrases." "Some of them were beautiful." "You don't write now, you don't read..." " No time." " It's a shame." "Are you afraid I'll lose my soul?" "It wasn't in those phrases." "So can you put your soul in porcelain?" "A little of it, yes." "Men put bits of their soul into many things." "And women?" "I pity women." "The y want love to provide." "But love isn't life itself..." "A woman who has loved, in joy and sorrow, finds the world empty." "She'll know nothing else." "It's war." "Wait for me." "THE IVORY SERVICE" "Please..." "Try to keep calm." "There... I want to know!" " Are you there?" " L'm here..." "It hurts." "Don't leave me." "I'm here." "Take deep breaths now..." "Any news of your husband?" "Not for a long time." "There's an offensive on." "We've gained ground." "Today's report is interesting." "I'm Fayet, the solicitor in Barbazac." "I knew your husband well." "How is my son?" "Can the y save his e ye?" "I don't think so." "Doctor..." "What's the matter?" "This just came for you." "It's typewritten..." "You open it." "He's well..." "He's writing from an office." "He's leaving the Front." "He's going to be an intelligence officer... with an American division." "Did you have a good journe y?" "Long?" "The train stopped e verywhere." "You know Pierre Vouzelles." "Here I go..." "It'll soon be over now." "Is Max well?" "I've brought a photo." "You've put on weight." "It's padding, a thick vest." "Wait a second while I see the colonel." "What a handsome omelette!" " Fresh eggs." " Thank you, Madame Julien." "You haven't written much." "Were you on the front line?" "Losses are heavy." "The regiment's disbanded." "Have you moved forward?" "Yes..." "I don't know." "We've changed places." "I don't read the papers like you do." "Remember Paul Giri, Edouard's son?" "His wife works with me." "He's dead." "You're leaving?" "I'll be back at four." "Here's the ke y." "Take a walk along the river." "Come and see." "Why are all these frames ready when this side is running behind?" "Yes, I know but you must work something out." "Don't forget your meeting." "Yes, all right." "Sautard, I read your report on oil-fired kilns." "We'll demolish these." "You have a free hand." "Those kilns are hard to control." " A mere detail." " We ought to wait." "There are new electric kilns." "Let's not be too hasty." "Oil kilns will reduce the workforce." "We must catch up with our competitors." "Do it before I go to America for three months." "Hello, Solange." "It's an honour to see you." "Did you have a nice walk?" "She's avoiding us." "You'll see, we're not that boring." "I'm absolutely parched." "What have you been doing?" "Nothing." "It's been a lovely day." "Louise is expecting a visit." "Patience!" "Have you heard from your husband?" "Well, have you?" "I won't wait for his letters, to see if the y're loving enough." "He came back altered from the war." "And left again quickly." "Mr René Fayet is waiting outside." "Do you know René Fayet?" "I looked after him during the war." "I hardly see him here." "He's in the woods all day." "Not all day..." "How can a one-e yed boy aim a rifle?" "No hunting today?" "No, nothing." "Just tennis with Louise later." " May I walk with you?" " Of course." "I remember you in Barbazac, madame." "Madame..." "You were a child." "There's no difference between us now." "Oh, there is..." "Have you left Barbazac?" "I live in Paris." "Louise invites me here in summer." "Will you succeed your father?" "No, I'm at business school." " What do you want to sell?" " Porcelain." "Really?" "Whose porcelain?" "Yours." "I've visited your Limoges factory." "There are some horrible items..." "But the best ones deserve to be better known." "I'd like to open an outlet." "I'll speak to my husband when he gets back." "The y're from Saintonge." "Good, aren't the y?" "I was thinking..." "Girls of today must scandalise you." "Why?" "You were raised differently in Barbazac." "In such a limited way." "But love may be impossible without that." "You were raised for love?" "It was forbidden, which means the same." "I feel that love..." "must be imagined first." "Like a religion settling in a young heart." "Amorous women are rare." "The times don't change that." " Where are you going now?" " To Joncherolles." " L'll cut through the woods." " The woods?" " Do you know the paths?" " No." "You'll lose your way." " L'll soon see." " Be reasonable..." "Show me a path then." "Oh, no, I forgot, you have to play tennis with Louise." "Aren't you tired?" "No." "Are you?" " No." " Are you in a hurry?" "No..." "The y're expecting me." "No, the y aren't..." "You went out for the day." "It's lucky that I saved you." "I was going to a talk but I think I'll stay in." "It doesn't matter." "I can't take it." "I'm having palpitations, I panic..." " It must be my heart." " Of course not." "Is it about Jean?" "Not at all." "You had me worried..." "It's about Aline." "Why?" "She isn't ill." "You should keep a closer e ye on her." "I don't know what you mean." "I set a good example." "She goes out a lot." "People see her e verywhere, at night." "What people?" "My children saw her at Montparnasse." "Your children..." "The y work, you know, the y have a right to a little fun." "I can't force her to stay at home... subjecting her to my suffering." "Why does it always have to be you?" " Are you responsible?" " Responsible?" "Is it my fault she had no family?" "She's young, I can't lock her away." "She used to come to dinner." "I know she's a good child." "You don't know her." "I can't do a thing with her!" "She's a heartless, lying idler who just wants to have fun." "If her home was more pleasant..." "Pleasant..." "You have no idea, you poor thing." "I'd better go." "I have to get my granddaughters' tea for them." "You do that too?" "Yes, I don't have a maid." "I could have raised a daughter normally, helped by a father, like any woman with a decent husband..." "Jean!" "I had such an idea of him... I'm still here." "Let's go to the bar." "I'll call you when your table's ready." "Two glasses of champagne." " Aline Barnery?" " In person." "Recognise me?" "I recognise you..." "You're Dominique Chambon." "We were at the Protestant school together." "This way, please." "Let's meet." "Come for tea on Tuesday." "6, Rond-Point de Longchamp." "Good e vening, mother." "Where were you?" "Still up?" "I spend my life tidying this place." "I want you home earlier." "I'll come home when I like!" " Was it fun at least?" " No." "What have I done wrong?" "Tell me!" "Nothing!" "Listen to me." "I understand." "L'm like you." "It's not because your father abandoned us that..." "Don't think all men are like him." "I wondered whom I'd find here." "The schoolgirl or the Montparnasse woman." "I don't know." "Neither one nor the other." " You haven't changed." " Yes, I have, completely." "Things used to be so different." "We all used to laugh so much." "You remember?" "Do I remember?" "It was my last easy year." "I had friends." "Yes." "I didn't like them." "Why?" "I was all alone." "No one bothered about me." "But I enjoyed admiring you." "And now we meet again." "Would you like a cigarette?" "The y're my only luxury." "My father died that last year at school." "I didn't know." "My brother was killed in the war." "I ended up alone." "And now?" "Too much is missing in my life." "I can't complain." "L love my work." "In that case, no..." "You can't complain." "You first mentioned this factory ten years ago." "It's taken you a while." "The war came along..." "and then I hesitated." "You hesitated?" "Either my mind wasn't on work or I'd rush into things." "You have to keep track of new inventions all the time." " This factory's costly." " Very costly." "And you're still using the old one." "When the y're not on strike." "You should give them the raise the y want." "I have, twice." "The y earn less than before the war." "I can't give in, I need to build up whiteware stocks." "Stocks?" "What for?" "At a time like this?" "A German worker makes 1,800 cups a day." "Now the Japanese with their ridiculous wages..." "And you think the union is wrong to resist this absurd contest?" "The union can't rule the world." "What is it you want?" "Local workers making 1,800 cups a day?" "Why not 3,000?" "Do you remember that castle in the war that had... only its cellars left?" "It stank of rats." "Pontet told me that e ven the cellars went in the end." "Pontet?" "That's impossible." "He died at Soupir." "Oh, yes..." "It must have been Latie." "He's the only one left apart from us." "Yes, it was Latie." "Have you seen him?" "The y weren't supposed to be picketing!" "Surprised?" "Why don't the y open the gates?" "Drive!" "I wanted you to see this." "Our brand-new celadon service." "The Song Chinese made it but ne ver used a mass-coloured paste." "That's what gives it... this full moon glow." "It isn't drab, is it?" "It's very beautiful." "Because it's made in complex conditions." "Just a few degrees more can kill the hue." "Do people still care these days?" "I'm determined to think the y do." "It took a year and a half to perfect." "In any case, the y've ne ver made finer porcelain here." "This must end." "The y'll ne ver give in." "I'll negotiate." "I can see the union secretary." "You can't build a factory and stock and raise pay." "No, we need stock." "The coming crisis could last two years." "Give up the new factory." "You know I can't!" "We need it." "Look..." "What do you think?" "Is this Max's book?" " Has he gone out?" " Yes." "With his friend Audousset." "I'm not too keen on that boy." "He can choose his own friends." "It's pretty, isn't it?" "Where have you been?" "I was out visiting." "You were interested in porcelain once." "Once?" "You'd ask questions." "You didn't understand but noted my answers anyway." " You learnt them by heart." " L did?" "I thought it was for a friend." "I have no friends." "You had friends at Joncherolles." "It's only natural." "Children." "Children and young people." "Listen, Jean." "You were hardly around." "I felt that you couldn't see me." "You were so inattentive." "Because of the war perhaps, from being with men... I don't remember the man I was then..." "It's odd having been a man you don't remember." "It happens once or twice in a lifetime." "You're right, I was inattentive." "I had become inhuman." "You had abandoned me, Jean." "You were cold..." "Unrecognisable..." "And you were on holiday." "I'd like a holiday with you." "I'd like to travel, I'd like to leave Limoges." "With the factory..." "It's always the factory!" "Always!" "Everyone is furious." "Guy won't see me." "I dare not e ven visit Louise." "Do you know what the y say?" "That you're lowering dividends to fund your crazy schemes!" "I went to see that striker's wife." "I felt such terrible hatred." "Know how the y live?" "And what's it all for?" "Is it really that heroic?" "I don't know what you're doing anymore." "It's true, I feel worn out." "Let's go away then." "You're not made for this." "True industrialists feel nothing." "I'll ne ver leave the factory." "Even old?" "Ne ver." "That's a pity." "Old people must have so much to tell each other." "Or perhaps it's too late." "We walked here four years ago." "You told me," ""l hate taking walks" and we went back." "You were in love with a young man." "I accepted it." "Your happiness was what counted." "What happiness without you?" "I felt no sorrow." "You were drawn to youth, it seemed innocent to me." "The man you love is too close to you." "He smothers you, he tires you." "Could I e ver love another man?" "No, it wasn't him you loved." "It was your own youth, your independence." "Nothing happened with René." "Almost nothing." ""Almost nothing"." "Yes, I thought so." "What is it?" "I'm looking at you." "You're right, we'll almost be old soon." "Even you have wrinkles around your e yes." "I have to look closely to spot them." "The y don't seem to be part of you." "We don't often have days like this." "This way, Mr Pommerel." "Thank you, Emmanuel." "You promised not to be late." "Re verend Sabatier's here." "Who?" "Re verend Sabatier, from Paris..." "My dear fellow..." "Re verend..." " L'm sorry I'm late." " L understand." "The y have cups like these at Joncherolles." "Remember, Fé lix?" "It's the latest Barnery service, celadon." "Look, Mr Sabatier, see how fine it is..." "The sea-water hue... I must admit Jean Barnery has taste." "In our different fields, we both strive to maintain quality at all costs." "I'm very fond of Mrs Jean Barnery." "I see her in Limoges." "I know Mrs Jean Barnery but..." "not the woman you're referring to." "The y say the daughter leads a dissipated life." "That's all in the past now." "I often see Aline." "Please excuse me, I must be going." "Why did you say that?" "You know he knows Nathalie." "I didn't start." "Besides, I like Pauline." "Men ne ver notice anything." "We shocked him." "I don't want the unpleasant business mentioned again." "My dear, if Jean Barnery left Nathalie, he had his reasons." "Yes." "Apparently, she was unbearable." "Before Barnery, in our world, were there unbearable people?" "Did the y divorce?" "You can't fake a romantic comedy all your life." "Other people's happiness is my re venge." "What happiness?" "You must side with your husband or your wife for good." "Do you think life with Arthur has always been easy?" "It's not right to keep changing one's mind, causing trouble all around..." "Jean Barnery takes a wife, sends her away, takes her back..." "He acts the pauper, gives her his mone y..." "Now he's an industrialist and still sure of his moral superiority." "He's a show-off, like all the Barnerys." "Pass..." " One diamond." " Pass." " One heart." " One no trumps." "Pass." "I heard enough as a girl about Robert Barnery, his genius and taste..." "Any rich man can buy tanagras." "But not necessarily choose them well." "Limoges porcelain may not be that beautiful." "Some say it's hideous." "Limoges, November 4, 1929..." "Dear Vouzelles, thank you for your letter and your loyalty." "I had seen this world crisis coming, but now its here, I don't recognise the danger I feared." "The American market has collapsed." "I shut the new factory before it was used and withdrew to the old one." "I've had to lay off more workers." "You know I did it reluctantly." "I'm here about Aline." "Sit down." "She's taking her vows?" "Yes, she's going to be a deaconess." "But..." "Did she decide of her own free will?" "Yes, entirely." "She wasn't forced?" "There's been no intervention?" "Or sorrow?" "She's known great sorrow." "She had a friend called Dominique." "The y saw each other e very day." "And then the young woman died last year." "A painful death." "Aline was with her to the end." "Then she decided to work for God and the sick." "There's no other reason?" "You're sure?" "How can I put it..." "Something to do with me?" "She doesn't bear a grudge against you." "I want to see her." "Leave her in peace." "It's for the best." "Is business improving in Limoges?" "No, not at all." "I use three kilns out of twenty." "But I hope to go on giving Nathalie the same amount." "I came to Paris to close down our outlet here." "I'm cutting back." "And I'll bide my time." "Aline Barnery..." "Do you feel yourself imbued with such gratitude to your God that you wish to join the deaconesses and de vote to Him your body and your mind that belong to Him?" "Yes, by the grace of God." "Aline Barnery, do you feel ready to accept the title of deaconess and the obligations that it entails, to serve God and the poor according to the rules of the order, under the Council's instructions where ver and howe ver" "it sees fit to employ you?" "Yes, by the grace of God." "Merciful Father, Christ our Saviour, fill her with Your grace through which past sins are erased and all things are made new again." "She's happy this way, you know." "Where will she go?" "I don't know." "Deaconesses go where the y're sent." "Shall I tell her you were here?" "Good-bye, Jean." "I'm burning our old letters." "All of them?" "Yes." "Does it upset you?" "We're not like that now." "The factory can last two more years on our stocks." "Three maybe." "See what we risk after." "Yes." "If we stopped now, we'd save something before being ruined." "While there's still a chance?" "A chance..." "It's not up to us to decide." "Or we change our methods." "Make corner shop china like others." "The others make that stuff perfectly well." "If Barnery no longer makes Barnery, it's not worth going on." "The market isn't there now." "There's France." "What about the ivory porcelain?" "What about it?" "It's more beautiful than the celadon." "Make it for the French market." "Forget about America." "It's not perfect yet." "We managed to make a few pieces but I gave up on it." "Is it reasonable to keep on making such costly tests?" "Just to obtain a slightly rarer hue..." "Not only a rarer hue..." "It's something unique." "I had designed a shape..." "It's ne ver been done before." "A plate like a bowl without sides." "The first one was as flat as a pancake so I raised the rim." "Then we made a groove in the centre, see... with a slight indent." "The plate immediately came to life." "But then other problems took over." "This is what you must work on." "Dyeing the paste won't work." "Let's try something else." "The glaze must be coloured before dipping." "Let's colour the glaze." "Hello, father." "You look well." "How was your holiday?" "Excellent." "L skied a lot." " Are you staying?" " A week." "Mother will be sad." "She wishes you'd join the firm." "Have you lowered costs?" "No, I've laid many people off." "The small factories are lucky." "In prosperous times, large firms crush small ones." "Not in a recession." "But perhaps... competition isn't a universal solution." "Competition built Barnery." "And now it can destroy us." "If we replace the principles you oppose, no one will need luxury goods." "A few connoisseurs justified such fantasies." "Vouzelles says world economic relations have changed." "Human relations too." "He says your ideas aren't..." "Economic relations change." "Some virtues remain." "Agreement could replace social conflict." "Solidarity could defeat profit." "Vouzelles says that..." "His is a world of abstract generosity." "We'd work for the good of all, not one factory." "I know that tune." "L know it..." "You know, during the war, on the Front, there was no profit." "We were equal, we stood together." "It was touching but I remember the sheer mediocrity." "You know, Max, a man's hardest ordeal is being brought down to size." "His greatness is to accept his limits." "This is the placing and drawing room to prepare the pieces for firing." "The y are placed on saggers to go into the kiln." "After drawing, we send the pieces to the wipers who clean them, the last step before glazing." "What a perfect gesture!" " Mrs Howard..." " Mr Barnery!" "Forgive me." "Don't mention it." "This young man has been "piloting" me." " How is your husband?" " He's well." "I have no need to go to New York and I'm afraid we no longer write." "He has closed the Toronto store." "Luckily, he retired before the crash." "You live in a world of beauty." "This way, please." "It's all right." "Théodore..." "Call Pauline but don't alarm her." "I'm sorry... I think I've put my knee out." "I didn't see the hole." "This year's first..." "Fardissou picked them for you..." "Remember the cherry tree... that day you came home early from the factory?" "I wasn't expecting you." "It was just before the war." "I've swallowed a stone." "Got rid of the stone?" "I thought I was choking." "Yes, I remember..." "I remember that day." "I had bought a novel... I was watching you without you seeing me." "I've forgotten too many things." "I'd like to remember you, in Switzerland." "You can rest now, I'll go to the factory." "Yes, I'll rest." "The Transatlantique has ordered a service for the first-class cabins." "People still appreciate quality." "Yesterday..." "Yes, it was yesterday... I dreamt about the factory." "When I think about it... what I've done or nothing..." ""Our dwelling is removed..." ""and carried away from us..." ""as a shepherd's tent..."" "That's from the Bible." "I often said it... very often at a graveside, without really understanding." "The factory is still there." "Not for much longer and neither am I." "Everything I've done is worthless, I was always wrong." "But you know... I don't feel I've had a wasted life." "No life is wasted... when you've known love." "If only for your work-tools." "I'd really like to know the meaning of this hope at the heart of all things." "We can't meet the Transatlantique order." "I promise you, it's too expensive." "We have to do it." "We have to." "We'll be working at a loss." "With the cost of the ivory service..." "It doesn't matter." "Mr Jean will notice when he sees the accounts." "Jean mustn't know." "What?" "Draw up fresh accounts." "I can't be responsible." "I can." "Gently..." "Shall I put the light on so you can see?" "You can switch it off." "It's good." "I'm pleased." "Mr Paul Desca... I'll be happy to see him." "You'll find the maker among his works." "Hello, Jean." "You look better." "Fine porcelain." "As inventive as e ver, Jean." "As e ver..." "You'll return to the factory." "I'm not sure." "But I don't complain." "I was afraid of dying without looking at life." "So, you like this ivory porcelain?" "It's magnificent." "When I was a boy... my cousins made plates for their dolls... with magnolia petals." "Julie collected them." "It was this same, smooth tone." "I think we've re vived it." "You've been to the Charente?" "I don't have much good news." "Tell me about Barbazac." "The latest local elections threw out the old cognac merchants." "The people want new men." "The winegrower must sell his wine." "If Hennessy can't buy, let the State do it." "Bourgaud-Duperron has gone bankrupt." "Hear that, Pauline?" "Bourgaud-Duperron..." "Pommerel is getting by." "He's ne ver done much business." "He keeps chugging along." "Poor old Pommerel, if only he knew..." "He who was always half-ruined..." "All the same, in life... there are some pleasant things." "It takes patience to see them." "You have to look for them." "What today's world is losing... is love." "Don't tire yourself, Jean." "Let me tell Paul this because I'm sure of it..." "But once you're sure, your voice has almost gone." "Love..." "There's nothing else in life..." "Nothing." "Is he in much pain?" "At times." "It eases occasionally." "What's wrong exactly?" "Did he have a fall?" "He fell and put his knee out." "The trauma awoke something older." "He has already had tuberculosis." "You know, resurrections can happen." "I belie ve in resurrection." "I'm keeping you..." "He mustn't think we're talking about him." "A letter from Max..." "It's time to eat." "Shall I read it to you?" "Do you think he'll marry her?" "He told me he would." "I'm not too keen on her." "We must welcome her here." "What awaits Max in today's world?" "War..." "Worrying about yourself is nothing, whereas fearing for others..." "That's the worst." "I'll put it here." "I wanted to ask you something." "You've hired Théodore at the factory." "But it's Max's place..." "Théodore will take over from me." "Théodore?" "Fré déric's son?" "You have a son too." "He's inherited my youth, he can go elsewhere." "The world needs children." "We need a man here." "Can you get the journal I was reading?" "There, under the dictionary." "You'll see, I've marked the page." ""An Italian gardener scrapes the ground with a sleepy rake." ""Suddenly, he speaks in his dialect." ""His words ring out in the midday silence" ""and blend with the distinctive sound of his rake" ""turning the gravel." ""He seems to say:" ""how futile work is."" "You scared me..." "Why?" "I was out in the garden, under the cherry tree."