"MONOPOLY" "Times are changing in Korsbæk." "Boldt and his wife Ada have turned the restaurant into a dance hall." "Here Fatty, the pig dealer, and Red meet new faces amidst the racket." "Ellen wants to divorce Mogens and study to become a dentist." "Ulrik has married a commoner, Maja." "The bank's fourth generation seems secured." "But Ulrik neglects the unhappy Maja." "Agnes helps her find her feet,   and the couple get a flat when Elisabeth moves in with Kristen." "They've gotten married, forcing the two families to bury the hatchet." "Hans Christian Varnæs refuses to help his brother get even with Mads   who won't support Jørgen's plans in Switzerland and even mocks him." "Agnes and Red lead seperate lives." "She has her business, he has his politics." "Stone-drunk, Jørgen abuses Jessen, the chairman of Korsbæk Bank,   and his relentless wife." "On the night the Varnæs' are having their new brother-in-law for dinner, " " Varnæs and Dr. Hansen have to pick up Jørgen from the drunk tank." "Kristen blames Mads for Jørgen's misery   and doesn't want it to harm his relationship to Elisabeth's family." "He informs Mads he's accepted a post in Copenhagen and is moving." "Is Mrs. Skjern in?" "Thank you." " It's only me." " I thought it was Mads." " He asked me to come." " Will you stay for dinner?" " He wanted to tell me about the trip." " Then I can hear about it too." " He's been back for two days." " I haven't seen him for two minutes." "The paper's here." "There's an article about Mr. Skjern's trip to America." "Thank you." "The Baron's staying for dinner." " Yes, I guessed." " That's how it is being a regular." ""l've looked into the future," says Skjern on returning from the USA." "Well, it's a good thing he's had time to talk to the reporters." "What else does it say?" ""lt's no coincidence that Mads Skjern was one of the first Danes   to go to the USA to study modern business methods."" ""'lt was like looking into the future,' he says."" ""Through initiative and diligence the Danish slow-train enterprises   can reach the same express-train speed as the American enterprises."" "Let's wait for him. I heard this on the way back from the airport." " Mads isn't usually easy to impress." " He's more than impressed." "He's seen the light." " Hello." "Everything looks the same." " Not for long." " What are you here for?" " To talk to my father." "Daniel!" "I'm so pleased you could come right away." "We're on the go!" " I expect you learn that in America." " Yes." "I want to be the first with these initiatives." " You haven't been idle." " I met a Danish professor over there." "He's studied American business." "This is what he's come up with." "It's about expanding, including food and household articles in the stock." "You can read about it here." "I'll need you too." "Sit down." "I want to give you a chance." "I need someone who can supervise the production   and stay in the shops to learn about the customers' requirements." " You'll get a car." " But I've never ..." "No, you didn't get your exam." "But you'll get a big assignment." "It's nice of you, Father, but I'll say no all the same." " Will you say no?" " I'm so happy doing what I'm doing." " But surely you won't stay at Jørn's?" " No, I'd like to learn some more." "I've talked to Mr. Jørn about it." " How will you do that?" " If you'll help me, I'll go to Paris." "Don't you feel responsible for all this?" "I've done it for your sakes." "It's really decent of you, but I'd rather do the other thing." "It'll be without my help." " What do you want to do in Paris?" " Get into one of the fashion houses." "Money-wise, we can manage without your father's help." "I'll pay the ticket." "I can't let you do that, Granma." "Father wouldn't approve either." "He asked for my money once." "And it's not a fortune." "No, when I'm there, I'll manage." " Have you packed up your sewing?" " No, I'm going back." "We're busy." " Didn't Mads want you back?" " Daniel would rather go to Paris." "Oh, to have a look at the girls, eh?" "It's about time you found one, too." " Helle's not ready." " Says who?" "Mrs. Violet." "She's rehearsing the cotillion with Knud." "Well, now you've learnt it." "But you might practise the waltz, Mrs. Møhge Andersen." "And at the end you have to glide, not stamp over to the cart." "The little angel must have these wings sewn onto her dress." "Stop!" "Stop, for Heaven's sake!" " I thought Mrs. Jensen was coming." " l look after the children." " Mrs. Jensen's busy." " He's going to be Cupid." " I expect I can manage that too." " Here's the drawing and the fabric." " You did tell me to practise." " We'll have to talk before you leave." "It's no good." "You play out of tune and you're out of time, too." "Mr. Rud will take over all the accompaniments at the dance." "But I've been playing for the solos for 33 years." " You arranged it with my mother." " Everything comes to an end." "And so will our working together as of next season." "Will you pay?" "." "I'm having dinner with that gentleman." "Allow me." "Mrs. Møhge Andersen." " Please explain it once more." " It was that man." "He made improper advances." "And now he's got my music." "Olsen, the head waiter?" "I'm sure you're mistaken." "I felt him against my legs." "He was lying under the table ..." " Under the table?" " He's attracted to me." " Just like the others." " Just a moment." "Wait here." " Aren't you going to lock him up?" " You have your music." "Come on ..." " Now what?" " Brains ..." " We've got that on the menu." " I mean hers ... it's twisted." " Put the queen on the red king." " Don't touch it, Hans Christian." " What are you working out?" " Our silver wedding." " That's not till November." " No, but are we asking them?" "Mr. and Mrs. Skjern." "Now that we're going to his 50th birthday." "But that's because of Elisabeth and Kristen." " It's Laura's day off." " I'll go then." "Misse, what a surprise." "I have to talk to you." "Thank God you're at home." "Let me take your coat." " I need your help, Hans Christian." " Sit down." "Good evening, Misse." "It came out, Hans Christian." " And what does that mean?" " That they're coming." "Listen to me, Hans Christian." "You must write to the Chief of Police." "About what?" "One of his officers laid his hands on me." " Did he hit you?" " No, if it were only that ... lt's much worse." "He pawed me ..." " Where?" " Here, on my shoulder." "I wanted him to arrest Olsen, the head waiter." " Why did Olsen need to be arrested?" " He crept under the table ..." " And groped at my legs." " Why would he do that?" "It's because ..." "I attract them." "Men." "Mother always warned me about it." " I'll check up on the coffee." " If Misse dares to be alone with me?" "Yes." "Of course I do." "You're not ..." "like that." " I'm glad you say so." " But you must stay over there!" "Now we're up and running." " Why, Mr. Skjern ..." " I'm taking a look at the business." " I also looked across the hall." " That's where the sewing's done." " Have you got time to talk to me?" " I guessed that's what you came for." "Let's go downstairs to my flat." "What sort of job is it?" "I haven't got any training." "No, but you have flair." "Not only can you find out what people need,   but also what they're going to need in the future." "But your salesmen already travel around to your shops." "You're to circulate among the shops, staying in each place for a few days." "See if there's anything missing, listen to the customers' wishes." " The staff will think I'm prying." " You're to talk to the staff as well." " Surely that's not a full-time job?" " You'll also be at the factory." "Especially when the collections are being planned." " To tell us what'll sell next year." " I'm all in a sweat." " Do you think I can do it?" " I'd hoped my son would do it." "But I'm sure you'd be better at it." "You're more in touch with ordinary people." "And they're our customers." "Not the ones who are tailored by Mr. Jørn." " I don't know ..." " You'll be well paid." "It's not so much that." "It's that I've got my own business." "I've built it up myself." "And I feel responsible for my employees." "They like it here." "And Marie, who's been here from the start ..." "We could take over the women and keep the mending going." "Yes, stockings keep laddering." "In America they make stockings so cheaply people just buy new ones." "Mending matters now, but it won't in the future." "We'll need your women elsewhere." "They can take over the accessories department." "Yes, if Marie could run it ..." "No, I still don't want to." "What if I offered you a sum of money on top of your salary?" " Think it over, Mrs. Jensen." " You already made my head burst." "Can you reply on Monday?" "You'll want to discuss it with your husband." "With Lauritz?" "No ..." "It's just that it's exciting having your own business." "Don't look like that." "You know that all too well yourself." "Why did it have to happen right in the middle of my end-of-season dance?" "We don't control life and death." " At least we had the display." " And the sandwiches." " Are there a couple left over?" " They're on their way." "Fortunately, people had paid for the tickets." "But the cotillion ..." " You didn't get as far as that." " And that lovely cart for the cupids." "And the two hundred balloons that have been inflated ..." "They can't stay like that till next year." "Come on in." "Just put it there." "Come on ..." " Hello." "What the hell is that?" " He was going to be Cupid." "But as soon as he got his costume on, the dance stopped." "The King is dead." " At long last." "He took his time." " Don't talk like that!" " We didn't do the cotillion." " No." "I'll buy you a balloon tomorrow." "Off to bed." "Our beloved King has passed away after a long and active reign." "His eldest son succeeds him on the throne." "The nation lives on." "The country has a new King." "The Prime Minister will announce the death of King Christian X." "And at the same time proclaim the new King, Frederik IX." "This is the first time the wireless is used to proclaim a King,   making the occasion what it really ought to be:" "A proclamation for the whole nation." "The Prime Minister goes to the balcony,   and a footman opens the double doors." "The Prime Minister will now make his announcement." "King Christian X is dead." "Long live His Majesty King Frederik lX." "King Christian X is dead." "Long live King Fred ..." "His Majesty King Frederik lX." "King Christian X is dead." "Long live His Majesty King Frederik lX." "Hurrah!" " He made a mistake!" " What can one expect of peasants?" " What do you mean, peasants?" " He is from the country." " I expected to get my paper today." " But the printers are on strike." "Yes, how dare they, when the King is dead." " Helle's put on the costume again." " Let her." " She didn't get a chance last night." " It's just like seeing an a angel." "We had to leave the end-of-season ball." "People were quite shocked." "Go down and show Laura the dance." "And put your school dress on again." " And you didn't see her solo." " She's been dancing it all morning." " But you came here for the cotillion?" " She's in town for Skjern's birthday." "The paper's full of nothing else." " And now that will be cancelled too." " No, why?" " Since the King's died." " And not even buried yet." "I thought he was going into a sarcophagus, like the others." " He is, Misse." " I'm off." "Hans Christian, don't go before ..." "Did you write to the Chief of Police?" " No, I've been so busy." " There's something you must add ..." "They're sending signals now." "And I've seen Dean Mejer on my balcony." "Has he started flying too?" "Once they're attracted ..." "They can be anywhere." "Even though it was the day before yesterday ... happy birthday!" "I always felt something was missing here." "Thank you." "Maybe you're right." "Let's sit down." " And the other matter?" " I've thought it over." "If you take over the women who work in the sailor's flat,   then we're free of all the trouble with the council." "They want it to be let now the sailor's gone." " And I can keep the typing bureau." " So you're not in doubt anymore?" " Yes, still ..." " You'll get 1 ,100 a month." " Yes, that's fine." " Go on. lt's more than you earn now." " And you'll get a car." " I'll have to learn to drive." " You'll be fine." " It's not that either ..." "But when you've got your own business and you see it growing ..." " You can see this growing, too." " Yes, now we come to the point." " You talked about a sum for my firm." " Yes, state your price." "I don't want money. I'd rather have a share of your business." " Of mine?" " They say it's a corporation." "Yes, for the family." "My wife and the children." "But your children don't work there, and you want me to." "Are you angry?" "Not at all, why should I be?" "People don't usually talk to you this way." "It happens all too seldom." "May I consider it?" "Now it's your turn to think." "Look, my driving license!" "Mom nearly fainted when she saw it." " Fancy you working for them!" " You sound just like Mrs. Jørgensen." " The Varnæs' mix with them too." " Because they've joined the family." " You'll get rid of Miss Jørgensen." " No, she'll look after the house." " Your poor boys." " They love her." " How are things here anyway?" " We're going to the Strip next week." "The young lady and the boy are coming." " So Ulrik can enjoy himself?" " No, he has to work in the bank." "He'll drive back and forth with Mr. Varnæs." " He's given up Ellen Skjern." " Who knows?" "She's found some professor in Copenhagen." " I thought she was studying." " Students have a lot of spare time." "That's what I'll do in my next life." "Then I won't have to go to the Strip." "Is it all that bad?" "We're bringing Miss Møhge ..." "Mrs. Møhge Andersen." "Mr. Varnæs thinks we should look after her now she's gone dotty." " But she's quite harmless." " Don't be too sure." "You don't hear what I hear in this house." "My lips are sealed, but I'll tell you this much ..." "Even though madam doesn't show it, she's scared stiff of her!" "Miss Jørgensen called, Agnes." "One of your boys has taken ill." "I'll prescribe some new medicine, Lucosil." "Just keep him in bed till his temperature's normal." "Knud's never had anything with his ears and throat before." " It's because he swims in the fjord." " Yes, they have to stop doing that." "Many children have or have had the same thing as Knud." "It was the same last year." " It's the sewers and the tannery." " How awful!" "But the children from the council school swim there with the school." "It ought to be forbidden." "What does the district medical officer say?" "He's a freemason with the tanner and his in-laws own the plywood factory." " Somebody ought to write about it!" " Yes." "Dr. Hansen wrote this ..." "I ACCUSE!" "Oh, so it got out." "But in a national newspaper ..." "is it wise?" "As Mr. Jessen said, why involve the whole country?" "He's implying ..." "Oh, you've got a copy already." "Why not write it in the local paper?" "It's strictly a Korsbæk matter." " The Courier refused to print it." " The Social Democrat then?" "It's the workers who swim in the fjord." "The rest of you have the Strip." "The Democrat is censored by the Mayor." " But he's on the workers' side." " And on the side of the sewers." "And the bathing attendant is a fellow party member." " If it's really true ..." " It is." " It applies to other towns as well." " Then I understand you perfectly." "I'm thinking of you. ls it worth it?" "They can run me out of town, as long as they don't throw me in the fjord." " I see the Courier has arrived." " It's about the doctor." " It's extremely biting." " He's been very unwise." "Here's the local opinion: "It's an ill bird that fouls its own nest."" "The editor's right." "One must never do that." "The letter's for all of us." "He invites us to Brussels." " What's he doing there?" " Putting on that play, "Boots"." " He says he'll pay for our stay." " It's too far away. I'm too old." " The play will be in double Dutch." " It's probably in French." " Herbert can come here if he likes." " He's going to Germany afterwards." "There's plenty to do there." " I can't take time off now." " You've sold out to the capitalists." " You haven't." "You go with Vicki." " There'll be an election on." "Maybe we can go after the election." "I could get a replacement at school." "I'll be even more busy then." "I'm a candidate." " Will you be elected?" " Yes, if we make progress." "No, you won't be able to then." "It's you he wants to see anyway." "It's been so long." "And now he wants to go to Germany." " Eastern Germany, I presume?" " No, he says Hamburg." "What the hell's got into Herbert?" "Carl ... I've been to the ministry and seen to my estate." " So soon?" " Brydesø will pass to the State." "When I've gone to the happy hunting grounds ..." " How does it feel?" " Good ... democratic." "There'll be an agricultural college." " Why didn't you talk to me?" " This was lngeborg's idea." "I might have wanted to buy Brydesø." "He wants to buy everything he sees." "You've got your own Marshall plans." "Yes, I'm glad I'm prepared." "Will there be a couple of combine harvesters for Brydesø?" " lt's Dior!" " Is Ellen visiting?" "Why do you thinks Mads is here for lunch?" "She's been to Paris." " Is that how we're supposed to look?" " It's the New Look." " Daniel copied it. lt's for you, Dad." " lt'll suit him." " Daniel said it'll be the fashion now." " You go by Daniel." "It always pays." " He's coming home in a few weeks." " Turn around again." "This is François, I wanted him to meet you." "How do you do." "It's very kind of you to have me." "Daniel's friends are always welcome." "We went to the factory. I talked to Agnes Jensen about the sketches." "And about the old days in Varnæs's kitchen." " Does your friend make clothes too?" " He's an art dealer." "She asked if you were in the clothes business." " l have an art gallery." " We must see it sometime." " François has all the modern artists." " How exciting!" " Your mother speaks French well." " Not that well. I've taught myself." "We must go to Paris and look at modern art in François' gallery." "Oui, oui ... when we have time." "Herrings?" "S'il vous plaites ..." "You could do with a big cheerful Fernand Léger in the dining room." " Daniel's picked up a lot of French." " Yes, he didn't at school." "I've read that you can only learn French by living there." "I expect he chats a bit to the Paris ladies, eh, Daniel?" "I don't talk so much to the customers yet." "You and your ladies, Larsen ..." "Madam had the idea that we'd get the food from the Post House." "Why, when they've got you?" "They wanted me to sit at the table since it's their silver wedding." " That's nice of them." " I'm not going to." "What's the point?" "I've stuck it out for 31 years,   because I've never rubbed shoulders with them." "There'll be enough chaos at the table as it is." "Dr. Hansen has a lot of enemies." " Dr. Hansen's all right." " And they're coming ..." " What about Jørgen Varnæs?" " We don't hear much about him." "He's works in a council office somewhere in Jutland." "Remember when he came to town and they drank all the champagne?" " He doesn't do that anymore." " I don't suppose he can afford it." "He's stopped drinking and lives with a lady who owns a bakery." " Then he can eat cakes instead." " It's not funny." "Madam cried last time she saw him." " It looks like Mr. Jørn's design." " lt is." "To match my coat." " Daniel should see it." "He's at home." " He must come to tea." "He's brought his friend François." "I think he should bring his friend and you on Tuesday at three." "Where are the youngsters?" "I have an invitation for Daniel." "They've gone." " They've what?" "Why?" " I've turned them out of my house." " What have they done, Mads?" " I expect you knew the truth." " What truth?" " The one that dawned on me ..." " When I saw them down by the pier." " What have they done to bother you?" "Doesn't it bother your sense of decency?" "What?" "To see two men ..." "embrace each other." "To think that Daniel brings someone like that into this house!" "What did you do, Mads?" "I gave him 15 minutes to pack ..." "Daniel's friend ... and I called a taxi." " And Daniel?" " He packed too and went with him." "What did you say to him, Mads?" "That if he left to be with his friend, he shouldn't ever come here again." " And now he's gone." " Yes." "Then he'll have to manage without us." " Without us?" " He's sick in his mind." "Sick in his mind?" "You're the one who's sick in your mind!" "What sort of a person are you?" "Who do you think you are?" "Can't you even leave your own son in peace?" "Where are they now?" "I don't know and I don't care." "You're a Pharisee." "A cripple in here." " You're talking to your husband." " You're not my husband anymore." "I'm leaving." " Don't you want a bite to eat?" " No, thank you." " Can you get some currency?" " Yes." "But what about Mads?" "He'll manage. I've got to find Daniel." " Should I come with you?" " Later, perhaps." " I'll call my friends in France." " Thank you." "Erik!" "I'd forgotten him." "Somebody has to stay behind." " Where did Mother go?" " She went to Paris with the others." " Why did they leave?" " They were probably bored here." "Did you see my school report?" "It's on your desk." "There are two A's and and A minus." " ln which subjects?" " Maths and physics." "Yes, you'll get your degree in commerce." " A degree in commerce?" " Yes, you'll need it." " Why?" " So you can join the firm." " I don't want to join the firm, Dad." " Oh, rubbish." " Then what do you want to do?" " I want to be a nuclear physicist." "What's wrong with you is that you're too busy." " I don't sleep at night." " It's because you work too hard." " I'd better talk to your wife." " She's in Paris at present." " You should've gone with her." " That'll have to wait." "We must remember to look after ourselves." "You've had a hard time yourself since all that fuss about the fjord." "I'm thick-skinned, Mads Skjern." "Nobody forces me to stay here." "And there are lots of places in the world where they need doctors more." "Right. I've prescribed something." "Don't overdo it." "And let's see how it goes." " Well, goodbye." " Goodbye ... and sleep well." "How can she just disappear after everything we've had together." "I don't know what you've had together, and I don't listen to gossip." " Do people know she's gone?" " Yes, but I'd like to hear it from you." " It was about Daniel." " You've never understood him." "Surely you don't want me to accept ..." " I can't bring myself to talk about it." " You don't have to. I know." " But you're a Christian." "Like me." " lt's in another way, I think." "Whatever the way, you can't approve ..." "It's a sin!" "You and your sins." "You should find out what sin is." " There are certain basic principles." " Most of them are home-made." "If only she'd come back, we could talk about it." "Why did she put me in this situation?" " You'll be all right." " She's exposed me to gossip!" "If people hear about this ..." "In a few weeks we're going to Varnæs's silver wedding." " Tell them you'll come on your own." " I've said we're both coming." "And if she doesn't come home?" "I don't know." "It mustn't come out, Mother!" " Are you that vain?" " I can't stand being alone either." " That's it. I hope you can sort it out." " You've written it all down." "Look. I found these in Skælskør, we must have them lying about." " Embroidered edgings?" " It's coming back." " But we don't make underwear." " It's for summer dresses." "Now they're long and old-fashioned." "Anker doesn't think the New Look will last." " No, but I do and so does Daniel." " What do you base it on?" "The fact that I'd like to wear this sort of thing for a change." "Long dresses without shoulder pads?" "Well-off ladies like Mrs. Varnæs look that way." "Your daughter, too." "Everyone else is just dreaming of looking the same." "I'd buy more of this." "There must be miles of it in the co-ops." "Our salesmen pass by ..." "Well, it won't cost a fortune." "Just tell our salesmen." "And here's a list of the goods I think the shops should also stock." " That's all. I can see you're tired." " Me?" " It's long after dinner time." " Yes, your family'll want theirs." "Miss Jørgensen sees to the boys." " And your husband?" " I can hardly remember his face." "He's in Copenhagen." "The election's in a week." "He thinks he'll get in." " And then what?" " I never meet trouble half-way." " Thank you." " You could have dinner with us." "My wife's away on vacation." " The coffee's in there." " I have to go up and study." "Good night." "He's a clever boy." "At school they call him the professor." " Really?" "He never told us." " My son, Aksel, says so." "I just wanted to see the fjord." "I haven't been here since I served at Daniel's confirmation dinner." " And then you started a new career." " Yes." "It's strange the way things work out." " Well, I'd better be getting home." " No, do stay." " You must be tired, too." " Yes, but I can't sleep." " Is it because your wife's away?" " Maybe." " It'll pass when she comes home." " Yes, if she comes home." "Why shouldn't she?" "I've worked hard for this." "For her sake and the childrens'." "I wanted to give her everything, but that wasn't enough." " I haven't told anyone." " You don't have to tell me either." " I don't mind telling you." " Why me?" "Because you and I are two of a kind." "You want to get on too." "And on." "You don't want to stop the way my wife does." "She thinks you can just stop the train and get off somewhere." " Some people are like that." " Not you, Agnes." "You'd never have held me back." "And you wouldn't have let the children do as they please." " Who's going to take over all this?" " What about Erik?" "He wants to be a nuclear physicist." "I'm sure my wife will support him!" " Just like she supported Daniel." " What about Ellen?" "Ellen's a girl." "You can't demand something like that of a girl." " What about me?" " Yes, you ..." " Maybe I should stick to you." " How do you mean?" " You're ... something special." " So is Mrs. Skjern." "Then why did she leave like that?" "How could she do that to me?" "What'll become of it all   if they all just run away?" "No, you mustn't cry while I'm here." "You'd only regret it afterwards." "I always thought that ..." "That you were the strongest man I knew." "That's why I work for you." "I'm sorry." "Only women are allowed to cry." "Well, I haven't cried in ages." "Good night. lt's best if I leave." "Tomorrow we've forgotten all this." "You mustn't leave now." "I don't want to be alone." "I can't stand being alone." "I've counted on you." " Counted on?" " Yes." "Tomorrow everything is as it used to be." "Nonsense." "There's nothing really wrong, is there?" " Are you ill?" " Yes, I'm ill." "Esther!" "Do you want me to call Dr. Hansen?" " Agnes Jensen said you were ill." " Leave me alone." "I have a message for you Inger Jørgensen" " Oh, hello." " I was afraid you'd had an accident." " I should've called. I dined out." " Where?" " Has there been anything?" " Yes, for the duplicator." "Mrs. Holm brought a song for Varnæs's silver wedding." "She wanted us to look at the feet." "The metrical feet, I mean." "She said they usually do that at the newspaper printers." "It's to the tune of "Silver Threads Among The Gold."" "That'll please Mrs. Varnæs." "Is it true that Mr. Skjern's wife has left him?" " I haven't heard anything about it." " You'd know it if it was true." "Yes, so it probably isn't." "Dad." "Esther says you've been sitting here for two hours. ls anything wrong?" " It's your mother's fault." " Don't you want to go to bed?" "Yes, I want to go to bed." "Now." " I went to see Mads." " Is he still in bed?" " Yes, he's in a bad way." " Dr. Hansen says he's fit enough." "It's no joke for a man when his wife runs off." "No, you'd never have survived that." " Where have these come form?" " From Herbert." "Vicki brought them." " But she didn't bring Herbert?" " No, it didn't turn out that way." " l expect she's ..." " She's the same as usual." "Oh ..." "Didn't she say anything at all?" "Yes, that six years is a long time." "We won nine seats and the Conservatives took a bad blow." " Did Red get in?" " No, he got out, is more like it." "The Reds were cut by half to 9 seats." " There you are, gentleman." " You look almost normal today." " The liberals won 1 1 seats." " On national tones." "We'll soon get Southern Jutland back." "Before we know it, Denmark will stretch to the Danube." " Who'll have your job?" " One of the MPs who lost a seat." " What do they want you to do?" " Travel around." "Visit the workplaces." " How about finding yourself a job?" " I can't go back to the railway." " I'll find you something at Skjern's." " No, thanks!" "There are many other possibilites." "You're good at so many things." " I'm glad you're back. I missed you." " You manage everything yourself." "I wouldn't mind being free of the typing and duplicating business." " You've got someone." " Miss Malthesen just types the stuff." "Spelling mistakes and all." "And she can't do the accounts." "I'd have sold the whole caboodle, but then you came, heaven-sent." "You can take over the whole thing." "There's lots to do." "And you can help people putting their stuff together." "You've written a lot." "I'm no good at that sort of thing." "And you can fix the rhymes in the songs." "Songs?" "We get lots of songs for special occasions." "Lauritz Jensen, duplicator of songs." "We do work for the courthouse too, for the hospital and for businessmen." "Who else can do that sort of thing?" "It's right up your alley." " Being employed by my wife?" " No, it'll be your own business." "Lauritz Jensen's Typing Agency." "We'll put a sign by the gateway." "Well ..." "I could still do some work for the Party." " For the Party?" " Circulars and the like." "Yes, of course you can." "If the Party pays for it." "That's the way we do things here." " What will you do now?" " I don't know." "Shouldn't you have thought of that before you ran off?" "I wanted to find Daniel." "And help him." "He was pleased to see you, wasn't he?" "Yes, of course." "But when I'd been there for a couple of days  . at François' place, then ..." "Then what?" "I hope his friend was kind?" "Yes, just as kind and affectionate as Daniel, but ..." " What was wrong?" " Nothing." "Except ..." "He didn't need me at all." " You can't say the same about Mads." " Mads gets by ..." "Without Kristen, without Daniel, without Erik, without me ..." "Don't be so sure of that." "Go home, Ingeborg." " Thank you, Esther." " It's lovely to have you back home." " I'll go up and see my husband." " Mr. Skjern's in the living room." "He got up this morning when the letter came." " Which letter?" "." " He's been made Swedish Consul." " Is Daniel well?" " Better than ever." " And you?" " Well, it hasn't been fun." " But you're better now?" " Much better." " I guess becoming a consul helped." " Not if you hadn't come home." "No, I suppose not." "The appointment concerns you, too." " Me?" " You've become the Consul's wife." "Before I know where l am I'll look like Mrs. Holm." "Hardly." "But we'll have to invite her." "We have to give a party for all the top people in Korsbæk." "Let's get the Varnæs's silver wedding over with first." "Brandy with our coffee." "That's something new." "It helps when you're on your own and can't sleep." " Well, you're not alone any more." " Let's celebrate your home-coming." "Everything's the same as before, isn't it, Ingeborg?" "Yes, everything's the same as before." "If you hadn't come home, I'd have come down there." " But now I'm here." " And ..?" "Well, as I said to Mads, everything's the same as before." " Everything?" "I've missed you a lot." " And I missed you." "That's one of the reasons I came home." "The practical thing about you is that you've got your own forest." "I know you're stealing Mama from me." "Mama's asking if you have a butler." "I wish we did." "Mrs. Svendsen has brought her husband for the occasion." " And where's Regitze?" " She's in London." " She's engaged." " With an English war correspondent." " Will there be a wedding soon?" " He has to get a divorce first." "It's true." "Let's raise our glasses to the Consul's wife and Mr. Stein ..." "May I drink to you, Mrs. Holm?" "Now that I've succeeded your husband." "Maybe your wife would like to succeed me." "As chairman of the Housewives' League." "Well, you could ask her." "I wouldn't mind an extra slice of meat." "For Heaven's sake, let me!" "Mr. Svendsen almost got reported there." "Maja and I drew lots to see who'd guard Misse from that side." " Maja lost." " And I won." "Shall we raise our glasses to my sister-in-law and Dr. Hansen?" "I'm really very angry with Dr. Hansen." "And you know why." " But since he's leaving town?" " Well, I do have my good manners." " Jørgen Varnæs isn't here." " He couldn't face all these people." " What's he doing now?" " He's in a land agency in Jutland." " How did he end up there?" " Kristen Skjern helped him." "Mr. Friis will need a good and reliable wife now." " There you see." " She said good and reliable." " I started my training here." " And never thought of moving on?" "That's the thing about Korsbæk, people stay on." "Yes, they do." "Madam would've been very upset if there'd been trouble with Mrs. Møhge." " Why did they ask that madwoman?" " She's come here the past 70 years." "Decent people don't forget their old friends." "That'll be the musicians." "Show them into the living room." "And we have to carry the songs up." "I think everything's here." "Help yourselves." "Come on, Lauritz." "Who's the flag for?" "He thinks he's forgotten someone's birthday again. lt's for you, Lauritz!" " Why?" " You've got your own business now." "I've done my test piece." "Mrs. Holm's song for the Varnæs's silver wedding." "It's turned out nicely." "Lauritz drew the festoon and corrected the rhymes." "I removed the corns from Mrs. Holm's metrical feet." " Maybe you want us to sing it?" " Yes, why not?" "Thank you, Mrs. Svendsen." "Misse, I think we've got time to drink to you and Maja." "Your health!" " Whatever's the matter?" " There's a man under the table!" "It's Pax." " It's because he begs at the table." " l know, but he always does that." "And it's the dog's party, too." "Come on." "Where are you?" "Here you go." "Sorry. I thought it was Ulrik." "He used to crawl around under the table." "He's too big to do that now." "My son Christian can take over soon." "That's enough, Ulrik." "Let's sing." "Elisabeth tells me you're leaving Korsbæk." " Yes, that's the end of my war." " But you've fought so hard." "Yes, and what good did it do?" "25 years have passed happy years in your home you have got three children whom you love so very much thank you for all the years happiness comes and happiness goes what the two of you have built up will never fade away" "25 years in the bank the silver bridegroom has spent but she was always in his thoughts she who watched over his home Join in!" "thank you for all those years happiness comes and happiness goes also those no longer here are present in our thoughts" "in your home so many times in the lovely old rooms we gathered in the long evenings the top people and their wives also in the bad dark times when the Germans waged war when the bombs exploded fate was unkind then" "as the years have passed swallowed up by time" "you two have constantly guarded our old country the Royal family and our lovely flag were dear to your hearts and was rewarded with a knighthood to be worn here today you have done a lot together but before this song ends" "we must mention that you have best of all a lovely grandson it was a surprise you got to hear of Maja and Ulrik generation will follow generation at the bank a cheer for this custom ..." " They're cheering now." " Does the dessert go up now?" "No, Mr. Varnæs will speak now." " What do you want?" " Dad says you're to come up." "Here's Laura, the reason for our sitting here." "If Laura hadn't put her foot down, we'd be sitting at the Post House." "She thought the dinner should be held here, in the old surroundings." " The food's better here." " Right!" "Laura is always right." "Let's drink to Laura's health." "For how would I be able to give my speech if I didn't stand here?" "If these walls could speak, they'd tell a story about the good old days,   about traditions and faithfulness." "About immutability." "But also about changes." "Many good friends have sat here." "With my grandparents, with my parents, with Maude and me." "One day they'll dine with Ulrik and you, Maja,   when you take over from us." "Before long you'll have your degree, Ulrik, and you can start, slowly." "It's as if many of those who used to sit here are with us tonight." "My parents' friends, who also became ours." "Aunt Møhge,   our old friend the Colonel and our dear chairman, Consul Holm." "You forgot Mrs. Møhge-Andersen's husband." "That's all right." "We also have to be without my brother Jørgen ..." " Is he dead?" " No, good heavens no." "He was detained by business in Jutland, but he sends his best wishes." "But we've had the pleasure today of discovering that Gustav has grown up." "He's agreed to be Conservative candidate for Korsbæk." " We hope to get an MP in the family." " Like in the good old days." "Yes, the good old days and everything they stood for ..." "The values we learned to defend, and the security we got in return." "The good old days give way to new ones, but things repeat themselves." "This house has always been a meeting place   for important, enterprising people in Korsbæk." "We are pleased to bid Mads Skjern and Ingeborg welcome to our circle." "Mads Skjern, you have established a kingdom in this town,   beside which my own little county dwindles into insignificance." "But that's not the first reason my wife and I are happy to see you." "It's because you are our dear brother-in-law Kristen's family." "And the more family Kristen and Elisabeth have in Korsbæk,   the easier it is to get them to come here." "And now you, Maude ..." "You look exactly like in the good old days." "But don't be fooled." "With Maude, little things, fretting,   small changes, the childrens' insolences, and there were many,   and my cigars, of which there were just as many,   have all been too much for you sometimes." "But the big blows, the real challenges ..." "When the world fell apart and the house blew up ..." "You were like a rock, calm and collected, for the rest of us to cling to." "This is a good occasion to reveal that Maude is as strong as an elephant." "Behind her delicate exterior dressed in Mr. Jørn's creations ..." "Maude says that this one was made by Daniel Skjern." "But behind all the delicate fabric there lives a strong person   who for 25 years has been the soul of this house   and the meaning of my life." "May it continue to be like that in the future." "Cheers for my silver bride, Maude." "That I had to live to see it ..." "Not only did they sit there,   but Mr. Varnæs included them in his speech." "I'll never forget your son Daniel from that night." " Give him my best wishes." " Thank you, Mr. Stein." "Your brother has a beautiful and clever wife." "Yes." "Mads has everything."