"You have to get up now, Anders." "It's already five." "Past five!" "So you're up already, Miss." "How much would you like today?" "Exactly the same as usual." "Two and a half litres." " Here you are." " Thank you." "You haven't mixed the milk?" " It's straight from the cow." "But you have to move now, or the milk will turn sour." "Has the milkman been here already?" " Do I fetch milk from the river?" "Girls who don't have milk for their kids, shouldn't have any." "Don't be so harsh, Krestina." "What if it was your turn some day?" "Don't tease me, or I'll leave." "Then you can manage your business alone." "The whole herd is inside now." "No, I don't want any more." "Are you going out tonight, too, Julius?" "I'm just meeting someone." "A friend from work." "What's his name, then?" "Is it perhaps Milja?" "How did you guess, mum?" " I've got eyes in my head." "You go meet Milja." "She's a good friend for you." "But don't stand in the doorway." " I'll take her to the park." "They're having a dance tonight." "It's so nice up there." "Flowers and grass and such." "And you have a view of the town." "I know that." "I've sat there many a summer night." "With a friend from work." " Have you, mum?" "Who with?" "The man you're named after." "Before you were thought of." "Oh well..." " Don't think about that now." " Goodbye, mum." " Goodbye, my boy." "Do you want to dance, Milja?" " No, not here, Julius." "Go away." "You always have to force your company on decent people." "Am I in your way, perhaps?" "I have my own fellow." "Stay away from her." "Otherwise the money you've made at sea soon will be gone." "Shouldn't I have a girl perhaps?" "After two months at sea." "Come, Julius." "We have to go home." " Yes, I'm coming, Milja." "Good night, Julius." " Don't go." "It's the light nights." "I have to go to work tomorrow." " Can't I come up?" "Please don't." " I thought you were fond of me?" " But I am." " Let's go up, then." "No, please now." "Someone's on the stairs." " Just forget it." "Don't be angry, Julius." "Another night, perhaps." "Maybe I won't have time." " Julius..." "Good night, my girl." "You must know that I'm not angry with you." "Has she left you now?" "Someone has left you, too." "He was a sailor, but he wasn't any good." "Will you walk with me?" " Are you afraid to walk alone?" "Yes, some bad boys might come to get me." "Walk me to the doorway, then." "Didn't the boy come home last night?" "I hope nothing's happened." "I don't understand it." "The boy hasn't been home for several nights." "He's probably fine where he is." " Perhaps you know where he is?" "No, I don't have anything to do with him." "I thought you'd had a lot to do with each other." "For a couple of years." "It wasn't enough for him." "So he's gone to someone else." "But I won't ask after him." "I hope he hasn't been laid off at the factory." "They can't use people who are under the influence." "Imagine having a good job." "And then acting up so that you lose it." "Just for boozing." "Well, I never!" "I don't think we were much different." "We drank and acted crazy, too." " But we still did our job." "Do you remember Antwerp when we messed around for eight days?" "Do you remember how funny it was when we arrived at the dock - and found out the ship had sailed three days before?" "But that was abroad, Krestoffer." "We never acted like that at home." "Besides, it was a woman who made us crazy." "It's a woman who's made Julius crazy, too." "That's why I feel sorry for the boy." "Move your hand." " Who's lurking around out there?" "Isn't that Langreta?" " Thank you for the cheating." "I'll go wind up the control bell." "I won't be long." "Is Julius going to sleep in your storeroom tonight, too?" "If he asks, he should be allowed to." "Evening, Langreta." "Out this late?" " Yes." "Julius isn't here any longer?" "I haven't seen him yet, but he may come by later." "If only he doesn't hurt himself." " Don't worry, Langreta." "He'll get another job." "If he'd only come home." "I wouldn't say an unkind word." "He thinks it's hard, you know." "But you go home to bed." "If he comes here, I'll tell him to go home." "If he won't, I'll find room for him in the textile factory." "You're nice, Krestoffer." "The one coming down the street..." "Isn't that Julius?" " It looks like it." "I'll leave." "He doesn't like me asking after him." "Stand here and talk to me." "He won't say anything when I'm here." "Sure I remember that." "We were young and wild then." "Oh, is that you, Julius?" "I didn't hear you coming." "Don't stand there pretending." "I saw you looking at me." "You and she who's standing there." "Why are you asking for me?" "I told you I didn't want it." "She's your mother." " Can't she leave me alone?" "Have I asked for anything or come to you since I lost my job?" "Have I eaten any of your food?" "Don't make that face." "Nobody feels sorry for you." "Won't you come home?" " Stay away from me." "Don't make me angry." "It isn't easy to be a mother." "You should have that in mind." "Mind your business, and I'll mind mine." "You have a big mouth." "Come on in, I want to talk to you." "Engebret, have you seen Julius?" " I haven't looked for him." "Don't be so grumpy." "You, who's such a nice bloke." "Really, Petrina?" "Julius usually spends the night in the storeroom at Krestoffer's." "Someone asked for you." " Me?" "Who was it?" "Was it Petrina?" "Don't stand there gawping!" "Answer!" "Yes, it was Petrina." "She probably wanted to get hold of you." "I don't want to talk to her any more." "I'm done with her." "If you'd kept away from her, you'd have saved some people from crying." "I'd like to see those who cry over me." "You just saw one a while ago." " I don't care about her." "Yes, you do." "But I saw someone else at the factory with red eyes, too." "But I guess you don't care about her either." "Yes, I don't care about anyone." "Was it Milja?" " Yes, it was Milja." "No one else would be so foolish." "The others know you too well." "She knows me, too." " No, that's what she doesn't." "You should be ashamed of yourself." "You did that girl wrong." "You're in luck, Petrina." "There he is." "Why are you dragging her around?" " Can I help being a woman's man?" "You're a scatterbrain." "Come in when you want to, Julius." "What do you want, woman?" "Is it hard to get rid of you?" "You're in a bad mood tonight." "Did something go wrong?" "Gee, you're a nice one." "You tart!" "What do you mean?" " What I mean?" "I'll tell you." "Do you see those doors?" " What's strange about them?" "I walked through them every workday for ten whole years." "Since the day after my confirmation." "My mum and dad worked there, too." " Is he a part of this, too?" "It doesn't matter." "But those doors are closed for me now." "If I come by tomorrow morning, the porter will throw me out." "Didn't Krestoffer ask you in?" " Yes, like a thief." "But I can't walk in like a decent person." "You poor boy." " Don't make fun of me, you devil!" "Who got me into trouble?" "Wasn't I good until I fell into your clutches?" "Was I a thief?" " You'd be wiser if you didn't yell." "You drew me to you." "And as the fool I am, I fell in the trap." "Went to you every pay night." "And drank up the money for food." "I didn't have a penny for mum." " You said your mum didn't matter." "But it did matter that you made me steal." "To buy booze for you and me!" "Come home with me, Julius." " That day will never come." "I'll try to become a human being again." "You're too weak to get straight." "Maybe you long for someone like Milja now." "But she's nothing for you." " Keep Milja out of this!" "She's too good to be mentioned by you." "Give up, you won't get her." "I'll see to that!" "Go away, or I'll throw you in the river!" "Julius, don't go!" "You must know that I'm fond of you!" "You lie there, you damned bitch!" "You'll regret this, Julius!" "Did he stand you up?" "You seem so down?" "If anyone asks, say that you don't know." "Shall I tell Julius hello?" " Sod off!" "Wait, Milja." "What do you want?" " To talk to you." "I have nothing to say to you." " Never mind, then." "He's in there." " What do you mean?" "I'm saying that Julius is in there." "At Krestoffer's." "What is he doing in there?" " He's hiding." "He's hiding from me, Milja." "But that won't help." "I'll sit here all night." "He has to leave in the morning." "And he'll find me here on the bridge." "Are you fond of him?" "You're fond of him?" "I know he's the one who keeps you up at night." "Do you need to ask, then?" "If you know it." "Yes, I've stolen Julius from you." "But that's good for you." "You see what kind of man he is." " He wasn't like that with me." "It's his nature." " You seduced him." "You just wanted to have fun with him as with the others." "I saw in his eyes that walking you to the factory wasn't enough for him." "You couldn't hold on to him." "He would have left you." "Exactly like he's left me." "Has he left you?" " Yes, but I won't let him go to you!" "He won't ask you." "If he wants to come, I'll hold on to him." "Oh, is it you?" "And you, Milja." "What do you have to talk about?" "It was nothing, Lovisa." "We were just having a chat." "Take care not to talk too much to the one sitting there." "Don't be so nosey, Chicken-Lovisa." "I know you." " What have I done to you?" "Do you remember Sofia's son Manuel?" " He's not worth remembering." "He was a good boy until he fell into your clutches." "Nice to his mum." "I know because I carried him when he was a baby." "You carried me, too, when I was a baby." "I was good too, then." "You've always been a vixen." "Do you remember Reinert?" "And Krestian?" "And Olaves?" "And Manuel?" "Aren't there more?" " Yes." "There's one more." "But I won't say his name." "Don't worry about Milja." "We just talked about him." "I thought as much." "But you watch out now." "Remember what I've said." "That clears the table." "Who might that be?" " Don't let any women in." "Are you coming to see us this late at night?" "I made soup tonight, and Krestina thought you might like some." "You and Krestina are alike." " Take the cards, Julius." "Milja's outside and wants to talk to you." "We'll save some for you." "Engebret won't get it all." "Just go home, Milja." "You've no business here." "You go home." "You wanted to talk to me." "Chicken-Lovisa told me." "She must have misheard." " Yes, it didn't seem right." "She mistook Milja and me." "Come home with me, Julius." " I just told you." "You told me to wait for you." " You're lying!" "Go, Milja." "Don't listen to this." "You go." "It's better." "You see she's waiting for you." "She'll have to wait a long time!" "I'd rather jump in the river!" "Then do it straight away." "If you don't come home with me now, you'll be sorry later." "The soup was very good." " Just as if I made it myself." "I'll be sure to tell Krestina." "You can go home, Milja." "We're going another way." "Yes, I guess so." "Come, Julius, no one's holding us up." "No, nothing's holding me up." "God help you if you follow me!" "Don't go, Julius!" "Gee, my girl!" "Now you'll see how funny it is." "Let go!" " Go the other way, and I will." "What on earth is that noise?" "Blimey, if it isn't the women fighting!" "Petrina!" "Let go of Lovisa!" " Well, I never!" "Come on!" "I have to go home!" " Then go the other way!" " Help me, Krestoffer!" " Never!" "Help me, Engebret." " I don't want to." "Oh!" "You riff-raff!" "There she went." "God help you if you let her pass." "Get lost, you!" "Milja!" "Wait." " My name isn't Petrina." "No, your name is Milja, my girl." "I'm done with Petrina." "Did you see your mum, Julius?" "She was looking for you." "Why don't you go home?" " Not until I get a job." "Thank you for walking me home." " Yes." "Good night, Milja." "Where will you go?" "Can't you go home?" "I'll probably stay outside." " In this cold?" "You could fall ill." " What do you want me to do?" "You could..." "No, you'd better not." "No, probably not." " You can sleep on my floor." " What would people say?" " People?" "No one has a say in my room." "I pay the rent." "I know that." "If you walk quietly on the stairs." "I can walk in my stockinged feet." " Go home tomorrow then." "I'll do anything you say." " Don't squeeze me so hard." "More coffee, Julius?" "I thought you'd be hungry after loitering around all day." "Loitering?" "I've been looking for a job." "And you didn't get any." "It's the same old story." "What do you want me to do?" "Here I am with two strong hands - offering myself to anyone." "But no, thank you." "No one needs me." " I feel very sorry for you." "Don't feel sorry for me." "It was my own fault that I was fired." "I wasn't so willing at the sawmill." " I've never mentioned it." "No, you've been decent." " You're as good as the others." "Me?" "Mum is lying at the cemetery." "She mourned herself to death over me." "Don't talk about the cemetery." "Talk about the one lying on the bed." "Look at him." "I'll look for a job tomorrow, too." "I won't give up." "Where are you going?" " To the works manager." "Up the stairs to the left." "Let me see your reference." " Reference?" "I forgot to get one." "Without a reference you can't get a job here." "Goodbye." "Do you think there's work in a coal stall in the summer?" "You're not made of glass." "Move, you're standing in my light!" "A CHILDLESS MERCHANT IS LOOKING FOR A HEALTHY BABY" "INQUIRY:" "DOCTOR J. W. BENTZEN" "Sit still, Doff en." "You're almost pulling me down." "Isn't it our turn soon?" " After the man who's in there now." "You'll get in there soon enough." "It hurts when he pulls out his tongs." "Open up, he says." "Don't do it, then he can just stand there." " Mum!" " Don't scare the boy!" "Have you been unwell long?" " I just have a cold." "You suffer from consumption." "I can tell by your cough." "I suffer from the same disease, but the doctor won't admit it." "Did you get into the driving wheel?" " I was behind the machine." "Then somebody turned it on." "Just the tip of my middle finger." "It may still be dangerous." "I've tried it myself." "You might get gangrene and lose the whole hand." "He sure is taking long with the one in there now." "You don't need to see the doctor, you look so buxom and alive." "I wouldn't be here otherwise." " What's wrong with you?" "I'm to see the doctor about that." "You suffer from swelling." "I've suffered from the same disease." "It stays here." "There's nothing to be done then, doctor?" "We'll try to get you to the hospital." "Then we'll see." "Hospital?" "Never." "If I'm going to die, I want to die a natural death." "At home." " Next." " It's us, Doff en." "No, I don't have a toothache!" "I don't want to!" "Who's next then?" "Hurry up." "Are you?" "No, I'm in no hurry." "I have a whole lifetime." "It's not my turn, but I don't have much time." "Please." "NO SMOKING" "Sit down." "Is it the chest or the stomach?" "Please undress." "I think my chest is fine." "I'll be the judge of that." "Quiet now." "Breathe!" "Cough!" "Breathe!" "Cough." "No, I can't find anything." "Lie down on the couch." "I just came about the add in the paper." "About the woman who'd take in a baby." "You were to inquire here." " Why didn't you say so?" "The doctor told me to breathe and cough." "That happens when you're in a hurry." "So you have a baby." "Which you would like to get rid of?" "I don't really want to, but..." " Well now, don't fuss." "Why haven't you brought the child?" " It's with Chicken-Lovisa." "Well, then I'll guess she'll make a scene again." "I'll stop by the Hennery over the next days." "What's your name?" " Milja Hansen." "Where do you live?" " Østgårdsgate 5." "Third floor." "Thank you very much." "I'll let you know later." "Your awfully lively today." "Let's see now." "Soon we'll have life here, too." "You have to get finished now." " I'll be done this minute." "Blimey, he's drinking more coffee." " Just a drop." "Engebret must have his meal in peace." "Coffee was on the table at five." " I'm coming now, Krestoffer." "Good night, Lovisa." " Good night." "Keep awake." "Good night, Krestina." " Good night, Engebret." " Don't sleep now." " No." "Poor Engebret." "He'll soon be too old to keep watch." "He's so tired, he's in a daze." "We all have our problems, Krestina." "You have yours, and I have mine." "The kids in the bed have theirs." "That's life for everybody." "You could have a good life." "You don't have to struggle so hard." "You think so?" " You inherited your brother's house." "He couldn't stand seeing strangers, - but he'd only just been buried, when you filled the house with kids." "He's probably turned in his grave." " Just let him turn." "That's his problem." "But it's my problem what I decide to do." "Just so that you know it." " I know." "You fall out with everybody because of these kids." "The married people laugh at you." "And the priest..." "I don't care about the priest." " He said this isn't a good deed." "It's just pandering to lechery." "Immorality, he said." " He meant lechery." ""Those who sin must be punished," he said." "Don't you remember?" " What did I answer, then?" "You said that he might as well talk to the old ladies with no kids." "And make them regret their lives, you said." "Not even a leaf of grass was created - if it wasn't the will of the Lord." "You said that." "The nicest girls are those who have kids, you said." "Did I really say that?" " Yes, you did." "And the priest, the poor man, couldn't say anything." "He just shook his head." " Can't they leave me alone?" "I just want to help those poor girls." "Is it you, Julius?" "Have a seat." " I have to leave right away." "Have a seat now." "Coffee?" "There's a drop left in the kettle." "I don't want coffee." " A drop won't kill you." "I don't want any coffee." " No, no." "Don't intimidate him." "Julius is used to stronger things." "Did you want something?" " No, nothing." "It's easy to guess who Julius is after." "Tonight it's Friday night." " Wait a bit, then she'll come." "Good evening, madam." "How are you?" "I'm no madam, and the doctor knows it." "Miss, then." "I meant no of fence." "The doctor wouldn't say madam if he didn't want to tease me." "I haven't sent for the doctor." "I may have a look at the children." "Even though you'd prefer not to." "What a nice kid." "Whose is it?" "It isn't the doctor's." "How old is he?" " I'm afraid he's only two months." "How do you know?" " I'm afraid he's mine." "Leave the kid alone." "That's not yours." "He's over there." "Don't you know your own child?" "I haven't seen him for a while." "They all look the same." "The doctor isn't here for something else, too?" "What do you mean?" " Like that time two years ago." "That you're here on behalf of some rich lady." "What if I were?" "It's none of your business." "It's not your child." " I knew it straight away!" "But this time you've miscalculated." "The doctor won't get anywhere with the girls I have now." "Very well." "Then I'll stop by when the mothers have arrived." "The doctor needn't bother." " See you later, madam." "Go to Hell!" "What a horrible noise." "I'd better go then." " You can wait a little longer." "Do you think he'll cope?" " He'll live." "We have to trust in the Lord." " It doesn't help me." "I've tried." " He helps all those who pray." "I've nothing to kneel for." "That's how it is." "Punishment follows sin." "That's what it says, and how it is." " Stop it now, Krestina." "You don't know anything about it." " It's what it says." "No one can deny that." "Are you going home, Milja?" " So you've come." "I wanted to see you and the kid." "I haven't seen you since last Friday." "I didn't mean it like that, but..." " Just go." "Look at him!" "Be a good boy now!" "Get away from the kid." "You reek of booze." "You're hard tonight, Milja." " Not as hard as I ought to be." "Hurry up, Petrina's waiting!" " I don't care about Petrina." "I want to move home to you." " I don't want you." "No, no." "That's it then." "I'd better be going, then." "But you ought to think." "You're not doing what's right." "Did you do that when you ran to Petrina and left me alone?" "Now I've come to you and my kid willingly." "Don't touch the kid." " It's my kid." "You should listen to him, Milja." "He offers to be with you." "Yes, isn't that what I'm doing?" " You could get married." "It's a sin to live unmarried with a kid when you don't have to." "It's a big sin." "I know about that." "How do you know that it's a sin, Krestina?" "It says so in the scriptures." " I'll tell you something." "The scriptures say that you shouldn't be so nosey." "If it doesn't say so, then it ought to." "Is it you?" "Don't you dare go in." "Who is it?" " Someone's here for you, Julius." "Me?" "Oh well." "Do you want me to leave, Milja?" " Yes, you have to leave." "She's out there waiting." " All right!" "But I tell you, I'm never coming back!" "Not until next Friday!" "It's so nice listening to the barrel organ." "It brings spring, girls." "Nice?" "This false tune?" "I'll tell him off soon enough." "Dear Lord, it's like being young again." "Here you are." "You're as wise as the greylag goose in spring." "I gave him a piece of my mind." "So I think he'll clear off." "You can be sure we had a fine man here a while ago, girls." "The priest?" " No, but he wasn't much better." "It was the doctor." "The doctor?" "Has he already been here tonight?" "Already?" "What do you mean?" "I thought he..." "Nothing." "You must mean something." "I'm not going to delve into it." "What did he want?" " To look at the kids as usual." "Oh?" "He was here for something else, too." "Why, I'd forgotten, Krestina." "He wanted one of our kids." "What would he want with a kid, that old widower?" "He didn't want it for himself." "He was just choosing one - for some rich lady on the west side." "He thinks he can get one of our kids." "No." "I told him. "Ask them yourselves," I said. "Then you'll get an answer."" "Imagine giving away your child." "Thank the Lord that you live on this side of the river - and can have a child and live decently." "Plenty of people over there envy you that." "Good evening, ladies." "Look now." "They've gathered with their chickens." "There's nothing wrong with that." "That's as it should be." "Yes, it is." "The children and their mothers belong together." "And no one's going to separate them." "In a way you're right, madam." "I'm no madam!" "What a beautiful child you have." "How old is he then?" " Three months." "He's big for his age." "What's his name?" "Aleksander." "Aleksander the Great..." "Aleksander the Great Olsen?" " Aleksander Johansen." " I see." "What are you going to be when you grow up?" "Are you going to work at the factory like mum and dad?" "Or are you going to be a sailor and turn all the girls' heads?" "Exactly like our big friend, the late China-Johan?" "Did the doctor want anything?" " I've not come here just for fun." "But what's up with her?" "She was crying." "I don't hope I..." "Not at all." "She must be pleased that the doctor made fun." "I don't understand..." " No, the doctor is slow." "But if I tell you that China-Johan was the father of her child, - maybe you'll understand." "What?" "China-Johan there, too." "Well, that boy sure knew how to make his mark." "Maybe the doctor will look at mine?" "He's so tiny and light." "Is your child ill?" " He's better now." "The doctor may look at him." " I don't have time now." "He's such a good boy." "He never cries." "That's a pity." " He'll be one year old at Christmas." "His birthday is on Christmas Eve." " There's nothing to do about it." "His father was Peder Jensen who was killed at the textile factory." "Peder Jensen." "I see..." "Well, let me have a look at your child, then." "Can't you take him?" " Take him?" "I don't understand." "Yes, Sergeant-Petra won't give her kid up." "Neither will Milja." " Take your child?" " Yes." "The doctor said I didn't have long when I was at your office." "If I was sure that the little one was safe..." "Ask the principal for help." "He's very nice." "The principal!" "Don't say that word to me." "Wasn't there another girl?" " She's gone home to bed." "It's been a long time since five o'clock this morning." "She has to get up early and needs some peace and quiet." "Well, good night, ladies." "Sleep tight." "You mean what you said at my office?" "You want to give up the child?" " Yes." "Don't you think you'll regret it?" "Yes, I do." "But I have to do it anyway." "Don't cry, my dear." "The child hasn't been ill as far as I know?" "And you haven't been ill either?" " No." "What about your parents?" " My dad is dead." "From what?" "Consumption?" " No." "He was lost at sea." "I see." "But what about your mother, then?" "She's alive if I'm not mistaken?" "She lives on the poor relief fund." " What about the father of the child?" "Is he well?" "Didn't I see him at the Hennery this evening?" "Tell me, does he drink?" " Not much." "And he's not thievish?" "He's never been convicted?" "No, that he's never been." " You must excuse the questions." "I wonder what the doctor was up to this evening." "He looked so sly." " He was after Milja." "He's probably at her home now talking her into it." "I'm going to talk to her myself." "He won't trick her into giving up her most precious possession." "You're not going out in the middle of this dark night?" "The clock has struck eight." " I need to know what's going on." "Dress up a bit tomorrow and bring the child to me." "Then we'll talk more." "The lady, you and I. Goodbye." "Well?" "Are you here?" "Oh yes." "I thought as much." "The doctor is done, I see." "What do you see?" " He wanted to make the girls cry." "The third one is sitting there." "Is she crying?" "She certainly has no reason to." "On the contrary." "Good night, madam!" "Sleep tight, doctor." "You've truly deserved it!" "You snoop!" "Aren't you tired, Milja?" "It's time to go to bed now." "The night's long enough." " Maybe he won't let you sleep." "Do you think he can feel it?" " What do you mean, Lovisa?" "They say kids can feel everything their mum is feeling." "Do you think it's true?" "Well, that's what they say." "How is your kid, Milja?" "He's looking at you." "Talk to him, then." "There now, child." "You have to go to sleep now." "No, that's not how you should talk to him." "He's asking you something." " What is he asking me?" "Don't you know?" "You're his mother, after all." "He's asking why you're holding him so tight." "He doesn't want any other lap than where he is now." "Lovisa, you know everything." "You know I'm giving him up." "Who are you giving up?" " My kid." "The one in my arms." "You're lying, Milja!" " It's true, Lovisa!" "Try to get some sleep." "Then bring the kid to the Hennry tomorrow." "I can't come tomorrow." " Can't you come?" "I'm going somewhere else tomorrow." "Well?" "I guess the doctor got ahead of you." "You never learn, Lovisa." "I know I'm conceited, Krestina." "But it's over now." "I know what I'm going to do." " That's not a moment too soon." "I'm going to the boss tomorrow." "I'll sell the Hennery." "You've said that before." " I probably have, Krestina." "But that Milja should go that way..." "It goes the way it must." "According to the will of our Lord." "No, not this time." "Shame, shame, shame." "Even if you say it's his will a thousand times, it won't happen." "This is a big sin." "You won't be going to the Hennery today." "You won't be with mum any more today." "You'll have a good life." "I think you look nice now." "No, in God's name." "Do you have any more questions, madam?" "No, thank you." "With the information my husband and I have received, - everything seems to be in order." "Then we just have to sign these documents." "My husband has signed." " We need the other party, too." "Here you are." "The name goes there." "There, please." "Thank you." "Then everything's in order." "Hurry up." "People are thirsty, you see." "I'll hurry up." "Don't drink too much, or the ship will end in the field." "The ship in the field, it is." "Smile now." "Tonight, we'll party and hope." "And tomorrow, we'll mourn and mope." "It sounds like they're having fun." "That's the point." "That's why they're here." "Can't I have a bottle of beer?" "I'll pay." "You'll get beer when you have money." "Can't you let me up there so that I can have a dance at least?" "They don't want you up there." "There's a rare guest." " Yes, it's been a long time." "Have a seat, Olina." "How is the little one?" "He's fine now." "You sound so strange." " He's dead." "They're dancing up there." "Are you going to start dancing again?" "I don't think so." "But it's so sad to be sitting home alone." "Can't you go to the Salvation Army?" "There's plenty of life." "I can't go there constantly." "I was there last Sunday." "You're right." "There's nothing else to choose between." "It's either the prayer meeting or the dance hall." "Unless you're wise, and do what I do." "Then you can have fun anywhere." "Yes, you have a lot to show for your wisdom, Petrina." "Just as much as the others." "Just look at them going to the factory." "Look closely at them to find someone you'd like to trade places with." "You're jealous, Petrina." "Listen to the fun they're having." "I hear it." "They laugh once a week." "Every Sunday night." "When they forget that they're machines - and feel that they have warm, young blood in their bodies." "How much is the ride?" " It will be 40 øre." "Here's half a crown." "This passenger is certainly worth it." "Careful now, or you'll have a bit of a list." "A list it is, captain." "We need some air tonight." "The girls are really hanging on." "A bottle." "Five florins." "Oh, is she here, too?" "You're thirsty, Julius." " Yes, I am that." " Cheers." " Cheers." "Won't you buy me a glass of beer?" "Are you thirsty, Petrina?" " I wouldn't ask if I wasn't." "You're awfully thirsty, Petrina." "Here you are, Miss." "Cheers." " You damned..." " Cheers." " Cheers." "Are you still thirsty, Petrina?" "Would you like more beer?" "Are there a lot of people we know up there, Julius?" "Is that you, Olina?" "Come on up and have a look." "There are plenty of boys." "Call for me if you get thirsty again, Petrina." "Look." "He's got a new girl." "That's Olina." "She's dying." "What does he want with her?" "I'd better go." "Don't worry about me." "Watch out, or I'll punch you in the nose." "Come on, Olina." "You're fond of Julius." "Me?" "Fond of someone?" "No, I'll have to laugh." "That laughter is only superficial." "There's something underneath it." "What would that be?" "Tears, maybe?" "Do you think he's that nice to me?" "Do I hear anything but swearing when we're out?" "Doesn't he beat me when we're alone?" "Why do you put up with it?" " Why?" "That's just it." "It's not so easy to answer." "What are you delving into that for?" "Is it any of your business?" " No, that's not it." "Girls, you say." "I remember when I was in port in Valencia." "There was a black-haired belladonna." " Krestian!" " Yes, I'm coming!" "Here's something to restore yourself on." "Beer, Gurina." "My throat is all dry." "Aren't you having fun here, Milja?" "You're so sad." "Give us a little smile." "Thank you." "Here you are." " Cheers!" "Cheers, Milja!" " Cheers." "Sad, me?" "What do I have to be sad about?" "I ask the same question." " I wasn't talking to you." "May I sit here?" "I have my own beer." "I'd prefer if you kept away." "Don't be so conceited!" "You're a good girl, Milja." "And I am who I am." "But I'll say it anyway." "Thank God he's left me." " They say you're trailing after him." "Then you can tell them they're lying." "I don't look his way." "Neither do I. He's up there now, but he's just air to me." "That's what I'm saying, Milja." "You're a good girl." "Cheers." "How is your kid?" "The kid?" "My kid?" "He's fine, I guess." "Absolutely fine." "I knew that they were lying, Milja." "What are they saying?" " That you've sold your kid." "To a fine lady on the west side." "Hey, Gurina!" "Well, here are both of my old girlfriends." "Keep your nose out of this." " Don't be annoying, Julius." "You have girls enough over there." " I have as many as I like." "Then take them if it's like that." " Sit down." "A couple of girls more or less doesn't matter to me." "He's a troublemaker." "Darn, there she went." "Keep going, boys." "The more they dance, the thirstier they get." "Good evening, Petrina." "Have a glass of barley broth." "I'm not thirsty." "Leave me alone." "I guess Petrina is sick of beer." " And fond of anything else." "Milja, answer me." " Watch it, or I'll scream." "You have to answer first." " I don't have to answer to you." "You don't?" "I'll show you." "You'll have to answer to me." "What have you done with my kid?" " Leave the girl alone." "You're not allowed to beat her." " Don't worry." "She's not worth it." "That's the truth." "She's not worth a thing." "Settle down now here." "Or there'll be trouble." "The girl hasn't done anything." " She gave up her kid." "I agree with her." "Everybody should do that." "Cheers to that!" "That was clever!" "Good evening, children." "Good evening, all." "Come have a glass of beer, Lovisa." "You'll sit here with us now." "Then we're going dancing upstairs." "Just you wait, I'll dance with you all." "The world's so big and beautiful come on sing with me no more hustle and bustle the boy kisses his girl." "Are you looking for someone?" " No, but I'm waiting for someone." "Someone up there." "How are you doing these days?" " Fine, thank you." "And you're doing fine as you always have done?" "It's not like the old days." " I'm glad to hear it." "You begrudge everybody, Chicken-Lovisa." "Your living makes a difference." "We live on people." "We're both thin and frail." "I don't turn people into swine." " Neither do I." "If they get too crazy, I throw them out." "You're annoyed, because you know I steal a lot of your costumers." "Your girls would rather be with me than you." "I hear you saying it." " Several of them are up there." "Lovisa." "Is that you, my girl?" "Why aren't you dancing?" "I'm sick of dancing." " Well, I never." "A young girl who doesn't want to dance when the boys are waiting." "Why haven't you said that before?" "Because I didn't know any better." "Well, here I am chatting away." "What did I want to say?" "They're leaving today." "I said, they're leaving today." " Who's leaving?" "The merchant." "And his wife." " The merchant?" "And one more." "A little one." " A little one." "You go dance now." "Don't worry about the kid any more." "You'll never see him again." "You can count on that." "Good night, Milja." "Have fun, my girl." "Have fun, she said." "I'll sure have fun now." "Because now I've nothing else to worry about in the whole world." "Well, where did you go?" "I was looking for you." "Let go." "I'm going dancing." " You need a quick one first." "You're not allowed to drink liquor here." "Bring a glass for yourself, too, then you'll shut up." "It's not allowed, you know." "But now I've told you." " Cheers." " I'll take it with me." " Cheers, Milja." " Cheers." "One more." " Do you think I can take it?" "My eyes are all funny." " You're supposed to on Sunday night." " Cheers." " Cheers." "I'll tell you something, Olav." "You shouldn't drink any more." "You'll get drunk." " Mind your own business." "It's different with me." "I'm free and easy." "Didn't you hear what she said?" ""Why aren't you dancing?"" "Have fun, she said." " You're being awfully silly now." "Come up when you feel like it." "I'm coming." "Yes." "I'm coming, my kid." "Gurina, do you hear that?" " I don't hear anything." "My kid, Gurina?" "Didn't you hear him cry?" "You must realise that your kid isn't here." "Go home to bed." "Home." "I can't stand being at home." "There's something..." "What's wrong with Milja?" " She's just so sad." "Tonight it's just you and I and the two of us, Petrina." "Rest a bit, Olina." "Then you'll fell better." "Would you like a glass of water?" "She doesn't want water from you." "You're hands aren't clean." "How much did you get for your kid?" "I think you should leave." "Get out, you tart!" "How hard and mean you are to me now." "I'm feeling bad enough as it is, you don't have to add to the burden." "Is your guilty conscience pestering you?" "What have I done?" "Why's everybody avoiding me?" "Is it any of your business if I give away something that's mine?" "Do you think I gave the kid up for my own sake?" "Do you think I thought of myself when I signed him away." "You just took pity on the fine lady, of course." "What the hell are you sneering at?" "Leave the girl alone." "I wanted to make up for the harm I'd done him." "Had you done your kid any harm?" " I'd brought him into the world." "The world's so big and beautiful." "Keep your trap shut!" "What else could I do but push with both hands - when decent, good people wanted to take him in." "Come, Milja." "I'll see you home." "You're beside yourself." "I don't want any company, Julius." "I want to go alone." "Tonight." "As usual." "Anyone here?" "Milja?" "Milja?" "What are you up to?" " Let me pass." "What have you done?" "Come with me." "Did you see a girl?" "She ran through the fence." " Why didn't you say that?" "Milja!" "Milja!" "Milja!" "Milja!" "They left yesterday." "Look at the river." " It looks like she's sleeping." "It's some river." "Do you remember the Thames and the big rivers in the world?" "I wouldn't trade them for the Aker River no matter what." "What's that drifting up there?" "I don't see anything." " Yes, there." "By the river bank." "Oh no..." "Engebret, come on!" " What is it?" "Come on." "We have to prove that we are real men." "Hold on." "Her heart is beating." " But her hand is cold." "Hurry up, we have to get her to the Hennery." "Who on earth can that be?" "Krestina?" "Krestina?" "You don't have to yell." "What's that noise?" "My goodness!" "Lovisa!" "Steady, Engebret." "Steady now." " Steady it is." "What's happened?" " We can discuss that later." "Put her down." "Put her in Krestina's bed." "As wet as she is?" "Well, do it anyway." "You'll have to get the doctor." " Now?" "In the middle of the night?" " What about the factory?" " Now!" "What about the control bell?" " The doctor, I said!" "Krestina, help me get her clothes off." "It's almost five o'clock." "Maybe we should wake her up." "The doctor said she should stay in bed today." "Usually, you don't listen to the doctor." "Quiet now." "You can wake up the one lying in that bed." "You make a fuss of him, but someone else can hardly say a word." "Go make ready, Krestina." "Don't be so grumpy in the morning." "You're sulky." "I know what I have to do." "Don't worry about me." "How sound she's sleeping." "Well, my Lord, I've done my part." "You'll have to do the rest." "Yes, my child." "Here I am." "Oh God, will I never find peace?" "My child!" "What are you doing?" "Go away, it's my kid!" " It's Laura's kid." "Don't you think I know my own kid?" "Look at him!" "You don't have a kid!" "You signed him away." "Am I not his mother?" "Didn't I bring him into the world?" "I'll show you he's mine, even if you tricked me - into signing him away a thousand times!" "Exactly." "That's what I thought." " Lovisa?" " Is it you, Julius?" "So early in the morning." "What do you want?" " Milja isn't here, is she?" "Milja?" "Here?" "I thought you knew where she lived." "She didn't come home last night." "Nobody's seen her." "What do you want with Milja?" " I don't know." "I just want to be with her." "Milja is here, Julius." "I'll ask her if she wants to talk to you." "Milja?" "Milja?" "Someone's asking for you." " I'm busy." " It's the doctor." "I don't have time to talk to him." "It's not that doctor." "It's someone else." "There he is." "Hello, Milja." "But didn't you..." " Yes, I did..." "Yes, I don't understand it." "Lovisa?" "You wouldn't happen to...?" "No, I don't understand it." "May I have a seat?" " There's a chair in the corner." "It's so far away." "I'd rather sit here." "Thank you for yesterday, Milja." "You spoke honestly." "Do you think he's grown?" "Are you still a bit fond of me?" "He's cutting a tooth." " I can't live without you." "I realise that now." "Feel how heavy he is." "Him in one arm, and you in the other." "Come on, let's go home." "Home?" "To mine?" "Or to yours?" "To the three of us." "Then it doesn't matter where it is." "THE END" "Subtitles:" "Louise Munk Alminde Scandinavian Text Service 2009"