"MONOPOLY" "Mads Skjern's clothes store and new' bank are successful,   w'ith the help of his brother Kristen." "But he has new plans   for a clothing factory near the railroad." "The plot is meant to be a park, so Mads talks to secretary Lund   w'ho has financial problems." "Mr. Schwann knows this, too." "In his new'job as a debt collector, he pesters the Lund family." "Varnæs' brother Jørgen is strapped for cash   because of his divorce and his affair, so he sells all his shares   to the attorney Skjold Hansen, w'ho becomes a board member." "Maude's problem is a visit from Skjold Hansen's wife, Musse." "There is also Mrs. Møhge's 100th birthday party to think of." "Unfortunately, the stubborn old lady has misread her birth certificate,   and is actually only 90 years old." "While Mads is successful in business and at home   and Kristen has new' hope of w'inning Maude's sister, Elisabeth, " " Varnæs has trouble at home and especially at w'ork,   w'here both his accountant Stein and young Ulla Jacobsen   still show' him loyalty." "Ulla is particularly sympathetic." "STRANGER in TOWN" " Shouldn't you be going?" " Bye." " What is it, Daniel?" " He's got a conduct remark." "Can't he say so himself?" "And why at the last minute?" "What does it say?" ""lt's difficult to make Daniel pay attention in class." "A. Andersen."" " He's from geography." "He's boring." " And you show that to me now?" "Were you hoping you'd get away with it?" " See me after school, do you hear?" " Run along now." " All children get conduct remarks." " Not Ellen." "And I never did either." " I did." "Loads." "For being fresh." " I don't doubt that." "It's for you, too." ""The internationally known artist Prof. Ernst Nyborg's exhibition ..."" " Why are we invited?" " Baron Von Rydtger is the chairman." " Is it anything for us?" " He's our best portrait painter." " So what's he doing in Korsbæk?" " Von Rydtger arranged it." "They have mutual friends." "Or rather, girlfriends." " What does the baroness say to that?" " She's friends with the baroness too." " She used to be her sister-in-law." " But that's not a problem?" " Obviously not in those circles." " And she's going with the painter?" "I wouldn't say that." "She's amusing herself with Jørgen Varnæs now." " Do you know her?" " That's why he got divorced." " Don't you keep up to date, Mads?" " I do, in business matters." " He's getting heavier and heavier." " He should. lt's on Friday." "And we have to go?" "Because Von Rydtger is the chairman of the District Bank?" "There's no harm in turning up at occasions like that. ls there, pal?" " Can we leave the table?" " Regitze, Ulrik." "Just a minute." "There's something your father wants to say to you." " Hans Christian?" " Yes, dear?" " The children." "You promised." " Oh." "You must come straight home." " There was more." " If you ... what do you call it?" "Gad about." "Then we'll go back to Agnes collecting you, is that clear?" "Baron Von Rydtger." "We don't see him anymore." "Not since he went over to the other bank." " lt's from him." " What does he say?" "He'd like to see us at the vernissage of an exhibition." " At the Post House." " Who's the artist?" "Ernst Nyborg." "He used to be my art teacher." " It's on Friday." " Small world." " So your teacher is big stuff now." " It'll be strange to see him again." " I'm having lunch with the board." " When are you coming home?" "I'll call you." "Now we've started getting letters from the Baron." " You're going to a varnishing day." " I don't need any varnish." "That's what it's called when you open an exhibition." "I've joined the Art Society." "It was at a meeting in the bank." " The Baron recruited me." " Since when does that interest you?" "This guy, they say he's international." "Well, we're not." "You can go if you want." " You've got to come, Katrine." " No, I've got enough pictures." "Easy!" "The station master's upstairs, watching over these art treasures." "Can I give you a hand?" "Even the aristocracy's involved." "Baron Von Rydtger is the protector." "You'd think it was concrete." "That was the last one." "Tell Madsen it's for the Post House." "That was nice of you, pal." "You deserve a beer." " I can't offer you any money." " A beer is fine." " Who has Red found now?" " Don't know." "Probably unemployed." "The whole lot is going to the Post House." "You should see them." "Going "ooh" and "aah", even though they don't understand a damn thing." " Are you hungry?" " That herring looks edible." " Boldt?" "Herring for my friend." " You think they won't understand?" " No." "But they'll come running." " Because the Baron's chairman." "We had a picture of Ruth gleaning, and one of Jesus walking on the lake." " That's why he's so ungodly." " Fatty here paints too." " This room is a specimen of his art." " Yeah, six years ago." " I paint signs at the moment." " We're almost in the same business." " What's your name?" " Nyborg." "Ernst Nyborg." "You don't mean you're the one who ..?" "I sure am. lt looks like that needs washing down." "Schnapps, please." "Certainly." "Morning." "The manager hasn't come yet." "Stein!" "Found any more we can put the thumbscrews on?" "Thanks to your legal advice, it's all home and dry now." "Willy-nilly." "And with the smallest possible loss." "Except a few worthless customers." "Many of them stuck with us when we needed them, or their parents." "Old friendships are dangerous in banking." " Take Mr. Lund ..." " We don't have to look after his son." "Not anymore." "He's moved to the District Bank." " And his business with us?" " Terminated immediately." "Well, I'll be damned ..." "Tell Varnæs I'm upstairs." "Good morning." "Every time the door opened I thought it w'as you ..." "What do you think?" "About Ernst appearing in Korsbæk?" "I read that Ernst has been appearing in the strangest places for 10 years." "Yes, Paris or Switzerland." "He's been to America too." " And he lives in Tibirke." " It seems like you've watched Ernst." " That's because I'm interested in art." " And a teeny weeny bit in Ernst." " Well, it's been so long." " You've changed." "Yes, I suddenly felt ..." "Let's have our sherry now." "No one knows when Hans Christian comes home these days." "Good night." "Miss Jacobsen, have you got a moment?" "Good night." "Mr. Stein." "Wait a minute, please." " Mr. Varnæs." "Are you in town?" " For a few days. ls my brother in?" "The manager's working in his office." "I'll tell him ..." " How long can you stay?" " Just fifteen minutes, dear." "We'll have to find another arrangement." "The others have found out." "You know, when you call for me." "I'm allowed to make use of the banking staff." "Well!" "I managed to pop in before Stein locked up   to see my busy brother." "Miss Jacobsen and I ... were just looking through some papers." " Maybe I can go now." " You must finish your glass." "Yes, drink your sherry first." "What about you, Jørgen?" " You don't have to ask." " Miss Jacobsen's been helping me." " We've had a lot to do." " Of course." "Don't we all?" "Your successor on the board isn't as easy to play along with as you." "A lot of things have changed, isn't that right, Miss Jacobsen?" "Can I go now?" "Goodbye ..." " Every man to his taste." " What do you mean?" "Oh, Schwamm darüber, as the Germans say." "So all is well?" " Fine." " And at home?" " Has Maude forgiven me?" " Maude is a cultured woman." "I'm so glad." "I want to ask you a favor as a friend." "No, as a brother." "It's about Gitte." "Maude has never invited her, has she?" " That thing with Minna shocked her." " We don't owe Minna anything." " That's true." " It's my childhood home, too." " Even though you got it." " You've always been welcome." "But don't you think it's time that Gitte ..." "I mean ..." " You know Gitte." "She's not dull." " No one could say that." "Then why not arrange it so we can stay with you for a couple of days?" " I'll talk to Maude about inviting you." " It's just that ..." " Those few days are actually now." " It can't be that urgent." "It is." "Gitte is here to help one of her friends." "Hanging up pictures." "It's that painter, Professor Nyborg." " ls he one of Gitte's friends?" " Yes." "One of mine too, actually." "We went to Paris together." "But Gitte helped the Baron get him here." " That doesn't happen every day." " Maude said she knew him, too." " I think he was her art teacher." " That's a heaven-sent opportunity." " Bringing the two ladies together." " You make it sound so easy." "Why should the Baron get all the glory?" "Open your home to Gitte and you're in the picture." " That doesn't matter." " lt does to Maude." " But right now?" " Now, now, Hans Christian." "Why the hypocrisy?" "Gitte used to be married to a count." "But she's just as good as Maude." "And since you and me ..." " What?" " One can't blame the other, right?" "You just call it overtime." "But let me give you some advice." "Find something a little more fun, like me." " Preferably in another town." " I'm going home for dinner." "And you?" "I'll manage. I'm having dinner with the Von Rydtgers." "Of course." "You socialize with the president of the District Bank." "They're old friends of Gitte's." "They're giving a dinner for the professor." " Anyway, you'll talk to Maude." " If it means that much to you." "I'll call you later." "You can't have been serious at the dinner table." " About Jørgen and that girl." " She married into good families." " Several times." " Yes, but Jørgen is my brother." "I knew something was up." "We've got enough room and Jørgen has always been welcome." " Yes, with Minna." " Do we owe Minna anything?" "She bled Jørgen dry." "What do you think, Elisabeth?" " Elisabeth agrees with me." " How on earth do you know that?" " Well, don't you?" " No." "You don't know the woman." "Perhaps it wouldn't do any harm if there was a little life in this house." "Right." "You always complain that we only see old people." "Agnes." "Would you see if the guest rooms are in order?" " They are." " For two guests." "Mr. Varnæs and ..." " When are they coming?" " Probably tomorrow." "It's odd." "I've never sat like this before." "It's the one he's been running around with for years." " It can't be." "Madam would never ..." " I heard it myself." "Mr. Varnæs said, "By the way, Jørgen and Mrs. Graae would like to stay."" " What did madam say?" " Her eyes nearly popped." "She was about to say something, but she saw me." " Unfortunately." " It's none of your business anyway." "Hello." "I knew it was coffee time." "You seem to think you've found a new restaurant." "Your coffee is much better than at the Railway Hotel." "They're still talking." "I'll bet they'll make like clams when I come in." " Hi, Lauritz." "Aren't you working?" " In half an hour." "I just wanted to show you this." ""... and escort." "Friday at 2 p.m." Sir and madam received one, too." " But why have you?" " I know the artist, personally." " Agnes is going out on Friday." " I can't." "Mr. and Mrs. Varnæs ..." " So what?" "You're invited, too." " Don't give her any ideas." "Remember when she went to the bazaar with that windbag ..." "He bought madam's picture." "She was sick for days." "I don't care if she drops dead, Agnes is coming to the varnishing day." "I thought that was something you put on the floor." "That's why you should come." "I'd like to try the dress in the other window." "The blue one." "Would you bring the blue dress to Mrs. Lund, please?" "This way." " I'll see that you get a chair, sir." " l'll come back later." "I have an appointment with your boss." "I hope everything's been arranged." "The builders are ready to go." "There's just one formality." "Permission from the Mayor." " Why does it take several months?" " The Mayor is an elderly man." "Old people tend to think they can remember something they'd forgotten." "What do you mean by that?" "The old provisions about the park." "But I assured him there's nothing in the mortgage register." "Does he realize what my project will do for this town?" "He's very interested." "The Mayor is not above vanity, you know." "Then he'll also take pride in the town developing, before he retires." "Exactly. I keep reminding him that this is his chance." " Then maybe we can conclude this." " I'm doing what I can." "I expect you are." "I'm going to a meeting with the architect." " Can I drive you to the Town Hall?" " My wife's trying on a dress." " It's for the opening tomorrow." " Oh, yes." "The exhibition." "He's supposed to be brilliant." "Especially at portraits, they say." " Will you sit here, Mrs. Graae?" " Why not say Gitte?" "You, too." "Then I'll say ..." "Heavens, I don't even know your name." "My name's Maude." "Is the room all right?" "She compared it to the hole we saw at the Post House." " It used to be my sister's." " She must have excellent taste." "I decorated it, actually, as a surprise for my sister." "But then she moved." " Would you like wine or beer?" " Just mineral water for me." "My head's like a zeppelin." "Promise to tie me down if I start to rise." "Don't expect me to help." "I can't move my head." " Is it that lively at the Baron's?" " With Ernst, it's always terrible." " Terrible?" " Terribly funny." " Like setting white mice free." " Last night it was a pig." " ln the drawing room?" " Ernst had caught it to save Tiny." " He'd lost everything at poker." " Tiny?" " Yes, that's what we call Jørgen." " What a strange name." "As a boy we called him Baby." "And at school he was called Fisty." "Can't we talk about something else?" "Think of my condition." "It's no shame to be called Fisty, or Tiny." " Tiny!" " You can serve the meat now." ""Tiny" came quite naturally because of his wife. I forget her name." " Minna." " That's right." "She always put a thermos of milk and honey in his suitcase." "Jørgen has fed loads of milk and honey to cats all over the country." " Eh, Fisty?" " Yes ..." "An ex-politician much beloved among cats." "I saved him from a lot." "You owe me at least 500 kroner from last night." " Did you play poker too?" " No." "But the pig was my idea." "All the chips fell from the table, so they gave up counting." "Ernst!" "I promised to help him hang the pictures straight. ln my condition." "Get the right end up." "He always signs in the bottom right corner." " I hear you're related to the Baron." " Very distantly." "I was married to the Baroness's brother once." " Is he dead?" " I hope not." "When were we there, Tiny?" "Saturday before last." "But we nearly died." "Of boredom." "Frederik's nice, but divinely boring." "And the castle's like a mausoleum." "And his new wife looks like a ghost." "They're perfect for each other." " A breath of Paris." " You gave me a fright." " I'm sorry." "It suits you." " I suppose we're leaving now." "Mrs. Graae ..." "Gitte, if you like, had to assist with the hanging." " Shall I get your fur coat?" " I'm not wearing that." "I'd rather freeze to death, after seeing hers. lt's mink." "Gorgeous." " A present from Jørgen, she said." " From Paris, too?" " From Palm, the court furrier." " Can Jørgen afford that?" "She got 33% off." "She could get me the same." "But you can't afford it." "As much as Jørgen can." "ERNST NYBORG paintings AND GOUACHES" " Oh, dear, Baron Von Rydtger!" " Excuse my using my left hand." " What happened?" " A light sprain." " My husband fell off his horse." " But he's such a good horseman." " We all get older, Mrs. Holm." " How true, Baroness, how true." "We must look after our husbands." "That's our duty." "Why did you tell that stupid woman that I fell off my horse?" "I don't fall off horses." "Should I have told her you tripped over a pig at 5 o'clock this morning?" " Hello, Mrs. Skjern ..." " Thank you for inviting us." " Is it ..?" " Nothing to talk about." " I'll serve the story on Thursday." " We'll look forward to it." "Well, well." "Have you been in a fight?" "I've just been trying my hand at your work." "Keep it quiet." "You must meet Prof. Nyborg." "He will lead us all into ruin." " Is this supposed to be Fernando?" " It's some French politician." "He looks like a Møhge." "Him, too." "A dead ringer for Fernando." "That's our nice painter, Mother." "It's too overwhelming for Mother." "I think we'd better ..." " Be seeing you, Aunt Møhge." " Yes, please!" "When?" " ls that your wife, Professor?" " No, just one of my many women." "Excuse me." " So, there you are." " Yes, thank you. I brought the wife." " Your husband and I are colleagues." " Emanuel?" " Isn't that Hansen, the painter?" " I think so." "This party is as strange as the pictures." "Help yourself." "He likes the food." "Fatty!" "Are you interested in art, too?" "Is there anything to wash it down with?" "Preferably a beer?" "It's magnificently alive." "You can tell it's the French school." "And the wife in a French dress." "She must be confident   that the town clerk will win the lottery." " He gets 5,000 for one of these." " Yes, people are crazy." "Him, too." "I can't see anyone who can afford 5,000 kroner for a picture." "Don't say that." " Pure humbug." " Yes, I prefer Agnes Slott Møller." " You can find me at the buffet." " One always can, these days." "Shouldn't we be moving on?" "There's a buffet." " Yes, yes ..." " I can do that." "Well, try then." "I'll speak plainly. lt is pure humbug." "Dear Colonel Hachel, you are talking to the artist." " Is that what professors look like?" " You are on the war path." "Since there are no wars, I'm at your service." "She's here." "Your pupil." " Get me away from this awful man." " Is there anything I can do for you?" "My favorite pupil." "An encounter with the past." " Do I look that old?" " No, but even more beautiful." " This is my husband." " How do you do?" "Your husband?" "We'll lure him to the buffet,   then I'll show you my pictures, and afterwards we'll look at yours." "You've been standing there for ten minutes." "What if madam sees me?" "Madam is too busy to see anything." "Come on." "If you'll allow me, I will put you under the protection of my garrison   while you're in Korsbæk." "Watch him, he's a real rogue." "I know." "I've always dreamed of being backed by the Army." " May I borrow you cavalier?" " With pleasure." " I shall return forthwith." " The infantry is after me." "There are limits to what I will do for Ernst." "I could do with some champagne." "At last." "You don't even come on time anymore." "Madam is still there." "Has Mr. Varnæs come home?" "Yes, and he left again." "He had to go to the bank." "But the others are upstairs." "The barrister and Mrs. Graae." "In all these years it's never been so confusing." "They came down to get champagne." "I had to go out to get ice." "She's walking around barefoot." "And the children ran over to them." "We'll have to think." "Or this will be as much fun as the Christian Mission." " l have thought." "Let's go to bed." " Can't you think of anything else?" "We went to bed at five this morning." "How do you keep up?" "I had a little beauty sleep while you were playing cards." " ln the Baron's bedroom." " Couldn't you sleep in our room?" "Ernst wanted to try the Baron's bed." "In all innocence." " With you?" " First we had a nice sleep." "Then we had the idea with the pig." "Nobody ever slept with Ernst in all innocence." "We're like brother and sister." "We were lying under these antlers." " Can you imagine, Tiny?" " Please stop calling me Tiny here!" "I can change it to Ninny!" "I'll get you for this!" " I'll kill you!" " You wouldn't dare, coward." "What did they call you at school?" "Fisty, wasn't it?" " Gitte, I'm sorry." " You nasty Tiny." "Damn you!" "Ouch, damn it!" "Having fun?" "We're just making ourselves at home." " Where's Maude?" " Still looking at pictures." "Let me." "Empty." "What a pity." "How about another bottle?" " I can ring for Agnes." " Yes." "Let's enjoy ourselves." "Come here." "I'll sit between two brothers and wish that we never run out of champagne." " Shall I get your shoes?" " No, I drink out of a glass." " Come here, Tiny." " Yes, Tiny." "If you're really good,   l might show you where Colonel Hachel squeezed me." " Did they say anything about dinner?" " They're talking about the colonel." "You can hear them laughing." " What does Mr. Varnæs say to that?" " Nothing." "He joined her, too." "You should see them." " Shall I ask about dinner?" " I'll do it myself." "I'm beginning to like the provinces." "Come on ..." " There's Laura." " Korsbæk's own Escoffier." " About dinner ..." " Can't it wait?" " Until madam comes?" " I guess it'll have to." "Why didn't I inherit Laura?" "My brother always gets the lion's share." "How long have you been here?" "I was with the old mistress for seven years." "And Mr. Varnæs, that makes 1 7 years in all." " Then it must be your turn." " You've had her for ten years." "You can take everything but Laura." " Why don't you gamble for her?" " Right, we'll play." "Like we played for our toys." "We used to play parcheesi." "Hans Christian, send for Agnes right away!" " Well?" " If it's like this when madam's out ..." "This is the children's game." "Have the children returned?" " Who's going to play, then?" " The Varnæs brothers." "For Laura." "What if Maude comes home?" "Nonsense." "Then all four of us wil play." " Have you eaten?" " Yes, ages ago." " What are they doing?" " Playing parcheesi." "For Laura." "Come on, Father." "Get a six." "No, a five." "Five ..." " Now he just needs a four." " No, boy." " A little more." " Absolutely not." "It's just a few drops." "It will do them good." " Just a four and he's home." " He won't get it." "Father's won!" " What are you doing?" " We're playing parcheesi." " For Laura." " I'm the eternal loser." " Weren't you taking Ernst home?" " He had to go to the Mayor's." "Will you tell Laura we're going to eat?" "And tell Agnes to tidy up here." "Laura!" "Father won you." "Well, of two evils ..." " You'd think the Messiah had come." " What do you mean?" "Column after column about the exhibition and this Ernst Nyborg." ""Thanks to an anonymous giver, he will paint a portrait of the Mayor."" "Who on earth has 5,000 kroner for that sort of thing these days?" " Mads ... don't tell me it's you." " Yes." "But don't tell anyone." " Doesn't anyone know?" " Only the Mayor." "Now you can see for yourself what's come from it." " Agnes will bring tea in a moment." " Tea?" " No one ever fell ill from that." " Would you prefer sherry?" "No, coffee." "A bucketful, to wash this down with." "Then I'll have coffee, too." "I'll have tea when the sewing bee comes." " The sewing bee?" " We ladies sew for the bazaar." " You rang?" " Yes." "We would prefer coffee." "And a brandy, if you have it." "I've never seen such crap in my life." "The sewing bee." "Women's chit chat, madam this, madam that." " This backwater." " I should never have shown them." "Of course you should have." "Damn it, Maude, you had talent!" " You never talked about that." " Why do you think I was interested?" "I wanted everything." "But you ended up with this!" " I'm glad you told me, so I can stop." " You mustn't stop, you must start." "I'm staying here for two months." " I'm going to paint the Mayor." " I read about that." "And in between, I'll teach you to forget all this." " And when I'm through with you ..." " What then?" "You'll have learned a great deal, so you can start." " Did madam want brandy, too?" " Yes, please." " Was madam still there?" " Yes. I expected her to go to bed." "But she sat there quite happily, and wanted a brandy." " Mrs. Holm thinks it's you, Viggo." " Who's what?" " The anonymous do-gooder." " What?" "The one who's paying for a picture of the Mayor." " Where's she got that from?" " It wasn't meant to be nasty." "The others said so, too." "Only you, Skjern and the Consul could afford it." "It's not the Consul, and Skjern is not crazy." "But I'm an idiot!" "I'll shut that bitch up." " Varnæs could ..." " No!" "He's just ordered a fur coat for his wife from the court furrier." "You'll see, the anonymous giver is the Mayor himself." " Why would he do that?" " Otherwise he won't get a picture." "He's always been so vain, the old fool." "You work everything out so well." "My wife and I would like to see the staff for sandwiches on Monday." "Why, thank you, Mr. Skjern." "It's because the building's started." "They have a share in the expansion." " That's nice of you." " Wise, too." "I'm telling you because I have plans." "I'll make you more of a leader." "We can start now and call you buyer." "You'll get 400 a month." " I've never even dreamt of that." " Don't say that." "It's all right to have big dreams." "You know how to make the right choices." "I saw that when you chose to work for me." "You've lived up to it." " I've been happy working here." " Good." "I have one more piece of advice, if I may." " Are you engaged?" " Not really. I go out with a girl." "Yes, we've noticed." "But if I were you ..." "Don't get married yet, even if you can afford it." "You're only ..." " 25 years old." " Wait, Mr. Vinter." "This lady you're going out with may not be right for you." " My mother says so, too." " You have a wise mother." "One day you'll agree with us." "It's important to choose the right one." " I know what I'm talking about." " All the staff realize that." "Thank you." "What do we want to go up there for, Ernst?" "My shoes." "I'll sprain my ankle." "Why don't you wear proper shoes?" "Come on." " What are we going to do?" " I want to show you the colors." " But I've lived here for eleven years." " You think it's always green." "Look over there." "This was where we saw Gitte with Jørgen for the first time." " I haven't been here since." " It can't have been that scary." " Jørgen was married then." " Jørgen makes a right mess." " Isn't it Gitte's fault?" " You can't blame her for anything." "She just spreads gaiety and joy." "She's like a carrousel." "You can get on or off." "But Jørgen expects to get rides all the time." " l don't like that kind of talk." " You've got to see life as it is." " It's part of your upbringing." " Isn't it a bit late for that?" "That's what we're trying to find out." " Mr. Vinter?" "Oh, I'm sorry." " This is my boss." "Mr. Billing." " He's from Palm, the court furrier." " We've met." " Do you have anything nice for us?" " We've agreed on some collars." " Rabbit and lamb." "Persian." " And a couple of minks, and fox." " And fur coats?" " Mr. Vinter's more careful there." "I've given him photographs of our collection." "Something for every purse." " Excuse me." " There's one you should see." "One of our nicest models." "Broadtail with chinchilla." "It's already promenading around Korsbæk." "My boss said that a bank manager, a Mr. Far ..." " Varnæs." " That was it." "He's bought one for his wife." "But they're rarely sold in the provinces." " Could you deliver another one?" " Of course, Mr. Skjern." "Right, let's go." "Is anything wrong?" " I don't want to go to the movies." " Are you sick?" " No, it's because Gudrun is coming." " But her boyfriend is coming, too." "I'm not jealous, but she works for them, and we never mix with them." " We?" " Sir and madam would never do it." " What's it to you?" " It's fine that the children play." "But the adults don't mix." "Do the bank manager and his wife mix with you and Laura?" " Do you have anything in common?" " We live in the same house." "But not in the same rooms." "You don't eat together." "You don't earn the same money." "You do what they don't feel like doing." "It's the same with Gudrun." "You have something in common,   something you can change." " What would that be?" " Of course you don't know." "You get your knowledge carrying dishes for the upper class." "Or from Laura who's lost." "They play parcheesi for her." "She'll always be a slave." "But you ..." "Well, we're getting married, Lauritz." "Yes." "After I've banged a little more into your head." "Cosmorama." "It starts in ten minutes." " That was a lovely dinner." " No one roasts pork like Katrine." "You can keep your maids and your cooks." "Yummy, grandma's apple crumble." "The dishes. lf we'd brought Erik, Gudrun could have done them." " A woman's coming to do that." " That's a first." " She's getting all grand, too." " This is a special day." " Has something happened?" " You don't remember as well as I do." "It's five years ago Larsen came driving home with Daniel and Mads." "How could we forget?" "But we're always so busy." " Dad can only think of his building." " That's what you think." "Could you two get the box I put in the bedroom?" "There you are, Katrine." "That's for putting me up that time." "A gold watch!" "Well, I never ..." "That's quite something for lying on Larsen's couch a couple of nights." "Now she'll start renting it out, if she can get that price." "Can I see?" "Mads ..." " You're getting a little present too." " What is it?" " Open it and see." " I want one like that, Dad." " Your time will come." " If you get into grammar school." " I will." "Look, a fur coat!" " A fur coat?" " What am I going to do with that?" " Try it on." " Me in a fur coat?" " Try it." " When am I going to need this?" " Yes, she has lots of good coats." "She will, for example, wear it at the unveiling of the Mayor's portrait." " You're beautiful, Mother." " Do you think so?" "It's too chic." " Yes, Mother is beautiful." " Stop it. I'm taking it off." "Mother's beautiful without a fur coat, too." "Your brother would have been welcome too." " He plays chamber music on Fridays." " He'll never get around to it." "To getting married. lt's a strange situation for a man his mid-thirties." " He decides if he wants to marry." " Or to be laughed at." "Thank you, Mads." "That's just right for the civic society bazaar." " You'll have to find another violinist." " Weren't you voted in?" "Not this time, either." "Your brother-in-law heads a majority." "Should I ..?" "Frankly, the bank and I manage quite well without the civic society." "There are other things I want more." "You know very well what they are." "Your sister is amazingly well." "She doesn't have time to lie in bed. I hope it lasts." "What will it be like when the Mayor's picture is finished?" "Aren't we going to have tea, Kristen?" " Our host is daydreaming." " I'm sorry?" "I was just admiring the view of our competitor." " You must be mistaken." " No, I've met them before." "And your niece used to come every evening, Madam Violet." "But the bank manager?" "That fine man." "And so much older." "We've seen that before with Mr. Arnesen." " And who was the one to suffer?" "Me." " But Ulla is so sensible." "It's your duty as her aunt to speak to her." "Yes ..." "Oh, yes." "There you are." "Just when it was going so well with Arnold, who's become so clever." "Yes, he has money and a title." "But I can't understand   why he would want to work for those people." "One must work in the shops there are." "Arnold's getting his own apartment." "Then he probably plans to marry that sassy girl from the hairdresser's." "Please don't say that." "That's exactly what I'm afraid of." " Well, good night." " Come on up." "The folks are out." " Not tonight. I have work to do." " You always have, these days." " l'm paid to do my job." " Why don't we get married?" " No, I think I'm too young." " We've been together for two years." " lt's still too soon." " My mother was 18, my father 21 ." "My sister's 23." "She has a husband, and a child of four." "You see?" "How they are doing ..." "Arnold!" " Arnold can get married now." " No, he's too clever." "Fortunately." " Did you teach him that?" " I gave him some advice." "You give quite a lot of advice." "I mean Kristen." "Not with the same effect." "I must say you do look smart." "You're looking as if I am going to be unveiled, not the Mayor." " I guess we're going on foot?" " If you don't want to drive." "Not that short distance." " I guess they're off to the Town Hall." " Did you see that fur?" "That's climbers for you." " What now?" " They can't do that ..." " Is the reception over already?" " No." "Send it back." " Mrs. Varnæs." "Weren't you ..?" " I'm going upstairs." "Madam is having a lie-down." "Tell her I'll pull her out of bed if she's not here in ten minutes." "Right, I'll tell her." " Where was Jørgen going?" " To the Strip." "He owns half." "Maybe he can sell it." "I don't want to live out there in the summer." "We need a cabin in Switzerland." "Everyone lives there now." "Me, too." "You?" "You've become so dull." "Where did you buy a cabin?" " ln Burgenstock." " Do you take your wife there?" "No, she has to stay at home." "The children are starting at school." "And cut in triangles too!" "There are no regular mealtimes anymore." "Did you say they wanted Mosel?" "Doesn't madam want tea?" "No, I thought she was dying, but she's laughing with the professor." "I told Mr. Varnæs when he called." "I'm definitely not wearing that fur coat again." " It's good you're not in the Army." " Why?" "You can't march, and everyone in the Army wears the same." "The lady in the other fur coat was nice, by the way." "Delicious!" "Pity Jørgen lost, when they were playing for Laura." "If I may say what I think about that fur coat ..." "You handled it all wrong." "You've got to find something entertaining." "Like when I was dining at General Krog's with husband number two." "A woman came in the same dress as mine." "She was furious." " You see?" " I sneaked out of the room." "In the general's bedroom, I put on his field uniform." " Then I had dinner in that." " What about your dress?" "I don't know. I think I left it." "I have to go, I'm meeting Jørgen." " Are you staying in town?" " Not if he got rid of the estate." " Which estate?" " No idea." "Something on the Strip." "Does she mean ..." "He can't sell that." "Leave it to Jørgen." "Maude ..." "Maude ..." "I'm staying in Korsbæk tonight." "Come to the hotel with me." "Let's have dinner and see what happens." "To you, so you don't sink to the bottom of this dump." " But I live here." " Forget this for a while." "Look at Gitte ..." " I'm not Gitte. I can't do it, Ernst." " l have to practice." "Oh, yes, that's right." "Goodbye, Ernst." "You knew she had the same fur coat." " Was it wrong to get you one?" " No, but clumsy." " She left, so why couldn't you stay?" " Because I wasn't in the mood." "Poor Mrs. Varnæs. lt meant something to her, it didn't to me." "Arnold has sent it back." "It was a present." "Are you selling the Strip to Skjold Hansen, too?" "You can't." "My half of it. I need the money." " Yes, for a cabin in Switzerland." " How do you know?" " Maude called." "She talked to Gitte." " Oh, panic in the family." " It's not just the cabin." " Then what is it?" "The customers' account, old boy." "But don't bother the ladies with that." " How much?" " Relax, it's only temporary." " How much?" " About 25,000." "I'll see if I can get it, if you give me the Strip as collateral." "That may be a temporary solution." "I'm dining with Skjold Hansen." "As long as you don't sell him anything." "Have a good time." "The same to you." "Is there anyhing I can do for you?" "Yes." "Dinner at Skjold Hansen's?" "Did you think I'd put up with that?" " They're expecting us." " Then you go." " We might need him later." " You might need him." " You're invited, too." " Then tell him I just hanged myself." " Think of something." " What will you do?" " I'll think of something." " You could go to Maude." " Maybe." " I won't be long." "They eat at 5:30." "I can imagine. lt sounds awful." " Why are you so jumpy?" " What if somebody came?" " The place is locked." " Can't we take the car?" " What if my wife calls?" " What is it you want from me?" " You know." " Only too well." "We'll take the car." "I'll just call first." "Mr. Varnæs is on the phone." "It'll take some more time." "I have to talk to Jørgen." "No, you don't have to wait." "Yes, if you want." "Yes, I'll say hello for you." "Were you supposed to say hello to me?" " Will Mr. Varnæs be dining in?" " I don't know ..." " Mrs. Varnæs, about the fur coat ..." " What fur coat?" "Gudrun said Mrs. Skjern returned hers." " What are you talking about?" " So it won't bother you ..." "Yes, thank you, Agnes." "Tell Laura that I'll be eating out." " Mrs. Varnæs." " I hoped to find Professor Nyborg." " He's only just left." " So he has eaten?" " Yes." "He's in his room." "Number 6." " Thank you." "Do come in." "Ernst is in the shower." " What are you doing here?" " Comforting Ernst." "Close the door." "Close the door, there's a draft." "Hans Christian?" "Hans Christian ..." "What's the matter, Maude?" "I think we're the last decent people on Earth."