"MONOPOLY" "Mads Andersen Skjern, a widower and traveler in clothes,   arrives in Korsbæk in 1929 with his son, Daniel." "The sleepy town looks ideal for an enterprising businessman." "He wants to open a shop, but bank manager Varnæs,   the head of the town's most influential family,   won't help him, out of regard for the town's old families " " and especially Albert Arnesen, the owner of the Ladies' Store." "Pig dealer Oluf Larsen and his wife Katrine are willing to help Mads." "Mads marries their daughter, Ingeborg, and adopts Ellen, " " Ingeborg's daughter from her marriage to Holger,   a convicted fraudster who later joins the Nazis." "In 1933, Mads and Ingeborg have a son, Erik." "They also jettison the Andersen and take the name of Skjern." "Mads' initiative has left its mark on Korsbæk." "The Ladies' Store has gone bankrupt, and Albert Arnesen is dead." "The town's elite is not only shaken by this,   but also because Maude's sister Elisabeth   falls in love with Mads' brother Kristen." "He's a banker and becomes the manager of the new District Bank,   which Mads founds." "It destroys Kristen and Elisabeth's laison." "They try to start over, which is jeopardized by rumors   that Mads has bribed the town clerk in order to get land,   which an old proviso had earmarked as a park   with a bust of corn merchant Fernando Møhge." "His ancient widow provides Korsbæk Bank's new board member with   ammunition to ruin Mads." "The clerk flees with the town's cash box,   and Skjold Hansen gets the proof." "Mads realizes he may be crushed." "Then Kristen marries Iben Skjold Hansen." "For the sake of his new family, Skjold Hansen drops the charges." "The clothes factory can stay where it is." "Mads wins, whereas Varnæs is under pressure from Skjold,   his delicate wife, Maude, and his brother Jørgen's mad transactions   in order to sustain his expensive mistress, Gitte Graae." "Desparate, he starts an affair with his employee, Ulla." "It ends when she gets pregnant and has an abortion." "Laura, the cook, is the stabilizing element in the Varnæs home." "Agnes, the maid, has married railwayman Lauritz "Red" Jensen." "They have a son:" "Aksel." "They're visited by German Herbert Schmidt,   who is put up by Oluf Larsen and becomes friends with Vicki, " " Arnesens's young widow." "She gives up her acting career and starts at teacher training college." "Herbert leaves Korsbæk to fight in the Spanish civil war." "Meanwhile, the posh ladies go through their cycle of visits,   led by old Mrs. Fernando Møhge and her cowed daughter Misse." "A NEW LIFE" "FALL 1937" " spring 1938" " Well, here we are." " Why are we here?" " It's ours." " That barn of a house?" " Did you buy it?" " Yes." "Let's take a look inside." " From whom?" " From the widow." "Munk's." "The hardware dealer?" " Shouldn't you be inside?" " The woman threw us out." "We didn't have time to say anything." "Yes, the agent said she had trouble getting used to the idea." " Didn't he shoot himself?" " Yes." "The same year as Arnesen." " What do you want?" " I ... we've bought your house." "This is my wife." "Come in here." "The garden goes right down to the fjord." " But it's so dilapidated." " Wait till it's been refurbished." " Well?" " I'd rather live above the shop." "You can't." "Those two buildings are going to be demolished." "Jørgensen's already designed a new one." "A department store." " Where do you get all that money?" " From the bank." "They have blind faith in me." "You too, I hope." "That was where my husband shot himself." "The usual, Boldt." "Here, Quick." " Waiter!" " Some people think this is the Ritz." " Allow me to congratulate you." " On what?" "On your daughter coming into comfortable circumstances." "People say she'll be the mistress at the big mansion by the fjord." "One capitalist replaces another." "It's like a law of nature." " Fatty's whitewashing the grave." " They say the widow won't leave." " How many times must I call?" " One thing at a time, Mr. Andersen." " She follows me around." " She's afraid you'll steal something." " It's all old junk." " How can I be of service to you, sir?" "Inform the cook that today's meal wasn't satisfactory either." " It did go down." " The gravy was cold." " The usual from Mr. Andersen." " Why does he eat here?" "Last spring his wife was wise enough to die." "I'm pleased to announce that our arrangement terminates as of today." "The pleasure is all ours." "So he's done it." "They say he's been trying to pick up Miss Mikkelsen." "Let's hope she can keep the gravy hot." "SKJERN'S DEPARTMENT STORE UNDER DEVELOPMENT" "Everything must be washed." "It's covered in dirt from over there." " We've been living in dirt and noise." " It will look good when it's finished." " Can you see my dress is tight?" " As long as it doesn't get worse." "There's several months to go." "Are they having cactus?" "They're artichokes. lt's all French since they were in Paris." " Where do you buy those things?" " They're ordered from Copenhagen." " Strange stuff." "But it'll pass." " ls it the usual crowd?" "No, they're young people." "Maybe that's about time." "At the last minute, more like." " Well, if it isn't Agnes." " Yes, and then some." "That's it." "Serve them piping hot with cold butter." " Are you sure they all want this?" " Most of them have been to Paris." "And send the cocktail glasses to my husband." "He'll do the rest." "They have a little bar, too, and a new radio-gramophone." "What did she say to the new three-storey building?" "She thinks it will take all the sunlight." " I suppose she went to bed then." " No, she sunbathes in the garden." "There should be a law that all married couples should go to Paris." "Suggest it to Stauning." "It would interest the workers." "It would appeal to him." "Mr. Vangel, the Consul-General, will tell you." "They see a lot of Stauning." "You don't mind sitting next to the Skjold Hansens, do you?" " We've been to their house, too." " That's fine with me." "Gustav can sit next to Vicki." "Then he can entertain her with war reports from the battle on the square." " Was Gustav there?" " Certainly, in the front line." " Haven't you read the Post?" " We don't get the Post." " The Tribune is an excellent paper." " They forgot about Gustav's arrest." "Our younger brother hit a worker on the head with a bicycle pump." " Did you know that, Hans Christian?" " I saw it in the Times." " But they didn't mention any names." " If Mama and Papa hear this ..." "They will, when the fine has to be paid." " He was released." " Then he won't spoil the table plan." "I'm going to try my Varnæs Special." "Will you wait until the guests arrive?" " No, I need a drink all of a sudden." " Well, here you are." "I'd better take this up before they start dancing." "Bring a couple of bottles and come along." " So you can see this Vangel woman." " The Consul-General's wife." "Her neckline is so low she could breast-feed without undoing buttons." " Only to help you in your condition." " Come on!" "There's my beautiful dinner partner." "I want to ask you something." "Why don't we see more of each other?" "Probably because we're both busy." "I am." "It's time I got qualified." " Why do you want to be a teacher?" " To get a job I like to do." "To live." "Beautiful women should marry men who can support them." " Wait." "I want to talk properly." " We can do that in the lounge." "Why don't we sit down over here?" " She looks like a ghost." " Probably looking for her husband." "See?" "That's what it's like to be married and supported." " You sound like Elisabeth now." " We agree about a lot of things." " Do you want to end up like her?" " Yes." "If we saw each other now and then, maybe I could convert you." "I don't want to be converted back." "is it true what they say?" "That you're going with a German Communist?" "Going with him?" "I don't know." "He's fighting in Spain." "He may be dead." "How can a colonel's daughter approve of that?" " Perhaps for that very reason." " Shouldn't we fight for our values?" "I think we have different values." "Let's dance, otherwise ..." "Otherwise I might start converting you." "You won't be able to." "I guess you would defend yourself with a bicycle pump." "May I?" "We're here to have fun." " Thank you." "Have you had enough?" " I'd like a little break." " l can't tempt you either?" " Yes, with something with water." "And you?" " Who is she?" " Married to Jebbe, the manufacturer." " ls he in the dining room?" " He disappeared with Mrs. Vangel." " Where's Gitte?" " In Switzerland." " She thinks it's more fun there." " She's not totally wrong." "Thank you." "Viggo!" "Where are you?" "Can you hear?" "It's our tune." "Come on, we'll show them." "How did that happen?" "I was knocked over by Mr. and Mrs. Skold Hansen's tango." ""Young people"." "What will madam say when she hears about it?" "She saw it." "She was dancing the tango, too." "She just said, "Never mind"." " Who was that?" " The Consul-General." " He's looking for his wife." " He is far from young." "But the wife is." "Heavens above." "It's Lauritz' railway uniform." " He wore it in the riot on the square." " Then he was asking for it ..." "And he has to wear it at work tomorrow." " Where have you two been?" " A birthday party over there." " Ellen's 1 4 now." " Yes, and you're off to bed." " Didn't Frederiksen pick you up?" " Yes." "But there were eight in the car." " Eight?" " We were lying on top of each other." "Keep away from those heeltaps, boy." "Off to bed with you." "While I dance with the lady, will you talk to Gustav?" "He needs a lawyer." " Does that mean me?" " For Maude's sake." "That'll be my last case." "I've sold my practice." " Handed in my certificate." " Excuse me, Vicki." " Why?" "is anything wrong?" " No, I've gone into business." "Gitte's former in-laws." "They own Graae's Clothes Factories." "I've become their administrator." "It's not just better, it's more relaxed." "The main shareholders are all in Switzerland." "They need a lawyer." " Will he do it?" " It'll be my final good deed." " We are in the same party." " Each in his own way." "In the old days, at least they went home at a decent time." "Come, Agnes." "There's something Agnes has to see." "Go upstairs and see if they're short of anything, Esther." " What was that?" " Ulrik threw a firecracker." "In his own room." "Because two guests were rolling around on his bed." "The one with the low-cut dress and the man next to madam." " Their clothes were all in a mess." " You don't get that with the Møhges." "Don't touch the sandwiches!" "It's a consortium." "Think it over." " You must have heard that shot, too." " Shut up. lt's your chance." "Let's talk about it at the bank on Monday." "Yes, dear?" "Maybe we should have the sandwiches now." "We're all here." " Isn't she lovely?" "Straight from Paris." " As lovely as my Duckie." "We've been lucky." "There you are." "Your wife's been looking for you all night." " You don't mind if we leave, do you?" " Before supper?" "You're not tired?" "Maybe it's because I'm a few years older than you." " The food's probably not as good." " But the company is better." " I'm not good at parties anymore." " You're always the same, Elisabeth." " I'm tired of always being the same." " Your pupils are doing well." "But I'm not." "I'm getting to be a misery." "And my pupils are hopelessly unmusical, with two exceptions." " That's life." " But is it a life?" "What if I left?" " To Copenhagen, for example." " Would it be different?" "I could use my training better." "I'm an organist too." "Then why didn't you apply when Halvorsen was ill?" "Because I wouldn't get it." "You know who's chairman of the parish." "Mads Skjern." "He's not as musical as his brother, if he chose Andersen." "Mr. Andersen plays in the church because he knows Miss Mikkelsen." "Well, he plays horribly out of tune." "They can't appoint him." "It won't be me either." "Not after all the fuss about Dr. Leunbach." "And all the rest." " Then what, Elisabeth?" " I think I'll leave." "But ..." "Be honest." "Do you think there's more for me to do in Korsbæk?" "Take it away. I don't think my wife wants anything either." " She wasn't feeling well." " Does she want a tray brought up?" "Laura's going to church." "There are others who could do with that." "You're not cut out for this kind of life." "Stick to Aunt Møhge." "You missed the speech I made to your shameless son." "Didn't you notice the bang with which he frightened the two lovers?" " Ulrik?" "Where is he?" " Run away." "Some preacher you are." "I've never caused a scandal in social circles." "You don't have the imagination." "The other thing, I did it for Denmark's sake." "Pass the cheese, please." "Oh, yes." "An army marches on its stomach." "Are any of you helping to fight the plague of Marxism?" " Who's that for?" " Madam." "She can't be dying, then." " I thought you were queasy." " No, I'm starving." "Where are the children?" "You look a little pale, Hans Christian." "Laura says two drinks glasses have been broken." " And a fish knife is missing." " A friend must have taken it." "That horny manufacturer looked capable of anything." "Thank you." "The fish knife will probably turn up when we count them." " Don't talk about a guest like that." " He's a close friend of Maude's." " He's just teasing." " He was after you in Paris." " His wife has a difficult temper." " So would I, if I were her." " Elisabeth." " Mama called. I promised to tell you." " Father's been taken to hospital." " ls it serious?" "He had a stroke when he read about Gustav." "They don't know if he'll live." "Look what you've done, you beast!" "Why did you use that bicycle pump?" "I didn't know." "Father never reads the Post." "He hates that paper." "He took it home because there was something about Betty Nansen." " Oh, his old flame." " Must you make fun of Father too?" " Poor Mama." " She wants us to come." " Lucky we're all here, then." " I'm not sitting next to him." " I'll do that." "Let's get going." " Does anyone have an aspirin?" "Gitte once said nothing ever happened in this family." " Thank heavens." " Why, Mother?" "That they're not home-made, after that chicken." " Enough about that chicken!" " It was a little chewy." "She'll learn." " Why didn't you keep Mrs. Olsen?" " Incompatibility." "Iben and Mrs. Olsen didn't really get along." "I fell over her all the time." "She felt responsible for Kristen's survival." " After he married me." " Nonsense." "Mrs. Olsen may have had her way of doing things, which wasn't Iben's." " What did you learn at that chateau?" " Wouldn't you like to know?" "Iben's always been Daddy's girl." "She'll make a good housewife." "If not right away, then when the little ones arrive." "Right?" " Stop it, Mother." " It's a woman's destiny." "Not mine." "There are many other things I'd rather do." " We have plenty of time." " Shut up about that, Duckie." "Sit over there for a while. I have something to discuss with Kristen." "Then you can tell Iben how to cook a chicken." "It's about my shares in Korsbæk Bank." "I want to get rid of half of them." " They're very good shares." " It's not much fun anymore." " l want to put the money to work." " Buying shares in the District Bank?" "Oh, no." "I offered the shares to Varnæs at the price I paid." "Twenty per cent above the present quotation?" " He has something I can use." " What's that?" "The large plot of land behind his home." "He has over an acre of land to where the main road will be." "We want to build a garage and a car shop." "It's the future. I can smell it." "Oh, hell ..." " Do you play this often, Kristen?" " Not anymore." " If you and your brother want in ..." " l'll mention it." " Why have you never bought one?" " Everybody can hear why." " lt sounds terrible." " You don't know a thing about music." " He thinks cars are the future." " The future is a lot of things." " But we can join in." " I'm involved in enough right now." "As your bank manager, I can't blame you if you want a break." " I don't intend to have one." " What is it now?" "The clothes factory's going well." "But the exchange is a problem." " Not even you can get round that." " Not completely." "But I'd have a share in the profits if I could help supply the material." "Danish materials." "But they can't cover your demand." "Almost." "If I can control the production." " Do you want a weaving mill too?" " No, I want to buy a lot of shares." " ln what?" " Graae's Clothing and Spinning Mill." "The Graae family has the majority, but the Baron has 100,000." " Is he willing to sell them?" " Yes." "He wants to expand the farm." " So that's not the problem." " Then what is it?" "It's here." "I'll have to borrow money from the bank." "I daren't." "Half maybe, or 60,000." "We can't manage any more." " Must you buy the whole 100,000?" " Otherwise I don't get any influence." "The Graae family must have a controlling interest anyway." "They only care about money." "The Baron's talked to them." "They're interested in a shareholder who knows the market at home." " And Manberg, the director, is old." " Your mother-in-law ..." " How much does she have?" " No one knows." " But Katrine's money is very secure." " Yes, Katrine's not stupid." " So maybe that's why we should ..." " Yes." "Maybe." "How sad about the Prefect." "A man in his prime." "Fernando died of a stroke, too, after shooting birds." " Because he was too heavy." " Fernando was imposing." "He weighed 235 pounds when they carried him to the grave." " That must have been hard work." " It was a beautiful funeral." "There were two teams of pallbearers." "No expense was spared." "Regitze, help Mother pour some more tea." " And get some more buns." " What's your mother going to do?" "We advised moving to Copenhagen." "That's closer." "To Gustav, too." "Then she can see that he does some work, so he'll pass." " What's he studying?" " He's getting a degree in economics." " How old is he?" " Let's see." "He'll be 30." " Then it's about time." " I have to go." "We've got puppies!" " You?" " Our Bella." "We felt she should try the joy of motherhood." "The greatest joy of all." " I'm trying to tell Iben that." " Is she having a little one?" " No, even though we push her." " You're not the ones to push." " What about her husband?" " Mother!" " Where are you going?" " To see Bella's puppies." "Bella, that was it." "Viggo went to court for the Consul because of that dog." " Has it filed a paternity suit?" " No, it's bitten the debt collector." " What's his name?" " Mr. Schwann." "He demands new pants, and compensation for pain and suffering." "He claims it got his behind." "Mr. Schwann used to be so polite when he served in the Ladies' Store." " lf he was bitten ..." " Bella just smelled something fishy." "That dog is as good as gold, Mrs. Holm says." " I'm not sure I want a cocktail." " A small one." "We have to talk." " I've got something to say, too." " About the callers?" "No, something else." "Do you remember our last night in Paris?" " You bet." "The dinner was fantastic." " And afterwards?" " On the boulevard where we drank?" " Even later." " What?" " When we got back to the hotel." "Yes, we took leave of Paris in style." "Yes. I didn't want to tell you until I definitely knew." "I wanted to be absolutely sure, but Dr. Hansen says there's no doubt." " About what?" " We're having an after-thought." " A what?" " We're going to have a baby." " It can't be true." " Why do you say that?" " At our age, Maude?" " Ours?" "I think you mean mine." "Why do you say that?" "You're younger than me." "But I'm not ..." "wasn't she 23?" "Maude!" " Should we wait with dinner?" " My wife's upstairs." "She's gone out." "That's why I asked." "What's the matter, Maude?" "Come along." " If I said something stupid ..." " You weren't pleased." "Of course I was." "You just didn't give me time to think." " Come home." "We can't ..." " No, people are watching." " Can we serve dinner now?" " No, first Mrs. Varnæs ran off." "And then Mr. Varnæs ran after her." "What happened to regular mealtimes?" "Don't drink that stuff!" " It's a cocktail." " That's what makes them crazy." "Are you going to tell Ulrik and Regitze?" " Not before it shows." " Well, Elisabeth, then?" " Not yet." "You must get used to it." " I have." "As long as you feel well." " I haven't felt better in ages." " Well enough for a Grand Marnier?" " In my condition?" " Sure, this calls for a celebration." "Here's to the new "Varnæs Special"." " You haven't asked when it's due." " I should be able to figure it out ..." " A spring baby." " In March, says Dr. Hansen." " It'll sleep in the garden right away." " Yes, and speaking of the garden ..." " Frederiksen needs some help." " Yes, he's not getting any younger." " He's got too much on this hands." " We could hire a younger gardener." "Yes, or ..." "Would it matter to you if the garden was smaller?" " If we sold off the bottom part?" " We can just turn it into a lawn." "It's more than an acre." "And it's the most expensive plot in town." "And the biggest and most beautiful garden." "We hardly ever use that part of the garden, and we've got the Strip." "If we sold off the bottom part I could buy half of Jørgen's shares back." " Skjold Hansen owns them." " He's willing to sell them." "What does he want our garden for?" "He wants to build a garage and a car store." " It'll be noisy and dirty." " We won't notice." "They'll build a high white-washed wall." "And the trees will cover it all." " Will you get rid of Skjold Hansen?" " Not quite." "But it'll be easier to keep him in check." "And he's useful to us." "It's strange, with his son-in-law who's the manager of the other bank." " Skjold Hansen likes it that way." " But things will be easier for you." "For us. lf not, I wouldn't ask you." "Certainly not now." "Yes, we can still keep a large part of the garden." "There'll be more than enough room for a baby carriage." "Mads didn't like to ask, it's my idea." "It's important for the business." " Which one of them?" " Both of them." "First the clothes factory, but also the shop." "The Exchange Control Office gives us a lot of bother." "We miss out on goods." "You hear of nothing but trouble with that office." "But if there's a war, that's the end of it." " Why would there be a war?" " Everybody's rattling their sabres." " As long as they just rattle ..." " They're having trial black-outs too." "Yes, it's madness to scare people like that." "Hitler will behave, the English will see to that." " Sure." "Did you say 40,000?" " You needn't do it for Mads' sake." "No, I expect you'll eat anyway, but you can have 10,000 each." " You, Ellen, Daniel and Erik." " Don't you want to own the shares?" "I never understood shares and I've got what I need, and so has Larsen." " What are you two gossiping about?" " l said you've got what you need." " No, I need a hammer and two nails." " What on earth is that?" " Do you know these two?" " Are they going up on the wall?" " Yes, in the privy." " But you've got a proper toilet now." "Your father uses it as a sort of gallery ..." " I can get you one of Fritz Clausen." " Fritz Clausen!" "I've got him already." "Larsen's so childish." " What a wonderful view." " Does the family know I'm the buyer?" " Yes." " It didn't come as a shock?" "The family is only interested in a strong man taking over my position." " Another strong man." " Mads is a stronger businessman." "The family's in Switzerland." "They've appointed Jørgen Varnæs as their administrator." "Yes, there's another problem." "He's a friend of mine." " It might be difficult." " I'll deal with Jørgen Varnæs." "Too." "is my husband still at that meeting?" "Tell him I'm at the riding school." "Remind him it's the maid's day off." "She's the driving instructor's wife." "They say she's a tough one." " Dr. Hansen?" " There'll be two of us for dinner." " And a sherry while I wait." " Certainly, sir." " Good evening, sir." " Good evening." "Good evening." "Long time no see." " Apparently you never get ill." " May I sit down?" "Of course. ls your wife away?" "No, she's riding, and it's the maid's day off." "Oh, Olsens's read my mind!" " There'll be three of us." " Are you expecting someone?" " Yes, Miss Friis." " I'd better ..." "Sorry. I didn't know it was your seat." " Well, it wasn't untill I arrived." " I was just talking to Dr. Hansen." "Well, by all means, go on talking." "I think you should stay and have dinner with us." "We're going to the Musical Society." "You go there too." "Yes, I used to." "When I arrived in Korsbæk." "Miss Friis?" "Salmon?" "Three salmon and three pheasant." "And the wine list, please." " I didn't mean to barge in ..." " It's on me, now the trio is together." " I heard about your father. I'm sorry." " Well, that's the way things go." " Has your mother made up her mind?" " Yes, she'll move to Copenhagen." "Won't she be lonely after all those years in the Prefect's house?" "I might move in with her." "She's been offered a large apartment." " Are you going to move?" " That's hardly a new idea, is it?" "No, but I still think it's a bad idea." "You might as well have stayed with your sister." "She might need you too." "Elisabeth's thinking of moving in with Mama." "She's going to try to get a job as an organist in Copenhagen." "Can't she be an organist here?" "Now that we're expecting the baby." "She would enjoy that so much." "I don't think Elisabeth can get the post in Korsbæk." "But Halvorsen is ill." "He hardly ever plays." " No, but his substitute does." " Well, it sounds terrible." " Elisabeth plays ten times better." " That doesn't always count, darling." " What nonsense." " No, it isn't." "Not if you know who's the new chairman of the parish." "I'd quite forgotten." "To think that we have to take him into account." "If only that were all ..." " Is there something else?" " I didn't want to bother you with it." " Is it to do with the bank?" " No, it's something Jørgen told me." " About Gustav's case?" " No, he got off with a fine." " What is it then, about Jørgen?" " You know that job he got ..." " Through Gitte's former in-laws?" " Yes, it looked very promising." " Has he lost the job?" " No." "But Skjern has taken over the Baron's shares, and the power." " But the Graae family?" " They're in Switzerland." " And Mads Skjern is here." " What will Jørgen do?" "He's been summoned to a meeting at Skjern's tomorrow." "Summoned!" " Dr. Hansen, there's a phone call." " Somebody has probably overeaten." "The social season has started in Korsbæk." " How are you anyway, Elisabeth?" " Fine." "And you?" " I have it the way I deserve to." " Well, I'm sure you're fine, then." "What you said about leaving town ..." "You didn't mean that, did you?" " Yes, why shouldn't I?" " Maybe you said it to ..." " To what?" " To tell me indirectly ..." " That I'd ruined something for you." " We ruin our own lives." "Nobody else is responsible." " Elisabeth, you mustn't leave." " Says who?" "It's not up to me, I know, but I want you to be here." " Why?" " So we can meet by chance." "Like now. lt means a lot to me." "Do you think that's enough to fill my life?" "What about my life?" "If we could talk to each other about our lives, then maybe we could ..." " Things aren't easy for me either." " Then discuss them with your wife." " I can understand you're cross." " I'm not. I made my own choice." "And you made yours." "Or did your brother choose for you?" "Sorry." "It was a prescription, of course." " Are you alone?" " Yes, the violin had to go." "It's Mr. Varnæs." "I'll leave you gentlemen on your own." " Your charming wife has kept me." " I showed Mr. Varnæs the house." "Yes, I used to come here as a boy." "The Christmas tree was in the hall." " We'll put ours there, too." " The view is splendid from here." " You knew Mr. Munk?" " I went to school with his daughter." "She's taken her mother into her house." " They say she became rather odd." " No wonder, the poor woman." " Gudrun's brought the coffee." " Thank you." "I work at home at the moment." "The builders are everywhere in Algade." "Yes, the saddler's house has grown big and strong." " It's only reached adolescence." " Will it be even taller?" "No, that's not allowed." "There are other ways of expanding." "That's what we're going to discuss." " You administrate Graae's factories." " Yes, I wanted to try something new." "Don't we all?" "And that's why I bought the Baron's share holding." " I'll be on the board instead of him." " That's only natural." " There'll be another change as well." " Which is?" "Graae Senior feels to old to travel back and forth from Switzerland." "His duties will be attended to by Mr. Øster, the attorney." " He's a highly respected colleague." " Yes, he's always been my lawyer." "Since my shop was quite small." "It's wise to have the best legal aid in times like these." "Exactly." "That's why I wanted to see you." "Your agreement to date was that you were free to come and go." " Yes, that was the understanding." " I'd like to see that changed." "We'll need you every day, as you'll handle raw material contracts   and keep the Exchange Control Office at bay." " Yes, that's a full-time job." " I'm glad you look at it that way." "The working hours are 8 o'clock to 5." "You'll have a permanent office." "What does the old director, Manberg, say?" "He's agreed." "He'll be replaced soon anyway." " Yes, he's getting on a bit." " He's very competent." "But production's complicated these days." "The planners see to that." " Yes, I've tried fighting them myself." " Right, you wanted to be an MP." " It was just a youthful fancy." " A good, permanent job is better." "For most people." " We'll meet again soon, then." " Yes, one of the coming days." " Oh, I forgot to say ... the salary." " Yes." "The new board has discussed it." "It will stay the same,   provided you're available during full working hours." "He's gone?" "He seems more tractable than his brother." "He can't afford to be otherwise." " Is he clever?" " No, there's nothing to indicate it." " But you'll keep him?" " Yes, if we can use him." "I'll probably end up going there for a Christmas party again!" " Hans Christian's been so worried." " He was born worried." "I didn't think he'd be so magnanimous." "Magnanimous?" "Forget it." "He needs experts." "Production's complicated these days because of the planners, as I said." "And I expect the other board members have told him." " What precisely will your job be?" " Making my presence felt." " It's a whole different job now." " Let's see." "Skjern's a real slogger." "That's why things move so fast for him." "He expects me to sit there all day." "But that won't be necessary." " Are you sure?" " I've got staff I can set to work." " I hear you've sold the back garden." " To buy back half of your shares." " Times change." " We'll have coffee in the lounge." "Come along, dear." "You're relieved for Jørgen's sake, aren't you?" "I'll do it tonight." "There's my wife." "I've told you about the Lassens." "And you know Børge." "I see you made coffee." "Otherwise you never know how." " What are you doing for them now?" " A new list of the cells." " You'd think you were a bee keeper." " I think you're a little bit cross." "No, I'm just tired." "I've been ironing at the pharmacist's and I hate ironing." " Then don't." "What do you do it for?" " For the money." "I want Aksel and the new baby to be properly dressed." "I can keep them dressed." "They don't have to look like royalty." "I want them to look like nice children." "I want proper furniture too." "A couch, so you can put your feet up, and a mahogany dining-room suite." " You'll end up wanting a bungalow." " Why not?" " My wife is completely bourgeois." " Count yourself lucky." "What are the others, anyway?" "Lassen and his haughty wife." " She does a lot for the Party." " She's got the time and money." "And they've got a house." "He's an engineer and she was born rich." " So why do they mix with workers?" " They have a sense of solidarity." "We need people like Lassen." "But they don't get into trouble with the police!" "Where's Aksel?" " I put him to bed." "He was tired." " Because you wouldn't play." "Well, I had people here." "I'd looked forward to giving him the ball." "And I've bought pork chops." " So if you'd clear the table ..." " Can't we sit at the other end?" " We used to when Herbert was here." " I understood everything better then." " Your work seemed to make sense." " What do you mean?" " Herbert was the real thing." " Yes." "Do you think we'll see him again?" "Do you?" "Yes." "But I don't want to think about it." "Vicki and I talk about it." "You never mention him." "Have you forgotten ..?" "I haven't forgotten anything!" " Sorry I was cross." " There's a lot you don't understand." "Yes." " Where is it?" " Over there." "So that's it." "Does it use electricity?" "Yes, food can keep for several days." "Esther keeps going to the meat locker." "Out of sheer habit." "It makes ice cubes too, for cocktails." " The things they think of." " It's the first refrigerator in town." " No, they've got one at Skjerns, too." " Well, we won't let madam know." " What on earth is that?" " My dog. lt's only eight weeks old." " Who said you could have a dog?" " Dad did, ages ago. lt's a surprise." "Madam never wanted dogs because of the germs." "Not until we were big, she said." "It's a dobermann from the Consul's." " I don't know whether to tell Mama." " Have you told Elisabeth?" "Not yet." "Not before it shows." " Consul Holm gave it to me." " A dog?" "It's one of Bella's puppies." "I'm going to call it Rolf." "It's nice." "You should have talked to us first." "You said I could, Dad, last summer." "Before you went to Paris." " But I don't know if your mother ..." " You'll have to give the dog back." " You promised." " Well, your mother disagrees." " You know why, Hans Christian." " Yes." "Regitze will understand." "Now put the dog in the kitchen." "It's just for a few minutes, Maude." " l want to keep my dog." " We've got a surprise for you." "Yes, you'll understand why your father can't keep his promise." " That's so cute!" " Agnes, please hold it." " I can do that." " You have to come upstairs with me." "And a puppy of Bella's too." "Bella bit that little Mr. Schwann." "That doesn't mean that this one ..." "But it's up to you." " She'll forget about the dog." " A baby is much more exciting." "What is it?" "Sit down, please." " Your mother has great news for you." " It's your news too." " Yes, I just thought you'd like to ..." " No, you do it." " You were going to be told later." " When it showed." "But we want Regitze to understand why we can't have that dog,   so we're going to tell you what we can all look forward to ..." " In March ..." " You'll get a little brother or sister." " What?" " There'll be a baby in the family." "A little after-thought ..." "So you see why you can't have that dog." " I hate you!" " Regitze." " And what do you say, Ulrik?" " It's your business." "I'll go with you to the Consul's." "Madam wouldn't want her to go like that." "Madam can go to hell!" " Madam's gone to bed." " We're back to that nonsense again." "Great timing!" "I persuaded your wife to come down for dinner." "Thank goodness." "Youngsters often say something they regret later." " A baby seems such a good idea." " Yes, maybe it is." "But new babies don't solve all the old problems." "My wife and I have never been happier than now." "Then don't worry about the children's impudence." "It was that dog." "Everything went wrong." "If it was only the dog, then surely it'll pass." " Here's Maude." "Lovelier than ever." " Good." "My latest concoction ..." " Where's Regitze?" " Having dinner at Agnes's house." " I forgot to ground her." " Never mind, Hans Christian." "New music?" "We haven't finished the sonata." " I've got news." " l've heard it." " Regitze was here." " Oh, that news." "Yes, that's good too." " Let's hope so." " Your sister seems well enough." " Yes, but Regitze's very upset." " It was silly about that dog." " The dog is just a detail." " Your sister has changed a lot." " People don't change ... deep down." " You never know." "I know it from myself." "I keep trying ...." "Oh, never mind." "The other piece of news ..." "Halvorsen's too ill to play at the Christmas concert." "I'm playing the cello in Kol Nidrei ..." "Will you play the organ?" "I don't know the organ in Our Lady's." " I haven't played an organ for years." " We'll have time to practise." "You can't expect the audience to put up with Mr. Andersen's awful noise   even if it's for the orphans' Christmas." "That might be overtaxing their spirit of self-sacrifice." " For the orphans, then." " Yes." "My swan song in Korsbæk." "I think you should see the mention of the Christmas concert on page 3, sir." "This time my sister-in-law is mentioned for something good." "My wife will be pleased." "On page 3 it says about Miss Friis and the concert." "They praise her." " She deserves it." " She's better than Mr. Andersen." "He has people running home as soon as the sermon's over." " It'll be swaddled like a prince!" " Or a princess." " That's quite a task." " I wanted it to be finished today." "It's time we got the Christmas decorations up, too." " Maybe Agnes and the children ..." " Agnes can give birth any day now." "And nobody knows where Regitze is." " Isn't she back from school yet?" " And she doesn't do her homework." " But she always used to." " If you ask me, Madam ..." " Yes, Laura?" " She gads about." " What?" " She gads about." " What's that supposed to mean?" " You should ask her, Madam." "How can I?" "She won't even speak to me." " Why, Maude!" " Were you expecting someone else?" "Just someone who's going to look at the apartment." " So you still want to move?" " Yes, that's settled now." "Come in." " They say nice things about you." " Yes, for a change." "Is anything the matter, Maude?" "I was looking forward to it so much." "And now everything is going wrong." " Is it Regitze?" " Yes, and Ulrik." "He couldn't care less." "I had thought ..." " May I say something?" " Yes, what is it?" "You've got to stop looking at the pregnancy and having the baby   as a performance you're putting on to please Ulrik and Regitze." "They're my children too." "Ours ..." "Maybe that's what they're beginning to realize now, particularly Regitze." "Why now, when we're all supposed to be happy?" " Do you want an honest answer?" " Yes." "The children can see that suddenly you've got energy for everything." "They ask themselves where that energy was when they needed you." " But I had you, Elisabeth." " Yes, that was the big mistake." "Perhaps ..." "It would be so awful if you left now." "I can't stand knowing you're not here." "It might be good for you in the long run, if I wasn't always here." "And for me." "And Regitze?" "Does she talk to you?" "Yes." " Does she visit you here?" " She's here now." "Regitze." "I've been thinking ..." "Perhaps we could have that dog after all." "I wouldn't do that to a dog." "Yes, it's me again." "I wanted you to see what the "Social Democrat" says." " I haven't had time to read at all." " I met your sister coming out." " She looked red-eyed." " Yes, I'm swimming in tears." "Perhaps that's because we all need you. I brought something else too." "It's an application." "I've taken the liberty of writing it." " For what?" " The job as assistant organist." "I'll never get it." "I don't need another defeat." " Sometimes one must challenge fate." " I'll do that by going away." "It was brave of you to move in here." "But now you're just running away." "You raised your sister's children, now you want to nurse your mother." "Your mother's perfectly able to look after herself." "What about your life?" " I'll get nothing out of signing that." " Let's put it to the test." "First Regitze cries and says I mustn't go, then Maude, and now ..." "Me. I'd be very sad to see you leave too." "Mr. Andersen originally taught music and German at the council school." "Now he supplements his pension by teaching at my school." "But if he becomes assistant organist, he'll devote himself to Our Lady's." " I hope I'm not taking your time." " No, it's good to be well-informed." "Mr. Andersen visits me." "He lost his wife last spring." "And men are so helpless on their own." " What did she want?" " To recommend Mr. Andersen." " But he plays terribly." " He's Halvorsen's substitute." " Can't you find someone else?" " Not many people play the organ." " ls he the only applicant?" " Yes, apart from another teacher." "And a housewife who plays the harmonium." "And Miss Elisabeth Friis." " I've heard her play." "She's good." " Yes, but that's out of the question." "That family's never done us any good." "If you've met the brother halfway, you can shake hands with her, too." "Jørgen Varnæs hasn't advocated abortion!" "What do you know about what he advocates?" "So the congregation must suffer because you're so stubborn." "And because you're so unmusical you can't hear how Andersen plays." "And because you're a pigheaded Jutlander." " That family has walked all over us." " Not her." "You do so want to show that you can afford things." "All this ..." "Horses for the children, model clothes for Ellen." "Is it wrong to show we've been successful?" "You don't show it that way." "You show it by being generous." "That will stagger them." "Can't you see that's how you show them that you've come out on top?" " But what about Miss Mikkelsen?" " She wants to get rid of Andersen." " He's her private friend." " He's a millstone round her neck." "I'll think about it." " Has anyone heard from Herbert?" " Not since Christmas." "It says here that Pürcel hopes Franco will win. lt's going to rack and ruin." "That guy who shot with a toy pistol in Parliament should've aimed at Pürcel." "May I interrupt the political debate and pass on the real news of the day?" "Mrs. Varnæs has just given birth to a healthy daughter." "And Mr. Varnæs?" "He treated his staff to coffee and pastries. I have it from a colleague." "That baby will be a good match for your latest offspring in due time, Red." "For Knud?" "My boys won't marry into the capitalist camp." "When the tea is served, you carry the baby round." "Where do I put her?" "Babies aren't put in the living room." "You carry them in ... and out again." "Mrs. Varnæs is already up and about!" "You only stay in bed for 10 days now." "I hope you remembered to lie perfectly still!" "I've heard of a doctor who has the mothers out of bed on the first day!" "He must be mad." "Mother stayed in bed for a month when she had me." "Well, that was in the year dot." "Hello, everybody." "Where is the little sweetie-pie?" "Mrs. Skjold Hansen means the baby." "The maid will bring her in a moment." " It must be your turn next." " Me?" "No fear, Colonel Hachel!" " I was thinking of your daughter." " No, it doesn't look like it." " What's the girl dragging around?" " It's the baby, Mother dear." "So lovely and healthy looking." "We're so fortunate to have Dr. Hansen." " Is he the father?" " No I am, Aunt Møhge." "That's why Hans Christian's at home." " I was afraid you wouldn't come." " I had to see Mads Skjern." " I got the appointment." " So you're staying!" " Yes, so I can keep an eye on you." " So he is magnanimous after all." "Or he isn't totally tone-deaf." "I'll take her, so you can serve the tea." " Let's tell them." " Yes!" "No, let this be Maude and the baby's day." " You must be so happy!" " What for?" "For your lovely baby sister." " Would you like to hold her?" " No thanks."