In Our Time Page #7

First, you have

something

To learn about

the peasants.

Well, if it will

keep them amused.

[Laughs]

But now I want to discuss

something really important.

Grandfather tadeusz, great-Aunt

jadwiga, the whole family--

I want them to meet

Stephen's bride.

We'll give a dinner and ball,

a really splendid affair--

Such as this house hasn't

seen since your father's time.

But,

mama--

I know you are busy,

darling,

But you leave

the details to me.

I'll bring a string

quartet from Warsaw,

Wlesky to cater,

lanterns on the lawn...

Mama, please.

We can't afford it.

We've got to cut down

expenses, live within our means.

No more parties.

Isn't that for uncle Pavel to decide?

I don't intend to ask uncle

Pavel for help any longer.

Janina:
is this another

of your suggestions?

It is what I want,

Janina.

Zofya:

but why, Stephen?

Uncle Pavel is

so generous.

He loves to do

things for you.

I want to do things

for myself, mama.

I'm tired of depending

on anyone else.

But, darling,

don't you think

You'd better discuss

this with uncle Pavel?

There's nothing

to be discussed, mama.

I know what I'm doing.

Oh, mother,

it isn't that Stephen

Doesn't wish you

to have a party,

But he wants to become

independent, and...

We can all help him.

Janina:

of course, mother.

Stephen is above taking

anything from uncle Pavel,

And that includes

advice.

Besides,

it's obvious

That someone else

is advising him.

Janina!

Yes, Janina.

I did advise Stephen.

I thought you would

feel about it as we do.

Well,

you are mistaken.

If you and Stephen wish

to become independent,

That is

your business,

But I see no reason

why mother and I

Should change

our mode of living!

Zofya:
children, please!

Do as you wish.

We won't give a party,

only please...

Please let us live

in peace.

You say "peace," Zofya,

but at what a price?

The price of honor

and self-Respect--

The same price Pavel is

paying to keep Poland at peace.

I tell

you--

Leopold, no speeches.

What right have you to

criticize uncle Pavel?

You're living on his

charity just as we are,

Only you're not honest

enough to admit it!

Stephen:
Janina!

Have more respect

for your uncle!

Zofya:
Stephen, please!

Excuse me.

Janina!

I've had enough!

I can't stand it!

I'm sorry, mama.

No, no, you stay

with your wife.

She comes first.

Janina!

Stephen:
mama!

Janina!

Children, listen to me.

What Janina just said

about me is the truth.

That's why I don't do

anything but talk.

Talk and drink--

It's the same thing.

But you two have made

an important decision,

And you must not let

anything stop you.

Have courage.

Darling...

He's right.

Nothing must stop us

building the future.

Nothing will...

La lechka.

I knew you'd say that.

Come on, Stephen,

let's finish lunch.

Stephen:

as I told you before,

It is very simple

to handle a tractor.

When you plow deep,

you use the first gear.

That is

for heavy pulling.

If the load is lighter,

you use the second.

And if you want

to go faster--

Let us say, back to the barn on

a rainy day, and you must hurry--

You use the third.

Now, who will be

the first to learn?

Bucyk?

Stanislaw?

Come. The tractor

won't eat you.

In fact, it will

give you more to eat.

Stephen, I think

there should be

Some sort of prize for the

first to learn, don't you?

Yes, that's right.

How many children

have you, wladek?

[Counting softly]

I'll give you

7 bottles of wine.

My wife, she should

get a bottle, too.

She's expecting

another one.

Oh, really?

Congratulations, wladek.

And you deserve one, too.

I'll make it 9.

9?

Oh, come along, wladek.

You're not afraid, are you?

No! I'll go!

Good for you, wladek.

[Laughing]

And good luck.

You see, wladek?

It's easy.

Nothing to it.

Yes! It's wonderful!

[Horses neighing]

You see, wanda? There was

nothing to worry about.

Push the clutch

down.

Put it in first

gear--Number one.

That's it. Go on.

Good, wladek.

Very good.

Yes. Thank you!

[Gears grinding]

Stephen:
put it back in

first! In first, wladek!

Wladek!

My husband!

Stephen:
wladek, stop

it! Turn the motor off!

Look out!

Pull the wheel straight!

[All shouting]

[Wanda crying]

Don't get excited!

Just a moment!

It was a mistake.

Wladek,

i told you second.

You put it

into third.

Excuse me, Count Orvid!

I don't know

how it happened!

It won't happen again.

Let's try once more.

Oh, no, no, no, no! Please, Count

Orvid! This thing is a monster!

Don't be stupid, wladek.

Please, no more,

Count Orvid. Please!

Who else will try?

[Men murmuring]

I don't think

they will.

What's the matter

with you?

This will make

work easy!

A horse is better!

Why should we risk

our lives over work?

[Murmurs of agreement]

You try, bujansky.

I've had enough.

Stephen...

Stephen!

Stephen,

please don't be angry.

This is the first time

they've tried it.

Oh, Jenny,

they're stupid!

They don't care to learn.

They're not even interested.

But, darling, we've only just

started. Give them a chance.

They've been the same way

for centuries.

How can we expect them

to change now?

Well, perhaps by

changing ourselves.

Changing ourselves?

What do you mean?

Darling, listen to me. What

have we ever done for them?

I've been in their

homes, seen how they live.

I just can't tell you

how I felt.

It was as if I'd-- Well, I'd

gone back into some other age.

They've scarcely enough to

keep body and soul together,

So how can we expect them

to be interested in work

That only gives them

the barest existence?

What can I do

about it?

I can't raise their

wages. I haven't the money.

Well, darling,

if we can't afford it now,

Why don't we give them

an incentive

By promising them

something in the future?

What, for instance?

Well, a share

in the harvest.

Then they'll take

more interest

Because they'll be working

partly for themselves.

No, Jenny.

Things like that

aren't done.

Stephen...

You're beginning to have doubts

about more than the peasants--

About all we're doing,

aren't you?

No, Jenny,

i didn't say that.

No, not in words,

But I can imagine how often

it must have occurred to you.

"What am I changing my whole

life for and everybody else's?"

And, "it would be so easy to go back

to things the way they were before."

That was unfair of me.

I'm sorry.

But it just means

so terribly much to us

That you don't go back to uncle

Pavel and all he stands for...

At least, not until

we've tried everything.

What else do you

want me to do?

Well, i--I want you

to gamble with me.

You said the machines would

till 3 times as much land

- If the peasants took hold.

- Right.

Well, then let's

give them a chance.

And if I'm wrong

and we lose...

Well, you can still

go back to your uncle.

They won't even know

what we are talking about.

Well, then--Then we'll

explain it to them.

Oh, darling,

this isn't so new.

It's been done in America

and England, and...

Well, I think people are

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