In Our Time Page #8

pretty much the same everywhere.

They're always looking for a way to

make a little better life for themselves,

And when the peasants

realize that, then--

Then...well...

Well, I...

My serious little girl.

Oh, no, darling.

Look, you're trying

to change the subject.

Please promise me

you'll think it over.

It means so terribly

much to us.

I promise for a kiss.

Oh, you...

I promise you

a share in the harvest.

The harder you work,

the larger your share will be.

We'll start work

tomorrow, early.

Let us say 8:
00?

Darling, let us say 5:00.

Jenny, voice-Over: so the peasants

learned how to operate the machines.

They weren't stupid,

after all.

If you never teach people

anything, they never learn.

It's as simple as that.

They plowed and cultivated,

and reaped a bountiful harvest.

The ripe grain ran like the sea

across the land,

Nodding and rippling,

And the happiness

of the people grew

Until it was almost more

than Stephen and I could bear

To watch their faces.

They were gathering

the fruits of their labor.

It was their

fruit, too--

Grown, as the bible says,

by the sweat of their brow,

And by the strength

of their muscles.

And it was sweet to them...and to us.

We are gathered today

to give thanks

For the rich fullness

of our harvest.

In receiving

the fruits of our labor,

Our hearts,

even as our hands,

Are filled to overflowing.

But now, my friends,

As we share

a common blessing,

We also face

a common danger.

A foreign country has cast

her eyes on our polish harvest.

We pray that we may avert

the menacing threat of war,

That god may see fit to darken

the sun with storm clouds

And let rain fall

upon our polish earth.

The invader

might be discouraged

If our roads were to turn

into a sea of mud,

Wherein the enemy tanks

would be engulfed,

As were pharaoh's chariots

under the red sea.

Now we will kneel and

recite the our father.

[Church bells ringing]

Now that we've thanked heaven

for permitting the harvest,

We should do something to thank the

people who helped make it possible.

Yes,

that's a good idea.

What could we do?

A speech from you,

perhaps?

Oh, no, not a speech.

Not this time, Stephen.

I mean a kind

of celebration.

I think that would

be wonderful.

A kind of celebration

to give thanks.

Thanksgiving! Yes, that's

it, like the American holiday.

Oh, darling,

could we?

Yes. We might have

a party in the barn.

A party--That's it.

But why in the barn?

Where else?

Why not at home?

In our home?

Yes, of course.

I don't know.

What do you

think, Jenny?

Oh, darling,

you know how I feel.

But perhaps it would be nice if

you discussed it with your mother.

Yes, uh, I think

i should.

[Chopin mazurka playing]

Jenny, may I have

one more?

Uncle Leopold,

that is your seventh.

Fifth. Fifth.

I'll weaken it.

The old stump won't sprout

without being watered.

But I thought you drank

only when you were unhappy.

Tonight I drink

because I'm happy,

Because I see in this room

the promise of a new Poland,

Far better than the old.

Have a little one with me.

All right.

Na zdrowie.

Na zdrowie.

Countess?

Yes, dear.

I have a surprise

for you.

I can't imagine

what it is.

Oh, darling,

you never forget.

La lechka.

That's enough,

farmer.

May I have a cup

for father josef?

Yes. Here you are.

Thank you.

Nice and strong.

There you are,

father.

[Laughs] na zdrowie!

Sigmund,

let's have a polka.

Take your partners.

We'll have a dance.

[All cheering]

Uncle Leopold, could you

forget another vodka

For a dance with me?

My lovely niece, that

would be intoxicating enough

To forget everything,

including my age.

Thank you.

[Polka playing]

May I have

the pleasure, mama?

Oh, my darling,

i am too old.

But much too gracious

to refuse.

Very well.

[Hands clapping to music]

Ah, no more!

You shouldn't

have danced.

My spirit is willing.

My body is not.

It's time

you were asleep.

Yes. Yes.

Come, darling.

I'll help you upstairs.

I'm a little worried

about Janina.

[Polka ends]

Thank you, Countess.

It was a pleasure,

darling.

Excuse me,

Count Stephen.

Yes, Pyotr?

Your uncle is

in the library.

He wishes

to speak to you.

Thanks.

The philosopher

must be in trouble.

I think you're right.

Good evening, uncle.

I didn't know you were

here. When did you come?

Only a few minutes ago.

You will forgive me for not

using your front door, Stephen,

But perhaps you can understand my

reluctance to appear at your party.

May I sit down?

Please.

Thank you.

I asked to see you

alone.

Oh, excuse me.

But since

your wife is here,

she might as well stay.

I'd intended to come to

see you sooner, Stephen,

but, as you know, we face

a desperate situation,

and every moment of my time has

been spent in trying to avert war.

I'd not even be here tonight,

except that I've been assured

that the german government

will not resort to force

until we have had more time to

discuss the corridor question.

That's good news.

Yes.

But it's most

discouraging, Stephen.

I am doing everything I can

to preserve Poland,

And you are doing

just the opposite.

I don't understand.

Even the walls in this old

house must feel strange tonight.

If you're referring to

the peasants being here,

I can assure you that they

are behaving most respectfully.

Naturally.

It's their first visit.

May I ask why it was necessary

to have them here at all?

It seemed only right

to celebrate the harvest

With those who helped

make it successful.

As I understand, they are

not only celebrating it,

But sharing in it,

as well.

You are surprised

that I know,

But I am aware of everything

that is going on here.

However, I don't blame you

completely for what has happened.

Undoubtedly, your wife has been the

inspiration for most of your activities.

Whatever Jenny has done has been

for my good, and I'm grateful to her.

Are you sure it's always

been for your good?

What do you mean?

Count Orvid, would you

mind explaining that?

My dear, it's the nature

of a human being

To destroy that which

he cannot attain.

Whether you admit it

or not,

You have probably found a

great deal of satisfaction

In tearing down the

tradition of this household.

That's ridiculous,

uncle!

I won't even

discuss it!

Stephen,

may i, please?

Count Orvid,

The idea of tearing down

The tradition

of this household

To satisfy myself

Has been the furthest

thing from my mind.

My only desire has been

to help my husband.

You accuse me

of being destructive.

Well, if helping Stephen

to become independent,

If trying to prevent you from

humiliating him as you once did,

If treating the peasants as

human beings is destroying,

Then perhaps I am.

But I know Stephen doesn't

share your point of view,

And today he's in a position

to do and think as he pleases,

Which he wasn't before.

Not quite.

You forget that

he is my heir,

And as such, he has a

duty and responsibility,

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