Nybyggarna Page #5

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-In Sweden we have been struck off the register.

We are American citizens now.

Imagine if I were to use the name they have

given me here ''''Chariest O. Nelson.''''

What do you think about that' Kristina?

I don't think so.

You may resign obedience to the Swedish King'-

-but if you change your name'

I will laugh at you' for that is vanity

Next time I get to vote for president

The American authorities have been gentle with us.

Maybe that is the right way to say it.

You always say things should be done

''''this way''''. It is ''''this way'''' !

Really? Oh well.

Yes' maybe your right.

Of course I'm right.

You just don't want to admit it.

You ''''closer'''' the door' ''''putter''''

in firewood and ''''putter'''' out the fire-

- when it really is to close the door'

put more firewood in and put out the fire.

Okay' okay. I better keep my mouth shut the

rest of the evening then.

Mother' listen to this: Last year

25.000 of Elias Howells"-

-''''sewing machine with wheel

were produced and sold''''-

-''''In America.''''

Doesn't mother want a sewing machine?

Dear Karl Oskar. Put in some more firewood

and I'll make us some supper.

I can't put it off any longer.

I am signing up' or they will draft me.

-You don't have to yet.

-I might well do.

They can start drafting

people on the 1st of October

Wait till then.

It is more honourable

to go of ones own free will

Are you going to war of your own free will?

If I could get away for an honourable price'

I wouldn't go at all.

In that way I would be dumping my

responsibilities on someone else.

Are you saying you are joining up

so you can have a clear conscience?

Yes' exactly. Yes' that's it.

What does you conscience tell

you about the fifth commandment?

Thou shalt not kill.

Yes' well' that doesn't apply to war.

-Where does it say that war is exempt.

-Doesn't a man have the right to defend himself?

That is what the other guy is saying as you

kill him ''''I have a right to defend myself.''''

Kristina' are you against me doing this?

I don't want your hands to kill anyone.

I don't want you to have to

live with the regret for eternity.

If you take the life of another'

you loose your own.

I don't want you to be lost afterwards.

I am thinking of your eternal life.

So' that's what you mean.

It will not be sin if I kill my enemy in war.

Not for God' nor for humans.

It's the slave owners in the south who started

this' we must be allowed to defend ourselves.

A Christian is not allowed to go

out and kill people.

But I have to.

For my peace of mind' Kristina !

I don't want you to become a murderer.

But if you must go' then go.

For your peace of mind.

Take a deep breath. Breath out.

You'll make a good soldier.

Get dressed.

Sir? Come back here.

Bend your knees.

Walk around the table.

Run !

I'm sorry' but you have a bad leg.

I'm sorry' it's a shame.

If I were a man I would be proud

not to be suited for killing.

Now you get to have me home

for as long as the war lasts.

Yes. . .

There are those that eat their own kids-

-when they have nothing left to live off.

The soldiers in Red Wood-

-showed me a bunch of gnawed up

skeletons of eaten Indian children.

But the stores were full of food.

The Indians food.

But the government didn't

want to listen to their claim'-

-so they are not allowed to eat their own food.

How can they just accept that?

What are they meant to do? Starve to death?

Or kill others?

-What ''''others''''?

-Well' have a guess.

Those how have stolen their

lands' of course.

-And who would that be?

-This entire country has been

stolen from the Indians

The whole country?

I haven't stolen any land.

I've paid the government for

every acre I've got.

Yes. . . but you bought stolen property.

Are you accusing me of dodgy dealings?

You acted honourable enough.

You acted in accordance with the law.

But that law was created after the fact'

after they had stolen the land.

and what did they pay them for the land?

One daler for 20 000 acres of

the most fertile soil in the world.

When I got here'

there was only wild grasses here.

Now there are crops that can sustain

us and others.

I earned the soil when I

ploughed and cultivated it.

Yes' but you had bought it cheap' Nelson.

Forgive me what I asked for this summer.

Because I didn't want any more children.

Now you have shown me you

wanted things differently.

You must exist' God.

Do you hear me? You must exist!

Of course your waiting for us' Karl Oskar.

We stayed too long.

Bu there we so many before us'

and when it was finally our turn'-

-a man who had had his nose

saw of came in.

His face looked like mince meat.

A shame with such a nice man.

-I'm going to make dinner.

-So' what did the doctor say?

We have plenty of time to talk about

this later. Kristina has had her examination.

-There is nothing really wrong.

-Well' does it hurt anywhere?

-You promised you would explain it to Karl Oskar.

-Yes' I did' my friend.

Come along' Karl Oskar' let's go into the

kitchen and talk about it.

Kristina is broken inside

And now she can't take anymore.

Not a single time more.

The next pregnancy will mean death for Kristina.

Now you've heard it' so now you know.

Literally the doctor said :

''''Next childbed will be her death.''''

So now you've heard it in English too

Your wife will be fine and healthy'

as long as you take good care of her.

Take care of Kristina' Karl Oskar.

And don't make her pregnant.

I'm sorry for you' having to sleep on

your own from now on.

-I'm no good anymore

-You health is the only important thing.

But I can't stand by you any longer.

I'm used up.

You heard me. The only important thing.

I'm a useless woman. You no

longer have a real wife' Karl Oskar.

I'm no good.

I've spoiled my health here.

Not everyone can take it

You have to stop drinking' Mnsson.

You're ruining everything.

I have ruined my mother'

is that what you mean' Nelson.

You're ruining yourself as well.

Stop drinking !

Have you ever even tried to stop drinking?

Every day for 10 years.

Then why can you stop?

Because. . .because I'm afraid. Afraid.

Afraid ! Afraid !

You can't. . . You can't. . .

Then what are you afraid of?

Mother!

-Are you up?

-Yes.

-Are you ill' Kristina?

-No.

Then what is wrong with you?

I am coming back to you' Karl Oskar.

What are you saying?

I want to be your wife again.

I have come back to you.

Do you want me?

You don't know what you are doing.

You're rushing into this

Don't worry. I know what I am doing.

We can't risk your life.

Only the almighty controls my life.

It's too dangerous.

How can you dare do this?

Easy. I don't care about the doctor.

I'm putting my faith in God.

If I live it is his will.

If I die it is his will.

Karl Oskar' I am pregnant again.

Now don't be afraid.

Things have always worked out before.

Why wouldn't they this time.

I have worked it out. In February.

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