Ordet Page #2

Forgive me.

Grandfather.

If you'll agree to

Anders and Anne marrying,

I'll promise you something

that will make you happy.

And what is that?

Fried eel for dinner on Sunday.

Well, that's a deal, of sorts.

Grandfather.

And I promise you a boy this time.

Are you happy now?

You're good at

making promises, Inger.

- Do you agree?

- Inger, Inger...

Why go to so much bother?

Anders will get over it,

and we'll easily find

the right girl for him.

Then I'll tell you that he's not

cutting reeds with Mikkel.

- Isn't he?

- No.

Where is he?

So that's it.

That was the reason for the coffee.

Yes, grandfather, it was.

When he gets back we'll say,

"Congratulations, Anders", won't we?

So Peter the tailor is getting

a son-in-law today.

And you a sweet,

capable daughter-in-law.

I haven't asked for one.

Do consent, grandfather.

When he went off

without a word to me?

And you knew about it,

but never said anything.

A conspiracy by my children,

behind my back.

I'm damned if I'll consent.

Grandfather, where are you going?

Why ask?

Do any of you tell me

where you're going?

Grandfather! Grandfather!

In his shirt-sleeves, too.

Go and have coffee.

Yes.

And tell Hans to lay straw bedding

for the mare.

Yes.

There you are.

What's the matter with you,

grandfather?

Borgensgaard is going to the dogs.

- Nothing of the sort.

- Yes.

And Johannes

will never be any different.

How do you know?

Mikkel won't be any different.

How can you compare them?

Anyway, what's wrong with Mikkel?

He's betrayed his forefathers' faith.

Mikkel is all right.

He has God in his heart.

And now Anders...

Sometimes I can't make you out.

You seem as if God

has abandoned you.

Do I?

You're right, I'm not what I was.

And you do know why.

Because God didn't hear you all those

nights you prayed by Johannes' bed.

No, you're wrong.

It wasn't God's fault, it was mine.

If I'd prayed with faith,

a miracle would have happened.

But I prayed because I thought

it was worth trying.

If a father can't pray

with faith for his child,

miracles do not happen.

But our Lord might manage it.

I don't believe it anymore.

Do you know what I think?

I think that many tiny miracles

occur all around us.

Our Lord hears people's prayers,

but He does things quietly,

without making a fuss.

Maybe.

I'll go and meet Maren and little Inger.

School's finished now.

Is it that time?

- You'll come with me?

- I sure will.

Despite your rheumatism?

Damn that, I'm not a cripple yet.

No.

Peter Petersen. Tailor.

The time is coming for me to go.

I hear the voice of winter.

For I also am only a bird of passage.

My real home is elsewhere.

If that isn't the little Anne?

Did you find anyone in?

- Yes.

- You got the money?

Yes, I'll leave it over here.

You do that.

Anne, can you see to the birds?

They must need water.

Listen, Anne.

I think you've been crying.

Did you meet anyone?

I met Anders.

- From Borgensgaard?

- Yes.

Did you talk to him?

Yes. They have fifteen piglets.

I hope you remembered what I told you.

Of course.

- You know you must be on guard?

- Yes, father.

And not let sin prevail.

- Yes, father.

- That's a good girl.

- Anne, bring in firewood.

- Yes, mother.

You know what I've been thinking,

Kirstine?

No, Peter.

Being young Borgengaard's father-in-law

may have advantages.

Anne would never go wanting.

True, but I was thinking of more

than worldly advantages.

Was it not?

What were you thinking then?

What if we humble folk were to win

Borgensgaard for God's kingdom?

That would be a great joy.

The idea turned my head, too,

but then I came to my senses.

How, Peter?

L found I was thinking of the worldly

aspect, rather than the heavenly.

Thank the Lord for opening your eyes.

Thanks be to Him.

Gather up the fragments that remain

that nothing be lost.

Come in.

Good morning.

I was just passing.

The Lord be with you.

What?

The Lord be with you.

Thanks.

Are you...

Do you not know me?

Are you the son of the house?

I am a mason.

I build houses,

but people refuse to live in them.

Do they?

They want to build for themselves.

They want to, but they cannot.

And so they live,

some in unfinished huts,

others in ruins,

while the greatest number

wander homeless.

Are you one who needs a house?

I am the new pastor.

- My name is...

- My name is Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus...

How can you prove that?

Thou man of faith,

who himself lacks faith.

People believe in the dead Christ,

but not in the living.

They believe in miracles of

two thousand years ago.

But they do not believe in me now.

I am come again to witness

for my Father in heaven

and to work miracles.

Miracles no longer happen.

Thus speaks

my church on earth.

The church that has betrayed me,

murdered me in my own name.

Here I stand,

and again you cast me out.

But if you nail me to the cross

a second time,

woe unto you.

This is quite dreadful.

Is it you, Anders?

- Hello, Peter.

- What do you want?

Have you some sewing to be done?

- Not that.

- What, then?

Well, Anne and me...

I've come to ask you if I may marry her.

No. Definitely not.

- Couldn't we ask Anne?

- No.

- Why not?

- There's no point.

- Aren't I good enough?

- No, Anders, you're not good enough.

What's wrong with me?

The problem is that

you are not a Christian.

- I'm not a Christian?

- No.

Not what we down here understand

by a Christian.

I'm as good a believer as you

and Kirstine.

But not of our faith,

that's what I look for.

You'd better leave,

we're holding a meeting.

- Goodbye.

- Goodbye. Regards to the family.

- Hello.

- Hello and welcome.

Hello and welcome

in the name of the Lord.

Hello.

Hello and welcome.

Please come in and have a seat.

Hello, Pastor.

I'm the eldest son, Mikkel Bergen.

- Hello.

- Welcome to Borgensgaard.

Thanks. Many thanks.

- Have a seat.

- Thanks.

I expect everyone's out.

- Would you care for a cigar?

- No, thanks.

- Have you met anyone else?

- Yes... your brother, perhaps.

- Johannes?

- Yes.

- I hope he didn't offend you.

- No, no...

But was he born like...

We don't like to talk about it,

but I can tell you.

Something happened.

- Was it love?

- No, Kierkegaard.

How?

Well, Johannes was studying theology,

and it was going very well,

but then he became enmeshed

in doubts.

- It was too much for him?

- Yes.

A blow for the family.

Yes, you want to help,

but there's nothing you can do.

Father's coming.

Let's change the subject.

Good day, pastor.

Welcome to Borgensgaard.

Thanks. Many thanks.

Hello and welcome to Borgensgaard.

This is Maren,

and this is little Inger.

- Just the two?

- At the moment.

A cup of coffee?

Another time, perhaps.

I must go now.

Goodbye, Pastor.

And thanks for your visit.

You're welcome.

- Goodbye.

- Goodbye.

Let me...

Go and have lunch.

He seems pleasant enough.

That's what he's paid for.

Is Anders back yet?

- Did you speak to father?

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