The Fire That Burns Page #2

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By the way,

who is your confessor here'?

Go to a priest in my parish.

That fits with the rest.

Everyone knows that you're

the only day-boy in your section.

Free. To act as you please.

To have as few ties as possible.

Except with Souplier,

of course.

Any tokens of eternal friendship?

We exchanged our pens.

NO Wedges?

No romantic words'?

He said, "For always."

said, "For as long as possible."

Since then, meetings...

little gifts, notes.

Notes, you a day-boy, he a boarder.

Long letters from you,

notes from him...

always marked, "To be burnt"...

dated midnight...

at least yours.

Have you seen them?

Do you think yourself original?

Does your mother know?

Just as well.

Parents and the school

are two distinct worlds.

Do not mix them.

I'd rather you stopped concealing.

You have loyalty...

your presence here proves it.

That being so...

perhaps an alliance

would be better... than war.

May take a gamble

on your loyalty...

and allow you to go on

seeing Souplier...

if have your word...

you'll be beyond reproach.

Sir, give you my word.

Believe...

in the power of true affection.

Its power is such,

it could carry the world away.

God grants us the grace...

to love someone.

Thank you, Sir, it's so good of you.

Please note

that may be "good" sometimes...

but that I'm not "a good fellow".

Make subtle differences.

Always do.

Like "behavior" and "hypocrisy".

Come again, at any time.

If you find a lady here,

come straight in.

It will a boy's mother,

she'll leave.

Thank you, Sir.

For everything.

And also for being what you are.

Oh, what we are...

You pig! Brute!

Sevrais, protect me!

Why didn't you hit him'?

They call him Bonbon.

He's rat poison!

Have to talk to you.

How he talked about you!

He knows all about kids.

The same man

that told us off last Sunday.

I'm overwhelmed.

What happened?

Don't want to let him down,

he wants you to improve.

I've hurt you, it seems.

So decided I'd change my ways...

and we'd be serious.

Saw DE Pradts

and told him about this change.

Don't you remember

what you told me in the cave?

Yes, asked you what you would do.

You said:
ll carry on

Then said, "I'll go on too,

because it's forbidden."

I've changed.

I've found the good in me.

Now know the truth...

the truth for you and for me.

All right, if you think it's best.

I'll be to you

what you want me to be.

It will be different!

A new life! A comradeship-in-arms,

like in the days of chivalry!

What a relief, not to hide,

not to lie!

Sevrais and Souplier,

saw them go into the storeroom.

It's quite all right, I'll explain.

We'll talk more on Sunday.

Not Sunday, I'm being kept in.

Not again! Why'?

Goofed off in gym.

like goofing off in gym.

Is it really fun to act the fool?

It's fun at my age.

Look, can't wait a whole week,

it's impossible.

Come here tomorrow before prep.

Tell your master

you've got choir practice.

The storeroom will be locked.

Have a key.

sell snacks at break...

I'll say I'm checking the snack money.

You say you want to be

a good influence on me...

but you want me to skip prep...

and tell lies.

But DE Pradts gave us permission.

If can come, I'll draw a cross

on the lavatory door.

Bless us, oh Lord,

bless this food...

those who prepared it

and grant bread to the hungry.

"After Jesus fed the multitude,

when the day began to wear away...

"he went up alone

into a mountain to pray...

"while his apostles sailed

the Lake of Tiberias...

"to go unto the other side.

"Suddenly a storm arose.

"The water raged, the wind blew...

"and they were sorely afraid.

"You men of little faith,

said Jesus..."

"Why did you not trust my love?"

Souplier approved of.

Can't get over it.

You haven't heard?

After that speech

against Sevrais-Souplier...

DE Pradts now says

that this friendship is allowed...

and almost exemplary.

Must say, the Sevrais-Souplier

friendship seems most odd.

Yet officially approved of!

The school's best

and the school's worst!

DE Pradts likes Souplier

to act as a whipping-boy.

Then he can be soft-hearted.

DE Pradts is a remarkable man.

He and the Superior

are both remarkable, but...

he's a man of passion.

True, education is a passion.

Especially Souplier's.

It's a bit too much.

Wasn't DE Pradts to go to Rome?

He refused

so that he could stay on here.

How humble of him.

He's so condescending

to the masters.

You know what he says.

"We welcome teachers here

out of charity."

As for us assistants...

He treats us

as he treats the caretaker.

Gentlemen, quiet!

You'll be kept in.

I'm already being kept in.

Well, on the following Sunday too.

Nice Going. A shrewd move.

- What?

- You and DE Pradts!

Nothing shrewd, don't want

my influence to upset the Abbot's.

Yet here you are,

with official blessing!

The others might resent that.

Listen, about our new friendship,

Souplier said...

"if only the others did the same!"

You'd better be on our side!

You really do love him'?

Is it so incredible?

Souplier's parents

are behind with the fees.

Never pay on time.

It's DE Pradts that insisted

on free singing lessons.

Now he'll know love him!

If he knew, he wouldn't grasp it.

If he did, he'd be afraid.

Does your mother know?

Not in detail.

Just like Gaboriau.

He says he confesses everything...

but leaves out the details.

So she accepts Souplier?

Yes, so that may accept her.

Don't get it.

She knows he's the teacher's pet'?

No, didn't tell her that.

All the same...

What?

She said DE Pradts is jealous.

What did you say?

A woman's reaction!

I'm not jealous of anyone

good to him.

She can't understand.

Go on.

Be quick.

Thank you, Sir.

Still those holes!

Holes, Sir?

There.

That's an aperture.

Reflections on Fallen Priests

by the Abbot DE Pradts

was afraid I'd be late.

You'd have waited, wouldn't you?

Until when'?

Until five to.

Too risky after that.

Thanks!

At break, everyone pushes...

give the wrong change.

I'm losing money.

DE Pradts talked to me.

For an hour and ten minutes!

Imagine!

You said I'd soon be fed up

with our new life.

Said, " hope he won't be fed up."

It's not the same.

What else?

Never believe

bad things about you.

Such as'?

Well, he doesn't like you much.

Then why let us be friends?

Something escapes me.

Did you offer to break up with me'?

If he'd accepted, what then?

Would you have ignored me

in the street?

- Would it upset you?

- Not you?

Don't know what I'd have done.

These stupid socks keep slipping!

He asked if loved you.

What did you say?

That with us,

it was a matter of death and life.

And what did he say?

That my French was incorrect.

You must do better from now on.

Finish it. It makes me feel sick.

Next week,

must have 16 in conduct.

No, that's too high.

He said must improve.

He makes you cry...

he consoles you...

but as he consoles you,

you cry again.

He knows how to win you over.

He Wants me to go

to his country house for a Week...

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