The Fire That Burns Page #4

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I'm like a doctor or a lawyer.

Never believe

I'm hearing the whole truth.

Now do believe what you said.

Want you to know it.

Can't see him one last time

to say goodbye?

I'm afraid it would be

a little melodramatic...

for something...

...so trite?

Yes, so trite.

We'll tie up your books.

So you can take them all today.

Best you don't come back.

Now do you see it was a trap?

Everything was done to lead you on.

From the start.

Know those agents provocateurs!

Don't know what you mean.

He wanted you out of the way.

Hindered his influence

over a pupil he takes care of.

To meet in the storeroom

is against the school rules.

It's natural that be expelled.

Your coat.

Don't forget it...

Being expelled is no reason

to fall ill.

Sevrais'?

What do you want'?

To go out, please.

But I've not heard the bell...

for the day-boys to leave.

I've been expelled.

In that case...

Well... What's keeping you?

Leave.

So Sevrais leaves

this school forever...

cast out by us,

without a farewell to his friend...

classmates or teachers.

But this boy

shook his hand furtively...

for no apparent reason...

or perhaps

so that this bleak moment be lit...

by a spark of human kindness...

God often acts

through children, as we know.

Perhaps this innocent child

was an instrument...

of a higher charity or justice.

In the future,

where will they find justice?

If only they could find it

just once at school...

in their priests' souls.

But there you are.

Poor children.

We too push them about,

pulling them this way and that.

We too confuse them.

Poor children, so defenseless.

So defenseless?

Yes, repeat, so defenseless.

You say they take advantage of us.

But don't we live with them

endlessly taking advantage?

Certainly not.

Any trouble we cause them...

they repay us tenfold.

How did Sevrais take it'?

With a cold distress...

which rather liked.

Tears?

- Quickly mastered.

- Too quickly!

We know you love boys' tears.

Mothers' tears.

As some do lovers' tears.

You're a master hand...

at making matters worse!

"Rise up, longed-for storms!"

That Sevrais loved Souplier,

that they were separated...

that he confronted me...

that he was expelled...

all that is good for his education.

By being hurt by us, and hurting us...

he learned who we are.

And that will be

what this school gave him.

And might it not also

have made him a Christian?

Saw Souplier last night...

after our talk.

He's the one who locked

the storeroom door.

And yet when you accused Sevrais,

he didn't deny it'?

No.

To protect the child.

It's tragic that had to sacrifice

this boy because of you.

You made this a drama

that could have been avoided.

Why not come to me'?

But to lose Souplier!

It could have been hushed up...

you made a fuss and had

no choice but to expel Sevrais.

Souplier isn't there?

How do you know?

Don't hear his voice.

What's wrong'?

Is he ill?

Is he being punished?

Has he been suspended

from choir...

because of what happened?

You would not...

That's not possible.

It is.

What?

Souplier is no longer here.

What?

But last night...

made this decision this morning.

You will not!

The letter was taken

to his parents at two.

The Souplier experiment is over.

It has barely begun!

thought we could use Sevrais.

You were only too happy

to discuss Souplier with him.

Even with me, for any or no reason,

you only spoke of him.

Should have lied?

Been more discreet?

All right!

His name flew

from my heart to my lips.

All my soul...

"All your soul..."

What was saying?

You know full well.

Would remind you it was not

who first spoke his name.

On Saturday going to class

you stood aside to let him pass.

It caused comment.

- Children are owed respect.

- Agreed. What about Sevrais'?

- He's no child.

- A subtle distinction.

Don't press me.

Heard your arguments

when tried to expel him before.

You insisted that reduce

the boarding fees...

so much did you want

to have him in your power!

Ask you again, don't press me.

But must.

"The Souplier experiment is over."

What do you know of him'?

Did you spare him any time?

Have you ever spent

more than ten minutes with him'?

Please! We have 500 pupils.

Believe in the human being.

Believe in the human being.

A child may be saved

by a man's intelligence.

Father Superior...

why hide it'?

Admit in all simplicity...

and if must, in all humility...

that the expulsion of this child...

would be the greatest grief

of my priestly life.

Would wish you

to have other griefs...

in your priestly life.

You say too much.

Such deep concern...

You are so persistent...

that must ask of you

another sacrifice.

After Easter need talk of

a love that sacrifices itself?

Must ask you...

to give up your apostolic duty

toward this boy...

should you intend to see him again.

Was consistently on my guard.

Never allowed him

to show any feeling.

Not one word or one gesture

too affectionate.

If you can't assure me

you'll never see him again...

I'll send him to a country school.

Will not yield.

Spare me that.

For a misunderstanding...

the best in me is broken.

Only one thing matters.

Love for another being.

Not his love for you.

One's own love.

And who told us that?

You did.

"Love has the power

to carry the world away."

"God granted us the grace..."

It is the very essence of our faith.

If you understood differently...

To have that love...

brings you closest

to what Heaven must be.

Don't make me say more than did.

Had love for that child.

You've destroyed it...

and in a way tarnished it...

though it was so pure.

Wish could forgive you,

you meant well.

Can't.

You'll forgive me some day...

as must forgive you

your remarks.

Who will love'?

Whom can love'?

Who will love him'?

What will become of him'?

I've been his father and mother.

When he arrived here with holes

in his socks, buttons missing...

who took care of that?

Who gave him money

to buy soap or a nail file...

when his parents forgot?

When he lost or gained weight,

who noticed but me'?

It is an attachment

from which God is excluded.

There is a fire in you.

It burns but gives no light.

Oh God, did never give him light?

At last!

God's name on your lips!

Did you talk to him about God'?

Could have done so more often.

Didn't because

he's not meant to have faith.

So you decided!

And Sevrais'?

Nor him.

They'll always remember

their emotions...

and religion will last in those...

at least an odor of religion.

An odor!

Oh God, do run a school

where faith is an odor...

not the basis of everything we do'?

Unbelief, in this very school!

Despite the religious instruction...

Be quiet! It would be...

No...

Does one sing like that

when one has no faith?

It's Lartigue.

A fine example.

Shall tell you what know?

The more moving is the singing

the more corrupt is the spirit.

It's not true!

You're making this up!

You speak rashly!

Unbelief among the staff too!

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