The Keys of the Kingdom Page #10

I took the liberty

of sending her an invitation.

She'll come, all right.

Come on, Francis.

It isn't important, of course,

but it's been pointed out...

that I am the youngest monsignor

in the northern diocese.

I've even been accused of having

an overactive thyroid gland.

- A glass of wine, Reverend Mother?

- No, thank you.

But it's first-rate, I assure you.

Pale Amontillado. No?

- Francis?

- Yes, thank you.

It's a little traveled, perhaps,

since it came with me from home.

You know, I must admit

China fascinates me.

I disagree violently

with those of our world...

who still regard the Chinese

as an inferior race.

Truly there are no limits

to the benefits of a belief in God...

and-[Chuckling]

Plenty of soap and water.

Uh, your record's been

truly remarkable, Angus.

I understand you founded

two new missions in Japan...

and a native seminary in Nantou.

Yes, and I'm happy to say

that all three are flourishing.

Unfortunately for you,

however, Francis...

they've put quite a strain

on our financial reserves.

I can't see how you're going

to rebuild your church.

- I'm afraid the Society

cannot let you have the money.

- I haven't asked for it.

If only you had been

more successful...

with some of the better-class Chinese-

the rich merchants.

If only your friend Mr. Chia

had seen the light.

He hasn't, and he's given most generously.

I'm not going to ask him for another penny.

Well, that's your own affair.

But I must tell you frankly, Francis...

that on our charts at headquarters...

I'm sorry to say that

your convert rate is the lowest.

I suppose missionaries differ

in their individual capabilities.

Oh, surely no one doubts

your capabilities, Francis.

It's just in the way you do things.

Living personally in such poor style...

eating in the kitchen and all that.

Well, you ought to impress the natives,

make more of a show.

But the Chinese hate

that kind of ostentation...

and priests who practice it

are regarded as dishonorable.

You refer to their own

low heathen priests, I presume.

Heathens are not always low,

just as Christians are not always high.

Many of their priests

are good and noble men.

Well, have it your own way.

It's just struck me.

I can still give

that lecture in London.

I shall make my subject the dangers

and difficulties of the missionary field.

"God Chastiseth His Own."

Does that idea appeal to you,

Reverend Mother?

I am sure that my judgment

must mean very little...

beside your vast experience

in such matters.

And now it is time for me to go.

May I escort you to your house,

Reverend Mother?

Mei-li and I can manage very nicely.

You needn't trouble, Monsignor.

Oh, no trouble at all,

I assure you.

And besides, you may have some

problems more easily discussed...

away from

Father Chisholm's presence.

Father Chisholm is aware

of all my problems.

Well, in that case, we shall discuss

the baroness, your distinguished mother...

whom I had the pleasure

of meeting in Vienna last year.

No, thank you.

- Good night, Father Chisholm.

- Good night, Reverend Mother.

- Good night, Joseph.

- Good night, Reverend Mother.

Be right back, Francis.

- Father, may I say something sinful?

- Of course not.

You will hear it in confession anyway,

because I'm thinking it.

- Joseph.

- Yes, Father.

[Glass Shattering]

The benefit of too much

soap and water...

made the sherry bottle

fall and break.

Reverend Mother, good-bye.

Sister Martha,

Sister Clothilde, good-bye.

It was really most generous of your friend,

Mr. Chia, to let me borrow his chair.

Be sure and thank him

for me, won't you?

He doesn't want to be thanked.

He regards it as an honor.

Yes, I suppose he does.

Still, he finds it impossible to-

Well, I shall never be able

to fathom the Oriental mind.

It's inscrutable,

positively inscrutable.

Francis, my boy, good luck

and God bless you.

Thank you, Angus.

Come back again.

I promise you a church in which

you'll be proud to celebrate High Mass.

You're practically an Oriental yourself,

as far as understanding you is concerned.

I'm gonna give up trying.

You'll build your church.

I can think of no way

in which it will be possible.

That's why I know you'll do it.

Good-bye, Francis.

Good-bye, Angus.

- All right.

- [Rapping]

- Good-bye!

- [All] Bye!

Good-bye.

May I speak with you?

Oh, please excuse me.

I didn't notice.

- I don't want to disturb you.

- Not at all.

As you can see,

nothing for me to do.

I've come to tell you

something...

and it- it isn't easy for me.

Please sit down.

Oh, thank you.

From our first meeting...

I have behaved shamefully

and sinfully toward you.

I want you to know that

I am most bitterly sorry for my conduct.

Believe me, no apology

was ever more abject than mine...

nor has anyone ever been

less worthy of forgiveness.

- You needn't-

- Please.

It's easier for me to speak now.

It becomes easier with every word.

How strange that the moment of my

greatest humiliation should bring with it...

the only peace I've ever truly known.

I was born into arrogance, Father, and

taught contempt for those who were not.

How could I hope to live

by the word of God...

which is the same for all men?

From the beginning...

your presence tortured me.

I knew that yours

was a true humility...

and that mine was a duty.

I resented your deep

and honest compassion...

because mine was difficult...

and filled with doubt and pain.

Last night I intended to ask

Father Mealey to send me away.

But as I sat in your kitchen, as I...

heard him humiliate you

and slight you...

as I felt the magnificence of your faith

and the courage in your heart...

as I saw you reject

the worldliness of this priest...

who is unfit to untie your shoes-

[Sobbing]

Oh, forgive me, Father.

Forgive me. Pity me.

There-There's nothing

for which I have to forgive you.

I'm so glad you

no longer dislike me.

You know...

we're all children to God...

and with his help,

we'll work and mature.

[Monsignor Reading] "The 10 years that

passed were fruitful, peaceful...

"and unnoticed in their going...

"as passing years should go.

"I would like to note,

of no possible interest to anyone...

"that they treated me personally

with exceeding kindness...

"except, that is, for increasing

difficulties with my injured leg...

"and the diminishing ability to see much

further than the tip of my nose.

"But my personal joy was a workshop...

"outfitted for everything

from mending school benches...

"to separating beeswax from honey.

"The beeswax would become

candles for my church...

"and the honey would go

to my children...

"and someday

to my children's children.

"Two hundred faithful souls

were in my congregation...

"and not a grain of rice

in any of their prayer books.

"Our new church was but one

of the many debts we owed...

"to the thoughtfulness

of Mother Maria-Veronica...

"and the generosity ofher family.

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