The Keys of the Kingdom Page #4

the serving of Mass.

Then I think you should know

that I cannot pay you any money.

[Chinese]

I should warn you that I understand

almost everything you say.

Also, I know what rice-Christians are.

I have no interest in them whatever.

Perhaps Father needs to understand

more than the language of Pai Tan.

There is much animosity lately

against the foreigners...

particularly if they are without money.

It would be wise for Father

to have two friends of influence.

Without them it might be

that harm could come to him.

[Monsignor Reading] "While the ruined stable

was suitable for my living quarters...

"it was not likely

to attract many converts.

"Accordingly, I used part

of my meager funds...

to rent a small room in the city. "

[Shouting, Laughing]

[Laughter]

"Right Reverend Hamish MacNabb,

bishop ofTynecastle.

"My Lord...

"truly this is a most difficult task...

"but there must be a way along

which to carry God's grace...

"to even these,

his most unhappy creatures.

"If I do not find the way...

"it will be only because

I have failed again.

"I can promise you only that I will search

for it to the end of my days.

"I've lived this far in failure.

"If I am to die in it...

then I want it to be here,

where only God and I will know."

- [Quiet Clattering]

- Who's there?

- Who are you?

- I am Joseph.

- Joseph?

- Yes, Father.

When I was born,

I was called Ta-ming.

When I became a Christian, I demanded

the name ofJoseph at my baptism.

- Where were you baptized?

- Here, in this village, Father.

Strange I've not

seen you before now.

When the other father left,

there were many Christian families...

who traveled to

the Christian village of Liu.

- My family was among these.

- Why have you returned?

Word came to us

that you were here.

With my father's permission,

I left at once.

Oh? Well, come in.

Come in.

- Here. Let me help you.

- I can manage, Father.

- You seem exhausted.

- I'm a little tired.

I have walked for five days

and four nights.

- Well, sit down, Joseph.

- Thank you.

Sit down.

Surely this miserable stable

cannot be where Father lives.

Well, those in Bethlehem

were no better than this.

You'll see, Father. Together

we will build a chapel again and a house.

I can make bricks, and speak

many dialects, and cook...

and help with the school,

and care for the grounds.

- I am a most useful man.

- I cannot pay you any money.

I have not asked Father for money.

I want to serve you

because there is work to be done...

and I'm a Christian.

L- I've been alone for so long.

Perhaps without knowing it,

my faith and trust have been shaken.

Will you forgive me, Joseph?

In the basket,

I have some melon...

and some ducks and several dozen

of eggs which I gathered along the way.

Gathered? Oh, you mean, they

were just growing wild, like flowers.

They were alone,

with no one to watch over them.

I could not find it in my

heart to leave them forsaken.

I see you have a fine

missionary instinct, Joseph.

We must teach you not to apply it

to other people's property.

I brought some tea,

also, from home.

Would Father welcome a cup?

A cup of tea.

You make me feel

very humble indeed.

I have so little that

I can share with you.

Father can share with me

his privilege to work for God.

- [Hammering]

- [Crate Creaking]

- Medicine!

- Bandages! Iodine!

"Castor oil"

Is it to rub on, Father?

No, no. That's to drink.

Joseph!

[Chuckles]

- Not bad. Have some, Father?

- No, thanks. I'm not thirsty.

I think you should know, at

the sight ofblood, I faint like a woman.

Willie Tulloch.

"Your Holiness."

[Chuckles]

"It's amazing how religious you can

make a man feel by fixing his bellyache.

"I'm sending all my secrets

and a book of instructions.

"Cure what you can

and kill what you can't.

"Willie Tulloch,

M.D. And heathen.

"P.S. For practicing without a licence,

I shall, of course, report you...

"to the British Medical Society,

the pope and my Chinese laundryman.

Willie."

[Chattering]

[Arguing In Chinese]

Joseph! Joseph.

- Yes, Father.

- [Chinese]

Let me remind you again, Joseph...

that conversion is accomplished

through faith and not kidnapping.

Besides, after studying for three weeks,

I do not feel up to replacing a human eye.

Perhaps you could pretend to cure me

of a broken arm. I could advertise it.

No!

Father is right.

That would be dishonest.

Perhaps if I really broke my arm-

I appreciate the lengths

to which you're willing to go, Joseph...

but we have need

of both your arms as they are.

I cannot say, however,

that the outlook is encouraging.

[Woman Coughing]

- A patient.

- You drag 'em in, Father, and I'll lock the door.

Come right in, mother.

[Coughing]

That's a bad cough.

Just a moment.

Just a moment.

Now, if you'll just drink this down.

[Speaking Cantonese]

- Is she speaking Chinese?

- It's Cantonese.

She said the medicine

was very good, and she enjoyed it.

Well, tell her she's very welcome.

However, she did not come here for herself,

but on account of her granddaughter.

[Chisholm]

Then why did she take the medicine?

Because she did not wish

to offend you, Father.

[Chuckles]

I appreciate her delicacy.

- Does she know what's wrong with the child?

- [Conversing In Cantonese]

[Coughing]

There is nothing the matter

with this child that our medicine can help.

Her trouble seems to be

that she is a female.

Well, she has that in common

with all little girls.

The old woman is going

to die very soon...

and she wants your sacred promise

that you will care for the girl.

- Are there no other relatives?

- None.

She said that if you don't take her,

she will be abandoned and alone.

Oh, surely there's someone

who'll care for her.

- Why, she's just a baby.

- A female baby. No one would want her.

I have told her how much

we regret that we cannot accept the child.

Well, you shouldn't have, Joseph.

It's a dream I've cherished

ever since I arrived here:

A school at the mission

for children.

But there is no mission, Father,

and barely home enough for us.

Someday the sisters

are going to come-

teach 'em their letters

and their catechism... and how to play.

Joseph, tell her that-

tell her that we'll watch over

her granddaughter.

[Cantonese]

- Oh, no, please don't do that.

- [Cantonese]

Oh, please-Joseph, make them get up.

Make them stop.

Tell them they're very welcome,

but, please, to stop.

- Please pardon my intrusion.

- Come in, please.

Thank you. I am here at the bidding

of my cousin, the Mandarin, Mr. Chia.

- You will recall him.

- Yes, we were fellow passengers

on the boat when I arrived.

I've not had the honor

of seeing him since.

He has not been unaware

of your presence in Pai Tan.

- I am to ask whether you will

accompany me to his house.

- May I ask why?

His only son, Chia Yu,

lies sick unto death.

Oh, I'm terribly sorry.

My cousin asks that you bring

with you all of your... remedies.

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