The Keys of the Kingdom Page #7

as much about Tynecastle as he'll ever know.

So one day, I set to wondering

whether there was a hill...

behind the hill I could see

from me office window.

I went to look, and by George,

there was another hill behind that one.

Well, with one hill after another, here

I am in China and your sacred presence.

Have you forgot your etiquette, man?

Do the honors.

Forgive me. Reverend Mother,

this is Dr. William Tulloch.

Dr. Tulloch's my oldest friend.

I think it's only fair to tell you,

Francie is not to be blamed for me.

And I, for my part, have long ago

disclaimed any responsibility for him.

I see no reason why

you should want to, Doctor.

I hope you enjoy your visit with us.

- I'm sure that Father Chisholm

will make you most welcome.

- I'm sure.

- And this is Joseph.

- I am most honored, sir.

Hello, Joe.

Let's empty your luggage later.

Let's all go in and have some tea.

If you'll excuse me, I have some work

to do. It was a pleasure, Doctor.

The pleasure was mine, Mother.

Quite a woman.

- Sure you won't have a drop?

- No, thanks.

Aye, Judy's a strange lass-

moody and perverse and unpredictable.

A little like her mother, perhaps.

Well, she'll marry one day,

I imagine, when she sees fit...

and maybe she'll find

happiness in life.

Happiness in life.

It depends on what you do,

what you give, what you get.

I've given the world

thousands of aspirin tablets...

and I've acquired a taste

for Irish whiskey.

And I'll thank you

not to use my maudlin self-pity...

as an argument to prove

the existence of the soul.

Why should I try to argue you

into something you already believe?

Now, look, Francie.

In the three days since I've been here-

Eh, Joseph?

Now, where on earth

did you get that?

Forgive me, Father. This evening I found it

necessary to give Hosannah Wong a beating.

- Mm-hmm. So?

- His wife hit me with a broom handle.

- I gave her a beating too.

- Equal rights for women. I agree.

Despite my warnings, they continue to say

many unkind words about you.

For instance, that

Mother Maria-Veronica is a great lady...

while you are simply dust.

Well, we're all dust, Joseph. Surely

we can put up with a few unkind words.

Perhaps you, Father, who are

blessed with tolerance and charity.

- But not I.

- Uh, I'm very displeased with you, Joseph.

As punishment you shall have, uh...

a holiday tomorrow

and that new robe you've been wanting.

The new robe?

Shall I beat him again, Father?

[Chisholm Chuckles]

No, no!

[Chinese]

[Chinese]

Willie, will you excuse me, please?

- I've been asked to come

to the sisters' house at once.

- Of course.

- Could I be of any help?

- Oh, thank you, no. It'll be all right.

Father Chisholm, thank God you're here.

Those hypocrites!

- Those low-lying fiends!

- Where are Hosanna and Philomena?

Gone with our money and our silver

and Sister Martha's ivory crucifix.

- They could have murdered us!

- But they didn't, Sister Clothilde.

- Where's Reverend Mother? Has she been told?

- At once, of course, Father.

She had nothing to say.

She went straight to her room.

They should be punished, those miserable

people who steal from the church.

It was my fault that

your crucifix was stolen.

I know how dear it was to you.

Please accept this

in its place if you can.

It is not ivory, but is

over a thousand years old...

and has always been one of the most precious

possessions of my family and of myself.

- Good night.

- Good night.

- Good night, Father.

- Good night, Father.

Good night.

- [Chia] Good evening, Shen-fu.

- Mr. Chia! Well, this is indeed a pleasure.

It is good to see you again. May I offer you

my hand in the fashion of the English?

- May I offer you a cup of tea

in the fashion of the Chinese?

- Thank you, but I must decline.

My little son waits in my chair.

I have come hurriedly to pay my respects

and to say farewell for a while.

We are even now on the way

to my summer home in the mountains.

Summer home? But you've just come back

from there. Autumn's practically upon us.

It would afford me great happiness

if you and the ladies who assist you...

would lower yourselves

to be my guests.

Your offers are very kind

and generous, Mr. Chia.

But you would not leave Pai Tan and take

your son to the safety of your summer home...

without an important reason.

- What is it?

- You wish me to- How is it said?

Come to the point.

- Exactly.

- Very well.

As you know, the revolutionary troops,

the soldiers of the new Chinese Republic...

- have been in Pai Tan for some weeks.

- Yes, I know that.

What you do not know is that some

Imperial troops under General Wai...

have moved into the hills today.

He has already issued an ultimatum

of surrender to the Republican troops...

- and the ultimatum has been

contemptuously disregarded.

- I see. What will happen now?

General Wai threatened

an immediate bombardment of the city.

I cannot understand why

it has not already begun.

It strikes me, Shen-fu, that

with the Imperial troops in the hills...

and with the Republican troops in the city,

your mission is inconveniently in the middle.

I'm sure that our neutrality

will be respected.

It is a pleasant assumption.

But in any case, would it not be wise...

to remove yourself and your female

associates at once to safety?

Thank you, Mr. Chia, but I'm sure

that none of us would consider...

leaving the mission at such a time.

If you should change your mind-

But then, you have a mind

that is uniquely unchangeable.

Again, in the fashion of the English,

good night, my friend.

I appreciate your coming, Mr. Chia.

We're indebted to you once again. Good night.

[Explosions]

In the name of heaven,

what was that?

Shooting-

Someone's shooting at us!

Oh, now, Sister Clothilde,

it's nothing of the kind.

Imperial troops on the hill

have opened fire on the city.

- I'm afraid it's the beginning of a battle.

- [Explosion]

- Oh!

- Sister Clothilde!

I'm sure you realize that

our conduct at this time...

will serve as an example

for the Christian women.

I'm going to the children.

They'll be frightened.

As soon as you quiet them, leave one

of the Chinese women in charge.

- Then come to the schoolroom.

- As you say.

Sister Martha, bring any servants

you think can be of help.

Yes.

Joseph, I want you to take one

of the men and go into the city tonight.

See that as many members of the congregation

as possible come to the mission at once.

They're to bring with them their bedding

and whatever food they may have.

Mei-li, you and the women will draw up

a list of all the provisions in our stockroom.

We'll need it in the event

it becomes necessary to ration food.

Also the medicines.

Sister Martha will supervise.

Sister Clothilde, you will see to it that

no change is made in the children's routine.

Above all, nothing must be done to alarm them

or make them feel in any way insecure.

Any questionable decisions will be left

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