The White Ribbon Page #2

I'm the tailor's son from Vasendorf.

- I know.

- What?

The Baroness told me.

What?

That the teacher is

from the village next to mine.

I see, yes...

Well... I thought...

Looks as if you're going there...

Where?

Back home. To Treglitz.

Yes?

- Are you going there?

- Yes, I am.

I thought...

since you'll go through our village,

you could...

say hello to my dad,

and give him a fish?

What?

He'd love that.

Especially over the weekend.

How...?

I don't know.

Unfortunately,

I have nothing to wrap...

Neither do I.

Unfortunately...

We could tie them on

with fishing line.

Just like that, on the bike?

That's not a very good idea.

Right, it was just an idea.

Yes.

Is it your bike?

No, the estate's.

Is this your first day off?

You must be glad to go home.

I can imagine.

Well... I've still a long way to go.

Well...

Good-bye.

Good-bye.

If you see my father in Vasendorf,

say hello to him from me.

I don't know your father.

That's true.

It's my first time on a bike!

You're doing fine!

But be careful!

The woman today,

what was wrong with her?

Which woman?

I see. She was dead.

What's that?

What?

Dead.

What's "dead"?

Quite a question!

It's when one doesn't live anymore.

When one has stopped living.

When does one stop living?

When one is very old, or very ill.

And the woman?

She had an accident.

An "accident"?

Yes. It's when you're badly hurt.

Like Dad?

Yes, but much worse than that.

So bad,

your body can't take it anymore.

And then you're dead ?

Yes.

But most people

don't have an accident.

- So they're not dead.

- No, they die much later.

When?

Well... later,

when they're really old.

Does everyone die?

Yes.

Everyone, really?

Yes, everyone has to die.

But not you, Anni?

Me too.

Everyone.

But not Dad?

Dad too.

Me too?

You too.

But not for a very long time.

All of us, only in a very long time.

One can't fight it?

It has to happen?

Yes, but not for a very long time.

And Mom?

She didn't go on a trip?

Is she dead too?

Yes.

She's dead too.

But that was a long time ago.

Klara!

Martin, you coming?

Karli?

You can come in.

What is it?

- What do you think?

- I don't know.

It's a boy.

What? Don't you want a brother?

Lucky your father didn't hear you.

I'm sorry.

They knew it was dangerous for her.

What do you want?

You want to sue the Baron?

Or murder the steward?

Go cut off his head

with your scythe!

Won't bring your mother

back to life.

Father, you loved our mother.

Shut up!

After those two days in July,

life in the village

got back to normal.

The daily harvesting chores

exhausted everyone.

Most of the kids pitched in

to help their parents.

I took up the steward's offer

to be his secretary

during the harvesting,

as I hoped it would enable me

to see the young girl again.

I couldn't get her out of my mind

after our meeting.

But she rarely came out

of the manor house.

The doctor was still

in the hospital.

Anna and Rudolf, his two children,

were cared for meanwhile

by the midwife.

After the farmer's wife's funeral,

that the whole village attended,

both accidents were forgotten.

Until the end of the summer

when the harvest feast

reunited the whole village,

first in a joyful mood,

then in horror and perplexity.

My thanks to all of you.

You have worked well.

The heavens were kind

and the barns are full.

So the beer can flow,

and you won't starve today!

Long live the Baron!

Long may he live!

Most honorable Baron

and Baroness,

dear merrymakers...

Let us hear on this festive occasion

Psalm 145, Verse 15:

"The eyes of all wait upon thee, Lord;

"and thou givest them their meat

in due season...."

In the name of the Father,

the Son,

and the Holy Ghost.

Amen.

Now enjoy your meal.

Eat and drink to your fill!

You earned it!

You promised us

a chorale by your pupils.

Ask the pastor, Baroness.

We're still practicing

for the confirmation feast.

That's in spring!

Now it's the fall.

Our little singers aren't all

very musical. Sorry!

Well, you two "mothers"?

Not taking part in the festivities?

It's so nice here in the shade.

Our son seems to be enjoying that!

Yes.

I can imagine.

Who wouldn't like it.

Georg!

What about yout?

Aren't you bored

caring for other's children,

with all the young lads over there?

No, sir.

I like being with the children.

How old are you anyway?

Wouldn't you rather hold a suitor

than the Baroness's kids?

- Leave her alone, George!

- What did I do?

Won't you get us

something to eat, Emma?

If you'll mind

the children a moment, I'll go.

He was drunk,

but they couldn't stop him.

Leave Frieda alone!

Shove it!

...I'm the rooster on the tower...

Someone cut off

the Baron's cabbages.

What?

Someone cut off

the Baron's cabbages!

- I never learned.

- Neither did I .

You have to count out loud.

One, two, three.

Your pupils will laugh

when they see us dancing, sir!

They'd better not!

And stop being so formal with me.

Am I so old?

It's coming along!

Well...

Don't look at your feet.

Quite a job, huh?

It's disgusting!

It was an old custom:

"Harvest's done, pay everyone,

"If we don't get our due,

your cabbage'll be sliced for you."

Well, they sure slurped down enough!

Come in.

What do you want?

A favor, Father.

Yes?

Yes?

I found it.

It's wounded.

And?

May I keep it?

How will you go about that?

We'll heal it.

And when it's healed?

Won't you be attached to it then?

Will you let it fly away?

Piepsi still lives in a cage.

Yes, but it grew up in captivity.

This one is used to freedom.

Will you set it free,

once it's healed?

Have you asked Mother?

Yes.

What did she say?

That it was for you to decide,

Father.

Really?

That's what she said.

You'll really take care of it?

Yes.

You realize that's

a heavy responsibility?

You'll be its father and mother.

We'll have to find a cage

for your patient.

Did you do it, or didn't you?

- Seems somebody saw you.

- So what?

They're lucky

they still have their heads!

I have to tell you, Father:

I'm proud of it!

Sit down!

What did you intend to do?

Tell me.

Come on. Tell me.

You know why, Father.

Because of your mother?

You think they caused her death?

You think that?

That I'm not man enough

to settle it?

Know what your act

may do for us all?

If Frieda loses her job,

which keeps us alive

for a whole year?

If we can't work here

in the summer?

You want to marry

and run the farm in two years?

You'll feed everyone

without the help of the estate?

How do you know they're responsible?

How do you know they're innocent?

I don't know.

But I also don't know the opposite!

What do you mean "not there"?

He's disappeared.

I looked all over.

He hasn't disappeared.

When did you last see him?

Around 2 o'clock.

Around 2?

- You know what time it is?

- I know, Baron.

What does my wife say?

She sent me to you. She's terrified.

I can imagine.

You're an idiot, Huber.

Why do you think you're here?

To take care of one child!

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