The White Ribbon Page #4

This lasted about half a year.

Then everything went very fast.

He lost his appetite,

couldn't sleep any more,

his hands began to shake,

his memory started to fail,

his face became

covered with pustules,

then his whole body.

Finally, he died.

The body, that I had to bless,

looked like an old man's body.

Do you understand now

why I'm worried?

What do you think

caused these changes

that led

to that boy's miserable end?

I don't know.

I think you know very well.

Won't you tell me?

No?

Then I'll give you the answer.

The boy had seen someone,

who was harming

the finest nerves of his body,

in the area where God

has erected sacred barriers.

The boy imitated this action.

He couldn't stop doing it.

In the end he destroyed

all his nerves, and died of it.

I just want to help you.

I love you with all my heart.

Be sincere, Martin.

Why did you blush listening

to the story of the poor boy?

Blush?

I don't know. I felt sorry for him.

Is that all?

I think there's another reason.

It's written on your face.

Be sincere,

Martin!

Why are you crying?

Shall I spare you that confession?

Have you been doing

what that wretched boy did?

Yes.

My arm!

Glad that you're back. About time.

One can say that. Yes.

It was hard with the children,

without you.

I know.

He doesn't like me.

- Who?

- Rudi.

He's at a difficult age.

Actually not.

They're always at a difficult age.

Yes.

You didn't miss me.

What does that mean?

Nothing.

I said it because it's true.

Nothing like

a nice dose of self-hate!

What?

Nothing. Forget it.

Winter came early that year.

For Reformation Day,

on the first Sunday of November,

a blanket of snow

covered the village.

Quite unusually, the Baron,

whose family had not yet come back,

didn't attend the service.

The villagers took that

as a sign of his anger.

Indeed, no leads had been found

to a possible culprit,

although the Baron's appeal

had led to a flood

of mutual suspicions,

even to some attempts

at denunciation,

that had all turned out

to be untenable.

Well, it's not pneumonia.

But you must be careful.

If his temperature rises,

call me again.

Give him these drops

every two hours.

And hang wet sheets over the oven.

That helps breathing.

- Good night to you.

- Good-bye, Doctor.

How long was the window open?

Hard to say.

My wife nursed him around 1 AM.

She came back around 2:30 AM.

By then the room was icy cold.

And the baby didn't cry?

No. The children heard nothing.

He's doing all right.

We have to wait.

But it looks fairly good.

A drink to warm you up?

Or stay for supper.

No, thanks. I'm overloaded,

I was away so long.

How's your arm doing?

It's all right.

It'll be fine

in two or three weeks.

Thank you.

That must be terrible, I imagine.

One must be helpless

with only one arm.

Quod erat demonstrandum.

Well, good night, children.

Good night, Doctor.

If your wife thinks

the baby's fever has risen again,

let me know.

Good...

What do you mean "good"?

I mean, that's fine.

When did you go see Father?

Down in his office.

Why?

Just asking.

In mid-December,

I finally got a letter from Eva.

Her father

had found her a job in town,

that she'd start early

in the New Year.

Since the night she came

to shelter in the school,

when until dawn,

we told each other the story

of our short lives,

her pale face,

her shy but frank personality,

were constantly on my mind.

The school holidays

lasted until January 2nd,

but already

on the day after Christmas,

in the cold but sunny weather,

I headed for Treglitz

to visit Eva and her parents.

And Sigi?

I don't know.

The Baroness isn't back yet.

And the Baron?

We hardly see him.

He talks to nobody.

I don't know.

Some say they went to Italy.

To Italy?

The steward says they'll tear down

the sawmill. Because it's...

Good morning.

Morning, young man.

Please be seated.

We're not very formal here.

Scram!

Care for a drink?

No, thanks. Very kind.

- Really?

- No, thanks a lot.

So you're a schoolteacher?

Can you afford to have a wife?

My father's a tailor at Vasendorf.

I've learned the trade.

I earn money on the side.

Taking over his business

would've been smarter.

And why are you so focused on Eva?

She's still a child.

You could be her father.

I'm 31.

Well, you're not far off.

Father!

Have you asked her

if she's interested?

She's a child,

knows nothing about life.

Speak up. Do you want him?

Come on. Say something.

He came all this way in the cold.

Leave her alone. Of course,

she wants him. Can't you tell?

How can I, if she clams up!

Sit down again.

Women!

Don't take them too seriously.

Listen, I'm not a big talker.

On one hand, it suits mea

if she leaves the house.

Lots of mouths to feed,

as you can see.

On the other hand,

it's moving too fast for me.

I don't know you.

I don't dislike you,

but I need to know more about you.

The town hairdresser has agreed

to take her on as an apprentice.

She'll get to meet people,

she can decide

if she really wants this.

If in a year

she's still in favor of it,

we'll talk about it again.

You can make up your mind too.

All right?

- I actually thought I...

- Yes, I know.

But it's either that or nothing.

If you insist...

Yes, I do.

Delighted.

So, my work's waiting.

Even on holidays.

Don't get up.

I'll send the kid back in.

So you can say good bye.

A year goes by fast.

The world won't collapse.

You can come and visit her.

Did your father tell you...?

Is that all right with you?

And is it with you, sir?

Don't call me "sir".

Adi! Are you awake?

Adi!

What is it?

Look!

What's happening?

Look! Go see what's happening!

My God, what do you want?

Over there! Look out the window!

Something's burning! On the estate!

Untie me!

Come on, untie me!

I don't know if...

Untie me, I said!

What is it?

Be quiet!

Gustl, come and untie me!

What's going on?

Untie me, dammit!

There's a fire!

What fire?

A fire!

Yes, a fire! Now untie me, dammit!

Father won't allow it.

It's an emergency!

Somebody must warn them!

Father!

Stop shouting! I'll do it!

Shall I call Mom?

- What is it?

- A fire!

I know. Your father already went.

What are you doing here?

Go to bed now! It's nothing.

There's a fire on the estate.

Don't be afraid.

Go to bed and sleep.

Go on! You'll catch a cold.

Why all the noise?

You woke them all up!

I thought it was dangerous.

I had to untie him.

Now everything's fine again.

Tomorrow,

Father will tell you about the fire.

You all go back to bed.

I'll wait till you're in bed.

It's cold here.

Good night, then.

Sleep tight.

Night, Mom!

Why don't you stop doing that?

Why all the effort?

Don't look so dumbfounded.

You don't lack talent.

I just can't do it

with you any more.

To be truthful:
you disgust me.

Can't you finish your work?

I don't want

to spend the night here.

What did I do to you?

My God, you've done nothing to me!

You're ugly, messy,

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