Zelary Page #2

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It was nothing.

You maintain strong discipline.

The last principal couldn't compare.

But that's the only thing

I've accomplished with the cane.

Most of the kids here

are headed for the gallows.

That's where we're mistaken.

A child's soul is a flower bud.

Then what hemlock did Lipka bloom from?

Though he'll be gone soon,

I'm still telling his stepfather.

Don't.

Save your compassion

for those who need it.

His stepfather will kill him.

What about your conscience then?

What makes you think I have one?

Please rethink this.

I'm applying for a transfer.

Come in.

Lord keep us.

Sorry to disturb you.

I'd like to speak to the priest.

- Have you come for her?

- Yes, Principal.

Let's go outside.

Thanks for everything.

There's not much furniture,

but I'll make some soon.

There's a kitchen, bedroom,

front room, shed.

Lucka lives up there, ena next to her.

And Juriga lives down below.

Where's the yard?

Everywhere.

There's no electricity,

but you'll get used to it.

Have a seat.

I have to take the horse back to the mill.

It'll be warm soon.

Sit closer to the stove.

That's Azor.

Now I've got two guards.

Tea will be ready soon.

Tomorrow's Saturday.

I arranged the wedding without banns.

The priest will help register you...

in elary and with the parish.

I'd like to wash and go to bed.

Good night.

- This is ena Bojarov.

- Good morning.

Get out of here!

ena will dress you.

What for? I think I'm capable.

You need different clothes.

My clothes are fine.

- You can't get married in them.

- What's that supposed to mean?

You're all so sure I'm marrying Mr. Janda,

but maybe I'm not.

There's no other way.

Then I'll just go,

and your troubles will be over.

- You've got nowhere to go.

- Are you all mad, or am I dreaming?

You're not telling me

what I can and cannot do.

Sorry.

I told you to stay outside.

How will you make me?

There's no other way.

They wouldn't accept you.

Why don't we eat something?

Cheers.

What's that?

Clothes from the theater

group we had here.

You could use this wig and this dress...

or this one.

My clothes are fine.

I don't need to dress like a clown.

- You can't wear them.

- Why?

The local people...

and because of your hair, too.

My hair?

Wear this until your hair grows out.

They're coming!

Morning! Good morning!

I assume you don't have

a recent copy of your birth certificate?

Will you try to get one later?

I suppose you have no idea

what I'm to use to register you?

Your presence here in elary

is forcing me to commit fraud.

I hope, at least, you are aware of that.

I am in an unenviable position.

I can turn you in...

and endanger all those

who have helped you.

Or I can marry you

and pray that no one else turns you in.

God help you from being arrested.

Well, I hope you're single, at least.

At the ceremony,

I have to ask three questions.

I'd like the answers now.

"Do you enter into matrimony willingly?"

- Yes.

- Yes.

"Are you under pressure to marry?"

- No, not at all.

- Not at all.

"Do you wish to have offspring?"

What will you say before witnesses?

Yes.

Yes.

Fine.

I'd like to pray before the ceremony. Alone.

Thank you, Father. Thank you.

Forest, forest, oh, forest green

Come, lass, I'm home alone

Home alone, all are at mass

Come to my bed, come, my lass

Sorry, but I don't know

how to dance like this.

Don't worry, I'm drunk, too.

You have a fine wife, Joza!

You whore!

Stop that! Leave her alone!

Stay the hell out of it, you dirty slut.

He hit you again?

You should've killed him!

Can I sleep here?

The bench is hard.

I have to tell you something.

I was unfaithful to you.

Not today, before.

Down in dovHut'.

With Ira, the one you stayed with.

How could it matter?

She's used to sleeping with me.

I don't mind.

Hello.

Hello.

I'm not used to the stove.

I'm helping mow

Juriga's meadow tomorrow.

Then they'll help us with the floor.

Morning.

- Pretty here, huh?

- You're right about that.

Police are scarce around here.

The Germans use a back road.

So I heard.

You're safe here.

And there's no reason to be afraid of us.

I asked myself,

"Where'd she find that old goat?"

He's lived alone for years.

Then one day all those logs fall on him,

near kill him...

and he comes back with a young girl...

who doesn't suit him at all.

I met Joza at the hospital.

A person has to wonder

what a young city thing...

would see in such an old goat.

What's there to like?

Various things come to mind:

Maybe she doesn't like him,

just needs a place to hide.

Someplace far away

where no one will find her.

Get your hands off me, you pig!

Oh, don't worry.

We'll have more chances to dance.

Lunch!

- Afternoon.

- Afternoon.

Sit.

Him, too.

Enjoy the meal.

I broke the lamp.

It doesn't matter. I'll tell young Juriga.

He'll bring another

from dovHut' tomorrow.

You'll like it.

You'll see.

Don't cry.

You'll have a new one tomorrow, Hanulka.

- Shouldn't I call you that?

- You can.

That lamp doesn't matter.

You're not mad, Joza?

I brought you some

books from dovHut'.

The priest said you might like them...

that they might help with boredom.

So that's your plan.

If I read, I won't touch anything. Thanks.

Azor, stay.

Evening, Mr. Janda.

May we come in?

- What's your business?

- I need to sort out some papers.

- God keep us.

- Evening.

Sorry to disturb you, ma'am.

Have a seat.

Bring drinks for the guests.

We have to register you, ma'am.

I'll need to see your papers.

Fill this out:

Address, name, age.

Born 1924?

If you were single,

you'd have gone to work in the Reich, eh?

Too bad we didn't meet her

before Mr. Janda did.

Any domestic animals?

Cross it out then.

Here's a voucher for ration coupons.

And we're all through.

Sign it, please.

Respect the blackout. No lights at night.

Good night.

Farewell.

I'll teach you how to do it.

Good afternoon.

Hello, kids.

- Hello, Principal.

- Hello.

What can I get you? Run out of honey?

No.

I just wanted to ask...

Do you know your Helenka

is friends with Lipka?

Of course, everyone knows.

- You've given your permission?

- I haven't forbidden her.

He's not a good influence.

Helenka is an intelligent child.

She could already start school.

But Lipka is a loser, a hoodlum.

He grew up fatherless,

and his stepfather drinks.

- Helenka has no father, either.

- Yes, but she's sensitive.

But under Lipka's influence...

she's obstinate and standoffish.

It seems the opposite to me.

You realize that

Lipka will become an outcast and a thug.

What boy is better?

He's like a wolf.

You don't know him as I do. It's appalling.

Threats and beatings?

Like water off a duck's back.

But I do know him. They're my kids.

- Not Lipka.

- He's Helenka's brother.

- What?

- Milk brother.

What's that?

I nursed him

when his mother lost her milk...

after I'd lost Matuek.

Milk brother, eh?

That's right, Principal.

As you wish, Mrs. Bojarov.

I was concerned about Helenka.

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