- LOVING COUPLES -
Angela... Remember it's our child.
Welcome, Angela.
Don't look so tragic, Petra. You're not the father!
Everything will be fine and no complaints, eh?
Not if you keep your word.
To let me stay awake. I want to know what's happening.
- You're waiting? - Yes.
Well, I've a lot to do before I bring this child into the world.
These corridors are like prison.
The women are let out, but for us it's a life sentence.
Don't worry. We'll take good care of her.
- I'll see your wife now. - I'll wait here. - Good morning.
Mrs Holmström...
Next, please.
I can't do much unless you take your pants off and lie down.
I believe it's dead. We'll admit you and see.
Nurse, admit Mrs Holmström for operation.
Thank you.
Never mind the money. Miss von Pahlen has seen to that.
Mrs Holmström...
Good news for you - it's dead.
- No! - What else did you expect?
- Adele... - Please... leave me alone.
I must stay in any case.
"Where is my child tonight, oh, where is my child tonight?"
"Come back, don't forget, that I love you yet..."
- Like a sweetie? - No thanks.
There's motherly love for you. I caper about for days on end-
- to get the brat out, but I expect he's too comfy where he is.
He needs a smack on the bottom, if he has a bottom!
Won't you have a sweetie? Don't then.
Like a lot of broody hens, and one must be everything to them.
Even their friend, though that's asking a bit much.
Off you go now, my dear.
"Where's my wandering child tonight, the child that I long have sought."
"Who made me oh so glad and bright, whom I still loved, I thought."
"Where is my child tonight..."
Fresh air... freedom!
We're tied to them with an umbilical cord!
- It's not easy to sever. - You're dependent on women!
Good Lord, no! But they can use the cord-
- to feed our vanity and strangle our independence.
- Beware of women, Sam. - They serve one purpose, anyway.
30 seconds of heaven for 30 years of hell.
"Can't you stop the church bells, they keep me awake all night."
- Yes, they want us to act God. - And don't we?
Now that we commit our friend to the Grace of the Almighty-
- he surely wants us to think of the little daughter he leaves.
And this in such a way that, filled with tenderness-
- we try to find what we are best fitted to do for her-
- and generously open our hearts and homes to her-
- and care for her to the utmost of our ability-
- each of us taking our share of the responsibility-
- for this little girl's development into a woman-
- thinking not only of this life but of her immortal soul-
- helping to give her strength to endure the trials of this life-
- so that she may choose the right path, the path of duty.
Everything all right?
A pleasant change for me... I mean being in the country.
I have quite enough to do as it is.
- One's own children come first. - I'm sure the family can manage-
- without trouble to either party.
The family should meet a little more often.
A very risky suggestion.
Come along now...
Would you like some cake?
No pampering, ladies. She has to learn that life is not a game.
- Wise words. - We're a wise family, vicar.
We don't hold with feelings, they're too vulgar.
Ring if you want anything.
I bet Petra keeps this excellent brandy in the medicine cabinet!
- Sacrilege! - And now to business.
Welcome, everyone. - Vicar, would you...
Almighty God, we humbly beseech Thee to bless our deliberation-
- and to let us partake of Thy wisdom and of true Christian love.
I'd like to thank our lawyer, Gröndahl, for his work.
All that remains is to decide what's to be done with the girl.
- A guardian won't be out of pocket. - Indeed not.
- Jacob's our expert on children. - Not at home.
A child in my house would be like the vicar finding the bishop in bed.
Very funny...
Have you spoken to the ladies, Mr von Pahlen?
Of course not.
They might think the girl's best comes first.
Miss Petra lives all alone here in this big house...
- Very interesting, vicar. - A brainwave!
Need we put it to the vote? Splendid, that's settled, then.
Cheers!
Excuse me... If you're discussing Angela, I'll take her.
- Why didn't you say so? - I didn't want to be selfish.
A man's duty is to brave the cruel world and battle for his family.
And now, on your 18th birthday, dear Angela, we come to you.
Now that you're grown up, you're free.
No more spankings.
We all value freedom, none more than I.
Your next big step in life will be when you enter holy wedlock...
Still more freedom!
We all hope you will fall for someone the family can be proud of.
It's a rule in this family.
There are some things we don't approve of...
...quarrels...
...divorce... bad temper...
...rudeness to servants... - Honesty and truth!
Honesty and truth, I said.
- Your health, Papa. - I haven't finished.
Oh, the bit about Angela being sent to boarding school-
- to learn womanly virtues. So, here's to freedom!
- Two inseparables! - Angela and Stanny, a loving couple.
- Where's Caesar, Miss Fredrika? - Naughty little dog.
- Gone again? - He's too fond of the girls!
- I think Caesar's in love! - Let us sing Hymn 64.
"Unbridled now are passions aflame"
"brazenly sins are begotten"
"The world has abandoned all modesty, shame"
"God is insulted, forgotten"
"Christians everywhere loudly complain"
"of all the wicked examples"
"God, take pity on all the pain"
"hear the laments from Thy temples!"
Let us pray.
Dear Lord, keep our souls pure this night-
- and evermore. Amen. Girls, to your rooms. At once.
And no noise and romping. - One more verse, Henrika.
Caesar! Stop it!
Caesar!
Hurry up, Stanny!
Angela, you've no time to swim, cool off here instead.
Turn round.
You're fond of Stanny?
Good, one needs a best friend. Someone to confide in.
But you're shivering, my sweet!
Such a tiny hand.
Stanny's are so big and coarse. Real navvy's hands.
Now I've hurt you. I didn't mean to.
I was hurt deeply as child. That's why you girls mean so much to me.
I was very lonely, a foster child.
And very unhappy.
They must be hereabouts. Hurry!
Angela!
Stanny!
Where is she?
Angela!
Help! Help!
Did the doctor wear rubber gloves? Probably not. He's like that.
- The test confirmed a dead foetus. - Bad luck.
A dead baby's harder to give birth to.
Adele, sit still.
- What an excellent maid. - Yes, she is.
- I'm quite envious. - I was lucky. - Adele, the sugar.
- How is your husband? - He's due home soon.
- A capital fellow. - Yes, I was lucky.
Men always let you down.
Just knock at people's doors and you'll get money for the sweets.
Now, do as I tell you!
I don't want to.
Here she comes!
I don't want to!
- What's this? - Sweets. They look nice.
I quite envy you, girl, having all these sweets to yourself.
Mind you don't get a tummy-ache.
Don't talk to me about kids. Five I've had.
One died inside me. Strangled, I think.
Another just popped out as I was scrubbing the floor.
Daniel!
Time to get you ready now.
Men always let you down.
- Not me. - Why not?
- Because I love you. - All men do.
- He let me down. - Who?
I'd better tell you, now we're married.
Tell me what?
What is it?
I want you to know the truth...
...but you might not want to hear it.
You're not the first.
I knew it. It's the only thing you men care about.
Being the first.
His name was Daniel.
He was in love with me. He was young and handsome-
- and rich.
He was something you can never be.
You must help me. Help me!
I love you, I love you, I love you.
Don't go.
I couldn't if I wanted to!
They're not quite ready for us yet.
Stop poking your nose into everything!
Out you get!
No! No!
- Where on earth are you going? - For a walk.
Women are not only fat-bellied, they're fat-headed as well.
Oh, do help me.
I'd spank you if it'd do any good, or give me any pleasure.
- Be kind to me. - I'll march you straight to bed.
I want the grandest flat in town, do you hear, Per?
- Do you hear? - Yes...
With velvet curtains. Red velvet curtains.
Curtains...
- And a chandelier. - Too expensive.
- All right... - And small gilt chairs.
Perhaps.
Promise.
Yes...
- Then I want a gramophone. - Yes...
And silver, real silver to eat off.
- Come on, don't be silly. - Promise me the silver.
Oh, hell and damnation!
If he's deserted you, he can always be made to pay.
He has wronged you, hasn't he? Perhaps you're even expecting?
Well, then the law is on our side.
A possible miscarriage later is beside the point.
Justice shall be done.
That's settled, then.
It only remains to discuss the details at our leisure...
- This evening, perhaps? - This evening?
This isn't what you think. It's an examination.
- Don't leave me alone. - You won't be alone much longer.
- I want company. - You'll get it, but of your own age.
You'll soon have to be our guest, you're missing your station.
Angela!
- Did you meet... - I met him on the train.
Isn't he famous? I've seen his picture in the papers.
He... Why am I talking about him? I want to talk about you and me.
These are for you. Oh, there's so much to be done!
- This world's not up to much. - It never will be!
I see I'll have to change you first. You're so sad.
No, I'm quite content, in a melancholy kind of way.
Wait! Wait a minute!
- As usual, my husband's not here. - Ride with us, then!
- I wrote and said I'd come today. - Don't get upset.
Wait till you're married. You can't trust anyone.
I'll only trust myself.
Welcome home, miss Angela.
- Why didn't you tell me? - You knew I was coming today.
Perhaps the letter's late. I was at the station, so it doesn't matter.
Yes it does. A little truth wouldn't hurt. For a change.
I'll take it myself.
Home!
Women always say love's all that matters.
It isn't it, is it, Petra?
I refuse to talk of love. Or think of love.
Life's too long to be spent being unhappy.
Good night, Angela.
Let's always be like this, Petra. Just you and I.
I love you. I love you. I mean it, Petra!
Marriage - it's like falling asleep for the rest of your life.
I shall never marry.
- He's a bit touched. - Perhaps all men are.
- What are men? I've forgotten! - You can ride with us!
The three things I need most as an artist:
My model, my mother and this old hag... she can't hear!
- Gosh, it's hot. - It won't last.
My model gives me inspiration, mother gives me complexes-
- and the old hag I flirt with for self-torment!
Happy Midsummer! - And she gives me money.
- You're immoral! - You flatter me!
- The country smells of cows. - Silly girl!
Here we are then, ladies!
Stellan, it does smell of cows.
- After you, Alexandra. - Why should I always go first?
- Who's that? - Adele. Married, therefore unhappy.
There's no bearing you these days. I bet you're secretly in love!
Am I the lucky man?
- Can I help with the luggage? - Yes, with this huge old thing.
She can't carry Aunt Alexandra!
- All here for Midsummer. - We've been invited to a mansion.
- Not the servants, surely? - No one can stop me from going.
- Are there no big strong men? - Here I am, Agda!
- Why not come more often? - You know you're only being polite.
- Remember who I'm married to. - I treat everyone alike.
- Because she has no feelings. - I love women. Even you, Angela!
- Though you're not a woman yet, eh? - No, not yet.
- You'll ruin your shoes, miss. - How thoughtful.
- I bet you can look after yourself. - Not always.
- Much work left, Tord? - Just a "goodnight" to the animals.
- I hope they appreciate it. - They have no feelings.
They might not show it. But you have feelings, that's what matters.
- Yes, I have. - Petra!
Go away!
Help me, Stellan, I've so many dresses, and so few ideas.
- Knock before visiting a lady! - A lady?!