Does your mother know?
Not in detail.
Just like Gaboriau.
He says he confesses everything,
but leaves out the details.
So she accepts Souplier?
Yes, so that I may accept her.
I don't get it.
She knows he's teacher's pet?
No, I didn't tell her that.
All the same...
What?
She said De Pradts is jealous.
What did you say?
A woman's reaction!
I'm not jealous of anyone good to him.
She can't understand.
Go on.
Be quick.
Thank you, Sir.
Still those holes!
Holes, Sir?
There.
That's an aperture.
Reflections on Fallen Priests by l'Abbê de Prad's
I was afraid I'd be late.
You'd have waited, wouldn't you? Until when?
Until five to. Too risky after that.
Thanks!
At break, everyone pushes,
I give the wrong change.
I'm losing money.
De Pradts talked to me.
For an hour and ten minutes! Imagine!
You said I'd soon be fed up with our new life.
I said: "I hope he won't be fed up."
It's not the same.
What else?
I never believe bad things about you.
Such as?
Well, he's not too keen on you.
Then why let us be friends?
Something escapes me.
Did you offer to break with me?
If he'd accepted, what then?
Would you have ignored me in the street?
- Would it upset you? - Not you?
I don't know what I'd have done.
These stupid socks keep slipping!
He asked if I loved you.
What did you say?
That with us, it was a matter of death and life.
And what did he say?
That my French was incorrect.
You must do better from now on.
Finish it. It makes me feel sick.
Next week, I must have 16 in conduct.
No, that's too high.
13 or 14.
He said I must improve.
He makes you cry,
he consoles you
but as he consoles you, you cry again.
He knows how to win you over!
He wants me to go to his country house for a week
with other boys in my section.
To get me away.
From whom? From me?
Still, he's very fond of you.
You ought to go.
You know it'd be good for you.
I so dearly want for you to become
someone really good.
What's your worst subject?
All of them.
I'm a difficult child.
I'm a bother to my parents.
Honestly, I'm impossible.
I just won't obey anyone.
What a shame I'm not your brother!
You do so much for me.
Would you die for me?
Supposing I were drowning...
I'd dive in.
But not after eating.
How about you? If I fell down a precipice...
That depends.
How deep a precipice?
If it was 500 feet deep then obviously I wouldn't go down
but... if it was a small precipice, yes.
Later, Monsieur Habert.
As it's "a matter of death and life",
we could make a blood pact. Do you know about that?
Linsbourg and Devie did it, four years ago.
Devie was only ten.
So did Lasseille and Béchaud.
But we keep quiet about it.
I swear that our friendship shall remain the same.
Do you agree?
And I swear I'll never act in my own interest, only yours.
Well, I never want you to be disappointed in me.
Unhappy, perhaps. Never disappointed.
What about Souplier? Where is he?
Let me by.
Move aside!
Did it hurt?
No, not in the least.
Yes, I can see it hurt.
A little. It should.
And if I gashed your face, for fun,
what would you say?
I'd forgive you.
I'm going to!
Do it then, so I can forgive you.
How right I was to love you!
I love you but...
I'm not in love with you. You do know that?
I know.
Who's in there?
André Sevrais. I'm checking the tuck money.
I'm in charge of that.
It was the gardener.
I'd better go.
Why? We're allowed to see each other, aren't we?
Goodbye. I'm not staying.
Till Sunday then, after detention.
And be good with De Pradts.
De Pradts is coming!
Let's wait for him, then.
Don't hide. It'd give the wrong impression.
Come out of there, you idiot!
Open the door!
- Who's there? - The Abbê de Pradts.
What are you doing here?
I'm checking the tuck money. I'm in charge of it.
Checking the tuck money.
But you're a day-boy
and you should have left the school by now.
I noticed there was 300 francs missing in the box
so I had to check before I asked my mother for it.
I locked the door so I wouldn't be disturbed.
Why did you lock the door? Why did you hide?
You made me lie,
now everything looks odd.
Why are you afraid? Don't be afraid!
Don't be! That's what frightens me, not him.
I'll go tell him everything.
No! We'll never see each other again.
You're crazy!
We'll never see each other again. It's all over.
You were asked to be of some guidance to this child
and this is how you behave,
you little rascal.
You called yourself his friend.
I've been true to my word.
Was it to catch flies that you locked yourselves in?
A fine result, I trusted you.
I'm to be a good influence over him.
But how? Where? When?
Only on Sunday mornings, if he's not kept in.
Stop that, they say you're bright, your defence is that of an imbecile.
Go home.
This is not over.
I will take all the blame.
I should hope that you will take the blame.
Just once more.
Well, Serge,
I think this will have at least one good result.
It has cleared the air.
He'll no longer meddle with your upbringing.
I really must take you in hand again.
This incident shows how weak you still are.
You said your mother would refuse to let you come to the country.
It's up to you to convince her.
I've prevented your expulsion twice.
I can do it a third time
but you must help me a little, willingly.
Try to persuade your mother, will you?
Yes, Sir.
You'll enjoy a holiday in the country.
My old mother will like you, I'm sure.
You'll go boating on the river.
You'll be there with 6 or 7 other boys.
So you'll persuade your parents, won't you?
You promise?
Yes, Sir.
Those of you in Philosophy,
I have marked your papers.
I'm first.
First, Giboy.
14 out of 20.
You're first, Giboy but 14 is only fair.
Second, Linsbourg... 13.
Third, Verniquet... 10.
It's only average, Verniquet.
Fourth, Salins... 9.
Fifth, Cathulle... 8.
Sixth, Frécourt... 5.
It would be cruel of me to continue. The rest is not worth mentioning.
I will now hand out the 5th year's Geography papers.
Less than 5.
It isn't possible.
Yes it is.
Now I understand!
I'm dismissed like a dishonest servant!
But no one dares to tell me!
No one gives me my marks,
as though I no longer existed.
You're all cowards!
- You've been expelled. - And my exams?
They're in 3 months' time.
A new school, new teachers!
I'll fail!
You're a bright pupil. You won't fail.
Other boys meet there, they're not punished!
Why me?
If I was in charge here, there'd be no special friendships.
But you, you shut or open your eyes as it suits you!
I'm sure you're sincere when you despise the indiscipline here.
An indiscipline which you brought about,
then took advantage of.
Those words of yours...
"I believe in the power of true affection.
God grants us the grace
to love someone.
Love has the power to carry the world away."
Why those words?
What did you mean?
Those were not my words
but those of the Supêrieur.
They were memorable and I have often quoted them.
You were to believe them, but with understanding.
Don't take too tragically this episode of your schooldays.
You'll smile over it when you're twenty.
Never.
There is one thing
that may surprise you after what I just said.
You are leaving here
esteemed by us all.
Esteemed, but expelled?
And Souplier?
Why should we expel him?
You were the instigator,
the one to blame,
and I must add, you made free use of the key
which we trusted you with.
For Souplier, it's just another folly
in the endless chain of his follies.
And to be frank,
it may be only now, with you gone,
that we can do something for him.
I believed the friendship you felt for him might help him,
that is why I tolerated...
just tolerated
its existence openly.
Are you taking him to the country?
He told you.
Well, maybe.
He needs a cure, like a drug addict.
That is why
it's best you disappear
but disappear completely.
What do you mean?
You must never see him again.
Never see him again?
Not even outside the school?
That's unfair! Outside, I have every right!
A word to your families, you'd have no rights at all.
You still threaten me.
Be a good loser.
A good loser.
Is this a game?
Well...
is it a promise?
Is it a promise?
I promise.
You are brave.
Did I give him up too quickly?
I love him enough to give him up.
Loving him less would be easier.
I've hurt others before!
Boys, mothers, even fathers!
I've seen those tears before!
I'm only trying to do what's best for that child.
Your sacrifice may well be
your greatest gift to him.
I'm sure he'll be grateful.
I've brought string for...
A moment, please.
One last thing.
Yesterday you defended yourself, I did not believe you then.
Forgive me, I'm a priest. I'm like a doctor or a lawyer.
I never believe I'm hearing the whole truth.
Now I do believe what you said,
I want you to know it.
Can't I see him one last time to say goodbye?
I'm afraid it would be a little melodramatic
for something...
...so trite?
Yes, so trite.
We'll tie up your books.
So you can take them all today.
Best you don't come back.
Now do you see it was a trap?
Everything was done to lead you on.
From the start.
I know those agen's provoca'eurs!
I don't know what you mean.
He wanted you out of the way.
I hindered his influence over a pupil he takes care of.
To meet in the storeroom is against the school rules,
it's natural that I be expelled.
Your coat.
Don't forget it...
Being expelled is no reason to fall ill.
Sevrais?
What do you want?
To go out, please.
But I've not heard the bell
for the day-boys to leave.
I've been expelled.
In that case...
Well... What's keeping you? Leave!
So Sevrais leaves this school for ever,
cast out by us, without a farewell to his friend,
classmates or teachers.
But this boy shook his hand furtively
for no apparent reason,
or perhaps so that this bleak moment be lit
by a spark of human kindness...
God often acts through children, as we know.
Perhaps this innocent child was an instrument
of a higher charity or justice...
In the future, where will they find justice?
If only they could find it just once at school,
in their priests' souls.
But there you are...
Poor children.
We too push them about, pulling them this way and that.
We too confuse them.
Poor children, so defenceless.
So defenceless?
Yes, I repeat, so defenceless.
You say they take advantage of us.
But don't we live with them endlessly taking advantage?
Certainly not.
Any trouble we cause them,
they repay us tenfold.
How did Sevrais take it?
With a cold distress
which I rather liked.
Tears?
- Quickly mastered. - Too quickly!
We know you love boys' tears.
Mothers' tears. As some do lovers' tears.
You're a master hand
at making matters worse!
"Rise up, O longed-for storms!"
That Sevrais loved Souplier, that they were separated,
that he confronted me,
that he was expelled,
all that is good for his education.
By being hurt by us, and hurting us
he learnt who we are.
And that will be what this school gave him.
And might it not also have made him a Christian?
I saw Souplier last night
after our talk.
He's the one who locked the storeroom door.
And yet when you accused Sevrais, he didn't deny it?
No.
To protect the child.
It's tragic that I had to sacrifice this boy because of you.
You made this a drama that could have been avoided.
Why not come to me?
But to lose Souplier!
It could have been hushed up,
you made a fuss and I had no choice but to expel Sevrais.
Souplier isn't there?
How do you know?
I don't hear his voice.
What's wrong?
Is he ill?
Is he being punished?
Has he been suspended from choir
because of what happened?
You would not...
That's not possible.
It is.
What?
Souplier is no longer here.
What?
But last night...
I made this decision this morning.
You will not!
The letter was taken to his parents at two.
The Souplier experiment is over.
It has barely begun! I thought we could use Sevrais.
You were only too happy to discuss Souplier with him.
Even with me, for any or no reason, you only spoke of him.
Ought I have lied?
Been more discreet?
All right!
His name flew from my heart to my lips.
All my soul...
"All your soul..."
What was I saying?
You know full well.
I would remind you it was not I who first spoke his name.
On Saturday going to class you stood aside to let him pass.
It caused comment.
- Children are owed respect. - Agreed. What about Sevrais?
- He's no child. - A subtle distinction.
Don't press me.
I heard your arguments when I tried to expel him before.
You insisted that I reduce the boarding fees,
so much did you want to have him in your power!
I ask you again, don't press me.
But I must.
"The Souplier experiment is over."
What do you know of him?
Did you spare him any time?
Have you ever spent more than ten minutes with him?
Please! We have 500 pupils.
I believe in the human being!
I believe in the human being.
A child may be saved by a man's intelligence.
Monsieur le Supêrieur...
Why hide it?
I admit in all simplicity,
and if I must, in all humility,
that the expulsion of this child
would be the greatest grief of my priestly life.
I would wish you to have other griefs
in your priestly life.
You say too much.
Such deep concern...
You are so persistent
that I must ask of you another sacrifice.
After Easter need I talk of a love that sacrifices itself?
I musk ask you
to give up your apostolic duty towards this boy,
should you intend to see him again.
I was consistently on my guard.
I never allowed him to show any feeling.
Not one word or one gesture too affectionate.
If you can't assure me you'll never see him again
I'll send him to a country school.
I will not yield. Spare me that.
For a misunderstanding
the best in me is broken.
Only one thing matters.
Love for another being.
Not his love for you.
One's own love.
And who told us that?
You did.
"Love has the power to carry the world away."
"God granted us the grace..."
It is the very essence of our faith.
If you understood differently...
To have that love
brings you closest to what Heaven must be.
Don't make me say more than I did.
I had love for that child.
You've destroyed it
and in a way tarnished it,
though it was so pure.
I wish I could forgive you, you meant well.
I can't.
You'll forgive me some day,
as I must forgive you your remarks.
Who will I love?
Whom can I love?
Who will love him? What will become of him?
I've been his father and mother.
When he arrived here with holes in his socks, buttons missing,
who took care of that?
Who gave him money to buy soap or a nail file
when his parents forgot?
When he lost or gained weight, who noticed but me?
It is an attachment from which God is excluded.
There is a fire in you!
It burns but gives no light.
O God, did I never give him light?
At last! God's name on your lips!
Did you talk to him about God?
I could have done so more often.
I didn't because he's not meant to have faith.
So you decided!
And Sevrais?
Nor him.
They'll always remember their emotions
and religion will last in those,
at least an odour of religion.
An odour!
O God, do I run a school where faith is an odour,
not the basis of everything we do?
Unbelief, in this very school!
Despite the religious instruction...
Be quiet! It would be...
No...
Does one sing like that when one has no faith?
It's Lartigue.
A fine example.
Shall I tell you what I know?
The more moving is the singing the more corrupt is the spirit.
It's not true!
You're making this up!
You speak rashly!
Unbelief among the staff too!
The staff!
What impels you to...
I think I know! It's my turn to suffer, is that it?
Enough! You've gone too far.
Do you accept the sacrifice I deem necessary for you?
Always sacrifice!
Generosity can only exist through sacrifice!
That's what we learned, that's what we teach.
I forbid you to go on!
Answer my question.
I accept this sacrifice.
But what does it prove?
Very little, true,
unless one accepts whole-heartedly.
I accept.
I'll never see Souplier again.
Isn't that enough?
What else do you want?
I can guess.
You'll ask me not to see him
one last time.
It would be "too melodramatic", wouldn't it?
Like Sevrais, for the same reasons,
Souplier has just left.
How did he take it?
Did he cry?
He said: "No one will miss me here either."
"I left a bad memory everywhere I went."
I told him:
"You're leaving us a vivid memory."
"A bad memory" and "a vivid memory" is not the same.
These last weeks
when I stayed up late,
I could see your window lit.
The last light, with mine,
above the sleeping school.
Of what, of whom were you thinking? Now I know.
I was thinking of you then.
However, I prayed for you
a prayer that I'm not sure you've ever prayed for that child.
I prayed in my own way.
Tenderness too is a prayer.
I also experienced
early in my priesthood
too exacting a devotion
for a soul too frail
which I wearied.
I was told to entrust it to others.
It was very hard for me.
I did it.
Years later, when the confessor of that soul died,
this soul naturally came back to me for advice.
Time had passed, I welcomed it.
One day you'll find Souplier again.
It'll be too late.
Too late?
What do you mean?
Are you so far from being Christian?
Too late!
You haven't loved a person,
you've loved a face, and you admit it!
Ecclesiastes says: "Woe to the land whose king is a child!"
You tried to catch me out
by quoting my words on love.
Yes, our religion is founded on love
but not the love of faces
as you very well know.
Our love is another love,
even for man.
When it reaches the Absolute, with the Self forgotten,
it comes so close to God's love that man seems to have been conceived
only to lead us to his Creator.
May you experience such a love
and may it lead you in its flowering
to that final, all-embracing Love
beside which all else is nothing.