Jacquou Le Croquant Page #4

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Take him indoors, quick.

Rub him with snow,

away from the fire.

I'll get my medical bag!

Snow! More snow!

His pulse is fading. Camphor!

Fight, little fellow!

Keep rubbing. I'll look at his foot.

Fantille, hot water!

- Yes, Sir Knight.

- And a big sheet.

I'll try to save his leg.

Now we can see your nice dark eyes.

The Knight says you're much better.

Much better.

Time will do its work, he says.

He's never wrong.

But you must eat.

Build up your strength,

little mystery man.

Eat, dear boy.

I know you can hear.

I know you're not...

Lord, help him.

What's making you twitchy?

Nothing, Mama. Can I go for a walk?

You'll miss lunch.

I've got an apple.

Come back, Jacquou.

Come back.

Lina?

I'm hungry!

Father!

What's your name?

Mathieu, Sir. I mean Father.

Where are you from?

Bergerac.

You're far from home.

Which way did you come?

Through Auberoche or Sainte-Foy?

- Through Suzardie.

- You can read?

Here, only Protestants can read.

Is this your first time here?

You're lying!

I saw you when they caught

the Bonapartist.

You knelt in the snow

at the edge of the village.

I'm Jacquou Ferral.

My dad died in chains

and the grief killed my mother.

I set fire to the Count's forest.

If God exists,

he should have let me die.

He should care for the poor!

May I join you?

Man to man,

how do you like this bacon?

Too salty, right?

But I can't tell Fantille.

She swears by it.

It's the same with God.

I often think His world is hard

but I keep quiet

because I don't know if it's me

or the world that is faulty.

The smith gave them work.

He's too soft.

Right!

I need a plucky altar boy

to come with me at night to visit

the dying and women in labor,

to chop wood for the poor,

eat what I eat, see life as a gift

and not waste time on self-pity.

It's thankless work.

You'll stay thin.

Think about it.

I'll take it.

I know that man.

He scares me.

Don't be scared.

I'm the one he's watching.

Why you?

Because I signed.

During the Revolution,

I recognized the Republic.

Most priests did.

Now we're suspect.

The Count of Nansac dislikes me

and so does his Jesuit chaplain.

Some people see guilt everywhere.

Remember.

Only forgiveness makes us great.

You did well for a beginner.

Now run along.

Be back for supper.

I could never leave here.

I feel like I'm part

of every plant and pebble.

Want to see a cave

with a river and bear skulls?

Want to see my trout lake?

My tree house?

Show me the tree

where fairies dance.

There's no such thing, Lina.

There is! Down there by the river.

Boys are so silly!

Wait for me!

Wait!

Is the Curate in?

Give him this from the Bishop.

Go on in, I'll join you.

Bad news, Father?

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