The Keys of the Kingdom

[Bell Tolling]

- Good afternoon, Monsignor.

- Good afternoon, Father.

How long have you been here

in Tweedside, Father Chisholm?

- Twelve months.

- Ah, yes, I remember now.

It was your particular wish

to return to your native parish.

This is also the native parish

of His Grace, the bishop.

I'm aware that Bishop Mealey

shares with you...

the... distinction

of having been born here.

What age are you now, Father?

Now, no older than Angus Mealey.

No doubt, but life has treated you

somewhat differently.

To be brief...

the bishop and I both

have the feeling that your...

long and faithful years

should now be recompensed...

that you should, uh, retire.

But I have no wish to retire.

I'm sure you will understand that this has

been a somewhat painful experience for me-

this week of investigation.

I find that I must

point out to His Grace...

certain, uh...

peculiarities in the administration

of your parish...

which he can scarcely overlook.

- Peculiarities?

- Some of your sermons, the advice you give...

your approach to...

certain points of doctrine.

Still peculiar after so many years.

Here is a remark that you made

in Holy Week.

"All atheists are not godless men.

I knew one who I hope

may now be in heaven."

But he was a peculiar atheist.

And then,

"The good Christian is a good man...

but I found that the Confucianist

usually has a better sense of humor."

When Mrs. Glendenning,

one of your best parishioners...

whom naturally cannot help

her extreme stoutness...

came to you for spiritual guidance,

you looked at her and said...

"Eat less. The gates

of paradise are narrow."

I'm afraid that you have

lost your command of souls, Father.

I have no wish

to command anyone's soul.

Naturally, I don't presume

to be your judge.

I can only submit my findings

to His Grace...

for his consideration

in reaching a final decision.

Now, if you don't mind,

Father, I will go to my room.

I shall be leaving

the first thing in the morning...

and I have work still to do.

Uh, would you-would you

be good enough to remind Angus-

His Grace, I mean-

that we were boys together?

The bishop has not forgotten.

He spoke about it only last week.

- Well, mention it to him again, will you?

- Of course.

L- I shouldn't like to leave here,

if it could be helped.

Naturally. Good night.

This is my native parish,

you know.

Good night, Father.

"Francis Chisholm- his journal.

"1878.

"Nothing could have been

more remote from the life I have lived...

"than the beginning of it.

"My father was a master fisherman

in the little village ofTweedside...

"the finest, the most honorable man

I have ever known.

"He was a Catholic, as I was.

"My mother was a Protestant.

"The words, as I write them,

seem divided...

"but never were three souls

more nearly one...

"never were three hearts

as happy and as filled with love...

as ours for each other. "

We're having company

for supper tonight, remember.

Polly's coming up from Tynecastle,

and she's bringing Nora.

- Nora?

- What's wrong with Nora, lad?

She's a girl.

A very proper objection, but

you'll have to learn tolerance, laddie.

Women can't help it

that they're not men.

Alex, I wish you'd let one of the other men

take the accounts to town.

There'll be trouble again.

Last week I knocked

their heads together...

and this week I'll do the same

if they cross me.

To please me, Alex.

Like as not, they'll not say a word,

one way or the other.

I'll be back for supper.

- Good-bye, son.

- Good-bye, sir.

What is there to fear

in the town, Mother?

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