The Little Girl Who Was Too Fond of Matches

FREELY ADAPTED FROM THE NOVEL BY GAÉTAN SOUCY

THE LITTLE GIRL WHO WAS TOO FOND OF MATCHES

Having called for a writing-case,

he dictated a precise order for his officer,

to go immediately to Madame's house,

to snatch from her daughters the other letters he would surely find there,

and to throw them into the fire,

so that the memory would be forever extinguished.

MEMOIRS OF THE DUC DE SAINT-SIMON

Give it back!

You're not allowed to read that!

Give it to me!

It's a forbidden book!

Don't ruin it!

Brother!

Hide!

Excuse me?

Is this the house of Mister...

...Mister Soissons?

Mister Soissons,

he's your father?

Here, your book.

Tell me,

where I can find your father?

Pardon me sir.

I'm the surveyor, from the land registry.

We're reviewing holdings...

I need to take measurements.

The landmarks...

You're forbidden to be here!

I was telling your daughter...

Get out!

And don't come back!

Father, I thank Thee

for Thy blessings

Lazarus,

get out!

And the dead man came out,

his face wrapped in linen.

Untie him,

and let him go.

Many had come to Martha and Mary,

to console them for the death of their brother.

And Jesus...

stood there...

looking up.

The crowd,

stupefied,

immobile,

contemplated this miracle.

YOU?

It's a just punishment.

Dad will know!

Brother didn't stay put...

I told you not to move,

not to speak!

Get out, you!

No boy would have hair this long.

Stop it!

You're exactly like your brother.

Then why don't I have a wee-wee?

I've told you a thousand times.

It fell off when you were small.

It is a natural disease for man to believe

that he inherently possesses the truth,

and thus he is eager to deny

everything incomprehensible.

"Just Punishment"?

He'll freeze to death if you don't bring him in!

Damned house,

cursed family.

No! Dad!

Leave him!

What are you doing, still awake?

Don't move!

I know what you think.

You think I'm mad?

That's it?

Brother?

Father's not answering.

He's locked in his room.

Father?

Father?

Open up!

You think we come from there?

You know very well...

Father fashioned us from clay.

We'll have to bury him.

We can't bury him in the mud!

We'll need money.

What for?

To buy a box for the dead.

In the village?

No need, we'll make a box.

Father never let us leave

Father is dead!

That's no reason!

Where are you going?

Here.

Have some.

It's good.

More?

Here.

I'll be taking care of you from now on.

Give me a hand!

Come on, help me!

We don't even know where the village is!

The horse knows.

What do I do now?

Dig a hole!

Is that your music?

What are you doing?

Calm down!

Father.

How dare you bring this beast inside the church?

Answer!

Let go of her.

That's Mr. Soissons' horse, isn't it?

Maybe she's deaf?

Do you understand what we are saying?

Has anything happened to Mr. Soissons?

He died last night.

Soissons is dead?

We found him hanging from a rope.

My Lord...

You said, "We found him".

Who's "we"?

Father has two sons: me and my brother.

Come on! Soissons? Two sons?

All right, all right.

Calm down, will you!

And what did you do with the body?

His body is there, but he's gone!

NOW!

Listen to me!

You'll take us to him!

Get her out of my sight!

Everybody, back inside.

We'll get on with the Mass!

Leave me alone!

Will you calm down?