Mea Culpa

There are no telephones between the monastery and Paro, so there is no way to let anyone at home know what happened to Victor. It is decided to bring the boy's body straight home, not stopping anywhere. A long and gloomy ride.

As they approach the house, the girls and then the ladies come out into the yard. They're surprised to see the men back so soon.

Maartje, "Bert, you're back early. We thought it would be several days yet… What's the matter? You look dreadful!… Where's Victor?"

Siem, "Marie, something terrible happened…"

Marie, "What? Where is he? What happened?"

"He fell. He fell off a cliff. And he's… dead."

"Dead? No! NO! Where is he?"

"Right here, in this blanket."

"Oh God! How can this be! Let me see." and she pulls back the blanket.

She stares in shocked silence, then starts to cry. All the others go towards the house, to let the parents be alone.

Bertus, "Maartje, this is the priest who was shot when the soldiers took the monastery. As you can see, he survived. Brother Andre, this is my wife Maartje, and these are my daughters Ietje, Truus, Janthe, and Mel. The lady with Siem is his wife, Marie."

Maartje, "How are you. Won't you all come in? Tell me how it happened." They go inside, Bertus explaining.

"Jack and Victor separated from the rest of us, so Jack could show Victor some of his favorite spots in the woods around the monastery. Jack, would you tell everyone what took place after you and Victor left us?"