The Best Intentions by Ingmar Bergman Page B

making, it wouldn’t be surprising if we did keep our secrets to ourselves.
    Karin: Johan! You must tell your daughter to behave properly. I have been very patient with you and your spoiled ways. Now I see the results.
    Anna: It’s not my fault I’ve been spoiled.
    Johan: No, you’re right there, my girl. It’s been mostly my fault, and your mother has warned me about it on several occasions. Now I see that we must deal with you more harshly. ( Clears his throat, twice .)
    Anna ( laughs ): Spank me and send me to bed without dinner?
    Johan ( trying hard to remain serious ): Don’t be silly, Anna. This is no joking matter. What’s the boy’s name?
    Anna: His name is Henrik Bergman. He’s studying theology and is going to be a priest. And I love him and actually intend to marry him.
    Now it is truly silent in the traffic superintendent’s study; in fact throughout this lovely summer residence, and far beyond it as well.
    Karin: Oh, yes. Really Yes. Well now. Really.
    Johan: Well, that’s quite clear then.
    Anna: You won’t be able to stop me.
    Johan: My dear daughter, I fear that to some extent you have misjudged your situation. You don’t in fact come of age for another whole year, and until then, legally and morally, you are under your parents’ jurisdiction.
    Karin ( angrily ): Is that boy going to be a priest! Who hasn’t the wits to respect a young woman’s honor. You went into his room at night. Wasn’t it his voice and yours that wretched Charlotte heard through the wall? It was you and him?
    Anna: Yes, so what? We were talking about our engagement.
    Karin: Maybe you slept with him in the bed?
    Anna: No, I didn’t. But if he’d asked me to, I would have.
    Johan ( darkly ): That’s quite enough!
    Anna: Mama asked me, and I answered her.
    Johan: Where was Ernst?
    Ernst: I was asleep. I knew nothing about all this.
    Karin: And if you get pregnant?
    Anna ( with a smile ): Difficult at that distance.
    Karin: Johan! Did you hear!
    Johan ( sorrowfully ): Yes, yes, I heard. I heard all right. I heard (. Clears his throat again. )
    Karin: I really don’t know what we shall do.
    Ernst: May I suggest something?
    Johan ( frowning ): Go ahead.
    Ernst: I suggest that my honored parents don’t do anything at all. What’s happened is just thoughtlessness on Anna’s and my part. We’ve made fools of ourselves, quite simply. We’re certainly prepared to apologize to you both for the unpleasantness and anxiety our thoughtlessness has caused you. Aren’t we, Anna?
    Anna: What?
    Ernst: Apologize to Mama and Papa.
    Anna: I’ll really have to think about that.
    Ernst: While you’re thinking about it, I suggest that Anna writes a nice formal letter to the boy. Mama then adds a few benevolent lines inviting him here for a week.
    Karin: Never! That scoundrel and seducer.
    Anna ( flaring up again ): If anyone’s a seducer in this place, it’s me! Don’t forget that, honored parents! And if you start being difficult, then I really will seduce him and get pregnant. Then whatever happens, you’ll have to marry me off to the child’s father.
    Karin: I think you underestimate your parents’ determination, my dear Anna.
    Anna: Your determination, you mean. Papa and I have always agreed.
    Johan ( slightly embarrassed ): Yes, yes, of course, my child. Of course. Hm!
    Karin: On second thought, I think Ernst’s suggestion is a sensible one. We’ll invite the oaf here and take a closer look at him.
    Anna: Poor Henrik. That would be frightful .
    Ernst: I will look after him.
    Karin: What do you say; Johan?
    Johan: Me? Nothing. What have you done with Torsten Bohlin, by the way? Is he out now?
    Anna: Oh, him! He was only a sort of playmate.
    Johan: Oh, I see, yes. And to think I was jealous of that stroppy little professor-to-be.
    Karin: Don’t talk nonsense, Johan.
    Johan: No, no, all right, I’ll keep