Is your dad home?
That's the poor right there.
My father told me to help.
Fine.
You don't come to school?
Yeah, sometimes.
I've never seen you there.
I go to another school; mine doesn't have fancy desks.
I don't know anyone from that school.
I didn't even know we had two.
We have a final run, guys. Are you game?
Yeah. - Yeah!
Where's the other school?
What other school?
Fidor goes there.
Look around, Felix.
BAREFOOT AT DAWN
Jean-Marie! - Yes.
You little rascal!
Give her back!
Felix... - Give her back!
Fetch your father, please.
No! - Go on, fetch your father!
All right.
Gertrude, she's mine!
Give her back!
Stop it!
I don't want her, the doll wants me!
Dad?
Come in.
What is it, my son?
Mom wants to talk to you.
Mom!
Come here, I'll show you.
You didn't write down the price.
Is it free?
It's important to love the poor.
Because they don't have enough money?
Do they have enough to eat?
Poverty isn't just in your belly.
You feel it in other people's eyes.
I don't understand.
What, your math problem?
Yeah.
Wait...
Um, "To build his treehouse,
"Pierre needs 14 boards.
The sawyer gets four boards from each log delivered to the mill."
Okay. "To get enough boards,
how many logs should Pierre bring to the sawmill?"
See?
I know.
Let's look at the problem differently. Maybe we can solve it.
You can't divide 14 by 4!
Look, I'm making bread.
Let's say that...
According to my recipe,
I need one cup of flour to make 4 portions of bread.
Clear so far?
Tonight there'll be 14 people around the table.
How many cups of flour do I need to get 14 portions of bread?
That's 14 people. Each cup feeds four of them.
What about Pierre's treehouse?
Same thing!
You don't build houses with flour, Mom.
It's just practice, Felix.
Forget the story and focus on the numbers if you like.
They just want you to do your math.
So they reel us in with their stories about fake treehouses!
They're trying to make it fun.
It doesn't work with me.
I can see Pierre's treehouse but none of the numbers.
So you're going to use four cups?
There you are!
And we're going to waste some flour, because we'll have enough for...
Sixteen people. - Bravo!
We'll add another chair, so if anyone shows up, we'll be ready.
I gave you a long questionnaire issued by the Government.
They're asking every school in the province to administer this test.
Yes?
We didn't know we had to study.
It's an evaluation, not an exam.
Some questions are about grammar, some about syntax.
Others are about English, mathematics or general culture.
You have 60 minutes to finish the test.
Go on! Do your best.
Hi, Fidor.
Hi.
You have a great dog, Felix. - Thanks.
Is he young?
He just turned four.
I'd love to have a dog! I'd take such good care of him.
Don't you go to school?
What are you doing here?
I never saw you in our classroom.
I'm not in it.
So where do you go?
If you don't stop asking questions, you'll learn my name soon enough.
Come on, guys.
My piano was better before.
Be serious, Anne-Marie.
A bit of fresh air can't affect your playing.
It cuts into my practice time, Mom.
I'm not asking you to spend your days outside,
just to sit out on the porch once in a while...
for the sunlight and the fresh air.
We're lucky the winter's so mild.
Do you think Beethoven never went outside?
Even if it was just to hear the birds sing and get inspired.
Beethoven was deaf, Mom.
Exactly! If he'd played outside from time to time...
See how rosy you are, girl?
I'm having trouble with Schubert. - Your Imprévus?
The Impromptus.
Schubert, Mom!
He's been dead for almost 100 years.
How do you know that?
Anne-Marie told me.
Um, Dad?
When can we go to the shack in canton Mayou?
So you're itching to fight the flies?
You'll have to wait a while.
Right after the spring thaw? - Hold your horses!
The crow storm's still to come. And during the thaw,
the river'll be too high. We'd never get up there!
We'll have to wait... until summer at least.
Then we can go for sure?
Are they old enough, Leo?
They're little men... Our future land clearers!
I discussed it with your uncle Richard and we're in agreement.
This year, you'll make the first trip.
What about me?
You're strong enough but a bit too short.
Those two are strong enough?
Strong enough... and big enough.
They're coming.
Can we clear the land?
That depends on the workload.
If the roads are too far gone, we'll have to tackle them first.
Right, Leo?
The road comes first!
When the road is fine...
you can go far.
All right, talk.
In school, we passed a test to find out if we could go to college.
Yeah, I was told.
So you can study the classics in one of the major schools.
That's your ticket to higher learning.
But the college's in Ottawa, Dad.
That's how it works.
First, you have to get into one of the big colleges.
But Ottawa...
Do you know where that is? - Not really.
So you can't judge.
But I'd be alone, without you guys...
Don't you dream of travelling?
Travelling's not the problem.
I know it seems far away,
but once you're there, the school will house and feed you.
You're bright, you're healthy.
You've got the best brain for learning in the whole family.
It's the best place for you, Felix.
What is it like in Ottawa?
Ottawa?
Ottawa's the big capital.
That's where Canada makes the rules.
Like your mother does for our family.
Yeah, but they all speak English, like the bosses in the village.
They all speak the language of business, yes.
That's why you'll have to learn to speak English.
I already understand a little.
Understanding's a good thing,
but learning to answer back is more important.
What about Quebec City?
Quebec City?
That's like your uncle Rodolphe!
Be careful if you don't want to dirty your face.
That's for you.
Be patient.
Tell us about transistors, Uncle.
Transistors are semiconductor devices
capable of amplifying the electric oscillations
that allow small boxes installed in our houses
to transmit sounds and words.
Let me show you.
Hello, hello, people of La Tuque! Can you hear me?
Even though you can't see me,
electric waves allow you to hear me.
I am not a gramophone, I am not a cinematograph,
I am what we simply call a "radio".
Stay tuned for the worldwide news.
It's official:
the aviator Charles Lindbergh will attempt the first flight
across the Atlantic Ocean this spring.
He intends to go from New York City to Paris on a solo flight
without any stopover.
Overnight in Quebec,
we're expecting a cold snap that will freeze Cape Diamond.
Tomorrow morning, watch out for chilblains
if you decide to use your horses or your motor vehicles!
It talks all the time?
It's not always voices. Sometimes music comes out of the box!
Where's Quebec City, Uncle?
Everything on the right is in the province of Quebec.
When the name is written in big letters,
it's a city... and when it's in bold letters, it's the capital.
So Montreal isn't the capital city? - No!
Quebec City is the capital of Quebec and Ottawa's the capital of Canada.
What about the United States?
Paris and London?
Don't muddle it up, Felix! That's nothing to do with us.
Our American neighbours are over there
and the British live far away in England.
The English Canadians live that way. They're our neighbours.
What's the city like?
The city?
It's the people gathered around the factories;
it's the houses packed tightly together like decks of cards...
It's the ground hidden beneath the cobblestones,
showing itself fleetingly in the parks and avenues.
The city is...
people going right and people going left,
but those going right don't know anyone going left.
People don't know each other, they don't talk,
but it's not because of the darkness.
Multicoloured suns stream their light down into the streets.
People don't know each other because...
I don't know.
The city is the expectation...
of the bell, the ringing,
the whistle.
"Get up!
"Come here, do that.
"Go to lunch.
That's all. Good night."
Every day is the same and it never ends.
The city is a scream no one ever hears;
a heavy silence driving unbearable noises.
It's thousands of muscles at work
and Angelus bells muffled by the laughter of the cabarets.
Your valley is brighter than our city.
One day, you'll see.
What are those red lines?
It's the road to canton Mayou.
Right, Dad?
No, lands we don't know yet.
Never mind.
This map is full of discoveries!
Anything outside the roads is an invitation to the next adventure.
Men like us managed to carve passages between worlds.
We travelled all over the Earth,
but the Unknown walked with us.
The city is the scream no one hears.
The people don't know each other, they don't talk.
They go right, they go left.
They don't know each other because...
I don't know!
Do you always get up so early, Leo?
Always.
I like that time of day.
When the hive still sleeps, just before the ice breaks.
I can plan my day in peace.
The itch is back, Leo!
I just want a clear idea of the new lands...
untouched by any road.
I don't intend to do it all myself.
Why do you want to leave?
When things run too smoothly,
I lose interest in a place.
But you're comfortable here.
You could find a situation. A real one, for good.
In the village, everyone knows you.
A job?
Yes, a job in the factory or the forest.
A steady salary, stability... with a clear goal in mind.
With your reputation, you could be the boss.
The bosses are English.
I don't understand you.
Leaving Quebec City to come here saps all my energy.
The idea that one could travel to a place that doesn't exist...
All my tools are packed.
My gear's hung on the stable rafters.
Did you tell Fabiola?
Of course.
The kids, not yet.
Maybe this fall. We'll see.
You grow houses the way a gardener grows cabbages.
Every man has his trade.
I build villages.
This one runs itself now.
So one day, I'll leave.
Drink while it's still hot.
My colleague in Ottawa wrote back about Felix.
They'll take him next September. - Seriously?
You think he's got what it takes? - I'm not worried about him!
He reads our movements and his brain analyzes everything he sees.
Thanks, Rodolphe.
Hey, you need a double six! Play that one.
Boys, the parish priest and his vicar are here for their mare.
You need to get her.
Boys, they're waiting! You're supposed to hitch her up.
Yeah, we're going.
The mild weather drew you out?
Yes, it's nice to be outside!
But our mission is a trifle sad.
Our priest is taking Holy Communion to the blacksmith's wife.
She's ailing. - I heard about it.
She's not dying, but I promised her.
She's a good Catholic and a devoted parishioner.
Your dedication honours you, Father.
My boys are on top of things, uh?
Sorry if we kept you waiting.
There's no rush!
We didn't hear you.
You know, Felix, you're lucky.
Why?
You're lucky to be going to canton Mayou.
I know.
I'll take you one day, I promise.
My dad will say yes. I know him!
I'd like that... but I'd rather leave for good.
Leave for good?
Where would you go?
Anywhere... A big city like Montreal or Three Rivers.
Even one where people speak English? - Even there, yeah.
Did you ever go beyond the gate?
No, but I've seen pictures.
It's beautiful... like a castle.
Rich people, Anglos... They have everything!
They come here, on our lands, and they padlock their gates...
like they're afraid we'll decide to take back what's ours.
Do you know any Anglos?
No.
Come on!
Hey, that's a wolf skin!
Oh, you're an expert, Fidor!
Did you kill it? - Yup! Last weekend.
Did he upset the animals?
Nah! I wanted his fur.
That's all?
Feel it.
It's good quality!
Look. It's dense and thick.
Good shot.
Thanks.
It's nice and warm around your neck.
My third one since the thaw. It's a fine wolf.
It's not a bad crack. Just a thin line along the toe.
It isn't deep.
I wanted you to check it.
During our trip to canton Mayou, Goliath will ford the river twice.
I don't want him lamed for life.
If his heel was affected, I'd tell you to be careful.
I can put new shoes on him...
but you don't drive him hard, so there's no risk.
I knew it was a wolf; I've seen one before.
You saw a real wolf?
Last fall with my cousin. We were running the trap line.
His forepaw was trapped.
The tree was all torn up, like someone had whipped it.
The wolf did it with his claws and teeth.
You saw him?
Yeah. He was lying there... sly, motionless.
His eyes looked like gun barrels.
The chain was really twisted, and he was watching us.
And then?
Then...
Pow!
When we released the trap, we saw teeth marks on his paw.
He tried to gnaw it to get free.
If you were stuck in a trap, would you eat your leg to be free?
To run away... yeah.
Your dog's all right?
He'll get over it.
He's never been very friendly.
Like his master.
Probably.
It's not very long.
No. You won't need stitches.
Ask your wife to pour alcohol on it when you get home.
You tell men to ask their wives for booze?
Nothing fazes you, Bérubé.
Not to drink.
Many people think it's effective for that kind of hurt.
Some don't heal easily.
It's not the right cure for heartache,
but if you rub it on that bite, it'll help.
If it gets infected, you risk losing the arm.
Don't worry, I need it too much.
Come on, guys!
Hey, Fidor!
You lead the horse.
Meet me here Monday at nine. I'll have something for you.
Your turn, big guy!
Good day!
What'll you give him, Dad? - You'll see.
No, Grégoire!
Mom! - Stop!
What's the ingredient that won't change a recipe
but make a much better meal?
Courtesy!
Courtesy doesn't stop with "please" and "thank you".
Before helping yourself,
you should wait until all the dishes are on the table...
With lace napkins so nice we can't even use them.
Yes! And to prove you're a real gentleman,
you let the girls go first.
All right, go ahead!
Thank you, Mr. Gentleman.
Taste it before you swallow it!
Ah, our new clients!
Who?
The ladies from the dispensary.
Boys, what did I just say about courtesy?
It's our job to hitch up the horses we board.
Obviously, some courtesies are more urgent than others.
I wouldn't refuse a biscuit.
They're getting more independent.
They're not kids anymore.
They're wonderful.
Like your biscuits, your bread...
and everything you touch.
What about...
What?
Your patients.
They're getting better... slowly.
We can hitch him up now.
Thank you, Felix.
Is it blessed?
A little! I did it myself.
I don't understand why you get all the rewards.
You didn't give Jean-Marie anything, Nurse Lemieux?
Felix is barely 12, isn't he?
What's your point?
Well... he's a young boy.
I reward him for taking good care of my horse, Nurse Beaudoin.
Don't read anything into it!
You should do the same for Jean-Marie.
Why can't Lédéenne run and jump like Fidor?
Well, I think girls are more delicate.
On the other hand, men's voices are deeper than women's.
And the old maid next door,
why does she laugh so hard when a cousin lassoes her?
And what's so nice about Gaspard, the barber?
His hair's too slick and his skin's as yellow as his rings.
I don't know, Felix.
Apparently, he's quite a lady killer.
He kills them?
No, he charms them.
Gaspard is...
He's the kind of man who attracts women.
He attracts you? - No! Only your father does that.
And you?
Are you keen on a girl?
No...
Get some sleep.
Can a girl charm a guy too?
Of course!
Do you have to be a certain age?
Age has nothing to do with it.
There you go!
Sir!
Don't forget your change.
Thank you, Mr. Gravel. It really pays to shop here.
Go on!
Have a good day! - Goodbye.
BARBER SHOP
Good day, gentlemen. - Good day.
So, that's the young man?
Come.
They're beautiful.
Purebred puppies on both the mother and father's side.
They're ready to leave?
They're over six weeks old.
I took them away from their mother ten days ago
and they've been eating gruel for three weeks. It helps the mother.
Pick one.
Me?
This one.
I want this one.
What's his name?
He doesn't have a name? - You have to name him.
Call him...
Lucky.
'Cause he's lucky.
He's so cute!
You're so cute, Lucky.
Come here... Come here!
Come on!
Come on, Lucky!
Did you get Mr. Gravel's worms for bait?
Nah! Store worms just catch fish on sale.
Where did you dig them up? - In my cousins' garden.
They caught a groundhog in a cage trap,
but they let him go.
He'd have gone crazy in a cage.
He rammed the wire mesh like he didn't even see it.
Catching an animal never pays off.
Even if we love them, they can't live like that.
If you'd caught me in a trap,
we wouldn't be friends.
Grégoire, your cap! We're leaving.
Those suspenders are much too loose on you.
Nah, they're fine.
They're all stretched out!
Jean-Marie wore them out. You'll lose your pants!
Lédéenne, we need you!
Lédéenne!
Lédéenne, do you have my blue ribbon?
What ribbon?
Hi, Mr. Bérubé.
Hi, Felix. How are you?
Fine, Mr. Bérubé. Good day, ma'am.
You seem better.
Yes. - Good day!
It's for you.
Open it!
They're tickets to the annual ball the company hosts for club members.
Why?
The same reason you take such good care of my horse.
I'm sure you'll love it. They'll have music.
Dress up and come with your personal guest.
I'll be there, waiting for you.
Thank you. You're...
Thank you very much.
Oh! From the lovely Nurse Lemieux?
A gift for Felix,
an invitation for Felix, a hand in Felix's hair...
What?
Anyway, she's much too old for you.
You're talking through your hat.
That's crazy, uh? Our son at the Anglo ball...
Exactly.
He's only 12 and it's an adult party.
Nurse Lemieux must know what she's doing.
Still...
Will we be back from canton Mayou?
Yes, just arrived.
So I can go?
Yeah. That's not the problem.
There's a problem? - No! There's no problem.
It's a ball!
It's a nice invitation. We should all be happy for Felix...
and whoever he decides to invite.
Felix! I'd wear my red dress with the black belt.
Anne-Marie would lend me her watch and Gertrude, her shoes...
Lédéenne, you're way too young!
But you have to bring a girl!
No, that's not true.
He can bring a guy if he wants. It's his choice.
I'm not choosing right away.
But I should be the one to go.
I hitch up the nurses' horses too!
And I'm older! I'd look way better than him!
Don't even try, son.
Felix is free to choose anyone he likes, Jean-Marie.
He's the only one who was invited.
Fine. And canton Mayou?
Can I go or is my spot up for grabs?
Do you hear it?
Can you feel the river?
Where are we going?
Over there.
Where's the bridge?
There's no bridge.
No bridge?
No... If we work hard enough,
someday there'll be a bridge there.
Bridges are built when enough people want to go across.
Go sit at the back.
We have to find a way to cross the river.
How?
Fording! - What does that mean?
Walking through the water.
We're going to drown!
Hang on tight and stay put.
David! Goliath!
Let's go!
Let's go, Goliath!
Try again.
All right!
It's fine.
Lift your leg.
Up, up!
Richard!
It must've split in the river.
Along the previous crack.
Bérubé told me it was nothing.
There's a lot of blood.
What's the matter?
It's nothing.
I need your help, guys!
Jean-Marie!
Come here, guys. There's someone I want you to meet.
Hello!
How are you?
- Wow!
How are you?
Canton Mayou!
Canton Mayou... Mayou!
The echo's so long, it's almost talking back. Go on!
Echo!
Echo! Echo!
Tell me your name!
Tell me your name... Your name!
All this is yours?
It's ours!
Ours!
It's ours!
You're not asleep yet?
No.
Since we got here, I keep thinking about our next visit.
And that keeps you awake?
No, it's Ottawa...
I don't want to go.
I won't know anyone over there and I like it here.
Your pal Fidor... does he know you're leaving?
No. I don't know how to tell him...
but I think he'd take my place anytime just to leave.
Your friend's right.
You're lucky to go.
Studying in Ottawa will bring you many opportunities.
I wish someone else was going to study the classics.
Like who?
Jean-Marie! He's the eldest.
Jean-Marie is good with the land, the animals;
he understands the river, the forest.
You have a gift...
...for words,
for arts and music.
But classical studies...
You'll learn Latin.
Who knows? You could become a priest someday.
It wasn't my choice!
Could you have chosen?
I'd have waited.
Waiting...
Not choosing is still a choice.
We don't always do what we want, uh?
You're absolutely right!
Like... like in the war?
You went, didn't you?
Yes, I did.
Do you think that was a mistake?
Over the long process of life...
we can't really judge which actions are the most profitable.
Until the very end,
we can't recognize our biggest mistakes or our very best moves.
You left your family, your friends...
Yes.
I left everything behind.
And I didn't have a say in my destinations,
my missions or my comrades in arms.
I didn't get to choose much.
And once you get there, you don't ask any questions.
You move forward.
You don't know what to expect, but you move anyway.
What you want more than anything...
what drives you, it's just...
War is ugly.
It's ugly.
It's got nothing to do with school.
Go on.
Go to bed, my boy.
Jean-Marie!
Felix!
Wake up, we need you!
Grab your end.
Bring them more wood!
Are you learning to swim?
Nah, he's playing windmills!
There's too many flies!
I think Don Quixote lost his fight!
Let him walk it off.
The flies will bring him back soon enough!
For the King!
Dad?
What...
Dad!
What are you doing, Felix?
Jean-Marie!
I got lost... I got lost!
Dad! Uncle Richard! I found our brave knight!
What do you think?
A high fever that won't quit, that's not a good sign.
He's in bad shape.
His injury was worse than we thought.
Infection set in. He had convulsions earlier on.
We have to kill Goliath. - What?
He's standing! - It's up to your father.
We can't let that poor animal suffer like that.
How will you do it?
It'll be very quick.
I'm ready to help.
We won't need you two.
You don't have to kill him, there must be another way!
We can't mess around.
When it takes too long, the horse is in pain, he gets wild,
he flails about and...
he's much harder to kill.
That's it...
that's it.
Can I go, Dad?
Go ahead, my man!
So, how was it?
Not like I imagined.
Why is David all alone?
Goliath hurt himself and...
we had to kill him.
You killed a horse?
Yeah.
And?
And what?
Did you see any blood? - No.
He got knocked out straight off.
You must have been scared.
No, that wasn't fear.
I guess watching and waiting was the worst part, uh?
No... I saw something worse.
What did you see?
I saw my father cry.
Stay. Wait for me... Stay!
Go away, please.
Go away.
That's enough, I have a client.
He's a child. - He's a client.
How do you want your hair? - Short.
Go away, I have a client.
Please.
Blow your nose.
Stop crying.
That's enough!
I love you, I love you... I love you.
Go away.
I can come back another day. - No, no.
You're in no rush?
No, sir.
When you're older, you'll understand.
Come on!
You're going to turn heads tonight!
It's Fidor!
Here's the lucky winner! Come in, Mr. Fidor, come in.
They're my only good clothes.
You look nice, Fidor!
They're from...
...from my mother's funeral, last summer.
You look really nice too, Felix.
I can see what you're going to look like in college.
Wha... you know?
Yeah.
Someone told me.
How long have you known?
Since your trip to canton Mayou.
Mom!
I didn't know it was a secret.
I thought it was good news.
It is good news! I'm happy for you, Felix.
Really?
Yeah.
Let's go, boys. Don't keep those important people waiting.
I love you.
Felix, Felix!
Give it to her. Women like gifts.
Why did Lédéenne give you a blue ribbon?
She thinks Nurse Lemieux will like it.
It's a weird gift.
Maybe she's right.
I can't believe I'm going to eat with the Anglos!
You're not pleased?
They think they own the entire world!
Everybody else would've loved to come to the ball.
Besides, you're called Languelot. You should know a few people there.
I am pleased: everything I eat will come out of their loot.
That's something!
Is that what your father says? You don't even know any Anglos.
When did you become their champion? "Mr. Ottawa."
I'm just saying we don't know them. It has nothing to do with college.
Besides...
you were ready to go anywhere, even an English-speaking city.
Yeah.
I'm not mad. I wouldn't have known how to tell you either,
but I'd like to go.
You're really lucky, Felix.
Look.
You want to smoke? - No.
So why do you need matches?
You should always carry matches when you go out.
You never know.
Felix, ma'am. Felix Leclerc.
We've been expecting you, Mr. Leclerc.
And Mr... ? - Fidor.
Mr. Fidor. Please go in.
Good evening, Felix.
- Good evening, Nurse Lemieux.
This is my friend Fidor. - I know. Good evening, Fidor.
Come! I'll introduce you to my friends.
Thank you.
Did you come on foot?
Yes. We live in the village. - One of the Leclerc boys.
Thank you.
What about you, Fidor? Will you study the classics too?
Right now, I'm focusing on my school year.
But we're in August!
Do you know any local schools that stay open during the summer?
Fidor studies in Europe.
Over there, the school schedules are different.
In Europe? Really?
You don't say! Where in Europe?
In Austria.
What would a 12-year-old boy be doing in Austria?
Fidor lives in Vienna. He was born there.
Right, Fidor?
Yes.
My real name is Fyodor, but I also studied in Montreal.
My mother was born in Montreal, but my father comes from Vienna.
Yes, he's Viennese.
And what do you intend to study? The law?
International Commerce? Foreign Languages?
Fyodor is a great musician. He loves the piano.
Last year, he played all the Impromptus in B flat major.
It's quite impressive!
Have you given any concerts?
Of course. I'm with an orchestra.
A symphony orchestra.
Fyodor played in Warsaw, New York City, Paris...
Oh, Paree... Such a beautiful city!
So many lights.
It's like living in the middle of a country fair.
Do you have a light, James?
Thank you, Felix.
Thank you.
We'll send you home by car.
No need. Walking will help.
Are you sure?
Absolutely! Thanks for everything.
I was happy to see you both.
Walk, don't run, all right?
In Austria, we walk!
I'm happy! Wine is really good.
One day, I'll be rich.
So they're not that bad, uh?
Nurse Lemieux's so beautiful.
Did you see that?
I didn't miss a thing!
No, up on the bridge!
There's nothing on the bridge! It's the wine talking.
We can't tell anyone what happened, all right?
My father can't know I drank alcohol.
Mine can't know that I study music in Austria!
It'll be our secret. Promise?
I promise.
Good night. - Good night.
You're home so late!
What time is it?
Don't worry, I won't say anything.
Did you have a good time?
A wonderful time!
Did you dance?
Dance?
No.
You smoked. - No!
We ate, we talked and listened to the music...
Did Nurse Lemieux eat with you? - Of course!
We shared her table and we spent the whole evening together.
Did Fidor enjoy it?
Fidor? Yeah, he loved it.
At first, he wasn't so sure.
When we got there, we were a bit shy.
Everything was too nice, too rich!
You smell like an old keg of moonshine.
You can smell it?
I said I wouldn't tell.
Did she like the blue ribbon?
You were right. Women like gifts.
That one.
Two fifty-two. That's expensive.
What are you doing, young man?
You'll be rocking on that porch until the first snowfall!
Yeah, in comfort!
Did you hear about the blacksmith's wife?
No.
No...
You didn't see her today?
No. Was she on her way here? - No.
Nobody knows where she is. Bérubé's really worried.
She's been missing for a day. - I didn't know.
She wasn't expected anywhere, she didn't have any plans...
There's a search on.
If I can help, let me know. And I'll tell you if I hear anything.
Leo?
Mr. Gravel wants to talk to you.
He says it's urgent.
Small thefts lead to bigger thefts.
It's a crime to take something that doesn't belong to you!
I just took a few tins. Nothing but food, no money.
It's just as bad, Fidor.
Mr. Gravel pays for those tins. It's his livelihood!
Half a dozen tins... That won't bring down a grocery store.
It won't bring down the store, Fidor,
but I won't trust you anymore.
Dad, you know there's almost nothing to eat in their house.
It's none of your business, son.
You don't rob a man like Mr. Gravel!
You don't rob anyone!
I wanted to put food on the table.
My father's going to kill me.
You must never steal again, Fidor.
Ever again, from anyone!
Will you tell my father?
I know them.
If you don't do it again, they won't tell your father.
It's the worst mistake I ever made.
You didn't know. Your heart was in the right place.
So?
Not a bite!
Look! - What's up?
Did you see that?
See what?
Look over there!
What do you think it is?
It's the blacksmith's wife, Fidor!
Come over here!
Hurry up!
Fidor!
I'll get help.
I recognized her.
When I saw her, she didn't talk about anything.
She just said: "I love you. I love you."
Where did you see her? When?
At the barber shop, before the ball. She was crying when she left.
That's not uncommon.
Love and death go hand in hand.
I should have followed her... to stop her or just talk to her.
She might have changed her mind...
if she'd had time to think.
You couldn't do anything, my sweet.
You couldn't know.
No one saw her alive after me, Mom!
How can you be sure?
I saw her on the bridge on the way back from the ball.
Now I'm sure it was her!
It isn't anyone's fault, Felix. Do you hear me?
You can't carry the weight of the world on your shoulders.
There are too many messed-up loves...
too many hard stories and disconnected feelings.
A young man like yourself must learn to...
to stay close, to sympathize...
and to avoid bearing responsibility for what doesn't belong to him.
Be sad if you like, but don't feel guilty.
I love you, Mom.
Felix!
Hi! You got a new shirt?
Why are you showing me your back?
Never mind my back. Look at my father's shirt.
Your shoulders are almost as wide as his.
It's tomorrow, right?
Yeah.
It was a nice summer.
The fall looks promising too.
So you have fewer patients? - Yes, we're lucky.
Anyway, you look really well.
The summer made you grow, Felix.
It's been good to you too.
There'll be real happiness for the girl who walks by your side.
One day.
Thank you, Felix.
Happiness is elusive.
One day, will flowers uproot themselves to join the birds in the sky?
I have two mountains to cross,
a city to go through before nightfall.
My much loved brothers and sisters were shedding tears,
especially Lédéenne as she handed me a warm orange.
We'll think about you often.
I promise.
"Fidor and I will talk about you", she promised.
Those are the last words I heard.
Mom was still holding my hand.
Little by little, I felt the rope fray, then break with a snap.
Farewell my little sled, my mittens,
my black hair, my kid's voice,
the gate, Mom, the church bells,
the buttered slice of warm bread after school,
the lump of maple sugar...
My childhood was dead, like the warrant officer's wolf.
I left my dear valley like the logs floating down the St. Maurice River,
heading for the city to be turned into paper.
Fear gripped me.
I didn't want to go, but slowly, slowly,
the woods runner's son I was deep down
was taking hold of my soul
and pushing me out of our little Clairefontaine street.