25.5.2009

2

2

At 10 o'clock everyone was there?the entire family court. They were accustomed to being punctual and not let anyone wait on them even though this was an informal meeting.

John and Rev. Pauline had gone up to the office to confer. When they came back down to the living room, the other six had gotten comfortable.

Rev. Pauline circulated with a glass bowl and let those present draw numbered slips. John explained that there was no better procedure than drawing slips.

"As you know, we intend this to be very informal. The family court that we established has finished its task."

Then John pointed out that the purpose of the meeting was to air people's opinions on:

1. Whether Speedy Simon should be formally charged.

2. Whether they should grant his wish that the excommunication be remitted.

It had been proposed that each one of them express their opinion on the issues, and a generous time 'some two days' had been given for thought.

It turned out that Kalli Sandfeldt had drawn the slip numbered

1. Without hesitation, he stood up and spoke:

"I'll try to come right to the point. I believe that this decision of ours to establish a family court has turned out well, much better than I dared hope in the beginning. I think there is every reason to respect Speedy Simon for his reaction to this 'I must say' unusual procedure of ours. We know, in fact, that our scheme has no support in law. With respect to that, I don't think it's reasonable for us to go any farther with this than we have already. I also think we should spare Simon Sörenson and his wife further humiliation. On the other hand, I see no reason to remit the excommunication. I think it should stand. We can reconsider the matter later if we see fit."

With that Kalli Sandfeldt finished his statement. He had stood up while speaking and looked out of the big living room window that gave onto Tjörn Pond. It was as if he were talking to the birds. Having finished, he sat down.

Solla friend stood up and held onto her numbered slip. She looked at the number and began by saying that she would have preferred drawing a higher number, but that there was nothing to do about it and, so, no reason to dilly-dally.

She crumpled the slip into a little ball that she put into a bowl on the table. Then she opened a small wallet and took out a pink slip she had written on the evening before.

She opened up the slip and, after having looked over its contents, she started speaking. Every now and then while she spoke, she glanced at the slip for security. It was clear, though, that she had learned the speech by heart.

"When we made our disposition of this case, there was a reading from the 24th Chapter of Leviticus which says:

An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. According the commandment of this ancient book of law, those who commit a wrong against another human being must be punished.

I immediately agreed with the view that in such a case, we couldn't trust the courts. For this reason I've never doubted the justice of what we have done. If anything, the punishment was too lenient."

She folded the slip and put it back in the wallet. Then she straightened up, and the others watched her as she added her concluding remarks:

"You have all heard of tooth money. It's the money that parents give their children when they get new teeth. I am no poet and am, perhaps, a clearly sinful woman under the book of law which we have used as a reference. I nevertheless intend to be so original as to make a metaphor of these two things, that is, the story about tooth money and the commandant in Leviticus about a tooth for a tooth."

She paused, then, continued:

"The parents who show their children love, affection and respect give them the most valuable tooth money that there is. If parents take this tooth money away from their children, they leave them defenseless. What's worse, the damage is irreparable. A tooth for a tooth is not sufficient compensation."

Even though Solla friend was unusually tall, her words had the effect on some of making her seem to grow physically.

Bertha was next. She took her time before starting. She took a sip of water from the glass she had brought to the table and dried her mouth. Then she started to speak:

"I intend to keep this short. I believe that the court we established has achieved the intended result. I believe that it is very doubtful that it is right to bring formal charges. Punishment, in my opinion, should not be revenge.

Punishment, for me, should be a procedure to improve the one who has committed an offense. It is my conviction that the punishment that Simon Sörenson received has had the effect of changing how he thinks.

He has pangs of conscience about what he did. Doesn't that tell us something? I agree, on the other hand, with those two who have spoken before me that there is no reason to remit the excommunication."

Bertha sat down, and Violet stood up:

"This has been a difficult time. Still, I can tell you that I feel better now. It is difficult for me to reconcile myself to having remained silent all these years and having been so unbelievably naive regarding Steina.

I find it difficult to reconcile myself to having been such a miserable wretch. I am just very thankful that Steina had the judgment and courage and also Paul?how he reacted. I intend also to state my opinion on formal charges and the excommunication.

As to the former issue, I am of two conflicting views. Regarding Steina, I think we are obligated to bring formal charges not despite, but because of, the fact that her grandfather is involved. On the other hand, I am worried about my mother. I think we ought to speak to her before we make a final decision."

At that point, Violet started to sit down, but stopped. She took a goodly time and sensed that the others were supportive:

"My opinion still is that the excommunication must stand, and we must bring formal charges, but I think my mother should be kept informed about this. Then, really, there is yet another side to this case, the one relating to my sister and me.

We have talked about this and agree that too much time has passed; the case has become old. Still, we are willing to testify if necessary."

When Violet sat down, Stein Director stood up:

"I'll turn right to the matter. I am of the opinion that enough has been done, and formal charges would change nothing. I think we can be pleased with how we've succeeded, compared to the great risk that we took.

I think it is noteworthy how important it is to the convicted that the excommunication be remitted. That tells us a lot. I am, therefore, rather in favor of the view that we grant his wish. The damage is done, and the excommunication won't change that. I also agree with the view expressed by Violet that we must also take Gudrun Rose into consideration."

Then it was Rev. Pauline's turn. She looked much more relaxed now than when she had at the trial where she played a certainly difficult role.

Now, she had just come from the beauty parlor and was dressed in her finest feathers. She smiled at the others and looked good: "I have found it instructive to listen to what has been said. I would have preferred to go last, as I'm sure most of you probably would have.

Whether the foregoing speeches have influenced my position or not, one thing is certain?my opinion is clear. I don't agree with the view that punishment is some kind of rehabilitation. It may well be that it's desirable to rehabilitate those who commit offenses.

If it is, then I say fine, but it's just not my affair, least of all in the case involved here. In my mind, an offender is punished for the offense he has committed.

Punishment can be in various forms. Some are lenient; others are harsh. It usually depends on the nature of the offense. I agree wholeheartedly with what Solla said about this?about this sacrosanct tooth money as I wish to call it.

I want to further develop the thought implied in Solla's words. A tooth is not a sufficient compensation for a tooth. We demand an eye for a tooth. Then I want to second Violet's words that Steina, our little hero, has a right to demand that her grandfather be publicly charged.

The punishment that he has had to suffer from our little family court is just a tiny compensation for our client and ourselves. In my conviction and my conscience there isn't a trace of mercy regarding this man of misfortune."

When Rev. Pauline had finished, she stood for a while without moving as if waiting for some reaction or even questions. She ran her eyes over the group, and her smile bore witness that her mood was lighter. Then she reached for a glass of water and sat down.

John stood next to the window. If something could be read from his expression, it was perhaps some sorrow which had the effect of making him seem older?although perhaps also more dignified?than he was otherwise in the eyes of these friends and companions:

"I am relieved that I am so far down the line. Now, I can shorten my speech considerably from what it was. I am convinced, more than ever before, that we must bring formal charges. I want to say this about the excommunication: I feel that it could well be discussed later. As it is, reemission is untimely."

Didi Stina was last. She was hot and flushed. She had listened carefully to all that the others had said. The expression on her face had shown whether she agreed or disagreed with individual points or speakers.

Now it was her turn:

"I say as John said. I would like to take as my words much of what has been said. I want especially to agree with what Solla, and also Rev. Pauline, said.

I especially want to express my satisfaction with how everything seems to have worked out with the court that we established. I am convinced that it was a correct decision although I would not de-emphasize the risk we took as has already been pointed out. As to the excommunication, my answer is an unconditional no. In my mind it will never be remitted.

My position on whether to bring formal charges is also unconditional. The answer is yes; we should bring them. Anything else is unreasonable not just because of Steina, but also because of all the other Steinas who have the misfortune of losing their tooth money to men of misery."

When Didi Stina had finished, they took a break, and the guests were offered light refreshments in the dining room. After that they came back into the living room and continued their discussion for a while.

It was agreed that Violet would talk to her mother and tell her that Speedy Simon would be charged with sexually harassing Steina. Then, she would also talk to her father and tell him about their decision. Then Violet also planned to phone her sister Edith and tell her the news.