The children
… has such beautiful eyes, looking so innocent.
Georg immediately put those thoughts out of his mind but he replaced them. It's time for her to meet my children, even in that ridiculous dress; I wonder which child will say something about it? Let me get this slight woman's attention first.
Maria was still smiling at him when she saw something in his hand and wondered, what does he have? She watched him carefully as he brought it to his mouth. Maria heard a shrill sound come out of it: FWEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. She stood there with her eyes wide opened and her mouth gaped in disbelief.
That got her attention, Georg thought. Again he sounded the whistle, this time a slightly different cadence, more like, Phweeeeeep.
Noise began in the hallway above her; the forceful closing of doors and children running to form a straight line. Maria was appalled; she could only think; oh no he uses a whistle to summon his children.
She hurried to a safe place as she continued to stare and observe the scene as it unfolded. She commented to herself. I only count six, but they saved a spot in line.
Maria still held that astonished look as she watched. They marched down the steps; no sliding down the banister or running; orderly just like in the military.
She could only ponder. What is it with all this military stuff? I know he's a decorated Naval Captain but these are children. Even at the Abbey school we allow them to act like children; they can still be polite and studious. And now they're forming a straight military line; oh these poor children.
Out of the corner of her eye she spotted number seven; her thoughts continued. A girl after my own heart, she loves to read. But what's the Captain doing; taking the book away from her and I can't believe he's tapping her on her behind. Oh, I know it wasn't hard but really, why? She's reading don't you like reading? I suppose she belonged in her room and should have marched down with all the others. He isn't through, walking by them like he's inspecting the troops; even the girls stand straighter and put out their chest, oh dear.
"Now! This is your new governess, Fräulein Maria. Step forward and give your name as I sound your signal."
He turned to Maria. "Fräulein, listen carefully. Learn their signals so you can call them when you want them."
What signal? She couldn't imagine.
Maria heard, "oeeee, oeeee."
I can't believe it; each child has their own whistle sound; I've got a surprise for him. I'm not going to learn to their signal, only their names. The littlest one is so scared she doesn't even speak. Now what's he doing? Giving me a whistle; oh no Captain.
"Now, let's see how well you listened."
"I won't need to whistle for them, Reverend Captain. I mean, I'll use their names, such lovely names."
"Fräulein, this is a large house. The grounds are very extensive. And I will not have anyone shouting. You will take this, please. Learn to use it. The children will help you."
Maria wanted to refuse it but thought differently. I'll take it but I have no intention of using it to call the children; there will never be a need to call them; we will always be together, you'll see Captain.
"Now, when I want you, this is what you will hear." He sounded a long complicated whistle cadence.
Maria was quick to interrupt him. "Oh, no, sir, I'm sorry, sir! I could never answer to a whistle. Whistles are for dogs and other animals, not for children and definitely not for me. It would be too humiliating."
"Fräulein, were you this much trouble at the abbey?"
"Oh, much more, sir."
I see; you were they black sheep of the Abbey. Why in the heck did the Reverend Mother send you to me?
Walking away from me Captain; not so fast. I really don't know how to use this thing; I'll just blow into it very hard. There I did it.
Georg turned and looked at her with a mixture of exasperation and surprise. How dare she? He thought.
"Excuse me sir, I don't know your signal."
Her eyes are so blue; she's not at all ruffled. She looks so innocent. Why did I think that?
"You may call me Captain."
He scolded himself, Georg, stop staring.
Maria noticed that as soon as the Captain was out of sight, the children began to laugh. Most interesting, she thought. Now what's that military term to get them out of this stance? Yes, I know.
"At ease."
"Now that there's just us; would you please tell me your names again and how old you are."
Maria told herself. I already know your names; I don't know what else to say. I hope you will help me.
"I'm Liesl. I'm sixteen years old, and I don't need a governess." Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.
"I'm glad you told me, Liesl. We'll just be good friends." She's almost a woman; I'm sure she thinks a governess is for babies.
"I'm Friedrich. I'm fourteen. I'm impossible." A typical boy.
"Really? Who told you that, Friedrich?"
"Fräulein Josephine; four governesses ago."
"I'm Brigitta." Oh no you're not.
"You didn't tell me how old you are, Louisa." That's right, I caught you. Maria saw her hang her head.
The real Brigitta stepped forward, "I'm Brigitta. She's Louisa. She's thirteen years old, and you're smart. I'm ten and I think your dress is the ugliest one I ever saw."
She's very outspoken; I bet she notices everything. I'll let it pass; it isn't very attractive.
"Brigitta, you shouldn't say that."
"Why not?"
"Don't you think it's ugly?" Interesting, her brother is reprimanding her.
"Of course, but Fräulein Helga's was ugliest. I'm Kurt. I'm eleven. I'm incorrigible." I bet he doesn't even know what that word means.
"Congratulations."
"What's 'incorrigible'?" I knew it.
"I think it means you want to be treated like a boy." He seems satisfied with my answer; maybe we can be friends.
Marta pulls on her pocket. "I'm Marta, and I'm going to be seven on Tuesday and I'd like a pink parasol."
"Pink's my favorite color too." Gretl stamps her foot to be noticed. "Yes, you're Gretl." She holds up five fingers. "And you're five years old? My, you're practically a lady." Gretl smiled.
She and Marta are going to be easy to get know; the others, a challenge. I must be honest with them, as the saying goes 'honesty is the best policy.'
"I have to tell you a secret. I've never been a governess."
"You don't know anything about being a governess?" I'm not surprised Louisa is the first to speak.
"Nothing, I'll need lots of advice." Why are they coming so close? Are they trying to scare me? It is working a little.
"The best way to start is to tell Father to mind his own business." What does that mean?
Each of older children had something to tell her. First, Louisa, "Never come to dinner on time." Then Brigitta, "Never eat your soup quietly." Friedrich made a slurping noise.
"During dessert, always blow your nose." Kurt told her.
Such terrible suggestions, I was hardly ever late to dinner at the Abbry, only when I had been up on my mountain. I know how to eat soup and 'always blow my nose.' They really do want to aggravate their father.
"Don't you believe a word they say, Fräulein Maria."
"Oh, why not?"
"Because, I like you." Thank you Gretl, at least I made one friend.
"All right now children, outside for your walk." I remember, afternoon walks breathing deeply.
"Father's orders, Hurry up, quick, quick, quick."
"Fräulein Maria, I'm Frau Schmidt, the housekeeper."
"How do you do." She seems nice; I hope we can be friends.
"I'll show you to your room. Follow me." They started up the stairs together.
"Poor little dears." Maria murmured; but the children heard her. They had paused and were watching her.
Just then Maria felt something moving in her pocket; unsuspecting she reached into it alarmed at what she felt. She had grabbed the object. And to her surprise she was holding a frog. "What? Ah! Ah! Aah! Oh! Ohh," she hollered. She slung the little guy to the ground; then slouched against the banister as she looked at the children and noticed their smirks.
Frau Schmidt had witnessed many of their pranks. "You're very lucky. With Fräulein Helga it was a snake."
Maria's reaction was something in between being appalled and grateful that it wasn't a snake. Now I know why I'm number twelve. I wonder who the children really want to take care of them.
The children continued out the door, very proud of themselves. "This one is going to be easy."
"I'm not so sure Louisa."
"Why Brigitta?"
"She blew the whistle at Father. Did you see the look on his face?"
"What kind of look?"
"It's hard to describe. I don't think he was angry; only surprised; and then he didn't walk away very quickly, he continued to look at her."
"We'll see." Friedrich, Kurt and Louisa went off to plan their next prank. Liesl went off by herself; she was dreaming about the first young man who had shown her attention.
Marta, Gretl and Brigitta stood together. "Brigitta, please don't chase Fräulein Maria away."
"Let's see what she does at dinner."
They didn't walk very long and definitely no deep breathing. They went around to the back of the villa and entered through the kitchen where Katia always gave them cookies.
