Maria the Governess
It was twilight when Maria and Helena departed. Maria only had a short walk back to her dormitory. She was anxious to share her news with her roommate, Annie. Maria hurried inside and up the flight of stairs to her room.
Annie had arrived only minutes before; she too, had news to share. They both started talking at the same time. They broke out in laughter. Maria conceded to her friend.
"Maria, I got the job at the club. I'm going to be an official at tennis matches for the summer."
"That's wonderful, Annie. You're never going to believe this. My friend Helena has a brother in Munich who needs surgery and she wants to be with him. She's asked me to take her place as a governess to seven children."
"Seven? Maria!"
"You heard correctly. There's more. They live in the old empress's castle."
"Oh my, that's incredible. I didn't know anyone lived there."
"I didn't either. I need to meet Helena there at ten tomorrow morning."
"We better try and get some sleep. I have a feeling we will both wake up early."
"Yes, you're right."
The two young women changed into their nightgowns and after a trip to the communal bathroom they settled in their beds. For a few minutes each could hear the other toss and turn. Their beds were very old; the bed springs creaked, cracked and groaned. Eventually each found a comfortable spot and fell asleep.
In the morning, they both woke at about the same time. While they dressed, each commented on their new adventures.
"I can't imagine living in the old castle; me a poor girl from a farm."
"I still can't believe you will be a governess to seven children."
"They are most definitely well-mannered. I hope they don't always walk in a perfectly straight line or always wear their sailor suits."
"Knowing your personality like I do, I'm sure you will subtly change all that."
"I hope so, Annie. I see they gave you a uniform to wear."
"Yes, it's a comfortable dress. I'm glad for the long sleeves to protect me from the sun. I also have this large straw hat to wear. I just hope I can concentrate on watching the ball to be sure it doesn't hit the side line."
"I'm sure you will do just fine. I hope my peasant dress is appropriate for a governess to wear."
"I'm sure it is. I don't think there is a specific dress code for a governess. We better do our chores and get to the dining hall for breakfast."
They had more than enough time to accomplish both. They returned to their dorm room to use the bathroom. They stood together on the sidewalk outside the dormitory building.
"Well, Annie, we're both off for a new experience. Are you nervous?"
"Not really. Are you?"
"Maybe a little; you see, the children's mother died a couple of years ago and their father lost his livelihood after the Great War ended because Austria was forced to give up its Navy. He's still terribly sad. He doesn't let the children play games or sing."
"I have no doubt you will eventually be able to help him see the value in play and singing."
"I hope so. I better get going. I don't want to be late."
"Me neither, I'm not sure when the last match ends. I know I'll be back in time for dinner. We'll share our stories then."
"Yes, I'll wait for you."
They went their separate ways. Maria had more than enough time; she walked at a leisurely pace. Soon the castle was in view. Maria had seen it before but as she walked closer she was overwhelmed by the enormity of the structure. She gasped as she stared at it. The bell from the near-by Abbey brought her to reality; it had announced ten o'clock. And then she saw Helena come out the front door. She hurried into the courtyard to meet Maria.
"Now, don't be nervous, Maria. The Captain may still be sad but he's very nice. I already told him about you."
"That's reassuring." Maria said with confidence, although the enormity of the palace had made her nervous.
The two women entered the dwelling through an elaborately engraved front door. It opened into a huge open space. An oversized chandelier hung from a rich painting on the ceiling. The room was an oval surrounded by halves of columns decorating the walls; each with several small decorative lights. The room glittered with white marble and gold.
Maria was stunned as she turned around several times to take it all in. "Is the whole house decorated like this?"
"Most of it is; the second floor isn't as elaborate. The children's floor is the least. The captain's study is in the wing to our right. Follow me Maria."
They found the door was open. The captain was expecting them. He sensed their presence and looked up. He stood.
"Captain, this is Maria."
Maria had been introduced to an impeccably dressed gentleman with a definite military bearing. He stood exactly as his two sons had the day Maria met the children. But then he extended his hand which she took and received a warm and gracious handshake.
And the captain tried not to stare. He noticed Maria's appearance. He hadn't seen many Austrians who still wore the authentic clothes of their ancestors. Maria was wearing a blue and black corset-style dirndl dress with silver grommets over an eyelet puffy-sleeved blouse with a lace-trimmed neckline with a complementary blue apron. Some of her light brown hair was pulled away from her face to form a bun; she also had braids which formed a headband.
"Captain von Trapp, Fräulein, I'm pleased to meet you. It's so nice of you to take Helena's place. I know she wants to go to her brother as soon as possible. I understand you met my children already."
"Yes sir, two weeks ago we were all up in the hills enjoying the beautiful day."
"Helena also told me you've almost finished your classes for your degree in teaching. That's good. I don't like my children to dream away their summer vacation. They need to keep sharp. And Fräulein, they must do their reading,"
"I can see to both of those, sir; I like to read as well."
"Very well, I'll look for you in the morning. Helena is leaving this afternoon."
They two ladies departed the study. "See, I told you he is very nice despite his requirements."
"He's right about children falling behind during the summer. A teacher sometimes spends two or three weeks reviewing when the new school year begins. The same goes for reading skills, especially for the younger children."
"Don't worry about Brigitta; she's the nine year old. She reads way above her grade level. That started when she was confined to bed after a terrible case of Scarlet Fever. I only wish the Captain would allow them to sing and play."
"Maybe, because I'm young and love to sing and play games, I can help him understand they are important too."
"I hope so. He also goes into town often. One of his fellow navy officers works there. Let me introduce you to the staff. We don't have a housekeeper right now; the maids don't need any direction. They keep the house neat and tidy. You do need to meet the cook; she likes to spoil the children. Her name is Katia."
Helena left the wing which held the captain's study and entered the huge decorated room again. She led them to the opposite wing.
"Helena, I feel like Hansel and Gretl; I need to leave bread crumbs to find my way."
Helena smiled broadly. "You'll learn quickly and besides the children will be more than willing to help you. The kitchen is at the very end of this wing."
Maria peered into several of the rooms whose doors were open; she saw some with large dining tables and others were more like large parlors. The cook had heard their voices and spoke immediately. "Is this your replacement, Helena?"
"Yes Katia, this is Maria."
"Welcome, Maria, feel free to come to the kitchen anytime. I always have coffee available for the captain and hot water for tea. I spoil the children with tea in the afternoon. I'm not British, I like the custom. It's not formal. Now that it's summer, I serve juice and cookies, often on the veranda.
"Thank you Katia, for your invitation. I prefer tea to coffee. I also like the British custom."
"Come on Maria, we'll go out the back door and find the men."
Helena led Maria outside. They stepped into an expansive well-manicured garden. Maria gasped. "Oh my, I've never seen a garden like this; there are so many different flowers and trees."
"And approaching us is the man responsible for it. Stefan, please meet my replacement, Maria."
He was an old fashioned gentleman. He gently took hold of Maria's hand for a kiss. "Sir, you don't need to be so formal, but thank you for your well-mannered gesture."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Fräulein. The children enjoy the garden; they take their afternoon walks here. Friedrich knows all the names of the flowers and trees."
"Thank you for telling me; I'd like to know their names as well. I like flowers but I only know what Edelweiss looks like."
"Stefan, do you know where Phillip is?"
"He's repairing the fence around the pasture, Bessie's been head-butting it again."
"Thanks, we'll go find him."
"Helena, do the children like the cows?"
"They do; they don't pay them much attention. They might shout to them when they pass the pasture on their walk. Do you like them?"
"I'm a farm child; I learned how to milk them when I was eight. And when I became strong enough I would help my guardian churn butter."
"I still find it difficult to believe you grew up an orphan."
"I was very lucky that my mama's relatives took me in and raised me as one of theirs. I see the man repairing the fence."
He must have heard their voices. He stopped pounding with his hammer. He asked as Stefan had. "Is this your replacement, Helena?"
"Yes Phillip, please meet Maria."
"I'd shake your hand but it's very dirty. Welcome to the palace."
"Thank you, I see you have two cows."
"Yes, Bessie and Bertha, they're both good producers. The children drink lots of milk. Now that's it's summer, Katia will be making ice cream, another favorite of the children."
"I must confess. I like ice cream too."
"We need to get back, Maria. I have a few things remaining to pack. And the captain and I still need to tell the children. He wanted to meet you before he told them I was leaving. Do you have any questions?"
"None that I can think of; I'm sure the older children will be able to answer them as I think of them."
"Yes, Liesl and Friedrich will be very helpful."
"Helena, I'll pray for your brother. I'm sure he will get well."
"I hope so Maria; any kind of surgery scares me."
"I know; have faith Helena. Please write to me. I'm sure the children will be concerned."
"I will."
Helena had led Maria back to the front door; she stood in the doorway and watched Maria depart. Maria turned and waived.
Once Maria was off the property, she walked with a skip to her step. She was whistling a happy tune. She spoke to no one. "I can't believe I'll be a governess to seven children and live in a real castle. My, my, what an incredible experience I will have."
She skipped and twirled the entire way home.
