Susan and Louis in America (1911-1913)

Susan and Louis returned to Fort Appia. Louis ran the theater, always searching for new items to put on stage. Susan struggled with the composition of her opera and continued to practice her pianoplaying. During the spring of 1912 she was going to give concerts at one of the bigger concert halls in New York and felt she had to be at her best. "Perhaps we could also rent a small flat in New York" she said. "so I don't have to travel so much there and back again."

During Christmas 1911 they were alone in the villa, for the first time as a married couple. "This place is really wonderful" she said. "I feel that I earn a few days of rest. I don't find it as easy as before to play and to compose. When I was young everybody thought I was going to be an infant-prodigy. Now it's mostly hard work." –"Perhaps you are too far away from your father's influence?" They sat together in the sofa. "When are you going to relax?" he asked. "when will you take your time to give us someone to pass all this on to?" She smiled. "I know you want children. I also promised my father. Give me just a little more time – perhaps this autumn."

In spring Susan rented flat in New York. She managed to finish her opera "Messalina" which was only a second-rate success. Instead her concerts were praised and she made herself a name in the musical circles. She mostly played together with the New York Philharmonic orchestra. She didn't get to know the musicians personally, except for the lead violinist, Stanislaus Krystow from Warszaw, a man in his middle forties and a friend of Henry Proctor. They performed together, sonatas for violine and piano, and began to associate. He had a weak health, suffering from tuberculosis, and looked older than he was. He told Susan that his wife, who was also a violinist, had died ten years ago, and then he had moved to New York, living mainly to perform music. "I have met many musicians" he told Susan "but still I find you one of the best, you seem to have it deep inside you." Susan and Stanislaus played a lot together, even in private, and she felt this was a good deed since he didn't know so many others.

Susan stayed in New York most days of the week and Madeleine moved from the inn to the guest room in the villa to keep Louis company. One evening before a performance there was a row at the entrance. The janitor came up to Madeleine holding a young person in a firm grip. It looked just like a bundle of old clothes and rags and you couldn't see if it was a girl or a boy. "This rascal has tried to enter the theater several times" the janitor said "but now I caught him". "I think you can let go" Madeleine said and turned to the boy. "Who are you and what do you want?" He took his scarf off and she saw that it was a young girl. "I just want to listen" she said."I like the sound and it's no nice and warm in here." – "Have you been here before? And all you want is listen?" Madeleine was fascinated by the girl. "Will you come with me and talk? What's your name?" – "Patricia, but everyone calls me Sunny." They went up the stairs and Madeleine noticed she was dirty."Would you like a bath?" The girl smiled "if I may. You are very kind to me, mrs.." – "Miss King. Here is the bathroom. When you are finished you can come to the kitchen."

Louis met Madeleine in the kitchen. "I heard from the janitor that you took care of an intruder at the door. What are you doing? Will you feed every poor person coming to our doorstep?"- "One poor girl, Louis. I want to know what's behind this. Since this is your house I'll have to ask your permission. You can retract it from my salary."- "Of course I can afford giving the girl some food. But what if she is a thief, waiting to let her companions in?"- "You imagine things. Please let me talk to her alone."

When Sunny returned she was clean and her blond hair curled around her hair. Madeleine brought her some food and she ate with big appetite. Then she told Madeleine about herself. She lived in the mountains with her mother and stepfather. They were many children and didn't have much money, so there would never be a chance she could ever buy a ticket for the theater. "He is mean, my stepfather, he want's us to learn stealing, but I don't want to. I could try with the theater visitors, he says. I would rather work here, with whatever job you got." Madeleine saw that she was a pretty girl. "How old are you?" – "Sixteen. Harry says a girl like me should already had started make a living, a pretty girl always could.." – "Would you like to work at the theater?" – "Oh, I would love to."- " I think we could find something for you."

Madeleine talked to Louis. "Do you think we run a charitable institution here?" he said. "This is no charity, she will work for us." – "So her blue eyes impressed you?" – "Ah, you saw them too?"

Sunny started as an errand girl but soon she helped with all sorts of things, also as an extra on stage. Dressed in a new dress she was very pretty, which not even Louis could deny. "I'm so happy to work here" she said to Madeleine. "Mr Malcolm is very good-looking. Is he your financé?" – "Mr Malcolm is married. His wife works in New York but will come home on in the end of this week, then you will meet her. "

Susan was curious about the girl who had made such an impression on Madeleine. She found her nice and polite and Sunny was impressed by Susan. She listened to her playing and was affected by her skills. "They are a beautiful couple" she said to Madeleine "you must be lucky to work with them."

Madeleine wanted Sunny to leave her old family and stay with her, so she moved back to the inn. Louis wondered a bit about Madeleine's strong interest in the young woman but Susan said "I think it's natural that she wants somebody to care for. I think it's good they don't stay in this house both of them. That would be an unnecessary temptation for you." – "What do you mean?" – "You don't feel at ease with her because you are attracted to her, you are afraid she will take an interest in you." – "She is just a child!" – "Not for long. But I trust you." He took her in his arms. "I have not given this a thought, I promise you. She is entirely Madeleine's interest."

Susan and Stanislaus had become friends. "Why haven't you tried to find any nice woman to court?" she asked him. "It's ten years since your wife died." – "I don't think it's fair. I don't know how long I will live." – "Have you had any diagnosis?" – "They can't say – I might live many years and I might die tomorrow. That's why I want do dedicate my life to music, which I love. That's also why I want to hear you play, Susan."

Susan worked much and came to Fort Appia only at weekends. "Are you not bored alone?" Louis said. "Have you got any friends?" She told him about Stanislaus and that he sometimes visited her at home to play with her. "No risk that he will become too interested in you? Or you in him?" – "I don't think so. He is sickly and rather weak." – "You know I don't like us to live like this – apart." – "I know, we will work that out in time."

Madeleine told her about Sunny. "The boys in the ensemble like her" she said. "Is that a good thing? What if she enchants them all, including Louis?" –"No she just likes it to get attention, it's a new feeling for her." Susan noticed Madeleine's affection for the girl. "I hope she doesn't get disappointed" she told Louis. "If Sunny is not what she seems to be."

Susan gave her last concert for the season in the end of May. The theater had played Offenbach's operetta "Helen of Troy" during spring and Louis planned take it on a tour. "Will you still tour with the ensemble?" Susan asked. "It's a tradition. People wants it and it's good money. But this will be the last time, I promise you." They sat together in the hammoc at the terrace. "Will you accompany us?" – "Not if I don't have to." – "Then we part again?" – "It's not my fault" Susan said. "Will Sunny come with you?" – "Yes she will. She is part of the ensemble now. Madeleine wants her to come. It sounds akward to say, but I think perhaps she is in love with her. But I don't think Sunny understands it."

In New York Stanislaus grew worse. Susan came to see him. "It's good of you to come" he said."I was worried about you." – "It was a long time since someone said that to me." She went to the piano and played. "If I am to die I would like it to be like this" he said. "You will not die. You need to come to the countryside to rest. " She was silent, then she said "You could come to Fort Appia for the summer. Louis is going on a tour with the theater ensemble and I will be alone." – "Could I really? What would your husband say about it?" – "I will talk to him." – "It would really be wonderful to continue our friendship. I can't imagine not seeing you again."

"What can I say" Louis said. "Who was it talking about temptations in the house? Can I let a grown man share household with my wife when I'm away?" – "He is sickly and he is weak and he really needs to come." –"But he is able to play concerts.." –"Louis, don't you trust me? I have promised you my love and trust." – "Of course I trust you. I just like to tease you.." – "I leave you with the ladies of the ensemble – and Sunny" – "She is too young for me, I told you. But in a couple of years.." She slapped him playfully. "Beware – this autumn, I promise you, we will try to have a baby."

Louis and Stanislaus met once before the ensemble left for the summer tour. "I am very grateful" Stanislaus said. "I will not abuse your hospitality. "
"He seems innocent enough" Louis later said. "We will spend the summer playing" Susan said.

Stanislaus arrived in middle of June. He admired the house and enjoyed the view. They discussed music and they played an he felt he was becoming much better. In June the evenings were warm and full of fragrances and Susan felt as if they were made for romance. She didn't even dare to give this a thought, but sometimes when she felt Stanislaus looking at her she understood that she perhaps had become a temptation for him. When she looked at him, his gaze turned away. They laughed and talked and he never ever tried to touch her.

In the middle of the summer he seemed stronger and they went for long walks. Sometimes he looked at her. "You really are beautiful – and talented. You are a gift to mankind." She began to understand his feelings but she didn't want say anything and she felt a little strained. One evening she sat by his side in the hammoc and when she leaned back his arm was behind her shoulders. He caressed her neck ever so slightly with his fingers and said softly "You must have understood that I love you." – "Yes" she whispered. "I'm sorry I wasn't aware I was a temptation to you."- "I'm not sorry" he said, turned her face against his and kissed her. She opened her mouth for him. Then she put her hand on his chest and drew back. "No. Absolutely not. I promised." She felt his fingers at her cheek and she shivered. "That was then" he said. "Now I want to fight for you on equal terms. You know how much we have in common. We need each other." – "No" she said. "You can't make me forget Louis that fast." He didn't look at her. "I don't want a short relationship, I want you for myself, for ever.." He rose. "I know you can't decide now, but think about it."- "You want me to divorce Louis for your sake?" – "It's just what I want. You decide, of course." She thought of Louis. Of course she still loved him? "I should'n have said anything" Stanislaus said. "On the contrary, you cleared the air between us. I will think of it. But now we have to sleep. Good night."

He stayed on the terrace for a while. In his heart he knew he had no chance, but it was still worth asking. Susan had difficulties to sleep. She couldn't help thinking.

The next day they didn't talk about it at all but she still felt the tension in the air. They made a long walk in the woods and he said "It has been good for my health to come here. Now I feel as if I could live for ever." In the afternoon they played together. "What about your plans for the autumn?" – "I have no concerts planned, but I will miss them."

In the evening she sat down at the piano playing Debussy. They were melancholy tunes. Stanislaus sat on the sofa, resting. Then she heard him rise and he sat down beside her at the piano stool. While she continued to play she felt his lips against her neck. They touched her ear and shoulder while she looked at the keyboard, his hand caressed her arm while she concentrated on the music. She felt this in all her body – had she once thought he didn't attract her? After the last cord he took her face between his hand and kissed her and she kissed him back without hesitation. Then she breathed heavily. "You don't make this easily" she said. "the terms are equal, you are no longer an invalid." He said nothing. She saw his love and she felt divided. "I don't know anything any more" she said quietly. They were silent together for a while, then she went to her room. Again she couldn't sleep and this time she wondered if he would come to her. A musical grandchild – oh no. She tossed and turned, wondering if she should give in just for a short time – Jeanette could have done so, but not she. Finally she realised that she loved Louis and would never let him down and she fell asleep.

The next morning they were both pale. He gave her a faint smile. "You understand that I have decided" she said. "I stay with Louis. But I was tempted. This would have been the right time, before children." He kissed her forehead, lightly. "Then I will not tempt you any more. But I will go on loving you and call you my friend." They sat down. "You spoke about children?" – "Yes, Louis wants a child and my father wants a grandchild. It's wrong not living together. I wish we could both live in New York and still keep this house." – "I will not lose contact with you" he said "you make me want to live." He sat down at the piano. "I feel well now. For how long can I stay? Do you want me to leave?" – "No, you stay until the others come back. I don't want to be alone."

Louis, Madeleine and the ensemble travelled to all big and small cities on the American continent. They were expected since they had been there before. Sunny was impressed by everything she saw and liked to go and look at all the fine houses and all the shops. When she was out with Madeleine she sometimes bought little things for her protégé and it pleased her to see how much Sunny appreciated it. Sometimes Sunny and one of the boys called Gerry went to coffee houses. One evening Madeleiene saw Sunny wearing a thin golden bracelet which she hadn't seen before. "Where did you get that?" Madeleine asked. "-"Oh – Gerry found it in a park and thought I should have it." – "Well you shouldn't have taken it, you should have gone to the police." – "But we already left the town – please can't I keep it?" –"All right for this once – but you must both understand you did a wrong thing."

They came to Chicago and stayed there for couple of days. Madeleine told Sunny to be careful and don't get lost and not be out in the evening. Unfortunately she didn't have time to accompany her, instead she went with Gerry. After a couple of hours they were not back and just before the performance should start Gerry returned in a hurry. "Where have you been? Where is Sunny?" Madeleine asked. "I don't know. We came apart on North Elm street - I couldn't find her so I returned here." Gerry was out of breath. – "Are you sure? North Elm street is an elegant shopping street. What did you do?" – "Just window shopping." But the boy seemed nervous and Madeleine was suspicious. "We must call the police. What if something has happened to her?" As they spoke the janitor of the theater said there was a telephone call for mr Malcolm. "The police, sir." They hurried to the telephone and Louis took the receiver. When listening his began to look grim. "We will come" he said. And then "Come on Madeleine, I will explain on the way."

They took a cab. "Where are we going? Was has happened?"- "We are going to the police station. Sunny is there, arrested for theft." – "Theft?" – "She was caught red-handed in a jewlery shop trying to steel a necklace, they said. Her accomplice got away."- "Accomplice? Gerry! But this can't be! It must be a mistake." – "What did I say?" Louis said grimly. "A thief." –"Please don't judge her unheard!"

A contrite Sunny waited at the police station. Madeleine went up to her and hugged her and Sunny began to cry. Louis talked to the policemen. "We can take you home" he then said "but there will be consequences. You will be called to an inquest. Let's go." On the way home they said nothing and it wasn't until they were back at the theater and had made sure the performance started, that Louis brought the ladies into a small room and locked the door. "Gerry has nothing to do with this" Sunny said in a low voice "he ran when he understood what I was up to." – "Then let's hear what you have to say." Sunny looked at her hands. "I don't know why I did it. The necklace was so beautiful, I couldn't help it, I wanted it to look at. I knew I couldn't wear it." – "Like the bracelet?" – "Yes. That I could wear. There are so many people who can afford these beautiful things, and I can't.." Madeleine looked her straight in the eyes. "Do you understand that you did something criminal?" – "Now I understand – but then I couldn't help it." Louis said in a stern voice "If you want to stay with us, this must never ever happen again. Do you understand?" – "Yes" she whispered. "I promise I will not do it again. Do you believe me?" she started crying again an Madeleine took her hand "I believe you" she said.

Gerry got a reprimand too and the bracelet was returned to the police. Madeleine had long talks with Sunny about right and wrong and Louis was a little sharp to her for a while.

When the tour came closer to New York Louis called Susan and they had a long talk about how much they missed each other. In the end of August they returned to Fort Appia. Louis was surprised to still find Stanislaus living there, but in a few days he returned to New York. Both Susan and Louis were very happy to be together again. "I would like us all to move to New York and use this as a country house" she said. "Perhaps you could find premises for the theater company in the city? I would like to continue giving concerts." – "With Stanislaus?" – "Among others. I can confess to you that he offered me to share my life with him, and I considered it.." Louis looked suspicious "but I came to the conclusion that it's you I love. You should be flattered, he has music in the blood, like me. I promise you – if I can go on performing we will try having a baby."

During the autumn Louis managed to find a place for the theater and they also found an old apartment in a big house in New York. The apartment was waste, with many rooms and a large kitchen. There were rooms enough for Madeleine and Sunny, who got a small room behind the kitchen. Madeleine sent her to a domestic science school so that she would learn something useful for the future.

Susan continued giving concerts and grew more famous. In November she told the family the big news – their first child was due in July. Stanislaus was happy too when he learned this and wanted to be the child's godfather. The news spread to Europe and Erik and Eleanor were overjoyed. "At last a new generation is born. Susan promised me he could be my heir." – "How do you know it's a boy?" – "I know. I must be."

Susan worked until she was too heavy for the piano stool and then went on composing, eagerly waiting for the big event. Finally, in the middle of July, she went to the hospital, accompanied by her husband. It was not an easy birth and after a day and a night without result they began to worry. Madeleine and Sunny went to the hospital to accompany the waiting father. Finally the waiting came to an end and a boy was born. Though Susan was very tired she had to be sure there was nothing wrong with the baby. It was not, he was perfectly healthy and had no sign of disfiguration. After a week they all went home. Louis consented that he boy was named Eric as long as his second name was Louis. Eleanor expressed a wish to go and visit her grandchild but thought it better the whole family came to them. "Next spring I will begin asking them to come visit us, and I will not stop until they do."