The Refugees
The group did work as a team. Maria and Georg put the office back together. All the ladies and Frank helped Brigitta and Louisa with the books. There were a massive number and the shelves went from the ceiling to the floor. The family was ready.
After breakfast the next morning, Georg spoke to the family. "Today's the day everyone. I don't have an exact time the bus will arrive. I'm sure it will be sometime this morning. In an hour or so I'm going to go sit on the porch of the lodge to wait for them. Feel free to carry on with your normal activities."
It wasn't only Georg who waited on the porch. Maria was joining him. She had exited the front door of the residence and walked to the front of the lodge. She stood on the road and scanned the porch.
"What are you looking at, Maria?"
"I'm still in awe as to how beautiful this building is. The flower baskets with their true red flowers accent the clean crisp white of the lodge. I'm sure it photographs very well."
"You're right. It gives our guests a wonderful first impression."
Maria climbed the steps and sat in the chair beside Georg. The silence of the beautiful morning was broke by the engine noise of a car approaching. It was Sidney. He drove past the porch to park by the residence. He hurried back. He took the steps two at a time. He pulled a chair around so he could look at them.
"The news out of Europe is horrible." He stopped there in using words to describe Hitler's actions. "Charlie is expected here soon with what will probably be the last group; except for maybe some stragglers."
"That's not what neither Maria nor I wanted to hear."
"Yes, I know. Thank God, Allan Dulles started getting people here long before the takeover of Austria. He was also able to get some to Australia; the only other safe country. We know the number he saved pales in comparison with the number who have been killed in so many different ways.
"Neither, this group nor the next will stay too long. There are others refugees who have already settled here who have places for them to stay. They are scattered in several communities in different states."
"We're ready to welcome them and make them feel at home."
"I also need to tell you, the bombing of Britain began two day ago. They hit some homes. Walton-on-Thames was not on the list. The British Airforce retaliated by bombing Berlin. There's a lull right now. Intelligence tells us that it will begin again with vengeance.
"Once you begin to come on base; you will receive the same daily briefings all of us do."
"Maria, let's keep this to ourselves for now. There will come a day when I will need to share the war news. I would have a newspaper delivered but I'm sure Brigitta would scoff it up and read it from front to back."
"I agree. I prefer not to learn too much; it's too sad. I need to be upbeat for the sake of the children."
Soon the three of them heard the distant rumble of a vehicle's engine. "That must be the bus arriving." Sidney informed them.
All of them watched as the driver pulled under the portico. The brakes hissed as the driver brought it to a stop. This wasn't the base's bus; it was a bus from New York City. It had large red letters on its side written with distinct slanted letters the word Trailways, The driver opened the door sounding another hissing sound.
By now the three adults had come down from the porch. They heard this question. "Which one of you is Georg von Trapp?"
Georg stepped forward. "That's me sir."
"My passengers are anxious to meet you and your family. They know you are refugees yourselves."
Georg still had a difficult time hearing that word refer to him. He was polite. "Yes, it does help us to understand others. I'm sure they want to see where they are staying."
"You're correct. He turned to his passengers. He spoke to them in German. Georg heard him say. "This is your home for a few days. The setting is calming, unlike the hustle and bustle you noticed in the big city. Gather your things. I'll retrieve your bags from the luggage compartment."
They did as told. One of the first passengers off was a young woman about Maria's age.
Maria offered her welcome, also in German. "Hello, I'm Maria. We're very happy you are here."
"Maria, I'm Sophia, the children really need to use the bathroom."
"I'm sure they probably do. Sophia, tell them to follow me. I'll take you to your rooms. Your bags can be brought up later."
Georg was listening. He noticed the rapport Maria and Sophia had quickly developed. He decided to stay in the background.
Maria heard her explain to the others. They exited almost in silence. She led them to the door which opened in front of the stairs. When she and Sophia arrived at the top, Maria explained. "There are five rooms on either side of the hall; use as many as you need to be comfortable."
Maria stood at the end of the hall and watched. The children entered the hall first; followed by all the adults. They had the same need as the children. No one spoke. She knew they weren't being unfriendly, only timid and slightly scared. Sophia came back to where Maria was.
"I'd like to show everyone all of the lodge. I want them to know they don't need to stay in their rooms. When did you last eat?"
"We were served breakfast but many didn't eat much. I think they were apprehensive of their trip here."
"Don't worry. The navy base brought us some fully prepared meals; the two ladies who cook for us can have something ready very quickly. Let me show everyone the dining room. The door at the other end of the hall is another set of stairs; we can use them."
Sophia explained to the group. Maria heard some of her conversation. "But it isn't lunch time." And from Sophia, "I know Michel. Maria told me it's no problem. Follow me to the stairwell."
"Okay, if you're sure."
"I am. We need to follow Maria."
The large group entered the dining room. Katia and Annie had heard some quiet voices. They came from the kitchen to see.
"Maria, are these our guests?"
"Yes Katia, please reassure them it's easy for you to fix a meat for them."
Katia explained about all the pre-cooked meals she had received from the navy base. She ended with this. "In twenty minutes, I can have a meal prepared for you."
"Thank you, don't hurry. No one is starving."
And Maria suggested. "Let's go back to the main floor while Katia prepares your meal."
Again they willingly followed. "All the rooms on this floor are for your use; there's a piano in one, an American gramophone in another and several rooms have bookcases. Two of Georg's children put them all in order; even the children can find books. There are many pictures books."
After about twenty minutes, Annie came up and announced. "Your meal is ready."
This very polite and quiet group made their way back to the dining room. They ate in almost complete silence. Maria knew they had been hungry; all of them cleaned their plates. Georg's children were waiting for them to finish.
Friedrich asked. "Would the children like to go to the playground with us?"
The children looked to their adults for the answer. "We'll all come with you."
Friedrich and Kurt led this parade of mostly women and children. Friedrich was fluent in German. He conversed with them. The four older children acted as playground assistants. They pushed the younger children on the swings and enticed two young children to go down the slide.
Georg had found them. He quietly walked up behind Maria. She didn't hear him; she smelled his scent. She spoke without turning around.
"They've been having the best time, Georg."
"You are a mother. You even have eyes behind your head."
Maria wasn't about to share how she sensed his presence. Neither spoke. The two now stood shoulder to shoulder and watched them play. They had the best time; some didn't want to leave.
"You can come back tomorrow." Friedrich reminded them.
Dinner time was not silent as their first meal had been; the dining room was full of chatter. The guests were tired earlier than usual. Sophia spoke to Maria. "Is there a breakfast time?"
"Not really, Katia will probably have a pot of oatmeal cooked and a pancake batter prepared. She can cook them as they come to the dining. It's like a real restaurant."
"You sound so comfortable in running a lodge. Have you done this before?"
"No we haven't. The gentleman who was with Georg and me when you arrived did when he lived in Austria. He taught us the basics."
"Your warmth and hospitality really show."
"Thank you, I'll pass on the complement."
"Goodnight Maria."
Georg was standing close enough to hear her complement. "That was nice of Sophia."
"Yes it was. I detect a strength in the adults. I believe they will work hard and succeed. God has opened a window for them. They will take advantage of the opportunity it affords."
"I believe the same Maria. Let's go back to our residence."
They found everyone had been talking about how happy the guest had become. They were looking forward to being with them tomorrow.
The next two days were nothing but fun and relaxing for the guests. One part of the group would leave the next day. Their destination was a German community in Baltimore Maryland.
The others were sad to see them go. The adults in the group assured them they could write to the others and maybe see each other again. Two groups left on the fourth day; one went to Germantown Pennsylvania and the last to German City which was near New York City. It was a tiny town all to its self. Many Germans had settled there. They had opened businesses; it had everything they needed. It wasn't at all like the big city.
The family didn't have much time to contemplate their departure; they had to get ready for the last large group coming on the American Farmer with Captain Charlie. Everyone helped Isabel and Kathy. The sheets and towels were washed. The bathrooms cleaned. The floors were dusted along with the furniture. When the beds were made and fresh towels were placed in the bathrooms; the rooms were ready.
Sidney came to pick up Georg early one morning. He told the group. "The base's top brass want to meet him and discuss his duties."
Georg was ready to share what he knew; He would return the next day to complete their inquiry. He was home the day the next group of refugees arrived. Everyone was surprised to see Charlie had come along.
He explained. "The SS American Farmer has been retired as a cruise ship. She's being retrofitted as an Army Transport vessel. I'll be working at the base with Sidney."
"Can you stay with us for a few days?"
"I can Georg. I want to explore your property. It's very Austrian."
"Maria told me the same. It was settling for us and was for our first group of refugees; I'm sure this group will find it the same. I see they have all gone inside to their rooms. Let's go have a look."
Georg led Charlie to the main entrance. "This is a real lodge; I see the registration counter."
"You sound like my daughter Brigitta; she drew attention to the bell. Maria organized the office space; it needed it. Brigitta and Louisa organized all the books."
"My oldest, Liesl was attracted to the piano. And everyone has enjoyed the American gramophone. Upstairs are the guest rooms. We live in the house next door. Let me show you."
"Everything is lovely and so well-maintained."
"The property is lovely too. There are several cottages scattered on the property. In fact the guys live in one. There's a playground, boats and canoes and a nice beach. Stefan found a plot of land for vegetables and flowers. Friedrich and Kurt have been helping get it ready for a late summer crop."
"I'm sure this place was quite a surprise."
"It was Charlie. I think Katia and Annie are preparing a meal for the new arrivals. The base has been supplying prepared foods. All they need to do is heat them."
Georg had been correct. He found Maria had brought them to the dining room. "Do you mind if I join them?"
"Not at all, we already ate."
Georg poured himself a cup of coffee and sat with him. When everyone had finished, they toured the property with the group and later Georg informed the guys they would have another occupant at the cottage; Charlie would be staying with them.
This group was like the other; first timid and a little scared. But soon they too wore smiles. In fact they became very outgoing; many conversed with their hosts.
Charlie and Georg would sit on the lodge's porch and share navy stories. They also had this conversation. "I see Maria has continued her motherly ways. Your little girls are always with her."
"She has a big heart, Charlie. She was a comfort to the little girls in the last group. I'm sure she will do the same for those in this group."
Charlie was perceptive. Georg's tone and posture confirmed what he already suspected. He had observed them on the cruise ship. Today was no different. He chose to be silent.
After four days this group departed. Three busses arrived. Some went to the near-by city of Boston Massachusetts; others to Newark New Jersey and the last bus was headed for Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. All of them had people whom they knew waiting for them.
Again the rooms were cleaned and prepared for future guests. The large extended family was entering a new phase of their life at the lodge – operating a real lodge with paying guests. Georg's life also changed; he had duties on base.
Sidney came for him and Charlie. His family was there to see him off. "Children, Maria, he will be given his own car to drive back and forth. But tell Katia I'll still come occasionally to enjoy her Austrian cooking."
Maria chuckled. "I'm sure she's more than happy to serve you. Come back often, Sidney."
"Children, come give your papa hugs and kisses."
Again Maria relished at the scene unfolding. Her eyes caught Georg's. His blue eyes sparkled and yet seemed warm and compassionate. She had to look away. Georg noticed. "I'll see everyone later today,"
Maria looked up. She saw him give her a wink. She smiled at him. He quickly entered his car. He put his hand out the window to wave goodbye as he pulled away. The children ran off. Maria stood there. Her hands rested on her stomach. "What's this feeling I have? My stomach feels all jittery."
She took some deep breathes; the jitters in her stomach began to ease. Maria had no idea that her stomach jitters were cause by Georg's wink. It had set off a series on involuntary reactions inside her; one part of that reaction were her stomach jitters.
Maria didn't return to the residence. She went to the lodge and began to prepare the registration room to receive real guests. She put away the registration book with all the names of the refugees. She read the names of the recent ones. She had pleasant memories of each of them. She then put it in the closet and placed the new one on the counter.
Maria wasn't surprised when she saw Frank enter the big door with the large pane of glass.
"I thought I might find you here."
"We need to be prepared for real guests."
"Yes Maria, we do. Let me tell you what Sidney explained to me. I believe you put a reservation book in the closet."
"I may have, come look with me."
Frank easily found it. "What's special about it?"
"It has this black paper between the sheets of the reservation form. When you write on it, your handwriting also appears on the sheet behind the black paper. That copy remains in the book. The original is torn out. I'll show where we should keep them."
They returned to the office. "This box with its stiff paper dividers that are labeled with the days of the month is where we keep the reservations. If we receive some for future dates, they're put in the back for now."
"That's simple Frank. What is this other box for?"
"It's where we store the guests' record of their stay. Each day they are with us elicits a new charge for their room."
"And when they leave, we add up all the charges."
"Correct Maria and we also prepare a receipt for them by using this receipt book. It also uses copy paper. The guest gets the original; the copy is for our records."
"That makes sense."
"When we receive a reservation, which will be mostly by telephone, we will need to mail them a letter which verifies the reservation."
"I suppose that needs to be typed."
"It can be. If you have a nice handwriting, you can handwrite it."
The children had arrived, unnoticed. One of them reached the bell and rang it several times.
"Alright, enough children, you got our attention."
"We want to go play. Grandma Isabel told us we needed an adult to go with us. Liesl's helping with housework and Louisa's helping prepare the garden. Can you take us Maria?"
Maria heard the pleading in Marta's voice. "I can. Uncle Frank and I have the office all ready to begin running a real lodge."
"I'll go with you. I can offer my help to the gardeners. I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty."
"Let me use the bathroom first."
Luckily Maria didn't have far to go. There was a toilet room on the first floor. They left by the front door. They took a left and went behind the lodge. The garden plot was near-by. Frank left them. Maria and the three girls went on to the playground.
The two separate groups seemed to know when it was lunch time. The gardeners had arrived first. They were pretty dirty. Isabel had told them before to remove their shoes before entering. They washed-up using the toilet room in the dining room. Maria and the girls didn't need to remove their shoes; they did wash-up.
The gardeners were in a hurry to get back to the field; they ate quickly. Maria and the girls went to the main floor of the lodge when they had finished.
Maria didn't enforce reading hour; the girls still read. They had discovered many new books to read. Maria was pleased. She went on to the room with the American gramophone. She discovered that all the records had been grouped. Liesl must have done this she told herself. She found the one she wanted to play.
Soon the first floor was filled with the hymn which begins with, Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Maria sang along; this was one of her favorites. By the time she began the second verse, Maria noticed she had company, the girls and Isabel.
She allowed the record to finish and she sang about consoling, understanding, loving, giving, pardoning and the last stanza, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
"Maria, you have a beautiful voice; that hymn is one of my favorites too." Isabel told her.
Brigitta asked. "Can you teach us sometime? The words are really meaningful."
"Yes, I will. The words tell us how to live."
"Maria, we've read enough for today. I found a jig-saw puzzle for us to put together. I don't think it will be too difficult."
"That's fine, Brigitta. I think I'll sit on the porch. I'll take my book with me."
Maria had found a book by Jane Austin, titled Persuasion. She had read the first chapter and discovered it was about an older naval officer,Frederick Wentworth, who had been jilted by his first love a nineteen year old named Anne Elliot.
She tried to read but soon she found herself mesmerized by the view from the porch. It looked across part of the lake to the hills and the mountains farther away. She began to daydream. Her thoughts made her smile.
She had no idea how long she daydreamed. Her mind was so engaged she didn't hear a car approach until it was almost under the portico.
Georg had seen her before he drove under the portico. He wondered if she was waiting for him. Maria came out of her daydreaming. She heard.
"Are you the lodge greeter, miss?"
Maria thought of a quick reply. "Maybe sir, do you need greeting?"
They both laughed. "Where is everyone?"
"Your youngest girls are inside putting a puzzle together. The gardeners are still working. Liesl's been helping inside today. I decided to sit here and read. Only I found the view irresistible. I see they gave you a car to drive."
"Since it belongs to the navy, my military ID is my license until I can apply for a state license. Let's go see the girls."
They looked up the moment he entered the room. "Papa, come see our puzzle."
"You've made good progress."
"Brigitta taught us a secret. You find all the pieces which go around the edge first."
"Yes I do remember that advice. I need to change girls. Tomorrow I will get my working uniforms to wear."
Georg was like the others, he didn't have many other clothes. He found a clean shirt which he wore without a tie.
After dinner they sat in the large room of the residence and shared their day's activities. Family life had begun.