As the car pulled up Georg put the flag behind his back. Georg opened the door and the children jumped out to greet him As Max came around to where Georg was he saw the flag in Georgs hand.
"I had nothing to do with that,"Max said
"I know we came back as fast as we heard the news" said Georg.
"I tried to call you but the phones were down" Max said as he closed the car door. Just then Maria walked out to greet the children.
"Hello everyone" she said. The children immediately turned and ran to her. Gretl and Marta hugged her as she bent down to kiss them.
The children started asking her all about their honeymoon and if she had been to the Eiffel tower. As she tried to answer their questions she looked over at Georg.He came to her side and picked up Marta and told the children how much they both had missed them. Maria told them she missed hearing them sing most of all.
"Look Fraulein Mar-I mean mother we're going to sing at the festival tonight, that's where we just came from we have been practicing all week" said Brigitta as she handed Maria a program.
"Surprise" said Max. Georg took the program out of Maria's hand and looked at Max.
"I would have told you but I could not reach you" said Max.
"Children we have presents for you they are out on the terrace in back" said Maria. Maria knew Georg was angry at Max and she did not want the children to hear the argument she knows is coming. The children run out to the terrace to see what their parents bought them. Liesl stayed with Maria as she wanted to talk to her.
As they walked into the house Georg started raising his voice"Max I told you that my children will not sing in public, I can't believe you did this".
"Georg when the children sang for the festival committee, the committee was very impressed' Max argued.
Maria interrupted"Oh Max what did the committee say"
"They said they had never heard such beautiful voices, they all agreed on how good the children were" Max said .
"Georg don't you think just this once they could perform?" Maria asked.
"It is out of the question" said Georg.
"They should do this Georg, especially now ,Austria needs this" said Max.
"Austria, there is no more Austria" Georg said raising his voice even higher.
"The takeover happened peacefully we should be grateful for that" said Max.
"Grateful" Georg was now shouting "I shall never be grateful that my country is now in control of the Nazis.
Maria walked towards Georg but before she could reach him Franz entered the room. "Excuse me captain there is a phone call for you." Georg thanked him and went into his study. Max turned to Maria and said" Maria you must convince him to allow the children to do this. The nazis have already been here once looking for him"
As Maria watched the door slam shut to the study she said"Max he loves his country as all of us do he will not work with these people".
"Let me talk to him maybe I can convince him" sighed Max.
Before he could leave Liesl said" Uncle Max don't forget about the telegram I gave you earlier they said it was important"
"Thank you Liesl I will give it to him right now" Max said.
Max went into Georgs study and shut the door behind him. Maria and Liesl walked towards the sitting room.
"Mother" said Liesl "I like calling you mother."
"I am glad you feel that way because I love you and the rest of the children very much and I am so happy to be your mother" said Maria as she put her arm around Liesl.
"Mother you love father very much I can tell by the way you look at him" said Liesl.
"Yes I love him very much" Maria said. Maria took Liesls hand and led her to the couch. They both sat down. Maria could tell Liesl was upset about something but she decided to let Liesl tell her what was wrong.
"Mother what do you do when someone you love does not love you anymore?"Liesl asked.