Max walked over to where Georg, Maria and the children were standing. He told them he had called the abbey and that Mother Superior was waiting for them. He told them he would miss them and the money he would have made with them. Max then walked over to the microphone. He told the audience that this would be the last time the family would sing together for a long time. He told them that the nazis were waiting to escort The Captain to his new command in the Navy of the Third Riech.The audience groaned with disapproval. Max introduced them for the last time and blew them a kiss goodbye.
They sang So Long Farewell. Each of the children said goodbye as they left the stage. Gretl was the last and Maria had to guide her off the stage as she seemed not to want to leave. Georg and Maria said their goodbyes. When Georg and Maria reached the side exit they found the children. Georg looked outside and saw their car. He saw a guard standing next to it. He waited and suddenly the guard was called away. When Georg made sure he was gone he motioned for the children and Maria to get in the car. They drove onto the main street and mingled into the crowd. "Georg why did the guard leave? asked Maria. "Max arranged for the manager of the festival to tell the guard he was needed by Zeller", said Georg. Maria said a prayer for Max for she knew that he would be questioned by Zeller. The children were very quiet. Maria decided to tell the other children about the baby. She felt this might take their minds off of the danger they were in. She whispered to Georg and he nodded his head in agreement.
"Children your father and I want to tell you something that we hope you will be excited about. In about seven months you will have a new brother or sister" Maria said. All the children became excited and were all talking at once. "Oh mother I hope its a boy we have too many girls already" said Kurt. "Whatever the baby is we will pray it will be healthy. Now I need everyone to be quiet as we are getting close to the abbey and there could be soldiers there" said Georg.
Georg pulled around the back of the abbey. Mother Superior was waiting by a side door. She led them down a corridor and into the area outside of her office. Just as they were about to enter her office they heard sirens. Georg looked out the window and saw Zeller and his men pulling up. Mother Superior instructed Sister Berthe to let them in but to try and stall them as best as she could. As she was heading towards the door Mother Superior instructed Georg, Maria and the children to follow her. They were led to a graveyard where they would be able to hide.
"Oh Mother I didn't think they would search the abbey" whispered Maria.
"That is alright Maria I am glad you came here" said Mother Superior.
"I thought we could use one of your caretakers cars" said Georg. Mother Superior led them over to a gate.
"The car will do you no good. The borders have just been closed" said Mother Superior.
Maria looked up at the mountain, her mountain.
"Georg we can drive up into the mountain and go over it on foot" whispered Maria
"Maria what about the children, also you are in no condition to be climbing mountains" said Georg.
"Maria are you ill" said Mother Superior.
"No Mother I am going to have a baby" said Maria. Mother Superior took Marias hands in hers and said" I am so happy for you but also sad that I will not be able to be in this Childs life". Maria gave her a hug and said' My hope is that we will return in the future and I can introduce you to him or her. Maria left Mother Superiors embrace to address Georgs concerns.
"Darling I am in excellent health. The baby will be fine. I grew up on that mountain and I know of a place where we will be able to cross without being seen. As for the children they will be fine they also have been on my mountain" said Maria.
"Mother is right we will be fine I will help Marta and Gretl" said Friedrich .Georg looked at his oldest son and at Maria. Maria looked into Georgs eyes and saw how worried he was. She took his hand and squeezed it. He realized this was their only chance to get away and that Maria was right she did know that mountain. He looked into her eyes and nodded his head.
Mother Superior opened the gate so they could go behind the tombstones to hide. She would come get them when the nazis were gone. Georg directed Liesl,Kurt,and Marta to hide behind one. Maria pointed towards the next one and Friedrich,Louisa,Gretl, and Brigitta hid behind it. Maria walked over to Mother Superior.
Mother Superior looked at Maria and said" God will be watching over you and your family. Remember I will lift up my eyes from whence cometh my help." Maria hugged Mother Superior and told her she would remember. Maria broke their embrace when she heard Gretl say she was scared. Maria took one last tearful look at Mother Superior and went to Gretl. After locking the gate Mother Superior gave Georg the key and said a blessing over him.