Brigitta: You know, Louisa, I still haven't figured out if I can call Fraulein Maria mother.

Louisa: Me neither. I love to call her mother just because she is really a good mother for all of us. Even our tough brother Friedrich loves to be hugged by her. But on the other hand I feel it would be unfair to our real mother.

Brigitta: I feel the same about it. I was so overjoyed when Fraulein Maria was gonna become our new mother. After a few days I started doubting.

Louisa: But calling Fraulein Maria, mother wouldn't mean we forgot about our real mother. I still think a lot about her.

Brigitta: You're right, sister. And after thinking I know mother wouldn't mind if we call Fraulein Maria mother from now on.

Louisa: Brigitta, somehow I suspect you know this because of something you have noticed, isn't it?

Brigitta smiled 'Yes that's true.'

Louisa: Now you have to tell me.

Brigitta: For you I don't have any secrets.

We were all playing in the backyard. I had quite an urgent message to deliver so I ran into the house and did the job. When I wanted to join my siblings again I heard mother and father talking to each other. It wasn't talking like they used to do, it was more like discussing.

Father: Agathe, I can never love another woman but you!

Mother: Georg, never say never. There are quite some men who lost their wives and never remarried again because if they would they thought they were cheating.

Father: What are you talking about, darling? You're so young and healthy. You will be a beautiful granny one day.

Mother: I don't know, Georg. I just have a bad feeling. I just want to say if I would die don't think you shouldn't give your love to another woman.

Father: I've heard enough nonsense now!

Father turned around and noticed I was standing in the door opening.

Father: Brigitta, what are you doing here?

Brigitta: Well I was . I wanted to .

I didn't know what to say. I felt guilty because I wasn't supposed to hear this conversation. Mother came towards me and hugged me.

Mother: It's ok, darling. Can you keep it a secret?

I nodded, couldn't restrain my tears because I wasn't able to ban the thought of losing my mother one day. And yes I kept it a secret until today.

Brigitta: Thinking about it, I'm happy mother said those things to father. I would never want to return to the period when father was single or even worse when he was with the baroness.

Louisa: Hearing this I have to admit it's not a crime to call Fraulein Maria mother.

Brigitta: I think it's the most beautiful way to express our love towards her.

Louisa: You know I never apologized to her.

Brigitta: Apologized? What for?

Louisa: Well, do you remember our first dinner with her when she sat down on the pine cone?

Brigitta: Please don't remind of that, I feel bad thinking about it.

Louisa: I plead guilty for the crime.

Brigitta: No? I always thought it was Friedrich who had put it there.

Louisa: Well for some reason Friedrich withdrew so I forgot for once being a lady and put the pine cone on her chair.

Brigitta: Ok, lady what will be the first thing you're gonna do when our parents are back?

Louisa: Saying how much I love her, telling how sorry I am about that trick and running away very quickly afterwards.

They both laughed.

Brigitta: I don't think she will be angry for that.

Louisa: There's still 1 thing I want to know.

Brigitta: Oh and what's that?

Louisa: Why did Friedrich withdraw?

Brigitta: You can ask him but I doubt he will answer. I know why or at least I hope so.

Louisa: Oh you must tell me.

Brigitta: I will whisper it in your ear, this is something not everyone needs to hear.