Chapter 4
"Children, it's 7:00! You don't want to be late for dinner do you?" Maria
asked. "Oh no Fraulein Maria. Let's go!" Shouted Marta. Running, the
children and Maria arrived at the dining room 40 seconds late. "Well, Well,
children. Late again? Is it the fault of your governess here?" Captain said,
with a trace of humor in his voice. Fraulein Maria and the children just
laughed. "Yes," Maria said, with a twinkle in her eye. "It was ALL my
fault" Laughing, the Captain said, "Aha, I knew it!" Shaking his head, he
said, "Well, shall we get started on eating the delicious dinner that Frau
Schmidt had made for us." Eagerly, everyone scrambled to their seats,
prayed, and gobbled down their meal. While dessert was being served,
Maria cleared her throat. "Children, your father and I have something to tell
you." Looking at the captain, she said, "Captain, would you like to tell them
what it is?" The Captain said, "Sure. Well, Fraulein and I were talking, and
she would like to put on a puppet show. I don't know any of the details, so
Fraulein Maria can take over from here." Laughing, Maria continued. "Yes,
well, I was hoping that you children would help me prepare a puppet show,
and then we could perform it for your father." "YEAH!" The children
exclaimed. "Well, that was quick!" Maria chuckled. "Let's get started right
away! We should go up to the nursery, where your father won't hear us."
Giving the captain a pointed stare, she and the children left the room.
Amused, the Captain shook his head, and went to his study.
Upstairs…
"Fraulein Maria?" Asked Gretl. "Yes, Gretl." Maria replied. "What are we
going to be doing for the puppet show?" Maria said, "I'm not sure yet, Gretl.
What would you like to do for the puppet show?" Gretl thought for a
moment. "I'm not sure. What would the others like to do?" She said turning
to her brothers and sisters. "Well, why don't we do an imitation of The
Magic Flute?" Louisa suggested. "I'm afraid that is too complicated for us,
Louisa." Maria said gently. "Any other ideas?" Walking up to Maria, little
Marta tugged at her sleeve. "Yes, Marta?" Maria asked. "Why don't we do
The Lonely Goatherd?" Marta suggested shyly. "Yeah!" The other children
exclaimed. Maria nodded approvingly. "That's a wonderful idea, Marta!"
Maria praised her. Marta smiled proudly. "Now then," Maria began. "We
can't really get started without the puppet material." The children groaned.
"But! In the meantime, we could go on a picnic. How does that sound?"
"OK!" The children scrambled out of the nursery to get ready. Fraulein
Maria walked out to get ready herself.