Chapter 7

The children went downstairs to the dining room where their father was

waiting for them, along with a special surprise. As soon as they entered the

dining room, they all gasped in surprise. "Uncle Max!" The children

shouted in unison. "Surprise surprise!" The captain said. Laughing, the

children ran up to their 'uncle' and embraced him. Meanwhile, the governess

just stood there dumbfounded. When Max looked up from the circle of

children surrounding him, he looked dumbfounded as well. "Max?" A

confused Maria said. "Maria!" Max echoed in disbelief. Maria slowly

nodded. Grinning, she ran over to him and embraced him as well. Now it

was the children's and their father's turn to look shocked. "You two…know

each other?" Asked the Captain. Max laughed. "Yes. You see, we were

neighbors when we were children. We were also very good pals. Weren't

we, Maria?" Giggling, Maria said, "We certainly were. But then, Max

moved away, and we haven't seen each other ever since." Turning to Max,

she whispered, "I missed you." "I missed you too." Max whispered back.

"Well, why don't we have breakfast now, hmm?" The Captain said.

Obediently, the children, Maria, and Max went to sit in their places at the

table. While the children, Maria and Max talked to each other excitedly,

catching up on each other's lives, the Captain eat silently. So Maria and Max

know each other. Quite well in fact. In my opinion, they must have been

more than just "friends". The way they look at each other is disgusting.

Maria never looks at me that way, and I'm her friend as well! Thought the

Captain. Looking at Maria and Max laughing and having a good time

without him made him feel uneasy. The way Maria looked at Max, the way

her eyes sparkled whenever she laughed at something he said. It all drove

him crazy. Leisl took a sip of her glass, and looked at her dad. He looked

very unhappy, she observed. I wonder why? I'm going to have to keep an eye

on him. She thought, turning her attention back to Maria, and Max. The

captain noticed Leisl observing him. I hope she doesn't figure out what's

wrong with me. It would be so embarrassing if she asks me anything.

"Captain," He heard a faint voice from the other side of the room. Looking

up, he saw Maria talking to him. "Yes?" He questioned, glad that he had

heard her, and not have acted like an idiot. "Would it be alright if the

children and I leave the table now, and go do our lessons?" She asked

sweetly. "Of course, Fraulein." What a relief. Nodding, Maria and the

children left for the nursery. "Well, that just leaves us." Max said, brightly.

"You never told me that Maria was your governess!" "Well, I didn't think

you would want to know about governesses and all that." The Captain

responded in a teasing tone. Laughing, Max said, "well, I'm interested in

this particular one." "How do you know each other?" The Captain asked.

"Oh, Georg, I told you already. We were neighbors." "What I mean is, were

you two close?" "Oh. Well, yeah we were. But then, I moved away, and we

lost touch. I'm very glad that you brought me over here. Otherwise, we

wouldn't have met again. Thank you." Max said solemnly. Great. Now he's

making me feel guilty for feeling uneasy at seeing them together. "Sure,

Max. Sure" The captain said. "So, what do we do now?" "Would you like to

go into town with me? I want to visit some other friends." "Uh, you could go

by yourself. I think I'll stay inside today." "Are you sure you're yourself

today?" Teased Max. "You usually jump at the opportunity to go out

somewhere." Laughing, the Captain said, "I'm fine. Go ahead, and have a

good time." "I will. Have fun here, Georg." With that, Max left.