Thank you to everyone following along! I've had a lot of fun with this story, and I hope you do too!
(from the stack of letters tied up with string in Fraulein Maria's carpetbag)
xxx
Dearest Fraulein Maria,
The funniest thing happened when I was at the mail office collecting your letter yesterday. I ran into Uncle Max. He was picking up a great big box he says is for Gretl's birthday. He asked me who I was expecting letters from, and was really quite coy about it. He mumbled something about waiting until I was introduced, and something about bachelors and cads being risky business. He said I was only sixteen just going on seventeen and had plenty of time for those things. I couldn't be sure because he was muttering half the time, but I guess he thought I was writing to a boy. I've never seen him look so uncomfortable. Dear old Uncle Max. I thought he might faint with relief when I told him it was you I was writing to.
I am enclosing Gretl's letter about her birthday next week. Friedrich helped her spell out the words, but she was so proud to write it herself. Friedrich and I explained to her why you wouldn't be able to come. She understands you have other things to do and a schedule to follow at the Abbey. I was hoping you could help us with the lyrics so we might sing about her favourite things. It was the only thing on her birthday list, because she says it really does make her feel better. We've brainstormed a lot of ideas, but what rhymes with yellow and has to do with ducks or cats? We want to include 'putting on a puppet show', but we don't know the best way to turn that into lyrics. And Fraulein Maria, you might have some other suggestions of Gretl's favourite things – she used to tell you everything!
With love,
Liesl
PS. Is there a chance you could come? Uncle Max wanted me to ask. I hope it's not rude to ask, but we would dearly love to see you.
xxx
xxx
My dear enduring Fraulein Maria,
Our Captain's eldest damsel has been sneaking letters by mail for weeks now, and it has not gone unnoticed by yours truly. I assumed she was exchanging notes with a besotted swain behind her father's back. I kept my eyes firmly closed and my mouth firmly shut, for all our sakes. Georg is like a stick of dynamite in constant need of diffusing, these days. Sharp and keen-eyed that I may be, I have no desire to go up against Georg's wrath. But I am a guest of Georg's and alas, my conscience got the better of me when I happened to catch her in the very act yesterday. Imagine my surprise and delight to learn she was writing to you.
Georg tells me you missed the Abbey terribly and just had to return. I wholeheartedly admire your devotion, although you would have been brilliant in show business and I had intended to tell you so at the dinner you did not attend. The magic you have worked on the children is simply astounding. They were the talk of the party, and there was much interest about the young woman who turned out such an angelic singing group. Are you sure you won't reconsider? I would hire you on the spot. Think of the team we would make – the money we couldmake!
Georg refuses to budge over letting his children sing in public, and I am at my wits end. The deadline for entry into the Salzburg festival is in a fortnight, and Elsa is no help. How you managed to get the children eating out of your hand and Georg wrapped around your finger is beyond me. I deeply regret your untimely departure.
Anyhow, I am throwing a party for young miss Gretl's birthday next week and I do hope you will be prevailed upon to attend. If God will give you the day off, that is. I have to believe He is more reasonable than Georg.
Yes, I am fully aware I am going to hell – for a number of things, I can guarantee.
Liesl tells me she has already written you of the party. I will let her do the convincing, as she is infinitely more charming than I.
Your humble and passably-charming servant,
Max Detweiler (finished with an enormous flourish)
xxx
xxx
Fraulein Maria, cleverest of them all,
Hire you with who's money? Georg's, of course. How discerning of you. I really am out to commandeer his family's talent and take his money, besides.
You're making me blush. Of course I remembered Gretl's birthday. What else is a freeloading uncle good for but to make the children happy? And I dearly love a good carnival.
Hoping to see you soon, so I might work your magic on Georg,
Max Detweiler (enormous flourish)
xxx
xxx
(Reverend Mother, please deliver to Maria Rainer, Nonnberg Abbey, SBG)
Dear Fraulein,
I hope this letter finds you well. I imagine so, as you are back where you belong and longed to be.
Liesl told me the other day she has been corresponding with you, which I suspected might be the case. Incredibly, Max tells me the same. You had written in the note you felt it was time to consecrate your life to God, and you missed the simplicity and austerity of the Abbey. I could not bring myself to be offended by your abrupt decision, for who is a naval officer to interfere with the plan of God? Now, Fraulein, I know there is nothing simple about the children and certainly nothing austere about Max, so you must have decided to entertain our worldly chaos for a while longer.
I don't know what it was that sent you away in the middle of the night, but I'll swallow my pride and extend my gratitude that you have chosen to keep in touch. (I suppose it would be useless for me to point out you've gotten the protocol all wrong. The first line of communication should be through your commanding officer. Although you never have been one for following rules, have you?) The children have been considerably jollier of late, no small thanks to that knowledge. You mean a lot to them, and they were devastated when you left without saying goodbye. If you found my behaviour untoward or unsatisfactory the evening you were compelled to leave, I sincerely apologize. I realize, strictly speaking and perhaps far too late, brides of Christ are not supposed to dance.
Undoubtedly, you've heard of Gretl's party by now (she has been squealing nonstop since she found out Max was bringing in a carnival – you may have heard her from the Abbey). Liesl brought it to my attention you decline to attend because you believe it would be an inconvenience to us. That couldn't be further from the truth. I would extend the invitation myself, if it'll rid you of that nonsense. I would be delighted to have you attend Gretl's party. If I still can, I would ask for you to attend.
Respectfully yours,
Captain Georg von Trapp
xxx
xxx
Dear Fraulein,
Are you implying I'm not good enough a dancer to shake your faith in God? I don't know how I should feel about that.
I accept both your apology and your bolster of confidence. "Generous" is a term rarely used to describe me, and I'm glad to hear of the villa being fondly remembered as more than a wine cellar. I've spent too long in Max's company. Although I confess I am unable to understand why the children remain in your thoughts and yet you refuse to attend Gretl's party. Why would your presence be cause for concern? I cannot imagine anything more fitting than my children's former governess at my daughter's birthday party. And when have you let what others think dictate what you do? This is not the Fraulein Maria I've come to know.
Captain von Trapp
xxx
xxx
Fraulein,
I am not accusing you of cowardice. Perhaps it's not a matter of how well I think I know you (not at all, apparently), but how I see myself, thanks to you. Have you not challenged me all summer to be a better father – or how did you put it? The father you could see I was. I'm simply pointing out that you care for my children, and you would be the last to let anything, least of all public sentiment, get in the way.
I'm aware you are a postulate, and it was not my intention to pressure you. Rest assured it will not happen again.
Captain
xxx
xxx
Dearest Fraulein Maria,
Thank you so so very much for coming to Gretl's party. Although you couldn't stay long, Gretl was absolutely thrilled! We all were. She's working on the scrapbook kit you gave her as I write this – she plans to fill it with her favourite things. Wasn't the balloon man Uncle Max hired funny? Gretl keeps the balloon duck he made for her in her bed at night. It scares Marta so she has moved into the spare bed at the other end of the room. Kurt cannot stop talking about the tricks the magician performed. He's going to ask father to get him a magic kit for his birthday.
Father has been short lately. I think it's because Uncle Max has been badgering him about the folk festival. They've been arguing so much Baroness Schraeder said she had to escape to Vienna for a bit. Well, what she actually told us was she had some business to attend to in Vienna. It was Uncle Max who said she was escaping. I don't think the Baroness has recovered yet from the mess and noise of the carnival – she said it was an absolute zoo. She left over the weekend and will be gone for a month. Louisa is happy about it, and I confess we're all a little relieved not to have to be on our best behaviour all the time. It's good to have father and Uncle Max home during the evenings, too, even if they bicker like children.
I hope you can visit us again. I'll write regularly until then. I do write in my diary like you suggested, but it's so much better to get a response!
With love,
Liesl
xxx