Chapter 6: Lighting a fire
"The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be ignited" (Plutarch)
Georg stood outside the governess' bedroom door for a moment, shielded by the darkness of the hallway as he watched his children and the governess cavorting around the room. He was too angry to pay any attention to her captivating singing voice this time, but he was enough of a man to notice her nightgown.
He was something of an expert in women's bedroom attire and he had never seen such an unwieldy piece of clothing in his life. It certainly matched her frightful day dress. It was a voluminous, chaste garment that could easily be used as a tent in the garden. Even his formidable grandmother would never have been seen dead in something like that. Still, it was entirely appropriate for a soon-to-be nun, he reminded himself sternly.
But what would she look like in something soft and silky, perhaps in satin and lace? What the hell? Where had that despicable thought come from he wondered, disgusted at himself. Such inappropriate thoughts did not help his temper which was already blazing at the sight of the governess and children frolicking around the room throwing pillows and singing exuberantly.
What was this ridiculous game they were they playing in the middle of the night? He listened to some of the absurd phrases in disbelief. Door bells and sleigh bells? Schnitzel with noodles? What nonsense was this? When he heard 'When the dog bites' he stepped forward almost as if on cue, startling the Fraulein. She only just managed to stop herself from crashing into him as she whirled around, her arms flailing wildly.
He heard the shocked gasps from the children. No doubt the icy fury on his face was more frightening than the thunder. They raced to line up, standing rigidly in formation. They knew very well they had stepped over the bounds and they were in serious trouble. The Fraulein however seemed oblivious to the gravity of the situation, or she was making a ludicrous attempt to placate him as she looked at the children in stunned surprise and back at him. She greeted him with a foolishly innocent "Oh 'allo" and a flaky smile, as if she were trying to soothe an unpredictable snarling beast.
He was too incensed to even look at her, instead his wrathful gaze rested on his disobedient children as he spoke to the governess.
"Fraulein, did I not tell you that bedtime is to be strictly observed in this house?"
"Well the children were frightened by the storm so I thought that if I…" she rushed in to explain but he was not interested in excuses. She had defied him deliberately and it was intolerable.
He turned his cold gaze on her slowly, deliberately, his whole being radiating anger.
"You did sir," she conceded in the face of his dangerous glower.
"And do you or do you not have difficulty remembering such simple instructions?" The menace was there in the clipped tone, the words spoken through barely clenched teeth in a face set like stone.
But shockingly she was not cowed. Instead she raised her head to gaze back at with calm defiance. "Only during thunderstorms sir." Her own accusation was crystal clear in her response.
He was staggered at her effrontery. The impudent minx, he thought in outrage. Who did she think she was, having the nerve to rebuke him like that? Before he had time to think of an appropriately cutting response to put her in her place, one the children snickered, drawing his attention.
He was about to unleash his fury on his children when the Fraulein intervened hastily, as if she were protecting them from his wrath. "Alright children you 'eard your father. Go back to bed immediately." He saw her smiling at them warmly as they fled from the room as if someone was after them.
The Fraulein grabbed her robe and held it modestly in front of her. Georg nearly snorted in disbelief. She needn't have bothered - her chaste nightdress would defeat even the most ardent and determined suitor. And as improper as it may be for him to be in her bedroom alone, he had no designs on young postulants, whatever ridiculous thoughts had slipped into his mind moments before. She was quite safe.
He reached the door about to say some cutting words about her appalling lack of discipline but she was speaking to him again, her accent thick and strong as usual.
"Cap'n, I wondered if I could speak to you 'bout some play clothes for the children?"
He rolled his eyes impatiently as he stood in the doorway. She had already mentioned this twice in the course of the day.
"Fraulein, you are obviously many things, not the least of which is repetitious."
"But tomorrow I 'ave a science field trip planned for them. They need something other than their uniforms to wear."
"A science field trip?" he scoffed
"Yes Cap'n, we will go up the Untersberg to study geology and botany. And there will also be plenty of opportunity for marching around in the fresh mountain air, breathing deeply," she added.
He looked at her suspiciously to see if she was mocking him, but her expression remained neutral, though her eyes did seem to be sparkling. But perhaps they always were.
"Fraulein, I strongly suggest you seek my permission before you plan such excursions." His voice was terse with aggravation. "I suspect you are someone who operates on the principle that forgiveness is easier to gain than permission."
"Oh you mean I just go ahead and do things and then 'pologise afterwards? Yes, you may be right 'bout that sir. Sister Berthe 'as said something similar on many occasions. But I am asking permission now."
He didn't know who this Sister Berthe was, but she had his sympathies. Nevertheless, Sister Berthe's headache had now become his.
"Cap'n, this science field trip is very important. I looked over the children's school curricula this evening and there is much they will be able to learn from the Untersberg."
He looked at her skeptically. How stupid did she think he was? "I presume you will also need to take some food along?" Before she could respond he continued. "I believe that is what is commonly called a 'picnic,' Fraulein," he said derisively.
"Well the children will 'ave to eat Cap'n," she agreed cheerfully. "But I assure you they will learn a great deal on the trip. I am sure you know the expression that "the mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be ignited.""
He looked at her enigmatically. The impertinent Fraulein was trying to outwit him, but he was certainly up for the challenge.
"Yes Fraulein, I believe the philosopher Plutarch said that 2000 years ago," he responded sardonically.
She looked at him in surprise. Did she think he hadn't been to school himself? She threw down another sneaky challenge.
"Then you may also know the expression "From reading alone does not come understanding.""
He raised a disparaging eyebrow. "Heraclitus," he said brusquely.
She tried another one, her broad accent strong and clear as she spoke the words. "And what about: "The purpose of education is to give to the body and to the soul all the beauty and all the perfection of which they are capable.""
"Plato. Now, as entertaining as this is Fraulein," he said sarcastically. "It is the middle of the night and I would prefer if you would get to the point some time before dawn breaks."
"Well, that's why this field trip will be so important Cap'n. They'll learn much more than just reading 'bout science. They 'ave to experience the beauty and wonder of nature and the world around them. You can't disagree with them ancient Greeks."
For a moment he was almost amused. Despite himself he was impressed with her cunning. She was very adept in the art of manipulation - quite the Governess Machiavelli. He looked at her silently, enigmatically for a while, debating with himself. "I will think about this 'field trip,' and I will let you know my decision in the morning. But you can forget about the playclothes," he said scathingly.
"But they're children."
"Yes. And I'm their father."
"But-"
He overrode her protest with a curt goodnight, shutting the door with a quiet but decisive click. From outside her door he could hear her infuriated "Ohhh" and he could imagine her eyes filled with enraged blue sparks, fuming at his intransigence. His mouth slanted with amusement.
He was surprised to find that his foul mood had disappeared. He had been livid when he had found her with the children playing their silly game late into the night, but somehow his rage had evaporated. To his astonishment his mood was almost buoyant. Had he enjoyed sparring with her? He hated to admit it but perhaps he had. She had a sharp intellect. He also had to grudgingly admire her courage. She had faced the full force of his intimidation and fury with reckless bravado. The foolish Fraulein may be unwise, impertinent and infuriating but she also had pluck.
He realized that she had distracted him so much that that he had not had a chance to reprimand her about her disobedience. He would speak to her in the morning.
He snorted at the idea of playclothes. His governess had all the arrogance of the young, believing they knew better than those with experience of the real world. Although she had a teaching degree she did not know his children. It was quite ridiculous of her to think she knew what they needed better than he did. They were headstrong, boisterous and rebellious. They needed strict discipline or there would be utter chaos.
He thought about her idea of a trip to the Untersberg and shook his head in disbelief. Her foolish naivety was laughable. She couldn't possibly handle his seven belligerent children on her own on such an outing. But perhaps if he agreed to it, it would teach her a lesson in humility. No doubt her idealism and determination would be in shreds after an exhausting, unpleasant day dealing with insolent children. If there was one thing he was certain of, it was that his children would teach her to be more realistic in her views.
Yes, perhaps he would agree to her folly, and he would not try to rein the children in but let them do their usual mischief. He didn't want her to flee back to the Abbey, and he doubted she would since there was an innate stubbornness about her, but maybe such an experience would curb some of her impulsiveness.
A small uneasy part of him acknowledged that his new governess was remarkably capable of getting her own way with him, first with the music lesson this evening and now with this outing, but he crushed the thought. The ideas may have been hers but it was his decision entirely, and on her own head be it.
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Breakfast the next morning was subdued. Elsa still looked sour, Max looked preoccupied and the children seemed restless, as if they had pent up energy that was looking for an outlet. Or perhaps they were aware of tensions amongst the adults. They watched Georg warily, remembering their late night romp in the governess' room. But he chose to say nothing about it to them. Surprisingly his anger had completely disappeared over the incident.
The Fraulein was again wearing that same repulsive dress. Georg decided he had better ask Frau Schmidt to purchase some ready-made clothes for her. He could not bear to look at the shapeless grey sack she was wearing anymore. It was hurting his eyes.
The Fraulein appeared chirpy and composed, which seemed to irritate Elsa no end. Perhaps that was another reason to let the Fraulein take the children away for the day. It might help Elsa regain her equilibrium.
He noticed that Max and the governess were deep in conversation yet again, and more troubling than that, they seemed to be keeping their voices low so that others couldn't hear their conversation. He didn't like that one little bit. He would have to warn Max once more about keeping away from the Fraulein. It was simply outrageous how much attention he seemed to be paying her. The Fraulein looked up at him at that moment and to Georg's deep suspicion she immediately flushed guiltily. Max too, looked cagey. Georg could feel his temper flaring. What the devil were those two up to?
Max could see Georg's face was turning to thunder so he spoke up loudly to distract Georg. "So Fraulein what are your plans for the day?"
"Well that depends on the Cap'n really." Maria responded as she looked at Georg. "I wonder if you 'ad a chance to think about me idea sir?"
Georg deliberately waited before responding, drawing out the silence until it stretched long and taut, and everyone at the table started to feel uncomfortable.
"I have decided that, yes, Fraulein, you may take the children on this er… 'science trip' as you call it, to the Untersberg. But I expect you to be back by dinner and I will also expect a report back on what the children learned," he added menacingly, confident that it would be precisely nothing.
The children let out gasps of delight, looking at each other in disbelief.
"Thanks ever so much Cap'n. They'll learn plenty, don't you worry 'bout a thing. After all, ain't there a saying that 'from great wonder comes wisdom?'"
Elsa spoke up haughtily. "Is that what they taught you at your 'progressive' teaching college my dear?" She used the word progressive scornfully. "I understand they try to teach all these new-fangled ideas, breaking with all tradition and decent values." She sighed disdainfully, for all the world as if Maria's college had been a nest of radicalism.
"Oh it ain't such a new idea Baroness," Maria responded cheerfully. "I believe Socrates said it in about 400 B.C."
Elsa looked incensed about being made to look foolish, but had no comeback.
Georg sighed. Elsa had walked right into that one. The Fraulein always seemed to get the better of her. If only Elsa would stop trying to provoke her. He shot the governess quelling look and she smiled back with deliberate innocence at him, setting his teeth on edge.
After breakfast the Fraulein and the children left for their outing in a flurry of noisy excitement and eagerness, while Max drove Elsa into town to soothe her frazzled spirits with shopping.
The house felt strangely empty without the children and their governess. Uncomfortably so, Georg realized, restlessly. It felt hollow and desolate without their youthful energy and her vivacious personality filling it to bursting. How was that possible? She had not even been here for a full day and yet…. and yet nothing felt the same anymore. Was it really only a day, he wondered in disbelief. It felt like weeks, if not months.
He wondered how the Fraulein was fairing. No doubt terribly, he thought with amusement, looking forward to seeing her eating humble pie and observing her bedraggled state when she reappeared.
The hours ticked by interminably, and Georg realized with surprise that he missed the children and was looking forward to seeing their excited faces. Max and Elsa returned and Georg feigned interest in her purchases and provided appropriate compliments.
Finally, an hour before dinner he heard the exuberant shrieks and laughter that signaled that his brood had arrived back. He went to meet them at the door.
They were bursting with excitement trying to tell him all at once about their adventures on the mountain. He couldn't make out a single word they said. He did notice however that their uniforms were in a filthy state and there were some rips and tears in the boys' clothes, along with bruised and scraped knees. But for once the anger did not come.
He looked at the Fraulein, to his surprise she did not look miserable and downtrodden as he expected. In fact she appeared as excited and joyful as the children. Her face was flushed and her hair wind swept.
Georg finally held up his hands over the noise to silence the children. "Look at the state of you all!" He frowned at them but they could tell he wasn't really angry and they giggled happily. "Alright all of you go upstairs and get changed and then you can come and tell me what you learned."
The children raced up the stairs, laughing and excited.
"Fraulein," he stopped the governess as she made to follow them. "Perhaps you would care to explain the state of the children's uniforms?" He was trying to sound menacing but his heart wasn't in it. The children's joy had touched him unexpectedly.
"Well I did tell you about the necessity of playclothes, Cap'n. Children can't do all their rigorous scientific endeavors wearing constricting uniforms. I was thinking that I could use the drapes in me bedroom to make 'em some clothes, if it's too expensive to buy 'em."
The cheeky young spitfire, he thought, stopping his mouth from quirking with amusement. She was implying he was too cheap to buy new clothes for the children. Drapes? For a moment he had a horrifying vision of his children roaming around Salzburg in ghastly, green curtains.
"That won't be necessary Fraulein," he said dryly. "I will think about their clothing situation and let you know my decision later. But first let's see if they actually learned anything on this picnic, as you claimed they would."
He looked at her consideringly for a moment. "Now that I think about, why don't we make a little deal? If you can show me that the children did actually learn something significant on their picnic, perhaps I will see about some other clothes for them. But let me be clear: I will be the judge of whether they learned something of value or not."
The Fraulein's eyes flashed with excitement and she broke into a smile that somehow seemed to make the room brighter. She clapped her hands together joyfully. "Deal" she agreed. "We'll be down shortly Cap'n."
The children came down dressed neatly in clean uniforms. For once they were on their best behavior as they took turns presenting something for their father, the Baroness and their Uncle Max.
Georg noticed wryly that Elsa's jaw was stiff with suppressed yawns as Kurt showed them the rock collection he had put together. Not that he could blame her. Like many boys Kurt had an inordinate fascination with rocks and his pockets were usually full of them. Kurt carefully explained the differences between igneous and sedimentary rocks in the 20 or so samples he had found on the mountain, while Elsa's eyes glazed over. She also feigned interest as Friedrich gave extensive details about the formation of ice caves on the Untersberg.
She sat up sharply however, when it was Louisa's turn. She blanched with horror as Louisa showed her a container of slimy, jelly-like frog's spawn. To her credit, although she paled and had her hand protectively at her throat, she did try to hide her revulsion and look interested as Louisa explained the life-cycle of a frog.
Brigitta presented a poem that she had composed about the mountain, her eyes shining with passion as she spoke eloquently about the beauty of the birds and the flowers and trees and the wind whistling through the leaves like a restless sea.
Liesl spoke about the myths surrounding the Untersberg including the one about Emperor Charlemagne, who is believed to waiting in the mountain, being taken care of by small elves called Untersberg Mandln. "And whenever the Emperor wakes up and sees the ravens flying around the peak he goes back to sleep for another century," Liesl finished her presentation.
Marta shyly showed her collection of wildflowers that she was going to press into a book, making a great effort to name each one correctly. Gretl showed a drawing of the magical unicorns she was convinced she had seen on the mountain when everyone was looking elsewhere.
After prompting from her governess, she then presented Elsa with a small bouquet of edelweiss with an adorable curtsy. Elsa wrapped an arm around her in an awkward hug as she smiled at Georg, her face soft. "Your children are so enchanting."
Georg nodded with a small smile. In truth he was astounded, though he hid it. He had never seen his children so well behaved, or so animated. He could feel the pride tugging at him, something he had not felt in a long time. Perhaps he was the one eating humble pie today, he admitted to himself ruefully. He had been so sure the outing would defeat the Fraulein but he had underestimated her again. For the first time ever the children seemed to have bonded with their governess, and he wasn't exactly sure why. Perhaps she was an enchantress casting a spell over his usually wayward children.
She was looking at him across the room with that impish smile again, with an 'I told you so' smirk lurking playfully in her eyes. He acknowledged her triumph with a slight nod.
Touché Fraulein he mouthed from across the room.
Uniforms? She mouthed back.
He gave a wry nod and watched her eyes light up with delight though she did not say anything. He did not want to dwell on the fact that yet again she seemed to have found a way around his usual rules.
"We had a singing lesson too," Brigitta announced, "but we need more practice before we can perform it, don't we Fraulein Maria?" She looked at her adoringly as her governess smiled back.
"Maybe in a week or so children."
Gretl burst out excitedly "And we taught Fraulein Maria some things too." Then she immediately clapped her hands over her mouth as her siblings shushed her fiercely for giving away a secret.
Maria smiled at her warmly as Gretl looked ready to cry. "I don't think I'm quite ready for that Gretl. I 'ave to practice." She winked at the children who giggled conspiratorially.
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Later that night after Elsa and Max had retired for the evening Georg sat in his study going over the events of the day. Dinner had been peaceful, if rather dull, since the Fraulein had insisted that she would eat with the staff, despite the vociferous protests from the children and Max. Georg was relieved. He knew Elsa could not abide the governess and her "excruciatingly vulgar voice" as she called it. He did not want another evening with the two of them constantly baiting each other.
He drummed his fingers on his desk thoughtfully. The Fraulein was certainly an enigma and she had a remarkable ability to get her own way: firstly over the music lessons, the picnic and now over the uniforms. She had done it subtly and without belligerence, making it all the more effective. She was really quite extraordinary.
But there was something niggling at him. Now what was it? He couldn't put his finger on it, but he knew it was important. Ah yes, it was something about her speaking voice. He had begun to notice that at times she seemed to exaggerate its coarseness and loudness but at other times it was softer and the grammar more consistent with Hochdeutsch. What did that mean?
Then there was her exquisite singing voice. On the three occasions he had heard her sing there had been no trace of an accent and she seemed to have remarkable control over its pitch and timbre, though that was still within the realm of possibilities. People could sing without an accent he knew. But still…
And there was something else too. It was her eyes. Her eyes were so beautifully expressive and they seemed to be always full of laughter and gentle mockery, as if she were having an enormous joke at his expensive. They were sparkling and playful and full of bright mischief. He pursed his mouth thoughtfully as he rubbed his finger around his chin. He would have to watch her closely, he decided.
There was something about her that did not ring true and he intended to find out what it was. If she was playing a cat and mouse game with him then he would very rapidly make her realize who was the cat and who was the mouse. He felt a small jolt as he realized how intrigued he was by her and for the first time in a very long time he no longer felt bored and restless. In fact he was rather looking forward to crossing swords with the feisty Fraulein. It was very….stimulating.
There was a knock at the door and he called "Enter."
The Fraulein came in.
"Speak of the devil," he murmured wryly.
She looked startled. "Beggin' yer pardon sir?"
"Oh nothing, nothing. You had quite a triumph today Fraulein, against all odds. I admit to being impressed."
"Your children are very bright Cap'n. You must be right proud of 'em."
"I am indeed Fraulein, more and more so, as it happens."
He watched her silently for a while and she seemed uneasy under his scrutiny. "You know you're an enigma, Fraulein."
Again she looked startled and then she hid it and something else came over her face. It was that deliberate innocent expression which he now realised seemed to signal she was hiding something. "No I ain't sir, I'm from the mountain village of Alamy, I am."
Georg sat back in his chair, his elbows resting on the armrests, a wry half-smile on his face. He hoped it had a touch of sinister about it, since she had just walked into a trap. He tented his fingers-tips together in a distinctly Machiavellian way as he again looked at her silently for a while. He observed the hectic colour flooding her cheeks with interest, as she squirmed uncomfortably in her chair.
"An enigma, Fraulein, is something, or someone, that is a bit mysterious, something that is not quite what it appears to be, something….. intriguing, baffling, and perhaps secretive."
He watched her increasing discomfort with relish. Just as he suspected, there was something definitely not quite right here. "Like now for instance. You are obviously very intelligent and well educated, able to converse effortlessly about the ancient Greeks, the history of music etc etc, and yet you claim ignorance about certain things, like the word 'enigma' for example. It seems a little…." he paused in a silkily sinister way, "….inconsistent, don't you think?"
He noted with satisfaction that her cheeks were bright red and she looked terribly nervous and anxious, ready to flee. The confident impudence had mysteriously vanished.
"I..I don't know what you mean Cap'n," she stammered. "I can't know everything after all. I learned a lot in me college, but you know me background were quite 'umble and we didn't 'ave all the books and things that you 'ave in your 'ome…" she floundered to a halt.
"Indeed? Well do feel free to borrow any books you wish. You may want to start with this one." He went to his bookshelf and found what he wanted. He gave it to her, watching her reaction. Even with her head bent he could see her trying to hide her cringe, her cheeks bright red with mortification. He was rather enjoying himself he realized. This must be what a spider feels like, or a tiger toying with its prey.
"It's 'The Prince' by Niccolo Machiavelli. Do know you it? Quite fascinating. It's all about intrigues, the art of manipulation and er…enigmas. I am sure you will enjoy it."
For the first time since he had met her his governess seemed utterly speechless. She swallowed hard and whispered a barely audible "Thank you."
He waited, the silence stretching on, the air thick with tension, and he wondered if she would blurt out something to cover the silence.
She took a deep breath, seeming to gather her courage and her wits and changed the subject hurriedly. "Er, I wanted to see you Cap'n cos I wondered if I could take the children on more outings. There's so much they can learn if they were to see Mozart's birthplace, the Mirabell gardens, 'ohensalzburg Castle, and the like."
He watched her, deciding to let her off his hook for the time being, but relishing the prospect of toying with her further. "Alright Fraulein. You have my permission."
She fled.
He noticed with amusement that she had left the book behind. He picked it up, leafing through the pages, certain she was up to something but not quite sure what, and more importantly why. He intended to find out but he would do so in his own good time. After all he did not want her running away. His children seemed to need her.
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A/N: I know I covered a lot of ground in this chapter. I can't believe this is chapter 6 and only two days have passed so far. Please do let me know if you think it is dragging on or it's going too fast. I find multiple chapter stories tricky to write. I would love to hear your views. Thanks so much for reading.