Waiting2

Since it was still early in the morning, Maria went back upstairs to her room to wait for the children to wake. She was in a daze. Georg's news was fresh in her mind. Maria looked in her Prayer Book for help to calm her.

In the section known as the Psalter she found the Twenty-Third Psalm. She read about the Lord guiding us along right pathways. And that the Lord would keep us from evil as we walk through the valley of death.

Maria thought that described what their leaving Austria would be like. And she also thought that goodness and mercy would guide them on their journey.

Maria was now in a better frame of mind to greet the children without giving away her secret. And it was only about thirty minutes later when she heard their voices.

"Do you think she's awake?"

She didn't take long to open her door. "Yes, I'm awake. Why are all of you already dressed? I suppose, you're hungry Kurt."

He smiled that endearing smile of his.

"I believe your smile means yes." Kurt continued to smile.

"It's very early, children. Katia may not have breakfast prepared yet."

"Can we go find out?"

"Yes Louisa, we can."

Maria wanted to do anything to have a pleasant demeanor so as not to give her secret away. She would soon learn she had help; Georg intercepted them.

"Children, Katia wasn't expecting you to wake so early. The breakfast casserole hasn't finished cooking. She's pouring you glasses of juice which you can drink now to take the edge off your hunger. Your Fräulein and I will enjoy a cup of coffee while we wait."

"Do we need to wait for the Baroness?"

"No Louisa; she never wakes this early." And he thought. You may never see her again.

The children ran on to the dining room. Georg and Maria had a few minutes alone. "Georg, you need to speak with Liesl. She's carrying a heavy burden. You could put her at ease."

"I'll find an opportunity."

"And I'll help you."

They both learned that even the hungry child didn't complain about waiting. Although Kurt did consume his juice without taking a breath and then announced.

"I already feel less hungry."

"That's good, Kurt. Maybe now you won't inhale your food."

"Brigitta, I'll just eat fast this morning."

Now the dining room was filled with giggles from all the others. And Georg noticed Liesl was giggling with them. Their eyes caught.

Georg smiled and nodded to her. He saw her take a deep breath and nod to him and smiled. Good, she knows I know her secret.

Maria had noticed all this and thought. Liesl knows I told him.

All this unspoken conversation came to a halt when Franz sat the breakfast casserole on the buffet at the far end of the dining room.

"Children, the casserole is very hot. Everyone needs to let their serving cool a few minutes. I wouldn't want you to burn your tongues."

As usual Franz served Georg first. "Franz is right children; I can see the steam rising from mine."

Maria added. "If you cut into your serving, it will cool faster."

"Good suggestion, Fräulein."

Everyone did as Maria suggested. In a matter of a few minutes they began to eat. And Franz served second servings to Georg, Kurt and Louisa.

Georg had been thinking of something to do to help the day go by faster. He expressed his idea.

"We should take a rowboat ride and watch the sun rise; it's spectacular over water. But everyone needs to remember the first rule of riding in a rowboat."

He heard from eight voices; Maria spoke too. "Never stand up in a moving rowboat."

"Good, you learned the hard way. Now go get ready. I'm going to change into something more comfortable for rowing a boat."

Georg put on clothes none of the children had ever seen before. He expected to hear their comments and he did.

"Father, when did you buy this outfit? It's so different."

Georg was glad Liesl spoke; it meant her knowledge wasn't bothering her.

"Long ago in Pula. But I never had the opportunity to wear it. I thought this sporty shirt and baggy pants were perfect for rowing a boat. Now follow me to the lake."

Stefan had beached the boat on the cemented part of the ramp. He would also help the children and Maria board. As soon as everyone had taken a seat he pushed it into the lake and Georg began to row.

He immediately heard Maria begin the Row Boat song. Row, row your boat gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily. Life is but a dream. They even surprised Georg by singing it as a round.

And he thought. If Max heard them he would want to enter them in the festival. But we're not going to be here.

Instead he asked. "Who can tell me which way is east?"

"Father, I think it's straight ahead of us. The sky looks lighter."

"Very good, Friedrich. Now I'll pull the oars in and we will wait; it won't be long."

And he was correct. Soon they saw the sun peek over the horizon producing colors of yellow and orange only to be hid by a cloud. Then it emerged from the cloud and the sky became pink like a sea of cotton candy and the light of the sun colored the clouds with a pinkish hue.

As it rose higher, the sky was no longer filled with dinky crayon colors like tickle-me-pink, but colors of unexplainable magnificence that have no known name. The sun appeared as a fiery ball announcing God had created a new day.

"Father, I never thought a sunrise would be so beautiful."

"They always are, Marta. They're called a sailor's delight. Now I'll row us all around the lake before we return home."

Meanwhile, back at the villa, Elsa was awake. She had heard they were going for boat ride to see the sunrise. She took this opportunity to leave the villa. She left all her clothes. She carefully checked the hallways to be certain no one would see her. Then she carefully opened the front door and closed it without making a sound.

The gate was open and a car was parked several meters down the lane. A man opened the car door for her; she took her seat. The car pulled away quietly. Then she was asked.

"Did anyone see you leave?"

"No, comrade."

But she was wrong. She didn't know someone was in Georg's study. Franz had seen her. He had a thought. I need to tell Georg as soon as I can.

Georg easily beached the boat so no one's feet got wet getting out of the boat. Georg secured it to a mooring post. And now it was Maria who had an idea to pass the day quicker.

"Children, you could paint your clay figurers this morning."

Liesl then added. "I'll help you Fräulein Maria get the paints ready and cover the table with the waterproof cloth."

And Georg detained the others so they would have a chance to talk; which they did.

"Fräulein Maria, I still can't believe what I heard the Baroness say on the telephone. Did you and Father talk?"

"We did. I don't want you to worry. Your father will keep all of us safe."

Maria had only finished talking a few seconds ago when the others appeared in the classroom. They were giggling and laughing. It helped both of them put on a pleasant face.

"Okay children, get your creations from the shelf and have a seat around the table. Although each color has two brushes, you may still need to wait your turn. Take your time."

The children spent almost the rest of the morning painting their creations. And Georg went to his study. Franz was waiting there. He didn't wait but a few seconds.

"Georg, you need to know the Baroness left the villa while you were out on the lake. She didn't take anything other than a handbag."

"I'm not surprised. I need to tell you, Liesl heard her on my telephone early this morning. It was all about a plan to capture me. She told Maria and I shared with her my belief."

"She's a German spy, isn't she Georg?"

"Yes, you're correct. I'm hoping Maria will send Liesl and Friedrich down so I can tell them the plan. Can you locate some bags for us to pack?"

"Yes, I'm sure they're in the attic."

Georg was correct. Maria noticed both Liesl and Friedrich had finished painting their creations.

"Liesl, Louisa can help me clean up the brushes. Why don't you and Friedrich go ask your father if he has plans for the remainder of the day."

"Come on Friedrich, let's go talk to father."

And Maria thought. I'm sure Liesl knows this is an opportunity for her father to reassure her. She, of course, had no knowledge of what Franz had shared with Georg.

And Maria didn't hear Friedrich's question.

"Liesl, why do need to stay busy?"

"Father, will tell us."

And Georg had heard Liesl's answer.

Georg also didn't want to frighten them. So he asked a simple question.

"Did you finish painting your creations?"

"Yes, and she sent us to see you." Friedrich answered.

"Friedrich, early this morning Liesl heard the Baroness on the telephone. She was speaking to Herr Zeller."

"The man who commented on your flag!"

"That was him. The new leader in Germany wants me for his navy. We need to leave Austria."

"Where will we go?"

"What country have you been studying?"

"America, Father. Why there?"

"It's far away with an ocean between us. I need you to be calm. It's time for you to pack a bag. Please don't say anything to frighten your brother or sisters."

"We won't. Come on Friedrich, we can help the others."

That went well. Georg thought. Now I need to speak with the ladies.