Shopping

Around nine-thirty they were ready to walk to the stores in Ball. Franz went with them. Maria didn't comment; she was sure Georg had asked him to accompany them.

They strolled down the street beside their home to the street with all the stores. They stopped and Maria spoke.

"Let's walk down this side of the street first and return on the other side."

Maria led them; Franz was last. They went by the store named, A&P. They knew it was where food was sold. The front window of the next shop displayed household items like china, silver and glasses. They admired them for a few minutes before moving on.

The next shop was for children's clothes. "Mommy, can we go inside."

"We can Gretl."

As in all shops they were asked by a clerk. "Can I help you?"

"My youngest daughters need some new dresses."

"Will they both be going to school this fall?"

"Yes they will."

"Let me show you what most parents have bought."

The clerk led them to a rack filled with little girl dresses. "These are pinafore dresses. They look like they're made in two pieces; a dress with an apron over it. But they're all one piece. They are made with these little puff sleeves and also a longer sleeve for cooler days."

"Mommy, these are really pretty."

"Yes, they are Gretl."

"Madam, she and her sister can try one on."

"Girls, pick out your favorite and follow me."

While they were trying on their dresses, Brigitta and Louisa were talking. "I hope we don't wear these dresses, they look childish."

"Brigitta, I'm sure there's a store with dresses for us."

Meanwhile, the two little girls had each picked out a dress and Maria went into a dressing room with them to help them try them on. The girls liked their dresses very much. They both picked out two more and Maria paid for them.

Then they walked a little farther and found a store for ladies. There the oldest three found dresses in what the saleslady had called shirtwaist dresses. They looked like they were a skirt and blouse but they were sewn as one piece. They each found three they liked. Maria also bought two; she doubted she would have time to sew any dresses for herself.

"Mom, now can we find a store for Kurt and me?"

While they had been in the ladies' store, Franz had walked down the street a short distance.

"Maria, a store for boys and young men isn't far from here. Follow me everyone."

Friedrich glanced at the window display. "Mom, look. There's an outfit almost like what dad wore when he took us for the boat ride to see the sunrise!"

"I see Friedrich. Let's go in and ask about it."

Again they were greeted as soon as they entered the store. "Good morning everyone. How may I help you?"

"Both of my sons need clothes for school. My oldest asked about the outfit on display in your window."

The clerk tried not to show his thoughts. This young woman must be their step-mother. He cleared his mind and told them.

"That outfit is very popular with high school students. I'm sure I have it in his size. Follow me to the dressing room and I will take some measurements."

While Friedrich was being measured, Kurt was looking around the store. Franz was with him. He found a boy mannequin with a short sleeve shirt and long pants.

Franz told him. "This may be what older boys wear to the elementary school."

"I hope so. I'm eleven now."

Franz smiled as he remembered learning how Kurt had told Maria his name and age, I'm Kurt and I'm eleven almost.

He then guided Kurt back to be with the others. It was at this moment Friedrich stepped out of the dressing room. "Mom, do you like it."

"I do. I know your dad will too."

"Madam, the pants also come in brown. And he will also need another shirt; I have a light tan one which looks good with the brown pants. The sweater can be worn with either.

"Thank you, I'll get both for him. My other son also needs clothes. He's eleven."

"He must be in one of the higher grades at the elementary school."

"Yes he is."

"Most boys wear a casual short sleeved shirt with long pants. I'll need to measure him to find the correct pant's size

Kurt was measured and he was extremely happy to learn he would wear the clothes from the mannequin. Maria bought him two pair of pants and two shirts. And instead of a sweater, Kurt found a light-weight jacket he liked.

"Madam, if everyone needs shoes you will find them at the shoe shop down the street. It sells shoes for everyone."

Friedrich and Kurt carried their bag with their new clothes and followed Franz outside. "Children, your shoes don't look worn or dirty. You can wear them to begin school. I know I will need to replace them when they get too small for you."

None of the children complained. Maria let them play on the playground before returning home. And it wasn't a moment too soon; storm clouds had gathered and they began to rain on them before they were safely under the portico.

Stefan and Phillip had hurried from the garden and were also there. This wasn't a torrent of rain.

"This kind of rain is good for the new seedlings. Katia will soon have fresh greens to make salads. It will also help the carrots and strawberry plants. I see you have bags in your hands."

"We have clothes for school Phillip. They're all very American."

"I'm sure your dad will like them too. We need to wash our hands; it's almost lunch time."

"Good, my stomach is empty."

"Kurt, you're not alone today; I'm hungry too. Come on everyone, we need to use the bathroom before we go see if lunch is prepared."

Louisa and Kurt were first to hurry upstairs. And soon Katia heard them as they took their places at the dining room table.

Today they found two platters with sandwiches already on the table. Katia had bought pre-cooked ham slices and sliced cheese. She remarked.

"Isabel and I were very surprised to find meat and cheese already sliced for making sandwiches. Each piece of bread has both mayonnaise and mustard spread on them before we added the meat and cheese. We also placed two bowls on the table filled with what are called Potato Chips.

"They are thin slices of potatoes which have been fried in very hot oil and then sprinkled with salt."

"Now I'm really hungry. I'll say grace. Thank you God for the food you made. Let's eat."

The smirks were numerous. "God doesn't mind how you give thanks. He's grateful you did."

Katia heard their thank-yous when they finished the meal. The remainder of the day was filled with reading or playing a table game until Georg came home.