News

Every day the children and Georg had news to share. The children's news was always about school. Their parents were thrilled they liked school and their English had improved so quickly.

This particular evening Georg had something special to tell everyone. He began by asking a question of his older children. "What do you know about the President's Cabinet?"

Friedrich ventured an explanation. "It's a group people selected by the President to help him make decisions."

"That's correct, son. There are ten of them. They have the title Secretary. I've been asked to be an advisor to the Secretary of War."

"War Dad! Is the United States going to war?"

"No Liesl. The Department of War was created by President Washington. He was also the general who led the Revolutionary Army to victory over the British. He understood the need to be prepared if war was ever necessary again."

"What will you do Georg?"

"Maria, everyone, I've been asked to prepare a profile on Hitler; in order to defeat an enemy one needs to know how he thinks and his weaknesses. I was able to find some information on him at the Library of Congress."

"Is this library only for congress, Dad?"

"I really don't know Brigitta. But I will ask. I do know some interesting facts. The original idea of having a library for the federal government was in 1800. The same year the seat of government was moved from Philadelphia to Washington DC.

"The library's first home was in the Capital building. Books had to be ordered from London; seven hundred and forty books and three maps were brought. Sadly during a second war with the British army the capital was burned. Almost everything was lost.

"Thomas Jefferson, the third president of America sold his collection of 6,487 books and they too were stored in the repaired capital building. The collection out grew the space and a separate building was built. They named it for Thomas Jefferson.

"It now contains every form of printed material used to day. It's also a very beautiful building; it has marble columns, stained glass skylights, painted ceilings and frescos which are paintings made on wet plaster; they're stunning. We can visit it someday.

"Children, I believe it's your bedtime. Maria please lead us in prayer."

"Father in heaven, we have once again come to the end of our day. The darkness of night will soon cover our part of the world. We pray for the land we left that its leaders may look to You for strength in a time of when evil has threatened all God loving people. Free our minds from all the distractions of the world and grant us a good night's rest to begin a new day in the morning. In Jesus name we pray. Amen."

And the family responded as a group. "Amen and amen."

As the children left the room they heard. "Your mom and I will be up shortly to kiss you goodnight."

"Maria, you never fail us. That was a most appropriate prayer."

"I may have spoken it but God supplied the words. It just seemed to flow out of my mouth, Isabel."

"Maybe, by the way are you feeling okay?"

"I have no complaints. Thanks for your concern."

"I guess it's time for my nightly ride in the elevator. It's a godsend after being on my feet all day. See you in the morning."

"Goodnight Isabel."

What made her ask me if I was feeling well? Maybe she was just being kind. Maria cleared her mind and hurried upstairs.

She found the children in various stages of getting ready for bed. She met Georg and together they went into Marta and Gretl's room. Louisa was there helping with their hair.

"I'll finish for you. You need to get ready for bed too."

With the girls tucked into their beds and with them only staying awake for a page of their story, the couple checked on the others. They wanted to fall asleep quickly so morning would come faster. They told their parents they really enjoyed going to a real school.

The happy couple went on to the master suite. "Finally, it's our time. I'm been waiting all day for this."

"I have also but I need to ask you a question first. Isabel asked me if I was feeling okay. Do I appear ill?"

Georg was having a difficult time not laughing. "No sweetheart; she knows your secret."

"She does? How?"

"Other women see something they call a glow. Pregnancy brings out your happiness; your eyes are brighter and you seem to smile more."

"I never knew. I suppose I should tell everyone soon. How do you think the children will react?"

"They'll be overjoyed and have lots of questions. Women of Agathe's generation hid their pregnancy by wearing crinolines under their dresses."

"Then they will learn with me; I've never been around any pregnant women."

"After you tell everyone, Isabel will be able to answer your questions."

"Let me use the bathroom and then it will our time."

Shortly, Maria slid under the covers and Georg drew her to him and his kisses went everywhere. Their bodies rested before each put on nightwear and then they fell asleep quickly; after all they had been awake since sunrise.

In the morning, it was later than yesterday by thirty minutes, when Kurt woke everyone with his usual reminder. "I'm hungry. I hope Katia has juice ready."

"I suppose I should dress and go down with them."

"Yes or Kurt may raid the refrigerator."

Maria laughed at Georg's remark. She also knew he may just do it.

Katia spoke to her as she arrived in the kitchen. "Kurt was starving; I let him eat his fruit."

"Georg and I heard him tell his siblings he was hungry. I think he may be having a growth spurt."

"You may be right." Katia answered.

"Is the water in tea kettle hot?"

"Yes it is."

"Good, I think I'll make me a cup of tea."

Katia turned away so Maria didn't see her full smile. She too knew Maria was pregnant. She wondered when Maria was going to tell everyone.