Meeting the children

Maria was upstairs changing into a dress given to her by Georg mother, she couldn't help but think if this was any better, ok the material was top or the range - but the style, the style was made for an old woman who didn't have much dress sence, the colour for start was orange straight away it clashed with the colour of her hair, with it being strawberry blond that is. Then there was the style of the dress, it was long bulky and did nothing for her finger, even though she didn't want to show it off, then there was the top half, the collar was a tight polo neck, which she felt like she couldn't breathe in and then the was the bows on the shoulders, looking at herself she felt like some wrapped up presents that been left a side because there is no one else around who looks like she did, "Idiot" she thought. she was dreading going down stairs like this, she'd rather put her grey dress back on at least it wasn't so stupid and she dint feel like a clown, but she couldn't she was ordered to change, she thought of a list that described the captain; "in perlite, rude, domineering, snobby, hansom." "WHAT" where did that come from… well yes he is hansom, but… oh god; Maria… don't let him know it… your only make his head bigger than it already is. Taking one last look at herself she left the room and heading for the captain study.

In the study Georg was on the phone, he'd now finished telling max everything no was his last telephone call was cut short, max was laughing it off, while Georg was waiting for it to get out of max system. Max finally spoke; "the poor thing"

Georg, "hey what about me"

Max, "well… your romantic affairs have ruined you parents reputation, so I can't blame them", laughing it all off again.

Georg, "ET… tut… MAX"

Max, "oh… I know… I know, you need help, well leave it with me and I'll see what I come up with", still with the humour in his voice.

Georg, "thank you, max… speak to you soon". Now putting the phone down and saying to him "I HOPE".

There was a knock at the door and he answered with a firm, "Come in". Maria opened the door, and walked straight into the middle of the study, so the captain could give her another going over. The captain's eyes widened thinking who's idea it was to put her in this dress, then he remember his mother's, now he agreed with max the poor thing, "the children will eat her alive with what she wearing", he thought. Maria just looked at him with the word "help" in her eyes but the look on her face was, "well this is the best you're going to get". The captain spoke whilst walking towards her, "I… err… I apologise for my mother taste in her wardrobe… it's never been one of her best; while also trying to hold back a laugh. She would have smacked right then and there but she just kept her cool. "Well I'd better let you meet the children". And with that the captain walked out of the study with Maria following behind, while thinking "what will he introduce me as"

While following the captain into the foyer, Maria was deep in thought still wondering why the children were marching around, until she was stopped by what she heard next, a whistle, the captain was blowing on a whistle, why she was just about to ask when, she heard a stampede and doors slamming from upstairs.

Maria turned quickly looking above her and walking back quickly behind the captain as if for safty. She was watching the children get into line, when he started blewing on it again; they started to march down the stairs and towards them. All Maria could wonder was what on earth was going on in this house, she'd been sold and children being treat as if in a naval camp, the poor things, this is much worst then the baroness had explained to her.

As the children all stood before their father and Maria, there farther started the introduction's " this is fraulein Maria… a friend of mine… who will be staying with us for a while, Maria these are my children".

Still in shock but with a small smile to the children she said a quick "hello".

The captain then started to tell his children to step forward and give their name as they here there signal, again in disbelief of what was happening Maria watch each child step forward announcing themselves. Another word came to Maria for her list to him "heartless", for cheating his children like this.

Coming to the end she couldn't hold a giggle back when the little one had stepped forward but forgot to say her name, but also quickly noticed the captain couldn't hold back eva. The captain handed Maria her whistle explaining if you wanted anyone in the house this is what to use and that he will not having anyone shouting, Maria took it. Then as the captain was telling and showing her signal she cut him off shouting over the whistle trying to get his attention, "OH NO, I'M SORRY SIR", talking now but with a firm strong voice "I could never answer to a whistle, whistle are for dogs n cats and other animals, but not for children and differently not for me… it would be to humiliating".

The captain in shock once again by here sudden outburst asked "had she always been this outspoken", and to his great annoyance she answered him "oh much more sir" "mm" walking away and telling them all to get better acquainted but not before he was stopped in his tracks by Maria now blowing on her whistle, he turned towards her, to hear her say, "excuse me sir, but I don't know your signal". The captain looked at her wide eyed and answered "you may call me captain", but also giving her a look of we will discuss this later and left, leaving Maria with a huge smirk on her face also noticing that the children got a kick out of the scene. As Maria turned to the children she asked them to come forward again to tell her their names again and how old they are starting from the oldest:

Liesl; "I'm liesl…I'm 16years old… and I don't need a governess"

Maria answers; "well... I'm glad you told me liesl… but as your father said… I'm not a governess… but I do hope we can be good friends".

Friedrich; "I'm friedrich 14, I'm impossible"

Maria giggled and said, "really… and who told you that friedrich?"

Friedrich; "Faurline Josephine 4 governess ago"

It was staring to hit Maria that these children had a lot of governesses and by the sounds of it didn't stick around very long.

Louisa; "I'm brigitta"

Maria; "you…err… didn't tell me how old you are… Louisa"

Brigitta; "I'm brigitta, she's Louisa she 13 years old, I'm 10… and I think that you dress is something by grandmother would wear", stepping back into line only to be snapped at by Kurt.

Kurt; "brigitta you shouldn't sat that"

Brigitta; "why not?" don't you think it's something that grandmother would wear"?

Kurt; "off cause… but it suits faurline Maria much better". I'm Kurt I'm 11 and I incurable

Maria; "congratulations"

Kurt; "what incurable"?

Maria; "I think it means you wanted to be treated like a boy",

Marta comes forward and pulls on Marias dress to get her attention,

Maria; "mm hmm"

Marta; "I'm Marta… and I'm going to be seven on Tuesday… and I'd like a pick parasol."

Maria; "well pinks my favourite colour too"

Now gretl stamps her feet, to get Marias attention,

Maria; "yes your Gretl, and your"

Gretl raising her hand to show how old she is

Maria; "5 years old… well you're practically a lady

Leaving Marta and Gretl with big smiles all over their faces.

Maria now thinking that all went quite well, wanted to get to know them better, and asked them what they like to do with themselves. When there was no reply, she answered for them; "picnics? bike riding?..., well what games do you like to play"?

"Were not allowed to play games" said Marta in a small shy voice

Maria; "you're not?" deeply surprised

"No" said Louisa

Maria looking at them all as if she did not understand,

"Father doesn't like us to have fun" finished Maria.

"Oh" Maria said, looking to find way to keep the conversation going without upsetting any of them.

But just before she was about to speak, Alfred walked into the room announcing his present by talking quite loudly and cheery, "how's my wonderful grandchildren", coming up to Gretl to pick her up and commenting she gotten quite heavy since he last done it. Maria watch how all the children liked being their grandfather attention, including the older ones, they all got some kind of special acknowledgment from him. He then saw Maria standing at the side watching him with the children, he then asked if they all got to no one another, with answers of "yes" from the children and Maria and with the little's one smiles bigger then he's ever seen them, he laugh. "Right children I think it's time you all get back to your studies, we don't want you to upset your father now do we" and after watching them climb the stairs he turned to Maria. "Is everything alright… the room… children…err wardrobe"

Maria; "Well … err"

Alfred; "it's alright Maria, no one in this house shares the same dress sence as my wife", making Maria giggle and feel a bit better in herself too.

Alfred; "I guess a shopping trip is called for"

Maria; "oh no… there no need for that… really I could make my own"

Alfred; "Ha, that my dear will never do… a baroness making her own clothes". Making them both share a laugh.

Alfred; "well… I guess we'll have to book you an appointment a one of the lady's cloths stores in Salzburg, I'm sure Elizabeth would be… err happy to go with you"

Maria; "oh no please sir, don't trouble the baroness just for me… I'm sure I can find some suitable by myself", Trying so hard to get out of going with the woman.

Alfred; "alright, I'll let you get out of it this once, but you will have to be seen in public with her sooner or later you know". Laughing to himself this time.

Alfred; "well I'll go make an apointment for you… shell we say err for 11.o clock"?

"What's best, really", Answered Maria. Leaving Maria, in the foyer, deep in thought.

I no that this was pretty much som, but I love the way the cap… introduce the kids in the film, so I had to use it. Hope you like this please do let me no, anything at all, so I can improve.