The villa in Aigen

Maria hadn't walked very far when she heard voices. "I know where she is – Gromi's favorite spot."

"Well children, you found me."

Will you play a game with us?"

"You can play freeze tag without me today. I'll sit and watch." Maria didn't want to tell them her arm was quite sore; she had a nasty bruise. Georg found them; he sat down beside Maria. "What's this game Maria?"

"Freeze tag Captain, it's sometimes more fun than regular tag and you can also play it inside."

"I see you have a pretty bad bruise."

"Yes, I'm afraid so. It should be better in a few days."

The children grew tired of playing tag. "Maria, can we sing?"

"What do you want to sing?"

"The goatherd song, but you have to yodel for us. And so they sang; Maria added "lay odle lay odle lay hee hoo...…."

That's quite a talent, yodeling; and you have a beautiful voice."

"Thank you Captain."

"Does no one have a watch out there? It's lunch time. Kurt, aren't you hungry?"

"He's always hungry Rosemary."

"Yes, I know Maria."

"Need some help Maria?" He offered her his hand.

"Thank you sir."

It was too lovely of a day to eat inside; the veranda was perfect. After lunch Maria spoke to Alice, "you can tell the Captain, I will go home with him and the children and stay until school starts. Then I'll see where God is leading me."

"That's kind of you Maria, I'll tell him." Maria talked to herself as she went to her room. "God, why does my decision seem like it is your will that I stay with this family?"

Alice went looking for Georg. "I have good news for you. Maria will go home with you and the children. She doesn't know what she will do when school starts."

"Thanks Alice, I'll take it a day at a time. The children will be thrilled.

All of the people who worked for Alice Whitehead had taken a liking to Maria from day one; it wasn't that they felt sorry for her; it was her optimistic outlook on life that intrigued them. Rosemary was the closest in age to Maria, they had become good friends.

"Alice told me you were going home with Georg and the children. You are going to need some more clothes. Let's go to my room and see what I have that you like."

"Rosemary I don't want to take any more of your clothes. You already gave me two."

"Maria, I have plenty, I won't miss a few and besides I can make a couple if I need them."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm very sure."

Rosemary selected mostly dresses she could wear in the cooler months which would be here soon. By the time they were finished, Maria had three new dresses to take with her.

Georg had noticed Maria go off with Rosemary. "Children, come outside with me please." There were several benches grouped together where they sat.

"Maria has agreed to come back to Aigen with us."

"Father, that's wonderful news." Georg smiled as he watched his very happy children run off to find her. There was no reason to tell them that he didn't know what she would do when school started.

"Maria, Maria, Father just told us. We're so glad you are coming home with us."

"Thank you children, your Father was so kind to ask me."

A day later the children said goodbye to their Gromi. They boarded the train and headed for Aigen with their new friend Maria. Rosemary had sent a basket of food with them. Georg brought the basket to each compartment. It was overflowing with fruit, cheese and pastries." Take some of each Maria, there's enough for everyone."

The three hour trip went by fast; soon they heard, "Aigen station coming up." "Maria, we are very lucky our pasture is connected to the back of the train station."

"Louisa, doesn't the train noise bother the cows?"

"No Maria, the cows seem to like it; they produce more than enough milk."

Waiting for them were two of the men who worked at the villa. "Maria, please meet, Stefan, he cares for the grounds and Phillip takes care of the cows and chickens."

"It's nice to meet you both." They loaded all their luggage on the back of a truck and delivered it to the villa.

It was only a short walk around the pasture to the back of the villa. They entered through the kitchen. "What do we smell Katia?"

"Cookies Kurt, I've been filling up my cookie can. And this lovely young woman must be Maria; Rosemary told me you were beautiful. I'm glad you will be with us for awhile; Frau Schmidt can use your help."

Maria blushed slightly, "thank you, I love to be with the children."

Frau Schmidt heard their voices and joined them in the kitchen. "Did you have a good time at Gromi's?"

"Yes, we brought our friend Maria home with us. She likes to play tag."

"I know you like that Kurt."

"We play all kinds of games Frau Schmidt."

"Children you didn't tell her what you like to do most."

"What is it children?"

"We like to sing; Maria taught us all kinds of songs."

"I can't wait to hear you."

"Georg, I'll take Maria to her room. You have a pile of mail in your study."

"Did anything look important?"

"Nothing, that I noticed."

"Maria, these back stairs go up to the Captain's room. Your room is closer to the front of the house." As they walked she pointed out his study and the dining room; "this last room is Franz's room, he's the butler. He got tired of walking up two flights of stairs and converted one the small sitting rooms into his bedroom.

"And these stairs lead to all the rooms for the ladies. Here we are Maria, a bright sunny room. You have your own bathroom. If you need anything, just ask me."

"Thank you Frau Schmidt."

Maria was a bit overwhelmed. She sat on the bench for a few minutes and caught her breath. "Thank you God for this opportunity. I pray you will show me my direction in life."

"Maria, Maria," the children came running up the stairs. "Are you ready to go for a walk?"

"Of course I am."

"The grounds are beautiful."

"Stefan is a professional landscaper."

"Where do you children play?"

"This way Maria, Phillip cleared this for us when we first moved here; so we would have a grassy place where we could run around."

They returned using the path to the courtyard outside the ballroom. "Maria we play in here during the winter and when it rains. We can play your game of freeze tag in here."

"Yes, it's the perfect size."

"There you are."

"This is a lovely home Captain."

"Thank you Maria. Katia is planning an early dinner. She knew we didn't eat much for lunch."

After dinner, they sat in one of the sitting rooms and sang before bedtime. "Children, that was lovely. You sound like a professional choir."

"I couldn't agree more with Frau Schmidt. It's late children."

"Do we have to go to bed father?" He smiled at them.

"Maria's isn't going to go away."

"We know Father; it's nice to hear you tell us again."

"Come on children, say goodnight to your father." After hugs and kisses Maria walked behind them but turned as she heard. "Goodnight Maria," from the Captain.

"Goodnight sir."

"Will you read us a story?"

"Of course I will. You get on your night clothes and come to my room. Brigitta, you pick out a story everyone would like to hear; but not too long."

Georg heard all this. There she goes being motherly again, he thought as he walked to his study to check the mail.

The Captain's work took him into town everyday; so Maria and the children were on their own from eight to five most days. After breakfast that first day Frau Schmidt had reminded Maria. "It gets pretty hot in the afternoon and we're in the afternoon rainy season. So if the children want to be outside you better do it in the morning."

"Maria, can we go see the horses?"

"Where Kurt?"

"There's a farm down the lane towards town. The horses always come to the fence wanting their noses rubbed."

"Frau Schmidt warned me, that it will get hot so we better go now. Is everyone ready?" After quick trips to the bathroom, they headed towards town. Kurt was right; the horses came right up to the fence and waited to be petted. "Do you want to pet them Gretl?"

"Can I Maria?"

"Of course," Maria picked her up, setting her on her hip. The horse responded with a nicker or a soft neigh. "What is he saying Maria?"

"He's telling you hello."

"Hello horsey, I like you." Timidly Gretl petted the horse. The horses seemed to have had enough petting and ran off into the pasture. Maria and the children continued their walk. The lane soon met a cobblestone road.

"Maria, if we go left the road would take us into town. Our church is the other way."

"I'd like to see your church." The church was surrounded by several smaller homes. "Let's go around back and see if Father Martin is home." Friedrich led the way to the rectory. He opened the door and held it for everyone to enter.

The receptionist looked up. "Children you're home."

"Yes, Fräulein Catherine, please meet out friend Maria." While exchanging greetings a priest came out of his office. "I thought I heard voices. Hello children, I'm glad you are home, the church has been empty without you."

Maria approached him. "Father Martin, I'm Maria, I'm staying with the children for awhile."

"Hello Maria, will you be coming to Mass with the family?"

"Most certainly."

"Are you headed into town?"

"No sir, it was such a lovely morning, the children took me exploring. We stopped and petted the horses."

"Well enjoy your walk home. Don't forget to say hello to your father for me." They departed wishing him and Fräulein Catherine good day.

Their walk back was much slower; the sun was shinning brightly. They were very hot. "How do you get to Mass on Sundays children?"

"Sometimes we walk," Brigitta told her. "If the road is muddy or it is raining Father will take the car."

No need for the car this Sunday, it was another beautiful morning. Discussion last night had them all agree to go to the nine o'clock Mass and enjoy a large brunch when they returned. Katia always went to the very first Mass, so she could cook their food.

The extended family, included Frau Schmidt, took up two pews. The three adults along with Marta and Gretl sat behind the five older children. When Maria had taught them songs she also included some church hymns. They weren't shy; the children and Maria sang loud and clear.

After Mass, Father Martin and some parishioners spoke to them. "Georg, where did they learn to sing so well?"

"Everyone please meet Maria. The children met her at the Whitehead residence in Vienna when they stayed with their grandmother. She's responsible for their singing."

"Maria, have you had lessons?"

"No, none at all, it's a blessing from God."

"We love to sing Baroness Ebersol, its fun."

"Even you Kurt?"

"Yes, Kurt is a good alto voice right now."

"Maybe for next Sunday you can prepare a song for us."

"Can we Maria?"

"I don't see why not."

"Come on everybody, I'm hungry."

"Okay Kurt we're coming."

The children were singing silly songs on the way home but Maria was thinking about a song for next Sunday. She already had two ideas.

While in Vienna the children had spent quiet Sunday afternoons; and so Maria had planned the same for here at the villa. The older children were playing cards; except for Brigitta who was reading. Marta and Gretl were playing with their dolls. Maria had decided on their song for next Sunday; "The King of Love my Shepherd is."

Maria carefully wrote out three copies of the words.

The King of love my shepherd is,

whose goodness faileth never.

I nothing lack if I am his,

and he is mine forever.

And so through all the length of days,

thy goodness faileth never;

Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise

within thy house forever.

"Okay children, I have your song for Sunday." She passed out the papers with the words printed on them. Gretl didn't read anything more than simple words; but Maria had noticed she listened well and learned the words to songs rather quickly.

"Maria, is this the 23rd Psalm?"

"Yes Louisa, it is a paraphrase." Maria sang the first verse all the way through.

"Now children you try and sing along with me."

"Children, that was really good. Have you sung it before?"

"No, Maria, it's an easy tune." After several more times, singing both verses, they heard a voice. "Very good children, how did you learn so quickly?"

"It's easy with Maria, Father."

"Well, Kurt doesn't your stomach tell you what time it is?"

"I guess not, Father. I like singing with Maria."

"It's dinner time; Katia is putting the food on the table now. You better get washed up." While they ran off he asked Maria. "How did you teach them so fast?"

"I'm not sure sir, they are very talented; a gift they must have received from their mother and you."

"Maria, why is it you always have the perfect answer?" She blushed. "It's true sir." For the first time in awhile their eyes met with that same thought in mind. Where have I seen him/her before?

After Kurt finished off the last piece of pie, Brigitta asked. "Can we play charades?"

"Is that alright Captain?"

"Only if I can play."

"Father, will you really?"

"Why so surprised Brigitta?"

"Well, we get rather silly."

"Then I guess you will get to see your father be silly." Everyone broke out in the giggles. Maria was prepared; she had the cards for the game in her pocket.

"Remember, we take turns so everyone will get a chance to guess."

They started with animals. The first ones were easy; the Captain was next, his animal was a monkey and Gretl was the guesser. He bent over slightly, brought his hands up to his armpits and began to dance around and scratch himself as he said, "who ha ha; who ha ha."

"You're a silly monkey Father," laughing so hard she had to run off to the bathroom. Maria had drawn the next card; Friedrich was the guesser.

Maria got up on her toes and twirled around and then fell to the ground, one leg in front and the other bent; her arms at her side flapping like wings.

"I don't know. Does anyone know?"

The captain was silent; after all he had seen the ballet. Finally Liesl offered a guess. "You're a bird."

"What kind of bird? I'm large and white."

"You're a swan."

"That's right Liesl; your Maria is a beautiful swan. What topic is next?"

"Captain, shall we try book titles?"

"That's not fair, Brigitta always wins."

"We'll see. I've added some new ones." They were having so much fun, Katia and Frau Schmidt stood and watched. The game went on well past the little girls bedtime; Maria noticed them yawning.

"What time is it Captain?"

"Bedtime children; did everyone have fun? I know I did."

"Can we play again another night?"

Almost every night the "family" would play some kind of game together.

A/N: It's a true fact that the train station was in their backyard. The real family simply walked there and boarded a train to Italy.