Chapter 7
"Oh Elsa I'm so glad to see you!" exclaimed the Countess.
"You look worried, dear what is it?" asked a concerned Elsa.
"Can ve go somevhere to talk vhere ve won't be overheard?" asked the Countess in hushed tones.
"Yes, let's go to the cellar."
Once there Elsa asked,"What is it Magda darling?"
"Bela was explaining some Nazi laws to me and according to the laws, I'm Jewish!"
"What, but how…?"
"Neither my mother or my father's family have been practicing Jews for 100 years, but the law states that if one has at least 3 Jewish grandparents they are Jewish, so I'm Jewish!"
"Mein Gott! Oh dear you've got to get out of Austria. Stay in Budapest!"
"Elsa, I love being able to go from Vienna to Budapest! Vienna has so much more to offer and there's our summer home near Salzburg. I vish I could stay here! Do you know anyone who is forging Identity cards?"
"Yes, I do, but Lisa is at school in Switzerland. Why don't you join her?"
"I thought she could transfer to a school here. She's only what they call a Mischling. I don't think there will be as many restrictions for her."
"Half-breed, good Lord, how can they be so cruel? and to think I once was indifferent to the Nazis. God forgive me! You may stay with me! What about Bela?"
"Oh ve vere planning to get divorced."
"Oh divorce of the King and Queen?" Elsa asked.
"Oh don't remind me of that silly fraternal order he's in. Lisa still acts like it means something, as if she's a princess! He hasn't paid much attention to me in years!"
"Oh really?" I'm sorry to hear that."
"I don't vant to talk about it. I'll write Lisa and her headmistress to tell her she'll be transferring schools."
"Does she know of your plans?"
"Yes, but she is in love with a Jewish boy in Budapest. They're only 13, but they swear its love! Letters home ask, How vat's his name?"
"You can't remember his name either?" Elsa found this amusing.
"Oh now I do, it's Lazlo."
"Well if they want to be together we could get false ID cards for his family too and arrange for them to come to Vienna."
"His father is a rabbi, though. I don't think he'd vant to give up his job."
"No and we can't find one for him here either. Poor Lisa. Do you think his parents would mind if he stayed in Vienna, with me?"
"Oh he vouldn't like that at all. He vishis that vhat's his name like a girlfriend who was Jewish. There is something else terrible I heard that the Nazis are doing!"
"Isn't everything they do horrible?"
"Yes, Elsa you are right. I heard a horrid idea that also could affect a loved one. Have I ever mentioned my niece Gizi?"
"No you haven't."
"Vhen my sister died she left a child orphaned. The now young lady has Down syndrome and is living in an Institution in Vienna. I vant to take her in and heard something that really made me vant to.
"What?"
"Forced sterilization of those with Down Sydrom and other, vhat they call hereditary illness",Magda whispered horrified.
"I've heard that as well. It's why Baron and Baroness's Schultz's oldest, Marta quit her job as a nurse at an institution. I'm sure she'd love to have Gizi come live with her, or she could live here and Marta could come and spend time with her."
"Oh thank you Elsa. I never used to be so kind and caring, but vhen you look at vhat's going on around you!"
"I know what you mean Magda. Why did you mention Lisa coming here for the holidays?"
"The butler vas in the room. I didn't vant him to become suspicious. He is German."
"That was a good idea, dear. Let's have some Riesling."
"Oh that sounds nice! I'm so glad you don't like Nazis and vill do so much to help, but I'm afraid!"
"Let's pray together, alright?"
"Oh please pray vith me!"
They prayed the Rosary and Lord's Prayer. The line deliver us from evil seemed more appropriate than ever.