In the past day, Herr Kramer had learned several things. He had learned that so far living with people wasn't quite as trying as he used to think it would be. He learned that 5 year olds could be adorable and yet when tired or hungry could make the most unpleasant scenes. He learned that six pairs of unskilled hands – and one pair of skilled hands – made a bigger difference for his daily burdens than he had dreamed possible. And he had also learned that six hungry children could eat almost more food in a day than he normally kept stored.
It was the morning of their second full day there and Tobias Kramer figured they'd have enough food to get them through that day, possibly another, but worried about what they would do if this family stayed here longer than that.
He had also learned other things. He had learned that Maria – he had learned only their first names – sang more beautifully than he could imagine the angels singing. He had learned through observation that the family had been through an ordeal, and he suspected that was why he only knew first names. He had also learned through observation that his initial assessments had been correct: the family was wealthy, but Maria was from a background similar to his own. He had learned that she was only newly married to the father of these children, yet every single child adored her. They had obviously married with the full enthusiasm of the children.
He had learned that while Maria's voice was clear as a bell and soared so high that it seemed to fill the mountains, all of the children could sing beautifully, and in fact they sang together remarkably well. It seemed to be their favorite hobby. He had learned that though they were inexperienced, the children were all willing to work hard, which impressed him. He suspected that was inspired by Maria's own work ethic. He also suspected that he could grow to love this beautiful and unique woman as though she were the daughter and child he had never had.
Herr Kramer was impressed at how Maria made sure the children did work around the farm, but also kept them playing. It would be easy for children who had just walked through the mountains all the way from Switzerland to lose even the last glow of youth, but somehow he kept hearing peels of laughter. They all loved the animals, although the older blonde girl, Louisa, had taken a particular interest in the goats, Swanli and Baerli. The oldest girl, Leisl, preferred to help in the house. And the boy who felt more like a man, Friedrich, seemed to have assumed his father's responsibility for ensuring the safety of the family. He was alert, rarely let himself be distracted by the games or chores, and frequently walked the perimeter of the farm – never letting himself be too far away from the family, but also looking out into the mountains. Herr Kramer wasn't worried. No one had ever approached him from that side of the mountains before – let alone someone from Switzerland. Although he knew this family had to have been desperate to do what they had done, he didn't think it was possible that they could have been directly followed.
Herr Kramer also wondered about the father and daughter who had gone into Dorfli. He was sure that they had found a place to sleep last night; he had given them good directions on how to find a boarding house. As for the rest … he couldn't help but wonder. He didn't know how much money this man still had. How was he going to be able to afford a place for all nine of them to live? He hoped it would be soon. Though he was enjoying their company – for now – he also didn't know how long he would be able to keep feeding them.
ooooooooo
Maria joined him in the kitchen, greeted him, and then set to work making a loaf of bread. She was an early riser, and knew to be quiet in the morning and just enjoy the beautiful day. He appreciated her all the more for it, and as she set the dough to rise, he realized that her bread dough already smelled better than his ever had.
There was a sadness around her eyes though. He suspected it had to do with her husband's absence. He could easily tell that as much as the children adored her, her husband adored her even more and it was reciprocated in full. This was a true love match, and it couldn't be easy for a newly married couple, so obviously in love, to be parted for an undetermined length of time. Still, he was impressed at how she kept her spirits up, and pretty soon she was humming. Tobias loved listening to her.
Soon there was nothing left to do but wait for the children to wake up and wait for the bread dough to finish rising, so Maria left the cottage to sit outside. She stared down the mountain towards Dorfli, wondering where Georg and Brigitta were and how they were doing. It was amazing, she mused, how her heart could be in two places at once. It was here with her children, and yet it was also down in this unknown village with her husband and other daughter as well. The previous night had been the first night they had been separated since they were married. She missed Georg so much she physically ached.
oooooooooooo
The children were still not awake when Tobias Kramer looked out the window to see the familiar sight of the goat boy, Pietr, coming up with his flock to collect Swanli and Baerli for the day. Pietr came almost every day, early in the morning, bringing the town's goats up into the mountains to graze. Tobias liked Pietr. He was an honest, hard working boy of twelve who never complained and knew the mountains and the alm almost as well as Kramer himself. A poor boy, he lived with his blind grandmother across the alm. Almost every morning, before it was light, he walked into Dorfli, collected the goats, and led them back into the mountains. Seeing Pietr come to collect Swanli and Baerli was one of the most familiar sights of the day, but today, Tobias realized, there was something different. He narrowed his eyes trying to pin point the difference. Then he realized that the flock was larger by two goats, and that Pietr was carrying a much larger sack than usual.
Maria hurried to her feet in surprise. The day before had been one of Pietr's rare days off, and she wasn't expecting to see anyone. But mountain raised and farm bred, she quickly realized that he was the local goat boy that any mountain town would have. Yet before he went to the house to greet Herr Kramer, or the barn to collect the goats, Pietr stopped in front of Maria.
"Baroness Von Trapp?" he asked, taking off his hat nervously.
"I … yes," Maria answered, momentarily flustered. How did he know who she was? How had he learned her last name? Had he met Georg? Had something bad happened that had revealed their last name?
Her concerns were quickly laid to rest as he broke into an easy grin.
"The Baron, your husband, described you well," he explained.
She relaxed quickly, realizing that he had been sent by Georg, but also realizing that although Georg had revealed their last name, he had not revealed his military title of Captain." As always, she followed his lead, understanding that they were now 'Baron and Baroness Von Trapp', rather than 'Captain and Baroness Von Trapp'.
"The Baron asked me to deliver this to you," Pietr continued, handing her a letter, folded and sealed. She was so eager to hear from Georg that it took all of Maria's self discipline not to rip it open at that moment.
"He also asked me to ask you to accompany me to speak with Herr Kramer, if you weren't already with him," Pietr finished with a note of satisfaction. He had been paid well for this mission, and the first part of his message had been delivered perfectly. He had been a bit nervous about encountering an actual Baroness staying with Herr Kramer, but he had immediately realized that this Baroness was even less assuming than her husband. 'Kind and loving' were the words that popped into his head.
"Well, then let's go find Herr Kramer," Maria responded sweetly, clutching the letter as though her life depended on it.
oooooooooooo
Tobias had watched the exchange from the window. It was obvious that Maria had gotten a letter from her husband, and he was relieved for her. Whatever news it contained, it had to be good just to hear from him.
He watched the pair approach the house and put on the gruff exterior he usually used when talking with Pietr. Although he didn't know it, that exterior was beginning to crack.
"Well?" Kramer asked abruptly as they walked to the door. "Swanli and Baerli are in the barn. You won't find them in here!"
Maria was slightly taken aback by his tone, but then had to hide a smile as she saw through his act. Very well. He was indulging her by not asking unnecessary questions. She could indulge him by not giving away his act, although she suspected that Pietr knew it was an act as well as she did.
"Yes, sir" Pietr agreed, "but I have a … a message for you from the Baron Von Trapp." Pietr spoke with the air of a child having more authority than he was used to having, and who was enjoying every moment of it.
'Von Trapp,' Tobias thought to himself as he caught Maria's eye. 'Well, well. And a Baron at that. I knew they were a wealthy family.' Tobias, however, did not let on that any of this was new information to him, and he kept up his gruff façade.
"Well, out with it boy," he barked.
"Please Herr Kramer, I need to come inside," Pietr explained.
Tobias sighed in mock exasperation. "Very well then," he said as he moved aside. "But don't touch anything!"
Pietr walked purposefully to the kitchen where he opened and began unloading his very large and overflowing sack. He pulled out cheese, sausage and fruit, butter and jam, and plenty of each of them. Tobias was stunned at the sight of the food, though once he got over his initial surprise he heaved a quiet sigh of thanks. He'd be able to keep feeding this family for that much longer. And he was surprised at Georg's insight. Sending food was much more useful than sending money. What was he, Tobias, going to do with money up in the alm with seven – no eight if he counted himself – mouths to feed.
Maria couldn't help but smile. It was a triumphant smile of satisfaction so she tried to keep it subdued – it just played around the corners of her mouth. The sight of the food meant that Georg had been able to get at least some money from his Swiss bank accounts, which was a relief. But she also knew that Herr Kramer had underestimated her husband as a wealthy gentleman who had no idea what it was like to live hand to mouth. She didn't want to gloat. It wasn't appropriate and it was giving far too much credit to humans than to God, but she knew that Herr Kramer was quickly revising his opinion of Georg.
"Herr Kramer, sir," Pietr said, interrupting both of their happiness and relief. "Excuse me sir, but there is more.
"More?" Tobias asked in confusion. How could there be more than this? This would allow him to feed the family for at least another day or so, and it proved to him that this wealthy gentleman did understand his needs.
"Yes, sir," continued Pietr. This time he walked to the doorway and out of the house, Tobias and Maria trailing behind him in confusion and anticipation.
Pietr pointed to his flock. "You see those two new nannies? The fat speckled one and the fat brown one?" Pietr asked.
"Yes, of course," Tobias said skeptically.
Maria's heart began to race in anticipation, and once again she knew her husband had outdone anyone's expectations.
"Well, I hope that Swanli and Baerli are ready for some company," Pietr explained. "Because they're both yours, with the … courtesy and … gratitude … of the Baron Von Trapp," Pietr finished triumphantly. It was obvious he had practiced these exact words on his way up the mountain, and was proud of himself, not only for delivering such a generous gift but also for getting the right words to go along with the gift.
If Tobias Kramer had been surprised by the sight of the food he was stunned into silence at the sight of the two new goats. This would double his livestock, double his milk and cheese produce, double the most valuable of his revenue. He walked silently up to his two new goats and began to examine them. Georg Von Trapp could not have chosen better. They were fat, healthy, and ready to give lots of milk and cheese. He was surprised to find his eyes welling up with tears and quickly hid them by bending down to look at their hooves and blinking them back.
"Well, I suppose they'll do," he said gruffly. "It's a good thing the barn is big enough."
Maria couldn't hide her grin anymore. Georg could not have done better. Livestock
was more valuable to a subsistence farmer than money. But the fact that he had been able to buy such fine goats definitely meant that he had his hands on a comfortable amount of money. She found herself clutching the letter even more tightly, eager to read what he had to say, confident that at least some of it would be positive.
His messages and gifts delivered, Pietr broke his somewhat formal posturing. "He did say he would have sent chickens as well, but they're too difficult to herd up a mountain."
Ooooooo
Between the three of them and the herd of goats, they had made enough noise to wake the children, who finally came pouring out of the barn, once again in different states of dishevelment.
They all started exclaiming excitedly over the large herd of goats until Maria got their attention by clapping her hands. "Children," she began, "breakfast is almost ready. Herr Kramer has also acquired two new goats. They'll be spending the day with Pietr, along with Swanli and Baerli" (the younger children groaned in disappointment at this) "but all four goats will be back later today."
Marta had crept up to Herr Kramer without his noticing, and so he was startled to feel her tugging on his jacket. "Herr Kramer," she asked quietly, "are they girl goats or boy goats?"
"Girl goats," he responded as he watched a shy smile spread across her face. "Do you approve … Marta?" he asked, fishing for her name. Marta nodded vigorously. She was still at the stage where she preferred anything that was a girl over a boy, from dolls to goats.
"What are you going to name them?" Gretl asked more boldly.
The question hadn't occurred to him yet, he was so overwhelmed by the generosity of the gift. But looking down into her face, he knew the answer. "Why, Marta and … " he looked helplessly at Maria and watched her carefully mouth the name 'Gretl.' "Marta and Gretl of course," Tobias concluded as the two small girls squealed in delight.
"All right," Maria said, taking charge of her children again, "we'll decide which is which later today when Pietr returns with them. Right now, inside for breakfast!"
She heard some cheering at that as well, but it was mostly from Kurt.
Maria desperately wanted to leave the children to their breakfast and go read her letter from her husband, but she knew she needed to be a mother first at that moment. Leaving all six children alone with Herr Kramer for breakfast would be utterly irresponsible.
Pietr collected Swanli and Baerli and took off up the mountain with the flock, now increased by two.
ooooooo
As Maria ushered the children into the small house and got them settled for breakfast, she could smell the the fruits of her labor: the bread was just finished baking. It would be delicious with the new butter and jam. 'A drink with jam and bread,' she thought to herself, and smiled inwardly.