An Interlude

Max heard Georg as he came out the door to the veranda. "Children, you've wore me out. I think you should go get cleaned up for dinner."

They didn't argue. They passed Max on their way to the back door. "You're just in time for dinner, Uncle Max."

"I timed it that way, Kurt."

Georg laughed at their exchange.

"Come sit with me. I know you and Elsa are friends and that you really wanted us to marry. I'm sure you saw the way she acted around the children and that they were miserable. They tried to like her but she didn't like them.

"She gave me an ultimatum; it was either me or them. It was an easy decision. After four years of pushing them away, I've found joy in having them around me."

"I'm not blind; you're like you were before Agathe died. I still chuckle about seeing you play submarine under the dining room table. I also know you have a certain young governess to thank."

"Yes, I do. She had the guts to dress me down like I never had been during all my years in the navy. I'm so grateful she taught the children to sing. That day was the turning point."

"I think it's more than that. You and the children really enjoyed the things you did together after that. Georg, your heart burns for her."

"I had so hoped she would have returned for the sake of the children. The Mother Abbess told me she tried to send her back but Maria was determined to leave the Abbey."

"Georg, I never told you my suspicion. I'm sure Elsa scared her away. I saw her follow Maria when she went to change for dinner. Elsa was elated when she found me later. It was her way of telling me mission accomplished."

"That thought crossed my mind. I remember her pretentious smile. But at that moment I didn't know the reason.

"Max, we better go inside. All of the children are probably really hungry. We played tag for over an hour."

Georg found that to be true. Everyone was engaged in eating; there was very little talking. He also let them sing for Max after dinner. And they didn't complain when Georg told them it was bedtime.

"Georg, I'm turning in as well. I need to be at the Festival Hall earlier than usual."

"Then I'll see you at breakfast."

"Yes, dressed and ready to leave."

The two men said their goodnights. Georg went to his room. He walked out on his balcony. The full moon over the lake made him think of Maria.

He wondered where she was and perhaps she might be looking at the moon tonight. His thoughts made his heart race a bit. He was also looking forward to meeting with Sidney tomorrow.

In the morning, Max was already seated by the time the children joined him. Brigitta asked. "Why are you up so early?"

"The Festival committee is a bunch of early risers; my attendance is expected."

"Even Uncle Max has responsibilities. Children, maybe you could do your reading this morning. I have some work to do; I'll be in my study."

"Is it alright if we paint after we read? I know how to mix the paints."

"That's fine Liesl."

And again Georg saw her maturity as she took charge of her siblings. And Georg went to his study. He shut the door. He was anticipating Sidney's call. He was glad the children were occupied. No one would hear the sound of the typewriter as he typed his memoirs of the Great War.

It was midmorning when the sound of the ringing telephone jolted him from his typing. He hastily picked up the receiver. He heard Sidney's greeting and this.

I'm leaving after our conversation. Two of my staff can close up the lodge. I should be in Salzburg in less than an hour. I'll call you from the Bristol Hotel.

"Very well, I'll be waiting for your call."

Georg hung up the receiver and leaned back in his chair and thought of his excuse for meeting Sidney in town. Then he went back to his typing.

It was actually only forty-five minutes later when the telephone rang. Georg hastily picked up the receiver and told Sidney. "I'll be there shortly."

Georg almost ran up the stairs. He found his children and Isabel in the empty room where they were painting.

"Your paintings are wonderful. Uncle Sidney is in town on a shopping trip. I'm driving into the city to meet him. I won't be gone long. I'll be home in time for lunch."

The children went back to their painting and Georg hurried to his car. He drove rather fast down the lane; he was forced to slow down as he entered the downtown area of Salzburg. He easily found a place to park near the hotel. Sidney was waiting in the lobby.

They found an empty sitting room. It was too early in the day for spirits; they both asked for a cup of coffee. Sidney began the conversation,

"Your voice sounded desperate. I can tell something is on your mind."

"You're right. Let me tell you about the governess who cared for the children over the summer."

Sidney heard everything, from seeing Maria in the ballroom as well as describing how she and the his children had fallen out of the rowboat, their ensuing screaming match to his hearing his children sing and finally his apology.

"Sidney, as preposterous as this may sound, I fell in love with her. A love I was afraid to admit because she was a postulant and would return to the Abbey in September."

"Did she seem to have similar feelings?"

"I know she loves the children. One evening, the children convinced her to ask me to sing for them. I sang the song Edelweiss for them.

"Maria stood behind them. After I sat on the settee, I looked at her. Sidney, I was mesmerized by her face and posture. I asked Liesl to come and sit in front of me and we sang the song together. I forced myself to look at Elsa; I knew she was miffed.

"At the end of the song, I looked at Maria again. She reminded me of Agathe; she had that same affectionate look she had in the early days of our courting. Elsa broke our trance as she jumped from her seat suggesting I give a party for her.

"Of course my children were all enthused. I reluctantly said yes; knowing fully well I would have to invite Herr Zeller and others of like mind. Maria ushered the children off to bed; Elsa and Max also left me. I sat there wondering how I was going to get through that evening."

"Something tells me you had an encounter with Zeller."

"I did. It was after I found Maria trying to dance the Laendler with Kurt out in the courtyard. Sidney, we had the best time. We even laughed. But near the end when we stood with only an inch or two between our faces did she become overwhelmed with emotion and backed away claiming she didn't remember anymore."

"And Elsa saw you."

"She did and gave me an icy tongue lashing. We walked back into the ballroom to hear Maria invite us to listen to the children sing for the guests a goodnight song. Max Detweiler was ecstatic after listening to them. He wanted Maria to join us for dinner.

"As you would expect, Maria refused. But Max was persistent. She went up to change. That's when I had the encounter with Zeller. He called me out about my flag hanging from the balcony railing. He had the gall to tell me the Anschluss is coming regardless of my opposition.

"And I know now, Elsa took that opportunity to follow Maria to her room. I can't even imagine all that she told Maria. But whatever it was she achieved her purpose. Maria ran back to the Abbey. She put herself in seclusion; neither the children nor I had a chance to speak to her.

"When I visited the Abbey the second time, to see if she was still in seclusion, the Reverend Mother told me she had left the Abbey early that morning. She told me two places where she might have gone. The first was Vienna. When I went there, I discovered the distance I kept from the children all these years had forced Liesl to hide the fact she had a boyfriend.

"There in Vienna, Maria had seen him; he was wearing the uniform of Hitler's Youth Army. Seeing him caused her to leave there. The other option the Mother Abbess suggested was that she went to Tirol, where she had once lived."

"So, you want to go there and search for her."

"Exactly my plan, but I have no clue where to begin; Tirol is a big Province."

"It is. I doubt she went very far west; those mountains are very rugged. There are many farms a short distance from the border with Salzburg Province. I know this area well."

"I thought you would. Now we need to hope the Germans don't make their move soon. And I need to think of a way to get away without explaining too much. Let me get back; maybe an idea will come to me as I drive."

"I have nowhere to go. I'll wait for your call."

The friends shook hands and Georg had already begun to think. He had an idea before had driven very far. He would tell everyone he was scoping out a farm which they could visit; and he would describe all the animals and things they would see.

Before he looked for the children, he called Sidney. "I did think of a plan. I'm going to tell them I searching for a farm to visit. When can we leave?"

In the morning is soon enough. Where can I meet you?

"I'll tell them my reason for leaving at breakfast. I can come pick you up."

I'll be waiting out front.

Georg then went looking for his children. He found them cleaning their paint brushes. He walked around the room among all the easels.

"These are wonderful; my children have another talent."

"Maybe so Father, but I think we enjoy singing more."

"Uncle Max has you brainwashed from all his complements."

"I heard that."

"Hi Max, it's true you do share your complements. I'm glad my children are multi-talented. I believe it's time for lunch."

The two men followed the children down the stairs and found lunch waiting for them. And afterwards, Georg was more than willing to play games with them. Max didn't join them; he took an afternoon siesta.

After an afternoon full of active games, Georg and his children played quiet games after dinner. And none of the children complained when it was bedtime. Liesl once again took charge of her younger sisters.

Georg and Max enjoyed a glass of spirits before turning in. That night everyone had a restful sleep, except Georg. He kept waking to look at his clock. Finally at five o'clock he got up and dressed. When daylight broke, he heard his children.

They were once again in a very happy mood. No one ever told him they were happy because Elsa had left. But he knew it was the reason for their happiness. Now he thought of how happy they would be if he found Maria.

As he had told Sidney, he told them his reason for leaving. He heard.

"That sounds like fun," from Kurt.

And "I hope there are little kittens," from Gretl.

"I'm glad you are so enthused, I'll look for the perfect farm to visit. I'm going to leave in a few minutes."

They went out back where they said goodbye and Georg waived as he drove away. Liesl had fun things planned for while he was away.

A/N: It's a true fact that Maria was from Tirol. It's also true that Georg wrote a book. One of his and Maria's granddaughters had it translated into English. The Title is, To The Last Salute, Memories of an Austrian U-Boat Commander.

It's not an easy read. Men, especially navy men, would really enjoy it.