Solving Problems

Both Sisters smiled. They knew exactly what problem had been solved.

"Of course we will Reverend Mother. Children, we're going to take you to the barn; it's one of your Fräulein's favorite places in the Abbey."

They eagerly went with them. Sister Margareta brought them to see a basket full of kittens. They were about two weeks old. One could pick them up without the mama cat becoming defensive. Soon Brigitta asked.

"What problem was the Reverend Mother talking about?"

"Let's go out to the garden; there we can sit on some benches."

They went there. The Sisters sat so they could see the children. Sister Margareta began.

"Your Fräulein was our problem."

"How could she be a problem?" Liesl questioned with an undeniable defensive tone to her voice.

"When your Fräulein rang our bell she was dressed as a mountain climber. She had no parent or guardian with her. Her first words were, I've come to stay. And then the Reverend Mother asked if someone had sent her. She then said. No one except God.

"For reasons only God knows, the Reverend Mother accepted her into the Novitiate. I was assigned to guide her through the discernment process. It's a time when a girl must learn how to be a nun.

"Your Fräulein is a free spirit. She would speak when it was the time to be quiet; or sing after having been told she wasn't supposed to sing in the Abbey. And then do many other things she shouldn't do."

And Sister Bertha added. "I liked Maria but I knew in my heart she shouldn't be a nun. When the Reverend Mother received your father's request for a person to watch over you for the summer, Maria was chosen. None of us knew God's plan for her then. Now all of us know. He solved the problem of Maria by having her and your father fall in love."

"It's like our Fräulein is Cinderella and Father is her prince."

"Yes, Marta it is. And her prince will find her a castle. There you will be a very happy family."

-OO-

Meanwhile, in the sitting room, the Bishop spoke to the adults by first offering a prayer.

"Lord, give me strength and wisdom. May the words of mouth be spoken clearly and calmly. And may they give hope to those who hear them. Amen."

Instinctively the group replied, "Amen." And the Bishop continued.

"Ever since Hitler began his rise to power, the church began to hear ideas in his speeches which caused alarm. He laughed at people who believed in God; telling them there was no proof He existed.

"But it was how he began to treat the Jewish people which caused the church to worry about them. The church has always believed the Jewish people were chosen by God. Sadly, throughout the centuries they have been dispersed. They no longer occupy the land God gave them. And many nations have been responsible for this.

"And the Pope has also learned Hitler wants to purge them all from the earth in addition to people of dark skin. You may not know he was terribly distraught when a dark skinned American won several races at the Berlin Olympics. He wants what he calls a pure Aryan race.

"The Pope has been working with Cardinals, Bishops and Rabbis from many countries to help get as many Jewish people as he can out of Germany to a place of safety. In some places they will join those who immigrated after the Great War.

"In America these people established communities; not to isolate themselves but rather to have time to assimilate and learn to speak English well. They are now communities with people of all faiths and nationalities.

"Captain, I know of you from your heroic deeds during the Great War. I also know about both of your losses. I'm very happy to see you have overcome your sadness."

The Bishop hadn't needed to enumerate Georg's losses. Georg knew he was referring to losing the war and that Austria's navy base was given to Italy; the other loss was Agathe's death.

"I also believe it was God's will to have this young lady, whom God didn't think should be a nun, to have been selected by the Mother Abbess to be your children's governess.

"I believe, wholeheartedly, that one must find the life they were destined to live. I'm fond of a song I heard long ago. It speaks of climbing mountains, searching everywhere and following every rainbow until you find that life.

"I truly believe that your life, Captain, and Maria's, have entwined as you each have found your life of destiny. And I'm sure you know it wouldn't be possible to achieve that life if you remain in Austria."

"Sadly I do. It has been on my mind ever since the rumblings of the Anschluss began. I haven't any idea how to do so."

"I'm here to tell you the Pope has included you, your children and this entire group in his plan to get people with various God given gifts out of Austria.

"He, like me, has read about your amazing feats in the Adriatic in the Great War and that the emperor awarded you the Maria Teresa Cross. He's sure you have knowledge that will prove useful to fight the evil mind of Hitler."

"That was long ago Bishop. Submarines are much different now."

"It's not the commanding of a submarine you will use. It's your mind; you're thought to be a genius. It has been written you were always able to find the quickest and the surest way to solve even the most complex problems. And it's your principled, interested and unbiased way you treated your crew, formed from all the countries which made up the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which will prove useful.

"Hitler knows all this. That's why he will go to any means possible to have you delivered to the German Navy Base in Bremerhaven.

"Now let me explain your travel plans."