Private Time and More

In the master suite, the couple had changed into their bedclothes and now lay together talking.

"Georg, I still find it amazing that Bishop Howard's plan brought us all the way to America without any trouble."

"As you said when we slept on the Pope's ship; angels were there. They probably stayed with us as we traveled. And now we're waiting to learn God's plan. I believe meeting Harold is part of it."

"True and God may have other things planned for us. Georg darling, do you realize we haven't missed any days since we've been married?"

"Sorry sweetheart, I haven't. My mind had so much on it."

Then the lightbulb lit Georg's mind. "Do you think you're pregnant? How do you feel?"

"Quite normal, I don't what I'm supposed to feel."

"And if you are, I'm surprised Isabel hasn't said something to you."

"How would she know?"

"I'm told women look different when they're pregnant; something about a glow."

"Maybe I'm not far enough along to have a glow." Maria paused.

"It's possible I became pregnant on the Pope's ship; it was the right time of the month."

"Interesting, a child conceived under the watchful eyes of angels. I do think one was present in that berth on the Pope's ship. This child may be blessed with special gifts."

"I hope it's not another Brigitta; one precocious child is enough." They both laughed rather heartedly before Maria added.

"I do want to keep our secret for a while longer."

"You can try dear; I won't say anything. Right now it's our time. This child forming in your womb isn't affected by our closeness."

"I'm all yours."

This master suite was blessed by marital activity. And the couple slept soundly until the first light of day when children's voices in the hall woke them. None of them knew that Franz and Max were also awake. Soon they heard Max speak.

"Children, you can go downstairs with us. Maybe Katia has some juice for you and coffee for us."

In the marital suite, the couple was taking advantage of this time alone upstairs for their marital pleasures. After their hearts slowed, Maria reminded Georg.

"Let's not say or do anything to reveal my possible pregnancy."

"My lips are sealed. The time has come for us to dress and join the others."

The two men and the children discovered Katia did have coffee and juice available. Everyone was sitting around the dining room table when the couple arrived. Two chairs at the end of the table, nearest to a window, had been left for them.

Father Wasner fulfilled Kurt's request to give the blessing once the couple sat. "Morning has broken on our first full day in America. May the Lord now bless this food He has provided, Amen."

Everyone concurred with their own, Amen. Katia and Isabel had prepared a breakfast like what they had in Salzburg. A big bowl of cut up fruit was served first. While the group was eating, Katia and Isabel were busy frying eggs and bacon. The platters of fried eggs, fried bacon and another with biscuits were then placed on the table.

After everyone had eaten rather heartedly, they leaned back in the chairs. They each said. I'm full.

Georg was about to rise, a sign which ended meals, when they heard the sound of chimes intoning eight separate sounds.

Franz immediately spoke. "That must be our doorbell; I'll go see."

It was Max who commented. "Those chimes are the same sounds as the Big Ben Clock in London uses. I believe they're named the Westminster Chimes."

"Max is correct." Georg told them. "I remember hearing them when I visited London years ago. The gentleman who owned this house must have liked them too."

And Franz appeared with the person who pushed the button beside the front door.

Harold Isenhart spoke. "Every time I ring this doorbell, I smile. I also bring you greetings from my wife, Isabel. She encouraged me to come here and offer my time to show you the city of Merion."

"Father, may we?"

"Of course we may. Harold, give them time to use the bathroom first."

The family scampered to a bathroom and soon was in line before the front door. Now Franz counted the group.

"Harold, everyone's here and ready to leave."

"Good, follow me."

Once on the sidewalk Harold told them. "Our church is to your right; the shopping district is to your left. It's not a long walk."

Two blocks later, Harold turned on to a street named Lancaster. Everyone saw the shops immediately including one painted bright yellow.

And as they came closer, Katia remarked. "That bright yellow store is awful big."

"Yes, it is. It's a grocery store with a simple odd name, ASCO. Those letters stand for American Stores Company. It was one of the first large grocery stores to have its own butcher and bakery. And it is a store where you take the items from the shelves, put them in a cart on wheels and take it to the front of the store where you pay for everything."

"How interesting! Are there other shops nearby?"

"Yes, everything is on the next block. These are shops owned by the family who lives on the floor above. Someone coined the name, Mom and Pop Stores.

"Who is pop?"

"It's slang for Papa, Friedrich. My wife forbid our children from using the term."

"I'm like your wife. I don't like it either."

And Georg gave Maria's hand an affectionate squeeze. Then Harold led them down the street to have a good look at all the shops. Each one had a specialty; they found a shop for men, for women, for babies and toddlers another one for small children. There were also shops just for boys and another for girls.

There was a hat store for ladies and men as well as separate clothing and shoe stores. Stefan and Phillip smiled when they saw the hardware store. The ladies liked the china shop and one called All Things for the Kitchen, and the Linen Shop.

And Harold told them. "My wife usually goes to Center City Philadelphia two or three times a year to shop at the fabulous department stores there. Georg, it's worth a trip there for everyone at Christmas time. The display windows are fabulous. And be sure and see the water and music show in the Great Hall of Wannamaker's Department store. It's magnificent."

It was Liesl who asked. "Will we celebrate Christmas this year?"

Maria knew why she asked. Liesl had told her Georg was too sad to celebrate Christmas after Agathe died. She had loved Christmas.

"Yes, Liesl we will. America is a new beginning for all of us. And something else will change too. I believe it's time for everyone to attend a real school. Your mother is an excellent teacher but teaching all of you is not easy and besides each of you needs to become more fluent in English."

He was also thinking about their secret. Georg knew that Maria wouldn't have time to teach them after the baby was born.

"And Georg because there are so many people of German descent here, the schools have become very efficient in teaching the children English. I'll take another street so we will pass the high school, the junior high school and the elementary school."

Harold paused, Brigitta had raised her hand. "What is a junior high school?"

"They are schools for children in the seventh, eighth and ninth grades."

"Mother, will I attend the junior high school, an elementary school sounds childish."

Maria looked at Georg with one of those looks which said there she goes being precocious again.

Georg rescued Maria. "That will be up to the principal."

Then Kurt made a comment. "These schools are so big. How many students go to them?"

"Yes Kurt they are big. They serve children from a large area and the buildings you see are like many in other cities in America. I'm sure each of you will be assigned a fellow student who will make sure you get to your classes."

"So we don't stay in the same room all day." Louisa stated.

"That's correct young lady. Only the elementary school has the traditional format of one teacher for a class of twenty-five students. They do have music rooms, art rooms and even a small room for science experiments.

"Georg and Maria, the schools are still on their summer break. All of them, all over America return the day after a holiday known as Labor Day. It's always the first Monday of September. Most everyone uses the long weekend for family get-togethers or to go somewhere not too far away. So school begins on that Wednesday."

"Can you tell us the school hours?"

"Yes I can Maria. The hours for the elementary school are nine to three; junior high is eight-thirty to three. And the high school begins at eight and also ends at three; many high school students have extra-curricular activities. They may not come home until four o'clock. School buses provide transportation for those living more than a quarter mile from the elementary school. For junior high students that distance in a half of mile and for high school students it's a mile."

"That seems logical. When do new students register?"

"That has already begun. The principal and the administrative staff had their vacation during the month of July. They and the custodians, the men who repair and keep the school clean, have been at work since the beginning of August. They keep nine to three hours. You're free to visit during those hours."

"And Georg, I've been asked to drive you to the Port the day after tomorrow. Admiral Jessup will be visiting from Washington, DC."

"An Admiral, Harold?"

"Yes, Georg, he's in charge of surveillance of the coast for German submarines."

"So they think the Germans will come all the way across the Atlantic."

"They've already been playing havoc with our cargo ships; several have been sunk only a hundred miles from our coast."

"I never knew this. Now I'm anxious to learn how I can help."

"You and I think alike. Till then enjoy your free time with your children. Who remembers how to return to your house?"

Friedrich raised he hand.

"Okay, everyone follow Friedrich."

He did remember. The family thanked Harold and he walked on to his house. The family went inside their house and sat in the big family room to discuss all they had learned.