"I'm fine, thanks." Somehow, Jo had found her voice.

Reverend Baumgartner smiled. Jo noticed that his teeth were perfect. "Glad to hear it."

"You are still coming over for dinner, aren't you?" asked Granny.

"It would be my pleasure."

The walk back to Granny's didn't seem to take nearly as long as the walk to the chapel had. Reverend Baumgartner walked between Granny and Horst. Renate walked at Horst's other side, and Jo walked at Granny's.

As they walked along, Horst and Renate asked the minister many questions, about his sermon as well as other topics.

"Do you think there will be a war?" asked Renate. "If there is, Papa might have to join the army."

"There may well be a war, and if there is, your father might have to fight," the minister replied. "I know he is a good man. God sees his heart, and as such, His mercy will prevail."

Renate looked very relieved.

"You seem very quiet today, Magda," Reverend Baumgartner observed. "Why don't you share with us what's on your mind?"

I can tell you what will happen, Jo wanted to say. There will be a war, and Germany will lose.

She knew she couldn't really say that, as the others would all think she was crazy.

"Whatever God wants is what will happen," she said instead.

"You're right," said Reverend Baumgartner. "God is in control, and His will shall prevail, but that doesn't mean a lot of good people won't have to suffer and die before it's all over." A shadow fell across his face.

Knowing the truth of his words, Jo had to swallow a lump in her throat.

"Today is such a beautiful day." She heard the forced cheerfulness in his voice. "The sun is shining, and the birds are singing. Perhaps we could play badminton after lunch."

By this time they'd reached the house, which was two stories high and boasted a small circular porch and an attic with windows and shutters.

Granny had prepared a delicious lunch - pot roast with carrots, cabbage, and onions, boiled potatoes, sourdough bread, and black forest cake for dessert. Jo ate until she couldn't hold another bite.

After lunch, they played a three-game match with Reverend Baumgartner and Horst on one side and Renate and Jo on the other. The minister and Horst won two games, and Renate and Jo won the other. Granny watched and kept score.

Later, Reverend Baumgartner called Horst and Renate to sit in the parlor with him.

"You must be prepared to answer many questions before you can be confirmed," he told them.

"What about me?" asked Jo, suddenly anxious.

The minister sighed. "I've discussed this with your grandmother. Confirmation is a serious undertaking, and you're still a bit young. You've only just started your catechism classes. You need a lot more instruction in the faith before you'll be ready."

Swallowing her disappointment, Jo listened as he went over the confirmation questions with Horst and Renate. She found that, to her surprise, she was keenly interested in the subject matter. Although her parents had never been particularly religious, they'd always encouraged Jo and her sisters to be open minded about spiritual matters.

The minister didn't say anything more to her, but he did smile and give her an encouraging pat on the shoulder before he left. She felt a little sad to see him go.

The following morning, Jo opened her eyes to find herself in the same bedroom she'd gone to sleep in the previous night. So is this to be my life from now on? she wondered. Will I ever see my parents or sisters again?

She fought her rising panic as she joined Horst and Renate in the kitchen for the second morning. She slid into her seat and began to eat her oatmeal.

"So, what did you think of Reverend Baumgartner?" Renate asked her as they were eating.

"He sure knows a lot about the Bible!" Jo wondered what denomination he was. He'd mentioned catechism classes and confirmation, yet he was a minister, not a priest.

Renate nodded her agreement. "He's one of the smartest men I've ever met, and he isn't even that old."

"How old is he?" Jo was suddenly curious.

"Granny says hardly older than thirty," Horst told her.

I don't even know how old I am, Jo thought to herself.

Soon breakfast was over, and it was time to walk to school. Granny kissed each of her grandchildren on the cheek as they left the house. Approaching the quaint two-story building, Jo wondered what grade and classroom she was in. She didn't have to wonder for long, as a pretty, fair-haired girl grinned as she waved to her.

"Hey, Magda!"

"Hi," Jo said as they two girls fell into step together.

"Did you finish the math assignment on Friday?" asked Jo's companion. "Those questions were hard! But I'll bet they were easy for you, smart as you are."

Me? Smart in math? Jo asked herself.

As the girls came near the classroom, Jo saw the teacher standing beside the door. She was tall, with blonde hair pulled back into a severe bun. Her cold blue eyes sent a shiver down Jo's spine.

The teacher gave a Nazi salute. "Heil Hitler."

"Heil Hitler." Jo's companion returned the salute without a moment's hesitation, and a split second later, Jo did the same, feeling sick to her stomach. She was terrified of what would happen to her otherwise.

The teacher's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Is something wrong, Miss Weber?"

"Magda was up late studying last night," said Jo's companion. "She's still really sleepy."

How she made it through that day, Jo had no idea, but that night, she lay in bed sobbing her heart out, not even caring if Renate heard her.