Armageddon_ A Novel of Berlin - Leon Uris [272]
When Herr Brueckner’s need for medical attention grew greater, she swallowed her pride and applied for work as a domestic for an American family. At first she feared her past in Berlin might have followed her to Wiesbaden, but that proved unfounded.
She had on her side the fact that she spoke creditable English, made a lovely appearance, and carried the respected name of Falkenstein. She made application, answered the Fragebogen, took the necessary medical examination, and passed all clearances.
Colonel Carter Smith and his wife hired her as a housekeeper and governess for their three small children. At last there was a chance to eat decently and earn a few extra packs of cigarettes a week. With tobacco a medium of exchange, she could buy Herr Brueckner the services of a good doctor and bring them precious ounces of meat and butter.
In the home of Colonel Carter Smith, Hildegaard had her first true love affair. She fell in love with the children, and they with her.
Tony and Lynn Loveless jumped on Daddy as he turned into the gate and showered him with a bath of new German words. He played in the yard with them until the weariness of the day overcame him.
“Martini. I’m bushed,” he said, bussing his wife.
“Here, lover,” Judy said, pouring it from the tall mixer. She stood behind his chair, rubbed the back of his neck. He groaned.
“We knocked them over today,” Clint said. “Six hundred ground-controlled approach landings in Berlin. Crusty was so pleased he forget to chew us out at the staff meeting.”
“How many tons?”
“Over five thousand.”
“That’s wonderful.”
Clint sipped, purred his deep content as her fingers massaged magic spots.
“Clint, I found a German maid, pending your approval.”
“Speaks English?”
“Fluently.”
“Where’d you dig her up?”
“She belonged to a Colonel Carter Smith, Army people. They are being shipped out to Japan. She has an A-l recommendation. Mrs. Smith says the children are beside themselves with grief to be separated from her. She taught them German. Anyhow, she has a famous name to boot. I hear her uncle is practically the political leader of Berlin.”
Clint smiled inwardly. That would be like Judy. She still had a little of New York in her. She’d have a name to drop.
“Honey, that’s your department,” he said.
“Well, you must interview her. Everyone says it is important to establish that the man is the head of the house to a German.”
“Okay, okay, let’s see it”
“Fraulein Falkenstein, would you come in, please?”
Clint knocked over his martini. He cleared his throat authoritatively and asked a few questions ... to make it official.
“Jesus H. Christ!” Clint commented when she left the room.
“Lover,” Judy said, “be an angel and don’t try it or Momma will slit your throat.”
“Jesus H. Christ,” he repeated.
Ernestine opened the envelope, which, in addition to regular postage, had affixed a special “Berlin Tax” stamp issued to support the city.
My Dearest Sister Ernestine:
I must be the lucky cat who always lands on her feet. I adore my new home with the Loveless family. It has taken much of the pain away by the departure of the Smiths. My room is quite decent and comfortable. The boy is Tony, nine years old and the girl, Lynn, who is ten. They are very affectionate and well behaved, for American children.
At the end of my first week, Mrs. Loveless gave me a carton of cigarettes upon learning my responsibility to the Brueckners and she promises a bonus of a carton a week. Erna! Do you know what that means? They passed off the kindness by saying they were both trying to cut down on smoking. They are a typical American family with extreme generosity. She is the true master of the family as was Mrs. Smith, but is clever enough not to let him know it.
The Americans are strange people, but they fool you. Just when I am beginning to think Colonel Loveless is shallow-minded, he shows his genius in other ways.
I remember how Father used