Night Over Water - Ken Follett [59]
Baron Gabon said: “We have tried to keep it quiet until Carl is safely out of Europe.”
That was ominous, Margaret thought: it sounded as if the Nazis might still be after him. “What are you going to do in America?” she asked.
“I am going to Princeton, to work in the physics department there,” Hartmann replied. A bitter expression came over his face. “I did not want to leave my country. But if I had stayed, my work might have contributed to a Nazi victory.”
Margaret did not know anything about his work—just that he was a scientist. It was his politics that interested her. “Your courage has been an inspiration to so many people,” she said. She was thinking of Ian, who had translated Hartmann’s speeches, in the days when Hartmann had been allowed to make speeches.
Her praise seemed to make him uncomfortable. “I wish I could have continued,” he said. “I regret having given up.”
Baron Gabon interjected: “You haven’t given up, Carl. Don’t accuse yourself. You did the only thing you could.”
Hartmann nodded, and Margaret could see that in his head he knew Gabon was right, but in his heart he felt he had let his country down. She would have liked to say something comforting, but she did not know what. Her dilemma was resolved by the Pan American escort, who came by, saying: “Our luncheon is ready in the next car. Please take your seats.”
Margaret stood up and said: “It’s such an honor to know you. I hope we can talk some more.”
“I’m sure we will,” Hartmann said, and for the first time he smiled. “We’re going three thousand miles together.”
She moved into the restaurant car and sat down with her family. Mother and Father sat on one side of the table, and the three children were squeezed together on the other, Percy between Margaret and Elizabeth. Margaret looked sideways at Elizabeth. When would she drop her bombshell?
The waiter poured water and Father ordered a bottle of hock. Elizabeth was silent, looking out of the window. Margaret waited in suspense. Mother sensed the tension and said: “What’s up with you girls?”
Margaret said nothing. Elizabeth said: “I’ve got something important to tell you.”
The waiter came with cream of mushroom soup, and Elizabeth paused while he served them. Mother asked for a salad.
When he had gone, Mother said: “What is it, dear?”
Margaret held her breath.
Elizabeth said: “I’ve decided not to go to America.”
“What the devil are you talking about?” Father said irritably. “Of course you’re going—we’re on the way!”
“No, I shan’t be flying with you,” Elizabeth persisted calmly. Margaret watched her closely. Elizabeth’s voice was level, but her long, rather plain face was white with tension, and Margaret’s heart went out to her.
Mother said: “Don’t be silly, Elizabeth. Father’s bought you a ticket.”
Percy said: “Perhaps we can get a refund.”
“Be quiet, foolish boy,” said Father.
Elizabeth said: “If you try to force me, I shall refuse to go on board the airplane. I think you’ll find that the airline will not permit you to carry me aboard kicking and screaming.”
How clever Elizabeth had been, Margaret thought. She had caught Father at a vulnerable moment. He could not take her aboard by force, and he could not stay behind to deal with the problem because the authorities were about to put him under arrest as a Fascist.
But Father was not beaten yet. He now realized she was serious. He put down his spoon. “What on earth do you suppose you would do if you stayed behind?” he said scathingly. “Join the army, as your feeble-minded sister proposed to do?”
Margaret flushed with anger at being called feeble-minded, but she bit her tongue and said nothing, waiting for Elizabeth to crush him.
Elizabeth said: “I shall go to Germany.”
For a moment Father was shocked into silence.
Mother said: “Darling, don’t you think you’re taking all this too far?”
Percy spoke in an accurate imitation of Father. “This is what happens when girls are allowed to discuss politics,” he said pompously. “I blame that Marie Stopes—”
“Shut up, Percy,” said Margaret, digging him in the ribs.