The End of the Line by Sharon E. McKay

Author:Sharon E. McKay
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Annick Press
Published: 2014-04-23T00:00:00+00:00

“What is wrong?” Mrs. Vos flew into the kitchen.

Lieve was hot on her heels. “I got your note.” She and Mrs. Vos had found little ways of communicating news. A scrap of paper pushed under the door that said “I have an extra potato” meant “We must meet soon.” A scribble that read “Do drop by for tea” meant “Come immediately.”

“What’s happened?” Lieve looked from face to face.

Beatrix sat at the table clutching her hands. Tears rolled down her face. “I didn’t mean to do anything wrong,” she sobbed.

“Hush, sweetheart. Tell me what happened.” Lieve wrapped her arms around Beatrix.

“She spoke Yiddish to a German soldier,” said Lars as he put his hand on Beatrix’s head and stroked her hair. Beatrix buried her head in Lieve’s shoulder.

“Yiddish!” Mrs. Vos covered her mouth with her hand.

“No more tears. Beatrix, look at me. Tell me, what did you say to him?” Lieve was calm and her voice was low and controlled.

“I said what a lady said to Mamma once, ‘Geb achting.’”

“What does that mean, Beatrix?” said Lieve.

“I think it means to be careful. He said he was going to a cold place. He was nice to me.” Beatrix burst into tears all over again.

“And what did he say in return?” asked Lieve.

“He whispered in English. He said, ‘Do I got mittens?’”

Mrs. Vos, Lars, and Hans sat back, perplexed.

“Why would a young German soldier speak in English?” asked Mrs. Vos.

“Wait, I think I understand,” said Lieve. “He was not speaking English. He was speaking German. Beatrix, did he say, ‘Gott mit uns’?” Beatrix nodded. Lieve sighed. “He said, ‘God with us.’”

“What did he mean? Who is God with?” asked Hans. “Does he mean that God is with the Nazis, or that God is with us all? He is only a boy. Does he mean God is with children?” Four adults and one child sat in silence. No one had the answer.

“He got off the tram and walked away,” said Hans.

“Beatrix, you were very lucky today. Listen carefully. You must not speak Yiddish again, not until the war is over. Understand?” said Lieve.

Beatrix nodded. “But I don’t know any Yiddish, not really!” And she began to cry all over again.

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