1.7 -- Papa Home, At Last

End of November, 1939

The days passed quietly.  Trade schools were re-opened but not the high schools, colleges, or places of advanced studies.

Word went round that we should study in so-called "Komplety", or clandestine classes.  However, to hide all traces and for the safety of ourselves and our teachers it would be well if, in addition, young people attended schools approved by the German authorities, if only to obtain the appropriate identity document.  Officially, I joined the school of commerce.  And so I would be kept very busy because it would be necessary to study in both schools in order to obtain good results.

Maryla would also be kept busy with me since not for anything would Mama agree that I should move about the city by myself, or only with school friends. Oh well, so be it! I have long since learned to give way in all things for the sake of domestic harmony and so as not to cause Mama problems.  She has so many of them as things are.

Lying in bed tonight I could not fall asleep somehow. My head was full of mixed-up thoughts. I thought a lot about the present situation in our country and for us, all the people not only in the Capital, but in the whole of Poland. I also thought about my childhood, about those carefree years which somehow passed so swiftly.  Tossing about from side to side on the bed, I just could not sleep. I got up and put on my dressing gown. I paced up and down the room nervously. Suddenly I heard some sounds at the gateway - quiet conversation, then a light knock at the front door. I ran to the salon to look into the street through the window which had been one of the first to be glazed. 
 

The street was empty. The curfew was in force, so everyone locked up their homes early.

Also awakened by the knocking, Freda put on her dressing gown, lit a candle and went into the hall to open the door. Not wanting to wake Mama, yet not knowing who may be at the door at that time of night, I ran up to Freda to tell her she should ask who it is through the door. Only having made sure it is "one of us" should she unlock the door.

Freda, trembling all over, was unable to utter a word and so, quietly, I asked: "Who is it?  Who comes here at this time?"

I heard a man's voice.  "It is I, dear daughter! Open up quickly - it is your father."

Oh God!  My hands shake as I unlock the door. Meanwhile Freda dashes off to Mama to wake her and give her such news. I am already hanging on Papa's neck like I used to. Crying with joy, I cover him with kisses. He is wearing civilian clothes, so I remove his hat to see if his head wound has healed, if by any chance it is not bleeding. No, it is all right, there is only a dressing.

Mr. Duszak, the caretaker, and Dr. Frenkiel come to see us at once and the whole house comes awake as if an order had been given.  Greeting Papa with tears in their eyes, everyone hugs him, settling him in an armchair in the salon, asking for news from the outside world. However, he is so tired that he asks to be left alone tonight, promising to tell everything at a later time.