house, started his motorcycle, and went to SS headquarters.
2.
Life in the Stolowitzky mansion went on as usual even as war clouds were lowering over Europe. The rapid development of the German army, the annexation of Austria to the Third Reich, and Hitler’s rule over the entire Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia did stir concern in Poland, but the Stolowitzky family continued going to the summer estate, entertaining guests, and skiing in the mountains. Business was flourishing and money flowed in. There were no more blackmail and kidnapping attempts. “There’s no reason to worry,” Jacob would say to soothe those around him and himself. “In the end, Hitler won’t dare go to war.” He was optimistic about the future. He knew that even in the worst case, he wouldn’t be especially hurt. Most of his money was in a safe place—in the armor-plated vaults of the banks in Switzerland.
Meanwhile, every afternoon, when it wasn’t too cold or rainy, Gertruda went for a walk with Michael. Before they left they would report to Lydia for a final check. Michael would ask his mother seriously: “Are we dressed properly for the Stolowitzky family?” And Lydia would smile and reply: “Of course, you’re dressed just fine.” She would give Gertruda a few zlotys and wish them a nice time.
Gertruda and Michael would go out the gate, usually accompanied by Emil, cross the street, go into nearby Chopin Park, pat the peacocks walking around freely, eat ice cream or cake in Café Belvedere, and sail in the colorful boats on the lake. They also loved to ride downtown on the trolley, watch the trains coming and going at the busy station, and look into the display windows packed with goodies.
Emil occasionally drove them out of town. They went to little villages whose residents looked admiringly at the rich people fromWarsaw, bought apples and cherries from farmers at the side of the road, and strolled on paths among the vegetable plots. Emil didn’t hide his attraction to Gertruda. He courted her ardently and showered gifts on her, which she politely refused. She continued to ask him to leave her alone.
On a spring day in 1939, when Gertruda and Michael went out as usual, the sky was blue and a bright sun stood overhead. They strolled on Yeruzalimska Street, and at a small kiosk Gertruda bought chocolates for Michael and herself. When they sat down on a bench and munched on the treat, a brown puppy came to them, wagging his tail. Michael patted him and the puppy licked his hand.
“You think Mother will let me bring him home?” he asked.
“No, Michael,” replied Gertruda. “You know she doesn’t like animals.”
“Too bad,” said Michael. “He’s so sweet.”
They got up and walked off but the dog followed them. Gertruda waved him away firmly. He tried to ignore it, but she was more stubborn. At last, the dog withdrew sadly, his tail between his legs, and slowly crossed the street. A trolley approached and the driver rang the bell to warn the dog away from the tracks, but the dog didn’t pay attention to the danger. Michael gripped Gertruda’s hand in fear and shouted to him, “Watch out!” The dog didn’t move any faster and slowly crossed the tracks, the trolley coming closer. Michael quickly dropped Gertruda’s hand and ran to the dog. The trolley honked again. Michael jumped between the tracks and picked up the puppy.
Gertruda shrieked in terror. She swooped down on Michael and started pulling him from the path of the advancing trolley. The dog wailed and escaped from the boy’s arms, while the trolley hitMichael’s knee and threw him onto the street. A burst of blood stained his trousers.
Gertruda anxiously bent over the child, who was groaning in pain. “Please, God, help us,” she sobbed. She pictured Michael’s mother getting the news of her son’s injury and holding her responsible. How could she bear the thought that she had been negligent in taking care of the child she loved so much?
The
2.
Life in the Stolowitzky mansion went on as usual even as war clouds were lowering over Europe. The rapid development of the German army, the annexation of Austria to the Third Reich, and Hitler’s rule over the entire Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia did stir concern in Poland, but the Stolowitzky family continued going to the summer estate, entertaining guests, and skiing in the mountains. Business was flourishing and money flowed in. There were no more blackmail and kidnapping attempts. “There’s no reason to worry,” Jacob would say to soothe those around him and himself. “In the end, Hitler won’t dare go to war.” He was optimistic about the future. He knew that even in the worst case, he wouldn’t be especially hurt. Most of his money was in a safe place—in the armor-plated vaults of the banks in Switzerland.
Meanwhile, every afternoon, when it wasn’t too cold or rainy, Gertruda went for a walk with Michael. Before they left they would report to Lydia for a final check. Michael would ask his mother seriously: “Are we dressed properly for the Stolowitzky family?” And Lydia would smile and reply: “Of course, you’re dressed just fine.” She would give Gertruda a few zlotys and wish them a nice time.
Gertruda and Michael would go out the gate, usually accompanied by Emil, cross the street, go into nearby Chopin Park, pat the peacocks walking around freely, eat ice cream or cake in Café Belvedere, and sail in the colorful boats on the lake. They also loved to ride downtown on the trolley, watch the trains coming and going at the busy station, and look into the display windows packed with goodies.
Emil occasionally drove them out of town. They went to little villages whose residents looked admiringly at the rich people fromWarsaw, bought apples and cherries from farmers at the side of the road, and strolled on paths among the vegetable plots. Emil didn’t hide his attraction to Gertruda. He courted her ardently and showered gifts on her, which she politely refused. She continued to ask him to leave her alone.
On a spring day in 1939, when Gertruda and Michael went out as usual, the sky was blue and a bright sun stood overhead. They strolled on Yeruzalimska Street, and at a small kiosk Gertruda bought chocolates for Michael and herself. When they sat down on a bench and munched on the treat, a brown puppy came to them, wagging his tail. Michael patted him and the puppy licked his hand.
“You think Mother will let me bring him home?” he asked.
“No, Michael,” replied Gertruda. “You know she doesn’t like animals.”
“Too bad,” said Michael. “He’s so sweet.”
They got up and walked off but the dog followed them. Gertruda waved him away firmly. He tried to ignore it, but she was more stubborn. At last, the dog withdrew sadly, his tail between his legs, and slowly crossed the street. A trolley approached and the driver rang the bell to warn the dog away from the tracks, but the dog didn’t pay attention to the danger. Michael gripped Gertruda’s hand in fear and shouted to him, “Watch out!” The dog didn’t move any faster and slowly crossed the tracks, the trolley coming closer. Michael quickly dropped Gertruda’s hand and ran to the dog. The trolley honked again. Michael jumped between the tracks and picked up the puppy.
Gertruda shrieked in terror. She swooped down on Michael and started pulling him from the path of the advancing trolley. The dog wailed and escaped from the boy’s arms, while the trolley hitMichael’s knee and threw him onto the street. A burst of blood stained his trousers.
Gertruda anxiously bent over the child, who was groaning in pain. “Please, God, help us,” she sobbed. She pictured Michael’s mother getting the news of her son’s injury and holding her responsible. How could she bear the thought that she had been negligent in taking care of the child she loved so much?
The
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