If You Ever Meet a Weasel

By Belinda MacGruder

In the 1800s, the lives of persons in the entertaining industry, specifically theater, were often as dramatic as the characters lives in some plays by Samuel Beckett, Anton Chekhov, Henrik Ibsen, William Inge, Arthur Miller, Thornton Wilder and Tennessee Williams. If You Ever Meet a Weasel by Belinda MacGruder is one such dramatic story. Historical fiction, this novel details the lives of theatre people who travel from Europe to the New World.

This novels main character must tolerate her fathers traditional attitudes toward marriage. She must accept the separation from her European friends when she moves to the New World. Of course, New World customs are different from European customs. As such, this novels female, main character must learn New World customs while retaining the Old World ones.

Natural and manmade tragedies afflict most, if not all, of the characters in If You Ever Meet a Weasel. Highly unusual events occur. Personality conflicts vie with conflicts of interests. A famous American war disrupts the lives of some of the characters. Travel to and from the European continent stresses relationships and relatives.

However, this novel contains more than tragedies, conflicts and turmoil. Tender moments occur between spouses. Understanding develops among friends. Between employers and employees, friendships emerge to last lifetimes.

In dialogs and expositions, the author references historical dates and events. For the readers, these historical events emphasize characters personalities, create empathy, explain difficulties and inspire imagination.

This novels timeline ends in the 21st century. From beginning to end, readers will read about various transportation methods: horse-drawn carriages; steam-powered, ocean liners; taxis and train travel. If You Ever Meet a Weasel is an insightful, but fictional, literary experience into theatrical lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 29, 2013
• ISBN: 9781479714391

Belinda MacGruder

n/a

Book preview

Copyright © 2013 by Belinda MacGruder.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2012916629

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-4797-1438-4

                Softcover        978-1-4797-1437-7

                eBook             978-1-4797-1439-1

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Rev. date: 02/23/2017

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Contents

Foreword

Acknowledgment

Synopsis

For If You Ever Meet a Weasel

Chapter 1 The Present Life in the New World

Chapter 2 Immigration to the New World—Before the Tragedy

Chapter 3 Lars, Ingeborg, and Lenore

Chapter 4 The Old Family Album

Chapter 5 Everything Falls Into Place (The Present Time)

Dedication

In Memory of My Dear Kind Uncle Edgar

Foreword

I wanted to bring in different cultures of the world and acknowledge their contribution to civilization. I also wanted to recognize the little towns of the world and their specialty.

Acknowledgment

I want to personally thank the people and organizations that made the writing of this book possible.

1. Evanston Library, Illinois

2. Harold Washington Library, Chicago

3. Sultzer Library, Chicago

4. Main Library in Arkansas City, Kansas

5. Main Library in Fort Lauderdale and Miami

6. Florida Historical Society

7. A gentleman from International Falls, Minnesota

8. University in Pocatello, Idaho

9. Main Library in San Antonio, Texas

10. Oak Park Library in Oak Park, Illinois

11. My special thanks to the Library in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada

12. Also, My thanks to the actress Joan Fontaine, whom I have never met. She is an inspiration to me with her multiachievements. She gave me the courage to pursue my dreams.

Synopsis

FOR

IF YOU EVER MEET A WEASEL

The story is a chronological series of events. You see different adventures happen to the characters. On certain issues I voice my opinion. In the 1800s, the lives of persons in the entertaining industry, specifically theater, were often as dramatic as the characters’ lives in some plays by Samuel Beckett, Anton Chekhov, Henrik Ibsen, William Inge, Arthur Miller, Thornton Wilder and Tennessee Williams. If You Ever Meet a Weasel by Belinda MacGruder is one such dramatic story. Historical fiction, this novel details the lives of theatre people who travel from Europe to the New World.

This novel’s main character must tolerate her father’s traditional attitudes toward marriage. She must accept the separation from her European friends when she moves to the New World. Of course, New World customs are different from European customs. As such, this novel’s female, main character must learn New World customs while retaining the Old World ones.

Natural and manmade tragedies afflict most, if not all, of the characters in If You Ever Meet a Weasel. Highly unusual events occur. Personality conflicts vie with conflicts of interests. A famous American war disrupts the lives of some of the characters. Travel to and from the European continent stresses relationships and relatives.

However, this novel contains more than tragedies, conflicts and turmoil. Tender moments occur between spouses. Understanding develops among friends. Between employers and employees, friendships emerge to last lifetimes.

In dialogs and expositions, the author references historical dates and events. For the readers, these historical events emphasize characters’ personalities, create empathy, explain difficulties and inspire imagination.

This novel’s timeline ends in the 21st century. From beginning to end, readers will read about various transportation methods: horse-drawn carriages; steam-powered, ocean liners; taxis and train travel. If You Ever Meet a Weasel is an insightful, but fictional, literary experience into theatrical lives.

Chapter 1

THE PRESENT LIFE IN THE NEW WORLD

It was a hot summer evening in Toronto and a very quiet night on Thursday, July 8th, 2010, the temperature was 91F. Titus and Lenore Andreescu lived in a lovely middle-class neighborhood. Their house was an old, spacious, five-bedroom bungalow with a lovely view of the backyard. Four of the bedrooms were upstairs, and the kitchen was modern with a brand-new microwave oven.

Titus was a retired college professor with a degree in anthropology. Lenore, though a homemaker, had a degree in home economics. Previously Lenore did volunteer work with the homeless and the animal shelter. Lenore and her friend Sally Ann’s landlady help sponsor a divorced paranoid homeless mother and daughter. The mother finished beauty school and became a beautician after religious guidance and counseling. The daughter finished business school and became a legal secretary. Lenore and the landlady contributed several hundred dollars for their tuition. Being in the autumn of their life did not prevent Titus and his wife from collecting moderately priced antiques. Within the past month, Lenore had purchased another rotary telephone and some nineteenth-century bedroom furniture. Also, the couple had just purchased a cell phone for mainly emergency purposes.

This evening’s dinner was heated-up leftovers from a dinner two days earlier. As was common practice of late, Lenore finished eating before Titus.

As she was removing her plate and utensils from the table, Titus asked, Hon, you want me to help you dry the dishes?

No, thanks, dear. After you finish your dinner, why don’t you go downstairs, where it is nice and cool, and lie down on the sofa? We have had a busy day, and it is a hot night. The air conditioner should be ready by next week. The air conditioner was being repaired. Titus and Lenore were waiting on a back order for a new air conditioner.

After Titus finished his meal, he got up from the table and went to the window to look at the trees. Lenore asked, Would you like something to read while you’re resting? By now, she had cleared the table and was loading the dishwasher.

Yes, that is what I had in mind. I would like to read the new book you bought recently. It was about nineteenth-century theatre in Europe.

As Lenore put the last dish in the machine, she asked, Would you like me to get the book?

Titus replied, Remind me again of the title.

Lenore, preoccupied, stopped. She was a bit puzzled at her husband’s absentmindedness. She answered, "Oh, it is European Theatre over a Century Ago. You do not remember the title?"

I am getting absentminded…

Lenore asked, What do you want for breakfast so I can plan the menu?

Titus replied, Canadian bacon, three eggs over (medium-well done), oatmeal, and tea with honey.

Lenore retrieved her notebook to write that down. She then left the notebook on top of the microwave oven.

Titus said, I’m going to the basement.

Although it was only early evening, the basement was already dark. Titus turned on several lights and said to himself, I must be getting old and forgetful. It had been a cloudy day.

He saw a neighbor outside walking her St. Bernard puppy. The dog looked like the Beethoven animal in the 1990 film. Lenore and Titus owned several video tapes and thought they were good quality family films.

Also a high school boy was walking his Golden Retriever that strongly resembled the seeing eye dog Wrangler of the Today program (for the visually impaired).

He chuckled. He turned on a large, powerful fan and opened several windows that he had barred to discourage burglars. Generally speaking, Canada is a safe place for their citizens and, unless they left their homes to go far or go to sleep at night, they could leave their doors unlocked. He sat down on an antique sofa and thought about his day.

Lenore went upstairs to the library, which was the first room on the left. The library housed several books on various subjects. This included a vast collection on anthropology and other sciences. (Titus had amassed these books over the years.) She found the book on European theatre on the bottom shelf of a bookcase. She took the book and, holding the banister, walked cautiously down the stairs. Being in the autumn years of her life, she did not want to risk a fall.

In the basement, where they occasionally entertained, Titus waited for Lenore to get the book European Theatre over a Century Ago. It was a long, well-written book by a well-known author, and Lenore had already read the book in nine days. Titus stretched out on the sofa; he was tired but was in a good mood. Lenore placed the book on the coffee table. She then retrieved one of her crocheted Afghans from the antique blanket display rack and gently draped it over Titus. Lenore knew that Titus liked to doze off after his dinner, so Lenore wanted to protect him from the fan’s draft.

Titus said, I would prefer to take a nap and read later. Would you be so kind as to cover me?

Lenore answered, Oh, you’re being funny with me. They both laughed as she rearranged the Afghan over him.

He praised her by saying, I am the luckiest man alive to have such a thoughtful wife. He kissed her hand.

Lenore was pleased. She told him that she would crochet after drying and putting away the dishes. She returned upstairs to check the dishwasher. She remembered discussing a book on existentialism by Kierkegaard, a well–known philosopher and Protestant theologian, with her husband the previous day. She had not finished reading that book.

She continued the discussion upon her return to the basement. Lenore tried to be open-minded, even though at times she appeared a full-fledged cynic.

Existentialism leaves me cold, I’m still debating rather I believe in evolution with a Divine Expression or Intelligent Design she said.

But… her husband replied.

She continued, It is too pessimistic and gloomy for my tastes. A person’s existence is all that concerns existentialists.

A hint of a smile appeared on her face. When in a good mood, she could take a small disagreement and let it go at that. Titus nodded and yawned.

Lenore said, Take your nap, dear. She again returned upstairs.

Titus got off the sofa and lowered the fan’s speed. He then returned to the sofa, yawned again, and thought about his wonderful teaching days. Although he particularly missed the excitement of fieldwork, he was enjoying his retirement.

Titus woke up after an hour’s nap. Feeling somewhat invigorated, he got up, stretched his body, and then picked up the book from the coffee table. He returned to the sofa, sat down, and read twenty pages. He could certainly understand why Lenore was attracted to the subject matter of the book—her grandparents had been theatre people in the late nineteenth century.

Lenore’s grandfather, Johann Poulsen, was from an affluent family in Denmark. Johann was educated in a Scottish university and was awarded a degree in Classical Languages upon the completion of his studies. He soon set out to make a name for himself on the stage. Although his early years in the theatre did not seem to hold great promise, he eventually advanced from supporting or feature roles to top billing. Yet he was not averse to accepting a supporting role—even in the prime of his career—if he felt he suited the part. Critics and fellow actors alike considered him a serious and gifted thespian.

Johann’s father, Olaf, Lenore’s great grandfather, was a well-known veterinarian who had earned his degree in his native Denmark. Johann’s mother, Lenore’s great grandmother, died prematurely of an undiagnosed disease just three weeks after her son’s graduation.

During Johann’s student days at the university, he became a good friend of a fellow student, Hendrik Knudsen, who was born in Copenhagen, Denmark. By a twist of fate, both Johann and Hendrik had discovered their latent acting talents while at the university. At that time, they were preparing for careers in fields other than acting. Hendrik’s degree was in theology. Eventually, he became a well-respected featured and later a character actor. Both men had studied acting at the university.

Johann had his share of sorrows. When he was six years old, he and his eldest brother, Aksel, went on a fishing trip with their father. After an early breakfast, they helped their father ready the horse and wagon for the trip into the country. They started out just after sunrise and returned after dark.

The fun-filled day was forgotten as they approached what had been the site of their home. In its place was a smoldering pile of rubble that held in its bowels the bodies of Johann’s three brothers and his two sisters. His mother had escaped the fire with only minor injuries. Fortunately, the maid had recently severed her employment. Johann’s father was to have hired a replacement.

The fire had only scorched the barn, and two horses stabled therein were unharmed. The Poulsen’s next-door neighbors, a very kind woman and her husband, volunteered to care for the horses. Olaf and his wife tended to the funeral arrangements of their dead children and then moved in with relatives in Copenhagen for a while.

Mr. Poulsen hired a good carpenter to rebuild the family home on the same spot. After rebuilding, Johann, Aksel, and their father and mother moved into their new home. They reclaimed their uninjured horses. Although authorities could never determine the cause of the fire, rumors flew that Johann’s mother had caused it.

After all, she was not killed and the others were, people said.

Johann told friends, I was only six and did not fully comprehend what really happened, but there is no way my mother could have done anything so ghastly as killing her children. She loved all of us. My father would not have stayed with her for one moment if there was any suspicion. My mother had enemies, as you well know.

Johann’s father desperately wanted to bury the past. He tried to deny his feelings and never mentioned the names of his dead children. He also never visited their graves.

Hendrik later married the charming Ingeborg Pedersen, an occasional novelist and accomplished playwright. Ingeborg’s plays were realistic and from time to time ended with hope. Her characters were complex, and her endings were often unpredictable.

The time was the early 1870s. One evening, Johann arrived early with a friend to watch a play in London. Johann’s friend was expecting a party of guests to attend the play. The performance would be with an all-English cast.

On arriving at the theatre, Johann’s friend introduced Johann to Nedra Van Gorp, a Dutch actress. Nedra’s loveliness and modesty enchanted Johann. She was soft and very refined. They sat in the same row but not too close together. Johann wanted to see her again; he felt like a tongue-tied schoolboy. After the play, he told Nedra that he would be going to Turkey for a couple of weeks to visit a friend. He said, trying not to be brazen, that he hoped they would meet again.

Nedra’s family lived in Rotterdam, where her parents had reared her. Her father, Vilhelm Van Gorp, was an unsuccessful actor. Her mother, Klaaske Brunke Nanninga, was a down-to-earth wife to Vilhelm.

Klaaske was realistic enough to see that Vilhelm did not have any real talent. She diplomatically tried to get him to give up on his dream of being an important actor. However, he reminded his wife of the one play that was an instant hit with the audience and critics. They loved his performance.

Klaaske could be caustic when an opportunity presented itself. She told Vilhelm to seek work in another field. She stated, A prostitute on any given night can bring in a lot more money, but I would not want that profession.

When Klaaske was in a bad mood, which was of late quite frequent, she would take a piece of bread and break it into shreds. Nonetheless, Vilhelm got her meaning.

When Vilhelm and Klaaske were at a party, Klaaske, because of her wit, would attract more attention than Vilhelm. Vilhelm had a few fans, but he did not get the admiration that important actors received from the public. Eventually, a relative helped Vilhelm procure a job as a bookbinder. This was an occupation that he mastered.

When Nedra was a child, she wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps. Her parents laughed at this desire, not taking her seriously. (There had never been an actress in the family.)

In his early days, Vilhelm had changed his name from Opzoomer to Van Gorp. Eventually, Nedra’s father and others helped her with the acting profession. She had the talent her father did not have. Nedra’s original name was Catharina Elspeth Opzoomer. She detested her middle name, so her father gave her the stage name Nedra Van Gorp. Later, she legally took Nedra as her middle name, dropping Elspeth. Her decision hurt her mother.

I just loath that name, Nedra would say.

Nedra informed her father of her mother’s feelings. He replied, Well now, that has been settled and this family will always know you as Catharina. Do not forget that. It is, I believe, a beautiful, Portuguese name. I am going to make you a great actress. You have a most interesting face and you are an admirable lady. Vilhelm knew his dream was unrealized. He was still a man driven by ambition, and he was determined to steer his daughter’s talent in the right direction.

Nedra could study acting. Vilhelm had a full understanding with Nedra about her sincere efforts to pursue an acting career; she should not live in dreamland. Nedra was so young enough that she could easily change her mind.

The family moved to Amsterdam. Vilhelm knew there were roués and lecherous men on the prowl. Vilhelm was acquainted with a husband and wife team who owned a legitimate traveling troupe.

One of the owners, the wife in particular, wanted to instill strong discipline in the acting group. The acting profession had a low reputation among the public as there were far too many inebriates in that field.

Vilhelm tried to persuade the theatre owners to give his daughter a chance to prove her ability. He declared that his management experience would be an asset for the theatre company. At that time, though, the theatre owners refused his offer because of financial difficulties. About another year passed, Vilhelm tried again. This time, the owners agreed. However, Nedra was put on a trial basis. She would really have to prove herself as a capable thespian. This condition upset Nedra.

The owners of the company never saw Vilhelm perform on the stage but were familiar with his stage name.

The female owner believed Nedra had the makings of a leading lady. (Nedra was adept at various roles that required humor, pathos, innocence, and worldliness.) Things worked in Nedra’s favor. One of the featured actresses in an upcoming play had recently married and was expecting her first child, so the actress quit the profession permanently. The male owner made the decision to hire Nedra for that role.

Vilhelm rented an apartment house in Amsterdam’s fashionable neighborhood for the family. Then the theatre owners hired Vilhelm as financial adviser, and he could travel with his daughter. Klaaske liked the surroundings and was able to acquire a new set of friends.

Nedra gradually started to make a name for herself. Nedra knew that her father was never one to reprimand her about the publicity or the glamorous parties she attended. She was pleased but was uncertain how long her career would last.

Johann, on the other hand, had appeared in plays as a supporting actor. He told his family, however, that he would appear as the leading man sometime in the future. He was to do a play in the next few months and was traveling with the university friend who had introduced him to Nedra. They were traveling through the Netherlands. His friend could speak Dutch fluently, so he gave Johann lessons in that language.

Johann admired Dutch and Flemish paintings. One day, when he was on his own, despite the language barrier, he succeeded in buying a nice, Dutch painting. Their next stop was Amsterdam.

One day, Johann was alone again, taking a nice walk in the park that was close to the inn where he and his friend were staying. He had his notebook with him and was intently studying some Dutch words. At first hesitant, he eventually decided to visit an old restaurant in the heart of this distinctively charming city.

While waiting in line in the restaurant which was frequented by many prominent people, Lo and behold! Johann was surprised to see Nedra sitting in a booth with an elegantly dressed, middle-aged man. The man looked haggard; he appeared to be recuperating from an illness, perhaps influenza. Johann noticed two people approaching Nedra’s table. Nedra graciously talked and smiled at her admirers. Others in the restaurant were quietly talking but could not help noticing Nedra. However, they respected her privacy and did not come over to her table.

Neither the waiter nor anyone else recognized Johann as a Danish stage actor because he had never appeared on the stage in the Netherlands. Johann tried to communicate with the waiter but was unsuccessful. He thought to himself he should have come here with his friend. Johann could not speak the language that this waiter knew—Dutch. However, a Danish couple who knew the Dutch language entered shortly thereafter and helped Johann to translate. Johann was finally able to communicate with the waiter.

The gentleman at Nedra’s table got up to leave. Nedra told him that she was sorry to see him go and that she would visit him the next day. The gentleman kissed her hand. However, she would not let him pay for her meal as she had done several times in the past.

There was a table available to Johann. He wanted to meet Nedra again as it had been a year since he had last seen her at the play. The Danish tourists were eager to help, so they translated and Johann wrote a short note for Nedra on a small, notebook pad. This note was a request to dine with her. (Johann wanted to use the proper etiquette.)

He offered to give the waiter a generous tip for handing over the note to Nedra. Nevertheless, the waiter hesitated, not wanting to offend Nedra who was a rising star. The waiter looked at Johann, and hoping that everything would go smoothly, accepted the tip.

Nedra was surprised when she received the note. However, she was ready to meet Johann and invited him to her table.

Upon his arrival at her table, Johann noticed that the Danish couple who had helped him translate was leaving. Obviously, they were in a hurry because the gentleman kept looking at his pocket watch. Johann and Nedra could not speak each other’s language, but they both knew some English and French, (French was the international language during this period.).

Nedra said softly, I am honored to have you dine with me.

Johann could not believe that their paths had crossed again. Nedra explained to Johann the menu’s contents. The waiter, happy with his earlier tip, took Johann’s order with dignity. She also related to Johann that she was appearing in a play in Amsterdam.

Their conversation was awkward and minimal. Near the end of his meal, Johann asked if he could call on her one day to meet her family. Two thoughts crossed his mind, maybe he was being too forward, and perhaps, he would not see her again. Nedra just smiled.

Both tried to keep their distance, but they did not want to walk away from courtship. Nedra was truly bewildered and flattered at his attention toward her. Nonetheless, she timidly declined when Johann asked her if he could come a calling.

Another of her fans came up to their table and briefly complimented her. Nedra said good-bye to the two people with whom she had just talked. Then she ordered dessert but ate only half of it.

Johann offered to pay the bill, but Nedra refused to let him do so. Johann felt that he might not see her ever again because of her restrained manner when she politely turned down his request to pay for the meal. She had a choice in the matter.

Johann appeared not to be angry about her rejection, he thought himself lucky that the restaurant had allowed him to enter. In addition, he had gained admission because he was alone and two reservations had been cancelled. Johann also wanted to know if the man who had left just before he arrived was her paramour. However, he decided not to ask this personal question.

Nedra, not wanting to be a captive audience to this actor who said so little, was confused about his motives. After they finished eating, Nedra said, Do you mind leaving a tip? Johann nodded and left a nice tip. Johann escorted Nedra from the restaurant.(Respected women did not go home without a female chaperone).

Nedra, occasionally, could be a bit of a trendsetter and lived as she chose. After all, she was in a profession that raised more than a few eyebrows among upper-class societies. Johann could not keep her attention. Nedra regarded him as too mysterious for her cautious nature. He was probably another whoremonger about whom her father had warned her.

Nedra intended to visit a friend who was going to give birth any day now. Her driver was to pick her up. Nedra stood waiting, pacing back and forth. Johann stood silently with a pensive look on his face. He half turned away not knowing what to do. Nedra was ill at ease, not wanting to appear aggressive.

Mr. Poulsen, if you want to call me, it will be all right. I… Nedra stammered, trying to find the right words. I would prefer this Sunday at three. My parents are away so you will have to meet them some other night, all right?

Johann was delighted but, according to the custom of the time, asked, Miss Van Gorp, would it be proper for a gentleman to call on a young lady while her parents are out of town? What would the neighbors say?

She told him that by her standards it was acceptable; Nedra was in her early twenties. She also stated that people, regardless of one’s status, always find something to criticize. She saw her driver coming and bid Johann good-bye.

Johann kept his word; he visited Nedra. She entertained him in the parlor, serving him tea and dessert. On that hot day, Nedra kept fanning herself and teasingly fanned Johann also. After a little conversation, Johann began to relax. He suggested that they take a nice carriage ride to the city’s outskirts where it would be much cooler under a shady tree near a stream—Nedra knew that sometimes her family and their friends spent entire summer and autumn nights in the country to cool off).

Johann said, We can talk by the stream.

She thought to herself that with her luck, if she were to accept his invitation, he would not ask her out again. She preferred to stay in the stuffy apartment and suffer. Johann finally did meet her family, and for some reason, Vilhelm did not particularly care for Nedra’s suitor. She sensed this. Nevertheless, Johann had fallen deeply in love with Nedra. He asked her to marry him. She said, Yes.

Nedra told Vilhelm and Klaaske of Johann’s visit. Vilhelm asked Nedra who her suitor was, and after she answered, he said admonishingly, Keep in mind not to get serious. What if you find out that he is a flirt or wants you to help his career! No more was made of it.

Johann wanted to get Vilhelm’s approval for his daughter’s hand in marriage, but neither man spoke the other’s language well enough to understand each other. Nedra, therefore, had to act as the interpreter for her suitor. She would translate Johann’s French into Dutch, so her father could understand as she understood more French than Johann.

One summer evening, the three of them sat in the parlor. Vilhelm had a feeling that something was going on but didn’t know what? His daughter and her suitor said so little. There was something weighty on their minds. He smiled at Johann and spoke in Dutch to his daughter.

Johann wondered what they said. He nervously smiled at Vilhelm. He signaled Nedra to get her father’s attention so he could propose to her. Nedra translated to her father. Vilhelm listened somberly and smiled slightly. The proposal was quick and to the point.

Vilhelm was a man who tried to think everything out. He politely refused to give Johann his blessing. Johann was hurt, but at this point, there was nothing he could do.

After Johann had left, Klaaske tried to comfort her daughter, but Nedra wanted to be alone. Later that evening, Nedra cried herself to sleep. Why couldn’t her father see the potential in her suitor?

The next morning, after determining that Nedra was awake, Vilhelm knocked on her door. Annoyed, she bid him enter. She had not slept well, having tossed and turned all night.

She told Vilhelm to sit down. The room’s, sole chair, presently occupied by one of Nedra’s childhood dolls, faced the foot of the bed. Vilhelm removed the doll and placed it on the dressing table. Vilhelm told her that he understood how she felt but that she had to trust his judgment. She had to see that Johann could not make an honest living. Her career was doing better than his, and this could create serious marital problems. This could hurt Johann’s masculinity. Vilhelm knew, from personal experience, the difficulty of the acting profession.

Nedra still very much wanted to marry Johann. She told her father that she believed with all her heart that Johann would become a star. He would not always have supporting roles. For a fortnight thereafter, Nedra did not have much to say to her father. Whenever she saw him she smiled but hurting deep down inside.

A few weeks later, Vilhelm and Klaaske were going to move back to Rotterdam. As a single young man, Vilhelm had briefly worked in the insurance industry. Recently, he learned from a good friend who worked for an insurance company that a position would soon be open. If he applied and they hired him after adequate training, he could, in time, become a manager. Vilhelm, with the passage of time, could be mingling with the top echelon. He could have his day under the sun.

Vilhelm liked to live above his means. He had a driver, a fancy carriage, a maid, and a cook. He had always lived that way. Klaaske learned from his parents that he was not about to change. Therefore, Klaaske had to keep him in line concerning his judgments on financial matters.

The day came when they were to leave Amsterdam. Vilhelm and Klaaske would return to Rotterdam where they had already purchased a new home, and it was not too far from the other home he had sold. They felt that their daughter’s proper place was with them since she was not currently appearing in a play. Vilhelm suggested to Nedra that one of his or Klaaske’s relatives could temporarily stay with her, but Nedra did not want to impose on any of them because they were all quite old.

Nedra always had a respectable character. When she was younger, a chaperone always accompanied her around. However, now, as an actress, she had more liberties in the big, bad world of theatre.

Nedra said to her parents, I will stay in an elegant apartment. I will keep a servant, but my servant will have her own life. I do not need a servant for everyday of the week. Don’t worry, I will be in good hands with the theatre owners. They lived in the same upstairs apartment. Nedra lived right below them.

Vilhelm replied, Yes, my Catharina, always be considerate of your servant’s feelings. However, if you are too broadminded, some servants will take advantage of it.

Nedra accompanied her parents to the door. She did not hold a grudge against her father who had her best interests at heart. She didn’t want to defy Vilhelm.

She could not forget Johann. Time passed, and Nedra did not see Johann. They did, however, write to one another. She always picked up her own mail. Now that her parents had moved, Johann and Nedra clandestinely resumed their courtship.

Shortly thereafter, Nedra and Johann’s friends invited them to a picnic outside Amsterdam. Nedra told Johann that she had always wanted to be an actress. They both lamented about the endless frustrations of being in a bad play and the painful remarks of spiteful critics. There would come a time when the public no longer wanted them.

Yet Johann would say with pride, It’s a wonderful feeling to walk on the stage and hear the applause. I have a brother who is a gifted cabinetmaker and is very much in demand, but I have to say it is not the same. He is married and has a nice family. Aksel, my brother, always finds time to hear me when I go over my lines for a play. I’m grateful for his sincere efforts in pointing out my faults.

Johann told Nedra about the fire. She was deeply moved and was very sympathetic. They changed the gloomy subject to a lighter note, held hands, and talked quietly on that windy afternoon.

Johann returned to Denmark for a new play. They both faithfully wrote to each other. Johann prepared for his new role, but everything went wrong. The tempers of the cast ran short, and the play never got off the ground. Johann, to keep his sanity, went into seclusion and repeatedly said, Enough is enough!

A few weeks later, Johann learned that his best friend Hendrik would be performing in a play in Toronto. Nedra would be appearing in this same production. He got this information from Nedra’s recent letter, and also learnt that she had never met Hendrik.

After the play’s opening, Nedra and Hendrik became friends. Nedra’s character’s relationship to Hendrik’s character was that of a widowed daughter-in-law. Hendriks’s character was made to appear much older with the use of convincing makeup. After the play closed to an enthusiastic audience, Hendrik immediately left to be with his wife, Ingeborg.

A short time later, Johann and Nedra met quietly in Saint John, New Brunswick, for a brief vacation. It was during this time that they married. Shortly thereafter, they sailed from Canada to Rotterdam, where they temporarily lived in an inn.

At first, they both wanted to keep their marriage a secret, but with her celebrity status, how long could they keep their marriage a secret? Nedra decided to break the news to her unsuspecting parents. Nedra’s parents had written to her during her stay in Toronto, and she had answered their letters referring only to the play and her trip to Toronto.

Nedra arrived at her parent’s home in Rotterdam. Vilhelm was in the parlor ready to leave for a business appointment. Nedra realized that she had never defied her father until Johann’s entrance into her world.

For a while, she innocently chatted with her parents. Then she suddenly stopped talking. A silence ensued. Nedra gradually explained to them that they had a new son-in-law.

Stuttering nervously she said, You… you must not bah… bah… blame Johann. I accepted his marriage proposal in a letter. I also asked him to destroy the letter to keep my acceptance a secret.

Vilhelm and Klaaske were doing a slow burn. Nedra saw the expressions on their faces. It isn’t easy to say this. Johann, always a gentleman, did not want to elope, he wanted your consent. Again, a silence ensued. We married in Canada!

An enraged Vilhelm exclaimed passionately, Canada!

Nedra said, Yes, New Brunswick.

Vilhelm said, I may be able to have this annulled, knowing fully well that he really would not.

Nedra said, Oh Papa, please don’t.

Her parents stared hard at each other. They could not have been more shocked if they had found a bear roaming around in the house. They were indeed upset over their daughter’s defiance, yet they knew that if they remained unyielding, Nedra’s potentially broken heart and fractured feelings might become a bone of contention. They realized that if they had stopped their daughter from courting Johann, she might have become resentful toward them.

Considering her parent’s silence after the shocking news, Nedra was beginning to have second thoughts about her marriage—namely that she should have kept her marriage a secret for a little longer. Nonetheless, she knew that in time they would have discovered the deception because of Johann’s and her celebrity status.

For five minutes, the parlor was quiet except for the clicking of the grandfather clock. Klaaske had stood up at the disturbing news but now sat down and asked Nedra where they would live.

We still live at the inn, but we have not reached a decision as to where we will take up permanent residence.

It was getting late and Vilhelm did not want to be late for his business appointment. He stood up and looked sternly at his daughter. Then he and Klaaske looked at each other. In a very unfriendly tone, he said good-bye to Nedra.

Nedra was full of grief at this cold reception. She started to weep. In times of crisis, her mother had always given her comfort, as any mother would. However, this time appeared to be the exception. Nedra cried, Moeder!(mother in Dutch).

Klaaske’s ears were deaf to her daughter’s entreaties as she left the room and let her daughter know that her departure would be much appreciated.

Nedra stood up and dried her puffy eyes with a white silk handkerchief. She moaned softly in anguish and humiliation, Moeder.

Klaaske and her sister Aukje often wept over anything very sad. Nedra was the same way. As a child, she would cry over her frustrations and the pain of others in this troubled world. Nedra thought Klaaske would return soon. She did not and Nedra left.

As the weeks crept by, Vilhelm, beset by a guilty conscience, wanted to reach an understanding with his daughter. He hired an acquaintance for spy work. This fellow was kept by a well-to-do lady, thirty years his senior. He wore fancy clothes, and was familiar with the city, and its people, and was also trustworthy. This man discovered where Nedra was staying. He was trustworthy and imitated the upper class. He was happy to accept a generous sum from Vilhelm for his efforts.

Two months passed. One morning, Vilhelm came over to see Nedra and Johann. It was a mournful occasion. Nedra told her father that the innkeepers had lost their young granddaughter and that they were burying her today. She and Johann had discussed whether they should go to pay their respects since they had met the child once.

Nedra said, She became ill and died. Her grandparents and all the other people here will be gone all day. Since we were not going to the funeral, the innkeepers asked us to watch their place.

Vilhelm did not say anything. His concern was his own daughter’s happiness. He and his wife (in absentia) gave their daughter and son-in-law their blessings. Klaaske expressed herself poorly in times of stress. She had asked Vilhelm to go without her. Nedra asked about her mother.

Vilhelm had not seen Johann since the night he rejected the proposal. Vilhelm said, I hope you both know what you are getting into. He gave Johann a penetrating look and reluctantly took his hand.

Nedra said, I’m glad you came, Papa.

Vilhelm was quite cold and barely smiled. He said good-bye, nodded at Johann, and departed.

Nedra went to the window, from where she watched her father hurrying to his carriage, and driving away. She went to the kitchen to prepare coffee. Johann soon joined his bride, and they both drank the coffee. They sat quietly not mentioning Vilhelm’s surprise visit.

Later that day, it was time for their language lesson. Johann was improving by leaps and bounds in Dutch. Nedra asked in Dutch, Hoe u zegt? She then reverted to English and asked, Father-in-law?

He smiled and answered in Dutch, Schoonvader.

She asked in English, How do you say ‘daughter-in-law’ and ‘brother-in-law’ in Dutch?

Amused he answered, "Schoondoctor and Schoonbroer."

Nedra said, All I can say is that you are wonderful. As for me, I have to concentrate more on your language.

Johann called out Danish words and Nedra answered correctly most of the time. They practiced a lot.

After finishing the language lessons, they retired to the parlor. Johann said, Our marriage will not be that easy. I have met people who do not have a high opinion of theatre people. We could have chosen another profession; if we had a miserable life, we could have found a dark corner in which to cry.

Nedra replied, Oh Johann, we should not have married. Our rent is due next week. We do not have a penny to our names.

No, my dear, the rent is due tomorrow.

Tomorrow? she pretended to cry.

They laughed and laughed. Suddenly they heard a carriage outside their inn. The carriage man yelled, Whoa!

Perhaps the others had returned. They stopped laughing.

Nedra, looking nervously at Johann, said, Oh my, it’s the innkeepers. What do you say at a time like this?

The carriage began to pull away. Johann rose and peered out the window. He saw that the carriage was now halfway down the street. He watched until the carriage reached the end of the street; where it stopped again—the passengers must have given the carriage man a wrong address. That is why it stopped in front of this place.

Returning to the sofa, he said, This used to be the happiest dwelling. We have been here a short time and now… He lowered his head.

Nedra sweetly patted her husband’s head and smiled. Normally, Nedra loved to sit with her embroidery in the evenings, but she could not put the child’s death out of her mind.

Johann said, I hope they gave her a proper burial. That is the least she could have gotten in her short life. I really should not say such things, but when I was growing up I knew that if I ever married, I would not want children. This decision was due to the fire tragedy and the deaths of my brothers and sisters. I was the youngest. It is dreadful to lose a child. It is unbearable to bury five children.

Nedra frowned as she replied, Of course, now I feel different about having children. Your father and mother did not have it easy.

Johann said, They say that when you go over to the other side you hear harps playing beautiful music and that you meet all your loved ones. I wonder!

Cynically, she added, There could be some truth in what they say. However, there could not be great happiness if certain people I have met here are also there. I would rather stay here, and be miserable.

Johann said, Let us live for a couple of millennia and see what happens.

Like Methuselah, she answered. He lived 969 years.

Johann stated, I wish the innkeepers were coming back 969 years from now.

We still wouldn’t have any soothing words to take away their deep pain, she countered.

Johann did not answer, he only sighed.

Before they had left Rotterdam Nedra and Johann married again according to Dutch custom. The couple moved to Copenhagen. Johann and Nedra rented a small house. Johann’s friend Hendrik and his wife Ingeborg welcomed Nedra to their country. Here Johann and Nedra continued in their careers. They also hoped to perform together in a play some day.

One winter, in Amsterdam, Nedra was performing in a play. She was ecstatic because she felt that the audience adored her performance.

Ingeborg taught Nedra to be a good Danish wife. (Nedra’s Danish was better now.) Nedra wanted to fit in; Johann, Hendrik, and Ingeborg were Scandinavian but Nedra was not. Ingeborg patiently taught her to prepare Danish dishes such as roast duckling, fish, butter rolls, and hot buttermilk soups. A traditional dinner consisted of roast duckling stuffed with apples or prune, strudel, red cabbage, and boiled potatoes. Nedra learned to prepare open-faced sandwiches called smorrebrod. Desserts would be berry pudding or rice pudding.

Ingeborg was an excellent teacher. She introduced her foreign friend to Danish customs, music, folk dances, history, and literature. She was equally interested in Nedra’s heritage.

Nedra invited Ingeborg to her home for dinner of authentic Dutch cuisine. Ingeborg was sullen because of her extremely busy day. She didn’t have time to take her afternoon nap. Ingeborg’s part-time driver-cum-caretaker drove her there.

Nedra greeted Ingeborg at the door. Laughingly she said in Dutch, Hallo. In Danish, she said, God Aften. (good evening).

Ingeborg replied, God Aften.

Nedra next said, Velkommen. (Welcome, in Danish).

Then Ingeborg gave her hostess a bouquet of flowers. She watched Nedra’s face light up before she said, Tak. (Thanks, in Danish.) The two women shook hands warmly Nedra escorted her friend to the drawing room where she asked Ingeborg to take a seat.

Ingeborg admired Nedra’s attractive native Dutch dress which was worn by people of North Holland, in the Overijssel province. Nedra did not have on her wooden shoes (klompers) because they were noisy. People usually wore them outside to protect their feet.

When Ingeborg complimented her attire, Nedra said, Tak (Thanks, in Danish).

Nedra went to the closet near the stairway and retrieved her wooden shoes. Ingeborg smiled; patted them, and said they were cute. Nedra put them back in her closet.

Ingeborg said, Tak for sided (Thanks for the last time, in Danish).

Nedra told her friend that her mother’s ancestors were farmers who made a very decent living. My mother’s grandfather farmed the land and married his longtime sweetheart whose background was even more humble. Their youngest son was the only one to graduate from a university. He did so with top honors. He was my grandfather on my maternal side. He became a cartographer or mapmaker. He married a middle-class woman. On my father’s side, the parents came from Friedsland and they moved to the same area. They were successful farmers living comfortably. She continued, My uncle’s wife, Aunt Gretel, came from peasant farmers in Friedsland. When my paternal uncle married her, they lived with her family for a short while. Now they live in Rotterdam.

Ingeborg was intrigued, she said, I see you were not tenant farmers like me. It shows in your good breeding.

Nedra had kind words for her best friend but didn’t say anything.

After the light conversation, Nedra asked her guest to follow her into the kitchen. Ingeborg was interested to help her prepare the dinner. Nedra had already prepared the meat before her guests arrived. She gave Ingeborg a green and white apron. She gave Ingeborg the recipe book and they thoroughly went over the ingredients. Nedra asked Ingeborg if she had any questions.

Ingeborg thought for a moment and then replied, I don’t think so.

Nedra said, Let’s talk, but we have to also concentrate. She was looking at the recipe book again. Offhand, she added, I think my marriage will work out fine. We have cultural differences, but there is consideration for each other. My father is a scholarly man, though he does not speak French well. He speaks Portuguese and Spanish but where he learnt it only the Almighty knows. I would not comment on that…

Ingeborg asked, "He speaks Polish also, does he not?

Nedra replied, He speaks a little Polish. Nedra made a gesture with her right hand. She continued, My father is devoted to his family. He gets along well with people. During his acting days, he traveled to Poland.

Ingeborg complimented Nedra’s father by saying, Your father sounds like a nice man.

Nedra continued, He has a busy social life. My mother enjoys spending a lot of time at home.

Hendrik was remodeling his big house. This was the house that workers had built in the early years of the century. He was too exhausted to accept Nedra and Johann’s dinner invitation and had sent his regrets to Johann. He intended to get a good night’s sleep in order to be able to leave at 6:00 a.m. for a business appointment.

Johann was taking a nap at this time. When he woke up, he was very hungry. He went downstairs and greeted Ingeborg. They chatted lightly. Nedra told her husband that it would not be long before supper was ready. When it was ready, she would ring the bell. She good-naturedly shooed him from the kitchen. Johann returned upstairs to the sitting room to read the newspaper and await the dinner bell. He was irritated that dinner preparations were taking so long.

Soon dinner was ready. It consisted of meat, potatoes, raw vegetables,