“Quite right,” said Herr Vogel. He looked down at the squirming bundle in Johanna’s arms. “Where, may I ask, are you going with that baby?”
“I … I’m taking her outside for some fresh air.”
“I see.” Herr Vogel paused. “Nowhere else?”
“No,” said Johanna, blushing. “Where else would I take her?” Another lie, she thought. I am getting quite skillful at that particular sin.
Herr Vogel peered over Johanna’s shoulder. “If I were taking care of these babies …” He pursed his lips. “… these dying babies who are subject to an experiment …”
“Yes?” said Johanna. “What would you do?”
Herr Vogel averted his eyes. “I might want to rescue one of the babies.”
“You would?” Johanna’s heart skipped a beat. Does Herr Vogel suspect what I am doing? Will he betray me?
“I am not saying I would.” Herr Vogel raised his eyebrows. “Only that I might want to.” He lowered his eyebrows. “But of course, the risks would be great; the punishment, severe. Still …”
“Still?”
“A human life.” Herr Vogel put his hand on Johanna’s arm. “Worth the risk, I believe.” He looked straight at Johanna, as if he could read her mind. “And if I were to take that risk, I would leave as quickly as possible.” He sighed and took out his pocket watch. “I must go now. I have an appointment with a certain Frau Taubman.” As he turned to go, he said. “Fraulein Richter?”
“Yes?” Johanna’s knees were shaking.
“Godspeed.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Johanna looked down into Rebecca’s trusting eyes. The baby smiled up at her.
“I’ll do it,” whispered Johanna. “It is a matter of life and death. Your life, and mine, too, if it is to have any meaning.”
Johanna looked up and saw Cecile peeking out from behind the hedge. Johanna straightened her back and strode towards her waiting companion.
The sun was shining in a sky of watery blue. A brisk wind whipped her cloak about and tried to lift her long skirt. It dried the tears in her eyes — tears she hadn’t been aware of.
“What happened?” said Cecile. “I thought you would never come!”
“I’ll tell you later. Let’s find Daniel.”
They heard Daniel before they saw him. Snores rumbled from his throat. His cap was pulled over his eyes and his whiskered chin was resting on his chest. The reins lay slack in his hands. An empty jug of beer lay next to him on the wagon seat.
“Wait here,” Johanna whispered. “I’ll talk to Daniel.” She walked over to Daniel and shook his arm. “Wake up!” The snoring only grew louder. She shook his arm again. “Daniel, wake up!” But no matter how hard Johanna shook him, he wouldn’t respond.
She gestured for Cecile to join her. “We have a little problem.”
Cecile’s eyes opened wide. “What’s the matter?”
“Our driver is … slightly inebriated.”
“You mean drunk?”
“Right.” Johanna frowned. “He must have been drinking all night long.”
“What do we do now?”
“You don’t happen to know how to drive a wagon, do you?” said Johanna.
Cecile grinned. “As a matter of fact, I do.”
“Wait. Don’t tell me,” said Johanna, holding up her hand. “Your brother showed you how.”
Cecile shrugged. “He taught me almost everything I know.”
They’d gone only a short distance when Daniel woke up. “What’s going on here?” he said. He snatched the reins from Cecile and pulled hard to stop the wagon. “Who are you? What’re you doing driving my wagon?”
“Uh, Daniel,” said Johanna. “There’s been a little … change of plans.”
“I asked you and you’d better answer quick. Who is she?” Daniel reached for the jug. “If you’re trying to get me into trouble …”
“She’s Cecile. My … my friend. She’s coming, too.”
“And who says I’ll take her?”
“Please, Daniel,” Johanna said.
Daniel looked sideways at the two girls. “What’s in it for me? Ain’t I taking enough risks already?” He brought the jug to his lips. “Agh! Empty!” He plunked the jug down on the floor under the seat.
Johanna looked hard at Cecile and said, “She’ll pay you, too. Right, Cecile?”
“Of course I’ll pay,” Cecile said. She looked at Johanna. “How much?”
“You should be asking me, not her!” Daniel said, pointing to his chest.
“Sorry. How much, sir?” Cecile said.
“That’s more like it.” He paused. “Tell you what. I’ll make you a deal. Only ten schillings for you.” He glanced at Johanna. “Less risk. Pay five now, five when we get to Altona.” Cecile counted the schillings into Daniel’s hand. He turned towards Johanna. “Now you.”
Johanna put nine schillings into Daniel’s hand. She smelled onions, garlic, and some other unidentifiable odour. He stuffed the coins in his pocket.
“Now let’s get out of here,” Daniel said.
— Chapter Seven —
Plague
Daniel guided the wagon to the Hafenstrasse, which ran west along the waterfront towards Altona. The sounds of a new day filled Johanna’s ears: the grinding of wagon wheels and the clip-clop of the horse’s hooves, the screaming of gulls and the chiming of the town clock.
The girls sat huddled together on a blanket in the back of the wagon. They bumped against the sides of the wagon and against each other until they soon felt bruised and irritable.
Rebecca woke up and began crying. Johanna gave her a piece of bread, but the baby pushed it away. She squirmed and whined in Johanna’s arms. She felt heavier and heavier as they proceeded on the road.
Daniel was muttering to himself, occasionally glancing back at the girls. After some time had passed, he stopped the wagon in front of an inn. The wooden walls were rotting; the roof was missing shingles. The sound of laughter and shouting wafted out of the open windows and into the street.
“Wait here,” Daniel said. “I’m going in to wet my throat a bit.”
“Please don’t stop,” said Johanna. “We need to get as far away from the orphanage as we can.”
“I’m the driver,” Daniel said. “You’ll do as I say.” He smiled, showing several gaps in his teeth. “Unless you want to walk.” He got down from the wagon, tied the reins to a post near the horse trough, and staggered into the inn.
Johanna sighed and opened her bag. “I wanted to leave right away, so I didn’t eat anything today. This seems as good a time as any.” She put Rebecca down on a blanket and handed her a piece of cheese. Rebecca grabbed it and clutched it in her fist.
“Here,” Johanna said, handing Cecile a piece of bread and cheese.
“Thank you,” said