father in Thun and Steffisburg know what your son and husband have done to my sister. What I just did to you is nothing compared to what will happen to them!”
Marta still shook with rage as she walked alongside Elise, holding her hand as she carried both their bundles. She didn’t need to ask any more questions. Elise walked with her head down, her hand clammy with sweat. Marta thanked God her sister had at least managed to stop crying. “Smile and say hello, Elise.”
“I can’t.”
When they came in sight of the house, Elise let go of Marta’s hand and ran as though pursued by demons. By the time Marta entered the house, Mama had Elise in her arms and Papa had come in from the workroom in back. He stood in the middle of the room, glowering at Marta. “What’s going on here? Why did you bring her home?”
“Because she wrote and begged me to come and get her.”
“It was none of your business!”
“You always blame me! But you’re right this time, Papa! This is
“Come,
“She can’t quit a job without notice, Anna!” Papa shouted after them. “She has to go back!”
Marta came all the way inside the house, threw the bundles down, and closed the door firmly behind her. “You are not sending her back, Papa.”
He turned on her. “Who are you to say whether she comes or goes? I’m her father! She’ll do what I tell her!”
“She’s not going back!”
“It’s time she grew up!”
“That may be so, Papa, but next time, check her employers’ references! Make sure they pay their servants! They didn’t give her a single franc! Worse, they ravished her.”
“Ravished her!” he sneered. Waving his hand, he dismissed the accusation. “Elise cries over spilt milk.”
Marta hated him in that moment. “Did you see the bruise on her cheek?” She came farther into the room, hands balling into fists. “Frau Meyer called
“Nonsense! It’s all nonsense! You ruined everything by taking Elise out of that house!”
“I have ruined nothing. You have helped them ruin
“Herr Meyer told me Elise is exactly the kind of girl he wants for his son.”
Could her father be such a fool? “And you thought he meant marriage?” Marta cried out in fury. “A tailor’s daughter and an aristocrat’s son?”
“Her beauty is worth something.”
Sickened, Marta swept by him and headed for the stairs.
“Don’t you turn your back on me!” Papa raged.
“God forgive you, Papa!” She flew upstairs. A moment later, she heard a door slam below. Mama sat on the bed Marta had shared with Elise. Her sister lay with her head in their mother’s lap. Mama stroked her like she would a pet dog. “You’re home now, my darling. Everything will be all right.”
Marta came into the room and closed the door quietly behind her. “No, it won’t, Mama. It’ll never be right.”
“Hush, Marta!”
Elise rose up, eyes wild. “I don’t want the money! I don’t want anything
Mama looked shocked and frightened. “Who is she talking about?”
“Herr Meyer. And he wasn’t the only one.” When Marta told her what the cook had said, Mama’s face crumpled.
“Oh, God…” Mama put her arms around Elise. “Oh, God, oh, God. I’m so sorry,
“It’s not mine to dispose of.” Marta left the coins on the bed. “Let Elise do it.” Maybe it would give her sister some small bit of satisfaction after what had been done to her. “At least, Papa won’t profit from his mistake.”
Mama raised her head. “Do it for her. She’s too distressed.”
“Oh, Mama!” Marta wept. “Papa is right about one thing. You’ve crippled her. She can’t even defend herself!”
Mama looked stricken.
Unable to bear more, Marta turned away.
“Where are you going?” Mama spoke in a broken voice.
“Back to Interlaken. I have responsibilities.”
“There are no coaches until morning.”
“There will be less trouble if I go. I seem to bring out the worst in Papa.” With her gone, he might think over what she had told him and regret the part he had played in this tragedy. “I’ll ask the Gilgans if I can stay for a night.”
“Perhaps you’re right.” Mama stroked Elise’s head, buried in her lap. “I’m sorry, Marta.”
“I’m sorry, too, Mama. More sorry than I can express.”
Elise sat up. “Please don’t leave, Marta. Stay here with me.”
“You have Mama to take care of you, Elise. You don’t need both of us.”
Elise looked at Mama. “Tell her to stay!”
Mama cupped Elise’s face. “You can’t ask for more than she’s done already, Elise. She brought you home,
The Gilgans welcomed Marta and asked no questions. Perhaps they assumed she had fought with her father again. She couldn’t tell them what had happened to Elise, though rumors would spread soon enough. She told Rosie when they went to bed, knowing Elise would have terrible days ahead.
“I can’t bear to stay. I can’t stand by and watch Papa sulk and grumble about his ruined plans or see Mama coddle her. But Elise will need a friend.” She wept.
Rosie put an arm around her. “You needn’t say more. I’ll offer my friendship, Marta. I’ll invite Elise to tea. I’ll invite her for walks in the hills. If she wants to talk, I’ll listen and never repeat a word. I swear on my life.”
“I’ll try not to be jealous.”
Moonlight came in through the window, making Rosie’s face white and angelic. “I’m doing it for you.” Tears shone in her eyes. “I’ll do my best. You know I will. But Elise has to want a friend.”
“I know. What I don’t know is what will happen to her now. It would’ve been better if Mama hadn’t protected her so much.” Marta rubbed tears away angrily. “If anyone tried to rape me, I’d scream and claw and kick!”
“Maybe she did.”
Marta doubted it. “I swear before God, Rosie, if I’m ever fortunate enough to have a daughter, I’ll make sure she’s strong enough to stand up for herself!”
When Rosie fell asleep, Marta lay awake staring at the beamed ceiling. What would become of Elise? How long before the Meyers’ cook told someone what happened in that house? Rumors spread like mold on the damp wall of Marta’s
If only her little sister could walk to market, head up in the knowledge that she was not to blame for any of it.
