THE DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL : THE DEFINITIVE EDITION ... - Fidele

Rauter, some German bigwig, recently gave a speech. "All Jews must be out of the
German-occupied territories before July 1. The province of Utrecht will be
cleansed of Jews [as if they were cockroaches] between April 1 and May 1, and the
provinces of North and South Holland between May 1 and June 1." These poor people
are being shipped off to filthiy slaughterhouses like a herd of sick and neglected
cattle. But I'll say no more on the subject. My own thoughts give me nightmares!
One good piece of news is that the Labor Exchange was set on fire in an act of
sabotage. A few days later the County Clerk's Office also went up in flames. Men
posing as German police bound and gagged the guards and managed to destroy some
important documents.
Yours, Anne
THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 1943
Dearest Kitty,
I'm not really in the mood for pranks (see the date).
On the contrary, today I can safely quote the saying" Misfortunes never come
singly." First, Mr. Kleiman, our merry sunshine, had another bout of
gastrointestinal hemorrhaging yesterday and will have to stay in bed for at least
three weeks. I should tell you that his stomach has been bothering him quite a
bit, and there's no cure. Second, Bep has the flu. Third, Mr. Voskuijl has to go
to the hospital next week. He probably has an ulcer and will have to undergo
surgery. Fourth, the managers of Pomosin Industries came from Frankfurt to discuss
the new Opekta deliveries. Father had gone yer the important points with Mr.
Kleiman, and there wasn't enough time to give Mr. Kugler a thor ough briefing.
The gentlemen arrived from Frankfurt, and Father was already shaking at the
thought of how the talks would go. "If only I could be there, if only I were
downstairs," he exclaimed.
"Go lie down with your ear to the floor. They'll be brought to the private office,
and you'll be able to hear everything.'
Father's face cleared, and yesterday morning at ten-thirty Margot and Pim (two
ears are better than one) took up their posts on the floor. By noon the talks
weren't finished, but Father was in no shape to continue his listen ing campaign.
He was in agony from having to lie for hours in such an unusual and uncomfortable
position. At two-thirty we heard voices in the hall, and I took his place; Margot
kept me company. The conversation was so long-winded and boring that I suddenly
fell asleep on the cold, hard linoleum. Margot didn't dare touch me for fear
they'd hear us, and of course she couldn't shout. I slept for a good half hour and
then awoke with a start, having forgotten every word of the important discussion.
Luckily, Margot had paid more attention.
Yours, Anne
FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1943
Dearest Kitty,
Oh my, another item has been added to my list of sins. Last night~ was lying in
bed, waiting for Father to tuck me in an say my prayers with me, when Mother came
into the room, sat on my bed and asked very gently, "Anne, Daddy isn't ready. How