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

look at him long, because the time whizzes by and before you know it, it'll be 4
P.M. and the pedantic Dr. Dussel will be standing with the clock in his hand
because I'm one minute ,late clearing off the table.
Yours, Anne
SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 1943
Dearest Kitty,
A few weeks ago I started writing a story, something I made up from beginning to
end, and I've enjoyed it so much that the products of my pen are piling up.
Yours, Anne
MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 1943
Dearest Kitty,
We now continue with a typical day in the Annex. Since we've already had lunch,
it's time to describe dinner.
Mr. van Daan. Is served first, and takes a generous portion of whatever he likes.
Usually joins in the conversation, never fails to give his opinion. Once he's
spoken, his word is final. If anyone dares to suggest otherwise, Mr. van D. can
put up a good fight. Oh, he can hiss like a cat. . . but I'd rather he didn't.
Once you've seen it, you never want to see it again. His opinion is the best, he
knows the most about everything. Granted, the man has a good head on his
shoulders, but it's swelled to no small degree.
Madame. Actually, the best thing would be to say nothing. Some days, especially
when a foul mood is on the way, her face is hard to read. If you analyze the
discussions, you realize she's not the subject, but the guilty party! A fact
everyone prefers to ignore. Even so, you could call her the instigator. Stirring
up trouble, now that's what Mrs. van Daan calls fun. Stirring up trouble between
Mrs. Frank and Anne. Margot and Mr. Frank aren t qwte as easy.
But let's return to the table. Mrs. van D. may think she doesn't always get
enough, but that's not the case. The choicest potatoes, the tastiest morsel, the
tenderest bit of whatever there is, that's Madame's motto. The others can all have
their turn, as long as I get the best. (Exactly what she accuses Anne Frank of
doing.) Her second watchword is: keep talking. As long as somebody's listening, it
doesn't seem to occur to her to wonder whether they're interested. She must think
that whatever Mrs. van Daan says will interest everyone.
Smile coquettishly, pretend you know everything, offer everyone a piece of advice
and mother them -- that's sure to make a good impression. But if you take a better
look, the good impression fades. One, she's hardworking; two, cheerful; three,
coquettish -- and sometimes a cute face. That's Petronella van Daan.
The third diner. Says very little. Young Mr. van Daan is usually quiet and hardly
makes his presence known. As far as his appetite is concerned, he's a Danaldean
vessel that never gets full. Even after the most substantial meal, he can look you
calmly in the eye and claim he could have eaten twice as much.
Number four -- Margot. Eats like a bird and doesn't talk at all. She eats only
vegetables and fruit. "Spoiled," in the opinion of the van Daans. "Too little
exercise and fresh air," in ours.