Konrad and Alexandra (PDF) - Rolf Gross

conservative pessimism, demanded the head of the Emperor, which Konrad countered with the sarcastic remark that shehad a sharp mind but lacked, as did most Russian subjects of His Majesty, a sense for a constructive Realpolitik.Alexandra became angry, broke off the discussion, and went to bed in tears of frustration.33.Alexandra learns to drive, Italy1905Friedrich, in black gown and mortarboard, sat next to a beaming Katharina crowned with a wreath of flowers. On theprevious day they had been married in a civil ceremony. Only the closest family had been present, Konrad and Alexandrawere their witnesses. They were on the traditional triumphal procession through the streets of Schwabing to celebrateFriedrich’s summa cum laude doctorate. On long ropes four students pulled the car, a gift from his father, from theuniversity to the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, where a banquet awaited them. A motley procession of professors, fellowstudents and wedding guests followed the car.Friedrich had been offered a well-paid position as Assistent at the University of Hamburg. A respectable salary had beenhis father’s last condition to a wedding. Mrs. Dahl had accepted Katharina as her daughter-in-law weeks earlier. The pairwould move to Hamburg in December, after the birth of the child.To the grand diner wedding reception and doctorate celebration in one, the Dahls had invited a large number of guests.Speeches in German and Latin, champagne, and excellent wines. Friedrich’s father gave a speech, his mother cried, andKatharina in her designer blouse was glowing.Friedrich and Konrad had hatched a plan of driving to Italy with the new car. Alexandra had immediately written to theWolfsons. A telegram from Sally arrived a few days later. "Fantastic! Come. Stay two weeks. Two rooms reserved. LoveWalter & Sally."And then Alexandra voiced the startling wish to learn to drive before they would set out. A second driver would be ahighly desirable insurance, and she had bet with Uncle Mouravi that she would return to Tiflis driving a car.Konrad raised his eyebrows. "Mei, you are feeling high, Princess Dadiani! But I appreciate your practical sense, a seconddriver would indeed be of great help. How do you learn to drive though?"Friedrich suggested the Royal Bavarian Automobile Club, which offered lessons. "Except for a startled instructor youshould have few problems. I know of no women drivers in Munich. But I guess that only encourages you!"By driving for an hour every night after work she passed the examination in less than four weeks. On the followingweekend, Friedrich graciously offered Alexandra the keys to his new toy and they drove to Mittenwald to celebrateAlexandra’s ‘second emancipation.’It became the dress rehearsal for their Italian adventure. Alexandra drove with great concentration, Katharina acted asnavigator, the two men in the back seat commented on each and every oversight Alexandra made.Katharina directed her to a narrow road shaded by old beeches along the eastern shore of Lake Starnberg with romanticviews of the lake, Tutzing, and the Roseninsel on the opposite shore."Alexandra watch out," shouted Friedrich when in the village of Berg a dog chased a chicken across their path. Alexandrahit the brake so hard that everyone jerked forward. She almost caught the dog’s tail. The chicken escaped."I am so sorry, I was thinking of how King Ludwig could have drowned himself in such a beautiful place. Are you allright?""You want me to drive?" said Friedrich with a sneer. She stubbornly refused. To her embarrassment the car had stalled,and Konrad had to crank it."You know," said Alexandra when the engine was purring again, "my problem is smaller than a dog. Whenever I see acow dropping in the road, I instinctively try to avoid it. A chicken in the pot would have been decidedly more welcome!""But think of the irate farmer," Friedrich remarked, "and of the dent the chicken would have made in my new car."They bobbed and bumped along the unpaved road. People jumped out of their way shouting and gesticulating, dieseWahnsinnigen, these madmen, and when they recognized the woman at the wheel, they stood open-mouthed by the sideof the road.They were not dressed right, observed Konrad: his ears hurt from of the draft, the dust got into his eyes, not to mentionthe clothing. They needed a full touring outfit, leather jackets, racing caps, and goggles.Behind Garmisch came the first long hill. Heavily loaded as they were, the little engine—Friedrich had bragged that it hadthe power of thirty horses—slowed to a crawl. Half an hour further, steam hissed from the radiator.109