Of Windmills and War Read Online Free PDF Page B

something nice for me, and I am always such a nuisance to you.” I have
no understanding of why that made her cry. Perhaps I shall never understand
girls.
    We’re about to go skating, so I must close. Most of the kids
our age in the village are going. We plan to make a day of it, skating on the
canals past all the windmills. It is very common to do this, and all along the
way families set up tents to feed the skaters. Everyone joins in and has a
wonderful time. Some day you must visit me and we shall skate by all those
windmills you like so much!
    Prettige Kerstdagen en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar,Danny! That means “Merry Christmas and
a Happy New Year.” I thank God for the American friend He gave me in you, and I
hope He will make us life-long good friends.
    Hans

4
     
     
    February 1939
    “I love snow as much as the next guy, but this is
ridiculous.”
    The blustering snows off Lake Michigan kept
Danny busy each day after school and most of Saturday if he wasn’t working for
Mr. Chaney. He’d get home, have a quick snack and play with Sophie for a couple
of minutes before bundling back up and heading out to shovel snow for his
neighbors. Lots of his friends made money this way too. They all had their own territories.
Danny did his best to keep the sidewalks and driveways of the two block area
surrounding his home near the corner of Yale Avenue and 80th
Street . Ordinarily that was an easy task, but 1939 had brought
layer upon layer of the white stuff, often negating his efforts from the
previous day.
    As he stepped out on his front porch, he looked up, noticing
the sky was clouding up again. Better get to it. He yanked his knit cap
down low to cover his ears then pulled on his heavy work gloves and grabbed his
shovel. He always stopped first at Mrs. Martello’s house across the street and
two doors down. Recently widowed, the portly old lady insisted on a clear
pathway to her sister’s house next door. Danny knew if he didn’t keep it clear,
she’d try to make the short walk and probably end up falling.
    “Oh, there you are! I was wondering if I’d see you today. I
need to take a loaf of bread over to Angelica’s, but as you can see my walkway
is covered again.”
    “No problem, Mrs. Martello. You know I always come here
first. I’ll have it cleared for you in just a jiffy.”
    “Thank you, Danny,” she called, already heading back into
her house.
    Danny got right to work, all too aware the snow had begun to
fall again. Twenty minutes later, he stomped his snow-covered boots up the
steps of her house and knocked on the door. When she opened it, she was putting
on her heavy coat.
    “Mrs. Martello, it’s snowing again. I cleared the sidewalk,
but it already has another fine layer. Why don’t you let me take that bread
over to your sister?”
    “Nonsense and horse feathers. I go every day. Why would I
let a little snow stop me? I’ll  be fine. See you tomorrow, Danny.”
    He looked down the street at the six houses he’d hoped to
shovel, but knew he couldn’t let her make the walk alone. “Well, if that’s the
case, then I insist you let me come along. Wouldn’t want Miss Angelica to go
without that loaf of bread.” He offered his elbow to her.
    “Why, aren’t you the nicest young man! I’d be most grateful.
Now, just give me a minute while I put on my gloves.”
    He felt sure the minute was more like five, but he tried to
wait patiently. When she was finally covered from head to toe, he helped her
down the porch steps and across the brick walkway. Once there, she had a chatty
visit with her sister. It’s not like you all don’t talk on the phone several
times a day, he thought. Why the two women didn’t just move in together, he
had no idea.
    Fifteen minutes later, he returned her safely to her home,
in spite of a couple of close calls coming up the steps. She tipped him an
extra dollar for the favor and sent him on his way.
    The snow twirled about in heavy, silent rhythms. He was used
to