The Ring Read Online Free PDF Page A

Gerhard before they went to bed. Thirty minutes of motherhood. She wondered, as she climbed the stairs to see them, how much that would add up to in their lifetimes. How many thirty minutes multiplied by how many days? But had she seen her own mother more often? She knew, as she reached the last step on the stairway, that she had not. And that what she had that was most vivid and tangible was the signet ring, which had always been on her mother's hand.
    At the door to their large playroom she paused for a moment and knocked. There was no answer, but she could hear squeals and laughter beyond. They would have eaten hours before, and by now they would have had their baths. Fr+nulein Hedwig would have made them put their toys away, and the nursery maid would have assisted them in this monumental task. But at least they were back now for most of the summer they had been in the country, and Kassandra hadn't seen them at all. This year, for the first time, Kassandra had not wanted to leave Berlin, because of Dolff. A convenient charity had provided her with the desperately sought excuse.
    She knocked again, and this time they heard her, Fr+nulein Hedwig bid her come in. As she entered, there was sudden silence, the children startled from their playing with a look of awe. Of all of it, it was that that Kassandra most hated. The look they gave her, always as though they had never seen her there before.
    Hello, everybody. Kassandra smiled and held out her arms. For an instant no one moved, and then, at Fr+nulein Hedwig's prodding, Gerhard came first. He only needed a moment's urging, and then would fly unharnessed to her arms. But Fr+nulein Hedwig's voice was quick to stop him.
    Gerhard, don't touch! Your mother is dressed for the party.
    That's all right. Her open arms never wavered, but the child backed off to just beyond her grasp.
    Hello, Mummy. His eyes were wide and blue like hers, but the face was Walmar's. He had lovely perfect features, a happy smile, blond hair, and still the chubby body of a baby, despite his now almost five years. I hurt my arm today. He showed her, still not having arrived in hers. She reached out to him gently.
    Let me see it. And then, Oh, that looks awful. Did it hurt a lot? It was a small scrape and a smaller bruise, but to him it was important, as he looked from the injured arm to the woman in the black dress.
    Yes. He nodded. But I didn't cry.
    That was very brave of you.
    I know. He looked pleased with himself and then bounded away from her to collect a toy he had forgotten in another room, which left Kassandra alone with Ariana, who was still smiling shyly at her from Fr+nulein Hedwig's side.
    Don't I get a kiss today, Ariana? The child nodded and then approached, hesitant, elflike, with delicate looks that promised to outshine even her mother's. How are you?
    Fine, thank you, Mummy.
    No bruises, no cuts, nothing for me to kiss? She shook her head and they exchanged a smile. Gerhard made them both laugh sometimes. He was so much a little boy. But Ariana had always been different. Pensive, quiet, much shier than her brother. Kassandra often wondered if it would have been different if there had never been a nurse. What did you do today?
    I read, and I drew a picture.
    May I see it?
    It isn't finished yet. It never was.
    That doesn't matter. I'd like to see it anyway. But Ariana blushed furiously and shook her head. Kassandra felt more than ever an intruder and wished, as she always did, that Hedwig and the nursery maid would disappear, into another room at least, so that they could be alone. It was only on rare occasions that she was alone with the children. Hedwig stayed near to keep them from getting out of hand.
    Look what I have! Gerhard had returned to them, bouncing along in his pajamas, with a large stuffed dog.
    Where did you get that?
    From Baroness von Vorlach. She brought it to me this afternoon.
    She did? Kassandra looked blank.
    She said you were going to have tea with her, but you