The Watcher Read Online Free PDF Page A

happily. When he was finished and looked up, even Adrie laughed at the gravy all over his nose.
    Frieda had prepared a luscious supper. The beef roast was so tender, it fell apart with a fork. It was surrounded with potatoes, onions, carrots, and cabbage. Frieda watched with a satisfied smile as I helped myself to seconds.
    â€œRinderbraten mit Gemüse,” Frieda said slowly and clearly.
    â€œRinderbraten mit Gemüse,” I repeated with my mouth full. “Gut.”
    â€œThat’s roast beef with vegetables,” Adrie translated. “We have this meat only because of my position with the Abwehr ,” she explained. “Rationing now allows only one-tenth of a pound of meat per person per day.” She gave me a meaningful look. “Having a dog is almost sinful when people are hungry.”
    â€œThen I’ll share my food with him,” I told her.
    I could tell Frieda was trying to please me as she hovered around, placing warm, buttered rolls on my plateand filling my glass with milk whenever it was even partly empty. But I wondered how she really felt about my bringing a dog into the house. I knew Frieda had a lot of influence with Adrie. Meanwhile, the puppy curled up under the table at my feet and fell asleep.
    â€œI hope you can train this dog to be obedient,” Adrie said to me later. “You can’t expect Frieda to take charge of him.”
    â€œIt’s my dog. I don’t expect anyone to take care of him. I’m sure he’ll be easy to train,” I assured her.
    â€œWell, the SS officers didn’t think he was easy to train. Do you think you’re better than they are?”
    â€œThey weren’t showing love to him. He’ll obey when he knows he’s loved, because he’ll want to please me. He’s a good dog, Adrie, you’ll see.” I had an idea. “I notice what a large library you have. Would there be a book there on training dogs?”
    â€œKarl had a dog for a while—a little squeaky thing—a dachshund, I think. There might be a book on dog training in our library. Most likely it would be in German. Still, you could look and see.”
    Earlier I had peeked into the library room, but I had not had time to get a good look at the shelves of books that lined the walls. I hoped there were some books in English.
    After dinner I went to the library, which was accessible from the front hall or from the French doors that led out to the terrace. Even with the two large French doors open facing the western sun, the library was a dark room with itsmahogany furniture and paneling. I turned on several lights and glanced at the bookshelves that stretched up to the high ceiling. How would anyone get books from those shelves? I wondered. I could see a track around the shelves, indicating there had once been a library ladder, but now I didn’t see one.
    At that moment Adrie came into the library to see what I was doing.
    â€œIs there a library ladder to get around the upper shelves?” I asked.
    â€œThere is one in the closet. However, it is broken and I haven’t had a chance to get it fixed. I put it in the closet so no one would try to use it and get hurt. Please use only the shelves that you can reach.”
    â€œOkay,” I said.
    â€œRemember, you must use only the lower shelves,” she repeated. “There are no books up high that you would be interested in anyway. They’re all in German or other languages.” Adrie turned to leave then stopped. “Do you understand?”
    â€œYes, I understand,” I said.
    Adrie’s collections of books were in a dozen or more languages, but I was able to find two books on learning German from English. I’d like to learn German secretly, I thought. Then I can surprise Adrie. And I’d also know what was being said about me—like what that girl Gertrude who was at the tea party had said. I set the books on the desk to take upstairs