Eloise sprang to her feet as if a jolt of electricity had shot through her. “We’re going! I’m not going to sit by without adding my voice to the protests. Give me a moment to change my clothes and we’ll be on our way.” She headed toward the stairs before Ans could stop her.

“I’m sorry, Ans,” Miriam said. “I was sure she must know about it already. I just wanted to ask if she had more information.”

“I don’t think I can stop her from going. But will you come with me in case I need help?”

“Yes, certainly. I feel like this is all my fault.”

“It’s not. I understand why her husband tries to shelter her, but I don’t think he realizes that she actually copes better when she’s doing something.”

“I’m ready,” Eloise said when she returned. “Do you know where the protest is being held?”

“No. Abba didn’t want me to go.”

“We’ll find it. Let’s go.”

Miriam and Ans could barely keep up with Eloise as she strode from the house, crossed the bridge, and headed toward the cluster of university buildings off Rapenburg Street. It was easy to follow the shouts and chanting voices of protesting students as they drew close. Students handed out flyers with details about the new anti-Jewish laws.

“We can’t let them do here what they did in Nazi Germany!” one student shouted. “We must stand up for our freedom and our rights!”

His words gave Miriam hope. She linked arms with Ans and Eloise so they wouldn’t get separated and followed the flow to where the public speeches had begun.

“Who is that man?” Eloise asked a student as a distinguished-looking gentleman mounted the platform.

“That’s Professor Cleveringa, dean of the law faculty.”

The crowd stilled as the professor told how his distinguished mentor and colleague, Professor Meijers, had been dismissed from Leiden University because he was Jewish. Cleveringa read the letter of dismissal, and Miriam cringed at the ugliness of the hatred it spewed. It was happening again. Her lungs squeezed until she could barely draw a breath.

The police and Gestapo arrived moments after he finished his speech.

“Let’s go! We need to go home!” Ans said. She linked arms with them, dragging them away from the campus and rushing toward the town house.

Miriam felt dizzy. She had to keep stopping to catch her breath.

They were almost to the bridge when a student brushed past them, shoving a flimsy newspaper into Eloise’s hand. She halted to read it. “It’s an underground newspaper! From the Resistance!” She hurried after the student before Ans could stop her, calling, “Wait! Please listen. I want to help.”