“But surely Miriam and the baby can remain together, can’t they?” Avi asked.

Ans shook her head. “I’m so sorry . . .”

Miriam sank down on the bed beside Avi, her thoughts whirling. “But . . . Elisheva is still nursing! She needs me!”

“I know; I know. But you and Avi will need to hide in out-of-the-way places, and you may be moved around a lot. The biggest obstacle to finding a permanent place is that you’re not Dutch. Your accents give you away. Dutch Jews can hide as servants or evacuees, and they’re familiar enough with this country to pass interrogation. But as soon as you speak, they’ll know who you are.”

“And the baby?” Miriam wheezed. “Where will she go?”

“I’m going to take her to my parents’ farm, where she’ll be safe. We all know how hard it’s been to confine her and keep her quiet. She can’t grow up properly if she’s hidden away. The safest place for her is in the countryside. The Resistance can provide papers saying that she’s an orphan.”

Miriam moaned.

“I know it’s going to be hard,” Ans said, kneeling in front of her. “But my parents will raise her and love her like their own daughter until the war is over. They’re wonderful people, and Elisheva will be safe there. She’ll have plenty of food and milk to drink, and she can run and play outside with my sister, Maaike, in the sunshine and fresh air.”

Miriam lowered her face into her hands and wept. Everything Ans said was true. But how could she leave her baby? And her husband? Avi wrapped his arms around her, rocking her. His body shook with his sobs. The room was silent for a few minutes, then Eloise spoke.

“Tell your Resistance contact that while Herman and I may not be able to hide Miriam and Avi, we could hide Dutch Jews posing as maids or a nurse.”

“Yes, I’ll tell him,” Ans said.

The baby stirred and woke up, gazing around with a worried look as if wondering where she was. Miriam snatched her up and held her close. Avi thanked Ans, and they went back up to the sweltering attic with its dusty rafters and dangling cobwebs to be alone. Elisheva squirmed, wanting to free herself from Miriam’s arms and crawl around. This was no place for her to grow up. “You and Elisheva are the only two people I have left,” Miriam sobbed. “How can I leave my baby? How can I leave you?”