The music was slowing and becoming off-key as the gramophone wound down. Frits leaped up and gave the crank a few hearty turns, making the needle stumble and skip. “Careful! Don’t wind it too tightly,” Miss Willy warned.

“I’m not!” Frits shouted. Miriam strained to hear what the doctor was saying above the fuss.

“Have you heard that the Americans have landed in France?” he asked.

“Yes, our housekeeper told us the wonderful news last week,” Miss Hannie replied. “They’ve renewed our hope. We pray they’ll get here soon.” Miriam’s prayer was the same.

“Until they do, Klara and Tina need a new place to hide. My donors will contribute to their support.”

“We’ll need extra ration cards for them. Food is in very short supply as it is.”

“I understand. Someone from the underground will deliver extra cards.”

“You’re welcome to sleep in the infirmary tonight,” Miss Hannie told the women, “but it might be best if we make beds for you in the attic so you can stay up there during the day. We still aren’t certain if we can trust the day staff to keep our secrets. Christina has avoided their scrutiny, but it will be harder to explain why we’ve taken in two new residents when we have no more room.”

“We’re grateful for any help you can offer us,” one of the women said.

“You’re wise not to trust anyone who comes in and out of Meijers House, Mrs. Woltheim,” the doctor said. “The Nazis pay a bounty for spying on your neighbors and reporting people in hiding.” The doctor left again. Miss Hannie returned alone, announcing that it was bedtime.

Early the next morning, before the residents rose and the day help arrived, Miriam helped Klara and her sixteen-year-old daughter, Tina, get settled in the attic. “I think it’s cruel to make you live up there all the time,” Miss Hannie said, “so you’re welcome to join us in the parlor after the cook and housekeeper leave.”

“Aren’t you afraid one of the residents will let it slip that we have women living in our attic?” Miriam asked.

Miss Hannie smiled. “Who’s going to believe them? We’ll say they must be talking about the mice in our attic.”