“In recent months, the darkness has been calling to her more and more often,” the professor continued, “triggered by the looming threat of another war. It’s impossible to shield her from all of the news. She has read about the German invasion of Czechoslovakia and heard about it on the radio, and she is well aware of what will likely happen there because she knows what happened in her own country. I can’t always be with her, Miss De Vries.”

“I hope you will both call me Ans.”

“Yes, of course. Much of your time will be your own when I’m able to be with her, Ans. We will pay you a weekly salary in addition to room and board. You would still like the job after everything I’ve told you?”

She drew a deep breath. “I would. Your wife sounds like a remarkable woman. It would be a privilege to walk alongside her.”

“Thank you . . . thank you.” The relief on his face was touching. Tears glistened in his eyes. He must love his wife a great deal. The professor cleared his throat and pushed papers around on his desk for a moment as if gathering himself. “Now, if you will give me a minute to finish up here, I will take you to meet her. Our home isn’t far.”

The Huizengas lived in a tall four-story town house on a tree-lined street overlooking the Witte Singel canal. Eloise Huizenga greeted Ans as if she were a relative who had come to visit. “Welcome to our home. Come in, come in! What a pretty young woman you are! I hope you’ll feel very much at home with us.” Eloise Huizenga was a beautiful, elegant woman in her forties with fair skin and dark hair cut in a stylish bob. A striking streak of white blazed through her sideswept bangs. She gave the impression of boundless energy, yet at the same time, she seemed as fragile and delicate as the fine Meissen china pieces that decorated her home.

“I’m very glad to be here, Mrs. Huizenga. Please, call me Ans.”

“And you must call me Eloise. Come in and we’ll have tea.”

“I’ll leave you ladies to get acquainted,” Professor Huizenga said, kissing his wife’s cheek. “Tell the cook I’ll be home around six.”

The town house was so beautifully decorated with antiques and artwork and luscious carpets that Ans was almost afraid to walk into the sitting room. She knew she was gaping like a country peasant, but she’d never been in a home like this one before. Eloise poured tea from a sterling silver teapot as they sat at a tiny table overlooking the street and the nearby canal. “What do you think of Leiden so far?” Eloise asked.

“It’s wonderful. I’m very excited to be here. To be honest, I was eager to leave the small village and the farm where I grew up.”