The doorbell rang, and Ans offered to answer it. Her heart did a little dance when she saw Erik on the doorstep. She hadn’t seen him in more than a week, occupied with the preparations for the Jacobses’ visit. “Erik! What a nice surprise. Would you like to come in?”

He shook his head. “Can you come for a walk with me, Ans?”

“Sure. Let me get a jacket and tell the professor I’m going.”

“Have you heard the news?” he asked when Ans returned. He reached for her hand and they started walking.

“About the war? Yes. It’s awful, isn’t it? I hope it isn’t as long or as horrible as the last one. The news upset Mrs. Huizenga terribly. We have guests staying with us —Jewish refugees from Germany —and they were also upset.”

“I came to tell you that I’m being called up for military training with the Dutch army.”

“Military training? Why?”

“All men between age eighteen and forty are required to go. They say as many as three hundred thousand of us will be mobilized.”

Ans halted in place. She squeezed his hand tighter. “But . . . the Netherlands is neutral. Professor Huizenga said Hitler promised not to attack us. He thinks the other nations will respect our neutrality too, as they did during the first war.”

“Yes, the Netherlands will remain neutral.” He tugged her hand to start her walking again.

“Then why are we mobilizing our men?”

“It’s just a precaution. We need to let the other countries know that we won’t take sides in this war, but we’ll defend our borders.” Erik encircled her waist and pulled her close as they continued down the street and across the bridge to the park.

Ans wrapped her arm around him too, wondering how much longer she would have him beside her. “When do you have to leave? Do you know where you’ll be sent?”

“I’m not sure about any of that. I haven’t received orders yet. But very soon, I expect.” In his understated way, he seemed excited by the prospect.

“How do you feel about going?” she asked.

“I think army life might suit me. And it’s not like anyone will be shooting at me.”

“I should hope not!”

He halted by the water’s edge and took both her hands in his as he gazed down at her. He seemed shy suddenly. “I came to ask a favor. I know we’ve only known each other a few weeks, but . . . will you be my girlfriend?”

Ans hoped it was too dark for him to see that she was blushing. Her fair skin always betrayed her. “I would like that very much,” she replied. “I’m going to miss you, Erik.” She leaned close and hugged him tightly. The thought of Erik going away or fighting a war made her realize how much she cared for him.